Deals of the week, October 31: Tahiti cruise; Tassie tour; South Pole flights
Fly south to see the Aurora Australis, take advantage of a Port Douglas package deal or get a taste of Tasmania.
Tahiti looks nice
Book by November 6 and save $1300 a person ($2600 a couple) on seven-night sailings with Paul Gauguin Cruises through Tahiti and the Society Islands. Included in the return voyage from Papeete are visits to Bora Bora, the isle of Huahine, private island Motu Mahana and Moorea. Applies to 15 departures from April to December next year; from $3290 a person, twin-share. Children up to 17 years sail free when sharing accommodation with adults.
Taste sensations
The delicious diversity of Tasmania’s produce will be on show for a 10-day tour of the island state hosted by celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita. The World Expeditions journey will venture to oyster and salmon farms, boutique wineries and breweries, with visits to cheese and honey producers. Cooking demonstrations, a Gordon River cruise and a seafood dinner are also in the mix. Departs March 18 next year; $7890 a person, twin-share.
Irrawaddy wonders
APT’s 15-day Hidden Wonders of Myanmar voyage takes a maximum 60 guests along the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay in the north to the capital, Yangon. Highlights include a sunset cruise at the famed U-Bein Bridge and sunset views of the temples of Bagan. Flights are included on bookings by February 28 next year. Departures from September next year to January 2022; from $8795 a person, twin-share; $10,195 with a three-day Inle Lake extension.
Sail in style
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has released its 2022-23 voyage collection, which encompasses 148 sailings over 12 months from April 2022. More than 100 overnight visits and 17 maiden ports of call are featured, including the pretty Finnish port of Kotka. It’s included in a 16-night sailing from London to Copenhagen departing July 7, 2022; from $13,240 a person, twin-share.
Grand ideas
Seven nights at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas come with a host of add-ons courtesy of Flight Centre. Included in the package are upgraded accommodation in a Mirage Studio, daily breakfast, daily cocktails for two and a $500 wine credit, outer reef cruises, one lunch and use of a pool-side cabana for two days. From $1499 a person, twin-share, for select travel dates to March 31 next year.
Lights fantastic
A series of charter flights will take passengers to the South Pole to witness the Aurora Australis from a Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Astronomer Ian Griffin and other experts will share their knowledge on the fully catered flights. There are six seating classes and passengers swap seats to ensure time near a window. From $1295 a person; six departures between April 9-May 14 from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
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OUT + ABOUT
Luxury Escapes is adding private jet hire to its line-up of offerings. The holiday company has partnered with private jet start-up Airly to combine charter flights for four passengers with accommodation in the Whitsundays and on the Gold Coast. Lodgings include RACV Royal Pines and Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. From $17,500 a person for return flights and two nights’ accommodation.
In response to low city occupancy rates and the rise of working remotely, 50 hotels in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth have converted unused rooms into COVID-safe workspaces. More than 200 rooms in Marriott, Accor, Intercontinental and TFE properties, plus some independent hotels, are available for hire by the day or week on Spacenow, an online flexible workspace marketplace. Sydney’s Ovolo 1888, View Brisbane and Melbourne’s Vibe Hotel are among the independent operators. From $79 a day, $500 a week.
Royal Caribbean International will have three ships based in Australian waters from October next year, including the Quantum-class Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, which will sail out of Sydney and Brisbane, respectively. Serenade of the Seas rounds out the trio, also sailing from Sydney. They will embark on 67 cruises to the South Pacific, New Zealand and around Australia.
Sanctuary Retreats has returned to the Nile River, conducting three sailings between Aswan and Luxor this month and in November on its 18-cabin luxury Sanctuary Sun Boat III.