Category Archives: Updates
Hassle Free Travel @ My Travel Expo
Whether it is a trip through the heartland of America, the medieval cities of Europe, the ancient cities of South America or the lands of the Maharajah, a lot of people find the thought of how to connect one location with the next, and what to do in those locations exhausting. How to I get from Paris to Cologne? Will I have to wait in a long queue at the Taj Mahal? How many places can I reasonably see in Washington in a day?
Sometimes, when you are ready to experience a location – be in a new country, or part of your own, what you really want is to sit back and relax, enjoy the sights and sounds and let someone else worry about how you get between places, or what you are doing for breakfast. Which is where group touring is a fantastic way to experience locations around the world!
There are large group tour operators who offer a number of destinations across the world – their inclusions range for the all inclusive luxury style packages of APT, Scenic and Insight Vacations, to the good quality programmes of AAT Kings, Travelmarvel, Globus, Wendy Wu Tours and Trafalgar that cover what you want to see but may not include as many meals or drinks.
For the more budget conscious or those who enjoy a bit of adventure, but like the security of having someone there to look after your problems there are slew of operators running everything from small to large groups like Cosmos or Peregrine, or smaller groups and more intimate experiences with companies like G-Adventures or Intrepid.
Then you have your dedicated small group tour operators that use good quality accommodation, and tie off the ability to see fantastic sights with an intimate touring experience, or a unique focus on the touring, such as is available through operators like Back-Roads Touring, the Africa Safari Co, or National Geographic Journeys by G-Adventures.
Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas. Small groups, adventurous travel, luxury travel, large groups, short tours and longer voyages. There is a group tour out there for everyone, whether its the desire to hike around the Inca Trail or relax in Luxury as you cruise the Danube, there are group programmes available for every style of traveller – and no better way to let someone else worry about the little things while you enjoy the opportunity to explore, visit and make new connections.
So if exploring the world in good company sounds like something you are interested in then now is the time to come and speak with the wide range of group travel experts that will for one night only be accessible at ..
My Travel Expo.
4pm til 7pm, 22 September 2016,
@ Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemans Club Worrigree.
Call (02) 4421 5577 for more information
Register Here For Quick Entry!
Journey By Rail @ My Travel Expo
From the days or the original Orient Express, travelling the world by Rail has been seen as a luxury and ultimate travel experience, and whilst the glamour of rail journeys may have faded a bit there is still an incredible array of rail journeys out there for the traveller to enjoy, from the luxury journeys of the Palace on Wheels or Rovos Rail to the incredible vistas offered by journeys like the Copper Canyon Run in Mexico or the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada.
With partners like Sundowners Overland, Scenic, APT, Adventureworld, the Africa Safari Co, South America Tourism Office, Sunlover Holidays, AAT Kings, Globus and others, we can offer Rail journeys from around the world to tempt you!
Perhaps the most famous of the Rail Journeys at the moment are those that take a few days, covering several destinations, usually in some of the most scenic places on earth, rail journeys like the ..
The Ghan and the Indian Pacific, are Australia’s two premier rail journeys crossing the country south to north, and east to west respectively, these trains provide a comfortable way to visit and experience the vast reaches of Australia’s Outback and the Red Centre.
Trans- Siberian and Trans-Mongolian, starting from Vladivostok, Beijing or Ulaanbaatar , this is perhaps one of the worlds most renown voyages travelling from the pacific coast all the way through to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Travelling via places like Yekaterinburg and Lake Baikal the sights available as you transit the Siberian Tundra is absolutely incredible!
The Rocky Mountaineer, is perhaps one of the worlds most famous rail journeys covering the mountainous peaks of Rocky Mountains it is a must inclusion for those that love the sweeping vistas and the possibility of wildlife sightseeing. Available as a one way trip from Vancouver to Banff or as a return journey this is one way to see the mighty Rocky Mountains in comfort.
Rovos Rail and the Blue Train, are synonymous with the world Luxury, and a journey aboard either of these trains hearkens back to the days of true luxury rail voyages. An incredible way to get not only a taste of Rail Heritage but a look at some of the more incredible places in Southern Africa, Rovos Rail and the Blue Train are experiences to be savoured.
“El Chepe” the Copper Canyon train, is a fantastic way to explore the Grand Canyon of Latin America, with travel by rail and accommodation at some of the most incredible natural sights in Mexico. With cliff side hotels, local cultural visits, historic sites and natural wonders, this programme is a truly incredible voyage.
