By John Rozentals.
Springfield Farm … an ideal place in which to switch off.
Switch off and reconnect during The Goodnight Co’s intimate three-night Sleep Retreat in March at Springfield Farm, Bowral, in the tranquil NSW Southern Highlands.
Book by February 15 and snap up an earlybird deal for $1395 per person twin-share, a saving of 10 per cent, plus get a welcome pack valued at more than $500.
Set in a unique and stunningly beautiful location, the program includes workshops, relaxing yoga and meditation, nourishing meals and deep sleep — perfect for those needing to switch off from daily routines and technology.
The rate includes three nights accommodation at Springfield Farm, three dinners, two breakfasts, two lunches and a brunch, mindfulness workshops, yoga, meditation and breathing classes, tea and snacks.
Visit www.thegoodnightco.com.au
Unique Charters … scenic helicopter tours directly from Peppers Silo Hotel in Launceston. Image: Chris Crerar.
Get out and experience remote areas of Tassie’s north in style with Unique Charters, which is now offering scenic helicopter tours directly from Peppers Silo Hotel in Launceston.
Guests can choose from a range of flights from the hotel.
Take the 15-minute Tamar Gorge flight, for instance, or try something longer such as the Tamar Valley Wine Route, Ben Lomond Mountain Explorer or the Cradle Mountain and Great Lakes Experience.
There are also flights departing from Bridport (Barnbougle).
Prices start from $360 for two people and can include a range of extras such as picnics, sparkling wine and pre- and post-lunches and dinners.
Visit www.uniquecharters.com.au.
Holiday Inn Sydney Airport … affordable digs, convenient to the city.
For travellers looking for affordable weekend breaks in Sydney, Holiday Inn Sydney Airport can offer rooms for up to 50 per cent less than many city hotels while providing direct access to the city centre and its attractions.
The hotel is conveniently situated next to Sydney Airport with easy access to Sydney’s CBD.
It is just a 450-metre walk to Mascot Station, which is on the City Circle line, just two stops from Sydney Central, and provides direct access to the city’s key attractions —icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge — as well as shopping and entertainment.
Guests can sink their toes into the sand at Bondi Beach in less than 30 minutes, while the Sydney Cricket Ground and Entertainment Quarter are a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
There are also excellent local dining options, including the Grounds of Alexandra and the trendy Danks Street restaurant and bar precinct.
Weekend rates start from $149 per room per night.
Visit www.holidayinn.com/sydneyairport.
Eat your fill with Cruise & Maritime Voyages … and save plenty.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages is offering discounts up to 75 per cent on a range of last-minute bookings for voyages departing this February through to April.
Nine last-minute escapes are on sale, starting from $63 per person per night, including two seven-night tours of Tasmania from $649 per person twin-share.
The offer gives travellers the chance to experience Western Australia’s epic coastlines, the world-class local produce of South Australia, the wild splendour of Tasmania and iconic landmarks of New Zealand and the east coast of Australia.
A little further afield, guests can experience the best of Asia on both short and long voyages, some departing from Sydney and Auckland.
Guests can sample the renowned food and wine of South Australia during a three-night Adelaide roundtrip, visiting Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln for just $689 per person twin-share for an oceanview suite.
Or travellers can witness the breathtaking landscapes and rugged beauty of the Great Australian Bight during a six-night voyage from Adelaide to Fremantle, priced from $1049 per person twin-share.
Phone 1300 307 934 or visit CMVAustralia.com.
Shadow Play by Peppers … opening in April.
Melbourne’s newest luxury hotel, Shadow Play by Peppers, which will officially open in April, is offering opening specials in April and May of $219 per night in a one-bedroom apartment, including breakfast for two and free wi-fi.
The hotel features an array of guest spaces, including a heated pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam room, and an enclosed garden space on the 46th floor, complete with a freestanding fireplace, two private dining rooms, a lavish guest lounge and library with an adjoining patio, and bayside views.
