International Travel

The AboutSeniors travel pages provide you with extensive information and links to a variety of travel options. Plus there’s a page on travel insurance and answers to all our subscribers’ travel-related questions. 

Santa’s health statement

Santa is getting on in years, but still he is able to deliver presents all over the world.  So just what is the secret of his good health?

Despite his actual age, Santa remains youthful and has undergone an examination at Lapland Central Hospital, carried out by Dr. Eija Suorsa, with the help of the Artic Circle Elfontology Specialist.  Findings are that Santa has a good heart, excellent eyesight and his hearing exceeds all official requirements and is therefore ready for his Christmas mission.

Santa Claus has revealed that a good night’s sleep and Christmas porridge is the secret of his continued good health.  And Santa’s four legged friends have also been keeping fit, practicing their flying techniques through Autumn, the reindeers have also been given the fitness thumbs up.

Thanks to the elves, Santa is able to receive visitors to his Finnish Lapland home, all year round.  He welcomes visitors to Santa Claus’ Village at Rovaniemi, on the Artic Circle, even in the middle of summer.  For details of where Santa lives, visit Santa Claus Village.

A six day tour from Australia to Finland starts from $2,930 per person. For more details Visit Finland.

Money safe travelling

With summer holidays just around the corner, many of us will be making use of our credit cards when travelling.  But just how do we keep our hard earned money safe?

VISA have issued a guide to using your credit card when travelling overseas. Common sense should prevail but with the excitement of being in an exotic land, it’s easy to forget the basics

For money safe travelling, view VISA’s top tips or for more information on using VISA when travelling overseas, visit www.visa.com.au

Greatest love story ever written

The Taj Mahal is a tribute to Mumtaz Mahal the dearly loved wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Completed in 1648 (and costing the then fortune of 32 million rupees) it took some 20,000 workers 22 years to create this perfect structure of white marble. Situated in Agra in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the building is both a dream, and a monument. It commemorates Mumtaz Mahal who married Shah Jahan when she was just 14. She bore him 14 children, dying the day after giving birth to their last child, a daughter. The Emperor spent the next 22 years overseeing the creation of this symbol of beauty and purity to enshrine forever the memory of his wife.

The Taj Mahal is a sensuous mix of architectural styles from India, Persia (modern day Iran), Turkey, and parts of Islam. Long considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
View some of the other wonders of the world on YouTube now.

Destination guides

Have a look at some of these top destinations Imaginative Traveller can take you to before making up your mind where to travel.
Asia
Middle East
Central Asia
Africa
Europe
Antartica
Central America
South America
South East Asia

‘Brochure Launch Discount’ conditions

As with all good deals, there are certain terms and conditions that need to be met.  As a guide, these are the general conditions to receive the Brochure Launch Discount;

1. Discount applies to new reservations from 1 Nov 2008 only
2. Applies to any group tour, but excludes tours which include a Galapagos Island cruise.
3. Only a deposit of $330 per person is required to confirm you tour and the discount.
4. The tour must commence between 1 Jan and 31 Dec 09. 
5. Discounts do not apply to polar cruises, independent tours and extensions, city starter tours, extra services and donations.
6. No other discount can apply in conjunction with this brochure launch promotion

Early Bird discount

If you’re not quite ready to make your booking with Imaginative Traveller just yet then don’t worry, you won’t miss out completely.  Book any trip from the 2009 Worldwide brochure six months before your departure date and you’ll qualify for our Early Bird 5% discount. In addition, if you have travelled with Imaginative Traveller before you qualify for a 5% loyalty discount on all tours.

For more details, request Imaginative Traveller’s 2009 Worldwide brochure.

Save on The Road to Zanzibar tour

As an example of the brochure launch discounts you can enjoy from Imaginative Traveller, The Road to Zanzibar tour of Kenya and Tanzania offers a saving of $1,583 per couple. 

The maximum group size for this tour is 15, ensuring an intimate experience of this spicy region.  Included in the tour are;
• tourist class hotels and lodges
• private transport
• tour leader
• extensive game viewing/drives
• visit to the Spice Island of Zanzibar

For more details, request Imaginative Traveller’s 2009 Worldwide brochure.

