Deal: Serenade of the Seas - Stockholm to Copenhagen fr. $5399

Depart Australia: 23 July 2015 - 17 night package

The historic cultural charms of northern Europe will enchant you as you sail on this destination-rich journey though the Baltic on the beautiful Serande of the Seas. With your flights, transfer, hotel stay and cruise included, all you have to do is look forward to one thrilling destination after the other!

Ports of Call: Stockholm (overnight), Helsinki, St. Petersburg (2 nights), Tallinn, Riga, Klaipeda, Warnemunde (Berlin), Fredericia, Copenhagen (overnight).
from: $5,399 pp twin share or $7,599 solo fare.

Get more details from Cruise Express

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Deal: Pacific Jewel - Singapore to Brisbane - fr. $2499

#traveldeals

Begin your journey by exploring the historic Buddhist monument of Borobudur before getting up close to the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Move on to the small city with a big heart, Dili in Timor L’este, and further to the natural and historic offerings of Papua New Guinea. This is your chance to join in on a journey of absolute discovery.

Departs Australia: 3 June 2015

Your package includes flights, 2 nights in Singapore and cruise. Fares from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne!

From: $2,499 pp twin share or $5,099 solo fare

Full details from Cruise Express

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Coast Australia DVD giveaway

After almost a decade of exploring the coastline of Britain and Europe, COAST has hit our hallowed shores for its biggest expedition ever.



Historian and archaeologist, Neil Oliver, leads a team of local presenters in discovering Australia’s phenomenal coastlines, from the Kimberley, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, to Victoria, Tasmania and the coral coast of Western Australia. It’s an epic journey across the harsh and beautiful landscape that is Australia.

For your chance to win one of five copies of COAST Australia on DVD, simply email us at competitions@yourlifechoices.com.au with your full name, postal address and the answer to the question below.

Q. What is the name of the lead presenter of COAST Australia?

Competition closes 30 January.

Originally posted in http://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/
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Get Up & Go great summer getaway on offer!

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Silversea cruises in Melanesia. 14-day Voyage

Escape to Melanesia with Silversea, exploring exquisite beaches, stunning waterfalls and underwater paradises. This 14 day voyage travels from Australia to Fiji, stopping at beautiful ports and bays along the way.

Setting sail from Melbourne on 23 February 2015, guests travel south on Silversea's 540-guest, Silver Spirit, towards Australia's island state of Tasmania for the beautiful city of Burnie, overlooking the spectacular Emu Bay. While in Tasmania, Silver Spirit also visits Hobart, a picturesque haven of heritage and contemporary art, preserved architecture and incredible landscapes.

Silver Spirit continues to Sydney for an overnight stay. Here, guest can explore the historic surrounds, wander through the Botanical Gardens or scale new heights with an exhilarating experience climbing the iconic Harbour Bridge.

From Brisbane, guests will cross the Coral Sea to Noumea and Lifou in New Caledonia, a sanctuary of exotic marine life, crystal blue water and vibrantlagoons. Silver Spirit's port call in Port Vila, Vanuatu, allows  guests the opportunity to visit the glorious Mele Cascade Waterfalls, swim in the natural pools and take in the spectacular surrounds of this tropical paradise. Continuing her journey to Lautoka, Fiji, guests disembark on 9 March 2015.

Prices are per person starting from AU$8,850 in a Veranda 1 Suite double occupancy.  Silversea fares include: all-suite accommodation with butler service; gourmet meals with menus inspired by Relais & Châteaux; complimentary wines, Champagne and spirits served throughout the ships; and all gratuities.

This voyage is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 or visit www.silversea.com

Follow Silversea on Twitter, Facebook and the Silversea Blog.

Celebrating 4 Million Guests! Scoot celebrates with $0 fare home

 

 

Scoot's 4 millionth guest, Ms Esther Hoon (fourth from left) with other prize winners

 

  Celebrating 4 Million Guests!

Many happy returns to Australia!

