SCOOT LAUNCHES NEW WI-FI PLAN
Low-cost, long-haul airline Scoot has launched a new inflight Wi-Fi plan, Social-Lite.
For US$5 (S$6.80), travellers have access to 20MB of data at 64kbps, enough for messaging and chat services and light Internet use.
The plan complements Scoot's existing inflight Wi-Fi plans on its Boeing 787 fleet, which cost US$11.95 for one hour, US$16.95 for three hours and US$21.95 for 24 hours, with no cap on data consumed.
Scoot is the only carrier in the world to offer inflight Wi-Fi across its entire fleet.
For more information, go to www.flyscoot.com.
CROATIA CYCLING TOUR
Best known for its itineraries in Taiwan and Japan, home-grown cycling tours specialist Jacqtours will launch trips in Croatia in September.
Starting in Zagreb, travellers will cycle along Croatia's famous coast and through picturesque mountains on 572km of quiet back roads to Dubrovnik in the south.
The 11-day itinerary includes seven riding days, but non-cycling partners are welcome too and can explore the country's Unesco-listed cities or relax on some of Europe's best beaches.
The trip from Sept 9 to 19 costs $4,949 a person based on double or twin-share rooms.
For more information, go to jacqtours.com/stunning-croatia.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY QANTAS
Qantas has launched a new initiative to help its Frequent Flyer members living in Singapore keep the benefits of their membership status, including lounge access, bonus points offers and preferred seating options, while they are on parental leave.
The new Status Hold initiative allows eligible Silver, Gold and Platinum members who are taking at least four consecutive months off paid employment to spend time with their families to keep their status for up to 12 months, even if they are not earning the number of credits usually required to retain that tier.
Both parents can apply and may be eligible if they are a parent of a baby who is due to be born in the next three months or was born in the last six months.
The programme has also increased its Family Transfer points limit and removed its restriction on the number of transfers.
Members can now make an unlimited number of transfers to eligible family members of up to 600,000 Qantas points each year, compared with 400,000 previously.
A minimum transfer of 5,000 Qantas points still applies.
For more information on Qantas' range of family travel offers, go to qantas.com.
PERSIAN TRAIN TRIP
Take a panoramic rail journey through Iran with tour operator Paveway Explorer's Persian Explorer itinerary.
The 12-day tour takes guests over the Alborz Mountains to the Caspian Sea; to seven Unesco World Heritage Sites, including the fortress of Bam and the ancient city of Persepolis; and to mosques, royal palaces and colourful bazaars in Iran's cities, including Teheran, Shiraz and Isfahan.
The tour includes five nights on board the private train, six nights in a first-class hotel, all meals listed in the itinerary, porter service, an on-board doctor, site tours, a guide book and an information booklet.
Starting from $6,988, the next trip will take place on Sept 22.
For more information, go to www.pavewayexplorer.com.
Lydia Vasko
