How Do Couples Get A Perfect Holiday...

Have you felt the strains of living life a little out of the ordinary of late?  Well, it can be said that “covid-19 has had an effect on all of us”.  But now after each state and territory in Australia has experienced closures and you, isolation. Life is still not as we know it and it wont be for awhile, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel...time for a holiday.  A desired perfect holiday!

Ultimate Winery Experience

If you have been pondering where you and your loved one would escape to, to feel the joy of freedom, relaxation, fun and whatever you desire, remember to consider these three tips:

• Get organised.  Ask family or friends if they can look after your children, pets, plants or house for a few days.  If need be look at services where you can get a live in nanny or where your pet can be comfortably lodged in a boarding kennel environment.  Also, do not be hesitate to touch base with a friendly neighbour who may be able to water your plants and keep an eye on your house or there may be a local kid who would love some pocket money.  Simply ask them and then you are another step closer to your perfect holiday.  

• Couples you want that perfect holiday?  So, holiday where there are no children unless you truly do not care.  Options for a perfect holiday would be to stay at a resort that has adult only facilities, such as a pool area or more oooohlalala, stay at an adult only resort. Yes, they do exist.  Be it a private villa, a luxury resort, remote outback camp or an adventure such as heli-touring, fishing, self-driving or an exploration cruise to experience different cultures and unique scenery.  You can experience a perfect holiday.

• Because this is all about you and your loved one.  Discuss what you both mutually want to do or get out of your holiday.  There is no use, hanging out remotely in a luxe tent at a beach destination if your loved one despises being away from concrete buildings.  Will it be an action packed holiday or leisurely lazing by a pool and wine sipping at a fancy restaurant.

Kimberley Coastal Camp

Here are some suggestions to stimulate discussions to what you may desire on your holiday:

•      Gourmet cuisine or fresh local produce
•      Wine your drink and you would love to taste and experience more from a region
•      You both love the ocean, so you will not go inland
•      You love the ocean, but it is nice to broaden your life experiences, so why not head inland

Remember, this is about you two getting away together.  Take a relaxed pace and appreciate what we do have on our doorstep here in Australia, all within a few hours drive or flight.

When border restrictions are eased, travel and holidays are going be different.  Social distancing, washing of hands, sanitising and less contact of communally touched items will be in place.  

At Travel With A Difference we have over twenty years in coordinating and booking holidays and travel arrangements, so contact us

Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax completing this Find A Word Destination and receive a gift when you book your holiday with us 

AUSTRALIA is AMAZING

Western Australia

Josef Chromy + Baked Smoked Salmon...

A destination that easily alludes to delicious is wine and fresh produce is Tasmania.  Here we are sharing not only delicious recipe from the Josep Chromy winery, but a must do Tasmania wine and taste experience.  We're sure you'd love to share this with family and friends. Enjoy!

Baked smoked salmon, sparkling oyster cream, salmon cavier

Wine pairing
2015 Josef Chromy Vintage Sparkling

Ingredients
1kg fillet of Tasmanian salmon
6 shucked oysters
200g creme frache
Good olive oil
3 lemons
1 lime
1 orange
1 bunch rhubarb
2 cucumbers
1 head small fennel
1 bunch baby radishes
1 head small fennel
1 bunch baby radishes
1 bunch thyme
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch mint
1 bunch chives
1 clove garlic
1 tsp white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 small jar salmon roe
50 ml sparkling wine

Ceviche cure
70g table salt
30g caster sugar
Juice and zest of 1 orange
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Chopped green fennel tops from the bulb of fennel

Oyster cream
Meat of 6 fresh oysters
250g crème fraiche
30 ml sparkling wine
20ml olive oil
1 lemon
Salt and cracked pepper

Lemon dressing
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic – minced
2 sprig thyme - bruised
1 tsp Dijon mustard
150 ml good olive oil
Salt and pepper

Put all ingredients in a jar and shake well, allow to infuse for at least half an hour.

Method
If you can, get the salmon pin-boned and skin on, from a fishmonger, as the fillet will be nice and thick. Carefully cut the belly fat off and trim any edges that aren’t smooth. The Salmon will present better later.

