Harry Potter fans can tour the studio and experience his magical world of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'

The time has come for a new era of magic to begin with the upcoming theatrical release of the Harry Potter prequel, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Based on JK Rowling's 2001 book and first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, this story purports to be a copy of Harry Potter's textbook. Unlike the rest of the Harry Potter series, the action takes place around the secret community of witches and wizards in 1926 New York City.

To celebrate the release of this new magical world and to encourage enchanted exploring of your own, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, is presenting a list of five fantastic themed properties and where to find them.

The Grove, Chandeler's Cross, UK

All of the films in the Harry Potter series, including the most recent film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, have been filmed at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, England. The studio now hosts The Making of Harry Potter studio tour which offers guests the opportunity to relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter franchise to life. After uncovering the magic of the studio tour, fans can stay at The Grove, a 5-star hotel only a philosopher's stone's throw away from the Harry Potter studio tour. Guests can enjoy its elegant and spacious rooms, 300-acres of magical parkland, luxurious spa, 18-hole golf course and two swimming pools.

BridgeStreet Apartments at Liverpool ONE, Liverpool, UK

Another major filming location for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was Liverpool, England, where the city was transformed into 1920s New York City. Embrace the magic this location has to offer by staying at the BridgetStreet Apartments at Liverpool ONE. It offers impressive views of the Liverpool city center and modern interiors from a fully furnished kitchen to elegant bathrooms. Not to mention, it's only a 5-mintue walk to the center of Liverpool, including the infamous St. George's Hall, so apparition spells and other methods of magical transportation can be left at home. 

Georgian House Hotel, London, UK

For muggles and No-Majs who have ever wondered what it would be like to sleep like a wizard, the Wizard Chamber at the Georgian House Hotel in the centre of London can transport guests to a world full of magic and marvel. Concealed behind a bookcase door, curious guests will enjoy venturing to the Wizard Chamber of this 19th century hotel. Created to conjure a mysterious and gothic feel, each room features faux castle details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, trunks, cauldrons, four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains and an abundance of other curious artefacts. Wood burning stoves, cauldrons in fireplaces and tapestries complete the look.

The St. Regis, New York City, New York, USA

Filming for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them may not have taken place in New York City, but the movie still captures the charm and hustle of America during the 1920s. The St. Regis is one of the most distinctive 1920s building in the heart of New York City which also captures that very same charm and hustle, but with modern amenities. Guest rooms provide flat-screen TVs, seating areas with sofas and desks with minibars and refrigerators. The ideally situated 5-star hotel only a short walk from other classic New York City landmarks including the Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building.

The Chatwal, New York City, New York, USA

Guests won't find any fantastic beasts at this sophisticated New York City landmark that evokes the glamorous 1920s. But they will find that their every demand is met with luxurious rooms, each serviced with personal butler service, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and 400-thread-count linens and down duvets - no magic wands necessary! Guests of The Chatwal are also invited to step back in time at the bar that serves classic cocktails of the roaring 20s. Who knows, maybe magizoologist Newt Scamander himself will join for a bee's knees cocktail while taking a break from his quest to research and rescue magical creatures.

Now is a great time to visit Egypt

SEVEN REASONS WHY NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO VISIT EGYPT

A land of ancient monuments, mysterious legends and a charisma that never fails to excite visitors, Egypt has long been a stalwart of many travellers’ bucket lists. In recent years, however, political upheaval and potential customer concerns have seen a marked decline in the numbers of people travelling to the country.

What's New in Helsinki: Hotels, Bars, Restaurants, more

#VisitHelsinki #MyHelsinki

The new breed of food actors really deserves a round of applause. Helsinki has several Michelin starred restaurants and many local chefs, baristas, food producers and café owners have become recognized celebrities. Check out our food brochure Food Helsinki? HEL YEAH! and the newest top restaurants in town listed below.

. Baskeri & Basso’s ingredient driven cuisine is daring in its outrageous simplicity.
. Bystro’s hot blini pans have steamed the windows, and the incredible tastes of Slavic kitchen to-
gether with an edgy vodka bar welcome you to Russia in the middle of Helsinki city centre.
. Finnjävel uses Finnish cooking methods from the years gone by and freshest ingredients. They have
delved into the past in order to create the future of Finnish cuisine.
. Grön is a new restaurant that wants to show respect to creativity, nature and to all of us by offering excellent food made of locally produced ingredients.
. Holiday Bar, kitchen & terrace by your holiday guides Richard McCormick & Ville Relander.
. KOM, a renewed theatre restaurant opened in September by Antto Melasniemi and Heikki Purho-
nen. Antto is also making a gin with Klaus Haapaniemi, the designer, called Tenu.
. Roster is the latest restaurant of Kari Aihinen specielicied in roasting.
. Shelter located in an old warehouse at Katajanokka harbor gives shelter to friends of good food and
drink. The owners believe in crafting, genuine customer service and working together.
. Vinkkeli is founded by three passionate experts, sharing more than ten years’ history at Helsinki’s
legendary restaurants.

