Holidays at home and abroad for every budget

By VICTORIA BARTLE

Under $1000

Great New Zealand Rail Tours has a five-day/four-night Glacier Express tour aboard the TranzAlpine Train departing Christchurch daily. Enjoy a spectacular journey through the heart of the Southern Alps, where picture-postcard scenery unfolds around every corner. The tour also visits the West Coast glaciers, Queenstown, Milford Sound (including a cruise) and Mt Cook, before returning to Christchurch. Price includes all transport, transfers, accommodation and sightseeing, and starts from $851 a person twin share.

Contact: Ph 0800 54 55 56 or see your travel agent.

Flight Centre has a special deal to Hong Kong with three nights' accommodation, until August 15. Package prices start at $899 a person, with accommodation upgrades available.

The deal includes return airfares to Hong Kong from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch with Cathay Pacific, and three nights' accommodation. Airport taxes are not included. There are set departures only, with travel available until August 20.

Contact: Flight Centre, ph 0800 354 448.

Under $1500

China Airways can get you to Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Rome - via Taipei - and back home, for $1479 a person.

The fare includes airport taxes and is valid for travel between August 31 and November 30. You must book by Thursday, July 31.

Contact: Destinations Unlimited, ph (09) 4141 680, email sales.dest@xtra.co.nz

Under $2000

Spend eight nights on Malaysia's beautiful island of Langkawi, with a night in Singapore along the way, from $1219 a person, twin share. Another $399 a person will get your accommodation upgraded to the Sheraton Langkawi, with daily breakfasts included.

The Sheraton also offers a $96 a person meal deal, which means you can have four dinners at the Karma Jaya Restaurant (equates to $24 a meal).

Flights are with Singapore Airlines and must be booked by Thursday, July 31.

Contact: House of Travel, ph 0800 246 669.

Commit to your Big OE by this Friday and you can get to Britain or Europe for as little as $1849 - your departure date is in October.

The return airfares - with Cathay Pacific - will take you to your choice of destinations - Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam or London. For travel in September, the fare increases to $1949, or $2049 during August.

Contact: House of Travel, ph 0800 246 669.

Under $8000

A fully escorted tour takes the roughing it out of the adventure of a visit to India. An October tour takes in the Taj Mahal, then loops through Rajasthan, with its stunning forts and temples, palaces and wildlife sanctuaries. The tour coincides with the Pushkar Camel Fair. Cost for 23 days starts at $7450 and includes airfares, transport on a private bus, most meals, and accommodation in mid-range hotels, palaces and castles.

Contact: Travel Smart, ph (06) 758 5712.