ICON Travel

04/07/2023

Stay 3 Nights and Save 35%

Where else can you ride a camel 🐪 through the desert , savour 😋 an exquisite four-course dinner infused with native 🇦🇺 Australian ingredients, and immerse yourself in stories of the outback 🫶, all in one day?

With more than 100 unique experiences on the menu, including our new Wintjiri Wiru experience, every day is a totally new adventure at Ayers Rock Resort.

And with 35% off 3-night stays, there's never been a better time to book your outback adventure!

Hurry, this offer ends Thursday 17 August (AEST).

*Terms and conditions apply.

CONTACT: [email protected]

07/02/2023

International travel is well and truly back. 👏🏼

Last night I attended an education session on Hurtigruten 🇳🇴(pronounced huh-tee-gruh-tn).

If you’re not aware of it, it’s a small Norwegian cruise and supply ship. The word hurtigruten translates to ‘quick route‘🤭. I think Australia 🇦🇺 is the only place where that gets lost in translation 🙄.

What if we put a small group together and sail 🚢 up the Norwegian 🇳🇴coast, stopping off to do guided hikes 🥾in the pristine hills 🧗🏼‍♂️of Norway, sail through the stunning fjords, visit the colourful fishing 🎣 villages 🏠 and maybe head back through remote and rugged 🇫🇮 Finland 🤔

Who’d be interested❓❓❓

15/12/2021

Ever feel overwhelmed keeping up with different state rules in relation to COVID-19?

Here's a summary of where we're at today.

AUSTRALIA HAS REOPENED ITS BORDERS TO SKILLED WORKERS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, AS RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO EASE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

A swathe of COVID-19 restrictions were lifted today with Tasmania opening its borders, Victoria easing vaccine requirements, quarantine requirements for Southern African travellers have been removed and unvaccinated people will now have the same freedoms in NSW as vaccinated people.

First off, Australia’s border is now open to visa holders after almost two years, allowing skilled workers and international students to enter the country without an exemption.

Restrictions on visa holders were supposed to lift on 1 December, but the government placed a pause on the change due to concerns over the Omicron variant.

This resumption also signals the first stages of Australia’s travel bubble with Japan and South Korea.

In NSW, all international arrivals will be subject to the same requirements from today, with the state lifting requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from eight southern African countries to enter 14 days hotel quarantine.

Victorian officials announced they would lift the requirements on Monday.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said all fully vaccinated international arrivals must still self-isolate for 72-hours and present a negative result from a test taken within the first 24 hours of arrival, avoid high-risk settings for seven days and have a PCR test both within 24 hours of arrival and on day six.

“NSW Health also strongly encourages all international arrivals to have another test 12 days after arrival,” Dr Chant said.

The state also lifted restrictions for unvaccinated people today, allowing them the same freedoms as vaccinated people, as well as scrapping capacity limits for gatherings at home, on outdoor gatherings and in hospitality venues; and dropping mask mandates for most indoor settings.

Masks will still be required on public transport, onboard planes, at airports and for hospitality staff who are not vaccinated.

However, any passengers arriving from overseas aged 18 years and over who are not fully vaccinated will still need to go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

This morning, NSW recorded 1,360 new cases of COVID-19 and brought its total number of Omicron cases to 110.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced that quarantine periods for international travellers will reduce from 14 to seven days effective immediately, after the state recorded 26 new cases this morning, its highest daily total since April 2020, according to ABC News.

Meanwhile, Victoria’s Health Minister Martin Foley has confirmed the state will lift vaccine requirements in certain settings from midnight tonight as the government replaces its state of emergency powers with the new Public Health and Wellbeing Act.

Those under 18 will no longer need to show proof of vaccine at hospitality venues and mandatory vaccination requirements will be scrapped for retail customers as well as in real estate, places of worship and weddings and funerals.

Victoria recorded 1,405 new cases today.

