Travellers’ good buys for week beginning 10June
I’ve been to a Kona Coffee Festival and can vouch for the quality of the event which brings together the 600 independent growers who make up the relatively small coffee belt on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The 43rd annual festival will be held from November 1-10, with the theme ‘Kona in Your Cup’. Highlight will be the judging of the districts top coffees — a fascinating process very much akin to a wine-show judging.
While on the Big Island, make sure to ascend the massive Mauna Kea with its plethora of astronomic observatories, and snorkel in Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook met his fate.
Visit http://www.konacoffeefest.com
Take the 1600-kilometre 27-hour journey between Pretoria and Cape Town on the five-star Blue Train and get a complimentary night’s accommodation at either 131 on Herbert Baker in Pretoria or the super-luxury Taj Cape Town.
The Blue Train boasts features such as a private butler service, marble-clad bathrooms and gourmet cuisine.
Visit http://www.bluetrain.co.za
Book a four-night leisure and adventure package on Hayman Island and pay for just three.
Prices start at $885 per person twin-share, including accommodation, daily beachfront breakfast, water and sports activities, sauna and steam room.
Valid for sale until July 31 for travel until December 20. Phone 1800 075 175 or visit http://www.hayman.com.au
This short but exciting trip combines three of southern Africa’s most phenomenal sites: The Chobe and Kruger National Parks and Victoria Falls.
See a host of astounding wild animals, spend time in a traditional village in Botswana, travel down the Chobe River by boat and visit South Africa’s modern capital.
Prices start from $969 per person twin-share, including six nights accommodation and touring.
Book by September 30 for travel until October 26.
Phone 1300 130 485 or visit http://travel.com.au
Discover the dramatic countryside of the Scottish Borders and Northern England and save up to 15 per cent with Back-Roads Touring.
The six-day package explores the idyllic lakes, hills and valleys which have inspired the works of poets and authors including William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and the Bronte Sisters.
You’ll also enjoy a three-course banquet and stay at a restored medieval Scottish castle, visit Yorkshire Dales National Park and York, taste chocolate, gingerbread and Wensleydale cheese, ride on a restored steam railway and take a guided Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool.
Pay from $1866 per person twin share. Phone 1300 100 410 or visit http://www.backroadstouring.com.au
Here’s a new twist on poise and fitness. Coral Seaswill hold seven-day Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga Retreats on the Cook Islandsstarting July 20, August 17 and September 7.
Priced from $1999 per person quad-share ex Sydney, the week-long retreats include airfares, six nights at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, tropical breakfast daily, five healthy lunches and three dinners, five days of Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga and Stand up Paddleboarding lessons around the Island, and some fun cultural activities.
Phone 1300 370 792 or visit http://www.coralseas.com.au/travel-deals/cooks-yoga-retreats
Stay at Peppers Portage Marlborough Sounds while attacking the picturesque Queen Charlotte Track, the 21 component and latest addition to the New Zealand Cycle Trail.
The 70-kilometre mountain-bike ride from historic Ships Cove to Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds can be as easy or challenging as you want to make it.
It’s right on the doorstep of Peppers Portage, which is offering a two night from $450 per couple, including tasting platter on arrival and continental breakfast.
It’s valid for travel to October 15 2013. Visit http://www.peppers.co.nz
Save on accommodation with Accor’s Great Singapore Sale.
Pay, for instance, from SGD$198 (approx $162) per night at NovotelSingapore Clarke Quay. Other properties include Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel (from SGD$165), Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen(from SGD$173) and Ibis Singapore Novena (from $SGD140).
Complimentary breakfast andwi-fi; free Funvee bus tour of 30 of the city’s top attractions.
Until July 28.
Visit http://www.accorhotels.com
Save on a three-day restorative yoga weekend at the Solar Springs Health Retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Pay from $550 per person twin-share, including accommodation and three 90-minute yoga sessions.
Plus a Swedish massage, seven healthy, gourmet meals from Friday lunch to Sunday lunch, use of the retreat’s gym, indoor heated pool, sauna and steamroom and activities such as bushwalks, cycling, tennis and aqua aerobics.
June 28-30.
Phone 02 4883 6027 or visit http://www.solarsprings.com.au
Special opening offer at Fiji’s Tropica Island Resort.
Pay from FJ$4395 per bure (about $2470), including five nights accommodation and two 30-minute spa treatments.
Bottle of sparkling wine, FJ$250 food and drinks credit.
Book by June 30 for travel until November 30.
Phone 1300 888 838 or visit http://tropicaisland.com
Free nights in Las Vegas and San Diego on Cruise1st’s 20-night Hawaiian cruise package.
Pay from $2699 ex Sydney, including return airfares and a 15-night cruise on the Celebrity Century.
Round-trip cruise out of San Diego calls at Hilo, Kailua Kona, Lahaina and Honolulu in Hawaii, and Ensenada in Mexico.
Departs October 21.
Phone 1300 596 345 or visit http://tropicaisland.com
Silliness, loads of gags and the odd bottom joke — everything you love about The Goon Show— will be on the menu when The Goon Show LIVE! takes over The Paragon Restaurant, Katoomba, throughout winter.
Offered as a five-course Yulefest dinner show with all the trimmings at the historic venue, this live recreation of The Goon Showwill include the loved characters brought to life by Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe in the 1950s.
The Goon Show LIVE!will play from June 29 to August 3. Tickets are $115 per person Phone 0418 241 218 or visit www.thegoonshow.com.au
PIC: Judging coffee Kona-style … a fascinating exercise to watch
