Destination Found

12/11/2023

Ever wanted to explore the many beautiful islands of Fiji? Here’s your chance with this luxury small ship cruise on sale now.

06/11/2023

A white Christmas anyone?

20/09/2023

05/09/2023

As predicted, we couldn’t continue with the theme ‘Tour of the Bays,’ for our road trip, as at some point we had to turn inland, as home doesn’t reside on a bay, and since we didn’t win lotto last Thursday night, nor will home be on a bay anytime soon.

Reluctantly we left Jervis Bay, but we were soon quite entranced with the beautiful drive up through Kangaroo Valley, with our goal being the Southern Highlands for a few nights, where wineries, gorgeous countryside and historic villages are found in abundance.

We left the Sthn Highlands loaded up with wine, and continued on our road trip to somewhere, breaking our rule of staying somewhere we haven’t been before, with a couple of nights in the Blue Mountains. Our Fawlty Towers style hotel, along with the ambience of the Blue Mountains, made our last few days very memorable.

Finally, after a long day of driving, with a hair raising alternate route, we made a big push north, ending with an overnight stay in pretty Glen Innes last night.

Upon arriving home today, I have reflected
on our road trip to somewhere and came up with a few tips:

1. The terms ‘boutique’ and ‘luxury’ accommodation are terms thrown around quite loosely these days. Buyer beware!

2. Home made chocolate brownies left in a room do not make the accommodation ‘boutique’ if the heating is not turned on, nor not having the common room fireplace lit, when temps have dipped to zero.

3. If an alternate route on your gps maps knocks of 50 mins, it may or may not include 50-60kms of dubious gravel roads, creek crossings and cattle grids. As an added bonus, you may find cows, sheep and goats at random on the road.

4. If an alternate road starts with bitumen, don’t be fooled. It may be lulling you into a false sense of security before it turns into a wild gravel road adventure.

5. Fawlty Towers style hotels are always good fun.

6. Unplanned road trips means you need to go with the flow, let go of the control and then a wonderful sense of freedom will follow.

7. A road trip in your own country, to places you have never been, fills you with a sense of wonder and surprise.

30/08/2023

Destination unknown has become a ‘destination found’ of wonders on our road trip to somewhere. Our unplanned journey has so far become a journey of bays (purely accidental but I like the idea), landing us in beautiful Jervis Bay.

After a few nights in magnificent Shoal Bay, we travelled further south to the sleepy little hamlet known as Empire Bay, right near Boudi National Park. Here we found a coastal walk that would have to be up there with one of the most beautiful coastal walks anywhere in the world.

Onwards to Jervis Bay, where we have discovered an untouched paradise of white beaches and turquoise water, full of dolphins, manta rays and further out to sea, humpback whales! How have we got this far in our lives without knowing of these places???

Where to next? We are still deciding( although it looks like we are going to break the bay trend) and surprisingly, I am now ok with our unplanned plans.

Here’s to throwing caution to the wind and making unplanned travel plans…occasionally.

24/08/2023

I like to be a well planned and organised person, especially when it comes to travel. However, right now and against all I feel comfortable with, I am trying something different, an unplanned road trip.

We have jumped in the car for two weeks, with some vague destinations in mind, with hardly any accommodation booked! 😬 The only rule is that our destinations are places we have never been before. This is way out of my comfort zone and a little panicked voice inside my head keeps reminding me we don’t really know where we’re going, but so far, so good. Shoal Bay is stunning.

25/07/2023

Luxury cruising at its best! Small, boutique cruises to every destination imaginable. Is this your next Destination Found?

If you’d like to find out more about this special cruise company, DM Destination Found.

21/07/2023

Yes please!!!!

17/07/2023

13/07/2023

Magical!

08/07/2023

🥶 Bitterly cold westerlies be gone! 🥶

☀️ 🏝️ A warm Destination Found for you on this cold Saturday : New Caledonia ! ☀️ 🏝️

Less than 3 hours flight away is a French Pacific paradise and Destination Found has access to some amazing self drive/flight/hotel packages, starting as low as $999pp!!

Hidden in the middle of the Pacific to the east of Australia, New Caledonia is a vast, unique, and diverse French overseas territory. Explore an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, and activities—all in one place.

From picture-postcard perfect beaches to a mixing pot of cultures, stunning mountains, and vast plains, these magical islands are teaming with unforgettable experiences for every type of traveller.

Contact Destination Found for more details if the thought of New Caledonia is warming your heart and soul. 😊 ☀️

05/07/2023

The casually elegant small ship world of Windstar has an enticing early bird offer for 2025.

✴️LAST CALL FOR THIS AMAZING OFFER WITH WINDSTAR CRUISES ✴️

Imagine booking your future cruise to Europe - and getting it at the best value with our 2025
Early Booking Offer. Windstar knows the way to give you the best of both worlds: We're releasing our 2025 cruise itineraries with this high value offer.

