Categories
Travelrite

2015 Garden Tours to Europe and Australia

Eight Exciting Tours to consider

Gard2014 Helen Young Garden Tour of Italy and France
May 25 to June 14, 2015

10th year anniversary visiting some of Helen’s favourite gardens. 17 exciting days exploring the gardens and delights of the Italian Lakes, Venice and Paris. Plus a cruise on the Seine River.

This wonderful tour begins with four nights on Lake Como. We will visit beautiful Bellagio, Villa Melzi, magnificent Isola Bella, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbeinello. We then travel to Venice for a guided tour with members of the Venice Garden Club. We will see some of Venice’s secret gardens as well as the gardens of the exclusive Hotel Cipriani. Our tour continues in Paris with highlights including Chateau de Bagatelle and Versailles. We then board our luxurious river ship for a seven night cruise along the Seine. We will visit Jardin Plume, Les Jardins de Castillon, and another highlight Claude Monets house and garden in Giverney.

An optional pre tour to London for the Chelsea Flower Show and great gardens of the south of England is also available.

Gard52015 Garden Tour with Millie Ross to Italy, France and England

Including the Chelsea Flower Show
May 4 to May 24, 2015

Visiting London for the Chelsea Flower Show, Tuscany, Florence, the Italian Lakes and Nice.

We begin on the Amalfi Coast in Sorrento. We will see spectacular gardens Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. We also travel to the island of Ischia to visit the famous garden La Mortella. During our three nights in Rome we visit Villa d’Este, and Villa Adriana. We continue on to Sienna in Tuscany to see Villa Lante and Villa Cetinale before four nights in the French Riviera and Nice. Our highlight here will be Villa Ephrussi de Rothchild. We finish with three nights in cosmopolitan London and the Chelsea Flower Show.

Gard7

2015 Italian Food & Garden Tour with Julie Ray & Phil Dudman

May 22, 2015 to June 07, 2015

Visiting Tuscany, Florence, Bologna and the Italian Lakes.
Highlights include 3 nights in the picturesque Tuscan village of Bagno Vignoni, lunch at the world-renowned Osteria Francescana in Modena, a visit to the enchanting Villa del Balbianello overlooking Lake Como & the glorious food markets of Bologna, the food capital of Italy. Join the optional pre tour to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Gard9

2015 Sue McDougall Garden cruise to Italy, France and Spain on board Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam
16 June to 6 July, 2015

Visiting Como, the Italian Lakes, Venice, Naples, Rome & Livorno, Italy: Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain. Highlights include Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbienello and Isola Bella in Como, la Mortella on the island of Ischia, Villa lante and Villa Massei in Tuscany and Villa Ephrussi de Rothchild on the French Riviera.

Gard4
2015 Deryn Thorpe Garden Tour to France and England including the Chelsea Flower Show
5 May to 24 May 201
5
We begin with four nights in Paris visiting the exceptional gardens of Monet’s house and garden at Giverny, Chateau de Bagatelle and Chateau de Versailles. We then continue on to the beautiful Loire Valley. A highlight here will be the Festival des Jardins de Chaumont sur Loire with thirty show gardens for us to see. Our journey through the best gardens of France then visits the spectacular Dordogne region and the gorgeous city of Avignon in Provence. We conclude with three nights in London for the Chelsea Flower Show.

 Gard3
2015 Jane Edmanson Britain and Ireland Garden Cruise on board Royal Princess
July 2 to 23, 201
5
Visiting London, Canterbury and Liverpool, England; Monets Garden, France; Edinburgh, Invergordon and Glasgow, Scotland; Cork and Dublin, Eire; Belfast, Northern Ireland; St Peter Port, Guernsey.

The Jane Edmanson garden tour on the Royal Princess will be a wonderful opportunity to cruise around the British Isles and Ireland. It will be managed by an experienced tour manager and include sightseeing tours at each port of call and visits to delightful gardens. Also included are special activities for members of the group.

Gard6

 

 

 

2015 Deryn Thorpe Garden Tour to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and Ballarat
March 21 to 28, 2014

An exciting eight day tour to Ballarat and Melbourne, for the 2015 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. We visit Paul Bangay’s spectacular garden, Stonefields, the Australian garden at Cranbourne, Heronswood Garden, Cloudehill in the Dandenongs and much more!

Basile2015 Gardens History & Landscapes Tour with Michael and Judith Basile

From Nice to Paris – On and off the beaten track.

May 5 to 24, 2015

A romantic journey through glorious gardens, beautiful villages, and historic sites with tour leaders who know and love this very special region of France. We visit Nice and the beautiful French Riviera, travel to Forcalquier by train, and visit the historic Provincial town of Avignon. We have a night in Carcasson before concluding the tour with five nights in cosmopolitan Paris. It will be a wonderful in depth tour of France.

