From a concierge plumping your pillows to a chauffer whisking you away from the airport, Etihad’s luxury three-room “apartment in the sky” had a lot going for it.

The Residence is now looking like being retired from service, however, with Etihad CEO Tony Douglas recently telling The National that the 10 Etihad A380 double deckers The Residence is exclusively built into will probably never return to service.

“We have now taken the strategic decision to park the A380s, I’m sure it’s very likely that we won’t see them operating with Etihad again,” Douglas told The National, of the aircraft, all of which have been grounded since March 2020.

Arguably the pinnacle of luxury travel (on a non-private aircraft), The Residence fares regularly exceeded $US 20,000 (AU $25,871) for a one-way journey, and scoring this ‘better than first class’ experience used to be a holy grail goal for many points hackers and frequent flyers.

Now, with Etihad now prioritising smaller jets in the wake of 2020’s devastating impact on the travel industry, and with the 787 Dreamliner reportedly set to take over as the backbone of its fleet, those who are yet to fly it may never get the chance.

As Douglas told Bloomberg, “The double-decker jets would have a role only on the very busiest routes to cities such as London and New York in the event of a strong rebound.”

Many frequent pointy end passengers have taken to Instagram in recent days to mourn the likely loss of this jet, and The Residence experience it used to facilitate.

One among them is Jarvis Marcos, a luxury travel blogger who offers high end travel reviews and advice, and who can often be seen swanning around locations like the Maldives.

Marcos took to Instagram yesterday with the following post.

 

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A post shared by | (@theluxurytraveller)

“Is the golden era of aviation well and truly behind us?”, Marcos captioned the image.
⁠
“After this week’s announcement that Etihad is almost certainly scrapping the A380s forever, it feels like the passenger experience is in a state of irreversible decline.”
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“@Euriental and I were lucky enough to fly Etihad Apartments together eight times and the experience never got old. The hard product overwhelmed us with its audacity every time we stepped on board.”
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“Emirates will probably fly the A380 for at least another decade and hopefully SQ will too but nether airline offers a closed room in which two people can comfortably dine face to face like this.”⁠

“When I look back over my old photos I can’t help but feel that experiences like this, or sitting in the nose of a Cathay 747 were the apex.”

Blogger @flylikelinz⁠ chimed in too, writing: “I’m so glad I got to fly apartments just before lockdown. It will be an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Instagram user @livefromtuscany expressed similar disappointment, writing, “I’m afraid you’re right, it will never be as it was before Covid.”

“Sadly, I missed out on EY A380. We’ll still have EK/SQ/LX/AF First and I can’t wait to fly on those again. Thankfully, biz is getting better and better, QR QSuites is a great product (and more affordable when you need 3 seats.”

Another user pointed out that there are a couple of airlines left in the sky that let you dine face to face in an enclosed space: “AF La Première and Swiss First.”

Marcos then took to Instagram again this morning, with a post outlining how breakfast in bed – crafted by onboard chefs – is another thing he will miss about The Residence (which inspired comments like, “STOP THIS! You’re making me feel sad” to roll in beneath).

 

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The only question now is: are we going back to normal, or back to the dark ages? Depends on your perspective, we guess.

Read Next

• The Day I Realised The Golden Age Of Business Class Was Over 
• Stunning 1960s Photos Emerge Showing ‘Lost’ Golden Era Of Aviation

The post First Class Passengers Mourn Loss Of 'Most Luxurious Cabin In The Sky' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’re three months into 2021 but in many ways, it feels like we’re really just fifteen months into 2020.

The Spicy Cough continues to dominate virtually every aspect of day-to-day life, from economic woes to travel restrictions and even basic human interaction. We’ve quickly grown used to wearing face masks and dousing ourselves in hand sanitiser but something we’re clearly still struggling with is the handshake – as Harry Styles has demonstrated.

