Making Tourism a Priority

The ocean has always held a powerful grip on travelers, perhaps because you're never quite sure what's lurking beneath the surface. There's no better place to catch a glimpse of the ocean's most magnificent creatures in action than an aquarium. A couple of the finest are Boston's New England Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, south of San Francisco. Both are home to giant octopi--a species whose tentacles can stretch up to 30 feet. But one of the best spots to see huge sea creatures is in a surprising, land-locked location. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the nation's newest and largest aquarium. It's the only place in the U.S. to see watch whale sharks: spotted fish that can grow up to 50 feet long. Two young whale sharks named Ralph and Norton are the most famous residents of the aquarium, which opened in the fall of 2005. If merely watching whale sharks isn't enough of a thrill, you might want to take a trip to Isla Holbox (pronounced eee-sla whole-bosh), a sleepy island off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Every summer whale sharks feed near the Yucatan Peninsula, and they don't mind divers swimming alongside them. Dozens of outfitters in the area will set you up with equipment and guide you on this amazing adventure. And don't worry: the 20-ton creatures aren't man-eaters. They feed primarily on plankton.

Depending on the deal, prices are either per person or per room and may be based on double or quadruple occupancy (look for Details: under "When"). Packages are subject to availability and may be blacked out on holidays. Unless otherwise noted, prices don't cover taxes or gratuities. Where airfare is included, rates are generally based on midweek travel. A single supplement is listed whenever possible in case odd-numbered groups want to book. Back to 40 Best

