Blog Archives
SSS Update, Early December!
Seeking Expressions Of Interest: We are still hoping to settle a date for our tour to South Australia and Kangaroo Island, but we do need numbers – if you are interested in the area please let us know! We are also seeking starters for a introductory tour to Bangkok and of course our Christmas Markets tour. For more information on any of these please do not hesitate to contact us!
Classifieds: We have found a partner for the lady seeking a room-mate on Canada, if there is anyone still interested in Canada or our European River Cruise, we do still have a number of spaces available. We also have a lady travelling to China who is not averse to finding a travelling companion prior to going – if you have ever wanted to see the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the Yangtze or the Stone Forest then perhaps this is the opportunity for you. We also have a lady looking for a companion to join her in experiencing the Kimberleys either on tour or via cruise, so if you have always wanted to see the top end perhaps this is your chance!
2016 Tour Workshops: So far our workshops for our 2016 Tours (which are all being held in 2015) are starting to fill – the first one in January which will showcase our upcoming Egypt trip now has limited spaces available. Should you wish to sign up to any of our workshops please visit the My Travel Expert facebook page or register directly at Eventbrite!
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!
Earlybird Endings, Kangaroo Island and 2015 & 2016 Recap
Just a brief update on a few of our specials which are changing, a new tour that is now pre-viewable under our tours section and a recap on what we spoke about at our 2015 Tour Launch and 2016 Tour Preview
Canada & Alaska, Europe Danube Cruise – Earlybirds Ending: For those still considering joining our Canada & Alaska or our European Danube Cruise departure, this is just a quick note to let you know that the Fly Free and early-bird specials are ending this week, and any bookings made after the 30th October will work out much more expensive. If there is someone out there wanting Canada & Alaska, we do have a lady currently booked and willing to share – just let s know if this appeals and we can help you set up a meet to see if it is a match!
Kangaroo Island – 2015: We have a fantastic group we are hoping to get away to Kangaroo Island in June 2015 (which is as early as we can secure seats on the Indian-Pacific at the moment), this 8 day getaway will cover Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley. The Trip will include Gold Service on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Adelaide, Transfers in Adelaide, Adelaide Sightseeing Tour, 4 Nights Accommodation in Adelaide at the Chiffley on South Terrace, 3 Day Charter Tour of Kangaroo Island, Full day trip to the Barossa Valley, Breakfast daily, five Lunches, Three Dinners and flight from Adelaide to Sydney inclusive of all pre payable taxes and surcharges. From AU$2781 per person in share twin, we need a minimum of 16 interested travellers to put this trip into motion and reconfirm dates.
2015 Tour Launch: You may have seen some of these previewed here already but we have a fantastic array of programmes scheduled for 2015 including the following trips! Red Hatters Moreton Island Cruise on 11 February, from AU$749 per person in share twin dependant on spot specials. New Zealand Golfing Holiday starting 7th March 2014 spending 8 days in Queenstown and experiencing 3 of the best regional courses. Canada and Alaska, Rocky Mountains and Inside Passage tour starting at AU$11423 per person in share twin. Kangaroo Island – details as shown above. Castles along the Rhine, a fantastic short cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. Danube Cruise starting 5th September in Prague and ending in Paris from AU$10570 per person in share twin. The Golden West of the USA from AU$5359 per person twin share starting on 21 October 2015 and exploring the Grand Canyon and more. My Thai Experience from AU$2400 per person in Share Twin, a perfect introductory experience for Asia with the option to extend in Thailand. Finally we have our Christmas Markets of Germany, with a 5 December Departure for which we are now taking expressions of interest.
2016 Tour Preview: We have an incredible array of tours we are looking to run in 2015 and would like your feedback to help us design the package that you would like to join! In January 2016 we would like to head to Egypt taking in the highlights of Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile. In April we intend to head to Singapore on another of our Experience tours. In May we are looking to head to Italy taking in Venice, Rome, Pisa, Florence, Umbria and Cinque Terre. In July we are going to look at a fantastic trip to East Africa taking in some of the highlights of Kenya and Tanzania. In September we are going to take in two countries with a heavily inter-twined history – Spain and Morocco. Then in late October we intend to help people explore the UAE, not just Dubai but beyond. In November we intend to head out and discover Vietnam, the North, Central and Southern Highlights. Then in 2017 for those that are interested in a truly spectacular adventure we will be headed off to South America. We do want your feedback and ideas on these programmes so feel free to contact us for more information and to ask whatever questions you would like. We will also be running future events and evenings that will look closer into these.
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
A Sneek Peek at 2015 & 2016
We thought we would let you ladies and gentleman have a bit of a sneak peak and advance warning of what we will be putting together for you for 2015 and 2016 – and wow do we have a number of fantastic programmes coming for you solo travellers (and couples are always welcome of course).
Experience Programmes
In July next year we will be launching the third of we are now terming our “Experience” programmes, these will be journeys to a great destination with a number of days activities but plenty of free time for the travllers to get out and experience their own desires whether those desires are shopping, art galleries , sport events or otherwise. Our 2015 Experience Programmes will see us journey to Bangkok in July and then Hawaii in November, in 2016 we visit Lord Howe Island in February, Singapore in March and then Dubai and the UAE in October.
Special Interest and Events
For those that are seeking something different we have three special programmes in the works for 2015 starting with a Golfing tour in March to New Zealand, this is followed by a fantastic indulgence package in February taking in a cruise, some wineries and a spa-cation, then in December we are off to Germany to take in the incredible Christmas Markets and Romantic Road.
General Tour Programmes
Then we have our true travel gems – our dedicated group departures. If you’ve been following this site you would have seen what we have in the works for Canada and Alaska in May and for Europe in September 2015, and there are still spaces on both these departures with some fantastic discount offers still in play. In addition to those we have some fantastic tours that will start appearing here in the near future. The first is an American Mid-west in October 2016 taking in San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Mammoth Lake and Yosemite. We then have a fantastic tour of Egypt in the works for January 2016 taking in the highlights of Cairo a Nile River Cruise , Abu Simbel and Alexandria. In April 2016 we journey to Italy to take in Rome, Florence, Venice and the true highlights of this fantastic destination. July 2016 sees us headed to East Africa as we set out on Safari in Kenya and Tanzania – a perfect trip for people of all ages. In September 2016 we travel to visit two countries linked through centuries of combined history – Morocco and Spain. Then in December 2016 we head out to visit one of the gems of south east Asia aas we journey through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 