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The Eco-Friendly Deer Park Hotel, Sri Lanka

(by Maureen Perera) Set within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka and nestling on the banks of the scenic Giritale reservoir is the Deer Park Hotel, which as it name suggests is a location of serenity with an ambience for unwinding one’s stressed condition.

It is situated not far from Polonnaruwa. The immediate overall impression one gets on alighting on the scene is an eco-friendly atmosphere. But the vital element of the hospitality trade, customer care, aided by modern luxury creature comfort facilities, is conspicuous.

However, the concept of the hotel complex design is unique. It is the ingenuity of conserving the environment without contaminating or destroying the natural resources of the surroundings. One gets the feeling of the splendour of the jungle fastness isolation, yet not missing out on five-star amenities.

The hotel complex is owned and managed by Jinasena Management Service (Pvt.) Ltd. It consists of 88 pretty cottages, with all modern amenities under a canopy of tropical trees and birdsong in the air. In fact, Deer Park is a present day Shangrila – a veritable jungle hideout, surrounded by a wealth of natural resources – three wild life parks with elephants, leopards and deer roaming at leisure and an abundance of bird life.

The eco-friendly Deer Park Hotel is not far from the ruins of the fabled cities of ancient Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. It also must be stressed that the 88 deluxe cottages are equipped with 5-star conveniences.

What is more there is also a presidential suite with its own swimming pool. Hotel facilities include a spectacular 3-tier swimming pool resembling a jungle pond encased in verdant vegetation, three streams, four natural ponds, a gymnasium and fitness centre, basketball court, volleyball court, squash court, sauna centre, a business conference centre, coffee shop and lounge, four well-stocked bars and a doctor on a 24- hour call.

The service provided is top class and taking into account all other facilities. Deer Park Hotel provides, Green Globe, UK – an hotel evaluator company – presented it with the prestigious Golden Globe award.

The men behind the scenes which make this eco-friendly hotel resort tick are Chairman/Managing Director, Jinasena Management Services (Pvt.) Ltd., Dr. Nihal Jinasena and Director/General Manager of both Deer Park Hotel and the Royal Lotus, Ravi Gooneratne, both of whom have been exposed to immense international hoteliering.

They have given Sri Lanka hoteliering a new dimension and perspective by bringing the eco-system of the Dry Zone in all its freshness and ‘feel’ into their concept of the hospitality trade.

Deer Park then meets the needs of the present generation of gearing a refreshing holiday jaunt without losing the basic creature comforts of modern living

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Sri Lanka

Arugambay Beach Resort, Sri Lanka

(Text by BEVERLEY JANSZ) The sunny golden beaches of Arugambay in Sri Lanka’s East Coast, which was almost devoid of tourists for the last 20 years due to the ethnic conflict, has come alive again. It is back to sun, sea and sand for both foreign and local tourists in their numbers in the wake of the Government’s peace initiative.

Chairman, Arugambay Beach Resort, Dr. Param sothi, who built the resort over 20 years ago, but was unable to even visit it for over 10 years due to the ethnic war, was all smiles and showed signs of relief.

The resort has already begun operations, and a massive refurbishment is under way to cater to the influx of tourists to Arugambay. ‘I am certain that the sunny golden beaches of Arugambay will soon be another ‘Hikkaduwa’ Dr. Sothi said with much relief.

In addition to the beautiful beach, Arugambay Beach Resort offers tourists a host of attractions. Arugambay combines several features of tourist interest but was left unnoticed by the tourist and travel trade for almost 20 years and tourist guide and travel magazines have sadly almost forgotten Arugambay, one of the three popular East Coast beach resort destinations in Sri Lanka, others being Trincomalee and Pasikudah.

With the cessation of hostilities following the demise of the LTTE, new interest and enthusiasm are very evident in re-discovering the East Coast, particularly Arugambay. Hotels, resorts and restaurants are coming up everywhere in the area. Tourists both foreign and local began flowing in large numbers for which the resort village was unprepared.

Arugambay Beach Resort is only a two hours drive from the cool climes of the Bandarawela mountains and is 1 1/2 k.m. from Pottuvil town on the road to Panama, overlooking the sea. The resort offers 10 guest rooms in chalet type bungalows. This unique family resort in cooled by the lush vegetation surrounding it and the cool breeze from the sea.

The chalets are cozy, comfortable, roomy, airy, well furnished with tiled bathroom and elegant fittings. The guest rooms have spacious verendahs overlooking the garden and the Arugambay beach. The resort has a few cabanas too.