Phew, you're up to date with thanks to Travel Weekly
Photo: JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

15/11/2021

𝟭𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 - 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗢𝘀𝗹𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗺𝘀ø

Embarking on a winter’s pilgrimage to Norway in search of the Aurora Borealis, is a bucket-list topper. And, with good reason! It’s a truly magical experience, with dark skies overhead bursting into grand, ethereal colours. But, sightings are never guaranteed, so it pays to travel alongside a local guide and mix up your locations above the Arctic Circle. This short winter tour includes visiting Oslo, Bergen and the fjords before travelling up the Norwegian coast to Tromsø.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲
• Northbound voyage on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Kystruten) to Tromsø
• Sights and sounds of the Norwegian coast
• City tours Oslo and Bergen
• Opportunity for spotting the northern lights
• Small group sizes from just 8 to 18
• Genuinely inclusive, no additional tour costs
• Hand selected, small hotels
• No unnecessary bus driving
• 'Down Time' guaranteed

From $4,931/person twin share
For more details: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

15/11/2021

Ever dreamed of exploring the ends of Earth?

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟱% 𝗼𝗻* 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

Cast off to the extremes of the globe and discover great white landscapes full of icy inlets and frozen coves – all from the comfort of purpose-built polar vessels.

Experience the rush of unique polar activities – from camping and hiking to kayaking and the polar plunge – witness brilliant natural phenomena and wildlife, and come to terms with the sheer size and scale of our planet's polar regions.

For more information:
[email protected]
mobile: 0409 479 280

Intrepid Travel

08/11/2021

𝗪𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀???
I'm hatching a plan to head to Tasmania to do the Three Capes Track. Who'd like to join me, I only need six? I've already got 5, could you be the one we're looking for?

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱:
Fully hosted by Suzanne
4 x night in Hobart, group transfers to/from Airport
Entry to Port Arthur
Three Capes Track (4 days, staying in huts)
All meals on track (camp food)
Transfers to/from Hobart to Three Capes
Gourmet day on Bruny Island
Walking tour of Hobart
Posh pit transfer and entry into MONA Art Gallery
Salamanca Markets for Christmas Shopping

𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨: 28 𝙉𝙤𝙫 - 5 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2021 (𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙!)
Price: $3,150/person twin share
I need to lock this in quickly, so if you are interested, please comment below and I will send you more information.

Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

08/11/2021

As of 11th November 2021, tourists from New Zealand, USA, UK, Pacific Islands and Australia will have no quarantine requirement when they visit Fiji.

However, the official Fiji reopening date remains as 1st December 2021, when Fiji Airways will recommence tourism flights.

Qantas and Jetstar have also announced the return of Fiji flights from Sydney from mid-December.

Those flying to Fiji from these countries will be required to show proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to go straight to their accommodation, where they will spend the first two days of their trip. You can pick from any one of Fiji’s resorts or hotels.

During these two days, visitors won’t be confined to their hotel rooms. Instead, they’ll have free use of the hotel’s amenities until the 48 hours is up, and a rapid diagnostic test will grant them the freedom to explore the islands’ safe travel regions, take part in tours, eat at local restaurants, and so much more.

Interested in Fiji? Contact Suzanne on 0409 479 280 or [email protected]

Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash

05/11/2021

Ultimate Queensland Christmas Expedition
Save $1,000 per person on the 14 Nights | Departing Cairns 5 December 2021 | Arriving Brisbane | Onboard Coral Geographer

As the year draws to a close, be one of a special few to experience a unique, all-inclusive cruise adventure that combines the essence of the Great Barrier Reef with the spirit of the Queensland Outback.

Sail through the islands of the Queensland coast on Coral Geographer, with a private jet and sailing yacht in attendance. En route, be whisked away by private plane to Longreach for a classic Queensland outback day. After a pub lunch, gather at sunset at a 1900s homestead for storytelling and bush poetry, before returning to the ship that night. On another day, embark on a sailing yacht through the Whitsunday Islands for a barefoot luxe seafood luncheon. After an afternoon of indulgence on a white sand beach, enjoy the colours of the approaching sunset while sailing back to your comfortable stateroom on Coral Geographer. The voyage will begin and end with two gala dinners on the ship with 10 extraordinary wines selected from the prized ‘Exceptional’ category of Langton’s Classification.

As we sail through the outer islands of the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy encounters with dolphins, rays and turtles, and guided nature walks on iconic Lizard and Magnetic Islands. Dive and snorkel amongst vibrant coral reefs, and connect with indigenous culture at World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island). You will be accompanied by our expert guides who will share their deep knowledge and love of this land.

We invite you to find freedom on the Queensland coast on this extraordinary voyage.

Reverse Direction: Brisbane to Cairns | 20 December 2021

Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

03/11/2021

This is Helen and Clive.

Here they are in their natural habitat; drinking cocktails and enjoying life!

They have six offspring scattered around the world. The furthest is in Oslo, Norway.

Today they forced the synapses in my brain, which have been dormant for almost two years, to start sparking again. Long forgotten tasks were dragged out of the corners of my memory bank, stretching my poor old brain.

Today with part trepidation and part excitement, I booked the first international flights in almost two years. Helen and Clive are off to Norway, with a sneaky trip over to Iceland while they are there.

Borders are opening people.

Visit family. Travel. Have adventures.

Be like Helen and Clive.

Call me! 0409 479 280

03/11/2021

Okay, people, my email inbox is going crazy with offers coming in several times a day. I shall keep putting snippets on here, but if there's something, in particular, you're interested in, let me know and I shall keep an eye out for you.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿
Early Bird Sale offer applies to new bookings made and deposited before 03 December 2021
For travel from 01 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 on selected departures on the Ocean Endeavour.
The following discounts apply to our Early Bird Sale offers:
The following discounts apply to our Early Bird Sale offers:
❄️ 20% off the price of eligible cabins in categories 5, 5a, 6 & 7;
❄️ 25% off the price of eligible cabins in categories 8 and 9; and
❄️ 30% off the price of eligible cabins in category 10 only.

Want to know more? Get in touch.

03/11/2021

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 & 𝗦𝗸𝗶: 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 + 𝗖𝗔𝗗$𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿

🏂 10 Nights at The Westin Resort & Spa Whistler
🎿 7 Day Whistler Blackcomb Restricted Day Pass
⛷ Return Airport Transfers ex Vancouver
⭐️Plus a CAD$250 Voucher

From: $2,729pp
Sale Ends 15 Nov 2021

Other ski packages available.
[email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

01/11/2021

Cruise Magical Tahiti with Special Guest – Kate Ceberano

Book our 9-day Tahiti package sailing aboard Wind Spirit and featuring special guest performances by revered soul-jazz Australian musician Kate Ceberano.

You can cruise the waters of a bucket list destination in unspoilt tropical beauty and explore the five islands of the Society Archipelago.

With 118 islands covering the size of Europe and a population of just 250,000, Tahiti is truly an uncrowded destination
The Wind Spirit sailing on 3 Nov 2022 is exclusively for Australian & New Zealand guests

⚓️. All travellers onboard must be fully vaccinated
⚓️ Only 148 guests and 70 cabins aboard Wind Spirit
⚓️. All meals are served at your table, with outdoor dining options
⚓️. All frontline service industry staff in Tahiti are vaccinated
⚓️. Plus only vaccinated travellers can board Air New Zealand flights.

More details: https://book.creativecruising.com.au/swift/cruise/package/-1_31860--kiss001-cruise-tahiti-with-special-guest---kate-ceberano?ampreferrer=160145&lang=7&siid=148041

Call: 0409 479 280
email: [email protected]

01/11/2021

FREEEEEEEDOM!

The borders are open (well some of them, but it's a start). Where would you like to go?

What about this as an idea - Discover Antarctica
Take the Polar Plunge - FROM AUD 8,640


Travelling to Antarctica is a truly life-changing experience and a must-visit at least once in your life for those with a curious disposition.

Your can will feel the goosebumps gathering on your skin as you come face to face with vast colonies of penguins framed by the dramatic icy world of Antarctica. Or embark on the ultimate Antarctic adventure to South Georgia - home to some of the greatest concentrations of unique wildlife on earth and fascinating human history.

An Antarctica cruise is the ultimate journey. Filled with awe-inspiring wildlife encounters and sensory experiences of indescribable beauty.

To see Antarctica is to experience your place in the world from a whole new perspective. It's the perfect antidote to the constraints of the past two years. And after all, don't you deserve it?

Want to know more? Contact [email protected] or call 0409 479 280

10/10/2021

PM Scott Morrison announced last Friday that Australia’s international border ban would lift in mid-November with citizens and residents finally being able to leave the country again as well as return home after what will have been a twenty-month lock-out.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆?

