Blog

Aug

Frogs in the belly get you the jump on Saigon

Saigon’s jumping chicken: high in calcium.

I can’t even really look at this photo any more: not after knowing that one of these beasts is now part of me.

In a life spent putting weird things into mouth, Saigon’s ‘jumping chicken’ was a fairly thoughtless decision. It’s only now, afterwards, when I look at the photos, that I’m feeling the qualms.

The frogs (apparently, though they look like toads, they’re definitely frogs) are part of an after-dark tour on the back of vintage Vespas through the streets and alleyways of Saigon.

It’s a wind-in-your-hair, frogs-in-your-belly extravaganza, made moreso because of its simplicity: restore a few gorgeous old Vespas, grab a handful of punters and take them to a few out-of-the-way eating haunts and bars around the city, experiencing life as the locals live it.

The locals cruise the streets, shoulder-to-shoulder with their mates, slowing down for a chat. Long-haired girls in hot pants gossip and do phone. Mums charge determinedly between with kids in front. I even saw one family – mum, dad and a boy about 18 months, who was seated on a wicker chair, its legs wedged across bike’s the petrol tank to keep the little fella from toppling into the traffic.

Knee to knee with the rest of Saigon, cruising the streets on the back of a bike thrashes sitting in a sealed taxi, though a facemask would go down well in peak hour. Preferably one with a pirate’s skull-and-crossbones on it.

And if the thought of a little traffic bingle has your knickers in a knot, the frogs are allegedly high in calcium: so at least your bones would knit back quickly.

Trip details:
Saigon After Dark tour costs US$72 a person for four hours, includes Vespa, driver, guide and all food and drinks, Vietnam Vespa Adventures

Getting there: Vietnam Airlines flies daily from Melbourne and Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), costs from $1180, vietnamairlines.com

Staying there: The five-star Caravelle is the grande dame of Saigon’s hotel scene, and will be relaunching a new look over the coming year. Costs from VND660,000++/A$299 deluxe room/night (84-8) 3823 4999 caravellehotel .com Newest kid on the blog, the four-star Novotel Saigon Centre, has an opening deal which includes free wi-fi and 10 per cent off spa treatments until October 30. Costs from USD$100++ superior room/ night. +84 (0)8 3822 4866, novotel.com.

Aug

The toast of Saigon

That’s not a fruit bowl. THIS is a fruit bowl.

Ah, lovely Vietnam, where a complementary fruit arrangement in your room isn’t a couple of geriatric bananas and an aged granny smith, but chock-full of hairy ramabutans and a whole mango. That baby lasted all of 20 minutes after I checked into the new Novotel Saigon Centre this evening.

The scents of Vietnam started on its national airway, with lotus-scented refreshing towels (sic), a pork-heavy menu and tart French wines.

In my few brief hours in the city, Saigon’s served up all the standard Asian cliches – families of four on the one moped, incessant traffic, stalinist scupltures on major roundabouts, and sidewalks that are masquerading as cafes, moped parking lots, shoe and trucker hat shops, or just enormous holes that could drop a large man into the sewers below.

Tomorrow, the sleeves are rolled up and Saigon’s underbelly should prepare to be probed.

Aug

Champagne free-flow on sale! Travel deals: 12 August 2012

Tadrai Island Resort, Fiji

Get classy in Britain, test the champagne free-flow in Langkawi or slip into something comfortable in the Kimberley.
TASMANIA
Some of the world’s most pure air blows through Strahan,
a fishing village on the west coast of Tassie. Base yourself here to cruise the
Gordon River, catch the West Coast Wilderness Railway or to taste the divine
wine and cheese that results from such purity. Book a hilltop
standard room at the Strahan Village and pay half price until
September 30. Costs from $55 a person a night, twin share.1800
420 155, strahanvillage.com.au

VICTORIA

The seaside town of Queenscliff, an hour from Melbourne,
grooves to the tunes of the Blues Train, a steam train that shakes, rattles and
rolls over the rails to Drysdale and back, serving up dinner and a blues show.
The ‘D’ carriage is for dancing and there’s a bar on board, too. Stay two
nights at the Big4 Beacon Resort and get two tickets to the train, worth $185, transfers
to the train, a recovery brekky hamper and noon checkout. Costs from $272.50 a
person for two nights, twin share, 1800 351 152, beaconresort.com.au.
Tickets are also cut from $92.50 to $50 during August and September. 132 849, ticketek.com.au.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Get a bird’s-eye view of the Red Centre with a balloon
flight over Alice Springs and its dramatic surrounds. Stay two nights at the
four-star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and get upgraded to a Mountain View room
and a 30-minute balloon flight. Kids under 19 stay free, pay $209 for
ballooning. Book by 3pm October 5, stay until October 12. Costs from $439 an
adult. 1300 130 485, travel.com.au.

NSW

Families can discover the heart of Sydney when they book
a premier room for four nights, and pay for just three at the five-star Sydney Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. The
hotel will also throw in a family pass to Taronga Zoo and free internet. Book before January 31, stay now until
September 30, December 16-24, 2012 and January 2-31, 2013. Costs from $1074 per
family (2 adults +2 kids) for four nights. 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The quiet, fern-lined pools of Zebedee Hot Springs, on El
Questro cattle station, are the most ecologically sound spa you’ll ever
encounter. Soak it up in between outback hikes, bush-bashing down the Gibb
River Road, ogling crocs in Windjana Gorge, exploring the Bungle Bungles and
ancient caves on this nine-day Wild Kimberley tour. Accom is a mix of permanent
tents and al fresco camping. Was $2195, save 20 percent on September 11
departure. Book by September 7, costs $1756 a person. 1800 018 871, intrepidtravel.com.

