Sami Lukis

1 week ago | travel.nine.com.au | Sami Lukis

I've worked as a travel writer, travel show host, travelling weather presenter and an international travel guide, but there's one travel gig I've never been able to mention, until now. That's because I was working undercover, as a secret luxury hotel inspector. An international travel spy, if you like. And yes, it was every bit as fabulous as it sounds.

4 weeks ago | travel.nine.com.au | Sami Lukis

New York might be known as the "Concrete Jungle", but after a decade of hosting walking tours in the Big Apple, I've discovered it's also a fascinating mélange of wonderfully unique and diverse neighbourhoods. At last count, the City Planning Department recognised 339 different neighbourhoods, to be exact. Some, get more attention than others.

2 months ago | travel.nine.com.au | Sami Lukis

The 'stopover-cation' is the latest travel trend that turns your stop-over into a stay-over. Rather than allowing the minimum 2-3 hour pit-stop between connecting international flights, you give yourself 24 hours or more to explore the stopover city, enroute to your final destination.   It's a safe option for anxious travellers, who might stress about missing connecting flights thanks to unexpected delays or cancellations.

Jan 9, 2025 | travel.nine.com.au | Sami Lukis

I'm a pretty savvy traveller. Based on miles spent in the air and nights spent away from home, I'm probably more travel-sav than most. But I almost got scammed applying for the new UK ETA yesterday. And I'm still scratching my head trying to work out how I came dangerously close to losing $150. You may have heard that as of yesterday, all non-European travellers – including Aussies – now have to pay to enter the UK. It's a new digital permit, known as an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Nov 28, 2024 | travel.nine.com.au | Sami Lukis

I've been a frequent road-tripper on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane for many years. I usually put the pedal firmly to the metal and make it my mission to cross that border as quickly and safely as possible. But on my recent trip, with my energetic two-year-old bichoodle Stevie along for the ride, I decided to meander my way up the coast, and check out a few pet-friendly places along the way.