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Save big on your next escape

See the spectacular Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour or take greatest-hits tour of South Australia.

Wait, there’s more

Two world-class events are being offered by Scenic as extensions on select European river cruises in 2022. Held only once every decade, the Floriade flower expo in The Netherlands and Oberammergau’s famous Passion Play are available as extra experiences to passengers. The events are held from April to October and May to October, respectively. A 10-day Rhine Highlights cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich, including Floriade, from $4465 a person, twin-share.

scenic.com.au

The Passion Play at Oberammergau in Germany.
The Passion Play at Oberammergau in Germany.

Song and stage

A performance of Verdi’s classic La Traviata by Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is the highlight of a five-day package designed for music lovers. The Renaissance Tours itinerary also includes concerts by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra plus Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Home, I’m Darling. Fine dining and guided gallery visits round out the program, and accommodation is at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. April 21-25; $4750 a person, twin-share.

renaissancetours.com.au

City stay

Book two nights at the revamped Sydney Hilton by midnight Monday and enjoy a host of extras, including buffet breakfast at the acclaimed Glass Brasserie. Other inclusions are an upgrade to a Superior guestroom, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, $50 food and beverage credit and 12pm checkout. From $499 a room; for travel to December 26.

Southern exposure

The Classic Safari Company has teamed up with Antarctica21, its preferred operator in the frozen south, to offer 2021-22 fly-cruise packages with savings of up to $US3000 ($3900) a person. Antarctica21 specialises in flying passengers to King George Island from South America, skipping the notorious Drake Passage crossing, before exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. It has three vessels scheduled for multiple departures. Book by April 30; an eight-day Classic itinerary from $US11,995 a person, twin-share.

Dancing the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Dancing the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Samba to tango

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has added 13 complimentary pre- and post-cruise extensions to 22 of its voyages sailing between October this year and March 2022. A 10-night Fair Winds to Rio cruise aboard Seven Seas Voyager includes three nights ashore in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro with a hosted tour program valued at $4220. Departs February 19, 2022; from $10,000 a person, twin-share.

rssc.com

Cruise down the Murray River on PS Murray Princess.
Cruise down the Murray River on PS Murray Princess.

Greatest hits

See some of the best of South Australia on a 12-day journey that combines a Murray River cruise with the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island. Guests spend four nights on the Murray Princess paddlesteamer, two days exploring KI and three days in the Flinders. From $5403.50 a person, twin-share, including ferries and coach transfers, and five-nights at Adelaide’s Majestic Roof Garden Hotel.

murrayprincess.com.au

Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au

Out + About

Qantas has announced it will fly routes to Australia’s ski fields this winter, offering three flights a week between Sydney and Cooma ($179 one way), gateway to Perisher (pictured) and Thredbo, and Brisbane to Albury ($239), and two flights a week between Brisbane and Cooma ($239). The Qantaslink services on Q400 turboprop aircraft start on July 1 and will run until September 26.

qantas.com

Perisher during ski season. Picture: Destination NSW
Perisher during ski season. Picture: Destination NSW

Online travel agent Webjet’s Easter sale continues until the end of Sunday, with
20 per cent discounts on holiday packages and selected hotel stays. The offer is available across the country for travel from March 25-April 30, including school holidays.

Book by March 30 to take advantage of 20 per cent savings on a range of Lancemore Hotels in Victoria. Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee, Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill and the group’s Milawa property all have discounted rates, subject to availability, for travel from April 1-September 30.

Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park in Victoria.
Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park in Victoria.

Luxury lodge Longitude 131 at Uluru has released dates for its popular artists-in-residence program, which features Indigenous people from the remote Ernabella community in South Australia. The opportunity will be available to guests on April 19-22, June 21-24, August 16-19, October 5-8 and November 22-25.

longitude131.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/save-big-on-your-next-escape/news-story/6f901afb0c5ee266e4ca8b8560e2d4bb