Shadow Play by Peppers is nestled in the city’s Southbank arts-and-entertainment district.
Phone 1300 737 444 or visit www.peppers.com.au.
Strolling through a vineyard near Germany’s Wurzburg.
Book an APT Europe holiday by April 30 this year and take advantage of the company’s ‘Superdeals’, including the chance to fly free to Europe on selected departures.
Embark, for instance, on APT’s flagship 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, starting at $6995 per person twin-share, including a visit to Namedy Castle, a cocktail reception and concert at Vienna’s City Palace and a trip on the Grand Empress steam train.
Book before April 30 to take advantage of the fly-free offer and the fly-business-class for $1995 per person.
Phone 1300 336 932 or visit www.aptouring.com.au.
Dubrovnik … a genuine medieval jewel.
Guests can save up to $1000 per couple and receive $200 worth of shipboard credit per couple if they book Viking’s 13-day ‘Mediterranean Odyssey’ cruise before March 31.
This itinerary is currently priced from $7195 per person twin-share in a veranda stateroom.
Ports of call include canal-laced Venice, historic Rome and the fabled towns of Tuscany.
Visit the medieval jewel that is Dubrovnik, discover the seaside pleasures of Toulon and Monte Carlo amid the glamour of the French Riviera, and enjoy an overnight stay in Barcelona.
Phone 138 747 or visit vikingcruises.com.au.
Celebrity Edge … a recently launched home in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
In November this year, surround yourself with the picturesque coastlines of Italy, France and Spain, followed by the colour and landscapes that make up the southern Caribbean on Ecruising’s 27-night ‘Mediterranean Transatlantic & the Southern Caribbean Journey’.
Guests will cruise on board the recently launched Celebrity Edge, indulging in a state-of-the-art wellness centre and visiting a cantilevered floating platform.
As well there will be two nights at the five-star Rome Times Hotel, with a chance to explore the cobblestone streets, beautiful boutiques, cafes and restaurants of the Eternal City.
Cruise highlights include stopovers at the Italian seaport of Livorno, the gateway to Florence, Pisa and Tuscany’s vast wine country, Provence in the celebrated French Riviera, the chic island enclave of Palma de Mallorca off the coast of Spain, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
After crossing the Atlantic, there’ll be 10 days of cruising in the Caribbean, with ports of call including Fort Lauderdale in Florida, upscale George Town in the Cayman Islands, Willemstad in Curacao, Kralendijk in Bonaire and Oranjestad in Aruba.
The final two nights will be at the five-star Westin Fort Lauderdale.
Prices are from $7259 per person twin-share ex Australia.
Phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel.
Touring Sri Lanka … wildlife plus.
Save $290 on the March 13 departure of Exodus Travels’ ‘Discover Sri Lanka’ adventure.
Pay from $2865 per person twin-share for 15 days exploring, loving and laughing through Sri Lanka’s most famous — and also lesser known — landmarks.
Visit ancient Buddhist temples, the fortress of Sigiriya, the towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the hill country will have you fully immersed in the Sri Lankan experience.
Visit the palm-fringed beaches of the south coast and enjoy the laid back culture, and hospitable people.
Phone 1300 131 564 or visit www.exodustravels.com/au.
Striking design … West Kowloon’s Xiqu Centre.
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has opened the first landmark performing arts venue, the Xiqu Centre, in the West Kowloon Cultural District.
Located at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road West, in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Xiqu Centre will be a platform for the conservation, promotion and development of Cantonese opera and other genres of Chinese traditional theatre.
In addition to presenting quality programs, the centre’s mission is to promote the development of new repertory, research, education, training and exchanges, as well as holding professional development programs to help nurture young talent.
The building’s striking design was inspired by Chinese lanterns and blends traditional and contemporary elements to reflect the evolving nature of the art form.
Visit www.westkowloon.hk.
