REAL DEALS
Norway Cruise, 2-for-1 Deal, $1,299
Sail along a southwest-bound coastal route from Kirkenes, an Arctic outpost near the Russian border, past fjords and ancient settlements to Bergen, a Viking-founded harbor town.
Kenya for $1,999
British Airways flights from New York to Nairobi (via London), transfers and local transportation (in a private minibus with driver and an English-speaking guide), one night in Nairobi at the Stanley hotel, five nights on safari (two at Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Shaba Game Reserve, one at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge on Lake Nakuru, and two at Sarova Mara Tented Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve), breakfast daily, all meals and game drives while on safari, and all park entrance fees. When: July 1--Aug. 31 ($2,799); Sept. 1--Oct. 31 ($2,399); Nov. 1--Dec. 15 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); L.A., Seattle (add $250). Details: Extra nights in Nairobi from $150. Single supplement $325. A free stopover in London is allowed in either direction. Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com.
Morocco for $1,399
Royal Air Maroc flights from New York to Agadir (via Casablanca), transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Hotel Club La Kasbah. On the bay of Agadir, the resort has five restaurants, a swimming pool, access to a private beach 400 yards away, Jacuzzis, tennis, archery, belly-dancing lessons, and a wellness center with saunas, a traditional Turkish bath, as well as aerobics and yoga classes. When: July 1--13 ($1,599); July 14--Aug. 20 ($1,699); Aug. 21--Sept. 30 ($1,399). Other Gateways: D.C., Philadelphia (add $170); Boston (add $190); Charlotte (add $225); Columbus (add $265). Details: Extra nights $99. Single supplement $138. Optional side trips include dinner in a Berber village ($49) and a full-day tour of Marrakech ($109, includes lunch). Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/853-6453, fittours.com.
Chicago as seen from the 'Columbus'
(Courtesy Hapag-Lloyd Cruises)
[enlarge photo]
|
Asia
Escape to Phuket for Six Nights for $845
As if there weren't already enough reasons to want to go to the Thai island of Phuket--white-sand beaches, clear water, and lush rain forests--Sayang Holidays just made a visit even more appealing with a six-night deal for $845. The package includes Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Phuket (via Singapore); transfers; accommodations on Karon Beach at the five-star Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa in a sea-view room with breakfast daily; and a half-day tour to other beaches on the island (Patong, Rawai), Promthep Cape, and a sea-gypsy community, an offshore fishing village built on stilts. When: Aug. 21--Sept. 30. Other Gateways: New York ($995); Denver, Portland, Seattle ($1,020); Boston, Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia ($1,120); Dallas, Miami ($1,195). Details: Extra nights $58. Single supplement from $225. A three-night extension in Singapore costs $110 more. Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.
China Tour for $1,299
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing, transfers and transportation between cities (by train and private bus), nine nights in three- and four-star hotels (three in Beijing, one in Jinan, two in Tai'an, three in Shanghai), one overnight train, most meals, and English-speaking guides throughout. The itinerary includes visits to Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the Confucius Temple in Qufu, a tour of a silk-spinning factory, tickets to an acrobatic show in Shanghai, and a cable-car ride up Mt. Tai. When: July 21, 28; Aug. 4, 18; Friday departures, Sept. 1--Oct. 20. Other Gateways: L.A. ($1,419); Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, Salt Lake City, Seattle ($1,439); Atlanta, Denver, New York, Philadelphia ($1,599). Details: Cost for extra night varies. Single supplement $350. Contact: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.
Hong Kong for $1,099
Cathay Pacific flights from L.A. or San Francisco, transfers, five nights at the Kowloon Hotel along the "Golden Mile" shopping district on Nathan Road, and breakfast daily. A half-day city tour with stops at Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay and its famous beach, and Aberdeen's floating community is also included. When: July 1--Aug. 15 ($1,349); Aug. 16--Sept. 15 ($1,099); Sept. 16--30 ($1,199). Other Gateways: New York ($1,499/$1,249/$1,349); Boston, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia ($1,649/$1,399/$1,499). Details: Extra nights from $110. Single supplement from $275. Contact: Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, ritztours.com.
Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore Tour for $1,299
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bangkok, arrival transfer, local transportation (train, ferry, and bus), 16 nights' lodging, and English-speaking guides throughout. Spend seven nights in Thailand (one in Bangkok, four on the island of Koh Phangan, one overnight train, and one in Satun on the Andaman Sea) before crossing into Malaysia for eight nights (two each in Penang, the Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka). The final night is in Singapore. When: Tuesday and Thursday departures July 6--Aug. 17 ($1,499); Aug. 22--Sept. 28 ($1,299). Other Gateways: New York ($1,599/$1,399). Details: Tuesday departures travel from Bangkok to Singapore; Thursday departures go from Singapore to Bangkok. A local payment of $135 is due upon arrival in Thailand. Add $25 for entrance fees and about $12 per day for meals. No extra nights. There's no single supplement; solo travelers will be paired with other singles of the same sex. Contact: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.
Vietnam Tour for $1,875
Air from L.A. to Hanoi, transfers and local transportation (bus, train, and plane), nine nights' hotel (three in Hanoi, two in Hue, one in Hoi An, and three in Ho Chi Minh City, the city formerly known as Saigon), and an English-speaking guide throughout. Itinerary highlights include visits to the tunnels of Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, and the Thien Mu pagoda in Hue, as well as a boat trip on Halong Bay, a World Heritage site in the Gulf of Tonkin. When: July 27, Aug. 24 ($2,125); Sept. 21 ($1,875). Other Gateways: New York ($2,225/$1,975), Miami ($2,340/$2,090), Chicago ($2,370/$2,120). Details: Add approximately $225 for meals and expenses. Extra nights in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City $60. A four-day Cambodia extension with a visit to Angkor Wat is available for an additional $570. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.
Vietnam & Cambodia for $999
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (the return flight is from Siem Reap), transfers, three nights in Ho Chi Minh City at the centrally located Bong Sen Annex hotel (or similar), an onward flight to Siem Reap (the gateway to Angkor Wat), two nights at the Angkor Star Hotel (or similar), and breakfast daily. The package includes a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City and full-day tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple. When: Aug. 21--Dec. 5. Other Gateways: Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle ($1,174); New York ($1,199); Dallas, Houston ($1,274); Boston, D.C., Pittsburgh, Syracuse ($1,334). Details: Extra nights from $22. Single supplement $250. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
South Pacific Cook Islands for $1,357
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Rarotonga, transfers, five nights with breakfast daily at the Castaway Beach Villas on the west coast of the island. The waterfront resort has a pool, snorkeling, and kayaking. When: July 1--Aug. 22 ($1,553); Aug. 23--Sept. 4 ($1,357); Sept. 5--30 ($1,373). Other Gateways: None. Details: This is a cash-discount rate; add $35 for credit-card payments. Prices include taxes, surcharges, and fees (approximately $203). Extra nights from $61. Single supplement from $305. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.
Fiji for $1,777
Air Pacific flights from L.A. to Nandi, round-trip transfers on Sun Air, and seven nights in a lagoon bure at Musket Cove Island Resort on Malolo Lailai (an island nine miles off Vitu Levu). The resort has a dive center and offers free windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling trips. When: Until March 31. Other Gateways: Palm Springs, San Francisco ($1,902); Las Vegas, Phoenix ($1,912); Seattle ($2,077); Atlanta, Boston, New York, Orlando ($2,232). Details: Extra nights $280. Single rate is not available. Contact: Exotic Escapes, 866/666-8922, airpacificusa.com.
Australia
Sydney Combo for $1,399
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, all internal flights, and six nights split between Sydney (at the downtown Hotel Ibis Darling Harbour, near the convention center) and either Brisbane (at the Hotel Ibis, near the South Bank Parklands and the shops on Queen Street) or Melbourne (at the Mercure Welcome Hotel in the shopping and theater district). When: Until July 25, Sept. 22--Dec. 7 ($1,699); July 26--Sept. 21 ($1,399). Other Gateways: New York ($1,999/$1,699). Details: Call for the extra night price. Single supplement from $390. Contact: Qantas Airways/Tourism Australia, 800/369-6863, australia.com.
New Zealand
North Island for $1,228
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Auckland, transfers, and an eight-day campervan rental (double bed, kitchenette) with unlimited miles. When: July 1--Sept. 30. Other Gateways: None. Details: This is a cash-discount rate; add $35 for credit-card payments. The price includes taxes, surcharges, and fees (about $210). Extra nights from $26. Single supplement $105. You can extend your stay by up to a month; long-rental discounts will apply. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.