MOLONG ONLINE

ON THE GO*

with JOHN ROZENTALS

TRAVEL: 18 NOVEMBER 2017

John Rozentals Travel Briefs 144

Kakadu Tourism has launched a range of special cruise and accommodation deals to provide even greater incentives for visitors to enjoy Kakadu National Park during the ‘green season’.

In addition, fishing enthusiasts will have a million-dollar incentive to bring a fishing rod to Kakadu over the summer, with 100 Barramundi tagged with $10,000 prizes and one very special Barra with a $1 million tag as part of the Northern Territory’s ‘Million Dollar Fish’ competition, which runs until the end of February 2018.

Even if you aren’t lucky with the fishing, you can hook a great accommodation bargain at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge during the green season. Both hotels are offering a 20 per cent discount on the room rate for guests staying two nights or more.

Rates start from $109 per night for The Crocodile Hotel and from $159 per night for Cooinda Lodge.

Deals are valid till February 28 next year.

Phone 1800 500 401 or visit www.kakadutourism.com.

*****

APT has launched its 2019 Kimberley Coast cruising program, which also features Arnhem Land.

The company’s 11-day ‘Kimberley Coast Cruise’ is priced from $11,995 per person twin-share, and the first 100 bookings include a fly-free offer of return economy airfares to a value of $2400 per couple, including taxes of up to $200, when flying out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.

Included are dining and beverages, a high crew-to-passenger ratio, sightseeing with an expert expedition team and the backing of an Australian family-owned company with 90 years of experience.

Set out and explore epic cascades, fascinating reefs and gorges carved by powerful rivers.

New in 2019, guests can extend their tour to include one of the Top End’s most prized destinations, Arnhem Land.

From tropical rainforests, ochre cliffs and dense jungle, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands remain some of Australia’s most undiscovered wilderness areas.

Phone 1300 196 420 or visit www.kimberleywilderness.com.au.

*****

Brisbane’s Emporium Hotel is offering a ‘Summer Indulgence’ package that celebrates the state’s extended summer calendar of entertainment and sports events, festive-season celebrations and the city’s program of markets, showcases and experiences.

Relax and enjoy a bottle of chilled Mumm Champagne by the rooftop pool, sipping from a couple of signature red Mumm flutes that are yours to take home, plus use of complimentary valet.

The price $75 on top of room rate, and the package is available for stays between December 1 and February 28.

A ‘Signature Sips’ package features four cocktails of choice, a seasonal tapas board, a reserved spot in the cocktail bar, late checkout and valet parking.

It is priced at $100 on top of room rate and is available until December 31.

Visit www.emporiumhotels.com.au.

*****

The new Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge on Tasmania’s East Coast, nestled within Freycinet National Park, can be booked for stays after March 15 next year.

The nine pavilions will feature curved glass, Tasmanian timbers and ‘tactile finishes’.

Outdoor baths on the deck and separate lounge spaces, both taking in the view, will further enhance the guest experience.

Introductory pricing starts at $799 a night, including breakfast for two, a bottle of local sparkling wine and light refreshments on arrival and a Tasmanian nightcap to complete the day.

Visit www.freycinetlodge.com.au.

*****

FV by Peppers claims its opening in Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley, will bring a new level of inner-city sophistication to the Brisbane accommodation scene.

Guests can lay beside a heated u-shaped skyline pool with spectacular views, take in a movie at the moonlight cinema, live the high-life in VIP private-spa lounges, and work out in the fully equipped gym and yoga retreat with views of the Story Bridge and Brisbane city.

All apartments have full kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, laundry, separate lounge and dining areas and a private balcony with views.

To celebrate the opening, stay in a one-bedroom apartment from $199 per night for a minimum two-night stay (minimum spend $398*). Valid for sale until November 30, and for travel until February 28.

Phone 1300 987 600 or visit peppers.com.au.

*****

UTracks has launched a new self-guided seven-day ‘Swiss Chocolate Cycle’ for 2018, following a loop from Zurich through classic Swiss landscapes, along dedicated bike paths and quiet country roads.

As well as visits to two chocolate factories, tour highlights include: exploring the charming historic centres of Zurich and Lucerne; a boat trip around the Bay of Lucerne; exploring the towns of Aarau, Sursee and Zug; cycling through the forests of Sihlwald National Park; and visiting the thermal spa town of Baden.

Prices are from $1550 per adult and from $990 per child (aged 2-12 years).

Phone 1300 303 368 or visit www.utracks.com.

*****

Experience a quintessentially British boutique escape staying at H10 London Waterloo, in the heart of the city, located near the London Eye and within easy reach of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Hyde Park and Leicester Square.

Enjoy four nights with daily buffet breakfasts, a glass of bubbly on arrival, two three-course dining experiences and late checkout priced from $1099 for two adults, a saving of just over 60 per cent.

Phone 1300 88 99 00 or visit www.luxuryescapes.com.

*****

Experience two Princess cruises on a back-to-back ecruising.travel itinerary sailing on the Island Princess from Los Angeles to Florida, then joining the Regal Princess for a round-trip cruise from New York.

This 25-night itinerary departs Australia in September next year, and includes a night in Los Angeles before boarding the first ship to set sail for Mexico and Florida, including a daylight transition through the Panama Canal and a full day in Cartagena, Colombia.

Then fly to New York for two nights at the Westin New York Grand Central before boarding the Regal Princess for a seven-night cruise to Rhode Island, Boston, Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Prices start at $8059 per person twin- share ex Australia, including all transfers, port charges and government taxes.

Phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel.

*****

Grand Pacific Tours has partnered with Celebrity Cruises to offer four itineraries, ranging from 19 to 27 days and combining a cruise aboard the Celebrity Solstice followed by a coach tour visiting iconic New Zealand attractions.

The tours are priced from $6199 per person twin-share ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including one-way airfare, tour guide, gratuities on board Celebrity Solstice, modern coach travel, four-star hotel accommodation, most meals, all sightseeing and attractions on coach tour.

Phone 1800 622 768 or visit www.grandpacifictours.com.

*****

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has released the 2018 and 2019 departure dates for its two seven-night northern Fiji discovery cruises — the ‘Four Cultures Discovery Cruise’ and the ‘Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise’.

The Four Cultures Discovery Cruise is thought to be the first-ever cruise to circumnavigate Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, and gives passengers the ultimate chance to discover and experience four distinctive Fijian cultures, those of Ellice Islanders (Polynesians), Banabans (Micronesia), Fijians and Indians.

Be taken on a cultural journey through an amazing show of song and dance by the Polynesians (Ellice Islanders) of Kioa Island and discover the home and history of the Banabans people on Rabi Island through a show of dance by villagers in traditional tribal costumes.

A colourful morning will be spent at Labasa Town, home to a vast number of Fijian Indians and a town not regularly visited by tourists. Visit a Hindu snake temple and see the growing rock, before shopping in the many stores along the main street and explore the large market which sells a range of foods, spices, fish, poultry, goats and other local products. Then be entertained by a Bollywood-style dance troop.

Enjoy a safari down the Dreketi River and visit Druadrua Primary School on Druadrua Island and not only see the children’s classrooms and school work but be entertained by them with an amazing cultural song and dance show.

Visit www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com