Lifestyle PRO

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October 2, 2024

Highlights of Antarctica – Flight Included | 15 Days

If visiting the Antarctic isn’t on your Bucket List, perhaps it should be. And if the prospect chilling out near the South Pole has piqued your interest, Antarctic adventures are back on the agenda with Hurtigruten Expeditions having just released their bestselling collection of flight and cruise packages.

These itineraries combine bestselling Antarctica expeditions with flights, offering a simple all-inclusive solution for anyone wanting to travel to this fantastic destination who has a lazy $14k lying around (and that’s just for starters)…

Since 1896, HX, the world’s largest expedition cruise company, has been taking guests to some of the most remote places on Earth. With onboard lectures and science centres, HXs industry-leading expedition team ensures that travellers return home with a deep understanding and love of every destination they visit.

Experience this 15-day Antarctic expedition cruise, unveiling the continent’s captivating landscapes and wildlife, including seals, penguins and whales. Travellers can engage with the Expedition Team, delving into lectures on glaciology, wildlife, and polar exploration and participate in HX’s industry-leading science programs in the destination, where it’s donating over 1,000 cabins nights supporting more than 20 projects and facilitating 8,000+ data submissions for third-party research.

Priced from AU$13,977 per person twin share.

Antarctica & Falklands Expedition with Flights | 21 Days

Setting sail from Ushuaia, we’ll cross the Drake Passage and spend up to five days exploring the frozen beauty of Antarctica in expedition style. This is the time of year when penguins are courting and building nests. We then head north and venture to the windswept beauty and isolation of the Falkland Islands before returning to Argentina.

Priced from AU$18,810 per person twin share.

Life Returns | Springtime Expedition to Antarctica with Flights |26 Days

Taking in Argentina, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica and Chile – this epic 26-day voyage has it all. You’ll be in South Georgia at the height of the King Penguin mating season and witness the untouched icescapes of the White Continent in late spring as the icebergs sparkle and glitter in the rays of the returning sun.

Priced from AU$28,914 per person twin share.

Antarctica Circle Expedition |21 Days

Spend up to 11 days in Antarctica during the summer and enjoy days filled with ice cruising and shore landings. With the milder conditions, we’ll attempt to journey below the Antarctic Circle to the secluded and magnificent Marguerite Bay. Highlights might include spotting whales, seeing young penguins and camping on the snow.

Priced from AU$21,646 per person twin share.

In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition with Flights | 26 Days

From lush rolling hills and snowcapped mountains to iceberg-studded seas packed with marine life, you see it all on this 23-day voyage that takes in South Georgia, the Falkland Island and – of course – Antarctica. Your three weeks of exploring the wild wonders around the Southern Ocean is what adventuring is all about.

Priced from AU$30,693 per person twin share.

Suites Offer

Save an additional 5% on suite bookings and elevate your expedition to Antarctica. Treat yourself to an exclusive travel experience on a state-of-the-art expedition ship. Book a suite before 23 December 2024 to save 5% on selected departures. See the website for full T&Cs.

1893 Ambassador Offer

Additionally, between now and 31 December, HX’s 1893 Ambassador loyalty programme members can enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 10%, with Level 1 members receiving a 5% discount and Level 2 members enjoying a 10% discount, for both online and offline bookings. Existing members automatically receive this offer when membership details are provided upon booking.

For non-members. joining HX’s 1893 Ambassador program is free, and travellers instantly become Level 1 members upon signing up. This offer is valid on new bookings made between 12 September 2024 and 28 October 2024 and is valid on departures between 13 September 2024 and 31 March 2027. See the website for full T&Cs.

ENDS

For more information about HX and its immersive expedition cruises, please visit:

https://www.travelhx.com/en-au

For more information about flights-inclusive Antarctica itineraries, visit:

Discover our flight-inclusive expeditions to Antarctica | HX Hurtigruten Expeditions AU (travelhx.com)

To become an 1893 Ambassador member and explore details on other loyalty member benefits, visit:

About HX

With a legacy spanning almost 130 years, HX is the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise company. Offering voyages to over 250 destinations across more than 27 countries, HX combines sustainability initiatives with deep local insights to provide guests with transformative travel experiences. Find out more at travelhx.com.

T&Cs apply – Visit travelhx.com for full details.

