BudgetTravel

Italy for $1,399
Air from New York to Florence or Rome, a six-day car rental, five nights in Umbria at the Hotel Brufani Palace, and breakfast daily. When: Mar. 1-15 ($1,399); Mar. 16-31 ($1,499); Apr. 1-May 31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $50); Atlanta, Chicago (add $95); L.A., San Francisco (add $200). Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Netherlands Cruise for $1,748
Air from New York to Amsterdam, transfers, and a seven-night round-trip sailing on canals on the River Ambassador, with stops at Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Volendam, Nijmegen, Dordrecht, Schoonhoven, and Rotterdam. The price covers accommodations in an outside stateroom, all onboard meals and entertainment, and seven shore excursions. When: Mar. 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28. Other Gateways: Chicago ($1,848), L.A. ($1,898). Contact: Uniworld Grand River Cruises, 800/360-9550, uniworld.com.

Prague for $589
Czech Airlines flights from Montreal, New York, or Toronto; transfers; six nights at the Hotel Lunik, Orion, or Sibelius; a city tour; and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 15 ($589); Mar. 16-31 ($699); Apr. 1-May 31 ($849). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add from $89); Atlanta, Chicago (add from $179); Miami, New Orleans (add from $219). Contact: Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, tatratravel.com.

Russia for $999
Finnair flights from New York to St. Petersburg (via Helsinki), transfers, three nights in St. Petersburg at either the Okhtinskaya-Victoria Hotel (along the Neva River) or the Best Western Hotel Neptun (in the historic district), an overnight train to Moscow, two nights at the Hotel Izmailovo-Alfa (near the crafts market in Izmail-ovsky Park), breakfast daily, and a guided tour and tickets to an evening performance in each city. When: Until Mar. 31 ($999); Apr. 1-15 ($1,199); Apr. 16-30 ($1,399); May 1-15 ($1,599); May 16-30 ($1,799). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add from $300); Chicago, Detroit, Miami (add from $425); Denver, L.A. (add from $525). Contact: Eastern Tours, 800/339-6967, traveltorussia.com.

Sicily Tour for $1,940
Air from New York, all transfers and local transportation (private bus), and an eight-day escorted tour of Sicily. The itinerary covers six nights' hotel accommodations (three in Taormina, one in Agrigento, and two in Palermo), 13 meals, all entrance fees, and a guide throughout. Sightseeing highlights include the Monreale Cathedrale, Trapani's salt mines, and wineries near Marsala. Budget Travel readers get $250 off per couple on all 2007 departures for bookings made by May 31. When: Monday departures until Mar. 26 ($1,940); Wednesday departures until May 30 ($3,099). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $2,183), L.A. (from $2,275). Contact: Central Holidays, 800/935-5000, centralholidays.com.

Spain Fly & Drive for $649
Air from New York to Madrid and a seven-day Hertz car rental. Hotel accommodations are not included. When: Mar. 8-30 ($679); Mar. 31-May 17 ($649); May 18-26 ($759); May 27-June 24 ($1,059). Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $100); Denver (add $160); Austin, San Antonio (add $190); L.A., Portland, San Francisco, Seattle (add $220). Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.

Transatlantic Cruise for $599
A 12-night sailing on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas from Miami to Southampton, England, with stops in Bermuda; Cork, Ireland; and Brest, France. The price covers port charges but not airfare. When: Apr. 14 ($599 inside cabin/$849 ocean-view cabin/$999 balcony cabin). Contact: GalaxSea Cruises and Tours, 800/662-5450, cruisestar.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Botswana Camping Safari for $1,799
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Johannesburg, arrival transfer and all local transportation with an English-speaking driver, one night's hotel near Pretoria, and an eight-night camping safari through South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia with a guide and cook. Spend one night each in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and Livingstone, and two nights each in Maun, the Okavango Delta, and Chobe National Park. The package includes a visit to Victoria Falls, a three-day canoe trip through the Okavango Delta, and all camping equipment, entrance fees, and meals while on safari. When: Mar. 15 ($1,799); Apr. 12, May 10 ($2,049). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $1,999); Denver, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (from $2,099). Contact: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.

Egypt for $1,099
Egyptair flights from New York to Cairo, transfers, five nights at either the Cairo Marriott or Ramses Hilton hotel, and breakfast daily. The price covers half-day tours of the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. When: Thursday departures until May 10. Blacked out Mar. 29 and Apr. 5. Other Gateways: None. Contact: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.