The 27-year-old singer, actor and modern-day heartthrob was captured sharing a rather awkward moment with pop star Billie Eilish at the 63rd Grammy Awards over the weekend, one you’ve no doubt seen (or experienced) countless times yourself over the last twelve months.

Eilish goes for a high-five, palm outstretched; Styles has his elbow out for the elbow-tap; the pair end up going for a cringe-inducing mix of the two with Eilish tucking her arm under his. Yikes.

We saw virtually the same scene play out last year at the Austrian Grand Prix between Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and one of his pit crew. Guess not even celebrities are immune from the awkward ravages of COVID-19.

RELATED: Formula One Photo Captures Awkward Problem Every Man Must Endure In 2020

Other than this brief, awkward moment, Styles was at peak form at the Grammys, treating the audience to a spirited rendition of his single Watermelon Sugar (which also won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance) and impressing the paparazzi with a number of characteristically outlandish Gucci-heavy outfits. Eilish herself took home the top gong of Record of the Year for Everything I Wanted as well as the Best Song Written for Visual Media for No Time to Die, the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film of the same name.

Styles wasn’t the only men’s style icon at the Grammys. Other highlights included Post Malone in a Chrome Hearts ensemble, Big Sean in Ermenegildo Zegna and Anderson. Paak’s incredible jacquard blazer – another Gucci number.

RELATED: Post Malone’s ‘Inkcredible’ Four Year Transformation Shows Effects Of Tattoo Addiction

While this year’s Grammys still had a conventional ceremony, many nominees attended virtually – another result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Attendees, both virtual and in-person, still got done up to the nines, the famously stylish awards not failing to disappoint.

Beyoncé dominated this year’s awards, receiving a whopping nine nominations and winning four awards, becoming the most-awarded woman in Grammys history.

Other big winners included Taylor Swift (Album of the Year); Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas (Song of the Year); Megan Thee Stallion (Best New Artist) and Kanye West (Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, bizarrely).

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The post Harry Styles’ Awkward Grammys Moment Proves We're Still Struggling With 2021 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Role models. The people who in our lives whom we deem to be a constant source of inspiration; the ones who can do no wrong. We try to imitate them as best as possible, and follow any messages they provide. Whether it’s a family member, friend or even a celebrity, we can all benefit from having a guiding figure.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a role model for many. Bodybuilders and gym-bros, predominantly. But the Austrian muscle mountain, who continues to show incredible strength even at the age of 73, could be just as much a source of inspiration for those who have never even stepped foot in the gym.

Don’t believe us? Check our Arnie’s most recent Instagram post, in which he admits he hasn’t been performing at the level we’ve all come to know and love him for. Specifically, he refers to his experience of the global lockdown, which has seen businesses close, people laid off from work and friends and family separated from each other for several months.

 

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“I get questions non-stop about how I stay positive during the pandemic, how I train, how I eat…”, he begins.

“…and I decided I can use this newsletter to answer questions and keep all of you up to date on what I’m doing, what I’m thinking, and what vision I’m currently chasing.”

However, Arnold admits that even though he rides his bike and trains every day, “I’ve gained 10 pounds and when I wear dark clothes during Zooms…

…I feel pretty good, but when I look at myself in the mirror at night and see the belly, I’m cursing at myself, saying ‘Arnold. You won 13 world bodybuilding titles. The Guinness Book of World Records call you the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world!”

“What the hell happened to the six pack? What is going on here? This is depressing.”

We’ve all been there.

Further proving his human status, Arnold says, “I decided to switch from sweatpants to regular pants for a meeting recently and let me tell you, I spent the whole meeting feeling like I was in a straitjacket, just waiting to put my sweats back on.”

“I know I won’t start shooting any movies or TV shows until the summer, so I haven’t had that big vision or motivation to avoid the bread and the sweets and get in perfect shape.”

So, about that inspirational message,

“Now I’m committing to all of you: This month I am going to drop the weight I gained and get to 218 again. I am going to conquer March. Who is with me?”

