Retreat to Sustainable Luxury at naked Stables Private Reserve

Retreat to Sustainable Luxury in the Bamboo Forests of Moganshan with Introductory Specials at naked Stables Private Reserve

 'Stay One Night, Get One Night Free' and other bamboo-zling offers available during October and November 2011

 Treat yourself to an Autumn retreat and be one of the first guests to check-in at the new naked Stables Private Reserve. The sustainable luxury spa resort and equestrian reserve in the beautiful Moganshan hills in Zhejiang Province, two and a half hours from Shanghai, will open its doors on October 1, 2011, and it is offering unbeatable introductory rates for October and November. The special discounts are even available during China's October National Holiday – when the rejuvenating bamboo forest makes an ideal escape from the city.

Take advantage of the following one-for-one deals and specially designed packages for couples, families and groups of friends. In addition to their own unique benefits, each package also includes complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort, access to all main swimming pools, extra weekend activities and personalised service from your own host.  

One-for-One Opening Special

Escape to the naked Stables Private Reserve in October or November and you can double your pleasure. Stay for one night and get an extra night absolutely free during its first two months. With this offer, prices starts from RMB 2,600 per room for two nights, plus 15 percent service charge and including Western breakfast.

Weekday Package

If you only have one night to spare, you can take advantage of the Weekday Package at naked Stables Private Reserve that includes 30 percent off accommodation, plus complimentary Western breakfast, lunch at the Clubhouse Bar & Bistro and a gourmet dinner at Kikaboni, the Afro-Chinese signature restaurant. Priced at RMB 1,331 per person per night (minimum two people), plus 15 percent service charge.

Weekend Packages

Unique Weekend Packages are tailored for families, couples or groups of friends. Spread across 60 acres with plentiful activities, naked Stables Private Reserve lets you be as active, social or private as you desire. Weekend stays kick-off every Friday night with a social African Welcome Barbecue and Bonfire at the poolside Clubhouse, with entertainment, music, great food and company.

About naked Stables Private Reserve

naked Stables Private Reserve is set on 60 pristine acres in its own private valley surrounded by a reservoir, bamboo and tea plantations, and small farming villages. It has been built with the aim of becoming the first resort in Asia to achieve the highly coveted LEED Platinum sustainability certification.

The 'sustainable luxury' resort features 121 beautifully appointed rooms in free-standing Tree-Top Villas and Earth Huts, plus Afro-Asian restaurant Kikaboni (meaning 'organic' in Swahili) and Clubhouse Bar & Bistro. The resort also features a 750 sqm naked Leaf Spa & Wellness Centre; three outdoor swimming pools; a Tea Pavilion, Bamboo Museum and Pottery Studio; Little Shoots Kids Club; and a fully equipped Equestrian Centre with operational stables for 20 horses. An 800 sqm Conference Centre, Indaba (an African word meaning 'gathering of the chiefs'), offers seven multi-functional meeting rooms.

About naked Retreats

Founded by South African Grant Horsfield, the naked concept was conceived to communicate the philosophy of stripping away a busy cosmopolitan city lifestyle and restoring balance through closeness to nature. naked Retreats aims to become a leading global brand for sustainable nature retreats by giving guests unique and rewarding personal experiences in stunning natural environments.

The company is committed to working with communities in and around the resort locations, by generating job opportunities, contributing to local economies, and sharing with them a sense of pride and fulfillment. The first naked Retreats resort – called naked Home Village – opened in 2007. It comprises eight hillside homesteads in the village of Sanjiuwu surrounding Moganshan in Zhejiang Province, China. naked Stables Private Reserve will be naked Retreats' second resort in China, and will open in October 2011.

For more information visit www.nakedretreats.cn

For reservations: +86 (21) 6431 8901 / info@nakedretreats.cn

Six Night Deal at Qamea Island Resort, Fiji

Save 35% at the Luxurious Qamea Resort and Spa Fiji!

Everyone can now afford six nights in 4 ½ star Fijian luxury, with Qamea Resort and Spa Fiji offering six night's accommodation, all meals and a value add romance, adventure, dive or spa package for only *AUD$1550 per person, normally *AUD$2460 per person. 

This amazing deal is valid for sale until 30 April 2012 and valid for travel from 1 November 2011 until 30 April 2012 and includes six nights in a Deluxe Beachfront Bure, breakfast, lunch and dinner and the choice of one value add on package including Romance in Paradise, Romantic Beach Wedding in Paradise, Adventure and Exercise in Paradise, Diving in Paradise and Jungle Spa in Paradise.

