DISCOVER the magically remote coastline of the Kimberleys with legendary expeditioner, Mike Cusack aboard Aurora Expeditions' Coral Princess.
In 1987 Mike and his wife Susan were chosen to be the first Australian Geographic's Wilderness Couple, and Mike will share their experiences with guests of this once forbidding ancient and forgotten land – including discovering over 1600km of towering cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and beckoning white beaches that will touch the soul like no where else on Earth.
Join Mike on the Kunmunya 'Wilderness' Walk, exclusive to Aurora Expeditions' passengers. This optional 9.5 km, or seven hour, rock-hopping journey is an inspirational and authentic bush experience, and one of the best ways to discover the true heart of the Kimberley.
Many of the Kimberley Coast's most fascinating sites can only be accessed by sea and guests will also visit islands with nesting boobies and frigate birds, revel in the amazing Montgomery Reef, uncover the ancient secrets of Aboriginal rock art galleries, and participate in the excitement of spotlighting saltwater crocodiles.
And complex river systems, waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes complete the Kimberley picture.
The voyages will also be joined by eminent indigenous art historian Garry Darby and the inimitable Chris Done, whose years of research as a naturalist bring the wonders of the Kimberley Coast to life.
As with all Aurora Expedition's voyages, emphasis is placed on a combination of interactive experiences with the environment and a strong educational element including its history, plants and animals from Aboriginal and European perspectives.
Departures are still available in May and June 2011. For more details or a copy of the Kimberley Coast 2011 brochure, contact Aurora Expeditions on 1800 637 688 or 02 9252 1033, or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
COMBINE COOKING AND WALKING IN ITALY
A COMBINATION cooking and walking tour of Italy's Amalfi Coast sounds like a good way to keep things in balance and even better is that the tour has been discount by $200 per person if you book by March 31.
Italian travel specialists SIT have just released a nine-day round-trip package from Naples which includes daily walking excursions, cooking lessons and many samplings of local cuisine, including antipasto, cheeses, home-made pasta, fruit, vegetables, local desserts and coffee.
The $2350 deal includes accommodation with en suite facilities, breakfast daily and many other meals, transport, tour leader and guides and entry to sites like Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius.
The tour visits places like Amalfi, Naples, Ravello, Capri, Sorrento and Positano and has 2011 departure dates on June 4, July 1 and October 1.
For more details contact SIT on 1300 885 173 or visit www.southernitaliantours.com.au
VALUE CRUISE DEAL ON OUR HIGHEST-RATED SHIP
CRUISECO has a range of exceptional-value cruise opportunities from November this year to March 2012 aboard the highest-rated ship to spend a season based in Australia, the "classically elegant" 5-star Celebrity Century.
And book before March 31 this year and you'll get a free onboard spending credit of up to US$150 per cabin.
Choose from sailing 19-nights from Honolulu to Maui, Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Sydney on November 11 this year from just $2490pp twin share (or 17-nights back to Honolulu via same ports on March 6 2012 from $2439pp twin-share,) to a choice of 12- and 13-nights Sydney-Auckland (or vice-versa) sailings including either Hobart or Melbourne, New Zealand's Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of Islands from a low $1649pp twin-share*.
There's also 18-nights Auckland-Perth via Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, the three Sounds, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany and Bunbury from just $2515pp twin-share, and Perth-Sydney via Geraldton, Broome, Bali, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane from only $2365pp twin-share.
Cruiseco's cruise-only prices include onboard dining, nightly entertainment and port charges and taxes on Celebrity Century, that is rated 5-star by the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships; airfares to and from cruises are additional.
For full details and names of Cruiseco's cruise-specialist travel agencies Australia-wide visit www.cruising.com.au
(*One of these sailings includes Christmas Day at sea between Sydney and Melbourne, and New Year's Eve at sea between Dunedin and Christchurch.
The 1750-passenger Celebrity Century has four dining options from the Grand Restaurant to leisurely café-style, an entertainment lounge and live theatre, cinema, casino, four "club" lounges and bars, library, AquaSpa, fitness centre, pool, jogging track and golf simulator.)
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HOP INTO THE 'GONG THIS EASTER
SPEND five fun filled days in Wollongong over the extended Easter break this year and combine spectacular escarpment adventure with great wildlife, arts, fun parks and eating experiences, all just 90 minutes from Sydney.
The city's centrally-located Best Western Wollongong Hotel is offering an enticing family package to give visitors an extra reason to make Wollongong their Easter Escape in 2011.
Costing $899 for two adults and two children and valid between April 22 and 26, the Three-Day Easter Package includes free breakfasts, undercover parking, DVD hire, Ten Pin Bowling pass, Jamberoo Action Park pass, Illawarra Fly Family Pass, giant Easter egg and plush toy for each child plus a dozen medium Easter eggs per person, red and white wine pack for Mum and Dad and $50 pizza voucher.
For more details or to book the Best Western Hotel Easter Package call 02 4222 4000 or visit www.bestwesternwollongong.com.au. For more information about events and where to stay in Wollongong, call 1800 240 737, or visit www.visitwollongong.com.au
CRUISE 7-DAYS, PAY-4 IN FIJI'S YASAWA ISLANDS
FIJI's iconic Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering seven-day Yasawa Island cruises at four-day pricing on all departures booked for travel from 01 April 2011 until 30 June 2012.
Bookings need to be made before 30 June 2011 to take advantage of the special offer.
The discount means pricing for the seven-day cruises starts from as little as AUD1192 per person twin share in the boutique cruise company's 'Hibiscus' class cabins.
This represents a saving of AUD526 per person on normal pricing.
Pricing includes all onboard accommodation, all main meals, morning and afternoon teas, cruise and cultural activates.
The daily cruise activity program includes shore excursions and such water-based activities as snorkeling safaris, fish feeding, bush walking, fishing and glass bottom boating.
Cultural experiences include visits to remote villages, Kava ceremonies and a day spent at Blue Lagoon Cruises' private island of Nanuya Lailai.
A feature of the Nanuya Lailai visit is a traditional torch-lit Fijian 'Lovo' feast taking place on the island's famous white sand beach.
For cruise reservations phone Blue Lagoon Cruises in Lautoka, Fiji, on +679 666 1622, email reservations@blc.com.fj or book online at www.bluelagooncruises.com.
*Conditions apply. All cruises are subject to availability. Please note prices do not include international airfares or beverages (other than tea or coffee).
