Luxury and value blend on fabulous Mediterranean and European Riviera cruise holiday from Australia

Here’s a blissful 14-day European fly-cruise-stay holiday with everything going for it: Paris, Rome, Tuscany, the French and Italian Rivieras, Barcelona, Cannes and a visit to glamorous Monte Carlo with the opportunity to attend the Monaco Grand Prix if you desire. Also, drinks on the ship are free.

Named, appropriately, ‘Playgrounds of the Rich & Fabulous’, the holiday is on offer from Worldwide Cruise Centres (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au).

‘Playgrounds of the Rich & Fabulous’ includes an eight-night Tuscany & Grand Prix cruise with Azamara Journey from Rome to Barcelona. Prices for the whole holiday begin at A$6999 twin share per person, including return flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth to Paris, and back from Barcelona, travelling with the multi-award-winning airline, Emirates.

Azamara Journey is one of the world’s finest cruise ships, a vessel so exclusive that each suite aboard comes with the services of an English butler. Smaller and sleeker than most ships, Azamara Journey carries no more than 694 passengers and delivers five-star boutique cruising at its very best.

Special touches aboard can save you a lot of money. Tipping is taken care of; it’s  included in the price. All shipboard main meals, plus standard spirits, international beers and wines are complimentary, as are bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffees and teas. Shuttle to and from the port (where available during cruise) is also complimentary. There’s even a complimentary self-service laundry aboard. Dining options range from casual to elegant, with menus featuring classic to modern cuisine from the world’s great culinary destinations. All shipboard main meals are included.

The holiday begins on 15 May 2014 with a flight from Australia to Paris. On arrival,  you’ll be conveyed by private car from the airport to the four-star Hotel Le Six for a two-night stay. This luxury boutique hotel is located in the heart of Paris, on the Left Bank in front of the Luxembourg Gardens near Notre-Dame Cathedral. After breakfast (included on both mornings) set out to explore this elegant and enticing city. The hotel is the perfect base for exploration – it’s a two-minute walk from the nearest Metro subway station.

After Paris, travel to Rome in the classic manner, by train in a first class seat, changing at Milan. A night’s stay in a four-star hotel in Rome gives time to catch the city’s beat, see the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Colosseum, sip cappuccino and nibble biscotti.

Now for eight dreamy days cruising the Mediterranean from Rome to Barcelona – visiting superb European cities and international playgrounds all the way. Your arrival in Monte Carlo coincides with the Monaco Grand Prix, the thrilling Formula One motor race held on the city streets. Race tickets are available, at additional cost –  or maybe opt for something quieter, like the world’s most prestigious casino.

In days to come, take it easy and savour the cultural and culinary pleasures of Tuscany, the South of France and Barcelona. Two days in Livorno give time to bike around the city ramparts of Lucca, taste the wines of Chianti, take in great artworks in Florence and Pisa.

Browse the shops and relish the fragrant gardens of easy-going San Remo on the Italian Riviera and lively cafés and chic restaurants on the French Riviera. You’ll rendezvous with Azamara Journey in both Saint-Tropez and Monaco before sailing for cosmopolitan Barcelona, Spain’s home of Gaudi, tapas and flamenco.

In between these fabulous ports of call, perhaps try Azamara Journey’s Spa and Wellness Centre, coffee café, piano bar and wine bar; sample live entertainment and daily enrichment programs (like wine and champagne tasting).

At the end of a wonderful two-week whirl, its time to fly back to Australia.

To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to:

www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au

SilverNeedle(R) Hospitality expands Australian hotel network with THREE new properties.

SilverNeedle® Hospitality today announced that three hotels have joined their expanding network, bringing the total new additions to SilverNeedle® Hospitality's portfolio to five this year alone - an overall key count growth of around 200.

The newest additions to the SilverNeedle® Hospitality group include the Sundowner Sundance Park in Tamworth, NSW, and two Country Comfort hotels located in the wine valleys of Victoria – Country Comfort Boulevard Motor Inn, Mildura, and Country Comfort Murray Valley, Wodonga.

SilverNeedle® Hospitality prides itself on its home town hospitality and its network, which spans across Australia's regional and coastal hubs. The group offers flexible accommodation options that cater to business and leisure travellers looking to enjoy both short and long term stays.

"We extend a warm welcome to these new brand licensing partners to our network, where they can be assured of solid support for the corporate, leisure and wholesale business," said Iqbal Jumabhoy, Managing Director & Group CEO of SilverNeedle® Hospitality. "SilverNeedle® Hospitality will continue to add quality properties to our extensive suite of offerings to meet the professional and leisure needs of savvy travellers."

