East Coast Canada with Kelly

Canada East Cost Familiarization with - Scenic Tours - 21st October to 31st October



In October I had the honor of travelling back to Canada with the luxurious Scenic Tours. As my last visit was to the West Coast this time I had the opportunity to visit the East Coast.
In 9 days our tour included 6 major cities and their attractions these included Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montebello, Quebec City and Montreal.


Toronto Canada’s largest city stay at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel a landmark in Toronto, first opened in 1929 it was the tallest in the British Commonwealth. When you visit the CN Tower you will ascent 346m to the top, it maintains its coveted title and features in the ‘2010 Book of Guinness World Records’ as the world’s tallest tower. Visit the hockey hall of fame and even attend an ice hockey match!



Niagara Falls was an unforgettable experience! The Falls are composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island; Horseshoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the boarder and the American Falls on the American side. Board the Maid of the Mist dress up in blue ponchos as this cruise takes you right below the falls to feel the spray of the falls. Niagara also has Canada’s largest observation wheel, the Niagara Sky Wheel towering 53m, allows you to observe the falls from a different perspective. Walking up town you can begin to call Niagara falls a mini Vegas, the street is filled with flashing lights, rides, bars, café’s, bowling alley, casino’s and more! The Hilton Niagara Falls is a stunning property, the apartments are huge and there is nothing better than a view of the falls from the bedroom window.

A stop at Montebello is a must and you need to explore Parc Omega, a 1500 acre park where native wildlife such as Black Bears, Buffalo, Deer, Moose, Bison, Wolfs and many more live in their natural habitat. Pile into an old school bus and hand out carrots to feed some of the animals. Montebello Fairmont Le Chateau is a unique red cedar log Fairmont on the shores of the Ottawa River, the lodge is very homey and relaxing with fireplaces centered throughout the reception.

On the way to Quebec City we stopped to sample traditional Quebecois fare at a local Sugar Shack, the delicacies of the regions Maple Syrup. Quebec is a beautiful city it’s the only walled city in North America and an important UNESCO world Heritage Listed site. Enjoy a Scenic Free Chose activity such as a horse and carriage ride it’s beautiful to sit and take in the sceneries while being guided through the streets.


In Montreal we enjoyed a local tour including viewing the Olympic Complex, St Joseph’s Oratory, views of the city from the parklands of Mt Royale and of my favorite stops on the tour visiting the exquisite Notre-Dame Basilica. This church has an imposing Gothic Revival architecture and once you walk through the doors it is just mind blowing, this is also were Celine Dion was married! The Queen Elizabeth Fairmont’s location is in perfect position to the shopping streets and even access right above the underground station.

I had a wonderful time with Scenic Tours, I had the opportunity to make some great new friends as well as learn and experience the ins and outs of the East Coast of Canada. Yes definitely the East Coast is very different to the West Coast however it is a must to go visit and experience a different side of the country!

Italy with Ida and Insight Vacations

The Ultimate Italian Experience with Ida

Italy has so much to offer the traveller, its piazza's - every town has one,

its amazing restaurants, coffee shops, artisans, atmosphere, culture, it

almost seems that you can hear Dean Martin sing :That's Amore" from the

moment you arrive. Each time I have visited this amazing country, I seem to

have a different experience and seem to appreciate it even more, this time,

I was lucky to share it with an amazing group of friends.

Every day we encountered different experiences as we visited various cities,

villages and regions. I would have to say that on this particular trip Rome

was definitely my highlight, it seems that no matter how many times you

travel to this city you will still experience the surreal feeling as you

enter the colosseum, so old, yet so well preserved.


Rome would have to rate in my top 10 cities of the world and although it has

some crazy drivers, it’s what makes the cities character. When in Rome its

almost as though you can hear it sing to you, as you walk through its

cobbled streets that are lined with grand architecture and exquisite stores.


