Category Archives: Promotions
Shoalhaven Solo Sisters Spectacular Silos Social Soiree
One of our favorite places down here in the Shoalhaven is the incredible Silos Estate, who in our opinion make some of the best wines here on the South Coast. You can take a brief look at what they have to offer on their website http://thesilos.com/ where they have all sorts of information about their wines, their restaurant and their event facilities.
Our love of this fantastic place is why we have decided that our next “mingle”will be held here – a perfect chance for some of our single ladies and gents to get the chance to know some of the other single travellers out there in our association who are looking to meet like minded travel contacts.
The Shoalhaven Solo Sisters Spectacular Silos Social Soiree will be held on the 14th March 2015 at a cost of AU$35 per head with a maximum of 20 people joining us for a great lunch and wine tasting. If you would like to join please rsvp by the 10th February 2015 on (02) 4421 5577 or at nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au.
Remember places are limited so first in, best dressed!
Take A Hand In Shaping Your Egyptian Experience!
Have you ever wanted to explore Egypt? To walk the great Hypostyle Hall at Luxor (Image below), to sit back and enjoy High Tea at the Aswan Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death On The Nile, or spend some time browsing the shelves of the Great Library of Alexandria?
Then you are in luck, in January 2016, My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters are running a group tour to Egypt that will take in the best of Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile. Our plan is to run a trip of between two and three weeks, including all transport, accommodation, sightseeing, entrance fees and much more.
We are not just doing what we want though, and encourage you to come in and join us on the evening of Wednesday the 14th of January 2015 to hear what we are planning and let us know what you would like included!
CONFIRM YOUR PLACE NOW!
REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR EGYPT WORKSHOP – 14 JANUARY 2015
Discovering Egypt with the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters
While the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters has had a fantastic start to things in 2014, and our tour programmes for 2015 are looking great we are already in preparation mode for our 2016 departures and for that .. we will need your help!
If you have ever wanted to travel to Egypt, we are holding a workshop this January, where you can hear where we plan to visit, what we intend to do and to hear what you would like to see and include.
So if you want to Travel To Egypt ..
SIGN UP FOR OUR WORKSHOP HERE!
Maybe though you are not convinced, maybe you think that despite the fact that things ares settling down in the region there isn’t much in Egypt to see or do. Well as someone who has travelled there over half a dozen times, and is always seeing something new let me be the first to tell you that if you wanted to see ALL that Egypt had to offer you would need over 40 days .. and thats being generous!
What can be covered in Egypt inside a two week period is incredible, and even without extending and adding is well worth the time and effort to see .. within a two week period what you would cover are the following basic areas ..
Cairo – This city while not Egypt’s most attractive is a hub of sights and sounds worth exploring. Its the gateway to the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and Dashur, as well as being the location from which someone views the Sphinx, the remains of the ancient City of Memphis, the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, the Egyptian Museum, the Aberdeen Palace, Saladin Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue and much much more. Cairo is the melting pot of Egypt with the mix of the Ancient world blending with the Ottoman, Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, English Colonial and others. A fantastic place to get out and get a taste of Egypt.
Alexandria – This city is often left off many Egypt itineraries which to my reckoning is always a great shame. Alexandria is possibly Egypt’s most metropolitan city with a fantastic Shoreline on the Mediterranean, which the Montazah Palace and Gardens are but a highlight, it is the best place in Egypt to experience the Roman Influence of history in the region, with more being uncovered yearly, and while the Ancient Lighthouse is at the bottom of the sea and the Ancient Library has burned down centuries ago, the new library stands as a reminder for what was there and what they are hoping to re-accomplish. Alexandria also has a fantastic Museum, that is a little more navigable then Cairo, and the walkways, byways and bazaars of Alexandria are well worth a visit. Of interest to Australians Alexandria is also the perfect place to get out and visit the battlefield sites of WW2 including El-Alemein.
Luxor – This City in Middle Egypt is a highlight of almost any trip featuring the temple complexes of the Karnak and Luxor, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings and of course the start of many eoples Nile Cruises. Luxor boasts fantastic Bazaars, fine dining, great museums and some of the finest Alabaster workings in Egypt. For those wishing to venture a bit afield it is also the perfect gateway to visit the Ruins at Dendra and Abydos.
The Nile – Most Tours will cruise the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, my personal preference is to sail Upstream between Luxor and Aswan rather than downstream from Aswan to Luxor. A Cruise will take in the Highlights of Edfu and Esna as well as the Temple of Sobek, which if you are heading downstream is lit up at night, providing a magnificent hilltop backdrop as you cruise into Port.
Aswan – Then there is Aswan in the deep South, a fantastic city where old meets new, where one can visit the incredible Aswan Dam, explore the Temple Of Philae, experience Nubian Culture on a ride out past the St Simeon Fortress, encounter the vagaries of the Cataract Islands or spend time enjoying High Tea at the Aswan Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Death On the Nile.
These are the bare basics of what is covered inside a 11 to 14 day trip to Egypt. Then there are the options of what you can do if you want to extend and see more!
Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser – Admittedly you can do the Massive complex at Abu Simbel as a day trip (and it is something well worth the price in seeing), Alternatively you can choose to explore the lake in depth with a number of cruises regularly sailing between Aswan and Abu Simbel and reverse, offering a uniquely different view of Egypts waterways, the chance to spot Nile Crocodile and the opportunity to see some of the many fantastic monuments that were saved in the relocation process while the damn was being built.
The Sinai – is the perfect place for those that love Religious History, Diving or National parks with a range of places from the shores of Sharm El Sheik to the peaks of Mount Sinai to captivate and consume.
The Western Desert and Oases – are an incredible collection of sights and places ranging from the Temple of the Oracle at Siwa, to the Mushroom Desert to the harsh but bountiful Oases at Dhakala, Kharga and Farafra. This is a trip for those who want to explore a bit more of the local culture alongside the Ancient History of Egypt
As you can see even from this brief introduction on the sites and destinations, there is plenty to see and do in Egypt, for 14 days or well beyond!
So if if that has whetted your appetite and you want to learn more about Travel To Egypt ..
SIGN UP FOR OUR WORKSHOP HERE!
My Tour Workshops – A 2015 Tour Update and a 2016 Tour Preview Brief
For those that managed to make it to our 2015 Tour Launch and 2016 Tour preview thanks for a great evening, the group was the right size to provide us with an intimate evening that allowed us to get a fantastic amount of feedback on what we running, and what we are planning to do. Our thanks.
For those that were unable to make our evening event here is (in brief) what was covered on the night – as well as a few dates for our workshops on upcoming 2016 tour packages.
First Our 2015 Tour Departures ..
11th – 15th February 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$749 per person on a twin share basis. Prices variable dependant on Cabin Category, Availability and “Spot” Specials from P&O Package includes 4 night cruise from Sydney to Sydney visiting Moreton Island, inclusive of all meals* and included shipboard entertainment. A perfect getaway to trial cruising, to get away over Valentines with a loved one – or just to enjoy some fantastic company!
7th – 14th March 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$2225 per person on a twin share basis. 7 Nights in Queenstown including rounds of Golf at Jacks Point, Kelvin Heights and Millbrook Golf Courses. Package includes flights to Queenstown from Sydney and return, 7 nights 4* accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 dinner at the Skyline Restaurant, 3 days golfing inclusive of green fees and cart hire, transfers in New Zealand to/from the airport and golf courses
16th May – 8th June 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$11,423 per person on a twin share basis. 15 Day Canadian Rockies Tour and 7 Night Inside Passage Cruise. Package includes flights to Vancouver from Sydney and return, Rockies Tour and Inside Passage Cruise, Oceanview Room on Cruise, Silverleaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer, port taxes and surcharges, all tipping and gratuities, 43 superb meals.
