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Travel Bug Within

A travel blog inspiring mid-life adventurers to chase their wanderlust and explore further

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Enjoy five star luxury at the Riley Hotel in Cairns

July 3, 2020 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Two white chairs and small table in a open plan hotel lobby

My review on the Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort Accessibility Besides the agreeable temperature and friendly locals, another feature about Cairns I love, nothing is too far away. From the airport, it is only 4.8 kilometres to the Cairns esplanade (a 10 minute drive) to my home for the next few nights, at the Riley. The lobby is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Hotel Reviews, Queensland

A comfortable home away from home in Kyoto – Mimaru Nishinotoin Takatsuji

March 11, 2020 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Screen door leading into a hotel reception with potted plants on either side of the entrance

Creature comforts and space in Kyoto One aspect about Japan travellers regularly comment on, is that hotel rooms are often on the smaller side. And I get it. Space comes at a premium price in this island country, home to 126.8 million people. But with a little research, you can find exceptions to the 'small hotel room' syndrome without costing a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Hotel Reviews, Japan Tagged With: #KyotoHotel, #MimaruApartmentHotels, Kyoto, Mimaru Apartment Hotels, Where to stay in Kyoto

Seattle’s Maxwell Hotel where pineapples rule

August 25, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Seattle is a city visitors rarely want to leave. Located in the enchanting Pacific Northwest, as the State’s largest city, Seattle has drawn from a region packed with nature and cultural diversity. Tucked in the pocket of the Puget Sound, Seattle pulses with an energetic vibe. There's too much going on - like exploring outdoors, nature, live … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hotel Reviews, USA Tagged With: Fun hotel in Seattle, Hotel Review, The Maxwell Hotel Seattle, where to stay in Seattle

Five star luxury hotel in Dubai

March 11, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Finding the luxe in Dubai Being greeted by a doorman at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai dressed in tails and a top hat is an unexpected but stylish touch. Stepping through the revolving doors my eye is drawn to an image showcasing the city and some of Dubai’s most impressive architectural wonders.  Above the expansive cityscape, a modern … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Hotel Reviews, UAE Tagged With: Five star luxury in Dubai, Luxury Hotel Dubai, Renaissance Downtown Hotel Dubai, where to stay in Dubai

The Caley Hotel in Edinburgh

September 26, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Castle on the Hill’ plays in my head as I take in the view from The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian. Clinging to the craggy outcrop of an extinct volcano are the imposing fortress and mottled sandstone buildings of the Edinburgh Castle.  The Caledonian, or the 'Caley' as its affectionately known, proudly boasts more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Hotel and Restaurant Reviews, Hotel Reviews, Scotland, United Kingdom Tagged With: Hotel Review, Scotland, Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian, Where to stay in Edinburgh

Waldorf Astoria – The Caledonian, Edinburgh, Scotland

May 31, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Luxe hotel in the heart of Edinburgh I have an undeniable passion for Scotland fueled by a number of things, including the Scottish blood running deep within my veins, as well as my love of anything Outlander (books and TV series.)  So when I stepped into the hotel lobby of the Caledonian - I felt I'd arrived at a place I knew was going to be hard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Destinations, Hotel Reviews, Scotland Tagged With: Luxe hotel in Edinburgh, luxury accommodation in Edinburgh, Outlander Fans, places to stay in Edinburgh, Waldorf Astoria, Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian Edinburgh, what to do in Edinburgh, Where to stay in Edinburgh

Melbourne is the Bombe

April 14, 2015 By Jennifer Johnston 5 Comments

Melbourne for fun and fine dining We create frenetic lifestyles. Working; running after families; playing with social media; time on the internet (maybe too much time); the never-ending household chores; exercising - all contribute to the sense of constant busy-ness. Like running on a continually moving treadmill without a stop button! I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Hotel Reviews, Victoria Tagged With: Discover Melbourne, Donovans, Eating out in Melbourne, Girls week-end in Melbourne, Hotels in Melbourne CBD, Intercontinental Melbourne the Rialto, Melbourne, Spice Temple at the Crown Casino, St Kilda's favourite restaurant

Who is Travel Bug Within?

A mid-life adventurer inspiring other mid-life adventurers to explore further.

By sharing honest informative stories about places I've visisted
I hope Travel Bug Within stirs your wanderlust.

Jennifer x

For feature stories click on the bird logo linking to my personal website

To follow me on insta

travelbugwithin

Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

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#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
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#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

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#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
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@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

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#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
As we contemplate where our next travels will be, As we contemplate where our next travels will be, whether near or far (not overseas for this Aussie for a while)I wanted to share my story about a road trip I did six months ago!

Hard to believe it's taken me this long to write the post, but there were so many side trips and places, people I discovered travelling from Brisbane to Yeppoon with @ccb4cr who was Happy to come along for the ride (in her very comfortable @volvocarau )

Yes, it took a while before I could hit #publish

If you're in lockdown, like I currently am, or just laying low, grab a cup of tea, or a glass of wine and pull up stumps, and take a read over my story. 
You'll find a lnk in the bio above.

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#roadtrip
#queensland
#capricorncoast
#adventures
#wanderlust
#wherewego
#australia
My Top nine for 2020. The year that was! Sunset My Top nine for 2020.

The year that was! 

Sunsets seem to be popular 🌄 😬

Thank you to my followers and those who  regularly comment. It is a great community to be a part of and particularly throughout this past year wherein connection was mostly virtual. 

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#topnine 
#topnine2020 
#instagram
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