Chase the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights with Bentours

Bentours in partnership with Hurtigruten have released a massive discount for early bird bookings! Norway coastal cruises are available to receive savings of up to 35% on 2017 departures.

Chase the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights! With four variations of cruises to choose from including the Classic Coastal Voyage Return (12days), Classic Norwegian Discovery (11 days), Classic Northbound Voyage (7 days) and Classic Southbound Voyage (6 days) there is savings for all to have. These cruises include daily departures, there are 12 ships to choose from, all cabins are discounted and full board is included. Prices start from A $1690 // NZ $1775 for the Classic Return Voyage in a polar inside cabin.

This incredible offer is available to book before the 22^nd of August 2016 and is for travel throughout 2017.

Experience Bentours packages where these heavily discounted cruises are featured as well as arrangements that highlight the area you are travelling and include incredible experiences. Enjoy a snowmobile ride or a spot of reindeer sledding, visit Santa’s village or experience the famous ‘Norway in a nutshell’ all whilst surrounding yourself with impeccable scenery such as breathtaking fjords and majestic mountains.

Such packages include ‘Complete Norway (16days), ‘Follow The Lights’ ex Helsinki (12days) and ex Bergen (13 days), ‘Grand Nordic Coast & Capitals’ ex Helsinki (16days) and ex Stockholm (19days) and ex Copenhagen (22days), Russia & Lapland Highlights’ ex Moscow (21 days) – and lastly, ‘Ultimate Scandinavia & Russia’ ex Oslo (26 days).

Uniworld appoints industry leader Ellen Bettridge as President & CEO

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s finest and most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line, honoured with the number one ranking in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 World’s Best Awards, has announced the appointment of Ellen Bettridge as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Bettridge succeeds Guy Young, who is being promoted to take on two new roles within The Travel Corporation (TTC). Effective August 6, 2016, Bettridge will assume her new role, working closely alongside Young, to ensure a smooth transition for the team and the industry.

Commenting on the news, Brett Tollman, CEO TTC said: “It is my great privilege and pleasure to welcome Ellen to our Uniworld team.  I have known and admired Ellen for many years.  She is a superbly capable and talented travel industry professional, with an exceptional reputation and a winning track-record.  I am confident that Ellen will make a consequential and instrumental contribution to Uniworld’s performance and success, and the team and I very much look forward to working closely with her.”

Bettridge assume responsibility for managing and overseeing Uniworld’s global business, including operations and financial performance, product development, the industry’s foremost guest experience, service enrichment and onboard/onshore programming.  She will also specifically focus on growing and expanding Uniworld’s business, as well as furthering its leadership and innovation within the river cruise industry.

Fly Business Class or Pay No Solo Supplement when you Book a Botanica Cruise

Specialist garden travel operator Botanica World Discoveries has announced special booking deals on two of its most popular botanically-themed small ship ocean cruise departures for 2017.

Book the 12-day Mediterranean Wildflowers, History, Gardens & Architecture of the Gods Cruise from Athens to Rome via the Greek Islands departing 22 April 2017, and you can fly Business Class from just $3,995 per person including air taxes. Alternatively, solo travellers can choose to take advantage of Botanica’s no single supplement offer for this cruise, saving themselves $7,250 per person.

The cruise is priced from $14,495 per person, twin share and sails aboard the 114-passenger MS Island Sky. Guests are accompanied by Dr Toby Musgrave as the specialist Botanical guide. It includes the chance to explore the garden of Ischia and La Mortella in Naples; and private visits to the Marques of San Giulliano’s garden and the Princess Borghese garden in Sicily amongst its many highlights.

If you book Botanica’s 14-day Japanese and South Korean Spring Blossoms, Gardens & Culture Cruise from Tokyo to Osaka, departing 5 April 2017, you can fly business class for $1,995 per person including air taxes.  Another option is to take advantage of Botanica’s special solo offer on this cruise, whereby the single supplement has been waived for a limited time, enabling solo travellers to save $3,000.

Virtuoso® ‘Wellness’ Program & Expo launches in response to the booming health & well-being trend

International luxury travel network Virtuoso® is bringing together its world-renowned advisors and select preferred partners to create a community based around the rapidly growing niche of wellness travel. Virtuoso Wellness will focus on the sector, which is predicted to reach $680 billion by next year. The new community will launch Sunday, August 7, during an experiential event – the Virtuoso Wellness Zone – at luxury travel’s premier gathering, Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas.
Travellers take 586 million wellness trips each year, according to the Global Wellness Summit. In fact, the niche encompasses 15 percent of global tourism, second only to cultural tourism in revenues. It is also lucrative, as wellness travellers spend 130 percent more than the average traveler. Virtuoso’s new community unites travel advisors who serve a health-conscious clientele with hand-picked partners including hotels, cruise lines, tourism boards and tour operators for networking, education and marketing.

Camels, canapés and the Glass House Mountains

When it comes to ‘humps’ two of the more extraordinary that you will find on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are the pre-historic outcrops that make up the Glass House Mountains and the camels at QCamel.

Live it Tours is offering a fascinating “behind the scenes” experience of the Sunshine Coast’s QCamel farm, where visitors will be able to taste delicious canapés made from fresh camels’ milk while getting up close and personal with Maxi, Gracey and all the other camels.

The inaugural Live It Tours’ Camels and Canapé experience will take place from 2pm on Saturday 27 August 2016, followed by a second tour on Saturday 24 September 2016. The three hour tour costs $110 per person and includes return transfers from the Glass House Mountains Visitor Centre.

Free Ski Passes in Switzerland

Agents are advised that the luxuriously appointed and multi award-winning Chedi Andermatt is offering travellers an exclusive early bird ski special in the form of free ski passes.

For all bookings made by 31 October 2016, agents can now pass on up to two free ski passes per room (valued at AU$410) for the duration of their clients’ visit. Valid for stays from 9 January – 23 April 2017, the passes allow guests to maximise their time on the pistes. Agents should note that a minimum stay of three nights’ stay apply; and that a 3-day ski pass is valued at AU$205, while a 6-day ski pass is AU$355.

G Adventures welcomes new Trade Marketing Executive

G Adventures Australia and New Zealand has welcomed a new Trade Marketing Executive to ‘The Outpost’. After five years in the travel industry Adelle Clements, who worked with the International Exchange Programs AU and NZ at STA Travel for two and a half years but began her tourism career at Ashcombe Maze on the Mornington Peninsula, will take over all agent and trade communications. The newest member of the G Adventures team already has her eye on the National Geographic with G Adventures trip Wonders of Bhutan, but before she heads there she is excited to show more travellers and agents how G Adventures is a social enterprise, so that more inspired travellers can experience G Adventures’ unique styles of travel and give back to the local communities they are visiting.

“After being here for just four weeks I can already see how much potential there is for me to learn and grow both professionally and personally,” said Adelle who was drawn to work at G because of the company’s belief that travel is an exchange, and that when you travel with G Adventures you are giving back more than you are taking away. “I like that G is innovative, exciting, extremely unique and completely changing the way people experience and think about travel.  Working at G makes you feel like you are really a part of something bigger.”

“Australians are becoming more socially and environmentally conscious, we are looking at alternative ways to travel that have minimal impact on the environment and the destinations we choose to travel in. G Adventures has always believed in sustainable tourism and it excites me that we are able to offer this style of travel with every tour that departs.”

Scenic’s last Ever Wondered sessions for 2016

Scenic has announced its third round of Ever Wondered sessions for 2016 which will run nationwide in metro and regional centres over six weeks from 31 August to 11 October.

In partnership with local travel agents, agents are invited to bring along their clients to an Ever Wondered session to find out more about a range of different Scenic products – the new Scenic Eclipse ocean cruising program launching in August 2018; and the programs for 2017 Europe River Cruising; Canada, Alaska & USA; South America: Africa and South East Asia River Cruising.

New for this round of Ever Wondered sessions, Scenic will be showcasing the Scenic Space-Ship on board experience through the latest in VR technology. Guests and would-be guests will have the opportunity to see what life on board a Scenic Space-Ship is like through a virtual 360 degree tour of the entire ship.

Driving guests to book with their local Scenic agent, the free sessions will be hosted by the local Scenic team of experts who will be on hand to answer any questions and help guests decide which itinerary is right for them. Special offers are also available on the day. For anyone that is unable to attend, Scenic is also holding free webinars.

All sessions are free but seats are limited so pre-booking is essential. Agents are encouraged to register their clients online and attend with them on the day.

