 | Travelscene Samford Shop 12, Samford Central Mt Glorious Road, Samford Qld 4520 Phone 3289 3700 Fax 3289 3600 Email info@travelscenesamford.com.au |
 | #2 - The Pink Issue |
| Welcome to our pink issue of The Samford Traveller |
 Well we’ve been very busy the last few months with loads of clients taking advantage of the great European Earlybird deals out. Nearly 20% of our current bookings are taking in Italy this year, with many going back again to further explore this beautiful country.Whilst this issue focuses on some romantic/honeymoon destinations, I haven’t left out our solo travellers. Check out our “did you know?” section on below for some great ideas and the low-down on some companies who are going that extra length to be more single-friendly – for example, not charge single supplements! You can even join me when as I take 15 ladies on a shopping trip to Vietnam 22 May-01Jun, see below for more details. We always endeavour to support and contribute to our community and for the month of March we have decided to donate $10 for each overseas booking we make to the McGrath Foundation. Stay tuned in our next edition, which will be our “green issue” on how we went. On a sadder note we said goodbye to our much loved colleague, Jenny Magee last week. Jenny has decided she needs some time out to re-charge and focus on her family at home. I’ve worked and travelled along side Jenny for over 5 years and I miss her already, I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing her and her family good health and happiness (mustn’t get teary again…) Happy travelling, Joanne Harding-Smith x |
| In the Spotlight | ||
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| Women Only - Shopping Trip to Vietnam |
 It’s on again, this time we’re going to Vietnam.Like last time it is first in best dressed and I’m only taking 15 ladies. I invited a few of my regulars and I already have five people booked. The great thing about this trip is you can come on your own – and most ladies do, you can either have your own room or I match you up with someone to get the twin-share price. We spent a long time working on the dates of this trip to ensure we are in Hanoi over the weekend so we can go to their local weekend markets in the old French quarter. Then tied that in with the full moon festival in Hoi An – this is a magical night where all the street lights are turned off and the town is lit up with candles, thousands of them floating down the river – we’re booked into the funky Mango rooms restaurant right in the thick of it that night. We have 4 nights in Hoi An to visit the tailors and get all our gear made at a fraction of the prices we’re used to. Oh, and inbetween, we’ll be enjoying an overnight cruise out to Halong Bay on the luxurious Bhaya Cruises – for an inclusive price of $3,095 – it’s a bargain. For a detailed day-by-day itinerary just email me on joanne@travelscenesamford.com.au. |
| Look Where Barbara Has Been! |
| Club Med on Bintan island in Indonesia. What was the highlight of this trip? Club Med is an all inclusive resort. So it was great to be able to try new things and activities without having to pay extra. I got to try golf, archery, water aerobics. If I had more time I could have done crafts, tennis, beach volleyball and heaps of others. This destination is best known for its wonderful golf course at Ria Bintan. It is a world famous 36 hole championship course with wonderful views all along the coastline. This destination is perfect for families, golfers, couples. Club Med is very safe and has everything you would want right in the resort from activities to entertainment and lots of dining options. If you decide to travel with your family Club Med is very family friendy and you will find a lot of activities to keep older children entertained.Try the flying trapeze and have a go at all the other activities that are on hand at Club Med. The best time to travel to this destination is from March to Oct. Dining options are great. They have a buffet restaurant that caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Heaps of selections here, all sorts of cuisines to suit any palate. They also have an a la carte restaurant. And if that is not enough they have all day snacking as well at various snack places. So if you feel like a coffee and a muffin or light snack that is on hand all the time. So whatever you feel like eating, you can get at Club Med Ria Bintan. Club Med, Ria Bintan is a only an hour's ferry ride from Singapore so it makes it a very easy resort to get to. You could even stop over in Singapore on your way to Europe and take a short side trip over to Bintan and have a great relaxing holiday there. |
| Top 3 Honeymoon Experiences... | Did you know? |
 1. TAHITI Okay so we’ve all seen the recent movie “Couples Retreat”, rumour has it Vince Vaughn and his cohorts were looking for an excuse to have an all expenses paid trip at beautiful Bora Bora in Tahiti. It really does look like that and it’s exquisite, the overwater bungalows, tropical fruits, moonlight walks on the beach…aaahhhh. Not for those on a budget though, best to speak to Debbie in our office who recently returned from a family, on what suits you best. An affordable option can be cruising around French Polynesia; with our Aussie dollar being so strong against the US there are unprecedented deals out.  2. FIJI There’s a reason this remains one of Australia’s most favourite honeymoon destinations, it’s easy and affordable to get to, they speak the language, there’s always good deals, and they have some of the most beautiful resorts and island imaginable. Something here for everyone and no sitting on a plane for endless hours. Although why just honeymoon there when you can get married there? Most resorts have a series of wedding packages from which to choose and they do all the legwork.Already married? Why not take some friends and renew your vows for your next wedding anniversary.  3. ZAMBIA We selected this country as Joanne spent 10 days there on her last trip to Africa, and for people looking for a more unspoilt African experience, it doesn’t get a lot more exotic than Zambia. The roads are atrocious here so travel between exotic game lodges are usually done by air and the scenery is stunning. Fancy kayaking downstream in the Zambezi River, pausing to let the elephants cross of course, before pulling up at the other end to sundowners whilst watching the sunset? It doesn’t get any better than that. Doesn’t have to be Zambia, can be South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana. Why not combine your African safari with a romantic getaway on a beach in Zanzibar, Mozambique or Mauritius, the possibilities are endless… | Solo Traveller It can be tricky choosing a holiday on your own where you’re comfortable, you fit in and you don’t feel like the third wheel. I book a lot of my solo clients on touring holidays – choosing companies that do not charge single supplements. This is a great option as you are traveling with like-minded people and whilst you’re happy to explore on your own during the day, it’s always nice to enjoy the social side and dine with your fellow travellers. River Cruising through Europe is extremely popular but the single supplements are a killer. Currently Avalon Waterways have removed the single supplement from some of their trips, this is quite rare so if you’re thinking of going contact us for details. Otherwise with APT you can be put on their willing to share register. On exclusive sailings they will match up those who are willing to share a suite with another single traveller of the same gender, so you don’t have to pay the single supplement. Grand Pacific Tours run an annual 16-day single travellers tour all over New Zealand, the price is $3,899 and includes flights, accommodation, 2 meals a day, all sightseeing so it’s great value. |
| Joanne's Pearls of Wisdom |
How to plan for a trip so nothing goes wrong ... and what to do if it does ...
What to do if things don’t go to plan:
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| Sports Travel |
| Bridge is the most popular game in the world, with the estimated number of worldwide total bridge players exceeding 60 million. The game is perfect for all ages and is a great way to get to know people, travel the world and create wonderful new experiences. So if you love the game why not take a trip that encompasses bridge playing? In particular Voyages of Discovery have a selection of unique voyages onboard their 4-star MV Discovery that features Bridge as one of their focuses. They run tournaments from beginners upwards, great place to learn or hone your skills and they have some of the world’s best bridge players onboard some of their exotic Asian itineraries. So if you or some members of your bridge group would like some more information please contact us. |
| Give the gift of travel! |
The best way to make a loved one’s day, a Travelscene gift certificate is the ultimate idea for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. |
| To book your next travel adventure phone, email or pop into Travelscene Samford, Shop 12 Samford Central Mt Glorious Road, Samford, Qld 4520. Phone. 3289 3700 info@travelscenesamford.com.au |
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