Bali West Coast - New Ultra Luxury Beachfront Villas - Pantai Lima

Pantai Lima, Bali’s newest super-luxury beachfront villa estate has opened.

Situated at Pererenan, a largely deserted stretch of beach 25 minutes by car from Bali’s sophisticated and cosmopolitan shopping, dining and clubbing, the estate comprises five luxurious beachfront villas.
Pantai Lima is not just another cookie cutter-estate where villas are identical to one another and shoe-horned into a tiny plot of land. Each villa is completely different in design and ambience one from another, and sited in such a way that one is not aware in the slightest of staying in an estate.

The property is truly spacious, extending over four 1.6 hectares, or four acres. That’s about the size of two football fields.
Individual gardens range from 2250 to 3270 square metres (24,220 to 35,200 square feet) and the villas themselves all exceed 800 square metres of floor area (8,600 square feet.)

Each villa has been uniquely created by French designers Gaelle Echene and Charles Pelletier, with considerable personal input from the owners.
Four villas are 5-bedroom, one has six bedrooms. Many of the bedrooms offer stunning ocean views to wake up to.

All five villas are right on the water’s edge, sharing 170 metres (560 feet or 185 yards of beachfront). Guests step from their front lawns straight on to the beach. The beach itself is largely deserted save for an occasional fisherman or surfer.

Finishing, furnishings, fixtures and fittings are of the highest quality.
All bedrooms in each of the villas, for example, have 37 inch liquid crystal tv displays, and Bose dvd players and sound systems. Another great touch are iPod docks in each villa which connect with speakers in every room and in the gardens.

Individual villas offer spacious cinema rooms with High Definition projection systems.
All villas occupy vast tropical gardens planted with lush vegetation and swaying palm trees.
Swimming pools are equally large scale. All are 100 square metres or larger. Each villa also has a separate, generously proportioned shallow pools designed for children.

Pantai Lima’s innovative approach extends to its food and drink policy – no premium is charged for food prepared by French executive chef Manuel Wendling and his team of sous chefs.

Guests decide on a menu, provide a cash budget, then culinary staff shop at local markets, delicatessens and specialty stores to buy produce and ingredients. There is no mark-up on anything purchased on a guest’s behalf.

The same goes for soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits. Guests decides what they want to drink, and provide the butler with funds to buy it.
The estate has an extensive selection of fine wines in its cellars, and guests may purchase these if they wish.

Pantai Lima has over 70 staff to guarantee the guest experience. Heading the team is an on-site estate director. Each villa has its own butler who acts as major domo, concierge and household manager. Each villa also has its own sous chefs and kitchen staff working under direction of the French executive chef.

Shared facilities at Pantai Lima included a tennis court with night-lighting, and a 250 square metre seminar room complete with High Definition projection and sound systems.

This – and the fact that the estate accommodates over 50 guests in luxury and privacy – makes Pantai Lima an ideal choice for large scale functions such as weddings, corporate functions and other events.

The estate is about 25 minutes by car from Seminyak, Bali’s centre of sophisticated shopping, dining and nightlife. The world-famous Nirwana Golf Course is just 4 km to the north-west.
The international airport is 45 minutes by car.
The estate may be viewed at www.pantailima.com and the individual villas at www.villawaringinbali.com www.villamelissabali.com www.villasoundoftheseabali.com www.villaambrabali.com www.villamarybali.com

Head into the New Year with Vacations & Travel!

The Summer 2009 issue of Vacations & Travel is out now, with 204 pages of intriguing stories, travel news and stunning photography, plus a bonus 68-page supplement on New Zealand and a 36-page lift-out on Mauritius. There is also a 20-page booklet on Scandinavia attached to the front cover. In short, an amazing 328 pages of the best in travel, still for just $9.95.

The main magazine is packed with fascinating features and all the global news on hotels, airlines, shopping, dining, golf, cruising and more. With the usual Vacations & Travel mix of adventure and relaxation in exotic places, we head off to destinations such as the Cook Islands, the Philippines, Alaska, Peru and Thailand. We follow nature trails along the coast of the Eastern Cape region of South Africa and cruise down the Yangtze River through the heart of China.

Our special focus is on the delights of Europe, from the newly buzzing restaurant scene in Paris to the byways and great country food of Abruzzo in Italy. We check out what’s happening in Copenhagen and Bucharest, follow the watch trail through Switzerland, and meander down the coast of Croatia, one of Europe’s hottest holiday destinations.

