(From above): The Grand Palace in Bangkok; Orchard Road, which lies at the heart of Singapore; an aerial view of Redang, an island off the coast of Malaysia

No prizes for guessing where you can still get a room at a rock bottom $30. Bang on: Bangkok. Or where can you head if you want to combine an on-land/cruise vacation without giving your wallet a heart attack? Right again: Singapore or Malaysia. Much closer home, where could a pocket-friendly three-day stint include a jaunt to the hills and the beach with tea estates and spice gardens thrown in as a bonus? Right, once again: Sri Lanka. Still want three good reasons to visit these destinations that you have visited countless times? Well: value-for-money, value-for-money and yet again, value-for-money.

If that’s not enough, here’s some food for thought: Malaysia’s Annual Mega Sale Carnival is on from July to September. Also, the ongoing Colours of Malaysia promos and the Food and Fruits Fiesta are worth indulging in. What’s more, the Great Singapore Sale is also till July 23.

The bottom line is that these destinations love tourists and are going hammer and tongs to keep them coming. So holidaymakers can’t ask for more. The deals are pouring in as flag-carriers tie up with their respective tourism boards as well as Star Cruises (aboard SuperStar Virgo that sails in the Asia Pacific region). And, the best news is that the packages are valid for many more months and even your neighbourhood travel agent is throwing in pocket-friendly itineraries to the destinations. Any takers?

Go Thai

Thailand is easily the hands-down winner as far as mind-boggling bargains are concerned. Starting this month (which heralds the arrival of the low season in Thailand) airfares to Bangkok are down by some 10 per cent. Now you can fly Thai Airways International to Bangkok for Rs 12,000 (as compared to Rs 14,000 of the last few months). In Thailand, a 3-star hotel room night can cost an affordable $30 to $45. Thai will also take you to Malaysia and Singapore for less so you can expect to pay the special fare of Rs 14,000 (rather than 15,300) on the airline.

You can also opt for the attractive Royal Orchid Package Holidays courtesy Thai Airways for vacationing within Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and other destinations where the airline flies. The two-night and three-day packages start at $60 per head on twin-sharing for two nights. If you stay in a 5-star hotel, that could push the cost to around $85 to $90 (airfare not included). And this includes airport transfers, stay, breakfast and half-day sightseeing.

Singapore sojourn

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is celebrating 20 years of touching down in Delhi, so it’s unleashing a host of special deals. A three-night, four-day package to Singapore (valid till September 30) costs just Rs 21,999 and takes care of return airfare, accommodation, breakfast, hotel transfers and half-day sightseeing tour.

Or, if you are travelling to other parts of the world on SIA, it’s possible to stop over at the Lion City for just an extra $30 and enjoy the destination with plenty of discounts and freebies thrown in. The Singapore Stopover promo comes courtesy Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines and when you fly SIA next, your boarding pass will be your golden key to the island nation.

When booking a Singapore Stopover Holiday, just inform your travel agent or SIA about it and pay an extra $30 when buying the ticket. On your arrival in Singapore, pick up your identification card and discount vouchers at the SIA Singapore Stopover Holiday counter at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport.

The stopover deal will also help you get accommodation in star category hotels at huge discounts and you can actually get a room in Singapore between $30 and $88. You’ll also get free hotel transfers and a 50 per cent discount on meals at the hotel.

The boarding pass will also help you get freebies like rides on the SIA tourism hop-on bus; admission to Sentosa Island, Jurong Bird Park; coffee at Coffee Bean outlets; and further discounts at stores etc.

Malaysia calling

Now here’s an offer that’s galvanised many a family on a twin destination summer jaunt. Tourism Malaysia’s One Perfect Price land and cruise package promises to be action packed. For Rs 17,777 per head, one can zip for six nights and seven days between Singapore and KL and also cruise aboard SuperStar Virgo (that’s two nights each in Singapore and KL and another two on SuperStar Virgo).

The package cost includes stay (twin sharing), breakfast, half-day city tours of Singapore and KL as well as airport transfers. In case you’re wondering, airfare has not been included in the deal due to two factors: competitive airfares; and the choice of airlines available. So pick your own airline to get you to KL. This is valid till September end.

Cruise control

But if all you want to do is cruise Asia, then Star Cruises has all the answers. Your options range between three-night and six-night cruises ex-Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand. A two-night cruise with a touchdown at KL (or alternatively Pulau Redang) will cost about Rs 13,500. But book 45 days in advance and pay Rs 11,500. Another three-night trip from Singapore to Langkawi and Phuket (or Penang and Phuket) costs near Rs 20,800. But with the 45-day supersaver, pay Rs 17,700. But a five-night trip is more expensive at Rs 32,000 and touches Bangkok, Ko Samui, Hua Hiu and Kota Kinabalu (the cruise takes you to any two of these places). The 45-day supersaver will cost Rs 27,200. A seven-night trip is costliest at Rs 44, 300 (costs per person on twin sharing, including meals on-board, accommodation, excluding airfare to Singapore).

In the passing

But if you’d rather stay close to home, then try SriLankan Airlines. A three-night four-day trip will get you to Colombo for Rs 19,000. And this will include return airfare, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers and sightseeing in Colombo.

My favourite holiday

Mona Lamba,
fashion designer

I’ve had the good fortune of travelling extensively, but there’s a small place in the state of Arunachal Pradesh called Debang that has remained a favourite with me ever since I first went there. About 10 years ago, I was based in Assam and lived on a tea plantation and sometimes we’d drive down to nearby places. It was on one such getaway that we visited Debang, which is situated close to the Burma border. The town is located at the confluence of two rivers and in the distance, the mountains loom large.

What makes Debang a winner in my book is the fact that it offers you nature at its unspoilt best ? wide open spaces, scenic locales and fresh mountain air. Another plus is that it’s far from being a ‘touristy’ place, which then makes it just perfect for those craving some peace and quiet.

When we’d visit Debang, we would stay in the government guest house there and this was a place with no electricity. Yet we loved it, for it was like we’d stepped back in time.

I’ve been to Debang a number of times, but give me chance, and I’d go there again in a shot.

Route map

Calling true adventurers only! Sofia House of Tourism in the city is offering a trip to a wildly beautiful and rugged land that only a few can ever hope to access — the Arctic. This is a land that throbs with life during the brief northern summer. Called Extraordinary Arctic Experiences, the seven-night, eight day package costs a hefty Rs 2,02,619 (there’s also a deposit of about Rs 62,026), but promises to be a trip of a lifetime. Guests will be put up at the Bathurst Inlet Lodge at Bathurst, 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle and will get an opportunity to interact with locals and partake in daily naturalist activities. The Lodge is a haven for naturalists, and you may be housed in new cabins overlooking the Burnside Delta, in a 2-bedroom house, or even in a historic building that served as a warehouse in the trading post days. The package price includes all meals, air transfer to Bathurst Inlet from Yellowknife and back. The trip to Yellowknife in Canada is at your own cost. Yellowknife is served by Canadian Airlines and First Air (Air Canada) from Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg, which in turn offer excellent connections to the rest of the world. The Arctic tours — the only ones this year — begin on July 3, July 10, July 17 and July 24. For more, log onto www.lesserknownplaces.org or Sofia at 55217261.