LET'S TRAVEL

07/10/2024

A fabulous friend of mine for more decades than I care to remember has just had her first book published by New Holland Publishers: "My Summer of '69." by Penelope Gardiner. Please spread the word or even go online and buy a copy - it's a must read.

My Summer of '69 is a memoir and to some extent the beginning of the 10-year travel recollections of a 21 year old Kiwi girl on her first "Overseas Experience." In 1969 Penelope Gardiner broke all the boundaries and expected rules when it came to travelling to Europe, by falling in love and getting married to a man she hardly knew, within the first few weeks of visiting a small seaside village south of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. This is a rip-roaring sojourn that you won't be able to put back down once you start reading of her adventurous young life.

A former surfer girl prior to her early overseas travels, Penelope resides in her favourite New Zealand, West Coast surfing town of Raglan - a place she now calls home.

Buy your New Holland Publishing copy online: ThriftBooks, IPG Book Distributor, Bookswagon, New Holland, Indigo, BookScouter, TradeMe, the Nile or Amazon.
RRP Aud $27.99 and NZ $30.00 (Note: prices may vary).

07/08/2024

Bula Dallas! Fiji Airways Announces Direct Service Between Fiji and Dallas* Fiji Airways’ new route will connect travellers with an additional 247 destinations through one of the busiest travel hubs in the world. Fiji Airways has today announced the introduction of the first ever non-stop flights between Nadi, Fiji and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, USA, commencing in December 2024*.The new non-stop 13-hour service will operate three times per week every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday utilising Fiji Airways’ state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft. The aircraft will feature 301 economy class seats, which recently won “Best Economy Class” in Australia and Pacific at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards 2024, and 33 business class lie-flat, all aisle access, seats.The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart on 10 December 2024, with special introductory fares now available for purchase on the Fiji Airways website at fijiairways.com. Speaking on the new route, Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, said “Introducing a direct service between Fiji and Dallas is a really exciting milestone for Fiji Airways, as we continue to increase Fiji’s connectivity with the United States and beyond, offering our guests more travel options.”The new service to Dallas will complement various other initiatives announced by the airline recently, including its plans to join the American Airlines’ AAdvantage® loyalty program in the coming year and becoming the 15th full member of the oneworld alliance in 2025. When flying with Fiji Airways, American Airlines AAdvantage® and oneworld members will soon be able to earn and burn frequent flyer miles, and earn status credits, further enhancing the airline’s offering in terms of connectivity and loyalty. “The Fiji-Dallas service will make it easier than ever for North Americans and AAdvantage members to holiday in the South Pacific, adding more than 1,000 seats a week from North America to the pristine shores of Fiji,” said Viljoen.To celebrate the announcement, Fiji Airways has launched special introductory return airfares between Fiji and Dallas from Fiji Airways points in Australia and New Zealand to Dallas starting from just AUD 1,599 from Australia and NZD 1,199 from New Zealand. Fares are now available for purchase on the Fiji Airways website at fijiairways.com or via your preferred travel agent (terms and conditions apply – see website for details). Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Hon Professor Biman Prasad, expressed his enthusiasm for the announcement, stating “Fiji Airways’ new direct route to Dallas is an exciting development for Fiji and will help pave the way for expanded opportunities in tourism and trade between our two nations. Dallas has immense potential as a new source market for Fiji’s tourism industry, with DFW International Airport currently ranked the third-busiest airport in the world and the state of Texas home to some of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.”Dallas will be Fiji Airways' 24th international direct destination and will be the fifth North American port served by the airline, along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Vancouver. At the recent SKYTRAX World Airline Awards 2024, Fiji Airways was crowned Skytrax Best Airline in Australia & the Pacific 2024, and was also awarded: • Skytrax Best Airline Staff in Australia & the Pacific 2024• Skytrax Best Cabin Crew in Australia & the Pacific 2024• Skytrax Best Economy Class in Australia & the Pacific 2024• Skytrax Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Australia & the Pacific 2024“Travellers to and from Dallas will experience our award-winning service and warm Fijian hospitality in the comfort of our modern A350 aircraft with lie-flat business class seats and generous space in economy,” Viljoen added. * Flights to, from or via Dallas are subject to US Government regulatory approvals.

09/05/2024

09/05/2024

Sunrise over the Colorado River in Arizona with our Cruise America RV on our first nights stop on our 3 week sojourn around Arizona

15/06/2023

Amazing night at with our friends from Louisiana - even made our own sazeracs - Explore Louisiana

01/06/2023

Our June issue is out the door today...with a massive look at the city of Paris...a city that will host the RWC final later this year as well as the host city for the 2024 Olympics. Also featured are Egypt, Brisbane, Western Australia, NZ's Manawatu region as well as Samoa - to subscribe go to www.isubscribe.com

25/05/2023

From our editor at large, Shane Boocock.....

Save Money with a Eurail Pass:
Make sure when you buy a Eurail Pass to do so in your home country as it is cheaper and way more affordable than doing so in a European country and the system is now all processed on an smartphone app.

I used mine for the first time when I exited Heathrow Airport in London. I was then unsure how to get to central London as there were two choices - take the Underground or catch a train? Well I quickly learnt Eurail is not acceptable on the Underground, so I took the next available train from Terminal 4 to Bond Street Station. Then I paid to take two underground stops to reach Marylebone Station. Having logged onto my Eurail App I plotted my National Train Journey to Bicester which when activated brought up a bar code. They either scan it at the barrier gate or they visually look at it on your phone - with no reservations required I simply waited for the next scheduled train and 45 minutes later I arrived at my destination. Remember if you’re unsure, just keep asking rail people and they will happily help.

Note, most trains offer a 1st Class option and that means you receive a food and beverage service as part of your ticket.