escape to luxury

'Tis the season to be jolly! But if you've been tasked with hosting this year's Christmas celebrations, you might be feeling daunted by creating the perfect festive menu for your loved ones. We've asked celebrity chef, Stefano Manfredi from Manfredi at Bells to create a dream Christmas dinner for alluxia. In part one we shared the recipe for entree of roast tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto and here we bring you an alternative from old-school turkey or ham and bring you new-school roast duck with aged balsamic for a very cool yule!

Calling all Manfredi at Bells devotees, for your dining pleasure Stefano Manfredi has kindly shared some delicious recipes with alluxia for a contemporary twist on Christmas entertaining. Here's part one of our series, this festive entree of roast tomato with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto...

THE LOOK

When you arrive at Thala Beach Lodge you’re greeted with a fruity concoction in a tall glass, decorated with a pineapple wedge, as your luggage is whisked away allowing you to take a moment after travelling to breath deep and relax - you’ve arrived at your destination so let the holiday begin!  Thala Beach Lodge is set on 60 hectares, with bungalows scattered along the landscape, leading to the main reception where ceiling fans languidly swirl at Osprey restaurant. It’s timeless and reminiscent of Dirty Dancing & I love it.

Summertime is always a good time to head to the coast for the ultimate Australian beach holiday. But what appeal does a beach destination hold in winter?  Heaps!! Without the distraction of the sun, sand & surf, you can discover the best places to eat, drink and caffeinate making it the perfect, relaxing romantic getaway.

It’s time to embrace the romance of winter in Melbourne. The cosmopolitan city shines with a series of blockbuster events over the coming months. Spend your days soaking up the café lifestyle, discover laneway bars, vintage stores or designer threads and seeing some great exhibitions.

Melbourne is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or that long overdue girls getaway.

We all like to channel our inner romantic at times, and what better way to spend quality time with your partner than on a dreamy escape together?

Spending quality time with your partner and taking the time for rest and relaxation away from the fast pace of everyday life is important to strengthen a relationship and rekindle the romance.