Travel Weekly almost didn’t include a few of the amazing adventures on offer in this week’s wholesaler wrap in the hope of having them all to ourselves, until we realised we can’t afford to go on any of them.

World Expeditions launches new Canadian adventures: kayak with Orcas and travel the Yukon

Kayakers Watching Orca in Johnstone Strait

From kayaking with orcas off Vancouver Island to cycling the ‘Rum Runners Trail’ in Nova Scotia, adventure travel specialist, World Expeditions, has launched four new trips to add to its diverse range of active Canadian adventures.

Kayaking with Orcas is a new, seven-day kayaking expedition in the Johnstone Strait, off Vancouver Island, where pods of orca whales congregate during the summer to feed, socialise and rub themselves on the pebble beaches.  As well as the orcas, there is a plethora of wildlife including black bears and bald eagles on the ruggedly beautiful coastline.  The professionally guided, wilderness camping adventure departs between mid-July and early September and costs $2,590 per person, which includes all meals, camping and kayak equipment, transfers and camping permits.

The Halifax to Lunenburg: The Rum Runners Rail Trail is a new,  six-day cycling adventure that follows the old railway line used during prohibition of the 1920s and ‘30s.  The new trip departs Wednesdays and Thursdays between June and October and costs $1,690 per person, which includes five-nights B&B accommodation with private facilities, luggage transfers and transfers to trailheads.  Electric bikes available on request (surcharge applies).

Part of Canada’s Great Trail, the Tip to Tip and Beyond is a new, six day cycling adventure that takes in some of the most scenic coastal scenery and lighthouses on the west, south, and eastern shores of Prince Edward Island.  Cycle through beautiful Green Gables scenery on the Gulf Shore, indulge in fine dining in pretty St Peter’s Bay and marvel at the world’s longest bridge above ice-covered water. Departing between June and September, the trip costs $2,490 per person, which includes 6 nights accommodation, cycling equipment (e bikes available), luggage transfers and some meals.

The new seven-day Yukon Adventure combines guided day hikes in the UNESCO-listed Kluane National Park with canoeing on the Yukon River and opportunities to learn about First Nations’ culture and history.  The area encompasses the world’s largest non-polar ice-fields and 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains, as well as being home to abundant wildlife.  The new trip departs 30 July and 27 August and costs $3,790 per person, which includes six-nights hotel accommodation, services of a professional guide, transfers, transport and most meals.

For more information, call 1300 720 000 or visit www.worldexpeditions.com.

Wild Bush Luxury announces exclusive photographic safari with Canon Master Richard I’Anson at Arkaba & Lake Eyre

Image: Richard I’Anson

Wild Bush Luxury, Australia’s conservation tourism specialist offering exclusive and inspirational experiences to reconnect guests with the land, has set the dates for a five-day photography safari with leading Australian travel photographer Richard I’Anson – author of Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography, a Canon Master and World Nomads Mentor.

Eight budding photographers will have the opportunity to capture the surreal beauty of Arkaba Conservancy & Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre between 26–30 August 2019.

The Capturing Arkaba and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Photographic Safari will be accented with Wild Bush Luxury’s signature touches and warm hospitality and is priced at $6,850 per adult twin-share or $8,990 per adult single occupancy.

For bookings and enquiries contact Wild Bush Luxury on 1300 790 561 or enquire@wildbushluxury.com or visit https://www.arkabaconservancy.com/photographic-safari/

Sno’n’Ski Holidays releases earliest-ever ski Northern Hemisphere brochure

Sno’n’Ski has released its Ski Northern Hemisphere brochure weeks earlier than expected. The 99-page brochure is packed with maps, information and package prices for the Northern Hemisphere’s leading ski resorts.

Sno’n’Ski’s brochure launch comes hot on the heels of an announcement that the wholesaler’s annual Mega Fam will be heading to the USA for the first time in 2020. Agents can look forward to an initial distribution in store this week and contact TIFs to order further copies. To view the brochure online, click here.

The next Sno’n’Ski Mega Fam will travel to Aspen, Snowmass, Steamboat and Park City in March 2020 and is open to Australian and Kiwi travel agents. To qualify, agents must be among the top sellers of Sno’n’Ski accommodation and lift packages, with one booking to a USA Mega Fam partner resort required at a minimum.

Extra points are awarded for any bookings that have attached Virgin Australia or Delta flights, ticketed through Sno’n’Ski.

For more information, contact Sno’n’Ski on 1300 766 754 or info@snonski.com.au.

TTC announcements: weekly brand deals, Trafalgar releases 2020 USA & Canada itineraries, Contiki launches new innovative water bottle to save on single use plastics

Insight Vacations

Grand Italy & Sicily

Book before 31 May and save up to $2160* per couple with Insight Vacations’ last minute deals. From picture-perfect Capri to romantic Sicily, guests can discover the very best of Italy on Insights Vacations’ 17 day Grand Italy & Sicily itinerary. Starting from $6,115* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 May 2019 or sold out for departure on 28 June 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com *Conditions Apply.

