Escape to the End of the World

Little Time, Much Money? Missing the summer already? If you are, or you’re simply looking to escape for a few days (and I mean really escape)—and money isn’t much of a consideration—this might be the deal for you.

Until November 30, private island resort Velaa, in Noonu Atoll, north of Malé in the Maldives, is offering weekend escape packages for those looking to flee the hustle and bustle of the city. The offer, for a minimum of three nights at selected villas/residences and valid through November 30, is aimed at people who don’t have a lot of time but want all the “signature experiences” the island paradise offers.

These are pretty tempting: All the water sports you can imagine including a two-passenger private submarine and variety of other high tech toys, a Clarins spa, the world’s first “short game” Golf Academy, personal butler service and Michelin-star dining. The deal also includes seaplane transfers from Malé, spa treatments and extra beds for children.

Here’s the tricky part: prices start at $14,725 per night for a Beach Pool Villa, through to $147,250 per night for the four-bed, 14,500 square foot Velaa Private Residence. Noonu Atoll, Maldives, (+960) 6565-000, velaaprivateisland.com.

Designs on a Longer Vacation Want a longer holiday, free of charge? Sounds like a no-brainer to us.

Design Hotels is offering various winter specials at 70 of its properties worldwide. Extend your stay from now until March 13 with the 3-for-2 nights or 7-for-5 nights deals; get a free upgrade to the next available room category (minimum two nights), or save 10 percent off the best available rate (minimum two nights).

Some of the trips look pretty tempting: skiing in Switzerland, arty excursions in Sydney or a stay in a traditional Khmer village close to Angkor Wat. designhotels.com/deals.

Bidding for a Guilt-Free Getaway Preferred Hotels & Resorts, which represents a global collection of independent luxury hotels, will host a charity auction from November 2 through November 13, inviting travelers to bid on one of 10 two-night stays at five hotels around the world.

With opening bids starting at a 50 percent discounted rate, the hotels involved are the Montage Beverly Hills (California), Montage Kapalua Bay (Hawaii), Montage Laguna Beach (California), The Siam (Bangkok) and the Hotel Majestic & Spa (Paris).

All of the proceeds will go to Love146, an international human rights organization whose mission is to end child trafficking and exploitation. charitybuzz.com/preferredhotels.

Senior Movement In celebration of Senior Citizens’ Day on November 15, Dragonair is offering those aged 65 or above in Hong Kong and Macau a 25 percent discount on tickets in all classes, to a wide range of destinations.

This is the ninth consecutive year the airline has made the gesture “as a way of expressing heartfelt thanks for the contribution senior citizens have made to the growth and development of Hong Kong.” Thanks, guys!

The promotion includes many of Dragonair’s popular regional destinations including Bali, Fukuoka, Penang and Taipei. Tickets must be issued by November 23, 2015 for travel between now and March 20, 2016. Blackout periods apply over Christmas and Chinese New Year periods. 2747-3333, dragonair.com.hk.

All Aboard Think cruise line holidays are just for rich old folk? Wrong—they’re for rich folk of all ages! Or at least they might be now ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has launched a range of bespoke voyages aimed at families and friends which incorporate a wide variety of options for the “young and the young at heart.”

Itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Pacific, Australia, both polar regions and more than 800 destinations in between. In a bid to appeal to younger family members, there are dozens of activities that can be mixed and matched, from vineyard tours to fishing expeditions, golf, snorkeling and more.

Example destinations for the all-inclusive cruises include the nine-day “Vietnam In-Depth” Singapore to Hong Kong voyage (from $33,900 per person); the 16-day “Discover New Zealand” cruise from Dunedin to Honiara/Guadalcanal (from $94,000); the 18-day Valparaiso, Chile to Fort Lauderdale voyage (at $67,800 per person); and Valparaiso to Ushuaia, Argentina 18-day cruise ($140,700). 800-908-793, silversea.com.