THE beds are made in 2747 staterooms, tables set in 15 restaurants, drinks chilled in 11 bars, buttons polished in 24 guest elevators, and carpet vacuumed on 18 decks which means the world’s biggest cruise ship is ready for her inaugural season. The Harmony of the Seas, the new Royal Caribbean vessels that now topsContinue reading “Peeking at world’s biggest cruise ship …”
Category Archives: Europe
the Berlin’s Wall …
AFTER spending a single day in Berlin more than 10 years ago I’ve long been keen to return to the German city for a longer stay and have finally achieved this goal. I’m spending a week in what was once East Berlin visiting many of the landmarks I know from my university history studies includingContinue reading “the Berlin’s Wall …”
the River Clyde …
Where … The River Clyde near Glasgow When … Monday, May 23, 2016 at 5.23pm What … I’m on a Holland America cruise ship visiting ports around the north of Scotland and today, after a sunny springtime day in Glasgow, the ship heads west along the River Clyde in preparation for a return to theContinue reading “the River Clyde …”
Colourful corner of Dutch blooms …
FOR eight weeks every year a quiet corner of Dutch countryside is transformed into one of the world’s most beautiful gardens. The Keukenhof opens its gates to flower lovers from around the globe in the early days of the northern hemisphere spring – in 2017 the first visitors will walk through the modest entrance onContinue reading “Colourful corner of Dutch blooms …”
Holland’s Hoorn …
THE Dutch city of Hoorn has two claims to fame and both are linked to the settlement’s rich maritime tradition. Two of Hoorn’s favourite sons did things on their voyages around the globe, back during the days when the Dutch were master mariners discovering new lands and trading commodities from the far east and west,Continue reading “Holland’s Hoorn …”
the Ghent Canal …
Where … the Ghent Canal, in the north of Belgium When … Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 9.11pm What … After spending the day moored in Ghent, so passengers could visit that city and nearby Brugge, the Amadeus Silver III drifts north along the Ghent Canal towards Holland’s Westerschelde waterway and the following day’s exploringContinue reading “the Ghent Canal …”
Holland’s Hoorn …
Where … Hoorn, in Holland’s north When … Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 8.20pm What … Unseasonably warm weather has swept across northern Europe, driving temperatures into the high 20s and encouraging residents that have been hiding from winter chill for months to discard layers and venture outside. From the Panorama Bar on the AmadeusContinue reading “Holland’s Hoorn …”
Turkey’s Anzac Cove …
TO mark Anzac Day 2016, the 101st anniversary of the moment Australian soldiers waded ashore on a Turkish beach, I have fished out photos from my 2012 visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula with Bunnik Tours. I spent a couple of emotional hours at Anzac Cove – walking beside the long lines of graves at AriContinue reading “Turkey’s Anzac Cove …”
Amsterdam’s green hotel …
EUROPE welcomes its second Element hotel – Starwood’s green brand – with the February opening of Element Amsterdam. The property is in Amsterdam’s Zuidas neighbourhood, occupying a former office building at the Gelderlandplein shopping mall remodelled to feature 160 studios and suites, with the address offering “eco-minded sensibilities” allowing guests to indulge in sustainable livingContinue reading “Amsterdam’s green hotel …”
Istanbul’s French treat …
THERE’S a new spot to buy glorious French-style sweeties in Turkey’s biggest city with Raffles Patisserie opening inside Raffles Istanbul. The elegant address will “uphold the heritage and craftsmanship of the old Continental patisserie and chocolatier and then to add a sprinkle of Oriental magic on it” with Şule Gündoğan, one of the most accomplished youngContinue reading “Istanbul’s French treat …”
Very social London …
THE English capital was the most talked about travel destination on Twitter in 2015 with the words “London” and “travel” tweeted together more than 630,000 times during 12 months. That was 200,000 times more than the next most popular cities Paris, New York, Rome and Tokyo according to information from the Mayor of London’s promotionalContinue reading “Very social London …”
New tracks in 2016 …
AUSSIE travellers are always enthusiastic about going off the beaten track but a lack of transport, absence of accommodation, or scant supply of tours often make it hard to plan a holiday. However, new air routes, hotels, ferry services and guided tours mean some quiet corners of the planet – as far-flung as the ArcticContinue reading “New tracks in 2016 …”
Essential Manchester experiences …
A MECCA for arts lovers, music fans, sports enthusiasts, and shopping aficionados, Manchester has almost as much going on as London. Musical Manchester The “Madchester’’ music movement was born during the late 1980s and early ’90s, mixing alternative music with sounds from the electronic dance scene, and grew to launch bands such as The StoneContinue reading “Essential Manchester experiences …”
Where to wander …
THERE are more ways than ever to explore a holiday destination – trams, horse-drawn carts, Segways, vintage cars, bicycles – but there are some streets that should be seen on foot so pack your walking shoes and prepare to pound the pavement. Budapest Budapest’s Andrassy Ut stretches 2.5km from Heroes Square to Erzsebet Square withContinue reading “Where to wander …”
Hotels fit for royalty …
THE Empire Hotel in Brunei isn’t the only hotel boasting a link to royalty – the destination’s most luxurious place to stay is funded by a senior member of the country’s ruling royal family – with inns from the African jungle to the Arctic Circle offering an experience good enough for the most important ofContinue reading “Hotels fit for royalty …”
