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Tuesday 22 January 2019

Summer staycation at QT Melbourne




The holidays aren't over yet with QT Melbourne giving you the best of the city for a night.

Melbourne never rests, with its endless cultural events and festivals, thriving dining and bar scene, and industrious shopping hubs – tracking the ebb and flow of each is a full-time affair.

For the next month, whether you're an inquisitive regular to the inner-city or just looking for inspiration to have a local staycation, QT Melbourne is encouraging the re-exploration of the city with a summer staycation.

Be in the centre of it all, and treat yourself with one night's accommodation in a QT King with dinner for two at QT Melbourne's signature restaurant, Pascale Bar and Grill.



Get a well-deserved sleep on a gel bed, with free in-room movies, high-speed internet, and Kevin Murphy amenities.

Better yet—don't leave the hotel and dine in-house at Pascale Bar and Grill. Having recently received One Hat by the Good Food Guide, executive chef Andy Harmer and his team continue to deliver the freshest and finest ingredients with a commitment to celebrating locally sourced produce.

Post dinner, soak in the spectacular Melbourne city skyline whilst quenching your thirst on The Rooftop at QT - the destination for decadent soirée's this summer with the most Instagram-friendly views.

It doesn't stop there - January see's QT Melbourne starting the New Year with a bang, offering wellness add-ons and workouts for guests, green cocktail options at the bar and a Club Aperol pop up on the Rooftop featuring a real-life tennis court to celebrate the Australian Open.

QT Is more than just a place to rest your head. Each hotel's Identity is inspired by the surrounding environment, which ensures locals love it and visitors immerse themselves in local culture, experiencing a sense of community. QT challenges the status quo with landmark dining destinations that are a focal point of the cities in which they reside. At the heart of QT Hotels & Resorts Is a mix of art, design, and luxury combined with memorable, high-energy service.

Pack your bag and extend that holiday feeling for as long as possible.

www.qthotelsandresorts.com/melbourne/



Exodus Travels discovers the world's winter wonderland


Experience untouched, beautiful winter oases with Exodus Travels



Some of the world's most awe-inspiring, beautiful landscapes are draped in crisp white snow. As Australians, we typically chase the sun; hopping from one tropical island to the next. That is until now. Adventure travel company, Exodus Travels has seen an uplift in European winter holidays being booked by Australians who are chasing a truly unique, once in a lifetime experience.

From dog-sledding and cross-country skiing through to enjoying mulled wine in a chateau hidden away in the wilderness and spotting rarely seen wildlife, Exodus' range of winter trips are perfect for those chasing an experience unlike any other.

Finnish Wilderness Week

8 days from $2,765

In the heart of the Oulanka National Park is a series of wooden cabins, juxtaposed on crisp, white snow covered grounds. As the only accommodation for miles around, this forms the perfect home for your eight day tour discovering the most beautiful wildlife that Finland has to offer, while feeling completely removed from the hustle and bustle from the world.

Premium: Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

8 days from $2,255

Discover Italy's most impressive mountain range by foot. With routes leading into the Fanes-Sennes Natural Park, along the shoreline of Lago di Braies and beneath the jagged peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, this is truly an awe-inspiring adventure. Travellers will trek along forest trails and old military tracks to magnificent viewpoints of Durrakopf (2275m) and Strudelkopf (2307m), learning more about the impact of World War 1 in the area along the way. This premium tour is perfect for travellers who are looking for an adventure holiday that is rich with history, and has a little extra comfort.

Black Forest Cross Country Ski Tour

7 days from $2,765

Point to point cross country skiing in Germany's Black Forest. Throughout this week long tour, travellers will be able to explore beautiful snow-capped landscapes, deep pine forests, open valleys and meadows. Skiing from one village to another, this tour really highlights life in this beautiful, far removed part of the world.

Exodus Travels has extensive winter trips perfect for solo travellers, couples, small groups and even families; all at a pace and price that suits everyone.

For more information head to: www.exodustravels.com





Friday 18 January 2019

Sri Lanka travel deal from STA


12 days in Sri Lanka + return flights from $2,099

Travel from Negombo to Hikkaduwa on this culture-loving backpacker’s dream!



The stunning Sri Lanka has so much to offer – and it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to travel to this beautiful country. Diverse, stunning landscapes, immersive, cultural experiences and activities, and inviting, kind people are just some of the main attractions, but there’s so much to do across this 12-day tour. Beautiful ruins, hikes through tea plantations, tours of a spice garden and downtime at the beach are all on the menu!

There is honestly something in Sri Lanka (and the G Adventures Sri Lanka on a Shoestring tour) for everyone!

For the history buff; you’ll stop off at UNESCO World Heritage City Sigiriya, featuring the Dambulla Cave Temple and ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa Temple, Minneriya National Park or Anurhadhapura historical site.

For the cultural activity seeker; you’ll visit a spice garden en route to a G Adventures-supported homestay in Digana, as well as visiting a Tamarind Gardens Farm for lunch before heading on a guided village walk. You’ll also stop off at the home of a jewellery maker who hand grafts delicate Kandyan jewellery, and visit a cottage where local women make incense.

For the active traveller; trek Little Adam’s Peak or one of the many trails at Horton Plains National Park, catch a cricket match or hike to Ella Rock!

For the foodie; Learn how to make Sri Lankan bread or sweets by participating in traditional cooking classes throughout the tour…YUM!

