Travel & Living 44: Tui Tai Fiji Cruise Feature

Visit your local Harvey World Travel office for your copy of this superb magazine.



Please note: This is a pre-production copy and some editing marks still persist

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB RECEIVES TOP AWARD FROM CRUISE CRITIC

IN the first annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards, SeaDream 1  was placed #1 for Service in the Small Ship category.

"Cruise Critic members who have reviewed the ship are clearly very happy with their cruise experience," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief of Cruise Critic. "SeaDream I gets excellent ratings for service, which is attentive and formal, without being fussy or intrusive."

Cruise Critic, the online guide to cruises, is one of the most influential travel sites on the web, and issued its most recent awards based entirely on reviews/ratings submitted by cruisers who posted a cruise review.  The site provides objective cruise reviews, features, ports-of-call profiles and destination information.

Acknowledging the award, Bob Lepisto, President of SeaDream, said "The crew aboard SeaDream I and SeaDream II are to be thanked for their tireless efforts to ensure each guest is well taken care of. Independent reviews like this reaffirm our claim of providing unbeatable service."

SeaDream Yacht Club which operates sister vessels SeaDream I and SeaDream II,  is rated the 'World's Best Small Ship Cruise Line' (source: the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships annually from 2003 to 2011).

For further details see travel agents or visit www.SeaDream.com 

(The expression "yachting" is not only a statement about size; it describes a lifestyle aboard the intimate vessels. Chic and stylish, SeaDream's 56-stateroom twin yachts are favored for their elegant informality, personal service provided by a crew of 95, state-of-the-art facilities, inclusive open bar and gratuities, ocean-view accommodations, luxury spa and world class cuisine. Itineraries include the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Amazon. "It's yachting, not cruising.")

Uniworld Sails The Mekong River, 2012

UNIWORLD EXPANDS RIVER CRUISES AND TOURS IN ASIA IN 2012

AND ADDS BEAUTIFUL NEW SHIP, RIVER SAIGON, ON VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA'S MEKONG RIVER

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduces a new ship, River Saigon, and expands their Asia river cruises and tours in 2012, so travelers can experience this destination in world-class style and comfort for which Uniworld is known. With over 100 departures on 8 itineraries ranging from 10 to 24 days in China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, travelers can unlock the richness and vast diversity of this region. From the Great Wall of China to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, from Spiritual Tibet to bucolic Vietnam, and from the mighty Yangtze to the languid Mekong, Uniworld offers something for everyone.

Travelers can select from one of Uniworld's two new itineraries including a 15-day "Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong" River Cruise and Tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi; or a 24-day "Grand Asia & the Mekong" River Cruise and Tour from Beijing to Hanoi. Or opt to travel from Beijing to Shanghai for Uniworld's re-imagined 10-day land-based tour of "Classic China," or a 12-day "Splendors of China & the Yangtze" River Cruise and Tour.

For those traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia, Uniworld will launch in January 2012, a new beautiful ship, River Saigon, sailing the Mekong River with a maximum capacity of up to 60 guests. With a ship so intimate, travelers can experience this captivating region up close and in style with all the amenities and conveniences needed for the most comfortable trip possible.

Whichever Uniworld river cruise and tour travelers choose in Asia, they will receive exclusive VIP treatment throughout, along with a multitude of included benefits - from river view staterooms onboard beautifully appointed ships to deluxe hotels onshore; most meals, including special theme dinners and home-hosted lunches; captivating, fully escorted shore excursions; exciting entertainment; and so much more.

For more information, please contact your preferred Travel Professional or call Uniworld at 1-800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com.

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world's only authentic boutique cruise line™, is recognized among the "World's Best River Cruises" by Travel + Leisure. It is the only luxury river cruise line named to Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Gold List, and has received their Readers' Choice Award for "World's Top Small Ship Line" and won "Best River Ships" in their Readers' Poll, which ranked River Beatrice and River Duchess the #1 and #2 river ships in the world. Uniworld's cabins and dining are also ranked among the top three in the world by Zagat Survey®; Uniworld is the only river cruise line named in the Zagat Survey® amongst the best of the best in the cruise industry.