SilverNeedle® Hospitality's partners will also enjoy full channel management integration, including being associated with its Escape Club loyalty programme, as well as Qantas' and Virgin Australia's frequent flyer programmes.

The Sundowner Sundance Park in Tamworth, NSW, is set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds and the 25 ground-floor rooms all come with convenient parking right at the door. Sundowner Sundance is famous across Australia for its guitar-shaped pool, which was originally opened by the late country music legend Slim Dusty. The hotel facilities also include a tennis court, playground, BBQ area, licensed restaurant – which is home to the Big HEFFA T bone Steak - and a function centre.

The Country Comfort Boulevard Motor Inn, Mildura, officially joins the SilverNeedle® Hospitality network this month. The hotel is situated near the picturesque banks of the Murray River, in the provincial city of Mildura. The 4-star hotel consists of 48 beautifully presented rooms and provides the perfect spot for travellers looking to enjoy a day trip to Mungo National Park, a paddle steamer cruise, which leaves daily from Mildura Wharf, winery tours or golf days at an international standard golf course. It is also a perfect choice for those looking for a stopover between Broken Hill and Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

The Country Comfort Murray Valley, Wodonga, also officially joins the SilverNeedle® Hospitality network this month. Conveniently located in the heart of town, this property boasts 25 new and modern rooms, with plans to build another 25 in the next 12 months. All rooms come with free WI-FI internet access and free undercover parking.

For more information please visit www.silverneedlehotels.com.au

Anantara Vacation Club Opens First Purpose-Built Club Resort With Launch of Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao

Anantara Vacation Club, a unique Shared Ownership concept launched in 2010 by Anantara Hotels, 
Resorts & Spas, is pleased to announce the official opening of its first purpose-built Signature Club Resort – Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao.

Located in northwest Phuket, the new resort is 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport and sets a new benchmark of quality and flexibility for vacation clubs across Asia and beyond in terms of exclusivity, space and choice.

Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao comprises 70 One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartment Suites and 30 spacious One and Two Bedroom Pool Villas, with resort facilities including a swim up lagoon pool, a kids club, a gym and restaurants and bars, all in a lush tropical environment adjacent to Mai Khao Beach.

Harold Derrah, CEO of Anantara Vacation Club, commented, “We are very excited to open our first purpose-built AVC resort here in Thailand. Being such a key location in Asia for shared ownership resorts, Phuket was the obvious choice of destination for our first signature property, which offers the ultimate guest experience for our Owners.”

The stunning new resort is designed to reflect Thailand’s exotic culture, enhanced by a host of modern comforts. Each pool villa and apartment suite has a well equipped kitchen, and large separate living and dining spaces, to create an inviting home away from home full of thoughtful signature touches.

Positioned in the resort’s six storey complex, 60 One and Two Bedroom Apartment Suites span 94 to 128 square metres, with a private balcony to admire the garden and pool view.  With a choice of king size or twin beds, there is also the option of accommodating two additional guests, catered for by the living room sofa which can double up as two comfortable daybeds.  

Bathrooms offer both a refreshing rain shower and a large stone bathtub.  Eight Two Bedroom Apartment Suites, each totalling 209 square metres, boast a private plunge pool with a sun deck, loungers, umbrellas and outdoor dining furniture, while two Three Bedroom Royal Suites offer an exceptional holiday lifestyle with 346 square metres of luxury space, including a large private swimming pool and tropical outdoor amenities.

Affording superlative privacy and indulgence for couples or family holidays, 30 One & Two Bedroom Pool Villas range from 195 to 265 square metres.  Sliding doors from the bedroom offer direct access into the private pool, which is surrounded by a sundeck with loungers, a garden rain shower, a daybed in the sala, and both indoor and outdoor dining furniture.  Extending the family friendly attractions, Two Bedroom Pool Villas also boast a children’s wading section at one end of the pool.

Additional resort facilities include a large freeform swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a 24-hour fitness centre overlooking the pool and an Anantara Spa. Guests can join in group yoga, meditation and stretching classes. In addition, bicycles are available, giving guests the opportunity to explore the local area which offers numerous scenic routes along sandy beaches, country roads and through small villages. Club Owners also have access to a beach club on Mai Khao Beach, where they can relax on one of Phuket’s longest beaches or the more adventurous can take to the Andaman Sea on kayaks, surf boards or catamarans. For children there is a shaded wading pool, complete with inflatable toys, a playground and a kids club.

Three restaurants and bars dish up local and international flavours.  The all day dining restaurant Chaam is characterised by light gourmet snacks and sumptuous meals.  In addition, the wood fired pizza sala, Crust, is joined by the swim-up pool bar Ripples.  Club Owners who prefer to dine in the comfort of their suite or villa can pick up pre-packaged food parcels and wine from the resort’s continental deli, or indulge in Anantara’s signature Dining by Design concept with a private chef.  Thai cooking classes are also available for those guests wishing to learn more about the kingdom’s famous four flavour balance. Club Owners and guests also benefit from a range of shops and restaurants in Turtle Village next door.

