Hanoi’s ancient citadel gains popularity among tourists

Ten years after earning UNESCO’s recognition as a World Heritage site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel has gradually gained popularity among both domestic and foreign tourists and served a venue for many major cultural events of Hanoi capital city.

Over the past decade, the dissemination of information on the citadel has been promoted in diversified forms, such as through exhibitions and on websites and social networks, thus helping bring the heritage closer to the public.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel Conservation Centre has paid attention to activities to increase the quality of services such as building an information and reception system, improving the quality of guides, upgrading infrastructure, and popularising the heritage at schools.

To turn the citadel into a bright spot in terms of heritage value promotion, the centre approved two projects on preserving and promoting the value of the ancient citadel relic site and the Co Loa relic site.

To mark the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of the citadel as world cultural heritage, a wide range of activities will be organised on November 21-23 in the capital city, with the main celebration ceremony taking place at Kinh Thien Palace on November 23.

An evening tour named “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long” is scheduled to be launched later this year, promising unique experience for visitors to the world heritage site in Hanoi.

According to the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, travellers will begin their tour at Doan Mon (Main Gate), the entrance to Cam Thanh (Forbidden area) - the king’s residence, and learn about the site’s history, architecture and functions there.

They will later enjoy an old dance right on the glass covering the archaeological excavation area and gain an insight into this dig, which contains vestiges of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, via tour guides’ introduction.

After visiting the exhibition hall of rare antiquities with some dating back over 1,000 years, tourists can take part in a game in which they have to identify typical objects of feudal dynasties in the past.

In this tour, they will have a chance to visit Tunnel T1, which served as the combat command headquarters of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army during the resistance war against the US, in the citadel.

At Kinh Thien Palace, travellers can offer incense to King Ly Thai To, who moved the country’s capital from Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh province to Dai La which he renamed Thang Long 1,010 years ago, as well as other kings contributing to the capital’s development.

The last destination of this trip is the archaeological site at No. 18 Hoang Dieu street, where visitors will experience a laser light show of outstanding antiquities of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The evening tour, organised by the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre and the Hanoitourist travel company, is hoped to become a unique tourism product for the city in the time ahead.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. The central area of the citadel was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 31, 2010.

Kinh Thien Palace is a main building in the central sector of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, which is located in what is now downtown Hanoi. It sits in the centre of the complex, facing Doan Mon (south gate) and Flag Tower.

The palace was built in 1428 and believed to be of highest importance, hosting many royal ceremonies. It was also in this palace that royal audiences were invited to discuss national issues.

The palace, however, was almost destroyed at the end of the 19th century by the French, and what remains today is a 100 cm-high banister to the south of the plot and several large stone steps with dragon carvings.
Source: VNA

Photo: Visitors at Kinh Thien Palace (Source: VNA)

Tags: Hanoi’s ancient citadel, tourists,

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
http://www.vietnamtourism.gov english/.vn/

NSW PLANS FOR CAUTIOUS CHRISTMAS - CHECK RESTRICTIONS AND PREPARE QR CODES

The NSW Government has modified some restrictions regarding gatherings over Christmas for residents and visitors to the Northern Beaches, and has asked citizens to remain COVID-safe over the coming days.

For specific details regarding movement and home gatherings in the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney, go to NSW.gov.au.

Today, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that, as of 1 January 2021, hospitality venues and hairdressers will be required to use the NSW Government QR code system to assist with NSW Health contact tracing. Information about setting up the QR code system is available here: NSW Government QR codes.

Decisions on New Year’s Eve and upcoming sporting events will be made after this Christmas period.

For its part, Destination NSW consults daily with its partner agencies in the NSW Government to provide the latest information to stakeholders and visitors through Insights, its Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and travel alerts on sydney.com and visitnsw.com.

It also reviews and adjusts its marketing, event and industry development programs in accordance with Public Health Orders and other advice. In the past week, for example, in response to border closures and travel restrictions, it has paused some of its domestic marketing and PR campaigns; has modified its messaging across social media channels; and has shifted the focus of some conversion programs to build awareness and encourage future travel planning.

In this final edition of Insights for 2020, Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox offers his reflections on the year that was and has a message of optimism about the year ahead.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Destination NSW
https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/

An Eye on Summer – Coastal Experiences One Hour from Melbourne

Located just an hour's drive from Melbourne, the coastal experiences in Geelong and The Bellarine are simply stunning. Geelong has a north-facing bay, rare in the southern hemisphere and the Bellarine has beaches perfect for water-based adventures from paddling and swimming in the gentle waters to surfing and boarding at the popular surf breaks. There are rock pools to ramble and shallows to snorkel.

