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40 Best Vacations
The real deals right now
November 2005 issue
Tuesday, October 18, 2005;
United States
Honolulu for $524
Maui for $640
Orlando for $343
Phoenix for $549
San Diego for $239
Canada
Toronto for $629
Whistler Skiing for $526
Mexico
Aeroméxico Airfare Special
Cabo San Lucas for $476
Cancún for $469
Oaxaca & Huatulco for $1,200
Uxmal for $719
Caribbean
Caribbean Cruise for $1,499
Jamaica for $499
Puerto Rico for $740
St. Lucia for $168
Central America
Belize for $858
Costa Rica for $499
Guatemala for $727
Nicaragua Tour for $875
South America
Amazon River Cruise for $1,895
Argentina for $699
Peru for $959
Europe
A Long Weekend in Cool Helsinki for $499
Barcelona for $599
Florence or Rome for $499
Interlaken, Switzerland for $779
Kraków & Warsaw for $799
Paris for $469
Africa & Middle East
Egypt for $899
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for $799
Kenya for $1,799
Asia
Get in Touch With the New Seoul for $849
Bali, Lombok & Singapore for $1,099
Hong Kong for $699
Vietnam Tour for $1,925
South Pacific
Cook Islands for 1,069
Moorea for $1,176
Tahiti for $939
New Zealand
New Zealand for $1,970
Northwest Airlines flights from Seattle and five nights at the Ohana Maile Sky Court, near Waikiki Beach. When: Nov. 2-15 and Nov. 30-Dec. 13 ($524); Jan. 11-31 ($600). Other Gateways: Detroit ($696/$815), Minneapolis ($735/$812). Details: Extra nights from $41. Single supplement from $152. Upgrade to the ResortQuest Pacific Monarch, starting at $90 more. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.
The Ka'anapali Beach Hotel's "Best of the Beach" package includes a six-day car rental, five nights in an ocean-view room, breakfast daily, and dinner for two at the hotel's Tiki Terrace restaurant. When: Until Dec. 17. Other Gateways: None. Details: Does not include airfare. Extra nights with car from $122. No price for singles. Contact: The Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, 800/262-8450, kbhmaui.com.
Air from Chicago or New York, a five-day car rental, and five nights with breakfast daily at the Sleep Inn Maingate near Disney. When: Until Dec. 18 and Jan. 4-31. Other Gateways: D.C. ($392), Boston ($402), Dallas ($492), San Francisco ($515). Details: Extra nights $18. Single supplement $79. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Air from Chicago, Dallas, or Kansas City, a four-day car rental, and four nights in a suite at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. The hotel has a three-acre water park with a 40-foot waterfall, four restaurants, a full spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 31 ($549), Jan. 5-31 ($728) Other Gateways: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, ($599/$778). Details: Extra nights with car $101. Single supplement $325. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Southwest Airlines flights from Oakland, Sacramento, or San Jose and four nights (fourth night is free) at the Dana on Mission Bay Hotel, with two pools and restaurants, a spa, and free shuttle to SeaWorld. When: Tuesday and Saturday departures Nov. 1-Dec. 10 (from $239). Other Gateways: Amarillo, Omaha (from $349); Detroit, Orlando, Providence (from $369). Details: Call for the extra-night price. Single supplement from $145. Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.
Air Canada flights from Boston, Chicago, or New York, three nights at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in the downtown theater district, and dinner for two at 360 Restaurant in the CN Tower. When: Nov. 1-Jan. 31. Other Gateways: Atlanta ($659), Miami ($699), and L.A. ($799). Details: Extra nights $59. Single supplement $169. Contact: Maxxim Vacations Gray Line, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.
Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco, transfers by Perimeter Whistler Express bus (about two hours), three nights at the Coast Whistler Hotel, and a two-day lift pass. When: Sunday-Wednesday departures Nov. 23-Jan. 31 (from $526). Prices will be higher over the holidays. Other Gateways: L.A. ($538); New York, Orlando ($783). Details: Extra nights from $47 (does not include lift ticket). Single supplement from $159. Contact: Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.
