The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on a V Australia carrier to Sydney, four nights' accommodations, a guided tour of Sydney Opera House, a two-hour Rocks Pub Tour with one alcoholic beverage or soda at each pub, and a one-hour Discover Bondi Guided Tour, from $875 per person — plus taxes of $130.
When: Through Oct. 31, 2009.
Gateways: L.A.; add-on charges for most other major U.S. gateways range from $50 to $200, depending on the city and departure date.
The fine print: Taxes are an additional $130 per person. Breakfast and airport-hotel transfers are not included. Based on single or double occupancy. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: May 31, 2009.
Contact: Down Under Answers, 800/889-1464, duatravel.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, the lowest round-trip airfare between L.A. and Sydney for travel in early June is $656 with taxes (V Australia). For an additional $349, the Vivid Sydney getaway covers international airfare as well as four nights' accommodations, a tour of Sydney Opera House, a Rocks Pub Tour (plus a drink at each pub), a one-hour Discover Bondi Guided Tour, and taxes.
Tour highlights: Guided tour of Sydney Opera House called the Essential Tour. A two-hour Rocks Pub Tour including a drink (alcohol or soda) at each pub. A one-hour Discover Bondi guided tour.
This package is timed to coincide with Vivid Sydney, a new international music-and-light festival taking place from May 26 to June 14, 2009. For its inaugural year, the festival will feature Luminous — a concert that combines music, art, and light — curated by musician Brian Eno and performed at Sydney Opera House; Smart Light Sydney, a series of dynamic light sculptures; Fire Water, a free three-day affair that combines wooden fire sculptures, lighting installations, and flame-grilled food; and Creative Sydney, which consists of seminars on visual arts, music, performing arts, and design. (If you can't make it for the festival, you can still take advantage of this package — it's valid through the end of October.)
Lodging: Four nights in a standard room at Vibe Hotel Sydney, near Chinatown, the Capitol and State theatres, Hyde Park, and Oxford Street. Darling Harbour — a busy shopping area — museums, and the Sydney Entertainment Centre are a quick walk away.
More: If you'd like to extend your stay at Vibe Hotel Sydney, expect to pay anywhere from $97 to $119 per room per night for standard accommodations with twin beds or a queen-size bed in May and June. Check the hotel's Web site for up-to-date room rates.