These are just a few of the multi night rail journeys available with dozens more available such as, The Devils Snout, covering the Volcanic Regions and Mountains of Ecuador. The Royal Scotsman covering the Scottish Highlands. The Oriental Express, from Singapore to Bangkok. The Royal Rajasthan, and several other trains, that cover the land of the Maharajahs – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The classic Orient Express running between Venice and London, and so , so many more across the world.
Rail Journeys are not limited to just multi-day voyages with some of the worlds award winning trains being trips that take much shorter runs – overnight, a day a few hours. These shorter range journeys are usually that highlight either scenic locations, or are a fantastic way to use a overnight trip to get you between locations such as the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the varying trains that run from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Cairns, the Carson-Wagonlit experience of an overnight train from Aswan to Cairo of the Victoria Trains between Hanoi and Sapa, plus dozens of others world over.
With partners like Sundowners Overland, Scenic, APT, Adventureworld, the Africa Safari Co, South America Tourism Office, Sunlover Holidays, AAT Kings and Globus we can help you embark on nearly any rail journey across the world, and if you are a lover of locomotive travel then now is your chance to speak with the experts at ..
My Travel Expo.
4pm til 7pm, 22 September 2016,
@ Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemans Club Worrigree.
Call (02) 4421 5577 for more information
Register Here For Quick Entry!
Travelling At Your Pace @ My Travel Expo
Sometimes when we are eager to get away and see that dreamed of destination like Split and the Dalmatian Coast, or the herds of the Serengeti, or even just a night at the west end in London, we look for tours and groups that suit what we desire and come up empty, sometimes we just need to do it in our own time and at our own pace.
This something we can help you with as easily as we help put you aboard your favourite tour. If you have 3 days or 6 weeks and want to ensure that everything for your trip is organised then we can help. From rail segments, to hotel. From Flights to Transfers. From Sightseeing to attraction passes there are hundreds of opportunities out there for the traveller who wants to see and do it all without hopping aboard a group tour.
With partners like South America Tourism Office, the Africa Safari Co, Beyond Travel, Adventureworld, Wendy Wu Tours and Qantas Holidays we can organise tailor made travel arrangements to suit your needs. Whether you are looking for a privately guided tour of Mexico, or just a few days in London with sightseeing we can help you organise your holiday.
“It’s cheaper for me to book it when I get there ..”
Is something that we hear from so many people, and in truth it is a myth. While there are the occasional local specials that are available, a lot of local tours and prices are the same as what you would get by booking through an agency. More, if you book through an agency everything is ready and prepaid, you won’t have to worry about extra finances whilst on holidays !
“We didn’t get to see as much as we hoped for while there ..”
Is the other thing that we hear most from those that want to organise touring and day trips whilst overseas. As anyone can tell you, when you are sitting in a hotel trying to decide from pamphlets what tour to take or sight to see hours can slip by, availability may not end up being there, and time is wasted that could be better used either sightseeing or really relaxing. Pre-organising your touring not only saves you money, but saves you time and allows you the opportunity to better organise your trip away to do what you want.
South America Tourism Office, the Africa Safari Co, Beyond Travel, Adventureworld, Wendy Wu Tours and Qantas Holidays are amongst some of our best partners at helping to organise the best trips for individuals, that will allow you to make the most of both your time and your money.
So if you wan’t to get away on a private tour, or a free style holiday then this is your opportunity to talk to the experts all about it! Just come and see us at ..
My Travel Expo.
4pm til 7pm, 22 September 2016,
@ Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemans Club Worrigree.
Call (02) 4421 5577 for more information
Register Here For Quick Entry!
18 to 40 Somethings and Beyond @ My Travel Expo
Youth Travel, and Adventure Travel, is something that truly needs to be explored further. Everyone likes a drink, a great night out and company around their own age, but sometimes there is more that you want when travelling, you may want an authentic local experience, a real taste of the culture, or just more of a focus on the places you are seeing rather than the places you will be partying.
For those 18 to 30 somethings there is a series of dedicated packages with a number of operators – including the fantastic G-Adventures with their Yolo Packages – that specifically cater to that age group, only allow travellers in that bracket on the tour, and price their programmes to match. A few, like G-Adventures, know that the youth traveller enjoys their revelry, but also concentrates on the fact that you are visiting a new destination for the first time and work to include those local experiences that will truly awaken your travel lust and leave you desiring more travel experiences in the future.
The other alternative to joining the more popular “youth” tour programmes, is to look at some of the more popular budget and adventure operators out there – these operators have a fantastic array of programmes covering the globe, with touring options that will cover everything from budget three star to good quality four star, from home stays to trekking. While these tours are open to travellers of all ages, the average age of those touring tends to be 25 to 40 – the perfect bracket for those that may not want the most expensive tour, like the local guides with the knowledge of what to see and do, and the right mix of travel experiences and revelry.
