40 Best Vacations

United States

Embracing the Big Easy for $276
New Orleans is more than ready to show you its famous hospitality. There are now 90 hotels and 700 restaurants open for business downtown, and the major tourist areas--including the French Quarter and the Garden District--largely escaped damage during Hurricane Katrina. In February, Mardi Gras helped kick-start the city's tourism comeback, and more festivals are on their way. During the months of July and August, the more than 60 restaurants participating in COOLinary New Orleans are offering $20.06 lunch menus and $30.06 dinner menus. If you still need motivation, a new package from Leisure Link includes airfare and three nights at the Chateau Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter. When: July 1-Sept. 30. Other Gateways: Houston ($276), Atlanta ($339), New York ($359), Chicago ($364), L.A. ($499). Details: Extra nights $59. Single supplement $139. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

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Cruising the Great Lakes in Fall for $2,139 
A fifth of the earth's freshwater fills the Great Lakes, and only one cruise ship has exclusive access to it all: the Columbus, specifically designed to fit through the narrow locks of the Welland Canal (between Lakes Ontario and Erie) and the St. Lawrence Seaway system. Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has three fall-foliage-inspired itineraries that tour the lakes, hugging the shores of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as Canada's Ontario province. The boat leaves from Chicago or Toronto (depending on departure date), and mixes stops at cities like Duluth, Minn., and Windsor, Ont., with visits to smaller towns like Traverse City, Mich. (the U.S.'s cherry-producing capital), and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (a former fur-trading post). The price covers 10 or 11 nights (varying by date), all meals on board, two cocktail receptions, lectures, and entertainment; the 205-cabin ship has a restaurant, bar and lounge area, sauna, pool, and gym. When: Sept. 20 ($2,139); Sept. 30 ($2,352); Oct. 11 ($2,210). Details: The price does not include airfare. No extra nights. Rates for singles start at $3,974. Shore excursions start at $50. Contact: Great Lakes Cruise Company, 888/891-0203, greatlakescruising.com.

Clearwater Beach, Fla. for $396 
American Airlines flights from Chicago to Tampa and three nights on Florida's Gulf Coast at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. The hotel, on 10 acres of waterfront property, has two restaurants, two bars, two pools, and a gym. When: Until Dec. 24. Other Gateways: New York ($400), Dallas ($530), L.A. ($582). Details: Extra nights $80. Call for the single supplement. Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.

Kauai for $1,121 
Air from L.A., a six-day car rental with unlimited miles, and five nights at the ResortQuest Islander on the Beach in Kapaa, on Kauai's east coast. Each room has a private balcony, and there's a beachfront pool and Jacuzzi on the six-acre property. The Coconut Plantation Marketplace (with restaurants and more than 60 shops) is nearby. When: Select departures June 14--Nov. 9. Other Gateways: Denver ($1,339), Chicago ($1,460), New York ($1,464). Details: Extra nights $186. Single supplement from $444. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Maui for $779 
Air from San Jose, a six-day car rental with unlimited miles, and five nights in a studio condo at the Kihei Akahi on the south coast of Maui, across the street from Kamaole Beach Park II, one of the best swimming spots on the island. The hotel has two pools and a tennis court; all rooms have private lanais, full kitchens, ceiling fans (but no A/C), and washing machines and dryers. When: June 15--Sept. 17. Other Gateways: New York ($959), Chicago ($969). Details: Hotel and car rental taxes are included. Extra nights from $99. Single supplement from $310. Contact: Apple Vacations, applevacations.com, book only through travel agents.

Reno for $169 
Southwest Airlines flights from Burbank or L.A. and two nights in downtown Reno at the Sands Regency Casino Hotel, with five restaurants, an outdoor pool, and a free airport shuttle. The hotel's Just for Laughs club hosts comedy shows six nights a week. When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday departures July 3--Aug. 1. Other Gateways: El Paso, Lubbock ($254); Columbus, Oklahoma City ($269). Details: Single supplement $60. Three-night packages start at $189 (Wednesday and Saturday departures July 5--29 and Aug. 9--26). Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

Canada

Newfoundland for $1,259 
Air Canada flights from Boston to St. John's, a seven-day car rental with unlimited miles, and seven nights' lodging. The self-drive itinerary includes five nights in Newfoundland, two nights on the French island of St.-Pierre, round-trip passenger ferry transfers, a whale-watching cruise, and a half-day tour of St. John's. When: July 1--Oct. 31. Other Gateways: Atlanta ($1,269); Chicago, New York ($1,369); Miami ($1,379); L.A. ($1,459). Details: Extra nights with car $89. Single supplement from $549. Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

Mexico

Cancun for $577
Air from Denver, transfers, and four nights in the center of Cancún's hotel zone at the Ambiance Villas at Kin-Ha (in a room with a partial ocean view). The beachfront property has a pool, two restaurants, and a bar. The Caracol and Forum shopping centers are both nearby. When: Monday departures until Nov. 6. Other Gateways: L.A. (daily departures until Nov. 12, $625), New York (Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 14, $657), Chicago (Thursday departures until Dec. 14, $677). Details: Hotel taxes are included in the price. Extra nights $120. Single supplement from $328. Kids 12 and under stay and eat for free with a paying adult. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Puerto Vallarta for $400
United Airlines flights from Denver or San Francisco, transfers, and three nights at the beachfront Villa Varadero Hotel & Suites, with a pool, restaurant, and bar. When: Denver (Aug. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31), San Francisco (Aug. 16, 21, 23, 28, 30). Other Gateways: Cedar Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Omaha, St. Louis, Salt Lake City (add $80). Details: Single supplement from $80. Four-night packages start at $420 from Denver (Aug. 15, 21, 22, 28), and at $430 from San Francisco (Aug. 15, 21, 22, 28, 29). Contact: Funjet Vacations, funjet.com, book primarily through travel agents.