Thank you for the wonderful interest in the Australia/New Zealand trip described below. We have sold out our original block of space, but now we have been able to secure more space.
I have also been able to add an additional departure from the East Coast. Now those travelers will not have to make those arrangements individually to get to LAX. You can meet our Tour Leader, Nanette Wingard, in the Washington, DC area, IAD Airport. That group will fly together to California.
I will be meeting the West Coast Group at LAX. We will all get together there and fly to Australia.
I hope this will make it more convenient and well worth the $425 cost to take the East Coast Option.
If you would like a printed brochure of the Australia trip mailed to your home, please email Ruth Bridges at avivatravel@aol.com.
April 3, 2017
Sydney
Arrive in Sydney. We will be met and transferred by coach from the airport to our hotel.
Accommodation: Intercontinental Sydney
This lovely hotel offers numerous amenities, including a fitness center, a full-service spa, and business services. Breakfast is included.
April 4, 2017
Sydney
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will take a 10-minute walk to Jetty 6, Circular Quay in the Sydney Harbor. There we will board a Captain Cook vessel for a Seafood Buffet Luncheon cruise and enjoy views of exclusive harbor suburbs, with commentary from a guide.
April 5, 2017
Sydney
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day of leisure - enjoy the sights of Sydney on your own.
We will have dinner at Cafe Sydney, which is included.
April 6, 2017
Sydney/Ayers Rock
Breakfast at hotel.
We will transfer to the airport for our flight to Ayers Rock. It is more commonly known as Uluru, a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the northern territory of central Australia. The area around the formation is home to a plethora of springs, rock caves, and ancient paintings.
Accommodation:
Voyages Sails in the Desert
In the heart of Australia's Red Centre, Sails in the Desert hotel beautifully contrasts Uluru's raw natural beauty with a decidedly luxurious outback holiday experience.
Soaring white sails crown Ayers Rock Resort's Sails in the Desert hotel, shading 228 luxury five star rooms and suites. Sails in the Desert hotel features an expansive gumtree lined swimming pool and a diversity of modern dining, bar and lounge options. Relax and feast in the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant or let time tick by as you enjoy cocktails, music and culinary temptations in the Walpa Lobby Bar.
This afternoon/early evening we will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the Sounds of Silence venue for dinner under the stars. There will be canapes and champagne when we arrive and a delicious menu of Australian cuisine, including a gourmet BBQ of kangaroo, barramundi, and buffalo. It is the ideal setting to watch the sun go down on both Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta in the distance. As darkness falls, we will enjoy a talk by a local astronomer as the night sky fills with natural illumination from millions of stars (weather permitting).
April 7, 2017
Ayers Rock
Camel to Sunrise Tour
A peaceful one hour camel ride over the rich red sand dunes in the cool, clear morning air. Witness the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Watch the desert come to life as our friendly and knowledgeable cameleers tell us about the flora and fauna along the trail. A photographer’s delight as we pause on a remote lookout. After our ride, we will enjoy a light breakfast of freshly baked beer bread damper with Australian jams, tea and coffee.
The remainder of the day is on your own.
April 8, 2017
Ayers Rock/Melbourne
Breakfast at hotel, then we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Melbourne.
Accommodation
Intercontinental Melbourne the Rialto
Intercontinental Melbourne the Rialto is quite simply world-class. Completed in 1891, when Melbourne was the richest city in the world, this restored hotel blends traditional comfort with modern facilities and style. Located on legendary Collins Street, the hotel offers fine dining, from Australian to Italian cuisine, an indoor pool, and a full-service spa.
April 8, 2017
Dinner
A three-course Colonial Tramcar Dinner is included for this evening.
We will be transferred from our hotel to the departure point of the Colonial Tramcar, at Tram Stop Number 125 Normanby Road. Board the Tramcar for dinner and enjoy a delightful and innovative approach to dining as we cruise through Melbourne's leafy streets and boulevards. This restaurant on wheels offers a culinary delight and a trip into a little piece of Victoria's history.
April 9, 2017
A Day of Sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today's tour will take in the main highlights of Melbourne. Explore the cosmopolitan city with wide boulevards and fine historic buildings. View Bourke Street Mall and the tree-lined beauty of Collins Street, the ultimate shopping strip and business center.
View fine examples of Melbourne's architectural splendour, including St. Paul's Cathedral [below, left], and the Princess and Regent Theaters. See Melbourne Town Hall, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the Royal Exhibition Buildings. Pass by Melbourne University, the National Tennis Centre, and Parliament House.
Stroll around Melbourne's spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens [below, right]. Visit the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and explore Captain Cook's cottage and Eureka Skydeck.
April 10, 2015
Philip Island
Breakfast at hotel.
An approximate two-hour drive from Melbourne via coach bus, Philip Island is an island adventure featuring wildlife reserves, wetlands, walking tracks, and breathtaking coastlines. It is also home to Australia's most popular wildlife attraction, the Penguin Parade.
Upon arrival to Philip Island National Park Centre, we will be escorted to the Penguins Plus Viewing Platform, which is limited to 150 visitors per night and provides a closer viewing of the penguins while rangers provide full interpretation of their fascinating lives.
At dusk, you will see the Fairy Penguins as they come out of the surf at Summerland Beach and waddle up the beach to their burrows in the sand dunes, not worried by the spotlights played on them for the benefit of spectators.
April 11, 2017
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will be transferred by coach to the airport for our flights back to the US.
Optional Trip to New Zealand
We have now finalized the Optional trip to New Zealand for our Australian Adventure. If you have now yet registered but would like to know more about the New Zealand extension, please click HERE.
Pricing
Below pricing is to travel from LAX (Los Angeles, CA.) To travel from IAD Dulles add $425.00 to your final cost.
Australia Only Tour with Airfare Cost
$5,999 (per person/double)
$7,399 (single)
Australia and New Zealand with Airfare Cost
$7,599 (per person/double)
$8,299 (single)
Deposit
Minimum $1,500 per person/double
Minimum $2,000 single
Payments are refundable until February 1, 2017, except for a $100 administrative fee.
Contact Ruth for information on cancellation insurance.
Registration
To register, please click on the blue print registration button at the top right of this page and download the form. Send the form with your deposit to:
Ruth Bridges
Aviva Travel Group
2314 S. Route 59, #146
Plainfield IL 60586
Checks should be made payable to Aviva Travel Group.
Debit cards, credit cards, and PayPal are also accepted. Go to www.paypal.com (or use image link at bottom of page) and send funds to avivatravel@aol.com.
Contact
Ruth Bridges
Aviva Travel Group
2314 S. Route 59, #146
Plainfield IL 60586
Home Office: 630-832-3553
Cell Phone: 602-481-5680
Fax: 331-225-3190 avivatravel@aol.com www.literarysisters.com
