Travellers’ good buys

Aurora’s Ecuador in Depth … getting up close to the Galapagos wildlife.

Aurora Expeditions’ 2014/2015 program of trekking and ship-based itineraries features an array of new destinations for the Australian adventure company, such as Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Arnhem Land, Cape York, Bhutan and Patagonia.
For instance, the new Ecuador in Depth excursion explores the Amazon Basin and the wildlife playground of the Galapagos Islands by small ship, and also incorporates land touring of the famed Avenue of Volcanoes and the national parks of central Ecuador.
There’s also an opportunity to explore Australia’s tropical north by combining the Kimberley Coast, Arnhem Land, Cape York and the Great Barrier Reef in one incredible voyage.
Phone 1800 637 688 or visit http://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

Cruise Express reckons that the Baltic Sea is becoming an increasingly hot destination for Australians and has charted Treasures of Northern Europe and Russia, a new 21-day hosted package next May.
Prices start from $6490 per person twin-share, including return flights to London, welcome dinner and a night’s accommodation in a grand English manor, a 12-night Baltic cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse, three days in London post-cruise and an optional three-night stopover in Dubai.
An optional $999 package offers nine sightseeing tours, including a visit to Stonehenge, the famous Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, the medieval old town of Stockholm, infamous Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, a cruise down the Seine in Paris, a tour inside Windsor Castle in England and two full day tours in St Petersburg to see beautiful Catherine’s Palace and the world-famous treasures of the Hermitage Museum.
For more details or a brochure, call Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit http://www.cruiseexpress.com.au

Cruise Abroad’s new three-week Europe Inside and Out package next June combines a cruise through Central Europe along the Danube River with a Mediterranean cruise around the Greek Islands and Turkey.
Price is from $7299 per person twin-share, including return airfare and a night’s accommodation in Barcelona’s tree-lined La Ramblas district.
The two ships are CroisiEurope’s river cruiser Beethoven and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit.
Phone 1300 669 369 or visit http://www.cruiseabroad.com.au

The Windsor Hotel, one of Melbourne’s grandest properties, will host a Cuban Arts Festival from November 4-9.
Taste seven different Cuban rums and authentic cuisine, while enjoying music performances, an art exhibition and some pretty lusty dancing.
Visit http://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au

Ecruising.travel is offering three river-cruise packages next northern summer aboard the River Cloud II — and there are savings of between $3800 and $9400 per person twin-share if you book by November 15.
The 13-night Holland’s and Belgium’s Cultural Capitals tour is now priced from $7549 per person twin-share, including return air fares and a seven-night cruise.
Also included are all main meals and selected beverages on board the ship, shore excursions with an English speaking guide, selected touring, five-star hotel accommodation pre- and/or post-cruise, and a bonus three-night stopover at the famous Raffles Dubai.
Phone 1300 369 848 or visit http://www.ecruising.travel

The latest accommodation at 
Mt Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland, is straight out of the top draw.
The six-star Skylodge, has been designed in classic Queenslander style to maximise the spectacular views down the valley.
The fully self-contained lodge has two bedrooms and large living spaces, both indoor and out.
Rates are $1400 per night for one bedroom, $1800 for the whole lodge.
Visit http://www.skylodge.com.au

Stretch out on the newly refurbished Spirit of Queensland, which runs nearly 1700 kilometres along the state’s coastline between Brisbane and Cairns.
In what’s claimed to be an Australian first, Queensland Rail has introduced rail beds which convert from an upright seat into a flatbed (in first-class).
Premium leather seats with in-built entertainment systems have also been installed.
One-way rates for a rail bed are from $389.25, for premium economy from $221.40.
Visit http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia has announced that its major events program for 2014 will kick off from April 24-27 with Tjungu, an indigenous cultural festival, followed later in the year by Outback Fest, Uluru Camel Cup, an astronomy weekend and the Australian Outback Marathon.
The inaugural Tjungu Festival — pronounced tjoo-ngoo, and meaning meeting or coming together in the local Anangu language — will celebrate the best of indigenous culture, past, present and future.
Highlights will include a spectacular line up of contemporary indigenous musicians and bands, a fashion parade, a movie montage of indigenous film and food experiences, including a master class by a leading indigenous chef.
Visit http://www.voyages.com.au

Save $150 on Back-Roads’ eight-day Croatian Wilderness Sailing, aboard a private yacht exploring some of the country’s most remote and pristine islands
Pay from $2845 per person twin-share, including daily breakfast, six lunches, three dinners, towels and linen, entrance fees.
Highlights include wine tasting in Korcula — one of the best preserved medieval towns on the Adriatic Coast — and Mljet National Park, an unspoilt oasis of lush vegetation, pine forests and spectacular saltwater lakes.
Book by December 15 for travel until November 2014.
Phone 1300 100 410 or visit http://www.backroadstouring.com.au

Stay three nights at The Landmark Nelson Bay in Port Stephens and save $145.
Pay from $335 per room for three nights in a one-bedroom apartment.
Receive bonus chocolates and sparkling wine; enjoy outdoor, lagoon-style pool and spa area, elevated sun deck, Japanese-style steam room and AJ’s Restaurant.
Valid until August 31 next year from Sunday to Thursday nights.
Phone 1800 200 755 or visit http://www.landmarknelsonbay.com.au

Save 10 per cent on exploring the spice plantations and tropical beaches of southern India with Extreme Bike Tours on the back of a classic Royal Enfield 500cc Bullet motorbike.
Pay from US$3465 per rider (US$2925 for pillion passengers) for a 12-day tour departing Cochin on January 12, including three-star accommodation, all meals, fuel and motorbike hire.
Includes a flight from Goa back to Cochin at the end of the tour.
Book by November 30.
Visit http://www.extremebiketours.com

Save on Mega Holidays’ budget package to Mumbai.
Pay from $1554 per person twin-share ex Sydney, including return flights to Mumbai with full-service airline Cathay Pacific, and five nights accommodation at the three-star UniContinental Hotel in the heart of Mumbai.
Includes a horse-drawn buggy ride through the colourful streets of Mumbai at night and a traditional Indian dinner.
On sale until November 15 for departures up to May 31.
Visit http://www.megaholidays.com.au