Scoot's 4 millionth guest, Ms Esther Hoon (fourth from left) with other prize winners

Scoot, Asia/Pacific's Best Low Cost Airline[1], today celebrated Ms Esther Hoon as our 4,000,000th guest.

Coming just 6 months after Scoot carried its 3 millionth guest, the 4 million milestone occurred on flight TZ302 from Singapore to Don Mueang, Bangkok's 'downtown airport'.

To celebrate this milestone, Scoot presented Esther with a pair of ScootBiz tickets to fly anywhere on our network. Other guests on TZ302 were also rewarded with a pair of Economy airfare and travel vouchers worth S$50 and S$100.

"We love hitting milestones as it's a great excuse to celebrate and give away stuff!" said Campbell Wilson, Scoot's CEO.  "Carrying our 4 millionth guest, so soon after the last milestone, is testament to the support from our loyal guests and for which we're very thankful.

The milestones will keep coming through 2015 as Scoot's growth accelerates.  The airline's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will arrive in Singapore in just over two weeks time, sporting in flight internet, streaming movies and all of the choices Scoot already offers.  In addition to allowing Scoot to operate an all-787 fleet by August, the new aircraft mean that more exciting new destinations will be announced soon on top of the recent announcement of flights to Melbourne – giving you more reason, and more opportunity, to get outta here!

To access these and other promotional fares, visit www.flyscoot.com. To take part in Scoot's future promotions and get advance notice of special fares, "Like" Scoot on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyscoot or sign up to the mailing list at www.flyscoot.com.

[1] Scoot was voted 2015 Best Low Cost Airline (Asia/Pacific) by AirlineRatings.com.


Promotional Fare

Just purchase a regular fare out of Australia, and to celebrate, Scoot is offering the return leg of a economy fare for $0 to fly back to Australian ports of Sydney, Gold Coast or Perth from Singapore, or enjoy Scootbiz for $100 (from Singapore) and $150 (from HKG) - but you still have to pay the fuel surcharges and taxes of approximately AU$82-$120.

The sale starts at 3pm on 15th Jan and ends Monday 18th Jan at 0259 hrs (AEST).  Fares are valid for travel by 24th October 2015, are one-way and exclude taxes and surcharges. Some blackout periods apply.

These fares are on sale for the following period only:

SIN/PER	GMT+8	1200hrs 15 Jan 2015 (Thu) – 2359hrs 17 Jan 2015 (Sat)
OOL	GMT+10	1400hrs 15 Jan 2015 (Thu) – 0159hrs 18 Jan 2015 (Mon)
SYD/MEL	GMT+11	1500hrs 15 Jan 2015 (Thu) – 0259hrs 18 Jan 2015 (Mon)

 

 

 

Tigerair's Australia Day Sale

Go Somewhere You've Never Been Before With All Domestic Routes On Sale - Fares from $35* Four day sale commences midday AEDT Friday 23 January 2015.

 
From lamb chops to lamingtons and pool parties to family picnics on the beach, Tigerair Australia is celebrating all things Australian with a special Australia Day Sale designed to encourage more Australians to go and check-out their own back yard in 2015.

Commencing at 12:00 pm AEDT tomorrow (Friday 23 January), Tigerair's Australia Day sale offers discounted airfares for winter travel across the entirety of Tigerair's Australian network. One way fares from just $35* are on offer for flights either way between Adelaide and Melbourne, Hobart and Melbourne and Gold Coast and Sydney.

You can also fly either way between Coffs Harbour and Sydney from just $39* or Melbourne and Sydney from $45*and there are plenty more great value fares available for all other domestic routes across Australia.

Tigerair Australia's Head of Communications, Vanessa Regan, says that Australians love to celebrate Australia Day and many of us do it in our own unique way. Whilst for Melburnians it's the tennis, in Brisbane you can enjoy some cockroach racing and in Sydney it's all about the giant thong on Bondi Beach.

"Australia is a big place and whether you are getting out this Australia Day or using the time off work to plan your next trip, this variety that Australia offers is well worth exploring.

"As Australia's low fare champion we'd like to encourage all Australians to pick somewhere in this Great Southern Land that they've always wanted to visit but never got round to – simply because with such affordable airfares, they now can."

Tigerair's Australia Day Sale commences Friday 23 January at 12:00 pm AEDT and continues over the next four days until midday on Tuesday 27 January (or until seats are sold out).


* Fares are quoted per adult in AUD and include GST and all fees except for the booking and service fee of $8.50 which is charged per flight per person for payment by credit card and debit cards. This fee does not apply to an Australian issued MasterCard debit card. Additional charges apply for optional extras such as checked-in baggage, travel insurance and reserved seat selection. Other conditions apply.

Travel periods vary by route. Buy between 23/01/2015 and midday aedt 27/01/2015, or until seats sell out.

 

Facebook Photography Competition: Win a Trip to the Arctic

Aurora Expeditions, the experts in expedition cruising, has launched a new Facebook photography competition to find their next 'Official Arctic Photographer' to capture the majestic scenery, amazing wildlife and candid experiences of the High Arctic.

Win a trip to the Arctic as Aurora Expeditions' Official Arctic Photographer
Copyright: Aurora Expeditions

The competition is open to anyone who loves capturing unforgettable travel moments, from professional photographers, awesome amateurs or those who simply love taking a great holiday snapshot.

The lucky winner will be named the 'Official Arctic Photographer' and will travel on board Aurora Expeditions' 'Across the Arctic Circle' expedition in June this year. From Scotland to Spitsbergen the winner will enjoy amazing sights like giant icebergs, magnificent fjords, ancient relics and wildlife such as whales, walrus and polar bears, with unlimited opportunities to snap until their heart's content on this unforgettable 14-day adventure.

Entrants are asked to 'like' the Aurora Expeditions' Facebook page (www.facebook.com/auroraex) and submit their best travel photo via the Facebook competition tab to go into the running to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Arctic, including the expedition cruise, return economy airfares and accommodation, worth over $10,000!

Entrants are also asked to submit in 50 words or less why they should be chosen as Aurora Expeditions' Official Arctic Photographer.

Entries will require 20 votes to make it through to the final judging stage, where Aurora Expeditions' panel of expert travel and photography judges will choose the final winner.

To enter simply:

1. Visit www.facebook.com/auroraex to access the competition page

2. Upload your best travel photo

3. In 50 words or less, share why you should be Aurora Expeditions' Official Arctic Photographer

4. Share your entry with your friends and encourage them to vote for you!

The competition runs from 20/01/15-15/03/15 inclusive, with the winner to be advised before 28/03/15.

For full competition details visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/officialarcticphotographer or Aurora Expeditions' Facebook page www.facebook.com/auroraex.

For more information on Aurora Expeditions' range of Arctic adventures visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/expeditions/category/arctic-cruises

Prize Details

The prize includes one berth on Aurora Expeditions' Across the Arctic Circleexpedition departing 30 June 2015, return airfares from the winner's nearest capital city and one night accommodation at each end of the expedition.

*The prize does not include travel insurance, photography equipment, expedition clothing, passports, visas, vaccinations, meals not included in the expedition itinerary, optional activities, spending money, gratuities and all items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, and email or phone charges.
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ecruising.travel Celebrates It's 15th Anniversary

LEADING Internet cruising operator ecruising.travel marks 15 years of successful operation this week (January 20) with a major celebration for staff, clients and industry colleagues at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney.

Founder and Chairman Brett Dudley puts his organisation's popularity with the Australian consumer down to his philosophy that it is always better to specialise in something rather than try to be all things to all people.



Thus his unique range of cruising product with its inclusive combinations of air travel, hotel accommodation, special meals and sightseeing has proven to be among the cruise industry's most popular type of holiday among a still growing band of enthusiastic repeat travellers.

Asked about the aspect of ecruising's success that most pleases him he says, ”That would be my decision to start a web-based business in the very year Internet companies around the world were crashing out of the stock market whilst ecruising was created and thrived out of the rubble."

“Despite all the negative advice about linking cruising to the web we survived the 'tech-wreck' and have now reached this 15-year milestone recognised as a unique part of the Australian travel industry surrounded by the recognition confirmed by a string of business awards won in Australia and overseas.”

Among its achievements ecruising can list an award making it the first travel company to win City of Sydney business awards and being chosen by the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office for its contribution to the industry between Australia and Hong Kong.

The company's combination of cruising, flights, hotels and sightseeing being a winner led to ecruising being the first company to charter a Boeing 737 to fly tourists from the Kenyan capital Nairobi to Cape Town in South Africa as part of an exclusive cruise tour itinerary.

It is that type of unique experience that has made ecruising so popular among consumers generally and in particular the members of its extremely popular POSH Club for repeat travellers.
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Ultimate Valentine's Day package at the Sarojin

Luxury Thailand boutique resort, The Sarojin, provides the perfect backdrop to a Valentine escape - for a marriage proposal, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, renewal of vows, or simply special time away together.

This stunning resort is set amongst peaceful gardens and gentle water streams, on the shores of the sparkling Andaman Sea in Khao Lak, providing direct access onto a secluded 11 kilometre white sand beach, which is sheltered by Pakarang Cape, a coral headland, and presents year-round swimming and water sports.

To celebrate Valentine's Day on 14 February and throughout the year, The Sarojin offers multi-layered and memorable experiences for couples, which can be tailored for a surprise proposal or any occasion.

One such experience is Just An Ultimate Day commencing with a waiter popping the cork on a fine Champagne and serving up a lavish breakfast in the couple's sala or garden terrace. Later in the morning, a private guide will escort the couple in a chauffeur driven car to embark on an amazing elephant ride through spectacular jungle and rainforest to a secluded waterfall in Khauy Lak Lam Ru National Park. The car will be waiting to transport the couple to Takuapa River bank where a personal Chef will host a private Thai cooking class and the couple will be seated to enjoy their meal creations and fine wines – or more Champagne.

Then it is onto a pleat boat to jet the couple on a short ride to board the sleek luxury Lady Sarojin cruiser for more outdoor exploration of the breathtaking surrounds. Or the couple may prefer to return for an afternoon of pampering massages and other relaxing or rejuvenating therapies at The Sarojin's award-winning Pathways Spa. A rose milk bath can be prepared for the couple in their room complemented by amazing cocktails or even more Champagne prior to the evening finale to this day.

As the sun sets on The Sarojin beach, stars brighten and flames dance, pristine sands beckon for four bare feet whilst a Chef prepares a fabulous barbecue of the couple's personally selected menu. For the final act, the couple will be invited to celebrate their 'next dream come true' with the lighting and flying of a Thai spirit balloon which, according to Thai tradition, carries your wishes to the Gods. A perfect time for a surprise proposal and a true 'cerise sur le gateau' – cherry on top – to Just An Ultimate Day at The Sarojin.

Rates at The Sarojin commence from THB17,940 (approximately AUD670) per couple per night in a Garden Residence including all-day a la carte breakfast and sparkling wine plus taxes.

For bookings contact www.sarojin.com or reservations@sarojin.com

The Sarojin is beautifully set on an 11 kilometre stretch of secluded white sand beach in Khao Lak, a 55-minute drive north of Phuket International Airport, and surrounded by five national parks and world-famous dive sites of the Similan and Surin Islands. The five-star resort's 56 deluxe residences are nestled within 10 acres of tropical grounds leading directly onto the beachfront. To maintain a peaceful and relaxing guest experience, children under the age of 10 are unable to stay in the resort. The Sarojin receives continual recognition in prestigious awards, including, in 2014 Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year and Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice Awards for Top Hotel for Romance and was named Favourite Thai Resort in Let's Travel and featured in LifeBuzz 31 Most Exotic Pools on Earth.