The service is homely. The food delicious, offering the catch of the day from the Arugambay beach, seafood, fish, prawns, crabs, cuttle fish and tiger prawns make up the mouth watering menu in addition to the usual Western and Eastern cuisine. Guests are also offered pure curd made of fresh milk available in plenty at Arugambay.

Arugambay Beach Resort offers a host of tourist attractions. It lies midway between two popular National Parks, Lahugala National Park and Kumana Bird Sanctuary, which is the eastern border of Yala National Park. Lahugala is only 13 k.m. and Kumana Bird Sanctuary is only 23 k.m. from Arugambay Beach Resort.

A host of heritage sites and ruins dating back to the 5th century are in close proximity to the resort.

They are Magul Maha Viharaya (also known as Ruhunu Maha Viharaya, Mudu Maha Viharaya and Dudumbi Gala Hermitage, the Oakande Rock and Hindu temple, which is said to be the spot where Sindbad the Sailor ended up after a ship wreck, as stated by Richard Boyle in a historical article.

One of the main attractions for tourists visiting Arugambay Beach Resort, is the herds of 20 to 50 elephants seen at the Lahugala tank, Sasthri Veli, on the Panama Road and also on the road to Okanda and Kumana, on the way to the resort.

There is a range of special packages for Sri Lankans and expatriates, for picnics family and company outings for which the resort offers a host of facilities, including delicious seafood.

Arugambay Beach Resort is managed and marketed by Orient Hotel, Bandarawela which has embarked on a scheme to market and manage a number of resorts in Bandarawela and Arugambay under the Orient umbrella, General Manager Orient Hotel, Bandarawela, Rewatha Hettiarachchi said.

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Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

Cotton House Hotel, Mustique Island, St. Vincent and the…

The essence of Caribbean simplicity is captured by the Cotton House colonial-style resort on the enchanting island of Mustique, creating a perfect degree of seclusion enhanced with outstanding cuisine and the finest amenities. Breathtaking views of the Caribbean and the Atlantic draw guests to relax on the comfortably furnished verandahs and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this exceptional scenery. To experience the Cotton House means to truly understand the idea of escaping to Paradise.

The only hotel on the exotic island of Mustique, the cotton house offers luxurious service, privacy, and plenty of secluded beaches. You can spend your days exploring the marine life, relaxing by the pool, or getting pampered at the enticing spa.

The spa at the Cotton House offers an amazing array of services, such as massages, facials, reflexology, wraps, and fully body treatments. You can relax at the spa in one of the four treatment rooms, just steps from the beach, or even in the privacy of your own room.

Situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the 1,400 acre Mustique Island offers a tennis club, nine secluded and beautiful beaches, which are perfect for scuba diving, windsurfing, and snorkelling.

Accommodation
The Cotton House offers just 19 luxurious guest rooms, cottages, and suites, most offering private patios and panoramic views of the ocean. The amenities offered by the Cotton House include soft French cotton linens, a pillow menu, air conditioning, flat screen televisions, and maid service twice a day [Room service and evening turn-down service].

If you are planning a honeymoon twist to your beach holiday, you can splurge on one of the cottages with a private plunge pool, or even book the two bedroom Cotton Hill Residence which offers a private swimming pool and its own staff that are dedicated to you.

Dinning
From dining in your cottage, ordering a picnic basket and going to an empty beach, or just having a romantic candlelit dinner in one of the many fantastic restaurants, Mustique leaves you with many choices. A traditional afternoon tea is served each day in the Great Room, while there are weekly cocktail parties held by the Cotton House as well.

Getting there
There are many ways that you can fly to Mustique from the UK. You can go via Barbados, via Martinique, via Saint Vincent or via Grenada.

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USA

Holidays at Cocoa Beach Florida

Reputed as the perfect American beach town, Cocoa Beach is an hour drive east of Orlando on Florida’s amazing Space Coast. The hotels at Cocoa Beach are almost as amazing as the beach itself – offering you endless ways to enjoy your leisure and recreation.

Whether you are going on a family beach holiday, leisure travel, business trip, or just a day at the beach, you’ll find exactly what you’ve looking for in a beach destination at Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast area to make your stay one you’ll never forget.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most affordable beach holiday destinations in Florida, where there is never a lack of things to do or see. Besides the fun in the sun, the Space Coast offers you the chance to go deep sea fishing or parasailing, try your luck aboard a casino cruise ship, or just take a river tour and get up close and personal with the awesome Florida wildlife.

While at Cocoa Beach, you can also visit the Kennedy Space Centre, the Brevard Zoo, or spend some time shopping the busy shopping district. You’ll be within short driving distance to all of the Orlando attractions, and you can even drive back to Cocoa Beach at night to enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants on the beach.

