Turbulence | Issue 14 | April 2016

ISSUE 14 - 2016

TURBULENCE

FINALIS T 2013, 2014 & 2015

win a 3-piece Antler luggage set

worth $500!

CALIFORNIA

CALLING

THE SEAN SIMMONS TEAM OF TRAVEL EXPERTS P P F A

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW! EXPLORE CALIFORNIA WITH OUR RANGE OF EXCLUSIVE PACKAGES!

THE RED CENTRE

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Welcome to another exciting edition of Turbulence.

Turbulence started off just over two years ago as a three-page newsletter, and over time has evolved into what you see today.

We are very proud of it, and are constantly looking at ways to improve so we can offer you, our valued clients, great deals, good destination insight and an overall better experience.

FROM THE EDITOR

We want to find out more about what you want to experience, so that we can offer you our expert advice, and ensure that you always get the best deal available. We are introducing a very short online survey to find out where your next dream holiday is, so that our offering of expert knowledge is relevant. We would also be delighted if you completed the survey. Your submission could win you a 3-piece Antler luggage set worth $500!

In this edition we focus on California as a much-coveted destination for every traveler! Whether you are a family looking to make memories on a once in a lifetime Disney experience, a group of friends looking to discover the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and the sights of San Francisco or a couple looking for a relaxing holiday at our featured Four Seasons resorts, there is certainly something for everyone!

We highlight the legendary Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel as well as the Four Seasons The Biltmore in Santa Barbara for absolutely out of this world accommodation. There are also a range of experiences that will really add a touch of magic to your trip.

Qatar are the airline of the month, and we give you an overview of their business class and economy class offering. There are also some fantastic flight deals available to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Locally, we take you to the centre of Australia, and share the exquisite natural treasures of Uluru, Alice Springs, and Kakadu National Park, whilst ensuring you travel in comfort on board the world famous train The Ghan.

Join us on a culinary journey over the next few editions of Turbulence as we count down the top 25 restaurants in Asia.

These are fine establishments that have certainly earned their reputation in the William Reed Business Media list of Best Restaurants in Asia, and are definitely worth a visit the next time you travel around Asia. Some of our Sean Simmons Experts have been fortunate enough to experience these restaurants first hand, so they do come highly recommended.

Lastly, be sure to read a very honest, open letter to Webjet from our very own Brett Kappler regarding the current TV and Internet advert that has been denigrating the services we offer to you, our valued clients. It offers great insight into different service levels you can expect to receive between a faceless online computer and a trained and knowledgeable travel expert.

As always, your feedback is always welcome!

Happy reading

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In this issue 4

California Calling

Travellers Guide

21

Planet of the apps

THE ROOM I, II & III by Fireproof Games

22 The red Centre 30

Sean’s travel tips

Keep on the good side of the law when traveling

“ The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.”

Sir Richard Burton

33 #myseanstravel 34

Top 25 Restaurants in Asia

Part 1 of a 5 part series

38

Make your next family holiday count

40

Flight deck

Travel information & Industry News

42

Hot fares

Qatar airways on sale

43

airline of the month

Qatar airways

44

world events calendar

april-May

win a 3-piece Antler luggage set

worth $500!

We want to provide you with relevant travel information so that you can plan your next holiday, whether it be that dream holiday, or an escape away for a couple of week, with our expert advice and knowledge.

Please CLICK HERE to complete the survey online and be in the chance to win a high quality Antler luggage 3 piece set!

TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 3

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California Travellers guide The land of movie stars and make believe, California occupies the imagination of the entire world. Dreams of swaying palm trees lining manicured Beverly Hills boulevards with enormous mansions, sunny beach boardwalks with scenic highways skirting dramatic coastal drop-offs, and secluded paths meandering through groves of giant redwood trees are all part of the magic of this wildly popular state.

For many people, a holiday in California means visiting Hollywood in Los Angeles including a wide variety of activities ranging from the rides at Universal Studios, to posing for pictures at the Hollywood Wax Museum, to hunting down celebrity grave sites for Bing Crosby and Natalie Wood.

Southern California is also famous for its many theme parks, the famous of them all being Disneyland. From there, many travellers make their way to San Diego, for family-friendly attractions like Legoland.

Holidays in San Francisco and other destinations in Northern California offer a different experience, often less pre-packaged and more cultural. Whether enjoying authentic Asian cuisine in the bustling streets of Chinatown, wine tasting in Napa Valley, or riding the famous cable cars up and down the hills, San Francisco has something for everyone.

But far from the bustling streets of the big cities, the stunning landscape of California offers scenic photo opportunities ranging from the giant redwoods of Sequoia National Park to cavorting with dolphins on Catalina Island… leading many to wonder if there’s anything you can’t find in California!

On the following pages we have crafted some exclusive tours and negotiated bonus nights with our featured hotels. If you have your own idea of your perfect California holiday, contact us and we can tailor a package to suit your needs.

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The city where people travel to realise their dreams, Los Angeles is an energetic, optimistic place brimming with possibility and sunshine:

There is surely no one in the world that would not choose to holiday in Los Angeles if given the chance, for this is where the beautiful, talented and famous pound the pavements and the sights are familiar to all. Los Angeles neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Bel Air are legendary and draw hordes of tourists to the stomping grounds of their favourite sitcoms. This star-struck city is a fabulous place for shopping, surfing and partying the night away, and if all the showbiz excitement and beach fun is not enough, endless entertainment is available in the many famous theme parks in and around the city.

High season for travel to Los Angeles is during the hot, sunny months of July and August, but those who prefer to avoid crowds and high prices are better advised to choose the months either side of peak season to holiday in Los Angeles. Winter can be wet but temperatures are generally fairly mild.

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Signature Room with Balcony

Signature Room Bathroom

Beverly Wilshire Hotel Beverly Wilshire Spa Steam Room

Beverly Wilshire Pool

EXCLUSIVE DeAL

Stay the th 4 night FREE!

Valid up until 30 June 2016.

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel The Beverly Wilshire is a name synonymous with Hollywood stars, the ever classic movie Pretty Woman, and of course the luxurious Four Seasons brand.

Standing in the heart of Beverly Hills at one of the world’s most famous intersections – Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, the hotel features 395 luxurious rooms and suites with Michelin-starred dining and one of the most envied addresses in the world. The renowned spa spans more than 8,000 square feet, and the Mediterranean-style pool is modelled after a Sophia Loren’s private villa pool in Italy.

For over eighty years, this legendary hotel has consistently been the preferred address for Hollywood’s A-listers, and international elite.

Famous guests have included the

Royal Family, Elvis Presley and the Dalai Lama to name but a few.

Combining contemporary décor with soft cream tones to create light and airy elegance, the 14 storey hotel offers two wings of luxury accommodation and overlooks the lush and affluent residential area of Beverly Hills. The hotel offers 395 guests rooms which include 137 suites including signature suites which are beautifully appointed corner rooms with a separate bedroom offering more privacy and exquisite views The specialty suites including the Presidential Suites and Penthouse Suite offer lavish decadence that are simply fit for royalty.

All rooms feature the ‘Four Seasons Bed’ which is customizable for your perfect sleep, as well as down duvets and pillows. Bathrooms are fitted out in marble and offer Ferragamo Amenities and thick terry

bathrobes. There is also a twice-daily housekeeping including a turn down service. Signature Balcony rooms each have French doors that open onto a functional balcony space where you can soak up the glorious Californian sun.

There are three restaurants at the Beverly Wilshire including THE BLvd, a sophisticated all-day dining spot offering a world-class dining experience and CUT by Wolfgang Puck which offers a sensational steak and seafood menu. The hotel also offers Private Dining experiences and of course in-room dining.

Perfectly located, the Beverly Wilshire is an urban, resort-style destination that offers guests the combined advantage of exceptional Four Seasons Care… and all that Beverly Hills has to offer.

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Sightseeing in Los Angeles Key sights are the tours of the great movie production houses of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the original Disneyland, and the vibrant beach communities of Venice Beach and Santa Monica.

Hollywood Los Angeles is the film and entertainment capital of the world and the name ‘Hollywood’ is the embodiment of glamour, success and money; the place where films are made, television shows are recorded and stars take up residence.

The famous Hollywood sign on the hills above the city has become the enduring symbol of the movie industry and of Los Angeles. The historic heart of the movie industry is centred on Hollywood Boulevard where millions of visitors flock to see landmark attractions and museums.

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The Hollywood Walk of Fame, is the world-famous sidewalk embedded with the names of legendary television, film, radio, theatre and recording greats engraved within pink granite stars. More than 2,500 celebrities are honoured here, including Elvis Presley, Charlie Chapman, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson.

The cylindrical Capitol Records Tower is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city and is supposed to resemble a 12-storey stack of records with a needle on top that blinks out ‘h-o-l-l-y-w-o-o-d’ in Morse code. Other attractions include the Kodak Theatre (designed to host the Academy Awards) and the Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum, as well as the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not!’ Museum.

West Los Angeles West LA is famous for its trend-setting style; the place where the ‘stars’ live, shop and go out on the town.

The area includes some of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, particularly Beverly Hills and Bel Air. Home of the rich and famous, and one of the world’s most expensive residential areas, Beverly Hills flaunts its wealth with luxurious manors, tree-lined streets, grand estates and security gates concealing landscaped grounds that are home to the likes of Jack Nicholson and Harrison Ford.

West Hollywood, between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, is the centre of LA’s gay community and boasts the area’s best restaurants, trendiest shops, eccentric boutiques and modern galleries along Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Sunset Strip, a section of Sunset Boulevard, is famed for its nightlife

Rodeo Drive

with rock clubs, bars and posh hotels attracting a huge variety of characters, and many places have a history of big names.

Universal Studios One of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles is Universal Studios Hollywood, reputedly the world’s biggest film studio and theme park.

The main attraction is the Studio Tour, a narrated tram ride that traverses the huge complex, passing stars’ dressing rooms and famous back-lot sets, including an Old West town, the town square in ‘Back to the Future’ films, as well as Jurassic Park III and ‘Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb’ sets.

Along the way visitors will experience several realistic staged-disasters such as an earthquake, an avalanche, an attack by ‘Jaws’ and a meeting with an enormous version of ‘King Kong’.

Besides the tours there is a theme park that provides a thrilling introduction to the principles of special effects with several attractions including the popular ‘Back to the Future’ ride and the ‘Jurassic Park’ ride which is a tour through a jungle full of frightening dinosaurs ending with a 26m near-vertical drop into water. Universal City Walk is a separate venue with shops, restaurants, cinemas and nightclubs.

Shopping For sheer variety and scale, LA shopping is hard to beat. This is a fashion-conscious, trend-setting consumer paradise with the shopping options to match.

If you’re looking for both designer wear and celebrity sightings, head for Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive where big name jewellery and haute couture stores line up like A-list stars at an exclusive beach. For more unusual,

arty and eccentric items, head for the potpourri of Venice Boardwalk or Melrose Avenue. Nearby Main Street is good for trendy but affordable attire, as well as antiques and collectables.

Certainly the best-value LA shopping can be found at the discount outlet complexes on the edge of town. Here you can find all the big name brands at substantial discounts - up to 70 percent off the list price. Check out Ontario Mills and Desert Hills Premium Outlets for some great bargains.

Of course LA, like every big American city, has its share of mega-malls.

The best of these are the Beverly Center, with nine floors of stores and restaurants, and Westside Pavilion, which includes a wonderful three-floor Barnes and Noble bookstore. On the other end of the scale are the vibrant flea markets, the best of which are the Rose Bowl Flea Market & Swap Meet, and the sparkling Jewellery Mart.

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Transport

Anaheim - Disney Land Resort

The city of LA sprawls over such a large area that getting around without a car can be frustrating and time consuming. The complex network of freeways connecting the sprawl can be intimidating, especially for those not used to driving in big cities, but with a map or good directions, hiring a car is the best and most popular way to see LA. If possible, visitors should avoid rush hour traffic, which is heaviest from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm, when freeways often come to a standstill. It is also possible to get around by bus, but frequent transfers and long distances can make this slow and impractical, and it is not recommended for late-night travel.

The Metro rail system has three lines, which cover only a small area of LA, but it is frequent and efficient. Taxis are also available, but they can be expensive due to the long distances.

Claiming to be ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’, Disneyland is an integral part of an American childhood and was the world’s first mega theme park designed for the family by Walt Disney in 1955.

It is one of America’s most famous attractions and despite competition from other similar parks in Florida, Paris and Tokyo, nothing can compare to the original. It is an enchanted kingdom of fantasy and imagination filled with magical entertainment and attractions. The park is divided into eight ‘lands’ and each one features different rides, dining experiences and entertainment as well as daily liveaction shows and parades.

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There are thrilling attractions such a as a boat trip through the underground caverns of Pirates of the Caribbean, a visit to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, flying with Dumbo the elephant, a spooky tour of the Haunted Mansion,

or the experience of a pitch-black rollercoaster ride inside Space Mountain to name but a few.

There is also a shopping, dining and entertainment district called Downtown Disney. Adjacent to Disneyland is California Adventure, a separate park minus the cartoon characters that offers further rides and rollercoasters, but an additional ticket is required. The parks are busiest during summer from mid-June to midSeptember and during school holidays and there are usually long queues at the popular rides. The Fastpass system allows visitors to reserve a place in line at the park’s busiest attractions. No day at Disneyland is complete without watching the nightly fireworks show with an appearance by Tinkerbell.

EXCLUSIVE Sean simmons package deal

FAMILY ESSENTIAL PACKAGE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 6 NIGHTS FROM $1467 PER PERSON (2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN UNDER 12 SHARING) DAY 1 | Los Angeles to Anaheim – Disneyland

away from Universal Studios. Enjoy a leisurely

Arrive into LAX and transfer through to Anaheim where you will be staying at the Disney’s Paradise Pier hotel, within the Disney complex.

Here you can drop off your luggage and head over to Disneyland where you will pick up your Disney 2 day Park Hopper ticket and start experiencing the magic.

Hop on Hop off bus tour around Los Angeles (which can be used for 48 hours) including many of the famous sights that make LA the amazing city it is. See iconic sights such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and the Kodak Theatre to name a few.

DAY 2 | Anaheim – Disneyland

Now that you are somewhat acquainted with Los Angeles, perhaps its time for a cheap as chips shopping spree at one of the many malls. Kit out the kids in new gear and seek out fantastic bargains at the discounted outlet stores.

One day at Disneyland is never enough. Enjoy a second day exploring the eight different lands that Disneyland has to offer, enjoy the rides, and get a few selfie snaps with your favourite Disney characters.

DAY 3 | Anaheim – Disney Paradise Pier Resort Spend a final day in Anaheim at the Paradise Pier resort, relaxing.

DAY 4 | Anaheim – Los Angeles – Hop on Hop off After breakfast, your transfer will take you to Los Angeles where you will be staying at the Hilton Los Angeles – Universal City, a stone throw

DAY 5 | Los Angeles – Hop on Hop off

DAY 6 | Los Angeles Enjoy an unforgettable day at Universal Studio’s with a studio tour and the famous rides. Have lunch at Universal City and spend some quality time exploring everything Universal has to offer.

DAY 7 | Los Angeles Spend a final day in the city of angels, doing last minute shopping, and relaxing before your departure.

INCLUSIONS • Transfers from Los Angeles Airport to Anaheim on the Disney Express.

• 3 Nights at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel within the Disney complex.

• Disney 2 day park hopper ticket.

• 4 Nights Hilton Hotel – Universal City in Los Angeles.

• A 48hr hop on hop off bus tour.

• One day admission to Universal Studios.

• Transfers from hotel to airport.

Terms and Conditions: Flights are not included. Package based on 2 adults and 2 children under 12 sharing. Prices are correct as of 7 April 2016 and based 23 – 29 May 2016 departures. Prices are subject to availability or a surcharge for alternate / preferred dates. Please note: A Sean Simmons Travel Expert can tailor-make a package to your requirements.

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Santa Barbara, affectionately known as ‘The American Riviera boasts the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains as a dramatic backdrop, to its beautiful beaches making it a premier resort destination. Santa Barbara offers world class accommodation and dining, and is often cited by Australian visitors as the favourite part of their visit to California.

Only a 2-hour drive north of Los Angeles, and offering its own airport, Santa Barbara offers something for everyone with its natural beauty and Mediterranean seaside architecture.

EXCLUSIVE DeAL

Stay the rd 3 night FREE!

Valid up until 30 June 2016.

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

The luxurious Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara epitomises the casually sophisticated California lifestyle, inviting guests to indulge in everything from tours of the tours of the local wineries to lazing on the beach or poolside at the exclusive Coral Casino and Cabana Club.

The destination has been a glamour capital since the Golden Age of Hollywood began with celebrities still 12 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

flocking to the hotel for relaxation throughout the year. The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is an authentic Spanish Colonial hacienda-style hotel located directly on Butterfly Beach. Built in 1927, the resort have been infused with modern luxury in its guest rooms, restaurants and Forbes-rates spa.

The resort boasts 207 luxury guest rooms and suites including a collection of 12 single-storey private bungalows surrounded by lush greenery at the rear of the property. Each Bungalow comprised three to five guest rooms, each with its own private entrance.

The Superior Room offers affordable luxury and is a beautifully decorated in soothing, fresh colouful textiles with a classic colonial ambiance. Expect to find down duvet and pillows, thick terry bathrobes and of course the twice-daily housekeeping service.

There are also several superbly

decorated suites offering separate lounge and bedrooms with views either overlooking the ocean or courtyard and pool area.

The resort offers an exceptional dining experience with at the Bella Vista and Tydes restaurants. The Bella Vista Restaurant is Santa Barbara’s most beautiful al fresco oceanfront dining experience. The restaurant is renowned for the freshest seafood and pasta entrees, organic menu items and offers one of the most celebrated Sunday brunches in the United States.

With Italian-inspired California cuisine, a typical Thursday night crudo bar provides diners with shucked oysters, shrimp and scallops at sunset.

Overlooking Butterfly Beach, with unparalleled panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara coastline, Tydes takes a modern approach to California coastal cuisine. Blending simple, well sourced ingredients with creativity and trend

forward techniques, menus emphasize seafood and incorporate the freshest catch from the Santa Barbara Channel whenever possible. Driven by the California terroir and rich bounty of local, sustainable produce and ingredients, dishes reflect a New American philosophy and commitment to supporting small local farms and fishermen. An extensive and thoughtful wine list showcases the most exquisite regional winemaking talent with predominantly Santa Barbara County and California labels.

Tydes offers an intimate indoor or outdoor ocean front dining experience for guests, and is open to resort guests for dinner.

Adjacent to Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is the legendary Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. Open only to private members and guests of the resort, the first class, family friends club maintains a well-earned status as

a grand social club. For a daily fee of USD 200, guests in Superior and Deluxe guest rooms are able to enjoy access to this historic and exclusive private club. Guests staying in Premier rooms, suites and bungalows are able to enjoy the club as a complimentary service.

The club offers a spacious fitness center with a range of classes including yoga, meditation and aqua aerobics. The private Cabana 24 is the only cabana available for use by resort guests. The Coral Café and Bar offers poolside dining with an all day menu featuring traditional favourites including burgers, salads and sandwiches as well as an extensive children’s selection.

For a relaxing end to your Los Angeles trip, a couple of days at Santa Barbara is highly recommended.

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ROMANTIC ESCAPE TO LOS ANGELES AND SANTA BARBARA 5 NIGHTS FROM $3,753 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE DAY 1 | Los Angeles – Beverly Hills Arrive in Los Angeles with your private transfer to the iconic Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills.

The backdrop to many a famed movie, this will be your home for the next 3 nights.

Spend a day a leisure shopping around Rodeo Drive, literally moments away from your hotel.

Alternatively, explore the many shopping malls that Los Angeles has to offer.