In our bonus New Zealand supplement, we explore what’s hip and happening in Auckland and Wellington, take in the wine route and tantalise the tastebuds with a round-up of the Queenstown dining scene. We also head into the wonderful Southern Alps for the best of scenery, adventure and luxury lodges.

Our lift-out on Mauritius highlights why more and more Australians are visiting this Indian Ocean destination, with its outstanding array of resorts, golf courses, spas and beaches.

In this issue, a lucky subscriber to Vacations & Travel will win a wonderful five-night vacation in Macau courtesy of Viva Macau and Mandarin Oriental Macau.

Vacations & Travel is out now at newsagents. For subscriptions, call Global Publishing on (02) 9555 8100 during business hours, e-mail info@globalpublishing.com.au or visit www.vacationsandtravelmag.com

Novotel selected for Brisbane Airport's first international hotel

October opening part of Brisbane Airport's development master plan

12 January 2009: Australia's leading 4-star hotel brand, Novotel, has been selected for Brisbane Airport's first major international hotel. Novotel Brisbane Airport is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion by October 2009.

It will be the second Novotel in Brisbane – the first opened in 1995 in Creek Street in the heart of the central business district – and it will join an extensive network of Novotel hotels at key airports around the world. In recent years Novotel has been selected for hotels at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Guangzhou's Baiyun Airport, Hyderabad's new international airport and Hong Kong's airport. There are over 40 Novotels at major airports around the globe.

The 156 room Novotel is being developed by Kenlynn Properties Australia and is being built on an 8000sqm block of land at 1 Airport Drive. The Novotel will be part of a relatively new retail, commercial and recreational precinct that will also comprise a DFO super-store, childcare centre, Woolworths supermarket and a golf course.

In addition to its convenient address, the new Novotel hotel will also feature a roof top terrace, gymnasium, lap pool and sauna, a lobby bar, a la carte restaurant, underground parking and six meeting rooms to service the needs of corporate clients in transit.

Architect Noel Robinson says the design of the hotel includes a six-storey atrium and a dramatic, glass-ended, cantilevered rooftop pool and recreation space.

Novotel is part of Australia's largest hotel group, Accor, which is also the largest operator of hotels in airport precincts in Australia. The company has four hotels servicing the Sydney airport precinct, including a Novotel, as well as hotels at Melbourne and Perth airports. Accor also operates a Formule 1 hotel close to Brisbane Airport.

Welcoming Novotel's appointment, Accor Vice President Australia, Simon McGrath said that Novotel's popularity in airport precincts was because of its enormous versatility for the various markets that require airport accommodation.

"Novotel can offer everything from 5-star style suites to mid-market accommodation, along with business and meeting facilities, quality restaurants and top-class recreation facilities," Mr McGrath said.

"Brisbane Airport is much more than just an airport, it is one of Brisbane's fastest growing commercial areas and the gateway to the Gold Coast and south-east Queensland. Brisbane Airport currently handles some 18.5 million passengers annually – a growth of 50% since 2003 – and is forecast to grow to 33.3 million by 2029, making new infrastructure such as the Novotel crucial.

"The launch of the Novotel is an important part of the Brisbane Airport Corporation's Master Plan for the precinct, which predicts up to 50,000 workers in the Brisbane Airport area by 2029. With the airport boasting a curfew-free status, it is likely that the Airport will attract even greater numbers of international and domestic carriers in recent years, making Brisbane a hub not only for passenger movements but also freight, and with Novotel's versatility, it can service all these various markets at highly affordable rates."

Novotel Brisbane Airport will be the 23rd Novotel in Australia and the 5th in Queensland.

Novotel - Over 400 hotels and resorts across the world, designed to help the traveller feel naturally at ease.

Information on Novotel hotels is available at the www.novotel.com

Visit www.novotel.com.au

2009 Sydney Harbour Sailing Spectacular

Experience the thrill and excitement of sailing when our city’s famous and most glamorous yachts converge on Sydney Harbour for the largest regatta since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The harbour will transform into a tapestry of colour, when over 250 boats and some 3000 highly competitive sailors come head to head to win this highly prestigious event. Offering the richest prize in yachting, the overall winner will be awarded a brand new Audi luxury vehicle.
To win the keys to this stunning prize, winning crews must show their skill on the asphalt at the “Audi Final Challenge”.

The event launches with a glamorous cocktail party on the shores of Middle Harbour Yacht Club,
on Tuesday 5 March 2009.
Come Regatta weekend, rub shoulders shore-side with the champions of sail as they enjoy breakfast on the marina deck or take part in the hive of activities including alfresco dining, remote control model yachts (great entertainment for land lovers), fashion parades, live music, beach parties, fireworks and more.
The event culminates with the Official Prize Presentation on Monday 9 March 2009.

