Alice
Thursday, March 14th, 2013
Each year, in support of the UNEP World Environment Day (5 June), the United Nations Association of Australia holds its World Environment Day Awards, which recognise innovative and outstanding environmental programs and initiatives from across Australia.
We are pleased to announce that for the fourth year running, Virgin Australia is supporting Australia’s leading environmental awards.
As per last year, Virgin Australia is sponsoring the Community Award, which recognises the invaluable role communities play in a wide range of conservation projects. The winner of last year’s award was The Bookend Trust, a not-for-profit education initiative based in Tasmania.
The Virgin Australia Community Award invites nominations from Australian community groups who are actively protecting species, habitats and the environment in their local area. The Award is open to land, waterways and coastal/marine environment based projects.
This year, three new awards have also been introduced, including the two Prime Minister’s Awards for Environmentalist of the Year and Young Environmentalist of the Year, supported by the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Another new award, sponsored by Swinburne University of Technology, is for Excellence in Sustainable Product Design.
Nominations are now open nationally until Monday 22 April for the two Prime Minister’s Awards and Wednesday 1 May for all other categories.
To nominate for an award and for more information visit UNAA Victoria.
Winners of the 2013 World Environment Day Awards will be announced at the Awards Presentation Dinner to be held on Friday 7 June at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2013
By Alex Tilbury
Published in Escape
February 17, 2013
Loyalty card points junkies can now “earn and burn” faster with Virgin Australia’s Velocity card, with a new hotel partnership and the promise of more innovations this year.
Virgin’s frequent flyer program has paired with the Morgans Hotel Group, owner of 13 boutique hotels, mostly in the US.
Data from the Velocity Frequent Flyer program shows its customers stay faithful to their partners to accrue points. So the partnership of Virgin and Morgans reinforces that many Virgin customers fly to LA and New York.
Chief executive officer of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program Neil Thompson is one of this industry’s most experienced loyalty card players. He ran the Qantas Frequent Flyer program until 2007, then worked as a loyalty program consultant in New York.
Thompson says frequent flyer loyalty programs are all about “earn ability” so members can “earn and burn quickly”.
“With us you can start to accumulate pretty quickly. People tend to focus their spending around our partners, so we choose partners that will fast-track our members.”
“We have set a target of five million members by the end of 2015 and I am very comfortable that we are well on track,” he tells Escape. “We are not trying to be the biggest loyalty program, in terms of numbers, but we aim to be the most interesting and innovative. You are going to see a pipeline of new innovations over the next six months plus we’ll expand the program to do things a bit differently.”
For Virgin, the name of the game is “relevance”.
“We know our customers, so we focus on parts of the world that we know our customers fly to,” Thompson says.
“Watch this space – there are plenty of things to come in 2013. If you use the Velocity credit card and go shopping, you will earn points. If you stay at the Mondrian (owned by Morgans Hotel Group in Los Angeles), you’ll earn points.
“The whole Morgans group is very cool. They get a mix of business and premium leisure travellers just like us they are often one and the same person. Both Virgin and Morgans know their premium leisure and business customers want to stay in gateway cities with dynamic night lives in resort markets.”
If you are heading to California with Virgin Australia, remember the Mondrian in LA is at 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood (next to the House of Blues). I say remember because there is no sign outside.
It’s been said if you don’t know where the Mondrian is then maybe you don’t belong there. It’s a little tongue-in-cheek and popular with film and television celebrities.
Even the stony-faced US Customs officer was impressed I was staying at the Mondrian. “I drive past the Mondrian every day on my way to work, it has got that awesome Skybar.”
Mondrian general manager Jeff Kulek describes his hotel as a “personal playground for guests”. The guestrooms all have the same TV/mirror shaped like a huge looking glass, to convey an “Alice in Wonderland” effect. The guest is “always the star of the show”.
Kulek said the airline partnership was a first for the hotel group.
“We are very choosy but we see similarities with Virgin. Personally I love how you can do the seat-to-seat chat in-flight.” (Seat-to-seat chat allows flyers to keep in touch during a trip).