Dine in style with Everest as a backdrop

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September 25, 2024

It’s exactly one year until a milestone event for the Australian adventure travel industry. World Expeditions, the first company to offer adventure travel trips in Australia, will commemorate its 50th anniversary with a series of exclusive treks through Nepal’s most iconic region in September of 2025.

Trekkers from around the globe are invited to join one of seven World Expeditions 50th Anniversary Treks that will culminate in an unforgettable black-tie banquet with Everest as the backdrop on September 24, 2025.

This golden anniversary is more than just a celebration; it’s a return to the roots of adventure travel, honouring five decades of exploring the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

The treks range from 13 to 30 days, offering participants a chance to enjoy the regions’ most famous peaks, from Everest to Ama Dablam, and all include an extra day for the anniversary banquet.

All 50th Anniversary Treks include stays at World Expeditions’ exclusive Eco-Comfort Camps as well as eco lodges, with meals provided by your own cook and highly trained, expert local guides leading the way.

Among the highlights is the opportunity to trek alongside Australia’s most esteemed mountaineer, Tim Macartney-Snape. The first Australian to summit Everest without supplementary oxygen, Tim’s 16-day challenging trek through the remoter regions of the Khumbu Valley offers a mix of wilderness camping and comfortable lodges, culminating in the adventure travel event for 2025, our special 50th-anniversary banquet where you can rub shoulders with even more renowned adventurers from around the world.–

For first time trekkers, the 13-day Everest Trekking Tour offers the perfect introduction to the Everest region, showcasing views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other surrounding Himalayan peaks at a more gentle pace. This introductory trek, along with six others, will ensure that all participants reach Thyangboche on September 24, 2025, for the grand celebration.

Sue Badyari, World Expeditions CEO, comments; “The excitement is palpable as our team across the globe commences the one-year countdown to our 50th anniversary celebration on September 24, 2025. To celebrate 50 years of setting the benchmark for adventure travel in a setting that is quite literally on top of the world is incredibly humbling. We are all looking forward to commemorating the occasion and to sharing it with the inspiring adventurers who have been instrumental in World Expeditions’ success.”

World Expeditions’ 50th Anniversary event is a nod to its unique place as one of the first companies in the adventure travel industry worldwide, with five decades of pioneering BIG adventures with a small footprint. The banquet dinner will be a sumptuous, three-course affair held in the spiritual heart of the Khumbu Valley, Thyangboche, where the company’s legacy of pioneering big adventures with a small footprint will be toasted.

Bookings are now open for the seven specially curated 50th anniversary treks in 2025 which include:

Everest 50th Anniversary Trek: 13 days – September 17 to 29. Priced from $3,890. Graded introductory.
Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar 50th Anniversary Trek: 18 days – September 11 to 28. Priced from $4,490. Graded moderate.
Everest Trails to Ama Dablam Base Camp 50th Anniversary Trek: 15 days from September 14 to 29. Priced from $4,090. Graded moderate.
Everest Circuit and the Cho La 50th Anniversary Trek: 22 days from September 7 to 28. Priced from $5,290. Graded moderate to challenging.
Gokyo and the Renjo La 50th Anniversary Trek: 20 days from September 9 to 28. Priced from $4,990. Graded moderate to challenging.
Khumbu Valley Explorer with Tim McCartney Snape 50th Anniversary Trek: 16 days from September 13 to 28. Priced from $6,390. Graded challenging.
Makalu & Everest Traverse via Sherpani Col 50th Anniversary Trek with Soren Kruse Ledet: 30 days from August 30 to September 28. Priced from $12,790.

More media information: Bly Carpenter at World Expeditions on 0407 775 105 or bly@worldexpeditions.com.au

Turn back time with festivities in the Maldives

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September 25, 2024

Whether you want a traditional Christmas and New Year or a retro 70s celebration, this holiday season, three resorts on the Maldives are pulling out all the stops for travellers to celebrate the year’s end.

From December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa will each offer its own distinctive festive celebration.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to embrace the holiday season with its Retro 70s-themed ‘La Fête,’ featuring a New Year’s Eve Beach Party.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort presents ‘Rhythms by the Sea,’ a colourful Brazilian carnival celebration and a spectacular Gala Dinner.

For the more traditionally minded, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa features heartwarming festivities that highlight cherished family traditions and offer delectable dining experiences.

Guests who book by September 30, 2024, can take advantage of Festive Early Bird offers, including special savings and bonus points for Marriott Bonvoy members.

