Jetsettersblog

Visitors can now book their Cornish cottage holiday or winery tour at Camel Valley at the click of a mouse direct through www.camelvalley.com

Camel Valley has been offering winery tours and accommodation in sunny Cornwall for over 20 years, and always relied on a cottage booking agent.

However, Bob and Annie Lindo, Camel Valley’s founders, noticed that increasingly tour visitors were trying to book accommodation direct for the next holiday season following their tour. Bob’s Wednesday evening ‘Grand Tour and Tastings’ have been described as ‘Britain’s best’ by Wine magazine

One of the two holiday cottages has recently been refurbished and now boasts a terrace overlooking the vineyard – providing an idyllic surrounding to sit back with a glass of wine.

Said Bob: ‘The great thing is that the accommodation and the vineyard have become integrated into one big ‘wine’ theme and everybody is speaking the same language. In the past, many cottage bookings were made regardless of the fact that we were a vineyard, but now the cottages are being booked almost entirely because we’re a vineyard’. Bob added: ‘Of course we put some wine in the fridge and the Grand Tours are all-inclusive for all cottage bookings’.

The whole family need not be mad on wine to stay at Camel Valley. The Lindos offer a private stretch of salmon and trout fishing on the River Camel and guests can cycle the Camel Trail, which runs right through the vineyard, to Padstow for lunch in one of Rick Stein’s famous restaurants. The Eden project is just 8 miles away and the glorious Cornish coastline just 10 miles.

Camel Valley holds 4 of the UK Trophies including the coveted Vintners Trophy for the UK’s best sparkling wine for the second successive year. Camel Valley was awarded the Gold Medal for the 2008 Cornwall Tourist Board Small Visitor Attraction of the Year and Bob has previously been awarded a Gold Medal for ‘Outstanding Services to Tourism’.

Australia’s closest international destination, Norfolk Island, has responded to the Prime Minister’s call for Australians to spend up by offering a hot holiday special that will appeal to history lovers.

For less than AUD$1000, Aussies can spend a week on the island immersed in history and watching the locals re-enact a dramatic chapter in their rich heritage, the Burning of the Bounty.

“What must have been going through the minds of the original Pitcairners who decided to destroy their one link with civilisation after the infamous Bounty mutiny,” said Norfolk Island Tourism General Manager Terry Watson.

“Here’s a way for visitors to get an inkling of all that when Pitcairner descendants clad period costume to re-enact the burning beside beautiful Emily Bay as part of a festive beach carnival and picnic on January 23, 219 years to the day from the original event.”

Mr Watson said the special history packages were set up to take advantage of Prime Minister Rudd’s call to Australians to spend a $1000 bonus the Government was sending to Australia’s four million pensioners, carers, seniors and veterans.

“As part of Australia and a great place to enjoy low tax shopping, a relaxing Pacific island ambience and become immersed in wonderful examples of our colonial history, we cannot think of a better way to carry out the PM’s directive.”

History package prices start at $899 per person from Brisbane and $959 pp from Sydney or Newcastle and include return airfares with pre-paid taxes, seven nights twin share accommodation, seven days car hire (insurance and petrol extra), return airport transfers on the island, a Burning of the Bounty picnic lunch plus free entry to the island’s three museums and Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama.

The special packages are available from the Norfolk Island Travel Centre toll free on 1800 140 066 or via email at joanne@travelcentre.nf

If you are unable to visit Norfolk Island for the Bounty Burning or wish to travel to the island on Norfolk Air’s direct Melbourne service, ask the Travel Centre about other super hot packages on sale now for travel through to next March.

Norfolk Island is less than three hours by jet from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle. Australian visitors need a valid passport or document of identity that can be obtained from any Australia Post outlet.

For general information visit www.norfolkisland.com.au

Photo shows an image of HMAS Bounty in Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama on Norfolk Island.