17th – 24th June 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$2,781 per person on a twin share basis. 8 Days visiting Kangaroo Island, Adelaide and Barossa Valley. Package includes Indian-Pacific from Sydney to Adelaide in Gold Class, 4 Nights in Adelaide and 3 on Kangaroo Island, touring daily, breakfast daily, some dinners, flight Adelaide to Sydney. Operated & Escorted based on 16 Travellers – dates subject to change
5th – 25th September 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$10,570 per person on a twin share basis. A magnificent 14 day Danube cruise with 3 days in Prague and 3 days in Paris. Package includes International airfares from Sydney to Europe and return, Accommodation in Prague and Paris, Danube Cruise, Port taxes and surcharges, touring and sightseeing, tipping and gratuities, 49 superb meals, Escorted Ex-Australia
21st October – 7th November 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$5359 per person on a twin share basis. A Fantastic 18 Day Programme taking in the highlights of Western USA – San Francisco, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and more! Package includes International airfares from Sydney to LA and return, Accommodation throughout, sightseeing as detailed, some entry fees, local tour director, air-conditioned coach transport, some meals, transfers in LA
7th – 14th November 2015. Sydney to Sydney. From AU$2400 per person on a twin share basis. A fantastic Introduction to Thailand, covering the highlights of Bangkok and surrounds. Package includes International airfares from Sydney to Bangkok and Return, 4 Star Accommodation, Transfers in Bangkok, Sightseeing, Breakfast daily and more. Chiang Mai Extension Available (14th – 20th November 2014) from $980 per person in twin share
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Est. Cost From AU$5000 per person in twin share. An incredible European Journey taking in the wintery festivities of Germany. Fine Food, Beautiful Beverages, Spectacular Shopping and more. Highlights includes Closing of the gates with a traditional lantern lit walk in Rothenburg, the Christmas Markets of Wurzburg, Choral Concert at Amorbach’s Bennedictine Abbey, The Christkidlesmarkt and much, much more!
Then we have what we are looking at for 2016 and beyond!
Egypt – January 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Cairo including the Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Saqquara, Memphis, Khan El-Khalili, Egyptian Museum, Mosque of Saladin and More. Alexandria including Pompeii’s Pillar, the Montazah Gardens, the New Library, Kom ash-Shuqqafa and more. Nile Cruise Covering Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, Esna and Kom Ombo and their sites including the Valley of Kings and the Temple Of Karnak. Optional Extras including Abu Simbel & King Tuts Tomb
Singapore – April 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : This tour is built for those looking to get a taste of Asia, or for the New Traveller. One Week in Singapore, mix of scheduled tours and free days. Uniquely Singapore Tours including Breakfast with the Orang-Utans and High Tea at the Raffles. Option to Extend the trip and Cruise back to Sydney with Royal Caribbean via the Top end and Queensland
Italy – May 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Venice Dogge’s Palace, Glassmaking, The Grand Canal and more. Hills and villages of Cinque Terre. Pisa and Florence, including the Duomo, Leaning Tower, Galleria dellÁccademia. Perugia and Spello as you visit the beautiful Umbria Region. Rome, including the Pantheon and Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, St Peters Basillica, Vatican City and more.
East Africa – July 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve. Serengeti National Park including Ngorongoro Crater. Permanent Tented Camps. 4×4 Vehicles for use on Game Drives. Opportunity to spot the “Big 5”- Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino & Elephant. Annual Migration is usually moving between Serenget and Masai Mara in July
Spain & Morocco – September 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest Highlights includes : Combined tour of Spain and Morocco. Highlights of Southern Spain including Seville, Grazalema, Granada, Ronda and Malaga. Imperial Cities of Morocco including Casablanca, Rabat, Mekenes, Volubilis, Fez and Marrakech. Depending on feedback we may run this as two tours (one to Spain and one to Morocco) that can be combined back to back
Dubai & UAE – Late October 2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Highlights of Dubai including a desert safari , dhow cruise dinner, the Modern Wonders and the Old Souks. Highlights of Abu Dhabi including Ferrari World and the Falcon Rehabilitation Centre. Exploratory trip of the UAE’s Wadis, Mountains, Deserts and the Old Spice Route including Fujeirah, Musandum, Hatta and Al Ain. Option will be available to extend and discover Oman
Vietnam – November2016, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Hanoi including the Old Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum. Highlights of North Vietnam such as the Hill Tribes and a Halong Bay Junk Cruise. The Imperial City of Hue, the original capital of Vietnam and Hoian. Resort Towns of Nha Trang and Mui Ne. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) including Cu Chi Tunnels, Reunification Palace, French Quarter and more.
