Discover Western Australia's best-kept secret

The owner of Maitraya has claimed that the Western Australian holiday resort is the region's best-kept secret.


The mansion retreat of Maitraya may be Western Australia's best-kept secret, but it won't stay that way for long, with the unique destination attracting worldwide attention.

Travellers arriving into Australia on flights to Perth can reach the resort in under an hour, while the private airstrip and helipad mean that super-rich guests can get there even more easily.

The exclusive resort can accommodate up to 21 guests at a time and features include an indoor heated pool, as well as an outdoor swimming lagoon. Guests can also relax in the sauna and spa or get active on the tennis court and football pitch.

Perhaps the most attractive feature is the bespoke approach that the owner takes towards optional extras, though.

For more information visit here

Uluru nominated for Wonder of Nature honour

Australians are being encouraged to vote for their favourite natural landmark in a new online competition.


The Central Australian landmark of Uluru has been put forward as one of 28 global sites competing to be named one of the world's New Seven Wonders of Nature.

As part of a seven-month online competition, global citizens will be encouraged to vote for their favourite natural marvel, with the Great Barrier Reef also nominated, proving that nature-loving travellers taking flights to Australia will be spoilt for choice.

Other global landmarks nominated include the Grand Canyon in America, the Black Forest in Germany and South America's Iguazu Falls.

Malarndirri McCarthy, the Australian tourism minister, said that she would be writing to celebrity fans of Uluru, such as Oprah Winfrey, to encourage them to vote.

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Grab Flights to Mauritius & Explore Heavenly Beauty

If you are looking to have a vacation in one of the world’s most beautiful places, then Mauritius is the way to go for you! Situated in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a small island nation that has been blessed with nature’s most stunning wonders and splendours. The country boasts of remarkable countryside, pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and mesmerising underwater life. Apart from natural marvels, Mauritius’ other charms include colourful culture, soaring sky-scrapers and other man-made attractions. It is not surprising that Mauritius is one country that lures all kinds of holiday makers – be it families, adventurers or honeymooners! The majestic Mauritius is certainly capable of offering you a fun filled vacations – one that you will treasure and relish forever!

Tourist Delights in Mauritius
Mauritius is inundated with several tourist delights. Take a look at some of the attractions under broader categories that are compelling tourists from all over the world to book flights to Mauritius.

Brilliant Beaches
The beaches in Mauritius are just perfect, portraying visual delights beyond belief! Mauritian beaches are the world’s most scintillating ones, providing the ideal blend of sand, water and sun! Palm -fringed beaches are indeed one of the biggest attractions in Mauritius and one of the major reasons why cheap flights to Mauritius are so highly sought after by honeymoon couples and families on leisure vacations. These beaches are the perfect spots to enjoy a quite afternoon or revel in some beach side fun activities. Holiday makers can undertake a variety of water activities with their families and friends. Pereybere, Belle Mare, Flic en Flac, Le Morne, Blue Bay and Grand Bay are some of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Mauritius that are loved by tourists from all over the world and entice them to look for cheap flights to Mauritius.

Wonderful Wildlife
Apart from gorgeous coastlines, Mauritius is renowned for its exotic wildlife parks and sanctuaries. In fact, wildlife charms play a very prominent part in Mauritius Tourism and making this country such a top tourist spot! Some of the popular wildlife reserves and parks are La Vanille Crocodile, Domaine du Chasseur, IIe aux Aigrettes and Black River Georges National Park. You will be amazed with the incredible wildlife and scintillating beauty of the lush greenery! Grab flights to Mauritius and greet the nature in its supreme glory and witness the varied species roaming freely in the natural kingdom!

Riveting Religious Sites
Away from exotic natural beauty, Mauritius also boasts of some stunning religious sites and attractions that sway and stun every tourist who visits them. Triolet Shivala is one such example that allures holiday makers to Mauritius. Triolet Shivala is the largest Hindu temple in the country and is dedicated to God Shiva, Brahma, Ganesha, Vishnu and others.

