Westin Hotels & Resorts debuts in the UK at a time when consumers desire to travel is higher than ever and when self-care is now viewed as a “necessity” rather than a choice. Marriott International media release WESTIN LANDS IN LONDON THE Westin London City has officially opened its doors with the riverfront address theContinue reading “HOTEL – WESTIN LONDON CITY”
Category Archives: Europe
HOTEL – ST REGIS VENICE
Avant-garde in outlook and design, The St. Regis Venice merges striking, modern interiors with its historic provenance as the best address in the city. The St Regis Venice website GRAND CANAL ADDRESS A PRIME plot of real estate on Venice’s Grand Canal is home to the Italian city’s newest hotel. The St Regis Venice sitsContinue reading “HOTEL – ST REGIS VENICE”
NEWS – VIRTUOSO’S BEST
Virtuoso is the leading global network of agencies speciaising in luxury and experiential travel, with moer than 20,000 advisors. We partner with over 1,800 of the world’s best companies such as hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and more. Virtuoso website VIRTUOSO CROWNS ITS VERY BEST VIRTUOSO – the global network of agencies specialising in luxuryContinue reading “NEWS – VIRTUOSO’S BEST”
VISIT – GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS CHEER AT the end of November every year a magical spell settles on Germany that lasts until the wee hours of Christmas morning. Right across the country, from villages to sprawling cities, Christmas markets move into town squares and shopping streets with locals visiting these fantastical fairs to celebrate St Nick’s season with family andContinue reading “VISIT – GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS”
NEWS – HILTON’S HAUL
2019 is turning out to be a very big year for the luxury brands in the Hilton stable, setting a new record after a century in the hospitality business HILTON’S BIG HOTEL HAUL HILTON has announced the company will open more luxury hotels in 2019 than during any other year in the iconic hospitality brand’sContinue reading “NEWS – HILTON’S HAUL”
VISIT – STRASBOURG
Snaps from a springtime stay in a special corner of France STRASBOURG STAY WHERE Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Grand Est region a stone’s throw from the German border. WHEN I spent two days in Strasbourg during idyllic blue-sky days in March, breaking the rail journey between Frankfurt Airport and Lyon where I was boundContinue reading “VISIT – STRASBOURG”
INSPIRATION – EUROPE
EUROPE’S OTHER CITIES BARGAIN hunters on your marks, it’s early-bird season. It’s the time of the year when airlines zooming to Europe offer cheap seats which can save travellers looking to get away between March and October hundreds of dollars. But instead of buying a ticket to an old favourite, like London or Paris, takeContinue reading “INSPIRATION – EUROPE”
VISIT – SWITZERLAND
Stretch out that Switzerland itinerary to squeeze in a few hidden gems with this charismatic corner of the Continent home to more than just the sightseeing superstars that get all the glory SEE SOME SWISS MADE TREASURES SWITZERLAND is home to some cultural treasures that are world famous. Lucerne’s Chapel Bridge, the annual Montreux JazzContinue reading “VISIT – SWITZERLAND”
VISIT- GRAZ
Graz might be second in size to Vienna, but the miniature metropolis in Austria’s scenic south doesn’t lack when it comes to tantalising travellers GETTING TO GRAZ EVERY year around 4 million international travellers descend on Vienna to savour the sightseeing icons. But Austria’s smaller cities like Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz and Graz have just asContinue reading “VISIT- GRAZ”
DESTINATION – ARLES
WHERE … Arles Arena WHEN … Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10.08am WHAT … The old Roman Arena in Arles was built 2000 years ago to host battles between man and beast to keep the locals entertained. Back when the Romans occupied Provence there would be day-long programs here starting with battles between wild animals,Continue reading “DESTINATION – ARLES”
GALLERY – BERLIN’S AMPLEMANN
MEET BERLIN’S AMPELMANN WHERE … Ampelmann Berlin at Unter den Linden 35 WHEN … Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 11.47pm WHAT … … meet ampelmann. This jaunty fellow was the character on East German traffic lights telling pedestrians when they could cross – or stop on the red – and has become so popular he now hasContinue reading “GALLERY – BERLIN’S AMPLEMANN”
INSIDER – TOP TRAINS
Rail Plus announces its top five train journeys for 2019 RIDE THE RAILS ON TOP TRAINS THE team at Rail Plus has come up with a list of the top train trips for travellers to do in 2019 and while there are a couple of old favourites on the list there’s also a fab newContinue reading “INSIDER – TOP TRAINS”
the Furstenzug …
Where … On Augustusstrasser, in the heart of Dresden When … Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 3.30pm What … … Dresden’s mural wall — officially called the Furstenzug — with more than 23,000 Meissen tiles telling the story of Saxony’s ruling family. It’s 102m long, making it the largest porcelain artwork in the world, andContinue reading “the Furstenzug …”
GALLERY – BERLIN WALL
WALK BERLIN’S COLD WAR ROUTE WHERE … The Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Strasse, Berlin WHEN … Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 1.12pm WHAT … The Berlin Wall. I’m fascinated by the Berlin Wall, and the idea of a divided Germany, so visit what’s left of the notorious 20th-century landmark every time I’m in the GermanContinue reading “GALLERY – BERLIN WALL”
GALLERY – BUCHENWALD
EXPLORING DARK GERMAN HISTORY WHERE … The Buchenwald Memorial 18km from the German town of Weimar. WHEN … Monday, December 3, 2018 at 10.13am WHAT … A break from the Christmas markets in Weimar this morning to explore a dark chapter of German history. This is the main entrance to Buchenwald, the concentration camp thatContinue reading “GALLERY – BUCHENWALD”
