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40 Best Deals
From the February issue: the Grand Canyon, Providence, Cancún, and 37 other tempting destinations worldwide.
February 2008 issue
Tuesday, January 22, 2008;
Still haven't found what you're looking for? Companies listed in 40 Best Deals have many more offerings than we can possibly print. So if you don't see what you want, check out their websites for more options. And tell them Budget Travel sent you!
How was your trip?
Beyond hotels
DEAL OF THE MONTH
Grand Canyon by Train from $209
UNITED STATES
Providence, R.I. from $199
Alaska Road Trip from $1,456
Kauai from $865
Las Vegas from $191
Miami Beach from $599
CANADA
Fairmont Hotels Ski Package from $265
Montreal High Lights Festival from $281
MEXICO
Ambiance Villas from $534
Great Parnassus from $959
Ritz-Carlton Cancún from $1,675
Los Cabos from $645
CARIBBEAN
Jamaica from $799
St. Lucia from $569
CENTRAL AMERICA
Central American Tour from $2,579
Honduras from $1,229
SOUTH AMERICA
Peru Tour from $2,050
EUROPE
Ireland B&B from $804
Italy Skiing from $1,890
Paris & Nice from $699
Prague from $649
St. Petersburg, Moscow & Kiev from $1,299
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST
Road Trip from $1,999
Camping Safari from $2,495
Resort Stay from $2,699
Egypt & Jordan from $2,575
Kenya Safari & Rwanda Gorilla Tracking from $3,845
ASIA
China Tour from $988
Hong Kong & Bali from $849
Nepal Tour from $895
SOUTH PACIFIC
Tahiti & Moorea from $1,995
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
Tasmania & South Australia from $2,399
Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.
Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.
World's Grandest View
Mass tourism to the Grand Canyon started way before it became a national park: The Grand Canyon Railway first carried visitors to the 18-mile-wide Colorado River gorge in 1901. In fact, the company built most of the historic structures that still exist on the South Rim. Abandoned in 1968, the train was put back in service in 1989 and now takes passengers from Williams, Ariz., to the South Rim along a two-hour scenic route through ponderosa pine forests and the desert. The railway's package includes round-trip train travel, one night's lodging in Williams and another on the South Rim, a bus tour of the park, and a Wild West shoot-out reenactment in the Williams depot.
One night in Williams at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel with dinner and breakfast, round-trip transportation on the Grand Canyon Railway, a bus tour of the South Rim with lunch, and one night at the Maswik Lodge. This price doesn't cover airfare. When: Until Mar. 14 (from $209); Mar. 15-Oct. 14 (from $289). SS: From $318. Information: Grand Canyon Railway, 800/843-8724, thetrain.com.
Springtime in February
Surround yourself with fresh blossoms even if there's snow outside.
One night at the Radisson Hotel Providence Harbor, two tickets to the Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show, breakfast, a one-hour tour of Providence, lunch and a cooking demonstration at Geppetto's Pizzeria, a visit to the John Brown House Museum, and more. This price is per room and doesn't include airfare. When: Feb. 21-24. Information: Radisson Hotels & Resorts, 401/772-5577, radisson.com.
An eight-day self-guided road trip itinerary from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The price covers a three-day car rental; transportation from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad; two nights each in Anchorage, the Alyeska ski resort, and the Chena Hot Springs hotel, and one night in Fairbanks; an evening northern lights tour; and more. Airfare isn't included. When: Until Feb. 5 ($1,456); Feb. 6-27 ($1,492); Feb. 28-Apr. 12 ($1,529). SS: From $1,018. Information: Fresh Tracks, 800/667-4744, freshtracksalaska.com.
Air from L.A. and four nights at the ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa resort on Wailua Bay. Add $45 for round-trip transfers. When: Thursday departures until May 1. Other Gateways: Denver ($1,079); Chicago, New York ($1,139). SS: $269. Information: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
US Airways flights from L.A. and two nights at the new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (formerly the Aladdin) on the Strip. When: Feb. 5 ($191); Feb. 12 ($202); Feb. 19 ($216); Feb. 26 ($266); Mar. 4 ($204); Mar. 11 ($605); Mar. 18, Apr. 1, 8, 22, 29 ($208); Apr. 15 ($498). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $265), Philadelphia (from $296). SS: From $123. Information: US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.