Companies like Geckos, Intrepid, G-Adventures and Peregrine, all have a range of programmes that will inspire, astound and leave you with memories that will inspire you for a lifetime. Whether it is walking the Inca Trail with Geckos, enjoying a homestay in Vietnam with Intrepid, taking a safari to see the Big 5 in Kenya with G-Adventures, or enjoying the coastal towns of Italy with Peregrine Adventures there is an incredible range of programmes and styles of travel for the younger traveller to enjoy.
While all these programmes are developed for the fit 18 to 30 somethings a vast number of them with Geckos, Intrepid, G-Adventures and Peregrine are available to all ages! While some are based on a certain level of fitness these operators don’t work on a maximum age limit – so you may find yourself surrounded by travellers of all generations. Some such as the National Geographic Journeys with G-Adventures, are specifically catered to those a little bit older than the earlier 20’s who are looking to learn a little more with their adventure.
So if you are looking to get away, and you are a young traveller, or even young at heart then now is the time to speak with the Experts simply come and see us at
My Travel Expo.
4pm til 7pm, 22 September 2016,
@ Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemans Club Worrigree.
Call (02) 4421 5577 for more information
Register Here For Quick Entry!
Images Coutesy of G-Adventure, Intrrepid and video by Geckos Adventures.
My Asian Journeys
Just a short journey from Australia, the Asian Region is a fantastic area for the quick getaway. While many destinations would take weeks on end to see in full, for the traveller with only a week or two to spend, there are a fantastic array of highlight options that will give you an incredible taste of a destination then leave you asking for more, and willing to travel back there again in the future.
For those after their first taste of Asia, our Singapore with the Experts programme this October is the perfect way to get your first feel of a foreign culture without the huge differences that a lot of the mainland Asian destinations provide. From AU$2899 this is a perfect introductory trip to Asia.
For those that are more adventurous we have a couple of introductory tours we are running in early 2017 with the assistance of our longtime partner in Asia – Wendy Wu – to visit the best of Vietnam and the Best of China
In March we have a fantastic 9 Day Tour of Vietnam, covering the Highlights of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the Mekong, starting at AU$3450 per person in share twin.
In April we discover the highlights of China over 10 days as we travel to Beijing, Xián and Shanghai, visiting the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the water town of Zhujiajiaou and more, starting at just AU$4026 per person share twin.
Both of these tours will be escorted with a minimum of 16 travellers, both tour departures are guaranteed to operate as scheduled. There are limited spaces on these departures, so should you wish to join them, or talk to us about a journey to Asia, we encourage you to contact us at My Travel Expert on (02) 4421 5577 or nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
My Field Of Lights Experience
In April 2016 international artist, Bruce Munro, came to Uluru and brought with him an incredible artwork. The solar-powered installation known as the “Field of Lights” is comprised of more than 50,000 stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres and will bloom as darkness falls over Australia’s spiritual heartland, until the end of March in 2017.
To take advantage of this rare event and visit some of the incredible locations around Uluru, while taking the effort to avoid the scalding summer heat, My Travel Expert and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters have organised a one off departure to discover the field of lights.
Departing 30th August 2016 from Sydney and returning 2 September this programme covers return airfares and domestic taxes flying with Virgin Australia* , 3 nights at the Voyages Outback Pioneer Hotel in a standard room with full breakfast daily, the Field Of Lights Star Pass, return transfers between the airport and accommodation in Ayers Rock, an Uluru Sunrise and Kata Juta Tour, an Uluru Sunset and BBQ Dinner, and Free Indigenous Guest Activities Programme.
Fully Escorted from Sydney (once we have a minimum of 12 travellers) this programme prices in at AU$1443 per person in share twin!*
If you would like to book aboard this departure or would like further details please contact us at My Travel Expert on (02) 4421 5577 or nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
* Terms & Conditions: Restrictions and Conditions apply. Valid for sale 15 Apr – 31 May 16. Prices are per person, twin share, inclusive of GST & are correct at 15May 16. Prices are subject to change without notice & subject to availability at time of booking. Seasonal surcharges & blackout dates may apply. Vouchers are per room unless otherwise specified. Other room types may be available, ask for details. National Park entry fees are payable direct & not included in package price. Wi-Fi internet may contain reasonable use limits, please enquire at check-in.*based on “s” grade available air fare as at 18 May, if unavailable at the time of booking, best available fare will be applied. Please note that escort and cost is based on a minimum of 12 Travellers
Vivid – A Last Call!
