Exciting News! The readership of this Magazine has grown rapidly, recently passing 17 million pageviews. An innovative new way of promoting tourism in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales in Australia, selected Australian cities and featured overseas countries. Featuring MICE and Corporate Travel news, destinations, hotels, musicals and events. On the right hand side of the page you will find an index of articles by date, by world location, and by popularity. Happy reading!
Saturday, 30 October 2021
7 reasons you should become a 2022 Opera Australia subscriber today!
Here are our top seven:
1. You’ll experience an astonishing variety of stories, productions and music.
Our 2022 season is a treasure trove of unmissable cultural experiences, from rarely heard grand operas like La Juive to the emotional high drama of Il Trovatore. We’re collaborating with some of the world’s best opera houses. We’ve sought out the most exciting voices and talents.
2. Save up to 20% on tickets.
Choose three or more productions to unlock a 10% discount. Choose five or more productions and save 20%.
3. Exchange tickets for free.
Choose dates now, make it work for your calendar later.
4. Pay in instalments and spread the cost.
5. Priority access to new performances.
6. Enjoy exclusive events, invitations and offers.
Including a 10% discount in a range of restaurants.
7. Win back the value of your subscription.
Book by Tuesday 16 November, 2021 to automatically enter the draw*.
Like grand operas? Tear jerkers? Romantic stories? Musicals? We’ve got a production (or three!) for you, and our guide makes it easy to find it.
EXPLORE THE SEASON
Opera Australia, PO Box 291, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, Australia
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Friday, 29 October 2021
"Tokyo Night Bus Cruise" with HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Background
This program was developed as part of an effort related to microtourism, which is a short trip to a place 1 to 2 hours away from home by car and a way of travel that balances the local economy with minimum impact on the spread of coronavirus. Starting out as a means to provide opportunities to rediscover Tokyo, it is also open to international guests looking for a special night out in Tokyo to discover or rediscover the charms of the city. In collaboration with Hinomaru Motor Co., Ltd. an expert on bus tours, we have developed a special program.
Characteristics of “Tokyo Night Bus Cruise”
1)Open-air two-story bus to avoid the Three Cs
360-degree view of the city from the two-story open rooftop bus allows one to enjoy the surrounding sounds and breeze. It is a private bus available to guests staying at HOSHINOYA Tokyo and will accommodate up to 20 people, where its normal capacity is 50 people so that participants can enjoy the beautiful city scenery to refresh their mind and body while avoiding the Three cs (close contact, confined spaces, and crowded places).
2)Exhilarating drive through the city center
The bus departs from Otemachi and goes through Kasumigaseki where the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building are located and the dramatically developing Toranomon area towards Tokyo Tower. After that, it stops near Tokyo Tower for about 10 minutes, so that participants can get a close look at the beautiful figure of the illuminated Tokyo Tower. The bus cruise, which takes about an hour for a round trip, offers both the historical scenery of Tokyo and the evolving urban landscape.
3)Discover the charms of Tokyo from a different point of view
The two-story bus offers higher points of view than normal vehicles so views of longer distances can be enjoyed. Guided by a bus attendant who is familiar with the city and history of Tokyo, both residents and visitors can discover and rediscover the charms of the city.
Details of “Tokyo Night Bus Cruise”
Period: All year*
Time: 6 pm to 7 pm*
Price: 3,500 JPY per person (includes tax), free of charge for children under the age of 6
Reservation: Online (https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo/en/) or at the front desk of HOSHINOYA Tokyo 15 minutes before the departure of the bus
Capacity: 20 people per ride
Available only to: Guests staying at HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Meeting place: Main entrance of HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Others: Depending on weather conditions, the contents of the program may be subject to change.
*Program is available during specific time frames throughout the year. The specific route and time depend on the season so for specific details, please contact our PR personnel.
About Skybus Tokyo
Skybus Tokyo started operation in Tokyo in 2004 as Japan’s first two-story open rooftop bus tour. Its characteristic is the 360-degree view in the open air. The bus will take passengers around the city, providing scenery from a different point of view and stimulates the five senses for a refreshing bus ride with a fun guide by the bus attendant. Recently, it has been used for victory parades of professional sports.
About HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Address: 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 104-0004
Number of Rooms: 84
Check-in: 3:00 pm/Check-out: 12:00 pm
Price: Starting from 102,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Directions: Approximately 10 minutes by walk from Tokyo Station, 2 minutes by walk from Otemachi Station
Website: https://hoshinoya.com/tokyo/en/
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
TICKETS TO SOLD-OUT MUNDI MUNDI BASH MUSIC FESTIVAL BACK ON-SALE
A small number of ticket holders to the sold-out inaugural event opted for a ticket refund when the 2021 event was postponed to April 2022 - and now these tickets will go back on sale at 10am AEDT on Wednesday at www.mundimundibash.com.au
“Mundi Mundi Bash tickets sold like hot cakes when we first put them on-sale in March 2021. Despite the pandemic just starting to take hold there was a huge appetite for the event and all tickets sold out in just one month. Since then we’ve been on a rollercoaster ride with COVID, with the Delta strain meaning we had no choice but to move the event to April 2022. We were thrilled that the majority of our ticket holders supported us and opted to retain their tickets for next year”, said Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group Greg Donovan.
The all ages, dog friendly camping event has a loyal and dedicated following of festival goers who have attended sister event the Birdsville Big Red Bash – which to date remains the only multi-day music festival to be successfully staged in 2021.
“We set new standards in COVID safety protocol at the Big Red Bash, and will ensure we’re at the forefront of this for our 2022 Mundi Mundi events. We are also the first music events to introduce mandatory vaccination – and we’re confident our ‘no jab no jive’ policy will give both our patrons and the Broken Hill community in which we operate the best available protection when we rock the plains next April,” added Greg Donovan.
The Mundi Mundi Bash will be staged across three days from April 21-23, 2022, falling within the Easter school holidays – giving festival goers some of the best weather the Broken Hill and Silverton region has to offer.
The all-star line-up of rock legends who will perform out on the Mundi Mundi Plains in April 2022 includes Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, John Williamson, Kate Ceberano, Russell Morris, Glenn Shorrock, Ross Wilson, Vika & Linda, Wendy Matthews, Shane Howard, Shannon Noll, Dragon, The Radiators, Chocolate Starfish, Mi-Sex, The Chantoozies, Bjorn Again, Mark Gable, Steve Balbi and Caitlyn Shadbolt.
“Just as so many of our ticketholders stood by us, so have our artists. We can’t wait to get back to live events with them under desert skies next year. We’ve used the time that’s been forced on us to come up with some new activities for the Mundi Mundi Bash and in addition to a new Mundi Undie Run charity fundraiser race we’ll also have a Mad Max dress up day – hoping to take home the world record for the most Mad Max movie costume characters in the one location,” said Greg Donovan.
When it runs in April 2022 the inaugural Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash music festival will be the biggest event ever staged in Outback NSW.
A second Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash event will also run next year from 18-20th August 2022, with the full line-up for this event and ticket details set to be announced on Thursday November 11, 2021.
Both of the 2022 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash festival events will be run across three days with a capacity of just 10,000 per event.
They will be staged on the red earth of iconic Mundi Mundi Plains outside Silverton in NSW. The Barrier Ranges will provide a spectacular backdrop to the event stage that will be built from the ground up on a landscape that is as vast as it is beautiful.
The Mundi Mundi Bash events are all-ages and dog-friendly, offering up a uniquely Australian destination adventure for families, grey nomads, camping and caravanning enthusiasts and intrepid travellers.
In addition to the music line-up, each event will also feature a jam-packed program of outback activities – from a Nutbush City Limits World Record dance off attempt (the current record of 2,787 dancing revellers was set by the Big Red Bash on Thursday July 8, 2021) to a Mad Max costume dress up world record attempt, comedy and outdoor film screenings, scenic helicopter flights, camel rides and the charity initiatives such as the ‘Mundi Undie Run’ fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The rich history, museums and art of Broken Hill and Silverton, the stark natural beauty of the region and a glittering night-sky renowned for star gazing round out the offerings of the new bucket list event.
The historic Mundi Mundi Plains and Silverton region is where the post-apocalyptic opening scenes of Mad Max 2 were filmed, along with key scenes for Priscilla Queen of the Desert and comedian Jimeoin’s film The Craic.
