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40 Best Vacations
The real deals right now
June 2006 issue
Tuesday, May 23, 2006;
UNITED STATES
Hit the Road with Monograms for $574
Alaska Cruise for $899
Las Vegas for $299
Maui for $1,137
Naples, Fla. for $415
Orlando for $343
Palm Springs for $460
San Francisco for $685
CANADA
Victoria, B.C. for $545
Yukon Territory for $1,599
MEXICO
Get Cooking in Puebla for $600
Mexico City for $689
Riviera Maya for $469
CARIBBEAN
Barbados for $668
Dominican Republic for $577
Jamaica for $460
CENTRAL AMERICA
Belize for $999
Costa Rica Tour for $1,495
Nicaragua for $919
SOUTH AMERICA
A New Way to See Brazil for $1,980
Ecuador & Galápagos Islands for $1,680
Peru Tour for $1,935
Rio de Janeiro for $870
EUROPE
Florence for $1,499
Helsinki for $969
Ireland for $499
London for $699
Prague & Bratislava for $1,439
Spain for $1,549
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Namibia for $2,675
Senegal for $2,295
ASIA
India's Five-Star Hotels on Sale for $1,149
Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap & Singapore for $1,629
Japan Tour for $2,699
Malaysia for $898
Singapore & Bali for $799
Yangtze River Cruise for $1,399
SOUTH PACIFIC
Tahiti for $2,475
AUSTRALIA
Sydney Combo for $1,399
NEW ZEALAND
North Island for $1,299
Monograms, a branch of the Globus group of travel companies focusing on independent vacations, launched its first packages to North American destinations in March--including a new way to make the classic summer road trip even easier. Travelers can now book preplanned one-to-two-week journeys along 13 routes in places like New England, Virginia, the Grand Canyon, the Canadian Maritimes, and the Canadian Rockies. On the Road Driving Vacations include a car rental, hotel accommodations, a day-by-day itinerary with directions and information about en-route tourist attractions, 24-hour on-call service, and, if requested, airfare. One of the most popular itineraries this summer is sure to be a six-day jaunt along the California Coast between San Francisco and L.A. (with two nights in San Francisco; one in Monterey, near Big Sur; one in Solvang, just north of Santa Barbara; and a final night in L.A.). When June 1-Aug. 31. Details Extra nights from $62. Single supplement $290. The same packages are available without a rental if you prefer to use your own vehicle. Children 12 and under stay free with two paying adults. Contact Monograms, 800/221-0090, monogramstravel.com.
Seven days aboard the Norwegian Sun on a round-trip sailing from Seattle. The itinerary includes two full days at sea and stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Prince Rupert. When June 10, 24, July 8, 22, Aug. 19, 26 ($899 inside cabin, $1,119 ocean-view). Details Price includes port charges but not airfare. Contact American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Air from Oakland and two nights at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, on the Strip. When Select Monday and Tuesday departures until Aug. 31. Other Gateways Denver ($319); Seattle ($344); Sacramento ($349); Portland ($359); Chicago ($414); Indianapolis, Philadelphia ($469); Baltimore ($494); New York ($524). Details Book by June 30. Take $100 off per reservation when you use promotional code LX100. Extra nights from $105. Single supplement from $170. Other available discounts include $100 off a reservation at THEHotel (mention LX100); $75 off at the Monte Carlo, MGM Grand, New York New York, Mirage, Treasure Island, or Mandalay Bay (EXC50); or $50 off at Circus Circus or Excalibur (FN50). Contact MGM Mirage Vacations, 800/360-7111, mgmmiragevacations.com.
Northwest Airlines flights from Seattle and seven nights in a garden-view one-bedroom apartment at the Outrigger Aina Nalu Resort Condominiums in Lahaina, about four blocks from the beach. The hotel has a pool and sundeck; apartments are equipped with full kitchens. When Monday departures June 12-Aug. 22. Other Gateways Minneapolis ($1,389). Details Extra nights from $105. Single supplement from $840. Upgrade to the Outrigger Palms at Wailea starting at $150 more. Contact NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.
