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 ETE Swimwear was lucky enough to be in partnership with @somewear_elsewear’s on their recent Whitsundays trip, with influencers Fredrika @fakander; Lisa @lisahomsy; Mel @Melvandersluis; Kirsty @Kirstycane and Kendall @kendallbaggerly. On this trip we got to experience many of the beautiful beaches and resorts of the Whitsundays Islands, and engage in fun activities that Australia provides!

 Places to stay in Whitsundays

We stayed at Daydream Island, which was exactly as the name suggests. A surreal getaway with amazing deep blue seas hidden beaches and a great resort. Here we were treated to stretch classes in an underwater observatory which is an experience we will never forget! Daydream Island is located a 20 minute boat ride away from the mainland and is the only resort on the Island. We were extremely fortunate to be able to visit Daydream Island as it was hit by a cyclone a couple years ago which caused the resort to shut but was re-opened earlier this year.

Kendall wearing the Oia off-shoulder bikini top with Sophia bikini bottoms in white 

Next, we stayed at the Mirage Whitsundays, located on the mainland Airlie Beach where majority of tours depart from. Here, the rooms were huge! With each of us being treated to the Penthouse; a 4-bedroom luxury villa with views that spanned across the ocean. There is no better way to wake up in the morning when you have such a view. 

 Fredirika showing the Oia off-shoulder bikini top in white

Last but not least, we stayed at Peppers Hotel, also located at Airlie Beach. Peppers had the most luxurious bathrooms ever seen, with large tubs and jets, warmed to the perfect temperature - the best way to relax after a long day!

Lisa wearing the Santorini off-shoulder swimsuit in white  

Restaurants to go to

Northerlies, graced by beautiful grounds and even more beautiful beaches. Here we saw a stunning sunset followed by a classic Australian BBQ dinner. Which was a great reminder of home for some of the Australian influencers on the trip and a great experience for the international influencers! 

Boathouse Fishbar had the best service and food while on our Whitsundays trip. We recommend it to anyone staying at Airlie beach who wants a great night out to eat!

Inkstone restaurant, a part of Daydream Islands' own restaurants, where we were able to enjoy modern Australian dishes.

 Also apart of Daydream Island's restaurants was Infinity, a fine dinning restaurant, with amazing meals which looked extremely appetising. 

 Activities

While at Daydream Island we were able to go on a jet ski tour around the island. We saw the beauty of the island from the water, and had so much fun while doing so!

We also went on the Ocean Rafting tour where we visited two snorkelling spots, and we got to swim at the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. After we went to Whitehaven beach, we spent two hours exploring. We then had a delicious lunch aboard the boat.

Kendall showcasing the Olympia one-peice swimsuit in lilac 

Next, we drove up to the beautiful beach town of Bowen. This iconic little town is home to the big Mango, one of Australia’s most iconic and peculiar tourist sights. After we saw the eccentric spectacle, we had an amazing picnic lunch at Horseshoe bay provided by Merkai Whitsundays and Birds Fish Bar.

What to pack

When going to a beachy paradise; must haves are

• Boracay skin
• Bianko Jewlery
• and of course your Ete swimwear!

Our cute bathers were perfect for the summer weather, and our new Santorini collection was a flawless match with the blue and white hues of Whitsundays beaches! 

 Lisa wearing the Elena Cheeky bottoms and Mia bikini top in navy stripes 

Fredrika wearing the Santorini off-shoulder swimsuit in white 

Fredirika featuring the Olympia one piece swimsuit in black

All Ete Swimwear pieces shot in Whitsundays  

So if you are ever planning to travel to the beautiful coast of Queensland and visit the Whitsunday Islands, make sure to refer back to this blog to know where to go, what to do and where to eat!  

Like this blog? Check out our Fiji Travel guide for more blogs like this! 

If you’re a festival goer or a culture seeker, we have a perfect list of festivals that will be sure to appeal to you. These festivals all have something that makes them a little different and extra from your normal kind.  With different kinds of music, atmosphere, culture, or something completely new- the festivals are something you must see.   

Hideout 

When: 1^st – 5^th July 2019

where: Croatia, Pag Island

An electronic music festival with artists such as DJ Hype and Alan Fitzpatrick, this event is more than just about its line up. Its amazing party scene has earned it comparison to Ibiza. Over the five day course of the festival, you will be able to experience its awesome pre-parties by the pool side and a massive beach party. And there’s no need to worry about having nothing to do, with its array of water sports such as jet skis and Banana Boats you’re sure to have a blast!

 photo by Hideoutfestival 

Holli 

When: 9^th – 10^th March 2020

Where: India

One of the most renowned festivals in India it is celebrated in near all parts of the vast country. The festival is referred to as the festival of love as its purpose is for the people to depart from feelings of resentment and hate and absorb themselves in the feeling of love. It's celebrated for through the day and the night. In the festival bright vibrant powdered colours are thrown l is meant to bring positivity to the festival and those celebrating.

 photo by alp_alper_

Exit

When: 4^th – 7^th July 2019

Where: Novi sad Serbia

This festival has much historical background to its beginning. During the Serbian war, people listened and danced to technic music, as an act of rebellion. Starting in 2000 as a massive celebration of freedom from government control, the festival later became a way from Serbians to experience the music of the world, with Artists from other countries able to play their music for the first time in Serbia. The atmosphere of the festival is unfathomable, with people who have no other desire than to party and be free, you a sure to get caught up in the hype of the Serbian people.

photo by exit festival

Primavera Sound

Where: Barcelona

When: 27^th May –  2^nd June 2019

One of the most anticipated festivals, Primavera sound has many artists such as Miley Cyrus and Young Beef. The music and performance are so good, that in past years festival goers did not leave the week long festival until it was over. 

photo by ajdasitar

Isle of Wight

When: 1th – 16^th June 2019

Where: UK

The Isle of Wight is the UK’s longest running music festival. If Techno is not really for you this festival still has all the hype of a techno fest yet the music is a mixture of pop rock, with cage the elephants, and calm indie with artists such as George Ezra and Bastille. The festival is unique from others for its ability to cater for all ages. With family zones, teen zones and a VIP pass for other festival goers who want to be solely immersed in the sound.

photo by Isle of wight   

Wisteria Festival

Where: Japan 

When:  April 18^th –  May 20th, 2019

Named after the gorgeous trees the flowers bloom from, the Wisteria festival is a month-long event that is a marvel to witness. Like a wonderland, the festival earnt the title of one of the top 10 international dream destinations in 2014 by CNN. The festival consits of walking around the hills that hold various flowers in bloom and underneath the gorgeous violet wisteria trees. The picturesque festival is a must see if you’re ever in Japan during the Spring time.

 photo by Kyoko1903

Yanshui Fireworks Festival

Where: Yanshui Taiwan

When: not determined

The Yanshui firework festival holds the title of one of the top three folklore festivals in the world. This strange event is not just about watching fireworks explode from afar but rather running towards them. This festival has been running for thousands of years and people of Taiwan participate in the festival as they believe if you run through the fireworks your bad luck will be abolished a good year will lie ahead of you.

photo by Godphotojin

Byron Bay BluesFest

 When: Thursday 9^th April – Monday 13^th 2020

Where:  Byron Bay

This Australian Festival just had its 30^th year and is going strong. With classic artists for the line up such as Bob Dylan, Hozier and Paul Simon. The Australian festival is gaining steam for its cool blues music that has a classic and nostalgic feel. Much calmer than a techno festival, Blue fest is a great weekend getaway that will have you feeling relaxed while still having the time of your life.

 photo by girlnaflower

Sziget Festival 

When: 7^th -13^th August 2019

Where: Budapest Hungary

Crazy Colours, Crazy acts, and crazy people. Sziget is definitely a festival for party goers who wants to get loose. Every day there is a party at a stage that is wild and wacky. In past years there has been a colours party much similar to Holi with the throwing of powdered chalk. Or a beach ball party with hundreds of beach balls flying around. This festival is massive and gets hectic, for some it’s a little overwhelming, for others a wild ride they can’t miss out on.

photo by Szigetofficial

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 

When: 5^th October – 14^th 2019

Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Not what you may expect on this list, but the Albuquerque International Balloon fiesta is a festival of many wonders. With over 500 hot air balloons taking flight in the sky at once, against the backdrop of the Rio Grande valley sunset- it’s a photo you don’t want to miss. The 9-day festival has been said to be the most photographed event on earth. But don’t worry about being bored while watching balloons all day, as the spectacular event as has artists all day to fill time while watching balloons, and numerous other smaller events to keep you occupied.

 photo by Blankhub

 So, if you're ever interested in a new festival, just take at look this list and pick your adventure!

Like this blog? Check out our Places you've never heard of but want to visit!

