India: Sian

Where am I: Exotic India
Exploring the chaos and colour of this amazing country whilst being impeccably hosted by Oberoi Hotels and Trail Blazer India.

From the bustling city of Delhi where we explored Old Delhi by Rickshaw, we then caught the train to Agra to see the highlight Taj Mahal. The train was a really local experience as you see so much life at the station – it’s busy, hot, sometimes a tad confronting but I loved it. We then continued to the Pink City of Jaipur where we explored the fairytale grandeur of the Amber Fort & Jaipur’s most-distinctive landmark, the Hawa Mahal which was constructed in 1799 to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city below.

Our final stop was the very cosmopolitan city of Mumbai where the disparity of wealth was extremely evident; the most expensive residential building in the world is right next to the slums. Mumbai was a bit of a surprise for me and I really enjoyed it.

Highlight – The Taj Mahal has always been on my bucket list and it didn’t disappoint. Staying at the Oberoi Amarvilas Agra which has views of the Taj Mahal from each room made the experience even more special! A couple of surprise highlights were visiting Chand Baori, an ancient stepwell, and taking a tour of the slums in Mumbai.

Fav meal – So many delicious vegetarian curries and I especially loved all of the Naan & Roti breads. Delicious!

Lost in translation moment – certainly a lot of eye-opening moments involving very blasé public toileting.

Insider tip – A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal is a must! When the temperature is cooler and tourist numbers are much lower, you almost have the place to yourself and should manage to take the odd photo without anyone else in it.

Fun fact – India is the only country with a bill of rights for cows. Cows are believed to be holy in Hinduism, and the Constitution has a set of rules in place that prevents the sale and slaughter of cows. They’re everywhere in India!

Croatia: Hugh

Where am I – Unforgettable Croatia. Checking out the vibrant towns of Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. As well as the stunning UNESCO listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. And a week spent sailing around and exploring in depth the islands of Vis, Brac, Hvar & Korcula. Every day was just sublime!

Highlight – The atmospheric town of Stari Grad, Hvar. Complete perfection! Full of picturesque winding alleyways, friendly locals & laidback konoba (Croatian taverna.) All wrapped up on an idyllic little harbour far from the madding crowds of Hvar, Split et al.

Recommendation (fav meal / drink) – Favourite meal would have to be a particularly great Bosnian feast in Dubrovnik at the oddly titled ‘Taj Mahal.’ Runner up would be all the great seafood enjoyed basically everywhere!

We spent many an afternoon sampling some great craft brews. As well as a fair few of the two biggest local beer producers Karlovačko & Ožjusko.

Lost in translation moment – Basically every time we ordered a drink / meal! The service standards are a little different than back home and you’ll frequently find yourself crying out for some attention. They’re not particularly attentive but we quickly discovered the benefit of this; nobody is ever rushing you to finish up and move on, so you’ll have plenty of time to kick back and enjoy watching the world go by.

Insider tip – Be sure to hang out under the Lotrščak Tower in Zagreb at midday. And be ready for a surprise! Climbing up the Bell Tower in the heart of the old town of Split is highly recommended but I would get there first thing to beat the crowds and the heat of the day. And pack some water appropriate footwear as there are a lot of sea urchins hanging around in all the popular swimming spots!

Fun fact – Zlatni Rat is the most famous of all the Croatian beaches. Though it’s known as the ‘Golden Horn’ it’s actually constantly changing shape due to winds, waves and sea currents.

Crystal Crusing Alaska: Ceri

CRYSTAL CRUISE – aboard Crystal Symphony. Tastefully decorated the ship has been kept in perfect order, the overall feel of the ship is timeless elegance without there being too much ‘bling’. Many of the crew had been with the ship since its inaugural sailing and now boasts 3 generations of the same family working on board together. Crew ranged from all nationalities but mainly European and South American. Exceptionally friendly feel to passengers and crew. One elderly lady on her 110th cruise with Crystal!!

Exceptional restaurant outlets – main dining room is the Waterside restaurant which boasts exceptional service with advice given on choices. Sommelier attended each table for advice on wines being served each night. Marketplace buffet restaurant on the 11th floor my pick for breakfast each day with stunning views. The Bistro – deck 6 coffee and cake and a whole lot more open all day for drinks and self serve snacks. Trident Grill open all day for snacks ie hamburgers, chips adjacent to Silk on the Lido deck 11

Speciality restaurants - Silk offering Asian influenced cuisine (my least favourite as felt it was Asian with an American twist) Prego (Italian /Mediterranean influenced) signature mushroom soup served in a bread basket. Churrascaria, this is the marketplace restaurant where at night a buffet with South American influences and fish and meat cooked on skewers and served at each table. Umi Uma amazing Japanese restaurant, most delicious and varied menu. Their Black Skinned Cod signature dish divine!! **On a 7 night cruise guests can enjoy two visits to these restaurants subsequent visits are charged at USD30.00 per person

4 sea days (2 consecutive) passed easily with plenty of onboard activities, interesting lectures, spa activities such as ladies pamper party, movies, Golf lessons, Bridge, Jewellery making classes, Bingo...in fact something for everyone!

JUNEAU– Alaska’s capital city. Established in the Gold Rush the town still resembles this, offering a blend of past and present with narrow streets and wooden buildings. Easily explored on your own. The current Salmon Fishing industry is apparent and arguably the best of Alaska seafood can be enjoyed here. Main street an easy walk with plenty of restaurants and bars to visit for a true Alaskan experience. A new boutique Brewery offers local brew but limits the amount you are able to purchase to 3 drinks per person. Easy walk into centre of town, where it’s easy to book onto a Hop on Hop off Bus for transport around the town with stops at Mendenhall Glacier, and the Salmon Fisheries two highlights not to be missed ( approx. USD50.00 incl National Park entry fee) Good walking track to the Glacier taking approx. 30 minutes

Not to be missed a visit to the Red Dog Saloon and Tracy’s Crab Shack both founded during the Gold Rush and not much has changed since then.

A pre-paid shore excursion I would recommend from here is a visit from here to a Musher Camp – which requires a helicopter ride onto the Glacier. Only here, can you experience an authentic Dog Sledding Camp

SKAGWAY – home of the White Pass scenic Railway. Another Gold Rush Town. Quaint and the historical centre well worth a wander through. The ship docks in town and it’s an easy walk to visit this on your own. Skagway is the home to the oldest brothel in Alaska, museum tours are held here each day. I elected to take the Ship excursion here, Sawtooth Mountain Rainforest Hike, operated by Packer expeditions. Excellent guides who were quite alternative in their approach. Very caring of all abilities within the group. We were met at the port and walked through town to the famous White Pass Railway train where we travelled just two stops (10 minutes) before commencing our hike. The hike of around 3 hours was through beautiful rainforest alongside a fast flowing river - not a loop track but still really enjoyable - water and snacks handed out twice by the guides during the course of the walk which was much appreciated!

GLACIER BAY & HUBARD GLACIER - two consecutive days at sea with the most incredible Glacier sightseeing I’ve experienced. Glacier Bay; sailed into the bay at around 8am and left around 1230 stunning must see inclusion for any Alaska travel. Margerie glacier stunning and still reaching the water where most others have retracted to the point where they no longer reach sea level. Parks and wildlife ranger on board for full commentary. The weather was perfect cold but clear sunny skies – the number of cruise ships allowed in Hubbard Glacier is limited and has to be accompanied by a Ranger. Arrived at Hubbard Glacier at around 11 and stayed in really close proximity until we left at around 1pm amazing!!!!!!! The best yet with the loud crack as some of the glacier cracked away and fell into the sea causing waves and movement of the ice packs that filled the immediate area.

SITKA – ‘Paris of the Pacific’ (formally known) This was easily my favourite Alaskan town – it felt genuine with a real year round population living here – pretty setting with a wonderful natural harbour too small for the cruise ships to dock at. Originally settled by the Russian’s, many of the quaint shops still stock Babushka Dolls and Russian Christmas memorabilia. There is a Russian Orthodox church in the centre of town now also a museum open to the public. The Sitka City tour shore excursion was everyone’s favourite therefore recommended for a good overview and history of the Town

KETCHIKAN – Salmon Capital of the world. When we docked in Ketchikan four other Cruise ships were already in port – the foreshore promenade was a mass of passengers joining their pre-booked shore excursions. Ketchikan is another destination easily explored on your own. Though we didn’t catch sight of any bears here we did see many eagles. I thoroughly enjoyed my self guided walk along the Ketchikan Boardwalk and visited all the buildings now predominantly souvenir shops, took the funicular to the Cape Fox Lodge – a hotel overlooking town, and walked back to the ship after covering the majority of hilly Ketchikan. There is a complementary shuttle bus running on a regular basis from all the tourist spots in town back to the wharf.

PRINCE RUPERT – here I elected to take another organised hike of the Butze Trail, a walk that could easily tackled on your own though the guide provided an interesting insight into the local indigenous population of the Tsimshian Tribe the original settlers of the area. Two ladies on the ship took a taxi from the wharf and then joined us on the hike – a very cost effective way of doing this CAD15.00 each way -rather than paying for the shore excursion. We gave way to being on Bear lookout here, for potentially seeing wolves!

VICTORIA – Vancouver Island. Our last port of call and a destination that has always been on my wish list. I chose to make an independent visit to Butchart Gardens sharing a taxi from the port a journey of approx. 40 minutes at a cost of CAD50.00 – shared by 3 this was a reasonable way to travel to the gardens. Entry to the gardens CAD32.00 – we spent 2 hours here, and this was the minimal time frame – ideally a 3 hour visit should be recommended. Stunning display of flowers and a comparable love story to the Taj Mahal this was built from an old gravel quarry – the before and after photos were really interesting.

Following the gardens we had coffee at the Empress Hotel then spent the afternoon walking along the promenade and exploring the retail outlets in the shopping mall near the harbour. I returned to the port on the wrong shuttle and was taken to the Carnival ship! Crystal shuttle was complimentary I paid CAD 10.00 whoops!

ALASKA lived up to expectations, certainly for scenery and Glacier viewing. The only guaranteed way to see the much promised Black and Brown Bears is to take a flight sightseeing tour, recommended and offered as an excursion from the cruise. Whales and Dolphins followed the ship and were seen in abundance. Otters were only seen in the Vancouver Aquarium. Bald Headed Eagles were seen in most of the destinations.

August was an excellent time to visit as the rivers were bursting with Salmon returning upstream to spawn. Apparently, a month later, there are many dead Salmon floating in the rivers offering more Bear viewing opportunities as they come to fish for these. Good destination for families as plenty of First Nation history together with possible wildlife experiences unique to this part of Canada and Alaska.