What: Sydney Harbour sailing spectacular – Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta

When: Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March 2009
Monday 9 March 2009 (PM)

Where: Sydney Harbour for sailors
Middle Harbour Yacht Club for getting involved ‘shore-side’
Foreshore vantage points and boats for spectators

Expect to See: Olympic Gold Medallists; Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page, Yachting finest sailors; Mark Richards (three times winner Rolex Sydney Hobart), Lang Walker, Peter Sorenson (Audi Australia IRC champion), Audi Ambassador Zali Steggall, Our finest racing yachts; Wild Oats, Wild Joe, Shockwave, Limit, UBS Warburg, Transfusion, Estate Master, ASM Shockwave, Internationally acclaimed classes; Farr 40, Sydney 38, Etchells, J24, TP52, Flying Tigers, Yngling, Adams 10

Experience: Thrill and excitement of tight racing around the harbour
Alfresco dining
Glamorous fashion parades
Remote control model yachts
Dinghy sailing for kids
Beach party Saturday and Sunday from 4 pm
Live entertainment
Racing re-caps on the big screen suspended from the Marina
Fireworks display on Saturday evening

For More details: www.audisydneyharbourregatta.com

BAY OF NAPLES - CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

EARLY BIRD DEAL

Finely crafted musical instruments, intricately engraved cameos, slapstick comedies, jazz music – Neapolitan artists and artisans are heirs to traditions of artistry dating back 2000 years.

ART INCONTRO NAPOLI is offering 12 travellers a unique opportunity to learn from artists and craft practitioners during an 18 day program of creative workshops, studio visits and excursions starting on 2 May 2009.

ART INCONTRO NAPOLI is based on Procida, the smallest and oldest island in the Bay of Naples and the setting for the Oscar winning film, Il Postino (The Postman). Travellers will live in seaside cottages in the fishing village of Corricella, found in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of an ancient abbey.

The program begins with a bookmaking workshop enabling participants to create their own handmade visual journal. Drawing, relief printing and painting workshops are also included in a flexible program, open to all skill levels from beginner to accomplished artist.

Away from the island-studio, ART INCONTRO NAPOLI explores the region's extraordinary archaeological heritage, its legacy of master painters and architects and its vibrant contemporary art scene. There are excursions to Amalfi, Ravello, Pompeii, Ischia, the Campi Flegrei and six days in Naples itself.

ART INCONTRO NAPOLI has been scheduled to coincide with the city's premier arts festival, featuring exhibitions, concerts and performances staged in historic churches and palazzi normally closed to the public.

ART INCONTRO NAPOLI costs $4,720 (p/p twin-share) including 18 nights accommodation, 12 art workshops, excursions, land travel, some meals and art materials. There is a $200 discount for bookings before 15 February 2009.

Information and bookings: Alumni Travel
Tel: 02 9290 3856 or 1300 799 887
Email: lucia@artincontro.com.au
http://www.artincontro.com.au/

MJETS EXPANDS JET FLEET WITH CITATION X

© Cessna Aircraft Company

MJets surges ahead with its continued growth as it prepares for the imminent delivery of its high-tech, high-performance Citation X next month. With MJets’ rebranding from its previous name of Minor Aviation in September complete, the next phase of development will begin with MJets crews leading an acceptance & delivery process in January at the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas, USA. MJets’ team of trained & experienced pilots & technicians will ensure that the aircraft meets all quality & performance standards required to provide its future passengers with the safety, comfort & performance of today’s global travelers. Upon acceptance, it will conduct a nearly 14,000 km-long delivery flight from the factory to Thailand including some sectors planned with passengers.

Coming off a recent surge in charter activity using its Citation CJ3 & Malibu Jetprop, MJets provided exceptional service on many urgent flights to a large numbers of tourist, business & diplomatic passengers needing to depart during the airport closure crisis for one week ending 4 December. These aircraft have now returned to their traditional service providing individuals and groups with a unique opportunity to travel in exceptional comfort and convenience to popular destinations in Thailand & throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, China, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Ms. Nishita Shah, a director in MJets noted: “At Mach 0.92, the Citation X is the world’s fastest non-military jet and one reason it was selected is its unique ability to fly 8 passengers between Bangkok & Dubai in less than 6 hours time making executives on this and other shorter business trips much more productive & time-efficient than had they used airline travel.”

