TravelManagers - Christie Gowan

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TravelManagers - Christie Gowan

Planning your holiday should be half the fun! I do the hard work – you get to countdown to your escape to an amazing destination (or two).
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Ask me today about how I can help you to create…
• Your ideal cruise – the itinerary that ticks all the boxes, the best ship for you & a cabin perfectly suited to your needs
• Your Round the World travel experience – tick off a few bucket list items in one holiday!
• Your personalised holiday plans – whether you want to “flop & drop” or you’d like to explore a new destination
• Your perfect specia

lised tour – experience a country or region with experts to guide you all the way
• Your self-drive holiday – hit the open road & see where it take you
• Your once in a lifetime experience – is there an event or festival you’ve always wanted to experience?
• Your unique itinerary – flights, hotels, travel insurance & so much more! Let’s start planning today
:) Christie

20/06/2024

Do you love Princess Cruises and need some inspiration for your next cruise holiday? Look no further than our Cruise Masters packages with your favourite cruiseline - on sale until 7th July!!

Cruise in a midships Balcony cabin on one of these fabulous holidays:
* Canada & New England in Oct 2024 - from $5,400 per person on Enchanted Princess
* Andes & South America in Mar 2025 - from $7,035 per person Sapphire Princess
* Hawaii & South Pacific in Apr 2025 - from $10,095 per person on Royal Princess
* Mt Fuji & Japan Wonders in May 2025 - from $7,630 per person on Diamond Princess
* Denali Explorer & Alaska in May 2025 - from $7,169 per person Caribbean Princess
* Land of the Midnight Sun in Jun 2025 - from $9,040 per person on the NEW Sun Princess (DA)
* Classical Greece & Italy in Jun 2025 - from $5,909 per person on Sky Princess
All prices are per person twin share - based on BA category (subject to availability at the time of booking)

Our packages include an air credit if you book airfares with me - and accommodation & tours appropriate the the itinerary.

https://www.travelmanagers.com.au/cruisemasters/princess-cruises-exclusives/

Don't forget that you can upgrade to the Princess Plus package for only $65 per person per day!

I am proud to be part of the Cruise Masters team. Let me know what has inspired you, so that I can help you personalise one of these packages to suit you. ✈️⚓🛌 Christie

PS. We also have great value packages on Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Seabourn, Oceania & Azamara Cruises 🛳️

04/06/2024

A little bit of sad news for fans of our only real "local" cruise line - P&O Australia - with the news that the brand is being absorbed into the Carnival brand.

"In March 2025 the company will sunset the P&O Cruises Australia brand and fold the Australia operations into Carnival Cruise Line, the most popular cruise line in the world.

P&O Cruises Australia is a much-loved brand, with a heritage of providing exceptional year-round service, delighting our guests, and being welcomed by destinations throughout the region.

We will use the time between now and March 2025 to celebrate its remarkable 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region. It is a history we are immensely proud of, and a storied legacy we are honored to carry forward as Carnival Cruise Line."

Who knows what this will mean for the local fleet & for year round cruising beyond the current cruise calendar... but we'll have to wait & see ⚓ Christie

06/05/2024

It's our last day today... and we're already making our way up to Amsterdam Schipol Airport. As always with best laid plans... there's an issue on one of the train lines... so we're taking the "scenic route".

We spent our last sightseeing day in The Hague. We again had our amazing friend to show us the highlights. These included Madurodam (the Netherlands in miniature), Escher in the Palace & Mauritshuis (home to Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring - along with many other pricelss pieces of art).

We somehow timed our stay with Remebrance Day (4May) & Liberation Day (5May)... so felt honoured to be around to commemorate both days.

My travel weather luck held again... with blue skies & sunshine all day. This even extended to our evening expedition to the beach!! Yes... you read correctly... I dipped my toes into the freezing North Sea... and we spent time strolling along the promenade at Scheveningen.

