Last-minute ideas for summer holidays
SO you want to have a summer holiday, but haven't booked anything yet? Here are some ideas from leading travel agents.
DANNY GOCS
IF you haven’t yet booked a holiday for summer, don’t panic. There are still good-value vacations available, according to leading travel agents.
Thailand holidays in December and January are still an affordable option with plenty of choices, says Roslyn Hakim, travel manager of World Travel Professionals in Double Bay, NSW.
This popular destination includes resorts in Phuket, Khao Lak on the Andaman coast and Chiang Mai in the north.
“Bali has a large choice of luxury villas for people wanting to holiday in five-star resorts.”
Hakim says the strength of the Australia dollar means that trips to the United States offer good value, especially on the west coast.
“Cuba’s capital Havana is growing in popularity, so visit it before it is swamped by tourists.”
Israel is popular all year round for holidays or family reunions, says Jeff Dimand, general manager of the leisure and cruise division of FBI Travel in Caulfield, Victoria.
“We have been getting many enquiries about flights and holidays in December and January, including trips via Europe,” he says.
“Cruising around the Pacific is popular and it’s worth watching out for last-minute deals on summer cruises.”
Dimand says that other overseas destinations to consider are Vietnam and the US, with good packages to New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
For a family holiday within Australia, book accommodation near the beach in Coffs Harbour.
David Goldman, general manager of Goldman Travel Corporation in Sydney, says there are many value-added offers available for trips within Australia and overseas.
“Check for deals such as children’s meals included free, additional nights at no cost, or transfers from the airport,” he says.
The Meridian at Port Douglas is offering free hot-air balloon rides with some seven-night packages, while the five-star Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa on Four Mile Beach has a range of deals valid until March 2010.
Goldman says that Tahiti and Hawaii are proving popular with families as well as honeymooners and couples.
“Many resorts in Tahiti have three-night packages, with an extra couple of nights included free,” he says.
“In Hawaii, some hotels, such as the Hilton, have introduced two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments to cater for families.”
If you are looking for a rail journey in the outback, enjoy the experience of The Ghan between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin.
As part of the train’s 80th anniversary celebrations, free upgrade offers to gold-service cabins are available for bookings until March 31, 2010 for travel until April 30, 2010.
Vietnam is always a popular holiday destination, but over summer there are some special deals on Pandaw Cruises, says Paulette Cherny, leisure manager at Voyager Travel Corporation in Jolimont, Victoria.
Take a cruise between Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia, and explore the magnificent Angkor Wat temples.
“Pandaw operates six luxury river-cruise ships that are craftsman-built. The secret of their success is that on these ships, while luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that dominates.”
Yvonne Verstandig, director of Executive Edge in Caulfield, Victoria, says it is the right time to travel to the United States and see the Caribbean.
“For a holiday closer to home, cruise around New Zealand.”
Verstandig says Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are also very popular at the moment and offer value-packed holidays.
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