“The Hiltons of the world are all made from the same cookie cutter. We are the creator of the boutique hotel and we feel that other hotels like W are all imitators. We are the original and we are very proud of that,” Kulek says.
After a one-hour Virgin America flight north to San Francisco, I stayed at Clift (495 Geary St) near Union Square. The lobby is dark and full of avant garde art pieces. Clift is elegant and possibly pretentious, but most definitely fabulous.
The Morgans Hotel rates range from $US250-$US500 ($A245-$A490) a night, and you’ll get 1000 Velocity points a stay. Or 2000 points for bookings before February 28 for travel until March 31.
Friday, February 8th, 2013
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re looking to surprise your loved one with a romantic escape, then look no further…
We have a number of outstanding Valentine’s Day escape suggestions, guaranteed to show that special person just how much you care.
Hamilton Island | Queensland
Situated on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef – in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands – surrounded by sapphire waters, beautiful beaches and captivating coral reefs, Hamilton Island is a paradisiacal destination. The island experiences year-round sunshine, and boasts a huge variety of romantic opportunities, including sunset charters, spa experiences, and fine food and wines.
Do and See: Take a scenic flight over Heart Reef – a 17 metres-wide slice of reef, sculpted in the form of a heart-shaped atoll.
Eat and Drink: Enjoy a cocktail or glass of champagne at sunset atop Hamilton Island’s lookout, One Tree Hill, and a romantic dinner at Bommie Restaurant and Bar with uninterrupted views of the Whitsundays.
Sleep: Be immersed in a tranquil atmosphere, and pampered with personalised service at adults-only resort, qualia – voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers as ‘Best Resort in the World for 2012’.
Plan Your Hamilton Island Escape
- Flights to Hamilton Island: Virgin Australia operates flights to Hamilton Island daily, direct from Sydney and Brisbane.
- Hamilton Island Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Hamilton Island holiday packages, which include flights, transfers, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at qualia: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great qualia deals.
Hunter Valley | New South Wales
Think crisp country air, rolling green hills and fruitful vineyards aplenty… The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most romantic settings. Just an hour’s drive west of Newcastle and two hours’ drive north of Sydney, the Hunter is a renowned couple’s retreat, dotted with world-class wineries and cellar-door restaurants, and home to a jam-pack year-round calendar of events.
Do and See: Experience the magic of the Hunter from air, with a romantic hot air balloon tour high above the vineyards.
Eat and Drink: Enjoy a wine among the vines at award-winning Brokenwood Wines, and dinner at the cosy and romantic Restaurant Botanica at The Vineyards Estate – both are located in Pokolbin.
Sleep: Stay in luxury at the Château Élan at The Vintage – overlooking Greg Norman-designed fairways and the vales of the Hunter Valley.
Plan Your Hunter Valley Escape
- Flights to Newcastle: Virgin Australia operates flights to Newcastle daily, direct from Brisbane and Melbourne.
- Hunter Valley Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Hunter Valley holiday packages, which include flights, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at Château Élan at The Vintage: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great Château Élan at The Vintage deals.
Hepburn Shire | Victoria
Unconventional, but full of unique and natural wonder, Hepburn Shire is an inspiring region. Just an hour and a half’s drive northwest of Melbourne, the shire provides for sensorial escape, with Australia’s largest concentration of natural mineral springs that famous for their relaxing properties. The town of Daylesford is a jewel in the area’s crown, home to several spas, cottages, and bed and breakfasts.
Do and See: Explore the area’s mystical and healing appeal, bathe in the waters of one of the region’s many mineral springs.
Eat and Drink: Dine on modern Australian cuisine with regional flavours at Daylesford’s institution Mercato, amid a relaxing and welcoming environment.
Sleep: Recline is a setting that truly reflects the area’s off-the-beaten-track charm; Jolee Bed & Breakfast offers a romantic ambience surrounded by beautiful bush land.
Plan Your Hepburn Shire Escape
- Flights to Melbourne: Virgin Australia operates flights to Melbourne daily, direct from all Australian capital cities and most major regional ports.
- Daylesford Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Daylesford holiday packages, which include flights, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at Jolee Bed & Breakfast: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great Jolee Bed & Breakfast deals.