Exclusive airfares

When booking an Imaginative Traveller you can take advantage of new and exclusive airfares with Singapore Airlines, to link Australia with their tours across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Combine these exclusive airfares with their 15% ‘Brochure Launch Tour Discount’ and it’s never been cheaper and easier to travel to the Indian Sub-continent. A16-day ‘Rajasthan Explorer’ tour costs from $2,465 including flights from most Australian capitals, plus a local payment of Indian Rupee 8,000 (approx. A$245) and approximate taxes of A$598.
If a little more luxury is your style, try a 21-day ‘Amongst the Maharajahs’ tour of the Heritage Hotels and Palaces of Rajasthan from $3,615 including flights, plus a local payment of India Rupee 16,000 (approx. A$495) and approximate taxes of A$598.

Or take the family on an 11-day ‘Tigers & Taj’ family adventure (flight inclusive) from $2,920 (Adult) and $2,620 (Child), plus a local payment of Indian Rupee 10,000 (approx. A$310) and approximate taxes of A$598. Conditions apply.  For details, visit Imaginative Traveller.

New tours for 2009

Be one of the first to experience fantastic new tours on offer for 2009.
Imaginative Traveller have let their imaginations run wild and come up with some fabulous new trips to intriguing destinations such as Angola, Uganda, Libya, Oman and Papua New Guinea and hidden corners of India, Europe and Jordan.

Also new for 2009 are unusually themed trips exploring India’s spirituality, the different tribes of Tanzania, learning bush skills in Kenya, cycling tours through Thailand or Cuba and a fabulous volunteer trip in Namibia. And last but not least, an exhilarating land-based multi-activity trip to the fabulous Galapagos Islands! For more information, visit Imaginative Traveller. 

Picture perfect

Always fancied yourself as the new Terence Donovan, or just happy to be a budding amateur photographer?
Perfect your photographic skills and join Australian based Pro Photographer, Sharon Hickey, on a special interest ‘Photographic’ tour. These adventures visit some of the most visually stunning sights the world has to offer for an eye-opening insight into photography and travel. For more information, visit Imaginative Traveller.

Mystery Tour

Life is a mystery, so why should your holiday be any different?

How about the adventure of a lifetime? The most exciting trip you can dream of? A tour beyond the horizon of your imagination… Imaginative Traveller are launching their most ambitious group tour to date. A journey into the Unknown. And they want you to join them!  Throw caution to the wind and visit Imaginative Traveller.

Family adventures

Looking for an imaginative holiday with a difference? Then you are going to love Imaginative family adventures!

Perfect for families keen to see the world’s most exciting destinations with other like-minded families, who want to challenge themselves and encounter fascinating cultures and remarkable scenery. Most parents/grandparents agree that if the children are enjoying themselves then everyone else can too! Thus, Imaginative Traveller have used their knowledge and imagination to create innovative holidays that will keep ALL ages (from 6 year olds to grandparents) stimulated and involved. Their 15-day ‘Fabulous Thailand’ tour costs $1610* (land only) plus a local payment of US$250 per person. *Based on the 15% ‘Brochure Launch Discount’. For more information on family fun, visit Imaginative Traveller.

Cruise the Nile

Travel the land of the sphinx and the Pharaohs, and be amazed at the Jewels of Egypt.

Book by 12 Dec and save $308 (land only) per person on Imaginative Traveller’s most popular tour of Egypt, the 14-day ‘Jewels of Egypt’ tour. Includes all the major highlights, a relaxing Nile Cruise on their very own vessel; MS Melodie, tourist class hotels, all transport, entrance fees and services of an Imaginative Traveller tour leader and Egyptologists at sites. For more information, visit Imaginative Traveller.

Responsible travel

With so much more of the world being accessible to travel these days, the onus is on us to ensure the wonders we visit are safe for future generations of locals and travellers alike.

Tourism is often key for countries to grow but it should never be at the expense of culture or the environment.  Travellers to any country should be aware of the environmental stability of the area and respect this when touring the sights of the land.  Responsible tour operators should have trained staff who are aware of the environmental intricacies of the areas they take tours into, and ensure that the necessary information is passed on to travellers, and encourage them to adhere to the ‘rules’.

The cultural aspects of travel are probably the most important.  The key to enjoying a trip to a remote or culturally diverse land is to see how the natives of that land live, behave and survive sometimes difficult situations.  What we see when travelling is not always pretty and can be distressing, but we must learn to respect that this is the way life is for people and should not force our beliefs and understanding on others.  Before you travel, you should consult a reputable travel guide for information on religion, dress, photography, animal cruelty, shopping etc, or consult your travel agent.

If possible, try to get involved with local projects when you are there, the best way to understand and experience the full joy of where you are visiting is by interacting positively with the locals.  Ask your travel company if they are sponsoring, or know of any projects in the area and try to get involved.

