SOUTH EAST ASIA 

Save $1000 a person on this Orient Explorer with Eastern & Oriental Express tour of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It includes three nights' aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express in a Pullman cabin, four nights' hotel accommodation, all excursions and on-board meals.

From $4365 a person. Book before September 30 for travel until  March 31. Phone 1300 550 973. See railbookers.com.au.

NEW ZEALAND

PureTrails NZ has discounted the November 7 departure of its five-day South Island Hurunui cycle-tour package. Starting in Christchurch, the tour visits the Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura and the Waipara wine-growing regions of North Canterbury.

$1400 a person twin share including bike hire, a saving of $135. Offer valid until October 7. Phone 1800 738 667. See puretrails.nz.

FAMILY

BALI

Stay at Bali Dynasty Resort, Kuta in a deluxe room for five nights and receive breakfast daily, free kids club, free Wi-Fi and return airport transfers by private car plus massages and other activities.

From $539 a person twin share. Sale until September 30 for select travel periods up to March 31. See travelonline.com.

HAWAII

My Hawaii's nine-night Island Hopper holiday includes international and domestic flights, car hire and lots more. Stay three nights at each of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Waikiki Beach on Oahu.

From $2790 a person.  On sale until October 16. Travel April 26-May 31,  2016.  Phone 1300 004 292. See MyHawaii.com.au. 

ISLAND

KOH SAMUI

Book a three-bedroom or bigger villa for five days at Samujana Koh Samui and receive in-villa bonuses including daily breakfast, some dinners, activities and stocked bar as well as transfers, internet and daily housekeeping.

From $2317 a night for a three-bedroom villa. Valid for sale and travel now until July 31 with blackout dates, then September 1-December 23, 2016. See samujana.com.

CROATIA

Save on an eight-day tour of Croatia that includes two days in Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar​ and Split exploring the old towns, and island hopping. Includes excursions, guesthouse, hotel and apartment accommodation and the services of a tour leader.

From $1450 a person, a saving of $255.  Sale until September 30.  Travel April 1-September 30, 2016. Phone 1300 021 123. See myadventurestore.com.

CRUISE 

EUROPE

Take off up to $3000 a couple on last-minute 2015 European river cruises. Avalon has also waived single supplements. One is the 15-day Magnificent Europe between Amsterdam and Budapest, departing December 21.

From $4555 a person twin share, $1500 off, with lots of inclusions. Sale until September 30. Phone 1300 230 234. See avalonwaterways.com.au.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

2016 five- or six-day cruises of the Galapagos aboard the Sea Star Journey Cruise luxury yacht are discounted. Five-day cruises are $5745 a person, usually $6936  while the six-day cruises are $1000 off at $6710 a person. Book and pay deposit before September 30.  See boutiquesouthamerica.com.au.

HOTEL

AUSTRALIA

Cut 30 per cent off stays at TFE hotels across Australia, if staying three or more nights at Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments and Rendezvous Port Douglas, or  two-plus at Vibe Hotels, Rendezvous Hotels (excluding Port Douglas) and Travelodge.  Sale until October 9 for stays year-round. See TFEhotels.com.

MELBOURNE

Book two nights in a hotel room at Park Regis Griffin and enjoy discount rates from $109 a night for up to two people from Sunday to Thursday and $129 Friday and Saturday. Includes bottle of wine on arrival, Wi-Fi and 11am check-out.

Valid for sale and travel until November 30. Conditions apply. See parkregisgriffinsuites.com.au.

EXPERT OPINION

Debra Fox, chief marketing officer, APT (aptouring.com.au)

Q. Early bird deals versus last-minute deals, which is better?

A. Always book early and you'll secure the cabin and departure date of your choice alongside a great early booking deal. APT's early booking SuperDeals include free return flights, special solo savings and great deals on business class fares. Book and pay in full 10 months in advance and APT will also offer you a discount of up to $200 per person.

MICHAEL GEBICKI'S TIP

Picking up your hire car from an airport terminal is often more expensive than hiring the same vehicle from a nearby office of the same car-hire outfit. Car-hire operators pay a premium for airport space, and they recoup that through higher charges for airport rentals. Even if you hire from an outlet away from the airport terminal you can return it to the airport at no extra charge.