40 Best Vacations

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Cape Town for $1,779   
Air from New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg), transfers, five nights at the Courtyard Hotel Cape Town, a bus pass to the city's main attractions, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-30 ($1,779); Dec. 1-15 ($1,999); Dec. 16-Jan. 9 ($2,099); Jan. 10-31 ($1,899). Other Gateways: Boston (add $129); L.A. (add $290). Details: Extra nights $140. Single supplement $399. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Cape Town to Cairo Tour $4,995   
Air from New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg), 20 nights' accommodations (three nights each in Cape Town, Botswana, and Cairo; one in Jo'burg; five in Nairobi; five in Tanzania), transfers, and local transport (bus and plane). The itinerary includes eight game drives, a day trip to Victoria Falls, all park fees, meals while on safari, and breakfasts. When: Feb. 5, May 21, 28 ($5,695); Feb. 26, Mar. 12 ($5,495); Mar. 26 ($4,995). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights in Cape Town or Cairo $75. Single supplement $900. Contact: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.

Egypt Tour for $1,999   
Air from New York to Cairo, local transport (air, bus, and car), 13 nights' accommodations (five in Cairo, four on a Nile cruise, and four in seaside Hurghada), guides throughout, two days of guided tours in Cairo, and most meals and shore excursions with entrance fees on the cruise. When: Nov. 1, 2 ($2,099); Nov. 6-9, Dec. 4-7 ($1,999); Nov. 13-16 ($2,199); Nov. 20--30 ($2,299); Dec. 11-14 ($2,799); Dec. 18-21 ($2,999); Dec. 25-28, Jan. 1-4 ($2,899); Jan. 8-25 ($2,599); Jan. 29-31 ($2,399). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $69. Single supplement from $525. Contact: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

ASIA

Bali for $699   
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco (via Singapore); transfers; five nights in Kuta, Sanur, or Ubud; a half-day tour; and breakfasts. When: Until Dec. 4 ($699); Dec. 5-Jan. 1 (from $1,099); Jan. 2-31 (from $799). Other Gateways: Denver, Seattle (add $175); New York (add $200); Chicago (add $335). Details: Extra nights $20. Single supplement from $140. Add up to $300 for taxes and surcharges. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

China Tour for $1,399   
Air China flights from L.A. to Beijing, 10 nights in five-star hotels (three in Beijing, two in Xi'an, one in Hangzhou, two each in Suzhou and Shanghai), most meals, and transfers and transportation between cities (by bus and plane). Includes visits to the Great Wall and the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, and a Grand Canal cruise. When: Nov. 14, 28, Jan. 16, 30, Feb. 13, 27 ($1,399); Dec. 12, 26, Jan. 2 ($1,699). Other Gateways: New York ($1,499/$1,799). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement $435. Contact: Champion Holidays, 800/868-7658, china-discovery.com.

Northern India Tour for $2,495   
Air from New York to Delhi, transfers, 10 nights' lodging in restored forts and palaces (two nights each in Delhi and Jaipur; one each in Agra, Karauli, Pushkar, Khimsar, Luni, and Udaipur), a night train from Udaipur to Delhi, all transportation (private bus), and guides throughout. When: Nov. 17, Jan. 12, 26 ($2,495); Dec. 1, 29 ($2,770). Other Gateways: L.A. ($2,620/$2,895), Miami ($2,720/$2,995), Chicago ($2,720/$2,996). Details: Extra nights in Delhi $150. Single supplement $375. Travelers can be paired with a same-sex roommate; if none is available, the fee is $185. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

Philippines for $1,899   
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Manila (return flight from Cebu), transfers, local flights, eight nights' lodging (two nights in Manila, three nights each on Boracay and Cebu), two half-day tours, a trip to Bohol island, and breakfasts. When: Until Dec. 5 ($1,899); Dec. 6-12 ($2,179); Dec. 13-23 ($2,429); Dec. 24-31 ($2,299); Jan. 1-10 ($2,079). Other Gateways: New York (add $130), Chicago (add $350), Miami (add $390). Details: Extra nights $110. Single supplement from $460. Contact: Orient Flexi-Pax Tours, 800/545-5540, orientflexipax.com.

Tokyo $899   
American Airlines flights from L.A., transfers, five nights at Tokyo Prince Hotel, and a half-day tour. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 7; Jan. 8-Feb. 28. Other Gateways: Chicago, New York ($999); Atlanta ($1,059). Details: Add $220 for surcharges and taxes. Extra nights $90. Single supplement $450. Contact: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Tahiti for $1,598   
Nonstop Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Tahiti, transfers, one night in Papeete at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort, an onward flight to Bora-Bora, five nights at Novotel Bora-Bora, and breakfasts. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 10; Jan. 8-Mar. 28. Other Gateways: New York ($1,698). Details: Extra nights from $150. Single supplement from $525. Contact: Swain Tours, 800/227-9246, swaintours.com.

AUSTRALIA

Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne forR $1,999   
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, domestic flights, and nine nights' lodging split among Sydney, Cairns, and Melbourne. When: Until Dec. 7 ($1,999); Dec. 8-Jan. 31 ($2,234). Other Gateways: San Francisco ($2,049/$2,284); Portland, Seattle ($2,149/$2,384); Chicago ($2,259/$2,494); Boston, D.C., New York ($2,299/$2,534). Details: Call for extra-night price. Single supplement $500. Contact: ATS Tours, 800/423-2880, atstours.com.

NEW ZEALAND

North & South Island $1,821  
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. to Queenstown (via Auckland), 11-day camper van rental (with kitchenette, but no bathroom), and ferry passage to the North Island. When: Nov. 1-30 ($1,821); Dec. 1-31 ($2,662); Jan. 1-31 ($2,611). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $430), Atlanta (add $455). Details: Extra nights $50. Single supplement $532. Camper van with bathroom from $264 more. Contact: ATS Tours, 800/423-2880, atstours.com.