Wren Elite Travel

Australia and the movie: see Wren Elite Travel's destination special

To be released on Boxing Day this year in the UK, Australia the movie presents a fabulous opportunity to not only watch a great epic romantic adventure, but also to find out more about this fascinating country, and the birthplace of Nicole Kidman who stars in the film.

So, thought I'd point you in the direction of the main Wren Elite Travel website, where I have compiled a destination special with the help of Tourism Australia. This special represents pages of information detailing many different aspects of Australia, such as the Outback experience, romantic Australia, the Aboriginal experience, Australian journeys, and adventurous Australia.

I hope you enjoy it!

Featured Destination: New York

The Big Apple is a most wonderful city, and having been there 'officially' on 3 trips, I should know (though I can barely remember the first time, I was only 13 and it was a flying visit!). I returned from my last trip to New York in April this year, after spending a week there with my teenage son.

It is a must-do destination for anyone who has not yet had the pleasure of exploring this fascinating place. From the big sights such as the Empire State Building, to the lesser-visited attractions such as Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and Coney Island amusement park, New York is full of adventure.

Featured destination: California

The golden beaches and rocky shores of California stretch for more than 1,200 miles, so it is little wonder that this US state is known as the Golden State, made even more so by the fact that it revels in golden weather for most of the year. From the deserts, beaches, cities and mountains within the 12 regions of California, any visitor is spoilt for choice - in fact, you can be truly dazzled by what there is to see and do here.

Featured destination: Madagascar

Isolated for tens of thousands of years after breaking off from Africa 165 million years ago, Madagascar is a world of its own for the unique species of animals and plants that evolved here, on their own path, for all that time.

If you are truly interested in the beauty and diversity of nature, then you will want to experience the incredible kaleidescope of wildlife and fauna that exists on this beautiful and fascinating ancient island. Whether it is the famous varieties of lemurs, the jumping frogs and darting chameleons, or the noisy birds and amazing butterflies, Madagascar is pure paradise.

Featured destination: Uzbekistan

Are you looking for a destination that is steeped in culture and legacy, and that played host to hoards of conquerors and nomads, but is highly unlikely to be cited on your neighbour's list of this year's 'getaways'? Uzbekistan, in the heart of Central Asia, is the place to go if you're looking for something different this year. Visitors are still few and far between, yet with its Silk Road setting, the country offers a wealth of historical context as well as fascinating sights and scenery.

The Uzbekistan landscape consists of flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes broad, splendid river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon.

Featured destination: Vietnam

Rich in majestic scenery, natural colour and lush vegetation, Vietnam is the kind of country that will haunt you with its beauty. From rugged mountains to rice paddies, it is a country of extremes, and it will not cease to amaze you with what it can offer.

Vietnam is a destination that is still less travelled than its nearby counterpart, Thailand, which has become a must-see long-haul trip for many. But Vietnam has the same splendour, beautiful beaches, and wondrous attractions, as well as vibrant energy in the cities, just fewer tourist crowds.

There is, of course, the exceptional history of the country, with much of the French colonial influence remaining in the form of architecture, as well as war-time reminders in the battlefields and tunnels of the Demilitarised Zone.