This week's top travel deals - Europe

QATAR AIRWAYS has released special fares to the UK & Europe starting from $1,839 return to celebrate the launch of Virgin Australia's flights to Doha. Plus, fast-track or retain your Privilege Club tier with  50% bonus Qpoints. Book by June 30. The carrier  has been named World's Best Airline for the 9th time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025. 

HELLOWORLD is promoting a 33 night Victoria Falls discovery, safari adventure and luxury Cunard voyage aboard Queen Anne  priced from $11,999pp - a claimed saving of $3,000 per couple. Included are all flights, taxes and transfers. Departure is January 20, 2026. Operator is Imagine Cruising.

ATURA HOTELS invites you to  enjoy up to 20% off stays between now and 5 October 2025. Book direct and also unlock a $25 daily food and drink credit. EVT Stays members enjoy an extra 10% off, plus you can book through to 16 June 2026.  Offer ends 30 June 2025. 

IEXPEDITION is offering a 40% saving on its Sea Spirit – South Georgia & Falklands itinerary - described as the wildlife expedition of a lifetime.  Cost is from A$18,777pp twin, A$13,197pp triple.

QANTAS is hot to trot if you are heading to New Zealand - but you need to hurry. Sale fares are available to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown - but they end midnight on June 25.

ACCOR is promoting the Gold Coast - After a day of adventure, unwind in an apartment at a Peppers, Mantra or BreakFree hotel and if you stay from two nights enjoy 25% OFF. Book by 31 July 2025 for stays until 30 September 2025.

From last week:

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA is celebrating a new era of international travel in association with QATAR Airways with 50% bonus Status Credits for Velocity members. Flights to Doha have started from Sydney and will progressively be available from Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. To get the points book by  June 30 2025 and travel between 1 October 2025 and 27 May 2026. Let's hope Israel's latest attack in the Middle East doesn't spoil the party.

NIB TRAVEL, a major travel insurance provider, is offering 20% off travel insurance policies. The end of financial year special is available until Monday 30 June 2025 at  https://www.nibtravelinsurance.com.au The discount applies to the total nib Travel insurance premium when getting a quote using promo code EOFY20.

ACCOR has released a number of member only deals - Save up to 25% on your next adventure of two nights or more across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Book by 31 July, for stays until 30 September 2025. Three night stays in Europe also attract a similar discount and there are Fairmont Hotels & Resorts specials as well.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  The Travel Industry Club is featuring Silversea. According to Sue Francis: Take up to a further 20% off the industry rates that you see marked 'savings' on our website until 30 June, or until quotas filled. Check the 12 website pages and  over 125 sailings.

Breakaway Travel Club is also offering Silversea specials including Silver Cloud's 16 day Kimberley Cruise departing Darwin and arriving in Bali. Departure is July 2, 2025. Or, how about Silver Cloud's Kimberley cruise departing August 20, 2025?


Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details. Ianmac@travelagentupdate.com

This week's top travel deals - The Northern territory

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY's end of financial year sale means that for a limited time you can save big on accommodation, tours, car hire and more. The five night Darwin, Litchfield and Kakadu Escape for instance is priced from $1189pp twin share. Or how about five nights Alice, Uluru and Kings Canyon from $4653pp? There are plenty of other holiday ideas.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA is celebrating a new era of international travel in association with QATAR Airways with 50% bonus Status Credits for Velocity members. Flights to Doha have started from Sydney and will progressively be available from Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. To get the points book by June 30 2025 and travel between 1 October 2025 and 27 May 2026. Let's hope Israel's latest attack in the Middle East doesn't spoil the party.

NIB TRAVEL, a major travel insurance provider, is offering 20% off travel insurance policies. The end of financial year special is available until Monday 30 June 2025 at https://www.nibtravelinsurance.com.au The discount applies to the total nib Travel insurance premium when getting a quote using promo code EOFY20.

CRYSTAL LODGE WHISTLER Canada is the place to be if you love skiing. Just steps to the ski hill and seconds to shops, restaurants, and amenities, the lodge epitomises the true Whistler Village experience. Helloworld has a special seven night package in partnership with SnownSki Holidays that offers savings of up to $643pp. The deal includes a ski pass and $100 food voucher. Dates are 04 Jan - 23 Jan 26 and 22 Feb - 19 Apr 26.

