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| Turbaned Chauffeur at Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat. Image: Tony Sernack. |
New Australian tour company, Nomads Secrets, aims to take small groups of travellers beneath the skin of exotic cultures by combining the finest hotels and eco-resorts with guidance from world-leading experts in culture, photography, food, wildlife, festivals, and history.
Its 17-day exploration of Rajasthan this October, for instance, will be led by New York Times photographer Tony Sernack and will include the ancient Bateshwar Fair.
Prices start at $14,869 per person twin-share.
Visit www.nomadssecrets.com.
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| Hotel Boscolo New York Palace ... five-star luxury in the heart of Budapest. |
Beyond Travel is offering a wellness-spa package at one of the most opulent and elegant hotels in Hungary - the five star Hotel Boscolo New York Palace, located in the heart of Budapest on Grand Boulevard.
The three-night holiday is priced from $600 per person twin-share, including unlimited use of the hotel's spa facilities, an essential-oil massage, facial massage, daily buffet breakfast, return airport transfers and local taxes.
Phone 1300 363 554 or visit www.beyondtravel.com.au
Archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels will explore some of the most remarkable ancient sites of the Mediterranean this September during a series of four eight-day yacht expeditions in Turkey.
Each expedition will cater to no more than 16 guests, travelling along Turkey's south-west coast and hosted by expert guides with academic backgrounds in history, art and archaeology.
Cost is £2125 per person twin-share (approximately $3870). Visit www.petersommer.com.
When Ingrid and Paul Sanders became tired of negotiating their way through the minefield of
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| Baby & Toddler Travel Co ... taking the worry out of travelling with young children. |
They've kicked the business off with packages to Bali - each one including such things as a child-friendly villa, access to a nanny, high chair, cot, car seat, fast track through airport and a specially fitted pool fence.
A five-night package in a three-bedroom villa in Canggu, for instance is priced from $1995, including breakfast daily and complimentary wifi.
Visit www.babyandtoddlertravel.com.au.
P&O Cruises has expanded its child-free Oasis retreats across two decks on each of its ships.
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| Adults only ... the child-free Oasis retreat on Pacific Jewel. |
Situated at the rear of Pacific Jewel, Pacific Pearl and Pacific Dawn, the Oasis retreats also feature a bar. Pacific Pearl also offers two whirlpool spas.
Visit www.pocruises.com.
Before you throw a lazy grand or two at the internet renting a place, sight unseen, for your next holiday, it may well be worth throwing $55 to the Go To Guys to see if it really has those splendid water views and a working jaccuzi.
Garry Harding and Greg Rawlinson have set up an Australia-wide network of 350 inspectors who will take photos and check if what you're really getting measures up to the hype.
And they can also check on prospective real-estate investments and even that blind date you're considering.
Visit www.gotoguy.com.au.
The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Centre, located at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah, will be given a $100,000 upgrade.
The Exhibition Centre opened in 2010 with the aim of providing information on, and communicating
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| Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah ... due for a $100,000 upgrade. |
The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area covers 1.03 million hectares and includes seven national parks and outstanding examples of ecological processes, natural habitats and cultural associations. It is home to primitive species with Gondwanan affinities, including the Wollemi pine, and is a centre of the diversification of eucalypts. Phone 02 4567 3000 or visit www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au.
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is offering a 'First Class Family Getaway' package priced from
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| JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa ... first-class family getaway. |
Visit www.jwmarriottphuketresort.com.
Save 15 per cent on all room types at Broome's boutique Pinctada Cable Beach Resort.
Pay, for instance, from $239 per night for a Shinju Studio room September-October, from $187 per night from November.
Also receive 10 per cent discount on pre-booked transfers and spa treatments at the Pinctada Spa, including the Kodo Massage, which is inspired by traditional Aboriginal techniques. Available until further notice. Phone 1800 746 282 or visit www.pinctadacablebeach.com.au.
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| The Great Wall ... a must-see on any Chinese itinerary. |
Pay, for instance, from $3480 per person twin-share ex Shanghai for the 14-day 'Yangtze Wonders' itinerary.
Includes a cruise on the Yangtze, visits to Shanghai and Beijing, including the Great Wall, and to the home of the Terracotta Warriors, Xian.
Book by August 8.
Phone 1300 788 328 or visit www.helenwongstours.com.
Absolutely treat yourself and save 65 per cent on a Garden Terrace Suite at Bali's Semara Luxury
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| 'It's All About Me' package. |
Semara Luxury Villa Resort Uluwatu ...
join Bali's A-listers.
Retreat offers a helipad, private beach, two tennis courts, putting green, fully equipped gym, pampering spa.
Until August 31.
Visit www.semarauluwatu.com.
Save an extra $200 off already discounted rates at Solar Springs health retreat in the Southern Highlands at Bundanoon.
Pay from $920 per person twin-share for a five-night
Includes all meals and activities, plus an 85-minute Solar Serenity Facial, pedicure and a one-hour massage of your choice (Swedish, remedial, shiatsu, lymphatic drainage or reflexology). Available until August 4. Phone 1800 044 944 or visit www.solarsprings.com.au.