Scenic Europe River Cruise: Hugh

BUDAPEST CITY STAY

I spent a couple of days before I joined the cruise exploring this fabulous city. It’s easily and safely traversed on foot, bike or on one of the oldest metro systems in the world. And there is a lot to take in! From it’s humble 4th century origins as an area contested by various tribes on the banks of the Danube to it’s more recent (and undeniably turbulent) 20th century history. It now sits proudly - Buda and Pest united - to form this magnificent ‘Paris of the East.’

I particularly enjoyed walking along the banks of the river where you will come across the ‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’ memorial, a particularly poignant reflection on a tragic moment of the cities Jewish past. It is sited near to the gothic splendour of the Hungarian parliament building, perhaps one of the most photogenic buildings in the world!

As horrifying as it sounds, the ‘House of Terror’ museum was a real highlight for me. The thoughtful and sometimes harrowing exhibits that deal with the fascist and communist past of Budapest are located within a building which at one time housed the secret service of both those regimes. It is also a very beautiful memorial to the people who were incarcerated here.

To get some perspective (and a spot of fresh air) I’d recommend a hike up Gellért Hill, which dominates the city skyline and offers a welcome green respite from the bustle of the city streets.

And a visit to Budapest absolutely must take in one of the many bath complexes, elaborate temples to health and wellbeing that straddle a patchwork of almost 125 thermal springs. I spent time at the sublime Szechenyi Thermal Baths, the largest medicinal bath in Europe and a meeting spot for what felt like half the city!!

RIVER CRUISE BUDAPEST TO MUNICH

The Scenic Pearl was docked at an enviable position - right across the river from the parliament building. An absolutely unbeatable spot for our first evening, spent lapping up the view over a leisurely and extravagant dinner, the first of many!

The ship boasts a modern, chic fitout (grey palette, lots of stainless steel and glass.) With only 159 passengers onboard (and a staff of 59) it never feels crowded and on day one the service is attentive and personalised without being over the top. Most time is spent divided between the sundeck, the crystal dining room and of course the panorama lounge (where we worked our way through all of the cocktails on the extensive menu.) Not much time was spent in the suite itself though it was spacious enough to while away a few hours on the private outdoor balcony - summoning snacks and drinks to the room courtesy of our ever courteous butler.

Cruise highlights for me were the charming town of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. A memorable day spent at Cesky Krumlov. And of course the extended time we were able to spend in glorious Vienna.

We got to explore the little town of Szentendre, a short distance from Budapest and home of a vibrant artist colony of the last century. Known for its colourful homes and winding cobbled streets it was particularly lovely to get to experience a slice of small town Hungary.

Wending our way along the mighty Danube we came to Vienna the following day. Here we made full use of the ships full complement of (electric) bikes to zip around the city independently. In the evening we were treated to our own private recital of classical music, featuring the likes of Strauss and Mozart, at the fabulously ott Palais Liechtenstein.

One of the finest mornings we spent docked at Durnstein, tucked away at a bend of the river this picturesque village is watched over by the ruins of a 12th century castle. Supposedly this is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned - found by the wandering minstrel Blondel who travelled from castle to castle in the region, singing up to castle walls in search of the King. The walk up the hill to the ruins was moderately strenuous but definitely best enjoyed first thing before the village comes alive and the streets become crowded.

We enjoyed a fantastic summers day in UNESCO listed Český Krumlov, an almost unbelievably pretty medieval town dominated by the enormous castle complex and made up of a labyrinthine old town which is bound on all sides by a horseshoe bend of the Vltava river. Lots pf atmospheric local restaurants and good old fashioned Czech pubs can be found here, with everyone spilling out on to footpaths and making the most of the lazy river and the European summer sunshine.

We rounded out the week at the university town of Passau which known for its baroque architecture. And yet another immaculately preserved old town, Regensburg. Our visit here happened to coincide with a jazz festival, so the streets were alive with merriment and activity. The perfect end to a balanced week of leisure, exploration and indulgence.

Vanuatu: Michelle

Where am I – Lazing in the South Pacific on beautiful Vanuatu.

Based on the main island of Efate, the main international gateway into Vanuatu for 1 week of adventure into untouched rainforests and lush tropical beaches. Face-to-face encounters with ancient tribes, climbing amazing waterfalls, snorkelling and diving spectacular reefs is all on offer in Vanuatu!

Highlight – Swimming in the bluest water I have ever seen at the Blue Lagoon. Run by a local tribe, a small entry donation gives you all day access to swing off the rope swing into the lagoon to your hearts content.

Recommendation (fav meal / drink) – If you’re feeling adventurous there are many opportunities to buy local food from small mobile vendors at the local markets held around Port Villa almost every day. Vanuatu's national dish - Lap Lap consisting of yams and banana soaked in coconut cream creating a paste which is then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an earth oven. Lap lap has a pudding-like consistency and we ate it with chicken. We also loved the array of fresh tropical fruits and fresh fish (Poulet) on offer everywhere.

Lost in translation moment – Driving around the island was a little tricky at times. We had hired a car for a few days to get around the whole island to explore but at times found the roads very badly maintained so a little stressful in a hire car. Also locals are not the best drivers and drink driving is very common in Vanuatu (especially on national holidays) so you need to be extremely cautious or avoid driving on these days.

Insider tip – I would definitely recommend pre-organising all your sightseeing prior to arrival into Vanuatu. There is so much to see and being able to spend the day with a local meeting the different tribes as you venture from Waterfall to rainforest is not something you would want to miss. The tours can book out very quickly as cruise ships frequently are in.

Fun fact – They invented bungee jumping! From early April on Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island, the locals begin to build high wooden towers (around 20 to 30 meters) and until about the end of May, village men and boys dive from these rickety structures with vines attached to their ankles. Nanggol, as the ritual is known, is seen as a precursor to bungee jumping and the country has even sought royalties from modern adventure firms for stealing their tradition!

Destination – Vanuatu

Duration – 1 week

Suitable for – Families with young children will particularly love this destination!

Uluru: Ceri

In June 2019 I chose to take a break from our Victorian winter and travelled to Uluru for 4 days.

The Jetstar direct flight between Melbourne and Ayers Rock, departing at 0945 and taking just 3 hours a convenient and perfectly acceptable airline choice, especially as the Viva Holidays  economy holiday ‘wholesale package airfare’  included, meals and 20kg check in luggage, providing a seamless start to my winter break.

AAT Kings have an enormous presence in the centre, with all flights into Uluru being met by AAT Kings large comfortable coaches for transfer to the Uluru Resort – a purpose built complex of accommodation, restaurants and shops catering to every visitor to the centre.

The transfer takes approx., 10-15 minutes depending on your accommodation, I chose to stay at Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel and this is the first accommodation complex as you reach the resort.

I primarily chose this property as having just undergone a refurbishment and the complimentary upgrade to an Uluru view room allowing for clear ‘distant’ views lived up to expectations. The room was spacious and the soft refurbishment evident.

The 1st floor accommodation affording the views, is set in several blocks within the resort and can only be accessed via steps therefore not the correct choice for all clients. These rooms also faced the main access road into the resort which was surprisingly busy not only with coaches but the grey nomad camping brigade – June & July being a peak time to visit!

The Emu Walk apartments is a reasonably priced apartment  complex and perfect for families on a budget, located alongside Desert Gardens. Lost Camel again predominantly apartment style another well priced option here. Outback Pioneer is a more budget style of accommodation and located the furthest from the airport – this property does have a lively bar popular with all visitors and backpackers alike.

Sails in the desert has always been considered the most deluxe accommodation option at the resort – the actual guest rooms were not obviously more superior than Voyages (in fact were smaller) but lift access is available here. The public areas have a definite more deluxe feel and the restaurant outlets offering the most superior menu and wine list catering to the most discerning of guests. 

The better restaurants in all the resort hotels  get booked out – it is advisable to pre-book especially for Sails to avoid disappointment.

Sightseeing

To visit Uluru itself a National Park entry permit must be purchased , at a cost of $25.00 for a consecutive 3 days use – this is an easy online procedure https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru

I chose an AAT Kings  Uluru Sacred Sites & Sunset Tour for our first night. We were collected from our accommodation at 1445hrs and taken to the Uluru Kata Tjuta visitor centre for an initial introduction to this historical land. Here the Tjukurpa Tunnel takes the visitor back to the beginning of time with historical documentaries and explanation of the Anangu Law. A visit here ensures a full understanding and respect for the area and the importance and significance to its custodians.

There is also a shop selling original Aboriginal Art pieces and wood carvings – well worth a visit. Following this we were taken by coach and the stories of the various faces of Uluru were fully explained.

A short walk to a picturesque waterhole completed the visit, before being taken to a viewing point away from Uluru where we experienced a stunning sunset over the magnificent rock – together with champagne and canapes a highlight end to the informative evening.

The following morning we participated in another AAT Kings  Sunrise at Kata Tjuta Tour – formally known as the '“Olgas.” Collected at 0610hrs we were taken by coach to the foot hills of the expansive rock formation and to a viewing platform at the western dune where a box breakfast was served while watching the sunrise over Kata Tjuta and also Uluru in the distance. Warm clothing essential as a very cold 4C when we started this tour.

Following sunrise we were then taken to the Valley of the Winds walking trail  - a fabulous 3 hour guided walk – stunning clear sunshine this was a highlight of my trip to the centre.

Our free day we elected to return to Uluru, and hired bicycles to cycle around the base of the rock – a flat easy 9.5 kilometres – I especially enjoyed no tour time restraints.

As last year was the final time visitors were being allowed to climb Uluru, it was especially busy with queues of visitors lining up to conquer this. However after visiting the Tjukurpa Tunnel experience we elected not to participate in the climb in respect for Anangu Law, it also looked quite steep and difficult!

Our final tour again operated by AAT Kings was the ‘Night at the Field of Light’ - a spectacular art installation closely located to Uluru which visitors walk through once night falls .

Prior to the walk – sunset is enjoyed with pre-dinner drinks and canapes giving the opportunity to talk to others and compare ‘Red Centre’ holiday experiences. A delicious 3 course gourmet dinner is then served under a star filled sky on shared tables of 10 accompanied by an interesting talk by an astronomer.

Having visited Uluru in a fairly mainstream way with AAT Kings and certainly appreciate  this AAT product is perfect for many clients, I especially liked the option for using a more boutique operation and SEIT Outback Tours answers this. Most tours are operated by Mercedes Benz 4 wheel drive 11 seater vehicles ensuring a  maximum group of 10 passengers in the group. The pros and cons of various options we can definitely discuss with you and arrange something to suit your specific needs.

Uluru complex itself is a credit to the ownership employing predominately first nation personnel throughout. The Kulata Academy Café is highly recommended for light meals and bakery products. The café operated  by students from Ayers Rock Resort's National Indigenous Training Academy, a terrific concept for their step into hospitality.

All in all a terrific highlight of our Uluru visit.

Japan: Monica

Where am I - Japan (on this trip I was privileged enough to visit Tokyo, Kamakura & Kyoto.)

Such an enormously varied and diverse country; you could visit every year and see and experience something entirely new!

Highlight – Hard to choose between Kyoto (city stay) and Kamakura (beach and hiking trails). In Kamakura loved the hike on the Daibutsu Trail through forest (approx. 2 hours) and Komachi Dori street - the street leading from Kamakura Station, 360 metre long stretch of food, souvenirs, designer clothes, galleries and cafes.

Also, just on the outskirts from Kyoto a must is a visit to Arashiyama. First take train on subway to Kyoto Station and then hop onto the JR Line to Arashyama. About 20 min. Visit the bamboo groves and Tenryuji temple (Zen temple with gorgeous gardens and ponds. Really old weeping cherry blossoms which would look amazing during blossom season.) Just as beautiful is autumn to see the Maple trees. Note: Visit here first thing in the morning to avoid crowds.

Recommendation (fav meal / drink) - Important for coffee lovers, the Arashiyama branch of Kyoto’s artisanal % Arabica chain occupies a superb position overlooking the Hozu-gawa River, just upstream from the Togetsu-kyo Bridge. The coffee is some of the best in the city and the location is great. There’s only a tiny outside sitting area, but that hardly matters when you can just carry your cup to the riverside and enjoy it while watching the boats float by. In case you’re wondering, the name is pronounced ‘Percent Arabica’. There are two other Arabica branches in Kyoto – % Arabica Higashiyama (pass this one on the Kyoto and Lanterns Tour) and % Arabica Fujii Daimaru.

Another food favourite is the Japanese Pancake referred to as Okonomiyaki. Which we sampled at every opportunity!

Lost in translation moment – Every moment provides an iconic “Lost in Translation” opportunity.

Insider tip – In order to try and spot a Geisha or Maiko (trainee Geisha) in Kyoto head to the Gion Kobu district between 5:30 -6pm where they are jumping into waiting vehicles to be taken to nightly engagements.

If looking for a grocery store or food market just head to a train station where they are located under them.

Fun fact - Size wise, fits into the state of California , bursting at the seams with 130 million people.

Chicago: Michelle

Greeted by friendly staff as we checked in to Air New Zealand's newly refurbished lounge prior to our flight we were treated to a range of delicious food and drinks. Coffee promptly delivered after ordering with the ipad self-service system. Sleek design which is open and spacious yet offering enough privacy to unwind before flight.

This design theme continues as we stepped on board our 777-300 wide body aircraft to Auckland. Operating 3 cabins - business, premium economy and economy. Business class set out with the inverted seat pattern to offer every seat an aisle access and fully lie flat seats. I was struck mostly by how much bigger the seats in premium economy were. Leather seats set out in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration provide much more width (19.3 inch) and pitch (41 inch) than I had envisioned.

Transferring through Auckland Airport to our next flight was a breeze and we were soon stepping on board the new Dreamliner to Chicago, Air NZ’s newest direct route. This flight operates 3 times a week with seats available in business, premium economy and economy. Economy also has the added benefit of Air New Zealand's SkyCouch which is well worth the upgrade, especially if you are travelling with kids!

15 hours later we landed in the Windy City (which isn’t windy at all) of Chicago. Our hotel of choice was The Viceroy, located in the upscale neighbourhood known as the Gold Coast. With its stately homes and high rise apartment buildings it proved as a great base to further explore this enigmatic city. The Viceroy Chicago is housed in a 120 year old, art deco building with a rooftop pool & bar offering city skyline and lake Michigan views. Boutique style accommodation provide spacious, well appointed, retro chic décor giving us everything you would expect from a 5 star accommodation.

After a quick nespresso (offered in room amenity) we were ready to hit the town (surprisingly I know after such a long flight!!) We headed to Chicago’s most famous steak house, Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, known for their larger than life steaks and old school hospitality (all male waiters.) After dinner we continued on to yet another famous location, this time known for its music - Kingston Mines, the largest and oldest operating Blues club in Chicago.

After a refreshing sleep and hearty breakfast at the Pancake House located steps from the hotel, our first day in Chicago started with enjoying the panoramic views of the city from Sky Deck Chicago. Buzzing up the 103 floors in less than 60 seconds you definitely feel on top of the world. If you’re game you can step out onto the “Ledge”, a glassed in platform hanging out over the city skyline of Chicago. A great way to gain a birds eye view of the city and structure a plan on best how to fit everything in!

A stop at the Chicago Theatre we were guided through a building steeped in history on the daily tour operating at midday from the lobby. Next, time for lunch at Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta on the Chicago Loop for Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza. Invented in Chicago this pizza is more like a pie by Australian standards with toppings piling up inches in the deep pan.

Our afternoon was spent on Segways exploring the city with Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours. As a complete Segway novice it didn’t take long to gain confidence with the instruction and pre tour Segway practice with our friendly guide. We then scooted out to explore Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain before buzzing back though Michigan Avenue famous for its outdoor art installations, statues and monuments on our 2 hour tour.

After a much deserved break from too much fun we ventured back to our hotel to get ready for our visit to yet another icon The Green Mill. Heaving with people even on a Thursday night we found ourselves a booth and a couple of drinks to sit back and enjoy the tunes from the 30’s and 40’s jazz era while watching couples of all capabilities dance the night away in what used to be the club of choice for the infamous Al Capone.

To commence our second day we started with a visit to the historic hotel – Palmer House. Built by Potter Palmer for his wife Bertha back in 1871, only to burn down 13 days later and be rebuilt again as the most luxurious hotel of its time. Operating the first ever elevators not only does the hotel boast it’s proud history of architectural feats but also the long stream of past presidents, performers and authors (Oscar Wilde stayed here). A timeless hotel with the walls adorned with original paintings from Monet (Bertha and he were friends) it definitely has the wow factor to impress as you enter the lobby with the most amazing ceiling fresco. Rooms (all 1641 of them) are well appointed and offer a glimpse into the past while giving the guest all the modern conveniences they are accustomed to.

To continue on with the art them of the day we walked to the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, passing past the Historic Route 66 Sign for a quick phot opportunity. Across the road we entered and were greeted by our guide for our tour of one of the oldest and largest art museums in the USA. Soaking up all the information our guide was divulging upon us we visited the institutes American art wing, modern & contemporary wing & impressionist wing. A full day could easily be spent here and highly recommend the Public Tour. Alternatively you can do a self-guided tour with headsets available to give you the insight into the numerous masterpieces curated by the gallery.

Moving on from the Art Institute we spent the afternoon on our free Chicago Greeter Tour of Millennium Park. By registering at least 10 days prior (they are busy), Greeter visits as they are known are operated by enthusiastic volunteers and totally customisable on what part of Chicago you most want to see. With our Tour of Millennium Park our Greeter first met us in the Chicago Cultural Centre to show us it’s two beautiful stained glass domes before stepping across the road the Millennium Park. The park hosts free music events in the summer of an evening along with open air cinemas. Filled with all sorts of gatherings it is a lively town square with a difference. The most notable of attractions here is the Cloud Gate structure affectionately called “The Bean” by locals. The sculpture reflects the skyline of Chicago in its mirrored appearance while visitors try to get the best selfie picture.

Another night, another show to attend. This city really doesn’t sleep with all the clubs, bars, music venues, theatre performances (Broadway shows have their pre performances here) there is so much to see and do! We went to a late night improv show (starting at 11pm) at the Second City. Having never attended an improv show before I was totally in hysterics during the 60 minutes of witty humour and highly recommend.

Day three was focusing primarily on Chicago’s architecture. A quick trip up to another observation tower, this time 360 Chicago and Tilt. Instead of standing on a glass platform at height over Chicago to get your kicks you can tilt outward from the John Hancock building, 1000ft over Magnificent Mile!

Chicago is a city of firsts and you soon learn how it’s history has shaped how most of our cities operate today. With its uplifting architecture you soon realize why it is regarded as “the most beautiful city in the world” as it is absolutely astounding! To experience the history and appreciate all these man made beauties we set out on the Chicago Foundation’s Architectural River Cruise. Named in the top 10 tours of the USA this was a definite highlight to my time in Chicago. The 75 minute cruise along the Chicago River educates you on the history of Chicago and how it was rebuilt after the Chicago fires. Our expert guide informed us on the varied architectural wonders as we wound our way down the river. Noting that the first high rise was designed by a native Chicagoan after the fires with its steel frame, buildings from here on could only go up as you gaze in wonderment at so many unique and beautiful buildings.

To finish off our day we geared up our tastebuds to discover a local foodie paradise in Chicago’s West Loop on the Chicago Food Planet’s – Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour. With its chequered history this neighbourhood is now well known as the hottest place in cuisine and also the home of Facebook, Google and where Harpo Studios (Opera) used to be based. Offering a great insight into the neighbourhood (used to be a rough meatpacking district) our guide introduced us to some of the best restaurants and food I have experienced. Catering for palates the West Loop is definitely the place to go for foodies. If you don’t do the Food Tour I really recommend venturing here as it houses the best restaurants in Chicago.

Restaurants recommended are;

Bonci Pizza - Rome-based Italian import selling scissor-cut slices featuring distinctive toppings, sold by weight.

161 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Kuma's Corner - Owners Mike and Rick combined three of their favorite things: burgers, beer and metal. Their ethos is simple: Support Your Community. Eat Beef. Band Your Head.

852 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Nonna's & Formento's - Owner John Ross and Executive Chef Todd Stein bring a sense of warmth, family and unforgettable food that is reminiscent of Sunday family dinners at Ross' grandma's house.

925 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Cemitas Puebla- Family owned restaurant specializing in traditional Poblano foods, using recipes that can be traced back to Tony Anteliz’s family in Puebla, Mexico

817 W Fulton Market

While in town your stay wouldn’t be complete without seeing either a hockey or basketball game. We watched the Chicago Bulls play at the United Centre for a great sporting experience filled with entertainment and what you would expect from a sporting arena.

For our last day in Chicago we were treated to a unique gospel experience at the House of Blues. The Gospel brunch included local talent performing both traditional and contemporary songs. Before and during the show there is the endless buffet of food and complimentary mimosas! Don’t miss the signature chicken and waffles which are more delicious than you would expect. Dance it all off as you wave your napkins in the air throughout the highly energetic and engaging performance.

