BudgetTravel

Galápagos & Amazon from $3,200
Air from Miami to Quito; all transfers and transportation (van, plane); three nights at Dann Carlton hotel; three nights in the Galápagos Islands on the Legend, with meals and guided excursions; three nights at La Selva Jungle Lodge in the Amazon Basin, with excursions and meals; and more. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 9, Dec. 31-Jan. 31 ($3,200); Dec. 10-30 ($3,450). Other Gateways: New York (from $3,300). SS: From $1,300. Information: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.

Peru Amazon Cruise from $2,095
Air from Miami to Lima, transfers and local transport, three nights in Lima, onward flight to Iquitos, and six-night sailing on the Amazon and Marañon rivers in a 24-passenger boat. Includes all meals and shore excursions during the cruise, and a guide throughout. When: Nov. 15, 23, 29, 30 ($2,095); Jan. 3, 11, 17, 25, 31 ($2,395). Other Gateways: L.A. (from $2,345); Baltimore, Chicago (from $2,495). SS: $395. Information: Overseas Adventure Travel, 800/873-5628, oattravel.com.

Tromsø, Norway (Hinrich Bîsemann/DPA/Corbis) RELATED ARTICLE • Before You Read These Listings...

EUROPE
Special: Double Happiness
Why go to just one city on your next European vacation? Especially when these packages make it easy to see two great cities on the same trip.

London & Paris from $699
Air from New York to London (return from Paris), three nights each at Adare Hotel and Roi René, flight to Paris, more. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 14; Jan. 8-Mar. 24. SS: $170. Information: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Madrid & Barcelona from $899
Air from New York, three nights in Barcelona, two in Madrid, and a transfer flight. When: Nov. 7-21 ($899); Jan. 3 ($989), Jan. 10, 17 ($949). Other Gateways: Many. SS: From $260. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Rome & Florence from $1,099
Air from Boston or New York, four nights each in Rome and Florence, tours, and more. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 23; Jan. 3-Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Some. SS: N/A. Information: Central Holidays, 800/935-5000, centralholidays.com.

Special: Lights of Your Life
Winter is the season to catch the aurora borealis, or northern lights. Hurtigruten (formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage) takes passengers to some of the prime viewing spots along Norway's Arctic Coast and will even wake guests--if they request it in advance--when the northern lights are visible.

Norway from $2,199
Four-night sailing from Bergen to Tromsø, flight to Oslo, and one night each in Bergen, Tromsø, and Oslo. When: Until Mar. 19. SS: None. Information: 800/323-7436, hurtigruten.us.

Malta from $1,299
Air from New York, transfers, five nights in Sliema at the Victoria Hotel, and breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 14, Jan. 5-31 ($1,299); Dec. 15-26 ($1,599); Dec. 27-Jan. 4 ($1,399). Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago, D.C., L.A., Miami, San Francisco (add $50). SS: $229. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Prague from $599
Czech or Delta Airlines from Atlanta, Montreal, New York, or Toronto; transfers; six nights at the Prague Centre hotel; a half-day tour; and breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 10 ($629); Dec. 11-27 ($779); Jan. 1-Mar. 15 ($599). Other Gateways: None. SS: $219. Information: Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, tatratravel.com.

Western Ireland Tour from $739
Air from Boston, Chicago, or New York to Shannon; all transfers and transportation (bus); a six-day escorted tour with two nights' hotel accommodations each in Galway and Dublin; and breakfast daily. When: Nov. 1 ($779); Nov. 15, 29, Dec. 6, 13, Jan. 24, 31 ($739). Other Gateways: Pittsburgh (from $799); D.C. (from $889); L.A. (from $919); Houston (from $949); Atlanta, Detroit (from $989); Denver (from $1,099). SS: $160. Information: Sceptre Tours, 800/221-0924, sceptretours.com.

AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST
Botswana Safari from $2,895
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Johannesburg, all transfers and local transportation (van, plane), one night's hotel in Jo'burg, and six nights at Chobe Safari Lodge outside Chobe National Park, Botswana. The price covers six game drives or cruises, most meals, a day trip to Victoria Falls, and more. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 6, Jan. 12-Mar. 31 ($2,895); Dec. 7-Jan. 11 ($3,495). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (add $195); Miami, San Antonio (add $225); L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $295). SS: $400. Information: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.

