A three- night Golden Triangle holiday costs from £ 159 per person twin-share including three nights in a deluxe room with breakfast, and airport transfers from Chiang Rai. Book by Jan 15 and receive a 45- minute Thai massage. ( Valid for stays from May 1 to June 30). Golden opportunity Want to wake up to a misty northern Thai sunrise, ride an elephant through the bamboo jungle and take a thrilling longboat ride up the Mekong river to Laos? Check- in to Thailand's Anantara Golden Triangle resort EXCLUSIVE TRAVELMOOD READER OFFER P erched on a ridge overlooking the Mekong Valley and surrounded by 160 acres of lush tropical jungle, Anantara's Golden Triangle resort takes in commanding views of the Mekong River and the border between Myanmar and Laos. The luxurious nature retreat has 58 deluxe guest rooms – each with balcony views of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Balconies come with in- built sofas, while the 19 spacious Anantara suites feature double balconies and bathrooms with oversized tubs for two. For hundreds of years the only way to travel to Thailand's Golden Triangle region was by longtail riverboat on the Mekong River – or by elephant. At the resort's unique on- site elephant camp guests can embark on a mahout training course and go elephant trekking in the surrounding forest. There's also a Thai cooking school, guided visits to local hill- tribe villages and excursions to Myanmar's colourful border markets. Leave time for a rejuvenating Thai massage, Ayurvedic therapy or a soak in an outdoor tub at the Anantara Spa. And, of course, a refreshing dip in the hilltop infinity pool overlooking the Mekong Valley. Pay for two nights, stay for three BOOK IT NOW www. travelmood. comWINTER 2008/ 097 reader offer

Why visit? Spotting whales from a boat, seeing a kiwi in the wild, walking on a glacier, bubbling geothermal pools – it's all possible in New Zealand, along with great food and wine, dramatic scenery, Maori culture and cosmopolitan city experiences. What's new? Adventure Tours, which has operated quality budget itineraries around Australia for many years, has now brought its expertise to New Zealand – the new brochure features itineraries to both the North and South islands. My pick: Our 18- day Best of New Zealand self- drive covers the best of both islands and offers accommodationto suit all budgets. Top tip: New Zealand's summer ( October to March) gets very busy, especially in smaller places such as Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Early booking is essential. May and June ( autumn) is still mild and it's also the best time to get great deals on accommodation, tours and campervans. An 18- day Best of New Zealand self- drive costs from £ 858 per person twin- share. A fully inclusive 17- day New Zealand Wonderland escorted tour costs from £ 2,155 per person. NEW ZEALAND by product manager New Zealand, Amy Bell From a luxury Nile cruise, to dinner with the orang- utans in Borneo, Travelmood's product managers have scoured the globe to help you find a holiday that meets your tastes and budget. Here's their pick of this season'sbrand- new brochures BOOK IT NOW Queenstown Rotorua Karnak Temple, Luxor Oberoi Zahra EGYPTby head of adventures, Ben Mifsud Why visit? Egypt offers the perfect mix of culture, history, excitement and relaxation – all within five hours' flying time from Britain. My visit in February was my fourth, and it didn't disappoint. I was blown away by the on- board service during our Nile cruise. My favourite hotel in Cairo is the Mena House Oberoi with its fantastic view of the pyramids, and I was overwhelmed by the sight of Abu Simbel, whose two temples were moved stone by stone to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. What's new? Egypt excels on history but it has still managed to come up with something new. Oberoi Hotels and Resorts has pulled out all the stops to produce its sleek luxury Nile cruiser, Oberoi Zahra, which glides between Aswan and Luxor. The cruiser has 25 luxury cabins and two palatial suites. My pick: As a new dad myself, I understandhow important family holidays are. Our nine- night Treasures of the Nile family adventure holiday brings those school history lessons alive with visits to the pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The children will also have the opportunity to interact with other families on the holiday. If it's your first visit to this amazing destination our Best of Classical Egypt and Red Sea holiday offers a perfect introduction. Top tip: Consider visiting in the winter when temperatures are slightly cooler ( on the Red Sea it rarely dips below 21C). Many Red Sea resorts offer free nights over winter – stay seven nights and get one free at the Ritz- Carlton in Sharm el- Sheikh, from January 10 to February 28. Low- season prices on Oberoi Zahra( May, July, August) start at £ 1,380 per person twin- share, with all meals and excursions. A seven- night Best of Classical Egypt holiday costs from £ 776 on a twin- share basis. BOOK IT NOW 8WINTER2008/ 09 www. travelmood. com Let us take you there