BudgetTravel

Have you gone on a 40 Best trip? We want to publish your accounts and pictures! They help others learn more about the companies listed in this section--and we love reading the tales. E-mail us at Letters@BudgetTravelOnline.com.

Set Sail in the Fijian Islands for $1,650
Many people think of Fiji as one island, but in fact the South Pacific nation is a group of more than 800 islands and islets, most of which tourists never see. Journey Pacific sells a seven-night package to Fiji that takes travelers not only to the main island of Viti Levu, but also to the Yasawa Group, a cluster of volcanic islands about a day's sail away. The itinerary includes three nights at the Barefoot Lodge on Drawaqa Island in the Yasawas, and four days sailing aboard the Spirit of the Pacific, a 108-foot topsail schooner. The remaining four nights are on Viti Levu in an ocean-view bungalow at Crusoe's Retreat along the island's southwestern Coral Coast. This deal covers Air Pacific flights from L.A. to Nandi; all transfers; three nights in a waterfront bungalow at the Barefoot Lodge, with all meals, shore excursions, snorkeling equipment, and evening activities; and four nights at Crusoe's Retreat resort with breakfasts. When: Until Mar. 31, 2008. Other Gateways: San Francisco ($1,775); Chicago, New York ($1,999). Contact: Journey Pacific, 800/704-7094, airpacificusa.com.

Malaysian Festivities for $988
To celebrate Malaysia's 50th anniversary of independence from British rule, the country's tourism board is sponsoring 50 festivals and competitions throughout the year¿along with two recent additions to Kuala Lumpur: hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses and the Eye on Malaysia, a 197-foot-high Ferris wheel modeled on the London Eye. Several U.S.-based companies are selling trips for specific events like the cultural festival Colours of Malaysia in late May, and Independence (or Merdeka) Day on August 31. Sayang Holidays has a package that covers Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Singapore, all transfers and onward flights, and six nights' hotel accommodations split between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang. Other companies and itineraries are listed on tourismmalaysiausa.com. When: Until May 31 ($988); June 1-Aug. 20 ($1,238). Blacked out Apr. 1-15. Other Gateways: New York (add $125); Denver, Seattle (add $175); Boston, D.C. (add $250); Miami (add $350). Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

UNITED STATES
Colorado Skiing for $529
Air from Chicago, Dallas, or St. Louis to Denver; three nights at Winter Park Mountain Lodge with free shuttle service; and a two-day lift ticket. Add $96 for round-trip transfers. When: Mar. 4-Apr. 10. Other Gateways: None. Contact: Apple Vacations, applevacations.com.

Grand Canyon Hiking for $595
A four-day backpacking trek into the Grand Canyon with three nights' camping. Includes most meals and gear (except backpacks and hiking boots), permit fees, first aid gear, and guides. Add $20 for the park entrance fee. This is a land-only price. Nonmembers must first pay a $15 membership fee. When: Apr. 12, 19, 27; Sept. 13, 20, 27. Contact: REI Adventures, 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.

Las Vegas for $359
Spirit Airlines flights from Atlanta or Detroit and three nights at the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, on the upper end of the Strip. Includes a full-day trip to Laughlin. When: Monday departures until Apr. 9; Apr. 23-May 28. Other Gateways: Fort Lauderdale ($489); D.C., New York ($497). Contact: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

Los Angeles for $399
Air from Chicago, Dallas, or Houston, and three nights at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza in downtown L.A. When: Until Mar. 31 ($399); Apr. 1-June 30 ($428). Transfers are not included. Car rentals begin at $29 per day. Other Gateways: D.C., New York, Philadelphia (add $29); Miami (add $59). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

Maui for $1,054
Air from San Francisco and seven nights at the Outrigger Royal Kahana, between Kaanapali Beach and Kapalua Bay on the northwestern coast of Maui. When: Tuesday departures until May 29. Other Gateways: None. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.

Orlando for $399
Air from Chicago or New York, a five-day car rental, and five nights with breakfast daily at any of the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, Westgate Inn (both within five miles of Disney World), or Comfort Inn Universal Studios Area, five minutes from Universal Orlando Resort. When: Until Dec. 15. Other Gateways: Atlanta, D.C. (add $49); Boston (add $59); San Francisco (add $170). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

CANADA
Montreal for $164
The tourism board of Montreal has a "Sweet Deal": Book one night's accommodations at any of 21 hotels citywide and get the second night for 50 percent off. The discounted two-night total ranges from $164 at the Quality Inn Downtown (where the regular nightly rate begins at $109) to $285 at Le St-Sulpice Hôtel or the Hotel St-Paul (where the first-night price starts at $190). When: Until May 31. Contact: Tourisme Montréal, 866/412-4030, tourisme-montreal.org.

Toronto for $789
Air from Chicago, three nights at the Delta Chelsea hotel in downtown Toronto, and two orchestra-level tickets to The Phantom of the Opera at the Princess of Wales Theatre. When: Until May 31. Other Gateways: Miami ($819); Atlanta, Boston, New York ($879); L.A. ($919). Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

MEXICO
Baja California Kayaking for $1,045
An eight-day kayaking tour round trip from Loreto in the Gulf of California. Spend two nights in hotels and five nights camping. The itinerary includes most meals and equipment (except sleeping bags), and a guide throughout. This is a land-only price. When: Mar. 3 ($1,195, includes a whale-watching tour); Mar. 18, Apr. 1, 8 ($1,045). Contact: REI Adventures, 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.