In LOVE with the circus
Transcription
In LOVE with the circus
In LOVE with the circus * Cirque du Soleil are the undisputed leaders of ‘wow’ entertainment, with legions of fans around the world. This year, the company has six touring shows: Dralion, Quidam, Alegria, Saltimbanco, Corteo and, in Australia and New Zealand for the next nine months, Varekai. It also has seven permanent shows in theatres around the world, as well as one arena show, Delirium. The newest of the theatre shows is The Beatles LOVE, which opened in June at the Mirage in Las Vegas. It joins three other Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas: O at the Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island and Zumanity at New York New York. LOVE was created by Sir George Martin, original producer of The Beatles, using master tapes of the mop tops from the Abbey Road Studios. The result is a magical experience that will bring joy – and a love of The Beatles – to a new generation. Varekai has had a Sydney season and will also play in Brisbane (9 November-3 December), Auckland (5-21 January 2007), Canberra (15-25 March 2007), Melbourne (19 April-6 May), Adelaide (5-22 July) and Perth (17 August-2 September). Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com 12 Jindabyne – more than a movie title You’ve seen the movie – now experience the region that inspired it. Jindabyne, the highly acclaimed Australian movie, has put this lakeside town on centre stage, highlighting its outstanding physical beauty and diversity of activities. The movie, which stars Laura Linney, Gabriel Byrne and Deborra-lee Furness, tells the story of Stewart Kane, an Irishman living in the town, who discovers the body of a murdered girl in the river during a fishing trip. It was shot at several locations in the Snowy Mountains, including Yarrangobilly Caves, Jindabyne, Adaminaby, Thredbo, Dalgety, Berridale and Cooma. Director Ray Lawrence is a long-time fan of the Snowy Mountains region, a frequent visitor on fly-fishing trips. He says the location inspired the film, the script based around the river and lake. “It was the desire to embrace the landscape,” he says. “The challenge for me was the beauty – there’s so much of it, and there are so many meanings in this landscape that I was always tense about whether I could capture it.” It seems he captured it very well – with the film inspiring many new visitors to the area. Visit www.snowymountains.com.au * Roughing it by reindeer So you think you have been ‘been there, done that’? Well, here is something you can’t do every day: join an expedition across Swedish Lapland to Norway on a reindeer sled. The expedition follows large herds of reindeer from Kiruna in Sweden, across 150 kilometres of birch forests, frozen lakes and spectacular snow-covered country to greener pastures in Norway. You will travel by sled pulled by a reindeer, the mode of transport for the Sami people for hundreds of years. And if you’re a bit rusty when it comes to driving a reindeer sled, a Sami guide will show you how to do it. When you reach the summer pastures in Norway, the reindeer herd will be set free and you’ll be flown back to Kiruna by helicopter for a night at the fabulous Winter Palace Hotel. The seven-day expedition is fully inclusive, with accommodation in cabins and tents, and a winter sleeping bag and warm clothing supplied. Phone (02) 9020 5800, visit www.myplanetaustralia.com 13 Live the Feltrinelli fairytale * Tucked away on the shores of Lake Garda near Gargnano in Italy, the Villa Feltrinelli seems more like something from a fairytale than an ordinary hotel. The Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is an über-luxurious property which aims at setting a benchmark for refined elegance. Guests can stay in one of 13 immaculate and stunningly beautiful guest rooms in the main house, or in one of four guesthouses. The property was built as a 20-room mansion in 1892, and was lovingly transformed by Robert H. Burns, the founder of Regent International Hotels. It boasts painted ceilings, priceless frescoes, an imposing marble staircase with gilded mirrors, stained-glass windows and valuable artefacts. Guests enjoy butler service, a heated lap pool, croquet green and fine dining. They can also cruise around Lake Garda on the property’s cruiser, La Contessa. With Verona just an hour away and Venice and Milan a two-hour drive, you could easily spend a week enjoying the luxury of this delightful property. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is open from April to October. Phone + (390) 365 798000, visit www.villafeltrinelli.com Uluru sunset time Discovery Ecotours Australia, the natural and cultural tour specialist of the Northern Territory and Queensland, has added an exciting new tour to its existing Ayers Rock Touring program. The ‘Sunset Tour’ now stops away from the crowds at a secluded viewing area, so guests can enjoy watching the sun go down over Uluru, accompanied by sparkling wine and nibbles. The tour costs $40 per adult and $30 per child, or can be combined with the very popular ‘Kata Tjuta Encounter’, a three-hour afternoon tour to the Olgas. Phone 1800 803 174, visit www.ecotours.com.au 14 * Spring across to NZ Just a short hop over the Tasman, it is so easy to enjoy a short break in New Zealand, and spring is the best time of year to go. Sure, winter is great for skiers, but in spring, New Zealand is in bloom – in more ways than one. Airfares are a bit cheaper, hotel rooms are easier to come by, and, with nine regions covering just about all of Mother Nature’s finest work, you can find something that suits you. For a weekend of wickedly good food, stay at the Langham in Auckland and dine at Partington’s in the hotel, and Bracu, which is about 40 minutes’ drive away in the Bombay Hills. These restaurants are so good, they are worth the flight all by themselves. For a weekend on the wild side, head down to Dunedin in the Coastal Otago and Southland region. Visit the world’s only mainland albatross colony at Taiaroa Head, then pop around the corner and see the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve. Better still, take to the water with Monarch Wildlife Cruises and see the albatross, penguins and seals on a one-hour cruise. History buffs will enjoy a tour of Olveston House, built in 1906 and still exactly as the family left it, or they can head out to Dunedin’s best-known attraction – Larnach Castle. This beauty is New Zealand’s only castle and has a tragic and scandalous history, as well as magnificent architecture and beautiful grounds. You might even meet a ghost or two. For history with a twist, visit Speight’s Brewery. Even if you don’t like beer, this tour is well worth doing and you’ll learn a number of things about beer you didn’t know. For instance, did you know that Captain Cook was the first brewer in New Zealand? The best place to stay in Dunedin is Corstorphine House, a splendid property built in 1863 and lovingly restored by Irina and Nico Francken. The rooms are individually furnished and, once again, the food is incredible, whether you’re having eggs provided on site by the very well-fed chickens or dinner in the Conservatory. You will join a star-studded guest list, including Prince Charles and Gwyneth Paltrow. To really enjoy your weekend, be driven around the region in a Jaguar with Classic Jaguar Limousines – you’ll feel a bit like Prince Charles yourself. Your driver will treat you like royalty and will tell you everything you want to know about this part of the world. Visit www.newzealand.com, www.dunedinnz.com, www.corstorphine.co.nz and www.speights.co.nz 15 A fine time in Fiji The Fiji Beach Resort & Spa by Hilton has just opened on the Denarau Peninsula on the west coast of Fiji’s main island. It boasts 1.5 kilometres of beach and has uninterrupted beachfront and ocean views. The property focuses on unashamed pampering, from your own chauffeur-driven BMW to a personal chef on demand. There are five swimming pools and an opulent spa. The resort also offers a wide range of watersports and lies adjacent to Denarau Golf and Racquet Club. Studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units have sleek European kitchens and outdoor living spaces with plunge pool. Walnut timber, wicker, leather and bronze décor embrace the sea view, and guests can step straight out on to the beach. The resort also has a gym and kids’ club, ensuring all your boxes are ticked. * Packages that include accommodation per room, full breakfasts, airport transfers and free kids’ club range from $412 to $558 per night. Phone +679 675 1205, visit ww.