Hot deals: Luxury weekend within reach

By VICTORIA BARTLE

UNDER $350

Luxury is just a 40-minute drive out of Nelson on a pristine coastline, where you can unwind for two nights, be well-fed and even massaged. This retreat comes with return airfares and a rental car for three days, for $419 a person.

The "Winter Spa Retreat" is at a Mediterranean-style hideaway called Kina Colada. You'll stay in a twin-share studio room, be served daily breakfast and, at night, two-course dinners with a bottle of wine.

The package must be booked by September 30.

Contact: House of Travel, freephone 0800 838 747.

UNDER $620

Take seven nights away from daily home life and head for Norfolk Island for $619 a person, twin-share. This one requires true spontaneity - you must book by the end of business today, although you have until the end of the year to take the trip.

The price includes return flights with Air New Zealand from Auckland to Norfolk Island, return airport transfers and seven nights in a one-bedroom apartment at Hibiscus Regal and a Discover Island Tour. It also includes a free rental car, excluding insurance and fuel costs.

This package is valid until December 31 this year. Airport and departure taxes are not included.

Contact: Holiday Shoppe, freephone 0800 808 480.

UNDER $1080

If you missed out on tickets to see Andrea Bocelli in Christchurch, head across the Tasman and catch his concert in Melbourne in less than two weeks.

Two nights' accommodation at the five-star Stamford Plaza Melbourne, return flights from New Zealand, and a reserve premium ticket for the concert on September 11 is priced from $1076 a person, twin share. There's a bonus $200 companion discount offer, too.

Contact: Keith Prowse, freephone 0800 94 94 90.

UNDER $1500

Travel to Hawaii in time to see some of the 300 events that celebrate Aloha Week - a cultural celebration of music, dance and history on six different islands and attended each year by nearly one million people.

Although called "Aloha Week", the celebrations begin tomorrow and span two months.

Packages to Honolulu, including return airfares from Auckland and four nights' accommodation, are priced from $1499 a person, twin-share. (Add $100 if departing from Wellington or Christchurch). Airport taxes and insurances are not included.

Book and pay before September 30.

Contact: Flight Centre, freephone 0800 354 448.