Festive Escape Retro 70s

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to celebrate the holiday season with a groovy twist, showcasing its signature ‘La Fête’ celebration with a Retro 70s theme.

From December 21, 2024, to January 7, 2025, this eco-conscious five-star resort, known for embodying the European spirit of savouring the good life, transforms into a lively homage to the disco era. Guests can don their most colourful attire and enjoy daily festivities, including wellness and recreational activities designed to uplift and entertain all ages.

The season kicks off with a dazzling Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 21, where guests gather to enjoy festive cocktails, live entertainment, and a Christmas Choir that sets the tone for a magical season.

Guests can indulge in a variety of masterclasses such as Barista, Chocolate, Sommelier, and Gin Experience classes. The Retro 70s New Year’s Eve Beach Party stands out with its beachside celebration, including gourmet food, free-flowing beverages, live entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display.

Set on the picturesque Thilamaafushi Island in the Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa blends mid-century European elegance with the natural beauty of the Maldives.

This chic resort boasts 141 stylish villas, a marine conservation hub, a colorful house reef, and the private island of Bodu Finolhu, ideal for guests seeking a secluded escape for private picnics, barbecues, or special celebrations.

The ‘Festive in Paradise’ package includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner at various dining venues, all-inclusive beverages, and complimentary activities like kayaking and snorkeling.

Guests booking by September 30 will receive a 10% savings on the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, with stays valid from December 23, 2024, to January 10, 2025. The resort is accessible via a 35-minute scenic seaplane flight from Malé.

Visit the website at lemeridien-maldives.com or book your stay here.

Rhythms by the Sea, A Carnival of Festivities

This festive season, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort promises a vibrant celebration with its theme, Rhythms by the Sea: A Carnival of Festivities. From December 20, 2024, the resort will come alive with dazzling Brazilian carnival festivities, featuring lively parades and a grand New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner.

With guest DJ Luca Schreiner setting the mood and a spectacular fireworks display to usher in the New Year, the resort offers a colorful celebration that caters to both couples and families. Festivities continue daily through January 6, 2025, ensuring a joyful season for all.

Nestled in Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, the wellness resort is framed by a breathtaking backdrop of marine splendor. This pristine location is celebrated for its rare pink hydrozoan corals and the seasonal gatherings of majestic manta rays and whale sharks in Hanifaru Bay.

With 69 overwater and beach villas, the resort embraces The Westin’s five pillars of well-being, featuring The Westin Heavenly® Bed for a restorative #SLEEPWELL experience. Families will benefit from the Kids Sleep Manual, which provides valuable tips for ensuring restful nights for children.

Guests can enhance their holiday experience with the ‘Festive Bliss’ package, which includes daily breakfast for two at the Island Kitchen Restaurant, USD 100 in food and beverage credits, and 20% savings on luxurious spa treatments.

For a truly enchanting holiday season, guests can book this package with a minimum four-night stay and receive an additional 20,000 bonus points per stay from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Book by September 30 to also enjoy a 10% savings on room rates.

The resort is accessible via a scenic 25-minute seaplane flight, or a 20-minute domestic flight followed by a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

For more information, visit the website at westin-maldives.com or book your stay here.

Full Moon Resort & Spa: Festive Early Bird Offer

Nestled on a natural island in the North Malé Atoll, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa welcomes families, couples, and friends to experience a joyous holiday season with its ‘Festive Early Bird’ package.

This five-star haven features 176 elegantly appointed guest rooms with traditional thatched architecture, surrounded by powdery white-sand beaches and a glistening lagoon. Set within one of PADI’s premier scuba diving destinations, underwater enthusiasts can explore rich marine life including eagle rays, whale sharks, and hawksbill turtles.

The resort’s festive calendar, starting December 7, 2024, is packed with joyful activities for all ages. Guests can revel in heartwarming holiday traditions such as the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Carols. Festivities continue from December 20, 2024, to January 7, 2025, with highlights including Gingerbread House Decorating, a Recycled Christmas Tree Challenge, Santa Water Aerobics with DJ, and a Family Snowman Christmas Party, ensuring endless fun for everyone.

The ‘Festive Early Bird’ package includes a minimum four-night stay with daily buffet breakfasts at Feast, three-course à la carte lunches, and buffet or à la carte dinners at select venues. Guests will receive a USD 60 dining credit for Baan Thai and Sea Salt, complimentary use of snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and tennis equipment.

