Super Easter escapes

FROM island retreats, to death by chocolate in Barcelona. Make the most of the Easter long weekend with these money-saving deals.

FROM island retreats, to death by chocolate in Barcelona. Make the most of the Easter long weekend with these money-saving deals.

Daydream Island

Escape to Daydream Resort and Spa to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. Daydream Island Resort and Spa has an Easter package priced from $115 a person, a night, twin share and includes accommodation in a garden balcony room, full buffet breakfast daily and one round of mini golf per stay (based on a minimum three-night stay).

Combine a morning with a round of mini-golf or a snorkel on the fringing reef and an afternoon in the Rejuvenation Spa. Daydream Island Resort and Spa is home to a number of special attractions, including an outdoor cinema and the world's largest man-made living coral reef lagoon, with more than 80 species of marine life and 50 varieties of coral. The resort is the nearest island to the Whitsundays mainland.

Guests can choose to either fly to Proserpine Airport with bus and ferry connections to the island, or to Great Barrier Reef Airport with a 30-minute ferry transfer.

More: Call 1800 075 040.

Mornington Peninsula

Situated on the Mornington Peninsula, Peppers Moonah Links Resort is one of the most comprehensive leisure resorts in Australia.

The resort is offering Easter specials priced from $530 a couple including overnight accommodation in a one-bedroom suite, a three-course a la carte dinner, buffet breakfast, an Easter gift on arrival plus Mornington Peninsula Attractions passes.

Linger longer and save, with a 20 per cent discount available on the bed and breakfast rate for guests booking an extra night in conjunction with the Easter deal.

More: Call [phone] or email [e-mail]

Bali

Four Australian and overseas properties that rate as the top 10 resorts for readers of Holidays with Kids magazine have released special deals for the Easter and April school holidays.

The special packages include: Stay at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast – voted as the second most popular family resort in Australia – for $159 an adult, a night, twin share, including free entry to the Sea World theme park, with children 4-12 staying free and eating free. Includes one free plush toy per booking.

Stay at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on the Sunshine Coast for $445 a room, a night, for a two-bedroom villa for a family of four, including breakfast and group golf and tennis classes. Or stay at the Bali Dynasty Resort for $146 a room, a night in a family suite, with free buffet for kids accompanied by a full-paying adult.

The deal also includes free entry to the children's club, a free drink voucher and fruit platter.

Ayers Rock

Stay at Voyages the Lost Camel, Ayers Rock Resort from $75 a person, a night, twin share (minimum three night stay). Bookings must be made by June 27. Valid for travel until June 30.

Barcelona

Enjoy gourmet food and the La Boqueria Market in Barcelona, Spain from $24 a person.

Barcelona and chocolate go hand-in-hand – with Spanish explorers the first people to try cacao and a Spanish inventor responsible for developing the world's first chocolate-making machine in 1780.

This gourmet food tour will let you experience first hand the city's love of chocolate with visits to stores Granja Viader and the famous Xocolateria Fargas, where sampling the world-famous hot chocolate is compulsory. The tour also takes you to La Boqueria Market, the best-known market in Spain, which opened in 1836.

La Boqueria Market sells a wide variety of local produce, such as vegetables, fish, meat and fruit. You will also visit shops specialising in wine and pastries.

Price includes provision of an English-speaking tour guide.

Flights to Barcelona start from $2042 (ex-Sydney).

More: Visit Zuji for more information.

Barossa Valley

Indulge in a great escape in your own backyard.

Peppers The Louise is a luxury five-star vineyard retreat surrounded by many hectares of vines overlooking the Barossa Valley and encompassing acclaimed restaurant, Appellation.

For gourmets and wine lovers alike, this Easter treat combines a unique winemaking experience, fabulous food and outstanding accommodation.

Priced from $1367, the Most Brilliant Blend offer includes two nights accommodation in a Vineyard Suite for two people, breakfast daily, Make Your Own Blend experience for two people plus Appellation Signature Tasting Menu dinner for two with wine pairing including pairing of a dish to the guest's own blended wine on one night.

More: Call [phone] or email [e-mail].