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Serendipity, ready to host
We were happy to spend some time at our home in Byron Bay with our family and friends. Once again we took on the tour guide role for a few weeks showing some friends from Forcalquier the beautiful National Parks near the family farm in Victoria - Wilson's Prom, Bulga National Park and of course everything in and around Byron. New ideas are taking shape and we will soon include another exciting getaway in this very special corner. We have used our time in Serendipity and made some more improvements to our house. We were happy to see the old carpet disappear and with the wooden floorboards the house felt almost like new! We also extended our garden and despite the lack of water this summer everything is growing well. We have a spacious 3-bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and it accommodates three couples comfortably. There are three outdoor areas to choose from, plus a spacious indoor lounge (complete with a 70" wall TV with free Netflix) and a 6 seater dining area. The large kitchen is ideal for cooking up all those yummy things you can buy at the local markets and has direct access to one of the best covered outdoor entertaining areas. It has a gorgeous 10-metre saltwater pool as well as a spa to soothe your mind, body and soul. The breezy "Zen" hut fits perfectly into the manicured gardens and is the ideal spot for relaxation, yoga and meditation. "Serendipity" - A Place in Byron Bay is in a lovely quiet part of Suffolk Park - only a 12-minute walk to Tallow Beach. We think it's the nicest beach at Byron with sweeping views to the Lighthouse and Broken Head. Located at the most easterly point of Australia's mainland, the area around Byron Bay is a combination of outstanding beaches, wonderful scenic outlooks and lush greenery. It has an alternative vibe and a relaxed atmosphere. All of us are back at work now and Serendipity is available for rental. Please refer to our website for prices and availability or just call Trish for further information.
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In short...
2019 record attendance
You may have missed out on our five interstate Film and Information Evenings back in February.
These evenings are always a great place for reunions and getting to know new guests and with more than 500 attendees we had a record attendance at all venues. |
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2021 Walkabout Holiday Calendar |
2019 Tours Preview
Scotland Highlands
Gabriela started the 2019 season with the Flavours of South India tour. Once again there were so many highlights but as always, above all it was meeting the Indian people who shine with a light like no other! This time Gabriela made some new Indian connections and as a result next year's tour will include some exciting new faces.
Gabriela met Shine on a boat and was impressed by his communication skills and wealth of knowledge. Shine will be co-guiding in 2021 during our three days in Cochin. He studied Ancient Indian History and Culture and is a bundle of information.
The most amazing encounter was meeting Sreejith, who must be considered to be a leader in his field of yoga. As well as teaching the various yoga asanas, he also inspired us to move forward in our life with the practise of yoga. Miraculously he always seemed to know exactly what we needed in our session.
Our group was so taken away by his essence that many took part in the evening meditation classes. We are already looking forward to meeting Sreejith again next year for more of his empowering holistic yoga classes.
This year we met Junis in Munnar who took us not only from our Hotel through hidden villages but also through the spectacular Munnar tea plantations. His is an outstanding guide and his knowledge of birds and plants is amazing! We look forward to meeting up with him again on our next tour.
Our cookings classes with Nimi in Munnar and Nazeema in her kitchen near Cochin added a spice of life into their delicious and flavoursome home cooking. We all went back enthusiastically trying out new Indian recipes.
Another highlight on our tour in India were our last two days on the houseboat. While we gently cruised the Kerala Backwaters, we could observe the whole rural scene from ferrymen carrying locals on tiny canoes to women in vivid saris washing their clothes on stone steps near the river.
This time we ended our last evening with the Holi Hindu Festival. It is always celebrated the day after the full moon, which luckily was this year on the 21st March. The Holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, particularly the burning and destruction of a demoness named Holika. This was made possible with the help of the Hindu god of preservation, Lord Vishnu.
All our hotels are of a very high standard and the hospitality we experienced in all of them was outstanding! Kerala is the homeland for authentic Ayurvedic therapies and all our hotels offer a large variety of treatments, supervised by an Ayurvedic doctor. The "Walkabout Spice Girls" certainly took advantage of this and enjoyed it immensely! I honestly can say, all felt extremely rejuvenated!
We are excited to share these fantastic 12 days with you in Kerala on our upcoming tour in 2021 and look forward to your email or call if you are interested for further details.
