A million years of aging

Ever tasted water or beer made from 10,000-year-old icebergs? Come to Newfoundland and Labrador and you can do just that. Quidi Vidi Brewing Company harvests icebergs and brews crisp, clean lager. For something stronger, there’s Canadian Iceberg Vodka, Rum, and Gin, each bottled in Newfoundland and made from the charcoal-filtered and triple-distilled water of iceberg growlers and bergy bits.

Quidi Vidi Brewing Company Limited (QV) was established in 1996. QV is a Newfoundland-based independent brewing company focused on producing world-class quality beers for the mainstream, specialty, and now the premium segment of the beer market.

Business of Quidi Vidi

In the past fifteen years QV has been brewing world-class beer for the local and selected Canadian and International markets. QV presently brews eight brands of beer, and the latest brand is a truly unique beer made with a distinctive ingredient – iceberg water harvested from icebergs that drift off the coast of Newfoundland. Quidi Vidi original Iceberg Beer™.

Over the last fifteen years the company has built its market share with strong brand recognition and building upon world class award-winning products that appeal to a variety of consumer tastes. Stable product sales, consistent margins and reliable annual cash flows categorize the business of QV. In the last couple years QV has been concentrating on draft beer sales and has increased its percentage of the Newfoundland draft beer sales to approximately 25% of its total capacity.

www.aquatravelgroup.com.au

VICTORIA’S TOP 10 CULINARY DELIGHTS

1. Off to the markets: From June – September, taste your way through the city’s downtown core at the popular outdoor market located in the historic Bastion Square. Meet Island chefs and browse baskets overflowing with the freshest produce, baked goods and preserves.
2. Chinatown: Exotic fruits, vegetables, noodles galore, curried beef buns and sauces are just a few of the items found on Fisgard Street, all dedicated to Asian cuisine.
3. The best in coffee and chocolate: Habit Café & Culture serves up delicious coffee, sourcing the best fair-traded, organic coffees from around the world. At the historic Rogers’ Chocolates (est. 1885), visitors will find milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, chocolates with creamy centers, chocolate-covered ginger, espresso beans and caramel, to name a few. Indulgence is also encouraged at The Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop, a favourite among locals, offering handmade pastries, marzipan fruit and an the ultimate in fancy cookies.
4. A Taste of the Saanich Peninsula and Butchart Gardens: Just 20 minutes from Victoria, the farms on the Saanich Peninsula supply Victorians with fresh, flavoursome produce. Join foodie local Kathy McAree on a tour of farm gate wineries and an organic farm.  Want more? The tour includes a three-course lunch and visit with the chef in the Dining Room at Butchart Gardens. Book through
5. Fields of Plenty: On September 9 2012, the Annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields will be held at Marley Farm, Saanichton. With wine glass and napkin in hand, visitors are invited to wander around the picturesque farmland and sample the gourmet offerings of over 50 of the Island’s top chefs, producers, wineries and micro-breweries around Vancouver Island.
6. The Art of Cocktails: From 13- 15 October, mix and mingle with the city’s most notable mixologists and distillers at the Art of the Cocktail. The two-day festival will be at the Crystal Garden in downtown Victoria. Wander the tasting room, sample a variety of delectable cocktails and catch tips from guest mixologists and authors.
7. Saloons, Scandals & Sweets Walking Tour: Promising a little scandal and a lot of intrigue, this tour transports you back to another era, when the streets of Victoria were lined with colourful drinking establishments, famous for the dastardly deeds that took place within them. Tours run daily through ITT Wilson’s Tours.
8. A taste of France: The finest French fare can be found at the quaint Choux Choux Charcuterie. With a fine selection of sausages and other European-style cured and smoked meats, fans of Choux Choux say they make the best pate in town.
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Plenty Epicurean Pantry has a country feel and carries the most eclectic array of fine food products in the city, including the city’s largest selection of dried chili peppers, Cowichan Bay red Fife wheat flour, a mountain of beautifully crafted BC preserves, local cheese, and Denman Island chocolate.
10. Urban Culinary Walking Tour: Embark on forage by foot discovering the local’s favourite merchants around downtown Victoria. Sip, slurp and chomp your way on a guided walk devouring tastes of tea, cheese, meats and pates, chocolate, special sweets and a little wine of course!

www.aquatravelgroup.com.au

Vietnam- Yes it is closer than you think

 Vietnam Airlines fly’s regular routes from the Aussie main cities and just after a short flight 12 hours or so you are in  Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City – the journey to Vietnam ius sualualy a connection thru – regional hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong giving you a second destination for a stop over coming home.

“In Vietnam itself most people travel from one end of the country to the other, taking in all the different highlights along the way. With cheap internal flights it is possible to fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City – or vice versa.”