When night sets in, you can kick back and enjoy the nightlife on the beach that ranges from cool jazz clubs to beach side cafes. Then, you can stay the night in perfect accommodation and wake up to a breathtaking sunrise on Cocoa Beach.

With plenty to offer the entire family, Cocoa Beach provides an excellent beach holiday or getaway, with plenty of beach activities and enough entertainment nearby to keep you coming back for more.

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Australia

Sydney and New South Wales – Travel Booking Guide

Sydney is a vibrant and dynamic city, that many feel is the most beautiful city in the world. Sun drenched and blessed with natural beauty, Sydney is a city of dizzying skyscrapers set on a magnificent natural harbour. The city offers visitors fabulous beaches with all the water sports and related activities, waterside dining, fantastic shopping and a host of international events.

Sydney does really offer something for everybody and with well serviced transport routes offers access to all of New South Wales and her many wonderful attractions. You can explore the World Heritage Blue Mountains just two hours from Sydney, the endless white sandy beaches of Port Stephens and visit the delightful wine growing regions in the Hunter Valley.

Recommended Hotels in Sydney

Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney – is Australia’s largest hotel located within the city’s business district and overlooking Darling Harbour, just minutes walk from the major entertainment and shopping districts including Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, Chinatown and the colourful bars and restaurants of Cockie Bay Wharf.

Shangri La Hotel, Sydney – is located 8 miles north of SYD Airport in the historic Rocks district between the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Shangri-La Hotel Sydney offers the brightest views of Sydney Harbour – Circular Quay – Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Several restaurants – pubs and shops are all within a short walk of the hotel.

Quay Grand Suites Hotel, Sydney – Set majestically on the eastern shore of Circular Quay, the superbly located Quay Grand Suites Sydney is set in the midst of Sydney’s key attractions including Sydney Harbour, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Opera House also adjacent to Sydney’s financial district and shopping precincts.

Park Hyatt Hotel, Sydney – is located in the historic Rocks district, just five minutes from the central business, cultural and shopping districts of Sydney. One of a select brand of Park Hyatt hotels known throughout the world for its exceptional design and elegant style, Park Hyatt Sydney opened in 1990, quickly earning a reputation as Australia’s most luxurious hotel.

Above are just some of our five star hotel recommendations, but if you would like to explore more hotel options in Sydney from over 30+ top suppliers, click the link for immediate access to availability, prices and online bookings.

Things to do in Sydney

Whatever your thrill, you’re sure to find it in Sydney, with the standard response being “no worries mate” to almost anything, Sydney offers world class sporting experiences along with others that are uniquely Australian.

If you’re visiting Sydney and are looking for things to do during your spare time, or even if you’re planning your family holiday to Sydney, you will find a complete range of Tours, Activities and Things To Do in Sydney here.

Beyond Sydney – Exploring New South Wales

The Blue Mountains is a mountainous region approximately 50 kilometres west of Sydney. Located west of the Nepean River the Blue Mountains stretch westward as far as Coxs River. The area is dissected by gorges of up to 760 metres in depth, and has high points up to 1,190 metres above sea level. A large part of the Blue Mountains is incorporated in the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site and its constituent seven national parks and a conservation reserve. This area is one of rugged tablelands, sheer cliffs, deep, inaccessible valleys and rivers and lakes teeming with life. The unique plants and animals that live in this natural paradise tell an extraordinary story of Australia’s antiquity and diversity of life, a story of the evolution of Australia’s unique eucalypt vegetation and its associated communities, plants and animals.

Here is a range of the most popular excursions to the Blue Mountains from Sydney:

Blue Mountains Deluxe Small Group Eco Tour from Sydney – Head for the hills and experience the Blue Mountains on this small group day trip from Sydney. A real Australian journey into the heart of a unique World Heritage Region you’ll encounter temperate rainforests, towering sandstone escarpments and ancient landscapes.

Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Day Tour from Sydney – Explore the beautiful bushland on Sydney’s doorstep by taking a full-day nature and wildlife day trip to the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Leaving the city behind, you’ll visit quaint mountain villages and Featherdale Wildlife Park on your scenic drive from Sydney.

2-Day/1 Night Blue Mountains and Australian Wildlife Tour with Overnight at Lilianfels Resort – If you can escape Sydney for more than one day, and are keen to explore the beautiful Blue Mountains, then this overnight tour staying at the luxury Lilianfels Resort & Spa is for you! You’ll discover the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains and quaint mountain townships including Leura and Katoomba, with free time to go for bushwalks or simply enjoy the magnificent canyon views.

Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves Motorcoach Day Tour – See it all on the most comprehensive day tour from Sydney, including the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves. You’ll be enthralled by the magnificent Three Sisters, the breathtaking canyon views, and enjoy visiting inside one of the magnificent limestone Jenolan Caves.

