What's the Deal?
The week's best travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea and air.

Sunday, May 7, 2006

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LAND

· More than 60 U.S. bed-and-breakfasts are participating in a "Tanks a Lot" gas rebate program. Some inns are offering gas cards, while others are discounting their rooms. For example, the Inn at Starlight Lake in Starlight, Penn., has a $25 rebate for a two-night stay ($35 for three nights, $50 for four) through June; rooms with private baths start at $115 double. Info: 800-462-2632, http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/specials .

· Country Walkers is offering a free post-tour package on its walking tour celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday. The Aug. 12-19 tour, which goes from Vienna to Prague , is $3,198 per person double. The post-tour package includes a night at the five-star Hotel Savoy in Prague (worth about $462) and a tour of the Bertramka Estate, including a concert. Book by May 19. Info: 800-464-9255, http://www.countrywalkers.com/ .

· The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has a $20 annual pass for entry into all of the state's museums and historic monuments , including the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque and Sante Fe's Museum of Fine Arts. Individual entrance fees range from $3 to $8, so the pass represents a savings of more than 50 percent if all 14 sites are visited. Purchase at http://www.newmexicoculture.org/ or at the attractions.

SEA

· If you like to plan ahead, Discovery World Cruises has free airfare from BWI or Washington Dulles on select 2007 Northern Europe and Mediterranean cruises . For example, a 10-night "Italian Odyssey" cruise departing Nice, France, on Sept. 19, 2007 starts at $2,195 per person double, including round-trip air (taxes are about $305 extra). Info: 866-623-2689, http://www.discoveryworldcruises.com/ .

· A 17-day "Grand Yangtze River SuperValue" cruise-tour with Pacific Delight World Tours starts at $2,928 per person double for the Nov. 3 departure. The trip includes a six-night cruise on the Victoria Prince from Chongqing to Shanghai; nine nights' hotel; round-trip air from Washington; intra-China flights; most meals; and tour guide. Taxes are about $250 extra. Book by May 30. Priced separately, international air and cruise alone would cost $2,990. Info: 800-221-7179, http://www.pacificdelighttours.com/ .

· Windjammer has discounts of $400 per person on last-minute cruises aboard the S/V Yankee Clipper from St. Lucia . The six-night cruise, departing May 14 and 21 and June 4, starts at $599 per person double. Info: 800-327-2601, http://www.windjammer.com/ .

AIR

· Explore an out-of-the-way island in Portugal's Azores chain for about $100 per round-trip ticket with a deal from Azores Express . The new flat fare is good from the main islands of Terceira or Sao Miguel to any of the chain's other seven islands and represents a savings of as much as 60 percent. International fare on Azores Express's nonstop flights from Boston to Ponta Delgado on Sao Miguel in early June is about $850 round trip, including taxes. Info: 800-762-9995, http://www.azores-express.com/ .

· Air New Zealand will offer round-the-world service using only its own planes when it begins service Oct. 26 between London and Hong Kong. The airline has introductory round-the-world fares of $2,500 per person (a $300 savings), plus about $382 taxes for the Los Angeles-Auckland-Hong Kong-London-Los Angeles route (reverse itinerary is priced the same). Maximum stay is one year; buy by July 31 at 800-262-1234. Info: http://www.airnewzealand.com/ .

PACKAGE

· Grand Circle Travel , which caters to travelers ages 50 and up, has new discounts on its "Amalfi Coast & Tuscany" tour. The package, which includes round-trip air from BWI to Rome, 16 nights of lodging, 27 meals, six sightseeing tours, motorcoach transportation and a guide, starts at $1,695 per person double for the Dec. 2, 9 and 11 departures; previous price was $1,895. Taxes are about $209 extra. Purchase by June 15. Info: 800-959-0405, http://www.gct.com/ .

· Ritz Tours' "Exotic Asia" package starts at $1,999 per person double for select departures in May, August, September and November. The deal includes round-trip air from New York; three intra-Asia flights; 11 nights' hotel in Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong; motorcoach transportation; some meals; and tour guides. Taxes are $227 extra. Priced separately, flights and hotels alone would cost $2,734 per person. Info: 800-900-2446, http://www.ritztours.com/ .

-- Carol Sottili

Prices were verified and available on Thursday afternoon when the Travel section went to press. However, deals sell out quickly and are not guaranteed to be available. Restrictions such as day of travel, blackout dates and advance-purchase requirements sometimes apply.

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