For more information call Scenic on 138 128 or visit scenic.com.au

Rail Europe GSA Special August Promotions

For the very first time, Rail Europe GSAs have released two new promotions for the German Rail and BritRail Passes

Effective immediately until 28 September, agents will have access to the exclusive 7-day consecutive German Rail Pass. Priced from AUD271, these passes are valid for use by 31 October this year. Agents should also note that this 7-day consecutive pass is non-exchangeable and non-refundable unless replaced by a regular German Rail Pass.

From 9 – 29 August, agents booking BritRail, BritRail England and BritRail South West passes for their clients can pass on an additional travel day. Note however, that the free day applies to flexible and consecutive passes only and travel must be completed within six months of booking.

Agents are reminded that Rail Europe tickets are distributed by Rail Plus, Rail Tickets, CIT Holidays and Infinity Rail in Australia.

Incredible Latin savings with the specialists Tempo

Tempo Holidays prides itself on tailor-made travel, ready-made travel and can build a Latin America itinerary to perfectly suit anyone’s needs and have the perfect package designed individually for them. The diverse cultures, incredible landscapes and unique experiences are something that you will only find in this special part of the world. Discover the history of this region and its beautiful food with Tempo Holidays. Sample wine from famous regions and participate in cooking classes, horseback riding and traditional dances. Swim in crystal clear waters; see the iconic Machu Picchu in Peru, dance at carnival in Rio or trek in the famous Torres del Paine National park.

Rod Vargas, Chilean born looks after the Latin America portfolio for Tempo Holidays. With his local knowledge and personal experiences he is excited to release these incredible savings.

Enjoy incredible deals that have been made available that include 10% off such packages as the Jungle & Inca Discovery, Best of Peru and our most popular package Discover Cuzco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu.

Jungle & Inca Discovery is a 9 day independent tour which prices start from $2475 per person. Fly to the Jungle of Puerto Maldonaldo. Choose from a range of activities including jungle walks, canoe excursions and caiman spotting. Next stop Cuzco, the imperial Inca Capital, with many

alluring sights within easy reach. Visit the colourful market of Pisac, Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and spectacular Machu Picchu.

Travelmarvel Offers More of Africa’s Highlights in new Brochure

A new itinerary featuring all the must-see sights of Southern Africa and an extension to the Okavango Delta are just some of the highlights of Travelmarvel’s latest Africa touring program.

Available in travel agencies from today, the new Travelmarvel Africa 2017 brochure offers a choice of nine tours ranging from 12 to 30 days. Journeys cover South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania with prices starting from $4,995 per person, twin share.

The latest addition to the portfolio for 2017 is the 13 day Southern Safaris, a journey featuring three nights each in Cape Town and Greater Kruger National Park, and a night in Johannesburg in South Africa; three nights in Livingstone, Zambia to take in the breathtaking Victoria Falls; and two nights at the Chobe Bush Lodge in Botswana. This new tour is priced from $6,595* per person twin share.

Travelmarvel has also extended its portfolio of tour extensions, offering the chance to explore Botswana’s flood plains and experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a new four day journey through the Okavango Delta. Guests stay at the safari-style camp Moremi Crossing comprising luxury tents located on raised decks with views across the floodplains of Moremi Game Reserve.

Agents can also offer a two night extension to all itineraries in the new brochure, staying one night in Pretoria and one night on the elegant Blue Train.

Escape to New Zealand with AAT Kings

Grab a last minute deal and save a massive $3,000 per couple on select departures of AAT Kings’ 21-day Spirit of New Zealand guided holiday. Explore Larnach Castle, spend the night cruising Milford Sound, let loose in adventure capital Queenstown, cruise through Waitomo Cave’s famous Glow Worm Grotto, see awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier, and so much more. Priced from $4,325 per person twin share and available for travel only on selected departures of 1 September 2016, 15 September 2016 and 13 October 2016. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit aatkings.com *Conditions Apply

Magic of the Mekong with Uniworld

Save up to $2,540 per person on select February 2017 departures of Uniworld’s 15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong boutique river cruise. Included in the package is a 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the all-suite Mekong Navigator, 7 nights’ in deluxe hotels, all transportation throughout the trip and airport transfers, 12 days of captivating excursions such as entering the Cu Chi Tunnels and discovering Angkor Wat, the services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager and more. Priced from $6,199 per person and available for travel on select February 2017 dates. Conditions apply. For more information call 1300 780 231 or visit uniworld.com.