DAY 2 | Los Angeles – Tailor Made luxury tour of LA Now this is exclusive luxury! Wanting to see the sights of LA that you want to see, at your pace without strangers and in style? Have your own tour guide in escorting you in a stretch limousine to where ever you want to go and what you want to see in your time.

DAY 3 | Los Angeles – Universal Studios VIP Tour When visiting Universal Studios, you simply have to do it in style with the Universal Studios VIP experience tour. This is a full day tour that takes you behind the scenes to visit closed to the public sets and soundstages. Be pampered like a star

INCLUSIONS • Private transfers from Airport to Beverly Wilshire Hotel • Accommodation for 3 nights in a Signature Room with Balcony at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Accommodation is based on room only.

• Private tour of Los Angeles in stretch limousine.

• One day VIP admission to Universal Studios.

• Car hire (Intermediate car) for 2 days.

• Accommodation at the Four Seasons The Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara in a Double Superior King room. Accommodation is based on room only.

Terms and Conditions: Flights are not included. Package based on 2 adults sharing. Prices are correct as of 7 April 2016 and based 23 – 29 May 2016 departures. Prices are subject to availability or a surcharge for alternate / preferred dates. Please note: A Sean Simmons Travel Expert can tailor-make a package to your requirements.

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EXCLUSIVE Sean simmons package deal

with gourmet lunch and escorted front of line privileges all day long.

DAY 4 | Los Angeles to Santa Barbara – self drive Your hire care will be arrive at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel upon check-out. Drive yourselves up the magnificent scenic Californian coastline to Santa Barbara, only a two hour drive.

Arrive at the fabulous Four Seasons The Biltmore Hotel where relaxation is assured.

DAY 5 | Santa Barbara Enjoy a day at leisure, exploring the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara. Take in a drive to the wine country, only 30 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, or perhaps relax at the resort or on the beach.

DAY 6 | Santa Barbara to Los Angeles After check out, take the two hour drive back to Los Angeles at your own pace, maybe stopping at one of the many malls for last minute purchases before your flight home. Drop the car back at the airport, in time for your departure flight.

In laidback and sunny San Diego life seems to revolve around the beach, and Spanish flair adds a unique edge to the Californian charm: Typical of California, San Diego is a city of freeways, spread out along stretches of magnificent Pacific beaches and chock-a-bloc with all sorts of attractions, which makes a holiday in sunny San Diego a series of seemingly endless adventures. The city’s Spanish and Mexican roots add to its excitement, particularly downtown, which remains the tourist hub for those who travel to San Diego.

Whatever floats your boat, you will find the wind fills your sails on a holiday in San Diego, which offers everything from award-winning restaurants and fantastic shopping to historic and natural attractions. Do not hesitate to take the whole family when you travel to San Diego for the quintessential California experience as the city is very child-friendly.

San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport is said to be the second busiest singlerunway airport in the world and is a popular Californian air hub. The airport is situated two miles (3km) northwest of San Diego. There is also an option

to take the train from either Anaheim or Los Angeles, which is a great way to see the Californian landscape, and its’ quick too.

San Diego offers plenty of entertainment for holidaymakers, with lots of the city’s attractions revolving around the lovely coastline and marine life. Top San Diego tourist attractions include the picturesque Seaport Village, with its many harbour side shops and restaurants; Mount Soledad, which boasts spectacular views of the city; the Cabrillo National Monument, marking the spot where European explorers first arrived

on the US west coast in 1542; the pedestrianised Old Town and the quaint Gaslamp District where some of the best restaurants can be found; and the animal attractions of San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park.

Of course, the beaches are also a big draw card in San Diego.

Those planning to do a lot of sightseeing should consider purchasing the Go San Diego Card, which offers discounts on about 47 top San Diego attractions.

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Legoland Legoland California is among the most popular attractions for families in San Diego. The first Legoland built outside of Europe, the park is divided into nine sections: The Beginning, Dino Island, Duplo, Village Green, Fun Town, Castle Hill, Miniland USA, Pirate Shores, Imagination Zone and Land of Adventure. The attraction also features a water park and aquarium. Rides and attractions cater for all ages, and there are shops and restaurants located around the park.

Legoland California even has its own iPhone and Android apps to assist visitors in planning their visit.

Balboa Park Balboa Park contains one of the biggest groups of museums in the USA, many of them housed in magnificent Spanish-Mexican buildings, in addition to more than 16 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

85 Performing Arts and International Culture Organisations including theatres like the internationally acclaimed Old Globe Theatre, and several art galleries. The park also houses the world-renowned San Diego Zoo with more than 800 species in spacious re-created natural habitats. The oldest and most famous of the 14 museums in Balboa Park is the Reuben H Fleet Science Centre with a big screen Omnimax Theatre and virtual reality simulator that transports visitors to outer space.

Transport Getting around San Diego is relatively easy using public transport, though many people prefer to rent a car in San Diego, especially as there is no public transport late at night, and some areas are easier and quicker to get to by car. The city is easy to navigate, with well laid out highways, and parking meters are plentiful.

The Coronado Ferry, as well as a water taxi service, shuttles passengers between the city and Coronado Island.

Privately-owned Old Town Trolley Tours offers hop-on, hop-off narrated tours of places of interest for tourists, though this option is a bit more expensive than the public trolley. Taxis must be ordered by phone and waiting times can be long. Cycling is a popular way to get around San Diego, and there are numerous bike hire shops and many designated bicycle lanes.  

San Francisco is an eccentric, bohemian city which opens its arms to all comers and proves extremely difficult to leave: Renowned as the world’s most freespirited city, a holiday in San Francisco sends one on a roller-coaster ride of fun in keeping with the trams that traverse its steep, hilly streets.

From its diverse neighbourhoods to its bayfront pleasure-land and the offshore bulk of the Alcatraz prison, it is a city of unique charm and character. The locals know how to have a good time, and restaurants and entertainment venues aplenty await travellers among the quirky, Victorian buildings and crooked streets.

San Francisco sightseeing is a hugely rewarding experience and, if you enjoy walking between the sights, a physically demanding one, too. Few cities have hills as steep as this, but mercifully the cable cars are a practical and fun way to travel up and down the rises.

There are a number of world class sights: take a stroll around Golden Gate Park, while enjoying glimpses of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge; then catch a cable car up the steep hills to Chinatown, and the stunning Aquarium, before taking a long lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf, the city’s most popular attraction.

San Francisco boasts enough attractions to fill multiple holidays, but those wanting to travel further afield will find many glorious sights close by.

The Napa Valley beckons wine lovers; the giant redwoods can be visited in Redwood National and State Park; and even the expanses of Yosemite National Park are within reach for a weekend getaway.

If you’re planning a very full day of sightseeing, consider the Go San Francisco card which provides a range of discounts and preferential access to attractions.

The weather in San Francisco stays a stable ‘cool to mild’ throughout the year. Fog can put a damper on things in the summer (June to August), and rain is plentiful during the winter months (December to February). There is thus no best time to visit, and San Francisco welcomes visitors all year round.

Alcatraz Out in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, or ‘The Rock’, is one of San Francisco’s most popular destinations. The notorious escape-proof island with its dreaded maximum-security prison once held the likes of Al Capone, George Kelly and Robert Stroud. With sheer cliffs surrounded by the icy waters of San Francisco Bay, known for its treacherous tides and currents, it was regarded as the perfect place to detain the country’s most-wanted and dangerous criminals who were TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 17

isolated in dark solitary confinement cells.

Visitors can explore the prison as well as learn about its history. Thousands of tourists flock here each year and take the excellent self-guided audio tours that contain commentary from former guards and prisoners about life on the island and the notorious escape attempts. There is also a slide show and a tour of the island’s ecology and bird life led by a park ranger. The view from the island looking across to San Francisco is fantastic as well.

China Town A dragon-draped archway at the intersection of Bush and Grant streets marks the entrance to Chinatown in San Francisco, the oldest Chinatown in the United States and the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. Chinatown draws more tourists than the Golden Gate Bridge with its streets teeming 18 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

with fish and vegetable stalls, herbal shops, temples and eateries.

There are some fantastic Chinese restaurants such as Hunan Home’s and R&G; while the shopping is nearly unlimited as lucky cats wave from every doorway. Museums include the Chinese Historical Society of America and Chinese Culture Center, making Chinatown an absolute must-see.

Fisherman’s Wharf Some people love the bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf, while others make a conscious effort to steer well clear of it. But for better or worse it is massively popular, attracting more visitors than any other city sight, with Pier 39 the commercial tourist epicentre. The Wharf was once a fishing port with dozens of boats anchored here. Pier 45 is still used by fishermen in the early morning hours, and fish and seafood can be bought from the Fish Alley Market. There

are shops galore, fast food stands and overpriced bay-view restaurants as well as bars, markets, street performers, and an endless variety of activities for the whole family. It is also the gateway for several top attractions: trips to Alcatraz and other bay cruises leave from here; numerous museums include the Historic Ships Pier; and the USS Pampanito submarine that can be boarded from Pier 45. The entertaining colony of sea lions that reside on the floating docks at Pier 39 are one of the best attractions on the quay. The quirky Musée Mécanique is located nearby Pier 45, and houses the world’s largest collection of vintage coin-operated mechanical wonders.

Golden Gate Bridge The rust-coloured towers, graceful suspension and supportive cables of the Golden Gate Bridge make this famous symbol of San Francisco the

most photographed bridge in the world, and visible from almost any high point in the city, although it is often shrouded in rolling fog. Spanning the 3km mouth of the bay, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion in 1937 and was built to withstand winds of more than 161km per hour. During high winds it can sway up to 27 feet (8m) in each direction. One of the great engineering accomplishments of the 20th century, the bridge claims to have used enough wire in its construction to stretch around the earth several times.

Walking across the bridge, under the towers that loom 65 storeys above the water, is one of the best ways to experience the immensity of the structure and affords beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline, the bay and its islands.

Yosemite National Park One of the country’s premier national parks, Yosemite receives millions of visitors each year with more than four million people visiting the Yosemite Valley alone. It is home to the biggest piece of exposed granite in the world, some of the highest waterfalls, and giant redwoods that are among the tallest and oldest trees on earth. The Yosemite Valley was formed by glacial action that carved away the softer rock creating the almost-vertical 914m granite cliffs that line the 11km long valley floor.

