Summer Discount for Spain

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, 14 nights' accommodations, and 14-day car rental from $2,609 per person based on triple occupancy--a savings of $150 per person.

When: Depart June 6, 20; July 4; Aug. 29, 2007.

Gateways: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia; add $134 for Washington, D.C.; $150 for Chicago, Miami; $250 for Los Angeles. Additional gateways available.

The Fine Print: Air/apartment transfers, on-site English-speaking support services, and all taxes are included. Multibedroom apartments are available at a lower cost for larger groups, starting from $2,368 per person for three people and $2,296 per person for six people. Discounted prices for single accommodations start at $3,650 during high season. A $75 per person discount applies to land-only packages, which start at $1,599 per person for double occupancy.

Book By: March 30, 2007; afterwards the price increases by $150 per person. Mention the word "carnival" when you book.

Contact: Untours, 888/868-6871, untours.com.

Why It's a Deal: In comparison, the lowest round-trip airfare we found between New York and Malaga in June is $919 (multiple carriers). For an additional $1,690--or a little less than $120 a day--Untours covers fully furnished apartment accommodations for two weeks during the summer high season, the 14-day car rental, an orientation, on-site staff support, and lodging and airport taxes.

Trip Details: The package includes round-trip airfare to Malaga on Air France and a 14-night stay at one of five charming apartment rentals. For instance, the Balcon in Fuente Tojar, owned by an Untours' staff person, is a renovated and cozily furnished apartment that sleeps two people. There is a sunlit bedroom, a living area, a fully equipped hand-tiled kitchen, a washing machine, a terrace, and a pool. In addition to a yellow stone fireplace, electric heaters are provided for cooler temperatures. The only downside--or upside, depending on your attitude--is that, other than a market and a bakery, the closest shopping is in Priego de Cordoba, five miles away.

Alternatively, you could opt to stay at Las Sirijuelas in Carcabuey, nestled between mountains and surrounded by olive groves. A $90 supplement will be charged if you book this four-bedroom apartment, which sleeps six, for one or two people. The cottage features an eat-in kitchen, an outdoor patio,  and a private swimming pool. Two miles away from the town of Carcabuey, the Spanish country home is equipped with comfortable furniture, two double and two twin beds, a stone fireplace, a washing machine, and a TV.

Three other lodging options include the Posada Real in Priego de Cordoba, and La Cubertilla and Patio in Fuente Tojar.

A 14-day manual transmission car rental (Hertz) is also included; upgrade to a compact automatic transmission car for $213 per person, based on double occupancy. During the orientation, an Untours staffer will point out area highlights, such as La Fuente de la Salud, the Roman ruins of Almedinilla, and the Alhambra in Granada. Granada, Cordoba, Seville, and Malaga are all within day-tripping distance.

Note that Untour's profits go to the nonprofit Untours Foundation, whose mission is to provide low-interest loans, nationally and internationally, to promote social investing, create jobs, and build low-income housing.

To help you plan your trip, check the weather forecast (for nearby Seville) and exchange rate at BudgetTravelOnline.com and visit the Andalusia Tourist Board for the latest news and updates.

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