Australia! | HNHO - Hotel Yellowstone | Highlight - the Australian Outback 🌌

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

Have you ever been somewhere or experienced something that felt indescribable?

The Australian Outback is one of those places for me.

I once had a client who had taken her family on safari the year before ask me “How can we possibly plan a trip that will be as good as or better than a safari?”

My answer would absolutely include Australia.

In many ways the places we visited in Australia remind me of an African safari – remote, wild, fascinating, wildlife, warm people, luxurious and delicious food.

It was an experience that I couldn’t have imagined.

Read more about it in this week’s Highlight below.

I’ve been home for three days since my two weeks up and down the east coast of Australia. The flight home was quite easy – non-stop Sydney to LAX and then to Boston. My helpful colleague, Janine, consulted a jet lag app and told me when to fall asleep on the plane to help me reset before arriving home. It worked quite well. A quick afternoon nap yesterday had me back on track in the Eastern time zone (although sleeping later than usual).

The length of travel time to Australia and desire to be there for longer than the typical American 1 week vacation (2+ weeks are ideal) are two of the biggest hurdles people have when thinking about a trip there.

I can tell you it is absolutely worth it! Yes, flying in lay flat seats makes a big difference (at least for adults). So does having a non-stop flight from the US. Delta is adding another non-stop flight in March – to Brisbane. Which is going to be a big bonus – as it makes it easy to fly into Sydney and home from Brisbane, saving you time and no backtracking.

Another bonus to flying Delta – they are days away from opening their new Delta One lounge in LAX. I spent several hours in their lounge in each direction and it was lovely – outdoor seating on the terrace, staff making custom omelets, sound proof rooms for private calls and I even took a quick shower to wake up and refresh.

But the new Delta One lounge will be even better and more exclusive. Wishing it had opened for our trip, but I’m also looking forward to flying through LAX again.

And there was another bonus that I experienced on my flight home. When you arrive back in the US you must pick up your bag and recheck it. Delta One has its own private check in entrance – security with no line, staff handing you a Pellegrino and a direct entrance to the Delta One or regular lounge (they also have a Delta One lounge at JFK).

It makes the airport experience so pleasant!

Last week’s most popular article was The Uncrowded Destinations Where Travel Advisors Are Quietly Sending Their Clients.

This week’s inspirational articles include the best 5-star hotel openings of 2024, the most beautiful hot spring resorts in the US, remarkable wildlife experiences and secret up-and-coming hotspots to add to your bucket list.

Also articles on Scotland, Chile, Jackson Hole and ski resorts.

The informational articles include new requirements on traveling to the Schengen Zone of Europe – beginning November 10, 2024 and how travel makes life feel longer (in a good way!).

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s highlight – The Australian Outback
Hot New Hotel Opening – Hotel Yellowstone
Inspiration + Information

THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

I didn’t use my alarm to wake me today. Despite the need to be up at 5:30am, I was already up listening to the birds chirping in the trees around the Wier, the small lake behind my room.

I opted to walk the 100 feet to the main lodge to meet up with my colleagues and our guide, Lydia, for our morning adventure. One of my colleagues opted to drive her personal golf cart, because she just loves having it at her disposal.

We hopped in ATVs and trailed along like little creatures following the leader of our pack.

With a hard left, we turned off the paved road onto rocky dirt terrain and bounced around like popcorn as we wound our way up the hill. Looking back we could already see the glow of the about-to-rise sun shining over the land.

We arrived at the clearing to leave the ATVs. The tight spot required a six point turn to get the ATV positioned for departure (was Lydia expecting we’d have to depart quickly for some reason?).

Lydia offered up hiking poles.

Yes please! (I learned my lesson in the Dolomites – when in uncertain terrain at least one hiking pole is always a good idea)

Before taking off, in front of us we saw the walls of Mount Mulligan glowing from the sun.

Turning 180 degrees, I saw the most spectacular orange glow of the sun’s circle now above the horizon. The sun blessed the dry bushes, the green trees, the rivers, the cattle and all of the little creatures that call this land their home.

I tried to imagine what it might have been like for indigenous tribes thousands of years ago standing in this very spot.

With all I’ve learned this week, I know their wisdom, strength and perseverance of their people are beyond anything I will ever experience.

We each squeezed ourselves through a narrow entrance in the fence with a sign that said “DANGER No Entry” (that was for others) to begin our hike.

I regretted packing only my barely treaded Converse shoes. My hiking shoes were still on my mudroom floor – they didn’t make the cut.

Big steps up tall rocks, and small steps on little rocks. Bit by bit we climbed. Lydia tutored us on the flora and fauna, we saw little creatures and the warmth of the sun warmed our backs.

Within 10 minutes we were sweating. It gets HOT in the Outback. We paused to admire the view.

The Outback is WILD Australia!

I wish I could have the sounds playing for you when you opened this email, but as the next best thing, you can hear one of my recordings here.

89% of Australia is unlivable and much of that area is in the Outback. Open country with mostly arid landscapes covering an area bigger than half of the USA.

So why in the world would you want to visit the Outback?

By definition the Australian Outback=OTBP (off the beaten path).

And because there are SO many adventures to be had!

Hiking through beautiful gorges and to hidden waterfalls
ATVing through rugged landscapes
Learning about indigenous history and culture
Seeing ancient cave paintings
Stargazing to see the Southern Cross and the Milky Way
Fine dining by torchlight under billions of stars on a dune top
Enjoying cocktails while watching the sunset at Uluru (Ayres Rock) or coffee while watching the sun rise
Mountain biking around the base of Uluru
Watching spectacular sunset views over Uluru from Talinguru Nyakunytjaku
Relaxing with spa treatments using clay, scented Emu Bush, limes and other native local botanicals
Participating in a cattle drive
Immersing yourself in a working cattle station
Singing songs around a bonfire

And the lodge options are remote and small in size, which provides a great sense of adventure and exclusivity. It’s one of the many reasons it reminds me of an African safari.

How do you get around such a vast area?

Lots of unconventional transportation – helicopters, chartered planes on grass runways, ATVs, safari jeeps, golf carts or even a meditative camel ride at sunset.

I LOVED our stay in the Outback for so many reasons!

I loved the size of our small lodge with only 11 rooms and 3 tents. I love intimate accommodations, where the staff welcome you by name, where you see the same faces every day, where the chef briefs you personally on the daily menu. I love the all inclusive concept, the delicious food, the incredible adventures.

And it’s a bonus when the general managers happen to be a sweet couple with a darling baby. The GM, James, below showing me my personal champagne colored golf cart for my stay.

Our heli send off and arrival…

My room – luxuriously appointed, well air conditioned and with a steel soaking tub overlooking the lake. See a video of the tranquil main pool area here.

The glamping tents are so luxurious! See a walk through here.

The adventures…

Learning about the culinary aspects of ants from our guide, Neve. She is so knowledgeable on flora, fauna and indigenous history and culture! She’s lived with two different aboriginal families and is a wealth of information. She would be the perfect guide with kids and teenagers too.

Meeting an icon, Phil, who has worked on the ranch looking after the cattle for 40+ years!

Stargazing…

Sundowners…

Touring an abandoned gold mine and town…

Delicious food…
shrimp, steak chimichurri, fish tacos, my daily flat white and avocado toast with a side of bubble and squeak.

Wine pairing dinner under the stars…

The Sunset Bar. Perched up high with gorgeous views of the sunset over Mt. Mulligan. Of course we all drove our golf carts…

Our airport departure…

Another Outback lodge example…

📷 Longitude 131

Australia is 100% worth being at the top of your bucket list!

Reach out to plan your trip to

Australia

🌟 On August 1 this summer, Hotel Yellowstone opened in Jackson, Wyoming near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Why visit Hotel Yellowstone?

An adults-only haven and ideal for a romantic escape or a peaceful retreat in a serene atmosphere.
Perched on East Gros Ventre Butte, the hotel boasts stunning, unobstructed views of the Teton Mountain Range and the Snake River Valley. Spanning 4 acres, it’s nestled in a wooded area, offering a perfect blend of seclusion and nature.
Each spacious suite features 600 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, ensuring plenty of room for relaxation. Enjoy private balconies that invite you to soak in the breathtaking scenery. The decor reflects the charm of the American West, complete with cozy touches like sheepskin rugs, fireplaces, and soaking tubs.
Explore a variety of outdoor adventures, including tours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, horseback riding, off-road excursions, float trips on the Snake River, fly fishing and whitewater rafting.

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.