WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU - ISSUE WINTER 2016 TT618/053 WIN! A trip to Singapore TO PARIS WITH LOVE DAVID Top family BECKHAM Print Post Approved PP630045/00036 AU$5.95 holidays in My travel HAWAII wish list PLUS! STAR WARS, GAME OF THRONES AND THE WORLD’S BEST ISLANDS COMPETITION WIN A FANTASTIC TRIP TO SINGAPORE FOR TWO!! THE PRIZE We’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win a trip for two to vibrant and exciting Singapore. THIS PRIZE Prize includes two return flights to Singapore from Sydney (including GST and IS VALUED AT taxes), accommodation for three nights at Village Hotel Katong (Peranakan MORE THAN Club Room King, including complimentary airport shuttle transfers), and $2,800!!! airport transfers (via taxi) from home to airport and airport to home. Village Hotel Katong is located in the heart of Katong district. It 1, 2 and 3, and operate from 5am to 12:30am daily, at 90 minute is a five-minute walk to Parkway Parade shopping mall, a 15-minute intervals. Guests are encouraged to register at the Ground Transport walk to East Coast Park, a 15-minute drive to Singapore Expo, a Desk in the arrival halls so that they can be directed to the 20-minute drive to Orchard Road, Central Business District, Singapore waiting area. International Convention & Exhibition Centre. HOW TO WIN A Peranakan Club Room King offers 35-square-metres of space. To be in the draw to win this amazing trip to Singapore and for full Buffet breakfast, evening cocktails at Peranakan Lounge, unlimited terms and conditions, head to our website (www.traveltalkmag.com.au) wireless internet access, 46 inch TV, coffee/tea making facilities, two and answer the following question. pieces of laundry daily (non-accumulative), iron and ironing board, hairdryer, bathtub and standing rain shower are all available. In 25 words or less, tell us how you would eat, live and play Cab charges will be provided for your airport transfers trip from like a local? home to the airport and airport to home, not exceeding a cost of $100 The prize will be drawn on August 9 and the winner will be notified for both ways. directly by Traveltalk. The winner will also be announced in our The hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle service to and from September issue. the hotel and airport. The shuttle services are available at Terminals Good luck! 2 | WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU COMPETITION EAT, SLEEP, PLAY LIKE A REAL SINGAPOREAN Who were the Peranakan people, how did they live, what did they eat? Despite Singapore’s progress as a cosmopolitan metropolis, its culture is still deeply connected to its native heritage. Surprisingly, it’s not far from the Singapore we have come to know and love. So why not go off the beaten track and delve into the rich culture and history of Singapore? Experience something different – Down the streets of the vibrant enclaves, live, eat and play like a local Singaporean. urban explorers staying at the Village hotels Singapore’s largest hotels and serviced are offered a glimpse into the origins of residences operator, Far East Hospitality seek today’s modern Singapore. Right at the to cater to this curious, discerning traveller, heart of the action, guests can enjoy the wanting to explore differently with its Village true flavours with a range of delicious local Hotels. Australians are known as explorers. cuisines available on their doorstep. Always ready for the next adventure. We’re Village Hotel Katong – the flagship always the first to immerse in new cultures. Village hotel, reflects the strong Peranakan The Village hotels, located in the heritage of the surrounding Joo Chiat heartland of Singapore, provide the perfect and Katong districts in Singapore without combination of adventure and culture for the compromising on style and comfort. One of curious explorer. Filled with ‘off-the-beaten- the few hotels located in the eastern region www.stayfareast.com track’ experiences, Australians will have the of Singapore, Village Hotel Katong is the chance to experience a different side of perfect destination to unwind, explore and Singapore and truly ‘live like a local’. experience Singapore’s colourful heritage. TRAVELTALK WINTER 2016 | 3 postcard Mussenden Temple. See P65. Picture courtesy Northern Ireland Tourism 4 | WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU EDITORIAL Jon Underwood Managing Editor Email: [email protected] Jessica Zoiti Deputy Editor Email: [email protected] Gaya Avery Online Editor Email: [email protected] Rebecca Lawson Sub Editor CONTENTS 57 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jessica Zoiti Features Departments ART DIRECTOR Vanessa Pribil Email: [email protected] 29 BALI 6 AGENTtalk The Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran, Bali is ADVERTISING about to open, offering travellers a new 12 TRAVELtalk Sydney: Jenny Rowland Mobile: 0414 746 146 option in the islands. We also look at medical Fax: (02) 9969 3390 travel and all the latest news on resorts and 18 CRUISEtalk Email: [email protected] travel offers. 24 PROPERTYtalk Christine Gould Mobile: 0407 900 143 38 HAWAII 26 SKYtalk Email: [email protected] Hawaii is one of the best destinations for a family holiday. Here, we look at some of the 50 Luxury Travel Perth: Debbie Sproule myriad options across the islands. Tel: (08) 9300 0219 68 Drive Holidays Fax: (08) 9300 0237 Mobile: 0403 833 295 54 PACIFIC ISLANDS Email: [email protected] A brand new wreck dive, bird-watching and an ideal place for a girls’ weekend. These are DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS just some of the topics in our comprehensive Jenny Rowland (Sydney) news round-up. Debbie Sproule (Perth) Perth Office: PO Box 1105 Hillarys WA 6923 58 SPECIAL REPORT TripAdvisor has just revealed the top-rated DISTRIBUTION AND SUBSCRIPTIONS islands in the world as voted for in its 54 Tel: (08) 9300 0219 Travellers’ Choice awards. Email: [email protected] Annual subscription of 11 issues $72.60 ON THE COVER (within Australia) 60 EUROPE: FRANCE Annual Subscription of 11 issues $175.40 Paris ranks alongside the most innovative (international) cities in the world, continuing to transform - ISSUE WINTER 2016 TT618/053 Rates include GST, postage & handling WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU and evolve as the face of the French capital WIN! A trip to PUBLISHED BY for the 2020s starts to take shape. Singapore Pointer Publishing Pty Ltd ABN 92 150 111 701 PO Box 1105 Hillarys WA 6923 65 EUROPE: NORTHERN Tel: (08) 9300 0219 IRELAND Website: www.traveltalkmag.com.au Armed with a map, a cup of coffee and a dodgy CD, JON UNDERWOOD sets off on a road trip along the Causeway Coastal Route. TO PARIS Cab Audited WITH LOVE Distribution 7,897 October 2015 - March 2016 DAVID 70 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Top family BECKHAM holidays in AU$5.95 My travel Spend 11 days exploring the Western Print Post Approved PP630045/00036 wish list Australian coast with Great Escape Cruises HAWAII 1 | WWW.TRAVELTALKMAG.COM.AU and you’ll discover an aquatic adventure like PLUS! STAR WARS, GAME OF THRONES AND THE WORLD’S BEST ISLANDS no other, as JESSICA ZOITI reports. The Louvre. Image courtesy iStock. While every care and precaution has been taken in the preparation of Traveltalk, no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions herein. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation by the reader. Views and opinions expressed in Traveltalk CONGRATULATIONS! Rachael Geary from Hoot Holidays in Belrose, New South Wales, is the lucky winner in our do not necessarily reflect those of the management. recent Paklite Slide Safe competition. Rachel was delighted with her win and plans to put her prize to good use on an All articles are fully protected by copyright. To obtain written permission to reproduce any material please contact the managing upcoming trip to Europe.. editor on [email protected] TRAVELTALK WINTER 2016 | 5 NEWStalk Larrybane.tif Larrybane. Below: Audley’s Castle. Pictures courtesy Tourism Northern Ireland MORE THAN JUST A GAME OF THRONES FANS OF the fantasy series, Game of Thrones, also incorporate some of the iconic symbols are currently enjoying the long-awaited sixth of the show. They will be hung in pubs and season of the worldwide smash hit TV drama. other venues near filming locations across In a bid to capitalise on the popularity of Northern Ireland, giving visitors a brand new the show, Tourism Ireland has launched an GoT trail to follow. advertising campaign showcasing Northern Other features include Northern Ireland Ireland to the millions of ‘Thronies’ across ‘Valyrian’ steel kitchen knives inspired by the the globe. Created in partnership with HBO, mythical GoT steel, GoT characters and icons the campaign celebrates Northern Ireland as infiltrating artwork in the Ulster Museum’s Game of Thrones (GoT) territory for the sixth collection and an authentic, limited-edition year running. GoT stamp for mail posted in Northern A feature of the initiative is a series of 10 Ireland during the promotion. intricately carved doors, depicting moments The campaign will continue to roll out inspired by key scenes and events from the weekly until the end of season six, scheduled latest episodes. The doors will be unveiled for the end of June. each week as season six unfolds and will ■ ireland.com A new wave at the airport TRAVELLERS WILL have the chance to practice their surfing skills or learn the popular water sport in prime conditions when Australia’s first surf park opens at Melbourne Airport. Plans for a 320-metre lagoon that generates multiple waves every 90 seconds have been unveiled for a site on Watson Drive, Tullamarine. This unique recreation and leisure facility will be called URBNSURF Melbourne. It will provide an authentic surfing experience with guaranteed waves, suitable for people of all ages and abilities.