This new Anantara Vacation Club resort joins the portfolio’s existing selection of luxury private villas on the islands of Koh Samui, Thailand and Bali in Indonesia, along with a selection of suites in Bangkok, Thailand, Sanya on Hainan Island in China, and in Queenstown, New Zealand.

The launch of Anantara Vacation Club in December 2010 marked an important stage in Anantara’s evolution, enhancing a brand that is renowned for delivering experiences steeped in indigenous luxury and refined Asian hospitality. In just 2.5 years, the company’s short span of operation to date, Anantara Vacation Club has rapidly expanded in the market with ownership sales continuing to exceed all expectations.

Once In A Lifetime Experience For Local Small Business Owners

Sydney small business owners, Andrew and Kellie Howard hit a hole in one by scoring the ultimate lucky door prize at the MICENET A Meeting on the Green Golf Day last year and jetted off on an eight day trip to South Africa, flying Qantas Business Class and travelling through Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Andrew and Kellie were taken aback by the pure beauty of South Africa, perfect weather and the numerous bucket list items they ticked off in the Rainbow Nation.

“Our trip can only be described as amazing and a once in a lifetime experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives,” said Andrew.

“South Africa is an incredible country, with experiences to suit every traveller. Everywhere we went the people, food and landscapes were perfect! Our favourite part was defiantly going on safari in the spectacular Pilansberg Game Reserve and seeing the vast amount of animals in the wild. It was unbelievable.”

“We were also lucky enough to experience an array of hotels and restaurants, which words cannot describe. They were just incredible. The standout was the Palace of the Lost City and the world-class wineries around Cape Town, which included the private vineyards of the beautiful Delaire Graff Estate. You just have to go and experience it yourself,” continued Andrew.

Having fallen in love with the Rainbow Nation, the couple is keen to return to South Africa with their children to share their adventures, as well as tick more items off their Bucket Lists.

“We would highly recommend visiting Soweto in Johannesburg. Spending time with the locals gave us a great insight into South Africa’s history and culture and provided us with a greater understanding of the country’s beautiful people and modern way of life. We can’t wait to take our children so they can experience all the adventure, culture and history as we did. They will love it,” said Andrew.

South African Tourism’s General Manager of Australasia and proud South African, Lalie Ngozi, was delighted that another Australian couple has fallen in love with her beloved country.

“I’m always so thrilled when travellers return from my homeland and sing its praise. It’s wonderful to hear Andrew and Kellie were able to experience the abundance of activities on offer in South Africa and I look forward to hearing about the couple’s future trip with their kids.”

“Boasting adventure holidays which include world class safaris and rich history, combined with renowned food and wine, South Africa is a once in a lifetime holiday which everyone needs to tick off their Bucket List,” said Ms. Ngozi.

To learn more about South Africa, visit http://aublog.southafrica.net, find a great deal at www.southafrica.net or become a fan of South African Tourism’s Facebook page,

South African Tourism AU and South African Tourism NZ.

To follow the South African Bucket List on Twitter, use #SouthAfricaBucketList

Tourism Australia Welcomes Air India Non-Stop Flights to Sydney and Melbourne

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said securing direct flights was essential if Australia was to secure its share of the 50 million Indians expected to be travelling outside of their own country by the end of this decade.

"India is one of our fastest growing inbound markets, particularly amongst leisure travellers, who have Australia high up on their wish list of international holiday destinations," Mr McEvoy said.

"With Indian arrivals up nearly eight per cent so far this year, the demand is clearly there and I have little doubt that Air India's re-entry into the Australian market will be widely and warmly applauded by both Indian travellers and by tourism operators here in Australia."

Mr McEvoy paid particular tribute to Sydney and Melbourne Airports, Destination New South Wales and Tourism Victoria for helping to secure Air India's return to the Australian market after an absence of 16 years.

The commencement of Air India's new 'triangular' service, operating between Delhi and Sydney and Melbourne, follows the release this week by Tourism Australia of new research aimed at helping the Australian tourism industry tap into the future tourism potential of a market estimated to be worth up to A$2.3 billion for Australia by the end of the decade.

The research was carried out in six of India's fastest growing cities and is being used by Tourism Australia to further shape its 10-year marketing plan for India.

The release of the findings comes as the latest international visitor arrival and spending figures confirm India's status as one of Australia's fastest growing and most valuable international tourism markets, with 164,000 visitors (up 7.8 per cent on the year ending June 2012) contributing A$0.8 billion to the Australian economy in overnight spending.

