AirTran: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time And Sky

BY  Nabamita Sep 29, 2023

Australians and New Zealanders have learned to appreciate the pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and tropical adventures that the South Pacific has to offer. If you’re going on vacation, then look no further than the magical islands of Fiji because this destination has all the things that you need. See more about Australian-Fiji relations on this site here. Exotic birds, lush greenery, and refreshing beaches are just right on your doorstep, and it’s just a few days away from Brisbane or Sydney by ship. Explore these idyllic destinations at your own pace while enjoying the luxuries of a floating resort. However, before you set sail on this unforgettable journey, there are a few things to consider, and below are some valuable tips and insights to help you plan the perfect Fiji cruise experience. Whether it's choosing between small or large ships, or finding ways to save more on your voyage, below is some helpful information for you. Considerations for Your Fiji Cruise Year-round cruises are available, but the summer in Vanuatu, where it’s the most humid and hottest time is between November to March. Fiji temperatures can average between 26 to 31 degrees Celsius. Families with young children can be expected to be on board from December to January when the annual holidays are, so you might want to schedule your vacation when it’s not too busy. Itinerary Variety Islands in Fiji are more than 300, and only a hundred of them are inhabited. While it’s true that you can enjoy the resorts on each of them, you can only explore the rest by ship. Buying an exclusive yacht isn’t an option, but there are cruises in Fiji that can help you explore untouched destinations and off the beaten tracks. All of these can be done while you’re sleeping in comfortable cabins at night and waking up to a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Duration Choose among 12 or 17-night journeys and embark on either Auckland, New Zealand, or Sydney, Australia. This is going to give you enough time to visit popular ports like Mystery Island, Honolulu, Noumea, Suva, and Lautoka. Unwind in inhabited islands with underwater shipwrecks and beaches lined with coconut trees, or trek through the forest to feel the thunder of the Mele Cascades waterfall. Longer cruises often allow for more extensive exploration and give you ample time to immerse yourself in the beauty of Fiji, so don’t miss this opportunity. Activities and Excursions Snorkel at the beach and encounter sharks, and you can sail with the friendliest crew in Fiji. Small groups are guided by the crew and you’ll have the chance to feed the fish, get musical entertainment, view the turtles when in season, and get a delicious buffet lunch. Tribal face painting and fruit platters may also be onboard, depending on your chosen activities. Get a slice of paradise when you go into this ancient coral cay with its beautiful lagoon and surrounding fishes and experience the true meaning of tropical wonder. Onboard Amenities Are you looking for luxurious accommodations, fine dining options, or exciting entertainment choices? Sea-gazing is often the most popular, where the passengers have an obstructed view of the ocean in a glass-enclosed walkway. Others have slides that are not for the faint of heart, and other rides may also be available with splash areas that children can enjoy. Unique restaurants with affordable buffets or gourmets can also cater to your taste, so choose your ship well. Setting a Budget Basic room categories include the standard suites, balcony, and an outside view of the ocean. As you add more comfort, it becomes more expensive on the higher decks, where you can expect VIP access and exclusive amenities. Save money by going too early or late in the season and take a gamble with the weather. Look out for special deals or promotions that may help make your dream vacation more affordable. Small Ships vs Large Ships Cruisers may wonder about the difference in the size of the vessels when it comes to entertainment and dining choices. For those who don’t really mind the crowd, the best way to enjoy your luxury vacation in Fiji is through the big ships. It’s a big city where you can eat at different restaurants at night. There are endless possibilities where you can enjoy rope courses and see a lot of game shows and Broadway musicals. Rooms can be buzzing with extensive onboard activities such as pools, spas, casinos, and theatres, and there is never a dull moment in these floating resorts. They often feature spacious cabins with balconies for enjoying stunning ocean views, and you can read more about what to do at the ship at this link: https://www.escape.com.au/top-lists/top-tips-for-first-time-cruisers-11-things-ive-learnt-on-ships/image-gallery/c7a11bca07ecf3a65b7babf2d1d9da9a?page=1. Those who are on a honeymoon may prefer an intimate and personalized experience. With fewer passengers on board, you can expect more attentive service and the opportunity to form closer connections with both fellow travelers and crew members. The small groups also allow people to access remote locations that larger vessels cannot reach, giving you the chance to explore hidden gems and tropical havens. How to Save More on Your Cruise? As new ships are being built, the cruises are becoming more affordable as the years go by. With proper research, savvy spending, and adequate planning, you’ll have a trip that you can enjoy without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you out. High-demand cruise lines may publish a cheaper deal when they first sell their tickets, but there can be an increase as more people are buying them. When you have more flexibility, get an excellent deal around 90 days before the actual departure in Fiji and track the fares on various websites. Call an expert to see selections of staterooms and cabins. Booking through them can be helpful because they do most of the research for you, and they rarely charge extra for the knowledge. They also get specialized access to the sale price, which can save you money. Package deals that include flights, accommodations, and cruises all in one price are ideal, especially if you plan a lot of excursions while you’re in Fiji. These inclusions can sometimes provide better value than booking each component separately. Read Also: This Is The Best Time To Visit Iceland & These Are The Things You Should Do! Top 12 National Parks In Florida That You Must Visit Is Machu Picchu Closing In 2023? Know It All Here!

