SIDE-TRIPPING

It's the week before Christmas, and you suddenly feel guilty that you're not spending it back home with family, or you've just realised there's a few public holidays in a row over a weekend next month! We’ve all had that desperate feeling where you know you’ve left it too late to get a good deal. Working in the travel industry, one of the most common questions I get asked is ‘do you have any good last minute deals?’

Here are some suggestions to help you get a decent last minute deal. I realise these ideas may be obvious to some, but you’d be surprised how many people spend over double the regular price just because it’s last minute, when if you get creative perhaps it could be avoided.

For last minute Christmas and New Years:

The festive season is about catching up with loved ones. If like me, you’re living abroad, your end of year trip back home is a whirlwind of seeing family and friends over various brunches, lunches, dinners and parties. So, by the time the holiday is over and you’re heading back to face the hundreds of unanswered work emails, you’re in desperate need of an ‘actual’ holiday.

So rather than paying double the usual price to fly direct and return more exhausted then when you left, grab a map and think about where you’re flying over.

Some ideas for my HK readers:

Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Minh to Australia

Spend a few days gorging on delicious food in this historical city

Stay: Caravelle (5*) a heritage hotel http://www.caravellehotel.com/en/default.aspx

After a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels and a lunch cruise on the Mekong Delta, enjoy some sunset drinks at the rooftop bar of the Caravelle hotel, which was the centre of operations for the international media back in the 60’s during the war…so a great piece of history. Just don’t forget your visa!

Air Pacific via Fiji to Australia

Who wouldn’t want a few days of extra beach time!

Stay: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort (5*) an eco resort on a private island, win-win http://www.fijiresort.com

Just think, you only need to pack an extra bikini!

Etihad via Abu Dhabi to the UK

Now Etihad have the codeshare flight with Air Seychelles you can enjoy a few days in the UAE, enjoying the exorbanent luxury of Arabic hospitality or perhaps visit on your outbound journey to purchase a few last minute Christmas presents 

Stay: Emirates Palace Hotel (5*) http://www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace/overview/ offering glamour and beach

Visit the worlds largest indoor theme park, where lovers of luxury cars and speed can experience the G-force felt by race car drivers at Ferrari World.

Turkish Airlines to the rest of Europe

Their premium economy service is a class above the rest and great value, usually only costing a fraction more than economy direct. With business class meals, wifi on board, 111 degree recline it’s a no brainer! Not to mention, Istanbul is an incredible city to visit with so much interesting history, architectural beauty and the food…!!!

Stay: Hotel Sultania (4*) http://www.hotelsultania.com location right in the old quarter, walking distance from the Blue Mosque, Bazaar and all the action down by the waterfront on the Bosphorous.

Brunei Airlines via Bandar Seri Begawan to/from Australian through to the UK

Say hi to the Probiscus monkeys with their funny-shaped noses, eat some salty and spicy foods at the markets in between visiting the decadant Royal Palace and various mosques. If golf is your thing, then this is the perfect stopover offering a breathtaking sea view championship course.

Stay: Empire Hotel and Country Club (5*) http://www.theempirehotel.com

Depending on the fare type, and the connection time, sometimes the airline will even pay for your night’s stay and include a sightseeing tour for you. What great value!

Philippine Airlines via Manila to Canada

Besides the endless amount of shopping malls (don’t miss the upper levels in Green belt 4 and 5, for some fantastic boutiques selling evening frocks by local designers), there’s some worthwhile daytrips or even overnight retreats just outside Manila.

Stay: Mandarin Oriental or Peninsula (5*) http://www.mandarinoriental.com/manila/ both in need of a refurb, but great location as they are walking distance to Green Belt Mall and not too far from the airport

Drive out for lunch with a view of Taal Volcano

The Farm, San Benito http://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com (approx. 1 hr car transfer from Manila) 

A true sanctuary where the use of mobile phones is restricted to your room and always on silent, delicious vegan food is prepared and you can work out, take yoga classes, detox, have colonics, acupuncture…they even offer flower arranging!

What a great way to recharge before facing the backlog of work emails post-holiday!

So next time you’re booking a long-haul trip last minute, spend the extra money on a a side trip rather than on a direct flight. Use the layover as a perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new.