My Uluru Bucket List Experience. Something that should be on the top of one’s list. A place of Spiritual Significance!

Flying Jetstar, there was no other alternative than to stay at The Desert Gardens Hotel, in a Deluxe Rock View Room. The only hotel to have view of Ayers Rock. Even though I was still quite a distance from THE ROCK, that first sighting is something quite special.

As darkness fell, we were transferred to the Field of Lights. As Uluru was thrown into a silhouette, The Field of Light illuminates, as far as you can see. With rhythms of 50,000 solar powered stems of coloured lights, lit up the desert.  It was something quite incredible as you walk through the pathways that draw you amidst the spectacular colour.

Sunrise & Segway Tour Sunrise Tour, Uluru put on a great show for us. We were picked up at 5.30am, to an area where we enjoy a light breakfast with tea and coffee and watched the magical sunrise at Uluru.

To explore one of Australia’s most natural formation, on this Segway and Sunrise Tour was so much fun and an experience like no other. In no time we had mastered using the Segway’s and we were on our way. Our guide Meagan, was awesome, she was so knowledgeable and took us to hidden Aboriginal rock art sites and water holes. The stunning view of Uluru as we cruised around the 10km base of Ayres Rock was something quite incredible. This tour was approx. 5 Hours.

We were lucky Uluru was open to climb, but after hearing Megan speak about the spiritual connection Ayres Rock has with the Anangu people and for the culture to be kept strong for future generations ,we decided not to climb the rock.

The Sounds of Silence Dinner offered the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours. With Ayers Rock to one side and the Olga’s to the other, an evening of dining under the sparkling outback sky. Our night began with canapes and champagne served on a viewing platform. As the sunsets and to the sound of a didgeridoo, we were led to a table to join other travellers. Our glasses were kept full, with wine and beers as we helped ourselves to a bush tucker buffet, such as crocodile, kangaroo, barramundi and quandong.  After dinner we enjoyed a glass of port, as we listen to a star talker decode the night sky. We located the Southern Cross, The Sign of the Zodiac, The Milky Way, as well as planets and galaxies that were visible due to the clear night sky. An unforgettable dining experience amazing views, amazing food & awesome company.

Food was outstanding… The Buffet Dinner at Ilkari Restaurant, at the Sails in The Desert, was absolutely amazing. It had the best Oysters I have ever tasted. We found ourselves a few times at the Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge. This had a pub feel with nightly entertainment, it was the happening place of an evening. The Resort Town Centre had a Information Centre, Post Office, Newsagent, IGA Supermarket, as well has several cafes and art and craft museums. The convenience of the Free Resort Shuttle Bus, was so easy and circulates all the resorts every 20 minutes.

Words cannot describe this amazing place. You must all go see Uluru for yourselves.

“Best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller. …

I couldn’t think of the most perfect location to celebrate my 25th Wedding Anniversary than at Club Med Finolhu Villas, Maldives, it was just flawless!

All I can say is WOW !!

We flew with Singapore Airlines on a A380 aircraft in Business Class. This great service had us arriving in Male relaxed and refreshed.

We were greeted and transferred via a 35 minute luxury speedboat ride to the stunning private island of Gasfinolhu. Cruising past idyllic islands and pristine blue waters, we were pinching ourselves, we just couldn’t believe where we were.

We stayed in an Sunset Beach Villa with private pool and our own white sandy beach. It was exceptional in every way. It was luxurious and private, with stunning views from sunrise to sunset, so peaceful. The beach was a irresistible and a perfect 25 to 27 degrees, tranquil as far as your eyes can see. Our discrete personal butler ‘Ibbe’, made sure everything was perfect. It was our own piece of paradise.

Every evening we were served Aperitifs with champagne between 5 and 6pm. Watching the sunset, accompanied by the beautiful voices of duo musicians was such an incredible setting.

The Poolside Bar staff were just the best. Very friendly, they had our drinks poured as soon as they saw us. We must of tried every cocktail on the menu. It was fabulous.

