Curtis Stone shares his top travel hacks and tips for cheap eats
When he travels, chef Curtis Stone loves to seek out where the locals eat and discover regional dishes.
I travel… For work and leisure. I come back to Australia at least six times a year, and always love filming MasterChef, which I've been lucky enough to be part of since its inception. We recently went on a family trip to Mexico because I have a restaurant, Woodend, on the Riviera Maya. Next we're going to Italy for the European summer.
Curtis Stone's restaurant Woodend at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel on the Rivera Maya in Mexico.
I plan the trip myself and use a travel agent… For business trips generally I lean into the experts as my schedule is often all over the place and requires more intricate planning. If it's a holiday with the family, we love to do the planning ourselves. We like the challenge of finding off-the-beaten-track hidden gems whether they be restaurants, eateries, shops, or interesting local hangouts. We often have a loose plan and then piece it all together once we arrive after speaking with locals. I can't say it doesn't stress my wife out a little.
Inside my carry-on is always… My Cargo Crew chef jacket – it's one of my essential tools of the trade.
I pack my suitcase… Quickly. I travel so often I've got it down to a fine art, taking only carry-on so I can get through the airport with pace. My trick is to have everything laundered and pressed as I go. It's kind of genius for business travel.
Celebrity chef Curtis Stone visiting a dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong.
I save money when travelling by... Eating where the locals eat. I love to get off the beaten track, immerse myself in the culture, and really understand where and what everyone eats. I did this recently in Hong Kong. I can't help but get sucked in to check out the different cooking techniques, interesting ingredients and watch the local signature dishes being created. It's just so special. I'm not going to lie – I normally ask if I can get in and check out their kitchens too.
My favourite type of travel companion is… My family. As I'm constantly travelling for work, I love it whenever they can come with me. We try to have one special family holiday a year so we can truly connect by spending time together.
I like to get to the airport… With seconds to spare. I see it as a challenge to be going through security as they're announcing the final call. Needless to say, I'm not everyone's favourite travel companion.
Curtis Stone appears on MasterChef Australia this week.
As soon as I check in… I go straight to the gate as I rarely leave enough time for lounges.
On the plane I dress… For comfort. I'm a jeans and jumper kind of guy.
My tip for getting the best meal possible on a flight is… Eat early, then sleep. I am all about maximising my time on the ground at the other end so on a long-haul flight my priority is landing feeling as refreshed as possible.
My favourite airport is… Melbourne because it means it won't be long until I can see my parents and brother. But as far as wow factor, Singapore's Changi Airport is pretty special.
St Ali is Curtis Stone's go-to coffee spot in Melbourne. Picture: Visit Victoria
The one restaurant I will always visit when I'm in Australia is… St Ali in South Melbourne for my coffee fix and a snack. I'm such a sticky beak, so I usually try to check out the newest restaurants and eating spots, which means I'm rarely at the same place twice.
The one thing I will always take back to the US from Australia is… Vegemite. I can't live without it nor can my kids.
The one song that is always on my travel playlist… My son's band, The Rookies. He's only 13 years old but is cooler than I'll ever be. He plays lead guitar and sings.
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The destination I think is best bang for buck is... Mexico. To be honest it has the best of both worlds. Mexico is a destination that you can do on a budget or be a little more fancy. Visiting some of the smaller beach towns in Mexico you can find hidden gems and it can be really budget-friendly.
The travel app I swear by is... I've always used Waze. It will sometimes take you on the tourist route, but will guarantee to avoid the traffic, mostly.
