Welcome to our November e-newsletter which aims to help you plan exciting and affordable family getaways that you and your kids will always remember.

At Holidays with Kids magazine, we believe that families that holiday together, stay together. Time away with the kids is very precious. New sights and experiences and an escape from domestic and work commitments enrich the whole family and create special memories that will last a lifetime and help shape your children’s lives.

The rising cost of living has affected many families but no matter what your budget, we know there is a great family holiday in Australia or overseas you can afford. And it’s our ambition to bring these holiday choices to you through this monthly newsletter, our email specials and our quarterly magazine.

For 13 years now, Holidays with Kids magazine has remained the leading authority in Australia on family travel and 2008 has been our biggest year yet, with our magazine moving with ease into being released quarterly instead of twice-yearly.
Our new edition, on sale now, a bumper 212-page ‘flip’ edition, is one of our biggest yet, including the first caravan, camping and RV magazine just for families ever published in Australia.

There are 86 pages devoted to getting out into the great outdoors and articles to inspire even the most reluctant camper to give it a go. (I am one of them, but after reading the articles from our writers I am already planning a camping trip – well a campervan trip anyway!)

For more information, grab our current ‘two magazines for the price of one’ issue at newsagents or subscribe via the website www.holidayswithkids.com.au and if you are one of the first 50 you will also get a FREE kids’ DVD.

Have fun, from the team at Holidays with Kids magazine!

Cathy Wagstaff
Editor
Holidays with Kids magazine

World Expeditions Tastayoq Village Project
Tastayoq Village, Peru
Departs 18 July 2009 for 16 Days
$3490 joining Lima (excludes airfares)

Holidays With Kids is pleased to be the sponsor of the World Expeditions Tastayoq Village Project. With two thirds of our readers whisking their kids away on an international holiday every year, we’re often asked how travellers can give something back to the local communities.

Every year Adventure Travel operator World Expeditions dedicates a select number of itineraries that combine a holiday with a humanitarian or environmental effort. It exists as a not-for-profit part of the company which Holidays With Kids is sponsoring in 2009.

Following three highly successful projects in the village of Qelqanqa, Peru, next year's participants will trek to Tastayoq to undertake another much needed community project. The aim is to build a bridge that will be used as safe passage by the children and to initiate the building of a school and community kitchen.

Beautiful hanging valleys, high pampas, small patches of woodland and paths less trodden are the setting for this project and trek. Travellers will spend four days working alongside the villagers to make Tastayoq a better and safer village. The village is situated in the Urubamba mountain range standing between the great Urubamba River and the vast rain forests to the north of Cusco. On completion of the project we shall continue onto the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu.

For further information or an intinerary email admin@signaturemedia.com.au with Peru in the subject line.

McDonalds McHappy Day
Saturday 15 November

Get into the spirit of things this Saturday and help Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) raise $2 million to help seriously ill children and their families.

Hundreds of celebrities will be donning aprons at McDonald's restaurants right around Australia to help raise funds and you too can help support McHappy Day by purchasing a box of limited-edition Byron Bay Cookies, a Happy Meal, Big Mac or by making a donation online (www.rmhc.org.au) or in-store.

In the past 17 years, money raised on McHappy Day has gone towards programs such as building and maintaining 12 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country, which provide a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children; the establishment of the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which provides free tuition for children who have missed lengthy periods of schooling due to serious illness; the RMHC Cord Blood Bank program, which provides life-saving cord blood for newborns; and the establishment of five Ronald McDonald Family Retreats.

For more information on which celebrities will be helping out in your local area and at what times visit www.mchappyday.com.au

Christmas Holidays Family Package at Sundowner Tiona - only $745 incl GST

Sundowner Tiona is the perfect holiday location for the rapidly approaching Christmas holidays, with accommodation options for everyone, from camping and caravanning through to the luxury eco cabins.
Sundowner Tiona is located a quick 3 hours from Sydney making it the perfect get-away.

If quiet beaches in serene locations are your idea of a great then you are going to fall in love with Sundowner Tiona. The Park is also safe and comfortable allowing the kids to explore while Mum and Dad chill. Extensive pool facilities, kids' club and further hire equipment are available to Park guests at a complementary or discounted rate.

• 5 nights in brand new Beachside ensuite cottages with direct sandy access paths to 7 mile beach.
• Aussie Seafood platter on arrival
• Breakfast basket including bacon and Eggs for the BBQ
Ice cream or drink of choice for the kids from Sundowner reception
• Kids Sandcastle fun Christmas stocking
• Water sport activity hire for the whole family on beautiful Wallis Lake
• Late check out
Call 02 6554 0291or visit www.sundownerholidays.com now for this package and discover the full range of accommodation and camping options available at the Sundowner Tiona.

Garuda Indonesia - kids fly completely free to Bali from Brisbane!
Between 14 December and 31 January

In support of new services from Brisbane to Bali starting 14 December, Garuda Indonesia is allowing children under 12 to fly FREE. This unique offer includes FREE Australian government taxes and FREE fuel surcharges. The offer applies to any child up to 11 years old who is accompanying two full fare paying adults on year round fares. (Offer does not apply to passengers travelling on the special promotional fares in 'B' &'Q' subclasses).

The promotion is valid for passengers in economy and executive classes for travel between 14 December 2008 and 31 January 2009 (including Christmas). Tickets must be paid in full and ticketed by 20 January 2009.

For further information contact Garuda Indonesia on 1300 365 331.

