Hollywood heartthrob, seasoned traveller and British Airways ambassador, Orlando Bloom reveals his tips and tricks to getting through long-haul flights.
It’s a sunny Sydney morning at Sydney International Airport and Mr Orlando Bloom is in his final few hours in Australia, before departing for Los Angeles.
However before he boards his flight with British Airways (he is an international ambassador, after all), Bloom takes time out to chat with an intimate group of journalists about getting through long-haul flights.
Here’s what he had to say:
Q. What are the ultimate travel necessities that you always travel with? A. Oh, well obviously my passport.
But I always have my iPad, a good book, I like a bit of old and new, noise cancelling headphones – which BA also have on board – and a scarf, you never know when it’s going to get a bit chilly.
I like to be comfortable when I fly so I generally travel in a t-shirt and jeans.
Q. What do you like most about travelling? A.I love exploring new countries and cultures and getting to spend time with new people really.
Sometimes it feels like time travel almost when you get on a plane and then land somewhere completely different and you get to experience life in another way.
What’s that saying? Travel broadens the horizons and broadens the mind.
Q. What’s the best way to get sleep on a long-haul journey? A.Lie down, close your eyes .
I tend to drink quite a lot of water, and I try not to eat too much sweet stuff, although that’s always difficult because there’s so many tempting things on a BA flight.
I try not to eat too much on a flight, stay away from caffeinated drinks and just relax with some in-flight entertainment.
Q. How do you avoid jet lag? A. Jet lag can be tough to deal with but I find the best thing to do is to avoid alcohol, drink lots of water, and adjust your sleep to the time zone you’re entering.
I try to exercise and get outdoors. If you’re arriving in Sydney and you’re lucky enough to get to the ocean and swim, I always find that’s a good way to combat jet lag.
Q. Any tips for travelling with children on long-haul flights? A.Prayers . Lots of praying.
I’ve been very lucky my son has travelled quite a lot since he was little. We always have a few games and toys and few other small favourite things to keep him occupied.
It’s probably one of the only times that it’s okay for an iPad to come out for a little while, you know, just to get through the challenging moments.
To celebrate Orlando’s time in the country, British Airways is offering Australians up to 10% discount on all fares and special fares on its daily flights between Sydney and London Heathrow, via and including the award-winning Changi Airport in Singapore. For more information, visit www.ba.com or to book visit www.ba.com/partner-offer.
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Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.
The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.
1. Easy access to good food
Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.
One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.
In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.
In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.
Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.
At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.
While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.
It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.
2. Better sleep options
Sleep deeply with Novotel.
There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.
For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.
The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.
3. More ways to move
Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)
Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.
At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.
Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.
4. Better connections
Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.
One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.
Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.
A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.
Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.
All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.