Uniworld features luxurious boutique ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, included shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, and award-winning hospitality. Uniworld offers over 500 departures sailing on 13 rivers in 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Uniworld is a member of CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association

Aurora Expeditions is Moving

Aurora Expeditions is moving office.
From the 20 June 2011, our new office address will be:-

Moran House
Level 3, 13-15 Bridge Street
Sydney 2000
New South Wales
Australia

Please note our contact numbers and emails will remain the same.

We look forward to seeing you in our new office.

The Aurora Expeditions team

www.auroraexpeditions.com.au | +612 9252 1033 | info@auroraexpeditions.com.au

Star Flyer to Sail Andalucia and Morocco

Star Flyer

Star Clippers will operate a new series of sailings next year from Malaga in southern Spain, exploring the romantic Moorish heritage of Andalucia and Morocco.

The graceful 170-passenger square rigger Star Flyer has scheduled five seven-night cruises round-trip from Malaga with departure dates between September 15 and October 13, 2012.

Ports of call include Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco, for visits to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, the market and the legendary Rick's Café in Casablanca (a replica of the café featured in the famous film), and the Kasbah and historic Berber town of Tetouan from Tangier.

Star Flyer then sails across the approach to the Straits of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and one of the best spots in the area for whale and dolphin-watching. From historic Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Spain, there's a chance to visit Seville, Andalucia's vibrant capital, famous for its flamenco dancing and Moorish architecture.

The ship then calls at Gibraltar, an outpost of Britain with a long and fascinating military history, before sailing along the sun-drenched Costa del Sol to Motril, the closest port from which to visit Granada, setting of the magnificent Alhambra’s palace and Generalife Gardens, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.

Prices start at $2339 including port charges. A discount of 25% applies for bookings before January 31, 2012. Children may qualify for a 50% discount.

Two further cruises include this historic region in 2012. A six-night voyage from Lisbon to Malaga, departing September 9, calls at Portimao, Cadiz, Tangier, Gibraltar and Motril. There’s another chance to explore part of Andalucia on the first leg of the ship’s transatlantic repositioning cruise, from Malaga to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Departing October 20, 2012, ports of call include Tangier and Cadiz, before spending two days at sea en route to Funchal, Madeira, and a further sea day before Las Palmas.

The new sailings from Malaga are in addition to Star Flyer’s new season of sailing in the Baltic sea from May 2012, that include an ex-UK departure from Southampton on May 5 2012.

MS HANSEATIC with New Cabins and Featuring the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Colours

•     Extensive shipyard renovations
•     New cabins with modern design on two decks

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is visually unifying the appearance of its fleet. After a 13-day-ship yard stay at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg/ Germany, the HANSEATIC now features the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' characteristic colors, an orange and blue band, as well as an orange funnel with the cruise lines logo. The comprehensive shipyard stay consisted of more than 780 items, among them, the renovation and modernization of two cabin decks, the buffet restaurant, and the sauna and pool area. The ship returns into service on June 10, 2011.

"With the charter contract for the HANSEATIC extended until 2018, we opted to add the visual unification of the fleet. Nevertheless, the legendary former logo of the HANSEATIC will be retained as a product logo on board", says Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, explaining the decision.

More than 400 shipyard employees worked in three shifts in order to implement the comprehensive modernisation plan, which included the fundamental renovation of the cabins on Deck 5 and Deck 6. Plenty of wood, new fabrics, furniture and carpeting helped to create a warm atmosphere, and now present a contemporary design for the HANSEATIC. The buffet restaurant Columbus Lounge also sparkles in a new color design and will now be called the "Bistro Lemaire." Further items include the modernization of the pool and sauna area, with a new steam sauna, as well as a multi-mode shower. In total, more than 11,482 sq. ft. of carpet, 621 gallons of paint and 3,937 sq. ft. of fabric were deployed in the context of the shipyard renovations.

New service options now available on the HANSEATIC include: worldwide mobile phone reception via OnAir, Wi-Fi in all cabins, an extended selection of international newspapers in full editions, as well as headsets for passengers during the excursions for better clarity for the experts to be heard.

Shining in new splendour, the HANSEATIC will set sail on 10 June for a four-day cruise from Hamburg via List/Sylt and Binz/Ruegen to Travemuende/ Germany.

