Only one week into November and we’re already suffering the holiday blowout. Aside from the obvious surprises and changes set to the United States, the Man of Many team is also reeling from the knowledge that we’re only seven weeks out from Christmas! Yikes! With that in mind, we’re putting a positive spin on the end-of-year rush, starting with another edition of Feel-Good Friday. Get into it!
Fancy a High Tea with Santa?
To kick-start the festive period, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney’s CBD has announced a magical lineup of musical events and festive activities. Over the next few weeks, the iconic shopping destination will be transformed into a holiday wonderland, complete with the largest indoor Christmas tree in NSW.
From November 16 to December 24, the talented NCE Sydney Choir will bring this year’s music program to life with performances every Thursday at 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm. Meanwhile, the QVB’s celebrated Christmas tree will also be unveiled on November 8. The breathtaking 20-metre-tall Wollemi Pine-inspired tree will arrive adorned with a significant First Nations artistic overlay.
Created in collaboration with the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative—established in 1987 to promote Aboriginal artists—this year’s installation is a celebration of Australia’s rich cultural heritage. Best of all, families can also reserve their spot for the popular High Tea with Santa experience, starting Sunday, November 10.
Cathay Pacific’s Spin to Win Flight Giveaway
Fancy a trip away? To celebrate 50 years of Cathay Pacific flying from Sydney to Hong Kong, the airline is hosting an exciting, one-day-only flight giveaway. The unique activation offers Sydneysiders the chance to spin the prize wheel and win one of 120 Cathay Pacific flight vouchers, with values ranging from $50 to $250.
From 11am to 3pm on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, travel fiends can head down to 25 Martin Place for the chance to snag a bargain or a winning prize. Those who make the trek can even take home Cathay Pacific-branded merchandise and enjoy complimentary treats from the Cathay Cookie Cart. Time to stop dreaming and start flying.
Hotel Indigo Raises a Flame to Local Neighbourhoods
Hotel Indigo has unveiled a new limited-edition candle collection inspired by some of the most iconic streets and neighbourhoods across Australia and New Zealand. The hotel chain, which is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has honoured five unique locations with an accompanying candle individually crafted to represent Hotel Indigo neighbourhoods in Sydney (Potts Point), Melbourne (Flinders Lane), Brisbane (City Centre), Adelaide (Central Markets) and Auckland (City Centre).
According to the brand, smell is known to bring back memories better than any other sense – a mode of instant transportation to a specific place or moment in time. With this new project, Hotel Indigo is harnessing the sense to allow travellers and locals alike to relive their favourite moments with aromas that capture the essence of the neighbourhoods they’ve explored.
“Travellers want to experience the true essence of the places they visit, and Hotel Indigo brings that to life with tailored design, local dining and guest experiences inspired by rich research into each neighbourhood,” Dean Jones, vice president commercial, East Asia & Pacific (EAPAC), IHG Hotels & Resorts said. “With Hotel Indigo’s ‘Scents of the Neighbourhood,’ guests and locals have an opportunity to take a piece of the neighbourhood home with them after their travels – one that will allow them to relive their favourite memories from home or wherever they venture next.”
To mark the launch of the new campaign, guests who book and stay at a Hotel Indigo property across Australia between now and 30 November 2024 will be gifted one of the limited-edition candle sets (valued at $200RRP) upon check-in on a first-come first-served basis while stocks last. Hotel Indigo has four hotels in Australia, including Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, and Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point. The brand is set to debut in New Zealand with the opening of the new Hotel Indigo Auckland in late 2024.
Guzman y Gomez Has Summer Breakfast Sorted
Mexican food for breakfast is something most Aussies draw the line at, but they are missing out. The big, bold flavours of the festive country’s cuisine pair perfectly with old favourites like eggs, bacon and, of course, avocado. It’s precisely why Guzman y Gomez’s breakfast offering should be on your radar.
Available until 10:30am every day of the week, the casual fast-Mexican chain has a smattering of delicious and nutritious options for you to scoff during this Summer. From Big Brekkie Burritos to Guac on Toast and Brekkie Tacos, GYG’s Brekkie is a bonafide favourite in the Man of Many office. Here’s why:
- Brekkie Burrito – The classic option, GYG’s brekkie burrito comes filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, a golden crispy hash brown, Jack cheese, Pico de Gallo, salsa and your choice of bacon, chorizo, pulled shiitake mushrooms or veggies.
- Big Brekkie Burrito – Stepping things up, the Big Brekkie Burrito features more crispy bacon, chicken chorizo or sautéed veggies, more free-range scrambled egg and two crunchy hash browns.
- Guac/Avo on Toast – Score either plain avocado or fresh guacamole spread over lightly toasted sourdough bread.
- Brekkie Tacos – The Brekkie Taco starts with an amazing flour tortilla, adding fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or chorizo. It is then topped with Jack cheese, house-made Pico de Gallo, and Jalapeño Ketchup.
Of course, no breakfast is complete without a good coffee and Guzman y Gomez is delivering on that front, too. The brand has expanded its coffee offering, introducing both washed and naturally processed beans across all outlets. If you are looking for a spicy and saucy way to start your morning, GYG has you covered.
