Inspiring Vacations – November/December 2021

UNDERRATED TRAVEL

Esperance, Western Australia

BUCKET LIST

Germany's Christmas markets

WEEKENDER

Calgary, Canada

HOLIDAY AT HOME New Zealand

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FJORD FIESTA Famed for its fjords, Norway is a year-round favourite

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FROM THE CEO

WELCOME To our Inspiring Vacations customers and community, Welcome to our November/ December bumper issue of the Inspiring Vacations magazine!

As the festive season draws near, we dive into those magical winter moments with the best Christmas Markets to visit in Germany, a tour of Norway's stunning fjords and the luxury wine experiences awaiting your next trip to New Zealand. For those who need a mini-escape, we've got you covered! Keep reading to discover Calgary's six must-do experiences and a weekend travel guide to Esperance, Western Australia.

I'd also like to personally invite you to our Inspiring Vacations HQ for The Greatest Travel Show. Held in Melbourne, Brisbane and online, this three-day travel event (26-28 November)

is action-packed with guest speakers, exciting presentations on your favourite global destinations and exclusive offers on our extensive range of holiday packages. Don’t forget to register your interest to attend the Melbourne or Brisbane event – we can’t wait to see you!

We love seeing your travel photos so please keep tagging #inspiringvacations on your social media travel snaps for the chance to win a $100 e-gift card.

From all of us here at Inspiring Vacations, we wish you a happy festive season and look forward to seeing you travelling in the New Year!

Paul Ryan CEO

COVER PHOTO: HOUSES IN THE LOFOTEN ISL ANDS BAY

CONTENTS 01 03 05 07 09 10 16 20 26 32 36 38

INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE Editor Vanessa Mulquiney

WELCOME A note from our CEO WHAT’S ON Nov/Dec events, online & offline

Art Director SIXTWO Creative

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Contributors Emily Humphrey, Tom Pattinson

IN THE KNOW Travel news from around the world FIVE OF THE BEST Hotels fit for royalty

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TOUR SPOTLIGHT Blarney Stone, Ireland UNDERRATED TRAVEL Esperance, Western Australia

Marketing & Advertising Laura Coop Contact For editorial and advertising enquiries, please email magazine@ inspiringvacations.com or phone 1300 88 66 88 (AU)

BUCKET LIST Germany’s best Christmas markets WEEKENDER Six Calgary must-dos COVER STORY Our favourite Norwegian fjords HOLIDAY AT HOME NZ’s best luxury wine experiences Q&A Josef Chromy OAM, Entrepreneur ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER A visit to Galle, Sri Lanka

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32 Inspiring Vacations Magazine is published bimonthly

by Inspiring Vacations (ABN 22 623 610 711), Level 2, 420 St Kilda Rd Melbourne VIC 3004. © 2021. All rights reserved. Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of Inspiring Vacations.

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CALENDAR

WHAT’S ON

No matter where you are in the world, there’s plenty of events - both online and offline - to enjoy

Sydney DEC 26 SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE

PHOTOS: SYDNEY HOBART CL AS SIC YACHT RACE/ANDREA FRANCOL INI; BROK EN HEEL FESTIVAL /FACEBOOK; HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERL AND/FACEBOOK

Mexico NOV 1–2 DAY OF THE DEAD

Food, flowers and parades are all a part of the colourful Día de los Muertos celebrations, honouring the spirits of the departed.

India NOV 4 DIWALI

The Festival of Lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and wisdom over ignorance in a spectacular five-day festival – one of the most important dates on the Hindu calendar.

London, England NOV 19 – JAN 3 WINTER WONDERLAND

From ice skating to Christmas markets, carousel rides to circus shows, Christmas spirit abounds at London’s Hyde Park.

Melbourne

Hopeful competitors set sail out of Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day for the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. They’re racing to beat the standing record of just over 33 hours.

NOV 26–28 THE GREATEST TRAVEL SHOW

Kickstart your New Year travel plans with Inspiring Vacations’ three-day travel expo. Attendees will have exclusive access to incredible deals on domestic and international holidays, alongside fantastic door prizes, special guest speakers and more.

Broken Hill, New South Wales DEC 2–6 BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL

Desert, disco and plenty of divas is the motto for this year’s festival! Pay homage to the iconic cult movie and musical The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert with a fabulous three days of non-stop comedy, cabaret and live music.

New York City, USA DEC 31 TIMES SQUARE

Raise a glass to the end of 2021 and commemorate the New Year as the ball drops in Times Square at the stroke of midnight.

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WINNER

RUNNER UP

Lanka e, Sri s i u r c River Madu

Stilt fish erman, S ri Lanka

This picture was taken in March 2019 on our Sri Lanka tour.

While cruising around the small fishing islands on Madu River, we spotted this guy sunning himself perched high on the post. He wasn't disturbed by our presence at all; it was a wonderful day.

— Sandra H

RUNNER UP

This photo was taken at a beach stop from Galle to Yala in 2019 to see the traditional stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka. This gentleman caught my attention because of his kind face and lovely smile. The many people of this beautiful country and their kind and happy presence is encapsulated in this photo – I loved Sri Lanka, its people, culture and beautiful scenery.

— Tanya G

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Nile crui se, E gyp t

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The photo was taken on the Nile cruise portion of our Egypt & Jordan tour in 2019. Viewing daily life on the Nile and savouring the sunsets were highlights.

