The weather is quite warm during the summer, but because all of the resorts and hotels are air-conditioned it is bearable. If you want to avoid the heat take your holidays Dubai between October and April when the temperature averages around 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit. If you travel during this time you will be at the height of camel racing season which is something to behold.

After you check in to your resort or hotel, consider taking an aerial tour of the city. Take a hot air balloon ride or see the sights from a helicopter or plane. You will be awestruck at the beauty of this fascinating city.

You cannot go on holidays Dubai without exploring the Sahara Desert. Take a 4×4 and explore the dunes, or try sand skiing. Enjoy a fabulous feast under the stars while marveling at the belly dancers and sampling traditional barbecue. Retire for the evening in an authentic Bedouin tent.

Dubai is perfect for families and features some of the most amazing water parks in the world. Swim with the dolphins or take an underwater dive course and get out and enjoy the deep blue sea. Kids will love the water attractions that include private beaches and water slides. Imagine sliding through an underwater tube while you are surrounded by marine life.

Hop on and Hop off tours are popular everywhere, but especially in Dubai. Choose from two different routes that will take you to some of the most amazing attractions in the city. Explore the city at your own leisure staying as long as you like at each attraction.

Wherever you spend your holidays you will have the time of your life. Stop dreaming, pack your bags and start creating magical memories in Dubai.

Escape Travel has a luxury deal for travellers to enjoy five nights for the
price of four nights at the 5-star Le Meridien Noumea in a Classic Garden
View room.

The package is priced from just $795* per person twin share and
also includes breakfast daily, wi-fi internet access and return airport
transfers by coach.

Honeymooners will also receive a bonus room upgrade to a Superior Ocean
View room and 10% discount on all spa treatments.

Le Meridien Noumea is located on the beachfront at Anse Vata Bay, and
offers a range of water sport activities including windsurfing, sailing,
snorkelling and scuba diving.

The package is valid for sale until February 29, 2012 and valid for travel
from May 1 to September 30, 2012.

*Price is subject to change and availability at the time of purchase.

*Phone Escape Travel on 1300 799 783 or see
**www.escapetravel.com.au*

Paddlesteamer on the Murray River

23 February 2010, Journeys

On an island like Australia, water indulgences are at every turn. In the Whitsundays you can charter your own yacht and take off to explore the islands and inlets or hire a skipper and a whole crew to cook for you and attend to your every need. Choose a spectacular cruise or a barefoot luxury adventure sailing between tropical islands and warm water reefs.

Enjoy the pleasure of sailing in Australia’s many harbours and tranquil bays. You can go champagne sailing at sunset or have lunch or dinner served while you cruise Sydney or Darwin Harbour or charter a yacht from almost any resort or island in Queensland to explore at your own speed. Sleep on board listening to the sound of gentle lapping waves against the side of your boat.

On inland rivers such as the Murray River you can hire a paddle steamer or captain your own houseboat and in the Margaret River region take a luxury cruise to the vineyards.

The Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of the last untouched wilderness areas on earth, much of it only accessible by sea. Several adventure luxury cruises provide an amazing view of the Kimberley from a different perspective on luxury guided cruises on purpose built ships. Here, and in the Top End, luxury expedition cruises have onboard experts, speakers who can bring the voyage alive, as well as kayaks, canoes and helicopters on which to take off and explore these remote areas.

Whatever your preference, be it the slap of sail and creak of timber of a classic tall ship or the pleasures of luxury cruising, we have some of the most beautiful sailing and cruising destinations in the world. Australian cruises and charters will take you to magnificent tropical islands, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sheltered coves or idyllic calm sailing waters. The scenery is spectacular beyond words, the marine life is teeming with vivid colours. Also waiting to be explored are our red cliffs, rugged ranges and spectacular gorges.

Uniquely Australian
Discover the magical north-west of Western Australia in luxury and experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels on a luxury cruise aboard the True North. Cruise through the Kimberley Range gorges to the remote cattle station of El Questro and the thunderous King George Falls onboard this luxury cruise ship with its own helipad and onboard helicopter for aerial flights over waterfalls, gorges and remote wilderness.

Explore the Kimberley Coast, one of the last untouched wildernesses on earth. Wild and beautiful, it is one of the planet’s oldest and most awe-inspiring landscapes – much of it only accessible by sea – on one of a number of luxury adventure cruises including Aurora Expeditions, Coral Princess Cruises, Seven Star Cruises and Orion Expeditions.