South America – 2017, Sydney to Sydney
Now Taking Expressions Of Interest. Highlights includes : Return International Airfare and Regional Connections. Highlights of Peru & Bolivia – Machu Picchu, Ollyantambo, Lake Titicaca. Highlights of Argentina and Brazil including Buenos Aires, Iguasu and Rio De Janeiro. Torres del Pine National Park – a chance to see the Perito Moreno Glacier. Option to Extend and do Galapagos or Easter Islands
We are holding a number of fantastic Workshops and Seminars for our 2016 departures, simply click the above link, on the events shown on our side menu or here to register
As you can see we have an incredible array of group on the books for the next 2 years.
For more information on our 2015 programmes please feel free to give us a call, drop by for a visit or take a look at them online at www.shoalhavensolosisters.com.au
For our 2016 programmes you can call or visit us to get more information, or you can attend one of the tour workshops we will be running in 2015 where we give you the chance to help us design our tour programmes! Simply visit www.shoalhavensolosisters.com.au or visit the My Travel Expert or Shoalhaven Solo Sisters Website and register for the events now!
A Few Solo Specials From AAT Kings
Over the past few months between talking about our events, tours and trips we have been introducing information about providers like Travel Indochina and Peregrine who have a solo matching system in place. These products are great but are not the only ones out there that are thinking of solo travellers. While they are great for the most part due to no single supplements there are providers who are putting together discounted packages for solo traveller such as Insight and AAT Kings.
Specials with these other companies work on a basis of reducing the single supplement costs to as minimal as possible rather than eradicationg them altogether and matching with strangers. So if you don’t mind travelling alone and spending AU$300 on a single supplement rather than AU$600 sounds good (as an example) then let us know and we can see what would match your needs.
For now, here are a few special AAT Kings have let us know about across Australia and Tasmania
One Year On! Past, Present And Future!
Past ..
It is a little hard to believe that we launched this website a year ago. Since its launch we have had over 600 people follow the blog section of the site via e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and other bloggers. We have received thousands of visitors from over 67 countries. We have also managed to post 81 posts .. which while not a huge number shows that we are steadily letting you know what we are all up to!
We have managed get away three of our four initial groups, which we feel is fantastic and we love the feedback we have had from our travellers. We have also managed to get away several matched ladies to individual trips and destinations thanks to the Classifieds section all of which have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We have also hosted several events from informational evenings, race days, expos .. all of which had huge turn outs.
So to all our followers, members and other interested parties – we would like to thank you for your support. It has been fantastic and given us a great first year!
Present …
As we head into our 2nd year we are having yet another invitational evening where we as well as some of our industry partners will take a few hours to let you know about the scheduled group departures for 2015, the proposed departures for 2016 and what the plans are for all aspects of Shoalhaven Solo Sisters going into 2015 and onwards. Should you wish to come we will be hosting this at Nowra RSL from 5pm on the 20th October 2014, and would ask that if you intend to come you let us know beforehand so that we can ensure we have enough seating arranged!
For those whom have booked aboard our Dolphin and Whale watching cruise this weekend – if you haven’t been advised the cruise departure time as Huskisson, please be aware that you should be there for boarding between noon and half past twelve, this is slightly amended from the original boarding time due to the tides.
Future..
Just as a teaser of what we will be going over next Monday here is one of our New Programmes for 2015 .. a local Getaway to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, 8 days travelling to Adelaide by the Indian-Pacific then several days touring Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley before we fly back to Sydney. Full details will be unveiled at our Informational Evening but as a proud reader we will let you know that prices will start at AU$2781 per person in share twin
So from all the team at My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters – our thanks for your past and continuing support!