To make your cure mixture, blend the ingredients in a food processor, coat the fillet and set aside for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Rinse fillet with cold water, then dry with paper towel. To cold-smoke the fish, place the salmon fillet into a deep casserole dish and cover well with plastic wrap. Using a small hand smoker, make a small hole in the wrap to fit the nozzle in, fill the bowl of the smoker with some fine apple or hickory wood chips and smoke the fish until the chips have burned out.  Remove the nozzle and cover the small hole. Allow smoke to sit with the fish for at least 30 minutes. This will impart a gentle smoke flavour to the Salmon, make it moister and more tender when baked. (There is a huge difference to doing this process yourself rather than buying cold smoked fish. There is no comparison in the finished result! Look for hand smokers and fine wood chips at hospitality and catering stores).

Place the salmon fillet skin down in a baking tray, preferably one with high sides. Rub the flesh with plenty of extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt, cracked black pepper and chopped thyme leaves from 8 stalks or so. Cover with foil and bake at 100 degrees C with no fan, for 1 hour. You’re looking for an internal temperature of approximately 46 degrees C. Serve straight from the oven.

To make the cream, use a hand blender or small food processer. Shuck the oyster meat into a container or blender, add the juice of 1 lemon, sparkling wine and olive oil and blend until smooth. Fold through the crème fraiche and season with salt and pepper. For the best presentation, put into a small squeeze bottle and refrigerate. You can dollop if you don’t have a bottle.

For the salad, peel the rhubarb and very finely slice in 10cm strips, then put into ice water so it curls up. Finely slice cucumber, baby radish, and baby fennel and add to a mixing bowl with the drained rhubarb and half a bunch of torn parsley, mint and chives cut into 4cm sticks.

When ready to serve, place the salmon fillet gently onto a wooden board or serving platter, dress the salad with some lemon dressing and gently surround the salmon fillet. Place your slices and dices of ceviche over the salmon and salad and repeat with the oyster cream and salmon roe. Pick a few small herbs off the remaining herb bunches to garnish, and finish with a little more olive oil over the top.
Serves 8

BOOK our Must Do - Wine & Taste experience in Tasmania.  It's a four night package combined with contemporary accommodation, fun and unique pursuits and it goes without saying delicious local food and wines!

Josef Chromy - wine and taste

Must have foodie spots for Ireland...

IRELAND IS ONE OF THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT FOOD DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE, AND TRAVELLERS ARE INCREASINGLY VISITING TO TRY THE ARTISAN CHEESE, FRESH SEAFOOD AND EXCEPTIONAL, LOCALLY-PRODUCED RED MEATS IN THE VERY PLACE IT COMES FROM.

The island’s green pastures, deep valleys and abundant waters have helped create a wealth of flavours available in various foods; flavours visitors can’t find anywhere else.

Natural produce is a top priority across all food suppliers, meaning that whether you’re dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant or a gastropub, homegrown ingredients will dominate the menu.

Plus, visitors can actually go beyond just dining by following the food journey from producer to plate, as Ireland is peppered with opportunities to get more involved in your food.

Visitors can stroll through markets to purchase their own raw ingredients and craft masterpieces, they can taste-test an array of products at world-class food festivals, take part in cookery classes, and join guided foodie tours where locals spill secrets and point out all the hidden gems for the most authentic dining experiences.

And so, for the self-proclaimed foodies, here are the must-visit spots to experience the best of Ireland’s food scene when visiting the island.

St George's Market, Belfast City

St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions with its roots dating back all the way to
1890.

This Victorian beauty hosts a Friday variety market and a Saturday and Sunday food and craft market.

Bound to have something for everyone with over 300 traders, visitors can choose what they fancy and then watch their food freshly cooked in front of them, all while being captivated by the plethora of aromas as it cooks.

Hotlips Curries, Belfast Baps and Ann’s Pantry are just a few stalls visitors should keep an eye out for.

Moran’s Oyster Cottage, County Galway

Located within a 250-year-old cottage at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in County Galway, this restaurant offers a truly memorable experience.

Travellers will be dining where people like Julia Roberts and Roger Moore have before.

Tables in both the cozy antique interiors and outside among the glorious seascapes are equally rewarding.

Not to mention of course the Galway Bay oysters, wild native clams and steamed Galway Bay mussels will simply melt in your mouth.

Belfast Food Tour, Belfast City

Taste and Tour offer the multi-award winning Belfast Food Tour, where travellers can go ‘off the beaten track’ and try over 25 of the best local food and drink products.

Everything is covered, from whiskey to delicious bites, and meeting producers and learning insider knowledge allows travellers to savour every bite of these Irish culinary delights.

