Discover colonial towns in Nicaragua and El Salvador, explore bustling local markets in the Guatemalan highlands and search for wildlife in Costa Rica on Explore Worldwide’s 16-day Central American Highlights tour.
Highlights include the colonial city of Antigua which is overlooked by three volcanoes, a visit to the colourfulChichicastenango market and cruise to the Maya villages around Lake Atitlan, the ancient site of Copan — one of the greatest Maya ruins in the Americas — and the lively colonial cities of Leon and Granada.
Prices start at $1619* per person twin-share.
Phone1300 439 756or visit http://www.exploreworldwide.com.au
Two of the world’s most glamorous and luxurious modes of travel — the Rovos Rail train in South Africa and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 — will feature in Cruise Express’s Pride of Africa rail-and-sail package next January.
Ex Sydney prices start at $12,990 for 29 nights, including flight to Johannesberg, a two-night trip on Rovos Rail and cruise back to Sydney via Mauritius on Queen Mary 2.
There is also five nights accommodation in South Africa, including two nights in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Phone 1300 766 537 or visit http://www.cruiseexpress.com.au
With its striking heritage buildings, movie-set looks and classic Victorian feel, Ballarat is a photographer’s haven, and from August 17 to September 15 the Victorian city will host the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
A guided Behind the Doors Tourincludes some quirky hidden spaces rarely seen by the public and there is also a self-guided secret-locations tour available.
Phone the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre on 1800 44 66 33 or visit http://www.ballaratfoto.org
BedarraIsland Resort, off Queensland’s Mission Beach, has reopened 17 months after feeling the full wrath of Cyclone Yasi.
The sustainable resort boasts just seven private villas set on 45 hectares of tropical rainforest fringed by coral reefs. It also features an open-terrace restaurant, bar and lounge, and water sports ranging from paddle boarding to scuba diving and deep-sea fishing charters.
Villas start at $990 per night, inclusive of meals, drinks and selected activities.
Phone 07 4068 8233 or visit https://www.bedarra.com.au
Feeling fit or just want to watch some awesome outrigger canoeing?
This year’s Queen Lili’uokalani races — to be held on Hawaii’s Big Island from August 31 to September 2 — include the 40th anniversary of the world’s largest long-distance outrigger event for women, with iron wahine crews paddling 18 miles unchanged, the same distance these days as the men.
Book a seat aboard Blue Sea Cruises’ Spirit of Kona catamaran or Body Glove Cruises’Kanoa IIcatamaran for a front-row view. Visit blueseacruisesinc.com orbodyglovehawaii.com/canoe-race.
For more race information visit http://www.kaiopua.org
RaMarama— Captain Cook Cruises’ tall ship in Fiji —has resumed itsTivua Island day cruises, complete with new sails, masts and rigging.
Tivua is a small coral atoll in the northern part of the Mamanucas, surrounded by a white sandy beach and extensive lagoon.
Guests spend the day snorkelling, glass-bottom boating, kayaking, playing volleyball, taking a leisurely swim or indulging in a spa treatment.
A delicious tropical buffet lunch including beer, wine and soft drinks is included and all guests can partake in a traditional kava ceremony.
Adult fares are FJ$165(children 3-15 years FJ$109. Prices include all activities, lunch and beverages.
Visit http://www.captaincook.com.fj
Pro-cycling champion Sean Kelly will lead aSpiceRoads’road-bike tour from Bangkok to Phuket from January 31 to February 7.
The group will be limited to 20 experienced participants who will ride 700 kilometres over six cycling days.
Cost is US$2750, including full support by air-conditioned vehicles and experienced cycle guides.
Visit http://www.spiceroads.com
Air Tahiti Nui andSpacifica Travel have three summer Tahitian packages on sale until August 9.
Pay, for instance, from $4595 per person twin-share for five nights in an overwater villa at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa, including breakfast and dinner daily, return economy airfares from Sydney or Melbourne, and a night pre and post accommodation in Papeete.
Phone Spacifica Travel on 1800 800 722 or visithttp://www.airtahitinui.com.au
Book a minimum of five nights and get the final night free on the Kenyan plains at MahaliMzuri, the latest addition to Sir Richard Branson’s collection of private retreats.
Pay from USD590 per person twin-share, including all meals, drinks, game drives and transfers from the nearest airstrip.
Get a front-row seat to view the year-round abundant game well as the Great Migration, which usually takes place between July and October.
Valid September 1 to December 21.
Visit http://www.virginlimitededition.com
Save 20 per cent on the Indian Pacific through Melbourne-based International Rail.
Pay from $1936 for a one-way Gold Class fare between Sydney and Perth.
Features all-inclusive meals and on-board beverages and off-train excursions on selected journeys.
Book by August 31 for travel to October 31.
Phone 1300 387 245 or visit http://www.internationalrail.com.au
Save nearly a third off the original price a 13-day SeaDream II cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore.
Pay from USD$8544 per person twin-share, including gourmet dining, wines with lunch and dinner, drinks from the open bars, power and sail watersports.
A maximum 112 guests served by 95 crew; ports, bays and islands visited in Vietnam include HaiPhong for capital Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, NhaTrang, Ho Chi Minh and Con Dao Island.
Departs Hong Kong March 15.
Visithttp://www.seadream.com
To celebrate its renovation and new ‘bath menu’, the Como Melbourne is offering a Bubbles & SoulPackage.
Pay from $285 per room per night, including breakfast for two.
Also luxuriate in a Como ‘Signature’ bath, which includes soothing Morrissey bath salts, a Morrissey loofah and a lime-and-basil-infused Como signature candle.
Phone 03 9825 2222 or visit http://www.the-como-hotel-melbourne.com.
Pic: Fabulous Costa Rican wildlife … a keel-billed toucan.
