Australian discount travel site, Direct Flights, is offering low-cost airfares with Air India on direct flights to Goa and Nagpur in India. The fares are on sale until November 30 and are for departures from November 19 to January 16.

Goa, in the south, is India's smallest state, known for its beaches and architecture. Nagpur in the north is a gateway to tiger reserves. The return fares to Goa are from $1043 ex Sydney and $1056 ex Melbourne. The return fares to Nagpur are $1072 ex Sydney and $1085 ex Melbourne.

Fares are subject to change and availability and conditions apply. Phone 1300 234 909. See directflights.com.au.

BURMA WITH THE LOT

Save up to $3850 a cabin and receive free flights on the Burma & the Treasures of Malaysia 14-night cruise tour, operated by Voyages to Antiquity. This educational tour includes two nights in Singapore, a 12-night small ship cruise taking in Malaysia, Thailand and Burma, nine sightseeing tours and all meals when onboard.

The offer represents 20 per cent off all cabin types, free flights ex Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide  to Asia and a $100 a person discount when booking with Cherry Picked Travel. Prices start from $4140 a person, twin share in a Premium Inside Cabin.

Cruise tour departure date is February 28, 2015. Offer ends December 31. Phone 1300 159 115. See  cherrypickedtravel.com.au/burmacruise.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Explore the cities of Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Minsk, Warsaw and more on Trafalgar's 16-day Cossack Explorer guided holiday, currently one of a suite of tours discounted under the company's CostSaver banner.

CostSaver tours offer 3-4 star accommodation, buffet breakfasts, and dinners for up to half the tour's duration. They favour free time and optional experiences.

This example is priced from $3085 a person twin share, a saving of $330 a person if booked by December 18. Departures are available April 18 – September 26, 2015 and include travel by luxury coach, quality accommodation and airport transfers. Phone 1300 663 043. See Trafalgar.com.

FIVE-STAR DUBAI

Fly to Europe and have a five-star Dubai stopover with Creative Holidays. Creative has a number of Dubai stopover packages on the go. This example covers flights to Europe with Emirates and four nights at the five-star Mina A'Salam – Madinat Jumeirah with breakfast and a choice of lunch or dinner daily. Other inclusions are a complimentary bottle of wine, unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark, daily shuttle service to Mall of Emirates, free Wi-Fi, private return airport transfers and An Evening of Elegance Dinner Cruise.

The price is from $2885 a person, twin share departing Sydney. Valid for sale till December 5 and travel May 27-June 5 and August 16-September 22, 2015. Phone 1300 747 400. See creativeholidays.com.

CIRCLE WORK

Aurora Expeditions' 2015 European Arctic season packages include return economy flights from Australia and flights within Europe.

The deal applies, for instance, to the 19-day Across the Arctic Circle package, which covers a 14-day cruise and pre and post accommodation. The cruise features a complimentary photography workshop by Aurora Expeditions' expert polar photography, Scotland's Orkney and Shetland islands, Norway's fjords and an Arctic Circle crossing with plenty of wildlife, and scenic activities during the fertile, sun-filled summer season. Other inclusions: daily shore excursions, all on board meals and accommodation and an Aurora Expeditions jacket.

The Across the Arctic Circle package commences with departure from Australia on June 28,  2015 and starts from $11,995 a person, twin share.  Phone (02) 9252 1033. See auroraexpeditions.com.au.

JULIETTA JAMESON