Natasha Thompson - Fine Travel

21/04/2022

Australia's decision to welcome back cruise ships opens the door for close to home cruises holidays. Explore more on our dedicated cruise website: https://ftnz.newcruisedata.cruisefactory.net/

13/04/2022

Although proving to be scarce, Qatar Airways' new Business Class Lite option to the UK and Europe provides a discount by removing some benefits. Read more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/qatar-airways-removes-discount-business-class-benefits/

As we tentatively look ahead to the prospect of more quarantine free travel in 2022, and the recent return of Qatar and the UAE to the UK’s Amber Travel List, we look into the changes Qatar Airways has made to...Continue reading

06/04/2022

Expedition Cruises to Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos Islands are increasingly open to guests of all fitness and mobility levels. Luxury cruise lines like Seabourn, Silversea and Ponant offer creature comforts and in-depth educational experiences on their “soft expedition” itineraries. Learn more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/expedition-cruises-not-just-for-the-intrepid-traveller/

03/04/2022

Singapore Airlines has extended its UK / Europe Business Class and Premium Economy sale until 10 April 22. Prices are expected to rise and July and August are already very full. Find out more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/business-class-flights/uk-europe/

01/04/2022

With the return of the Emirates free chauffeur service to Auckland, we look back at our article on the value of this offer: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/how-valuable-is-the-free-emirates-business-class-chauffeur-service/

30/03/2022

As more ports open to cruise ships, we are seeing demand grow for a range of voyages. Our dedicated cruise website is a one-stop shop to research cruise lines and their itineraries: https://ftnz.newcruisedata.cruisefactory.net/

28/03/2022

As the return of international cruise holidays gains momentum, we look back on our article on the pros and cons of last minute cruise specials: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-last-minute-cruise-holiday-specials/

27/03/2022

Looking for a venue to celebrate a significant birthday or event? A venue that is accessible and affordable? With quarantine free travel with Rarotonga, self-catering villas are ideal for a larger group of family and friends looking for somewhere special: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/planning-a-celebration-on-rarotonga-with-family-and-friends/

Looking for a venue to celebrate a significant birthday or event? A venue that ticks the boxes in terms of accessibility, affordability and simplicity? With the Cook Islands Travel Bubble now open, we can look beyond the holiday resorts of...Continue reading

25/03/2022

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-25/pre-departure-covid-test-international-travellers-australia/100938716?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

The federal government is ditching a requirement for overseas travellers to provide a negative COVID-19 test before they fly to Australia.

24/03/2022

Big news from Air New Zealand that the direct service to New York will start from 17 September 22. Long-term market fares are available now and we'll be looking out for special offers: https://finetravel.co.nz/business-class-flights/usa-canada/

22/03/2022

The Cook Islands now accept supervised RATs to meet their pre-departure Covid-19 testing requirements. Read more about planning a Cook Islands holiday at: https://finetravel.co.nz/destinations/guide-to-planning-your-cook-islands-holiday/

20/03/2022

On Business Class flights to the UK / Europe, Qatar Airways has introduced "Business Class Lite". Read more about the different options at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/qatar-airways-removes-discount-business-class-benefits/

As we tentatively look ahead to the prospect of more quarantine free travel in 2022, and the recent return of Qatar and the UAE to the UK’s Amber Travel List, we look into the changes Qatar Airways has made to...Continue reading

17/03/2022

When holiday time in the UK / Europe is precious, retracing your steps to connect with a flight home can feel a waste of valuable time. This is where Open Jaw airfares can help: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/how-to-save-more-with-open-jaw-uk-europe-business-class-airfares/

  When holiday time is precious, retracing your steps to connect with a flight home can feel a waste of valuable time. For many Fine Travel clients

14/03/2022

For all arrivals into England after 4am on 18 March 22, pre-departure testing and passenger locator forms will no longer be required. Read more at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the self-isolation rules for travel to England.

14/03/2022

Discounted Singapore Airlines Business Class and Premium Economy airfares to the UK and Europe are now on sale until 3 April 22. Find out more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/business-class-flights/uk-europe/

10/03/2022

While Australian and New Zealand borders remain closed to international cruise ships, the Australian flagged cruise line Coral Expeditions has continued to offer soft-expedition itineraries in the Australian Kimberley region. We review Coral Expeditions, its ships and the itinerary available. https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/australian-cruise-line-coral-expeditions-continues-kimberley-voyages/

Coral Expeditions offers small ship expedition cruise itineraries in the Australian Kimberley region between Darwin and Broome.

