ANAHEIM, CALIF., Aug. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americans have discovered how easy it is to get to Australia and New Zealand and score more for their money on a perfectly-planned Trafalgar guided vacation. Join the record number of U.S. travelers headed to the outback to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies at a wildlife sanctuary, and interact with the oldest living culture in the world through the 40,000-year-old Aboriginal art of dot painting. Increased direct flights from major U.S. cities transport visitors Down Under in essentially the same amount of travel time from Los Angeles to Rome.
Choose from 29 fun-filled vacations, including fully-guided and independent Mini Stays. Guided itineraries feature exclusive Insider Experiences guests would not find on their own like slowly ambling through the rainforest to a spectacular view of a glacier. All the major items are included like hand-picked hotels, luxury transportation, VIP entry to major sights, baggage handling, gratuities and taxes, saving guests countless hours of research. Guests are accompanied by a local, expert Travel Director, serving as a personal concierge and an instant friend in the destination.
Independent Mini Stays offers a compact itinerary spotlighting the most fascinating cities, vibrant resorts and landscapes. Soak in mystical Uluru's brilliant sunset and stargazing while dining on Aussie barbecue. Trafalgar's local insider connections allows guests to enjoy this exclusive experience under the stunning backdrop of the sandstone monolith -- taller than the Eiffel Tower -- after the national park closes to the public. Mini Stays can be added to any guided vacation, taken as a standalone or combined to create a personalized trip.
Backed by almost 70 years of experience, Trafalgar is the only guided vacations company to share live, unedited guest reviews on their website by an independent review company, boasting an overall guest satisfaction rating of 97%. By bringing guest experience to the forefront, travelers can use over 12,000 independent reviews to get inspired.
Example of independent guest reviews:
"I really enjoyed the people and scenery of New Zealand, especially the Tamaki family and the Maori Village experience. Trafalgar did an excellent job and I would travel and book with them again." - Darlena B., Florida - Contrasts of New Zealand
ALL-NEW 2016 Itineraries:
Discover Australia and New Zealand -15-day At Leisure from $4,695^
Join a local indigenous artist for a dot painting workshop at spiritual Uluru and take a boat cruise through spectacular caves to see Waitomo's famous Glow Worms on this relaxed-pace journey.
The Southern Drift - 12-day Hidden Journeys from $4,365^
Discover the hidden highlights of New Zealand's South Island on this trip which ventures from Stewart Island to the foothills of Mount Cook and the tranquility and splendor of Milford Sound.
Client favorites:
Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand - 18-day Regional Explorer from $4,676^ with 100% guest review rating†.
Geyser or glacier, Aboriginal philosophy or Maori culture, Melbourne's eclectic streets or the natural beauty of Queenstown, guests enjoy the diversity of two nations.
Sydney's Food & Wine Discovery - 4-day Mini Stay from $795^
Enjoy an in-depth exploration of Sydney on this compact itinerary including a city sights tour featuring Bondi Beach and dinner at Sydney's famous Tower Restaurant with magnificent views, followed by a day trip to enchant your taste buds with culinary delights in the Hunter Valley premier wine region.
Australian Highlights - 15-day Country Explorer from $4,850^ with 100% guest review rating†.
A captivating mix of ecology, culture and astronomy hits the must-sees like the Great Barrier Reef, Aboriginal culture, going under the famous sails of the Sydney Opera House on your private tour, and opening up to the exotic smells and quirky locals as you unravel Melbourne's colorful streets.
Booking your dream vacation to the South Pacific has it rewards - save up to $1,379 per couple to Australia and New Zealand with Early Payment Discounts when booked and paid in full by Nov. 19, 2015*. Past passenger discounts of 5%‡ per person (land only) are also available for guests who have previously traveled with The Travel Corporation's (TTC) family of brands.
About Trafalgar
The world's most award-winning guided vacation company, Trafalgar offers over 250 exceptional quality and value itineraries across a diverse range of travel styles in Europe and Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central and South America, USA and Canada. With nearly 70 years of experience and unrivaled local expertise, Trafalgar's perfectly-planned, hassle-free itineraries each feature a unique collection of authentic Insider Experiences, revealing the real side of each destination. Trafalgar is a member of family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC), renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability. Join the Insider conversation at: Trafalgar.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
About The TreadRight Foundation
Trafalgar is a proud supporter of the TreadRight Foundation. Created as a joint initiative between TTC's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has helped support more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.
TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.
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Terms and Conditions:^Prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy, vary by departure date, reflect the 10% Early Payment Discount (EPD) savings and are subject to availability. †Guest ratings from independent review site Feefo as shown on Trafalgar.com as of 7/10/15. *Save up to 10% EPD (land only) on new 2016 Australia and New Zealand vacations when booked and paid in full by 11/19/15. Sample savings of $1,379 per couple based on Highlights of Australia & New Zealand departing 4/17/16. Savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability. Not valid with other promotional offers; may be combined with most brochure discounts featured in the 2016 Australia & New Zealand brochure. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Other conditions apply. For full terms, ask your Travel Agent. CST#2077132-20