Creative Cruising takes you to South-East from the Sea

Experience South-East Asia from the high seas with Creative Cruising’s 17-night China & Philippine Archipelago package. Included in the package is Economy Class airfare to Hong Kong returning from Singapore flying Singapore Airlines, 1 night pre-cruise accommodation, a 14-night cruise onboard Seabourn Sojourn from Hong Kong to Singapore, main meals and entertainment onboard, open bars throughout the ship and fine wines poured at lunch & dinner, in-suite bar stocked with your preferences, 2 night post-cruise accommodation, private transfers in Hong Kong & Singapore, port charges, government fees & air taxes. Priced from $9,399 per person with cruise departing on 18 February 2017. Conditions apply please see www.creativecruising.com.au or call 1300 362 599 for more information.

Hop-On to Europe with Busabout

Grab a 2017 Busabout Hop-On Hop-Off Europe pass at 2016 prices when booked by 7 September 2016. Create your own European itinerary across 46 destinations; spend as long as you like in every destination, pre-plan your coach days or book them as you go, change your coach days as often as you like free of charge and be accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced guides and drivers. Coaches operate every second day from May to October.  To book call 1300 287 226 and quote promocode PREVIEW17. Offer valid until 7 Sept 2016. For more information and a range of Europe 2017 trips on sale visit http://www.busabout.com/.

Insight Vacations stunning South America

Save up to $745 per person on Insight Vacations 11-day Classic South America escorted journey when booked and paid by 27 October 2016. Join a Local Expert for a city tour of Buenos Aires and enjoy a spectacular walk through Iguassu Falls. Take a cable car journey to Sugarloaf Mountain and journey up Corcovado Hill to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio. Stay at outstanding hotels including the Belmond Copacabana Palace where you will enjoy a Michelin Star Highlight Dinner. Included in the package is an Insight Travel Concierge, travel in Business Class luxury coach, baggage handling, airport transfers and more. Priced from $7,471 per person and available for travel 2 May 2017 – 5 December 2017. For more information visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.

Contiki’s European Explorer

Save $332 per person on Contiki’s 22-day European Escapade when booked and paid by 6 September 2016, as part of Contiki’s fantastic ‘Get 2017 trips at 2016 prices plus 10% off’ Europe Summer Preview offer. Experience an exclusive ‘Paris by Night’ sightseeing tour with champagne & escargot, enjoy wine tasting at Contiki’s French Château, see Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, take a walking tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, discover the secrets of Michelangelo’s Florence, marvel at the scenic Alps and so much more. Included in the package is 24 nights’ accommodation, travel in a modern air-conditioned coach, an experienced Trip Manager & Driver Team, 41 meals and more. Priced from $3,663 per person including savings and available for travel 28 Mar 2017 – 5 Oct 2017. *Conditions apply, for more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 266 845.

Discover Canada’s mighty Rockies for less with Costsaver

Experience the majesty of the Canadian Rockies for just $167 per day with CostSaver’s 12-day Panoramic Canadian Rockies – 2017 trip. Take a sightseeing tour of Banff, visit serene Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefields, ride a giant ice explorer across Athabasca Glacier, enjoy charming Jasper, visit a winery in Kelowna and witness the stunning views of Victoria Glacier and Whistler. Explore Vancouver with a sightseeing tour, and enjoy an iconic breakfast at Butchart Gardens. Included in the package are audio headsets, travel in luxury air-conditioned coach, an expert Travel Director and separate driver and more. Priced from just $1,995 per person twin share, and available for travel April 2017 – September 2017. For more information and a further selection of CostSaver’s USA, Canada & Mexico 2017 trips visit costsaver.trafalgar.com/aus or contact your local sales manager.

Sail Hawaii with Adventure World

Save $400 per cabin on Adventure World’s 8-day Hawaiian Seascapes UnCruise Adventures trip when booked by 28 October 2016. Included in the package is seven nights’ cruise accommodation, all meals on board, activities on the ship, premium spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, exclusive transfers, baggage handling, entry fees to national parks/reserves, adventure activities including a visit to the Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, wellness program, fitness equipment and a complimentary massage. Priced from $5,249 per person and available for travel 5 Nov 2016 – 1 Apr 2017. For more information or to book visit adventureworld.com.au or contact your local travel agent.