BA & QF 2006 Earlybirds now here - UK, Europe & Round World

Hello from everyone at Best Flights

Our office is really buzzing this week with excitement, the phones are jumping off the hooks, the e-mails are coming in by the hundreds and the staff are working crazy hours. It’s EARLYBIRD TIME once again, our favourite time of year.

British Airways & Qantas Earlybirds are NOW in, hot off the press, and well worth waiting for, they have launched a UK & Europe specials AND a fantastic ROUND WORLD deal, superb.

Singapore Airlines have also launched their 2006 special land fare, and there are now heaps of airlines specials deals that are available when you book a tour with Trafalgar Tours-Cosmos-Globus-Contiki or Insight.

We have all the latest 2006 specials below, take your time, have a good look, make your choice of flights and tours, then give us a call on 1300 767 757 you will find we are the most knowledgeable consultants you can find in Australia and most of us have lived or worked or were born in the UK & Europe, so we know what we are talking about.

It’s not ALL about 2006 Earlybirds, you will find there are heaps of other great specials arrived this week, and it’s all here.

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Kumuka European Escapade - From: $1,800.00 AUD

This is brief 10 day waltz from London to Rome encompassing the sights France and Switzerland along the way. Renowned for their overland truck adventures through South America and Africa Kumuka opt for coaches for their European adventures. Another great advantage of Kumuka is that all transfers across the channel are by Eurail not ferry.

Highlights of the trip include Skiing, snowboarding and paragliding in Interlaken, the Tuscan countryside, the city of Milan and the leaning Tower of Pisa. Four days are spent in Italy so practice your Italian now..

Day 1-2 After a 2.5 hour train ride from London we are transferred to our hotel. The afternoon is free to wander the streets of Paris before a pre tour meeting that evening. Day two begins at 9am with a tour of Paris including The Champs de Elysees, Arc Triumph and Louvre. A visit to Eglise du Dome to see where Napoleon is buried is also a highlight. The afternoon is free to wander again.

Day3-4 Leaving Paris behind us we drive through the French countryside, stopping at services to refuel the coach and ourselves! We will arrive at the Swiss border in the mid afternoon, out of the European Union; therefore, there is a chance you will have your passport checked and add another stamp!!! We then drive through the breathtaking Swiss mountain scenery to the beautiful town of Interlaken. The air up in the mountains is so pure that it is a treat just to have a shower and then wander round in the crisp evening..

Today we have a coach free day! Time to pull on the skies or snowboard and get radical! The following day is a chance to kick back and relax, taking in the spectacular landscape as we drive through Switzerland and into Italy.

On day 6 another city tour! We will see some of Milan’s most famous landmarks, including the Duomo, La Scala, the Castello Sforza and learn about the most prestigious gallery in Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera, which was originally set up by Napoleon.

Today we continue our journey into the heart of Italy. En-route down to Florence, we will visit the town of Pisa, arriving mid afternoon. Here you can visit the Campo dei Miracoli (Miracle Square), including the famous leaning tower. After Pisa, we have a short drive to Florence- the cradle of the renaissance.

On the eighth day we have another city tour and then time for shopping!! A highlight of Florence is the leather and silver shops but watch for dodgy rip offs..

After a little sleep in we depart later today as we stop for lunch at a typical Tuscan winery, before heading down to Rome. Upon arriving at the winery, you will have a short-guided tour of the wine cellars and learn some interesting facts about the legendary Rooster, associated with Chianti wines.

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Hotel Bargains at the Last Minute from Best Flights

With the Indy taking place on the Gold Coast this weekend, and the Melbourne Cup not long after that, we're about to be plunged into racing mania!

Whether you want to attend one of these prestigious sporting events or prefer to head to the hills and escape, it's the perfect time for a short break, especially for the lucky folk in New Zealand with a long weekend coming up. Don't forget you can now book up to 28 days in advance, so you can get out and get organised!

This week in the Best Flights newsletter, we're highlighting Indy and Melbourne Cup accommodation, as well as a smorgasbord of delightful properties in the city and the country in Australia and New Zealand.

All prices were current on Tuesday morning, but may change at any time.

Deal of the Week

Spoil yourself at Sydney's award-winning five-star Observatory Hotel from $299 per night for 2 including fresh strawberry platter on arrival, newspaper and access to the Day Spa - save 59%! Minimum 3 night stay for this deal - shorter stays are available. More super Sydney deals!