The guided walk goes for four hours on Saturdays, and the enthusiastic local foodie guides will happily cater to all dietary requirements.

The Happy Pear, Greystones, County Wicklow

The Happy Pear is a vegetarian mecca run by twins David and Stephen Flynn.

They both switched to a plant-based diet over 14 years ago, and their tasty and creative takes on vegetarian foods are attracting not only vege-lovers, but meat-lovers too.

The lively town of Greystones in County Wicklow, where the café is located, is just a 30-minute DART (train) ride away from Dublin, and also offers a break from the urban buzz.

The English Market, Cork city

The English Market opened in 1788 and is a jewel in Cork city centre.

The market is known for its cornucopia of produce including olives, breads, cheeses, organic meats and poultry, fish, and fruits and vegetables.

This melting pot of foodstuffs was considered the “best-covered market in the UK and Ireland” by English celebrity chef Rick Stein and was also chosen by the Observer Food Magazine among the ten best food markets in Europe.

A mix of traditional Cork fare from family-run stalls and exciting new foods from other regions makes this traditional yet eclectic market a foodie’s heaven.

Pyke ‘N’ Pommes, Derry-Londonderry city

In 2015 Pyke ‘N’ Pommes converted a shipping container into a sleek new food truck and set up permanent residence by the river in Derry-Londonderry.

Since their mission is to serve locally sourced, authentic street food, everything is made from scratch utilising the best local produce from passionate producers.

The legendary Wagyu burger, slow roasted pork, and the range of cuisines on offer are casual yet gourmet, and certainly worth travelling across the island for.

Temple Bar Food Market, Dublin

This foodies paradise is conveniently located in the heart of Dublin city centre, nestled among the streets of the cultural quarter, and runs every Saturday from 10 am until 4.30pm.

Collating all of Dublin’s tastiest dishes in one place, like the heavenly oysters at the Temple Oyster Bar paired with a glass of white wine, it is the perfect place for a bite to eat on the weekend.

For the cheese enthusiasts, Corleggy cheeses offer a selection box of five different kinds of cheese, and their award-winning port jelly is tempting, to say the least.

Dublin Tasting Trail, Dublin

Fab Food Trails offers walking food tours across Dublin and Cork, led by local guides to surprise even those familiar with the cities.

The Dublin Tasting Trail spans around three hours at a gentle pace, covering six to seven independent food and drink outlets.

Travellers have the chance to meet the purveyors to better understand exactly how their food made it to the plate.

The tastings evolve to reflect the current food scene, bringing both traditional and contemporary tastes to the table.

This insider information will set visitors up for the rest of their time in the city, as they stroll through the very local gastronomic gems and neighbourhoods.

Murphy’s Ice Cream, Dingle, County Kerry

The joyous little town of Dingle in County Kerry would be incomplete without the well-loved Murphy’s Ice Cream.

Travellers should expect a bustling queue outside the boutique blue shop on Strand Street, which is simply a testament to the quality of the ice cream.

It’s worth the wait, with all ice cream handmade with the freshest farm milk and local cream derived from the rare, indigenous breed of Kerry cow.

Dingle sea salt, caramelised brown bread, and Irish coffee are just some of the must-try flavours with a unique Irish twist.

On a trip to Ireland, you will discover a world full of authentic experiences. And from the oysters to food trucks to markets, we think it’s pretty clear you’ll discover some amazing food too.

Article provided by ~ Travel Weekly and Ireland Tourism

Hey U.....

If you’re in your thirty to forties or even twenties you’re the lucky one because U by Uniworld have the newest and most stylish ships cruising the European rivers of France, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany and The Netherlands with U in mind.  

The concept is similar to its mother cruise company Uniworld. U have the joy of cruising the rivers in style and have the delight of only having to unpack once!  This is no just get aboard and laze about holiday, although it can be if that’s what U wish. The wine tasting, beer mixology, local celebrity DJ parties or yoga sessions are just a few of the on-board activities included, depending on your itinerary. U by Uniworld will have U in good stead to embrace your memorable European holiday.

Balcony Suite - unpack once!