“You might have started the month with a big vision of how you were also going to conquer this month. If you didn’t start with a vision, sit down now and write one down.”

“It doesn’t have to be big. It can be ‘move every day’. Or ‘finish this book’. Or ‘perfect my resume’. Then get going!”

“If you did start with a vision and got derailed, dust yourself off and get going.”

“We all have setbacks, but they aren’t permanent – you can do it.” (Said in Arnold’s distinctive Austrian accent, of course).

“And if you’re just kicking ass, take a second to congratulate yourself, and then keep going.”

A towering source of muscular light if ever there was one.

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The post Arnold Schwarzenegger's Eye-Opening Admission Proof Even Champions Suffer Setbacks appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve sipped vodka from buckets in Thailand, dodged hipsters on mopeds in Seminyak, driven around Western Sahara in an old Jeep, shoe-stringed around South America and done Europe (like totally completed the game, mate) – that’s right: Australians travellers consider themselves world savvy.

But COVID-19 has upended a lot of things. One upshot of this is Australians exploring Australia (remember that place?).

I am both ashamed and proud to say that I am one such Aussie: though I’m loathe to admit I neglected Down Under before, I am more than happy to trumpet my findings now that I’m out and about seeing it.

RELATED: I Visited NSW’s Most Instagram Famous Waterfall. It Was A Complete Disaster

My main discovery? There’s more to Australia than Sydney and Melbourne.

Not only is there more to Australia than its Big Swinging Cities, but there are attractions in places like Adelaide which rival that of the more famous metropolises.

Enter: Borealis, a Northern Lights type experience – something which I never thought I’d get to see in my life, let alone 2021.

Having been invited to South Australia by Qantas, Borealis was the last stop on a whirlwind trip of wining and dining I recently was lucky enough to be a part of.

RELATED: Australian Wine Snob Learns Important Lesson After Committing ‘Ultimate Barossa Valley Sin’

Borealis is at Adelaide’s Fringe Festival – the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Adelaide’s Fringe Festival has hundreds of stalls, entertainment and musical attractions, and is the closest thing I’ve seen to a Spanish-style feria in all the years I’ve lived in Australia.

It’s certainly a far cry from the ghost town Sydney’s Kings Cross was revealed to be earlier this week…

RELATED: The ‘Naive’ Alcohol Myth Europeans Wish Australians Would Stop Spouting

Without getting too ‘yoga guru’ on you, it was wholesome. Just strolling down Rundle Street (the Las Ramblas of Adelaide?) blew my mind. Where was this in Sydney? Watching all those people eating all the way out into the pedestrianised avenue was a revelation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Adelaide Fringe (@adlfringe)

Restaurants were making a killing, and everyone from their grandad to their youngest cousin seemed to be out and about.

Vapes? Check. Beers? Check? Cocktails? Check. Indian-Australian fusion restaurants? Check.

There was even – for the quick-to-sneer, traveller-not-tourist types, just the right amount of ~authentic~ city vibes.

As I learned in the 7/11 queue on my way home from Borealis, as the guy behind me cracked up his mates by furiously ‘air humping’ me every time I turned around to face the counter, Adelaide is no Abu Dhabi.

Anyway: back to the start of the night. I bustled my way to the end of the main street (stopping to eat dinner along the way) and then suddenly the bright lights of the avenue were behind me. I entered a new world of Gluttony.

Gluttony is the name of the popular, quirky outdoor hub for the Adelaide Fringe, which is set in the beautiful surrounds of Rymill Park in Adelaide’s East End.

I strolled past a circus, a concert and all sorts of food stands, all in the space of about thirty seconds, before arriving at the much-coveted Borealis – a light show designed by international artivist Dan Acher.

Borealis is created by high power laser beams, which travel through particle clouds to create the illusion of Aurora Borealis. Variations in weather conditions, movement, colour, and density mean the effect is different every night.