Snorkelling at Orpheus Island, Queensland

QUEENSLAND

The secretive hideaway of Orpheus Island, off the coast
of Townsville, is sheer island luxury. Stay five nights, pay four, saving $1400
a couple. The package includes sensational meals from the kitchen of Cheong
Liew protégé Arie Prabowo, selected wines and beers, use of dinghies, cats, and
snorkelling equipment as well as a daily nature-based experience, be it a
sunset cruise, fishing or island tour. Stay till January 21, including the
Christmas period. Costs from $5600 for two people. (07) 4777 7377,
orpheus.com.au.

MALAYSIA

Oh, they know how we like it, at the Datai Langkawi. The
grand dame of Langkawi is cutting 25 percent off its regular rates with a
stay-three, pay-four deal until December 19, and includes daily breakfast with champagne
on free-flow. Accommodation is a deluxe
or superior villa and also included are limo transfers, a private dinner on the
beach for two, 120 minutes of spa treatment per person, a mangrove tour and guided
nature walk. Costs from $2338 for four nights. +60 4 959 2500 www.dataihotels.com

The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia

UNITED KINGDOM

Sometimes, a bit of class doesn’t go astray, especially
when you’re upgraded from standard to lovely first class. Buy a BritRail Flexi
Pass for four or eight days by August 30 through International Rail and get a
free upgrade to first class when you use the pass any time in 2013, travelling
through England, Scotland and Wales. Costs from $355 for a four-day pass. 1300
387 245, internationalrail.com.au.

JAPAN

If you can’t get enough of winter, now’s the time to
think about the Christmas ski season. Ski Hakuba and stay just 150 meters from
the ski lifts at High Mount Hotel. The deal includes breakfast and a six-day
lift pass. Book by 3pm September 28, travel December 14-29, January 3 – April
30. Costs from $1099 a person, twin
share for seven nights. 1300 130 485, travel.com.au.

Innsbruck, Austria

AUSTRIA

The capital of the Alps, Innsbruck, has city breaks
including a three-night stay in a four-star hotel and a 48-hour Innsbruck Card,
worth E35, with E227 value. Includes a guided walk through the medieval town, rides
on seven cable cars, a sightseeing bus tour, entrance to museums including the
Ambras Castle, Swarovski crystal museum, a cocktail at the town’s casino, and
there’s coffee and cake in the clouds, at the Alpenlounge Seegrube restaurant.
Costs E219 (A$256) a person, twin share, for three nights. +43 512 56 2000, innsbruck-packages.com.

FIJI

The new adults-only Tadrai Island Resort is sleek and
chic, with the Mamanuca islands’
signature white sand beaches. Includes champagne on arrival, all meals, drinks
and butler services. Stay seven nights and get one return flight from Australia
to Nadi with Air Pacific, stay 10 nights and they’ll give you two international
return flights. Book by September 11, travel until December 16. Costs $10,077
(two people, seven nights) or $14,399 (two people, 10 nights). (07) 5524 5222, tadrai.com.

TOURWATCH: Lord
Howe Island

When you breathe your next yoga breath, your lungs are
filled with the pure air of Lord Howe Island during this wellness retreat with
yoga teacher Charlotte Dodson. You may have spotted her recently teaching Lara
Bingle, and other radiant celebrity followers include model Miranda Kerr and
fashion designer Kit Willow. Pinetrees
Spring Wellness Retreat’s six-night packages include two daily yoga sessions
with Charlotte, daily fitness sessions, wholefood cooking classes, organic
gardening classes and wine tasting (that’s organic wine, of course!) Ayurvedic spa treatments are also available and then
there are the island’s everyday charms – snorkelling, swimming, kayaking and
mountain climbing. Runs from September 3-7 and November 17-23. Costs from $1270 a person twin share
(excluding airfares). (02) 9262 6585, pinetrees.com.au.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald

Aug

Bathrobes and pearls: travel deals, 5 August 2012

Crown Metropol, Melbourne

Souveniring bathrobes, cruising with Agatha Christie or shopping South Sea pearls in Manila, read on for this week’s domestic and international travel deals:

NSW

It may be chilly but Sydney’s event’s scene is hotting up
in August, with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival (August 21-25) or, if lycra
is more your scene, the City 2 Surf (August 12). The four-star Metro Hotel on
Pitt’s winter special includes one night’s accommodation for two in a superior
deluxe queen room, dinner at its restaurant, a bottle of wine and midday check-out
on stays until August 31. Costs $199 a room, 1800 004 321, metrohotels.com.au.

VICTORIA

You don’t have to try to smuggle the plush bathrobes out
of Melbourne’s sleek Crown Metropol: the hotel is giving you two robes to
celebrate winter. They’ll also include an in-room movie, valet parking and breakfast
at its newest restaurant, Mr Hive, when you book a one of its Luxe King rooms
until September 2. While rooms normally start
from $310 a night, the winter package, with dinner and robes, costs from $395 a
room a night, 03 9292 6211, crownmelbourne.com.au.

