Jura whiskey, Little Vietnam (Melbourne) and Bavarian State Opera

In the second of Travelradio Australia's 'best of'' editions our travelling team, David Gordon, Frances Beasley and John Crook 'revisit' the island of Jura to taste the local whiskey; Sporingvale (little Vietnam) in Melbourne and the Bavarian State Opera (Germany). This podcast along with all our previous editions is online now at travelradioaustralia.com

LISTEN TO PODCAST

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Tasmania is rated 'a place to go'

• The spectacuclar view from Mt Wellington, Hobart

Tasmania has been recognised by The New York Times as a top travel destination, and is the only Australian location included in the publication's prestigious list of 'The Top 44 Places To Go' in 2009.

This international accomplishment follows the recent announcement of Tasmania being named the 'World's Best Island for 2008' in Australia by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition, Tasmania took out a host of awards in The Weekend Australian, Travel & Indulgence section's 2009 annual Travel & Tourism Awards. Lonely Planet also recently applauded the island state, naming the Bay of Fires as one of its 'Top 10 Regions' for 2009.

Tasmania was singled out specifically on The New York Times list as a top gourmand destination, with special mention of its vibrant cultural scene - in particular MONA FOMA, an edgy new urban festival of music and art, which recently hosted musical acts including Nick Cave and the Violent Femmes in the trendiest sites in and around Hobart, as well as the acclaimed art museum at Moorilla Estate.

The Times list particularly praised the wine and wineries in Tasmania, stating that "Some of the world's most delectable pinot noirs, chardonnays and sparkling wines are being grown in Australia's remote island state."

With thousands of iconic and unique travel destinations in both Australia and around the world, it is an incredible achievement for Tasmania to be ranked amongst the top 44 of the list's tourism highlights, listed alongside destinations including Galapagos, Las Vegas, Alaska and Madagascar.

Closer to home, last weekend Tasmania took out four titles in The Weekend Australian, Travel & Indulgence section's annual Travel & Tourism Awards. Tasmania was voted best in the categories of Best Lodge Accommodation (The Lodge at Tarraleah), Best Eco-Wilderness Experience (Bay of Fires Walk), Best Heritage Tourism (Port Arthur Historic Site) and Best Food Experience (Stillwater Restaurant and the Mill Providore, Launceston).

Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Qantas or Tiger Airways, or take the 9 hour Sprit of Tasmania ferry from Station Pier in Port Melbourne (VIC) to The Esplanade, East Devonport (TAS). For more information, visit www.discovertasmania.com

-Tourism Tasmania

Mauritius - paradise for lovers

Mauritius is a romantic island that offers a lot more than perfect beaches and honeymoons for Australian couples.

The island resorts, run by French managers, import French produce and are among the best in the world for service, cuisine and style. French style and French cuisine merge with tropical flavours.

Mauritians speak French and English. The bureaucracy uses English and legal requirements are simple so marriage certificates and papers are a breeze.

The health spas at Mauritian resorts are beautiful with hints of Middle Eastern, African and Indian architecture, gorgeous pools and health services informed by Aryuvedic medicine and contemporary French cosmetics training. The Indian population of Mauritius today practises Aryuvedic medicine. The Dinarobin Resort with a health spa by Clarins is just one of many resort spas specialising in French products and treatments.

Mauritius is a country with mountain ranges and waterfalls and a charming range of inland activities that includes visits to colonial 'plantation' houses, a large range of golf courses, river activities and forest walks. Visit the Weeping Rock or the Seven Coloured Earth. Mauritius is also a safe country and free of snakes, spiders and diseases.

Mauritius is a mosaic of Indian, European, Chinese and Creole cultures. It is an international destination that adds to its exoticism. Many celebrities holiday in Mauritius and several stars own beachfront houses.

French and European visitors mingle at the resorts with people of taste from South Africa and Australia. The scents and colours and sounds of Mauritius are gentle and exotic, like vanilla and sandalwood. Like tropical fruits in bustling street markets. Like white rum steeped in herbs and fruits. Local musicians excel in European classical, Indian classical and Mauritius’ own favourite, Sega music - an infectious blend of reggae and east African rhythms. At resorts they will serenade you in private.

The beaches are of a higher quality than Fiji or New Caledonia. The sheltered lagoon is wide and the waters are brilliant topaz and aquamarine. Resorts often provide water sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling and sailing free.

Many couples choose to get married on a yacht or a boat or on one of the nearby deserted tropical islands and have the reception on shore with live music, a bonfire and torches.

Mauritius is an intercontinental meeting point and has been an international port since the Dutch occupied it in 1598 followed by the French in 1710 and the English in 1810. Today it is a stopover in paradise between Europe, Africa and Australia.

For adventurous romantics, Mauritius is just a one-hour flight from Reunion Island, a principality of France, beautiful Rodrigues Island and exotic Madagascar. For couples who want a bit of nightlife outside of the capital, Port Louis, there are restaurants and bars at Flic en Flac and Grand Bay.

Mauritius is an eight-hour flight from Perth and connectivity through Virgin makes this Indian Ocean resort accessible to everyone anywhere in Australia.

Mauritian resort packages are great value because of how much they include. Standard packages include extraordinary smorgasbord breakfasts and dinners as well as a wide range of free water activities.

Discounts and packages for honeymoon and wedding or anniversary couples are very generous. All resorts offer discounts and many offer free spas, free nights, free upgrades and even a free wedding ceremony. Large baths and private spas with essential oils, champagne and flowers are mandatory.