“Move through the canopy, be transported by a stunning soundscape and marvel at Borealis as it flickers among the trees and reflects over the lake at Murlawirrapurka,” Adelaide Fringe describes the experience.

I can attest it was cool.

I was impressed. The music hummed in semi ominous, semi mysterious fashion, which helped me imagine I was really up near the North Pole, and most people sat or laid down in groups to admire the spectacle.

After experiencing Borealis’ haunting charm, I’m surprised it’s not more widely known. Though it had its Southern Hemisphere debut at Gluttony in 2018 (since then it has travelled the world and appeared in a dozen countries, before making a much-anticipated return this year), it’s still not well known throughout other states of Australia.

Ask any given person if they know about Adelaide’s Northern Lights and you will still likely get a quizzical look.

Interest piqued? Borealis is on until the 21st of March 2021 and, at the time of writing, there are still tickets available ($10 a pop).

If you don’t live in Adelaide, there are some great flights about at the moment. Qantas last week released $99 one way flights (available only as part of a return trip booking) to Adelaide from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.

It’s a timely offer, with South Australia celebrating 2021 as the Year of South Australian Wine – an initiative that will showcase the quality and variety of winery experiences and events on offer across the state’s 18 wine regions.

The sale will run for one week until 11.59pm (AEDT) 18 March 2021 unless sold out prior. To book, and for full terms and conditions, visit qantas.com/sasale. 

For further information about the 2021 Year of South Australian Wine, visit southaustralia.com.

Read Next

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• The Stunning Australian ‘Maldives Alternative’ Few Tourists Know About

The post I Visited 'Australia's Northern Lights.' It Completely Blew My Mind appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Anyone who’s ever set foot in the Land Down Under will tell you that Australia’s not a cheap country to visit or live in.We might have a fantastic quality of life (and relevant to the last twelve months, have fared very well when it comes to The Spicy Cough) but it all comes at a price: a high cost of living, insane property market and the so-called ‘Australia Tax’ making this sunburnt country a very expensive one, too.But money isn’t everything, right? Well, it turns out you can actually put a dollar figure on happiness. Researchers at Purdue University in the United States have come up with a metric called ‘income satiation’ – basically, the point at which you have enough money to be happy.Money and business blog Expensivity has gone one step further: using Purdue’s research as a starting point, they’ve come up with what they call a ‘happiness premium’ for every country in the world using purchasing power ratios sourced from the World Bank and comparing that with local cost of living data.The result is something many of us have known instinctively for a long time: that Australia is the most expensive country in the world to be happy. Expensivity calculates Australia’s happiness premium as 135,321 USD (~174,970 AUD) – almost 20 times more than the least expensive country in the world, Suriname. (The global average is $85,000, by the way.)

Technically, Bermuda has a higher happiness premium ($143,933, $8,612 more than Australia) but as a British Overseas Territory and not a sovereign state in its own right, it’s a slightly trickier comparison. Israel sits at #3, with a happiness premium of $130,457.Interestingly, it’s two South American and one African country that makes up the three lowest prices of happiness – Suriname ($6,799), Argentina ($8,778) and Angola ($8,921) respectively.RELATED: Argentina’s Millionaire-Targeting Tax Hike Other Countries Don’t Have The Balls To CopyRegardless of the happiness premium, a consistent theme that emerges in Expensivity’s data set is that the happiness premium in any given country tends to be higher than the average income figure – a rather depressing thought, all things considered.Cities in general also tend to have a higher happiness premium. The United States is the 10th most expensive country ($105,000) but the price of happiness in New York City is $139,183 – the most of any city in the world and higher than Australia’s national premium. The cost of happiness can also vary wildly between cities within a country – for example, New York City’s cost of happiness is nearly 50% more than Houston’s ($92,543).Of course, it’s very difficult to objectively quantify happiness. Is putting a dollar figure on human satisfaction somewhat reductive? As they say, the best things in life are free… Although we wouldn’t say no to some extra scratch. Have you seen how expensive cars are in Sydney?

