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40 Best Vacations
The real deals right now.
February 2007 issue
Tuesday, January 16, 2007;
UNITED STATES
Catch King Tut in Philadelphia for $189
Jackson Hole for $1,939
Kauai for $892
Los Angeles for $406
Miami for $399
Reno for $174
Washington, D.C. for $597
CANADA
Ottawa for $669
MEXICO
Puerto Vallarta for $553
Riviera Maya for $730
CARIBBEAN
Adventures in Dominica for $1,226
Caribbean Cruise for $699
Dominican Republic for $619
Jamaica for $499
CENTRAL AMERICA
Belize for $1,114
Central America Tour for $595
Costa Rica Tour for $999
Honduras for $1,165
SOUTH AMERICA
Peru for $1,299
Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls for $1,398
Rio de Janeiro for $899
EUROPE
Berlin for $759
Copenhagen for $614
Edinburgh for $699
Italian and French Riviera for $729
Italy Tour for $1,799
Ljubljana & Zagreb for $1,479
London for $823
Poland for $1,179
Portugal River Cruise for $1,096
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Egypt for $1,897
Kenya for $1,999
ASIA
Shanghai Made Easier for $1,115
China Tour for $999
Northern India Tour for $2,295
Thailand & Cambodia Tour for $2,310
Tokyo for $899
Vietnam Tour for $1,198
SOUTH PACIFIC
Moorea for $1,479
AUSTRALIA
Sydney, Cairns & the Outback for $2,499
Philadelphia is the last stop on the four-city North American tour of the blockbuster exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. The show begins its eight-month residence at the Franklin Institute on February 3, displaying 130 objects from royal Egyptian tombs, including King Tut's gold crown and a calcite bust of the king (right). King Tut packages combine exclusive, untimed, VIP passes to the show with overnight accommodations at 15 area hotels, such as the Courtyard by Marriott and Embassy Suites (from $195), and the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton (from $289). Prices vary by individual hotel, but the package starting price of $189 covers a double room for one night at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia, exhibition tickets, and breakfast. Other citywide, Tut-themed services include a Tut Trolley to shuttle visitors between various Tut-inspired events throughout Philadelphia--one highlight is a show about Amarna, the royal city of Tutankhamun's childhood, at The University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. When: Until Sept. 30. Contact: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, 800/537-7676, gophila.com/tut.
Snake River Lodge & Spa, a RockResort, has an "Anniversary Package" to mark the 40th year of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The deal includes four nights' accommodations, two 3-day lift tickets, two 50-minute champagne-and-mud wraps at the hotel's Avanyu Spa, and breakfast daily. Prices are per room; airfare is not included. When: Until Feb. 16, Mar. 26-Apr. 8 ($1,939); Feb. 25-Mar. 25 ($2,099). Contact: Snake River Lodge & Spa, 866/975-7625, rockresorts.com.
Air from L.A. to Lihue, a six-day car rental with unlimited miles, and five nights at the Aloha Beach Resort on the eastern Coconut Coast. When: Until May 31. Other Gateways Denver ($1,125), Chicago ($1,280), New York ($1,281). Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Two nights at the Farmer's Daughter Hotel, near Museum Row on the Miracle Mile; one breakfast and dinner for two at Tart, the hotel restaurant; and daily valet parking. This is a land-only price. When: Until Mar. 31. Contact: Farmer's Daughter Hotel, 323/937-3930, farmersdaughterhotel.com.
Air from Atlantic City, Chicago, D.C., New York, or Providence, and three nights' hotel accommodations at either the Greenview South Beach or the Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa in Miami Beach. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Boston, Dallas, Houston ($489); L.A., San Francisco ($549). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Southwest Airlines flights from Phoenix or Tucson and two nights at the Peppermill Hotel Casino. When: Feb. 4-28, Mar. 5-13, Mar. 19-27. Other Gateways: Oklahoma City (from $244); St. Louis, San Antonio (from $249). Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.
The Madison, a Loews hotel in downtown D.C., has a discounted two-night minimum package for families with children under 18 years old. Book a standard room for $199 and get an adjoining one for 50 percent off; the two-night total for both rooms is $597. This is a land-only price. When: Until Apr. 30. Contact: The Madison, a Loews Hotel, 800/424-8577, loewshotels.com.
Air from Chicago and three nights at the Quality Hotel, a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Miami ($719); Atlanta, Boston, New York ($749); L.A. ($789). Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.
