Posted by libertees on February 11th, 2010 | No Comments »
You could be sitting in a comfortable deck chair soaking in the sun and sipping a drink (perhaps champagne) as your private luxury cruiser takes you over the serene waters of the Great Barrier Reef on your . Across the waters you see in the distance liners, ships, cruisers that cater to the holiday dreams of the ordinary and the rich.
If you board a cruiser and it has just a five or six-member crew, you can fulfill your heartâ??s desiresâ??whether it means lolling on the deck or biting into a gelato or grilled fish or relaxing in a spa. All this holiday means for you is rest. And lots and lots of relaxation.
But thatâ??s not all. Between all your rest and relaxation, youâ??re sure to do some sightseeing tooâ??your captain will make sure you see Port Douglas, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Lizard Island and Michaelmas Cay.
In summer in Sydney, you could go on a voyage through the Coral Sea with breathtaking sights for stopovers in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Torres Strait, the Solomon Islands and the Islands of Eastern New Guine and then return through the outer Great Barrier Reef from Cape York to Hamilton Island.
However, if you wake up early, you could savor a breakfast buffet and the five-star amenities of your state room and then go on to enjoy freshly baked pastries and more over a large brunch. Then, after fighting off much laziness, youâ??ll perhaps sit down on a deck chair with a pair of sun glasses and sunscreen and youâ??ll look far into the ocean length and enjoy the blueness of the waters.
But if you are sporty, you could go in for some windsurfing, snorkeling or scuba diving and enter the marine world. You could fish too and eat your catch for dinner. Or just go swimmingâ??what could be better than that?
For lunch and dinner, enter the bar and dining rooms and while you watch the view of the water from there while you tuck into delicious Japanese, Moroccan and Indonesian cuisinesâ??all under a star filled sky.
Youâ??d be extra fortunate to board a cruiser around New Yearâ??s Eve because of the fantastic fireworks display which begins at midnight for the . This usually begins at 9 p.m. and is followed by the Harbour Light parade. East and West of the Harbour Bridge youâ??ll find a fleet of vessels beautifully decorated with dazzling lights, sailing on a 15 km circuit, from Clarke Island to Cockatoo Island. This is undoubtedly the most sought-after sight here with people milling around to get a glimpse of the action. Once this parade is over, the fleet of vessels goes back to a viewing area from where they can see the fireworks.
And lastly, the piece de resistanceâ??the 12 minutes of color and sound that transform the Harbour with light and sound. Millions of peopleâ??natives and touristsâ??throng to catch the sound and light show that will perhaps stay in their minds all through the year, until the next year rolls along.
So much for your few days on a Sydney Harbour cruise. Will you come aboard again? Who knowsâ??perhaps yes.
Author Bio
The author Owns a fleet vessels in Sydney . It is one of the best Sydney Harbour Cruise available for Sydney Harbour Cruise Party, , , New years Eve Sydney Harbour.
Posted by libertees on January 25th, 2010 | No Comments »
Dalat was originally slated to be the seat of French colonial power in Indochina. Known as “Le Petit Paris”, there’s even a mini Eiffel Tower erected by a homesick Frenchman in the 1940s.
Set in an untamed garden, the 17 French colonial villas of Ana Mandara Dalat resort that make up Ana Mandara were originally developed in the 1930s as “Bellevue Quarter”, a summer estate for well-heeled Vietnamese and French colonialists. Painstakingly restored by the Six Senses group to give the patina of faded opulence, they ooze a forgotten sense of style that’s the antithesis of today’s minimalist decor adopted by up-scale resorts.
“It’s taken four years to complete and to ensure authenticity everything has been restored rather than replaced where possible,” says Craig Douglas, Ana Mandara Villas’ general manager. The result is an impressive testament to the 1930s and an obsessive eye for detail.
The original unbuffed parquetry flooring and pine ceiling gives our room a comforting air and the simply framed canopy bed is draped with white netting. French doors with original brass fastenings open on to a small terrace and a dish of autumnal fruits creates a still life masterpiece on a side table.
I poach in an original claw-foot bath rather than take a quick shower, then curl up in a wraparound bay window with a book, a cup of local Dalat coffee percolating companionably. Dalat’s pine forests resemble a classic French Alpine scene and until 1928, they were hunted for wild boar and tigers. Gazing out of the window, one sees the fusion of cultures as a Vietnamese rickshaw lies artfully abandoned in untended grass near our French provincial villa.
Six Senses may consider itself to be rustic in sensibilities but it’s extraordinarily sophisticated when it comes to service. Smilingly attentive young women are clad in ochre fitted traditional jackets fastened over flowing ao dais, while discreet butlers materialise instantly at the press of a button. The 17 villas offer a range of accommodation from a five-bedroom family villa to an attic studio hideaway. There’s also a restaurant, secluded pool terrace and the Six Senses Spa.
Three rooms in villa 12 juxtapose the latest high-tech exercise equipment with inspiring glimpses of the 17-hectare pine forest estate. We take cocktails perched on tan leather club chairs grouped conversationally in front of a log fire in the French-style bar before deciding on whether to dine on the private veranda or in the romantic wine cellar.
If leaving the luxurious confines of your villa is too much effort, then executive chef Sanjeeva Ranasinghe and his staff will bring it to you.
Dalat is Vietnam’s agriculture heartland and the central market overflows with sumptuous fruit and vegetables. Using local herbs, organic vegetables and dairy products purchased daily at the local markets, Ana Mandara’s cuisine focuses on Dalat’s Vietnamese/French origins.
Vietnamese hot pots, rustic fare with classic burgers and baguettes, international favourites using local fish, pastas, organic pumpkin soup and classic tamarind pineapple soup are menu staples.
If you yearn to revisit the glamour days of the 1930s, the kitchen will fill a picnic basket and you can whirl off in a 1935 white Citroen convertible to find a secluded picnic spot with romantic lake and pine forest views.
TRIP NOTES
* Getting There: Jetstar operates three flights a week from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City with connections linking other Australian capitals. For bookings phone 131 538 or see http://www.jetstar.com.
Vietnam Airlines has daily non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City and internal flights to Dalat. See travel agents to book. Ana Mandara Villas Dalat will arrange airport transfer for the 40-minute drive to the resort.
* Staying There: Ana Mandara Villas Dalat & Six Senses Spa, Le Lai Street, Dalat is a member of World Resorts of Distinction. For reservations phone +84 43 633 9577 or see . For general tourism information go to http://www.sixsenses.com/evason-dalat.
Posted by libertees on December 20th, 2009 | No Comments »
Home to one of the most incredible cultural experiences you may ever have, Laura offers an annual Aboriginal Dance Festival. Come and experience the oldest culture on earth as they perform tribal dances and rituals to an audience in Quinkan Country, Laura.
Holding the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival during June assure no critters such as lizards, snakes and spiders, since June is a winter month down under. This may be the biggest tourist event in the area, it is situated near the coast of Princess Charlotte Bay.
Of course the dance festival is only one of the unique Aboriginal experiences of the area. Laura is home to several public Aboriginal galleries that you will be required to file a formal application in order to gain access to. The Aborigines by nature are a private people who take their culture very seriously. Make sure that a visit to this region finds you respectful of their heritage.
And if you are interested in learning more about Aboriginal culture and the arts, than be sure to check out the Quinkan & Regional Cultural Center in Cape York. A visit here will help you gain further insight into this unique culture and why it is deemed as one of the oldest cultures in the world. And while in Laura be sure to explore by foot the Laura Heritage Trail. You will see an old jail as well as many relics that still remain from the days of gold mining.
Another sightseeing adventure lies just a few kilometers up the road. Allow time on your trip to Laura to check out the Lakefield National Park. It is the second largest in Queensland and can really make for a wonderful way to end your visit to Laura. Natural beauty surrounding one of the most protected and revered cultures in the world, it makes for an incredible combination and a trip to Laura should definitely be on your list of must sees for your next TNQ holiday.
Come see the beauty of Tropical North Queensland. For all the facts you require about go to tropicalnorthqueensland.com today, if you have questions there are representatives available. Tropicalnorthqueensland.com will also have the answers regarding all .
Posted by libertees on December 13th, 2009 | No Comments »
Port Douglas is the name of a picturesque town situated in the region of Queensland in Australia. The exact location of this exotic town places it in the far north of Queensland and is regarded as being one of the best places to go to on vacation. Situated in the lofty plain, Port Douglas is surrounded by lush landscapes and magnificent mountains. The fact that it has become a favorite tourist destination means that finding appropriate accommodation in this town poses no problems at all for the traveler.
