Early booking catches the deals

By STEVE HART

If you're thinking of getting away for Christmas, or taking a summer break, you had better hurry - the best deals are going fast. Flights are filling up and holiday packages are being booked. Many holidaymakers are already facing disappointment after not being able to get the destinations or flights at prices they had hoped for. People are simply leaving it too late, said one travel agent. So now is the time to grab the best of the rest.

We've scoured the internet and shopping centres to find the top packages to help you to find the perfect end-of-year break for less than $2000 a person.

First stop was Harvey World Travel where seven nights in Vanuatu costs from $1159 a person twin share.

The holiday includes return economy class airfare to Port Vila from Auckland flying Air Vanuatu, return airport transfers and accommodation at Le Meridien, Port Vila Resort & Casino, in a standard room.

Set within 20ha of landscaped tropical gardens on Erakor Lagoon, the resort has one swimming pool where introductory scuba diving lessons are held and a second swimming pool with children's wading pool and Vanuatu's only international casino.

As an added bonus to the package there is free continental breakfast every day and use of non motorised watersports gear. This package is for travel between November 1 and December 27.

Fancy five nights in Hong Kong? Harvey World Travel offers a five-night cruise aboard the Super Star Leo, from $1999 a person twin share in a state room. The price includes return economy-class airfares on Cathay Pacific and Qantas, departing Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. This package is on sale until November 3 and is valid for travel between October 30 and November 30.

* Harvey World Travel, ph: 0800 427 839

Go Holidays is offering seven nights at the Cairns Village Resort, Australia, with return economy flights with Air New Zealand from Auckland for $1179 a person twin share.

The resort's accommodation is set in tropical landscaped gardens featuring a lagoon-style pool, tennis court, restaurant and bars.

The offer is available until March 31 next year and travel is valid between November 1-December 14 and January 11-March 31 next year.

Club Fiji is also worth considering. Situated 8km from Nadi International Airport on the main island, and just 4km from Nadi Town, Club Fiji is surrounded by sugar-cane farms and small, winding dirt tracks. The resort's lush tropical gardens provide an almost rustic setting. Coconut palms abound, as do colourful native plants such as bougainvillea, allamanda, and heliconia.

Five nights there costs from $923 a person twin share.

The price includes return economy-class travel with Air Pacific to Nadi. It is available to buy until this Thursday (October 31) with travel taking place from November 1 to December 14 and January 17 to March 31 next year.

You could also consider five nights at the Naviti Resort on Fiji's famous Coral Coast. It is ideal for family holidays or the perfect romantic getaway and is, says the operator, the only all-inclusive resort on the Coral Coast. This package is available until October 31, and includes return economy airfares with Air Pacific from Auckland to Nadi, and buffet breakfast, for $1223 a person twin share.

You can travel from November 1 to December 14 and January 17 to March 31 next year.

The Copthorne Kings Hotel is the perfect place for your tour of Singapore. Four nights' accommodation, including American breakfast, is $1519 a person twin share.

The hotel is near Robertson Quay and is perfectly placed for shopping trips, the entertainment areas of Chinatown, Orchard Rd and Marina Square.

Fly Singapore Airlines from Auckland or Christchurch and travel any time until November 19 or between January 15 and March 31 next year.

* Go Holidays, ph 0800 464 646.

Summer sun is always on hand at the Gold Coast, and now sunlovers can get there for less. Flight Centre has seven-night packages to the Gold Coast starting from around $700 a person departing Auckland, including return airfares with Qantas and twin-share accommodation.

Sales are until March 17 next year and are valid for travel between November 1-30 and February 10 and March 31.

Mamma Mia, the musical sensation featuring 22 of Abba's best-known songs, is guaranteed to have theatre-goers singing and dancing in the aisles. But you don't need lots of money, money, money, to get there.

Now playing in Sydney, this smash-hit musical is another good reason to cross the Tasman.

Flight Centre is offering package holidays to Sydney that include theatre tickets, three nights' accommodation, return airfares with Qantas and a four-track Mamma Mia CD.

Prices start from $939* a person departing Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch and are based on twin share.

* Contact Flight Centre, ph 0800 354 448.

*Prices subject to currency fluctuations and availability.

* Specific terms and conditions apply to many of the packages listed here.