Hanoi to Luang Prabang by Bike

Go off the beaten track with SpiceRoads on a tour designed for those who want to get away from the main tourist routes, staying in authentic guest houses and eating local.

The  new 14-day tour 'Remote Vietnam and Laos by Bike' to cycle from Hanoi to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang takes you through traditional local communities and stunning landscapes and visits some fascinating historical sites.

The first day starts with a short transfer out of the frenetic city of Hanoi and into the peaceful countryside. The tour includes a visit to local artisans in Bat Trang, a leisurely cruise through three natural caves, and a visit to the ancient capital of the Dinh and Ly dynasties. After a night in Cuc Phuong National Park, the tour heads to the beautiful Mai Chau valley before cycling across the border into Laos at Na Meo. In Laos, there is a visit to the Vieng Xai caves, a nighttime wildlife safari along the Nam Nern River, and a trip to the prehistoric Plain of Jars. The tour ends in the enchanting Luang Prabang.
 http://www.spiceroads.com/tours/vietnam_laos

Highlights of the tour include:

Riding through remote regions of Vietnam and Laos
Travelling by boat on the Ngo Dong River to Bich Dong Pagoda
Staying in Vietnam's largest national park, Cuc Phuong National Park
Visiting the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where a wide variety of native monkeys and gibbons are saved from wildlife smugglers
Discovering the serene Mai Chau valley surrounded by rice fields and stilt houses
Exploring some of the 480 Vieng Xai caves used by the Communist army during the Vietnam War
Wildlife spotting in the jungles of Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
Cycling through the historical Plain of Jars
Boating to the famous Buddha-filled Pak Ou Cave

Trip profile
The tour cycles on paved roads, alongside rivers, through lush paddy fields, into karst landscapes and peaceful villages before taking on some climbs to truly appreciate the views of the surrounding natural splendors. On days when the climbs are tough, distances cycled are shortened; rides vary between 30 and 70 km per day with the option of cycling 100 km for one day. The journey takes a route less frequented, and therefore some overnight stays at guesthouses will be basic (but clean), with shared facilities.

$$$$$
The tour cost is US$2,950 with an additional US$180 for bike rental. The single supplement is US$325. The tour cost is inclusive of accommodation, the majority of meals, support vehicle, and drinks and snacks while riding.

Bookings for 2015 tours (Sep, Oct, Dec) will include free bike rental.

 http://www.spiceroads.com/tours/vietnam_laos

About SpiceRoads
SpiceRoads is a specialist bicycle tour operator based in Bangkok offering a range of two-wheel tours in over 25 destinations, worldwide. SpiceRoads tours cater for every level of cyclist and options range from day trips to complete country explorations. Participants are invited to join tours with fixed date departures scheduled throughout the year, while private or tailor-made tours can be arranged for groups or individuals on request.

 Source: Press Release

Sign Up For The Magna Carta Package

©British Library & The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments

Celebrating the  Magna Carta’s 800 year legacy,  The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments is offering guests the opportunity to discover the “Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy” exhibition at the British Library.  This once-in-a-lifetime exhibit takes visitors through the fascinating history behind the charter and it’s signing by King John of England on 12 June 1215.  It is one of the most influential documents in history.

The Magna Carta package is available until Friday 14th August 2015, with prices from £302 and includes overnight accommodation, a full breakfast for two people at the Athenaeum’s double rosette-awarded restaurant and two tickets to the exhibition at the British Library.

Those wanting to carry on their journey of exploration can head to The Athenaeum’s  sister hotel, The Runnymede-on-Thames, located directly opposite the meadows where the great charter was signed in 1215.

The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments
116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ, United Kingdom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAthenaeum
 http://www.runnymedehotel.com/


The package includes two tickets to the ‘Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy’ exhibition, an overnight stay at The Athenaeum and breakfast for two.

