Burma cruise – Wilderness lodge – Melbourne flower show

TRAVEL BRIEFS

With John Crook

Take a cruise into Burma’s History

Most cruises are shared by a number of company’s, all eager to show their clients a good time. And that, as we know, can come at a price.

Well Cruiseco has come up with a novel way to keep the prices reasonable – and that is to charter the entire boat so it can control everything that goes on on-board!

The boutique Orient Pandaw will be for Cruiseco guests only, and there are some thirty-eight fly, cruise and stay packages along the legendary Irrawaddy River through Burma – also known as Myanmar. These trips are for
travel ex Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – between June 29 this year and April next year.

The voyage, over 11 nights, will head 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 $4,999 twin share.

For itineraries, go to www.cruising.com.au

Wilderness Lodge voted Australia’s best unique accommodation

They say there’s only one way to get to know the real Australia – and that’s to check out the vast interior. And who says you can’t do it in style.

APT’s Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge has won the Silver award for unique accommodation at the Australian tourism awards, recently held in Cairns.

The lodge is a fully accredited eco business and comprises 10 luxury cabins,which offer visitors the ultimate outback experience.

Each cabin is air-conditioned and has an en-suite bathroom. Food wise, it’s all laid on – try some fair dinkum outback fare, including camel, kangaroo and barramundi.

Thrown in a visit to Aboriginal ancient stone rock carvings, and you can see this is an amazing experience.

Call 1300 229 804 or visit www.aptouring.com.au

Melbourne is blooming at this time of year

When it comes to garden shows, most probably think of Chelsea, but not everyone can afford an overseas trip just to see some flowers.

But there are a few good options in Australia – most notably Canberra’s Floriade later in the year, and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show, starting on March 28.

Now in its 17th year, the show features the best landscape and floral talent that Australia has to offer.

If you are a visitor to Melbourne, you’ll love the setting for the garden show, which is within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding the Carlton gardens.

Tickets for the event, which runs over 5 days, are $22 for an adult and $50 for a family.