Israel Tour from $1,699
Israir Airlines flights from New York to Tel Aviv-Jaffa, all transfers and bus transportation, eight nights' lodging (two each in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Tiberias, one by the Dead Sea, and three in Jerusalem), entrance fees, most meals, and a guide. When: Nov. 8, Jan. 3 ($1,899); Nov. 22 ($1,799); Dec. 6, Jan 31 ($1,699); Dec. 13 ($1,749); Dec. 20 ($2,299); Dec. 27 ($2,199); Jan. 17 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Boston (add $46), Chicago (add $68), D.C. (add $130), Philadelphia (add $167), L.A. (add $201). SS: From $490. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Morocco Tour from $1,399
Royal Air Maroc flights from New York to Casa-blanca, all transfers and bus transportation, six nights' lodging (one each in Rabat and Casablanca, two each in Fez and Marrakech), breakfasts and dinners, and guided sightseeing. When: Saturday departures Nov. 3, 10, Jan. 5 ($1,699); Nov. 17-Dec. 8 ($1,599); Dec. 15 ($1,899); Dec. 22 ($2,199); Dec. 29 ($2,499); Jan. 12 ($1,399); Jan. 19, 26 ($1,499). Other Gateways: D.C. (add $170); Montreal, Toronto (add $280); Atlanta, Chicago, Miami (add $305); L.A., San Francisco (add $450). SS: $299. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Namibia Safari from $1,445
A 12-day camping safari round trip from Windhoek. Includes transportation in a four-wheel-drive vehicle; all meals, equipment, permits, and park fees; and a guide. This price doesn't cover airfare. When: Until Dec. 31 ($1,445); Jan. 1-31 ($1,510). SS: None. Information: Premier Tours, 800/545-1910, premiertours.com.

South Africa from $1,399
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg), four nights at the Protea Hotel President in Bantry Bay, breakfast daily, and either round-trip airport transfers or a half-day city tour. When: Until Nov. 31; Feb. 1-Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Chicago (add $50); Dallas, Miami (add $100); L.A, San Francisco (add $150). SS: $410. Information: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com.

ASIA
Beijing & Shanghai from $799
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing, transfers, four nights at the Capital Hotel, an onward flight to Shanghai, four nights at the Days Hotel, and breakfasts. When: Thursday departures Nov. 1-22, Mar. 13, 27 ($899); Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Jan. 17-Feb. 14 ($799); Dec. 20 ($999). Other Gateways: New York (add $100). SS: $250. Information: SmarTours, 800/337-7773, smartours.com.

Southern India Tour from $695
A 12-day tour from Calcutta to Goa, with all local transportation (train, public and private bus, rickshaw, river boat, bicycle), 11 nights' accommodations, and a guide. Highlights include cycling through ruins in Hampi and camping by Chilika Lake. A local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Add about $180 for meals. This price doesn't cover international airfare. When: Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 9, Apr. 6. SS: Not available. Information: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Thailand Tour from $1,160
Eight-day tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with all transfers and local transportation (plane, van, rickshaw), seven nights' hotel accommodations (three in Bangkok, and two each in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai), guided sightseeing with entrance fees, and breakfasts. Highlights include a tour of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, a Khantoke dinner and tribal dance in Chiang Mai, and a boat ride on the Mekong River. This price doesn't cover international airfare. When: Nov. 1-Mar. 31. Blacked out Dec. 10-Jan. 10. SS: From $295. Information: SITA World Tours, 800/421-5643, sitatours.com.

Vietnam from $1,099
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City, all transfers, three nights at the Palace Hotel, three nights on Phan Thiet beach at the Bamboo Village Resort & Spa, and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 5; Jan. 8-Feb. 6. Other Gateways: Denver, Phoenix, Portland (add $175); Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, D.C., Houston, Tulsa (add $275); Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis (add $335). SS: $470. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Yunnan Province Tour from $2,678
Air from L.A. or San Francisco to Beijing, all transfers and local transportation (plane, van), and a 15-day escorted tour to Beijing, Shanghai, and the Yunnan province. Covers 13 nights' lodging, all meals, guided sight­seeing, and entrance fees. Highlights include Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Lijiang, Stone Forest near Kunming, and Panda Breeding Research Institute. When: Nov. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 11, 25 ($2,688); Nov. 29, Jan. 15 ($2,678); Dec. 13, 20 ($2,888). Other Gateways: Dallas, Denver (add $100); Chicago, Minneapolis (add $140); Boston, New York, Philadelphia (add $180). SS: From $438. Information: China Travel Service, 800/899-8618, chinatravelservice.com.

SOUTH PACIFIC
Bora Bora from $2,099
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Bora Bora (via Papeete), transfers, lei greeting, five nights in a beach bungalow at the Hôtel Maitai Bora Bora, and breakfast and dinner daily. When: Wednesday departures Nov. 1-Mar. 31. Other Gateways: New York (add $400). SS: Not available. Information: Islands In The Sun, 888/280-2514, islandsinthesun.com.

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand from $2,459
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Queenstown (via Auckland), all transfers and flights in New Zealand, and seven nights' lodging (three in Queenstown, two in Christchurch, and two in Rotorua). When: Until Mar. 31. Blacked out Dec. 10-Jan. 31. Other Gateways: San Francisco (add $125); Dallas, Denver (add $390); Chicago (add $430); New York (add $455). SS: $699. Information: ATS Tours, 888/423-9181, atstours.com.

Sydney and Beyond from $2,799
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, all flights in Australia, and 12 nights' lodging split between Sydney, Cairns (gateway to the Great Barrier Reef), and the Outback (two nights each in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock). When: Until Dec. 7 (from $2,799); Dec. 9-Jan. 31 (from $3,479). Other Gateways: New York (add from $300) SS: From $900. Information: Qantas Airways/Tourism Australia, 800/369-6863, qantasvacations.com.