Additionally, the package offers 15% savings on select spa treatments and 20% savings on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners. Guests can book by September 30 to enjoy these benefits, with kids under 12 staying and dining free.

A complimentary shared speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, just 15 minutes from Malé, makes Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa the ideal choice for those who prefer brief travel and an affordable luxury of Maldivian escape. The package is valid for stays from December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025.

For more information, visit the website at sheratonmaldives.com or book your stay here.

Marriott Bonvoy members can seamlessly earn and redeem their points on stays and experiences at the resorts. To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in the Maldives and discover more click here. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com.

Website:https://www.marriott.com/maldives
Email:Mathurot.Chuladul@marriott.com
Phone:+9607307722

Nature, history, local culture… and food

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September 15, 2024

It will be news to no regular readers of this website that we have a soft spot for Vietnam. And if you happen to be in the country in the next week or so, you might want to check out a special evening at the Azerai Can Tho, just a few hours from Saigon, in the Mekong Delta.

On September 21, the resort hotel invites guests to a five-course wine dinner. The package, priced at VND 7,600,000 (about AU$490) includes accommodation, dinner with wine for two at The Grill, and breakfast the next day.

Or if you’re in the area, you can have the dinner only, without accommodation, for about $110 per person.

Either would be a perfect introduction to the Azerai, a brand that sets out to blend tourism and local life. With boutique hotels and resorts in three areas of Vietnam, guests – especially nature, culture, history and food lovers – can get to the essence of their destination with home-style accommodation and curated experiences.

On a private islet in the Mekong Delta, in Vietnam’s deep south, Azerai Can Tho is accessible only by boat. Opening its doors in 2018, it quickly became a popular retreat where guests can relax in nature and enjoy a slower pace of life.

This five-star hotel features one- to five-bedroom pool villas, a restaurant, spa, and yoga pavilion, all surrounded by gardens with banyan trees.

Take a private wooden boat to explore the Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl of Vietnam”, passing quaysides and fishing villages on the Hua River before reaching Cai Rang floating market, where locals have been buying and selling goods for almost a century. It’s a great place to experience daily life and pick up fresh produce and traditional handicrafts.

The resort also offers visits to local chocolate farms, where guests can experience chocolate making, from picking cacao beans to tasting the final product, led by the resort’s pastry chef.

History in Hue

Discover the legacy of Vietnam’s last dynasty in Hue at Azerai La Residence, Hue, a restored French colonial mansion by the Perfume River. Open since February 2019, this hotel offers a peaceful escape and access to Hue’s UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City.

Explore the 1920s at Princess Ngoc Son’s Garden House or take a boat cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit the tombs of Khai Dinh and Emperor Minh Mang by car.

Food lovers can enjoy a culinary tour by cyclo, tasting local dishes like banh khoai in Kim Long village.

A Wellness Package includes a two-night stay, breakfast, healthy drinks, a tour to Tu Hieu Pagoda, yoga sessions, spa treatments, a vegetarian lunch, nutritious meals, and a cooking class.

On the beach

Discover the serene beachside lifestyle at Azerai Ke Ga Bay, a boutique resort just 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Opened in December 2020, it offers chic pool suites, a seafront spa, a restaurant, and an oceanfront terrace, all steps from a 5km-long secluded beach.

Guests can enjoy water sports, visit local attractions like salt fields and dragon fruit farms, and explore the traditional fishing village and local temple. The resort also offers cooking classes showcasing Vietnamese cuisine, teaching guests to make dishes like fresh rice paper rolls and caramelised fish.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay provides an authentic, tranquil experience, perfect for those looking to explore Vietnam’s nature, culture, and cuisine.

About Azerai

Azerai is a luxury hotel brand created by Adrian Zecha. The name combines his initials and part of the Persian word “caravanserai,” meaning historic inns. Azerai offers elegant design and discreet service in culturally rich locations. For more details on the three resorts in Vietnam, visit azerai.com.

Explore wild Tasmania from a deluxe small ship

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August 22, 2024

Here’s a home grown hero of a cruise, getting you up close in comfort to some of Australia’s wildest coastline and spectacular scenery.

The award-winning Australian pioneer in small ship expedition travel, Aurora Expeditions, will launch a new, state of the art expedition ship in late 2025.