— Gary T

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TRAVEL NEWS

IN THE KNOW What to do, see and where to play

The new Neue Berlin’s museum of modern art, Neue Nationalgalerie, has returned to its former splendour with the completion of an extensive restoration project. Designed by Mies van der Rohe in the late 1960s, the renowned steel and glass structure has been updated and modernised.

The museum is now officially open after being closed for the duration of the project, which began in 2015.

Reintroducing Australia’s stunning holiday destination: K’gari Fraser Island has officially reverted back to its original indigenous name – K’gari – after a long campaign by the Butchulla people, who have inhabited the island for thousands of years. K’gari, which translates to paradise, is the world’s largest sand island stretching for over 123km and a UNESCO World Heritage List site.

PHOTOS: NEUE NATIONALGAL ERIE/STA ATLICHE M US EEN ZU BERL IN, NATI ONALGA LERIE , DAVID VON BECKER; GABRIELLE CHANEL FASHION MA NIFESTO/@J. J.WESTON FOR @SS AWMAG; MA MMOTH CAVE NATIONA L PARK /FACEBOOK; WELL INGTON MONUMENT/NATIONAL TRUST

America’s ultimate travel destination Lonely Planet’s first Ultimate United States Travel List compiles the top destinations in America and Grand Canyon National Park takes out top honour. Followed closely by runnersup Yosemite and Yellowstone National Park, the list details 500 of the most unforgettable experiences awaiting your next visit.

Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto An exhibition honouring the timeless style of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel is making its international debut in Melbourne. One of the most influential designers of the 20th century, this showcase will celebrate Mademoiselle Chanel with over 100 garments on display, including some never-before-seen pieces.

The exhibition opens 5th December at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Reaching record-breaking new lengths

Restoration complete for England’s Wellington Monument The world’s tallest three-sided obelisk is once again open for visitors to climb to the top after a £3.1m restoration.

Constructed in the 1820s as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo, the obelisk stands 53 metres tall and has withstood an unsteady history, including a lightning strike or two!

The world’s longest known cave system has just become even longer! The aptly-named Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, USA has grown by nearly 13km thanks to the discovery of new underground passages. Surveyed by a team of volunteers from the Cave Research Foundation, Mammoth Cave now covers an incredible 675 kilometres.

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FIVE OF THE BEST

HOTELS FIT FOR A KING Fancy living like royalty? Take up residence in one of these grand, storied hotels WORDS BY EMILY HUMPHREY

ASHFORD CASTLE COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND

Once home to the storied Guinness family, this castle’s history can be traced back to the 13th century. Set on 350 idyllic acres on the shores of Lough Corrib, there’s rich history in spades but the luxury digs are anything but old-fashioned.

No wonder the likes of King George V, Oscar Wilde and John Lennon have all spent time here.

Following a huge renovation in 2015, indulge all your medieval fortress dreams in style – visit the equestrian centre, try a spot of archery or take a Hawk Walk, where you can fly a Harris Hawk with a falconry instructor.

VILLA D’ESTE LAKE COMO, ITALY

PHOTO: VILLE D'ESTE; CIRAGAN PAL ACE KEMPINS KI; A MAN SUMM ER PAL ACE/FACEBOOK; TA J L AKE PAL ACE; ASHFORD CASTLE/FACEBOOK

ÇIRAGAN PALACE KEMPINSKI ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Arriving by car is just so commonplace, no? Summon your private yacht or helicopter to arrive in style at this ornate 17th-century Ottoman palace, set on the banks of the Bosphorus. The 4,300-square-foot Sultan Suite is as lavish as you’d hope, with its very own hammam. Take a dip in the enormous infinity pool, treat yourself to a royal banquet with the Sultan’s Dinner experience or enjoy a luxury picnic in the pristine gardens – no tartan rugs and Tupperware here, it’s a fully-themed seated affair.

Instantly recognisable, if only for its iconic floating pool, this grand estate became a hotel in 1873. It may have been built in the 16th century by a cardinal, but it also served as a private summer retreat for royalty and now; the grande dame of this glittering resort town is a playground for the rich and famous, boasting old-world hospitality.

La dolce vita indeed: cocktail hour on the terrace overlooking the lake, or take a stroll through the immaculate, 25-acre private park.

TAJ LAKE PALACE UDAIPUR, INDIA

Once called Jag Niwas, the 18th-century summer home of Maharana Jagat Singh II floats in the middle of Lake Pichola (no bad views here), only accessible to hotel guests. You’ll arrive by boat and be showered with red petals before you enter the lobby, which sets the tone for a regal stay. This white-walled delight became Rajasthan’s first luxury hotel in the 1960s and has even made it to the silver screen – it featured in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy.

AMAN AT SUMMER PALACE BEIJING, CHINA

Just steps from the East Gate of the UNESCOlisted Summer Palace imperial estate, the historic dwellings at this hotel were once used by guests of the Empress Dowager Cixi in the 19th and 20th centuries. There’s even a ‘secret’ locked door from the hotel to access the Summer Palace’s dazzling grounds and lakes. Find your peace in tranquil gardens and courtyards or unwind at the cigar bar, your choice.

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TOUR NOTES | IRELAND

KISS ME, I’M IRISH This stony smooch is a tradition that’s endured for several centuries

WORDS BY: EM ILY HUMPHREY

D

reaming of the gift of the gab? About 8km north of Cork, you’ll find a fabled stone set in a wall of the idyllic 15thcentury Blarney Castle. Legend has it that kissing the Blarney Stone brings you the gift of eloquence – skillful flattery, if you will. This particularly famous Irish custom is a long-standing, prized tradition.