Another part of responsible travel is looking after yourself and the safety of those with which you are travelling.  It’s all well and good to want to visit the remotest areas of the world, but sometimes it is simply not safe to do so.  Before travelling, take into consideration the area you will be visiting and pack accordingly for the weather and terrain. If the area you are travelling to has a high crime rate, leave your valuables at home, simple things like this can save a lot of trouble and heartache in the long run.

For details more details on responsible travel, visit Imaginative Traveller. 

Booking made simple

Book your tour/s, flight and travel insurance with Imaginative Traveller’s dedicated reservations team on 1300 135 088. Let them do the groundwork for you when deciding on international flights. They source their flights daily, giving you the best price from a wide range of airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, LAN, South African Airways and Kenyan Airways. Why book with Imaginative Traveller?

Stay in touch

Stay in touch
Want to keep advised of the best deals and travel information? Sign up to receive Imaginative Traveller’s monthly electronic newsletter ‘E-tracks’, and be the first to know about their latest specials and deals.  To sign up, click here.

Not just for the young

Railplus are running a fantastic, easy-to-enter competition that could have you and three friends jetting off to Europe.

Ignore the fact that this product is marketed towards the young, there are no age restrictions on this great prize, or the services provided by youth rail and entering the competition couldn’t be simpler.  All you have to do is recommend a friend and you could be heading to any European city serviced by Singapore Airlines and enjoying first class rail travel while you’re there.  This package for four is valued at $17,000 and has to be worth clicking through.

Visit youth rail for more information or to enter.

Slow train to Shimla

Escape from the hustle and bustle of India and let the train take the strain while you enjoy some of the most stunning vistas this eclectic country has to offer.

The leisurely pace of train travel in India lets you sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing and panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery, as invigorating air whistles through the carriage. As you chug up the hills, passing through little hamlets and colourful fields, the stresses and strains of the city are left far behind you.

The toy train (how the locals refer to the narrow gauge trains) journey from Kalka to Shilma is lots of fun, taking in 107 lofty bridges and tunnels along the six-hour trip.  Stopping at picturesque stations such as Dharmpore, Taksal and Gamma along the way adds to this enjoyable experience.

With a maximum speed of only 33km an hour, the twisty journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty gives you plenty of time to do nothing more than enjoy the trek across plains, plantations and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall bridges on the way, as well as the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty an extraordinary experience!

Possibly the most famous of all the little train journeys in India, is the trip across the plains from New Jalpaiguri, to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. With only a two-foot gauge, the Darjeeling Hill Railway is the narrowest of the regular gauges. The tiny century-old engine is a connoisseur’s delight, making this ‘toy train’ very popular indeed. With no tunnels along this line, you are treated to an uninterrupted view of the Himalayan scenery on the seven and a half hour journey.

Find out more about the full range of Indian toy train journeys.

And Maccu Pichu itself?

Well, what can we say? We had no idea what a special place this is – and suspect it would take many visits, and much scholarship, to understand the importance of this ancient site.
Located high in the “cloud forest” of the Andes, about 30 kilometres from the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, Maccu Pichu was the special citadel created by Incans in the 15th century for royals, astronomers, and scientists. It is often referred to as a ruin, but this is incorrect. Some 60 percent of the buildings are intact, 30 per cent have been restored, and it sis said that 10 per cent are yet to be discovered. Happily for the Peruvians (not to mention the rest of us), their Spanish conquerors did not discover this abandoned settlement during their time of occupation. In fact, it was only discovered by an American, Hiram Bingham, in the early 20th Century and even he was seeking another site.
Today Maccu Pichu is a peaceful and uplifting reminder of an intelligent, sophisticated and humane civilisation which conquered other tribes, but then encouraged them to assimilate and work toward the common good. Many travellers choose to trek up the Inca Trail to the fortifications, but be warned this is a strenuous four-day challenge, often exacerbated by the effects of altitude sickness caused by the location 2970 metres above sea level. For a less punishing, but still rewarding, visit take the train from Ollyantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and stay at one of the hotels in town. Buses leave every ten minutes for Maccu Pichu and your entry fee entitles you to maximum access all day. You will need to purchase another ticket if you return the next day. For those flush with cash the Hiram Bingham explorer from Cusco offers a luxurious package of train travel, brunch, a guided tour, and cocktails and dinner upon return. But as we said, it’s not about the money…whether you trek, train or bus it in you will find this ancient town in the sky a truly uplifting and extraordinary place.