The multi award winning adults only Qamea Resort and Spa is an exclusive tropical destination for discerning travelers seeking a truly unique and authentic Fijian experience. The jewel of Fiji's northern islands, Qamea is known all around the world for its breathtaking beauty and 100 lush tropical acres of landscaped gardens, dramatic green tropical jungle clad hills, white sand beaches and jagged volcanic South Pacific Mountains that soar behind the property.

Qamea was named in the Robb Report as "One of the World's Top Ten Luxury Exclusive Hideaways" and recently was the only Fijian Resort finalist by Conde Nast Johansens 2011 Global Awards for Most Excellent Spa and Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway and Most Excellent Eco Resort.

The luxurious resort fronts onto a private white sand beach and accommodates up to 34 guests in 17 spacious bures and exclusive Royal Beach Houses with private swimming pools and Jacuzzi Spas all facing the ocean and positioned for maximum privacy.

Guests can choose from a range of activities including snorkeling, hobie cat sailing, windsurfing, sea canoeing, hiking, croquet, local village visits, diving, day trips and private picnics.

Widely known throughout Fiji for its excellence in food, cuisine at Qamea can best be described as South Pacific Rim, and the resort uses a combination of the islands own grown organic fruits and vegetables and products sourced from the mainland. All seafood is local and caught daily by two Qamea fishermen, while all beef and poultry are flown in from Australia and New Zealand.

Situated on the edge of a tropical jungle with five individual treatment bures, guests own private spa bure awaits them. With the sounds of the Pacific ocean intermingled with a myriad of native jungle birds singing Qamea's Jungle Spa allows guests to unwind and delight their senses with an extensive menu of Fijian body therapies and French facial therapies featuring Guinot products that relax, rejuvenate, revitalize and renew your mind, body and soul.

Qamea Resort and Spa's six night package is only *AUD$1550 per person, including six nights in a Deluxe Beachfront Bure, all meals and a value add romance, adventure, dive or spa package, normally AUD$2460 per person. *Prices are exclusive of taxes and transfers and are based on conversion rate as at 12 September 2011.  

For further information contact T: (07) 5524 5222.

 www.wrd.com.au

Experience Europe in the Autumn with Emirates

-Travel to Europe from $1802 return-

Emirates has launched a sale on Economy airfares to Europe during its autumn period, offering Australian travellers the chance to explore Emirates' 28 European destinations for less.

Sample the sights of Prague from $1802 return, the historical Greek city of Athens from $1836 and the culture London from $1961.

Travellers can also enjoy the romance of Rome from $1802 return from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, including all airport charges and taxes.

Return airfares to Emirates newly launched European destinations of Geneva and Copenhagen start from $1805 return.*  

The timing of the this sale period also offers the perfect opportunity for travellers to include a stopover in the exciting city of Dubai on the way to or from Europe, during Dubai's high season for travel, with Emirates offering  great deals on Dubai stopover packages.

All Emirates passengers receive inflight service delivered by an international crew drawn from over 140 nationalities; complimentary gourmet food and beverage menus; a generous 30kg luggage allowance; and an award-winning inflight entertainment system with more than 1200 channels.

These special fares are valid for travel from now to 30 November 2011.  Except from Sydney which is valid from 03 October  until 30 November 2011.  All bookings must be made by 30 September 2011.

For flight information and bookings contact Emirates on 1300 303 777, visit your local travel agent or go to www.emirates.com/au.

Terms and conditions for the offer:

·         Ticketing and sales between now and 30 September 2011
·         Valid for departures from Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth between September 2011 and 30 November 2011, and from Sydney between 03 October and 30 November
·         Flight restrictions apply
·         Black-out period applies to Economy Class inbound flights between 10 December 2011 and 15 January 2012
·         Fees for changes and cancellations apply
·         Seats and Class are subject to availability at time of booking

*The inclusive taxes and surcharges quoted are correct at 8 September 2011. These may vary slightly over the travel period.

 

Costa neoRomantica to sail to Australia

COSTA CRUISES will introduce new cruises out of Australia with the newly renovated ship, Costa neoRomantica. As part of its new itineraries, Costa neoRomantica will stop at Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Hobart and Burnie ports in Australia, as well as Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin and Fjordland in New Zealand.

From September 19 2012, Australians and New Zealanders will have the opportunity to choose from nine different sailings with either embarkation or disembarkation in Melbourne*, Singapore, Mauritius, Dubai and Savona (Italy). Costa neoRomantica will offer a wide range of cruise options ranging from 21 to 88 nights from Italy to Melbourne, visiting the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Far East and Australia.

