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At one stage in 2008 the Australian dollar was on par with is American cousin. Now suddenly, you only pay 60 US cents to get an Australian dollar so the cost of visiting us has almost halfed!

This is indeed good news for any Americans planning to visit Australia in 2009. Add to this many special airfares both continental and locally.

 We have been arranging tours in Australia and New Zealand for our US visitors since 1986 and there are two tours that remains the most popular. The first is the Australian Highlights Tour, the second the Australian New Zealand Highlights Tour. Both of them gives you Australia in a nutshell so to say and the advantage of any of these tours is that you can take them at any time of the year. There are no set departures as it is an individual tour.

Individual in that you travel between the centres in Australia by air and you are met by local representatives at each location and local touring is with local guides which is always an advantage.

To make it even more attractive for you in 2009 we will send you a box of two crystal wine glasses for each booking. Have a look at them on the website www.2ecm8.com/9.html. These glasses are designed in Australia then handcrafted and etched by master craftsmen and is an excellent gift for you to keep or give to some friend.

A 40 minute ferry ride transports you for downtown Auckland to a small island of 8000 inhabitants. An island with rolling hills, sandy coves, walking tracks, about 25 art galleries, fishing shacks and some great buildings . Most importantly some top-class wineries and olive groves that flourish in the Mediterranean climate. Actually there are more than 20 vineyards waiting for you to savour their pride.

These vineyards are winning international aclaim and feeding the discerning at fine restaurants that most often adjoins the vineyards and offer great views of the island as well as far distant Auckland.

On your must-do-list you should add a lunch at Mudbrick vineyard and restaurant whose chefs have worked in Michelin-starred restaurants . Try Pure Black Angus Grass-Fed Eye Fillet. Dessert? Why not a Mango, Saffron and Almond Rice Pudding!

Stonyridge is another fine example with its ultra premium organic red wines and it’s Verandah Cafe overlooking the valley with vines and olive trees.

 Waiheke Island is an exclusive destination with multi-million dollar houses - mainly understated design -  being built up on the hills in contrast to simple beach shacks in the villages.

Australian Travel Services has incorporated a couple of tours to Waiheke on their website where you will find all necessary information to make your trip to New Zealand a good one.