February 2, 2004 -- Nothing can beat Mexico for an exotic place to travel that's right on our doorstep yet serves up flavors of the exotic still at good prices.
Pleasant Holidays has arranged two land-only vacation deals at the Casa del Mar at the tip of the Baja Peninsula in Los Cabos, good for travel from April 19 through October 15. One is for four nights, the other for seven nights. Each has these features, however: lodging, daily American buffet breakfast for two, 25% off greens fees at El Dorado Cabo Real golf courses, $25 in credits for spa treatments (per room, per stay), unlimited use of the fitness center and tennis courts, and a day-long exploration of Cabo San Lucas itself.
The four-night deal starts at $457 per person, a savings, they say, of $287 per couple. The seven-night package starts at $743 per person, a savings said to be $573 per couple. The Casa del Mar Beach, Golf & Spa Resort features six freshwater swimming pools, swim-up bars, tennis, and a complete health spa, and is adjacent to an 18-hole championship golf course. Contact Pleasant Holidays at www.pleasantholidays.com or at 800/448-3333.
If Cancun or the Mayan Riviera is your cup of tea, take a look at United Vacations, which is selling air-inclusive vacations to that part of the world, available for travel from February 21 through December 31, 2004. A typical Cancun or Mayan Riviera trip includes roundtrip airfare on United from Washington DC (Dulles), seven nights of lodging, roundtrip transfers, hotel taxes and service fees, and more. Prices to Cancun begin at $579 for accommodations at the Oasis Beach & Spa. If you want to go all-inclusive (all meals, beverages and more), prices start at $974 with lodging at the Caribbean Village. Deals to the Mayan Riviera start at $639, staying at the Gran Porto Real. An all-inclusive package starts at $799, with accommodations at the Cameleon Marival Riviera Maya. Prices mentioned here are based on Saturday departures from April 17 to June 12. Airport fees and taxes are not included, and some restrictions may apply. Contact United Vacations at www.unitedvacations.com or at 888/328-6877.
You can always find a deal at the website of Travel Flea Market, and Mexico is no exception. Just one sample: Depart from Chicago on February 28, and stay at the Solare Sunset Resort in Puerto Vallarta for seven nights, all-inclusive, for just $676. This beachfront resort has its own stretch of secluded white sand, three restaurants, three bars, nightly entertainment, three connecting pools, and more. Your package includes air, hotel, transfers, meals and drinks. Airport taxes and fees are about $128 per person and are extra. Some restrictions may apply and seats are limited. Contact the Carlson Travel Store at www.carlsontravelstore.com or phone 800/822-8018. The Flea Market site is www.travelfleamarket.com.