August 6, 2003 -- The price war on packages to Asia seems to be heating up, withalmost all operators cutting prices in an attempt to stay competitive, making it a great time forwould-be travelers to book some outstanding packages at a more than reasonable rate. In thatspirit, the folks at Go-Today.com, whose packages you've read about here so manytimes, have outdone themselves again, this time offering air and five nights in Beijing from just$499.
The one downside is the timing, as it is for travel in winter, November 1, 2003 through March24, 2004 if you purchase by September 15. Winter is not Beijing's greatest season, as it can be cold and windy, with a high degree of air pollution (think a combination New England winter and LA smog). If you the weather doesn'tdeter you, though, you may enjoy the place, as far fewer tourists abound, there won't be lineswaiting at the Forbidden City, Summer Palace or Temple of Heaven, the triple highlight of Beijingitself.
The package is for airfare from San Francisco or Seattle, Wednesday departures only, andincludes the roundtrip flights, roundtrip transfers airport/hotel, five nights' lodging, daily breakfast,hotel tax and service charges. Fares from other cities include these examples: $529 fromHonolulu, Los Angeles or New York (JFK); $649 from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Washington,D.C., San Jose CA, Denver, Houston, San Diego, Miami, Orlando and Oakland. Other gatewaysare also available. Additional hotel nights start at $46 per person.
This Beijing beauty isn't all Go-Today has on its plate now for travel to Asia during the fall andwinter. There are additional packages to China's capital for this summer and fall and a comboBeijing-Yangtze River cruise, the latter from $1199 and lasting eight days (six nights). A trip toBeijing and Xian, site of the fabled terra cotta warriors, is also for six nights and starts from $999.A similar deal for Shanghai alone offers five nights from $649.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy based on Monday-Thursday travel.Taxesand fees totally around $89 are not included.For more information or to sign up, contact Go-Today at www.go-today.com.