Douglas Mawson’s maiden voyage in December, 2025, will take adventure seekers on a nine-night, wild-nature themed circumnavigation of Tasmania embracing wild, deserted coastlines, spectacular scenery, rich wildlife and far-flung islands, with Tasmania’s long December daylight hours enhancing the experience.

Aurora Expeditions’ new ship, named after the legendary Antarctic explorer, and will sport the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® with enhanced sustainability features.

Also part of this grand design is a sea-level Zodiac launching platform, a pool and two Jacuzzis on the top deck, expansive observation decks, lounges and a gym, with all staterooms offering ocean views.

The ship will also boast the line’s first dedicated solo guest staterooms to meet growing demand from solo travellers.

The ship will act as a moving, floating base camp from which guests will go ashore regularly to explore on foot wild and pristine regions of Tasmania and its surrounding islands.

Revel in the opportunity to tread some of Tasmania’s greatest coastal tracks while you circumnavigate this island state by sea.

Land on remote pristine beaches; trek through coastal heath, buttongrass moorlands, lush temperate rainforests and tall eucalypt woodlands; and drink in the stunning vistas from towering dolerite peaks.

Discover far-flung archipelagos and explore islands whose only permanent inhabitants include Bennett’s wallabies, wombats, potoroos, possums and pademelons.

Cruise the wild, storm-swept coastlines and sheltered, shimmering bays. Experience a variety of trekking treasures on Bruny, Flinders and Maria Islands.

Delight in the raucousness of fur seal colonies and the majesty of soaring shy albatross or gannets in the skies.

Create and collate a treasured suite of memories – on foot or by sea – with extraordinary adventures on offer each day.

To help Australians be amongst the first aboard, Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, has launched an exclusive fly, stay and sail package.

Cruise Traveller is offering the journey as part of its new 10-night package – ‘Tasmania Temptations’ – which begins on December 1, 2025.

It offers free flights and savings of A$6360 per couple and A$3950 for solos for bookings made by September 30, 2024 from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Hobart for a night’s stay in a hotel before guests board Douglas Mawson the next day.

From Hobart, the shiny , new Douglas Mawson will chart a course to beautiful Bruny Island, the remote Maatsuyker Islands south of Tasmania – home to Australia’s southern-most lighthouse – and right along Tasmania’s wild west coast to the Hunter and Kent Islands in Bass Strait – places rich in birdlife.

The sapphire waters, untouched beaches, rocky peaks and tiny villages of Flinders Island are next on the journey as well as the iridescent-blue waters and pristine white beaches of the Freycinet Peninsula and the fur seal colonies around the Schouten Islands.

Spectacular Cape Pillar and the historic convict ruins of Port Arthur complete the adventure before guests disembark in Hobart and take a free flight back to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. Return flights to Hobart from Perth and Brisbane are also available for a surcharge.

The fly, stay and sail package is available from A$12,315 per person, twin-share, in an ocean-view Aurora Stateroom – a saving of A$3180 per person. For solos, fares are available in a single, ocean-view Aurora Stateroom from A$15,835 – a saving of A$3950. For the free flights and savings, book by September 30, 2024.

For all bookings, inclusions and options CLICK HERE for Cruise Traveller or call 1800 507 777

Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay

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August 21, 2024

THE DEAL: Time limited offer, stay three nights from A$999 /room (A$919 /room for Luxe Plus members) valued up to A$3,039 a Merlion sized saving of 67%

THE APPEAL: Experience Singapore’s old-world charm alongside the city’s glamour at this urban resort in Clarke Quay.

The ultimate base for exploring everything the Garden City has to offer, this sophisticated property offers heritage features and contemporary comforts in equal measure.

Perched along the riverbank, Ellenborough Market Cafe serves up time-honoured Peranakan classics and international flavours, while Blue Potato invites you to indulge in Western favourites by the outdoor pool.

Strategically located by the Singapore River, Crossroads Bar invites with grand floor-to-ceiling windows, a sophisticated ambiance and well-crafted drinks

Although only steps from Singapore’s bustling bars, eateries and nightlife, this resort is still blissfully serene.

Retreat to Aramsa Spa for rejuvenating treatments with natural, botanical and herb-based products, creating exclusive treatments and experiences with balance in mind.

Longer Stay Bonus: Stay five nights to enjoy guaranteed 2pm late checkout. Extend to seven nights or more and savour a buffet dinner for two at Ellenborough Market Cafe.

