This morning, we slept through our alarm, spilt our extra strong coffee down ourselves and then typed out this wholesaler wrap like a zombie. That’s right, it’s Monday!

All the magic of the Galápagos in one short week

Galápagos is a bucket list destination for many travellers, but not everyone has the luxury of time to commit to an extended voyage.

Now for the first time in Lindblad Expeditions’ 50+ years of bringing citizen explorers there, they are offering brand-new, shorter itineraries.

The new Wild Galápagos Escape packs a ton of activities into one exhilarating week to discover the wonders and wildlife of this magical place, with departures on Saturday and Thursday.

Set aboard the newly refurbished 48-guest National Geographic Islander, the expedition features five days in the archipelago exploring the islands, with one night pre-voyage in Guayaquil, and the option of another night post voyage at no additional charge.

With multiple adventures each day on land and undersea—including options for walks and hikes, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling—guests will enjoy the full Lindblad-National Geographic Galápagos cruise experience on these shorter expeditions with five days exploring the archipelago.

Dr. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist and Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, will join the first two Wild Galápagos Escape voyages as special guest speaker.

Named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet,” Sylvia is former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and founder of SEAlliance, which partnered with National Geographic on Mission Blue to further global initiatives aimed at restoring health and productivity to the ocean.

She will join the November 24 and 29, 2018 voyages.

Other departures for Wild Galápagos Escape include April 27; May 2, 11, 16; August 31; September 5, 14, 19, and October 31, 2019. Rates begin at $6,820 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabins.

Mont Blanc Rambler makes doing the Alps a walk in the park

UTracks, the active European holiday specialist, is offering 10 per cent off its seven-day Mont Blanc Rambler guided walk – the perfect itinerary for those looking for an easier option for “doing Mont Blanc”.

“The Mont Blanc Rambler” is a relaxed guided walk from Italy to France taking in the highlights of the Mont Blanc region.

The itinerary traverses high passes, crosses meadows brimming with alpine flowers and passes through typical mountain villages, allowing plenty of time to stop and take in the stunning Mont Blanc vistas, enjoy a picnic and absorb the alpine culture.

It is relaxed alpine hiking at its best.

Travellers who book The Mont Blanc Rambler before 30 April 2018 will pay from $1215 per person (was $1350pp)*.

This includes accommodation in comfortable gîte-hostels or refuges, all meals for six days, an experienced guide and mules to carry your gear.

It is one of a huge range of UTracks alpine walking itineraries on sale during the month of April.

Explore Tasmania and Enjoy Earlybird Savings with APT

Last week, leading luxury tour operator APT launch their 2018/19 Tasmania brochure with an array of Superdeals including early-bird specials on selected tours.

Tours range from the 12-day Royal Tasman, Launceston return starting at $4,995 per person twin share, to the 15-day Tasman Coastal Cruise, from Launceston to Hobart from $8,445 per person twin share, both prices include an early-bird Superdeal saving and early payment discount.

The most popular tour, the 12-day Royal Tasman, showcases the best of Tasmania’s incredible landscapes in groups of no more than 40 passengers, giving guests the opportunity to uncover the fascinating history and breathtaking natural beauty of this remarkable region.

Guests can discover glorious fields of fragrance and colour at the Bridestowe Lavender Estate; immerse themselves in the cool temperate rainforest of the Tarkine on a guided wilderness walk; and admire the stunning coastal scenery as they explore Cape Tourville in the Freycinet National Park.

Aboard APT’s luxury coaches, guests will travel through Tasmania in the finest comfort. In Launceston, Hobart and Cradle Mountain, guests will enjoy two night stays, giving them plenty of time to explore these incredible destinations in more depth.

In Hobart and Strahan, they will savour the glimmering waterfront from their guaranteed Harbour View Room, and in Launceston, they will enjoy a stay at the brand-new Peppers Silo Hotel, a contemporary boutique hotel housed in an iconic 1960’s heritage building.

