Big surprises

It's whale season in Australia, and two of the best places to catch all the action are Hervey Bay - the whale-watching capital of the world - and nearby Fraser Island. Some of the hotels with whale sighting and accommodation offers include the Mantra Hervey Bay; its "Stay and Play" packages cost from 224 Australian dollars (Dh740) per night for two and from A$356 (Dh1,175) for a family (two adults and two children). Both packages include accommodation, a half-day whale cruise aboard the Quick Cat II (it is equipped with a hydrophone to detect underwater sounds), morning or afternoon tea and free return tickets if no whales are sighted. The packages are for a minimum two-night stay and are valid until October 31. Visit www.mantra.com.au for more information.

At Akama Resort, Hervey Bay's newest five-star property, whale watching packages start from A$245 (Dh810) per person, per night in a one-bedroom luxury apartment, and include an all-day humpback-sighting trip on a sailing boat or motorboat, round-trip transfers to and from the hotel, and breakfast for two at the in-house Marina restaurant. The package is valid until October 31. Visit www.akamaresort.com.au.

Or stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island for two nights to enjoy a "Fraser Tour and Whales Superticket", which includes a 4WD adventure tour of the island (with lunch and national park fees) and a whale-watching cruise, as well as all ferry transfers, for A$278 (Dh920) per person, per night based on two people sharing a double room. The package is valid until October 31. Visit www.kingfisherbay.com. All prices include taxes. For more information on whale watching in Hervey Bay, go to www.whalesherveybay.com.au.

Check into Yorkshire's Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa for two days of glorious autumn walks in the beautiful countryside with the "Get Your Boots Muddy" package. The picturesque town of Helmsley, where the Feversham Arms is located, sits in the heart of walking country with all kinds of trails on your doorstep: from the famous Cleveland Way to long footpaths that wind around the edge of the North York Moors, with views over the valleys below.

The package includes two nights' accommodation, a traditional Yorkshire breakfast, a three-course dinner each evening, a gourmet picnic hamper, early morning hot drinks, guidebooks for use during the walks and access to Verbena Spa, which offers treatments to soothe tired limbs such as "Sole Delight" and "Bubbling Mud for Boys". Double rooms cost from 105 British pounds (Dh600) per person, per night, down from £135 (Dh770). The offer is valid until December 19 for a minimum stay of two consecutive nights from Sunday through Thursday. All prices include taxes. For further information, visit www.fevershamarmshotel.com or call 00 44 1439 770766.

Head for Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman, and spend a week relaxing by the sea, sailing in a dhow at sunset and learning how to whip up Arabic food. The resort has put together a seven-day package based on two people sharing that includes accommodation in a pool villa, breakfast, arrival by paraglider or speedboat, a sunset cruise, a free Arabic cooking class (lunch), one signature spa treatment per person and a dhow cruise. Prices start from US$5,171 (Dh18,990) for a pool villa, including taxes. Visit www.sixsenses.com for more information.

Take advantage of Amari Rincome Chiang Mai's weekend promotion and spend two days in Chiang Mai, in the high mountains of rural northern Thailand. The two-night package costs from 4,600 Thai baht (Dh540) for accommodation in a double room based on two people sharing and includes taxes, a welcome drink upon arrival, breakfast and lunch, one traditional Thai massage for 120 minutes per person, round-trip airport transfers, a shuttle service to the local Sunday night market (the bus leaves the hotel at 6pm and returns at 8.30pm), a 15-per-cent discount on all food and beverages at any of the resort's restaurants, as well as 20 per cent off on laundry service, if you are feeling lazy. The package is valid for weekend stays until October 31. Visit www.amari.com for more details.

ciyer@thenational.ae