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Thursday 31 July 2014

WIN a trip to Rio with LAN Airlines


Are you the energetic type? Running the City2Surf this year perhaps? In that case, do you fancy a trip to Rio?

Sydney's favourite sporting event is back, and this year to celebrate City2Surf, LAN Airlines is giving YOU the opportunity to WIN return flights to Rio de Janeiro with its new City2Surf inspired Facebook campaign, Footsteps to Rio.

LAN Airlines is asking Aussies joggers, sprinters, walkers and travellers to guess the number of footsteps it would take to walk from Sydney to Rio. The person who guesses closest to the correct number will be spared the journey by foot and instead flown from Sydney to Rio with LAN Airlines.

The Footsteps to Rio competition runs alongside City2Surf until 24 August, 2014 so get those sweatbands ready, get those suitcases packed, and get guessing. Entry is via LAN Airlines Australia's Facebook page, with the lucky winner receiving two return economy flights to Rio de Janeiro.


1 Notes to editor:
LAN Airlines now operates seven one-stop flights each week from Sydney to Santiago, Chile, the gateway to South America. Onward connections to over 115 destinations in South America are operated by both LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines. LAN also offers non-stop flights between Sydney and Santiago every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in a codeshare partnership with oneworld partner airline Qantas. Flights with codeshare partner are 14 hours from Sydney to Santiago. For more information or to make a booking contact travel agents, call LAN reservations on 1800 558 129, or visit www.lan.com.
  

Bed, Bath & Bike - Pier One Sydney Harbour offers guests a unique way to see the iconic sights of Sydney with the suite-est package available

Pier One Sydney Harbour Balcony and Harbour View Suites are tucked up against one of the most scenically beautiful waterways in the world and are the ideal space for guests seeking to experience a balance of calm within the luxurious surrounds of their room coupled with the excitement of getting out and about and exploring Sydney’s vibrant streets.

And what better way to experience the city than jumping on a bike and peddling your way through the cobblestone pathways of the famous Rocks precinct, then riding down to the iconic Opera House and breathing in the fresh sea air as you embrace the majesty of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Botanic Gardens.

The recently renovated suites offer a fresh and contemporary palette with luxurious fixtures and fittings unmatched in any other Sydney CBD hotel. Maximising the already generous space, the designers created bathrooms that seamlessly transition into the bedrooms and four of the suites on level two boast large balcony spaces, allowing guests to lounge outside, taking in the fresh harbour air. 

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All of the suites feature king size beds, a marble topped wet bar with Nespresso coffee machine, marble topped working desk, two LED flat screen TVs – one of which rises from the bed base, Foxtel, iPod/iPad docking stations and fast WiFi internet access.

Pier One Sydney Harbour is offering a ‘suite’ package that includes overnight accommodation for two guests, $200 credit per stay to be used at any of the food and beverage outlets in the hotel, evening chef canapés and an inclusive mini-bar and Aesop amenities to ensure a truly memorable stay.

Harbour View Suite Packages start from $799.00 per night*. For guests wanting to cruise the city on a bike, the hotel can arrange for two complimentary bicycles for a day.

Each suite is as individual and unique as the guests staying with level 2 of the hotel offering wrap-around balconies around three of the suites providing generous space with divisions to ensure privacy while the fourth offers an impressive 40 metre squared balcony jutting over the Pier. This outdoor space makes for an ideal setting for private alfresco dining, sunset drinks or simply taking in the beauty of Sydney Harbour and watching the mega yachts sail past.

Two of the balcony suites have designer day beds and arm chairs which are positioned to maximise the panoramic views. Each of the bathrooms have decadent, deep standalone bath tubs, rain water heads with side jets, double brass bowl vanities and deluxe amenity kits from Aesop.

From the hotel’s premier Harbour View Balcony Suite at the northern end of the Pier, guests will feel like they’re floating on water, particularly from the deep-set bathtub, which is the feature piece of a bathroom that overlooks the water and the imposing Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Those looking to get a little higher will benefit from the suites located on level three with raw woodwork of overhead beams in the three top-floor suites, where part of the century-old architecture was re-exposed, providing the spaces with the feel of a New York loft or Hamptons Beach House.  These suites are harbour side with panoramic views but no outdoor spaces.

After an energized day of city exploration you can then return to your perfectly picked suite and luxuriate in a bubble-bath with a glass of wine or dine waterside at the hotel’s restaurant and bar. 

Additionally with the hotel’s prime harbour frontage, guests can arrive by yacht or water taxi via the hotel’s private pontoon, which provides direct water access to nearby attractions including the Opera House, Luna Park and Taronga Zoo.

Pier One Sydney Harbour is not only a unique Sydney Harbour property, but a well placed, innovative hotel offering guests a truly one of a kind Australian experience.

