BudgetTravel

SOUTH AMERICA 

A New Way to See Brazil for $1,980
Philadelphia-based tour operator Culture Xplorers was founded on the notion that the best way to understand a place is through its customs and people. As a result, all its small-group trips to Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru coincide with local holidays and celebrations. This August, Culture Xplorers plans a tour of Brazil in time for the Boa Morte Festival, a three-day event full of parades and dancing that incorporates Catholic and African religious traditions. The company focuses on the country's Afro-Brazilian culture by teaming up with grassroots organizations: Travelers learn about capoeira--a dance of African origin that incorporates martial arts--through a visit to a Salvador capoeira school, and in Rio, teenage students from the Rocinha favela (one of the city's notorious slums) guide the group through their neighborhood. The nine-day fully escorted tour begins in Salvador and includes transfers, eight nights at three-star hotels (four nights in Salvador and four in Rio), ground transportation (by private van and taxi), flights between Salvador and Rio, most meals and activities, all entry fees, and a bilingual local guide. When Aug. 11. Details Price does not include international airfare. Single supplement $550. A four-day excursion to the mining towns of Tiradentes, Congonhas, and Ouro Preto is $920 more. Contact Culture Xplorers, 866/877-2507, culturexplorers.com.

Ecuador & Galápagos Islands for $1,680
Air from Miami to Quito, all ground transfers and onward flights, three nights with breakfast daily at the Four Points by Sheraton in Quito, and three nights with all meals at the Hotel Silberstein on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. The itinerary includes tours of Quito, the nearby Equatorial Monument, and Santa Cruz Island. When June 1-30 and Aug. 1-Dec. 31 ($1,680); July 1-31 ($1,730). Other Gateways L.A. ($1,739/$1,789), New York ($1,900/$1,950). Details Extra nights in Quito from $49; in the Galápagos from $160. Single supplement $330. The Galápagos National Park tax of $100 is included in the price. Contact Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.

Peru Tour for $1,935
Continental or American Airlines flights from Miami to Lima, transfers, nine nights' hotel (two in Lima at Hotel San Agustín Riviera, one in Aguas Calientes at Hotel Presidente at the base of Machu Picchu, four in Cuzco at the Hotel San Agustín Plaza, and two in Puno at Hotel El Buho), flights between Lima and Cuzco, and English-speaking guides throughout. The package includes transportation to Machu Picchu aboard the Backpacker train, and visits to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, and Lake Titicaca. When June 29, July 13, 27, Aug. 10, 31 ($1,935); Sept. 14, Oct. 5, 26, Nov. 16 ($1,845). Other Gateways L.A. ($2,065/$1,975), New York ($2,130/$2,040), Chicago ($2,270/$2,180). Details Extra nights from $85. Single supplement from $260. Add approximately $275 for meals and entry fees. Contact Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

Rio de Janeiro for $870
Tam Airlines flights from Miami to Rio, transfers, six nights at the Savoy Othon (two blocks from Copacabana Beach), and two half-day guided tours to Sugar Loaf mountain and Corcovado, the famous mountaintop statue of Jesus Christ. When Until Nov. 30. Other Gateways Atlanta, New York (add $200); L.A. (add $300). Details Extra nights $40. Single supplement $250. Contact Analie Tours, 800/811-6027, analietours.com.

EUROPE 

Florence for $1,499
Eurofly flights from New York to Rome, a six-day car rental, five nights at the Villa Carlotta--which is within walking distance of Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens--and breakfast daily. When Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures June 2--July 15 ($1,699); July 16--Aug. 27 ($1,499). Other Gateways None. Details Substitute the car rental with round-trip first-class train tickets from Rome to Florence for $50 more. Extra nights from $100. Single supplement $599. Upgrade to the Hotel degli Orafi (on the Lungarno and next to the Ponte Vecchio) for $500 more. Contact Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Helsinki for $969
Air from New York to Helsinki and three nights with breakfast daily at the Scandic Continental Helsinki--near the scenic bay of Töölönlahti and within walking distance of the city center. When June 8, July 6, Aug. 3 ($1,340); Sept. 7 ($969). Other Gateways Boston (add $4), D.C. (add $74), Miami (add $179), Denver (add $240), L.A. (add $251). Details Extra nights $56. Single supplement $169. Add a full-day guided excursion to Tallinn, Estonia for $186, including transportation across the Gulf of Finland by catamaran. Contact Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Ireland for $499
A five-day economy-car rental with unlimited mileage, four nights' lodging (one at a hotel in County Clare, two at your choice of more than 2,000 B&Bs across Ireland, and one at Adare Manor, a castle in County Limerick), a full Irish breakfast daily, and admission to the Waterford Crystal Factory. When June 1-Aug. 31. Details The price does not include airfare. Extra nights with car from $85. Single supplement from $440. Contact Sceptre Tours, 800/221-0924, sceptretours.com.

London for $699
Virgin Atlantic flights from New York, six nights at the recently renovated Tria Hotel in Notting Hill, and breakfast daily. When Until Aug. 30 ($989); Aug. 31-Oct. 31 ($699). Other Gateways Boston ($999/$719); D.C. ($1,059/$789); Miami ($1,209/$869); L.A., San Francisco ($1,269/$889); Las Vegas ($1,289/$989). Details Extra nights from $58. Single supplement from $160. Contact Virgin Vacations, 888/937-8474, virgin-vacations.com.

Prague & Bratislava for $1,439
Czech Airlines flights from New York, Montreal, or Toronto to Prague; transfers; six nights' accommodations split between Prague (in a studio at the Flathotel Orion, a 15-minute walk from the city center) and Bratislava (at the Botel Marina, docked on the left bank of the Danube); transportation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia (either a short flight or a first-class train, depending on your travel date); breakfast daily; and half-day guided sightseeing tours of each city. When June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $59); Cleveland, Detroit (add $109); Atlanta, Chicago (add $139); Miami, New Orleans, Orlando (add $179); Dallas, Denver, Memphis (add $229); Salt Lake City (add $289); Seattle (add $309); L.A., San Francisco (add $319). Details Extra nights from $59. Single supplement from $309. Contact Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, tatratravel.com.

Spain for $1,549
Air from New York to Madrid, 10 nights' accommodations (three in Madrid at the Sercotel Apartamentos Togumar, two in Seville at the Gran Hotel Lar, two in Córdoba at the Occidental Hotel, and three in Málaga at the Larios Hotel), breakfast daily, and train transportation between cities. When May 26-June 30 ($1,809); July 1-Aug. 25 ($2,009); Aug. 26-Sept. 6 ($1,819); Sept. 7-Oct. 31 ($1,549). other gateways Baltimore, Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $30); Chicago, Miami (add $40); Dallas (add $70); Detroit (add $110); Atlanta (add $160); San Francisco (add $210); Denver, L.A., Seattle (add $220); Cincinnati (add $230); Phoenix (add $250). Details Extra nights from $38. Single supplement from $500. Contact Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.