Asia
Seniors’ airfares
Take the strain out of long haul travel and treat yourself with these special Seniors Airfares from Thai Airways.
There’s a choice of destinations within Thailand with fares to Bangkok in Royal Silk Business Class starting from $3,432 per person plus taxes; Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani or Krabi from $3,614 per person plus taxes; Koh Samui from $3,740 plus taxes. Royal Silk Class fares to Europe start from $6,313 per person plus taxes to a choice of cities: Athens, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Zurich, London or Madrid.
Why not stopover in Bangkok and spoil yourself with a 5-star luxury hotel stay from only $110 per person share twin? Staying at the riverside Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers – a perfect location for sightseeing, shopping and a pampering Spa treatment.
If you don’t have time to stopover, THAI has special combination fares that allow travel up to Bangkok in Royal Silk Business Class and then Royal First Class into these cities: Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Paris, Rome, Zurich, London or Madrid. Fares start from $7,596 per person for the combination fares. As a bonus for transit travellers, THAI’s Royal Orchid Spa Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport offers exclusive treatments for Royal Silk and Royal First Class travellers.
Seats are limited so advance bookings are recommended. For more information and bookings, contact your travel agent or visit Thai Airways.
Royal India
India has a choice of accommodation styles from deluxe hotels to mountain chalets, jungle lodges and houseboats. However, for a unique experience, there’s little to compare with choosing a palace hotel.
There are a number of gorgeous maharajah palaces and forts all over the country that have now been converted into grand hotels with all the mod cons. There are also a number of newer hotels that are built like palaces, much sought after by visiting presidents, prime ministers and film stars.
Many of the palace hotels have been used by Hollywood and Bollywood filmmakers as sets that needed no embellishment.
You can find a royal residence in the middle of a lake, in a forest, desert or on a hilltop. Great for trying out the royal lifestyle and what could be better for a second honeymoon – or just a romantic holiday.
The largest number of royal palaces and heritage properties are all in the state of Rajasthan, which is studded with legendary forts and is the home of some of India’s most colourful people. An added attraction of these hotels there is that there is every chance of actually meeting up with some of the royal family who are still in residence at some of their properties.
Another great maharajah experience is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, on a mountain ridge around a serene 100-acre royal estate. It is the Ananda Royal Spa, based on the philosophy of holistic health and well-being developed by the sages in India at least 3000 years ago and now much sought after around the world.
For more information contact India Tourism Sydney on (02) 9211 9555, email: , or visit Incredible India
Indian summer
Many people shy away from India during its summer months but if you can stand the heat, summer is a great time to visit India.
There is a lot of misconception out there why India cannot be visited in summer. Not all true. There is a lot you can do in summer and the best part is that there are always some great deals in the off season.
So why else would you visit India in the hot summer months? Some of the best reasons are:
· The best value possible - you get to stay in some of the finest hotels in the world at prices that you would pay for a 4 star hotel in the winter.
· For wildlife lovers, late April and May are the best times of year to see the famous Indian tiger. This elusive animal stays closer to the water during this time and is more easily seen.
· It’s cooler than you think! Particularly in the desert regions of Rajasthan, the peak heat is between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm, when you could relax and enjoy the hotel. Unless of course, you are out shopping. The variety of bargains makes a bit of summer heat quite acceptable! Or, enjoy a refreshing drink by the hotel pool. Sightseeing can be done in relative comfort in the early mornings and the evenings.
· The Indian summer is not much hotter than many other destinations that you would consider in the summer months - Dubai, Spain, Miami, etc.
· Enjoy the monuments without the crowds - you have the luxury of taking time to enjoy the monuments in the cities you visit, without having hundreds of tour buses present at the same time.
· Enjoy the hotels - with lower summer occupancies, you can enjoy the hotels to their fullest. Use the spa without having to book it in advance, step into the restaurants without a reservation, have the pool to yourself.
Don’t discount India in the summer just because it hot, enjoy all this wonderful country has to offer any time of the year.
If you would like to explore how you can make India a special destination this summer, please contact India Tourism Sydney on (02) 9221 9555, or email .
