VICTORIA

Melbourne’s shopping scene goes into overdrive during the
Spring Racing Carnival, throughout November. Stay in the thick of it all, in a
studio deluxe suite at the new Fraser Place Melbourne aparthotel, near Carlton
Gardens. They’ll add in internet and continental breakfast for two on stays
before December 30, and the hotel is on the free city tramline, so you don’t
even have to buy public transport tickets. Costs from $160 a night. 1800 372
7377, frasershospitality.com 

QUEENSLAND

Tambourine Mountain, an hour south of Brisbane, is lush
rainforest on the appropriately named Scenic Rim, best viewed from the Rainforest
Skywalk. The adults-only Pethers Rainforest Retreat is celebrating a decade in
the business with a midweek romantic getaway. Stay two nights in a luxury treehouse,
get a cheese platter and bottle of wine on arrival, daily continental breakfast
basket and late check-out. And romance at a discount is always sweeter: save
$250 on stays Sunday – Thursday until February 28, 2013, quote code
‘celebration’. Costs $450 for two people, for two nights.  (07) 5545 4577, pethers.com.au.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney is a playground for kids big and small. Stay in a superior room at the 4.5-star Grace Hotel, on the corner of King & York Sts, and they’ll include entry passes to either the Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Madame Tussauds. Normally $400 room only, until December 20, costs from $230 for two adults and one child. (02) 9272 6602, gracehotel.com.au.

The Tarkine Wilderness, in Tassie’s far north-west, encircles
the last traces of the ancient forests of Gondwana. Spend three nights in a
queen bed eco cottage in nearby Corinna and get all meals including a Tasmanian
cheese and wine platter and three-course dinners, a day cruise on the Pieman
River, guided and self- guided walks and kayaking on a Wilderness Discovery Eco
Experience Holiday. You’ll also get a coffee table book, ‘The Tarkine’ and you
get to take all your rubbish home with you, too! Save 30 per cent on stays
until April 31, 2013. Costs from $1355 a couple, (03) 6446 1170,
corinna.com.au.

Stay in a buffalo station in one of Australia’s great wild
places, the Mary River floodplains, west of Kakadu National Park. The
safari-style Bamurru Plains is named for the wild geese who nest here each
year, and taking a fly boat over the waters in the early morning is a
heart-lifting experience (and they even stop to make you coffee). Stay two
nights with a fully-inclusive deal that sets you up in a safari bungalow,
supplies all meals, open bar and daily guided activities including 4WD safaris.
The deal includes return flights from Darwin, saving $980 a couple, until November
30. Costs from $3720 a couple, two nights. 1300 790 561, wildbushluxury.com.

GERMANY

Train
across Germany this winter, with free stops at 13 historic towns and cities
where great events helped shape world history. 
Save 20 per cent on German Rail passes when booked by November 30 for travel
November 15 – December 31, 2012. Passes also get you 10 per cent off at select
hostels and hotels in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Normally $264,
costs from $211 for a five-day second class pass. raileurope.com.au.

KOREA

If
you’re completely clueless as to what Gangnam Style is, check in to the Novotel Seoul Ambassador, in the Gangnam
district. The deal includes accommodation and breakfast for two, a half-day local
tour, a 20 per cent discount at the nearby Art Performance Centre and shopping discount vouchers so you can
hit COEX, the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. They’ll also throw in
a great cup of coffee: don’t get it? Listen to the song. Costs from $260 a
night until January 31, 2013. (+82) 2/567 1101,
novotel.com/korea_gangnam.

NEW ZEALAND

Walkers and cyclist are sure to flock to Queenstown for
its latest attraction for the active, the new 100km-Queenstown Trail. Soften
the blow of all that hardship with three nights’ stay at the plush Hotel St
Moritz MGallery, with a three-for-two offer. Its picture windows, overlooking
Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables mountain range, will keep you connected with
the great outdoors. Costs from $408 a room, three nights, including breakfast until
March 31, 2013. (+64) 3 442 4990, mgallery.com.

SRI LANKA

Visit old British hill stations, admire Dutch
architecture and savour the craziness of Colombo on this 13-day tour of Sri
Lanka. There’s also beach time to be had and spices to savour. Save 15 per cent
when booked by November 23 for departures until March 31, 2013, quote promo
code 1274. Normally $1640, costs $1394. 1300 854 444, geckosadventures.com.

SOUTH AFRICA

Spas and safaris – they’re a natural mix when you’re a
Travelling Diva. The tour includes private wine tastings, an insiders’ tour to secret boutiques and local designers in Cape
Town and three days on safari staying at Kwandwe
private game reserve. Book by November 16, get an additional night
in Cape Town and a personal tour of a diamond supplier (and tax free diamond
shopping!) Tour departs May 12-25, 2013. Costs from $6999 a person, twin share.
0408 721 569, travellingdivas.com.au.

TOURWATCH

You could be one of 100 million people watching the 2013
SuperBowl on TV, or you could live the dream and watch it live, in New Orleans’
Superdome, on February 3, 2013. Choose from the silver, gold or platinum
packages, each one getting you closer to the action on the Loge level, between
the 20 and 50-yard lines, which Mr Aristotle co-founder Paul Kent says is the
best viewpoint for some of the biggest action of the 2013 Super Bowl. “It’s a
case of first in, best dressed,” warns Kent. Costs from US3835 (silver), US6825
(gold) or US11,050 (platinum) a person. 0423 538 593, mraristotle.com.

SOURCE: Belinda Jackson, Sun Herald