☑️ A valid passport:
Thumbed your passport recently? If not, now would be a great time to dig it out, dust it off and check your expiry details. If your passport is out of date or within six months of expiring, you’ll need to get a wriggle on as even longer wait times for renewals are already anticipated.

☑️ An internationally recognised vaccination certificate:
This will become the ‘Vaccine Passport’, set to be released this month. Currently, you can access your vaccine status and proof via the Services Australia website.

☑️ To be a fully vaccinated citizen or permanent resident:
To be physically able to leave the country, you’ll need to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident who’s fully immunised with a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

☑️ To have returned a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours before departure:
Other countries have already implemented systems that require a negative test within 48 hours of travel and ex Australia will be no different. You’ll likely need to do this at your own expense via a PCR* test.

*PCR tests currently cost approx $140/person

This is step 1, tomorrow we'll talk about where we can leave from

WORDS: Matt Leedham
PHOTO: Wonderlabs

10/10/2021

More stuff you need to know if you're planning on travelling overseas. Because, hopefully one day, you're gonna wanna come back.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮?

☑All arrival caps are to be lifted from mid-November:
“Hallelujah” is the understatement of the pandemic. This means more seats will be available at lower prices as airlines ramp up to get as many people flying back to Australia as soon as possible. Given there are reportedly 45,000 stranded Australians alone still wanting to come home, it could still take a while.

☑ You’ll need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test:
A negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result is required for travelling to or transiting through Australia. Unless you are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from New Zealand, evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours or less before your scheduled departure must be provided to your airline.

☑You’ll need a Digital Border Declaration (DPD):
Also known as the ‘Vaccine Passport’ these are set to be issued from early October, but only for arrivals. The DPD will move into a testing phase before being deployed throughout major Australian airports but will initially be applied to incoming passengers only. Passengers coming into Australia will be able to complete the DPD on their mobile device or computer and It’s understood that COVID vaccination certificates will be linked to chips in passports and people will have a QR code for scanning.

☑ No more arrival cards:
The good news is there are no more physical incoming passenger cards to fill in or the COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration web form.

☑ Fully-vaccinated Australians will need to home quarantine for 7-days:
Currently, NSW and South Australia are trialling home quarantine to prove that the program can be easily and safely managed. If successful, these will be the first states to offer the program. Australians will likely need to be tested a number of times during or after their seven-day home quarantine however the exact details around that are still being worked out. This is naturally not ideal for leisure travel and is hoped will change to the UK system where there is no home quarantine and only a PCR test pre-departure and on day 2 of arrival for all fully vaccinated travellers.

☑Unvaccinated non-citizens and residents will need to enter mandatory 14-day quarantine:
At their own expense, and per the current system at this stage.
The hope is that fully vaccinated tourists and visa holders could soon be allowed the same freedoms as fully vaccinated arriving Australia.

When you're ready to start booking:
[email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

✍ Matt Leedham
📸 Jamie Davies

09/10/2021

Planning on travelling overseas? My advice, don't do it without a travel consultant to help you.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀?

☑ This depends individually on which country you are travelling to:
While many countries are open to arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, their quarantine requirements, restrictions and testing regimes vary greatly and are changing all the time. We strongly recommend that you check the latest information on country/region travel restrictions as well as visa and passport requirements.

☑ e.g. – Arriving in the UK:
You won’t need to quarantine on arrival at all now, but before you travel to England you must book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England and complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.

After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2. You must book this test before you travel. If you will be in England for less than 2 days you still need to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test. You only need to take the test if you are still in England on day 2.

As I said, get yourself a good travel consultant!
[email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

✍️ Matt Leedham
📸 L.Filipe C.Sousa

08/10/2021

More details on the what, when and how of international travel.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗶𝗱-𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?

☑Plenty of destinations, but it’s still complicated:
While there are no restrictions on which country you can depart Australia for, there are, of course, still a gazillion ever-evolving possibilities and rules on which countries you can legally arrive at and their quarantine requirements. As of right now, you will be able to fly (airline operating permitting) as a leisure traveller to ports in the U.K and the U.S from mid-November but not New Zealand, Singapore or the Pacific Islands including Fiji yet who’s borders currently remain closed.