09/03/2022

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express returned in 2021, but for New Zealand travellers making UK / Europe plans for 2022, incorporating this bucket-list experience requires planning ahead with many 2022 departures already sold out. Read more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/discover-the-finer-details-of-the-venice-simplon-orient-express/

08/03/2022

Expedition Cruises have taken clear steps to be more inclusive. Voyages are educational experiences, with cruise lines offering itineraries on a spectrum of “soft expedition” through to “true expedition”. Learn more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/expedition-cruises-not-just-for-the-intrepid-traveller/

An expedition cruise doesn't need to be an extreme adventure. Soft expedition options provide well considered voyages off the beaten path.

07/03/2022

After welcoming home a client after his holiday at Te Manava Villas in Rarotonga, he gave such a comprehensive review we thought we’d share it: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/client-review-of-te-manava-villas-on-rarotonga/

When Fine Travel Consultant Meghan Ward welcomed her client home after his holiday in Rarotonga and asked for feedback on his time away, she received such a comprehensive response we thought we’d share it with you. Thank you to Hayden...Continue reading

06/03/2022

The government's advice to not travel overseas has been replaced by country specific advice. Unless a country has a "do not travel" advisory, it should now be possible to obtain some level of travel insurance for overseas Covid medical costs. Learn more at: https://safetravel.govt.nz/covid-19

03/03/2022

As the winter months close in, it's a good time to plan ahead for an escape to the Cook Islands: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/comparing-the-beaches-of-rarotongas-luxury-resorts-and-villas/

Rarotonga's Muri beach spoils us with endless pictures of its white sand and a crystal clear lagoon. Although the pictures are authentic, they don't

02/03/2022

As a bucket list experience, an Antarctic cruise requires forward planning, including considering what the wildlife are doing during the different seasons. Read more: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/when-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-go-to-antarctica/

As a seasonal destination, knowing the right time of year to go on a cruise to Antarctica is important. There are two other important questions: When to

28/02/2022

Big news! The government has announced that from Saturday (5 March) vaccinated New Zealanders returning from anywhere in the world will not need to isolate. If this opens up your travel plans I'm available: https://finetravel.co.nz/contact-us/

27/02/2022

The "Do No Travel" advisory on the Safe Travel website can affect whether travel insurance will cover medical costs if you contract Covid overseas. Learn more about our services at: https://finetravel.co.nz/our-services/

21/02/2022

Singapore has announced that from 22 February 22, transit passengers will no longer require a pre-departure Covid test. Pre-departure testing will therefore no longer required for a Singapore Airlines flight from New Zealand to London (New Zealand still requires a pre-departure test for the return journey): https://finetravel.co.nz/business-class-flights/uk-europe/

20/02/2022

Further progress being made across the Tasman...

From 12:01am Thursday, 3 March and based on the latest health advice, WA will open its border allowing for safe travel into Western Australia.

The border opening will allow for safe travel into WA from interstate and overseas with vaccination and testing requirements on arrival, pending latest health advice.

Interstate travel into WA will be permitted with the following requirements:
🟩 Have a registered G2G Pass
🟩 Be triple dose vaccinated, if eligible
🟩 Undertake a rapid antigen test on arrival (within 12 hours, and report any positive result)

International travellers into WA will be permitted with the following requirements:
🟩 Meet Commonwealth Government requirements to enter Australia
🟩 Be fully vaccinated under the Commonwealth requirements, if eligible
🟩 Have a registered G2G Pass
🟩 Undertake a rapid antigen test on arrival (within 12 hours, and report any positive result)
🟩 Unvaccinated returning Australians will be required to complete hotel quarantine

These interim testing arrangements will be in place for a minimum of two weeks and then be subject to an ongoing review.

For more information on WA's Safe Transition Plan, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/was-border-opening-thursday-3-march-2022

03/02/2022

Although Covid remains challenging, it's hard not to be a little excited about the border announcements today... If home isolation will allow you to travel, I'm available to help: https://finetravel.co.nz/contact-us/

03/12/2021

I have an early Christmas present from Singapore Airlines with new discounted Business Class and Premium Economy airfares to the UK and Europe on sale now. Find out more at: https://finetravel.co.nz/business-class-flights/uk-europe/

24/11/2021

A big announcement today - MIQ is to be replaced with 7 day home isolation for vaccinated New Zealanders returning from Australia (from 17 Jan 22) and then the rest of the world (from 14 Feb 22). If you're making plans I'm available to help: https://finetravel.co.nz/contact-us/

10/11/2021

"The drier months are also whale watching season when humpback whales are so close they can been seen from the Rarotongan foreshore...". Read more about different seasons of the Cook Islands at: https://finetravel.co.nz/blog/when-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-visit-the-cook-islands/

With quarantine free travel available to the Cook Islands we look into the seasons and the best time to travel to Rarotonga and Aitutaki