Over the 3 weeks we experienced a truly typical Italian lifestyle; the

quaint villages, fine cuisine, impeccable wine, but more importantly we were

always in awe of its history and the distinctly different regions, all

unique in their own right. As we made our way through Italy we were able to

capture the beauty of such regions as Tuscany, Perugia, Amalfi and the

Italian Lakes Region.


I loved everything about Italy, the Baci chocolates, the Gelati ice-cream,

espresso coffees, the prosciutto, the pasta, the buffalo mozzarella cheese,

oh and of course the Milanese, combine all this with a magnificent group of

people and I could not have asked for a better holiday. To find out more

about travelling to Italy or any other country, contact our travel experts

in either Mareeba or Atherton and I know they will be able to create an

itinerary that will suit your budget and needs. Ciao Ida.

travel experience.com.au - Where your journey begins!

Delta, Dunes and Falls - Africa 2011

Africa… Africa… Africa…. I am still dreaming of Africa……

I was lucky enough to escort a small group to South and Western Africa! I knew it would be truly amazing, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I loved it that much that I am in the process of planning another trip for 2012!

We started our journey in the historic city of Cape Town, with its dramatic landscape of Table Mountain towering over the great city. It’s breathe taking views of the ocean was the perfect way to start our adventure. From here we travelled north through the Cederberg range full with farms. Although the wildflowers were not in full bloom we were still able to witness the ray of colours. Crossing into Namibia our first visited was to the Fish River Canyon, as the sun set we watched the canyon walls change colours. From here we descended into the Nambi-Naukluft National Park were we visited the most spectacular and breathtaking desert scenery, the great sand dunes, which blaze orange and ascend 300 meters above the desert floor. Inside we visited the salt and white clay pan of Deadvlei and Sossusvlei. We headed northwest towards the Atlantic Ocean coastline to Swakopmund, the adventure city of Namibia. There are many optional tours available from here, some decided on the cultural tour while others did the Seal and Dolphin Tour. I took the opportunity to skydive over the Ocean and Dune, exhilarating! We headed north deeper into the Damaraland, with a stop and visit to the Himba people. They are semi-nomadic and are unique in that, they have rejected modern ways in favour of traditional beliefs and methods. The women have elaborately plaited hair and incredibly smooth skin.

 And of course no visit to Africa is complete without viewing wildlife. We spent the second half of our trip in search of animals. We visited Etosha National Park where we commenced our game drives.

I learnt so much about African animals, which was definitely one of my highlights. We saw Zebras, Giraffes, Warthog, Elephants, Rhinos, Lions and much more. There was so much wildlife, some I had never heard of before. One of my favourite moments was when a lion walked past our vehicle; he was big, beautiful and strong. Another typical day at sunset, a herd of 40 elephants walk directly toward our truck then split and walked around us, the feeling was indescribable.

After these amazing experiences we entered Botswana and travelled through to the Okavango Delta, such a contrast to the scenery we had been travelling through, lush and green. The delta boasts an array of birds. We had the opportunity to travel the waterways in a Mokoro, a traditional dung out canoe. We spent the night on a houseboat in the middle of the Okavango River. We re-entered Namibia and travelled east to Chobe National Park, we enjoyed a cruise on the Chobe River, where we watched the hippos and the crocodiles lining the banks taking in the sun rays. We saw so many animals again, so impressive.

That night we spent inside the Park, the suspense of wondering how close the animals would get while we slept, was so exciting. Our trip was nearly at an end with our last stop in Livingstone, we spent the afternoon at the magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world.

There were so many moments throughout the trip that I just explain can’t explain and as I think back I will always remember it as one of the most memorable journeys and the memories will stay with me forever.



Hamilton Island perfect Easter getaway!

Eggstra great value at Hamilton Island this Easter. Qantaslink fly from #Cairns to Hamilton Island direct daily as Rosetta experienced on her recent trip to Hamilton Island late last month.

Easter on #Hamilton Island is always a colourful affair, and with the Anzac Day public holiday rolling into the Easter long weekend, it’s the perfect time to get away for a five night holiday. Plus the timing could not be more perfect as Hamilton Island has just opened a nine pin Kegel Bowling alley bringing the total number of activities on the Island to 65!
On Easter Sunday there’s also a myriad of free family-friendly things to do.

A special holiday deal is available over the Easter long weekend and April school holidays at the Reef View Hotel, for a five night getaway for the price of four nights.

The ‘Pay 4 Stay 5’ holiday special includes five nights accommodation in the Reef View Hotel; daily buffet breakfast; return Hamilton Island airport/marina to hotel transfers; use of catamarans, paddle skis, windsurfers and snorkelling equipment; unlimited use of the scheduled ‘Island Shuttle’ bus service; Kids Stay and Eat Free program (conditions apply) plus complimentary use of the gym, spa, sauna, tennis and squash court hire.
Easter is one of the best times of the year to visit Hamilton Island. The weather is still warm enough to swim and snorkel and there are plenty of activities for all of the family to enjoy.

For bookings and more information please contact one our offices in Mareeba or Atherton and talk to a Travel expert!

Nashville 2011 - Join our small group!

Country music lovers, there is only one place in the world to be in June 2011 - Nashville!
The true home of country music, even nicknamed “Music City USA”, and the CMA Music Festival is the premier event for all of country music.
What is the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival – It is a weeklong festival for the country music industry, where the stars say “Thank You!” to their fans! You can meet and greet many of your favourite artists, get signed autographs, take close-up photographs and enjoy the many live performances that are at various venues around Nashville.
Sherri from our Mareeba office will be escorting this group, so you will be guaranteed a heel kicking good time, as we take a tour of some of Nashville's Favorite Country Music Attractions which include the Grand Ole Opry, Jack Daniels Country Tour, the Grand Legends of Country Music Tour, Nashville by Nights and much more!
The package includes concert tickets, accommodation and more.

2011 could not be a better time to visit the US. The Australian dollar is at an ultimate high, which makes this tour and the opportunity to get to the United States a holiday definitely not to be missed.

Why not extend your holiday and perhaps get to Ida’s favourite city Las Vegas, or maybe kick off your blue suede shoes in Memphis, visit the Statue of Liberty in New York, drive over the golden gate bridge in San Francisco, or even enjoy wine tasting in the Napa Valley in California; the sky’s the limit in the US, so many great cities and places to visit.

We still have some spaces available on our Nashville package, so be quick and contact the team at Travel Experience.com Mareeba on 40924 222 or Atherton 40913411.
Don’t forget to check out our website www.travelexperience.com.au

It's your choice!

We often get asked: "Why book with a travel expert, when we can do it ourselves on line?"


Have you ever tried to repair your own toilet and failed? What do you do? You call a professional in this field, that's correct you call a plumber!

How many of you have booked a holiday and end up with a bad experience at least once? Bad hotel? Missed or cancelled flights? Have you ever tried to call the airline, you press 1 then 2 then be put on hold for 2 hours only to be told the office is closed!
These are just a few situations that can make organising your holiday very frustrating. What we suggest is you call a certified travel expert and let them book your travel arrangements!

You have a right to be given the right price for the right product so remember to shop with an accredited agency who specialises in the field of travel, ensure they are trained, qualified and have experience in creating airfares!  More importantly ensure they are registered members of the Travel Compensation Fund and are an IATA accredited agency.

travel experience.com can give you so many reasons why you should use them when planning to book your next holiday experience!


Let us do all the work for you! Email or call us during business hours, remember we care about you so in case of an emergency you can call us after hours and we will assist at all times.

With travel experience.com you can share your ideas, get advice, and work on a budget to create your very own individual and personal trip that suits you. 
It's that little extra that we do for you, that not only makes planning your holiday fun, it is where your journey begins, so why not enjoy it from the moment you choose to take a break!

Meet your travel experts in Mareeba and Atherton:
Remember - Without a travel agent you are on your own!