Vivid is a fantastic event that has been running in recent years in Sydney, and this year we have a great departure that will take the traveller from the Shoalhaven (picking up at Worrigee, Nowra or Berry) up to Sydney for a three course dinner cruise with Tyrells House Wine, Tooheys Beer and soft drink included, that will cruise around the harbour and give us some time to view the best of the Vivid lights before heading back to the Shoalhaven.
As of now we have less than a dozen seats left available, and the sale ends Friday! So if you wanted to experience the lights this year now is the time to book!
Departure Date: 15 June 2016 , Cost: AU$129 per person
Call us now on (02) 4421 55 77 to reserve your space!
Girls Day Out & Islands On Sale
My Travel Expert and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters are proud to again be sponsoring the Girls Day Out at the Shoalhaven City Turf Club. This year, with Viva Holidays we are offering a travel prize of AU$1000 which you can use towards any of their destinations worldwide, from Australia to the USA, from Europe to Asia that Viva Holidays have on offer.
At the moment there are a fantastic array of Island Specials available with Viva Holidays which runs all through May – covering Island Getaways across the Pacific, Asia, and Europe with packages starting as low as AU$699 per person – so if you were looking to get away on a tropical break, or escape the winter chill, then now is the time to book!
Otherwise if you want to see how your luck holds at the races, and take a shot at a travel prize worth AU$1,000 then we look forward to seeing you at Girls Day out on the 22nd May 2016 at the Shoalhaven City Turf Club!
Solo Asia with Wendy Wu
Here at Shoalhaven Solo Sisters and My Travel Expert, when we work to match up Solo Travellers our aim to see that we match you up with someone that you believe you might be compatible with. We do know though that there are those solo travellers out there who don’t mind who they are matched up with – and figure on a tour of a week or two they should be able to put up with a stranger for a week or two.
For BOTH of those kind of travellers, we have something here you may like!
Wendy Wu, one of our preferred industry partners have 3 fantastic Solo Departures on offer for 2016 with voyages to India, Vietnam and China. Inclusive of Airfares, Sightseeing, Accommodation, Visas, some meals and more these tours also offer no single supplement costs and guaranteed single rooms on all 3 departures!
So if you have always wanted to get a taste of China, Vietnam or India now is the time! Just contact My Travel Expert and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters on (02) 4421 5577 or email us today at nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
Exhibitor Intro: Windstar Cruises & Tauck
We have two exhibitors today – or rather one with two unique products that we need to get a preview of. One is a boutique ocean cruise line and the other is a Tour and River Cruise operator that many often overlook here in Australia.
Tauck is a company that originated in American that has expanded over the years and has now been a growing presence in the Australian market for over 15 years. Tauck specialise in unforgettable experiences whether on tour or cruising, and pride themselves on incredible service and experiences for reasonable prices.
With Tauck’s river cruises, you can expect to see the sights a bit differently than you would with anyone else. The custom-designed riverboats of Tauck’s Destination Fleet are spacious and comfortable, welcoming you to an onboard experience characterized by the Tauck Difference – all-inclusive river cruises featuring personalised cruising enhanced by those “little Tauck touches;” such as private events like dinner and a performance at the Imperial Palace in Vienna or a private tour of Prague’s Baroque Libraries at Strahov Monastery. The intimate, club-like atmosphere onboard, and the uncommon access to exclusive cultural experiences on our included excursions ashore, ensure experiences as memorable as the places you visit.
The second of the cruise lines I would like to introduce you to today is Windstar Cruises. Windstar are some of the best small ship cruises available on the market with 3 classic cruise ships that house under 300 passengers and 3 sail yachts that are the image of Windstar. Windstar Cruises’ small ships are exactly the right size — large enough to pamper and entertain you in the comfort you desire and expect while cruising, yet small enough to visit the tiny harbours and hidden coves that others can’t reach. With only 148 to 310 guests cruising with you, the intimate experience that Windstar provides makes the cruise feel all about you.
Windstar Cruises offers voyages along the Italian Coastline, throughout the Mediterranean including the Greek Island and Turkey, they journey through the waters of Northern Europe, Tahiti, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean. With Windstar additional package services you can opt to include all your drinks, or for regular laundry service if you wish to pack light. Windstar Cruises are truly an intimate and incredible small ship experience.
So if a quality river cruise at affordable prices, or a unique ad intimate small ship experience sounds like the way to sail then why not stop by and speak with the Tauck and Windstar Expert at My Cruise Expo on the 17th March at Worrigee Ex-Servicemans Club from 5pm!
Register Your Attendance Today!
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 