While the Mundi Mundi Plains location is rugged and remote, it is also easily accessed by road vehicles with sealed road leading right up to the event site – ensuring those looking for a unique outback camping or caravanning experience can attend without needing off-road 4WD vans, campers and cars.
Scheduled and charter flights, bus tours and train transport is also available to Broken Hill for the event.
The Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash will be BYO alcohol for both the campsite and concert area, and ticket holders are also permitted to bring their own food. There will also be a large range of food vendors selling both hot and cold food and non-alcoholic beverages at the event.
The event also has dog-friendly camping and concert areas and children aged 11-and-under will also able to attend for free.
Event organisers the Outback Music Festival Group will continue working with NSW Health and Government as they countdown to April.
For more information and to buy tickets to the event on Wednesday, visit www.mundimundibash.com.au
MUNDI MUNDI BASH MUSIC FESTIVAL
What: 2022 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
Where: Belmont Station, on the Mundi Mundi Plains 9km north of Silverton - 35km north of Broken Hill
When: April 21-23, 2022 & August 18-20, 2022 (line up and ticketing still to be announced for the August event)
More info & tickets: www.mundimundibash.com.au
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Cát Bà Island considered as one of lesser known islands to get away from it all
| Cát Bà Island. Photo internet |
In the article, Cat Ba is described as a place perfect for a hike in dense jungle. As the largest of 367 islands, Cát Bà Island is the king of Vietnam’s Cát Bà archipelago, which means, unsurprisingly, that Cát Bà Town is crowded with hotels. To see what this island has to offer, you have to leave civilization behind and get out into its natural landscape
Characterized by a rugged coastline dotted with quiet bays and virgin forests, Cát Bà is particularly wonderful to explore on a motorbike, which you can easily rent in town. Afterward, go for a hike in the dense jungle of Cát Bà National Park, a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve or a boat cruise around the dramatic limestone rock formations of Lan Ha Bay
In additions, the article also introduces 7 other islands including Kaua‘i (in Hawaii), Ilha de Tinharé (Brazil), Ko Raya (Thailand), Isla Holbox (Mexico), Isla Catalinita (Dominican Republic), Waiheke Island (New Zealand), Isla Tortuga (Costa Rica).
Tags: Cát Bà Island, lesser known islands, Lonely Planet,
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/
Vietnam - An ideal and safe tourist destination
Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world that effectively implements COVID-19 prevention and control. Therefore, Vietnam has been named among 17 must-go destinations in the world after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the famous American travel magazine Travel and Leisure. The country has made significant efforts to contain the pandemic and secure the safety of both inhabitants and visitors in order to recover the tourism industry. As a result, Vietnam deserves to be a safe and great place to enjoy your next holiday.
With the motto "Vietnam - Timeless charm" and the image of a graceful 5-petal lotus flower, it has demonstrated the characteristics of Vietnamese tourism as well as the beauty of the Vietnamese people. Each petal's color represents our tourism products, Vietnam’s beauty, and the souls of its people.
The first is blue - the primary color representing sea and island tourism which is one of Vietnam's main tourism products. With a coastline of over 3,260 kilometers and over 3,000 islands, white sand beaches, unspoiled bays, and lush tropical islands all year round, we are proud that Forbes magazine named Da Nang beach as one of the six most beautiful beaches in the world. Furthermore, Vietnam is one of the 12 countries with the most beautiful bays in the world. For example, HaLong Bay has been recognised twice as a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO.
The next color is green, which represents nature and ecotourism. Vietnam has a plethora of nature reserves, national parks, and forbidden forests. For example, Ha Long Bay, Ba Be Lake, Phong Nha Cave, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Van Long Nature Reserve are the country's natural heritages and the well-known eco-tourism destinations in Vietnam. In addition, there are 11 biosphere reserves in Vietnam that have been designated by UNESCO as world biosphere reserves. This demonstrates Vietnam's efforts in nature conservation and sustainable development to protect the environment, thereby contributing to the global common sustainable development effort.
The yellow and orange colors represent cultural and historical tourism. With a long history spanning thousands of years and 54 ethnic groups with the different customs and habits living together in harmony, Vietnamese culture has both diversity and unity. Wet rice cultivation, architecture, spiritual culture, festivals, cuisine, etc, are always our strong points, a particular draw for all tourists who visit Vietnam.
