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

Sunday, April 20, 2008

LAND

· The Tides, a waterfront resort in Zihuatanejo, on Mexico's Pacific Coast , has 30 percent discounts for stays from June 1-Oct. 31; rates vary by date. For example, in mid-June the discounted nightly rate is $231, a savings of $99. Taxes are $51 extra per night. The resort has 70 rooms and suites, a spa, three swimming pools and a 600-foot private beach. Booking deadline is April 30. Info: 866-905-9560, http://www.tideszihuatanejo.com. Request promo code PRI30.

· The Point Orlando Resort, a new condo-hotel, has introductory rates starting at $129 per night through May 31 (plus taxes of 12.5 percent and a daily resort fee of about $11). The family package rate, which includes continental breakfast, applies to a one-bedroom suite that sleeps four and includes a kitchen. Regular rates are $169 to $269, depending on date. The resort is less than two miles from Universal Orlando Resort. Info: 866-956-2015, http://www.thepoint-orlando.com.

· A Trio of Treasures package at lodges in Washington's Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest has been discounted for stays through June 13. Spend one night at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, one at the oceanfront Kalaloch Lodge and a third in the rain forest at Lake Quinault Lodge for $359 (plus $36 taxes). Priced separately, the deal would cost at least $421 plus taxes; deal does not apply May 23-25 or June 6-7. Info: 866-773-5057, http://www.visitwashingtonparks.com.

SEA

· Vacation while you learn how to sail with a Family Take the Boat Learning Vacation from Offshore Sailing School. The discount applies to three courses at any of three Florida locations from June through October. Price for the five-day Learn to Sail course starts at $4,615 plus $55 resort fee for a family of up to six (two adults and four children ages 7-17) at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. The price typically starts at $1,760 per person. Deal includes five days of sailing instruction and hotel room for five nights. Book by May 30. Info: 800-221-4326, http://www.offshoresailing.com.

· For travelers with flexible dates, Cruise West has a Stowaway Program that saves 25 percent off regular rates . Sixty days or more before you want to travel, make a $700 deposit for the cruise itinerary of your choice and designate a 30-day departure window. Cruise West will notify you 30 days in advance of your travel date. Savings varies by itinerary; for example, savings on an eight-night Alaska's Inside Passage Cruise, which usually starts at $4,449 (including $380 taxes and surcharges), is $1,017. Info: 888-851-8133, http://www.cruisewest.com/stowaway.

· Up to two children sail free on a crewed barge in France . France Cruises has the deal on select July and August itineraries. Prices vary. For example, a six-night cruise on the Caroline through the Midi Canal in southern France (breakfasts and lunches included) is $2,580 per adult double, and up to two children (ages 1-14) go free. Info: 866-498-3920, http://www.francecruises.com.

AIR

· Delta has discounted fares to Europe . The sale -- from New York's JFK to select destinations including Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin -- also affects fares from Washington. For example, round-trip fare from New York to Berlin is $492 (including $56 taxes); from Washington, the fare is $526 including $70 taxes (the fare on other airlines is at least $50 more). Depart by May 15 and complete travel by June 14; purchase by April 28. Seven-day advance purchase required. Book at http://www.delta.com, or pay $25 more by calling 800-241-4141.

· American has sale fares on its new service to Tampico, Mexico , near the Gulf of Mexico south of Texas. Round-trip fare from Dulles or National is $518 (plus $112 taxes). Travel outbound by June 13 and return no later than June 15. Other airlines are matching. The usual round-trip fare is $830. Purchase by April 30 at http://www.aa.com, or pay $15 more by calling 800-433-7300.

PACKAGES

· Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board is offering its Instant Savings Summer Deal for travel through Sept. 1. Book a four-night or longer vacation to Grand Bahama Island by June 30 and receive savings of $200 per reservation. Prices vary by travel dates and hotel property. For example, a four-night package in late June with round-trip air on American from BWI and lodging at downtown Freeport's Island Palm Resort Hotel recently was priced at $457 per person double (including taxes). Priced separately, the package would cost $251 more per couple. Info: 800-822-4262, http://www.grandbahamavacations.com. Request promo code GBSUMMER200.

· Save $600 per couple on Friendly Planet Travel's eight-night Taste of China tour. The price after the discount starts at $1,599 per person double (plus $120 taxes for two departures in November and December); a slightly higher price applies to departures in July, September and October. Deal includes round-trip air from Los Angeles to Beijing, with return from Shanghai; two flights within China; lodging; 12 meals; sightseeing with entrance fees; and tour guide. Priced separately, air alone would be $1,558. Book by April 25. Info: 800-555-5765, http://www.friendlyplanet.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.