the zeppelin times 4crb travel show€¦ · to great barrier island and the aotea/ great barrier...

Island in our region named Dark Sky Which island has become the first in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, in a bid to protect its night skies for present and future generations? Clue: It isn’t that far away from Australia, but it’s not Australian territory.Great Barrier Island (not to be confused with the Great Barrier Reef) is located 100 kilometres north-east of central Auckland, New Zealand.

The picture further below gives an impression of the night sky there, and this video really gets it across. Both are by Mark Russell.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) established the International Dark Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to recognise “excellent stewardship of the night sky”. Designations are based on scientifically measured darkness of sky as well as stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach.

The application for the international sanctuary status was lodged by the Great Barrier Local Board with support from Auckland Council, Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), Department of Conservation, iwi (the largest social units in New Zealand Maori society), the Auckland Astronomical Society, and Auckland Central MP, Nikki Kaye.

Mayor Phil Goff says Great Barrier Island is home to a community focused on protecting and preserving its stunning natural beauty which makes it the ideal location to receive International Dark Sky Sanctuary status.

“Great Barrier Island is a place of rugged beauty and untouched wilderness, and is one of the most tranquil and unspoilt places in the wider Auckland region,” he says.

“This status will help protect its dark sky and provide impetus for Aotea Great Barrier Island to advance a number of complimentary initiatives, including showcasing alternative energy use as well as provide a new pathway for economic development. This IDA status will help the island attract more visitors, including ecotourists, astro-photographers, scientists

and students.”Great Barrier Local Board Chair, Izzy Fordham, says the Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary is just the third to be afforded the sanctuary status in the world.

“Sanctuary status is reserved for the most isolated, and dark locations in the word and this designation is specifically designed to increase awareness of fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation,” she says.

“Ecotourism is extremely important to Great Barrier Island and the Aotea/Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary status will not only provide further tourism development and economic growth opportunities but also ensure the preservation of our exceptional starry skies.”

Local residents and dark sky enthusiasts, Gendie and Richard Somerville-Ryan, worked with Auckland astronomer, Nalayini Davies, to gather the evidence required to support the application, undertaking the first set of measurements on the new moon night in September 2016.

“Our measurements showed what we had all suspected – the Great Barrier Island skies are as good as it gets,” Somerville-Ryan says.

“Achieving this status will protect the island’s night skies and bring the island to the notice of astro-photography enthusiasts from around the world.”

As Auckland’s economic growth agency a key part of ATEED’s work is to help Auckland’s regions develop their tourism offering.

“We’ve seen how successful astro-tourism has proved as part of Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve status, attracting significant numbers of international visitors to that region year round,” says ATEED General Manager Visitor and External Relations Steve Armitage.

“We look forward to working with the local community on Great Barrier Island to promote this exciting status, ensuring that the expected growth is managed sustainably so as not to impede on these special starry vistas.”

Incidentally, Great Barrier Island has other claims to fame, such as the Great FitzRoy Mussel Fest (an arts and crafts fair and an opportunity to eat New Zealand green-lipped mussels prepared in all sorts of ways). That happens at Port Fitzroy, biggest settlement on Great Barrier Island, which is about three hours by fast ferry from Auckland.

During the mussel fest a few years ago, a few local boat enthusiasts on the island found the fast ferry gave them a bit more than they had bargained for!

The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel ShowSaturday 15 July, 10am on 89.3FM

The Professional Centre, Suite 1, 189 Ashmore Road, Benowa, Gold Coast QLD 4217Phone: (07) 555 79 888 | Free Call: 1300 786 888 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.zt.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/zeppelintravel

Cuba’s hottest new openings and imminent launches

This North American island has been increasingly on the must-visit lists of travellers in recent years – but now with a spate of hotel openings and imminent launches offering a level of world-class service and comfort that it previously lacked, Cuba’s ready to become the world’s next hot luxury destination.

With eight hotels in the pipeline, there’s no doubt that Meliá Hotels International has got a big part to play in Cuba’s future as a five-star tourism hotspot. Announced during the International Tourism Fair in Cuba, the company is partnering up with local hotel groups Gran Caribe, Cubanacan and Islazul to entice holidaymakers on multi-destination trips throughout a number of towns and cities on the island as well as tantalising new destinations to explore. The city of Cienfuegos will host three of the properties: San Carlos Hotel and Union Hotel in the historic centre, along with Jagua Hotel to be managed under the popular urban-lifestyle brand, INNSIDE by Meliá. Ancon Hotel in Trinidad will be renovated into the youthful Sol House brand; and in Camagüey will manage three of Islazul’s hotels: Gran Hotel and Hotel Colón in the historic centre, and Hotel Camagüey will become INNSIDE by Meliá after an investment in renovation. At the end of the Ancon peninsula, a brand-new 102-room hotel will also be built and operated by Meliá. The hotel group is no stranger to the island republic, having celebrated its 25th anniversary of operations there in 2015, and will take on responsibility of these eight new properties from November 1, 2017, with the management transition completed by January 1, 2018.

