02 Mar 2026
Monday 2 March 2026: As summer slips away, Australia's leading luxury travel company, Luxury Escapes, has launched a “Follow the Sun” sale, offering discounted holiday packages and free flights for kids to the Maldives.
With demand for warm-weather escapes traditionally surging ahead of the cooler months, Luxury Escapes has also released limited-time packages to tropical hotspots including Bali, Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives.
The sale is designed for travellers to get in early and snag the best value deals ahead of peak winter demand.Packages cater to couples, friendship groups and families, with inclusions ranging from daily breakfasts and all day happy hours in Bali, to free return flights to the Maldives for children.
Kids Fly Free to the Maldives — On First-Ever Direct Flight from Australia
Leading the sale is a range of family-focused Maldives packages saving over $1,000^ per child, where children can fly free as part of Luxury Escapes' exclusive private charter service operated by Maldivian Airlines, marking the first-ever direct flight from Australia to the Maldives.
The nonstop service launches in May* and will significantly reduce travel time to the island nation, removing traditional transit stopovers and making the bucket-list destination more accessible. The Maldives bundle packages combines return flights on the dedicated charter service with resortaccommodation, and premium inclusions, positioning the destination as a luxe but value-driven option for families.
Luxury Escapes Co-Founder and CEO Adam Schwab said the sale responds to growing demand from Australians looking to extend the summer mindset.
“As soon as the seasons begin to change, we see a strong spike in searches for tropical destinations asAustralians seek out a holiday to look forward to as the country descends into the depths of winter. Planning ahead to secure value and guarantee a winter escape, is almost becoming a national sport.”
“What's particularly exciting is the appetite we're seeing from families. The Maldives has traditionally been viewed as a honeymoon paradise but it's also a great family destination. With kids flying free on our exclusive direct charter service, it's an incredibly compelling family holiday option.”
Southeast Asia Remains Top Winter Favourite
Bali, Thailand and Vietnam continue to rank among the most popular winter sun destinations for Australians, driven by flight accessibility, a vast range of high-end resort options and high-value package inclusions.Packages are on sale for a limited time, with travel dates spanning the upcoming autumn and winter period, including across the June/July school holiday period. Examples include:
MALDIVES
Flights + Luxury Five Star Accommodation
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
5 nights from $5,198^ per package
Includes direct return flights from Melbourne to Malé and accommodation for two adults and one child (11 and
under) in a Silver Sky Studio.
Inclusive of speedboat transfers, daily buffet breakfast, nightly dinner & use of snorkeling gear.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives & Flights
5 nights from $6,598^ per package
Includes direct return flights from Melbourne to Malé and accommodation for two adults and two children (11
and under) in a Mirage Panoramic Room.
Inclusive of speedboat transfers, daily buffet breakfast, nightly buffet or three course a la carte dinner & two
nightly drinks.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
5 nights from $7,998^ per package
Includes direct return flights from Melbourne to Malé and accommodation for two adults and two children (11
and under) in a Sunrise Beach Villa. Inclusive of speedboat transfers, daily buffet breakfast, daily a la carte
lunch, nightly dinner, spa treatment.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Cape Sienna Phuket Gourmet Hotel & Villas
7 nights from $1,299 for 2 people
On sale now until 17 March 2026
Inclusive of Daily buffet breakfast, daily choice of lunch or dinner, spa treatment.
5 nights from $2,499 for 2 people
On sale now until 11 March 2026.
Inclusive of Daily buffet breakfast, daily choice of lunch or dinner, spa treatment, unlimited rounds of golf.
Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness
5 nights from $1,399 for 2 people
On sale now until 9 March 2026
Inclusive of Daily buffet breakfast, daily set menu lunch, nightly set menu dinner, daily free flow drinks.
*Subject to government and regulatory approval, standard terms and conditions apply.
^ Kids (2–11 years) fly free on Maldives bundled packages only. Offer valid on packages purchased between 28 February – 29 March 2026. Not valid on standalone flights. Valid for weekly departures and return flights with the following travel periods (unless sold out): 8 June – 21 June 2026 or 27 July – 20 September 2026. Economy class seats only. Green tax of US$12 per person, per day is not included. ^Save over $1,000 per child is based on an average potential saving of $1,023 per child when booking flights bundled with accommodation.
For images click HERE.
For more information: Amanda Bolger, General Manager, Global PR & Communications amanda.bolger@luxuryescapes.com | 0402 137 071
