Michelle Barker at Embark travel

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Michelle Barker at Embark travel

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I am a travel advisor who is passionate about creating amazing experiences around Australia and the world. I love to explore options with my clients and ensure they have all the possibilities before making the decision which best suits their dream holiday. I have been fortunate to travel to most corners of the world, with my favourite places including Africa, India, New York and Hawaii. Any budget, any destination, any reason - I want to ensure you have snapshots and moments from your holiday that you will remember for a lifetime.

20/10/2026

When you think of Japan, what comes to mind? The bright lights of Tokyo? The geishas of Kyoto? Maybe the food, or maybe the crowds!!

I wanted to give our hosted tour something different on this trip. The opportunity to stretch our legs in a different way, and see a bit of more away from the major tourist cities.

So we put on the walking shoes and did part of the Nakasendo route. Now we didn’t do the whole thing! It would be 534km of historic samurai highway, stretching from Kyoto to Tokyo. But we did walk the 8km from Magome to Tsumago 👏👏👏

Taking around 3 hours, we walked over the Magome Pass (790m–801m elevation) - with our walk taking us through cedar forests, waterfalls, and small towns.

Through the forest we constantly came across ‘bear bells’ to make sure we warned any local bears we were around. No bear sightings for us but we did spot a wild deer.

Here’s a bit of a look at our adventure for the day 🫶🏼

*VIDEO IN THE COMMENTS*

16/10/2026

At the start of our trip here in Japan, we surprised the group with their own goushin book.

A goshuin is a sacred, hand-inscribed seal and calligraphy stamp given to visitors at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan as a spiritual record of their visit. These can be directly put into your goushin book, or you can buy on loose leaf paper and stick in later.

Add to this what you wish - stamps from special venues or memories of your trip. A token to remember your holiday to Japan 🥰🏯

Our goushins are from Tokyo - at Akasuka Sensoji Temple; and we gifted the stamps of our first two temples.

Each temple is a little different - ranging from $2-$20 a stamp, depending on special occasions or special edition stamps.

At the temples, part is stamp and part is hand written/calligraphy - a beautiful process to see it done (and so quickly!)

Returning home, we hope it’s a beautiful memory of our trip here in Japan

💙

11/10/2026

When the hotel is part of the experience 🫶🏼

Some hotels are just a place to rest your head, others are an experience in themselves - and that certainly was the case at the HAKONE GORA KARAKU.

This luxury 70-room Ryokan features an open-air bath on the balcony of EVERY room!! After a day of sightseeing, is there anything better?!?

The hotel provided Yukata’s or ‘lounge wear’ to wear as you wish. And I must say, they are sooo comfortable and we look good right?!?

The meals were meticulously prepared with the most gorgeous presentation. There were a few things on the set-menu that we wouldn’t necessarily pick normally, but it’s always good to try new things and we all stepped out of our comfort zone a little (or alot!).

They also had shared onsen’s for the hotel, or you can privately rent your own onsen to give you plenty of space and privacy.

Two nights here was the perfect reset after a busy stay in Tokyo.

08/10/2026

We’ve been in Japan a week now on our hosted 2026 journey 🇯🇵

It’s been fabulous, fun and delicious - so I have plenty to share! Keep an eye on my stories to see what we’ve been up to.

And if you like what you see, I’m already planning our next tour for March/April 2028 🌸 so if you want to be on the VIP list to join me, pop me a DM

Photo: After two days of cloudy Mt Fuji - how great was the view of her leaving Hakone on our last morning in the area!

07/10/2026

Did you know October is CRUISE MONTH?
This means we have plenty of specials available for cruising around the world and many of these, you’ll find right at www.embark-travel.com.au

Our travel industry partners are always updating the content with the best deals - so this is a great place to start if you are looking for travel inspiration and love to cruise!

You can filter by your favourite cruise line, destination or even when you wish to travel. Once you have your results, click on ‘find out more’ for the day-to-day itinerary and inclusions.

All the packages can be tailor-made to stay longer and explore more - these are a starting point for you to EMBARK on your next adventure.