-     Additional tickets are available for groups larger than two on request
-      Valid from Sunday 29th March to Friday 14th August 2015
-      Excludes stays and access to the exhibition from Sunday 14th - Friday 19th June 2015
-      Offer is subject to availability

Located in Mayfair, The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments has 164 bedrooms including 12 suites, 18 townhouse apartments and a rooftopsuite. It is the essence of Englishness: discreet, personal, friendly, interesting, lavish, quirky and down to earth.
-      Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 3464
-      Website: http://www.athenaeumhotel.com/
-      Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAthenaeum
-      Nearest Tube: Green Park & Hyde Park Corner
-      Location: On Piccadilly. Opposite Green Park. Near Hyde Park. Moments from Shepherd’s Market and the rest of Mayfair
-      Personality: Chic and homely townhouse hotel
-      Need to know: Everything in the minibar is free! Snacks, wines, spirits, coffee and even Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream in the executive rooms and the suites
- Located opposite Green Park, the hotel bedrooms and suites enjoy some of the finest views in and of London, and guests can even boast the Royal Family as their neighbours


Source: Press Release

Hoppy Easter! Not the bunny ...more a swampy.

It's the Easter Swampy!

Looks like a kangaroo or wallaby but in fact the swamp, or black wallaby (wallaby bicolor)  is the only living member of the genus Wallabia. The difference is all in the chromosomes, apparently.

Sure it hops with the best of them but, unlike the others, it puts its head down when going for it in the bush. Love the long tail with the white tip - this one is standing in our pond which is now full of water again after yesterday's torrential  rain. The frogs are in their element!

Check out more about swampies at:
http://www.wiresnr.org/swampwallabyfacts.html

Vertigo: where the Peregrine Falcons nest

Cliff view ©AP BCTraveller.

Out on a limb (rock!) to photograph the boronia on the cliffside. The Peregrine falcons nest in a little cave, centre left. Wedge-tailed eagles on the other side of the plateau, when they choose us. Yesterday we had a visit from yellow-tailed cockatoos, glossy black cockatoos, a lyrebird, several satin bowerbirds, wonga pigeons, brown cuckoo doves, king parrots plus a host of little birds including fantails and yellow robins.

Sulphur-crested looks on. ©AP TBTraveller

Brown Cuckoo Dove. ©AP TBTraveller

Wonga Pigeon ©AP TBTraveller

Swamp Wallaby.©AP BCTraveller.

Here's a swamp wallaby in our pond, just about to drink from what's left of the water. A possum has been trying to get in to our place at night,  seems very keen after it managed a raid on the bananas.

Private entree into the cuisine, wine, gardens and art of New Zealand's Canterbury region.

A "Taste of Heaven" with Edible Tours.

An exceptional 5-day fully escorted tour of New Zealand’s 
stunning Canterbury region is newly available for lovers of 
panorama, cuisine, wine, gardens, art and local nuances 
from 28 October to 1 November inclusive this year.

Titled “A Taste of Heaven” it offers private entrée to the 
elegance of the South Island’s lifestyle. The calibre of this 
25-place intimate and fully escorted tour is extraordinary. 
Listed accommodation is premium and guests travel by 
luxury air-conditioned coach.

Special privileged entry to the annual showcase event 
The Culverden Christmas Country Fete on Wynyard Station 
offers guests over 200+ stalls of finest produce and hand crafted 
gifts  - even running to a welcoming Pimms’ tent.

The fabulous Art in the Garden event at Flaxmere Farm 
showcases works by some of New Zealand's most talented artists, 
sculptors and jewellery makers and is set within a garden deemed 
one of the country's most significant, near Hawarden.

Hamner Springs, a stunning alpine village is also on the 
itinerary offering natural thermal hot tubs, spa treatments,
local cafes, fly fishing with professional guides and walking 
tracks – plus extreme sports for the more daring.

A particular highlight is a fine regional dinner in a private, 
secret venue hosted by the Rural Women of New Zealand 
and local winemakers. The chefs will feature wild caught 
salmon and venison. Another is a full Pegasus Bay Estate 
private wine tasting and Chef’s Choice 3-course seasonal 
menu luncheon.

A rare cultural Maori experience bookends a day visit to 
the delightful French colonial bayside village of Akaroa. 
Guests will be welcomed by Maori elders on to the Marae 
and will then be invited to assist in the preparation of the 
Hangi - a feast prepared in an underground pit. After 
exploring Akaroa’s charming streets and stores there is 
a return 4 hours later for this authentic ‘Marae” food celebration.

Both the Marae and Regional Dinner by Rural Women of NZ 
are charity events and fees charged within the package 
for these are donations.

