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A Troop of Trips to Asia: Budget Bangkok, Yen-Pinching Beijing, Low-Tab Tokyo and More

August 19, 2004 -- Asia beckons with its still moderately priced deals. We've found combos that will bring to you to Japan in time to enjoy its fall colors, expose the cultural brilliance of China or stun with the marked contrast of Thailand's cities and jungles.

Japan

If you're curious about Japan but haven't visited there, we suggest the five-day Tokyo "Super Saver" package from Gate 1 Travel. The $699 baseprice -- good for travel October 27-December 11 -- covers roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles to Tokyo, three nights at the fabulous Sunshine City Prince Hotel, and daily breakfast. Transportation to and from Tokyo's airport is not included, but a shuttle service is available for $43 per person each direction. Other departure cities are available at additional cost. If you want to travel earlier, the cost starts at $759 now through October 26; it's $779 from December 12-27. Taxes and various and sundry fees are a minimum of $60 per person and can run as high as $170 depending on factors such as your point of departure.

Once you're on the ground, you can strike out on your own or take advantage of Gate1's optional tous. On your first full day in Tokyo, you can join a tour with a stop at Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Akihabara (the electronic retail capital of the world), Asakusa Kannon temple, the adjacent shopping arcade, and a pearl shop. Contact them at www.gate1travel.com or by phoning 800/682-3333.

China

Those folks at Go-Today have several packages available to Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai, with airfare and five nights of lodging (including hotel taxes and service charges) starting from just $689 per person for flights out of Los Angeles. It's $50 from Newark, Seattle or San Francisco and $150 from Chicago; other gateways are available as well at varying costs.

You stay at the Jing Du Yuan Hotel in Beijing, or upgrade to the luxury New Otani for another $90. In Hong Kong you stay at the South Pacific Hotel at the $689 price, or upgrade to the Park for another $80. In Shanghai, your basic hotel is the Ruitai Hongqiao at $689, but you can upgrade to the New Century for another $110.

Contact the sponsors at www.gotoday.com or by phoning 425/487-9632 (if you book on the phone, it's an extra $20).

Thailand

An eight-day Bangkok & Phuket "Super Value" program is currently offered by Pacific Delight Tours, with prices starting from $1, 399. That's the price from Los Angeles, Portland OR, San Francisco or Seattle good for travel from December 2, 2004 through February 3 and 17, 2005. Per usual, there are many other departure cities available, with prices running up to $1, 439. (A special Christmas trip begins at $1, 719.) Add-ons from other cities range from $120 to $190, all with Northwest Airlines. You spend three nights in Bangkok, then three in Phuket, allowing you to enjoy the colorful capital first, then the jungles and beaches of the popular getaway island.

The package includes intra-Thailand air and land transport, as well as use of local host services, roundtrip transfers, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges, sightseeing tours as specified and some meals (five breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner). Contact the organizers at www.pacificdelighttours.com or by phoning 800/221-7179.


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