Blog Archives
My Wine & Cheese In Review…
What a fantastic weekend! We were thrilled with the turnout and the response and hope that you all enjoyed sampling the flavours of the Shoalhaven as much as we did!
We have a few ladies looking for partners on our Hong Kong Trip and our Evergreen Europe Cruise – if you were thinking of joining these trips please let us know!
Classifieds Update: We have a lady heading for China in May for 21 days, if you wanted to travel with someone and relieve the cost of paying a single supplement, and would like to meet your room-mate prior to travelling – then give us a call and we can introduce you! If the match is suitable we can then help you organise your trip to join them in China! We also have a lady looking to find a partner for a Mediterranean Cruise and some time in Sicily and Malta in 2015, if you are interested in seeing this area in the new year than please let us know!
Now for that which I am sure you have been looking forward to seeing .. a few shots showing the ladies and gents who attended our Flavours of the Shoalhaven Gathering to sample local produce, listen to what Uniworld does in Europe and to mix and mingle with other travellers!
Cruise The Ring Of Fire!
Cruise the “Ring Of Fire”with L’Austral from Petropavlovsk in Russia to Maizuru in Japan, 16 days from AU$7,900 per person share twin, departing 01 October. On this departure we are excited to let you know that there is no Single Supplement ! Space is of course subject to availability at the time of booking!
We invite you to join us aboard L’AUSTRAL to discover the origins of the world, a part of our planet that is still unknown to most, where Ocean and Fire have fashioned a wild, free and almost forgotten paradise. You will reach the Kuril Islands, a true “Ring of Fire” where a string of more than 32 volcanoes stretch across the Bering Sea between Russia and Japan. A unique environment with an air of infinity. Geysers, primary forests, wild nature, the sight of brown bears fishing for salmon, colourful taiga, and much more.
Cruise Highlights :
• The cliffs filled with birds and otters in Lovushki
• Onekotan and its two caldera from the pre‐glacier age
• Atlasova and its volcano, the highest in the Kurils
• Daily excursions in Zodiac® dinghies, an expedition atmosphere
• Flying over the Valley of Geysers in a helicopter (must be pre‐booked)
Cruise Visits: Petropavlovsk, Atlasova, Paramushir, Shumshu, Onekotan, Shiashikotani – Dgrotoyy Point, Lovushi, Matua, Yankicha-Shimushir, Chirpoy, Tulenyi, Korsakov, Otaru, Kanzawa and Maizuru
Cruises Rates include the following:
• All meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation)
• Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
• Mineral water, tea, filter coffee, a selection of white, red and rosé wines offered during meals; afternoon tea
• Evening entertainment and events
• Luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa
• Room service 24h (special selection)
• English speaking lecturer on selected sailings identified by “lecturer on board” logo
• Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team for all programs identified with “Expedition” logo.
• Optional Open bar package (included only in cruise package sold in US/Canada) to be booked exclusively prior departure
Cruise exclude the following:
• Port and safety taxes
• Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned in each “Cruise & Flights” package and for which details are available upon request.
• Optional Spa package to be booked prior your departure; please ask for more information
• Optional shore excursions
• Beverages other than the ones mentioned
• Laundry services, hair salon and à la carte Spa treatments
• Personal expenses, on board medical consultations and drug prescriptions
• Gratuities
• Cancellation/luggage/assistance/repatriation/medical insurance(s)
• Visa, disembarkation taxes, environmental taxes and/or national park fees if applicable
1st – 16th October 2014, from AU$7900 per person Share Twin aboard the L’Austral
If you are interested in seeing the Ring Of Fire let us know today!