Blue Mountains 4WD Day Trip from Sydney – Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Blue Mountains on a personalized, small group tour from Sydney by four-wheel drive. You’ll see panoramas of rugged cliffs and deep forested valleys, hear the calls of native birds and spot Australian wildlife in the bush. Your full-day tour includes a visit to a wildlife park, lunch at a botanical gardens and views of the Blue Mountains famous vistas.

Blue Mountains Scenic Flight – Experience a unique view of the lush, eucalypt filled Blue Mountains from the front seat of this adrenaline inducing, open-cockpit bi-plane. Wave at the Three Sisters, soar over the Skyway and breath in the heady scent of the dense forest as you fly over the magnificent Burragorang Valley.

Blue Mountains Deluxe Overnight Eco Experience (Small Group) – Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the beautiful and scenic Blue Mountains. You’ll start this two-day tour with an exclusive breakfast with the koalas, and then head on a complete loop of the National Park, taking in sensational views on the way.

As you can see, there’s something for everybody wanting to visit the World Heritage Blue Mountains, but if you feel like something slightly more private, you can rent vehicles including 4x4s and do your own thing. If you intend to stay for a few days check out our recommended hotels.

Recommended hotels in the Blue Mountains

Mountain Heritage Hotel, Blue Mountains – is a multi award-winning 4½ star hotel located 4 minutes walking distance from Katoomba or 6 minutes from Leura, with its picturesque craft and antique shops. The hotel enjoys breathtaking views of the rugged cliff faces and tree-filled canyons of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains wilderness.

York Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains – is the gateway to the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park. Renowned for quality service, excellent accommodation and extensive facilities, York Fairmont is a sanctuary of comfort and leisure. The resort offers a variety of activities for guests of all ages. Nearby Airports * Sydney International – 75 miles * Sydney Domestic – 12.4 miles.

Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, Katoomba – offers unrivalled vistas of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. In the 1890s, Lilianfels was the gracious country residence of a former NSW Chief Justice. Lovingly restored, this 85-room historic home now houses Lilianfels and the elegant Darley’s restaurant.

Hunter Valley & Port Stephens

Besides the Blue Mountains travellers will also want to visit some of the other interesting regions of New South Wales, and among them the wine growing regions of Hunter Valley along with a visit to Port Stephens is a must do.

Hotels to visit in these areas include:

Peppers Guest House, Hunter Valley – Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country and surrounded by beautiful gardens and vineyards, Peppers Guest House is one of the Hunter’s best loved retreats. It’s intimate, relaxed atmosphere, the comfort and elegance of its accommodation, and a long-standing reputation for exceptionally fine wine and food, ensure that guests return year after year.

Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley – Luxuriously intimate and distinctively styled Tower Lodge is tucked amid a vineyard in the Hunter Valley wine region of Australia and forms part of a chic compound that is the Tower Estate.

Look here for a complete guide to hotels in the Hunter Valley.

If you’re thinking of visiting Port Stephans we would like to recommend the following hotels:

Peppers Anchorage Hotel, Port Stephens – is nestled between rugged bush and the sea on one of the east coast’s most beautiful bays, Port Stephens. A luxurious getaway with a quiet village-like atmosphere and a distinctive nautical feel: a 90-berth marina, verandahs that catch every sea breeze, cosy guest lounge, billiard room and Captain’s bar.

Shoal Bay Resort, Port Stephens – stunning $65M redevelopment of the legendary Shoal Bay Country Club Hotel. Set on pristine white sands of Shoal Bay 2.5 hrs drive north of Sydney, the resort offers a large range of accommodation including suites and self contained 1, 2 & 3 apartments.

If you would like to have more choice, look here for a guide to the best hotels in Port Stephens.

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Australia

Your travel guide to Australia

Australia is a huge country where it’s said that when in Darwin you are closer to Singapore than you are to Melbourne. Along with her size Australia presents the traveller with a diverse array of spectacular destinations from tropical rainforests to arid deserts and pristine coral islands.

During the summer months [December – March] the southern beach destinations are particularly popular as the north becomes hot and humid at this time of year. However if you are planning on visiting the rainforests, the summer months are the best time although hot and humid, for it is during this period that the rainforests are in full bloom and tourists are refreshingly scarce on the ground.

June through August is the best time of year to visit the vast Australian Outback. For the adventurer the Outback presents a never ending stream of activities and experiences. Experience some of the worlds best outdoor living or luxury camping, watch colourful sunsets over Uluru, stay at working cattle ranches or just get lost in wild open terrain.