Coming of age
This year Helen Wong celebrates 21 years in the travel industry with an amazing seven day package, including return airfares and accomodation to Beijing from $1699.
From small beginnings in Sydney’s western suburbs, Helen Wong’s Tours have grown to one of Australia’s market leaders in tour group travel to China and Asia. Back in the ‘70s, China was mysterious and full of intrigue to the outside world, as indeed it still is today. Since then, with the growth in tourism, China is easily accessible to the western world, yet still offers all the magic of an exotic foreign land. Through many trips to China and experiences in operating tours for Australians, Helen Wong has developed individual and exciting tours that appeal to many tourists.
In addtion to the seven day package, her Best of China, a 15 day tour for $3369 is also excellent value.
For more information on what Helen Wong has to offer, click on the tours below.
Beijing Seven Days
Best of Beijing
Seniors save on business class fares
Treat yourself to a little luxury on your next overseas trip with Thai Airway’s seniors’ business class fares to Thailand and Europe.
Thai’s special seniors’ fares are now available for travel until March 2009! Seats are limited so book early for fares in Royal Silk Business class to Thailand or a combination of Royal Silk/Royal First class to Europe.
Royal Silk Class to Bangkok from $3945* return
or Europe from $7275* return
For more information or to book flights, contact you travel agents or visit Thai Airways.
*Conditions apply. Fares shown are based on departures from Sydney and include all taxes, levies and government surcharges, correct at 15 July 2008 and subject to change depending on the final itinerary. Combination Business/First Class fares are also available to Europe starting from $8559 return including taxes. Fares are also available from Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Royal First Class is available between Bangkok and London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and Zurich.
Tibetan prayers
For those wary of travelling to Tibet in the current political climate, India offers a welcome alternative to find your nirvana.
In South Karnataka, in the Bylakuppe area, exists perhaps India’s biggest Tibetan settlement. Maroon and yellow are the prominent colors that greet you as the monks go about their prayers, flags carrying the peoples prayers to heaven, flutter in the breeze and peace reigns all around.
The imposing Golden Temple, also known as the Namdroling Monastery stands in peaceful splendor just a mile and a bit from Bylakuppe. Completed in 2004 and consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself, the Namdroling Monastery was established by Pema Norbu Rinpoche and a handful of monks after leaving Tibet.
As you walk around Bylakuppe you feel transported to the Himalayan highlands, away from the dust and heat of Karnataka. The architecture, the peace loving Tibetans, and the smiling children, all create the ambience of the land left behind. At the heart is of course the Monastery. Walk down the prayer wheel corridor which circumambulates the monastery, rotating the prayer wheels for good karma as you walk, and perhaps a little bit of peace will rub off on you.
Soon you will hear chanting of the monks here to study the Buddhist sutras. Centuries ago, travellers came from Tibet, making the journey down uncharted roads, braving great odds to take back Buddhist sutras to their land, and plant the Buddhist faith there. Today, ousted from their land, they have settled at the Namdroling monastery to learn the sutras. Their studies will take the best part of a decade. Stand mesmerised as you watch them study and conduct their rituals of blowing the 20 feet long prayer horns, chanting in sonorous tones.
The monastery has exquisite interiors with carved wooden beams and colourfully painted murals. The seated 60 feet high golden idols of Buddha, Padmasmbhava and Amitayush face Tibet, perhaps nurturing the hopes of the Tibetan community in exile to go back one day. Guru Padmasamdhava who took Buddhism to Tibet is highly venerated. The peaceful expression on the face of the Buddha is enough to calm the most stressed out city-dweller, and as you go outside, you see the same peaceful expression on many faces.
Besides the Namdroling Monastry (of the Nyingma tradition) there are two other monasteries not far away at Sera. The “Sera The” monastery is the centre of Vajrayana Buddhism and close by is the Tashilunpo Monastery or “Sera Mey”. Music is an integral part of the study and worship at the monasteries here. Each February, there is a music festival held with artists and musician coming from around the world. The music is eclectic and even rock and rap are heard besides the sonorous Buddhist chants.
