40 Best Vacations

UNITED STATES

Catch King Tut in Philadelphia for $189
Philadelphia is the last stop on the four-city North American tour of the blockbuster exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. The show begins its eight-month residence at the Franklin Institute on February 3, displaying 130 objects from royal Egyptian tombs, including King Tut's gold crown and a calcite bust of the king (right). King Tut packages combine exclusive, untimed, VIP passes to the show with overnight accommodations at 15 area hotels, such as the Courtyard by Marriott and Embassy Suites (from $195), and the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton (from $289). Prices vary by individual hotel, but the package starting price of $189 covers a double room for one night at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia, exhibition tickets, and breakfast. Other citywide, Tut-themed services include a Tut Trolley to shuttle visitors between various Tut-inspired events throughout Philadelphia--one highlight is a show about Amarna, the royal city of Tutankhamun's childhood, at The University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. When: Until Sept. 30. Contact: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, 800/537-7676, gophila.com/tut.

Jackson Hole for $1,939
Snake River Lodge & Spa, a RockResort, has an "Anniversary Package" to mark the 40th year of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The deal includes four nights' accommodations, two 3-day lift tickets, two 50-minute champagne-and-mud wraps at the hotel's Avanyu Spa, and breakfast daily. Prices are per room; airfare is not included. When: Until Feb. 16, Mar. 26-Apr. 8 ($1,939); Feb. 25-Mar. 25 ($2,099). Contact: Snake River Lodge & Spa, 866/975-7625, rockresorts.com.

Kauai for $892
Air from L.A. to Lihue, a six-day car rental with unlimited miles, and five nights at the Aloha Beach Resort on the eastern Coconut Coast. When: Until May 31. Other Gateways Denver ($1,125), Chicago ($1,280), New York ($1,281). Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Los Angeles for $406
Two nights at the Farmer's Daughter Hotel, near Museum Row on the Miracle Mile; one breakfast and dinner for two at Tart, the hotel restaurant; and daily valet parking. This is a land-only price. When: Until Mar. 31. Contact: Farmer's Daughter Hotel, 323/937-3930, farmersdaughterhotel.com.

Miami for $399
Air from Atlantic City, Chicago, D.C., New York, or Providence, and three nights' hotel accommodations at either the Greenview South Beach or the Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa in Miami Beach. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Boston, Dallas, Houston ($489); L.A., San Francisco ($549). Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

Reno for $174
Southwest Airlines flights from Phoenix or Tucson and two nights at the Peppermill Hotel Casino. When: Feb. 4-28, Mar. 5-13, Mar. 19-27. Other Gateways: Oklahoma City (from $244); St. Louis, San Antonio (from $249). Contact: Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

Washington, D.C. for $597
The Madison, a Loews hotel in downtown D.C., has a discounted two-night minimum package for families with children under 18 years old. Book a standard room for $199 and get an adjoining one for 50 percent off; the two-night total for both rooms is $597. This is a land-only price. When: Until Apr. 30. Contact: The Madison, a Loews Hotel, 800/424-8577, loewshotels.com.

CANADA

Ottawa for $669
Air from Chicago and three nights at the Quality Hotel, a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill. When: Feb. 1-Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Miami ($719); Atlanta, Boston, New York ($749); L.A. ($789). Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

MEXICO

Puerto Vallarta for $553
Air from Denver, transfers, and four nights at the Playa Los Arcos World Class Beach Resort. When: Until Apr. 9. Other Gateways: L.A. until Apr. 10 ($582); Chicago until Mar. 27 ($733); New York until Apr. 5 ($841). Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.