Other Attractions
Mauritius attractions are not limited just to the above mentioned. There is a lot else in the city that warrants a visit from the travellers. Pamplemousses Garden is one such top tourist delight that enchants visitors. It is an extremely well maintained botanical garden that is known for its wonderful giant water lilies, exotic plant and palm trees. Pamplemousses Garden indeed fascinates everyone with its fantastic flora!

Tourists to Mauritius can also enjoy a pulsating nightlife, delicious local cuisines and incredible shopping options. The country is full of wonderful hotels that offer the best in terms of luxury and comfort. Cheap budget hotels are also available in different parts of the country that cater to holiday makers who look for cheaper accommodation alternatives on their budget vacations. The radiant country of Mauritius has everything going for it! No wonder, travellers from far and wide travel to this glorious destination to enjoy few of the world’s most amazing attractions.

Severe floods leave Thailand tourists stranded

Tourists in Thailand have been left stranded as the country copes with heavy flooding.


Flights to Thailand have faced major disruption today (March 30th), as the south of the country is dealing with major flooding, it has been reported.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned British travellers in the region to avoid the Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phattalung, Chumphon, Trang and Satun regions.

Furthermore, Nakhon Sri Thammarat airport has been temporarily closed and flights are suspended due to runway flooding, while flights from Koh Samui airport are also disrupted.

Other popular tourist destinations, such as Kho Pha Ngan and Kho Tao have also been affected, while ferry services have also been hit.

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Travellers Set To Suffer As BA Cabin Crew Votes for Strike

British Airways cabin crew seems to be in no mood of giving up their fight as they vote overwhelmingly in favour of fresh strikes. This is the fourth time the cabin crew has voted for an industrial action in two years.

The dispute between BA and its staff brewed over pay and working conditions but currently the matter seem to be focussed on the decision of the airline to take away travel perks from staff members who participated in previous strikes. BA has witnessed and experienced a total of 22 days of strike last year in which the airline is reported to have lost an estimated £150m. Several flights were also cancelled or delayed creating scenes of chaos at different airports and troubling passengers who bought BA flight tickets.


Unite announced that over 80 percent of the airline’s cabin crew with valid voting papers voted in favour of the strike against the national flag carrier. The date of the strike is yet to be announced by the union but it is likely that the industrial action is going to be called on during the Easter holidays, denting travel plans of hundreds. Several travellers who were lucky enough to procure tickets on cheap flights are sure to be disappointed if the strike indeed ‘strikes’ during Easter holidays, which is a popular travel season and tickets on cheap flights are not easy to come by.

The general secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey was quoted by online sources as stating, "This vote shows that cabin crew remain determined to win justice. We urge BA's boardroom to see this as a clear message that they must think again about how to regain the trust and confidence of a significant part of their cabin crew operation." Len McCluskey further added, "We continue to be in discussions with the company to find a solution to this long-running dispute."

British Airways also seemed in favour of sorting things out peacefully. "We began talks with Unite earlier this month, and those talks are continuing. We hope they will bring an end to this dispute, which is what the overwhelming majority of our cabin crew want," BA was quoted some of the leading news portals.

Keith Williams, BA’s new chief executive, promised that the airline is prepared to face any adverse situation. Mr Williams was confident as he promised that British Airways is going to continue with its long-haul flights from Heathrow, as well as the scheduled services from Gatwick and London City in the event of a strike.

However, Mr McCluskey is surely not on a same page with Mr Williams on this one. Mr McCluskey shrewdly observed, "He (Keith Williams) has no way of knowing what weird and wondrous initiatives we might take should we engage in industrial action."

Lizard Island gets revamp and makeover

Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy a stylish new look at Lizard Island.


The Great Barrier Reef resort of Lizard Island has undergone a soft makeover in order to better attract visitors on flights to Australia.

A fresh new look has been designed for the Lodge Bar and Osprey's Restaurant, while many suites and villas have also been given a revamp.

The Anchor Bay Suites now feature new rugs and coffee tables, while the Sunset Point Villas offer a private deck with a hammock.

Lizard Island is an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts, as you can mix with green sea turtles, giant clownfish, and 100-year-old giant clam gardens.

