Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Europe Holidays

Very small update this week as I head home tomorrow from Barcelona after a 15 day cruise aboard Viking Neptune. And no, I did not ride a bike around Amsterdam!

EUROPE HOLIDAYS is celebrating the launch of  new europeholidays.com.au by  opening 2027 Earlybird offers — with value holidays right across Europe. Book seven or more nights in Europe and get $500 per couple to use toward airfare.

PONANT wants to take you on a culinary journey of indulgent gala dinners and curated wine pairings. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and engaging conversations with chefs as you embark on a journey of discovery. Examples include (in alliance with The Club des Chefs des Chefs) The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic  15/01/27 - 23/01/27.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES says save up to 10% on selected flights to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, the Maldives, Da Nang, Fukuoka and more. Deal ends on October 2.

KRISFLYER members - October is a special birthday month for you. Enjoy boosted miles, weekly giveaways and upsized rewards. For instance earn an 10 miles per $1 spent at all Kris+ partners across Sydney and Melbourne.

LUXURY LODGES OF AUSTRALIA is celebrating the recognition of 11 of its member lodges in the 2026 MICHELIN Key Hotels selection with Saffire on Tasmania's Freycinet Peninsula and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island both elevated to the highest distinction of Three MICHELIN Keys.

SOLO TRAVEL: 
Looking for a trip that’s first-timer-friendly? Tripadvisor asked seasoned pros where they’d send someone looking to take the solo-travel plunge. See what made the cut, from Paris to Puerto Rico. Have a look here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-lEhUy42WjDvQ-Where_to_go_on_your_very_first_solo_trip.html

TRADE ONLY:

Interline Travel deals include Windstar - Tahiti and Beyond, Regent - new rates, new voyages, Oceania - Christmas escape 12 nights sydney return and live Explora Journey rates in $A.

Travel Industry Club says Asia, the Pacific & Europe are featuring strongly, with fantastic opportunities across a wide range of cruise lines. With great rates across selected 2026 & 2027 sailings, there are some exceptional opportunities to explore.
AmaWaterways – Taste of Christmas Dec 26 - Basel → Amsterdam (or reverse) | 7 nights. Check out the deal.

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. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia’s senior traveller. We have no commercial relationship with any operator. Our Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/top10traveloz/

Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Club Med

We are on our way to Portugal aboard Viking Neptune after a bit of rocking and rolling last night. Beautiful sunny day at sea today. Perfect really when you add the amazing level of service Viking offers. We are relaxing on lounges on deck 7 overlooking the sea - you can always find comfy corners on these ships that are never crowded.

CLUB MED is a blast from the past  - right now during the Early Bird Sale save 20% on all inclusive holiday packages at the new Borneo resort - or how about Bali?

SEACLOUD is combining the majesty of a sailing ship with music. In 2027, acclaimed musicians join you on board for intimate concerts and unhurried conversation, along some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful coastlines.

HELLOWORLD invites you to explore Canada. A series of deals include the 12 day Rockies Grandeur priced from $9245 - a saving of $500pp.

UTRACKS Early Bird sale for 2027 covers activities ranging from hiking the Dolomites, walking the Camino, cycling through Puglia or how about island-hopping Croatia by bike and boat in 2027?

UNITED AIRLINES seasonal nonstop Adelaide to San Francisco service returns from 19 December 2026, operating three times weekly aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

WENDY WU TOURS Spring Travel Sale offers savings of up to $3,500pp on selected 2027 and 2028 group tours. Add a city stopover from just $259pp twin share.
 
PRINCESS CRUISES is on sale - Explore New Zealand from just $2,499pp on a spectacular 14-night voyage departing from Sydney on 16 January 2027.

BE AWARE:

EES DELAYS. The new EES immigration system in Europe is still causing extensive delays - so leave plenty of time for your transfers. Note also that US entry requirements are strict. Authorities have broad powers to decide if you're eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law. Check US entry, registration, transit and exit requirements very carefully.

SO HOW GOOD WAS THE TRIP?
We are travelling from Bergen to Barcelona aboard the Viking Neptune.  All the Viking ocean fleet ships are modern and the same layout - so you feel at home as soon as you board. No kids, no casinos, no formal wear. Everyone is very casually dressed. The service is outstanding along with the food -  even the wifi which is saying something for a ship.  Instead of boarding a money grabbing machine, a lot of features are included according to your cabin category. We received free pressing, internet, a tour at each port and the fridge restocked each day. Wine or beer at lunch and dinner is free for everyone.

