A few weeks ago I embarked on a journey from Sydney, Australia to Kittila, Finland. 36 hours in the air, lounge and road just to drive the new Porsche Taycan deep in the heart of Lapland. In my usual attempt to gain as many Qantas Status Credits as humanly possible the trip was graciously booked with Finnair, a Oneworld partner.Had you asked me if I wanted to travel on Finnair, I would have said no, but as it turns out the Queen of the Scandinavian skies could be the best no-frills business class we’ve experienced. When I say ‘no frills’ I don’t mean Jetstar or Ryanair no-frills, rather Finnish no frills. You know, light on substance, big on style.The flight was booked on an AY ticket which earns Qantas Status Credits, albeit half of what you would get with a QF flight but at a heavily discounted Business Class ticket. On average you’ll save between A$2,000 – A$3,000 in comparison to booking a QF or EK flight which is nothing but good news.Yes, you’ll have to fly into Helsinki but it’s a relatively short trip anywhere in Europe. More importantly, the Finnair Business Class experience is one of the best we’ve had. Here’s why.

Flight Facts

Route: Hong Kong to Helsinki (via Sydney)Flight Number: AY99Aircraft: Airbus A350-900Class: BusinessSeat: 8APrice: A$6,500 (Sydney – Helsinki Return)

You’ll enjoy the latest Airbus A350-900 on your route from Hong Kong to Helsinki.

The latest Finnair aircraft providing a whisper-quiet flight and the very latest business class seats and cabin fit-out. Before you fly you can also enjoy The Wing, Cathay Pacific’s amazing lounge in Hong Kong.

Just in case you’re wondering, The Wing has The Cabana.

Your own private cabin for 90 minutes. That’s me taking a bath. Totes luxe, bitches.

Lie flat seats that rival the best of them.

The 1-2-1 cabin configuration ensures you have aisle access and the seat design provides ample privacy from your neighbour. Interestingly our flight was half empty and there were no obviously Finnish cabin crew onboard. So I suspect Finnair run a Hong Kong hub for this route.

A welcome drink… with a difference.

Not your usual champagne glass, but still did the trick. This is where things begin to feel a little no so premium but still premium enough.

Enough privacy to feel comfortable and not annoy your neighbour.

Given the likes of Qatar Airways now have fully enclosed suites in Business Class it’s not there but it’s not bad at all. We would say it’s similar to Cathay Pacific’s Business Class.

No overhead bins for the middle rows.

Try and score the window seats if you’re travelling with a lot of hand luggage. It will make life a little easier.

More than enough legroom.

Maybe it was me but I did feel the seat recline positions limited so getting comfortable did take some time. However, there was more than enough room for my long legs.

Adjustable armrest gives a touch more privacy and comfort.

At the push of a button… and some gentle lifting.

Ample plugs and points in an easy to reach location.

Even for those weird Australian plugs. Another USB would have been useful for the phone and headphones.

Slippers. Check. Travel kit. Check.

Less is more but still very much no frills. The slippers were pretty funny… I did not see anyone wearing them.

What’s inside you ask?

Just the basics. Nowhere near as grand as Emirates but you have what you need for the 9-hour flight. Eye mask, toothbrush and earplugs.

The large entertainment screen gracefully glides out at the touch of a button.

Loved the way it slowly creeped out to its final position. Super smooth and classy like.

The UX of the entertainment system is remarkably simple yet effective. With ample TV shows and movies to choose from too.

No, not everything is in Finnish either.

Meal service is quick and efficient.

Not quite the culinary experience of Singapore Airlines or Qantas but for someone who tries to not eat on flights I didn’t really care. The wine and drinks selection is very impressive. More impressive than the food IMHO.

The in-flight external camera actually works!

So many times we’ve been on flights and not been able to see anything. The A350-900 is a different story.

You’ll get a taste of the Northern Lights on approach into Finland.

The A350’s cabin is beautifully lit, reminiscent of the Northern Lights. A small but very cool touch and a great way to finish (no pun intended) the flight.

Two windows are better than one.

After a seat change to ensure I made my connecting flight, I scored the best seats in the house. 8A. Perfect for the everlasting sunset that awaits you in Helsinki in Winter.

