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Experience untouched wilderness in complete luxury, witness sights that few ever have the privilege of seeing, savour a gin and tonic, overlooking a herd of elephants in the sunset & dine by candle light to the sound of lions roaring in the distance….

This is what was promised and this is exactly what we got. I was fortunate to win a prize at the Africa Safari Co Roadshow which gave me a place on this famil. While it was hectic, as we stayed at 6 different camps/lodges over 7 nights, it was great to get a feel for different types of accommodation available. We had game safaris every day, including drive day/night safaris, walking safaris, canoe safaris and even a Zambezi River boat transfer safari. Night safaris are not available in all parts of Africa, and with Zambia being so remote, the abundance of wildlife sightings was absolutely amazing, and for me at least, sometimes quite scary…

We had a daily change of guides on all of our safaris and I was immensely impressed how passionate they were, providing us with a knowledge of the bush, making it both fun, exciting and really interesting. We were overfed, and had fabulous hosts at all lodges, and I am really missing sunset drinks each afternoon during sundowners. While I believe any and every African experience would be wonderful, Zambia truly was a wonderful way to start.

Club Med Valmorel Ski Resort (France), March 2016

I was lucky to go skiing in Valmorel, France and sample what Club Med had to offer. I can truly say that the whole Club Med experience was fantastic. One of the best things about all Club Med ski resorts is that everything is included and I mean everything. Accommodation, lessons, lift passes, all meals and beverages and not to mention they put on a show each night. The food and service is what you would expect of a 5-star resort.

I was a little apprehensive about having lessons and thought I would just do my own thing. Club Med grade you and you get put into lessons of your ability (there are only about 5 or 6 people in each class) our instructor was like having your own private guide for the day showing you around the mountain and giving you lessons at the same time. I actually really enjoyed this and went every morning and afternoon. You have to ski hard everyday just to burn off all the wonderful food and alcohol that you consume each day.

Club Med Valmorel is actually one of their many resorts geared for families, so the kids are all taken care of…. All the kids seem to love the kids club. They also have other resorts that are just for adults only. There is also plenty of other activities if your really not into skiing. The accommodation is at an elevation of 1,460 metres (4,800ft) at the foot of the slopes with a magnificent view over the ski resort, Club Med Valmorel is located in the heart of this beautiful preserved mountain environment. 

Trip starting off great as we put a bid in with Virgin for a business class upgrade, and were lucky enough to enjoy Air New Zealand’s lounge at the airport. Nothing wrong with Sydney airport, but this was really nice. 

It was a personal holiday, got a 50% off deal for a lovely beachfront villa, which was perfect and serviced twice daily. The resort has beautiful gardens, a massive gorgeous reef enclosed lagoon, pool with swim-up bar, open air restaurant, bar area and lobby. Service was fantastic, staff become friends by the time you leave, such happy, fun and hard-working people.

Samoa, including this particular resort is great for couples and families or groups of friends, all of which applied to our stay here. There is plenty to do for families with kids, young or even teenagers, water sports, games, beach activities etc. We explored the island ourselves by car, although the resort has day trips on their bus every day to choose from as well. . The famous Sea Trench was great, and there are waterfalls that you can swim in, as well as heaps of remote and gorgeous beaches to find. Didn’t get to try any meals outside of our resort, but there was plenty to choose from at the resort, and breakfast, lunch or dinner can be delivered to your own deck any time.

Our flight coming home was delayed for 24 hours, Virgin put us up at the Sheraton Aggie Greys near the airport. Although clean and comfy, with pretty gardens and pool area, this is really just hotel rooms, and should only be for short stays. The food here was really good though. Virgin have ridiculous times in and out of Samoa which is the only let down, but I would avoid staying at the airport on arrival (6.30am local time) or departure (7am local time) best to just keep pushing through, go to bed as soon as you get to your resort of choice and wake up in paradise. Will definitely return to Samoa.

Few 60th birthday parties are as much fun as a Disneyland diamond celebration! But with less than a year to experience the anniversary magic, a few members of the itravel team were lucky enough to score a visit to Los Angeles.

Flying from Sydney to LA with Virgin Australia, the itravel team members were chauffeured right onto Mickey’s doorstep! With two days to spend exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, there was plenty of shopping, eating and selfies!

We didn’t just spend time in the wonderful world of Disney, we also got out on the board in Huntington Beach, the stand-up paddleboards that is! With time to relax, go bike riding and sample the glorious restaurants around the beach, this is a must stop on your next USA holiday.

Itinerary

Day 1:

6:30am Arrive LAX on VA1. Process through customs and pick up luggage.

7:15am Meet your host, Melanie Mayer, at the arrivals area. The group will catch the shuttle to the car hire depot and pick up vehicles.

9:00am Drive from LAX to Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

10:30am Arrive at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – 1420 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim California 92802

Check in and freshen up.

11:00am Meet Rick with Disney at the hotel for a brief hello and receive Park Hopper tickets.

12noon-10pm Enjoy Disneyland and California Adventures On this day, Disneyland is open until 10pm California Adventures is open until 8pm

8pm Preferred viewing area of Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever

Day 2:

8:00am Meet in lobby of Courtyard Anaheim to walk to breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel

8:25am Meet Rick from Disney in front of Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel

8:30am Disney Character Breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel – 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

10am – 8pm Enjoy Disneyland and California Adventures – On this day, both Disneyland and California Adventures are open until 10pm.

Day 3:

Breakfast Though the Courtyard Anaheim would have loved to include breakfast, they are brand new, and just not there yet. That said, there is heaps of food available at low cost. There’s a Starbucks outlet at the bar, The Bistro has quick menu items like healthy omelets, and The Market by reception is a grab-and-go spot for quick stuff like oatmeal, fruit, cereal, bars, etc. You can get a bite for $5.