Port Douglas has a large number of hotels that cater to the constant influx of tourists. Along with the standard of service, Port Douglas hotels are valued according to their location. On top of this the kind of tourist accommodation that has been developed in this region is known for its grandeur and opulence. You will be able to find both high end luxurious hotels and cheap accommodations in this town of Queensland. The Port Douglas hotels range from two, three, four and all the way up to five star grading. Hence you have plenty of choice open to you when it comes to selecting the kind of accommodation you want to stay in during your trip and is quite likely that you will be able to find something that falls within your budget.
Luxury will endow you with an extensive range of top class room and community amenities along with services that will mesmerize you. The hotels that have been developed offer comprehensive packages enabling tourists to enjoy their trip to the maximum in the most comfortable and luxurious manner. Over the years Port Douglas resorts and hotels have become renowned for their high level of services and exceptionally trained staff contributes to create a very friendly atmosphere.
The fact that these hotels are located amidst beautiful sceneries further adds value to the accommodation choices in this exotic town. Of course the kind of hotel that you choose will be relevant to your budget but irrespective of the particular category you choose you can expect the hotel to offer all the services and facilities that are expected of that particular category. This acts as a great assurance for the traveler as he can get a feel of the kind of lifestyle experience that the different kinds of hotels will be able to offer.
Rooms are generally made spacious so as to offer comfortable living. At the same time the architects have made sure that residents of get a fabulous view of the surrounding environment from every room. The range of amenities will depend upon the standard of hotel you go for. In general you can expect cable television, laundry services, swimming pools, fitness centre and spas, on site restaurants and much more. the best part is that the large majority of Port Douglas hotels are quite affordable and allow you to take advantage of the comfort and luxury that they have to offer that very reasonable rates.
Take advantage of hot offers on Port Douglas hotels through This website specializes in providing comprehensive deals on Port Douglas accommodation for all kinds of tourists.
Posted by libertees on December 12th, 2009 | No Comments »
The exotic town of Port Douglas is home to a variety of beaches, hotels and resorts. The town has become popular because of its close proximity to the largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. This is the primary reason we will find Port Douglas accommodation to be made in such a manner that they attract the visitors to the marine life of the reef.
As it is this exotic town is the perfect destination for marine life enthusiasts that are interested in exploring the diverse marine life present in this region. At the same time there are numerous diving sites all across Port Douglas. The beaches also offer an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind while gazing at the beautiful coastline of Australia.
Finding appropriate accommodation in Port Douglas is not much of a problem for the tourists. There are so many resorts that will offer you a home like environment on your vacation. These resorts are renowned for offering mind blowing amenities and facilities in order to make sure that you have an unforgettable time in Port Douglas.
Port Douglas Resorts
Amongst the variety of options open to you are the Coral Sea Villas. This is a state of the art resort that occupies a strategic location in the center of . The convenient location provides easy access to the Four-mile Beach and the Daintree Rainforest. At the same time there are plenty of retail and dining opportunities within close proximity. Coral Sea Villas is just one of the fine examples of the quiet, peaceful and private accommodation choices that you will be able to find in Port Douglas.
Sheraton Mirage in another example of five star luxury Port Douglas hotels. Although this is one of the more highly priced hotels in the region it is definitely worth it if you have that kind of money to spare. Along with being located at a choice address this particular hotel boasts high-end amenities such as a full-fledged 18 hole golf course and exotic saltwater lagoons that are definitely worth taking a dip in. along with this Sheraton Mirage has developed three amazing restaurants on this property that have been the proud recipients of award-winning meals with which they cater to the tourists.
If you want to go for something totally exotic then the Asian themed Sea Temple Resort & Spa will definitely inspire you. This particular resort is located on the southern side of the Four-mile Beach. It is an excellent resort if you are looking for a private, cozy and comfortable place to stay. The property also consists of 10-acres of tropically designed gardens which contribute to the pleasure for the tourist. Along with this the tourists will be able to enjoy Asian and Pacific Rim cuisine along with local Australian cuisine at this magnificent hotel. Of course you can expect the resort to have an excellent fitness centre and spa on its property as well.
Above mentioned are just some of the fine examples of the kind of accommodation choices you will be able to find on your visit to Port Douglas.
Explore fascinating Port Douglas resorts that you can stay in during your trip at You can make use of the platform offered by this website to search for the best Port Douglas accommodation.