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Friday 29 November 2019

Banyan Tree Bangkok launches deluxe dining-cruise service along ‘River of Kings’


Saffron Cruise blends hotel’s award-winning cuisine with romantic riverine scenery in this unique adventure-in-elegance excursion.

Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel announces the launch of Saffron Cruise, a new riverboat cruise service aimed at discerning diners and culture aficionados with an appreciation for Thailand’s artistic heritage and the timeless splendour of the Chao Phraya River. The waterborne dining experience is one of both the modern and traditional influences, with styling touches, cuisine and entertainment that celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.

The 38 metre-long vessel features a show-kitchen restaurant and bar on the open-air main deck for alfresco daytime and evening dining, with air conditioning available when conditions require. The rooftop Moon Deck features a stool-sit bar and lounge plus a scenic Sky Bridge for viewing the river’s gently rippling waters and spectacular sunsets. Authentic Thai dishes that are masterfully prepared and creatively presented come from the kitchens of Banyan Tree’s celebrated signature Thai restaurant Saffron.

The cruise takes guests along the Chao Phraya and its heritage-rich list of popular riverside cultural sites and attractions, including Wat Arun/Temple of Dawn, The Grand Palace, Asiatique, vintage Royal Barge Museum, plus many other fascinating facets of Bangkok as viewed from this unique, floating perspective. On-board ambience includes live entertainment and cultural performance. Additionally, Saffron Cruise is the only leisure river cruise service that offers MICE hosting, including business and trade group meetings and company incentive events. Private charter packages include cooking classes, tailored spa treatments from the multiple award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, engagement and wedding ceremonies, cultural/scenic tours and more.

Daily sunset cruise inclusive of one standard drink at the Moon Deck, priced at THB550net per person

Asiatique Embarkation 5.00pm Disembarkation 6.00pm

ICON Siam Pier 2 Embarkation 5.30pm Disembarkation 6.45pm

Daily dinner cruise inclusive of 5-course Thai set menu, one cocktail at Moon Deck, priced at THB3,200 net per person

ICON Siam Pier 4 Embarkation 7.00pm Disembarkation 10.00pm

*Complimentary return van transfers hotel-pier-hotel, leaving from hotel lobby at 5.30PM.

Wednesday 27 November 2019

Fun Facts, Myths & Legends, and Animals Galore from #LonelyPlanet Kids



Lonely Planet Kids' four new releases this month are all suitable for ages 9 to 12, and feature thousands of fun facts, 21 timeless tales, and many amazing animals.

The Big World of Fun Facts

Jump-start your curiosity with The Big World of Fun Facts. What nation is ruled by a dentist-turned-dictator? Where do villagers prepare elaborate banquets for monkeys? How do Cambodians like to cook tarantulas? Why do Danish people throw plates on New Year’s Eve? Discover the answers to these and many other fascinating questions. Travel from the isolated nation of North Korea to Africa’s Serengeti Plain to the mountain villages of South America. It’s a wild and wacky world out there, so get the facts.

230mm x 305mm, 208pp, hardback; AU$29.99

Myths & Legends of the World

Travel through time and place with 21 dazzling stories. Meet gods and goddesses, move among talking fish and clever spiders, and discover different versions of how the world began. Boldly written and beautifully illustrated, this book features vibrant myths and epic legends told all around the world. From Africa, the Americas, Oceania, Asia, Europe, and the Arctic, discover rich histories from every corner of the globe.

237mm x 275mm, 192pp, hardback; AU29.99

Animal Atlas

Amazing facts, fold-out maps and life-size surprises – this is a global safari in a book. Travel through continents and across oceans to meet the incredible animals that share our planet. Beautiful illustrations, dynamic photos and fact-packed text reveal the lives, habitats and behaviour of these amazing creatures, from blue whales to butterflies, pandas to penguins, and scorpions to sharks.