Curtis Stone returns as guest chef on MasterChef Australia: Back to Win this week. The showscreens Sunday at 7pm, and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
Originally published as Curtis Stone shares his top travel hacks and tips for cheap eats
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The Age
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Best of both worlds: These cities are two holidays in one
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One half Copenhagen has top museums including the National Gallery, Royal Museum for Fine Arts, and David Collection for Islamic art. Then there are royal sights such as Amalienborg (our Australian queen's residence) and Rosenborg, which houses the crown jewels. Trendy Vesterbro and Norrebro neighbourhoods get you beyond the tourist trail. The other half Glass skyscrapers, sprawling parks and cafes and bars define Malmo, although it has a few remnants from its 16th-century Danish heyday, such as main square Stortorget and a small castle. Get some stylish Nordic shopping in along Sodergatan and Sodra Forstadsgatan. Then check out the new waterfront and recreational development Vastra Hamnen, topped by the superb 'Twisting Torso' skyscraper. And the better half is… Copenhagen has far more beautiful buildings, better museums and richer history yet shares Malmo's progressive, experimental vibe. For families, it has more child-friendly sights, museums and a zoo. 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And the better half is… Washington DC of course because it showcases both what the US aspires to and has become – plus it inevitably feels as if you've strayed into the set of a thriller or spy series. See Rio De Janiero and Niteroi, Brazil Seeing double Just across Guanabara Bay by bridge or ferry, Niteroi lacks Rio's stunning setting, history and raucous life, but has terrific views, a slower and more neighbourly atmosphere, and several cultural attractions. One half The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands over the strikingly humped outcrops, sumptuous bays and glorious beaches of Rio. Seaside neighbourhoods Urca and Niteroi are lovely. Copacabana and Ipamema are for beachgoers, Arpoador for surfers. Centro in contrast offers history, colonial-era architecture, ornate churches and museums. 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Seeing double Twenty kilometres separate one downtown from the other but the causeway that links Singapore to the Malaysian mainland is only a kilometre long. Johor Bahru is more Malay, less Chinese, not as uptight, and enjoying a boom. One half Civic District is Singapore's colonial core, but other worthy neighbourhoods include Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Sentosa Island offers a beachy getaway. Among numerous sights are the Asian Civilizations Museum, the wonderful Gardens by the Bay and Botanic Gardens, and Singapore Zoo. Singapore has some of the world's best restaurants and bars, plus bargain-priced hawker centres. The other half Johor Bahru used to be dishevelled, but an overhaul has positioned it as an entertainment city. Its revamped heritage centre, with its shophouses and temples, has newfound contemporary style and abundant eateries. The sultan's palace houses the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, one of Malaysia's best. 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You do, though, get two countries, with the Argentine falls wilder and more dramatic because you get right up close to the thundering cascades. But the Brazilian falls offer wider, more panoramic views. Subtropical rainforest full of birds, butterflies and orchids are a bonus in both countries. See
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
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Best of both worlds: These cities are two holidays in one
The other half Head across Alexandra Bridge (great views) to Gatineau. Its outdoorsy appeal culminates in humungous Gatineau Park, which has head-clearing hiking trails. The best sight on any side of the river is the Canadian Museum of History, a wonderful wander from totem poles and First Nations lodges to log cabins, fortified early European settlements and a 1960s airport lounge. Informative touchscreens and headphones will make you linger. And the better half is… Can they be separated? The two are like a mini-Canada that condenses the aspirations of Canadians into one pleasing, bilingual, cosmopolitan and quirky package. Oh, okay: Ottawa wins. See Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden Seeing double Only 30 kilometres separate these two cities linked across the Oresund Strait by bridge and tunnel since 2000. Copenhagen has historical, royal and cultural clout. Malmo is a thrusting, 21st-century city with an arty, progressive vibe. One half Copenhagen has top museums including the National Gallery, Royal Museum for Fine Arts, and David Collection for Islamic art. Then there are royal sights such as Amalienborg (our