Custom Tour prepared for

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto Youth Council

23-day Tour: July 2 to 24, 2008
Four Three Nights in Cairns; Six Nights in the Disocese in Melbourne; Ten Nights In Sydney

Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We are currently investigating both Qantas Airways and Cathay Pacific as air carriers for this program. At the present time, it appears that the most economical carrier will be Qantas. We are looking at three gateways, Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver. At the present time Qantas Airways departs from Los Angeles; however, it is possible they will fly directly from Toronto and Vancouver by 2008. We will provide a price from Toronto and Vancouver upon quotation; however, we can provide add-on fares from other gateway cities within Canada 340 days prior to departure.  

Depart from Los Angeles at 11:55 p.m. aboard Quantas Flight Number 176 non-stop to Brisbane. Meals in flight and all in-flight entertainment are complimentary.

Thursday, July 3, 2008 Cross International Dateline; lose one day.
Friday, July 4, 2008 Arrive in Brisbane at 7:45 a.m. and continue on Quantas Flight Number 69, departing Brisbane at 9:30 a.m., arriving in Cairns at 11:45 a.m.

Upon arrival in Cairns, we transfer from the airport to the Cairns Colonial Club Resort where a "Meet and Greet" awaits us. Portorage is included. The Cairns Colonial Club Resort will be our home for this and the next three nights. 

A buffet dinner at our hotel is included this evening.

Saturday, July 5, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, you will have a full day at leisure to independently explore Cairns and its surrounding areas.

A buffet dinner at our hotel is included this evening
 

Note: You may change the free day within the stay in Cairns; however, it may be a good idea to give the pilgrims a full day to recuperate as the Great Barrier Reef is a long day.
Sunday, July 6, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart by Quicksilver Connections to drive north along the scenic Cook's Highway, passing some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to Port Douglas. We embark on the Quicksilver Wavepiercer catamaran and journey to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, the most spectacular undersea garden in the world. At the reef, we are at a large platform or raft where we can view the coral in a number of ways. There is a semi-submarine, an underwater viewing platform, an optional helicopter ride or the option of scuba diving (with tank). For most of the group, we strongly recommend that you at least get into the water and try to snorkel. There is nothing more thrilling than being in the sea at the Great Barrier Reef, looking at the colourful fish and coral and the closer you are to reef, the better you are able to enjoy it. The snorkel equipment is free and the staff will assist you in getting fitted and a short "how to" lesson; they provide flotation devices so that even those who don't swim can enjoy this experience. A buffet lunch will be served during the time you are at the reef. On arrival back at Port Douglas we have a limited amount of time at the marina before travelling back down the coast, arriving at our hotel late afternoon or early evening.
Monday, July 7, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Freshwater Train Station and then it's "All Aboard" for the historic rail journey which will take us past sugar cane fields and up the slopes leading to the Barron Gorge. The journey ends in Kuranda, principal town of the Atherton Tablelands, a rich farmland area located some 2000 feet above sea level. You will have time to stroll around this beautiful tropical village, enjoy the train station and discover the market independently before travelling down the mountain by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, silently gliding over the rainforest canopy on this beautiful rainforest experience. There are two stations enroute where you can alight and walk through the rainforest to spectacular lookouts and views or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre at Barron Falls Station to discover more about the special plants and animals that inhabit this unique environment. On arrival at the base of the mountain we transfer to our hotel.

Aussie BBQ Dinner included at our hotel this evening with Aussie Bush Band for entertainment.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Cairns Domestic Airport for a Qantas mid-morning flight to Melbourne. Portorage is included and we are requesting all seats on one aircraft.

Pilgrims are welcomed to Melbourne for six days in the Diocese. Arrangements for accommodation and related expenses for these six days (until we move to Sydney on July 14th) will be the responsibility of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto Youth Council. 

Wednesday, July 9 to Sunday, July 13, 2008 Days in the Diocese
Monday, July 14, 2008 We depart to Melbourne Domestic Airport (coaching is based on Day in Diocese being within 200 kilometres from Melbourne Domestic Airport) for Qantas mid-afternoon flight to Sydney.
Note: The OCY is also moving from Melbourne to Sydney today. At this point, I cannot guarantee that all passengers will be on one flight and that everyone will travel at the most ideal time.

Upon arrival in Sydney we transfer from airport to the Sydney Lakeside Narrabeen Villas for "Meet & Greet". Portorage is included. Accommodation is four to a villa at the Sydney Lakeside Narrabeen Villas, our home for the next ten nights.

Dinner at our holiday park.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart to King Street Wharf for a magical and spectacular lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour with Magestic Cruises. Our cruise will terminate at a wharf close to Telstra Stadium where the Mass of Welcome will be celebrated. On completion of the mass we transfer back to our hotel in Sydney’s northern suburbs. 
Note: During World Youth Day, Tour Design will hold nightly meetings at 9:30 at the Sebel Citigate for updates for the next day’s events. Any coordinators or chaperones are welcome to join us. We will only work one day in advance.  
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart to our local catechesis. WYD events this afternoon and transfer back to our hotel by private coaching. (exact location is still to be confirmed for the local catechesis).

Dinner is included this evening in either the Cockle Bay Wharf or Bondi Beach area or at the Hard Rock Café.
Thursday, July 17, 2008

Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart to our local catechesis. Welcome Mass for the Holy Father this afternoon and transfer back to our hotel by private coaching (exact location is still to be confirmed for the local catechesis).

