Traveller deals: Seychelles bargain

All things Mexican are so hot right now, so why not join the locals and celebrate their dead? Otherwise, live (extremely) well in the Seychelles, escape winter in Dubai or our own Daydream Island, or embrace winter in Melbourne. Hope you find something your heart desires in this weeks' international and domestic travel deals.

GO NOW
SEYCHELLES
Help Banyan Tree celebrate 20 years with its celebratory three-night packages that serve up welcome cocktails, a 120-minute spa treatment for two and 20 per cent off food and drinks until December 15. Hillside pool villas at Banyan Tree Seychelles from $1490 a night. See banyantree.com
QUEENSLAND
Find your niche in the Whitsundays with a three-night winter escape to Daydream Island Resort and Spa, with breakfast and a $20 spa voucher for travel. Book by July 31 for travel until September 19. From $339 a person, three nights. 138 833, sunloverholidays.com.au.

GO SOON
VICTORIA
Catch emerging artists at Melbourne's The Windsor and save up to $300 in a Victorian suite. The "Marvel at The Windsor" package includes wine and cheese and a private tour of the exhibition, August 30 to September 14. From $399, deluxe room, save $100. Victorian suite from $559. (03) 9633 6002, thw.com.au.
SWITZERLAND
Stay four nights and pay for three when you stay at The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson's mountain retreat in Verbier, until September 29. Includes all meals and drinks. From $1075 a room, a night. See thelodge.virgin.com/offers.

GO LATER
NSW
Celebrate winter in the outdoor hot tub of The Villa at The Drawing Rooms of Berry. Stay two nights by September 18 and get a bottle of sparkling wine, Belgian chocolates handmade in Berry, breakfast and late checkout. From $700 for two nights. Quote "Get Going". (02) 4464 3360, drawingrooms.com.au.
DUBAI
Save up to 28 per cent on a stay at the five-star Rixos The Palm Dubai, on Palm Jumeirah island, until September 30. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included and you can deposit just $5 and pay the balance 28 days before departure. From $315 a room, a night. 1800 359 769, lowcostholidays.com.au.

Tourwatch

Day of the dead
From the macabre to the marvellous, join Mexico on the Day of the Dead, when it celebrates the lives of those who have passed on. The five-day tour includes a Day of the Dead ceremony, a Halloween costume party, a visit to death-obsessed artist Frida Kahlo's museum and a trip to La Isla de las Munecas, an island full of disfigured dolls said to be possessed by a drowned girl's spirit. Departs October 30, 2014. Costs $760 a person. 1300 797 010, intrepidtravel.com.

DEAL
TOP DIGS FOR KIDS
Chic hotel booking group Mr & Mrs Smith has had a baby: welcome little Smith & Family, a collection of hotels catering to junior travellers, each road-tested by parents. Expect kids' clubs and menus, cots and toys plus the adult basics of great spas, kitchens and to-die-for interiors. With 115 hotels currently on the list, book a seven-night stay by July 15 for travel until December and get a week's free babysitting. Check out Tuscan villa Castello Di Casole, complete with cinema, bikes, a croquet lawn and kids' pizza-making classes. From $390 a night. 1300 896 627, smithandfamily.com.

This travel deals column by Belinda Jackson is published in Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper every Sunday.