There are national parks that dwarf some smaller countries and 16 World Heritage Sites along with a host of superlatives such as: The world’s longest coral reef system, its oldest rainforest at Daintree, its biggest sand island (Fraser Island), its oldest forms of art (in the Olary region) and the whitest sand (found at Hyam Beach near Sydney).

Look here for a complete guide to hotels in Australia.

Underwater Experience

Australia is surely one of the great scuba diving destinations of the world. With over 35,000km’s of magnificent coastline, the country boasts superb diving in the tropical waters around the world renowned Great Barrier Reef and North Western Australia, as well as brilliant temperate diving in the southern states of Victoria and Tasmania. Both tropical and temperate marine life are found in the Solitary Islands off New South Wales, popular Byron Bay near the Queensland border, and also the fabulous Abrolhos Islands on the west coast off Geraldton.

Look here for a complete guide to Tours, Activities and Things To Do in Australia.

Transport

Australia has 9 international airports at: Adelaide (ADL) – Brisbane (BNE) – Cairns (CNS) – Darwin (DRW) – Hobart (HBA) – Melbourne (MEL) – Perth (PER) – Sydney (SYD) – Townsville (TVS)

Air travel is the fastest way to travel within Australia due to vast destinations. Train travel is also available throughout most parts of the country, although only one train (The Indian Pacific) runs from coast to coast. Car, 4×4 and camper hire is available at most airports, major hotels and at car hire companies throughout Australia. You must be 21 years or older to rent a vehicle in Australia.

Driving in Australia

International driving permit is required if your country’s official language is not English. Your ordinarily national licence is also required and must be presented together with your international driving permit.

Festivals in Australia

The Sydney Festival happens every January with open-air concerts, street theatre, fireworks and cricket. Sydney also plays host to the annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in February and March. Every March, Adelaide hosts Womadelaide which is a world festival of music and dance. In April, Melbourne hosts the famous Comedy Festival and in September hosts the world’s biggest Writers Festival. The Melbourne International Festival is held every October. In October the Stompen Ground Festival is held in Broome where Aboriginal art and culture is celebrated. The Barunga Wugularr Sports & Cultural Festival is held near Katherine in June every year.

Local Media

The Australian and the Australian Financial Review are the countries main daily newspapers, while the biggest national weeklies are the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Mail.

Contacts

www.australia.com
www.travelaustralia.com.au

Links

Sydney & New South Wales – Travel Booking Guide

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Mexico

Scuba Diving Holidays in Mexico

Over the last few years we have seen the number of British travellers to Mexico increase significantly. If you are interested in planning your next holiday to Mexico, or you already have, you may want to book your holiday activities before you get there. In Mexico, there are an unlimited number of activities that you may find exciting. One of the more popular of those activities is scuba diving.

Obviously you cannot just go scuba diving in Mexico as like everywhere else a valid dive license is required. The choices of where to dive while in Mexico are many, and deciding which place best suites your interests may take a little research. Even if you are not an experienced diver, several of the resorts that offer diving also offer PADI dive courses for the beginner or novice diver.

Today, Scuba diving has become big business with most seaside resorts and beach properties offering the activity to their guests. Mexico presents the diver with a diverse array of dive locations from colourful reefs to magnificent coral islands. Around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the twin centres of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are both famous for their excellent dive locations and both welcome you with typical Latin American warmth, traditional Mexican food and incredible Mayan heritage.

The beautiful pocket island of Cozumel lies atop an ancient coral reef system and promises translucent waters and inviting beaches. Across on the mainland in Playa del Carmen dive operators are plentiful and you can also arrange trips to the great Mayan ruins or hikes in the rainforests, as can day trips to Cozumel – or vice versa.

Mexico is located in the northern region of the South American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize to the south. The Yucatan Peninsula provides the best diving destinations, where you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the world’s second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.

Staying at Playa del Carmen provides access for diving the Cenotes. These underwater caves with amazing natural light changes are suitable for divers of all levels. Cozumel offers spectacular drift diving through coral gardens, pinnacles, caverns and drop offs.

One is often able to swim with the dolphins and sea turtles and this alone to many is worth the dive experience. Lobsters, eels, sting rays, and a large number of different kinds of fish are some of the other attractions for divers. The fish often include puffer fish, spotted fish, parrot fish and if lucky you may even come across the famous but rare Mexican walking fish. The axolotl is a species of salamander turned fish that is native to the Mexican lakes of Chalco and Xochimilco near Mexico City.

Also check-out Tres Rios which is an ecological park in an area of low subtropical jungle and mangrove in the Riviera Maya, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Tres Rios is the only area in the Riviera Maya where cenotes are at ground level in the form of fresh water wells that opens in to shallow underground rivers.

Unless you are an experienced diver, you are advised to go scuba diving with a trained professional, especially in the cenotes. Diving the cenotes has become very popular with tourists over the years and therefore booking a few days in advance is your best chance of enjoying the experience. You don’t want to be diving the cenotes amidst a huge crowd.

Beginners can learn to scuba dive at a number of locations right across the costal regions of Mexico. Many of these locations also offer guided tours which is a great idea if you haven’t been diving for a long time. Refresher courses and beginner lessons are offered as group lessons or private lessons. Private lessons may be more expensive, but many first time scuba divers find them rewarding, in more ways than one.

If you aren’t into scuba diving yet, you could try snorkelling which is sometimes equally rewarding. Underworld Scuba which is located in Manzanillo and also the Puerto Dive Team in Oaxaco are two companies that offer brilliant snorkelling expeditions which can sometimes last the whole day.

To find other guided tours that are designed for scuba divers, you are encouraged to look HERE, and use the search function to find tours and excursions by destination. Whether or not you have already selected your Mexico destination, you should easily be able to find a selection of tours on our partner website. The closer you are to the coast, the more tours you will have access to. What you can do and see underwater is absolutely amazing and the Mexican experience is guaranteed will stay with you for years to come.

You can book airport / resort transfers in Mexico here.

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COMPARE PRICES AND BOOK HOTELS IN MEXICO FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

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New Zealand

Auckland to Wellington by train – New Zealand

Auckland to Wellington by train for a special fare of $49. The deal sounded irresistible and – like much about The Overlander actually – something out of yesteryear.

Sure, our start point at Britomart was state-of-the-art, gleaming, but the atmosphere was a bit of an exercise in nostalgia. We stood, a little sleepily, in a queue for 20 minutes admiring the setting. The online ticket isn’t a boarding pass and passengers are required to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure time of 7.25am.

“Darling,” the rotund woman in a navy uniform, said cheerfully, “I can fix you up. I’ll put you both in the last carriage, darling.”

The back of the train is glass all round with a lounge area and table where passengers can admire the receding landscape. But at this early hour we were more interested in the small food bar in the central carriage which – when open – dispenses coffee in cardboard cups. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open.

By the time the train rattled off we weren’t the only ones looking for a caffeine hit. The half-hour wait till the bar opened didn’t kill us but seemed unnecessary.

We knew we were in for the long haul. Auckland to Wellington by train has taken 12 hours for at least 50 years and it would be a pity to change. The snail’s pace is not just because of the number of stops – 15-17 depending on requests – or the narrow gauge. The terrain through a large scenic section in the middle of the island is rugged and tortuous and the track twists and turns.

So we settled in to the relaxing lilt of wheels clicking on rails and enjoyed the view, into back gardens, so different from the one you get from the road.

Initially, the seats weren’t too uncomfortable but as they don’t recline you’re stuck in one position and unless you bring your own, there’s no pillow. In the net in front of us was a strange metal object that resembled a tray. An astute neighbour worked out that the middle arm rest has a top that lifts, revealing slots the tray fits into.

These days commentaries on journeys are par-for-the-course. There was nothing much to say about Papakura or Pukekohe apart from assuring us of the necessity of stopping for the crew to carry out passenger work.

Not long after came views of the mighty Waikato river as the line followed alongside State Highway 1. The geography and history lessons were interesting enough, with the background to Ngaruawahia as the home of the Maori King, and we acknowledged the beautifully tended Maori cemetery on the hillside, visible to the left of the train.

Frankton is the name of Hamilton’s railway station. Ten minutes before our arrival we were warned that the food bar was closing and would reopen after we left. To avoid competition?

Next scheduled stop – the small farming centre of Otorohanga. Short of words, perhaps, our doughty commentator announced that there would be no passenger work at Otorohanga. However, she continued, our driver would slow down just to double-check.

The exchange of glances between two middle-aged couples, clearly North American from their voices, was patiently amused. The train was about three quarters full, perhaps half of whom appeared to be tourists.

Onward into the King Country and the most scenically rewarding part of the trip. Te Kuiti, then Taumarunui where we were warned “Please do not try and sneak off to the shops. Passengers get left behind at Taumarunui!” What, we wondered, were we missing out on.

From there until National Park the landscape was classic back country with solid stands of bush, dotted in spring with clusters of white clematis, and elegant viaducts across high spectacular gorges.

The gradient between Taumarunui and National Park is steep – a rise of 132m over 2km – and it’s here that we wound around the horseshoe loops of the famed Raurimu spiral.

The construction involved oxen, horses and small steam locomotives to carry materials in what is still a very remote part of the country. Only in the last two years was one of the first steam shovels brought in to help with the cuttings.

