May 3, 2004 -- Like so many other holidays that are ostensibly for one purpose, in this case to honor the dead of our past and present wars, Memorial Day has become for some an opportunity to simply enjoy a three-day weekend. Nobody will blame you for doing just that, even if you go so far as to spend the long weekend (or more) out of the country. Here a few samples of what you could do with your free time in a country that's still free thanks to the sacrifices of fallen heroes.
Gate 1 Tours (800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has several programs, led by a Memorial Day special to London for five days and three nights from just $449 from NYC with a May 27 departure. Your lodging at the is at the Grange Fitzrovia Hotel. Optional tours begin at $47 for a London West End and Westminster Abbey morning tour, with airport transfers available at extra charge.
The firm is also offering a Costa Rican getaway to El Nakuti, for five days and four nights, departing New York on May 28, from $659. The price includes lodging at a first-class hotel (all-inclusive, with meals, drinks, etc.), and arrival transfer.
For a really long haul, consider Hong Kong for seven days, with hotel room and arrival transfer, departing Los Angeles on May 27. They have many other packages with destinations including Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Greece, Rio, Tokyo, and the Galapagos, ranging in price from $499 for a jaunt to Paris to $2,299 for a getaway to the Galapagos Islands.
While these aren't being advertised as Memorial Day specials per se, Octopus Travel (877/330-7765; www.octopustravel-us.com) has a looong list of three-night hotel stays (at home and abroad) starting from as low as $39 in Bangkok up to $237 in Florence. The prices are for accommodations only, but it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to find affordable fares to your destination (one hint, keep reading the airfare deals in our Newsletter as we continue to dig up the best sales going). Octopus Travel doesn't meddle with black-out dates so Memorial Day weekend is officially open for these stays, but the spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can sell-out.
The Mexico Travel Net site has some "Last Minute Memorial Day Travel Ideas" that should appeal to vacationers from Southern California in particular. They have a "Memorial Day Weekend North Baja Driving Trip Special" to Rosarito Beach and Ensenada that's moderately priced, their weekday (Sunday-Thursday) rates being just $135 for two adjoining ocean view rooms for two adults and up to four kids at the New Port Beach Rosarito. (You have to call to get final Memorial Day Weekend rates, whatever they may turn out to be, a decision apparently waiting until early May, the site webmaster says).
They also talk of sport fishing special packages starting from $89 per person, air & hotel packages in Cabo San Lucas starting from $319 per person. But, they say, expect the 2004 prices to be about 5% higher than what may be on the web, though new prices are promised for May 3 on the site. In any case, they say these are all "sample rates, intended for reference only," and the actual prices will be given you when you phone for reservations. For reference only, then, check out www.mexicotravelnet.com. For actual rates, phone 800/511-4848.
Always surprising with its many deals is the Travel Flea Market. Consider their Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires program, costing only $899 out of Miami, a package including eight nights at hotels, the airfare, and taxes. Check it out at www.travelfleamarket.com or phone them at the tour organizer, GotMyFare.com, at 800/722-4522.
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