Travellers’ Good Buys for week beginning August 12
Bentours is offering discounted rates on its 11-day 2014 Volga Explorer Russian river cruise, with prices starting at $1567 per person twin-share.
The itinerary starts in Moscow with a city tour and attendance at the famous Moscow Circus, before cruising the beautiful Volga River through quaint villages and ancient towns to St Petersburg, with its grand boulevards, canals and architecture, plus the incredible Hermitage Museum which showcases more than three million works of art.
Phone 1800 221 712 or visit http://www.bentours.com.au
Awake to an icy Antarctic vista on Christmas morning during a 24-day journey from Valparaiso on board the luxurious boutique Seabourn Quest, which will be making four sailings to the “white continent” next summer.
Fares for the Christmas cruise start at $14,999 per person twin-share, and the itinerary also includes exploring the Chilean coast and fjords, Beagle Channel, Glacier Alley, Torres del Paine National Park, Cape Horn, Montevideo and a rare visit to the wildlife-rich South Georgia Island.
Phone 13 24 02 or visit http://www.seabourn.com
There’s plenty of festival activity in Byron Bay between now and the end of the year — the Sample Food Festival at nearby Bangalow, the Boomerang Festival, the Byron Bay Surf Festival, the Byron Latin Fiesta, and the Falls Music and Arts Festival.
Centrally located BreakFree Eco Beach has a stay-longer-and-save offer priced from $144 per night for a studio with a minimum stay of three nights.
Phone 1300 987 602 or visit www.breakfree.com.au
South America Travel Centre has added Awasi Patagonia, a new wilderness lodge due to open late this year in the icy extreme south of Chile, to its touring schedule.
It has 12 villas set in a 6000-hectare private reserve of luxuriant native forest, with panoramic views of the Torres del Paine and Lake Sarmiento.
Guests have their own private guide and vehicle during their stay. This enables flexibility in choosing excursions, which include plentiful wildlife-viewing opportunities — even of the occasional puma.
Phone 1300 781 810 or visit http://www.southamericatravelcentre.com.au
Arctic beer at the oldest pub in Tromsø; a 16th-century Bénédictine herbal liqueur at a palace near Honfleur; olive oil at a Málaga mill; traditional tea at an 18th-century Belfast estate; and numerous wine-related experiences.
Building on its recent focus on unique local gastronomy, Crystal Cruises is offering more than two dozen onshore adventures exploring Europe through libations.
All-inclusive cruise fares start at US$2220 per person twin-share if booked by 30 August. Prices for the culinary excursion series start at US$64 per person.
Visit http://www.crystalcruises.com
The opening of Camden Acres Homestead B&B at Elderslie has increased the accommodation options in the Macarthur region, just south of Sydney.
The stately 77-year-old Spanish-mission-style residence borders Camden Golf Course and features ornate period furnishings.
Rates are from $180 per couple per night. Phone 02 4658 1849 or visit http://www.camdenacreshomestead.com.au
Also new in the area is the Sydney Trail Riding Centre, run by Grahame Ware, a fourth generation horse ‘whisperer’ who has been involved managing horses for major films such as The Great Gatsby and Lord of the Rings, and long-time horse lover and trainer Renee Ryan.
Guided trail rides suitable for beginners are priced from $50 per person for an hour and there are led pony rides for those under seven.
Phone 0432 105 104 or visit http://www.sydneytrailriding.com.au
Save 15 per cent on Cox & Kings’ 11-day, small group The Golden Land of Burma journey.
Discover the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda and learn meditation methods from a monk in Rangoon, see the iconic U Bein Bridge in Mandalay, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River with cocktails in Pagan, tour the floating villages, gardens and temples of Inle Lake and visit a local Intha family’s restaurant for lunch and a cooking demonstration.
Prices start at $3630 per person twin-share, including daily breakfast, services of a tour manager/local guides, entrance fees for sightseeing, arrival and departure transfers, comfortable land transport and domestic/regional flights.
Phone1300 836 764 or visit http://www.coxandkings.com.au
The largest food festival in Latin America will be slicing, dicing, baking, barbequing and revelling in all things culinary from September 6-15 as farmers, chefs, confectioners and foodies descend on Lima for Mistura, the annual gastronomic festival.
The sixth Mistura will have a water and marine theme with seafood and small-scale fishing taking pride of place.
Dedicated themed corners will also highlight the country’s world-renowned produce: bread, coffee, chocolate and, of course, Peru’s flagship liquor, Pisco.
Visit http://www.mistura.com.pe or http://www.peru.travel
Give Dad a treat with aFather’s Day package at Allure Stradbroke Resort on North Stradbroke Island.
Pay from $475 for two nights in a one-bedroom beach shack.
Includes return ferry vehicle transfer, noon check out, a BBQ meat tray and a lucky dip gift for Dad.
Valid for weekend of August 30 to September 1.
Phone (07) 3415 0000 or visit http://www.allurestradbroke.com.au
Get discounted northern-autumn flights to China.
Pay from $865 ex Sydney for return airfares to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhengzhou. Also $850 ex Melbourne; $848 ex Perth.
Flights are with full-service Cathay Pacific.
Book by September 13 for travel September 1-30.
Visit http://www.directflights.com.au
Grab free flights and accommodation for travellers on the Indian Pacific and The Ghan.
Book a Gold or Platinum Service sleeper and get free airfares plus three nights complimentary accommodation at your destination.
Also includes complimentary meals, standard beverages and off-train excursions.
Book by December 31 for travel between November 1 this year and April 30 next.
Phone 1800 703 357 or visit http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au
Stay two nights over the weekend and save 20 per cent on the daily rate at Travelodge Perth Hotel.
Pay from $95 per room per night.
The hotel is nestled in a picturesque area, located just minutes away from the major business, entertainment and shopping areas.
Available Friday-Sunday nights.
Phone 1300 886 886 or visit http://www.travelodge.com.au
Pic: St Petersburg … grand boulevards, canals and architecture.
