Posts by Charmaine Hallmark
Just a Few Days in North Island? (video clip)
JUST A FEW DAYS IN NORTH ISLAND Dunedin and New Zealand’s East Coast New Zealand: Following the Fellowship Just a Few Days in North Island? (video clip) Just a Few Days in South Island? Kiwi magic from the bottom of the world A lot of people will book a month away in Australia and due…
Read MoreJust a Few Days in South Island?
JUST A FEW DAYS IN SOUTH ISLAND If you like a bit of ‘me time’ – a chance to enjoy your own company, reflect, contemplate, then follow me to the northern-most tip of South Island New Zealand! I spent a melancholic time visiting Christchurch, but pleased to see the city’s plans for rebuilding since its…
Read MoreKiwi magic from the bottom of the world
KIWI MAGIC FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD It’s on the other side of the world, but you’d think you’d never left home looking at the clematis, daffodils and a whole host of other flowers found in English country gardens. The people speak English and the towns vaguely remind you of…
Read MoreA short escape and a taste of Australia (video clip)
A SHORT ESCAPE AND TASTE OF AUSTRALIA I was thrilled to be offered a flying visit to Australia, hosted by Qantas Holidays, stopping at Los Angeles and Fiji on the way. Los Angeles was our first stopover city. For the tourist there is plenty to see and do–from the glamour of Beverley…
Read MoreKangaroo Island, South Australia
KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Recently voted number 1 island in the Asia Pacific region by National Geographic Traveller magazine, this island offers even more than wilderness and wildlife with its mix of unusual ‘cottage’ industries that include a traditional eucalyptus distillery, a honey farm that exports queen bees around the world, a sheep dairy and…
Read MoreDiscover the wonders of South Australia (video clip)
DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA When planning a trip to Australia, most people choose Sydney, Cairns and Ayers Rock, especially if it’s their first visit. I was one of those people! That is, until I discovered South Australia, the Festival State! Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is the perfect place…
Read MoreMelbourne and Its Surprises
MELBOURNE AND ITS SURPRISES Melbourne – it’s big, it’s bustling and it’s busy! Modern Skyscrapers, a scary view of the city from a glass “cube” – Eureka! is the highest building in the city. From here, if you can bear to open your eyes and look down, is the city is…
Read MoreAustralia ~ not for the faint hearted (this time)
AUSTRALIA NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED THIS TIME If you’re looking for an adventure, let me tell you about my last visit to the Wilds of Oz! It started with a sunset at Mindil Beach Market in Darwin, and it finished with another on a camel ride on Cable Beach in Broome…… And in between……?…
Read MoreTwo Wonders in One” for a Truly Wonderful Time!
TWO WONDERS IN ONE FOR A TRULY WONDERFUL TIME Everyone’s first trip to Australia usually includes Sydney, The Rock and The Reef – but you may have noticed that Hallmark Travel venture a little further to the lesser known but equally beautiful and stunning areas of Australia. I’ve taken you to the Bungle Bungles in…
Read MoreTwo Unique Australian Islands…..Hamilton and Kangaroo by Gill Lindley (video clip)
TWO UNIQUE AUSTRALIAN ISLANDS, HAMILTON AND KANGAROO We’ve always said that a visit to Australia makes up lots of holidays, not just one, and my recent trip proved our philosophy again. You couldn’t get anything more different than a Barrier Reef Island (with sea, snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing) and a World…
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