(Photo: Tom Schierlitz)

The Best Bet
Winter travel specials often push bargain-basement airfares for places nobody wants to go to in winter, or for sunny places in full monsoon season. But in Australia and New Zealand, it’s spring, with temperatures in the low seventies. Up till now, you would have paid thousands to get there, but until October 1, Air Tahiti Nui has one-way fares starting at $394 (based on round-trip purchase) to Sydney and Auckland, good for travel until December 8. Oh, and the price includes one stopover—in Tahiti (Air Tahiti Nui, 122 E. 42nd St., nr. Lexington Ave.; 212-922-1860; travel wallet, $440 at Smythson of Bond Street, 4 W. 57th St., at Fifth Ave.; 212-265-4573).