More
Maccu Pichu - http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html
Hiram Bingham - http://www.railplus.com.au/pass.cfm?pass=hiram-bingham

Favourite 50 year-old

Christmas Island celebrates 50 years of Australian sovereignty with the honour of being named in Sir David Attenborough’s all time top ten nature experiences.

The migration of red crabs was enough to secure the Top Ten slot for Christmas Island, which has so much more on offer. The island’s tourism association has complied a list of 50 things to do on the island, including swimming with whalesharks, sea kayaking to secret caves and discovering over 200 species that exist nowhere else on the planet.

Named by Captain William Mynors when he arrived, but was unable to land, on the island on Christmas Day, 1643. The rugged coasts protected the island from human habitation until 1688, when the English buccaneering ship Cygnet arrived under Captain Swan, recorded the first land on the island.

For many, Christmas Island remains a dot in the Indian Ocean, but with 63% of the island being national park, there is plenty to keep nature lovers interested.

See for yourself the beauty of its natural wonders and discover Christmas Island.

European treks

Surely the best and most satisfying way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Europe is on foot, and is made even more enjoyable when you don’t have to carry your own bags.

Self-guided walking tours are becoming more and more popular as people yearn to see the real countryside, and meet the real people of land they’re visiting.  The logistics can make it difficult but there are companies that will arrange everything for you. Companies such as UTRACKS are ideal for travellers who enjoy independent travel but lack the knowledge or confidence to head off totally on their own

An Australian based company, UTRACKS can arrange walking trekking or cycling tours throughout Europe, either as self guided or small group guided tours. You are provided with maps and itineries which match the pace you wish to travel at, with support on hand for those “just in case” moments. As you enjoy you leisurely, or demanding pathway through untouched areas of Europe, your luggage is transported to wherever you will lay your head that night.

Accommodation is chosen for its comfort, warm welcome and to give you a true taste of the locale you’re visiting.  All you have to do is follow your chosen route, enjoying local hospitality along the way. It really couldn’t be easier, the hardest part will be deciding where to go.

For more information on all the locations and services UTRACK have to offer, visit www.utracks.com.au

Celtic connections

If you’re taking a trip back to Ireland to search for your ancestors then a visit with the Shelbourne Hotel’s Genealogy butler is a must.

Historic Dublin hotel, The Shelbourne has appointed a genealogy butler to help its guests to trace their roots. Helen Kelly, a Dublin native, has for the last 13 years been helping people trace their Irish ancestry and has now taken on the role of genealogy butler at the newly restored and refurbished hotel.

Once a reservation has been made at the Shelbourne, ideally situated on St Stephen’s Green, guest can book the services of Ms Kelly online. The cost of this service is approx $160 per hour, which includes initial research from previously completed questionnaire and an appointment with the genealogy butler at your convenience.

Don’t worry if your search takes you out of Dublin to some of the most picturesque countryside in Ireland, the Shelbourne’s genealogy butler will assist with booking you hotel accommodation at any of the six Marriot International Hotels in Ireland.

For more information and bookings, visit The Shelbourne, Dublin.

Discover India – 10 top tips

About to set off on his 30th trip to this fascinating country, Thomas E. King suggests ten memorable experiences that won’t break the budget in India.

1. Greypower
Travel by caparisoned elephant to the terraced ramparts of Amber Fort, a magnificent sixteenth century fortress-palace near Jaipur in the desert state of Rajasthan. Visit http://www.rajasthantourstravel.com (navigate via ‘Profile’ to ‘Tourist Attractions’ and scroll down to ‘Elephant Safari in Amber Fort’).  You can also elephant-ride in eastern India’s Kaziranga National Park, one of the last refuges of the rare one-horned rhinoceros. Visit www.kaziranga-national-park.com

2. Tea time
Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? A stroll through the lush tea plantations of Darjeeling is a personal favourite, for the incredible panorama it provides of the snow-capped Himalayas. Perched at 2134m, the ridge-hugging town was established by the British as a summer capital in the early nineteenth century. Visit www.indiaprofile.com (click on ‘Tea Tourism in India’)

3. ... or tee time?
The British also introduced golf to India, in 1829 in Calcutta. Today, pocket-pleasing rounds can be played on more than 160 fields of green which range in quality from basic to brilliant. Several western-style sports retreats have been built but I prefer vintage courses where the feel of yesteryear still lingers. Visit http://golfindia.net

