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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - Page 33
Travel APRIL 2012 www.TravelMonthly.com.au Phone: 1-800 231 311
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ALL THE WAY TO MANDALAY
■ Cruiseco has some thirty-eight luxury fly, cruise and stay packages along the legendary Irrawaddy River through Burma – also known as Myanmar – between June 29 this year and the end of April next year, at prices that simply cannot be beaten. That’s because it has taken an exclusive whole-of-ship charter of the boutique Orient Pandaw solely for Cruiseco guests. Its packages include return air and air taxes* from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth, 8-nights aboard the colonial-style riverboat that carries just 60 guests, most meals throughout the 11-nights of the package, soft drinks, local beers and spirits plus onboard gratuities and government taxes while on Orient Pandaw, extensive daily sightseeing with local guides throughout, a night in the deluxe Chatrium Hotel in Yangan, two nights in the deluxe Mandalay Hill Resort, and all transfers. Orient Pandaw will sail Cruiseco’s exclusive season upstream from Prome to Mandalay and downstream back to Prome on the Irrawaddy that was made famous by Rudyard Kipling’s Mandalay poem, with prices starting from just $4,999pp twin-share, including an Early Bird booking discount of up to $1000 per person. Check on availability. For detailed itineraries and the name of your nearest Cruiseco cruise-specialist travel agent, go to www.cruising.com.au *Air taxes could be subject to change, and some departures may require an overnight in Singapore at additional cost. Highlights will range from being aboard the teak and brass reproduction colonial river steamer itself, to Myanmar’s most-revered Buddhist temples, its earliest and most important archaeological site, a walled palace replete with the art works of early merchants and princes, British colonial towns and Italian and French forts built to withstand the British, ancient pagodas, a welcome into the daily life of a rural village, museums, a vast plain with the remains of 3000 of an original 10,000 temples, an ancient wooden monastery and a horse and cart ride.
A MONTH ON COAST 16-PAGE COLOUR GUIDE
To the Northern Hemisphere ■ SKIMAX has significant Earlybird offers to popular Northern Hemisphere winter holiday destinations such as Whistler in British Columbia, Aspen Snowmass in Colorado and Niseko on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.Whistler, about two hours from Vancouver, is enticing more and more Australian skiers and boarders with offers that include free nights and up to 50 per cent off accommodation. Based on a twin share hotel room at the Delta Whistler Village Suites, seven night packages start from $965*per person including 6 day ski pass. Valid for travel Jan 2 – Feb 12, 2013. At Aspen Snowmass, Skimax suggests staying at The Gant Condominiums, four blocks from the Gondola and three blocks from downtown Aspen. This Earlybird offer for seven nights with 6 day ski pass costs from $1,085*per person and is inclusive of one free night and 5% off accommodation. Valid for travel Nov 24 – Dec 15 2012. Japan’s powder capital Niseko, is offering savings of 30 per cent off accommodation for early bookers. From $1,199*per person twin share, enjoy seven nights at centrally located Yama Shizen Apartments and a 6 day ski pass. Valid for travel Dec 22 2012 – January 25 2013. For more details call Skimax on 1300 136 997 or visit www.skimax.com.au. *Conditions apply.
■ Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Waters has a 30 Night Deal for those wanting to escape the winter chill further south: from $3649 travellers can enjoy a month-long stay in a spacious two bedroom apartment – with seven of those nights free. Valid from April 9 until September 20 including the June-July school holidays, guests can also upgrade their month long stay to a three bedroom apartment priced from $4179, and with 10 free nights’ accommodation, making packages ideal for those who enjoy holidaying with family or friends. Rates also include weekly servicing. A shorter 7 Night Deal is also available from $949.00, in a two bedroom apartment including one free night or from $1045 for three bedrooms including two free nights accommodation. Providing a ‘home away from home’ ambience, Grand Mercure Twin Waters’ self contained apartments feature generous outdoor entertaining areas, gourmet kitchens, laundry, secure parking and contemporary furnishings. The resort has three swimming pools, BBQ areas, bicycle and walking paths and expansive lawn and beach areas. Located at the mouth of the Maroochy River and adjacent to Mudjimba Beach the property is ideally situated midway between the coastal townships of Coolum and Noosa to
the north and Maroochydore and Mooloolaba to the South. There is a supermarket and convenience store nearby and Grand Mercure Apartment guests have access to a range of restaurants, day spa and recreational facilities of the adjacent Novotel Twin Waters Resort; Brisbane is an hour south, and Sunshine Coast Airport five minutes drive from the resort. For further information or to make a reservation call: (07) 5450 6129, toll free 1800 665 476 or email res@grandmercure twinwaters.com.au * Grand Mercure Apartments Twin Water’s Winter Package is subject to availability, block out dates may apply, and bookings must be prepaid. No refunds are available.
NATIONAL VIETNAM VETS’ MUSEUM - INSIDE
‘Travel Monthly’ is published monthly by Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, and is included in the Melbourne Observer, Sydney News and Brisbane Sun. Printed under contract by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy. Web: www.TravelMonthly.com.au E-mail: editor@travelmonthly.com.au Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095. Phone: 1-800 231 311. Fax: 1-800 231 312. Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long. Copyright © 2012, Local Media Pty Ltd.