Air from Denver, transfers, and four nights at the Playa Los Arcos World Class Beach Resort. When: Until Apr. 9. Other Gateways: L.A. until Apr. 10 ($582); Chicago until Mar. 27 ($733); New York until Apr. 5 ($841). Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Air from Dallas, transfers, and three nights at the all-inclusive ClubHotel Riu Tequila in Playa del Carmen. When: Monday departures Feb. 5-Mar. 12. Other Gateways: St. Louis, Tuesdays, Feb. 12-Mar. 20 ($850); Chicago, Mondays and Tuesdays, Feb. 12-Mar. 20 ($900); Detroit, Sundays, Feb. 25-May 25 ($900). Contact: Apple Vacations, applevacations.com.
Tour operator Caradonna Dive Adventures has teamed up with the Dominica National Development Corporation to create ecotourism packages for the Eastern Caribbean country. After all, tropical forests cover two thirds of the island, where there are also waterfalls, 365 rivers, and mountain peaks up to 5,000 feet high. Caradonna's new five- or seven-night packages combine accommodations with excursions to natural attractions--exactly what depends on what's near the chosen hotel. This deal covers American Airlines flights from Miami or New York to Roseau (via San Juan), transfers, seven nights at The Hummingbird Inn, breakfast daily, and five guided activities, such as a kayaking trip on a crater lake, an afternoon whale-watching cruise, and a hike to the 200-degree F waters of Boiling Lake. When: Until Dec. 21. Other Gateways: Boston (add $54), Chicago (add $127), Philadelphia (add $153), L.A. (add $213), Dallas (add $230). Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 888/262-6611, dominica.caradonna.com.
Seven-day sailing round trip from San Juan aboard the Crown Princess. The ship has two itineraries that alternate by week, with one day at sea and stops at either St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba; or Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. Prices cover port charges but not airfare. When: Saturday departures Feb. 3-Apr. 28 ($699 inside cabin/$749 ocean-view cabin). Contact: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Air from Miami to Punta Cana and four nights at the all-inclusive LTI Beach Resort Punta Cana Golf & Spa on Bavaro Beach. Add $18 for round-trip transfers. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 8. Other Gateways: New York ($709), Philadelphia ($759), Baltimore ($809). Contact: Vacation Travel Mart, 800/288-1435, vacmart.com.
Air from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay, transfers, and three nights at the all-inclusive beachfront Starfish Trelawny Resort & Spa, in Falmouth. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: D.C. ($649); Chicago, Dallas ($679); Detroit ($749); New York ($779). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Belize City, onward flight to Ambergris Cay, and seven nights at the beachfront Sunbreeze Hotel in San Pedro Town. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,156); New York ($1,207); Chicago ($1,307); L.A., San Francisco ($1,364); Portland, Seattle ($1,404). Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
A 15-day, fully escorted trip through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The price includes local transportation, guided tours of the Copán ruins and a coffee plantation, and 14 nights of basic hotel accommodations in Antigua, Juayua, Suchitoto, La Palma, and Copán. A local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Add $300 for meals. This is a land-only price; airfare isn't included. When: Feb. 9, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 25, June 29. Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.
Grupo Taca flights from Miami to San José, all transfers and local transportation (bus, minibus, boat, taxi), and an 11-day fully escorted tour with nine nights' simple hotel accommodations in San José, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo. Entry fees are included; a local payment of $150 is due upon arrival. When: Mar. 6 ($999), Apr. 17 ($1,099). Other Gateways: D.C., L.A., New York, San Francisco (add $100). Contact: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.
Air from Houston to Utila Island (via San Pedro Sula), all transfers, four nights at the Mango Inn, onward flight to San Pedro Sula, three nights in Copán at the Hotel Marina Copán with a guided tour of a coffee plantation and the Copán ruins, and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 31. Other Gateways: Boston (add $54), Philadelphia (add $73), New York (add $116), Chicago (add $139), L.A. (add $149), D.C. (add $159), Miami (add $169). Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.
Air from Miami to Lima, all transfers and local transportation, seven nights' hotel accommodations--one in Lima, two in Puna, three in Cuzco, and one in Aguas Calientes--and breakfast daily. The trip highlights include a full-day excursion on Lake Titicaca and a guided tour of Machu Picchu. When: Feb. 27; Mar. 6, 13, 27; Apr. 3, 10, 24. Other Gateways: Houston, New York ($1,399); Chicago, D.C., San Francisco ($1,449), Atlanta, Indianapolis ($1,549); Milwaukee ($1,649). Contact: Traveland.com 800/321-6336, traveland.com.[Editor's note: This story was accurate when it was published. However, since publication, Traveland has since ceased operation.]
