Sean Simmons Travel Newsletter

turbulence t ravel ne ws th at wi l l e xc it e y o u

OCTOBER 2013

CAVE ADVENTURES IN VIETNAM The Tu Lan Cave System is located in Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh Province. It became popular when Carsten Peter (NatGeo photographer) took a photo in Hang Ken that won so many prizes in National Geographic Magazine in 2011. The beautiful stalagmites and stalactites inside the caves, small waterfalls and underground rivers make Tu Lan a unique place for adventure cavers!

TU LAN DISCOVERY TREK (2 DAY/1 NIGHT)

This tour is designed for tourists to be able to visit the main passage of Tu Lan caves system, explore the beautiful valleys, jungle and caves. The trip will involve jungle trekking, swimming inside the caves (when weather conditions allow) and abseil. The tour starts with an uphill trek of Hung Ton. Also, explore Hung Ton dry cave, abseil 10m drop in Hung Ton cave, swim 200m in Hung Ton river cave and 500m in Hang Kim cave and enjoy the beautiful waterfall in To Mo and Tu Lan valleys along with the unique Tu Lan cave. Camping in front of Hang Ken waterfall, the trekking distance is about 7km and there are 2 moderate hills.

Tour starts at 07:00am from Phong Nha and finishes around 17:00pm at Phong Nha town.

Tour fees (in USD) per person 1Pax

2Pax

3-5Pax

6-8Pax

9-12 Pax

Note

$435

$250

$216

$185

$160

Extra porter is $20/Day

TU LAN EXPLORATION TREK (3 DAY/2 NIGHTS) The 3 days and 2 nights trek is the best option for cavers and experienced trekkers. This tour allows you to explore Tu Lan, Hang Ken, Hang Hung Ton, Hang Chuot, Hang Kim and Hang Song cave system. It will involve jungle trekking, swimming in the caves (when weather conditions allow) and abseil. The tour starts with an uphill trek of Hung Ton. Also, explore Hung Ton dry cave, abseil 10m drop in Hung Ton cave, swim 200m in Hung Ton river cave and 500m in Hang Kim cave and enjoy the beautiful waterfall in To Mo and Tu Lan valleys along with the unique Tu Lan cave.

In addition, you can explore Hang Ken where Carsten Peter took the photo that won so many prizes after being published in the National Geographic magazine in 2011.

You will also savour one night each of camping inside a cave and in the jungle.

Tour starts at 07:00am from Phong Nha and finishes around 17:00pm at Phong Nha town.

Trekking distance: 7 km.

Tour fees (in USD) per person

Adventure level: Medium High

1Pax

2Pax

3-5Pax

6-8Pax

9-12 Pax

Note

$510

$300

$260

$245

$230

Extra porter is $20/Day

Highlights: Primary forest, Tu Lan Cave, Hung Ton Cave, To Mo valley, Hang Kim Cave, Ken waterfall, overnight in jungle.

Trekking distance: 10 km

Trekking gear: Helmet, trekking boots (wet and dry trek), trekking pole, headlight, hammock, sleeping bag.

Highlights: Primary forest, Tu Lan Cave, Hang Ken Cave (featured in Nat Geo magazine in March 2011), Hang Kim Cave, Hang Chuot Cave, Ken waterfall, overnight in jungle and cave.

Activity: Jungle trekking, river crossing, mountain trekking (average 150m), swimming inside the caves (from December to August).

INCLUDES: Picnic lunches, Dinners, Breakfasts (at the cave), Entrance fees, Trekking gear, Tour guide, Porter (3 Pax share 1 porter), Transportation (during the tour at Phong Nha).

EXCLUDES: Hotel (before & after the tour), Breakfast and Dinner (before & after the tour), Personal expenses, Travel insurance, VAT. *Conditions apply. Prices are quoted in USD and does not include airfares, please ask for specials. Full payment needs to be made 60 days prior to departure.

All prices are subject to change. Cancellation & change fees apply. Credit card surcharge of minimum 1.5% may apply for Visa & Mastercard and 3.5% on American Express & Diners.

Adventure level: Medium High

Activity: Jungle trekking, river crossing, mountain trekking (average 150m), swimming inside the caves (from December to August).

Trekking gear: Helmet, trekking boots, trekking pole, headlight, hammock, sleeping bag.

INCLUDES: Picnic lunches, Dinners, Breakfasts (at the cave), Entrance fees, Trekking gear, Tour guide, Porter (3 Pax share 1 porter), Transportation (during the tour at Phong Nha).

