trekking together....

A valued client/friend contacted TWAD earlier this year with the desire for her and her female friends to go on a trekking holiday in Asia.  They had trekked Tasmania and the Northern Territory several times and now were after something different. It was great talking with her to discover her desired requirements: it was to combine some trekking, stunning countryside, cooking class or sensational cuisine, as well as a bit of luxury along the way.  Nutting through the destinations, giving consideration to their time and seasonal climate constraints, North Vietnam was the chosen destination.
When visiting Hanoi, a cruise out on Halong Bay is a must, with the travelling time there, that added a couple of days to the itinerary.  The eight night / nine day itinerary was created.  It involved a night in Hanoi on arrival, four days trekking in a National Park with three nights in basic homestay accommodation and amenities, a night a Nihn Bihn - this was the capital city before Hanoi, a night cruising Halong Bay followed by two nights in a luxury hotel at the end in Hanoi along with a cooking class at K.O.T.O. - a local hospitality school giving children off the streets the opportunity for a change in life.
The journey invitation was for eight women, due to circumstance, it extended to ten with me becoming one of the group.  Not only was I keen on the itinerary, but it would be the first time I'd be travelling with a group on an organised itinerary and I've spent many years travelling. So, this was going to be interesting!!
Sapa is the most spoken of location when people say they're going trekking in Vietnam, but due the travelling time to get there and the request from our client for a location with a strong local and less tourists, we headed south west. Pictures below display the stunning scenery in which we were surrounded by daily as we trekked. The accommodation and hospitality on the luxurious Bhaya was a delight, after sleeping on bamboo floors with a thin mattress for three nights, plus the food sensational.  When we arrived in Hanoi, our journey had been elevated once again, by two nights in the beautiful and historical Hotel Metropole.
Do, enjoy my holiday photos below and if you have a group of friends or colleagues or if you wish to take your family on such a journey, simply phone us, we love to discuss, create and coordinate holiday with your requirements in mind...   
Travel With A Difference reservations: 03-5254 1279

A holiday with everything we had wished for ~ Lawes, QLD

And the journey goes on... Please visit our facebook page for further images. Enjoy, Karen

ever been tenting?

I must admit tenting has not been one of my passions over the years.  I don't mind sleeping out under the stars for night on a warm night, but camping for a few days or a week, always has me thinking of cold wet weather. Cringe factor.
Recently, I had some fun with Mum and Dad, testing their memories of our family holidays, which go back nearly forty years. It was interesting hearing their stories and banter, as they tried to piece the date and the location. I was taking them back to the early seventies!  Whether we were at Phillip Island or Portland, I was young and I am grateful for the experiences that our camping family holidays gave.  After all, I learnt to be a team player - you need a few hands to hold poles and pull ropes!  We played cricket with the other kids, precious behaviour was not tolerated. Dad loved to fish, so today, I can bait-up, cast and tie a hook on a line, if need be! Meals, I cannot remember those, I bet they were basic, I must ask about those. Dishes yes, I remember those, the trips to the laundry to get water to heat up, so we could wash them in a bucket.
Speed forward to the current day. Beyond the basic bush or outback tenting experience, you can today, camp in style and comfort.  By comfort I mean, your tent has a timber floor, veranda, private en-suite with a hot shower, chairs to relax and enjoy the view plus personalised extras for the added indulgence and fun, whilst still being amongst nature. Love it!  Here are few of my favourite.  Yes, Travel With A Difference can coordinate luxury tenting holidays in Australia, Africa and Asia...

1973 Dad and me

Mum catching some zzzzz's

Paperbark Camp, NSW

Sal Salis, WA

Sal Salis, WA

Nomadic living in Mongolia

craving a bit of asia...

Singapore Airlines has just released a great OFFER with Companion Airfares available to Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.  On Sale until 23 Feb or until sold out!  Valid for departs from 06 Feb to 31 Mar 2012....
This could be a girls getaway for a bit of shopping, a romancing getaway for the two of you, an adventure journey with a mate or simply an escape to a luxurious hideaway..... of course there is much more to do, that's just a few TWAD ideas!
Contact us for reservations: 03-5254 1279

malaysia airlines business class companion...

airfares are amazing.  Our clients, love the opportunity to fly on an international flight with the extra leg room and service that business class provides. Mostly our clients are travelling with their loved one or friend, whether it be a month long holiday to Europe or a two week jaunt in Asia.  The deal with these special Business Class Companion Fares is that two persons must be travelling together on all flights.
FOR TRAVEL:  31 August 2011 to 15 June 2012
ON SALE: until 30 September 2011
REMEMBER: all is subject to availability, so book now!

Thailand

Italy

DESTINATION PRICES: select cities apply.
Asia from $2,700 per person plus taxes
Europe from $5,230 per person plus taxes

Remember, holiday reservations during September will see you get an eco-friendly KeepCup.

Happy holidays and look forward to speaking soon..

new years eve...luxury cruising on the mekong river

The Early Bird offer for the Luxury Mekong River Cruise has been extended to 31 July.   This is fabulous news, as it gives you the opportunity to book and deposit and receive not only the Early Bird Saving of up to $500 per person, but a complimentary nights accommodation at the ParkRoyal Hotel Melbourne Airport valued at $220.
The luxury journey includes:
2 Nights in Siem Reap, 7 Nights aboard the The Jahan in cabin of choice, 2 Nights in Saigon, all cruise excursions entrance fees, English speaking guides, Breakfast and Dinner daily plus 7 Lunch whilst on cruise, a Memorable New Year's Eve dinner and celebration, Arrival and Departure transfers, Tips, porterage and port charges.

Luxury cruising on the Mekong River

Celebrate New Years doing something different....

Jahan Cruise

Call us today to book your space...

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

malaysian airlines business class companion fares!

Fancy flying Business Class and escaping on a holiday? Well, you and a friend can...
Malaysian Airlines have just released Business Class Companion fares to Asia, UK & Europe with fares starting from $2700 ex Melbourne excluding taxes and surcharges.
Thats a SAVING of $1220 per person!
On SALE until 31 July 2011.
Valid for TRAVEL from now to 30 April 2012.
Contact Travel With A Difference for information and reservations.

Surin Beach

garuda executive class...

You know you're going on a holiday sometime this year, you know you need that time to relax and recharge your mind, body and spirit or maybe its a journey to go and explore the unknown - somewhere you haven't been before. How exciting.
Well, Garuda are excited about releasing their new Executive Class fares.  Here are a few of the fares on offer if you are considering flying to Asia.



Garuda's Executive Class offers guests maximum privacy in cocoon shaped seats where you can relax in comfort or stretch out in your fully reclining flat bed. Also, introduced is a self-servce mini-bar in Executive Class.
Destinations                           Ex SYD                           Ex MEL
Jakarta / Bali                          $2,550                             $2, 531
Singapore                               $2,982                             $2,963
Kuala Lumpur                          $2,995                             $2,975   
Hong Kong                              $3,275                             $3,256
These are just a few of the destinations available.
Also, I just looked in the reservations system and cheaper fares were available.  So, gives a call to book your Excutive Class fare to Asia. T: 03-5254 1279
Conditions apply. Taxes are included and prices are correct at time of print 19 April 2011, are subject to change without notice. Fully reclining flat bed is only available on the A330-200 aircraft and is subject to change.