Rocky Mountain high
In June next year, guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in some of North America's most spectacular wilderness on Ecruising's 21-night 'Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Glaciers' journey.
The itinerary comprises a 12-night tour through the Rocky Mountains, taking in some of the United States' and Canada's most iconic national parks along the way, followed by a seven-night cruise through the pristine waters of British Columbia and Alaska on board Celebrity Millennium.
The journey begins with two nights in Denver. Don't miss Denver Union Station, home to some of the city's best cafes and bars, while history buffs will enjoy a visit to the mansion of American philanthropist and famed Titanic survivor, the 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown.
From Denver, the journey takes in Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado, where guests will feel like they're on top of the world as they traverse the Trail Ridge Road.
Prices are from $8479 per person twin-share, including return international economy airfares and all accommodation.
Phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel
Walk along the roof of Queensland
Witness the bold and striking landscape of towering sandstone cliffs, endless tablelands, prolific wildlife and unsurpassed indigenous art sites which have been classed as holding some of the finest rock imagery in Australia.
The Carnarvon Great Walk is right up there with some of the world's best walking destinations.
Situated approximately 700 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, the Carnarvon Great Walk starts along the main walking track within the Gorge, before exiting out and atop the Great Dividing Range.
Get ready to challenge yourself on this six-seven-day walking experience, testing your strength and stamina, as you venture down deep, mysterious gorges before wandering along a magical plateau which locals proudly call the 'Roof of Queensland'.
From July 21, the Carnarvon Great Walk will be highlighted as part of the National Trust Q10 Challenge.
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.au
Cooking, with wine
The Hinton Bay Kitchen Cooking School is at the Hinton Bay Vineyard at Hillwood in the Tamar Valley, with the large private kitchen open for visitors to book a variety of cooking classes.
Learn how to make authentic dolmades by picking your own leaves from the Hinton Bay vineyard, or join one of the Italian-vegan, Thai or cocktail-party-food classes.
Cooking class times are generally 10 am till 1 pm for short courses and 9am till 3pm for a full-day course.
This allows time to devour prepared dishes in the kitchen's dining room overlooking the Tamar Valley, enjoy a drop from the Hinton Bay Vineyard and perfectly match a cooking class menu with the boutique vineyard's chardonnay or pinot noir.
Book cooking classes as a group of four singles or two couples and stay in the on-site boutique accommodation.
Mantra on sale for a week
Mantra Hotels is having a sale from July 22 to midnight July 28 on a range of its Australian and overseas properties.
Stay at Mantra on Salt Beach, for instance, in northern NSW and 20 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, for from $119 per night Sunday to Thursday, two-night minimum booking.
This beachfront location offers an on-site restaurant and bar, lagoon pool and in-house day spa.
The offer includes a two-for-one full-buffet-breakfast voucher, a 25-per-cent-off Season Restaurant dining voucher, free wi-fi and on-site parking. It is valid for travel until June 30 next year.
Phone 1300 987 603 or visit www.mantrahotels.com
Discounts on Southern India cruises
Adventure Resorts and Cruises will this October launch extended cruises on Kerala Backwaters in southern India.
To mark the debut of the tropical, seven-night journeys aboard the nine-cabin RV Vaikundam, a traditional wooden barge, from Cochin to Alleppey and vice versa, a discount of 20 per cent is available for sailings from October to April, and there is no a solo supplement.
The cruises will explore Kerala's labyrinth of palm-lined lakes, lagoons, canals, rivers and inlets.
Passengers aboard the new cruises will cruise past lush paddy fields and visit remote villages, temples. churches, spice markets, martial arts schools and ayurvedic medicine centres, meet traditional craftsmen and farmers and watch the school children, traders and fishermen who use the waterways in dugout canoes for daily commutes and trade.
The two-deck RV Vaikundam is modelled on a traditional rice barge and features nine air-conditioned cabins with ensuites and water views, a restaurant serving Indian and international cuisine, library, open lounge area and panoramic, sundeck for soaking in the ever-changing scenery.
Fares start at start at US$2170 per person.
Explore the Venice of the East
Boasting more than 2500 years of history, the oldest city in China's Yangtze River region offers a blend of evocative gardens, charming water towns and enrapturing natural beauty.
Named by Marco Polo as the 'Venice of the East', Suzhou is famed for its enchanting stone bridges, immaculate silk embroidery and delicious Jiangsu-style food.
The Pan Pacific Suzhou team proposes a three-day Suzhou itinerary that begins with a morning walk at Xitang Water Town, includes a tranquil evening at the ancient Tongli Town and concludes with a visit to Ma Shan Tai Hu National Park and a sacred-mountain view of the world's largest bronze Buddha.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the popular destination features a majestic Brahma palace and Buddhist related sites.
While guests are here, they are encouraged to stop to admire the view of the vast expanse of mountains that envelop this scenic spot.
Visit www.panpacific.com
