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 …”
Category Archives: Travel talk
New tourist visas for Aussies …
TRAVELLERS packing an Australian passport will find it easier to visit Papua New Guinea with a 30-day visa now available free to tourist arriving in the country. It’s the first time this visa option has been available to holidaying Australians with the alteration made by the National Executive Council this week delighting local tourism operators.Continue reading “New tourist visas for Aussies …”
Havana’s newest place to stay …
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts has ventured into a new country – and made a little bit of history along the way – by opening its first hotel in Cuba. The Four Points Havana opened its doors on June 27 in the Miramar district which is not only the city’s a business and financial centre butContinue reading “Havana’s newest place to stay …”
Catch the Kuala Lumpur Express …
MALAYSIA has welcomed its first Holiday Inn Express with the opening of a new 383-room hotel in Kuala Lumpur one block from the city’s “Golden Traingle”. “We are delighted to have launched our Holiday Inn Express brand in the heart of the capital where our guests have access to the city’s major landmarks at theirContinue reading “Catch the Kuala Lumpur Express …”
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 …”
Fiji’s newest island retreat …
FIJI’S first DoubleTree resort has opened on Sonaisali Island with the Hilton property boasting 120 guest rooms and bungalows positioned to take in the view across the South Pacific blue to the Mamanuca Islands. “DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji – Sonaisali Island is ready to provide guests with an authentic Fijian experience whilst delivering theContinue reading “Fiji’s newest island retreat …”
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 …”
Port Stephens glamping …
GLAMPING has come to Port Stephens with Thou Walla Sunset Retreat unveiling 10 new safari-style tents with each of the comfortable camps featuring an ensuite, flatscreen TV, electric fireplace, balcony, king-size bed, and outdoor furniture placed to take in the water views. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat – pronounced “dha walla”, the location was a gatheringContinue reading “Port Stephens glamping …”
Haji Lane …
SINGAPORE is a shopping paradise with everything from luxury brands on Orchard Road to Chinatown’s buzzing markets catering to visitors on a quest to worship the gods of retail. But there are also edgy enclaves around the Lion City where those dedicated to bespoke style have established indie havens that are home to stores sellingContinue reading “Haji Lane …”
Singapore’s Emerald Hill …
ORCHARD Road might be one of Singapore’s top shopping streets but it’s also a place to become emerged in Lion City history. Emerald Hill Road is an enclave of calm flanking Orchard Road – the entrance is right opposite the Somerset MRT station – with longs rows of original houses still lining the laneway. TheContinue reading “Singapore’s Emerald Hill …”
Changi’s Crowne Plaza …
Where … The hotel at Singapore’s Changi Airport When … Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 4.53pm What … The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is literally connected to Singapore’s Terminal 3 which means weary travellers can be in their hotel room, and changing into togs for a dip in the fabulous swimming pool thoughtfully planned toContinue reading “Changi’s Crowne Plaza …”
French style in Vietnam …
VIETNAM’S newest hotel will delight Francophiles with the Mercure Bana Hills French Village taking its inspiration from a mountain-top settlement in the south of France. The resort is a 30-minute drive from Da Nang and has 494 modern guestrooms in six categories – standard and deluxe rooms as well as executive, family and royal suitesContinue reading “French style in Vietnam …”
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 …”
the Yarra River …
Where … Melbourne’s Yarra River from the Bridge across Spencer Street. When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 6.22pm. What… The late-afternoon sun shines on the side of Southbank’s glass towers with an abstract reflection of the riverside scene captured by the Yarra River. Visit the Visit Victoria website … posted Wednesday, April 13, 2016
New outback experience …
TRAVELMARVEL is taking bookings for an new seven-day tour that visits Lake Eyre (above) in flood at the innovative Field of Light installation at Uluru. The guided Lake Eyre & the Red Centre itinerary, priced from $3595 per person twin share, journeys between Adelaide and Uluru with the tour company offering five departure in MayContinue reading “New outback experience …”
Circular Quay …
I LOVE ice cream, but ice cream doesn’t love me. I have a pesky allergy to the icy treat which demands I give all but dairy-free gelato a miss. But there are rare occasions when I just can’t resist so I do my sums, decide if I can risk a migraine, and order a scoopContinue reading “Circular Quay …”
Sydney Harbour …
Where … On a ferry beside Bennelong Point and the Sydney Opera House When … Wednesday, March 23, 2026 at 4.41pm What … Jorn Utzon’s masterpiece the Sydney Opera House, a building so despised at the time of construction that the architect fled the country before it was finished and refused to return Downunder toContinue reading “Sydney Harbour …”
Lights at Uluru …
THE spectacular and innovative installation Field of Light Uluru has finally open at the Ayers Rock Resort in Australia’s red centre. Bruce Munro’s creation, which features more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of four football fields that “blooms ” when darkness falls on the desert, openedContinue reading “Lights at Uluru …”
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 …”
Sydney’s harbour …
PHOTOS from an afternoon drifting – or should I say motoring – around Sydney Harbour, from Circular Quay to Mosman Bay and back, on board a pair of lovely Sydney Ferries’ vessels christened Sirius and Royale. Visit the Beyond the Wharf website … posted Friday, April 1, 2016
Art Gallery of NSW …
FOR many years now I’ve been keen to play tourist in Sydney. I have made semi-regular jaunts to the New South Wales capital since I’ve been a journalist but it was always for work which meant I rushed from one appointment to the next, dashed in and out of hotel rooms, and sprinted to theContinue reading “Art Gallery of NSW …”
QF444’s Sydney …
Where … Above Sydney When … Monday, March 21, 2016 at 4.48pm What … Descending towards Sydney’s Mascot Airport on board QF 444 from Melbourne with the bays of Sydney Harbour and the inner waterside suburbs stretching out below the 737-800’s wings. Visit the Qantas website … posted Monday, March 20, 2016
Manor makeover …
PEPPERS Manor House, the 137-year-old retreat in the New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, is back in business after a $4.5 million upgrade. A modern extension has given the heritage hotel a contemporary touch with the refurbishment adding guest rooms and a new place to eat as well as revamping the reception area, lounges, roads andContinue reading “Manor makeover …”
Doha’s Souq Waqif …
PHOTOS snapped during an afternoon wander in Souq Waqif – Doha’s main trading place established more than a century ago – which was quiet with traders enjoying a respite from the heat of the day before business began again in the cool of the evening. The market grew near the banks of a dry riverbed,Continue reading “Doha’s Souq Waqif …”
Duckboard Place …
MELBOURNE is my hometown and while I don’t do as much exploring as I should – I much prefer to spend downtime eating Vegemite on toast in my pyjamas rather than gallivanting about the big smoke – I do get out when inspired. I was motivated to do a little exploring today when in the cityContinue reading “Duckboard Place …”
Crown Promenade …
Where … Crown Promenade, Melbourne When … Wednesday, March 16, 2016 What … The window in a guest room on a high floor at the Crown Promenade frames a view across the Yarra River to the early-evening lights of Melbourne. Visit the Crown Promenade website … posted March 16, 2016
Far Near Or Here 