When the spiral was completed in November 1908 the first train, called the Parliamentary Special, travelled the Main Trunk line on a journey that took more than 20 hours.

The spiral is a highlight of the trip and hardy passengers took turns on the windy outdoor viewing platform (6 people at a time), leaning out to photograph the train’s curve. Then came the tunnels.

“Remember to pull your head in!” the commentator shouted.

At National Park, with a stop for half an hour for lunch (the train’s food bar having closed again), we were ordered to line up and wait patiently at the station cafe where, at least, the food was worth it.

By then, we were into the swing of this school-type outing and eagerly looking out for Kevin who, according to the commentator, waved a red towel every time the Overlander headed out of National Park. But my friend felt duly chastened when, tired of sitting upright, she lay down on the long seats in the empty lounge area and was spotted by the hostess.

“Sit up,” she said sternly. “You’re only allowed 20 minutes here.”

Tedium set in. The train rocked and rattled. We wished we’d brought pillows. Walking to the loo became a feat of balance. Even the promise of half-price food from the pie warmer after Palmerston North was little comfort. We were pleased to get out at Waikanae, 11 hours after leaving Britomart.

My previous train trip was on France’s super-fast TGV. Sure, the ticket cost an arm and a leg and I felt I was on a plane as the scenery whizzed past. But this was going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Forty-nine dollars, November’s special, seemed about right.

But there’s something about the journey down the Main Trunk Line. Even at more expensive rates – the full fare is $119 – the Overlander is chugging full steam ahead into the summer season of seven days a week, December to April, up from the winter runs of three days weekly. Passenger numbers have increased 54 per cent since the 2004-05 season.

The Main Trunk line affords views of the landscape that are incomparably more interesting than those accessible by bus or car and the time to appreciate them.

Further information, fares and schedules see the Tranzscenic webpage.

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New Zealand

Hot spot in city of Scots – New Zealand

If there’s one New Zealand city where you don’t expect balmy temperatures, it’s Dunedin. Yet the city has one place that’s always as toasty as a sauna.

Otago Museum’s Discovery World Tropical Forest is a recreated rainforest, which houses a collection of beautiful, fluttering butterflies at 30C and 80 per cent humidity.

A decade after the seeds of the tropical forest idea were sown (by a hugely popular 1990s butterfly exhibition), the doors swung open late last year. It’s a little like stepping into a secret garden – just add a waterfall and about 1000 butterflies.

In dazzling hues, they flit among tropical orchids, bromeliads and banana plants, occasionally dipping down to feeding stations stocked with fruit-and-sugar concoctions. At ground level they’re joined by other hot-weather-happy inhabitants such as turtles, tarantulas (safely housed behind a glass wall), and giant-eyed goldfish flashing fluorescent orange in the pond.

Once we’ve had our fill of the forest floor, we climb the spiral staircase to two higher levels, the heat rising with us. A glass swing bridge on the near-rooftop walkway gives a completely different perspective on the slender but soaring space.

Dunedin’s Chinese Garden. Photo / Supplied

So far there have been two marriage proposals up here – although one unfortunate fellow dropped the ring from on high but luckily found it beside, not in, the pond.

And while we were admiring the view, a beautiful aquamarine butterfly paused for a breather on my arm – a blue morpho, I could inform my boyfriend, thanks to the species-identifying guidebook.

As breeding’s not permitted at the museum, about 900 pupa are imported each week from the Philippines and Costa Rica. Pinned painlessly to a board in a glass display window, the pupa hang upside down in rows like a line of sleepy bats, waiting to emerge.

Back outside, it’s a lot nippier than it seemed before our tropical excursion. We wrap up and get the blood pumping with a brisk walking tour through Dunedin’s compact city centre.

Guide John explains the city’s Scottish history – 43 per cent of Dunedin-ites have Scottish roots. We also learn that Scottish poet Robbie Burns – whose statue in the Octagon “faces the pubs with his back to the church” – had 30 illegitimate children.

Built on the back of hardy Presbyterian Scots set on shaping an “Edinburgh of the south”, 19th-century Dunedin quickly became New Zealand’s biggest commercial and industrial centre. It escaped the demolition days of the 1960s and 70s, leaving grand old Victorian structures in the cityscape.

We traipse through cavernous cathedrals and churches, including the Gothic-style First Presbyterian Church, where evidence of Scottish practicality can be found in the brolly hook and drip tray at the end of each pew. The 1899-built law courts are still used – as is the much-photographed, 1896 railway station with its limestone facings and pink-granite columns. Inside, among the stained-glass and Royal Doulton tiles, is the Cleveland Living Art Centre and Scotia restaurant, with its hearty Scottish-influenced menu and whisky and wine bars.