Air from Chicago, D.C., or New York to Fort Lauderdale or Miami and four nights at the Royal Palm Oceanfront Resort on South Beach. When: Until Mar. 31 ($699); Apr. 1-30 ($599). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Atlantic City (add $25); Boston, Detroit, Nashville (add $49); Houston, Long Beach (add $99); L.A. (add $119). SS: From $349. Information: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Canada by Rail from $1,481
A nine-night itinerary from Toronto to Montreal with all hotel accommodations (three nights in Toronto and two each in Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal), intercity transfers by VIA Rail Canada, a tour of each city, and a full-day trip to Niagara Falls with lunch and a Behind the Falls tour. This price doesn't cover airfare. When: Until Apr. 21 ($1,481); Apr. 23-Oct. 31 ($1,835). SS: From $767. Information: Fresh Tracks, 800/667-4744, freshtracks.ca.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Ultimate Ski Package combines a night's stay with breakfast and a one-day lift pass for two people, starting at $265 a night at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, in Charlevoix. The other participating Fairmont hotels are in Lake Louise (from $309), Mont-Tremblant (from $349), Quebec City (from $359), Banff (from $379), Jasper (from $389), and Whistler (from $419). Note: International airfare isn't included. The price is per room; there's no single rate. When: Until Apr. 30. Information: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, 800/441-1414, fairmont.com.
During Montreal's High Lights Festival--11 days of cultural events, including free outdoor light shows in the Old Port, themed menus in its restaurants, and an all-night celebration hosted by museums and theaters--the city has special travel packages that combine two nights at one of six participating hotels, a free wine and cheese tasting, a $20 certificate to the Casino de Montréal, and a festival scarf. Prices start at $281 for accommodations at Hôtel Le Dauphin Montréal. This is a land-only price; airfare isn't covered. When: Feb. 21-Mar. 2. Information: Montreal High Lights Festival, 888/477-9955, montrealhighlights.com.
Leave the Coat at Home
Finding the Cancún that's right for you--from a villa to an all-inclusive--is as easy as uno, dos, tres.
Spirit Airlines flights from Orlando and three nights at the Ambiance Villas. When: Feb. 3-Mar. 12; Mar. 24-Apr. 28. Other Gateways: Fort Lauderdale ($584); Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York ($644). SS: $212. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.
Air from Miami and five nights at all-inclusive, beachfront Great Parnassus Resort & Spa, in Cancún's hotel zone. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 12. Other Gateways: L.A., New York ($1,015); Chicago ($1,089). SS: None. Information: Liberty Travel, 877/542-3789, libertytravel.com.
Air from Miami and five nights at the beachfront Ritz-Carlton Cancún resort, in Cancún's hotel zone. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 12. Other Gateways: New York ($1,719), L.A. ($1,725), Chicago ($1,799). SS: None. Information: Liberty Travel, 877/542-3789, libertytravel.com.
Alaska Airlines flights from L.A. and three nights at the Hotel Finisterra, a mile from central Cabo San Lucas on Baja California's southern tip. Add $125 for round-trip transfers. When: Until Mar. 24. Other Gateways: Denver ($695), Chicago ($749), New York ($795). SS: From $311. Information: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
Bahamas from $353
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale and three nights at the beachfront Nassau Palm Resort and Conference Center, overlooking Nassau Harbor. When: Monday departures Feb. 4-Apr. 28. Blacked out Feb. 18. Other Gateways: Orlando, Tampa ($458); Detroit ($518); Atlanta, Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York ($595). SS: $155. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.
Air Jamaica flights from Atlanta or Orlando, transfers, and four nights at the all-inclusive Gran Bahía Príncipe Jamaica Resort in Runaway Bay. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Baltimore, Chicago, New York (add $40); L.A. (add $70). SS: $250. Information: Vacation Express, 877/784-3786, vacationexpress.com.
The Coco Palm Hotel on Rodney Bay has an Explore St. Lucia deal that includes four nights in a garden room, a snorkeling or scuba-diving excursion, a catamaran day cruise to Soufrière with lunch, a trip to the Friday- night Anse La Raye Fish Fry street party, a rum-distillery tour, and one dinner and breakfast for two. Note: Airfare isn't covered. When: Until Apr. 14 ($640); Apr. 14-Dec. 15 ($569). Blacked out Feb. 16-23; Mar. 22-29; May 4-12. SS: From $569. Information: Coco Resorts, 866/588-5980, coco-resorts.com.
Belize from $849
American Airlines flights from Dallas, a seven-day car rental, three nights at Five Sisters Lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, and four nights at the Jungle Jeanie by the Sea resort. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Miami ($879); Seattle ($949); New York ($969); L.A., San Francisco ($1,019); Chicago ($1,025). SS: $486. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
A 12-day escorted tour through Central America from San Salvador, El Salvador, to San Ignacio, Belize. The itinerary includes 11 nights' hotel accommodations, local transportation (bus, plane), most meals, and visits to the Mayan ruins at Tikal, Copán, Yaxhá, and Caracol. This is a land-only price; international airfare isn't covered. When: Mar. 8; Apr. 5; Sept. 13, 27. SS: $660. Information: Globus Journeys, 866/755-8581, globusjourneys.com.
