Travellers' checks

Published: 12:00am, 2 Nov 2008

Nesting instinct

Heron Island, on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, has been playing host to some regular amphibian guests. Throughout October, loggerhead turtles arrive in the waters that surround the island to lay their eggs, after a journey of up to 2,000km. This month, visitors will be able to watch females nest and their tiny hatchlings make their run to the open sea. The Heron Island Voyages resort (www.heronisland.com) is offering guests two nights free accommodation with a six-night stay, including buffet breakfast each morning and island activities such as snorkelling and guided bird walks. Nightly rates start at A$128 (HK$660) per person, with the deal valid until December 15 for travel until March 31 next year.

Launch time

The recently opened five-star Futian Shangri-La Shenzhen is set to become a buzzing dining destination. Eating options come in the form of Cafe Zen, the traditional Cantonese cuisine of Fook Lam Moon and the hotel's lobby lounge. Cafe Zen boasts show kitchens (left) and food stations that offer a wide choice of dishes, while the Fook Lam Moon will be the first mainland branch of the Hong Kong restaurant. Italian fare at Angelini will be available from the end of the year. Located in the heart of the city's Futian district, close to the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre and Shenzhen Civic Centre, the hotel is expected to become a popular business-lunch venue.

On course cruise

Golfers may be interested to know they will be able to combine their game with a cruise, with Silversea's Silver Links packages next year. The Silver Shadow (above) and Silver Whisper ships will ferry players to some of the best courses in the world, from the wind-swept beauty of Cape Kidnappers in Napier, New Zealand, to the narrow fairways of the Monte-Carlo Golf Club and the rolling hills and tropical sun of St Lucia. Golfers will be accompanied by a ship-bound PGA-accredited professional. The cruise price covers green fees and caddie costs (where available) as well as transfers from the ship. Itineraries include a nine-day Caribbean cruise through Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and Bequia (prices start from US$3,657 per person); a 14-day South Pacific cruise to courses in New Zealand and Australia (from US$9,005); and a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Athens, taking in Malta, Sicily, Rome and Monte Carlo (from US$6,236). Go to www.silversea.com for more details.

Deal of the week

Escape the credit crunch with a vibrant weekend in Thailand's capital. CX Holidays has a City Chic - Take-A-Break Value Bangkok Package starting from HK$1,869, (staying at the Novotel Lotus Bangkok; right), with 10 hotels to choose from. It includes two nights accommodation between now and December 15, return flights on Cathay Pacific and daily breakfast. If you pay for an additional night, you can enjoy a buffet dinner, lunch or a yoga class at selected hotels. Travel must be completed by December 17. For bookings, call 2747 6070 or e-mail [email protected].

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