Cruise the Top End in comfort on an Orion Expeditions Cruise departing from Darwin or Broome. Visit remote locations on the stunning Gove Peninsula, the Arnhem Land coastline and see the magnificent Mitchell Falls on a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest, with onboard speakers and shoreside expeditions to areas that even most Australians don’t get to see.

Sail Darwin Harbour, the location for the movie Australia. Take in the glorious sunset and see the lights of Darwin and the night stars on a day, evening or overnight cruise on Darwin Harbour and its surrounding waters aboard Daymirri 2, a luxury 10 metre Seawind catamaran.

Treat yourself to a full or half day luxurious chartered sailing experience taking in the sights of majestic, world famous Sydney Harbour. Anchor for the night at Athol Bay where you’ll watch the lights of the city come alive and illuminate the Opera House – a truly memorable experience.

Sail Sydney Harbour at twilight, with the city framed by the Harbour Bridge – a magical experience aboard a luxury Beneteau yacht for just one couple plus the skipper. At sunset, the yacht is anchored in a secluded cove, a seafood dinner is served and then guests are left alone overnight to take in the tranquillity, the stars and the soothing sound of waves lapping the beach. After breakfast, the skipper returns and hoists sail for the return trip.

See the best of Sydney from the water when you charter a crewed private yacht on Sydney Harbour. Sail past the Opera House, under the bridge, by Taronga Zoo, visit Pittwater for a night, or slowly tack around Farm Cove and Rose Bay. Anchor overnight in a secluded bay in Sydney Harbour or set sail through the heads and explore Pittwater.

Experience Tasmania’s world renowned Bay of Fires by luxury yacht with your own skipper and crew. Dine on Tasmania’s freshest seafood, including local oysters and the freshest crayfish, all accompanied by Tasmania’s finest wines. Take advantage of the long lingering Tasmanian sunsets with a romantic sail around Georges Bay and relax to the sound of lapping water and billowing sails.

Take a Southern Safari across the Great Australian Bight from Adelaide to Ceduna with North Star Cruises, an eight-night Southern Safari on board True North Australia’s most unique adventure-cruise ship. You’ll see Southern Right Whales, and step ashore to explore wine regions, try Coffin Bay oysters explore the unspoilt wildlife paradise of Kangaroo Island, fish for snapper and whiting and even dive with great white sharks.

Captain your own luxury spa houseboat along the Murray River and experience the space, light and beauty of northern Victoria. Take time out and slow to a different pace of life as it cruises the mighty Murray River.

Bareboat charter a yacht in the Whitsundays. Experience the exhilaration of being at the helm of your own boat. Sleep on board and stop at isolated beaches where the only footprints are your own. On a self-skippered charter sail off into the sunset from Hamilton Island on a chartered yacht; you can even take a sail training course first.

Go sailing around the Great Barrier Reef on a luxury crewed yacht or catamaran and your every whim will be catered for as you dictate where you want to go; enjoy superb meals, diving and snorkelling. Cruise the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays on a beautifully appointed yacht or a private fishing, diving or even a snorkelling charter to the spectacular snorkelling waters of Manta Ray Bay and Blue Pearl Bay.

Embark on a sailing adventure on board an 18 metre ocean racing yacht, visiting famous Whitehaven Beach and the magnificent fringing coral reefs of Hook Island. With Barefoot Cruises’ Apollo 111 it’s a hands on experience – set the sails, grind the winches and take a turn at the helm. Hear the slap of rigging and the snap of canvas overhead and the hiss of water beneath the bow.

Help the crew hoist the sails on board a tall ship as you sail among the calm waters of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, drop anchor in a secluded island cove, explore beautiful Whitehaven Beach, snorkel over coral reefs, or stop at one of the islands for a bushwalk. Steer the ship, or just relax on the huge decks and take in the views.

Indeed, the island has only two road rules: bicycles must not exceed 25km/h and bike helmets to be worn at all times. Prepare for a culture shock of the best kind.

Lord Howe is the genuine item: a subtropical island of great beauty where people actually live and work, and have done since 1833 when three New Zealanders and their Maori wives stepped ashore here.

Officially part of New South Wales, Lord Howe is a place apart, with its own unique culture, colourful history and a very strong sense of identity. Because visitor numbers are strictly controlled, you never feel as though you are on a holiday island – just a beautiful refuge from the modern world.

