Big Fat Road & Rail Wrap
Why do we love Thursdays? Because there are two wraps! We’re talking about the wraps in the newsletter BTW, not the wraps we have for lunch today.
Mary Valley ‘Rattler’ back on the rails to offer picturesque heritage steam train experience on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
The future is looking bright for one of Queensland’s most -loved tourism attractions, with the steam and diesel engines of the Mary Valley Rattler again chugging their way through some of the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s most picturesque countryside.
After many years of extensive upgrades to existing track work and improvements to its fleet of historic steam and diesel locomotives and carriages – each with their own unique story – the heritage railway experience has been relaunched after an almost seven-year hiatus. At its peak, the Valley Rattler, as it was then known, played host to upwards of 30,000 passengers annually.
Morning and afternoon services on the Mary Valley Rattler will now run three days per week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for a return journey from the historic Gympie or Amamoor stations via Dagun.
Reputed to be the largest timber railway building owned by Queensland Rail during the 20th century, the historic Gympie station is the headquarters of the Mary Valley Rattler and arguably one of the most stylish and elaborate in the context of timber railway architecture.
Ride a Tour de France Climb, explore Alps on new Sojourn Cycling Tour
Bike along the shore of Lake Annecy and up one of the climbs of the Tour de France, explore Mont Blanc on foot and stay in elegant accommodations on a new tour in France from Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations. Beyond the rides, be charmed by the canals and cobblestone streets of Annecy, explore the shops and brasseries of Chamonix, and savour traditional French and Alpine cuisine. The six-day tour departs June 16, June 23, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22, 2019. Starts at $4,550 per person based on double occupancy.
Starting in Annecy, ride along the west shore of Lake Annecy, France’s third largest lake, then explore the Alps’ glorious Haute-Savoie region, with 7,700-foot La Tournette dominating the dramatic vistas. Stay in the Imperial Hotel, a majestic Edwardian-style property amid a wooded park on the banks of the lake that once hosted the likes of Winston Churchill.
Next, get in a bucket-list ride pedalling up the switchbacks of Stage 10 from the 2018 Tour de France, from Bluffy to La Clausaz, staying in the Hotel Beauregard, which is built in traditional Alpine chalet style.
Then it’s on to Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, and a stay at Relais & Chateaux luxurious 5-star Hameau Albert 1er. Pedal through the farming villages of Flumet and Megève, hike up the Grand Balcon Sud of Mont Blanc or visit the Mer de Glace ice cave, and finish with an out-and-back ride highlighted by views of Les Grands Montets.
Save 15 per cent on 2019 motorbike tours with Extreme Bike Tours
Grab your mates and open throttle on some of the world’s most spectacular roads on the back of a classic Royal Enfield motorbike with this special 15 per cent discount from Extreme Bike Tours.
Appealing to the more than one million Australians who ride motorbikes often in clubs or groups, Extreme Bike Tours is offering a special, 15 per cent discount per person on their 2019 ‘Hidden Sri Lanka,’ ‘Luxury Rajasthan,’ ‘Bhutan,’ ‘Madagascar,’ ‘Mongolia,’ and ‘High Himalaya’ tours if you book with three other riders. The special discount is open-ended with no booking deadline.
Extreme Bike Tours’ 13-day ‘Hidden Sri Lanka’ round-tour takes riders from the palm-fringed coastline of the tropical island through to mountainous regions filled with tea plantations, ancient civilisations and exotic wildlife. The 14-day, ‘Luxury Rajasthan’ tour, lets riders explore India’s largest state at full throttle, visiting ancient forts, wandering nomads, grand palaces as well as India’s most iconic monument, the Taj Mahal.
Each tour includes fuel, meals, accommodation and transfers. Flights from Australia are extra. Extreme Bike Tours is one of the world’s leading motorcycle tour companies, offering tours in the Himalayas, Bhutan, Mongolia, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka and Cuba.
International Rail launch new one-stop shop for agents
Australian-owned International Rail has just launched its new one-stop shop dedicated agent portal, allowing agents to access the numerous products and booking systems the wholesaler offers the Australian market, all with the added peace of mind of local support from the Melbourne based sales and reservations teams.
Over the past 12 months, International Rail has diversified to offer complementary products to its core rail offering. We have created four new divisions catering for ferries, transfers, hotels and shore excursions. The new website, www.agent.internationalrail.com.au, has been designed to simplify the process for agents to provide their clients with an affordable and efficient range of products – all in one place.
Owner and managing director Jonathan Hume said that in recent years the company identified with the needs of its travel partners and has introduced complimentary travel related products worldwide. These include state of the art online bookings systems for ferries, transfers, shore excursions and hotels.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
extreme bike tours international rail Mary Valley Rattler Sojourn Cycling TourLatest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.