2016 Tour Preview – You Are Invited
As part of our 2015 Tour Launch we are also previewing the tours that we are hoping to run in 2016, which will include Egypt, Dubai, Singapore, Italy, Morocco and more. If these (or other) destinations are amongst those that you are looking to experience then this is the perfect opportunity to come along see what we are thinking of doing and add your perspective and feedback so that we can ensure that what we are provoding is what is wanted. Spaces are limited so RSVP today on (02) 4421 5577
NZ Cruise Stop Sale, Classifieds Update & Launch Details
New Zealand Cruise, November 2014: For those that may still have been considering our Princess Cruise around New Zealand in November 2014, I am afraid we have closed sales on this departure. There are still some suites left on the ship itself but in general the cruise is now sold out! Princess do have some fantastic cruises around New Zealand and if this was on your desires list then let us know, maybe we can match you up on a future sailing.
Classifieds: We have a single lady seeking a travelling companion for our incredible Canada and Alaska Departure. If this is something that sounds appealing then let us know and we will see if we can match you up with the fantastic lady we have who is excited about exploring the rocky mountains and inside passage.
Tour Launch and Preview: For those interested in our 2015 Tour line up including our New Zealand Golf Getaway, Canada & Alaska, the Danube Cruise, the Bangkok Experience and the Western USA we have our brand partners coming down on the 20th October 2014 for a presentation. We will also be previewing our 2016 tours and rough schedule for the next two years. So any solo ladies and gents, or couples, are more than welcome to come along! Just RSVP now to nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au or by phone on (02) 4421 5577
2015 Tour Launch & 2016 Tour Preview – 1 Night Only, 20 October 2014
Join Us At Nowra RSL from 5pm on the
20th October 2014
For our 2015 Tour Launch and 2016 Tour Preview!
TOUR LAUNCH FOR 2015 INCLUDING USA, CANADA, DANUBE CRUISE, CHRISTMAS MARKETS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA & KANGAROO ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND, THAILAND
TOUR PREVIEW FOR 2016 INCLUDING TASMANIA, EGYPT, ITALY, SINGAPORE, KENYA & TANZANIA, SPAIN & MOROCCO, DUBAI & THE UAE, VIETNAM
Join the team from My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters along with our fantastic industry partners for an incredible information evening as we present what is on the horizon for 2015 and 2016 for our Dedicated group departures.
For 2015 we have a fantastic array of set departures covering everything from a 4 day Moreton Island Cruise over Valentines day, to a charming visit to Europe in December to take in the incredible Christmas Markets of Germany. We will also be taking initial soundings for our 2016 tours from Egypt in January through to Vietnam in November.
If you would like to come along to meet some of our solo travellers who can tell you about their fantastic experience and possibly meet your own travelling companion – let us know you would like to come along!
If would like to hear about how we are going to help you see the traditional colouring and production methods of cloth and materials in Fez, or if you have always wanted to take a chance of seeing a Grizzly Bear in the Canadian Rockies – then let us know you would like to come along!
If you are simply interested in any of the places we are travelling or the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters Social Initiative then let us know you would like to come along!
RSVP by the 17th October 2014
Just Call (02) 4421 5577 or e-mail daniel@mytravelexpert.com.au
We will be covering almost 30 destinations in the upcoming 24 months! So there is something for nearly everyone!
Red Hatters, Valentine, Moreton Island Cruise – Limited Time Special
Good Morning Ladies and Gents, just a very brief post to let you know that P&O have a “special sale”on this week only for the cruise that we are running to Moreton Island for Valentines Day, and for the Red Hat Society and Friends Getaway.
The current specials may save you up to AU$100 per person in a twin share cabin, and are available for 3 days only (29 September to 01 October 2014), so if you haven’t booked in then now is a great time to do so! It should be noted that any bookings made on this special will require instant payment – so if you want to book and want to see at what price it can be done .. then please call us today!
Special Note for those already Booked! Please note that we can’t just “switch” you over to the new special, doing so would make any onboard credit lost, and it would cause cancellation and rebooking fees – either of which are worth more than the current “savings
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 