Longer Stay Room Upgrade: Stay for seven nights or more and have your Executive King Room upgraded to a luxurious Select Clarke Quay Room boasting Executive Lounge access with nightly high tea and free-flow happy hour.

For bookings with Luxury Escapes, CLICK HERE or call 1300 88 99 00

Spring into a fly-cruise package, Japan, Alaska and Canada

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August 7, 2024

We’re always on the lookout for a cruise that’s a bit different and Cruise Traveller has come up with just that. And as we always say, you had us at private butler.

If you’re thinking you can finally see what all the fuss is about with Cherry Blossom Season, the cruise starts a bit late to see them in Tokyo but the ship will be stopping off in Hokkaido where they flower later. It’s not mentioned in the itinerary but you if you have no expectations there’s always the chance you’ll be surprised.

You’ll have a couple of days to enjoy all that Tokyo offers before you sail and the first port you’ll visit is Hakodate in Oshima, which is the largest southern city in Hokkaido.

It’s the home of Fort Goryōkaku, Japan’s first western-style fortress. You can get a good view from the nearby Goryōkaku Tower, a 90-meter viewing platform with views of the star-shaped fort and dioramas describing the Enomoto and Ezo Republic.

It’s just the start of a luxurious, all-inclusive voyage from Japan to Alaska and Canada aboard Silversea’s Silver Nova has been packaged by Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, with everything included from flights, the cruise, gourmet dining and drinks to excursions, tips, executive transfers from home and even a private butler.

Cruise Traveller’s new, 16-night fly-cruise package begins on April 22, 2025, with an executive, private car transfer from home/hotel to the airport (within 80km) and a flight to Tokyo from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth.

In Tokyo guests will board Silversea’s boutique 728-guest ship Silver Nova, for an indulgent 16-night voyage to Vancouver.

Launched just a year ago in August, 2023, the elegant Silver Nova offers glass balconies overlooking the sea from every suite as well as a spectacular asymmetrical pool deck, eight fine dining restaurants and glass elevators facing the ocean. Silver Nova ranks as one of the world’s most environmentally conscious cruise ships, with advanced hybrid technology that utilises fuel cells, batteries and shoreside power to be totally emission-free while in compatible ports – an industry first.

The 16-night voyage from Japan to Canada takes in the Japanese island of Hokkaido and then the beautiful Alaskan ports of Unalaska, Sitka and Ketchikan before Silver Nova traverses the pristine Inside Passage to journey’s end in Vancouver.

After disembarking in Vancouver, guests fly back home to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, with a final, executive, private car transfer from the airport (within 80km) to end the luxe-filled trip on a high.

Whilst travelling on the ultra-luxury Silversea voyage, guests will enjoy suite accommodation with intuitive butler service, a complimentary shore excursion in every port, plus gourmet dining, premium drinks, a personalised mini-bar and unlimited Wi-Fi all included.

Alaskan Highlights

Sitka, Alaska’s historic Russian-American island city, is on the west side of Baranof Island. Its main feature is Mt. Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano that looks like Japan’s Mt. Fujiyama, and dominates the horizon.

Once called “the Paris of the Pacific,” Sitka was built on the empire of Russian fur trade and is now more famous for its sport fishing.Sitka’s two harbours are dotted with brightly colored boats that look out over the pine-covered islands of the Tongass National Forest.

At Sitka National Historical Park (Totem Park), visitors can recapture Sitka’s Native and Russian history and see a collection of totem poles, a fort site and the battleground of 1804.

The Inside Passage of the Alaska Panhandle has breathtaking scenery with pristine water, snow capped mountains, deep fjords and forested islands. It is also prime habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoise and whales.

Glacier Bay National park has 16 active tidewater glaciers and Misty Fiords National Monument near Ketchikan has 3,000-foot cliffs rising directly from pristine ocean channels.

The picturesque coastal communities are rich in history. Russian influence is well preserved in churches and other historical structures.

The Native cultures of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indians dominate this area. Ancient totem poles are abundant in many communities and the art of totem carving is preserved along with traditional dance and music.

The 16-night fly/cruise package is available from A$12,400 per person, twin-share in a Veranda Suite. As an exclusive offer, Cruise Traveller is also extending a future cruise credit of A$400 per twin suite for any subsequent Silversea voyage booked through Cruise Traveller.