The Motu Restaurant, overlooking sparkling, crystal waters, was casual dining by day, fine dining by night, overlooking sparkling, crystal waters.  Oh my food just was divine, the highest Michelin Star quality, served with paired wines, beer or any other beverage you fancied. Candlelit Dinners were held under the stars, either by the poolside or beachside, as we are serenades. 

The colourful marine life we saw snorkelling was amazing. The Sunset Evening Cruise, was beautiful. To see the paradise of lagoons, atolls and island resorts, from high in the sky, whilst parasailing, was breathtaking. We did a half day trip to, the sister resort in the Maldives, Club Med Kani. Easily accessible by a 10 minute speedboat ride, which operates every hour. Guests staying at Club Med Finolhu can freely go to Club Med Kani, at no additional cost, with all the same inclusions.

Club Med Finolhu Villas, Maldives is all inclusive resort. Inclusive of: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner, Aperitifs Daily,  All drinks (including wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks and champagne), all non-motorised activities, snorkelling trips and much much more.

To experience the beauty of the Maldives with our stay at the incredible Club Med Finolhu Villas, was beyond anything we ever expected. Barefoot luxury at its best. Worth every single cent. Heaven on Earth!

“Best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller. …

In January 2017 my sister celebrated her 21^st birthday. As is tradition in my family, this occasion was to be celebrated in a big way. My sister’s travel dream was to take a Segway tour, so with that in mind the family set to work tailor-making the perfect surprise itinerary. Most of the 8 family members and all of the 4 friends who would attend were central to Adelaide in South Australia, so it made sense to choose a holiday destination within driving distance of Adelaide. The Barossa Valley is an internationally-acclaimed wine region just 1 hour north of Adelaide by car. 

The destination

Home to some of the world’s oldest vineyards and Australia’s finest restaurants, the Barossa Valley certainly offers a culinary experience owing to its rich European heritage making it perfect for a birthday event. However, the reason we ultimately chose the Barossa Valley was for its seamless blend of culture and adventure. Segway Sensation SA provide Segway tours of Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley. Under the instruction of a tour guide, riders navigate their Segway through the 19^th century architecture, tranquil gardens and stunning vineyard vistas of the estate. Read on for our full 3-day itinerary built around this tour. 

Day one

Morning

In the morning we arrived at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, where we dropped our luggage off to the concierge before hopping into a stretch Hummer chauffeured by SA Limos. Impressively, the interior of the Hummer resembled the luxury of a private jet, with bar areas, TV screens, mood lighting and a top of the range sound system. Our first stop was the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre for wine tasting, where we queued to get a photo with the iconic Jacob’s Creek signpost. Then we headed to The Winemakers Office for lunch, followed by crowd favourite Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop for gourmet ice-cream.

Afternoon

At Maggie Beer’s, colourful peacocks greeted us and we saw turtles gracefully swimming in the lake from the deck above. The Bethany Wines cellar door was next, where we tasted more wine and got another great photo opportunity at the Barossa Sculpture Park. Last on the Hummer tour was the Whispering Wall, where words whispered at one end can famously be heard over 100m away. Returning to our start point, we were pleasantly surprised to find that hotel staff had thoughtfully setup my sister’s room with helium balloons as a surprise. The service at dinner was no less impressive. 

Evening

At award-winning restaurant FermentAsian we were treated to the Chef’s Table menu, a multi-course degustation of well-presented, contemporary incarnations on traditional Asian dishes based around the Barossa’s exquisite fresh produce, some from the chef’s own garden.  The chef accommodated the three members of our party who suffered from food intolerances, creating alternate dishes for them.  We could have chosen seven savoury dishes, however opted for six savoury dishes and a dessert, which turned out to be a great decision as the lime crème brulee was the highlight of the evening. Staff continued to exceed expectations when they lit candles on our cake before singing happy birthday. 

Day two

Morning

Refreshed from a comfortable night’s sleep, day two began with an all-inclusive buffet breakfast at our hotel’s restaurant, The Cellar Kitchen. Floor to ceiling glass overlooking the vines and French hospitality made this breakfast worth remembering. Following breakfast, we journeyed to Seppeltsfield. Driving towards the winery along Seppeltsfield Road was almost as striking as the estate itself, being lined by 5km of date palms planted during the Great Depression. Then, like a step back in time, the entrance to Seppeltsfield housed the Jam Factory where hand-crafted steel goods were being forged in an open workshop by a passionate blacksmith. 