The origins of the Blarney Stone remain a hotly contested mystery, but in recent years science has declared it to be made of local limestone, dispelling myths about it being gifted from afar. Dermot McCarthy, king of Munster, built the castle in 1446 and today, its impressive grounds are a pleasure to explore.

Climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top of the castle.

(The views across the grounds and Irish countryside are terrific, by the way.) The stone is set in the eastern wall below the battlements. You’re supposed to kiss it upside down, so pucker up and be prepared to lie down and hold onto the iron railing as you lean backward. To be sure.

INSPIRED TO VISIT IRELAND? Check out our tours here

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Blarney Castle; A hopeful visitor leans back to kiss the stone INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 9

Mini Guide to Esperance Beautiful beaches, remote national parks and untouched islands? Look no further

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Cape Arid National Park; Kangaroos at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park; Woody Island; Taking in Lucky Bay 10 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

UNDERRATED TRAVEL | ESPERANCE

E

sperance has a country charm, beautiful secluded beaches, a gateway to the Cape Le Grand National Park, and beyond to Cape Arid. It's a one-anda-half-hour flight or an eight-hour drive southeast from Perth, making Esperance an ideal weekender or short getaway.

Here, our favourite must-dos.

Cape Le Grand National Park Cape Le Grand National Park can be accessed for day trips from Esperance, or pitch up for a few nights. The Coastal Trail works its way along the coast from Le Grand Beach, where you’ll find a popular Department of Parks And Wildlife campsite (with few pitches, be sure to book ahead), then on to Rossiter Bay. This 15km walk takes around nine hours. With varying degrees of difficulty it can be broken into sections taking in Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove and Lucky Bay (where you’ll also find an ocean-side campsite).

While walking the trail in a day holds appeal for experienced hikers, breaking it up is a good option for those with more leisurely aspirations: spend a morning hiking, then an afternoon on the sand at Lucky Bay where kangaroos, drawn by the freshwater streams, run across the sands – believed to be Australia’s whitest, by the way.

Cape Arid National Park Given much of the area is only accessible by 4WD – it’s safe to say Cape Arid National Park rewards those who go the extra distance.

The park is a wildly beautiful and biodiverse area: coastal sandheaths, mallee and low granite hills extend inland to Mount Ragged, after which the vegetation is transformed into woodlands dominated by saltbush and bluebush. The jagged Russell Range, which rises to its highest point at Tower Peak (almost 600m), comprises ancient uplifted quartzite that has the same origins as the Barrens Range in Fitzgerald River National Park.

INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 11

UNDERRATED TRAVEL | ESPERANCE

Recherché Archipelago The Recherché Archipelago, known by the locals as the Bay of Isles, is made of 105 islands and is pristine wilderness at its best.

Middle Island is the site of Lake Hillier, a saline lake coloured bubblegum pink. Inaccessible by land, take a stunning aerial tour; the pink contrasting against the blue ocean, white beaches and verdant bushland. The pink lake isn’t the only draw. A flight uncoves the scale and natural beauty of the region, with remote beaches and coves, and in season scanning the ocean for migrating whales.

Woody Island is perfect for nature lovers. There's plenty of native bush, stunning lagoons for swimming and snorkelling and a variety of wildlife including bandicoots and wallabies. The island is open for camping and offers excellent facilities which range from basic camp sites to safari huts with views over the bush to Shearwater Bay.

Inaccessible by land, take a stunning aerial tour; the pink contrasting against the blue ocean, white beaches and verdant bushland

STORY & IMAGES: COURTESY OF TOURIS M WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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12 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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Dining Esperance has, in recent years, started to cultivate quite the food scene. Taylor Street Quarters boasts a prime harbourside spot where chefowner Dean Wood has created one of the region’s favourite eateries. A casual menu is in full flow in the daytime, while evening sees Wood raise the culinary stakes.

Fish Face does a brisk trade on takeaway fish and chips but be sure to book a table for the busy restaurant. Grilled, battered or crumbed, the chefs here are working with predominantly local fish: samson, queen snapper, gummy, nannygai, ling and trevally. Also check out the daily specials board, for classic surf and turf, and more.

Downtown Espresso, with its whitewashed walls and contemporary design is a place you’d expect to find in one of Perth’s trendy inner suburbs. Expect to find single origin beans, housemade cold brew, Kono pour over and Aeropress alongside the espresso.

Travel around the Golden Outback region from Esperance to Kalgoorlie and you’ll find Lucky Bay Brewing Co. on tap and in cans. Head for the source where Nigel Metz, a grain researcher turned brewer, uses local wheat and barley, raw, in his brews; an unusual move, but one that’s got beer lovers talking for all the right reasons.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Visiting the Hamersley Dunes at Fitzgerald River National Park; Aerial view of Hellfire Bay; Aerial view of Lake Hillier, Middle Island; Hellfire Bay; Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park; Woody Island

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• 18 nights in 4-star accommodation including an overnight stay in a Glass Igloo and 1 night on board the overnight Santa Claus Express train from Helsinki to Kemi

• Fly through the Arctic forest by husky sled, visit the home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, see the Northern Lights and so much more

• Travel through jaw-dropping fjords, see the Northern Lights, board an icebreaker cruise and so much more

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GERMANY’S BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS The Germans do Christmas better than anyone else – which is unsurprising since they pretty much invented it

PHOTO: XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX

WORDS BY TOM PATTINSON

16 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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PHOTO: XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX

ermany pretty much invented Christmas as we know it today. It was the Germans who started the Christmas tree tradition and then decorated them with glass blown baubles and candles. Red cabbage and roast goose? Gingerbread men?

