What we've learned in this week's travel

There are six breweries in Wanaka. You can check them out at the Wanaka Beer Festival on December 1. My Holiday » p2

You can cycle from Vienna, in Austria, to Bratislava, in Slovakia, in an afternoon. But be mindful that you might cycle into a popular nudist zone alongside the Danube. “A little abashed, we sped up, not knowing where to look as we zoomed past groups chatting, barbecuing, and even dining at a cafe in nothing but their skin,” writes Kate Roff.

Europe » p10

It’s free to visit the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul. “The city is full of bargains for the curious traveller,” writes Russell Maclennan-Jones. Middle East » p12

This is not a drill, people! Eighties rap queens Salt-N-Pepa are coming to Western Springs! They’re headlining the Friday Jams Live 2018 concert this weekend, alongside Usher, Che Fu, T-Pain, Eve, Naughty by Nature and Estelle. Weekender » p18

In Vietnam, snake blood — served warm in a glass — is supposed to be an aphrodisiac. He Tangata » p20

Following Air New Zealand’s resetting of the safety video tone, British Airways phoned up the luvvies, casting Michael Caine and Joanna Lumley in one of their own productions. Opinion » p22

The United Airlines Polaris Lounge at San Francisco Airport spans two floors with seating for up to 440 people. Both floors have lots of natural light to help reset the body clock, and tasteful contemporary artworks from local Bay Area artists. Lounge Check » p25

Scott Towers, of Fat Freddys Drop, rates Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy product as “a cut above” the Singapore Airlines offering.

Flight Check Omnibus » p28-p29

Some of our readers reckon the Travel Editor should go — “he’s become increasingly annoying”. Letters to the Travel Editor » p30

Western Australia’s new tourism marketing campaign will see the place pitched as “the road trip state” to promote self-drive holiday routes. Travel Wires » p31

You can win a $22,000 European river cruise holiday for two. Departure lounge » p31