Paris's Iconic Cathedral Will Chime New Bells for Palm Sunday

Whether it was a girlfriend getaway to Costa Rica or a romantic trip to the Swiss Alps, our readers have found great deals thanks to BT. Be inspired by their stories, and then check out our Real Deals section to find your own perfect deal. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DREAMY DESTINATIONS! COSTA RICAAn unforgettable girlfriend getaway"Costa Rica was always on my must-see list. Then, last December, my friend Karen and I found a Costa Rica deal from Capricorn Leisure in Budget Travel. It included airfare, hotels in three different areas, a half-day volcano trek, and a car rental. It was too good to pass up. In fact, it was so good that our friends Kathy and Teresa also wanted in. I was the navigator—I'm not so good with a stick shift. Some of the mountain roads are an adventure in themselves—very, very rough. But it was fun! It was the first time the four of us had all traveled together. We went zip lining, we drove and drove to a spice store in the middle of the rain forest, and at one point we were surrounded by hundreds of hummingbirds. When you're traveling with your girlfriends, it's kind of like, 'Oh, whatever. Let's just do it!'" —Nancy Miller, DeWitt, MI Do It Yourself: A similar seven-night itinerary starts at $1,209 per person with Capricorn Leisure, including airfare, car rental, and hotel stays in Arenal, Monteverde, and Liberia. 800/426-6544, capricornleisure.com. PERUHotel staff that go above and beyond the call of duty"I'd never heard of the Inkaterra Lodge before it became a part of our Escapes Unlimited trip to Peru, so it was a pleasant surprise. Beautifully designed, and the meals were the best we had on the trip—I had to bring home a copy of the lunch menu knowing no one would believe the sophistication of the offerings. But the most amazing part was when I lost my passport, which had been inside my otherwise empty money belt. Once I mentioned it to the security people at the lodge, they not only searched the grounds, but also sent people up and down the river to all the places we'd stopped, like the butterfly house. No luck, but what an effort!" —Sheldon Roth, Northridge, CA Do It Yourself: A similar two-night itinerary with Escapes Unlimited including a stay at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica starts at $570 per person including airport transfers, meals, and jungle walks. A five-night itinerary to Peru starts at $1,999 per person, including airfare between Miami and Lima, transportation within Peru, tours of Lima and Cusco, plus a visit to Machu Picchu. 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com. BORNEOA knowledgeable guide saves the dayThe right tour guide can save your trip, but did you know he or she could save your life? It happened to Marvin and Felyce Thomas of Melbourne, FL. They were on a hike with their guide, Frankie, in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve on a Sayang Holidays trip to Borneo. "He pointed to this tree, and there was one of the deadliest snakes—a pit viper. I wasn't even five feet from it," Marvin says. Fortunately, not everything Frankie shared was that dramatic. He taught the couple traditional Iban dinner etiquette and, during an impromptu drive to a cemetery, how they should drop coins from the car window to pay the spirits who the Chinese believe own the road. "All tour guides have knowledge, but Frankie was a natural-born teacher," Felyce says. "He was superb." Do It Yourself: A similar nine-night itinerary with Sayang Holidays starts at $3,499 per person, including airfare, transfers, hotels, and tours with an English-speaking guide.  888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com. SWITZERLANDRecommendations from local experts"I've been a BT subscriber for years, and in 2008 I saw a listing for Untours. I thought there was nothing in Switzerland to interest me—but my husband is a mountain man. In Oberhofen, we were lucky enough to stay with a wonderful gentleman, Mr. Tanner. He suggested places to go, and he'd watch the weather report for us and say, 'Yep, weather's going to be good. Do it.' It's a much nicer experience, living in a house instead of a motel. You see people walking to school, saying hi to each other. It was an immersion, but I felt right at home." —Rosemary Lyford, Dunkirk, NY Do It Yourself: A similar seven-night trip with Untours starts at $1,459 per person including private accommodations, airport transfers, and the services of a local representative. 888/868-6871, untours.com. CAMBODIAPersonal touches 9,000 miles from homeOn her 55th birthday, Sandy Snowe received a cake in her hotel room—9,000 miles from her Merritt Island, FL, home. "It was absolutely gorgeous," she says. It was also one of many personal touches she came to call "Andrea moments," after Andrea Ross, whose Southeast Asia tour company Journeys Within arranged Snowe's Cambodia trip. Snowe found Journeys Within, then less than a year old, through its first Real Deal, and Ross has developed a fondness for Real Deals fans, too. "BT readers are the people I stay in touch with," she says. "They set us up for success." Do It Yourself: A similar seven-night trip with Journeys Within starts at $1,500 per person, including time at Angkor Wat and in the cities of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, domestic flights within Cambodia, and many meals. 