For details about Mauritius visit www.tourism-mauritius.mu or TWP Marketing & Communications, the representatives of Mauritius in Australia. For details of honeymoon and wedding packages contact your local travel agency.

Air Mauritius operates the only direct flights from Australia, from Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, with connections via Virgin Airlines. Call 1300 658 572. Or visit www.airmauritius.com

Norfolk Island hosts country music festival

• PICTURE: The Flood band members from left to right: Scott Hills, Tim Weede, Kevin Bennett (front man) and James Gillard.
Aussie country musicians Bill Chambers and The Flood along with New Zealand trio The Darlings will feature at this year’s Norfolk Island County Music Festival from May 25 - June 1.
Now in its 15th year, the festival has become a hot item for both country music fans and performers, the latter competing for the festival’s Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year Award.
The Flood, which took out the Tamworth 2006 Golden Guitar Award for Vocal Group, will take centre stage with singer-guitarist Bill Chambers, father of country music icon Kasey Chambers.
Sharing top billing will be The Darlings’ Jackie Clark, Callie Blood and Wayne Bell, who regularly woo audiences around NZ with melodic versions of numbers made great by the likes of Emmy-Lou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Johnny Cash.
Providing support will be 2007 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year winner Kylie Austin, fellow New Zealanders Jenny Blackadder on the banjo and Marion Burns, who will lend her energetic fiddling skills to Sydney-based soloist Steve Passfield, formerly with popular Country group Handpicked Band.
Also on the four-day program will be Aussie duo Camille Te Na Hu and Stu French, and American Charley Groth, a member of America’s National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame and a regular on the international circuit performing swing, country, blues, jazz, folk, ragtime and American roots music.
This year’s Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year award will see eight entrants compete for the Norfolk Pine trophy and $7000 in cash prizes plus $5000 worth of recording time.
The festival takes place over four evenings, allowing fans plenty of time during the day to enjoy Norfolk’s rich history, beautiful coastal scenery, beaches, fine dining, stylish bars, low-tax shopping and new adventure activities and eco experiences.
Oxley Travel is offering special seven-night Country Music Festival packages for the event, with deals available from Aud$1207 from Brisbane, Aud$1260 Newcastle, Aud$1282 Sydney and Aud$1475 Melbourne. Prices are per person twin share and include return flights with Norfolk Air, seven nights accommodation and car hire, airport transfers, a half day island tour, entry to three evening sessions and passes to after-show parties. Subject to availability. Call Oxley Travel toll-free on (Aus)1800 671 546 or visit www.oxleytravel.com.au
For general information on Norfolk, visit www.norfolkisland.nf

Free nights at Vanuatu

'FREE NIGHTS' often has so many conditions attached that it’s almost impossible to take advantage of the offer. You won't have that worry when holidaying in Vanuatu, as Erakor Island Resort and Spa is offering two additional FREE nights until March 31, 2009 with every five night holiday booked. Absolutely no blockout dates for Easter, school holidays or Christmas. The resort will also give you a free 'island' breakfast daily plus a free 30 minute massage per bungalow booked.
Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Erakor Lagoon, Erakor Island Resort & Spa boasts 'one of the best locations in Vanuatu'. Guests can enjoy the beauty of staying on their own tropical island with easy access to all that Vanuatu extends to visitors. Erakor offers all the facilities of a major resort, but in a relaxed and secluded atmosphere of its own. Its more laid back than many resorts with guests often kicking off their shoes and unwinding with a cocktail by the water's edge.
You are only 5 minutes from Port Vila and its many activities and restaurants.
With only 21 absolute waterfront bungalows (spread over 16 acres) ranging form superior, to family loft bungalows and deluxe bungalows with spas, you can use this free offer when booking any of them.
Seven night packages at Erakor Island Resort & Spa including two free nights accommodation, breakfast daily, welcome fruit cocktail, return airport transfers, one bonus lunch, one bonus tour, all pre-payable taxes and return economy airfares flying Air Vanuatu start from $1449 per person ex Brisbane, $1499 per person ex Sydney and $1739 per person ex Melbourne. Conditions & airline seasonality apply.
Call Talpacific Holidays on 1300 665 737 for further information about this offer or refer to www.erakor.vu for more information on Erakor Island Resort & Spa

Free meals at Fiji

Malolo Island, Fiji sits 25 kilometres west of Nadi International Airport - serviced by Air Pacific/Qantas and Pacific Blue out of Australia, and is located amongst the Mamanuca archipelago off the Nadi coast, accessible by seaplane or fast catamaran.
A small, rustic four-star resort comprising of just nine acres of the 2000 acre island, Malolo is a favourite for families and couples alike. The resort boasts only 49 Bures - all with ocean views, three restaurants, day spa, free kids’ club, adult’s only lounge retreat, all major activities including fishing, diving, sailing, parasailing, waterskiing, Island Hopping Tours, Dolphin Spotting Tours and Fijian Village Trips. All this combined with quintessential pure Fijian hospitality, makes Malolo one of Fiji’s 'must-do' experiences.
And now, Malolo is offering all meals free for stays from January 16 to June 20, 2008.
Book a five night stay by January 31, 2008 in either an Oceanview or Deluxe Oceanview Bure, and receive all meals free. Some conditions apply.
Bookings and further information for the 'Free Meals Deal' at Malolo can be made directly via the resort website on www.maloloisland.com, phone: +679 672 0978, or through travel specialists.