The Freycinet Peninsula |Tasmania
Awash with marvellous colours – pink granite mountains, white sand beaches, grey-green casuarinas, and sapphire seawater – the Freycinet Peninsula is a breathtaking holiday destination. Rich with impressive natural settings and history, dotted with luxury accommodation, and removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Tasmanian drawcard is an ideal location for a romantic getaway.
Do and See: Visit Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s most stunning beaches, home to white, silica rich sands, and colourful granite rock formations.
Eat and Drink: Enjoy award-winning a la carte meals, complemented with local produce and wines, at The Bay Restaurant and Hazards Bar at Freycinet Lodge. Try the oysters – they are a renowned Freycinet specialty.
Sleep: Designed with privacy, comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation in mind, Saffire Freycinet connects guests with its stunning coastal surrounds in an inspiring and luxurious setting.
Plan Your Freycinet Peninsula Escape
- Flights to Launceston and Hobart: Virgin Australia operates flights to Launceston and Hobart from all Australian capital cities. Freycinet National Park is located two and a half hours’ drive northeast of Hobart and southeast of Launceston.
- Tasmanian Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Tasmanian holiday packages, which include flights, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at Saffire Freycinet Hotel: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great Saffire Freycinet Hotel deals.
Barossa Valley | South Australia
Steeped in heritage and tradition, the Barossa Valley’s vine-covered hills are sprinkled with historic villages, stone cottages and old wine estates. A little over an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide, the Valley was deliberately settled and established as a wine region and today produces more than half of Australia’s wine. Fostering a relaxed and unhurried pace, the region provides for an authentic and intimate escape.
Do and See: Experience the best of the Barossa Valley – including its renowned Shiraz varieties – with a full day food and wine tour.
Eat and Drink: Plan a picnic at celebrity chef, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop. An assortment of picnic baskets can be bought on-site, to be enjoyed on Farm Shop grounds.
Stay: Discover peace and privacy, seclusion and space in the heart of the Barossa, Stonewell Cottages & Vineyards suites are set on the expansive private vineyard estate, overlooking a picturesque lake.
Plan Your Barossa Valley Escape
- Flights to Adelaide: Virgin Australia operates flights to Adelaide from all Australian capital cities.
- Barossa Valley Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Barossa Valley holiday packages, which include flights, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at Stonewell Cottages & Vineyards: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great Stonewell Cottages & Vineyards deals.
Margaret River | Western Australia
Located just three hours’ drive south of Perth, Margaret River helms an awe-inspiring region, full of rolling green hills, fantastic food experiences, and breathtaking ocean and forest settings. Privy to warm weather and sunshine, and hosting some of Australia’s most famous wineries, the region is a celebrated haunt for lovers.
Do and See: Discover the region’s famous for chardonnays and cabernets with an on-site experience at wineries like Stella Bella, Cape Mentele, Leeuwin Estate, Watershed, Pierro, Voyager Estate and Vasse Felix.
Eat and Drink: Book a table at Voyager Estate’s restaurant and dine on complete food and wine degustation, amid a magnificent Cape Dutch architecture setting.
Sleep: Stay in idyllic 4-star accommodation by the sea, at Margaret’s Beach Resort – one of Western Australia’s best and most romantic beach resorts, and offering easy access to the South West’s world-class wineries, caves, national parks, nature walk trails and surf breaks.
Plan Your Margaret River Escape
- Flights to Perth: Virgin Australia operates flights to Perth from all Australian capital cities.
- Margaret River Holiday Packages: Make planning your Valentine’s Day hassle-free, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Margaret River holiday packages, which include flights, accommodation and much more.
- Stay at Margaret’s Beach Resort: Indulge your loved one this Valentine’s Day, our partner HotelClub offers great Margaret’s Beach Resort deals.
Friday, February 1st, 2013
If you know your Chloe from Chanel and Marchesa from Missoni; pronounce Givenchy: ‘jhee-von-shee’; drop the ‘H’ in Hermès; and revere Anna Dello Russo as much as Anna Wintour – then we have a guide for you. Sartorialists rejoice, as we take you around the world for a year of fashion weeks.