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com Get active – and comfortable Intrepid Travel will inspire you to get off the couch and out into the big wide world with its new Intrepid Active Trips. Designed for the everyday traveller, Intrepid Active Trips are thrilling adventures, where cycling, kayaking and walking are merged with the attractions and sights of the region you’re visiting. Take your pick of cycling across Vietnam, trekking through breathtaking mountain scenery on the way to Everest Base Camp, hiking the Amalfi Coast in Italy or mountain biking in Alaska’s Kachemuk Bay State Park – just some of the many options available. Intrepid has also launched a new set of trips called Intrepid Comfort, which offer the company’s usual exciting experiences with a little added indulgence. These range from sailing down the Nile and safaris in Africa to staying in a hill-tribe village in Vietnam. Phone 1300 360 887, visit www.intrepidtravel.com 16 Top End luxury for top end travellers They do it so well in Africa – and it was only a matter of time before Australia caught on. Bamurru Plains is an exclusive bush camp built in the style of an African safari lodge, bringing a touch of luxury to the Northern Territory’s beautiful Top End. Located on Swim Creek Station, 10 kilometres from Kakadu National Park, the main attraction at Bamurru Plains is the abundant bird- and wildlife, which wanders right outside the door of the luxury safari suites. There are currently three suites available, with another six opening in February 2007. Each is air-conditioned, with bifold doors opening to a large screened balcony. The ensuite bathroom wraps around one side, with private views to die for. Following the ‘luxury in the bush’ theme, the twin king single beds are fitted with high-quality linen, and the bathroom stocked with native soaps and ecologically sound shampoos. In keeping with the remote location, there are no TVs, CDs, telephones or mini-bars. However, there is a fabulous wet-edge swimming pool as well as a central lodge building with a sitting area, self-service fully inclusive bar and a dining area with endless views across the floodplain. There is access to Kakadu and Arnhem Land for day tours – if you can drag yourself away from camp. The main season of operation is April to September; however, there is great appeal in visiting during the wet season, when the floodplains are teeming with life. Phone 1300 790 561, visit www.bamurruplains.com * Let your kids go wild Many a child has dreamed of having an exciting adventure in a distant land, where locals wear exotic dress and wild animals roam free. Thanks to Maniago Safaris, one of Africa’s leading travel-management companies, that dream can be turned into reality with the creation of kid-friendly safaris that enable the whole family to fully enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. Kenya-based Maniago has developed activities and specialised trips designed specifically to appeal to the younger crowd. One such excursion is to Stanley’s Camp, an expanse of untamed bush in Botswana where you can get up close and personal with elephants. In Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya, kids can meet the fabled Masai warriors, watch hippos wallowing in the river and stay in a tent. And at Giraffe Manor outside Nairobi, kids can feed and even share their breakfast table with giraffes and learn about wildlife in the educational centre. Maniago also organises children’s activities through Heritage Hotels, known for their Adventurer’s Club. The club, open to kids aged four to 12, has a whole host of traditional cultural and sporting events. Kids love the bush treasure hunts, animal tracking – and even making a Masai home out of mud, sticks and cow dung. Visit www.maniagosafaris.com 18 A Parisian Christmas * Christmas in Paris is a magical experience, with the shops beautifully decorated, the Eiffel Tower illuminated and the Champs Elysées aglow with festive cheer. Trafalgar’s eight-day ‘Christmas in Paris’ tour combines local guided sightseeing with plenty of free time to explore the city and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The tour includes visits to the Palace of Versailles and the Fragonard perfumery, and a cruise along the Seine. It’s a good opportunity to make the most of the city’s famous museums, which are far less crowded at this time of year than in the high season. The ‘Christmas in Paris’ tour has departures from 19 November to 24 December. Visit www.trafalgar.com or see your local travel agent. Going to Hell in style If you want to really get away from it all while in Britain, then go to hell – Hell Bay, that is, in the Scilly Isles off the coast of Cornwall. The hotel is just a stroll from white-sand beaches, with seals and puffins your only neighbours. Guests dine on fresh fish, crab and lobster caught locally. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool, sauna and spa and gymnasium, and you can scuba dive, sail or head off on fishing trips around the island. The 23 suites all have stunning views towards the Atlantic and Bishop’s Rock lighthouse and are decorated in a sophisticated but relaxed New England style. You might be far from the madding crowd, but rooms also have satellite TV and internet access. The Scilly Isles lie west of Land’s End and have a history going back a thousand years. The hotel is named after nearby Hell Bay, long notorious for shipwrecks. Prices range from £120 (about $300) to £250 (about $625) per person per night twin share, including transfers, breakfast and three-course dinner. Phone +44 1720 422947, visit www.hellbay.co.uk A hop, skip and jump around Sri Lanka Wildlife Safari has just introduced a wonderful new holiday, the Sri Lanka Hopper, which combines the unique experiences and sights of Sri Lanka with exclusive hotels. The 10-day tour includes the cultural triangle of ancient cities (Anuradhupura, Polonnaruwa and Dambula), scenic colonial tea estates in the high country and the historic fortress town of Galle on the coast. An amphibian aircraft makes the trip even more special, using inland lakes as landing strips; there is also a private car with an experienced guide/driver. Plenty of time to stop, shop and relax is included in the itinerary, which can also be custom designed on request. The Sri Lanka Hopper costs $4,490 per person twin share and includes nine nights’ accommodation with breakfast, domestic flights, entrance fees, private vehicle and some meals. Phone 1800 998 558, visit www.wildlifesafari.com.au 20 Aussie skiers invade Colorado The 26 ski areas of Colorado in the US soared to a new record this past season, hosting more skiers than ever before. And Australians came in number two in the overseas-visitor rankings, with a staggering 35 per cent increase in the number of Australians heading to the Colorado snow. In all, some 156,000 Australians enjoyed all the fun of Colorado ski resorts last season. It isn’t surprising that Aussies are heading to famous resorts such as Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Copper Mountain and Vail. With a strong Australian dollar and good packages offered through United Airlines and other carriers, the US is becoming better value than it has been for decades. Visit www.coloradoski.com River of Dreams If you want to sail away from the tourist crowds, then maybe the Manohra Dream, a 20-metre rice barge offering exclusive overnight charters, is just the thing for you. The Dream departs from the riverfront in Bangkok and cruises the Chao Phraya River. A two-night itinerary will take you to ancient Ayutthaya and its many temples, or you can create your own adventure. The century-old solid teak boat has been lovingly restored and lavishly converted, with two elegant staterooms for no more than two couples. Custom-designed furniture, silks and carefully chosen artefacts give the barge the look of a traditional Thai dwelling. The upper deck has a lounge area, while two dining tables ensure guests’ privacy, with the option for both parties to share meals should they wish. Phone +66 2 477 0770, visit www.manohracruises.com 22 * Hang Ten in New Caledonia World Surfaris, Australia’s leading surf-holiday provider, has just added two new surf camps to its regular catamaran charters in New Caledonia. Lying just two hours off the coast of Queensland, New Caledonia is gaining a reputation for its great breaks for intermediate and advanced surfers. Both new camps combine first-class surfing action with great food and the option for other activities on the island. Ouano Camp is operated by a reigning local surf champion and comprises five thatched cabins; guests can also snorkel, windsurf, kite surf or go canyoning and bushwalking. Further north, Nekweta is run by a former surf champion and has three offshore reef breaks, including an incredible left-hander. Accommodation is in a dormitory in a large stone bungalow, or adjacent twin cabin. Seven-night surf camps cost from $1,670 per person twin share, including ground transfers, meals, guide and powerboat trips to main surf breaks. Phone 