MONIKA WEINSOFT
Destination Specialist for Australia
Destination Specialist for Northern and Central Europe
Oceania Cruises Specialist

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Cruise Masters senior travel consultant
Telephone 503.863.5412
monika@finevoyages.com

Dear Friends,

I am excited to share that I just returned from a most unbelievable journey to Australia.

My travels began in the idyllic tropical state of Queensland. My first stop was qualia, a luxury resort that has been recently recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the top 30 new hotels in the world. At qualia, we dined on fresh seafood from the island's surrounding waters and enjoyed private pavilion-style accommodations, complete with personal plunge pools, overlooking the blue waters and lush foliage of Hamilton Island. All too soon it was time to move on, this time to ultra private Hayman Island Resort. Highlights there included a helicopter tour over the Whitsunday Islands, beachfront relaxation and a 7 course Chef's Table dinner, hand prepared by the head chef that was paired with some of the Australia's fabled wines.

After the serenity of the off-shore islands my next stop was Australia's stunning Gold Coast, where I spent the first evening at the chic Palazzo Versace, the world's only fashion-branded hotel. The next several days were spent at The Byron at Bryon Resort and Spa in one of most idyllic wellness settings in Australia. During my stay I was pampered with spa treatments, rainforest walks, a trip with the chef to the farmer's market and some lazy time on the beautiful beach and exploring the town of Byron. It was nearly impossible to leave this paradise, but there was so much more to experience!

Near Sydney I headed inland to the stunning Blue Mountains. I learned that dense forests of the region's eucalyptus trees fill the atmosphere with finely dispersed droplets of their oil, which, in combination with dust particles and water vapor, create a gentle haze that is uniquely blue in color.

The Blue Mountain region is dotted with quaint villages and an endless array of adventurous activities. My accommodations in the Blue Mountains were at Lilianfels, a five-star Orient Express Resort & Spa housed in a historic country house set amidst acres of manicured gardens. This proved to be a haven of relaxation and adventure!

Our dining experiences in the Blue Mountains included local cuisine and a 5-course wine pairing dinner prepared by Hugh Whitehouse, the Executive Chef at Lilianfels award-winning restaurant.

Of course, no journey to Australia would be complete without spending time in Sydney, a city filled with energy, culture and friendly people. Among the many highlights was a visit to the famed Sydney Opera House, followed by a memorable dinner inside, overlooking the beautiful harbour.

While in Sydney I was fortunate to stay at The Observatory, the second Orient Express Hotel in Australia. The Observatory blends old warm charm with a contemporary style. The comfort and service could not be surpassed. A view of Darling Harbor and an enviable location in the historical Rocks district of this bustling city made our stay at The Observatory the perfect Sydney experience. I sampled the city's best restaurants, found the shopping exceptional, explored friendly pubs and capped off my stay with a cruise of Sydney's Harbor.

My experiences in the "Land of Oz" were extraordinary: I snorkeled through the Great Barrier Reef, climbed Sydney's Harbor Bridge, spotted the Southern Cross, experienced exotic foods and tasted some of the world's greatest wines. I sipped tea with kangaroos, champagne with koalas and cocktails with a legendary surfer and an esteemed politician. I dined in the Sydney Opera House, on a luxury yacht, in a rainforest and over 900 feet in the air.

Most of all, the friendly people of Australia left a lasting impression; I will forever cherish their gregarious nature and gracious hospitality. I truly fell in love with the carefree spirit and relaxed luxury of the Land Down Under. I can't wait to return.

This insider experience gives me the expertise and know-how to create a wonderful travel experience just for you. Each of us at Cruise Masters recognizes that travel is more than a series of flights, hotels and cruises. A journey to an unknown corner of the world should awaken your emotions and stir your thoughts. It should offer new and unexpected pleasures, an opportunity to discover the world, and yourself. This level of fulfillment comes from a perfectly planned itinerary where every detail is customized with the individual traveler in mind.

Travel to Australia is an experience that should not be missed. Please call me to discuss your travel dreams. I will do my best to create a great vacation just for you.

Monika