On the cusp of summer there are still a number of terrific bargains out there for travelers. Many will be gone by July, so frugal vacationers are well-advised to hop to it! Here's our monthly picks for the best bargain vacations for late spring and early summer.
USA & Canada
New Orleans for $284
Enjoying the Big Easy sure is easy. With the city’s zesty food, potent ice-cold drinks, top-notch jazz and blues clubs, and all that pretty architecture, New Orleans promises to please. Based on Wednesday or Saturday departures from April 7 to June 26, three nights with air are available at rates such as $284 from Tampa, $289 from Dallas, and $444 from Oakland. Lodging is at the Best Western French Quarter Landmark, just three blocks away from rollicking Bourbon Street. Extra nights about $70; single supplement $185. Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, www.swavacations.com.
Alaska for $699The big thaw is on. Springtime, when Alaska’s temperatures are usually mild yet its mountains remain topped in picturesque white, is a season of cruise bargains. Two departures between Vancouver and Anchorage (May 19 and 26) on the 2,100-passenger Carnival Spirit are priced at $699 for seven nights including all port charges. The ship cruises the Inside Passage and Prince William Sound, making stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka. For cruises in early June, add $120 (June 2) to $160 (June 9). No extra nights; single supplement from $350. GalaxSea Cruises, 800/662-5450, www.cruisestar.com.
Washington, D.C. for $334Get a move on if you’re hoping to see D.C.’s cherry trees blossom—they’re usually in full bloom the first week of April. If that’s too soon, don’t sweat it. The nation’s capital is at its most pleasant throughout spring and early summer, when four nights are available for $334 from Buffalo, $464 from Houston, and $484 from Sacramento. Lodging is at the Hotel Helix, a modern, boutique-style property near Logan Circle. These prices are based on select Tuesday or Saturday departures through June. Extra nights about $70; single supplement $245. Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, www.swavacations.com.
Quebec for $989This package comes with all you need for a tour of charming French Canada: airfare into Montreal with three nights downtown at the Best Western Europa; two nights at the Delta Trois-Rivières, in Trois-Rivières, a town founded in 1634; two nights in old Quebec City at the Hôtel Manoir Victoria; a midsize-car rental; and a return flight from Quebec City. Until the end of June, pay $989 from New York or Boston, $1,039 from Miami or Chicago, $1,079 from Atlanta, or $1,129 from L.A. Extra-night costs vary; single supplement $624. Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, www.maxximvacations.com.
Drop your preconceived notions of Florida. Instead of high-rise condos and cartoon characters come to life, Sanibel Island, on the Gulf Coast, is home to leafy neighborhoods, wildlife refuges, and miles of quiet, small-wave beaches. With airfare and a car rental, three nights at the Radisson Inn Sanibel Gateway—which has a large pool and is a short drive away from several beaches—cost $390 from New York; $417 from Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. These rates are based on Monday departures in May and June; they’re slightly higher in April. Extra-night costs vary; single supplement $84. US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, www.usairwaysvacations.com.
Maui for $549For five nights, you’ll stay at the Ohana Maui Islander, a block off of Front Street, the main drag of galleries, shops, and restaurants in Lahaina. But with a rental car included in the package, you can explore all of Maui, including 10,000-foot-high Mount Haleakala, the beaches of Kaanapali, and the serpentine road to Hana. With air from Oakland on select dates in April, May, and June, the price is $549. Add two more nights for $100; single supplement $320. SunTrips, 800/786-8747, www.suntrips.com.
Miami Beach for $299The colorful backdrop for popular films (The Birdcage), TV shows (CSI: Miami, Nip/Tuck), and even video games (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City) can provide a hot setting for your next getaway. From April 16 to June 30—prime sunbathing season in South Florida—a three-night escape to Miami costs $299 with airfare from New York or Chicago and lodging at the three-star Maxine Hotel in South Beach. Rates begin at $349 from April 1 to 15. Extra nights $41; single supplement $110. Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, www.eleisurelink.com.