8:50am Meet in Courtyard Anaheim Lobby to walk next door to Howard Johnson.

9am Site inspection of Howard Johnson – #1 seller for the moderate tier Anaheim properties – 1380 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802

10am Free time – Stroll Downtown Disney, hit the hotel’s waterpark, or just relax!

12noon Check out and drive to Huntington Beach

Lunch In-N-Out Burger lunch on the road – 18062 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648, United States

1:30pm Arrive in Surf City USA! – Check in to the Kimpton Shorebreak – 500 Pacific Coast Highway.

Ocean breezes and sunshine are your sidekicks in our chill corner of paradise. Give them some hang time. Shorebreak is your coastal crash pad, and it’s not like other Huntington Beach hotels. We define surfer cool, but think beyond the boardshorts. Shake off the sand and enjoy our scene, just steps from the shoreline. Raise a glass on the lively outdoor patio. Retreat to your quiet-harbor guestroom at our laid back Huntington Beach boutique hotel. The beach is your backyard and fun-loving Main Street is just a block away — for the wild child inside you.

2:30 pm Electric Bike Rentals at Pedego Bikes – 301 5th St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Pedego Electric Bikes, with their classic California styling, are the most popular bikes in the US – combining style and function to open up cycling to anyone who might otherwise not be getting the benefits from bike riding. You’ll love it so much, they guarantee you’ll come back from your ride wearing a huge smile! • Located on the corner of 5th Street and Olive Street in Downtown Huntington Beach, an easy walk up the street from your hotel • Bike rental available until 4:30 pm

5:50pm Meet in Lobby to walk to dinner

6:00 pm Dinner at BLK – 300 Pacific Coast Highway #202; BLK features the finest ocean view dining of the beach area and specializes in Kobe Style Beef hand-cut steaks, chops, and seafood. The distinctive menu comprised of contemporary American cuisine is prepared on either a Hickory woodfire grill or in a 1600 degree specialty Steak broiler creating delicious and savory flavors in all the meat, poultry and seafood dishes.

8:00 pm Walk to Bonfire and S’mores on the Beach with Waterfront Adventures Located on the beach at Pacific Coast Highway and Twin Dolphin Drive (between the Hilton and Hyatt resorts) Watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a warm bonfire and delicious s’mores, an “All American” treat that is a combination of toasted marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers – all provided by Waterfront Adventures Beach Butler Bonfire Service.

Day 4:

9:00am Breakfast at Zimzala followed by Site Inspection Located within the Kimpton Shorebreak; California is all about relaxed excellence, and Zimzala is a California restaurant, through and through. They’re obsessed with celebrating the bountiful produce that grows here year-round, and that passion is reflected in their chef’s seasonally changing menus of coastal cuisine.

10:30am Drive to SUP lesson

11:00 am Stand Up Paddle Boarding Lesson with Rocky McKinnon

Enjoy a Paddle Boarding lesson from Rocky McKinnon, a local professional surfer, paddle boarder and board shaper taught by some of the most elite watermen in the world. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is a water sport developed and originated in Hawaii. It involves navigating a large surfboard with an extended paddle to propel forward movement. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding has been described as a combination of paddling a canoe and surfing.

1:00 pm Lunch at Fred’s Mexican Café – 300 Pacific Coast Hwy.; Perched above Main Street at Pacific Coast Highway, Fred’s offers outdoor dining with fantastic sunset views along with funky décor and great music. Sample the fresh, tasty Mexican cuisine made from quality sirloin steak, high- grade seafood, charbroiled, boneless, skinless chicken breast, boiled black beans and oven baked Mexican rice.

3:00 pm Downtime to relax or explore! Take this time to explore Huntington Beach’s downtown area, or grab a towel and head to the beach! Try Kite Connection on the HB Pier, or you can try a bike rental from any of the beach concessions located along the 10 miles of paved walkway parallel to our coast. Maybe you’d like to try a surrey, which are the four person bicycle/cart hybrids. Whatever you choose, this time is yours to do as you please!

5:30 pm Dinner at Sandy’s – 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Sandy’s celebrates all that is authentically Californian. Beyond the beachfront location and selection of California wines & craft beers, whenever possible they source ingredients locally and are proud to support local California farms and their families. Admire the sparkling ocean that serves as the perfect backdrop to any breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Day 5:

Breakfast On own

9:00am Surf Lesson at Toes on the Nose at Waterfront Adventures Learn to catch a wave in Surf City USA! During this lesson you will learn the basics of surfing. The instructors of Toes on the Nose even guarantee that you will be able to stand up on your board by the end of the lesson!

11:00am Return to Kimpton Shorebreak to freshen up for shopping.

12:30 pm Shuttle to Shopping at South Coast Plaza South Coast Plaza defines the luxury shopping experience with extraordinary boutiques, personal shopping services, and upscale amenities all within a short distance of Surf City, USA. South Coast Plaza is recognized internationally for its unparalleled retail collection and award-winning restaurants.

4:00 pm Return to Hotel and Check Out

5:30 pm Depart Huntington Beach for LAX

7:00pm Drop Hire cars and shuttle to International Terminal

10:20pm Depart LAX on VA2 to SYD

Day 7:

7:20am Arrive Sydney

Barcelona

Ham sandwich anyone?  

Hop on Hop off, Great way to see the city

Amsterdam

A Cruise Holiday is a great eway to celebrate a special birthday, and the incredible Voyager of the Seas lived up to every expectation. With so much to do incuding a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and mini-golf course or to simply chill out poolside or at the relaxing VitalitySM Spa. Nights were spent at the Royal Promenade, with parades, dancing, and duty-free shopping.

To book your next cruise holiday, please email sue@itravel-au.com.