Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Destination wish list for 2011 By ROBIN ROBINSON, QMI Agency

Having the good fortune to travel several times a year as part of my job, my annual list isn't restricted to one getaway but -- surprisingly -- that doesn't make it easier to choose between places I have never been and countries I have visited but would like to explore further.
This year's list is organized by month but it's not really a road map for the year ahead -- more an expression of things that have piqued my interest.
Experience tells me it really is a wish-list: Sometimes I hit many of the countries on the list. Other times I make it to just a few. Often I go places that were never on the list but turned out to be great anyway.
Ultimately the list is a reminder that if you don't plan, you don't go. I have itchy feet for distant shores and lately I've been thinking about ...
January
Florida, here I come. As my next trip is already planned -- a week with the Disney folks -- this one is a no brainer. In January I'll fly to Orlando to spend some time playing at the Magic Kingdom before sailing off to the Caribbean on Disney's new luxury cruise liner -- the Disney Dream. I suspect Mickey, Minnie, Goofy -- and maybe a princess or two -- may be along for the ride. Bon voyage. See disneyworld.disney.go.com and disneycruise.disney.go.com.
February
Baby it's still cold outside so I'll do what millions of Sun readers do and find a sugar-white sand beach in the Caribbean, where I can loll about under a palapa and soak up equal measures of vitamin D and daiquiris. Two of my favourite Caribbean destinations are Barbados and the Bahamas. I could happily live out my days as a barefoot castaway on the Out Islands of the Bahamas but this year I will endeavour to visit Cuba, where I have never been. Perhaps between splashing in the deep blue sea and sipping mojitos, I'll have time for a side trip to Havana. See gocuba.ca.
March
This seems like a good time to visit with the blue-footed boobies, giant sea turtles and swimming iguanas that make their homes on the Galapagos Islands. Some 1,000 km off the coast of South America, this remote Ecuadorian province and its surrounding waters form a national park and marine refuge that has been drawing visitors for hundreds of years. Naturalist Charles Darwin was one of the first to study the volcanic island archipelago that is home to many endangered species not found anywhere else in the world. See ecuadortouristboard.com, igtoa.org, galapagosislands.com and galapagos.org.
April
It would probably take an entire year to tour all of the terrific cities dotted around the United States. This year I'll concentrate on three "Sans" -- San Diego, San Francisco and San Antonio. In San Diego, I'll go whale watching and tour some of the city's 30 museums, including the new Children's Museum and one devoted to surfing. In San Francisco, I'll ride the famous cable car then spend a day at Fisherman's Wharf -- eating, browsing at the Pier 39 market and visiting the Aquarium of the Bay. Later I'll check out the Exploratorium science museum and walk on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. In San Antonio I'll stroll along the leafy River Walk and attend some Fiesta San Antonio events. The annual city-wide celebration of culture takes place April 7-17. See sandiegotourism.org, onlyinsanfrancisco.com and visitsanantonio.com.
May
What better place to break out your Bermuda shorts than in their place of origin. May brings balmy temperatures to the island -- still a British overseas territory -- about 1,030 km off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. While there, I might take a walk along a pink sand beach, swim with dolphins and sample a Dark 'n' Stormy -- the island's unofficial national drink made from Gosling's Black Seal rum and ginger beer, and served over ice. Cheers. See bermudatourism.com.
June
I've been on safari -- a gourmet safari through the wilds of Victoria, B.C., an African Lion Safari near Cambridge and a Rhino Rally off-road jeep tour at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. These were all fun adventures but don't provide the same bragging rights as the real deal. For that, I'll head to a place like South Africa's Kruger National Park for a close up encounter with the Big 5 -- lions, leopards, African elephants, hippos and Cape buffalo. See southafrica.net andsanparks.org/parks/kruger.
July
Sometimes I crave the easy familiarity of travelling in Canada. This year I'll aim for points east -- a return trip to Newfoundland's Random Island and St. John's to reconnect with family roots, a stopover in Halifax, N.S., to pick up the threads of a long-standing friendship, and a drive across the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island, where I've never been but imagine I'll love every bit as much as the rest of our Atlantic provinces. How could I fail to love a place whose most famous character is a fictional red headed girl. See newfoundlandandlabrador.com, novascotia.com, tourismpei.com and tourismnewbrunswick.ca.
August
The more I learn about Malaysia, the more intriguing it becomes. Comprised of two regions -- Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo -- divided by the South China Sea, common sense would suggest that this multi-ethnic potpourri of cultures shouldn't work. And yet it does, providing visitors with diverse travel experiences from ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur -- home to the 88-storey Petronas Towers -- to the superb beaches of Penang, remote mountains and tropical jungles that date back millions of years. Colleagues who have been tell me not to miss the limestone temple Batu Caves, which feature ornate Hindu shrines and a 43-metre-tall gold-painted statue of a Hindu deity. See tourism.gov.my.
September
Australia is high on most Canadian's "bucket lists" but distance -- and the country's vast size -- mean many people put off a visit until that magical, mythical "someday." If you don't have the time -- or the budget -- for a long stay, my suggestion is to tour in "chunks." Pick one or two spots and concentrate on those. My first trip included six days in Tasmania and five in the Melbourne area. My visit only scratched the surface of Oz, but I did see quite a bit of these two corners. The trip was memorable for its wildlife -- kangaroos, wallabies, paddy melons, wombats, koalas at seemingly every turn in Tasmania and along the Great Ocean Road. This year I'd like to go back to see Sydney, the Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback. See australia.com.
October
Hawaii has been on my radar for a long time. First it was watching the TV exploits of ex naval officer Magnum P.I., zipping around Honolulu in his boss' Ferrari, solving crimes or hanging out at the seaside mansion called Robin's Nest. Then it was the lost folks from the wildly popular series Lost, shot on location around Oahu. Now it's a remake of Hawaii 5-0 and back-to-back visits in 2008 and 2009 that keep the Islands of Aloha on my mind. I'm overdue for a return visit to Maui and a first-time look at Kauai, Lanai and Molokai. See gohawaii.com.
November
I seldom pass up a chance to travel to Europe. London, Paris, Rome and Venice are high on my list of all-time favourite cities but this year I am going to focus on making a first-time visit to Vienna. In mid-November, Vienna's elegant squares will be transformed into delightful Christmas markets. Browsing outside on cool days will no doubt lead to time spent indoors at the city's famous coffeehouses. In between drinking the house brew, nibbling on pastries and reading international newspapers, I might squeeze in a visit to the Imperial Palace, Apartments and Treasuries. See vienna.info/en.
December
Cold weather is not my cup of tea but I would love to see the icy shores of Antarctica at least once. And, as Canada will soon be in the deep freeze anyway, December seems like a good time for travelling to the world's southernmost continent. December through February is prime time for expedition cruises to Antarctica so journeys to the land of icebergs, penguins, whales, seals and sea birds should be booked in advance. Other than wildlife, Antarctica has no permanent residents or government in Antarctica. Tourism is mainly by cruise ships carrying from 50 to 280 passengers each. See gapadventures.com.
Where are you going?
What destinations are on your wish-list for 2011 and why? E-mail your answers (25 words or less) with your full name and contact information to robin.robinson@sunmedia.ca. A selection of reader responses will be published in the new year.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Brisbane’s river attractions. The Brisbane River flows with fun, excitement and an excellent quality of life.