MJets’ Cessna Citation CJ3 is Cessna’s newest light jet model, seats up to seven passengers comfortably and has a maximum nonstop flying range of 3,475 km and flies of 773 km/hr at 45,000 feet. The award-winning Citation X carries 8-10 passengers over 5,900 km at speeds of over 900 km/hr at 51,000 feet.

MJets sets its standard high with ensuring safety remains the highest priority and has invested in the best crews available coming from 3 continents. MJets’ pilots and mechanics are trained annually by Flight Safety in the USA and certified by the Thai Department of Civil Aviation. Under its current name and its previous identity as Minor Aviation, MJets has been operating aircraft in Thailand for over 10 years. The core staff members average nearly 20 years experience in aviation.

Link to special private jet packages: http://phuket.anantara.com/special-packages.aspx

The Langham, Melbourne extends its Enchanted Summer Haven offer

elbourne’s five-star Langham hotel continues to prove that summer in the city can be truly enchanting, with the extension of its Enchanted Summer Haven Package. With more Australians choosing to holiday at home, The Langham, Melbourne has extended this outstanding offer until 28th February 2009. Guests can indulge in a blissful 2-night experience at Melbourne’s most elegant riverside destination, complete with the award-winning Chuan Spa, pool and deck, overlooking Southbank’s many attractions.

Situated in the heart of Melbourne’s arts and culture precinct on the Yarra River, a stay at The Langham, Melbourne this summer offers guests an ideal and luxurious starting point to explore everything the city has to offer – spectacular theatre performances and gallery exhibitions, open air dining on Southbank boulevard, summer boutique shopping in the city’s famous laneways and easy access to Melbourne’s major sporting grounds - perfect to catch The Australian Open, discover the Andreas Gursky contemporary art exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria or the acclaimed production of Billy Elliot at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The Langham, Melbourne’s Enchanted Summer Haven awaits …
• 2 nights luxury accommodation at The Langham, Melbourne
• Breakfast for two in Langham’s interactive riverside restaurant, Melba
• Complimentary access to the Health Club and Chuan Spa including use of the gymnasium, conservatory-covered pool, Jacuzzi and sauna
• Valid from 18th December 2008 until 28th February 2009, subject to availability
** Guests who book “Summer Haven” online at http://melbourne.langhamhotels.com.au/ will receive complimentary valet parking included with their stay.
Prices from $475.00 for a Classic Room, $555.00 for a River View Room and $799 in a Club Spa Suite

Sink into the stylish surrounds and luxurious service at The Langham and spend two balmy nights taking in Melbourne’s stunning skyline from the pool deck, relaxing with refreshing cocktails at Aria Bar & Lounge and enjoying the interactive dining experiences on offer at the hotel’s famous Melba restaurant.

As home to Melbourne’s only Leading Spa of the World, Chuan Spa, The Langham provides guests with an escape to the ultimate urban summer haven. With 40 spa treatments founded on Traditional Chinese Medicine and designed to refresh, relax and rejuvenate, the skilled therapists at Chuan Spa can also help to ease any damage caused by the harsh summer sun.

With five-star service, an exceptional address, innovative hospitality and the luxurious Chuan Spa, pool and deck, an enchanted summer haven awaits at The Langham, Melbourne.

*To reserve all Langham experiences and accommodation call 1800 858 662 or email mel.resv@langhamhotels.com

7-day Sale with Rock Bottom Prices!

You’ve always promised yourself you’d go – now’s your chance! Start off the New Year with adventure, exploration and self-discovery in Australia’s Red Centre with this massive 7-day sale from Voyages Ayers Rock Resort at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre.

From Monday January 12th you can save up to 50% off your accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort for just seven days only - plus children stay and eat free!

Treat yourselves to one of 65 amazing tours at Ayers Rock Resort. Choose from the award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars, to tours of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with Aboriginal-owned Anangu Tours; be awed by the Red Centre landscape in a helicopter flight, and cool off with a relaxing massage at the new Red Ochre Spa.

Choose from five hotels at Ayers Rock Resort:

Sails in the Desert Hotel (five star) from AUD$120 per person twin share;
Desert Gardens Hotel (four star) from AUD$90 per person twin share.
Emu Walk Apartments (four star) from AUD$90 (one bedroom) per person twin share;
The Lost Camel Hotel (3½ star) from AUD$75 per person twin share; and
Outback Pioneer Hotel (3½ star) from AUD$75 per person twin share;

But hurry, this offer is for sale for 7 days only, until Sunday 18th January 2009. This offer is valid for travel to 31st March 2009*.