Of course, U will go ashore and have the opportunity to explore and discover local attractions. Walk inside a medieval castle, visit a national museum of contemporary history or take a selfie at Eberbach Monastery with its 12th century architecture - which made it the perfect film location for ‘Game of Thrones’ and whilst there taste the abbey’s Riesling, as well as a scenic bike ride.  If U have not experienced a silent disco before, give it a go it’s so much fun. U choose your tune and then groove away. There are also evenings onshore and the U Hosts are on hand to give local insight and recommendations. The excursions have been perfectly selected and vary depending on your chosen itinerary and are there to enhance your European holiday – cheese tasting, hiking within a winery, rock-climbing and the list goes on.

Let's dine....

Breakfast. What? It’s brunch that is served and it’s available at your leisure with delicious eggs and bacon, salads and pastries and wholesome chia seed smoothies at arm’s reach.  Dining also is flexible with U choosing what time U would like to eat within the open hours and how U would like to be seated.  That is, U can dine at a communal table one day and then at a smaller high or low table the next, change it around as you establish new friends or simply choose to dine with your special someone.  The restaurant menu changes daily and consists of fresh and locally-inspired farm-to-table cuisine that is served as shared plates. Vegetarians and vegans are also catered for with scrumptious cuisine. After dinner relax on the rooftop lounge or enjoy a drink from the rooftop Ice Bar where tapas and after-hour snacks and a cocktail or two can be enjoyed.

The boutique floating hotels feature three different room styles ranging from "I just need a comfortable place to sleep" to "it’s all style and we’ll stay in a suite”. Flying solo? Not a problem; there are single and triple rooms, as well as the special request  twin-share room if U are travelling on your own and want to share the boutique cruising experience with a like-minded traveller. Whichever room you choose, you are guaranteed to have the best waterfront views, right from your room, in the centre of each city you visit.

Lounge Food 

U by Uniworld has two ships and 8 day itineraries that can be combined giving U a “super cruise” of fifteen or twenty-two days..  The maiden voyage set sail in April this year with much joy and excitement shared amongst the guests. The custom designed U by Uniworld itineraries will be cruising until October and then there are limited unique December departures allowing U to be away and enjoying the celebrations of Christmas and New Years Eve making for a memorable and special holiday.

The Rooftop Lounge - see you there!

Hey, so call us at Travel With A Difference for a brochure or to make a time to meet up to discuss and coordinate your holiday arrangements, so U have a wonderful European holiday!  Contact telephone: 03-5254 1279 and via social media - Facebook    Instagram    

U by Uniworld - yes, please!

Cook Islands – a cuisine experience...

Six days at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is not enough time to experience the variety of wholesome eating options around the Island.  My first visit in 1997 it was Trader Jacks that was the main dining place where expats, locals and tourists could enjoy a substantial meal and a refreshing beverage.

Twenty years on and Trader Jacks is still standing, although it has been rebuilt a couple of times due to cyclones.  But, today there is over fifty cafes and restaurants to experience.  My recent visit to Rarotonga, I did experience Tamarind House lunching on a delicious corn fritter with an avocado salsa and on leaving I also got to meet Sue Carruthers the co-owner of Tamarind House, The Rickshaw Café offering Asian cuisine and La Casita Mexican Café.  Her second and more recent recipe book South Seas Cuisine was on display and it got us chatting. 

She was born in Nairobi, lived and studied in London whilst working in hospitality during the sixties.  She’s travelled Europe, India and South East Asia and lived in Cape Town, South Africa where she set up several pizza places with her then husband.  In 1979 with her husband and daughter set sail from Cape Town and sailed and worked their way to Rarotonga arriving in 1984. This is so much more to this woman I could possibly fit within this blog, but Sue did tell and gave me the recipe to one of her favourite recipes.

Fabulous Fish Curry

Ingredients

Fish Curry

750g fish fillets

1 tablespoon garam masala or mild curry powder

1 teaspoon salt

4-5 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves crushed garlic

1 teaspoons grated ginger

1 teaspoon crushed bottled chilli or 2-3 fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped

Spice Blend

1 teaspoon turmeric

2 teaspoons ground cumin or cumin seeds

4 teaspoons ground coriander

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch cloves

¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Mix the spices together in a small bowl

Sauce

4 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped or use 1 x 425g can tomatoes, crushed

2 cups coconut cream

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon garam masala

2 level teaspoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander or basil

Juice of 1 lemon

Method

Cut fish fillets into large cubes.  Stir the 1 tablespoon gram masala and salt together.  Toss fish cubes in the garam masala mix.  Keep aside or refrigerate while preparing sauce.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan and cook mustard seeds until they start to pop.  Remove the seeds and put aside on a plate.  Heat 2 tablespoons oil in the same pot and cook onion and garlic until soft.  Add the ginger and crushed chilli and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the spice blend and cook until aromatic.  Add chopped tomatoes and popped mustard seeds, and cook 5 minutes.  Stir in 1 cup coconut cream and cook for 5 minutes over a gentle heat or until sauce is reduced.*  In a separate frying pan heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and seal the fish cubes on all sides until golden.

