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If there is one certainty in travel, it is that the best deals rarely hang around waiting for indecisive travellers. This week, Ian McIntosh has cast his net wide, hauling in everything from Arctic expedition savings and luxury British rail adventures to bargain Europe airfares, Antarctic cruises and a few temptations that could seriously test the limits of your credit card. From the frozen reaches of the Far North to the sun-drenched islands of Tahiti, there is plenty on offer for travellers planning well ahead or simply looking for an excuse to pack a suitcase. As always, conditions apply, prices can move faster than a budget airline sale, and a good travel agent remains worth their weight in gold.

Some interesting journeys for you rail buffs this week if you are heading to the UK.

PONANT’s Arctic 2028 season is now open. Book early and save up to 30% on your journey to the Far North. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and French hospitality aboard the company’s intimate expedition ships.

BRITANNIC EXPLORER is the answer for you, rail buffs who love to explore in style at a slower pace. Departing from London, the train’s three routes take you on three or six-night journeys through the spectacular natural landscapes of Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales.

BRITISH PULLMAN is another option – the company has just released details of Celia, a new private dining and events carriage imagined and designed by visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann. This restored 1920s train has sheltered royalty and been a star of the silver screen. Each whimsically named carriage has a story to tell. Itineraries include The Golden Age of Travel by steam. Or, how about the Great British Sunday lunch as the world rumbles by.

WEBJET’s one-way flight deals to Europe include MAS from $915 and China Eastern from Rome from $1030. Check the details carefully.

AIR TAHITI NUI is advertising special fares from Sydney to Tahiti and beyond – but you need to be quick. Depart directly from Sydney to Tahiti (from 15 December 2026), or continue to the islands beyond with connecting flights included in one seamless booking. This offers ends on 6 June 2026.

HELLOWORLD is promoting AFL grand final packages in association with My Way Travel events. Included are two nights’ accommodations, a grand final eve function and level one seating. No idea of prices, but they are sure to be scary.

QATAR AIRWAYS is expanding its network with flights to Bogotá and Caracas, starting 22 July 2026.

FROM LAST WEEK:

CROOKED COMPASS invites you to fully explore the Silk Road crossing Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Together, they form what historians have called the engine room of human civilisation: the crossroads where East met West. The 27-day tours have a max of 12 travellers. https://mailchi.mp/crooked-compass/europe-empties-this-is-where-you-go-instead-7515301?e=c4bb94f7cf.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES is offering a saving of $75 on flights – worth considering for a family holiday, I guess.

EMIRATES and QATAR currently have buy-miles deals, offering up to a 50% bonus on miles. Qatar seems to be the best value. Emirates also offers a special Cash+Miles rate of 2,000 Miles = USD 30, instead of USD 15, on flights and extras.

ATIA, The Australian Travel Industry Association, is urging Australian travellers to check that their travel agent or tour operator holds current ATIA Accreditation, following issues with Melbourne-based tour operator AVG Travels.

SNCF CONNECT is making it easier to travel even further by train, with Swiss and German regional services now available, expanding its international offer with routes operated by SBB regional networks across Switzerland and Deutsche Bahn across Germany. Details here https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/deals/new-operators?inApp=true.

VIKING is offering savings of up to 35% on Iberian voyages. For instance, Portugal’s Rivers of Gold, Lisbon to Porto – 10 days from $5895pp. Or Bergen to Barcelona, 15 days from $6,945. Enjoy modern ships and no kids. Also released – four World Cruises, including the 170-day 2028 Viking World Voyage III. New voyages include the 15‑day Japan Discovery. We are looking at a Bergen-to-Barcelona itinerary.

UTRACKS has expanded several of Europe’s classic long-distance walking trails in response to growing demand from travellers wanting to spend longer exploring a single route. In Spain, for instance, that means continuing west from Santiago along the Camino Finisterre to the Atlantic coast.

AATKINGS is backing the Go See Australia campaign by introducing an Early Bird 2027/28 season offer. Until 31st July 2026, you can secure up to 10% off selected 2027/28 tours (for selected departures between 1st April 2027 and 31st March 2028) with a deposit from $200.