• Related story: Helsinki is the perfect stopover city

Seven Tasmanian spots best accessed (or only accessed) by boat/cruise

Tasmania is an explorers’ paradise with nearly 37% of the island designated as reserves, National Parks, and World Heritage Sites, and with a total coastline length 4,882kms many of Tasmania’s top spots are to be found nestled on the coastline and best (or only!) accessed by boat.

There is no better way than to explore the Tassie coastline than on a small, nifty and comfortable cruise ship, like the Coral Expeditions 1, complete with an excursion vessel. This allows you to dart in and explore magical coves when no one is around, take in the many panoramic rock formations, get up close and personal with marine life and get unique vantage points at iconic locations.

With Coral Expeditions you can also enjoy an Open Bridge policy so you can get a captain eye’s view of the island as well as on aboard Marine biologist to help you get to know the marine life better.

Wineglass Bay

Freycinet National Park, on the East Coast, is home to the iconic Wineglass Bay, which is a haven of white sand, turquoise waters and dramatic bushland. Wineglass Bay is accessible by foot but arriving by boat means you skip the parking circus, often busy trails and see this stunning location from a different vista. You can also get this paradise to yourself as the Coral Expeditions 1 will arrive at the bay when no one else is around. You will also be given an opportunity to do a morning hike up to the lookout and take some ‘people free’ snaps.

Maria Island

Maria Island on the South East coast, offers historic ruins, sweeping bays, rugged cliffs and mountains and incredible wildlife. It is only accessed by boat but instead of taking the ferry and exploring the island by foot, take in the full effect of the dramatic coastline, stop off at the more remote bays and enjoy a unique panorama of the famed fossil cliffs on-board your cruise ship. The Coral Expeditions 1 will also take you to shore on so can walk the convict trail and spot the elusive Tasmania devil. You won’t be restricted by ferry times so can enjoy the island at your own pace.

Bruny Island

Bruny Island, the land of cheese and oysters, is situated to the south of Hobart and is only accessible by boat. Bruny Island is blessed with marine life and is home to a large population of Australian fur seals which are best viewed from the ocean in a ‘who’s watching who’ scenario. A trip to Bruny island is not complete without some food and wine but with Coral Expeditions you can work it off with a swim and kayak in Adventure Bay before you cruise back to the sip, where you will be treated to a Tasmania sunset as you anchor for the night.

Tasman National Park

Tasman National Park, off the East Coast and adjacent to Port Arthur, is known for its monumental rock formations and rugged cliffs which are best seen by boat, where the crashing waves and abundant sea life add an extra dimension to your experience. The park is teeming with marine life which include penguins, dolphins, migrating whales and seals which you can track and learn about with the Coral Expeditions resident marine biologist. The ship will give you the ability to follow these magnificent animals wherever they go so you can be assured of some incredible sightings.

Recherche Bay

Recherche Bay is located on the extreme south-eastern corner of Tasmania and has gained notoriety in recent years as the first meeting place between Bruni D’Entrecasteaux and the original habitants – the Lylequonny. What better way to reach Recherche Bay than by the same way Bruni did, following in his footsteps right until you set foot on the beach at Cockle Creek. Cruising this coastline on the Coral Expeditions 1 also means you get to enjoy the many inlets, islands and natural beauty of this picturesque section of the South Coast.

Port Davey

The wilderness surrounding Port Davey is thought to be one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet and is known to have the cleanest air on earth. It is only accessible by boat, plane or 7-day trek but this pristine tapestry of gorges, waterfalls, rivers and mountains is best explored by water. With wild weather to match, cruising on the Coral Expeditions 1 is the way to go so you can acclimatise to the temperamental conditions in comfort and jump on the excursion vessel to dart into little bays or take a sea kayak when the sun is on your side.

Fortescue Bay & Canoe Bay

Tucked away in the Tasman National Park and only accessible by foot or boat is Canoe Bay, home to the shipwreck of a Dutch Trading Vessel called Andre Reboncas. Cruising into the bay gives you the chance to see the shipwreck up close and means you can nip over to the nearby picturesque Canoe Bay. You will also be able to enjoy panoramic views of Waterfall Bay and the pods of dolphins that often populate this area.