VISIT – IRELAND
Ireland comes to life in summer promising sparkling surf, one-of-a-kind camping trips, fantastic festivals, and some very merry locals SWEET SUMMERTIME IN IRELAND IRELAND is a year-round destination with each season offering travellers unique experiences from Dingle to Londonderry. But it turns out the island of Ireland is particularly pleasant when the weather warms upContinue reading “VISIT – IRELAND”
VISIT – WINTERTIME SWITZERLAND
Don’t ski? Don’t worry … Switzerland, the pioneer of winter tourism, has all sorts of winter activities for non-skiers. SWISS WINTER FUL FOR ALL SWITZERLAND Tourism shares seven experiences travellers should consider during a visit during the colder months. CHRISTMAS MARKETS From Zurich — home to Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market — to Basel where fairy-tale dollars are usedContinue reading “VISIT – WINTERTIME SWITZERLAND”
Galway getaway …
→ Looking for bohemian cool and traditional culture on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way? Try Galway, one of Ireland’s most enjoyable destinations … THE team at Tourism Ireland has come up with a list of very cool reasons to visit Galway. Taste the local flavours GALWAY’S food scene includes incredible cafés, bistros, andContinue reading “Galway getaway …”
England’s royal quirks …
→ Royal traditions make for rich holiday experiences when Aussie travellers are exploring the UK … BEING a royal has abundant perks with the aristocracy living in castles, wearing expensive threads, and donning priceless pieces of jewellery. But there are also many intricacies employed by the British monarchy – some traditions cemented by time andContinue reading “England’s royal quirks …”
Trains Europe favourite …
TRAINS are emerging as the preferred mode of transport for Australians visiting Europe in 2018. With wait times at airports increasing – a 2017 study by Airlines For Europe reveals travellers can now spend up to four hours queueing in terminals from Madrid to Paris and Brussels to Milan as security checks and understaffed airlinesContinue reading “Trains Europe favourite …”
The Academy open in April …
THE Academy, YTL Hotels’ new London property, will be completed in April with the first images promising something special. The hotel occupies five Georgian townhouses in the heart of Bloomsbury – the trendy neighbourhood north of the Thames that’s home to The British Museum – with 50 elegant guest rooms as well as a selection ofContinue reading “The Academy open in April …”
Paris is always a good idea …
DID you see the picture of Barack Obama in the November 17 edition of Time with his feet up on the table? The soles of his shoes were worn because, as the caption noted, he had been “pounding the pavement” campaigning for votes in the days before the US election. After just a couple ofContinue reading “Paris is always a good idea …”
INSIDER – PARIS
RENTING AN APARTMENT IN PARIS THE first time I went to Paris I stayed in a hotel and it was a lovely place, quaint and comfortable, on the corner of Rue Vaneau and Rue De Sevres a kilometre past the Musee d’Orsay. There was a metro stop down the street, a mini-mart across the road, aContinue reading “INSIDER – PARIS”
A rare view in rainy Venice …
THERE’S one thing nicer than Venice on a blue-sky day, and that’s Venice when the mist is hanging low and there’s a chill in the air. On those days the tourists stay away, so the alleys are less crowded, and the locals can take their time getting around rather than having to rush between theContinue reading “A rare view in rainy Venice …”
Curio Collection comes to Rome …
ANY traveller that’s visited Rome knows finding somewhere to sleep can be a challenge. The Eternal City is not blessed with a plethora of accommodation options and those that prefer booking big-name brands, finding comfort in knowing exactly what to expect when it comes to service and style by the logo hanging above the entrance,Continue reading “Curio Collection comes to Rome …”
Tips from top photographers …
SEVEN Australian photographers who specialise is landscapes and wildlife tell us about their favourite destinations for photography. David Evans David Evans is a photographer and travel writer hosting photo tours inside Scandinavia’s Arctic Circle. Abisko is a premier location for viewing the northern lights because it’s nestled between a mountain range and Lake Tornetrask, withContinue reading “Tips from top photographers …”
CRUISE – AMADEUS PROVENCE
A POOL DECK FOR PROVENCE EUROPE’S only riverboat with a pool deck will embark on her maiden voyage in April. The brand new MV Amadeus Provence will feature a “tranquil infinity plunge-style pool” and alfresco bar which combine to make it a scenic open-air perch for guests to watch the scenery drift past during sunnyContinue reading “CRUISE – AMADEUS PROVENCE”
Germany’s Rostock …
ROSTOCK won’t be high on the list of destinations to see when crafting an itinerary to explore Germany. But this northern settlement, a stone’s throw from the Baltic coast in what was once East Germany, is a pretty place to spend a day especially for those planning on catching a ferry from nearby Warnemünde acrossContinue reading “Germany’s Rostock …”
Cruise proves to be Dutch treat …
DO not fret if you haven’t heard of the Keukenhof. This annual flower garden on Amsterdam’s rural outskirts is a Dutch icon but it opens just eight weeks a year and is hardly as famous as the canals and clogs that top the tourism hit list in The Netherlands. While the Keukenhof may be aContinue reading “Cruise proves to be Dutch treat …”
Russia’s St Petersburg …
THE first time I went to St Petersburg there wasn’t a lot of freedom for exploring. That’s was ten years ago, a little more than a decade after the Iron Curtain fell, and I was on a coach tour with the guide not allowing much time for his passengers to stray from the organised itinerary.Continue reading “Russia’s St Petersburg …”
Far Near Or Here 