Mountain excitement: The delights of the Himalayan mountain kingdom of Bhutan have become more affordable.

Bhutan & Beyond has dropped the price of all-inclusive land tours by up to $US50 ($75) a person a night, with its nine-night Mini-Explorer now from $US2230 a person. In addition, two of the country’s luxury hotels have put together  special deals. You can even get free archery lessons. More: www.bhutan.com.au.

London calling: Virgin Atlantic has launched cut-price fares from Sydney to London from $1892, including taxes; Premium Economy starts at $3617. Valid for departures to March 29 but must be booked by January 31. More; 1300 727 340; www.virginatlantic.com.au.
Snow freeze: Victoria’s Falls Creek resort has made an early strike for the Australian ski season with news that season lift ticket prices will be frozen at last year’s level if purchased by the end of February. Adult passes, $999; children six to 14 and secondary students 15 to 18, $520; tertiary students, $699. More: www.fallscreek.com.au.
Slip away: Skimax already has deals for the Australian snow season. Children stay free at Falls Creek Hotel in a five-night package from $1966 an adult with dinners, breakfasts and five-day lift pass. Costs based on a family of two adults and two children (five to 14) staying at the end of July or the end of August. More: 1300 136 997; www.skimax.com.au.
Rail savings: Exclusively Canada is offering savings of up to $1000 a couple in its Canadian Rail sale for Cross Canada and Rocky Mountain rail vacations booked and paid for by February 28. For travel between June 1 and August 15; more than 20 packages available. More: 1300 886 817; www.exclusivelycanada.com.au.

Kiwi cut: Expedia has released a series of New Zealand deals with free nights at selected hotels. For instance, pay for two nights, get a third free at Mercure Resort Queenstown; from $69 a night for two. Valid for stays from February 1 to the end of March. More: www.expedia.com.au.

Free night: Stay in the Maldives for five nights, pay for four is the offer from Adventure World. From $5137 ex Perth, $5174 ex Melbourne, $5184 ex Sydney, $5194 ex Brisbane and $5188 ex Adelaide, including air taxes, accommodation at the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, breakfasts and return speedboat transfers from Male airport. Valid for travel from February 1 to April 16. More: 1300 363 055; www.adventureworld.com.au.

Class act: Captain Cook Cruises is breaking down the class divide by selling all levels of accommodation at the same price in its First In Best Room sale. The offer applies to three, four and seven-night Fiji cruises and saves up to 45 per cent on brochure prices. On sale to March 16 for travel to March 31. From $897 for a three-night Yasawa cruise. More: www.captaincook.com.au .
Surf’s up: Four nights for the price of three is on offer at BreakFree Imperial Surf Resort at Queensland’s Surfer’s Paradise with one-bedroom apartments from $169 a night. For sale to February 15 for travel to the end of March. More: 132 007; www.breakfree.com.au.
Celebration time: To celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration, Freestyle Holidays has combined a three-night stay at Hawaii’s Aqua Island Colony hotel in Waikiki with flights from Sydney; from $1299 a person. Add six more nights from $200 a person. Valid for departures from February to the end of March. More: 1300 880 268; www.freestyleholidays.com.au.
Flight relief: Melbourne newcomer Mantra Tullamarine has launched an opening special to take the stress out of early morning departures and late-night arrivals for air travellers. From $125 for an overnight stay in a studio room; valid to the end of March. More: (03) 9093 6500; www.mantra.com.au.
Pacific plus: Adventure World has packages for more than 25 resorts in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tahiti and Norfolk Island with specials such as free nights plus extras such as free upgrades and children under 12 stay-free options. Six nights at Fiji’s Plantation Resort, for instance, is from $995 a person, with a seventh free night at Raffles Gateway Hotel and flights from Brisbane; also available from Sydney and Melbourne; for travel to September 20. More: 1300 363 055; www.adventureworld.com.au.
New Broome: Western Australia’s Cable Beach Club Resort at Broome is offering free room upgrades from February 27 to March 3 to mark its reopening following refurbishment. More: 1800 199 099; www.cablebeachclub.com.

Happy campers: DriveNow is offering a $100 cashback deal on Britz campervans booked by the end of March. For travel between April and the end of March 2010; applies to bookings of 14 days or more. More: www.drivenow.com.au.

Easter special: Melbourne’s Hotel Windsor has released a three-night Easter special from $450 a room; available from April 5-19. Upgrade to a superior room for $105. More: (03) 9633 6002; www.thehotelwindsor.com.au.
Who, what, when: Peppers has accommodation and ticket packages to see The Who’s outdoor show at Hope Estate in NSW’s Hunter Valley on March 28. Nearby Peppers Guest House is offering a two-night package that includes breakfasts, transfers, dinner with wine and beer, A-reserve concert tickets, hamper of dessert and wine and access to the after-show Supper Club; $945 a person More: 1800 777 444; www.hopeestate.com.au.
Late show: A two-night weekend stay at participating Mercure hotels comes with breakfasts for two, 2pm checkout and $50 restaurant credit. Valid to April 5. More: www.mercure.com.au.
Fizz plus: Valentine’s Day looms and Sydney’s refurbished Novotel Manly Pacific is offering a seductive overnight package from $460 a couple that includes an ocean-view room, bottle of Bollinger champagne, strawberries with chocolate sauce and whipped cream and breakfast in bed. Available February 13-15. More: (02) 9977 7666; www.novotelmanlypacific.com.au.
Take one: Pay four nights and get the fifth free until March 26 at Western Australia’s Novotel Ningaloo Resort Exmouth. The resort has a range of hotel rooms and one, two and three-bedroom self-contained apartments. More: (08) 9949 0000; www.novotelningaloo.com.au.
Full steam ahead: Value Tours has a stay for 10 nights but pay for seven ski deal at Colorado’s Steamboat Springs. From $1697 a person with nine-day liftpass; flights extra. For travel from February 17 to March 13; More: 1300 361 322; www.valuetours.com.au.

Rail savings: Rail Plus has earlybird deals on its popular Eurostar train between London, Paris and Brussels. On sale until March 9 for travel to the end of August. More: www.railplus.com.au.
Double bonus: Coast Resort in Merimbula on the NSW south coast is offering a stay for seven nights but pay for five deal until April 3. It reduces the price of a one-bedroom apartment to $810, a saving of $240; two and three-bedroom apartments also available. In addition, there’s a 25 per cent discount at the resort’s Zanzibar Cafe. More: www.coastresort.com.au.
Fiji for free: Air Pacific has included a free stopover in Fiji in a special $1399 return fare for travel between Australia’s east coast and Los Angeles. Available from Brisbane, Queensland’s Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne for $839 one way, plus taxes. On sale to March 31; children travel for 75 per cent of the adult fare. More: 1800 230 151; www.airpacific.com.
Mauritius licked: Six nights at Le Coco Beach Resort Mauritius is available from $2059 a person ex Melbourne with transfers, all meals, free ice cream, unlimited drinks (from 10am to 1am), free minibar, free beach trolley service and non-motorised sports. Taxes are an extra $630. For travel to the end of April. More: 1300 362 166.
Boots and all: Trade in your old boots at a Paddy Pallin store from February 2-22 for 20 per cent off a new pair. In a collaboration with trekking company South Sea Horizons, the hand-ins will go to porters in Papua New Guinea. More: www.paddypallin.com.au.
Book in: Bonus nights and free breakfasts come with most stays of more than three nights in the new Hawaii brochure from Qantas Holidays. More: 131 415; www.qantas.com.au/holidays.
River roving: European river cruising specialist Beyond Travel has extended its discounts of $700 to $1000 a couple on a range of Viking River cruise itineraries in eastern and western Europe, Russia and China. The offer applies to 18 itineraries and more than 350 departures. Must be booked and paid for by the end of February. More: 1300 363 554; www.beyondtravel.com.au.

Surcharges dropped: Low fares, reduced deposits and a suspension of fuel surcharges are part of Holland America Line’s so-called stimulus plan being offered to boost interest in a range of cruises. Deposit requirements have been cut by 50 per cent on all cruises and Alaska cruise tours departing from May. More: 1300 766 566; www.traveltheworld.com.au.
Family fun: Imaginative Traveller has savings of $681 on its 11-day Tropical Treasures family adventure in Bali. The escorted small-group trip is from $1021, plus a local payment of about $390 a person. Includes arrival transfer, family-style hotels (most with pools), transport by minivan and boat plus activities; flights extra. More: 1300 135 088; www.imaginative-traveller.com.au.

Free air: Active Travel is offering free return flights from Sydney to Ushuaia, Argentina, in conjunction with One Ocean Expeditions’ cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. A quick decision’s needed as the 18-night voyage departs on February 24. It was priced from $US12,990 ($18,360) a person, ex Ushuaia. More: 02) 9264 1231.
Crystal clear: Crystal Cruises has savings of up to $US1500 ($2110) a person on most 2009 European sailings. The offer applies to Penthouse accommodation, veranda staterooms and deluxe staterooms. More: www.crystalcruises.com.
Bali extras: Bali’s Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa has released a February-March special of three nights for the price of two in a one-bedroom villa. From $US730 ($1000) with breakfast and extras ranging from fresh fruit and flowers on arrival to massages for two; flights extra. Located close to Uluwatu, the resort’s villas come with private pools. More: www.dreamland-villas.com.
Cruise control: Fiji’s Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering a 15 per cent discount and free cabin upgrade on all Club and Gold Club Yasawa Island cruises booked by the end of February (for travel to August 31). The discount applies to three and four-day Club cruises and four and seven-day Gold Club trips. With the discount, two-night Club cruises start at $479 a person; flights extra. A daily fuel surcharge of about $20 a person also applies. More: www.bluelagooncruises.com.
On sail: Beyond Travel’s eight-day cruises along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast on motorised sailboats come with a free upgrade to an A-grade vessel where all cabins have private facilities. From $748 a person with breakfast and lunch; flights extra. Round-trip voyages depart from Split or Opatija with departures from April 18 to October 17. More: 1300 363 554; www.beyondtravel.com.au.
Thai break: Fly free from all Australian mainland capitals to Phuket in Thailand to join a February 14 cruise on the luxury yacht Star Clipper. The seven-night voyage is from $3289 a person; must be booked by January 31. More: 1300 362 599; www.creativecruising.com.au.
To the Hunter: NSW’s Plaza Hunter Valley has added three-bedroom villas to its accommodation options. Midweek stays are from $333 and weekends from $513 a night. The self-contained villas sleep up to six guests and feature two bathrooms, living and dining area and a kitchen. More: (02) 4991 0900; www.crowneplaza.com.au.

On the house: Two free nights are on offer at Queensland’s Hamilton Island in a pay for five nights, stay for seven package. From $737.50 a person; valid to the end of March. More: 137 333; www.hamiltonisland.com.au.
Drive time: NSW’s Grand Pacific Drive, on the south coast an hour’s drive from Sydney, is celebrating its third birthday with deals that include a two-park pass that combines entry to Jamberoo Action Park and the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk with a stay at Wollongong’s Novotel Northbeach, Belmore All-Suite Hotel or the Sebel Harbourside Kiama. From $207 a night for two adults and $299 for a family of four. Valid to March 31. More: 1800 240 737; www.2parkpass.com; www.grandpacificdrive.com.au.
Drive time: Renault Eurodrive has deals ranging from seven days lease-free driving, full insurance cover with no excess in 44 countries, free delivery and return in 20 French centres and 50 per cent off delivery and return costs at 14 centres in eight other European countries. In addition, past customers get an extra three days driving at no additional cost. More: 1300 551 160; www.renaulteurodrive.com.au.

At the double: Luxury New Zealand north island lodges Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers are offering a free night with joint stays from March to the end of April. Stay a combined five nights at the properties (at least two nights at each) and the sixth night is free. Includes dinner and breakfasts. More: + 64 6875 1900; reservations@capekidnappers.com.

Bula bargain: Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island has a new Early Bird Stay offering holidaymakers five nights accommodation for the price of three. On sale to March 31 for travel for the next 12 months, the deal applies to all room types and Early Bird Stay guests also receive unlimited use of non-motorised watercraft, complimentary in-room broadband internet access and a welcome drink on arrival. More: 1800 333 333; www.radisson.com.

Euro savings: Mercure has 40 per cent discounts at 340 hotels in Europe until the end of February. Two-night packages are available in Paris from $208 a room, Berlin from $128, Vienna from $192, Budapest from $124, London from $198 and Rome from $184 with breakfasts for two.  More: 1300 65 6565; www.mercure.com.

Lasting impression: All Seasons Olims Hotel Canberra has a deal linked with the National Gallery of Australia’s exhibition featuring the work of French Impressionist Edgar Degas. The package, with overnight accommodation, parking, room service breakfast and two tickets to the exhibition, is from $184 a room. The exhibition runs until March 22. More: (02) 6243 0000; stay@olimshotel.com.
Going down: APT has discounts of up to $750 a person on four European cruises . They include a 13-day Black Sea voyage (now from $3495 a person) from Istanbul to Budapest and a 16-day Budapest to Paris trip (now from $5395). Departures from May 13 to August 15; air fares and port charges extra. More: 1300 656 985; www.aptouring.com.au.
Pedal power: Experience Mt Buller’s mountain bike trails with a two-night adventure package from $246 a person. Includes accommodation at Bulller Avalanche Lodge, dinners and breakfasts, bike and helmet hire and two-hour guided tour of the Victorian resort’s trails. Available to April 12. More: 1800 28 5537.

Sail on sale: Queensland’s Sunsail Yacht Charters is offering two free nights on holidays until  March 31. In addition, the Hamilton Island-based company is reducing the minimum charter time from five nights to one. More: 1800 803 988; www.sunsail.com.au.
So low: APT has half-price solo traveller fares and savings of up to $730 on selected Western Australia and Queensland tours next year. Must be booked by February 28. More: www.aptouring.com.au.

Get in early: AAT Kings is offering “early eagle” savings of up to $1100 a couple on its 16-day Outback Wonders escorted holiday that includes the Northern Territory’s Kakadu and Alice Springs and South Australia’s Coober Pedy and Clare Valley. Must be booked by the end of February for travel from April 6 to January 12, 2010. From $5045 a person, land only. More: www.aatkings.com.
Spring to it: Peppers Springs Retreat & Spa in Victoria’s Hepburn Springs has launched five two-bedroom spa villas with introductory rates for two-nights from $890 for two, including breakfasts, three-course dinner and spa pass. More: (03) 5321 6200; www.peppers.com.au.

Tassie discounts: APT has discounts of $350 a person on five of its 12-day tours of Tasmania to April, bringing the price to $3795. In addition, its 10-day Gourmet Adventurer small-group tour is reduced to $3545 for three departures to March. Includes touring, accommodation, most meals, cruises and national park and entrance fees; for both tours, flights to Lauceston are extra. More: 1300 656 985; www.aptouring.com.au.
Meeting demand: Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises says it is meeting the demand for shorter trips with its new five-day West Australian Kimberley voyage. Savings of 20 per cent are available on the shorter cruise, as well as on its seven and 14-day 2009 trips. Prices range from $5000 to $6300 a person, which includes local flights, guided excursions, all meals and transfers. More: (08) 9193 6131; www.kimberleyquest.com.au.

Bali bonuses: New Bali resort The Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa at Uluwatu has a rate of $437 a night for a one-bedroom villa until March 31. Includes breakfasts and extras such as fresh fruit on arrival, massage for two and afternoon tea. Plus there’s a choice between a free dinner for two or a two-hour Dream Spa package with bookings of three nights or more. More: www.dreamlandvillas.com.
Free air: Rail Plus has launched an Explore the Top End package from Sydney or Perth to Darwin on the Indian Pacific and The Ghan with a free return economy-class flight thrown in. From $2675 a person ex Sydney, $3385 ex Perth, for gold-class, which includes restaurant car dining, private cabin with ensuite, cabin service steward, welcome kit and tea and coffee on demand. The Sydney-Darwin trip is over three nights; from Perth it’s four nights. For sale to February 24 for travel to March 31. More: www.railplus.com.au.

Take a bow: Travel the World has savings of up to $2556 a person on brochure prices for MS Volendam’s 14-night Sydney to Auckland round cruise. Now from $1299 a person; add taxes of $247 and fuel supplement of $168. There are departures  to March 2. Also available as a fly-cruise package. More: 1300 766 566; www.traveltheworld.com.au.
Spring to it: Aurora Alice Springs in the Northern Territory has cut the cost of its three-day accommodation package from $978 a couple to $498. Includes a bottle of wine, breakfasts and $50 dinner credit. For travel to the end of March next year but bookings can only be made up to 28 days in advance. More: www.totaltravel.com.

Paris match: Tempo Holidays is offering a stay for four nights, pay for three deal at five Paris hotels during the northern winter (to the end of February). For example, the nightly rate at the four-star Hotel Luxembourge Parc is from $238 a person and the three-star Courcelles Etoile is from $102. All include breakfast. More: 1300 558 987; www.tempoholidays.com.
Double up: Two can cruise for the price of one on Dawn Princess’s 17-night voyage from Hawaii to Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Sydney in May. From $3699 a person, which includes flights from Sydney to Honolulu, two-nights at the Aqua Waikiki Wave hotel, port charges and taxes; air taxes extra. More: 1300 369 848; www.ecruising.travel.

source: theaustralian.news.com.au

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