Latest Travel Blog Entries

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

With bustling big cities, mammoth stretches of outback, monolithic rock formations, vast rainforests and the world’s largest coral reef, Australia is one colossal adventure.

Head into the outback to stand in awe at the striking color changes of Ayers Rock (Uluru) at twilight, or admire the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Go crocodile spotting on a river cruise in the northern wilderness of Kakadu.  Discover an underwater world teeming with colorful wildlife on the Great Barrier Reef and be amazed by this unique natural wonder.  Venture south to the Great Ocean Road to see the majestic limestone pillars of the Twelve Apostles jutting out of the sea. Or, take an excursions to witness the famous nightly parade of Little Penguins on Phillip Island.

You’ll find Australia’s cities are just as captivating.  Sydney beckons with world-famous landmarks like the Opera House and the harbor Bridge as well as natural treasures like the beautiful harbor itself and magnificent surf beaches.  Cuddle a koala, shop till you drop, dine in style or lose yourself in the city’s art galleries, museums and theatres.  Cosmopolitan Melbourne has a distinctive charm all of its own, with its multicultural cuisines, designer fashions, thriving arts community and rich colonial history. We just received all the new and exciting itineraries for Australia and New Zealand tours for 2011.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

No one does the land Down Under with such over-the-top style.

Celebrity Cruises is returning to Australia and New Zealand for the 2011/2012 season with 12-18 night cruises aboard Celebrity Century®. We wanted to include a few extra take-your-breath-away experiences to your cruise. So we added itineraries to the French Polynesian Islands, where exotic is elevated to a whole new level. Take the Tranz Alpine Express and glide through the breathtaking Southern Alps in Christchurch, New Zealand. Be whisked away on an air-conditioned catamaran to explore the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. And when an island like Bora Bora calls your name, stop and explore its brilliant blue lagoons and black and white sand beaches. Celebrity Cruises®. Designed for you^SM.

The season begins on November 18th with an 18 night cruise from Honolulu to Sydney, including Tahiti and Bora Bora. Then on November 30th there is a 12 night Australia and New Zealand cruise beginning in Sydney and ending in Auckland. The December 12th sailing is also a 12 day cruise from Auckland back to Sydney.  Prices start at just $1,549 pp for an inside cabin. On December 24th there is a 13 day holiday cruise with prices starting at $1,999 pp.

In January once again there are 2 - 12 night cruises with prices starting at $1,669 pp for inside cabins. 

January 30th and February 17th there are 2 - 18 night Circumnavigation of Australia.  On Jan 30th, 2012 you depart Auckland and visit many exciting ports including Milford Sound, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.  On the February 17th cruise, you visit Perth, Geraldton, Broome, Bali, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney.

The Australia season end on March 6, 2012 with an 18 night cruise from Sydney back to Hawaii.

Call our certified South Pacific specialists at 800-942-3301 for more details.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Australia and New Zealand provide some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the world. Spotlight the bustling metropolises of Sydney and Auckland, plus the incredible wildlife on land and at sea, and you have all the elements for a truly memorable vacation. From the sophistication of the Opera House and the world-class wineries, to the rugged individualism of the Outback and its inhabitants, Australia and New Zealand possess a wonderful diversity of sights, activities and cultures.

Few travel experiences can rival the excitement of sailing into the glistening harbors of Sydney and Auckland, as well as inspiring attractions, such as scenic Fiordland National Park and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, just to name a few.

We have amazing Australia tours and cruises to choose from with prices starting as low as $2,499 pp for 12 days visiting both Australia and New Zealand.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Air New Zealand is consistently recognized as the leading airline for the South Pacific by receiving many awards from the travel industry. And why do they strive to be even better?  It’s all about the customer experience. Air New Zealand’s goal is to create an in-flight experience unlike any other airline for all passengers.

We are particularly excited about the new economy skycouch and premium economy spaceseat.  The concept of the sky couch is for a couple to purchase all three seats in a row. The leg rests come all the way up to extend the width of the seat, allowing two people to lie down side by side.  A thin mattress is place on top of the seats and a full size pillow is provided. The length is only 5 feet across so you may not be able to stretch out completely, but keep in mind this is economy class – big difference from only being able to tilt your seat back.  Couples  or families would pay regular price for the first two seats, and then 1/2 price for the 3rd seat. Prices begin around $1,400 for that extra seat.  There will 22 Skycouches in the first 11 rows of economy class.

You can’t book until April, so I researched some prices base on travel this June from LAX to Auckland, and found that the same trip in economy class for 2 people purchasing the middle seat would be around $7,800 total.

When will all these upgrades be available?  On the new 777-300ER’s that begin service in November, 2010 between Auckland and Los Angeles.  Upgrades to their current 777-200 aircrafts will begin in 2011. You can begin booking these Skycouches in April of this year.

Start exploring an Australia and New Zealand vacation today.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

As you get ready to travel?

Here are some tips to give you peace of mind while you are away and make sure you do not make your house as a target of opportunity. These are some simple precautions from the experts.

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.