Kids Fun Run with 'Thomas the Tank Engine'
Great fun for all the family - Sunday November 16 2008

The 7th annual running of the Kids Fun Run with “Thomas the Tank Engine” is the only event of its type in the world starring “Thomas” and is taking place at Puffing Billy’s Railway Station located in Gembrook with all proceeds going to the Children’s Cancer Ward at Monash Medical Centre. Kids have the opportunity to run in one of six (6) Fun Runs with age categories.

“This event keeps getting bigger and better every year. When we first started holding the run we had 250 kids running and last year there were more than 600. This year we aim to have 800 kids participating”, said Gloria Hargreaves Chairman of the Kids Fun Run with “Thomas” Organising Committee.

KEA offering 50% off summer holiday rentals

Thinking of a road trip in Australia this summer? KEA is halving its all-inclusive rental rates across its fleet of luxury campervans and motorhomes this December and January, with vehicles available for as little as AU$105.00 a day.

Ranging from the two-berth shower and toilet, flip-top 2+2 and V8 turbo diesel 4WD campers through to the four- and six-berth motorhomes, KEA’s are the most comfortable, reliable and best designed recreational vehicles available for rental in Australia.

Every vehicle features a full entertainment system including HD compatible flat screen televisions and DVD players; and air conditioners throughout to maintain constant, comfortable temperatures and humidity levels.

KEA’s summer discounts are available on vehicles from its network of nine depots across Australia. Campervan rentals start from $105.00 a day, with motorhomes available from $160.00 per day on the discounted all-inclusive rates.

KEA’s discounted summer rates are subject to availability.
For more information freecall 1800 252 555 or visit www.keacampers.com

Sheraton Fiji Resort Re-Opens its Doors Following a Successful
US$22 Million Refurbishment

Located on Denarau Island, Sheraton Fiji Resort features fully renovated guest rooms, an interactive lobby space, new dining concepts and a stunning, lagoon-style pool.

Creating a stunning new look with significant upgrades to guest accommodations, restaurants and bars, as well as the introduction of new recreational facilities. The centrepiece of the resort is the nearly 13,000 square-foot, lagoon style swimming pool with underwater day seats and overwater hammocks which is divided into three sections, including a dedicated family-friendly area and quiet zone.

Sheraton Fiji Resort invites guests to make new memories with loved ones at one of Fiji’s favourite resorts, with great opening specials starting from just FJ$295++ per room per night.
For more information or to make a booking, contact the resort direct on +679 675 0777 or visit www.sheraton.com/fiji. Conditions apply.

Domain Resorts & Residences – 1,000 holidays for under $1,000

The global financial meltdown is being turned into a tourism plus for Australian holidaymakers, with luxury resort operator Domain Resorts & Residences releasing 1,000 “recession buster” holidays for under $1,000.
The $999 holiday packages are available at three locations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, valid over the summer season, from now until 19 December, and next year from 15 January to 31 March. Some of the specials are ideal for large families and have great add ins to the packages such as dining credit, bottles of bubbly and welcome grocery packs.
For further information click here or to make a booking call 1800 555 200.

Martin Place Christmas Concert and Tree Lighting
Thursday 27 November, Free, 6pm – 8.30pm
Enjoy a family night in the city with live children’s entertainment on the big stage.
Santa Claus will arrive on a sleigh with the Lord Mayor to light the iconic Martin Place Christmas Tree, and fireworks will cap off the night.

Christmas on the Green, Hyde Park
Thursday 27 November, Free, 6pm - 8.30pm
Take a picnic and blanket and enjoy the Martin Place concert live on the big screen in the comfort of Hyde Park.

Town Hall Projections
Sydney Town Hall will be decorated with stunning Christmas themed nightly light projections providing a free show for residents and visitors. There will be 10 new projections shown on rotation each night from 27 Nov – 25 Dec (8:30pm – 1:00am).

HOT DEALS -
Click on the links below or go to our homepage for more great offers at www.holidayswithkids.com.au

Octopus Travel Constellation Hotels Royal Caribbean International Novotel Barossa Valley Resort Club Med Norfolk and Pacific Holidays Novotel Twin Waters Chifley Hotels

We’re Everywhere!

Just like children spread their toys eveywhere, our growing magazine is also everywhere.

Holidays with Kids is now available in Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue airport lounges, on outbound flights for Garuda and Emirates and in the lounges and on the aircraft of Australia's leading airline, Qantas. Our magazine is also available in the US and Asia.

Latest news! Holidays with Kids is now supplied to all company-owned McDonalds restaurants around Australia ! You will also be able to read Holidays with Kids on your digital screen when you fly Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines from December 2008.

Holidays with Kids is, officially, the most popular, audited travel magazine in Australia, reaching both consumers and travel agents, with 60,000 copies* reaching more than 600,000 readers. And our website - www.holidayswithkids.com.au - now boasts an incredible 4.2million hits per month, with 36,000 online members and 840,000 page views per month.

* As audited by CAB

We want to hear from you

We would like to hear your thoughts and experiences on family holidays so we can share them with fellow readers and online members. Email us (under 100 words) and send us a pic about your family getaways or your holiday tips and we will run a selection of them in this newsletter, on our website or in our quarterly magazine. Everyone who writes in each month goes into the draw to win a free two-year subscription to the magazine and a family DVD.

We look forward to hearing from you!

P.O Box 1825,
Chatswood,
NSW 2057

Phone: 02 9410 2555 Fax: 02 9410 2035 Email: admin@signaturemedia.com.au