From Donna's Desk – Winter is here

...And back into a cold saddle it is!

We've been back from our trip for a little over a month now and everyone's asking: Where'd you go? What did you do?

We left Sydney on March 23rd, flew to LA, picked up a Hertz car (wagon) to San Diego for overnight before boarding the Carnival Spirit for an 8 night cruise of Mexico's pacific coastline. On that jaunt we visited Acapulco, saw the famous night divers and the sensational coastline. A short stop at the famous Las Brisas (Leading Hotel of the World) and a visit to the Paradise Beach of Acapulco. Time for Margarhita's and more Margarhita's in the quaint village of Zihuatageno and a visit to Ixtapa which is a fast growing beachport of Mexico. Northbound to Manzanillo, another cute traditional Mexican portside village and then back to San Diego, a visit to the Midway Aircraft Museum and north to LA. Hired another wagon to LA's Anaheim - home of Disneyland. Thank Goodness for Hertz Never Lost - I would recommend everyone wanting to hire a car in the USA, get the NeverLost GPS system. The little talking computer telling you to go left and right is like joy to your ears when your on the other side of the road and the cars are all moving at speeds of over 100 miles an hour wizzing by.

4 Days in Disneyland - Disney's 50th Birthday! - and the celebrations are absolutely sensational. We rode all the rides and wore ourselves out. The fireworks and Disney on ice display is something to surely remember. Just watching the kids eyes wide open and taking in all the disney characters was something to hold in our hearts forever. By this time, Brian and I were worn out and particularly Daniella and Codey wanted to get back on Thunder Mountain for "just one more time mummy"! Josh on the other hand wasnt so keen on the big roller coasters and fancied more "its a small world ride".

The last night before we left California we had dinner at the Buena Park Medieval Theatre Restaurant which was a recount of the medieval days with a real jousting tournament. We all had a terrific time that night and again I would recommend this experience for something completely different. Our last day in Anaheim we planned on going to California Park which is the newest theme park adjoining Disneyland, however it was miserable weather and rained so instead we packed, had a fairly lazy day and head for LA international airport for a late checkin for the American Airlines Red Eye overnight flight to New York City.

5 Hours flight to NYC and fortunately we all slept most of the way so when we touched down we were met by the Super Shuttle who transferred us directly to our Millennium Broadway Hotel - right at Times Square; and about 50 minutes from JFK Airport. Now this was a transfer that I think we will all remember, particularly Brian who was in the front seat and the driver wizzed in and out of traffic a million miles an hour, so much so that Brian had a migrane by the time we arrived at the hotel and I near on jumped in the lap of the man sitting next to me. The drive was truly that Horrific!.

Talk about Location, Location, Location! We were surely lucky to be in the centre of it all. So we arrived with the sun shining and blue skies and just 2 hours later we looked out the window and it was snowing like you cannot beleive! This was another unbeleivable experience for all of us and specifically the children who had never seen snow before in a city!

Codey and I received an invitation for the family to be in the audience of a News Talk Show which went live to air in the Fox Studios called Dayside. That was a great experience. So the next few days we visited the Statue of Liberty, Madame Tussards Wax Museum, Planetarium, New York Skyride, The Statue of Liberty, Rockerfeller Centre to see the Skating, walked past Radio City Music Hall and saw a brilliant show just off Broadway called The Altar Boyz - one I would definitely recommend for anyone visiting NYC - especially when the tickets cost us only $30 odd US per person and most of the shows are up around US$180 per person!

So next stop was Miami where we used the Super Shuttle again and found it very reliable and reasonable. Our hotel was a little funky hotel called The Hotel of South Beach and very Art Deco in style with a great rooftop pool that made us feel like we were somewhere in Greece! Supershuttle again from Miami Beach to Fort Lauderdale (about 40 minutes drive) and apparently in a taxi a standard US$72 fee as opposed to the Supershuttle fee we paid of US$90. Having said that, the extra few dollars were worth the shuttle turning up on time!

At this point we felt like most of our $$ were being fed into TIPS - something I learned which I thought was interesting was that TIPS means "To Insure Prompt Services". Prompt services wasnt necessarily what you always got, however either way they sure want those tips! Seems like we constantly had our hands in our purses...

