NEW!! Holidays for Couples Travel + Leisure blog!!

Hello to all our loyal readers and followers, we are happy to announce that we've now MOVED the blog over to a new upgraded platform so please, use the link below, and head on over to keep yourself up to date on the latest travel deals, destination features and luxe lifestyle delights! And be sure to start 'Following' to get each post and plenty of inspiration delivered directly to you ...

http://www.holidaysforcouples.com.au/blog

See you there!

Sunrise, Symphony + Sand at the annual 'Breakfast on Bondi'

Australia's most famous beach will again host the spectacular Breakfast on Bondi on Sunday, 14 October - a free highlight of the 2012 Crave Sydney International Food Festival. 

Thousands will enjoy breakfast on the beach as the sun comes up to a haunting didgeridoo dawn welcome, followed by a full orchestra performance with soprano Lorina Gore - principal artist for Opera Australia. For the first time, VIP tickets will be available for those who prefer their breakfast a little up market!

The face of Sydney breakfast, celebrity chef Bill Granger, is back this year and this time he's bringing brekkie to help celebrate Sydney's love of al fresco dining and passion for outdoor living

Breakfast on Bondi is a free event. For those preferring to reserve their spot on the sand, there is reserved seating for $20 per person or $50 per family; and VIP tickets ($70) that include premium reserved seating, a festival beach bag, picnic rug, and a hot bills breakfast.

Crave Sydney International Food Festival (October 1-31) is a month-long celebration of extraordinary food experiences. It is one of five signature events on the NSW Events Calendar.

To register or book tickets, visit Crave Sydney International Food Festival online www.cravesydney.com.

MSC Cruises' Massive Sale - $1 Fares for 2nd Passenger!

                 

Like we needed any excuse to set sail aboard one of these incredible cruises! From September 3-9, anyone who books an MSC Cruises’ 2012 Grand Voyage will only pay $1 plus port charges for the second passenger. Seriously!

This hot deal for couples is one of a number from the leading cruise line during the inaugural International Cruise Week promotion, organised by the International Cruise Council of Australasia.

The offer applies to five sailings, one aboard MSC Opera from Venice on November 1, 2012, to South Africa’s Cape Town - 19 nights, the first passenger paying from $1319, the second guest from $476, including the port charges.

Other sailings and prices are as follow:

• MSC Magnifica, from Genoa on October 27, 2012 for 17 nights to Santos in Brazil, from $1289 and $426;
• MSC Fantasia, from Genoa on November 11, 2012 for 16 nights to Santos in Brazil, from $1249 and $401;
• MSC Orchestra, from Genoa on November 25, 2012 for 15 nights to Rio de Janeiro, from $1099 and $376;
• MSC Lirica, from Genoa on November 30, 2012 for 15 nights to Antilles in the Caribbean, from $1169 and $376.

In addition to the Grand Voyage specials, MSC Cruises will offer $100 per person onboard credits on 2013 cruises of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe with prices starting at $609pp twin share for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise and from $1288pp, twin share for a 14-night Grand Mediterranean cruise.

Seven-night Northern Europe cruises start at $919pp twin share, 14-night Grand Northern Europe cruises from $2058pp, twin share.

What are you waiting for? Phone MSC Cruises on 1300 028502 or  head to their website and book that dream cruise!

     

Short Break Special: Gold Coast

So it's finally starting to show signs of warmer weather and we're already feeling that ache inside for a quick holiday, and some time out from work and chores and stress and ... well, from life in general! If you're feeling the same, it might be time for that well deserved short break, heading to a place where you can chill as much as you like, or play hard and let off some steam. Some place like the Gold Coast ... that mecca of sun, surf, fine dining and late night partying! And with Springtime just around the corner, it's looking great on the beaches - the perfect way to shake off the winter blues, re-energise and re-charge. 

