Jane E Fraser Deals Insider Monday, November 2, 2009 Jane E Fraser is an award-winning journalist who's been writing about travel and business for the last fourteen years. Every week she uses her inside knowledge of the industry to bring us the best, independently chosen travel deals out there.

Here are Jane's picks for this week:

Early-bird deals

I've been wading through an avalanche of early-bird flight deals and these are some of the best I've found, along with the Thai Airways fares featured last week. Fares to London start at $1579 on Japan Airlines, for travel next year. Find out more: www.travel.com.au

Christmas — elsewhere!

Your mum will hate me for this, but if you want to get out of the family Christmas, Intrepid Travel has some great trips which happen to be departing in late December and also happen to be discounted by 20 percent. I like the sound of Christmas in Mexico — less than $1000 for 15 days, not including flights. Find out more: www.intrepidtravel.com

Summer in the Snowies

I love this family deal for the eco-designed Alpine Habitats holiday homes in the Snowy Mountains near Thredbo, New South Wales. For $700, you get three nights' accommodation, a family dinner, a food platter at the Thredbo Valley Distillery, a breakfast hamper and pony rides for the kids. Find out more: www.alpinehabitats.com.au

Japan flights

If you're heading to Japan for the ski season, you'll find it hard to beat these airfares — from $1185 on Japan Airlines. They're on sale until the end of November, but get in quick! Find out more: www.directflights.com.au

Asian cruising

This 12-night cruise really is a bargain, with flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide included. The cruise departs from Fremantle and includes Lombok, Bali and Broome, from $1219 per person. Find out more: www.pocruises.com.au

Gold Coast accommodation

This three-night accommodation deal for the four-star Mantra Legends in Surfers Paradise works out at about $100 a night for two people. You can't argue with that! Find out more: www.escapetravel.com.au

Greek cruising

Early-bird deals aren't just for flights: save up to 30 percent on a Greek cruise for next year. The starting price for a seven-night cruise comes down to $1587, for travel between May and October. Find out more: www.tempoholidays.com

Byron short break

This is perfect if you need a break before the Christmas crazies start. You get four nights in four-star studio accommodation in Byron Bay from $215 a person. That's great value. Find out more: www.flightcentre.com.au

Bali, cheap

This is a cheap escape for the new year, including flights to Bali, six nights' accommodation and daily breakfast from $595 per person. Book by November 15 this year. Find out more: www.flightcentre.com.au

Cut-price Cairns

Stay at the Mantra Trilogy in Cairns for half-price with this $95 per room per night deal, based on a minimum three-night stay. The 4.5-star hotel is located on The Esplanade. Find out more: www.wotif.com