Las Vegas for $59So what if it’s not on the Strip? The Golden Nugget—which has been given a Four Diamond rating by AAA for 27 years running and is by far the nicest place to stay in downtown Vegas—has great restaurants, a spa, a pool, and, pretty soon, its own reality show, thanks to Survivor producer Mark Burnett and the upcoming Fox program The Casino. Rates start at just $59 most weeknights in April. Expect promotions to be the same or better (prices sometimes drop as low as $49, with two-for-one meals) midweek in May and June. Rooms go for $69 to $119 most weekends. Golden Nugget, 800/846-5336, www.goldennugget.com.
Sierra Club Outings for $585It’s time to start planning those summer adventures with Mother Nature. Here are a few possibilities: A family week of hiking, tubing, and cycling in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park ($585 adults, $485 children 17 and under, June 13 to 19); rafting through Utah’s rugged Dinosaur National Monument, geared toward beginners but open to anyone ($795, June 17 to 20); and sea kayaking in Lake Superior Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada ($695, August 1 to 7). All trips include camping fees and food. Extra nights not available; no single supplement. Sierra Club Outings, 415/977-5522, www.sierraclub.org/outings/national.
Boston for $496Beloved Beantown always has an eye on the future (Red Sox prospects, the Big Dig) but is probably better known for its past (the Boston Tea Party, countless Red Sox heartbreaks). Through the end of June, stay four nights at the Best Western Hotel Tria in Cambridge (about a mile and a half from Harvard Yard) for $496 with air from L.A., $512 from Phoenix, or $519 from San Francisco. If you’d rather stay in the city proper, pay $102 more for the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, around the corner from Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the famous swan boats. Extra nights from $63; single supplement from $254. America West Vacations, 800/235-9298, www.americawestvacations.com.
Caribbean & Mexico
Puerto Rico for $809With its long stretches of beach, verdant rain forests, and proximity to the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico is a much-loved Caribbean getaway. In April and May, baseball fans can see the World Champion Marlins (plus the Mets, Brewers, and Giants), play the Expos at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. From April 1 to June 30, stay seven nights at the Park Plaza Normandie Hotel—just five minutes from Old San Juan—for $809 with midweek flights from Newark. Add-ons from other gateways start at $50. Extra nights $72; single supplement $504. Caradonna Caribbean Tours, 800/328-2288, www.caradonna.com.
Cancún for $469Long favored by droves of party-hardy spring breakers in February and March, Cancún calms down substantially through the rest of the spring and summer. Through May 31, $469 buys airfare from New York or Washington, D.C., and four nights at the all-inclusive Continental Plaza, located in the lively hotel zone (add $10 Detroit, $15 Fort Lauderdale, $55 Chicago, $135 Omaha or St. Louis). Three meals a day, drinks, entertainment, and transfers all are included. Extra nights $68; single supplement $44. Beach Destinations, 877/433-4378, www.beachdestinations.com.
Barbados for $677The easternmost Caribbean island, Barbados is known for its waterfalls, wildflowers, surf-friendly waves, and tide pools—all just a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Miami. Between April 15 and June 30, spend seven nights at the beachfront Rainbow Reef Hotel or at the Golden Sands, sheltered by lush tropical gardens, for $677 with air from Miami (add $22 from New York or Philadelphia, $161 from Denver, or $222 from Los Angeles). Extra nights $82; single supplement $31. Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, www.atlasvacations.net.
Mazatlán for $392Located across the Gulf of California from the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Mazatlán mixes a historic Old Town with miles of pretty coastline. For $392, you’ll fly from Los Angeles and stay four nights at the beachfront Fiesta Inn Mazatlán, with a pool and tennis courts, at the northern end of the “Golden Zone.” Subtract $24 from Denver; other gateways are available but prices vary widely. A land-only package—the same hotel, minus the flights—is $180. Rates are valid through June, with some dates blacked out. Extra nights $76; single supplement $23. Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, www.pleasantholidays.com.
Bahamas for $439An archipelago that stretches for some 500 miles, the Bahamas—with 700 islands, only 30 of which are inhabited—has everything you’d want from a holiday under the sun: friendly people, welcoming warm waters, and activities ranging from blackjack to bonefishing. Spend four nights at the Nassau Beach Hotel on Cable Beach for $439 with round-trip air from Miami ($629 from Philadelphia, $645 from Boston, or $799 from L.A.). Valid from April 18 to June 30. Extra nights $65; single supplement $216. Liberty Travel, 877/999-3914, www.libertytravel.com.