Aerolineas Argentinas flights from Miami to Buenos Aires, transfers, five nights at the downtown Castelar Hotel, an onward flight to Iguazú Falls, and two nights at the Esturión Hotel near the border with Brazil and Paraguay. The itinerary includes a half-day city tour, a dinner and tango performance, a full-day gaucho show, and an Iguazú Falls tour. When: Until Apr. 4; Apr. 10-30. Other Gateways: Boston (add $200); L.A., New York (add $300). Contact: Analie Tours, 800/811-6027, analietours.com.
Air from Miami, transfers, and five nights at the Martinique Copa Hotel, directly in front of Copacabana Beach. The price also covers a half-day city tour, a welcome drink and dinner, and breakfast daily. When: Feb. 1; Mar. 1, 15, 22; Apr. 5, 19; May 3, 17, 31. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, D.C., New York ($1,099); Chicago, Dallas, L.A. ($1,199). Contact: Traveland.com, 800/321-6336, traveland.com.
Air from New York and six nights' hotel accommodations at the Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz. When: Until Mar. 7 ($759); Mar. 8-25 ($809); Mar. 26-Apr. 25 ($889); Apr. 26-May 26 ($899). Other Gateways: Boston (add $30); D.C. (add $80); Chicago (add $110); Denver, L.A., San Francisco (add $210). Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
SAS flights from New York to Copenhagen and three nights at the Alexandra Hotel, two blocks from Tivoli Gardens. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Boston ($626); Chicago, Miami ($674); San Francisco, Seattle ($744); L.A. ($754). Contact: Nordic Saga Tours, 800/848-6449, nordicsaga.com.
Air from New York, four nights at the Clarendon Hotel near Edinburgh Castle, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 25 ($699); Mar. 26-Apr. 26 ($939). Other Gateways: Boston (add $30); Philadelphia (add $50); D.C. (add $70); Chicago (add $110); Atlanta, Houston (add $140); L.A., Miami, San Francisco (add $200). Contact: Brian Moore International Tours, 800/982-2299, bmit.com.
Air from Boston or New York to Nice; a four-day car rental; four nights in Rapallo, Italy, at the Hotel Europa; three nights in Nice at the Mercure Marché aux Fleurs hotel; and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Chicago (add from $95), Miami (add from $115), L.A. (add from $175). Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.
Alitalia flights from New York, all transfers and local transportation, and eight nights' hotel accommodations in Florence, Sorrento, Capri, Naples, and Rome. The nine-day fully escorted tour includes all entrances fees, local guides, one dinner, and breakfast daily. When: Mar. 3, 10, 17; Nov. 4, 11. Other Gateways: Boston (add $50), Chicago (add $100), Miami (add $120), Atlanta (add $160), L.A. (add $240). Contact: Troy Tours, 800/748-6878, troytours.com.
Air from New York to Ljubljana, Slovenia; all transfers; three nights at the M Hotel, a mile from the city center; trains between cities; three nights in Zagreb, Croatia, at the Hotel Laguna, near the Cibona Tower; two walking tours; and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago, D.C. (add $75); Dallas, Houston, Miami (add $100); L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $200). Contact: Continental Journeys, 800/601-4343, continentaljourneys.com.
Air from New York, three nights' hotel accommodations at either The Montague on the Gardens in Bloomsbury or The Rubens at the Palace in Victoria. This London Sparkle package covers champagne upon arrival, an afternoon tea for two, and breakfast daily. A Saturday-night stay is required. When: Until Mar. 25. Other Gateways: Chicago ($924); Dallas ($946); L.A., Miami ($1,012). Contact: The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, 866/732-9304, redcarnation.com.
Star Alliance flights from New York to Kraków (via Munich, Frankfurt, or Vienna), all transfers, seven nights' hotel accommodations, and breakfast daily. Spend three nights in the Tatra Mountain town of Zakopane at the Hotel Grand Stamary and four nights in Kraków at the Radisson SAS on the edge of Old Town. When: Until Mar. 25. Other Gateways: Boston (add $10); Philadelphia (add $20); D.C (add $31); Atlanta (add $51); Chicago (add $82); Dallas, Miami (add ($98); L.A., San Francisco (add $170). Contact: Sophisticated Traveler, 800/801-1055, s-traveler.com.
TAP Portugal flights from New York to Porto; transfers; five nights aboard the Infante D. Henrique cruise ship for a round-trip sailing on the Douro River, with stops including Peso da Régua, Pinhão, and Porto Antigo; and all meals and entertainment while aboard. The price covers all port charges. When: Mar. 26, 31 ($1,096); Apr. 5 ($1,138). Other Gateways: None. Contact: Abreu Tours, 800/223-1580, abreu-tours.com.
