Travelscene staff picks

As the holiday season approaches, the team from Travelscene at Laze Away Travel share a few of their personal travel experiences to help inspire you as you plan your own getaway…

Cathy Natoli:

I may not have been to heaven but I am sure this is paradise – Tahiti. The moment I stepped foot in the capital city’s main airport there was a sense of stepping into a zone where there is no sense of time and as the gentle balmy breeze lingered through the air I made my way to one of Tahiti’s favourite islands, Moorea. A dramatic destination, where the mountains rise from the crystal blue lagoons, Moorea is truly a photographers delight.

Tahiti has a French influence mixed in with South Pacific natural beauty, it’s a place where unique adventures can be experienced either on land or in the sea, you can pamper yourself and stay in world-class accommodation or a little bungalow on a lagoon. This destination is a real treasure and you will leave with many lifelong memories.

Annette Hillier:

My favourite travel destination is the USA and my passion is cruising so I recently set off on an adventure that combined the two. I’ve just returned from a week in Santa Monica (the place to stay in LA rather than Beverley Hills or Hollywood), with its fantastic accommodation, wonderful restaurants, trendy shops and, of course, the beach! We also visited Disneyland and Universal Studios, which are tons of fun at any age.

Then it was off to the Caribbean, on a seven-day all inclusive cruise on the Silversea’s Silver Whisper, which was an experience of a lifetime. The service is unsurpassed with 386 passengers to 300 staff and even a butler for each cabin. Putting together an itinerary that is varied and interesting to suit individuals is something I love to do, there are cruises for everyone, and with my experience I can suggest the right cruise for the right person.

Francine Moutsos:

One of my most memorable trips was to Umbria in Italy, where we based ourselves for five nights in a hotel, which was established around a church dating back to 1045. Umbria is rich in history, art and splendour. After waking up to the crisp morning air and chirping birds, we drove around to visit the medieval towns built within the hills, each boasting charming castles, churches and guard towers.

One of the better known towns is Assisi, where the Basilica dedicated to St Francis is located. Other towns are Orvieto, Spoleto, Gubbio Terni and Perugia. I experienced some of the best food and wine in Umbria, from truffles to the finest cured meats. We also did some wine tasting in the wine town of Torgiano.

After a couple of days of touring, we were treated to a massage within a hotel spa that had tastefully incorporated the remains of a 1st Century Roman amphitheatre. Then on our last day, after eating and drinking our way through Umbria, we decided to use the bikes on offer in our hotel to set out through the fields on a 3km ride to find a little traditional village where we stopped for a coffee and watched the locals. Umbria was an amazing, memorable place, which I will definitely visit again.

• More info: www.lazeaway.travelscene.net.au