EXCLUDES: Hotel (before & after the tour), Breakfast and Dinner (before & after the tour), Personal expenses, Travel insurance, VAT.

CONTACT The Sean Simmons Travel TRAVEL TEAM ON: Phone: +61 3 9429 3294 (local) Fax: +61 3 9429 3293 Suite 6, 53 Coppin Street, Richmond VIC 3121 ABN 48153795129

Toll Free: 1300 391 590 (interstate) Email: enquiries@seanstravel.com.au seansimmons travel.com.au

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STUNNING MALDIVES

WITH SINGAPORE AIRLINES 5 night packages include: • Return airfares from Melbourne with Singapore Airlines • ‘Meet and Greet’ service • Return airport transfers SHERATON FULL MOON RESORT & SPA 5 STAR Beach Front Deluxe Room with breakfast from $2369*pp VIVANTA BY TAJ CORAL REEF 5 STAR Charm Beach Villa with breakfast from $2845*pp KURAMATHI ISLAND RESORT 4 STAR Beach Villa with daily breakfast, lunch & dinner from $2859*pp CENTARA RAS FUSHI 4 STAR Ocean Front Beach Villa with breakfast, lunch, dinner & selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages from $2865*pp CENTARA GRAND ISLAND RESORT 5 STAR Beach Suite with breakfast, lunch, dinner & selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages from $3789*pp NALADHU 5 STAR Ocean Pool Villa with breakfast from $4065*pp ADD A 2 NIGHT STOPOVER in Singapore at Swissotel The Stanford from just $337 pp *Conditions apply. Prices are quoted in AUD & are from, per person based on twin share accommodation & include meet & greet at Male Airport, return hotel transfers & return economy airfares ex Melbourne with Singapore Airlines, Q class. Please enquire for prices ex Perth/ Adelaide / Brisbane / Sydney. Valid for travel 11 May - 19 Jul 14 inclusive. On sale until 31 Jan 14. Sheraton Full Moon & Centara Ras Fushimust be booked min 60 days prior to departure, Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef must be booked a minimum of 45 days prior to departure & Centara Grand must be booked 30 days prior to departure. All prices are subject to change. Cancellation & change fees apply.

Credit card surcharge of minimum 1.5% may apply for Visa & MasterCard and 3.5% on American Express & Diners.

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Industry news Qatar to join oneworld alliance on October 30 Qatar Airways will officially join the oneworld airline alliance on October 30 this year, in a move which will further enhance Qantas’ global network and provide the Australian airline with a second Gulf powerhouse partner alongside Emirates.

Oneworld counts Qatar as a king-sized feather in its cap, not least of all because it’s the first of the three powerhouse Gulf carriers to sign up to an alliance.

“Qatar is a really, really good fit for us” oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby told earlier this year.

“They connect to a lot of places that we didn’t have a member already serving so Qatar is actually quite complementary. They can carry people into a lot of points into Southern Europe and Africa where we didn’t have much presence before, and there are a lot of niches like that where they offer great value to flesh out our network.”

Qatar Airways will be oneworld’s second member airline based in the Middle East, alongside Royal Jordanian, which joined oneworld in 2007. In Australia, Qatar flies to its hub in Doha from Melbourne and Perth daily, with a swath of connections on to Europe and Africa.

But while Sydney may seem an obvious next step for Qatar, the airline’s CEO has previously nixed Sydney flights citing high costs and the overnight curfew as deal-breaking restrictions.

Virgin Australia beats Qantas for business travel, says survey Virgin Australia has pulled ahead of Qantas in the battle for business traveller’s hearts, wallets and bums, according to the latest Roy Morgan Air Travel Survey.

The market research firm reports that 86% of domestic business travellers polled in July 2013 said they were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with Virgin Australia, compared to 77% two years earlier at a time when Virgin was still a low-cost carrier. Satisfaction for Qantas, however, has declined from 88% in July 2011 to 82% in July 2013.

The rolling survey of almost 2,000 travellers embraces not only each airline’s business class seating and service but other aspects such as airport lounges and frequent flyer programs.

Virgin has suffered more highs and lows over those two years, with a roller-coaster ride taking the airline’s satisfaction ratings from the low 70s to just shy of 90%.

Qantas, on the other hand, suffered its biggest fall during the industrial troubles in the second half of 2011 and the airline’s subsequent worldwide grounding in October 2011.

Apart from a resurgence in early 2012 the Red Roo’s satisfaction rating has generally trended downwards until the start of this year. As of July 2013, both Qantas and Virgin Australia were on the up, indicating that business travellers generally felt better about their experiences on both airlines.

Virgin Australia plans next-gen ‘Qantas-beating’ seat for A330s Virgin Australia is gearing up for the next stage of the ‘transcontinental turf war’ over Australia’s east-west routes in response to Qantas’ plans to roll out all-new Business Suites on its Airbus A330 fleet.

Virgin currently boasts the better business class for its A330 ‘Coast to Coast’ service between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with an internationalgrade angled flat bed in a 2-2-2 configuration. But

Qantas yesterday revealed its new Business Suites, which up the ante to a fully lie-flat bed in a 1-2-1 configuration – although the Red Roo’s new seats won’t make their debut until late 2014, giving Virgin Australia at least one year’s start.

“My first reaction (on seeing the new Qantas suite) was almost to send Alan Joyce a ‘thank you’ note for showing me with over a year’s lead time what he’s going to be doing with the product” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti told when asked about his thoughts on the new seat.

Borghetti isn’t fazed by the design, and hints that he has something even better up his tailored sleeve. “We’re certainly not sitting on our hands” Borghetti said. “This is now business as usual. Product lifecycles are getting shorter and shorter and you have to plan faster and faster.”

Malaysia Airlines increases frequency to Melbourne Malaysia Airlines is increasing its frequency from Kuala Lumpur into Melbourne to triple daily services effective 21 November 2013. The extra flight will be in addition to the current double daily services. Starting 21 November 2013, Malaysia Airlines flight MH147 will depart Kuala Lumpur every day at 7.50pm and will arrive in Melbourne at 6.45am the following day. The MH146 from Melbourne – Kuala Lumpur will depart every day at 8.55am and will arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 2.15pm the same day.

Malaysia Airlines Regional Senior Vice President of Australia, New Zealand & South West Pacific, Mr Lee Poh Kait said, “With Melbourne now flying three times daily, this will increase seating capacity from 7,896 seats per week to 11,844 per week. This is a 50% increase in the overall availability of seats. Melbourne is one of Malaysia Airlines’ key markets, now flying 21 times weekly and is in line with the airlines continued efforts to strengthen its position as a top airline within this region”.

The additional daily flight will be serviced by the A330300 and will also act as an excellent connection with other flights between Kuala Lumpur and other main cities around the world. The MH148/MH149 services will now be operated by the B777-200 aircraft.

AND – they are increasing Sydney too!

Malaysia Airlines has announced it will launch a third daily service between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, to commence in February 2014.

The new daily service from Sydney Airport will be on Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A330-300 aircraft, complete with new interior, mood lighting, extra storage space, individual screens and lie flat business class seats.

“This additional service on the Sydney to Kuala Lumpur route will increase capacity to the growing demand by adding an extra 207,000 seats a year,” Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said.

“We estimate the additional flights will deliver AU$124 million in inbound visitor expenditure to the NSW economy per year, providing a great boost to tourism and business.”

From 21 November, Malaysia Airlines will increase its current double daily operations from Sydney to 18 flights per week with an additional four services per week and from 5 February 2014, the airline will increase to 21 flights per week with a triple daily service.

CONTACT The Sean Simmons Travel TRAVEL TEAM ON: Phone: +61 3 9429 3294 (local) Fax: +61 3 9429 3293 Suite 6, 53 Coppin Street, Richmond VIC 3121 ABN 48153795129

Toll Free: 1300 391 590 (interstate) Email: enquiries@seanstravel.com.au seansimmons travel.com.au

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TECH UPDATE Do you use CheckMyTrip? Have you ever “heard” about it?

Now’s the time to find out all about it, and make your traveling life easier and more controlled!

CheckMyTrip is Amadeus’ online itinerary service providing a content-rich, easy-to-use online itinerary template for travelers. To view your itinerary anytime, anywhere, simply go to www.checkmytrip.com and follow the easy instructions for instant, up-to-the minute information on your journey, including: your personalised CheckMyTrip dashboard, log in for free and keep track of past bookings; real flight time information; and local destination times and weather!

You can even get CheckMyTrip on your smart phone!

CheckMyTrip has free apps for all of the following handsets: APPLE / HTC / BLACKBERRY

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA IS ROLLING OUT A NEW WIRELESS ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM Virgin Australia is progressively rolling out Wireless In-flight Entertainment across its domestic and international short haul fleet.

This state-of-the-art system provides you with access to hundreds of hours of movies, TV shows and music, all available on your own device. Wireless In-flight Entertainment is offered on selected flights operated by equipped Boeing 737-800 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

To access the system you need to follow a few simple steps before your flight 1) Download Virgin Australia’s free In-flight Entertainment App from the App Store or Google Play Store: 2) Once you’ve downloaded the App, activate it by opening the App on your device while connected to the internet. You must have activated the App before you fly, otherwise the App won’t load on board.

3) From time to time Virgin Australia will release free updates to the App, and your device will receive a notification from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Keeping your App up-to-date will allow you to access the latest content and functionality when on board.

Laptops with Microsoft® Silverlight Check that your laptop has the correct version of Microsoft Silverlight by loading the test page while connected to the internet.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, make sure your device is fully charged and don’t forget your headphones. You’re ready to enjoy the flight!

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With a huge range of branded Carry-Ons, Check-in luggage and Accessories (electrical & electronics, money belts & wallets, bags & holders and much, much more) with a distinct product line for kids, you will undoubtedly be spoilt for choice. Log in today!

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EUROPEAN EARLYBIRDS Airfares and land deals With venture holidays

Emirates - airfare only

Cathay Pacific - airfare only

From prices are per person (airfare only)*

From prices are per person (airfare only)*

Destination

Airfare prices are based return economy airfares per person and are inclusive of air taxes. Prices are subject to availability and seasonal supplements. Prices are based on low season travel. Further conditions apply. Contact reservations for further details.

Ex MEL

Ex ADL

Ex SYD

Ex BNE

Ex MEL

Ex ADL

Ex SYD

Ex BNE

Milan

$1523

$1528

$1538

$1551

Milan

$1575

$1579

$1591

$1592

Airfares:

Amsterdam

$1497

$1532

$1543

$1555

Amsterdam

$1580

$1584

$1595

$1596

Rome

$1531

$1545

$1546

$1558

Rome

$1583

$1587

$1598

$1599

Paris

$1561

$1566

$1576

$1589

Paris

$1613

$1617

$1628

$1629

CX:For sale until 31 Mar 14. For travel 01 Mar - 30 Nov 13. Low season: 01 Mar - 31 May 14; 01 Sep - 30 Nov 14 (other rates apply outside these dates).

Routing: ADL/BNE/MEL/SYD - HKG - UK/Europe. Book CX in N class. Min stay: 3 days. Max stay: 3 months. Stopovers in HKG are permitted in both directions.

Frankfurt

$1603

$1608

$1618

$1631

Frankfurt

$1656

$1660

$1671

$1672

London

$1729

$1733

$1744

$1756

London

$1780

$1784

$1795

$1796

For sale until 15 Nov 13. For travel 01 Mar - 31 Oct 14. Minimum land spend: 3 nights accommodation. Other destinations: Barcelona, Dublin,

Destination

*Terms & Conditions:

For sale until 31 Mar 14. For travel 01 Mar - 30 Nov 14. Minimum land spend: $300

Emirates - airfare only

Singapore Airlines - airfare only

From prices are per person (airfare only)*

From prices are per person (airfare only)*

Destination

Ex MEL

Ex ADL

Ex SYD

Ex BNE

Amsterdam

$1502

$1534

$1521

$1546

Destination

Ex MEL

Ex ADL

Ex SYD

Ex BNE

$1519

$1523

$1534

$1536

Milan

Paris

$1535

$1567

$1554

$1579

Amsterdam

$1524

$1528

$1539

$1540

Frankfurt

$1578

$1610

$1596

$1621

Rome

$1526

$1531

$1541

$1543

London

$1702

$1712

$1721

$1724

Paris

$1557

$1562

$1572

$1573

Frankfurt

$1599

$1603

$1614

$1616

London

$1723

$1728

$1738

$1740

For sale until 20 Dec 13. For travel 16 Jan - 31 Oct 14. Other destinations: Istanbul.

EK: For sale until 15 Nov 13. For travel 01 Mar - 31 Oct 14. Low season: 01 Mar - 29 May; 29 Sep - 31 Oct 14 (other rates apply outside these dates). Routing: ADL/BNE/MEL/SYD - DXB - UK/Europe. Book EK in T class. Not permitted on EK407/413/421/435/5001 or QF8407/8413/8421/001 and EK6200-6201, QF200-399, QF2670-7777/9000-9999 and JQ6000-9999. Min stay: 7 days. Max stay: 3 months. Stopover in DXB permitted in both directions. A mandatory OSI entry must be added to every PNR: OSI EK ZZITX2ZZ MH: For sale until 20 Dec 13. For travel 16 Jan - 31 Oct 14. Low season: 16 Jan - 19 Jun; 16 Aug - 31 Oct 14 (other rates apply outside these dates).

Routing: ADL/BNE/MEL/SYD- KUL - UK/Europe. Book MH in N class. Max stay: 3 months. Stopvers permitted in KUL in both directions. MH codeshare 9000 series not permitted.

SQ: For sale until 15 Nov 13. For travel 01 Mar - 31 Oct 14. Routing: ADL/BNE/ MEL/SYD - SIN - UK/Europe. Book SQ in V class. Max stay: 1 year. Stopover permitted in SIN in each direction. Please observe auto TTL set by airline in your PNR. Penalties apply for changes & cancellations.

Contact reservations for full airline conditions. Departure taxes, airline levies are quoted as at 11 Sep 13 and have been added to the per person cost.

For sale until 15 Nov 13. For travel 01 Mar - 31 Oct 14. Other destinations: Barcelona, Istanbul, Munich, Zurich.

EUROPEAN LAND OPTIONS TO ADD TO YOUR AIRFARE! 8 NIGHT ITINERARY FROM LONDON INCLUDING “HEART OF ENGLAND” TOUR - $2348

• 3 nights pre tour in London at the Best Western The Cromwell (Standard room) with daily breakfast • Royal London morning tour • 5 day, 4 night Heart of England tour of Oxford, Bath, Avebury & Stratford-upon-Avon (London - London) isit London, Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, V Lacock, Bath, Longleat, Avebury Inclusions 4 nights accommodation, driver/tour leader, mini-coach transportation, full English breakfast daily, 2 x evening meals, traditional craft cider tour.

Include entrances: Christ Church College, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Lacock Abbey, Roman Baths, No.1 Royal Crescent, Longleat House & Avebury Stone Circle.

Highlights • Travel at a leisurely pace, allowing more time to explore this region in depth • Dine on quality produce sourced from the best local suppliers • Charming authentic accommodation representative of the English countryside

FRANKFURT - $338

• 5 nights at the Excelsior Hotel (Run of House room) • Daily breakfast

MILAN - $473

• 4 nights at the Hotel Cristallo (Run of House room) • Daily breakfast • Return airport - hotel private car transfers • Milan City Sightseeing “Hop On Hop Off” tour

ROME - $553

• 4 nights at the Hotel Nord Nuova (Standard room) • Daily breakfast • Return airport - hotel transfers • Rome City Sightseeing “Hop On Hop Off” tour

• Behind the scenes tour of Longleat Stately Home • Walk amongst the stones at Avebury, away from the tourist crowds • 1 night post tour in London at the Best Western The Cromwell (Standard room) with daily breakfast • Return airport - hotel transfers in London

ABN 48153795129

• 4 nights at the Best Western The Cromwell (Standard room) • Daily breakfast • Return airport - hotel transfers • The Original London Sightseeing tour

AMSTERDAM - $669

• 4 nights at the Avenue Hotel (Run of House room) • Daily breakfast • Amsterdam Sightseeing “Hop On Hop Off” Bus/Boat tour

PARIS - $799

• 4 nights at the Hotel Choiseul Opera (Superior room) • Return airport - hotel transfers • Paris L’Open tour, 2 day pass

*Terms & Conditions: All prices are based on per person twin share. All is subject to availability and seasonal supplements. Further conditions apply. Contact reservations for further details.

Hotels/touring: for sale until sold out. For travel until 31 Oct 14. Based on low season travel. Contact reservations for dates.

Backroads touring: Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.

LONIT37023908 PARIT37023910 Prices correct as at 11 Sep 13 and are subject to change.

CONTACT The Sean Simmons Travel TRAVEL TEAM ON: Phone: +61 3 9429 3294 (local) Fax: +61 3 9429 3293 Suite 6, 53 Coppin Street, Richmond VIC 3121

LONDON - $592

Toll Free: 1300 391 590 (interstate) Email: enquiries@seanstravel.com.au seansimmons travel.com.au

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