Holidays Beckon

13/01/2025

🌞 Escape to the heart of Tuscany! 🌿
Imagine staying in a historic villa, exploring charming hilltop towns by day, and sharing homemade Italian meals with loved ones by night. A Tuscan villa holiday is more than just a trip—it’s a way to connect, unwind, and create unforgettable memories.

🌟 From Florence to Lago Trasimeno, there’s so much to explore. Read more about this incredible experience here: https://www.holidaysbeckon.com.au/villa-holidays-in-tuscany

Escape to Tuscany with a villa holiday—experience the charm of Italian living, explore historic towns like Florence and Siena on day trips, and enjoy quality time cooking, dining, and relaxing with loved ones in your private villa.

09/01/2025

Italy to Greece Adventure May 2025
16 Nights Fly, Cruise & Stay Package - Rome to Athens
Package from $6,949pp*

This amazing deal not only includes a cruise itinerary to many lesser-visited ports in the Mediterranean & Greek Islands, but includes an escorted land tour that will take you beyond Athens to Delphi to see the ruins where the Oracle once foretold the future and Thermopylae where the epic battle between Sparta and Persia took place and inspired the Hollywood movie 300.

Package includes:
✅ BONUS: Air Credit of $1,500 per person
✅ 1 Night, 4-Star Accommodation in Rome+, including breakfast
✅ 10 night cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Piraeus (Athens) aboard Oosterdam
✅ BONUS: Have it ALL Offer: Signature Beverage Package, Shore Excursion Credit, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi
✅ Main meals~ and entertainment onboard
✅ 5 Night Classical Delphi & Meteora Tour
✅ 2 Nights, 4-Star Accommodation in Athens, including breakfast
✅ Half Day Athens Sightseeing Tour
✅ Admission to Delphi Sites – Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the Museum
✅ 1 Night, 4-Star Accommodation in Delphi, including breakfast
✅ 1 Night, 4-Star Accommodation in Kalambaka, including breakfast
✅ Admission to Meteora Monasteries and Thermopylae
✅ 1 Night, 4-Star Accommodation in Athens, including breakfast
✅ Daily breakfast, dinner in Delphi and Kalambaka during tour
✅ Services of an expert guide and driver
✅ Transfers between Airport, Port and Hotel throughout
✅ Port charges, government fees and taxes

Contact Philip on 1300 241 705 for more details.

* Price is per person based on twin share in an interior category M. Other categories available on request. Fares & availability are subject to change without notice. T&C's apply.

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas from Darwin, 50 years after Cyclone Tracy was approaching the city in time to wreak havoc & wide spread destruction on Christmas Eve & into the early hours of Christmas Day.

Being born & raised in Darwin, the Cyclone had a huge impact on my family. Thankfully, we were on holidays at the time, so we missed the frightening & awful experience. But we still lost our home & were refugees for many months after.

Today, Darwin is the thriving capital of the Northern Territory once more, but we pause to remember those who fell & those who were left with the emotional scars of the trauma & loss.

📷 - Darwin 2020 - Sandla Getty Images from Canva Pro

17/12/2024

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann celebrates 130th Christmas! 🎄🌟
Having been in Paris in late Nov 2019 & witnessing the display first-hand, I can only say you really must put this on your holiday list!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2025 brings you good health & happy travels.

17/12/2024

Clients Kevin & Jen are currently sailing on Viking Venus from Bali to Sydney. I caught up with them for lunch in Cairns yesterday & they were kind enough to share these pics from their time onboard.

😍 What a beautiful ship! 🛳

At just 930 guest capacity and a crew to guest ratio of 2 to 1, you will enjoy the personalised service and serene Scandinavian spaces.

Thanks Kevin & Jen for sharing your experiences.