Finnair Business Class FAQ

The post Finnair Business Class Review 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you’re portraying one of the most famous characters of all time, and you want to be remembered for the role, you’re going to want a jaw-dropping onscreen presence (not to mention an ability to act, of course). That seems to have been the mantra for Daniel Craig at least, who stunned the world following the release of Casino Royale in 2006 wearing those blue swim trunks.

But while some fixated on the man’s golden gun, others noticed just how built ‘new Bond’ was. Previous actors to portray the MI6 agent were more dad-bod, hairy chest and all, but not so with Daniel Craig. Throughout his 13-year stint as Great Britain’s most famous spy, Craig has had to keep his body in top physical condition so he can actually look like he’s able to take the beatings he does, and he’s been able to do so with help from personal trainer Simon Waterson.

Speaking previously about the regime he drew up, Waterson explained that he got Daniel to train for 45 minutes a day, five times a week, with ‘active rest’ days on the weekend. This means he wasn’t able to lay in bed all day, but rather perform stretches and go for swims. In order to give Craig his broad shoulders and tough-man appearance, a lot of Waterson’s workouts revolved around powerlifting, with compound exercises.

An example five-day workout similar to Daniel’s would look something like this, according to Pop Workouts:

Monday  – Power Circuit

3 sets, 8-10 reps/set. Rest after each full circuit.

• Clean & jerk
  • A move carried out with a weighted barbell. The ‘clean’ movement requires you to lift the bar off the floor. First, bend at the hips – similar to a deadlift movement – then bring the bar up so that it sits across the front of your shoulders (resting on your collarbone). You then want to squat slightly to help you power the bar above your head for the ‘jerk’. You want to finish with your arms straight up and your legs straight too.
• Weighted step-ups
  • A simple movement of stepping up on a box or platform, alternating the leg you start with. Add weight by holding a kettlebell or some dumbbells.
• Weighted knee raises
  • This move requires you to start by hanging from a pull-up bar. You then need to bring your knees up so that they’re at a 90-degree angle. Add weight by holding a dumbbell in between your feet.
• Incline push-ups
  • Similar to regular push-ups, but instead you’ll want to place your hands on a slightly raised platform or a bench.
• Barbell bicep curls
  • Get a straight barbell with weight applied. Start with your arms straight down in front and use your biceps to curl it upwards, keeping your arms close to your body.

Tuesday – Chest & Back

4 sets, 8-10 reps/set

• Incline bench press
  • Similar to a regular bench/barbell price, but instead you’ll want to put the bench at an incline to help target your upper chest muscle.
• Incline push-ups
  • Similar to regular push-ups, but instead you’ll want to place your hands on a slightly raised platform or a bench.
• Pull-ups
  • Using a pull-up bar, choose a grip (wide, inside lat or bicep) and then pull yourself up to that your head goes above the bar. For a detailed breakdown, check out Conor McGregor’s helpful advice.
• Incline pec-flys
  • Using an incline bench again, grab a set of dumbbells. Start with both arms up in front of you, then lower them down so that they’re perpendicular with the floor, before returning to the start position.
• Seated cable-rows
  • This move requires a dedicated cable row machine. Adjust the weight and choose a handle attachment. The most popular is a V-shape, but you can use a wide-hand grip too to target different areas of your back.

Wednesday – Legs

4 sets, 8-10 reps/set

• Back squats
  • Using a squat rack or Smith machine, place a barbell across your shoulders. Squat down, making sure to your knees above your toes (you don’t want them to go over) and your upper body as upright as possible. You want your knees to move outwards as you squat down, while keeping your feet in the same position.
• Barbell deadlifts
  • An incredibly effective move that requires good form. Hinge at your knees and feet to grab the bar, then hinge back, keeping your back straight and making sure your knees don’t go over your toes. Power your body upright, making sure to generate the power through your heels and to keep your core tight. Finally, finish in a standing position, pushing your hips forward into the bar and squeezing your bum. Reverse the steps to bring the bar back down the ground safely.
• Hamstring curls
  • This move requires the use of a leg curl machine. Lie face down, positioning yourself so that the pad sits slightly above your ankle. Lift up until your lower leg is at right angles to your thighs.
• Lunges
  • A simple movement that requires you to step forward with one leg and lower yourself down so that the trailing knee almost touches the ground. You can step backwards instead to make the move a little more difficult.
• Leg raises
  • Lying on your back on the floor, keep your legs together and lift them up as high as you can, keeping your core tight.

Thursday – Shoulder & Arms

4 sets, 8-10 reps/set

• Dips
  • This move targets your triceps. Using a box, platform, bench or chair positioned behind you, place your hands on it with your arms straight and your body stretched out. Bend your elbows to dip down and push up using your trcieps.
• Lateral raises
  • A shoulder exercise that requires a set of dumbbells. You can be standing up straight or bent at the hips, and lift the dumbbells out to your sides, keeping your arms extended.
• Shoulder press
  • You can either use a dedicated shoulder press machine or a sit on a bench or a chair with back support and use a set of dumbbells. For the latter, have your arms out to the side and bent at the elbow and holding the dumbbells with a pronated grip – you can also use a neutral grip to target a different area of the shoulders – and push the dumbbells upwards.
• Barbell bicep curls
  • Get a straight barbell with weight applied. Start with your arms straight down in front and use your biceps to curl it upwards, keeping your arms close to your body.
• Tricep extensions
  • This move can be carried out in a number of ways. The easiest is to be standing, or sitting on a bench with back support, holding a single dumbbell with both hands. Hold it behind your head and lower it down, bending at the elbow. Use your triceps to bring it back up.

Friday – Power Circuit (see Monday’s workout)

3 sets, 8-10 reps/set. Rest after each full circuit.

• Clean & jerk
• Weighted step-ups
• Weighted knee raises
• Incline push-ups
• Barbell bicep curls

Of course, no week-long workout would be complete without a nutrition plan to match and to maximise your gains. Craig had to do just that for his role as the super-sleuth and you will need to as well. For starters, cut out all junk food and replace it with healthy alternatives such as fruit, vegetables, and protein sources such as eggs and chicken.

Rather than follow a three-meal breakfast, lunch, dinner plan, you’ll want to instead have five to six lighter meals throughout the day (with as many protein sources as possible) to keep your metabolism running and to give you the energy to expend at the gym.

You still want to make sure you’re getting the three important meals of the day taken care of, but interject snacks such as protein shakes, fruit, nuts and yoghurt to keep your body ticking over.

• Breakfast: 2 poached eggs and 2 pieces of wholegrain toast
• Snack: Protein shake or fruits and nuts
• Lunch: Meat or fish with small amount of brown Rice or baked potato
• Snack: Protein shake or yoghurt with some nuts
• Dinner: Meat or fish with some leafy green vegetables like salad, spinach, or broccoli.

Throw in some ab exercises every other day, stretches at the weekend and a few lengths of the pool and you’ll be fending off bad guys and seducing beautiful women in no time.

Daniel Craig’s Workout FAQ

Read Next:

• ‘The Mountain’ From Game Of Thrones Reveals How He Transformed From Scrawny Teen To An Absolute Unit
• How To Get Daniel Craig’s Style

The post Daniel Craig's Bond Workout Reveals How You Can Be Just Like 007 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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In 1991, Taiwanese international airline, EVA Air was the first to introduce ‘Evergreen Class’. Evergreen Class was later renamed to Premium Economy and had since become the first airline to offer this class of service in the world.

Fast forward to 2019, nearly 30 years later and most airlines now offer some form of Premium Economy. It’s designed to give everyday travellers some exclusive feels without the epic price tag that long haul lie-flat Business Class now commands.

It’s taken nearly 10 years of business travel to finally experience Premium Economy for myself. I was keen to see just how much schlepping was actually happening in the Premium Economy cabin and whether it could spell the end of Business Class travel for the rest of my life.

After spending ten days in Cape Town I treated myself and my partner to a cheeky upgrade from our booked economy seats. My Platinum status could not get us to Business, instead, I scored the Premium Economy (45,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points) and my partner, well, stayed back in Economy. Thankfully the two larger women she was wedged between provided ample buffer from her anger toward me. Note: Always book on the same ticket to receive priority upgrades together. Duh!

