August 20, 2003 -- With Asia suffering most from the lengthening downturn in air traffic this year, prices for travel to Far East destinations continue to drop further reducing the prices for a variety of air/hotel combos currently available. Here's the latest grab bag of super values, with a starting price of just over $83 per person per night, including airfare from the USA.
"China For Cheap" could be the name of Gate 1 Travel's program that takes you to Beijing for eight days (six nights) on two departures this November and one next February from just $499, which works out to $83.16 per night. The "Beijing on Sale" package puts you at the first class Best Western Beijing hotel, with optional tours available for sightseeing in and around the capital. Departure dates November 11 and 24, 2003 and February 10, 2004. You can pay from $699 for an eight-day Beijing and Shanghai tour, departing on December 11. The price goes up to $719 for departures on December 29, 2003 and February 12 and 26, 2004. Throw in Xian and make it a nine-day tour, and the price is $899 for departure February 11, 2004, $999 for departures on December 10 and 29, 2003 and on March 3, 2004. All packages include roundtrip airfare form Los Angeles, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and transfer to the hotel. Airport and security taxes and fees are extra. Contact Gate 1 Travel at 800/682-3333 or visit www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/East_Asia/brochure03.
Pacific Delight Tours, which says it is "the largest provider of escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia," is offering a five-night package to Hong Kong with prices starting at $588 per person (based on double occupancy), if you book by September 15, 2003. Departures from San Francisco on United Airlines run from September 3 through March 31, 2004. You can depart from New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Honolulu at no additional charge. Add-on air from 27 other major UAL gateways is $120. In addition to your hotel room, you get a half-day city tour, lectures on the tea ceremony, a discussion on antiques, a feng shui class, a Chinese junk ride, pearl and jade grading classes, and heritage and architecture walks. Also included are services of local bilingual guides, airport transfers, baggage handling and hotel taxes and service charges. Weekend travel means a $45 each way surcharge. Contact Pacific Delight at 800/221-7179 or 212/818-1781 or at www.pacificdelighttours.com.
Japan Air Lines has an internet-exclusive promotional package dealing out six days (four nights) in either Tokyo or Kyoto, giving you a choice between the city of the future and the old capital of the past. Available on-line only for travel September 2 through September 30, 2003, the price is as low as $589 for the Kyoto trip, $659 for Tokyo. Those are prices out of Honolulu or Kona, mind you, while those from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Las Vegas are $649 and $719, Kyoto and Tokyo respectively. Out of Chicago or New York, Tokyo costs $779, Kyoto $709, and out of Vancouver BC, it's $829 or $759, respectively (all prices in US dollars). Price includes roundtrip air and hotel only. Airport taxes and fees up to $90 not included. For more information and to book, go to www.japanair.com/e/travelplan/vacations/value_sep03.php.