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40 Best Vacations
The real deals right now
November 2006 issue
Tuesday, October 24, 2006;
UNITED STATES
Colorado Skiing for $561
Florida Cycling Tour for $745
Kauai Adventure for $1,999
Las Vegas for $299
Los Angeles for $273
Miami for $349
Raleigh, N.C. for $175
CANADA
Calgary & Banff for $839
Toronto for $629
MEXICO
Cancún for $602
Mazatlán for $367
Mexican Riviera Cruise for $950
CARIBBEAN
Barbados for $442
Grand Cayman for $1,121
Puerto Rico for $365
St. Lucia for $459
CENTRAL AMERICA
Guatemala Tour for $790
Nicaragua for $973
Panama for $952
SOUTH AMERICA
Bolivia for $595
Buenos Aires for $599
Santiago & Easter Island for $1,995
EUROPE
Warm Up in the Azores for $589
France B&B for $739
Ireland B&B for $759
London for $499
Prague, Vienna & Budapest for $999
Rome for $890
Stockholm for $499
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Cape Town for $1,779
Cape Town to Cairo Tour $4,995
Egypt Tour for $1,999
ASIA
Bali for $699
China Tour for $1,399
Northern India Tour for $2,495
Philippines for $1,899
Tokyo $899
SOUTH PACIFIC
Tahiti for $1,598
AUSTRALIA
Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne forR $1,999
NEW ZEALAND
North & South Island $1,821
Three nights at The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in Telluride, and four lift tickets. When: Nov. 23-Dec. 14 ($561); Jan. 2-Apr. 8 ($777). Details: Land-only price. Price is per room; no single supplement. Extra nights from $129. Contact: The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa, 866/282-4557, thepeaksresort.com.
Five nights at Cassadaga Hotel in Lake Helen, meals, entrance fees, a day of safety training, and three full-day trips with support. When: Nov. 12, 26; Dec. 10; Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 25. Details: Land-only price. Single supplement $100. Must be at least 18. Bikes and helmets not included. Contact: Florida Discovery Bicycling Center, 386/228-2121, floridabicycle.org.
Six-day active tour with three nights in a tent on a private beach, two nights in an oceanfront cottage, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and biking. Includes most meals, all equipment and instruction, and guides. When: Nov. 5-10; Dec. 31-Jan. 5. Details: Land-only price. Nonmembers must first pay a $15 membership fee. No extra nights. Single travelers paired with a same-sex roommate. Contact: REI Adventures, 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.
Air from Houston, two nights at New York New York Hotel & Casino, and two spa passes. When: Nov. 19-Jan. 4. Other Gateways: Cleveland ($359), Omaha ($389), New York ($429). Details: Extra nights from $20. Single supplement from $50. Contact: Continental Airlines Vacations, 800/829-7777, covacations.com.
Air from San Francisco and three nights at the Westin Bonaventure in the Financial District. When: Until Jan. 31. Other Gateways: Chicago ($334), Dallas ($360), New York ($430). Details: Extra nights $49. Single supplement $148. Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.
Air from Chicago, D.C., or New York and three nights at either the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel/Dezerland Beach & Spa in Miami Beach or the Dorchester in South Beach. When: Nov. 1-20, Nov. 28-Dec. 15 ($349); Jan. 4-31 ($398). Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $39); Boston (add $79); L.A., San Francisco (add $129). Details: Extra nights $49. Single supplement $129. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Two nights at the Clarion Hotel State Capital and two tickets to the "Monet in Normandy" exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Raleigh is one of just three North American cities to host the show. When: Until Jan. 14. Details: Land-only price. Extra nights $72. Price is per room; no single supplement. Contact: Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800/849-8499, visitraleigh.com.
Air from L.A. to Calgary, two nights at the Delta Bow Valley Hotel, a three-hour shuttle-bus transfer to Banff, and three nights at the Caribou Lodge or Ptarmigan Inn. When: Until Jan. 31. Other Gateways: Chicago ($989); Boston, New York ($1,009). Details: Extra nights from $62. Single supplement $399. Five-day car rental is $60 more. Add a three-day lift pass starting at $174. Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.
Air from Chicago, three nights at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, and admission to six city attractions, including the CN Tower. When: Until Jan. 31. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, New York ($709); L.A. ($759); Miami ($779). Details: Extra nights $65. Single supplement $249. Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.
Champion Air or Ryanair flights from Detroit, transfers, and seven nights at the downtown Radisson Hacienda. When: Nov. 22-Jan. 24. Other Gateways: Minneapolis, Nov. 4-11, Dec. 23-Jan. 20 ($604); Dallas, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 31-Jan. 21 ($666). Details: No extra nights. Single supplement from $293. Contact: Worry-Free Vacations, 888/225-5658, worryfreevacations.com.
Air from L.A., transfers, and four nights at the beachfront El Cid Granada Country Club. When: Until Dec. 11. Other Gateways: Denver, Thursday departures until Dec. 14 ($466); Chicago, Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 20 ($690). Details: Extra nights from $91. Single supplement from $316. Three-night packages, available Jan.-Mar., begin at $520. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Sail for 11 nights round trip from San Diego aboard the Celebrity Mercury, with stops at six ports. When: Nov. 20; Jan. 8, 29 ($950 inside cabin/$1,100 ocean-view cabin). Details: Prices include port charges but not airfare. Contact: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Air from Miami and seven nights in an apartment with a kitchenette at the Golden Sands Hotel, five miles from the airport. When: Until Dec. 2 ($442); Dec. 3-15, Jan. 15-31 ($642). Other Gateways: New York ($499/$699); Baltimore ($528/$728); Chicago, Philadelphia ($582/$782); L.A. ($701/$901). Details: Breakfast is included until Dec. 2. Extra nights $45. Single supplement $315. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
US Airways flights from Boston, transfers, five nights at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort on Seven Mile Beach, and one $75 food-and-beverage credit per room. The hotel has a dive center, spa, two restaurants, and two bars. When: Until Dec. 17. Other Gateways: Detroit ($1,165), D.C. ($1,232), Pittsburgh ($1,464). Details: Extra nights from $332. Single supplement from $732. Price includes hotel taxes. Contact: US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.
Air from Newark and three nights at the Normandie Hotel in San Juan. The art deco hotel has a pool, restaurant, and spa. When: Until Dec. 15; Jan. 6-31. Other Gateways: Boston ($395), Miami ($499), Chicago ($625), Dallas ($635), L.A. ($689). Details: Prices include government taxes of up to $69. Extra nights $120. Single supplement $125. Take $50 off per booking until Dec. 15 with the promotion code Budget50. Contact: Sunburst Vacations, 800/786-2877, sunburstvacations.com.
The Coco Palm Hotel's "Taste of St. Lucia" package includes four nights in a garden-view room, the Anse La Raye Fish Fry street party, a rum-distillery tour, a four-course dinner at Ti Bananne restaurant, and a manicure and pedicure at the Spa at Coco Palm. When: Until Dec. 15; Jan 5-31. Details: Price doesn't include airfare. A Friday-night stay is required for the Fish Fry. Extra nights from $63. Single supplement $166. Contact: Coco Resorts, 866/588-5980, coco-resorts.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, five nights at the Biltmore Express hotel, transportation by private bus, all entrance fees, breakfast daily, and guided day trips to Antigua, the Chichicastenango market, and Lake Atitlán. When: Nov. 6-Dec. 9, Jan. 1-Feb. 28 ($790); Dec. 10-31 ($990). Other Gateways: L.A., New York (add $140); San Francisco (add $290). Details: Extra nights $37. Single supplement $295. The price includes hotel and service taxes; add about $233 for airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
American Airlines flights to Managua, transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Barceló Montelimar Beach Hotel on the Pacific Coast. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 9 ($973); Jan. 2-Apr. 8 ($1,226). Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,009/$1,259); New York ($1,123/$1,384); L.A., San Francisco ($1,189/$1,438); Chicago ($1,199/$1,448); Portland ($1,319/$1,569). Details: Extra nights $79. Single supplement from $140. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Panama City, all transfers, three nights at the Crowne Plaza hotel, three nights at the all-inclusive Royal Decameron Beach Resort on Playa Blanca, and a half-day tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal. When: Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 9 ($952); Jan. 2-April 15 ($997). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $160); Atlanta, D.C. (add $180); Boston, New York (add $200); L.A. (add $300). Details: Add $196 for taxes and security fees. Extra nights from $65. Single supplement $261. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
An 11-day escorted trip through Bolivian Altiplano to the cities of La Paz, Sucre, and Potosí, and the Uyuni Salt Flats. The rate covers local transportation (bus, train, plane, and four-wheel-drive vehicles), some meals, nine nights in hotels, and one night train. When: Nov. 7, 21; Dec. 12, 15, 26; Tuesday departures Jan. 2-30. Details: Price doesn't include international airfare. Local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Add about $120 for meals. Extra nights from $20. Single travelers will be paired with a same-sex roommate. 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 Regis Orho Hotel, breakfasts, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Dec. 6 ($599); Dec. 7-Jan. 31 ($699). Other Gateways: New York (add $190), L.A. (add $250). Details: Extra nights $29. Single supplement $150. Add $250 for taxes and fuel surcharges. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
LanChile flights from Miami or New York, transfers, three nights in Santiago at the Diego de Almagro hotel, a half-day city tour and visit to Concha y Toro Winery, onward flight to Easter Island, three nights at the Hotel Iorana, two half-day tours, a full-day excursion with lunch, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 9, Jan. 1-31 ($1,995); Dec. 10-31 ($2,095). Other Gateways: L.A. ($2,199/$2,299). Details: Extra nights from $38. Single supplement $350. Add $100 for Chile's tourist tax. Contact: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.
