Here in Germany, I do a lot of my shopping at the overcrowded, understaffed, but inexpensive Aldi grocery chain. My latest shopping excursion there provided me with more than just a cheap cucumber. On the way out of the store, what caught my eye but a brochure advertising “Traumreisen zu ALDI-Preisen” or “dream trips for Aldi prices.” Now how could you walk past an offer like that?

I can’t vouch for the trips 100 percent, as I’ve never done them or even spoken with someone who has, but for the prices alone, the offers are worth passing on. Ever wanted to see Malaysia? Take a 10-day trip to a four-star hotel, including flight from Frankfurt, airport transfers and breakfast for just 799 euros per person double occupancy for selected departure dates. The trips do get more expensive, depending on the departure dates you choose, but the highest they get up to is to 1,099 euros. You get seven actual overnights in the hotel, so be braced for long flight times.

Another deal that looked intriguing? A weeklong tour along the southwest coast of Turkey, including three nights each in the five-star hotels Sheraton Voyager in Antalya and the Sheraton Cesme Resort and Spa, one night at a hotel in Pamukkale, a charter flight from the airports of Munich, Duesseldorf, Frankfurt or Stuttgart (use of an airport besides the Munich one incurs an additional 20 euros fee), half-pension buffet meals, and lots of excursions for prices starting at 399 euros per person double occupancy.

The other destinations you can find in the brochure are a U-drive trip to Lake Garda, Italy, South Africa with safaris, or a Mediterranean and Canary Islands cruise. So next time you’re in Aldi, grab the brochure. While you must book before July 29, actual travel can take place until the end of 2007. The Web site is www.aldi-reisen.de.

You’re probably thinking, but I’ll be surrounded by Germans the whole time, and I don’t speak the language! I’ve done trips like this, and I’m far from fluent but managed just fine. And I’ve met some pretty nice people along the way too. If you’re studying German, what better way to immerse yourself in the language? Or, if you just plain hate organized excursions, what better excuse to skip them altogether?