54 Travel with Emma Wilson | travelwellwithemma@gmail.com
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www.accessnews.com.au WESTERN SYDNEY EXPRESS MAY 2025
Explore the world of Ume (Plum)
APAN’S regionality is fun to explore and if you’ve bitten into an ume (Japanese plum) you may have some curiosity about them. What are they and why are they so prominent in Japanese cuisine from breakfast to snacks to dinner? Sour, soft, pickled or sipped in liqueur form, there is a deep history attached to this culinary tradition and just a car ride or train ride from Osaka to Wakayama, Minabe in the Kii Peninsula, you can learn all about ume. Base yourself at the Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa, one of the newest Grand Mercure Hotels added to the Accor portfolio and as the name suggests is a relaxing getaway from city hustle and bustle, with fabulous ocean and bay views including awe-inspiring sunsets and indoor-outdoor hotel onsens piped hot from under the earth. There are 1200 households producing plums in Minabe, it’s a 400-yearold local family tradition and as you visit markets, stores and restaurants, regional pride in ume production is evident. Eighteen of these 1200 households are plum factories but just three producers produce liqueur, and the Grand Mercure sta can arrange a visit for you to a producer who has a farm,
The world of Japanese plums.
household factory and produces sake. Plumity, run by 3rd generation plum producer, Arimoto Yohei, is just a few minutes from the Grand Mercure by car. Yohei is passionate about the growing, drying, fermenting process that results in a delightful array of delicious, bottled sake. Yohei explains the health benefits of ume, how ume is best enjoyed in Japan and takes you to his ume trees, drying trays and fermenting vats. Ume is reportedly rich in antioxidant nutri-
ents that is great for immune support and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Back at the Grand Mercure, Minabe, you can purchase ume liqueur from the hotel shop, and with new understanding you may enjoy every drop, even more - as you gaze across Chisato Beach. You may not want to leave the hotel, so relaxing is your stay - in between riding the hotel bicycles enjoying country air and expansive views, you can enjoy ume as part of delicious hotel bu et meals and the hotel’s signature com-
plimentary night cap - featuring - you guessed it- ume liquor and ume snacks. To get to Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa, fly into the international gateway of Osaka, Kansai Airport and take the JR Limited Express Kuroshio from Shin-Osaka Station directly to Minabe Station and catch a 10–15-minute taxi to the hotel. Alternatively, hire a car and drive via the Hanwa Expressway, the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Book your stay at all.accor.com
Refurb for Parramatta’s PARKROYAL Parramatta Psarkroyal Hotel.
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ARKROYAL Parramatta’s recently refurbished accommodation delivers a fresh take on hospitality in the heart of Sydney’s dynamic second city. The newly updated guest rooms echo the spirit of Australia’s fastest-growing region. Soft neutral tones set a calm mood - think scribbly gum-patterned carpets and native flora-inspired wattle motifs that pay homage to the area’s rich heritage. Our Deluxe King Corner Room came with sweeping views of the World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park and the iconic Eels’ CommBank Stadium. It’s an ideal spot for early risers heading out for a jog or cycle—though a slower start is equally rewarding, especially with Water Dragons often seen basking by the riverbank. Just steps from the hotel, Church Street buzzes with a global mix of restaurants that speak to the area’s multicultural flair. Mornings start strong with an impressive bu et breakfast complete with made-to-order
eggs, a pancake station, and fresh juices. Service is a standout—friendly, professional, and genuinely welcoming. Bar 30, located beside the Lobby, serves an impressive array of signature cocktails and gourmet bites. The alfresco deck is perfect for a sunset drink before a show at the nearby Riverside Theatre. Equally, dining at Table 30 exceeded our expectations - highlights include the entree seared scallops, Spaghetti alla Chitarra with fresh tiger prawns and the indulgent Beef Top Wagyu Tajima Sirloin, grilled to perfection. For a relaxed Sunday
afternoon treat, don’t miss the Bottomless High Tea in the hotel’s Premium Club Lounge on Level 7, served from Noon to 2:30 pm— an elegant spread of sweet and savoury delights that won’t leave you disappointed. Kids are welcome, and complimentary parking makes it all the more convenient. With its prime location just 10 minutes from the train and RiverCat terminals, plus easy access via WestConnex, PARKROYAL Parramatta is ideal for a weekend escape or a luxe staycation. www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-andresorts/pr-parramatta
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