4. Hands on
After the game, relax with an aromatic ayurvedic massage. Certified centres are located in many cities although southern Kerala State has virtually cornered the market for picture-perfect ayurvedic spas. It costs around $30 for 45 minutes of fragrant bliss, though some visitors stay for weeks to achieve full benefits from the ‘science of life’. Visit www.incredibleindia.org (navigate via ‘Wellness’ to ‘Ayurveda’) and http://ayurveda.iloveindia.com

5. More in the mind
Yoga centres are also widespread with the Yoga Institute in Mumbai offering week-long residential courses for less than $100. Qualified English-speaking instructors demonstrate time-tested techniques that enhance physical and mental health. Visit www.iloveindia.com/spirituality

6. Food, glorious food
Cooking schools are popular with those who already know that not all Indian food is curry and not all curry is hot. Presented by notables such as Chennai Culinary Institute’s Chandri Bhat (ph 044-28111434), courses in specialities like vegetarian cuisine and Indian sweets cost less than $10 a day.

7. Ride the rails
India has the world’s second largest railway system; although stations in large cities may be somewhat chaotic, the din subsides once you’re cocooned inside a comfortable carriage. Though many domestic airlines across the country, I always look forward to train travel because it’s a great way to savour the countryside and meet like minds. Visit www.seat61.com/India.htm

8. Song and dance
Once at your destination, allocate time for a cultivated evening or three attending a classical music or dance performance. For information and events, visit http://www.artindia.net. If you can go the distance, a marathon length Bollywood epic is an eye opener. Bone up on Bollywood (including cinema locations) at www.indiancinemas.com

9. Just for you
Should you have a specialist interest, devise a personalised itinerary in consultation with a registered tourist guide licensed by the Department of Tourism. Tailor-made tours from $30 a day can incorporate varied interests from exploring British built heritage buildings in major gateways to visiting cottage industry craft centres where artisans still produce masterpieces.

10. Go rural
The current buzz words in India are rural tourism. Designed to alleviate rural poverty, this innovative concept encourages tourists to head into the countryside, to stay in local style lodgings and experience a way of life little changed for centuries. Visit www.exploreruralindia.org

Qantas upgrades

Qantas has announced new ‘premium economy class’ services.

You can now book premium economy seats on Qantas for flights from April 2008. The new service class will be available from Sydney to London or Johannesburg. Flights from Melbourne to London will begin in May 2008 and from Sydney to Hong Kong from August 2008. Premium Economy offers a brand new 19.5-inch wide seat, generous seat recline and leg room (up to 40-inch pitch), 8-inch in-arm touch screen video monitor, ergonomic cushioning and an adjustable headrest and noise-cancelling headsets. Frequent flyers can earn double points on some flights. Priority check-in, dedicated cabin crew, an additional hand baggage allowance and priority boarding and disembarkation are also a part of the new premium economy class.

Holiday in Canada

Has a holiday in Canada been on your mind? Do you want a holiday with culture, history, nature, wide-open spaces and cosmopolitan cities…a holiday with a bit of everything? Creative Holidays can help.

From the vast, glacier-filled sea, to the endless clear blue sky, Canada boasts unforgettable experiences for travellers. Ancient national parks and thousand-year-old pines sprawl across the monumental state, just waiting to be explored. Indigenous fauna present unexpected surprises to those who are watching, from a whale bursting from the deep water, to a brown bear and its cub walking through the forest or a bald eagle soaring magnificently through the air.

No, Canada is not a blander version of the USA. It is a wild northern frontier, which blends traditional culture with cosmopolitan, edgy cities and vast, open natural spaces boasting snow-capped mountains, still lakes, great plains and grasslands, as well as the famous Rocky Mountains.

This year Channel Nine’s Getaway named Canada its ‘Country of the Year’, in testament to this amazing and diverse part of the world. Uncover it for yourself with Creative Holidays’ six-night tour, ‘Sea to Sky Indulgence’, as seen on Getaway in September.

This trip will take you to Vancouver where you can choose which cultural site you’d like to visit – the Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park Carriage or the Vancouver Art Gallery.  You will also enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, which will allow you to appreciate the beauty of this harbour city.

Other highlights include a Rocky Mountain rail journey; Ancient Cedar Walk or Ziptrek Ecotour; a float plane from Whistler to Vancouver and a Victoria City and the choice between a Butchart Gardens tour or whale watching cruise, ensuring you have a taste of all the key west Canadian experiences.

Creative Holidays’ six-day ‘Sea to Sky Indulgence’ tour is priced from $1541 per person, twin share, land only. It includes entry to a Vancouver site, sunset dinner cruise and Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic train ride from Vancouver to Whistler, float plane from Whistler to Victoria, as well as sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary, coach transport and some meals.

Creative Holidays is Australia’s leading independent holiday company with a range of holidays to suit everyone – especially those who enjoy the independence and flexibility of planning their own holiday. Great deals on Creative Holidays packages are available through travel agents. For more information, click here

International discounts

Saving dollars shouldn’t stop as you leave the country. Those who enjoy a Seniors card in Australia might also like to purchase and use cards in the USA and Canada and enjoy the benefits.

Whilst most Australians are aware of the State-based Seniors card benefits, few realise they are able to purchase a card in America and Canada and receive similar benefits, even though they are not residents. Sadly the reverse is not true, and visitors here have to take pot luck hoping individual businesses will offer a seniors discount.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sells a discount card for international visitors for US $28 per annum. Find out more here

In Canada, the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) hosts a site called 50Plus, which negotiates discounts and offers them online. Find out more here

And in New Zealand, NZ $20 will purchase a Seniors card enabling you multi- discounts. Find out more here

Budget travel guide

A new bible of budget travel has been released and the people behind the guide, Gecko’s adventures, are also offering a 10 per cent discount on bookings before 31 October.

The guide book includes trips to fascinating places that won’t break your bank. Perhaps the ‘Galapagos with Amazon & Incas’ will appeal or the ‘Kathmandu to Kerala’ option might spice up your life.

And for environmentally conscious types, Gecko’s is the first Australian adventure tour operator to offer a voluntary carbon offsetting option on the land component of all its tours, as well as the accompanying flights. For further information contact your travel agent, call Gecko’s Adventures on 1300 854 500 or visit click here

Pining for your pooch?

Here’s a bit of fun. If, whilst travelling in Canada, you find yourself missing your pup, ‘loner dogs’ are available for walkies.

Fairmont Hotels have a ‘fleet’ of doggies that you can book online and take for walks if you are a hotel guest. During the day, between walks, they sit in their kennels in front of the hotels, keeping the doormen company and welcoming guests with wagging tails.

In Quebec City, Santol is available at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac; at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, golden retriever Mavis and yellow lab Beau do the honours, and at the The Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver, Holly, a golden lab-retriever cross, is on duty. All four ‘pups’ are actively involved in charity fund raising and responsible dog ownership programs. The Chateau Frontenac donates $25 to the MIRA Foundation (Guide Dogs for the Blind) from sales of their ‘It’s a dog’s life’ hotel accommodation package. For more information, click here

Adventures for the less-abled

For the less-abled or disabled, travelling to Thailand and finding their way in and out temples or riding on the back of an elephant just got a whole lot easier.

Safety and fun is the mantra of a company called ‘Adventure Holidays Thailand’. It’s a husband and wife company started after Englishman Tom Grant’s wife, Malee, contracted Multiple Sclerosis. As well as organising the tours to suit less-abled people, they have also made a company policy to hire as many disabled people as possible.

These holidays are designed around your needs and abilities but with the belief that anything is possible, as long as you are cared for safely and properly by people who understand and pride themselves in their work.

Tom and Malee have lived in Thailand for many years and aim to create an adventure which can be taken at your own pace. You can stay at luxury five-star hotels or in bungalow resorts right near the beach. To find out more about this wonderful service, click here

Vienna coffee anyone?

Who could say no to a visit to a Vienna cake house? Spend a half-day cycling around this relatively flat city, seeing the sights and relaxing in traditional coffee houses, where there will be apple strudel to die for!

Tempo holidays are offering a three-day package priced from $227 per person twin share, including accommodation, two breakfasts, a café voucher, a bike, a sightseeing map and a Vienna gift book. Other packages for Vienna are also available. For more information contact Tempo on 1300 558 987 or click here

Egypt – once in a lifetime!

The mystery and wonder of Egypt has been a lure for travelers throughout the ages. A recent survey by Insight Vacations has reported that Egypt is indeed a hot spot for travel with a strong increase in global tourism numbers with 99% of respondents having considered taking a holiday in Egypt. As well, 95% of respondents indicated that they would select to travel on an escorted holiday to make sure they experienced all the must see sights, had everything pre-booked and had the added safety of travelling in a group with an expert guide. If you have been considering your own ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday to Egypt, there is only one way to do it – in style with Insight Vacations!