Karijini Eco Retreat, Western Australia

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

If you love camping but can’t convince the other half of
its joys, start with baby steps, in a deluxe eco tent at Karijini Eco Retreat,
in the Karijini National Park, in the Pilbara. The tents have their own
bathroom, decks, king-sized beds and linen (no sleeping bags!) yet are designed
to be ecologically sustainable, using solar power and recycling water.
Book before August 30, stay two nights between September 1-30 and get a free
whale watching cruise for two. Costs from $323 a night, 1800 002 333,
quickbeds.com.

QUEENSLAND

The Gold
Coast’s glistening foreshore is lined with walking tracks and bike paths which
is just as well, as a rash of great, new restaurants has recently opened around
Surfers Paradise. The family-friendly Mantra Crown Towers is 100 meters from
the beach and is knocking 20 percent off three-night stays in its one-bedroom
apartments. Facilities include a lagoon pool, waterslides, kids’ playground,
spa and sauna. Stay before October 7, costs from $453 a room for three nights, 131
517, mantra.com.au.

TASMANIA

One of the country’s top lodges, Saffire Freycinet, on the Freycinet
peninsula, comprises just 20 beautiful suites looking out to the Hazards
Mountains. Book a deluxe suite for four nights, pay for three and get all meals
and dinner drinks, activities including guided walks, fishing, golf, wine
tasting, canoeing, cooking demos and learn to mix the perfect cocktail.
The deal also includes $100 to spend in the spa. Costs $5400 a suite, 1800 723
347, saffire-freycinet.com.au.

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

Larapinta Trail, Central Australia

The Larapinta Trail runs 223 kilometres from Alice
Springs across the Western MacDonnell National Park toward Mt Zeil. The area has
recently been handed back to its traditional Aboriginal owners and World
Expeditions is celebrating by letting you take your best mate free, with a
two-for-one deal on its three-day Larapinta Experience. Single travellers will
get 25 percent off. Travel between August 31 – September 21. Costs $995 for two
people, or $750 for single travellers, 1300 720 000, worldexpeditions.com.au.

EGYPT

Celebrate Agatha Christie’s birthday on her beloved Nile
River, with a two-in-one deal and a copy of ‘Death on the Nile’ in hand. The
12-day tour includes seven days cruising the Nile on a luxury small ship, and
afternoon tea on the terrace of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, where she
stayed while penning the book. Costs $7,100 for the first person and their
companion travels free. Singles pay half price, costs $5170, 1300 851 800, abercrombiekent.com.au.

THAILAND

Vijitt resort, Patong, Thailand

Set on the white-sand Friendship Beach in Phuket, 30
minutes from Patong, get three nights free when you book seven nights at the
five-star Vijitt Resort. The deal includes an hour-long massage for two and
buffet breakfast daily. Book before August 31 and get a free upgrade to a pool
villa. Normally $1770 a villa, costs $900 for seven nights on stays until October
31, 1300 305 870,
islandescapes.com.au.

CAMBODIA

The Angkor Wat temple complex is Cambodia’s biggest drawcard
and the world’s largest Hindu site. Stay four nights at the 4.5-star Angkor Century Resort & Spa,
just 15 minutes from the massive complex, and get a free private full-day tour
of Angkor Wat. Book until 3pm September 21, travel until September 30. Costs
from $199 a person for four nights, twin share, 1300 130 485, travel.com.au.

PHILIPPINES

Manila’s
shopping has to be experienced to be believed: South Sea pearls, awesome
handbags and a shoe scene that puts all other countries to shame. Stay three
nights in the thick of it at the five-star Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and
pay for only two nights. Book by August 30, stay by September 30. Costs from
$431 a room for three nights, 1300 888 180, zuji.com.au.

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Stay five nights, pay for only four at the largest
overwater villas in the South Seas, in the five-star St Regis Bora Bora, in
Tahiti. The deal also includes return flights from Papeete to Bora Bora
airport, and boat transfers from the airport to the hotel, as well as daily
breakfast, and if you’re a honeymooner,
bonuses include a free couple’s massage. Book by August 31 for stays
November 15-December 20, 2012 and January 10-March 30, 2013. Costs from $3179 a
person, twin share, 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au.

TOURWATCH

Burgundy’s fame is based on its cuisine, and who better
to reveal its treasures than one of three truly great chefs. The digs are a
16th-century chateau and the chefs are Philippe Mouchel of Melbourne’s PM24 , George
Biron of Sunnybrae in Birregurra, WA and the official Hottest Chef 2012 in The
Australian Hot 50 Restaurant Awards, Andrew McConnell of Cumulus Inc, Cutler
& Co, Golden Fields and the Builders Arms. Each chef will spend a week in
May with up to 10 guests and the resident sommelier, uncovering the Grand and
Premier Crus wines of the Cote d’Or, shopping at the local markets, conducting
daily cooking classes and celebrating with spectacular chateau and local
restaurant dinners. Costs $9000 a person for seven nights, twin share, land
only, tastesofburgundy.com.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald

Aug

Indian summer coming up

I must be missing my beloved hiking tent, because I saw this teepee in Sydney’s Koskela, when I was putting Kitchen by Mike through its paces (big thumbs up to the chorizo and chick pea stew and the pizza), and thought, “I must have one.”

