Traveller deals of the week: Bear essentials

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  Cruise to Canada for a spot of bear spotting.

  
  

Travelmarvel is offering free flights for early-bird bookings of its 2014 Highlights of Eastern Western Canada with Alaska Cruise trip.

Book before October 25 and fly for free, excluding taxes, a saving of up to $5490 a couple.

The 28-day trip, priced from $9995 a person, twin share, starts in Toronto and visits Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Calgary and Banff before guests take a seven-night Holland America Lines Alaskan cruise.

The price covers nine nights’ accommodation in eastern Canada including the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City and 11 nights in Western Canada, in properties such as the Mike Wiegele Heli Village Resort.

Also included are “insider experiences” such as a traditional First Nation dinner and dance performance in Ottawa, breakfast and bear spotting at Whistler Golf Course and a black bear tour in Duchesnay. Phone 1300 300 036. See travelmarvel.com.au.

HOT STUFF

The Asian hotel group Dusit International is offering a number of specials, such as credit towards dining and spa experiences under a “Hot Summer Specials” promotion at its properties.

Guests receive credit equivalent to 35 per cent of their total accommodation spend. No minimum stays are required. The promotion includes a $US50 upgrade to a suite (conditions apply) and a 35 per cent discount on in-house massages. The promotion is valid on bookings for stays until September 30. See dusit.com.

SALT OF THE EARTH

Mantra on Salt Beach at Kingscliff, 20 minutes south of the Gold Coast Airport, is offering two nights in a one-bedroom spa suite from $145 a night including buffet breakfast for two as a winter getaway.

The offer is valid for sale until July 5 and for travel until August 31 on two-night minimum stays. Block-out dates apply. Phone 13 15 17. See mantra.com.au.

VIETNAM EASE

Ecruising.travel is offering a deal on a cruise from Ho Chi Minh City (pictured right) to Siem Reap aboard a privately chartered vessel, the Jahan. A superior stateroom with balcony on the 2013 voyage is now priced from $3799 a person, twin share, a saving of more than $3000. Signature and deluxe staterooms are also available.

Departing Australia on September 18, the 13-night itinerary begins with a stopover in Singapore staying at the Shangri-La before flying to Ho Chi Minh City and staying two nights at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel. Guests board the vessel at My Tho, Vietnam for a seven-night cruise up the Mekong River to Cambodia.

The package includes return economy airfares from Australian capital cities, six nights’ accommodation at hotels with daily breakfast, seven nights’ cruise accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with balcony, meals on board, private shore excursions with a guide, sightseeing with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, transfers, port charges and taxes. Phone 1300 369 848. See ecruising.travel.

GOING, GOING …

Flight Centre is offering a suite of last-minute discounts on 2013 small group tours led by BackRoads Touring. The tours cover Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Scotland, Ireland and England.

The discount applies to tours that depart between now and October. The deals include a saving of $768 a couple on a 10-day Spanish Inspiration tour, from $3456 a person, twin share (originally $3840). The tour departs on September 24.

There is also a saving of $1108 a couple on a 10-day Taste of Bordeaux tour, now from $3141 a person, twin share (was from $3695). The tour departs September 28. The offers are valid for sale and travel until October 31. Phone 1300 939 414. See flightcentre.com.au.

Traveller deals of the week: Bear essentials