Vietnam food tours - Africa tours

Vietnam tours are food for thought

HELEN Wong’s Tours’ has a 12-day Vietnam Culinary Delights itinerary that has plenty to whet the appetites of food-loving travellers and budding chefs.

Beginning in capital Hanoi, it focuses on such delectable experiences as dining at La Verticale, set in a charming 1930s villa, owned by renowned and innovative chef Didier Corlou.

In contrast, travellers will also join a local farming family to enjoy a host of treats, learn how to make an authentic savoury pancake wrapped in rice paper and enjoy a simple home-cooked meal.

The package, which finishes in Saigon, also includes visits to the breathtaking Halong Bay and Cai Be in the Mekong Delta. It is priced from $4420 per person twin share.

It includes a host of benefits including flights from Australia and within Vietnam, five-star hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and most lunches and dinners and English-speaking guides.

For details phone 1300-788-328 or visit helenwongstours.com


More African tours

PIONEERING African experts Bench International are breaking new ground by introducing the first of a range of exclusive, fully escorted tours – a 17-day visit to Egypt.

The first tour will carry no more than 17 people and will depart Sydney on September 4. Similarly-packaged escorted tours of southern Africa and East Africa will follow.

Bench has been taking Australians on holidays in Africa for more than 40 years and will draw on Australians with an intimate, detailed knowledge of the various regions to act as escorts.

The inaugural tour will take in major Egyptian sites including the Pyramids at Giza, the Mediterranean city Alexandria, a five-day cruise along River Nile and a three-night cruise on tranquil Lake Nasser.

The tour will cost from $5595 and include return air fares from Sydney and many extras.

Details from Bench International at 1300-195-873 or log on to www.benchinternational.com.au

Mekong specials - Spicers retreats - Vienna State Opera - Coober Pedy

TRAVEL BRIEFS

John Crook

It's always good knowing that there is backup support in times of crisis.   My son Wes held the fort for Travel Briefs following my open-heart  surgery. What a way to spend Christmas and New Year !  That's all behind me and it's back to work.

Spicers is in

Here's a chance to really escape.  One of the fabulous holiday destinations from the Spicers Retreats, Hotels and Lodges just waiting for you. For instance the troops will certainly be fascinated on a five-star 'glamping' (glam camping) experience at Spicers Canopy. Stay overnight in a luxury safari style tent, go bush-walking, with a guide)   To get the low down on this property and its offerings, telephone 1300 286 295. For a family of two adults and two children,, staying in two tents, cooking classes, all meals ad drinks, the price is from $650.

Vienna State Opera

In the months of May, June and September, the charming Vienna State Opera will broadcast selected opera and ballet performances live on a 50 sq m screen outside the opera house.  Wow ! Some live show, eh?


Special prices for Mekong

I see where Wendy Wu Tours is currently offers some rather special prices on a number of crises from Saigon to Sam Reap. The tours are of 13-days, starting off with two nights in Saigon. The itineraries include Siam Reap, Phnom Penh, to mention a few. Check out the inclusions, prices and availabilities by contacting your local travel agent. Or ring Wendy Wu Tours 1300 727 998. Packages are available for sale until April, and there are numerous departures from which to choose.


A freeby could be yours.

A free night on offer with  packages by Choice Hotels Australasia which re-launched stay-two-packages. You will need to be quick as the offer runs through May 8 2012.  Go visit www.choicehotels.com.au or call 13 2400.
It's a truly national deal with accommodation offers partner companies even into Coober Pedy, Broken Hill too.  And, Kalgoorlie!  Just add these two properties scattered here, there and everywhere.


Please note conditions may apply to these packages an are subject to change and availability. This information is provided as a guide,  Check with your travel agent.  Block out periods may apply.

Need a holiday ? We are archived on http://travellersgoodbuys.info

Haunted Tours - Vietnam Food Tours - Escorted Egypt - Gulet Cruise Turkey - Brisbane Hotel Bargains

TRAVELLER'S BUY-BYES
with
David Ellis


HAUNTED HOUSE TOURS IN HISTORIC MACARTHUR REGION

THE historic Gledswood Homestead in the Macarthur region just south of Sydney is playing host to new, adults-only ghost tours that may or may not include the sounds of lost spirits and also those of dogs in the property's pet cemetery.

Run by The Crystal Shop in nearby Camden and led by psychic medium Joanne Gulson, the 90-minute torchlight tour of the rambling, 183-year-old homestead and its dark cellars will run every Friday night from 8pm and finish with a light supper at Gledswood's old cellar door to help brave, ghost-busting souls calm their nerves.

Organisers are promising to take guests "well and truly out of their comfort zone" during the ghost tours as they relate haunting stories connected to the convict-built sandstone mansion, which comes with a pet cemetery.

Built in 1829 and set amongst 64 hectares of rolling Macarthur countryside, less than 60 minutes from the Sydney CBD, Gledswood Homestead boasts magnificent colonial buildings, lush gardens and its own winery and cellar door.

The property was settled by Gabriel Louis Marie Huon de Kerillian in 1810. A French nobleman, de Kerillian fled the French Revolution and joined the NSW Corps after arriving in Australia in 1794. Changing his name to Gabriel Lewis, he was once a tutor to the sons of John Macarthur, who settled the area now named after him in 1805 and went on to pioneer Australia's agricultural and wine industries.

The new ghost tours are priced at $60pp including a light supper. Book on (02) 4655 3703; more details www.thecrystalshop.com.au

For general information on the region, visit www.macarthur.com.au



VIETNAM CULINARY TOURS ARE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

HELEN Wong's Tours' has a 12-day Vietnam Culinary Delights itinerary that has plenty to whet the appetites of food-loving travellers and budding chefs.

Beginning in capital Hanoi, this new itinerary from Helen Wong's Tours' Premium Choice programs focuses on such delectable experiences as dining at La Verticale, set in a charming 1930s villa and owned by renowned chef Didier Corlou.

In contrast, travellers will join a local farming family to enjoy a host of treats, learn how to make an authentic savoury pancake wrapped in rice paper and enjoy a simple home-cooked meal.

There's also a visit to a wet market in search of fresh ingredients for another fun cooking class which focuses on herbal remedies as well as step-by-step cooking techniques.

And guests also dine in one of Hoi An's premier restaurants before moving to historic Hue to further tickle the taste buds at a private garden home, and finally a farewell dinner at a fine dining restaurant in Saigon

The 12-day Culinary Delights tour, which also spans across to breathtaking Halong Bay and Cai Be in the Mekong Delta, is priced from $4420 per person twin share from Australia.

Price includes return international flights, guaranteed five-star hotel accommodation, domestic air fares, daily breakfast and most lunches and dinners, specified transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees with English-speaking guides.

A Vietnam visa for Australian passport holders and $420 in departure taxes, security and fuel charges (subject to change) are also included along with a Helen Wong's Tours travel kit and cabin bag.

Details: Helen Wong's Tours, phone 1300 788328 or visit helenwongstours.com




BENCH ADDS ESCORTED TOURS     

AFRICAN experts Bench International are breaking new ground by introducing the first of a range of fully escorted tours – a comprehensive 17-day visit to Egypt.

The first tour will carry no more than 17 people and will depart Sydney on September 4. Similarly packaged escorted tours of southern Africa and east Africa will follow.

Bench has been taking Australians on holidays in Africa for more than 40 years and will draw on Australians with an intimate, detailed knowledge of the various regions to act as escorts.

The inaugural tour will travel with Bench's local expert Egyptologist and take in major sites including Cairo's Pyramids at Giza, the history of the Mediterranean city Alexandria, a five-day cruise  along River Nile combined with a three night cruise on tranquil Lake Nasser, along with key archaeological sites along the way and at Abu Simbel in  Upper Egypt.

The tour will also visit Philae Temple which was moved block by block and re-built on higher ground when the High Dam was built.

The tour will cost from $5595 and include return air fares from Sydney and Melbourne and $5845 from Brisbane and Adelaide with Etihad Airways, all  accommodation, sightseeing and many meals, plus all meals on the Nile and Aswan Dam sectors

Bench's director of sales, Martin Edwards has been a regular visitor to Egypt for more than 10 years and will escort the first tour in September.

More details from Bench International at 1300-195-873 or visit www.benchinternational.com.au




VALUE GULET CRUISES IN TURKEY  

EASTERN Mediterranean specialists Beyond Travel have expanded their small ship sailing range for 2012 with the introduction of Vintage Gulet cruises along the coast of Turkey and are offering a 25 per cent discount from the 2012 brochure prices on the entire range of Gulet cruises.

These eight day cruises start from as little as $345 per person during April and May – that's just over $43 a day inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and the timing is perfect if you are heading to Gallipoli for ANZAC day this year.

Vintage Gulet cruises offer great value and accommodate between 10 and 20 passengers offering an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Due to their size they are able to visit smaller ports and make frequent stops to swim and explore ports and islands.

An example is the Aegean Sea Cruise, a round trip from Bodrum with port visits to Cokertme, English Harbour, Karacasogut, Tuzla and Kisebuku.

Shore excursions can be purchased on board or you can explore at leisure.

Cruises run from April to September and include seven nights' accommodation in a two-berth cabin with all meals, plus an experienced captain and crew.

For more details contact Beyond Travel on 1300-363-554 or visit www.beyondtravel.com.au

 

EASTER EVENTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY AT ACCOR BRISBANE HOTELS     

ACCOR Brisbane is offering families an eggcellent Easter holiday season with great rates and an endless list of activities, festivals and events to keep everyone entertained.

With the opening of Annie in Brisbane on April 7, the Easter long weekend is the perfect time for a stay with Accor's 'stay 3 pay for 2,' special at Novotel,  Mercure and Ibis hotels.

From $159 per night including breakfast and parking, the 4.5 star Novotel Brisbane is the perfect family destination to celebrate a visit from the Easter Bunny with each child receiving a special gift on arrival.

Guests fishing around for an even tastier deal will find it at Mercure Brisbane's weekend seafood buffet. With one of the best seafood buffets in the city the hotel offers a bird's eye view of the Brisbane River and South Bank Cultural Precinct.

Mercure Brisbane has rates from $149 per room per night including breakfast, and their buffet starts at just $69 per person, valid on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Or why not catch up on your sport at Ibis Brisbane from just $129 per night including breakfast when the game between Brisbane Lions and Carlton kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on April 5, 2012?

With so much happening around the city, from the John Fogerty concert on April 5, 2012, to the George Michael concert on April 17, 2012, Brisbane is an irresistible destination this Easter.

Easter offers rates are valid until April 30, 2012.

Hotel bookings can be made by calling Accor Reservation Services 1300 65 65 65 or online at www.accorhotels.com.au

Burma cruise - Wilderness lodge - Melbourne flower show

TRAVEL BRIEFS

With John Crook


Take a cruise into Burma's History

Most cruises are shared by a number of company's, all eager to show their clients a good time. And that, as we know, can come at a price.

Well Cruiseco has come up with a novel way to keep the prices reasonable – and that is to charter the entire boat so it can control everything that goes on on-board!

The boutique Orient Pandaw will be for Cruiseco guests only, and there are some thirty-eight fly, cruise and stay packages along the legendary Irrawaddy River through Burma – also known as Myanmar. These trips are for
travel ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – between June 29 this year and April next year.

The voyage, over 11 nights, will head upstream from Prome to Mandalay and downstream back to Prome on the Irrawaddy that was made famous by Rudyard Kipling's "Mandalay" poem, with prices starting from $4,999 twin share.

For itineraries, go to www.cruising.com.au


Wilderness Lodge voted Australia's best unique accommodation

They say there's only one way to get to know the real Australia – and that's to check out the vast interior. And who says you can't do it in style.

APT's Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge has won the Silver award for unique accommodation at the Australian tourism awards, recently held in Cairns.

The lodge is a fully accredited eco business and comprises 10 luxury cabins,which offer visitors the ultimate outback experience.

Each cabin is air-conditioned and has an en-suite bathroom. Food wise, it's all laid on – try some fair dinkum outback fare, including camel, kangaroo and barramundi.

Thrown in a visit to Aboriginal ancient stone rock carvings, and you can see this is an amazing experience.

Call 1300 229 804 or visit www.aptouring.com.au


Melbourne is blooming at this time of year

When it comes to garden shows, most probably think of Chelsea, but not everyone can afford an overseas trip just to see some flowers.

But there are a few good options in Australia – most notably Canberra's Floriade later in the year, and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show, starting on March 28.

Now in its 17th year, the show features the best landscape and floral talent that Australia has to offer.

If you are a visitor to Melbourne, you'll love the setting for the garden show, which is within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding the Carlton gardens.

Tickets for the event, which runs over 5 days, are $22 for an adult and $50 for a family.