Kuoni to host BBC star Simon Reeve in conversation on 'Australia'

BBC TV travel presenter Simon Reeve is to make a series of exclusive appearances as a guest of Kuoni from 21 May to 20 June 2013 at locations around the UK.

Reeve, who has made BBC travel documentaries on the Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Indian Ocean, will be talking about his latest series 'Australia', a 3 x 1hr BBC2 TV adventure series which starts on 19 May 2013. Kuoni is inviting guests to hear the inside story on Simon's adventures, put their own questions to him and share their travel tales over a glass of Champagne and some canapés.

Reeve's newest outing blends a travelogue with current affairs, history, culture, wildlife, conservation, and offers unique insights into life in Australia. The first leg of his journey takes him from the 'red centre' of the country south to the wine region, then west to Perth. On the second he travels across the remote and wild north to the Great Barrier Reef. The third and final episode will follow him down the east coast to the magnificent cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

On his journey Reeve encounters an array of extraordinary and engaging characters. He goes 'bush' with an elite group of Australian army trackers, meets the pumped and tattooed members of a motorcycle gang accused of involvement in organised crime, as well as bikini-wearing meter maids, a former British binman now making a fortune as a truck-driving instructor and Australia's first Muslim ladies Aussie Rules Football team.

Helen Roberts, Kuoni's National Retail Sales Manager said: "We are delighted to have Simon tour with us again following the success of our last set of events around the UK in 2012 where he talked about his Indian Ocean series.

"The Australia events will be just as exciting and really get us in the mood for travelling to this epic destination. Our Kuoni Personal Travel Experts are eager to help craft the perfect holiday 'down under' for anyone wishing to travel there after being inspired by Simon!"

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Editor's notes:
The evening events are:
Tuesday 21 May at The Prior's Hall, Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, SL23 9LS
Thursday 23 May at the Kuoni store, Meadowhall Centre, Sheffield, S9 1EL
Tuesday 11 June at Australia House, Strand, London, WC2B 4LA
Thursday 13 June at Kuoni John Lewis, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1EG
Tuesday 18 June at Market House, Market Place, Kinston upon Thames, KT1 1JS
Thursday 20 June at the Kuoni store, 50 The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1LY

To get complimentary tickets (there is limited availability) to the listed events contact Kuoni's 'Simon Reeve Hotline' on tel: 01306 744 010 (between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or email simonreeveevent@kuoni.co.uk with your name, telephone and address details.

Simon Reeve is available for interviews timed for series transmission. Background information inc. biography can be found at www.simonreeve.co.uk. For more general info please contact his agent: amychapmanpr@gmail.com

About Kuoni:
Kuoni was established in 1906 in Switzerland by Alfred Kuoni, a visionary adventurer and explorer of his time who opened some of Europe’s first travel agencies. Today Kuoni has branch operations in over 40 countries. For 106 years Kuoni has been creating exotic travel experiences allowing customers to embark on adventurous trips to Thailand, discover the opulence of Dubai, explore the mystical charm of Sri Lanka, sample paradise in Mauritius and relax on the white sands of the Maldives. Kuoni is ABTA and ATOL protected, giving customers financial protection and ensuring they won't be stranded abroad.

Kuoni specialise in long-haul holiday, believing one size does not fit all and focussing on individualising holidays to their customers’ specific needs. They have recently opened 22 stylish shops across the UK where staff can work with customers to find the right holiday in a relaxed setting. Kuoni have also recently opened four shops within John Lewis department stores in Oxford Street, London; Southampton; Reading and Cardiff.

About Simon Reeve:
Simon Reeve is an adventurer and bestselling author who has previously travelled around the Indian Ocean, Equator, Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn for the BBC. His last journey around the Indian Ocean (2012) was shown on BBC2 and by broadcasters in dozens of countries. The mix of travel and issues in Simon's programmes has earned him awards and praise with The Times reporting that "Reeve is in a class of his own". Simon is married to Anya, a camerawoman, and they have one son, Jake.

PR Contact:
Fiona Harris
Director of Public Relations & Brand Development
Kuoni House
Deepdene Avenue
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 4AZ
01306 744 194
http://www.kuoni.co.uk/