Ete Swimwear in partnership with Somewear Elsewhere went to the gorgeous Fiji Islands along with influencers Jamie @jamienkidd; Lisa @lisahomsy; Cara @carajourdan; Adri and Luke @maya_gypsy London @london_ellis. In this tropical getaway, we went to many different Fiji resorts, restaurants, and explored the islands  

Places to stay in Fiji

Girls wearing the Lani Cheeky Bottoms and malia top in Blush embroidery, Sorrento High-Waist Bottoms and Amalfi Top in Vintage Stripes

We stayed at the stunning Fiji Marriot resort Momi Bay where we continued to relax and explore for the next two days. The Marriot was gorgeous with 3 pools including an infinity pool looking over the ocean, and bungalows which floated above water. The rooms were extremely spacious, and it was great having all your friends and the ocean close by.

Fiji Marriot resort Momi Bay

We also stayed at the Sheraton resort on Tokoriki Island. Here we experienced the beautiful culture of the Fijian people and were stunned by the beautiful sunsets that graced Sheraton shores. Sheraton was also blessed by having a beautiful reef right by the resort where we often went snorkelling.  

Sheraton Tokoriki 

Adri wearing the Sorrento High-Waist Bottoms and  Amalfi Top in Vintage Stripes

For our last two days, we stayed at Westin Fiji on the mainland on Denauru Island, which meant we had access to shops, golf courses and the airport but were still able to get away in the tropical paradise of Fiji.

Westin Fiji

 Where to eat in Fiji 

All the hotels we stayed at had a variety of restaurants to choose from, but these were our favourites.

At the Marriot we had a special wine dinner at the lagoon as we watched the sunset, then for mains and dessert, we went to the Fish Bar. There they had some of the finest plates of seafood and so much variety, all the girls were overwhelmed with the place and we had to go back for a second time.

Adri in the  Sorrento High-Waist Bottoms and Amalfi Top in Ocean blue

On Tokoriki Island we ate at the Beef Risto. The lovely restaurant offered a stunning view of the beach and islands surrounding it, while we dined on our delicious cuisine.

Cara in the  Mila linen dress 

Wet Edge restaurant located on the mainland was centred on a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean, with some of the best food you’ll ever taste. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and laughed for the whole night.

What to do in Fiji

Adri featured in the Amalfi Top and Sorrento High-Waist Bottoms in Lemon Drop Yellow

Fiji is a place with many activities that you can’t do anywhere. The first and one of the most amazing things is snorkelling. In Fiji, we were able to experience some of the most vibrant corals and fish too! We were encapsulated into a new magnificent underwater world filled with colour and beauty. Some great places to go snorkelling is at the Sheraton where there is a reef right next to the resort.

Jamie and Lisa both in the  Amalfi Top and Capri Cheeky Bottoms in Lemon Drop Yellow

Boat tours are another great thing to do. On the trip, we went Coral Cats Sailing on a catamaran to secluded reefs where went snorkelling as well. 

Another thing to do in Fiji is to experience the culture. Rich in cultural traditions practices, you’d be a fool to not want to experience their way of life. There are many places you can go to see traditional Fijian dancing. Experience the Lovo way of cooking, a very old style of cooking for the masses where they dig a 2ft deep hole and cook their meal in it. This traditional method is fascinating to watch and also delicious to eat. At the resorts Sheraton & Westin they have an evening show and meal to experience the Fijian culture and in Tokoriki a short boat ride would take you to the local village where you can have a tour.

What to pack for Fiji

Fiji is a tropical climate, so our must haves are;

• Water – can’t go anywhere without a bottle of Fiji Water
• Big Hats
• Bangn Body – to keep your skin hydrated after a day in the sun
• And most importantly your Ete Swimwear!

All the girls are wearing the Jamie x Ete collection, London in the far right is wearing the Praiano top and  Capri Cheeky Bottoms in Lemon Drop Yellow

For swimwear, a must is the new Jamie x Ete Swimwear collection. The influencers including Jamie who joined us on the trip looked absolutely beautiful in all the collections pieces. They’re many variations in colour and style including high-rise bottoms, one-pieces and cute accessories to make your bathers all that much better.

All Ete Swimwear pieces shot in Fiji

For your next trip to Fiji make sure to refer back to our guide to see all the places to go, eat and things to do, and what to bring before you head of on your Fiji adventure.

Like this blog? Check out the Jamie x Ete Lookbook!