26 September 2023

Canberra, Newfoundland and more…

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By John Rozentals.

Abode Malua Bay: during the recent bushfires many local residents took shelter at the hotel site.

Iconic Hotels says that a new 52-room, four-star hotel will be on line this year on the South Coast of NSW.

The first coastal offering for Iconic Hotels, Abode Malua Bay will be the seventh property within the Abode Hotels portfolio, and ninth hotel overall for the independent hotel and hospitality provider.

The hotel opening comes at a critical time for the South Coast community, as businesses and families affected by the recent catastrophic bushfires rebuild their towns and livelihoods.

During the bushfires, many residents of Malua Bay took shelter at the hotel site, when the fire was at its worst.

For more information, visit www.abodehotels.com.au.

Balloons over Canberra. Image: Matt Witcombe.

A tyrannosaurus rex and Skywhale will hover over Canberra during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular taking place until March 15 as part of this year’s Enlighten Festival.

The special shaped balloons will be among 30 balloons from across the globe taking part in the annual event, now in its 35th year. Each morning from 6:15am, weather conditions permitting, balloons will launch from the lawns in front of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Visitors can enjoy the spectacle of balloons inflating along with live music, hot drinks and a delicious hot breakfast provided by the Belconnen Lions Club and various food trucks.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is one of the events in the world where balloons can fly so close to buildings of national significance including being able to fly over Parliament House.

Skywhale, created by Australian artist Patricia Piccinini and now part of the National Gallery of Australia collection, is scheduled to fly on Canberra Day, Monday March 9.

Visit www.enlightencanberra.com.

Queen Elizabeth: 60 more days in Australia.

Cunard has announced a 60-day extension of Queen Elizabeth’s current Australian cruise season, with one of the world’s most iconic ships in local waters until May 9.

“This extended Australia season will benefit local tourism with 29 visits to ports around the country,” said Katrina McAlpine, Commercial Director Cunard Australia and New Zealand.

The highlights of six new itineraries will include the ship’s first-ever full circumnavigation of Australia as well as calls to destinations such as Eden and Kangaroo Island.

On May 9, Queen Elizabeth will depart Sydney on a 24-night Transpacific crossing to Vancouver via New Caledonia, Honolulu, Maui, LA and San Francisco before the 2000-passenger ship will commence its 2020 Alaska program.

Visit www.cunard.com.

Catch your own crayfish on Flinders Island.

Agri-tourism is a dominant vibe in 2020.

Off the Table Tours, in and around working farms northern Tasmania offers a range of behind-the-scenes experiences linking food lovers with Tasmania’s top farmers and producers.

Choices include truffle hunting, cooking your own Cape Grim beef, a garlic and heirloom tomato tasting, and an eggs-pedition at the island’s largest free-range egg farm.

The Flinders Island Wharf stages its fly-in-fly-out Catch ’n’ Cook Crayfish Lunch experience until April 2020.

Take a scenic flight from Melbourne, Launceston, Freycinet or Hobart, land at Killiecrankie Beach and catch crayfish with your personal local fisherman straight from the sea.

Head to Flinders Island Wharf with said crayfish for a meal to remember, teamed with Flinders Island’s own wines and gins.

Visit theflinderswharf.com.au.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: keeps a close eye on what’s happening.

A map showcasing daily underwater vision of the sites visited by tour vessels in the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region has been launched by Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

Tour operators are regularly documenting what they see for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef monitoring program.

The map shows the main reefs off Cairns and Port Douglas and will gradually expand to shows reefs to our north and south.

Visit www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au.

Cruising the Balkans: a new itinerary.

Some of the Balkan’s prettiest villages, grandest palaces and most spectacular mountain scenery feature in a unique new escorted land-and-cruise itinerary that includes a week on a private, small ship along the beautiful Adriatic coast.

Hosted by Cruise Express, the 20-day ‘Empires and the Adriatic’ itinerary is a new itinerary taking travellers from the imperial grandeur of Vienna to the medieval splendor of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast.

Guests will experience the region’s best cuisine, centuries of history through Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture, quaint coastal villages and unique natural wonders as they travel through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro by land and sea.

Visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au

Japanese people love spring.

The word ‘Japan’ brings a few things to mind — sushi, Samurai, Geisha and … cherry blossoms.

Japanese people love spring, and they show it in the way they celebrate the season.

From hanami (picnics and drinks under the cherry trees) to day trips in search of the perfect blossoms, spring is serious business in Japan.

For travellers planning to visit Japan between late March and early April, here are is a destination to make the most of the season.

Miyagino Sakura (Hakone) is a well-known destination to see Mount Fuji, yet the mountainous town also offers some of the most picturesque locations to view the famous spring cherry blossoms.

In the small town of Miyagino, a short walk through the weeping cherry trees will take you to the Hayakawa River which is lined with 600-metre stretch of large Yoshino cherry trees.

Pack a picnic blanket and some lunch to enjoy your very own hanami under the white and pastel pink blossoms. If you don’t make it in time for lunch – don’t sweat, it. At the beginning of April, the trees are lit up after dark to allow visitors to enjoy the blossoms at night.

Make your way to Miyagino with the Hakone Tozan Bus in front of Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Visit www.odakyu.jp.

The Castle of Books: made possible by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy.

Since 2008, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy has helped support Peru’s ‘Children of the Rainbow’ school in the Sacred Valley where more than 220 of the most impoverished, at-risk children in the area receive meals, medical and dental care’ and an education.

AKP is proud to deepen its engagement with the school, building a brand-new library named ‘The Castle of Books’ made possible by the generous support of A&K guests. The children can now find sanctuary in the reading nooks enjoying a wide variety of titles and improving their comprehension.

A&K guests visiting the Sacred Valley have the privileged opportunity of visiting the AKP-supported Children of the Rainbow School, interacting with the students and family members, touring the kitchen, garden and classrooms and gaining insight from A&K’s local Philanthropy Coordinator along the way.

Fogo Island Inn: on the dramatic and rocky north-east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Australian travellers exploring Canada this summer are eager to make their accommodation as memorable as the trip itself, clambering to stay in some of the country’s most iconic hotels, whose striking architecture, exclusivity and indulgent service have helped them acquire landmark status.

Fogo Island Inn, in Newfoundland and Labrador, for instance, is a striking example of world-class innovation.

It stands on the dramatic-and-rocky north-east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, providing panoramic views through its floor-to-ceiling windows, surrounded by whales, seabirds and icebergs.

The pristine, solitary island awakens the senses and inspires creativity. Enjoy an art workshop, hike the rugged coastal trails and fish for cod the traditional way. Fogo Island Inn embodies the vibrant spirit of the island and passes it on to all who stay there.

Visit www.fogoislandinn.ca.

On the Rhone: the famous bridge at Avignon.

You’ll need to be ready to go, but UTracks has a half-price sale on certain March and April departures of its eight-day ‘Lyon and Provence Bike and Boat’ journey along the Rhône River.

From the culinary capital of Lyon and on to Arles — home of Van Gogh — cycle past fragrant orchards and splendid cathedrals, visit Provençal villages and sample wines from the Côtes du Rhône vineyards.

Based on board the MS Provence river boat, there is ample time to relax on the sundeck and soak up the changing scene.

Pay from $1695 per person twin-share.

Visit www.UTracks.com or phone 1300 303 368.

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