Kenya & Tanzania Safari for $3,145
Air from Boston, D.C., L.A., New York, or San Francisco to Nairobi (via London); all transfers and local transportation; and an eight-night safari. Spend one night each at the Serena Mountain Lodge in Mount Kenya Forest, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Safari Lodge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge; and two nights each at the Siana Springs Intrepid Tented Safari Camp in the Masai Mara National Game Reserve and Serengeti Sopa Safari Lodge in Serengeti National Park. The price covers nine game drives with an English-speaking driver-guide, all entrance fees and meals while on safari, and visits to Thompson's Falls, Olduvai Gorge, and the Arusha Cultural Center. When: Mar. 21 ($3,495); Apr. 18, May 2, 21 ($3,145). Other Gateways: None. Contact: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.

Morocco Tour for $1,249
Air from New York to Casa-blanca (return flight is from Marrakech), all transfers and local transportation, six nights' hotel accommodations (one in Casa-blanca, two in Fez, three in Marrakech), six breakfasts and dinners, and an English-speaking guide throughout. When: Mar. 3 ($1,249); Mar. 17, 31, Apr. 7 ($1,299); Apr. 21, May 26 ($1,329); June 16, 30, July 21 ($1,549). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $1,249), Boston (from $1,342), San Francisco (from $1,420), L.A. (from $1,680). Contact: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

ASIA
India Tour for $1,499
Air India flights from New York to Delhi, all transfers and local transportation (private bus), six nights' accommodations (two nights in Claridges Hotel, two in Agra at the Hotel Clarks Shiraz, and two in Jaipur at the Country Inn & Suites), tours of the Taj Mahal and ancient Mughal city Fatehpur Sikri with entrance fees, a farewell dinner in Delhi, and breakfast daily. When: Mar. 6 ($1,999); Apr. 24, May 8 ($1,599); May 22 ($1,499). Other Gateways: None. Contact: Friendly Planet Travel, 800/555-5765, friendlyplanet.com.

Northern Thailand for $370
A nine-day, fully escorted round trip from Bangkok to Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the border intersection of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. The itinerary covers all local transportation (train, bus, taxi, bicycle); eight nights' accommodations in simple hotels, bungalows, and overnight trains; four meals; and an English-speaking guide through-out. A local payment of $150 is due upon arrival. Add $75 for meals. This is a land-only price; airfare isn't included. When: Saturday departures Mar. 3, 17, 24; Apr. 7-May 26. Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Tokyo & Kyoto for $1,499
American Airlines flights from L.A. to Tokyo, transfers, a seven-day Japan Rail Pass, three nights at the Le Meridien Pacific Tokyo with a half-day city tour, three nights in Kyoto at the New Miyako Hotel, and two half-day tours. When: Until Mar. 15 ($1,499); Mar. 16-May 31 ($1,599). Other Gateways: New York (add from $100). Contact: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

Vietnam for $999
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hanoi (via Singapore, return flight is from Ho Chi Minh City), transfers, three nights at the Chains First Eden Hotel near the Old Quarter, onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines, and three nights at the Bong Sen Annex Hotel in the city center. Includes two half-day tours, breakfast daily, and a choice of a water puppet show, tour of the Cu Chi tunnels, cooking class, or a one-hour massage. When: Until June 4. Other Gateways: Boise, Denver, Portland (add $175); New York (add $250); Austin, Dallas (add $275); Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $300); Chicago (add $345). Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

AUSTRALIA
Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney for $1,685
Qantas Airlines flights from L.A., all internal flights, and 12 nights split between Melbourne at the Hotel Ibis, Adelaide at the Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide hotel, and Sydney at the Hotel Ibis Darling Harbour. Sightseeing and transfer packages are extra and begin at $440 per person. When: Until Mar. 28 ($2,385); Mar. 29-Apr. 30, June 1-8 ($1,985); May 1-31 ($1,685). Other Gateways: New York (add $300). Contact: Newmans South Pacific Vacations, 888/592-6224, newmansvacations.com.

NEW ZEALAND
North Island for $1,320
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Auckland, transfers, and a seven-day camper-van rental with unlimited mileage. The vehicle comes with a double bed and kitchenette. The price covers all taxes, surcharges, and fees. When: Mar. 1-31 ($1,556); Apr. 1-30 ($1,472); May 1-31 ($1,320). Other Gateways: None. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.