1800 611 163, visit www.worldsurfaris.com For information on New Caledonia, phone 1800 673 745, visit www.visitnewcaledonia.com.au * Freewheeling in Hobart Getting active is the recurrent health message of late, and if you want to enjoy some fine exercise while in Tasmania, then Island Cycle Tours might be just what the doctor ordered. Their Mount Wellington Descent & Kayak Tour starts at the summit of Mount Wellington above Hobart, where the views are spectacular. The 21-kilometre ride back to sea level isn’t as demanding as it sounds: it’s downhill all the way. Once down, jump in a kayak and hit the water for a two-hour paddle around Battery Point as far as Wrest Point Tower to see Hobart from a very different perspective. With twice-daily departures, either in the early morning or afternoon, the tour concludes with a well-earned fish-and-chip lunch or dinner. The tour runs from September to June. It costs $110 per adult, $95 for concessions and children aged eight to 15, and includes bicycle and riding gear, kayak and safety equipment, a snack and a fish-and-chip meal. Phone the Tasmania Travel Centre on 1300 780 867, visit www.tastravel.com.au 24 :0473@ :05(3,0 :(46(»: 79,40,9 )6<;08<, 9,:69; * Gold medal ski packages If you want to enjoy the best of skiing in the US, then a gold medal has to go to Alisa Camplin’s Ski Tours for three great packages. One heads to Steamboat Springs in Colorado, known for its champagne powder and varied terrain for skiers of all levels. Two others allow you to enjoy the best of legendary Aspen. These all-inclusive luxury tours feature accommodation in five-star hotels or condominiums, wining and dining at top restaurants, ski passes, six or seven mornings of ski instruction, a sleigh ride, snowshoeing or snow tubing and much more. Guests also have the chance to swap stories with Olympic gold and bronze medallist, and Dancing on Ice judge, Alisa Camplin. The Aspen Women’s Tour is a fine mix of skiing and pampering just for the ladies, and also includes massages and beauty treatments at the Aspen Club & Spa, and wonderful culinary experience at the Aspen Cooking School. Phone Mogul Ski World on 1800 335 724, visit www.mogulski.com.au or www.alisacamplinskitours.com ,:*(7, ;/, /<:;3, (5+ )<:;3, 6- ,=,9@+(@ 30-, ;6(5 ,?6;0* :,;;05. :6 9,3(?05.(5+ 3<?<906<: @6< >65»; >(5; ;6 3,(=, -VYM\Y[OLYPUMVYTH[PVUHUK[VYLX\LZ[H IYVJO\YLVM:PUHSLP9LLM9LZVY[HUK:WH! 7OVUL! LTHPS!ZPUHSLP'^YKJVTH\ VYJVU[HJ[`V\YSVJHS[YH]LSWYVMLZZPVUHS ^^^ZPUHSLPJVT * Insight into Canada Insight Vacations has just launched its new 2007 Canada and America brochure, with 12 premium escorted vacations visiting western Canada, the Rockies and Alaska, Canada’s east and capital cities, and the east and west coasts of the US and its national parks. New to the range is the 13-day ‘Majestic Canadian West’ tour, which spends seven nights in the Rockies. This glorious trip includes a cruise on Lake Waterton and a scenic rail journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer, where an observation carriage allows you to relax and enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent landscape. Also new is the 14-day ‘Canadian Maritimes and New England Cruise’ which includes a spectacular journey on board a five-star ship along the beautiful eastern coastline. The ‘Majestic Canadian West’ tour is priced from $6,190 and the ‘Canadian Maritimes’ tour from $3,099 per person twin share (land only). There is a 10 per cent early-payment discount and other offers. Visit www.insightvacations.com or see your local travel agent. A time in the Top End that will truly move you. – $79 offer – from There’s nothing quite like the experience of discovering Central Australia and the Top End aboard The Legendary Ghan. Now you can combine this unforgettable journey with one of our tropical Top End holidays, from just $1,394pp*. Pay from $79 more than the Gold Kangaroo Service fare between Adelaide and Darwin to enjoy a bonus Top End holiday during the spectacular ‘Green Season’. • 3 nights accommodation in Darwin • National park or wildlife tour • City tour, plus much more Call 1300 13 21 47, visit trainways.com.au or see your licensed travel agent. *Concession fare per person twin share Gold Kangaroo Service ex Adelaide/Darwin. To receive concessional travel fares, Great Southern Railway is required to confirm your eligibility for the concession electronically with Centrelink. If you do not