If there's one section that we consistently hear is your favorite, it's 40 Best Deals. But while we wanted to do something special with the section for this issue, we couldn't really ask you to find the deals. So instead, the companies that we've featured over the years are offering packages with exclusive perks and discounts. (Just look for the ">" within each deal.) And if you end up taking a trip you discovered in 40 Best Deals, please drop us a line and let us know how it went!

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

Cheryl Hannah of Aspen, Colo., never thought she'd be able to afford taking her nephew to Florence, until she saw a deal from Octopus Travel. (Courtesy Cheryl Hannah) [enlarge photo] 40 BEST DEALS • U.S. and Canada • Caribbean and Latin America • Europe • Asia, Africa and Middle East • Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific RELATED ARTICLE • Before You Read These Listings...

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

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.

Aunt of the Year Award
Cheryl Hannah of Aspen, Colo., told her nephew, Michael, that she'd take him on a trip when he graduated from college. "But I never thought I'd be able to afford Florence until I saw a deal from Octopus Travel. Our hardest decision each day was whether to turn right (toward the Duomo) or left (toward the Uffizi) when we left the hotel!" Octopus Travel is a hotel-booking website now, but Go-Today.com has a four-night package with air starting at $1,259 (800/227-3235, go-today.com).

Baltic Tour from $3,470
> $150 DISCOUNT
Air from New York to Vilnius, Lithuania (returning from St. Petersburg, Russia), and a 14-night escorted tour through Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia. The price covers transfers and local transportation, 14 nights' hotel accommodations, and guided sightseeing. When: June 6, 13, July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 8, 22 ($3,720); Sept. 5, 19 ($3,470). Other Gateways: L.A., Miami (from $3,945). SS: $470. Information: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

European Apartments from $2,149
> UP TO $300 DISCOUNT
Untours is taking 15 percent off nine packages that combine airfare, a car rental or rail pass, and a two-week apartment rental. Countries include Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Two weeks in Bavaria, for example, costs $2,149, which covers air, taxes and fuel surcharges from New York to Munich, a car rental, and 14 nights in an apartment in a medieval castle. When: Select Tuesday departures June 3–Aug. 26. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Chicago (add from $127); L.A. (add from $270). SS: From $549. Information: Untours, 888/868-6871, untours.com.

European River Cruises from $1,899
> $200 DISCOUNT
Amadeus Waterways is offering $200 off on five itineraries: Portugal (three nights in Lisbon and a seven-day sailing on the Douro River); Provence and Spain (three nights in Paris, a seven-night sailing in Provence, and three nights in Barcelona); Russian Waterways (12-night sailing from Moscow to St. Petersburg); Christmas Wonderland (three nights in Paris and a seven-night sailing from Trier to Amsterdam); and Christmas Time (two nights in Prague and a seven-night sailing from Nürnberg to Budapest). When: Portugal: Aug. 26, Sept. 20 ($2,499). Provence: Aug. 5 ($3,199). Russia: Sept. 27 ($2,299). Christmas Wonderland: Nov. 22 ($2,099). Christmas Time: Nov. 19, 22 ($1,899). SS: From $1,181. Information: Amadeus Waterways, 800/626-0126, amadeuswaterways.com.

Loire Valley Bike Trips from $901
> 15 PERCENT OFF
BikeToursDirect is offering Budget Travel readers 15 percent off its self-guided Loire à Velo bike trips, which start in either Orléans, Tours, or Angers and range from 6 to 15 days along three different Loire Valley bike paths. The starting discounted price of $901 covers five nights' lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, a bike rental, orientation, maps and route information, and a service support hotline. Airfare isn't included. When: June 1–Aug. 31. SS: From $170. Information: BikeToursDirect, 877/462-2423, biketoursdirect.com.

Malta from $1,699
> THREE FREE TOURS
Air from Boston, D.C., or New York to Malta (via London); five nights at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi hotel in St. Julian's with breakfasts; a day trip to Sicily; a visit to Gozo with ferry transfers; and a half-day tour of your choice. When: June 1–16 ($1,999); June 17–30 ($1,699); July 1–20 ($2,199); July 21–Aug. 31 ($2,299). Other Gateways: None. SS: $299. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Prague, Vienna & Budapest from $1,929
> $200 DISCOUNT
A 10-day escorted tour to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest with transfers and local transportation (bus), three nights' hotel in each of the cities, an opera performance in Prague, a concert of music by Strauss and Mozart in Vienna, and 12 meals. Airfare isn't included. Use code BT10A when booking. When: June 1–Sept. 4. SS $800. Information: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.

Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria from $1,299
> $50 DISCOUNT
Collette Vacations is offering a $50 discount on two tours through Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria. The 10-day Discover tour starts at $1,299 and heads from Bern, Switzerland, to Innsbruck, Austria, with a day trip to Bavaria, Germany. The 13-day Exploring the Alpine Countries tour starts at $2,199 and goes from Vienna to Lucerne, Switzerland. The price for either trip covers local transportation, accommodations, breakfasts, and some dinners, but not airfare. You must book before June 30 and use code A919-AX1-918 to get $50 off. When: Discover: June 25, July 9, Aug. 6, 20 ($1,299). Exploring: Aug. 21 ($2,199). SS: From $300. Information: Collette Vacations, 877/872-4331, collettevacations.com.

Tuscany from $2,299
> EXTRA NIGHT & TWO TOURS
Alitalia flights from New York to Rome (returning from Florence), a three-day car rental, and seven nights' lodging. The itinerary covers three nights in Chiusi with one dinner, four nights' hotel in Florence, a full-day excursion to the towns of Siena and San Gimignano, a visit to the town of Montepulciano with a wine tour and tasting, and breakfast daily. When: June 1–July 5 ($2,899); July 6–31 ($2,499); Aug. 1–21 ($2,399); Aug. 22–31 ($2,299). Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago (add $50); L.A. (add $100); Miami (add $200). SS: $599. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.