YOUR WEEKLY TRAVEL TIPS for Week beginning 11 February 2008
travellers good buys: with david ellis
GREEK ISLAND HOME FROM HOME
YOUR own traditionally-styled cottage amid an olive grove with
spectacular views of the Ionian Sea comes complete with use of a car,
a kitchen stocked with foods and beverages from the private
gated-estate's gardens, daily fresh bread delivery, daily
housekeeping, and a personal laundry service. The 3ha Levendis Estate
on the Greek island of Ithaca has four cottages landscaped for
privacy, there's a communal pool, walking paths through the olive
grove, and traditional meals using local organic foods can be arranged
at extra cost; price is $5334 for two for a week through Icon
Holidays, phone 1300 853 953.
APT World Discoveries that already has a Fly Free to Europe offer in
conjunction with its 21-day Magnificent Europe With Paris and Prague
river cruise, is now adding a free Asia stop-over with packages in
March and November 2009. The 2-night stop-overs in Bangkok, Kuala
Lumpur or Tokyo include twin-share in 5-star hotels, breakfasts and
transfers and are valued at $800 a couple. The 21-day river cruise
packages are priced from $8745pp twin-share from mainland capitals
and include cruising, coach touring, 49 meals, guided tours and
deluxe hotels in Paris and Prague with breakfasts and dinner; the Fly
Free offer saves $5000 per couple. Air taxes and port charges are
additional. Phone 1300 656 985 or visit www.aptouring.com.au
A 60-page brochure just put out by Travelmakers is also something of
a useful handbook for those planning holidays in France, Italy,
Germany and Dubai in 2008. It details accommodation, rail,
river-cruising, self-drive and ski holiday ideas, and includes helpful
tips on seasonal climates, clothing, currencies, visa requirements,
driving regulations, and even tips on tipping; all prices are in
Australian dollars making it easier to work out holidaying within a
budget. A copy of this 60-pager can be downloaded free from
www.travelmakers.com.au
THE Novotel Pacific Bay Resort at Coffs Harbour on the NSW North
Coast has a Perfect Getaway package that includes a bottle of
regional wine and a cheese and fruit platter on arrival. It's priced
from $184 per room per night until May 31, excluding NSW school and
public holidays. The Resort fronts Charlesworth Bay and has a day
spa, 9-hole golf, four tennis courts, three pools, games room, kids
club, bushwalking, restaurants, bars, and a Zip Circus Flying Trapeze
School. Ph 1300 363 360 or
SCHOOL and uni leavers heading to the UK for a GAP year can have a
few days getting their London bearings at the new Contiki Basement
located in the Royal National Hotel on Bedford Way. Young travellers
will find good-priced accommodation at the Basement with internet
access, luggage storage facilities, discounted London sightseeing,
and Contiki reps based there to help plan UK or Europe tours.
Details www.contiki.com.au
TRUE: A potential holidaymaker has written to the Australian Consulate
in Germany asking if there are supermarkets in Sydney, and "if milk is
available all year round?"
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