World class beaches – surf, swim, paddle

Avid surfers head to popular surf spots such as 13th Beach or Raffs Beach in Barwon Heads, while beginner surfers can enjoy a surf lesson at Ocean Grove with Go Ride a Wave, Sea Earth Adventures or Great Ocean Road Surf Tours. Families can take advantage of the pristine sand and gentle waves at the Ocean Grove main beach. The mouth of the Barwon River, Barwon Heads is great for paddling and rock pooling is a favourite pastime at Point Lonsdale. Other great beachside spots are the sheltered and family friendly bay at Portarlington. Geelong has the Eastern Beach Reserve with sandy bay beach, sea bath pool, playground and the iconic bollards.

It's all about the water

With a spectacular coastline that spans from Geelong to Barwon Heads and beyond, it's no surprise there's plenty of water-based activities. Swim with the dolphins and seals with See All Dolphins Swims or cruise between the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula aboard Searoad Ferries vehicle and passenger ferry. You can now access Geelong and Portarlington direct from Melbourne as a foot passenger with Port Phillip Ferries. Great Ocean Road Surf Tours and Wards Stand Up Paddle Boarding will have you up in no time or snare a catch on a fishing charter from Queenscliff Harbour.

Best beach offerings

Nestled in between the Barwon River Estuary and the open ocean of Bass Strait, Barwon Heads is uniquely positioned to provide a range of beach options. The sandy areas of the river on either side of the bridges are favoured by families with young kids. Ocean Grove Main Beach is renowned as one of the safest family surf beaches in Victoria. Its sandy shoreline stretches for two stunning kilometres and the rolling waves are perfect for catching a wave or diving under safely. Point Lonsdale front beach is great for wandering, wading and rock pool rambling.

Portarlington offers calm waters and a vast stretch of golden sand, gentle lapping waves and shelter. Eastern Beach Reserve is an iconic, charmingly cosmopolitan waterfront area in the heart of Geelong. Built in the 1930s, the reserve is home to an enclosed sea bath, boardwalk, diving towers, children's pool, floating islands, café, changeroom, terraced lawns and playground. Ideal for a family outing, it has safe swimming areas (patrolled by lifeguards during summer), barbeque facilities, picnic tables, public toilets and lots of parking. The heritage listed pavilion has just been reopened as The Beach House café.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au/

Tags: Geelong, the bellarine, Summer, Beaches

TAKE A FIRST LOOK INSIDE AUSTRALIA’S MOST LUXURIOUS HOTEL RESORT AND SYDNEY’S NEWEST DINING PRECINCT

After four years of construction, Sydneysiders finally get to experience one of the world’s great hotels and its accompanying world-class dining and bar precinct, as select Crown Sydney venues are open to the public for the first time from December 28, including its highly anticipated luxury hotel Crown Towers and restaurant line-up including a’Mare, Woodcut, Nobu and Yoshii’s Omakase.

Crown Sydney’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Crinis, said Crown Towers and the restaurant and bar line-up will be a unique addition to Barangaroo’s already thriving food scene as well as provide Sydney with a world-class hotel that will allow the city to compete with other major global tourism hubs.

“Sydney is one of the world’s great cities, and it deserves a great hotel. Crown Towers will deliver that and so much more. We have amazing bars and restaurants that will make this an incredible destination for Sydney. We are excited to open the doors and let Sydney experience it.”

Crinis said the mix of venues has been curated to provide something for everyone to enjoy. “A lot of time has been spent getting the offer right. Our chef line up reflects some of the most exciting names in the culinary food scene – we hope this becomes a destination people want to visit time and time again.”

CROWN TOWERS 

Rising 275 metres above the bustling Barangaroo Precinct, Crown Towers offers unparalleled luxury accommodation in Sydney. With perfectly framed views of Sydney’s skyline, each room’s décor is designed to provide a sophisticated, modern backdrop that captures the essence of the hotel’s unique harbourside setting. Crown Spa Sydney will also be open for bookings bringing an unprecedented level of indulgence to the city. Designed by Blainey North and spanning across 2000sqm, Crown Spa Sydney includes terraces for yoga and meditation, relaxation rooms, vitality pools, experience showers, infrared saunas, and more.

