What's the Deal?

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

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LAND

· With VIA Rail, travel off-peak in Canada and enjoy lower rates on sleeper cars. On the Canadian, which chugs through the Canadian Rockies, pay $484 per person double for the one-night trip between Vancouver and Jasper; price includes a bed and all meals. Valid until May 31. For trips between Halifax and Montreal, spend $202 to sleep aboard the Ocean. Valid until June 12. Purchase at least five days in advance; taxes are extra. In-season rates can be twice as much, such as $480 per person on the Ocean. Info: 888-842-7254, http://www.viarail.com/.

· With Blue Ridge Weddings' "Extraordinary Elopement" package, couples can get hitched at the Clifton Inn in Virginia and use the $200-plus savings for a honeymoon. The $1,395-per-couple package includes two nights at the Charlottesville property, dinner for two at the inn, breakfast, flowers for the bride and groom, on-site wedding ceremony, CD of wedding shots and a Web site announcing the news. Available midweek year-round. Priced individually, the package components would cost $1,611. To book: 434-263-5350, http://www.blueridgeweddings.com. For info on the Clifton Inn: 888-971-1800, http://www.cliftoninn.net/.

· With Ski the Rockies (800-291-2588, http://www.skitherockies.com/), schuss down Aspen 's slopes in January and early February and receive a free night's stay and a free day of skiing. The $755-per-person deal, based on double occupancy, includes five nights at the Independence Square Hotel (rates usually from $270), a four-day lift ticket (from $304), daily breakfast and apres-ski wine and cheese. Valid Jan. 4-Feb. 7 for Sunday arrivals. Ask for Code 13674.

SEA

· Save $300 on a Royal Caribbean cruise with a deal from CruiseOne. Spend seven nights aboard the Explorer of the Seas, which stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten; St. Thomas; and Nassau. Rates start at $499 per person double. Depart Miami on March 18. Add $55 in taxes. An inside cabin usually goes for $799. Info: 877-600-4646, http://www.cruiseone.com/.

· Seniors receive a $339 discount on an 11-night Celebrity Galaxy cruise to the southern Caribbean. The deal from Anchors Away Cruise Center sails round trip from San Juan on Jan. 22; stops include Grenada, Aruba and St. Lucia. Cost is $710 per person double, down from $1,049. Taxes included. Info: 888-516-6306, http://www.mustcruise.com/.

· Sail across the Atlantic for less than $500 with a deal from LastMinuteCruises.com. The 12-night transatlantic cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas costs $499 per person double (plus $88 in taxes). The ship departs from Miami on April 21 and stops in Bermuda, Portugal, Gibraltar and Spain. The price includes a night's hotel stay in Miami before the cruise. Book Dec. 26-29. The cruise normally goes for $899. Info: 866-836-6963, http://www.lastminutecruises.com/.

AIR

· South African Airways has two-for-one tickets for travelers and their companions. Purchase an economy ticket from Dulles to Johannesburg or Cape Town for $1,350 (plus up to $250 in taxes) and your co-flier pays only the taxes on the second ticket. Depart Jan. 15-Feb. 15, stay at least seven days and return by March 14. Book by Feb. 1. Info: 800-521-4845, http://www.flysaa.com/.

· Alitalia has a Web sale covering destinations in Europe, India and the Middle East. For example, fly from New York's JFK to Tel Aviv for $555 (down from the usual $750) or to Madrid for $476 (vs. $510), including taxes. Depart Jan. 15-Feb. 28; Saturday night stay required. Book by Dec. 27 at http://www.alitalia.com/.

· United has reduced winter fares to San Juan and St. Thomas. For the U.S. Virgin Island, fares from Dulles start at $305 round trip (including taxes), about $30 less than other carriers; flights to San Juan start at $241, which other carriers are matching, give or take $10. Travel Monday-Friday by March 9. Book at http://www.united.com/.

PACKAGES

· Get a Caribbean fix without a passport with Spirit Vacations' "No Passport Needed Sale" to San Juan and St. Thomas. The promotion shaves up to 35 percent off the usual rates and, in some cases, offers free room upgrades and kids-stay-free deals. For example, in San Juan, fly out of Reagan National and spend three nights at the Normandie Hotel for $785 per person double (kids sleep gratis). Depart Mondays, Jan. 8-March 26. On St. Thomas, spend five nights at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage for $879, plus kids stay for free. Depart Wednesdays, Jan. 10-31 or March 7-28. Book by Dec. 31. Add about $65 in taxes. By comparison, flights to San Juan are running about $250, and the Normandie goes for about $200 a night. Info: 800-617-3325, http://www.spiritvacations.com/.

· With Foreign Independent Tours, spend five nights in Perugia, Italy, for only $400 more than the room price. The deal, which starts at $1,399 per person double, includes round-trip air from Dulles to Rome, a standard room at the five-star Hotel Brufani Palace (rooms typically from $200 a night), rental car, breakfast and use of the Sina Fitness Club. Depart Jan. 7-21, Feb. 1-10 or March 1-15. Taxes of about $136 are additional. Info: 800-248-3487, http://www.the1way2travel.com/Perugia5StarLuxury.htm. -- Andrea Sachs

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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