There were plenty of great stories of fans on board having a great time including this from Cabin Leader Rhiannon Condon, who was on a flight which departed Australia on 12 June, the day before the Socceroos were due to play their first game. Rhiannon tells us…

“The flight was 15 hours of absolute mayhem, with every Guest travelling to South Africa for the World Cup. The crew really got into the spirit of things as well and wore football jumpers, scarves etc with their uniforms. The cabin lighting proved popular too and I heard that the crew who flew our aircraft home, left them on that setting. Overall it was a brilliant flight, the passengers were really well behaved and we even managed an “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi” over the PA. A group of the crew travelled to Durban for the match, which was the most sensational experience. ”

There was a suggestion that maybe there would be a need for a bit more beer on the flight, which turned out to be a good call – the additional 10 cases of beer were all drunk bar two cans!

Why are we so excited to welcome Johannesburg to the club? This vibrant, fast-paced city, often called the NYC of South Africa, is a melting pot of culture and experiences, where modernity meets tradition. Expect a sensory treat with 11 official languages, various cultures, a vast choice of food and something for everyone really.

Here are a few of our picks, but don’t just take our word for it– build your own South African adventure.

Sleep

Luxury: Melrose Arch Hotel located in the trendy, up & coming Melrose Arch neighbourhood. This is the perfect resting place for those looking to take in Johannesburg’s modern, smart & stylish side. With so much at your doorstep, do not expect to stop for long.

Boutique: Ten Bompas Hotel this relaxing retreat offers only 10 rooms, each of which have been styled by local designers. This property’s attention to detail will allow you to forget about everything, other than enjoying your holiday of course.

Big Game: Askari Game Lodge an easy hour outside of Johannesburg, this lodge offers guests a Big 5 wildlife (Lion, Leopard, African Rhino, Cape Buffalo & Elephant)  experience on the Plumari Africa Game Reserve and, likely, offers more comforts than home.

Party

Be seen: fashiontv is a fashionista’s paradise and the perfect place to enjoy a bubbly beverage and settle in for some people watching.

Chill: Cool Runnings, a laid-back, hangout, is ideal for lounging with friends over beverages and munchies– island style.

Dance: The Crazy 88 is known for their DJs and hosting fabulous parties. Ready to party like a rock star? This is the place for you.

Eat

Game: Carnivore– vegetarians beware: this is not the place for you, but if meat is your favourite aspect of any meal, then you are welcome, because this is exactly the place for you.

African: Moya this pan-African hot-spot serves up a variety of dishes with a side of live entertainment.

Seafood: Vilamoura is a foodie favourite, showcasing the best the culinary scene has to offer. If you fancy fine dining, be sure to get a table before you depart JNB.

See

SAB World of Beer: it doesn’t get better than this for beer lovers, not only offering a behind the scenes look into brewing, but also serving guests two frosties at the end.

Tswaing Meteorite Crater: one of the best preserved meteorite craters in the world, invites visitors to experience this natural wonder with a hike, picnic and unlimited photo-ops.

Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve: situated in the World Heritage Site “Cradle of Humankind” and providing visitors with up close & personal experiences with the wildlife including the opportunity to pet & photograph big cat cubs.

Kruger National Park: this national park boast nearly 2 million hectares of archaeological sights and an over the top wildlife experience (336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals respective species to be a bit more exact). Just do not forget your camera.

Pecanwood Golf Course: famous and fabulous, this course was the first in the country to be designed and completed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

The Apartheid Museum: a powerful experience exploring South Africa’s history through works curated by artists, filmmakers, historians & designers.

Tour Soweto: No trip to Johannesburg is complete without a tour of this township.

Shop

44 Stanley Avenue: hosts 25 relaxed, specialty boutiques. It’s a one stop shop for furnishing both your home and your closet.

Sandton City: one of the largest shopping centers in the hemisphere. Need we say more? We didn’t think so.

Rosebank Rooftop Market: often referred to as the city’s best flea market, this is the place to stock up on all the items that you can’t get anywhere else.

Now that the planning has been taken care of– are you ready to go? We are!

Book your Jonzi holiday today, fares starting from $1499

So now that you have seen a few of our favourite places, we’d love to hear from you. Leave your must see & do in Johannesburg lists in the comments. You never know, they may end up in a future post (with credit of course).

Adventure: Phuket serves up the type of activities that are sure to make your friends jealous and provide the perfect photo opportunities.