877/454-3672, journeys-within.com. CHILEAN PATAGONIAHome-cooked meals amid beautiful scenery"My wife, Sarah, and I live in Manhattan. As lifelong big-city dwellers, a Knowmad trip to Chilean Patagonia was a 180-degree change for us. We wanted to be immersed, not pampered. Only twice did we eat in restaurants—instead, we ate with our hosts in local homes. We stayed with a couple in Cochamó Valley—at one point, we were eating fresh salmon the husband had caught the day before from the river that runs through their property. What I remember most: the wood stoves. There's one in everybody's kitchen, going 24 hours a day. The coffee's always on, and you can smell the wood smoke all throughout the house. I'm desperate to find a way to import the stoves to New York—I just don't know of too many landlords who would allow it." —Ben Sevier, New York, NY Do It Yourself: A similar eight-night itinerary with Knowmad Adventures starts at $2,170 per person, including activities like biking, hiking, and horseback riding through Patagonia. 877/616-8747, knowmadadventures.com. TURKEYA private tour through hundreds of years of historyFran and Bill Howard have braved their share of crowded bus tours—in Peru, Costa Rica, etc—-and they were all fine. After all, travel is supposed to be a social endeavor, right? So imagine the Howards' surprise when they signed up for a 10-day, seven-city vacation in Turkey with Foreign Independent Tours—and they were the only people in the group. "We were really surprised they didn't cancel," says Fran, of Laguna Woods, CA. The best part, aside from the fact that they could sit in any seat—or every seat!—on their VIP bus, "was that they had a personal tour guide. He was willing to stop anywhere they wanted, as long as they got to their final destination on time every day. "If it was there, we saw it," says Fran. "St. Mary's house, the city of Metropolis, Cleopatra's swimming pool—which people are still swimming in—the Trojan Horse, temples, stadiums. We certainly got our money's worth." Do It Yourself: A similar nine-night itinerary with Foreign Independent Tours starts at $1,129 per person including ground transportation, guided tours of historic sites throughout the country, and overnights in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, and Canakkale. 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Intrepid travelers like to push their limits—they'll test their stamina, language skills, and culinary daring in far-flung destinations around the globe. But we don't like to see anyone risk their personal safety on an ill-researched sojourn. So, each year Budget Travel gives you the lowdown on some spots that should, at least for the near term, stay on your "don't bother" list, some that are a definite "maybe," and a few that you may be surprised to hear get a definite "yes." SEE THE DESTINATIONS! Jersey Shore Sure, you know that Superstorm Sandy hit the New Jersey coastline last fall, tearing up boardwalks, hotels, vacation homes, and beaches. What you may not know, however, is that "the shore" will be open for business this summer. In fact, Lori Pepenella, Long Beach Island's destination marketing coordinator, recently told the Newark Star-Ledger, "As businesses are investing and rebuilding, we're getting the message out that we're open right now." While rebuilding post-Sandy is a challenge, especially for areas such as Seaside Heights, whose boardwalk sustained serious damage, New Jersey's $38 billion hospitality industry depends on a thriving shore and everyone is sprinting toward a successful Memorial Day weekend. For those of you who thought this might be the summer to skip New Jersey's miles of family-friendly beaches, legendary boardwalks and amusement parks, and notorious party scene, local boosters are working hard to change your mind: Atlantic City is telling anyone who will listen that contrary to rumor, its boardwalk was not destroyed by the hurricane, and Long Beach Island has produced a video to promote its open-for-business status at visitlbiregion.com. There's no quick fix, and the reopening of seaside businesses is only part of the to-do list (for the shore to truly roar back, neighboring vacation homes and hotels will have to be in good repair as well), but if optimism and hard work can carry the day, you should probably start making your Memorial Day weekend reservations... now! To Go or Not to Go: Go. Cuba For those of us who grew up during the Cold War, the question may still seem fanciful: Want to visit Cuba? But whereas the Caribbean island was once off-limits except to the most adventurous of American travelers (who would typically enter Mexico or Canada before flying to Cuba), it is now possible for U.S. citizens to see this amazing country by booking with a licensed tour operator that performs "people-to-people" trips. A package will include interaction with Cubans and classes in Cuban culture and history and should also include a visa, airfare, hotel, meals, and an experienced tour guide. They don't come cheap—week-long trips are often more than $2,000 per person—but are the best way to ensure that you comply with U.S. law and that you see the island in the safest way. While accurate crime statistics are not available from Cuba yet, the U.S. Department of State cautions visitors to be alert for pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and burglaries, but traveling with a licensed people-to-people tour guide will help minimize any danger. To Go or Not to Go: Go, if you can afford a U.S.-approved people-to-people tour. Spain It's a sign of the economic times that a nation of Spain's stature could even make our list of questionable destinations. The final quarter of 2012 saw Spain's economic output drop 1.8 percent compared with last year, its worst performance since the global economic meltdown of 2009. As the country embraced an austerity program to bring down its budget deficit, demonstrators took to the streets, often meeting an aggressive response from the police. In Barcelona, some demonstrators even demanded independence. It's important to keep all this in perspective, though: The U.S. Department of State has not issued a warning against visiting Spain, and the country still poses only the crime threats one might expect in any developed region: You need to be as aware of the potential for pickpocketing, mugging, and break-ins as you would when visiting, say, Italy or France. In addition, some of the advice the State Department has issued for visiting places like Greece and Israel, where the potential for spontaneous public demonstrations is high, should be heeded when visiting Spain: Stay away from demonstrations (they are not spectactor sports, and passersby have been swept up in police actions in Barcelona), and check with your hotel's concierge for updates on the potential for unrest in your destination. To Go or Not to Go: Go. Israel With some of the world's holiest sites, sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, Israel is a one-of-a-kind destination. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the nightlife of Tel Aviv, this is a place where the past rubs elbows with the present like no other. Unfortunately, all that elbow-rubbing comes with a downside, and Israel has been the scene of religious tension, terrorist attacks, and flat-out war over the course of its 60+ years. The U.S. Department of State strongly warns Americans not to visit the Gaza Strip and most areas of the West Bank (other than Jericho and Bethlehem), due to ongoing tensions and risks that can range from rock-throwing to rocket fire. On the other hand, major cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv are as safe as any in the world, and Jerusalem, as long as you observe some common-sense rules, is an unforgettable experience that shouldn't be missed. While in Jerusalem, avoid street protests and approach religious sites with caution on holy days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays because of potential congestion and security restrictions. As with any troubled region, you will feel most supported and informed if you travel with an experienced tour operator and stay in touch with the staff at your hotel about the potential for political and religious demonstrations. To Go or Not to Go: Go, but avoid the West Bank and Gaza. Mexico Yes, millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexico safely each year, but as the U.S. Department of State points out, it's best to stick to major cities such as Mexico City and popular resort areas such as Los Cabos and destinations in Quintana Roo such as Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum, where the crime rate can actually be lower than in some U.S. cities. But more adventurous travelers should spend some time at state.gov reviewing the warnings about visiting border regions and some Mexican states (including Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Sonora, Chihuahua, and others) that have seen heavy drug-trafficking activity, including daytime gun battles, carjackings, and kidnappings. Regardless of where you travel in Mexico, be prepared for the same risks you might encountering when visiting any American city. To Go or Not to Go: Go, but only to major cities and resort towns. Japan 2012 saw an increase of 30 percent in tourism to Japan over the preceding year, according to the Japan National Tourist Organization. It's no wonder people stayed away in 2011: In March of that year the nation was rocked by the largest earthquake in its history, a magnitude 9 quake that destroyed buildings and triggered a tsunami on the island's northeast coast, causing the deaths of thousands and a meltdown at a major nuclear-power plant, including a release of dangerous radiation. But millions have returned to Japan in the past year, buoyed by the nation's swift recovery efforts. Today, major destinations such as Tokyo are completely safe and 2013 may even set a record for visitors. To Go or Not to Go: Go, as long as you avoid the area around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power plant. Egypt The political unrest that rocked Egypt two years ago, including public uprisings against then-president Hosni Mubarak, certainly put Egypt front-and-center on the world stage, and inspired some to delay travel plans to the north African nation. But sites such as the pyramids and Great Sphinx at Luxor, museums and historical sites in Cairo, and the beauty of the Lower Nile (now enjoying a resurgence in river cruises) still inspire waves of visitors, and the U.S. Department of State does not explicitly warn Americans away from Egypt. It does suggest that you stay away from public demonstrations, which can be unpredictable and sometimes turn violent. Visiting Egypt with an experienced tour guide, or staying in a major hotel whose concierge regularly monitors the potential for unrest, is your best bet.   