Garuda Indonesia's Bali on ANY budget releases a range of hot villa deals

Garuda Indonesia’s Bali on ANY budget has again demonstrated its commitment to exceptional value for holiday makers by offering a range of great value Bali villa accommodation specials.

For a limited period Bali on ANY budget are joining forces with nine separate Bali villas located throughout Kuta and Seminyak. Along with exceptional accommodation, each villa package comes with a selection of extras including; daily breakfast, return airport transfers, Indonesian dinners, spa treatments, day trips, shuttle service between key island resorts, and a full personal butler service.

Michael Woods, Marketing Manager, Garuda Orient Holidays said: “Bali on ANY budget has always offered affordable, great value holiday packages and these Bali villa deals are no exception. The villas are stylish, spacious and private, providing the perfect setting for families and friends to enjoy their dream island holiday in Bali.”

Amazing villa packages start at 6 nights with breakfast and include the following:  

·        A Garden Villa at Villa Coco in upmarket Seminyak from $222*pp including transfers, day tour, dinner

·        A fabulous 3 Bedroom Villa at the magnificent Sienna Villas from just $518*pp including Indonesian dinner OR spa treatment (based on min 6adults)

·        A 1 Bedroom Villa at the stylish Kamuela Villas from $630*pp including transfers, shuttle service, full personal butler service

·        1 Bedroom Pool Villa at the centrally located Villa De Daun from $856*pp including transfers, mini bar, afternoon tea, foot bath

·        1 Bedroom Villa at The Villas from $908*pp including transfers, spa sampler, 20% discount on spa treatment, dinner

To view other deals and make bookings visit: www.BalionANYbudget.com.au. All prices quoted exclude international airfares.

New Absolute Lakefront Property Joins The Private Villa Collection

50B Park Street, Central Queenstown This luxury three bedroom, two bathroom absolute lakefront townhouse is located just a few minutes walk from the centre of Queenstown. There is a private balcony with lake views, plus a fabulous, sunny rear courtyard with bbq. You can enjoy fabulous lake and mountain views, with everything Queenstown has to offer on your doorstep! From just $600.00 per night (low season, for 6 guests)

www.touchofspice.co.nz

A Quirky & Colourful 5 Days

Grand Pacific Tours has launched its inaugural 5 Day Wellington & Wairarapa Short Break Tour, including attendance at the Montana World of WearableArts Awards Show.

Departing on the 30^th of September 2010 this tour will be Fully Escorted.  This 5 Day Short Break will combine the cosmopolitan buzz of New Zealand’s Capital City Wellington with an overnight visit in the boutique wine making region of the Wairarapa.

The highlight of the tour will be attendance at the 2010 Montana World of WearableArts Awards Show.  Travellers will attend the finale show on Sunday afternoon followed by a post show dinner at one of Wellington’s waterfront locations.    The Montana World of WearableArts Awards Show is an extravaganza that twists conventional perceptions of both art and fashion and weaves them into a performance that has been described as “Mardi Gras meets Haute Couture at a Peter Gabriel concert directed by Salvador Dali”.

The concept was created by Suzie Moncrieff and first shown in 1987 in Nelson to a crowd of 200.   Today the show is internationally acclaimed and designers from around the world watch as their garment is transformed and showcased in a two hour theatrical extravaganza.    In 2009 the show attracted an audience of over 40,000 and is recognised as one of the most prestigious international art and fashion competitions.   The best and most unique garments are selected from approximately 300 entries submitted from all over the globe; the competition is fierce.

The tour includes return airfare, 4 nights deluxe accommodation, return airport transfers in New Zealand;  breakfast and dinner daily; luxury coach travel with full commentary; pre paid sightseeing and a deluxe documentation set including ticket wallet, luggage tag, personalised itinerary and name badge.

Sightseeing highlights in Wellington include a ride on the landmark Cable Car; a tour of Te Papa, the National Museum renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and fun and free time at leisure to stroll through the shops on Lambton Quay and Cuba Street.   Travel 90 minutes outside of the city to the Wairarapa and visit Richmond, a Garden of International Significance.  Owner Melanie Greenwood will showcase her formal garden, reminiscent of 16th and 17th century Italian gardens. Finish with a glass of champagne on the veranda of her homestead built in the 1880’s. The wine culture of Martinborough will be showcased in a Cooking Workshop at Coney Wines in conjunction with Zest Foods.  Travellers will share vineyard platters, interact with the chef as lunch is prepared and demonstrated whilst sipping some of the local wines.  

This 5 Day Short Break itinerary is actioned packed and suited to people of all ages.   It is the ideal “ladies weekend away” that merges shopping, fashion, culture, food & wine.   With only one exclusive departure this is an event not to be missed.

For a copy of the brochure contact the Grand Pacific Tours Reservations Team on 1800 622 768 or visit http://www.grandpacifictours.com 

Blanket Bay tops 2010 Gold List for Asia, Australia and Pacific regions

Hard on the heels of being named the world’s third greatest accommodation property by Readers’ Choice 2009 Top 100, New Zealand’s leading luxury resort has struck gold.

Conde Naste Traveler’s 2010 Gold List ranks Glenorchy’s Blanket Bay as the second-highest scoring property in the world and the top-scoring hotel in Asia, Australia and Pacific nations.