TOURING: Australian Geographic Travel has a small group tour for bird lovers travelling from outback Queensland to Adelaide. You can book 2027 departures for the eight day tour now. 

RAIL:

Belmond’s collection of legendary trains provides the backdrop for unforgettable winter and festive journeys through the Peruvian Andes, Malaysia’s verdant landscapes, the English countryside and Europe.

Trip Advisor says there are seven rail trips in Asia you can’t afford to miss. Have a look here:https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-lqgkpak2NiHQ-Train_trips_in_asia.html 

THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN presents a collection of Highland journeys, each with a distinct route and pace. 

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS says extend your stay in Asia and see the countryside in style at a slower pace. Depart in November and receive a complimentary night at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. 

BRITANNIC EXPLORER's three routes from London take you on three or six-night journeys through the spectacular natural landscapes of Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales.

BRITISH PULLMAN Itineraries include The Golden Age of Travel by steam. Or, how about the great British Sunday lunch?

CRUISE:
ROYAL CARIBBEAN’s Voyager of the Seas’ all-new Asia holidays are officially on sale as of today. Opening the Aussie season with brand-new getaways out of Brisbane and Sydney, Voyager will then head to Asia, connecting Australian holidaymakers to adventures out of vibrant hubs across Singapore and Hong Kong.

VIKING still has vacancies on river cruises that explore Europe's Christmas markets.  For instance, Budapest to Passau or v.v. eight days. Selected sailings in Nov‌ &‌ Dec‍ 2026 are priced from $3,395pp. Viking has also released details of a 15 day Japan Discovery cruise. 

AMAWATERWAYS  is introducing a limited-time Cruise & Fly promotion combining more than 300 selected river cruise itineraries across Europe and Asia with return international airfares. 

SOLO TRAVELLERS: 

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS advises that until December there is no single supplement fee on select departures.  

AIRLINES

EMIRATES New Airbus A350s will feature the world’s first electrically-powered premium economy seat. Included will be full-height privacy screens, wireless charging and leather footrests.

CATHAY PACIFIC is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a month long sale offering savings on flights to more than 70 destinations across its global network. Deals include London from $1832, Beijing from $933.

QATAR is offering daily direct flights to Auckland departing Adelaide until December 8, 2026, Melbourne between December 9 and June 27, 2027 and from Brisbane between June 26 and September 25 2027.

ACCOMMODATION
SLOJOURN STUDIO resorts approach family holidays differently, offering children more than traditional kids’ club activities and bringing families together through nature, culture, adventure, and hands-on discovery.  

THE RETREAT KOH CHANG has launched its new "Island Getaway – Stay Longer For More" summer offer for stays of three or more nights available until 15 October 2026. 

TRADE ONLY:
Got a client who insists on out of this world experiences - everything from swimming through bioluminescent plankton, to arriving at dinner by zipline, and snorkelling the reef directly beneath a 1,700sqm private villa in the Indian Ocean. Five Slojourn resorts are taking extraordinary guest experiences to another level.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced a new National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) category recognising the highest-performing travel advisers on the award-winning CATO Touring Academy. Finalists are Zoe Hannaford VIC,  Danielle Cameron QLD,  Robert Fletcher QLD,  Brett Atkinson VIC and Amy Mudge QLD. 

Interline Travel has the usual list of excellent deals - including a separate newsletter for solo travellers. Oceania is offering Christmas Australia options and check out the Seabourn balcony specials.

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. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia’s senior traveller. We have no commercial relationship with any operator. Our Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/top10traveloz/

Ian McIntosh's top travel deals

Wandering about Bergen today - but have to be back on board Viking Neptune by 5pm. Our first port will be Amsterdam. A UNESCO World Heritage City, Bergen is the perfect starting point for day trips to the fjords. Activities include everything from tours to mountain and glacier hiking, skiing in some of Norway’s best terrain, biking , or white-water rafting.

            

EES DELAYS. The new EES immigration system in Europe is still causing extensive delays - so leave plenty of time for your transfers. Note also that US entry requirements are strict. Authorities have broad powers to decide if you're eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law. Check US entry, registration, transit and exit requirements very carefully.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - QANTAS USA and Canada

Very limited specials until the end of the month while I am in Europe and cruising on Viking.

QANTAS says now is your chance to fly to the US and Canada for less.  Save on flights to New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Dallas Fort Worth, Honolulu and Vancouver. Hurry, sale ends 11.59pm (AEST) Monday 14 September 2026.