As a frequent flyer and airline industry aficionado, I pricked up my ears when I first heard that Malaysia Airlines was commencing direct flights to Brisbane several months ago.
The travel industry buzz increased with recent rumours that the airline is aiming for daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and the capital-city of Queensland in the foreseeable future.
Upon enquiry, I discovered that the current five weekly flights are doing very well, as more people are choosing the premium service of the national carrier to fly directly into “Brissie”. After all, Brisbane is a fascinating travel spot.
Many people do not know that Brisbane is an excellent tourism gateway. There are excellent road, rail and sea connections from Brisbane to the rest of Queensland, but flying is usually my preferred mode of travel.




The bright and breezy Brisbane Airport is a strategic and effective air hub that I thoroughly enjoy, and Malaysia Airlines has a convenient code-share partnership with Australian carrier Virgin Blue that connects passengers to various scenic destinations across Queensland, the rest of Australia and beyond, to the island nations of the South Pacific and Polynesia.
While many tourists stop over in Brisbane for a day or two on their way to other tourist spots, few realise that Brisbane is actually what travel agents term an excellent stand-alone destination. It has enough attractions to merit an entire visit by itself. Take, for example, the fact that the city has its own riverine centrepiece, like many famous cities around the world. London has the Thames, Paris the Seine, New York the Hudson, Cairo the Nile, and Brisbane . . . well, Brisbane has the Brisbane!
Although city and river share the same name, it is the waterway that breathes life, energy and ambience into the metropolis. For one thing, Brisbane River is a vital transport artery though not on the scale it used to be a couple of centuries ago when the river was the only form of transport-access to Sydney and the rest of Australia. The Brisbane River was the settlement’s most valuable asset for transport, recreation, irrigation, and — most of all — as a source of potable water. Today, it is still very much the same, though modern technology has transformed how people relate to the river.
Quaint old paddle wheelers still chug along the river as they have done for centuries, but today they are regularly overtaken by modern speedboats and futuristic-looking sleek catamarans called CityCats. These blue, white and yellow watercraft are a speedy way to travel the river. They are also an excellent and affordable way for visitors to have a grand tour of Brisbane.
For the price of a commuter ticket, I got a great view of the length and breadth of the city. You can also hop on the similarly coloured CityFerries which are smaller and make more stops than CityCats. Popular ferry destinations include South Bank, St Lucia, New Farm, West End, Hamilton, Toowong and the Central Business District (CBD).
You can travel on participating buses, trains and ferries with a valid TransLink ticket. Fares are calculated according to the number of zones travelled in a journey. All Brisbane’s CityCat and CityFerry stops are within Translink’s zones 1 and 2.
If you’re in the city, visit the Transport Information Centre, King George Square station for more information about ferries and other public transport services in Brisbane. There are also small, private ferry services such as the Moggill Ferry in west Brisbane and the Moreton Bay Ferry Services connecting the islands of Moreton Bay.
But what about those antiquated-looking wooden paddle wheelers? Confident that Brisbane was ready for “something nostalgic, old-fashioned and different”, Millkraft Thompson Boatyards built Kookaburra River Queen I — the first wooden paddle wheeler in Australia in the last century.
Launched in the 1980s, the Queens were meticulously crafted mainly from original Queensland timbers: the keels from ironbark, the sheathed hulls planked with oregon and spotted gum, and the decks made from white beech. Weighing a whopping 200 tonnes each, the 30m paddle wheelers are each powered by two, 350 horsepower engines and were designed to operate as closely as possible to the original steamers.




The vessels have become a part of Brisbane’s riverscape for over 20 years, offering scheduled lunch and dinner cruises as well as facilities for private functions, weddings, corporate meeting venues, special events and Christmas parties. Combining elegant dining, live entertainment and some of the most breathtaking views of Brisbane, these icons of yesteryear are part of the unique attractions of the Brisbane River, and a must for well-heeled visitors.
The cruises also provide accommodation options with the stylish Sebel & Citigate Hotel, which is located within walking distance from the Queen Street Mall shopping precinct, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane Treasury Casino and the trendy South Bank area.
Enjoying one of Brisbane’s best locations, South Bank is one of the city’s popular destinations, attracting more than nine million people annually. The South Bank Lifestyle Market has an eclectic array of art, fashion, jewellery, health products, houseware and some rather weird New Age fads. Around it are some of Brisbane’s trendiest boutiques, stores and restaurants in the heart of the South Bank Parklands.
Alchemy Restaurant boasts modern Australian cooking with an exquisite French influence. Seated overlooking the boardwalk, I had a spectacular and unobstructed vista of the illuminated Story Bridge and the twinkling lights of craft on Brisbane River.
More prosaic than the towering Story Bridge but equally eye-catching, is the 450m Goodwill Bridge that links the southern end of South Bank to the city’s Botanic Gardens and the Queensland University of Technology. More than 50,000 pedestrians and cyclists use this footbridge every day.
My favourite part of the Brisbane river parklands is the 1km leafy walkway called the Energex Arbour. Covered with brilliant shades of vivid bougainvillea, the award-winning arbour has 403 individually designed, tendril-like columns, and allows you to stroll in shady comfort as it winds its way through the length of the parklands at South Bank.
Brisbane River also attracts scheduled weekly activities like the South Bank Art and Craft Markets, which operate every Friday and weekend. There is also the Farmers Fresh and Seafood Market on the first and third Saturdays of every month. From 6am until midday, more than 60 primary producers offer an array of fresh produce.
For first-time visitors to Brisbane, sticking to the river is a good idea because it gives you the best spectrum of the city’s attractions in a scenic and attractive environment. Enjoy the breeze aboard the jet-shaped CityCats, chug along sedately on the elegant paddle wheelers, or simply stroll along the riverbanks on excellent paved walkways.
From the towering citadels of commerce in the CBD, to the lush greenery and landscaped parklands, to the kaleidoscope of activities on the South Bank, Brisbane River flows with fun and excitement.
o Malaysia Airlines flies to Brisbane five times a week.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Mersing Hotels, Malaysia Book hotels in Mersing-Malaysia and enjoy up to 25% discount

A cruise along the Caribbean is a holiday that dreams are made of, but it’s also big business and therefore there are many options to consider. Follow or tips to ensure you get the most out of your Caribbean Cruise, no matter when you decide to head out there.




Start off by booking well in advance of your sailing date. It’s important that you give yourself plenty of advance time to prepare, and will prevent local booking agents ripping you off. It will also make sure that you go exactly where you want to, with a early bird discount in some cases too!



Determine just how many days you intend to take the cruise holiday for. Options are usually 3, 7 or 10 days. The longer you stay, obviously, means you can visit more places, however the longest may normally include port stops at Mexico and other Central American locations. The UK winter is the peak season for Caribbean cruises, so if you’re after a cheaper all inclusive cruse, look to book in the summer.



