If the global travel landscape feels like it’s wobbling on its axis, Ian McIntosh’s Weekly Travel Deals proves there’s still gold to be found in the chaos. With Middle East airspace disruptions rattling schedules and travellers second-guessing routes, this week’s roundup mixes realism with opportunity from rugby weekends in Hong Kong and Balkan solo adventures to business-class indulgences, fly-free Vietnam tours and cruise savings that refuse to blink. As always, Ian cuts through the noise with a seasoned eye, reminding Australians that even in uncertain times, the smart money travels well.
Not a lot is happening this week, particularly after the cancellation of flights to Europe via the Middle East. Who knows when schedules will get back to normal?
CATHAY PACIFIC had a great deal for rugby fans. Catch the Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium from 17 – 19 April 2026, with Flight + Event packages from $1,610 using the code 26R7AU.
NESUTO HOTELS is sweetening up Easter with up to 25% off at its properties across Australia and NZ. The sale runs until Thursday, 30 April 2025. Nesuto Docklands in Melbourne is priced from $185 per night, and Nesuto Parramatta from $180 per night. Kids stay and enjoy free breakfast. To book, visit nesuto.com/easter.
JUST YOU, the specialist solo tour operator, has a 13-day Balkans tour on sale. Departing June 7, 2026 and priced from $5549, the tour includes 12 nights’ accommodation (4-star hotels) and a guaranteed room for each traveller with no single supplement. Have a look here www.justyou.com/au/,
EMIRATES has released new business-class deals, including Paris from $10,289. Don’t be in a hurry, though – thanks to Mr Trump, no one is going anywhere for a while.
APT Luxury Travel has released a Fly-Free Vietnam Sale in partnership with Singapore Airlines. You have to be quick, though. The deal ends on March 4. The 13-day Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights tour costs from $ 6,995 per person. Fly free and save up to $4,400 per couple. Conditions apply.
HELLOWORLD has the right idea, given the mess the world is in right now – a three-night Viva Holidays Adelaide Barossa Valley getaway priced from $1345pp twin share.
FROM LAST WEEK:
FAR EAST INSIDERS members are enjoying SPD100 off stays in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. Join up here. https://www.fareasthospitality.com/en/insiders-signup
CELESTYAL CRUISES has unveiled its ‘Big Savings for a Big Summer’ campaign, valid across 100 Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf sailings in 2026 and 2027. The promotion combines savings of up to 50% plus up to €200 onboard credit. Third and fourth guests will also sail free when sharing a cabin with two full fare paying guests on select sailings.
CHINA EASTERN heads back to Adelaide from 21st June 2026. Jump onboard and enjoy free inflight Wi-Fi and non-stop services to Shanghai and beyond, including great connections to Beijing from just $680, London from $962. Flights are on sale now via www.ceair.com. Conditions apply.
AAT KINGS and EVENTS NT have partnered to offer travellers a limited-time air credit delivering savings of up to $1,800 per couple on select Northern Territory Small Group tours. Available on new bookings made by 31 March 2026, for travel between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, the Air Credit is applied directly to the land tour cost.
PONANT invites you to steam south to Antarctica. Unlock your 2026 or 2027 polar expedition now and enjoy up to 30% off with an exclusive bonus.
FLIGHT CENTRE is promoting a six stop round the world fare with Singapore Airlines priced from $2899. You could visit Singapore, Tokyo, LA, NYC, Frankfurt and Barcelona. Check the available travel dates.
VIKING is a great product we have enjoyed several times and right now – book your next voyage and enjoy your choice of exclusive offers valued up to $5,000 per couple. Have a look at the site for more details. You could for instance grab free economy flights or upgrade to business. We will be sailing from Stockholm in August aboard Viking Neptune and I will be sharing the experience.
ACCOMMODATION:
Looking for luxury away from the crowds on your trip to Greece? Nestled on a private cove on Crete’s northeastern coast, Daios Cove is a 5-star luxury resort renowned for its striking contemporary design, panoramic Aegean views, and lifestyle experiences. They are early booking and kids’ free deals. Have a look at daioscovecrete.com.
TRADE ONLY:
Just You, the new specialist solo tour operator, will plant a tree at the Maya Forest Restoration Project in Mexico, or the Tamamdt Tree Nursery in Morocco, for every new trade booking made throughout the rest of 2026.
Travel Industry Club’s Sue Francis says this week’s newsletter highlights more than 1,000 sailings featuring exclusive member offers.
Interline Travel’s latest roundup features deals for Quark, HX Expedition rates, 5-star price drops for Regent/Silversea/Seabourn, Coral Expeditions and Celestyal, plus new Silversea rates. Check also the solo rates.
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 [email protected]. Ian McIntosh is Australia’s senior traveller. We have no commercial relationship with any operator.
by Ian McIntosh – (c) 2026.
Read Time: 7 minutes.
About the Writer.
Veteran journalist and publisher Ian McIntosh has spent a lifetime exploring the world and sharing its wonders. As the founder of Travelnews Australia, his nationally distributed, full-colour travel trade publication earned the esteemed Telstra Business Award.
Though now retired, Ian remains a passionate globetrotter with a soft spot for small-ship cruising and discovering good-value hotels across Europe. His most recent adventure involved a rather enthusiastic Thai elephant named Bo, who promptly deposited him into a pond. A true storyteller at heart, Ian continues to travel with humour, curiosity, and an unwavering love for the road less travelled.
