Travel Alerts: Vivid Sydney, Tulip Festival Amsterdam, Flavours of Plenty, Whittaker’s Hotel, Kittawa Lodge Dining

Autumn takes on a more social rhythm in the Coastal Bay of Plenty as the Flavours of Plenty Festival returns from April 16 to May 3, 2026. Spread across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Whakatāne and surrounding towns, the festival invites visitors to move through the region by following its food, one event at a time.

The opening night sets the tone. Battle of the Snack takes place on April 16 at Saltwater in Mount Maunganui from 6pm to 10pm, where emerging chefs and local talent compete to create a standout canape. Hosted by Kelli Brett, the event blends competition with audience participation, awarding both a Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice winner. The winning dish earns national exposure through Cuisine magazine.

Running alongside the festival, the Plates of Plenty Challenge stretches from April 1 to May 3. Eateries across the region create limited-time dishes using a shared list of ingredients, from Waitoa free-range chicken to kawakawa and locally brewed rice lager. Visitors are encouraged to explore multiple venues, taste widely and vote for their favourite dish, while a panel of judges selects its own winner.

The lineup of events of the Flavours of Plenty Festival offers a way to experience a region through its food and meet the people behind it. For the full event programme, visit flavoursofplentyfestival.com

Eat your way around the Bay of Plenty and discover local dishes, events and flavours across the region. Photo / Flavours of Plenty Festival 2025

Tulips take over Amsterdam

Spring arrives in full colour just outside Amsterdam as the Tulip Festival returns to Keukenhof Gardens from March 19 to May 10, 2026. More than seven million flower bulbs bloom across 32ha, with over 800 varieties of tulips planted in layers, creating a shifting landscape shaped by the season rather than a single theme. Early visits reveal daffodils and crocuses, mid-season shifts to hyacinths and early tulips, and by the final weeks, the gardens reach their peak with full tulip displays.

Walking remains the best way to take it in. Around 15km of paths lead through ponds, pavilions, sculpture gardens and weekly changing indoor flower shows. The experience changes depending on when you arrive, so it rewards slow exploration rather than rushing between spots. Seasonal events add another layer, including opening weekend celebrations, Holland Heritage days, Easter activities and the Dutch Flower Parade on April 18, before the season closes with live music in early May. Beyond the park, the surrounding Bollenstreek region extends the visit. You can cycle past tulip fields, join a guided bike tour, or take a 45-minute boat ride through the landscape to see the flowers from the water. The festival becomes a way to experience Europe’s spring as it unfolds, with each visit shaped by timing, weather and the beauty of nature. keukenhof.nl

Time your visit to Keukenhof and walk through millions of tulips in bloom just outside Amsterdam. Photo / Getty Images

Whittaker’s hotel

A Kiwi favourite, Whittaker’s is turning 130 and inviting people to experience it in a new way. To mark the milestone, Whittaker’s has launched Hotel Sweet, a limited overnight stay at Hotel Fitzroy, running from April 5 to 18, 2026.

For the first time, the brand has created a bookable experience. A luxury suite has been completely transformed into a chocolate-filled space, where guests are welcomed with Whittaker’s treats, sleep in chocolate-inspired linens and robes, and explore a curated library celebrating the brand’s 130-year history. Every detail leans into the experience, turning a simple overnight into something immersive and unexpected. Only a limited number of one-night bookings are available for singles or couples, with demand expected to be high. The second wave of bookings will be released on March 31. Visit whittakershotelsweet.co.nz to secure your place.

Spend the night surrounded by Whittaker’s chocolate at this one-of-a-kind hotel stay. Photo / Supplied

Dining off the grid with Kittawa Lodge

A remote corner of Tasmania is quietly hosting one of Australia’s most intimate food experiences later this year. Kittawa Lodge on King Island will host its Guest Chef Series across June to July and again in October, bringing in Jordan Clay and Darren Purchese for a series of three-night stays.

Each experience welcomes up to eight guests at a time across the lodge’s private accommodations, with menus centred on King Island’s local produce. Guests can expect daily breakfasts, gourmet picnics and intimate in-lodge dinners paired with Tasmanian wines, alongside access to a vehicle for exploring the island. A highlight includes a one-night wildlife experience featuring platypus-spotting followed by canapés and a Southern Rock Lobster dinner as little penguins return ashore. This offers a quieter alternative to traditional food travel, offering luxury, nature and dining in one place. kittawalodge.com

Experience chef-led dining on King Island with menus built around local produce. Photo / Kittawa Lodge