The first Asian hospitality group to enter Cuba, Banyan Tree Hotel & Resorts is hot on Meliá’s heels with four properties, one of which – Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria – already opened at the tail end of 2016. The debut of the group’s “casual and contemporary” Dhawa brand, it sits on white sandy beaches along the Caribbean Sea and is the area’s only all-inclusive lifestyle resort with a private beach. The other three resorts will launch over the next couple years, with Angsana Cayo Santa Maria – situated adjacent to Dhawa – likely to open late 2017 or early 2018. In 2019 the emerging Cayo Bubo area east of the capital, adjacent to the Veradero resort community, will be the lucky recipient of a new Banyan Tree luxury property as well as an Angsana.

But the entrant making the most luxurious waves right now is Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana (pictured), which officially opened just last month. Nestled within the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it proffers a whole new level of service yet to be seen on the island. With 246 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, a world-class, 1,000-sqm spa and wellness facility, and panoramic city-centre views, it brings European-style hospitality to the erstwhile Manzana de Gómez with the intention to revitalise it to its former glory as the city’s ultimate place to be and be seen. Guests will be cosseted in lavish rooms featuring soaring six-and-a-half-metre ceilings, contemporary furnishings, and large French doors and windows that prettily frame the historic views outside.



Celebrity Cruises sweeps Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards five years running

For the fifth year running, Celebrity Cruises’ one-of-a-kind wine program has been recognised by the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, claiming nine awards in 2017.

Celebrity’s entire fleet of ocean vessels were awarded, making the brand’s wine collection the most awarded at sea.

The renowned publication recognises wine lists which “feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.” This is the fifth year that cruise lines have been included in the awards, which have been used to recognise the world’s best wine lists since 1981. “It’s a great honour for our incredible wine program to continue its winning streak and claim an additional nine awards, remaining the most awarded collection at sea,” said Brian Abel, Vice President, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Cruises is committed to offering an unrivalled, truly distinct experience onboard our ships, and these wins reaffirm our commitment. From our expansive wine collection, luxurious accommodations, world-class cuisine, and renowned hospitality, Celebrity truly is one-of-a-kind.”

Celebrity’s main dining room wine lists host over 300 prestigious labels, including Tignanello, Grgich Hills, Caymus Special Selection, and Guigal Cote Rotie. Celebrity’s wine menus are continually updated in order to keep the offerings fresh and exciting, featuring an extensive global collection of fine wines, which match both the modern luxury brand’s globally influenced blend of classic and contemporary cuisine, and the diverse destinations it visits across the seven continents of the world.

Onboard, a team of Sommeliers navigates guests through the award-winning wine lists, guiding them to new and exciting choices. The modern luxury brand’s teams also participate in ongoing education to keep them primed in wine theory, vintages, regional/varietal technicalities and, of course, food and wine pairings. Celebrity offers a variety of onboard activities and experiences that immerse guests in wine education and enjoyment.

These include Riedel comparative wine glass workshops, wine and food pairing events, wine tastings and more.




Window seatWE’VE heard of catching crabs while on vacation, but a traveller has taken it too far. While conducting routine checks at Boston Airport, TSA officials discovered a 9kg live lobster in a passenger’s luggage.

A spokesperson said it was the “largest” he had ever seen.

The lobster was stored in a cooler and “cooperated quite nicely with the screen process.”

For the record, TSA doesn’t prohibit live lobsters on aircraft, but they must be transported in “clear, spill-proof containers.”


BRISBANE CONCERT PACKAGES

WINNER OF EVERY INTERNATIONAL BEST MUSICAL AWARD!

Kinky Boots is the hilarious and heart-warming new musical that

Brisbane has been waiting for! Don’t miss the musical that has captured

hearts across the globe

2 DEPARTURES! Tuesday 19 & 26 September 2017

Cost: $145ppPackage Includes:

• A Reserved Seating• Luxury coach from Benowa to

QPAC & return• Glass of champagne or orange juice & Nibbles on departure

Coach departs Benowa 4pm sharp

Terms and conditions apply. Seats are limited, payment required upon booking. Tickets are A Reserved Seating and are transferable but not refundable. Snacks & Drinks available for purchase at the venue. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted on the coach. Coach departs from Benowa. Fee applies if making payment by credit card.

CALL ZEPPELIN TRAVEL - 1300 786 888

THE AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL BASED ON THE SMASH-HIT FILM,

IS COMING TO AUSTRALIA! Starring Australia’s own Paulini, Kip Gamblin and Prinnie Stevens – The Bodyguard is the hottest ticket in

town!

Wednesday 9 August 2017



QPAC & return• Glass of champagne or orange juice

& Nibbles on departure


“ENCHANTING, EXCITING & ELECTRIFYING”

There truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical o

f all time, the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ, twists its way

into Brisbane!

Thursday 16 November 2017



QPAC & return• Glass of champagne or orange juice

& Nibbles on departure


the zeppelin times 4crb travel show€¦ · to great barrier island and the aotea/ great barrier...

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