The color pink symbolizes the dynamism and hospitality of Vietnamese people. It is not by chance that Vietnam is among the happiest countries in the world. Vietnamese people are always loved by international friends because of their enthusiasm and friendliness. When traveling there, you'll always be greeted with their amiable smiles. Especially if you spend time in Vietnam during festivals, you can be treated to delicious food by the people, partying until late at night. This is what Vietnamese people always make a good impression on international tourists.
Famous for its sublime natural landscapes, long coastline, green rice terraces in Sapa or white sand beaches in Phu Quoc, Vietnam is the leading destination in Southeast Asia for adventure and discovery tourism represented by the purple color. If you love to explore caves, you definitely cannot ignore Phong Nha Cave or Son Doong Cave (Quang Binh) - the largest natural cave in the world. Or if you are passionate about trekking, conquering nature, the Northwest high mountains will be a great choice. In addition, you will also have a chance to participate in other sportive activities in Vietnam such as skydiving, bungee, paragliding, scuba diving, etc.
With more than 10 years of experience in organizing adventure tours, Mr Linh's Adventures is always confident to be a reputable travel company managing many Vietnam's destinations. Introducing foreign travelers to the beauty and culture of Vietnam - an emerging country, is a great responsibility. Since our very first days, responsible business has been at the heart of what we do. We bring to you unique experiences through adventure trips on Vietnam's offbeat tracks. Each journey is designed as an adventure to satisfy one's desire to explore, discover, learn and challenge oneself. Run by local people with global knowledge and adventurous souls, we are a trusted friend for tourists from across the world.
5 reasons to choose Mr Linh's Adventures as an ideal and amiable companion on your upcoming trip:
1. Your safety comes first
The safety of our customers is our highest priority. Mr Linh’s Adventures always attaches great value to ensuring the prestige and the quality of services as the target. Every year, our staff carry out surveys of accommodation and food service activities from homestays in ethnic villages to 5-star hotels and high-class resorts. In addition, we have a close relationship with the local community and medical facilities to ensure your health and safety during the journey.
2. The novelty in each of our quality tourism product
With the slogan “We take you to the parts others cannot reach”, Mr Linh’s Adventures offers unique tourism products for travelers who love adventure and discover new things from mysterious caves, unspoiled wilderness to ethnic minorities villages in the border areas. With a deep understanding of tourism destinations, we create tour programs with great care and enthusiasm, in order to give our customers the best experiences. Moreover, we strive to find terrific tourist destinations, explore beautiful roads and organise unique tourist activities to provide a wider variety of quality products. In particulier, Mr Linh’s Adventures has been pioneering the development of new adventure tours. Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall tour - one of our "flagship" products, give you an amazing opportunity to participate in adventurous activities such as kayaking, trekking, hiking and to learn about the cultural life of ethnic minorities in mountainous areas.
3. Best price guarantee
Mr Linh’s Adventures is always available with services such as vehicle, motorboat, accommodation, tour guide as well as own staff, so there is no need to contact any intermediary agent. As a result, we control the price of the product in order to provide consumers with the most cost-effective and high-quality products. We are equally committed to provide value for money products and refund 100% of the tour cost if the tour is unsatisfactory.
4. 24/7 customer support
Our professional and dynamic staff are available to offer assistance 24/7 to ensure permanent follow up before, during and after your trip. Moreover our guides always accompany you throughout the journey and answer your questions with a deep understanding of tourism, culture and destinations.
5. Customer satisfaction guarantee
The recipe worked and Mr Linh's Adventures is now recognized on the international stage, both online and on the different global trade shows. Our brand is respected and leading platforms and guidebooks such as TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet or Petit Futé do not hesitate to recommend us. In addition, many tourists have given us great feedback and positive reviews on the travel forums.
“Great tour with a sweet and enthusiastic guide. Beautiful places, authentic food (The food was good, but little variety). The waterfall at the border to China was very beautiful, the kayaking to the home stay was amazing and the caves were cool. The boat tour on the river and the jungle was stunning. The tour in total was awesome and we would highly recommend it” stated Amalie B on TripAdvisor.
