Victoria in March
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We flew into Melbourne airport and met our coach driver - old friend Bernie from Ballarat coachlines to head to the gateway to the Victorian high country, Marysville. We had 4 nights in the beautiful Peppers Resort exploring the local area and the Yarra Valley. Was a great few days visiting a wildlife Sanctuary, some national parks and other scenic spots, some wonderful gardens and a few culinary surprises. After our time at Marysville we headed into Melbourne stopping to visit the very well done native botanical garden at Cranbourne and Cruden Farm along the way. Our first day in Melbourne was well used to explore the rather soggy botancial gardens before the sun returned for our visit to the iconic MCG and sports hall of fame. The was timed to coincide with the Melbourne Flower Show the following full day which again was an event well woth visiting. The tour went well and we had a great group of 23 travellers.
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Japan Festivals tour AprilThis tour was timed to coincide with some amazing spring festivals that Japan has become famous for. The tour delivered on some great weather, food and scenery includsing some really memorable gardens. Our tour guide Akitoshi and our driver Katsuya looked after our group of 26 expertly making sure it all ran smoothly. We also have the chief Japanese organiser of the tour and friend, Haneke join us for the first week which was a delight. The festivals included Wisteria, Azalea, Phlox, Nemophilla, Paeony and Begonia. We had a traditional Japanese Inn stay in the Mt Fuji area with picture postcard weather a feature - a real treat. We started the tour in Fukuoka and then on to, Kokura, Hiroshima, Matsue, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Nara and Tokyo. Touring Japan is a great experience. The group of fellow travellers were also a highlight!
I am looking forward to 2024 already.... |
Zagreb to Venice May/June
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This tour visited some places that I have always wanted to see. Zagreb, Prague, Budapest, Nuremberg, Lichtenstien as well as a few favourites such as Vienna, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice. We used Globus tours who provided the usual excellent coach services and Tunde our tour director. Tunde did a wonderful job and all travellers were impressed with her attention to detail and friendship for our group of 25. We had great weather all the way with some amazing scenery, gardens and historical sites. A brief selection of the pictures right gives an idea!
We also had a 2 night stopover in Dubai on the way to Europe that was appreciated by those who stopped. All in all a great trip. |
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Canada and Alaska August 2023Our 28 day tour was planned to really enjoy the beauty of Canada and Alaska in some detail. We started with a direct flight to Vancouver for an overnight stay before boarding the iconic 2 day Rocky Mountaineer train to Banff. Our French guide, Benjamin Francies did a great job as did our coach driver, Barry. We then spent the next week or so exploring the Rocky Mountains before returning to Vancouver to explore the city and its lovely gardens. Next was 3 nights on Vancouver Island to see some of our favorite gardens including Butchart. The next phase of our travels was a Holland American line 11 day Triple Denali cruise/tour - great scenery, great food and wildlife. A 7 day inside passage cruise was followed with the incredible train journey from Whittier to Denali National Park for 3 nights. We toured the national park and also some free time for walking and exploration. We then took a coach to Anchorage for a night before flying home. A great group of 24 enjoyed the tour!
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Tasmania in Spring November 2023
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The Tasmania in Spring tour of 23 circumnavigated the Apple Isle visiting most of Tasmania's iconic locations along the way. We started with 4 nights in the beautiful Lenna in Hobart just up from Constitution Dock to use a base to explore the local area, the Huon Valley and some lovely gardens. Then a free day included on market day (Salamanca markets) to explore and / or Mona or a river cruise or Mawsons Hut or the many attractions of Hobart. We then headed to Strahan via the Wall at Derwent Bridge for 2 nights and enjoyed a Gordon River cruise. Next we journeyed to Cradle Mountain for plenty of time in the national park. We stayed in the lovely Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge - a real highlight. Next we headed north to Burnie for 2 nights. There are some exceptional gardens in North Tasmania and we will saw the best of them as well as some of the natural beauty of the area including Stanley and the nut. Next was Launceston for 2 nights and then the Bay of Fires area in NE Tasmania to explore this rugged coastline for one night. A Wineglass Bay cruise day was included before arriving at Eagle Hawk Neck for 2 nights and a chance to see the Port Arthur Historical area and some of the other beautiful natural areas of the region. 24 travellers enjoyed this main tour with our handily named coach captain - James!.
9 of us then proeceed to Bruny Island for 3 days to see some great scencery, wildlife and too much food.....All in all a great trip. |
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