Today’s wholesaler wrap is a little soggy after Travel Weekly‘s wrap aficionado fell in a puddle on her way to work this morning.

World Expeditions Removes Eagle-Hunting Festival from its Mongolian program

Adventure travel specialist, World Expeditions, has removed the eagle hunting festival from its Mongolian program, as part of its continued drive to ensure its complete range of active itineraries adheres to the strictest standards of animal welfare.

According to World Expeditions Responsible Travel Manager, Donna Lawrence, the decision was taken in consultation with World Animal Protection, the expert organization which assists in the company’s comprehensive Animal Welfare Code of Conduct.

“Although it is not our place to pass judgement on the long-held cultural tradition of eagle hunting in Mongolia, it is our place to remove tourism activities from our program that do not adhere to the principals of animal welfare,” Lawrence said.

“The eagle hunting festival is a spectacle for tourists and the welfare of the eagles and their prey at the festival does not adhere to the universally accepted ‘Five Freedoms’ of animal welfare”, on which our animal welfare Code of Conduct is based.”

World Expeditions is a leading operator in Mongolia, due to the long term involvement of Tim Cope, widely recognized as a leading expert on Mongolia and its surrounds. Tim authored the award-winning On the Trail of Genghis Khan, a first-hand account of his years-long journey through Mongolian steppe and was the 2016 recipient of the Mongolian friendship medal, in recognition of his work in celebrating and promoting Mongolian nomad culture internationally.

In addition, he received the 2015 Mongolian Government tourism excellence award, and was made an honorary ambassador for Mongolian Tourism internationally.

Adventure World Travel releases new winter brochure

Adventure World Travel has released its 2020 Winter brochure, with four new trips in Nunavut, Norway, Italy and Slovakia taking clients on once-in-a-lifetime journeys to explore the magic of winter.

New for 2020, guests can experience the action of the Martedi Grasso (fat Tuesday) during Venice Carnival on the 9-day Winter in Italy itinerary otherwise travellers can head on a luxury rail journey from Norway to Russia with vantage points of the Aurora Borealis when travelling on Adventure World Travel’s 12-day Arctic Explorer with Golden Eagle.

Over in Canada, opportunities to see the Aurora are abundant with a selection of new lodges in the wilderness of the Yukon and Northwest Territories and Alaska, whilst new trips to Nunavut will see travellers uncover the unique culture and people of the Canadian Arctic on an adventure into the wild north. From dogsledding in a traditional Inuit sled to snowmobiling along caribou trails, guests will be taken very much off the beaten path in this remote province not often frequented by travellers.

A new destination for Adventure World Travel guests, Slovakia, sees guests exploring winter in Slovakia with Explore Worldwide. The 8-day Slovakia Winter Family Adventure will see families take on activities such as skifox, snow-tubing on air-filled rings, night sledging and snowshoeing.

Back-Roads Touring launches 2020 Europe pre-release offer

Small group touring experts, Back-Roads Touring, have unveiled a pre-release special for their most popular Europe tours.

Five of Back-Roads Touring’s most popular European itineraries for 2020 have been released today with an exclusive pre-release offer, making now a better time than ever to secure the trip of a lifetime. The exclusive deal offers guests the opportunity to start their holiday in style, with a free transfer and complimentary pre-tour night of accommodation included with every booking made before July 1, 2019.

The deal, which is on sale now, is available for bookings on traveller favourite Back-Roads’ tours Italian Indulgence, Iberian Inspiration, The Emerald Isle, The Garden of England and Highlights of Britain, ensuring a seamless and relaxed start to guests’ tour.

The latest consumer research by Back-Roads Touring has reinforced mature travellers’ love of UK and European travel, finding almost half of Australians over 55 surveyed would like to visit Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Spain on a small group tour.1 The research also revealed that almost half of mature Australian travellers identify the UK and Europe as their most desired destination of choice.

Travel to Europe and Britain in style with Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold’s unbeatable 2020 preview collection

Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, the award-winning global leaders in premium and luxury escorted journeys has released their 2020 Europe Preview collection, providing travellers with a range of fascinating and unique experiences to bring each destination to life.

Travellers can select from Insight’s full range of departure dates and four types of travel styles from over 80 unforgettable itineraries. Ten Luxury Gold itineraries are available for clients – from travelling on the popular Ultimate Italy or exploring Spain & Portugal in Style – guests have an array of exclusive experiences just waiting to be discovered.

For a limited time, clients can secure their booking with just a $200 deposit to take advantage of the Preview Price Guarantee and enjoy 2020 trips at unbeatable 2019 prices when booking during the preview period. 

They can also save by booking early for an additional 10 per cent off with Insight’s Early Payment Discount.* Travel Advisorscan inform their clients that if the prices of the sister brands’ European journeys increase, both companies will honour the Preview price and if the prices go down, they will refund the difference.

Globus family of brands breathe new life into its North America Globus and Cosmos offerings

Unforgettable wildlife encounters, spectacular natural scenery and historic cities take centre-stage in Globus and Cosmos’ 2020 North America (including Canada) brochure launches – alongside seven invigorating new tours.

Among the latest hand-crafted additions include three Cosmos itineraries spanning North America’s renowned Joshua Tree National Park and desert playground of Palm Springs; to the resident sea lions of Alaska’s Inside Passage; and through to the Eastern Seaboard’s charming towns of Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina and Daytona Beach, Florida.

Aussies can also practice their French with two of Globus’ new itineraries taking in the sights of Quebec, with highlights including picturesque maritime ports, the province’s largest winter carnival, and a behind the scenes look into the art of strawberry wine making (and of course tasting). Globus also shines a light on a number of special events including the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, which features a Planetarium and telescope experience of the largest sky preserve in the world, as well as the historic Mayflower 400^th Anniversary Embarkation Festival in Plymouth.

Explore sees fourfold increase in passengers on its Chernobyl short break

Explore has seen a fourfold rise in passenger numbers on its five day Discover Chernobyl short break since the hit series Chernobyl was broadcast on 7 May 2019.

Explore began offering trips to Chernobyl in 2016 with a specialist short break. Following its huge success Explore launched its Discover Chernobyl short break in 2017. Since then the itinerary has been Explore’s fastest selling trip and the operator increased the number of departures for 2018 by 50 per cent and then again by a further 23 per cent for 2019.

The Discover Chernobyl short break includes two days exploring inside the Exclusion Zone featuring the town of Pripyat, the Red Forest, Chernobyl Docks and the ‘New Safe Confinement’ structure shell around Reactor 4.

On the trip, there is also the opportunity to meet a self-settler – one of the few people who chose to return to their home after the accident and has been living within the outer Exclusion Zone ever since.

More touching theatre performances to connect community members living with sight loss

Theatre companies often make their productions accessible for blind and low vision theatre-goers with services like live audio description and tactile tours of the set, props and costumes.

Now, these services are even more accessible with theatre event packages created by Cocky Guides, a business that specialises in providing unique, multi-sensory adventures for the blind and low-vision community.

Cocky Guides are working with production companies by providing supported group travel for select performances, making it easier for community members living with sight loss to connect with each other and enjoy access services at the theatre like live audio description.

Live audio description provides real-time imagery during gaps in the dialogue on stage via a small earpiece and enables members of the blind and low vision community better understand performers’ actions, expressions and gestures.

Cocky Guides will provide supported group travel for the audio described performance of Once to be held at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in Wollongong on Saturday 27th July 2019.

Intrepid invites travellers on a trip without knowing the itinerary

Intrepid Travel has opened applications for its one-off ‘Uncharted Expedition’ that will see 12 travellers take on a 3500 kilometre trip across three borders and four countries into the unknown.

The 18-day trip travels a route from Tehran to Istanbul that the world’s largest adventure company has not traversed before.

This follows on from the success of the inaugural Uncharted Expedition launched last year from Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia which sold out within 36 hours, despite offering no itinerary to travellers until the day of arrival.

The 2020 Uncharted Expedition doesn’t give too much away, but one day you could be exploring a 3000-year old village, the next day learning an ancient language that doesn’t involve speech.

Travellers can register their contact details from today until 9 July with travellers randomly selected and notified by email in the second week of July.

The expedition will depart April 2020 and is part of Intrepid’s Expeditions range, a style of trips that the adventure travel company still uses to discover new destinations and test new trip ideas.

Travellers on the expedition will be asked to provide feedback, which will determine if the trip is added to Intrepid’s 2021 Expeditions offering.

The 18-day trip has been secretly planned with the guidance and expert knowledge of Intrepid’s destination managers.

Intrepid’s Uncharted Expedition is priced at $4595 AUD per person, excluding flights. Spaces are strictly limited to one departure only.

TTC’s weekly deals

ADVENTURE WORLD TRAVEL

Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Gorillas

Book Adventure World Travel’s Rwanda Wildlife Safari by 31 October to save 30 per cent on your clients Rwanda Gorilla Permit. On this 6 day Rwanda Wildlife Safari with Gorillas, guests will discover Akagera National Park, which is set among some of the most scenic savannah in East Africa and is home to rare and unique wildlife. Guests will be able to seek out buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, spotted hyena and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, tracking mountain gorillas. Starting from $8,165* per person, twin share. This offer is on sale now until 31 October for departures between 1 November 2019 to 31 May 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 363 055 or visit www.adventureworld.com *Conditions Apply.

AAT KINGS

Tastes of Southern Australia – Last Minute Deal

Save up to $1,110 per couple with AAT King’s Last Minute Deals. Guests can enjoy these savings on the 11 Day Tastes of Southern Australia itinerary. Guests will explore the nation’s capital Canberra, country Victoria, cosmopolitan Melbourne and the spectacular coast of Southern Australia on this well-paced journey taking in the stunning scenery of the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island and the Barossa. Starting from $3,975* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until sold out or departed for departures on 3 & 24 September 2019. Other departure dates are available but prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 556 100 or visit www.aatkings.com *Conditions Apply.

U RIVER CRUISES

Germany’s Finest (Tattoo on U & U in Drag)

Save up to $750 per person on U River Cruise themed cruises, Tattoo on U & U in Drag. Guests will be able to enjoy the unique charm of U’s 8 day Germany’s Finest itinerary while also cruising with celebrity drag queens or celebrity tattoo artists. U’s themed cruises celebrate those who aren’t afraid to break the mould. Fun, fresh and immersive, with completely original programming your client won’t find anywhere else. Starting from $1,749* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 30 June. U in Drag departs 06 July 2019, and Tattoo on U departs 17 August 2019. For more information or to book call 1300 730 010 or visit www.ubyuniworld.com *Conditions apply.

UNIWORLD

Portugal, Spain & The Douro River Valley

Special offer: Let’s Fly Away – book any 2020 European river cruise and you’ll enjoy business class air from just $3,999* per person or the option to fly free in economy. Hurry, offer ends soon! Use these savings on the 11 day Portugal, Spain & The Douro River Valley onboard the brand new S.S. São Gabriel. An extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travellers. This journey starts in Lisbon following the Douro River through Portugal into Spain before returning to Portugal. Starting from $7,899* per person, twin share (economy airfare included, or upgrade to business class air from $3,999). This offer is on sale now until 30 June for departure on 26 March, 2 & 9 April, 12 & 19 November 2020. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 780 231 or visit www.uniworld.com *Conditions apply.

BUSABOUT

Eastern Winter Adventure

Save 10% off Busabout’s Eastern Winter Adventure. Sleigh of the beaten track and learn why Eastern Europe is snow much more special during the winter season. Travellers will spend 9 days exploring Australia, Czechia (Czech Republic), Germany, Hungary and Poland. Starting from $1007* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 30 June 2019 across trips departing October 2019 to March 2020. For more information or to book contact www.busabout.com or call 1300 287 226. *Conditions apply.

TRAFALGAR

Great Iberian Cities

Save up to 15 per cent* off your clients dream Europe trip with Trafalgar. These savings can be enjoyed on the 9 Day, Great Iberian Cities itinerary, where guests will be enchanted by Spain and Portugal’s charming cities and sun-drenched seaside towns, dancing their way through the fiery streets of Spain to the hilly landscapes of Portugal’s capital. Starting from $2,706* per person, twin share (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 30 June for all September 2020 departures.

For more information or to book call 1300 78 78 78 or visit www.trafalgar.com *Conditions Apply.

CONTIKI

Europe Preview – 2020 trips at 2019 prices PLUS 10% off

Book now with Contiki to get 2020 trip at 2019 prices, PLUS an extra 10 per cent off. Travellers can use these savings on the 18 day European Whirl journey. If your client has been dreaming of going to Europe but doesn’t know exactly where to start, the European Whirl is the best option. Taking in the usual destinations of Paris, Rome and Amsterdam, it also ventures out east to Prague and Berlin. Both of which are currently on Europe’s ‘must see’ list. The perfect combination of culture, relaxation and of course, good times! Starting from $3,550* per person (discount included). This offer is on sale now until 18 December 2019 for departures between 19 June and 3 August 2020. For more information or to book call 1300 266 845 or visit www.contiki.com *Conditions Apply.

INSIGHT VACATIONS

Britain and Ireland Discovery

Insight Vacation’s Europe Preview brochure has launched for 2020 Europe and Britain journeys. Book now to secure your 2020 travel at 2019 pricing. Plus, book before 31 August to save $1,504 per couple.  Guests on use these savings on one of Insight’s most popular journeys, Britain and Ireland Discovery for a 22-day journey through the hidden corners of the British Isles across England, Scotland, Ireland, & Wales. Starting from $6,767* per person, twin share (discount included).

This offer is for sale from now until 31 August 2019 or sold out for departures between 22 April- 24 May 2020. Departure dates are subject to change. Other departure dates are available, but prices may vary. For more information or to book call 1300 727 767 or visit www.insightvacations.com*Conditions Apply.