Actor Ekin Koç called seaside Antalya home before conquering the world of Turkish film. Here are his picks, from hiking the Lycian Road to catching a concert at the Aspendos Theatre.

Though its name may be less familiar to overseas travellers than Istanbul, the Turkish resort city of Antalya is no stranger to visitors. Founded by the Ancient Greeks as Attalia in the 2nd Century BCE, Antalya has since been occupied by the Romans, the Seljuk Sultanate and the Ottomans; even withstanding a brief Italian occupation after World War One before Turkey claimed independence. Today, Antalya – the crowning jewel of the Turkish Riviera and, along with Istanbul, one of the world’s most visited cities in 2023 – attracts both families and A-list celebrities with its 2,000-year-old Old Town and stunning turquoise waters.
Sometimes, the celebrity strolling Antalya’s spectacular seashore is actually a native. We caught up with Antalya-born film star Ekin Koç (best known to English-speaking audiences as Turkish business advisor Kadir in HBO’s Succession) to get his take on his beautiful hometown, studded by the Taurus mountains and cradled by the Mediterranean sea.
“If you’re from Antalya, you have a special connection with the sea,” says Koç. “The sea is everywhere. We eat from the sea, we swim, we sit next to the sea. I’ve always loved being in connection with the sea.”

As the world turns its gaze to Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo as one of the hosts of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, veteran Olympic skier Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks.

Nestled between the jutting spires of Italy’s Unesco-listed Dolomites mountain range, the small town and ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo (altitude 1,224m), is often called the “Queen of the Dolomites”. Located in a valley near the rainbow-hued Cinque Torri mountain, Cortina’s distinctive Tyrolean architecture has remained mostly untouched by modern developments.
This jewel-like ski resort is also one of Italy’s favourite wintertime destinations, luring local jet setters and professional skiers for the settimana bianca, or “white week” – the Italian custom of taking a weeklong winter ski retreat. The resort has become so synonymous with style that designer and athletic labels like MC2 Saint Barth and Kappa have used its name to sell a myriad of clothing items. And yet, Cortina d’Ampezzo has been largely unknown overseas – until now.
This sleepy ski town is about to attract a global audience as one of the hosts of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. But 2026 will hardly be its first Olympic foray; Cortina d’Ampezzo was also the host of the 1956 Winter Olympic Games. It’s further known for being the birthplace and home of retired Olympic downhill skier Kristian Ghedina.
“In Cortina, every youngster skis,” says Ghedina. “I’ve travelled the world… but I’m attached to my land, my town. It’s a very strong bond that [you have] with snow and skiing.”

Australian actress Melanie Zanetti, the voice behind Chilli Heeler, knows exactly what makes Brisbane so special. Here are her top picks for families in Queensland’s capital.

Brisbane has quietly reinvented itself in recent years, shaking off its once-sleepy reputation to become one of Australia’s most exciting cities. Long overshadowed by Sydney and Melbourne, the Queensland capital now hums with a creative energy that feels distinctly its own. Spots like the revitalised Howard Smith Wharves and vibrant laneway bars prove that this subtropical city isn’t just growing up – it’s thriving. And with the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Brisbane is ready to take its place on the global stage.
Adding to Brisbane’s shine is Bluey, the hugely popular children’s show that’s produced and set here; capturing hearts worldwide and offering a window into Brisbane’s sun-drenched, easygoing lifestyle. From the show’s lush parklands and characteristic veranda-wrapped Queenslander homes to its playful focus on family life, Bluey – and the city’s new interactive Bluey’s World experience – captures the essence of what makes Brisbane special.
“It’s like the fabric of Bluey is in Brisbane,” says Melanie Zanetti, the voice of Chilli Heeler, Bluey’s beloved TV mum, noting that the city, like the show, has something special to offer families everywhere: a reminder to slow down, play and find joy in the everyday. “It’s a gorgeous place to raise children. It is such a warm and friendly city, climate-wise, but also just the general energy of the place.”