Hello again…..its been a while

This is the first edition of our new update series, which will keep you informed of upcoming trips and tours, travel and destination specials, new and exciting opportunities for clients, recently returned tours and reflections and finally some general office news.

I do have to apologise as there has been a lack of regular updates from us until now – in fact the last one was in October 2010! But rest assured, you will be receiving two or three newsletters per year from now on.

Customer Loyalty Scheme

Over the years we have developed close friendships with many clients. We really appreciate the ongoing support of our business. A significant percentage of our sales come from existing clients either in the form of repeat business or referrals and recommendations. In light of this support, we have decided to introduce a client loyalty scheme. In short, if you have travelled on a tour that we have organised, you will receive a discount of $250 per person on future bookings.

The scheme applies to our own tours rather than those operated by other companies. Other conditions that apply to the scheme can be found on our website.

Suggestions for future tours

If there are any destinations you are interested in visiting in the future, please feel free to discuss these with us.

We have a developed an extensive network of contacts with airlines and local suppliers in different parts of world. In the past, we have found that many clients are interested in visiting similar places, so there is always the possibility of organising a group or individual tour package to a particular place that might be on your ‘bucket list’.

Likewise, if you are interested in “themed” tours such as history, quilting, wildlife viewing, trains, walking or photography please let us know. We have a number of staff such as Hugh McMaster and Jacquie Snare that specialise in researching, designing and organising these types of tours.

New Website

I am pleased to advise that our new website is now up and running, packed with all the latest trip and tour information, office updates, pictures and testimonials! It’s a great way to stay informed, so check out www.spectrumholidays.com.au!

Staff Changes

You may also be interested to learn about a couple of staff changes that have taken place. Shena Liu joined our team in March 2011 and is taking over the role of Operations Manager from Lorraine McMaster.

After 25 years, Lorraine has decided to gradually wind down her involvement in the day to day activities of the business and instead spend more time with the grandkids and pursuing interests such as photography and sewing. Shena moved from Singapore to Australia in 2007 to study commerce at Deakin University. After graduation, she worked at Teac for almost two years in a procurement role before joining our team.

Karyn Prosser has moved into the newly created position of Marketing Manager and is looking after the website and other marketing related activities. We now have an interstate office as Karyn is working from her family’s farm in South Australia.

Shortly before Christmas, Mia Kennett joined the team and has been working on various projects including this newsletter, developing a sparkling new presentation for our Alaska/Canada information sessions and designing client itineraries.

I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Andrew McMaster

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JANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTERJANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTERJANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER

The Office Setting up Melbourne Travel Xpo Verna and Laurice with some locals

Some Reflections from 2011 “And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” Abraham Lincoln

Out of Africa

A group of friends from the Springwood Walking Club completed a tour that spanned South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. The group saw stunning scenery, wildlife and local culture and returned with the most spectacular photos – like something out of National Geographic! The group have kindly allowed us to post some of their incredible photos onto our website under the galleries menu.

Unspoilt Borneo

Our 17 day tour to the vibrant and untouched region of Borneo was a wonderful success. There were many highlights of the tour including: Staying at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Sabah, where guests viewed a variety of wildlife such as orang-utans and long nosed proboscis monkeys as well a myriad of beautiful birds; viewing historic shop houses and museums in the charming city of Kuching; exploring the Mulu National Park world heritage site with its spectacular cave systems and touring the Australian War memorial and visited the world fabulous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan.

France & Italy Walking Highlights

This tour was originally designed for people who enjoyed walking. In the end, the members of the group agreed that it offered far more than just a series of beautiful walks! Highlights included; staying in villages such as Gourdes in Provence, walking through the Luberon Valley covering ochre cliffs and limestone mountains, visiting a medieval castle near the Lakes District of Italy, overnight and dinner at Chateau de la Bourdaisiere in the Loire Valley where the owners grow 638 varieties of tomatoes (including a 3 course meal made only of tomatoes!) and a Cinque Terre walk and cruise from Santa Margherita to Portofino. We are thinking of running this tour again in 2013, so expressions of interest are now welcome!

Canada & Alaska

We have refined the group itineraries to include

(a) daytime sailings from Prince Rupert to Wrangell on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferries (b) travel by motor coach between the Rocky Mountains and Vancouver —these particular tours also included stays in Lac Le Jeune and Whistler (c) on certain itineraries we included a 2 night stay in Sitka, the former Russian town that was once the capital of Alaska and (d) increased time in authentic local towns such as Haines and Fairbanks.

Elephant crossing in Etosha National Park

A few members of Spring Alaska Canada Tour...

Borneo group modelling the latest in gumboots

The Walking Group….standing still

Winter in Alaska

Our first winter tour to Alaska proved a real eye opener. Yes it was cold at times, but nothing that couldn’t be managed with a couple of layers of clothing. Difficult as it might be to imagine, we discovered certain parts of Alaska were even more spectacular in winter than summer. Towns like Fairbanks suddenly came to life. As we walked through the streets it was like stepping straight into a postcard. The rail journey from Fairbanks to Denali was unbelievably beautiful. Everyone enjoyed watching the start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Willow. This years race was won by John Baker from Nome in a record time of just under nine days.

Scandinavia & Russia

Our third tour of Scandinavia and Russia in September 2011 proved a real winner. The itinerary included a couple of minor changes from previous years. The direction of the tour was reversed - we commenced in Russia, then made our way overland across Lappland, sailed down the Coastline of Norway on the Hurtigruten Ferries, then travelled by train to Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The “Norway in a Nutshell” and Tallinn day tours were both highlights of the itinerary.