The Big Four
New York City
Autumn/Winter: 7–14 February 2013, and Spring/Summer: September 5–12 2013
Every February and September the world’s fashion-forward converge on the Lincoln Centre, in Manhattan’s artsy Lincoln Square, to witness America’s most iconic and up-and-coming designers debut their latest collections at New York Fashion Week. This February, more than 75 designers will showcase their handiwork at official events, with names like Charlotte Ronson, Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren and Diane von Furstenberg all taking on the runway. Fashion zealot or not, fashion week is a great time to visit The Big Apple, as the city is abuzz with quintessential New York City energy and high drama.
Getting there: Together with partner airlines Delta Air Lines and Virgin America, Virgin Australia operates flights to New York City, from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Where to stay: ON THE AVE complements fashion week’s vibe, with stylish and contemporary facilities just 15 minutes’ walking distance from the Lincoln Center.
London
Autumn/Winter: 15–19 February 2013, and Spring/Summer: September 13–17 2013
Sporting sore heads from wrap parties, the fashpack moves across the Atlantic, without even a day’s reprieve, to Somerset House for London Fashion Week. Following firmly on the coattails of NYC, London showcases twice a year (February and September), with more than 5,000 visitors – ranging from buyers to TV crews and journalists and A-listers – in attendance. This February more than 60 catwalk shows and 30 presentations and salon shows fill the official schedule, while 45 shows will take place off schedule. Iconic UK names like Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Burberry will flaunt their wears alongside avant-garde heroes like Christopher Kane and Henry Holland, and Australian innovators like sass & bide, Antipodium and Dion Lee.
Getting there: Together with partner Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to London from Sydney and Melbourne.
Where to stay: Situated in the heart of London’s vibrant Covent Garden, Kingsway Hall Hotel offers comfortable and deluxe accommodations, a mere 9 minutes’ walk from all the action of London Fashion Week.
Milan
Women’s Fashion, Autumn/Winter: 20–26 February 2013, Spring/Summer: 18–24 September 2013, Men’s Fashion, Spring/Summer: 22 – 26 June 2013
Fashion is such big business in Milan that womenswear and menswear are dedicated separate week-long events. This year’s men’s event has already passed with names like Prada, Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana heralded as standouts. Come late February, the world’s biggest names are set congregate in the Italian hub once again to showcase their take on women’s runway and ready-to-wear looks. All the big Italian heavy-hitters will be present – including Gucci, Versace and Valentino, to name a few – alongside the world’s most innovative up-and-coming labels. Considered to be the most intrinsically stylish city in the world, Milan Fashion Week is highly revered and respected by those in the fashion know.
Getting there: Together with partner airlines Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Milan from Sydney and Melbourne.
Where to stay: On a private street, situated in the cultural and commercial heart of a city, the Bulgari Hotel (of Italian design house fame) is one of Milan’s hottest locations during Fashion Week.
Paris
Ready-to-Wear, Autumn/Winter: 26 Feb–6 March 2013, Spring/Summer: 24 September – 2 October 2013, Men’s Fashion, Spring/Summer: 26–30 June 2013, Couture, Spring/Summer: 1–4 July 2013,
Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and consequently Paris Fashion Week is the hottest ticket item on the fashion calendar. Couture Week has just past, and saw Kanye West sit front row at Lanvin, Jessica Alba don all black for Christian Dior, Olivia Munn support Donatella Versace, and Diane Kruger pull off Parisienne chic at the Chanel. Ready to Wear womenswear is next on the agenda, and will see France’s most iconic fashion houses – such as Isabel Marant, Balmain, Céline, Dior, Chloe, Louis Vuitton and Chanel – inundate the Carrousel du Louvre. Fashion Week is an exciting time to be in Paris, at the city’s boulevards come alive with all things fierce and fabulous.
Getting there: Together with partner airlines Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Paris from Sydney and Melbourne.
Where to stay: A favourite of Alber Elbaz and Carine Roitfield, and located just around the corner from Vogue Paris, and a mere 15 minutes’ walk from the Louvre, the Hotel De Crillon is a hot Fashion Week haunt.
