Epic Film = Epic Tourism?

Coming soon to a theater near you, "Australia". Award-winning director Baz Luhrmann is in charge of this WWII-era romantic drama, which is highlighted by stunning scenery and an appreciation for the continent down under. Oh yeah, there's also Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, who earlier this week was named "Sexiest Man Alive 2008". I never have figured out why they throw in that 3rd word...alive is pretty much assumed. "Sexiest man dead" wouldn't pose much attraction now, would it? Anyway, back to the film. Luhrmann has tried to capture the Outback in all its glory and wonderment, from spectacular colors and scenery to stark emptiness, with a soaring soundtrack that plays as a travelogue for Australia. The aboriginal culture is addressed as well, and Tourism Australia has budgeted $26 million dollars to promote the film world-wide. Australia the movie opens internationally on Nov. 26th, just prior to America's Thanksgiving Day, and is sure to be a blockbuster for the Holidays. Don't forget to order the $32 bucket of corn when you hit the theater ($49.95 if you want that yummy hot-butter sludge topping).

One reason I brought this up in the blog is that numerous Australian tour operators are setting up trips, for travelers to re-trace the steps of the film and experience the highlights first-hand. This should be a resounding success, and Mann Travels will have access to those tours if you're interested in such an adventure. While you're there, you may want to consider adding on other parts of Australia and New Zealand as well, if you have the time. I always tell clients if you know you're only going to make it to a certain area of the world once in your life, plan on doing everything that works logistically and financially. Because airfare from the US is very long and tends to be a bit high (it IS halfway around the globe after all), the vast majority of travelers only make the crossing one time. We'll be happy to help with suggestions and planning this dream trip for you.

More on Celebrity's new "Celebrity Solstice", a world-class vessel that just began its career at sea. The reviews? She's a stunner! Here is a capsule summary from a travel writer recently on board the ship:

Solstice's dazzling features range from a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck to a wine-tasting cellar down below. But it's not just the unusual features that define this ship; architecturally, it's amazing. The public room areas are large with full-size furniture, large corridors, and an overall light and airy ambiance. Take one small example--the public bathrooms have giant glass sinks that create no splashing even when turned on full force. Unique to Solstice, there has never been an area like the Lawn Club on a cruise ship, and it features the Italian favorite game, bocce ball. It's like horseshoes, but you lob wooden balls. A member of the social staff tells people how to play, and everyone was having fun with it. An even bigger attraction is the "Hot Glass Show," in partnership with the Corning Museum of Glass. There are demonstrations in the art of glassblowing three times a day and one at night. It's called the 2300 Show, referring to the heat of the oven.

Dining room "Blu" is a beautiful white room with a white rose sculptured wall. Celebrity has given it cachet by giving priority to people in suites and Aqua-class for the two set dining times, making it the first mainstream American cruise ship with a class system for dining. Overall, the 10 dining venues run the gamut from Asian fare at Silk Harvest to the alternative French restaurant, Murano, Tuscan Grill (an Italian steakhouse) to the alternative casual Bistro on Five, with sandwiches, salads, and crepes ($5 for as much as you want), open from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The buffet is a wide variety of food stations, in a large open public area that will easily handle the few thousand people onboard. The room has higher ceilings than the usual buffet area, lending a real feeling of openness. Indeed, spaciousness on this ship is evident throughout. In the showroom, they could have crammed a lot more people in, but instead designed one that holds 1,150 people. Seats are comfortable, aisles are spacious, and the lower deck is beautifully tiered.
There are two production shows: a Broadway-theme and another which bears similarities to the former Cirque du Soleil at Sea (people flying around over the audience, etc.). Both 45-minute productions clearly pleased the audience, as did the ship itself. Solstice is a winner.

The Mankato Minnesota Free Press reports a local juvenile has been detained on forgery charges, after trying to cash a check for $30 million dollars. The check was made out to the unnamed boy, written by his mother. Authorities have ruled out the possibility of his mother's involvement, though. It turns out she had written him a birthday check for $30, and the boy added the additional zeros on his own. A spokesman for Northern Star Bank said the forgery appeared fairly obvious, as the young lad wrote the additional zeros in a different colored ink...