Qantas operates their few remaining 747s between South Africa and Australia with the airline’s previous generation Premium Economy (before David Caon gave it a revamp in 2017). To be brutally honest, this older generation looks to be every bit as good as other airlines’ current offering.

The intimate Qantas Premium Economy cabin (2-4-2 layout) has 36 reclining seats with a pitch of 38 inches and a width of 19 inches. In comparison to a standard Qantas business class seat, you don’t get lie-flat benefits and only gain 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) in seat width, which is bugger all, really. I opted for 36E bulkhead seat which Seat Guru says it not a great choice, but I didn’t want to climb between people and seats to go to the bathroom.

You can recline far enough to get a good night’s rest and avoid neighbours falling all over you. If you’ve ever flown Jetstar’s Business Class offering I would say it’s similar to that, however a touch more expensive.

A word on the Qantas Premium Economy service…

You’re offered a drink before takeoff, which in my humble opinion, is one of the simple pleasures of premium cabins. Being Qantas Platinum I was offered first dibs on the meal services. Options remained the same, however, you’re a Mr O’Toole rather than a Sir and you get your prefered meal choice.

The meal service itself is shortened into one round, rather than the usual entrees, main and dessert services you’ll receive in Business Class. You’re upgraded from Economy foil top meals to well-presented food with silverware and glassware, albeit on a small tray.

In-flight entertainment is the usual Qantas armrest system. The software does need an upgrade because it’s painfully slow, but the movies and tv shows are top-notch. Ballers and Billions. You’re also supplied with a pillow, blanket, eye mask, earplugs, socks and toothbrush.

So here are the big questions answered…

Is Premium Economy worth paying double an Economy?

That’s a tough one. If you don’t care about flying cattle class, then you’ll never care about Premium Economy. If you do make the splash you have the added benefit of putting in for an upgrade and hopefully getting bumped up to Business Class. Plus the smaller cabin, reclining seat and private bathroom make a long haul flight more bearable but at a price.

Would I fly Premium Economy over Business Class?

Considering the average return ticket to Europe or the USA is about A$5,000 (compared to A$9,000 for Business), then yes, I would say pay for the Premium Economy seat and put in for an upgrade.

What’s the best seat to get in Premium Economy?

Definitely go for the window and aisle. Avoid the back seats as they don’t recline as far.

Is Premium Economy double the price of Economy?

All in all, I would say, yes it totally is. For most of us, A$9,000 is totally out of the question for a European holiday, so this is a fair compromise when you’re dropping A$20,000 on a Summer holiday.

Has it ruined Business Class forever?

Let’s just say I’ll think twice before booking a full-price long haul Business Class trip again.

Read Next

• Why You Shouldn’t Be Able To Buy Your Way Into A Business Class Lounge
• Qantas Change To See More Australian Travellers Fly To France In Style

The post The Qantas Premium Economy Experience That Ruined Business Class Forever appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. It’s an age-old adage that’s firmly part of society and one that many live by. As soon as we break up with our partner, we have to have meaningless – but hopefully, enjoyable – sex with someone else to kickstart the emotional journey of getting over said ex. For some, a quick romp under the sheets is all they need to move on with their life.But is it genuinely a good practice to live by? To find out, we reached out to London dating coach Hayley Quinn, to see if she agrees that seven minutes (or seconds) in heaven can help with the moving on process.

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Hayley begins by telling us to bin the whole “the best way to get over someone…” adage because she says that rather than being a fun adventure with someone new, hopping into bed so soon after a break up can actually make you miss your ex more.This is a point backed up by Samantha Joel et al., with research from a 2014 study showing that unrewarding rebound relationships can make a person feel more attached to their ex-partner. But hang on a minute, doesn’t that undermine our premise that rebound sex is the best thing for your break up?Hold your horses.Hayley also says, done right, “a rewarding rebound relationship can gradually replace the ex in their lives.” Hayley then adds that you shouldn’t treat rebound sex completely differently to ‘relationship sex’: communication is still key.In other words: if you feel you’re confident you’re over your ex, or at least well on the path to being over them, and “are ready to embark on something new, do still remember to communicate what you want.”

“If you’re only interested in something casual right now it’s good practice to say to the person you’re dating early on what you want. This gives them fair warning to get out in case they’re not after the same thing.”

Hayley says that if you’re worried the other person will want more; think again. You’ll probably be surprised by the number of people looking for the same thing as you: “If you mention that you ‘just looking for new experiences right now’ or you say ‘I want to be totally upfront about what I can offer you’, it lets the other person know you’re disinterest in a relationship isn’t a reflection on them; and you’ll find a lot of people want the same thing.”If a rebound relationship is what you want, but you struggle to find anyone to bump uglies with, it could be tempting to call up another previous flame. You’ve already had a connection before, and you’ve seen each other naked, so why wouldn’t you?With regards to this, Hayley tells us it’s “unwise to restart a casual relationship with an ex. Whilst you may tell yourself you’re totally happy with the scenario you’re in, beware using a casual relationship to try to restart things with your ex.”

“Or worse, convince yourself you’re happy to settle for something casual because that’s better than nothing at all. Get your self esteem in the right place, close the door and move on.”

“Ironically, if anything, it’s this newfound confidence that will change your ex’s mind. However hopefully, by that time, you’re going to be focused on the future.”But what about if you’re the reboundee? We can’t really comment on what you should do in this situation. If a woman wants a no strings attached relationship and has picked you out of a lineup, it all comes down to your own inhibitions and conscience. What you definitely shouldn’t do is cheat, however harmless it may seem.

Read Next:

• Women Reveal What Really Made Them Cheat On Their Partner
• ‘Dial Toning’ May Be The Rudest New Dating Trend Of 2019
• The Best Online Sex Stores On The Internet

The post Why Rebound Sex Could Actually Be A Smart Post Break-Up Choice appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

With 2020 finally in the past and the economy looking up, we ought to treat ourselves with a bit of retail therapy in 2021.

One of our favourite online stores for men, Huckberry, is currently running a intense 2020 end of year sale for, offering men up to 70% off a huge range of clothing, accessories, footwear and everyday carry items, from brands including Flint & Tinder, Fourlaps, Wellen and Outerknown.

Huckberry stocks the perfect combination of outdoor gear and rugged menswear with a very stylish edge. Not only that, they have a great selection of men’s watches to suit all budget and needs – like the Luminox Navy Seal 3500 Series, which you can snag for a very affordable $382 right now – a great price for a Swiss watch.

You’ll need to devote some time to scroll through everything on offer but it’s well worth it… There are some big discounts to be had.

Shop The Huckberry End Of Year Sale

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When you’re a villain, you have to accessorise yourself in a way that screams menace to everyone around you. It’s usually something like a white cat, or, in the case of many dictators in the past, a huge Mercedes-Benz. Specifically, a 600 Grosser, like this one that’s for sale in Australia right now.

Yes, this is your chance to own a rare piece of villainous history, allowing you to cruise around the streets of your suburb, striking fear into the hearts of your neighbours. This particular model rolled off the factory floor in 1965 – two years after the model was introduced – complete with evil black paint and blood-disguising red interior. The leather doesn’t look to be in the best condition ever, perhaps it’s been victim to its share of drive-by shootings, but the rest of the car is in excellent shape.

Under the hood, at the front of the 5.4-metre behemoth of a machine is a 6.3L V8 engine, which delivered 300hp when it was new, although 50hp of that is used to power the car’s hydraulic power system. This system powers the boot lid, seats, sun-roof, automatic closing doors and the windows. It also has a complex-for-its-day air suspension system delivering über-comfortable ride quality.

Read Next:

• This Uber-Rare & Vintage Mercedes G-Wagon Is Now Available In Australia For A Steal
• Why I’ll Never Understand Sydneysiders’ Attitude To Driving

The post Every Evil Dictator’s Favourite Mercedes-Benz Is For Sale In Australia Right Now appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="241668" img_size="medium"][vc_column_text]Over the past six years, MR.PORTER has built a reputation for two things; stocking creme de la crop men's designer clothing and epically good sales in December.

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The super cool and always fresh French label, The Kooples has long been a go-to for progressive and edgy menswear. Their Saint Laurent like style was only beaten by their more affordable prices. The brand has continues to expand across the globe now with hundreds of stores worldwide. 

This B...

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