The basic concept is so gorgeously simple, four sticks and a wrap of fabric, but summer is coming (oh, yes it is) and it’s time for cowboys and indians in the back yard. Or just massive floor cushions, a carpet and a jug of something with lots of ice and mint in it.

After four days of blue-sky days in Sydney, I can believe that Melbourne is soon to be similarly blessed by the weather gods.

Jul

Travel deals: 29 July 2012

TOURWATCH: Bend to pray at Kumbha Mela 2013

Surfers flex their pecs in Port Macquarie, while saints and holy men, seers and the devout bend to pray in India.

TASMANIA
Nature lovers can also be comfort lovers, especially when
we’re talking winter in Tasmania. Admire the glory of the Freycinet peninsula,
home to the perfect crescent of Wineglass Bay, from the tub. The eco-friendly
Freycinet Lodge has just refurbished its 10 premier suites, complete with new
bathrooms (and TV) earning them a 4.5-star rating. Snap up a winter special
until August 31, normally $300 a night, rooms start from $170 a night. 1800 420 155,
freycinetlodge.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

The Australian Surf Festival kicks off 11-26 August in
Port Macquarie, where up to 400 surfers are expected to flex the pecs as they
fight for 25 Aussie titles. There’ll also be movies, music and art exhibits
around a surf theme. Stay three nights in a 2-bedroom riverside spa cottage in
the Sundowner Tourist Park and get a free platter of local produce, a $50
voucher to blow at the Port City Bowling Club and midday checkout. Costs from
$441 for three nights, from August 1-31. 1300 303 155, portmacquarieinfo.com.au

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL
TERRITORY

The Fireside Festival runs throughout August, with
100-mile dinners, wine and degustation dinners in 25 venues across Canberra. Stay
two nights in a King Bed superior room at the Crowne Plaza Canberra and save 20
per cent, book until August 17 and stay until September 30. Costs from $336 a
room for two nights, including breakfast. 1300 888 180, zuji.com.au

Spicers Balfour Hotel, Brisbane.

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art has pulled off yet
another major coup, currently showing masterpieces from Madrid’s Prado in its
galleries, so it’s time to head north. You’ll turn heads when you let drop
you’re staying in one of the town’s hippest little hotels, the nine-room Spicers
Balfour Hotel. Set 3km from the CBD in funky New Farm, book 14 days ahead and save
$60 a night. Includes breakfast, canapés in the rooftop bar and wi-fi. Costs
from $299 a room. 1300 597 540, spicersgroup.com.au.

VICTORIA

Pull on your walking boots for a spring trek along
Victoria’s south-west coast and save $110 when you book the Great South West
Walk (22-25 Sept) and Great Ocean Walk (27-30 Sept). Carrying just your day pack, the guided walk
follows well-maintained trails and includes a night in Cape Otway lighthouse
and lunch with the 12 Apostles as a backdrop. Both trips depart from Melbourne
and groups are limited to 14 people. Costs $2190 a person. (03) 9877 9540,
parktrek.com.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA & NORTHERN TERRITORY

Katherine Gorge

See the best of the west, from Perth to Darwin, over 18
days, visiting some of the world’s greatest beauty spots: Ningaloo Reef, the
windswept limestone formations of the Pinnacles and the gorgeous gorges of the
Territory. There’s a touch of luxe, too, at Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome,
and El Questro Wilderness Park. Save $650 on coach tours departing September 6
and 29 and October 18. Costs $6345 a person. 1300 805 493, travelmarvel.com.au.

FIJI
Zipping in from the remote islands and need a pad to hole
up for the night? Or want to get to grips with the street markets of Nadi, the
Novotel Nadi and Mercure Nadi are knocking 20 percent off their room rates for
two-night stays. Includes free airport transfers, on stays until January 31.
Costs from $87 a night (Novotel) and $70 a night (Mercure). 1300 656565, accorhotels.com

FRANCE
Wander the medieval cobbled streets of the rue du
Faubourg St-Antoine on the Right Bank, for a slice of Parisian life. Stay four
nights, pay three at the three-star Le Patio St Antoine when you book and
travel before August 31. Includes breakfast daily, costs $321 a person, twin
share. 1300 747 400, creativeholidays.com.

CUBA

It’s a country with one of the coolest soundtracks… aaah,
Cuba, you’re hip to the eyeballs. This tour covers the length of the country,
from Havana in the west to the old pirate haven of Baracoa in the far east,
with stops for the Che Guevara museum, Trinidad’s beaches and some sultry salsa
in Santiago de Cuba. Book by August 27 to for September 1 departure and
save $456 a person. Costs $1369 a person, 15 days. 1300 018 8701, intrepidtravel.com.

