Tourists are being invited to join four-day pub crawls in South Australia. But benders aren't what they used to be. Drinkers on these will travel between pubs aboard a light aircraft, a 12-seat Cessna, and the sessions last so long because the pubs are scattered in the outback. The booze-ups start with a flight from Adelaide to Innamincka where the pub has a resident pet pig called Gary. From there it's on to Oodnadatta, once an important staging point during the construction of the overland telegraph lines. In Birdsville, the runway is within staggering distance of the hotel. Then the tours will 'drop in' to the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna for last drinks. The tours are organised by Banksia Adventures. Tel 61-8 8236 9222 or visit the Web site,
www.banksia-adventures.com.au On a much more sober note, Chinese readers may be interested in educational holidays in Australia for their children during the long summer school break. The trips offer youngsters the chance to enjoy life Down Under and improve their English. A 17-day holiday for primary school children (ages 10-12) from July 15-31 takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. It includes cultural activities and a total of 15 hours English tuition. The fee of HK$14,883 includes international and domestic air tickets, escort, tuition, full board and admission fees. There is also a 23-day programme for secondary pupils (age 12 up) from July 15 to August 6 taking in Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney, at HK$18,756. Visa application fees are included. Contact Travel Corner Services Ltd at 2542 0013.
Casual clothing begets casual service, according to a survey in the US commissioned by Fodor's Travel Publications. Travellers who dress smartly get more attention from airlines and hotel employees, it finds. Some 77 per cent of men and 68 per cent of women who dress well when travelling for business or leisure say they do so because they get better service, the survey found.
Survey respondents cite other reasons for dressing up as well, including the possibility of meeting someone interesting - 28 per cent of women and 18 per cent of men report that.
The first Ritz-Carlton hotel opened in Boston in 1927, when the room rate for a one-night stay was approximately US$15 (HK$117 today). Until Septem-ber 15, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai is offering the same rate for a deluxe double room for two. Guests who stay for one night at the hotel's regular rate are en-titled to a second night at the 1927 rate.