ROMANTICS’ NEW HEIGHTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

YOUR WEEKLY TRAVEL TIPS for week beginning 4 February 2008

(PHOTO: John Elias on bended knee proposes to Heidi Hanna atop Sydney
Tower in 2005 – the first-ever proposal on the Tower. And she did say
Yes.)

travellers good buys: with david ellis

ROMANTICS’ NEW HEIGHTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

ROMANTICS can go to new heights in Sydney on Valentine’s Day with an
eagle’s eye view of the city from the golden turret of Sydney Tower
260m above street level – and if you’ve the nerve venturing onto a
moving glass floor that extends over the Tower’s edge – all followed
with either a 2-course lunch or dinner at renowned Jordans Seafood
Restaurant. A Valentine’s Day package also includes complimentary
chocolates, a long-stemmed rose, a monorail Day Pass, and a CD of
images of your Skywalk experience; price is $250 per couple for
daytime or $270 for nighttime. Phone (02) 9333 9222.

A TOUR of the Kremlin, the Hermitage Museum and a cruise along the
canals of St Petersburg are amongst highlights of small-group 9-day
tours of Russia with Beyond Travel between May and October – and book
by February 29 and you’ll save $400 a couple over normal prices. Also
included are the cities of Vladimir, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad and
there are numerous guided activities in Moscow and St Petersburg; most
meals, coach and rail transport, all gratuities and local
English-speaking guides are included in the price that (with the early
booking discount) starts from $3000pp, with air extra. Details on 1300
363 554 or www.beyondtravel.com.au

A 4-NIGHT package at the Grand Mercure Azure Sea Apartments
overlooking Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays comes with a free sunset
cruise between now and March 31. The 1-bedroom apartments give all the
comforts of home, including a modern kitchen, coupled with daily
servicing; price to March 31 starts from $620 a couple for 4-nights.
Details www.azureseawhitsunday.com

GET your toes into the samba with 21-day adventure tours from Rio de
Janeiro to Belem in Brazil from May to December. Highlights include
seeing where the Amazon flows into the Atlantic, sandboarding in
Natal, colourful Salvador and the crystal lakes of the Parnaiba Delta;
price starts from $2220pp plus a local payment of US$450pp and
includes 20-nights twin-share, transport, tour guides and some
activities. Air travel and meals are additional. Phone 1300 799 783 or
check-out www.escapetravel.com.au

HISTORIC Mona Country Manor House that was built at Braidwood, between
Canberra and Batemans Bay in 1827, offers luxury rural getaways in one
of two large villas set amid nearly 2ha of formal gardens. Each has
three ensuited king bedrooms, lounge/dining, gourmet kitchen, and one
has a double spa and billiard table. The Manor has tennis, croquet, a
Roman plunge/spa-pool Bathhouse, and golf is just 3-minutes away;
3-night weekend packages for two couples start from $250 per night
including breakfast provisions on arrival; Braidwood abounds with
antique shops, galleries, small restaurants and has a famous pie shop;
details on www.roamfree.com

TRUE: A woman in Macedonia has made headlines by getting her
first-ever Passport at 110 years of age – and going to a travel agent
for advice on where to go for her first international holiday.

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