CRUISING THE PACIFIC :: NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA
Noumea is perched upon the southern point of New Caledonia and sounds, on paper, like a place of pure beauty. Described as the French Riviera of the Pacific, boasting luxury boutiques, French cuisine and pristine beaches, it sounds like a winning combination. But was Carlie Welsh serenaded by exotic, tanned skin French men, whilst walking along white sandy shores?
CRUISING THE PACIFIC :: SUN LOUNGES, SUNSETS & SUBLIME COCKTAILS
We walk out onto the back deck to a picturesque seascape of blue. The sky is beginning to take on the hues resembling my peach lychee martini as the sun begins kissing the horizon. We have only been aboard the Pacific Dawn for one day and already, as I sip on my third martini for the afternoon, I find myself beginning to surrender into a state of complete relaxation.
DESTINATION KYOTO & OSAKA
Exploring the stunning and serene countryside of Japan is a must, and traveling out of Tokyo is easy, fast and super comfy on the bullet train, writes Gaynor Alder. Whilst Osaka did not win her over, she’d go back to Kyoto in a heartbeat.
NOTEBOOKS AND DREAMS :: SEEKING INCOME THROUGH JOY TO TRAVEL
As 2012 settled into retirement, and another New Years Eve rolled around, the resolutions spilled over the table like the wine we were enjoying with friends. I declare 2013 “The year of Mandy” and set about making plans to discover the career path that can provide me with not only income, but also joy.
TRAVEL IN STYLE WITH WYSE TWIGGY TUNICS
You’re traipsing though the beautiful heritage streets of Barcelona in mid June. You’ve just left an intimate café in an off-the-track laneway, having just enjoyed an assortment of delicate sweet pastries and rich coffee. The sun is beading down as you walk, sending warm kisses along your shoulders, nose and neck…
AMSTERDAM :: IN THE LAND OF BICYCLES AND SMOKE
“I was beginning to feel my nerves strangle my guts as the fair-haired woman placed the container between us. “This won The High Times 2005 Awards” she said. “Perfect” I replied, bursting with anticipation. Courtney Phillips visits Amsterdam, the land of bicycles and smoke.
TALES OF TOKYO :: POPPING MY SAKE CHERRY
Tokyo. An electric and exciting city underpinned with serenity and spirituality. From the pulsating energy of people at the busiest crosswalk in the world, the quirkiness of girls in costume in Harijuku, to the gracefulness of women who still walk the streets in traditional dress, and the gentle energy of temple gardens.
HOLIDAY QUANDARY :: HE WANTS TO CAMP & YOU WANT COCKTAILS …
He envisions getting back to nature. She envisions getting back to a destination where she’s not assaulted by regular use of a public bathroom. Melissa Koutoukidis hunts for the perfect holiday that keeps both ‘Mr Outdoors’ & ‘Mrs Loves a Swanky Cocktail & Day Spa’ happy.
AN AUSTRALIAN GAL IN JAPAN: KONICHIWA
Introducing Gaynor Alder’s ‘An Australian Girl in Japan’. From getting around (buy the rail pass) to eating out, from learning Japanese (hai) to realising everyone understands the universal language of Chanel, step inside Gaynor’s shoes and discover the adventures of an Australian girl in Japan.
UNIQUE & FABULOUS HOLIDAY IDEAS: BUCKLAND LUXURY RETREAT
Gaynor Alder visits the Buckland Retreat in Bright Victoria. Flicking through the comments of the guest book, she found it easy to understand why many guests have returned again and again over the years.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH AN EXTRA WEEK’S HOLIDAY?
I don’t know about you but one week’s holiday is never enough, because it takes me at least a couple of days to fully wind down. To stop opening my laptop. To stop checking my inbox. To stop looking at my to do list. And then my brain finally grasps the concept that it’s on a Thailand holiday and starts to sink deep into the present moment, and time takes [...]
UNIQUE & FABULOUS HOLIDAY IDEAS: SUMMERHOUSE & SEAVIEW
If you’re looking for a luxurious B&B that’s nestled just out of town in the Byron Bay hinterlands, The Summerhouse is the perfect retreat. But if you’re looking for a breathtaking view then you cannot beat the unbridled panorama of The Seaview House. Gaynor Alder reviews these two majestic getaways.
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UNIQUE & FABULOUS HOLIDAY IDEAS: GRACE HOTEL SYDNEY
It’s no secret that Gaynor Alder is a fan of vintage glamour. So, it comes as no surprise that she was completely enamoured when she heard that Sydney’s Grace Hotel was a 1930′s art deco heritage restored building, that also offers 10 unique rooms that are customised to their guests personalised desires.
UNIQUE AND FABULOUS HOLIDAY IDEAS: VILLAS OF BYRON
If you’re looking for a holiday destination to recharge, relax and unwind, then it’s hard to beat the unbridled beauty of Byron Bay. With its beaches, surrounding hinterlands and tropical climate, it’s a Mecca for those who need to retreat from the world. And there’s no better place to retreat than in the 5 star luxury of The Villas of Byron.
I’M SO NOT A NO FRILLS FLIGHT KIND OF GAL …
I’ve begrudgingly flown with budget airlines on occasion, but there’s no need for you to economise with Qantas Holidays running a fabulous competition where you can win back the full cost of your flight flying any class to any destination in the world. “This is your Captain speaking…. Welcome aboard Tiger Airways. The flight time to Hong Kong is 8 hours, but buckle up passengers, because we’re about to embark [...]
