Visit Santa's mobile 'North Pole' home in Sydney

By VICTORIA BARTLE

UNDER $500

Santa's "Kingdom", complete with a toy factory and mobile North Pole, is part of a shopping weekend package to Sydney that includes three nights' accommodation, twin share, priced from $499 a person.

The package is timed to catch the "brightest Christmas Tree in the Southern Hemisphere" and Carols in the Domain. Available for travel before December 29, with flights from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Airport taxes are not included.

Contact: Great Holiday Escape freephone 0800 446 543.

UNDER $1300

Return airfares on Royal Brunei from Auckland to Brunei are included in a four-night holiday package, priced from $1299 a person, twin share. On sale at Flight Centre until December 14. Airport transfers are included but airport taxes and insurances are extra.

Contact: Flight Centre freephone 0800 354 448.

UNDER $2000

Fly to Britain or Europe from $1999 a person with Singapore Airlines from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Add on three nights in London and a London Eye ticket from $99 a person or two nights in Paris and a one-day Museums and Monuments Card from $99 a person. Sales to December 15, departures February, March, October or November.

Contact: Travel or 0800 468 332.

UNDER $2050

Cathay Pacific is offering low season return airfares to London and Europe through the mid-season and a month into the usual high season prices. Return travel between January 1 and March 31 costs $2049. Add an extra $50 for travel between April 1 and June 30. This deal is only available for sales until December 19 and you can be out of the country for up to six months.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel (09) 353 2626. Email info@itchyfeet.co.nz

UNDER $2300

Pay $2289 and fly with Qantas from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch for a 10-night Pacific fly/cruise package sleeping in an inside cabin. Valid for departure February 17. Ports of call from Sydney are Fiji, Noumea and the Isle of Pines.

Contact: Travel or call 0800 468 332.