For value-conscious travelers, packages are often the smart way to go because they can save you a ton of money. Especially in the Caribbean, package tours are not the same thing as escorted tours. You'll be on your own, but in most cases, a package to the Turks & Caicos will include airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from the airport -- and it'll cost you less than just the hotel alone if you booked it yourself.
You'll find an amazing array of packages to the Turks & Caicos, largely involving stays in Provo. Check out some of the big online travel agencies -- Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Lastminute.com -- which do a brisk business in packages. Remember to comparison shop among at least three different operators, and always compare apples to apples.
One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Delta Vacations (tel. 800/221-6666; www.deltavacations.com), Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com), and United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com).
Of course, don't forget to check the hotel or resort websites for very desirable package deals, especially in the off season. No, these packages rarely include airfares, but they're packed with extra amenities (or a night free) if you book a block of vacation time, say, 5 or 7 days. These packages are often built around themes, such as Romance Week, Spa Escape, or Island Getaway, and often include meals, spa treatments, or watersports excursions along with the lodging. Similarly, in Grand Turk, where the scuba diving is world-class, most hotels offer dive packages -- competitively priced hotel/dive vacations.