The lack of tourist hoopla (there is no disco, pub or internet café; although you can get a drink at the golf club or bowling club) is what makes Lord Howe such a remarkable destination.

A largely car-free island, just two hours flying time from Sydney or Brisbane, where there is always a deserted stretch of sand, a chilled glass of wine and delicious sunsets to gaze on sounds like the perfect place for a romantic interlude. And it is.

Accommodation ranges from older-style family guesthouses, such at the popular Pinetrees Resort Hotel, to the exclusive, five-star spa resorts of Capella Lodge and Arajilla Retreat. Both are tailored to the needs of couples in search of pampering, excellent food and idyllic locations. Capella offers uninterrupted views of Mount Lidgbird, while Arajilla is nestled under a canopy of kentia palms and banyan trees at the northern end of the island.

Walking, cycling, birdwatching, snorkelling and scuba diving are the principal activities on the island. There are few gift shops, no coaches blocking the country lanes or bored people lolling around in ‘leisure wear’ – although the island provides plenty of secluded beaches, even one called, appropriately, Lovers Bay, where couples can enjoy perfect solitude.

Not that Lord Howe lacks things to do. One morning we got up early and climbed Mount Lidgbird, one of the two volcanic outcrops that dominate the island landscape. Our destination was Goat House Cave, a cliffside shelter used by the 19th-century kentia palm gatherers who were once the backbone of Lord Howe’s economy.

It was a tough climb – slippery, humid and precipitous – but well worth the effort. The cave affords a panoramic view of the whole island, and the sea-ravaged cliffs of Boat Harbour and East Point.

Nearby we spied a masked white booby, one of the rarest birds on Lord Howe. At 500m or so the clouds seem to skim the island beneath our feet. During the two and a half hour walk we did not encounter a single person. Our only companion was the sound of the wind whistling through the trees.

The island is so compact – it is only 11 kilometres long and 2.8 kilometres wide – that you can ride from one end to other in less than an hour. One day we cycled to the other end of the island to explore the hillside where an RAAF Catalina crashed in 1948. The aircraft was apparently attempting an emergency landing on the lagoon, which it overshot. Seven men died in the accident. The wreckage, including wings, tailfin and engines, is still strewn over the paddock – exactly where the plane came to grief.

Like their New Zealand forebears, the islanders are especially good at preserving their history. At the neatly-mown barbecue area nearby there is a little plaque commemorating the Catalina disaster – one of many historic memorials on Lord Howe Island. The full story is told at the local museum, which is free and surprisingly good.

Locals are justifiably proud of Lord Howe’s 1982 inclusion on the World Heritage List. The island and the surrounding ocean are home to an astonishing number of plants, seabirds, fish and invertebrates. Some have called the place ‘a biological ark’ because it shelters exotic seabirds on their long migratory flights across the Pacific.

The surrounding ocean is equally precious, home to giant clams, sea turtles, clownfish, lionfish and butterfly fish. The shallow lagoon on the western side of the island hosts the world’s most southerly coral reefs. No wonder that Lord Howe has, in recent times, become a magnet for scuba divers. The Pro Dive company operates regular diving trips to the nearby Admiralty Islands – and diving at Balls Pyramid, a remarkable offshore volcanic outcrop, is now almost obligatory.

Lord Howe is unique in many ways, but most persuasively because it offers solitude, gentle physical activity and just the right amount of creature comforts. While the reef adventures, scenic flights and fishing charters are a strong lure; Lord Howe is also lifting its culinary profile and boasts a good range of restaurants such as Arajilla (international-style cuisine with a seafood emphasis), Pandanus (gourmet pizza, pasta and succulent lamb) and Capella Lodge (fine contemporary Pacific cuisine – but for in-house guests only).

Both Capella and Arajilla operate their own in-house spas and promote aromatherapy and yoga. The refurbished spa at Arajilla specialises in Ayurvedic therapies, based on the ancient Indian medical system. The spa is housed in a Mongolian yurt under some giant banyan trees. Facials, massage, and various body treatments are also available.

The Pacific is not short of island paradises. New Caledonia, the far-flung Marquesas in French Polynesia and tiny island of Niue all spring to mind. But Lord Howe offers a rare blend of tropical magic and laidback Aussie culture, providing the authentic flavour of the ‘Old Pacific’ and a genuine sense of calm. You’ll never want to leave, believe me.