WOODCUT 

Sydney dining’s award-winning couple, chef Ross Lusted and Sunny Lusted, welcome you to Woodcut - a unique dining experience that celebrates Australian produce and cooking with wood, charcoal and steam. From the moment guests enter Woodcut, they will be drawn to an experiential dining experience thanks to three open kitchens each centred on their own cooking method.

A’MARE 

Nationally acclaimed and award-winning Sydney chef and restaurateur, Alessandro Pavoni will be bringing classic Italian fine dining to Crown Sydney in his latest venture, a’Mare. Known as a pioneer of modern Italian food, Alessandro will go back to his roots with a menu featuring traditional dishes representing the best of each region of Italy.

NOBU 

Internationally renowned Chef, Nobu Matsuhisa – known to the world as "Nobu" – will open his new restaurant at Crown Sydney. Headed by one of Nobu’s classically trained sushi chefs, Harold Hurtada, guests can expect a mix of Nobu classics mixed with innovative new dishes with a unique Sydney take by Hurtada to create a fresh yet inherently classic Nobu menu.

SILKS 

Synonymous with the harmonious flavours of the southern regions of China, Silks will bring traditional Cantonese cuisine to Crown Sydney. With a nod to the fierier palate of the north, the menu will also feature classic northern dishes such as Xian spicy cumin lamb knife cut noodles, Peking duck and Liangpi cold noodles.

To cater for Sydney’s well-known love affair with the Yum Cha tradition, Silks will also offer a stylish and unique culinary spin on Yum Cha with meticulously crafted items like Scallop and lemon myrtle dumplings, Lobster cheong fung and Sea urchin dumplings.

YOSHII’S OMAKASE 

Yoshii's Omakase offers an intimate dining experience within a twelve-seat fine dining room. Derived from a Japanese phrase meaning "I'll leave it up to you,” the Omakase culinary experience leaves all decision-making in the hands of Chef Yoshii who will prepare a ten course Japanese Omakase that heroes seasonal produce and immaculate seafood prepared in front of the guests.

TEAHOUSE 

A sassy and playful take on a traditional Chinese teahouse, this lounge bar promises an opulent and whimsical sensory experience. Sit back and indulge in an array of bespoke cocktails, an impressive champagne list, speciality teas and oriental bites. The ornate bookable birdcages for guests to sit in are Teahouse’s focal point, with plush velvet and gold finishes making it the perfect place to perch at dusk with a cocktail in hand while enjoying oriental bites and small dishes inspired by Japanese and Cantonese cuisine.

TWR 

Set to rival some of the world’s most famous hotel lobby bars, TWR will offer a selection of stylish classic dishes accompanying a bespoke beverage menu featuring time honoured cocktails. A place for an after-work drink, a romantic hideaway or afternoon tea, TWR will transform from casual lounge during the day to a sophisticated cocktail bar at night.

EPICUREAN 

Sydneysiders are set to experience unique dining at Epicurean, with “open kitchens” serving you the finest flavours from some of the world’s most exciting cuisines. With nine live kitchens inside the restaurant, Epicurean will be equally entertaining as it is delicious, with guests able to watch as chefs create dishes in front of their eyes, bringing all the excitement and theatre of the kitchen out into the dining space.

88 NOODLE 

A bustling hotspot full of atmosphere, the 88 Noodle experience is reminiscent of the great noodle houses in Shanghai, delivering fast, filling and delicious fare in a vibrant, authentic setting. Led by

Chef de Cuisine Meena Throngkumpola, guests can expect classic dishes from across Shanghai, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 

Website: www.crownsydney.com.au

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

New Years eve activities and Japanese culture for New Years

Many of us in the travel industry will be happy to put 2020 behind us and look forward to a much better year for travel in 2021. Here in Japan, we practice a variety of traditions in preparation for the New Year holiday, including “Osouji”, a deep cleaning of homes and businesses to purify them for the visit from the Shinto deity of the new year “Toshigami”.

Of course, Osouji takes on a more practical meaning as we close out 2020 and hope to say goodbye to the coronavirus pandemic!

Companies get together for year-end parties called “bonenkai”, which fitting translates to “forget the year party” for 2020! Copious amounts of alcohol are often involved in helping to forget the year, though certainly these types of gatherings are more subdued this year than they normally would be. Bonenkai are a way for businesses to break down the natural barriers between management and employees and to celebrate the good things that happened during the year as well as leaving the bad things behind.

