Spend New Years Eve in Antarctica

TRAVEL BRIEFS

John Crook 

Unique dining experience

Dine at a secluded bush setting under a canopy of stars and sample the hospitality of real  country folk.  The location is Rawnsley Park Station in South Australia's beautiful Flinders Ranges.  This dining experience is scheduled July 25, August 8 and 22, September 5 and 19 and also October 17.   Cost is $155 per person and the inclusions are a five-course banquet,  with wines to complement each course. Check on the transfers to the site. For details and reservations for the Starlight Banquet, telephone (08) 8648 0030.  Now, just don't turn up without a reservation as you could be dreadfully disappointed. 

Kakadu awaits

Here's a chance to visit the outback with its prehistoric landscape and crocodiles, in an area which has virtually been untouched by mankind.  It's remote, exciting and memorable.   The five-night escape package into the tropical Top End includes five-days of 4WD hire, a Kakadu Yellow Water cruise and a day-long  Arnhem Land safari.   There are two-nights accommodation in Darwin and three-nights accommodation at Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.  Valid for sale until March 20 2010 and for travel until March 31 2010. Flights are not included. For bookings, telephone  Travel Associates 1800 044 066.  Conditions apply. 
 
Thredbo is the answer

Ski the fields at Thredbo but stay in the comfort of Canberra's Olims Hotel.  The offer is for a special ski package for two adults and two children (under 14 years of age), staying two nights in a deluxe room, with daily breakfasts and return bus transfers to the snow capped mountains at Thredbo.  The deal includes unrestricted lift pass, hire of skis, stocks and boots.  The normal price would be $1165, however, at www.totaltravel.com.au the offer is available from $899.  Book before August 31 and stay between now and August 31 2009.

50% savings in Vietnam

There is a saving of 50% at six participating Accor hotels in Vietnam.  The next release of participating hotels is for stays during July 17 and September 30 2009.  The hotels include Novotel's at Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Dalat and Novotel Ocean Dune Golf and Resort at Phan Thiet, where the rate is US$45 per room plus taxes and service. For bookings and conditions visit www.accorhotels.com  

New Year's Eve 2010

Be an early bird and you should be surprised and delighted at the deal-on-offer which will have you aboard the Australian expedition cruise ship Orion sailing south from New Zealand to Antarctica.   The deal gives you your return air travel for free from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to join Orion.  Also, CruiseMart includes a night's accommodation pre-cruise in Dunedin, for free.   Early bird bookings for the 18 night cruise, which must be booked by September 24 2009,  start from $19,112 per person, twin share.  For departure details and conditions ring 1300 305 920 or visit www.cruisemart.com.au  

South America here I come

You can save $300 per person on a comprehensive tour of the highlights of South America, however, bookings need to be made by July 31 2009.  Travel is valid until December 31 2009.  Including return airfares and taxes ex Australia, the Splendours of South America  tour is priced from $8530.  That includes 21 nights' accommodation with daily breakfasts, some meals, plenty of sightseeing, air and land transportation within South America and airport transfers.

Contact Adventure World on 1300 363 055.

Each day better than the day before

TRAVEL BRIEFS

John Crook 

Admin charges flown away

The low-cost AirAsia has made flights to Kuala Lumpur even more competitive.   They have dropped admin fees and that coincides with the release of their incredible regional fare promotion which includes flights to KL from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth, with fares as low as $99 one-way.  Some of the connecting flights, such as from KL to Thailand and Indonesia from $17 one way KL to Penang and Langkawi are going from as low as $2, one-way.  They claim that's not a typo.    Get the conditions and all the details by visiting www.airasia.com  

Buy a cruise, get one free

There's a good deal on offer from Cruiseabout which is offering a two-for-one cruise departing Venice on October 24, 2009 for its 17-night cruise from Venice to Port Lauderdale in the US.  There are some great stopovers too including Tunisia, Spain, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rica. The deal includes all meals, entertainment and port charges.   Prices start from $2,789. Conditions apply.  International air fares to cruise start and finish are not included.  Telephone 1300 363 428 or visit www.cruiseabout.com.au  

A deal from Perth

Grand Mercure Busselton, Accor Vacation Club Apartments which is just three hours drive from Perth is currently offering a good rate on their studio rooms with a continental breakfast basket delivered each morning  The tariff is from $165 (Sunday to Thursday) and $185 Friday-Saturday. Rates are per night and based on single/double occupancy. The deal is under offer until 30/09/09. Check out the conditions an availability by calling 1800 443 544 or email busseltonres@accorvacationclub.com.au  

Each day better than the day before

Take it from one who know, South Africa is one heck of a holiday destination.  Add a cruise aboard Queen Mary 2 and a whole new world awaits. Depart March 8 2010 for a 17-nights cruise, to be followed by 7-nights sightseeing in South Africa and it's totally unbeatable.   