Costa neoRomantica's first grand cruise will start from  September 19 2012, and will depart from Savona to reach Melbourne on December 13, calling in to the ports of Naples, Egypt, Suez canal, the Red Sea, Israel, Jordan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, India, Maldives, Seychelles, Madagascar and Reunion, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Lombok (Indonesia), Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney.

The 21-night Christmas holiday sailing has been designed for Australians, leaving from Melbourne on  December 13 2012 and visiting Sydney, North Island Coast, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin, Fjordland and Hobart, before finally returning to Melbourne.

Itineraries will be available from Savona, Dubai, Mauritius and Singapore to Melbourne, and cruises from Melbourne to each of these destinations will also be on offer.

On January 3 2013, Costa neoRomantica will depart from Melbourne to return to Italy via four 21-night to 25-night grand cruises: Melbourne to Singapore; Singapore to Mauritius; Mauritius to Dubai and Dubai to Savona, with scheduled arrival on April 1, 2013.

Comments Dario Rustico, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Costa Cruises' Pacific Asia Operations,

"Following the previously announced visit of one of our newest and most innovative ships - Costa Deliziosa - which is scheduled to visit Sydney, Melbourne and Perth this February 2012, we are excited to announce our intention to double our presence in the market during local summer season 2012/2013 when both Costa Deliziosa and Costa neoRomantica will be sailing through Australia and New Zealand.

"Costa Deliziosa, during its 100 night around the world cruise, will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland while Costa neoRomantica's very "premium" Christmas cruise will depart from Melbourne to New Zealand, with great voyages to Italy through Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Mediterranean sea, offering a wide array of destinations and cruise durations to Australians.

"We are eager to show off these ships and to welcome as many Australians and New Zealanders as we can, ensuring they remain impressed by the overall quality of our interiors as well as by our service, hospitality and cuisine."

Costa Cruises is investing approximately 90 million euros in the transformation of the Costa Romantica to the Costa neoRomantica. The renovation will start at the end of October 2011 with expected completion at the end of February 2012.

Costa Romantica's makeover will include the construction of new areas on-board, and the introduction of new services that will offer an enhanced cruise experience to guests. 

Appealing to the wine connoisseurs, one new area on the ship will be a wine bar, with 100 different labels and a wide selection of cheeses from around the world. There will also be a coffee bar for desserts and coffee, and a new restaurant with menus designed by award-winning chefs.  

Amenities will include the Samsara Spa, a 4,200-m² wellness area with gym, a swimming pool for thalassotherapy, treatment rooms, sauna and Turkish bath. For evening entertainment there will be a show lounge bar with dance floor, a cabaret club and a nightclub.

During dry-dock in Genoa, two new half-decks will be added to the ship, along with 111 new cabins, 120 cabins and several suites with private balconies. Total guest capacity will increase from 1,697 to 1,800, the number of cabins will increase from 678 to 789 and the total displacement will be approximately 56,000 gross tonnage.

Visit www.costacruises.com.au/neoromantica for further information.

*On 13 December 2012 sailing, Guests can embark and disembark in Melbourne.

 

CCC Two-Night Sydney Harbour Spa Weekend Cruise

On the weekend of October 21, 2011 Captain Cook Cruises is holding a two night Sydney Harbour Spa Weekend Cruise onboard the MV Captain Cook Explorer, so passengers can discover the world's most beautiful harbour and enjoy being pampered with spa treatments at the same time. Book now and save 10% off the fare.

 

This amazing two night cruise allows passengers – both local and tourists to experience Sydney from an extraordinary perspective aboard their own small cruise ship and takes them off the beaten track and up close to some of the most beautiful and famous aspects of Sydney Harbour.

 

Regular shore visits include street markets, beautiful gardens and beachside Watsons Bay. From Sydney Harbour to along the Parramatta River, the views are worth the journey alone – a breathtaking sunset over the sails of the Sydney Opera House to a sparkling dawn on the cliffs of the north shore.

 

Evenings on board are a blend of top class food and wine, spectacular harbour sights, getting to know new friends and enjoying great entertainment.

 

All this plus the chance to relax and spoil yourself with spa treatments all weekend long. Treatments available onboard include:

 

·         Massage – Swedish, Sports or Remedial – ½ hr $60 1hr $100

·         ½ hr Facial – Priori Coffeeberry facials & enzyme peel - $60

·         ½ hr Manicure or Pedicures - $40

·         Eye Enhancement Package including eyelash & eyebrow tint, eyebrow shape - $45

 

Passengers can even check-in early on the Friday with pre-boarding spa treatments available from 1.00pm.

