Aussie Rules




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    EDEN Luxury Travel, The Steamill, Steamill Street, Chester, Cheshire CH3 5AN

    Telephone
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    Our Travel Boutique

    27 King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6DW

    Telephone
    01565 656000

    Opening Times
    Our travel boutique embraces a flexible work environment.
    Visit us in-person Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.
    Our dedicated team also works remotely on Mondays and Fridays,
    ensuring seamless support throughout the week.

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    Aussie Rules

     

    "I can think of all sorts of reasons why I love Australia so much. The dramatic scenery, laid-back coffee-loving culture, local wines, artisan cheeses and friendly, no-worries service…

    Eden original

    Words by TARA LLOYD

     

    “I can think of all sorts of reasons why I love Australia so much. The dramatic scenery, laid-back coffee-loving culture, local wines, artisan cheeses and friendly, no-worries service… But, if I was forced to sum up the country in just one word, it would be ‘beautiful’…

    But one word is nowhere near enough, which explains why so many clients who’ve visited soon run out of superlatives.

    Quite simply, whenever I think of Oz, I smile. You won’t find a more genuine country anywhere. The Aussies’ authentic hospitality and relaxed approach to luxury make it easy to slip into the outdoorsy lifestyle and dry humour, so you’ll soon find yourself throttling back and enjoying the country’s wonderful surroundings.

    Whether it’s a light lunch, tasting menu, or full-blown feast, Aussies like their food to be great quality, organic, diverse and flavoursome. And, while they’re very serious about eating out, as a nation they definitely don’t take themselves too seriously. Add to that unique wildlife, fabulous cities and copious sunshine hours, and it’s no wonder life down-under is the envy of the world!

    Where to Go?

    One of the first questions clients always ask is ‘with such a big country and so much to see, where do you start?’. Australia is indeed huge – on a map, you could fit in the whole of Europe with just about enough room for New Zealand and Japan too! So, should you take the shortest flight, the non-stop Dreamliner service to Perth? Get away from it all in the remote Northern Territory? Or go for the Gold Coast, with its sunshine and beaches? The answer? Well… From Adelaide and Tasmania, to Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, you’re well and truly spoilt for choice.

    Personally though, I’d start with one of the classic combos: Sydney, followed by the Blue Mountains and then the stunning Whitsunday Islands. Flying with Singapore Airlines is as comfortable as their on-board slippers; their lounges, service, seats and entertainment are really hard to beat. The food is nothing like ‘airline food’, and the ‘book the cook’ pre-bookable menu is really impressive. Believe me, if you take the super-smooth A380 service from London, you absolutely won’t regret it!

    Sydney for Starters

     

    Sydney has to be one of my top five cities on the planet: it’s the perfect mix of modern magic and authentic Australia, with some of the most iconic landmarks and views to be found anywhere in the world.

    By all means enjoy the well-trodden sights – climb the Harbour Bridge, sip champagne at the Opera House Bar (home to the city’s best harbour and bridge views), get caught up in the bustle of Circular Quay and the historic Rocks, explore the Botanical Gardens and take in the views at Mrs Maquarie’s Chair. But I’d also make time to go further afield to discover Bondi and Bronte beaches, see Rose Bay and admire the fabulous Dover Heights homes.

    Local guides are bursting with passion for the area’s art, artisan delis, trendy lunch spots, and surfing, and will let you into all sorts of secrets.

    There’s always a great event or two on in Sydney too, whatever time of year you go. One of my favourites is Vivid in May and June: an annual festival of light, music and ideas that drenches the city’s landmarks in colour and art.

    For the full effect from an amazing vantage point, stay at the centrally located InterContinental and book a dining experience at Aria. Signature restaurant of Australian chef Matt Malone, this culinary institution overlooking the harbour promotes a plethora of local produce from seafood to gin; but do bear in mind if you want that New Year’s Eve #bucketlistmoment you’ll need to book at least six months in advance.

    THE WONDERFUL WHITSUNDAYS

     

    One of the beauties of Oz, like the US, is that in one country there are so many different types of landscape, climate and lifestyles to enjoy. And so it is that just a two-and-a-half-hour flight north of Sydney, you’ll find the dreamy slice of tropical heaven known as Hamilton Island.

    Set in the shimmering blue waters of the Whitsunday Islands, this pint-sized peridot gem is home to qualia, the renowned adult-only haven of secluded indulgence; its Leeward and Windward Pavilions offering every conceivable luxury. It’s a place to lounge in sublime style beside Pebble Beach’s infinity pool, zipping around in your personal buggy, or taking the hosted sunset tour out across the beautiful Whitsundays… all interspersed with impeccable service and fine-dining.

    The island itself offers even more excursions and activities…

    From the striking main ‘Catseye Beach’ with its watersports, boutique adults-only Beach Club and family friendly Reef View Hotel, to the small marina, yacht club, shops, restaurants, sports club, One Tree Hill sunset spot and golf on nearby Dent Island. Or, for a more homely stay with seductive views, book a four-bedroom self-catering yacht club villa.

    Top of my list of must-dos while you’re here though is a trip to Whitehaven Beach. Regularly voted the world’s best, its powder-white sand is the stuff dreams are made of. Take the scenic seaplane flight, and on to the edge of the outer Great Barrier Reef, flying over Heart Island – it’s a trip I’ll never forget, and neither will you!

    And, to delve further into the reef, there’s a new platform experience for snorkelling and diving too. Hayman Island (now InterContinental) is an old favourite that’s finally open for business again after the 2017 cyclone, and is easily accessible from both Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach (the latter a great base for families too, with its laid-back vibe, affordable accommodation and weekly local craft market). Fly to Proserpine Airport or take the ferry from Hamilton Island. We particularly like the Mirage’s three-bedroom apartments; well-appointed with that all-important pool and spa and just a short taxi ride from local hot spot ‘Northerlies’.

    Brisbane Bound

     

    The perfect end to your trip? Fly home from Brisbane, just a short hop south from the Whitsundays, spending a couple of days prior exploring this up-and-coming urban wonder.

    Now a thriving, dynamic city, it mixes beautiful landscaping and Victorian architecture with up-to-the-minute office blocks, boutique hotels, impossibly stylish shopping, the new Howard Smith Wharf, a chic riverside café scene, world-class art galleries and museums.

    Fabulous new hotels include The Calile, The Fantauzzo and Emporium and, within two-hours of here you could visit koala sanctuaries, wineries, the Sunshine Coast’s glorious beaches, head by helicopter to a stunning mountain retreat like Spicer’s Peak Lodge, or simply enjoy Brisbane as the last stop on your amazing Australian adventure.”

    Start planning your EDEN Luxury Holiday by getting in touch with one of our Travel Directors.

    Start planning your EDEN Luxury Holiday by getting in touch with one of our Travel Directors.

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