In search of the sun

The golden weather is officially ending. The barbecue's back in the shed, it's dark by the time you get home from work and Steven Fleming's popping up in every ad break, raving about the benefits of heat pumps.

Time to start plotting a sunny mid-winter sanity break. John Willson, United Travel's general manager, says thanks to the recession many people are waiting until the last minute to book and asking for shorter stays.

His advice is to tell a travel agent what you're after before you're actually ready to book.

"Once we know what you're looking for we can be sure to advise you of the best deals and help you plan your ideal getaway," he says.

But where to go? Catherine Woulfe asks Flight Centre and travel agents for advice on winter hotspots.

Gold Coast

It's hot because...

You only have to sit on a plane for a couple of hours, it's cheap and easy – especially with kids – and, crucially, the coldest the coast gets in winter is a positively balmy 9C (the average high is 21C).

Accommodation includes apartments with kitchens which takes a lot of hassle and expense out of family travel. And even if it rains, there's great shopping and five theme park "worlds" to lose yourselves in.

How much?

Packages of seven nights' accommodation, plus return flights, are selling for about $700 to $800 this week.

The Gold Coast offers a wide range of accommodation, from the five-star Palazzo Versace to basic apartments, and while a week spent in theme parks would quickly add up, there are plenty of cheaper activities if you're on a budget.

Getting there

It's usually cheapest to fly out from Auckland but, for an extra $50 or so, packages can be arranged to depart from Wellington or Christchurch, which is better than traipsing up to Auckland on a connecting flight.

Pacific Islands

It's hot because...

Like the Gold Coast, the islands are a cheap quick and non-threatening way for sun-starved Kiwis to get a fix over winter.

We know the tourist dollar will help Samoa get back on its feet after the tsunami, so we're still heading there in droves.

Fiji is enduringly popular, but it's Rarotonga that's really spiking this year – perhaps because lots of Kiwis have done the Fiji thing, and are ready to explore a bit further afield.

How much?

Rarotonga is generally the priciest option but there are some good deals to be had. This week five-night packages at the Club Raro Resort are going for just over $1000, but upgrading to a five-star beachfront suite will bump the price up to $1900.

Four nights in Fiji, plus flights, are going for $995, while five nights in Samoa, plus flights, cost $689.

Getting there

Much like the Gold Coast packages, flights to the islands leave all the main centres regularly, but there might be a $50 difference between them.

Cruising

It's hot because...

You only have to unpack once, you can cruise anywhere from New Caledonia to Alaska and packages are all-inclusive – except for alcohol, which is often sold on-board at duty-free prices – which makes budgeting easier. It's also a stress-free option for anyone freaked out by flying and a good way to meet people.

Cruising is becoming extremely popular and it's now cool among younger generations too.

How much?

It costs anything from $300 for a four-night cruise between Auckland and Brisbane, to $3600 for eight nights cruising around Egypt including four spectacular nights on the Nile.

In between there's a $1900 18-night package around Europe, departing from Venice and going to Croatia, Spain, Portugal and Brazil. Cruises around Turkey, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are popular.

Getting there

Some cruises depart from Auckland but otherwise you'll have to make your own way to Venice, or Cairo, or wherever your cruise departs from. The perfect excuse for a bit of tikki-touring on land.

Mexico

It's hot because...

Mexico had a nightmare 2009 season thanks to the outbreak of swine flu. But the flu has largely been contained and Mexico is bouncing back and it's at the top of Flight Centre's list of emerging winter destinations.

Our soggy, dreary winter is Mexico's hot and vibrant summer, and there are packages set up for adventure tourism, cultural experiences and those just wanting to tune out on a beach. It's also just a quick flight from Los Angeles.

The unusual thing about Mexico is that holiday packages often include unlimited alcohol – and not just cheap and nasty tequila.

Resorts are generally happy to provide buckets of Corona or ice-cold Jim Beam and Coke.

Plus there's the brag factor. There's something cool about being able to tell your friends you're flitting off for a week in Mexico.

How much?

Surprisingly little, especially now the New Zealand dollar is on the rise. One six-night package on sale now costs $3229 – that covers return flights from Auckland to Los Angeles and flights between LA and Guadalajara, the cultural centre of Mexico, and five nights in a superior deluxe room at the city's main hotel Fiesta Americana Guadalajara.

Unlimited food and drink – including liquor and house wine – as well as green fees at a nine-hole course, fitness and recreation facilities, activities and entertainment are all included, as are shuttle transfers and one-night stay at the LA airport's Holiday Inn.

Getting there

Flight Centre recommends flying a straight 12 hours from NZ to LA and either doing the Disneyland/Hollywood thing, or hopping on a three-hour flight to Mexico.

- © Fairfax NZ News