 

As a special treat for the girls, if Mum and daughter both cruise, Captain Cook Cruises will guarantee 10% off their fares and help get the party started with a bottle of sparkling wine in their room on arrival.

 

The two night Sydney harbour Spa Weekend Cruise departs Friday October 21 at 6.00pm, with boarding from 5.00pm and pre-boarding spa treatments available from 1.00pm from No.1 King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour.

 

Book now to receive 10% off fares, with prices starting from $431 per person twin share, normally $479 per person twin share including all accommodation, meals and most activities.

 

For further information visit www.captaincook.com.au

 

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1111, Email: or visit www.captaincook.com.au.

 

 

Two-Night Sydney Harbour Spa Weekend Cruise

On the weekend of October 21, 2011 Captain Cook Cruises is holding a two night Sydney Harbour Spa Weekend Cruise onboard the MV Captain Cook Explorer, so passengers can discover the world's most beautiful harbour and enjoy being pampered with spa treatments at the same time. Book now and save 10% off the fare. This amazing two night cruise allows passengers - both local and tourists to experience Sydney from an extraordinary perspective aboard their own small cruise ship and takes them off the beaten track and up close to some of the most beautiful and famous aspects of Sydney Harbour. Regular shore visits include street markets, beautiful gardens and beachside Watsons Bay. From Sydney Harbour to along the Parramatta River, the views are worth the journey alone - a breathtaking sunset over the sails of the Sydney Opera House to a sparkling dawn on the cliffs of the north shore. Evenings on board are a blend of top class food and wine, spectacular harbour sights, getting to know new friends and enjoying great entertainment. All this plus the chance to relax and spoil yourself with spa treatments all weekend long. Treatments available onboard include: * Massage - Swedish, Sports or Remedial - ½ hr $60 1hr $100 * ½ hr Facial - Priori Coffeeberry facials & enzyme peel - $60 * ½ hr Manicure or Pedicures - $40 * Eye Enhancement Package including eyelash & eyebrow tint, eyebrow shape - $45 Passengers can even check-in early on the Friday with pre-boarding spa treatments available from 1.00pm. As a special treat for the girls, if Mum and daughter both cruise, Captain Cook Cruises will guarantee 10% off their fares and help get the party started with a bottle of sparkling wine in their room on arrival. The two night Sydney harbour Spa Weekend Cruise departs Friday October 21 at 6.00pm, with boarding from 5.00pm and pre-boarding spa treatments available from 1.00pm from No.1 King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour. Book now to receive 10% off fares, with prices starting from $431 per person twin share, normally $479 per person twin share including all accommodation, meals and most activities. For further information visit www.captaincook.com.au For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1111, Email: or visit www.captaincook.com.au. Save hours on your travel research. Get brochures delivered to your door for free. Digital option too.

Focus on Gallipoli Battlefields – A Guide for Choosing the Best Tour Experience

As the Australian holiday market begins to launch their Europe specials for 2012, Boronia Travel Centre, the ‘official travel agent’ to the Australian War Memorial, are advising Australian travellers to choose carefully when booking a tour package to the Gallipoli Battlefields.

Often people will conduct their initial search on the internet and see something that looks to be the best deal, but they haven’t factored in the right tour components that make a battlefield experience so special,” explains John Waller, CEO, Boronia Travel Centre.

“It might be the cheapest package available, although more often than not the tour guides are not qualified or have insufficient experience, the hotels are located far from the battlefield sites, or the tour lacks additional services such as locating family ancestors who fought in the war.

A better option for consumers is to investigate the battlefield tour guides “military history experience”, which Mr Waller advises “should be easily found on the website or brochure. A qualified historian should demonstrate a depth of knowledge that could educate and enhance the overall travel experience, and accompany the group throughout the entire tour.”

Boronia Travel Centre’s battlefield tours are designed and led by the Australian War Memorial’s curators and historians, and Mr Waller believes that “their tours are the most informative and in depth available. Their knowledge is unsurpassed and with the resources available to them can also assist with any family research.”

Another pitfall for the unwary consumer is the location of their hotel in relation to the battlefield site. Often they are located across the Dardanelles in Canakkale or further south, requiring several hours of travel time each day.

According to Mr Waller, “one of the great benefits of travelling with Boronia Travel Centre is that they are the only battlefield tour operator in Australia to spend six full days on the Peninsula, staying at an exclusive Turkish beach resort just minutes from Anzac Cove.”

