Women’s Only Nepal Tour released
Well Travelled tour partner Crooked Compass has launched a new women’s only tour in time for Mother’s Day.
The Crooked Compass 10-day itinerary, departing 12th September 2017, embraces the simple lifestyle of the Nepalese. Wake up with a morning yoga class before jumping into Kathmandu’s addictive buzz, mingle with ethnic minority groups and embrace two of the world’s great religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Unwind at one of the finest Spa Resorts in Nepal offering a blend of Vedic philosophy, Buddhist medicine and traditional Himalayan knowledge.
Contact us by email for more information on this tour.
Two new-build ocean cruise ships for Viking
Viking Ocean Cruises has signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of two additional cruise ships, with an option for another two.
The new builds will be sister ships to the six already ordered and will enter Viking’s fleet in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The agreement will be effective subject to financing and other customary closing conditions.
READ: TEN THINGS YOU’LL LOVE ON A VIKING OCEAN CRUISE
The new ships will follow the same successful and award-winning design as the current ships ordered and in operation. The entire fleet is comprised of all-veranda staterooms; each ship has a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons and accommodates 930 guests in 465 cabins.
As with the other sister ships, the new ships will be built according to the latest navigation regulations and equipped with the most modern safety systems, including the “Safe return to port” system.
New details released for Scenic Eclipse
Last year, Scenic gave cruisers a sneak peek at the designs for a new cruise ship they’re billing as the world’s first Discovery Yacht – Scenic Eclipse. More information has now been released.
Scenic unveiled more of the discovery yacht’s amenities, highlighting an increase to 10 dining experiences, a longer vessel, scuba diving opportunities and more.
The mega yacht carrying just 228 guests (200 in the Arctic and Antarctica), is slated to sail its inaugural voyage in the Mediterranean on August 31, 2018.
READ: Is Eclipse THE most luxurious cruise ship in the world?
Scenic Eclipse’s small size will allow for docking in smaller ports; its GPS positioning technology will allow it to ‘anchor’ in areas where the use of a real anchor would be off-limits; and its onboard seven-seat helicopters and submarines can take cruisers to remote regions.
Bangkok street food still going strong
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has assured international tourists and travellers that Bangkok remains a top destination for street food.
This is in light of recent articles in the Thai and international press, stating that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is to ban food stalls from Bangkok’s main streets.
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While there are measures in place to control food vendors and enforce current regulations, there is no outright ban on the sale of street food. Food vendors are a vital part of the city’s identity and helped Bangkok be listed by CNN as one of the 23 best cities in the world for street food.
New Westin to open in Hawaii
The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will welcome its first guests from 1 May on the popular Hawaiian island of Maui.
Located on 16 tropical acres of North Kaanapali Beach on Maui, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas is comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas is offers culturally inspired programs and Hawaiian experiences.
The master bedrooms include king-size signature Westin Heavenly Beds and Westin Heavenly Baths with showers, bathtubs and vanities. The living areas offer armoires, queen-size sofa sleepers and private furnished lanais.
Villas also come with fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers. Additionally, the Puuhonua o Nanea Cultural Centre will be at the resort’s heart. Its innovative and educational cultural offerings will honour local history, language, art, crafts, music and dance.
New drinks packages for Holland America
Holland America Line has introduced a new beverage package that offers premium beverage selections.
With the new Holland America package, guests can enjoy drinks from Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff’s collection of cocktails, including the Ritz Cocktail, The Hemingway Daiguiri and Midnight Sun, his latest concoction created to celebrate Holland America Line’s 70th year of exploring Alaska.
The Elite Beverage Package offers any premium spirits, cocktails, wines, beers, coffees, nonalcoholic beverages, bottled water and sodas up to a value of $15 each.
On Koningsdam, the package includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle program, where guests can enjoy more than 100 Coca-Cola flavours.
The price for the Elite Beverage Package is $54.95 per person, per day.
New culinary cruises through France
In 2018, Avalon Waterways has announced it will be expanding its list of themed itineraries, particularly its culinary river cruises.
Food lovers will travel through France on Avalon Waterways elegant river cruise ships and have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s food, wine and culture while enjoying views onboard the open-air balcony on a Suite Ship.
Culinary river cruise departures include “A Culinary Experience from Paris to Normandy” (August 11); “A Culinary Experience on the Grand France” (August 11) and “A Culinary Experience on the Danube Symphony” (July 17).
Virgin Australia to fly Perth to Canberra direct
Virgin Australia yesterday confirmed the introduction of twice weekly non-stop services between Perth and Canberra.
The flights, which will only operate during Federal Parliamentary sitting weeks, are now on sale, and will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. The non-stop services aim to cater for demand for travel from WA to the nation’s capital “and to encourage tourism to both cities,” the carrier said.
READ: Virgin Australia launch Economy X
Flights for 2017 are now on sale and include the new Economy X seating offering extra leg room and personal space.