U.S. and Canada

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George Wythe House, Williamsburg, Va. (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Va.) [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

Quick Getaways
You don't have to venture far to get the benefits of a vacation—these one- and two-night deals will still feel like a real escape.

Atlanta from $144
One night at one of 15 Marriott hotels, free parking, and two VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibit in town. Rates start at $144 per room with breakfast; airfare isn't included. When: Nov. 14–Dec. 30; Jan. 1–7; Jan. 11–Mar. 11; Mar. 15–Apr. 29; May 3–26. Information: Marriott, 866/504-0213, marriott.com.

Newport Beach, Calif. from $129
One night at the Fairmont Newport Beach hotel and a $25 credit. The price is per room; airfare isn't covered. Blacked out Mondays to Wednesdays. When: Nov. 1–9; Nov. 13–Jan. 31. Information: Fairmont Newport Beach, 949/476-2001, fairmont.com.

Williamsburg, Va. from $324
Two nights at the Governor's Inn, two passes to Colonial Williamsburg, lunch, and a walking tour. The price is per room; airfare isn't included. When: Nov. 26–Dec. 31. Information: Colonial Williamsburg, 800/447-8679, colonialwilliamsburgresort.com.

Carve Out Discounts
Now is when ski resorts offer their early-season savings—book today and thank yourself later. Lighten your load: with some airlines charging for checked bags, lugging skis on a plane can be a real expense. Consider rentskis.com, which lets you order rental skis or snowboards and pick them up from 90 locations near major ski resorts. By booking 12 hours in advance, you could save up to 20 percent off a resort's walk-in price.

Bondville, Vt. from $198 Two nights at the Inn at Stratton Mountain, two-day lift tickets and equipment rental, and breakfast and lunch daily. When: Dec. 1–16; Mar. 22–Apr. 12. Information: Stratton Mountain Resort, 800/787-2886, stratton.com.

Lake Tahoe, Calif. from $468
Two nights in a studio at the Squaw Valley Lodge, a pair of two-day lift tickets, and a two-hour ski or snowboard lesson for two at Squaw Valley USA. The price is per room; airfare isn't included. When: Nov. 22–Dec. 18. Information: Squaw Valley USA, 866/366-7261, squawvacations.com.