Fabulous Fiji and hot air in Canberra: travel deals March 31, 2013

Walk through three countries in a week, blow hot air in Canberra or just lay down amidst beauty in Fiji, in this week's international and domestic travel deals.

ACT

Celebrate Easter in Canberra, making your own Easter egg with a Canberra Glasswork artist on hand to help out at the Crowne Plaza Canberra. The hotel’s ‘Discover More’ offer cuts 20 per cent off the room rate and includes breakfast for two at its recently refurbished restaurant.  Book until April 28 for stays until April 30, quote ‘Discover More’. Costs from $165 a night, minimum two nights. 138 888, crowneplaza.com/discovermore.

QUEENSLAND

Long lunchers are heading to Port Douglas for its Carnivale (carnivale.com.au) in May 17-26, and the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas' 'Longest Lunch' on May 17.The three-course meal showcases local produce and all proceeds go to The Leukaemia Foundation. Fly to Port Douglas, stay seven nights in a deluxe garden view room and get over $1200 of bonuses including a room upgrade, two-for-one golf and $500 Wine & Dine credit. Book by April 12. Costs from $1590 a person, twin share. 1300 003 454, myholidaycentre.com.au.

TASMANIA

It’s starting to get chilly in Tassie: what better excuse than to try the state’s whiskeys? Stay three nights, pay for just two from April 1 to September 30 at Somerset Serviced Residences’ two properties. The apartments are on Salamanca Place and in a 1930s pier building overlooking the Derwent River and include full kitchens and separate bedrooms. Costs from $440. 1800 766 377, somerset.com.

NSW

Hilton Sydney

If you prefer your Easter eggs Benedict, rather than chocolate, check in to the Hilton Sydney for a chic city weekend getaway, and check out their refurbished guest rooms, the Marble Bar and the views from the Zeta bar. The hotel’s ‘Treasure Moments’ deal  cuts 20 per cent of their best available rate, and 20 per cent off its brasserie breakfast for your eggs, however you like ‘em. Bookings must be made five days in advance until April 30 for stays until December 31. Costs from $208 a room. 1300 445 866, hilton.com.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Take time to stop and smell the flowers on this seven-day Wildflower and Nature expedition which includes a cruise to Woody Island in the Recherche Archipelago off Esperance see the White Chested Sea Eagle and a visit to Cape Arid at the edge of the Great Australian Bight. The tour is for just four people, hunting for the elusive Queen of Sheba orchid and the endangered ground parrot. Departs September 3 and October 4. Book four months in advance and save up to $160. Costs from $4135 a person, twin share. (08) 93856422, www.countryescapes.com.au

BRITAIN

Start planning for your British summer jaunts and get a free day’s travel on its trains when you book a BritRail travel pass by April 15. Tickets have six months’ validity from date of issue. Three-day second-class tickets cost from $115/children, $185/youth travellers, $225/adults. raileurope.com.au

EUROPEAN ALPS

Walk through three countries in one week, on the seven-day Mont Blanc Guided Walk, an alpine tour through France, Italy and Switzerland on the Mont Blanc massif. Bring a friend and save 20 per cent on this trip and all UTrack’s Alps 2013 walking trips made between April 1-30. The tour, which departs every Sunday until September 15, includes all meals, accommodation, guides and mule baggage transfers. Costs from $798 a person. 1300 303 368, utracks.com.

FIJI

For luxury in the South Pacific, Fiji’s adults-only Tadrai Island Resort, in the Mamanucas, comprises just five private villas. Stay three nights and get a free one-way helicopter transfer, saving $538. Stay five nights, and they’ll include return transfers. Costs from $4363 a couple, three nights in a private pool villa which includes all meals and snacks, butlers, delicious Pure Fiji toiletries and all resort activities such as sea kayaking and diving. Book until July 16, travel between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. +1 866 783 1840, tadrai.com.

CENTRAL AMERICA

This trip through Belize, Guatemala and Mexico promises to teach you the essential differences between Mayans and Aztecs: Mayans made their kids cross-eyed, Aztecs would eat their dead enemies when there was nothing else on the table.  Get 15 per cent off most Gecko trips including this one, a 23-day It’s worth the Human Sacrifice trip. Save $644 when you book by April 12 for trips departing until August 31, quote code ‘1360’. Costs from $1931 a person, twin share. 1300 791 47, geckosadventures.com.

CHINA

Kung fu, terracotta warriors and the Forbidden City are among the highlights of Helen Wong’s 14-day China Wonders tour, which traverses the country from Beijing’s hutongs to Shanghai’s glamorous Bund and the warriors’ home in Xian. Save $400 a person when you travel in the hot summer months, from early June to late August. The package includes international airfares, four-star accommodation, guides and visas. Book by May 31. Costs from $3650 a person. 1300 788328, helenwongstours.com.

TOURWATCH

Champagne devotees will go back to the source in the first tour through the famed French region lead by Australian ‘Champagne Dame’ Kyla Kirkpatrick. Kyla lives, breathes and works for the bubbled beverage, conducting champagne masterclasses here and abroad. “This will be an intimate, red carpet sojourn which will enable fellow champagne lovers to enjoy indulgent soirees with the owners and winemakers,” she promises. The 12 guests will visit 15 prestigious estates, many closed to the public while staying in the 17th-century Chateau de Mairie. The tour starts in Paris on June 23 with a private champagne and perfume masterclass, where you’ll receive a custom-made scent. Costs from $4990 a person, twin share, 0403 149 809, thechampagnedame.com.

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald