You can now buy holidays at Aldi - here's what that actually means

Aldi supermarkets are well known for their travel-themed Special Buys that often fly off the shelves.Well now the retailer has taken things even further with the launch of Aldi Holidays - an online portal filled with exclusive travel deals for customers.From today, October 2, shoppers can access escapes, cruises, and tour deals to help plan their next holiday.Here's everything you need to know.READ MORE: The best places for a honeymoon in Australia, according to our readersWhat is Aldi Holidays?Speaking on Today about the launch, Editor of Australian Traveller Quentin Long said the launch would definitely benefit travellers."Of course you can't buy the holidays in the supermarket," he pointed out. "They have an online portal with exclusive deals you can't get anywhere else."READ MORE: Australian cruisers among the 'most dedicated' in the worldFrom $449pp the first deals available on the the Aldi Holidays online portal include escapes to Surfers Paradise, The Whitsundays, Fiji, Thailand or Hawaii. As well as cruises around the Pacific Islands or Japan and a range of adventures to South Africa, Europe or China.Aldi promises the holiday deals "still have all the frills attached" with options including room upgrades, tours, customisable experiences, and flights.READ MORE: One thing to do with your luggage at home before going to the airportHow does Aldi Holidays work?Aldi has partnered with travel experts, Ignite Travel Group to develop the platform."Customers can expect incredible savings with these exclusively curated holiday packages including flights, local experiences and more, covering some of the most popular destinations around the world, that can conveniently be booked online or via the dedicated ALDI Holidays Sales Centre," Ryan Thomas, CEO, Ignite Travel Group said.Quentin said this also adds another benefit."All the customer service will be done by Ignite, which is an Aussie company on the Gold Coast, which is great," he said.Similar to Aldi's Special Buys, there will be a limited number of exclusive holiday deals, which will be available until sold out."Iv'e looked at them and tried hard to 'hack' them but I couldn't. I tried to find a better deal," Quentin added."There are restrictions around certain dates. But they have really impressive prices."For travellers it is fantastic competition, which is always good."What does Aldi Holidays have on sale right now?These are the deals on offer right now on Aldi Holidays. Not all packages include flights.Escapes:5 nights in Daydream Island Resort, Whitsundays – From $899 pp twin share7 nights in Iririki Island Resort & Spa, Vanuatu – From $1,399 pp twin share7 nights in Novotel Phuket, Thailand – From $599 pp twin share5 nights in Novotel Surfers Paradise, Queensland – From $449 pp twin share7 nights in the Outrigger Resort, Fiji – From $1,799 pp twin share7 nights in Naviti Resort, Fiji – from $1,499 pp twin share6 nights in Waikiki Beach Marriott, Hawaii – from $2,399 pp twin share3 nights Mercure, Gold Coast – from $949 per room5 nights Mercure, Gold Coast – from $1,299 per room6 nights Grand Mirage, Bali – from $1,199 pp twin shareTours:10 Day Best of South Africa – from $3,990 pp twin share10 Day Best of Sri Lanka – from $2,590 pp twin share15 Day European Odyssey – $4,590 pp10 Day Great Wall & Warriors Tour – $999 ppCruises:9 nights Royal Caribbean Cruise through the Pacific Islands- from $1,499 pp twin share14 nights Celebrity X Cruise through Japan – from $4,990 pp twin share