It’s time to load up on the latest agent gossip with our agent wrap!

We’ll take some famil with a side of Europe deals and roadshows please. Don’t hold back with the dash of stylish snaps either.

Ok, enough banter aside – let’s get you up to speed so you can sneak off for a real wrap.

Brr, it’s cold in here!

World Journeys have savings of up to US$2,300 per person on select departures of Quark Expeditions’ “Antarctica: Discovering the 7^th Continent” cruise, when booked by 30 September 2015.

Save US$1500 per person on premium cabins, or US$1000 per person on non-premium cabins when you book this cruise aboard the 189-passenger Ocean Diamond departing 10 Dec 2015; or the 117-passenger Sea Adventurer departing 28 Nov or 8 Dec 2015.

Save US$1500 per person on premium cabins, or US$1000 per person on non-premium cabins when you book this cruise aboard the 199-passenger Ocean Endeavour, PLUS receive a Free Charter Air and Hotel Package (valued at US$800). This offer is available on departures 7 Nov, 16 Nov, 25 Nov, and 4 Dec 2015.

Getting to know Switzerland

10 very lucky agents have recently been introduced to some of Switzerland’s top highlights thanks to Switzerland Tourism, tour operator, Holidays on Location and Singapore Airlines.

Throughout the eight days (11-17 Sept), the group enjoyed a good dose of the vibrant cities especially in the trendy Zurich West district, Basel’s artistic centre and Lucerne’s historical town. From tasting fine Swiss wines and cheeses to suspension bridge and cliff walks, adventure and new experiences was the general theme of the their introductory Swiss itinerary.

The group consisted of Birgit Weingartner (Switzerland Tourism), Katherine Butler (Rheom Travel), Bronwyn Best (Epping Travel), Maree McClelland (Wings Away Travel / Cruiseland), Jessica Gordon (Peninsula Travel), Deborah Latham (Holidays on Location), Carly Cunningham (Lifestyle Travel), Sean Keiran (Travel Specialists Mosman), Hannah Omodei (City Beach), Sarah Pogson (Figtree Travel) and Anne McMahon (Ciao Travel).

Insider Journeys seeks Agent input

Insider Journeys is seeking travel agent input, requesting they complete a very short survey via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SWW2Q2 to help the company monitor awareness of its brand.

Two participating respondents will each win a $50 Coles Myer gift card.

Topdeck Europe deals

After a 25% growth rate for camping trips, the travel gurus at Topdeck are keeping up with demand by introducing its new 28-day European Paradiso trip.

The 28-day trip is part of Topdeck’s new Europe & Sailing 2016 Travel Magazine, where travellers can score a 10% discount if they book and pay in full before December 15. The trip starts in London and travels to Mont Saint Michel, Bordeaux, San Sebastian, Madrid, Barcelona, Sardinia, Rome, Florence, Venice, Austrian Alps, Swiss Alps, Rhine Valley and Amsterdam.

Over in Ibiza, with 2.8 million visitors flying there each year, its no wonder Topdeck are getting ready to sail the crystal clear waters on its new 7-day Ibiza sailing trip.

The new trip is part of Topdeck’s Europe & Sailing 2016 Travel Magazine, where travellers can score a 10% discount if they book and pay in full before December 15. Topdeckers will sail from Spain to Espalmador, Formentera, Les Salinas Bay, Cala Jondal, Cala d’Hort and Conjera.

Wendy Wu in NSW

ASIA holiday specialists Wendy Wu Tours are reminding agents to secure their place at its upcoming 2016 brochure launch across New South Wales, with first one kicking off in Sydney CBD on September 29.

Wendy Wu Tours have some exciting announcements to make for the upcoming year that will strengthen the already strong and positive relationship between them and Australian agents. The evenings will be informative as well as entertaining with great hospitality.

Events will be held in Sydney CBD, Dee Why, Parramatta, Cronulla, Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast –allowing agents the convenience of attending in their local area. Please RSVP to your dedicated BDE as soon as possible to confirm their place.

We’re VIP, darling

Pan Pacific Perth and Telstra Perth Fashion Festival hosted an exclusive invitation only cocktail event last night in the hotel’s lavish restaurant, Origins. Media personalities, designers, bloggers, VIPs and Perth’s most stylish rubbed shoulders ahead of the Jaime Lee show at Fashion Paramount.

Upon arrival, guests sipped on an exclusive festival inspired cocktail. The hotel’s Head Chef Paul Gaspa handcrafted a bespoke canapé menu for the evening which included his inventive pulled pork doughnuts, crayfish club sandwiches and an impressive dessert buffet laden with delicate sweet treats.

Luxurious touches added to the opulent atmosphere including a champagne bar as well as an oyster bar offering local West Australian oysters with an array of accompaniments, from caviar to flavoured foams and salsas.

Swiss opens brand new attraction

Switzerland Tourism has, on 16 Sept, opened a brand new summit attraction in the Jungfrau region – the Grindelwald First Cliff Walk summit trail.

Not for the faint hearted, this all-year-round attraction at the First summit station features a circular walk consisting of a suspended bridge, a cliff-side walkway and a vantage platform at a dizzying height. Thrill-seekers braving the 2000m altitude will not only enjoy the close-up views of the cliff’s rugged layered rock formation, but also take in the panoramic views of the neighbouring peaks and glaciers.

For more fun, visitors will also be able to zip-line across the First Flyer, an 800-metre-long zip line or jump on a scooter-bike to explore the rocky range. To find out more about the First Cliff Walk and the activities on offer, visit www.jungfrau.ch and www.myswitzerland.com.

Linger longer at Semara Uluwatu with one night free

Prolong the pampering and linger longer in luxury on this money-saving peak-season special to Semara Luxury Villa Resort Uluwatu where five nights come for the price of four.

Semara Uluwatu has launched a special Stay 5/Pay 4 rate valid for 3, 4, 5 and 10-bedroom villas for stays from December 26, 2015, to January 05, 2016.

For couples, Semara Uluwatu is also offering 50% savings on its selection of luxurious suites, with rates starting from just USD 660* per night for a private plunge pool suite including daily breakfast, butler service on request, free VIP entrance to Finn’s Beach Club plus free Wi-Fi, gym and use of putting green, also valid from December 26, 2015, to January 05, 2016.

For bookings or further information visit www.semarauluwatu.com or email reservations@semararesorts.com.

Adventure to India

Adventure World, has released its 2016 India catalogue as a pre-release for its upcoming 2016/17 India tailor-made collection.

The new India catalogue offers a selection of enchanting itineraries that explore India’s diverse regions such as the 17-day Handpicked South India and Handpicked North India trips and the 15-day Rajasthan Adventure. It also offers short trips such as the 6-day Golden Triangle adventure that touches on India’s most revered cultural icons.

In light of the new catalogue release, Adventure World is offering an amazing deal on the 6-day Golden Triangle adventure where guests can save up to $300 per person by receiving a free upgrade to 5-star hotels, when booked before 31 March 2016.

Priced from $1240 per person, the Golden Triangle package explores the wonders of India’s three most popular destinations – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and includes visits to the legendary Taj Mahal and ghost city of Fathepur Sikri. This special offer is available for travel between 1 April – 1 October 2016.

Santa Monica heads down under

The Santa Monica Sales and Media Mission will visit Auckland on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September followed by Sydney on Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September.

Activity will continue in Brisbane the following week on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September. For more information about Santa Monica visit www.santamonica.com or email Annabelle@gate7.com.au.

Brand USA announces incentive winner

Cruise Travel Specialist Clinton Griffiths in North Sydney has been announced as the lucky winner of an Apple Watch thanks to Brand USA’S Discovery Program Knowledge Forum – an online training platform allowing agents to ask and answer questions regarding U.S. destinations and attractions.

Agents were required to ask a question for other members to answer, providing an opportunity to share their insight into a specific destination, as well as go in the draw to win. The winner was based on the number of votes received to an answer from a posted question within the forum.

The question posted by Linda Brown at Helloworld read “First time in New York, what are your must-dos” received 177 views with 16 answers.