BY  Sibashree Sep 3, 2025

One of the absolute best things about travel? Hands down, it’s the food. Nothing beats sitting near the water, breeze in your face, and digging into whatever the locals have been making for generations.  Maybe it’s smoky sardines in Portugal or paper-thin slices of tuna sashimi in Japan… Either way, seafood has this way of stealing the show. But here’s the flip side: while we’re chasing flavors, it helps to know what’s actually landing on the plate.  Mercury in seafood’s been popping up in conversations more and more. It’s naturally out there in the environment, sure, but industries add to it too. Some fish pick up more of it than others. Most of the time, you’re fine, but if seafood becomes your go-to meal on a trip? Yeah, worth paying attention. In this Tour and Travel Blog, we will talk about how to try the best coastal cuisine safely.  How To Try The Best Coastal Cuisine Safely? Understanding The Importance Imagine you’ve planned this whole trip around food—coastal markets, little family-run joints, maybe a cooking class or two. Seafood’s everywhere.  But here’s the thing: the big, long-living fish—swordfish, king mackerel, certain tunas—they build up more mercury over time. Smaller guys like sardines, trout, anchovies? Usually safer bets. This isn’t about saying “don’t eat seafood.” Please, no. It’s about eating smart so you don’t have to think twice later. When a menu lists a fish you can’t pronounce, knowing the basics means you can pick something tasty without worrying about it. Why It Matters For Travelers? Eating local food is how you get a place. Paella in Spain, ceviche in Peru, a messy clam bake in New England—they’re experiences as much as meals.  But if you’re traveling and eating seafood meal after meal, that exposure can stack up faster than you think. For most healthy adults, a little extra seafood isn’t a big deal. But pregnant travelers, kids, or folks with certain health issues? They’ve gotta be a bit more cautious. Knowing which fish to enjoy freely and which to maybe skip for the day? That’s just good travel sense. The Role Of Sustainability And yeah, mercury’s one piece of the puzzle. Overfishing’s another. A lot of places now highlight eco-friendly options right on the menu. Asking about it isn’t annoying—it shows you care about the place you’re visiting and the people feeding you. How To Navigate Coastal Cuisine Safely While Traveling? Know The Practical Tips Freshness, simplicity, and a riot of flavors! These are the core reasons why coastal cuisine is so popular. Furthermore, smoking, grilling, and making curries are the most popular methods of cooking these cuisines.  However, you need to be extra careful while navigating these cuisines.  1. Safer Selections Abroad Menus in other languages, mystery dishes… yeah, it can get confusing. But here are a few things that make life easier: Chat with locals. They know what’s eaten all the time versus the “special occasion” stuff. Go smaller when you can. Sardines, smelt, whitefish—lower on the mercury scale. Shellfish’s usually fine. Shrimp, crab, scallops—still best not to overdo it. Throw in some variety. Plant-based meals or land proteins here and there keep things balanced. 2. Culinary Traditions And Conscious Choices  Every region has its classics for a reason. Mediterranean? Grilled sardines with olive oil and lemon—healthy, simple, perfect. Southeast Asia?  Flavorful curries using smaller fish. Then there are places serving bigger predatory fish, like marlin in parts of the Caribbean—amazing flavor, but maybe not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cool part is, you don’t have to give up authenticity. You just get to enjoy it without overthinking. 3. Practical Tips For Travel Planners  If you’re the “map out everything” type, a little prep work helps: Look up local fish before you go. Two minutes online gives you a head start. Learn a few names in the local language. Saves a lot of pointing and guessing. Visit good markets. Tours often highlight safe, sustainable stalls. Spread out the big meals. Try the famous dish… just maybe not twice a day. Having Coastal Cuisine Safely For Long-Term Travel And Health Awareness  Traveling for weeks—or months—near the coast? Yeah, seafood’s going to be everywhere. Switching things up helps keep it fun and balanced.  A little shellfish, some whitefish, a veggie dish now and then—it all adds up to fewer worries later. Being aware of seafood high in mercury ensures that long-term travel remains not only adventurous but also sustainable for personal health. What Are The 5Cs Of Trying Coastal Cuisine Safely?  These are the thumb rules or the basic 5Cs while cooking coastal cuisine.  Cleaning Cooking Chilling Cross-Contamination Prevention Communication  When you are trying seafood or coastal cuisine in a new place, you will have to consider these factors. Otherwise, there are high risks of food contamination and allergies. 1. Cleaning We all wash our hands and sanitize the food preparation and cooking surfaces. At the food preparation stage, we have to deal with raw meat and seafood ingredients.  Furthermore, we have to wash all the ingredients thoroughly using warm and cold water.  So, when you visit an eatery, especially for seafood, you have to ensure that all these practices are being followed thoroughly.  If not, however tempting the place or the dish may look, leave it at once! 2. Cooking Cooking thoroughly is very important, and at the right temperature. It is essential to get rid of the harmful bacteria and disease-causing elements in the raw ingredients.  Furthermore, reheating the refrigerated or stored food before eating is mandatory to avoid throat and stomach infections.  While it is difficult for you to check whether all these are being followed properly in a restaurant kitchen or a seaside shack, you can at least avoid having raw seafood at an unknown place.  3. Chilling Once the food is cooked, eaten, and cooled, you can store it in a refrigerator for safe preservation.  When you need that food again, you can take it out of the refrigerator, warm it, and have it.  This is also something very basic in restaurants. However, there are also risks of restaurants serving food that has been stored in the refrigerator for the longest time.  So, talk with locals and get ideas about a safe place where you can have fresh seafood.  4. Cross-Contamination Prevention Preventing cross-contamination requires the use of separate accessories and tools for raw meat, fish, and fruits and vegetables.  Also, there needs to be separate containers and storage places for all these ingredients. While you will not get a tour of the kitchen and pantry of a restaurant easily, this remains one of the golden rules of cooking seafood safely.  The Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO, also prioritizes cross-contamination prevention as one of the WHO's golden rules.  5. Communication  Well, this is something that happens entirely within the pantry or the cooking space of an eatery. Various verbal and non-verbal cues are used to ensure safe and fast food preparation.  Being A Responsible Food Explorer Travel’s about discovery, right? And food’s a huge part of it. With a bit of knowledge, you can dive into coastal cuisine without a second thought. A sardine in Lisbon, clam soup in Tokyo, a crab boil on the East Coast—those aren’t just meals. They’re memories. This isn’t about saying no to anything. It’s about saying yes in a way that keeps the trip—and you—feeling good. Read Also: What Is Arizona Known For Food | Culinary Tourism Exploring The Desert Delights Boat Trips And Czech Cuisine: A Taste Of Prague’s Culinary Delights Unlocking The Secrets: Key Ingredients In Italian Cuisine

BY  Sibashree Aug 13, 2025

Phuket, Thailand’s premier island destination, captivates visitors with its beaches, nightlife, and cultural treasures. Moreover, many resort features amenities like private beachfront villas and high-rise hotels with stunning ocean views. The resorts also provide chic venues perfect for corporate retreats, offering either world-class amenities or exceptional service. However, the question is—why do travellers prefer luxury hotels in Phuket Thailand? Why Choose a Luxury Hotel Or Luxury Resort In Phuket? Luxury hotels in Phuket provide a lot more than just huge budgets for décor and facilities. The Luxury Resorts in Phuket, moreover, help in carving out memories for the visitor.  The majority of the luxury resorts in Phuket are located on the island's great beaches. Moreover, Patong, Kata, or Kamala. However, Others reside hidden on the hills, offering magnificent sea views. Therefore, the prime location makes the resorts incredible. The resorts provide exceptional service. Hence, private butlers and concierge teams stand at the ready for guests. The servers, therefore, secure anything from yacht charters to island visits. The service is thus uniquely personal. The resorts also provide World-Class Facilities. The luxury resorts in Phuket, moreover, provide Infinity pools, award-winning spas, gourmet restaurants, and state-of-the-art fitness centers. Cultural Infusion: Either in architecture, design, or the concept of Thai hospitality, most of the hotels try to give the best experience to the visitor so that delight may yet lie on the modern edge of comfort. Looking For A Luxury Resort? Popular Areas To Find Luxury Resorts In Phuket Patong Beach serves the needs and requirements of party seekers who want a blend of nightlife, shopping, and luxury street convenience.  On the otherhand, Kata and Karon Beaches provide the best place for families and couples who opt for a quieter, more high-end location.  Kamala Beach: The site of some of the best exclusive resorts on the island, which caters to people seeking privacy. Cape Panwa & Mai Khao: For company retreats and guests wishing to be far away from it all. Luxury Hotels For Business Travellers Phuket is rapidly becoming one of Southeast Asia's leading destinations for international conventions, frequent meetings for businesses, and incentive trips. Common features in luxury hotels here are: Fully equipped meeting rooms.  High-speed internet and a business centre.  