Yes, that’s all from Germany, too. Silent Night? It's actually Stille Nacht.

Lapland might be the home of Santa but there is nowhere more Christmassy than a German market square in December.

Nearly every town and city in the country will open up their wooden stalls and deck the streets with fairy lights in preparation for their Christmas market. A tall tree will be erected, the scent of bubbling gluhwein– a sweet, spiced, mulled wine – will waft through the air and a beautiful smattering of snow will dust the roofs, creating a fairy tale atmosphere of Christmas that is unbeatable.

Arriving at a German Christmas market is like stepping into a Disney Christmas movie – for all the right reasons. Its authenticity is accentuated by the Gothic churches and Baroque architecture that punctuates so many of Germany’s town squares – yellow lights, glowing from within – as warmly wrapped up locals catch up over a warm brew and shop for handmade Christmas gifts.

Here, a selection of some of our favourite German Christmas markets.

| SLUG BUCKET LIST | XMAS SLUG MARKETS

Best for… upmarket style

GENDARMENMARKT BERLIN Best for… tradition

MARKTPLATZ STUTTGART The southern town of Stuttgart is the epitome of Christmas. Narrow cobbled streets wind their way through beautiful Baroque buildings. The Old Castle and an imposing brightly lit church both look over the marketplace where this sprawling market is held each year.

The Wintertraum Markt, as it is called, sits in front of the Old Castle but the market actually spreads over five smaller squares and the streets that join them, making it easy to get lost in a Christmassy world. An ice skating rink is hidden in the centre of the market among the many wooden stalls that sell a variety of handmade gifts such as carved wooden toys and lebkuchen – gingerbread biscuits shaped into hearts with romantic messages iced onto them.

Like many large cities, Berlin has quite literally dozens of Christmas markets dotted across the city, each with its own style and feel. But our favourite has to be the Gendarmenmarkt for the sheer beauty of its surroundings.

The market sits in a square surrounded by two tall cathedrals and Berlin’s Konzerthaus. The concert hall in itself is worth a visit at Christmas, often wrapped up in a bow, or decked with holly and trees it adds sophistication that makes it stand apart from the others. The white tented stalls here emit a warming glow and provide an elegance that fits its environment as performers and musicians entertain visitors.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Beautiful light installations at the Old Castle in Stuttgart; Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin; Stollen, traditional Christmas cake at Dresden market; Marktplatz Stuttgart; Traditional wooden toys INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 17

SLUG | SLUG

Best for… history buffs

CHRISTKINDLESMARKT NÜRNBERG

WEIHNACHTSMARKT LEIPZIG Leipzig is one of Germany’s best-kept secrets. This former East Germany industrial town doesn’t attract too many international visitors but Germans flock here for its beautiful architecture, city centre canals and blossoming arts scene. The city’s Christmas market is held in the central market square beside the impressive 16th-century Rathaus (Old Town Hall) that runs the length of the square.

Hundreds of stalls are set up with a stage at one end where Father Christmas often makes an appearance.

Like most German Christmas markets, Leipzig Christmas market sells gluhwein in a specially designed mug that usually requires a €3 (A$4.80) deposit (the mugs make beautiful souvenirs).

Best for… waterfront romance

LAKESIDE MARKET CONSTANCE The town of Constance sits on a vast lake bordering Switzerland and every Christmas the harbour comes alive with wooden huts selling raclette cheese and mugs of steaming gluhwein. The mountainous backdrop over the water makes for a stunning vista and the buildings of the old town are one of the most fully preserved in Germany thanks to quick thinking residents who kept the lights on during WWII air raids, misleading the Allied bombers into thinking the town was in Switzerland.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Berlin Christmas market; Christmas market in the Old Town Hall Square in the old fairytale town in Bavaria; Heidelberg Christmas Market; Hamburg Town Hall Christmas market; Christmas market in Konstanz 18 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

PHOTO: XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX

Best for… off the beaten track

Arguably the most famous Christmas market in the world, Christkindlesmarkt is also one of the oldest. A Christmas market in some form has been at the Hauptmarkt – the city’s central square – for over 450 years. The magical 14thcentury Gothic Nuremberg Cathedral is the centrepiece of the square and a wonderfully decorated tree stands facing it. Between the two, stalls sell deliciously roasted meats, rich hot chocolate drinks and intricately worked gifts.

The market is named after Christkind – a holy cherub who has been a symbol of the market for decades.

The Christkind is played by a local child, dressed in white and gold who is paraded through the market to officially open the event. At the parade, the Christkind recites a traditional poem watched by all the town. A great honour to be picked as the Christkind, the child will return several times to the market to wave to the crowds giving ‘hope, warmth and joy,’ to the children of the city.