You can learn more about Viking Cruises in my article here: https://www.holidaysbeckon.com.au/viking-ocean-cruises

16/12/2024

✨ Step into a world of contemporary luxury with Explora Journeys

With spacious suites, curated European itineraries, and a commitment to well-being and sustainability, Explora Journeys is setting a new standard for luxury cruising. From dining in nine distinct venues to wellness experiences like sunrise yoga and thermal spa treatments, every moment onboard is designed for your comfort and enrichment.

🌍 Discover why Explora Journeys is the perfect choice for your next European voyage in our latest article.

Discover why Explora Journeys offers a contemporary luxury cruising experience with spacious accommodations, immersive European itineraries, and an unparalleled commitment to well-being, sustainability, and personalisation.

15/12/2024

The latest edition of the Holidays Beckon email newsletter has just been released. Learn about the collection of in-depth articles I've created about some of the finest luxury and premium ocean cruise lines operating throughout Europe. 🛳✨

Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a cultural deep dive, or a culinary journey, there’s a European luxury cruise tailored to your dreams.

13/12/2024

🚂🛳️✨ Embark on the ultimate Aussie adventure!
1. Sydney roundtrip 25 Mar 2026: Board the iconic Indian Pacific train, journeying through breathtaking landscapes to Perth. Enjoy a 4-night stay in Perth, including a full-day tour to stunning Rottnest Island, before setting sail on a 17-night cruise back to Sydney. 🌊🌟 https://bit.ly/IP-NE-PER26
2. Perth roundtrip 01 Apr 2026: Set sail on a 17-night cruise to Sydney, before enjoying a 4 night stay in Sydney, including a Sydney Harbour Cruise, & then board the Indian Pacific back to Perth. 🚂🌟 https://bit.ly/NE-IP-SYD26

Whether you’re a rail enthusiast or a cruising aficionado, this package is your perfect blend of discovery and relaxation.

For more information call Philip on 1300 241 705 or visit the links above.

05/12/2024

My latest article on choosing the luxury cruise line that matches your preference can be viewed using the link below. Thanks to Anna from Travel Agent Finder for sharing it. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help.

02/12/2024

Next year marks the 83rd anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.

This specially crafted 5-day tour includes 4* accommodation, all excursions, scenic drives & sightseeing of historic WWII sites, the services of an expert WWII historian, attendance at the commemorative service, a welcome dinner, and more!

Extend your stay so that you can explore more of Darwin & the Top End.

Contact Philip on 1300 241 705 or email [email protected] to find out more.

Join this 5-day tour marking the 83rd Bombing of Darwin anniversary. See WWII sites with expert insights & the official commemoration service. Stay longer with options for extended touring & accomodation.

24/11/2024

Some of my fondest memories from European holidays come from trips with friends, where we rented stunning villas in places like Tuscany and Maratea in Italy, as well as Foix in the Occitanie region of southwestern France. Each time, our group would book an entire villa for a week and immerse ourselves in the beautiful countryside. We explored charming nearby villages and spent lazy afternoons lounging by the pool. We were fortunate that a couple of our group loved to cook, allowing us to gather fresh local ingredients and exquisite wines to enjoy delightful meals in these extraordinary historical homes. Plus, travelling together meant sharing expenses—a total win-win! 💭📸

With access to amazing villas in dream destinations like the South of France, Crete, Spain, the Dalmatian Coast, Tuscany, Puglia, and Portugal, I’m here to help you plan your next unforgettable European villa getaway with your friends.

23/11/2024

I was lucky enough to be invited onboard MS EUROPA 2 when she was docked in Cairns this week.

The ship is part of the Hapag-Lloyd expedition & luxury cruise fleet. Their focus is on turning your dream cruise into reality, helping you escape daily routines & embrace a sense of freedom.

"All the promises of a yacht and the serenity of a small resort: on board the EUROPA 2, you can enjoy the highest level of casual luxury with a maximum of 500 guests. Discover the best cruise ship in the world*." * According to Insight Guides 2025.

For more information contact Philip on 1300 241 705

Luxury Travel Marketing

23/11/2024

All the more reason to use a reputable travel agent!