Ready to find out more? Email or DM

27/09/2026

*Monday 28th September - Travel Info Evening - Last Tickets Available*

I have a few tickets left for a wonderful evening talking all things travel. Some of my favourite styles of travel will be there, joining me to share all about their ways to see the world.

Collette Tours - Small Group Explorations around the world! (did you know Italy has cowboys??)

Uniworld River Cruises - Boutique, Inclusive River Cruises (not just from Amsterdam to Budapest!)

Star Clippers - the romance of cruising on a tall-ship under sail. (One of my most favourite trips I've done!)

RSVP/Tickets are essential for catering.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2000996505413

Monday 28th September
from 5.30pm at Emilio's at the Junction

Includes a beverage on arrival, pizza's and other delicious snacks!
Plus exclusive deals only available for attending the night

21/09/2026

I always like to have foreign currency on hand when I travel - and I almost got caught on the weekend losing 10% extra on the exchange rate.

Here’s what happened and hopefully my experience/advice ensures you get the best deal (and is still convenient for you).

17/09/2026

It's time for our last travel event for 2026 and this couldn't come at a better time to plan for 2027 and beyond.

I have three of my favourite travel partners joining us on the 28th September at Emilio's at the Junction - to show you THREE different ways to see the world.

- Collette Tours - showcasing their small group tours around the world! With their small group explorations the average group size is only 19 and they have some exceptional shorter itineraries that fit within your independant holiday arrangements.

- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises - having sailing myself in the South of France, I love that the Uniworld Ships are designed to be part of the destination. They now have sailings through to 2028 ready for you to book AND we will chat about our Christmas Markets Group for 2027 that includes a Uniworld River Cruise.

- Star Clippers - imagine being under 42 sails, with less than 230 people onboard and exploring the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Panama Canal... this is such a romantic and unique way to ocean cruise.

Tickets are NOW available through: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/embark-travel-information-evening-with-our-favourite-travel-partners-tickets-2000996505413

There is a small fee, but if you've been before - you know it's worth it! A drink on arrival, great food from Emilio's and special discounts available ONLY to those who come along to the night!

Hope you can make it! More details in the below pics

13/09/2026

You might already know, but just in case you missed it - i’m currently hosting our women’s tour to the USA. I design the itinerary, operate and then (sometimes) host them.

During this trip, I surprised the ladies with a morning on Lake Powell in a little (luxury if you ask me!) cruiser. Kicked back, headed up to Antelope Creek and even had time for a refreshing dip.

This isn’t listed on the itinerary - I like to keep some surprises up my sleeve when you come on a group trip like this. Expect the unexpected (and some incredible experiences)!!

Ps want to organise a self-drive or tailor made itinerary with friends? I got you - just pop me a message 😉 I’ll create you an amazing itinerary full of great excursions like this!

Lake Powell Excursions

📍Lake Powell, Arizona

07/09/2026

If you’ve been to Las Vegas you might have had that moment of ‘let’s walk and check out that hotel.
It looks close enough’

And then you are walking, walking, still walking. How much further can it be, it’s just ‘there’?!?

Well that’s the optical illusion of Las Vegas.
The hotels are designed that way! So how???
Well when you look at a building like the Wynn, the lines make you think that’s each floor - but that’s not the case. Generally, there are FOUR floors between each of those lines.

So what you perceive as a 10 storey building that’s ’just up there’ - it could be a 40 storey building and it’s much further away. Your eyes are playing tricks with you on the distance (and it’s allll planned that way). Cheeky right?

We heard all of this and more from our tour guide Laura, who we spent a few hours exploring some of the main casinos on the Strip. As you might know, I always recommend some kind of tour when you travel. It’s all well and good to walk aimlessly, but we learnt so much insider information, fun facts and interesting stories. It makes for such a better experience on your trip and leaves you with many more memories.

Address

PO BOX 1753
Newcastle, NSW
2300

Telephone

+611300891100

Website

http://www.embark-travel.com.au/

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