CRIKEY – THERE’S A CROCODILE UPSTAIRS

YOUR WEEKLY “TRAVELLERS GOOD BUYS”

Week beginning 20 August 2007

travel tips: with david ellis

CRIKEY – THERE’S A CROCODILE UPSTAIRS

VISITORS to Cairns can get a taste of rainforest wildlife without
having to leave their 5-star hotel: the Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns has
a unique 20-metre high glass Rainforest Dome on its roof that’s home
to around 100 wildlife species including free-flying birds, koalas, a
cassowary and a 4-metre crocodile. The hotel has a current 2-night
package that includes twin-share and breakfasts daily from $470 per
couple; the hotel has four restaurants, bars, gym, spa, rooftop pool
and casino; details 1300 65 65 65 or www.whereelse.com.au

ADVENTURE World have a new selection of small group tours of India,
Vietnam, Turkey and China for a maximum of just 15 guests; they
include major attractions of countries visited, return air, 4- or
5-star hotels (some of them heritage palaces,) transfers, most meals,
sightseeing, entries, and an escort and local guides. As an example a
14-day India package is priced from $5827pp twin-share. Get a brochure
on 1300 363 055 or www.adventureworld.com.au

BOOK 5-nights at the family-oriented Turtle Beach Resort on the Gold
Coast between October 8 and December 23 and from January 21 to March
18 2008, and kids up to 14-years will stay free, get some meals – and
to top it off the resort will give you a $30 petrol voucher. The
5-nights costs from $875 for two adults and children sharing a
2-bedroom apartment; the resort has four pools, spas, tennis, saunas,
theatrette, putting greens, gym, games room, children’s playgrounds
and licenced café. Details 13 88 33 or www.sunloverholidays.com

KIDS getting out of school for a holiday in Fiji can find themselves
back in the classroom: Treasure Island Resort just off Fiji’s
‘mainland’ has a children’s program that includes visiting a
‘mainland’ Chief’s village and spending a day in class Fiji-style. The
program also includes many watersports, mini-golf, volleyball, spear
throwing, dancing, treasure hunts and games; a family package for two
adults and two children under 12 years sharing an Ocean View Buré
starts from $2122 for 5-nights, including all meals, soft drinks for
the kids, morning and afternoon teas, canapés, and a Weekly Cocktail
Party. Available to 15 December with air extra; (02) 9997 1515 or
www.fiji-treasure.com

NINE days from St Petersburg to Moscow includes Nevsky Prospekt, the
Hermitage at the Winter Palace and the Summer Gardens at Peterhof in
St Petersburg, the Kremlin, and Red Square, Gorky Park and Sculpture
Park in Moscow. From $1349pp includes 7-nights twin-share in 3-star
hotels, an overnight sleeper train, breakfasts daily, tour leader and
a Moscow Metro Card; available on select dates to October 2008 with
air extra. Details 1800 069 063 or www.studentflights.com.au

TRUE: Today’s average mega-liner uses as much electricity in a day as
a city of 50,000 people.