Try and go for an all inclusive deal. This will include all your food and drink, trips, excursions and entertainment meaning you can unwind and gorge on the wonderful food provided safe in the knowledge that there will be no hidden and unnecessary charges coming back to bite you.



Don’t forget to bring all your relevant documents, such as passports, tickets and booking forms and any visas you might require. You should also speak to your doctor about any necessary vaccinations and enquire about health insurance for your trip. This will ensure you will be well looked after, anywhere you may be in the event that you become ill.



Short-term cruises only go so far as the Bahamas and some times the

West Keys of florida. However if you decide to stay more than a week then you will get to a wider range of sites, concentrated along the Wes, East and South of the Caribbean.



lastly, cruises should be places where fun and extravagance is welcome and sought after, so book you best bikini, the smartest suit or dress and get ready for a world of luxury and magnificence on the one the best ships in the world, sailing through the prettiest sea in the world.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Penang Delight 5 Night Fly/Cruise/Stay on SuperStar Libra

Sit back and relax on this 3 Night Cruise through Malaysia and Thailand including all meals and entertainment onboard.  Your cruise package includes return flights with Malaysian Airlines as well as 2 night's accommodation in Penang.



Itinerary
Penang - Phuket - Krabi - Penang

Includes

  • Return flights to Penang with Malaysian Airlines
  • 2 night stay pre-cruise at the Bayview Hotel Georgetown, Penang (Malaysia) including breakfast
  • 3 night "Phuket & Krabi" cruise aboard 'Superstar Libra' from Penang (Malaysia)
  • All meals and entertainment onboard
  • Port charges & air taxes
 FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CLICK HERE

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Bus Tuor Services

Tour Bus Services:

For short and long trip

- 25 seaters coach
- 40 seaters coach
- 44 seaters coach
- 27 seaters super VIP coach
- 37 seaters super VIP double deck coach

Bus services provided for tours, weddings, company trips, annual dinners & other occasions.

Tour guide available

Plz cal Adie 013-3434 103/019-341 8173

Sale – Up to 30 % Off on Princess Daphne’s First Asia Cruises this Summer

Cruises from $825 including Christmas and New Year Cruises from Singapore
Classic International Cruises has launched a sale on its new Far East cruises aboard the classic liner, Princess Daphne, this summer, with savings on up to 30 per cent available on five cruises from Singapore over the Christmas/New Year period.
* Princess Daphne’s nine-night, round-trip Christmas cruise sailing from Singapore on December 19, 2010, to Penang, Phuket, Langkawi,, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca is now priced from $1095 per person, twin-share, down from $1455.
* A nine-night New Year’s cruise aboard Princess Daphne, sailing round-trip from Singapore on December 28, 2010, for Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Bander Seri Begawan in Brunei and Kuching in Malaysia is now available from $1095 per person, twin-share, down from $1580.

* Fares on a seven-night, round-trip cruise on Princess Daphne from Singapore on January 6, 2011, to Penang, Phuket, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur are now available from $825 per person, down from $1135.
* An 11-night round-trip cruise on Princess Daphne from Singapore on January 13, 2011, to Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Songkhla in Thailand is now priced from $1325 per person, twin-share, down from $1650.
* And a 13-night round-trip cruise on Princess Daphne from Singapore on January 24, 2011, to the Andaman Islands in India, Yangon in Myanmar (Burma), Phuket, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur now has fares from $1575 per person, twin-share, down from $1940.

Conditions apply to the special sale fares. Extra discounts are also available for pension card holders. And adding to the savings is the opportunity for Australians to buy drinks, shore tours and other items onboard Princess Daphne in Australian dollars.
Registered in Portugal and refurbished in 2008, the traditionally-styled Princess Daphne is purpose-built for ocean cruising and features five lounges and bars, elegant restaurant, gym/spa, library, casino, showlounge, spacious decks and 240 cabins, including 73 suites – six of which offer private balconies. A high 90 per cent of all cabins offer ocean views, mostly through traditional portholes.
The Princess Daphne sale fares are available via travel agents along with a brochure of the ship’s full season in the Far East this summer.

Return of Lagend of The Sea to Singapore.

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas has left the South China sea and is headed to Singapore for some popular southeast Asian cruises.  These cruises will cover holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year and there are over 20 sailing planned.
Legend of the Seas will make calls to ports including Phuket in Thailand and Penang, Kuala Lumpur or Langkawi in Malaysia.  Other cruise highlights include
  • A two-night weekender to Malacca in January
  • A seven- or eight-night cruise to Bali, Indonesia, in February
  • In March, the cruise ship will embark on a nine-night Exotic Asia Cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, visiting Ho Chi Minh City and Hue in Vietnam, Hong Kong and Xiamen.