Australian travellers know Russia is so hot right now

With 2016 marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Trans-Siberian rail line through Russia, bookings and interest from Australian customers has in the first four months exceeded expectations for travel on this legendary rail journey.

Beyond Travel’s general manager, Bryce Crampton siad that the travel experience has always been a bucket list item for active travellers in Australia with a recent surge in demand attributed to the variety of tours and packages available, with guaranteed departures and the prominent coverage of the journey in the mainstream press due to the  anniversary.

“Russia in general is hot right now; we have seen a huge spike over the last six months for forward bookings, on all products including the premium private trains, guaranteed small group tours and the tailor-made packages along both the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian routes”, he added.

Beyond Travel have been providing a comprehensive range of Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian rail journeys in the Australian market for over 21 years with a dedicated sales team as both tour leaders and passionate travellers on the trains and railways in Russia.

New Topdeck travel app cures your travel worries

The app includes handy features such as a budget tracker across multiple currencies, downloadable maps and city guides, plus all the latest itinerary, weather and timezone information.

Budding Topdeckers can also live chat with fellow passengers before the trip and share their pictures on social media within the app.

In keeping ahead of other travel brands, Topdeck have introduced MOVE as an additional app fitness feature, which hosts a series of “Bucket List Runs” (available both online and offline) providing Topdeckers with safe, scenic routes.

Asia Pacific General Manager Joe Ponte commented: “Highlighting Topdeck’s dedication to offering travellers unique and unforgettable experiences, the Bucket List Runs provide another way for Topdeckers to immerse themselves in a destination.”

“We’re seeing more millennials seek a balanced travelling lifestyle, with these runs being a vital step in the right direction to an active life, even when travelling. With this feature already launched and plans to release further features later this year, the app will be filled with even more exciting destinations to discover and additional wellbeing programs” said Joe.

All the above functions are fully operational on both iOS and Android and exclusively accessible to all booked Topdeck passengers.

Get in quick. Explore! Australia are having a ‘Europe Summer’ sale!

Explore! have announcing a Europe Summer sale available for all bookings until 31 May 2016 on all adventures within Europe.  The offer is applicable on trips departing June to September 2016.

The adventure travel company have over 500 tours available in over 120 countries, offering a choice that is second to none. Explore prides itself on small group travel of around 14-16 people which minimises environmental impact and enhances the experience for travellers.

What do they have on offer? Think cycling, walking, trekking, food and drink, rail, wildlife, and beach holidays. Europe has it all.

EUROPEAN TRAIN RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN

Hold the phone, did we just hear that the reservation systems for most of the European trains over the summer period are now open for bookings?

That’s right, International Rail have announced that you can now save your illusive Eurostar train seat for the Euro-summer travels.

Agents can now confirm their customer’s bookings for travel until mid- August on the majority of high-speed train services on the major European networks, including Germany, France, Italy and Eurostar.

Managing director Jonathan Hume said that due to International Rail’s new live booking technology , the process of booking trains is much simpler. Agents will find navigating the increasingly complex rail schedules and ticket types a breeze. 

He added, “This involves new live bookings  to reduce time consuming and frustrating procedures for agents with the IR booking site doing all the hard work”.

Rail Pass unveils new Eurail incentive

Rail Plus is now giving away Coles and Myer Group gift cards worth up to $40 with every Eurail Global or Select pass* booking made between 2 May and 30 June 2016.

Agents will receive a $20 voucher for each booking containing a Eurail Select Pass and a $40 voucher for each booking that includes a Eurail Global Pass.

Travel agents can book Eurail passes through Australasia’s leading rail specialist 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting www.railplus.com.au.

Covering 28 countries, the Eurail Global Pass provides total freedom, with holders able to travel on an unlimited number of trains on every day of the pass’ validity. Pass validities range from 15 days to three months.

The Eurail Select Pass allows passengers to select two, three or four bordering countries to explore by rail. Holders can choose from 26 countries, with passes valid for five, six, eight and 10 days within two months.

Rail Plus’ Eurail incentive applies to all bookings totalling $1,000 or more, with full payment made by 30 June 2016.

A&K releases new journey visiting Tibet’s Horse Racing Festival

An exciting new journey from the experts at Abercrombie & Kent has been added to the company’s portfolio. This adventure reveals the heart and soul of China and its tiny neighbour Tibet.

There are two fascinating days spent at the Qinghai Yushu Horseracing Festival in the far northeast of Tibet. This unforgettable cultural experience takes place on a grassy plain south of Yushu. Colourful yak-hair tents of nomadic Tibetans surround the racecourse where more than 10,000 people converge to trade and celebrate the skills of horsemanship through horse racing, shooting and archery.

In addition, the tour visits Beijing, Xian, Lhasa and Shanghai, taking in all the major highlights, as well as a luxury cruise aboard Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer through the Three Gorges. An expert host accompanies the journey from start to finish – Beijing local, Michael Ye, one of A&K’s leading China guides.

A&K’s China, the Yangzi & Tibet’s Horse Racing Festival Journey

Tour dates: 17 July – 2 August 2017

Twin share per person: $15,495. Single supplement: $3,895.

Maximum of 18 guests.

New ‘Lando’ revolutionises overland travel in Africa

G Adventures has launched a new overland adventure vehicle (OAV), purpose-built for today’s modern traveller, and designed to maximise safety and comfort.

The fleet of ten “Landos” have been introduced on most G Adventures overland trips in eastern and southern Africa.

Each truck features full body seatbelts, reclining seats with side-seat movement for extra shoulder room, a 250-litre water tank to reduce the use of plastic bottles, in-built Wi-Fi, USB chargers at every seat, large front windows for better views of wildlife, and windows designed specifically for photography.

G Adventures VP of product Jeff Russill, says his team has completely re-invented and improved the OAV with the needs of travellers in mind, using traveller feedback and the inside knowledge of the G Africa team.

“Our travellers have become more sophisticated and their needs have changed. We no longer accept that the old vehicles suit modern-day travellers, and in our bid to lead with service have come up with a solution to bring overland travel into a new age,” Russill said.

‘Lando’ is a play on the word ‘overland’ and it’s no coincidence the OAV bears a likeness to cavaliering Star Wars character, Lando Calrissian, whose sense of adventure is similar to that of G Adventures’ travellers.

G Adventures managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Adrian Piotto said travellers would enjoy the added comfort in the new Landos.

“While the roads in Africa have improved over time, the comfort of the vehicles certainly has not – until now. We are proud to be leading the way with adventure comfort over in Africa.”

The Lando will be operating on 22 G Adventures Yolo itineraries (adventures for 18 to 39 year olds) covering Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.