Aruba for $587Safely situated outside the hurricane belt, 18 miles north of Venezuela, Aruba boasts year-round sunny skies, cooling trade winds, and beaches that rank with some of the best in the world. For $587, stay three nights at the Mill Resort & Suites—two pools, lighted tennis courts, day spa, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi—with round-trip air from Boston ($602 from Charlotte, Philadelphia, or New York; $663 from Washington, D.C.). These prices are based on Monday departures from April 17 to December 18. Extra nights from $37; single supplement from $117. US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, www.usairwaysvacations.com.
St. Martin for $717Shared by the French and the Dutch, St. Martin is considered by many to be the sailing capital of the Caribbean. For $717, stay five nights at the Hotel Le Flamboyant (on the French side, south of Marigot in Baie Nettlé), including round-trip flights from Miami. Add $50 from New York or Philadelphia; $91 from Raleigh-Durham; and $96 from Boston or Baltimore. Prices are valid from April 16 to June 30. Extra nights $60; single supplement $299. Vacation Travel Mart, 800/288-1435, www.vacmart.com.
Cozumel for $895The limestone shores and crystal-clear waters of Cozumel, Mexico, have long attracted serious divers. It’s really no wonder so many visitors to the island go right for their flippers upon arrival: Over 200 species of tropical fish call the area home. With midweek airfare from Miami, a seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Hotel Cozumel Resort (you get three meals a day, drinks, and entertainment) goes for $895 from April 19 through the end of June. Add $28 from New York, $41 Houston, $61 Baltimore, $75 Chicago, or $129 L.A. Extra nights $73; single supplement $231. Caradonna Caribbean Tours, 800/288-1435, www.caradonna.com.
Jamaica for $576Just a few minutes after leaving the airport in Montego Bay, you’ll arrive at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, a full-service beachfront hotel with tennis courts, fitness center, pool, cocktail lounge, and four restaurants. Mo’ Bay is especially popular during spring break but experiences a lull in visitors in late spring. That means mo’ money in your pocket: Through June, a seven-night package with midweek flights costs $576 from New York, $599 from Miami, $618 from Baltimore, $667 from Chicago, and $731 from L.A. Extra nights $89; single supplement $350. Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, www.atlasvacations.net.
Central & South America
Belize for $642Ambergris Cay is one of Central America’s most idyllic island escapes. Get five nights at the Tropica Beach Resort, on a beautiful stretch of white sand about a mile south of San Pedro. All rooms have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and a veranda. With daily breakfast, transfers, and midweek flights from Miami, pay $642 from May 1 to June 30; add $70 in April (Dallas $704/$769; New York $754/$819; Chicago $856/$921; L.A. or San Francisco $921/$986; Seattle or Portland $955/$1,020). Or choose a beachfront studio suite at the Mayan Princess in San Pedro for about $20 more. Extra nights from $52; single supplement from $174. Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, www.capricorn.net.
Honduras for $529
Just a two-hour flight from Miami, the Honduran island of Roatán is a less-expensive alternative to Belize. And like Ambergris Cay, snorkeling, diving, and fishing are the main draws because Roatán is ringed by an extensive coral reef. Spend five nights in a luxury beach suite at the 15-acre Luna Beach Resort (Temptation Island 3 was filmed here), where you’ll have access to a private beach, swimming pool, restaurant, and two bars. Luna Beach has its own dive shop offering a variety of courses for an additional fee, including PADI certification. A 10-minute walk along the shore takes you to the shops and restaurants of West End. Until June 1, the rate is $529 with air from Miami, $729 from Houston, $779 from Chicago, $785 from Los Angeles, or $809 from New York. Subtract about $30 in June. Extra nights $38; single supplement $190. Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, www.eleisurelink.com.
