Taylors wines, Monastry and brewery, NSW holiday ideas

Travelradio Australia host/producer Ren Zwiers with reporters John Crook and Frances Beasley provide segments on Taylors Wines (South Australia), a German monastry with brewery attached and some ideas for holidays in New South Wales.
Listen to podcast:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Tourists urged to visit Samoan resorts

• PICTURE: It’s business as usual at Aggie Grey's Hotel Apia Samoa.

TOURISM operators in Samoa are urging holidaymakers already booked to visit the islands to go ahead with their plans as a means of helping the tourism-dependent destination get back on its feet after the recent tsunami.
“There are many parts of the islands unaffected by the tragedy, and by continuing with their plans to holiday in resorts in those areas, visitors will be putting much-needed dollars into the economy to help the whole nation rebuild,” said long-time hotelier Fred Grey, whose Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows in Apia and its Lagoon, Beach Resort & Spa on the north coast were unaffected.
“Many people don’t realise that the capital Apia and all resorts along the north coast were totally unaffected by the tsunami and that all services and infrastructure are running normally,” he said.
Mr Grey said the Samoan people had shown enormous resilience and with their deeply religious culture were all working together to rebuild those areas most badly affected.
“They have a wonderful spirit of community, and everyone unaffected is helping those whose lives have been torn apart… including staff who have jobs in resorts that are still operating, sharing their earnings with the less fortunate.
“That is why we are really urging holidaymakers to go ahead with their plans to visit Samoa: their ‘tourism dollars’ will contribute dramatically to helping the rebuilding of homes, schools, hospitals and resorts, and assist at the same time in the grieving process of these wonderful people.”
Holiday-goers who feel that by visiting Samoa they can assist the local recovery process, should contact travel agents about properties that are open and operating normally, or check www.aggiegreys.com

-David Ellis

Stitch up a Norfolk Island holiday

Patchwork and quilting buffs can stitch-up a holiday on laid-back Norfolk Island in July while learning more about their favourite hobby directly from one of Australia’s leading experts.

Wings Away Travel’s eight-night package balances sightseeing Norfolk’s historic ruins, sub-tropical gardens and enjoying its peace and tranquility, with four formal patchwork and quilting workshops led by Rhonda Coates – who has been absorbed in the hobby for 20 years, and while a renowned teacher herself still joins other’s classes to continually expand her own knowledge.

The package departs on July 5 and includes return air and taxes, eight nights twin-share at the Governor's Lodge, cooked breakfasts, seven special dinners, one lunch, select other refreshments, return airport transfers, five organised outings, a cooking class, Museum Pass – even six days of automatic car rental.

There are four formal patchwork and quilting workshops led by Rhonda Coates, and a special 'Patchwork Homes' visit with local hobbyists.

Prices start from $2850pp twin-share from Sydney and from $2787 from Brisbane; connecting flights can be arranged from other centres, and an alternative program of activities to the workshops is available for partners.

Full details on 1800 800 640, in Melbourne 9337 3744 or email maree@wingsaway.com.au

Buy one, get one free - New Caledonia holidays

New Caledonia’s newest hotel - La Promenade Anse Vata and Aircalin in conjunction with New Caledonia Holidays, is offering 'Buy one get one free' holiday packages to Noumea for a limited time.
Only two hours flying time from Sydney, La Promenade is a four star apartment style hotel located in the heart of the Anse Vata Bay and surrounded by restaurants, quality shops and other attractions….everything is so close allowing to you enjoy a coffee (or cocktail) in Parisian style at one of the surrounding cafés or soak up some warmth by taking your own wine & baguettes to the beach, all within a two minute walk.
The apartments are said to be the largest in Noumea with spacious living and incredible views of the 'world's largest lagoon'.
Individually they offer fully equipped kitchens as well as top of the range accessories such as dishwashers, air-conditioning & flat screen TVs.
Three night packages for two people including accommodation in a Deluxe one bedroom suite with half price accommodation, two for one return economy airfares flying Aircalin, two for one return airport transfers and all pre-payable taxes start from only $1515 ex Brisbane and $1533 ex Sydney.
Note: two for one offer does not apply to pre-payable taxes. Conditions apply.
Contact New Caledonia Holidays on 1300 886 363 for more details.