Blog Archives

Australia is calling …

Kimberly Coast

From cruising the Kimberly Coast, braving the the Bungle Bungles, touring Tasmania, seeing the Swan River, discovering Darwin and more .. there is always something to encounter within Australia. That is why we are having one of the Experts come down to give a presentation on some of the best ways to see the land down under!

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If you have been considering a journey through Australia (or New Zealand) and would like to get some ideas from the experts then this is your opportunity. On the 18th November 2015 from 5:30pm for a 6pm start we will have at our offices a representative from AAT Kings to give us a lecture and film presentation on the Kimberly’s, Australia, New Zealand and what there is to see, do and experience across the region.

So, if you would like to join us on the 18th November 2015, just register on the below link!

Discover Australia with the Experts

Kimberly Falls

While Australia may not be populated with Ancient Cities, Monumental Buildings of a different age, or food and culture that we are not used to, there is an incredible array of sights, sounds, tastes. There are natural landscapes that are unique, pristine and untouched, Cultural Sites of local tribal history dating back over 40,000 years, and more.

From the forested Hinterlands of Tasmania, the panoramic glory of the Kimberleys to the bustle of Sydney and the action of the Gold Coast, there is something in Australia to attract all sorts of visitors .. and sometimes a trip to somewhere in your ‘own backyard’ is just what is needed rather than a trip to a foreign shore.

One of the Tour Operators that can help you either explore a region in-depth going from site to site as you journey through a region (like Tasmania or the Kimberleys), or that can help you case yourself in one locale and then see all that is within an easy journey of that point (such as Cairns or Adelaide) is AAT Kings, one of Australia’s longest running Tour Operators. For AAT King’s Australia (and New Zealand) offers endless fascination and they have a fantastic array of programmes and offers they always have at hand, and are continually expanding their product options.

If you have been considering a journey through Australia (or New Zealand) and would like to get some ideas from the experts then this is your opportunity. On the 18th November 2015 from 5:30pm for a 6pm start we will have at our offices a representative from AAT Kings to give us a lecture and film presentation on the Kimberly’s, Australia, New Zealand and what there is to see, do and experience across the region.

So, if you would like to join us on the 18th November 2015, just register on the below link!

A Taste of Europe and North America with Travelmarvel

With our APT & Travelmarvel information evening running this evening we thought this was the perfect time to remind everyone of a few set group departures we have running in conjunction with these fantastic companies.

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Rhine & Rhone River Cruise.

This 21 day programme  takes a fantastic trip starting with a few days in Paris before travelling up to Amsterdam where we board our first cruise boat and sail down the Rhine over the course of several days until we hit Basel, where we disembark for a short overland trip to Lyon where we join our second cruise vessel and then cruise down the Rhone to Nice, where we disembark and head for Monte Carlo where we spend a last few nights before heading home.

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With almost 20 locations visited in a 21 day period this tour is a fantastic way to visit one of the more picturesque areas or France, Germany and Switzerland as you cruise through the famed regions of Alsasc and Lorraine, the Black Forest, the edges of the Swiss Alps and into the Cote de Azur.

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Currently available from AU$11,790 per person including varying fly free deals, with the end of the year creeping up on us now is the time to book in your space aboard this departure to ensure that you get the best offers available.

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Canada & Alaska.

Nearly everyone has at some point seen on TV, or on posters, newspaper adverts and other media the scenic lakes and soaring mountains of the Canadian Rocky Mountains .. like Banff which is pictured above. As well as the frozen Glaciers, Grizzly Bears, Pioneer Towns, Modern Cities and unspoilt wilderness that is part of most Canada and Alaska advertisements. For good reason, these places area s truly incredible as the adverts make them seem, and in some cases are even more inspiring when you actually get there!

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Our 21 Day departure leaving in August starts on the Island of Victoria seeing the sights of this incredible region before hopping aboard our tour bus and traversing the highlights of the Rocky Mountains before returning to Vancouver aboard the renown Rocky Mountaineer, where we then board a cruise ship and explore the frontier towns, native american culture, wildlife and scenery of the Inside passage before returning once again to Vancouver where our journey ends.

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This tour has a little something for everybody, and can be enhanced by adding in those little tours that not everyone wants to do – such as Whale Watching, Dog Sledding, Glacier Walks and Rafting on the Mountain Lakes. This programme visits over a dozen location during the tour and has time in every location to really get a feel for the place you are visiting.

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Currently available from AU$9895 per person in share twin, now is the time to book while all the early bird and flight specials are still in full swing.