Add the fish cubes to the curry sauce and simmer until just cooked through.  Stir in the 1 teaspoon garam masala, remaining cup of coconut cream, brown sugar, fresh coriander and lemon juice.  Stir only once and then serve immediately.  Serve with rice and/or chapatti and the chutney of your choice.

*Hint

Recipe can be prepared in advance to this stage, cooked and kept refrigerated, ready to finish at serving time. 

Tamarind House - ocean view dining

Fabulous Fish Curry - Sue Carruthers 

Good bye Rarotonga until next time...

Other fun holiday activities:

Storyteller eco cycling tours

Snorkelling

Aitutaki Day Tour

Night SUP

Stroll through Hidden Secret Garden

Raro Safari Tour

Complimentary use of bikes, snorkelling equipment, SUP and kayaks when staying at SeaChange Villas

Exclusive offer:

Book your Cook Island holiday with Travel With A Difference during 2017 and receive a complimentary $50 dining voucher for Tamarind House.

Read on:
Discover more of my time in the Cook Islands on page 142

Sailing or Cruising...

If taking to the seas is not your thing, consider sharing this with someone you know, who'd love the insight and to experience amazing destinations that go along with being on a vessel of some description at sea or on a river...

I grew up with dad having a boat/s, so as a kid fishing and wake-boarding were experiences that brought much fun to our family activity.  Then as an adult, I took myself off on a week long holiday sailing on a 100ft square rigger the "Golden Plover" in the Whitsundays, having so much fun, I extended my stay to sail supplies to chartered yachts.  A few years later whilst traveling abroad I had a few spontaneous jaunts at sea, then back home it was another Whitsunday's sailing holiday completely different to my first and then an amazing sail around Tonga island hoping remote islands. These and other boating experiences have brought much joy and maybe hair-raising moments, but have given me memories I am glad for and fond of!

Here are a few ideas for 2017 that may just be what you're after...

Viking Cruises offer river and ocean cruises, being European owned the clientele is a mix of nationalities, the river cruises of course have the lesser passengers and all viking ships offer the same Scandinavian style and comfort interior. Earlybird offers until 31 October 2016 

Star Clippers is your tall ship cruising experience. Cruise the Caribbean or the Mediterranean seas or embark on their newest voyage around Indonesia. Cruise between May - October 2017 for savings.
Cruise around Croatia for 8 Days and save up to $600 per couple. Earlybird book + deposit by 31 Oct.

Luxury River Cruising in Myanmar (Burma) in November, 1st passenger $6482 + 2nd if FREE. Book now!

Uniworld River Cruises have been a favourite with our clients. To see the Netherlands and Belgium in spring when the flowers create a tapestry of colour. Book + Deposit before 31 October for 2017.

Orion Cruise zodiac landing in PNG

And then there's still, the small boat experiences in Fiji, the Kimberley,  PNG, India and other interesting destinations I have not mentioned.  To discuss your holiday further, simply contact us at Travel With A Difference and we look forward to assisting with your memorable holiday.

Star Clippers - Indonesia

our entertainment in Tonga!

"On My Bum"

We all have our own reason, as to why we choose to take off and remove ourselves from our regular life routine.   Some like to take a holiday for a week or so, stay in one location and simply relax and enjoy the resort.  Others may choose to travel and utilise different modes of transport and explore several towns and cultures.

I wanted to visit a place that I'd heard of back in 1991 from when I meet an eighteen year old female Canadian traveller in Nepal. She was travelling solo; I was twenty-one and travelling with a friend.  I was intrigued by her and her travels.  The opportunity arose at the end of 2013, when I was going to Bali and then on to Malaysia to explore the destination and view some hotels.  Laos was only a 2 hour 45minute flight away from Kuala Lumpur, that would take me to Vientiane the capital.  I'd then sit at the airport cafe for a few hours before boarding a forty-five minute flight to arrive into Luang Prabang.   Laos was that long awaited destination.

