I am excited to announce that I’ve completed Tourism Australia’s “Aussie Specialist” course. With two trips to Australia under my belt and a third one on the way (12 days!), I knew that it was time to really invest in my knowledge of Australia. I would recommend the program to any agent looking to gain access to amazing resources and in depth information about each region of Australia.

But now…on to the fun part! My next trip to Australia is less than two weeks away and I could not be more excited. We will be traveling through Melbourne, Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Red Centre. The latter two destinations will be brand new for me and I am eager to stay at one of our incredible partner resorts in the Blue Moutains, Wolgan Valley, and visit to Uluru in the Northern Territory, one of the most famous landmarks in the country and a sacred part of aboriginal culture. Melbourne and Sydney are also very close to my heart so it will be very special to see them again. I will always remember spending Christmas on the Mornington Peninsula with my good friends, the Wickenden’s. And of course I have to mention my week long surprise vacation in Sydney as I desperately tried to make a Delta flight going stand by with Annette Wickenden (aka the most passionate and adventurous flight attendant that has ever lived). Since a third of that Sydney trip was spent at in the airport, Claire Wickenden and I took a trip back to Sydney the next year and went north to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Needless to say, I have been lucky to have many great memories made in Australia so far and I have a feeling that my next trip will be no exception. A huge thanks to Edyta with Travel2 for inviting me on this trip. I cannot wait to explore these destinations and hotels for my clients!

If you are interested in planning an Australia trip of your own please contact me to get started!

 

I cannot believe that this time last year I was on the other side of the world checking off my number one bucket list destination. Looking back on my trip to Bora Bora almost feels like a dream. I stayed at the Four Seasons Resort and visited a few surrounding properties as well. To say that the Four Seasons was phenomenal would be an understatement. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would be like to live inside of a screen saver then you need to go here immediately. Whether you are planning a romantic honeymoon or an activity filled family vacation – the FS has great options. In honor of my one year anniversary of this special trip I wanted to share some photos with you. Please contact me if you are interested in planning a trip of your own!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was really hard to say goodbye to the FS Bora Bora but just as we boarded the boat for the airport this double rainbow appeared over the resort. I took it as a sign that I would return there again…twice! :)

For more photos click here…

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.264928947026293.1073741834.230040373848484&type=3

 

Also, check out my review of the Four Seasons Bora Bora that was published on the Smartflyer website…

TYPE: Secluded island resort.

ROOMS: Guests can choose to stay in Beach Villas or Overwater Bungalows, both of which are incredibly spacious and private. The rooms have a traditional Tahitian flair with wooden floors, thatched roofs, hints of color, and large soaking tubs. In the bungalows, pairs of sliding glass doors open onto patios where you can lounge, dine, or jump right into the ocean for an afternoon swim. Some even feature private plunge pools!

POOL/GYM: There is a fantastic gym with a steam room and yoga platform, as well as a beachside infinity pool with cabanas, where Four Seasons attendants provide you with ice water and chilled towels.

RESTAURANT: Each of the four onsite restaurants was delicious. The food presentation at Arii Moana was an art! Each restaurant does a flawless job of catering to specific dietary requirements. The breakfast buffet at Tere Nui (included in rate) was a great way to start the day off right.

BAR: Head to Sunset Bar for freshly prepared sushi, tasty cocktails, and stunning sunset views
VIBE: Tropical, romantic, carefree luxury.

SPA: The holistic spa is a destination in and of itself. Their relaxation lounges feature steam rooms, outdoor pools, and sensory showers, as well as a full menu of standard and signature treatments. The use of natural and local ingredients, like monoi and vanilla, make for excellent, relaxing treatments. The Polynesian massage was a personal favorite!

WIFI: Available throughout, for a fee.

KIDS: Absolutely! Despite what many people think when imagining Bora Bora, there are tons of great options for families. Connecting overwater bungalows and beach villas are perfect for families. There’s even a kids club and teen center on site.