Great Southern Rail has released a special offer of a Free Upgrade from Red Sleeper to Gold Service, making rail travel both more affordable and more relaxing. The Free Upgrade to Gold Service is available to holidaymakers booking a rail holiday package onboard The Ghan or Indian Pacific for travel anytime from 1 January to 30 June 2009.

Great Southern Rail Chief Executive Officer, Tony Braxton-Smith said “This offer is outstanding value with savings of up to $675 per person compared to normal fares.”

Guests will save hundreds of dollars per person with the Free Upgrade to the classic comfort of Gold service with more space, more facilities and more inclusions like a private cabin, welcome drinks, use of the licensed Gold Service lounge carriage and all dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant carriage, all included in the price.

The Free Upgrade Offer is expected to be extremely popular. Mr. Braxton-Smith pointed to recent economic developments creating conditions that will lead to more Australians foregoing overseas travel and exploring their own backyard next year. “The features offered in Gold Service give Aussies further incentive to get on board and experience the rich diversity of landscapes you can see as you cross Australia by train” he added.

The Free Upgrade Offer is being marketed with the tag line “Its Time to See Australia”. Exploring Australia’s outback in the classic style of Gold Service, guests can choose from twin or single sleeper cabins. Twin cabins have a comfortable three-seater lounge for relaxing during the day that converts to an upper and lower sleeping berth at night. Each twin cabin has a private en-suite with its own toilet, wash basin and shower. All meals are included in the fare and are served in the stylish Queen Adelaide Restaurant Carriage. Gold Service also offers a Lounge Car and this is the perfect place for a relaxing drink at the bar, a chance to socialize with fellow travelers and meet people from around the world.

With this great offer, in 2009 it’s time to see Australia. You will certainly see more of Australia when seeing it by train. The offer ends on 28th February 2009.

Conditions apply. For bookings contact Great Southern Rail on 13 21 47 or visit www.gsr.com.au

Virgin Blue Group has today announced a key investment in the WA market with a corporate lounge facility “The Lounge” to be opened at Perth Airport in April next year.

The announcement was made by Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, along with the Virgin Blue Executive Management Team, during a Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia presentation in Perth this morning.

It is the first time the entire Management team has embarked on a three day visit to WA to engage in business meetings, ministerial visits and host a cocktail party for industry partners reflecting the importance of the WA market to the airline’s growth plans.

The decision to open a Virgin Blue “The Lounge” facility in Perth is the result of consultation with WA based corporate accounts and business travellers and is part of the airline’s plan to ramp up its presence in Perth and the West Australian regional market.

Brett Godfrey said, “This is a significant commitment from Virgin Blue and we see it as an important step in providing further benefits to the increasing number of business and corporate travellers who fly with us, not just to the east coast, but also on our newly launched intra-WA routes.”

The Lounge will provide Members and Guests with an all-inclusive food and beverage corporate lounge at Perth Airport offering complimentary WiFi access, workstations, private meeting room as well as a relaxing entertainment area so that travellers can go about their work or play. It will be the sixth “The Lounge” for Virgin Blue and will offer similar facilities as the Lounges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

He continued, “Virgin Blue now has 38 flights a day to and from Perth. We have been working closely with the team at Perth Airport to facilitate the development of our new Lounge and while we expect to outgrow the facility within two years, it is an important new product offering for our Guests right now which will be open for business in April next year”.

Access will be via annual membership, or is complimentary for Velocity Gold Members and Guests travelling on Premium Economy or Corporate Plus fares. Guests will also be able to access the lounge on a casual basis through the purchase of a single visit pass on-line for $30 per person. Selected SkyWest customers will also be eligible to use the Lounge in Perth.

The Lounge announcement follows hot on the heels of Virgin Blue’s recent 56% increase in capacity within the Perth market. The airline recently launched brand new services between Perth and Karratha and Perth and Newman, as well as increased services between Perth and Broome. For the first time, the international airline of Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue, also launched direct flights between Perth and Bali, marking the first international service offered by the Virgin Blue Group from West Australia. The airline has also introduced a 37% increase in capacity for its flights between Perth and the east coast since May this year.