*Terms and conditions apply, offers are subject to availability. Rates are per person per night, twin share and for room only, based on lead in room rate at the Lost Camel Hotel or Outback Pioneer Hotel.

Queenstown Resort Voted One of the World’s Best Hotels

Queenstown, New Zealand: Queenstown’s five-star Millbrook Resort has been named among the world’s best 500 hotels for 2009 by prestigious international magazine Travel & Leisure.

Millbrook is one of only five New Zealand properties to be included in the magazine’s sixth annual ‘500 best hotels’ list. Other New Zealand hotels named are Rotorua’s Treetops Lodge, Taupo’s Huka Lodge, Auckland’s new Hyatt Regency and The George in Christchurch.

Travel & Leisure\'s global team of reporters and editors culled the 500 highest-rated hotels from its World\'s Best survey and identified what makes each of them special.

Millbrook Sales & Marketing Manager Sarah Stacey believes that Millbrook’s charm and uniqueness comes from the experience of staying on a five star 500-acre rural property that is conveniently close to the excitement of Queenstown and world-renowned ski fields.

“People come here to ‘experience’ Millbrook – the welcoming, relaxed and unique feel, stunning scenery, world-class golf course and spa facilities, superior range of onsite activities, friendly service, and the sense of history which reflects the unique character of the region. Guests can choose to be as active or relaxed as they like because every need is catered for.

“Another plus for both our guests and country club members is the diverse range of visitors to the resort and the chance to meet ‘real locals’ here. Locals are welcome to come and use the facilities at Millbrook either to play a round of golf, use the health and fitness centre or have lunch or dinner at one of our award-winning restaurants.”

Only a month ago, Millbrook was voted third best overseas golf resort by Australian magazine Luxury Travel and Style, behind the likes of Scotland’s legendary St Andrews Links and New Zealand’s Kauri Cliffs. Tens of thousands of magazine subscribers and clients of Virtuoso, the world’s most exclusive travel agents, completed the survey.

Captain Cook Australia Day Cruises

Front Row Seats to Australia Day Action…

Sydney Harbour is the only place to see all the big events happening this Australia Day including Awesome Forces flyovers, Ferrython, tall ship race, dressed boat display and much more! Captain Cook Cruises offer a range of Australia Day lunch cruises and island transfers to Shark Island and Fort Denison so you can have front row harbour seats to all the action.  

Enjoy a delicious lunch while watching all the festivities on Aussie Legend, Aussie Magic and cruising restaurant MV Matilda III.

Sailing catamarans Aussie Legend and Aussie Magic offer passengers a three and a half hour lunch cruise, departing Pier 26, Aquarium Wharf Darling Harbour at 11am. The cruises include a seafood buffet lunch plus an open bar of Australian beer, bottled still & sparkling wine and soft drinks. Prices are $149 per person for adults and $79 per person for children (5-14 years).

Cruising restaurant MV Matilda III is a three hour cruise and includes a buffet lunch. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard. The cruise departs from the Commissioners Steps Circular Quay at 11.15am and adults are $99 per person and children $79 per person (5-14 years).

Providing one of the best vantage points to see the Ferrython beginning at 11am and all the days celebrations why not head to Fort Denison Island for an Australia Day Gourmet Barbeque Lunch.

Transfers to Fort Denison depart Pier 26, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour at 9.30am and 10.15am and depart No.6 Jetty Circular Quay at 9.45am and 10.30am. Additional departures are available for late arrivals. Transfer vessels return to Circular Quay and Darling Harbour at 45 minute intervals throughout the day. Prices are $150 per person and include return transfer from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour and a gourmet barbeque lunch on Fort Denison. 

For those who prefer to bring their own lunch but still want to be in the middle of everything, why not pack a picnic and head to Shark Island. Captain Cook Cruises is running a transfer vessel to Shark Island that departs at 10.15am from No.6 Jetty Circular Quay and departs Shark Island at 3.00pm returning to Circular Quay at 3.30pm. The transfer vessel is only $39 for adults and $20 for children (5 – 14 years).
 
Captain Cook Cruises has also released a two night Sydney Harbour Australia Day Cruise departing Sunday January 25. The two night cruise, onboard small ship MV Captain Cook's Explorer, offers passengers a rare opportunity to be in the middle of the harbour for Australia Day and actually be part of all the festivities and action. The cruise is only $645 per person twin share and includes all accommodation, meals and most activities.

Captain Cook Cruises is also operating its normal lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises on Australia Day.

For reservations and enquiries please contact Captain Cook Cruises on 02 9206 111, email: dine@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au