Catherine James TravelManager

05/09/2024

Big News!

28/08/2024

Looking for a beautiful and unique boutique river cruising experience next year?

Or just a nice Monday evening watching a documentary of a river cruise with a glass of bubbles, popcorn and an ice cream?

Use code VIPGUEST for a $5 discount per ticket.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aperitivo-at-the-pictures-with-uniworld-adelaide-tickets-979845964657

24/07/2024

Flight updates:
If you've tried getting a decent price for Europe and returning to Adelaide in January - read this!

Singapore Airlines is bringing back its daytime flight from Singapore to Adelaide for one week, from January 9th to 14th. During this time, they will offer an evening flight departing from Adelaide at 6:35 pm and arriving at 10:55 pm. The return flight will depart from Singapore at 8:05 am and arrive by 5:20 pm.the flight will depart Singapore at 8:05am and arrive by 17:20.

24/07/2024

Flight updates:
If you've tried getting a decent price for Asia or Europe and returning to Adelaide in January - read this!

Singapore Airlines is bringing back its daytime flight from Singapore to Adelaide for one week, from January 9th to 14th.

During this time, they will offer an evening flight departing from Adelaide at 6:35 pm and arriving at 10:55 pm. The return flight will depart from Singapore at 8:05 am and arrive by 5:20 pm.the flight will depart Singapore at 8:05am and arrive by 17:20.

23/07/2024

A lovely testimonial from a client I've worked with for quite a few years now. I've been involved in quite a few holidays for them now, and this one was a special one.

18/07/2024

Here's a fabulous article written by my friend and client, Kate Holland.

I planned her first family trip overseas with the assistance of , and it was a smashing success - by her own account!

Kate asked me to put together an itinerary that would be flexible enough to allow them to get out the door with three boys and also maximise their time away. WideEyeTour has operators available on the ground who keep in daily contact with you via WhatsApp, providing peace of mind and assistance with last-minute changes.

If you'd like me to put together something similar for you, let's arrange a time to chat via Zoom.
e: [email protected]

From south to north, ensure you see the best of everything.

03/07/2024

I have been creating so many itineraries for families travelling to Japan recently.

They often visit Disneyland in Tokyo, Universal Studios in Osaka, or both! There's lots of eating, walking, and using public transport with their Pasmo cards on their mobile phones. Japan has opened up to become an exciting and fun location for Australian families.

Have you been? Do you want to go? 😍

05/04/2024

A bit-of-fun advertising campaign for Vilnius. 😁

I have an intrepid traveller visiting Vilnius this year. It's a short flight from Helsinki.

If you think Eastern Europe is not worth visiting, come to Vilnius and let us change your mind.https://www.govilnius.lt/expectations-vs-reality

02/04/2024

At a recent meeting I heard from Tauck, and I have to say, I was impressed. Their company has a motto which is 'Do the right thing', and in 2025 the company will have been around for 100 years.

I'll be looking out for some tours I can do with them in the coming years :)

19/03/2024

Yesterday, Adelaide's Travel Managers ventured out into public (let's not mention the traffic!) for a State Meeting at the Sofitel Adelaide on Currie Street, specifically Level 9 by Garcon Bleu.

This restaurant catered for our delicious lunch, morning, and afternoon teas, and I just had to take a few photos of the location and share them with you. It's open to the public Wednesday- Sunday, and it makes terrific high tea based on our experience yesterday!

How lovely does this look?

21/02/2024

Who'd like to be in the Swiss Alps right now? I'd bet it's a bit cooler!

Experience the essence of Switzerland and save $600 per couple, exclusive to TravelManagers. Plus you'll receive breakfast daily, day trips and more 🗻🚞

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3OPuWCm

*T&Cs apply

06/02/2024

Well I don’t want to sound bitter, but it’s ABOUT TIME EMIRATES! Both Qatar and Singapore kept flying internationally from Adelaide throughout the pandemic.

But it’s welcome, even if they aren’t bringing their First class cabins yet! 🤣

BIG NEWS! 🚨 We are thrilled to welcome today's announcement by Emirates, that DAILY services to Dubai will resume from Monday 28th October this year! ✈️

Emirates’ EK440 will arrive in Adelaide at 8:50pm, and depart for Dubai as flight EK441 at 10:35pm. The non-stop service will operate on Emirates' Boeing 777-200LR. 🛫

Offering passengers Business and Economy Class cabins, tickets can be purchased at www.emirates.com, Emirates Sales Offices, or via your travel agent.

This much missed service will significantly increase connections between Adelaide and many European destinations. 🌍 We can't wait to see Emirates back in Adelaide skies soon!

22/01/2024

Important to note the extra fee for Bali 🍺☀️🏖️

17/01/2024

Which one would you pick?

11/01/2024

Hi there!

Planning travel isn't just about booking flights and hotels anymore. It's about crafting an experience that's as unique as you are.

I've created a travel planning package that includes a consultation with me about your plans; I offer ideas and suggestions to enhance your holiday.

With over 18 years of experience in luxury cruising, adventure tours, and more, I have extensive knowledge of destinations worldwide.

Here's a link to book a half-hour consultation with me and see if we can work together to create the trip of your dreams.

https://calendly.com/catherine-james-travel-manager/30min

24/11/2022

If this interests you, it's a way to support the community too. Contact Yvette directly, who lives locally 💜🎄

30/10/2022

It's been a very busy couple of weeks with suppliers returning to in-person events and all the agents who made it through COVID gagging for a catch-up and sponsored drink! Here are some photos of events, including one breakfast bought for me by a happy traveller.

Key takeaways:

👍Uniworld - 5-star cruising is back in Europe. Think boutique hotels on water with food to match

👍Virgin Voyages - Adult-only cruising, The Resilient Lady will reposition from the Greek Islands to Australia for a season in 2023

👍Celebrity Edge also homeporting in Australia for a season. Features a glass bar that moves up and down the side of the ship and longer evening stays to take advantage of the nightlife

👍Air New Zealand are back to 4 flights per week direct from Adelaide and new long-haul Auckland to New York direct

👍AAT Kings have some great new itineraries from Adelaide

👍Top Deck have changed their tour names, and if you're under 39 and don't want the 67 cities in 15 days experience, you can take their 'Delve Deep' tours

And that's it! Phew, busy time reconnecting with suppliers and great to see so many still in the industry.

14/10/2022

Kate said she wanted a holiday where she could “sit and enjoy the world going by and soak up Canada”. So we planned a cruise from Vancouver with Holland America to the Inside Passage. Followed by a VIA train trip from Vancouver to Jasper. Here’s her favourite photo so far taken of Lake Beauvert (the minerals make the water so blue) and her cabin for one on the train.

I can’t tell you how happy I feel knowing people can travel again. It’s been a rough few years for everyone!

04/10/2022

If you're interested to learn about River Cruising in style, Uniworld has a unique event for the public on Thursday of next week at the Adelaide Pavillion in Veale Gardens at midday or 4pm.
Interested? You can register below...

Elevate your River Cruise to an entirely new level with Uniworld.

04/10/2022

Virgin seems to be kicking goals in the huge space Qantas is leaving them. Meals for everyone and now sensible uniform choices. Gender norms around uniforms are outdated and frankly, high heels on planes should be considered a workplace safety issue!

Virgin Atlantic has updated its gender identity policy, giving staff the option to choose which uniform represents them – no matter their gender.

22/09/2022

A room with a view!
I love receiving photos from my travel clients while they’re on holidays. This one is a view over Lake Como from Bellagio, specifically the Hotel Silvio in a partial lake view rooms.

Look at that sunshine! 😍

09/09/2022

Wave your masks in the air like you just don’t care.

Wearing masks is no longer required on flights travelling to Australia as of midnight last night.

06/09/2022

Thanks to a recent itinerary adjustment, Viking Orion is making a surprise visit to Cairns before travelling through to Darwin, Thursday Island, Bali, Singapore and Bangkok.

Viking are launching three new repositioning itineraries departing Cairns on 26 October 2022. With one-off value-packed fares for you.

From 9-Days | Cairns toBali $2,395pp in a Veranda stateroom

Explore cities like Cairns, Bali and more on an unforgettable cruise. Book today!

28/08/2022

Alan Joyce’s email rewritten. Gold!
“Which is why, as an acknowledgement of everything that's gone wrong, we'd like
to offer you 20 cents off a bread roll.” 🤣

25/08/2022

I am having way too much fun with Qantas right now!

24/08/2022

This is very cool. SA gets our own rep for TravelManagers. Someone who lives here and understands the market is invaluable.

https://karryon.com.au/community/movers-shakers-travelmanagers-adds-maggie-bootsman-as-new-bpm/

TravelManagers has welcomed well-known industry identity Maggie Bootsman as its newest Business Partnership Manager.

23/08/2022

17/08/2022

Airlines no longer paying commission to agents is a topic the general public hasn’t caught up on. But you really should. Because for you, it means fees to book with an agent and get something that resembles good service and not a 6-hr wait on hold.

I support fees for service now regardless especially after working for little to no income for 2 years but airlines cutting commissions means it’s impossible to book air without a fee. Would you work for free? 💰😕💸

“Looking through the list of airlines which have cut commission, there are a few names you won’t find, including Air Canada, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways, just to name a small few of the small few.”

With many airlines slashing base commissions payable to travel advisors last month, the aviation-agent relationship has taken a hit. But for the few airlines bucking the trend and maintaining commissions, the bold move appears to be paying off. MYLES STEDMAN investigates these holdouts.

15/08/2022

If you're small ship cruising curious, Ponant is putting on a presentation at the Hilton in Adelaide on Monday the 29th of August. There's a 2pm and 6pm session, and attendees are offered a 5% discount on any bookings made on the day.

It's worth going along just to dream about classy cruising.
If you want me to provide advice on your holiday, send me a message, and I'll register you; otherwise, you can register directly too.

Join me for PONANT's Explore to Inspire Roadshow Series in a city around Australia throughout August, September & October!

12/08/2022

I have 2 spots/cabins on Hurtigruten's SOLD OUT Follow the Lights Tour that have become available.

This is a group tour starting in Oslo on the 7th of November this year and finishing in Helsinki on the 24th. This is a part of the world with stunning coastline and chances of seeing the Northern Lights. You'll learn about the Indigenous Sami culture and maybe even meet Father Christmas (!).

The tour includes 2 x Single Arctic Superior cabins (Double bed). Situated on upper/middle decks on the MS Polarlys from BERGEN on the 14th November to KIRKENES on 20th November.

This departure is SOLD OUT. The cabins are for single occupancy only.

If you are keen on a fabulous adventure following the northern lights, please contact me for more details! It's short notice but the full payment is due very soon.

https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/follow-the-lights-northbound/ -info

Experience some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and the wonder of the Northern Lights on this 18-day adventure including Oslo and Bergen, “Norway in a Nutshell”, the iconic northbound Coastal Voyage, and a journey through Finland and Estonia.