Gold Coast Indy This Weekend!

It's the Gold Coast Indy this weekend, and if you're a bit of a revhead, you can join in the action with our last minute hotel bargains in the area. Prices quoted here are for this weekend - other dates may be cheaper!

Royal Woods Resortt

BreakFree Acapulco Resort in Surfers Paradise has apartments from $330 per night for 2. Minimum 2 night stay.

Sunset Island Resort in Surfers Paradise from $199 per night for 2. Minimum 3 night stay.

BreakFree Sunbird in the heart of Surfers Paradise has one-bedroom apartments for $450 per night for 2 and two-bedroom apartments with a view of the track for $650 per night for 4. Minimum 5 night stay.

More Gold Coast deals!

Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Cup!

There are still Melbourne Cup accommodation bargains to be had in Melbourne, but hurry, they won't last long! The rates quoted here are generally for the period Saturday 29th October to Tuesday 1st November. Dates outside this range may be even cheaper!

Medina Grand Melbourne from $262 per night for 2.

Nova StarGate from $205 per night for 2.

Astoria City Travel Inn from $150 per night for 2 including continental buffet breakfast and late checkout.

More Melbourne bargains!

City Stays

Sydney

New! Popular Cambridge Lodge in Stanmore from just $59 per night for 1 and $60 per night for 2 - save up to 22%. Minimum 2 night stay.

Luxurious Mercure Grand Apartments on Darling Harbour has two-bedroom apartments from $309 per night for 4 - save 53%! More great Sydney savings!

Brisbane

Stylish Chifley on George from $140 per night for 2 including newspaper and parking - save 39%. More fabulous Brisbane bargains!

Canberra

Charming Garden City Hotel from just $82 per night for 2 - save 32%. Minimum 2 night stay. More canny Canberra deals!

Hobart

Rydges Hobart from $138 per night for 2 including parking and newspaper - save 49%. More huge Hobart discounts!

Darwin

Convenient Darwin Airport Resort from $119 per night for 2 including airport transfers - save 43%. More super Darwin deals!

Perth

Perfect for business or leisure, Hotel Ibis Perth from $119 per night for 2. More keen Perth prices!

Getaways

Cairns, QLD Five-star Cairns International Hotel from $150 per night for 2 - save 57%! Minimum 2 night stay for this deal - shorter stays are available. More beaut Tropical North Queensland getaways!

Illawarra, NSW Welcoming Lake Illawarra Bed and Breakfast from $125 per night for 2 including home-cooked breakfast. More cool Illawarra stays!

Frankston, VIC Award-winning Olivers Hill Beachside Accommodation from $170 per night for 2 including continental breakfast - save 53%! Minimum 7 night stay for this deal - shorter stays are available. More relaxing Mornington Peninsula properties!

Alice Springs, NT Central All Seasons Diplomat Alice Springs from $129 per night for 2 including breakfast - save 41%. More super Central Australia stays!

Dunsborough, WA Close to the beach, Bay Village Resort Dunsborough from just $90 per night for 2 - save 50%! More magnificent Margaret River region bargains!

NZ City Savings

This long weekend, why not indulge in a city break, with fine food, great wine and perhaps a spot of culture or shopping?

Auckland

In Manukau, Allenby Park Motor Inn from just NZ$94 per night for 2 including free airport transfers, parking, continental breakfast, newspaper and late checkout - save 37%. More fantastic Auckland bargains!

Wellington

Novotel Capital Wellington from NZ$124 per night for 2 - save 60%! More amazing Wellington deals!

Christchurch

Historic The Classic Villa from NZ$149 per night for 2 including continental breakfast and parking - save 47%. More brilliant Christchurch discounts!

New Zealand Breaks

Or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the long weekend relaxing...

Palmerston North, NI Delightful Coachman Motels and Suites Palmerston North from just NZ$99 per night for 2 - save 45%. More perfect Palmerston North prices

Waikato, NI Spoil yourself at Maungatautari Lodge from NZ$506 per night for 2 including pre-dinner drinks and canapes, four course dinner and full breakfast - save 47%. More superb Waikato stays!

Queenstown, SI Lakeside Outrigger at the Beacon from NZ$141 per night for 2 including breakfast - save 50%! More fine Queenstown accommodation!

Well, that's our round-up of great deals for the week. And don't forget you can now book up to four weeks in advance, so you can book in plenty of time to get your first choice of accommodation.

There are bargains galore all around Australia and New Zealand.

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