At Travel Associates, we specialise in bespoke itineraries designed to suit your needs. The Platinum Challenge showcases an interesting trip one of our travel advisors has put together for a client, to give an insight into the unforgettable trips we can create.
Donna Woodhouse, Travel Associates Glenelg SA, created an itinerary for her client who wanted to plan a surprise honeymoon for his partner. Starting with a stay in Hawaii and traversing all the way to Antarctica, their honeymoon was packed full of wow factors including a private helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, stays at some of the most luxurious hotels and an expedition cruise down the Antarctic peninsula.
The Challenge
1. My client wanted to plan a surprise honeymoon to the Americas.
2. His must-haves included a beach break in Hawaii and a cruise to Antarctica.
3. Every aspect of the trip had to have a 'wow' factor and a feminine touch.
The Itinerary
Hawaii
The honeymoon started with four nights in Hawaii, where I booked my clients into the Moana Surfrider. Known as the "First Lady of Waikiki", this stately hotel exudes turn-of thecentury Victorian elegance, and its oceanfront location right on Waikiki Beach made it the obvious choice when looking for accommodation with a wow factor.
Las Vegas
From Hawaii, they flew to the bright lights of Las Vegas for four nights at the Mandarin Oriental (now the Waldorf Astoria). Located in the heart of the famous Las Vegas strip, this hotel put them in the middle of the action, but to add a little extra wow to this stage of the trip I booked them an unforgettable private helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon.
New York
Next stop was a quick two nights in New York City. Centrally located, Element by Westin Times Square, put them within walking distance of the Empire State Building, the shops of 5th Avenue, Broadway and even Central Park.
Patagonia
A 6-day Highlights of Patagonia tour created the perfect link to my client's final destination and offers jaw-dropping scenery at the Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park.
Antarctica
The grand finale of their honeymoon, and kept secret until the last minute, was an Antarctic cruise. Aurora Expeditions is a small-ship, Australian-owned expedition cruise line specialising in the Antarctic Peninsula. My clients had multiple opportunities to venture among the icebergs and penguin colonies.