IEXPEDITION invites you to join the 21-day Ultimate South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Peninsula Cruise. There will be just 130 guests aboard Heritage Discoverer. Dates are 19 November–9 December 2026, Ushuaia Return. Returning travellers save up to 40%, and if it’s your first time, you’ll still save up to 30%.

ACCOR says book an escape at a selected Pullman, Peppers, Mantra, The Sebel, BreakFree, and more, and save up to 30% when you stay for two nights. Book until 30 June 2026 for stays from 1 June to 31 December 2026.

NESUTO HOTELS and Apartments is offering travellers 25 per cent off winter stays across its Australian and New Zealand portfolio, including Nesuto Docklands in Melbourne, Nesuto Parramatta in Sydney, and Nesuto St Martins in Auckland. Discounted rates start from $185 at Nesuto Docklands (normally $240 per room per night). More details, www.nesuto.com/winterstays.

IMAGINE CRUISING has an excellent deal if you are interested in cruising from the UK to Sydney aboard Cunard’s new Queen Anne. Departing January 9, 2028 – prices start at $9,999pp for a 46-night full-board voyage, a one-night, four-star hotel stay in London, a complimentary flight from Australia, and all taxes and transfers.

AMAWATERWAYS is introducing a limited-time Cruise & Fly promotion that combines more than 300 selected river cruise itineraries across Europe and Asia with return international airfares. Examples include Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals (14 nights) – Cruise through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland, starting or ending in Amsterdam. The price of from $9,678 pp includes the 14-night cruise and return international flights.

PELAGO has one-day tickets for the F1 Singapore Grand Prix from October 9-11. Use code RACE1000 and get a bonus 1000 KrisFlyer miles.

PONANT has released its 2028 Kimberley program with a special incentive. Explore one of Australia’s last true wilderness frontiers and enjoy 30% bonus savings.

JUST YOU – the specialist solo tour operator – has unveiled its first collection of festive escorted tours for Australian solo travellers, offering the chance to enjoy a Christmas abroad, exploring destinations such of Malta, Portugal, Spain, India, or the UK.

FINNAIR will operate out of Melbourne from October. The carrier invites you to experience the thrill of skiing in Kittilä or Kuusamo, admire the Northern Lights in a glass igloo in Ivalo, or enjoy the year-round Christmas spirit in Rovaniemi.

AIR MAURITIUS has confirmed the resumption of three-weekly services between Perth and Mauritius, effective July 2026. The new service supports improved onward connections via Mauritius to destinations across Africa and Europe.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES has a great deal if you are stopping over in KL. Double your adventure and enjoy a flight to one of eight local destinations at no extra fare – just pay the taxes.

CHINA EASTERN heads back to Adelaide from June 21, 2026. Enjoy free in-flight Wi-Fi and nonstop service to Shanghai and beyond, including great connections to Beijing from $680 and London from $962. Flights are on sale now via www.ceair.com. Conditions apply. How good is the service? I will find out in June.

TRADE ONLY:

ATIA says the collapse of AVG Tours is a direct consequence of the gaps that exist when accreditation is not prioritised. If travel businesses are not ASIA-accredited or choose to work with suppliers and partners who are not accredited, they are creating the conditions for operators like this to exist and grow. “That is a risk to your business. It is a risk to your customers.”

Interline Travel’s newsletter this week covers the release of 2027 rates for Emerald River Cruises, offering excellent value for those who like to plan ahead and secure the best cabins and itineraries early. “We also have availability on the exclusive Emerald Ocean Yachts. These intimate luxury vessels deliver a genuine five-star-plus experience,” says Stephen West.

The Travel Industry Club is highlighting HX journeys that go beyond iconic cities and tourist highlights, exploring remote communities and hidden landscapes that few travellers ever experience. Industry deals include Alaska – Inside Passage, Bears & Aleutian Islands – 19 nights, Serene Greenland – 9 nights, Grand Greenland: The Icy Giants of Disko Bay – 13 nights and Realms of the Polar Bear from Oslo – 13 nights.

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. Our Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/top10traveloz/.