Other Cruise Specials available with no single supplement* include:
- Expedition to Cape Verde, From Madeira to Dakar, from AU$7260 per person share twin, 11th – 25th October 2014
- Between East and West, From Piraeus to Limassol, from US$5499 per person share twin, 18th – 25th October 2014
- A Cruise Through Millennia, From Limassol to Piraeus, from US$5400 per person share twin, 25th October – 4th November 2014
- Ancient Relics and Mediterranean Life, From Piraeus to Lisbon, from AU$5990 per person share twin, 3rd – 16th November 2014
- The Antarctic Peninsula, from USD7395 per person, From Ushuai to Ushuia, 12 Days. Single Supplements waived on 27th November 2014, 17th December 2014, 24th January 2015 sailings
- Chilean Fjords, from AU$5976 per person, from Ushuai to Valparasio, From 27th February 2015 t0 12th March 2015
- The Indonesian Archipelago, AU$6442 per person, from Darwin to Hong Kong, From 4th – 20th March 2015
- In The Wake Of The Incas, from AU$4724 per person, from Valparaiso to Guayaquil, from 12th – 24th March 2015
- In the Heart Of China, from AU$3628 per person, from Honk Kong to Tianjin, from 20th-29th March 2015
- Central America’s Secrets,from AU$3146 per person, from Guayaquil to Caldera, from 24th March 2015 to 1st April 2015
- Grenadine Islands, from AU$2582 per person, from Curacao to Fort de France
Castles Along The Rhine 2015, Exclusive Offer!
When one thinks of river cruising in Europe, they tend to immediately think of the Danube, there are a number of rivers in Europe that have incredible voyages including the Volga, the Rhone, the Rhine and the Moselle. My Travel Experts and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters are proud to present an exclusive discounted deal for the 19th August 2015 Rhine River special “Castles Along The Rhine”. Terms and conditions do apply, and the pricing is based on a minimum number of travellers. Should you wish to experience the Rhine then please let us know!
Spaces Still Available For Hong Kong!!
Still considering joining us in Hong Kong on the 6th September 2014?
We can still offer spaces from AU$3393.00
per person share twin, subject to Availability.
So if you would like to join let us know now!
Includes:
Return Airfares with Qantas, All prepayable taxes and surcharges on tickets,
7 Nights at the 4 Star Hotel with breakfast daily,
3 Full Days of Touring, Night Out At Happy Valley Racecourse,
Fully Escorted Ex-Sydney
Experience Hong Kong, Shenzen & Macau
Shoalhaven Solo Sisters, Not Just For The Ladies
Although the initial purpose of the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters initiative was to match up single female travelers for groups, these tours and programmes – indeed the entire initiative, is not just for our single ladies, but for single travellers.
With the successful launch of the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters programmes and the overwhelming response from the ladies of the Shoalhaven we are extending our Solo Service – to the Gentlemen that have the same concerns.
So if you are a Solo Gentleman (or know a solo Gentleman), either because you are a long term bachelor, recently widowed, or have a partner or spouse who just doesn’t like travel, then the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters is the thing for you!
We have several group departures in the works that the fellas are more than welcome to join, and can as always try and match people up for the individual trip
So if you or someone you know, wishes to join our initiative – and this is a shout out to the guys – let us know!
Quick Post – Thanks & Offers
The Staff from Shoalhaven Solo Sisters and My Travel Expert would like to thank those ladies who came out and joined us at the “Ladies Day Out” Race day on the 25th, it was a great day and we all hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. Our Congratulations again to Margaret and Kelly for placing in the Best In Field competitions. For those that were not there you can get a taste of what happened over in our gallery!
Now on for some great news ..
Hong Kong
Our sale price of AU$3393 has ended, if you haven’t already booked or spoken with us about the trip though there is some good news – we can still have some spaces, but the price may rage up to our non-discounted price of AU$3969 per person in twin or more, based on individual rather than group airfare prices. So if you want to come to Hong Kong to shop, get a taste of China, visit the national parks, or get a taste of Disneyland even, then the time to book is now while decent priced airfares are still available.
Shoalhaven Solo Sisters Six-Month Shennanigens!
