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South Melbourne Travel Recommends
We would like let all our customers know what we have been doing and tell you about some exciting new ideas to whet your appetites for travel this year.
Moving office: We are settled into our new office at 409 City Road, just around the corner from 182 Ferrars Street. This is in fact not a new office, but where SMT started out 10 years ago in 1999. We retain our customer parking in the rear of the building, accessed from York St.
Earlybird Airfares have been released so if you want to take advantage of some great savings - call us soon to make sure you get your dates and seats secured.
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Sarah Low's Recommendations:
VIETNAM
Recently I travelled to Vietnam visiting Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon and was blown away by this absolutely amazing country. In particular I adored the Sofitel Legend Metropol Hotel in Hanoi and the beach resort of Hoi An.
Vietnam offers amazing value, wonderful shopping, a climate and a culture that dazzle visitors. In Hoi An the amazing Nam Hai hotel is supurb – or for a modest hotel in the Old Town the Ancient House is lovely. We recommend Vietnam Associates – our preferred wholesaler.
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SKIING
Skiing remains a passion – since spending two seasons in Switzerland in the 80’s – these days Chamonix, Verbier, Whistler, Snowmass, Aspen are all resorts that have great appeal for Aussie skiers – Apartment options for family groups are speciality.
I am enjoying booking family friendly resorts in Austria and Italy for those not looking for the jetset scene – but a more authentic experience. |
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FRANCE
Since my days of arranging wine and cultural group tours to Provence I have developed a deep knowledge of the villages and touring opportunities of Provence.
From the roman villages of the Vaucluse to the lavender of Grasse, I am happy to talk Relais & Chateaux hotels and seaside options for you and your family.
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FIJI
Family holidays in Fiji are another speciality of mine. The wonderful Intercontinental Resort and Spa Natadola Beach is a favourite. Fiji is only a 4.5 hour direct flight from Melbourne to Nadi making a fabulously easy to reach totally family friendly destination |
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Marian Stanley marian@smtravel.com.au fullfilled a lifelong dream, travelling to Kerala on the South East coast of India.
“I visited the "Venice of the East" and travelled along the backwater (canals) in a very comfortable converted teak rice boat with coconut thatched roof featuring all the amenities such as air-conditioning and ensuite bathroom.
Fascinating views of daily life along the waterways passed before me as I sampled the local cuisine cooked by my private chef.
Some of the hotels I visited belonged to the http://www.cghearth.com/ CGH Earth group who demonstrate a strong interest in their local communities and the environment.
An in-house naturalist to explain the fascinating plant life is part of the package together with a tour of the organic veggie garden. Ayurveda also called "Science of Life" is practiced widely in Kerala.
It is a form of medicine, healing and wellness, which incorporates massage, diet and yoga to treat everything from stress and improving your complexion to more serious ailments.
I spent a week at an Ayurvedic Resort trying the treatments and came back feeling amazingly healthy and relaxed. |
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On the way home, as part of my Singapore stopover I had breakfast with the Orang Utans at Singapore Zoo - something I really recommend for all ages.
In Singapore I stayed at the Fullerton Hotel (www.fullertonhotel.com)
Great rooms, terrific swimming pool and right near all the best shopping. An historic building and a perfect 5 star hotel for your next visit to Singapore”.
Call us on (03) 9690 2133 for all enquiries
and bookings. |
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Marian stayed at the magical Alila Uluwatu in Bali recently. It is a hidden gem overlooking the Indian Ocean. A little luxury combined with environmentally sensitive design.
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In 2009 Nicole Diamond (Nicole@smtravel.com.au) travelled to the Middle East, experiencing the UAE and Oman. Approximately 15 minutes from Muscat, the Shangri-la’s Barr Al Jissar Resort made an ideal base from which to explore the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. |
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The resort is set in a dramatic desert landscape between rugged mountains and the clear blue waters of the bay of Al Jissah.
The resort comprises three hotels, Al Waha (ideal for families),
Al Bandar (deluxe) and Al Husn offering (six star) accommodation.
Amongst the many things to do and see in Muscat, highlights were the Muttrah Souq and the Grand Mosque with its 14 metres in length, 8 tonne chandelier made of Swarovski crystal.
Oman has so much to offer visitors with its culture, history, fortresses, palaces, fresh water wadis, diving and more.
Only a 1 hour flight from Muscat and we found ourselves back in Dubai, staying in one of the city's newest locations, the Downtown Burj Dubai area.
Two stand-out hotels, the modern
63 storey “The Address” and “The Palace Old Town” a beautiful middle eastern themed hotel are situated on the Burj Lake. These two hotels face the world’s tallest man-made tower, the Burj Dubai and the world’s largest fountain, Dubai Fountain, which every evening puts on a spectacular light and music display shooting water 150 metres into the air.
Only a few minutes walk is the world’s largest shopping and entertainment centre, the recently opened Dubai Mall with its 1,200 retail outlets! Dubai has now established itself as the stopover of choice enroute to Europe with the ease of the brand new terminal 3 at Dubai airport and it’s easy proximity to so many wonderful hotels - needless to say Dubai is a shopping paradise.” |
RECOMMENDATIONS - Our tried and tested recommendations for the year ahead!
Viesca Estate, only twenty minutes from Florence in the heart of the Chianti region, is a piece of Tuscan history restored to perfection. Wanda Ferragamo has put her heart and style into the restoration of this ancient 15th century estate originally owned by the the Noble Nerli family . As well as the generously furnished villas, parkland and garden on this estate you can explore the past in the Agricultural Museum with it’s collection of original tools and utensils which were generally crafted by local blacksmiths or artisans to farm the land.
For more information and pictures >>
Podere Barbarino – a magnificent villa in a rural setting on the outskirts of Barbarino Val D’Elsa. A unique setting for your next family celebration.
For more information and pictures >>
Invitation to Tuscany www.invitationtotuscany.com “ Milling around in Tuscany” Take a dip in the indoor heated pool at Il Tasso, the stunning conversion of an ancient olive mill in Tuscany www.invitationtotuscany.com Set on the edge of a tiny hill village, the house has a huge, superbly-equipped kitchen/living room with high vaulted ceiling and marble floor, but the real highlight is the fabulous indoor pool with its underwater lighting and wave machine. Sleeping six, it has beautiful gardens with wonderful views of the surrounding hills. There is a small shop/bar, pizzeria, Romanesque church and 12th-century castle in the village, and marked walking trails nearby. Historic Volterra is 40 minutes away and Siena is one hour.
Private Guides and Drivers, South Melbourne Travel is fortunate to have the services of private guides in Rome, Orvieto and Chianti. Our drivers, in Florence and Rome are available for private airport transfers or just a day in the countryside.
American Safari Cruises: The best in the business – according to ‘x’ who recently returned ‘American Safari Cruises’ www.amsafari.com - Small vessels permit an ‘up-close and personal’ experience.
CIT (www.citholidays.com) What a great tip - Prebook your tickets to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence before you go and avoid the queues. Also, when in Rome… why not book your very own guide for a private tour of the Vatican. Kate Parkinson is an Australian scholar who has lived for many years in Rome and will illuminate your understanding of the ‘eternal city’.
Biosphere Expeditions – help save the flatback turtles in WA www.biosphere-expeditions.org/ have just released details of their first ever Australian expedition. For a truly different experience where you can ‘make a difference’ this is conservation tourism at its best.
Contact South Melbourne Travel on (03) 9690 2133 for all enquiries and bookings.
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