For more information visit here

Spiderman' scales Dubai's Burj Khalifa tower

A controversial freeclimber has completed his record-breaking attempt to climb the tallest building in the world.

French daredevil Alain Robert climbed into the record books last night (March 28th) after reaching the top of the Burj Khalifa tower.

Mr Robert, who has earned the nickname Spiderman, took six hours to ascend the 828-metre high Dubai skyscraper, which is the tallest building in the world.

A large crowd of visitors gathered to cheer him on and as night fell he had to be lit up by spotlights so he could continue his ascent.

His gruelling climb began two hours later than planned at 18:00 local time, meaning he didn't reach the top until around midnight.

The notorious freeclimber often eschews ropes and harnesses in his death-defying climbs, but on this occasion he was forced by Dubai authorities to take safety measures.

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Phil Spencer recommends Melbourne breaks

The host of Location, Location, Location has spoken of his love for the Australian city of Melbourne.

TV presenter Phil Spencer has named his Melbourne highlights as well as offering plenty of sage travel advice for travellers contemplating booking flights to Australia.

The Location, Location, Location host told the Telegraph that his best ever holiday was spent in the Australian city, including a trip to the "spectacular" Byron Bay.

He added that both he and his wife Fiona, who is a native Aussie, are very fond of Melbourne and its "great" weather.

Phil's key criteria for a perfect holiday are simple: "I need my wife, my children and blue skies. If there is white sand and warm water, then I've ticked the boxes."

For more information visit here

Kuwait sandstorm leaves Dubai dusty

A major sandstorm in Kuwait has led to highly dusty conditions and low visibility in the UAE, according to the local met office.

Visitors on flights to Dubai have been warned to expect dusty conditions until at least tomorrow (March 29th) as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) feels the aftermath of a severe sandstorm in Kuwait.

The local meteorological organisation warned that visibility is likely to be less than 1,000 metres until Tuesday, due to a large sand cloud, Emirates 24/7 reported.

As a result, temperatures have dropped and off-shore winds of up to 13 knots make for difficult swimming, surfing and sailing conditions.

Last Friday saw a major sandstorm in Kuwait, with winds reaching 80 kmph, and the resultant conditions forced many local flights to be diverted to alternative airports.

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Fishing and cooking experience launched at Thai hotel

Visitors to Thailand can experience the whole cooking experience from fishing through to cooking with the Sarojin's latest deal.

Luxury Thai hotel the Sarojin is offering guests the chance to fish like a local, cook like a pro and dine like royalty with a new foodie package.

Gourmet travellers have yet another reason to book flights to Thailand, as the hotel's new deal offers a thorough gastronomic experience.

Guests are invited to go native and explore the estuaries of the mangrove forest on a traditional longtail boat.

Furthermore, you can learn how to catch your own fish using the native techniques of line and rod fishing, as taught by local Thai fishermen.

For more information visit here

India's wildlife offers more than just tigers

Travellers visiting India are being encouraged to try a wider array of wildlife tours to take the pressure off the tiger population.

Visitors on flights to India are urged to discover the variety of wildlife on offer beyond the popular tiger tours, as Indian Experiences is running a series of alternative offers at its eco lodges this year.

Corbett National Park is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee this year with a range of jeep safaris from Jim's Jungle Retreat featuring elephants, crocodiles and around 600 species of exotic birds.

Elsewhere, Reni Pan Jungle Lodge in Satpura National Park claims to be India's best-kept secret, with leopards, wild dogs and sloth bears all sighted nearby.

In order to help preserve the local environment, Satpura is one of the only national parks in India that allows walking safaris within its core area.

For more information visit here

Winter discounts for Tasmanian ferry crossings

Travellers booking flights to Australia and hoping to explore the island of Tasmania may be glad to learn that Spirit of Tasmania is offering a 60 per cent discount this winter.


The Spirit of Tasmania is offering a 60 per cent discount on ferry crossings from Melbourne this winter.

As a result twin and four-berth cabins are available from just $99 (£63) per person per crossing, provided you travel between May 3rd and August 31st this year.

Furthermore, you can take your hire car with you for just $79 each way, giving you extra space to carry all your essential holiday items.