*Suite Packages start from $799.00 per night, subject to availability at time of booking. For full booking conditions and further details please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/sydak-pier-one-sydney-harbour-autograph-collection/
Bicycle hire is subject to availability.

Deserts And Glaciers In Luxury

FROM one of the driest places on earth to the world's most southern tip is the route for a new luxury 
Exterior, Hotel Explora Atacamacruise tour introduced by cruise holiday specialists ecruising.travel for 2016, with a special promotion of room upgrades at both the luxurious Chilean properties of explora when you book before August 31, 2014.

This exclusive and fully escorted 17-night journey begins in Santiago on March 31 with welcome dinner at the famous Aqui esta coco restaurant, followed by a day trip to the Casablanca Valley with wine tasting and lunch at the famous Casas del Bosque winery.

You will fly to Calama and spend five nights at the fully inclusive explora Atacama, situated near the village of San Pedro de Atacama, where you can discover the terrain, ancestral culture and unique wildlife through a range of explorations that vary in durations from a couple of hours to a full day. Activities include trekking, horseback riding, cycling explorations, high-mountain climbs and stargazing sessions.

ex.ac-2The tour then moves to the southern end of Chile where you’ll will board the luxurious M/V Via Australis for a three night Chilean Fjords cruise. Here you will have the chance to get up close and personal on board Zodiacs to explore some of the most remote and breathtaking wilderness and wildlife in the southern Patagonia including the Tierra Del Fuego archipelago.  Experience these fascinating locations including Almirantazgo Bay and its elephant seals, sub-Antarctic forests, waterfall glaciers and Ainsworth Bay to see the Alberto de Agostini National Park and the sub-polar Magellan Forest, with your final destination Magdalena Island.

Via-AustralisWe’ve saved the best for last with five nights at explora Patagonia located in the heart of Torres del Paine and on the shores of Lake Pehoé offering a breath-taking view of the Paine Massif.  You’ll have plenty of time to explore the stunning landscape by foot or horseback and view the peaks, glaciers, lakes and rich flora and fauna.

Priced from $11,869 per person twin share, this fully inclusive and escorted tour includes return economy airfares from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, three nights at the W Hotel in Santiago with daily breakfast, welcome dinner at Aqui esta Coco in Santiago, a full day wine tasting tour with lunch at Casablanca Valley, three nights cruise on board M/V Via Australis with all meals, shore excursions and on-board gratuities, five nights at both explora Atacama and Patagonia- with all meals, beverages, guided explorations and transfers.


G Adventures announces Antarctic Early Booking Bonus

unnamed (16)G Adventures, the leading small-group adventure tour operator, has announced an early booking bonus for travellers looking to secure their place on an Antarctic Expedition in late 2015.

G Adventures’ Antarctica Classic, Antarctica Classic in Depth and Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Islands trips, which all explore the regions at the bottom of the world aboard the MS Expedition, are reduced by 10% when booking before 31 August, 2014 and travelling before December 8, 2015. 

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Perfect for first time or seasoned travellers, these early season departures will present budding photographers with a unique opportunity to take in breathtaking glaciers, saw-toothed mountains, colossal icebergs, fields of ice that stretch on forever and, for those travelling to South Georgia,King Penguins in an intimate setting during their mating season in October.

The Antarctic programme has proven extremely popular amongst Australian and New Zealand travellers who now make up over one third of the company’s global sales to the region, explains Belinda Ward, Duchess of Delegation for G Adventures Australia and New Zealand, “All of our travellers come back having had an amazing experience aboard the MS Expedition – our NPS scores on this programme are consistently outstanding, so we’d love to get even more Aussies down to this stunning part of the world.”

G Adventures’ expeditions on board the MS Expedition include an expert team of specialists including ornithologists, marine biologists, and a photographer to make sure travellers get the perfect shot.

To receive the saving on category 3, 4 and 5 cabins only, travellers must quote the promo code ‘G14ANTARCTIC10EBB’ at time of booking*.

Get Up & Go magazine – winter 2014


Cruising heads to Africa, Myanmar, the Antarctic, India, New Zealand, France Fiji, Russia and Australia – the oceans are alive with the sound of ship music! Also in this issue: Alaska, Abu Dhabi, Korea, Samoa, Indi, South Africa, England, Germany, Switzerland, France.

And at home we visit Launceston, Sydney and Queensland – and have a $10,000 Downton Abbey era tour of Britain up for competition grabs! Visit: www.getupandgo.com.au

Patagonia fjords cruise and Atacama desert tour



FROM one of the driest places on earth to the world's most southern tip is the route for a new luxury cruise tour introduced by cruise holiday specialists ecruising.travel for 2016, with a special promotion of room upgrades at both the luxurious Chilean properties of explora when you book before August 31, 2014.

This exclusive and fully escorted 17-night journey begins in Santiago on March 31 with welcome dinner at the famous Aqui esta coco restaurant, followed by a day trip to the Casablanca Valley with wine tasting and lunch at the famous Casas del Bosque winery. 

You will fly to Calama and spend five nights at the fully inclusive explora Atacama, situated near the village of San Pedro de Atacama, where you can discover the terrain, ancestral culture and unique wildlife through a range of explorations that vary in durations from a couple of hours to a full day. Activities include trekking, horseback riding, cycling explorations, high-mountain climbs and stargazing sessions.


The tour then moves to the southern end of Chile where you'll will board the luxurious M/V Via Australis for a three night Chilean Fjords cruise. Here you will have the chance to get up close and personal on board Zodiacs to explore some of the most remote and breathtaking wilderness and wildlife in the southern Patagonia including the Tierra Del Fuego archipelago.  Experience these fascinating locations including Almirantazgo Bay and its elephant seals, sub-Antarctic forests, waterfall glaciers and Ainsworth Bay to see the Alberto de Agostini National Park and the sub-polar Magellan Forest, with your final destination Magdalena Island.

We've saved the best for last with five nights at explora Patagonia located in the heart of Torres del Paine and on the shores of Lake Pehoé offering a breath-taking view of the Paine Massif.  You'll have plenty of time to explore the stunning landscape by foot or horseback and view the peaks, glaciers, lakes and rich flora and fauna.

Priced from $11,869 per person twin share, this fully inclusive and escorted tour includes return economy airfares from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, three nights at the W Hotel in Santiago with daily breakfast, welcome dinner at Aqui esta Coco in Santiago, a full day wine tasting tour with lunch at Casablanca Valley, three nights cruise on board M/V Via Australis with all meals, shore excursions and on-board gratuities, five nights at both explora Atacama and Patagonia- with all meals, beverages, guided explorations and transfers.

This tour is limited to 40 guests, for more details contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

 

Wednesday 30 July 2014

The Best Value Lunch Break at Novotel Ploenchit

Working hard? Then treat yourself harder with our best value international lunch buffet in town!
Weekday Lunch poster

Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit is luring the Bangkok lunch crowd with our new lunch offer at The SQUARE Restaurant, for only 599 Baht net per person, so pause work, power down your cell phone, and jump off the BTS sky train at Ploenchit station to enjoy lunch break at The SQUARE Restaurant.

Our international lunch buffet offers an array of international dishes including DIY salad bar, soups, Western & Asian hot dishes, delicious hand-rolled pizza, authentic Indian curries with Naan bread and Maki rolls. In addition, there’s a selection of mouth-watering desserts and ice cream to conclude the perfect lunch break, amid the bright and relaxed ambiance of The SQUARE.

The lunch buffet at Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit is priced at only THB 599 net per person, with a “come-2-pay-1” offer making it the best value lunch buffet in town.  Accor Advantage Plus members receive an extra 10% off this public promotion.

Lunch Buffet at The SQUARE Restaurant
Date:                Now until 31st August 2014, every Monday to Saturday
Time:               12.00pm – 2.30pm
Price:              THB 599 net per person with a “come-2-pay-1” offer
Accor Advantage Plus members receive an extra 10% off
Reservation:     T. 02 305 6000 ext. 1632 or www.novotelbangkokploenchit.com

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Offers 20% Off Rates Through "Tune In To Summer" Promotion

Istanbul’s award-winning Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel recently launched its Tune in to Summer” Promotion, affording travelers up to 20% off the best flexible rates.

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This promotion allows jetsetters the opportunity to design a summer vacation they dream of! The “Tune in to Summer” offer is valid through September 15, 2014 with rates starting at $1233.53 USD.

A hotel so iconic, so distinctive that its name has become synonymous with the city of Istanbul, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski is a 313-room former Ottoman palace defined by spacious gardens, regal architectural grandeur, and a timeless style. Located on the shores of the Bosphorous, the property offers a cosmopolitan resort ambience that is in close proximity to the city’s centers. Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul offers superb dining in several venues as well as complete business and meeting facilities and services.

Istanbul, Turkey—a city soaked in history and brimming with culture, long appreciated for its archaeological significance and architectural marvels—is also the world’s ultimate tourist destination, according to TripAdvisor’s annual Traveler’s Choice awards.

The Sukhothai Bangkok’s Mother’s Day Specials 8 – 12 August 2014

Motherhood is no easy job, although the rewards can be far beyond expectations.

With this in mind, The Sukhothai Bangkok would like extend an invitation to you and your mother to celebrate this special occasion and to reward her with a very special treat. This year three exclusive Mother’s Day promotions are available - All About Mom Package, Mother’s Day Chocolate Buffet, Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch, Mother’s Day Buffet Lunch and All You Can Eat… À la Carte Thai Menu at Celadon.

All You Can Eat À la Carte Thai Menu at CeladonAll About Mom Package
8 – 12 August 2014
THB 5,200 net per room/night
Plus! Only THB 520 net per room/night to upgrade to an Executive Suite 
Treat yourmother with the most luxurious stay in a Superior Room inclusive of two Buffet Breakfasts and enjoy special benefits exclusively for your Mom.

*Terms & Conditions applied

Mother’s Day Chocolate Buffet at Lobby Salon
Friday 8 – Sunday 10 August 2014
14:00 -17:00 hrs. at THB 990++ per person
Unwind at Lobby Salon with your beloved mother and enjoy the sheer indulgence of premium-imported variety hot chocolate drinks, savoury cakes and pastries, sandwiches and appetizers.

Chocolate BuffetMother’s Day Sunday Brunch at Colonnade
Sunday 10 August 2014
12:00 – 15:00 hrs. at THB 3,000++ per person
Give thanks to your mother with a famous Sukhothai Bangkok Sunday Brunch, featuring a unique Mother Day’s special menu. This exclusive brunch offers renowned international culinary delights such as imported chilled seafood including lobsters, oysters and Giant Alaska King Crab Leg and selections of sushi and sashimi, complemented by wide choice of cheeses and desserts.

Mother’s Day Lunch Buffet at Colonnade
Tuesday 12 August 2014
12:00 – 14:30 hrs. at THB 1,900++ per person
On Mother’s Day, take mother for a Colonnade buffet lunch and enjoy our wide selection of international dishes, an unmissable opportunity for her to experience Sukhothai hospitality and food of the highest quality.

Sunday BrunchAll You Can Eat…
À la Carte Thai Menu at Celadon
Tuesday 12 August 2014
12.00 – 15.00 hrs. THB 1,200++ per person including herbal drink
Chef Chamlong (Jimmy) Pewthaisong has prepared a special “All You Can Eat” à la carte lunch menu exclusively for Mother’s day only. Treat mother by taking her to enjoy authentic Thai cuisine that features a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, main courses and desserts.

Selections include Crispy Duck Spring Rolls, Pomelo Salad with Grilled Chicken, Spicy Garoupa Soup, Stir-fried Spicy Beef Fillet with Fresh Aromatic Herbs and Crispy Soft Shell Crab in Garlic Sauce. For dessert she may choose to complete this memorable meal with Warm Sticky Rice Flour Dumpling in Thickened Coconut Milk & Palm Sugar.

A&K First in the Air with Lie-Flat Seats on Private Jet Journeys.


 Luxury travel operator, Abercrombie & Kent,will be the first to operate luxury private jet journeys featuring fully lie-flat seats for all passengers from September 2014. The private jet journeys will be on board a privately chartered Boeing 757-200ER, with 50 custom-designed Italian leather seats equipped with personal massage system, 4-way adjustable headrests and lumbar support and more almost 2 metres of legroom.  Additional seating will also enable each guest to socialise in comfort with their travel companions, while a full privacy screen and extra-high seat back provide undisturbed rest.

"I truly believe – in fact I built Abercrombie & Kent on the belief – that we can provide our guests with an unexpected level of comfort," says A&K founder, chairman and CEO Geoffrey Kent. "So I'm thrilled that our guests will be the first to experience completely lie-flat, first class seats on our private jet journey around the world this spring. This level of comfort was unimaginable when we introduced the first Royal Air Tour circling the globe in 1989."  

While on board, guests will enjoy a fully stocked, open bar featuring top-shelf wine and spirits, in addition to an on-board chef who will provide personalised, first class meal service. Completing this best-in-class in-flight experience is a flight crew who will travel with the group throughout, attending to every guest's personal needs and preferences, and helping to make the private aircraft a familiar and inviting home away from home.

A&K is one of the most experienced in the private jet business, having designed and operated dozens of private jet programmes on a variety of luxury aircraft to destinations around the world, as well as custom-designed jet itineraries for families and private groups.

The following exclusive private jet journeys are now available:

Africa: Across a Continent

Highlights: Lalibela (Ethiopia), mountain gorillas Uganda, Serengeti, Victoria Falls, Chobe (Botswana), Namibia, Cape Town.

Dates: 20 February – 10 March 2015. Maximum 40 guests. Prices from US$82,995 per person.

Wonders of the World by Private Jet

Highlights: Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Samoa, Sydney, Angkor, Taj Mahal, Istanbul and Morocco with A&K Founder Geoffrey Kent.

Dates: 17 September – 10 October 2015. Maximum 50 guests. Prices from US$108,000 per person.

Islands, Savannahs & the Amazon

Highlights: Amazon (Peru), Easter Island, Samoa, PNG, Komodo (Indonesia), Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Masai Mara and Monaco.

12 October – 6 November 2015. Maximum 50 guests. Prices from US$108,000 per person.


Tuesday 29 July 2014

Upgrades on the Yangzi with A&K this September!


