Cruiseco have put together a terrific 28 night fly/cruise &  stay package through the Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona with the cruise departing Venice on 05 June 2012.

Package Inclusions -

• Economy Class airfare from Australia to Venice, returning from Barcelona
• 2 nights pre-cruise accommodation at the Starhotel Splendid Venice (including breakfast)
• 24 night Magic of the Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Barcelona aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam
• 2 nights post-cruise accommodation at the Pullman Barcelona Skipper (including breakfast)
• Port charges, government fees and air taxes

All of this amazing value from only $6,240.00 per person (Cat L)

This package is a guaranteed to sell fast!

Please contact us for further information or to make a booking.

03 9459 4933 or sales@meridiantravel.com.au

Our first stop was the lively village of Whistler. Although it was low season with their not being any snow at that time of year Whistler was still a buzzing community. Mountain bike racing is held in the hills in the off season. It’s a very big ski village and there was certainly no shortage of somewhere to have a drink or something to eat. We stayed at the Westin Resort and Spa which was in a very handy location right at the base of the Gondola and I must give a special mention to their beds which were like a little piece of heaven wrapped in lovely crisp white sheets.

The next day we headed off  to Delta Sun Peaks which was around a 6 and a half to 7 hour journey including our stops for morning  tea, first lunch, second lunch and actual lunch (they certainly don’t let you go hungry on their tours!).

Delta Sun Peaks is another ski village. It is a very beautiful and quaint little village with a far more traditional European feel to it. A great place to go if you want to be away from all of the action Whistler has to offer.

After spending 1 night at the lovely Delta Sun Peaks Resort and being dumbfounded by the crazy kids swimming in the pool whilst I was wearing the vast majority of the contents of my suitcase, it
was time to hope back in the coach and make our way to beautiful Banff. Banff was a highlight of the trip for me. We spent the next 2 nights at the rather regal Banff Springs Hotel, which felt like we were staying in a castle. The only thing to be aware of with this property is that rooms are very small however this is really of no consequence with the hotel being as beautiful as it is. Whilst in Banff we took a tour around the national park taking in some of Canada’s many beautiful lakes, waterfalls and of course, mountains (we were after all in the Rocky Mountains!). We also got to take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to soak in the incredible 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountain Ranges.

Our next stop was Lake Louise on the way to Jasper. Lake Louise didn’t disappoint and was as picture perfect as you see in the post cards. Here we had breakfast from one of the most amazing buffets I
have ever seen before it was time to continue on to Jasper. The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is one of the world’s great scenic drives. I have to give a special mention to Lake Peyto which is possibly the most spectacular lake I have ever laid my eyes on, Atherbasca Falls and Atherbasca Glacier which we were lucky enough to trek out on to in the specially designed Ice Explorer.

This drive is also where the absolute highlight of my trip took place, we saw a bear! After being on bear watch for the past 5 odd days this was a very welcome surprise and was a truly amazing thing to witness this wild bear just relaxing and eating berries on the side of the road. Throughout our trip we also spotted plenty of Elk, big horned sheep and several varieties of deer.

Jasper was another highlight of the trip. Whilst there we went on a wildlife tour and nature trek, taking in more of Canada’s picturesque landscape, took a ride up Jasper’s Tramway to gain a breathtaking view of the Atherbasca Valley and Jasper National Park and encountered an Elk looking for a lady friend whilst riding bikes around the lake at Jasper Park Lodge. We also got to take a short helicopter ride over a section of the national park for an Ariel view of part of the Rockies and some lovely little mountain goats.

After our wonderful 2 night stay in Jasper it was time to board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. We climbed aboard one of the Rocky Mountaineers Gold leaf carriages and settled in for a day of lovely food, drinks and more of that stunning Canadian landscape we had become so accustomed to seeing. We overnighted in Kamloops before climbing back aboard the following morning to be spoiled yet again by the Rocky Mountaineer staff on our journey in to Vancouver.

We arrived late in the evening for our 2 night stay in the wonderful city of Vancouver where we stayed at the rather luxurious Fairmont Waterfront. Vancouver is now one of my favourite cities in the world. There’s an abundance of restaurants, pubs and bars to suit every traveller and the city just has a great vibe. My highlights in Vancouver were a visit to Granville Island Markets (Yum!), taking a bike ride around Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension bridge, seeing wolves at Grouse Mountain, the Laughing Men  Sculptures by local artist Yue Minjum, the shopping on Robson Street and finding my new sunglasses for half the price they were going to charge me in Australia!

I would recommend taking a trip to Canada’s West Coast without the slightest of hesitations; there really is something there for everyone and as you may have gathered from my complete overuse of the words beautiful, wonderful, picturesque and amazing, the scenery in this region really  just can’t be beaten.

Admire the diverse sea life in the Aquarium de Nouméa, observe the rhythmic bubbling of Savu Savu’s hot springs, immerse yourself in Melanesian culture at Vila;s Ekasup Cultural Village and search for whales from atop the scenic cliffs of Lifou.

Departing Sydney 10OCT2012

Including – Noumea & Lifou in New Caledonia, Dravuni Island, Savu Savu, Suva and Port Denarau in Fiji and Vila in Vanuatu.

Prices from $2,399.00 per person/twin share

Subject to availability. Prices subject to change.

Enjoy new experiences in a Club Med Winter Resort with your family, partner or friends. Whether you enjoy the Japanese way of life in , Japan or the modern setting of Yabuli, China; the choice is yours.

Starting from $1025 per person*
Book by: 4 December 2011
Travel: 4 December – 29 April 2011

*Conditions Apply. Subject to availability.

FLY FREE – SAVE UP TO $3,300 PER COUPLE… 

Book any of APT’s Vietnam, Cambodia & Mekong Cruise holidays of 19 Days and longer, and you’ll fly return from Australia for free.

19 Day Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

19 Days from $7,295* per person, twin share – includes airfare, port charges & fuel surcharges. Price based on 16 June 2012 departure.

Experience 19 days as you explore Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along Ha Long Bay and the Perfume River, and discover Angkor Wat, believed to be the largest temple in the world. Complete your adventure with a 7 day Mekong River Cruise.

23 Day Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer

23 Days from $8,795* per person, twin share – includes airfare, port charges & fuel surcharges. Price based on 16 June 2012 departure.

Experience 23 unforgettable days. Travel by Private Train to Sapa, board a traditional wooden junk for your luxurious overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, enjoy a class with the Red Bridge Cooking School in Hoi An and cruise the Mekong River.

For full itineraries or to make a booking contact us on 03 9459 493.3 or email us at sales@meridiantravel.com.au

23 Day All New Zealand Ultimate: departing 6JAN12 & 24FEB12… prices from $5,069.00 per person/twin share

11 Day Ultimate North Island Tour: departing 27FEB12 & 19MAR12… prices from $2,261.00 per person/twin share

14 Day Scenic Explorer: departing 8JAN12… prices from $3,469.00 per person/twin share

10 Day Northern Escape: departing 29JAN12, 19FEB12 & 9MAR12… prices from $2,193000 per person/twin share

These HOT savings are available on most Kirra Journey’s so please contact us to see what you can save on your next New Zealand adventure!

Prices subject to change. Subject to availability at time of booking.

If you would like information on Virgin Galactic please contact us on 9459 4933

Easter: Easter: Virgin Island & Bermuda. Departing 30MAR2012. 11 nights including San Juan, Puerto Rico & New York – from $2,125.00 per person

Mother’s Day: Western Europe. Departing 6MAY2012. 11 nights including Paris & Amsterdam – from $3,185.00 per person

Christmas & New Years: Vietnam & Thailand. Departing 23DEC2012. 14 nights including Singapore & Hing Kong – from $4,235.00 per person

All sailings include:

Boutique wines with lunch and dinner

Bottled water, soft drinks, speciality coffees and teas

Gratuities

Complimentary self service laundry

Shuttle service to and from port (where available)

English Butler service from Suite guests

CONTACT US NOW TO MAKE A BOOKING!

Conditions Apply. Subject to availability at time of booking.

EUROPE LAST CABIN SALE – 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1* 

TRAVEL IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2011

Book a 15 Day Magnificent Europe River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest (all cabin categories)

Contact us NOW for full details or to make a reservation!

 *Conditions apply. Full payment due within 7 days of booking. Available for new bookings only, subject to availability. Offer available for Nov. & Dec. 2011 departures only.

PLUS YOU WILL EARN QANTAS FREQUEST FLYER POINTS!

Cruiseco are offering a return international airfare from Australia to Barcelona for only $849pp (including taxes) when you book an E3 balcony cabin on the following sailing from Cruiseco’s
group allocation:

12 night sailing from Barcelona return, departing 14^th September 2012

Total 14 night package includes:
- Return international economy airfare from Australia to Barcelona
- 2 nights pre-cruise stay at the Hilton Diagonal, Barcelona including Breakfast
- 12 night cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas
- Port charges, government fees & air taxes
- On board gratuities

Package price only $4,659 per person* Price includes extraordinary return air deal!

Please contact us on 03 9459 4933. HURRY this super special won’t last long! BOOK NOW!