New experiences to APT’s 2018/19 program include the brand-new Spirit of the Wild ship, on board which your guests will cruise the tranquil waters of the Gordon River.

This new vessel is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and its unique combination of diesel engines and electric motors means they will enjoy a cruising experience like nothing that has been available in Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed area before – quiet cruising.

Coral Planting Program boosts reef marine life at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

An increase in marine life such as baby reef sharks has followed a coral planting program being undertaken by Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort as part of a wider Outrigger Resorts global OZONE (Outrigger’s ZONE) conservation initiative.

In Fiji, the program has seen coral propagation racks and fish houses built as part of a teenager guest activity program organized by the resort’s hosts.

The success of this coral planting has attracted the attention of the University of the South Pacific which this year will send 120 students studying marine science to observe the work being carried out at Outrigger Fiji.

The resort’s giant clam farm is also thriving. A favourite snorkelling destination for guests, it is helping to restore the health of the coral and boost fish numbers.

The United Nations has designated 2018 as the third International Year of the Reef.

The first official event held in Fiji as part of this year-long awareness campaign took place at Nukubati Resort, a Fijian-owned property which fronts the Great Sea Reef, the third-longest continuous barrier reef in the world.

Excite Holidays launches the ultimate guide to Japan

With cherry blossom season upon us and Tokyo announced as the host for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, there has never been a better time to talk about the incredible destination that is Japan.

Unlike anywhere else in the world, Japan is relatively untouched by outside influences, making itthe ultimate destination for a cultural change.

From food to art, music, design and popular culture, Japan is bursting at the seams with unique attractions and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Excite Holidays have created a nine-page curated destination guide, and from Monday 9 – Sunday 22 April, will be showcasing the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo and Okinawa.

Whether you want to shop up a storm, live like a local, give your taste buds a workout or just experience something different, the guide has you covered.

The guide also features a variety of hotels, festivals, top travel tips and the weird and wacky elements that make Japan, well, Japan!

Extreme Bike Tours mark 10 years of adventure  with discount on all 2019 tours

Explore some of the world’s wildest landscapes – on the back of a motorbike – with a special, 10-year anniversary discount on all Extreme Bike Tours’ departures in 2019.

Launched in 2009, Extreme Bike Tours is approaching its 10-year anniversary of offering adrenaline-filled motorbike tours across Asia, Madagascar and Cuba and to mark the occasion, the company is offering a 10 per cent saving on all seven of its 2019 tours.

The guided motorbike tours between February and November, 2019, will appeal to the more than one million Australians who ride motorbikes.

The seven rides in 2019 include the High Himalayan tour to the northern regions of India, riding amongst the clouds over stunning mountain passes.

Or explore the mysterious Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan on Extreme Bike Tours’ Bhutan tour, filled with monasteries and ancient forts.

The Madagascar trip offers riders the chance to experience a journey through rainforests and open valleys, taking in views of epic waterfalls and volcanoes along the way.

Extreme Bike Tours also takes adventurers to the remote country of Mongolia – a destination only hardy travellers visit.

Or live it up on the ‘Luxury Rajasthan’ tour, staying in palace hotels and visiting some of India’s most iconic drawcards including the Taj Mahal.

Finally, the two ‘Hidden Sri Lanka’ tours visit ancient temples, jungle-covered mountain ranges and lush tea plantations, while staying in eco retreats, resorts and hotels.

AAT Kings offers day tours to complement The Commonwealth Games

Australia and New Zealand guided holiday experts, AAT Kings have a range of fascinating full day tours for travellers venturing to the Gold Coast for The 2018 Commonwealth Games, starting today.

AAT Kings Day Tours are the perfect accompaniment to any trip, for guests that have a day to spare and looking to delve deeper into their destination.

Travellers will unearth the highlights of their chosen region with an expert Driver Guide sharing their local knowledge, captivating history, culture and fun facts to create a truly memorable experience – all in one day.

With hotel pick-up included, all guests have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure.

