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40 Best Vacations
The real deals right now
February 2006 issue
Tuesday, January 17, 2006;
JetBlue's New Package Deals for $299
United States
Colorado Skiing for $489
Florida for $515
Honolulu for $664
Seattle for $382
Canada
Vancouver for $276
Mexico
Acapulco for $699
Cabo San Lucas for $599
Mexican Riviera Cruise for $629
Puerto Vallarta for $950
Caribbean
Martinique Price Break for $759
Barbados for $824
Jamaica for $450
Puerto Rico for $299
Tobago for $1,496
Central America
Belize for $916
Costa Rica for $569
South America
Brazil Cruise for $895
Buenos Aires for $599
Colombia for $754
Nicaragua for $939
Peru for $1,545
Europe
Berlin for $589
Florence & Tuscany for $659
Great Britain for $569
Madrid & Lisbon for $629
Paris for $629
Prague, Vienna & Budapest for $949
Africa & Middle East
Cape Town for $1,495
Egypt Tour for $1,375
Kenya for $1,899
South Africa Safari for $2,249
Asia
Bali for $698
China Tour for $1,999
Tokyo for $899
South Pacific
Cook Islands for $1,349
Fiji for $1,295
Australia
Sydney, Melbourne & More for $2,109
New Zealand
North Island for $1,193
In November, JetBlue started selling packages that bundle flights from 12 of its gateways with hotels handpicked by its staff members. You won't get the umpteen choices of other packagers, but you also won't end up unwittingly booking your beach holiday at an airport hotel nowhere near the sand. "We're offering only those hotels we think people will really like," says Rusty McNeal, director of JetBlue Getaways. This month, Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., will be added to the current roster of more than a dozen vacation destinations. Customize your own package or choose a themed deal like "Royal Flush" (two nights at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, from $299), "Spa-ahhh" (three nights at the Westin Rio Mar in San Juan, from $399), or "So-Be-It" (two nights at the Marriott South Beach Miami, from $499). Details: Each getaway is offered from multiple (but not all) JetBlue gateways. Contact: JetBlue Getaways, 800/538-2583, jetblue.com/getaways.
Air from Chicago or Dallas to Denver; three nights at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge, a five-minute, free shuttle ride from Winter Park's ski lifts; and a two-day lift pass. When: Monday and Tuesday departures Feb. 3--Mar. 28 ($579), Apr. 4--14 ($489). Other Gateways: Houston, L.A., San Francisco ($599/$509); D.C. ($669/$579); Miami, Orlando ($679/$589). Details: Extra nights from $44. Single supplement from $140. Airport transfers to Winter Park are $90 round trip. Contact: United Vacations, 888/328-6877, unitedvacations.com.
Air from Boston, Chicago, New York, or Syracuse to Tampa and three nights at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, with two restaurants, a pool, and a gym. When: Feb. 1--Mar. 31, Apr. 17--30. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh ($535); Houston, Kansas City ($555). Details: Extra nights $69. Single supplement $317. Add $49 for a four-day rental car. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Air from L.A. or San Francisco, transfers, and five nights at the Ohana Maile Sky Court, a high-rise hotel on Kuhio Avenue, near the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and within walking distance of Waikiki Beach. When: Wednesday and Thursday departures Mar. 15--Apr. 19. Other Gateways: Denver ($824); Chicago, New York ($974); D.C. ($1,034). Details: Extra nights from $37. Single supplement from $180. Contact: United Vacations, 888/328-6877, unitedvacations.com.
Air from San Francisco, transfers, and three nights at the Roosevelt Hotel, just across the street from the Pacific Place shopping mall and only six blocks from Pike Place Market. When: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures Feb. 1--Apr. 15. Other Gateways: L.A. ($426); New York, Orlando ($552). Details: Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $164. Contact: Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.
Alaska Airlines flights from San Francisco, transfers, and three nights at the Empire Landmark Hotel on Robson Street. When: Sunday--Wednesday departures Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: L.A. ($287); New York, Orlando ($533). Details: Extra nights $34. Single supplement $106. Contact: Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.
Air from Chicago or Miami and five nights at the beachfront Fiesta Inn Acapulco, with a pool, gym, restaurant, and bar. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Denver, New York ($745); L.A. ($789); Atlanta ($795). Details: Extra nights from $88. Single supplement from $220. Upgrade to the Fiesta Americana Condesa starting at $10 more. Take $50 off per booking using the promotional code Budget50. Contact: Sunburst Vacations, 800/786-2877, sunburstvacations.com.
Air from L.A. and five nights at the Fiesta Inn San José del Cabo, across from the Plaza Los Cabos. The hotel has a beach, pool, spa, restaurant, and two bars. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Denver, Seattle ($699); D.C. ($769); Atlanta ($799); Chicago ($869). Details: Extra nights from $115. Single supplement from $290. Take $50 off per booking with promotional code Budget50. Contact: Sunburst Vacations, 800/786-2877, sunburstvacations.com.
Eight days aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star on a round-trip sailing from L.A., with three days at sea and stops in Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas. When: Mar. 1, Apr. 18, and Apr. 26 ($629 inside cabin/$699 ocean-view). Details: Prices include port charges, but not airfare. Call for the single price. Contact: American Discount Cruises & Travel, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Champion Airlines charter flights from St. Louis, transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Canto del Sol Plaza Vallarta, with a beach, two pools, a spa, and several restaurants and bars. When: Wednesday departures Mar. 1--Apr. 26 (from $950), except Mar. 15 and 22. Other Gateways: None. Details: No extra nights. Single supplement from $250. Contact: Funjet Vacations, funjet.com, book online or through a travel agent.
The island of Martinique, in the French West Indies, is touting a très appealing exchange rate for accommodations through the fall: One euro equals one dollar. The offer is valid for air-and-hotel packages booked with several participating tour operators, including Vacation Travel Mart (800/288-1435, vacmart.com) and CheapCaribbean.com (800/915-2322, cheapcaribbean.com). One such deal from CheapCaribbean.com includes air from New York or Miami and four nights at the Karibea Amandiers Resort starting at $759 until March 31. There are also two hotels that'll give you the special exchange rate, not as part of any package: La Fregate Bleue (011-596/545-466, fregatebleue.com, from $122) and Le Domaine Saint Aubin (011-596/693-477, ledomainesaintaubin.com, from $146). Book directly with the hotels. Contact: Martinique Promotion Bureau, 212/838-7800 ext. 228, martinique.org.
Air from Fort Lauderdale and six nights at the Allamanda Beach Hotel, on the south coast of Barbados near Bridgetown. The hotel has a pool, two restaurants, and access to the facilities of the hotel's sister property, Amaryllis Beach Resort, a three-minute drive away (with tennis courts, a beach, water sports, and golf). When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Blacked out Feb. 20--27 and Apr. 13--20. Other Gateways: New York ($858), Baltimore ($868), D.C. ($918), Chicago ($957), L.A. ($1,146). Details: Extra nights $81. Single supplement $462. Add $140 for round-trip transfers and taxes. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
Air from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to Montego Bay and six nights at the Crane Ridge Resort in Ocho Rios. The hotel has a pool, restaurant, bar, and a free shuttle to the beach. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Chicago, New York ($556); L.A. ($672); Baltimore ($688). Details: Extra nights $37. Single supplement $300. Add $170 for round-trip transfers (Ocho Rios is a two-hour drive from the Montego Bay airport) and taxes. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
There are 23 privately owned inns (or paradores) in Puerto Rico, mostly along the quieter west and south coasts. To promote them, the Puerto Rico tourism board is offering two nights at a participating parador, breakfast and dinner daily, and a 25 percent discount on a car rental. When: Until Apr. 2. Exact dates depend on the parador. Details: Land-only price; airfare is not included. Extra nights from $75. Contact: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company, gotoparadores.com.
BWIA flights from New York and seven nights at the all-inclusive waterfront Grafton Beach Resort, with a pool, dive center, restaurant, and three bars. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 15. Blacked out Feb. 17--26. Other Gateways: Philadelphia (add $147), D.C. (add $171), Atlanta (add $223), Chicago (add $260), Dallas (add $358). Details: Extra nights $143. Single supplement $546. Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Belize City, onward flights to Caye Caulker, and seven nights at the beachfront Caye Caulker Condos. All units have kitchens and private decks with sea views. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Dallas ($958); New York ($1,009); Chicago ($1,109); L.A., San Francisco ($1,166); Portland, Seattle ($1,205). Details: Extra nights $50. Single supplement $350. Contact: Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Air from Miami to San José and four nights at the all-inclusive beachfront Fiesta Resort and Casino, 90 minutes from the capital on the Gulf of Nicoya. When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: New York (add $175), L.A. (add $249). Details: Extra nights $84. Single supplement $150. Add $60 for round-trip transfers. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Seven days aboard an 120-foot-long tall ship on a one-way sailing from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty. Stops include Ilha Grande, the Mamanguá Ecological Reserve, and Ilha da Bexiga. Includes all shore excursions (hiking, snorkeling) and all meals while onboard. When: Feb. 12, Feb. 26, and Apr. 9. Details: The price does not include transportation to or from Rio or Paraty (the sailing is also available in the reverse direction). Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.