A Taste of Heaven is organised by 
Edible Events/Gourmet Journeys, based 
in Sydney and owned by 
tourism /hospitality expert Anne Stewart.  
She personally escorts this tour, which 
explores New Zealand's 
North Canterbury Food & Wine Trail.





Anne is a regular contributor of varietal food tours for 
Fairfax’s GOOD FOOD, runs tours to regional farm gates 
and trails and has been a providore in her own right.   

She has an extensive background in the travel industry - 
Qantas Holidays, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, 
and Carlson Wagonlit Travel included.

A Taste of Heaven is priced at $AUD2299.00 per person 
and includes all arrangements in NZ including coach transport 
and accommodation, event entrance fees, most meals.

* For further details visit 
http://www.edibleevents.com.au/tours.html
   

http://www.foodandwinetrail.co.nz    

Save on French Cycling Tours with Tour de Vines.

If France is on your radar for 2015, consider Tour de Vines’   leisurely cycling gourmet tours of regions including Provence,  Dordogne or the Loire Valley. Tour de Vines has a number of exclusive offers that just might  entice you to take that long awaited trip.  These offers are limited,  and with small group sizes, probably won’t last long. Tour de Provence Roman Heritage – 15% Off Departing Sunday 10th May (guaranteed departure) Save $A660 per person or $1,020 per couple. Tour de Loire Valley - 15% Off Departing Sunday 7th June (guaranteed departure) Save $A675 per person or $A1,080 per couple. Tour de Dordogne - 15% Off Departing Sunday 28th June Save $A630 per person or $A1,020 per couple. See all France Cycling Tours, with 32 departures across  7 different itineraries there is a tour for you. Choose from: Alsace Cycling Tour Bordeaux Cycling Tour Burgundy Cycling Tour Dordogne Cycling Tour Loire Valley Cycling Tour 2 x Provence Cycling Tours – Roman Heritage or Luberon Contact Tour de Vines on 1300 665 330 or  damian@tourdevines.com.au for full details of the   France Cycling Tour specials.

See the highlights of Southern Africa with Interlude Tours, the small group specialists.

Your fearless leader: the lovely Jeanette Savage, with lion!

23 day tour to Southern Africa: 22 October to 14 November, 2015

Join experts Interlude Tours for an exclusive 23-day journey ex-Australia, including the Kruger National Park, the Stellenbosch wine region, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.

This original small group touring company has just released details of its outstanding 23-day relaxed and fully hosted 2015 tour featuring the highlights of Southern Africa. The fully escorted tour departs Australia flying with South African Airways on 23 October.  Costs of $12638 pp twin share includes international and domestic economy airfares with first class hotels and lodges, all breakfasts, five lunches and 11 dinners, providing outstanding value for the seasoned traveller and first timers.

The itinerary includes cosmopolitan Johannesburg, the unique wildlife and spectacular scenery in The Kruger National Park, the Garden Route to the wine region of Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Victoria Falls.

With a maximum of 12 guests, the tour features leisurely travel in a family atmosphere with no rushed starts and ample free time to explore on your own with new friends or by yourself. It is expected that singles and couples who have enjoyed other exciting and well catered Interlude Tours travel programs during the past 30 years will join the Inspiring Southern Africa tour, which is being hosted by principal, Jeanette Savage.

Jeanette has hosted more than 50 tours to popular global destinations and built a reputation for innovative and relaxing journeys. Her detail, reliability and personality have seen over 300 happy travellers and many repeat customers join the Interlude family.  Interlude Tours excel in personable worry free and relaxing travel. A pre-tour get-together to meet other travellers and review the tour arrangements is also included in the program.



Interlude tours in association with Venture Holidays are presenting this fully escorted tour from Australia.

Contacts:

www.interlude-tours.com  http://www.interlude-tours.com   (for full itinerary) 
Tel: Interlude Tours (612) 94052218 
E interlude@optusnet.com.au <mailto:interlude@optusnet.com.au>


Tel: Steve at Venture Tel:Venture Holidays (618) 8238 4511 or 1300 303 343 (all areas excluding SA)
E groups@ventureholidays.com.au mailto:groups@ventureholidays.com.au