Down Under Answers Offers Travelers Vacation Packages to Australia’s Scenic South and Iconic Destinations

Vacationers come Face to Face with the World’s Largest Reef System, Ever-popular Sydney and the Southern States

BELLEVUE, Wash. — (October 26, 2011) —Down Under Answers (www.duatravel.com), a leading South Pacific travel wholesaler is offering travelers the opportunity to explore the popular, less-frequented Southern regions of Australia – Melbourne, Tasmania and South Australia with some of the country’s most iconic destinations including the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney.

The “Southern Splendors” series captures amazing destinations in the Southern states. Hobart is renowned for having the cleanest air in the world, as well as many world-heritage listed areas and quaint villages teaming with history and culture. Adelaide is not only the gateway to the famous wine regions of the Barossa and McClarenvale, but it is also the gateway to Australia’s own Galapagos – Kangaroo Island. Melbourne is the cosmopolitan and stylish city that is a rich cultural mix of history and ethnicities, world-renowned restaurants and the starting point to one of the country’s most scenic drives – the Great Ocean Road. Twelve-night packages including airfare start at only $2499 per person twin share.

For travelers wanting to include a visit to the Great Barrier Reef or Sydney, Down Under Answers has specifically designed packages that feature the Southern states and these regions. Twelve night packages including airfare start at only $2499 per person twin share.

“This is a great way for travelers to experience another side of Australia while still enjoying the traditional favorites such as Cairns and Sydney,” says Kirk Demeter, President of Down Under Answers. “We have made the series as flexible as possible, allowing travelers to create their own vacation experiences.”

For more of the “Southern Splendors” series, please visit www.duatravel.com/south.

“Southern Splendor” prices are based in U.S. dollars and are per person twin share. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and seasonal surcharges. Advertised prices reflect lowest season pricing. Add-on fares available from other U.S. cities. Seats/Rooms are limited and subject to availability at time of booking. A higher class of service may be offered as an alternative. U.S./foreign taxes/fees, including September 11th security fee, are not included, and are approximately U.S. $190-$250/person. Amendment fees and cancellation penalties apply. Valid for sale until November 30, 2011.

About Down Under Answers
Down Under Answers, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2012, is the recognized industry leader in vacation packages to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. The Bellevue, Washington-based tour operator offers a wide variety of travel package options ranging from escorted tours to self-drive vacations, adventure travel, island escapes, groups and special interest travel, as well as customized independent arrangements. The company has repeatedly been voted the “Best Travel Wholesaler” by Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialists and Tourism New Zealand’s Kiwi Specialists as well as “Best Travel Wholesaler” by Australian Supplier Partners. For additional information, visit www.duatravel.com or call 800-889-1464.

Twitter: @downunderanswer

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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/DownunderAnswers2

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Tutta Bella Pizzeria Contributes Over $20,000 to ‘Slice of Hope’ in Effort to EndThisDisease.Org

Pizzerias across the Nation Donated 15 Percent of Sales on October 7 to Breast Cancer Research

Left to Right: Joe Fugere, Garrett Mullen, Jeremy White

(SEATTLE, Wash.) — October 12, 2011 —Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, with locations in Columbia City, Stone Way, Westlake and Issaquah raised $20,373 for ‘Slice of Hope’—all of which was donated to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, a national charity based in Seattle.

For ‘Slice of Hope’, both national and local pizzerias across the country joined together to support the nation’s leading breast cancer researchers, including those at UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

“The employees and customers really rallied for ‘Slice of Hope’. Two servers at our Stone Way location raised more than $1,500 and the staff at Columbia City donated all of their tips on October 7. It is a testimonial to the generosity of our staff and customers.” says Joe Fugere, owner and founder of Tutta Bella. “This fundraiser is especially impactful because our Westlake location is near the medical centers where promising research is happening,” Fugere continues.

Also on October 7 a small team of cyclists led by Jeremy White, Pizza Today editor and Pete Lachapelle, Pizza Today publisher, completed a 173 mile bike ride from Portland, Ore. to Seattle, Wash., to raise awareness for Slice of Hope’s fight against breast cancer.

“Advances in research give hope to those battling breast cancer, even if it’s for a day, an hour, or a moment—hope means everything to them. That is why we are directing all of the money raised to research—for hope in bringing an end to this disease,” says Garrett Mullen, founder of the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation.

For a complete list of pizzerias that participated in ‘Slice of Hope’ click here.

High resolution photos are available upon request.

Pizza Today, Slice of Hope is spearheaded by Pizza Today magazine editor Jeremy White.

Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, has committed to giving 100 percent of the Slice of Hope proceeds to a handful of the nation’s leading breast cancer research labs. www.endthisdisease.org

Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria has three Seattle locations; Columbia City, Stone Way, Westlake and one in Issaquah. For more information on specific locations, visit www.tuttabella.com.

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October Events

Front Row Fashion Presented by Vogue on October 1, 6 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Bellevue

Vogue brings the fall trends straight from the pages of the magazine to the runway offering insight on fall trends and how to wear fashions available at The Bellevue Collection. 100 percent of the ticket price benefits The Moyer Foundation. Must be 21 or over.

All Access Tickets - $175
Includes complimentary valet parking, early registration and invitation to our champagne toast, appetizers, reserved seating, exclusive swag bag, a $50 Bellevue Collection gift certificate, and exclusive admittance to Post-Runway Show Cocktail reception with Vogue and VIP Shopping Night.

General Admission Tickets - $100
Include a $25 Bellevue Collection gift certificate, swag bag, appetizers, reserved seating, and exclusive admittance to VIP Shopping Night following the show.

