Until May 31, Visa debit and credit card holders have the chance to enjoy the ancient culture of Egypt or the picture-perfect landscapes of France, and other select destinations, for 15 per cent less with Emirates Holidays. A 5 per cent discount on other destinations will also be available until March 31, 2013. In Egypt, apart from admiring the pyramids, take a relaxing break in the picturesque city of Sharm Al Shaikh or cruise down the River Nile. If you are looking for a taste of Europe, choose from the sunny shores of Nice along the French Riviera or the chic boutiques and fine restaurants, local street cafés and the adrenaline-fuelled fantasy world of Disneyland Resort Paris. Also applicable to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt or Lebanon.

Skywards members will receive up to 20 per cent bonus miles when booking these packages. They can also redeem their miles for Skywards Gift Vouchers. For a full list of destinations and promotions, just log on to www.emiratesholidays.com

Bargain Down Under at Wolgan Valley

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is offering a Stay 3 Pay 2 package until June 30. The luxury Australian conservation-based resort located three hours from Sydney provides stay in a luxury Heritage Suite including daily gourmet meals and two nature-based activities per person per day for A$1,950 (Dh7,418). For bookings and more information call 00612-92909733 or write to reservations@wolganvalley.com.

Swissôtel comes to Mumbai

Mumbai, India's commercial and entertainment capital, will have another five-star business hotel in 2014. Swissôtel Grand Mumbai of the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts group will offer a total of 300 guest rooms, executive rooms and suites. The hotel, with its large conference room and banqueting facilities (1,600 square metres) will also have a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation — the Pürovel Spa & Sport centre.

The hotel will be close to the new metro line in the Andheri Kurla area where offices of numerous multinational companies are located, with easy access to the international airport and the rapidly expanding suburbs.

This will be the company's second hotel in India after Swissôtel Kolkata; it is due to start another project in Bengaluru.

Etihad Airways launches new flights; more in the wings

Etihad Airways now flies daily to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Two-class A320 service is the airline's first passenger service to East Africa and has 16 Pearl Business class and 120 Coral Economy class seats. The flight departs at 9.30am from Abu Dhabi, arriving at 1.20pm (local time) and departs at 2.30pm to arrive in Abu Dhabi at 8.15pm.

The airline plans to introduce flights to Nigeria in July. For more information log on to www.etihadairways.com

Call of Bali and the Maldives

Hire the Bali Confidential by The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah for three-night stay for 50 people with full board, full access to the spa and its services, yoga session twice daily, a cultural performance each evening at the resort's open-air amphitheatre, a cycling tour of scenic Mount Batur, cooking class hosted by the chef, rice paddy trekking and visit to the local village for $88,000 (Dh323,237).

If Bali is not where you wish to be, the just-opened Viceroy Maldives is offering a buy one get one free package which includes a two-night stay for the price of one with breakfast for two. If you are looking for a longer retreat, a seven-night stay will fetch you a complimentary upgrade to half board and 50 per cent off on return seaplane for two. The intimate 61-villa island resort is set on the archipelago's pristine Vagaru Island. Bookings are available through Destinations of the World, DNATA Holidays, Emirates Holidays, Etihad Holidays, Mubasher Holidays or Total Holidays. Don't forget to quote "Opening Special Hot Deal" when booking.

For more information and bookings log on to www.ttc.ae/travelagents

New spread at W Istanbul

W Istanbul has unveiled its new restaurant, Okka, that serves Turkish classics created by master chef Tolga Atalay in a contemporary bistro setting. The menu reads pomegranate marinated chicken, rose petal crème brûleé, fried semolina stuffed with lamb, as well as mezzeh specialties and 25 variations of kebab, while the world's first three-dimensional holographic belly dancer entertains. For more information, log on to www.whotels.com.