“Make no mistake, we are very serious about serving the needs of WA’s leisure and business travellers and our visit here this week is also an opportunity to gain feedback from the local community and industry stakeholders as to what they would like to see from Virgin Blue in 2009 and beyond.” Brett Godfrey added.

The airline has recently upgraded its Premium Economy product to include complimentary food and beverage in flight as well as complimentary live2air in-flight entertainment^, which is proving especially popular on the longer Perth to east coast flights.

“We are very encouraged by the support we have received from the West Australian business and general community and are eager to further enhance the travel experience for all Guests, while at the same time maintaining affordability, innovation and the unmistakable Virgin flair and friendliness”, Brett Godfrey finished.

Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 72 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 26 Australian and 12 international destinations including New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, PNG, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. Virgin Blue Group has also announced plans to launch Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, set to commence flights between Australia and the USA from February 2009.

^ Live2air is available on the majority of Virgin Blue’s Boeing 737 aircraft. Live2air is not available on Virgin Blue’s EMBRAER E170 or E190 aircraft. The pay-per-view movie component of live2air will only be available on selected routes over 2.5 hours duration.

Australian Online Tourism Specialists

Air New Zealand announced today that it had acquired a cornerstone shareholding in Australian online tourism specialists V3 (Vcubed Pty Ltd).
Air New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Officer Norm Thompson said the acquisition was part of the airline’s strategy to further diversify into the wider tourism sector.

V3 provides its open booking exchange (OBX™) technology for tourism suppliers and distributors in Australia, and Mr Thompson said Air New Zealand and V3, through a joint venture, would establish a similar tourism exchange in New Zealand.

The OBX™ is available to all tourism and travel operators and distributors and will be run in New Zealand as a standalone business, independent of Air New Zealand.

It works by allowing distributors to access live book-able inventory from tourism operators in a real-time marketplace, and has exciting potential for New Zealand tourism operators.

Mr Thompson said a New Zealand exchange would help local tourism businesses by providing them with a cost-effective way of increasing their reach to distributors.

“For example, it will allow a local hotel operator to offer accommodation directly to a multitude of online retailers,” he said.

Air New Zealand’s commitment to playing a role in the wider tourism industry was behind its decision to acquire a stake in V3 and establish an exchange in New Zealand, he said.

“Air New Zealand’s fortunes are inextricably linked with that of our tourism sector. What’s good for tourism in New Zealand and our tourism operators will have natural flow-on benefits for the airline.”

Having enjoyed outstanding success in the Australian market, V3 Chief Executive Officer Shane Crockett said: “We are extremely pleased to have Air New Zealand as a cornerstone investor and strategic partner for this breakthrough initiative in digital marketing for both the Australian and New Zealand tourism industries.

“Air New Zealand is the perfect strategic partner for V3 to optimise the potential of the open booking exchange technology.

“Leading the market with the unique exchange model in Australia, V3 has already seen many of the tourism industry’s key suppliers, distributors and government organisations using the open booking exchange technology and now, our partnership with Air New Zealand will extend this successful model into the New Zealand market.”

Mr Thompson said former Air New Zealand General Manager Chris Hunter had been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new business that would offer a similar tourism exchange service in New Zealand.

Mr Hunter has long been involved in the tourism and travel business, holding a number of senior positions, most recently as General Manager Strategy and Planning for Flight Centre New Zealand. During his 21 years at Air New Zealand he held a range of positions including General Manager Global Direct Sales.

Mr Hunter said he was excited by the opportunity to positively contribute to the ongoing growth and success of the New Zealand tourism industry, and expects to make further announcements to the industry in the first half of next year as the new exchange takes shape.

AHA Awards 2008 Best Accommodation and Leisure Entertainment Hotel

Sydney’s biggest beachside Hotel, the Coogee Bay has been named Accommodation Hotel of the Year, and Leisure Entertainment Hotel of the Year in 2008 by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) – at the NSW State Awards for Excellence held last night, Monday 24 November 2008.

