A Travel Weekly journalist was seen cowering in the corner after being asked to write this wrap, citing four train cancellations in a row as the reason for her distress.

Uber rolls out rewards program

Uber has introduced a new rewards program that lets customers earn every time they use Uber or Uber Eats for business or pleasure, unlocking special benefits along the way.

There are four membership levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, and anyone can sign up to join at no additional cost.

Customers can earn one point for every eligible dollar spent on UberPool and Uber Eats orders; two points for UberX, UberXL, Select, and WAV; and three points for Black and Black SUV.

Once you opt into the program, you’ll get $5 added to your Uber Cash balance for every 500 points earned, regardless of your membership level. Your Uber Cash balance can be spent on both rides and Uber Eats.

Big savings on Back-Roads 2020/21 tours 

Back-Roads Touring has announced its latest offer, inviting guests to save up to $800 per couple on select tours and departures, with their Europe, North America, Asia and UK itineraries on offer with a 5 per cent saving.

Currently on sale until 31 March 2020, the deal allows guests to experience the best of Back-Roads’ iconic off-the-beaten-track experiences in the ultimate small group setting with an irresistible saving.

The discounted tours are available to book now, with tours departing at various dates throughout 2020 and 2021.

Australian Walking Holidays launches Central Australia experience

Australian Walking Holidays has launched a new seven-day Central Australian experience that combines three unmissable highlights of Australia’s Red Centre – the Larapinta Trail, Kings Canyon and Uluru – in an active itinerary designed to show off what makes Central Australia such a sought after destination.

The new Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru in Comfort immerses active travellers in one of the world’s most evocative and ancient landscapes and combines an exploration of the best sections of the Larapinta Trail, the wonders of Kings Canyon and the sacred site of Uluru.

Professionally guided and fully supported throughout, guests will stay in multi-award-winning, exclusive eco-campsites on the Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs, and at permanent campsites at Kings Canyon Resort and Uluru.

Eurostar transforms link between London and Amsterdam with services now direct both to and from the Netherlands 

Eurostar has announced that from the 30 April its London-Amsterdam service will operate fully direct both to and from the Netherlands. Tickets for the direct return journey will be on sale from 11 February 2020.

With competitive fares from just £35 ($67.38) each way, tickets are available from 11 February, for travel from Amsterdam starting on 30 April 2020 and from Rotterdam on 18 May 2020.

Initially there will be three services a day from the UK to the Netherlands. The direct inbound journey from Amsterdam to London will start with two services, with the aim of increasing to a third, and then a fourth.

World Expeditions celebrates 45 years of pioneering adventure with a new-style global brochure

World Expeditions is celebrating 45 years of trailblazing adventure in 2020 and, in a nod to its pioneering past, has released a new global brochure, replacing individual destination brochures.

The new look, global brochure replicates the style of the company’s original brochures and is packed with a range of high quality, all-inclusive, 100 per cent carbon offset active adventures, crafted to appeal to even the most seasoned active travellers.

New rail journeys to France, Slovenia and Spain from Inntravel for 2020

Inntravel encourages travellers to enjoy a change of pace with the help of its latest Journeys programme which offers new self-guided rail adventures amid the most scenic corners of Europe.

Introduced for the new season are a journey to Roman Gaul, traveling between three historic French cities to coincide with the opening of a superb Roman museum, a food-lovers’ trip across northern Spain, stopping in Bilbao and San Sebastián, and the best of Slovenia, using charming, trundling trains to visit both the Alps and the Adriatic.

The 46 self-guided journeys, whether by train, self-drive or by boat, all bear the familiar hallmarks of an Inntravel vacation such as authentic hotels, charming villages and unspoiled landscapes, and a set of fascinating cultural route notes.

Cycle across Colorado on epic 26-day tour covering 1,200-plus miles

Cycle of Life Adventures has combined its three “Colorful Colorado Bike Tours” and the “Ride the Rockies” route to create a four-week long “Epic Colorado” cycling expedition.

This 26-day jaunt across The Centennial State covers 1,258 miles and includes an elevation gain of 89,502 feet. The tour features Crested Butte, Durango, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Grand Mesa, the wine country of Palisade, The Colorado National Monument, a dozen of Colorado’s highest passes, and more.

The guides have 45 years of experience and knowledge of the Colorado routes. In addition to cycling, there are three rest days built in so guests can enjoy activities of fly fishing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, golf or spa experiences. The 2020 tour is slated for June 4-30, 2020. The cost is $2,445-$3,095 per week or $9,100 for the entire tour.

Self-Drive Sri Lanka’s new packages 

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka (TTC) have been working closely with a local partner to develop exclusive Motorhome & Car hire packages for the Australian market.

Travelling the great outdoors by motorhome is not a trend in Sri Lanka, though TTC is able to offer the flexibility for Australian guests to explore by this unique perspective while enjoying the diversity and beauty of Sri Lanka through the network of fully equipped caravan parks available island-wide.

TTC guests are able to choose from a variety of modern & fully equipped European motorhomes, suitable for couples & small families, and provide suggested itineraries, comprehensive information on park facilities and also local guides & experiences (such as a home-cooked meal with a Sri Lankan family) at key locations.