neeeeext destination....that bucket list!

Its something most of us have experienced at some point in our life, where we sit and ponder and say “I really want to go there” or “…do that”. I know I have and so have clients I chat with. It’s the destination where we can experience, where we can pursue our favourite activity or adventure, it the thing that puts a fire in our belly.


Often it occurs more than once. It may be that childhood dream of wanting to see a city, the thrill of adrenalin, the cause to help others, a desire to learn a new language, to taste a new flavour of cuisine or culture or simply to have that change of climate. But I bet that whatever is on your dream list, bucket list, to do list, whatever you want to call it, there is more than just one destination or activity you’d like to experience. Hmmm….

Specials and updates pour in to my computer screen daily and yes, it is a moment in time, when I sit ponder and imagine. Then reality kicks in, the phone rings, I’m sitting at my desk. Regularly people ask me, where am I travelling to next and I reply “its endless….Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia… oh, to go back to Italy, France, Portugal and Morocco…to swim with whale sharks, to rent a villa with friends, to sail on a timber deck yacht in Croatia….ah, to be sharing the moment….”. I’m not sure, if others have as many desirable places to experience, but if I’m unable to experience them at this point in time, then the second best thing for me is to feature some of them on Travel With A Difference’s calendar. The Calendar has been created for the simple fact that, there are so many wonderful holiday experiences to be had.


Whether your desired bucket list holiday destination or experience is one purely for you to fulfil or one that can be shared with family or friends, it is worth putting on your calendar to do. It’s the joy of having experienced the dream destination that keeps us pondering on the next. Journeys on my calendar are selected or created with that point of ‘difference’, so they can be enjoyed by all. It may have set dates, but then again, the journey most likely can be tailored to suit you.

Once you’ve experienced your dream holiday, I’m sure you’ll return with a “neeeeext destination” only to be placing yet another on your bucket list to plot and plan. I see it time-after-time and all I can say is, we are lucky and fortunate. Enjoy…

sailing the maldives...

Operating a travel business and being a busy consultant, means a lot of time is spent sitting at the desk in front of the computer.  Daily on the computer screen, I see endless deals for romancing at resorts, volunteering holidays abroad, extensive car leasing, cruising the Caribbean to trekking in stunning locations, and that is without mentioning the airline deals.
This one came through and stopped me in my tracks. I thought wow. Sailing the Maldives. Imagine, sailing. You and a friend or a few of your friends, if you're not confident or experienced to sail alone, rent a crewed catamaran that provides you with a skipper and a cook to prepare your meals. Having just sailed around Tonga....I had to blink myself back to the reality of work!  
We all take some time during the year for a little getaway and I understand, people have different priorities to what they wish to do with their time and money or even their desired holiday destination.  But, if you love the ocean, escaping crowds - all it takes is a mate or three couples and you could be on yacht sailing turquoise blue waters and having an amazing experience.

To discuss your vessel options and best time to explore and sail the Maldives, give us call: 03-5254 1279

orion cruise deals...

PNG - Papua New Guinea - what a destination. It as always held intrigue, the landscape, the tribal costumes and festivals, the close location to Australia yet the remoteness and ruggedness it portrays.
Recently, I had the opportunity to mingle with expats and locals within the tourism sector, yes, there were many laughs and interesting stories. If you're looking for a holiday experience that offers...

• expedition cruising
• culture
• surfing
• diving
• festivals
• bird watching
• trekking

PNG is for you.  It is a destination for the well-travelled, wanting an amazingly memorable experience.
Orion Cruises have released a 25% saving on their 11Night departing 9 & 20 March 2012. 
Prices start from $6,745 a saving of $2250pp.
Bookings must be made before 30 November 2011.

For other departure dates and destinations for Orion Cruises  2012 visit our Calendar with SAVINGS available until 30 November.  Call us today.

its just not for honeymooners...

but Tahiti does have that perception because of its luxury resorts, over water bungalows and stunning beaches and landscapes.  So read on to discover more...

Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia and features the only international airport. Papeete is the capital city and commercial hub of French Polynesia. Located on the waterfront, Vai’ete Square is where gourmet catering trucks (the “roulottes”) settle at night to offer delicious, great value meals.  The colourful market is close by offering local food, hand-made crafts and souvenirs. Tahiti is an island of hidden treasures – from surfing on the west coast, to lush waterfalls, to the history in the Paul Gauguin museum.

French Polynesia is not the cheapest destination within the pacific, but if you are desiring and curious for that wow factor-once in a lifetime holiday, Tahiti and her islands will do it.  Easy access from Tahiti is Moorea its the destination for families, outdoor activities, surfing and a variety of resorts catering to guests varying budgets.  Now, to step into a week long holiday of indulgence, serenity and warm tropical days, let us take you to Bora Bora.
Bora Bora, known as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’ undoubtedly has the world’s most beautiful lagoon and is located only 50 minutes from Tahiti by plane. The majority of resorts have been built on ‘motus’ (small islands) in the lagoon surrounding Bora Bora. Most face into the lagoon and Mount Otemanu and offer privacy, pristine water and extraordinary views. Bora Bora is the ‘romance island’ but also offers a broad range of land and water activities.
 
Family package for 2 adults and 2 children under 12yrs: staying 7 nights at Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti, including flights, transfers, free kids club and more From $7,460 ex MEL / SYD

yes, Tahiti is that special honeymoon destination

For more offers contact us today...

holidays for happiness...

During the GFC the government was urging us to take holidays, for us to spend and stimulate the economy... Well, some of us did and some of us didn't.  For those that did, well done, you contributed to keeping monies moving and as you would've discovered and may discover further - you felt good for it!

What you gained and maybe you weren't conscious of or even aware of it, was the sense of happiness you felt when on holidays. During my years in travel I've meet some passionate persons, and through the spa industry I recently met a fellow, Dr Sebastion Filep, he and I were both at a Medical Tourism & Wellness Tourism conference.  Our discussions were fun, but his passion for peoples happiness and how tourism can assistance in that was of great interest.  Working at Victoria University, Centre for Tourism and Services Research, he'd had just returned from a conference in Budapest where it was discussed that, yes, tourism - travel and holidays - did stimulate your a sense of happiness and improve wellbeing.

Below are a few links where Dr Sebastian Filep has been quoted.  On reading these, you'll comtemplate your past holidays and how you felt, smile and giggle and acknowledge, yes, my holiday did enstill a sence of happiness....Enjoy! 
Scientists say holidays are good for us
Travel eases depression: research 
Make everyday like your holidays
Holidays can make you live longer


simply capturing the moment...



Balinese girls at Kila Aman



 Note:  wish to travel with a friend, on your own or with a group, simply give us a call and discover what Travel With A Difference can do for you...

Surfing Samoa to offer aid...

All call from a client and I love his idea...take a surfing holiday to Samoa! 

He, like us all has been exposed via the media of the natural disasters currently taking place within Asia and the Pacific. His desire to go surfing to a place of devastation intrigued me.  So, with excitement I went off to source holiday package options.

To my suprise it was great to discover Polynesian Blue offering extremely cheap airfares and the luggage  allowance lifted from 20kg to 30kg.  It is only for a limited time, but perfect.  He could take supplies to help the Samoans, surf breaks from the SaMoana Resort and spend time lending a hand to rebuild the devastation of the tsunami.

Good on him and what I love about it?  Everyone benefited...