South Luangwa game drive, Zambia

ZAMBIA
There are just seven safari tents at Sanctuary Puku
Ridge, which treat lightly on the earth of the South Luangwa National Park.
Watch the sun rise from your bed, and animals gathering at the waterhole near
your tent. Stay three nights and save more than $1700 a couple, including all
meals, drinks, game viewing and flights from Lusaka. Costs $2120 a person, twin
share, until October 31. 1300 195 873, benchinternational.com.au

ALASKA & CANADA
The fish are
seriously big on Alaska’s Kenai peninsula, as are the bears. It’s Alaska’s wild
playground. Discover it in 5-star style, o a 28-day journey from Canada up to
the Arctic Circle, including seven nights cruising the Alaskan coastline,
slipping between the icebergs of Glacier Bay National Park. Couples booking before
October 19 will get one free return flight to Canada. Costs from $16,010 a
person, twin share, which includes flights for the second person travelling. 1300 723 642, scenictours.com.au.

TOURWATCH
Saints and holy men, seers and the devout: watch the
swirl of humanity as India bends to pray at Kumbha Mela, one of the world’s
largest pilgrimages. In January and February 2013, up to 60 million people will
gather in Allahabad, in the Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of point
Hinduism’s three holiest rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the ethereal Saraswati.
Devotees stretch 15km along the riverbanks on auspicious bathing days to
cleanse themselves of sin. This eight-day tour starts in Delhi and warms to the
religious theme with a visit to the holy city of Varanasi, south of Delhi,
before continuing to Allahabad, where you’ll stay in a tented camp in the heart
of the action. Costs from US$809 (A$780) a person. Unique Tourism, (02) 921
6590.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald newspaper

Jul

The sacred cows of travel: user pays (and pays)

Sacred cows (Photo: Belle Jackson)

*Warning: this post contains mild ranting and mentions children*

It seems our fair country is in the midst of a
tussle between ideologies of socialism and capitalism, once again.

The government sells off more energy sources to foreign
countries, and we pay for exactly what we use (oh, and how we pays). Yet at the
same time, it’s setting up the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which has
its principles in the idea that society looks after all its members – as one
commentator said recently, some members of our society want to have a shower
more than twice a week…

Back in travel, with the increase of Tiger Airways and the
arrival of Scoot, and the growing tightness of Jetstar, we’re becoming accustomed to paying for
everything from seat allocations to food. And while infants once flew free,
we’re now being charged for the luxury of those babies sitting on our laps in
the low-cost carriers. I forecast this will extend to the financially
strapped so-called full-service airlines before too long. Don’t tell me it’s
not on their financial planners’ whiteboards.

So it should come as no surprise to me that hotel rooms are also
charging for cots. Now, Jnr Jackson and I have knocked up a few miles already,
even though she’s still under the magical 24-month milestone, when she gets to
start paying at least 25 percent for her airline seat. We’ve messed up some of
the best hotel rooms in Fiji, Indonesia and Australia. Even so, I’m obviously
still a novice at learning what the hotels and carriers can dream up to charge
us.

I suspect this learning curve will continue, and the direction is skyward.

Jul

TRAVEL DEALS: 22 July 2012

Hong Kong kids do masterclass

Everyone loves a bargain, even if the transport to your resort is a luxury speedboat. It’s the Maldives, of course. Or why not swim with whales in the Kingdom of Tonga? As you do… it’s all here in this week’s travel deals.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
With the MacDonnell Ranges as your
hotel’s backdrop, there’s no mistaking you’re in the Territory. The Alice in the Territory hotel is close to
the airport and 2km from town, with a complementary shuttle bus to Todd Mall.
There are also free in-house movies and a kid-pleasing pool, where we white
southerners can show off our office tans. Normally $165, costs from $110 a
night until August 31, 1800 002
333, quickbeds.com

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

August means
Arts in across the state, with the massive South Australia Living Arts (SALA)
visual arts festival running from August 3-26. Oaks Embassy, in downtown
Adelaide, is throwing in free breakfast when you stay two nights or more.
Normally $194 a night, a one-bedroom apartment, which includes use of the pool,
gym, sauna and spa, costs $139 a night until August 31, two-night minimum stay,
1300 721
514, oakshotelsresorts.com

Victoria’s Yarra Valley

VICTORIA

With frosty nights and sparkling days, the Yarra Valley
glistens in winter, and its chief drawcards – cellar doors, art galleries and
country walks – are perfect cold-weather activities. Overlooking Healesville, hip
little hideaway Mt Rael’s winter special knocks $100 off two-night midweek stays
(Sun-Thurs) until August 31. Normally from $175 a night, costs from $250 for
two nights, (03) 5962 1977, www.mtrael.com.au

WESTERN
AUSTRALIA

Cape Lodge, Margaret River

Dripping with awards, including best boutique hotel in
Australia, the five-star Cape Lodge has the best neighbours: Margaret River, Voyager
Estate (with its new wine room) and the whale-filled Indian Ocean. Surrounded
by vineyards, it has just 22 fabulous rooms, a stand-out restaurant and top
cellar doors nearby, but bless, you can still do a twilight kangaroo safari. Normally
from $475 a night, book before August 26 and pay from $349 a night on midweek
stays, 1300 130 485, travel.com.au

Peppers Ruffles Lodge

QUEENSLAND

The Gold Coast hinterland is laid at your feet when you stay at
Peppers Ruffles Lodge & Spa, which is set on the hills overlooking this
magnificent stretch of Australia’s coastline. Peaceful and lush, the new one
and two bedroom owners’ villas’ midweek special includes gourmet breakfast, a
fruit basket and nightly turn-down service with chocolates and port. Normally
from $750 a night, costs $1318 for two midweek nights until end September, 1300
987 600, peppers.com.au

