While hopes of a trip around the Med may have been dashed for this year, you can still chase the sun – just head north to James Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, where The Calile Hotel offers a dreamy alternative.

It would be easy to mistake the Sunshine State for a gleaming corner of Greece, especially at Ada Lane, where palm-lined footpaths and a cobblestoned pedestrian strip make perusing this area a joy. Adjacent to The Calile, the lane is the dedicated dining strip of the area, and leading Australian labels mingle with award-winning dining destinations. Take a trip to Thailand via sAme sAme, visit Italy by booking a seat at the bar in BIÀNCA, or pop up in New York compliments of SK Steak & Oyster.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Within The Calile are in-house venues Lobby Bar and Hellenika, with inspiration for the menus gathered from all corners of the globe – France, Colombia, Greece and more. Hellenika’s poolside position makes it one of the hottest destinations in Brisbane, and you can even enjoy dinner in one of the coveted cabanas on the marbled pool deck – the ultimate cure for holiday cravings.

On Sunday, August 1, James Street is turning up the heat another notch with the James St Food & Wine Trail – a street-wide celebration showcasing The Calile, its foodie friends, and the wider district. 

Now in its ninth year, the festival will see the James Street favourites spill out onto the streets for alfresco dining, live entertainment and crafty workshops to accompany market-style feasts in the sunshine. Save the date – we’ll see you in our finest wide-brimmed hat. 

Find out more here.