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Issue 2: Saturday, 4 August 2018
Win a trip to Berlin
The German National Tourist Office together with Scoot Airlines and Pullman Hotels is offering two return flights and two nights accommodation in the heart of Berlin.
Dive into Berlin’s rich history, visit the famous Christmas markets, the DDR Museum or shop up a storm at Mauer Park’s flea markets. You have until August 20, 2018 to enter. More details here
Smart holiday guide
Want a good value ticket to The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London? You might prefer Mamma Mia! at the Novello. Or perhaps the Warner Brothers Harry Potter studio tour? How about a Skip the Line guided tour of The Louvre in Paris?
You can scout around for the individual booking sites – but Ryanair has already packaged these and hundreds of other holiday activities for visitors. Have a look at tickets.ryanair.com
Key to Vienna
If you are heading to lovely Vienna this year don’t forget to order the city’s visitor card and get the most out of your visit. Choose from a 24, 48 or 72 hour Vienna City Card and for a start enjoy free travel on public transport.
The goodies don’t end there – also free are Hop On Hop Off bus tours and you will enjoy more than 210 discounts on everything from museum entry to heuriger (wine tavern) visits. More details, www.viennapass.com
Anantara luxury 35% off
Anantara Resorts a name to remember if you are looking for a more luxurious holiday in exciting destinations around the world. Right now you can save save up to 35% when you book a longer stay. See each resort for other deals.
I still talk about my few days with the giants at the Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Thailand. Find an island. Swim with mantas. Discover romance in the desert. Hit the town – in Bangkok or Bali, Doha or Dubai. More details, anantara.com
High speed specials
Rail Europe is offering a series of specials. Italy’s Trenitalia trains will take you to the heart of Venice for up to 50% off.
Book by August 29. Save up to 48% on Thalys bookings of premium tickets until August 27. Routes include Paris to/from German and Belgian destinations excluding Brussels and Antwerpen. Any train ticket booked to/from Milan or Fidenza gets you VIP benefits at Italy’s premier shopping outlets or book 1st or 2nd class French train tickets and enjoy shopping benefits at benefits at La Vallée Village Paris. Details,raileurope.com.au
Four reasons to cruise
Holland America is offering guests not one but four offers on any stateroom. The four deals are: Signature Beverage Package * Pinnacle Grill dinner * Reduced fares for 3rd/4th guests * 50% reduced deposit.
If you book a suite you get an extra $US200 onboard money as well. Choose from more than 600 cruises. The company is also celebrating a new ship due to be launched in December. Oprah Winfrey will serve as godmother of Nieuw Statendam. More details, hollandamerica.com
No single supplement
Here is a pretty amazing offer for single travellers from a premium specialty cruise line. Travel on one of Hurtigruten’s selected coastal routes between now and September 2018 and pay no single supplement.
It has long been my ambition to see the Northern Lights while sailing through sheltered coastal waters with the Aurora Borealis set against a dark sky, free from artificial light. If mother nature turns nasty and the lights do not appear – you receive another cruise free. More details email Gerd Wilmer Gerd@landmarktravel.com.au
New for pilgrims
The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage trails across Europe dating back to the Middle Ages. Two new Camino walk and coach guided tours for 2019 are the Camino del Norte and the Camino Portugues.
These tours gives pilgrims the best of both worlds: combining sightseeing in some of the most important towns and monuments along the way with easy two-hour walks in scenic sections of the routes. More details, caminoways.com
New York value
I often get asked where I stay in New York. After a good deal of research some years ago I settled on the Viceroy Central Park – comfortable, not too expensive – and I really enjoy a drink in the evening at the rooftop bar.
The boutique hotel is sited on West 57th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Right now get up to $US25 off your rate and a $50 dining/beverage credit.
More details here
Cruise to Saint Petersburg
The battle for cruise passengers gets tougher every day as bigger ships hit the waves and passengers demand more interesting itineraries. One destination growing in popularity is Northern Europe – in particular Saint Petersburg Russia following the FIFA World Cup.
CTC has released a fly cruise deal departing Australia on May 12 next year that includes flexible return airfares, transfers to/from port to airport, one night’s accommodation in Copenhagen plus an 18 night cruise onboard MSC Poesia priced from $6399pp. Balcony cabins start at $7389pp – amazing value really. More details, www.msccruises.com.au
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