Tasmania has plenty to offer British travellers on flights to Australia, including wine tours, outdoor adventures, historic tours and cultural events.

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Aborigine band to perform at Ayers Rock Resort

Drum Atweme have been confirmed to perform at Ayers Rock Resort in April.


Visitors to Ayers Rock Resort next month will notice that the Northern Australian destination will be alive to the sounds of Aborigine drumming, as Drum Atweme will be performing from April 8th to 10th.

These performances will give British travellers yet another reason to book flights to Australia, and visit this famous outback region.

Drum Atweme literally means 'hit the drum' in the Arrernte language of Central Australia, and members range from six to 16 years of age.

The group was formed in 2004 to meet the needs of at-risk Aboriginal youth that were interested in music, especially percussion.

Their performances feature a fusion of rhythm and dance from around the world with the voices of their own culture, while the songs and stories are based on their own sense of cultural identity.

For more information visit here

Spiderman' to climb Dubai's tallest skyscraper

A 48-year-old freeclimber, nicknamed Spiderman, will attempt to climb the world's tallest building next week.

A world-famous French daredevil will attempt to climb Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building on Monday (March 28th), it has been reported.

Alain Robert has earned the nickname 'Spiderman' for his death-defying freeclimbing achievements, which regularly involve no safety equipment and often result in police fines and arrests.

However, on this occasion Mr Robert has bowed to Dubai officials and agreed to use a rope and harness for his six-hour attempt to reach the top of the 828 metre-high skyscraper.

Mr Robert, 48, told the Associated Press of his struggles with health and safety officials: "I was trying and trying to get the approval, and it was always a big, big no."

For more information visit here

Four Islands to Consider before booking Flights to Seychelles

The Seychelles is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The destination is a group of some 115 fabulous islands. Seychelles, with its enchanting jungles, a rare exotic flora and fauna life, and huge tracts of pristine milky white beaches, literally begs to be explored. This paradise on earth is no longer the exclusive privilege of the ultra rich. Be it some historical attractions at the National Museum in Victoria or a jungle trip in the Morne Seychellois National Park, every experience in Seychelles becomes a lifelong memory. Take a small look into four popular islands in Seychelles.

Mahé

Seychelles’s main island, Mahé, has the distinction of being the country’s largest island and also its cultural and economic hub of Seychelles. The endearing travel destination of Victoria, the smallest capital in the world is quite close to Mahé. Being the location of the international airport, Mahé is well served by numerous airlines operating flights to Seychelles. The island of Mahé is a fantastic place for experiencing the famous outdoor locales of Seychelles. There are numerous nature walks and trails, fishing areas, dive centres, and cultural and ecotourism spots in Mahé. Exploring the destination on a hired car or a sailing boat makes for a memorable experience. Mahé also offers enough by way of restaurants, bars, casinos, and cafes. Travellers looking for cheap flights to Seychelles should definitely consider Mahé while booking their tickets.

Praslin

Praslin, another wonderful Seychelles destination, is only second to Mahé in terms of size. In fact, Praslin ranks pretty high on the priority of many of the visitors catching flights to Seychelles. Praslin has a captivatingly beautiful landscape and has quite a few unique claims to fame. A trip here can treat visitors to the sight of Seychelles Black Parrots, which happen to be amongst the rarest parrot species on the planet. No less stunning is the flora life, especially the humongous palm tree forests famous for the Coco-de-Mer palm. This tree bears fruits, which have a striking resemblance to the female pelvis. Gorging on scrumptious Creole cuisines and lazing around in the mesmerising Anse Lazio and other wonderful beaches are just a couple of other charms that await travellers in Praslin.

La Digue Island

Many visitors book cheap flights to Seychelles to experience some old world unhurried way of life. The La Digue Island is undoubtedly one of the best places in Seychelles for such a trip. A ferry ride to La Digue from Praslin just takes about half an hour. Many of the old Seychelles traditions have survived in this island and tourists can be assured of a wonderful cultural experience. The laidback pace of life also makes the island a welcome break from a hectic schedule.

