November 3, 2003 -- We're watching the list of affordable trips to Chinese cities grow and grow. Last week we reported on three such packages to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai in this article; now we've got six more, all to Hong Kong. The prices range from around $133 to $189 per person per night, including roundtrip airfare across the Pacific (except for one luxury tour averaging out to $399 per night).
First up, Northwest Airlines World Vacations, with a trip scheduled for January 17-24, 2004, specifically for the New Year festivities. The package costs $1,137 and includes roundtrip air on Northwest or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Seattle and other cities serviced by the airlines ($1,246 from Minneapolis/St.Paul or Detroit, for instance), six nights at the glitzy New World Renaissance Hotel, all breakfasts, Chinese New Year parade tickets with VIP seating, a half-day Hong Kong tour with sampan ride and Peak tram ride, and more. For details, phone 800/234-0878 or visit their website, www.nwaworldvacations.com, click on Specials.
Starting from just $499.50 per person is a special deal from Aberdeen Tours, which has a Winterfest package selling at $999 for two persons. The program includes airfare, three nights at a four-star hotel, a half-day island tour, free entrance to the Museum of History and free "Meet the People" cultural activities. For details, phone 877/956-8886 or click over to www.aberdeentours.com.
For another $25 or so you could take a United Vacations' Five Day Hong Kong Sampler that gives you three nights at a three-star hotel in Hong Kong, airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York, free island-hopping pass, and free cultural tours noted previously. Packages start at $525 per person, based on double occupancy. This package starts from $525 per person. For more information, phone them at 800/917-9246 or visit www.uv-asia.com/specials/5DayHongKong.asp.
Moving up in cost, you can consider Asian Adventure's five-night package in Hong Kong starting from $799. The deal includes lodging, roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York, half day island tour and a shopping value pack, with free gifts, discounts and a kind of shopping Lotto ticket. Phone them at 866/238-8388 or visit www.asianadventureusa.com for details.
A final moderately-priced choice is an Asian Affair Holidays package called "Hong Kong Value From $840." That price includes roundtrip airfare from San Francisco on Singapore Airlines, five nights at the new four-star Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel, daily American breakfasts, a half-day sightseeing tour, free island-hopping pass, and heritage & architectural walks. Travel is valid through March 31, 2004. For more info, phone 800/742-3133 or visit www.asianaffairholidays.com, click on Specials.
If you like horse races, you might look at a Luxury International Chinese New Year package from Just Holiday, costing $1,599. What makes it different is that it includes a New Year Horse Racing tour with buffet lunch at the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club, a visit to the Flower Market, and a New Year Fireworks cocktail cruise. Departure dates either January 19 or 20, 2004 on a wide range of carriers, including Cathay Pacific, United, Air China or China Airlines. You stay four nights at the five-star Peninsula Hotel. For details, phone 888/397-9988 or visit www.justholiday.com.
For more information about Hong Kong itself, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/usa or phone 800/282-HKTB (same as 800/282-4582).
