August News from Australia 2000 Travel

A look at our August Newsletter. If you would like to sign-up to receive our newsletter, use the sign-up on the bottom right-hand column on this page.

Australia 2000 Travel Newsletter

G’day

As summer comes to a close and the days turn to cooler weather here in the U.S., we look forward to fall festivals, pumpkins, apple cider and the piling of leaves that have left their branches to scatter randomly on the ground. As much as we love the fall, it is also a reminder that winter is just around the corner with spring seemingly nowhere in sight.

Fortunately, for those of us with a heart for travel, spring has just begun to burst forth in the GLORIOUS South Pacific! From September through November, the lands Down Under enjoy the renewal of spring. Vineyards are ripe with fruit for picking, orchard trees are in bloom and major festivals showcase food and wine, flowers, as well as local and international theater, dance, arts, music and so much more.

Photo Credit: avlxyz

Perhaps the grandest event to take place in spring is the richest and more prestigious horse race that stops the nation of Australia, The Melbourne Cup. Taking place on the first Tuesday in November, The Melbourne Cup literally stops the country as all gather to witness the three minute race that covers 3200 meters and finishes with the winner awarded upwards of millions of dollars in prizes as well as the coveted cup trophy.

Not to be left out from the calling of spring, I am on my yearly journey to New Zealand meeting with representatives from our handpicked accommodations, experiencing new and exciting tours and filling my heart to bursting with the sights and sounds of the lands Down Under. Be sure to look for our September newsletter where I will share my exciting adventures.

~Karen

From the Blog
A look at what has been happening on the blog over the past month…
Thank you so much for your support!  It is referrals from clients like you that help us keep doing what we so love to do.

Karen Hardy Hodgson
Toll Free Phone within USA: 1 800 875 4530
Phone: ++1 248 647 4530
Email: karen@australia2000-travel.com

Personal service and attention to every travel detail!

Occasionally one hears of an unusual and unique business where the relationship is harmonious from the beginning. Where quality is the only measure of success. Where everyone emerges from the experience fully satisfied with the end result. Australia 2000 Travel Ltd., in Birmingham Michigan, is such a business.


Baby Boomers Seek Unique Travel Experiences

Australia: Aboriginal Culture 009

Photo credit Steve Evans

It’s finally here, the year that “baby boomers” begin to retire.  Baby boomers, defined as individuals born post World War II during the “baby boom” between the years 1946-1964, have begun to turn 65 this year and this article brings to light the many ways in which “boomers” are carefully considering their future.

“It’s no surprise that today’s boomers are planning to work longer than earlier generations of retirement age.  What’s interesting is that they’re not doing so just because they need the money. They also want to stay stimulated and engaged.”  read entire article

It’s been presumed that “boomers” grew up in an age of privilege, were the healthiest and wealthiest generation of their time and considered themselves “special” to the generations of those that had come before.  They grew up in a rising era of technology and medical accomplishments, have worked hard to provide for their families and vigilantly saved for the “retirement years”.

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Affluent Travelers Select Australia As Dream Destination

Credit to Adele Hendricks

Luxury Travel Magazine announces that the results are in (and we are not surprised)!

Upscale travelers select sailing aboard a World Cruise as the Top Trip of a Lifetime,  Cruising as the most desired travel experience and Australia as favorite Dream Destination.  Read the whole article.

Readers of Virtuoso Life magazine, a group of self proclaimed sophisticated travelers, have named Australia & New Zealand among the top five “dream destinations” while Fiji and Bay of Islands, New Zealand are both recognized as most alluring island escapes.

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Australian Ultimate 28 Day Action Packed Adventure

Australian Action Packed Adventure

DAY 1-3: In Sydney: Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sailing on Sydney Harbour. Explore the Blue Mountains.
DAY 4: Fly to Adelaide.
DAY 5-7: 3 Day South Australia Outback Adventure in Southern Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound.
DAY 8-9: Explore Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay and Flinders Chase.
DAY 10: Fly to Darwin. Half Day Darwin City Tour.
DAY 11-13: 3 Day Camping in Kakadu National Park.
DAY 14: Fly to Cairns.
DAY 15: At Leisure in Palm Cove.
DAY 16-20: 5 Day Wilderness Adventure.
DAY 21: White Water Rafting on the Barron River.
DAY 22: At Leisure in Palm Cove.
DAY 23: Full Day Great Barrier Reef Tour.
DAY 24: Fly to Brisbane. Transfer to your Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park.
DAY 25-26: At Leisure in Lamington National Park.
DAY 27: Transfer to Brisbane.
DAY 28: Depart Australia.

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Thank You From Marnie Balog

Dear Karen, Hillary and Shelley,

Words don’t seem to do justice to describe our glorious New Zealand trip. Perhaps a background of symphony orchestra music and a grand stage would begin to help others understand what we experienced. Each day held pleasant surprises and adventures. Each day kept the smiles and the glow on our faces. We feel renewed and in love with life (and each other!). Now we cherish the precious memories of a trip of a lifetime!

Karen, you have a gift for “reading us” and planning for the things we love. Thank you for the details that were so carefully spelled out. Thank you also to Wendy helping us once we landed in New Zealand. The vouchers and maps were so neatly organized and bound into a travel booklet.

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Thank you from Carolyn

Hi Karen,

You did an excellent job figuring out from our conversations which activities we would enjoy; the zookeeper-led tour, the bike tour and the wildlife tour were all a big hit with Peter. Our trip to the Blue Mountains was “self-directed” once we were there, and when we were fogged in on the day we expected to walk along the cliffs, we found we could take a bus tour to the Jenolyn caves. An excellent adventure as well!

Thank you so much!

Carolyn Pierce

Traveled to Australia July 2010