Welcome to the Spring edition of Vacations & Travel, Australia's longest-running magazines with one of the highest circulations. (CAB Audit). 

We have plenty of palm trees, white sand and turquoise water that will have checking your frequent flyer points and ordering some new bikinis. We have two features on the Maldives, one on the brand-new Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi and another looking at other wonderful resorts, all delivering the quintessential Maldives experience. And there's more of that blue water in spectacular Palawan in the Philippines.

We dive into Sri Lanka to take in the attractions and the curries and discover the foodie attractions of Spain's Costa Brava, in the shadows of Barcelona. There is also a wonderful photo essay of the Shetland Islands, a tea picking trip to the hills around Chiang Rai in Thailand. V&T's intrepid team also visit Kakadu in the wet season and strap on skis in Steamboat Colorado.

In Africa, we safari two ways -- in South Africa and Kenya -- and, in New Zealand, we might just have experienced one of the best resorts in the country … Mahu Whenua.

Also in this issue:

* How to stay hydrated in the air

* Best rooftop bars in Bangkok

* Hiking in the hills of Austria

* Fiji - the best place to golf and spa

* Waikiki – Outrigger style

* We meet Hans Belle from AAT Kings

* Flight reviews on Thai Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and South African Airways

* Hotel reviews including Huka Lodge, Hoshinoya Tokyo, Raffles Europjski in Warsaw and The Layar in Bali.

* Cruise and spa reviews

* How to help orphaned elephants in South Africa

This issue is packed full of essential holiday ideas and information, with our team of respected writers travelling far and wide to present informative and beautiful stories on destinations the world over. We also update readers on the latest news in spas, hotels, cruising, dining and on ways to give back through travel in our global village.

PLUS: One lucky Vacations & Travel subscriber will win a five-night vacation in New Orleans, Louisiana, including economy flights with United Airlines from Sydney to New Orleans.

That is just a taste of what readers will find in our glossy pages to inspire their next vacation.

The publication has wide distribution across key visitor destinations including 4- and 5-star hotel rooms across Australia, in airports, newsagents and our dedicated subscriber base. Our website has enjoyed a huge 22 per cent jump in traffic in the last quarter and our newsletter numbers are rising.

Vacations & Travel is out now at newsagents. Or have it delivered to your door by subscribing at vacationsmag.com or call Morris Media on +61 2 9555 7477.

Editor-In-Chief: Helen Hayes
Tel: +61 (02) 95557477
Email: vteditor@morrismedia.com.au