Relaxation: if this scenery doesn’t wash all your worries away, there is not much more we can do.

Hydration: for these purposes we’ll consider hydration to be synonymous with happy hour and to our previous point, it does not get much more relaxing than a beach-side cocktail. Also, good for putting out the fire caused by our next Phuket favorite.

Delicious eats: forget your sunburn, it will be your taste-buds that are on fire after enjoying some traditional and spicy Thai food. Even after you leave you’ll be feeling these dishes, if only because you find yourself craving more.

Culture & history: we’d be remiss if we did not mention the wealth of experience beyond the sand in Phuket. Even the most devoted beach bums will be thrilled they took the time to venture beyond the shores.

James Bond Island: can you tell we have beach on the brain? Seriously though, if it is good enough for 007 it is certainly good enough for us. Be sure to bring your camera because this scenery will impress more than just movie enthusiasts.

We think you get get the picture, literally, Phuket is fabulous. So, now that you’ve gathered all your board shorts or bikinis- you’re ready to jet off to paradise. With fares from $399* we’re happy to get you there, service from Brisbane began Sunday. Meet you on the beach!
*conditions and restrictions apply
Photos courtesy of chee.hong & edachsund

The Valley Fiesta is Brisbane’s Outdoor Street Party with international, national and local acts to feed your heart and soul.

The Valley Fiesta presents over 60 artists across three stages and with this year’s theme based on the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival, the Valley will come to life with an inspiring program for people of all ages to enjoy.

V Australia recommends taking some time out of your weekend to catch Brisbane’s wittiest comedians and actors go head to head in Impro Gladitators, be charmed by Brisbane’s hottest Close-up Magician, JAY JAY, and catch some of the best in Australian music from Bertie Blackman, C.W. Stoneking and The Panda Band.

For out of towners traveling through if you’d like to reconnect with your zombie mates you can find out more.

Or if you’d prefer to just jump in to the fun of the Valley Fiesta, check out the line up here.

Follow your carnivorous instincts to Animal, Jon Shook & Vinnny Dotolo’s new restaurant, opened in June of 2008.   Known from their Food Network reality show, “Two Dudes Catering,” these two laid back chefs feature mostly meat on their menu to the delight of LA hipster crowds— pork chops, ribs, steaks, and mmm… bacon.   The “Food Dudes” are not known for green leafy vegetables, so bring a hearty appetite.  And if you’ve heard the rumor but didn’t believe it, you’ll just have to taste it for yourself: they even serve bacon for dessert– their signature “bacon chocolate crunch bar!”

There’s no sign on the door, so follow your “animal” instincts to sniff it out.  It shouldn’t be hard to catch a waft of the savory & smoky flavors within a mile of the vicinity.   435 North Fairfax Avenue, between Oakwood and Rosewood Avenues, (323) 782-9225 open for dinner Sun-Thurs 6 pm-11 pm, Fri-Sat, 6 pm-2 am.

If you fancy yourself more of a bacon fanatic than just a bacon fan, you might try this crowd-pleaser at your next party: the Candied Bacon Martini.

Line a baking sheet with foil, sprinkle ¼ cup of brown sugar over 8 bacon slices, and bake at 400 degrees until crisp and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.  In a large cocktail shaker, combine 6 ounces vodka, 4 ounces Applejack brandy, 2 ounces amaretto, and 2 ounces maple syrup with ice.  Shake until chilled, and then pour into 4 chilled martini glasses.  Garnish with an apple slice and half a slice of candied bacon.   Really?  What could be more delicious?!

Well, after a quick reminder of the task at hand…

The Challenge: 3 friends, non-stop in LA for 3 days. Celebs, clubs and chaos.
The Catch: Send a tweet every minute they’re there. All 4,320 of them.
Success: 3 around-the-world tickets on V Australia and Virgin Atlantic.
Failure: not an option.

700pm: guess where? The poolside cabana on the rooftop at the SLS Hotel; a day-time contrast to our ‘graveyard shift’ SLS Foyer jaunts.

800pm: we wind our way to Griffith Observatory for a sunset picnic and the most spectacular views of LA as night embraces us and reveals the jeweled blanket that covers the west-side of LA.

1000pm: the cigar club on Sunset. No need to light-up; it’s pleasurable enough to meet the owner, Mark, and listen to his stories of hand-made cigars. The front room is a like someone’s living room on display to all who pass on Sunset Blvd. Downstairs is a hidden gem with rear deck that feels miles away from the bustle of the street above.

1100pm: House of Blues is always a mecca for touring acts, but out back at street level is a private bar with quilted walls, heavily carved timber joinery and bar and a hip-hop DJ hammering out fat beats

1200am: the V Tweeters momentarily leave us to enjoy the delights of the Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel. This is truly where LA’s rich and famous come to be seen. And who do we meet? Several fellow Aussies enjoying their stay in LA.  Aussies are everywhere when you travel.

Nathan shows off his new tan

 200am: LA is bedevilled by strict licensing laws that close all venues serving alcohol at 200am so unless you know someone with an all-night / off-licence club (members-only) then your best bet are the many diners and cafes such as Swingers.

230am: V Tweeters and crew sample Swingers all-day breakfast including pancakes, coffee, chilli, burgers, um … well it’s not all breakfast, but we won’t judge.

400am: our third grave-yard shift begins. The crew are fading but the V Tweeters tweet on.

500am: Barry’s Boot Camp beckons. The V Tweeters are welcome to it. And the visit by a Tarot reader at the Urth Café immediately after. Not for me though, my third and final nap is a marathon five hours.

1130am: once again in a cabana by the rooftop pool at the SLS Hotel. Why move? The pace is nice now. Well for me anyway – the V Tweeters are on the home stretch and sensing it: 4,000 tweets have been sent.

100pm: a visit to Sunset Tan of reality TV fame. The V Tweeters, well Matt and Nathan anyway, are now sun-kissed, LA-style.

230pm: marguerites in Hollywood near Vine. Why not? I recommend the jalapeño marguerite.

Sensing the end is near it's time for a cocktail, by this time the V-Tweeters can smell success and sleep

330pm: a visit to the Australian cosmetics man, the  Napoleon Perdis flagship store on Hollywood.

430pm: a quick trip up Beachwood for the iconic shot of the Hollywood sign

530pm: arrive at the rooftop pool and bar at the Andaz Hotel

600pm: mission accomplished, 4,320 tweets and the V Tweeters toast LA and V Australia. It’s been intensely rewarding for all involved and we are stunned to reflect that it’s been just 4,320 minutes; 72 hours; 3 days in LA. The flight home on VA2 departing 1145pm is guaranteed to bring a long, deep sleep.

If you still can’t get enough of the V-Tweeters, no worries, catch up on all the tweets and pictures here.

Or if you want follow the V-Tweeters lead and take off to Sydney, V Australia flies daily from Los Angeles, departing 1145pm, arriving 800am in Sydney (+2 days).  Bookings at www.vaustralia.com (US) or www.vaustralia.com.au (AU)

Now that you have heard from us, we want to hear from you.  What Hollywood hotspots and legendary LA attractions did the V-Tweeters miss?  Leave your comments and suggestions below.

630pm: a private tour of the SLS Hotel including a visit to the Bazaar Restaurant by Jose Andreas. Apparently, the food is out-of-this-world, which is most likely why it’s booked-out up to three months in advance.

730pm: why all this focus on beauty for the V Tweeters?  Botox, waxing, pedicure? I’ll tell you why, we were prepping to mingle with the beautiful people.

Matt gets some pre-party pampering and beautification

900pm: our names are on the door at the rooftop Armani Xchange party at the Mitchell’s Hotel in Beverly Hills; sipping vodka and grapefruit juice while gazing out on a clear and warm Los Angeles night. Don’t get too settled though, there’s plenty more to come.

1100pm: a visit to Pink’s Hotdogs, an LA legend with perennial queues (lines) and a wall adorned with photos of the hundreds of celebrities that have visited, including Gordon Ramsay. The manager wins us over with a hotdog adorned with writing in mustard, “V Australia”.  

1200am: MyHouse is one of LA’s hottest nightclubs, situated in West Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd.  We strike upon an accidental ruse; the V Tweeters are snaffled away and into the throb of this club by security when a huddle of b-grade paparazzi converge on us, believing we are celebrities because we have a lone camera-man (Huw) and huge entourage of producers and production assistants. So LA.

1200am: we, the V Crew are not cool enough to get in, so it’s a welcome break at the bar in the Roosevelt Hotel just up the street on Hollywood. Baseball is on the TV screens.  

130am: retrieve our intrepid V Tweeters and turn to another LA must – Canters Deli, a Jewish deli on Fairfax with the most incredible glass ceiling – a lead-light tracery of autumnal tree branches in gold, ochre, green and occasionally blue.

145am: we don’t stop to eat though; mob rules and it’s Damiano’s Pizza across the road for a late night slice of thin-crust pepperoni pizza

300am: the graveyard shift begins. SLS Foyer. The security guards and cleaners are kind and patient. Or simply puzzled.

400am: the tweets flow

500am: LA stirs – garbage trucks; the hum of commuter cars belying the all-day rush-hour still to come; the first glow of a new day

700am: Matt and Nathan jump into our cars and head to Venice Beach for Muscle Beach, a bike ride on the promenade and (so they tell me) a stirring re-enactment of Baywatch, replete in red life-saver one-piece swimsuits.

Matt & Nathan make their way to the beach, notice Matt's mean two-handed tweeting technique

800am: I tune out, won’t think about how they look on the beach, and opt instead for my second three-hour sleep.

1100am: V Tweeters relax poolside on the rooftop at the SLS Hotel.

130pm: V Tweeters take in the sights of Beverly Hills on a tour in classic 1950’s convertible Cadillac

300pm: we meet at Channel 9 (Australia) LA bureau for a live hook-up on the TODAY Show. Richard Reid stops by and shows us how to really do breakfast TV, over-the-top style. OMG.

400pm: tour of the Clear Channel radio studios at Burbank and meet KIIS FM DJ Dave Styles to discuss the return challenge: can three Americans go 4320:SYD?

530pm: no trip to LA should be without a stop at the record-store phenomenon that is Amoeba Records. More vinyl, CD’s and pop-culture merchandise than you can fathom. All genres. Who said music was only the domain of the Internet now?

630pm: one of our production assistants, Anthony Sims, enlightens us to the differences between rap and performance poetry while driving and leaves us speechless with a piece that conjures the rush of life in the digital age, the importance of seizing and savouring every moment. These take up several moments in our 4,320 juggernaut.

No need to feel left out, plan your own LA adventure with daily flights from Sydney, departing 800pm, arriving 430pm the same day, it’s an easy escape.  Book now but tweet at your leisure.

The Catch: Send a tweet every minute they’re on the ground. All 4,320 of them.

Success: 3 around-the-world tickets on V Australia and Virgin Atlantic.

Failure: not an option.

Here’s what our winning team of V Tweeters (Kelvin, Nathan and Matt- pictured from right to left above) got up to, tweets and photos can be found here.

Day One

800pm: depart VA1 SYD 800pm; arrive 430pm LAX 430pm, same day. The V Australia crew are very friendly and share the excitement of the 3 days and 4,320-tweet challenge ahead of us.

600pm: let the tweets begin with a quick stop at In-and-Out Burger on Sepulveda Blvd. LA is renowned for some of the best burger joints in the world including its chains which include the aforementioned, Fat Burger and All American Burger to name a few.

700pm: check-in to LA’s swankiest hotel, SLS, just down the street from the Beverly Centre.

830pm: rehearsing lines from a remake of the 1980’s homage to 50’s pubescent awakening, Porkies, with actress Cristin Michele Beaver in the SLS Hotel outdoor lounge (foyer)

Tweeting in the Escalade

930pm: make a hasty exit from the growing huddle in the SLS Foyer to Eagle Junction / Echo Park in our luxury 7-seater black Cadillac Escalade

1000pm: Vintage Tattoo and Kelvin undergoes his first inking

1130pm: hunger besets the V Tweeters and their entourage (us, the V Crew); pit-stop on Sunset Blvd for New York-style pizza and beers

1230am: Saddle Ranch Chop Club and both Nathan and Matt are cowboys, riding the bucking bull, before changing gears and assaulting us with their karaoke skills

200am: where-else but The Standard Hotel and the all-night diner for the first of many coffees. Don’t miss gazing at the Peter Pan wallpaper in the men’s restroom.

300am: a quick late-night trip to the Walk of Stars on Hollywood Blvd. What better time to match your hand and feet size to pint-sized stars at Manns Chinese Theatre than now? Only now do the more eccentric characters of Hollywood outnumber the tourists, in all their glory.

400am: back at the SLS Hotel foyer, a spot that will become a regular refuge during what is known as the ‘graveyard shift’; weary and bleary eyes set about the task of continuous tweeting while reflecting on what this city has to offer, on its surface and beneath it. LA does have a soul. We saw it each morning at 4am.