BUCKET LIST | XMAS MARKETS

Best for… feeling like a time-traveller

WEIHNACHTSMARKT ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER This Bavarian town has hardly changed in centuries and what makes the Christmas market so appealing here is the buildings that surround it. The houses and buildings look like they are ready to eat, with gingerbread roofs and thick icing walls and a light dusting of snowy icing sugar. These are real-life versions of the gingerbread houses seen in so many shop windows. The local residents really get into the Christmas mood decorating their doors and windows, making the whole town one Christmas exhibition.

Best for… a relaxed, chatty evening

WEIHNACHTSMARKT HAMBURG

Best for… shutterbugs

Like so many of Germany’s Christmas markets, Hamburg’s Weihnachtsmarkt is also held in the main market square in front of the town hall. A huge tree marks its entrance which is beside some of the many canals and waterways that run through this coastal town. Traditional wooden stalls with bright red roofs are decked with thousands of fairy lights creating a magical feel, and every evening Santa ‘flies’ over the market in his sleigh calling out to children and dropping off gifts on his route.

Hamburg’s Christmas market is much smaller than other more sprawling markets giving it a cosy, intimate feel. Visitors can enjoy an evening standing around a barrel drinking and talking, rather than rushing around shopping.

CHRISTMAS MARKET HEIDELBERG Best for… serious shoppers

STRIEZELMARKT DRESDEN

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Dresden’s Striezelmarkt was first held on the Monday before Christmas in 1434, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. The beautiful old buildings that surround the town square, lit up with lights and decorated with holly and firs, add to its romantic feel.

It is named after strüzel, the old word for stollen, a type of light airy fruit cake that is traditionally eaten at Christmas in Germany. Many people here buy nutcrackers carved and painted as red soldiers from Tchaikovsky’s ballet of the same name. Also unique to Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is the sale of Pflaumentoffel. Made of prunes, the ‘plum devils’ are INSPIRED created to look like chimney TO VISIT GERMANY? sweeps, dressed in black, Check out our with top hat and brush. tours here

The old town of Heidelberg draws visitors all year round, who come for the cobbled streets and medieval buildings that sit below the ruins of the 13th-century Heidelberg Castle.

At Christmas, the castle is lit up and five market squares fill up with wooden shacks brightly illuminated with fairy lights and swinging bulbs. The comparatively peaceful market has to be one of the most romantic in the land. Visitors can go skating at ‘Christmas on Ice’ – an ice rink beneath the castle and surrounded by trees – a once in a lifetime experience that will be impossible to find anywhere else on earth.

INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 19

Heart of the New West Six things to do in Calgary WORDS BY KRISTY BARRATT

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estled at the foot of the gorgeous Rockies, Calgary has no shortage of things to do. Here are just six to add to your itinerary in this stunning corner of the world.

1. Explore Banff National Park Hiring a car in Calgary is recommended as it will allow you the freedom to take day trips to the Rocky Mountains and use Calgary as a base. Located between the stunning mountain resort towns of Banff and Lake Louise, and just over a one-hour drive from Calgary, is picturesque Banff National Park. Here, the natural setting features jutting, angular mountain peaks rising up to 4,000 metres high, towering forests of Douglas fir trees, and peacock blue lakes – some of the best are found in the beautiful hamlet of Lake Louise. Be sure to add a LOVE CANADA? ride on the Banff Gondola to your adventure, too.

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2. Visit the Calgary Farmers’ Market

PR E S S PL AY PR E S S PL AY

From Thursday to Sunday, every week of the year, Calgary Farmers’ Market is a hotspot for fresh, local produce. In-the-know locals and travellers can be found mingling with smiley vendors at any of the 75 market stalls.

You can find everything from coffee and baked goods to homemade preserves, clothing, spices and even cute buys for your furry friend back home.

This popular day hike in Banff National Park will take you deep into one of the park’s most accessible canyons on foot. With walkways traversing the trail, it’s an easy walk for kids, accessible for all levels of fitness and you can hike it all season long. Our pick? Wintertime when the snow and ice particles create a magical fairytale-like feel.

MAIN: Rafting on the Bow River, Banff National Park 20 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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3. Hike to the Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon

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WEEKENDER | CALGARY

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WEEKENDER | CALGARY

INSPIRED TO VISIT CANADA? Check out our tours here

4. Go rafting down the river

Adventure seekers be warned: this type of rafting isn’t hugely adrenaline-packed. Lazy Day Raft Rentals, as the name suggests, will sort you out for a fun stint rafting down Calgary’s pretty Bow River. It’s a self-guided tour and you can choose to go rafting – or floating, rather – for two or four hours. Relaxing, scenic and a wonderful way to see the city from the water.

5. Get your fix of history Say hello to Heritage Park Historical Village, the largest living history museum in Canada. Open throughout the warmer months, from mid-May to October each year (the Gasoline Alley Museum, however, is open from October to December), it is a bustling tourist attraction quite unlike any other. Think interpreters donning age-old costumes and horse-drawn wagons from the late 19th century. A visit here is like stepping back in time to see what life in Western Canada was like in the 1860s and beyond.

