All prices are per person and, if lodging is a component of the package, based upon two people traveling together (unless otherwise noted). See "What's Included" and "What's Not" for details about associated taxes and fees and "Complete Details" for information about travel restrictions and, if available, trip add-ons like sightseeing tours and meal plans. Base-prices, taxes and fees can vary based on point of departure and time of travel.
Destination: Azores
Provider: Azores Express Tours (tel. 800/762-9995; www.sata.pt)
Base Price: $709
Duration: Six nights
Additional Fees: $185
What's Included: Airfare, accommodations, daily breakfast, and hotel and service taxes.
When: September 16, 2008 to June 15, 2009
What's Not Included: Security fees, departure tax and airline fuel surcharges.
Deadline: Book travel two-months before to ensure availability
Why this is a Deal: These packages represent a savings of 50% when booked individually and kids under six years-old stay free
Complete Details: Just four hours from America's East Coast, the Azores is a Portuguese island retreat composed of multiple islands each with diverse ecological and cultural draws. Departing out of Boston on Tuesdays, this package deal starts at $709 and offers hotel selection across various tourist and luxury levels. Known for their pristine geographical characteristics, the Azores were recently awarded the second most appealing island destination by the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations. Add $80 for Friday departures. Business class is available for less than a few hundred dollars each way. For $979, a special "inn" package offers six different properties on four different islands. Intra-island travel is included with several packages. The more popular islands are San Miguel, Santa Maria, Faial, and Terceira. Each offer volcanic mountains, fishing villages, lakes, geysers, and beaches.
Destination: Provence
Provider: Gutsy Women Travelers (tel. 866/464-8879; www.gutsywomentravel.com)
Base Price: $3,679
Duration: Eight days
Additional Fees: $245
What's Included: Airfare, accommodation, some meals, sightseeing, transfers, and all in-country transportation
When: December 15
What's Not Included: Security fees and departure tax
Deadline: September 15
Why this is a Deal: Save $250 when booking by the above deadline
Complete Details: Designed to ease the professional and personal demands on dynamic women, Gutsy Women Travelers focus on experiential travel packages to top global locations. High-level hotels, small travel groups, and relaxed itineraries ease travel heartaches allowing women the opportunity they need to distance themselves from the demands of home. This Provence trip arrives in Marseilles before visiting Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, Nice and Monte Carlo. Sightseeing highlights include Van Gogh's home in Arles, the Chateauneuf de Pape winery, and several villages including Lourmarin. The trip departs from the New York area.
Destination: Morocco
Provider: 2Afrika (tel. 800/462-2374; www.2afrika.com)
Base Price: $1,199
Duration: Eight days
Additional Fees: $295
What's Included: Airfare, accommodations, most meals, sightseeing and safari activities,
When: January 20, 2009
What's Not Included: Security fees and departure tax
Deadline: Book as soon as possible to ensure availability; because of its low price, this trip fills up quickly
Why this is a Deal: Save over $600 on booking this trip independently
Complete Details: One of the truly exotic and ancient experiences, Morocco continues to offer U.S. travelers affordable packages. This trip visits Casablanca, Rabat, Moulay Idriss, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Beni Mellal, and Marrakech. Air travel is with Royal Air Maroc with the trip beginning in Casablanca. Accommodations are in large local hotels and boutique locations. A dinner with a Moroccan family and an excursion to Sahara sand dune are two cultural highlights while daily excursions include trips to the medina, local markets, and palaces.
Destination: London
Provider: Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.gotoday.com)
Base Price: $799
Duration: Six nights
Additional Fees: $180
What's Included: Airfare, accommodations, daily breakfast, hotel service taxes, and airline fuel surcharges.
What's Not Included: Security fees and departure tax.
When: November 1 to November 16
Deadline: August 27, 2008
Why this is a Deal: Save at least $250 per person from booking this package independently
Complete Details: You need to book this package today to receive the low $799 price. Leaving from the New York area with a $30 surcharge for Philadelphia or Boston departures, the package includes accommodations at the Queens Park Hotel located near Hyde Park and Kensington Palace..
Destination: New Hampshire
Provider: Bike the Whites (tel. 800/421-1785; www.bikethewhites.com)
Base Price: $499
Duration: Three days
Additional Fees: $135
What's Included: Accommodations, bike rental, dining, maps, luggage transfer, and roadside assistance.
When: September 26 to November 2
What's Not Included: Package gratuity of 15% and hotel taxes of 8%
Deadline: Book one month or more before traveling to ensure tour provider has room at the small inns.
Why this is a Deal: Save $200 off lodging and dining costs alone, not to mention cycling extras.
Complete Details: Biking 20 to 50 miles per day in the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire, this cycling tour provider specializes in fine dining and four-star local inn lodging. The country inns and bed and breakfasts for this trip are Brass Heart Inn, 1785 Inn, and Snowvillage Inn.