NSW

Learn the art of directing
a perfect plume of wine (aka: spitting) on a weekend away in Mudgee. Trelawney
Farm is throwing in six bottles of Logan’s wine for guests staying the weekend in
the 1880s farmhouse. Set 4km out of Mudgee on 25 acres, each room in the Coach
House and Barn End Cottage has its own style, and is
kitted out with home theatre, open fireplaces and linen. Costs $2500 for two-night
weekend for up to 10 guests. Or stay three, pay two nights on midweek stays
(Sun-Thurs) before December 15, costs $1600 for three nights, 0423 330 833, www.trelawneyfarm.com

THAILAND

The new Centra Coconut Beach Resort Samui is set on Thong
Tanote Beach, a quiet corner on happening Koh Samui. Comprising 53 rooms and
villas, the resort is celebrating with opening specials. A superior pool view
room costs from $58 a room a night, including breakfast, until October 31, +662
101 1234, centarahotelsresorts.com

HONG KONG

Let the kids conquer Hong Kong with a family summer
getaway at the SkyCity Marriott Hotel, on Lantau island, near Hong Kong
Disneyland and the Giant Buddha. Kids can do a junior masterchef or master
housekeeper class (help with the housework!), and the hotel is adding $60 of
dining credits, 10 percent off spa treatments and 6pm checkout. Costs from $250
a room (2 adults, 1 child), 1800 251 259, hongkongskycitymarriott.com

BALI

Anantara Seminyak Bali is celebrating a Three Day Weekend
Getaway from August 16-19 with a poolside breakfast, side-by-side hour massage
or perhaps a chocolate facial for the kids, and a dance party at the resort’s
SOS Supper Club, one of the most happening hotspots on the island. Those with
kids will get a half-day free babysitting and daily ice cream. Save $180 (and
get a whole lot of extras) costs from $ 1,239++ a room for three nights, +62 361
737 773, anantara.com

USA

If
you’re up for the great American roadtrip, kick off with Contiki from LA on the
Southern Adventure, and cross the country from California to Louisiana. The
13-day tour ticks off the Grand Canyon and Vegas, baby, and shows how they do
barbies in Texas and cruise in New Orleans. Book 6 months in advance, save $105, costs
$2034, book 12 months in advance, save $209, costs $1930 a person, contiki.com.au

MALDIVES

Synonymous with luxury, the
tiny islands of the Maldives have got it all: white sand beaches, tropical
palms, baby blue lagoons. Stay seven nights at the Taj Exotica Resort &
Spa, and pay for six. Fifteen minutes by luxury speedboat from Mali airport,
the hotel is located on its own private island, naturally. The deal is also laden
with extras, including a romantic beach dinner, a la carte breakfast, a sunset
cruise and 15 percent of spa treatments. Travel until November 30, book by 15
November, costs from US$5223 (A$5097) for seven nights. (02) 9957 4511,
maryrossitravel.com

TOURWATCH

Snorkelling with whales, Tonga

Snorkelling with humpback whales not on your bucket list?
Perhaps it’s because you thought you never could. The Kingdom of Tonga is a
favourite hang for the massive mammals between July and mid-October. Like many
humans, they are lured by the warm waters for romance, using it as a stopover for
love on their migration from Antarctica. Stay one night at the Scenic Hotel
Tonga, in Nuku’alofa, six nights in the Puataukanave Hotel, Vava’u, and have
two day’s whale watching with the chance of getting up close and personal. The
tour also includes four dives over two days including all diving gear, return
airport transfers and a guide. For travel between August 14-21 and September
4-11, costs $2003 a person, twin share, 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald newspaper

Jul

TRAVEL DEALS 15 JULY 2012

TV chef Luke Nguyen on the road.

Got a secret crush on TV chef Luke Nguyen? Get up close and personal for a week in Yunnan; just read on…

VICTORIA
Halls Gap is the jumping off point for Victoria’s
Grampians National Park, with its renowned hiking and rock art galleries.
Staying in town, visit the meerkats and pandas at the local zoo. Families can
bunker down in Parkgate Resort, whose family rooms include a double bed and
bunks, kitchenette and bathroom. Facilities include tennis courts, pools and a
games room. Costs from $80 a night, minimum two nights, until September 21,
travel.com.au.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
Alice Springs is famous for the nearby MacDonnell Ranges,
but the town is also boasts some great indigenous art galleries and the next
Henley-On-Todd Regatta, a boat race down the (usually) dry riverbed, is on
Saturday August 18. Stay four nights, pay for three in a superior room at
happening Lasseters Hotel Casino, which, as the name suggests, boasts an international
standard casino. Book and travel before March 31. Costs from $510 a person for
four nights, twin share, 132 757, harveyworld.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
If Hugh and ‘Our Nic’ got your heart a-flutter as they
galloped across the remote Australian outback, you can relive the dream by
climbing in the saddle at the East Kimberley homestead that was a shooting location for Australia. Stay two nights in a
guesthouse room at Home Valley Station and get brekky included as well as free
activities such as a nightly star talk, horsemanship shows, on-site local
artists and 4WD and bushwalking tracks. Valid till August 31, the mid-season
muster deal costs from $240 a person for two nights, 1300 134 044, www.hvstation.com.au

