What's the Deal?

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

LAND

· Hastings House Country House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, B.C., is offering an escape package good for travel through Nov. 20. For about $561 per person double, receive the silver-level package, which includes two nights' accommodations, floatplane transfers from the Vancouver airport, four-course dinner, picnic lunch, daily breakfasts and $100 spa credit. A gold-level package with private air charter from Vancouver and a bronze-level package with ferry transfers also have been discounted. Priced separately, lodging, air transfers and meals would cost about $648. Taxes are an extra $62 per person. Info: 800-661-9255, http://www.hastingshouse.com.

· Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Md., has a family retreat deal for Sunday-Thursday stays through Sept. 9. A deluxe waterview room with two double beds is $648 for two nights; usual rate would be $798. The package also includes daily breakfast for two ($40 value), a $50 credit toward resort activities and a $14 discount on greens fees. Rates vary by room style; two-night minimum stay is required. Taxes are an extra 12.5 percent, and the service fee is $12 per room per night. Info: 800-633-7313, http://www.chesapeakebay.hyatt.com.

· A five-night Family Fun in the Sun package is $2,059 at the 29-room Hotel Escencia, a beachfront property in Mexico's Riviera Maya. The deal, good through Sept. 30, includes accommodations for two in a garden suite with plunge pool, daily breakfast and round-trip airport transfers. Also, one child per couple stays free ($75 value). Priced separately, the package would cost about $2,670 for a family of three. Info: 877-528-3490, http://www.hotelesencia.com.

SEA

· Avalon Waterways is discounting air-inclusive 2008 river cruises booked by Sept. 30. For example, a 10-night Flavors of Burgundy and Provence package departing May 13 starts at $3,884 per person double after discount; the package includes air from Washington to Paris, with return from Nice, France; three nights' hotel; seven-night cruise; port charges; and airport transfers. Booking the airfare on your own would raise the package price to about $4,019 per person. Info: 877-380-1535, http://www.avalonwaterways.com.

· Children ages 8 to 17 sail and stay free with a deal from Offshore Sailing School. The package includes a five-day learn-to-sail course and accommodations at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Price, available through September, is $1,195 per adult; up to two kids staying in the room with adults are free. Resort fee is an extra $10 per room per night. Info: 800-221-4326, http://www.offshoresailing.com.

· EasyCruise is offering a new Classical Greece itinerary, with seven-night trips starting at $263 single or double in March for an interior cabin (other dates cost slightly more). The cruise aboard the 232-passenger easyCruiseOne travels round trip from Piraeus, near Athens, Oct. 21-April 13, stopping at a different port every day; cruise departs on Sundays. Food is not included. Book through a travel agent or online at http://www.easycruise.com.

AIR

· Southwest has launched a systemwide sale, with fares from $49 to $99 each way, for travel Aug. 16-Jan. 11. For example, fly nonstop from BWI to Providence, R.I., for $119 round trip, including taxes; nonstop service on other airlines starts at $264. Cheapest prices apply to Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights. Book by July 26 at http://www.southwest.com.

· United and American have launched sale fares to the Caribbean and Mexico for travel Sept. 4-Dec. 13. For example, fly to Cancun from Reagan National or Washington Dulles on either airline for about $279 round trip including taxes; other airlines are matching. For cheapest fares, travel Tuesday-Thursday; two-day minimum stay required. Purchase by July 17 at http://www.aa.com or http://www.united.com, or pay $10 more by calling American at 800-433-7300 or $15 more for United at 800-538-2929.

PACKAGES

· Cheapcaribbean.com is offering seven-night Best of Barbados packages for travel Sept. 1-Nov. 15. Deal applies to about 20 properties and includes a free seventh night. Prices before taxes range from about $449 per person double for a two-star hotel off the beach to $1,369 for a four-star all-inclusive. For example, a week at the three-star Allamanda Beach Hotel in September starts at $1,325 for two, including round-trip airfare from Washington, travel insurance, taxes and airport transfers; priced separately, the package would cost about $1,930 without travel insurance. Book by July 17. Info: 800-915-2322, http://www.cheapcaribbean.com.

· Spend six nights in Ireland starting at $499 per person double (plus $128 taxes). Sceptre Tours' Ireland Coast to Coast tour includes round-trip air from Washington Dulles to Dublin or Shannon, six nights at three hotels and rental car. Best prices apply to December-February travel, with Dec. 17-31 blackout dates. Book by July 18. Priced separately, the package would cost about $241 more. Info: 800-221-0924, http://www.sceptretours.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.