This program includes:

o International and domestic airfare from Vancouver or Los Angeles
o 20 nights First Class hotel accommodation
o 32 meals (20 breakfast, 3 lunches, 9 dinners)
o All entry fees as per itinerary
o Services of expert local guides

Departure dates:

2009: Sept. 21; Oct. 5, 19; Nov. 9, 16; Dec. 7

2010: Jan. 11; Feb. 8, 22; Mar. 1, 15.

Sightseeing and highlights:

o Tour Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne
o Take a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour and tour the iconic Sydney Opera House
o Enjoy the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural
o Take a cruise over the Great Barrier Reef
o Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway
o Walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge
o Tour the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
o The unique Sounds of Silence Dinner in Uluru
o Optional overnight journey on The Ghan train ($)
o Tour Australia’s National Wine Centre
o Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne
o Cross New Zealand’s Southern Alps on the award-winning TranzAlpine Train
o Take a city sights tour of Christchurch
o Discover Rotorua’s geothermal attractions
o View the imposing Franz Josef Glacier
o Cruise the full length of Milford Sound
o Enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance in Rotorua
o Take a guided tour of the Waitomo caves

Day 1-2 Los Angeles/Sydney, Australia.

This evening board your flight bound for Australia. You loss a day as you cross the International Date Line. No worries! You will gain it back on your return!

Day 3 Sydney.

Your will be meet on arrival in Sydney. After an early check-in at your hotel, relax or step out to explore. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers at our Welcome Dinner. Shangri-La Hotel (3 nights) (D)

Day 4 Sydney.

Join a comprehensive Sydney sightseeing tour including a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour. See Kings Cross, the historic Rocks area and famous Bondi Beach before you have the unique opportunity to take a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. (B,L)

Day 5 Sydney.

Relax and enjoy Sydney at your own pace today. Perhaps join an optional sightseeing tour of the Hunter Valley, internationally known for its wines, or visit the stunning Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters rock formation ($). Or head to Oxford Street or Pitt Street Mall to discover the city’s fabulous shopping precincts. (B)

Day 6 Sydney/Cairns.

Today fly to Cairns, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland. Enjoy a tour of the city before you have the unique opportunity to experience the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Dinner and Show. Shangri-La The Marina. (3 nights) (B,D)

Day 7 Great Barrier Reef Cruise.

After breakfast, take a guided cruise out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, specifically Agincourt Reef. View the colorful coral and diverse range of marine life through the glass bottom of your boat. Perhaps go for a snorkel or a swim, then visit the underwater observatory before enjoying a tropical lunch. (B,L)

Day 8 Skyrail, Kuranda, Wildlife/Cairns.

Today ride the Skyrail Cableway over lush World Heritage-listed rain forest to Kuranda. Visit a wildlife park and perhaps have your photograph taken with a koala ($). Later, take in the spectacular scenery as you travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back down the mountain range to Cairns. (B)

Day 9 Cairns • Uluru (Ayers Rock).

This morning you’ll join a flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Visit Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and walk to Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Tonight at the Sounds of Silence Dinner, dine under the stars then hear an astronomer talk about the Outback night sky. Sails in the Desert. (B,D)

Day 10 Uluru (Ayers Rock)/Alice Springs.

Tour Uluru’s base, viewing ancient caves and Aboriginal rock art. Walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and hear of ancient Aboriginal legends. At Maruku Arts and Crafts Gallery, see Aboriginal artists at work and perhaps purchase artworks. Pass vast cattle ranches en route to Alice Springs. Crowne Plaza. (B)

Day 11 Alice Springs/Adelaide.

Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Anzac Hill this morning. Then board your flight to Adelaide and visit the National Wine Centre for cheese and wine tasting. Learn about the Barossa wine region and Australian wine industry. Instead of flying, you may board The Ghan, a luxury rail journey from the Red Center to Adelaide ($). The Sebel Playford (2 nights) (B,D)

Day 12 Adelaide.

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Adelaide for yourself. You may wish to join an optional tour to either Kangaroo Island or the Barossa Valley ($). (B)

Day 13 Adelaide/Melbourne.

Fly to Melbourne. Tour the city, visiting Queen Victoria Market and the Fitzroy Gardens. Enjoy dinner aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant tonight, winding through the streets of Melbourne. Hotel Sofitel. (2 nights) (B,D)

Day 14 Melbourne.

A free day to enjoy the delights of Melbourne. Perhaps stroll down to Southbank on the Yarra River; journey to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade; or join a tour along the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles ($). (B)

Day 15 Melbourne/Christchurch, New Zealand.

15 day tour passengers will board international flight home. Departing Australia today, you’ll fly to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. On arrival enjoy free time to relax or explore as you wish. Crowne Plaza Hotel (2 nights) (B,D).

Day 16 Christchurch.

Take a tour of the charming Garden City of Christchurch before a free afternoon to explore as you please. (B)

Day 17 TranzAlpine Train/Franz Josef.

Board the award-winning TranzAlpine train for a journey through the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Enter the World Heritage-listed area of South West New Zealand, home to a number of glacial formations, including the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. (B,D)

Day 18 Franz Josef/Queenstown.

Today enjoy the uniquely New Zealand landscape as you travel over Haast Pass and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea on the way to Queenstown. Crowne Plaza. (3 nights) (B)

Day 19 Milford Sound Cruise.

Travel to Fiordland National Park for an unforgettable cruise over spectacular Milford Sound, passing towering Mitre Peak and cascading waterfalls. (B,L)

Day 20 Queenstown.

Enjoy today free to explore Queenstown at your own pace, being as active or relaxed as you like. (B)

Day 21 Queenstown/Rotorua.

Fly to Rotorua. Tour Te Puia Thermal Reserve and see boiling mud pools and exploding geysers. Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance. Millennium Rotorua (B,D)

Day 22 Rotorua/Waitomo Caves/Auckland.

Visit Rotorua’s Agrodome then glide by boat underneath the lights of glow worms at Waitomo caves. Continue to Auckland for a Farewell Dinner. Crowne Plaza (B,D)

Day 23 Depart New Zealand.

Board your flight to Los Angeles. (B)