Experience time travel when you leave Sydney in the late afternoon only to arrive in Honolulu the same day! Extend your experience by stopping off for a day in Auckland on the way, and it it's the season see if you can catch some local rugby. Stay at the lovely Langham Hotel for Earth Hour and you'll enjoy a soy-candle-lit soiree while retaining your carbon credentials. Then on to Honolulu for iconic beaches and - really - swaying palm trees.
Take a surf lesson in the morning, then be amazed by the Friday night fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort at Waikiki - you might see them from your room if you book one with an oceanfront view. When you're not busy tipping the hotel staff, splash out at Hawaiian Waters water park. You can catch the bus from just over the road from the Hilton. A more upmarket option is the recently re-modeled Royal Hawaiian where you'll even earn Starwood points.
SYD-HNL Depart 18:35, Arrive 20:15 5748 miles
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Your personal time machine - from Sydney to Honolulu
Monday, June 1, 2009
Singapore to Sydney and the best beaches in the world
An Antipodean experience awaits you as you travel from Singapore to Sydney, with its beautiful beaches and friendly locals. The best-kept hotel secret is the Old Sydney Holiday Inn, whose reasonable rates are in contrast with their amazing rooftop pool overlooking Sydney Harbour. Walk up to Circular Quay and hop on to the Sydney and Bondi tour bus for a open-top spin around the city, then try a local ferry for some evening harbour lights. Remember to visit Taronga Zoo and pat the kangaroos!
SIN-SYD Depart 9:40, Arrive 20:15 3912 miles
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wonderful Singapore - check out the Night Safari!
From Dubai to Singapore, exchanging
the dry heat of the desert for the humidity of the tropics. You're spoiled
for choice in hotel accommodation in Singapore, with properties ranging from the Shangri-La Valley Wing right through to the Hotel Bencoolen offering wonderful accommodation at good value prices. Want bang for your buck on a short stayover? Check into the Intercontinental - on the MRT from the airport and right across the road from the Bugis Markets.
DXB-SIN Depart 18:20, Arrive 5:50 3635 miles
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Cairo to Dubai, and - suprisingly - water worlds
When you've had your fill of Cairo cuisine, embark on a cross-continental flight which will take you all the way to Dubai, then on to Singapore. If funds permit, stop over in Dubai at Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah. If you don't want to spend the night, you can check out Atlantis The Palms and ride a giant water slide down 30m then through a shark-filled lagoon on a day trip to Aquaventure.
CAI-DXB Depart 9:00, Arrive 14:45 1500 miles
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Paris to Giza for a unique view of the Pyramids
Leave the glamour of Paris in mid-afternoon after a suitable brunch of croissants and coffee, and head to the southern desert regions for your rendezvous with the Pyramids. Sink into the local bazaars or just lie back by the pool watching history at Le Meridien Pyramids Get the new shuttle bus to Giza and remember to book into the famous Sound and Light Show.
CDG-CAI Depart 16:35, Arrive 21:10 1990 miles
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tromso to Paris - Charles de Gaulle Airport and, well, Paris
After you've caught up with the Lights, take an early morning flight out of Tromso to Paris Charles de Gaulle, via Oslo (of course). Marvel at the architecture of the original Terminal 1 before heading off to see the sights of Paris in the evening and following days. For pure indulgence, stay at the Four Seasons Georges V or with a family look around for a serviced apartment [tripadvisor.com article and links]. The official Paris Tourism site has everything you need to organise your visit, including public holiday listings & recommendations for gay-friendly venues. Remember if you eat at the Eiffel Tower restaurant you can usually avoid the elevator queues.
TOS-CDG Depart 8:30, Arrive 13:15 1538 miles
Saturday, April 11, 2009
London to Tromso - Northern Lights
Start your journey on a leisurely afternoon flight to Tromso, Norway, one of the world’s best locations to see the Northern Lights. You’ll have a short transit in Oslo before arriving in Tromso in time to settle into your hotel before a late Scandinavian supper and hopefully a view of the Lights. It’s recommended that you stay a couple of days in case bad weather hides the skies on your first night.
If you’re traveling with family, you might appreciate the self-catering facilities at the City Living Hotel. Otherwise the sauna and solarium with a view of Tromso Bay at the Radisson Blu might be more your style.
LHR-TOS Depart 13:05, Arrive 20:20 1432 miles