Consumer tips and news: Going Places

This deal gives a five-night package at Treasure Island Resort for half price.

From $849 per adult twin share, the package includes five nights in an Island Bure, transfers, free accommodation for kids up to age 11 and more.

On sale till April 30 for select travel dates until March 31, 2017. Phone 1300 883 887. See travelonline.com.

VANUATU

My Vanuatu is offering a seven-night Vanuatu holiday package that includes return airfares with Air Vanuatu, transfers, accommodation in a lagoon view room, breakfast and lots more.

Valid for travel select periods till November 27. From $1540 a person.

Valid for sale till May 14. See myvanuatu.com.au.

FAMILY

THAILAND

Stay eight nights at The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani, paying $999 a couple for a holiday that's valued up to $3599.

The package includes one child 11 or under staying free, breakfast, eight spa treatments and more.

Valid for sale till April 30 for travel until October 2017 with minimal blackout periods. Phone 1300 889 900. See LuxuryEscapes.com.

ASIA

P&O Cruises is offering great deals on Pacific Eden's inaugural Singapore season.

For instance, a 14-night round Singapore cruise departing on August 13 and including visits to nine ports across Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, costs from $849 a person quad share.

Sale on until April 27. See pocruises.com.au.

CRUISE

INDIA

This 14-day Best of India Escorted Tour is now $800 per person. It includes return flights to India, six nights in three- and four-star hotels with breakfast and a seven-night river cruise.

Cost is $3999 a person twin share. Departures: July 27 and August 11 and 18. Phone 1300 813 391. See ditravel.com.au.

EUROPE

In 2017, Avalon Waterways will introduce Active Discovery cruises, offering some energetic activities such as biking, hiking and canoeing along the Danube.

The new itineraries are currently subject to Avalon's Fly Free offer which applies to European cruises of 15 days or more. Another deal is discounted airfares of $789 a person with cruises of 7-14 days.

Book before May 31. Phone 1300 230 234. See avalonwaterways.com.au.

HOTEL

MELBOURNE

Save 25 per cent on stays at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf in Melbourne. It features panoramic views over the city or Yarra River and is well placed for access to the city, DFO and more.

This deal is valid for sale and stays till June 30. Rooms from $183 a night. Phone 1800 687 236. See hotels.com.

NEW ZEALAND

Luxury New Zealand properties The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs & The Farm at Cape Kidnappers are offering a Lodge Life package which gives NZ$400 credit for each night stayed that can be used on activities such as golf, spa treatments and tours. The package also adds lunch to the regular inclusions of breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapes and dinner.

Plus, the winter rate is nearly 60 per cent off high season, at $1490.55 per room per night twin share for stays May 1-September 30.

Phone +64 9 407 0010. See kauricliffs.com; capekidnappers.com.

GEBICKI TIP

In the European Union, if your flight reaches its destination more than three hours behind schedule you could be entitled to compensation of $365-877.

EXPERT OPINION

Chris Rizos, Professor of Geodesy and Navigation, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, the University of New South Wales

Q. What are the pitfalls of being too reliant on GPS when navigating foreign places?

A. GPS is the positioning technology based on tracking signals from a constellation of over 30 satellites owned and operated by the US government, but the device that we call "the GPS" is (typically) a smartphone that interacts with the GPS "chip" through software such as Google Maps, that is primarily a database of streets and points-of-interest.

Problems can arise when the street database is not up to date or contains errors, or even when the user types in the wrong address. GPS provides no location information in underground car parks, in tunnels, and in deep "urban canyons". Other technologies, which are less accurate, such as positioning using Wi-Fi, are used.

But the idea that we've lost navigational skills due to GPS – well, pre-GPS there were still people who could not read maps.

So the key here is common sense. There are so many cues to alert a traveller that something is amiss – distance travelled, time elapsed, signposts, advice from a local before commencing the journey. GPS is an aid. It should not be a substitute for basic situation awareness.

THE BIG ISSUE

PARIS THE BRAVE

As beautiful Paris was stunned by terror attacks twice last year, hotel bookings and other tourism indicators slumped dramatically.

But summer hotel bookings have skyrocketed on the back of the June UEFA Euro 2016 soccer tournament coinciding with Couture Week, plus the Tour de France in July. Add in significant hotel openings such as the re-opening of the iconic Ritz in June, "return to Paris" promotions such as Rail Europe's current "Paris We Love You" sale (raileurope.com.au), and French officials are optimistic of a return to normal sooner rather than later.

But is it safe?

"Neil Fergus, Chief Executive of Intelligent Risks, an Australia security, risk and crisis management consultancy, currently working with France says Australians should feel "reasonably confident".

Armed forces around iconic sites are one indicator of France's commitment to keeping Paris safe. But it's also what's going on behind the scenes.

Intelligence agencies are hugely resourced and have had remarkable success breaking up terrorism cells and thwarting any plans, says Fergus, adding that the Belgium attacks March 22 at Brussels airport and on the Metro "were acts of desperation by the remnants of a group in complete disarray and we now know the last members were expecting to be arrested by authorities at any moment."

"There is undoubtedly more work to be done," says Fergus. "The French Government is absolutely committed to resourcing its security agencies to enable them to adequately protect public safety."

As for the locals themselves, he says, "Parisians will not allow their lifestyle to be adversely impacted by terrorists and they continue to go about their business as normal, enjoying living in one of the most beautiful and evocative cities in the world."