Highly efficient professionals skilled in coordinating events for high-profile guests. Recreational activities, such as golf, wellness retreats, and private shore excursions for team-building. As far as luxury hotels are concerned, the Amari Phuket and The Slate are reputed for their blend of business-friendly amenities and leisure-focused luxury, ideal for leisure-oriented business trips, or more familiarly known as "bleisure". Notable Luxury Hotels In Phuket For stand-up names, here are some of Phuket's and the most highly ranked luxury hotels: People know Sri Panwa Phuket for cliffside villas with private pools and expansive views. Moreover, Mövenpick Myth Phuket provides a beautiful stretch of beach. Therefore, the resort offers a stylish fusion of contemporary aesthetics and traditional Thai charm. The Surin Phuketis, situated along the unspoiled shoreline, features delightful beachside cottages enveloped by lush tropical gardens. Therefore, Guests have direct access to the tranquil beach, allowing them to relax while listening to the soothing sound of gentle waves. Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is moreover a tranquil hideaway for romance with superb dining. Unique Experiences Offered By  Luxury Resorts In Phuket  What really makes a tailored tour to Phuket stay at a luxury hotel: Private Yacht Charters: Spend your day in Phang Nga Bay or at the Similan Islands. Wellness Retreats: Detox plans, yoga, and Thai massages. Gastronomic Experiences: Culinary classes led by local chefs or tasting menus paired with wine. Cultural Immersion: Guided temple tours, market walks, and cultural shows. These options will brighten your stay and create unforgettable memories. Dining In Style at Phuket’s Luxury Hotels People should experience certain things when in Phuket, such as having a meal and drinks at a luxury hotel.  Moreover, most of these hotels have award-winning restaurants with the best chefs and the most talented cooks in the world. Therefore, expect menus that combine authentic Thai tastes with another cuisine and make use of fresh, locally grown ingredients. As a result, Dining and sipping back fine cocktails from a beachfront fine dining vantage, with a little mist of candlelight, to a posh rooftop bar are all integral parts of the lavish living here.  Therefore, Other experiences include themed dinners, wine-tasting events, or an intimate dining affair right at the private villa for that exclusive experience. Family-Friendly Luxury Options People find it difficult to associate luxury hotels with romantic getaways or corporate retreats. However, Phuket provides equal proficiency in creating a family-friendly ambience.  Therefore, High-end resorts offer family suites and pools designed for safe enjoyment by children, as well as activity clubs where children are supervised. Therefore, the parents relax while at the spa or enjoy a quiet meal while their children are being entertained and well cared for during family trips Moreover, the place provides options for other arranged family excursions, offering a fun side of life, such as snorkelling, visiting the elephant sanctuary, and various cultural workshops.  Therefore, these fancy hotels for families hold the dual goal of pampering every guest, from children to grandparents, all while experiencing the wonders of Phuket. Tips For Booking The Right Luxury Resorts In Phuket  Ensure your stay is as per your expectations when considering: Purpose of Your Trip: Business events might call for a property with high-quality conference or meeting facilities, while leisure travellers might like spas or beach access. Location: Pick one to tune into your pace; would it be an active one or a calm one? Facilities: Some hotels provide special extras like airport transfer, private tours, or paid childcare services. Reviews & Ratings: Look at what the majority of guests have said and see if the hotel has consistent praise. Offers and Promotions: Many luxury hotels in Phuket provide seasonal deals on spa treatments, dining credits, or excursions. Luxury Resorts In Phuket: Enjoy The Best Of Traditions And Modern Amenities  Phuket's luxury hotels beautifully merge classic Thai hospitality with contemporary conveniences. Therefore, the luxury resorts in Phuket provide an ideal ambiance for those seeking relaxation. On the other hand, it also serves the needs of the people who have business needs.  The Luxury resorts of Phuket provide every amenity, ranging from high-end beachfront resorts to hilltop private retreats. The choices on the island are endless, with something to suit every taste. Luxury resorts in Phuket will take the overall feeling much beyond standard accommodation, irrespective of whether your event is corporate, a honeymoon, or maybe just a really deserved vacation. The luxury resorts in Phuket take care of every detail, from the welcome drink to the turn-down service, and are engineered to give an extraordinary experience. Therefore, book your luxury Phuket adventure as soon as possible. Travellers should browse top-ranking hotels, compare their unique offerings, and book early for the best deals before visiting.  Moreover, people always find a perfect Phuket luxury stay for you, whether it is for work, leisure, or a bit of both.