With Aeroméxico's Family and Friends plan, book three flights from the U.S. (see below) or Tijuana to any of the 40 cities in Mexico that the airline serves and get a fourth ticket free. When: Until Dec. 10. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, L.A., Miami, New York, Ontario (Calif.), Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego. Details: At least two adult tickets are required to qualify. Tickets must be purchased in the U.S. Contact: Book through a travel agent or call Aeroméxico at 800/237-6639.
Air from L.A., transfers, and four nights at the all-inclusive Calinda Cabo San Lucas Hotel, with two restaurants, three pools, and a beach. When: Until Dec. 15. Other Gateways: Chicago ($727), New York ($748), Denver ($802, until Dec. 12). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement from $250. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami and three nights at the oceanfront Hyatt Regency Cancún, with three restaurants, four bars, and a pool, gym, and spa. The beach is a 50-yard walk away. When: Until Dec. 21 ($469), Jan. 2-25 ($532). Other Gateways: Dallas ($584/$647), New York ($587/$650), Chicago ($608/$671), L.A. ($658/$721). Details: Extra nights $53. Single supplement from $321. Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.
Six nights in Mexico, split between the Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles in Oaxaca and the oceanfront Quinta Real Huatulco, where all rooms have balconies and Jacuzzis. Includes transfers, round-trip flights from Oaxaca to Huatulco, and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 21. Details: Flights from the U.S. to Oaxaca are not included. Extra nights $93. No price for singles. Contact: Mexico Boutique Hotels, 800/728-9098, mexicoboutiquehotels.com.
Aeroméxico flights from Atlanta, transfers, and four nights at the Hacienda Uxmal, which is adjacent to the Uxmal archaeological park on the Yucatán Peninsula. The hotel has a botanical garden and two outdoor pools. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 8. Other Gateways: Miami ($749), L.A. ($919), Dallas ($999), all valid Nov. 1-Dec. 13. Details: Extra nights $64. Single supplement $294. Contact: Aeroméxico Vacations, 800/245-8585, aeromexicovacations.com.
Fourteen nights aboard Holland America's Ryndam on a round-trip sailing from Tampa, with stops in San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Isla Margarita, Bonaire, Aruba, and Grand Cayman. When: Jan. 22 ($1,499 inside cabin/$1,809 ocean view) and Feb. 19 ($1,549/$1,859). Details: Prices include port charges but not airfare. Call for the single rate. Contact: GalaxSea Cruises, 800/662-5450, cruisestar.com.
Air Jamaica or US Airways flights from Miami to Montego Bay and six nights at the Hotel Columbus Heights in Ocho Rios. The condo hotel has a pool and a free shuttle to the beach. All rooms have kitchens, private balconies, and daily maid service. When: Until Dec. 31 ($499), Jan. 1-31 ($629). Blacked out Dec. 17-24 and Dec. 31-Jan. 6. Other Gateways: Atlanta ($528/$658); New York ($580/$710); Philadelphia ($606/$736); Chicago, Pittsburgh ($618/$748); L.A. ($698/$828). Details: Extra nights from $38. Single supplement from $228. Add $45 each way for airport tranfers. (It's a two-hour drive.) Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
US Airways flights from New York to San Juan, a seven-day car rental, and seven nights at La Cima Hotel in Aguadilla, a surfers' mecca on Puerto Rico's west coast. The hotel is a three-hour drive from San Juan. When: Nov. 1, 2005-Dec. 31, 2006. Other Gateways: Miami, Orlando (add $108); New York (add $111); Philadelphia (add $128); Chicago (add $158); Boston (add $168); Charlotte (add $226); L.A. (add $388). Details: Extra nights $38. Single supplement $349. Contact: Caradonna, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.
