If you’ve been spending too much time at home and not enough time travelling, like we have, then perhaps this news can help to soothe your wanderlust: 20 bars and restaurants around the country will be transformed into holiday destinations this summer.

As much as we love the opportunity that the global pandemic has given us to explore our own backyard, sometimes there’s nothing quite like the feeling of complete and utter escape.

Whether your drug of choice is Disneyland and Mickey Mouse pretzels, the Greek Islands and great heaping mountains of baba ganoush (with a side of Ouzo) or freshly baked croissants and café au lait in Paris, there’s a kind of peace that comes from feeling like you’re a world away.

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Although international borders have been slow to reopen, it’s time to dust off your travellin’ shoes, because now there’s a way you can experience that escapism a little closer to home.

The Australian Venue Co is transforming twenty of the country’s biggest venues into international summer travel hotspots. Eateries around the country, in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth will be themed as temporary Summer Staycation spots from November to February this year, and venues in Melbourne are set to follow as restrictions allow.

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Sydney’s Manly Wine and Perth’s Sweetwater Rooftop will take on the visage of springtime in Tokyo, complete with budding cherry blossoms trees, you’ll be able to lounge Bali beach club style at Barangaroo’s Bungalow 8 while Cargo Bar (along with Adelaide’s Hope Inn and Melbourne’s Fargo and Co) are set to become Palm Springs during Coachella, so remember to bring your flower crown.

The Rook in Sydney, along with the Prince Alfred and the Provincial in Melbourne will become the Amalfi Coast, complete with blue and white umbrellas. And in Brisbane, Fridays and Cleveland Sands are also set to become vacay hotspots.

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More details are being released on October 19th and we’ll make sure to update you as they become available.

Head to the Australian Venue Co’s website for the full list of venues around the country and to stay on top of the updates.