Paris & Nice, Air/6 Nights, From $749
Save big on this winter getaway to two of France's most popular destinations.
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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.
CARIBBEAN
St. Vincent and the Grenadines from $2,105
Five nights in an oceanfront cottage at Young Island Resort, two nights' sailing around The Grenadines on a 50-foot yacht, all meals, transfers, a 30-minute foot massage, and more. Airfare isn't included. When: Sept. 1–Oct. 31 ($2,105); Nov. 1–Dec. 19 ($2,160). SS: From $1,380. Information: Young Island Resort, 800/223-1108, youngisland.com.
St. Maarten from $1,040
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale, transfers, seven nights at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, and a $100 car-rental or restaurant credit. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Saturday departures Sept. 13–Nov. 8. Other Gateways: Orlando ($1,066); Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York ($1,132). SS: From $667. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.
MEXICO
Copper Canyon Active Tour from $1,899
Nine-day tour from Los Mochis to Chihuahua with transportation, eight nights' lodging, guided biking and hiking, and most equipment and meals. Add $20 for the REI fee. Land-only. When: Sept. 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18; Nov. 1, 15, 29; Dec. 6, 13. SS: $499. Information: REI Adventures, 800/845-4829, rei.com/adventures.
Riviera Maya from $809
Air from New York; three nights at the all-inclusive, adult-only Aventura Spa Palace resort; a $50 golf credit; and more. Add $25 for round-trip airport transfers; fuel surcharges are included. When: Sept. 1–Nov. 24. Other Gateways: Denver ($859), L.A. ($915), Chicago ($985). SS: From $505. Information: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Belize from $759
American Airlines flights from New York to Placencia (via Belize City), transfers, seven nights in a beachfront cabana at Calico Jack's Village, and breakfasts. Add from $150 for fuel surcharges. When: Sept. 1–Nov. 30. Other Gateways: Dallas ($789); Seattle ($809); Miami, San Francisco ($849); Chicago ($919). SS: $280. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Costa Rica from $2,195
Air from Miami to San José, transfers and local transportation, and a 12-night escorted tour with most meals. Highlights include touring a coffee plantation, kayaking on Lake Arenal, horseback riding through Monteverde Cloud Forest, rafting on the Sarapiquí River, and visiting a local school. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Sept. 4, 9 ($2,195); Oct. 6, 18, 22, 26, 30, Nov. 2, 10, 14, 18, 20, 27, Dec. 10, 11, 12, 29 ($2,395). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, D.C., Orlando (from $2,445); Denver, Detroit, L.A., Minneapolis, San Francisco (from $2,545). SS: $295. Information: Overseas Adventure Travel, 800/873-5628, oattravel.com.
SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina from $1,729
LanArgentina flights from Miami to Buenos Aires, all transfers and flights within Argentina, six nights' hotel split between Buenos Aires and Puerto Madryn, visits to the Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery and Valdés Peninsula, and breakfasts. Add from $450 for fuel surcharges. When: Sept. 1–Dec. 9. Other Gateways: D.C., New York, Philadelphia (add $175); L.A. (add $200); San Francisco (add $250). SS: Not available. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Colombia from $1,975
Air from Miami to Bogotá; all transfers and local transportation; eight nights' hotel (two in Bogotá and three each in Cartagena and Pereira); two city tours; visits to Salt Cathedral, Rosario Islands, thermal springs, and a coffee plantation; some meals; and more. Add from $260 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 15. Other Gateways: New York ($2,025), L.A. ($2,050). SS: $700. Information: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.
Northern Peru from $1,869
Air from Miami to Lima, transfers and local transportation (plane, van), five nights' hotel (two each in Lima and Trujillo, and one in Chiclayo), five tours, and breakfasts. Highlights include the Chan Chan ruins and the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Until Dec. 9 (from $1,869). Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $90); Dallas, Houston (add $140); Baltimore, Boston, New York (add $160); Austin, New Orleans (add $170); Chicago, D.C., Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia (add $190). SS: $580. Information: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.