"We booked a trip to Fiji purely for relaxation. But we got much more than that. In addition to tonnes of swimming and snorkelling we had our first cultural immersion experience as a young family. Not only was the weather warm, but so were the people. The Fijian people were so welcoming that my youngest daughter overcame her shyness by learning to introduce herself, the way Fijians do. We got into the habit of saying an energetic "Bula!" everywhere we went, it felt strange not to when we arrived home. Fiji has made a lasting impression on all of us." - Janice McKay

So in a 3 day whirlwind trip with some like-minded travel agents, we managed to see: Universal Studios, Aquarium, Merlion, Luge, China Town, Temples, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay & light show, Battle box and I know there were some more, it's all a blur!!

The first thing that I noticed was that it was a clean, green and very friendly city.. The road from the airport into the city had a 80km/hr sign, however I'm sure most drivers were going 60-70 and no beeping or abusing.

I felt like it was a second home, and even going out in the evening with 3 other women, did not feel threatened by anyone lingering around the streets. CCTV keeps a watch on everything, so big brother was always there!

Don't stop for a couple of hours or a day... stay for at least 4 days... and even then you won't see everything.

There are so many cruise options available for all different ages, hobbiests and budgets.. now is the time to start booking your 2017 cruises to get the cabin that you prefer as they fill up very quickly.

7 Night River Cruise - Lyon to Provence from $5,299 per person, twin share

8 Night Cruise - Tasmania to South Australia from $2,019 1st person, $1,099 second person (twin share)

14 Night Cruise - Northern Australia Explorer (Perth, Geraldton, Broome, Kimberley Coast, Darwin, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Brisbane) from $1679 per person, twin share.

16 Night Cruise - Marvels of the East (Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Kobe, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Seoul, Dalian and Beijing) from $13,049 per person, twin share.

12 Night Cruise - Mediterranean Romance (Venice, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Naples, Rome, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Toulon and Barcelona) from $2,429 per person, twin share.

Terms and Conditions

Prices are per person, share twin, in New Zealand dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices include port charges & taxes and are subject to change at time of booking. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and therefore can change at any time without notice. A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. Full payment conditions apply. Strict cancellation and amendment fees apply. Onboard credits (if applicable) are in currency shown and are per stateroom. Onboard credits are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash, used in the medical centre or casino.Terms and ConditionsPrices are per person, share twin, in New Zealand dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices include port charges & taxes and are subject to change at time of booking. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and therefore can change at any time without notice. A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. Full payment conditions apply. Strict cancellation and amendment fees apply. Onboard credits (if applicable) are in currency shown and are per stateroom. Onboard credits are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash, used in the medical centre or casino.

It's time to start planning your trips for 2017. At the start of September, most airlines will start launching their airfares for the following year, so if you start planning now, we can start to put your itineraries together. Along with your airfares, we can offer other options such as Coach Tours.

vanessa@getawaytravel.co.nz or 021 530 219

We organise anything to do with your travel requirements, we offer the same service that a Travel Agency would, we have more flexibility with hours, and depending where you live, we can come to you to help sort out your travel requirements. Below is a small sample of what we can offer you, however for a more detailed listing, please visit our Product page,,

Holiday Planning for families, couples and individuals

Honeymoon planning

Destination Wedding planning

Special Events

Sports Events

School trips

Church Groups

Conferences

Group Travel - Jamboree, Clubs, Church, Sports, Schools, Work etc

Corporate Travel

What type of products or services can we book:

Airfares - All major airlines (very few exceptions)

Coach Tours

Rail / Train tickets

Theme park passes / Day Tours

Cycling - Motor Cycle, Mountain Biking

Transfers - Limousine, Coach, Helicoptor, Ferry, Water Airplane

Wedding / honeymoon / gift registry

Travel Insurance

Visa preparation for most countries

We also love to help you with specialty bookings:

Guys Getaways

Gals Getaways

Bucks / Hens Getaways

Family Getaway

Wedding proposals

Adventure Tours

Private Tours

Specialty Tours - Photography

Contact me for information on any travel requirements vanessa@getawaytravel.co.nz or 021 530 219

So we all talk about it, but how many of you have actually created a bucket list? I bet most of your haven't. A bucket list can be as simple as trying to see a list of all the places you would like to visit, or a lifetime of activities that you would like to do and cross off.

What a better way to sit back at the end of each year and say that you have actually achieved something from your bucket list.

To help you out, I have listed some ideas below:

Kiss the Blarney StoneHunt for ghostsVisit Petra (Jordan)Kayak through cavesBungee jumpWalk the Golden Gate BridgeClimb Mt KilimanjaroVisit an active volcanoRide a cable car in San FranciscoGo to the airport and book the first flight outMake a gingerbread houseTravel by helicopter through a canyonStand in a red phone boxMeet Mickey Mouse at DisneylandLearn another languageStudy a martial artLearn to conquer a fearWrite a bookSwim with a whaleLearn to flyEat HaggisVolunteer for a local charity in a foreign countrySlow dance in the rainThrow a coin in the Trevi FountainVisit AlcatrazSend a message in a bottleAttend the Monaco Grand PrixVisit all 7 continentsFloat in the Dead SeaHave a segway raceWitness as eclipseGo on a road trip on Route 66Ride a camelHorse riding on a beachWest a snake around your neckFly in a gliderIce-skate in New York Central ParkVisit all hotels in Las VegasName a starGo to the floating lantern festivalCompete in a marathonStart your own online blogGo zipliningVisit Sapporo during their Ice FestivalPan for goldStay in a lighthouseWork in an Australian Cattle StationSearch for OpalsSleep in a castleCruise through the Inward Passage - AlaskaExplore Hobbiton - New ZealandTravel on the Trans Siberian railDo an African SafariStay in the Ice Hotel - SwedenSee the tulip fieldsScuba diveSky diveDrive a racing car around the track

Pack an autograph book and a pen, the characters all around the parks will sign them for you. Try and reserve one full page for each signature especially if you wish to scrapbook them when you return home.Take some glow sticks, this is especially handy for the evening shows to spot each other in the crowds.Create an ID for the children, such as on a lanyard just in case you get separated in the crowds.In your backpack try and include the following: small towel, wet wipes, snacks, money (usually just for food or purchases), hat, jersey (the evenings can be chilly), small first aid kit, poncho (for rain and the water rides), quarters for press machines, spare phone.Also take in a water bottle, there are free fill-up stations all over the park.If one of your group is celebrating a birthday, engagement or its their first visit, go to the City hall (left as you enter the park), and ask for a pin and be prepared to be recognised all over the park!There is said to be between 400 to 1000 hidden mickeys in the parks, see how many you can spot.

If you are after a different type of gift from your guests, then why not think about opening up a Travel Account for your Honeymoon or Destination Wedding? Simply go to our Travel Account page, complete the form and we will be in contact with you to discuss the options available.

It's important that you check the visa requirements for travel to or through USA. Basically if you touch down on USA soil, you need either a visa waiver or applicable visa.

In the first instance you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which costs $15USD.

Please use this link as other links have been known to charge far more than required. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Well I don't know if my first love in travel or photography, but right now they go hand in hand quite nicely.