There's always plenty of romance to be had with a beachside holiday, so Holidays for Couples have found some great special deals from Virgin Australia that makes the Gold Coast lifestyle feel all the more enticing. How does return economy airfares plus three nights accommodation starting from just $350pp* sound? Pretty awesome value, for that perfect short break holiday, we think!

There's a range of deals to choose from, from the casual to the trendy and the super-luxe, and lots of extras you can add on if you please. Check it out right here.

Enjoy the 'Slow Life' in style at Soneva Kiri - Koh Kood, Thailand

Hands up, who could do with a break? We're hearing you! And as it's Friday, we're taking some time out to explore some really exotic and different destinations. We stumbled and fell pretty hard on Soneva Kiri by Six Senses on the island of Koh Kood in Thailand, 350 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and world's away from normality!

Surrounded by ancient rain forest blanketing hillsides that slope down to deserted, coconut palm shaded beaches and the Gulf of Thailand's pristine cobalt waters, with mostly fishermen among your closest neighbours, this secluded and peaceful retreat has some of the most amazing private residences where couples and whole groups can zone out and chill out in style. 

The 29 villas at Soneva Kiri are all vast and luxurious, from intimate one-bedroom suites to the palacial five-bedroom Private Beach Reserve. They've been built from local, sustainably sourced timbers and furnished in effortlessly chic style. Some villas face the sunset, some the sunrise, all with magical views of the secluded bay and private swimming pools. We love how Soneva Kiri has a SLOW LIFE policy. Just what everyone needs, wouldn't you say?

As You Like It - Shakespeare's England in an App!

Frustrated thespians and well-versed indie travellers can now discover Shakespeare country and surrounds with a new App designed to showcase some of the best of the heart of England, from Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwickshire to the culinary capital of Ludlow and the romantic Welsh Marches.

                   

The 'Stratford & West Midlands: As You Like It' App for iPad, iPhone and Android takes you on a journey of discovery through romantic villages with country pubs, 'black and white' wooden architecture, historic houses with beautiful gardens and the seductive English countryside. It's all very historic and romantic and oh-so-very British ... and as it shows you the way to some of the country's finest boutique hotels (and a budget hotel or two), regional food and wine, micro-breweries and drives with classic cars for hire, it's also loads of fun! There's also ideas for biking and walks as well as gorgeous gardens and properties to view, including those in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

And it's not all about Shakespeare. Add a little J.R.R. Tolkein with places that inspired his characters for The Hobbit, and you can really indulge your imagination!  

You can buy 'Stratford & West Midlands: As You Like It' for US$3.99 through itunes, or look for 'Stratford +
Shakespeare's Country & Surrounds' on Google Player for the android version.

 

Singapore in bloom at Gardens by the Bay

If you're planning a trip to Singapore, be sure to get along to the recently opened (and eagerly-anticipated!) Gardens by the Bay, a 54 hectare garden located in the super-cool Marina Bay area.

This unique man-made botanical paradise comprises of three waterfront gardens covering - Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central.  Bay South Garden alone houses over 2,000 species plus more than 700,000 plants from across the globe, including the incredible 18 man-made futuristic Supertrees, ranging from 25 - 50 metres in height. The gardens have a 128-metre long aerial skywalk set amongst the treetops, 22 metres above ground, enabling visitors to take in panoramic views of the gardens and city below, making for a memorable experience (and some pretty amazing photo opportunities too!).

Gardens by the Bay is open to the public from 5.00am to 2.00am daily. Opening hours for the cooled conservatories and the aerial walkway in the Supertree Grove are from 9.00am to 9.00pm daily (conditions apply).  General entry is free of charge; however fees to the Skywalk, Flower Dome and Cloud Dome conservatories apply.

Skywalk: Child = SIN$3 (AUD$2.30), Adult =SIN$5 (AUD$3.80)

Conservatories: Child = SIN$15 (AUD$11.50), Adult = SIN$28 (AUD$21.50)

And plan more of your Singapore visit at www.yoursingapore.com/au