NSW

Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia

Crackling
fires, beautiful food and a strapping red: is there any better way to embrace
winter? The Hunter Valley’s premium address, the sublime Tower Lodge, is
offering a mid-week getaway for two that includes dinner at the Valley’s
gastronomic mainstay, Robert’s, a bottle of the estate’s wine, breakfast,
pre-dinner drinks, afternoon tea and an upgrade to a fireside deluxe room on
stays on Sunday, Monday or Thursday nights. Normally $660 for the room only,
now costs $629 a room, (02) 4998 7022, towerlodge.com.au

QUEENSLAND
Honeymoons are an excuse to lash out on pure, indulgent
fabulousness. One of the Whitsundays’ most glamorous addresses, qalia on
Hamilton Island, welcomes newly-weds by throwing in a free night on seven-night
stays in a Leeward Pavilion. They’ll also include a bottle of champagne, sunset
cruise on its 45-foot cruiser, a poolside dinner, breakfast, golf buggy,
chauffeur services around the island as well as use of their catamarans, paddle
skis and other water sports equipment. You can even be dropped off on a
deserted beach if your heart desires. For stays on selected dates until March
31, costs $5010 a couple for seven nights, 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au

PORTUGAL

Design hounds will have an eye on Portuguese designer
Nini Andrade Silva’s streamlined interiors in Fontana Park hotel,in Lisb on’s
heartland. Summer specials see the 139-room’s rates as low as E69/$84 a night,
room only, or E94 including breakfast, 0011 800 3746 8357, designhotels.com

VIETNAM

VIETNAM: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula

Fans of architect Bill Bensley will already know where
Vietnam’s Son Tra peninsula is. His latest design, the new InterContinental
Danang Sun Peninsula, has opening specials including a buffet breakfast, wi-fi,
10 percent off in selected hotel restaurants and a shuttle bus into Danang City
and Hoi An’s old town. The hotel also hosts Vietnam’s first three-star Michelin
chef at its feature restaurant, La Maison 1888. Costs from US$220/A$215 a night
until January 1, 2013, +84 (0) 511 393 8888, intercontinental.com

FIJI

Skim the warm waters of Fiji in a helicopter or seaplane
to your luxe pad at the adults-only Tokoriki Island Resort, at the tip of the
beautiful Mamanuca islands. The 34-bure hotel is offering free transfers from
Nadi by air or sea for couples staying seven nights or more in a deluxe beach
bure or sunset pool villa, saving up to FJ$961.For travel between December 1 to
March 31 2013. Costs from $4131 a couple for seven nights, (07) 5524 5222, tokoriki.com

FIJI: Tokoriki Island Resort

UNITED STATES
Hollywood, Santa Monica, Vegas, San Diago and LA: it’s
the best of the American west with the Golden West Contrasts tour. Explore old
mines, new shopping and Disneyland is an added extra. The eight-day costs from
$1975. Book any Trafalgar 2013 America and Canada tour before August 31 and fly
return to LA with Qantas from $1499 including all taxes. Flight and tour package costs from $3474, 1300 663 043, trafalgar.com

CHINA
Harbour a secret crush on TV chef Luke Nguyen? Spend a
week cheek-to-cheek with him as you eat your way through the south-western Chinese
province of Yunnan. Luke explored the region while filming his TV series Luke
Nguyen’s Greater Mekong. Book the
11-day Yunnan Adventure before October 31 and your companion flies free. There
are four departures from March to October next year, and Luke will escort the
March 11 departure for six days. Costs from $4395 a person, 1300 229
804, aptouring.com.au

TOURWATCH

Go back to where Christmas all began, in Bethlehem, in a
20-day tour through the Holy Lands of Turkey, Israel and Jordan. Midnight High
Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve in St Catherine’s Church, opposite the
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a highlight of this tour through the
cradle of civilisation. The route includes sparkling Istanbul and the Turkish
city of Konya, renowned for its whirling dervishes and allegedly the first town
to emerge from the Flood, the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, and at
its feet, the Garden of Gethsemane. The journey culminates in New Year’s Eve in
the ancient city of Petra, in peaceful Jordan.
The tour departs December 15, and costs from $19,940 a person, twin
share which includes return airfares from mainland capitals, accommodation, all
meals, transport and guides, 1800 083 141, farhorizons.com.au

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald newspaper

Jul

TRAVEL DEALS 8 July 2012

Varanasi, Indina

Meet the living goddess in Kathmandu or walk God’s own country on the Great Ocean Walk in this week’s best international and domestic travel deals:

NSW

Ski Thredbo and Perisher without the crush of commuters.
Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa is on the border of Kosciuszko National Park,
and 15 minutes from both skifields, with a free shuttle to Thredbo’s ski tube
daily. The resort is throwing in $100 credit to spend in its restaurants, 10
percent off ski hire, hot brekky, and use of all resort facilities. Costs from
$266 a person for two nights’ accommodation based on four sharing a two-bed
lakeview apartment. Stay before September 30, 1800 020 524,
lakecrackenback.com.au

