Real Deals: July/August 2009

The Ritz-Carlton in Budget Travel? Well, why not?! This month, all 32 exclusive packages are packed with even greater value: an upgrade at the Ritz in Ireland, a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Egypt, a free GPS rental in Italy, and, closer to home, bonus sightseeing cruises on New York City's Hudson River.

How was your trip? Have you taken a Real Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at RealDeals@BudgetTravel.com.

St. Petersburg's mosaic-tiled Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, just a 15-minute walk from the State Hermitage Museum (Dagmar Schwelle/Iaif/Redux) [enlarge photo]

Before you book... These trips sell out quickly, and details may change. Call the companies for complete info. Most rates are based on midweek dates; weekend travel can raise the price. Under "Why it's a deal," round-trip flights are based on the lowest July departures on kayak.com at press time. Usually not included: service, security, and visa costs; hotel, car-rental, and airport taxes. Check each listing for fuel surcharges. Prices are per person, with two people sharing a room, unless otherwise noted. The single supplement ("SS") is the extra fee charged to solo travelers. Some companies pair singles with same-sex roommates at no extra cost when single supplements aren't available.

UNITED STATES

Alaska Cruise & Hotel, from $2,399
A 12-night itinerary round trip from Seattle with a seven-night sail in a balcony stateroom on Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess, five nights' hotel, and transfers and local transportation. Spend two nights in Denali and one each in Fairbanks and Anchorage, with a four-hour tour of Denali National Park. Also includes airfare from Fairbanks to Seattle, one night's hotel in Seattle, port charges, fuel surcharges, and a $100 onboard credit. Why it's a deal: You save $860 off Princess Cruises' regular package rate for a balcony. You also get the airfare from Fairbanks to Seattle (worth $377), the hotel in Seattle (worth $150), and the onboard credit at no extra cost. When: Saturday and Monday departures July 4–Aug. 29; Sept. 5, 7. SS: $1,362. Contact: Cruise­Star.com, 800/662-5450, cruisestar.com.

Carmel, Calif., from $199
One night at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, breakfast, a picnic lunch, and a beach pail with a kite and toys. The price is for two adults and two kids. Mention BDGT09. Why it's a deal: The regular room rate in July starts at $380. You also receive an upgraded room (from $20 in value), lunch (worth $60), and the beach kit, all at no extra cost. When: Until Oct. 15. SS: N/A. Contact: Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, 888/828-8787, quaillodge.com.

Charleston, S.C., from $199
One night at the King Charles Inn, a $50 credit at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, a $10 Häagen-Dazs voucher, a $20 certificate to Blackbeard's Cove Family Fun Park, and four South Carolina Aquarium admission tickets. The price is for two adults and two kids. Mention BUDGET TRAVEL. Why it's a deal: You save $50 off the best available package rate. When: Until Sept. 30. SS: N/A. Contact: King Charles Inn, 866/546-4700, kingcharlesinn.com/budgettravel.

Chicago, from $579
United Airlines flights from Hartford; four nights at the Fairmont Chicago, two blocks from Michigan Avenue; and one $50 food-and-beverage credit per room. The price includes fuel surcharges. Add from $28 for transfers. Why it's a deal: If you booked this trip indepen­dently in mid-July, you would pay at least $657. You also receive the $50 credit at no extra cost. When: July 1–Sept. 7. Other gateways: Philadelphia ($628); New York ($649); Boston, L.A., Miami ($679). SS: $469. Contact: Travel Themes and Dreams, 877/870-7447, travelthemesanddreams.com.

Florida Keys, from $175
One night at Hawks Cay Island Resort on Duck Key, plus two tennis racket and bike rentals. Price is per room. Book by Aug. 15 and mention BUDGET. Why it's a deal: The regular room rate in July starts at $365. You also receive the sports equipment rentals at no extra cost (a $70 value). When: Until July 1; July 6–27; Sept. 1–3; Sept. 8–Dec. 17. SS: N/A. Contact: Hawks Cay Island Resort, 888/313-5749, hawkscay.com.

New Hampshire B&B, from $230
Three nights at the Blue Acorn Inn in Sunapee, N.H.; breakfast daily; maps for a self-guided hike on one of the 14 trails of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway; a picnic lunch and shuttle service back to the trailhead; and admission tickets to the 18th-century Canterbury Shaker Village and the Fells estate and gardens. The price is per room. Mention BTEN. Why it's a deal: You receive three nights for the price of two. When: Until Sept. 17. SS: N/A. Contact: Granite State Vacations, 603/863-1144, granitestatevacations.com.

New York City, from $545
Three nights at the Gem Hotel Midtown West, SoHo, or Chelsea, and a pair of tickets for a two-hour Circle Line Sightseeing cruise on the Hudson River. The price is per room. Why it's a deal: You save over 30 percent. The regular rate for the required three-night stay starts at $735 in mid-July, and two adult Circle Line tickets normally cost $60. When: Until Sept. 7. SS: N/A. Contact: The Gem Hotel, 212/967-7206, thegemhotel.com/budgettravel.

Orlando, from $549
Air from Atlanta or Fort Lau­derdale; seven nights in a one-bedroom condo at the Vacation Village at Parkway, one mile from Walt Disney World; a seven-day car rental; and fuel surcharges. Why it's a deal: If you booked this trip independently in July, you would pay at least $692. With this package, you save about $143. When: July 1–Sept. 30. Other gateways: Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia ($589); Chicago, Dallas, New York ($629); L.A., Las Vegas, San Francisco ($679). SS: $299. Contact: Travel Themes and Dreams, 877/870-7447, travelthemesanddreams.com.