To get to Laos there is no direct path from here, it is bit of a hop-skip and jump either via Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia or Thailand.  But this was an opportunity and it was the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang, that I wanted to experience and that's what I did for ten days.

Sure, I doubled up on visiting the night market, having a g&t at a café or restaurant along the Mekong or Nam Khan Rivers before dinner or walking in and out of stores pondering their wares and where to spend my money.  The expats are prevalent in town, but so are the opportunistic locals.  Designer clothes and home wares to delicious croissants, were all there for purchasing, as well as home-stitched clothing or a serving of sticky rice (eaten with your fingers of course!).

Having the joy and freedom to consume my breakfast, lunch and dinner at any time and at any location, there was only so much aimless gazing I could do.  I started to click photos of all that I was observing.  I was on this journey alone, so I embraced living in the moment and called this moment “On My Bum” as that’s what I was doing, sitting on my bum as I clicked these and other pics during my breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Enjoy!

Vientiane Airport cafe

Sakkaline Road

Sakkaline Road

Kitsalat Road

Kitsalat Road

Ock Pop Tok Textiles - fairtrade village

Elephant Village Sanctuary

Shangri-Loa expedition up the Nam Khan River

Sakkaline Road

a Tad Sae Waterfall cafe

located between Nam Khan River & Sakkaline Road

The owner of the cafe

Ps. Not on my bum, but the sounds they generate

Wanting to escape and experience the unknown?  Travel With A Difference can also coordinate a celebratory, well-being or a bespoke free-spirit holiday. 

beautiful Booderee National Park...

I could say beautiful Jervis Bay, but it was my week long experience of camping at Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay that was beautiful.
Being the Festive Season I was fortunate to escape the shackles of the keyboard and retreat for week with my dear friends on their fortnight stay within Booderee.  They're seasoned family campers - mum, dad, 2 kids and teenager! Me, o my gosh, I had not camped for decades, not since my primary school years with my family to which I'm glad for those experiences and memories, so I was keen for the adventure.
I was joyfully met with a 'welcome karen' held up against the window of the family mover, yes, you need wheels when staying in Booderee - lucky for me, as I flew to Sydney then boarded the shuttle bus to Nowra where my fun began.  We picked up supplies, then it was off to the site, my home for a week.  Maeve and Charlie were awesome at putting up my tent - kids...forget instruction, whack-bang, it was up! I managed to set up my self-inflating mattress, throw my pack in the tent before I was eagerly toured around the grounds, facilities and to our beach - green patch, so I knew what was where and which shower to grab!
Read up here, on all that Booderee National Park has to offer.  It was fabulous having no power, living out of an esky, having to walk to the community shelter to wash our dishes, to hear the constant sound of birds, to hear children mingling with other children of different nationalities (and grown ups!) then to retreat to my tent at night only to listen to the sounds of our campsite and surrounding slowly quieten, ready for dawn and the commencement of another day of activity.
Our days were full, not sure whether it was because there's such an array of great beaches to explore or whether it was because there were kids involved! There was bush walks/runs, card games, snorkelling, beach walks, bike rides, indigenous story-telling, camp fire 'prepping', storms, timely showers to test your patience, laughs, beach bag packing and unpacking, pesky possums and the joyous g&t knock and nibbles at the end of a day.
It was a fabulous holiday with beautiful scenery. I laugh reflecting on the kids faces painted daily with streaks of hot pink zinc and coloured sunnies, as though they were going to a rave party (that's ahead of them!) and to the enthusiasm of all to explore or try something new - whether snorkelling and duck-diving around beach rock platforms, paddling the rubber boat...the memories are there. x

endless sounds of birds

just walk...

out on a nature trail

exploring around another little point

love a beach trail

family fun and adventres

what a bloke will do to stay cool

what goes down must come up!

fun waves and dolphins galore

you've got to grab a moment whilst you can!

Travel With A Difference has some 'glamping' holiday options within Australia and overseas...only for the fun-seeker.  For reservations phone: 03-5254 1279

don't want to keep dipping in your pocket...

I always love an invitation or the opportunity to explore a new destination, but when an invitation to visit Phuket in Thailand and stay at an all inclusive resort, I hesitated. Then curiosity got the better of me. I was going to experience the world renown, Club Med.