To book with Cruise Traveller and score some tempting offers, CLICK HERE by October 31, 2024 or give them a call on 1800 507 777

Save the planet (and budget) on Euro trains

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August 7, 2024

Glacier Express Over Viaduct - Credit swiss-image.ch_960x960 — The Glacier Express crosses a viaduct in Switzerland

Europeans love their trains. Whether it’s the glamour of the Orient Express or the pragmatic functionality of local commuter lines, trains are on the right track for many travellers.

In recent years there was even a move in France to ban domestic flights on routes that would take less than two hours by high-speed train – not a restriction that would ever affect Australians – but that seems to have been shunted into a siding for the time being.

Even so, with Aussies flocking to Europe, and having used a lot of their carbon (and karma) credits to get there, the appeal of going by environmentally friendly rail is as great as it’s ever been.

With at in mind, when it comes to travelling through Europe, savings are welcome especially when not compromising on comfort or convenience. So Rail Europe has provided some handy hints on how to save your centimes while racking up the rail Ks.

To save up to 70% off tickets, book in advance and travel during off peak times. Set up booking alerts to be notified of tickets being released.
For multiple trips over a few days, especially when involving a few countries, consider a Eurail Pass over point-to-point tickets.
Where flexibility isn’t required, opt for non-flexible tickets.
Where possible, opt for slower regional trains where seat reservations aren’t usually required – they are often more scenic anyway.
Enjoy savings with railcard reductions. In the UK, most railcards offer 1/3 off tickets; and in Spain, the Carné Joven railcard offers youth discounts on fully-flexible tickets. Travellers under 27yo in Germany save 50% on the BahnCard 50, while those under 30 or over 60 in Italy can enjoy 50% discounts with the CartaFRECCIA.
Where available, save on a night’s hotel accommodation and travel on night sleeper trains.
Note that children 4-11 travel for free with parents using the Eurail Pass, and children under 16 travel for free with guardians using the Swiss Travel Pass.

Apart from the above basic ways to save on train journeys, Rail Europe also has some hot tips on how to save on train tickets by region.

Germany’s Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreis tickets

Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreis tickets apply to many cross-border trips to almost any city in Germany, as well as trips that traverse the country from different start and end points internationally. The Sparpreis Europa offers more flexibility than the Super Sparpreis Europa; and while these fares often come with no views, certain tickets include a ‘City Ticket’ granting free access on Germany’s public transportation network to/from the departure/arrival station.

France via TGV, TGV Lyria, Frecciarossa and OUIGO

The TGVoffers great value fares called Prem’s that must be booked in advance. While tickets typically come on sale three months in advance, this is extended during the summer months. Discounted tickets are also available on the international TGV Lyria services to Italy and Switzerland, and can be booked up to 120 days in advance. If using the Frecciarossaservice, then bookings can be made up to 180 days in advance. When travelling from Spain, consider jumping on a night train to save a night’s accommodation aboard the budget-friendly OUIGO service.

Switzerland’s Swiss Half Fare Pass

A great alternative for the Swiss Travel Pass is the Swiss Half Fare Pass, which is great for longer stays as it’s valid for one month. While the former provides holders unlimited access to all of the country’s public transportation system and up to 50% off mountain rail and cableways and free entry to 500+ museums, the latter grants holders 50% off public transportation tickets across the country and on most mountain rails.

Eurostar services

Aside from booking in advance, travellers should note that return fares can often be cheaper than one-way fares; and early morning or mid-week departures tend to be priced more favourably. When travelling from London to French destinations beyond Paris, it’s also often cheaper to combine the Eurostar ticket with an onward TGV service.

Italy’s Super Economy fares

To score cheap train tickets in Italy, select a ‘Super Economy’ fare, which covers all domestic Trenitalia trains. Note also the ‘Bimbi Gratis’ family offer allows children under 15 to travel for free in groups of 2-5 people, with at least one adult. This discount is available on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity trains for travel within Italy.

Spain’s Ouigo and Renfe trains

Spain’s ‘Basico’ fares are the cheapest train ticket on Renfe services. Consider also travelling aboard Ouigo, the budget provider that connects the most popular destinations in Spain via high-speed train for less. In terms of booking horizons, Renfe tickets are released 75 days in advance and Ouigo trains can be booked up to a year in advance.

www.raileurope.com

Dine-in chef-hatted UMA, Pan Pacific Perth

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August 2, 2024