Frommer's 5 Deals for Feb. 22, 2012
By
This Week's Deals
By Jason Sheftell
Experience the best of Italy, visit Machu Picchu, unwind in Cancun, tour Southern India, or golf in the Poconos.
All prices are per person and, if lodging is a component of the package, based upon two people traveling together (unless otherwise noted). The prices listed are general starting rates; see "What Else You'll Have to Pay" for details about associated taxes and fees. Base-prices, taxes, and fees can vary based on point of departure and time of travel. Blackout dates may apply. Trip add-ons like sightseeing tours and meal plans may also increase the price. Check with the tour operator for additional gateways. The single supplement is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.
Photo Caption: Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Experience the best of Italy, visit Machu Picchu, unwind in Cancun, tour Southern India, or golf in the Poconos.
All prices are per person and, if lodging is a component of the package, based upon two people traveling together (unless otherwise noted). The prices listed are general starting rates; see "What Else You'll Have to Pay" for details about associated taxes and fees. Base-prices, taxes, and fees can vary based on point of departure and time of travel. Blackout dates may apply. Trip add-ons like sightseeing tours and meal plans may also increase the price. Check with the tour operator for additional gateways. The single supplement is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.
Photo Caption: Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Cancun, Mexico
Destination Cancun
Provider: Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com)
Duration: Three nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; all-inclusive
Base Price: $625 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from Miami, three nights' hotel, all meals and beverages, hotel transfers, fuel surcharges, and hotel tax.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $105 in security fees and departure tax
When: Through April 8, 2012
Book By: March 31
Why this is a Deal: Save 30% off regular rates and booking airfare individually.
Complete Details: Accommodations are at the waterfront Oasis Cancun, which has a spa and nightclub. Golf, tennis, and non-motorized water sports are included in the package.
Other Gateways: Boston ($775), Chicago, Los Angeles ($749); Boston, New York ($775)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Relax in Cancun, Mexico.
Provider: Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com)
Duration: Three nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; all-inclusive
Base Price: $625 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from Miami, three nights' hotel, all meals and beverages, hotel transfers, fuel surcharges, and hotel tax.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $105 in security fees and departure tax
When: Through April 8, 2012
Book By: March 31
Why this is a Deal: Save 30% off regular rates and booking airfare individually.
Complete Details: Accommodations are at the waterfront Oasis Cancun, which has a spa and nightclub. Golf, tennis, and non-motorized water sports are included in the package.
Other Gateways: Boston ($775), Chicago, Los Angeles ($749); Boston, New York ($775)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Relax in Cancun, Mexico.
Italy
Destination: Italy
Provider: Sceptre Tours (tel. 800/221-0924; www.sceptretours.com)
Duration: Eight nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent with car rental
Base Price: $1,399 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from New York to Rome (returning from Venice), eight nights at four-star hotels, a seven-day car rental, air taxes, fuel surcharges, and airport transfers.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Gratuities. Add $129 for breakfast daily and a wine tasting tour.
When: Through March 31, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to lock in price.
Why this is a Deal: Save $100 per person when compared to other spring travel dates on this already discounted trip.
Complete Details: This trip allows travelers to see the Italian countryside at their own pace. Stay in Rome at Villa Vecchia, in Tuscany at La Fattoria degli Usignoli, and in the Venice area at the Park Hotel Bolognese. The Tuscan hotel is a working farm with a local restaurant and countryside views. The hotel in Rome is surrounded by a park with ancient ruins. From the terrace, the city spreads out before you.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Provider: Sceptre Tours (tel. 800/221-0924; www.sceptretours.com)
Duration: Eight nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent with car rental
Base Price: $1,399 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from New York to Rome (returning from Venice), eight nights at four-star hotels, a seven-day car rental, air taxes, fuel surcharges, and airport transfers.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Gratuities. Add $129 for breakfast daily and a wine tasting tour.
When: Through March 31, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to lock in price.
Why this is a Deal: Save $100 per person when compared to other spring travel dates on this already discounted trip.
Complete Details: This trip allows travelers to see the Italian countryside at their own pace. Stay in Rome at Villa Vecchia, in Tuscany at La Fattoria degli Usignoli, and in the Venice area at the Park Hotel Bolognese. The Tuscan hotel is a working farm with a local restaurant and countryside views. The hotel in Rome is surrounded by a park with ancient ruins. From the terrace, the city spreads out before you.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Peru
Destination: Peru
Provider: Latin Escapes (tel. 800/878-9986; www.latinescapes.com)
Duration: Six nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent with guided sightseeing
Base Price: $1,577 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from Los Angeles, six nights' hotel, sightseeing, entrance fees, breakfast daily, English-speaking guides at all sites, transfers, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Guide gratuities, some meals, and $115 in security fees and departure tax.
When: April 5, 2012
Book By: March 15
Why this is a Deal: Save $500 when compared to booking each component of this deal separately.
Complete Details: Sightseeing highlights on this trip include Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Half-day guided tours are given in Lima and Cusco with a full-day tour to Machu Picchu, including transportation via an expedition train. Accommodations are in local tourist-class properties. In Lima, the hotel is in the Miraflores neighborhood. All hotels on the trip have private bathrooms and are within walking distance to restaurants, markets, and nightlife.
Other Gateways: Miami ($1,317); New York ($1,410)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: See the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru's Sacred Valley.
Provider: Latin Escapes (tel. 800/878-9986; www.latinescapes.com)
Duration: Six nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent with guided sightseeing
Base Price: $1,577 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from Los Angeles, six nights' hotel, sightseeing, entrance fees, breakfast daily, English-speaking guides at all sites, transfers, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Guide gratuities, some meals, and $115 in security fees and departure tax.
When: April 5, 2012
Book By: March 15
Why this is a Deal: Save $500 when compared to booking each component of this deal separately.
Complete Details: Sightseeing highlights on this trip include Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Half-day guided tours are given in Lima and Cusco with a full-day tour to Machu Picchu, including transportation via an expedition train. Accommodations are in local tourist-class properties. In Lima, the hotel is in the Miraflores neighborhood. All hotels on the trip have private bathrooms and are within walking distance to restaurants, markets, and nightlife.
Other Gateways: Miami ($1,317); New York ($1,410)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: See the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru's Sacred Valley.
Southern India
Destination: Southern India
Provider: G Adventures (tel. 877/277-9853; www.gadventures.com)
Duration: 14 nights
Trip Type: Land-only; escorted
Base Price: $1,080 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations, all in-country travel, entrance fees, sightseeing, an English-speaking guide, and some meals.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Transportation to India; allow $280 to $340 for meals.
When: March 18, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability.
Why this is a Deal: Save 20% off regular pricing.
Complete Details: This trip, which starts and ends in Kochi, includes visits to Kalpetta, a wildlife sanctuary in Mudumalai, and stops in Pondicherry, Mamallapuram, Madurai, and Kerala. Transportation is via train, bus, rickshaw, ferry, bicycle, and boats. Accommodations are in local guesthouses or hotels. You'll also spend one night at a homestay and spend one night on a sleeper train. Visit temples, a Jewish synagogue, villages, a wildlife preserve, a spice plantation, and more.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: $469
Photo Caption: The backwaters of Kerala, India. Photo by AlisonMcC/Frommers.com Community
Provider: G Adventures (tel. 877/277-9853; www.gadventures.com)
Duration: 14 nights
Trip Type: Land-only; escorted
Base Price: $1,080 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations, all in-country travel, entrance fees, sightseeing, an English-speaking guide, and some meals.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Transportation to India; allow $280 to $340 for meals.
When: March 18, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability.
Why this is a Deal: Save 20% off regular pricing.
Complete Details: This trip, which starts and ends in Kochi, includes visits to Kalpetta, a wildlife sanctuary in Mudumalai, and stops in Pondicherry, Mamallapuram, Madurai, and Kerala. Transportation is via train, bus, rickshaw, ferry, bicycle, and boats. Accommodations are in local guesthouses or hotels. You'll also spend one night at a homestay and spend one night on a sleeper train. Visit temples, a Jewish synagogue, villages, a wildlife preserve, a spice plantation, and more.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: $469
Photo Caption: The backwaters of Kerala, India. Photo by AlisonMcC/Frommers.com Community
Pennsylvania
Destination: Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Provider: Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (tel. 800/742-8933; www.shawneeinn.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $69 per person for a midweek stay; $109 per person for weekends
What the Quoted Price Gets You: One night at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resot, golf, the use of a golf cart, greens fees, and breakfast.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Transportation to Poconos. There is no hotel tax in the Poconos.
When: Through April 26, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability.
Why this is a Deal: The room cost is about the same as one round of golf. In essence, travelers stay for free.
Complete Details: Golf history was made here in the early 1911 when the hotel's founder built a course designed to be the best of its kind in the northeast. Early meetings regarding tournaments led to the formation of the PGA, which held its championship at the course in 1938 when the hotel's golf pro was Sam Snead. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area. The Shawnee Inn is one of the area's historic hotels. President Eisenhower, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, and Jackie Gleason all played golf at the hotel.
Photo Caption: The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
Provider: Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (tel. 800/742-8933; www.shawneeinn.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $69 per person for a midweek stay; $109 per person for weekends
What the Quoted Price Gets You: One night at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resot, golf, the use of a golf cart, greens fees, and breakfast.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Transportation to Poconos. There is no hotel tax in the Poconos.
When: Through April 26, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability.
Why this is a Deal: The room cost is about the same as one round of golf. In essence, travelers stay for free.
Complete Details: Golf history was made here in the early 1911 when the hotel's founder built a course designed to be the best of its kind in the northeast. Early meetings regarding tournaments led to the formation of the PGA, which held its championship at the course in 1938 when the hotel's golf pro was Sam Snead. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area. The Shawnee Inn is one of the area's historic hotels. President Eisenhower, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, and Jackie Gleason all played golf at the hotel.
Photo Caption: The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