To Go or Not to Go: Go, but, for now, stick with well-trod tourist sites such as Cairo and Luxor. Greece There's no sugar-coating it: The economic downturn and austerity measures have inspired strikes and public demonstrations in Greece, especially in major squares in the capital city of Athens. While they are usually peaceful and pose no threat to the democratic government, some demonstrations have turned violent, including fire-bombings and vandalism. It's best to avoid ogling demonstrations because of their potential to turn ugly. Americans visiting Athens should be aware that anti-migrant sentiment can make some visitors targets of aggressive behavior—and even police sweeps. The U.S. Department of State especially cautions Americans of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern descent to be on guard because they may be mistaken for migrants. All Americans should carry a copy of a passport or photo ID at all times. That said, tourism to Greece is still a booming business—major hotels in Athens, resorts on the islands, and other destinations with knowledgeable staff and on-site security are not only safe but among the most rewarding vacation spots you could choose. To Go or Not to Go: Go to the islands, stick to the beaten path in Athens. Haiti When we say a travel destination "has it all," we usually don't mean crime, cholera, damaged infrastructure, and limited police and medical resources. Unfortunately, that is the situation in Haiti three years after a magnitude-7 earthquake demolished much of the already-impoverished nation (which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic), killing more than 300,000 people. While Haiti has spent billions just to maintain basic services, risks are high and resources for visitors are slim—traveling there as anything but a volunteer will only add to the strain. The U.S. Department of State warns that Americans have been victims of murder and kidnapping, including attacks on arriving visitors that have occurred right outside the Port-au-Prince airport. To Go or Not to Go: Don't go. Syria Sure, Syria boasts some of the most dramatic ruins and landmarks in the Middle East, but this one's a no-brainer: "No part of Syria should be considered immune from violence," reports the U.S. Department of State, warning Americans not to visit the troubled nation (and those Americans who remain in Syria are urged to leave immediately). Anti-government activity and the Syrian government's use of deadly force—including aerial bombing of civilian areas, armed clashes between government and opposition groups, and the arrest, detention, and torture of individuals—have made Syria one of the most dangerous places on earth. And once inside, it can be difficult to get a flight out or to cross the border into neighboring countries, which include Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel. To Go or Not to Go: Don't go.

You've likely seen them at the airport—the expedited security lines that business-class, first-class, and top-tier frequent flyers glide through while you stare wistfully. With a new Even More Speed program being tested by JetBlue, you could be one of those people. For just $10. Worth it? The airline, as well as others, has been including passage through the expedited line when you buy other, pricier upgrades, according to an article in Travel Weekly. This is the first time a passenger can pay for the privilege as a stand-alone fee. The program is being tested out at 40 U.S. airports, including JFK and LaGuardia, O'Hare, Orlando, and both Dulles and Reagan airports in Washington, D.C. How do you feel about this fee? If you are someone who is typically running late for flights, it might be a good idea. If you are usually early for flights, it might be worth saving that $10 for a snack while you wait at the gate.

Phoenix Park The Irish-American owner has sprinkled Irish charms throughout this nearly 90-year-old property (with an adjacent pub) in Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill, where this gem is located, has a lock on the landmarks, letting visitors easily connect the dots between the Capitol, Union Station, and the National Mall's monuments and Smithsonian museums. The area hums with activity during the day, when government workers are busy bees and tourists madly try to squeeze it all in before closing time. However, the area quiets down in the evening, once folks have loosened their ties and the laces on their walking shoes. The hotel's owner, a proud Irish-American, brings a touch of his ancestral land to these shores, creating a country-estate aesthetic in an urban space. Irish charms are sprinkled throughout the nearly 90-year-old property: The hotel's moniker honors the eponymous park in Dublin; toiletries are made by Galánta, a Celtic company; and the in-room Irish breakfast tea comes courtesy of Bewley's, the country's leading coffee and tea company. The artwork further enhances this fantasy trip to the Emerald Isle, with paintings of castles and foxhunts, and a glass case that displays gleaming Waterford crystal. The 149 rooms are as jubilant as a cloudless day in County Clare, due in part to the color wheel of gold, burgundy, and green. The attached restaurant and pub, the Dubliner, brings in crowds with its Irish brews, traditional plates (fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage), and live Irish music every night. Later, work it off in the 24-hour fitness center. 