Insight offers seven itineraries to Egypt that include Nile cruising, premium highlights, delicious dining and the services of a professional tour guide and Egyptologist. Order a free Insight Vacations Ancient Civilizations brochure by clicking here

Midnight golf

Perhaps the most unique golfing experience you can have, the Midnight Sun golf tournament is played across the national boundary of Finland and Sweden – golfers cross the border in the middle of the green.

The tournament comprises teams of six players with two substitutes allowed. It’s a marathon tournament, running for four days and three nights, before the grand finale, surely enough to satisfy even the most golf-crazy traveller. For more information about the tournament click here. For more information on Finland click here

Battlefields Tour

Insight Vacations brings history to life on this exceptional tour, visiting an array of WWI landmark sites throughout the beautiful countryside of France and Belgium. Visit the 91st Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles and the Battle of Somme, D-Day beaches, the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Bullecourt Museum, Villers Bretonneaux and the Imperial War Museum in London.

Tour inclusions:
• Insight Vacations Premier French tour director and an expert Australian battlefield guide
• One way tickets from Paris to London on the Eurostar
• Air-conditioned motorcoach with reclining seats and washroom
• In-depth sightseeing tours with local guides in Paris and London
• First class hotels
• 14 buffet breakfasts, five lunches at local restaurants, four hotel dinners with wine
• Two highlight dinners including a sparkling evening at the Eiffel Tower and a cruise on the river Thames in London
Price is per person, land only, twin share. To find out more about the exclusive tour, click here

Romantic destinations…

To enjoy a romantic break anytime, Insight Vacations visits the cities of love in impeccable style and perfect comfort.

Scenic Italy & Amazing Switzerland – 13 days from $3399 per person, twin share, land only
Journey from Rome all the way to Zurich, with two-night stays in Florence, La Spezia, Zermatt, and Interlaken. On this holiday you’ll see the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, stop in the Tuscan village of Montepulciano, and admire Michelangelo’s Statue of David in Florence. You’ll see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, explore the seaside 5 towns of Cinque Terre and visit the amazing gothic cathedral in Milan. In Switzerland, you’ll journey into the Swiss Alps, take an electric taxi into Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, and admire the glaciers and rocky peaks of the Steingletscher, before heading to the Valley of the Waterfalls, Lucerne and Zurich. This tour can also be combined with a beautiful river cruise, Castles along the Rhine. Starting in Zurich, this cruise winds its way down the Rhine to Amsterdam, stopping at charming towns and delightful vineyards along the way. Castles along the Rhine – seven days from $2860 per person

European Panorama – 18 days from $5350 per person, twin share, land only
This holiday is the ultimate grand tour of Europe, visiting England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France. Travellers will enjoy two-night stays in every major city so there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy each location. This tour includes premium highlights such as a gondola ride in Venice, a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, as well as a Mount Pilatus excursion.

Italian Elegance – 12 days from $3350 per person, twin share, land only
Enjoy all the highlights of Northern Italy plus discover quaint little villages and local secrets.  From the waterscape of Venice to the crystal Italian lakes and gorgeous seaside towns of Cinque Terre, Insight’s Italian Elegance is just that - an elegant way to discover Italy. Whether you have been to Italy before or it’s your first time, this tour is the perfect choice for those who want to experience their own little piece of La Dolce Vita.

Insight guests enjoy more intimate groups, limited to just 40 passengers, the services of an experienced tour director and the assurance of staying in top quality hotels which are centrally or scenically located. Travel in style on Insight’s luxury reconfigured coaches with more legroom and comfort so the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

To make a booking visit your local travel agent, or for more information see Insight Vacation’s website.

Bring on the butler

If limousine transfers and old world chateaus and castles are your idea of a holiday, you’ll enjoy personalised service and exclusive accommodation with Brennan’s prestige vacations.

Brennan’s offer 24 specialised journeys throughout Europe, the US and Canada, including the Eastern European Dream tour visiting Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna and Prague or the nine-day Canadian Rockies tour, which includes a visit to Glacier National Park and a trip on the famous Rocky Mountaineer railway, with accommodation in lakeside lodges and classic mountain chateaus. For more information click here

True Tuscany

Ugo and Barbara Mariotti live and work on their farm in the heart ofpicturesque Southern Tuscany. Their ‘Tuscany under the skin' small group tours offer the very best of Italian countryside and culture. Try your hand at farmhouse cooking, swim in thermal waters, explore medieval towns and enjoy market day at Montepulciano, the highest hilltop town in Tuscany. 

