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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

Molokai from $849
United Airlines flights from L.A. and three nights at Hotel Molokai, on Kamiloloa Beach, a five-minute drive from downtown Kaunakakai. Add $132 for a three-day car rental. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Until Dec. 9. Other Gateways: Denver ($999), Chicago ($1,055), New York ($1,059). SS: $251. Information: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

North Carolina Kayaking from $685
A four-day kayaking tour round trip from Swansboro, N.C., in the Outer Banks (along the Cape Lookout National Seashore) with local transportation, three nights' camping, most kayaking and camping equipment, and meals. Airfare isn't covered. Nonmembers must first pay a $20 REI membership fee. When: Sept. 18; Oct. 2, 16, 23. SS: None. Information: REI Adventures, 800/845-4829, rei.com/adventures.

Temecula, Calif. from $249
Southwest Airlines flights from Phoenix or San Francisco to San Diego and two nights at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. Add $174 for a three-day car rental. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Monday and Tuesday departures Sept. 1–Oct. 28. Other Gateways: Boise (from $334); New Orleans, San Antonio (from $359); New York, Orlando (from $374); Philadelphia, St. Louis (from $419). SS: $145. Information: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, southwestvacations.com.

CANADA

Newfoundland & St.-Pierre from $1,648
United Airlines or Air Canada flights from Atlanta, Boston, or New York to St. John's, Newfoundland; a seven-day car rental; five nights' lodging in Newfoundland and two nights on the French island of St.-Pierre; ferry transfers; a tour of St.-Pierre; and more. Fuel surcharges aren't included. When: Until Nov. 15. Other Gateways: Chicago (from $1,724), L.A. (from $1,756), Miami (from $1,962). SS: $884. Information: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.