Coincidentally, Travel Weekly‘s reporter is trialling a fresh lycra outfit in the office today, revealing his love handles to all.

UTracks announces early bird deals for Europe

Agents can save on a huge range of walking, cycling and boat based trips to Europe when booking a 2020 holiday with UTracks, thanks to the arrival of the tour operator’s early bird sale.

Travellers can save up to 10 per cent on a wide range of UTracks trips for new bookings made between 25 September and 25 October 2019.

The early bird offer is available on a plethora of the tour operator’s old favourites and new experiences for 2020, from walking in the High Tatra and Pieniny mountains in Poland, to exploring the less trodden Camino trails of Magna Via Francigena in Italy or Spain’s Sanabrés, among others.

The tour operator also revealed its 2020 brochure will be available at the end of September.

EagleRider ‘goes wild’ with new guided motorcycle tours in Alaska

With over 200 rental locations and over 50 guided tour options, EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals had covered almost every great riding area in the USA, except one – Alaska, the last frontier.

But the wait is over, as EagleRider is now offering three guided motorcycle tours in Alaska.

With Harley-Davidson or Yamaha motorcycles options available, the new Alaska guided tours include the ‘Alaskan Summer Motorcycle Tour’ riding through Anchorage, Valdez, Fairbanks and Talkeetna; Alaskan Adventure Tours riding from Seattle to Anchorage or Anchorage to Seattle through Alaska and Canada along the famous ALCAN Highway through the Yukon Territory and British Columbia.

With sights including mountain glaciers, arctic tundra, wooded forests, the aurora borealis, and deer, moose, bear, buffalo, otters and eagles, the EagleRider Alaska tours are considered a special experience.

Rail Europe’s Great Train Journeys ‘Rail Expert’ module launched

Rail Europe’s has launched the Great Train Journeys Expert module, as part of the 2019 Rail Expert program – a platform specially designed to equip agents with vital information and effective selling tips.

Participating agents will be taken on a virtual and luxurious tour around the world across all continents where they will learn about the different products, routes and services available, including those of the Rocky Mountains, Australian outback and safari plains of Africa.

Apart from winning the many prizes in store including $15 Dan Murphy/Liquorland vouchers, $100 visa gift cards monthly and many other useful goodies, agents who ace the program stand a chance to win a place on a luxurious Great Train Journey taking place before the end of the year.

For assistance, email training@raileurope.com.au.

Acacia Africa kicks off 25th birthday celebrations with two-for-one camping overland deal

Adventure travel company Acacia Africa is kicking off its milestone birthday celebrations early, with its two-for-one offer running throughout October.

A bonus for agents hoping to boost their commission prospects, the camping overland promotion covers 50 itineraries and scheduled departures between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2020.

Bookings should be made by 31 October 2019.

Agents can enjoy a two-for-one saving of $2,175 or ($1,088 per person) on the Pretoria to Pretoria ‘13-day Kruger, Swazi & Drakensberg’ tour, with prices from$1,088 per person (no single supplement).

Agents can also save on an Adventure Pass from $310 per person, which includes all highlights, transport, most meals, camping accommodation and services of a tour leader/driver.

This tour excludes return flights and is available for travellers between 18-39 years old. Full tour price before discount is $2,175 per person.

Taiwan by bike: Across the island in nine days tour

Grasshopper Tours has released its “quintessential Taiwan bike tour”, ‘Bike Taiwan’.

On this new cycling tour, guests will bike the length of the country from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Bikers will ride past emerald-coloured rice paddies and Taoist temples dedicated to the sea-god Matsu, and along the way they willl take in the sheer beauty of Eastern Taiwan’s rugged Pacific Coast, with pristine beaches, exotic hot springs, and gorgeous valleys, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taroko Gorge.

The nine-day/eight-night tour starts at $4,666 and covers 355 to 435 kilometres.

Revival of the Mary Valley ‘Rattler’ gathers steam

The Mary Valley Rattler is celebrating the first anniversary of the heritage rail experience’s return to the tracks on Sunday, 6 October with the launch of a new service and birthday party open to the public.

In addition, a new ‘Tasting Train’ experience will be launched in November, highlighting Mary Valley’s renowned food produce.

The weekly service (every Tuesday) will include tastings on board the RM 76 railmotor, The Red Rocket and local food showcased at the various stops along the way.

Gympie Region Food Ambassador, chef Matt Golinski will launch the Tasting Train on 12 November. The Red Rocket also runs every Thursday for the Rattler Picnic Train service.

Full details and bookings are available at www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au.