It is possible to have a holiday on Norfolk and do most of your sightseeing on foot or on a range of their excellent organised tours. But for those of us, wearied by age and with some joints creaking for the same reason, there are benefits from having a rental car for some of the hillier parts of our offshore extension.
Latest offer from the people at Coral Seas Travel has seven nights accommodation for the price of five and a rental vehicle for your entire stay. (It is also handy for lugging all that duty free shopping back to your billet).
The offer includes accommodation in a one-bedroom valley view unit at the spectacularly sited Panorama Seaside Apartment (pictured) in the old penal settlement area of Kingston, and the nice little touch of a breakfast picnic basket for the Saturday you'll be there. All you have to do is choose one of the idyllic Norfolk nooks you spotted on your earlier drive-about.
The starting price for the package, with return air and taxes included as well, is $1139. The only extra is the $30 Norfolk departure tax.
But beware: While you can take up the offer anytime between now and December 15, the booking cut-off is July 18.
Call 9231 2944 asap or visit www.coralseas.com.au
Private veranda … private valley
Yet another reason to visit Chiang Mai
At the High Resort, a spa property dedicated to absolute luxury and relaxation, even the valley you view from veranda is private!
One of your biggest problems will be securing a booking over enthusiastic Bangkok Thais who are already eyeing the new venue as “trendy”.
Up that way, “trendy'” is important to affluent Thais.
The property is actually a sister to the ultra-chic Veranda Resort at idyllic Hua Hin by the sea which is, by Thai standards, a not too onerous drive south of the capital.
The Chiang Mai version is all terraced gardens, water features, a dramatic infinity-edged hillside swimming pool and feng shui landscaping. You've just gotta have that natural balance and harmony and you can start with a drink in a lobby which is, well, different!
It is all nestled in the hills outside the ancient, walled northern capital, a magnet for generations of Australians courtesy its rich culture, crafts centres, a great night bazaar, elephant treks and, if you are interested, championship golf courses.
The resort replicates both cultural heritage and contemporary Asian style.
There are just 69 rooms - an understatement - in four styles, all with large private balconies and views over forest, mountain streams, rice and tea terraces.
Opt for one of the deluxe open plan rooms overlooking the valley. There are also jacuzzi pavilions and rice terrace pavilions with private plunge pools, or go for the big one - the Presidential Pool Villa with two bedrooms, a living room (with piano, if you please), pantry and dining area, private study, swimming pool and your own jacuzzi.
There are several dining options. Try them all but particularly the Rabiang Cha, a modern version of a traditional Thai rice granary which focuses on northern Thai recipes. It also does afternoon tea, if you must.
If you take the kids along, no problem: The in-house kids club is wall-to-wall with educational toys, indoor and outdoor activities and lots of that special Thai TLC so they won't even notice you're not with them!
If you're planning another holiday in Thailand ask your travel agent about this one and, as usual, have a chat beforehand with the Thai Tourism Office on 9247 7549.
How cool is this
Europe's unlikely double
Sate the senses in Europe and nowhere more completely than in two of the most indulgent, culturally rich destinations - Helsinki and Vienna.
An unlikely double indeed but both, in their own right, play unashamedly to aspects of sight, sound, touch and taste you probably never realised you had.
Look at their “basics”: Between them they share renowned composers, Mozart and Sibelius; architecturally the range is from Vienna's St Stephen’s Cathedral and Imperial Palace to Helsinki's Cathedral and Harbour Market.
For the taste buds, float from rich Viennese coffee and cakes to Finlandia, arguably the world's best vodka. They tend to drink a bit of it. Flit to the Vienna Woods, cruise the Danube or be part of Helsinki's bustling harbour front.
In a one-off marketing adventure, VisitFinland (previously the Finnish Tourist Board) and the Austrian National Tourist Office have teamed to promote the contemporary, innovative and laidback side of the two cities in a multi-partnership with Finnair, Beyond Travel, the Vienna Tourist Board and Helsinki City Tourist and Convention Bureau.
The “push” is cool, cutting edge Nordic Helsinki and the creative, stylish, new wave Vienna.
HELSINKI: Ear cutting edge bands, jazz, the cool, Finnish tango (yes, you're reading right), the famous Design District Helsinki with its 25 streets full of fashion stores, art galleries, design studios and designer hotels, plus Finnish haute cuisine in the design district.
VIENNA: Downbeat rhythms of electronic music the local call Vienna Sound, some of Europe's finest hippest-hoppest DJs and must-do clubs like Flex and OST Klub. The cultural district holds Austria's largest collection of contemporary art as well as chic eateries; or head for the new restaurant scene of Naschmarkt, a fine food haven.
There is a new and strong avant garde theme in this most gracious of cities.
You can buy an Odd Couple package from as little as $2100pp including return economy airfare, good accommodation and heaps of extras.
Both the Australian Tourist office and VisitFinald have offices in Sydney.
Austria is on 9299 3621 and you can get all you need to know about the Finns at www.visitfinland.com/au or www.visithelsinki.fi
Fly free then cruise
THE travel agent consortium Cruiseco has chartered the four-star liner, Rhapsody of the Seas (pictured) for a 28-night cruise from Vancouver to Sydney this September, flexing a mighty buying-power muscle which slashes prices, free air to join the cruise and a bonus of free cruising for “littlies” under 21.
If you can't be away for a month there is a shorter Honolulu-Sydney sector.
Rhapsody leaves Vancouver September 19 for Victoria on Vancouver Island, Astoria in Oregon, an overnight at Lahaina on Maui, Nawiliwili on Kauai, Kona and Hilo on the Big Island Hawaii, and Honolulu.
She then heads out to Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea in French Polynesia, Lautoka and, finally, Sydney.
Prices start from $4620 pp twin share Vancouver-Sydney and $2640 Honolulu-Sydney.
Call 1800 225 656 or visit www.cruising.com.au for the name of your nearest Cruiseco travel agency. | 
