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| Not another toaster – give the gift of travel |
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| Can't think of a wedding gift or want to set up a travel fund for a friend's milestone birthday? Getting married and want a honeymoon registry? So 2009. Gregor & Lewis has just launched the G & L Gift Registry. Give us a call and we can set up a special account where friends and family can put money towards a special holiday or honeymoon. Sydney G & L customer and inveterate traveller, Polly Yule, was over the moon when presented with a travel voucher for $2500 on her 40th birthday. 'What else do you need at 40, but a tour of Egypt and Jordan spending all my friends money . . . I'm off in June!' |
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| Greek odyssey: Patricia and the MSC Armonia in Corfu |
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| Smooth sailing with the SS Patricia |
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This month we welcome our newest consultant, Patricia McAlister, on board the good ship G & L. Patricia has been in the travel industry for more than two decades and is a self-confessed 'serial cruiser' having sailed or inspected more than 25 ships. Patricia is an Accredited Cruise Consultant and sites her favourite cruise destinations as the Greek Islands, the Nile and Mexico.
These are some of Patricia's insights when considering a cruise:
Know your ship – are you after a ship with family activities or don't want kids on board at all?
Research the time of year travelling – weather patterns are crucial to smooth sailing
Book a berth mid-ship – there's less movement
Request a balcony if your budget allows – what better way to enjoy cruising than from your own deck?
Request port-side – this means you'll have much more impressive views from your cabin when coming into port (well, most of the time depending on which port!)
When not using her sea legs, Patricia's knowledge of more landlocked nations is also impressive. Welcome aboard, Patricia.
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| Suite deals from the airlines |
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Ever flown to Europe in a private suite? Read on for all the great deals that have just touched down at Gregor & Lewis
Emirates return first class fares to Europe ex-Brisbane and Melbourne in private suites from $10,460 per person including taxes and chauffeur-driven transfers
Malaysian Airlines return companion business class fares to Europe ex-Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from $5990 per person including taxes
V Australia return economy class fares to Los Angeles ex-Sydney and Brisbane from $1035 per person including taxes
Thai Airways return economy class fares to Bangkok ex-Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from $1099 per person including taxes
Qantas Airways return economy class fares to Hong Kong ex-Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from $1165 per person including taxes
Airfares are subject to availability and maybe withdrawn at any time. Booking conditions and seasonality also apply.
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| Tour Sydney for free! |
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Sign up five friends to the G & L postcard and be in the running to win one of five copies of the Foodies' Guide to Sydney. Authors, Helen Greenwood and John Newton (ably assisted by our own Sally Lewis), have turned Sydney upside down to unearth more than 450 of the best food shops, produce, markets and merchants.
All you need to do is send an email to noosa@gregorlewis.com.au with five friends' emails who would like to receive G & L's quarterly postcard. The Foodies' Guide to Sydney is the bible for all Sydney's G & L travellers and friends. Available at all good book stores and newsagencies for just $29.95.
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| Shipwrecked? Not the Aussie cruise industry |
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According to figures just released, more Aussies are taking to the seas than ever before with a 26% rise in cruising numbers. G & L has always loved a ship (Melinda is a Master Cruise Consultant) and here are some of our favourite deals on sale now.
Med madness - Oceania Cruises are offering up to 70% discount on selected Mediteranean sailings for bookings made by 31 May 2009.
Europe - Seabourn are offering up to 60% off selected European sailings. APT Europe River Cruising are offering buy-one-get-one-free on Russian River Cruising with Viking Cruises. Departs May 2009 St Petersburg to Moscow. Prices from $4995 first passenger, second passenger free!
South Africa – Cape Town to Fremantle on the Sun Princess 20-night fly/cruise special departing 31 May 2009. Outside cabin guarantee from only $3915 per person twin share (ex-Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane) including three nights in Cape Town.
All specials are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
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| Up close and personal: Kristen shakes hands at Chiang Mai's Elephant Nature Park |
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| Fit for a queen: luxury bedding at Six Senses |
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| Room with a view: Phang Nga Bay from your own private villa at Six Senses |
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| Thai Princess Diaries |
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A five-star resort and travelling with pigs? G & L consultant, Kristen Cahill, travels like a princess and a pauper on her recent trip to Thailand and has the time of her life.
'I wouldn't call myself a princess but there are certain luxuries a girl likes to have – a flushing toilet, a shower that isn't a garden hose and to travel without a pig wrapped in a hessian bag squirming at your feet.
So what was I doing on an Imaginative Traveller tour in Thailand? Stepping out of my comfort zone and having the time of my life.
My adventure began in Bangkok, a remarkable city that has so much to offer. Must sees include the Reclining Buddha, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.
After a hectic day, the tour began: an overnight train to Chiang Mai, a visit to the night markets, a leisurely dinner and a swim in the hotel pool. The next day, however, the adventure really began.
We were off on a three-day trek to the remote hill tribe villages of Northern Thailand where the lifestyle has changed little in the last century. After three days of trekking up and down mountains, through mud, over jagged rocks, and being attacked by mosquitoes and leeches, we were rewarded with a bamboo-raft ride down the river to the last village.
We then visited an Elephant Nature Park where we got up close and personal with the most beautiful creatures you could ever meet, fed wild monkeys then took an elephant ride through the jungle and across the river.
We then flew south to Khao Sok National Park where we took a long boat ride to our over-water raft houses. The park covers 656-square kilometers and our boat trip took us through the breathtaking scenery: monstrous jaggered limestone crags that rise spectacularly out of the water, some up to 100 metres high.