Enjoy Ugo's truly personal touch and all embracing hospitality as you learn the art of 'pici' during a farmhouse cooking lesson and lunch, visit a rich array of artisan shops or perhaps enjoy whatever festivals and events are being celebrated at the time of your visit. And of course you'll love the vineyards, which produce some of the best wines in Italy.

Expect the unexpected on the ‘Walks and tastes Of Tuscany' fine food and walking tour. Make your way through ever-changing back roads and forest trails then dine in regional restaurants and taste local specialities and excellent local wines.' Tuscany Under the Skin' can also offer alternative activities for travelling companions who do not wish to participate in the walks.

Another option is the ‘Discover the Tuscan heartland' tour – a rich and relaxing vehicle-based tour for those who prefer not to hike but want to get to know the land, its people, food, wine and all the best sights.

Each tour has a maximum of eight guests allowing the tour programme to be flexible enough to cater to individual interests. Singles are especially welcome. Those who have a disability or limited mobility can be catered for with specially tailored tours.'Tuscany Under the Skin' is waiving the single supplement for @boutSeniors subscribers. Mention @boutSeniors at the time of booking.

For more information call 0414 398 450 or click here

Far Out… In Space

Bookings are now open with Virgin Galactic for a three-hour trip into space at the very reasonable price of $260,000. A number of Australians have already signed up to take the blast where you will find yourself and five others 100 km above the earth.

Richard Branson's tailor-made suborbital plane will be released from a mothership at 50,000 feet, then accelerate at more than 2000 feet per second until you'll be looking down at the planet from 350,000 feet. The machine will then be shut down so you can experience the silence and weightlessness.

Included in the price is three days of space training. The health requirements for the flight are flexible and they'll be taking bookings from people in their seventies.

To register your interest phone (02) 997 2055 or email or for more information click here

Free Tours In Helsinki

The Finnish capital of Helsinki is providing free, specialist ‘sherpa' tour guides to take you to unexpected places around the city, the kind of places guide books don't always tell you about.

The guides, called ‘CitySherpas', are locals who volunteer to show visitors around during the Finnish summer. There's no set length for the tours, and it should be easy to find one with a theme that interests you: history, art or politics, as well as other concepts such as ‘urban culture‘ and ‘chill out'. For the past 30 years, 67-year-old Masa has been a guide for foreign politicians and journalists around the city. One way to find out more about these unusual events is to follow the sherpas on their web logs, or blogs.

History and Charm in Hanoi

Many hotels claim to be unique, but few are. The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi boasts a fascinating French colonial history, as well as a preeminent place in modern Hanoi. Situated at the far end of Hoan Kiem Lake, it offers the best location and hospitality in town.

Recently refurbished, the Sofitel Metropole has lost none of its old grandeur and charm through a bold, new mix of French classical architecture and Vietnamese style. Staying at this ‘Grande Dame’ of the Orient, you can recreate the romance of the past and still access the latest Broadband and DVD technology ­- everything the modern traveller needs and expects. Long regarded as ‘the most famous hotel east of the Suez’, the Metropole’s latest reincarnation offers a timeless experience of luxury.

To contact the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Ph (84 4) 826 6919
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Nanaimo’s Painted Turtle

The Painted Turtle Guesthouse in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a blend of boutique hotel, urban B&B and international hostel. Located near the harbour in downtown Nanaimo, the 1913 heritage hotel blends local and international influences.

Dog-Gone B&B

The Dog Bark Park Inn is a B&B located in the body of the World's Biggest Beagle - no kidding - and just one of 130 properties listed in the Unusual Hotels of the World. Others include a Turkish treehouse on the Mediterranean coast, an underground cave in Spain, and an ice hotel in Alaska. And the really good news is that the website will sort by budget. Those listed above are all below $US 100 per night.

Quartier Latin, originally an 18th century Jesuit church, is the latest hotel to join Unusual Hotels of the World. The 4-star hotel in Marche-en-Flamenne, near Brussels, Belgium, has a city centre location and received "historic monument" status from the Royal Monuments and Sites Commission, making the conversion particularly difficult. Retaining the original vaulted ceilings and stained glass in many of the 75 rooms, the hotel now offers a brasserie and bar as well as modern spa facilities.

Visit the website to see accommodation in/on/up islands, trains, ice hotels, tree houses, caves and underwater locations for all tastes and budgets. Register for the free e-newsletter to hear about the latest offers from member hotels.

Unusual Hotels of the World.