AAT Kings

Tasmanian Wonders – Air Credit

AAT Kings are offering guests the chance to book selected bestselling Best Buys Guided Holidays now and receive up to $1000 per couple Air Credit to help guests discover the magic of Australia and New Zealand. Guests can use this credit with AAT King’s 10 Day  Tasmanian Wonders journey which offers the ideal introduction to the island state for any guests who have Tasmania on their must-do list. Combining spectacular landscapes with exposure to rich convict history and gourmet artisan produce, it takes guests to unforgettable locations and ensures memorable encounters. Starting from $3525* per person, twin share plus $350 air credit. This offer is on sale now until 31 July 2019 for departures between 11 September 2019 and 25 March 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

Uniworld

Danube Holiday Markets

Picture Perfect Savings – Save up to $1500 per person on select 2019 Holiday Season Cruises for a limited time. Guests can enjoy this offer on Uniworld’s 8 Day Danube Holiday Markets luxury river cruise itinerary.  Guests will celebrate the holiday season in the birthplace of many beloved holiday traditions starting in Budapest then Bratislava, Vienna, through Wachau Valley onto Salzburg before coming to finish in Passau. Starting from $3399* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale from now until until 31 May, for departure on 2 December 2019.

For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions apply.

Busabout

Ultimate Scandi Baltic Adventure plus a FREE Europe 3 Stop Hop-on Hop-off Pass

Add a Europe 3 Stop Hop-on Hop-off Pass for Free when you purchase a full priced 15 day Ultimate Scandi Baltic Adventure with Busabout. Guests can add three amazing cities on the Hop-on Hop-off network to this whirlwind two-week adventure that starts and finishes in Berlin, venturing through Copenhagen’s hippie district, the Baltic’s best bars, and the hippest secrets of Europe. Starting from $2399* per person (free three Stop Hop-on Hop-off Pass worth $299 included). This offer is on sale now until 31 May 2019 for 2019 departure dates only. For more information or to book contact www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226. *Conditions apply.

U By Uniworld

Rolling on the Rhine

Save $750 per person on select departures for a limited time. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 8 Day Rolling on the Rhine itinerary. On this cruise along the Rhine river, guests will get a glimpse into Europe’s history and culture, starting in Amsterdam with stops in Haarlem, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim and Frankfurt, seeing famous artwork and incredible scenery. Starting from $1749* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 May for departures on 13 and 20 July 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.ubyuniworld.com *Conditions apply.

Trafalgar

Cape Town Explorer

Book and pay by 29^th of August to save 5 per cent with Trafalgar on all 2020 Africa itineraries. Your client can lock in these savings on the  8 Day Cape Town Explorer trip where they will experience soul-stirring Cape Town, from the slopes of Table Mountain to the golden vineyards of the Cape Winelands, and see the best Cape Town has to offer. Starting from $3320* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is on sale now until August 29 for departure dates between 4 January and 26 December 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 78 78 78 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.

Traflagar has also released its itineraries for travels to USA and Canada in 2020, including 12 new trips and experiences. These include ‘Scenic Wonders of Newfoundland, Labrador and Ile Saint Pierre’, ‘Southwest Native Trails’, and ‘The Great Trans-Canadian Journey’. For more information, visit www.trafalgar.com.

Contiki

Berlin to Budapest

Save up to $647 with Contiki’s European Flash Sale! Travellers can enjoy these savings on Contiki’s 13 Day Berlin to Budapest journey. There’ll be no tired icons on the Berlin to Budapest, and we won’t be queuing in lines. We’ll be too busy sampling Czech craft beer & soaking up Krakow’s salt mines on this adventure through Dresden, Prague, Krakow, Auschwitz, Banska Bystrica and Budapest. Starting from $2588* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 31 May 2019 for departures on 1 and 29 July 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com *Conditions Apply.

Contiki has also introduced a new, eco-friendly filtering water bottle encouraging travellers to reduce their plastic usage every time they travel.

The Contiki Water Bottle is a travel-friendly water bottle featuring a high-grade silicone body that can be folded up for easy carrying while not in use. The advanced in-built 2-stage filtration system removes 99.7 per cent of bacteria, creating cleaner, safer drinking water anywhere in the world and removing the need for buying harmful single-use plastics.

The Contiki Water Bottle is just one part of the delivery of Contiki’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Having already removed most single use plastics from Contiki offices worldwide, Contiki is committed to removing all unnecessary single use plastics from its supply chain and on all trips by 2022.

For a limited time, the Contiki Water Bottle is being sold at a reduced not-for-profit price of $21.75 including worldwide shipping, to encourage travellers to ditch plastics on their travels once and for all.

Travellers can buy the bottle directly at The Basement, Contiki’s jump-off point for its Europe trips starting in London, on-trip in most regions or order the bottle online at contiki.com/water bottle.

Alaskan small group tours on sale with Grand American Adventures

Grand American Adventures’ 15 per cent off flash sale is now on for selected Alaskan journeys scheduled to travel before 30 September 2019.

Book a holiday with Grand American Adventures, the North American specialists, before the end of May and customers could save up to 15 per cent on selected departures.

To book simply contact Grand American Adventures’ Australian-based reservation team on 1300 030 714, or email sales@grandamericanadventures.com.au.

Bentours: celebrates Norway National Day with flash sale, save 75 per cent on second passenger on Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Voyages

Bentours joined in the celebrations on 17 May with a friendly competition of desk decorations in their Melbourne office. (Pictured: Bentours reservations, operations and marketing departments.)

17 May 1814 marks the day the Constitution of Norway was passed unanimously by the Eidsvoll Assembly, and this date has been a cause for celebration every year since.

To continue the celebrations and mark this special occasion, Bentours have released a May special with 17 per cent off its “Complete Norway” tour (pg60 brochure) for travel in July, August and September 2019. Book and deposit by end of May to take advantage of this offer.

To celebrate Norwegian National Day (17 May), Bentours and Hurtigruten are also offering 75 per cent off a second passenger on Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Voyages on selected departures from Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen, Bergen-Kirkenes and Kirkenes-Bergen on bookings made from 17 May 2019 to 30 June 2019.

For Selected departures between July 2019 – September 2019. Contact Bentours for more details.