Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 13 August 2024

PACKING PILLOWS

We’ve had a LOT of response to our Packing Series on The Pod Well Travelled. And I have to say that most has come from people asking what air pillows I sit on.

For those that haven’t heard it yet, let me explain that I always carry two inflatable pillows — one to sit on, with just a small amount of air in it, and one to put behind my back. It stops that spinal compression in an economy seat. In any seat, come to that. You end up floating on air (a bit like sitting on a fitball, if you remember them). People with sensitive backs (ow, those discs) might like the tip.

I use Denali Basecamp pillows but the important thing, I think, with the pillow “to sit on”, is to have a twisting valve on the edge/corner (NOT a flat one that you push your finger into). These last much better.

(There are a LOT more tips in The Pod Well Travelled’s Packing Series.)

CASE IN POINT

Melinda Nulty was prompted to write to say she loves the packing content and asks: “Can you recommend a good brand of luggage cubes and where you can buy them?

I always use Antler cases. (Casey is an Antler, of course.) I prefer soft cases rather than hardshell — as they are more likely to push into tight car boot spaces, have useful pockets and are less likely to “split”. So my choice at the moment would be the Brixham range — antler.com.au and David Jones sells Antler.

Packing cubes are a bit easier as you can find them in just about all outdoor stores. I find it useful to have ones with mesh so you can see what’s inside. BUT (here’s a trick) — again with Antler, these have a “spiral” zip around the outside, so they are sort of like compression cubes. You can zip them tight, whether you have a small or large amount in them. Try strandbags.com.au

DESTINATION DUPES

Partly prompted by protests against tourists in Spain, colleague Megan French has led us towards a podcast and her story “destination dupes” — take one step to the side, to places less visited.

On our podcast on the subject, Megan sprang a “quickfire” round of questions at me and these were the answers:

Q Paris, France. A I used to think Lyon, but now Bordeaux (pictured above) and perhaps river cruising on the rivers Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde.

Q Madrid, Spain. A Porto, Portugal.

The full (fun) list is revealed in the podcast.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Jamie Oliver has just launched the inaugural Food Hero Awards in Australia in partnership with Royal Caribbean and Wonde (a school data management system) to celebrate unsung food heroes who are positively changing the food system here. Jamie is looking for food heroes who champion children’s health. Judges include Dannii Minogue and The Wiggles and the winners will be announced on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas in Sydney on November 13. There are five categories to nominate food heroes in before September 30. See jamieoliver.com/foodheroawards

SOLO SOLUTIONS

Questions from solo travellers come up every week, which leads me to point out that on the expedition cruise ship Scenic Eclipse, solo travellers can get savings of up to 75 per cent off the single supplement on selected departures and suite categories. Look for “Solo Traveller Offers” at scenic.com.au. Scenic currently has the offer on three Antarctica voyages.

FLIGHT INSIGHTS

Readers raise all sorts of questions about flights, including good times to book — early or last minute. I think we’re still at a stage where “if you see a price you like, book it”. There is a range of fares within each ticket category type — you get choice early on, so that’s when the good buying is, with regard to that choice. As you get closer to the flying date, the choice narrows, obviously. I don’t see prices getting lower as you approach the flying date.

The good prices come in “flash sales”, so be flexible on dates, book the flight and plan around that, if you can.

NOT ON THE LEVEL

I mentioned a WA traveller recently who was flying from Barcelona to Boston, booked Iberia but was shunted to economy airline Level. He has sent a string of messages about the Level flight (in his own words):

If you are wondering, Level premium economy is bull.... It’s basically the same as normal economy, but costs a kidney. Their standard economy looks hellish.

It was so expensive for this awful experience — over $3000. I could fly business on Air Canada for $2000. But since I was locked in and couldn’t cancel, I had no choice.

They also put a hold of $2000 on my account that won’t clear. This is in addition to the $3100 cost I already paid.

They told me the premium economy upgrade was similar to business class, which is the only reason I decided to pay for it instead of just cutting my losses and booking a different airline. It really, really wasn’t.

FARES TO AFRICA

South African Airways on Thursday announced sale prices for fares between Perth and Johannesburg. Economy return is from $1524 and business class is from $6686 for tickets bought before the end of August 22, 2024. The economy class tickets are for travel leaving Perth between October 9 and November 26, 2024, and business class between December 2, 2024 and January 31, 2025. flysaa.com

CYCLE WITH RV SUPPORT

In the US there are new cycling tours that have an RV alongside. Escape Adventures has partnered with Blacksford for the new multi-day guided cycling tours which have Blacksford RVs along. There is a selection of road and mountain biking tours, and a spokesperson says Escape Adventures is the only travel operator to offer this neat combination: “Blacksford’s top-notch service includes airport transfers, vehicle orientation, 24/7 roadside support, and even a complimentary National Parks pass.” The first itineraries being offered are six-day trips in Canyonlands, Arches, and Moab via road bike or mountain bike. They start at $US4274 ($6534) per person, including RV rental. escapeadventures.com

NINGALOO OFFER

Sail Ningaloo has spring specials for voyages along Ningaloo Reef, out of Coral Bay. There is $250 per person off three-night tours and $500 per person off five-night tours.

A five-night voyage is usually from $4200 per person. ningaloo.com.au