It was such a lovely ending to our trip - thanks E! We're homeward bound now 😢 Christie

05/05/2024

It's always disappointing to disembark a cruise... and have nothing more to look forward to... so we were very lucky to have extended our stay in the Netherlands by a couple of days.

We caught the train to the charming city of Delft... visiting my brother's friend who lives here. Having a local to show you around & share their favourite haunts... really makes things come alive!

Here are some of my favourite photos of this wonderful little city that we explored on foot yesterday.

I've got a crick in my neck from staring up at all the unique buildings... and have overused the words "wow" & "cute".

Thanks for sharing your little piece of the world with us, Edwin. I'll definitely be recommending a visit to Delft to everyone! 😊 Christie

03/05/2024

Although I spent much of my day in bed... I still managed to take some more photos of the ship... and treat myself to the most delicious meal at Nami Sushi tonight.

I have to say that it was some of the most exquisite food I've had onboard any ship!

It will be sad to say goodbye to the Rotterdam tomorrow... but we have some more of the Netherlands still to explore over the next few days! 🇳🇱 Christie

03/05/2024

Our day in Edinburgh yesterday didn't go quite according to plan. I woke with a sore throat & a bit of a cough... that progressed as the day went on... and it wasn't helped by the long delays tendering at South Queensferry & the bus ride to then get to the city.

Luckily I've been to Edinburgh before... but the much shortened time meant that first timers would have only got a glimpse of what this incredible city has to offer.

In saying all that we managed to squeeze in some time along the Royal Mile, a wander down Victoria St, lunch at the very popular Makars Mash Bar (including my first taste of Haggis!), some time in the National Museum of Scotland & some photos in the sunshine.

After getting back onboard, I tested out the medical centre... as my cough had progressed. It's not Covid or the flu, but I have half a pharmacy on hand now to try combat whatever it is.

Today is a sea day... and might see me in bed for a lot of it! We're off at Rotterdam tomorrow... and then off to explore a bit of Delft & The Hague.

I'll add a few more photos of the ship to my Rotterdam album later 😷 Christie

01/05/2024

What a glorious day on the Shetland Islands! The grey skies cleared to more sunshine & only a bit of wind... which made for a very pleasant day exploring the "mainland".

I chose to do "Northernmost Scotland"... a tour to take me as far north as I could go in a couple of hours.

The drive took our small coach up past the new wind farm that is being built to take advantage of the howling winds that Shetland is notorious for. They wind turbines are being anchored to the peat... so it's a delicate operation.

We drove across the Mavis Grind isthmus... with the North Sea on one side & the Atlantic Ocean on the other. There were Shetland sheep in almost every paddock... and... Shetland ponies too!

We saw beautiful lochs, a broch, plenty of bird life & even a couple of seals.

We stopped for some tea & shortbread at the Braewick Cafe... with views over the Drongs sea stacks... hoping to see the Orca currently in the area... but didn't.

From there we headed north to Eshaness... a volcano that's long since gone dormant. The springy peat underfoot was great to walk on... just not too close to the cliff edge!

I wandered the coastal path in Lerwick & also the main street of town... picking out a few filming locations from "Shetland".

What a beautiful day & a place I'd recommend visiting at least once in your life! 🐑🐴 Christie

30/04/2024

So far this trip... we've been in/on planes, cars, foot, trams, subways, buses, trains & the ship... today we added a small boat to the list.

Stavanger turned on a (mostly) glorious day for us today. My early mornings continued today... waking to see an oil rig as we arrived.

We explored this cute little town for an hour or so, after an unexpected delay to our scenic cruise. The blue sky overhead made for a pleasant stroll along the cobbled streets... with cute, colourful buildings around every corner.

The sun was still shining by the time we got onboard the boat, but heavy cloud quickly rolled in, along with an icy wind. Undeterred... we joined a few other crazies up on the open deck for the three hours... determined to get the best views.

Our efforts were rewarded... as we cruised up Lysefjord... cute villages, sheer cliffs & spectacular waterfalls.

