Getting away on a budget

By VICTORIA BARTLE


UNDER $1200

Packages to Bali are on sale until the end of this month from Great Holiday Escape, starting at $1199 a person (share twin). Return airfares to Bali from Auckland are included with six nights' accommodation and daily breakfast. Airport taxes are not included. Book and pay by January 30 and travel by June 16 this year.

Contact: Great Holiday Escape, freephone 0800 446 543.

A $1 DEAL

The famous Blue Lagoon cruises of Fiji are upgrading their passengers to a better spot on board for the token fee of $1 a person.

The bonus upgrades apply to cruises departing before March 31.

Cruises must be booked by January 31. A 25 per cent discount also applies to travel made before March 31 this year.

Contact: Destinations Unlimited (09) 4141 680.

UNDER $2500

A five-star-style holiday, flying to Sydney and cruising aboard the Pacific Princess for nine nights in an outside twin cabin is priced from $2489 a person and departs in three weeks. An outside cabin with a balcony will increase the cost of the package to $3121.

The fares include all meals on board, entertainment, port charges, taxes, cruise fees and the return airfare from New Zealand to Sydney for the February 17 departure.

Cabin numbers are limited, though there will be a second cruise, departing on February 27.

Contact: Joy McKinstry at the Cruise Centre at Lionworld Travel, freephone 0800 277 477.

UNDER $11,000

Take a "Gardening and Cultural Tour" through France and Southern Switzerland, with prices starting from $10,995 a person (share twin).

The "one off", 31-day tour which includes airfares, fully air-conditioned deluxe coach, daily breakfast in France, hotel accommodation and visits to 20 historical gardens, departs May 25.

The package is exclusive to House of Travel. Spaces are limited, and those who book and make a deposit by February 5 will receive a free umbrella and cabin bag.

Contact: House of Travel Takapuna, freephone 0800 825 2786