At home, families begin preparing “osechi ryori”, the traditional foods eaten on New Year’s Day. Traditionally, these were dishes that could be prepared a day or two in advance so nobody would need to cook on New Year’s Day and the family could enjoy time together. The modern conveniences of today allow people to pre-order osechi-ryori meals from their favorite shops or restaurants if they don’t want to cook at all.

On New Year’s Eve, people relax at home, often watching the long-running “Kohaku Uta Gassen” song competition on television, which ends just before midnight of the new year. As the clock strikes midnight, “joya no kane”, the ringing of the temple bells occurs in temples all over the country. The bells are rung 108 times, symbolic in Buddhism for forgetting the troubles of the previous year.

Although like many countries, Japan was closed to foreign visitors for most of 2020, we sincerely hope to welcome you to Japan again in 2021.

Wishing you a wonderful and prosperous 2021!

Oita Tourism Business Resources
https://business.visit-oita.jp

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Peru present at Travel DAZE 2020

Peru was virtually present at Travel DAZE 2020 with the participation of Mario Vargas, Trade Commissioner of PROMPERÚ for Australia and New Zealand alongside with Sarah Clark, Managing Director APAC of Intrepid Group. The session delved into Peru’s recovery plan from COVID-19 and why sustainable tourism is a key pillar of this.

It is important to mention that the event received 1,947 unique registrations: agents made up the biggest group at a total of 45%, followed by wholesaler and tour operators at 24%. According to the feedback poll, 98% of attendees rated sessions as excellent or good.

You can relive Peru’s session in Travel DAZE 2020 on YouTube. 

Further information -  www.peru.travel

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

SYDNEY TOUR OPERATOR REINVENTS ITSELF

Sydney-based tour operator Ultimately Sydney has launched a new type of post-pandemic experience – a city exploration game. 

The new phone-guided experience was created during the lockdown in partnership with Questo, the platform for city exploration games. 

The first-of-its-kind city-exploration game is a mix between an outdoor escape game, a treasure hunt and a safe city tour. 

Users of the game can walk around town following on-screen instructions inside the Questo app and solve puzzles to discover popular and lesser-known places and local stories. 

Helen Fraser, founder of Ultimately Sydney said: “Our city game helps locals rediscover their beloved city and spend quality time outdoors and takes tourists to Sydney's top and hidden landmarks as they discover local stories in a fun way.” 

The game costs $A12.99 for access on two devices. 

Invite your friends or family to a fascinating tour of Sydney - great for a weekend outing.
You will discover new places and their history while following clues to solve a mystery. Yes, this is both a tour and a treasure hunt!

You will experience stunning views of the city, you’ll get to find the old Push Gang members, and you’ll have the chance to connect spiritually with the origins of the city.

Invite your mates, significant other or your family to a fun get together around the city.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Reach place after place using the step-by-step instructions in the Questo app and find the hidden symbols that unlock amazing stories about those spots and also let you continue your mystery-solving.

You will experience the perfect mix between a tour, a treasure hunt and an outside escape game around Sydney.

HOW TO ATTEND?
1. BOOK YOUR FREE SPOT
Get your ticket on https://bit.ly/SydneyLocals
Use the promo code: 'golocal' after pushing the 'BUY' button and get your free access. The code is available ONLY THIS WEEK.

2. DOWNLOAD THE APP
Be sure to have the app on your smartphone before the event. It’s
free to download.

3. GO TO THE START
When the time comes, use the Questo app to reach the starting point. Then, follow the instructions to play and explore.

Starting point: Customs House (more details in the app)
Duration: about 1,5 hours

ABOUT QUESTO:
Questo is a platform for city exploration games enjoyed in 100 cities around the world. Through them you can discover unknown places in yourcity or while you travel around the world. Combining elements of a tour and a treasure hunt, you will experience something completely new in theworld of entertainment.