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) isn't quite as impressive from the water as it would be after a 2 hour hike uphill... but it was still good to see it. From 600m below this rocky outcrop... it's quite tiny!

The sun peeked its way through the clouds again a little over halfway through our time on the fjord cruise... so we were a lot warmer on the sunny trip back to Stavanger... with one quick stop for waffles!

The blue sky stuck around for the rest of our afternoon... allowing more exploration of the wooden houses in Gamle Stavanger (old town). We were charmed by these little cottages... with their pots of colourful spring flowers.

After some souvenir shopping, we strolled back to the Rotterdam, where a delicious, warming bowl of Dutch Pea Soup waiting for me... and we're now sailing towards the Shetland Islands.

Wish us luck with the weather again! 🌤 Christie

29/04/2024

Holland America Line's "The Best of the Flåm Railway" took us up into the Norwegian mountains today.

We cruised all the way up the Handangerfjord this morning to Eidfjord... I managed to wake up to see the last couple of hours of scenic cruising up the fjord.

The little town of Eidfjord is right at the end of the main fjord... in a little "arm" of its own.

We jumped straight onto our bus & headed across the suspension bridge up to Voss. From there... we caught a local train to Myrdal... where it snowed!

Our train was delayed... so we had to wait for the next Flåm railway train to arrive... before heading down the valley on the scenic train. Waterfalls & lakes galore!

We had a lovely Norwegian buffet lunch in Gudvangen... before making a speedy trip back to the ship.

We made it just after "All Aboard"... so luckily we were on a HAL shore excursion... which meant they waited for us.

This evening we are cruising back down the fjord... with magnificent views everywhere we look.

The sun keeps trying to peek through the clouds... and will be in the sky (behind the clouds) for hours still 🌥 Christie

29/04/2024

After a lovely day at sea... I thought I'd share a bit more of the ship... taken over the last few days. I'll have to come back later to label them all.

27/04/2024

We're onboard Holland America Line's Rotterdam... sailing from Rotterdam... and staring to get familiar with the ship & everything it has to offer.

She's a beauty... and packed with a mix of locals & Americans. It's King's Day here in the Netherlands today... so there's orange everywhere!

Thanks for the Welcome Onboard, Helen. Might have to tie my orange balloons to my outfit for dinner tonight.

I haven't had the chance to take photos all around the ship yet, but I thought I'd start with some pictures of the Cruise Terminal & our Signature Suite.

More tomorrow while we're at sea! ⚓️ Christie

26/04/2024

Everyone sing along... "Tiptoe through the tulips"... or at least all around them.

We visited Keukenhof Gardens today. Despite our worries that we'd missed the tulips in their prime... I don't know how much more perfect each individual bulb could have been.

They apparently plant around 7 million bulbs... and I may have taken photos of at least 1 million today!

Here's a very small sample of the incredible beauty & diversity... along with a few shots from our evening out on King's Night with one of my brother's oldest friends - what a treat! 🌷 Christie

25/04/2024

It was a more cultural day today... visiting both the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh museum. Getting up close to some of the finest Dutch art & hearing so much more about the artists was fascinating.

The grandeur of the Rijksmuseum is something to behold on its own, with a more functional space housing Van Gogh's treasures.

Afterwards, we took a canal boat ride... to see the city from a different angle.

All three experiences were provided by Walks... the sister company to Devour Tours. Our guide, Eduardo, is passionate about art & history, so really bought the art & architecture to life for us.

We've definitely got our step count up these last couple of days too! 👣 Christie

24/04/2024

Today, we got to know Amsterdam more on foot & with our tastebuds. We made our way to the starting point by wandering along some beautiful canals... and finding new buildings to gaze up at.

We then joined a small group of fellow foodies to discover the food of Amsterdam.

Devour Tours hosts food walking tours in cities all around the world... and today's host oozed a passion for food & his hometown.

