40 Best Vacations

United States

Beantown to the Beach, Nonstop for $899
At the end of the year, GWV Vacations will launch weeklong packages that include nonstop charter service from Boston to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Massachusetts-based tour operator will be the only one in New England to offer these nonstop flights to Cabo, which are sure to be popular because they'll shave three hours off travel times. To ring in 2006, GWV is offering seven-night deals to both Jamaica and Cabo starting at $899. The price covers North American Airlines charter flights from Boston, transfers, and seven nights in either Negril, Jamaica, at the Legends Beach Resort on Seven Mile Beach, with a pool bar, disco, and restaurant; or in Cabo San Lucas, at the Costa Real, with a pool, and free shuttle to El Medano beach, 10 minutes away. When: Friday (Mexico) or Saturday (Jamaica) departures Jan. 6--May 6. Other Gateways: None. Details: No extra nights. Single supplement from $280. All-inclusive stays at Legends in Negril start at $230 more. Contact: GWV Vacations, 800/225-5498, gwvvacations.com.

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Colorado Skiing for $423
American Airlines flights from Chicago to Denver and four nights at the Inn at Keystone, 300 yards from the lifts of Keystone Ski Resort. When: Sun.--Thurs. stays Jan. 16--Feb. 16. Other Gateways: L.A. ($433), Dallas ($442), New York ($489). Details: Extra nights $56. Singles pay $452. Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.

Hawaii Cruise for $779
Sail for 10 or 11 days aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Wind round trip from Honolulu (cruise length depends on departure date). Includes stops on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Kiribati. When: Jan. 7, 18, 28 ($779 inside cabin/$849 ocean view); Feb. 8 ($849/$859); Feb. 18 ($849/ocean-view cabins sold out); Mar. 1 ($849/$799). Details: Rates don't include airfare. Call for the single price. Contact: GalaxSea Cruises and Tours, 800/662-5450, cruisestar.com.

Kauai for $1, 695
Spend two weeks on Kauai, maintaining and repairing vegetation in Kokee State Park or the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Includes meals, project expenses, and 14 nights in bunkhouses on park grounds. When: Jan. 14--28 (Kokee); Feb. 11--25 (Botanical Garden). Details: Airfare is extra; all costs are tax-deductible. Contact: Global Volunteers, 800/487-1074, globalvolunteers.org.

Las Vegas for $252
Northwest Airlines flights from Detroit or Minneapolis and three nights at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino on Freemont Street. When: Sunday and Monday departures Dec. 4--15 ($258); Jan. 8--Feb. 2 ($252 Minneapolis, $302 Detroit); Feb. 6--Mar. 2 ($285/$335). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $18. Single supplement from $54. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.

Los Angeles for $174
Southwest Airlines flights from Las Vegas or Phoenix and two nights at Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn, with free shuttle service to Universal Studios Hollywood, one mile away. When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday departures Jan. 10--Mar. 7. Other Gateways: Albuquerque, Boise (from $259); Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville (from $304). Details: Extra nights from $30. Single supplement from $100. Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

Canada

See the Canadian Rockies by Rail for $829
Certainly there are faster ways to get between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta, but none will offer you the same relaxing front-row seat to some of the most spectacular scenery North America has to offer. A seven-day Winter Wonderland package from Rocky Mountaineer Vacations includes six nights' hotel (one night in Vancouver, one in Kamloops, three in Banff, and one in Calgary), transfers, Red Leaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer train between Vancouver and Banff (eastbound; or Banff to Vancouver westbound), two breakfasts and two lunches on the train, dinner in Kamloops, admission to the Lookout in Vancouver, a city tour and admission to the Whyte Museum in Banff, and entrance to the Calgary Tower. When: Westbound from Calgary: Dec. 17 ($829) and Dec. 25 ($969). Eastbound from Vancouver: Dec. 18 and 26 ($969). Details: This is a land-only price; it doesn't include airfare. Extra nights from $76. Single supplement from $300. Contact: Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, 800/665-7245, winterrailvacations.com.

Mont Tremblant Skiing for $909
Air from Boston or New York to Quebec, a five-day car rental, a three-day lift ticket, and four nights at Les Suites Tremblant, within walking distance of the slopes. When: Nov. 18--Dec. 22 ($909), Dec. 23--31 ($1,259), Jan. 1--Feb. 18 ($989), Feb. 19--25 ($1,119), Feb. 28--Mar. 18 ($989). Other Gateways: Chicago (from $929), Miami (from $949), Atlanta (from $979), L.A. (from $1,079). Details: Extra nights from $69. Single supplement from $269. Contact: Maxxim Vacations Gray Line, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

Mexico

Acapulco for $619
Aeroméxico flights from Miami, transfers, and five nights (your fifth night is free) at the Hyatt Regency Acapulco. Overlooking Acapulco Bay, the beachfront hotel has two swimming pools, a spa, shopping center, four restaurants, and three bars. It's a 10-minute walk to the shops, restaurants, and bars downtown. When: Jan. 2--Feb. 21. Other Gateways: L.A. ($669), Boston ($679), New York ($725), Atlanta ($729). Details: Extra nights $61. Single supplement from $248. Contact: Aeroméxico Vacations, 800/245-8585, aeromexicovacations.com.