A new way to explore the beauty of Tasmania

There is a new way to discover the beauty of Tasmanian from above. 

Above and Beyond now operates scenic seaplane flights and charters from Kings Pier Marina, Franklin wharf, on Hobart’s waterfront.

The eight-seat (including the pilot) de Havilland Beaver is an amphibious aircraft, which means it can land both on water or land – so travelling just about anywhere is possible.

Tasmania is world famous for its natural beauty and spectacular landscapes. Now, Above and Beyond is providing the rare opportunity to experience this remarkable island from the air and touch down in some spectacular locations.

From a quick 25-minute ‘city scenic' flight to the remote south-west wilderness or sunny east coast, Above and Beyond says it aims to provide its customers with an experience they will never forget.

City Scenic: After taking off from the heart of Hobart’s waterfront, this scenic flight will give you a bird’s eye view of the city, before heading south to follow the River Derwent’s western shore as far as North West Bay. From here, the journey heads east to the rugged cliffs and white sandy beaches of Bruny Island. The flight then heads back up the river’s eastern shore, reaching the famous Tasman Bridge and experiencing views of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Flights finish with a river landing and return to dock at Franklin Wharf.

Three Capes Panoramic: This scenic flight departs from Franklin Wharf and heads south-east to the spectacular Tasman Peninsula. From here it takes in the famous Three Capes from a perspective that very few people get to experience. A touch down at Port Arthur to view the UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site and its surrounds from the water. Flights then make their way towards Cape Raoul and return to Hobart with fantastic views of the city and kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

For details see https://aboveandbeyond.flights/

Scoot opens the doors to one of Asia's least-visited countries

Laos is one of the least-visited nations in Asia but budget airline Scoot aims to make it more accessible for all travellers.

Scoot is offering "new route" launch fares to Vientiane and Luang Prabang from today until January 22 starting from $189 from Perth, $199 from the Gold Coast and $209 each way from Sydney and Melbourne.

Bags and food are extra, of course, but these prices via Scoot's Singapore base do include taxes.

The thrice-weekly flights depart Singapore at 0900 on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, arrive into Luang Prabang at 1110, and then on to Vientiane by 1300, and depart Vientiane at 1350 to arrive back in Singapore at 1800 (all local times – with no domestic flight available between Luang Prabang and Vientiane)

Scoot has timed its launch flight for April 1, just in time for an arrival for Lao New Year celebrations.

Lee Lik Hsin, the Scoot CEO, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Laos to our network. We are confident that the addition of Vientiane and Luang Prabang will boost Scoot’s proposition as a network carrier offering refreshing travel opportunities for those seeking authentic experiences off the beaten track."

Luang Prabang (below) is a UNESCO-protected town encircled by the Phou Thao and Phou Nang mountains. Visitors can take a hike, go caving or trekking, or sail on a relaxing sunset cruise down the majestic Mekong River.

Vientiane, the administrative capital, is rich in history with French influences obvious. Visitors can take a leisurely tour around town in a songthaew (open share bus) or visit Pha That Luang, the historic Bhuddist Temple dating back to the 1500s.

The three-times-weekly flights operated with Scoot’s A320 aircraft are due to commence on April 1. The routes were transferred from sister airline SilkAir, making Scoot the only airline offering direct Singapore-Laos flights from April 2019.

Luang Prabang and Vientiane are the first two of several new destinations Scoot will be adding to its network this year.

Book your tickets at https://www.flyscoot.com.

Special deals on South American tours

South America is the final frontier for a lot of Australians, who have done Europe and Asia and have little interest in visiting the US while it is run by a lunatic. 

Contours Travel is offering a discount of $500 per couple on its hosted Treasures of South America tour - a 27-day itinerary which includes canoe trips on the Amazon river, the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu and the excitement of Rio de Janeiro. 

Two departures: in April and September, 2019, are available.

As Australia’s longest-running tourism operator for Latin America, Contours Travel’s Treasures of South America Tour is billed as being ideal for first-time visitors to the continent. 

The escorted, all-inclusive itinerary takes travellers through Peru, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina, while travelling in a small group of 16 or less. I did Peru with Contours a couple of years ago and it was truly memorable.