Overall the time spent in Chicago was a whirlwind and you could easily spend 4-5 days here whether it be connecting through to another destination or as a stay in its own right. The easy accessibility with the direct flight on Air New Zealand will increase numbers to this fabulous city as word gets out on how truly special it is.

Fiji: Ceri

HILTON FIJI BEACH RESORT – Denarau

Large resort spreading along the coastline of Denarau Island – perfect for one or two night pre or post Mamanuca or Yasawa Island visit as closet location to Port Denarau and only 20 mins from the airport.

Caters to families (includes on site kids club catering to children 3- 12 years) , couples and small groups of friends. Plenty of facilities and  a variety of entertainment,  sports and activities offered on a daily basis

Bbq provided and full kitchen – the resort can provide meat packs on request.  

First floor accommodation has the better views, though must be noted that it is all stair access, no lift. Large balcony full sea view with day bed and loungers – suggest requesting rooms 2000 and above – newly refurbished – spacious rooms with bath that can be screened off or left open into the room

Adult only restaurant ‘Koro’ opens out to an to adults only pool. The spa is also located in this complex.

CASTAWAY ISLAND

This resort has not changed significantly in the many years it has been here, which is part of its appeal. Totally Barefoot luxury – VERY high level of service – all staff used our individual names straight after arrival.

The whole ethos is to disconnect from everything electronic and re-connect with your family

The resort Bures, all looking like a traditional Fiji Village, are  all the same size taking a maximum of two adults in a king size bed screened off from two coaches that can accommodate two children. Small bathroom separate shower and toilet – basic décor but adequate. There are hammocks outside each bure which was a nice tropical touch!

Should be noted that as part of their efforts to disconnect, there are no WIFI, phones or TV’s in the Bure’s.

The resort does offer a tranquil adult pool and also a child friendly pool next to the kids club. The Kids Club itself is also unique as modelled on a Fijian village with no technology but lessons in replanting of the coral and environmental sustainability a big focus, open 0900hrs until 2200hrs .

The resort offers 4 restaurant choices with ‘1808’ winning the Egon Ronay award in 2018. Sunset Bar a very pleasant area for the relaxing and olbligatory sundowner, also has a Pizza Oven , if you elect not to move from here. No room service offered though a Pizza Box can be taken back to guests rooms if required.

A courtesy Bure, with a large bathroom located  close to the Kids club is offered to accommodate early arrival and late departure of guests.

Spa Bure offering massage, manicure and pedicure.

North Beach has the softer sand and snorkelling water activities straight off the beach – South Beach has  a small beach with steps into the water for snorkelling.

TROPICA Island Resort

Located on Malolo Island – (adjacent to Six Senses Resort) – Tropica is an adults only resort  with private pool villa accommodation. Fijian conical shell and refreshing iced ginger tea welcome as guests arrive. Together with foot massage for each guest – nice touch.

Should be noted that the beach is not great and reef shoes are essential.

Cute swinging seat on each balcony where couples can watch the sunset with a sundowner. Décor a little basic but perfectly adequate and terrific if the island is not pitching itself too high

Main resort restaurant and pool area at the centre of the resort,  clean white and more modern minimalist in style.

MALOLO Island resort

An ideal affordable family friendly island. Visually on arrival not as attractive as others as the local village is to the right of the arrival pier. Definitely an Island that grows on you I feel as the main building where the restaurant and public areas are located , which is set back from the beach, are housed in an impressive large white colonial looking building.

Bures are large and very well equipped – clean white and mostly beach front – high ceilings with ceiling fans in both the bedroom and living area. The family Bure is a terrific size with two separate bedrooms with king beds and 3 couches that convert to single beds sleeping up to a maximum of 7 guests.

The island offers watersports, a kids club and a weekly Managers cocktail party on a Saturday night where the children are encouraged to preform the traditional Fijian dance taught at the Kids Club.

Beach predominantly coral not soft sand – reef shoes necessary – good snorkelling off the rocks at the left of the resort.

Again WIFI not encouraged and only available near the beach bar. Stepping away from technology the ethos and one of the main focuses for a stay here.

LIKULIKU

Absolutely loved this resort - everything from the welcome on arrival in a little separate bar area attached to the pier to the tastefully decorated restaurant,  where  a wonderful choice of buffet and A La carte breakfast was served. Visually they have achieved perfection with spectacular entry to the resort across a bridge astride the lagoon where they are replanting coral.

Bures are private, with rich timber furnishings, a large king size bed and each comes with a private plunge pool and day bed located just steps from the water. The Overwater Bungalows also spacious with an indoor bath that has clear sea views – snorkelling available from each Bungalow via private steps from the terrace. Each has a glass floor panel for watching the water from the privacy of your room - no Bungalow overlooks any other.

Guests at Likuliku could walk to Malolo resort at low tide – Likuliku does not permit the opposite!

Smaller resort than I had previously thought though very pleasantly surprised. Adult only, high standard, that would suit Honeymooners and couples that appreciate a high level of service.

SIX SENSES FIJI

When it comes to ‘wow’ factor this property has it all – the arrival via the resort private Motor Yacht at a modern private Marina sets the tone for the property.

Located on a sweeping stretch of sandy beach undoubtably the best island beach in Fiji.

The resort is built to replicate a traditional Fijian Village with thatched roofs, though all with solar panels which makes the resort completely sustainable, and follows the sustainable tourism focus that Six Senses pride themselves on worldwide .

Without doubt the most stunning Villa accommodation with contempory Fijian décor. Each Villa is assigned a Butler who explains the touch point electronic control of all elements in the room and bathroom. Large bathroom, gorgeous fixtures and fitting, heated underfloor tiles and Japanese style heated toilet. Outdoor bathroom with large bath and shower – simply stunning.

Central resort area with spacious bar and restaurant overlooking the resort pool and beach – open kitchen with locally grown produce used predominantly in the resort. Kombucha produced at the resort is served at breakfast daily (I liked that!)

Six Senses Spa is outstanding and of a world class standard with an extensive spa menu to choose from. Individual Spa Huts offer single of couple treatment rooms.

I would point out that the Kids Club, outdoor Gym and chicken coop are all located quite a distance from the main resort building and I wonder how many parents would be happy to leave their children here, seemed a strange choice.

The resort shop and fine dining restaurant (closed when we were there) is also quite a distance from the accommodation and again seems a strange choice of location. 

The staff at Six Senses did not seem very cohesive  either – the western management team were terrific but this did not seem to filter to the waiting staff – I felt it all seemed a little too new or something.

There is still also a lot of construction of more residences which is ongoing for a while and can be a little off putting in terms of noise.

Maldives: Hugh

COMO Cocoa Island

We arrived by speedboat (45mins from Male airport) in the dead of night. The temperature was pleasantly muggy but in the dark it was very hard to get a sense of where we were. After a very brief and pleasantly informal check in, bleary eyed we weren’t capable of taking much in! We were escorted from the pier to a long wooden walkway stretching out in to the bay. Arranged along this were a string of overwater bungalows - the only type of accommodation at this uniquely small property - all of varying size and a few shaped like the local Dhoni boat. It took a bit of concentration, whilst gawping at our surrounds, not to fall in to the water! First impressions on entering my room were definitely wow. It was enormous, with a bathroom (indoor and out) on the left and a huge double height living area at the end of the entryway. From here a set of glass doors opened out on an oversized deck, replete with the obligatory sunlounger and steps down in to the water. Upstairs was a mezzanine bedroom with a very welcoming super king size bed as well as another small powder room.

One of the reasons we love Como properties so much is their understated approach to health and wellbeing. Breakfast is a combination of buffet and a la carte, all served in an airy and open pavilion which they also use as the main space for lunch and dinner. No limp and overcooked bain-marie here! The selection of buffet pastries is baked freshly on site, the juices are freshly squeezed and the a la carte options cooked to order are simply divine. The fruits, strangely enough, are imported from Australia. You can check out some of their COMO Shambhala Cuisine recipes here and perhaps try your hand at recreating something at home:

http://www.comoshambhala.com/cuisine/special-recipes

Our first day was a little overcast; December should traditionally be a safe bet for weather (peak season runs from November to April) but these days you never can tell! Fortunately, this didn’t hinder our first activity which was a turtle snorkelling trip by boat. The two girls who led our group were fantastically enthusiastic about island life and their incredible job. After getting familiar with the difference between Green Sea Turtles (larger & rarer in these parts) and Hawksbill Turtles (bearing a very distinctive curved beak) we headed out about 30mins from the resort to a drop off point and promptly dived off in to the deep. Sadly, both turtles are categorised as ‘threatened’, and in the Hawksbills case, critically endangered. So, it was a real privilege to see them gently going about their lives in this pristine environment. You’re not allowed to chase them or hover above if you can help it, but they seemed quite happy to go about their business and didn’t appear in the least bit shy.

We had planned on a sandbank picnic lunch which did sound pretty fabulous but unfortunately this was relocated inside due to the inclement weather. Luckily the weather soon cleared up for us to partake in a hotel inspection; being such a tiny island this was a much less involved task than normal! We were shown around the beautiful spa centre (which features a very impressive hydrotherapy pool – a picture required to do it justice!)

As well as a visit to some of the other room types. From the lead in Dhoni Suite which is a more intimate (and single level) version of the ones that were comfortably ensconced in, the Loft Villas. Through to the two-bedroom Como Villas, one of which you will find located at one end of the boardwalk (for sunrise) and at the other end (for sunset.)

This property has an extraordinarily high repeat client business (while we were there a guest was in residence on their 40-somethingth visit!!) and from touring the island you can see why. There are only 33 overwater suites and villas and a charming, barefoot lux vibe. This is the kind of place where the staff know your name but are never intrusive. And from the first few hours with your toes in the sand you already feel a million miles away from home.

That afternoon we had a gentle hatha yoga session with the sounds of the sea gently lapping somewhere behind the palm trees. Bliss. Followed by their signature ginger tea and a short stroll out along the sandbank to check out the amazing contrasting blues surrounding you on the atoll. Perhaps the best thing that we did though was to snorkel just off the deck of our own room. Around 100ms from the steps was the most incredible drop off point where the atoll meets the sea. Surrounded here by hundreds of infinitely coloured and interesting fish (and the odd shark) it was like bobbing around in a real life aquarium!

In the evening we enjoyed a candlelit seafood feast on the beach.

After breakfast we headed out by boat to a nearby floating platform where we hopped on the efficient Maldivian seaplane service for our 50min flight south to Maalifushi. I didn’t realise there was a time zone difference in the Maldives, so we set off at the same time as our arrival. Maximising our time spent on the beach!