IFLY is featuring a Qantas premium cabin sale - but you have to hurry - it ends on June 18. You can travel in style to destinations across the Americas, Asia, the UK, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

IEXPEDITION has pulled together five epic expeditions to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, each one packed with wildlife, remote landscapes and big savings of up to 40% off plus $2,000 air credits. Cabins are limited however for 2025 and 2026 departures. Looking for real adventure? - here is your chance.

ALDI HOLIDAYS (yes the supermarket people) has fired up some hot ideas now winter is around the corner. For example: Bali - 7 nights Mercure Bali Legian from $999pp - valued ALDI says up to $1700. Other specials: Fiji 8 nights $1999pp, Phuket 8 nights $1599 and the Maldives $3799 (value up to $5500pp). These tours have a number of inclusions by the way. Well worth exploring by the looks.

THE SLATE PHUKET, nestled on the shores of Nai Yang beach, invites you to really spoil yourself and friends. The Indigo Lotus Package, inspired by the hit HBO series, includes 4 nights in a private pool villa, signature treatment at Coqoon Spa, dinner at Black Ginger, daily breakfast and more. Get set for a very special holiday. The Michelin-recommended Black Ginger restaurant for instance floats atop its own lake.

VIETNAM AIRLINES has introduced a "Book Early, Save More" service – offering a 10% discount on your tickets.

ACCOR has released a number of member only deals - Save up to 25% on your next adventure of two nights or more across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Book by 31 July, for stays until 30 September 2025. Three night stays in Europe also attract a similar discount and there are Fairmont Hotels & Resorts specials as well.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club's new Azamara Rates are now Live. According to Sue Francis, rates include unlimited beer, wine, and spirits plus gratuities and tips.

Interline Travel is promoting a Life Returns/Springtime Expedition to Antarctica. This 22-Day cruise aboard MS Fram departs Buenos Aires on October 24 2025. No Solo Supplement. The deal includes a charter flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago.

Remember, conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details. Ianmac@travelagentupdate.com

This week's top travel deals - CFMekong River Cruises

CFMEKONG RIVER CRUISES, in conjunction with the 4-star Anik Palace Hotel in Phnom Penh, is offering an appealing Cambodian getaway at special prices. The 20% off promotion combines the beauty and mystery of cruising the Mekong, from Phnom Penh to Saigon or Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and vice versa, with a luxurious hotel stay in Phnom Penh. The New Discovery Tour unveils the hidden treasures of the Mekong River and includes visits to traditional villages. Prices start at AUD$2,817 in a shared cabin for the August and September 2025 departures. The deal is you get a discount if you book the hotel - or the boat. More details: office@cfmekong.com  

This week's top travel deals: Viking Paris

VIKING is highlighting the magical city of Paris - you can now enjoy the city of love on eight of the company's river journeys. Book before‌ 30‍ June‍ 2025‌ to save up to $4,800 per couple. There are plenty of other deals - the 8-day Danube Waltz journey from Budapest to Passau or vice versa is priced from $3,095 pp in a Veranda Stateroom, with savings of up to $5,400 per couple on select October to November 2025 sailings. Remember no kids - no casinos - no inside cabins.

This week's top 10 travel deals - Cathay Pacific

CATHAY PACIFIC is coming back to Adelaide which is great news - even if it is just three services a week from November to March. Premium economy passengers - this means you can fly all the way to Europe separated from cattle class. The Singapore Airlines A350-900 from Adelaide sadly does not offer premium configuration. Special Cathay launch fares to multiple destinations around the world include Tokyo - economy class, return from $88; London - premium economy return from $4009 and Paris - business class return from $6709. The latter is real value.

This week's top travel deals - Cunard, Tahiti

Here is a great deal for a couple with plenty of time on their hands - a 49 night voyage aboard Cunard's new Queen Anne from Sydney to London. 

This week's top travel deals - Business class relief

Prices for business class to Europe seem to be slowly reducing. Check the Emirates deals.


VIKING river voyages are a good deal right now - for a limited time, you can enjoy savings of up to $9,600 per couple on a range of 2025 itineraries. For instance, Basel to Amsterdam or v.v. 8 DAYS | 6 TOURS | 4 COUNTRIES from $3,095pp.

