Just a quick wholesaler wrap on this fine Monday. Sadly, as quick as our weekend started and finished.

Contiki reveals the not so obvious ‘What’s Hot’ destinations for 2018

Contiki, the global leaders inyouth travel,reminds travellers that there is still time to make 2018 travel plans to visit some of the most unique destinationsaround the world. Late last year, Contikirevealed the impact travel has on young people through an extensive research project, The Power of Travel, and also asked 1,800 Aussie’s where they want to jet-set to in 2018.

See Contiki’s 2018 Emerging Destinations list below.

• Jasper, Canada
• Uyuni, Bolivia
• Bath, England
• Pondicherry, Southern India
• Geiranger Fjord, Norway
• Austin, Texas
• Isle of Skye, Scotland
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Kona, Hawaii
• Khao Sok, Thailand
• Sorrento, Italy
• French Riviera, France
• Rotorua, New Zealand
• Tokyo, Japan
• Granada, Spain
• Selfoss, Iceland
• Lake Titicaca, Peru
• Algarve, Portugal
• Budapest, Hungary
• Marrakech, Morocco

Luxury Amazon Cruises

World Journeys are promoting the Amazon jungle as one of the most impressive natural wonders on the South America continent, and highly recommend cruising as a great way to get in amongst the extraordinary flora and fauna of the region. Delfin offer luxury small-ship cruising in the Peruvian Amazon, out of Iquitos.

Enjoy every comfort and an intimate ambience aboard deluxe and environmentally friendly small river vessels accommodating between eight to 41 guests. There are three luxury vessels to choose from each offering three and four night itineraries.

Priced from $ 4,325 per person (share twin) for a five day/four night cruise, this includes activities and excursions with expert naturalist guides, award-winning gourmet meals, some beverages, National Park entrance fees and airport transfers. Contact World Journeys for details of this and other options in the Amazon 1800 155 044 or info@worldjourneys.com.au.

U by Uniworld opens new school in Nepal for Petra Nemcova’s charity, All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response

On behalf of All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response, philanthropist and supermodel Petra Nemcova, was thrilled to announce the completion of Nibugaun School (built by U by Uniworld and its foundation TreadRight) in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal, with a ceremonial school reopening to the Principal and its rural community.

With the 2017 announcement of Nemcova as U by Uniworld’s ‘Guardian Angel’, the youthful river cruising brand donated US $50,000 to support her charity and the rebuild of Nibugaun School. After the 2015 earthquake which had left the school unsafe due to a devastating magnitude of over 7.3 – thanks to the relief efforts over 11 weeks, two buildings have been refitted, providing four disaster resilient classrooms, four toilets, installed water filtration and built a playground. The school serves ECD (Early Childhood Development), between the ages of four to 11.

Nemcova and guests were warmly greeted by its joyous community and branded with a red tika (dot) on their forehead, a symbol of good luck to mark the celebration, followed by a fire being lit to signify new beginnings and a bright future for the many generations to come. Volunteers from Australia and all over the world were praised for their commitment to the project.

Experience Turkey from above with Tempo Holidays

Visiting Turkey is an intoxicating experience. It’s history straddles empires, the landscape is awe-inspiring, and the culture melds the modern world with ancient traditions, and one of the best, and most unique ways to experience this is from above.

Book a selected Tempo Holidays package and for a limited time receive a free hot air balloon ride over the stunning Cappadocia, valued at over A$250//NZ$285 per person.

Included in the promotion is Tempo’s Flavours of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Gallipoli. On this 10 day independent tour travellers will get to admire the extraordinary moonlike landscape of fairy chimneys and cone shaped rock formations of Cappadocia, see the limestone cliffs and mineral pools of Pamukkale, and enjoy a full guided tour of Gallipoli battlefields.

Prices start from A$1925//NZ$2195 per person twin share, and includes nine nights’ accommodation, nine breakfasts and seven lunches, and guided sightseeing of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy and Gallipoli.

Discover Scenic’s Bordeaux with Getaway

Tune in to Getaway over the next three weeks as Catriona Rowntree takes the scenic route to discover the highlights and hidden gems of France’s beautiful Bordeaux region. The Nine Network will be screening three full half hour episodes on Saturday 10, 17 and 24 March.

Catriona’s five-star all-inclusive luxury river cruise on board Scenic Diamond will see her depart the ‘City of Light’ Paris for France’s famed wine capital, travelling through some of the most spectacular scenery the south west of France has to offer.

Inspired by Scenic’s Breathtaking Bordeaux itinerary, Catriona begins her journey in stylish Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower and the famous Lido cabaret show, before sampling Paris as a local on Scenic’s Paris with a Parisian tour. The walking tour takes in some of the city’s most famous landmarks, cafes and boutiques.

Departing Paris by rail, Catriona arrives in Bordeaux and after a quick tour through the city, boards Scenic Diamond to begin her river cruise. With the first full day still taking in the sights of Bordeaux, Catriona shops with a chef at a local market and explores the impressive Cité du Vin.

Experience America’s heart and soul with Excite Holidays

From today until Sunday 25 March, Excite Holidays and Travel South USA will be taking agents on an adventure through the South, the undisputed heart and soul of America. To help agents book this incredible destination, a curated guide has been created. From Georgia to Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Kentucky, the guide willshowcase the best of these seven unique states.

Visit the boyhood home of author Mark Twain and the birthplace of Elvis Presley, learn aboutthe legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks, get toe-tapping on Bourbon St orwander through the Country Music Hall of Fame, the guide is the perfect mix of essentialexperiences and must-try foodie delights.

Whether you are a fried chicken lover, can’t go past mouthwatering barbecue, or you’re keen to hit the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the guidetruly has it all and is the ultimate tool for agents to use to book the South.Excite Holidays are also thrilled to be offering agents 500 bonus rewards points for every nightbooked and paid for in the South.

Zurich has Passion for Fashion

Zurich is earning its spot on the fashion map thanks to FASHIONHOTEL. For the second year in a row, the banking capital’s passion for fashion will feature a series of pop-up stores and events that will allow thousands of fashion enthusiasts to meet and mingle with the talent behind the latest trends and labels.

From 16 – 18 March 2018, the FASHIONHOTEL Spring Edition 18 will take place at Kameha Grand Zurich where 80 up-and-coming fashion, beauty and lifestyle labels as well as the country’s fashion influencers will present the latest in spring-summer trends.

Over the three-day weekend event, visitors will be able to go from hotel room to hotel room (all of which would be transformed into pop-up stores) where they can explore and shop for the latest designs. They will also have the chance to meet the faces behind the brands and other industry influencers to learn about the latest innovation in fashion and the must-haves for 2018.

Event highlights include a fashion show at the pre-opening, multiple workshops on styling, food and lifestyle, the personal shopper experience, a yoga session and others. There will also be a ticketed music event where shoppers can let loose to the tunes of the DJ line up.