A Whiff of Wunderlust: The Link Between Scent and Travel Memories

Travel has an unparalleled ability to transport us – not just across the world, but back to specific moments in time. Photographs capture the visual aspects of a destination. And, sound evokes certain emotions. However, it’s often scent that holds the deepest connection to our memories. From the aroma of fresh bread to the salty air of the sea, fragrance can instantly take us back to a specific place or experience like nothing else can. It’s a sensory time machine, capable of bringing memories flooding back in an instant.

The power of perfume

Unlike sight or sound, which require us to focus and engage cognitively, scent can bypass the conscious mind and go straight to the emotional centres of the brain, triggering vivid recollections with astonishing clarity. Think of how the scent of coffee in a cafe can bring you back to a morning in Milan. Or, the fresh eucalyptus aroma of a park can transport you to outback Australia.

Our brains associate certain smells with particular environments or experiences. And, even years later, the fragrance can recall not just the location, but also the emotions and stories we experienced there. The memories aren’t just about what we saw or heard. They are wrapped up in the sensations that made the place feel real, like the scent of the earth, the sea breeze, or the aroma of a specific flower blooming in the Spring. It connects us emotionally to the very essence of a place

How this hotel is connecting scent and travel memories

This deep connection between scent and memory is something that Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has chosen to explore with their limited-edition Scents of the Neighbourhood candle collection. Designed to capture the essence of unique neighbourhoods across Australia and New Zealand, these five limited-edition candles are meticulously crafted to reflect the unique characteristics of each destination. And, allow travellers to bring home a piece of their journey.

Hotel Indigo’s Scents of the Neighbourhood candle collection is designed to offer a way to relive the essence of cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Auckland. And, transport travellers back to the very heart of these dynamic cities, encapsulating their spirit in a single fragrance.

Created in collaboration with an Australian artisan scent studio, the candles blend notes that evoke both the history and the contemporary energy of each location. For example, Melbourne’s iconic laneways are captured with a blend of fresh coffee, vanilla buttercream, and tonka bean. In contrast, Brisbane’s fragrance combines eucalyptus, ginger, mint, and cucumber, capturing the city’s lush greenery and vibrant nightlife. Each scent is designed not only to remind you of the neighbourhood it represents but to immerse you in its stories and memories.

8 candles that will transport you to somewhere special. No passport required

1. Cote d’Azur, $123, by Oribe at Rogue Beauty 

Although its name pays homage to the French Riviera, Oribe’s signature candle actually draws its scent from Italian inspiration. Expect notes of sunlit Calabrian bergamot, blackcurrant, and Sicilian orange. And, delicate white butterfly jasmine mingled with creamy sandalwood and crisp amber, to create a fragrance that lingers like a sun-drenched memory of La Dolce Vita.

2. Lavender, $30, by Julrlique

The magnificent biodynamic Jurlique Farm, nestled in the Adelaide Hills, grows many of the herbs, flowers, and plants used in their natural skin care products. So, unsurprisingly, these enchanting aromas have also infiltrated their candles. These include the Lavender Soy Blend Candle. Made with a calming top note of Lavender, a refreshing citrus heart, and a gentle base of White Flowers, this candle creates a soothing sanctuary designed to enhance your self-care ritual. 

3. Limited Edition Silky Woods, $135, by Goldfield and Banks

The Silky Woods Limited Edition Candle by Goldfield and Banks is an ode to far North Queensland’s lush Daintree Rainforest. And, blends sustainably harvested agarwood with native botanicals to create a a true masterpiece. With a luxurious blend of vanilla, smoky tobacco leaves, and ylang-ylang, this fragrance exudes exotic warmth and timeless elegance. Handcrafted with centuries-old expertise, it is a true collector’s piece. 

4. Tahaa, $54.95, by Glasshouse 

This cult candle – inspired by the enchanting “vanilla island” of Tahaa in French Polynesia, where a plethora of vanilla plantations perfume the air and welcome visitors – layers creamy caramel, coconut, and vanilla with notes of pineapple and frankincense to create a South West Pacific paradise closer to home. 

5. Toscana, $179,  by Creed

Taking inspiration from Tuscany’s fragrant gardens, the Toscana Candle blossoms with powdery iris petals and intoxicating tuberose. Encased in fine white porcelain and topped with a gold lid, this hand-poured candle looks as luxurious as it smells.

6. Firenze 1221 edition Acqua Della Regina, $149, by Santa Maria Novella

Step back in time to Renaissance Florence with the Acqua della Regina Candle – a tribute to the legendary fragrance created for Caterina de’ Medici in 1533. This exquisite scent blends the zest of Italian citrus fruits withneroli, rosemary, cloves, lavender, and soft musk. Handcrafted in Florence using the finest raw materials, this candle embodies the historic elegance and artisanal mastery of the city.

7. Holiday Collection Fresh Pine Goldie, $54.95, by Ecoya

A special occasion calls for a limited edition fragrance to match. Recreate the magic of Christmas with Ecoya’s Fresh Pine Candle. Notes of freshly cut pine, forest woods, rosewood, and citrus bring the scent of festive nostalgia into your home. Just in time for the holiday season.

8. Jazz Club, $110, by Maison Margiela at Mecca 

The masters of memories-in-a-scent, this creation by Maison Margiela will imbue your room with the atmosphere of a sultry speakeasy. Think leather armchairs, heady cocktails and cigars. The intoxicating woody yet sweet scent features warm and spicy notes that spotlight rum absolute, vanilla, tobacco leaf and pink pepper.

Hotel Indigo is offering an exclusive promotion for guests. From October 14 to November 30, 2024, guests who book and stay at any of Hotel Indigo’s properties in Australia will receive a complimentary limited-edition candle set valued at $200 The candles, will be gifted upon check-in, allowing guests to take home a tangible piece of their travel memories. With four hotels in Australia – Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, and Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point – and the opening of Hotel Indigo Auckland later in 2024, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the collection firsthand. For more information and to book your stay, visit Hotel Indigo’s website to learn about the Scents of the Neighbourhood collection.