This week's top travel deals - Private Island Luxury

BAWAH  RESERVE is a luxury private island eco-resort in Indonesia's Anambas archipelago. from May to July, guests booking a two-bedroom pool villa for four nights will enjoy a complimentary fifth night. Ideal for families or groups, the multi-room villas offer generous space, privacy and seamless access to Bawah's white sand beaches, calm lagoons and jungle adventures. 

This week's top travel deals: Early Bird offers

On 17 April 1935, Qantas launched its first international passenger flight from Brisbane to Singapore. The journey took three and a half days, included 16 stops, and carried just two passengers.
Fast forward to today, and that same route takes eight hours on an Airbus A330 — a powerful reminder of how far aviation has come in 90 years.

This week's top travel deals - Silversea - Cruising

Australians are doing it tough - but no one has told the travel industry it seems. Business class airfares to Europe, for instance, now top $14,000 during peak season. 

This week's top travel deals - Malaysia, Croatia

Quieter week - most early-season travel deals end on March 31.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE's current offer is 50% off all cruises plus an airfare credit. Be wary though - premium cabins are rarely involved in these specials.

This week's top travel deals - USA

Fly from SYD/MEL to LA return from $1189.
IFLY in conjunction with Qantas has released deals on flights across North & South America from Australia's major cities. They include Sydney/Honolulu from $999 return and Syd-Mel/LA from $1189 return.

This week's top travel deals - Tahiti

$1500 flight credit per person on luxury French Polynesia and South Pacific cruises….

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES says now is the perfect time to experience the small-ship difference as you island hop through the breathtaking beauty of French Polynesia and the South Pacific.  For a limited time, enjoy a $1,500 flight credit pp on 17 select 2025 and 2026 departures.

This week's top travel deals - Japan Uncovered

Spend 18 days exploring Japan, including flights,  from $13,080

 HELLOWORLD has released an 18-day Japan Uncovered tour, including all meals, transport, sightseeing with expert guides, and flights, starting at $13,080. There is also a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, starting at $5719pp twin share for a balcony cabin. This itinerary starts on October 12.

This week's top travel deals: Japan - Greece

#traveldeals

Seven nights at Japan's famed Hakuba ski region including hotel and lift pass priced from $3445pp.

This week's top travel deals: Air Tahiti Nui

Want to explore the Arctic? Enjoy up to 20% off cabins, $2,350 flight credit, one night pre-cruise accommodation and return charter flights Helsinki/Longyearbyen.

This week's top travel deals: Antarctica

Antarctica's Ross Sea Cruise costs from $35,160pp - after discounts

IFLY HOLIDAYS has a VIRGIN/QATAR AIRWAYS Valentine's Day deal offering companion fares to destinations like Athens, Rome, Malta, and Zurich starting from $1,779pp return. You need to hurry, though—book by February 17.

This week's top travel deals. Always wanted to explore Antarctica?

PONANT's luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will once again set sail for the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, and St. Lawrence during the Winter 2026-2027 season. Book one of the 15 new departures aboard this one-of-a-kind ship and save up to 30%.

This week's top travel deals. Australia special rates

Want to explore more of Australia at special rates?

HELLOWORLD has Australia on sale with a large  array of exclusive deals across the country - from city stays to island escapes, beach breaks and self-drive discoveries. 

This week's top travel deals: Northern Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia

Looking for a cheap package holiday to Phuket?



CATHAY PACIFIC invites you to check out its Fly Away sale offers to must-visit cities in Asia and Europe. The deals end on February 10.

This week's top travel deals: Phuket

Looking for a cheap package holiday to Phuket?

CATHAY PACIFIC invites you to check out its Fly Away sale offers to must-visit cities in Asia and Europe. The deals end on February 10.

This week's top travel deals

Turkish Airlines deals are certainly great value - but agents are not happy with the number of flight cancellations - and the lack of customer care - particularly if you are stranded somewhere.
 
Also - some good news for solo travellers.  

This week's top travel deals

According to the latest Amex Air Monitor report, airfares within and from Australia are set to soar in 2025 - domestic for instance up by 13.7% over last year. The collapsing Aussie dollar does not help. So folks, the faster you book, the better the price.

This week's top travel deals

Not much to report this week as everyone heads off for a break.