EARLY BOOKING OFFER

✅ THE BEST VALUE: Fares like this won't last long, and with the free All-Inclusive Fare upgrade and the Onboard Credit, the additional bonuses are worth over US$700 per guest on a 7-day cruise.

✅ PUS$100 ONBOARD CREDIT: each guest receives $100 to spend on shore excursions, pampering and beauty treatments at the World Spa by Windstar, shopping at the onboard Star Boutique, and more.

✅ GRATUITIES: prepaid gratuities to thank the crew for their amazing service.

✅ CAPTAIN'S BEVERAGE PACKAGE: unlimited wine, beer, and cocktails.

✅ Wi-Fi: connect with friends and family to share your vacation.

Hurry, Offer ends tomorrow (06JULY23)

Tempted? Allow us to make this happen for you.

DM Destination Found for more details.

05/07/2023

Have you ever dreamed of seeing gorillas in the wild? Can you be in Uganda by the 8th of August?

If you answer YES to both of these questions, Uganda could be your next Destination Found in just a few weeks time!

An unexpected vacancy on an African safari means one room for two, plus permits, is up for grabs at an unbelievable price.

Commencing in Entebbe, Uganda, on the 8th August, this deal includes:

* 1 night Entebbe at the boutique hotel, Karibu (b'fast included).
* Internal flights and transfers to Kihini.
* 2 nights at the amazing Buhoma Lodge for an unforgettable Gorilla Trek in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (all meals plus local brands of spirits wines and beer)
* Return flights and transfers back to Entebbe
* 1 last night in Entebbe at the boutique hotel (b'fast included).

** $3850 PP twin share, including most meals, internal airfares, transfers, 4 nights accommodation and gorilla trek
** $1100 each for 2 permits

😀Being a last minute deal, the company will take off $250 each from the above costs.😀

DM Destination Found for more details and hurry, as there is only 1 room left. First in, first serve.

30/06/2023

In need of adventure on this Friday evening?

Why not unleash your adventurous spirit on a self-drive journey from Adelaide through to Wilpena Pound and Lake Eyre, where an extraordinary Outback adventure awaits.

This is a great opportunity to experience the flooding of Lake Eyre, which is an incredible sight! This water comes from different places like Eyre Creek, the Diamantina and Georgina Rivers, and Goyder Lagoon. There is no saying how long it will stay full!

Within this 5-day adventure, soar above the captivating beauty of Lake Eyre by plane, conquer the Flinders in a thrilling 4WD expedition, and luxuriate in safari tent accommodations with mouth-watering meals.

This experience will ignite your senses and create memories to treasure forever!

5 days from $4871 pp twin share!

DM Destination Found for more details.

29/06/2023

28/06/2023

A rare event and how amazing would this be to see. ‘It’s raining on the rock…’ 🎶

27/06/2023

Hump 🐪 day is a Destination Found kind of day. Why don’t we have a little peek at the often forgotten little country of Portugal.

Portugal was one of those places I have always wanted to go to and had no idea why.

When I finally got there, with no expectations and a slightly confused( but luckily patient) husband in tow, who was really not understanding why we were going to Portugal for our 20 year wedding anniversary, how wonderfully surprised we both were of this amazing little country.

Abundant with warm and welcoming locals, unique architecture, amazing food, wine and rich with culture, we loved every minute of our time in Portugal. An unexpected, added bonus was how easy it was to drive around and how quickly you could get off the well worn beaten tourist track and immerse yourself in the Portuguese way of life.

Here’s a little excerpt from my FB memories of Portugal from 2019, with a few photos of our time there.

“Our road trip continues... we are now exploring the mountain villages of Portugal. It's like taking a step back in time...almost untouched. Our first village stop was Marvão, the highest village in Portugal and our quirky accommodation was a stones throw from the castle.”

Seeing these photos makes me long for Portugal!

25/06/2023

Sunday arvo tempter time!

Is Croatia your next Destination Found? It’s definitely on our radar.

21/06/2023

Destination Found: The Red Centre of Australia!

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park has a spiritual essence to it that’s hard to describe. I was mesmerised by the colours and landscape of this place and a feeling of something different in the air that I hadn’t experienced before. Whilst I was there in 2014, I wrote…

“ I wish photos could capture smells and sounds. Here, there is a hint of wattle in the air, along with a fragrance I can't quite pinpoint. I now know what a deafening stillness is like, only to be occasionally broken by a bird or the rustle of the wind. It's a magical place.”

You may think that Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is really just a couple of big rocks rising out of the red earth in the middle of nowhere, but there are so many more layers to this beautiful and unique destination. It’s one of those ‘you have to see it for yourself’ places to fully understand it’s magic.

19/06/2023

Destination Found: Alaska and Canada

Any plans for July 2024 yet?

How does exploring the wilds of Canada and Alaska on a luxurious cruise, rail journey and stay adventure sound?

If this is something you've always wanted to do, there's some serious savings to be had when booking early.