Bookings made before February 15, 2019, will attract a $250 discount per person.

Highlights of the tour include private tango lessons in Buenos Aires, fishing for piranhas on the Amazon River and a ride in the world’s highest urban cable car in La Paz. 

The tour begins in Peru’s capital, Lima, with its historic buildings and impressive sea views, before continuing to the Amazon, where travellers will stay in a remote jungle lodge, surrounded by monkeys, sloths, parrots and kingfishers. 

After two full days exploring the Amazon on canoe and swimming with pink river dolphins, guests will fly to the Sacred Valley where they will learn more about the Andean lifestyle, before exploring the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world.

From there, guests will visit the cities of Cuzco, Puno and La Paz, each with their own charms, before staying at the Chilean capital of Santiago, where they can enjoy a full day tour of the city’s most important buildings and monuments, as well as visiting one of Chile’s most renowned wineries. 

The journey will continue to Rio, with visits to the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio Cathedral, and a cable car ride tour to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, which offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Rio. Beware in Rio, however, even canny travellers can get robbed here. 

Two nights will then be spent at Iguazu Falls, where brave travellers can experience the staggering power of the waterfalls by riding the river rapids.

The tour will finish at Buenos Aires, known as the 'Paris of the Americas’, for its historic mansions and vibrant culture, before guests fly back to Australia.

Including a $250 discount if booked by February, 15, 2019, the 27-day escorted tour is available from $14,949 per person, twin-share, from Sydney. The deal is valid for departures on April 21, and September 8, 2019. The package includes return economy flights from Australia and 42 meals.

To book or make enquiries call Contours Travel on 1300 135 391 or visit www.contourstravel.com.au

Hotel tribes go to war. Melbourne's newest luxury accommodation unveiled.

The Melbourne hotel market is becoming ultra-competitive with dozens of new properties due to throw open their doors over the next 12 months.

One of the early 2019 debutants will be Shadow Play by Peppers - located in the city’s vibrant Southbank arts and entertainment district.

Offering a first glimpse of what future guests can expect when the new hotel opens in April 2019, the prototype room features "bold" designs.

Designed by Melbourne architects Elenberg Fraser and with interior design by Melbourne design firm Hecker Guthrie (who seem to work with virtually every new hotel in the city), the hotel features what is described as "avant garde design" - a palette of contrasts - light and dark, formal and informal, and seductive dark statement pieces contrasting with white stone and timber.

All apartments are self-contained, the press release says (when are they not, one might ask?).

AccorHotels Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath, said the prototype Shadow Play by Peppers room demonstrates the Peppers brand’s commitment to quality.

“We’re excited visitors to Southbank will soon be able to experience Peppers’ unique style and acclaimed hospitality,” he said.

“Southbank is in need of a sophisticated luxury hotel product to cater to an increasingly selective global market that is looking for quality, location and facilities of a world-class calibre.

“This opening also represents a strong indication of our continued focus on the introduction of the luxury Peppers brand to key CBD markets.”

Construction and fit out of Shadow Play by Peppers’ remaining guest rooms, restaurant and bar, leisure facilities and common areas is on track to be completed by April 2019.

The hotel says its Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar will be positioned to be one of Melbourne’s finest food and wine experiences.

The property will also feature a heated pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam room, and an enclosed garden space on the 46th floor, complete with a freestanding fireplace, two private dining rooms, a guest lounge and library with an adjoining patio, and bay views.

Shadow Play by Peppers is Peppers’ second hotel in Melbourne (following Peppers Docklands, which opened in January 2016). From the image supplied, the room looks just like any other hotel room (above). Hopefully, looks are deceiving.

A pre-opening special of $219 per night is available in a one-bedroom apartment including breakfast for two and wifi. To book visit www.peppers.com.au or call 1300 737 444.

Does Australia really need another wine “festival”?

The PR people are back in their offices after their annual break and here is news of another new wine and food festival. 

The inaugural two-day CBD and Vines festival will be held in Adelaide City on February 2-3 (that's less than a month away). 

The blurb says the the event will "bring together the best of over 80 South Australian, interstate and international wines at one gorgeous CBD location". 

It also says festival lovers, wine and beverage enthusiasts, and young professionals, who work, live and play in the city, will be delighted with this new introduction to the wine festival scene.