A stark warning from Booking.com highlights a dramatic 900 per cent increase in travel scams over the past 18 months.

21/11/2024

For Cairns locals, this is an awesome announcement!

From Apr 2025, Fiji Airways will fly direct flight Cairns to Nadi 3 times a week (Tue, Thu & Sat), with seamless one-stop connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas.

Introductory fares include:

✈️ Cairns to Fiji (Nadi) from just $539 Lite return*
✈️ Cairns to Los Angeles (via Fiji) from $999 Value return*
✈️ Cairns to San Francisco (via Fiji) from $999 Value return*
✈️ Cairns Dallas Fort Worth (via Fiji) from $1,099 Value return*

Call Philip on 1300 241 705 to start planning your Fiji or US escape.

Bula Fiji Airways, welcome to Cairns! ✈️🎉

Cairns Airport is excited to welcome direct flights between Cairns and Nadi from 10 April 2025, just in time for the Easter school holidays. 🤲

Flying three times weekly (Tue, Thu & Sat), with a flight time of approximately 4 hours, this is the perfect opportunity for North Queenslanders to explore the pristine beauty of Fiji in one easy trip. 🌴

There is also the added opportunity to enjoy a seamless one-stop connection to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas, making your journey to North America even more convenient. 🗺️
Ready to travel? Take advantage of these special introductory fares!
Fly Cairns to:

📍 Fiji (Nadi) from just $539 Lite return*
📍 Los Angeles (via Fiji) from $999 Value return*
📍 San Francisco (via Fiji) from $999 Value return*
📍 Dallas Fort Worth (via Fiji) from $1,099 Value return*

Book now: https://www.fijiairways.com/en-au/

Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Queensland Government, Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Cairns Regional Council

*T&C's apply. Flights are per person. Fares are on sale for a limited time until 26 November 2024 and valid for travel between 10 April 2025 - 30 October 2025.

21/11/2024

🔥This is selling like hot cakes!🔥

I wouldn't be surprised if it is completely sold out by the end of the week.

If you're keen to experience 3 nights scenic sailing from Sydney while enjoying live performances by well known artists including Suzi Quatro, Jon Stevens, Ross Wilson, Baby Animals, Dragon, and many more, then click the link below:

https://bit.ly/RtB25-Vol2-Book

But don't wait or you're sure to miss it!

14/11/2024

Rock the Boat 2025 Vol II - Registration open now!

Following the incredible demand for the sold-out 7-night Rock the Boat 2025 cruise, this additional voyage will sail from October 26-29, 2025, aboard Carnival Luminosa for 3 nights scenic sailing from Sydney, offering guests an unforgettable, scenic rock music experience at sea.

Headline artists include: SUZI QUATRO (USA), JON STEVENS, BABY ANIMALS, DRAGON, ROSS WILSON, THE ANIMALS (UK), SARAH MCLEOD, TMG, FURNACE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS, ROB MILLS PERFORMS THE SONGS OF BON JOVI, plus many more - over 25 artists performing onboard!

This is expected to be a sell out, so be quick to register by clicking here: https://bit.ly/RtB25_Vol2_Reg

Call Philip on 1300 241 705 or see website for more details https://www.holidaysbeckon.com.au/rock-the-boat-2025-vol-ii

13/11/2024

I was lucky enough to be invited onboard the Carnival Cruise Line Australia Luminosa today when she was docked in Cairns. These opportunities are invaluable in being able to share information with my clients and for me to continue to build my knowledge of all things cruise!

13/11/2024

Ready to uncover Japan's hidden gems? 🇯🇵🍜

Discover the Jewels of Japan on our 12-day itinerary! From Tokyo to Mount Fuji, Kyoto to Hiroshima, immerse yourself in Japanese culture:

🧳 Learn origami
🧳 Enjoy a tea ceremony
🧳 Make soba noodles

Your partner flies FREE in 2025 & 2026, or solo travellers save 50% on airfares!