Hawaiin holiday prices drop.

Aqua Aloha Surf – 5 Nights ex Sydney from $1099 per person –

• Airfare

• Accomodation

• Transfers

Price is based on twin share and subject to availabilty at time of booking

Discover a blend of surf style and urban sophistication

Fantastic Value

Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki offers affordable hotel rateson stylish, surf-inspired boutique hotels accomodation The Aloha Spirit embraces guests the moment they arrive at Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki’s open air lobby with its vintage, art-deco surfer ambiance.

Central Waikiki Location

You’ll find the best of both worlds at Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki, with a quiet, peaceful locationoff Kuhio Avenue plus convenient access to nearby shopping, dining and Waikiki Beach.

Boutique Amenities

Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki roomsfeature stunning views of the Koolau Mountains and Ala Wai Golf Course and include complimentary internet access plus modern boutique lifestyleammenities. Continental breakfast is complimentary when booking direct.

Here you go – Stay in the Ritz Carlton in India

INDIA will see the arrival of a Ritz-Carlton in 2012, even as the brand continues to plant flags across Asia, targeting 15 new hotel signings in the region by 2015.

“We are very excited to be introducing The Ritz-Carlton brand to India next year with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore. This will be a new market for the brand in Asia, and we feel confident of continued growth in key gateway cities in India,” The Ritz-Carlton Asia area vice president Victor Clavell told TTG Asia e-Daily. The 250-room property will also have extensive meetings and events space and a floor devoted to high-end retail stores.

“China is our fastest growing market, and we expect to open six hotels in China in the next six years alone. We are expanding away from the main metropolitan hubs, and have recently signed hotels in Chengdu, Qingdao, Wuhan, Dalian and Haikou,” he said. The brand currently has 17 hotels operating in Asia.

Noting a shift in spending power from the West to East, Clavell said Asia was very much “leading the way in the luxury hospitality sector”. He added that customers were now expecting more than the usual luxury experience, a trend its new brand platform hoped to address.

Launched in September, a large part of its Let Us Stay With You positioning revolves around creating unique memories.

“We want guests who stay with us to take something away with them when they leave – an emotion, a memory, a feeling, an experience that will stay with them for years to come,” said Clavell.

The new brand platform includes components such as an online portal with personal stories, a mobile app and the use of social networks like Foursquare.

Emirates expands into Japan with more flights

From 1 October 2012, Emirates will operate its only daily direct Dubai-Melbourne flight using the A380, with the aircraft continuing on the Auckland. The airline will continue to operate two other daily flights to the Australian city – one via Singapore and the other via Kuala Lumpur.

The Melbourne A380 service will become Emirates’ second A380 operation in Australia and New Zealand, following the introduction of the aircraft on the Dubai-Sydney-Auckland route in 2009.Also in 2012, Emirates will deploy an A380 on its Dubai-Tokyo Narita route. The daily superjumbo service will commence from 1 July 2012.

“This announcement demonstrates our commitment to the Far East and Australasian region, as Emirates takes delivery of its 20th Airbus A380 aircraft,” said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Far East & Australasia.

Emirates took delivery of its first A380 in July 2008 now operates the aircraft to 16 cities across the world. Currently Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland are all served by Emirates’ A380s, and this Asian network will be expanded to Kuala Lumpur on 1 January 2012.

The Emirates A380 offers up to 517 seats in three classes. The airline has also ordered a further 70 A380s, making it by far the aircraft’s biggest customer.

FIJI Wedding Package + 6 nights $1799

Unbelievable value package for that special Wedding day Return International Airfares ex Sydney and Brisbane only All airfare taxes All transfers in Nadi 6 nights at the Sonailsali Island Resort (Twin share Standard  room including full breakfast) Wedding Package Inclusions: Return transport to Nadi to obtain wedding licence Licence Fee Minister or Celebrant Two Fijian Flower girls Four Fijian Warriors in traditional costume    Fijian village choir Decorated Wedding boat Wedding bouquet & flower arrangements Bottle of Sparkling Wine & Canapés after ceremony Single tier wedding cake Candle lit Sparkling Wine dinner for two. Professional Photographer & 1 roll of film and negative. Decorated Beach Location and witnesses if required The Bride & Groom may bring their own outfit OR hire the Traditional Fijian Wedding Costume from the resort. Validity – 1st to 21st April 2012, 23rd June to 15th July 2012, 22nd September to 8th October 2012, 24th December 2012 – 17th January 2013

Price includes Return economy Flights and Hotels room starting from, inclusive of taxes & surcharges, subject to seat and room availability at the time of booking.

Sonaisali Island Resort Fiji

Sonaisali is a true island escape in the beautiful South Pacific Ocean – yet the world you’ve left behind is only a three-minute boat ride across the lagoon from the main island of Viti-Levu. Experience the luxury of privacy on Sonaisali without feeling marooned. Each day the choice is yours – simply unwind and relax or you may choose to explore the many varied and exciting attractions of the mainland, or neighbouring Mamanuca Islands. On Sonaisali, if you’re doing nothing it’s because you want it that way! Opened in 1992 and with major additions in 1998/99 and 2002, the Resort is stylish in both design and execution. Native timbers, plantation shutters and Fijian architecture harmonise with modern interiors designed forthat impecable guest

 

 

Aqua’s top 10 Reasons to tour Vietnam

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 1: Breathtaking landscape:
There are no matches to Niagara Falls, Sydney Opera House or the Grand Canyons. However, Vietnam is a truly hidden gem that only those visiting the country themselves will be able to tell. To put it correctly, Vietnam is not short of World Heritage Site: Halong Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang caves, Hoi An Ancient Street and Cham Islands are all recognized for their intense beauty. However, it is the bits and bites of the non-heritage site that will surprise you further. Da Lat, for example, is too picturesque to miss. French style villas sitting next to a pine forest, bordered by strawberry garden- you feel like Europe but the market scenes speak otherwise. Keo pagoda in Thai Binh province also exemplifies well the no-name beauty of Vietnam: feel the serenity of a religious place, situated amidst greeneries of paddy farms. Whether a must-see site or an off-the-beaten-path attraction, you will not be disappointed.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 2: Friendly and hospitable Vietnamese:
Like many other neighbor countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a precious treasure: its people. Everywhere you go, you will be welcomed by smiles and kind helps from the locals- whether they know Vietnamese or not. People from Hue, for example, are famous all over the country for their royal-like attitude: elegant and sweet. Those from Hoi An, on the other hand, are known for being honest. If you have time to spend in the Mekong delta of Vietnam, you will even be more surprised and inspired by the way you are received by local farmers. Get impressed!

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 3: Affordability
Vietnam is a well-known destination among budget travellers. Though the price is climbing monthly at a daunting rate, it is still much cheaper than travelling in other continents.

There is almost every price for every wallet: a 5 star resort in Danang will cost you an equivalent amount to a 3 star hotel near JFK airport. For lower end market, there are a plenty of hostels and guest-houses in most cities. Food costs even lower and street foods are among the best in the world. That says, even in biggest metropolitan areas like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can get by a day with $15.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 4: Coffee coffee coffee in Vietnam
Who do not like coffee (excuse me, tea fans)? There is no Starbuck with the humongous frap and latte but there is the French drip coffee that can be found in EVERY single street of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Why rush in a country like Vietnam? Enjoy a cup of black coffee (ca phe den) or iced coffee with condensed milk (cap he sua da) and watch life goes by on a corner of the street- you will never forget Vietnam. For those who would like to take some coffee home, visit Café Mai (79 Le Van Huu, Hanoi) or Highland Coffee (26 Le Loi, Ho Chi Minh City).

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 5: A nowhere-to-be-found travel experience
Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experience that you are all looking for.

From staying with an ethnic family in the Northern mountain area of Sa Pa to taking photos over the sunrise in Hoi An to sand-surfing with local kids in Mui Ne- you name them all. A unique travel experience is all about yourself- and the best part about Vietnam is that there are so much to discover after all.
WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 6: Exquisite Vietnamese cuisines
Have you always been a fan of Vietnamese food? Pho Hung on Spadina- Toronto, Nam Son near Bowery- New York, Le Lotus Blanc on Bourgogne of Paris- They can never be as authentic as the food served in Vietnam (though they all do an awesome job).

Vietnamese food goes beyond pho and spring rolls and varies by regions: fresh vegetables continue to dominate the tables, while meat and poultry are rising in popularity. Near the beach such as Nha Trang and Da Nang, you can find plenty of fresh seafood caught in the morning and served in your dinner at very affordable price. A big size king crab costs about $8 and can be shared between 2 people.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 7: Fast and easy immigration process
Applying for a visa to Vietnam seems stressful at first- why would you need a visa to Vietnam while you are granted free 30 day entry to Thailand and Ecuador? Vietnam requires you anyway, and to alleviate the pain, the process has been made quite easy. Besides visa at the embassy, Vietnam visas can also be granted upon arrival. All you need to do is to apply online for your approval letter via a number of online travel companies, which are plentiful on the net. The visa letter will be emailed to you after 2 days. If you leave close to the embassy, it will take only about a week.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 8: It’s a natural thing
Think Vietnam and many still think about a war-torn country- not necessarily but that is usually the case. Vietnam is more than just its war memory: its natural resources are something worth talking about. National parks abound, and you can enjoy a variety of activities you could never enjoyed back in your country: camping and bird-watching in the tropical forest of Cuc Phuong or Cat Ba; renting a jeep and touring Cat Tien national park; wind-surfing crash course in Nha Trang. The bad news is that tourism has brought a lot of commercial activities into the nature. The good news is that there are still a lot more to see, and enjoy.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 9: Vietnam Traditional festivals
Thanks to its long history, rich tradition and Buddhist influence, Vietnam has festivals organized all year round- many of which are unheard of in the West and really fun to learn about. Tet holiday, for example, is an ideal time to see how families celebrate their love for their ancestors and for each other. Tet should not be mistaken or called Chinese New Year, which may even be an insult to some nationalists. It resembles the Lunar New Year in many ways, but modified with a Vietnamese feel in it. For example, in the countryside, people stay over night and make chung cake- over a bit of fire and some end-of-year gossips. In Hai Phong, the buffalo fighting festival is a well-known occasion: the winning buffalo will get killed and presented to the village god. Even public holidays in Vietnam are worth joining: come to Vietnam on the 2nd of September and you will see nation-wide parades. The whole streets will be lighted by the red flags- and fireworks take over the sky at night.