To purchase Front Row Fashion tickets, click here.

Altura Restaurant to Open October 5, 2011

A welcome addition to the burgeoning dining scene at the North End of Broadway, Altura—meaning ‘hill’ in Italian—offers a refined dining experience in a rustic-elegant setting on Capitol Hill. The restaurant has been carved out of a former retail space in a nearly century-old building featuring 18^th- and19th-century European antiques and antique furnishings, exposed fir structural beams and an exposed-brick chimney, and repurposed oak church pews for banquette seating.

Driven by seasonality and local availability, the weekly changing menu showcases artistically presented Italian fare and draws inspiration from the Northwest. Most produce, meat, seafood and foraged items will be sourced locally from Pike Place Market vendors, specialty Italian purveyors, and the sizable vegetable and herb garden the Lockwoods tend at their North Seattle home. Altura offers dinner service Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. and is located at 617 Broadway E. on Capitol Hill.

For more information visit Altura online.

Tutta Bella Joins Passionate Pizzerias in ‘Slice of Hope’ for Breast Cancer Research on Friday, October 7, 2011

Next Friday, October 7th, is Slice of Hope day and unites pizzerias across the nation in an effort to fight breast cancer. Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria locations in Columbia City, Stone Way, Westlake and Issaquah are among the Seattle area pizzerias that will donate 15 percent of sales on Friday, October 7^th, to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, a national charity based in Seattle. Funds raised across the country will support the nation’s leading breast cancer researchers, including those at UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Please cut and paste this message to send to your network thru Facebook and Twitter.

Post this on Facebook:
Have you heard about Slice of Hope yet? Join Tutta Bella on October 7th for the nation's passionate pizzeria's big day of giving to end breast cancer! Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria wants to do something to help end this disease. That's why from September 9th until the October 7th event we will match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for any donations made at Tutta Bella in addition to donating 15 percent of sales on October 7th. http://ow.ly/6K7uq

Tweet this:
Want to end #BreastCancer? Find out how you can help #SliceOfHope on Oct. 7th to end this disease. http://ow.ly/6K7uq

Olive Crest Annual Wine Procurement Party Held on October 12

Olive Crest, an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating and educating at-risk children and preserving the family…“One Life at a Time®”, will host its annual wine procurement party at Lot No. 3 (460 106th Ave. NE) in Bellevue on Wednesday, October 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Olive Crest offers attendees the opportunity to help the local nonprofit collect bottles for the upcoming gala auction while enjoying complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Lot No. 3 and wine tastings from Mercer Estates, O Wines and William Church Winery. Each guest is asked to bring one bottle of fine wine (valued at $100, see Wine registry for ideas) to be auctioned at Olive Crest’s Gala Auction on March 3, or make a $100 donation. Tickets will be sold for $50 each for a chance to win a Chelan Crush Weekend Package.

For more information about the event or to reserve a glass, visit Olive Crest online.

Fox’s Gem Shop Hosts 18^th Annual Watch Event October 13 – 15

For novice collectors and established aficionados alike, there is nowhere else in Seattle to view such exceptional timepieces as those on display at Fox’s Gem Shop during this three-day event. Many additional pieces have been flown in expressly for this special occasion, other timepieces, straps and winders will also be available throughout the month of October with once a year special pricing. Featured brands at the 18^th Annual Watch Event include Chronoswiss, Bedat & Co, IWC, Bell & Ross, Mühle Glashütte, Panerai, Nomos, Ulysse Nardin, Maurice Lacroix and Hermès. The event is free and validated parking is available at Rainier Square garage.

For more information about jewelry, watches, or custom design, call (206) 623-2528 or visit Fox’s Gem Shop online.

Join Patterson Cellars at Warehouse Wineries Annual Crush Festival on October 22

Join Patterson Cellars and other wineries on Saturday, October 22 from noon to 5 p.m. as they go about crush 2011. Check out different grape varieties, fermentation techniques, chat with the winemakers as they tell you how it all happens.

Also in attendance will be some street food vendors to help curb your appetite!

For more information visit Patterson Cellars online.

Waterways Cruises Offers Early Booking Special 15% Off Holiday Parade of Lights Cruises Tickets

Board a Waterways yacht and join a Seattle holiday tradition – the annual Holiday Parade of Lights Cruises. Holiday décor, a champagne toast and a buffet of scrumptious holiday favorites are included in a festive evening on the water, surrounded by spectacular lights and the joyful singing of carolers. Cruises depart on select November and December dates from a number of convenient locations: Waterways Cruises HomePort, Southport Pier in Renton, and Shilshole Marina in Ballard.

Holiday Parade of Lights Premium Dining Cruises feature expansive, multi-course buffet selections and live music and are priced at $69/General, $63Senior or Military, $35/Children (5-12), and no charge for children 4 and under.

Holiday Parade of Lights Festive Dining Cruises offer delicious traditional buffet selections and are priced at $49/General, $45/Senior or Military, $25/Children (5-12), and no charge for children 4 and under.

*Use promo code HOLIDAY when booking your tickets. Promotion expires Oct. 15, 2011.

For more information visit Waterways Cruises online.

Down Under Answers’ Travel Deals and Qantas Airways’ Non-Stop Route from Dallas to Brisbane Making Holiday Travel to Australia More Accessible

For U.S. travelers looking for international alternatives to spending another bone-chilling winter in the States, the Southern States of Australia offer the best value for a warm-weather holiday vacation Down Under. The DUA “Southern Splendor” vacation packages include such getaways as a 12- night air and land inclusive vacation from $2,599 per person U.S.

For more about Southern Splendors Vacation Packages and ideas visit www.duatravel.com/south.