With many factors determining your travel choices, the quality of the experience and those that share it rank at the top. Military service members, retirees, and their families have enjoyed the military camaraderie and variety of economic travel choices provided by MWR, ITT/ITR, and the Joint Services Travel Program (JSTP) for many years.

Those seeking a special travel experience among friends this summer should look no further than ITT-Australia/JSTP’s 10 Days/7 Nights Australian Getaway group tour departing September 6, 2008 from Los Angeles.

The fully escorted group tour will acquaint guests with Australia’s two most vibrant cities, Sydney and Melbourne; its friendly people, stunning scenery, unique culture, and wonderful cuisine.

“Americans love Australia,” said Colin Evans, Managing Director of Military Tours, a U.S. Navy MWR/ITT contractor for U.S. servicemen visiting Australia. “We speak the same language, enjoy the same food, and offer a very friendly and very safe travel destination.”

While in Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales, guests will be able to cruise the iconic harbor while

enjoying a seafood buffetluncheon. You’ll have theopportunity to visit the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, and Sydney’s world renowned beaches. Visitors will tour the intriguing Blue Mountains west of Sydney, a region given its name for the distinct blue haze formed from oil bearing eucalyptus trees.

“The Blue Mountains are a magnificent site to visit that time of the year, our springtime,” Evans said. “ We call it the Grand Canyon of Australia because of its natural significance.” Scenic transportation methods are included in the package; options to either take a rail trip up the mountainside, or a cable car from peak to peak, or a more conventional road trip, all depending

on the comfort level anddesire for adventure on the part of the traveler.Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, is often referred to as Australia’s “sporting and cultural capital.” The city is home to many of the nation’s most exciting cultural and sporting events and institutions. Visitors will be pleased with the wide array of shopping, arts, and entertainment choices. The tour will also take you along the nearby Victoria coastline, cherished for its breathtaking scenery, and through the rugged, natural beauty of the Otway Rainforest and the Dandenong Mountain Ranges.

“No visit to Australia would be considered complete without cuddling a koala bear, or petting a kangaroo,” Evans said. “You get to do this at Healesville Sanctuary. It’s a great opportunity to walk among these special animals.”

Healesville Sanctuary, Australia’s premier wildlife park is nestled in the foothills of the Yarra Valley, just one hour from Melbourne. Koalas, dingoes, kangaroos and the unique platypus are just a few of the 200 species of Australian wildlife flourishing in a stunning Australian bushland environment.

During your visit down under you will stay in top class accommodations, be provided with airport transfers to and from your hotel, enjoy lunch while on all-day tours and still have the freedom to explore on your own in the evenings.

“We recommend going to a local pub,” Evans said. “Contrary to what everyone says, Australians do like to have a drink.”

For more information and reservations register at www.ittaustralia.com, click Package on the Menu bar and select Group Travel; or contact Anne Sherwood of ITT & Latitudes Travel, at 760-725-5459 PST, or via e-mail at SherwoodA@usmc-mccs.org; or contact your local ITT/ITR office.

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