Hot deals: Vienna in the springtime, Vienna in the fall

UNDER $1600

A return flight to Vienna in April or October is at a record-low price of $1599 a person with Malaysia Airlines. Departing from Auckland three times a week, book a flight between April 1 and 30 or October 1 and 31. If you choose to go between May 1 and September 30, the price increases to $1774 a person. The flight includes a 14-hour lay-over from dawn to dusk in Kuala Lumpur on the return flight.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel, (09) 353 2626

UNDER $1900

Malaysia Airlines also has a special return-flights offer to London or a choice of seven different cities in Europe for $1899 a person. Departing daily from Auckland, choose to fly to London, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Manchester, or Rome, Paris, Stockholm or Zurich. Departures are between March 1 and 31. Availability of seats is limited.

From April 1 to May 31, the price increases to $1999, and from June 1-30 the cost is $2099 a person.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel (09) 353 2626

UNDER $460

Get to the Southern Lakes Festival of Colour in late April with a flights and accommodation package from Auckland to Queenstown priced from $455 a person. Set in Lake Wanaka between April 27 and May 1, the festival features more than 40 shows and exhibitions ranging from music and dance to theatre and the visual arts.

From Christchurch, the packages cost from $328 a person, and from Wellington, $460 a person. Accommodation is for two nights, with a three-day car hire option for $84 a person.

Contact: United Travel, freephone 0800 730 830 and for festival tickets, contact Ticket Direct, freephone 0800 484 2538.

On the web: www.festivalofcolour.co.nz.

UNDER $140

Two people can stay in Brisbane for $136 a night with a special accommodation package that includes cooked breakfasts. Normally more than $200 a night, the bed and breakfast rooms are at the Riverside Hotel Southbank. Flights are not included.

Contact: Wotif.com, freephone 0800 441 092 or book on-line, www.wotif.com/Hotel.jsp?hotel=187