JetBlue Airways flights from New York to Fort Myers and four nights at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 15 miles north of Naples. The hotel has a spa, gym, 18-hole golf course, two tennis courts, seven pools, four restaurants, and two bars. When Sunday through Wednesday departures June 1-Aug. 31 (from $415). Other Gateways Boston, Burlington (add $25); Buffalo (add $45). Details Transfers are not included. Call for extra-night prices. No single rate. Contact JetBlue Airways, 800/538-2583, jetblue.com.
Air from Chicago or New York, a five-day car rental, and five nights with breakfast daily at the Meridian Hotel, three miles from Disney World. When June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways Atlanta, D.C. (add $49); Boston (add $59); Dallas (add $149); San Francisco (add $170). Details Extra nights $18. Single supplement $79. Families of four can upgrade to a two-bedroom condo at the Bahama Bay Resort for $50 more per person. Contact Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
American Airlines flights from Dallas to Palm Springs and four nights with breakfast daily at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa. The hotel has two golf courses, three pools, and four restaurants, and each room has its own patio. When Until Sept. 10. Other Gateways Miami ($506), Chicago ($566), New York ($586). Details Extra nights $62. Rates for singles start at $332. Contact AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.
Northwest Airlines flights from Detroit and four nights at the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, which overlooks San Francisco Bay near Ghirardelli Square and the cable cars. When Thursday departures June 1-19 ($685); July 20-31, Aug. 3-21 ($721). Other Gateways Minneapolis ($782/$779). Details Extra nights $96. Single supplement $384. Add $30 for round-trip transfers. Add $56 for a full-day tour to a few of the large-scale and boutique wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties (includes tastings). Contact NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.
Air from San Francisco, transfers, and three nights at the downtown Best Western Carlton Plaza, three blocks from the Inner Harbour. When Wednesday or Saturday departures until Aug. 31. Other Gateways L.A. (from $575); New York, Orlando (from $735). Details Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $215. Contact Alaska Airlines Vacations, 800/468-2248, alaskaair.com.
Air from L.A. to Whitehorse, a seven-day car rental, and seven nights at select hotels and B&Bs (three in Whitehorse, two in Dawson City, and one each in Beaver Creek and Haines Junction). The itinerary includes a Whitehorse city tour, Frantic Follies vaudeville show, a night at the Beaver Creek Dinner Theatre, a visit to Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall Casino, and a White Pass Summit train ride. When June 1-Oct. 31. Other Gateways Dallas, Houston ($1,689); Chicago ($1,699); Boston, New York ($1,719); Atlanta ($1,779); Miami ($2,079). Details Extra nights with car from $99. Single supplement $649. Contact Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.
Spend a week learning traditional Mexican cooking in the colonial city of Puebla. After a guided tour of the markets, return to your hotel and enjoy hands-on lessons. Class menus include mole poblano, Mexico's national dish, which was first consumed in Puebla. The deal covers six nights at one of the Mesones Sacristía boutique hotels (two former colonial villas, on the same property), breakfast daily, dinner each night at your choice of several area restaurants, 15 hours of cooking lessons (taught in English by hotel chef Alonso Hernandez), admission to Museo Amparo and Biblioteca Palafoxiana, and a city tour with English-speaking guides. When Until Dec. 31. Details The price does not include airfare. Extra nights from $160. No single supplement is available. Contact Mexico Boutique Hotels, 800/728-9098, mexicoboutiquehotels.com.
Aeroméxico flights from Houston to Mexico City, transfers, and three nights at the Galería Plaza Hotel, with a full gym and heated rooftop pool. The hotel is one block from the city's main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, and a short walk from shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries of the Zona Rosa, the most popular tourist area. When Friday departures June 1-30 ($749), July 1-Aug. 31 ($689). Other Gateways Las Vegas, Phoenix ($809/$745); Atlanta, Chicago, L.A. ($869/$799). Details Extra nights from $72. Single supplement $216. Guests age 60 and older will get a dinner for two at one of the hotel's three restaurants. Contact Aeroméxico Vacations, 800/245-8585, aeromexicovacations.com.
