The Northern Hemisphere winter is a magical time to visit Europe, with fewer crowds and the traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations in full swing. Flight Centre has 21-day tours of the highlights of Paris, Florence, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam. The tour includes aguide and driver, tours of the major cities visited, 20 nights' accommodation (minimum three-star), all breakfasts and nine dinners, from $3605 per person. The dates for the tour are from November 2007 to March 2008 but the deal doesn't include international flights. For details contact Flight Centre on 0800 35 44 48.
Cook Islands
Go Holidays is offering fun in the sun in the Cook Islands with return airfares and five nights' accommodation at the Club Raro Resort from $965 per person. The deal is for travel from January 29 to March 26 while the sale ends August 26.
Hong Kong
Air New Zealand is offering fares to Hong Kong of $1888 per person return, but the special ends this Wednesday so be in quick. Travel must be taken between December 2-31 - so consider spending your Christmas and New Year shopping, partying and dining out in this fascinating place.
Shanghai
If Asia appeals but you're not keen on Hong Kong, Air New Zealand also has a special deal on to Shanghai, also for travel in December. Tickets are from $1879 per person return and again, the sale ends Wednesday.
In the diary
December 29: The Orlando Citrus Parade, Florida, pulls in more than 80,000 spectators to the route through Downtown Orlando. It is famous for floats made from more than 100,000 pieces of orange, grapefruit and tangerine. The floats are accompanied by marching bands and characters from nearby Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World Adventure Parks.