want this to happen you will need to contact Centrelink to obtain a Pension Concession Letter as proof of your eligibility for the concession and provide this directly to Great Southern Railway before the concession can be given. All fares include a Fuel Price Surcharge. Prices are subject to change without notice. Airfares not included in package price. Ask about our supersaver airfares available. Packages available for bookings made 1 September 2006 to 28 February 2007. For travel from 1 November 2006 to 31 March 2007 and completed by 31 March 2007. Fares valid to 28 February 2007. For Green Season packages only, not to be used with any other offer. Conditions apply. Travel Agent Licence No. TTA 164 190. GSR3175/VT/einstein * Handy Contacts Irish Tourist Board: www.ireland.travel.ie Italian State Tourism Board: www.enit.it Jamaica Tourist Board: www.visitjamaica.com Japan National Tourist Organization: www.jnto.go.jp Jordan Tourism Board: www.see-jordan.com Kenya Tourism: www.tourismkenya.com Korea National Tourism Organization: www.tour2korea.com Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority: www.visitlasvegas.com.au Macau Government Tourist Office: www.macautourism.gov.mo Tourism Malaysia: www.tourism.gov.my Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority: www.mauritius.net Mexico Tourism: www.mexicotourism.com Morocco Tourism: www.tourism-in-morocco.com New Caledonia Tourism: www.visitnewcaledonia.com New Zealand Tourism Board: www.newzealand.com Oman Tourism: www.omantourism.gov.om Papua New Guinea Tourism: www.pngtourism.org.pg Philippines Department of Tourism: www.tourism.gov.ph Polish National Tourist Office: www.polandtour.org Portugal Tourism: www.portugal.org/tourism Russia Tourism: www.russia-tourism.ru Samoa Tourism Authority: www.visitsamoa.ws San Francisco CVB: www.sfvisitor.org Singapore Tourism Board: www.visitsingapore.com South African Tourism Board: www.southafrica.net Spanish Tourism Board: www.spain.info Tahiti Tourism: www.tahitinow.com.au Taiwan Tourism Office: www.taiwan.net.tw Tourism Authority of Thailand: www.tourismthailand.org Turkish Information Office: www.turism.turkemb.se Vanuatu National Tourist Office: www.vanuatutourism.com Vietnam Tourism: www.vietnamtourism.com Wyoming Tourism: www.wyomingtourism.org Alaska Division of Tourism: www.alaskatia.org Alsace Tourism: www.tourisme-alsace.com Argentina Tourism: www.turismo.gov.ar Austrian National Tourist Office: www.austria.info/au Bahrain Tourism: www.bahraintourism.com Bhutan Tourism: www.kingdomofbhutan.com Bolivia Tourism: www.bolivia-tourism.com Botswana Tourism: www.botswana-tourism.gov.bw Brazil Tourism: www.braziltourism.org Visit Britain: www.visitbritain.com/au Bulgaria Tourism: www.bulgariatravel.org California Tourism: www.visitcalifornia.com Canadian Tourism Commission: www.travelcanada.ca Caribbean Tourism Organization: www.caribbean.com Chile Tourism: www.visit-chile.org China National Tourist Office: www.cnto.org.au Cook Islands Tourism Corp: www.cook-islands.com Costa Rica Tourism: www.visitcostarica.com Croatia Tourism: www.croatia.hr Cuba Tourism: www.cubatravel.cu Denmark Tourism: www.visitdenmark.com Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing: www.dubaitourism.ae Egypt Tourism: www.egypttourism.org Fiji Visitors Bureau: www.bulafiji.com Finnish Tourist Board: www.finland-tourism.com French Tourist Bureau: www.franceguide.com German National Tourist Office: www.germany-tourism.de Greek National Tourist Organization: www.gnto.gr Greenland Tourism: www.greenland.com Hawaii Tourism Office: www.hawaiitourism.com.au Hong Kong Tourism Board: www.discoverhongkong.com Hungary Tourism Office: www.hungary.com Iceland Tourist Board: www.icetourist.is India Tourist Office: www.tourismofindia.com Join us the ultaiboard rail jou mate rney TRANS SIBERIAN Railway Trans Siberian Railway Mongolia Silk Road & the Call Sundowners on Almost 10,000 kilometres of discovery aboard the train across 5 time zones. This is the rail journey that spans the world, and to travel it is to experience Asia as few travellers ever do. Since 1964 1300 133 457 Russia Vietnam Czech Republic China Mongolia Poland Lithuania Latvia Estonia Turkmenistan Iran Turkey Kyrgyzstan India Pakistan Kazakstan n Uzbekistan Armenia Azerbaija Georgia p Journeys Small Grou ntures ent Adve Independ 2006 for your free 70 page brochure e: w: info@sundownerstravel.com www.sundownerstravel.com