By KAY O'SULLIVAN
Choice comes at a cost
Qantas is charging economy passengers $20 to choose their seats on international flights.
The fee does not apply to passengers in first, business or premium-economy classes, or to silver or gold members of the Qantas frequent-flyer program. Passengers can select their seats online, via agents or through telesales.
Tour an Adelaide institution
The Adelaide Central Market has a special place in that city's life, attracting more than 1 million visitors a month. "This market's been here for more than 140 years; it is really at the heart of Adelaide," says stallholder Mark Gleeson, who leads tours of the market when he is not tending to his own food stall, Providore.
"And unlike the other capital-city markets, all of South Australia's food bowls are represented here, so you get a real sense of what South Australia is doing on that front."
Gleeson has had his stall for 20 years but he's a relative newcomer compared with other stallholders. "One stall has been selling fruit and nuts in the same location for 106 years," he says.
Gleeson's two-hour market tours cost $60 and are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays by appointment.
See centralmarkettour.com.au.
More Australian cruisers
The latest figures from the International Cruise Council Australasia show passenger numbers grew by 27 per cent last year, with a total of 466,692 Australians holidaying at sea, compared with 366,721 in 2009.
The 100,000-passenger increase represents the largest annual rise since the industry figures were first compiled nine years ago. Since 2002, the number of Australians taking cruise holidays has risen by 306 per cent (up from 116,308).
The top destination for Australian cruise passengers was the South Pacific, which accounted for 37 per cent of the market (171,857 passengers), while Australia attracted 19 per cent (90,751) and New Zealand 10 per cent (46,643).
Smart card at Perisher
Perisher will introduce a smart card this snow season that is set to revolutionise skiing and snowboarding in Australia. The MyRide card will allow users to rent equipment, book lessons and buy lift tickets online and buy food and drinks on the mountain. It also doubles as a lift pass.
Perisher management says the MyRide card will shorten waiting time at lifts as it can be scanned through a jacket pocket.
"Now you'll be able to keep your hands warm and leave your MyRide ticket in your pocket while your ticket is checked," the chief executive at Perisher, Peter Brulisauer, says. "MyRide is set to greatly improve the experience for Perisher's guests."
Perisher has spent more than $2 million installing the system, which also records how much terrain skiers have covered and which lifts they've ridden.
Meanwhile, Perisher and Thredbo snow resorts have announced a joint five-day lift ticket this winter. The SuperSki Ticket will be available for use from June 25 to September 4, providing access to 1700 skiable hectares and 60 lifts at the resorts. It costs $499 for adults and $275 for children. See perisher.com.au/myride; superski.com.au.
Secrets of the Indian capital
Delhi Expert is a new app from Australian author Patrick Horton, who says he's been fascinated by India since his first visit to the subcontinent 20 years ago.
In 200 entries and more than 1000 photographs, the app explores Delhi's must-see sites, where to stay and eat, where to shop and how to stay safe. But its big appeal comes from Horton's fascination with the quirky and exotic side of the Indian capital.
Entries include information on the International Museum of Toilets, a hospital for birds and directions to the man who cuts people with razor blades to cure their illnesses. Delhi Expert can be downloaded from iTunes for $4.99.
Complete rail holiday packages
British rail company Railbookers has set up an office in Sydney. Railbookers has European holiday packages of rail tickets, accommodation and sightseeing tours.
It doesn't sell organised group tours or individual rail tickets, says the company's managing director in Australia, Lisa Tilley.
Currently, every European country has a separate national rail network, which can make planning a rail holiday with accommodation and tours difficult, she says.
See railbookers.com.au.
Online link to WA golf courses
Golf Tourism WA has launched a map providing information on 150 of Western Australia's golf courses and related tourism businesses.
The map can be downloaded free from the association's website. See golftourismwa.com.
Send news items to smarttraveller@fairfax.com.au.
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