REAL DEALS
Boston Air/Hotel, 2 Nights, From $239
JetBlue puts a quick escape to New England within reach.
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Deal of the Month: The New Pragues
Despite their shared Soviet-occupation past, similar size, and close proximity, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are surprisingly different from each other. (For starters, Estonia's language is closer to Finnish than to Latvian or Lithuanian.) You can make your own comparisons by visiting each of the three countries' capitals on a six-night trip from Eastern Tours, a New York-based travel operator specializing in the region. The company just reintroduced the package after a 10-year hiatus: "Back then, there weren't ATMs or many people who could speak English," says owner Gregory Vinnikov. "Now that these countries are part of the E.U., that's all changed. And everyone wants to visit."
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Vilnius, Riga & Tallinn for $1,699
Finnair flights from New York to Vilnius, Lithuania (return flight from Tallinn, Estonia); all transfers; intercity bus transportation; three half-day city tours; and six nights' lodging split between Vilnius; Riga, Latvia; and Tallinn. When: Until Aug. 16 ($2,199); Aug. 17-Sept. 16 $1,799); Sept. 17-Oct. 31 ($1,699). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $250); Chicago, Miami (add $350); Dallas, Denver (add $450); L.A., San Francisco (add $525). SS: $395. Eastern Tours, 800/339-6967, traveltorussia.com.
Five-Star India, 50% Off
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is cutting its room rates in half during India's slow summer months. Eight-, 10- and 12-night packages are valid at six of its properties, including those in Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra, and the Himalayas; one night must be spent at an Oberoi hotel in Mumbai or New Delhi. The deal covers transfers, a 25 percent discount on spa treatments, free yoga, and hotel taxes.
$2,600
Land-only; airfare isn't covered. Price is per room. When: Until Sept. 30 ($2,600/8 nights; $3,100/10 nights; $3,300/12 nights). SS: None. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, 800/562-3764, oberoihotels.com.
Family Adventures: Each Day Has a Theme
You don't have to travel far to give your kids a summer they can brag about. Go rafting or explore a national park--the French Quarter's got two of them!
$139
One night at JW Marriott New Orleans, NOLA Marriott in the French Quarter, or NOLA Marriott at the Convention Center; tickets to an attraction; breakfast. When: Until Sept. 30 (from $139 per room, quad). Marriott, 866/530-3763, neworleans.marriott.com.
$116
Two nights in a riverside one-bedroom cabin (with a full kitchen) at the Three Rivers Resort, in Almont, Colo., and a half-day rafting trip on the Gunnison River. When: Until Aug. 31 ($116 per person, quad). Three Rivers Resort, 888/761-3474, 3riversresort.com.
$1,229
The Total Yellowstone package covers five nights' hotel inside the national park, all meals, guides, and daily themed activities. When: July 1- Aug. 17 ($1,229 adults/$659 kids 8-11). Xanterra Parks & Resorts, 866/439-7375, travelyellowstone.com.
Two Weeks in Mexico From $950
For the best airfare sales, last-minute packages, seasonal round-ups, and special promotions--updated every weekday and approved by BT editors--check out The Real Deals, found only at our website, here.
Florida for Less
Summer is when hotels in the Sunshine State fill their packages with value-added extras--and you get the beach at its most relaxing.
$599
Air from Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, or St. Louis to Fort Lauderdale and five nights at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood. When: Until Sept. 30. Other Gateways: Atlanta (add $29); Detroit (add $49); L.A. (add $99). SS: $469. Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.