Bali News / Island’s News Updates

Aiming to take the headache out of selecting hotels, tours and destination stops, Qantas Holidays (qantas.co.uk/holidays) has handpicked the best that Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia has to offer, making it easy for travellers to enjoy a luxury holiday experience with the minimum of fuss.INDONESIA

“Indulgent Indonesia” is a three-centre itinerary, priced £912 and featuring beaches, secluded hill top retreats and luxury hotels with incredible spa facilities. Starting in Bali, the itinerary features four-nights at the 5* Conrad Hotel in a Deluxe Ocean Front room and a sail to Nusa Lembongan for pampering, relaxation or local exploration.

The next two-nights are spent sightseeing in Ubud, Bali’s capital for fine arts, dance and music, with a tour into the tranquil rural countryside. The final four nights are spent in a suite at The Legian in Seminyak, the most up-market of the West Coast beaches.

This itinerary is priced £912 per person based on double occupancy and includes 10-nights luxury accommodation, private transfers and meals and tours as specified. Flights are not included, but prices are available on request.

AUSTRALIA

Qantas Holidays’ £5,669 “Platinum Boomerang” is a 16-day itinerary which begins with five nights in Sydney where activities include a seaplane flight over the Harbour and Opera House, a Hunter Valley Vintage tour and a twilight Bridge Climb, as well as plenty of spare time to explore the city. Accommodation is at the Park Hyatt in a Sydney Opera Room.

The tour continues with two-nights all-inclusive at Ayers Rock Resort’s Longitude 131, with activities; a rainforest experience at Silky Oaks Lodge in Daintree National Park; a night at the Shangri La Horizon Club, Cairns and four-nights all-inclusive on secluded Lizard Island.

The Platinum Boomerang package is priced per person, based on double occupancy and includes international and domestic flights, airport taxes, 15-nights accommodation in 5* deluxe hotels, private transfers and specified meals and tours.

NEW ZEALAND

“Indulgent Kiwi” is a 16-night, £3,997 driving experience in New Zealand which begins in Auckland, at Mollies Boutique Hotel. The itinerary then transfers to Waiheke Island for two nights at The Boatshed, New Zealand’s supreme boutique hotel, before the drive to Rotorua – centre of Maori Culture and home to hot mineral pools, spas and mud baths. This trip also includes Hawke’s Bay wine region and Wellington for cultural and gourmet experiences. There is also a cruise across the Cook Strait to the South Island followed by a hot air balloon flight over Mt Cook, the National Park Mountains and Canterbury Plains.

The final days on South Island include both a magnificent TranzAlpine rail journey between Christchurch and Greymouth and a scenic flight over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Meanwhile, the three-nights in Queenstown include a tour, Milford Sound Cruise and scenic flight over Sandfly Point and the Southern Alps.

The price is per person based on twin share double occupancy, includes 16-nights accommodation in luxury, boutique properties, international and domestic flights, airport taxes, car rental, ferry crossing and tours and meals as specified.

Qantas Airways introduces new ‘Premium Economy’ service

Available from April 2008, Qantas’ new “Premium Economy” service features a spacious 19.5” seat, 9” recline and fold out foot rest, as well as audio/video on demand, digital touch screen video monitors and a noise cancelling headset.

There is also a comfort kit, cosy sheet-backed blanket and large cotton pillow. The on-board dining has also been upgraded with a menu designed by award winning Australian chef Neil Perry and complemented by premium Australian wines.

Qantas’ International Business Class service

Prior to boarding, Qantas offers a dedicated check-in service and airport lounge access. Then, once onboard, passengers are greeted by the award-winning, fully adjustable 6’6” “Skybeds” ,with inbuilt back massagers, affording maximum comfort, privacy, quiet and storage.

The menu options include healthier choices and an impressive selection of Australian wines. In addition, there is the award-winning audio/video on demand entertainment system on a 10.4” (26.4cm) seatback video monitor, noise-cancelling headphones, large pillows, blankets and pyjamas.

Qantas Airways has won two awards, “Best First Class Cellar” and “Best Business Class Sparkling” in the prestigious 2008 “Cellars in the Sky Awards”. Qantas also received a special award for “Consistency of Wines across Business and First”.