We arrive late at night and I'm slightly delirious as my mind and body are aware it's some godly-hour back home. The greeting staff are joyous and of varying nationalities, after a refreshment and quick check-in I'm escorted to my room, where I have a good nights sleep.  The rituals for the next few days entailed gathering for a leisurely breakfast at the alfresco restaurant, this and the meals to follow became...hmmm, what shall I eat today. All meals are served buffet style, offering a good assortment of cuisine. As the day heats up, we chose to dine indoors with air cooling and enhance our conversation of which foods to try, the pursuits of shopping out on the streets and what activities were going to be explored over the day and into the night.

Me, I love an activity and Club Med is not shy on offering them, all are guided by a G.O (Gentil Officer) or two.  Take your pick, there is an activity from 8.30am to 11.30pm ranging from a morning power walk, yoga and fitness sessions, flying circus, a boat ride and snorkelling, intro scuba dive, putting-golf, tennis, aqua aerobics, beach volley ball and the list goes on.  The G.O.'s are an integral part of Club Med. They come from all corners of the world, most are multi-lingual and they enjoy making you feel you are apart of their big Club Med family.

What I found impressive with Club Med was the attention to entertaining and interacting with children, being all-inclusive means children aged 4-10 years (kids club) participate in the organised activities, whilst the parents relaxed (read) by the pool. Children were encouraged to get involved whether it be playing water polo late morning or on the stage at the evening concert, which had young and old laughing and dancing or participating in little pranks.  The kids were happy.

For those who wanted to dodge all the kid activity and noise, which was me! Retreated to the zen pool, the day spa, fitness room or the beach with white sand and clean ocean water - rarely a hawker to hassle you and a Club Med beach boy there to provide you with a mat and little cane pillow, it was a fab place to retreat.  Also to my surprise, as I always look out for a bit of community or environmental consciousness, Club Med had practices in place.

Would I recommend Club Med Phuket? For sure. It may not be for everyone, but it is definitely for families and those that like a bit of nightly entertainment. Keep in mind there are eighty Club Med - resorts, chalets, villas or cruises - world wide, so there is something for everyone.

How and why was Club Med conceived? Read on >
To discuss your Club Med reservation phone Travel With A Difference:  03-5254 1279
Discover your Club Med sun holiday offers here >  

group travel cringe or embrace....

Group holidays, do you cringe when you hear the word 'group'? 

Don't worry you're not alone; I still hear people say, "oh, I could not stand that".  But the more diverse these group holiday options are becoming the more people are participating and embracing them. 

There's a variety of 'group holiday' experiences to be had. It may be a small group journey - where you join a small group of up to twelve guests to experience a destination. The more niche is the special interest group getaway - where groups of whatever number will experience a footy game, Gallipoli, trekking, a photograph or writing workshop just to name a few.  Then, there's the small 'like-minded' holidays, where men or women gather with their friends to chill-out, share a laugh and whatever takes their fancy - usually a cooking class or a game of golf.  Yes, they leave their loved-(family and pets)-one’s home.

Also, I question. Does then going on a cruise entail 'group travel'? As you are amongst the masses of thousands, all living the same life for the duration of time it takes to embark and disembark on the cruise.

'Generational-holidays' could also be group holiday, as I have coordinated these Generational-holidays where the grandparents take their children, spouse and grandchildren on a holiday...those number of guests soon add up!

Travelling as group does definitely have its merits. It allows you to travel in the safety and companionship of others. It means your holiday arrangements will be pre-arranged and mostly pre-paid, giving a smoother and more seamless journey.  It takes the pondering and decision making out of it, which can be a time waster when on holidays.  For sure, you still have to take the time to ponder and decide, but is mostly done before you depart on your holiday. The pondering and decision making would be on what destination you are going to go, what is it you want to experience, what the cost you are prepared to pay and so on.

So, for your next holiday you may just ponder...am I travelling in the company of simply a friend or loved one or am I going to cringe or embrace the thought of a 'group holiday'? 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts....

Travel With A Difference CALENDAR has a few 'special interest' group holiday you may be interested in: Uganda - eco and sustainable.  France - history of Julia Child and food. Uganda - charity and sustainable.

trekking Bay of Fires

Bill Peach journeys: Sydney to London

Absolute Sanctuary group yoga retreat

lodging whilst trekking Vietnam

Travel With A Difference through knowledge and experience, can tailor-make a memorable and unique journey for you....