LOCATION: Bora Bora’s Motu Tehotu, one of the most beautiful islands in French Polynesia. A forty-five minute flight from Papeete International Airport (PPT) is followed by a fifteen-minute boat transfer to the resort.

 

– A FEW THINGS –

The culture in French Polynesia definitely sets it apart from other island destinations. Visiting Bora Bora is a completely unique experience that cannot be replicated in the Caribbean or other islands closer to the United States. Many people are shocked to find that it is only two hours further away from Los Angeles than Hawaii, a journey of about eight hours.

I think it is important to note the impeccable service that is provided at the Four Seasons Bora Bora. The Tahitian people are constantly smiling and laughing. They are proud of their home and truly want to share it with visitors. The employees at the hotel pick up on tiny personal details, such as what you order to drink at breakfast, and remember it each day, making you feel like a close friend rather than a guest at a hotel. Although this hotel is located in one of the most stunning settings on earth, the service and attention to detail are really what take it to a whole new level of luxury.

 

SMARTFLYER EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES:

Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom,
served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
4pm late check-out based on availability and guaranteed 4pm late check-out on all overwater suites and villas for reservations of 7 or more nights
Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings

 

http://www.smartflyer.com/fsborabora

 

For my college graduation trip, my cousin Angela and I joked about wanting to go to Australia. We never thought it would actually happen considering it’s on the other side of the world, but we wanted to so badly! I thought it was impossible, but after talking with Laura I learned quite the contrary. She told me to give her the time period we’d like to be there, a budget, and a general idea of what we’d like to do and that she would work on the rest. I knew absolutely nothing about Australia, and Laura has been there herself and did all the hard research for me-Where should we go, what should we do, etc. After much discussion, she gave us all her suggestions about which islands to go to and what activities she felt we would enjoy the best. Laura put together an extensive itinerary for us with everything laid out day by day. We wanted a mixture of activities and rest, and it was so perfect! She did such an amazing job at booking our tours with reputable companies, providing any upgrades she could, and tons of advice about where to go and what to do.

We had so much fun in Australia!!! The best part was not having to worry about anything. All our tours were booked and all our instructions were included in the travel packet that Laura got for us. She booked all of our flights and hotels for us too. You really don’t have to worry about anything, and it’s at no additional cost to use her! We got to go to 3 different beautiful areas in Australia-Sydney, Hamilton Island, and Cairns. Each place was very different and provided something new for us to learn. We got to go on a tour of the Great Barrier Reef, go snorkeling, tour the city on a double decker bus, see the famous Whitehaven Beach, hold a koala bear, and tour a rainforest! I felt safe and taken care of on our trip even though it was just the two of us. Laura had done all the work ahead of time to make sure it would be nothing but a blast!

Laura tailors her travel planning to YOU. Whatever you are looking for is what she can make happen. If you want something more relaxed, she will do her best to make sure that is exactly what happens. If you want to have a wild crazy adventure, she is able to make that happen as well! This is not only because she works for a great company, but also because she is so well versed in the travel world due to the traveling she’s done on her own. She has been to so many places! She’s stayed in a huge variety of different lodgings, from hotels to bungalows to boats! Her hotel recommendations were great. She put us in the most beautiful hotel called Qualia that is one of the top hotels in the world. We truly loved everywhere we stayed. Overall, Laura just knows what she’s talking about and your trip can absolutely be trusted in her hands.

-Caitlin

Laura is an absolute pleasure to work with. She helped me so much in planning my recent trip to New Zealand and is extremely knowledgeable about the travel industry. As a well-traveled person herself, she has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon in assisting her clients. Laura is incredibly friendly and was a huge help in recommending the best hotels, restaurants, activities, and destinations for my trip. I had an amazing time traveling and I attribute much of the seamlessness of the trip to Laura’s hard work. She is great at what she does and is passionate about helping her clients plan the perfect trip. It was very nice working with Laura and I look forward to requesting her help in planning my next trip.

-Sean