The Gold Coast is a favourite Australian holiday destination, renowned for its year-round sunshine, with plenty to see and do along the 70 kilometre stretch of stunning coastline.

It’s also the gateway to one of Australia’s most biologically diverse regions, the lush rainforest-cloaked hinterland and an array of Australia’s iconic wildlife.

AAT Kings offers three exciting Day Tours, all departing from the Gold Coast for those wanting to experience some more of sunny Queensland, beyond The Games:

• O’Reilly’s & Lamington National Park – Time to sample Queensland made wines and fresh local produce and take in the spectacular panoramic views of the Gold Coast from Tamborine Mountain.
• Crocodile Express & Australia Zoo – Explore the iconic Australia Zoo, made famous by the late Steve Irwin.
• Brisbane’s Best – Enjoy Brisbane sights from land and water and weave your way through the city passing historic sandstone buildings.

Australia’s war-time history being brought to life on home soil

In a year of major war-time anniversaries, expert battlefield tour operator, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours (MMBT), has launched a brand-new World War II in Australia Tour – comprising a unique four-day itinerary giving local travellers the opportunity to discover and explore our war-time history on home soil.

According to MMBT, there is often a perception that to experience historic and battlefield travel you need to venture overseas, and while MMBT has successfully serviced the demand for such tours since commencing operations in 2007, many people do not realise the depth of fascinating war history in our own backyard.

Other highlights of the World War II in Australia Tour include:

• A guided tour of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, including attending the Last Post Ceremony
• A visit to Cowra’s Prisoner of War Theatre where a holographic display shares the story from a local perspective. This includes a comprehensive walking tour of the site, bringing the history of the breakout to life
• A farewell breakfast at the five-hectare Japanese Gardens, a peace park established as a symbol of respect and friendship between Australia and Japan
• A guided tour of the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, Australia’s key manufacturing plant for more than a century, which houses an extensive collection of firearms dating back to the Australian military’s earliest conflicts

Experience Co wins Dunk Island tender

Leading adventure tourism company, Experience Co Limited has successfully secured the tender to operate commercial/recreation and tourism activities on the Dunk Island Spit, an island located on the East Coast of Mission Beach in Far North Queensland.

Announced at the Cassowary Coast Regional Council meeting on 28th March 2018, the Experience Co Dunk Island Adventure Hub will open its doors in late 2018.

In a three-phase approach, Dunk Island will come alive again and be open for business for tourists and locals alike.

Phase One of the new eco-friendly Dunk Island Adventure Hub will include a beach hire hut featuring a range of water-based activities, including ocean trampolines, stand up paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, sea kayaks, floating cabanas and camping packs.

A rejuvenated camping ground and amenities will encourage overnight stays. Phase One will also include the introduction of popular Experience Co activities such as high speed jet boat rides, glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling tours and the highly popular “SNUBA” product to the region.

Experience Co endeavours to assist in the promotion of the region’s rich Aboriginal culture, and also intend on launching its successful reef education program for visitors to the Hub.

Phases Two and Three, rolled out throughout 2019, will see the addition of other exciting experiences ranging from scuba diving, eco-tents, powered campsites and motorised water activities to cultural spaces for local events showcasing musical and artistic talents.

TTC Weekly Deals

AAT KINGS
Salutes the Spirit of New Zealand
Save up to $1,516* per couple on AAT Kings 21 Day Spirit of New Zealand Guided Holiday, WAS from $7,150* per person NOW from $6,435* per person.

Brief Slumber under a star-studded sky in your private cabin on a Milford Sound cruiser, and stroll along deserted golden beaches in New Zealand’s only coastal national park. Receive a 10% discount on all AAT Kings operated Guided Holiday in New Zealand when booked and paid in full by 27 April 2018. For travel between 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019.

For more information or to book visit www.aatkings.com.au or call 1300 228 546 or visit aatkings.com.

