BudgetTravel

Have you gone on a 40 Best trip? We want to publish your accounts and pictures! They help others learn more about the companies listed in this section--and we love reading the tales. E-mail us at Letters@BudgetTravelOnline.com.

Editors' Correction: When writing up the Fiji Cruise package in our May issue, we accidentally left out an "s" in the name and website of the travel company who is running the deal. Our sincere apologies! The correct name and website are the following: IslandsEscapes, islandsescapes.com.

FEATURES

Millennium Hotel Deals from $109
Millennium on View, the visual arts program founded by Millennium Hotels in 2004, partners with museums and cultural institutions around the country to sponsor exhibitions and then create hotel deals around them. This year the company funded shows at arts organizations in seven of the 13 U.S. cities where it owns hotels, such as "WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution" at L.A.'s Museum of Contemporary Art, and "Picasso and American Art" at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which opens June 16. The Pablo Picasso Package starts at $159 and includes one night's stay, breakfast, and two tickets to the exhibition--early bookers can attend a preview party on June 15. In Chicago, one night at the Knickerbocker hotel and admission for two to the Museum of Contemporary Art begins at $169. The packages, priced from $109, vary by city, exhibition, and date. Contact: Millennium Hotels, 866/866-8086, millenniumhotels.com/onview.

Sumptuous South Africa from $1,999
The new joint venture from South African Airways and Lion World Tours, named Visit Southern Africa, is rolling out a wide range of upscale packages to the region. One of the best deals launches this month with six nights at two five-star hotels for $1,999. "We wanted to show that South Africa is affordable--not just at three-star accommodations," says Lion World Tours President Lucille Sive. The South Africa in Style deal includes SAA flights from D.C. or New York to Cape Town, all transfers, four nights at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, a winery tour, either a helicopter ride or dinner at the hotel's Azure restaurant, an onward flight to Hoedspruit, two nights at the Jackalberry Lodge in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, four game drives, and all meals on safari. When: May 1-30 ($1,999); June 1-Aug. 31 ($2,899); Sept. 1-30 ($2,499); Oct. 1-31 ($2,299); Nov. 1-30 ($2,199). Other Gateways Atlanta, Miami (add $180); Boston, Chicago (add $200); Dallas, L.A., Seattle (add $290). Contact: Visit Southern Africa, 888/722-4872, visitsaonsaa.com.

A New Arts Festival in Toronto from $178
From June 1 to June 10, Toronto will host Luminato, its first annual multigenre arts festival. The series of performances and exhibitions is the brainchild of civic leaders to show off the city's more than $1 billion investment in new cultural venues, including architect Daniel Libeskind's expansion of the Royal Ontario Museum (opening June 2). Luminato highlights include the world premieres of Eric Idle's oratorio based on the Monty Python film Life of Brian, a Leonard Cohen-Philip Glass collaboration, and a play about pianist Glenn Gould. Online ticket sales began April 7, but the city will showcase enough free entertainment to make up for any sold-out performances. Visitors can see art installations dangling from the ceilings of public venues, such as the Great Hall of Union Station, and take in live music shows in the Distillery District without tickets or reservations. Five city hotels have partnered with Luminato to provide special rates during the festival: the Drake Hotel, Pantages Suites Hotel & Spa, Westin Harbour Castle, Park Hyatt Toronto, and Delta Chelsea hotel. Packages start at $178 per night; contact each hotel for details and availability. When: June 1-10 (from $178). Contact: Luminato, luminato.com.

UNITED STATES
Alaska Cruise for $749
A seven-day sailing on Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess from Whittier to Vancouver (or vice versa, depending on departure dates). The ship travels the Inside Passage, goes through College Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park, and stops at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. When: Saturday departures May 19-July 28 ($749 inside cabin; $849 ocean-view cabin). Prices cover port charges but not airfare. Contact: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.

Honolulu for $629
Air from L.A., transfers, and five nights at the Ohana Waikiki Malia hotel on Kuhio Avenue, a 15-minute walk from Waikiki Beach. When: May 2-July 12. Book by June 15. Other Gateways: Denver ($849); Chicago, New York, Philadelphia ($879). Contact: Apple Vacations, applevacations.com.

Las Vegas for $184
Southwest Airlines flights from L.A. or Tucson and two nights on the Strip at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. When: May 1-July 31 (from $184). Other Gateways: Denver, El Paso (from $234); Philadelphia, St. Louis (from $304); Islip, Orlando (from $319). Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

New Orleans for $299
Air from Houston or Nashville and three nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Astor-New Orleans, in the French Quarter. When: Until Dec. 23. Other Gateways: Dallas, D.C., Orlando ($339); Chicago, Fort Lauderdale ($375); New York ($389); Phoenix ($409); Las Vegas ($449). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

Orlando for $184
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale; transfers; three nights at the Best Western Lakeside hotel, two miles from the Walt Disney World resort's main entrance; and tickets to Gatorland, an alligator theme park. When: May 7-21; May 29-June 25. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Detroit ($272); Atlantic City ($287). Contact: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

CANADA
Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island for $1,209
Air Canada flights from Boston, Miami, or New York to Halifax; a six-day car rental; six nights' accommodations at B&Bs, hotels, or inns in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (two each in Halifax, Lunenburg, and Charlottetown); and tickets to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. When: Until Oct. 31. Other Gateways: Chicago ($1,249), L.A. ($1,309), Atlanta ($1,359). Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.