From the air you can clearly get a sense of the remoteness that comes with a stay this far out in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is made up of 26 ring shaped atolls, harbouring more than 1,000 coral islands.

COMO Maalifushi

Maalifushi is currently the only resort located on the unspoilt Thaa Atoll, which is one of the most southerly. Well regarded for its diving and the opportunities to surf (season from April to October) its also just a great place to get away from it all!

First impressions; it’s a very different proposition to Cocoa! For a start it’s very much larger. With an island footprint that eclipses that of its more established northerly neighbour and around double the room capacity. They gift you with a bicycle on arrival that you use to get around (though you also have the use of a buggy which is only ever a summons away if you don’t fancy peddling.) My jaw dropped when I was shown to my room; a Water Villa. It was gigantic with a free-flowing living area, bedroom and bathroom all configured around an inviting sundeck (replete with private pool.) As well as unimaginably inviting views of the azure water and various islands scattered beyond. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

After some time to enjoy our rooms we had a briefing at the dive centre and I almost burst with excitement when I realised that Whale Shark diving is an opportunity here. Which we of course promptly signed up for. Rather unusually they do the dives at night when the sharks are drawn up to the surface by fishing lights in order to feed. It’s by no means a guaranteed sighting, I believe in general it happens once or so a week. But just in case, the dive team set aside your gear and equip you with an old school Nokia phone which you are to keep on you at all times in case of a call out (between 1900hrs and 2300hrs.) Suffice to say the phone never left my side! For lunch we dined at their informal Thila Bar. And in the evening we were hosted for yet another delicious seafood BBQ dinner, in the main restaurant Madi, which was of course perfection.

The following morning the indulgence continued with a sixty-minute COMO Shambhala Massage. I was only sad that I spent most of the time with my face down as the environment of the treatment room was beyond amazing and the water views were somewhat wasted on me! My masseuse was a lovely lady from Indonesia (by way of the COMO Parrot Cay property) with a deft touch that sorted out any remaining stress.

Following this we were led out by boat to a nearby island (which belongs to the resort) where they had set up just for us an elaborate picnic lunch. Picnic being an understatement.

Once we were sufficiently satiated with lunch and massages, we had a resort inspection to check out anything we hadn’t yet experienced. The highlight of which was definitely for us the chance to check out the Como Villa which was an extraordinarily beautiful two-bedroom space of gargantuan (4392sq ft) proportions.

The rest of the day was largely ours at leisure. Then dinner this evening took place at Tai, the specialist Japanese restaurant.

The next morning the sun was shining yet again (after that first day of slightly inclement conditions the weather had been very kind) so we headed out by boat around the island for another turtle dive. The conditions were a little on the choppy side and the snorkel itself was in deeper water but the things we got to see made it so worthwhile; from turtles to sharks, rays, giant clams and even a reclusive moray eel.

In the evening, as the sun was setting, we headed out yet again on the water - this time amongst the luxurious surrounds of the 68ft house yacht “Cameron.” We were out to spot Spinner dolphins but we were completely unprepared for the unbridled glory of seeing hundreds of them surrounding the yacht as we cruised along, waking up from a day of rest and leaping out of the water. Nobody knows for certain why they do it but it makes for a most impressive site!

Broome: Monica

Where are we?  Broome (BRT Office getaway September 2018)

Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, 3 night stay.

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the only resort overlooking Broome's iconic Cable Beach. 22Kms of white  sandy  beach. The hotel offers a meet and greet transfer service and on arrival to the hotel (approx. 15 min drive) we were greeted with a glass of bubbles as we checked in. Nice, let the weekend begin!

The resort offers a diverse choice of accommodation from studios, bungalows, villas and suites all located amongst  acres of landscaped gardens. Our twin share rooms were very spacious. The resort caters well to couples /adults ( adults only pool, Chahoya Spa, poolside bar) and also for families with a family Pool, water playground, mini golf and tennis courts. There is an assortment of restaurants with the daily buffet breakfast served from the Sunset bar and Grill overlooking Cable Beach. The views and food were definitely a morning highlight!. Camel Safaris along the beach at the front of the resort was a daily occurrence both for sunrise and sunset. Was good to see that these camels were quite clearly very well looked after.   

To Do: Arriving late Friday afternoon it was nice to relax with a swim at the adult pool, followed by sunset drinks on the beach and finally dinner at the well-known local Matsu’s Brewery and Restaurant. Sitting on the outdoor Verandah sipping a Mango Chili Ginger Beer whilst digging in to an array of super fresh meals rounded off the day perfectly!       

Arrival was perfectly timed for the Saturday morning Courthouse Market to pick up a few souvenirs (Pearl Necklace!) followed by a quick walk around the town of Broome (found the Oldest Outdoor Cinema in Australia)  before the heat of the day started to kick in. Back to the pool to lounge away the afternoon before our specialty dining experience at the hotels fabulous Japanese restaurant, Zensai.      

After a leisurely breakfast Sunday we had a private tour around the area provided by the hotels own staff and vehicle. Visiting Gantheaume Point  (stunning red rock cliff face at the southern end of Cable Beach), Town Beach and The Japanese Cemetery . It was a really good way to see the area in the time frame we had.

Back to the Pool and beach of course to escape the heat (36) and enjoy some relaxation and a few cheeky cocktails before we head back tomorrow.

Highlight:  Nightly Sunset Drinks on Cable Beach (BYO to be right on the sand) or could visit the Hotel Sunset Bar and Grill (TIP- get a seat early!).

Fav Meal: A very special Saturday night degustation dinner at the Zensai Japanese restaurant. Seating only 30 people the food was so fresh and authentic and the service impeccable. My mouth still waters when I think of that Black Sesame ice cream. 

Fun facts: Gantheume Point , approx. 6kms from the resort and can be walked to along the beach has at low tide dinosaur footprints 120 million years old and a natural phenomenon known as  Staircase to the Moon (reflection on the water from the moon resembles a staircase) occurs a couple of times each month. Unfortunately we missed the staircase but it is always good to save something for a return visit.

Next Time: Scenic flight over Horizontal Falls

Thailand: Hugh

COMO Metropolitan Bangkok

I spent my birthday here at the always fab Como Met Bangkok (coincidentally my second visit to the same hotel in the space of a year!) Great location for access by rail to all the city has to offer - yet offering a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle. Decor follows the modern / clean lined approach which reflects the COMO groups approach to everything. The fresh and healthy breakfasts here are a real highlight (as was dinner at Nahm; just recently awarded a Michelin star for the second year running.) And you cannot visit without experiencing the Shambhala Spa, their signature treatment is amazing!!

We then flew south, for a stay at the sister property; COMO Point Yamu, Phuket.

Everything about this resort is just glorious. Easily accessed from the airport (20-30mins), the property sits on a promontory overlooking the Andaman Sea and the dramatic limestones of Phang Nga Bay. We were lucky enough to be ensconced in our own personal Bay Pool Suites; massively oversized accommodation with a personal plunge pool and a divine outlook over the Bay. The gigantic main pool area was the perfect location to take in sunsets. And the dining options - La Sirena and Nahmyaa - offer the finest, most moreish cuisine along the same lines of the Como Met.

We didn’t leave the resort (other than to spend a day on their private Como Beach Club island) but if you are inclined to venture out, Phuket Town is only 40mins away by car and Patong a similar distance.

Our final destination is part of the exclusive ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ group; Pimalai Resort & Spa. Krabi.

A more traditional Thai style property, with the most gracious management and attentive staff. There aren’t many places in the world that can boast such a sublime setting. The hotel and villas are spread out over the tropical hillside offering complete privacy. And being the only property in the region the beach is virtually your own. They offer buggies to get around as it really is a massive (and hilly) complex. Though good to get in a bit of excercise after all the feasting. The spa centre here was magical; immersed in the jungle and offering a heady dose of relaxation even before the massage and treatments had begun. Bliss!

We flew with Thai Airways, the best full-service airline for Thailand.

They offer direct flights of course in and out of Bangkok. And convenient connections through to Phuket and from Krabi. Fortunately we got to experience both economy and business. The food for both was a real highlight as were the friendly, discreet staff. Since we travelled they now operate a brand new Airbus A350 aircraft with a completely new fitout.

Britain: Hugh

This year I was fortunate enough to return "home" - my first visit back during the months of summer since I emigrated to Australia (a long time ago!) 

The emphasis for this trip was predominantly to catch up with friends and family. Though we also squeezed in a two week self-drive exploration of previously unexplored parts of both England & Wales. 

Some of the highlights from our first few days in the South were the fabulous Bombay Sapphire Distillery, just outside the picturesque village of Whitchurch - on the River Test. The self guided tour here is highly recommended (pre-booking essential) and at the end you'll be rewarded with a custom created cocktail! 

And a quick stop at Stonehenge - which is always an otherworldly experience. 

From here we stayed in the Welsh village of Laugharne (home to the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas), the seaside town Tenby (so pretty that I took a couple of hundred photos here alone!!) and of course my home town of Abergavenny. 

Definite highlights in this region were the pilgrimage site of St Davids - home to our patron saint (St David) and a pretty unique Cathedral. As an added bonus, the drive here along the ragged coast was spectacular.

The friendly town of Pembroke, with it's magnificent castle. And the little chapel of Saint Govan's - tucked deep in to the cliff side of a sometimes inaccessible Ministry of Defence piece of land. Well worth the trouble to reach it! 

I achieved a life long dream (nerd alert) of finally visiting Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (home to some pretty amazing characters - and of course some equally amazing gardens.) It didn't disappoint. And neither did the surrounding countryside which was amongst some of the loveliest that we encountered on our whole trip. Luckily our time here coincided with a great exhibition "House Style", featuring five centuries of fashion and adornment at Chatsworth. 

We were staying in nearby Youlegreave. And of course (being a notorious glutton) made time to stop in at Bakewell, just down the road, for some famous Bakewell pudding. 

Continuing our journey north we spent some time in the incomparable Lake District. The walks were incredible - and the pub lunches after a just reward! If you encounter a rainy day here and walking is not such an option I could definitely recommend the charming art deco cinema in Bowness Windermere. It's been in operation for over 90 years!! 

The home (and garden) of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top was a lovely pit stop on the way to Yorkshire. As was Holker Hall - another property belonging to the Devonshire family (of Chatsworth fame.) We stopped there for a lovely lunch in the sunshine, and then an independent ramble around the Hall and gardens. 