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Flavours of South India [12 days] | Next from Cochin, Kerala: March 12 2021 |
Tea plantations, Munnar
Chai Cermoney, Fog Hotel
Daily life at Kerala Backwaters
Cooking lesson with Nimi, Munnar
Curry at Nimi's Kitchen, Munnar
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A Journey back in Time [19 days] | Next from Valencia, Spain: April 1 2021 |
Feria in Sevilla, Andalusia
Duoro River, Portugal
Alhambra, Granada, Andalusia
Tasting at the Vintage Hotel
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A Mediterranean Odyssey [17 days] | Next from Istanbul, Turkey: April 30 2021 |
Ancient Site of Pinara, Turkey
Agios Emilianos, Greece
Our sailing vessel, Fethiye Turkey
The new 'Treasures of Turkey' will start in Kayseri and not very far from our base in Cappadocia. Three million years ago violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes (3,916m) and Mount Hasan (3,300m) covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tuff, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud.
The wind and rain have eroded this brittle rock and created a surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines, in colours that range from warm reds and golds to cool greens and greys.
Goreme is one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend into the natural surroundings.
During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, their ochre-toned frescoes reflecting the hues of the surrounding landscape. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tufa merge harmoniously into the landscape. Cappadocia is also a natural wonder and a unique area in the world, loaded with history.
We explore the surreal landforms of the Goreme valleys and enjoy the colourful blaze. Following ancient path-ways we visit the unique rock churches and monasteries carved from the soft volcanic tuff.
From Cappadocia we travel to South-eastern Anatolia. It is rich in history and cultural heritage with many magnificent historical sites, dating back to 7,000 BC. Mount Nemrut is an impressive peak rising from a flat plain in Northern Mesopotamia and stretches to a height of 2,150 metres. It is unrivalled in its historical treasures and the gigantic statues. The toppled heads of Apollo, Zeus and Hercules are just amazing.
We continue eastward to Sanliurfa, the birthplace of Abraham and once an important post on the ancient trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean coast. Today it hosts one of the best bazaars in Turkey.
Our trail takes us through Harran, famous for the unusual and fanciful beehive-shaped houses and to Mardin, one of the oldest cities in Mesopotamia and well known for its delicious food.
Van is one of the most important cities of the old Vaspurakan region and located on the east coast of Lake Van. It is the largest lake in Turkey at an altitude of 1,720 metres and ringed by beautiful mountains. Here we also visit the island of Akdamar, just half an hour from the shore with a church from 921.
Dramatic Doğubayazıt, set on a stark treeless plain between ranges of craggy mountains, is the last Turkish town on the highway to Iran, just 35km to the border. From the striking 18th-century Ishak Pasha Palace we gaze upon legendary Mount Ararat (5,137m). According to the Bible it was in the Ararat Mountains where Noah's ark landed.
We journey on to Kars, famous for its cheese and goose meat. Located south-east towards the border with Armenia we visit the fascinating old site of Ani. Once a wealthy rival of Kars, it is now a ghost town. Ani lies close to a great ravine, which demarcates the border. The ruined 1000 year-old churches contain remarkable wall paintings and sculptured decorations.
We drive east towards the Black Sea Mountains and walk in the Lake Cildir region. This huge and glorious lake is curiously unknown to tourists. The landscape reminds us of some remote Scottish lochs and it is an intensely arable area.
We walk on the plateaus of Artvin und Savsat, an attractive hilly area, surrounded by high mountains on all sides, including the 3,537 metres Karçkal Mountains to the west, watered by many mountain streams and pools. They are an extension of the Caucasus and separate the Black Sea from Anatolia. The weather in Artvin is very wet, and the forest is every shade of green imaginable. This greenery runs from the top all the way down to the Black Sea coast where we finish our tour in Trabzon.
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Treasures of Turkey [17 days] | Next from Kayseri, Turkey: May 18 2021 |
Hot Air Ballooning, Cappadocia
Mount Nemrut, Turkey
Armenian church in Ani, Turkey
Armenian border Eastern Turkey
Pigon houses, Cappadocia
Whirling dervishes ceremony
Mmarket lunch in Mardin Turkey
Ishak Pasa Sarayi palace, Turkey
In May, it is still possible to join Nastassja on her 5-day tour through Rome…
Get ready to adventure in the Roman city in full bloom, and indulge in some delicious Roman dishes. Discover the colourful cobblestoned side streets and immerse yourself into the Italian way of living and dining.
We will have the opportunity to learn how to cook some Italian dishes and source out the freshest ingredients from the local market. In the evening, we will intermingle amongst the locals sipping on "Aperol Spritz" at some of the best Roman bars.
With so much art and culture in this city, we shall explore some of the many art galleries such as Galleria Borghese and go back in time with a guided tour of the Vatican, Colosseum and Roman Forum.