Upcoming 2011 Expedition Cruises on the HANSEATIC:

NORTHWEST PASSAGE– A SHORTER ROUTE:

For the first time ever, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to discover the fascination of the Arctic and the Northwest Passage on a shorter, 19-day cruise with MS HANSEATIC. Sailing through a smaller portion of the Northwest Passage, guests will follow the traces of Amundsen and Franklin and explore the ice coast of Greenland as well as the untouched island world in the north of Canada. The short itinerary departs from Kangerlussuaq/Greenland on August 14, 2011 and ends in Reykjavik/Iceland on September 2nd.

MAIDEN CALL – THE INDIAN OCEAN:

Guests will experience the heavenly and exotic island world between the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius onboard the HANSEATIC in November/December 2011, making a new stop in Nosy Lakandava/Madagascar. This 14-day itinerary departs from Victoria/Mahe on November 22, 2011, and ends in Port Louis/Mauritius on December 5th.

MS HANSEATIC, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' small and beautifully appointed expedition ship, and the world's only 5-star expedition ship according to Berlitz Cruise Guide, was created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 passengers. The HANSEATIC is known worldwide for its unsurpassed abilities to navigate and explore difficult waters of the Arctic and Antarctic due to its highest ice class for passenger vessels (E4). The HANSEATIC cruises the world year round, landing in unusual and remote destinations. A shallow draft and high manoeuvrability allow the ship to enter waters larger cruise vessels cannot reach.

Further Information and pictures can be downloaded at www.hl-cruises.com/photos. For bookings, inquiries or to request a brochure, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link customer service.

Black Sea Cruises aboard the Megayacht Pegasus

Black Sea Treasures Cruises from Istanbul to Odessa and Odessa to Istanbul from only $3520 per person twin share visiting Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

Gateway Travel launches new summer Black Sea Cruises into their product range. The 8 day/7 night cruises operate from July to September aboard the Megayacht Pegasus.

Prices include accommodation in a double or twin cabin; full board; filter coffee; tea & water all day; use of fishing equipment; English speaking cruise escort and VAT. Port taxes of Aud 378 per person are additional.

Contact Gateway Travel on (02) 9745-3333 or www.gatewaytravel.com.au for the full itinerary and price details.

Scenic Tours announces new exclusive enrichment experiences for river cruising

Marksburg - Scenic Enrich Medieval Banquet

Leading European river cruise operator Scenic Tours is offering a range of special enrichment activities, included in the cruise fare, for guests to discover the history, culture and cuisine of the countries visited.

From private tours of renowned castles and exclusive dining experiences to visiting local villages and meeting local wine vintners, the Scenic Enrich program allows guests to truly immerse themselves in local cultures and discover the essence of Europe, with a range of new and exciting options on offer for the 2012 river cruise program.

In 2012, guests aboard the 15 day Jewels of Europe River Cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest will have the opportunity to enjoy a day in the life of a traditional German village. With the Scenic Village experience, guests become part of the local community for a day, visiting the homes of local families and choosing from a range of traditional activities, from wine tasting and baking to visiting a dairy, an iron foundry or a private castle to meet a piano maker who restores 18th century pianos. The day ends with a magnificent barbecue with local villagers.

Also new is a host of Scenic Enrich experiences for those joining the 15 day Imperial Jewels of Russia River Cruise between St Petersburg and Moscow. Guests will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch at the old-world wooden 'Podvorie' restaurant in St Petersburg, where all produce and wine is home-grown at the owner's private summer residence. They will also experience a private Russian ballet performance, a home visit to taste authentic Russian tea and piroshky, and a private tour of Moscow's celebrated St Basil's Cathedral. Finally, guests will have the opportunity to meet a real Cosmonaut on a guided tour of Star City space training centre.

Scenic Tours' new river cruising program in France includes a visit to a typical French family homestead in Tournon for a delicious home-cooked meal. Guests will also meet a local wine vintner in the Beaujolais region and sample some of the best wines, cheese and sausages the region has to offer, as well as visiting a real working farm in La Camargue, France's 'wild west', where cowboys tend to herds of bulls destined for bullfighting in Spain.

Glen Moroney, founder and managing director of Scenic Tours commented: "We are delighted to be introducing these exciting new Scenic Enrich activities for 2012. These special events are developed exclusively to appeal to our discerning clientele. We aim to create memorable experiences that allow guests to really have a taste of the region they are visiting, meeting with locals and experiencing authentic European life."

Other popular Scenic Enrich activities include a guided tour of Marksburg Castle in Germany, a stunning building dating back to the 12th century with spectacular views over the Rhine. After a guided tour, guests enjoy a sumptuous private dinner and a night of entertainment provided by knights, musicians and jugglers all in medieval dress.

Also popular is a private concert featuring the music of Mozart and Strauss at the magnificent Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, a baroque palace which was which was commissioned in the 17th century by the Prince of Liechtenstein. Guests are greeted with a glass of Austrian Sekt on arrival before enjoying an exclusive performance of Viennese music and dancing in the grand concert hall.

Scenic Tours' 2012 river cruise program includes spectacular journeys on beautiful waterways such as the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube aboard the Scenic 'Space-Ships', which are akin to travelling aboard a five-star floating hotel. In Russia, Scenic has exclusively chartered the Sergey Kutchkin – the newest ship on Russia's waterways, offering private outdoor balconies and the highest standards of service - and in France, the MS Symphony has exclusively been chartered to accommodate guests in quintessential Scenic style.

For more information or to book, call 1300 SCENIC (1300 723 642) or visit www.scenictours.com.au.

Want to do something now to help Save The Kimberley?

Hello Save The Kimberley supporters,
People often ask us what they can do to help in the campaign to stop inappropriate industrialisation of the Kimberley. The threat of an LNG processing precinct is at our doorstep, and quite a lot is happening in the campaign locally and nationally, so please keep updated by reading the 'latest news' page of our website and find us also on Facebook. To support Save The Kimberley financially visit our donations page.
We write to you today to tell you something simple and important that you can do from your own home if only you have a little time to spare.  A letter writing campaign has been launched in Broome to let our environment minister know that many of us have concerns about the gas and we need him to address these concerns. Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected to make his final decision on the cultural and environmental assessment for the project sometime later this year, so the more voices he hears, the better. Politicians tell us that letter writing is an extremely effective way to get politicians to listen, so please take the time to write a letter for the Kimberley.

Federal environment minister Tony Burke

Below is part of a letter writing guide from Environs Kimberley. You can see the whole thing at:
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-29-Letter-writing-flier.pdf
We would like to thank E.K. for making this information available to pass on to you.
For greatest effectiveness, please pass this on to any friends, family, or co-workers who might be sympathetic.
Warm regards,
The Save the Kimberley committee

Do you want to help in the fight against a gas hub on the Kimberley coast?
WRITE A LETTER TODAY!
Individual letters to politicians CAN make a real impact – it's well worth your time to send a letter, and to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do so too. Letter writing is one of the best ways we have to make ourselves heard directly by decision makers!
Letter writing is a tried and true part of the political process – let's make use of it.
Federal Environment Minister Burke needs to hear from the community that we don't want this gas plant to go ahead, and that we consider HIM responsible for making sure it doesn't!
Here are some tips to write a powerful letter:
MAKE IT SHORT AND SNAPPY. i.e. try to get it on to one page.  Your letter doesn't have to be wordy, or spout lots of science facts or figures to be taken seriously.  Write your letter in your own words, with a simple summary of your main concerns.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. e.g. …I've lived in Broome for xx years/I've visited Broome xx times… I am a small business owner/work in the tourism industry/am a teacher/nurse/doctor…
SAY WHY BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEY MATTERS TO YOU.  e.g. Broome/Kimberley is a very special place to me because:
…it's one of the few places in the world that hasn't been industrialized.
…very strong sense of place/community
…it's culturally diverse and tolerant.
…the Kimberley is one of the last large, intact natural areas in the world…

BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR CONCERNS.
Let the Minister know why you don't want the Kimberley industrialised, and what most concerns you about the proposed gas hub:
e.g…that the WA government is forcing the project on the community.
…I'm concerned about air pollution.
…I'm worried about what this will mean for my local community.
…I don't want Broome to become just another WA  mining town/the Kimberley to become another Pilbara.
TELL THE MINISTER YOU CONSIDER HIM RESPONSIBLE.
Make it clear that you consider the Minister has a responsibility to show leadership and protect the Kimberley's environment (i.e. decisions shouldn't just be made at the state level)
e.g. … Minister Burke, I understand that you have the final say on whether the gas proposal for James Price Point will go ahead.  You must not let this happen.
AT THE END, ASK A QUESTION SO THAT THE MINISTER HAS TO RESPOND TO YOUR LETTER.
e.g … Minister Burke, please tell me what action you plan to take to ensure that the Kimberley, one of the world's great natural areas, is protected? I look forward to your response.
SEND YOUR LETTER VIA THE POST, NOT EMAIL.

Address your letter to the Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
The correct salutation to Minister Burke is Dear Minister (i.e. not Dear Mr. Burke or Dear Tony)

Hapag Lloyd Cruise Expedition Cruise 2012/2013

EXPEDITION CRUISES 2012/2013: HANSEATIC AND BREMEN OFFER TRAVEL TO THE WORLD'S BEST KEPT SECRETS

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Expedition Ships Provide Up-Close Adventures and Environmentally Conscious Travel

(New York, NY) June 1, 2011 – Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announces the arrival of their March 2012-May 2013 expeditions brochure. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS HANSEATIC and MS BREMEN, will be offering 12 international (English/German) itineraries next season. They include travel in Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Norway, the Amazon, the South Seas and New Zealand. In addition, the expedition itineraries feature new ports of call in Madagascar and Mozambique and a maiden voyage through the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia's Far East. The HANSEATIC, the world's only 5-star expedition ship* and the BREMEN, a 4-star expedition ship*, were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on the HANSEATIC and 164 guests on the BREMEN.

Expedition Highlights 2012 – 2013 on the HANSEATIC and BREMEN:

SEA OF OKHOTSK - PREMIER EXPEDITIONS:

For the first time, the HANSEATIC sets out to circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk, in Russia's Far East, taking guests to volcanoes, geysers and glaciers. Zodiac stops on the Sea of Okhotsk include: Iony, a tiny island populated by sea lions and Shantar Islands and Malminskie Islands, natural sanctuaries for songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters.

Trip Details: from June 13-30, 2012, rates for this itinerary start at $10,810 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

ISLANDS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN – MAIDEN CALLS:

Guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts on the HANSEATIC through Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. This tropic 16-day adventure will make stops at six new ports along the route, which include stops in the following ports in Madagascar: Maroantsetra, Nosy Hara, Morondava, Nosy Ve, and Toliara and a first time stop in Mozambique, at the picturesque city of Ilha dos Portugueses.

Trip Details: from December 3-19, 2012, rates for this itinerary start at $7,750 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE:

In 2012, the popular Northwest Passage will be offered onboard the HANSEATIC. It starts in Nome/Alaska amidst impressive testimonies of the Inuit culture before the HANSEATIC sails through the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage and ends in Reykjavik/Iceland.

Trip Details: from August 14 - September 8, 2012, rates for this 25-day itinerary start at $19,780 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

ANTARCTICA:

Glaciers, icebergs, deep fjords and bays offer the setting for an unforgettable Antarctica expedition. In addition to observing bird colonies, guests will also have the opportunity to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, bath in the hot springs on Deception Island and observe whales in the Antarctic Sound. All departs include round-trip airfare from Buenos Aires/Argentina to Ushuaia/Argentina.

Dates and rates for the Antarctica cruises' in late 2012 and early 2013:

Trip Details: November 30 - December 15, 2012, on the BREMEN, rates starting at  $9,220 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

Trip Details: January 3 - 18, 2013, on the BREMEN, rates starting at  $10,300 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

Trip Details: February 13 - March 3, 2013, on the HANSEATIC, rates starting at  $12,760 per person/based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

Expedition Travel At Its Best:

Both ships are well equipped for travel in difficult waters, holding the highest ice class ranking for passenger vessels (E4). Also shallow drafts and high maneuverability allow the ships to enter waters larger cruise vessels cannot reach. Guests explore the world's best-kept secrets in zodiacs (small motorized boats) with only 10-12 guests. Onboard experts include a team of experienced scientists, expedition leaders and specialists who guide landings and offer guests the rare opportunity to observe plant and animal life up close. However, what makes these expedition adventures standout for guests is the security of knowing that highly experienced captains are guiding the vessels and have together already traveled to the Arctic and Antarctica more than 200 times.

Educational experiences are the ultimate goals of the expedition trips. Thereby also, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is committed to promoting a responsible way of dealing with nature – among other efforts as a co-founder of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). In addition, the HANSEATIC and the BREMEN use low-emission diesel oil rather than heavy fuel oil on cruises to Antarctica, and have been doing so long before the introduction of the current, stricter regulations.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' exciting 12'- 13' expedition itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com.


*According to the 2011 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships

Orion II’s Vietnam Explorer voyages include 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites

UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Ha Long Bay

From Ho Chi Minh to My Son, Nha Trang to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam is intoxicating. With energy and charm of equal proportions, and a regal history of passion, war and conquests to rival any European history, these 9 night Orion II voyages include not one, or two, but four UNESCO World Heritage sites - Hue, Hoi An, My Son and Ha Long Bay. Extraordinary, even by Orion standards!

Whether it is the organised chaos of cruising the Saigon River with its junks, exploring the traditional fishing village of Baie de Cu Mon, rarely seen by outsiders, or exploring Nha Trang with its Communist Party headquarters, beach brewery and $1 lobsters for lunch, a voyage with Orion promises, and delivers, the unexpected.

Vietnamese society has undergone a profound transition in the past decade and these itineraries reveal the extraordinary vitality of the cities, where dynamic new businesses and stylish resorts blend with elegant French colonial history. Explore street markets and restaurants to sample the delicacies of a cuisine renowned for its originality, delicate flavours and creativity. In the countryside, picturesque rice paddies, serene river villages and patient water buffalo contrast with the extraordinary history and relics of the Vietnam War.

Take a step back in time as you walk through the narrow streets of Hoi An and see the exquisite spiritual architecture of My Son with its World Heritage listed Hindu temples that pre-date Angkor Wat. Enjoy every step of the way to Hanoi where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history. Motorbikes by the million dart the web of streets in the Old Quarter, a furnace of commerce for almost 1000 years and the best place to check the pulse of this resurgent city.

Even Ha Long Bay is explored with fresh eyes. Seen from onboard a traditional junk, wending peacefully through the islands, the soaring limestone karsts are spectacular; venturing into limestone caves with the expedition team on Orion II’s Zodiacs adds another dimension completely. With Orion II you do both!

In both 2011 and 2012 there are three scheduled 9 night Orion II Vietnam Explorer voyages alternating between Haiphong (for Hanoi) and Ho Chi Minh City and including Nha Trang, Baie de Cu Mon/Bai Nam Beach, Da Nang (for My Son and Hoi An), Chan May (for Hue) and Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba.


Orion II Vietnam Explorer voyages

Departing 18 and 27 November and 6 December 2011 & 12, 21 and 30 March 2012
9 night fares from $7,335 per person for an Ocean Suite
Junior Suites begin from $10,170 per person
Balcony Suites are $13,230 per person
Penthouse Suites are $14,760 per person

All prices twin share

Details of Vietnam Explorer itinerary available at http://www.orionexpeditions.com/expeditions/thailand/voyage_summary

Further information on Orion Expedition Cruises can be obtained by visiting the website www.orionexpeditions.com

For reservations or to obtain a brochure of 2011 or 2012 voyages call Orion Expedition Cruises: 61-2 9033 8777 (Sydney callers) 1300 361 012 (regional and interstate) / 0800 444 462 (New Zealand) or see your travel agent.

Email: info@orionexpeditions.com

Adventure Associates is moving!

From Tuesday 14 June, Adventure Associates' new street (and mailing) address will be:

Level 8, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Our phone numbers remain the same:
Phone: (02) 8916 3000
Toll-Free: 1800 222 141
mail@adventureassociates.com

New fax number to be advised

www.adventureassociates.com