520 N. Capitol St., NW, phoenixparkhotel.com, from $149 per night. PEEK INSIDE THE HOTELS Akwaaba This inviting 1890 brownstone has eight chic rooms with a subtle literary theme. Nestled in the 16th Street Historic District, Akwaaba is just steps from the cafes and boutiques of the trendy U Street area and a 10-minute walk to Dupont Circle. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the hotel's name translates to "welcome" in a language spoken in Ghana, and so you are. The 1890 brownstone creates a warm and inviting space with fireplaces, a piano, and parlor-esque furnishings appropriate for a literary salon or a Merchant Ivory film. A literary theme runs through the eight chic rooms and an apartment suite that was once a retreat for writers completing works in progress. Each accommodation centers on an author or genre, whose spirit and style subtly inform the interior designs. To wit: the African mud-cloth pillow covers in the Toni Morrison chamber; the vintage suitcases and framed print of Cuban cigars in the Langston Hughes room (conveniently outfitted with a balcony). During the evening happy hour, sip and snack on Akwaaba-labeled red and white wines (the owners work with vineyards in Napa), cheese, nuts, and olives. A gift shop in the foyer sells souvenirs such as Akwaaba microfiber robes, bottle openers made in South Africa, and textile notepad boxes from Ghana. The only drawback? No elevator, which means a StairMaster-like climb to the fourth floor. Breakfast is included. 1708 16th St. N.W., akwaaba.com, from $150 per night. Woodley Park Guest House Guests will feel like they're staying at the home of a well-to-do local with impeccable taste for art and antiques. Located in an upscale residential neighborhood near the zoo, you'll feel like you're a guest at the home of a well-to-do Washingtonian at the Woodley Park Guest House. The hotel feels very quiet and subdued—due, no doubt, to the absence of televisions and radios, and the fact that no children under 12 or pets are allowed. A former boarding house, the property has been tastefully upgraded with beautiful lighting, ceiling fans, central A/C, and granite countertops in bathrooms, yet retains its original appeal thanks to details such as bay windows and dormers. Though rooms are fairly small (especially the single-occupancy ones with shared bath), you'll feel cozy rather than cramped. There are six parking spots available to guests for $20 per night, which is a steal compared to other hotels around the city. The free breakfast is a cut above continental and is served in an elegant dining room. The afternoon brings complimentary cookies and brownies. If you ask, they'll do laundry for too, though it'll cost you $10. 2647 Woodley Rd. N.W., dcinns.com, from $125 per night. Hotel Helix A Kimpton boutique hotel with surprisingly large rooms—some with kid-friendly bunk beds—and a welcoming attitude to pets. This boutique hotel's theme is "15 Minutes of Fame"—meaning guests are invited to think of themselves as celebrities. When you enter the lobby, red drapes open as if you're stepping onto a stage, the check-in desks look like podiums, and the walls are lined with Pop Art-style photos of actual celebrities. The lobby Helix Lounge is popular with guests and locals alike, thanks to its fun drinks and, during happy hour, half-price burgers; in winter, its spacious outdoor terrace is kept cozy with heat lamps. The rooms are surprisingly large—from 400 to 800 square feet—and even the smallest options have separate dressing areas. And in spite of the fact that the modern décor is heavy on bright colors and hard, sleek surfaces, the property still manages to feel homey. A bonus for families: Some rooms have bunk beds fitted into an alcove with a second flat-screen TV, so the kids can watch cartoons while parents tune out. Even Fido is welcome and, to prove it, the staff will provide treats, beds, bowls, and bottled water. Outside your room you'll find Logan Circle, home to eclectic shops and restaurants-and a Whole Foods if you're looking for the familiar. Be aware that rates fluctuate wildly depending on the season. You might find rooms for $99 or as high as $500. Weekends tend to be cheaper, as do low seasons like late summer and Dec-Jan.1430 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., hotelhelix.com, from $99 per night. Adams Inn A cozy trio of early 20th-century houses with a communal vibe, a large garden, and a pet-friendly policy. You'll find the Adams Inn in Adam's Morgan, a neighborhood where restaurants wave flags from five continents and the bars crank up the music and host live bands. The trio of early 20th-century brick-town houses hasn't strayed far from its original roots as a group residence. More than half of the 26 rooms come with private baths; the remainder must share (ask the front desk for complimentary necessities like shampoo, conditioner, and shaving cream before you strip down). The pragmatic, only-what-you-need furnishings are dated in a good way. The color palette is soothing, and there's a refreshing absence of noise boxes (no TVs or phones). Two kitchens and numerous dining nooks mean you can save money by preparing meals or reheating leftovers. There is also a laundry facility in the basement. 1746 Lanier Pl., adamsinn.com, from $99 per night (shared bath), $129 (private bath).