BUSABOUT
Ultimate Balkan Adventure
Save $247 on Busabout’s 15 day Ultimate Balkan Adventure WAS $1649 and is NOW $1402. The Balkans is the wildest part of Europe to travel in.

You’ll be enthralled by the cobbled castle lanes, satiated by strange exotic cuisine, and pushed to your party limits in the offbeat capitals of Belgrade and Sarajevo.

You’ll also see your fair share of physics-defying mountains. Go beyond the must-sees and venture off the beaten track! Split to Split: 12 May, 26 May & 9 June or Athens to Athens: 18 May, 1 June – BOOK BEFORE 30 April, 2018.

For more information visit www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226.

TRAFALGAR
Treasures of France including Normandy
Save $275 (10% off) on Trafalgar’s 8 day Treasures of France including Normandy was $2,750 per person and now $2,475 per person.

Explore centuries of French heritage as you cross the valleys and vineyards of the north in search of beauty and to mourn the tragedy of war. 29th September 2018 (start) – 6th October 2018 (end), must book by 21st April 2018.

For more information visit www.trafalgar.com/worldsale or call 1800 002 007.

CONTIKI 
Incan ruins
Latin America, a melting pot of culture, flavour and history is on sale now with Contiki. Save up to $909 when you book before 20 June 2018.

From Mexico right down to the tip of Argentina, the Latin flavour is always on the menu!Save 10% off the 8-Day Ultimate Inca Trail and embark on an epic expedition of breathtaking views and incredible scenery, travelling from Peru’s Cusco over to the heart of the Incan Empire – The Sacred Valley and prepare yourself for a 3 day climb through the infamous Inca Trail.

Priced from $1,989 per person (discount included, Inca Trail ticket included) with No Regrets Inclusions such as a walking tour of Cusco, entry into the Sacred Valley with guided tours and so much more.

Price reflective of select departure dates between 18 January 2019 – 1 March 2020. For more information visit www.contiki.com or phone 1300 CONTIKI.

UNIWORLD 
FLY FREE TO EUROPE
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has launched their incredible 2019 Air Offer, allowing guests to fly free to Europe when booking a 2019 European river cruise departing before 15 November 2019. Book by 30 June 2018.

Guests can also upgrade to Premium Economy for $1,299pp and Business Class at $3,999pp. Combine this incredible air offer with the 16-day European Jewels itinerary.

Indulge your passion for majestic art, architecture, music and history on an all-encompassing journey through four countries along three great rivers— the Danube, Main and Rhine—and to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Priced from $10,699 per person twin-share (including economy airfare), 16 days of captivating escorted excursions, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise/Tour Manager and more!

For travel dates 28 Jul or 26 Aug 2019 (other 2019 departures available, price may vary). For more information call 1300 780 231 or visit uniworld.com.

INSIGHT VACATIONS
Country Roads of Croatia
Insight Vacations are celebrating their 40th Anniversary with 10% off 40+ trips through Europe and North America!

Travel Agents can take advantage of this fantastic offer on Insight Vacations’ 14-day Country Roads of Croatia itinerary and discover the pristine landscapes, idyllic islands and sun-dappled seas of Croatia, where fortified towns of cobblestone and terracotta echo a time when Venice ruled the waves. Priced from $4,635 per person twin share (including discount).

Price reflective of select departure dates 25 June 2018 (other 2018 departures available, price may vary) when booking by April 30 2018. Terms and conditions apply, for further information visit insightvacations.com or call 1300 727 767.

ADVENTURE WORLD
GRAND AMERICAN ADVENTURES – THE BIG ADVENTURE SALE
Grand American Adventures are offering a whopping 20% off last minute departures, with a rare 10% off all other Grand American Adventures trips.

Clients can advantage of this offer against Trek GAA’s 14-day Alaska, Wildlife and Wilderness. Priced from $6,358 per person, twin share (discount included).

Book by April 16th for travel from March 2018 until December 31st 2018. For more information and full terms and conditions visit Adventure World at www.adventureworld.com or call 1300 295 049.