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The post Australia ‘Most Expensive Country In The World To Be Happy’ appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve seen everything under the ceiling when it comes to hotel room workouts. Even before Australia’s ‘lucky dip’ quarantine was a ~thing~ we had fitness coaches explaining how to keep fit while travelling.Since The Spicy Cough metastasized around the globe in 2020, however, a veritable plague of fitness advice has swamped the internet.There truly are many ways to skin a cat.If you’re sick of regimented routines and wall squats though, and want a weight-free workout that can be done in a small space, and still get your heart rate banging, look no further than reigning world champion surfer Italo Ferreira.

 

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Ferreira is currently completing two weeks in hotel quarantine, having travelled to Australia to compete in the upcoming Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic, Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro and Rip Curl Rottnest Search.All the overseas athletes and officials are currently in hotel quarantine where, according to the WSL, “Each day… they get special deliveries… which includes workout equipment, snacks, and other goods.”

“It’s been a few days already, and everyone’s all cozy in their rooms. Workout challenges have been dropped, and some athletes are eating too much vegemite.”

Speaking of going a little bit crazy, Ferreira recently dropped a second workout challenge video (see: above) on Instagram that will, to put it politely, destroy your ass (unless you happen to be a grasshopper).The workout involves two off-centre push-ups, two push-ups with leg kicks, one flying superman, two more push-ups with leg kicks and a backflip.It drew praise from the likes of 11-time world champion Kelly Slater (“Solid One!”), Pipeline specialist Jamie O’Brien (who posted a fire emoji) and Australian surfing legend (and two-time world champion) Tom Carroll (“Light it up”).Former World Tour competitor Matt Wilkinson, “pro surfing’s most colourful free-spirited character,” commented: “I wanna see that whole sequence first wave at newy and I might be impressed.”

 

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A post shared by Italo Ferreira (@italoferreira)

The video comes after a previous workout challenge in which Ferreira invited others to copy his take on ‘wall ups’ (handstand push ups of various inclines).Ferreira isn’t the only athlete getting creative in lockdown. Courtney Conlogue is rock climbing around her room, Jack Robinson has shaved his head and Griffin Colapinto has put all the wold’s deodorant marketing executives to shame.

 

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A post shared by Griffin Colapinto (@griffin_cola)

The only question we have now is: are backflips the new burpees?

Read Next

• World Champion Surfer’s Workout Reveals The Secret To Long Term Strength
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The post World Champion Surfer Italo Ferreira's ‘Grasshopper Workout’ Will Destroy Your Ass appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Many young talents who get their start with the Disney Channel have had a rocky transition into adulthood, but the Jonas Brothers are a notable exception to that rule.While Nick, Joe and Kevin were inseparable as a boyband, they’ve since each focused more on their individual pursuits, only briefly reuniting in 2019. As adults, they’ve gone their different ways – but something they still have in common is an impeccable taste in watches.The three brothers’ combined watch collection is rather impressive and they’ve consistently shown taste beyond their years, with brands like Audemars Piguet, Bulgari and Richard Mille just some of the names among the trio’s collective collection. But we’d like to focus in on two watches the youngest two brothers have been spotted wearing recently, which illustrate an emerging trend in the celebrity watch world.Earlier today, Joe Jonas posted a photo of himself relaxing in a park, coordinating a blue baseball shirt and jeans with a Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ (ref. 116719BLRO), famous for its blue and red bezel. All three of the brothers own a ‘Pepsi‘ of some description, but Joe’s is made from white gold, as opposed to the standard stainless steel.This comes after Nick Jonas yesterday shared a photo of himself with an OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional (ref. 310.60.42.50.02.001) – also in white gold.