Delta Airlines flights from New York to Roatán, transfers, seven nights at the Mayan Princess Beach Resort & Spa on the Bay Islands, and breakfast daily. When: Saturday departures Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: L.A., San Francisco ($1,269); Atlanta ($1,279); Seattle ($1,299); Chicago ($1,325); Miami ($1,369). SS: From $589. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Argentina Wine Tour from $1,499
LanArgentina Airlines flights from Miami, all transfers, three nights in Buenos Aires at the Regis Orho Hotel with breakfasts and a city tour, an onward flight to Mendoza, three nights at the Grand Hotel Balbi with breakfasts and a city tour, wine cellar and vineyard visits with tastings, and more. When: Until May 31. Other Gateways: L.A., Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, San Francisco (add $150); Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $165); Chicago (add $225). SS: $330. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air from Miami to Lima, all transfers and local transportation (bus, train, plane), and a 10-night escorted tour to Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca. The itinerary includes round-trip train travel from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, visits to Ollantaytambo and Urubamba, and a tour of Lima. A day trip to the islands on Lake Titicaca is an extra $75. Add about $350 for meals and entrance fees. When: Feb. 11, 25; Mar. 3, 24; Apr. 14, 28. Other Gateways: New York ($2,245), L.A. ($2,300), Chicago ($2,385). SS: $350. Information: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
Berlin & Vienna from $949
Austrian Airlines flights from New York to Berlin, a transfer flight, six nights' hotel accommodations split between Berlin and Vienna, and breakfasts. When: Until Mar. 20. Other Gateways: D.C. (add $80), Chicago (add $105). SS: $260. Information: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.
Aer Lingus flights from Boston or New York to Dublin or Shannon, a six-day car rental, one night at the Jurys Inn Limerick or the Hilton Dublin Airport Hotel, five nights of vouchers valid at 1,700 B&Bs and farmhouses, and breakfasts. When: Until Feb. 29 ($804); Mar. 1-Apr. 30 ($880). Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago (from $820); San Francisco (from $926). SS: From $185. Information: CIE Tours International, 800/243-8687, cietours.com.
Air from New York to Turin, transfers, and seven nights at the Valtur Sestrière ski resort, with all meals, lift passes, and admission to ski or snowboarding school. When: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 ($1,995); Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22 ($1,890). Other Gateways: Miami (add $80), Boston (add $100), Chicago (add $157). SS: $610. Information: Valtur, 877/582-2284, clubvaltur.com.
Air from New York to Paris, an onward flight to Nice, six nights' hotel accommodations split between Paris and Nice, and breakfasts. Add $286 for airline taxes. When: Until Mar. 24 ($699); Mar. 25-May 15 ($919). Other Gateways: Boston, Philadelphia (from $709); L.A. (from $729); Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco (from $779); Chicago (from $799). SS: From $170. Information: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.
Air from New York and six nights at Juno Hotel, about 20 minutes from the city center by metro. When: Until Feb. 29 (from $649); Mar. 1-13 (from $699); Mar. 14-20 (from $689); Mar. 21-25 (from $749); Mar. 26-Apr. 10 (from $859); Apr. 11-23 (from $909). Other Gateways: D.C. (add $60); Philadelphia (add $70); Chicago (add $110); L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $200). SS: From $110. Information: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Finnair flights from New York to St. Petersburg (return from Kiev); transfers; two overnight trains; and seven nights' lodging split between Moscow, Kiev, and St. Petersburg. The price includes a sightseeing tour and cultural activity (ballet, opera, circus) in each city. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,299); Apr. 1-30 ($1,499). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C., (add from $300); Chicago, Detroit, Miami (add from $425). SS: $595. Information: Eastern Tours, 800/339-6967, traveltorussia.com.
Life Beyond Cape Town
South Africa deals to explore the Karoo desert, Zulu villages, and the Western Cape from above.
Air from D.C. or New York, six-day car rental, all lodging, more. When: Feb. 1-29, Mar. 10-15 ($2,199); Mar. 1-9 ($1,999); Mar. 16-31 ($2,299); Apr. 1-May 31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: Many. SS: $299. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.
Air from New York and an escorted 20-day camping safari. When: Feb. 23, Mar. 29 ($2,495); Apr. 26 ($2,645). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $2,595), Miami (from $2,645). SS: N/A. Information: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.
