For Week Beginning: 17 September 2007
travel tips: with david ellis
GARDEN FESTIVAL HAS PLENTY OF ZEST
GUITARS made out of oranges and chickens made with lemons are amongst
the many colourful 'street sculptures' that will be a highlight of
this year's Festival of Gardens at Griffith in the NSW Riverina. The
out-size sculptures are made by attaching thousands of pieces of
citrus fruit to 3-dimensional wire frames, and supplement the numerous
private and community gardens that are thrown open to garden lovers
during the Festival that will run from October 12 to 15; there'll also
be a Festival Dinner Dance, art displays and sales, and floral art and
quilt exhibitions. Entry to gardens is $4 per garden or $30 for an
all-gardens pass; details from 1800 681141 or www.griffith.nsw.gov.au
A FOUR-day stay in Ypres, where the Last Post is sounded beneath the
Menin Gate every evening in remembrance of the tens of thousands of
ANZAC, British and French troops who died defending the city between
1914 and 1918, is a feature of a 10-day Western Front Tour on November
2 this year. The tour will end in Paris where the 90th anniversary of
the end of World War I will be celebrated at 11am on November 11th.
Price starts from $2589pp including twin-share, most meals, guides,
entries, gratuities, and war history talks; air is extra. Phone 1300
135 015 or visit www.albatrosstravel.com
WHAT better place to learn to ride a surfboard than Sydney's Bondi
Beach? The Bondi Surf School keeps class numbers to just six per
instructor and provides soft surfboards, wetsuits, UV rash vests,
sunblock, and a surfing certificate; price starts from $75 for adults
and $65 for children 12-16. Details from travel agents, 1300 737 222
or www.nswholidays.com.au
BEER and chocolate top the list of a Tastes of Dunedin package at the
boutique Mercure Hotel Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island. From
$250 gets overnight accommodation, full breakfasts for two, two tour
tickets to Cadbury World and Speight's brewery, and a gift pack that
includes two bottles of Speight's beer, a small box of Cadbury
chocolates and a Happy Hen. More details on ++ (64 3) 477 1145 or
www.mercure.co.nz
THE annual Dubai Shopping Festival from December to February is one of
the world's biggest shopping, entertainment and cultural
extravaganzas, and includes fashion shows, children's events, street
performances, nightly fireworks and millions of dollars in prizes.
Tempo Holidays has a 3-day Taste of Dubai package that from $321pp
gives twin-share, two breakfasts, a half-day tour of the city's
highlights, arrival and departure transfers, and meet and assist on
arrival. Phone 1300 558 987 or see www.tempoholidays.com
TRUE: A PIPE-puffing German entrepreneur is planning the world's
first airline exclusively for smokers. He says 25-per cent of Germans
smoke and a third of Japanese, and that "twelve hours in the air is a
long time to go without a puff." The Boeing 747 he's planning for his
Smokers International Airways (Smitair) will have other comforts: it
will be all one-class, with no Economy seats, just 138 Business Class
with all the extras of Business Class service.