6. Drink craft beer at a Calgary brewery It’s fair to say that making the trip to a brewery, whether you like beer or not, is a given on any trip to Canada. If hoppy beers aren’t your thing, the good news is that they all generally serve wine, too. If you are a die-hard craft beer fan, make your way to the ever-popular Big Rock Brewery or, take the 45-minute drive to Half Hitch Brewing Company where you can sip pints and feast on their menu of bacon-wrapped meatloaf. How very Canadian.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Johnston Canyon Lower Falls hike; Heritage Park Historical Village; Butternut squash on sale at a Farmer's Market in Calgary 22 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

CANADIAN ROCKIES ADVENTURE 8 DAY UNFORGETTABLE GROUP TOUR

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• 7 nights in central 3-star accommodation and daily breakfast • English-speaking guide throughout the tour • Explore Calgary and Vancouver, traverse the stunning Sea to Sky Highway and enjoy incredible sightseeing including Banff National Park’s snow-capped peaks, sparkling glaciers and emerald green lakes

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FJORD FIESTA Famed for its impressive fjords found in narrow valleys running down to the sea, Norway is a year-round favourite for visitors

Rorbu cabin in Reine, Lofoten Islands 26 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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WORDS BY TOM PATTINSON

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COVER STORY | NORWAY

INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 27

COVER STORY | NORWAY

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lartibartfast, the designer of planets in the novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, said he most enjoyed designing coastlines and he actually won an award for work he did designing the Norwegian fjords on planet Earth. Well, you can see why the Norwegian fjords may well win an intergalactic design award.

These deep, narrow inlets or elongated seas are the remnants of ancient glaciers that carved huge canyons through the cliffs as they headed towards the sea. Fjords are recognised by their steep sides and forested cliffs, that fall into deep, dark pools of water that become shallower at the fjord mouth where it WHEN IS THE meets the sea.

BEST TIME TO Fjords were created with the help VISIT NORWAY of glaciers over several ice ages. First PR E S S PL AY PR E S S PL AY formed when water froze in cracks in the earth, glaciers spent over hundreds of thousands of years freezing and melting, expanding and contracting, and these cracks grew and grew. The ice sheets that sit in the valleys can often be several kilometres thick and its immense weight slowly is pulled by gravity down towards sea level. As the glaciers melt, they wash much of the gravel and silt created by the shifting ice pack, towards the sea, causing the mouth of the fjord to be significantly shallower than further inland. Over time, what once were cracks become huge U-shaped valleys filled with billions of tons of ice, inching slowly towards the sea.

28 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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Today the ice has gone but the valleys remain, creating very deep fjords that lead out to the sea.

Water doesn’t run into them in the same way it does a river or lake, but these are part of the sea that reaches back into the land in the vast empty pools that ice from millennia ago carved out. But that does make them very tranquil, stiller than the flowing waters of a river, more sheltered than most lakes and protected from the waves of the sea by its shallow mouth. Some have become freshwater fjords as the silt deposits at the mouth of the fjord become so high that no more seawater can get in.

Today, these hanging valleys with waterfalls tumbling from steep forested cliffs make for breathtaking views. Whether it’s by boat from upon the tranquil water, from the top of the towering peaks or from the lush, low banks where sheep graze, every view the Norwegian fjords present is something that other countries only envy.

Some of our favourite fjords:

The Hardangerfjord The beautiful waterfalls flowing down between orchards are quite spell binding – the Hardangerfjord undoubtedly has some of the most magical natural scenery you’ll ever see. It is easy to imagine how the myths of trolls hiding in caves, behind waterfalls could have been created here. In fact, Hardangerfjord is home to a rock formation called Trolltunga – the ‘troll tongue’ – which is a major hiking location. The picturesque village of Odda, at the very end of the fjord is a great base from which to take part in some outdoor activities.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Alesund port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord; Tourists enjoying the natural sights of Lyseford; Beautiful views of the Lofoten Trollfjord Fjord; Traditional Rorbu cabin overloooking Sognefjord INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 29

COVER STORY | NORWAY

The Trollfjord This is the northernmost of the big fjords. Tucked away right up in the Arctic, the fjord (named after more trolls) is nestled between the Vesterålen and Lofoten islands. Although just 2km long, it has a narrow channel that opens up into a deep bay, making it feel like you’ve just discovered a wellkept secret. The dark-coloured rock and snowcapped peaks and the dark moody waters are in stark contrast to the lush green, welcoming fjords of the south.

The Geirangerfjord

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One of Norway’s most visited fjords, the Geirangerfjord passes by a number of abandoned farms and many impressive waterfalls, the most famous of which is the incredible Seven Sisters Waterfall. Directly opposite is the Suitor Waterfall, named as it is said to be trying to catch the attention of one of the seven sisters. Having featured in a number of films, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is pure fjord landscape at its best.

30 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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The Sognefjord

The Lysefjord

The longest and deepest fjord in Norway, the Sognefjord extends more than 200km inland and is found just north of Bergen in the heart of fjord country. At the innermost end of the Sognefjord is Jostedalsbreen, the biggest glacier in continental Europe. It is here that the highest mountains in the country combine with the deepest fjord, with green forest covering the steep cliffs making this UNESCO World Heritage Site one of the most beautiful sites to discover.

The southernmost of Norway’s big fjords, the Lysefjord and its steep cliffs have a number of landmarks including Mount Kjerag and Pulpit Rock, where Tom Cruise was spotted while shooting Mission Impossible 6. This is a popular starting point for hiking trips and for the more adventurous, to go climbing or kayaking from.

The Nærøyfjord

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The Nærøyfjord is much shorter, narrower and shallower than its big sister the Sognefjord but is arguably the most beautiful of the siblings.

