The good news is that the end of spring is an excellent time of year to travel to many of the world's most desirable destinations; it means gorgeous weather, locals in a welcoming mood, and peak season for festivals and events. But there's bad news too: For the same reasons listed above, high season in many of these same cities can mean exorbitant airline and hotel rates.
Lucky for you, we've culled the best deals to and from the top destinations so that you can benefit from the perks of high season without suffering the high cost.
All prices are per person unless otherwise noted. See "The deal," "How much," and "When" for details about associated taxes, fees, and travel restrictions. Note that "How much" is our best estimate of what the trip will cost and that taxes and fees can vary based on point of departure and travel dates. Deals are subject to availability, so confirm before booking.
New York City
The deal: The Westin New York at Times Square, a four-diamond hotel in the bustling heart of NYC, is offering reduced rates for its plush rooms, all of which feature Starwood's signature Heavenly beds, modern decor, 32-inch flat-panel TVs and high-speed Internet access.
How much: $199 per night for a standard room; $249 for a deluxe room. Discounts are also available for spa and club rooms, as well as junior suites.
When: Select dates through Sept. 1 (May 11-12, 18, 22-23, 25-26, and 29-31; June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29-30; July 1-7, 13, 20 and 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 28-31; and September 1). Book by May 21.
Typical cost for a similar trip: Standard rooms usually cost more than $300, so this deal saves at least $100 per night.
Find it: Call (866) 716-8117 or go to Travelzoo
Promotion code: If you call to make reservations, mention code NEED8.
Las Vegas
The deal: To encourage travelers to visit the new Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas, which is adjacent to the strip, Alaska Airlines Vacations is offering a $25-per-night resort credit that can be used at the hotel's restaurants or the spa. Any unused portion of the credit, which is non-transferable and can't be used on alcoholic beverages, will have no cash or refund value, and the used portion will be deducted from your folio upon check-out.
How much: $25 off meals and spa treatments per night.
When: Book by May 27 and travel by June 1. Black-out dates are May 16 to 20.
Typical cost for a similar trip: An additional $25 on meals and spa treatments per night.
Find it: Go to Alaska Airlines' website.
Paris
The deal:
Virgin Vacations is offering a six-night, fly-drive package to Paris and the French countryside. The price includes round-trip airfare, three nights of hotel accommodations in Paris, three nights of chateau accommodations in the French countryside, a four-day Hertz car rental with unlimited mileage, a daily continental breakfast, local and hotel taxes and service charges, as well as fuel surcharges. Not included are airport taxes and fees. Note that space is limited, so book early; it's recommended that you provide second- and third-choice dates. Furthermore, chateau availability on weekends is limited, so book a Thursday departure for optimum availability. Surcharges of up to $50 may apply for travel Thursday through Monday.How much: Starting at $1,329 per person (based on double occupancy).
When: Book by May 22 for travel between June 16 and October 25. A 21-day advance purchase is required to get the discounted price.
Typical cost for a similar trip: About $2,500
Find it: Call (888) 937-8474 or go to Virgin Vacations' website.
London
The deal:
Book a deluxe room at Rocco Forte's centrally located Brown's Hotel and get an adjacent deluxe room for the children for free, plus free continental breakfast daily for two adults and two children. The hotel also offers a free kids' program which includes gifts like a personalized copy of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (which was written in one of the hotel's suites), as well as teen magazines, bath toys, a teddy bear, kid-sized robes and slippers, and bedtime milk and cookies. Children get their own room-service menu, which offers free food and drink to those under age three, and a 50% discount for three- to 12-year-olds.How much: Two deluxe king rooms for £499 (about US$970 depending on exchange rate) for two adults and two children per night, not including taxes.
When: On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until December 31.
Typical cost for a similar trip: At least £1,270 (about US$2,480 depending on exchange rate).
Find it: On the Brown's Hotel website.
Los Angeles
The deal: Sheraton Universal's "Springfield Goes Hollywood" package lets you experience the brand-new Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood while giving you a VIP experience at the hilltop hotel adjacent to the theme park. The package includes one night in a newly renovated room (a free upgrade to a lanai poolside suite is offered based on availability), two Front-of-the-Line passes which allow priority access to the theme park's attractions (a $200 value), a Homer Simpson doll, a donut amenity at turndown, and free shuttle service to Universal Studios. Plus, guests who book this package will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a return visit to the hotel and up to four Front-of-the-Line Universal Studios passes.
How much: $419 per night (based on double occupancy; taxes and $16 daily self-parking fee not included).
When: Until December 31. To qualify for the sweepstakes, book and visit on or before July 7; if you win, you must redeem the prize by May 31, 2009.
Typical cost for a similar trip: About $530.
Find it: Call (866) 716-8130 or go to Sheraton's website
Promotion code: If you call to make reservations, mention code UPKGFOL1.
Miami
The deal: The Tides, one of Kor Hotel Group's luxury hotel brands, honors World Ocean Day (June 8) by offering the three-night World Ocean Day package throughout June. Three percent of each package booked will go to Oceana, an international ocean-conservancy nonprofit that works to protect essential ocean habitats and reduce over-fishing. The package includes three nights in an Oceanfront Studio Suite, a welcome VeeV cocktail upon arrival (VeeV donates $1 per bottle toward Amazonian rain forest renewal), and a three-course sustainable seafood Dinner at La Marea restaurant.
How much: $1,135 single occupancy or $1,256 double occupancy, including tax and gratuities.
When: June 1 to 30. Available for Sunday through Thursday night stays only.
Typical cost for a similar trip: About the same price, but if you don't book this package, none of it goes to charity.
Find it: Call (866) 891-0950 or go to The Tides' website
Hong Kong
The deal: Cathay Pacific's All-Asia Pass provides the chance to visit Hong Kong and your choice of up to four cities chosen from 23 additional Asian destinations, including Bali, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo, over the course of 21 days. The price includes round-trip economy-class airfare from the U.S., and tickets must be booked through a travel agent.
How much: Starting at $1,099 round-trip for travel to Hong Kong plus two cities, $1,399 for travel to Hong Kong plus three cities, and $1,699 for travel to Hong Kong plus four cities. Prices don't include taxes, and extension options for up to 90 days are available for an additional fee.
When: Book starting August 28 for travel through December 8.
Typical cost for a similar trip: Varies depending on how many and which cities visited, but significantly more expensive.
Find it: On the Cathay Pacific U.S. website.
Rome
The deal:
European Destinations is offering a six-night package to Italy, including round-trip airfare from the U.S.; hotel accommodations for two nights each in Rome, Venice, and Florence; train transportation between the three cities; daily breakfast (if your hotel offers it), and hotel taxes.How much: $1,079 from New York, $1,095 from Houston, $1,169 from Los Angeles (not including airfare taxes).
When: Through at least May 31
Typical cost for a similar trip: At least $1,950 from New York.
Find it: Call (877) 267-2247 or go to European Destinations' website.
Costa Rica
The deal: The new Hilton Papagayo Resort in Guanacaste is offering an all-inclusive rate that includes all meals and drinks, access to non-motorized watersports, tennis, karaoke, dance lessons, children's activities, nightly entertainment, and more.
How much: $149 per night, including taxes and gratuity.
When: Through October 31.
Typical cost for a similar trip: At least $300 per night.
Find it: Call (800) 445-8667 or go to the Hilton website.
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