Signs of the modern world can be seen all around, such as monks wearing sneakers, however, the memory of Tibet that the people here nurture in their hearts cannot be wished away, with over 5000 monks seeking initiation here.
For more information, contact India Tourism, Sydney on (02) 92551 9555, email or click here.
Spice of life
Goa, on India’s West Coast between Bombay (Mumbai) and Cochin (Kocchi), is where time slows down, but never quite stands still.
With a flavour all of its own - heady, exciting, yet laid back and quixotic, not unlike the brew that true Goans swear by – Feni. Lovingly concocted from the cashew apple, and definitely an acquired taste, Feni can be savoured alone or in the company of good friends. Its potency can assault the senses of the uninitiated from about a mile away.
Goa was discovered by the Portuguese almost 500 years ago, plenty of time to influence and be influenced. Grand old churches dot the countryside, and, being a friendly lot, the Portuguese left a lot of names behind - Fernandeses, D’Sousas and Pintos are as common as coconut palms or the murmur of the sea.
In Goa, first names can be quite intriguing. They are based on feasts in the Catholic calendar, and you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with an Assumption or an Ascension, but pity the poor innocent born on the feast of the Circumcision of Christ! There are quite a few.
Goa was the first stop in Europe’s search for a direct route to the spice wealth of India’s Malabar Coast, but in Goa, the term “spice of life” gets new meaning, especially when it comes to seafood. Beach stalls compete with plush beach resorts to serve up the catch of the day almost directly from the fishing nets. The Goans have succeeded in cross fertilising Portuguese with Indian, coming up with a cuisine all their own.
You can fly to Goa from Bombay, take the train or (in season only) a fast ferry. For more information call India Tourist Office, Sydney 9221 9555, or click here.
Bowled over
It’s not just cricket that makes India such an interesting travel destination for Australians, there’s plenty more on offer.
Once Australia and India were part of the British Empire and even though both have gained their independence, they still have much in common. The English language for one, even if respective pronunciation may differ and trade for another, with bi-lateral trade growing at an amazing pace, it would seem that Australian’s have been curried away by Indian cuisine and, Bollywood is here to stay.
You can’t help being amazed by what is happening in the melting pot that is India. Today it is a proud nation, the world’s largest democracy but it has absorbed and evolved from a variety of influences. For centuries it was eyed by the world, some came to trade, others to learn, some to plunder, others to conquer. This could easily have been a recipe for disaster. Instead India has come through as a country that reflects all that has gone before, working in harmony for all that lies ahead.
But cricket and travel are perhaps the ties that really bind the two countries. Today there’s more cricket being played between India and Australia than ever before, increasing travel in both directions, leading to greater understanding. We are sure the trend will continue to grow because once you have been to India, you will want to again, there’s just too much to see in a single visit.
Whatever the outcome on the field, the Indian’s love of cricket will make sure they won’t hold it against Australians! Cricket, incredible cricket. Just sit back and enjoy the game.
For more information on incredible India, click here.
Royal India
India has a choice of accommodation styles from deluxe hotels to mountain chalets, jungle lodges and houseboats. But for a unique experience, there’s little to compare with choosing a palace hotel.
There are a number of gorgeous maharajah palaces and forts all over the country that have now been converted into grand hotels with all the mod cons. Besides there are a number of newer hotels that are built like palaces. Much sought after by visiting presidents, Prime Ministers and film stars.
Mr. Shanker Dhar, Regional Director for Australasia at India Tourism Sydney, told us “Hollywood filmmakers have used these palace hotels as sets that needed no embellishment.”
You can find a royal residence in the middle of a lake, in a forest, desert or on a hilltop. Great for trying out the royal lifestyle. “What could be better for a honeymoon – or just a romantic holiday?” asked Dhar. “And with India’s economy booming, itinerant business people could spoil themselves with a relaxing royal break.”
The largest number of royal palaces and heritage properties are all in the state of Rajasthan which is studded with legendary forts and is the home of some of India’s most colourful people. What could be an added attraction is that at these hotels there is every chance of actually meeting up with some of the royal family who are still in residence at some of their properties.