Panama for $799
The five-star Royal Decamerón Playa Blanca is about 90 minutes southwest of Panama City on the Pacific coast. It’s an enormous resort with everything to make an all-inclusive stay action-packed: eight restaurants and bars, nine pools, tennis, beach volleyball, and a panoply of water sports including snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. From April 11 to June 30, six-night stays with air from Miami cost $799 and include all meals, drinks, entertainment, nonmotorized water sports, and airport transfers ($898 until April 3; $997 April 4 to 10). Other gateways are available: add $40 from Dallas or New Orleans, $80 from New York or Baltimore. Extra nights from $60; single supplement $198. Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, www.taratours.com.
Rio de Janeiro for $599
“Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking.…” It’s hard to think about Rio and not hum that tune, imagining beautiful people in tiny bathing suits sipping caipirinhas on the sand. Until June 15, spend five nights just off Copacabana Beach at the Savoy Othon Palace Hotel for $599 with breakfast daily and midweek flights from New York or Miami. Add $15 from Boston or Washington, D.C.; $60 from Atlanta; $110 from L.A. or San Francisco. From June 16 to 30, add $50 to $130. Extra nights $20; single supplement $150. OffPeakTraveler.com, www.offpeaktraveler.com (Internet bookings only).
Buenos Aires for $599Possibly the most handsome and cosmopolitan city in South America, Buenos Aires has a lot to offer in its 40 varied barrios: The tango was born on the streets of San Telmo, where you’ll now find flea markets galore; La Boca’s brightly colored buildings are a haven for artists; and the Puerto Madero waterfront is home to some of the city’s best restaurants. Explore it all with five nights at the Regis Hotel, in the Microcentro, on a pedestrian-only street near the Galerías Pacífico shopping plaza. With air from Miami, transfers, and a half-day city tour, the price is $599 until June 30 ($679 from New York, $809 from L.A.). Extra nights $17; single supplement $80. Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, www.marnellatours.com.
Peru for $875
Fly from Miami to Cuzco and spend three nights at the El Puma Hotel, in the heart of the ancient Incan capital. Then visit the fortress-city of Machu Picchu with one night at the Machu Picchu Inn, followed by two more nights in Cuzco, before heading home. All told, this package includes air from Miami, six nights’ hotel, breakfast daily, a half-day city tour of Cuzco, a full-day tour of Machu Picchu with lunch, and train transfers between cities. The $875 price is valid through the end of June; other gateways are available for about $200 more. Stop over in Lima for $27 a night at the La Faraona Inn. Extra nights $25 Cuzco, $43 Machu Picchu; single supplement $130. Analie Tours, 800/811-6027, www.analietours.com.
Transatlantic
Prague for $799Romantic Prague beckons with its storybook castles and narrow, cobblestone streets. Walk along the Vltava River, sit at a sidewalk café, or catch an outdoor concert when you spend six nights at a three-star hotel a short subway ride from the city center (either the Sibelius or the Orion; both are owned by the tour operator). With air from New York, Montreal, or Toronto, breakfast daily, transfers, and a half-day city tour, the rate is $799 from April 9 to May 2 and again from May 12 to 31. Or stay at the four-star Certovka (in the Mala Strana, near the Charles Bridge) and pay $1,049 from April 1 to June 13, and $1,329 thereafter. Other gateways are available: add $69 from Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C.; $157 Chicago or Atlanta; $199 Miami; $357 Los Angeles; $369 San Francisco. Extra nights from $49; single supplement from $219. Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, www.czech-vacations.com.
Greece for $1,399
This may well be your last chance to visit Greece before the Olympics drive prices through the roof. With this package, you’ll get three nights in Athens, where you can stroll around the Acropolis and the Agora; three nights on Mykonos, with its bars and clubs; and three nights on Thíra (better known as Santorini), soaking up the sun on its famous beaches. The $1,399 price is valid until June 15 and includes air from New York, nine nights’ lodging, daily breakfast, and all local transportation. Other gateways are available for $50 to $280 more. Add two nights on Páros starting at $200 more. The single supplement starts at $500. Go-today.com, 425/487-9632, www.go-today.com ($20 fee for phone bookings).