The towering cliffs are streaked with waterfalls and the valley floor is covered in meadows, rivers and forests that are the habitat of black bears, deer and coyotes. The most spectacular views of the valley are from Glacier Point, the top of a sheer cliff perched high above the valley, with magnificent vistas of Half Dome and the mountains of the High Sierra in the distance. There are numerous trails

in the valley and many lead to several of the incredible waterfalls that are at their most dramatic after the spring snowmelt, including Yosemite Falls and the Vernal Falls that drenches hikers in rainbow-coloured spray. A loop trail takes walkers to the hundreds of towering redwoods in Mariposa Grove, one over 2,700 years old.

Although the park is big enough to absorb the crowds, 95 percent of the tourist activity is concentrated within the valley, and outdoor enthusiasts need only walk a little further along the trails to find all the solitude and wilderness they desire.

Above the valley are the large open fields of Tuolumne Meadows that offer fantastic scenery, uncrowded camping and a haven for hikers with hundreds of miles of trails. Yosemite Village is the largest developed region in the Yosemite Valley and holds the main visitor’s centre, restaurants and shops as well as nearby hotel accommodation.

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SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTS 5 NIGHTS FROM $1923 PER PERSON (4 ADULTS IN TWO TWIN SHARE ROOMS) DAY 1 | San Francisco – Hop on Hop Off tour Arrive into San Francisco and transfer through to the four-star Handery Union Square. Here you are in the thick of it, with much to see and do.

Spend the day on board the Hop on Hop off bus tour with your 3 day ticket, and explore some of the wonders that San Francisco has to offer.

DAY 2 | San Francisco – Alcatraz and Hop on Hop Off tour Take the ferry across to this legendary island which imprisoned some of the worst criminals in American history. The tour itself is full of history, and quite something. Spend as long as you like at Alcatraz or perhaps go for lunch at China Town.

DAY 3 | San Francisco – Hop on Hop off Spend a day at leisure exploring the trams of San Francisco, perhaps stop off at the Museum or spend some hunting down bargains at the many malls and outlets.

DAY 4 | San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Wood and Sausalito Hop on Hop off The tour takes you along the Pacific Coast highway providing breathtaking views of the

INCLUSIONS • Private transfers from Airport to Beverly Wilshire Hotel • 3 nights Accommodation in a Signature Room with Balcony at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.

• Private tour of Los Angeles in stretch limousine.

• One day VIP admission to Universal Studios.

• Car hire (Intermediate car) for 2 days.

• Accommodation at the Four Seasons The Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara in a Double Superior King room.

Terms and Conditions: Flights are not included. Package based on 2 adults sharing and includes: Private transfers from Airport to Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Accommodation for 3 nights in a Signature Room with Balcony at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Accommodation is based on room only. Private tour of Los Angeles in stretch limousine. One day VIP admission to Universal Studios. Car hire (Intermediate car) for 2 days. Accommodation at the Four Seasons The Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara in a Double Superior King room. Accommodation is based on room only. Dates 23 – 28 May 2016. Prices correct as of 7 April 2016 and are subject to availability or a surcharge for alternate / preferred dates. Please note: A Sean Simmons Travel Expert can tailor-make a package to your requirements.

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EXCLUSIVE Sean simmons package deal

coastal mountains near Mt Tamalpais. Arriving at Muir woods, home to the Coast Redwoods, some of the worlds’ tallest trees. From there travel across the Golden Gate Bridge as you head to Sausalito, which offers amazing food, fabulous boutiques and breathtaking views of the bay.

DAY 5 | San Francisco – Yosemite Tour full day tour Explore one of the natural wonders of California with this all day tour. The tour includes pick and drop off at your hotel, coach travel to Yosemite National Park, and entrance fees, as well as a narrated guide providing all the essential information about the park and wildlife. This is a 15 hour tour.

DAY 6 | San Francisco Spend your final day in San Francisco doing your last minute shopping or perhaps just walking around Fishermans’ Wharf before your departure flight.

THE ROOM I, II & III

by Fireproof Games A physical puzzler, wrapped in a mystery game, inside a beautifully tactile 3D world For many, flying is a chance to catch up on reading, news, work or sleep.

For others it’s a chance to finally switch off from the outside world and solve a Sudoku or while away the miles with a mindless game of Candy Crush.

We have never featured a game in this segment, but this one is one of those rare gems that is definitely worth a mention.

The Room is a 3D immersive puzzle game that is for an intellectual audience who prefer their entertainment to involve some thought and skill.

Set in the late 1700s it is essentially an escape game, where you must solve a series of puzzles, manipulating Da Vinciesque contraptions in an intricate and hauntingly beautiful 3D environment that has been painstakingly and perfectly crafted.

So far, three chapters of this game have been made into three separate apps. Each chapter is larger than the one before, managing to seamlessly evolve the storyline, making each new room more dazzling and the puzzles increasingly intricate and challenging. It is definitely a game that keeps you going (and guessing!).

The Room is a paid app, but for the quality of the content and the length of time it takes to complete, the price is more than worth it. The first chapter is $1.49 and the latest Chapter will set you back $6.99. For all three chapters, you will pay about $12.00.

To put the price in perspective - it’s longer, more involved and cheaper than going to the movies.

The games have won countless awards, including the Apple App Store Worldwide Editor’s Choice. Additionally all three chapters have been successively nominated for BAFTA Awards in the Mobile & Handheld Category.

The Room is honestly one of the best games you will ever play. It will keep you guessing - and look out for the alternative endings in Chapter III. I’ve been trying to crack these for a couple of weeks now and it still has me stumped!

Hopefully they continue this fantastic series and we will see many more games from these extraordinarily innovative game masters. www.fireproofgames.com/games/the-room Available on Android HERE Available on iTunes HERE

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The Red There has never been a better time to explore the magnificent natural glory of Uluru and other treasures in our own backyard.

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April and May are some of the best times to visit Australia’s Red Centre. The seasonal change marks something of a turning point as the weather begins to cool down, whilst the skies remain crystal clear. Forget the blistering heat of the Aussie desert’s daytime or the frigid icy cold conditions of the winter nights, the weather is a perfect time to bask in the glory of the breathtaking scenery. Whilst everyone tends to flock to destinations such as the east-coast tropics during this season from locations such as Sydney and Melbourne, you will be able to set your eyes westwards and head toward the heart of our beautiful country at a time when the tourist numbers are generally fewer.

Alice Springs has long served as the functional hub for those looking to explore the Red Centre’s many iconic treasures. Visiting here in April comes with an array of benefits. What maybe typically a barren town representative of the Australian Outback as a whole will have some patches of greenery to break up the monotony while the weathers relatively mild nature combines with a general lack of other tourists, making this an atmosphere where you will be able to explore that

this historic town and its attractions have to offer. Alice Springs has plenty to offer those willing to looking a little further, with wildlife parks showcasing a distinctive array of NT’s peculiar animals, camel rides and incredible walking treks.

you will still be able to see the beautiful waterfalls in action. Kakadu can be easily reaches from Darwin via a singleday tour, yet it will most likely require multiple days to fully appreciate all the offerings of this vast World Heritagelisted Australian treasure.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock to some, the giant red monolith still remains one of the essential must do bucket list destinations in Australia. A typical warm April’s day with clear evenings make sunrise and sunset an unforgettable time to explore this historic landmark. Coupled with clear starry skies, the region is renowned as one of the best stargazing spots in Australia, boasting amazingly clear night views.

You can experience the very best that the Northern Territory has to offer. On the following pages we are offering two carefully crafted luxurious rail journeys on the world class train The Ghan.

If you have already been to Uluru or you are simply looking to explore a different kind of national icon, Kakadu National Park, further to the north if the Northern Territory is another fantastic Outback destination to visit in April. The Kakadu National Park, with a rich tapestry of delicate ecosystems, from sandstone escarpments to monsoon forests and tumbling waterfalls and an immense range of wildlife, showcases all things natural about Australia. Due to lower levels of humidity and a greater level of accessibility due to the lack of rainfall,

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The Red

THE RED CENTRE ALICE SPRINGS TO DARWIN 6 NIGHTS FROM $386 PER PERSON PER DAY TWIN SHARE Tour the most popular geographical landmarks of Central Australia and enjoy nibbles and a glass wine as the sun sets over Uluru. Then enjoy a magical dining experience under a starlit outback sky, before losing yourself in the comfort and relaxed atmosphere on board the Ghan as you make your way to Darwin.

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PACKAGE INCLUDES • 2 Nights Accommodation in Alice Springs • Coach transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru • 3 day/2 night Centre Highlights tour with Aussie Barbecue (Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon) • Transfer from hotel Alice Springs Rail Terminal • 1 night aboard the Ghan, Alice Springs to Darwin • Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to city centre • 1 Night Accommodation in Darwin

DAY 1 | Alice Springs This afternoon, check in to your overnight accommodation, The Chifley Alice Springs Resort.

DAY 2 | Alice Springs to Uluru and Kata Tjuta After breakfast, join your coach transfer to Ayers Rock Resort. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely drive to Kata Tjuta. Along the way your guide will explain the geological and cultural history of the area. Admire the view of the central valley of Kata Tjuta while you take in a magnificent outback sunset with gourmet canapes and Australian wine.

DAY 3 | Kata Tjuta and Uluru Rise early and travel to the Uluru sunrise viewing area to watch the first rays of

the sun as they cast striking colours over ‘The Rock’. Travel to Kata Tjuta, and explore the Walpa Gorge and the unusual rock formations. Back at Uluru, be acquainted with your guide for the afternoon. Continue to the Kuniya Walk where your guide will escort you to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. After sunset, transfer to the barbecue site to enjoy a true outback experience. Your guide will conduct a tour of the night sky, pointing out constellations and explaining Aboriginal stories that relate to the stars.