Silhouette Island

The Silhoutte Island is another irresistible seductress. Teeming with a rich colourful marine life, the island makes for a fairytale kind of setting and has many interesting tales attached to it. If legends are anything to go by, Silhoutte Island is the place where the notorious corsair, Jean-Francois Hodoul buried his treasure. The island is also believed to be home to numerous graves of medieval era Arab sailors. Besides legends and histories, Silhoutte Island has a lot by way of present day attractions as well. The Seychelles Sheath Tailed Bat and Seychelles Giant Tortoise are two rare forms of fauna life that survive on this island. Devilishly attractive views of the North Coast of Mahé are available from the island. Those looking for some underwater adventures can look forward to fabulous diving spots. A coral barrier reef and craggy granite cliffs further add to the visual appeal.

Qantas defends decision to put prices up

Australia's biggest airline has put prices up across the board by as much as $10 per person, due to rising fuel costs.

Australian airline Qantas has defended its decision to increase fares by as much as $10 (£6) from the beginning of next month onwards.

Furthermore travellers on flights to Tasmania will have to pay an extra eight per cent, the airline has announced.

The price hike was put down to the rising cost of jet fuel, which has gone up by 15 per cent over the last month, pushing the airline's costs up by an extra $2 billion.

Alan Joyce, chief executive officer at Qantas, said that the airline is also taking further steps towards improving its fuel conservation levels, but the global financial crisis was also playing a part.

For more information visit here

Santana's Guitar Heaven tour arrives in Brisbane

Carlos Santana is bringing his world tour to the Brisbane Entertainment Arena tonight, before shows in Sydney and Hunter Valley.

Legendary blues guitarist Carlos Santana arrives in Brisbane today (March 24th) as part of his Guitar Heaven tour of Asia and the Pacific region.

Travellers on flights to Australia can catch the veteran musician all this weekend, as the tour moves to Sydney tomorrow before arriving in Hunter Valley on Saturday.

Santana's career has spanned over 40 years to date, earning him numerous awards along the way, but he only broke into the mainstream in 2000 with his album, Supernatural, which featured a host of famous guest vocalists.

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Last chance to catch Sydney's beer festival

Cape Town tourism to get conference boost

The South African city of Cape Town is due to host a major tourism conference next week


Tourism in the South African city of Cape Town is expected to enjoy a boost after next week's Tourism Destination Conference.

The one-day conference, which will take place on March 28th, will include more than 100 influential figures and decision makers from the sector.

Following on from last year's Football World Cup, the theme of this year's event is elevating Cape Town's global profile.

Alan Winde, Western Cape tourism minister, said: "The conference is aimed at engaging with relevant topics that could enhance our destination's competitive advantage to contribute towards industry growth."

Furthermore, the keynote speech is to be given by South Africa's national tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

For more information visit here

Indian city unveils ATM that dispenses milk

The Indian city of Katraj is to introduce a new ATM machine that can dispense cold milk for thirsty visitors.

British travellers on flights to India have another reason to visit the Pune region, as the city of Katraj will be unveiling the first ATM for milk-thirsty locals.

Aimed at the busy local workers, the Any Time Milk vending machines will offer the refreshing taste of cool milk on the go, 24 hours a day.

The developers insist they won't be milking people's wallets either, as the milk will be cheaper than the equivalent shop price.

Despite the planned launch date being just three days after April Fools Day, Pune District Milk Producers Federation insist that this new project is not a joke.

For more information visit here

Last chance to catch Sydney's beer festival

Sydney's month-long German beer festival is coming to a close this weekend, with live music and brewery tours taking place.

German-beer lovers can catch the last of Hopfest this weekend (March 26th-27th), as the month-long festival at the Lowenbrau Keller at the Rocks, Sydney comes to an end.

Traditional German beer, or bier as the Bavarians call it, will be on offer until the end of the month, meaning that this weekend is your last chance to catch the Saturday Stammtisch.

This German pub tradition includes drinking bier with a special breakfast at a communal table to ease you into the weekend.

Accompanying music will come from renowned German Oktoberfest band Enzianer, who are fresh from a tour of Las Vegas.

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Shakespeare in Sydney all this month