With return flights included, STA Travel really has packaged this amazing escape up into the perfect little bundle – with not much else to worry about! So jump online now and check it out here: https://tours.statravel.com.au/trip/sri-lanka-on-a-shoestring-gaasnc

Sri Lanka on a Shoestring

· 12 Days + return flights
· $2,099
· Book Before: 31 Jan19
· Travel From: Now - 31 May 19

Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

To book your next adventure, visit an STA Travel store or call 134 782.

Monday 7 January 2019

Truffle hunting in France




Plutarch believed they were mud cooked by lightning, Juvenal that they were the product of thunder and rain and Pliny that they were nature's greatest miracle.  Elizabeth David said they were the most delicious of foods anywhere and Brillat-Savarin that 'without truffles there can be no truly gastronomic meal.' The mystique around the truffle continues, in its nebulous way, to intrigue.

Active holiday specialists Outdoor Travel, based in Bright, Victoria offer a five day tour ideal for you to become acquainted with the mysterious and gastronomically fantastic fungus as perhaps you never have before.

Based in quality accommodation in the Quercy region near the Lot & Dordogne Valleys, the itinerary concentrates on three subjects: the hunting of truffles, the cooking and eating of truffles, and the buying of truffles.

This is an opportunity to make your own truffled foie gras and share a precious gastronomic moment with friends.

Pay a visit the world famous truffle market at Lalbenque after a seven course truffled brunch cooked by a top chef.

The weather in February can be glorious.  Cold and crisp with perfect blue skies just the perfect skies to go hunting truffles 'à la mouche'.  We do plan to do some easy walking but should we get inclement weather we are well-prepared with ample alternatives – castles, chateaux and wineries to visit!

Departs:                     Toulouse from 9th – 13th February, 16th – 20th February, 2019
Cost from:                 $2915 per person twin share              Single room supplement from $520
Tour includes:           4 nights' twin-share accommodation in comfortable, quality hotels or inns (all rooms with own bathroom), all meals, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, all local transport
Not included:             Drinks, personal expenses

For more information see: https://bit.ly/2LS09mR

Call toll-free: 1800 331 582

Website:  http://www.outdoortravel.com.au/


Wednesday 2 January 2019

Lisbon to Cape Town with Latitude 33



adVenture bound on Latitude 33's Coast to the Cape & Big Cats journey.

For the discerning traveller seeking a journey full of unique experiences and adventures guaranteed to deliver lifelong memories, Latitude 33 has heeded your call!

The luxury travel specialist's sensational 34-night Coast to the Cape & Big Cats itinerary is a chance to tap into your inner explorer. Immerse yourself in the glorious architecture and culture of Lisbon, followed by a 24-night cruise to Cape Town on board the luxurious Seven Seas Voyager, concluding with an exceptional safari experience at South Africa's renowned Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge.

Your adventure begins in Lisbon on 11 November 2020 where you will spend 3 nights exploring one of Europe's most enchanting cities – and its second-oldest capital. Indulge your taste buds with a visit to the Belém quarter for some traditional pastries and dinner at a traditional Portuguese Fado restaurant; admire the city's many impressive palaces and historic sites including the Monument of Discoveries, the imposing Saint George Castle and the neoclassical Seteais Palace; and stand in awe of the jagged caves of Boca Do Inferno en route to the nearby coastal city of Cascais.

On 14 November begin the next phase of your journey as you embark on a 24-night cruise on board the supremely elegant Seven Seas Explorer, the world's first all-suite, all-balcony luxury liner, recently relaunched after a total refurbishment. Following the trade routes of Henry the Navigator from Lisbon down the West Coast of Africa to Cape Town, cruise highlights include: the Portuguese city of Portimão with its famed Castle of Alvor, framed by golden sands and impressive cliffs; the colourful buildings and 18th Century mansions of Spain's gorgeous Santa Cruz de La Palma; the stunning beaches of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands; and the isolated Cape Verde Islands located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean some 300 miles off the west coast of Africa.

Along the West African coastline with its unique blend of beauty, nature, culture and history, visit the bustling open-air markets and historical colonial architecture of Senegal's Dakar; the tiny Gambian capital of Banjul; Abidjan, the Ivory Coast's largest city; the tropical rainforests of Kakum National Park on Ghana's Gold Coast; and Lomé in Togo where you can witness a traditional voodoo ceremony. Further south, explore the tiny island nation of São Tomé with its lush rainforests, secluded waterfalls and pristine beaches; and unspoiled Walvis Bay, a natural lagoon and the only deep-sea harbor on the Namibian coast.

On 8 December disembark in Cape Town where you will stay 3 nights at the luxurious One&Only Cape Town – the perfect base from which to explore the city's bountiful charms including a cable car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain with its panoramic views of the city or sampling some of South Africa's finest wines in the majestic Cape Winelands region.

Spend your last 4 nights at the award-winning Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Offering some of the best 'big five' game viewing in South Africa, it's the perfect place to enjoy up-close unobstructed views of Africa's most iconic animals in their natural bush environment.

Departing 11 November 2020, Latitude 33's Coast to the Cape & Big Cats journey is limited to just 26 guests, with prices starting start from $33,599 per person twin share, including all accommodation, return international economy class airfares from Australia, return airport transfers in Australia, all meals and selected beverages on board Seven Seas Explorer and at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, and all transfers and baggage handling throughout the tour.

Even better, take advantage of the Early Booking Bonus. Book by 31 March 2019 and receive a complimentary upgrade from a Deluxe Veranda Suite to Concierge Suite on board Seven Seas Explorer plus a US$500 shipboard credit per Suite. For a limited time only.

Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

View the tour video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBY5Ps8waBs&feature=youtu.be

For further information and bookings, visit:

www.latitude33.travel or telephone 1300 636 848.

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