2009 MELBOURNE CUP SPA POST TOUR

8 days Melbourne in the Spring and the 2009 Racing Carnival

Departs: Tour departs 01 November , 2009
Price:  $1799 per person sharing apartment.

PRELIMARY ITINERARY


2009 MELBOURNE CUP TOUR

Tour dates  1st - 8th November 2009

Melbourne Cup 2007Sunday - 01 November, 2009

Today as your conference comes to a close it is time to head out of Geelong as you begin a week of fellowship.  We kick off the tour with a scenic trip along the Great Ocean Road – past famous Bells Beach and onto the spectacular 12 Apostles. Enroute we learn of the infamous shipwrecks and legends of this world famous coastline before heading inland to the city of Melbourne our home for the next 7 days.  We expect to arrive around 8pm at our city location.   Rest of night at leisure or you may like to take a stroll across to the Crown Casino for a small flutter.

Transport passes have been included for the duration of your stay.  Reserved Seating for the “Race that stops the Nation” and Ladies Day out at the Oaks are included in the tour price. These will be requested by the group coordinator when tickets are released either later in the year or early in 2009.

Monday - 02 November 2009

Today Melbourne city hosts the famous “Parade of Colours” where jockeys, trainers, owners and past Melbourne Cup winners, parade through the city of Melbourne.  The parade starts around 11.30am from the Paris end of Bourke Street and turns into Swanston Street travelling past Flinders Street Station.   After the parade head to the Bourke Street Mall to Myers to see milliners preparing hats for Melbourne Cup or visit many of Melbourne’s famous Arcades for some great shopping.

This evening is at leisure. You may like to order in, or join your tour escort at around 5.00pm for a short walk to Crown Casino and the "all you can eat Kings Buffet" (cost approximately $20 per head).

Melbourne CupTuesday - 03 November 2009   THE RACE THAT STOPS THE NATION!

Today is an early start as we head to Southbank for a Champagne Breakfast, photographs, and last minute bets before heading out to the track for one of the world’s most prestigious races “The Melbourne Cup”.  Not necessarily the best day for betting, but nothing can replace the atmosphere as we join thousands of locals in all their finery at Flemington. You will have specially reserved seats so be sure and bring your race tickets and your rail pass.

After a big day out, the rest of the evening is at leisure.  Our apartments are close by a supermarket, fabulous Italian restaurant – Soprano’s, or if you are on a roll, head back to the Casino with its myriad of lounges & snackbars.

Wednesday - 04 November 2009

Today it is out of the hustle and bustle as our group sets out for the countryside taking in the Living Legends Tour at Bulla, before heading to Mt Macedon for a wonderful lunch and wine tasting. For Garden lovers keep your eye out beyond the hedges for the magnificent Rhododendrons.
The Winery Tour is inclusive of lunch and will depart 9am and return around 4.30pm.

Rest of evening at leisure.

Thursday - 05 November 2009

It is Ladies’ Day at Flemington. Today is special, as the ladies go all out.  You can catch fashion on the fields at Flemington, not forgetting to visit the L’Oreal tent for a sample pack of their products.  
 
Evening is at leisure. 
Recommendations for dinner
Leo’s St Kilda, Soprano’s City Road, E Gusto Southbank, Fiorelli’s Camberwell Junction, or one of the many restaurants on Lygon Street.

Friday - 06 November 2009 

Your transport pass will give you unlimited travel to shopping outlets and food experiences such as Bridge Road, Richmond, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Lygon Street, Carlton. The famous Victoria Market is a must.
Melbourne has late night shopping on Friday nights and is a hub of activity when it comes to restaurants.  Stroll down Flinders Lane or China Town for a great choice of specialist cuisines.
If you’re into sports why not take this opportunity to visit the famous MCG for a tour of this famous stadium.
Perhaps you might like to take in a show at the theatre or the Crown Casino.

Saturday - 07 November 2009

This evening the group come together for a farewell dinner at the famous Cuckoo Bavarian Restaurant (or similar).  Located in the Dandenong Ranges our evening out will be a night to remember. Beverages are at own expense.

Sunday - 08 November 2009

The Tour comes to an end.  Transfers to Avalon airport or Tullamarine will be arranged for your departure flights.

PRICE:  from: - $1799 per person share apartment. Single supplement $600
*Airfares to be added from your homeport.  We recommended early purchase of airfares.  Your Travel Agent can help you with best fare of the day.  Airfares cannot be booked more than 12 months prior to departure. 