Interestingly, both watches are among a select few models that have gone to the moon – albeit in stainless steel form as opposed to white gold. While the OMEGA Speedmaster was the official issue watch for NASA’s Apollo program, the Rolex GMT-Master was also incredibly popular among flight crews, Hodinkee relates. (The GMT-Master never made it to the lunar surface, however – so OMEGA has that over Rolex, at least).RELATED: OMEGA Gives Its ‘Moonwatch’ A Much Anticipated UpgradeThe two youngest Jonas brothers aren’t the only celebrities who’ve been wearing white gold watches recently.Jay-Z recently wore a white gold Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (ref. 5270G) to celebrate the successful sale of a 50% stake in his champagne brand Armand de Brignac to Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy; Barack Obama wore a white gold Rolex Cellini Time (ref. 50509) to Joe Biden’s inauguration, and Mark Wahlberg was recently spotted with a Rolex Submariner ‘Cookie Monster’ (ref. 126619LB) in – you guessed it – white gold.Is white gold the next big thing when it comes to celebrity watches? Only time will tell. The ‘moon’ theme the Jonas brothers have evoked here is no coincidence, however: Nick just released his fourth studio album, which is called Spaceman. Hopefully it’ll get him some gold records, too.But we reckon Joe’s Rolex takes the gold, as it were. They say it takes a year for trends to trickle down, so we look forward to seeing it on your wrist in approximately 12 months…

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The post Joe Jonas Spotted Wearing The Watch You'll Be Rocking A Year From Now appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If we don’t want to go to hell in a plastic bag, we all need to become more environmentally conscious. It’s a fact. Aside from cutting down on our carbon footprint, reducing our amount of waste and transitioning to the use of more sustainable fuels, one of the easiest ways we can ensure the longevity of our planet is to become more aware of our eating habits.One of the most hotly contested debates of the 21st century is the animal-based vs plant-based diet. Which is better for you? It’s no secret that many people choose to go plant-based for ethical reasons, and that’s great, but the argument that “humans aren’t made to eat meat” is one that consistently gets brought up.In an attempt to help settle this aspect of the debate, nutrition coach Max Lugavere recently posted on his Instagram account with an image showing we are, biologically, omnivores.Referencing several studies, Lugavere says that our stomachs, for example, are naturally more acidic than those found in herbivores. The extra acidity is said to help break down meat far more efficiently, and also helps to defend against pathogens (bacteria, viruses or other disease-causing microorganisms).However, the study Lugavere references, does add “It is interesting to note that humans, uniquely among the primates so far considered, appear to have stomach pH values more akin to those of carrion feeders than to those of most carnivores and omnivores.”The researchers add it’s not clear when the acidity levels of the human stomach evolved from that found in carnivorous apes, but add  “in light of the number of feacal-oral pathogens that infect and kill humans, selection may have favoured high stomach acidity, independent of diet, because of its role in pathogen prevention.”A further study shows omnivores have a longer small intestine than their herbivore counterparts, which greatly helps to absorb the essential nutrients – such as vitamin B12, which is found in greater quantities in animal-based foods –, minerals and calories absorbed from food.

 

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A post shared by Max Lugavere (@maxlugavere)

However, it could be argued that because the small intestine’s primary function is to absorb vitamins and minerals from all foods, then it will be just as adept at absorbing them from plant-based foods, which, as we recently explored, can still be used to increase muscular growth. Further evidence to suggest we can benefit from eating meat (even if, obviously, not quite like a tiger) comes from a talk Lugavere recently had with Gabrielle Lyon, an expert in all things nutrition and protein, who says we need to consume high-quality protein to help overcome anabolic resistance. She says we need to consume 30-50g of protein per meal for this to happen, otherwise we run the risk of becoming skinny-fat, because we haven’t adapted to the changing hormones in our body.“30g of protein in a chicken breast is about 4 ounces (115g), to equate that to a plant-based protein, that would be about 6 cups of quinoa, which is metabolically devastating.”

“The difference between animal-based proteins and their quality, versus plant, you have to consume about 35% more, and it has so many more carbohydrates.”

