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Day 1 – Welcome to Melbourne, Australia
On arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to Citadines on Bourke. Our stylish hotel offers inviting and spacious accommodations in the heart of town. Later this afternoon, you’ll join our engaging Australian guide for an orientation walk through the lively streets of this cosmopolitan city. It’s the perfect introduction to the architecture, culture and life of Melbourne.
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Day 2 – Discover Melbourne
This morning’s sightseeing tour begins along the bustling streets and charming lanes of the city - with their handsome Victorian buildings, lovely gardens and inviting cafes, boutiques and galleries. Along the way, our expert guide will enhance your touring with insightful stories about Melbourne and its multi-cultural residents. Enjoy a guided stroll through the lovely Royal Botanic Gardens and learn about Australia’s wartime history at the Shrine of Remembrance. Then visit the delightful coastal enclave of St. Kilda and walk along the beachside promenade before returning to your hotel where the afternoon is at leisure to explore, relax or shop as you wish.
This evening, you’ll board the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant for a delightful and memorable culinary experience. Enjoy a delicious, freshly-prepared 3-course dinner accompanied by fine Australian wines as the glossy, Victorian-era tramcars make their way through the streets of Melbourne. Meals B+D
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Day 3 – The Beautiful Mornington Peninsula
Today’s full-day excursion takes you outside of town to explore the dramatic coastal scenery, quiet fishing hamlets, picturesque farms, and award-winning vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula. Begin with an introduction to the town of Mornington and then continue to the harbor pier for wonderful views across Port Phillip Bay. At the southernmost tip of the Peninsula, you’ll discover Cape Schanck which separates the wild ocean surf of the Bass Strait from the tranquil waters of Western Port Bay.
A scenic drive promises fine coastal views, glimpses of quiet fishing hamlets and the pastoral scenery of the Peninsula’s farms and vineyards. Your morning ends at Green Olive, a 27-acre family farm. After a tour of the property including its olive groves, vineyards and kitchen gardens, you’ll sit down to a delightful farm-to-table lunch featuring fresh produce, quality meats and fine wines – all produced on the property! After lunch, you’ll visit Arthur’ Seat; from the top of this 1,000-foot summit, you’ll have spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay and the Peninsula’s coastal towns and golden beaches. On a clear day, you can even see the Melbourne skyline in the distance! You’ll be back in the city with time to refresh and relax before dining on your own this evening. Our in-the-know guide will be happy to make personal recommendations for dining and evening entertainment. Meals B+L
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Day 4 – Onward to Cairns, the Queensland Rainforest + Palm Cove
Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cairns. On arrival, you’ll be met by our resident North Queensland guide to begin your adventures – starting in Kuranda, a mountain village surrounded by the vast expanse of pristine rainforests that extend for more than 300 miles along the tropical coast of North Queensland. Next up is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a 4.5-mile adventure that takes gliding just a few yards above the treetops before descending through the lush canopy layers and deep into the heart of the forest at Skyrail’s two rainforest mid-stations for the ultimate tropical rainforest experience. At the conclusion of your 1.5-hour cableway adventure, our motorcoach will take you to Palm Cove, a charming beach community just north of Cairns, where you’ll enjoy a 3-night stay at Paradise on the Beach; our inviting oceanfront boutique hotel is set in a lush tropical Eden of palms and giant Melaleuca trees. The restaurants, boutiques and galleries of Palm Cove are just a short stroll away along the town’s shaded Esplanade. Meals B
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Day 5 – The Great Barrier Reef
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the Cairns Marina to embark your full-day cruise adventure to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Situated nearly 25 miles off the coast and close to the pristine outer reef systems, Michaelmas is the largest of the uninhabited coral cays in the Cairns region. It’s home to 35 unique species of sea birds and its gently sloping beach offers comfortable entry into the sheltered waters that surround the cay. With complimentary snorkeling equipment, you’ll discover a colorful undersea realm teeming with colorful marine life – including sea turtles, hundreds of species of tropical reef fish, mollusks, and other invertebrates. The reef surrounding Michaelmas Cay is particularly renowned for its abundance of giant clams! Throughout the day, our engaging and knowledgeable marine biologists are on hand to answer questions and enrich your exploration. In addition to snorkeling, the reef lagoon offers excellent swimming and you can always take some time to explore the flora and fauna of the Cay. You can also join an available guided snorkeling tour - or stay dry as you explore the reef world from a semi-submersible vessel! A smorgasbord luncheon and roundtrip transfers between our resort and the Cairns marina complete this unforgettable Great Barrier Reef adventure. Meals B+L
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Day 6 – A Free Day in Paradise
This entire day is yours to enjoy the amenities and beachfront setting of our tropical resort. You can also wander into Palm Cove to shop, dine, explore and just enjoy its inviting ambience. Meals B
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Day 7 – Onward to Sydney
You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your included flight to Sydney. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by our resident guide and transferred to the deluxe PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, ideally located close to the waterfront in the heart of this vibrant city. Meals B
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Day 8 – Out and About in Sydney
Arise early this morning for our exclusive insiders-access tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, a stunning architectural landmark with a dramatic harbor-front setting. Taking you behind the scenes to areas normally accessible only to staff and performers, you’ll stand on the Concert Hall stage, take up the conductor’s baton in the Opera Theater orchestra pit, and peek inside the stars’ dressing rooms. The Green Room is usually the private domain of performers and crew, but this is where we’ve arranged for you to enjoy a hearty breakfast – a highpoint of our exclusive backstage tour!
From the Opera House, you’ll continue your guided touring with some of the city’s other well-known landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge and Botanic Gardens. From Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Bridge and Opera House. A guided walk through the historic Rocks district is enlivened by colorful tales of the convicts, sailors and rogues who were among the city’s earliest settlers! See the Parliament House and St. Mary’s Cathedral and drive through some of Sydney’s most vibrant districts including Kings Cross and Paddington. Strolling along Bondi Beach, you’ll see surfers and world-famous Aussie lifeguards! Then take in the view from Sydney Heads, situated at the mouth of the harbor, before enjoying lunch and a glass of wine at Doyles on the Beach. Beloved by city residents and visitors alike, this inviting seafood restaurant overlooking Watsons Bay has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 5 generations. After lunch, we’ll take you back to the your hotel so you can enjoy the rest of your afternoon as you wish. Meals B+L
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Day 9 – A Cruise on Sydney Harbor
Yesterday’s city tour may have already shown you the city’s most celebrated landmarks, but this morning’s guided sightseeing cruise promises a different and most delightful perspective of Sydney Harbour – including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Enjoy beverages and the attentive service of our 52-foot motor yacht as you cruise past the bays, coves and harbor-front skyline of one of the world’s most captivating cities. After our 2-hour cruise, the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your own pace. This evening’s farewell dinner is a wonderful opportunity to share your favorite moments with your fellow travelers. Meals B+D
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Day 10 – Depart Sydney
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your onward journey. Meals B