Located on one of Sydney’s most famous beaches, the multi award winning Coogee Bay Hotel; comprising of 7 bars, 75-room boutique accommodation, excellent beachside conferencing facilities overlooking the panorama of Coogee Beach, off premise retail outlets, and huge variety of entertainment offerings; boasts over half a million guests every year.

Coogee Bay Hotel’s general Manager Tony Williams says he is thrilled with the Bay’s accommodation and entertainment accolades. “Our 75-room boutique accommodation recently took home the AHA’s 2008 national award for Best Hotel Accommodation, so to win at the state level is a brilliant bonus.”

“We’ve worked hard to make Leisure Entertainment Hotel of the Year. We see ourselves as more a leisure locality than a hotel, by providing a variety of surrounds for guests to socialise and be entertained. From cocktails in Arden Lounge; to watching the biggest games on the biggest screens in The Bay’s high-tech Sports Bar - boasting the world’s largest plasmas; live pub bands in the Beach Bar and funky Sunday tunes in the beer garden the Bay is an entertainment precinct,” he says.

The Hotel’s Sports Bar regularly hosts interactive games and activities such as free pool competitions, poker nights and Nintendo WII challenges. The new beer garden, which represents the latest in a multimillion dollar three stage commitment by the Bay’s management, has been conceived with entertainment as a major focus. Featuring an outdoor stage and state-of-the-art sound technology, regular children’s performances, bands and festivals mean guests of Australia’s largest beer garden and Hotel can expect to be entertained, whereever and whenever they visit.

With a vision to reconnect with the Hotel’s 135 year history, when the Coogee Bay Hotel first opened its doors in 1873 as a relaxing seaside escape; the focus on providing excellent beachside accommodation and plenty of wide-ranging entertainment in a variety of surrounds; provides Sydneysiders and locals with a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the best of Australia’s outdoor coastal living.

More information can be found at www.coogeebayhotel.com.au
Coogee Bay Hotel address: cnr Coogee Bay Rd & Arden St; PO Box 19, Coogee, NSW 2034

A nine-room motel in southern New South Wales, once used to house itinerant fruit-pickers has been named the Outstanding Motel in Australia by Australia’s largest accommodation group – Golden Chain Motor Inns.

The Sunrise Motel at Barooga, which has gone through a massive renovation by its owners, has taken out the National award judged by guests in Golden chain’s Guest Ratings program for the second successive year.

Hosts John and Robyn Holmes found the run-down motel when they visited Cobram for a wedding seven years ago.

When John showed the motel to Robyn she “nearly had a heart attack” when she considered the immense task of changing the 15-year-old motel which had been run down for the last 12 years.

“I followed blindly, wondering how I could colour co-ordinate a room when I couldn’t even colour co-ordinate myself,” says Robyn.

After purchasing the property she found it wasn’t listed in any telephone book and it was primarily used by itinerant fruit pickers with a different five or six people per night per room.

So they closed the motel, gutted it and started from scratch.

“We replaced the orchard with a solar heated swimming pool and an outside barbecue and entertainment area which has become very popular,” Robyn said.

Basing the area on a “camp kitchen” found in many caravan parks has seen guests gather in the area and contributes to the enjoyment of their stay. The property embraces motel units and fully self-contained apartments and its close proximity to shops, local club and the river add to its appeal.

“Being relatively small, I find that it is an opportunity to really get to know the clients and it is nice to spend some time swapping stories with them,” Robyn, a bubbly and happy person, says. “Though most of the time they are listening to me I must admit.

“When I look back, I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve and I often think how lucky I am to have a husband who obviously recognised that I had the talent and foresight to create something wonderful and then went and bought the project for me.”

Golden Chain Chairman, John Sheppard, said the award was highly prized by members of the group.

“It is the pinnacle for all of us – because our guests determine the best accommodation in Australia each year so it is high praise from the people who know best”, he said.