You can look up more information on our Rhone & Rhine Departure and our Canada & Alaska Departure on our website, or if you want the information straight from the source join us for tonight’s informational session – limited spaces are still available

A World Of Opportunities With APT & Travelmarvel

APT Film Night Advert

Join us on the 28th of October to discover a world of Travel Possibilities with our guest speaker from APT and Travelmarvel. Launching in the 1920’s APT is one of the worlds longest running tour operators and these days in conjunction wit their 5 star product (APT) run an inclusive 4 star service (Travelmarvel) to places across the globe. With these companies you can Climb the Great Wall of China, Sail the Mekong, Visit the Volga, Ascend the Eiffel Tower, Witness the Great Migration, Walk upon Athabasca Glacier, Raft in Lake Louise, Tango in Buenos Aires and More! Do it with Style, do it with comfort – come and join us and see how, with APT and Travelmarvel. Spaces are limited so register today!

Attend

Seeking Dubai ..

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In the last few decades Dubai has become more than a stopover port on the way to other European or Middle Eastern Destinations. Dubai and the surrounding UAE including Abu Dhabi has become a thriving tourist destination in its own right with an incredible mixture of modern marvels and ancient sights, a destination of culture, history, shopping, sports and recreation –  a destination for travellers of all ages.

Which brings me to the point of todays short post. Hot off the press of our classifieds section, we have notice that we are seeking a female traveller to join one of our members on a trip to Dubai in February 2016. Our young traveller is heading out from Sydney and looking to spend some time in some quality company (which we hope one of you can provide) while exploring the fascinating sights, sounds and tastes of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai in particular.

So if a trip to the gateway to the Middle East sounds of interest, then why not contact us today and see if you may be a suitable companion for our Dubai bound traveller.

 

My European River Cruise (September 2015)

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Guess Who has been travelling? Julie has just recently returned from escorting one of our Group Departures along the Danube. A fantastic trip visiting Prague before cruising from Budapest to Amsterdam, then onto Paris for a few days R&R before heading home. If you have been following our blog and website over the past 18 months or so you may have noticed us promoting this upcoming trip from time to time.

In any event the trip seems to have gone off really well with those attending telling us that they had a fantastic time – but don’t just take our word for it, take a look at some of our happy campers and trip highlights below! (Please note this is best viewed as a slideshow on the website and images may not appear on your Email updates)

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I know, there are not a lot of “site photos” but if all we did was show you those what incentive would you have to join us on our departures! In any event there was a lot of fun had, and if you want to join us on a future trip then take a look around the website to see what is on offer!

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My Travel Expo Deals – Limited Time Offers

My Travel Expo Deals

Well, what a night! Our thanks to our industry partners and our visitors for making it such a fantastic night! Having said that we do have a number of fantastic offers from our industry partners, from Cruising around Fiji with Captain Cook, discovering Tasmania with AAT Kings, Safari on the Serengeti with the Africa Safari Co, relax on a beach in Hawaii with Qantas Holidays of discover the mysteries of Peru with the South American Tourism Office. For a full look at all Expo specials please click here! Be warned the file is large and may take some time to load. Please note all specials are of limited duration so if one takes your fancy now is the time to act!

My South America Expedition!

It is finally here! My South America Expedition!

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We have been talking for a while about the South America Tour that we want to do , and we have been tossing up what we should or should not include, and in the end we have settled on the best compromise we could come to. We discarded the areas that some people may or may not want to see and settled down to a solid 20 day itinerary that takes in the very Best of South America, covering the Capital City of Peru (Lima) then time in the Sacred Valley of Cusco and Machu Picchu, a visit to Lake Titicaca, time at the astounding Iguasu Falls (pictured above) a visit to Rio de Janiero, and time in Buenos Aires were we take a small ranch stay and visit a local Estancia to get a feel for life on the Pampas!

Book now to take full advantage of all our earlybird and early payment deals including a companion fly free special that when you look at two travellers means you will only end up paying AU$10,746 per person at the moment (if you book within the next 2 weeks we will even include our Film Night Discounts!). You can review the itinerary and basic details here!

Now while we have said we “Cut” the areas that many do not want to see this does not mean they are unable to be added to the trip.

There are an amazing array of pre and post tour options we can look to include on this South American Voyage. if you are looking at something to do Pre-Tour there are Galapagos and Amazon Cruises, Jungle Lodge Stays, the Devils Snout Railway in Ecuador which winds round the small hill villages and volcanoes,  there is Chiclayo and Trulijio the home of the Lord of Saipan – the King Tut of South America, or you can head into Southern Peru and visit Arequipa and the Nazca lines, just as a few examples.

Post tour there are just as many amazing extension options from a Cape Horn Cuise to a visit to Patagonia and Terra del Fuego, maybe visit the Colonial Mining town of Salta and the marshlands, or stay in a luxury desert encampment in the Atacama, take an opportunity to move up the Tigre River and spend a few days in the Uruguayan Capital of Montevideo, visit Santiago and the surrounding areas of Vina Del Mar and Valparasio, or take a break and experience the wonder of Easter Island.