As we saw earlier, fjords are created by glaciers which are cracks in the earth’s surface and when viewed from high above look like the cracks on a pane of glass. One of the ‘arms’ that leads into the Sognefjord is the Nærøyfjord. Only 250m across and with towering cliffs either side and brightly coloured farmsteads dotted INSPIRED along the lush green coastline, this TO VISIT NORWAY? majestic work would certainly be the Check out our one that gained Slartibartfast his award. tours here

The Oslofjord The Oslofjord is perfect for those who don’t have the time or energy to venture further afield. The capital city of Oslo was built on it and its low banks create beaches that are packed with swimmers and picnickers in the summer months. It might not be as impressive as some of its northern neighbours, but it has a number of monasteries, fortresses and museums that provide an in-depth history to the region.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Norheimsund Village, Hardangerfjord; Trolltunga, Hardangerfjord; Historic XIX century Napoleonic war cannons battery on Oslofjord harbour; Nærøyfjord is the Sognefjord's big sister INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 31

New Zealand's best wine experiences Of course you’d expect to taste great wine in the Land of the Long White Cloud. But an innovative batch of luxury offerings lifts these wine experiences to a new level STORY & IMAGES COURTESY OF NEW ZEALAND TOURISM

32 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

HOLIDAY AT HOME | NEW ZEALAND

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ew Zealand is best known for its rugged mountain peaks, deeply carved fiords and sweeping white sand beaches. But this land of contrasts is also home to a slew of indulgent food and wine experiences, whether you’d like to board a helicopter, set sail on a yacht or embrace a farm-to-table philosophy and wash it down with a fine drop. All in an idyllic natural setting, of course. Here, our favourites.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is a 30-minute drive from Napier on the North Island’s east coast but a world away, with its dedication to high-end luxury experiences. This is a special place, not only because it reveals panoramic views of New Zealand’s wild east coast at its best, but also because it’s home to just a handful of individual private cottages, so few people can stay at once. Wine experiences range from wine tastings and appreciation classes in The Farm’s own cellars to fullday excursions exploring the cellars of some of Hawke’s Bay’s best wineries.

▶ Travel Tip

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The warm maritime climate makes Hawke’s Bay comfortable to visit yearround, even on chilly winter mornings when the sun is shining. Fly into Napier, hire a car and explore this area, which is New Zealand’s most diverse wine region and home to top wineries producing quality chardonnay, merlot and sauvignon blanc. Visit two of the oldest continuously working wineries in New Zealand – Church Road Winery in Taradale (see the Roman vinous artefacts in its cellar museum) and Mission Estate.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Amisfield Vineyard; Amisfield Vineyard; Cape Kidnapper's wine experiences include tastings and appreciation classes; Cloudy Bay tastings; Gravlax salmon, lime and cilantro leaves perfectly paired with a Cloudy Bay Sauv Blanc INSPIRINGVACATIONS.COM 33

Cloudy Bay, Marlborough If eating freshly harvested oysters, taking a private helicopter tour over the Marlborough Sounds and foraging for your own food appeals, then the Cloudy Bay Winery’s Forage – a twoday, small group experience – is for you.

In between food foraging, there are private vineyard tours, wine tastings, sashimi tastings of local salmon and lunch on the Marlborough Sounds on the way to Tio Point oyster farm to harvest shellfish fresh from the sea. It also includes a private barrel tasting and blending session at the globally renowned winery. Cloudy Bay also offers a day sailing the Marlborough Sounds onboard a yacht, savouring lunch and their celebrated wines LOVE against this stunning NEW ZEALAND? WATCH OUR backdrop.

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Travel Tip Book any of the custom made experiences at this iconic winery: from sailing the Marlborough Sounds to scenic vineyard helicopter tours and private tastings. This is New Zealand’s largest grape growing and winemaking region, home to 90% of the nation’s sauvignon blanc plantings.

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Amisfield Winery, Queenstown When Amisfield head chef Vaughan Mabee led a team from the restaurant into Otago’s great outdoors to source flora and fauna for a unique paddock-to-plate dining experience a few years ago, he knew he was onto something. Since then, local cooking students have also indulged and the wilderness forage grew into a private hands-on experience for visitors to the region. Needless to say, bookings are essential to indulge in this individualised, exclusive, behind-thescenes experience. And it all ends – of course – with a glass or two of Central Otago pinot noir, the grape that makes up almost 80 percent of the region’s vineyards.

▶ Travel Tip

Fly into Queenstown and hire a car to drive to Amisfield, on the shores of Lake Hayes, which is 25 minutes from the airport. Advance bookings are essential.

Brancott Estate Heritage Centre, Marlborough

With one of the most outstanding vineyard restaurants in the country, here you’ll find an exclusive bespoke private dining room catering for up to 18 guests, or a wine tasting tailored to your tastes. Take a vineyard cycling tour or up the splendour with a helicopter flight over the vineyards followed by a premium wine tasting experience, featuring Brancott’s top-flight wines, led by one of the estate’s experts. They know what they’re doing, as creators of the first ever Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

▶ Travel Tip

From Auckland or Wellington, fly into Blenheim (The Brancott Estate is on the outskirts of Blenheim). Stay at the nearby five-star Marlborough Lodge, a stately residence set in expansive heritage gardens or cruise out on the Marlborough Sounds on the MV Tarquin.