Also included are two-nights at Cape Town's Radisson Blu Hotel waterfront.  Return flight to Australia is included. This has to be the tour of the decade,- class all the way.  The price tag is from $9399 per person.  Get all the facts by calling 1300 305 920 or check www.cruisemart.com.au  

'Skroo' does it again

Flight Centre founder Graham 'Skroo' Turner has launched the luxury accommodation brand Spicers Retreats, Hotels and Lodges.  The first in the range is Spicer's Clovelly Estate which opens its doors to the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, from July 25.   Others will follow in both SE Queensland and the Hunter Valley. It's a case of 'watch this space'.     Spicers Clovelley Estate offers opening midweek rates from $199 per night for two people.  The deal is valid through to 31 October 2009.Visit www.spicersclovellyestate.com.au  

For the train buffs

Holders of an International student identity card will get two extra days train travel for free, by booking an eight-day Eurail Select Pass Youth before July 31 2009.  This basically means that those under 26 can travel second class for ten-days during a two-month period in any of the bordering European countries and for as low as $532.  This is all part of Eurail's 50th anniversary celebrations.  Check www.youthrail.com.au  
 

Crafts at scarf festival

TRAVEL BRIEFS

By John Crook 

The Bahamas' call

Pristine white sand at some of the best beaches in the world and now there's a great Caribbean accommodation package which includes a dinner cruise and a city/country tour.  Prices start from $1930 per person twin share and includes seven nights at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.  Heaps of optional water sports. The package is available for sale until November 30 2009 and for travel January 29 2010 to April 8 2010.  Check it out by calling 1800 044 066.  Prices may vary and are subject to availability.  International airfares are not included. 

So does China await

There are savings of up to $2000 per couple on a selection of Viking river cruises in China, - that is if you book and pay by July 31.   There are three cruises that sail the Yangtze River with more than 30 departures from which to choose.  Now priced from $2569 per person travelling in July or August and that includes five nights 5-star hotel accommodation, an 11-day cruise in a balcony cabin, all meals, comprehensive sightseeing and return airport transfers.  Best to check conditions and availabilities by visiting www.beyondtravel.com.au or telephone 1300 363 554. 

Crafts at scarf festival

Craft and scarf enthusiasts will make for the National Wool Museum in Geelong through until July 19 2009. This is one of the biggest craft events scheduled for the year.  Obviously amongst the awards will be one to celebrate the 1509th anniversary of the Geelong Football Club. The National Wool Museum, along with some of the scarves are pictured.    For more information email nwminfo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  

Avalon awaits

Aussie travellers can make savings of up to $500 per person on selected European river cruises next year. Pay a deposit before the end of August and pay the remainder three months before the departure.   
 
I am impressed with the deal from Avalon on any of the 26 Magnificent Europe cruises sailing along the legendary Rhine and Danube rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest  from April 25 until October 17, 2010 by booking before August 31 2009.   Cruise fares include all meals on board, complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner,- and gratuities.  Conditions apply.   Take a look at www.avalonwaterways.com.au  

Save on Kenya experience

Savings of between $700 and $1100 apply to an eight-day safari now costing $2995 and a 14-day package now priced at $5450 with departures between July 5 and October 25 2009.  Air travel is not included.  The tours include wildlife viewing, game walks, all accommodation, a professional guide and most meals.   A key feature is that the safaris are available for two to seven people travelling in a specially-designed safari vehicle.   Contact Bench International on 1800 221 451. 