Air from New York, all local transportation (private car and domestic flights), four nights at a five-star hotel in Cairo (Le Méridien Pyramids or similar) with breakfast daily, and four nights on a five-star cruise ship (Al Jamila or similar) sailing on the Nile, including all meals and shore excursions. Bookings guarantee availability, but confirmations for specific hotels and cruise ships are made 21 days before departure. When: Until Feb. 28 ($1,897); Mar. 1-31 ($1,941); Apr. 16-May 17 ($1,991). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $200), L.A. (add $300). Contact: Karell's African Dream Vacations, 800/327-0373, karell.com.
British Airways flights from New York to Nairobi (via London); all local transportation with an English-speaking 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 Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve); breakfast daily; meals and game drives while on safari; and all park entrance fees. When: Until Feb. 28 ($2,299); Mar. 1-May 27 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); L.A. (add $250). Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtours.com.
In response to American Airlines' introduction of daily nonstop flights from Chicago to Shanghai last year, the company's travel-planning branch, American-Airlines Vacations, has begun selling its first land packages in China. The new packages are currently only for Shanghai, but they include acrobatic shows, city sightseeing and shopping tours, a Huangpu River cruise, and accommodations at five partner hotels: Crowne Plaza, Rendezvous Merry, St. Regis, Pudong Shangri-La, and The Westin. AAdvantage members are eligible for additional discounts: Travelers can pay for packages using their frequent-flyer points--flights bought with points are calculated at reduced mileage levels until Apr. 30--or earn 10,000 bonus miles on trips booked before Mar. 31. The company's Shanghai packages begin at $1,115 and include American Airlines flights from Boston, Chicago, or New York; four nights at the Rendezvous Merry Hotel in the city's business district; and breakfast daily. When: Until Feb. 28 ($1,115); Mar. 1-31 ($1,205). Other Gateways: Dallas (from $1,120), Miami (from $1,226). Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing; all transfers and local transportation (train and private bus); 10 nights in four-star hotels divided between Beijing, Jinan, Tai'an, Qufu, Suzhou, and Shanghai; one overnight train; most meals; and an English-speaking guide throughout. Trip highlights include visits to Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall, an acrobatic show in Shanghai, and a cable-car ride up Mount Tai. When: Feb. 23 ($999); Mar. 9, 16, 22 ($1,099); Friday departures Apr. 6-May 25 ($1,299). Other Gateways: New York (add $200). Contact: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Singapore, one night at the Furama RiverFront hotel, onward flight to Delhi, all transfers and local transportation, and 13 nights' hotel accommodations in India (two each in Delhi, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Jaipur; and one each in Mandawa, Khimsar, Jodhpur, Pushkar, and Agra). The price covers break-fast daily, an elephant ride, a visit to the Taj Mahal, and more. When: Until Apr. 30. Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Denver, Phoenix, Seattle (add $175); D.C. (add $250); Austin, Dallas, Houston (add $275); Chicago (add $325). Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.
Northwest Airlines flights from L.A. to Bangkok (via Tokyo, returning flight from Siem Reap), transfers, 18 nights' lodging (15 in simple hotels, two in Hill Tribe housing, and one on an overnight train), all local transportation (boat, plane, private bus, train), and English-speaking guides throughout. The 22-day trip includes visits to the River Kwai, Chiang Mai, and Angkor Wat, and an optional two-day trek in northern Thailand. Add $275 a week for meals and entry costs. When: Feb. 23; Mar. 9, 23; Apr. 6, 20. Other Gateways: New York ($2,410), Miami ($2,535), Chicago ($2,625). Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
American Airlines flights from L.A., transfers, five nights at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in the Minato-ku neighborhood, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Feb. 28 ($899); Mar. 1-28 ($999). Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York (add $100). Contact: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hanoi (via Singapore), all transfers and local transportation (private car and plane), and eight nights' accommodations: three in Hanoi, one on a traditional junk in Halong Bay, and four in Ho Chi Minh City. Includes visits to the the tunnels of Cu Chi, a full-day tour of Hanoi, all meals on the boat, and breakfast daily. When: Until Apr. 30. Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Denver, Seattle (add $175); Austin, Dallas, Houston (add $275); Chicago (add $325). Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, Tahiti, transfers and inter-island air to Moorea, six nights at the beach-front Club Bali Hai on Cook's Bay, and lei greetings. When: Thursday departures until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: None. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-333, pleasantholidays.com.
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, flights within Australia, and 12 nights' hotel accommodations. Spend four nights each in Sydney and Cairns, and two each in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uluru in the Outback. When: Feb. 1-Mar. 28 ($2,799); Mar. 29-Apr. 30 ($2,499). Other Gateways: New York (add $300). Contact: Qantas Airways/Tourism Australia, 800/369-6863, australia.com.