Paris for $689
From the Louvre to the Latin Quarter, the Champs-Elysées to the Centre Pompidou, Paris continues to delight, as it has for centuries. From April 4 to May 30, spend six nights at the Minotel Alcyon, in the 12th arrondissement, for $689, with air from New York (departures Monday to Wednesday) and continental breakfast daily; add $240 from May 31 to June 23. Other gateways include Miami for $877/$1,193; Houston $830/$1,154; Chicago $837/$1,148; and L.A. $857/$1,193. Extra nights $63; single supplement $270. Eurovacations.com, 888/653-8242, www.eurovacations.com.
Dubrovnik for $1,140
Far removed from the violence that overwhelmed the country in the early 1990s, Croatia has regained its stability and is now one of the most rewarding destinations in Europe. The famous walled city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of wonders, from its 700-year-old pharmacy to its hidden squares and alleyways. Until June 15, seven nights at a three-star hotel (the Kompas or the Lero, both on the Lapad Peninsula, a short ride from the old town), breakfast and dinner daily, and airport transfers are $1,140 from New York (add $350 after June 15). Other gateways are available for $50 to $250 more. Extra nights from $60; single supplement $290. Travel Time, 800/354-8728, www.traveltimeny.com.
India for $1,599
When you take into account that a round-trip ticket to Delhi usually costs about a thousand bucks, you have to sit up and take notice of this extraordinary deal: an eight-night privately guided tour of India for $1,599. You’ll see the Red Fort and ride a rickshaw in Old Delhi, visit the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra, and ride an elephant to the Amber Palace in Jaipur, among other excursions. Including flights from New York or Chicago, local transfers and transportation by private car, your own guides at each stop, and six nights’ lodging with daily breakfast, the rate is $1,599 in April; $1,499 in May; $1,599 from June 1 to 14; and $2,059 thereafter. Extra nights from $52; single supplement $459. General Tours, 800/221-2216, www.generaltours.com.
Madrid for $825Madrileños squeeze the most out of each day, as those of you who’ve watched Pedro Almodóvar’s movies know. Unless you want to miss out on Madrid’s greatest attraction—its nightlife—you’ll make like the locals and hit as many restaurants, bars, and clubs as possible during your stay. After all, you haven’t really experienced Spain without at least once heading out to dinner around 10 p.m. Spend six nights at the four-star Florida Norte, not far from the Palacio Real and Plaza de España. The $825 rate is valid until June 13, with air from New York (add $189 Dallas, $230 Chicago or L.A.). Extra nights $70; single supplement $210. Petrabax, 800/265-4842, www.petrabaxusa.com.
London for $669
Whether you’re seeing London for the first time and want to hit the big-name attractions (the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London) or it’s your 10th visit and you prefer more out-of-the-way spots (Hampstead Heath, the nightclubs of Chelsea, shopping Sloane Street and the King’s Road), you’ll have plenty of time to indulge your fancy. From April 4 to May 30, six nights at the Minotel Mayflower in Earl’s Court cost $669, with air from New York (departures Monday to Wednesday) and continental breakfast daily; add $230 May 31 to June 23. Other gateways are available, including Miami for $876/$1,164; Chicago $876/$1,190; Houston $899/$1,164; or Los Angeles $899/$1,244. Extra nights $69; single supplement $230. Eurovacations.com, 888/653-8242, www.eurovacations.com.
Ireland for $699
If you’re the planning type, you’ll want to prepare by studying maps and creating an itinerary. If you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of traveler, throw out the maps and see where the wind takes you. That’s the beauty of the “Independent Emerald” package: It appeals to everyone. The trip includes round-trip air from New York, Boston, or Baltimore to Shannon, the first night in a nearby hotel, a six-day car rental, and vouchers for five nights at the B&Bs of your choice scattered throughout the Irish countryside, with prices starting at $699 in April, $759 in May, and $849 in June. Other gateways are available: Add $100 Chicago, $200 L.A. Extra nights with car $60; single supplement $250. Ireland.com, 800/896-4600, www.ireland.com/travel. A similar package is on offer from Celtic Tours, 800/833-4373, www.celtictours.com.