Closer to Home
Tokyo
Autumn/Winter: 17–23 March 2013, Spring/Summer: October 2013
A frontrunner in all things progressive and out-of-the box, Tokyo has been steadily growing a reputation as a fashion powerhouse. Just weeks after Paris, the adventurous of the fashion set move from Europe to the east, to witness the radical innovations of Tokyo Fashion Week. Last season’s event saw intricate neon and leather laser cut garments, models caring manikins wearing dresses, and toe print textiles on pantsuits, command the runway and wow crowds. This March a who’s-who of Japanese designers – such as Alice Auaa, Beautiful People, G.V.G.V., Yasutoshi Ezumi, A Degree Fahrenheit and Yoshio Kubo – will line up at the Hikarie shopping tower in the trendy precinct of Shibuya. The focus will be just as much on fun and fantasy as it is on fashion.
Getting there: Together with partner airlines Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia operates flights to Tokyo from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth.
Where to stay: Featuring an elegant decor, pleasant ambience and comfortable accommodations, just 5 minutes’ walk from Hikarie, Shibuya Excel Tokyu is the perfect base for Tokyo Fashion Week.
Sydney
Annual Event: April 8–12.
Australia’s biggest fashion event, Australian Fashion Week (Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Sydney), has been responsible for launching names like Ksubi, Josh Goot, sass & bide, Romance Was Born, Dion Lee, and a whole host of prominent antipodean fashion labels. In recent years the event has also garnered attention from international celebrities like Whitney Port, Dita Von Teese and Erin Wasson, as well as prominent bloggers like Susie Bubble, Bryan Boy, Rumi Neely and Elin Kling. This year’s event features a new venue (Eveleigh’s Carriageworks) and new dates (moved forward a month), and is set to again showcase the best of Australia’s home-grown talent.
Getting there: Virgin Australia operates flights to Sydney direct from all Australian capital cities and most major regional ports, and from international destination such as Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Nadi and Bali.
Where to stay: Nestled between the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with water literally lapping at its edges, Park Hyatt offers the ultimate Sydney experience, just 15 minutes’ drive from Carraigeworks.
Thursday, January 10th, 2013
If you have travelled from Sydney domestic airport recently, you may have noticed some changes at the end of the Pier – brand new departure lounges with a vibrant look and feel.
We have been working to enhance and expand the space, which now features brand new bathroom facilities, additional seats, charging bars for personal devices and signature design elements, including the Virgin Australia ‘Flying Lady’, which is proudly displayed above the new service desk.
The Pier has also been expanded externally to offer five additional departure gates. This means we can allocate an extra three Airbus A330 aircraft or five Boeing 737 aircraft, enabling our operations to run even more smoothly.
We look forward to welcoming you to our new space!
Friday, December 28th, 2012
Australian Open Tennis 2013
The eyes of the sporting world turn to Melbourne in January, as the world’s best tennis players battle it out for the first Grand Slam title of the year, the Australian Open. Global superstars like Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Sharapova and Williams will take to the courts at Melbourne Park from 14–27 January and test each other’s skill, determination, courage and endurance.
Build an Australian Open 2013 package. Packages include flights, accommodation and tickets to the Open.
Saint Kilda
Located just 6km south-east of the CBD, elite-neighbourhood-turned-red-light-district-turned-cultural-centre, Saint Kilda is one of Melbourne’s biggest drawcards. Home to the city’s most famous beach, Saint Kilda Beach, and popular attractions like Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel, Acland Street and Fitzroy Street, Saint Kilda attracts visitors from all over Australia and the world.
Book Saint Kilda tours and activities.
Art Series Hotels
Melbourne’s Art Series Hotels, The Blackman, The Olsen and The Cullen are set in the city’s hottest locations, within close proximity to vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. Each Art Series Hotel is unique, taking design inspiration from one of Australia’s artistic greats; and features suites that are well appointed with up-to-the-minute comforts and technology, and original artworks.
Stay at an Art Series Hotel.
Laneways
Melbourne’s inner-city is chockfull of laneways, which brim with unique Melbournian gems. Uncover local culture at is finest with a tour of the city’s hidden alleys. Sip a latte on a makeshift-esque cafe. Grab a meal from an in-demand food truck. Peruse the graffiti-strewn galleries. Try a cocktail at a hipper-than-hip bar. Dance the night away at a grungy club. Or pick up a local label at a fashion boutique.
