REAL DEALS
Southern France River Cruise, From $1,399
A seven-night river cruise along the picturesque Rhone packs in guided tours of Lyon, Vienne, Arles, Avignon, and wine-producing towns like Beaune.
Buenos Aires for $599
Copa Airlines flights from Miami to Buenos Aires (via Panama City), transfers, and five nights of three-star lodging (at the Regis Hotel, near the Galerías Pacífico, or the Gran Hotel de la Paix, just off Avenida 9 de Julio), breakfast daily, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Dec. 31 ($719), Jan. 1--Mar. 31 ($599). Other Gateways: New York (add $60), L.A. (add $230). Details: Extra nights $24. Single supplement $120. Stop over in Panama City for $120 (includes transfers, one night's hotel, and a half-day tour of the Panama Canal). Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Peru & Ecuador for $1,498
Copa flights from Miami to Lima (return is from Quito), all transfers and local flights, eight nights' hotel (two in Lima at the Hotel León de Oro, three in Cuzco at the Hotel San Agustín Plaza, and three in Quito at the Sebastian Hotel), breakfast daily, a full-day trip to Machu Picchu (via the Vistadome train, includes lunch), and half-day city tours of Cuzco and Quito. When: Until Dec. 15 and Feb. 1--Mar. 31 ($1,498), Dec. 15--Jan. 31 ($1,698). Other Gateways: L.A. (add $250), New York (add $275). Details: Extra nights from $30. Single supplement from $350. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Morant's Curve in Banff National Park
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Rio & the Amazon for $1,135
TAM Brazilian Airlines flights from Miami to Manaus (via São Paulo), transfers and local transportation, six nights' lodging (one night in Manaus at the Tropical Hotel, two nights in the jungle at the Ariau Amazon Towers, and three nights in Rio at the California Othon Hotel), breakfast daily, all meals at Ariau, one dinner in Rio, a half-day city tour in Rio, and all excursions at Ariau. When: Until Mar. 31. Add $300--$400 to travel over New Year's or during Carnaval. Other Gateways: New York ($1,195); Boston ($1,265); L.A., San Francisco ($1,345). Details: Extra nights from $48. Single supplement from $260. Contact: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.
Europe
Azores for $579
SATA International flights from Boston to São Miguel, six nights' lodging, and breakfast daily. Choose the Hotel Villa Nova ($579); Terra Nostra Garden ($609); or the Hotel Avenida, Holiday Inn Azores, or São Miguel Park ($659). Spend six nights on the island of Terceira at the Terceira Mar for $779 (includes connecting flight from São Miguel; combine São Miguel Park and Terceira Mar for the same price), or six nights at the Hotel do Canal on Faial (includes connecting flight; combine with São Miguel Park for the same price). When: Tuesday departures until Apr. 18. For Friday departures, add $90. Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $50. Single supplement from $240. Kids under 6 stay free, kids under 10 pay 10 percent of the hotel rate. At the Holiday Inn, kids under 13 stay free. Contact: Azores Express, 800/762-9995, azores-express.com.
Istanbul for $629
Air from New York, transfers, five nights at the five-star Hotel Akgün, breakfast daily, and a full-day guided city tour, including visits to the Blue Mosque, the spice market, the Hippodrome, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. When: Wednesday departures until Mar. 15, except Dec. 21 and 28. Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $100), D.C. (add $140), Miami (add $180), Houston (add $190), L.A. (add $295). Details: Extra nights from $120. Single supplement from $125. Contact: Flo USA, 888/435-6872, flo-usa.com.
London for $399
Air from New York and four nights at the four-star Park Inn, across the street from Hyde Park, and breakfast daily. When: Wednesday or Thursday departures Dec. 21 and 22 ($689), Dec. 28--Feb. 23 ($399), Mar. 1--22 ($449). Other Gateways: Boston (add $34), D.C. (add $81), Chicago (add $100), Dallas (add $140), L.A. (add $178). Details: These are cash-discount prices. Extra nights from $116. Single supplement from $181. Add on a variety of excursions, including a tour of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace ($52); a Thames River cruise and a visit to the Tower of London ($72); or a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath Abbey ($108). Contact: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.
Madrid for $549
Air from New York and six nights at the Sercotel Togumar Hotel with breakfast daily. The hotel is outside the city center but near public transportation. When: Until Dec. 15 and Jan. 6--Mar. 26. Other Gateways: Boston, Philadelphia (add $20); Baltimore, D.C. (add $40); Atlanta, Chicago (add $70); Miami (add $120); Dallas (add $160); Las Vegas, L.A., Seattle (add $180). Details: Extra nights from $37. Single supplement $220. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
St. Petersburg & Moscow for $999
Finnair flights from New York to St. Petersburg (via Helsinki), transfers, five nights in three-star hotels (three in St. Petersburg, two in Moscow), an overnight train between cities, breakfast daily, and guided sightseeing throughout, including visits to the Hermitage and the Kremlin. When: Dec. 1--Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $150); Dallas, Miami (add $310); L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (add $375). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement $255. Contact: Eastern Tours, 800/339-6967, traveltorussia.com.
Tuscany for $559
Air from New York to Florence and a seven-day Hertz car rental with unlimited miles. When: Until Dec. 11 and Jan. 6-- Mar. 12. Other Gateways: Boston ($569); D.C., Philadelphia ($589); Dallas, Miami ($629); Atlanta, Chicago ($639); L.A., San Francisco ($709). Details: Accommodations are not included; you can locate suggestions at BudgetTravelOnline.com by searching for "Secret Hotels of Tuscany." Extra days with car from $20. Single supplement from $150. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.
Vienna & Graz for $799
Austrian Airlines flights from New York, transfers, six nights split between Vienna (at the Post Hotel) and Graz (at the Drei Raben Hotel), breakfast daily, and train transfers between cities. When: Until Dec. 15 ($929), Jan. 3--Mar. 3 ($799). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C., Philadelphia ($988/$858); Atlanta, Chicago ($1,068/$938); Dallas, Denver ($1,158/ $1,028); L.A., San Francisco ($1,248/$1,118). Details: Extra nights from $79. Single supplement from $279. Contact: Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, austrian-vacations.com.
Africa & Middle East