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It seems China is the big new destination for Australians. A record 716,000 Aussies visited in the 12 months to March this year. It is now our fourth-most visited country, overtaking Thailand, the UK and the US.

CROOKED COMPASS has a few seats available in 2027 for Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival. Every September, the Kazakh eagle hunters of western Mongolia gather beneath the Altai Mountains. The relationship between hunter and eagle cannot be explained in words. You will stand in one of the most arid yet spectacularly remote landscapes on the planet and feel the profound weight of experiencing a culture that has survived everything the modern world has thrown at it. Details: https://www.crooked-compass.com/tour/golden-eagle-festival.

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS invites you to extend your stay in Asia, see the countryside in style at a slower pace. Depart in September or November and receive a complimentary night at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore – before or after your rail sojourn. Contact the reservations team and quote ‘EOEMORIENTALS1NT’ to book. Solo travellers: from July to December, there is no single supplement fee on select departures. Join a six-night journey aboard the Express and aid the campaign to save wild tigers. Details here: https://www.belmond.com/trains/asia/eastern-and-oriental-express/offers?utm_campaign=C-Pro-2026-June-EOE.

THE RETREAT KOH CHANG has launched its new “Island Getaway – Stay Longer For More” summer offer for stays of three or more nights, available until 15 October 2026, with rates starting from THB 5,760 (approx AUD250) per night ++ per room, per night for two guests. This is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and unspoiled island destinations.

MY CRUISES are promoting a fly/cruise holiday to China in 2027, priced from $3999 pp. The itinerary includes a Yangtze Cruise, a bullet train experience and the Great Wall at night.

EXPLORA JOURNEYS invites you to reserve a journey by 23 June 2026 to enjoy up to 25% savings, plus earn up to $4,600 AUD Explora Credit to enhance your experience, either pre-Journey or while onboard. Itineraries include Lisbon-to-Copenhagen aboard Explora III, departing August 10, 2026.

BPA launches new bespoke South-West Morocco itinerary for deeper, off-the-beaten-track travel. A standout feature of the itinerary is access to Souss-Massa National Park, offering rare opportunities to observe endangered North African wildlife in a protected environment. More details, Kim Gontie, [email protected].

HELLOWORLD is featuring a 4-day Fleurieu Explorer package in South Australia in association with Viva Holidays and Virgin. Three nights cost from $1035pp. This region is celebrated for its world-class McLaren Vale wineries, dramatic coastal cliffs and pristine beaches.

IEXPEDITION has a Twin Deluxe Cabin available on a nearly sold-out 23-day polar expedition departing on February 13 next year. The itinerary combines the king penguin megacolonies of South Georgia, Shackleton’s legendary route through Elephant Island, and the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. WEBJET is promoting one-way fares to London from $699, premium from $2549. Check the details carefully.

50 DEGREES NORTH, the Nordic specialist, is offering 10% off all 2027 summer departures booked by 30 June 2026 across eight small-group itineraries through Norway and the Scandinavian capitals. No discount code needed; the saving is applied automatically at booking. Tours include Beautiful Norway – Oslo to Bergen – 8 days, May–September 2027, semi-independent format; no tour leader (6–12 guests) from AUD 4,371 (save AUD 485pp).

HX EXPEDITIONS says it’s time to tick Antarctica off your bucket list. Specials include: Highlights of Antarctica (12 days) – prices from AUD $14,599, Antarctica & Falkland Expedition (16 days) – prices from AUD $16,941 and In-depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition (23 days) – prices from AUD $29,424

CATHAY PACIFIC thinks it’s time for you to revisit Hong Kong. From now until 30 June 2026, enjoy a special offer on your next flight to Hong Kong with $80* off, exclusive to Cathay members when you use the code HOMEKONGAU. Booking period: Now until 30 June 2026, travel period: 1 July until 31 August 2026.

FROM LAST WEEK:

PONANT’s Arctic 2028 season is now open. Book early and save up to 30% as you plan 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. Itineraries include The Golden Age of Travel by steam. Or, how about the Great British Sunday lunch as the world rumbles by?

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

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 to explore 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 $6945. 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.

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 to 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 combining 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 $9,678 pp includes the 14-night cruise and return international flights.

PONANT has released its 2028 Kimberley program – 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. Enjoy a Christmas abroad, exploring destinations such as Malta, Portugal, Spain, India, or the UK.

FINNAIR will operate from Melbourne starting in 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 return to 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. Book your flight as an Enrich member and enjoy an extra 5% off.

CHINA EASTERN heads back to Adelaide from June 21, 2026. Enjoy free in-flight Wi-Fi and non-stop services to Shanghai and beyond, including great connections to Beijing from $680, London from $962. Flights are on sale now via www.ceair.com. Conditions apply.

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TRADE ONLY:

Interline Travel says Crystal has opened up departures that depart from Liverpool (UK), the elegant New York, and a range of new routing combinations we have not seen at Interline rates before. Some of these are still being loaded to the site after arriving overnight – we are working through them now so keep refreshing the listings or drop us a line if something specific interests you. Stephen also advises that this week he saw a significant number of Regent fares, from now to September 1, removed from sale. It is unknown why, but it reinforces my message: If you see a deal that seems fair, book.

PONANT invites you to one of its Discovery Sessions this June and July in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. “Hear from our destination experts and unlock exclusive event-only offers, including the chance to win a Mystery Cruise* and a AU$1,000 vouchers.” Reserve a seat here: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/d8c1f019-4452-4c88-ad19-045c8a63026a/register?RefId=EDM-B2C.

The Travel Industry Club says a number of cruise lines are extending their Mediterranean itineraries throughout the year, giving members the opportunity to experience this spectacular region while avoiding the peak-season heat and crowds. Even better, Mediterranean pricing this year is exceptional.

AAT Kings has completed a five-day national trade road trip with Helloworld Travel, engaging consumers and more than 50 travel advisors across Queensland and New South Wales.

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/