Afternoon

Segway Sensation SA staff met us on arrival to give us Segway training, before fitting us with headsets and taking us on a guided tour. The views were simply breathtaking and to say that Segway Sensation SA deserve the 5-star rating on TripAdvisor would be an understatement. As well as being local experts, the guides also took the time to make photo stops so that we could cherish the memories for years to come. After the tour we headed to Hermanns 1847 at the beautiful Chateau Yaldara for a late lunch where we had wood-fired pizza, then took to the Novotel’s outdoor heated pool – a welcome reprieve from the summer heat. 

Evening

For an authentic regional experience, we later decided to have a pub-style dinner at The Clubhouse, which is an iconic venue proudly steeped in local township history. The ambience was noteworthy, with a scenic photographic panorama along the back wall and packed dining room. Afterwards, we retired to the hotel where everyone met in a single room to bond over party games and chocolate from the piñata. In many hotels you would struggle to fit so many people in a room, but the rooms at Novotel Barossa Valley Resort are so spacious and well air-conditioned that it was a ‘breeze’. 

Day three

Morning

Day three started the same way as day two, with a complimentary full buffet breakfast. Hotel check-out was a leisurely 11am, meaning that our breakfast wasn’t rushed and we could value our final moments together as a group. After check-out it was onto the world-renowned Wolf Blass Cellar Door for wine tasting and photos with the trademark eagle statue. Of all the wines tasted on this trip, the Wolf Blass Yellow Label Moscato was by far the standout for its fruity tones and crisp finish. From here we ventured to Saltram Cellar Door. 

Afternoon

Located less than 10 minutes’ drive from Wolf Blass, we did our last wine tasting for the trip at Saltram. The cellar door had classic stone walls, with a modern rustic appeal that was reminiscent of a wedding venue. Meanwhile, staff were beyond welcoming and suggested an underground cellar tour to us. Though we didn’t have time to take the tour, we did stop for lunch at their Salter’s Restaurant. After this, we made our way to Lyndoch Lavender Farm (the largest of its kind in South Australia), where we wandered through the endless lavender fields and shopped for gifts. 

For more information

The Barossa Valley is an ideal destination for couples, families and groups alike. For celebrations where there are no second chances such as anniversaries, weddings or birthday events it really is unmissable. In our experience the quality of the service in the region is faultless and better still, there’s something to suit every budget. For more information on the region check out this online Guide to the Barossa Valley or get in touch with me anytime. We can tailor-make an itinerary around your unique travel dreams. Ask us about the Taste Your Birth Year tour at Seppeltsfield for your next birthday celebration! 

I’m a millennial and I’ll admit that growing up in the age of technology, my days of consulting a travel agent are but a distant memory. Many of my travels have actually been booked online, either directly with the travel provider or through an Online Travel Agency [OTA]. As a budget conscious traveller, the reason for this is simple: upfront cost. Booking online generally avoids the need to pay service fees. If you were wondering, OTAs are web-based marketplaces that allow users to independently search and book travel services – think Expedia or Viator. OTAs form relationships with a multitude of suppliers, then aggregate the offers so that consumers can compare prices online. While sometimes OTAs do undercut the supplier on price, their offers are generally comparable with booking direct. Once a sale is made, the OTA collects commission from the supplier and suppliers often prefer this to selling direct, because it cuts down on personnel costs. So, with the ability and incentive to book all your travel online, why should you use a travel agent? 

Expert advice

I’ve worked in the travel industry for my whole career. When I book personal travel online I have a fair idea of what to expect, but not everyone has this same level of expertise and that’s when you should consider a travel agent. While an OTA will present you with countless options to sift through, a travel agent will consider your personal circumstances and narrow your options to a few relevant, reputable recommendations. Travel agents can quickly compare various products and destinations because they’ve experienced them first-hand or know someone who has and unlike booking direct, travel agent recommendations are generally unbiased. What’s more, travel agents spend their free time researching so they have the experience to quickly benchmark each offer or make suggestions that you may never have previously considered. Just like visiting a doctor or an accountant, travel agents provide professional advice guaranteed by professional indemnity insurance, but unlike other services that advice is generally offered obligation-free. So, when you’re faced with fine print and travel jargon, it makes financial sense to seek guidance. 