Visit our website for full details: www.travelrite.com.au      Gard1   dt_garden14

Categories
Uncategorized

European and Australian Garden Tours 2014

Travelrite International have launched their 2014 Garden Tours to Europe and Australia

There are Seven Exciting Tours to consider including visits to the Chelsea Flower Show:

2014 Helen Young Garden Tour to France and England
May 4 to May 25, 2014

Visiting the French Riviera, Provence, the Dordogne, Bordeaux and London for the Chelsea Flower Show.
This wonderful tour takes in the best gardens of the French Riviera and Provence, the spectacular sights of Carcassonne, Albi, the gorgeous town, where Toulouse Lautrec was born and Scarlet a wonderful Medieval town in the Dordogne region and the historic city of Bordeaux, the centre of the famous wine region. Highlights will be the superb Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Chateau Val Joanis, Jardin de la Noria and Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire. We conclude with a delightful four nights in London and a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show.

2014 Garden Tour with Angus Stewart to England, France and Spain
May 20 to June 9, 2014

Visiting London for the Chelsea Flower Show, Canterbury, Paris for Jardine Jardin, Amboise, Clermont-Ferrand, Avignon & Barcelona.
We begin with three nights in cosmopolitan London before travelling to Kent and Canterbury, the Garden of England, where we will visit Sissinghurst. We then visit Paris, the Loire Valley and Avignon.  Highlights will be Claude Monet’s house and garden at Giverney, the Chateau’s of the Loire and the Festival des jardins de Chaumont. We finish with three nights in spectacular Barcelona.

2014 Garden Tour with Tony Fawcett to England, Switzerland & Italy
May 17 to June 7, 2014

Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, London for the Chelsea Flower Show, Venice, Ascona on Lake Maggiore, Siena and Rome
20 exciting days exploring the fine gardens of England, Switzerland and Italy including London for the Chelsea Flower Show.  Highlights include Hidcote and  Kiftsgate Court in the Cotswolds, the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Villa Carlotta, Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore, Villa Gamberaia and Villa Cetinale in Tuscany.


2014 Sue McDougall Garden cruise of the Baltic and St Petersburg aboard Celebrity Constellation
5 July to 24 July, 2014
Visiting Amsterdam, Netherlands; Warnemunde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark

2014 Deryn Thorpe Garden Tour to England, Italy and France including the Chelsea Flower Show
20 May to 9 June 2014

Visiting London for the Chelsea Flower Show,staying in the gorgeous village Bagno Vignoni, where we have typical Tuscan meals every night, Florence, the Italian Lakes & Nice.


2014 Jane Edmanson Autumn Delights Garden Tour to the NSW Southern Highlands, Bundanon and Canberra
May 4 to 9, 2014

A delightful six day tour to Bowral, Nowra and Canberra.  With a four day extension tour of Canberra – May 9 to 12, 2014


2014 Deryn Thorpe Garden Tour to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and Ballarat
March 22 to 29, 2014

A exciting eight day tour to Ballarat and Melbourne, for the 2014 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. We visit Paul Bangay’s spectacular garden, Stonefields, the Australian garden at Cranbourne, Heronswood Garden and Cloudhill in the Dandenongs.

For more details visit www.travelrite.com.au

Categories
Uncategorized

Shannon’s London and Paris Trip

LONDON AND PARIS EDUCATIONAL
By Shannon Benson

Qantas Flight
The A380 is an amazing aircraft, quiet and smooth. QF crew were very friendly and accommodating, found the AF crew a little less helpful however they were still pleasant. Overall the flights booked were good times and excellent connections.

London Hotels:
Thistle Kensington Gardens:
Excellent location and well equipped for large groups, however the reception area is rather small to handle more than one arriving at the same time. Having the early check in available was awesome as we all wanted a shower and change before heading out touring.
Rooms are clean and modern, great value for money for people who want to spend the majority of their time out seeing London, proximity to tube is also a plus.
May Fair hotel:
Loved this place, the staff were fabulous and the rooms were quite unique. The whole ambiance of the hotel was relaxed but stylish. For clients who are looking for an up market hotel I would certainly recommend this hotel, I would also recommend anyone going to London to dine at their restaurant, best food I have had, mmmmm yum the lamb was the best. The restaurant staff know the menu very well and are helpful and friendly. I was impressed with the interaction between all the staff in the hotel, they seem to be great friends and that feeling creates a very homely vibe.
Park International hotel:
This is a very charming hotel and excellent value for money. I am glad to have seen this property and now better understand the rooms are all different sizes/layouts due to heritage restrictions. Was impressed at how quiet it was, being on Cromwell Road I thought noise would have been an issue. Also glad that I saw the lower ground rooms with view of street above, need to make clients aware of the view (I don’t see it as a negative but its best they are aware) and also need to advise the lower their room is located the larger it is. Very funky restaurant/bar area.
Collignham Gardens:
Great for people who are staying in London for a longer period of time, who like extra space or families/friends travelling together. Having a laundry is also a plus for people who are travelling around UK/Europe and London is at the end of their trip. Staff are very friendly and the apartments are located close to the action but in a quiet street.
Presidential Kensington Gardens:
Kind of had an Ikea feeling, minimal and no charm. The apartments are modern and have all you need but lacked atmosphere. The additional bedding was unusual, they are couches that fold out to a mattress which sits on the floor, ok for kids but I wouldn’t recommend adults travelling together. Wasn’t keen on its location opposite a backpacker with another located up the road.
Think Earl Court Apartments:
Massive Tesco located next door therefore good for people staying a long period of time. Location is a bit out of the way but excellent for people who are visiting the exhibition centre. The apartments are new and bright white but the hall ways are dark with minimal lighting (on purpose, not dodgy lighting!). Apparently they are still working on the property with construction of a gym/pool area on the bottom floor.