Tour Melbourne’s laneways.
King Kong
Exclusive to Melbourne, King Kong sets up show at the Regent Theatre from 28 May to 14 July 2013. Five years in the making, King Kong boasts claim as the most ambitious theatrical event of the decade – featuring a team of puppeteers who command a one-tonne, six-metre tall silverback gorilla. Combining dazzling choreography, advanced animatronics and an impressive soundtrack, King Kong showcases a romantic and timeless love story.
Build a King Kong package. Packages include flights, accommodation and tickets to the show.
Plan Your Melbourne Holiday
Flights to Melbourne: Virgin Australia operates flights to Melbourne daily, direct from all Australian state capitals, and international locations such as Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi and Bali.
Melbourne Holiday Packages: Take the hassle out of planning your holiday, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Melbourne holiday packages, from $474 per person.
Melbourne Hotels: Establish a great base from which to fall in love with Melbourne. Select from a wide choice of hotels and resorts with our hotel partner HotelClub.
Melbourne Car Hire: Take to the road and discover Melbourne, and nearby regions with a hire car from one of our partners.
Melbourne Tours and Activities: Discover Melbourne though a number of fantastic tours and activities. Our partner GoDo has a number of great Melbourne offers.
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
Virgin Australia’s Flight Specials has been named as one of App Store’s ‘Best of 2012′ applications.
Each year Apple selects a short-list of the best applications that highlight top trends and innovations in the App Store.
This year, Flight Specials was named as one of the top 25 apps, from more than 750,000 available in the App Store. Flights Special was also one of only three Australian apps to grace the list.
View the full App Store Best Of 2012 list.
Flight Specials appeared in the Disruptive Services category, where apps were judged on how they offer “new ways of approaching how we travel, buy products and use mobile payments”.
Apple claims that the apps named in the Disruptive Services category “are helping to reshape and redefine industries”.
Since it was released just five months ago, Virgin Australia’s Flight Specials has been downloaded by more than 200,000 iPhone users.
The app’s purpose is simple: to give guests access to the right fare, for the right price, at the right time. Flight Specials does this by allowing guests to view Virgin Australia’s latest specials, create flight special alerts, and receive real time notifications as soon as specials become available.
The app also gives guests access to Virgin Australia mobile website features such as Book Flights, Manage Bookings, Mobile Check-in, and Flight Status.
Experience the convenience of Virgin Australia Flight Specials – one of Apple’s ‘Best of 2012′ apps. Download the iPhone application from the iTunes Store.
In exciting news, Flights Specials is now available for Android. Download the Android application on Google Play™.
Friday, December 7th, 2012
To inspire you and help you discover the world in all its glory, we have scoured the globe to fashion a series of World’s Top lists.
This week, as the end of 2012 draws near, we bring you our top five New Year’s Eve destinations.
Sydney Harbour, Sydney | Australia
It is claimed Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are the most elaborately planned and the most exquisitely executed in the world. Families, friends and revellers gather by and on the harbour to witness Sydney welcome the New Year before most cities on earth, with one of the world’s greatest firework displays. This year’s event is co-curated by pop princess, Kylie Minogue, and highlights the theme of “embrace” against a backdrop of the glistening harbour and iconic Harbour Bridge.
Flights to Sydney: Virgin Australia operates flights to Sydney direct from all Australian capital cities and most major regional ports, and from international destination such as Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Nadi and Bali.
Hotels in Sydney: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Sydney.
CentralWorld, Bangkok | Thailand
New Year’s Eve in Bangkok has become synonymous with CentralWorld’s annual celebration. Each year locals and visitors gather in and around the shopping mall (the third largest in the world) and its beer gardens to welcome in the New Year with a flamboyant countdown, an incredible fireworks display and exciting performances by popular local artists. This year’s event is themed “Big Hug, Big Fun” – an apt message of what to expect in Bangkok on New Year’s Eve.
Flights to Bangkok: Together with partner airline Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia operates flights to Bangkok via Singapore from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth.