600am: showered and refreshed we hit the road en route to Malibu: La Cienega to the fabled Sunset Blvd through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, past my old turn-offs to some of the best mountain biking tracks (up Dirt Mulholland way), and right onto the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)

Matt & Nathan on their surfing adventure

700am: V Tweeters, Matt and Nathan, learn to surf at Malibu. The long-boarders are out in force despite a small swell; it’s a classic Californian summer  morning– arid with clear blue skies; the marine layer or June Gloom is no longer with us in July.

830am: back along the PCH to Santa Monica for the Farmers Markets

The Farmers' Market

900am: escape the organic fruit and vegetable growers for a breakfast burrito

1000am: stroll to Santa Monica Pier

1100am: time for Botox as Nathan decides the character-filled lines of his 25 years deserves de-wrinkling

1230pm: false start at the pedicurist (are we lost? Has Robertson Blvd deceived us? Are their two #350’s??); so lunch is called …

130pm: bookings at the Ivy for the V Tweeters, fabled more for star-spotting than its food, while we (V Crew) enjoy a healthy alternative at  the Newsroom Café across the road

300pm: I give in, briefly; it’s time for sleep while the V Tweeters nominate Matt for a chest waxing. LA is for beautiful people. Everyone can be beautified.

V Australia flies daily to Los Angeles from Sydney, departing 800pm, arriving 430pm the same day.  Book your own Hollywood weekend at www.vaustralia.com.au

Photos: Brooke George 2009

Boasting more sunny days than Florida and warmer winter days than the Bahamas, this is no ordinary city.  Brisbane is full of surprises, which is why you need a local tour guide for all the dirt and scoop…ME!

Thanks to a well planned out and connected city, getting from one end of town to the other is easy with free city loop buses and an extensive bus, rail and ferry system.  So grab yourself a public transport day pass, a free city map and guide, put on those walking shoes and don’t forget to slip, slop slap.  You are in Queensland after all!

Start the day at the information booth on the Queen St Mall.  They offer free city maps and guides and can answer all your questions.  If you’re a shop-a-holic then your day will start and end here! The mall area and surrounding streets have all the classic chain stores, small boutiques and shopping alleys with fantastic café’s and restaurants.

Hugging the river nearby is the Botanic Gardens where you’ll find Parliament House and the historic and recently renovated Old Government House, both offering free daily tours. A stroll through the gardens is the perfect way to unwind and snap some great pictures of the skyline.

Brisbane hosts a wonderful nightlife, but the heart of club land lies in Fortitude Valley and Chinatown.  From small boutique bars to large entertainment venues spanning several floors, ‘The Valley’ as it’s dubbed is the place to explore, eat and party till dawn.

For the roadie types, Brisbane is a great base for day trips.  Rent a vehicle and within an hours drive you can experience the Gold Coast, visit theme parks, explore the Glasshouse Mountains and nearby rain forests, view the garden shows of Toowoomba or bask on the glorious beaches of the Sunshine Coast.

As Brisbane is built on river banks, the wonderful parks of Newstead and New Farm are the perfect spot for an exotic picnic where you can laze in the sun or join a friendly local game of football, cricket or simply toss a Frisbee. Brisbane’s culture and attitude is laid back, inviting and always happy to welcome visitors.

Welcome to my city…your city…OUR city.  If you’re still looking for more, check out the city guide here.

Now, that you’ve heard from me, I’d love to get your take, what was missing from this Brisbane guide?  Help V Australia out, and leave your best Brizzy tips and recommendations below.

Only a half hour ferry ride from Circular Quay across Sydney’s picturesque Darling Harbour and you will find yourself in sunny Manly, nestled away on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. As you step off the ferry, it is hard to miss the long jetty bar to your right, situated on the waterfront and showered in sunlight. This large, trendy bar sports a variety of 4 bars, including the ever popular outside Jetty Bar. Along with it, a dine in restaurant, a delicious pizza kitchen, pool tables for the boys and a cocktail lounge, not to mention the other 3 bars located inside. With over 5 plasma screens, all live sporting events can been spectacled from the bar with a beer in hand.

With a great atmosphere, friendly crowd and live music, it is no surprise this waterside bar is a hot spot for a Friday afternoon drink or the perfect place to unwind over lunch and a few wines on a relaxing Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Keeping in tune with the beachside values, locals and travellers alike don trendy yet casual beach-style attire. This is a place to be seen, whilst still in the comfort of your boardies and haviana’s.