☑ Qantas is ready to “Fly Away”:
Qantas has brought forward its restart schedule from mid-December and will now operate three weekly return flights from November 14 between Sydney and London and three weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles flying on its 787-9 Dreamliners. More flights will be added to meet demand if needed. Other international carriers including Qatar Airways, Fiji Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air Canada are yet to update their schedules which are currently set to restart in mid-December in time for Christmas.

☑ What about green lanes?
Scott Morrison said on Friday that the government is working towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji “when it is safe to do so.” Bubbles in time for Christmas? Watch this space.

☑ Much more to come: Expect daily updates on border reopenings in the coming weeks but before booking a flight we recommend that you check the latest information on country/region travel restrictions as well as visa and passport requirements.

✍️ Matt Leedham
📸 Elisa Ventur

07/10/2021

Last Friday's confirmation that Australia's international border will reopen in mid-November was met with an overwhelming feeling of joy and relief. And rightly so. But now what? What do the next steps look like in terms of planning for where you could go, who can travel and when?

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐝-𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫?

☑New South Wales will be the first cab off the rank:
Sydney International Airport will be the first place for media loving Love Actually moments from mid-November. Though Victoria and Melbourne International is also a distinct possibility to have opened up by then too. Other states and territories will begin opening up at different times to be announced. As for other states and territories…

☑What about connectivity and domestic travel?
The major unknown is that we do not know when or where we will be able to cross borders into many of Australia’s own states and territories. In time for Christmas? The jury is still well out and it’s likely we won’t know for weeks and possibly months regarding certain states. The not-so-funny-jokes about being able to travel from Sydney to London before the Sunshine Coast are already wearing thin.

✍️: Matt Leedham
📸: James Ree

06/10/2021

This is Jan.

Earlier this year Jan went on a horse-riding expedition to the Kimberley.

She used a travel consultant (me) to help her organise her holiday including accommodation, flights, transfers, insurance etc. After her expedition, she wanted to spend a couple of nights in Darwin on the way home.

While she was staying in Darwin they went into a snap lockdown.

Things went from bad to worse.

Queensland, Jan's home state, subsequently announced anyone arriving from Darwin after midnight would be subject to 14 days hotel quarantine at their own expense ($2,800).

Jan did not realise this, she was happily relaxing in her hotel room, reading.

Lucky for Jan, her travel consultant was on the ball. Her consultant, on hearing the news, rang Jan and told her to start packing her bags.

The only flight which was going to get her back to Brisbane before the midnight deadline was leaving in 55mins (the airport is a 30min drive away). While Jan was packing her bags, both the last seat on the flight and an Uber was organised by her consultant.

As Jan did the zip up on her bags and got down to reception the Uber driver pulled up outside. Jan got to the airport just moments before they closed check-in.

Don’t risk travelling without a travel consultant looking out for you, every step of the way.

Be like Jan.

Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

01/10/2021

Here’s an idea!

29/09/2021

𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆

The Qantas partner and Oneworld member returns after fours months’ absence from Australian skies.

American Airlines is headed back to Sydney, with the Oneworld member and Qantas partner now scheduling the return of its Los Angeles-Sydney route from early January 2022.

This comes four months after the US carrier suspended the long-standing flights at the end of August 2021 "due to the ongoing travel restrictions" sparked by Covid-19, an American Airlines spokesman told Executive Traveller at the time.

But with the worst of those days behind us, American Airlines has set a course back onto the trans-Pacific corridor.

Flight AA73 from LAX will depart January 4, 2022, with the AA72 return leg from Sydney resuming on January 6.

American's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be assigned to the 14-15 hour trek, with plenty of variety for how you fly: from 30 lie-flat business class berths to 21 premium economy recliners and 234 economy seats, 36 of which have extra legroom.

As previously reported, Qantas will resume daily Sydney-Los Angeles and Melbourne-Los Angeles flights from late December.

United Airlines has continued flying its Boeing 787s between Sydney and Los Angeles throughout the pandemic, while Delta Air Lines' Airbus A350 also remains a regular fixture between the two cities.

Words: David Flynn - Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Photo: Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash

Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

28/09/2021

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗹𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗠𝗕𝗔 - 26 Novmber 2021

Fly directly from Toowoomba to Uluru on a private charter including a scenic fly over of Uluru and Kata Tjuta for an epic 2-night hosted adventure.

