The canals of Amsterdam contribute to the city's unique personality. Photo / Jim Eagles

The canals of Amsterdam contribute to the city's unique personality. Photo / Jim Eagles

Gold Coast

With 70km of sandy beaches and 300 days of sunshine a year, beach bunnies have it made on the Gold Coast. Air New Zealand Holidays has a five-night deal from $1249 per person twin share including airfares and accommodation on the Gold Coast. Sale ends April 15, for travel May 12 to September 19, with some closeout dates. Contact 0800 737 000.

Amsterdam

House of Travel has land-only packages in Amsterdam for from $495 per person including two nights' accommodation at a three-star central hotel, breakfast daily, and a tour of Volendam and Marken. Return economy airfares flying Royal Dutch Airlines and Malaysian Airlines to Amsterdam via Kuala Lumpur from Auckland start from $2729 per person. For travel until November 5, with some closeout dates. For more information call: 0800 838 747.

Sydney

Emirates has return fares to Sydney from Auckland for $419, including taxes, from now until November 30. But there are lots of closeout dates. Check with www.itchyfeet.co.nz

Balloons over Waikato

If you are looking for something different to do between this coming week, try the Balloons over Waikato festival, running April 8-13. If you're headed to Hamilton Here's some great Wotif.com rates:

* Hotel Ibis, on the banks of the Waikato River, $129 per night, down from $250; www.wotif.com/hotelW5100

* Le Grand Boutique Hotel, a heritage-listed building in the CBD, standard rooms are $140 a night, down from $325; www.wotif.com/hotelW9386

San Francisco

Flight Centre has San Francisco holiday packages including return airfares from Auckland, five nights' accommodation, and transfers from $2079 per person, twin share. Sale ends April 11 for travel from November 1-27. Contact: 0800 35 44 48.

Thai food

A great holiday in Phuket, Thailand can be as much about the amazing food as it is about the perfect beaches. So why not attend an authentic Thai cooking lesson in Phuket, with classes ranging from three hours to several days. Some include a tour of the local markets. Flight Centre has Phuket packages including return airfares, seven nights' accommodation and transfers from $1599 per person, twin share. Sale ends April 11 for travel May 1 to June 30. Call: 0800 354 448.

Flight Centre Top 5

Sydney One way $179*
Brisbane One way $289*
Rarotonga Return $575*
Bangkok Return $1249*
Beijing Return $1629*

* Prices are per person departing ex-Auckland, are all inclusive, are correct as at April 2 and are subject to change without notice. Date & travel restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions please see www.flightcentre.co.nz

- Detours, HoS