WHAT'S THE DEAL?
What's the Deal?
The week's best travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea and air.
Sunday, March 18, 2007; Page P03
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LAND
· The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key, just off the coast of Sarasota, Fla., has deals on its family packages for April 9-24 and April 29-May 23. The All About Families package starts at $268 per night for a one-bedroom unit and includes daily breakfast for each adult and a $50-per-room daily resort credit that can be used for tennis, dining, spa services, fitness classes or shopping. Usual room-only rates start at $280 a night, and the family package typically starts at $315. Taxes are an extra 10 percent. Info: 800-426-5669, http:/
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· Budget and Avis have discounted one-way rates from airport locations throughout Florida, with drop-offs allowed at BWI, Reagan National, Washington Dulles and several other locations. Rates range from $12.95 per day for an economy car to $19.95 for a minivan. A two-day rental with taxes starts at about $43 (price is usually about $235 for the one-way trip). Deal is good April 9-June 15. Avis: 888-777-2847, http:/
· Book three nights at any of four hotels at California's Mammoth Mountain and get the fourth night free. Deal is valid through April 18. For example, four nights at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, usually about $784, starts at $627 (plus about $82 taxes). Info: 800-626-6684, http:/
SEA
· Book a cruise of seven nights or longer through American Express Travel and receive a voucher good for a five-night stay at either the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, or the Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort in Mazatlan, Mexico. Cruise must be valued at at least $1,100 per person double and must be booked with an American Express card by April 30. Value of deal varies: Rate at the Cabo San Lucas resort in May, for example, is about $218 a night double (plus $51 taxes and resort fees), and the Mazatlan property is $140 (plus about $28 taxes and resort fees). Guest must pay taxes and resort fees. Info: 866-378-6884, http:/
· Windjammer has half-price rates on several repositioning cruises this spring. Fare is $599 per person double for a six-night cruise on either the S.V. Mandalay or the S.V. Yankee Clipper, both sailing April 1 from Antigua to St. Lucia, or $699 on a St. Lucia-to-Grenada itinerary departing April 29. A 12-night Rum Race '07 cruise on either the S.V. Legacy or the S.V. Polynesia from St. Lucia to Aruba departing April 30 starts at $1,200 per person double. Book at 800-327-2600. Info: http:/
· Plan ahead for next year and get 15 percent cruise discounts and $95 airfare on an Amazon Adventure cruise with Discovery World Cruises departing April 3, 2008. The 11-night itinerary sails from Montego Bay, Jamaica, to Manaus, Brazil. Price starts at $2,890 (plus $326 taxes), including round-trip air from Washington; air would typically cost about $1,094. Info: 866-623-2689, http:/
AIR
· British Airways has extended its worldwide airfare sale; deadline to purchase is now March 22. Sale fare to Barcelona, for example, is $544 round trip ($682 with taxes) for travel March 26-May 27. Seven-day advance purchase is required. Pay $150 more each way to upgrade to World Traveller Plus; 21-day advance purchase required. Cheapest fares apply to Monday-Wednesday travel. Other airlines are matching in select markets. Info: 800-247-9297, http:/
· Southwest has launched a systemwide sale with fares from BWI starting at $49 each way for travel March 27-Aug. 24. Round-trip fare to Providence, R.I., for example, is $119 (including $21 taxes). Fourteen-day advance purchase is required; pay for tickets by March 22. Other airlines are matching in select markets. Buy at http:/
PACKAGES
· Air Jamaica Vacations and Mango Bay Resort in Barbados have a Best of Barbados package, including one free hotel night and a $200-per-person air credit. Price, which starts at about $1,306 per person double (including taxes), includes round-trip air on Air Jamaica from Baltimore, seven nights all-inclusive lodging at Mango Bay, transfers, tips and taxes. Cheapest rates apply to midweek travel. Priced separately, air would cost about $663 per person, and the hotel about $385 per night for two. Book by March 23 for travel May 1-July 15. Info: 800-568-3247, http:/
· Foreign Independent Tours has discounted its 13-night escorted tour to Egypt by $550. Price now starts at $2,024 per person double plus about $150 taxes for the May 10 departure. Package includes round-trip air from Washington to Cairo; five nights at the Sofitel Le Sphinx Hotel in Cairo; a four-night Nile River cruise with outside cabin and shore excursions; four nights at the Oriental Resort Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, including meals; flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo; several sightseeing tours; land transportation; and guide. Priced separately, air and hotels alone would cost $2,272 per person. Info: 800-248-3487, http:/
-- 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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