Savour a big, delicious bite of the Big Apple – the city that never sleeps, by booking return Air New Zealand flights and a five-night stay at the four-star Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square in New York. Priced from $3475pp, you'll stay in a Deluxe KingRoom. Daily breakfast is included. Travel from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch between May 1 and June 1. Book by Saturday, September 25. Contact: Flight Centre, 0800 427 555 or book online from your city of departure at flightcentre.co.nz/nycfromauckland, flightcentre.co.nz/nycfromwellington or flightcentre.co.nz/nycfromchristchurch
Melbourne Flower Show. Photo / Supplied
MELBOURNE IN BLOOM
Rated one of the top five flower and garden shows in the world, the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show is held at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens from March 28 to April 2 next year. Be escorted to the show all the way from New Zealand with expert guide and gardening celebrity, Jack Hobbs. Return airfares from Auckland, five nights' accommodation in central Melbourne and a two-day ticket to the show are priced from $3082pp, twin share. This package includes daily breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinners, free entrance to Cruden Farm and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Cranbourne. Contact: Damian at Pukekohe Travel, 0800 785 386, damian@pukekohetravel.nz or pukekohetravel.co.nz
A Sofitel stay in Paris. Photo / Travel Associates, Supplied
PRIDE OF PARIS
Five nights in five-star accommodation is a Parisian escape to the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, priced from $999pp, double-share. This luxurious hotel will serve daily buffet breakfasts and gift you a $141 Hotel Food and Beverage Credit, free Wi-Fi, a room upgrade when you arrive, and early check-in and late check-out. Book by September 30. Travel between March 1 and April 6 or between April 12 and 30. Airfares from New Zealand are additional. Contact: Travel Associates, 0800 951 655 or travel-associates.co.nz/parisstay
Sydney WorldPride: Ben Graetz as Miss Ellaneous. Photo / Anna Kucera, Supplied
SYDNEY MARDI GRAS
The first WorldPride event in the Southern Hemisphere begins in Sydney on February 17 and is set to transform the city with 17 days of colourful, bright, and bold celebrations – a mega-sized mardi gras. Three nights' accommodation and a ticket to the Rainbow Republic Event are priced from $999pp, twin-share. Flights from New Zealand are additional. Book by November 30. Travel from March 3 to 6. Contact: House of Travel, 0800 713 715 or houseoftravel.co.nz
Rathaus and christmas market in Vienna, Austria
DANUBE FOR DECEMBER
A 15-day Christmas and New Year European River Discovery Cruise will transport you along the beautiful River Danube in style, indulging your taste buds in seasonal local foods, regional wines and beers. There's onboard entertainment and a whole raft of onshore excursions to choose from, including city tours with expert guides. Priced from $9990pp for travel from Auckland, and from $10,189pp for travel from Christchurch, you'll be celebrating Christmas Day next year in Vienna and seeing in the New Year, 2024, with an on-board Gala Evening. Book by the end of this month - September 30. The cruise departs on December 19, 2023. Contact: My Cruises, 0800 030 408 or mycruises.co.nz/cruise/europes-enchanting-rivers-and-magical-christmas-markets/