“The effort of John and Robyn Holmes is a beacon for us all. It doesn’t matter how old or run-down a property is, it can be resurrected to win the enthusiastic support of guests.

The attitude of John and Robyn has also been a contributing factor, with Robyn’s infectious humour and enthusiasm contributing to the motel achieving the award.”

Soon after taking out the Award, John and Robyn sold the franchise of the motel.

But Robyn says she will be back into the business after she and her family have taken a break travelli9ng around Australia.

THE ALBANY is a little gem of a boutique hotel in South Yarra, and is rapidly evolving into a coveted Melbourne destination for the savvy, stylish traveller as well as the city’s most discerning personalities. The hotel is developing a reputation for it’s personal service and up-beat hospitality. The bar at THE ALBANY is renowned for locals and guests alike as a great place to drop in, have a drink and soak up the quintessentially Melbourne atmosphere. As the ultimate celebration of summer, this month THE ALBANY will open a pink-glowing, rooftop lap pool with majestic views of the Melbourne skyline.

“Our vision for THE ALBANY began when we first saw the property. The location and architecture give our guests a quintessential Melbourne experience and we could immediately see that it presented an authentic, stylish and personal option for savvy travelers as well as a lively gathering spot for our local clientele,” said owner Sally Bloomfield. “To see our vision now become reality only reaffirms the unique offer that THE ALBANY brings to Melbourne.”

Located in one of Melbourne’s most exclusive enclaves, and within walking distance of some of Melbourne’s top restaurants and bars, THE ALBANY is situated on the corner of Toorak Road and is just a couple of blocks from Chapel street, Melbourne’s prime shopping area, and only 2 km’s away from the city itself. Combining warmth, quirkiness and an eclectic sensibility,

THE ALBANY was originally a 1960’s motel attached to a stately South Yarra mansion. Embracing the 21st century, it has been transformed cleverly into a funky, chic and intimate destination whilst retaining the affordability and friendliness that was central to it’s original concept.

THE ALBANY offers something special; a Rolls Royce service for a 3 and a half star property. The hotel has also announced an exciting new alliance with respected Melbourne bar, restaurant and café consultants, Terry Strudwick and Benjamin Canavan. Terry and Ben, known locally as ‘The Boys’, saw the alliance as the perfect opportunity to launch their evening dining concept of “Grazing”. There is a healthy and delicious menu of fourteen items, with rotating “Special Dishes” and a focus on regional produce. This exciting affiliation creates a new and unique dining experience at THE ALBANY, as well as increased service to in-house guests and locals alike, who can soon enjoy the best of Melbourne fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The new restaurant at THE ALBANY will open in January 2009.

After recently undergoing it’s remarkable transformation, THE ALBANY has been reborn with a style that could best be described as ‘fashion meets music’. With black and white striped walls in the new bar, floor to ceiling photographs, murals and artwork, quirky bedheads and red hallways, the hotel has become one of Melbourne’s most enchanting and delightful place to stay.

All budgets and tastes are catered for when selecting accommodation at THE ALBANY. The suites are highly contemporary and artistically styled so that no two are the same. With five rooms in the Mansion, plus the two bedroom Penthouse and a further 80 rooms in the adjoining hotel, THE ALBANY caters for the needs of a diverse range of travellers. The Mansion rooms and suites provide plenty of space for families, while the Superior and Executive rooms offer a new, invigorating feel for the business guest to relax and unwind. All rooms beyond Standard offer fully-stocked mini-bar, Foxtel, In-house movies and ADSL. A hearty breakfast is provided daily in the Breakfast Room. On the warmer days, the alfresco courtyard which fronts the hotel, provides a casual atmosphere to appreciate an espresso or freshly brewed tea.

THE ALBANY is fast becoming one of Melbourne’s most interesting and desirable places to stay.

Voyages Hotels & Resorts is preparing for a strong 2009 season at El Questro Wilderness Park, following the region’s starring role in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia movie.