Literary landscape …
I SEE why this tranquil corner of England inspired Beatrix Potter to write tales about rabbits and William Wordsworth to pen poems about daffodils. I’ve only been in the Lake District a couple of hours and I’m already sitting on the deck of a vintage steamer as it drifts across Lake Windermere with my notebookContinue reading “Literary landscape …”
No need for speed …
WHEN an old pal’s husband discovered bushwalking his first big hike was a trek in a remote corner of the country, a journey that had him out of mobile range and made my friend feel like she was missing out as she waited at home while he navigated some of Australia’s most spectacular territory. SoContinue reading “No need for speed …”
Hotels with history …
THERE’S a trend in Melbourne – well, a mini trend, at least – with the Victorian capital’s newest hotels moving into territory that once served a different purpose. The shiny new Sheraton Melbourne Hotel (below) sits on the Little Collins St site of the bygone Naval and Military Club, a 127-year-old institution that once counted SirContinue reading “Hotels with history …”
Follow the peloton ’round France …
JULY is all about Le Tour de France with thousands of Aussies sitting up into the wee-small hours to watch the peloton pedal towards Paris. While many viewers are passionate cycling fans, hordes more watch the SBS coverage to select destinations for their next Continental jaunt, so here are hints on seeing the corners ofContinue reading “Follow the peloton ’round France …”
Footsteps of the fallen …
SATURDAY’S Anzac Day services will commemorate more than the 100th anniversary of Australian troops landing at Gallipoli. This significant day also signals the start of a century of Australian men and women serving in wars, police actions and peace-keeping missions that have taken our army, navy, air force and merchant mariners to battlefields around theContinue reading “Footsteps of the fallen …”
Riding the rails …
FROM The Oriental Express to the Rocky Mountaineer, the romance of train journeys have long captured the imaginations of travellers the world over. We’ve chosen the top ten rail experiences that will bring out the explorer in you. 1. Peru’s Andean Explorer (below) takes 10 hours to rattle from Cuzco to Puno, making for aContinue reading “Riding the rails …”
Swiss hit …
CHEESE, chocolate and banking come to mind when Zurich is suggested as a holiday destination. But there’s more to this sophisticated Swiss settlement than guidebook stereotypes, with the city home to an enviable food scene, glorious summer days and white winters, an established art and design community and an assortment of world-class festivals. And, for a place seen toContinue reading “Swiss hit …”
Danube River …
Where … Budapest, Hungary When … August 16, 2009 What … The view along the Danube River to Chain Bridge and the Hungarian parliament building from the deck of Uniworld’s River Beatrice at the start of an eight-day cruise north to the German city of Passau. Visit the Uniworld website … posted March 14, 2015
Karrat Fjord …
Where … Karrat Fjord, on Greenland’s west coast When … August 22, 2012 What … Baby icebergs, that have just been calved from glaciers inside the Arctic Circle, float in the still water of Karrat Fjord before making their way into the Davis Strait and eventually south to the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the official GreenlandContinue reading “Karrat Fjord …”
Imperial War Museum …
ON this day, 100 years ago, the first shots of the Great War had already been fired. German soldiers had crossed the Belgian and French borders to occupy settlements from Brussels to Bapaume, ships and submarines from fleets on both sides of the conflict were sitting on the sea bed, and the first Australians hadContinue reading “Imperial War Museum …”
London’s new classic …
THE Beaumont, London’s newest luxury hotel, is set to open in Mayfair on September 29. The 73-room property, which overlooks Brown Hart Gardens, occupies one of the English capital’s magnificent Art Deco buildings designed by Wimperis & Simpson and built in 1926 to serve as a garage. The Beaumont is the first hotel project byContinue reading “London’s new classic …”
Raffles comes to Istanbul …
RAFFLES Istanbul, Turkey’s newest luxury hotel, will finally open its doors on September 1 after months of anticipation. The hotel will occupy the heart of the Zorlu Center — a new hub for fashion, food and the arts on the European shore in Beşiktaş — with the opulent five-star address overlooking the Bosphorus, Princess Islands andContinue reading “Raffles comes to Istanbul …”
Liverpool beyond the Beatles …
I HAVE never been a big fan of The Beatles. I know the words to the Fab Four’s biggest hits, learning by osmosis during a childhood when the radio frequently featured tunes by the lads from Liverpool, but that’s about as far as my interest goes. So when I find myself spending a day deepContinue reading “Liverpool beyond the Beatles …”
Warsaw, by night …
Where … The heart of Warsaw’s Old Town When … Friday, December 7, 2012 at 10.58pm What … My second visit to Warsaw sees me exploring the delightful Polish settlement a few weeks before Christmas when the squares around the Old Town are wearing lights to celebrate the season. The square in front of theContinue reading “Warsaw, by night …”
From the ashes of war …
WARSAW has an air of prosperity. The shops are full, the restaurants are busy, only a few people are begging on the street, and there’s lots of construction happening with architectural treasures surrounded by scaffolding and temporary walls around the big dig marking the route of the Polish capital’s new underground line. While Warsaw isContinue reading “From the ashes of war …”
Far Near Or Here 