DEPOSITS:  To secure your seat please complete the attached registration form and either fax or email to Beris Pritchard.   You will be asked to pay a deposit of $280 per person.  As this is a Major Event on the Australian calendar, and seats are highly sought after, your tickets will need to be pre purchased as soon as they are released.  Each year this date changes.  We ask that in order to avoid disappointment, you forward your deposit of $280 per person at the time of your registration to make sure when the tickets are released that you are included in the ticket order.   In the event you cancel before we have purchased your tickets you will receive a refund of your deposit less a $20pp administration fee. If you cancel after your tickets have been purchased there is no refund.
Payments by credit cards attract fees as follows: - 1% visa, 2.3% Diners, 3.1% American Express.  To avoid these fees you deposit online to BSB804002 A/C1208785 QT Travel reference MELSPA

REGISTERING FOR A SPACE ON THE  MELBOURNE CUP 09 TOUR:  Please click here for Registration Form

BALANCE OF PAYMENT:  The cost of this tour is $1799 with final payment due at Diploma Travel no later than September 11, 2009.

INCLUSIONS: 

  • 8 days in well appointed self contained Apartments close by Melbourne Crown Casino
  • 7 day unlimited rail, tram and bus pass for Metropolitan Melbourne
  • Reserved seating for Melbourne Cup, & Oaks Day
  • Great Ocean Road – Twelve Apostles
  • Winery Tour and Mt Macedon including sumptuous Lunch
  • Melbourne Cup champagne breakfast
  • Night out at the Cuckoo Bavarian Restaurant – Dandenong Ranges
  • Transfers to domestic airport on day of departure

CANCELLATIONS: In addition to the loss of deposit clause, in the event of cancellation after final payment has been made a 50% cancellation fee will apply.   Cancellations received between 7 days and 3 days prior to departure 75% of the tour balance is non refundable.  After that date – a no refund policy applies.  Members are advised that Insurance is highly recommended for this tour in particular for the cancellation costs involved with such a major national event.  Our online insurance option offers a 5% discounted price.   Refer to www.diplomatravel.com.au

HOW TO GET THERE: In terms of getting to Melbourne many of our past passengers have utilised frequent flyer points or taken advantage of this early advice to obtain airfares early.

Travelling to Geelong for the Conference, Avalon airport is the closest airport.  At the conclusion of the Melbourne Post tour transfers will be included to Avalon airport or Tullamarine.  Please inform your consultant at time of booking which airport you will depart Melbourne at the end of the Post tour.

DRESS FOR THE POST TOUR: Slacks & Jeans are acceptable for most of the Post Touring arrangements.  For Race Days it is usual for gentleman to wear a jacket (Tie not compulsory).  Most ladies wear hats which range from colourful clips & feathers, to fascinators, and full brimmed hats.  Just remember that you may be charged for excess baggage or be required to place hat boxes in the luggage hold of the aircraft.  Smart Casual is acceptable for the farewell dinner at the Cuckoo.

Melbourne weather can be very fickle at this time of the year and for this reason we recommend that you bring a jacket, scarf, and boots.  For Race days our seats are in the Hill Stand and it is not uncommon that a breeze gets up in the afternoon.  We suggest a light scarf/shawl, cardigan or jacket if the weather is cool on the day.

This itinerary should be read in conjunction with the Diploma Travel Terms of Trade. Booking form, and privacy policy.  These details are available on request or on line at www.diplomatravel.com.au.
The itinerary has been planned around services that are operating as at 15th September, 2008. 

Please note that prices quoted are based on information available at the time.  Whilst all care has been taken in putting these costs together, increases in relation to fuel levies, or government taxes will be passed on to you until full payment has been made.

A message from the General Manager
Diploma Travel has been taking group tours to the Melbourne for the Racing Carnival since 1990.  It has many testimonials from past Melbourne cuppers some of whom have been more than ten(10) times.  Our tours have produced many long time friendships from all over Australia.  It is our absolute pleasure to be able to extend our Melbourne Cup program as a post tour to the SOUTH PACIFIC AREA MEETING OF QUOTA IN 2009.

Caroline Cox 15/9/08

Booking Terms and Conditions
All terms and conditions are as per the ‘Booking Conditions'.  These conditions incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted as agreed by you at the time you pay your deposit.  These conditions must be carefully studied prior to making the commitment of paying the deposit. For details about Diploma Travel's booking conditions please visit www.diplomatravel.com.au

TRAVEL INSURANCE: A condition of travel on Diploma World Travel group tours is that all passengers must obtain adequate travel insurance prior to departure. Travel insurance should include cover for unexpected cancellation fees, medical emergencies, etc. Please visit www.insuranceombudsman.com.au or visit our travel insurance page for an online insurance quote.

This tour should be read in conjunction with the Diploma World Travel Service Booking Form.

Details of the Diploma World Travel Service Privacy Policy can be found at www.diplomatravel.com.au

The itinerary & prices listed are correct at time of going to print and are subject to variation and should be used as a guide only.

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