Mary Valley Rattler celebrates 10th birthday

Calling all train buffs to come and celebrate with the Mary Valley Heritage Railway on reaching a milestone of 10 years of operations.

On May 24-25 2008, the Mary Valley Heritage Railway will be celebrating 10 years of operating as a steam engine hauled tourist railway.

For 10 years this icon of south east Queensland has been rattling along the scenic Mary Valley and has carried almost 200,000 passengers from all over Australia and the world.

Mary Valley Heritage Railway will be celebrating this historic occasion with a weekend of fun filled family activities and good old fashion country hospitality. So come along and support this local icon and piece of Australian history.

On Saturday, May 24 2008 from 12.30pm-6.30pm, the Old Gympie Station in Tozer Street, Gympie will be alive with family entertainment, children’s rides, arts and crafts markets selling a wide range of local crafts, plants and local community displays. The two regular three hour steam services to Amamoor and Dagun will also operate for the whole family to enjoy.

The morning tour departs Gympie at 9.30am and returns at 12.30pm. The afternoon tour departs Gympie at 1.45pm and returns at 4.45pm. Prices for Adults are $20, children are free of charge per paying adult. Extra children pay $10.

On Sunday, May 25 there will be a variety of steam and rail motor excursions to Imbil. The official ceremony will be held at Imbil along with entertainment. A key attraction at Imbil will be viewing the use of the turntable, where the train engine’s will be turned around and headed towards Gympie for the return journey.

The diesel-hauled train will depart Gympie at 9.05am and the official steam train will depart Gympie at 10.00am. Adults prices are $36, Senior/Pensioner Card Holders are $30.50 and Children (15 years and under) are $18.

Bookings for the trains are essential. E-mail rattler@mv hr.org.au or check out www.thevalleyrattler.com

Wine and gastronomy travel in Europe

Three wine and gastronomy tours are on the autumn travel program from BKWine. One classic trip, to Bordeaux; one new destination, to the Douro Valley in Portugal; and one gastronomic adventure to Champagne. The tours are organised by Britt Karlsson (pictured above), founder of BKWine, based in Paris, who specialises in wine, food and gastronomic travel. The new tours on the program are:
• September 8-12: Bordeaux, the great classic
• October 22-26: the Douro Valley in Portugal
• November 12-16: Wine & Gastronomy in Champagne

All tours take place over a long week-end, Thursday to Sunday. The tours are led and guided by Britt herself or by one of BKWine's expert wine guides.

Britt explains the aim behind her wine tours: "I want people to learn more about wine and at the same time enjoy themselves. I put a lot of effort into designing the program, choosing the most interesting producers and making them varied and interesting. Since I am also a wine writer and journalist I am fortunate to have an extensive network of contacts that allows me to put together truly exceptional programs."

BKWine focuses solely on wine and gastronomic travel. Over the years the company has organised more than two hundred wine tours to France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary and Austria. BKWine also arranges custom designed tours.

For more information on the wine tours:
http://www.bkwine.com/wine_tours/wine_tours.htm

Winter bargain on Murray River cruises

Forget the on-board spas and saunas; Captain Cook Cruises is letting your partner keep you extra warm this winter with partners cruising half price on all three, four and seven night Murray River cruises from June 1 to August 31, 2008. This offer is valid for sale until August 31, 2008.

With plenty of water in the Murray River there is no better way to explore the big river gorges, the bio-diverse Murray wetlands, the unique flora and fauna of the outback and the rich legacy of old riverside ports, this winter than on the romantic paddle-wheeler PS Murray Princess.

The three-night Wetlands Discovery Cruise is a mini weekend escape where passengers will discover the vast variety of flora and fauna, join a backwater boat tour, visit the Port of Murray Bridge and sample the food and wine of this famous region. The cruise departs Mannum every Friday at 4.30pm and returns Monday at 9.00am. Prices for the first person start from $775 twin share and from only $388 for the second person twin share.

The four-night Outback Heritage Cruise departs Mannum every Monday at 4.30pm and return Fridays at 9.00am. Cruise highlights include a visit to a vineyard and wine-tasting at the cellar door, a wildlife shelter and an aboriginal archaeological reserve plus a woolshed riverside barbeque & campfire. Prices start at $999 twin share for the first person and from $500 twin share for the second person.

The seven-night Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise includes a free Barossa Valley tour and combines the 3 and 4 night cruises for a total Murraylands and wildlife experience. Prices start from $1596 twin share for the first person and from only $798 twin share for the second person. The seven night cruise departs Mannum every Friday and Monday at 4.30pm and returns Friday and Mondays at 9.00am.

All cruises include meals, accommodation, complimentary scenic coach transfers from Adelaide or car parking in Mannum, guided walks, presentations and all onboard facilities including use of two spas, two saunas, sun deck, two bars, two lounges, single sitting dining saloon and entertainment.

For reservations and enquiries contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free on 1800 804 843,
Int +61-2-9206 111 or email: murray@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au

Massage is the message for mums

Nurturing warm oil, and the soothing effects of a remedial, Swedish or deep tissue massage – these are the divine choices facing Mother’s as they check-in to Sofitel Brisbane (Australia) for a Mother’s Day treat.

The special Mother’s Day package includes overnight Classic Room luxury, a 40 minute massage for Mum in the blissful oasis of Stephanies Spa Retreat located on level three of the hotel and a delicious interactive breakfast for two in the newly opened Thyme2 restaurant.

Roger and Gallet bathroom amenities imported from France, daily newspaper and use of the new SoFit gymnasium with sweeping city views from the 30th floor and access to the heated pool and spa are also included in the price from $345 per room per night.

A stylish lunch including a glass of Moet on arrival is also on offer on May 11 in Thyme2 Restaurant for $79 per person. All mums will receive a Lenotre gift box and have the chance to win an Ultimate Pampering package at Stephanies Spa Retreat followed by an elegant Lenotre High Tea for herself and three friends. Lunch is from 11.30am – 2.30pm and bookings are essential.

Treat your mum to the luxury she deserves.

For further information or to book visit www.sofitelbrisbane.com.au

Macau or bust - is this casino heaven?

TOP: Grand Lisboa hotel and casino, a lotus flower shaped skyscraper.
ABOVE: The remains of St Paul's Cathedral in Macau.

If you think Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, you obviously haven't been to Macau.

Perched off the South China coast, tiny Macau consisting of two islands and a peninsula (all interconnected with long bridges), boasts approximately 25 casinos and several more under construction.

Biggest of the gambling edifices is The Venetian - a mega resort, casino and indoor shopping complex which is based on the Las Vegas version of the same name but twice as big. In fact, it's Asia's biggest resort and the second largest indoor space in the world.

Wandering through this imitation of Italy's canal city is quite an experience - even for people who 'have seen it all'. It could be described as the eighth wonder of the world.

However, Macau is not just a gambler's paradise - it may be a small nation with less than half a million residents, but it's an interesting stopover for tourists featuring several of other attractions.

Every visitor to Macau must head for the main square in the old town and walk the stairs up to the remaining facade of St Paul's Cathedral which dates back to the 1600s. All that's left is the front, the remainder was burnt down more than a hundred years ago, but it still provides an impressive setting.

After gazing at the cathedral front, walk down the many steps to the small shops in the narrow streets below and in particular the Portuguese bakery which sells the traditional egg tarts...one of the most delicious treats you can ever imagine. We bought a bag full and had them for a sweet breakfast the next morning as well.

The city of Macau (or Macao) is on the peninsula which borders China's mainland. There are plenty of casinos in the city area but cross the bridges to Taipa island and you'll find a collection of even newer gambling palaces (including the Venetian).

Back in town and right near our hotel is the imposing Fisherman's Wharf - a large village featuring imitations of building styles from around the world. This tourist attraction complete with Roman-style amphitheatre, touristy shops and numerous cafes (and of course, another casino) has never turned a cent profit yet, but, give it time, it may gain popularity in years to come.

Hotels in Macau are outstanding in quality - as you would expect in a country where money speaks its own language. We stayed in Casa Real Hotel, a short walk from the ferry terminal - it's conveniently located to many 'must see' points including The Sands casino and a 10 minute walk from the inner city area.

Access to Macau is either by direct flight from Sydney to Macau International Airport on Viva Macau airline. However, a more popular route is the one hour fast cat ferry services from either Hong Kong International Airport or either Kowloon or Hong Kong Island departure points.

Ferries are cheap and run every half hour from Hong Kong and about seven times daily from the airport ferry terminal.

Macau may be back in Chinese hands, but it's not a strictly Buddhist country - its Portuguese heritage has created a large Catholic population and there are some Protestants, even though only five percent of the current residents are Portuguese (or other Europeans) with 95 percent being Chinese.

Macau is a fascinating place which is growing fast in tourism stature. We'll certainly look forward to returning at some time in the future.

-Ren Zwiers

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