Longhaul to Oz

Old_Slaphead

I'm planning a special trip to Australia next year. Got to be one of the 'all inclusive' jobbies a la Cosmos Tourama, Titan, Colour of Oz etc etc.

Dealing direct these companies, they don't seem to keen to offer any discount on what will be a £7-8000 outlay - anyone know of anywhere I can get an improved deal?

richardw

Why does it have to be one of those 'all inclusive' jobbies?

john0612

i would be booking it all separate, IMOH, gives you the freedom to explore and go at your own pace.

You might want to stay somewhere longer if you like it, which is a very high possibility.

if you count 2K for flights ( asumming its 2 travelling) your talking 5K for accom and tours, seems alot to me.

if you give more details then more ideas could be put forward.



oh, p.s you'll love oz, fantastic place.

Sam_Bee

I presume by 'all inclusive' you don't mean literally 'all inclusive' i.e. drinks & meals included? If so why go to Oz?

Also you say 'Cosmos Tourama, Titan' - again - why? Why not speak to specialist companies that have staff that know the destination? I'm thinking Bridge & Wickers, Austravel, Turquiose. At the very least, start with ordering their brochures.

Old_Slaphead

Answering some of above questions:

a) We're restricted to 3 weeks max so want to see as much as possible
b) We'll probably never go again cos' (i) we're gettin on a bit and (ii) there's lots of other places to see
c) I don't want to drive or faff about with airport transfers, lugging suitcases round etc.
d) It's a special birthday 'surprise' so I won't win too many brownie points if things go (even slightly) wrong
e) By all inclusive I mean flights, attraction etc but not food.
f) Tho' we've done the self organisation things before - just this once we want to take it easy & let someone else do the arranging

I'm quite happy with itineries offered by tourcos and can live with the higher prices paid for convenience.....all I'm asking is, before I sign up, does anyone know of any discount schemes, agencies etc that would offer a sharper price.

Thanks SB for suggesting other providers

povemeister

Hi, Not too sure exactly how adaventurous you are but, www.travelmood.com are worth a look at, they specialise in oz holidays/flights and you can expect to pay no more than £2500 for say a 3 week tour with flights/accommodation/transfers etc. Check this link for some of their adventures they do! http://www.travelmoodadventures.com/tourlist.aspx

lynzpower

travel bag and trailfinders also can be excellent, do give them a call.

richardw

Do they get your luggage off the baggage carousel at the airport and then whisk you off to your hotel?

Old_Slaphead

richardw wrote: »

Do they get your luggage off the baggage carousel at the airport and then whisk you off to your hotel?

Dunno about that but we did a Cosmos Escourted tour to Canada about 10 years ago and the furthest you carried your luggage was from the bedroom to outside of the bedroom door!

Katykat

I always book separate, but other members of my family have used Mercurydirect and been well pleased. Son and GF are going in nov- 3wks, flights, accom on Glod Coast, flights to Sydney, accom in 4* hotel, alltransfers and taxes- £3000 for both of them. I thought this great price. They've done it before and the hotels are top class (most hotels in Oz are anyway, puts UK doss houses to shame). They really enjoyed it. Myself and OH are doping it separate again, same time, same flifghts with Emirates out of Manchester, but we are staying with relly's, so no accom costs. To be honest, thers not a great deal of difference, cos we still give relly's money for food and petrol.
9 weeks to go
sorry for sp mistakes, got me right arm in sling so typing with .l hand

Old_Slaphead

Comments here certainly made my do a bit more research and without too much effort (famous last words) I can do what travcos are offering for about £7100 for £5800 absolute max. (and it'll cut out all them dross trips to "botanical gardens".... yeeeuuukk!).

Cheers all

nb FWIW travco who, a week ago, wouldn't offer any discount have now ('cos they realise that they're probably going to lose the business) offered 5% off.