Our base in Yorkshire was the village of Grassington. And I wouldn't stay anywhere else. From here you are easily able to access walks in all directions across the Yorkshire Dales. We took a leisurely stroll from here to Burnsall, a quintessential taste of this part of the country. And it's a good position to access the larger town of Skipton (30mins away) for a change of pace if you've had enough of village life. Again, my nerd factor is in evidence - I got to visit the Haworth Parsonage (home to the Bronte sisters.) Google took us on a rather circuitous (but interesting route) through some nail biting back streets (how these are supposed to accommodate more than one car is beyond me!) Especially at 60 miles per hour. The Parsonage was exceptional and would be a must see for fans and non fans alike - if only for the sneak peek in to Victorian life. 

We dropped our car off in Leeds and took the train back in to London. Based in the hip suburb of Stoke Newington (Hackney) offered a different aspect of the city from my previous time here. Loved visiting the local L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (an offshoot of the Italian pizzeria of "Eat Pray Love" fame) as well as the usual city sights (National Gallery, Hyde Park etc etc) 

Until next time! 

Lord Howe Island

I've had Lord Howe on my wish list to visit for many years, and my recent stay more than lived up to expectations.

UNESCO listed Lord Howe, located in the Pacific 600 kms east of Sydney, represents the most pristine of Australian Island's with just 320 residents who all work together as conservationists to maintain the unique flora and fauna and the most southern of our Coral Reefs unusual to be found in such a temperate climate, which ranges from 22-26 most days during summer.

Just 11kms long and 2kms at the widest point the island only accommodates a maximum of 400 guests at any one time, mostly in 70's motel style self catering accommodation clean and comfortable, but very little choice if something more contemporary is required.

The island board of governors insists that the accommodation is discreetly hidden behind foliage dense and subtropical, the Kentia Palm is prolific and a major export for the island, along with stunning Banyan Trees and fragrant Frangipani it reminded me a lot of Hawaii.

Old  Settlement is the central point of the island with most of the accommodation within easy access of the General Store located here where provisions have been available since 1927 - quite sure nothing has changed here since it opened, an icon.

There is also an island co-op manned by locals from 11am until 5pm daily selling locally produced goods, the icecream is highly recommended .

Generally food provisions are pricey as the majority of goods are brought in by ship fortnightly and variety very limited getting close to the arrival of the ship.

The Anchorage restaurant is open daily for breakfast through to dinner, and also doubles as the island bakery where delicious cakes and breads freshly baked are a highlight and must visit for my daily coffee and muffin - yum!

The only other cafe is located within the museum complex, a must visit for a very comprehensive detailed history of the island .

Dinner on the island is offered by the various accommodation not on a daily basis and I soon worked out Sunday was Hamburgers, Monday Fish and chip night at Milky Way, Tuesday Beachcomber served an a la carte dinner, and this was my favourite a high standard with good choices. Dinner generally is around $28- $38 for a main course

What is unique to Lord Howe is that your accommodation offers transport to the various dinner venues at 630pm, and the venue returns you to your accommodation following dinner. This in reality meant we were always home by 9pm. Lord Howe is not for anyone looking for any kind of nightlife, as no street lights, bars or anything other than the Anchorage Restaurant open past 9pm!!

The island is stunningly beautiful, especially the green and blue waters of the Lagoon, with the backdrop of Mount Gower, dramatic when the weather changed following a 3 month drought. The locals were thrilled but this stopped our ability to participate in several of the scenic walks as the tracks were muddy and slippery.

Transport for tourists is on foot or bicycle- easily hired at a cost of $55.00 for a week and a fun way to get around though our accommodation was at the top of a significant hill - push bike was right!! 

Settlement Beach and Neds beach were fabulous for snorkelling with Turtle viewing at high tide a highlight at Settlement beach.

I participated in a  snorkelling /Turtle / wildlife tour operated by Islander Cruises in a glass bottom boat, good value at $60.00 p person for 3 hours. Peter the owner operator was very informative on every aspect of Lord Howe, fishing, sealife, birdlife and politics and fiercely proud of his island. A nice touch was the serving of tea or coffee with his wife's chocolate cake - appreciated after 30 minutes snorkelling and served in a pleasant picnic spot at North Beach.

I would thoroughly recommend my choice of accommodation at Earls Anchorage; the complex of 6 large 1 and 2 bedroom villas with spacious living area, large well equipped galley kitchen, spacious separate bedroom with king bed and equally spacious bathroom with shower and the added bonus of a washing machine. Pleasant private outdoor deck and bbq ensured everything necessary for a relaxing comfortable holiday. The villa unit was serviced daily with Twinings Tea and plunger coffee replaced as necessary.

A highlight for me was the discovery of Stevens Reserve accessed from our accommodation enabling a pleasant natural bushland walk taking approx 12 minutes to the lagoon and Old Settlement village - once found this was a daily highlight for me.

Another bonus of staying at Earls Anchorage is the ability to charge back from the Anchorage restaurant.

During my stay I also visited Capella Boutique Hotel, located in a cleared farm area of the island, adjoining  the island 9 hole golf course. The views from the restaurant and small infinity pool towards Mount Gower are stunning. Mark, the very laid back manager of the Hotel showed me through the public areas which has a fabulous bare foot luxury feel to it and comes highly recommended.

The location near the airport and approx. 15 minute bike ride from old settlement village easy access by the push bikes provided by the hotel for active clients.

Capella does not open its restaurant to anyone other than guests. 

Arajillo is the other luxury Hotel on the island, and arguably in a better location at Settlement Beach, walking distance to the village. The accommodation is very well appointed however I was surprised at the block of accommodation which detracted from the overall luxury feel of the property. Hidden amongst the dense vegetation too, therefore no views. 

Arajillo boasts a fine dining restaurant with a 4 course dinner at $95.00 per person. They will take a waitlist for dinner reservations confirmed only if their residents chose not to eat in; known as the best restaurant on the island yet unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to dine here.

Another unique aspect of Lord Howe is the virtually non existent levels of crime! Not any of the properties have door locks - took a little while for me to become comfortable  with this before  leaving valuables in our villa. There is a police station and the major felony is fining those tourists who don't wear bicycle helmets!

Lord Howe is a perfect destination for more active clients who can appreciate the many walking opportunities. Comprehensive maps are available with all walks graded from 1-5 Mount Gower being 5 and only available as an escorted guided walk with an official guide. Families with young children can also enjoy the laid back holiday experience with safe calm waters and little or no WIFI allowing a complete step away from busy lifestyles.

Many of the guests return year after year. I spoke with an elderly gentleman who was enjoying his 22nd visit!! 

Be prepared for delays in travelling here, as the tiny airstrip and small Qantas prop jet aircraft servicing the island is very much weather determined. Often flights can leave Sydney but unable to land on the island and turn around mid flight with an unplanned overnight in Sydney quite common, and extra nights on the island also quite usual to accommodate this.

Currently Qantas cover the costs for one nights delay, more than this is at clients own expense therefore good travel insurance is a must for this destination.

Routeburn Track: Hugh

32kms doesn't sound like an overly intimidating challenge but the reality of tackling this Great Walk turned out much harder than it had appeared on paper! Though of course it was worth every blister, stumble, scramble and brush with almost catastrophe.  It was harder but also incomparably more enjoyable than anything we had anticipated.

It started off with a scenic (everything in NZ, particularly the Fjordland region, is scenic) transfer overland from Queenstown, via Paradise (an actual place!!) to the Routeburn Shelter.

Day 1 from the Shelter to the Routeburn Falls Hut - was relatively easygoing. You begin a steady climb through a wooded valley, before descending to the valley floor and a vast expanse of grassland. From here it was an uphill climb over rocky terrain to the Hut. They have a lodge up here for the more discerning traveller. We were 'roughing' it in the Hut bunkhouse. Which was clean, comfortable (byo sleeping bags but mattresses are provided) and fully equipped (large communal kitchen area and spotless facilities.) Bookings are required in the summer months, and each evening a ranger addresses that days walkers with an update on weather etc. This took place around 8pm, and pretty soon after we were in bed. Exhausted and gearing up for an early start (to beat the forecast storm.) Note; though our dehydrated meals were light and easy to pack we did look with envy on those (no doubt wiser and more experienced) who had thought to bring along cheese, nibbles and drinks!

Day 2 from the Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie - this is where we had our brush with 'catastrophe' (only a slight exaggeration I promise!) The storm was forecast to hit around midday so we were up and out before anyone else has stirred to try and beat it to the pass. The first couple of hours we were treated to some exceptional scenery. So different from the day before, the grassland and forests gave way to a truly wild environment as you navigate the route through the top of the mountains. Unfortunately the storm decided to join us, just as we were making our way along the most precarious bit of narrow mountainside. We took shelter in an abandoned hut (after getting a thorough drenching - we were woefully poorly outfitted for the occasion!!) Fortunately as wild and as quickly as the thunder and lighting had arrived did it also leave. In a break in the weather we had the chance to crawl up to Conical "Hill" (don't let the name fool you!!) This was quite a tricky side-trip. But so worth it for the jaw-dropping view above the clouds.

We then scurried down the side of the mountain and took more shelter, as the storm made a return appearance, in the ancient wooded and otherworldly moss covered terrain that sits above the lake - our destination. It's very hard to explain without using the word magical just what this part of the walk was like. We tried to take photos of the hanging moss and lush green trees but gave up after a while as nothing could do it justice. When we eventually stumbled out of here we went straight to bed (to warm up and dry off.) After a few hours sleep, we dragged our exhausted selves outside to be greeted by sunshine and the stunning lake aspect (hidden to us on arrival.) There were about 20-30 other walkers who had joined us by this stage. All with clothes strewn over grass and bush to try and dry them off. We all gathered around the lake to bask in the afternoon sun and later in the dining hall for another early dinner.

Day 3 from Lake Mackenzie to the Divide - bliss. This day was almost all on relatively level ground which was a welcome relief after the previous two days. It was another full day of walking, though yet more diverse landscapes unlike any we had yet encountered. By late afternoon we popped out in to the Divide where we were met by our friendly driver for the long journey back to Queenstown. Where we were booked in to a nice hotel for the evening - a well deserved and still happily reminisced about treat after a solid few days of "tramping" across the New Zealand wilderness. 

Cocos Keeling Islands: Sian

I think that this beautiful island paradise is quite possibly Australia's best kept travel secret. There are no locks on the houses, and  car keys are left in the ignition... It's the kind of place where you can go to completely escape the hustle and bustle of regular city life. 

West Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

With only 150 residents on West Island, it is a very small and extremely friendly Island. Everyone will come up and say hello, and before you know it you feel like you're part of their community. The locals couldn't be more accommodating, and they definitely run on 'island time'. There's only 1 supermarket, 1 pub; the Cocos Club, 1 café called Maxi's which thankfully has great coffee but closes at 1pm (what was I saying about island time?), and 1 restaurant, so you're not going to find any cosmopolitan or trendy dining options... but I think that is all part of its charm. With plenty of houses to rent you can easily self-cater for most of your stay if you prefer. It's the perfect beach escape if you want something a little bit different.