McEvoy said that, under its India 2020 tourism plan, Tourism Australia had already doubled its marketing spend in India this year, and had made progress towards creating a sustainable, competitive aviation market between Australia and India as one of its key priorities. By 2020, Tourism Australia believes the market has the potential to rise in annual value to up to A$2.3 billion and deliver 300,000 annual visitors.

A summary of the Indian research findings and an updated summary of Tourism Australia's India 2020 Strategic Plan is available atwww.tourism.australia.com/india

'The Great Call of China' - reaching the luxury Chinese traveller

Destinations such as Australia, UK and America need to understand how to service the premium traveller, if they want luxury travel business from any of China's one million millionaires.

That was the claim by David Thomas, a consultant for Think Global Consulting who was addressing the Luxperience Thought Leaders forum in Sydney Town Hall, on 1 September. “We simply don't understand how to service the premium traveller,” said Thomas, who believes elite Chinese travellers need to experience better human 'software' when they visit the West.

It's not just about language, said a Chinese travel industry CEO.  “The Chinese traveller wants to be handled by people who understand their culture, not just language,” said China Luxury Travel Network's founder, Lin Xu who was also addressing the 240 luxury traveller buyers and sellers at the forum.

Xu said that there were in reality about 2.7 million US dollar millionaires in China as many exist “under the radar”. And it is a group that averages about three foreign trips a year, creating a booming luxury travel demand of up to nine million trips per year.

Millionaires, the rising middle class and brand-conscious aspirational travellers from the mainland account for about 25% of all international luxury brand consumption. Xu told the audience the total spend was about US$102 billion in 2012 with online spend alone worth around US$57 billion.

While bricks and mortar travel agents in the West provide the “main course” for the travel industry in the West, the main course for China is increasingly online, with Weibo and Wechat social media referral sites now driving massive amounts of travel related business.

The Luxperience Thought Leaders panel of six speakers agreed that the West needs to better understand the decision making process among China's travellers, including the role of women and extended families. Newly-moneyed male executives may earn it, but their wives and girl friends often spend it.

Research has to be online, in Chinese and easy to use on mobile devices too.

Clement Wong, the founder of BeMyGuest.travel told the audience that Chinese and Asian luxury travellers spend so much time in traffic jams that travel companies now must have websites that look good and function well on tablets and smart phones from the back of a car. Only then will they get their share of China's outbound travel market, that Xu said amounted to 83 million international trips each year.

The use of police escorts to beat the traffic when luxury travellers travel in places such as Jakarta are now popular, said Wong.

“China is modernizing, not Westernizing,” said Thomas, who told the audience that affluent Chinese travellers understood that the West had good infrastructure but were puzzled with small things, such as why it's difficult to get a caddy when they visit Australian golf courses.

This is indicative of the challenges when a “hierarchical society travels to an egalitarian one” said Thomas.

The panellists agreed that human 'software' challenges, understanding and personalization were the new frontier in servicing China's high-end travellers.

“Affluent Chinese travellers simply won't travel in big groups any more,” said Xu. “The key to success will be if travel experiences really suit China's new consumer needs and trends,” she said.

Author and Antarctic explorer, David McGonigal, told the audience there was, however, a degree of convergence in consumption patterns between China and the West. “Luxury is not about limos, but creating memories that are held in our hearts. Luxury is about feeling part of the place, not just being a casual observer,” he said.

The annual Luxperience travel industry trade show runs 2-4 September in Sydney. Visit. www.luxperience.com.au.

Discount on Voyager of the Seas Cruise

HUGE SAVINGS ON VOYAGER CRUISE

MANY of the most exciting port calls in New Zealand, Australia and Asia are included in a 44-night fly/cruise package which has been reduced in price by nearly $4000 per person by cruise specialists ecruising.travel if you book by October 30.

The cruise onboard  Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney on March 9, 2014, and the price includes all accommodation and meals during the cruise, one way air fares from Tokyo to Sydney and all air taxes and port charges. Priced from $5319 per person twin share.

When Voyager of the Seas departs Sydney she will call firstly at Auckland and then travel down the NZ coast to Tauranga, Napier, Dunedin, and the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds before crossing to Melbourne. The ship will then make calls at Adelaide, Perth and Port Hedland before a few days at sea on the way to Bangkok for a two-day stay.

After stops at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong the ship will make calls to unusual destinations like Kaohsiung and Taipei in Taiwan and the Japanese city of Nagasaki before disembarking in Tokyo for a two night stay at the Shangri-La hotel.

Voyager of the Seas has a great selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, plus an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, spa and fitness center, golf simulator and casino.

For more information on this itinerary contact ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel