Holiday & Travel

Cycling holidays aren't just about miles in the saddle. Freedom Treks reveals five tours on which travellers can experience something a little different: from pink flamingos and smoking volcanoes to the eerie castle of Count Dracula, plus, they can even swap their bike for a Viking boat.

Kailasha means 'Paradise of the Gods' and if you don't think the villa lives up to its name, let us convince you. Villa Kailasha is situated in Bali's fertile Tabanan region, away from the hustle and bustle of Bali's tourist traps. The villa charms effortlessly with its blend of modern and classic Balinese architecture, elegant interiors and fragrant tropical gardens. A blend of antique, modern and Dutch-colonial-inspired furnishings, colourful fabrics and prized artwork flank the villa's stylish contemporary-tropical interiors.

Qantas is set to add to its list of aviation firsts, with the national carrier confirming it will operate non-stop flights from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner. The 14,498 kilometre service will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe when it begins in March 2018. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the history-making route would be a watershed for travel, tourism and trade.

Whether you're longing for peace and quiet after frantic Christmas festivities, or ready to party like it's 1995 – a destination escape over New Year's is always a good idea. The TTC family of travel brands has a great selection of European holidays which depart after Christmas Day and set you up for a New Year's you'll never forget! 

The Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort has announced its program of sumptuous festive season dining and family events for December 19 to January 8. General Manager Pieter van der Hoeven describes it as a “relaxed but elegant” Christmas program. “Forget the dress code, enjoy the culinary offerings. The kids will never be bored. They'll make new friends. Parents will have plenty of private time. It's a real 'feet in the sand' Christmas experience.”

The National Park Service celebrated 100 years in 2016! You are invited to kick of the start of the second century by visiting a park in 2017. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone over the following ten dates in 2017. Start planning now to include a park in your vacation.

Tourists to Morocco can have peace of mind when booking their visit through a travel agency in Morocco, knowing that the country’s Tourism Ministry is working with these companies every step of the way to assure consistent quality. The Morocco Ministry of Tourism is working to build a strong and attractive tourist offering. Part of that goal includes the structure of the MTPA is based largely on the quality of tourism services provided by tourism stakeholders throughout the tourism value chain.

The demands on tour guides have become increasingly sophisticated and specific, so the need for Morocco to sustain a dynamic tourism industry is dependent upon these ambassadors delivering competitive services to satisfy all tourists and meet their requirements for quality service. Tourism guides play a key role in the development and promotion of natural and cultural heritage of Morocco. These guides take on the role of being cultural ambassadors of the destination as they interact with tourists.

With the news that more children are turning into David Attenborough's Planet Earth II than the X-Factor* (frankly, you'd have had to be hiding like a baby iguana under the hot Galapagos sand to have missed it), family travel operator, Stubborn Mule has compiled what their top global wildlife experiences are, according to passenger feedback (parents and children). 

Visitor arrivals from the UK to Tenerife are set to exceed 2 million in 2016 for the very first time following a bumper year with unprecedented growth. Over 1.55 million visitors from the UK travelled to Tenerife between January to September 2016, representing a remarkable 19.9% increase compared to the same period last year. These figures, released by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, demonstrate the continued strength of the UK market to Tenerife, which remains the island's largest source market, accounting for 36.9% of all its visitors.

Get out and about in NSW this Summer with a nature-inspired escape, be it relaxing in a bush cottage, a high country hiking trip or a camping and kayaking eco-escape. From the coast to the country, NSW is one of the most unique places in the world for nature experiences. NSW offers travellers almost 2,000 km of golden sand beaches, hundreds of pristine National Parks, reserves and state forests, and some of Australia's most treasured world heritage-listed sites to discover and explore.

Volunteering Journeys has introduced a collection of family friendly volunteering holidays, perfect for groups with under 18s who want to enjoy an immersive experience of local life and culture in the destinations they visit. Family trips are available in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and South Africa and are planned with durations of one to three weeks, perfect for school holidays. The itineraries are suitable for all ages, including young children and have been designed so that there is easy access to the popular tourist sites to enjoy during free time in the evenings and weekends 

Mauritians enjoy Christmas celebrations in a lively, tropical atmosphere with average temperatures of 26ºC. At this time of year, the amazing flame trees are in full bloom with their brilliant red flowers and local towns and villages of this multicultural island are lit up with Christmas decorations. The festivities will be in full swing at Veranda Pointe Aux Biches near Grand Baie, where a schedule of Christmas activities has been organised for guests.

There is nothing quite like experiencing a Yukon winter. For some, it's breathing in the white-clad beauty. Others hear the absolute silence. Some demand the physical challenges. Others exalt in the Northern Lights. But everyone wants the unforgettable memories. From Autumn to Spring, when darkness comes to Yukon skies, the Northern Lights come out. You can see a thousand pictures of the aurora borealis and still not be prepared for your first sight of the real thing – or your second, or your hundredth; the show is never the same twice.