The pilot plan to welcome international tourists to Phu Quoc is considered to be a positive move. In addition, Vietnam will temporarily accept vaccine passports of 72 countries and territories including European countries, American and Australia. It shows that tourism activities in Viet Nam are gradually returning after facing many difficulties due to the COVID-19 epidemic. We hope that foreign visitors could enter Vietnam for traveling as soon as possible. And, Mr Linh Adventures is always ready to accompany you in all your moments.
Tel: (+84) 243 6425420
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
9 TO 5 Tickets on Sale – Don't Miss Out!
With a sparkling score by Dolly Parton including the much-loved song, 9 to 5, and a book by the iconic movie's original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, this West-End hit is the quintessential feel-good show for the times. Full of mischief, laughter and affection, it's gold carat fun!
Starring Caroline O'Connor and Eddie Perfect
"This is one 9 to 5 you'll want to do again and again and again!" The Sun, UK
From February 2022 at the Capitol Theater Sydney. Tickets on sale to the general public from today.
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
QLD destinations AVAILABLE for booking on AIRBNB
Getting in touch with some new travel insights from Airbnb with regional travel and state borders starting to reopen: Botanic Retreat - Lily Pad Inn
22 Oct: QLD + WA quarantine-free bubble
1 Nov: NSW regional travel opens
19 Nov: QLD welcomes interstate travellers
Travellers with itchy feet are clearly excited about the prospect of setting out on the road once more. Eager travellers are understandably planning ahead, with Summer bookings in full swing.
Ahead of this exciting travel milestone, Airbnb is encouraging Aussies to tap into the spirit of flexibility and expand their horizons to explore new places and local communities for their long-awaited holiday reunions. It’s been a long time between drinks for families and friends split by the border, so why wait until the end of the year to book or getaway together - there’s never been a better time to swap the office for a more scenic workspace or enjoy a well-deserved weekend escape.
Airbnb’s flexible-date and -destination search tools have made it easier for Aussies with no set plans to find the best available places to stay and get inspired by new off-the-beaten-track destinations.
For those, who can benefit from the easing of travel restrictions mentioned above and are to take the road less travelled, Airbnb has shared their top 10 destinations with greater AVAILABILITY for Qld.
The top 10 destinations in Queensland with greater availability:
Brisbane
Cairns
Gold Coast-Tweed
Innisfail
Mackay
Port Douglas
Sunshine Coast
Toowoomba
Townsville
Whitsundays
1. Brisbane
Best Southbank Location
Located high on the 23rd floor, this luxurious and modern flat overlooks the city, mountains and rivers. The apartment comprises a pool, heated spa, barbecue area and a fully equipped kitchen. You can also request for a portacot and high-chair if you are bringing your toddler along.
2. Cairns
Botanic Retreat - Lily Pad Inn
Experience living in nature while being in the city in this beautifully furnished tropical holiday hideaway near the top end of Cairns City Esplanade. Lily Pad Inn is a one-bedroom secluded guest suite that comes with a private courtyard, full of exotic plants and animals including tree frogs, lizards, fish and birds, giving you the best introduction to Cairns tropical living.
3. Gold Coast-Tweed
Luxurious Bungalow
The Luxurious Bungalow is situated close to the resort area of Salt at Kingscliff, 15 minutes south of Gold Coast Airport and 40 minutes to Byron Bay. It is also a short walk to pristine patrolled beaches and close to Cudgen Creek for kayaking, stand up board riding, fishing and swimming. This fully self-contained home has its own private entrance, and the bi fold doors allow guests to enjoy the best of the sea breezes and the space this area offers.
4. Innisfail
The Railway House
Did you know? The Railway House is the last remaining house from the Tully Station. The home can accommodate up to six guests and it is a walking distance to town. Host Robyn also provides a continental breakfast as a welcome for Day 1 of your stay!
5. Mackay
Beachfront Accommodation
Located at Mackay Harbour Beach, this villa has everything you need for your beach getaway. Comprising one level of accommodation along with full rooftop entertaining, this home caters for large families or groups of friends. The spacious indoor/outdoor living allows you to sit back and relax, while listening to the waves crash onto the beach, while the rooftop dining area is the best way to enjoy dinner with a sunset.