It also came tour our notice today that the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters has now been operating and matching ladies up for six months, while not a huge milestone we take whatever chance we can to enjoy ourselves, and with the half a dozen events we have run, the fantastic tours we have gotten away and with a fantastic growing membership of ladies, we believe that we have more than enough reason to celebrate. So you don’t feel left out of our celebratory mood we will be offering a 50% reduced deposit on all bookings for our Hunter Valley Wine Weekend or our Murray River Weekender for the next month, so if you book a place between now and the end of June we will only want AU$100 per person to secure your spot.
So our thanks for joining us at the races, and for making the last 6 months an enjoyable ride .. it is a great start.
Relax, Rewind, Revive with Shoalhaven Solo Sisters
Everyone needs from time to time a chance to kick back, unwind and relieve themselves of the stresses of day to day lives. Sometimes though this doesn’t happen when one stays at home – things crop up and you end up spending your downtime being so busy you don’t end up feeling relaxed by the time you are due to head back to the grind.
To that end we have a fantastic trip guaranteed to relax and revive. A dash of humour starts off our little getaway as we depart on a four day comedy cruise from Sydney to Auckland. We follow this up with some pure indulgence in New Zealand itself, first sampling some of the famed New Zealand Wines, then taking off to Rotorua for a Traditional Maori Cultural experience and a fantastic spa package at Hells Gate – Massage, facial, thermal walk, mud soak and spa.
Comedy, Wine and Spa – What more is needed to truly relax!
So if you want to pamper yourself, a friend, or a partner, if you want to truly relax and rewind
THEN GIVE US A CALL TODAY!
2 – 11 April 2015, Sydney-Sydney
From AU$3441 Per Person Share Twin
Includes: 4 Night P&O Comedy Cruise, 2 Nights in Auckland, 3 Nights in Rotorua, Full Board On Cruise and 10 Meals in New Zealand, Transfers in New Zealand, 2 Full Day Tours, Rotorua Spa Day, Return Airfares , Prepayable Taxes and surcharges
* Based on Inside Cabins & dependant on Availability. For Options including Outside or Balcony CabinsSingle Supplement please ask us
Canada & Alaska Pre-sale Ending (16 May)
Our Canada & Alaska Group Departure with Evergreen is now coming to a close on its “pre-sale”, which means if you want to save yourself a small bundle then now is the time to book before prices rise!
Expressions Of Interest: Christmas Markets
One of the best things about travelling, is the experiences it allows you to have, especially when those experiences are not something we have easy access to on a daily basis close to home. This December (probably the 5th) we are looking at heading to Europe to experience something we don’t have here in Australia – a white winter, and the German Christmas Markets.
Ever since the 1300’s there has been some form of Christmas Markets in Germany especially in the areas around Rothenburg ob de Tauber, Wurzenburg and Bamburg. What this tour we are proposing will do will allow you to travel to Europe, see some of the highlights of Germany’s historical sights at a unique time of year, combined with a long running event that is even today still a unique experience. The Historic wooden and cobbled towns will be dusted with snow, adorned with decorations and lit up late into the night so one can explore the culinary delights of Germany, sample fine German wines, and enjoy the Christmas Markets. A fantastic opportunity for the shopper or those who enjoy experiencing unique cultural events.
For the shopper though you will have the unique opportunity to uncover traditionally made toys alongside their contemporary counterparts, you will find stalls of hand crafted and intricately detailed Christmas decorations, as well as a number of stalls, booths and shop fronts that will selling wonderful sweets, foods and drinks .. some of which are only regularly made during this of the year, and in some cases by tradition only consumed on certain dates!
A perfect winter getaway mixed with a magical taste of Christmas. For those that are considering coming along on this experience you will have the opportunity of getting first class service from your local tour manager plus the tour escort who will journey ex-Sydney (with minimum numbers). You will have the unique experience of attending an evening choral concert at the Benedictine Abbey in Amorbach. You will visit the medieval town of Rothunburg ob de Tauber, as well as Wertheim with its Glass Museum, Miltenburg with is Half Timbered Houses, and more. Then there is the whole Christmas Market experience as you visit a number of markets including Nurembergs fames “Christkindlemarkt”, Wurzburgs Christmas Markets and Kathe Wolfhart’s World Famouse Christmas Village Shop.