Hotels in Bangkok: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Bangkok.
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo | Japan
On any given day of the week prominent Tokyo landmark, Shibuya Crossing is abuzz with pedestrians, flashing neon signs and giant television screens. On New Year’s Eve the entertainment district causes sensory overload with fireworks, festive chants and revellers dressed in colourful costumes. Akin to Time Square in New York City, Shibuya promises a night to remember – surrounded by restaurants, nightclubs and hotels, all packed with merry-makers ringing in the New Year in extravagant fashion.
Flights to Tokyo: Together with partner airline Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia operates flights to Tokyo via Singapore from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth.
Hotels in Tokyo: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Tokyo.
Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas | USA
It’s a no-brainer… Sin City is a must-experience New Year’s Eve destination. Revelry is a way of life in Las Vegas, and New Year’s Eve sends the city into overdrive. The strip is shut off to cars and turned in to one giant street party, complete with fireworks, music and light shows. Party-goers fill the casinos and nightclubs, as Hollywood’s biggest names host the world’s most ostentatious New Year’s Eve bashes.
Flights to Las Vegas: Together with partner airlines Delta Air Lines, Virgin Australia operates flights to Las Vegas via LA from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in Las Vegas: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Las Vegas.
Champs-Elysees, Paris | France
Could there be a more appropriate setting in which to ring in the New Year than midnight in Paris? The City of Light shines brighter than ever, ushering in the New Year with a spectacular showcase of festivities. Kids roam the Champs-Elysees selling fireworks. Landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are lit up for all to see. And thousands of Parisians fill the avenues, toasting with flutes of French champagne and offering well wishes of Bonne Annee!
Flights to Paris: Together with partner airlines Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Paris via Abu Dhabi from Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in Paris: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Paris.
Celebrate this New Year’s Eve in spectacular surrounds, we have a aircraft to take your there. Discover where we fly.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2012
If you’re searching for an exceptional Christmas present, look no further. We have a number of outstanding gift ideas that will show your mum, dad, brother, grandma, wife, or best friend just how much you care.
In our opinion, there is nothing more thrilling than the gift of travel.
Gift Vouchers
Surprise that hard-to-buy-for someone with a Virgin Australia gift voucher. Valid for 12 months, our gift vouchers can be used towards all Virgin Australia flights and Blue Holidays packages. You can even put an extra bit of love into it by choosing the template. Denominations range between $50 and $5,000.
Find out more about Virgin Australia gift vouchers.
Mystery Breaks
Keep them guessing this Christmas with a Mystery Break. You won’t even be able to ruin the surprise, as destinations are not revealed until one to four days before travel. All packages include return airfares, accommodation, return airport transfers, baggage allowance, taxes and sometimes a little more! Packages start at $409 per person.
Find out more about Mystery Breaks.
Australian Open Tennis 2013
Offering the biggest prize money purse in the history of tennis, The Australian Open is set to see a who’s who of tennis stars inundate Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, from 14 – 27 January 2013. Treat your sports-mad friend or family member to one of the world’s biggest sporting and entertainment events, our partner Blue Holidays offers packages to the Grand Slam, starting at $563 per person.
Find out more about Blue Holidays Australian Open Tennis 2013 package.
Tap Dogs
Wow someone special with Australia’s biggest international stage show hit, Tap Dogs. A global sensation, the electrifying showcase of raw power and passion has returned home after storming the world. Our partner, Blue Holiday offers Tap Dog packages, which include flights to the Gold Coast, accommodation at Jupiters Hotel and Casino and tickets to the show, from $486 per person.
Find out more about Blue Holidays Tap Dogs package.
The Addams Family
Halloween may be over, but the creepy and the kooky, mysterious and spooky, are en route back to Sydney. Broadway’s smash hit musical comedy, The Addams Family brings the deliriously delightful world of Gomez and Morticia to Capitol Theatre, from March. The perfect gift for some slightly left-of-centre, our partner the box office has tickets to the show on offer from $128.50 per person.
Find out more about the box office The Addams Family tickets.
Or make a weekend of it with a Blue Holidays The Addams Family package.