So onboard the Holland America's new Westerdam we sailed south to the Western Carribean. A day at sea and unfortunately rainy and overcast bound for the Bahamas port of Half Moon Cay. This is a private island only visited by the Holland America, Carnival and Windstar series. From the moment we tendered into Port, even though it was overcast we experienced immediately the feeling of being right in the heart of the Carribean. 7 nights to Ochio Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman and our favourite was Costa Maya on the Yucatan Coast in Mexico where we visited the Chaccobean Ruins. Josh's favourite was Ochio Rios in Jamaica where we climbed 600 feet of the Dunns River Falls which Codey and I thought was pretty hair raising! For our Josh who thought the Big Thunder at Disney was just too much, he discovered that he likes to be in 'control' and if he has control of his feet on the ground, despite the torrenturous rapid waters travelling through them - Josh and Daniella loved this spot. Another day at sea and back to Fort Lauderdale, florida; where we literally jumped ships from Westerdam to the Celebrity Century.

5 days at sea crossing the Atlantic; our journey and adventures thus far were absolutely fabulous; and just the quality time together as a family and the overall education we will all certainly treasure forever.

Next port was Ponte Del Garde in the Azzore Islands of Portugal. Ponte Delgada is about 1000 miles off the coast of Mainland Portugal and would have to be one of the most beautiful islands we have ever visited. Its a volcanic island (last eruption in 1957 and destroyed everything); yet magnificent coastaline, 7 pristine lakes in the centre of the island, lots of pine shapped trees everywhere and green as green. We were lucky to get a terrific guide named Patricia who even took us to her magnificent 15 bedroom home (palace) looking over the beach! Ponte Del Garde is frequented by British and German holiday-makers.

Next Stop Lisbon and then onto Barcelona in Spain for 3 nights in this sensational “cheap” Apartment that I found in our GDS system. This was a 2 bedder traditional, 15 foot ceilings with flat screen TV and a full kitchen for just A$240 per night. Just 3 stops from Las Ramblas on the metro made this a great little find. Getting around Barcelona on the Metro is relatively easy and pretty cheap too.

1H & 30min Iberia flight south to Malaga, we picked up an Avis car and drove south via Marbella to Puerto Duquesa - a little beach town just 30 minutes north of Gibraltar. Here we spent 5 glorious days in Sarah from DBT's parent's hideaway. Time to catch our breath before flying to Rome for 12 ‘very' fast on the trot days through Europe on a Trafalgar tour via Venice, Italian Lakes, the Swiss Alps, Lucerne, through the Burgundy district of France – north to Paris.

3 glorious days in Paris in the middle of May and the weather was spectacular! We walked our feet off covering every inch of the left and right bank. Versailles is currently undergoing a lot of restoration, however the trip out was worth it to experience how Louis XIV and his fair lady lived as Royalty back in the 1600's. A good tip we discovered was on the 1st Sunday of every month, the entry is free of charge for everyone visiting the Castle Versailles. Another tip for Paris is for visitors to the Louvre, we discovered it's free for Adults on the 1st Sunday of every month & children up to 18 yrs old, the entry is always free. On Wednesdays and Friday nights, the entry for adults is reduced to 6.00 EUR between 6:00 pm and 9.45pm as opposed to the normal entry of 8.50 EUR.

Some of you may remember Blandine - a delightful French consultant that used to work at DBT a few years ago. We spent a great night with Blandine up around Sacre Coer & the Monmartre dining in a traditional French café amongst the artists.

So were on the downhill now with London next stop for 3 nights at one of my most favourite hotels in the world Langham Hotel London. She is grande, prestige, traditional and fabulously located just a stone's throw from Oxford Circus. We stayed on the executive floors which I have to say is worth every pound extra that you pay to have the convienence of the club facilities, breakfast, evening drinks and canape's till 10pm. If your after somewhere special in London – then Langham is without a doubt the place. Apart from the grandeur of their fine-dining Palm Court; there's also The Chukka Bar which is a quintessentially old English bar, with polo as its theme and furniture straight from a distinguished London club. We all loved this hotel! We visited the Tower of London & the crown jewels, Buck Palace, a stroll thought St James Park (it has to be one of my favourite's in London) Sherlock Holmes house, Madame Tussards (New York is better than London), Picadilly, Trafalgar place and the highlights theatre wise was Blood Brothers – a must see and Billy Idol which is London's favourite currently showing.

OK then south to Windsor to visit the castle and Leggoland – however Leggoland was closed and Brian and I had 3 very disappointed children :( Here in Eton we met up with some business colleagues from our American Express offices in the UK. A visit to Cambridge to meet up with a DBT client that we share globally managed with Eton Travel.

Almost there… next stop Dubai – and that certainly injected the WOW into our trip! Dubai really surprised me. Its fast, busy, growing – even the Bedouins now drive Mercedes Benz and live like kings in this tax-free haven. Here, we stayed here at Le Meridien Minh, right on the beach and indeed a fabulous 4.5 star property with lots to offer and surprisingly a great conference or incentive destination & venue. We were lucky enough to receive an invitation to oversee the famous 7 star Burj al-Arab (Arabic "Tower of the Arabs") with its restaurant Al Muntaha (meaning "highest", or "ultimate"), is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, and literally hangs in mid-air! Our last Arabian adventure was an off-road 4WD safari which took us from the bustle of Dubai city to the desert of golden sand dunes. What an amazing experience this was – words just cannot describe! Ask me if I want to go back to Dubai? The answer is “most definitely” and “soon”.

Last Stop Hong Kong. Here we stayed at Langham Place in the Mongkok district. This is a great place for shopping with a trillion shops and eating outlets at your doorstep. Again we stayed on the Executive Floors giving us access to the Business lounge – I cant express enough the worth in paying the extra few dollars for the return of business facilities, buffet breakfast, evening open bar and canapés. Especially in Asia, where the cost of a champagne or a glass of wine skyrockets!

Homebound to Australia on QF128, 8 hrs 45 mins and our dream came to an end on May 23, just 2 months to the day since departing Sydney-town.

Sydney is still one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Back to DBT, back to reality and back to our fabulous team who we thank from the bottom of our hearts; they did a sensational job minding our biggest baby – DBT!

If anyone wants any personal information about the destinations, properties or products I've spoken about here, please don't hesitate to contact me. As you can imagine too, I've summarised the account as much as I can to reduce it as much as I can.

Our future travel plans - NONE, `still paying off the big one!

Hope everyone's well and coping with the Winter temperatures.

Kind regards and thank you always, for your sustained support.

Donna

Airline News

QANTAS AIRFARE INCREASE - Effective for sale and ticketing from 16 Jun 06 all year round Economy, Business and First Class published fares from Australia to the USA/Canada/Mexico will increase by approx 2%. These increases will also flow through to Wholesale Fares. Published airfares are updated and new fare levels are available now.

QANTAS shares nosedived this week as it warned rising fuel costs would slash its 2005-06 profit and add another $1 billion to costs in the coming year.

Qantas winds back Tasmania services - QANTAS is reducing services to Tasmania, claiming almost a third of its two million seats a year to the island state fly empty.

QantasLink - South Australia and Tasmania Network Changes - On Thursday 15 June Qantas announced changes to its Northern Tasmania and South Australia schedules, following a review of the regional QantasLink network. QantasLink will cease operations to its two South Australian ports, Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, on 28 June, and to Burnie in Tasmania on 31July. QantasLink will redirect capacity from Burnie to Launceston, where it will replace daily Qantas B737 Launceston-Melbourne services with double daily Dash 8 services

QANTAS today told investors its full year 05/06 profit would be “at the lower end of analyst's forecasts.” CEO Geoff Dixon said restructuring costs of about $153m would hit the result, with the current expectation being for a $670m full year figure. It's a major slump from last year's result which was close to $1b, but the carrier has repeatedly warned that due to high fuel costs it would “not achieve the same level of profitability in 2005/06”. Qantas also today announced that it would not sell its catering operations, with offers received not representing “good value”, but would instead restructure the business by separating QF catering services from that done for other client airlines. Up to 30 people will lose their jobs in the initial stages of restructuring in Sydney, with operations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns to also be reviewed.

British Airways Introducing a Simpler Baggage Policy - I would like to tell you how BA are simplifying their baggage policy to make it easier to follow, reduce airport queues. The policy changes include hand, checked and excess baggage allowances and will be phased in over the next five months.

