Swain Experience | Secrets of the Whitsunday Islands

The iconic Hayman Pool

Our journey to Hayman was about to commence. We had arrived at Great Barrier Reef Airport and were met by a friendly team from Hayman who arranged for our luggage to be taken from our aircraft.

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SWAIN SUPERB VALUES

	Circle South Pacific 15 nights from $7150 (land only) Details	SWAIN's Ultimate Bali 9 nights from $3820 (land only) Details	Sabi Sand Safari with Cape Town 6 nights from $2499 (land only) Details

SWAIN SECRETS

DID YOU KNOW? Read on as we spill some of the best-kept secrets from our travel experts across the globe.

	LOCAL LINGO "The Never-Never" is a term referring to remoter parts of the Australian outback. The outback can be also referred to as "back of beyond" or "back o' Bourke" although these terms are more frequently used when referring to something a long way from anywhere, or a long way away. The well-watered north of the continent is often called the "Top End" and the arid interior "The Red Centre" due to its vast amounts of red soil and sparse greenery amongst its landscape.

	OPULENT ANGLING Learn how to heli-fish from experienced anglers while staying at the opulent Blanket Bay lodge near Queenstown. There are seventeen rivers filled with wild rainbow and brown trout, all surrounded by breathtaking backdrops and views.

	JEWELS OF INDIA Did you know that the Palace Wing of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower in Mumbai is re-opening on July 1st? And Taj's Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is opening in October after a 10-year renovation where some carpets were dyed 300 times to get the original color?

SWAIN PERSONALITIES

See below for travel advice from the fascinating people around the world who make SWAIN Tours distinctively unforgettable.

	JOHN DAW South Australian Tourism Commission Marketing Manager, The Americas Don't miss: Taking a wildlife tour on Australia's Galapagos, Kangaroo Island. I never get tired of watching the Australian Sea Lions at Seal Bay, basking in the sun surrounded by stunning coastline or seeing fields of kangaroos and the incredible birdlife. The Remarkable Rocks also have to be seen to be believed!

	VANESSA SPERBER Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Director of Sales, Eastern Region Don't miss: Staying in an authentic Maharaja Palace and living like Indian royalty! Enjoy a romantic dinner in a private tent at Taj's Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Or try one of my favorite things - relax with an aromatherapy massage on the Jiva spa boat at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.

I have recently returned from Southern Africa. It had been a couple of years since I'd spent time in the bush, and this trip saw me venture to Botswana and, for the first time in many, many years, Zimbabwe. Both countries offer captivating experiences, from the culture and varied landscapes, to the many and varied wildlife encounters. Lesser-known regions are working their way into conversations and media as up-and-coming areas not to be missed. Enjoy reading my travel blog about my recent visit.

GROUP GOSSIP

How about a group adventure centered around the world's only underground hotel? Spend two nights exploring Coober Pedy, both above and below the ground! Highlights include a BBQ dinner overlooking this interesting town, a digging and investigating opal quest, and a 'once-in-a-lifetime underground mine dinner'. For more details call our Groups Desk on 1 800 227 9246 (option 6).

CONTACTS

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800 22 SWAIN (79246)

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