WHY VIETNAM HOLIDAY # 10: World famous beaches
What is more relaxing than spending time in the blue water under the shining sun. Let the waves of Da Nang, Nha Trang or Mui Ne relieve all the stress of the busy day-to-day life. Vietnam has several of the world’s top beach listing. Most of them are safe to swim and there are opportunities for water-sport activities as well. In Nha Trang, for example, you can do kite-running and wind surfing. In Da Nang, enjoy one of the world-class beach resorts- a romantic get away for couples and families alike. In Mui Ne, enjoy the quite with some added wildness while planning for your seafood dinner venture. For beach fans, Vietnam should really be on your list.

Vancouver – Why not have a look

Vancouver Canada is a young, vibrant coastal city surrounded by magnificent mountain backdrops, a beautiful coastline and lush evergreen forests. It has been rated one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in for five years running.

Vancouver’s landscape is very diverse offering beaches, mountains, dense forests and parks, and an inviting city centre all within easy grasp. Vancouver’s natural surroundings offer many activities ideal for those who enjoy outdoor recreation and sport including eco tours, ocean safaris, and adventure bike rides into the majestic Seymour forest. It is also home to a rich and growing arts & cultural community and fantastic summer festivals including the Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival and a world renowned Jazz Festival. A holiday in Vancouver is bound to be exciting.

Vancouver is a primary shooting location for many American and Canadian TV and film productions. It is often referred to as Hollywood North, so don’t be too surprised if you happen to see your favourite celebrity walking down Robson Street or if you stumble upon a film set from time to time!

Downtown Vancouver is nestled in next to the waterfront and the magnificent Stanley Park. It features fantastic architecture, plenty of green space, and a library built to look like Rome’s Coliseum. Downtown is also home to many theatres, sport and musical venues, and great shopping. From here you’ll also find easy transit access to Vancouver’s iconic Gastown or Granville Island, home of ‘improv comedy’, local theatre, and a popular indoor farmer’s market. Summer evenings are ideal for a stroll along the waterfront or dinner at one of two rotating restaurants with 360 degree city views. You can also take a sky ride up to the peaks of Grouse Mountain to watch the sunset over the city or visit Vanier or Stanley Park for some theatre under the stars.

Vancouver is also a short ferry trip from Vancouver Island and the province’s capital (Victoria), and is a pleasant driving distannce from Whistler where many 2010 Olympic events took place. Alternatively, a five hour drive or short flight to the East will land you in the Okanagan, home of British Columbia’s wine country and a few of Canada’s best wineries.

Vancouver is the first port of call for many tourists taking an Alaskan Cruise to the ice sheeted waters of Alaska’s famous national park, Glacier Bay. These cruises are highly recommended as they voyage to some of the world’s most isolated and picturesque locations; some of which are so out of reach they’re completely inaccessible by land.

Holidays to Vancouver are sure to leave you wanting more. From the vast expanses of natural scenery and outdoor sport & leisure opportunities to the rich multicultural spirit and quickly growing arts community, there really is something for everyone.

Why Not spoil Yourself !!!

Dubai is an ideal family holiday destination.

From the stunning beaches to the water parks, Dubai is ideal for the whole family to holiday. There are endless shopping opportunities and even an indoor ski and snowboarding slope.

And if adventure is what the family needs, indoor rock climbing, swimming with the dolphins or indoor skydiving will keep the kids busy. On top of this, experience hot air balloon and seaplane rides combine it with multicultural and affordable cuisine to ensure you have a unique and unforgettable family holiday in Dubai.

Or why not Party

Dubai, has an excellent nightlife scene. Dubai has a large choice of bars and nightclubs for you to be able to enjoy whilst there.You will need to know that most of the bars that can serve alcohol are only in hotels, there are though a few exceptions.