Sydney Hobart on Sydney to race

Cruising Tasmania is all about exploring a pristine and secluded wilderness but during the Sydney to Hobart race this isolated island becomes a haven of white sails as the yachts race to Hobart. However, if you’re on board a cruise ship such as the Coral Expeditions 1, this man made phenomenon is a sight to behold and lends itself best to aquatic arm chair viewing.

Coral Expeditions runs a 7-night cruise from Hobart annually throughout November to February. To find out more information about this active adventure, on board the Coral Expeditions 1, which showcases the wild beauty and remarkable heritage of Tasmania please visit: www.coralexpeditions.com

Ancient Voices, Modern Travels: Aboriginal Tourism in BC

From the Haida and Tsimshian of the North Coast to the Nuu-chah-nulth of Vancouver Island and the Stó:lō, Secwepemc, Okanagan and Ktunaxa people inland, British Columbia is home to Canada’s most diverse composition of First Nations bands, languages and societies.

British Columbia also boasts some of the longest inhabited regions in the world. The area around Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, for example, has revealed evidence of 12,000 years of human settlement.

Each of BC’s First Nations has its own language, traditions and history, and most are currently experiencing a cultural renaissance. At the same time, BC's many Aboriginal cultures are increasingly accessible to visitors, with growth in everything from Aboriginal-owned art galleries and cultural centres, to First Nations-operated wilderness treks, wildlife viewing tours and cultural experiences. 

Botswana Rising

Remote, yes. Home to the fictional Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency, yes. And thanks to a low volume tourism policy, Botswana remains blissfully unspoiled.

And yet, it is a country whose star is clearly on the ascendancy. Anointed by Lonely Planet as one of the ‘Hot Destinations for 2016’, its popularity as a safari destination continues to grow. This month also marks its 50th year of independence, with the landlocked African nation hitting the big screen with the launch of high-profile film, A United Kingdom, starring Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Tom Felton and Laura Carmichael, which tells the story of Botswanan prince Seretse Khama, who later became Botswana’s first democratically elected president.

So what makes Botswana so special? Well for start, it’s hard to go past beautiful landscapes and the quality and abundance of wildlife. Then there’s its rare combination of desert and delta. The Kalahari Desert makes up more than 80% of this landlocked country, and the vast sponge into which the swollen Okavango River disappears each year creates the largest inland delta in the world – the Okavango Delta. And in the northwest of Botswana, lies Chobe National Park, home to the largest population of elephants in the world.

Over 17% of the country is dedicated to national parks, and in 2014 the Okavango Delta became UNESCO's 1,000th World Heritage Site. That means a Botswana safari offers up varied safari holiday across a broad expanse of savanna, desert, saltpan and wetland in one of the most pristine wildlife destinations in Africa.

In what is also one of the most sparsely populated countries in southern Africa, a safari here is an intimate experience where close-up game viewing is the norm and boutique safari camps the ultimate home-away-from-home. There is a multitude of ways to acquaint yourself with the wildlife - on a gently poled mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) trip through the waterways, by open 4WD vehicle, from the air and on foot – you won’t be disappointed.

Ten great reasons to visit Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula this summer

Located an easy hours’ drive from Melbourne, Geelong and its neighbouring peninsula - The Bellarine, are the ideal destinations for a day trip, weekend getaway or extended summer holiday. Here are 10 reasons to add this beautiful part of Victoria to your must-visit list this summer.

Destination dining – Geelong and its surrounding areas are home to some of the best regional dining you will find in Australia. A must visit location in Geelong is Aaron Turner’s IGNI, which has won numerous accolades since opening earlier in the year. On the Bellarine, you will find Jack Rabbit Restaurant, Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant, The Shed Restaurant at Terindah Estate and the Vue Grand Hotel. To the north of Geelong, Matt Dempsey’s Gladioli has well and truly put Inverleigh on the gourmet trail, while his second restaurant in Geelong, Tulip, continues to impress guests from near and far.

Old becomes new – as Geelong moves further away from its industrial past, old manufacturing spaces are being taken over and converted into hip new cafes, bars, restaurants, accommodation and attractions. The new Devlin Apartments, which opened in April this year, boasts 37 luxury self-contained short stay apartments and rooms and is located in the heritage listed former Gordon Junior Technical School. Nearby, Little Creatures Brewery and White Rabbit Brewery & Barrel Hall have firmly imprinted themselves at the site of the old woollen mills. The Old Paper Mills at Fyansford, established in the 1870s and located along the Barwon River, has quickly established itself as an arts and culture precinct with an onsite gallery and an onsite winery and function centre set to open soon. Back in town, Boom Gallery located just off Pakington Street, is a vibrant contemporary art and design gallery housed in an historic woollen mill.

