Asia, Africa and Middle East

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ASIA

Phuket, Thailand from $1,439
Air from L.A., New York, or San Francisco to Phuket (via Hong Kong); transfers; seven nights at Deevana Patong Resort & Spa; and breakfasts. Add $325 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Feb. 1–Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Miami (add $300); Atlanta, Chicago (add $420). SS: $329. Information: Goway Travel, 888/469-2988, goway.com.

China Tour from $1,399
Korean Air flights from L.A. to Beijing (returning from Shanghai) and an 11-day tour of China with transfers and local transportation (plane), eight nights' hotel accommodations, and breakfast daily. Spend three nights each in Beijing and Shanghai, and two nights in Xi'an. Highlights include visiting the Summer Palace in Beijing, the terra-cotta warriors in Xi'an, and the Great Wall of China. Fuel surcharges are included in the price. You must book by Mar. 31. When: Feb. 11 ($1,399); Mar. 11 ($1,499); Apr. 8 ($1,599); May 13 ($1,699); June 17, July 8 ($1,799). Other Gateways: New York (add $100). SS: $299. Information: SmarTours, 800/337-7773, smartours.com.

Hong Kong, Macau & Bangkok from $1,579 Cathay Pacific Airways flights from L.A., New York, or San Francisco to Hong Kong (returning from Bangkok) and a 10-day tour of Hong Kong, Macau, and Bangkok with all transfers and local transportation (plane), eight nights' hotel accommodations, and breakfast daily. Spend three nights in Hong Kong at the BP International hotel, two nights in Macau at Best Western Hotel Taipa, and three nights in Bangkok at Hotel Manhattan or similar. The itinerary includes half-day guided tours of Hong Kong and Bangkok as well as admission to the Macau Tower. Add $142 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Mar. 15 ($1,579); Mar. 16–31 ($1,625); Apr. 1–30 ($1,729). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Orlando (add from $450). SS: From $629. Information: Pacific Holidays, 800/355-8025, pacificholidaysinc.com.

India from $1,998 Air from L.A., New York, or San Francisco to Delhi (via Brussels or Singapore) and a 13-day escorted tour with transfers and local transportation (car, train), 11 nights' hotel accommodations, and breakfast daily. Spend three nights in Delhi; two nights each in Shekhawati, Jaipur, and Agra; and one night each in Orcha and Khajuraho. The highlights include visiting the Taj Mahal and riding a camel. Add from $350 for fuel surcharges. When: Feb. 1–Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle (add $200); Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio (add $300); Chicago, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, St. Louis (add $350). SS: From $370. Information: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

Thailand & Cambodia from $2,889 Cathay Pacific Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bangkok (via Hong Kong) and a 14-day escorted tour of Thailand and Cambodia with transfers and local transportation, 11 nights' hotel, and breakfast daily. Spend five nights in Bangkok and three nights each in Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Siem Reap, Cambodia. The itinerary includes half-day city tours of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and a full-day tour of Angkor Wat. Fuel surcharges are covered in the price. When: Wednesday departures Feb. 11–May 20. Other Gateways: New York (add $100); Boston, Philadelphia (add $250); Chicago, Dallas, Miami (add $350). SS: $600. Information: Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, ritztours.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

This Month's Reader Report
The Big Five on Safari
"I make all the plans when we visit Europe, but Africa intimidated me," says Jeannette Conklin of Tinley Park, Ill. "So my husband and I used 40 Best Deals to book a trip to South Africa for ourselves and our three daughters through Lion World Tours. We went on safari most days and got to taste Amarula Cream, a liqueur made from plumlike fruit that elephants find irresistible." Lion World's nine-day tour with air starts at $1,999 (800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com).

Morocco from $1,599 Royal Air Maroc flights from New York to Tangier (via Casablanca), all transfers and local transportation (bus), six nights at the beachfront Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Malabata Tangier (overlooking the Bay of Tangier and the Strait of Gibraltar), and breakfast daily. A child under 12 sharing a room with two adults stays at the hotel at no extra charge. Fuel surcharges are included in the price. When: Saturday departures Feb. 7, 21, Mar. 7, Apr. 4 ($1,899); Mar. 21 ($1,599); Apr. 18 ($1,999); May 2, 16, 30 ($2,199); June 13, 27 ($2,399). Other Gateways: D.C., Philadelphia (add $170); Boston (add $195); Pittsburgh (add $225); Chicago, Detroit, Miami (add $305); L.A., San Francisco, Seattle (add $450). SS: From $499. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

South Africa & Swaziland from $4,996 South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Johannesburg, transfers and local transportation, 13 nights' lodging (hotel), and most meals. Spend three nights in Cape Town; two nights each in Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Knysna; and one each in Swaziland, Oudtshoorn, St. Lucia, and Durban. The itinerary includes one game drive in Kruger National Park. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Friday departures Feb. 6–Apr. 10. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Chicago (add $110); Dallas, Houston, Miami (add $160); Denver, L.A., Phoenix, San Francisco (add $210). SS: $503. Information: Karell Holidays, 800/327-0373, karellholidays.com.