Hot Deals: Cruising along the Rhine

UNDER $2700

Europe

Escape the New Zealand winter with a seven-night cruise along the Rhine from Basel in Switzerland to Amsterdam in Holland, departing in late July. Sleep and travel aboard Avalon Waterways' MS Tapestry as it plies the waters of the Rhine via Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Coblenz and Cologne.

The cruise is priced from $2602 a person and port taxes are an extra $91. All meals onboard and selected shore excursions are included. Flights to Zurich are not part of the package price but can easily be arranged.

Contact: House of Travel, freephone 0800 838 747.

UNDER $260 FOR TWO

If you've packed up the children and sent them to their grandparents these holidays, take some couples' time out in the bustling seaside town of Picton.

A Marina View room for two at Allports Boutique Accommodation at Waikawa Bay is down to $255 a night from almost $300.

This package includes chocolates, port, and full breakfasts with local produce.

Contact: Wotif.com, freephone 0800 441 092.

UNDER $3900

China

A grand tour of China by Auckland-based China Holidays is priced from $3849 a person, but readers who mention Herald Travel can get $200 off. All meals and entrance fees are included. Air fares are extra.

Highlights of the 19-day tour include seeing the giant panda in its natural habitat, visiting the Great Wall of China and cruising on the Yangtze River.

Contact: Travel 2U, freephone 0800 121 222.