The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
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: Paris
Provider: Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com)
Base Price: $639
Additional Fees and Taxes: $130
Duration: Six nights
What's Included: Round-trip airfare, accommodations, daily breakfast, some taxes and service charges
What's Not: Airline security fees and departure taxes
When: November 1 to December 14
Deadline: May 24
Why this is a Deal: Because airfare and accommodations are booked well in advance, Go Today has some of the least expensive package prices in the industry. Airfare to Paris alone during this time period can cost up to $520 with taxes and departure fees.
Complete Details: Airfare is out of Boston's Logan Airport with accommodations at the Comfort Gare de L'Est Hotel in the Tenth Arrondisement. Rooms are small but the hotel is near public transportation and a ten minute walk to the Centre Pompidou. Other departure cities available for additional cost. There is no sightseeing included for this package.
Read more about Paris.
Destination: Rincon, Puerto Rico
Provider: Cheap Caribbean (tel. 800/915-2322; www.cheapcaribbean.com)
Base Price: $549
Additional Fees and Taxes: $157
Duration: Four nights
What's Included: Round-trip airfare and accommodations
What's Not: Airport transfers, taxes and service charges
When: June 1 to November 15
Deadline: May 17
Why this is a Deal: Cheap Caribbean discounts prices on deals with fast approaching booking deadlines. This deal with CC regularly costs around $650, and the hotel alone would cost $440 if you booked it on your own.
Complete Details: Depart out of Philadelphia to the San Juan Airport which is two hours away from the resort or to the Aguadilla Airport which is a half hour away. Flights are on major carriers such as American Airlines, US Airways, and Delta. Accommodations are in a standard room at the Lazy Parrot Inn, a small resort near Rincon in the La Cadeña Hills.
Read more about Puerto Rico.
Destination: India and Nepal
Provider: Friendly Planet (tel. 800/555-5765; www.friendlyplanet.com)
Base Price: $2,799
Additional Fees and Taxes: $180
Duration: 15 days
What's Included: Round-trip airfare, accommodations, all sightseeing, all breakfast and some other meals, ground transportation, and an English speaking tour director.
What's Not: Airline security fees and departure taxes.
When: October 3 to October 17
Deadline: May 18
Why this is a Deal: Save up to $600 per couple if you reserve by the May 18, 2007 deadline.
Complete Details: Departures are from New York's JFK Airport on Air India. The tour visits Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Kathmandu. One highlight of the trip is a scenic flight over the Himalayas (weather-permitting).
Read more about India.
Destination: Costa Rica
Provider: Latin America for Less (tel. 800/480-0707; ww5.latinamerica4less.com)
Base Price: $684
Additional Fees and Taxes: Approximately $190
Duration: Six nights
What's Included: Round-trip airfare, accommodations, some in-country transportation, and daily breakfast.
What's Not: Airline security fees, departure taxes and airline fuel surcharges.
When: June 28
Deadline: May 31
Why this is a Deal: Latin America for Less discounts prices on exact tour departure dates to fill certain tours which are nearly fully booked. If you have to select your own exact travel dates, you could pay up to $200 more.
Complete Details: Airfare is out of Miami. The tour begins in San Jose where you'll have two days free to explore the city as you wish. Accommodations in San Jose are at the Vesuvio Hotel near the National Library. Days three and four will be spent north near the Arenal Volcano. The hot springs of the Tabacon Spa are nearby. Two nights accommodations in Arenal will be spent at the San Boscol hotel. The last two nights of the tour are at the Divisimar hotel in the coastal Manual Antonio National Park. This last part is the beach portion of your vacation.
Read more about Costa Rica.
Destination: Monterey, CA
Provider: Big Sur Guides (tel. 831/658-0199; www.bigsurguides.com)
Base Price: $60 per person per hike
Additional Fees and Taxes: None
Duration: Two and a half hours
What's Included: A fully-guided walking tour and hike of the Big Sure wilderness
What's Not: Nothing
When: June 1 to August 31
Deadline: You must take the last hike before August 31
Why this is a Deal: For every three hikes you purchase, you get an additional hike for free.Save $60 in all, the price of one excursion. The deal also works where a fourth person goes free when you buy three hikes for the regular price.
Complete Details: Big Sur Guides is the only company licensed to take people on hikes or walks on state or federal property. Kids will also go free until August 31, 2007. The hike takes you up to the Redwoods and along the Pacific coastline with views of Humpback whales and the large surf. You can get a lunch along the Pacific for $15 extra. All hikes originate from the lobby of the Ventana Inn and Resort. The tour promises to take you to a location in the Redwoods where you'll see 1,000 Monarch Butterflies.
Read more about Monterey.