So if you have ever wanted to journey to South America now is your change, book aboard our 2nd March 2017 departure and experience the best of South America in some Exceptional Company!

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For further details please contact My Travel Expert on (02) 4421 5577 or nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au

Africa, Asia, America, Europe – Discover the World with Evergreen and Scenic

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If you have a desire to cruise the Mekong, encounter a lion on the Serengeti, see the glaciers move in Alaska, or listen to the Mulluhs call for the faithful as the sun sets over Istanbul then perhaps you should consider coming along to our film night. There are few companies that explore the world in quite the same was as Scenic and Evergreen Tours, and like their past travellers will tell you their service is exceptional. Whether cruising the Danube from Budapest to Prague or taking in the Rocky Mountains, they have a quality of service that stands out amongst their competitors. From walking the flower lined streets of Ho Chi Minh City over TET or watching Hippos from your Chobe River Cruise, these suppliers ensure that every trip, every stop is a memorable experience that will leave you desiring to travel again, and again, and again. So come along and join us on the 9th of September and see what we are talking about!

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Opening at 5:30 pm for a 6 pm start on the 9th September, My Travel Expert along with our industry partners Evergreen Tours and Scenic will take you on a virtual whirlwind tour as we discover just why they are such popular tour suppliers, what they truly do that sets them apart and why we believe you should consider travelling with them!  Even more exciting we will be unveiling for the first time our 2017 South American Group Departure, so if you have dreamed of seeing Machu Picchu or the falls of Iguasu, then this is an event that you wont want to miss.

With only a handful of spaces left we suggest you register for the night by clicking on the below green button, or giving us at call on (02) 4421 5577

Attend

We are , Sold Out, and sadly have no more seating room for this event! Should you still be interested in the events contents or in putting your name on waitlist please let us know on (02) 4421 5577

Red, Green and Black!

 

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We have still had a few people having difficulty locating us, having gone to the old office, or other nearby stores. We are on Kinghorne Street on the outside of the Nowra Mall. So, to clarify, we are perhaps 200 meters down the road from our old location .. simply continue on past best and less to the traffic lights, look across the road where Telstra Business Centre stands on  the corner and there we are right next Door in our flashy new Black and Green Colours! Just remember if you have pass HCF you have gone too far!

We are still contactable on (02) 4421 5577, though since the move our phones have been having issues – for which we are sorry! or by email on nowra@mytravelexpert.com.au . As usual you should be able to find someone here from 9 am to 5 pm Mondays through to Fridays, and from 9 am to Midday on Saturdays. So if you need to see us, or just want to place our location in mind, please feel free to stop by.

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For those that visit our website to get updates rather than just reading their subscribed e-mails or RSS feeds it will come as no surprise that we have had a bit of a facelift, with the website now more reflective of the My Travel Expert and Shoalhaven Solo Sisters branding – in otherwords, its very black and green. Based on feedback for the tours we have been planning and upcoming events we have seriously culled  our group departures and will be running no more than 4 departures per year. These will run with a minimum of 2 passengers and will be fully escorted by one of our staff with 16 travellers. For now our 2016 and 2017 tour schedule is as follows ..

  • May 2016:  My Mississippi (see below notice)
  • June 2016: My African Experience. A fantastic journey to take in the highlights of Kenya and Tanzania, run in concert with the African Safari Co.
  • August 2016: My Canada & Alaska Encounter. An incredible journey through the Rocky Mountains and Inside passage  run in concert with Travelmarvel
  • August – September 2016: My Rhine and Rhone Encounter. Two back to back river cruises taking in the best of the Western European River Highlights, run in concert with Travelmarvel
  • February 2017: My Mekong Encounter. A delightful Tour through Vietnam ending in Ho Chi Minh City over Vietnamese New Year where you then Cruise to Siem Reap along the Mekong, run in concert with Evergreen Tours.
  • 2017, My South American Expedition. is coming, for a first look at this we recommend you contact us and reserve your spot at our 9 September film night, but be quick spaces are limited!

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If you receive our regular updates and follow our blog, facebook, twitter or websites you will know that we have been organising a Mississippi Tour with Evergreen to cover the Sounds of the South, a cultural tour taking in the American Music Capitals from Nashville to Memphis to New Orleans, with some time spent aboard a traditional paddlesteamer. It is to our regret that the company owning the cruise boats – the American Queen Steamboat Company – has reallocated their ships in 2016 for a number of private charters, which means we are forced to cancel this programme!

Having said that, there is a similar programme being run with Scenic called the “Southern Belles & Mississippi Cruise”and if anyone would still like to do a voyage that mirrors our original programme then please feel free to contact us and we can give you details on the Scenic programmes.

Once again, My Travel Expert and the Shoalhaven Solo Sisters thank you all for your continued support!