July 7, 2003 -- Prices for travel packages to Asia have not yet begun to rise from the depths to which they plummeted during the spring, so it's still a great time to take advantage of some outstanding offers from reliable operators, such as Japan Air Lines. Its "Super Value Package to Japan & Hong Kong" costs start from $1,537 for nine-day escorted tours or just $1,117 for air/hotel-only packages.
Those are the prices you pay for a quick introduction to the best of Asia, with visits to ultramodern Tokyo, ancient Kyoto and Nara, and unbelievable Hong Kong, on a nine-day (seven-night) promotion running from now through September 30, 2003. The price from $1,537 includes roundtrip air from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas or Vancouver to both Japan and Hong Kong on JAL, seven nights lodging (private bath, shared twin room), and breakfasts at your Hong Kong hotel. The price out of Chicago or New York starts at $1,683. Departure dates from Vancouver are restricted, with some blackouts, and a surcharge of $140 (US) is needed for some flights out of that city.
You can extend your stay if you like, and there are other city tour packages available. Prices for children are available on request, and, of course, add-on fares are on hand for departures from other gateway cities.
In Tokyo, you stay at the sleek New Takanawa Prince Hotel, spend one day on a Panoramic Tour of the city, then depart for Kyoto on the "Bullet Train," the Shinkansen Hikari. In Kyoto, capital of Japan for a thousand years, you stay at the Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, and spend a full day touring the city and nearby Nara, Japan's first capital as a unified country (preceding Kyoto). On Day Six you fly to Hong Kong and transfer to the Kimberly Hotel. On the next two days, you have a half-day Hong Kong Island tour and can enjoy the rest of the time exploring on your own.
Meals are not included (except breakfast in Hong Kong), and airport departure fees and taxes of up to $120 are your responsibility. For more information, go to www.japanair.com or phone JALPAK at 800/221-1081.
