REAL DEALS
Puerto Rico Hotels, From $139
Make a summer escape to this nearby island in the Caribbean Sea, where U.S. citizens can still travel without a passport.
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Europe Bike Tours on Sale for $920
This summer, in the middle of Europe's high season, BikeToursDirect will offer a 20 percent discount on four of its guided biking trips in Europe. "We're just trying to raise our profile," says Jim Johnson, who founded the Chattanooga-based business four years ago as a U.S. travel agency for 35 European bicycle-tour companies. BikeToursDirect now sells more than 200 different cycling and walking itineraries in 32 countries. All four of the specially priced trips cycle along easy-to-moderate-level routes and include seven nights' accommodations in hotels and inns, luggage transport, a support van (except for the Danube itinerary), guides throughout, breakfast and dinner daily, and all entrance fees, sightseeing, and local transportation for each trip's specific itinerary. Two of the discounted routes are in Italy (one in the Dolomites and the other in Tuscany) and the other two are in Austria (the Lake District and along Danube River). Weeklong bike rentals are an extra $73 per person. This is a land-only price; airfare to Europe isn't covered. When: Tuscany, July 1 ($986); Danube Bike Path, July 7 ($920); Salzburg Lakes, July 15 ($950); Bolzano to Venice, July 21 ($1,030). Contact: BikeToursDirect, 877/462-2423, biketoursdirect.com.
Taking a Closer Look at Brazil for $1,543
TAM Vacations, a Brazilian tour operator founded in 1998, creates packages using TAM Brazilian Airlines' network (the two are owned by the same parent company), which crisscrosses South America and extends to Miami and New York. TAM Vacations opened a U.S. office in Miami in January, giving American travelers the opportunity to book its terrific deals for the first time. Among its best sellers are a five-night Rio, Buenos Aires, and Iguazú Falls combo (from $1,623); an eight-night trip to Rio, historic gold-mining towns in Minas Gerais, and the colonial city of Salvador (from $2,119); and a full week in Santiago, Chile (from $949). One of its most unusual--and interesting--itineraries includes seven nights in three lesser-known Brazilian cities: Belém, Fortaleza, and Manaus. Fortaleza has ideal northeast-coast beaches; Belém and Manaus are gateways into Brazil's Amazon region. The best part is that you avoid having to fly back through Rio to get home--TAM's package includes nonstop Manaus-Miami service. The $1,543 rate covers all flights and transfers, two nights each in Belém and Manaus, and three nights in Fortaleza, and most guided sightseeing. When: Until Dec. 9 (from $1,543). Other Gateways: New York (from $1,833). Contact: TAM Vacations, 866/627-2945, tamvacations.com.
Family Fun at Hilton Los Cabos for $199
In July, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort will roll out a slew of sea-sonal activities and services for families on summer vacation. From July 1 to Oct. 15, a regular room rate covers welcome drinks for the whole family and souvenir backpacks stuffed with candy, coloring books, and crayons for kids 12 and under. Hilton will create more activities for its kids' camp (where lunch is included), such as cooking classes and painting workshops; and organize a weekly outdoor movie screening that can be viewed while floating on pool rafts. As a final touch, children will get turn-down service, too--with milk and cookies. Kids 12 and under stay and eat free when: accompanied by a paying adult. Rooms sleep up to two adults and three children; cribs and roll-away beds are available at no extra charge. All Hilton guests get free shuttle service to and from Cabo San Lucas and San Joséé del Cabo, and 20 percent discounts on Cabo Dolphin activities and water-sports rentals. This price is per room and doesn't include airfare. When: July 1-Oct. 15 (from $199). Contact: Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, 877/354-1399, hiltonloscabos.com.
UNITED STATES
Fort Lauderdale for $398
US Airways flights from Philadelphia and four nights at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. The package also includes a two-for-one breakfast coupon and a $15 spa gift card per room. When: June 1-Sept. 30. Other Gateways: D.C. ($421); Boston, Charlotte, Pittsburgh (from $451); Phoenix ($535); Detroit ($574). Contact: US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.
Hawaii Cruise for $799
A seven-day sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Aloha round trip from Honolulu. The itinerary includes stops at Hilo and Kona on the Big Island; Kahului, Maui; and Nawiliwili, Kauai. Price covers port charges but not airfare. When: Sunday departures June 3-Aug. 26 ($799 inside cabin/$899 ocean-view cabin). Contact: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Kauai for $916
Air from L.A. to Lihue, a six-day car rental, and five nights at the ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa hotel on the eastern coast of the island. When: June 13-Aug. 9. Other Gateways: Denver ($1,238); Chicago, New York ($1,317). Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Las Vegas for $199
Southwest Airlines flights from L.A. or Reno and two nights on the Strip at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. When: Monday and Tuesday departures June 11-July 24 and Aug. 6-21. Other Gateways: Denver, El Paso (from $249); Detroit, Jackson (from $324); Islip, Orlando (from $334). Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, southwestvacations.com.
Los Angeles for $429
Air from Chicago, Dallas, or Houston and three nights at the downtown Omni Los Angeles hotel. When: Until Dec. 24. Other Gateways: D.C., New York, Philadelphia (add $29); Miami (add $59). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Scottsdale for $100
For each night's stay, the Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch's summertime $100 for $100 package gives you a $100 food-and-beverage credit valid for room service and at all of the hotel's restaurants. The price is per room, per night. When: June 1-Sept. 17 ($100 mountain-view room/$129 lake-view room). Two- and three-bedroom villas cost from $200. Contact: Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch, 800/243-1332, millenniumhotels.com.
Wyoming Camping for $1,194
A four-night escorted, active camping tour through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The itinerary includes round-trip transportation from Jackson to Yellowstone; all instruction and equipment to go kayaking, hiking, and rafting; all meals; most camping gear (except sleeping bags and pads); permit fees; first aid gear; and guides. Add $12 for park entrance fees. Transportation to Jackson is not covered. When: Tuesday and Friday departures June 12-Sept. 11. Contact: O.A.R.S., 800/346-6277, oars.com.
CANADA
Ontario & Quebec Road Trip for $1,479
Air Canada flights from Chicago (the return flight is from Montreal), a seven-day car rental, and six nights' hotel accommodations split between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The price covers a Toronto city pass with admission to the CN Tower and museums, a three-hour St. Lawrence River cruise through the Thousand Islands, a Montreal dinner cruise, and an entrance pass to 32 Montreal attractions and museums. When: Until Aug. 31. Other Gateways: Atlanta ($1,519), Miami ($1,529), L.A. ($1,547), Boston ($1,729). Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.