Treats we sampled included:
* Stroopwaffels from Hans Egstorf Bakkerij - hot off the waffle irons, with beet syrup & honey!
* Amazing apple pie & espresso at atpical "brown cafe" - Cafe de Zwart - with the tiniest bathrooms ever!
* Buttery herring (with onions & gherkins) & kibbeling (deep fried cod with tartare sauce) from Jonk Volendammer Haringhandel - these two non-seafood eaters went back for more!
* The best fries in town... double fried & served with Oorlog sauce - mayonnaise, satay sauce & onions - from Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx
* A variety of Peppernuts - a bonus stop, not usually on the tour. We're all going back to buy some... if we can decide on a flavour... or several!
* Various ages of Gouda outside Fa. H. Wegewijs - including some made from raw milk... which tasted like the smell of cows!
* Stampotten, bitterballen & worst, with a glass of Jenever at Eetcafe Sonnefeld - warm & delicious!

So much food... but lots of walking... a great way to discover new neighbourhoods & history too!

After all that food... we walked up to Westernpark & got caught in the "tiniest hailstorm" ever (tiny hail that is). We caught a tram back to the hotel & then wandered through a bit of Vondelpark too.

Cocktails by the fire in our hotel lobby bar topped things off quite nicely!

Thanks Devour (and especially Sebastian B) - food tours are the perfect way to discover a city... and the typical food that helps it run 😊 Christie

24/04/2024

We made it to Amsterdam yesterday afternoon... after the long journey from Brisbane on Emirates. We were lucky to avoid the flooding chaos of last week, but still managed to be stuck circling Dubai Airport for more than an hour on arrival!

We're staying at a beautiful hotel near the Rijksmuseum & Vondelpark, so took ourselves for a little walk through the evening streets of Amsterdam for an hour or so last night... before the rain chased us back to the hotel.

Here are some of my first impressions of this beautiful city... 25 years since I was last here 🇳🇱 Christie

23/04/2024

I am happy to report that Dubai Airport is open as normal & just as busy as ever. Amsterdam here we come!

15/04/2024

I'm excited... as I am on countdown to my own holiday starting in a week's time. I'll be heading to the Netherlands, Norway & Scotland with Holland America - enjoying a prize that I won about six months' ago.

If you have any questions about an existing booking or are keen to book something new, I'm around all this week & can be reached by phone or email. However, if you need anything between 22Apr & 8May, I'll only be contactable by email.

If you're travelling around the same time that I am & find yourself in an emergency situation, please try me on Whatsapp 🌏 Christie

08/04/2024

It's the end of the cruise season down here, so I just had to fit in one more ship inspection - Royal Princess.

This is the flagship of the Royal Class ship - sister to the Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted & Discovery Princesses. I've sailed on 3 of these ships since 2017, so I was interesting to see the "original" & take note of the differences on the newer ships.

Royal Princess' Godmother is Princess Kate so she really is royal!

Enjoy your cruise to Japan, Chris & Shelley! And to those joining in Japan, heading to Alaska. I know the crew will look after you all on this fabulous ship.

Royal Princess is coming back to Sydney in 2024/25, along with Crown, Diamond & Grand. We have to wait a little longer for Discovery Princess though.

Let me know if you'd like to look at a cruise onboard one of these fabulous ships! ⚓️ Christie

07/04/2024

Another week... another ship... although only for an inspection today. Royal Princess will be the 60th different ship in 12 years.

Look out for more photos later ⚓️ Christie

05/04/2024

Two weeks ago, I was lucky to be invited onboard Oceania Nautica for my first real taste of small ship cruising. Although I've been onboard some small ships before, I've never actually sailed on one.

The Nautica is an R-class ship. Many of you would be familiar with these ships, having sailed on either Ocean or Pacific Princess in the past. Oceania has four of these "Renaissance" ships - Nautica, Insignia, Regatta & Sirena.

Oceania's ships are elegant & yet the atmosphere onboard is very laid back. We joined part of a longer cruise - some passengers having embarked in Tahiti & some going all the way to Cape Town. They were all very lovely to chat to & were having a fabulous time onboard.