The January 2010 edition of the prestigious magazine features in depth ratings of the world’s best places to stay and Blanket Bay received perfect scores of 100 out of 100 in three categories; rooms, service and location.  Food and property design scored 95.8 and 95.7 respectively to achieve an overall score of 98.3 – the second highest score of any property in the world.  

The magazine describes Blanket Bay as an “upscale lodge in a perfect-scoring location between the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu ...with perfect-scoring rooms that have stone fireplaces, recycled timber, floor-to-ceiling arched windows, antler chandeliers, and very welcoming hot tubs. The menu at the restaurant... emphasizes local meats like Canterbury duck leg and Angus beef. Perfect-scoring staff never miss a thing."

Tourism New Zealand Regional Manager for North America Annie Dundas says the Blanket Bay achievement is phenomenal.

“To be listed yet again as Gold Standard in this magazine shows a huge commitment to the highest possible standards.  It’s tantamount to saying this property is consistently one of the world’s best.”

Blanket Bay was one of only two properties in New Zealand to have made the 2010 Gold List.  Huka Lodge also features with an overall score of 90.8.

Ms Dundas says ratings are vitally important for promoting New Zealand to high end travellers, particularly as New Zealand doesn’t have the big brand hotel properties often favoured by high end American travellers.

“Blanket Bay and Huka Lodge are demonstrating to the world that New Zealand does luxury very well, only the scale is smaller.  These ratings tell consumers that we have properties that are easily the equivalent of the big brand hotels such as Four Seasons.  To consistently see our properties listed alongside and above the best builds consumer confidence.  It certainly makes our job of promotion easier and more credible.”  

In the 10 years since opening in December 1999, Blanket Bay has enjoyed a dramatic climb into the ranks the world’s best properties with an awards list that ranges from building honours through to Hotel Management Awards, several awards won by individuals of its culinary team and annual places on various lists of the world’s best accommodation properties.

WINE TASTING WITH A DIFFERENCE

With New Years’ resolutions made - now is time for you to take action to run the talk. Enter in the 4th annual Saint Clair Half Marathon, taking place on Saturday 8th May 2010 a half marathon with a difference, among the famous grapevines of Marlborough.
This 21km off-road run or walk captures the very essence of the Marlborough valley: vines for miles, stunning scenery, autumn colours and diverse landscapes. Participants will run beside the grapes which make up their favourite wines, such as Saint Clair, Montana, Wairau River Wines, Stoneleigh, Allan Scott and Cloudy Bay.
Rachel Anderson, Event Organiser, comments, “The event has almost doubled in participants every year since the inaugural race in 2007. This is not your typical winery tour! It’s a fun event where you can take in the views while getting great exercise on a course that is suitable for all levels of fitness.”
If the gorgeous Marlborough scenery is not enough, every participant (over 18 years old) will be gifted a bottle of Saint Clair Wine at the finish line, which is conveniently located at the Saint Clair Cellar Door.
Neal Ibbotson, owner of Saint Clair Family Estate comments, “This is a perfect way to take in the stunning local scenery and afterwards rehydrate in style at the Saint Clair Cellar Door and Café tasting the final product from the grapes on the course.”
With entries limited to 1,500 now is the time to reserve your spot! For further information, maps, and entry forms please visit www.vineyardhalf.com <http://www.vineyardhalf.com>

What's new pussycat? Tom Jones to rock the Hunter - that's what.

Hunter Valley retreat Peppers Guest House has set the stage for one of the most memorable musical getaways imaginable when superstar entertainer Tom Jones brings his legendary live act to the NSW wine country in February.
One of music’s most-loved and celebrated stars, Tom Jones, will rock the vineyards on Saturday February 27, unleashing his Sex Bomb and other chart topping hits such as It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat, She’s A Lady and Kiss in an exclusive concert event not to be missed.
Sir Tom has enjoyed a phenomenal career spanning five decades, and along the way has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, continually topped charts and won an unmatched reputation as one of the great live performers.
His unique vocal power and charismatic persona make him one of the most respected, admired and enduring personalities in the music entertainment business.
Performing hundreds of concerts a year, he has sustained his popularity by keeping his finger on the musical pulse, and his recordings have spanned the spectrum from pop to rock, r&b, contemporary dance and urban soul.
Peppers Guest House has lifted the curtain on the ultimate escape for Tom Jones fans offering exclusive weekend packages from $675* per person including two nights accommodation, full country breakfast each morning, two Gold entry tickets, coach transfers to the concert venue at nearby Bimbadgen Estate Winery and  dinner for two in Chez Pok Restaurant on the Friday evening.
Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley and surrounded by beautiful gardens and vineyards, Peppers Guest House is one of the region’s best loved retreats.
Comprising 48 elegantly furnished guest rooms in a contemporary classic style; the retreat revels in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere matched with a reputation for exceptional fine wines and food experiences.
On site facilities include the award-winning Chez Pok restaurant, endota retreat spa, tennis court and indoor pool & spa.
Peppers manages a collection of premium retreats, resorts and hotels in beautiful locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, including NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT, TAS, North and South Island.