DAY 4 | Kings Canyon to Alice Springs An Early start from Ayers Rock Resort will be rewarded with a magnificent desert sunrise en route to Kings

Canyon. After stopping at Kings Creek Station for breakfast, make the rocky climb to the Canyon rim for marvellous views of Watarrka National Park.

Alternatively, you may wish to explore the boulder-strewn Canyon floor (an easier, shaded walk). Stop at Kings Canyon Resort to purchase lunch (own expense) before continuing on to Alice Springs.

DAY 5 | The Ghan, Alice Springs This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel and spend the day sightseeing in Alice Springs. Late in the afternoon join your transfer to Alice Springs Rail Terminal. Board the Ghan and settle in to the comforts of your cabin. Enjoy a three course dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant

and mingle in the Outback Explorer Lounge, as you travel north towards Darwin.

DAY 6 | The Ghan, Katherine & Darwin Enjoy breakfast as the train rolls toward Katherine. If you are up early enough, you may even witness the run rise. Arrive into Katherine where you can enjoy an Off Train Excursion to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, one of the highlights of your journey. The Ghan continues onto Da DAY 4 | Darwin Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your hotel. From here, you will return home – or you may want to extend your journey to explore Darwin.

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The Red

WILDMAN KAKADU ADENTURE DARWIN TO ADELAIDE 8 NIGHTS FROM $427 PER PERSON PER DAY TWIN SHARE Amidst the lush wilderness of Australia’s breathtaking Top End, Wildman Wilderness Lodge offers an extraordinary wetlands safari experience. Featuring boutique and environmentally sensitive touring through Kakadu National Park. You’ll discover a world far removed from your own, with an opportunity to take in sights such as East Alligator River, Mamukala observation platform and Ubirr Rock. Return to Darwin where your journey on board The Ghan begins.

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PACKAGE INCLUDES • 2 nights accommodation in Darwin • 3 night Wildman Kakadu Adventure package including breakfast and dinner, Home Billabong Cruise, Kakadu Day Tour, accommodation and return transfers from Darwin • Transfer from city centre to Darwin Rail Terminal • 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide

DAY 1 | Darwin Make your own way to Darwin and check in to Hilton Darwin for your overnight stay.

DAY 2 | Darwin & Wildman Wilderness Lodge Explore Darwin this morning before joining your transfer to Wildman Wilderness Lodge, a small scale high quality safari lodge, offering a premium wetlands safari experience.

The lush Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory region is renowned for its wildlife, history and Indigenous culture. The Lodge is located on the Mary River Wetlands, a natural habitat for hundreds of species of birds and animals.

DAY 3 | Home Billabong Cruise This morning enjoy a Home Billabong Cruise, where you will witness the abundance of wildlife in the area.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the Lodge, or take a walk around the property.

DAY 4 | Kakadu National Park This morning visit Ubirr Rock, famous for its rock art sites and enjoy a picnic lunch near the East Alligator River. Visit Mamukala observation platform for stunning views over the wetlands before returning to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

DAY 5 | Wildman Wilderness Lodge to Darwin Take in any last minute sights this morning, before being transferred

back to the Hilton Darwin, your base for the next two nights.

DAY 6 | Darwin Today is yours to explore Darwin at your own pace. Visit the Waterfront precinct, take in a spot of shopping in the mall, or simply relax at your accommodation.

DAY 7 | The Ghan, Darwin & Katherine Transfer from the city centre to the Darwin Rail Terminal where your journey onboard The Ghan begins. Enjoy a light lunch in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, before arriving in Katherine.

Take part in an Off Train Excursion to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, one of the highlights of your journey, before continuing south to Alice Springs.

DAY 8 | Alice Springs After breakfast this morning, disembark in Alice Springs. You have the opportunity to participate in an Off Train Excursion, taking in the delights of this outback town, surrounded by the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges. This evening, settle back and enjoy a three course dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, before an Outback Experience in Manguri, where you will be able to appreciate the beauty of the outback, under the stars.

DAY 9 | Adelaide Your journey concludes upon arrival in Adelaide.

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The Red

TASTE OF THE TOP END ALICE SPRINGS TO DARWIN 4 NIGHTS FROM $355 PER PERSON PER DAY TWIN SHARE Step aboard The Ghan in Alice Springs and experience the wonders of Katherine on your way to Darwin. From here explore spectacular Litchfield National Park, see the famous jumping crocodiles along with a host of other popular Top End attractions

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PACKAGE INCLUDES • 1 Night aboard the Ghan, Alice Springs to Darwin • Transfer from city centre to Darwin Rail Terminal • 3 nights accommodation in Darwin • Half day guided Tour, Darwin • 1 Day Litchfield National Park and Waterfall Tour DAY 1 | The Ghan, Alice Springs Your journey begins when you join The Ghan in Alice Springs and our friendly staff welcome you onboard. Take some time to settle into the comforts of your cabin and discover the amenities available. Immerse yourself in the social atmosphere of the

Outback Explorer Lounge and as night falls make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant for a sumptuous three course dinner, in the company of new found friends.

DAY 2 | The Ghan, Katherine & Darwin Wake to a stunning outback sunrise just beyond your window. Devour a full cooked breakfast, or enjoy a number of lighter menu options, before the train rolls to a stop into Katherine.

Today you will discover the wonders of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge with a variety of Off Train Excursions to choose from. Back onboard, make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing, before arriving at

your final destination. Roll into Darwin and be transferred to the city centre.

Your next three nights are at Darwin Central Hotel.

DAY 3 | Darwin Experience the rich culture and history with Darwin’s longest operating family run tour company. Your local driver will provide full commentary as you enjoy the colourful sights of Darwin in air-conditioned comfort. Take in the devastation of Cyclone Tracy, see Sweetheart at the NT Museum, visit the Art Gallery, marvel at the majesty of Darwin Harbour or explore Darwin’s WWII history. The afternoon is free to further explore Darwin. Why not make your way down to the waterfont and enjoy the tropical Darwin

weather. Swim in the lagoon, dine on fresh seafood and wander past the waterfront mansions.

Day 4 | Litchfield National Park irst stop of the day is Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic walk, or the chance for a swim in the plunge pool pictured below. Travel on to Tolmer Falls for magnificent views of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. To finish the day you will visit Wangi Falls, another relaxing spot for a swim. There are many great opportunities for photos of the waterfalls, rock pools and the amazing stands of termite mounds.

DAY 5 | DARWIN After breakfast, check out of your hotel.

Red Centre terms and conditions: Packages are offered by Great Southern Rail and are subject to their terms and conditions. From prices are based on Gold Service Advance Purchase twin share. Single supplements apply for single travellers. Prices are correct as at 7 April 2016 and are subject to availability on your preferred departure dates. Credit card and booking fees may apply.

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Sean’s TRAVEL

TIPS

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The freedom of travel generally doesn’t afford the freedom to behave as you would on home soil. Knowing a destination’s laws and their customs can be extremely important to ensure you don’t get in trouble.

Some of the more socially acceptable (or at the very least, tolerable) behaviours in Australia are often outlawed in many other countries. This month, we bring you our four top tips to staying on the good side of the law in your host nation!

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE Where in particular? The UAE, Italy For many Australians, perhaps to our detriment, swearing is second nature.

Few countries in the world are as open and embracing of the more colourful side of the English language as we are.

Move beyond our borders and it is quite a different story. Swearing is illegal across the UAE, punishable with hefty fines and even gaol. It is not limited to swearing out loud either. In 2014, laws were introduced that make it a criminal offence to swear in text messages including on messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Anyone convicted of using offensive language via text could face a fine up to 250,000AED. That’s about AUD $89,000 – or about $22,500 for each letter of your favourite four-letter word.

In Italy, the hub of Catholicism, blasphemous language (taking the Lord’s name in vain or speaking disparagingly of Christianity) is not only considered to be highly offensive, it can also carry a sentence of up to a one year in prison.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU VIEW ONLINE Where in particular? China China is a beautiful destination with an incredibly rich history, though it also has a government that differs greatly from many western nations in terms of privacy and public knowledge. A group of South African, British, and Indian nationals were recently arrested and

then deported from China, accused of having “terror links.”

The tourists however, said they were arrested for watching a documentary about Genghis Kahn, the conqueror who led the Mongol invasion of China in the 1200s. The Chinese government cited the video the tourists watched in their lodging, as “propaganda” resulting in their arrest.

Some conservative countries will monitor or ban certain websites, including social media and dating apps. Possession of material deemed inappropriate, including steamy text messages to a significant other, can lead to imprisonment you, as two Emirates cabin crew members discovered in 2010.

DON’T DROP ANY RUBBISH Where in particular? Everywhere, but especially Singapore If you are in Thailand taking a longboat around Maya Island, it is gutwrenching to see the number of plastic water bottles stacked against the cliffs that have been casually discarded overboard by inconsiderate tourists.

There is nothing more depressing or disgusting than seeing floating trash in an otherwise beautifully pristine environment. So it is easy to understand why some countries have severe punishments for litterbugs.

Singapore is one such country.

With a reputation for its impeccable cleanliness, Singapore is sometimes

referred to as the fine city, not only because of the beautifully clean and well-presented state that Singapore is always in, but because of the number of fines that the country hands out.

Don’t litter in Singapore – ever! It carries a penalty from as little as $300 fine for first time or minor littering offenses to community service and public shaming for repeat offenders.

So unless you want your picture in the paper or to be forced into cleaning the streets while wearing a bib that says ‘I’m a litterer’, bin you rubbish every time.

Singapore also forbids chewing gum from being brought in to the country, with the exception of nicotine gum. If Singapore is on your bucket list, mints are the way to go,

KNOW THE DRESS CODE Where in particular? Spain, the UAE, and parts of Indonesia In Australia, guys wearing shorts and thongs and girls in bikini tops and cut off denim shorts during summer is one of the quintessential images of our lifestyle. Try the same thing overseas, however, and you could land yourself in hot water.

While in many countries it is merely frowned upon from a cultural perspective, some countries have harsh penalties if you are not appropriately attired. For example, in Spain you can be fined £500 (over AUD $900) for wearing swimwear outside of the beach areas.