Upon completion of my tour I was in desperate need of some serious R & R (and a good hot shower) and was extremely lucky to be able to spend my last four days at the magnificent Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi. This ultra-luxurious resort is located about 40 minutes by speedboat from Phuket. It comprises 54 private villas, a gorgeous spa, plus they set their clocks an hour ahead of local time so guests can enjoy an extra hour of daylight – what a great idea.
As soon as I stepped off the boat I felt like royalty. I was greeted by my own personal butler and whisked away to my villa. Words can not describe how breathtaking this resort is. I stepped onto a large deck with reclining lounges and my own secluded plunge pool. The view was a 180-degree picture-perfect postcard overlooking limestone crags. The interior of the villa was pure luxury, from the Egyptian cotton bedding to a sunken bath, outdoor shower, dressing room and plasma TV.
It was then time to return to reality. Looking back on my trip I can say I am very proud of myself. I conquered some of my greatest fears – travelling alone, exercise, spiders, leeches and stepping out of my comfort zone. And to me that is what a great holiday is all about.
To find out more about Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, or the Imaginative Traveller contact Kristen at kristencahill@gregorlewis.com.au.
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| Roses only: flower markets |
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| Tanks alot: live seafood at Lamma |
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| Island life: chilli bean crab on Lamma Island |
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| Hot dish: Schezwan crab at Hutong |
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| Hong Kong Sevens – seven good reasons to visit (well ten – we always like a bargain) |
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Don't hang out in Hong Kong if the credit card is maxed, eating isn't your thing, or you prefer B & Bs to big cities. Hong Kong is big, brash and bloody delicious. Bring it on.
1. Eat goose at Yung Kee
A posh roast-meat specialist restaurant heaving with salarymen. The award-winning menu for two is good value and the goose is so good you'll never eat duck again. Bookings essential info@yungkee.com.hk, 32-40 Wellington Street, Central.
2. Seafood lunch on Lamma
Join the procession of ferries filled with HK families to this outlying island. Choose a fresh fish or crab from the tank, some live prawns and have them returned to your table smothered in black beans, chilli and garlic, all washed down with Tsingtao. Book Rainbow Seafood Restaurant and take advantage of their free ferry shuttle from Kowloon or Central, only 40 minutes. Bookings on 852 29828100.
3. Visit the flower and bird markets
Be amazed by the bouquets being ferried away by amahs, and the perfect rose buds, then head around the corner to the bird markets where you'll find sparrows, parrots, worms and grasshoppers all for sale. Get off at Prince Edward MTR and follow the signs.
4. Toast Hong Kong at Aqua Spirit then eat at Hutong
For arguably the world's most exciting bar/restaurant-with-a-view followed by the world's prettiest and death defyingly hot chilli dish (soft-shell crab with Szechwan peppers), make tracks to Levels 30 and 28, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
5. Yum cha at Luk Yu Tea House
You'll have to bully the grumpy man at the door to get in, but you'll be glad you did. Exquisite tea, beef balls and egg tarts – you'll be in dim sum heaven. (Tip: head straight up the stairs on the left. Do not stop.) 24 Stanley Street, Central. Victoria Seafood Restaurants in Admirality and Wanchai also have great yum cha with views.
6. Dinner at l'Atelier Joel Robuchon
Blow the budget and be blown away with a sublime 'small tastes' dinner at Robuchon's 36-seater bar. Ogling the 2000-plus wine list is enough for some like a certain Stuart Gregor. 4th Floor, The Landmark, Central.
7. Half-price designer frocks
The first three floors of this building next to Shanghai Tang is filled with shops flogging last season's gear (Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Pucci). It can be hard work finding the good stuff so leave the men-folk at home. 12 Pedder Street, Central. (Tip: maybe go before # 6).
8. Yin Yang
Hong Kong's first female celebrity chef, Margaret Xu Yuan, serves up organics, 'soup without water' and the best pig in town at her tiny restaurant in Wanchai. BYO, set menus and a minimum of four people only. Bookings esssential booking@yinyang.hk, 18 Ship Street, Wanchai. A Hong Kong restaurant you only hear about.
9. And....
Marvel at the MTR, go up to the Peak, catch the Star Ferry, wander around the Peninsula's lobby, go to every big-name store for the best in retailing (Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Vuitton), visit Sasa for cosmetics, head to the lower ground floor of the Ocean Terminal for kids stuff, wander Hollywood Road for homewares and the Man Mo temple, go for night Friday drinks in Lan Kwai Fong, search out a foot massage, and hunt down a 'copy bag' store – just ask the local gweilos (or G & L) where to go.
10. Don't go to Stanley but do...
Stay in Kowloon for the better views. The Sheraton Hotel & Towers on Nathan Road, is incredibly central (opposite the Peninsula) and has great packages, including breakfast and harbour views. Contact Gregor & Lewis for deals.
Please note all prices and specials featured in this newsletter are subject to change and availability. |
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Brent Stephens MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi's team mechanic and G & L traveller |
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The king and I: Brent and Valentino |
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Valentino loves Ibiza, what's your favourite OS destination
Barcelona
What makes it special
The weather and beach
And in Australia
Home on Gold Coast's hinterland
At home do you travel by car, motorbike or public transport
A Holden HSV ClubSports
Most memorable MotoGP
2004 first victory with Valentino on the Yamaha in South Africa
Most fun MotoGP
Barcelona
In-flight distractions
Screaming babies
Packing tips
Travel light
What's on your iPod
Pop and modern radio stuff
What do you always pack
Credit card
Anything to remind you of home
Photos of the family
Best shopping
America
Favourite hotel
Sheraton in Rio de Janeiro for it's location right on Ipanema Beach
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