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Cocoa Beach, Fla. $274: The Surfer Girls package includes a one-night stay at the newly renovated Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront; a 15 percent discount at Ron Jon Surf Shop; two hour-long surf lessons; choice of an in-room movie; turndown milk and cookies. Rates are per person based on double occupancy When: Through Oct. 3 Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 11 percent. Add additional people for about $35 per person for accommodations and $60 per person for the surf lesson Contact: Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 800/526-2609, cocoabeachhilton.com Las Vegas $507: Airfare and a three-night stay at the Aladdin Resort and Casino; airport/hotel stretch limo transfers; 45-minute nighttime city tour by helicopter. Price is per person based on double. Add-ons available: $155 per person for one round at the 18-hole Falls Golf Club; $50 per person for a Hoover Dam tour and visit to the Discovery Center. Rates are per person based on double. Gateways: Minneapolis; Detroit (add $73); New York City (add $215); Memphis ($255) When: Jul. 10 - Aug. 18; depart Mon., return Thurs. Details: Hotel taxes are included. Additional airport taxes are $34 per person; no fuel surcharges. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/225-2525, nwaworldvacations.com Martha's Vineyard $550: A three-night stay in a studio room at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in rural South Beach and within walking distance of Edgartown; a wellness assessment from the resort's new Island Adventure and Wellness Center, a personal fitness plan, gym pass (includes yoga, Pilates classes); pass to tennis club; one-hour massage; three-day bike rental with helmets; picnic lunch; breakfast daily; one dinner at the onsite restaurant, Lure; fresh fruit upon arrival. Rates are per person based on double. When: May 19 - May 25; $655 for Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29, and $655 for Sun.-Thurs. nights, May 29 - Jun. 22 and Sept. 4 - Oct. 29. Details: All hotel taxes and gratuities are included Contact: Winnetu Oceanside Resort, 978/443-1733, winnetu.com New Hampshire $318: Two days of custom guided outdoor adventures including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking; a two-night stay (either at a bed and breakfast or camping); five meals; sporting equipment and, if camping, a tent and cooking kit; nature and history talks. Rates are per person based on double. When: May 27, Jun. 10, Jul. 15, and ongoing Details: Minimum of two participants; maximum of six. Gratuities and any trail fees are additional. Must be booked at least 10 days in advance. If choosing to camp, participants must provide their own sleeping bags, backpacks, and pads. Add an extra night for $65 per person Contact: Outdoor Escapes, 603/528-0136, outdoorescapesnh.com Orlando, Fla. $219: The Putting Payback package includes a one-night stay at the Omni Orlando Resort; a private poolside cabana for a day; one spa treatment per person (choices include manicure/pedicure, massages, body wraps), a "culinary journey" dinner at pan-Asian restaurant Zen; round-trip town car ride to the mall at Millennia; vouchers for an appletini each in the hotel lobby bar; breakfast in bed. Rates are per person per night based on double. When: Through Sept. 9 Details: Hotel taxes are included; gratuities are additional. Add extra nights from $80 per person per night Contact: Omni Orlando Resort, 800/THE-OMNI, omniorlandoresort.com Palm Springs $999: The Cloud 999 package includes a three-night stay in a deluxe room at the tony RockResorts Lodge at Rancho Mirage; a $999 credit (per room) at the hotel's Avanyu Spa. The spa credit can be used for any combination of treatments throughout the stay and guests have complimentary use of the Avanyu facilities (sauna, hot tubs, fitness center, pool, and poolside cabanas). Rates are per room based on double. When: Sun. - Thurs. nights, Jul. 4 - Dec. 28 Details: The spa credit is non-transferable and applies to services only. It doesn't include gratuities or taxes and it won't be refunded if unused. Cloud 999 is also available at four other RockResorts: Keystone Lodge (Keystone, Colo.); The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera (Edwards, Colo.); Rosario Resort & Spa (San Juan Islands, Wash.); and Snake River Lodge & Spa (Jackson Hole, Wyo.). Contact: RockResorts, 888/367-7625, rockresorts.com Portland, Ore. $184: A one-night stay at the luxury 150-room Heathman Hotel, an independently owned boutique property in downtown Portland. Two cosmo cocktails upon arrival; two Happy Feet packages at the Barefoot Sage, including a salt water foot bath, a 30-minute lower leg and foot massage, and a paraffin dip; lunch at James Beard award-winning Heathman Restaurant; and valet parking. Rates are per person based on double. When: Ongoing based on availability Details: Taxes are an additional 12.5 percent Contact: Heathman Hotel, 800/551-0011, heathmanhotel.com San Francisco $810: A four-night stay at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf; round-trip airport/hotel transfers; a day-long tour of California Wine Country with stops at both large scale/high tech and small boutique wineries. Rates are per person based on double. Gateways: Detroit; Minneapolis (add $70); Memphis ($162); New York City (add $250) When: Jul. 20 - Jul. 31 and Aug. 3 - Aug. 21; depart Thurs., return Mon. Details: Hotel taxes and 1,000 bonus WorldPerks miles are included. Additional airport taxes of $44; no fuel surcharges. Add extra nights for $96 per person per night. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/225-2525, nwaworldvacations.com Santa Fe $420: A two-night stay at the Inn on the Alameda; breakfast daily; a morning cooking class and lunch for two at the Santa Fe School of Cooking; afternoon wine and cheese reception back at the Inn; and a 20 percent discount at Ristra, a French-influenced Southwestern restaurant. Rates are per room based on double. When: May 15-16, May 19-20, May 22-23, Jun. 5-6, Jun. 12-13, Jun. 19-20, Jun. 26-27; add $60 for Jul. 10-11, Jul, 17-18, Jul. 24-25; additional dates available Details: Hotel taxes are an additional 14.625 percent Contact: Inn on Alameda, 888/984-2121, innonthealameda.com Savannah $499: A one-night stay at the lavish Mansion on Forsyth Park with two queen beds and a marble soaking tub; chilled champagne and fruit upon arrival; 2 p.m. checkout. Two treatments each at the tranquil Poseidon Spa, choosing from a pedicure, manicure or facial and a body wrap or massage. Alternatively, attend an hour-and-a-half class at the 700 Kitchen Cooking School with Chef Darin Sehnert. Rates are per room based on double. When: Ongoing based on availability Details: Additional taxes of 12 percent and a daily $10 resort fee Contact: Mansion on Forsyth Park, 912/238-5158, mansiononforsythpark.com The Fine Print: Depending on the deal, prices are either per person or per room and may be based on double or quadruple occupancy. The rates listed here are the lowest ones possible; rates may be higher depending on availability and dates of travel. Plus: 40 Best Girlfriend Getaway Packages