For more information, click here.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Destination NSW
https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Northam welcomes new public art
Visitors to the town of Northam - located in the picturesque Avon Valley, less than 1.5 hours' drive from Perth – will now be welcomed by a stunning new mural displayed on the historic Northam Flour Mill. Designed and painted by Perth-based artists Amok Island – the work celebrates Northam's white swans and their home on the banks of the Avon River. Built in 1867, the Northam Flour Mill is a well-loved major landmark for the town, with historical significance as a pioneer industry in the district. The new mural is an addition to the handful already in existence, including the 38-metre high work painted across eight CBH Group wheat silos by international artists Hense and Phlegm as part of FORM's PUBLIC Silo Trail. In addition to these new attractions, over the past couple of years the town has welcomed the opening of boutique accommodation offering, the Farmers' Home Hotel; and a state-of-the-art Aboriginal cultural learning centre – Bilya Koort Boodja.

Black Swan releases 2021 season – With Love
Black Swan Theatre Company of WA has released its program for the 2021 season – With Love. In celebration of Black Swan's 30th year, the season will re-establish the company's strong connection to heritage. The season will commence with an Aussie makeover of The Cherry Orchard, taking place from February 17 to March 14 at the Sunset Heritage Precinct, located alongside the Swan River. Black Swan will also host the inaugural Maali Festival at the State Theatre Centre of WA, to be held during NAIDOC Week from July 9 to 10. The multi-disciplinary festival will acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of the world's oldest living culture, from traditional dance and musical acts, to a return season of the ground-breaking play Bindjareb Pinjarra. Other highlights include the world premiere of York at the Heath Ledger Theatre from July 10 to August 1, and a return to the playwright and stage where it all began, Octagon Theatre – with audiences invited to vote for the Shakespearean play they would like presented to complete the 2021 season.

Shinju Matsuri tickets now on sale
Tickets are now on sale for Shinju Matsuri (festival of the pearl), set to be held from August 21 to September 5, 2021 in Broome – the pearling capital of Australia in WA's Kimberley region. Guests can now secure a spot at the iconic Sunset Long Table Dinner at Cable Beach on September 4, and the Chinatown Feast on September 1. Travel packages for accommodation during the festival are also now available. The annual Shinju Matsuri event is a celebration of the diverse cultures that have come together in Broome over the past century for pearls, including Japanese, Malaysian, Chinese and Aboriginal.

Emergence Creative Festival to return in 2021
Emergence Creative Festival is set to return to Margaret River in WA's South West from March 24 to 26, 2021. Now in its seventh year, the festival is an immersive anti-conference fusing culture with creative thinking. Over three nights and two days, some of the world's most innovative minds and acclaimed speakers will share their latest revelations, inspiring guests to tap into new ideas and skills in a series of talks and hands-on workshops. Tickets and accommodation specials are now on-sale, with the line-up set to be announced in early 2021.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: www.westernaustralia.com

The Latest Travel and Lifestyle News from Western Australia

DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront now open
Offering spectacular views over the Swan River and Perth city skyline, DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront has opened its doors. Located at the Elizabeth Quay precinct, the 229-room hotel spans 18 floors, and includes meeting and event spaces, a fitness centre and an outdoor infinity pool with views over the Swan River. The food and beverage offerings include Reel Kitchen – with an open kitchen concept showcasing fresh, seasonal WA produce and seafood; Oar Bistro, a deli and bakery located on the boardwalk; and 18 Knots Rooftop bar. Located on the 18th floor, the rooftop venue offers breathtaking and uninterrupted 360-views of the Swan River and Perth city. The artwork on the side of the building has been designed and installed by Fremantle-based artist Tom Mùller – and reflects the rhythm and waves of the Swan River.

Melbourne to Margaret River direct flights
Exploring one of WA's most diverse destinations is now easier thanks to Jetstar's new direct flights between Melbourne and Busselton in the Margaret River region. February 1, 2021 heralds the first time that travellers can fly directly from the east coast of Australia to one of Australia's premium wine regions and also enjoy white sand beaches, ancient forests and cave systems, wildflowers and wildlife and Aboriginal culture. Here you will also find gourmet produce, breweries and distilleries, boutique accommodation, relaxed dining and local art and design. The new direct flights will operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Tullamarine Airport at 8:05am AEST and arriving at Busselton-Margaret River Airport at 9:10am WST; then returning to Melbourne at 9:45am WST. Flights are now on sale through Jetstar.com, with fares starting at $149 (one way).

