Has anyone ever travelled with this group and, if so, could you advise about their "optional tours?" These are quite costly and if any are possible to do on our own, we would prefer that. Also, is there one decent, compact book that includes Aus. and NZ, just for highlights. Thanks for any help you can give. We are leaving March 8 and returning March 29th.

Used Smartours 4 or 5 times, have 2 trips with them scheduled this year. Fodors Australia book covers the country the best. I also picked up their Citypack pocketguide w/map for Sydney. No need to read up on Fiji, you're only there a short time and they control the time. New Zealand is great, go with Fodors as well. I've found that when we take tours you need to be prepared to go off on your own now and then, so spending the money refering to the books, gives you the edge you need. We tend to be very selective with the optionals, definitly avoid the dinner trips, waste of time sitting around a table, maybe seeing local entertainment shows for tourists. The best food can be found at local places down side streets, eat cheap with the locals, more interesting. We also often "wander away" from the group letting the guide know ahead of time that we won't be going back with them to the hotel, we find our own way back. This comes in handy when you want to spend more time in a place, take advantage of the bus ride to the location and find your way back at your own pace. Most guides will give you "inside info" if you let them know from the start that your are more independant. Also, we sometimes take an optional trip at the last minute, even if they say you can't in the beginning of the tour. They rarely refuse money... unless the arrangements truly are strict, like show tickets are bought ahead of time or a van is booked. Listen carefully to the arrangements and decide as you go, just don't spread this info with others on the trip. I find hours wondering city streets priceless, so skipping the trip to the Wildlife Park and the Sunset cruise was an easy decision for me in Sydney, I walked the Bridge, climbed up the Pylon Lookout, saw Chinatown, toured the Opera house, etc. In Melbourne, another fun city, we did the Phillip Island trip to see the penquins. Didn't expect much, so we weren't disappointed. It gets pretty dark before the penguins come out, by then you can hardly see them, but you do and it's cute, sort of a need to see experience. Best advise I can give you on this, ignore all the tourists fighting to get up front, after 5 minutes they get bored and leave anyway so you can move up front, or go off to a side path, ask the guide ahead of time, and walk the boardwalk where the penguins run to their "nests" right under your feet. And always, always question the trips to the "factories" to see jewelry craftsman at work,spending more time there then museums! Again we usually do a quick walk thru to see what the deal is, then we go off on our own, checking out the new territory. Oh, and if you don't snorkel, spend the money on the scoopy-do when you go to the Reef. Have fun!

Dear Blynn,
There are many excellent and rather chaep tours available in Australia. Just takes quite a bit of reasearch. If you wish, you may view some tours available at our website http://www.touristaustralia.com/cgi-...ao.cgi?ct=tour

Vincent, I think you may have stepped over the line in relation to Fodors' "no advertising" rule.