NZ HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH:
Earthsong Lodge, Great Barrier Island
Known for its leisurely pace of life and situated 90km Northeast of Auckland, Great Barrier Island has many unspoilt white sandy beaches and breathtaking rugged views. Earthsong Lodge is the perfect luxury retreat and is just 2 hours by ferry or a 30-minute scenic flight from Auckland. Enjoy private veranda views over Tryphena harbour and the lodge’s native forest and olive grove. Included in your stay are pre-dinner cocktails, four-course fine dining evening meal and a full breakfast.

Prices start from £166 per person (in a twin room on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis). For more information please contact our New Zealand experts on 01737 218 804 or visit www.discovertheworld.co.uk/newzealand.

Fabulous Four Seasons, Bahamas
The white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of the secluded Exuma cays are the perfect location to enjoy a host of activities or even just to relax and unwind. Four Seasons resort offers an open-air spa and an ocean-side golf course designed by Greg Norman, all of which complement each other in an undiscovered and unforgettable Four Seasons paradise.

A seven-night holiday costs from £1536 per person including international flights and is for travel between 31st October and 18th December 2004. To make a booking or to find out more, contact our Bahamas experts on 01737 218 803 or visit the website www.discovertheworld.co.uk/bahamas

2005 NZ Fringe Festival
Throughout February and March, Wellington will be the location of the Fringe NZ Festival for 2005. Expect lots of theatre, comedy, poetry, visual arts, dance, music and much more! Dates for this event are yet to be confirmed however you can check out their website for more details www.fringe.org.nz.

Home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the National Opera, as well as theatres, you can be sure that there is no shortage of culture available in New Zealand’s capital. You can expect everything from this modern city, including great shopping, restaurants and museums, of which the new interactive museum Te Papa, is a major feature of the city.

If you like the idea of visiting Wellington, Discover New Zealand offers a wide range of accommodation as well as a variety of excursions. Contact 01737 218 804 for more details on what we offer or visit the website www.discovertheworld.co.uk/newzealand.

Junkanoo in the Bahamas
Time flies when you’re having fun and if it’s fun you’re after, be sure to keep in your diary the national festival of the Bahamas, Junkanoo, which is celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

This event is often compared to Mardis Gras in New Orleans, or Carnival in Rio! So if you’re planning a festive holiday with a difference, then this could be the idea you’ve been looking for. It’s colourful, lively and a real soul stirring festival. Costumes are made of beautifully coloured crepe-paper and cardboard, and the musicians use goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles and horns. As the parade moves through the streets of downtown Nassau in the early hours of the morning, the energy of the dancers and the music will really motivate you to join in! Visitors to Nassau can also participate in the festivities and you can purchase a Junkanoo costume on the island.

This season’s flights have booked up very quickly and unfortunately there is no more availability, however people are already registering their interest for 2005. If you would like to know more, contact our Bahamas experts on 01737 218 803 or visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk/bahamas.