Mr Waller further states that his team of travel consultants are “continually updating their knowledge of Gallipoli having travelled there annually are “ideally positioned” to meet our clients needs and travel requirements. “This is a real point of difference as many travel agents have never been to Gallipoli”.

And with a passion to provide both a commemorative and educational battlefield experience, Mr Waller concluded that staff “gain a sense of pride and satisfaction in creating tours that can touch the hearts of everyone involved, and which even become a personal pilgrimage for some”.

For more information visit:
www.boroniabattlefieldtours.com.au or call Boronia Travel Centre on 1800 035 350





Save hours on your travel research. Get brochures delivered to your door for free. Digital option too.

Thai Airways blogger of the month: Diana Kim

 

Congratulations Diana. Read her blogs and more here

Join the Thai Airways travel bloggers for a chance to win a trip to your dream location.

  Save hours on your travel research. Get brochures delivered to your door for free. Digital option too.

China Ice Spectacular tours January

Tim Beckensall leads OEH China Ice Spectacular Tours

Orient Express Holidays has just released two packages linked to the International Ice Festival in Harbin, China early January that will be escorted by private tour guide Tim Beckensall, a former community liaison officer at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

The nine-day China Ice Specactular package is priced $3599 per person twin share which includes two nights at Holiday Inn Harbin for the colourful ice and snow creations of the Ice Specatcular, six nights at Holiday inn Dongshimen Beijing, 17 meals, return flights from Melbourne to Beijing flying Air China, return domestic airfares to Harbin and all transportation, daily tours, entrance fees and taxes.

Among the Beijing activities are the chance to reflect in the Forbidden City's frozen palace moat, skate across imperial lakes and a stroll along the Great Wall of China.

Departure is January 5.

The 10-day China Fire and Ice package is $3799 and covers the Ice Specactular as well as Beijing's midnight fireworks to welcome 2012 the "Year of the Dragon".

The price also includes two nights at Holiday Inn Harbin for the Ice Specatcular, five nights at Holiday inn Dongshimen Beijing, two nights at the boutique Shadow Art Hotel in Old Beijing, 20 meals, return flights from Melbourne to Beijing flying Air China, return domestic airfares to Harbin and all transportation, daily tours, entrance fees and taxes.

Departure is January 15.

Contact 1300 674 368, or email oeholidays@oexpress.com.au, or visit www.orientexpressholidays.com.au.

Orient Express Holiday's Product Consultant, Amara Lindenmayer said Tim Beckensall added immense value to the Orient Express Holidays China tours program through his local knowledge and contacts, background in history and archaeology and a passion for Chinese culture to create an unparalleled experience for each tour.

"Tim will not only show us the popular destinations but also introduce us to fine local cuisines and help us discover some of China's hidden secrets" Ms Lindenmayer said.

China Ice Spectacular tours January

Tim Beckensall leads OEH China Ice Spectacular Tours

Orient Express Holidays has just released two packages linked to the International Ice Festival in Harbin, China early January that will be escorted by private tour guide Tim Beckensall, a former community liaison officer at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

The nine-day China Ice Specactular package is priced $3599 per person twin share which includes two nights at Holiday Inn Harbin for the colourful ice and snow creations of the Ice Specatcular, six nights at Holiday inn Dongshimen Beijing, 17 meals, return flights from Melbourne to Beijing flying Air China, return domestic airfares to Harbin and all transportation, daily tours, entrance fees and taxes.

Among the Beijing activities are the chance to reflect in the Forbidden City's frozen palace moat, skate across imperial lakes and a stroll along the Great Wall of China.

Departure is January 5.

The 10-day China Fire and Ice package is $3799 and covers the Ice Specactular as well as Beijing's midnight fireworks to welcome 2012 the "Year of the Dragon".

The price also includes two nights at Holiday Inn Harbin for the Ice Specatcular, five nights at Holiday inn Dongshimen Beijing, two nights at the boutique Shadow Art Hotel in Old Beijing, 20 meals, return flights from Melbourne to Beijing flying Air China, return domestic airfares to Harbin and all transportation, daily tours, entrance fees and taxes.

Departure is January 15.

Contact 1300 674 368, or email oeholidays@oexpress.com.au, or visit www.orientexpressholidays.com.au.

Orient Express Holiday's Product Consultant, Amara Lindenmayer said Tim Beckensall added immense value to the Orient Express Holidays China tours program through his local knowledge and contacts, background in history and archaeology and a passion for Chinese culture to create an unparalleled experience for each tour.

"Tim will not only show us the popular destinations but also introduce us to fine local cuisines and help us discover some of China's hidden secrets" Ms Lindenmayer said.