Added value

Travel agents do generally charge a service fee when a booking is made. That fee directly covers the travel consultation time, but indirectly it covers the time invested in building relationships with suppliers to source you the best deals. Those relationships mean travel agents can access hidden offers, such as agency-exclusive inventory or group rates and price-matching. Like OTAs, travel agents make commission from sales and you benefit from economies of scale or purchasing power. However unlike OTAs, travel agents can uniquely tailor-make your dream holiday package at wholesale component prices for a smaller mark-up on each item, meaning you pay less in total than buying each component online at retail prices. Importantly, when you book through an agent you are protected by local consumer laws, which in Australia means no hidden costs. A travel agent is much more than a salesperson though. Their goal is to add you to their database and get to know you as a person, so you become a repeat customer. That’s why, unlike booking online, you can expect a travel agent to occasionally personalise your journey with special touches like complimentary bag tags, champagne or upgrades. 

Customer advocacy

When you use a travel agent or an OTA, your agreement is with the agency, rather than the travel provider. This means that you’ll always liaise with the middle man. That’s important to you because travel providers and OTAs often base their call centres offshore, meaning that when you book with an agent you are working with a trusted local. Moreover, travel agents are exclusively trained to personally manage your booking from the point of sale right through to the completion of travel. So, when the unexpected happens, like natural disaster or pandemic, your travel agent can use their local industry connections to advocate on your behalf. Even better, the agent will often know about a problem before you do with their insider knowledge to forecast disruptions, reporting capability to identify affected travellers and systems to make changes direct with the supplier: ultimately saving you lengthy wait times on hold and securing you the best outcome first. Finally, working in the travel industry is more than a job for most – it’s a passion, so in emergencies agents will often assist outside business hours at no additional service charge. 

For more information

When the most tech-savvy travellers and major corporations continue to rely on travel agents, it’s clear that the long-term value of doing so outweighs the short-term cost saving of booking online. If you would like to know more about how professional travel advice could benefit you, feel free to contact me anytime. Did you know that itravel is a network of independent franchises and travel agents, meaning that our expert advice is of the highest quality? Tell us your travel dreams and discover the itravel difference today. 

In August 2019 I journeyed to South Korea for a one-week business trip. Cathay Pacific was my airline of choice for this destination mainly because of its reliability as a carrier in the Asia region, but also to a lesser extent due to its full service offering and Qantas Frequent Flyer points earn through the Oneworld alliance, all at a mid-price point. I booked an Economy class connecting service departing Sydney on a Sunday morning to arrive in Seoul that evening for an early Monday morning start to the week. Unbeknownst to me at the time of booking, civil unrest at my transit port of Hong Kong would unexpectedly disrupt my schedule.

Boarding gate in Sydney

After web-checking on Sunday morning and carrying only cabin baggage, I was able to proceed direct to the boarding gate at Sydney International Airport, conveniently saving me time standing in a check-in queue. However, arriving at the boarding gate I was promptly paged over the intercom to meet Cathay Pacific staff, where I was informed that I would misconnect in Hong Kong with my onward flight to Seoul due to a delayed departure from Sydney. Although I was re-accommodated onto the very next available flight from Hong Kong to Seoul, my transit time in Hong Kong unfortunately increased to around 9 hours. This meant that instead of checking into my hotel that night in Seoul and catching group transport to my corporate event on Monday morning, I would spend the evening in Hong Kong with no accommodation and after reaching Seoul make my own way direct to the event from the airport. What could have been a bad experience was quickly turned around by the service recovery efforts of airline staff, who proactively offered me complimentary departure lounge access for my unplanned stay in Hong Kong.