Expected land Itinerary:
Day One: Arrive in Frankfurt
Meet and greet at Frankfurt Airport with the specialist tour manager and a transfer to the deluxe coach to start the tour. Drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; a beautiful small town with medieval buildings and cobbled streets. Time at leisure to explore the town, take a horse and carriage ride or walk the restored city walls. Dinner in a local ‘gasthaus’ and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day Two: The Shopping Begins
Today the serious business starts with a visit to the Käthe Wohlfahrt’s world famous Christmas village shop. A true cavern of delight full of decorations. In the afternoon and evening watch the Christmas decoration lights come on, the market stalls come to life and take time to browse the market and take in the sights and aromas. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day Three: Wertheim/Miltenburg/Amorbach
Today travel to Wertheim to visit the glass museum and watch demonstrations of the production and design from the traditional to the modern. Continue to Miltenburg, with its half timbered houses, for a short stop to indulge in the local biscuits and coffee. Onto to Amorbach for an evening choral concert in its Benedictine abbey, accompanied by its famous baroque organ. Return to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay.
Day Four: Wuerzburg Christmas Market
Morning at leisure to explore and shop or just relax and take in the atmosphere. Afternoon excursion to the Wuerzburg Christmas Market; one of the most atmospheric in Germany held against the historical backdrop of the Gothic St. Mary’s Chapel and the ‘Falkenhaus’ Rococco mansion. A delightful selection of Christmas goods are on offer here at the beautifully decorated wooden booths. The town hall’s historical courtyard also hosts an artists’ Christmas market. Return in the early evening to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay.
Day Five: Bamberg
The morning free to explore and shop, or just relax and take in the atmosphere. An afternoon excursion to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including visits to the town hall and cathedral. Experience Bamberg’s charming Christmas Market steeped in tradition. Explore the nativity scenes and over 50 market stalls offering Christmas decorations, ornaments and sweet delicacies from around the region. Return in the early evening to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Day Six: Nuremburg
Travel to Nuremberg to take a city tour starting with the Toy Museum, which has displays covering toys from antiquity to the present day. Then a more traditional visit to the Church of St Sebald, which has been on the site since 1070 and a place of pilgrimage for many to the grave of the holy Sebaldus. Then down to some serious shopping with a visit to Nuremberg’s main market square (Hauptmarkt): In the heart of the old quarter is the setting for the annual ceremony at which the ‘Christkindl’ or Christ Child opens Nuremberg’s ‘Christkindlesmarkt’, the most famous Christmas market in the world. Every year over two million visitors soak up the medieval atmosphere and romance of this miniature town of Christmas stalls. Delight in the delicious aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, Nuremberg ‘bratwurst’, roasted almonds and ‘glühwein’. Younger visitors can enjoy the ‘Kinderweihnacht’ or children’s Christmas where a magnificent, traditional carousel comes complete with an upper tier, reindeer figures and Santa’s sleigh. Return in the evening happy, full and contented to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day Seven: Depart for Home
Last minute shopping and the last chance to savour a sweet pastry or glass of ‘gluhwein’, before heading back to Frankfurt airport for the return flight home.
At this stage we would need a minimum of 10 travellers to get this tour away, and we would restrict the tour group size to 16, we prefer to keep our groups smaller as not only is it more intimate, but it allows greater access to guides and tour escorts, and allows us to add in the occasional unexpected surprise. So if you think that perhaps you would like to see some of Europe”s most incredible towns, at a time of year when the weather is unlike that experienced in Australia and when one of the worlds most unique regional experiences is available? Then Contact us now to let us know you are interested in coming!
Just call (02) 4421 5577 or e-mail nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au
My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters 