Give the gift of travel for Christmas

If there’s one thing 2020 has taught us it’s that we love to get out of the house and travel. The most important things are family, our health, eating well and enjoying our lives. So, here are a few ideas that combine all of these. Gather your family for a day of sightseeing in your own backyard and make memories, not landfill.

Get in shape weekends

2020 was the year for staying in, resting our bodies and relaxing our rules around eating and exercise. But the ring of steel has lifted and now it’s time to get out into the world again and shift the ring of COVIDkilos from around our waistlines.

An active weekend is just what you need to get your heart started again. Take advantage of the public holidays and the summer weather and get in shape. Visit Lorne, zip through the enormous Live Wire Park then hike to Erskine Falls or do a sightseeing tour of the Twelve Apostles and sign up for the Otway Fly Zipline experience. If hills are more your thing, head out to the Dandenongs for a challenging bush walk up the 1000 steps.

Consult with the team at Around and About Travel and you can create your own itinerary and choose your drop off and pick up points so you can hike along the beach near the Great Ocean Road. Join in a bike tour in Forrest in the Otways or hang ten in an Anglesea surfing class. Tackle a section of the new Grampians Peaks Trail or climb to the Pinnacle and look out over the region.

Wellness connections.

Working from home can have its drawbacks. People sitting awkwardly at makeshift desks in their bedrooms, or hunching over their laptops in their closets, hiding from the kids has meant that necks are sore and backs need some attention. A massage and a spa session is just what the ‘doctor’ ordered. Book yourself and your family in for a trip to the Peninsula Hot Springs in Mornington, and of course, stop in at a winery for lunch before a walk on the beach.

There are times when a family or a group of mates just needs the space to sit and reflect on life and there’s no better place to do this than on a boat. Fill your esky, pack your sunscreen and head out for a day on the water together, fishing or sailing.

Day trips

Take the stress out of Christmas shopping this year and purchase an experience voucher for your colleagues, clients, family and friends. Send those with little ones to the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary to discover the habits and habitats of our natives animals. They might also enjoy the Dandenong Ranges day trip, and a ride on Puffing Billy. For the young adults on your Christmas list, a wine tasting experience in the Yarra Valley offers a day of cellar door tasting and beautiful vistas.

A fabulous all-ages activity is a trip to Rayner’s Orchard. Taste delicious fruit straight from the vine (or plant or tree) and enjoy a fruit picking tractor tour. Another one that everyone loves is the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour. History buffs will love a visit to Sovereign Hill to learn about the gold rush and experience an underground mine tour.

If your loved ones usually head overseas at this time of year and need a snow trip to look forward to, you can purchase day trip tickets for Mt Buller to be used when the season opens in 2021.

Do you want to share the gift of travel this Christmas?

What’s the best ‘experience’ that you’ve ever been gifted?

Around and About Travel has gift vouchers to make your Christmas gifting even easier.

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