Another great maharajah experience is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, on a mountain ridge around a serene 100-acre royal estate. It is the Ananda Royal Spa, based on the philosophy of holistic health and well-being developed by the sages in India at least 3000 years ago and now much sought after around the world.
For more information contact INDIA TOURISM SYDNEY. Phone (02) 9211 9555; Fax (02) 9211 9777. Email: Website:www.incredibleindia.org
Cruising the Yangtze
One of the greatest rivers in the world – the mighty Yangtze River of China – captures the essence of true natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. Imagine nine glorious days onboard your five-star Victoria Cruise ship, experiencing quality personal touches and impeccable service that defines luxury cruising.
First port of call on your nine-day cruise is Nanjing, a city renowned for beautiful gardens and broad, tree-lined boulevards. Next day, experience the mountain scenery of Huangshan, which has been the inspiration of numerous Chinese poets and painters throughout the centuries. Finally, spend day three in Wuhan, one of China’s largest cities and known as ‘the passageway to nine provinces’.
Then it will be time to continue to enjoy spectacular days sailing along the mighty Yangtze and strolling through charming rural towns during your shore excursions. Relax and marvel at the breathtaking scenery as steep cliffs rise from the water’s edge to form fantastically shaped peaks and pinnacles. Cruise to Chongqing through the famous three gorges of Xiling, Wu and Qutan, which together are considered the most stunning stretch of the river.
Imagine a tour designed to capture the most beautiful natural scenery imagineable with the ancient and historical discoveries of Xian and Beijing. Helen Wong’s Tours have planned a wonderful tour specifically for our @boutSeniors readers that is brimming with quality inclusions and attractions.
The @boutSeniors China Experience tour departs 3 April 2008. Tour Cost: $5460.00 per person share twin plus taxes (Approx. $420.00) Single Supplement: $1860.00 per person. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to travel to new places with new friends on a journey that is as historically intriguing as it is scenically stunning. Seats are limited – for further information, please contact Helen Wong’s Tours Group Division on (02) 9267 8229 or 1300 788 328, or click here
Thai airways international
THAI has completed the refit of its fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft and has also added the new 777-200ER to the network. Both aircraft operate between the east coast of Australia and Bangkok, and onwards to 10 of THAI’s 12 European cities and Johannesburg.
The Airbus A340-500 operates from Bangkok non-stop to Los Angeles and New York. THAI’s new luxurious Royal Silk Business Class features capsule-style seats in a 2-2-2 forward configuration, with an 167-degree recline, leg and footrests. All seats have personal entertainment systems, phone handsets and 115v AC power outlets. Cabins are fitted with mood lighting; passengers receive noise-cancelling headphones and duck-down pillows, and toilets have been refitted and enlarged. THAI is now flying 36 times a week from Australia to Bangkok and to over 70 destinations worldwide. For more information and the latest fares, contact travel agents or log on to www.thaiairways.com.au.
Discovering Chinese Gardens
For those who enjoy visiting gardens when they travel, a Chinese Garden Tour with Botanica World Discoveries will provide a combination of the iconic sights and culture of China with the added dimension of visiting a diverse range of Chinese gardens.
The Chinese have been enjoying gardens for over 2000 years and many of the plants we enjoy today originated in China. It wasn’t until botanical explorers from the west began to visit China in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however, that the spread of these plants began.
Rhododendrons, camellias, peony roses, chrysanthemum, banksia rose and wisteria are just a few of our garden plants that still grow wild in parts of China today.
Early landscape design also had its origins in China and when you visit Chinese gardens today, you can see the design principles that the European designers are so keen on today. Symbolism has always been an important element of Chinese garden design, but they also like to let the garden unfold gradually so there is always another surprise awaiting the visitor around the next corner. Those inside are able to appreciate the garden through small windows that frame a particular element of the garden, creating a picture.
Departing in May in order to enjoy the Chinese spring flowering season of particular interest to garden enthusiasts, the tour will include visits to Suzhou, Hangzhou and Kunming accompanied by botanical guide, Teena Crawford.
Also included are Shanghai, Beijing, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors and visits to Cashmere and Silk factories. For more information call 1800 335 003 or click here
