By John Rozentals.
Celebrate Anzac Day with a Murray River cruise.
Commemorate Anzac Day on a special three- or seven-night Murray Princess cruise on board the paddlewheeler PS Murray Princess.
Pay tribute to our Anzacs at a special dawn service on April 25, followed by a traditional Gun-Fire Breakfast and game of Two-Up. Hear some great Aussie Anzac tales, get a group together and test everyone’s Anzac knowledge with a fun Anzac trivia quiz and enjoy a delicious Captain’s Anzac Day buffet lunch.
Also, explore the Murray River and uncover its history and enchanting appeal.
On the three-night Anzac Day Cruise visit Murray Bridge and explore its township or take a tour of the historic Roundhouse. Learn about the thriving ecology of the river on a guided nature walk at Salt Bush Flat and get up close to the river, its 20-million-year-old cliffs and amazing birdlife on the Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat at River View Lodge
Food and wine lovers can sample some of the Murray and Riverland regions’ produce and wines with a structured tasting event held onboard.
Extend the cruise to a seven-night Anzac Day cruise and visit historic Swan Reach and discover the fascinating town on a guided walking tour before touring Swan Reach Museum (gold-coin donation).
Experience the excitement of cruising through Lock 1 at Blanchetown and enjoy a cellar-door tasting and tour of the vineyard at Burk Salter boutique winery.
Learn about Aboriginal history at the incredible Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve – one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites and take part in a guided boardwalk tour of ancient rock carvings.
Early Booking Saver fares start from $941 per person twin-share for the three-night cruise.
For further information visit www.murrayprincess.com.au
Novotel Sydney Parramatta.
Novotel Sydney Parramatta has revealed a fresh new look, with all 194-guest rooms and suites transformed.
“While our overarching aim was to update each and every guest room in order to provide fresh and modern amenities, we also wanted to create an entirely different ambiance and experience for our guests from a wellbeing perspective. You may be in the heart of Parramatta, but the city’s hustle and bustle will feel like a distant memory once you step into these transformed guest rooms,” Novotel Sydney Parramatta General Manager, Ben Murphy, said.
Expansive windows flood each space with natural light. In-room comforts include crisp new bed linens, soft spreads and desks illuminated by both natural and assisted light sources, favoured by business travellers.
All queen, king rooms and suites feature a plush gel-infused memory foam bed for instant comfort. In addition, every room at the hotel features an ensuite work desk and individually controlled air conditioning. Other hotel features include 350 Restaurant & Lounge, an outdoor pool and spa, equipped gym, and undercover parking.
The hotel is rated 4.5 stars and is located on the river in the heart of the city’s booming west.
Visit www.novotelparramatta.com.au
Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central.
Sydneysiders and visitors to the NSW capital have an added incentive to book tickets to School of Rock at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, with the release of an accommodation package staying directly across the road.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash-hit musical is playing at the Capitol and is based on the hit movie which follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a supply teacher at a prestigious prep school.
There he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
Metro Hotel Marlow Sydney Central has a ‘Rock & Stay’ accommodation package priced from $142 per night for people booking tickets to the musical.
The package includes complimentary upgrade to a superior room, a 20 per cent discount voucher at Palace Hotel Sydney, and a bonus mocktail per guest to enjoy a drink pre- or post-show at Palace Hotel Sydney, which is right next to the Capitol Theatre. Show tickets should be booked independently.
Visit www.metrohotels.com.au.
Room at the new Oaks Wellington Hotel.
Oaks Wellington Hotel has officially opened its doors in the heart of the city’s entertainment precinct, Courtenay Place, marking the debut of the parent company in New Zealand’s capital.
Formerly the Ford vehicle assembly plant — originally constructed in 1922 — the site is one of Wellington’s most prominent and iconic buildings on Courtney Place. On the site now sits a sleek 226-room, nine-storey hotel.
Oaks Wellington Hotel’s 30 different room configurations are designed with a functional layout, each with complimentary wifi, TVs with Sky-Channel access, modern bathroom amenities, tea and coffee making facilities and international power converters available at reception.
Some room types boast sweeping views of Lambton Harbour, private balconies and fully equipped kitchens.
Rates at Oaks Wellington start from NZ $165.00
Visit www.oakshotels.com.
On the Douro: the 121-guest Douro Elegance.
Australians can cruise Portugal’s Douro River and sail past vine-covered hillsides and medieval villages as part of a new 2020 fly, cruise and tour package released by Riviera Travel River Cruises and local small-ship specialists, Cruise Traveller.
The 11-night ‘Portugal Perfection’ package combines four nights of pre-cruise accommodation in Portugal with a seven-night river cruise along the beautiful, vineyard-lined Douro River right up to the Spanish border.
Guests will cruise aboard Riviera Travel’s Douro Elegance, a luxury 121-guest river ship.
Also included in the package are flights from five Australian cities, accommodation at Lisbon and Porto and a free onboard drinks package for those booking before December 31.
The package is available from $7495 per person twin-share.
Visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au.
European Waterways offers something for grown-ups and kids.
Statistics indicate that nearly half of all millennials travel with their kids, a trend reflected in European Waterways’ hotel barge charters, where multi-generational travel has increased 60 per cent over the past few years.
Among the beneficiaries of the trend is the company’s eight-passenger Magna Carta hotel barge, whose cruises along England’s River Thames offer access to some of the country’s most popular family attractions, including The Making of Harry Potter studio tour, Legoland, and Thorpe Park themed resort.
European Waterways is offering 10 per cent off cabin and charter prices on select 2020 cruises when booked by January 6 next year.
The Harry Potter studio tour, for instance, is well located on the Magna Carta’s route on the River Thames, making the barge ideal for fans of the movie and books. Guests can substitute up to four excursions from the barge’s classic cruise itinerary, and the “boy wizard” is always a top favourite. Other excursion highlights include visiting iconic sets, such as Diagon Alley and The Great Hall.
Visit europeanwaterways.com
The Ala Moana Hotel.
Get ready to pounce on Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra’s very temporary Black Friday and Cyber Monday accommodation deals.
The landmark Honolulu hotel is offering Kona Tower city- and mountain-view rooms from US$159 per night — a saving of 15 per cent or more.
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra is located beside the large open-air shopping mall, the Ala Moana Shopping Centre, and is minutes away from the ocean.
This deal is available for sale from November 29 to December 2 for travel until June 20 next year.
Visit www.alamoananotelhonolulu.com.
