All aboard a bus to Oz

OZ-BUS, the overland service between London and Sydney, is back with a July 4 departure and the company says half of the seats for the trip are still available.

This epic journey takes in 17 countries over three continents spread over 92 days and will arrive in Sydney on October 3.

Oz-Bus says it has a new policy to use only local operators, guides and drivers as the bus passes through the various countries. This travel ethic aims to generate commerce in the local areas as well as enhance local experiences for the passengers. Local guides also add an extra element of security in areas where knowledge of local practices and customs are essential.

The Oz-Bus trip from London to Sydney costs £4,199 plus a flight supplement of £580. (For safety reasons Oz-Bus fly around Baluchistan — Tehran to Karachi and from Calcutta to Bangkok.)

Visit www.oz-bus.com, call 00440 1480810080, or book through USIT in Ireland (01-6021906).

* A New Orleans style jazz parade will feature as part of the third Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival, taking place throughout May in Plymouth.

The annual festival features free and paid-for gigs in a network of venues in the historic quayside setting of the Barbican in Plymouth, Devon. Among the events on offer this year include the British lindy hop champions Gary and Sara Boon, lectures, a host of street gigs, with Manchester’s Riotjazz leading the umbrellas for the waterside Jazz Parade.

Details on www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com.

* TOUR America is in the midst of a concentrated promotion for holidays to California, highlighting cities like San Francisco, Santa Monica and LA.

* Those booking before April 30 can call on a seven-night offer in San Francisco from €519 per person, including flights and hotel, all taxes and charges. A Los Angeles family deal with accommodation close to Disneyland and Venice Beach, inclusive of car hire, is available from €649 per person.

* For more information visit www.touramerica.ie or phone [phone] or 021-4580999.

* SARDINIA is the second largest island of the Mediterranean but has not suffered from the mass tourism of other destinations in the area.

Ireland’s Concorde Travel has added Sardinia as a new summer destination for 2010 and will feature the resorts of Alghero and Isola Rossa, as well as the beautiful northeast of the island, all serviced by direct flights from Dublin to Alghero.

The company offers four and five star hotel stays for a week in May ex-Dublin from €879 per person.

Concorde Travel also offer holidays to other Italian destinations: Sorrento, Sicily and Lake Garda. Visit www.concordetravel.ie or phone [phone].