Author Archives: Leonie Clay
A Look Into My Mississippi Experience
In May 2016, alongside our industry partners of Evergreen and the American Queen Steamboat Company, we have a fantastic programme for those that enjoy river cruising, have a love of music, enjoy experiencing unique historical sights and cultural experiences. From Arrival in Atlanta on the 18th May 2016 until departure from New Orleans on the 31st May 2016 there is something to enjoy, experience and encounter on a daily basis.
Note: Just a quick note that for those seeing this on their e-mails, then perhaps you may want to click on the link at the bottom of the page and see this online at our site – there are several videos below that won’t appear in the e-mail version.
Joining us either ex-Australia (with Evergreens Partner Fly Free Deals) or at our Hotel in Atlanta, this tour leave Atlanta for Nashville, where we will encounter the heartland of Country Music in the USA, before heading onto Memphis, the home of music legends such as Elvis (Gracelands pictured above), BB King, Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake and many more. From Memphis we cruise our way down the Mississippi to New Orleans, moving from the Capitol of Rock to the Birthplace of Soul.
Our Journey from Memphis to New Orleans will be aboard a traditional paddlesteamer , these are restored vessels owned and operated by the American Queen Steamboat Company, and are a true taste of the south with the old fashioned parlours, round deck walkways/verandahs, traditional styled theatres, classic southern dining and some incredible onboard entertainment that will take you to the heart of Dixie, Soul, Jazz, Blues, Rock and Country.
At AU$11,235 per person share twin including port taxes and surcharges, partner fly free deal and an exclusive My Travel Expert discount worth up to AU$400 per couple/twin this is a fantastically inclusive price for an incredible voyage. All cabins aboard the American Queen will be in (at the minimum) Outside Staterooms with Bay Windows (images above as well as base floor plan) and you can upgrade to Staterooms with Verandahs, at additional cost. Single Cabins are also available at additional cost – please ask us for details.
Before you do though take a look look at a quick video clip of this fantastic Cruise Vessel …
… and take a review of the day by day itinerary, land inclusions and extras that we bring to the table by packaging this product up with our industry partner (Evergreen Tours)
14 Days sounds Of The South & Mississippi Cruise, 18th May – 1st June 2016
Reservations can be made through My Travel Expert in Nowra.
Full Conditions and details available on application
SUPERB SERVICES
- 7 Day Eastern USA Experience
- 7 Night Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise on board the traditional and luxurious American Queen
- Premium First Class hotels including all hotel service charges and porterage
- The services of an Evergreen Tour Director
- All tipping and gratuities included
- Return airport transfers
PREMIUM INCLUSIONS
- In depth tour of the country music capital of the world, Nashville including a visit to the famous Studio B
- Learn of the fascinating life of Elvis Presley with a visit to Graceland
- Live the rock and roll dream with a tour of Memphis including the birth place of rock’n’roll, Sun Studios
- Discover the Mississippi River and its fascinating and historical towns and plantations in depth
- Explore exemplary examples of antebellum architecture including Stanton Hall in Natchez
- Get to know the historic plantation town of St Francisville
- Tour the impressive Nottoway Plantation, one of the largest southern plantations in existence
- Be guided through the lively and colourful New Orleans and explore the fascinating the French Quarter
YOU’RE INVITED
- Tour the most iconic country music venue in the world with a guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium, with dinner and a show at the Grand Ole Opry
- Get to know the essence of the home of blues with dinner and a show at BB Kings Blues Club
PREMIUM HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the cosmopolitan city of Atlanta
- Take a stroll down Honky Tonk Row where country music never sleeps
- Experience the neon lights and blues clubs at Memphis with a walk down Beale Street
- Discover the rich culture and musical heritage of the deep South
- Uncover the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
- 29 superb meals including 13 Full Breakfasts (FB), 6 Lunches (L), 8 Dinners (D) & 2 Highlight Dinners (HD)
Itinerary:
Programme Subject to Confirmation of 2016 Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Atlanta: Welcome to the USA! On arrival at Atlanta Airport you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. Atlanta is a world class modern city with a rich and passionate history, and it is the hub and commercial capital of Georgia. Overnight Stay: Marriott Marquis
Day 2: Atlanta – Nashville (B,D): Journey to Nashville or “Music City” the home of country music. Since its inception, Nashville has been linked to music, from Davy Crockett to Miles Davis, from Bob Dylan to Beyoncé, the best of the best come here to learn and share their art. Get a taste of this incredible city with a walk along the famous Honky Tonk Row. You’re Invited: Take a guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium, followed by dinner and a show at the legendary musical institution, the Grand Ole Opry. Two Night Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton
Day 3: Nashville (B): Tour the recording studios of Music Row where some of the greats of Country Music have recorded, then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame that houses one of the best collections of country music memorabilia, instruments and costumes in existence. The rest of the day is free to explore Nashville, the “Music City”.
Day 4: Nashville – Memphis (B,D): Travel to Memphis, the blues capital of the world. Tour the famous Sun Studio, known as the birthplace of rock ‘n roll we explore the memorabilia and hear fascinating stories of fame and fortune, excess and success. Then visit Graceland, the home of “The King”, Elvis Presley. Explore his mansion and see his private planes, costumes, gold records and awards. You’re Invited: Head to BB Kings Blues Club and get a taste of some true southern rock and blues. Enjoy BB Kings favourite southern dishes as you listen to the best of Memphis music. Two Night Stay: Westin Memphis
Day 5: Memphis (B): Today is free for you to discover Memphis. Discover More: Take a Discover Memphis tour, or jump on board the music bus with a tour of Memphis’ musical heritage (additional expense)
Day 6: Memphis – 7 Night Mississippi Cruise (B,D): Transfer to the pier to board your magnificent cruise ship. Check into your comfortable Inside Stateroom (upgrade to Outside Stateroom with Window or Outside Stateroom with Veranda additional expense) on the luxurious American Queen Steamboat and settle-in for an unforgettable 7 night voyage along the extraordinary Mississippi River.
Day 7: Greenville (B,L,D): Greenville is at the very heart and soul of Mississippi Delta and is the birthplace of B.B. King and many other blues singers, so naturally Greenville has Blues integrated into its culture. The town is also known for its many authors and writers, gardens and museums. This beautiful town is sure to win your heart with its southern charm and soul!
Day 8: Vicksburg (B,L,D): Discover a unique blend of old and new in Vicksburg. Take in the diversity from National Historic Landmarks to the Waterways Experiment Station. Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity and a wide selection of museums.
Day 9: Natchez (B,L,D): Step into the plantation lifestyle of the antebellum south in Natchez. Visit historic Jefferson College, tour antebellum mansions and take a tour of Stanton Hall which was built in 1857 and is considered the grandest of the Natchez mansions. Also see Magnolia Hall, Rosalie Mansion and William Johnson House.
Day 10: St Francisville (B,L,D): This quaint town located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River is your window to the past. With over 140 buildings on the National Register, beautiful plantation homes nestled in the rolling countryside, and bustling Main Street shops, you’ll find plenty to keep you interested.
Day 11: Baton Rouge (B,L,D): The capital of Louisiana, visitors delight in the seamless blend of past and present. Tour the USS Kidd, the Old Governor’s Mansion, St. Joseph Cathedral, the current Governor’s Mansion, the Louisiana State Capitol building and the Capitol Park Museum.
Day 12: Plantation Road (B,L,D): Enjoy an included tour of Nottoway Plantation, the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansion. This stunning historical plantation lies between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and offers a view of a truly grand plantation. Enjoy a guided tour of an American Castle as we explore within the pristine walls of Nottoway followed by a stroll through the lush grounds and gardens.
Day 13: New Orleans (B,D): Disembark early this morning and transfer to your hotel. New Orleans is the home of Jazz and is steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond. Our local guide joins us for a tour of the French Quarter which is the oldest neighbourhood and cultural hub. Visit an historic cemetery, referred to as the “City of the Dead”, then visit St Charles Avenue and the Garden District which is home to some of the best preserved Southern mansions in the country. Overnight Stay: Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Day 14: Depart New Orleans (B): Transfer* to the airport to board your homeward flight.
