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Book your clients now for Rio’s Carnaval 2018

Rio’s world-famous, and spectacular, Carnaval season begins in February 2018 and, on the back of the introduction of a new electronic visa system for travellers to Brazil, Adventure World has announced new dates for travel to Rio just in time for Carnaval.

On a 5-day itinerary, travellers can even be a part of the parade by joining one of the Samba Schools, visit Corcovado for spectacular views from Rio’s most famous landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer or head to Sugar Loaf mountain to witness the city in a new light.

Adventure World’s Rio Carnival itinerary departs on 9 February 2018 and priced from $1277.

“For those who have a desire to witness the incredible spectacle of Rio during Carnaval, we have decided to announce our dates for 2018 as early as possible making it easier for agents and their clients with the new electronic visa system now in place,” said Neil Rodgers, Adventure World’s Managing Director.

09/10/2017
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Earlybird offers/Specials/Client savingsFeaturedOtherSouth America

Chimu launches
‘South America’s Big 5’ campaign

Chimu Adventures’ new campaign – Feel Alive at South America’s Big 5 – showcases a variety of South America itineraries taking in the continent’s Big Five bucket list attractions – Machu Picchu, Galapagos, Amazon, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro – and presents agents with an array of different options when booking their clients on a trip to South America to tick off one, or a combination of several, of these attractions.

“Travellers used to see South America as the ultimate bucket list destination they could only afford and get to once in their lives but that’s a perception travellers are increasingly drifting away from” said Greg Carter, co-founder of Chimu Adventures.

“With air capacity at record heights and airfares as affordable as never before, travellers no longer need to shy away from returning to South America multiple times if they don’t want to squeeze in all the big attractions in just one trip.”

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Running from now until 1 December 2017, Chimu will be promoting a variety of itineraries and specials catering to different travel styles, budgets and amount of time at the client’s disposal.

Agents can download a Complete Marketing Pack including flyers, posters and social media tiles on Chimu’s agent portal I.N.C.A.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls

05/09/2017
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Earlybirds as Bunnik Tours launches South & Central America 2018/19

To celebrate the release of the new South & Central America program for the 2018-19 season Bunnik Tours is launching a new tiered early bird offer of $1,000 per person for all bookings made before 28 October, 2017, and $500 per person for those made between then and 29 December, 2017.

The new program includes 6 brand-new tours, plus 9 returning favourites. Itineraries stretch across three continents from Havana to Antarctica, encompassing the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Jungle, Iguazu Falls and Patagonia.

Cuba features across four different ‘Small Group’ tours and the ever-popular Mexico, Cuba & the Panama Canal ‘Cruise & Tour’.

Bunnik has also introduced shorter itineraries including the 20-day Peru Explorer tour that begins in Lima and takes in the Amazon Jungle, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa and the incredible Colca Valley. Clients will be able to immerse themselves in the melting pot of colour and culture that is Peru with 2 and 3-night stays and plenty of time for independent discovery.

2018-19 South & Central America Cover

24/08/2017
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Aussie sales, marketing & pr appointment for Tourism of Chile

The National Service of Tourism of Chile (SERNATUR) has appointed GTI Tourism to drive its sales, marketing and PR activities in Australia, effective immediately.

GTI Tourism will focus on trade engagement, consumer marketing and public relations to generate year-round interest and demand for holidays to Chile amongst Australians. The targeted strategy will also aim to increase length of stay and spend of Australian visitors, and overall position Chile as a standalone destination.

“We have ambitious goals to grow our inbound tourism numbers and we believe the Australian market is an important part of achieving this,” said SERNATUR, trade and press manager, Adrien Champagnat.

“Australians are prioritising international travel and have a thirst for the type of adventurous, nature-based holidays Chile has to offer. With air capacity continually increasing, there has never been a better time for Australians to visit.”

23/08/2017
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G Adventures & PromPeru offer discounts to travellers

G Adventures has partnered with PROMPERU to launch ‘Hola Peru’ in a campaign that offers travellers 10 per cent discount on tours to the region. The sale ends on 15 September, 2017, with departures through to 15 December, 2018.

Globally, Peru has seen a 40 per cent growth in traveller volume, year on year. Adrian Piotto, Managing Director of G Adventures Australia and New Zealand believes the sale – and the partnership with PROMPERU – will help even more travellers relish the wonders of the South American hotspot.

“Having been awarded Best Inca Tour Operator by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco, we’re incredibly proud of our team in Peru who deliver an exceptional product to our customers,” said Piotto.

“Flights from Australia to Peru are so competitive right now and the Australian dollar to Peruvian Sole is strong.

“There really is no better time to book a Peruvian adventure than right now.”

Trips vary in length and style, showcasing the highlights that Peru has to offer, including its ruins and culture, the incredible natural diversity, the delicious local cuisine and the beautiful beaches.

Discounted offerings include 10 per cent OFF:

· Absolute Peru – Scan the canopy for wildlife from the comfort of the G Lodge Amazon, contemplate mountain vistas or take an optional flight over the Nazca Lines – this epic journey explores the geography, culture, and history of Peru, offering travellers the perfect blend of guided excursions and free time. Hike the Inca Trail, which rewards those willing to break a sweat with stunning views of ruins, mountainscapes, and cloud forest. Sale price $3599 (save $400)
· Amazon to the Andes – This adventure offers up an intriguing combination of beauty and contrasts in scenery, wildlife, and cultures, whether you’re scanning the canopy for wildlife from the comfort of G Adventures’ intimate and exclusive G Lodge Amazon or climbing the ancient trail of the Incas to Machu Picchu, situated in the heavens of the Americas. Sale price $2789 (save $310)
· Amazon Riverboat – Led by an Amazon Reserve naturalist guide, your cruise will include daily excursions by motorised skiff designed to reveal the exotic wildlife that calls the rainforest home – with any luck you’ll spot sloths, toucans, or pink dolphins! The cuisine on board is regional and provides a unique and delicious window into local culture. Gain a rare glimpse of how life “on the river” is lived and experience the magic of the Amazon on this once-in-a-lifetime riverboat adventure. Sale price $1799 (save $200)
· The Inca Trail – One of G Adventure’s most popular trips in the region for those looking to combine the cultural highlights of the Sacred Valley with the challenge of one of the world’s best-known hikes. The four-day Inca Trail trek will reward travellers with a stunning combination of the region’s ruins, mountainscapes, and cloud forests. Sale price $1214 (save $135)

T&Cs apply. excludes National Geographic Journeys

09/08/2017
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Chimu co-founder welcomes Argentina’s suspension of ‘reciprocity fee’ for Aussies

Argentina’s Dirección Nacional de Migraciones has suspended the Reciprocity Fee for Australian citizens entering Argentina, effective 1 July 2017. The Reciprocity Fee of USD$100 per person was previously applied to holders of valid Australian passports entering Argentina for tourism or business purposes.

Chad Carey, co-founder Chimu Adventures says the suspension brings Argentina one step closer to becoming Latin America’s favourite travel hot spot for Australians.

“Demand for Argentina has been booming for us and the fee suspension will only reinforce this trend.

“With air capacity being at record heights and airfares as competitive as never before, we are expecting Argentina to fly high for years to come. With its amazing culture, food & wine, architecture and spirit, Argentina truly combines everything Australians love in a destination.”

Chimu offers a 4-day Buenos Aires Stopover package, priced from AU$ 679*, that takes in the city’s colourful neighbourhoods, its art galleries, antique stores and its historic landmarks as well as a tango show and a day spent in an exclusive Argentinian estancia.

*T & Cs apply

IMAGE: Colourful Buenos Aires

07/07/2017
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Cheat Sheet for agents – new Camino de Santiago guide

UTracks has published a handy new quick reference guide to the Camino de Santiago, available in print and online, to help agents plan the right Camino experience for their clients.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, is the name used to refer to all the routes that lead to where the apostle Saint James is said to be buried. It has been one of the most important Christian pilgrimages for more than 1,000 years.

“Each year around 200,000 people, from all walks of life, embark on a journey along part or all of the Camino de Santiago,” says UTracks’ Camino expert, Jaclyn Lofts, who has walked the full Spanish Camino (all 790km kilometres of it!).

“They all do different trails; that span France, Spain and Portugal. Some of them cycle, but most tend to walk.”

Lofts has also walked sections of the Portuguese Camino, and has presented Camino walking and cycling information nights at countless venues around the world.

“While there is a myriad of ways to walk ‘The Way’, when it comes to planning their journey, most prospective pilgrims ask travel consultants the same questions.

“What is the Camino? Why are there so many routes? Which one should I do? When should I go? How fit do I have to be?” she says.

The UTracks Quick Reference Guide to the Camino de Santiago is available at utracks.com or call 1300 303 368 to order a print version.

23/05/2017
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New logo, website and booking system for Contours Travel – plus earlybirds with Latin America brochure

Contours Travel has rebranded with a new logo, and a new website and booking system – and has just released its biggest-ever Latin America brochure with a $500 per couple offer on bookings by 30 June 2017.

Independent travellers will receive a special $250 discount each on any Latin America itinerary they book, valued at over $2000 per person (excluding airfares), by 30 June, 2017.

Contours Travel has been making Latin America more accessible for Australians, serving both consumers and travel agents, since 1975, and the new look aims to ‘reinvigorate interest in Latin America’, says founder and md Ted Dziadkiewicz.

“It’s about updating our look and communicating who we are – experienced experts with first-hand experience of Latin America, ready to help Australians plan their journey to this amazing destination.”

Contours Travel Logo

The new website has been streamlined, with an array of experiences on offer in an easy-to-navigate format, and is coupled with a new, hassle-free booking system.

With over 90 sample itineraries within its pages, the new ‘Latin America and Antarctica’ brochure for 2017/2018 is Contours’ biggest to date and covers Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and more.

All the ready-to-go itineraries in the brochure showcase the best experiences in Central and South America and the experts at Contours Travel are available to tailor-make the tours to suit clients’ personal interests and travel needs so they can upgrade, change or add cities and visit locations off-the-beaten-track.
One of the most popular itineraries included is the 24-day ‘South American Dream’ itinerary. Perfect for first-time

To receive the discount, quote the code ‘NewContours17’. *Conditions apply.

The brochure is available online at the newly refreshed Contours website.

Patagonia Panorama

23/05/2017
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Scenic South America 2018 out now plus earlybird offers

Scenic’s South America program for 2018 includes a new 12/29 day tour – Icons of South & Central America – that combines the very best of South America, from the history-steeped Havana and Trinidad to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu and Cuzco.

The 2018 Vibrant Wonders of South America brochure is out now. Book by 31 October 2017 for earlybird offers including:

  • Fly to South America from $995 when you book a journey of 20 days or longer – a saving of up to $2,330 per couple
  • Fly from $1,295 on journeys of 11 to 19 days

The 2018 program includes a new Scenic Enrich experience – a horse-and-carriage ride and dinner in Cartagena, as well as a host of new Scenic Freechoice options like Cuzco cooking classes, off-road adventures in Los Glaciares National Park and a Classic Havana tour; plus new for 2018 is a Belmond Andean Explorer two-day luxurious rail journey across the awe-inspiring Andes to Lake Titicaca on Scenic’s 16 day Peru Discovery tour.

South America Cover 2018

09/05/2017
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Belmond enhances Andean offerings with new Peruvian property acquisition

As the Belmond Andean Explorer departed on its inaugural journey last Thursday, from Cusco to Arequipa, Belmond announced the acquisition of Belmond Las Casitas in Colca Canyon, a 20-room property located in the Arequipa region of Southern Peru.

The Andean property is an intimate hotel with each individual casita featuring a private terrace with a heated plunge pool and sweeping views across the canyon. The Samay Spa, built around the energy of the canyon rock, offers treatments using natural ingredients from the hotel’s kitchen garden and hypnotic views of the surrounding canyon, inspiring deep relaxation. Belmond Las Casitas also offers one of the most unique guest experiences in the world – a chance to view the flight of the Andean condors in their natural environment.

Watch drone footage of Belmond Andean Explorer’s inaugural departure along one of the world’s highest rail routes.

08/05/2017
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23-page e-book for planning a trip to the ‘Southern Cone’

Patagonian cruise line, Australis, has released a free 23-page e-book – ‘A Complete Guide to Exploring the Southern Cone’ – to provide Australians with an easy guide to planning a holiday to the ‘Southern Cone’ – countries in South America south of the Tropic of Capricorn, including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Paraguay.

The e-book brings together all the information travellers need to begin planning their adventure holiday, including 12 unmissable highlights of the area, five two-week travel itinerary options and country-specific travel tips, including information on visas, currency and the best times to visit.

Highlights in the e-book include Argentina’s awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier, Brazil’s spectacular Iguazu Falls, the largely untouched Chilean Fjords and the Chaco, a semi-arid floodplain in Paraguay known for its abundance of plants, land formations and animals, including flamingos, jaguars, pumas and armadillos.

The e-book can downloaded here

Southern Cone cover

Australis has also indefinitely frozen fares for its 2017/18 and 2018/19 summer seasons at the same level as those for the recent 2016/2017 season, and is also offering a 10 per cent discount to passengers who combine two four-night cruises to create an eight-night exploration of the spectacular fjords of the Magellan Strait, Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego.

TOP IMAGE: Stella Australis in Patagonia

03/05/2017
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Cruise the Peruvian Amazon at special inaugural rates aboard newest fleet addition

Delfin Amazon Cruises, the pioneer of luxury river cruising in the Peruvian Amazon, is inviting travellers to experience its newly-launched fleet addition, Delfin III, with a special Delfin III Inaugural Offer of 20% off all four room categories for select 2017 departures, when booked by 30 May 2017.

Delfin III

Launched in January 2017 with a capacity of 42 guests, the new Delfin III features a beautifully designed air conditioned lounge, a canopied outdoor lounge, a superb dining room, an open-air sun deck with a sparkling plunge pool as well as a gym and spa, offering wellness and rejuvenating treatments.

Peruvian Amazon adventures

The offer includes accommodation for 3 or 4 night cruises, meals and beverages on board, excursions and equipment, entrance to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, one of the world’s largest protected flooded forests, and transfers to/from Iquitos airport.

Delfin Amazon Discovery

Bookings by 30 May, 2017 start from USD$1,920 USD per person, based on double occupancy (20% discount). Solo travellers will pay regular published rate, but the additional 50% Single Supplement will be waived.

Eligible departure dates include: June 21, July 22, July 29, August 19, August 30, September 20, September 30, November 22, November 25, December 16, December 20, December 23 and December 30, 2017; subject to availability.

AGENTS: To organise a training session or for more product information contact Rebeca Espinoza, Delfin’s Australian Representative at [email protected] or 0433932290

Delfin III adventures

03/05/2017
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Contours Travel founder – 126 trips to Latin America, and counting!

Ted Dziadkiewicz’s first Latin American adventure was on an overland camping tour in 1975 – the start of a 40-year love affair and the impetus for Melbourne-based Dziadkiewicz to establish Australia’s first, and longest-running, Latin America-focused travel company – Contours Travel.

Dziadkiewicz still visits the region around three times a year along with his team of experts.

“We need to make sure our clients receive not only good service and accommodation but great experiences so we can tell them with confidence that they will be looked after,” he said.

“We have formed many friendships in Latin America over the years … [and] fallen in love with the food, the wine, the coffee, the people and the places. We get to experience the changes that are taking place, too. For example, when I caught the train to Machu Picchu in 1975 it was all very basic, but today you can take the same trip on a luxury train where you almost feel like putting on a dinner suit!

Ted Dziadkiewicz

Latin America aficionado and Contours Travel founder, Ted Dziadkiewicz, in Machu Picchu

“More Australians are beginning to travel beyond the major landmarks and seek new destinations. Mexico, Colombia and Central America are also becoming more popular – I love Mexico because of its colonial towns, history, art, pottery, ceramics…the culture is an amazing blend.

“Once we know what the client wants, we can easily design an itinerary according to their needs and budget – because we’ve been there – many times.”

Contours Travel supports a number of community projects, most notably the Agua Pura Project – a joint venture with Rotary Club North Melbourne, which has brought hundreds of much-needed water filters to remote villages in Peru.
With so many memories of travelling through the years, a few particularly stand out for Ted – visiting Rio during Carnival time, exploring vineyards, and coming face-to-face with some of nature’s finest.

Tope image: Ted in Ecuador/Diana Cardenas Costa

20/04/2017
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Renowned chef joins Belmond Andean Explorer

The Belmond Andean Explorer sets off on its inaugural passenger journey from Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca on 4 May 2017, across a two night/three day ‘Peruvian Highlands’ itinerary priced at $1,440 per person, fully inclusive of all meals, an open bar and scheduled excursions, including visits to archaeological Inca site of Raqchi and the ancient Sumbay Caves.

Belmond has appointed world renowned creative chef and ambassador of Peruvian cuisine, Diego Muñoz, as executive chef for South America’s first luxury sleeper train. Guests can delight in Muñoz’s distinctive regional cuisine, inspired by the journey through the Peruvian Andes, from the comfort of elegant dining carriages that travel along at altitudes of up to 4,800 metres, en route from Cusco to Arequipa.

Muñoz has worked closely with sous chef Carlos Risco and the team at Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, to create daily menus that best showcase the flavours of traditional Peruvian ingredients. Simple regionally sourced produce, such as fresh fish from the Moquegua coast, trout from Lake Arapa (located in the Puno region), broad beans and lemons from Cusco, mushrooms, beets and corn from the Sacred Valley, Peruvian native potatoes, and quinoa from the Altiplano are transformed into sensational mouthwatering dishes. Dishes that carry Muñoz’s signature style, include, Alpaca Tortellini, Banana and Pisco Tatin, Arequipean Paw Paw Mostarda and Lima Bean Cappuccino.

Widely renowned as one of the world’s most talented and creative chefs, Diego Muñoz belongs to the new generation of chefs promoting the spread of Peruvian cuisine and South American heritage around the world. After training at Le Cordon Bleu in Canada and Paris, Diego was awarded with “Le Grande Diplôme” distinction before working at the famed Mugaritz and El Bulli restaurants under the lead of Andoni Luis Aduriz and Ferrán Adriá. He then moved to Australia to revitalise the kitchen of Bilson’s. After 15 years abroad, he returned to his hometown, filling the huge shoes of Gastón Acurio – the legendary chef and restaurateur considered as the “Godfather of Peruvian cuisine”. During the four years leading Astrid & Gastón, he took the restaurant to #1 on The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants List, and from #42 to #14 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurant’s List.

In 2017 he will be setting the path for his 111 Peruvian Bistro in Miami that quietly opened last year with an informal high-end progressive menu, while opening a restaurant, Cantina Peruana, in Lisbon with Portuguese chef and great friend José Avillez, a gourmet sandwich bar and a food truck in Lima.

Muñoz will regularly join the Belmond Andean Explorer crew as guest Executive Chef.

IMAGE: Diego Muñoz in El Mercado Viena/Leonardo Ramirez

19/04/2017
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Remote glacier added to brand new cruise expedition ship itinerary

Patagonian cruise line Australis will launch its brand new expedition ship – Ventus Australis – in January 2018, with a spectacular, but remote, glacier at the southernmost tip of South America added into the new ‘bottom of the world’ itinerary.

The huge and rarely visited Condor Glacier in Agostini Sound will be a highlight of a new, four-night Patagonian Explorer itinerary that the 210-passenger Ventus Australis will offer from Ushuaia in Argentina to Punta Arenas in Chile when the ship debuts on 2 January 2018.

Passengers will be able to see the glacier up close on zodiacs, and also watch out for the Andean condors that gave the glacier its name. The Andean condor is the largest,flying bird in the world, weighing up to 15kg and with a maximum wingspan of 3.3m.

Ventus Australis will be the only ship in the world to visit the Condor Glacier regularly, with the exclusive new four-night sailing from Ushuaia available every eight days from January to March 2018, and again from September 2018 to April 2019.

To mark the debut of Ventus Australis, Australis has indefinitely frozen fares for the next two summer seasons at the same level as those for the current 2016/17 summer season.

Australis is also offering a 10 per cent discount to passengers who combine two four-night cruises to create an eight-night exploration of the spectacular mountain and glacier-lined fjords of Tierra del Fuego, the Magellan Strait and Beagle Channel. The route from Punta Arenas back to Ushuaia will vary slightly, taking in different glaciers, islands and bays, allowing those who do back-to-back cruises to enjoy an in-depth, eight-night expedition of the breathtaking fjords of Tierra del Fuego.

Fares for four-night sailings aboard Ventus Australis in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons are available from USD$1440 person, twin-share. A combo eight-night cruise is available from USD$2592 per person, twin-share, including a 10 per cent discount. Prices include guided excursions ashore and beverages through an open bar.

The Patagonian Explorer itinerary through the mountain-lined fjords of Tierra del Fuego also includes Cape Horn, where guests can walk ashore, weather permitting, Wulaia Bay, a Magellanic penguin colony at Magdalena Island and three other glaciers – Pia, Giribaldi and Aguila – where guests will be taken ashore by zodiacs for close-up views and walks.

Ventus Australis will be a twin sister to the line’s other vessel, the popular 210-guest Stella Australis, with both offering panoramic floor to ceiling cabin windows, free open bar, complimentary, guided excursions, nature lectures and gourmet cuisine including local dishes and Chilean and Argentine wines.

IMAGE: Condor Glacier

31/03/2017
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