254mm x 275mm, 32pp, hardback; AU$29.99


Wild in the City

A guide to urban animals around the world. Discover the secret lives of more than 30 extraordinary creatures that share our cities. From red foxes sneaking rides on London buses to leopards prowling the backstreets of Mumbai, this book explores the clever ways animals have adapted to the urban environment and gives tips on how we can help protect our wild neighbours.

245mm x 305mm, 112pp, hardback; AU$24.99

Nesuto Apartment-Hotels Deals Summer Deals – save up to 30% at any Nesuto


Nesuto offers guests more space including functional kitchens and laundry facilities in every apartment.

Each property reflects its local neighbourhood and is designed to encourage guests to explore the local area.

To celebrate summer, Nesuto is launching Summer Deals with the following inclusions:

 

Up to 30% off on all two-night bookings at any Nesuto

  • 20% off all 2-night bookings at any of the 11 Nesuto properties in Australia and NZ
  • Enjoy an additional 10% discount when joining Nesuto as a member on www.nesuto.com
  • Complimentary early check-in and late check-out
  • Wi-Fi
  • 10% discount dining at hotel restaurant
  • Availability: 1st December 2019 –2nd March 2020

Book direct at www.nesuto.com or Tel: +61 2 8837 8000

 

Up to 20% off on all one-night bookings at any Nesuto

  • 10% off all one-night bookings at any of the 11 Nesuto properties in Australia and NZ
  • Enjoy an additional 10% discount when joining Nesuto as a member on www.nesuto.com
  • Complimentary early check-in and late check-out
  • Wi-Fi
  • Continental breakfast for $1
  • 10% discount dining at hotel restaurant
  • Available dates: 1st December 2019 –2nd March 2020

Book direct at www.nesuto.com or Tel: +61 2 8837 8000


Nesuto Apartment-Hotels provide guests with the freedom of apartment living including the benefits of hotel service. The Nesuto portfolio features public spaces with character and thoughtfully created guest apartments. Dedicated guest relations teams ensure stays are comfortable, personalised and memorable. The group has a footprint of 1.500 keys in 23 properties over 8 Australia and New Zealand locations.

  

Monday 25 November 2019

Penny Watson's Slow Travel

It can be challenging to travel in the modern world, easily lured by the temptations of fast planes, cheap airlines, last-minute tickets, quick fix travel apps and overzealous tour operators. Slow Travel is the antithesis of these overcrowded tourist hot spots and tired checklist experiences; rather, it emerges from our longing to seek connection with ourselves and our lives in more intense and meaningful ways.

Penny Watson's Slow Travel is a beautifully designed and practical compendium of places, activities, tours and experiences that will inspire you to get on the road in your own time and on your own terms. Watson explores slow travel as a physical and philosophical endeavour, taking readers off the beaten track and through nature, and unveils journeys that will nurture talent and ignite the inner-self.

Inside you'll discover incredible walks and epic hikes that will take you to mountain peaks, through jungles and across deserts under starlit skies. You will find islands, boltholes and remotes escapes alongside ways and means of finding calm in big bustling cities. You could decide to cruise slowmo down Egypt's Nile on a 19th-century steamship, visit ancient dzongs and temples in Bhutan or learn the art of pizza-making in Italy. In this fast-paced world, it's worth adjusting your vacation time to a pace we can all strive to keep up with.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning writer, journalist and author Penny Watson has travelled the world, written feature articles for countless magazines and newspapers, and researched a number of guidebooks including Hong Kong Precincts and London Pocket Precincts. As her career has evolved so has Penny's yearning for slow travel. This book, and one of her upcoming titles, Ultimate Campsites: Australia, are a direct response to this need. She is a member of both the British Guild of Travel Writers, and Australian Society of Travel Writers. She currently resides in Melbourne.