Save up to 50 percent when you book a minimum of three nights at the all-inclusive Sandals Halcyon Beach. Pay $168 per person per night. The resort has three restaurants, three pools, two swim-up bars, tennis, water sports, and a gym. Guests can also use the facilities at two other Sandals resorts on St. Lucia, which are connected by a free shuttle service. When: Until Dec. 26. Details: Airfare is not included; resort is couples only. The same deal is also valid at Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa on Jamaica's Seven Mile Beach. Contact: Sandals Resorts, 800/726-3257, sandals.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami, all local transportation, and seven nights' hotel. Spend two nights in the Cayo District at the Jaguar Paw Jungle Lodge, and five nights on Ambergris Cay at the SunBreeze Hotel. When: Until Dec. 9 ($858), Dec. 10-Jan. 1 ($1,237), Jan. 2-April 1 ($1,092). Other Gateways: Dallas (add from $44); New York (add from $97); Chicago (add from $202); L.A. (add from $261); Portland, Seattle (add from $302). Details: Add $50 for weekend travel. Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $362. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Air from Miami, one night at the Hotel Don Fadrique in San José, and a seven-day 4x4 rental. When: Until Nov. 30 ($499), Jan. 4-March 31 ($529). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $150); Houston (add $175); Phoenix (add $180); Atlanta (add $190); Baltimore, Boston, New York (add $200); L.A. (add $230); Chicago (add $275); San Francisco (add $300); Seattle (add $400). Details: Extra days with car from $108. Single supplement $200. Contact: FlySouthVacations.com, 800/234-5245, flysouthvacations.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, transfers, five nights at the four-star Hotel Princess Reforma, breakfast daily, a half-day excursion to Antigua, and a full-day excursion to Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlán. When: Thursday departures until Dec. 10 ($727), Dec. 11-31 ($927). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Dallas (add $50); Boston, New York (add $60); Denver, San Francisco (add $130); Chicago (add $180); Seattle (add $230). Details: Extra nights $35. Single supplement $241. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
A 15-day escorted tour with visits to the colonial cities of Granada and León, Big Corn Island, the beach town of San Juan del Sur, and the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. Includes local transportation (boat, bus, flights) and 14 nights' hotel. When: Departs from Managua on Nov. 5, Dec. 10, and Jan. 14. Details: Doesn't include international airfare. A local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Extra nights from $20. Single travelers are paired with other singles of the same sex. Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/918-9930, gapadventures.com.
Air from Miami; all local transportation; three nights at the El Condado Hotel in Lima; six nights on a privately chartered, 24-passenger riverboat; most meals; cultural activities like home visits and cooking demonstrations; English-speaking tour guide throughout; and Amazon entrance fees. When: Dec. 15, 16 ($2,195); Jan. 6, 27 ($1,895). Other Gateways: Boston, L.A., New York, Seattle (add $250-$350). Details: Geared toward people over the age of 50. Single supplement $445. Add four nights in La Paz and Lake Titicaca from $685 or five nights in Cuzco, including a trip to Machu Picchu, from $895. Contact: Grand Circle Travel, 800/248-3737, gct.com.
Copa Airlines flights from Miami, transfers, four nights at the Regis Hotel in Buenos Aires, a half-day city tour, two nights at the Hotel Guerrero in the beach town of Mar del Plata, and breakfast daily. When: Until Nov. 30 ($699), Dec. 1-Jan. 6 (from $799), Jan. 7-May 31 ($699). Other Gateways: New York (add $40), L.A. (add $230). Details: Extra nights from $24. Single supplement $190. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air from Miami to Cuzco (via Lima), transfers, three nights in Cuzco at the Terra Andina Hotel with breakfast daily, a full-day excursion to Machu Picchu (by backpacker train, includes group guide and lunch at Sanctuary Lodge), an onward flight to Lima, transfers, and two nights at the Hotel Mariel with breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 9 ($959), Jan. 4-March 31 (from $999). Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $125); Dallas, San Diego (add $175); L.A. (add $200); Boston, D.C., New York, Seattle (add $225); Chicago (add $300). Details: Extra nights from $21. Single supplement $140. Contact: LanVacations, 800/435-3593, lanvacations.com.
Anyone who's ever been to Helsinki will tell you that it can be a little quirky--and never more so than during the cold, dark winter. The Finnish Tourist Board has embraced that reputation with a series of Nordic Oddities brochures, great for finding out about all the indoor fun, from heavy-metal karaoke joints to a "saunabar" to the tunnels that connect downtown stores. A winter weekend package covers Finnair flights from New York and three nights at the Sokos Hotel Presidentti with breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 15 and Jan. 11-March 31. A Sunday night stay is required. Travel must be completed by March 31. Other Gateways: Chicago, D.C. (add $75); Seattle (add $125); Dallas, Miami, (add $200); L.A., San Francisco (add $275). Details: Extra nights $47. Single supplement from $139. Contact: Continental Journeys, 800/601-4343, continentaljourneys.com.