Tours and Activities
Spice up someone’s Christmas holiday with an exciting tour or activity. Send them skydiving, or behind the scene of a brewery. Enlist them on a harbour cruise, or on a ghost tour. Indulge them with a spa package, or winery tour. Our partner, GoDo has over 2000 activities on offer throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Find out more about GoDo’s tours and activities.
Virgin Australia and partners also have a whole host of other great Christmas’ gift ideas.
For more information visit:
Flights and gift vouchers: Virgin Australia
Packages: Blue Holidays
Hotels: HotelClub
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
Wategos Beach
Overlooked by the cape’s iconic lighthouse, and enjoying a stunning view of Julian Rocks, Wategos Beach is one of Australia’s most picturesque beaches. Secluded by a beautiful forest bay, the water at Wategos is protected and calm, offering long, leisurely waves for surfers and shallow areas for families. On any given summer afternoon, the area is filled with picnickers, indulging in one of Australia’s favourite pastimes, a beach barbecue. Linked to lighthouse and back to town (via The Pass and Clarkes Beach) by a scenic walking path, Wategos is one of Byron Bay’s biggest drawcards.
The Backroom (at the Northern Hotel)
Located in the heart of Byron Bay’s vibrant town centre, the Northern Hotel is an old-style hotel with a twist… Adding to the traditional pub services on offer the hotel is also home to one of Australia’s best gig venues, The Backroom. Hidden from sight at the back of the hotel (as the name implies), The Backroom is a world-renowned live music hall. If its wall could talk, they would be able to share secrets from names like Bloc Party, Wolfmother and Two Door Cinema Club, just to name a few. Summer sees the best of the best call into the Northern Hotel. Discover what’s on this summer in The Backroom.
The Arts Factory Village (aka The Piggery)
In a move that can only be described as ‘so-byron’, what was once a pig slaughter house, was transformed in the 70s by hippies into an inspiring artistic community. Today, The Arts Factory Village is home to a diverse range of businesses, including accommodation, food, entertainment, arts, and health and well-being services. Catch an arthouse movie in a one-of-a-kind cinema setting at the Pighouse Flicks. Grab a bite and enjoy a brewed-onsite beer at the birthplace of the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Byron Bay Brewery. Or bunk down and share stories with travellers from all over the world at the Arts Factory Lodge.
The Byron Bay Arts and Industry Park
A haven for activists, scholars, freethinkers, adventurers and serenity seekers, Byron Bay has attracted gifted artists and creatives from around the globe. So much so, that the town has a dedicate Arts and Industry Park. Located off Ewingsdale Road, just outside the downtown area, the park offers a magnificent hotchpotch of retail outlets, workshops, studios and exhibition spaces; where artisans, craftspeople and manufacturers sell everything from clothing to crafts, surfboards to bicycles, art works to antiques and garden furniture to interior designs. The park is most notably home to the world famous Byron Bay Cookie Company.
The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa
Set within 45 acres of stunning subtropical rainforest, just behind Tallows Beach, the multi-award winning Byron at Byron Resort and Spa provides for an idyllic escape. Ranked as Byron Bay’s No.1 hotel by Trip Advisor, the resort offers 92 one bedroom suites, exceptional service, stylish design and architecture, an acclaimed Spa and Wellness Centre, and a restaurant that showcases a seasonal menu of Northern River’s local produce. Indulge yourself this summer, our partner HotelClub offers great The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa deals.
Plan Your Byron Bay Holiday
Flights to Byron Bay: Virgin Australia operates flights to Ballina/Byron daily, direct from Sydney.
Byron Bay Holiday Packages: Take the hassle out of planning your holiday, our partner Blue Holidays offers exceptional Byron Bay holiday packages, from $444 per person.
Byron Bay Hotels: Establish a great base from which to fall in love with Byron Bay. Select from a wide choice of hotels and resorts with our hotel partner HotelClub.
Byron Bay Car Hire: Take to the road and discover Byron Bay, and nearby regions with a hire car from one of our partners.
Byron Bay Tours and Activities: Discover Byron Bay though a number of fantastic tours and activities. Our partner GoDo has a number of great Byron Bay offers.