QUEENSLAND

North of Cairns and south of Cape Tribulation, with the
Daintree within cooee, Port Douglas has some pretty impressive neighbours. Take
a 4WD out for a bash, cruise the mangroves on a paddle boat or walk the
rainforests. Lazy options include hitting the spa or cranking up the barbie on
the rooftop terrace of Peppers Beach Club. Stay four nights, pay for three in a spa suite
at the Mediterranean-style resort. For travel until September 12, costs from
$331 a night, minimum four nights, 1300 987 600, peppers.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Crank up
the action on Kangaroo Island with a Winter Family Pack for four people, which
includes a private two-hour quad tour for four people, from six years and up,
and one sandboard and one toboggan ride down KI’s sand dunes, Little Sahara.
They’ll even wax your bottom to make you slide faster. The bottom of your
board, that is. Save $103 until August 31, costs $559, (08) 8559 4296, kioutdooraction.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Stay at one of the most glamorous addresses in the state,
Empire Retreat and Spa, in Margaret River. With just 10 suites around a rustic
farmhouse and its famed day spa and get a
gourmet hamper on arrival and $450 worth of spa treatments, as well as 15
percent off the nightly rate. Minimum stay two nights, book seven nights in
advance, until July 31. Costs from $1070 for two nights in a deluxe balcony
suite, 1300 896 627, mrandmrssmith.com

VICTORIA

Loving being single? Celebrate your freedom with
Bothfeet, which has waived the single supplement on its four-day self-guided Great
Ocean Walk. The deal includes three nights in the four-star bothfeet sustainable
eco-retreat at Johanna Beach, all meals by the in-house chef, transfers, track
notes and a satellite tracking beacon. Those canny creatures at bothfeet have
also included a foot spa in the deal. Book before July 31, costs $1325 a person,
1300 767 416, bothfeet.com.au

TASMANIA

Described as one of the world’s last true wildernesses
and boasting the purest air on earth, the Tarkine region contains the world’s
largest untouched rainforest. It is a highlight on the seven-day The Unknown
Wilderness through Tassie’s beautiful nature sites. Save $190 when you book
seven-day journey six months in advance, for travel between September 1 2012 –
August 31 2012. Costs from $3560 a person, twin share, 1800 467 747,
inspiringjourneys.com.au

USA

Bibliophilists staying in the Big Apple make for the four
boutique hotels of the Library Hotel Collection; #1 on Trip Advisor, The
Casablanca near Times Square, The Library Hotel on Madison Ave, the romantic
Manhattan Hotel Elysée, and the Art Moderne Hotel Giraffe on Park Avenue South.
The hotels are including breakfast, tea, coffee and snacks during the day,
daily wine and cheese reception, wi-fi and passes to the nearby New York Sports
Club, together worth $220 a night. Book by 31 July, get a box of Belgian
chocolates, a bottle of red and a novel. From $237 a night, +1 212 201 1155,
libraryhotelcollection.com

MALAYSIA

Reserve your slice of paradise on a private tropical
island off the Malaysian coast. Book a stay in a new Signature Villas Retreat
in the Pangkor Laut Resort and all meals, free spa treatments and a guided walk
through the two-million-year-old rainforests and Emerald Bay with the hotel’s
resident naturalist. For online bookings only until July 31, travel until
December 19. Save 44 percent, normally $994, now costs from $533 a room, a
night, 0011 800 9899 9999, ytlhotels.com

ENGLAND
This four-day tour does a genteel trot through the
rolling countryside of the Cotswolds,
before stopping in Bath, Stonehenge and popping in to see Windsor’s most
famous inhabitants. There’s old English ale to be drunk and late November and
December tours visit local Christmas markets. Book before July 31 and travel
before March 31 to score a 7.5 percent discount. Earlybird fares cost from
$1198 a person, twin share, 1300 100 410, backroadstouring.com.au

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Watch the savannah plains pass your window on a 15-night
train journey on the Shongololo Express, from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls,
through South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Book
by July 31 for 2013 earlybird discounts as well as two nights’ accommodation
before or after the journey, airport transfers, wine and off-rail activities.
The Southern Cross route departs six dates in 2013. Ivory class costs from
$4099, saving $1667 a person, 0402 251036, discoverytravel.com.au

NEPAL & INDIA

The Kumari is the living Goddess, and her home is the
centre Kathmandu, in mystical Nepal. Pop in and say hi to the goddess on this
14-day tour of India and Nepal, visiting revered temples, stupas and shrines,
and maybe fly over Mt Everest, if your heart desires. Further south, play
chicken in Delhi’s traffic and pay homage to love at the Taj Mahal. Save up to
$551 a person on a Classical India with Nepal premium tour, departing 14
December. Now costs $5099 a person, twin
share, 1300 237 886, insightvacations.com

TOURWATCH

Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsundays’ most beloved
islands, yet 70 percent of it is national park. Whether you’re staying in the
super-luxe qualia or in the wallet-friendly Palm Bungalows, its new audio tours
will take you for a walk through the island’s history and botany, revealing
private beaches and top sunset-watching possies. Available in five languages, the
guides are a collaboration between a heritage writer and botanist, charting
Captain Cook’s journey through the Great Barrier Reef and chasing the island’s
beautiful blue butterflies. Download for free through Apple iTunes or stream
the Village Trail tour at www.hamiltonisland.com.au/activities/audio-tours
and m.hamiltonisland.com.au. You can even hire a pre-loaded tour on an iPod at
the Resort Centre or the Reef View Hotel.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald newspaper

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