July 2, 2003 -- With SARS declared all but dead in Asia by both the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control, the stampede to the world's most exotic continent is on. People who postponed their trips are now lining up for airplane seats, and the smart ones are booking tour operators' packages to assure not only the seat, but big-buck savings on the ground.
A case in point -- Go Today's passel of bargain vacations, which had a June cut-off date, are now available if you book through July 31. And what savings they are! The airfare is usually from New York's JFK, Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco, but in several packages, you can also fly from Honolulu and four additional California cities. Naturally, add-on fares are available from almost any US gateway, so be sure to inquire. Here are the highlights:
- Hong Kong for five nights, from $699, including airfare from the US west coast, valid for travel September 3 through 30.
- Bali can be had for 5 nights starting from $799 from August 21 through October 31. Add $100 for trips from July 5 through August 20.
- Five nights in Bangkok will cost you from $699 between September 3 and October 31, including airfare.
- Three-night air/hotel packages are featured on bargain vacations in Japan between September 3 and October 31. The Kyoto package costs $699 and up, the Tokyo package $749 and up.
- For China's capital, Beijing, the five-night package starts from $799 between September 3 and October 31.
- Finally, there's a Singapore deal of three nights, from $699 and up good between September 3 and 27.
Two-city packages are also available, examples as follows: Hong Kong & Bangkok from $799, including roundtrip air, transfers, three nights in each city, air between the cities, half-day tour in each city, and more; Hong Kong & Singapore from $849, including roundtrip air, transfers, three nights in each city, air between the cities, a half-day city tour in Hong Kong, and more. Deadline for booking is slightly earlier, July 28, travel from now through September 24 or 30, depending on which pair you choose.
A three-city "Taste of Asia" involves Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore, costing from $999, including roundtrip air, transfers, three nights in each city, air between the cities, half day tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok, and more. Deadline for booking is July 28 for travel dates from now through September 21.
For more details visit Go Today at www.gotoday.com/gt_fm.asp, where you can see the full list of current offerings.