Air from D.C. or New York, six nights split between Twelve Apostles and Jackalberry resorts, a helicopter ride, more. When: Until Mar. 31 ($2,699); Apr. 1-30 ($2,899). Other Gateways: Many. SS: From $239. Information: Leisure Link Int'l, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
EgyptAir flights from New York to Cairo, transfers, three nights at the Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, visits to Saqqara and the pyramids, a three-night Nile cruise on the Royal Lotus with meals and shore excursions, an onward flight to Amman, one night at the Radisson SAS hotel, a full-day guided tour of Petra, two nights at the Petra Marriott Hotel, and more. When: Monday departures Feb. 4-Mar. 10, Mar. 21-Apr. 28 ($2,575); Mar. 17, 24 ($2,795). Other Gateways: None. SS: $550. Information: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.
Air from Boston, Chicago, D.C., L.A., Miami, New York, or San Francisco to Nairobi (via London); transfers; a five-night safari through Aberdare and Lake Nakuru national parks and Masai Mara National Reserve, with meals and six game drives; a flight to Kigali; two nights at the Gorilla's Nest Lodge with meals and guided tracking of gorillas in Parc National des Volcans. When: Sunday departures Feb. 3-24 ($4,245); Mar. 2-30 ($4,095); Apr. 6-27 ($3,845). Other Gateways: None. SS: From $540. Information: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.
Asia Cruise from $619
A five-night sailing on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas round trip from Hong Kong, with one day at sea and stops in Japan (Naha) and Taiwan (Taipei and Kao-hsiung). Prices include port charges but not any airfare. When: Feb. 16, 21, 26; Mar. 2, 27 (from $619 inside cabin/from $699 ocean-view cabin). SS: From $619. Information: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing; all local transportation; and a 12-day escorted tour to Beijing, Suzhou, Tongli, Hangzhou, and Shanghai with 10 nights' lodging and most meals. When: Feb. 1 ($988); Mar. 9, 16, 23, Apr. 11, 25 ($1,459). Other Gateways: L.A., Las Vegas, Portland (add $140); New York (direct flight, add $200). SS: $380. Information: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.
Cathay Pacific Airlines flights from L.A.; two nights at the BP International Hotel in Kowloon; an onward flight to Bali; transfers; four nights in Legian Beach, Sanur Beach, Ubud, or a mix of all three; and a half-day tour in Bali. When: Until Mar. 31, May 1-May 31 ($849); Apr. 1-30 ($919). Other Gateways: Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco (add $150); Denver, New York (add $250). SS: $230. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
A 12-day escorted tour round trip from Kathmandu with local transportation (bus, plane), 11 nights' lodging in guesthouses and mountain huts, a two-day trek in the Annapurna mountains, a guided hike through Royal Chitwan National Park, and tours of the historic towns of Bhaktapur and Patan. A local payment of $250 is due upon arrival. Add $180 for meals. This is a land-only price; international airfare isn't included. When: Mar. 2, May 4, Oct. 12. SS: Not available. Information: G.A.P Adventures, 800/ 465-5600, gapadventures.com.
Cook Islands from $1,544
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Rarotonga, transfers, five nights at the Muri Beach Club Hotel on Muri Lagoon, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,544); Apr. 1-30 ($1,715). Other Gateways: None. SS: From $502. Information: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A., all transfers, one night at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort, five nights in Moorea at the Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort and Spa, and breakfast and dinner daily. When: Until Apr. 9. Other Gateways: New York (add $104). SS: $1,035. Information: Air Tahiti Nui, 866/456-6000, airtahitinui-usa.com.
New Zealand Camper Van from $1,799
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Auckland, transfers, and a 14-day Spirit 2 TS camper van rental. Rent the van for a third week for no extra cost from Apr. 1 to Aug. 31. When: Feb. 23-29 ($2,620); Mar. 1-31 ($2,490); Apr. 1-23 ($2,260); Apr. 24-30 ($2,060); May 1-June 8, July 24-Aug. 31 ($1,799); June 9-July 23 ($1,870). Other Gateways: Portland, Seattle (add $300); Chicago, Dallas, Denver (add $360); Boston, New York (add $400). SS: $1,260. Information: Goway Travel, 800/387-8850, goway.com.
Qantas Airways flights from L.A. to Hobart, Tasmania (via Sydney, return from Adelaide), local transportation (plane, ferry, a six-day car rental), and 10 nights' hotel accommodations: one each in Hobart and Launceston, and two each in Cradle Mountain, Coles Bay, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island. When: Feb. 1-Mar. 31 ($2,899); Apr. 1-30 ($2,699); May 1-31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle (add $220); Dallas, Denver (add $250); Chicago (add $280); New York (add $300); Boston, Miami (add $360). SS: $1,070. Information: ATS Tours, 888/423-9181, atstours.com.