Copa Airlines flights from Miami to Buenos Aires (via Panama City), transfers, five nights at the Gran Hotel Argentino, breakfast daily, and a half-day city tour. When: Until May 31. Other Gateways: New York (add $60), L.A. (add $235). Details: Extra nights $24. Single supplement $120. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Copa Airlines flights from Miami to San Andrés Island (via Panama City), transfers, and six nights at your choice of three all-inclusive hotels: Decameron San Luis, Decameron El Isleño, or Decameron Maryland. When: Until Apr. 11 and April 16--30 ($754); Apr. 12--15 ($774). Other Gateways: New York (add $140), L.A. (add $220). Details: Extra nights from $63. Single supplement from $297. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
Air from Miami to Managua, transfers and local transportation, and seven nights' lodging (two in the colonial city of Granada, three in San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast, and two in Norome, on the banks of Lake Apoyo). When: Feb. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Dallas ($973), New York ($1,098), L.A. ($1,151), Chicago ($1,162), Seattle ($1,285). Details: Extra nights $25. Single supplement $406. Contact: Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
LanPeru flights from Miami to Lima, transfers and local flights, eight nights' lodging (two in Lima, three in Cuzco, one near Machu Picchu, and two in the Amazon), breakfast daily, all meals and tours in the Amazon, half-day city tours of Lima and Cuzco, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu with lunch. When: Until May 30. Other Gateways: Boston ($1,695); Chicago ($1,725). Details: Extra nights from $32. Single supplement $400. Contact: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.
Air from New York, six nights at the Berlin Plaza Hotel, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 25. Other Gateways: Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $50); Chicago, Houston (add $100); Miami (add $120); Dallas, St. Louis (add $160); Las Vegas (add $220); San Francisco (add $240). Details: Extra nights from $46. Single supplement from $210. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Air from New York to Florence, six nights split between Florence (at the four-star Hotel Fenice Palace) and Cortona (at the four-star Hotel Villa Aurea), a three-day car rental with which to explore Tuscany, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 10. Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $50); Chicago (add $85); Miami (add $95). Details: Extra nights from $67. Single supplement from $171. Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.
Air from New York to London; a six-day car rental with unlimited miles; five nights of vouchers good at more than 500 B&Bs in England, Scotland, and Wales; and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 26 ($569), Mar. 27--May 28 ($829). Other Gateways: Boston (add $30), D.C. (add $80), Chicago (add $120), Houston (add $140), Detroit (add $170), L.A. (add $220), Seattle (add $280). Details: Extra nights from $69. Single supplement from $90. Contact: Brian Moore International Tours, 800/982-2299, bmit.com.
Air from New York to Madrid, three nights in Madrid at the Sercotel Togumar Hotel, an onward flight to Lisbon, three nights at the VIP Hotel, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 25. Other Gateways: Chicago, Miami (add $80); Boston (add $140); Atlanta (add $220); L.A. (add $290). Details: Extra nights from $24. Single supplement from $200. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Air from New York, six nights at the Timhotel Nation Hotel (near Place de la Nation), and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 12 ($629), Apr. 1--May 24 ($649). Other Gateways: Philadelphia ($659/$689); D.C. ($659/$709); Atlanta ($749/$779); Chicago ($759/$779); Miami ($769/$789); Denver ($819/$849); L.A., San Francisco ($829/$849). Details: Extra nights from $40. Single supplement from $210. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.
Austrian Airlines flights from D.C. or New York to Prague; three nights each in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest (at three-star hotels); and train tickets between cities. When: Until Mar. 15. Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $49. Single supplement from $359. Contact: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.
South African Airways flights from Atlanta, D.C., or New York; transfers; six nights at the Garden Court De Waal; and a half-day city tour. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,495), Apr. 1--June 8 ($1,625). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $75. Single supplement from $325. Extend your airline ticket for up to a year without charge. Contact: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.