Dubai also has some interesting laws regarding clubs; they all must close at 3 am, you must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub, and interestingly they are not allowed by law to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs.

A lot of the members clubs have very high entrance fees, that they will charge you if you do insist on applying the law and entering the club. This to be honest is a good thing as it allows the clubs to ensure a good mixture of clientele.

Dubai’s nightlife has come of age in recent times. The city is now overflowing with up market wine bars, DJ joints and beach bars. Unlike the weekend-obsessed Europeans, people here will party throughout the week. The big night is Thursday, although Tuesday night is ladies’ night and girls can get inebriated courtesy of free drinks promotions at most bars.

 

Scheduling a comprehensive travel itinerary is only one aspect of a spectacular and satisfying trip abroad. As such, the individual custom tours and group journeys at Aqua Travel Group are not simply a cultural checklist of what can be seen in how much time.

Instead, the focus is on crafting an extraordinary travel experience that puts you in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

From Hawaii to the slopes of Canada , smells and sounds in Asia or the past in Europe or the timeless Buddhist traditions that have existed for 2,600 years, to reaching the top of Phnom Bankheng by elephant at the precise moment the sun meets the earth and explodes into a glory of light over the ancient Angkor monuments, Aqua Travel Group will give you the absolute, most authentic experience from which true memories are made.

More than just its people and culture, its art and architecture, Aqua Travel Group endeavors to capture the essence of every travel destination, giving you a moment, memory and journey you will never forget!

Based on our agents long standing organizational travel history, our love and passion for travel and our personal travel experiences abroad, the team at Aqua Travel Group will spend as much with you as needed in order to design your own unique trip or find the perfect group tour for you.

In addition, we will supply you with practical information ranging from where and how to obtain your visa to travel insurance and where to shop and dine along the way. Once you have set out on your trip, we take pride in our extensive network of experienced drivers and private, professional guides who offer their knowledge and sensibility of each region to ensure moments of cultural insight in an atmosphere of safety and hospitality. For your next tour We invite you to give us a call at 1300 986 200 and take the first step towards your next adventure!

Aloha – Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands offer something no other place on the planet can: the Hawaiian people, their culture and history. And Hawaii, the Big Island offers more opportunities to explore this rich culture than any other island in the chain. Hawaii Island offers countless ways to experience native culture, from dramatic ancient stone heiau (temples), including the site of King Kamehameha the Great’s birth, to the world-renowned Merrie Monarch Hula Festival; from the restored historic fishing village at Lapakahi, to the futuristic Imiloa Astronomy Center where exhibits (in English and Hawaiian) explain traditional Hawaiian methods of ocean navigation by the stars.

 

Some 2,000 years ago, the earliest Polynesian voyagers made their first landfall in Hawaii at Ka Lae on the southern tip of Hawaii Island, where you can still see mooring rings carved into the seaside lava rock by early settlers. Today, all across our island, Hawaiian culture is alive and well.

At resorts and bed & breakfast inns, you can experience traditional lomilomi massage, and learn native arts like lei making, lauhala weaving, poi pounding and hula dancing. In our four national parks, you can visit preserved historic sites and watch living-history demonstrations. At galleries and museums around the island you can find (and buy) beautiful examples of traditional Hawaiian fishhooks, bowls, weapons and other works made from gourds, wood, sharks teeth and bone.

Aloha – Up and Away in the New Year

Hawaii 5 nights – $1099

• Return International Airfares flying Jetstar ex Sydney.
• All airfare taxes
• All transfers in Hawaii
• 5 nights at the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki in Honolulu
  (Twin share Standard Room)
• Valid for Travel – 07 February – 28 March 2012

Price includes Return economy Flights and Hotels room starting from, inclusive of taxes & surcharges, subject to seat and room availability at the time of booking.

 

Waikiki Beach Boutique Hotel

 

A Quiet Corner in the Heart of Waikiki. Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki while situated just a 5 minute stroll to Waikiki Beach is actually set in a quiet neighborhood free from the hub bub of Kuhio Avenue only a half block away. Hawaii embraces guests the moment they arrive into our unique open air lobby with its vintage edgy art-deco surfer ambiance featuring large screen films of surfer classics. Continental breakfast is served complimentary daily.

 

View accommodations offer stunning views of the magical Koolau Mountain range and AlaWai Golf Course. Each room features complimentary internet and is appointed with flat screen TV, microwaves, mini fridges and coffee makers. Other unique features of our Honolulu boutique hotel include a relaxing pool with sundeck and cabanas, our tranquil AquaSPA facilities and a complimentary Manager’s reception every Tuesday, featuring our signature drink, “The Wipeout.” The hotel’s AquaSPA features treatment rooms for one and for two persons.