Rio de Janeiro & Manaus for $1,519  
United Airlines flights from New York to Rio de Janeiro, transfers, three nights at the Excelsior Copacabana Hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach, an onward flight to Manaus, two nights in the Amazon rain forest at the Tropical Manaus hotel (three restaurants, two bars, two pools), and breakfast daily. When: Sept. 2-Dec. 13. Other gateways: L.A. ($1,599); San Francisco ($1,655); D.C., Denver ($1,699). Details: Extra nights in Rio $92. Single supplement $425. Contact: United Vacations Latin America, 800/328-6877, uv-latin.com.

EUROPE 

France for $2,699  
Air from New York to Paris, transfers, five nights at the Duquesne Eiffel Hotel in the seventh arrondissement, a six-night river cruise through Île-de-France and Normandy, three nights in a château (in Normandy or the Loire Valley), and a four-day car rental. The price includes breakfast daily and all meals, wine, excursions, and entrance fees aboard the barge. Whe:n Sunday departures Sept. 17-Oct. 1. Other gateways: Baltimore, Boston, San Francisco ($2,989); Atlanta, Miami ($3,059); Chicago, Detroit ($3,069); Denver, Houston ($3,129); Portland, San Diego ($3,179). Details: Add a fuel surcharge from $110. Extra nights from $100. Single supplement $1,100. Contact: France Vacations, 800/332-5332, francevacations.net.

Ireland for $599  
Air from New York to Dublin, a seven-day car rental with unlimited mileage, and six nights of open vouchers good at 2,500 bed-and-breakfasts across Ireland. When: Sept. 1-Oct. 31 ($689); Nov. 1-Mar. 22 ($599). Other gateways: Boston ($759/$639), D.C. ($779/$659), Chicago ($819/$739), Miami ($849/$729), L.A. ($859/$799). Details: Extra nights from $60. Single supplement $70. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Istanbul & Athens for $1,149 
Lufthansa or Swiss Air Lines flights from Boston or New York to Istanbul (via Frankfurt or Zürich), escorted airport-hotel transfers, four nights in Istanbul at the Elite Hotel in Taksim, an onward flight to Athens, four nights at the Divani Palace Acropolis overlooking the ruins, and breakfast daily. When: Sept. 17, Oct. 8 ($1,499); Nov. 3 ($1,149); Dec. 24 ($1,499). Other gateways: Chicago, Miami ($1,644/$1,294/$1,644). Details: Extra nights from $115. Single supplement $399. Contact: Friendly Planet Travel, 800/555-5765, friendlyplanet.com.

Kraków for $699  
Air from New York to Kraków, arrival transfer, five nights at Hotel Matejko (about a five-minute walk from the Main Square), and breakfast daily. When: Sept. 4-Oct. 14 ($869); Oct. 15-29 ($847); Oct. 30-Dec. 15 ($699). Other gateways: Boston ($899/$858/$714), Chicago ($905/$863/$786), Atlanta ($965/$923/$755), L.A. ($1,049/$1,007/$874). Details: Extra nights from $48. Single supplement $135. Add $270 for taxes and surcharges. Contact: Sophisticated Traveler, 800/801-1055, s-traveler.com.

London for $499  
Air from New York, six nights at the Fairway Hotel in King's Cross or Apollo Hotel in Bayswater, and breakfast daily. When: Sept. 1-Oct. 31 ($629); Nov. 1-Dec. 11 ($499). Other gateways: Boston ($679/$559); Chicago ($779/$629); Miami ($779/$709); L.A., San Francisco ($839/$699); Phoenix ($839/$789). Details: Add up to $289 for taxes. Extra nights $50. Single supplement from $180. Add $70 for round-trip transfers. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Malta for $1,199  
Virgin Atlantic and Air Malta flights from Boston, D.C., or New York (via London), transfers, five nights at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi (in St. Julian's, on Malta's eastern coast), breakfast daily, and either two full-day tours or four half-day tours, or a combination of both. When: Sept. 1-10 ($1,599); Sept. 11-30 ($1,529); Oct. 1-16 ($1,499); Nov. 1-10 ($1,199); Nov. 11-30 ($1,269). Other gateways: Miami, Orlando (add $80); L.A., San Francisco (add $100). Details: Extra nights $69. Single supplement $99. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Rome & Tuscany for $875  
Eurofly flights from New York to Rome, a four-day car rental with unlimited miles, six nights' lodging, and breakfast daily. Spend two nights in Rome at the Hotel Polo in the Parioli district, then drive up to Siena and stay four nights at the Arco Naturale Country House, a converted 16th-century convent on 22 acres with a pool and restaurant. When: Sunday departures Sept. 10-Oct. 8 ($1,175); Oct. 15, 22 ($1,055); Oct. 29, Nov. 5 ($875). Other gateways: None. Details: Extra nights $100. Single supplement $350. Contact: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST 

South Africa Road Trip for $1,479  
The Garden Route, a road along the southern edge of South Africa, is famous for its coastlines, lush forests, and approachable cities. One of the best times to enjoy all three is now until mid-December--after the winter rains, but before the summer throngs. Spend two days in Cape Town, travel through the arid Little Karoo region, pass ocean-side forests, and end at the Amakhala Private Game Reserve just east of Port Elizabeth. The trip includes two domestic flights, eight nights at hotels or lodges, a nine-day car rental, breakfast daily, and all meals and four game drives at the game reserve. When: Sept. 1-30 ($1,479); Oct. 1-Nov. 30 ($1,659). Details: The price does not include international airfare. Add about $58 for a one-way drop-off fee. Extra nights from $169. No single supplement. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/853-6453, fittours.com.

Egypt for $1,199 
EgyptAir flights from New York to Cairo, transfers, and six nights in Cairo at one of three hotels: Ramses Hilton, Cairo Sheraton, or Mena House, with breakfast daily. The package includes half-day guided tours of the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. When: Sept. 1-Oct. 31 ($1,249); Nov. 1-Dec. 12 ($1,199). Other gateways: None. Details: Extra nights $65. Single supplement $180. Contact: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.