6. Port Douglas
Sunrise Retreat
Sunrise Retreat is nestled on the hills of the beautiful Mowbray Valley, just a 10-minute drive from the Port Douglas town centre and its famous 4 Mile Beach. Stay in one of two private, fully self-contained guest houses in a peaceful bush land setting, taking advantage of the magnificent ocean and mountain views minutes from Port Douglas.
| The Breezeway Retreat |
The Breezeway Retreat
The Breezeway Retreat is a brand new luxe coastal retreat located on a small acreage property at Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Situated minutes from the shores of beautiful Lake Weyba, it is perfect for those who want to be immersed in nature, with coastal luxury, tranquility and beautiful surroundings.
8. Toowoomba
Norwood Roses
Built in 1895, Norwood Roses has been restored into one of Toowoomba’s most dreamy Queenslander cottages. If you are a nature lover, look no further, as the cottage is filled with natural light, cottage flowers, art, antiques, vintage furniture, and plenty of gardening books – along with an award-winning rose garden. It is also located close to popular cafés, homely pubs, trendy cocktail bars and fine-dining restaurants.
9. Townsville
Church House
Church House is an apartment created in the former church hall of a previous Baptist Church over 100 years old. Flooded with natural light, the home comprises two large bedrooms and two bathrooms, each with a feature tub, great for a family of four. Original timber floors throughout the majority of the space, lending warmth to your stay.
10. Whitsundays
The Point
Enjoy your own secluded tropical paradise with incredible views! This luxurious, self-contained studio is less than 8km away from restaurants and cafes, and you can swim in your own private infinity pool and enjoy champagne in the jacuzzi whilst taking in the scenery. The perfect base for a getaway - away from the crowds, but close to town.
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
Thursday, 28 October 2021
Are you luggage-ready for your next trip?
Canstar Blue asked over 600 Australians who purchased an item of luggage in the last five years to rate the purchased brand on overall satisfaction, as well as value for money, design, weight and size, storage compartments, durability, security and versatility.
Flylite flaunts five stars overall and on all key drivers of satisfaction except ‘design’ where it has received a commendable four star rating, while American Tourister and luxury brand Guess round out the top three rated luggage brands with each achieving a four star overall satisfaction rating.
Flylite’s Head of Marketing Darija Djeric says the company is pleased with the recognition, saying, “We are delighted with the Canstar Blue results and receiving the 2021 Award for Customer Satisfaction for Flylite! Our team has been working hard to focus on customer needs in this new era of travel.”
"With function, quality and safety at the forefront of any product development, and an emphasis on value, we look forward to further exceeding the expectations of our customers as the world opens up once more,” says Djeric.
Canstar Blue’s Home and Lifestyle expert Megan Birot says with interstate and international travel restrictions lifting in most states ahead of Christmas, Aussies looking to satisfy their travel bug may be in need of new luggage
“After being unable to travel for so long, many Australians will want to flaunt their best airport look, and luggage choice is an essential part of rolling up to the airport in style,” says Birot.
“It isn’t just about style of course - you need luggage items that are durable, practical and secure, which is why Canstar Blue rates luggage items on multiple parameters.
“No traveller wants to end up with a broken suitcase or a ripped duffle bag en-route.”
Canstar Blue’s research also revealed that wanting to upgrade their luggage (31%) is the most popular reason for purchasing new luggage items, followed by the need to replace a damaged predecessor (28%) and needing a different size (23%).
The comparison website notes that although over half (52%) of the survey respondents put something on their luggage to help identify it (e.g. ribbon, keychain, tags etc.), it is concerning that only 38% add additional security to their luggage such as padlocks when travelling internationally.
To view customer satisfaction research and ratings for over 1,800 brands across more than 300 consumer products and services, visit Canstar Blue’s website.
A message from Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Nick Rohrlach
While it’s been a turbulent 18 months for travel in Australia, next week we begin a new chapter with the re-opening of Australia’s international border.
The joy and experiences that travel provide cannot be understated, and if you’re anything like me (a nomad!), you’ll be jumping at the opportunity to finally dust off your passport and start planning your next big adventure.
While not all Australians will be able to immediately travel overseas, we know as a country we are moving in the right direction to restore the freedoms we all so dearly miss, and we’re confident that international travel will soon be available to everyone.
Freedoms start with vaccinations, so thank you for rolling up your sleeves to protect yourself, your loved-ones, and those who can’t be vaccinated, so we can once again see the world.