Australian queen's residence) and Rosenborg, which houses the crown jewels. Trendy Vesterbro and Norrebro neighbourhoods get you beyond the tourist trail. The other half Glass skyscrapers, sprawling parks and cafes and bars define Malmo, although it has a few remnants from its 16th-century Danish heyday, such as main square Stortorget and a small castle. Get some stylish Nordic shopping in along Sodergatan and Sodra Forstadsgatan. Then check out the new waterfront and recreational development Vastra Hamnen, topped by the superb 'Twisting Torso' skyscraper. And the better half is… Copenhagen has far more beautiful buildings, better museums and richer history yet shares Malmo's progressive, experimental vibe. For families, it has more child-friendly sights, museums and a zoo. Washington DC and Georgetown, US Seeing double Although considered a Washington neighbourhood, Georgetown was long an independent municipality, and its 1751 founding predates the American capital's by 40 years. Its charm and liveliness contrast with Washington's gravitas and monuments. One half The political core of DC is grand, graceful and dotted with iconic monuments set in parkland, among them the Washington Monument, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the White House. The capital also has some of the world's best museums, many with free entry, including to the varied branches of the Smithsonian. The other half Georgetown is less grand and has tranquil streets lined by fine old homes. Take an historical walking tour to admire various significant buildings, embassies and Georgetown University – plus the fine Oak Hill Cemetery. This is also a top shopping, dining and bar-hopping destination, with M Street and Wisconsin Avenue a revellers' hotspot on weekends. And the better half is… Washington DC of course because it showcases both what the US aspires to and has become – plus it inevitably feels as if you've strayed into the set of a thriller or spy series. See Rio De Janiero and Niteroi, Brazil Seeing double Just across Guanabara Bay by bridge or ferry, Niteroi lacks Rio's stunning setting, history and raucous life, but has terrific views, a slower and more neighbourly atmosphere, and several cultural attractions. One half The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands over the strikingly humped outcrops, sumptuous bays and glorious beaches of Rio. Seaside neighbourhoods Urca and Niteroi are lovely. Copacabana and Ipamema are for beachgoers, Arpoador for surfers. Centro in contrast offers history, colonial-era architecture, ornate churches and museums. The other half Niteroi is largely ignored by tourists but has appeal, starting with the esplanades at Icarai beach, the scenically sited ruins of old Portuguese fortifications, and the eye-catching building that houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by great Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer. Linger in hilltop Parque da Cidade for one of the best sunset panoramas in the world. And the better half is… Okay, Rio is never going to be outdone. It doesn't just have one of the world's best natural settings but is seductive and spirited. It has street markets, grand cafes and a sophisticated nightlife too. See East and West Berlin, Germany Seeing double Differences remain in the now-unified capital, divided by politics after World War II and by a wall between 1961 and 1989. Former East Berlin is grittier and more creative, and has a noticeably different, Soviet-influenced architectural heritage. One half In West Berlin, Kreuzberg is the home of immigrants and alternative folk and has a lively, arty vibe and terrific nightlife. Vast Tiergarten encompasses meadows and lakes and the Berlin Zoo, and is scattered with monuments. The old airport at Tempelhof is now Europe's largest monument. Charlottenburg is a baroque Prussian palace surrounded by formal gardens. The other half East Berlin bags Museum Island with its superb antiquities and European paintings. Nikolai is the closest the bombed-out city gets to an old town. Former working-class Scheunenviertel has tangled streets now claimed by hip hotels, boutiques and nightclubs. Neighbouring Prenzlauer Berg has Jewish history, pleasing architecture and ethnic eateries. And the better half is… This city's unusual modern history is what makes it fascinating. We love both these conjoined twins, whose shared sights include the Brandenburg Gate and remaining sections of Berlin Wall. Seeing double Twenty kilometres separate one downtown from the other but the causeway that links Singapore to the Malaysian mainland is only a kilometre long. Johor Bahru is more Malay, less Chinese, not as uptight, and enjoying a boom. One half Civic District is Singapore's colonial core, but other worthy neighbourhoods include Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Sentosa Island offers a beachy getaway. Among numerous sights are the Asian Civilizations Museum, the wonderful Gardens by the Bay and Botanic Gardens, and Singapore Zoo. Singapore