GREAT ESCAPES

Women do their own thing

Solo travel is a big theme in 2018 and according to the Intrepid Travel 2018 survey of Australian travellers, women are embracing it more than men (58 per cent of women jet off solo for small group adventures compared to 52 per cent of males). The top three “off the beaten track” destinations for all Australians this year are India (No.3), Peru and Vietnam (No.1), although the most popular destination for women aged 40-plus so far is Morocco.

Call of the wild

Everyone needs an occasional escape to the wilderness. At Cave Rock Cottages on the Gold Coast hinterland there are three properties set amid lush bushland. Activities include bushwalking, birdwatching (King parrots, and lorikeets) and swimming in the pristine Christmas Creek. Nearby is the World-heritage listed Lamington National Park. Visit caverock.com.au and visitscenicrim.com.au.

Added magnificence

A new Royal Signature Experience for 2019 on APT’s 15-day Magnificent Europe river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest is a cocktail reception and concert at Vienna’s City Palace, a visit to Namedy Castle, the home of Princess Heide von Hohenzollern. Prices start at $6995 per person, twin share, and if you book before 30 November, 2018, you can take advantage of Fly Free and Fly Business Class for $3995 per person Superdeals. Go to aptouring.com.au