Book your passage aboard Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer with luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent and enjoy a complimentary cabin upgrade. The 3 and 4-night cruises journey through the breathtaking Three Gorges on one of the selected September 2014 sailings.

This is the river’s most celebrated stretch and there are uniquely tailored shore excursions to all the key locations along the way, plus shipboard activities including Tai Chi, cooking, silk embroidery and therapeutic spa treatments.

Special offer:
Book a deluxe cabin on the Xiling deck and get a complimentary upgrade to a suite on the Wu deck (valued at $1,750 per cabin). Alternatively, book a deluxe cabin on the Wu deck and get a complimentary upgrade to a suite on the Qutang deck (valued at $1,820 per cabin).

Offer applies to sailings on 4, 7 and 11 September 2014 and is subject to availability.
Terms & Conditions apply.

Benihana 50th Anniversary Special Celebration Offer At Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa

unnamed (16)To celebrate Benihana’s 50th anniversary worldwide and 22 years in Thailand, the Japanese steakhouse at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is dishing up a mouthwatering Beni Burger special and artistic Teppan Shushi Set Menu. 

Available from now until 30th December 2014 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm for lunch and from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm for dinner.

The Beni Burger special offers three succulent choices; the Beni Beef Burger priced at THB 650++, the Beni Fish Burger for THB 550++ and the Beni Mushroom Burger for just THB 380++, each served in a grilled burger bun filled with tomato, onion and iceberg lettuce, accompanied by a side of French fries.  Burger lovers also enjoy the option of dining in Benihana’s strikingly designed Japanese dining room, or ordering the set meal to unnamed (17)takeaway.

The Teppanyaki Sushi special priced at THB 1,100++ per person, begins with a Benihana onion soup and a Benihana salad as a tantalising appetiser.  Guests then enjoy the prime meat, foie gras, unagi, scallop and salmon, to be sliced and seared by a master Japanese chef at the sizzling teppanyaki table, which guests are seated around.  Each table’s personal chef then artfully crafts five pieces of sushi, to be drizzled with the perfect sauce and topping – teriyaki sauce and spring onion for beef, iwanori sauce and gold leaf for foie gras, teriyaki sauce and avocado for unagi, a spicy mayo sauce and ebiko with herbs for scallop, and miso sauce and ikura for salmon, served with wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce.  A sweet treat at the end invites diners to indulge in a scoop of ice cream from a choice of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and green tea, for a refreshing finale to this delectable Japanese set menu.

To book a table, please call 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416 or e-mail riversidedining@anantara.com or visit www.bangkokriverdining.com.

Two Free Nights in Goa on Offer for Spicy South India Tours

Two free nights’ accommodation in the tropical Indian state of Goa are being offered by Extreme Bike Tours for all new bookings made before September 30, 2014, on two motorcycle tours through South India early next year.

Travellers can take in the spices, tea plantations and tropical beaches of southern India on the back of a classic Royal Enfield motorbike as part of a three star or five-star adventure holiday with Extreme Bike Tours in January or February, 2015.

The Classic Desert Storm bikes will take riders and pillion passengers sitting behind crew on a 2300km journey between Cochin and Goa, with guests deciding if they would like to bed down each night in comfortable, three-star accommodation or some of southern India’s most luxurious, five-star unnamed (13)hotels.

But no matter what style of accommodation is selected, self-confessed ‘mad’ Englishman and adrenalin junkie, Zander Combe, who runs Extreme Bike Tours, says the beautiful landscapes and the gentle and welcoming people who live in southern India are “guaranteed to change the way you look at life”.

The three-star, 12-day South India tour starts along the hippy-frequented, tropical beaches of Goa onJanuary 24, 2015, and takes riders and passengers along the quiet (by Indian standards) and meandering roads of southern India, through vast tea plantations and hill stations, past the spectacular palaces and temples of Mysore and to the jungles of Mudumalai National Park where riders will stay in a safari lodge and search for tigers. The tour costs US$4150 per rider or US$3350 for pillion passengers.

Meanwhile, the five-star, 11-day South India tour traces a similar route from Cochin on February 7, 2015, back to Goa, with riders and passengers staying in luxury hotels each night. The tour costs US$5250 per rider or US$4350 for pillion passengers.

* All new bookings made before September 30, 2014, will also receive a free, two-night stay with breakfast in a three-star hotel in Goa for the three-star South India tour or a five-star hotel in Goa for the five-star tour. The free accommodation, which includes breakfast, can be taken before or after the tour.

Fares for both group tours include accommodation along the route, all meals on the tour, fuel and motorbike hire and a domestic flight at the end of the tour from Cochin back to Goa for the three-star tour or from Goa back to Cochin for the five-star trip. The guided trips are open to licensed motorcyclists as well as pillion passengers riding on a bike or in the support vehicle.