We’re told we can’t come to town without stopping into award-winning restaurant Plato. Formerly a harbourside seafarers’ hostel, it’s now a relaxed, retro-themed eatery specialising in sublime seafood.

Just down the road is the city’s newest drawcard, the Dunedin Chinese Gardens. A tribute to Dunedin’s longstanding Chinese community, it’s one of only three authentic Chinese gardens outside China, and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. A 300sq m recreation of a late Ming/early Ching Dynasty scholars’ garden, it employs Chinese materials crafted by artisans from Dunedin’s sister city Shanghai. Wooden buildings with sweeping roof spars, handmade tiles and 900 tonnes of stone walls surround a lake.

Although the garden looks small at first glance, a long walkway that deceptively ducks and dives into all sorts of unexpected nooks makes it seem much bigger. Perhaps the best view is from the limestone mountain, where lilies, lotus flowers and small children peek out of gaps in the rock wall.

It’s worth taking a guided tour to learn the significance of the different elements, each with its own Chinese name. The city is also hosting two other exhibitions, timed to coincide with the opening of the gardens: The Emperor’s Dragons: Precious Collections from the Shanghai Museum, which follows the dragon motif through time (it runs until March at Otago Museum), and Chinese Treasures, on until June at the Otago Settlers Museum.

Don’t bypass this gem, considered New Zealand’s finest social-history museum. Sandwiched between the railway station and the Chinese Gardens, it houses (as part of its history of New Zealand transport) Josephine, our oldest locomotive, as well as fabulous old coaches and tramcars. Another excellent exhibition, Across the Ocean Waves, recreates the crowded quarters and stomach-churning rocking of an early settlers’ ship.

IF YOU GO

Walk – Take a guided innercity tour with one of Walk Dunedin’s volunteer guides. The $15 fee funds children’s activities at the Otago Settlers Museum.

Saunter around the 4.7km town-belt bushwalk or the 28ha Dunedin Botanic Gardens, which has camellia, rose, herb and rhododendron gardens, tropical conservatory, native-plant section.

For a real gutbuster, try hiking up the world’s steepest road, Baldwin St.

Eat – Plato, 2 Birch St, www.platocafe.co.nz

Scotia Restaurant, Dunedin Railway Station, Anzac Ave.

Otago Farmers Market, 8am to 1pm Saturdays. Try the Omega 3-rich “mutton bird arses”.

Art – Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Gardens.

You’ll find Dunedin’s most visited attraction, Otago Museum, and its Tropical Forest, at 419 Great King St. www.otagomuseum.govt.nz

The Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 30 The Octagon.
Housed in Dunedin’s old synagogue is the Temple Gallery, 29 Moray Place. www.templegallery.co.nz

Milford Gallery, 18 Dowling St, www.milfordgalleries.co.nz

Hong Kong

Dispute halts $500mn expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland

An anticipated $500 million expansion of Hong Kong’s struggling Disneyland theme park has been put on hold, a news report said Tuesday.

Disney has laid off 30 planners and halted all creative and design work on the expansion after learning the Hong Kong government had no timetable for the work, the South China Morning Post reported, citing unnamed sources.

The move followed an apparent breakdown in discussions over the way to expand the three-year-old park on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, which has been criticised for being too short on attractions.

Disney has worked since last year on plans to add an extra 20 hectares of attractions to the site to help it boost disappointing attendance figures. The work was expected to be carried out by 2013.

But the design work has been put on hold because the Hong Kong government, which is a 57 percent stakeholder in the park, has yet to commit to a timetable for the work despite two years of talks, the Post said.

Walt Disney spokesman Leslie Goodman told the newspaper no agreement had been reached “after two years of Disney investment in creative and design work”.

He added: “The uncertainty of the outcome requires us to immediately suspend all creative and design work on the project.”

A Hong Kong government spokesman said he was “puzzled by the company’s decision” and said the laying off of staff was “not conducive” to discussions on the expansion.

Hong Kong Disneyland, which covers 120 hectares, opened in September 2005 and was funded largely by Hong Kong taxpayers in a joint venture between the government of the former British colony and the Walt Disney Co.

Visitor numbers have been disappointing and the expansion is expected to be funded by Disney, which also loaned the joint venture $420 million to repay commercial loans from 26 banks.

The park, which has refused to release official figures, is understood to have attracted around 4.5 million visitors from October 2007 to September 2008 against a pre-opening target of 6.22 million visitors.

It reportedly fell around 500,000 visitors short of its 5.7 million first-year target and then saw numbers plunge by more than 1 million in its second year of operations.