WA stars to shine bright at Perth Festival 2021
The 2021 Perth Festival will overflow with WA creativity this summer, celebrating the theme of Bilya (river) from February 5 to 28. WA's premier cultural and arts event will open in dazzling style with the City of Lights taking over the Perth Cultural Centre for 21 nights, and WA-born, globally-renowned artist Tim Minchin performing the world-premiere of his new album Apart Together with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Kings Park. The centrepiece for City of Lights will be the imaginary world of Bilya Beneath, an hourly immersive 360-degree spectacle of music, projections, and animations covering the Perth Cultural Centre's buildings in vivid colour in tribute to Northbridge's submerged waterways. As the festival's new home for 2021, City of Lights will bring live music and food from the State Theatre Centre of WA Courtyard to the street fare of Lantern Lane behind the Rechabite and all venues in between, with the full Contemporary Music program due for release on January 21. The new WA Museum Boorla Bardip is set to host several special events, including the One and Many chamber music series staged under the famous Blue Whale. Tickets are now on sale to all events, and for the full program, visit perthfestival.com.au.

Kylie Minogue releases WA chardonnay
Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue has expanded her recently launched wine label – Kylie Minogue Wines – with the addition of a Margaret River chardonnay. One of only two new Australian wines added to the range, the chardonnay is being made by Howard Park winery's chief winemaker Janice McDonald, and will be launched next year. Minogue collaborated exclusively with London-based distributor Benchmark Drinks to launch her eponymous wine label in May this year, and has always been determined to have Australian wines in the range. Howard Park is a pioneering WA winery, based in the renowned Margaret River wine region in WA's South West.

FRINGE World program release
The full 2021 FRINGE World Festival program is live, with tickets to more than 350 shows on sale. The festival will take over 93 venues throughout Perth, including festival hubs at the much-loved Woodside Pleasure Garden in Northbridge, and Girls School - located in the historic 1930s Old Perth Girls School Building. There's also a new hub - State of Play at the State Theatre Centre of WA; and new venues across the city and in the coastal suburb of Scarborough. Highlights for the festival program includes the multi-sensory musical Ballads, Banksia and Beauty by Fringe stalwart Jessie Gordan, theatre work FIRE, a world premiere by local Aboriginal group Kaylakoorl Collective, A Day in the Life of Man by Men of the West choir, and Have a Bath with Me? by notoriously debauched Perth cabaret icon Tomas Ford. The annual festival is the third largest Fringe festival in the world, and will run over four weeks from January 15 to February 14, 2021.

Abrolhos Islands named best 2021 destination
The Abrolhos Islands, one of WA's most unique marine environments, has been named the world's best destination for off-the-grid and under-the-radar-travel in 2021 by global company Skyscanner. As one of the world's largest travel companies, Skyscanner's 2021 Top Destinations & Travel Trends was curated using extensive traveller data and insights from expert travel commentators, including predictions on the soon-to-be trending destinations. Located 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton in WA's Coral Coast region, the Abrolhos Islands are made up of 122 islands, surrounded by coral and marine life, with the three main clusters of islands stretching north to south for 100 kilometres. Accessing the islands will soon be made easier thanks to the construction of two new jetties at East Wallabi and Beacon Islands, expected to be completed by early-2021. In addition, Abrolhos Adventures – operating from Geraldton – has introduced a new vessel to its fleet. Offering all-inclusive sightseeing day tours to the Abrolhos Islands, the new vessel reaches the islands in 80-minutes, as opposed to 2.5-hours on other vessels.

Albany to welcome Seashells accommodation
Albany's iconic Middleton Beach will be the site of a landmark new hotel with a buyer now secured for the ocean-front site, and Seashells Hospitality Group confirmed as the operator. The new four-star plus hotel - Seashells Albany - will be the centrepiece of the Middleton Beach Activity Centre, offering 80 to 100 rooms with a choice of one and two-bedroom spacious and stylish suites. The hotel will also see the creation of beach front food and beverage facilities for both locals and visitors. Construction is expected to start in mid-2021. The coastal city of Albany in WA's Great Southern region is a five hour drive from Perth, or one hour and 15 minutes on a direct flight.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: www.westernaustralia.com

Machu Picchu reopens its doors to tourism

The sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the iconic Peruvian archaeological site, reopened its doors with a special ceremony that showed the numerous cultural expressions of the country. 

The event marks a milestone in the reactivation of the industry in our country, showing the world that given the permanent decline in COVID-19 cases and the implementation of protocols for this activity, we are prepared to receive the visit of travelers as tourism activities will return to be implemented in a progressive, responsible and sustainable way, respecting all the biosecurity measures given by the government.

Further information -  www.peru.travel

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au