Air from New York, transfers and all local transportation, nine nights' accommodations (three in Cairo, two in Aswan, two in Luxor, and two overnight trains), and an English-speaking guide. The 11-day itinerary includes a visit to the pyramids at Giza, a cruise on the Nile, and a stop at the Valley of the Kings. When: Feb. 23, Mar. 16, Apr. 27, May 18. Other Gateways: L.A. ($1,575); Chicago, Miami ($1,600). Details: Maximum group size is 20. Single supplement from $150. Add roughly $275 a week for meals and monument entry fees. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
British Airways flights from New York (via London), transfers with an English-speaking guide, one night in Nairobi at the Stanley, five nights on safari (two at Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Shaba Game Reserve, one at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge on Lake Nakuru, and two at Sarova Mara Tented Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve), breakfast daily, all meals and game drives on safari, and all park entrance fees. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,899), Apr. 1--30 ($2,099). Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); L.A., Seattle (add $250). Details: Single supplement from $325. A free stopover in London is allowed in either direction. Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com.
South African Airways flights from Atlanta or New York to Johannesburg, transfers and local transportation, 18 nights' accommodations (16 in simple lodges, two nights camping), all park entrance fees, most meals, and an English-speaking guide. The 21-day itinerary includes Kruger National Park, the Drakensberg Mountains, Addo Elephant Park, the Garden Route, Cape Town, and the Winelands. When: Feb. 13 and Mar. 13 ($2,249), Apr. 10 ($2,499). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $140); L.A., San Francisco (add $260). Details: Maximum group size is 20. A local payment of roughly $350 is due upon arrival in South Africa. Single supplement $520. Contact: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco (via Singapore), transfers, seven nights at the Grand Balisani Suites in Kuta, breakfast daily, and a half-day island tour. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Denver, Portland, Seattle (add $175); Boston, Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia (add $275); Dallas, Miami (add $350). Details: Extra nights from $48. Single supplement from $150. Add on a three-night stay in Ubud (at the Ubud Village Hotel) for $180 more. Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.
Air China flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Beijing (return flight is from Shanghai), all transfers and local transportation, 10 nights' lodging (four in Beijing, two in Xi'an, three on a Yangtze River Victoria cruise, and one in Shanghai), all meals and entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide. The 12-day itinerary includes the Great Wall, the Terra-Cotta Warriors, and Three Gorges Dam. When: Mar. 15 ($1,999); Mar. 22, 29 ($2,099); Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26 ($2,199); May 3, 10, 17, 24 ($2,299); May 31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: New York (add $150). Details: Single supplement from $650. Contact: Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, ritztours.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A., transfers, five nights at the Tokyo Hilton in the Shinjuku area, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Mar. 31 ($899), Apr. 1--June 4 ($949). Other Gateways: None. Details: Add $50 for weekend travel. Extra nights from $85. Single supplement from $399. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air New Zealand flights from L.A., transfers, seven nights at the Castaway Beach Villas on Rarotonga, breakfast daily, and one dinner. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,349), Apr. 1--31 ($1,561). Other Gateways: None. Details: Cash-discount prices; add $50 for credit card payments. Extra nights from $106. Single supplement from $527. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.
Air Pacific flights from L.A., transfers, five nights in a beachfront bungalow at the Mango Bay Resort, and breakfast daily. The resort, which opened in November, has a pool, bar, restaurant, and nightclub. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $142. Single supplement from $340. Contact: Springboard Vacations, 866/447-7746, airpacificusa.com.
United Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Sydney, four nights in Sydney at the Park Regis Hotel, a five-day car rental, a four-night Choice Yellow hotel pass, and four nights in Melbourne at the Travelodge Southbank Hotel. When: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday departures until Feb. 28 ($2,234), Mar. 1--29 ($2,109). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $192), New York (add $240). Details: Extra nights from $58. Single supplement from $645. Contact: United Vacations/Tourism Australia, 877/793-2484, australia.com/united.
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Auckland, transfers, and an eight-day campervan rental with unlimited miles. The camper has one double bed and a kitchenette. When: Feb 1--28 ($1,345), Mar. 1--Apr. 20 ($1,193). Other Gateways: None. Details: These are cash-discount prices; add $50 for credit card payments. Extra days from $76. Single supplement from $304. You can extend your stay in New Zealand by up to a month; long-rental discounts will apply. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.