Money

THE COST OF GETTING OUT OF TROUBLE OVERSEAS

There is nothing worse than getting into trouble overseas and one of the most common problem travellers experience is with their travel money. Being stranded in a foreign land, miles away from home, with no access to money is a frightening and potentially hazardous situation.

There are several ways to guard against this including carrying a “mixed wallet” which means having a variety of ways to access funds such as prepaid travel cards, credit cards, cash and in some areas, even travellers cheques.

All of these forms of travel money are easy to get from a variety of providers but travellers need to be aware of the pitfalls before they leave and not when trouble strikes.

Prepaid travel cards are a great way to carry small or large sums of money overseas as they are prepaid so you don’t overspend, available in a variety of currencies to avoid exchange rate fees and fluctuations, generally not linked to bank accounts to avoid fraudulent access to your daily transactional account and savings and they are reloadable.

There are a number of prepaid travel card providers in Australia offering many similar benefits for normal day to day use. When it comes to unexpected yet common emergency situations, this is where the cards become very different to each other. The Travelex Cash Passport has some unique benefits that can help you out if you run into troubles on your trip.


With some of the other prepaid travel cards, in the event that you lose your cards and need emergency cash, you need to apply for emergency funds and pay an emergency cash advance fee of up to US$95.

In addition, if you need replacement cards to access cash and make purchases during the rest of your trip, some prepaid travel card providers charge a card replacement fee of up to AU$60 and often will only send the cards to your registered address in Australia.

The Travelex Cash Passport works very differently. Travelex created the concept of prepaid travel money card and as the world’s largest specialist foreign exchange company, have a wealth of experience and knowledge in what travellers need.

As a result, should you lose your Cash Passport cards you can call their toll free 24/7 Global Emergency Assistance centre and get emergency cash within 20 minutes (this may take up to 24 hours for remote locations). Travelex does not charge a fee for this service. Replacement cards are also provided free and instead of being sent to your home in Australia, are sent to a location that is convenient to you.
Travelex also offer several other complementary services, including emergency translator services, help finding legal or medical support and even sending a message home.

Our team can assist you with all your currency needs and during your consultation will advise you on what best suits your needs. Travel experience.com.au - Mareeba and Atherton
Because we care... from you local travel team!

Iconic Cities - Melbourne

Travel Talk with Kelly Goldfinch

I recently won a spot on a Qantas Holidays, Tourism Victoria and Novotel Melbourne, Australian Open 2011 Experience. As part of the prize, I enjoyed a fabulous 3 night educational to the Australian Open and the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
Upon arrival in Melbourne the city was buzzing, our group met in reception and we were taken to Madame Brussels for pre-theatre drinks and nibbles, before arriving at the Princess Theatre to watch the smash-hit musical Hairspray! This musical with its elaborate sets, amazing costumes and upbeat music was absolutely fabulous and my eyes were glued to the stage for the entire show!
The next morning we headed to the Mornington Peninsula, while stopping at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm for strawberry picking and homemade ice cream.
We had lunch at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove and then checked in to our accommodation at Lindenderry at Red Hill. The highlight of my trip was our morning at the Peninsula Hot Springs, where we were treated to a bath in the mineral springs and a spa treatment.
After our relaxing and rejuvenating morning we headed back to Melbourne. That afternoon we experienced The Langham’s signature Chocolate Indulgence afternoon tea before making our way to the home of the Australian Open; the Rod Laver Arena. I had a fantastic night watching the opening of the grand slam, the atmosphere was electric! We watched 2 matches that evening with the first involving Australia’s Jarmilla GROTH. The next day we attended the Australian Centre for the Moving Image as they hosted a Disney Classic Fairy Tales exhibition, we enjoyed a farewell lunch at St Peter’s Restaurant before catching our transfer to the airport.

It is amazing what you can fit in on a 3 night getaway and we can put together this itinerary for you to this Amazing Australian city. If you need further information or would like us to help plan your next getaway, feel free to contact us in Mareeba on 40924222 or Atherton 40913411. You can follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook and stay updated!