Peace in Bali, bustle on the Bund: travel deals 11 November 2012

Cinque Terre, Italy

Peace is found in Bali's Tabanan district and in a Tuscan villa. Or find fabulousness on Shanghai's Bund and Hobart's Salamanca market in this week's Australian and international travel deals. 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Named one of the state’s top pubs by the AHA, the 4.5-star Walkers Arms Hotel is spitting distance from the CBD, in happening Walkerville. The hotel has a huge beer garden and there are gigs on Friday nights, DJs on Saturdays and live acoustic music on Sundays. Save 20 per cent on stays until 28 February. Costs from $135 a night. 130 130 483, travel.com.au.

QUEENSLAND

Budget hotel aficionados know the Traders hotels: owned by the luxe Shangri-La gang, they’re aimed at 4-star corporates, with the benefits and panache from a glam big sister. Australia’s first Traders Hotel has opened on Brisbane’s Roma St, with prices starting from $289 weekdays and $159 weekends, always with free wi-fi. It’s celebrating the opening with a ‘Stay Connected’ package that includes one night’s accommodation in its recently, 34sqm renovated rooms, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, all for the retail price of the tablet, $459. (07) 3238 2222, tradershotels.com

Sofitel Melbourne

VICTORIA

The acclaimed play ‘War Horse’, about a man and horse’s journey through World War I, makes its Australian debut at Melbourne’s State Theatre Art Centre in December. Well that’s a good excuse to head south. Usually, a night at the Sofitel on Collins costs from $260. The ‘stay and see’ package includes a five-star sleep for two and one ‘A’ Reserve ticket, worth $124, from December 23 – February 10, 2013. Costs from $269 a night. 1300 306 341, showbiz.com.au/warhorse.

NEW SOUTH WALES

It could well be the best deal in town: stay in one of the Sheraton on the Park’s 48 suites, take home a Boucheron diamond. Between November 17-25, and you’ll be on a treasure hunt for a diamond pendant and a diamond bracelet hidden in the suites, but could be consoled with other surprises including a splash from Moet, bath butler service, Polynesian spa treatments by Thalgo or a sparkling midnight swim – it’s a surprise, people. Costs from $599, includes access to the Sheraton Club, with pre-dinner drinks, canapés and breakfast on Level 21.  (02) 9286 6000, sheratonontheparksydney.com/sparkle.

The Tarkine, Tasmania

TASMANIA

Hobart’s been cosying up with San Fran, Amsterdam and Beijing, all named in Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities to visit in 2013. The new Unknown Wilderness itinerary from Inspiring Journeys travels from Launceston to Hobart, visiting the mountains, lakes and rivers in between, not to mention dishing up your fair share of wine and cheese. Departs from January 31 to April 28 with more dates pending: book six months in advance, save $190. Costs from $3750 a person, twin share (excluding flights) 1800 467 747, inspiringjourneys.com.au.

NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA

Play spot the croc along Australia’s remote north-western coastline. This 22-day adventure travels in coach-style 4WDs from Darwin to Perth, crossing the Kimberley until the Coral Coast. Includes cruises on the Ord River and through Katherine Gorge at sunrise and four nights at Bell Gorge and Bungle Wilderness Lodge. Save up to $575 a person when booking six months in advance, until December 31, for travel May 1-September 30, 2013. Costs from $10,920 a person, twin share. 1800 044 066, travel-associates.com.au.

Palais Amani, Fez, Morocco

MOROCCO

Your home in the open-air theatre that is Fez is a riad; those perfumed, inward-facing homes beloved by Morocco’s old merchant class. With only 14 rooms, the luxury riad,

Palais Amani, is set within the medina. Normally from $169 a night, save 33 per cent on stays until January 31, 2013, excluding December 20 – January 1, 2013. Includes a traditional Moroccan breakfast, and a spa with hammam and rooftop showers for those hot summer nights. Costs from $125 a night, minimum three nights’ stay. 1300 896 627, mrandmrssmith.com.

CHINA

Shanghai’s promenade the Bund has another swanky resident, the Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund. Its 130 rooms overlook the Bund and the Huangpu River. Check out the three-floor spa and 150-minute hot stones therapy, made more delicious by a 30 per cent discount. Until February 28, get your second night free and half-price on all subsequent nights, breakfast and free non-alcoholic minibar on stays in the riverside retreats. Costs from $460 a night. +86 21 2509 1188, banyantree.com.

INDONESIA

Alila Villas Soori, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

Bali’s Tabanan district is famed for its traditional dancers and gong (gamelan) orchestras, and private viewings can be arranged by Alila Villas Soori, a collection of villas set between beach and rice paddies. Save 20 per cent off the internet rate when you book one of their newly relaunched Mountain Pool villas, when booking seven days in advance for stays until December 19. Costs from $490++. +62 361 894 6388, alilahotels.com/soori.

ITALY

From your base in the spa town of Salsomaggiore Terme, you’ll explore Bologna, Milan, Cinque Terre and then Lake Maggiore in this eight-day Hidden Treasures of Northern Italy tour. Book before December 27 to get an early-bird fare of $1475 for return flights with Cathay Pacific to Rome, and book four months in advance to save 2.5 per cent on the tour cost. Costs from $1134 a person, twin share. 1300 230 234, cosmostours.com.au.

EUROPE

A Contiki tour through Europe is a rite of passage for first-time travellers. Tick off all the biggies – Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Rome’s Coliseum, Athens’ Acropolis, Amsterdam’s red light district – in one fell swoop on the 33-day European Explorer. You’ll also get into the boat in Venice, shake it in Mykonos and dream on the Isle of Capri. Book before December 27 for travel from April to September 2013 and save up to $620. Costs from $5154 a person, twin share. 1300 266 845, contiki.com.au.  

TOURWATCH

Cycling, yoga, Italy: the recipe for perfection. Throw a little hiking in, as well as a 17th-century country villa near Lucca, Tuscany, and it’s music for the soul. This seven-night retreat sees you practising yoga each day, with views of the villa’s olive groves and peaceful panoramas, and cycling through quiet country lanes. Yes, there is eating. This is Italy, after all. There’s one completely free day in the midst of the retreat for guests to do as they please, and non-cycling friends and spouses are welcome. “It’s a retreat, not a boot camp,” says organiser Virginia Slevin, and there are no super-humans, the 14 guests require just a general level of fitness. Runs from June 8-15, 2013 (yoga & cycling) and June 15-22, 2013 (yoga, cycling & hiking). Costs $2450 a person, twin share with a shared bathroom, or $2855 with a private bathroom. 0407 788 600, soulfitadventures.com.

 Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald