You guys know better than me that pretty well ALL of Western Europe is also on summer vacation in July and August, prices get hiked, EVERYTHING is crowded like crazy, seat avaiability, especially reward ones and upgrades are darn near impossible to be had.

For that reason, my inner thoughts are that planning such a function, no matter WHERE held, possibly makes more sense March/April/May. That is far away from peak season from or to USA, and for those BUYING tickets, some seat sales can be had.

There are as some wine lovers have already pointed out two primary wine growing regions in Australia.

The Hunter Valley - a couple hours easy drive from Sydney, and the Barossa Valley, also a couple hours drive from Adelaide which is about on the centre southern coast of Australia. I am from Adelaide, and yes, there are many other popular wine producing regions within an hours drive of ADL like McLaren Vale, Clare, etc, but the Barossa is by far the best known, and more highly regarded.

As to award travel to OZ, clearly the same kind of "Summer Holiday" scenario wil affect it, as it does Europe. Remember only FOUR major airlines fly to OZ from North America - QF-NZ-UA-AC. There are over FIFTY service OZ-Europe. HOWEVER, there are no domestic holidays here at that time,(Xmas/early Jan is our peak holiday season) prices do not alter, and for Sydney Winter think Miami winter. 70º type days are normal, but 80-90 was pretty common this year. "NICE" in other words. Adelaide a little colder, think Dallas or somewhere like that in winter!

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~ Glen ~

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 11-02-2000).]