LONDON CALLING
Hotels.com is offering 30 per cent off stays at The Academy, a 49-room hotel in a restored row of five Georgian townhouses in Bloomsbury. It's close to the West End's attractions including Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and the British Museum. The onsite restaurant The Alchemy serves afternoon tea and there's a "regency-inspired bar". Reviews on TripAdvisor are generally good, noting value for the location.
The discount price is from $118 a night twin share. The deal is for sale until May 26 for stays until May 29. It must be booked at least three days in advance. See hotels.com.
BURGUNDY BARGAIN
A late October departure of a trip exploring some famed vineyards and countryside in France is now 30 per cent off. This eight-day canal barge cruise through Burgundy includes cycling in the vineyards of Cote de Beaune with tastings, a walking excursion in Verdun sur le Doubs, visits to Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Auxonne, Longecourt-en-Plaine and Cote du Nuits, and cycling in Gevrey-Chambertin with wine tasting at the Chateau de Marsannay.
It's a slow-paced, small-group adventure and includes six nights' accommodation on the barge and one in a hotel, seven breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners.
The price for the October 28 departure is $2399 a person. Phone 1300 180 969. See gadventures.com.au.
BEST OF EASTERN CANADA AND US
Save up to $1009 a person on select departures of Insight Vacations' 16-day Best of Eastern Canada & USA tour if you book and pay in full by April 30.
Going from Toronto to New York, highlights include exploring America's revolutionary history in Boston, and visits to New York City and Washington DC. Across the border, you see Niagara Falls and Quebec, among other sights.
You get breakfast every day and some dinners. The deal is available on the August 14 departure, now priced from $5567 a person, and the September 4 departure, priced from $5716 a person.
Phone 1800 001 781. See insightvacations.com.
MOOR, MOOR, MOOR
Gypsian Boutique Tours is offering savings on holidays in Croatia and Morocco. Save up to $1100 on some of these small group itineraries if booking before May 31.
For example, the September 13 departure of the 17-night 'Oh So Moorish' Morocco trip now costs from $7498 a person, a saving of $1100 a person. It starts in Casablanca and heads south to Marrakech, the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas Mountains, with a highlight being a cooking class at an organic farm outside Marrakech.The package includes 32 meals, 17 nights' boutique hotel accommodation, expert local guides, transfers and transport.
Phone 1300 831 985. See gypsianboutiquetours.com.au.
GOURMET CENTRAL
The Schaller Studio's Market to Plate package is designed to introduce guests to the wine and food scene of Bendigo in Central Victoria. Hosted by the chef at award-winning Mason's restaurant, Sonia Anthony, the stay includes overnight accommodation at The Schaller Studio in a Workspace Queen room, a visit to the local farmers' market, a visit to McIver Farm Foods in Tooborac, a visit to Wild Duck Creek cellar door and a dinner with paired wines at Sonia Anthony's home. All transfers provided by The Schaller Studio.
The price is $325 a person. It is available on Saturdays May 14, June 11 and July 9. See www.bendigotourism.com/tours/from-market-to-paddock-to-plate.
GLOW WORMS AND GLACIERS
Save up to $800 a couple on an AAT Kings' 14-day New Zealand Vista Guided Holiday if you book and pay in full by April 26.
You explore the arts and traditions of New Zealand's Maori culture, cruise Waitomo's famous Glow Worm Grotto and Milford Sound, visit Mountain Jade greenstone factory to learn how jade is carved, see the Franz Josef Glacier and more.
This coach tour includes daily breakfast and some other meals plus airport transfers. Priced from $3525 an adult twin share. Departures June 2016-December 2017. Phone 1300 228 546. See aatkings.com .
JULIETTA JAMESON
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