I'm not so sure. Without a real point of difference, does Australia really need another commercially motivated wine-tasting event? 

Event organiser Chad Hanson said: “South Australia is the wine capital of Australia, and one of the nine great wine capitals of the world. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by 200 unique cellar doors, but distance and time can mean that you’re limited to just one of our many beautiful regions.

“CBD & Vines is bringing all those beautiful wineries from surrounding regions, including Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and more, to the city, where you can visit and sample the magnificent wines from a number of wineries in just one day."

CBD & Vines will be held across Electra House Hotel's three levels, both indoors and outdoors. The indoor space will be dedicated to wine, with wineries and suppliers like Coriole, Koerner, Moet Hennessy, Samuel Smith & Sons, and Unico Zelo, while the outdoor space, called Tin Can Alley will feature Mismatch Brewing Co, Tiny Rebel, Little Bang Brewing, Hills Cider etc. 

Electra’s new lounge bar PMQ will host a small selection of gin and whisky distilleries.

There will also be "grazing plates" (that one was a given), featuring a selection of both local and international cheeses and cured meats with fruits, condiments and breads.

Wine lovers will be able to sample standard wines for $2.50 for half a glass or $5 for a full glass, while premium wines will cost $5 for half a glass or $10 for a full glass, with entry to the event costing $40 for one day or $70 for two, which includes a stemless Riedel glass. 

So, just another piss up then? 

Not according to Chad. 

“It’s a summer-time celebration of wine and food in one central, perfect location,” he says. 

It turns out Chad is the hotel general manager and a cocktail guy; so I'll suspend judgement 

Tickets are on sale now, with a limited number of early bird tickets priced at $30 available for those quick off the mark. Tickets are available via https://cbdandvines.com.au/

"The most luxurious cruise ship ever built" heads Down Under

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced that "The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built", The Seven Seas Explorer, will cruise Australian and New Zealand waters as part of her 2020-21 season for the first time.

With over $US450 million spent on building the exclusive 375-suite ship – including an art collection and one of the biggest suites at sea – the “Seven Seas Explorer was built for the 1-percenters, with no expense spared every detail was meant to create an everlasting impression on her guests,” says Lisa Pile, Vice President Sales, Australia & New Zealand at Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“We are incredibly excited to be able to share her unrivalled elegance with local Australian and New Zealand travellers as part of her inaugural season, and to give them a taste of what a truly all-inclusive, luxury cruise ship offers," she says with impressive hype.

"What sets Seven Seas Explorer apart from the rest is her spacious, all-balcony and all-suite accommodation, free gourmet dining across all her restaurants, free fine wines and premium spirits, free unlimited shore excursions in every port of call – and not to mention her near 1-to-1 staff to guest ratio and unrivalled personalised service – which are all part of Regent’s all-inclusive fare.”

Seven Seas Explorer boasts all-suite, all-balcony accommodation featuring sublime European beds, marble bathrooms, luxury amenities from L’Occitane, Bvlgari, Guerlain and Hermes, some of the biggest verandas at sea and a mini-bar that is replenished daily free-of-charge.

For those truly wanting to experience the ‘suite life’, the crown-jewel of Seven Seas Explorer is her one-of-a-kind Regent Suite which features two bedrooms, a living room and a dining room, two rare Picasso lithographs, a custom Steinway piano, an in-suite spa retreat – including heated-tile loungers, sauna, and a hot tub on the veranda – unlimited in-suite treatments from the ship’s Canyon Ranch spa and a private car with driver in every port.

Seven Seas Explorer offers seven speciality restaurants allowing guests to dine whenever, wherever they choose, each with no additional cover charges.

At 56,000 tonnes and carrying only 750 guests, Seven Seas Explorer boasts one of the highest space ratios of any cruise ship.

Seven Seas Explorer will be entering Australian waters for the first time on December 28, 2020, visiting Darwin before she sails down to Sydney on January 6, 2021.

There are nine all-inclusive itineraries exploring regional waters throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and The South Pacific from November 2020 until April 2021.

For more information on Seven Seas Explorer’s Australasian itineraries, visit: www.rssc.com/explorer2020-21