Cape Town for $1,550
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban settings on earth, Cape Town is often shortchanged on a quick stopover before or after a South African safari. This is a terrible shame, for the city and its environs have much to offer. Enjoy sunset cocktails on Table Mountain; climb to the lighthouse on Cape Point; tour the vineyards in Constantia and beyond; take a boat to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in prison. Including Virgin Atlantic flights from New York (free stopovers in London are allowed in both directions), transfers, six nights’ hotel at the Park Inn Greenmarket Square, daily breakfast, and a half-day city tour, the rate is $1,550 through June 30. Fly direct on South African Airways from New York or Atlanta and pay $1,650 through the end of April, $1,850 from May 1 to June 10, and $1,995 thereafter. Extra nights $65; single supplement $235. 2Afrika, 877/200-5610, www.2afrika.com.
Transpacific
Thailand for $1,299Two full weeks of touring Thailand, with all transportation, daily breakfasts, several lunches and dinners, plus entertainment and guides, cost as little as $1,299, based on flights from Los Angeles or San Francisco in April and May. You’ll spend five nights in Bangkok, five nights in Chiang Mai, and four nights in Chiang Rai—in four- or five-star hotels, no less—exploring palaces, temples, markets, and bustling streets, absorbing the exotic sights and sounds. From June through December, prices range from $1,399 to $1,599. Add $100 for flights from New York; other gateways are possible. Add on a three-night stay in Hong Kong starting at $220. The single supplement is $400. Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, www.ritztours.com.
Australia for $1,299Along with four nights to take in Sydney and its gorgeous harbor, there’s a choice to be made: four more nights in either Melbourne, definitely the hippest city Down Under, or Brisbane, situated on the warm Queensland coast. The eight-night package comes with three-star lodging and airfare from L.A. and within Australia, for a rate of $1,299 from April 1 to June 19—fall and early winter Down Under. From June 20 to July 20, prices rise $420. Add-on flights available from other U.S. cities. Extra-night costs vary; single supplement from $350. Qantas Airways, 888/505-6252, www.qantasusa.com.
Fiji for $994Palm-fringed islands, sparkling aqua waters, and soft-sand beaches: an apt description not only of pricey South Pacific paradises such as Bora Bora but also of far more affordable Fiji. A package with five nights in a thatched-roof hut called a bure at the Club Fiji Resort goes for $994 until May 27 and $1,033 from May 28 to December 8. (Subtract $35 when you pay by check.) Round-trip flights on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles, a shell-lei greeting, transfers from the airport to the resort in Nadi, and nonmotorized water sports are also included in that price. Extra nights $32; single supplement $160. Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, www.sunspotsintl.com.
Vietnam & Cambodia for $1,199
Say good morning to Vietnam, and good day to Cambodia and its gripping Angkor Wat temple complex. The trip begins with a Singapore Airlines flight from L.A. or San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for four nights in a three-star hotel, followed by a flight to Cambodia and two nights in Siem Reap. A half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, a full-day guided excursion to Angkor Wat, breakfast daily, and airport transfers are included in the $1,199 price, valid through June 4. From June 5 to August 20, add $200. Stop over in Singapore from $29 a night; single supplement $250. Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, www.escapesltd.com.
New Zealand for $934With landscapes as lush and green as Ireland, mountain peaks as lofty and picturesque as the Alps, and a coastline as remote, rugged, and uncrowded as that of northern Maine, New Zealand is a delight for road-tripping adventurers. With flights on Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles and an eight-day, two-person RV rental, you can go where you please—from beaches on the North Island to glaciers on the South Island—for $934 during the Kiwi winter, from April 21 to September 30. Earlier departures start at $1,124. Save an extra $35 by paying with a check. Extra nights from $19; single supplement from $152. Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, www.sunspotsintl.com.
China for $1,099Luxury rarely costs so little. An eight-night guided tour of China, complete with five-star hotels most nights, three meals per day, and visits to Beijing, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Confucius Temple, runs $1,099 for departures in April and May. From June through August, rates rise to $1,299. Prices include air from Los Angeles or San Francisco, all transportation within China, plus guides and a three-hour cruise of the Grand Canal. Add $100 from New York. Extra nights not available; single supplement $350. Champion Holidays, 800/868-7658, www.chinadiscovery.com.