In our four nights onboard, we tried as many dining options as possible - from the Terrace Café & Waves Grill to the Grand Dining Room, Afternoon Tea in Horizons to room service, and we had to have dinner in the two specialty restaurants - Toscana & Polo Grill. The food was amazing - somehow I only took photos of my appetizers & desserts!

Oceania includes all soft drinks, teas & coffees onboard, with wine & beer included at lunch & dinner. You can upgrade to a beverage package onboard if you're a spirits or cocktail lover. The Martini bar is the place to go to enjoy the best of these!

One warning about the R class ships is that the bathrooms in the first few cabin categories are a little on the small size, so upgrading to a Penthouse Suite (or higher) is the way to go if you can.

Despite the rainy weather that followed us up the East Coast, I couldn't fault the Oceania experience. The staff were all very friendly & accommodating of all our demands. There was always something to do - and plenty of space to relax & unwind.

Let me know if you'd like to find out more about Oceania Cruises - the food alone is worth the price of the ticket ⚓ Christie

21/03/2024

After having limited internet onboard during my cruise last week (by choice), then spending two days in a cruise seminar this week... I just haven't had the chance to post photos from my last two cocktail & dining experiences on Celebrity Edge until now.

The "Four Pillars of Martinis" was quite fabulous. We not only got to learn more about the preparation of my go-to cocktail - the Martini - we got more familiar with Four Pillars gin - and to get to know some of the lovely Edge bar crew. I did need a little afternoon nap once we were done!

"Le Petit Chef" can be found on all of Celebrity Cruises fleet. It's a fun, timed dining experience, with the whole restaurant watching the "show" & eating the four courses in synch. It was quite amusing & the food was delicious!

I'm off on another cruise tomorrow... so keep an eye out for my next round of ship, cocktail & food photos tomorrow ⚓️ Christie

PS. I also tried Fine Cut Steakhouse for dinner one night & the Rooftop Grill for lunch one day, but didn't take photos.

09/03/2024

We're in Hobart for just over 24 hours... and I got off the ship for a little while earlier this evening to take photos of... the Edge!

Here are a few shots of the ship in port on a gloriously sunny day 😊 Christie

09/03/2024

Four Courses, Four Cocktails, Four Pillars

Today's four course degustation was hosted by Four Pillars brand ambassador, Lizzie.

Four (or five) courses paired with four Yuzu gin cocktails. Hosted in Raw on 5 sushi bar meant I was prepared for a seafood lunch... but I was delicious & a fabulous experience.

We're now cruising up to Hobart... currently along the Bruny Island coast.

The Edge continues to make me smile 😃 Christie

PS. Last night's show, Kaleidoscope, is one of the best shows I've seen at sea!
PPS. I've cancelled dinner for tonight

08/03/2024

Eden is a beautiful part of the world... with Twofold Bay & surrounding bushland to provide views for days. It's the third deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere.

I spent a lovely morning being shown the highlights by the fabulous Anne & Trevor, who live a short drive north of here. From them I knew not to try to walk into town (there's a steep hill)... and so much more.

A short drive south took us to the convict built Seahorse Inn at Boydtown... where we caught up over coffee & talked all things cruising.

I then had a stroll along the main street of Eden, peeking into the newly restored Hotel Australasia & stopping at the Killer Whale Museum.

It was an easy stroll downhill to the wharf, where I just had to stop for a sample of the local gin (Nine Circles distillery).

I'm now back onboard the Celebrity Edge, as the grey clouds gather ominously. I had a light lunch perched up on the Magic Carpet & will now see what the afternoon ahead has to offer.

Most of the Eden locals are loving the increase in cruise ship traffic, so you'll be warmly welcomed if you're lucky to include it on a local itinerary in the future. 😊 Christie

07/03/2024

Last night I had a spectacular plant-based tasting menu in Eden... and today I've woken up there... well Eden, NSW that is.

The setting on Deck 4 aft gave us magnificent views as we sailed out of Sydney & the food was quite delicious.