Direct message Destination Found to find out more about this expedition and many other deals.

VIP Alaska & Canada with PONANT

16 night Expedition cruise, rail journey & stay
12 - 28 July 2024

Save up to $7,720 per couple when you book early.
Solo travellers save $13,425

19/06/2023

Mondayitis, Monday blues, whatever you call it, we think we have stumbled upon a cure….

18/06/2023

Hmmm - some more Sunday arvo tempters! These cruises are absolute bargains and will sell out fast.

Contact Destination Found for more details.

AFRICA: Silversea, Silver Cloud Expedition - 15 nights from Walvis Bay Namibia to Port Elizabeth South Africa. All flights, transfers, meals, drinks and most shore activities are included. Prices reduced from $15K to just under $10K pp - Departs 21/22 March 2024

NEW ZEALAND: Heritage Expeditions, Heritage Adventurer - 10 nights from Auckland to Port Bluff on a NZ intensive expedition voyage. Includes 1 night hotel stay and a 9 night cruise with meals/drinks and off ship excursions. Prices have been reduced by up to 25%. Was $10500 - now $8055*pp - Departs November 2023

18/06/2023

Destination Found: Fiji and the Pacific Islands

Cold, windy, winter days makes me feel like running away to a tropical island paradise. Lo and behold, look what's on offer. It's all a bit tempting....

Ramada Suites Fiji - 5 nights from $1,599 pp
Flights + FREE Wi-Fi

Anchorage Beach - 7 nights from $1,749 pp
Flights + Half Board + Island Day Trip

Plantation Island - 7 nights from $2,269 pp
Flights + FREE Night

Sofitel Fiji Resort - 5 nights from $2,879 pp
Flights + Resort Credit + Room Upgrade

Matamanoa Island - 6 nights from $3,349 pp
Flights + Breakfast daily

Vomo Island - 7 nights from $5,099 pp
Flights + Full Board

And if that's not tempting enough, there's plenty more deals to be had, not just in Fiji but other Pacific Islands too. A little birdie told me New Caledonia is on sale at the moment as well.

If you want to know more, DM Destination Found for more details.

17/06/2023

Our skateboarding young ones took to snowboarding so quickly and loved to push themselves to try all the snowfields around the world.

16/06/2023

It’s school holiday time, and it got me thinking about all our family holidays we have had throughout the years and the adventures we had together, and oh what adventures we had! That’s not to say travel with children/teenagers is easy. It’s challenging, especially if you are overseas and outside your comfort zone. It can be messy and chaotic and downright tiresome at times, but when you see the look on your child’s face when they lay eyes on a world famous historic landmark they have only ever seen in a book, or laughing hysterically together while stuck on a ski slope because none of you can get your act together with skiing, or simply hanging out together at your favourite beach, those moments are priceless. Family holidays make you come together, explore together, and bring you closer, wherever the location may be.

Locally, my favourite family holiday destination is Caloundra (shhh don’t tell anyone). We go there every year for a week with another family and we’ve been doing this for years. We all love it, and even though most of our children are suddenly all grown up, I have a feeling they will keep turning up for our yearly beach holiday for a few years yet. Internationally, we had a fantastic family holiday in Italy (yes, I know I am obsessed with Italy) and a family friendly river cruise in Europe was also a standout.

So tell me, what’s your favourite family holiday destination?

16/06/2023

Happy school holidays! “The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.” – Mark Paterson.

15/06/2023

Destination Found!
Varrena, Lake Como, Italy!

Lake Como is one of my favourite places in the world. Almost exactly seven years ago, my family and I spent three dreamy days here during our travels in Italy. What a magical time it was and such amazing family memories. Here’s the post I wrote about our time there, all those years ago…

“Lake Como is such a fairytale like place! We have climbed a mountain to a castle, found a river that magically appears from a cave for just three months a year and looks like milk as it pours down the mountain, cruised the lake looking for famous movie stars in a renovated Venetian water taxi and dined like kings and a queen in little villages that look like something out of an old fashioned story book filled with magnificent villas, terraced gardens, and snow capped mountains in the distance. To top it off, the quirky little B&B we are staying at has a character filled dog named Alfey that carries a live tortoise around in his mouth.... The perfect character for a fairytale!”

If Italy is your ‘Destination Found,’ it is an obsession of mine and would love to help you experience the magic of Italy.

14/06/2023

Australian Travel & Tourism Professionals are experts in creating luxurious travel moments. If luxury travel is your ‘Destination Found,’ as Darling Downs Regional Manager of ATTP, I can assist you in your travel plans. The world is your oyster! ✈️ 🥂 🚢 🏨 🏝️

https://www.facebook.com/austtp?mibextid=LQQJ4d

• Brisbane, Gold Coast, Los Angeles, Toowoomba
• Specialising in Luxury Travel

14/06/2023

Do you have ‘Fernweh?’ We do! Let’s find a cure.