View of our transport from Prison Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

The temperature is set to a perfect 27 - 30 degrees all year round, and there's no rainy season, so any time of the year is a good time to visit. Cocos has a windy season from July to September making it extremely popular with kite surfers and wind surfers for the reliable weather conditions at this time. There's also fabulous diving and snorkelling opportunities on the many reefs throughout the year. And if you want the crystal clear glass-like water then December and January is the best time to go.

Turquoise water near Direction Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

Direction Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

The highlight for me was visiting Direction Island or D.I as it's affectionately called by the locals. This is where the water is the brightest turquoise I've ever seen. We travelled over to the island with Geoff on his glass bottom boat, seeing turtles and reef sharks en-route. There's nothing better than dropping the anchor and jumping off the side of the boat to go snorkelling in this environment. A real highlight! You can explore many beaches on the various island's and barely see anyone else, giving you that wonderful feeling of complete isolation - like you're special to be the only ones there.

We also did a fab motorised Canoe tour with Kylie and Ash from Cocos Island's Adventure Tours. The early 6am start was instantly softened by a lovely champagne breakfast. The tour took us to the Southern Islands which felt like a scene out of Survivor. More swimming, snorkelling and canoeing resulted in a great morning and one I would highly recommend.  

South Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

The Old Jetty, West Island. Photo: Sian Pritchard

Cocos Keeling Islands have an interesting history. From first settlement in 1826, through decades of rule by the Clunies-Ross dynasty, most island inhabitants had little contact with the outside world. The people of the Cocos Keeling Islands voted to become part of Australia in 1984.

We bumped into Johnny Clunies-Ross at the Cocos Club who is the 6th generation of his family and now the only family member to still live in Cocos. He was incredibly funny, sharp and a real joy to have a chat with. His love of the island was really evident which he put down to the tight knit community that live there; people are constantly lending each other a hand which is really humbling. Old fashioned community values! The Clunies-Ross family homestead located on Home Island has been purchased by a lovely Perth couple who are restoring the house and now provide accommodation on-site. I would love to stay there to chat to Avril for hours... such an amazing woman with many wonderful stories to tell, not to mention the atmospheric historical surrounds.

Getting there:

Virgin Australia fly twice weekly (Saturday & Tuesday) from Perth, with the flight also continuing to Christmas Island (a stay on Christmas Island is also recommended). Due to the flight times, overnight is required in Perth in both directions when travelling from Melbourne.

Where we stayed:

Cocos Homestead; a lovely 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house that caters to a maximum of 6 guests. Perfect for families or groups of friend's.

Sunset at Trannies Beach. Photo: Sian Pritchard

Marlborough, NZ: Ceri

I travelled Qantas economy from Melbourne and Wellington and was as always very impressed with the Qantas service and their pleasant, friendly crew.

Great selection of inflight entertainment and a lovely full lunch served with three options. Very unusual in economy! Business class old style of seat and only first few rows of cabin so arguably not worth the additional cost on this short 3 hour flight.

The sector between Wellington and Blenheim was operated by Air New Zealand on a 20 seater prop jet - not for the faint hearted but amazing views of the stunning Marlborough Sounds on this 35 minute flight. A comfortable quick option between North and South Island. 

Blenheim is a quiet town whose claim to fame is its location in the heart of the Marlborough wine region. Several motels on the fringe of the city square.

Our hotel - the D’Urville, named after the French explorer who came here after Captain Cook. Terrific central location housed in the original Bank Trust Building (atmospheric.) With just 11 bedrooms hidden behind enormous original bank vault steel doors which have been refurbished with antique beds, furnishings and a smattering of quaint artwork complete the look. No lift but luggage readily taken to the room by pleasant helpful front office staff.

Minimal public areas but pleasant indoor / outdoor bar restaurant area and fine dining restaurant. Excellent menu delicious food and wines. We did find the restaurant service a little slow though. Complimentary port a nice touch for a nightcap!

Breakfast was of the continental variety; buffet of fresh fruit, cereals, cheese, cold meats, juice and toast. Adequate and good value at $15 per person.

Marlborough Food and Wine festival held at the extensive grounds of Bancroft winery and this event now in its 30th year of operation.

8000 people through the gates and the whole event ran so smoothly. Wonderful wines showcased by the best of the regions Winery's average pricing $3.00 per tasting and $5.00 per glass. Premier Winery's ie cloudy Bay charging more.

Cooking demonstrations from world famous chefs throughout the day and marvellous displays of the fresh local produce and cuisine typical of the area. Highly recommend this day showcasing the best of the region in a fun safe and orderly manner. I especially liked the people walking around with tanks of water on their backs filling up empty glasses to keep the crowd hydrated!! Good touch

Full day winery tour operated by Na Clachan Wine Tours. Chris our driver guide provided a terrific full day tour where we visited 8 of the mostly lesser known Marlborough Wineries, with a highlight being Rockferry an organic wine producer where grapes are handpicked. Unusual in this area where machine harvesting is the norm for the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety.

The wines were superior to many and the restaurant offered a varied menu with high quality well priced choices. Another highlight was Framingham; delicious wines and this winery offers a free forwarding to Australia service for a purchase of 12-15 bottles. The wine forwarding is offered generally at a cost of NZD80. With the purchase of 15 bottles of your choice from any of the wineries here. Our included lunch was at Alan Scott winery, my least favourite wine tasting but a great restaurant in a pleasant indoor/ outdoor restaurant setting. Our tour companions numbered 6 in the morning increasing to 10 for the afternoon tastings filling the 10 seater mini bus. Like minded group enjoying the tastings and discussions on the various wines. Highly recommended.

Gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sound area and point of entry for anyone taking the regular ferry from Wellington on the North Island. Relaxed holiday feel here with plenty of good eating outlets and typical motel style of accommodation.

The ferry is used by Hikers keen to walk the Queen Charlotte Track and enables portions of the track to be covered in just one day for anyone not wishing to walk the complete 4 day Trek.

Bay of many Coves was the resort I visited, located approx. 40 minutes from Picton Marina, and in my opinion very worthy of its small luxury hotels affiliation. Comfortable one, two or 3 bedroom units immaculately furnished in tones in keeping with the environment and all offering stunning views across the Marlborough Sounds.

The resort does not have a no child policy but my general feeling I would not recommend this to those clients travelling with children as the pier access and no beach would be too limiting. The resort has a small restaurant on the pier for day visitors and a private dining room again with stunning views for hotel guests only. I enjoyed a delicious lunch here with a marvellous wine list and boutique New Zealand beers offered to compliment the menu.

A 3 night stay here would be perfect for the more active client, enabling a combination of day walks on the Queen Charlotte Track and high quality accommodation, and cuisine to relax in at night Complimentary kayaks included too as an alternative active sightseeing option while staying at the resort.

Berlin & Abu Dhabi: Madison

I was fortunate enough to gain a spot on an educational trip to Berlin & Abu Dhabi in December; courtesy of helloworld, Etihad Airways, Air Berlin and Visit Berlin.

When arriving at the Etihad Airways check-in desk at Melbourne airport, I received some exciting news about an upgrade from Economy to Business class whilst travelling to Berlin. Which meant of course that I was able to make use of my waiting time at the Etihad Airways/Air New Zealand Business Class lounge. This was the start of a week full of getting spoilt rotten (and I hadn't even left Melbourne yet!)   

The features of Etihad's Business class on the Boeing 777 is out of this world!  Even with a late evening departure, passengers are able to indulge in a delicious 3 course meal after take-off. You can also enjoy direct aisle access with every seat transforming into a comfortable flat bed for a goodnights' sleep.  Pyjamas were provided for the flight with a duvet, pillow and even an in-seat massage function.

From Abu Dhabi we travelled on-board Air Berlin's A330, where we were once again lucky enough to secure an upgrade to Business. With a total of just 20 seats in the cabin, it had a very intimate feel and came with similar characteristics to Etihad's Business offering.

We were met on arrival at Tegel airport by our chauffeur who whisked us straight on to the Hotel Amano Grand Central.  A newly opened 4 Star property located a short two minute walk from Berlin's main train station - Hauptbahnhof.  The hotel has a very modern, architecturally designed feel and a number of convenient (and delicious) restaurants on offer.

Berlin comes alive at night during the Christmas period - and so we visited many of the Christmas Markets, which feature both gift and food stalls. 

The atmosphere at the markets were very festive, with all Christmas lighting, decorations and carols - it really got you into the spirit of the season! 

On our first full day in the city we visited the Berlin Wall – a devastating reminder that the East and West of Berlin was quite literally divided between 1961 and 1989. Also not to be missed is the interesting Story of Berlin Museum, the Brandenburg Gate - an 18th century triumphal arch in Berlin and one of the best known landmarks in Germany, the Reichstag building, and the East Side Gallery - which was probably one of my favourite spots. This is where artists express their sense of freedom in the form of graffiti on the eastern side of the Berlin Wall.

Transport in Berlin is extremely easy. We travelled extensively around the city using the Berlin Welcome Card – a travel card, but not your average MyKi Card like we use in Melbourne!  It is a pre-paid travel card which you can purchase for nominated days and enables free travel with all public transport services and includes discounts at over 190 speciality restaurants and shops around Berlin – great value and highly recommended!

My highlight of Berlin was the "Gastro Rallye Night Tour" an exquisite food tour of different Berlin culinary hot spots with a course taken at three restaurants.  We walked to each restaurant between courses; which helped somewhat to work off the food and wine consumed! 

Next stop - Abu Dhabi!  The flight back was very crowded and long.  We arrived in Abu Dhabi to extreme heat, the very opposite of Berlin which was very cold!  Abu Dhabi airport is huge and still under construction as they are building another Terminal.  If staying in Abu Dhabi prepare for very long wait times to get through customs!

Finally we got through and we were met for transfer to our gorgeous hotel, the Dusit Thani. A 5 star luxury hotel located in Abu Dhabi's new business district, near the Eastern Mangroves and the Corniche.

The hotel has a very Thai theme to its decor and presents a very fresh and innovative design. My room was spacious and had spectacular views.

When in Abu Dhabi you can’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Mosque - a grand palace of worship. You’ll also most likely visit the Corniche (a pristine waterfront stretch featuring its own beach, many hotels, restaurants and cafes), Yas Island (a man-made island which can be reached by air, sea or road.  It is home to Yas Island Marina GP Circuit, Ferrari World (an amusement park) and Yas Mall (one of the largest shopping malls in the world).
Another attraction that really can't be missed is the Desert Safari Experience (a 4x4 Jeep drive in the desert sand dunes, a camel ride and wearing native costumes) and Sea Wings (a scenic flight over the city of Abu Dhabi).  These 2 were the highlight of my time here!

