40 Best Bargain Vacations

Air from Burbank, L.A., or San Diego and three nights at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower, at the north end of the Strip. When: Wednesday or Saturday departures March 30-April 13 and April 23-May 21. Other Gateways: Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio (from $259); Long Island/Islip, Manchester, Providence (from $294). Details: Extra nights from $30. Single supplement from $105. Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

New York City for $473

Air from D.C. and three nights at the Wellington Hotel on Seventh Avenue at 55th Street, not far from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, and Central Park. When: Monday departures April 4-June 20. Other Gateways: Boston (from $476); Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (from $546); Charlotte (from $570). Details: Extra nights $104. Single supplement $224. Contact: US Airways Vacations, 800/352-8747, usairwaysvacations.com.

Sarasota for $116

Three nights in a deluxe room (with two queen beds and a full kitchen) at the Captiva Beach Resort on Siesta Key, just outside Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast. The family getaway package also includes the use of two beach chairs, a beach umbrella, sand toys for the kids, and five children's video rentals from the library. When: Until April 15 ($191); April 16-30 ($153); May 1-Dec. 18 ($116); excluding holidays. Details: These prices are per person, based on a family of four, and do not include airfare. A romance package for two--including three nights' lodging, a bottle of wine upon arrival, dinner for two at a local restaurant, breakfast in bed one morning, two in-room massages, beach chairs and umbrella rentals, among other extras--starts at $289. Contact: Captiva Beach Resort, 800/349-4131, captivabeachresort.com.

Canada

Banff for $547

Alaska Airlines flights from Seattle to Calgary, Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle transfers to Banff (two hours away), and three nights at the Banff Caribou Lodge. The hotel is a 10-minute walk--or a free shuttle ride--from downtown shops and restaurants. When: Wednesday or Saturday departures from April 1-June 15. Other Gateways: L.A. (from $599); Boston, New York (from $678); Orlando (from $710). Details: Extra nights from $56. Single supplement from $157. Contact: Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.

Montreal for $579

Air Canada flights from New York, three nights at the Best Western Hôtel Europa (three blocks from the historic quarter of Old Montreal), and a museum pass, valid for admission to 30 museums and attractions as well as unlimited use of public transportation for three consecutive days. When: April 1-June 30. Other Gateways: Chicago ($599), Miami ($619), Atlanta ($639), L.A. ($739). Details: Extra nights $50. Single supplement $199. Contact: Maxxim Vacations-Gray Line, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

Mexico

Cancún for $364