Monaco speeds into 21st century as Australia stagnates

While Australians struggle with their second-rate NBN (thanks Malcolm) the Principality of Monaco is now completely connected to 5G making it the first in the world to achieve total coverage with the high-speed technology.



The 5G roll-out is the first pillar of the Extended Monaco program.

Frédéric Genta, the country's Chief Digital Officer, highlighted the enormous change that 5G will bring about: “5G is not simply an improved version of 4G, it represents a paradigm shift. Whilst all of the previous generations focused on telecommunications and exchanges between individuals, 5G is shaping the integration of digital technology into every part of our society and our economy.

"Energy, health, media and transport will all be transformed thanks to 5G... The technology offers enormous opportunities for the Principality, its residents, its public policies and its economy, and these will benefit everyone.

This new technology is essential if we are to offer our clients better service and meet their growing expectations for high-speed mobile access.

“The future applications of 5G in the everyday lives of Monegasques look extremely promising. In parallel with the launch of 5G, Monaco Telecom is continuing to roll out its fibre network in order to deliver service quality that is acknowledged as the best in the world. This is our goal for the company and our mission as the national operator.”

From a technical point of view, 5G will make it possible to increase speeds ten-fold and reduce connection times by 10. Simultaneous processing will also be improved ten-fold and will be able to support more connected objects via antennae.

“5G represents an enormous opportunity for us to attract further demand from both MICE and leisure segments” said Alison Roberts-Brown, Regional Director of Visit Monaco Australia and New Zealand.

“This is yet another testament of Monaco's dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking approach and commitment to offering its visitors nothing but the best quality services” she added.

As part of the “Smart Principality” concept, developed by the #ExtendedMonaco program, Monaco is also currently trialling its first autonomous electric shuttle bus, providing a service for residents and tourists.

Iconic South African hotel encourages longer stays

South Africa is one of my favourite three countries to visit (France and Thailand are the others, thanks for asking). 

Cape Town is my No.1 destination city in South Africa, and the Table Bay is one of my top hotel picks. 

I mention this because The Table Bay just announced a saving of 10% on stays of a minimum four nights. 

The waterfront is a popular holiday hot spot for Australians and New Zealanders and offers a range of  guest experiences in and around the perfectly situated location including:

# Surroundings that include the busy harbour and splendid views of Cape Town's Table Mountain 

# Treatments at Camelot Spa

# Shopping at renowned shopping destination, the V&A Waterfront

# Exploring Cape Town with tour packages booked by The Table Bay’s travel desk

# Reaching new heights aboard the hop-on-hop-off shuttle service operating every two hours from The Table Bay from 9am-50pm with stops at the Convention Centre and Greenmarket Square en route to Table Mountain

# Free wifi access throughout hotel 

Part of Sun International’s Sunlux Collection, The Table Bay Extend Your Stay and Save 10% offer is non-refundable and valid on bookings across all room categories until December 31, 2019 with lead-in rate of ZAR 3345 per person twin share for four nights.

For information and bookings for The Table Bay in Australia, contact The Unique Tourism Collection on (02) 9211 6590.

https://www.suninternational.com/table-bay/

Jansz ups the ante with new release

A few weeks ago I spent a lovely time at the Jansz cellar door in Tasmania, tasting the impressive current releases and sampling some local cheeses.

Jansz, one of the pioneers of sparking wine in Tasmania, has released its latest Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay in new, luxurious full-on Champenoise packaging.

Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay 2014 is bottled in premium clear glass, signifying the purity and elegance of the Blanc de Blancs style and the terroir.

Just as some of the world’s finest Champagne houses have done, the distinct packaging
visually elevates the Vintage Chardonnay to the pinnacle of the Jansz Tasmania collection.

“We know that consumers are seeking theatre and innovation to engage with the premium
sparkling wine category," said Jansz Tasmania marketing manager Christine Phillips. "The Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay is now packaged to encapsulate luxury and elegance. 

"It’s the perfect gift or added theatre when presented at the table.”
Each bottle is packaged in a luxury gift box for an added element of theatre and to protect
the wine from light exposure during storage.
he wine is sourced from a single block in the Jansz Tasmania Estate Vineyard at Pipers River, and is made only in the very best vintages. 

Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay 2014 sells RRP $65. I'll add rtasting notes after sampling the wine.  

New international hotel for Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast of Queensland is to get its first new-build hotel since the 1980s. 

Leading Australian hotel investment and development company, Pro-Invest will open a Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore Town Centre in 2020. 

The 167-room hotel will be located in the heart of the new Maroochydore CBD.

The nine-storey Holiday Inn Express & Suites is planned to have 167 rooms, a swimming pool, bar and dining venue, conference and function facilities, and ground-level retail.

Announcing the project, Ronald Barrott, CEO of Pro-Invest, said the Sunshine Coast was going through an unprecedented economic transformation, and the acquisition of the site was a reflection of the group's ability to target and deliver high-quality hotel development opportunities.

“This will be one of the region's most significant tourism infrastructure projects in decades,” Barrott said.

“While there have been some hotel developments proposed for the Sunshine Coast in recent years, they are still a long way from being realised. In contrast, Pro-Invest has the unique advantage in the Australian hotel landscape of being able to deliver projects from inception to opening.”

It is planned to have the hotel open to coincide with the official launch of the new Sunshine Coast Airport runway at the end of 2020.  

For fireworks head to Macao

Macao is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China with a bang.

For the first time in the three-decade history of the annual Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, the competition will involve 12 nations, two more than in previous challenges.

The contest, to be held over six nights from September 7 until October 5, 2019, will be the most comprehensive and spectacular series of fireworks displays staged in the former Portuguese enclave.

The best vantage points will be along the waterfront near the iconic 338-metre high Macau Tower.

On top of this extravaganza, a special 20th anniversary fireworks night has been scheduled for December 20, the date of the handover in 1999, followed by the traditional New Year fireworks on December 31.

“Anyone who plans to visit Macao before the end of the year can expect some special moments during the year-long 20th anniversary celebrations,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand).

“In addition to the various fireworks, Macao will host a series of major festivals, some that will have you dancing in the streets,” she said.

“Among those is the colourful International Parade along with the inaugural five-month long Art Macao festival which was launched in June and finishes on October 31.

“In line with Macao's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the mouth-watering Macanese cuisine will be highlighted at the many festivals.”

For dates and details phone (02) 9264 1488 or check out www.visitmacao.com.au  

New tour is heaven for wine and chocolate lovers

Chocolate and wine lovers will be in food and wine heaven with the launch of a new itinerary for Adelaide Sightseeing's intimate full-day Barossa Food and Wine Experience Tour. 

The tour now visits the new Barossa Valley Chocolate Company making it a day of wine, chocolate, more wine, chocolate, cheese and treats.

The tour begins at Pindarie where vigneron Wendy Allan offers a range of tastings and cheeses in the charm of sandstone stables converted into a cellar door and café. 

Then it is coffee and cake on the verandah, or in winter, cosied up around the fire overlooking the bucolic views dominated by shiraz vines.

Then the tour moves on to Maggie Beer's Farm Shop to see and sample the famous food identity's world of local produce and a close encounter with the The Cook and the Chef' kitchen. 

Lunch is at Lambert Estate, with panoramic vineyard views, halls of local art, and a balcony in summer or by a crackling fire mid-year. Guests will be treated to wine tastings along with family anecdotes and wine notes. 

After a hearty two-course long-table lunch, visitors enjoy a coffee and Chocolatier (chocolate port). 

After lunch a photo stop at Mengler's Hill offers sweeping valley views, before a tasting at the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company.

Sit down to a flight of local Vineyard Road wines and chocolates, with an expert guide revealing why they work so well together together. 

The coach then meanders back to Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills. 

The Barossa Food and Wine Experience Tour is priced at $135 per adult and includes morning pick up and evening set down at selected Adelaide hotels, full-day guided small coach tour with expert commentary by local driver/guide, lunch, all activities and tastings.

The tour departs Adelaide Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Call 1300 769 762 or visit www.adelaidesightseeing.com.au