Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 3 September 2024

VERY NICE INDEED

We were out most of last week on A Nice Day Out with readers. Noble Falls, on Toodyay Road, is pumping. Wildflower expert Grady Brand found us some beautiful blooms at the old Wannamal school site, north of Bindoon. Mogens Johansen helped readers with their phone-camera photography over the three consecutive daytrips.

PHONE ON A STRAP

I’ve been enjoying wearing my iPhone 15 Pro on a cross-body strap. I’ve been testing tethers, and neck and wrist straps — on your behalf, particularly for those travelling to busy places where phone theft is a real problem. Regular readers might remember my liking for Carrie Case products. But I also like OtterBox phone covers, which are seriously “drop tested”, and which I’ve used for years. Yay, a combo — the OtterBox React Necklace MagSafe, pictured left. The drop-tested case is thin and well made in one piece, and compatible with wireless charging. The case has soft-touch edges for grip. The lanyard has some “give” in it and is long and easily adjusted. Nice kit. I paid $70.68. otterbox.com.au

CALLS FOR BACKUP

I have a TravelSIM in my backup phone and the team there has just announced new unlimited data plans for the United Kingdom and Switzerland. That could make things considerably cheaper. travelsim.com

A BIG DEAL

Return flights to Bali, six nights at the InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort with breakfasts, private transfers and a six-hour private vehicle driver charter. Oh, and a spa treatment. Oh, and it’s just $1790 per person. I’m always looking out for good deals for you, and spotted this package with My Bali. An insider there reckons that they could be charging $2790, with all that is included — from VIP airport lounge access to a three-course set dinner. The five-star InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort is set in 4ha of tropical gardens by Sanur Beach, in south-east Bali. There are just 120 suites and villas. Call 1300 332 254 to book by September 30, 2024, for travel dates between now and June 30, 2025.

RED CROSS SUPPORT

Qantas will support Australian Red Cross responses to emergencies nationwide for another three years. Under the multimillion-dollar agreement, it enables Red Cross personnel to travel around Australia for humanitarian work. That reduces the charity’s costs significantly and helps with quicker responses. It comes as the Australian Red Cross celebrates its 110th anniversary.

YOU HEARD FIRST

Last week we published a story about Empress Josephine’s Chateau de Malmaison near Paris, pictured at the top of the page, and her interest in Australian plants and our black swans. You can read it here. The Western Australian Museum launched its latest digital exhibition, Empress Josephine’s Garden on August 31 as part of a global launch. A museum spokesperson says: “Empress Josephine’s Garden is a modern, immersive large-screen digital experience exploring the little-known story of Empress Josephine Bonaparte’s garden in Paris. Discover how it was filled with flora and fauna from around the globe including black swans, kangaroos, emus and hundreds of exotic plants from Western Australia.” (But readers of last week’s edition know that already.) It is at WA Maritime Museum on Victoria Quay, Fremantle, from August 31 to February 9 and standard tickets are $15 each. museum.wa.gov.au

MADE IN NORWAY

Expedition cruise company Hurtigruten has become the “first and only” travel brand involved in a major new initiative called Made in Norway. The initiative promotes and celebrates the best Norwegian craftsmanship, authenticity and sustainability and is being hailed a visionary project by the Norwegian Government and Innovation Norway. It was officially launched on August 21, 2024. The point being made by Made in Norway is shown through 22 Norwegian brands, including the coastal cruise line’s suppliers, Aurora Spirits and Mack Brewery, both based in Tromso, in Arctic Norway. The criteria for Made in Norway are origin, sustainability and responsibility. There are lots of tests to get through to be part of it — including product excellence, commitment to sustainability and ensuring the highest standards of Norwegian quality are upheld. Hurtigruten CEO Hedda Felin says: “With our 131 years of operations and long-time ambitions for more sustainable solutions, no other brand knows, highlights or supports the Norwegian coast and its amazing local communities as we do.”

SMART GROSSETO

Every year, the European Commission names a European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism — and for 2024 it is Grosseto, a charming provincial capital in Tuscany. An EC statement reads: “It offers a captivating blend of history, culture and natural beauty. With its origins dating back to ancient Etruscan times, Grosseto carries a rich heritage reflected in its architecture and historic sites. At the heart of Grosseto’s sustainability efforts lies the commitment to preserving its natural scenery. About 30 per cent of the city’s protected area is dedicated to agriculture, serving as the foundation for agritourism endeavours. The Park of Maremma, for example, boasts 32 high-quality agritourism initiatives suited for all ages and abilities. Year round, the park offers cooking activities, tutorials for collecting and processing local raw materials, tasting workshops and bicycle routes for enthusiasts.” One to have on your radar.