has some of the world's best restaurants and bars, plus bargain-priced hawker centres. The other half Johor Bahru used to be dishevelled, but an overhaul has positioned it as an entertainment city. Its revamped heritage centre, with its shophouses and temples, has newfound contemporary style and abundant eateries. The sultan's palace houses the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, one of Malaysia's best. Family-friendly attractions include Legoland Malaysia theme park. And the better half is… For all Johor Bahru's efforts, it can't compete with Singapore's organisation, cleanliness, abundant green spaces and variety of attractions. Singapore also wins for its multi-ethnic neighbourhoods and cuisines. Luxor and Western Thebes, Egypt Seeing double Modern Luxor on the east bank of the Nile has vibrant contemporary life and staggering temples; the west bank is lightly populated and more a city of the dead thanks to its ancient mortuary tombs. One half Luxor has three great ancient sights: Luxor Temple, vast Karnak temple complex at the other end of the restored Avenue of the Sphinxes, and the creepy but fascinating Mummification Museum. There's also a lively corniche with views over the Nile (wonderful at sunset) and great opportunities to shop, whether you're after kitschy Egyptian memorabilia or fine handicrafts. The other half Western Thebes is honeycombed with royal and aristocratic tombs, the most famous of which belongs to boy pharaoh Tutankhamun, although the best for the quality of their frescoes are those of Rameses III and Seti I. The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is astonishing for its size and elaborate decorations. And the better half is… Although Luxor and Karnak temples are superb, we love the desert silence and haunting tombs of Western Thebes, and especially the chance to get away from tourist crowds at the less-visited Tombs of the Nobles. Landmarks Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Red Centre are united in a rust-red national park, but too little time is budgeted for the latter. Both are superb outcrops of 600-million-year-old rocks of intense colour and drama, and of immense spiritual significance to local Indigenous people. The four-hour Valley of the Winds trail in Kata Tjuta, where finches twitter and budgerigars flash emerald against red rock, is magnificent. See Rivers You get the Dordogne and Garonne rivers plus the wide Gironde Estuary on a meandering river cruise in the Bordeaux region of south-west France, which starts and finishes in Bordeaux, one of France's finest and liveliest cities. Landscapes are almost flat, but vineyards produce world-famous wines, and sights include Blaye citadel, beautiful limestone town Saint-Emilion, historic Bergerac, and the delights of various chateaux. See Villages As the name suggests, you'll be wowed by not one or two but five former fishing villages in Italy's Cinque Terre, which you can link on a super-scenic coastal hike. All feature multi-coloured houses surrounded by olive orchards that teeter on cliffs above the Mediterranean. The biggest village – and the best base – is Monterosso, but the best might be Vernazza, sandwiched between a pretty harbour and hilltop castle. See Waterfalls Forget two, how about 275 waterfalls, some of which are higher or wider than Niagara? You do, though, get two countries, with the Argentine falls wilder and more dramatic because you get right up close to the thundering cascades. But the Brazilian falls offer wider, more panoramic views. Subtropical rainforest full of birds, butterflies and orchids are a bonus in both countries. See
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Africa's most beautiful hotels are decorated with repurposed junk
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when I enter Latitude 15 in Lusaka my eye beholds the most beautiful hotel in the world. Walls pop with contemporary African art and dreamy chandeliers adorn the ceilings. Materials are organic: leather, beads, wood, mud, feathers; this is a place that vibrates with earthy personality and juicy colour. On closer inspection, the chandeliers are not light fixtures at all - they're cascading copper discs and clay beads and fragments of pearlescent glass held together by delicate strands of wire. These luxe ornamentations come not from the European design houses of Baccarat or Murano, but from Likoma, a pinprick-sized island on Lake Malawi. So immense is the lake, it straddles three countries: Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique; Likoma, though part of Malawi, lies just a few kilometres off the remote eastern lakeshore in Mozambique. Here at the social enterprise Katundu, in Likoma, the largely female workforce crafts resplendent artefacts and functional furnishings from life's detritus: wine bottles, hot water tanks, fishing boats, engine parts. 'Wine bottles we get from the [nearby] lodge, and junk we get from Lilongwe on the mainland,' says Lisa Njakale, Katundu's general manager.
