Meet Australia’s most loved media personality, Deborah Hutton

From the very first time she appeared – at just 16 years of age – as a model on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, Deborah Hutton has become one of Australia’s most loved media personalities. 

In the ensuing years, her career has evolved: she has been a television presenter; held editor of beauty, fashion and lifestyle positions for the Australian Women’s Weekly; designed of her own brand of home ware, "Living with Deborah Hutton" and eyewear, “Deborah Hutton Optical” and founded her own media business, "Balance by Deborah Hutton" in October 2012.

For over 12 years she was an ambassador for Qantas, Olay Regenerist and the Myer Grace Bros Department store group and she has always had a great love of travel.  "Holidays are a must. I always need one in the diary to look forward to. To me, travel is as much about rest and relaxation as it is about seeing new places. It's not only a chance for me to clear my mind but learn all about new destinations and play or watch golf – which I love," she tells us.

Her most recent appointment as the Australian and New Zealand ambassador for Avalon Waterways will see Deborah team up with wellness life coach, Lyndall Mitchell and wine writer, Nick Stock for an 11-day journey through Burgundy and Provence aboard the magnificent suite ship, Avalon Poetry II .

Departing August 18, 2016, and travelling between Paris and the Côte d’Azur, the cruise will explore regions famed for their fine food, wine and scenery, while at the same time offering a daily program of activities designed to celebrate health, life and wellbeing.

Deborah feels you can’t go past France,I like to immerse myself in Paris for a few days, shop and wander the streets and then head to the South of France for a little Mediterranean sun. I adore Provence, especially the area around St Remy-de-Provence.”

“St Remy a delightful village, my day starts with coffee and croissant at a local café. I then love to head to the daily markets where you can try out your French with the locals, and buy fresh produce. The entire experience of just being in that area of southern France is totally charming. As you are literally surrounded by the most spectacular medieval villages of Les Baux and Arles, get your walking shoes on and explore the old forts, tiny alleyways and the many picturesque sights of the area.”

We couldn’t resist asking her about the cruise experience and how she finds balance in her life. “I’m still looking for it, but things like exercising most days, walking my dog Billie, playing golf and hosting dinner parties for good mates goes a long way towards balancing my work schedule. I started Balance as a means to help people prioritise their life to live a happy, healthier existence. So I have to live what I preach!”

So how do you keep fit when travelling? "I walk a lot. I don’t know if you call that keeping fit as opposed to trying to balance the scales with the heavenly meals and delicious wines I manage to consume!"

How does river cruising appeal to you? "You unpack once, the scenery constantly changes before your eyes and I love exploring different places at my own pace. I also like being a part of a smaller group of people. I can’t wait to be the cruise director of my own river cruise through France as I have curated it around the things I love to do with adventure, food, wine and relaxation."

"When I wake up I like to open the curtains and enjoy the view from my own room… and on a river cruise every cabin is an outside cabin.  Avalon Waterways has larger rooms with the floor to ceiling glass sliding doors so you don’t have to squeeze onto a small balcony but draw up a tub chair, put your feet up and enjoy the same experience."

Where is your favourite place to holiday and unwind in Australia? “Funnily enough my own home in Bronte, Sydney.  I just moved to a new house that feels very much like a holiday home. The beach is five minutes away and everything else is at my fingertips, importantly I get to hang out each day with my dog Billie. A must do for me is the spectacular coastal walk from either Bronte to Bondi or Bronte to Coogee. There is nowhere like it anywhere in the world.”

So where do you like to dine? “I’m a local beach girl so Favolosa in Bronte for breakfast, lunch with a view at Matt Moran’s North Bondi Fish and I really love to pop into Three Blue Ducks in Bronte for an early casual dinner.

Deborah’s Tips:

Deborah’s must takes when on holiday:Rationale skincare and their luminizing tinted serum SPF 50 C2, Kevin Aucion Volume Mascara, NARS bronzer and plenty of light colourful lip-glosses. I never leave home without my Converse one star sneakers, white jeans and pashminas for the plane and cool nights.”

Deborah’s 'packing' tips Roll your clothes for less creases on arrival, put shoes in shoe bags, and pack heavy things first with lights things on top. I always travel long haul with a small travel pillow for my neck, rolled up in a space bag.”

Last words “Don’t forget to try the local wines of Coteaux Baux-de-Provence. A French rosé in summer is what the south of France is all about!

Fly Free Offer with Deborah Hutton River Cruise*

Avalon Waterways has announced a Fly Free offer to combine with its upcoming Wellness Cruise hosted by television presenter Deborah Hutton on the rivers of France. Priced from $5518* per person twin share, the cruise is now available with free flights to France from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin or Cairns.

The cruise will sail the Saône and Rhône rivers to destinations including Lyon, Avignon and Arles, offering a chance to visit some of the best-known wine regions in France before concluding in the city of Monte Carlo.

Spa founder and respected life and wellness coach Lyndall Mitchell will join Deborah to offer morning rituals on the ship’s Sky Deck including yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. Respected wine commentator and author Nick Stock will then host on-board discussions about the superb wines presented at dinner, as well as joining tasting excursions among the vineyards of Burgundy and the Rhône Valley.

Guests will be able to explore the picturesque towns, medieval villages and Roman landmarks of southern France, in between sailing along some of the most scenic stretches of river in Europe.

Included are seven nights aboard, hotels in Paris and Monaco, all on-board meals and drinks at dinner and a daily program of excursions and activities.

The Ship:

Launched in 2014, Avalon Poetry II caters to just 128 passengers and offers 30 per cent more cabin space than the average river cruise ship.  Its 52 suites feature wall-to-wall panoramic windows that can be opened to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony, or closed to create an inviting living area. 

For further information click here or email balance@avalonwaterways.com.au

*Subject to availability and conditions. Free flights provided on Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific or Qatar, including airline surcharges and government taxes.

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