Vietnam and neighbouring Cambodia and Laos have been attracting a growing number of British visitors since opening up to tourists some two decades ago. Last year, 80,000 Britons visited Vietnam, exploring the Mekong Delta and Halong Bay by boat, heading to the hills of Sapa, engaging with the legacy of the Vietnam War and relaxing on one of the country’s many beaches. Cambodia, home to the Angkor Wat temple complex, drew some 103,000 British visitors. Laos attracts those looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery and the Buddhist charms of Luang Prabang.

 

www.aquatravelgroup.com.au

Come see my Island – Hawaii a truly relaxing place !

The fresh, floral air energizes you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking, natural beauty renews you. Look around. There’s no place on earth like Hawaii. Whether you’re a new visitor or returning, our six unique islands offer distinct experiences that will entice any traveler. We warmly invite you to explore our islands and discover your ideal travel experience.

Discover why the six Islands of Aloha are home to treasures unlike any other on earth: The dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast on Kauai. The vibrant shores of Waikiki Beach on Oahu. The miles of white sands of Papohaku Beach on Molokai. The dolphin friendly waters of Hulopoe Bay on Lanai. The summit of Haleakala on Maui. The primal energy of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island. It won’t be easy choosing which island to visit on your first trip to Hawaii, but you’ll find there are no wrong answers.

You’ll likely begin your adventure at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu. This is Hawaii’s major airport, serving as the entry point for most of Hawaii’s visitors. All major domestic carriers and many international carriers serve Oahu, so you can get here from just about anywhere. There are also direct flights from the U.S. mainland to Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii’s Big Island, but for the most part, you may need to connect through Oahu to get to the neighbor islands including Lanai and Molokai.

Then breathe deep. Smell the fresh plumeria in the air. Visit the historic landmarks of Hawaii and learn about the rich culture of the islands. Explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, from hidden beaches to small towns that you won’t find on a postcard. Learn to surf, snorkel or kayak and earn your Hawaii suntan. And don’t forget to go to an authentic luau where you can get a taste of Hawaiian culture and watch the art of the hula. You’ll find the itineraries on Hawaii are endless. From romantic escapades to family fun; from whale watching to walking on a volcano; you can do it all or you can simply sit back and do nothing. Explore Hawaii’s six unique islands and you’re sure to find your first trip to Hawaii won’t be your last. Learn more about things to do, activities and shopping in Hawaii.

www.aquatravelgroup.com.au

Newlyweds have often honeymooned in Fiji, and increasingly couples are going one step further. They are getting married in Fiji, making their wedding ceremony a truly memorable event in a tropical paradise.

The idea of combining the wedding and honeymoon costs is an attractive alternative to the traditional American wedding expense. Just imagine the fun you will have showing your unique photo album to family and friends. Fiji is one of the best tropical wedding destinations in the world.

For the Best wedding destinations in Fiji try Plantation island Resort and Sonaisali Island Resort – Aqua Travel Group is a preferred partner for these 2 exotic locations and a wedding in paradise is surely something to remember that special occasion.

 

 

www.aquatravelgroup.com.au

 

 

Plantation Island Resort
$ 799.00 per couple
Romantic Lailai Wedding
Includes:
AQUA – FJD $ 100 Credit Fiji Wine,Dine &Spa
Venue set up and decoration
Minister, Priest or Celebrant to perform the ceremony*
Simple Bridal Bouquet and groom buttonhol

Fijian Warriors to escort the bride

A bottle of sparkling wine to toast the bride and groom

Free Membership to Aqua Travel Group for short time

Member Type Information

Free Membership ($ 0 per year)

• $ 50.00 Travel Voucher
• 30% discount with Aqua Travel Insurance
• Special negotiated rates from our preferred wholesale suppliers
• Chance to win Air Tickets and Holiday Packages

 

Click this link to sign up now   http://www.aquatravelgroup.com.au/members/index.php?type=free 

Put Lee Jefferies as the Agents code

 

Canada did you know !!!!

Canada is a huge country.

It is:

• approximately 9,984,670 sq. km / 3,855,103 sq mi.
• comprised of six time zones.
• over 8,850 km / 5,500 miles wide, from Atlantic to Pacific coasts.
• almost 30% larger than Australia.
• more than 3 times the size of India.
• more than 18 times the size of France.
• almost 20 times the size of Spain.
• almost 28 times the size of Germany.
• more than 33 times the size of Italy.
• almost 37 times the size of New Zealand.
• almost 41 times the size of the UK .
• more than 142 times the size of Ireland

Did You Know?

