Monday, November 5th, 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 festive season draws closer and closer, we bring you our top five Christmas destinations.
Munich | Germany
Every November Munich transforms in to a winter wonderland. The historic city is strung with glittering lights, dotted with spectacular Christmas trees, and home to some of the world’s most magnificent Christmas markets – including the famous Christkindl Markt (in Marienplatz); a market that dates back to the 14th century, selling traditional and handmade Christmas gifts, stocking fillers, gingerbread and hot spiced wine. The city even features a fairytale-like Christmas Village, hosted in the Residenz courtyard.
Flights to Munich: Together with partner airline Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Munich, from Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in Munich: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Munich.
Moscow | Russia
Moscow at Christmas time must be seen to be believed. Draped in snow and lights, the city turns into a charming fairyland, spilling with Christmas fairs, markets and winter sports – namely ice skating, sledding and skiing. While many Russians celebrate Christmas on 25 December, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on 7 January, and rings in the New Year on 13 January, making the festive season a drawn-out splendid affair. Throughout the season Moscow enchants with horse-drawn carriage rides, ringing church bells and performances of Russian classic, The Nutcracker.
Flights to Moscow: Together with partner airline Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Moscow, from Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in Moscow: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Moscow.
Dublin | Ireland
The Irish like to celebrate, and celebrate they do at Christmas time in Dublin. A city renowned for its high spirits, Dublin comes alive with seasonal cheer and a vibrant variety of merry events. In a tradition known as ‘The Big Switch On’ the city’s Mayor lights up the streets and a 15 metre high Christmas tree. The cobbled lanes of Smithfield fill with ice skaters. Kids post letters straight to Santa via special Santa post boxes. The famous Temple Bar fills with Christmas carols. While Dublin’s Docklands transform into the 12 Days of Christmas Market.
Flights to Dublin: Together with partner airline Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia operates flights to Dublin, from Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in Dublin: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in Dublin.
New York City | USA
Like a scene from a movie, New York provides a mesmerising backdrop for the festive season. Snow blankets the streets. Fifth Avenue is adorned with exquisite window displays. Ice skaters glide across the Central Park rink. Rockefeller Plaza glows with a thousand light, strung high from the city’s tallest Christmas tree. Carollers inundate the street singing yuletide favourites. And Radio City Music Hall comes alive with its annual Christmas Spectacular. Christmas in New York City is truly magical… the stuff dreams are made of.
Flights to New York City: Together with partner airlines Delta Air Lines and Virgin America, Virgin Australia operates flights to New York City, from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Hotels in New York City: Our hotel partner, HotelClub offers great hotel deals in New York City.
Sydney | Australia
Christmas in Sydney is a far cry from the northern Hemisphere’s winter setting. Christmas Eve is spent at the local pub or RSL. Temperatures reach 40°C. Santa arrives on a jet ski on Bondi Beach. Prawns are pealed and consumed by the kilogram. The barbecue is lit up for lunch. And the day is punctuated with an afternoon nap. While Christmas Day is anything but traditional, the traditions of Christmas aren’t overlooked. In the lead up to 25 December, carollers take to the parks, the streets are draped with lights and wreaths, and the department store windows are frosted with faux snow and decorations.
Flights to Sydney: Virgin Australia operates flights to Sydney direct from all Australian capital cities and most major regional ports, and from international destinations 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.
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
When visiting Dublin, by flying with V Australia and our partner airline Etihad Airways, you need to know where to go right? So here are a few key things that you simply must have on your travel-to-do-list!
Dublin’s BEST pint:
Kehoe’s on Anne St is a perennial favourite amongst Dubliners and fills each night after work. With a great mix of locals, the cosy pub is a good place to escape tourist hub Temple Bar and enjoy an expertly poured pint!
Dublin’s BEST shopping:
Home to a thriving market culture don’t leave Dublin without visiting locals favourite the Moore St markets. The busy market is open Monday through Saturday, walk the cobblestone streets and sample a great mix of food cultures from around the world. Close to bars and restaurants, the market turns into a popular meeting point for locals on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dublin’s BEST Irish stew:
Visit O’Shea’s Merchant Hotel at 19 Talbot St for a warm Irish welcome and tasty lamb stew. Close to everything the popular bar features live music every night with traditional dancing on Thursdays and plenty of Irish banter.
Dublin’s BEST tour:
The Guinness Brewery of course! Learn how to craft the perfect brew and take an entertaining look at the history of Guinness. Work your way (and your appetite) up the seven-story building to a pint of Guinness and your favourite stout infused meal at the Gravity bar, which boasts 360° views of Dublin city and beyond.
But these are only scratching the surface of what you can do in Dublin – Tell us your ‘best of Dublin’ experiences in the comments below!
*****
V Australia and our partner Etihad Airways, fly to Dublin and for a short time only we can offer the following:
Sydney to Dublin from AUD$1939* Economy Return
Book online or visit your travel agent before the 18th April PLUS when you book economy tickets through your travel agent, you can receive a free upgrade to premium economy (conditions apply, see your travel agent for more details)
*****
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Our one-stop flights to Ireland will have you on the ground enjoying some Irish craic in no time at all. Find inspiration on the best things to do in Dublin here.
A typical day in Dublin isn’t as wet as the rest of the Ireland would have you believe, but you should still come prepared. Spend a morning working out the lay of the land, walking the cobblestone streets and talking to locals, who, much like the city itself are full of charm and personality.
For the best breakfast in Dublin head to Bewley’s on Grafton St (Leffey St end) and order their right of passage full Irish breakfast. At around 10 euro, the poached eggs, grilled bacon and pork sausages along with roast tomato, mushrooms, toast and of course (gulp) black pudding represents great value. For those who aren’t nursing a hangover, there’s also a great selection of yoghurt, bagels, pancakes and porridge.
Kilmainham Gaol
A must see on any visitors list, the Kilmainham Gaol (now a museum) offers an insightful and at times moving look at the history of Ireland’s nationalism. A prison for almost 128 years, many of Ireland’s rebellion leaders were residents at one time or another. Accessible by tour only, make sure you arrive early in the summer as it gets very busy, and bring a jacket – as it gets surprisingly cold inside!
Situated at the mouth of the Liffey River, Dublin is the place to go for fresh seafood. Salmon and cod are the most popular, along with scallops, lobster, mussels and oysters and keep your eyes open for Dublin Bay prawns – yum! It’s hard to imagine anyone could be hungry after such a big breakfast but great value fish and chips can be found wrapped in butchers paper with chunky chips and sinful batter at Leo Burdock’s, 2 Werburgh St.
The most important day on the Irish calendar is of course, March 17, St Patrick’s Day. Having just missed the official celebrations, you can still find plenty of Irish spirit. Join locals at one of the popular pubs along Harcourt, Camden and Leeson streets for a game of rugby and post match pint.
For traditional Dublin fare, Gallagher’s Boxty House is hard to beat. Sit by the peat fire and find comfort in their Irish stew, Gaelic pancakes and bread and butter pudding.
These are only a tiny snapshot as to what you can do once you land in Emerald Isle, and we’d love to hear what your favourite places are in Dublin!
*****
V Australia and our partner Etihad Airways, fly to Dublin and for a short time only we can offer the following:
Sydney to Dublin from AUD$1939* Economy Return
Book online or visit your travel agent before the 18th April PLUS when you book economy tickets through your travel agent, you can receive a free upgrade to premium economy (conditions apply, see your travel agent for more details)
*****