Flight from Sydney to Hong Kong

Despite the obvious pressures faced by staff due to the delay, the service on my flight across to Hong Kong was still typical of what you would expect from a 5-star airline. Wandering through the aerobridge, an array of complimentary newspapers from around the world greeted me – bringing to my attention the fact I wasn’t home anymore. Though, at my seat I found myself welcomed by a headset for the on-demand in-flight entertainment system, a pillow and a blanket. Unlike other major airlines, Cathay Pacific doesn’t offer amenity kits to their Economy guests, but as a nice touch the lavatories were stocked with fragrant hand lotion, which is generally typical of higher cabin classes. A seatback USB charger gave me assurance I would be able to use my personal electronic devices flight-long and hearing the pilot’s opening address to the passengers, I was comforted by a familiar Australian accent – something Cathay Pacific prides itself on. Meanwhile, the cabin crew service could only be described as polished and professional. Menus boasting a selection of western and regional meal choices were handed out by the multi-lingual crew, who spoke perfect English. Meals served were generous in size and fresh, always including tropical fruit. Mid-way through the flight, I was personally approached by cabin crew with a reminder that my onward flight had changed, which made it clear to me that I was seen by Cathay Pacific as a valued individual, regardless of cabin class booked.

Service desk in Hong Kong

After touching down at Hong Kong International Airport, the Cathay Pacific service desk efficiently printed an invitation for me to present at my choice of lounges: The Wing, The Pier, The Bridge or The Deck. Staff recommended The Wing to me, which I quickly decided on and I was not disappointed.

Departure lounge in Hong Kong

Usually reserved for First and Business class passengers or frequent flyers, The Wing is undoubtedly designed with the corporate traveller’s absolute comfort in mind. Walking in, I was provided with a high-speed Wi-Fi password and meandered my way upstairs to find a picturesque open space overlooking the airport’s floor to ceiling glass, out to the tarmac. Businesspeople working from laptops sat on leather couches, while baristas made coffee and bartenders served alcohol. Accompanying them was light music to set the mood and a buffet style selection of self-serve food, such as freshly baked pastries. Being a coffee connoisseur myself, you’ll be hard pressed to hear me say this often, but the coffee served in The Wing lounge is amongst the best I’ve ever tasted. Buzzing from my coffee high, I ventured to the workstation where I spent the night catching up on emails in a quiet space from one of the available desktop computers. Then, I took to the shower rooms where an attendant greeted me with fluffy towels and premium amenities, so that I could freshen up for my onward journey.

Flight from Hong Kong to Seoul

That flight onwards was also delayed on departure unfortunately, meaning that I would be unable to meet my colleagues for Monday’s agenda. However in typical Cathay Pacific fashion, the service was again recovered when the pilots took it upon themselves to apologise and make up time in the air so that I would arrive at my destination on schedule. At this point it seemed to me that Cathay Pacific had perfected the art of schedule disruption management. While it’s inevitable that circumstances outside an airline’s control may disrupt your schedule, the way it is handled will determine when and how you arrive at your destination. That’s why it’s important, especially for those with limited time, to make an informed decision about the airline you choose to fly with.

For more information

Find out more about Cathay Pacific’s Economy Class cabin and The Wing lounge online or by getting in touch with me. Did you know Cathay Pacific has a tier-based corporate travel program called Business Plus that rewards small businesses for flying, with benefits including cabin upgrades, lounge passes and Marco Polo Club membership?

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

At itravel we recognise that this is a worrying time for our customers.   

Our itravel advisors are here to assist you with any questions regarding your booked travel arrangements or any future bookings you are considering.

First and foremost, our priority is the health and wellbeing of our travellers.   Be assured we will always have your best interests at heart.

Our itravel advisors are well informed and updated daily with the latest travel information.  We will navigate through this together and provide you with the best outcome.

If you have a booking or wish to make a booking, contact your itravel advisor.    They can guide you through the options available should you wish to book, defer or cancel your holiday.

We are working closely with all of our travel partners to ensure any disruption to your holiday plans are kept to a minimum.

For information on the  Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the countries that are impacted, please visit Smartraveller and WHO  (World Health Organisation)