The Longest Street in the World

The distinction of the longest street in the world belongs to Yonge Street in the Province of Ontario. Yonge Street starts at Lake Ontario, and runs north through central and northern Ontario to the Ontario – Minnesota border, a distance of over 1178 miles / 1896 kilometres.    The Guinness Book of World Records recognized this claim as late as 1998.

Most of Yonge Street today exists as Highway 11, north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Due due the development of the GTA, the old highway lives on as side roads, dead-end roads, or overgrown wooded trails.

The Longest Highway in the World
The Trans-Canada Highway between Victoria, BC and St. John’s, NF is the world’s longest national highway with a length of 7,821 km / 4,860 miles.

The Longest Coastline

Canada has the world’s longest coastline: 202,080 km / 125,566 miles.

North America’s Smallest Railway

The Thousand Island Railway, which ran in Gananoque Ontario, is North America ’s shortest railway in history, just 5.43 km / 3.32 miles.

Longest Tunnel on the Continent

CP Rail’s 9 mile / 14.5 km long Mount Macdonald Tunnel, in the Rogers Pass area of British Columbia, is the longest tunnel on the continent.

The World’s Longest Freshwater Beach

Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay is the world’s longest beach, 8.6 miles / 14 km.    Wasaga Beach is located about 2 hours northwest of Toronto, Ontario.

Oldest National Park

Banff National Park, located in the Province of Alberta, is the oldest national park in Canada, established in 1885.

Largest Sony Big Screen

Inside Toronto’s Rogers Centre (formerly known as the SkyDome) you will find the largest Sony big screen, measuring 33 ft. x 110 ft. (10.0 m x 33.6 m).

The World’s Largest Coin

The Big Nickel located in Sudbury Ontario is the world’s largest coin. It is a giant reproduction of a 1951 Canadian nickel, measuring 9 meters (30 feet) in diameter.

Only Walled City

The only walled city north of Mexico is Québec City; it was also the first city in North America to be placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.

Canada’s Warring Past

The USA has invaded Canada twice—in 1775 and 1812—both times to no avail.

Newfoundland was the only place in North America directly attacked by German forces during WWII.

The World’s Tallest Tower

• Canada has the tallest tower in the world.  Completed in 1975, the CN Tower in Toronto stands 553m (1815′  5″)tall.
• CN Tower’s glass paneled elevator floors are the highest in the world.

The Canadarm & The Canadarm 2

The world famous robotic manipulator affectionately known as the “Canadarm”, used aboard the space shuttle and its bigger brother the “Canadarm 2”, an integral part of the International Space Station, were designed and manufactured at Spar Aerospace, based in Brampton Ontario, just northwest of Toronto.

Blackberry Smartphone

The world famous Blackberry Smartphone was developed at Research In Motion’s Waterloo Ontario facilities.

Actor – Lois Maxwell  (Miss Moneypenny / James Bond 007)

Lois Maxwell (1927 – 2007) was born in Kitchener Ontario, and was a regular columnist of the Toronto Sun newspaper.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

• The 1964 animated TV movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was filmed in Japan, but the entire soundtrack was recorded in a studio in Toronto, Ontario.
• Most of the singing and speaking cast were Canadian.
• Billie Mae Richards (“Rudolph”) and Paul Soles (“Hermey”) are neighbours in an Ontario retirement community.

(as referenced from “The Internet Movie Database”)

Actor – Leslie Nielsen (Police Squad, Spy Hard, Naked Gun, Mr. Magoo)

Actor Leslie Nielsen’s brother Erik, (1926 – 2010) was the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, from 1984 to 1986.

Actor – William Shatner

Actor William Shatner, known as “Captain Jame T. Kirk” of Star Trek fame, is from Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Musician – Guy Lombardo

Guy (Gaetano) Lombardo (1902- 1977) leader of the big-band era “The Royal Canadians” and known for his yearly rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” which is still played on new years at Times Square in New York City, was born in London, Ontario, Canada

Gold Medals – Winter Olympics

Canada holds the record for the most gold medals ever won at the Winter Olympics.  (2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics – 14 gold medals)

The Rocky’s – Are you thinking of travel then let AQTG get you there.

A new report on the economic impact of Canada’s national parks and historic sites suggests that visitors spend significantly more money in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper than they do at Parks Canada sites in other provinces.

“Alberta has some of the greatest parks in the country,” said Andrew Campbell, Parks Canada’s vice-president of visitor experience.

According to the study, released Thursday, visitors to the province’s national parks and historic sites spent close to $1.5 billion in 2009. That means that more than half of the economic impact of Canada’s park system is enjoyed by Alberta.

Compare that to neighbouring British Columbia. The province boasts 1,000-year-old cedars and coastal rainforests as well as rugged peaks, but tourists spent only $345 million in B.C’s national parks.

That doesn’t surprise Bruce Okabe, chief executive of Travel Alberta.

He said most travellers typically associate Alberta as the place in Canada with mountains and glaciers, even though B.C. has them, too.

“The Canadian Rockies are an iconic brand. Pretty well anywhere in this world, people know exactly where they are and what they are,” Okabe said.

Alberta’s tourism economy is fuelled by places like Waterton Lakes National Park and Lake Louise — and the fact that many of the parks are close to each other is a bonus for the industry, said Okabe.

“Once people arrive, they usually go to Banff first. It’s not that much farther to go to Lake Louise and one of the classic drives in North America is the Icefields Parkway. And then it’s not that far to Jasper.”

All told, tourists are pouring more than $2.5 billion into the Canadian economy by visiting national parks, Environment Minister Peter Kent said.

Parks Canada commissioned the study in a bid to better understand how federal investment in the country’s national park system affects the economies of local communities and businesses.

“It certainly does demonstrate the importance of Banff and Lake Louise as visitor centres. We’re lucky in that we sit on the border of Alberta and B.C. with this phenomenal park system,” said Stuart Back, director of in-resort services for Banff-Lake Louise Tourism.

He said local businesses are pleased to see Ottawa commit to some much-needed upgrades to infrastructure in Banff National Park.

Such changes have a huge impact on overall visitor experience, Back said. “In fact, more of those would be welcome.”

The reason national parks do better economically in Alberta relative to other regions is because people can enjoy the charms of places like Banff year-round, said Crosbie Cotton a spokesman for the National Park Ski Area Association.

But he said Ottawa can do more to capitalize on the appeal of the area — and keep international visitors interested in Alberta as a destination in an increasingly crowded market.

“The ski areas are keen to invest and modernize and they have huge challenges with current government policy,” said Cotton.

Both Sunshine Village and Lake Louise face significant challenges trying to update their facilities, he said.

“It’s been very tough in Banff and Jasper the last few years. We’ve got to turn that around. . . . There’s a lot more to that can be done in a way that protects the environment but enhances the quality of the amenities that people want.”

Speaking to a Tourism Industry Association of Canada conference Thursday, Kent also announced that “most” of the fees at Parks Canada sites will remain frozen until at least April 2013.

Aqua Travel Group are proud to promote the great lands of Canada for our clients to enjoy- Call now to talk about your upcoming tour 1300 986 200

Oh the Bahama’s – Time to travel now

When winter sets in and your soul craves sand and surf, booking a trip to the Bahamas might be just what the doctor ordered. These travel tips will help keep budget concerns at bay while still allowing you to enjoy a bit of luxury.

Experiences: Dinner guests at Graycliff – an antique Bahamian mansion that’s played host to the likes of Winston Churchill and Aristotle Onassis – enjoy free viewing tours of the on-site cigar factory and the Graycliff’s award-winning wine cellar, which boasts one of the largest private wine collections in the world. Reservations in the cellar’s private dining room ring in at roughly $1,000, but five-star entree prices at the restaurant begin at less than $50, providing a comparable – if slightly less private – experience. Western Esplanade Beach is free to access, and strolling through Straw Market in Nassau will score you affordable souvenirs. Hiking the 18th-century limestone steps of the Queen’s Staircase will take you to historic Fort Fincastle, which is accessible for only a buck.

Perks: Many hotels and resorts in the Bahamas offer sweet perks to entice penny-pinching vacationers. For example, the Sandals resort on Great Exuma includes unlimited scuba sessions for certified divers, premium wine and spirit selections and spa facility access with their room rates. Comfort Suites on Paradise Island includes hot American-style breakfasts for guests, and complimentary day passes to the Atlantis water park facilities, where brave souls can experience the massive Mayan-themed water slide. These park passes typically cost $110 per adult! The One and Only Ocean Club includes the water park day passes as well, along with free use of bicycles, complimentary morning beach yoga and a number of day camp adventures for young travelers.

Transportation: Cab costs can be significant in Nassau. Fortunately, a number of cultural attractions are easily accessible on foot. For those that aren’t, public busses – known as jitneys – run from the hotels to downtown Nassau several times per day for a one-way cost of $1.25. Also of note are the ferry boats, which will take you from Nassau to Paradise Island proper. The roughly $6 ride will take approximately 10 minutes, and includes a waterfront view of Nassau’s harbour. Hotels offering free shuttle service are an additional avenue to savings. For example, guests of the Atlantis resorts can access no-cost passenger vans between venues, and travelers staying at Paradise Island’s One and Only Ocean Club receive complimentary transportation via private vehicle to a number of nearby casino and restaurant venues.

 

So Call Aqua Travel Group fopr your special tour now 1300 986 200