34 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is a celebrated luxury lodge and golf resort with fine wine and cuisine to boot; Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door; The famous red shed at Brancott Estate; Fish and urenika chips with manuka smoked mayo; Marlborough's first modern vineyard, Brancott Estate Heritage Centre overlooks the region and has vistas to the North Island; Special moments at Cloudy Bay

PHOTOS: A MIS FIELD/FACEBOOK; CAPE KIDNA PPERS; CLOUDY BAY/FACEBOOK; BRA NCOT T ESTAT E/FACEBOOK

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Q &A

INTERVIEW

OCCUPATION ENTREPRENEUR & FOUNDER, JOSEF CHROMY WINES

COUNTRY AUSTRALIA (BORN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1930)

You say you weren’t a wine connoisseur before you started investing in local wineries in the 90s. For a wine novice, what would you suggest starting with to get to know Tasmania’s cool climate wines?

The best way to get to know cool climate wines is to match them with great food while you are dining out or enjoying a home cooked meal. Riesling with its lemon-lime flavours typically goes well with fish and seafood like oysters, Sauvignon Blanc with its grassy flavours cuts through the strong flavours of spicy Asian dishes, Chardonnay has more weight but is also mellow and goes well with chicken and pork, Pinot Noir is best paired with heavier poultry and light red meats such as duck and lamb, while heavier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are more suited to beef dishes.

INTERVIEW: EMILY HUMPHREY. PHOTOS: ROB BURNET T; C H RIS C RERAR

NAME JOSEF CHROMY OAM

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It’s well known how much you have done for Tasmanian food and wine. Have you had a chance to explore other parts of Australia?

I try to travel both within Australia and overseas at least once a year and have joined two dozen wine study tours with my friend and viticulturist Dr Richard Smart where we have visited wine regions around Australia and the world.

36 INSPIRING VACATIONS MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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If you had 48 hours to show first-timers around Launceston, where would you take them?

Stillwater Restaurant make a great breakfast. Then head to nearby Kings Bridge and walk up Cataract Walk to the You started Josef Chromy Wines at the tender Cataract Gorge. On your return via Cataract Walk, or the Zig young age of 76 – your fourth wine venture in this Zag Track if you are energetic, drop by Alida Restaurant at region of Tassie. What’s special about the terroir Penny Royal for lunch. Alternatively, spend the afternoon and conditions around here? on the river with Tamar River Cruises. Great restaurants to The vineyard is located inland from the Tamar River which visit in the evening include Black Cow in the city for means it has warmer days and cooler nights with less steak, Hallam’s Waterfront for seafood, and Mud moisture and disease pressure than vineyards closer Bar & Restaurant overlooking Seaport marina for to the river and coast. These conditions and the rich delicious fusion meals.

LOVE WINE? black soils are ideal for growing cool climate grapes On your second day, Blue Café at Inveresk Check out that have great varietal character at commercial offer a great breakfast and they are also next Inspiring Vines yields with minimal disease. to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which has interesting displays. Nearby City What can people expect when visiting Park is a great place to spend time and look Josef Chromy Vineyard? over the Albert Hall before walking up Cameron Our winery is one of the premier wine experiences in Street to see dozens of historic buildings including the Tamar Valley with an award-winning cellar door and the Post Office and Town Hall in Civic Square. Finally, you restaurant that overlook a picturesque lake and vineyard. should definitely head out to Josef Chromy cellar door and We are also a founding member of the Ultimate Winery restaurant for a wine tasting and lunch.

Experiences of Australia that offers both winery tours and behind the label experiences where visitors can blend Most memorable meal…ever? their own sparkling wines.

Having lunch on a private table at the Albert Hall with Her Majesty The Queen and Australian WATCH OUR What does a day in your life at the Cricket Captain Ricky Ponting.

FACEBOOK LIVE vineyard look like?

WITH JOSEF CHROMY WINERY Firstly, I try to meet up with the vineyard PR E S S PL AY manager and drive around the vineyard before PR E S S PL AY catching up with the general manager and chief winemaker to inspect the winery and bottling operations. After tasting the latest wine batches from the tanks and blends in the laboratory, I move on to the cellar door and restaurant and often stop for lunch with business associates or take time to greet some of the visitors.

TASMANIAN DELUXE ROAD TRIP 12 DAY SELF DRIVE HOLIDAY

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YOUR 12 DAY TASMANIAN DELUXE ROAD TRIP INCLUDES: • 11 nights in stunning 3 and 4-star accommodation • 9 breakfasts and 4 lunches, Including an intimate lunch and tour of Josef Chromy Winery • Enjoy the flexibility of independent travel with 10 days Hertz car rental including unlimited kilometers

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ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER A visit to Galle, Sri Lanka

LOVE GALLE? WATCH OUR SRI LANKA VIDEOS HERE PR E S S PL AY

Sri Lanka is an island that everyone loves at some level inside themselves Romesh Gunesekera Sri Lankan-British author

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INSPIRING KIMBERLEY & KAKADU 14 DAY TOP END ADVENTURE BROOME • KUNUNURRA • DARWIN

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YOUR 14 DAY INSPIRING KIMBERLEY & KAKADU HOLIDAY INCLUDES: • 13 nights in 3 and 4-star accommodation

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Darwin 5

Kakadu NP

Litchfield NP

• Transportation included as per the itinerary Horizontal Falls Willie Creek

• In depth day tours and incredible sightseeing, visit the Horizontal Falls by sea and air, fly to the Bungle Bungle, witness crocodiles in Kakadu and see the spectacular falls of Litchfield National Park

Broome

5

3 Kununurra

Bungle Bungles 1

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Coach Flight No. nights

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