For More details or to book aboard please contact My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters today on (02) 4421 5577 or nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
My Rhine & Rhone Experience – August 2016
With 2016 rolling ever closer, we have passed out of the “preview” stage for our Rhine & Rhone Experience and entered the Early bird booking phase. Available from AU$11395 per person in the lead in cabin category and using Travelmarvels Fly Free Deal (all subject to availability – terms and conditions apply see in store for details), this is the perfect way to combine two cruises and see the best of the Rhine and Rhone, starting in Paris before journeying north to Amsterdam then cruising South to Switzerland where we take a short overland trip before cruising south to Nice and the French Riviera finishing with a few days in Monte Carlo before heading home!
For a full itinerary please refer to our tours section, or for more details please contact us at My Travel Expert on (02) 4421 5577 or email at nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
SOLO TRAVELLER OFFERS: 2016 FRANCE & EUROPE RIVER CRUISING WITH SCENIC
In 2016, Scenic are offering single traveller deals that range from NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT to 50% OFF SINGLE SUPPLEMENT on selected departures, which also includes a welcome reception to meet other like-minded single travellers on each departure.
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON ANY CABIN CATEGORY ON BOARD A SCENIC SPACE-SHIP,
Prices start from $6,465
Available on:
- Jewels of Europe (STC) Departing 09, 14, 16, 23, 28 Mar. 25, 27 Apr. 05, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 Oct. 02, 07 Nov
- Romantic Rhine & Moselle (AMBA) 30 Mar. 06, 13, 25 Apr. 03, 19 Oct.
- Beautiful Bordeaux (BOD) 26 Apr. 03 Oct.
- South of France (FRAC) 18, 25 Apr. 03, 10 Oct
- Gems of the Seine (SEI) 26 Apr. 13 Oct
50% OFF SINGLE SUPPLEMENT* ON SELECTED DEPARTURES in a Category BA Balcony Suite
Available on limited sailings of the following cruises On: 15 Day Jewels of Europe (STC) 15 Day Romantic Rhine & Moselle (AMBA), 11 Day Beautiful Bordeaux (BOD) 13 Day South of France (FRAC) 11 Day Gems of the Seine (SEI) 8 Day Dutch Sights & Belgian Delights (TUAA) 8 Day Idyllic Rhône (FCCC), Unforgettable Douro (DOUR) Rhine Highlights (AMBC) – specific dates and sailings apply, please see you travel expert for more details
Classifieds Update – Antarctica, Canada, New Zealand and Scandanavia
It has been a while since we let everyone know about some of the trips we have being sought through our classifieds section, and there are a few that cover some of the most incredible scenic locations across the Globe, so if you are looking for someone to travel with, and are trying to figure out a destination .. perhaps these are possibilities!
If you have ever thought of visiting Canada and Alaska by cruising the Inside Passage we have a single lady whom is looking for a travelling companion to do just that with a preference for September of this year (2015), with the possibility for adding in a trip around the Rocky Mountains. If this September is too soon then let us know and we may be able to match you up for your desired time!
In January 2016 we have a lady seeking a companion to discover the land of the Long White Cloud. This is for a trip covering the highlights of both the North and the South Island of New Zealand – preferably by coach tour, though dependant on options they are willing to consider a shared option for a self-drive package.
From early 2016 (dates are flexible) we have a single lady seeking a travel companion to journey to Scandinavia. The focus of this journey will be a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords and possibly extending to see the highlights of Lapland, and Sweden.
Lastly we have a lady seeking a companion for an Trip to Antarctica in early 2017. This trip is for a Southbound Cruise from Usuhia or similar location with a Wildlife focus, and possibly extending to tour within South America
So if any of these incredibly scenic areas seems to be something you are after, give us a call and we will see if we are able to match you up on one of these possible getaways.
On The Move!
My Travel Expert, and subsequently the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters, are currently in the midst of moving office! From tomorrow, Friday June 26th 2015, you will now be able to find us at 28a Nowra Mall, Kinghorne Street, Nowra. This is on the outside of the mall between the HCF and Telstra Business Centre on Kinghorne Street – just a very short walk away from our current location!
So our thanks for those whom have put up with our antics over the last week as we have moved shop, and a brief reminder to let everyone know we will have a host of moving specials and deals available from 1st to 8th July, and anyone booking anything over that period will also go into our “Treasure Chest Draw” which has the possibility of letting you win a travel voucher worth up to $500 AUD (for more details see us in store).