Sunday 24 November 2019

G Adventures one-week Cyber Sale #traveldeals

Giant Tortoises Galapagos


Save up to 35 per cent on over 7,400 departures from November 27 - December 05, 2019

Leading small-group adventure operator, G Adventures, today announces a Cyber Sale for the week leading up to and Cyber Monday. With savings of up to 35 per cent on thousands of trips departing between December 3, 2019 and April 30, 2020, the sale begins at 9am AEST on November 27, 2019 and runs until midnight on December 5, 2019 AEST.

“We’re pleased to offer travellers some extra savings on their year end or 2020 holiday,” says Adrian Piotto, G Adventures’ Managing Director for G Adventures Australia and New Zealand.

“This is an extremely wishlist-worthy sale. Whether your dream has been to hike the Inca Trail, explore the Galapagos Islands, cruise down the Mekong River, or witness the mesmerizing wildlife of South Africa, we’ve got an adventure for you at a great price.”

During the Cyber Sale, 600 itineraries across six continents will be marked down, adding up to more than 7,400 opportunities to join an immersive, life-changing adventure before April 30, 2020. Of those, over 400 trips will feature a 30 to 35 per cent discount.

Departures and options are subject to availability, and travellers are encouraged to take advantage of the deals as soon as they go live.

Destinations with the deepest discount of 35 per cent off will be the Galapagos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Peru, Australia and New Zealand. Sample itineraries include:

Machu Picchu in Style, seven days, was AUD$1999 now from AUD$1299pp
Trek Hidden Costa Rica, 12 days, was from AUD$2349 now from AUD$1527pp
Backroads of Central America, 18 days, was AUD$2049 now from AUD$1332pp
Galapagos - North & Central Islands Aboard the Eden, seven days was from AUD$4039 now from AUD$2625pp (twin cabin)
Galapagos - South Islands Aboard the Xavier III, seven days was from AUD$3979 now from AUD$2586pp (Lower deck doube cabin)
Mekong River Encompassed, 10 days was from AUD$3079 now from AUD$2001pp (Main deck twin cabin)
Southern Africa Southbound, 21 days was from AUD$3429 now from AUD$2229pp
Burgundy River Cruise Adventure, eight days was AUD $3499 now from AUD$2274pp (Main deck twin cabin)
Hawaii Adventure, eight days was from AUD$3849 now from AUD$2502pp

Travellers can visit www.gadventures.com/subscriptions/newsletter to sign up for an email to notify them when deals go live on the tour operator’s homepage at www.gadventures.com on November 27. Alternatively, they can call 1300 180 969 or consult their local travel agent for full details, terms and conditions.

Friday 22 November 2019

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Hilton Sydney


FEELING FESTIVE FOR CAFFE CINO'S TREATS /
The famous Hilton Sydney Pastry Team have knocked the competition out of the park again with the release of their handmade Christmas treats at Caffe Cino:
  • From Giant Gingerbread Houses to Marbled Christmas Baubles served with a mini hammer to crack open, Caffe Cino's treats are available now until Christmas Day
  • Available to eat-in at the grand Café on the ground floor of Hilton Sydney or to take away as gifts for friends and family, prices range from $5 to $75

CHRISTMAS LUNCH BY LUKE MANGAN /
Why not sit back and let somebody else worry about Christmas Lunch this year? Luke Mangan and his team at glass brasserie have you covered for both Christmas Lunch and Dinner for families and couples alike:  
  • Christmas Day Lunch:
    • $195pp for a 4 course tasting menu including delights of caviar, oysters, and a stunning cheese course
    • $55pp for a kids 3 courses choice menu
    • Receive a Christmas pudding to take home and a visit from Santa for little ones
    • 4 course vegan menu is also available at $140pp.
  • Christmas Day Dinner
    • x3 course set menu $120pp or x2 course set menu $105pp
    • Kids x3 course menu at $55 and x2 courses for $45
    • Vegan menu also available; x3 courses for $105, x2 courses for $95
  • Menus and images here: https://www.dropbox.com/home/Christmas%20at%20Hilton%20Sydney 


Saturday 2 November 2019

Up to 30% off last minute Intrepid Travel trips



For travellers wanting a last-minute adventure, Intrepid Travel have up to 30%* off selected trips to Southern Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Japan departing in November and December. Trips need to be booked by 25 November 2019.

Examples of some of the trips on offer include:

Save $416 on Intrepid Travel’s nine day Kruger & Coast departing 14 December 2019

Now $970 per person twin-share - was $1,385 per person.

Follow Harry and Meghan’s footprints on this African adventure. Search for the Big Five, spending time with friendly locals and relaxing on the unspoilt beaches on this trip through southern Africa.

On this trip, travellers will experience the beauty of Kruger National Park, discover the rugged landscapes on the Elephant Coast, enjoy fresh Mozambican seafood and hike through Hlane Royal National Park. Highlights include spending the night at a traditional Zulu homestay, exploring Cape Town and spotting wildlife while on safari including lions, elephants and more.

Inclusions: An expert local leader, accommodation, transport, some meals and most activities.

For more information please visit:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

or call 1300 458 437.

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Save $679 on Intrepid Travel’s 15 day Everest Base Camp Trek departing 21 December 2019

Now $1,586 per person twin-share - was $2,265 per person.

Test your limits on this challenging yet rewarding hike through the Himalayan Mountains to reach Everest Base Camp. On this once in a lifetime trekking trip, travellers will stay at local teahouses, hike alongside alpine lakes and stunning glacial plains and pass storied stupas and pagodas. Highlights include reaching Everest Base Camp, trekking through the Himalayas, meeting locals and learning about Sherpa culture in Nepal.

Inclusions: An expert local leader, accommodation, transport and activities.

For more information please visit

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

or call 1300 458 437.

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Save $672 on Intrepid Travel’s 15 day Delhi to Kathmandu departing 18 November 2019

Now $1,568 per person twin-share - was $2,240 per person.

Travel to India and Nepal to experience impressive landscapes, taste authentic cuisine and marvel at ancient sites like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Travel in a rickshaw through Old Delhi, observing pilgrims praying along the sacred Ganges River and searching for rhino, deer and monkeys in Chitwan National Park. Highlights include ‘glamping’ in Orchha, learning how to cook like a local and exploring the bustling markets in Kathmandu.

Inclusions: An expert local leader, accommodation, transport, some meals and most activities.

For more information please visit

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

or call 1300 458 437.

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Save $774 on Intrepid Travel’s 9 day Japan Express departing 21 December 2019

Now $1,806 per person twin-share - was $2,580 per person.

Experience the unforgettable on a journey through Japan; the home of sumo wrestling, karaoke and onsens. On this trip, travellers will ride the famous bullet train, roam through the buzzing Shibuya area, hike through Nikko’s verdant trails and enjoy the chance to taste mouth-watering ramen or sake. Highlights include spending the night in a traditional ryokan and wandering through one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto, the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

Inclusions: An expert local leader, accommodation, transport, and activities.

For more information please visit:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

or call 1300 458 437.

Save $924 on Intrepid Travel’s 15 day Circle Sri Lanka departing 24 November 2019

Now $2,156 per person twin-share - was $3,080 per person.

Embark on a journey to Sri Lanka to hike alongside tea plantations, roam around ancient ruins and fall in love with the picture-perfect beaches. On this trip, travellers will cycle around the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, enjoy a lunch with a Tamil tea worker in their home and climb the narrow steps to the top of Sigiriya. Highlights include a meeting pilgrims at the Temple of the Tooth, learning how to cook authentic cuisine and exploring the impressive Dambulla Cave Temples.

Inclusions: An expert local leader, accommodation, transport, some meals and most activities.

For more information please visit:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

or call 1300 458 437.

*Terms and conditions apply. For full details visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/live-in-the-moment

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