We're just coming into the beautiful natural harbour in Eden... so I should get up & ready for rhe day. 😊 Christie

07/03/2024

So excited to finally get on a cruise for the first time this year! I flew to Sydney this morning & am sailing away on Celebrity Edge this evening.

With a little planning, I was able to meet a couple of my favourite clients, Marg & Rob, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. And also got to catchup with an old colleague onboard, who now works for Celebrity Cruises!

I was lucky to get onboard the Edge last month, so most photos of the ship can be found in my album from 2nd Feb. I'll share some of my food & cocktails experiences when I get the chance.

For now... here are some photos of my solo Balcony cabin... the perfect size for me!

Looking forward to seeing more of my fave clients tomorrow in Eden, Anne & Trevor, and then on to Hobart, where I may even get to see my brother & his partner.

For a cruise "just to experience the ship"... I'm seen more people I know in 24hours than I have all week! ⚓️ Christie

02/02/2024

Can't forget the Edge Villa! This two-level suite is definitely "how the other half live"! One bedroom, two bathroom, plunge pool and so much more!

02/02/2024

After a busy start to the year... feeling like I was living behind my laptop... I allowed myself the day off to do what I love... and get onboard a ship!

I've been dying to see Celebrity Edge since some of my favourite clients cruised on 3 back-to-back sailings in her inaugural season. And I've had extreme cases of FOMO when some other faves have been cruising this season.

Edge did not disappoint... in fact she exceeded my expectations. I was so inspired... I've booked myself on a sailing next month. It's a Gin Experience cruise... which combines two of my favourite things in life! 🍸⚓️

Here are a small selection of my photos... to hopefully give you a feeling for just how amazing Celebrity Edge actually is 💕 Christie

11/12/2023

Sweet Aft Suite Pretty Big Terrace

11/12/2023

Cheeky Corner Suite Pretty Big Terrace

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When a once in a lifetime opportunity comes my way... I tend to day "Yes". And it wasn't hard to say that this morning. Despite the pre-dawn wake up... the flight over Mitchell Plains to Mitchell Falls made it all worth it! I'll put up some photos later of the sunrise... the falls themselves... and the spectacular aerial scenery... but wanted to share this short video with you all now. If you haven't been to the Kimberley region... you're missing a very special part of this incredible country!! 😍 Christie

Southern Lights By Flight

King Island - wild & remote

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... somewhere wild, remote & yet easily accessible... like King Island! After a trip to Tasmania earlier in the year, my parents decided to add this little Bass Strait treasure to their itinerary - best known for the quality beef & dairy cattle raised on the island Mum, Dad & their friends loved the windswept coastline, their "Meat your Beef" farm tour & the island quirkiness you'd expect of a remote island. They now also know more about the kelp industry than they ever thought they'd need in life! My only request was that they bring me home a "little bit of cheese" from the King Island Dairy. I was rewarded for my assistance in booking with one large wedge of Furneaux Double Cream brie - thanks Mum & Dad! :) Christie

Cuba

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... exploring the fascinating island nation of Cuba! I haven't made it to this corner of the globe quite yet, but am inspired to get across there by these photos shared by some fabulous clients earlier this year. The vibrant colours, culture & history of this country have drawn travellers in over the past few years of "openness", whether on a cruise or an extended tour. One or two have even hired fabulous cars to drive themselves around! Thanks for sharing your photos & memories with me K&G - and allowing me to inspire others to visit! :) Christie

Vitamin Sea - my love of being at sea

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... being out at sea! After a relaxing few days cruising to nowhere last weekend, I've reconnected with my love of being at sea. Whenever possible, I try to book myself a balcony cabin, which allows me to take beautiful photos of the vast oceans at all times of the day... without having to get out of my pjs! Do you share my love of being at sea? Or is it more about the destination or the ship for you? :) Christie

Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... on an expedition cruise to Antarctica! My Dad has just returned from the adventure of a lifetime to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. No matter how many times I offered to carry his bags, I spent most of the two week trip checking the L'Austral webcam to see what the ocean was serving up each day! I spent Saturday afternoon looking through my Dad's amazing photos. Having always wanted to step foot on the "coldest, driest, windiest, highest continent" myself, I am even more inspired now. I've chosen 10 of my favourite pics to share with you today, but keep an eye out for an album of photos to come. Hopefully these photos inspire the adventurer in you too! :) Christie

Acadia National Park

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... hiking the coastal pathway in Acadia National Park. If you get the timing right, the fall colours are just spectacular. The coastal scenery is also something that would be amazing the experience in summer! The easiest way to visit Acadia NP, Bar Harbor & the other gems of the New England coast is on a cruise. You'd be amazed at how many "locals" cruise this region. Several ships cruise between New York, Boston, Quebec City & Montreal - in summer & fall - so you have a wide variety to choose from! :) Christie

Buenos Aires #WIWIWW

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... in one of my favourite cities, Buenos Aires! Buenos Aires is a vibrant city, with so much history & culture to experience. From the colour & excitement of La Boca, to the mansions of yesteryear in Recoleta. I spent hours wandering the downtown neighbourhoods, munching on freshly made empanadas & deliciously sweet alfajores. I could have spent days strolling the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, and perfectly timed my visit to experience the Sunday markets. Get there early to avoid the crowds! Next time, I will also spend more time wandering through Recoleta cemetery - it is also a must do! We tried our hand (or should that be feet?) at the tango. We left our class feeling like experts - that is until we watched a Tango show - and realised just how nuanced this Argentian dance truly is! I was even lucky enough to watch a World Cup qualifying match at River Plate stadium between Argentina & one of their biggest rivals, Paraguay. I've never been to a game of soccer in my life, but even the pouring rain couldn't dampen the atmosphere - it was incredible to be a part of! We even spotted Maradona on our way to the game. My dad will be in Buenos Aires this weekend, on his way to join a cruise to Antarctica! Helping to plan his trip has had me reminiscing about my own visit - ten years ago now. I need to find a reason to head back again soon! Let me know if you're keen to find out more about this fascinating city, or to plan a trip of your own. I should have some updated photos of once my dad is home, and I will also be able to share the best of his Antarctic pics too! :) Christie

Shanghai, China

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... in the fascinating city of Shanghai! From the ultra-modern to a touch of traditional, wandering the backstreets is a real eye-opener. It's been five years since I was in Shanghai, so the skyline must now look completely different by now. We got to enjoy the views from ground level & from high above the crowds, as we were lucky to get some clear sky days, with lots of blue sky & hardly any fog! My highlights were sampling dumplings of every variety (especially xiao long bao), watching the residents of Shanghai performing Tai Chi in every park, shopping up a storm & having a beautiful leather jacket made (in 24 hours!), cruising the Huangpu River, and enjoying a cocktail or two in a rooftop bar! Looking back at my photos after an evening with Wendy Wu Tours Australia tonight has made me want to go back for another taste of this amazing city - and next time to also see the Terracotta Warriers in Xian & the Pandas in Chengdu! Let me know if you're keen to find out more about travelling to Shanghai - and the rest of this incredible country :) Christie PS. Keep an eye out for photos from my time in Beijing soon! (also from 2013)

Vietnam

Where I Wish I Was Wednesday #WIWIWW... experiencing the sights, sounds & flavours of Vietnam. From Saigon in the south & Hanoi in the north... and with gems like Hoi An & Halong Bay in between... I've been to Vietnam twice now & I will definitely be back again! The food is so fresh & delicious, the people so friendly, the cocktails are refreshing & cheap, and the history is fascinating. I spent this morning with one of our Vietnamese suppliers, a family-owned company based in Hanoi, with mum & daughter visiting us in Brisbane today. They're local & therefore can get access to amazing rates & exclusives not accessible to big companies. Let me work with them to put together a unique itinerary designed just for you! :) Christie PS. For those paying attention, "Yes, this post is a little later than usual!" No need to worry, just a busy week for me.