Cool urban precincts – Geelong boasts two inner city precincts where visitors will find cool cafes, wine bars, restaurants and designer shops. In the heart of the city, along Little Malop Street, you will find some of the best coffee in town at Coffee Cartel, an impressive selection of local wines at Geelong Cellar Door, Nashville-style chicken at Aaron Turner’s Hot Chicken Project and decadent late night desserts at Armageddon Cake. Just outside the city centre, Pakington Street is home to many of the most popular venues in town, including King of the Castle, Zigfrids Dining Hall &Bar and Geelong Fresh Foods, just to name a few.

Amazing beaches – All summer long, visitors flock to The Bellarine to enjoy the region’s beautiful beaches. Avid surfers head to popular surf spots such as 13th Beach or Raffs Beach in Barwon Heads, while beginner surfers can enjoy a surf lesson at Ocean Grove beach with Go Ride a Wave or Sea Earth Adventures. Families can take advantage of the pristine sand and gentle waves at the Ocean Grove main beach, considered one of the safest in Victoria. Whereas the mouth of the Barwon River in Barwon Heads is the ideal location for paddling in the shallow water, exploring rock pools or gliding over the smooth water on a stand up paddle board. Other must-visit beachside locations include exploring the rock pools at Point Lonsdale and the sheltered and family friendly bay at Portarlington.

Bountiful local produce – The Bellarine is home to an impressive collection of boutique wineries, farm gates, provedores and establishments serving up dishes featuring local produce. The best way to discover them all is by picking up a Bellarine Taste Trail map, which will take you on a delicious journey through the region. Or check out the detailed website, which includes all the information you need to plan your gastronomic journey in advance.

Untapped wine region – the Moorabool Valley, to the north of Geelong is home to quaint villages, rolling hills, beautiful scenery and award-winning wineries. The region has a history stretching back to 1842, when Swiss immigrants planted the first vines. It is now considered one of Australia’s finest cool-climate wine growing areas, which can easily be explored on a leisurely weekend away. Top wineries to add to your must-visit list include Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro, Lethbridge Wines, Moorabool Ridge Vineyard and Austins & Co.

A water lover’s paradise – with a spectacular coastline hugging the region from Geelong right through to Barwon Heads and beyond, it’s no surprise that you will find plenty of water based activities to choose from. You can discover the region’s rich maritime past and get up close to nature on a tour with South Bay Eco Adventures, swim with the dolphins with See All Dolphins Swims or cruise between the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula’s aboard Searoad Ferries. For underwater adventures, Dive Victoria offers diving trips to explore the ex HMAS Canberra which was sunk into Port Phillip Bay in 2009. Tours depart from Queenscliff Harbour.

Outstanding public golf courses – The Bellarine is a golfer’s paradise, boasting four outstanding public courses which are consistently rated as some of the best in Australia. Take your pick from Curlewis Golf Club, Barwon Heads Golf Club, or one of the two courses at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. Add golf courses at Queenscliff (sitting on the scenic Swan Island), Portarlington and Point Lonsdale to the impressive list of courses on offer and you will see golfers truly are spoilt for choice in this part of the world.

Two wheeled adventures – whether you prefer loose shorts or lycra, the Geelong Bellarine region is home to various cycling trails suitable for all abilities. The You Yangs are the go-to place for mountain biking, boasting two designated mountain bike areas with 50 kilometres of track. The Bellarine Rail Trail is a scenic 35 kilometre trail that winds from South Geelong to Queenscliff. This mostly flat trail provides easy access to many of the regions attractions and villages. Meanwhile, thousands of visitors flock to Geelong in January every year for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Cyclists can join Cadel himself in the People’s Ride which starts and finishes in Geelong.

Endless family fun – in both Geelong and The Bellarine you will find ample activities to keep the family entertained. In Geelong, the stunning waterfront truly comes alive during summer, the youngest members of the family love discovering the old world charm of the beautifully restored Geelong Carousel, while the older kids will love the diving boards at the historic early century beach promenade at Eastern Beach. All members of the family will enjoy exploring the colourful Geelong Waterfront Bollard Trail, comprising 104 bollards, each representing a different character from Geelong's history. Out of town, you will find the hugely popular Adventure Park, which houses a diverse array of water and land-based rides that cater for the whole family. The wider region also boasts a large number of award-winning, family friendly holiday and caravan holiday parks, providing the ideal place to base yourself for a few days, a week or longer.

For further information go to www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.