Rugged up and ready for action….Fairbanks

Future Holiday Ideas for Independent Travelers

Asia

Whether your interests lie in culture, wildlife, village visits or national parks, our consultants can work help create an itinerary through the Asian continent. We offer exclusive trips and tours in Vietnam including Halong Bay, Sapa and the Mekong as well as rail holidays. In addition, we assist with other destinations such as Cambodia and Laos, Myanmar, Nepal including the Himalayas with easy treks available, Thailand, Singapore, India and Indonesia. Many of these itineraries can be designed to include a beach holiday if you wish.

USA Rail Holidays

We are currently in the process of developing a series of itineraries for people who are interested in travelling through the USA by rail. Amtrak offers rail services throughout the country. The itineraries will combine rail travel with sightseeing activities and tours. Another exciting development for 2012 is the return of the Mississippi cruises – steam boat rides with palatial décor plus roomy cabins with ensuites, delicious meals, exquisite surrounds and very attractive prices. Please let us know if you are interested in receiving details of these tours.

Stockholm

Amtrak train

Myanmar

Norfolk Island We believe Norfolk Island is the perfect destination to relax, unwind and swap stories with some old friends and colleagues. We are hoping to organise a combined reunion for people that have previously travelled on our tours. Some of our tour leaders and staff will be in attendance. The package includes free automatic vehicle for the duration of your stay, Progressive Dinner held in the homes of islanders, an island introduction tour and horse and cart rides. The island is quite small so numbers are limited.

Departing : 15 July 2012

Estimated costs per person - $2,495

Scandinavia & Russia Europe has always been a destination of choice for our clients, but the less travelled roads of Scandinavia and Russia open up a whole new part of the continent. In 30 days you will have a chance to discover this incredibly rich and historic part of the world on our escorted group tour. Highlights include; city tours of Moscow, St. Petersberg, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen (including museum and other attraction entry), a six night voyage along the coastline of Norway on the local Hurtigruten Ferries and overland tour through remote Lappland.

Departing: 01 September 2012

Estimated costs per person $12,250

Borneo

We are considering the possibility of running another tour to Borneo along the lines of the 2011 itinerary. The tour would include Kuching, Bako National Park, visit to traditional Lemanak longhouses, Mulu Caves, Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island, Kinabalu National Park, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Sandakan, Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary and Australian War Memorial.

Departing: Dates TBA

Estimated cost per person: $5,300

Ultimate Alaska Small Group Tour We have designed a 25 day tour for those people that would like to return to Alaska and explore some more of the amazing scenery. Highlights of this tour will include Kodiak Island, Matanuska Glacier, Valdez, Cordova, Seward and Glacier Bay National Park. The tour will climax in Wrangell with a four day/three night tour down the Stikine River with Jim Leslie from Alaska Waters to Telegraph Creek. We need to limit numbers on this tour to 12 passengers.

Departing: 08 August 2012

Estimated costs per person: $10,600

Future Escorted Group Tours “The world is a book and those that do not travel read only one page” St Augustine

Norfolk Island

Norwegian Coastal Voyage

Kuching

South America The mystery, grandeur and magnificence of South America beckoned for many of our clients, so we have added this tour to our repertoire! Over 30 days this tour transports you across the continent and will leave you amazed. Tour highlights include: City tours of Santiago, Buenos Aires and Lima, attending a Chilean rodeo; a Chilean lakes crossing; a night at a working ranch; sightseeing at the Iguazu Falls; a two day excursion to Macchu Picchu; and a lake cruise where you will see boat building, textile making and exceptional wooden goods. Alternative tours, including an Inca Trail camping trip, and extended periods at Machu Picchu are also available – ask us about these options!

Departing: 13 September 2012

Estimated costs per person $13,000

Myanmar and Laos An exceptional opportunity to explore some rapidly emerging parts of Asia on our 20 day tour through Myanmar and Laos. This is an untouched yet rich corner of the earth, offering some experiences that are largely inaccessible anymore in the world. Tour highlights include; Yangon and the shimmering Shdedagon Pagoda, Bagan’s magnificent temples, a cruise on the Irrawaddy River giving you an exclusive insight into the colourful lives of its peoples, Mandalay’s silversmiths, the huge Mingun Bell, Inle Lake’s famous leg rowing fishermen and floating gardens plus visits to villages and bazaars and a ride on a bullock wagon. You would also be visiting the World War II Cemetery, situated at the end of the infamous Burma Railway.

Departing: September/October 2012 exact dates to be advised

Estimated costs per person $7,000.

Our volunteer tour guides Murray, Ros and Jenny are incredible assets to our business and we would like to publicly acknowledge their contributions. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to overcome any obstacle ensured all our tours once again ran smoothly.

Argentinian Gaucho

Murray Osler and friends

June, Jenny Laity, Betty and Bev Ros Nicholson

Expressions of Interest

Spectrum Holidays Pty Limited 511 Whitehorse Rd, Mitcham VIC 3132

Melbourne - 8804 2420, Interstate - 1300 130 840, Fax - 03 8804 2426

enquiries@spectrumholidays.com.au www.spectrumholidays.com.au

We are interested in receiving copies of the following brochures:

Escorted Group Tours

• Norfolk Island……………………………………………………………………………………..

• Scandinavia & Russia…………………………………………………………………………..

• Borneo………………………………………………………………………………………………..

• Ultimate Alaska Small Group……………………………………………………………..

• South America…………………………………………………………………………………….

• Myanmar and Laos……………………………………………………………………………..

• Alaska and Canada……………………………………………………………………………..

Individual Tour Packages

• USA Rail Holidays………………………………………………………………………………..

• Asia……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

• Alaska and Canada………………………………………………………………………………

Other Areas of Interest or Comments

Name(s) and Contact Details

Please return to PO Box 201, Mitcham, Victoria, 3132 or fax on 03 8804 2426. You can also

email andrew@spectrumholidays.com.au details of any brochures you would like to receive.