Air from Fort Lauderdale to Cancún and three nights at the all-inclusive Allegro Playacar Resort, 40 minutes south of Cancún near Playa del Carmen. The beachfront hotel has three restaurants, two swimming pools, tennis, kayaking, snorkeling, and windsurfing, as well as supervised activities for children. When June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways Atlanta, Detroit, Orlando, Tampa ($499); D.C. ($529); Atlantic City, Chicago, New York ($549); Dallas, Providence ($589). Details Extra nights from $92. Single supplement from $131. Add $34 for round-trip transfers. Children under 12 stay free when sharing a room with two adults (airfare is additional). Contact Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Air from Miami and six nights at the Rostrevor Apartment Hotel, on the southern coast of Barbados. Fifteen minutes from the airport and Bridgetown, the beachfront resort has a pool, restaurant, bar, and an on-site grocery store. Lots of restaurants, shops, and nightclubs are within easy walking distance. When Monday through Thursday departures June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways New York, Philadelphia ($698); Baltimore ($704); Charlotte ($803); L.A. ($843); Chicago ($898). Details Extra nights from $51. Single supplement from $306. Add $50 for round-trip transfers. Contact Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Punta Cana, transfers, and four all-inclusive nights at either the Barceló Bávaro Beach or the Barceló Bávaro Caribe, two of five hotels in a resort complex along one-and-a-half miles of private beach. Guests have access to Barceló's three other properties, which include 14 restaurants, 16 bars, 5 pools, a 24-hour casino, a health club, water sports, and horseback riding. When June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways Chicago ($727), New York ($758), Dallas ($782). Details Extra nights from $86. Rates for single travelers start at $574. Contact AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.
Air from Fort Lauderdale and six nights at the Beachcomber Club & Spa, on seven-mile-long Negril Beach. The hotel has a swimming pool, ocean-view restaurant, games room (pool, table tennis), windsurfing, and kayaking. When Monday through Thursday departures June 1-Aug. 31. Other Gateways Miami ($499), Charlotte ($560), Boston ($580), New York ($598), L.A. ($710). Details Extra nights from $47. Single supplement from $282. Add $50 for round-trip transfers. Contact Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Belize City, onward flights to Ambergris Cay, and seven nights at the beachfront Aqua Marina Suites, in an air-conditioned room with a kitchen and private oceanfront balcony. The hotel has a pool, hot tub, restaurant, bar, full-service tour desk, and dive shop, and is within easy walking distance of shops in nearby San Pedro. When Tuesday through Thursday departures June 1-30. From July 1 to Aug. 31 add $60. Other Gateways Dallas ($1,045/$1,105); New York ($1,099/$1,159); Chicago ($1,199/$1,259); L.A., San Francisco ($1,262/$1,322); Portland, Seattle ($1,304/$1,364). Details Add $25 each way for departures on other days of the week. Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $343. Contact Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Air from Miami to San José, all transfers and local transportation, 12 nights' lodging (two in San José, two in Sarapiquis, two in Guanacaste, two in Chachagua, two near the Arenal volcano, and two in Tarcoles), most meals, excursions and tours, and an English-speaking guide throughout. The itinerary includes a coffee-estate tour, river rafting, sea kayaking, a cooking class, a boat trip on the Rio Frio, a visit to thermal mud baths, and volcano viewing. When June 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 26, 27; July 4, 6, 8, 14, 16, 21, 25, 29; Aug. 2, 8, 15, 20, 30. Sept. 6, 15, 25 ($1,595). Other Gateways Dallas, New York ($1,695/$1,795); Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia ($1,745/$1,845); L.A., San Francisco ($1,795/$1,895); Denver, Seattle ($1,845/$1,945). Details Trips are geared toward people over the age of 50. Single supplement $295. Contact Overseas Adventure Travel, 800/248-3737, oattravel.com.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Managua, all transfers, and seven nights' acommodations. Spend two nights in Granada near Lake Nicaragua at the four-star Hotel Colonial (with a pool, two bars, a restaurant, and full-service tour desk), and five nights at the all-inclusive Barceló Montelimar Beach, a 500-acre oceanfront resort with seven restaurants, two swimming pools, a casino, water sports, minigolf, horseback riding, and a zoo. When Tuesday through Thursday departures June 1-30. From July 1 to Aug. 31 add $160. Other Gateways Dallas ($957); New York ($1,089); L.A., San Francisco ($1,143); Chicago ($1,155); Portland, Seattle ($1,284). Details Add $25 each way to depart on other days of the week. Extra nights from $38. Single supplement from $190. Contact Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
South African Airways flights from Atlanta or D.C. to Windhoek (via Johannesburg), all transfers, six nights' acommodations (one at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek, three at the Kulala Wilderness Camp near the red dunes of Sossusvlei, and two at the Beach Lodge in Swakopmund), breakfast daily, all meals at Kulala, and safari activities at Kulala. When May 31-Oct. 31. Other Gateways Boston, Miami, Philadelphia (add $200); L.A. (add $300). Details Extra nights from $75. Single supplement $655. Contact South African Airways Holidays, 888/777-1138, saaholidays.net.
Nonstop South African Airways flights from New York to Dakar, transfers, six nights at the Lamantin Beach Hotel & Spa (one hour south of Dakar in the resort town of Saly), breakfast and dinner daily, and a half-day sightseeing tour of Dakar (including the Soumbedine craft market, the Third Millennium Gate, and Gorée Island). The beachfront resort has two restaurants, a bar, pool, and water sports, and a golf course nearby. When June 1-30, Aug. 21-Sept. 30 ($2,295); July 1-Aug. 20 ($2,595). Other Gateways Detroit (add $195); Miami (add $225); Albuquerque, L.A., Phoenix (add $325). Details Extra nights from $125. Single supplement from $575. Contact 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.
Spend four nights at a luxurious Oberoi Hotel in India and get four nights for free. The participating properties are the Rajvilas in Jaipur (home of the Amber Fort), the Udaivilas in Udaipur (overlooking Lake Pichola), the Amarvilas in Agra (just half a mile from the Taj Mahal), the Vanyavilas in Ranthambhore (next to the famous tiger reserve), and Wildflower Hall (high in the Himalayas). You can choose to stay eight nights at one hotel or you can move from one to another. This special low-season offer includes transfers from the nearest airport or railway station, a 25 percent discount on spa treatments, free yoga or cooking classes (at select properties), and all hotel taxes. When Until Sept. 30. Details Land only; the price doesn't include international or domestic airfare. There's an eight-night minimum stay. The Oberoi Vanyavilas closes for the season on June 30. Trips can be customized to include airfare, guided sightseeing, meal plans, extra nights, etc. Contact Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (via Singapore); all transfers and local flights between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore; nine nights' hotel; half-day tours of each city; breakfast daily, three lunches, and two dinners; and all airline fuel surcharges. The itinerary includes three nights each in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon), Siem Reap (gateway city to the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat), and Singapore. When June 6-Aug. 20 (from $1,869), Aug. 21-Oct. 31 (from $1,629). Other Gateways Denver, Seattle (add $190); New York (add $200); Boston, D.C. (add $290); Dallas (add $320); Atlanta, Chicago (add $350). Details Call for the extra-night price and single supplement. Contact Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Japan Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo, transfers and local transportation (including rides on the bullet trains), seven nights' lodging (three at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, two at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Kyoto, one at the Hotel Kowaki-en in Hakone, and one at the Nikko Hotel in Osaka), breakfast daily and one special dinner, excursions and tours, and an English-speaking guide throughout. The nine-day itinerary includes a stop at Mount Fuji, cruising Lake Ashi, and a visit to Nara, Japan's ancient capital. When June 10, 24, Aug. 12 ($2,899); July 11 ($3,099; special departure for the Gion Festival in Kyoto); Sept. 9, 23, Oct. 14, 21 ($2,699). Other Gateways New York (add from $60). Details Land-only price from $1,979. Extra nights from $136. Single supplement from $499. Spend a night in Kyoto at the Yoshi-ima Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, for $169 more (includes transfers, breakfast, tea ceremony, and dinner). Contact General Tours, 800/221-2216, generaltours.