At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
My best friend and I had the plan in 2017 to travel to Australia. And because of that, we attended a presentation from TravelEssence. After that, we had a good feeling about the company. So we decided to book an appointment with a travel specialist. Michiel visited our house to determine our wants and desires in a holiday to Australia.
When we received our itinerary, we were nervous to take a look. However, after we worked up the courage, we were more than pleased with the outcome. TravelEssence had planned for us to drive through Queensland for two weeks because there are so many amazing things to see and do here.
It is not necessary to cover the whole East Coast because Queensland has so many things to discover. After that, we would fly to Alice Springs and start a 3-day Outback adventure. And eventually, we finished our dream trip in Melbourne.
We choose Melbourne over Sydney because of the artistic vibe and urban culture. This was based on the advice from Michiel. Also, TravelEssence booked all our other flights. Since we had an extended trip to Vietnam and Thailand. This saved us a lot of time.
Our trip was exactly what we had hoped for. And even better! Driving on the left side on the road in an automatic car with the wheel on the right was at first slightly challenging.
But in the less populated areas of Queensland, it was much easier than we expected. In two weeks, we drove 2000 kilometres. Each trip was never longer than a few hours. So we did not waste time driving in the car (but we also loved the scenery while we were driving).
All of our accommodations were unique and small-scale. We really enjoyed the conversations and local knowledge of our local hosts and guides. From beautiful nature and deserted beaches to special wildlife and more.
We saw goannas, cassowaries, emus, kookaburras, cockatoos and lots of different types of kangaroos in the wild. Our most memorable accommodation was a lodge that hosts orphaned kangaroos. You also have the opportunity to cuddle these beautiful animals. And of course, we did.
The Outback adventure was heavy but super awesome. Waking up at 4 am to embark on a five-hour hike. But how beautiful were the views we had and how proud we were to take on such a challenge in the heart of Australia. Sleeping in a swag under the starlit sky and so far away from civilization. Who can say they have experienced that?
So altogether we had an amazing trip, with a special note to Michiel for organizing and knowing what our needs were. We want to recommend TravelEssence to everyone who is thinking about a trip to Australia. I assure you that you will be staying and visiting the places away from the mainstream. And everything will be organized smoothly and for less money than you may expect.
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At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
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Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.