One of the world’s leading motorcycle tour companies, Extreme Bike Tours, which is based in India, was featured on the ‘Top Gear’ TV show in 2011. Up to 80 per cent of riders are from Australia.

For details, visit www.extremebiketours.com or call + 91 9665 377 344.

* Tours and fares are subject to availability and conditions apply. Prices do not include flights from Australia.

Monday 28 July 2014

Tune Hotels Now Ready To Serve Travellers To Cyberjaya Rm88 All-In Promotional Rate To Celebrate Opening

Business and corporate travellers to Malaysia’s ICT capital of Cyberjaya now have an attractive accommodation option with the latest offering from international hotel group Tune Hotels.

Located right at the centre of the central business district (CBD), the 162-room Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya is part of the DPulze Cyberjaya integrated development that comprises hotels, apartments and a shopping centre.

Mark Lankester, Group CEO Tune Hotels (3a)
Mark Lankester, Group CEO Tune Hotels (3a)
To celebrate its opening, rooms at Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya are now offered at all-inclusive promotional rates from as low as RM88 for a limited period only. Bookings can be made from now until 3 August 2014 for immediate stays up to 31 October 2014. The special rates are available online at www.tunehotels.com or via telephone at 1300 8888 63 (within Malaysia) or +603 7962 5888.

Tune Hotels also welcomes companies and businesses wishing to maintain corporate account relationships for staff and group bookings.

Group CEO of Tune Hotels, Mark Lankester said: “With its high concentration of multinational establishments, Cyberjaya is undoubtedly one of Malaysia’s most international satellite towns to Kuala Lumpur, apart from being one of the most technologically advanced and best planned. With Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya, we look forward to providing international-class value for money accommodation to not only business but also leisure travellers to Cyberjaya. Corporate and business enquiries have been very healthy indeed!”

Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya - double room 3a
Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya - double room 3a
The DPulze Cyberjaya Shopping Centre, when opened next month, will feature most of the major retailers and brands, restaurants, a supermarket, a cineplex and a bowling alley.
In recognition of the needs of multinational companies and their executives, he said, the Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya benefits from having two floors of the Regus Business Centres, providing serviced offices, conference and meeting rooms within the property.

“Sitting directly above the DPulze Shopping Centre, the hotel is perfectly placed with easy access to all the shopping and entertainment facilities within. The hotel would also be an ideal accommodation option for visitors to the federal administrative centre of Putrajaya nearby and the surrounding areas,” added Lankester.

Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya - lobby a
Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya - lobby a
Dubbed as Malaysia’s Silicon Valley, Cyberjaya that was launched in 1997 was designed as a town with a science park. Spanning an area of about 7,000 acres, Cyberjaya is the nucleus of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), now known as MSC Malaysia. A number of international companies have established their operations to Cyberjaya including Dell, HP, DHL, Satyam, HSBC, Ericsson, Motorola, OCBC, BMW, IBM, Shell IT and Vivanova Systems, among others. Currently, over 500 MSC Status companies have located their operations in Cyberjaya, making the township a rapidly growing area.

Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya a
Tune Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya a
Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Executive Chairman respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

Almost seven million people have stayed at Tune Hotels’ properties worldwide. There are 45 Tune Hotels available for booking across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, England, Scotland, Australia, India and Japan.
For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook atwww.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels.

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com. Guests can also choose to book via telephone at 1300 8888 63 (within Malaysia) or +603 7962 5888.

Swan Hellenic & Voyages of Discovery Early Booking Offers END SOON! Book by 31 July 2014

The Swan Hellenic & Voyages of Discovery Early Booking Offers end 31 July 2014! Book select 2014/15 Swan Hellenic itineraries and save up to 15%* on the cruise fare OR book select 2014/15 Voyages of Discovery itineraries and save up to 10%* on the cruise fare, but they must be booked by 31 July 2014

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan alongside French President Franço...

Swan Hellenic offers exceptional, inclusive value with so much included in the cruise fare:  A tailor-made shore excursions programme; all gratuities on board and ashore on tour; all meals in open seating dining; the cruise world’s finest guest speaker programme and more, aboard this intimate home away from home, Minerva!
HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan alongside French President Franço...

Voyages of Discovery offers award-winning value with so much choice with all the benefits of a small ship travelling with no more than 540 passengers aboard the stylish Voyager, including all meals, all onboard gratuities, a renowned guest speaker and port lecture programme and a selection of finely tuned optional shore excursions to truly enhance your clients’ destination experience.

Prego Celebrates Summer With A Traditional Italian Ferragosto Family Brunch

Prego at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali is delighted to announce that it will be hosting an extra special Family Brunch on Sunday, 17th August 2014 to celebrate summer.

This annual event is known as Ferragosto in Italy and is a carefree time to unwind in a party atmosphere.
FerragostoFerragosto promises to be a fun day out for everyone with great food, games and entertainment. A choice of refreshing welcome drinks will be served to guests on arrival along with non-alcoholic options for little ones. There will be an extensive buffet of authentic Italian cuisine and regional specialties as well as a BBQ station with assorted grilled meats.

The highlight of the day will be a selection of summer-inspired games taking place in Prego’s tropical garden. There will be prizes galore to be won with classic activities such as sack races, hoop relays, Italian lawn bowls (bocce) and more. Water balloon piñatas will also provide some good old-fashioned fun for children and bringing along a change of clothing is highly recommended.

A chill-out pool party in the afternoon will continue this celebration until the sun goes down with live DJ music and creative cocktails. It will be a chance for everyone to relax in style or cool off before the weekend comes to a close.

Prego’s Ferragosto Family Brunch will be priced at IDR 350,000 Net per person and special discount apply for Prego Loyalty Cardholders.

Friday 25 July 2014

Book a Holiday with APT and Fly to Europe for Free

Les Baux, France
Treat yourself to an APT luxury river cruise and land journey from Paris to Monte Carlo, departing in either March or October to December 2015, and you’ll fly to France for free, including taxes.

The deal applies to the 21 day Rhine, Rhône & Moselle itinerary. Priced from $14,295 per person, twin share, guests spend three nights at the Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where they take in all the sights, including dinner and a show at the legendary Moulin Rouge. Then it’s on to Amsterdam to board a 14 night luxury APT river cruise through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and the South of France. Finally, spend three nights at the Fairmont Monte Carlo from where you’ll explore the local area, including the hilltop town of Saint-Paul de Vence.

During your trip enjoy a culinary tour of Paris or discover the hilltop district of Montmartre; visit a local German family for a hosted afternoon tea; dine out at a restaurant owned by renowned Michelin-starred French chef, Paul Bocuse; enjoy a tasting at a family-run winery; take the dogs out truffle hunting or visit a lavender estate in Viviers; and enjoy a private tour of Grignan castle.

Travelling exclusively with APT guests, the price includes 48 meals, complimentary beverages served onboard the cruise, all accommodation and sightseeing; dedicated APT Cruise Director; and all gratuities, transfers and port charges.

Bookings must be made before 31 October 2014. Offer is subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

For further information call APT on 1300 196 420, visit aptouring.com.au or see your local travel agent.

Stay 2 nights SAVE 30% or Stay 3 nights Save 40% off Best Online Rate Park Regis Griffin Suites – Melbourne (VIC)

SAVE 30% when staying two nights in one bedroom apartment or SAVE 40% when staying three nights at Park Regis Griffin Suites.



The suites are located in a fantastic position between Melbourne’s CBD and popular St Kilda Beach. Rates start from $90 per room, per night. Valid for sale and travel until 31 August, 2014. Subject to availability.
Book www.parkregisgriffinsuites.com.au or ph (03) 8530 1800.

Spend a white Christmas in Europe with Intrepid Travel

Leading small group adventure tour operator Intrepid Travel has launched three new winter trips in Europe, giving travellers the chance to explore magical Christmas markets, stay at an Ice Hotel and experience the Northern Lights.

The eight-day Christmas Markets of Central Europe (from $1,840) gives travellers the chance to sample local festive food and soak up the festive atmosphere in Munich, Salzberg, and Budapest.
Ice_Hotel_01

Highlights include:
  • The delights of the Christmas markets in Munich, including Kripperlmarkt for the perfect nativity scene and the city’s alpine Christmas market where festive tunes are sung.
  • Wondering Salzburg’s atmospheric market in front of the city’s impressive cathedral amid aromas of spicy Glühwein, roasted chestnuts, toasted almonds and cinnamon-brushed baked apples.
  • The delicious festive food of Vienna, including savoury Kartoffelpuffer (potato cakes) or spicy kirsch-gingerbread.
  • Sipping on a glass of mulled wine while browsing Budapest’s brightly lit Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square.
Departure dates on 30 November and 7, 14, and 20 December 2014.
The five-day Ice Hotel Experience (from $1,245) in Romania focuses on spooky Transylvania and includes a visit to Bran (Dracula’s) Castle, the chance to explore medieval villages and experience a unique stay at an Ice Hotel.

Highlights include:
  • A surprisingly cosy night’s stay in the famous Ice Hotel. While inside temperatures hover around the zero degree centigrade mark, reindeer fur-lined chairs, specialist sleeping bags – and possibly a few cocktails – will keep anyone warm and snug.
  • Romania’s rapidly modernising capital, Bucharest.
  • The picturesque Prahova Valley en route to Peles Castle in Sinaia.
  • An evening in Brasov, a charmingly atmospheric city nestled in the Carpathian Mountains.
  • A tour of Bran Castle, rumoured one-time residence of Count Dracula and arguably Romania’s most famous landmark.
Ice_Hotel_02Departure dates throughout January to March 2015.
The six-day Northern Lights Escape (from $1,295) showcases the raw beauty of Iceland with waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes and the beautiful Northern Lights.
Highlights include:
  • The magical spectacle of the Northern Lights (dependent on clear skies).
  • The world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik.
  • Natural hot springs in the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser shoots water 30 metres in the air.
  • The Gulfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the latter being one of Iceland’s biggest.
  • The black sandy beaches of the South Shore.
  • A walk on Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajakull, with crampons and axes.
Departure dates on 12 and 19 February, 19 March and 12 November 2015.