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Kuala Lumpur (via Singapore), three nights at the downtown Radius International Hotel, an onward flight to the island of Penang, and three nights at the Ferringhi Beach Hotel (on the north shore, overlooking the water). The package also includes all transfers, breakfast daily, and half-day tours of both Kuala Lumpur and Penang. When June 1-5, Aug. 21-31 ($898); June 6-Aug. 20 ($1,148). Other Gateways New York (add $150); Denver, Portland, Seattle (add $175); Boston, Chicago, D.C., Philadelphia (add $250); Dallas, Miami (add $300). Details Extra nights from $30. Single supplement from $175. Free stopovers are available in Singapore; transfers and lodging can be arranged at an additional cost. Contact Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Singapore; all transfers; two nights at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel (or similar); an onward flight to Bali; and five nights in your choice of Sanur Beach (at the Ari Putri Hotel), Legian Beach (at the Camplung Mas Hotel), or the crafts village of Ubud (at the Pande Permai Hotel). The price also includes a trolley tour of Singapore and free admission to several attractions (the National Orchid Garden, river cruise, night safari, and Jurong Bird Park), as well as breakfast daily and a half-day temples-and-villages tour in Bali. When Until June 5 and Aug. 21-Dec. 4 ($799); June 6-Aug. 20 ($999). Other Gateways Albuquerque, Boise, Seattle (add $175); Dallas, Houston, Tulsa (add $275); New York (add $300); Buffalo, Pittsburgh (add $335). Details Extra nights from $20. Single supplement $200. Add a side trip to Bangkok ($200 for airfare; transfers and hotel can be arranged at an additional cost). Contact Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air from L.A.; flights within China; transfers; a nine-day, eight-night deluxe Yangtze River journey (with Victoria Cruises) traveling upstream from Shanghai to Chongqing; and one night's hotel in Chongqing. Stops include the Three Gorges Dam, Mount Huangshan, Nanjing, and Fengdu. The price covers breakfast daily and all meals while aboard the ship, shore excursions and sightseeing by private bus, and English-speaking guides throughout. When July 11, 25, Aug. 8, 22. Other Gateways Boston, Dallas, New York (add $300); Miami (add $340). Details Single supplement $600. A downstream Yangtze voyage is also available, starting at $1,499. Add on an excursion to Suzhou (Venice of the Orient) for $90. Contact Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, ritztours.com.
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, lei greeting, transfers and inter-island flights, and six nights split between Moorea (in a garden-view room at the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa) and Bora-Bora (garden suite at the Bora-Bora Pearl Resort & Spa). When Thursday departures until Dec. 31. Other Gateways Las Vegas, San Francisco (add from $190); Phoenix, Portland (add from $305); Dallas, Denver (add from $365); New York (add from $365); Chicago (add from $405). Details Call for the extra-night price. Single supplement from $1,159. Contact Islands in the Sun, 800/828-6877, islandsinthesun.com.
Qantas Airways flights from L.A. to Sydney, flights within Australia, and six nights split between Sydney (at the Ibis Darling Harbour, downtown near the convention center) and either Brisbane (at the Ibis, near the shops on Queen Street) or Melbourne (at the Mercure Hotel Welcome, in the shopping and theater district). When Until June 8, July 26-Sept. 21 ($1,399); June 9-July 25 ($1,699). Other Gateways New York (add $300). Details Call for the extra-night price. Single supplement from $390. A Sydney/Cairns combo starts at $200 more. Contact Qantas Airways/Tourism Australia, 800/369-6863, australia.com.
Qantas Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Auckland, an eight-day Hertz car rental, and seven nights of open vouchers valid at Golden Chain motels across the island. When June 1-July 30 ($1,399), Aug. 1-31 ($1,299). Other Gateways Dallas (add $312); Miami, New York (add $364). Details Call for the extra-night price. Single supplement from $1,199. Add five nights on the South Island starting at $699. Contact Qantas Vacations, 800/252-4162, qantasvacations.com.