Last month, tour operator Azores Express launched its weeklong winter packages to the Azores, about 800 miles off Portugal. Just five hours by air from Boston, the volcanic islands have beaches, lakes, tea plantations--and temperatures that rarely go below 55 degrees. This deal includes round-trip charter flights from Boston, six nights at the Hotel Vila Nova, on São Miguel, and breakfasts. When: Tuesday departures until Dec. 5, Jan. 9-Mar. 27 ($589); Dec. 12-Jan. 2 ($819). Friday departures, add $90. Other Gateways: None. Details: Add $146 for taxes. Extra nights $50. Single supplement $240. Contact: Azores Express, 800/762-9995, azores-express.com.
Air from New York to Paris, a seven-day car rental, and six nights of B&B vouchers good at 225 properties. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 13; Jan. 8-Mar. 24. Other Gateways: Boston ($749), D.C. ($759), L.A. ($769), Miami ($829), Chicago ($839). Details: Add up to $289 for airline taxes. Extra nights from $60. Single supplement from $110. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.
Delta flights from Baltimore, D.C., or New York; a six-day car rental; and five nights of vouchers valid at 1,300 B&Bs. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 15, Jan. 4-Mar. 25 ($759); Dec. 16-Jan. 3 ($879). Other Gateways: Boston (add $30); Atlanta, Raleigh (add $70); Chicago, Houston, Miami (add $100). Details: Extra nights $49. Single supplement $169. Contact: Brian Moore International Tours, 800/982-2299, bmit.com.
Air from New York, six nights at the Apollo Hotel in Bayswater, and breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 13; Jan. 8-Mar. 22. Other Gateways: Boston ($559), D.C. ($609), Dallas ($669), San Francisco ($699). Details: Extra nights $40. Single supplement from $110. Add up to $289 for airline taxes. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.
Austrian Airlines flights from D.C. or New York to Prague (via Vienna), nine nights in three-star hotels (three each in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest), trains between cities, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 14; Jan. 4-Mar. 31. Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights $59. Single supplement $329. Contact: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.
Air from New York, an arrival transfer, four nights at either the Grand Hotel Beverly Hills or the Hotel Oxford, a half-day city tour, and breakfast daily. The trip also includes a guided half-day tour with a private car to three Roman churches. When: Nov. 15-Dec. 14; Jan. 3-Mar. 15. Other Gateways: D.C. ($915), Chicago ($925), Miami ($935), Atlanta ($975). Details: Extra nights $89. No price for singles. Add $250 for airport taxes and fuel. Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.
Air from New York, transfers, three nights at the Clarion Hotel Stockholm, a half-day tour, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 9, 23, Dec. 7 ($499); Dec. 21 ($749). Other Gateways: None. Details: Nonmembers must pay a $30 membership fee (covers two adults and two kids under 18). Single supplement $200. Contact: Club ABC Tours, 888/868-7722, clubabc.com.
Air from New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg), transfers, five nights at the Courtyard Hotel Cape Town, a bus pass to the city's main attractions, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-30 ($1,779); Dec. 1-15 ($1,999); Dec. 16-Jan. 9 ($2,099); Jan. 10-31 ($1,899). Other Gateways: Boston (add $129); L.A. (add $290). Details: Extra nights $140. Single supplement $399. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.
Air from New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg), 20 nights' accommodations (three nights each in Cape Town, Botswana, and Cairo; one in Jo'burg; five in Nairobi; five in Tanzania), transfers, and local transport (bus and plane). The itinerary includes eight game drives, a day trip to Victoria Falls, all park fees, meals while on safari, and breakfasts. When: Feb. 5, May 21, 28 ($5,695); Feb. 26, Mar. 12 ($5,495); Mar. 26 ($4,995). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights in Cape Town or Cairo $75. Single supplement $900. Contact: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.
