VODAFONE ASHES SERIES
Nov 2010 / Jan 2011

ENGLAND TEST ITINERARY

Our featured Ashes Tours include:

As well as our popular escorted tours we will be offering 'FLEXI ASHES' hotel and ticket packages aimed at clients who prefer to make their own flight and touring arrangements. Please use the link at the top of this page.

Our Escorted Tours Include

• Scheduled Economy class flights with Qantas / Cathay Pacific
• Excellent 4 and 5 Star accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Gold category match tickets
• All airport and cricket transfers
• Sightseeing and touring in luxury air-conditioned vehicles
• Welcome drinks & hosted cricket forums
• Celebrity cricket host
• Professional local tour escort
• Christmas and New Year’s Eve Functions on relevant tours
• Souvenir tour merchandise
• All UK airport taxes

Not included

Australian Tourist visa, meals unless otherwise stated, porterage and general gratuities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry and medical expenses.

You Are in Safe Hands - Air Travel Organiser’s Licence

Enjoy the Small Group Atmosphere

Holidays are not only about what you will see and experience … they’re also about the people you meet and the great times you share. As well as exploring new and exciting places, one of the best discoveries you’ll make is the group spirit and camaraderie of your fellow travellers. Being part of a small group you will quickly make friends with other travellers attracted to our style of travel … like-minded people from all walks of life.

Solo travellers

Many of the people who join us on one of our holidays are travelling by themselves, so if you’re a solo traveller, rest assured that you’ll be with other like-minded people.  On any given departure, you’ll find a mix of couples and friends travelling together, as well as other solo travellers.  One of the great benefits of our trips is that they allow you to be independent but provide security and company whenever you choose.

Match tickets

As we purchase our tickets directly from CATO (Cricket Australia Travel Office) match tickets are fully guaranteed. Ticket prices have been incorporated into the accommodation modules for each Test. Test match tickets are sold to international supporters on a ‘season ticket’ basis, with no refund for unused tickets. One Day tickets are sold on a per match basis. We have chosen GOLD category tickets at all venues which are categorised as ‘seats located behind the bowlers arm, or at a slight angle, and will receive shade for some part of the day, if available’.  Platinum ticket upgrade is possible and will guarantee shaded tickets behind the bowlers arm. Upgrade prices are shown throughout the brochure.

The social side

A Welcome drinks reception is planned ahead of each Test to allow you to meet your fellow travellers, tour host and local tour manager. Informal gatherings (Cricket Forum) are also planned when you can debate England’s performance over a few drinks. Clients heading to Melbourne and Sydney over the festive season will enjoy a special Christmas lunch on the eve of the 4th Test and an unforgettable New Years Eve Dinner overlooking Sydney harbour.

Tour hosts

In addition to experienced local tour managers, our ever popular cricket hosts, Bob Taylor and Norman Gifford look forward to hosting you in Australia.

Hand Picked Hotels

All hotels have been carefully selected to enhance your holiday experience. We have chosen a mix of excellent four and five star hotels throughout Australia to ensure your comfort and security.  At the end of the day’s cricket or touring, you’ll want to freshen up and relax in a hotel that makes you feel at home. That’s why we never skimp on quality and carefully choose our hotels for their superior level of comfort and service, excellent amenities, friendly staff and convenient and safe location. Please read our hotel descriptions in conjunction with other tourist information for the areas you will be visiting.

Travel Options

All Escorted Tours have been costed on specific hotels which that will be our ‘base’ hotels in each city. If the escorted touring option isn’t for you and you are happy to make many of your holiday arrangements for yourself, we also offer a range of hotel and ticket packages that can be incorporated into your travel plans. Please follow the link to  ‘Flexi Ashes’ hotel and ticket deals.

Flights

Our preferred carriers for the Ashes are Qantas Airways and Cathay Pacific. All flights/timings shown are based upon current schedules and are subject to change by the airlines. Premium Economy and Business Class supplements are shown on relevant pages or are available on request.

Passport & visas

All British visitors require a 10 year passport, valid for at least 1 month beyond your planned date of return to the UK.  British citizens require a tourist visa for entry into Australia. We can arrange an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa on your behalf at a cost of £15 per person. Alternatively it is easy to apply for a visa online at the Australian Government website – www.eta.immi.gov.au. Please note that the new style ETA visa is electronically linked to your passport, therefore no reference is given and no visa is stamped in your passport.

What are we offering

It’s almost as far as you can go, and gargantuan when you get there. It’s a five-hour flight just to hop from one side to the other. Yet speak to anyone who has visited Australia and you’ll here it described as the ‘trip of a lifetime’. Our fully escorted tours will take you from coast to coast as the cricketers traverse this mighty continent. We haven’t overcomplicated things, as we believe it’s good to have time to do your own thing in and around the cricket. You will have plenty of time to explore the host cities as well as venturing further afield to enjoy the many attractions that lie beyond the city environs. All tours are flexible in as much as you can upgrade your flights, extend your stay, hire a car, add an excursion, include a Far East stopover – we will simply revise the tour price to reflect the changes you wish to make. All changes are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Fancy Something Shorter

Not everyone has the time, budget or inclination to be part of an all singing – all dancing escorted tour.  Subject to availability we are happy to quote for single test tours, with or without flights. When you break away from our escorted tour programme airport and cricket transfers as well as all Sporting Traveller functions are not included. Please e-mail your requirements to sales@thesportingtraveller.com.

How to book

Please call our sales team (01737 244398) to check the availability of the tour you wish to book. In order to make a booking you will need to sign a booking form and return this together with a 25% deposit payment. A second stage payment of 25% of the total holiday price is required by 01 May 2010. The final balance payment is due 12 weeks prior to travel. The person signing the booking form will be treated as doing so on behalf of, and with the consent of, all the persons for whom the booking is made and is responsible for ensuring due payment of all monies.

For more details or to book this event

TEL: 01737 244398

or download a booking form