Lugavere chimes in by saying “60% of the foods we already consume come from ultra-processed, low-protein foods.”

 

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Dr Lyon agrees, saying “we’re already plant-based. The argument could be we need better quality plants. But as it relates to protein, we can’t confuse a plant-based protein with a high-quality [animal-based] protein diet, you just cannot.”When you consider we need a sufficient intake of protein on a daily basis, this could help swing the argument in favour of the omnivores.

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The post Nutrition Expert Debunks Myth Claiming Humans Aren't Made To Eat Meat appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Italy is ripe with unplucked earth. From Camogli to Matera, there are a lot of aqua waters and rural escapes locals don’t want you to pollute (see: “Portofino is for the Americans. Camogli is for us Italians”).In this Bat Kiss ravaged era, one of these offbeat gems been getting quite a bit of press though: Italy’s Aeolian islands.These include: Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea, Salina, Alicudi, Filicudi and Stromboli.RELATED: ‘Reports From Paradise’: What It’s Like Living On Italy’s COVID-Free Islands These islands are part of a small, lucky group of remote locations, which remain coronavirus-free a year after the pandemic first wrapped up the world, CNN Travel reported in February.They are part of a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily.

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“Italy, which is in a state of emergency until April 30, was ravaged by the virus last year and currently has one of the highest death tolls in Europe. The destination is now divided into zones, depending on infection levels,” CNN Travel reports.

“However, a handful of its most isolated islands are among the spots that have kept Covid at bay for now.”

Alicudi is the most mysterious and remote of the bunch – and the following photo perfectly sums up its serenity.Posted to Instagram last week by language learning account @learnsicilian, the image shows Alicudi ‘popping’ with colour and calm.

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A post shared by Learn Sicilian (@learnsicilian)

The image was taken at one of Alicudi’s classic clifftop casas, and packs quite the FOMO.It’s not the only image that has been posted unthreading Alicud’s charm. An examination of the ‘alicudiisland’ hashtag and ‘Isola Alicudi’ geotag on Instragram show many people are thinking about (if not visiting) Alicudi right now.

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A post shared by By Laure A. | LIVELOVEDREAM (@gingerandshades)

As DMARGE recently reported, though Instagram stories by social media users who have frolicked on such islands over the last twelve months paint an idyllic picture, reality is more complex.Luana Rigolli, a freelance photographer who lives in Rome, Italy, who has visited some of these Covid-free islands, told DMARGE, “Last year in June, when the strongest phase of the lockdown was over, I witnessed the debate of the inhabitants of Linosa who were wondering whether to accept tourists for the summer season or whether it was the case to ‘close’ the island.”Linosa is not one of the Aeolian islands, but faced a similar situation last year.“Many elderly people live on the island, and there have been no cases of contagion, fortunately, thanks to the particular isolation of the island. Contagions that would have created a lot of damage, due to the absence of hospitals on the island and the remoteness of the mainland.”

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“So it was natural that the inhabitants asked themselves this question: to save the safety of the islanders at the expense of the income guaranteed by tourists (tourism is the main source of income in Linosa), or to open to save the season and hope for the best. Fortunately (for us tourists) the islanders have chosen the second line, obviously respecting all the anti-contagion rules provided for by the regulations.”

“There was an initial distrust of strangers, but then the sense of welcome prevailed.”

“The initial sense of mistrust did not spare even the boys from Linosa who live in Sicily or in the rest of Italy for work or study. Back on the island, they were subjected to swabs and quarantines, to avoid any possibility of contagion.”

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A December 2020 Instagram post by Alicudi resident @roberto_di_alicudi suggests this suspicious mindset is evident in Alicudi too. Loosely translated from Italian it reads:“Alicudi: Hemingway had hung a nice sign outside the gate of his house: ‘Are you sure you are welcome? Otherwise leave.'”“Without wanting to compare myself to Ernest’s genius, I, at the entrance to Monachedda, drew a nice question mark on the ground: ‘Who are you? Do you really want to turn the corner and risk catching me naked or worse?.’ The island does not allow sudden visits, surprises, self-invitations, early or late arrivals.”