Air from New York to Cairo, local transport (air, bus, and car), 13 nights' accommodations (five in Cairo, four on a Nile cruise, and four in seaside Hurghada), guides throughout, two days of guided tours in Cairo, and most meals and shore excursions with entrance fees on the cruise. When: Nov. 1, 2 ($2,099); Nov. 6-9, Dec. 4-7 ($1,999); Nov. 13-16 ($2,199); Nov. 20--30 ($2,299); Dec. 11-14 ($2,799); Dec. 18-21 ($2,999); Dec. 25-28, Jan. 1-4 ($2,899); Jan. 8-25 ($2,599); Jan. 29-31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $69. Single supplement from $525. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco (via Singapore); transfers; five nights in Kuta, Sanur, or Ubud; a half-day tour; and breakfasts. When: Until Dec. 4 ($699); Dec. 5-Jan. 1 (from $1,099); Jan. 2-31 (from $799). Other Gateways: Denver, Seattle (add $175); New York (add $200); Chicago (add $335). Details: Extra nights $20. Single supplement from $140. Add up to $300 for taxes and surcharges. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air China flights from L.A. to Beijing, 10 nights in five-star hotels (three in Beijing, two in Xi'an, one in Hangzhou, two each in Suzhou and Shanghai), most meals, and transfers and transportation between cities (by bus and plane). Includes visits to the Great Wall and the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, and a Grand Canal cruise. When: Nov. 14, 28, Jan. 16, 30, Feb. 13, 27 ($1,399); Dec. 12, 26, Jan. 2 ($1,699). Other Gateways: New York ($1,499/$1,799). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement $435. Contact: Champion Holidays, 800/868-7658, china-discovery.com.
Air from New York to Delhi, transfers, 10 nights' lodging in restored forts and palaces (two nights each in Delhi and Jaipur; one each in Agra, Karauli, Pushkar, Khimsar, Luni, and Udaipur), a night train from Udaipur to Delhi, all transportation (private bus), and guides throughout. When: Nov. 17, Jan. 12, 26 ($2,495); Dec. 1, 29 ($2,770). Other Gateways: L.A. ($2,620/$2,895), Miami ($2,720/$2,995), Chicago ($2,720/$2,996). Details: Extra nights in Delhi $150. Single supplement $375. Travelers can be paired with a same-sex roommate; if none is available, the fee is $185. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Manila (return flight from Cebu), transfers, local flights, eight nights' lodging (two nights in Manila, three nights each on Boracay and Cebu), two half-day tours, a trip to Bohol island, and breakfasts. When: Until Dec. 5 ($1,899); Dec. 6-12 ($2,179); Dec. 13-23 ($2,429); Dec. 24-31 ($2,299); Jan. 1-10 ($2,079). Other Gateways: New York (add $130), Chicago (add $350), Miami (add $390). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement from $460. Contact: Orient Flexi-Pax Tours, 800/545-5540, orientflexipax.com.
American Airlines flights from L.A., transfers, five nights at Tokyo Prince Hotel, and a half-day tour. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 7; Jan. 8-Feb. 28. Other Gateways: Chicago, New York ($999); Atlanta ($1,059). Details: Add $220 for surcharges and taxes. Extra nights $90. Single supplement $450. Contact: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.
Nonstop Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Tahiti, transfers, one night in Papeete at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort, an onward flight to Bora-Bora, five nights at Novotel Bora-Bora, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 10; Jan. 8-Mar. 28. Other Gateways: New York ($1,698). Details: Extra nights from $150. Single supplement from $525. Contact: Swain Tours, 800/227-9246, swaintours.com.
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, domestic flights, and nine nights' lodging split among Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne. When: Until Dec. 7 ($1,999); Dec. 8-Jan. 31 ($2,234). Other Gateways: San Francisco ($2,049/$2,284); Portland, Seattle ($2,149/$2,384); Chicago ($2,259/$2,494); Boston, D.C., New York ($2,299/$2,534). Details: Call for extra-night price. Single supplement $500. Contact: ATS Tours, 800/423-2880, atstours.com.
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Queenstown (via Auckland), 11-day camper van rental (with kitchenette, but no bathroom), and ferry passage to the North Island. When: Nov. 1-30 ($1,821); Dec. 1-31 ($2,662); Jan. 1-31 ($2,611). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $430), Atlanta (add $455). Details: Extra nights $50. Single supplement $532. Camper van with bathroom from $264 more. Contact: ATS Tours, 800/423-2880, atstours.com.