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A lounge car on the Blue Train (Courtesy The Blue Train) [enlarge photo] 40 BEST DEALS • U.S. and Canada • Caribbean and Latin America • Europe • Asia, Africa and Middle East • Australia and New Zealand RELATED ARTICLE • Keep This in Mind as You Read These Listings...

Beyond hotels 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.

ASIA

China Tour from $1,438
United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Beijing (returning from Shanghai) and a nine-day escorted tour to Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. The price covers all transfers, local transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, and guided sightseeing. Highlights include visits to Beijing's Olympic countdown clock and Olympic National Stadium as well as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. End the tour at Guangzhou or Hong Kong for $50 more. When: Thursday departures May 1–29 (from $1,438); June 5–July 24 (from $1,648). Other Gateways: Chicago, D.C., New York (add $300). SS: $350. Information: China Silk Tours, 800/945-7960, chinasilktours.com.

Indonesia from $1,099
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bali; all transfers; five nights in Legian Beach, Sanur Beach, Ubud, or a mix of all three; an onward flight to Yogyakarta; two nights at the Hotel Ibis Malioboro; and three half-day tours to see temples, batik making, and the sultan's palace. When: Until June 4 ($1,099); June 5–Aug. 20 ($1,449). Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Boise, Portland, Seattle (add $180); Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas (add $280). SS: $250. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Malaysia from $2,499
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. to Singapore, an onward flight to Kuala Lumpur, transfers, five nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Kuala Lumpur, a city tour, a day trip to Melaka with lunch, and an evening excursion to Kuala Selangor with dinner. When: May 1–23 ($2,499); May 24–June 6 ($2,699); June 7–July 31 ($3,099). Other Gateways: San Francisco (add $125), Chicago (add $430), New York (add $455). SS: $730. Information: ATS Tours, 888/423-9181, atstours.com.

Tokyo & Kyoto from $1,999
United or American Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo, transfers, a seven-day Japan Rail Pass, six nights' hotel split between Tokyo and Kyoto, and a half-day tour each in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. When: May 1–15 ($1,999); May 16–June 5, July 21–Aug. 24 ($2,099); June 6–July 20 ($2,149). Other Gateways: Chicago, New York (add $200). SS: $394. Information: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Indy Adventures
In honor of the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Expedia has created 10 travel deals either based on or inspired by Indy's escapades. Trips go to locales such as India, Nepal, Jordan, and Egypt, and include thrills such as an elephant safari and a night tour of the Amazon (without snakes, hopefully).

Egypt Tour from $2,299
A 10-day escorted tour round trip from Cairo with transfers and local transportation (train, plane, bus, boat), five nights' hotel, a three-night Nile cruise, one overnight train, a desert camel ride, and more. International airfare isn't included. Must book by Sept. 31. When: Until Dec. 31, 2009. SS: $1,200. Information: Expedia, 866/925-1793, expedia.com.

Paint the Train Blue
The Blue Train is a deceptively simple name for a passenger train that has marble-lined bathrooms in its suites and original South African artwork in lounge cars. This SAA Vacations trip includes airfare, local transportation, one night on the Blue Train, a two-night safari in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, another ride on the train (during the day), and three nights in Cape Town.

South Africa from $2,999
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Johannesburg, all transportation, one night at the Michelangelo Hotel, one night on the Blue Train, two nights at Bakubung Bush Lodge with meals and two game drives, three nights in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel, and more. When: Oct. 4. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (add $50); Dallas, Miami (add $100); Denver, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $150). SS: $900. Information: SAA Vacations, 888/722-4872, flysaavacations.com.

Cape Town & Safari from $1,999
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg); transfers and local transportation; four nights at either the Table Bay Hotel on the V&A Waterfront, or Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, a 15-minute drive from Cape Town on de Oudekraal Bay; a half-day Winelands tour; an onward flight to Hoedspruit; and two nights in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve at the Jackalberry Farm & Lodge, with all meals and three game drives. When: May 1–31 ($1,999); June 1–July 31 ($3,299). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (add $50); Dallas, Miami, St. Louis (add $100); Denver, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $150). SS: From $665. Information: SAA Vacations, 888/722-4872, flysaavacations.com.

Egypt from $2,099
EgyptAir flights from New York to Cairo, transfers and local transportation (plane), three nights at the Ramses Hilton, a full-day tour of Cairo, and a seven-night Nile cruise on the King of Thebes with meals and shore excursions. When: Wednesday departures May 7 ($2,099); May 14, 21, 28 ($2,299); June 4, 11 ($2,699); June 18-July 30 ($2,799). Other Gateways: None. SS: $599. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.