The Real Deals
Amazing deals always seem to be out there. The trick is to find them. And guess what? You just did. See details below:
A week in the Azores: R/T airfare & 6 nights from $589/person
The Real Deal: Air/hotel package for a week in Portugal's lush Azores islands. Round-trip airfare and six nights' accommodations from $589 per person.
When: Through June 12, 2007.
Gateways: Boston.
Details: The offer is priced per person based on double occupancy. Valid for Tuesday departures; add $90 to depart on Friday. Prices may be higher on holidays and after April 1, 2007. Daily breakfast is included. Taxes and fees are an extra $147 per person. Upgrades from coach fare to SATA Plus Business-Class are available for an additional $170 each way. Children under 10 pay for airfare and only 10 percent of the hotel rate; those under 6 are only charged for airfare.
Book By: No deadline, but must complete travel by June 12, 2007.
Contact: Azores Express, 800/762-9995, azores-express.com
For more trip details, click here.
__________________________________________
Italy air/car/5-night hotel package from $1,399/person
The Real Deal: Air/car/hotel package for exploring the lively university town of Perugia and its Umbrian neighbors. Round-trip airfare, five nights' accommodations, and rental car from $1,399 per person
When: Dec. 1-14, 2006; add $90 for Nov. 1-30 and Jan. 7-31, 2007; $100 for Feb. 1- Mar. 31; $340 for Dec. 15-31, 2006 and Jan. 1-6, 2007; $1,160 for July 20-Aug. 31, 2007; $1,200 for Apr. 1-May 31 and Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2007
Gateways: New York City; add $50 for Boston, Washington, D.C.; $95 for Atlanta, Chicago; $200 for Los Angeles, San Francisco
Details: Hotel taxes, daily breakfast, and fuel surcharges (which can top $150) are included. Additional airport taxes are $125 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement $699
Book By: No deadline; based on availability
Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com
For more trip details, click here.
__________________________________________
Greek Island Hopping: R/T Air & 8 nights from $1499/person
The Real Deal: Air/hotel package for a week in sun-kissed Mykonos and Santorini, capped off by a visit to bustling Athens. Round-trip airfare, eight nights' accommodations, and interisland flights and ferry rides from $1,499 per person.
When: Depart Oct. 8, 15, 22, 2007; add $100 for May 7, 21; $150 for Sept. 10, 17, 24; $440 for May 28; $460 for June 4, 11.
Gateways: New York City; add $53 for Chicago, Miami; $148 for San Francisco; $224 for Houston; additional cities available.
The Fine Print: Breakfast daily, airport/hotel transfers, hotel taxes, and fuel surcharges are included. Additional airport taxes are $175-$215 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement starts at $281. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: No deadline, but book as soon as possible--select dates are already sold-out.
Contact: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.
Why It's a Deal: The lowest round-trip fare we've found between New York City and Athens in mid-October is $891 per person (Continental). For about $500 more, Gate 1 Travel covers the international airfare as well as two 1-way flights within Greece, ferry transportation, airport/hotel transfers, and an eight-night stay.
For more trip details, click here.
__________________________________________
Beach it in Brazil: R/T Air & 8 nights from $1,906/person
The Real Deal: Bask in the sun on Brazil's Copacabana Beach, stroll the streets of Rio de Janeiro, fish for piranhas near a floating hotel in the Amazon jungle, and tour colonial-era buildings in Brazil's onetime capital of Salvador da Bahia. Round-trip airfare, eight nights' accommodations, sightseeing tours, some meals, and local transportation from $1,906 per person.
When: Depart Mondays through Thursdays until April 30, 2007.
Gateways: Miami; add $31 for New York; $126 for Los Angeles; additional cities available.
The Fine Print: Airport/hotel transfers, hotel taxes, two dinners, breakfast daily, entrance fees, guided tours, and fuel surcharges are included. Additional airport taxes total about $160 per person, which must be paid in advance, plus departure fees of $10-$15 per person for the two intercity flights within Brazil, which must be paid in cash at the airports. Each U.S. citizen must obtain a Visa in advance of arrival for a $100 fee. Contact your nearest Brazilian consulate. Based on double occupancy; the single supplement is $285. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: March 31, 2007.
Contact: Top Destination Tours & Travel, 800/480-0707, latinamerica4less.com.
Why It's a Deal: In comparison, the lowest round-trip fares we've found to Rio de Janeiro in mid-March are $715 per person from Miami (TAM Airlines) and $804 per person from New York (Continental). For $149-154 a day more, Top Destination Tours & Travel covers eight nights' lodgings, transportation, guided tours, and flights within Brazil, and provides the convenience of handling the trip logistics.
For more trip details click here.
__________________________________________
France River Cruise: R/T air, 7-nights, trips & meals from $1,998/person
The Real Deal: A springtime river cruise through France, with highlights including Paris, Giverny, and the beaches of Normandy. Round-trip airfare, a seven-night cruise, seven shore excursions, and all meals from $1,998 per person--$500 off the typical rate.
When: Depart Mar. 24, 31, Apr. 7, 14, 21, 2007; add $250 for departures in May, June, July and Aug.
Gateways: New York City; add $100 for Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.; $200 for Houston; $300 for Los Angeles; additional cities available.
Details: Airport/port transfers, meals, and onboard lectures are included. Additional airport taxes and fuel surcharges are about $335 per person, and port charges are $84 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is a whopping $2,143. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: Jan. 31, 2007; afterwards the price jumps to $2,498 per person.
Contact: Uniworld, 800/733-7820, uniworld.com.
For more trip details, click here.