A Sydney and Tahiti Combo

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare to Sydney, airfare between Sydney and Tahiti, and one night's accommodation in Tahiti from $978 per person.

When: Depart Feb. 9, 14, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28; Mar. 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 23, 28, 30; Apr. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27.

Gateways: New York City; add $180 for Baltimore, Boston; $250 for Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Greensboro, Norfolk, Tampa; additional cities available.

Details: Prices assume a seven-day stay and double occupancy. Single supplement is $80 for the first night at the Sofitel Resort Tahiti and $138 a night for each additional night. Hotel tax of about $2 is payable directly to the Sofitel Resort Tahiti. Airport taxes are an additional $145 per person. Local value added tax of 11% is included. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.

Book By: Feb. 13, 2007.

Contact: Air Tahiti Nui, airtahitinui-usa.com (booking must be made online).

The offer includes a round-trip flight on Air Tahiti Nui to and from Sydney and a stopover in Tahiti, plus a single night's stay at the 216-room Sofitel Tahiti Resort, which features balcony views of either mountains or a blue lagoon. The hotel has a private beach and a swimming pool. Add extra nights for $68 per person per night. Upgrades are available to the Le Meridien Tahiti or to the Sheraton Tahiti for $65 per person. If Tahiti isn't of interest, you may travel directly to and from Sydney without stopping there, but you don't save any money this way.

This offer does not include airport transfers. Expect to pay about $21 for a 10-minute taxi ride between Sofitel Tahiti Resort and Tahiti's international airport.

Book your stay in Sydney on your own and at your own cost (seven-night minimum required). For an insider's take on the best places to stay, read our recent article on Where to Stay in Sydney.

Be aware that if you cancel your trip for most reasons, you will be out half the cost of the airfare.

Note that the flight from New York is a direct, 12-hour route, but other gateways may include layovers. In general, travelers reach Sydney two days after their departure from the United States, once you account for the time difference and travel time. When they return, they regain their "lost" time.

Among the highlights of Sydney are the new Wildlife World theme park in the heart of the city, featuring about 6,000 animals, such as wallabies and koalas. Tickets are $27 per person.

Sydney and Tahiti have sunny, tropical weather now through May. Before you go, check out the current forecast by clicking here. Find the exchange rate and local local time. For tips on excursions and nightlife, visit the official websites for Australia, Sydney, and Darling Harbour.

What Makes This a Deal? In comparison, the lowest round-trip fare for a mid-February departure is $1,816 from Baltimore (flying on Delta Air Lines). For $720 less, Air Tahiti Nui covers the airfare--including flights to and from Tahiti--and a one-night hotel stay in Tahiti. Flights from other cities, such as Atlanta and Chicago, are upwards of $2,100 per person, so even if you don't live in New York City, it's worth buying the sale fare and a separate ticket on a discount airline to New York City.

Option B: If you prefer a Sydney and Melbourne package for $1,899 per person, note that ATS Tours is offering a package with a four-night stay at the 256-room Ibis Darling Harbour--in the heart of Sydney's tourist district--and a three-night stay at the 250-room Ibis Melbourne--in Melbourne's theater district--with round-trip airfare on Qantas. Flights on Qantas between the two Australian cities are also included. Book through Mar. 28, 2007. Gateway is Los Angeles; add $90 for San Francisco; $220 for Seattle; additional cities available. Hotel taxes are included. Airport taxes and fuel surcharges are an additional $153 to $250 per person. Contact ATS Tours, 888/781-5170, ATSTours.com.

More on Australia:

Sydney Snap Guide

Dream Trips: Sydney