Week beginning 3 September 2007
travel tips: with david ellis
SYDNEY A MAGNET FOR QUEENS
CUNARD's Queen Mary 2 that caused traffic chaos when she visited
Sydney in February this year with 'older sister' Queen Elizabeth 2
will re-visit again on February 26 2009 as part of a 90-day Round
World Cruise. And Cunard's newest "Queen," Queen Victoria that will
make her inaugural visit to Sydney in February 2008 will also visit
again in 2009, calling first at Hobart on February 17 that year,
Sydney on February 19 and 20 and Cairns on February 23 2009 as part of
a 107-night circumnavigation of the globe. As an example, 15-nights
from Los Angeles to Sydney on Queen Mary in 2009 will start from
$5489pp twin-share plus air; details from travel agents, 13 24 41 or
www.cunardline.com.au
A DIFFERENT way of taking-in the sights of Cambodia is by pushbike: a
9-day cycle tour through the country's rural heart includes Angkor
Wat, other ancient temples, traveling past ride paddies, through small
villages, the town of Kampot and seaside Sihanoukville. Price starts
from $1160pp plus a US$100 local pay-ment, including twin-share,
internal domestic air travel, some sightseeing activities and luggage
transportation; international air and bike hire are extra. Phone
Escape Travel on 1300 799 783 or check-out www.escapetravel.com.au
SAVE $70 a night at Port Douglas with a current special at the Mantra
on the Inlet Hotel that starts from $112 per room per night for
minimum 3-night stays if booked by September 15 for travel on select
dates from October 16 to March 31 2008. Port Douglas offers secluded
beaches, fine restaurants, boutique shops, access to the Barrier Reef
and Daintree Rainforest, and the legendary Sunday Markets are a
must-do. Call 13 15 17 or visit www.mantra.com.au
FRESHEN-up your foxtrot or learn the latest dance steps on an 11-night
South Pacific cruise that will include dance lessons by professional
instructor John Paul Collins who recently won TV's Dancing with the
Stars with partner Kate Ceberano. P&O's Pacific Dawn sails from Sydney
on October 12 2008 for Luganville, Wala, Vila and Mystery Island in
Vanuatu, and the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; price start from
$3058pp including twin-share in a Balcony Cabin and all meals, five
hours of dance lessons, a cocktail function, $100 onboard credits and
some sightseeing. Details from Ashmore and James Travel Associates on
1800 460 462 or www.travel-associates.com.au
HONG KONG's The Luxe Manor Hotel with its eclectic mix of
Post-modern, European and Oriental décor has a special of $99pp
twin-share per night from November 18 to December 31 and February 1 to
March 7 2008, including breakfast. It's the only boutique hotel on the
Kowloon side and is in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui; phone Orient
Express Travel Melbourne on (03) 9668 8739.
TRUE: The nine engines on Cunard's 70,000 tonne QE2 burn nearly 300
litres of diesel every kilometre she cruises; so she'll never be
caught short, her fuel tanks hold 4,500,000 litres.