International redemptions to re-open on 1 November 2021
Since starting in the role last month, I have been working closely with Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka and the Velocity management team, to re-open our partnerships with a number of leading international airlines, starting with:
· Virgin Atlantic;
· Air Canada;
· Delta Air Lines;
· Etihad Airways;
· Hawaiian Airlines;
· Singapore Airlines; and
· South African Airways.
I’m thrilled to have these wonderful airlines continue in the Velocity program, providing you an enviable international network of flights to hundreds of destinations around the world.
From 11:59pm AEDT next Monday 1 November 2021, you’ll be able to make Reward Seat bookings using your Velocity Points for flights on Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and South African Airways.
Singapore Airlines will be next to offer Reward Seats as they expand their network and services to and from Australia. We will update you as their Reward Seats become available.
As many of you are already aware, we are scheduled to resume Virgin Australia international services to Nadi, Fiji, with the first flight taking-off from Sydney on 16 December 2021, followed by Bali and New Zealand. All up, we have approximately one-million Reward Seats available for you to book across the Virgin Australia domestic and international network right now, which will give you many opportunities to reunite with friends and family or to embark on a new travel adventure.
When making a Reward Seat booking on our partner airlines, please be understanding that travel dates and destinations will vary for each carrier as will Reward Seat availability. We will have limited Reward Seat availability to begin with, but that is expected to grow in stages as international travel demand returns. As always, Velocity Points and Status earn will be available on eligible regular bookings made directly with Virgin Australia and our partner airlines.
International Reward Seat bookings for Virgin Australia and partner airlines can be made from 11.59pm Monday 1 November 2021 on the Velocity website or by calling the Membership Contact Centre on 13 18 75.
Creating even more value when earning Points
While many of you have been able to amass a healthy Points balance during the pandemic through our everyday earn partners, we’re making it even easier for you to earn Points to get to your next international holiday or dream reward.
Bonus Points campaign: From 1 November 2021, you’ll earn a Points bonus of between 20-30% when you transfer your reward points from participating credit card partners to Velocity by 30 November 2021*. Stay tuned for more details next week.
Up to double Status Credits: When travelling on Virgin Australia domestic and international services between now and 31 March 2022, you’ll earn up to double Status Credits depending on your fare class.^
These are just some of the ways we’re showing our commitment and loyalty to you as we emerge from lockdown and begin to see the world again.
International travel will look a little different
We know international flying will look a little different to when you last travelled overseas, so we’re developing a guide on what to expect in preparation for take-off.
An email containing the guide will be sent to you within weeks containing key details so you’re ready to soar. As always, please check country travel requirements prior to travel.
I’m so excited for the future and I look forward to meeting many of you as I start travelling around our network.
In a world full of choice, thank you for your continued commitment to Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
Happy travelling,
Nick Rohrlach
CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
Australia’s best vegan spots to celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st
| Manna Haven |
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Top Vegan Spots in Australia
1. Manna Haven -- Byron Bay, NSW
Must-try: Veggie lasagna, raw desserts
2. Pilgrims -- Huskisson, NSW
Must-try: Millennium (curry lentil) burger, pancakes
3. No Bones -- Byron Bay, NSW
Must-try: Plant-based prawn tacos, freshly made ravioli
4. Yullis -- Sydney, NSW
Must-try: Naan pocket with mushrooms and grilled halloumi, Korean fried broccolini
5. Elixiba - Byron Bay -- Byron Bay, NSW
Must-try: Tea smoked mushrooms, raw kimchi dumplings
6. Izakaya Midori -- Reedy Creek, Victoria
Must-try: Midori Ramen, Chicken-ish Katsu
7. Ten Acre Block -- Perth, WA
Must-try: Homemade pumpkin kombucha, charred eggplant dip
8. Cafe Vie -- Buderim, Queensland
Must-try: Koftas with curry sauce, potato rosti
9. Temple of Spices Indian + Vegan Restaurant -- Mermaid Beach, Queensland
Must-try: Tofu butter chicken, vegan garlic naan
10. Bodhi Restaurant Bar -- Sydney, NSW
Must-try: Shanghai veggie dumplings, crispy Peking ‘duck’
See all the winners here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Restaurants-cVegan
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au