keep dreaming... Christmas edition Issue 036 8 From the Publisher Jenny Piper Welcome to our Christmas Edition of Keep to all the positive feedback we have received Dreaming! It’s hard to believe we are nearly we will continue to publish in 2021, so look at the end of what has been a crazy year for forward to great stories, reviews and more all of us. We hope you enjoy the stories about new travel inspiration. travel and Christmas in this issue and they A huge thankyou to Anna, our Production will inspire you to plan for Christmas travel in and Editorial Executive – this magazine would 2021. Maybe a White Christmas will be on the not exist without her, from the beginning cards for some next year! she has been dedicated to producing a high Contents 6 This is our 36th edition of Travel & Cruise quality product for you all to enjoy, she has Weekly – Keep Dreaming. We decided done an amazing job. 4 Destination spotlight to change from a quarterly to a weekly This will be our last issue for 2020. We Discover where in the world you should e-magazine back in April when everyone will return in mid-January 2021 excited to visit next had gone into lockdown and needed some share with you what the new year brings to 6 For foodies distraction - we thought some puzzles and travel. The team at the Business Publishing Christmas dishes that delight stories to inspire would help buoy spirits. Group would like to wish you all a very Happy 7 In the news We planned to publish weekly until the end Christmas. May 2021 be a year filled with Catch up on the latest travel and cruise news of June, thinking things would be back to LOTS of travel, and joy at the prospect of new normal by then. How wrong we were. Now it is places to discover, explore and appreciate. 8 A Christmas for all seasons the end of 2020 and we are still going. Thanks Around the world celebrations can look quite different, as Adam Bishop writes 12 Take four Discover New Years Eve traditions from around the world 14 14 Keep your cruising dream alive Hear from a travel agent all about their cruise experience EDITORIAL PRODUCTION Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd 16 Thoughts from a reader Publisher – Jenny Piper Anna Piper Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia Contributors – Sarah Beyer, Adam Bishop, [email protected] Tel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) Read reflections from a reader Bruce Piper, Myles Stedman DESIGN Travel & Cruise Weekly is part of the Sarah Beyer Business Publishing Group family of 18 Puzzles ADVERTISING AND MARKETING publications. Sean Harrigan [email protected] Sit down with a cuppa and enjoy the puzzle www.travelandcruiseweekly.com.au pages [email protected] 22 Cocktail Hour Take a sip and plan your next trip! Front cover image: Rockefeller Plaza, 2 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 New York USA Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 3 Lapland, Finland For a special holiday edition, where could be a more appropriate destination than Santa’s home, Lapland. Perfect to experience a white Christmas, the northernmost part of Finland has so much to see and do for adults and kids alike. Visit a reindeer or husky farm, meet Santa in Rovaniemi, and watch the sky put on nature’s most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis. Photo credit 4 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 5 For foodies From sipping mulled wine while browsing through a European Christmas market, to building a gingerbread house with family, there is something truly special about Christmas foods. This Christmas we can’t travel, but why not check out these quintessential holiday foods to transport your tastebuds! In the News ©Princess Cruises Mulled wine Eggnog is a rich, chilled, and sweetened outbound flights and local gadgets facilitating Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, dairy-based beverage, popular with all Ban extended cruises was “an appropriate touchless embarkation and ages around Christmas time – although the response to that risk”. disembarkation as well as is a highly diverse Christmas treat. The Australia’s relative success traditionally warmed alcohol can even please alcoholic adaptions typically more so with However he also noted that access to a wide range of the adults. Traditionally made with milk, in dealing with COVID-19, the restrictions are being onboard facilities. the non-red-drinker as the mulling spice mix along with a surge in cases in makes for a sweet and flavoursome drink. cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg reviewed regularly, and “can Keyless stateroom entry, yolks, distilled spirits are also often used, the USA and Europe, has left be amended or removed at payments for beverages and Although typically a winter tipple, perfect the Government with little for sipping as you browse a snowy Christmas such as brandy, rum, whisky or bourbon. any time based on the expert other add-ons during the Popular homemade variants see eggnog also choice but to extend its ban medical advice,” meaning voyage and even on-demand market in Europe, Australians have taken to on outbound international the habit of mulled wine during the holiday served with cinnamon or nutmeg, and for there could be some light delivery of food anywhere those cut from a different cloth, can also be travel. Health Minister Greg at the end of the tunnel on the ship is possible season too. If you’re new to mulled wine, Hunt delivered the bad news head to a local Christmas market for a taste. served in other drinks such as coffee, to form particularly as vaccines begin using the technology which an “eggnog latte”. Why not give it a try this last week, extending the to roll out globally. works in conjunction with Pudding Christmas! existing human biosecurity MedallionNet high-speed emergency until 17 March. Traditionally a sweet milk-based dessert, internet connectivity. He said the Australian pudding now comes in a wide variety of Princess goes Princess has taken Health Protection Principal tastes and bases and is occasionally served advantage of the cruise Committee had advissed that big on tech savoury as part of the main meal. Such is its pause to accelerate the the international coronavirus popularity in the United Kingdom, they have Princess Cruises alsolast rollout of the system, with situation continued to pose a purpose-cooked Christmas pudding, which week confirmed it would Coral, Diamond, Emerald, an unacceptable health often contains dried fruits, and was thought implement its Ocean Grand, Island, Majestic and risk, and that extending to include 13 ingredients, symbolising Jesus Medallion technology Sapphire Princess all having the emergency period and and the Twelve Apostles. fleetwide when cruising it fitted, along with the brand its associated impacts on resumes, with the wearable new Enchanted Princess. Eggnog 6 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 7 A Christmas for all seasons We’re used to the heat of the summer on our Christmas Days, but around the world celebrations can look quite different, as Adam Bishop writes. In Australia, Christmas time tends to be marked by sunny The United swims at the beach, fresh prawns on the barbie and the rare Kingdom opportunity to nosh on a turkey As Bing Crosby once crooned, sandwich in between fierce I’m dreaming of a white tennis ball deliveries during a Christmas. And that’s just game of backyard cricket. As how the British celebrate the much as this iconic Aussie way festive event most years, inside of celebrating the Christmas curled up in front of the log holidays is lauded by many of us, fire and warming themselves one of the many brilliant things with a banquet of Christmas about travel is the opportunity turkey, oven roasted vegetables, to see how other cultures bring Yorkshire pudding, usually all in all of the festive fun. Here are drenched in warm, delicious just a few of the ways Christmas gravy. is celebrated around the world. This insulating way of marking 8 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 Travel & Cruise Weekly Keep Dreaming 036 9 Christmas is unsurprising given the cold the result of a successful ad campaign climate of Britain, and in some ways, this which depicted foreign visitors to Japan makes the day a more family-oriented desperately trying to find some turkey to affair than some other countries, eat at Christmas, only to end up snacking because the group have to stick close on KFC chicken instead. together inside. These days, 25 December is celebrated Watching holiday-themed programming with a special KFC dinner, comprised as a family is another very English of chicken, wine, cake and champagne. tradition, with many popular shows Interestingly, without the religious and sitcoms creating special Christmas reverence attached, the day in Japan editions to entertain the countless takes on a more romantic feel, with many families laughing along at home as they partners making a reservation at their chow down on Christmas lunch leftovers. nearest KFC to enjoy some dinner, before going for a special evening walk. That’s some finger lick’n romance Japan right there! Japan isn’t a destination you typically associate with Christmas, but believe it The Philippines or not, the Japanese people do have a strong sense of tradition when it comes The people of the Philippines to the big day – albeit exhibited in an Top: The UK’s cool climate absolutely love Christmas time, often unusual fashion. may be why Britons coming up with new and inventive ways Dating back to 1974, Japan has marked traditionally celebrate to keep the holiday going for as long as Christmas cosy inside with Christmas day by consuming KFC.