Travel Opportunities

General Disclaimer Some of the following activities are not part of the U3A program. U3A ACT advertises such activities in good faith because they might be of interest to U3A members, but accepts no responsibility for their outcome. Do not send payment to U3A. Persons wishing to book or obtain further information should follow the instructions. National Trust Tours The National Trust (ACT) reserves a few spaces on each of their tours and events for U3A members. U3A members are entitled to book by ringing the National Trust office (6230 0533) during business hours. Leaflets giving all necessary information about each activity are posted to applicants prior to the event. If you wish to book, payment may be made by cash, cheque or credit card to the National Trust (ACT), PO Box 1144, Civic Square ACT 2608. Please note that, if paying in person, the office is located on the First Floor, SE corner of North Building, Civic Square (enter by the lobby immediately behind The Hermitage restaurant). When booking, please ensure that you give your full name, address and home phone number, your dietary/mobility/pick-up requirements (if any), plus the names of others you may be booking for. Cheques should be made payable to National Trust (ACT), not to U3A! If paying by credit card (possible by phone) please state type of card, card number, expiry date and name of cardholder.

Borobudur and Beyond (National Trust Tour)

August 2013, 7-8 days

Jogjakarta is a quiet (by Indonesian standards) university town in the centre of the island of Java. It was the centre of ancient Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms and is the site of a number of world heritage listed ancient monuments, including Borobudur and Candi Prambanan.
It is envisaged that the tour would include:

visits, with English speaking experts, to Borobudur, Candi Prambanan and other Hindu/Buddhist temple sites around Jogjakarta;
an evening performance of the ‘Ramayana’ ballet at Candi Prambanan;
a visit to the Sultan’s palace and adjacent historical sites;
an overnight tour into the hinterland around Jogjakarta, possibly to the Dieng plateau;
batik shopping time;
accommodation in a four star hotel/cultural centre in a traditional Javanese village near Jogjakarta;
all fares, accommodation and meals.
Maximum number of participants 20. Participants could, if they so wish, add on a stopover in Bali – the airfares would be covered by the Jogjakarta tour.

Cost: The total cost (subject to final booking confirmations) is expected to be around $3,950 per person twin share. A single supplement of around $500 would apply.
Expressions of interest: to 6230 0533 or email

Imperial Beijing: the arts & crafts of China (Private Tour)

17 to 26 September 2013

The following activity is not part of either the U3A or National Trust programs, although it is being arranged by and will be accompanied by U3A course leader, Roy Forward. U3A ACT advertises such activities in good faith because they might be of interest to U3A members, but accepts no responsibility for their outcome. Do not send payment to U3A. Persons wishing to book or obtain further information should follow the instructions.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful old city, be dazzled by ancient treasures, see Chinese opera, dine on Peking duck, visit gardens All films courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive and teahouses. Settling into one comfortable garden hotel in a laneway in an old part of the city for eight days allows maximum time for wandering, shopping, joining in early morning tai chi, sampling local foods and international cuisine, and soaking up the atmosphere in 15–25° autumn weather.
• Modern Chinese art as well as scroll paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, jade, furniture, costumes, jewellery, sculpture, bronze
• Forbidden City and Palace Museum
• National Museum of China, Red Gate Gallery, 798 Dashanzi Art District
• Chinese music and opera
• Prince Gong’s Mansion and the Houhai lakeside area
• Great Wall at Mutianyu, Ming Tombs at Dingling, and the Sacred Way
• Temple of Heaven
• Summer Palace

The travel agent is Active Travel, 1st floor Garema Centre, Canberra City ACT 2601, Tel: 6249 6122, Fax: 6249 6788, www.activetravel.com.au.
The cost is $2,769 twin share, land only, with return airfares of about $1,800, and a single supplement of $473.
Roy is a U3A course leader in art appreciation, and this is his 7th study tour to China. For more details contact: