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The spa pool at Camelback Inn (Courtesy Camelback Inn Resort & Spa) [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 40 BEST DEALS • Before You Read These Listings...

It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.

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.

UNITED STATES

Deal of the Month!
The Unexpected Hawaii
It's just nine miles west of Maui, but with only 30 miles of paved roads, the Hawaiian island of Lanai feels more remote than you'd expect. Once known for its pineapple plantations and cattle ranches, the island is now the domain of cloud forests and swaths of pine trees—and two Four Seasons resorts. Leisure Link's four-night package at the Four Seasons' Lodge at Koele isn't a traditional Hawaiian vacation: The resort, in the island's central highlands, is modeled after a rustic country retreat, with grounds devoted to croquet, lawn bowling, and golf. But travelers can still enjoy Hawaii's white-sand beaches: Vans shuttle guests to the other Four Seasons, at Manele Bay, every half hour.

Lanai from $1,039
Air from L.A. to Kahului, Maui; ferry transfers; four nights at the Four Seasons Lanai, The Lodge at Koele; and a lei greeting. When: Until Dec. 14. Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,265), Philadelphia ($1,349), Boston ($1,369), Fort Lauderdale ($1,375), New York ($1,379), Baltimore ($1,399). SS: $559. Information: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

No Mirage
As temperatures rise, the rates at Arizona resorts fall. Sure, it's hot in the summer, but when you can score a room at these prices, at least your wallet won't feel the heat.

$155 One night at FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, a welcome toast (beer with chips and salsa for adults, milk and cookies for kids), fireside s'mores, and a kids' pack with candy, playing cards, and a luggage tag. Price is per room, based on quad occupancy; airfare isn't included. When: Until Sept. 8. Information: FireSky Resort & Spa, 800/528-7867, fireskyresort.com.

$169 One night at the CopperWynd Resort and Club in Scottsdale, a pitcher of margaritas, a candle, and bath salts. The price is per room; airfare isn't included. When: Until Sept. 7. Information: CopperWynd Resort and Club, 877/707-7760, copperwynd.com.

$219 One night at the Phoenix JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa and breakfast for a family of four. Price is per room, based on quad occupancy; airfare isn't included. When: Until Sept. 3. Information: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 800/835-6206, jwdesertridgeresort.com.

$317 US Airways flights from Boston and three nights at the Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale. When: Until Sept. 6 (from $317). Other Gateways: New York (from $325), Dallas (from $375). SS: From $138. Information: US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.

Alaska Cruise from $699
A seven-day sailing on the Sapphire Princess from Vancouver to Whittier with one day at sea, two days in Glacier Bay and College Fjord, and stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. (Reverse direction available.) Includes port charges, but not airfare. When: Saturday departures July 5–Sept. 13 (from $699 inside cabin/from $748 ocean-view cabin). SS: From $700. Information: American Discount Cruises & Travel, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.

Orlando from $195
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale; five nights at the Best Western Lakeside hotel, two miles from Disney World; and shuttle transportation to area theme parks. When: July 9–Sept. 24. Other Gateways: Atlantic City, Detroit ($315); Myrtle Beach ($320). SS: From $143. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

Utah Rafting from $675
A four-day rafting trip on the Green River round trip from Vernal, Utah, with round-trip river transfers, guides, three nights' camping, three hikes, meals, and rafting equipment. Add $5 for admission to Dinosaur National Monument. Airfare isn't included. When: July 13, 18, 27; Aug. 3, 8, 12, 16, 17, 22, 26; Sept. 4, 9, 13. SS: None Information: O.A.R.S., 800/346-6277, oars.com.

CANADA

Toronto, Ottawa & Montreal from $1,741
Air Canada flights from Atlanta to Toronto, a six-day car rental, six nights' lodging (two each in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal), a Thousand Islands tour, a dinner cruise in Montreal, and more. When: Until Dec. 31. Other Gateways: Miami ($1,762); Boston, Chicago, New York ($1,782); L.A. ($1,863). SS: $860. Information: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

VIA Rail
VIA Rail Canada's Senior Companion Fare program allows passengers over 60 to receive a senior discount (10 percent off an adult fare) on any VIA Rail Canada train ride and to bring along a companion of any age for free when traveling in comfort class. When traveling in sleeper or VIA 1 class, the companion gets 75 percent off. Airfare isn't included. When: VIA 1 class until Aug. 31; comfort and sleeper class until Dec. 14. Information: VIA Rail Canada, 888/842-7245, viarail.ca.