In Florida, one of the most thongfriendly places in the world, there are areas you can be fined up to $500 (about AUD $670) or spend 60 days in jail for wearing a thong.

Travelling to Barbados? Leave your TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 31

camouflage clothing at home. Only the military are permitted to wear it and offenders can be fined.

In other countries, it is considered to be disrespectful rather than illegal to be inappropriately attired. In order to avoid being harassed, frowned at or refused entry to religious or cultural sites it is always good to research the appropriate dress code for the places you are visiting.

BE PREPARED WHEN TRAVELLING WITH ANY MEDICATION Where in particular? Greece, UAE Some common painkillers are very tightly controlled overseas, as they are considered to be narcotics and drugs of addiction. Codeine is a prime example, where in Greece and the UAE you can only bring in minimal amounts for personal use and only with a prescription or letter from your doctor The price for bringing controlled medication into a country with a prescription can mean heavy fines, gaol or deportation. To be on the safe side, leave the Nurofen Plus at home.

When travelling with medication, always carry a prescription, a list of your medications and a letter outlining your past medical history. Ensure adequate supplies of medicine are carried or can be sourced during travel and always carry medication in your hand luggage, ensuring they are in their original packaging. Remember to take your medication as usual on the day of travel.

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Other laws of note around the world that are worth a mention include: • Feeding the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco in Venice is illegal.

People still do – it’s one of those photo opportunities often too good to pass up. Be prepared for a fine if you get caught, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.

• The Maldives have banned bringing the following items in with you: alcohol (yes, even your duty free purchases), adult material and marital aids. So, if you are intending to bring in contraband to add some spice to your life during the honeymoon, you may have to reconsider.

• Gambling across most of India is outlawed, including a friendly game of blackjack between friends. There are only 16 legal gambling facilities in 9 cities across the entire country.

• Public displays of affection in the UAE - even a chaste kiss can land you three months gaol, as one couple found out when a mother complained that her child witnessed the ‘indecent act’ Our biggest tip - always research your destination before travel. To help you, Sean Simmons Travel has a comprehensive destination guides which can be easily accessed via our website.

Simply CLICK HERE to start exploring. If you don’t find the answer you seek, give our friendly experts and call and we will happily point you in the right direction.

l e v a r t s n a

e s y m #

Introducing #myseanstravel – because it’s all about you.

This year we aim to personalise your travel experience even further than before.

To kick things off, we are inviting you to share your photos, experiences and feedback with us and the rest of the Sean Simmons Travel community across all our social media platforms.

When you post about your travel to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – let your travel expert and fellow travellers know by using the hashtag #myseanstravel You are our biggest inspiration, and we are striving to create a unique and personal travelling community. With your involvement, not only are you inspiring others with your travel experiences, you are helping us hone our tailored services so we can better meet your travel needs.

If that isn’t enough, we may have a few surprises coming up exclusively for our social media community – so join us and get tagging.

How do you find us? there are many different ways for you to connect WITH us online. Simply click the links below to be taken directly to our social media profiles.

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Top 25 Restaurants

in Asia (21-25)

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Over the next few editions of Turbulence, we will take you on a culinary journey counting down the top 25 restaurants throughout Asia. Most of these dining experiences are second to none, with what is described as exquisite cuisine. If you find yourself exploring Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo or Singapore anytime soon, make sure you tantalise your taste buds and try one of these fantastic restaurants.

No 25. Ministry of Crab, Colombo Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan crab lovers’ heaven in the heart of Colombo Voted the best restaurant in Sri Lanka 2016, and set in a preserved 400 year old Dutch hospital in Colombo with minimalistic open kitchen format, Ministry of Crab is a true haven for crustacean fans, celebrating the Sri Lankan crab. The restaurant was set up by chef Dharshan Munidasa together with cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

Crab is the main ingredient in most dishes, from chilli crab, pepper crab, garlic or Sri Lankan crab curry, however there is also clay pot prawn curry or chicken fried rice for those looking for something other than crab.

Style of food: Sri Lankan seafood Standout dish: Garlic chilli crab

On the pass: Dharshan Munidasa Address: Old Dutch Hospital, Colombo 1

No 24. Takazawa, Tokyo, Japan

No 23. Eat Me, Bangkok, Thailand

Intricate fusion food, served with ceremony

Creative cuisine from New York chef in chic bar-meets-art gallery

Takazawa is one of the most sought after restaurants in the Tokyo, with a limited dining capacity of 10 guests. Chef Yoshiaki Takazawa aims to recreate the ambiance and hospitality of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at his beautiful fine dining establishment, preparing complex French-Japanese fusion dishes in the dramatically lit open kitchen, whilst his wife Akiki serves diners with warmth and charm.

A favourite amoung expats and locals in Bangkok, Eat me offers a modern international cuisine with chef Tim Butler’s gastronomic ingenuity being the draw card.

The New York born chef combines diverse ingredients to create bold flavour blends in a beautiful laidback art gallery setting.

The signature ‘ratatouille’ is a mosaic-like terrine of different coloured vegetables which have been prepared in various ways, whilst ‘salt’ features a lightly battered ayu fish served with colourful dots of flavoured salts.

Takazawa is so sought after as it only takes reservations on the first of every months for the following two months via an online form. So, if an exclusive dining experience is right up your alley, and your will be travelling to Tokyo in the coming months, the secret is to book in advance!

Style of food: Japanese-French fusion Standout dish: Ratatouille

On the Pass: Yoshiaki Takazawa

Address: 2nd floor, Sanyo Akasaka Building, 3-5-2 Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 107-0052

Eat me, is tucked down a small soi (narrow Thai lane) in Silom, house by a double storied former house and has multiple eating areas. With a cosy bar on the bottom floor, and an upstairs balcony surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a laidback atmosphere appealing to multiple crowds.

Typical dishes would be the Alaskan scallops with avocado, yuzu and pancetta, which is one of the most talked about dishes. There are also options for sharers, including the Australian Wagyu tomahawk that can feed up to four people. For those seeking a sweet treat, the homemade ice cream and sorbets are out of this world, with varieties such as chestnut rosemary and blueberry mangosteen.

Style of food: Modern international cuisine Standout dish: Grilled quail with sunchoke and foie gras On the pass: Tim Butler

Address: Soi Pipat 2, Silom, Bangkok 10500

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No 22. Jungsik, Seoul, South Korea

Korea’s star chef brings molescular mastery to the capital What sets Jungsik apart from the rest if New Hansik with flair. The restaurant fuses Korean culinary techniques with those from all over the world, adding fresh local seasonal ingredients and flavours.

The amuse bouche is simply unique.

It reinterprets Korean banchan (side dishes served with plain rice) with five to six finger foods. Enhancing the diners expectations of the coming meal, it expressed Korea’s rice or bap culture. Main dished include hoedeopbap or rice topped with fresh raw fish and sea urchin bibimbap made with rice mixed with popped millet and dried over laver topped with a generous portion of sea urchin.

The Bossamdeobap is made with pork belly and grilled to ‘crisp on the outside tender on the inside’ perfection.

Wine paring at Jungsik stands out as much as the food, with an excellent selection of wine’s offered by award winning sommerliers alongside the restaurants best selling dishes a la carte.

Style of food: New Korean Standout dish: Octopus with octo mayo On the pass: Jungsik Yim and Jungho Kim Address: 11 seolleungro, 158 Gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 36 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

No 21. Shiji by Kanesaka, Singapore

Refined edo-mae sushi in the heart of town Fans of Tokyo-based chef Shinu Kanesaka go along to the eponymous Singapore restaurant to indulge his famous edo-mae sushi.

The sushi is hand crafter by a team of Japanese Sushi chefs led by head chef Koichiro Oshino who trained with Kanesaka in Tokyo.

The tasting menu comprises of an appetiser, shashimi course, a parade of nine to ten morsels of hand pressed nigri sushi plus cooked seafood dishes including the five-hour Kokkaido abalone. The course ends with sea urchin gohan, a soup, and a dessert.

Also savour delicious favourites like otoro, chutoro, shimafuri and alkami.

Style of food: Japanese Standout dish: Unmi Gohan, decadent bowl of sea urchin rice with fatty tuna and salmon roe.

On the pass: Koichiro Oshino Address: Raffles Hotel, 2-20 Beach Road, Singapore

Be sure to see who is the top 15-20 next month!

Back Chat Got something to say?

DEAR WEBJET – Whisky Tango Foxtrot

By Brett Kappler. February 11, 2016.

I don’t watch commercial television that often, but the other night after a long day I popped my feet up and channel surfed for a bit. In between segments of some show I was kind-of watching while simultaneously trawling my news feed, I happened to see the delightful ad in which you mocked bricks and mortar travel agents to push your online booking platform.

After an initial burst of outrage and a bit of looking online, it seems you released this ad a couple of months ago, and it completely slipped under my radar. It also seems despite the industry and customer backlash, you have ploughed forth with what is essentially a smear campaign.

As someone who works in marketing for a bricks and mortar travel agency, and also as a junior travel consultant, I thought your ad was both a cheap dig and factually incorrect. So, I’m here to help set the record straight.

Firstly, travel websites such as yourselves use the same Global Distribution Systems used by bricks and mortar travel agents. For those of you playing at home, this means that the flights shown on the Webjet site are the same flights that a real travel agent sees when searching for flight availability, except as travel agents, we translate the native code without the attractive end-user interface.

So, while the waters could be a little murky, one could, possibly, argue that Webjet is in breach of advertising standards by implying that travel agents have less access to availability than Webjet because that is not the case. We have just as much flight visibility as our online counterparts.

The major difference is that as travel

experts and booking agents, it is part of our role to know how to filter the hundreds of results in order to present the best options for our client based on our client’s preferred purchasing behaviour which may be driven by price, the least amount of flying or connection time, baggage limits and change flexibility. We collate the most logical results using our experience and nous instead of an algorithm.

These clients are normally searching for the best deal on a specific itinerary, at which point we are throwing our hat into the ring. The point is, we are there for all our clients, regardless of how much work is involved.

So, when we present four….er, maybe…five results to our client we are confident that those four or five results are the best options out of all the results, based on our client’s specified criteria. If our client does not see one that meets their fancy, we actively search for more suitable alternatives.

Take into consideration the amount of education that it takes to become employable as a travel agent. If you were lucky enough to backpack around the world in your early 20s and have visited a minimum of 12 countries on at least three continents, you might be lucky enough to be employed on travel experience alone.

Otherwise, you may be looking at up to twelve months of intense study to ensure that you know your Honduras from your Oslo.

We build long-lasting personal relationships with our clients and love getting to know them, their preferences and their needs. By doing so, we become more than just their travel agent. We become their travel advocate, an integral part of their traveling life as an invaluable go-to resource of travel information, recommendations and expertise, as well as a safety net for when things go awry.

We are always happy to do all the research for a trip on our client’s behalf. We find this reduces decision fatigue and ensures that our clients are not only going to get the best value for money, but they are also going to be looked after from the moment they call to make their first enquiry to when they are safely back at home and dreaming about their next trip.

Of course, there are always clients who have already done their research online and know exactly what they want. It’s a little bit like when you clean the house right before your cleaner comes – it’s not necessary, but it certainly makes our job easier.

Secondly, you portrayed bricks and mortar travel agents as seemingly unhelpful and lacking in knowledge, when nothing could be further from the truth.

Aside from geography and sightseeing, agent training will also encompass how to use multiple systems including reservation, wholesale and mid to back office support systems. You will learn about sales, customer service, fares and ticketing, travel insurance, visa requirements, contract negotiation, public speaking, business development, marketing, brochure production and more.

After study, the hopeful graduate will then be employed as a junior agent, where they will spend the next six to twelve months applying and honing their newfound skills in a live environment, after which, all going according to plan, the junior might drop from their job title.

TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 37

Make your next family holiday count

38 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

Family holidays are priceless. However, travel plans can easily go awry if not carefully planned. If you’re thinking of a family holiday it’s probably wise to lean on the experience of an ATAS accredited travel agent like Sean Simmons Travel to ensure the whole family has a happy experience.

Here are some holiday tips to make your trip count.

1. Planning – it’s all in the detail.

There is a reason you take your car to the mechanic or your tax to the accountant. The same goes for planning the perfect family getaway.

Agents are trained destination and product experts and can provide a tailor-made experience the whole family can enjoy.

2. Flying – it’s the little things that count Travel agents offer a personal touch that is invaluable. From an extra pair of eyes to ensure the accuracy of your booking, advice with a visa, assistance with travel documentation right through to choosing the right flight to ensure easy flight connections, travel agents provide specialist knowledge. They will also coordinate your seating allocation to ensure your family is sitting together and in the event of traveling with small children, assistance with arranging a booster seat or harness for babies or infants.

3. Sleeping – a good night’s rest and peace of mind Agents have access to great deals and when it comes to accommodation choice no one knows better. It’s particularly invaluable if you require an interconnecting room. They know which hotels offer interconnecting rooms which can be booked (not just requested), prior to travelling. Marry this with destination knowledge and an extensive array of tour operators and the family can travel easy knowing that they are in good hands.

4. Enjoying – family time is priceless Accredited travel agents are a ‘one-stop shop’ making the entire process from planning, booking and travelling hassle-free, leaving you to simply enjoy your time together on holiday. Expert advisers can handle every aspect of travel from booking airline tickets, ground transfers, accommodation, tours, activates and insurance. They’ll work with you to design an itinerary to suit your budget and at the same time guide you in selecting destinations and activities suitable for the whole family.

5. Travelling safe – travel insurance is non-negotiable If you’re planning a trip, regardless of where you are travelling or for how long, make sure travel insurance makes it onto your travel checklist.

Travel insurance is all about protecting you and your family against the unexpected. A travel expert can advise of the best insurance for you that can cover everything from lost or stolen luggage, cancelled or delayed flights, unexpected costs arising from natural disaster or medical emergencies.

If you’re thinking of travelling internationally, remember to log your travel with Smartraveller.gov.au.

ATAS is the AFTA (Australian Federation of Travel Agents) Travel Accreditation Scheme. The scheme ensures accredited travel agents meet strict criteria including business discipline, training, and compliance with Australian Consumer Law, as well as a strict code of conduct.

Sean Simmons Travel is ATAS accredited. Customers booking through with an ATAS-accredited agency can be assured they will receive the highest-quality advice and expertise from travel industry leaders, with access to the best suppliers and offers from suppliers in Australia and around the world.

TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 39

FLIGHT DECK Travel information & Industry News Dublin Airport to build second runway by 2020 Dublin airport has confirmed it will build a second runway by 2020, resurrecting plans which were shelved nearly a decade ago. The airport received planning permission for a second runway back in 2007, but the project was put on hold when Ireland’s financial crisis saw passenger numbers fall.

Recovery has seen the airport deliver its busiest ever year in 2015, with double digit growth recorded in the first two months of 2016.

Long-haul connectivity has grown by 65 per cent since the airport’s T2 opened, with short-haul connectivity increasing by 16 per cent.

This has resulted in current infrastructure being at capacity during peak hours, so plans for the 3,110-metre second runway will now go ahead, with construction work starting in 2017. The new runway is expected to cost €320 million.

The airport says that the North Runway development “has the potential to open up connectivity to a range of long-haul destinations, particularly in fast growing economies in Asia, Africa and South America”.

Announcing the news Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD said: ““In recent years, Dublin Airport has experienced a strong and sustainable return to growth. However, in order to capitalise on this growth and sustain it into the future, we need to put in place the appropriate airport infrastructure.

“I welcome daa’s plans in this regard and also the company’s commitment to work closely with all stakeholders, including local residents and community groups, in relation to the delivery of the new runway.”

Total alcohol ban in the state of Bihar, India.

The state of Bihar imposes total alcohol ban and turns dry state from today- 06-04-16. The sale of absolutely any type of alcohol will now be completely banned in Bihar immediately, the state government said on Tuesday.

Bihar is now the fourth dry state in India after Gujarat, Kerala and Nagaland.

We request you to update all your clients visiting Bihar.

40 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

Air New Zealand VS Qantas The non-stop market between New Zealand and the U.S has a new player following the announcement that American Airlines will begin a Los Angeles-Auckland service in June 2016.

In March, United Airlines – A star alliance partner of Air New Zealand – have announced a San Francisco-Auckland non-stop in July 2016.

Air New Zealand, have plans to begin its own new service in the middle of May 2016 between Auckland and Houston.

Currently, Air New Zealand has a monopoly on non-stop services between New Zealand and the United States, with flights from Auckland to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii. Qantas used to compete on the non-stop Auckland-Los Angeles route with their subsidiary Auckland based company JetConnect, however dropped the route in 2012.

American Airlines will operate the daily service with a Boeing 7878 as part of its joint venture with Qantas, subject to regulatory approvals. Departure from Auckland at 1:20pm arriving into Los Angeles the same day at 06:30am. American Airlines passengers departing Los Angeles will be able to connect at Auckland to 11 New Zealand destinations and to points in Australia via Qantas and its Jetstar Subsidary.

Emirates and Malaysia Airlines expand codeshare agreement Emirates and Malaysia Airlines (MAB) have expanded the terms of their codeshare agreement. The partnership was initially announced at the end of last year, and launched in mid-February with codeshares on the Dubai – Kuala Lumpur route.

Emirates will now place its code on 15 Malaysian cities served

by MAB, namely Langkawi, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Labuan, Alor Setar, Kota Bharu, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

Meanwhile members of Emirates’ Skywards and MAB’s Enrich frequent flyer programmes can now accrue and redeem miles on all domestic and international flights operated by both airlines.

Commenting on the expansion of the codeshare agreement Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said: “The codeshare with Malaysia Airlines will provide seamless travel options for passengers to visit 15 cities in Malaysia and elsewhere in the region with a convenient connection in Kuala Lumpur.

“Reciprocally, travellers from the region will also benefit from an expanded network including 90 destinations spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. At the same time, they will be able to earn and redeem miles when flying on any Emirates and Malaysia Airlines-operated flights.”

“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.”

Lawrence Block

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give the gift of travel Sean Simmons Travel Gift Cards are the perfect present. Here’s five fantastic reasons why!

1. Everyone loves to travel.

2. A Sean Simmons Travel Gift Certificate is definitely going to be used. It won’t be re-gifted, and it won’t end up at the bottom of a pile of paperwork to be lost and forgotten.

3. Be it $20 or $2000, Sean Simmons Travel Gift Certificates can be customised to whatever value you desire.

4. A Sean Simmons Travel Gift Certificate can be redeemed for any product or service offered by Sean Simmons Travel, including: • Flights • Car Hire • Tours • Travel Insurance • Luggage • Travel accessories 5. Get it (almost) instantly! Simply purchase, and we will have it personalised and email through to you in a jiffy.

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The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced modifications on the eligibility requirements for travellers of participating countries who have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen on or after March, 2011 and travellers who are dual nationals of Iran, Sudan or Syria. These travellers no longer qualify to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program. In addition, travellers entering or transiting the USA on or after April 1, 2016 must hold a passport containing an integrated chip and display the universal e-passport symbol on the front cover. Individuals who do not meet the requirements for an ESTA will need to obtain a conventional USA visa.

Virgin Australia and Alitalia announce codeshare agreement Virgin Australia has announced that it will be boosting its international network and frequent flyer program through a codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership with Alitalia, a member of the Skyteam alliance Flights will operate between Abu Dhabi to Rome and Milan using the VA airline code, and operated on both Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. Frequent flyer benefits will be announced at a later date.

The codeshare will increase capacity and provide customers with access to more destinations, more flights and more convenient schedules as well as increased benefits for Velocity members.

Virgin currently codeshares on Etihad Airways’ services from Australia to Rome and Milan via Abu Dhabi, as well as Singapore Airlines’ services to Milan and Rome through Singapore.

The Australian carrier also offers three flights a week between Sydney and Abu Dhabi with Boeing 777-300ERs, although those flights are currently suspended whilst the 777 fleet undergo a cabin upgrade with the new business class seats as well as a refreshed premium economy cabin offering, which is due to be completed by the end of July.

TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 41

HOT FARES Hurry! These wont last long!

Qatar Airways: DESTINATION - EUROPE RETURN FARE TO:

MEL

ADL

SYD

Qatar Airways: DESTINATION - AFRICA PER

RETURN FARE TO:

MEL

ADL

SYD

PER

JOHANNESBURG

ATHENS Economy

$1,530.36

$1,406.21

$1,835.74

$1,450.90

Economy

$1,898.26

$1,828.81

$1,908.53

$1,814.10

Business

$6,672.36

$6,426.21

$6,601.34

$6,667.90

Business

$6,599.26

$7,359.51

$6,673.24

$6,590.10

Economy

$2,027.16

$1,441.41

$1,702.14

$1,510.70

Economy

$1,878.16

$1,833.41

$1,920.14

$1,818.80

Business

$7,116.16

$6,461.41

$6,636.14

$6,614.70

Business

$6,604.16

$6,578.41

$6,678.14

$6,651.80

Economy

$1,694.26

$1,421.01

$1,816.24

$1,440.80

Economy

$1,977.76

$1,928.11

$1,915.24

$1,818.80

Business

$6,747.76

$6,502.11

$6,764.74

$6,743.30

Business

$6,568.26

$6,793.11

$6,804.84

$6,563.80

Economy

$1,629.86

$1,556.61

$1,646.84

$1,600.40

Economy

$2,069.26

$2,751.91

$2,086.24

$2,741.80

Business

$6,958.16

$6,713.81

$6,887.14

$6,953.70

Business

$6,771.26

$6,745.91

$6,757.24

$6,766.80

Economy

$2,097.46

$2,053.71

$2,114.44

$2,039.10

Business

$6,799.46

$6,773.71

$6,785.44

$6,790.10

Economy

$1,580.66

$1,530.91

$1,597.64

$1,521.30

Business

$6,739.66

$6,713.91

$6,725.64

$6,730.30

BERLIN

PARIS

LONDON

ROME Economy

$1,529.86

$1,410.51

$1,885.84

$1,425.40

Business

$6,671.86

$6,430.51

$6,600.84

$6,667.40

COPENHAGEN Economy

$1,451.66

$1,377.31

$1,588.64

$1,397.20

Business

$6,674.66

$6,397.31

$6,572.64

$6,387.60

Economy

$1,480.96

$1,386.41

$1,592.94

$1,401.50

Business

$6,647.96

$6,406.41

$6,664.94

$6,391.80

CAPE TOWN

DURBAN

NAIROBI

ENTEBBE

ALGIERS

MADRID

ISTANBUL

Qatar Airways: MIDDLE EAST RETURN FARE TO:

MEL

ADL

SYD

PER

DOHA

Economy

$1,463.16

$1,363.61

$1,455.14

$1,381.00

Economy

Business

$1,827.16

$1,572.41

$1,844.14

$1,562.70

$6,630.16

$6,283.61

$6,647.14

$6,371.20

Business

$9,297.16

$9,044.41

$9,056.14

$9,034.70

Economy

$1,474.46

$1,379.71

$1,516.44

$1,390.00

Business

$6,419.46

$6,393.71

$6,405.44

$6,415.00

Economy

$1,474.46

$1,401.71

$1,491.44

$1,390.00

Business

$6,419.46

$6,393.71

$6,405.44

$6,415.00

Economy

$1,434.76

$1,340.01

$1,451.74

$1,350.30

Business

$6,822.96

$6,797.21

$6,808.94

$6,818.50

Economy

$1,431.76

$1,337.01

$1,448.74

$1,347.30

Business

$6,802.76

$6,777.01

$6,788.74

$6,798.30

Fares valid in low season (24 March 2016 - 26 May 2016) Surcharges apply for other dates. Price includes airport fees and surcharges, and are correct as at 7 April 2016. Minimum stay - Economy Class = 5 day. Business class = 7 days. Fees and penalties apply for changes. Fares are non-refundable and non-transferable. Other destinations available on request.

DUBAI

ABU DHABI

BEIRUT

For these and other great air fares please call a sean simmons travel professional or mail enquiries@seanstravel.com.au 42 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

CAIRO

Airline of the month - Qatar airways Experience the skies like never before with Qatar Airways, voted ‘World’s Best Airline’ in 2015 by Skytrax. Flying daily from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide (commencing 3rd May 2016) to over 150 destinations worldwide via one quick stop at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar Airways’ stateof-the artt fleet, premium onboard lounges and award-winning crew will ensure you arrive relaxed.

Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of A350 (for which the airline is a launch partner) and A380 aircraft with wider seats and more space across all cabins offering a pleasant and comfortable journey whether you fly business or economy. The A350 also boasts the world’s largest carbon wing fiber, an eco-friendly engine and airframe design and the lowest twin engine noise levels coupled with ambient LED mood lighting to ensure your comfort. The fleet also include the state of the art Boeing 787 as well as 777’s.

Qatar operates one of the most modern fleet, with another 340 aircraft on order and flies to all six inhabited continent connecting to over 150 destinations worldwide across the America’s Africa and Middle East, and including 39 European cities.

also contribute towards higher status levels with the program. Members can also earn Qmiles and Qpoints when travelling with other oneworld member airlines.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can earn Qmiles each time you fly, and are able to redeem on award flights and request upgrades or additional baggage allowance. Qpoints can

Premium travelers will enjoy a 180-degree flat bed with built in back massage function, a generous 17inch television and his and her Gorgio Armani amenity kits and designer sleepwear. Two celebrity chefs have created an exceptional on demand gourmet menu, with premium wines available. Offering a winder of variety of content, there are more than 2000 entertainment options on the state of the art entertainment system with touch screen handsets. Business and First class guests can expect to find Giorgi Armani amenity kits, and complimentary personal accessories.

TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 |2016 | 43

WORLD EVENTS CALENDAR April-May 2016 Songkran Festival Bangkok, Thailand 13 - 15 April 2016

Festival Austin, Texas 22 - 24 April 2016

Crawfish Music Festival Jackson Mississippi Mississippi 14 April 2016

ArtBrussels Brussels, Belgium 22 - 24 April 2016

Belfast Film Festival Belfast, Northern Ireland 14 - 23 April 2016

NZ International Comedy Festival Auckland, New Zealand 22 April to 15 May 2016

Fiesta San Antonio, Texas 14 - 24 April 2016

Houston Children’s Festival Houston, Texas 23 - 24 April 2016

Chaul Chnam Thmey Siem Reap, Cambodia 14 April 2016

London Marathon London, England 24 April 2016

St Maarten Carnival St Maarten and St Martin 14 April to 3 May 2016

King’s Day Amsterdam, Netherlands 27 April 2016

Juke Joint Festival Jackson, Mississippi 16 April 2016

Inman Park Spring Festival Atlanta, Georgia 30 April to 1 May 2016

City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival Las Vegas, Nevada 16 - 17 April 2016

Rock n Roll Marathon Nashville,Tennessee 30 April 2016

May Day (Vappu) Malta International Fireworks Helsinki, Finland Festival 30 April to 1 May annually Valletta, Malta May Day Festival 16, 23 and 30 April 2016 Minneapolis-St Paul, Boston Marathon Boston Massachusetts 18 April 2016

Buenos Aires Book Fair Buenos Aires, Argentina 21 April to 9 May 2016

Minnesota 1 May 2016

TD Five Boro Bike Tour New York City, New York 1 May 2016

Florence Tango Festival Florence, Italy 21 - 25 April 2016

Contact Photography Festival Toronto, Ontario 1 - 31 May 2016

Birth of Rome Celebrations Rome, Italy 21 April 2016

Chat Preah Nengkal Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1 - 10 May 2016

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival New Orleans, Louisiana 22 April to 1 May 2016

Traditional Greek Dance Festival Athens, Greece May to September 2016

Austin Food and Wine

Warmer Mai

44 | TURBULENCE | ISSUE 14 | 2016

Zurich, Switzerland 1 - 31 May annually St Croix Ironman 70.3 Triathlon US Virgin Islands 1 May 2016 Belfast Marathon Belfast, Northern Ireland 2 May 2016 Jordan International Rally Amman, Jordan 5 - 7 May 2016 Lotus Lantern Festival Seoul, South Korea 6 - 8 May 2016 Brighton Festival Brighton, England 7 - 29 May 2016 Pharaons Rally Cairo, Egypt 8 - 15 May 2016 ATP Masters Series: Rome Rome, Italy 9 - 15 May 2016 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Bangkok, Thailand 9 May 2016 Cannes Film Festival Cote d Azur, France 11 - 22 May 2016 Fiesta de San Isidro Madrid, Spain 11 - 15 May 2016 Prague Spring International Music Festival Prague, Czech Republic 12 May to 3 June 2016 Vienna Festival (Festwochen) Vienna, Austria 13 May to 19 June 2016 Sanja Festival Tokyo, Japan 13 - 15 May 2016 Spanish F1 Grand Prix Barcelona, Spain 13 - 15 May 2016

EuropaFest Bucharest, Romania 14 - 21 May 2016 arteBA Buenos Aires, Argentina 19 - 22 May 2016 Bath International Music Festival Bath, England 20 - 30 May 2016 International Beer Festival San Francisco, California 21 May 2016 FA Cup Final London, England 21 May 2016 Great Wall Marathon Beijing, China 21 May 2016 French Open Paris, France 22 May to 5 June 2016 Chelsea Flower Show London, England 24 - 28 May 2016 FETAFRIK Mahe, Seychelles 25 May 2016 Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts Brecon Beacons Wales 26 May to 5 June 2016 Atlanta Jazz Festival Atlanta, Georgia 27 - 29 May 2016 Northwest Folklife Festival Seattle, Washington 27 - 30 May 2016 Stars of the White Nights Festival St Petersburg, Russia 27 May to 2 August 2016 San Francisco Carnaval San Francisco, California 28 - 29 May 2016]