Down the Mighty Mississippi!
The presale and the wait is finally over! We have dates, and prices for our 2016 Mississippi Cruise Departure. We will be departing from Atlanta on the 18th May 2016, journeying to Nashville and Memphis where we then board our Mississippi Steamboat where we will all have (at the least) outside cabins, as we cruise down the mighty Mississippi to New Orleans.
From AU$11285 per person share twin (land only) for 14 Days Atlanta to New Orleans. Airfare options available from My Travel Expert.
For a preview of our tour you can take a look at our promo clip on youtube! , or read the daily itinerary here on our site. Please note we hold limited guaranteed spaces – so if you wanted to come now is the time to book aboard My Mississippi Encounter!
My Travel Expert
T : (02) 4421 5577 E: nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
Fantastic Field Day
We would like to thank all the ladies for joining us for a great day out this Sunday! Congratulations go out to Irene Thompson who was lucky enough to win our P&O Prize, and to Kelly from our office who again places in Fashionable Fillys (18-35 years)!
Anyone looking to take advantage of our P&O Cruise week specials this week, including On Board Credit and Deposit Discounts, please feel free to contact us at My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters!
Good Luck @ Girls Day Out!
Julie & Leonie with our 2014 P&O Prize winner
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the races this Sunday – hopefully the weather will clear! Don’t forget to drop by and see us on the day , or (perhaps more importantly) come in and collect your tickets today if you have reserved oneand not collected it yet !
Here is hoping that you all win on your race choices, and that one of our Solo Sisters Members will be lucky enough win the P&O Draw this year!
Girls Day Out, A Day At The Races – Limited Tickets Left
For those looking for a great day out we still have a number of tickets available for our race day on the 24th
Join Us! For “Girls Day Out”At the Races!
When: Sunday 24th May 2015, from 11am
Where: Shoalhaven City Turf Club
We would love to see you there! To reserve your entry ticket please call (02) 4421 5577 or stop by My Travel Expert today!
My Egypt Experience, 6th – 20th January 2016
We have spoken before about our upcoming trip to Egypt and thought we would stop to again let you know we are gathering numbers for this voyage and would encourage anyone who is thinking of Egypt to join us on this departure. This trip has been prepared by an expert in the local region who has been developing and running tour groups to Egypt for over a decade and who has seen to it that the tour will cover the best of this country!
(If you are unable to see the above video clip we recommend visiting our website or youtube to view the clip directly)
As you can see we will cover the highlights of Cairo from the Pyramids of Giza to the complex at Saqquara, the monuments at Memphis, Saladins Mosque, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the Egyptian Museum and More. We take in Alexandria including the Roman frescoes, the new library and the Commonwealth War Graves at El Alemain. We cruise the Nile, visiting Luxor and visiting the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as Aswan where we take in the High Dam, Philae and Abu Simbel, and all the major sights in between including Kom Ombo and Edfu.
This tour has been made to ensure you have the best opportunities for sightseeing, travel and experiences on this trip. As examples here are three things tailored into this tour to bring you the best experiences in Egypt!
1. Cairo Hotels. Our first stay in Cairo is in Giza, so when we head out to sightsee we can spend more time sightseeing and less in traffic, while our second stay is downtown and closer to the attractions we will be visiting on our second stay, and more centralized for your own wanderings in this incredible city
2. Abu Simbel. Many tours have this as an optional, having been there and seen it, we can tell you that after the Pyramids the Temple Complex at Abu Simbel is one of the most incredible sights in Egypt. So we have included it, and rather than wasting over 16 hours by doing it as an overland journey we do it by air, giving more time to enjoy other sights in Egypt then barren rocky roadsides.
3. High Tea. Ok this is one that is hit ans miss with some travellers, but taking High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death On The Nile is a great way to get a taste of the old colonial charm that the British Empire brought to Egypt, and watching the sunset over the cataracts while you enjoy a good tea or coffee and light snacks is a fantastic way to end a busy day.
So if Egypt sounds like your “cup of tea”please give us a call on (02) 4421 5577 or email nowra@mytavelexpert.com.au to reserve your space on this departure today!
Full details availabel from our groups menu or just click below to see more…
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 