Hand Baggage

From 5 July 2006, all customers will be able to take one standard-sized bag (maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm) plus one briefcase, laptop bag or equivalent into the cabin as hand baggage. Customers must be able to lift hand baggage into the overhead locker unaided and the briefcase or laptop bag must fit under the seat in front.

Checked Baggage

From 11 October, we will be making changes to the number of bags that customers can check in. This will vary according to class of travel and route. The maximum weight per bag will be reduced to 23kgs to comply with health and safety recommendations.

Excess Baggage

Excess baggage charges will also be standardised from 11 October. A fixed fee (dependent on the journey length) will be charged for each bag in excess of the free checked baggage allowance. In the majority of cases the new charges will be less than those currently levied and a further 20% discount will be available by pre-paying on line at ba.com /baggagepolicy

Jetstar to allocate seating on flights - JETSTAR will allow domestic passengers to choose seats in advance after canning its unpopular free-for-all experiment in unallocated seating. The airline said yesterday it was introducing allocated seating from October to bring its domestic operations in line with its trans-Tasman and proposed long-haul international flights.

Jetstar is hoping to launch long haul international services from Australia to six destinations in South East Asia, Japan and the Pacific. The budget carrier will initially use Airbus A330-200s before introducing a new fleet of Boeing 787s for the services in 2008. Jetstar earlier this week- released the proposed international routes and frequencies

British Airways shares skyrocket on rumors of Emirates takeover - British Airways shares jumped 7.4% Friday on rumors that Emirates will takeover. Major stock broker firms are suggesting clients to buy BA stock. Both British Airways and Emirates senior management have denied any truth to the rumors.

Air Canada Expands to Shanghai, Mexico City - Air Canada has launched nonstop flights from Toronto to Shanghai. The new three-times weekly service is the only nonstop flight from eastern North America to Shanghai and offers the fastest flying time from Toronto. With an elapsed time of 14 hours, 45 minutes westbound and 13 hours, 40 minutes eastbound, the route will save travellers three hours in each direction compared to the Vancouver routing. The airline also has begun offering nonstop daily flights from Montreal to Mexico City.

AIR New Zealand announced it would add Oamaru in the South Island's Otago region to its domestic network. It's the 26th domestic destination for the carrier, which will operate the route using a 19-seat turbo-prop aircraft with six flights a week. Air NZ used to fly to Oamaru but withdrew services in 1989.

New Finnair A340 - FINNAIR has taken delivery of its first wide-bodied Airbus with the inaugural flight of an ex Virgin Atlantic A340 last Mon. The aircraft will operate between Helsinki and Shanghai and is the first phase of a fleet renewal that will see MD-11s phased out by 2012.

EC slams SkyTeam - THE European Commission has issued a “statement of objections” to Air France, KLM and other members of the SkyTeam alliance. The commission said it's not objecting to the alliance as a whole

but “has concerns about a limited number of routes, for which the Commission considers that the SkyTeam cooperation may have a negative effect on competition.” The airlines say they're carefully considering their response.

Frequent Flyer Update

Qantas frequent flyers hit by fuel costs - Qantas has increased its frequent flyer levies, with customers now forced to pay more to cover hefty fuel surcharges. This means frequent flyers are almost paying the same amount as regular ticket holders, Fairfax reported. "You've always had to pay taxes on frequent flyer tickets, but previously they were quite modest," said Clifford Reichlin, founder of the website frequentflyer.com.au "Now Qantas, instead of putting up the base price, adds surcharges. It erodes the value of your points." Mr Reichlin said making frequent flyers pay hefty fuel surcharges could not be justified because "fuel is a cost of business".

Amex Cardmembers reap the rewards of 100 million TravelKey points - American Express Cardmembers have jumped at the opportunity to redeem their Membership Rewards® points for everything from travel to tax to travel insurance at their Travelscene American Express Agency, with international air being the most popular TravelKey choice. TravelKey allows for immediate redemption of Membership Rewards points to pay for any travel booking, either fully or partially, including for land, cruise, packages, cars, taxes, travel insurance and service fees. Points can also be used for the best available fare with any airline. There are no blackout periods, and the points can be used for anyone and across any airline at any time. 12,000 Amex Points = AU$100 *its as simple as that! Call your DBT travel manager today to redeem your American Express Points.

Frequent Flyer Programs: Have they reached their Use-By Date?

Whilst the Frequent Flyer program concept celebrated its 25th Birthday last month, some financial analysts were beginning to ask the question: Are they beginning to show their age?

One analyst suggests that the Frequent Flyer customer base is increasingly becoming disillusioned by an inability to cash in their points for valuable rewards. Disillusionment among passengers may cause major partners like credit card companies to pull out of the business altogether.

Joseph Nunn of the Harvard Business Review suggested the true Frequent Flyer that travel thousands of miles per year are reaping rewards from the programs. It is the travellers who only fly occasionally that are finding the issue of seat availability the biggest challenge.

Rumours & Gossip

TWO English soccer fans in Cologne lost their hire car after thinking they had parked it on a road called “One Way Street.” The pair had written down “Einbahn Strasse” so they wouldn't forget where they had left the vehicle, not realising that's German for “one way street”. It reportedly took them several hours as well as police assistance to locate the vehicle in the city's centre, which has lots and lots of one-way streets.

Yes, Toronto really is that expensive! Toronto's Pearson International Airport has long been criticized by airline officials for being one of the world's most expensive airports. Now those high expenses appear to be costing the airport business, the Toronto Star reports. Israeli carrier El Al announced Friday that it would cut in half its number of flights this summer to Canada's biggest city. Additional cuts are scheduled for fall. "Toronto has the highest operating costs of any airport in the world." El Al will drop from its current 10 weekly Toronto flights to five this summer. By September, the carrier will fly to Toronto only three times a week.

Further A380 delays raising howls in Asia, Pacific - The recent announcement by Airbus that the deliveries of its super jumbo A380 aircraft will be delayed seven months has received differing reactions from carriers in the Asia/Pacific region that have pending orders. Reactions by carriers to the delivery delays have ranged from inevitable acceptance of the situation to seeking compensation, and outright suggestion of order cancelling. Singapore Airlines , the region's largest carrier, said it would not affect its plan to be the first carrier to fly the A380. The airline is still scheduled to take delivery of its first A380 by end of 2006.

MEANWHILE, Emirates has also said that despite manufacturing delays (TD 15 Jun) it's given “no thought” to cancelling its US$13b order for 43 Airbus A380s. However the carrier confirmed that it's looking at compensation for the deferred deliveries.

More NZ snowfalls - ANOTHER overnight snowstorm has brought early season snowfalls at Mt Hutt to more than 1.6m since the resort opened 12 Jun. Other resorts also reported heavy falls, with staff said to be frantically trying to clear access roads to allow skiers to enjoy the “epic conditions.”

Salvos get the Marriott sheets - MARRIOTT Australia general manager Raj Menon handed over thousands of quilt covers, sheets and pillowcases to Major Hilton Harmer of the Salvation Army this month. The bedding will now be distributed to outlets across Sydney including family welfare centres, youth refuges and refugee centres. Menon said the donation was in keeping with the Marriott ‘Spirit to Serve' philosophy.

Travel Tips

Ten ways to ease the stress of travel - Travel, by its very nature, is stressful. Packing woes, airport line ups, security checks, delayed or cancelled flights, the concern of lost luggage, and trying to pack too much into a trip (be it for business or pleasure) can leave a traveller not only stressed out but just plain exhausted. Fortunately, there are ways you can minimize the stress.

1. Setting a budget you are comfortable with and sticking to it will help you avoid the stress of financial worry. If the wallet won't allow a week at a beachfront resort, try a weekend at a quiet country inn.

2. Choose your travel companion(s) carefully. Spending time arguing about where to eat and what sights to see, or being dragged around to places you don't want to be or coaxed into doing things you don't want to do, can take the relaxation element out of any holiday.

3. If you don't like the details of planning and need to get away from the stress of day-to-day decision making, go for the all-inclusive package which includes air, hotel, food and beverages as well as onsite activities. Once you arrive at the destination, the only decisions you'll have to make are when to eat and whether to swim, lounge by the pool or have a nap.

4. If you're going solo, theme a trip to a passion such as a hobby or special interest and meet up with others of similar interest. Or take a learning vacation and return with new knowledge. Go on a wine tour; book a hiking holiday, a yoga retreat or a weekend workshop in healthy cooking, photography or art.

5. Worried about lost luggage? Travel with a carry-on. When it comes to packing learn to relax and follow the philosophy that less is more. Stick to one or two colours so you can mix and match and make certain that every piece will do double duty. “Packing for a trip is like preparing for life.” “You don't want to make either journey with too much baggage.”

6. Leave your best jewellery at home and you won't need to worry about losing it.

7. Use E-check-in whenever possible! And arrive at the airport good and early. Not only will you find shorter queues but also you'll lessen the worry of missing the fight. Use the extra time to browse the shops, catch up on reading or, since fewer airlines are offering complimentary on-board meals, enjoy a leisurely and healthy meal before taking off. Arriving early also gives you time to stretch your legs with a brisk walk through the terminal before boarding.

8. Don't try to fit everything the destination has to offer into a seven-day visit. You'll be exhausted. Pick one of two attractions that interest you the most and use the rest of the time to relax, refresh and rejuvenate.

9. Keep in mind that flights for one reason or another are often delayed. Prepare for the unexpected by having something to read or do to help the waiting time pass more quickly. Stress can be further reduced if you know that you haven't planned anything crucial for your first day back.

10. Savvy, seasoned travellers learn to relax and go with the flow. Travel is about the unexpected so don't sweat the small stuff.

Hotels Update

Los Angeles Summer Sizzler US$249* *Rate valid through August 31,2006. Based on availability. At Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills - Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills in Los Angeles is a luxury, boutique hotel located on world famous Rodeo Drive. A "jewel" of Beverly Hills, the Luxe Hotel combines all the style, glitter, and luxury of Rodeo Drive in one place with breath-taking views, exquisite guestrooms, and a prime location of Beverly Hills. When you stay at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and all of its temptations are only steps from the lobby. As the only hotel on Rodeo, the Luxe offers unique easy access to world class shopping, dining and entertainment.

Inclusions:

Deluxe Room Accommodations

Welcome glass of select California wine or cappuccino

Continental breakfast for two

Two member-for-a-day passes to the Museum of Television & Radio

Complimentary book from Taschen Books

Shop 'til you drop recording this extraordinary trip with your disposable camera

New Hotel Opens in Denali - The Cedar Hotel, a 54-room riverfront hotel, has opened at Denali National Park, operated by Denali Grizzly Bear Resort, features 17 acres of riverfront views with each room featuring a private lanai overlooking the Nenana River.

Shake off the winter blues at Sydney's hottest hotel, BLUE, Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney. And because the best things in life come out of the blue, why not take advantage of BLUE's winter special of $259 per night to cosy up with someone you love at Sydney's most chic, most stylish hotel, situated not just on but in Sydney Harbour.

The Byron undergoes million-dollar rainforest rejuvenation - Surrounded by the lush Bangalow Palm rainforest, the Byron at Byron Resort, Spa and Conference Centre has proven its commitment to rejuvenating and protecting the rainforest that houses endangered species and rare birds. It has been reported that their conservation commitment has led to a total of $1 million being spent over the past two years on the rainforest programme.

New “Simply Thai” package at JW Marriott Bangkok - The “Simply Thai” package includes

•  Round Trip Airport transfers

•  Luxurious accommodation in a Deluxe Room

•  Full American Buffet Breakfast for two at Marriott Café daily

•  A blissful Thai Massage for two per stay

•  Complimentary Thai spa amenity gift

•  A set dinner at White Elephant Restaurant

Rates are valid until 31 December 2006, and subject to combined service charge and Government taxes.

Conference & Venue News

CONFERENCE AT SEA - So, you have been asked to source a venue for next year's conference. Do you begin looking around the same old venues, thinking to yourself “I will get a few quotes, see what's available and book somewhere we haven't been before”

IF IT'S A VENUE YOU NEED TO CHOOSE, WHY NOT CONSIDER A CRUISE?

EXPENSIVE?

What if we said that in many cases it was cheaper to hold a meeting on a cruise ship than at a land based resort?

WHERE CAN WE GO THEN?

Here's a list of some of our more popular destinations over the past 18 months. Factors such as time away, size of group, and individual budgets are aspects we consider during our discussions with you on the most suitable option.

AUSTRALIA

Destinations : Cruises depart Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Sydney, Darwin and Broome year round.

Duration : from 3 to 10 nights

Price: From $280 per person per day (cruise only)

ASIA

Destinations : Cruises depart Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand

Duration : from 4 to 10 nights

Price: from $440 per person per day (Including airfares to Singapore!)

HAWAII

Destinations : Cruises depart Honolulu

Duration : from 4 to 10 nights

Price: from $202 per person per day (cruise only)

MEDITERRANEAN

Destinations: Cruises depart all major European capitals

Duration: generally minimum of 7 nights

Price: from $340 per person per day (cruise only)

SOUTH PACIFIC

Destinations: Fiji, Tahiti, Micronesia and Vanuatu

Duration: from 3 to 7 nights

Price: from $214 per person per day (cruise only)

Looking for a City Conference Venue …

* Terms and Conditions
Day Delegate Package Rate per person is quoted on a conference with a minimum of 15 people
Valid 1 April - 31 July 2006

Find Conferences & Expos
Details of Exhibitions, Trade Shows & Conferences for Australia and NZ
www.onlineevents.com.au

Cruisenews

Check out all the Europe 2006 Cruises!!! www.cruisescene.com.au

Sun Princess debut voyage details released Thursday, 22 June 2006 - Princess Cruises have announced details regarding package details for their newest superliner the Sun Princess. With room for over 2000 passengers; it has been confirmed that the liner will be the largest to be based in Australia, when it arrives in November 2007 for a five-month season of cruises from Sydney.

A total of ten different itineraries are available for the 70, 000 ton liner, including different packages cruising around Australia and to New Zealand. All interested parties are advised to contact their DBT-Cruisescene Travel Manager and to note that a 30% Fare Saver discount is available for early bookings. A range of South Pacific sojourns have also been confirmed, taking passengers to the exotic islands of Ouvea, Lifou and Champagne Bay.

With the superliner featuring over 1000 suites, minisuites and staterooms, as well as more than 400 affordable private balcony cabins; the Sun Princess aims at offering Australians a new cruise experience at a range of prices. Leisure facilities available onboard include eight restaurants and cafes, nine bars and show lounges as well as a nine swimming pools.

Princess Cruises MD Australia, commented on the packages offered, stating, “Sun Princess' superliner status means she features the huge range of choices for which international ships are known. Yet at the same time she'll offer a very Australian experience, with her itineraries and entertainment tailored for the Australian market and Australian dollars as the onboard currency.”

65 Nights Fly Cruise, 2008 Sydney to New York on Queen Victoria From $17,549.00

Overview: For sale until: 31 December 2006

Destinations: World Cruise + Sectors

Cruise Line: Cunard

Ship: Queen Victoria

Embarkation Port: Sydney

Duration: 65 Nights

Departure Dates: 24 February 2008

Need a Holiday ?

Specials Take a look at our destination holiday news and specials - here Updated every Wednesday!

** 14 night escorted fly / cruise / stay package from only $4,650 **

Departs 28 Oct 06 - Unpack once and discover some of the most fascinating destinations cruising has to offer. On this cruise, you'll have the opportunity to discover the ruins of Pompeii, the medieval city of Rhodes, the pyramids of Egypt and many more historical highlights in Cyprus, Turkey, Sicily and Vienna. This itinerary truly brings history and culture alive. *Released: Thursday, 22 June 2006

NEW ZEALAND SKI QUEENSTOWN NOW from $415pp!!

5 day Transfer & Ski Holiday includes:

•  • Return Queenstown airport / hotel transfers

•  • 5 nights twin share accommodation Discovery Lodge * Shared Facilities

•  • 3 Day Ski Pass

•  • 3 days mountain transfers

Conditions: Valid for travel 1Jul-1Oct06. All prices are per person based on twin share and subject to change without notice. Car Insurance: a refundable bond of between NZ$1000 & NZ$2138 payable direct on collection of vehicle

Thought for the day:

4 little ANIMALS

You've got to love this little girl. What a woman she'll make! A teacher asked her class, "What do you want out of life?" A little girl in the back row raised her hand and said, "All I want out of life is four little animals, just like my Mom always says” The teacher asked, "Really and what four little animals would that be?" The little girl said, "A mink on my back and a jaguar in the garage, a tiger in the bed and a jackass to pay for all of it."

The teacher fainted.

Thought for Everyday:

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success." - Pablo Picasso

From Donna, Brian and the DBT Team!