Explore the Arctic Wilderness with Hurtigruten on an overnight husky or snowmobile adventure

UntitledIf you fancy staying in a remote Arctic wilderness lodge, and making your way there by husky or snowmobile, Hurtigruten can now make that possible with the launch of two new overnight tours.

The two trips can be added to Hurtigruten voyages starting or ending in Kirkenes (northern Norway) between 5th January and 5th April 2015.

Follow the route of the Finnmark dog race on an overnight husky tour  
After meeting your dog team, you will set off on a 30km trip into Europe’s last wilderness - following the same tracks as the famous Finnmark Dog UntitledRace.

After a brief stop for some snacks and a rest (for both you and the dogs!), you will complete your journey to the wilderness camp, far away from any traffic or bright city lights.

Enjoy fresh king crab (a local speciality) for dinner and make use of the warm sauna before retiring to the peaceful lodge for the night. Early next morning you will start the day by feeding your team of huskies and enjoy your breakfast, while the dogs tuck into theirs, before heading back to Kirkenes in time for lunch.

Experience an overnight snowmobile adventure
Take a thrilling snowmobile safari along a frozen fjord to the remote Pasvik Valley where your wilderness cabin awaits. After a delicious dinner made with local ingredients, you can spend the evening watching the skies for the magical Northern Lights.

The following morning you will enjoy a hearty breakfast and get back on the snowmobiles for a tour along the Russian border, before heading back to Kirkenes.

Hurtigruten’s  seven day ‘Classic Voyage North’ from Bergen up to Kirkenes currently costs £889 per person departing on a choice of dates in January 2015 (Including the departure on 13 January on the MS Richard With). The price is based on two people sharing an inside cabin on full board basis.

The overnight husky tour costs £1,227 per person, while the snowmobile tour costs £1,330 per person.

Thursday 24 July 2014

Australia's Newest Luxury Walk - Special Pricing, Unparalleled Inclusions and Exclusive Food and Wine Experiences

351274_num909475_600x600As the name suggests, Walk into Luxury offers more than just a walk. Its all-inclusive walk packages come complete with post-walk massages, gourmet food and wine, and luxury accommodation at award winning resorts and boutique retreats (including two Small Luxury Hotels Of the World). 

For time poor guests, Walk into Luxury offers private jet and helicopter transfers from Perth to Margaret River, and for those seeking an aerial view of the track, scenic helicopter flights are available that will deliver guests to a local winery for lunch on their last day.

Walk into Luxury has partnered with some of the best local operators to ensure every aspect of its ultra-luxe walks is of the highest standard and 100% local. Food in particular is a stand-out. Exclusive tasting menus with matching wines at premier Margaret River wineries and restaurants - 351274_num909476_600x600including Leeuwin Estate and Wills Domain - are standard inclusions. So are daily in-villa canapes and local wines, and a private in-villa chef experience, which provides guests on the 5 and 8 day walks a chance to meet (and be served by) a top local chef. Gourmet hampers provided for guests to enjoy on the track are yet another opportunity to taste the first-rate produce the region is known for, with all products being 100% local. 

In addition to supporting local products and businesses, Walk into Luxury has committed to donating 5% profit from every walk sold to regional charities from day one.

Voted as one of Australia's top ten tracks (by National Geographic), the Cape to Cape track is a spectacular and varied section of coastline running from Cape Naturaliste (near Yallingup) past Margaret River to Cape Leeuwin in the South-west corner of Western Australia. The terrain includes pristine beaches, limestone cliffs and granite boulders, coastal bushland and the majestic Boranup karri forest.

Walk into Luxury offers private walking experiences, so guests have the chance to enjoy the Cape to Cape track at their own pace and without the crowds. Private guides are available, or guests can elect to walk self-guided with all maps, safety gear and a monitored GPS device provided by the Walk into Luxury team.

Special introductory pricing applies to all bookings of Walk into Luxury's 4, 5 and 8 day walks made by 30 September 2014. All-inclusive twin share pricing starts at AUD$1850 per person for the 4 day (Luxury Taster) walk, $2750 per person for the 5 day (Luxury Escape) walk and $4350 per person for the 8 day (Ultimate Luxury) walk. For more information, please visit www.walkintoluxury.com.au or email info@walkintoluxury.com.au.

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