While at Yas Island we inspected the Crowne Plaza, which is a family friendly 4 star resort located next door to Yas Links Golf Course and features spacious rooms with many interconnecting which are great for families, many restaurants and bars, pools and a great kids club. 

Back to work again; we visited the Etihad Airways Innovation Centre - and WOW was this spectacular!  This state of the art facility is home to a walk-through reconstruction of the new A380 and B787 aircraft cabins, which also includes a real life model of the much talked about 'Residence by Etihad' (a luxury living space in the air with its own living room, ensuite bathroom and separate bedroom.  Passengers are able to also take advantage of being privately served by their own butler and in flight chef), First Apartments and First Suites (a spacious living area with a shared bathroom and 5 star dining in flight chef).  I relished that moment as this was probably the only time I would ever get to experience these facilities!

For our last night in Abu Dhabi we were fortunate enough to inspect and dine at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers which was a lovely and memorable way to end our journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent there and although this is seen as a stopover destination, I found that there is so much to see and do, that a quick trip is just simply not enough!

Bangkok & Phuket: Sian

This was actually my first time in Bangkok. I'd previously by-passed the bustling capital to head straight for the southern beaches, so it was great to finally visit. The trip was capped off with a stay at the stunning Banyan Tree Phuket to rekindle my love of Thai Resorts.

I love arriving in a new destination at night when it's dark, because you have the excitement of waking up the following day to see a new place for the very first time. My very early jetlagged wake-up time of 4am therefore didn't bother me, as I pulled back the curtains in my suite to watch an amazing sunrise over the river. A pretty nice intro to this buzzy city. My room was up so high that I could even watch the birds flying past my window.

It was a fairly brief stop in Bangkok but we managed to fit in some sightseeing of the main highlights; the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. The Grand Palace would be one of the most visited sights in Bangkok and the day we were there certainly was no exception, the place was packed!! We managed to meander through the crowds and learn about the history of Thailand whilst appreciating the unique architecture. Next stop was Wat Pho; the oldest temple in Bangkok to see the giant reclining Buddha. We drove through China Town which reminded me of the streets of Hanoi. I'd love to go back and walk around explore the area on foot.

WHERE I STAYED: Banyan Tree Bangkok

A gorgeous 5 star city hotel. I stayed in the Serenity Club Suite room category which have all recently been renovated. The rooms were extremely spacious and contemporary, with a heavenly bath which was the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing! The highlight for me was alfresco dining at Vertigo, on the rooftop of Banyan Tree 61 floors above the bustling streets of Bangkok. The view was amazing. You know you're up high when most of the buildings are below you.

WHERE I STAYED: Banyan Tree Phuket

A gorgeous all-villa 5 star resort in the Laguna area of Phuket, far from the hustle and bustle of Patong Beach. This is the resort you want to go to for some luxury, pampering and relaxation. Our 2 bedroom private pool villa could comfortably accommodate a large family or two groups of friend's. The resort provides really cute, vintage bicycles to hotel guests which are used to get around the large resort grounds - the perfect way to arrive at breakfast in the morning, or make your way to the beach. Oh the beach... my favourite place - Banyan Tree guests have access to a pristine stretch of beach which was so peaceful and quiet, it was the perfect place to relax and truly escape. 

We also did an inspection of the more family-friendly sister property Angsana Resort. This resort is fab for families and younger couples with loads of activities available and a very cool beach bar 'Xana' which has a great vibe throughout the day.

WHO I FLEW: Royal Brunei Airlines

We flew on the Dreamliner and I was really impressed with the on-board comfort. Very generous legroom in economy and top service! I also love the window design - there's no shutters, but instead a button to dim the windows to block out light so you can still see out the window, whilst reducing the glare on the screen at the same time. Genious! The one draw-back of no alcohol being served on-board was easily avoided by taking our own supply on-board (and yes we did feel a bit desperate pulling out the bottle of alcohol to pour ourselves haha). You just have to make sure you purchase it duty free AFTER you've gone through the security check-point otherwise it will be taken off you.

Business class was equally impressive with fully lie-flat beds, although the lack of premium alcohol on-board did taint the experience somewhat. Being served a welcome drink of fruit juice didn't quite have the same effect as a nice glass of French Champagne! For value and comfort I'd still give Royal Brunei Business a 10/10.

Princess Cruise Japan: Hugh

As a pair of twenty somethings, we’re probably not the target age range to be considering a cruising holiday. But when given the opportunity we jumped at it. And I’m so very glad we did.

We arrived at the port (Yokohama) by train from Tokyo central just in time to grab a quick bite to eat (sushi, of course) on the waterfront and admire the ship before boarding. It was a hot, humid day and unfortunately we didn’t get much of an opportunity to explore Yokohama (a city of 3.7 million people, once the largest suburb in the world until it was incorporated in to Tokyo) before we had to join the throngs and complete embarkation.

This was done in the recently completed Yokohama port terminal. An impressive architectural building, with vast swaths of grass across its sinewy roofscape. There was a fair amount of waiting around whilst the hundreds of people passed through security and had their passports and paperwork checked. We were able to hand over our luggage at this stage so at least we didn’t have to lug that around as well. Tip – make sure you have all your baggage labels printed off and don’t leave your passports etc in your main bag as you will need all of this to get on the ship!

At the gangplank we had our security photo taken and were handed our access cards (which act as your room key / shipboard account / and allow you to pass on and off the boat when in port with ease.) Then it was on to our room where our bags were waiting and we were greeted by our room steward, the lovely Nazario.

Then it was time to wander and get acquainted. The Sun Princess carries 1,998 passengers and 924 crew – so its size is impressive, yet not overwhelming. Our first stop was the three storey atrium which acts as the heart of the vessel. A sake ceremony was in full swing when we arrived so we had at least three cups from the sake barrel before making our way to the upper deck to wave goodbye to the band playing us out below. Passing beneath Yokohama Bridge was a highlight that evening as we relaxed in the roof top spa.

Over the next 9 days we really came to appreciate the size of the boat as it allowed us to have plenty of time together or apart relaxing with a book in a quiet spot under the sun. We shared our table at dinner with a great mix of people (an American husband and wife, an American father and daughter and an Australian mother and daughter.) It was really lovely to come together at the end of the day over a couple of bottles of wine and some delicious (and never-ending!) food to chat about what we had been up too. But since the size offers you so much space and so many eating / drinking etc options we rarely ran in to anyone during the day, which would be nice if you had had sufficient time with your dining companions the night before :)

We had an interior cabin which was spacious and clean with plenty of room for luggage and clothes to hang in the wardrobe. With a big bathroom and generous shower. I never felt claustrophobic and wasn’t aware of any noise other than the general workings of the ship, which was very unobtrusive. It was actually quite nice on a few occasions to come back to our room for an afternoon nap (the cruising lifestyle clearly suited us!!)

I can definitely see the advantage of a balcony cabin when cruising interesting coastline or of course for the obligatory pre dinner drink. But I would not discount the option of an interior cabin if you want to keep the costs low or you think you might be spending most of your time outside of the cabin anyway.

The itinerary for our Japan cruise was one which Princess are currently trialing. We were able to visit some interesting ports with a focus on Hokkaido and a brief foray in to Russia. We traveled in the height of the Japanese summer so in Tokyo it was stifling and humid. As we moved up the coast the temperature dropped to the mid-twenties (and in Russia the weather became quite overcast and cool.) Hakkodate was the standout port town for me. Though our day in Sapporo was a close runner up. We did a few of the shore tours organised by Princess. On the whole we felt these offered great value for money. And were so efficiently organised that you never had to worry about racing back to the ship or missing any of the key sights in what can be quite a tricky country to navigate by yourself. In Sapporo we took the ship operated transfer in to town which also offered some fantastic commentary from a delightful host as we drove for 30mins in to the city. I think this tour, as an example, cost $20 each. And gave us a really interesting insight to the city that we would not have got if we had taken the train there by ourselves. Not to say you always need to go with the organised agenda. In a lot of cases we just walked off the ship and went for a wander around. There was always an enthusiastic group to welcome us and hand out local maps and tips for what to do. As well as some awesome traditional bands which seemed to be out in full force wherever we went!

In the evenings we usually had the main dining option (where we sat with our new found friends and wait staff who were only too happy to cater for your every whim and hold any bottles of unfinished wine for the next night.) Here you will be fed three or four courses that would suit every taste including some really interesting local dishes. We spent the two formal nights here in the main dining room as well, which was a super fun evening and a lovely excuse to get dressed up (every other night, a relaxed dress code applies but on these two nights people really went all out. Very impressive.)

On the odd night when we felt like dining alone, we could go to the pizza restaurant or the buffet. All free, of course!! After dinner we either hit the rooftop pools / spas. Or took in a show (mostly gaudy Broadway type numbers though one night they had a really good magician which was pretty cool.) Another really nice feature of Princess is their “Movies under the Stars”, where they show current new release films with all the extras (a rug to keep cosy and free flowing popcorn.)

Naturally, they have a fully equipped gym with all the latest equipment. A spa (which sadly, I didn’t get to try out) and many many other activities to keep yourself entertained.

A benefit of a larger cruise ship for any itinerary that spends a couple of days at sea in any given period of time is the endless array of things to do. And it never felt overcrowded. Staff knew our names after the first few days and would greet us with a smile and a cheery hello. Getting on and off the ship was a simple process involving no queues, a flash of your key card and a quick scan of any bags through security. The only instance in fact where we had to wait was the one day we used the tender service to get ashore. This was in Russia and the only reason this was less than straight forward was the Russian authorities taking forever to process all the necessary passports and visas. No real way to get around this I’m sure and not a big inconvenience. We were always kept abreast of what was happening and they were most effusive with their apologies.

When disembarking there are various options to choose from. You can leave you bag for collection the night before. And then when you disembark it will be waiting for you at the pier. We chose to take our bags off with us. This meant we were first to leave, and so long as you can manage your own cases up the gangplank I think this was definitely the way to go. No hustling over bags etc at the busy port terminal. We just stepped right off.

After this trip I can safely say we’re definitely a converted pair of avid cruisers. Would we do it again, we’re already booked for our next one and can’t recommended it enough!! If you’re keen on a completely stress free getaway. Visiting some amazing places. And all the while in incredible comfort, with food and and drinks and things to do everywhere you turn! Then you should definitely give it a whirl.