Ian McIntosh’s Top10 Travel Deals
Are you covered by insurance?
The World Health Organization is closely monitoring the situation. Talk to your doctor before travelling with children, if you are pregnant or have a weak immune system. Also check with your travel agent, airline, cruise operator, and travel insurance provider to consider your options. Wash your hands – as soap or hand-gels can kill the virus. Avoid touching the eyes nose and mouth – if your hands touch a surface contaminated by the virus this could transfer the virus into your body.
Masks and gloves on aircraft?
Forget face masks and rubber gloves. The best way to avoid the coronavirus is frequent hand washing, according to a medical adviser to the world’s airlines. The virus can’t survive long on seats or armrests, so physical contact with another person carries the greatest risk of infection on a flight, said David Powell, a physician and medical adviser to the International Air Transport Association. Masks and gloves do a better job of spreading bugs than stopping them, he said.
Winter in Switzerland by rail
Experience the magic of snow-capped peaks, alpine towns and world-famous scenic train travel with Webjet’s new 12 day Swiss Winter Wonderland tour. Enjoy two world-famous rail journeys : Golden Pass Line and Glacier Express, as you travel to Lucerne, Mount Rigi, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt and Chur. Other highlights include a horse-drawn sleigh ride, boat cruise and cogwheel train journey. Daily departures are available for travel between January – April 2021. Cost is from $3999. Details here
Cruise to some excellent deals
Scenic’s 2021 Europe River Cruise program includes some great deals. Book before 30 April 2020 and enjoy flights to Europe when booking any suite on a cruise of 11 days or longer or upgrade to business class from $3,995pp. Solo travellers – get 50% off for when booking a suite on selected departures of 11 days or longer. Pay in full by 31 May 2020 and get a $600 per couple discount. Conditions apply. Details here
Tiwi Islands footy final and art show
The people of Tiwi Islands are gearing up to celebrate the 50th Grand Final & Art Sale in March. In what is one of the Northern Territory’s most anticipated annual events, thousands are expected to make the journey to Bathurst Island to witness and partake in artwork auctions before kicking back to watch the community’s beloved footy grand final. This event is truly different in every sense. More details here
New walks in the UK
Active Europe holiday specialist, UTracks announces three new walks in the UK for 2020. Its England walks lead to London and cross the Cotswolds. Its Scotland trip travels the Great Glen Way. The Thames Path East commences from the rowing capital Henley-on-Thames to time keeper Greenwich via notable places as Marlow, Eton, Windsor and London. The 130 kilometre self guided walk takes nine days with stops at Kew Gardens, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and the Tower of London. Details https://www.utracks.com
Cruising away from kids
Looking forward to an adults-only all-inclusive cruise? According to Cruise Critic there are four cruise lines that have policies that exclude children but they don’t offer itineraries in Australia which leaves Viking as the most convenient operator. The minimum age to sail on Viking Ocean Cruises’ worldwide sailings is 18. Viking’s identical ships carry 930 passengers, and all cabins have private balconies. Details here
Forbidden Kingdom – Saudi Arabia
Crooked Compass is challenging curious and sophisticated travellers to think differently about four destinations not commonly found on bucket-lists: Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chechnya and Palestine. The boutique tour operator is offering small group itineraries departing throughout 2020 and 2021. Saudi Arabia, described as one of the world’s last true frontiers and most misunderstood nations recently opened its previously forbidden doors to travellers, Have a look here
25% off cruises to Antarctica & the Arctic
Greg Mortimer & Sylvia Earle voyages are well known around the globe for their small, personal voyages and exceptional commitment to protecting the environment. Not only are the ships the world’s most sustainable state-of-the-art expedition vessels – the Greg Mortimer and the soon-to-sail Sylvia Earle are the among lowest polluting marine engines in the industry. Check out the deals, in Aussie dollars, here
Swap black cabs for bikes
Thanks to Eurostar, Going from London to the Netherlands and back is about to get easier. Seats are now on sale for new direct return trains to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. From just £35 each way you can go from the heart of one city to the centre of the other and back again. No airport transfers. No need to get off the train at Brussels. The first direct return train leaves Amsterdam Centraal on 30 April 2020. And Rotterdam on May 18, 2020. Have a look here
Written by Ian McIntosh’s
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