Freelance writer exploring Melbourne and beyond. If you enjoy the following article click on the Like button, Facebook it to your friends or subscribe. I'll update you with yummy and often free events. Like my photos? I instagram @redbagwilltravel
We have all become risk-averse to planning holidays. Too many of us have been burnt in the last 18 months. I had a trip to Broome planned last year. When it was apparent WA would lock us out, I tried to get refunds on my airline tickets. To no avail. Telephone lines were tied up and the online ticketing service I had used successfully in the past had totally disappeared off the internet.
Here's a tip because it worked for me. And I can see consumer vic.gov.au also points to the same advice by calling it a chargeback.
I nipped the process right in the bud. I'd paid for one ticket on PayPal and they were fantastic in getting the money back for the flight. The return ticket I'd paid for by credit card. My bank was slower in getting the money back, but they eventually did get me the refund.
The accommodation was another question. I had paid in full and couldn't get out of it, especially as it was the second time I had postponed the trip due to COVID-19. In the end, I managed to sell the accommodation to someone else who lived in WA and would be able to go. I took a loss but at least I didn't lose the total amount.
It has made me wary, so why am I suggesting you plan a trip to Launceston? Because times are changing and travel companies fit in with a changing world because they need the business.
Rex Airlines
Rex Airlines is a good example of this. They are flying to more cities now, including Burnie in Tasmania. They offer a COVID refund that offers a full refund of the fare or changes with no admin fee. Here is their guarantee. Qantas flies direct to Launceston but their guarantee seems more complex.
Staywell
StayWell Holdings, one of the largest hotel management groups in the Asia Pacific, has announced its Flexible Getaways campaign. StayWell also offers a Rebook opportunity, allowing free date changes to allow travellers to book with confidence. Here are where they have hotels in Australia .
These advances in the travel world mean that even in lockdown, people can stop dreaming and start planning a trip.
For Victorians, Tasmania is, of course, close and lovely. And often, people who rush overseas every year have never been there. Here are five reasons why it would be worth basing yourself in Launceston.
1. You can feel like you're 'overseas':
The Colonial and Victorian-era architecture gives the feeling of being transported to the UK, all without needing a passport.
2. Stay at a heritage-listed property:
Penny Royal Leisure Inn
2. Penny Royal Leisure Inn
The Staywell property in Launceston is a boutique heritage-listed hotel, Leisure Inn Penny Royal. The hotel was once a corn mill and has been transformed into various accommodation options for families, friends, or couples. The hotel has an onsite adventure park.
And is within walking distance to Cataract Gorge, one of the area's top attractions to see. A pathway, known as the King's Bridge-Cataract Walk, originally built by volunteers in the 1890s, runs along the north bank of the Cataract Gorge. The chairlift is the longest single-span chairlift in the world.
3. You can explore the top sparkling wine region in the world:
The Tamar Valley wine region in Launceston produces the world's best sparkling wine (outside of Champagne). With over 30 wine tasting rooms to choose from. Here is more information.
A paddock to plate destination, Launceston offers amazing local produce. Many people aren't aware that it's one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the country. The new restaurant in the Penny Royal Hotel, for example, is a modern Australian restaurant focusing on beautiful natural resources, world-class seafood, impeccable produce, artisan craft producers and superb meat.
As most of us are sick of being cooped up in a city, Launceston has the perfect mix of the country. Still, with city pleasures such as shopping and dining options, you'd normally find in metropolitan areas, combined with plenty of outdoor activity options as well.
Well done on recovering some of your money. Selling your accommodation was a great idea, I imagine I would not have thought of doing that. It's good to see business adapting and I guess they have to or people will not book at all for fear of losing their money. I must admit my husband and I have decided to holiday in our own state for fear of being stuck elsewhere due to border lock downs. These are interesting times.
