Deals of the week, Feb 20: Qantas charter flight; Antarctica cruise; Blue Mountains; Canberra hotel
Take an autumn tour of country NSW or make significant savings on an expedition cruise to Antarctica.
Top of the pops
Take a whistlestop tour of our Great Southern Land, travelling between destinations on a privately chartered Qantas 737. The eight-day adventure includes visits to Uluru, the Barossa Valley, Hobart and the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach in Queensland, with a choice of activities at each. From $9450 a person, twin-share; book by March 4 for April 23 departure.
And they’re off
Fans of horseracing can plan ahead for a 2022 round-trip river cruise to the famous Kentucky Derby. The American Queen Steamboat Company’s new ship, the 245-passenger American Countess, will sail the mighty Ohio River for seven nights from Cincinnati, calling at several ports along the way before arriving in Louisville, Kentucky. VIP tickets to the race at Churchill Downs are part of the package. Departs May 2; from $US5734 a person, twin-share.
Golden days
Charming cool-climate country gardens and heritage homes are on the agenda for a colour-filled autumn tour of country NSW. Renaissance Tours’ 10-day trip visits the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Central West. There is a mixture of private and public properties on the itinerary, including Harper’s Mansion in Berrima, Retford Park in Bowral, Mayfield Garden at Oberon, and Bebeah Garden at Mount Wilson. Transport is by airconditioned coach and accommodation includes De Russie Hotel in Orange and Lilianfels Resort in Katoomba. Departs April 26; from $6450 a person, twin-share.
The white stuff
Chimu Adventures has discounts of up to 35 per cent on a range of Antarctica cruises from January next year to March 2023. The biggest savings are on the eight-day Fly the Drake option, which skips the notoriously rough ocean crossing, instead taking guests on a three-hour charter flight from Punta Arenas in Chile to the South Shetland Island of King George. Travellers embark for the Antarctic Peninsula on luxury ship World Explorer and fly back five days later. Book by March 31; from $17,402 a person, twin-share.
Culture in the capital
Stay a night in a Luxe Studio at Canberra’s classy East Hotel and get two timed tickets to the Botticelli to van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia plus a $40 food and beverage credit and free parking. $270 for two; for travel from March 5 to June 14.
Beyond pier
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is sold out but tickets are still available for those who fancy a stay in a harbourside hotel. Pier One Sydney Harbour’s Mardi Gras package includes two nights in a Bridge View Room, two tickets to the March 6 parade at Sydney Cricket Ground, and daily breakfast; from $1200 for two.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
Out + About
Etihad Airways has completed the vaccination of all its operating pilots and cabin crew against COVID-19 and says 75 per cent of its entire workforce has had the jab. Testing for the virus is mandatory for every passenger and crew member before each flight undertaken by the national airlines of the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, authorities in The Maldives (pictured) have begun rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine for free in a bid to inoculate all its citizens and residents.
Air New Zealand is continuing its international fare flexibility policy, extending the time customers with existing credits have to rebook to June 30 next year for travel to June 30, 2023. Those holding tickets for departures before midnight on June 30 this year can change the date of their flight without charge or take a credit to rebook by the same date next year.
Royal Caribbean is extending Quantum of the Seas’ stay in Singapore until June 21; it is sailing two to four-night ocean getaways for Singapore residents only.
Tickets to the May 29 White on Whitehaven long lunch hosted by Fish D’vine have sold out, prompting organisers to announce a second event on May 30. Diners are transferred to the Whitsundays’ idyllic Whitehaven Beach, where they are welcomed with mojitos, oysters, sashimi and canapes. A seafood and barbecue lunch ensues with live entertainment and bottomless champagne; $399 a person.