An emphasis on the many green corners of this city will also be explored such as the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens and Villa Pamphili.
Of course let's not forget an important Italian trademark. One cannot go to Rome without having had the ultimate personal shopping experience! We will source out whatever you have in mind, and make sure you go home with a happy face!
In between all the sites and food, you may wish to explore your inner world more. Yoga, a rejuvenating spa experience or the wonderful life alignment healing technique are also available on request. Only two spaces left!
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When in Rome [5 days] | Next departure from Rome, Italy: May 6 2019 |
Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy
Italian antipasto
Piazza Navona, Rome
Roman colourful side street
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Walk to the Stars [14 days] | Next departure from Florence, Italy: June 19 2019 |
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso
Villa Balbi Sestri Levante, Italy
Castle of Sestri Levante, Italy
D&G collection, Portofino
Portofino, Italian Riviera
Our charming holiday apartments in Forcalquier benefitted from the quieter winter months and we made some more house improvements. Now all the windows have double glazing and all the old shutters have been replaced. We are also happy to announce that the new laundry and ironing room is now ready to be used by our guests.
All our four apartments are located in one of the nicest streets in the old town, rue Saint Mary - a charming, cobblestoned street leading up to a hilltop park. One of the unique aspects of the location is the fact that rue Saint Mary is a "cul-de-sac" and extremely quiet with no traffic noise. The main square with its lovely cafes and restaurants is just around the corner. It is certainly convenient to be able to wander down in the evening, have a lovely meal with a bottle of wine and not have to worry about who is driving!
The apartments have either one or two bedrooms with separate kitchen, lounge and bathroom. Three of the apartments can be connected into a four/five bedroom house - perfect for a large family or a group of friends. They have all of the modern conveniences and have been beautifully decorated in a modern Provençal style. Three of the apartments have delightful terraces with stunning views of the old town and surrounding Provence countryside, while one apartment has the use of the courtyard. On top of the hill, overlooking the old town, is a 19th century chapel set in a wooded cemetery, marking the site of the former citadel.
In the past, Forcalquier was a favourite residence of the counts of Provence and an internationally renowned cultural, political and economic centre. Today, Forcalquier hosts one of the liveliest and most colourful markets in the region.
Here you will find all the produce of the season: lavender, honey stalls and artists selling their wares. Wander through the restored old town with its narrow streets, basking in the middle of rolling luxuriant scenery and discover the many interesting near-by sites like the Verdon Gorge or the picturesque villages in the famous Luberon Valley. Enjoy delicious provençal cuisine from a variety of excellent local restaurants.
It is also possible to arrange yoga, golf, art, language and cooking classes during your stay with us in Forcalquier - please ask for further details.
Forcalquier is almost in the heart of Provence and all major points of interest can be easily visited in a day. Travelling time to nearby cities - Nice 2 ½ hours, Aix-en-Provence 1 hour, Avignon, Marseille and French Alps 1½ hours.
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Provence Holiday Apartments | From May 2019 |
Kitchen and lounge Eleonore
Large bedroom, Sancie
Entrance staircase, Forcalquier
Forcalquier Market
Lunch & wine at Chateau Lacoste
Roof top terrace, Blanche
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04/05 | Grampians Grape Escape [2 days] |
Hall Gap, VIC |
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16/05 | Noosa International F&W Festival [4 days] | Noosa, QLD |
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17/05 | Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend [2 days] |
Clare Valley, SA |
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17/05 | Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular [3 days] |
Carlton, VIC |
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19/05 | Grazing the Granite Belt [2 days] |
Stanthorpe, QLD |
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15/05 | Nantucket Wine & Food Festival [4 days] |
Nantucket, MA, USA |
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24/05 | The Food Show Wellington [3 days] |
Wellington, NZ |
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30/05 | Heartland Festival [2 days] |
Fyn, Denmark |
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13/06 | Les Epicuriales [17 days] | Bordeaux, France |
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29/06 | GABS Hottest [3 days] | Auckland, NZ |
See all Gourmet events for 2019
If you haven't had a chance to do it after your tour last year, please tell us your thoughts, memories of little details that made your day and your personal highlights by signing our guestbook so we can continually improve our services for you.
We look forward to walking with you somewhere around the globe soon or welcoming you to our accommodation in Byron or Forcalquier.
Gabriela, Graeme and the team at Walkabout Gourmet Adventures
PS: Remember that you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Grampians Grape Escape
Noosa International Festival
Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
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