When I booked, a little nervously, a trip to Britain on Korean Air, I was expecting to fly on an ageing jumbo with nothing but a book to entertain me. What I got was a new 777, with excellent service, the choice of about 20 recent movies in English and very good legroom, for less than $1700, in peak season.
- Nicholas Reid
Flights buckle down
On a recent four-hour flight from Bali to Perth, the fasten seatbelt sign was on for all but 20 minutes of the flight, despite a lack of turbulence. This made making a trip to the toilet a difficult proposition. On international flights, I have noticed an increased reluctance to switch off the fasten-seatbelt sign. What do they expect us to do?
- Robert Webber
Home turf fails to impress
My wife and I recently returned from Italy. It marked seven years of holidaying overseas, two trips a year, mostly with the children. Quite simply the cost, quality, experience and service offered in Australia is so bad relative to the rest of the world that we can never imagine a holiday in Australia again. The strategy of the tourism sector, ploughing millions into advertising campaigns and appealing to our guilt to holiday at home, seems like a desperate act to stop a growing tide.
- Tim Green
Chateau with a conscience
On a recent trip to France, we had the good fortune to discover Chateau Charly (chateaucharly.com) in the Berry region, about 40 minutes from Bourges. Amazingly, guests are invited to pay what they believe their B&B stay has been worth, with 50 per cent of the payment supporting two charities: Bridge 2 Sri Lanka, set up after the 2004 tsunami; and Bridge 2 Haiti, set up after the 2010 earthquake. Every evening, we were served beautiful three-course meals for the very reasonable price of €35 ($42) a person, with regional wines available. We availed ourselves of a picnic lunch and had fresh farm produce, wonderful bread and coffee under ancient trees on the gardens.
- Jenny McGuirk
Luxury with children
In response to Kathleen Walker (Traveller Letters, July 21-22) and Suzanne Lawrence (Letters, August 18-19) about finding luxury family holiday options in Australia, Orpheus Island Resort, on the Great Barrier Reef, welcomes children of all ages. Orpheus (orpheus.com.au) is not your traditional family-friendly resort with a kids' club. Instead, the region presents exceptional reef experiences, a rich indigenous heritage, the opportunity to get close to wildlife in their natural habitats and quality family activities.
- Rachel Hoy, marketing manager, Orpheus.
Indian adventure
My husband and I are spending a few days in Delhi next month. Could readers suggest exciting, interesting activities, apart from looking at old forts etc?
- Susan Braddock
To Perth, in comfort
May I suggest that Sophi Suttor (seeking a western adventure to Perth on the Indian Pacific, Traveller Letters, August 18-19) take advantage of the Platinum Service on the Indian Pacific, as we did from Sydney to Adelaide. Cabins have a decent-size living area, which converts to a bedroom with double bed or two singles. The staff are amazing, as are the dining room meals. Take the late sittings. In Perth, Miss Maud (missmaudhotel.com.au) is fantastic, with fabulous breakfast, accommodation and location. Alternatively, Falls Retreat B&B in Lesmurdie in the Perth hills (perthbedandbreakfast.com.au) has birdlife, tranquillity, views and wonderful hosts.
- Helen Woodhouse-Herrick
Winery cruise deserves cheers
I recommend visitors to Perth take a day-long cruise tour of Swan Valley wineries. Cruises leave from the Barrack Street jetty.
- Conrad Henley-Calvert
We welcome your travel-related opinions and letters. Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Email us at travellerletters@fairfax.com.au including your name, address and phone number.
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