Gourmet lunch box has been included today.
Friday, July 18, 2008

Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart to our local catechesis. Stations of the Cross this evening and transfer back to our hotel by private coaching (exact location is still to be confirmed for the local catechesis).

Gourmet lunch box has been included today.
Saturday, July 19, 2008

Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart to location for the Evening Vigil (exact location is still to be confirmed for the Evening Vigil). Sleep out under the stars of the Southern Cross as you pray at the vigil with thousands of youth from around the globe and with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV1. Sleep tight for tomorrow morning is the awe-inspiring final mass.

Accommodation is held for you so you do not need to take any of your personal belongings or luggage to the Evening Vigil.
Sunday, July 20, 2008 On completion of the final mass, we transfer back to our hotel by private coaching.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Monday, July 21, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, you will have a full day at leisure to explore Sydney and its surrounding areas independently. Coach to be available to the group for the day.

Dinner is included this evening in either the Cockle Bay Wharf or Bondi Beach area or at the Hard Rock Café.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we depart  for Canberra, the national capital. See both the old and the new Parliament Houses - the new built into the side of a hill - the court houses and diplomatic area and the War Memorial Museum which commemorates the sacrifice of Australian men and women who served their country. Time permitting, tour to Mt. Ainslie Lookout, offering wonderful views of the capital and its surrounding area. Visit Glenloch Sheep Station to see a demonstration of one of Australia's most important industries. Experience all aspects of the sheep industry with events such as sheepdog handling, shearing and classing. The visit also includes a hearty BBQ luncheon. From here we return  to Sydney.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we will have full day touring Sydney, including admission to the Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney's Wildlife World.

Sydney Aquarium: Nowhere else will you find a larger collection of Australian aquatic life with over 11,500 animals! Take a journey through one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world and explore Australia's rich and diverse waterways, marine ecosystems and unique aquatic environments. Sydney Aquarium is home to the largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit in the world. Visit Nemo and his tropical friends as they dart amongst the wavering tentacles of an anemone, as well as sea stars and cucumbers silently creeping amongst the coral. Don’t miss the Oceanarium where you will be surrounded by one of the world’s most extensive collections of sharks – some over 3.5 metres long and weighing 300kg!  Sydney Aquariums Seal Sanctuary offers you the chance to view one of the world's first known natural Seal Sanctuaries! Get closer than ever before, by walking through the underwater tunnels to see the seals racing through the water at full speed or just frolicking around. 

Sydney Opera House: This 60-minute tour offers the opportunity to experience the Sydney Opera House in its daily operation and provides a fascinating account of the history and architecture of the Opera  House.

Our Farewell Dinner this evening is an informal buffet at the Sydney Tower Restaurant,  Australia’s highest and most spectacular revolving restaurant. Situated at the top of one of Australia’s most famous attractions, Sydney Tower Restaurant offers visitors a truly unique dining experience. Whilst enjoying best quality local and international cuisine at over 300 metres above sea level, you are treated to 70 minutes of breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney and her superb harbour.

On completion of dinner we transfer to our hotel.
Thursday, July 24, 2008 Following breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the Sydney International Airport for our Qantas flight to Los Angeles and onward to Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax. Departure assistance is provided.

Included in Tour
  • Round trip airfare from Toronto to Los Angeles with American Airlines or Air Canada to connect with Qantas service from Los Angeles to Cairns, Cairns to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Los Angeles. Pricing from Vancouver and also add-on from Halifax to join with Toronto group. 
  • 14 nights shared four-to-room accommodation at Cairns Colonial Club Resort and Sydney Lakeside Narrabeen Villas.
  • 14 breakfasts.
  • Five lunches as per itinerary.
  • Seven dinners as per itinerary.
  • Airport arrival and departure assistance by English speaking guides in Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney.
  • Transfers as per itinerary.
  • Coaching in deluxe, air-conditioned sole-use coach with professional commentary driver.
  • Full-day excursion to Great Barrier Reef inclusive of use of all facilities and snorkelling equipment. Dive equipment is in addition to the tour price and you must be certified for this type of excursion. 
  • Day trip to Kuranda, one way by train and one way by Skyrail.
  • Sydney Harbour cruise with lunch on opening day of World Youth Day with drop at public pier at Homebush (not closed for security during WYD).
  • Assistance by Tour Design staff 24-hours per day during World Youth Day.
  • Full day excursion to Canberra including barbeque lunch at Glenloch Sheep Station.
  • Admission to Sydney Aquarium and Sydney’s brand new Wildlife World.
  • One-hour tour of Sydney Opera House.
  • Farewell dinner at top of the Sydney Tower inclusive of elevator and tips. 
  • RBC Deluxe Package Insurance inclusive of cancellation insurance and unlimited hospital / medical, cancellation insurance; $1500 prior to and unlimited after departure. Air flight accident and baggage insurance based on maximum age of 59 years. Participants over 59 years are subject to quotation. 

Cost per Person, Canadian Dollars

From Toronto: $4670.00; from Vancouver: $4400.00; from Halifax: $4970.00

Plus airport departure taxes, security fees and Australian visa; currently, $400.00 per person, subject to change.
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