By K.C. Summers and Carol Sottili
Philadelphia Inquirer
Here are travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea, and air. Deals sell out quickly and are not guaranteed to be available. Restrictions such as day of travel, blackout dates, and advance-purchase requirements may apply.
Land
Seven Hilton Worldwide properties in Puerto Rico are offering a fourth night free and other extras for stays through April 30. For example, a four-night stay in an ocean-view room at Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton starts at $910 after the fourth night is rebated at checkout. (It usually starts at $1,213.) Other extras at Condado Lagoon Villas include free meals for children younger than 5, a 50 percent discount on lunches and dinners for children 5 through 12, and a 20 percent discount on spa treatments and select restaurants. Other properties participating in the Puerto Rico Sparkles promo include the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, and three Waldorf Astoria resorts. Book by Jan. 31. Info: 1-888-564-1307, www.puertoricogetaways.com.
The newly renovated Occidental Grand Punta Cana, an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, has nightly winter rates starting at $97 per person double, a 30 percent discount from regular rates. Price includes unlimited meals and drinks; a fitness center; a supervised Kids Club; nightly entertainment; sports such as windsurfing and kayaking; and all taxes and tips. Total cost for two people staying seven nights is $1,376, including taxes and fees. Stay through April 23. Info:
1-800-858-2258, www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/PuntaCana.asp.
The Marrakech Hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side is offering discounts of up to 20 percent. Stay two or three nights and get a 10 percent discount; stay four nights and receive 15 percent off; stay five nights for 20 percent off. For example, a five-night stay for two in early February is $490, including $78 taxes and fees, a savings of $103. Rates usually start at $99 a night. Book by March 15; stay through March 31. Info: 212-222-2954, www.marrakechhotelnyc.com. Request code WINTER10.
Book a room at Northern California's Napa River Inn and get a dining credit of $100 per room per night, good at four restaurants within walking distance of the property. Rates start at $249 per night double, plus $35 tax, and include breakfast delivered to your room. Stay through March 31; two-night minimum on Saturdays. Info: 1-877-251-8500,
www.napariverinn.com.
Sea
Save 10 percent on the March 12, April 23, and June 4 departures of a 14-day cruise to the French Polynesian Marquesas Islands aboard the Aranui 3, a passenger/cargo vessel. The 200-passenger ship travels round trip from Papeete, Tahiti, stopping at eight islands. Rates, and associated savings, vary by cabin type. After the discount, a standard cabin, for example, costs $3,593 per person double, including port charges and taxes, a savings of $367. Info: 1-800-972-7268, www.aranui.com.
Book a select 2011 Variety Cruise sailing out of Athens and receive free transfers and two hotel nights with breakfasts. Prices vary by cabin, itinerary, and dates. For example, an April 8 departure of the Jewels of the Cyclades itinerary, which visits several Greek islands, starts at $1,700 per person double, plus $210 port charges. The value of hotel stay with breakfast is about $698, and transfers typically cost $253 per couple. Book by Feb. 1. Info: 1-866-944-8498, www.varietycruises.com.
Avalon Waterways is offering discounts of $400 per couple on its 2011 European river cruises booked without air. For example, the four-day Taste of the Danube cruise from Vienna to Budapest - available in May, June, August, and October - starts at $1,498 with the discount, down from $1,898. Add $84 per couple in fees and taxes. Book by March 1 for travel through Dec. 31. Info: 1-877-797-8791,
www.avalonwaterways.com .
With Holland America's View & Verandah sale, get up to 50 percent off outside and balcony cabins on select sailings, plus free or reduced fares for third and fourth passengers. Destinations include Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. For example, on the seven-day Alaskan Explorer, which sails round trip from Seattle on May 15, ocean-view cabins start at $749 per person double, 40 percent off the regular rate. Add $123 per person in taxes. Book by Feb. 28. Info: 1-877-932-4259,
www.hollandamerica.com.
Air
Air Jamaica has a sale on nonstop flights to Jamaica, with one-way fares starting at $99. From Philadelphia, one-way fares to Montego Bay are $164, not including taxes; round-trip fare, including all taxes, comes to $428. Book by Feb. 28; travel through April 30. Other airlines are matching. Info: 1-800-523-5585, www.airjamaica.com.
Packages
Air Tahiti Nui is offering discounted Romantic Escapes packages to Tahiti starting at $1,299 per person double, a 30 percent savings from normal rates. Packages vary depending on hotel choice, but all include round-trip air from Los Angeles to Tahiti and a five-night stay. The most affordable package is the Tahiti Sampler, staying at the Manava Suite Resort Tahiti with daily breakfast or an ocean-view Jacuzzi room at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti. Add about $150 per person in fees and taxes, and round-trip air from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, starting at about $350 per person. Book by April 15; travel through May 31 and Nov. 1-Dec. 14. Info: 1-800-217-3300, www.airtahitinui-usa.com.
In honor of the United Kingdom's coming royal nuptials, Gate 1 Travel is offering special deals on many of its London vacation packages. For example, the 6-Day London Vacation starts at $1,136 per person double, including all taxes, round-trip air from Philadelphia, four nights' accommodations, and daily breakfasts. Prices vary depending on date of travel; cheapest are Oct. 19 and 26. Purchased separately, air would run $600 to $1,200, depending on dates, and hotels from about $500. Travel April through October.
Info: 1-800-682-3333,
www.gate1travel.com.
www.philly.com/philly/travel/20110123_Savings__from_Puerto_Rico_to_Polynesia.html