Ready for an update on all things that go ‘toot toot’? This wrap has you covered for the road and rail tourism sector – not flatulence.

Silvercar by Audi launches premium rewards program

Silvercar, a US-based premium car rental service that only rents Audis, has launched its own premium rewards program.

The program, simply called Silvercar Premium Rewards, allows customers to instantly earn a point per dollar spent – excluding taxes, fuel, coverage and other fees. Points can then be redeemed toward future rentals, with the option for customers to pay with points generated.

Furthermore, customers won’t have to fear blackout days, as points can be earnt every day of the year with Silvercar; or worry about points expiring. The one caveat to this, is that points must have been generated once within the last five years.

Rail Europe announces winners of ‘Great Train Tour of Germany’ flying THAI

Two talented agents have won their spots as 2019 Rail Europe reporters for Germany.

Jake Cassar from Travel Counsellors and Sofie Stemberger from Flight Centre Tailor Made Doncaster have each won themselves an all-expense paid ‘Great Train Tour of Germany’ departing 24 September.

The pair will be required to document their trip, take plenty of photos, write about their experiences and create a video recap.

Flying THAI, they will start their journey in Munich before heading to Cologne, Dresden and Berlin before flying back to Australia from Frankfurt.

Nomadic Knights offers discount on West Bengal recce ride

Adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers can ride through the rugged, rarely visited West Bengal region of eastern India on the back of a Himalayan Royal Enfield motorbike as part of an exploratory recce ride offered by Nomadic Knights.

For a limited time, Nomadic Knights is offering a US$500 discount on all bookings made on its 14-night West Bengal recce ride beginning on October 26, 2019, in Calcutta, India.  The discount is available until sold out.

Nomadic Knights is the first, foreign motorcycle tour group to ever take riders into West Bengal, with the company aiming to use the recce trip to plan more trips to the region soon.

The 14-night ‘Hinterland’ recce ride on October 26, 2019, is available for US$4480 for riders, including the US$500 discount until sold out, using the code ‘Hinterland500’.

Fares include accommodation, bike hire, breakfasts, dinners and mechanical and logistical support throughout the trip. Flights to India are extra.

Rail Europe partners with Eurostar for #TrainsBeforePlanes incentive

Rail Europe has also announced it has partnered with Eurostar to launch their #TrainsBeforePlanes incentive, where three agents will each win a trip to Europe and document the destinations they’ll visit, as well as the differences between taking the train and flying between London and the continent.

With a minimum of five nights’ stay in London, the winning agents will experience Eurostar’s service from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (one agent per destination), before flying back to London for their return journey to Australia and New Zealand.

To qualify, agents must have the following prerequisites:

• Registered with Rail Europe
• Completed the Rail Expert program up to Module 10 and Module 99
• Proven creative skills in vlogging and blogging travel experiences with time behind and in front of the camera
• Possess good photography skills
• Have a good social media following with great engagement; and
• Have full understanding of the benefits of train travel in Europe.

Registrations close on 20 September, with the trip taking place in November or December 2019.

Laguna helps pull off an elite cycling Coupe in Central Vietnam

Laguna Lang Co is moving through the gears in its efforts to promote active tourism in Central Vietnam through key support to one of Asia’s premier cycling events – the Coupe de Hue.

Competitors in the event will stay at one of the property’s two resorts, Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co, over 20 September weekend. One of those is Australian cyclist Cadel Evans, who will stay in one of the property’s Banyan Tree Residences.

As well as being one of the main sponsors, Laguna Lang Co has partnered with Coupe de Hue organisers to help with planning and development.

The property has assembled a dedicated “race team” that will provide support across a number of key areas including logistics, safety, nutrition and consultation.

International Rail launches day-trip travel solution

Australian owned International Rail has launched another product under its International Transfer brand, ‘Daytrip’.

Daytrip offers door-to-door private transfers between cities or towns globally, with agents able to connect English speaking local drivers with clients to pick them up at their hotel in the morning and deliver them to their next destination.

Moreover, clients can also choose from a wide range of suggested sightseeing along their journey.