Paris Hotels:
Waldorf Trocadero hotel:
Really cute typical Parisian building in a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle. The breakfast room is tiny, you wouldn’t want many people in there at the one time but the décor is really interesting with all sorts of art pieces. Location is pretty good with an easy walk to the Champs Elysees.

Tours / Activities:
LONDON:
Used the Oyster Card for the first time, awesome sums it up, can we please have the tube here!! It was a great idea to have optional tours, for those who had seen Madame Tussauds before they could experience something they hadn’t done before. I personally wasn’t too keen on going to Madame Tussauds however found it to be quite fun. Getting in was horrible though, we were shunted to all different lines, no one seemed to know what was going on.
The London Eye is fantastic, we saw excellent views of the Thames and Parliament and it was very organised.
Most of us decided to go to a show that evening, we sure We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. What a show!

PARIS:
The Eurostar is the best way to travel between London and Paris, from the centre of London to the centre of Paris without the hassle of lengthy check in times and waiting for luggage. The seats are really comfortable, the food served is nothing special but for such a short trip it is fine.
The first evening we did the Dinner Cruise, Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge tour with Cityrama. The driver was very nice and gave clear instructions as to where to meet etc. The cruise was lovely and a great way to see both banks of the city, the food like all mass produced tourist dinners was ok. Having fast track tickets up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower was fantastic and there was plenty of time to see the lights/sights, good timing after dinner. By the time we were ready to head off to Moulin Rouge I was ready for bed!! Perhaps my tiredness, the wait in line to get in and the amount of people crammed into the theatre was the reason I didn’t enjoy it. I think the three in one tour is too much, if clients have time I will certainly recommend they do Eiffel and cruise one night and then do the early show at Moulin Rouge another night. Would not recommend Moulin Rouge to people who suffer from claustrophobia.
The Eternal Paris – Essential Ride is the best tour I have done in Paris, the drivers are extremely knowledgeable and take you to all the major sights in Paris. People must be prepared to have their photo taken, we turned into a tourist attraction ourselves! They dropped us at Sacre Coeur and we spent the afternoon wandering through the Montmartre area. Working out the metro was a little more difficult in Paris but after being offered advice for a fee from a generous Parisian we worked it out. For dinner that evening we went to the Latin quarter which is very petty to wander, the restaurant choice wasn’t great but the dessert made up for it, mmmm gelato and wandering Paris, simple but enjoyable!
We missed the guided tour of the Louvre however Saskia organised audio tours which are on individual Nintendo DS systems. This was far better as we were able to explore what we wanted to see. After the Louvre we explored the city on Les Cars Rouges, this is a great way to see the city and take your own time. I have done Le Open Tour before and found that they cover more areas of the city however have more than one route, I found it very easy on Les Cars Rouges as they have just the one route. The afternoon was spent shopping on Champs Elysees and chasing Mariah Carey out of Louis Vuitton, not even a fan but when in Paris!! The paparazzi were amazing zipping in and out of traffic on their scooters.
Saskia bought some champagne and strawberries on the way back to the hotel and we enjoyed a glass in the lounge of the Waldorf Trocadero, it was very nice of the hotel to allow us to do this, we kind of took over!

If you would like more information on London and Paris holidays or to make a booking contact Travelrite International on (03) 9836 2522 or balwyn@travelrite.com.au

Categories
Uncategorized

Business Class only flights from London to New York

After Neville and I visited Southampton for the launch of Queen Elizabeth we flew from London City airport on flight number BA1 Business Class only flights to New York. It is a smaller plane seating only 32 business class seats. The flight lands in Shannon Airport, where you go through all of the USA immigration check in, then back on the flight. This takes only half an hour, then on to the USA, landing at the domestic terminal, so you can walk straight out. Great to keep in mind if you are travelling around the world. We enjoyed four days in New York, where we visited the renovated MOMA and Metropolitan art galleries. They have wonderful collections of modern and older paintings. We travelled on the local bus to the very north of Manhattan Island to visit the Cloisters, which comprises building and art works from the middle ages. We took the No. 7 trains to Queens to visit Louis Armstrong’s house, which is now a museum. Very interesting to see home decoration from the 50ies. We were very struck by the high police presence on every street. We hadn’t been to New York for ten years and found the city very clean and prosperous. We also visited ground zero that was once the World Trade Centre and travelled around the whole of Manhattan to see the spectacular skyline of the city on the circular cruise.