Battling a hangover from Splendour in the Grass, our priorities right now are a) shower b) sleep then c) Wholesaler Wrap.

Last minute voyage sale to witness the Northern Lights

50% off Cuba Cruising

Sell the incredibly cultural destination, Cuba, with ease with Tempo Holidays 50% off cruise fares plus free cruise fares for children.

Celestyal Cruise Cuba is the only way to experience Cuba’s famous and enchanting destinations while experiencing Cuban culture firsthand. Celestyal Cruises offers a unique all-inclusive opportunity to experience the country’s history, landscapes and culture in a comfortable and seamless travel environment.

With impeccable service, authentic cuisine to exceptional daily shore excursions using the best local guides and operators, this is a chance to experience the authentic Cuba.

Prices for this package were from A$2510//NZ$2680 per person and are now selling from A$1927//NZ$2680 per person based on twin IA Inside Cabin. Valid for travel until 21 Aug 2017.

Conditions apply. Book by 21 Aug 2017 to receive discount. Contact res@tempoholidays.com or call 1300 558 987 for more information or to book. New Zealand contact res@tempoholidays.co.nz or call 0800 836 844.

JOIN INTREPID FOR PRICELESS GORILLA EXPERIENCE AT HALF THE COST

Intrepid Travel is advising travellers that it is still offering permits to see the gorillas in Rwanda for US$750 despite local authorities announcing that prices would double from May.

As one of the few travel company’s which pre-purchases permits for its scheduled group treks in Volcanoes National Park, Intrepid’s guests will be among the last to enjoy the experience at the reduced price on scheduled group tours.

The Rwanda Development Board announced in May that gorilla permits would double in price to US$1500 effective immediately in a bid to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute more to the development of communities in the area.

Intrepid offers gorilla safaris as part of eight African itineraries ranging from 16 to 64 days. Tours start from $3757* for a 16-day overland adventure through Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, including a close encounter with the gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Bench Africa Deal of the Week

Ormina Tours releases new 2018 program

Ormina Tours continues to redefine small groups touring in their 2018 program with the addition of three new Italian tours based around immersive experiences.

Ormina recognises that their clients tend to be well travelled and are constantly looking for new ways to experience Italy, which is why the new 2018 additions will provide travellers with the opportunity to visit new, undiscovered locations and become more involved in the Italian culture.

With ‘Sicily Bella’ being one of the best selling tours for 2017, Ormina is launching a new food and wine focused culinary tour over eight days in the region. Food, wine, and truffles will be the focus of a second tour in the unexplored Piedmont region over a six-day period.

The third new tour brings another level of sophistication to travel, with luxury being the focus of a new Lakes and Mountains tour around Italy and Switzerland. A feature is the unprecedented quality of 5 star hotels used, particularly in Lake Como and Lugano and a train journey on the famed Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps.

Whilst keeping to its model of small luxury group tours, Ormina Tours has expanded its combinations to allow guests greater opportunity to combine its European tours back to back. Moreover, Ormina’s departure dates continue to align with SilverSea and Uniworld cruise departure dates, making client travel across Europe even easier.

New Midnight Sun tour with Bentours

Scandinavia is famous for its polar night, the winter months of the year where the sun hardly makes an appearance and the Northern Lights flash across the sky.

The less spoken of but no less exciting time of year is the opposite – the Midnight Sun over the summer months. Locals make the most of the extended daylight hours to spend more time outside and basking in the sun.

The Midnight Sun is the phenomenon that occurs in and around the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle where the sun is still visible at midnight because of the tilt of the earth. The closer to the poles, the more sunlight there is – this means a quarter of Finland has 60 days of sun without setting, while Svalbard in Norway has no sunset from the 19th of April to 23rd of August.

Bentours is thrilled to launch Follow the Midnight Sun, a small group tour designed to witness the magic of the midnight sun at the northernmost point of Europe. See the sun that never sets. And the day that never ends! This twelve day tour captures the very best that Scandinavia has to offer in the luminous summer months, beginning in the southern Finnish capital Helsinki, before boarding the train to Rovaniemi in the heart of Lapland.

This small group escorted package is designed to offer the best of the summer months. Highlights of this incredible tour include a visit to SIIDA, the national museum of the Finnish Sami. The Sami Museum stores the spiritual and material culture of the Finnish Sami in its collections and presents it to the public through its exhibitions and publications.

Spaces are limited on this extraordinary escorted tour, so please get in quick to secure your spot today.

Peter Sommer Travels Presents Europe’s Cultural Charms This Spring 

Italy, Deriya-Deniz,

Cultural and archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels has announced availability on a series of fascinating expert-led itineraries exploring Europe’s most charming countries including Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Sicily this spring (European autumn).

Guests can enjoy the Mediterranean’s gentle sun and warm seas on a range of exciting land-based tours and scenic sea voyages based aboard a hand-crafted gulet. Catering to small groups, these trips feature enthralling ancient history, superb scenery and delicious cuisine.

Each tour is led by Peter Sommer Travels’ expert guides who bring each destination to life with specialist historic and local knowledge.

Space is currently available on a total of eight tours departing this spring, including three exciting new itineraries:

CROATIA

• NEW: Cruising the Dalmatian Coast: from Šibenik to Zadar – this seven-night voyage invites just 12 guests on an off-the-beaten-track tour of one of Croatia’s most diverse coastal regions. Led by archaeologist Dr Helena Tomas, guests discover Šibenik’s cathedral and hilltop fortresses, the picturesque Kornati archipelago, Trogir’s medieval cityscape and the Krka Valley’s incredible waterfalls. Other highlights include the tiny medieval island of Nin and delicious Croatian cuisine and wine served onboard and ashore. Departing September 9, 2017, the tour is priced from £3,395*pp (approx. AUD5750*).

• Cruising the Dalmatian Coast: from Split to Dubrovnik – this seven-night cruise led by archaeologist Filip Budić explores Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, including UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian at Split and Dubrovnik’s monuments. The cruise visits the intimate town of Korčula, the charming harbour town of Hvar and the islands surrounding Brač. Croatian dishes and wine feature throughout the cruise, which departs September 16, 2017. Fares are from £3,395*pp (approx. AUD5750*).

• NEW: Walking and Cruising Southern Dalmatia – this seven-night trip introduces Peter Sommer Travels’ first Croatian ‘Walking and Cruising’ itinerary, combining the comfort of a gulet cruise with fascinating land excursions and led by archaeologist Dr Helena Tomas. Guests discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stari Grad Plain on Hvar, the medieval wall at Ston and the monastery on the island of Mljet. Guests enjoy fine cuisine and wines served in local restaurants and onboard. Departing September 30, 2017, the price is from £3,395*pp (approx. AUD5750*)

GREECE

• NEW: Cruising the Aegean: from Kos to Patmos – this seven-night cultural cruise of the Dodecanese islands explores the archaeological riches of Kos, Crusader castles and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island of Patmos. Led by expert guides Prof. Tony Spawforth and Nota Karamaouna, the cruise anchors in secluded harbours where meals are served onboard or in specially-selected island tavernas. Departing September 2, 2017, the cruise is priced from £2,575* pp (approx. AUD4365*).

• Exploring Athens – Experts Heinrich Hall and Nota Karamaouna lead this seven-night exploration of Athens’ fascinating history. The tour visits the city’s ancient marketplace, the Agora, with its wealth of remains from Classical, Hellenistic and Roman times, plus the 19^th century harbour town of Aiginio with its ancient treasures in the National Archaeological Museum. Departing October 7, 2017, the tour is priced from £2,650*pp (approx. AUD4490*) and includes mostly full-board five-star hotel accommodation.

ITALY & SICILY

• Cruising the Amalfi Coast – this seven-night cruise offers just 10 guests the chance to see the beautiful Italian coastline from the water. Expert guides Dr.Sophy Downes and Francesca Del Vecchio will lead visits to famous sites including Capri, Pompeii and Amalfi, and lesser-known gems including the Villa Baia and Villa Oplontis. Departing September 2, 2017, the cruise is priced is from £3,975*pp (approx. AUD6735*).
•  A Gastronomic Tour of Sicily – Catering to just 10 guests, this seven-night trip is ideal for food lovers who will be treated to delicious cuisine, excellent Sicilian wine and gourmet food tours in Eastern Sicily. Guests learn to prepare regional specialities during private cookery classes at local restaurants and discover the Sicilian food culture. Led by Marcello Baglioni and Lucia Iacono, the tour visits Baroque towns, bustling food markets and includes a walking tour of Mount Etna. Departing September 23, 2017, fares start from £3,375*pp (approx. AUD5720*) and include Bed & Breakfast-style accommodation with select meals.

TURKEY

• Walking and Cruising the Lycian Shore – this two-week tour is one of Peter Sommer Travels’ most popular trips, taking in archaeological highlights including the Lycian city of Pinara, the Roman port city of Patara and the Ottoman castle of Kale and tracing the routes of 2,000-year-old aqueducts. Ideal for walkers, the tour is escorted by Peter Sommer as he follows in the footsteps of characters from Alexander the Great. Departing September 30, 2017, the tour is priced from £3,995*pp (approx. AUD6770*).