The magnificent Cockburn Range, located entirely on the million-acre El Questro Wilderness Park, provides much of the backdrop for many scenes in Australia, including the cattle droving shots, water crossings and the backdrop to Faraway Downs, the cattle station inherited by Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman).

With an anticipated rise in bookings due to the film, Voyages will be launching fantastic deals in January, to encourage holidaymakers to visit El Questro Wilderness Park as soon as it reopens after the wet in April 2009.

The El Questro Early Bird deal is a Stay Three, Pay Two special offer, representing a 33% saving off the nightly room rate at Emma Gorge Resort www.elquestro.com.au/emma-gorge-resort, and El Questro Station Township www.elquestro.com.au/township *

Three nights in a Tented Cabin at Emma Gorge Resort (twin-share) is priced at $540 per room with the Stay Three, Pay Two special offer. Three nights in a Bungalow at El Questro Station Township (twin-share) is priced at $624 per room with the Stay Three, Pay Two special offer.

El Questro Wilderness Park offers three accommodation types – Emma Gorge Resort El Questro Station Township and the exclusive El Questro Homestead – and opens from 1 April to October 31 every year, allowing for the dramatic thunderstorms to pass over the Kimberley and replenish its numerous gorges and waterfalls during the annual wet season.

Re-create your own Australia movie adventure with gorge cruises on the Chamberlain River, dips in Zebedee Springs thermal pools, horse-riding and barramundi fishing in helicopters. At the end of each day, relax in the outback in riverside bungalow accommodation at the Station Township or try the tented cabins at Emma Gorge Resort.

For a spot of luxury, treat yourselves at El Questro Homestead, the most luxurious cattle station property in the region and an icon of the Kimberley www.elquestrohomestead.com.au The private Chamberlain Suite offers a double bathtub on the verandah perched above the Chamberlain Gorge below, and is so popular can often be booked out months in advance.

Voyages El Questro Homestead in particular has already experienced strong demand for next year’s season, with a total of 40% of 2009 room capacity already sold.

Anna Guillan, Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing, Voyages Hotels & Resorts, said: “We’ve never seen sales this strong before. Now that the film is out on general release, we’re expecting sales to soar. It’s unprecedented and very exciting – but to avoid disappointment, people should book early.”

*Conditions apply, subject to availability. Rates are per room, valid for travel from 1 April 2009 – 30 April 2009 and 1 October 2009 – 28 October 2009. Package must be booked as a minimum three-night stay per room. On early check out the regular nightly rate will be charged. Quote TSA at time of booking.

This summer, get ready for a good old fashioned feel good story time! As part of the new special themed nights, passengers on board the Spirit of Tasmania can get ready to enjoy a different type of entertainment. Two aspiring young characters, Tez (Kieran Bullock) and Tones (James Tresise) will share their tales as they take you on a journey from Tennant Creek to Tasmania.

Join them on their journey as they engage audiences in an interactive show, filled with improvisation, comedy, and story-telling tales that will have passengers hooked on this theatrical performance.

With backgrounds in comedy and street theatre, Tez and Tones will be sure to make passengers enjoy their sailing experience even more. The performances are scheduled to take place Friday 19 December 2008 departing Melbourne at 9am and departing Devonport Monday 5 January 2009 at 9am. Don’t miss out as they are guaranteed for a laugh!

Charles Griplas, Spirit of Tasmania’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have had a wonderful response from our themed nights so far. Tez and Tones is something for everyone to take pleasure in…even the little ones. Passengers will be sure to enjoy this fun and quirky form of entertainment”.

The Tez and Tones Project will also appear in the renowned ‘Taste of Tasmania’ festival (28 Dec – 4 Jan), where they will be performing in a 24-hour live-in theatrical experience, engaging in the community while in character.

“It will be an enjoyable event for passengers to add to their memorable journey onboard so take advantage of the special themed day sailings and let the tales begin!” Mr Griplas.