Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.

Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

A Trip You'll Flip For
Giving you better options than stuffed toys, this deal lets you get close to little penguins, the smallest of the species, at about two pounds each. Bragging rights make the best souvenirs.

Melbourne from $669
Three nights at the Swanston Hotel Melbourne Grand Mercure; transfers; a half-day city tour; a visit to Phillip Island, where you can see little penguins waddle ashore at sunset; and a Colonial Tramcar Restaurant dinner. Airfare isn't included. When: Until Mar. 31. SS: From $329. Information: Qantas Vacations, 800/252-4162, qantasvacations.com.

Sydney from $1,642
United Airlines flights from L.A. to Sydney, transfers, and five nights at the Travelodge Sydney Hotel, three blocks from the Museum train station in the Central Business District. Includes fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 3. Other Gateways: New York ($1,758), Denver ($1,873), Chicago ($1,896). SS: $510. Information: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Cook Islands from $1,384
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Rarotonga, transfers, five nights in a garden superior room at the Edgewater Resort and Spa on the west coast of the island, and breakfasts. Airport taxes and fuel surcharges are included in the price. When: Until Dec. 31. Other Gateways: None. SS: $275. Information: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.

Fiji from $2,110
Air Pacific flights from L.A. to Nandi, transfers, seven nights in a sea-view bure (bungalow) at Crusoe's Retreat on Viti Levu's Coral Coast, all meals, a one-hour beachside massage, a mangrove jungle cruise and guided village visit, a traditional kava ceremony, a lei greeting, and more. Add $196 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: San Francisco ($2,190), Dallas ($2,450), Chicago ($2,490), Atlanta ($2,520), New York ($2,525). SS: $170. Information: South Seas Adventures, 800/576-7327, south-seas-adventures.com.