“At Alicudi we bite.”

Despite the challenges, Luana has told DMARGE there is a desire to make the most of the once in a lifetime opportunities brought by this latest global shakeup, and the work from home revolution currently pinging screens all over the world: “I confess to you right away that I am thinking of spending a few weeks in the next few months on an island.”RELATED: Portugal Lures Digital Nomads With Little Known ‘Amalfi Coast Alternative’

“It is a thought that I think many are doing, because it is an opportunity that will never happen again.”

RELATED: Iconic Photo Reveals ‘Real Reason’ Tourists Are Flocking To This Obscure Italian Island“We have always lived the islands in a false way, a place is really known when you enter into a relationship with the inhabitants, and only with them, and not with hundreds/thousands of tourists around.”

“I think it is a privilege to be able to experience the islands out of season [and see them authentically].”

As we touched on earlier Instagram posts posted under the Alicudi geotag show various people appearing to enjoy that privilege.It’s also worth noting that on islands like Alicudi, Covid “is perceived as a very, very distant threat,” CNN Travel reports.On that note: if you’re polite, locals may also be more willing to embrace tourists than you might think. In fact, some Aeolian Island residents don’t mind tourism at all.Clarissa Cipicchia, who told DMARGE she was born and raised on one of the Aeolian Islands, said: “Locals are very happy of the economic benefits that tourism gives them, they are not afraid to interact with visitors and introduce them to parts of the island that only those who live there can know.”“I recommend anyone to come and visit us because the entertainment and attractions vary for each age group. In particular, I recommend [the Aeolian isalnds] as a destination to anyone who wants to disconnect even for a short time from reality and establish direct contact with nature.”

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“There is an organization called ‘Filicudi Wildlife Conservation’ that deals with the protection of sea turtles, sperm whales and above all dolphins, which are a constant presence, especially in Alicudi and Filicudi. Anyone can take part in it by helping these people but also by learning a lot from them. It’s about help in exchange for new knowledge and skills!”Another source had told DMARGE, “The worst you will get from the Alicudari is a wry smile and the wrong directions as you climb the island in 30°+ heat looking for whichever church you picked out from Trip Advisor.”

“The Aeolian islands need tourism to survive, and like just about any other place worth visiting, if you’re polite, modest and you make the effort to learn a few phrases in the native tongue, you’ll be welcomed by the Isolani.”

If your interest has been piqued, Alicudi is the westernmost island of the entire Aeolian archipelago, 34 nautical miles from Lipari, and very small.The island’s surface is just 5 square kilometres, and it is characterised by steep, rugged coasts. It is also inhabited exclusively on the southern side and only has about 40 long term residents.According to @ig_italia, “Among the seven islands [Alicudi] is certainly the most unspoiled, here nature is the only master. There is no street lighting, but to be honest there are no streets either!”

“No cars, here you can move on foot, or on the back of mules!”

“There are no discos, breweries, pubs, but just a bar and a restaurant that closes in mid-September. On the other hand, you will find its inhabitants and their houses always open!”

“Alicudi is the island that doesn’t exist! It is a magical island…”

The above magic remark isn’t just poetic licence. Alicudi has a history of being an ‘LSD island.’ Until as recently as the 1950s, hallucinogenic bread was unknowingly made every morning by local housewives, thanks to a funky fungus problem, CNN Travel reports, leading to all sorts of stories about witches and sorcery, brought on by the widespread – daily – consumption of Ergot, the base element of LSD.To get to Alicudi, CNN Travel recommends you, “Fly to Catania, take a private transfer or bus to Milazzo port, ferry to Lipari island and then change for Alicudi.”

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The post 'At Alicudi We Bite': The Obscure Italian Island Not All Locals Want You To Visit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.