Concorde Travel has come up with a novel way to see in the millennium - a party in the middle of the desolate Karoo, the semi-desert region of South Africa. There's no need to take a tent or billy can. Dress will be formal, cuisine will be first class, and guests will be sipping fine wines, many of them from the Cape. When the party ends, guests will roll into bed on board the Blue Train. The famous Blue Trains will leave Cape Town and Pretoria on December 31 and meet in the Karoo to see in the millennium. You'll need to dig deep, though. A twin share deluxe suite aboard the train will cost from $16,900 - and of course you'll have to buy your own air ticket to Johannesburg or Cape Town. Call Jillian Franks of Concorde at 2526 3391 or fax 2845 0485 if you are interested. Free air tickets Virgin Atlantic is offering Freeway members a free Premium economy class companion ticket if they purchase a return ticket in that class from Hong Kong to London. The full Premium economy fare ticket and free ticket must be issued together and the return trip must be completed by February 29. Virgin has also extended its free limousine service in the UK. All Upper class passengers in the south of England are now entitled to free limo service within 240 kilometres of either Gatwick or Heathrow. Business class passengers are also offered a free limo to their nearest regional airport if it is within 64kms and a free domestic flight to Heathrow or Gatwick for connections to the US or Hong Kong. Contact Virgin at 2532 3030. Companion deals Thai Airways is also offering special fares for two people travelling together. The deal is good for travel until December 19, and includes the following prices (for two return tickets). Bangkok or Chiang Mai, $3,940; Phuket, Seoul, Bali, or Penang (Malaysia), $4,940. Long haul journeys under the same deal are all priced at $9,240 for two tickets. The destinations are Frankfurt, Paris, London, Madrid, Munich, Zurich, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne or Sydney. Call Century Travel, tel 2543 2468. Copy for Signposts should be faxed to 2980 3140.