Don't go hungry

You certainly will not go hungry on a South Pacific cruise which takes in New Caledonia. Fiji and Vanuatu.  It is a 13-night cruise aboard Dawn Princess and if booking through ecruising.travel there's a bonus of up to $150 per cabin in onboard spending credits with selected cabin categories.  Prices for this 13-night cruise start fro ma low $2199  per person twin-share.  Dawn Princess offers –anytime dining with dishes created by some of the top chefs at sea. Check out all the facts by visiting www.ecruising.travel 

* Please note conditions may apply to these packages  and prices are subject to change and availability.  This information is provided as a guide only.  Check with your travel agency.   Block out periods may apply.    Need a holiday ?  We're archived on  http://travellersgoodbuys.info

 
 

Hollywood, here I come

TRAVEL BRIEFS

John Crook

Cheapest airfares in memory

Take off to London and chances are ticketing will be the lowest price in years.  Of recent times Flight Centre has been releasing secure return airfares for less than $1200 from the east coast, cheaper ex Perth.  Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Etihad have released a limited number of airfares for less that $1400.  Be ready to move quickly as other airlines will most probably follow the lead. Also, fares to the USA have been up to 40% cheaper than five years ago.  Certainly worthy of checking on a regular basis with Flight Centre.

Walk Hidden Peaks

The newest guided walks receiving Advanced Accreditation from Ecotourism Australia await your call.  Traverse the scenic trails of one of SE Queensland's largest private nature refuges and experience the Main Range National Park World Heritage areas.  Trek between five or ten kilometres each day and contribute to the preservation of Australia's natural bio-diversity by sustaining the refuge for native wildlife.  Choose from a classic three-day walk from $1550 per person or a four-day walk from $1800 per person.  Accommodation is at Peppers Spicer's Peak, with well appointed camping, fine food and wine.  For further information call 1300 773 425 or visit www.hiddenpeaks.com.au  

Hollywood, here I come

The American tour to end all American tours has been launched by show-biz commentator, John-Michael Howson. It's a fully escorted package which departs Australia January 27, 2010.  the tour takes in LA, New York and Las Vegas.  If anyone knows America, it's John-Michael.  Highlights include first class accommodation, coach excursions and transfers, most breakfasts and also two special luncheons and one special dinner. The itinerary includes seven nights in LA, five in New York City and four in Las Vegas.  International airfares additional.  Prices start from $5499 per person, twin share.   Get the facts by ringing 1800 800 640, or visit www.wingsaway.com.au  


Escape to the high country

(a)  Mount Buller offers low-priced packages, with five-nights accommodation, breakfast daily, a three-day lift pass and three-day premium ski or snowboard hire.     The package is valid for travel from June 26 to August 2 2009.  Prices start from $1229 per person, twin share.

(b) Or, ski and stay at Mt Hotham for less than $150 per day.  This package offers five nights' accommodation, a five-day lift and lesson pass and five days' ski, poles, boots hire or snowboard and boots' hire.  Prices here start from $709 per person, twin share.    This package is valid for travel until June 26 and from September 13 to 25, 2009.

Check out either package by calling 1300 799 783 or visit www.escapetravel.com.au  

Thanks be to Major Mitchell

It was those noisy swans which kept the good Major awake  all night, cursing the noise from his tent on the banks of the River Murray.  So Swan Hill was named. This is one of those communities which has the pioneer spirit alive and well.  The Pioneer Settlement Museum in Swan Hill is a must when travelling the Murray Valley towns. For information and bookings telephone 1800 981 911 or visit www.pioneesettlement.com.au  

Tuscany here I come

Here's a chance to 'meet the locals' whilst travelling Italy's Tuscany and Umbria. A three-week small-group departs Rome on September 25.  The price tag of from $6975 per person, twin share includes accommodation, full-time tour escorts, coach, ferry and rail travel, all breakfasts and most dinners.  Air travel is not included in the price.   Accommodation is at quality family-owned and operated  hotels.  To get the full story I suggest you contact (07) 3396 8652 or visit www.carolinasusi.com.au  

* Please note conditions may apply to these packages  and prices are subject to change and availability.  This information is provided as a guide only.  Check with your travel agency.   Block out periods may apply.    Need a holiday ?  We're archived on  http://travellersgoodbuys.info

ENDS


Visual :   Beverly Hills,- visit with John-Michael Howson.