Air from Boston or New York and six nights at the NH Numancia Hotel (a 15-minute metro ride from downtown) with breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-March 25. Other Gateways: D.C. (add $30), Chicago (add $50), Atlanta (add $80), Miami (add $100), Houston (add $110), L.A. (add $170), Seattle (add $180). Details: Extra nights from $53. Single supplement from $200. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Alitalia flights from New York and four nights with breakfast daily in either Florence (at the Palazzo Ruspoli near the Duomo) or Rome (Hotel Brasile, near the train station). When: Florence: until Dec. 15 and Jan. 2-March 18. Rome: until Dec. 15 and Jan. 4-March 15. Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); Chicago, D.C., Miami (add $80). Details: Extra nights from $55. Single supplement from $160. Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.
Lufthansa flights from New York to Zürich, transfers by train, and six nights at the Hotel Chalet Oberland with breakfast daily. The hotel is in the heart of Interlaken, near the train station. The nearest skiing is in the Jungfrau region, an hour away by train. When: Jan. 12-19 and Jan. 26-Feb. 2. Other Gateways: Chicago, D.C. (add $40); Miami (add $90); L.A., San Francisco (add $190). Details: Extra nights not available. Single supplement $295. Contact: SkiEurope, 800/333-5533, ski-europe.com.
Air from New York to Kraków or Warsaw, arrival transfer, six nights split between Kraków (Hotel Grand) and Warsaw (Hotel Regent), and one-way train between the two. When: Monday or Thursday departures until Dec. 12 and Dec. 25-March 25. Other Gateways: Boston (add $20); Chicago (add $30); D.C. (add $50); Atlanta (add $86), Detroit, Houston (add $96); Miami (add $106); L.A., Seattle (add $116); Portland (add $166). Details: Warsaw stay must be Friday to Monday. Extra nights in Kraków $34. Single supplement $199. Contact: Sophisticated Traveler, 800/801-1055, s-traveler.com.
Air France flights from New York or Philadelphia, four nights at the Hotel Kyriad République in the 11th Arrondissement, and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 15 ($469), Jan. 3-March 15 ($492). Other Gateways: Boston (add $15); D.C. (add $25); Chicago (add $65); Miami (add $72); Atlanta (add $95); Dallas (add $100); L.A., San Francisco (add $200) Details: Extra nights $45. Single supplement $165. Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.
EgyptAir flights from New York, arrival transfer, six nights at the deluxe Sheraton Royal Gardens Hotel in Giza, and breakfast daily. When: Nov. 10, Dec. 8, and Jan. 26. Other Gateways: None. Details: Single supplement $150. Add a three-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor for $500 (includes flights, transfers, meals, and shore excursions). Contact: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.
Air from New York and six nights with breakfast daily in Jerusalem (at the Jerusalem Tower Hotel) or Tel Aviv (at the Center Hotel). When: Tuesday departures. Jerusalem: Nov. 8-Dec. 13 and Jan. 10-March 28 ($799). Tel Aviv: Nov. 8 ($829); Nov. 15-Dec. 13, Dec. 27, Jan. 3-Feb. 21 ($799). Other Gateways: D.C. (add $99), Chicago (add $220), Pittsburgh (add $221), L.A. (add $283), San Francisco (add $306). Details: Extra nights from $60. Single supplement from $161. A fully guided six-night tour starts at $899. Contact: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.
British Airways flights from New York to Nairobi (via London), minibus transfers with an English-speaking driver/guide, one night in Nairobi at the Stanley Hotel, five nights on safari (two at the Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Shaba Game Reserve, one at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge on Lake Nakuru, and two at the Sarova Mara Tented Camp in the Masai Mara Game Reserve), breakfast daily, all meals and game drives while on safari, and all park entrance fees. When: Until Nov. 30. Other Gateways: Boston, Philadelphia (add $50); Baltimore, D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); Denver, L.A., Seattle (add $250). Details: Single supplement $350. A free stopover in London is allowed in either direction. Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com.
It used to be that airfare alone to South Korea would set you back $800 or more. But with Seoul fast becoming one of the most dynamic cities in Asia--a center for cutting-edge film, architecture, and design--tourism is booming and the airlines and tour operators have taken notice. Go-today.com, for example, debuted its Seoul packages this summer at over $1,000. Now, for the winter low season, its prices have dropped. Deals include flights from L.A., New York, San Francisco, or Seattle and five nights at the Best Western Vision, in the Sungdong-gu area near Han Yang University. When: Until Dec. 8 and Dec. 24-Feb. 21. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, D.C., Detroit, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, and San Diego (add $130). Details: Extra nights from $48. Single supplement from $150. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Singapore, all transfers and local flights, two nights in Singapore at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel, four nights on Bali (stay in Kuta, Sanur Beach, or Ubud, or a combination of the three; includes breakfast daily and a half-day temple tour), and two nights on Lombok at the Hotel Jayakarta with breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 5. Other Gateways: New York (add $120); Denver, Salt Lake City (add $175); Boston, Philadelphia (add $220); Houston, Dallas (add $275). Details: Extra nights from $20. Single supplement $180. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air from L.A. to Hong Kong, five nights at the BP International House in Kowloon, and breakfast daily. When: Until Nov. 14 ($789), Nov. 15-18 ($729), Nov. 19-Dec. 8 ($829), Dec. 9-Jan. 3 ($889), Jan. 4-16 ($729), Jan. 17-26 ($829), Jan. 27-March 18 ($699). Other Gateways: San Francisco (add $52); New York (add $188); Chicago, Dallas (add $306). Details: Extra nights from $86. Single supplement from $171. Contact: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. to Hanoi (via Singapore), transfers, all local transportation (bus, train, plane), 13 nights' hotel and two overnights on trains, and English-speaking guide throughout. The 18-day tour includes stops in Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. When: Nov. 3, Jan. 12 ($1,925); Dec. 15 ($2,175). Other Gateways: New York (add $50), Chicago (add $215), Miami (add $245). Details: Maximum group size is 20. Add $225 a week for meals and expenses. Single supplement $275. Stopover in Singapore for $150 more. A similar 23-day tour including four nights in Cambodia starts at $2,345. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
Air New Zealand flights from L.A., transfers, and five nights at the Aroko Bungalows on Rarotonga's Muri Lagoon. Muri Beach is a short walk away. When: Until Dec. 12, Jan. 4-March 31 ($1,069); Dec. 13-Jan. 3 ($1,191). Other Gateways: None. Details: Cash-discount prices; add $35 for credit card payments. Extra nights $69. Single supplement $196. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, Tahiti, inter-island flights to Moorea, six nights in a mountain-view room at the Club Bali Hai (a family-run beachfront resort on Cook's Bay), and a lei greeting. When: Thursday departures until Dec. 12. Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights $108. Single supplement $270. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Nonstop Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, transfers, and three nights in an ocean-view room at the Radisson Plaza Resort on Lafayette Beach. When: Thursday departures until Dec. 12 and Jan. 10-March 31. Other Gateways: New York ($999, nonstop). Details: Single supplement from $298. Add three nights for $366 more; add three nights on Moorea for $433 (includes accommodations, flights, and transfers). Contact: Swain Tours, 800/227-9246, swaintours.com/tahiti.
Qantas flights from L.A. to Auckland, transfers, three nights at the Airedale Hotel downtown, an onward flight to Christchurch, and three nights at the Rydges Hotel in the city's shopping district, overlooking Avon River. When: Dec. 1-11 ($2,205), Dec. 12-28 ($2, 270), Jan. 2-Feb. 22 ($2,205), Feb. 23-March 31 ($1,970). Other Gateways: San Francisco (add $135); New York (add $400); Chicago, Miami (add $460). Details: Extra nights from $115. Single supplement $380. Contact: Pacific Delight World Tours, 800/221-7179, pacificdelighttours.com.