Witness and experience the best that Uluru has to offer as you view the evening sky ablaze with colours as the sun sets over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Witness the stillness of the Red Centre as the sun sets coupled with the immersive Field of Light display by renowned artist, Bruce Munro, all while based in the outback accommodations of the Ayers Rock Resort at Sails in the Desert.

Lift your experience even further with an optional Sounds of Silence dinner. An absolute pinch-me Red Centre must-do!

INCLUSIONS:
Tour host
Return private charter flights from Toowoomba to Ayers Rock Airport (Uluru)^ including a scenic fly over of Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Return transfers from the airport & hotel
Drover's lunch at Sails in the Desert
Uluru sightseeing tour including time at the Mutitjulu Waterhole
Uluru Cultural Centre tour
2 night stay in Uluru at Sails in the Desert at Ayers Rock Resort including daily breakfast
Field of Light star pass
2-course lunch with didgeridoo performance
Sounds of Silence dinner
From: $2,759/pp
Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

27/09/2021

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 '𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹'.
After 561 days of pandemic-induced restrictions, Norway has said goodbye to all its rules, ready to start living as normal with the virus. Reports Samantha Smith of KarryOn

On Friday, the Norwegian government abruptly announced that it was time to “live as normal” with COVID-19, by scrapping all its restrictions the very next day, including mask-wearing, social distancing, venue capacity limits, and stay-at-home orders.

The unexpected announcement by Prime Minister Erna Solberg took many Norwegians by surprise and led to chaotic scenes in the capital, Oslo, and elsewhere in the country.

From Saturday 25 September at 4pm local time, Norwegians were able to attend restaurants, nightclubs, sporting events, and even travel outside of Europe, with no travel warnings.

As you can imagine, rowdy celebrations took place across Norway, with hundreds of citizens starting Saturday afternoon and lasting until the early hours of Sunday.

Long lines were seen outside Oslo’s nightclubs, bars and restaurants late Saturday and police registered at least 50 fights and disturbances during the night.

Neither vaccination status certificates nor negative test results are required to enter such venues in Norway.

Reports suggest that some people were angry about the sudden move to reopen society.

Solberg responded to criticism by saying that Norwegian health experts had supported the measure.

Norway is the second country in the Nordic region to lift COVID-19 restrictions after Denmark did so on September 10.

More than 76 per cent of Norway’s population have received one vaccine dose, and nearly 70 per cent have had both shots, according to official figures.

Written by: Samantha Smith for KARRYON publication
Photo: Photo by Lachlan Gowen on Unsplash

22/09/2021

𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟
Ride the iconic Great Victorian Rail Trail at your own pace with all the logistics taken care of for you, did we mention you get to ride E-Bikes.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:

*3 nights accommodation in comfortable 2-3* hotels (Bonnie Doon: Bonnie Doon Hotel/Motel or similar, Alexandra: The Corner Hotel or similar, Yea: Peppercorn Hotel or similar

*3 breakfasts (with coffee/tea)

*Lunch at the stunning Trawool Estate

*Velectrix Urban E-bike Hire (step-through or crossbar)

*Meet and greet on arrival

*Daily luggage transfers and any purchases collected

*On-Call support throughout

*Tour kit with maps, printed itinerary, luggage tags and regional booklet

Just $2,298 for 2 people

For more information: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280

21/09/2021

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 (𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱) – 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮/𝟮𝟯
Hurtigruten: From Norway’s capital Oslo, ride the world’s most famous train, the Flåm Railway, before joining Hurtigruten’s northbound coastal voyage. Visit charming hamlets, sail
through picturesque fjords and see the magnificent Northern Lights on this journey into the heart of Norway. On arrival into the sleepy town of Kirkenes in Norway’s far north, head south into Finnish Lapland where you’ll see the night sky from inside your glass igloo. Then discover Finnish Lakeland, where you’ll stay in beautiful log accommodation. Take in Helsinki, Finland’s capital, and experience a day trip to medieval Tallinn in Estonia.

Explore the heart of Coastal Norway with up to $1,500 onboard credit* per cabin, on us!

Contact: [email protected]
Mobile: 0409 479 280