Sunday, January 03, 2010
Darwin is the Capital City of the Northern Territory Where Asia meets the Dreamtime An exciting, eclectic mixture of cultures A place that is truly uniquely Australian while being home for more than 60 different nationalities, people who come from all continents of the globe. A focus for festivals, food and fashion.
Set on a rocky peninsula reaching into one of the most beautiful natural harbours on the north Australian coast. Elevated above the cliffs, surrounded by water on three sides, a city fanned by soft cool breezes that contribute to its tropical charm. The tropical climate encourages outdoor living and locals and visitors alike take advantage of this lifestyle to stroll through Darwin's leafy streets, browsing through the art galleries and enjoying cafe life, discovering little hidden corners of the city. The contrasts are exquisite. A Chinese temple with its statues of the Immortals, the smoke from incense drifting slowly upward, lies only twenty metres behind busy Cavenagh St, but exists in a different world, timeless and peaceful. Darwin - a city of contrasts and tempting tastes. where shady parks suitable for quiet contemplation lie only metres from streets full of shoppers, the smells of food drift on the air from sizzling grills, flaming woks and bubbling saucepans. Darwin - take time to enjoy its wonderful trees that surprise our visitors, exotic flowering trees, frangipani, Pride of India and poincianas, the shady raintrees, banyan and tamarind trees delight the senses and leave images of a truly tropical city. Darwin - A city destroyed three times - first by the cyclone of 1893, then by the bombs of World War II, next by Cyclone Tracy. The spirit of survival undiminished, Darwin has grown and developed to become the modern city of today, a monument to the tenacity and courage of its people.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The vastness of the Land Down Under is hard to imagine and it is filled with so much to see and do. The possibilities are endless. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef, catch sunrise over majestic Ayers Rock, shop and dine in urban sophistication in Sydney, witness the magic and scenic splendor of mystical lands... Every moment of every day in every location is a travel experience that will exceed your expectations.
Each tour itinerary on our site is an expertly crafted for an exceptional travel experience and offers unparalleled insights into the culture, history and people in every unique region. Your Travel Director will introduce you to places you would never find on your own and will make every experience come alive as only a Trafalgar travel professional can. Combined with luxury coaches, legendary trains and breathtaking cruises to the Great Barrier Reef every detail is handled to ensure that you have the ultimate vacation. You will also have ample free time to discover and enjoy those things and places that are most special to you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Australia’s Gold Coast has been a popular tourist playground for many years. This area stretches about 45 miles, from Labrador and Southport south to Coolangatta in the southeastern corner of Queensland with a long expanse of beaches and a variety of theme parks. The theme parks offer thrill rides, outback experiences, a chance to mingle with exotic animals and a variety of shows, both on land and in the water. Most of the theme parks are on Oxenford or Coomera along the main M1 Pacific motorway running south from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.
Sea World at Southport is Australia’s largest marine park, where visitors can swim with the Dolphin, as well as watch whales, sea lions and water skiing performances.
For fauna, visitors can head to David Fleay Wildlife Park at Burleigh Heads or the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gold Coast beaches are beautiful, with wild surf. Swimmers should be aware of the currents and riptides.
There are more than 40 championship and resort golf courses in the region.
Hot Air Balloon rides provide a perspective on the Gold Coast Skyline.
Some of the excellent resorts that have been built are the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, the Couran Cove Resort, Royal Pines Resort, Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort and Spa, the Hotel Conrad and the Palazzo Versace.
There is also a vast choice of smaller hotels and apartments.
The center of activity in the Surfers Paradise suburb is Cavill Avenue, with a vast array of cafes and restaurants.
Shoppers are well catered to on the Gold Coast with a number of Plazas and Malls. Pacific Fair at Broadbeach is Queenland’s largest mall. Marina Mirage Gold Coast at Main Beach is the Gold Coast’s trendiest and most upmarket shopping complex, with lots of designer boutiques.
Whale-watching on the Gold Coast provides a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the largest living mammals on Earth. Whale-watching season runs from June through November.
Other popular events include the Coolagatta Gold Ironman endurance event in October, the street racing of the Nitro Super-GP in October, the Magic Millions Horseracing Carnival in early January and the Australian Ladies Masters Golf in February.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Quite often, I am asked by a client, if they should take an escorted group tour or an independent customized tour. They always feel a customized tour will cost much more. Let’s take Australia for example. I have a supplier that can take a group, escorted tour and match it with a customized tour at a lower overall price. Negotiated group pricing is not always lower than individual pricing. The dinners included in a group tour may not be included in a customized tour, but breakfast is included every day in both examples. With a customized tour, you can include as much or as little sightseeing as you desire. With a group tour, if you prefer not to visit one or two of the included attractions, you feel compelled to do so, as you have paid in advance for the sightseeing and the admission fee to the attractions. With a customized tour, we give you many sightseeing choices to choose from. Perhaps you prefer a slower pace tour and would like to stay in one city longer than another. All of this can be arranged, as we are "customizing" this tour to your desires. This aspect in itself can work out to be more economical. In reading the hotel reviews, you might find a less desirable hotel is included in a group tour. With a customized tour, you choose the hotels in each city. There is no set category of hotels you must adhere to. You might decide on a five star hotel in Sydney and the review on a three star hotel in Cairns is to your liking. The choice is yours. Call us. I’ll be happy to give you a quote on the itinerary of your choice and we’ll compare it to a group tour.
Written by: C Kennedy
kennedy@atlastravelweb.com
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