Looking ahead to the holidays
With summer winding down and the lovely days of fall to follow, it may seem a little early to think about the holidays. But if you like to hit the road as the year wraps up, it’s not too early to start planning. And if you can do it inexpensively, what’s not to like? We’ve sniffed out budget travel ideas for trips, both domestic and foreign and ranging from cruises to ski getaways. We limited starting travel dates to Dec. 1-Jan. 15, and we set some price limits. For land-only packages or cruises, the per-person cost had to average no more than $125 per night, including any taxes and fees. In some cases you may incur additional expenses getting to and from departure points. For packages that include air, the perperson cost had to average no more than $225 a night, including any taxes and fees.
Read on to find your budget holiday getaway. Unless noted, all prices are per person double occupancy.
Cruises
Holland America Line, Eastern Caribbean: This six-night itinerary departs Dec. 6 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and is priced from $649 for an oceanview cabin. tinyurl.com/ q5pxzym Royal Caribbean International, Southern Caribbean (from OnlineVacationCenter): Departing Dec. 13 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, this sevennight cruise is priced from $1,049 for a veranda cabin, including air from Fort Lauderdale; add $200 from New York, $250 from Baltimore, $300 from Boston or Chicago. tinyurl.com/ q84huqz Carnival Cruise Line, Western Caribbean: Miami is the starting point for this six-night cruise that departs Dec. 13. Inside cabins are priced from $487. tinyurl.com/ qcwznwz
Foreign tours
Amazing Thailand (SmarTours): Eleven nights, departing Jan. 6, for $2,399 (discounts for booking by Sept. 17), including air from Los Angeles, tours and internal flight. www.smartours.com/ tour/amazing-thailand China Sampler (SmarTours): This eight-night itinerary departs Dec. 1 from San Francisco. It’s priced at $1,799, which covers air, three nights each in Beijing and Shanghai and two nights in Xian, tours and internal flights. www.smartours.com/ tour/china-sampler Timeless Beijing (World Spree): You can pick Dec. 6 or Jan. 10 departure dates for this trip and fly from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Priced at $888, it includes the air, six nights’ lodging in Beijing and tours. New York departures are $968. tinyurl.com/qye2nhe A Tale of China’s Two Great Cities, Beijing & Shanghai (World Spree): Fly from San Francisco or Los Angeles on Jan. 8 and spend three nights in Beijing and four in Shanghai. The $999 price covers international and internal flights, as well as lodging and a variety of tours. Depart from New York for $1,079. tinyurl .com/pygj6ux The Middle Kingdom — China (World Spree): This 10-night package is priced at $1,599 and spends three nights each in Beijing and Shanghai, two nights in Xian and one each in Hangzhou and Suzhou. You can fly from San Francisco or Los Angeles and depart Dec. 9 or Jan. 6 or 13. International and internal flights are covered, as well as lodging, tours and most meals. Add $100 from New York. tinyurl.com/q95zcj8 Incredible India (World Spree): Depart from San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York on Dec. 6 or 8 for $1,799. That covers air and internal transportation, two nights each in Delhi, Agra and Ranthambore National Park and three nights in Jaipur, plus tours and some meals. tinyurl.com/ ndpzmcg Ultimate Cambodian Adventure (G Adventures): This 13-night trip starts Jan. 2 or 9 in Bangkok and is priced at $1,399. That includes lodging, an internal flight, some meals, a guide throughout and visits to such highlights as Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and the infamous killing fields. International air not included. tinyurl .com/p5br4af Absolute Turkey — Winter (G Adventures): Istanbul is the beginning and end point for this 14-night itinerary that starts Dec. 19 or 26. For $1,749 you get lodging, some meals and a guide. Highlights include Istanbul and Ankara, the ancient cities of Pamukkale, Ephesus and Troy, and the war cemeteries at Gallipoli. International air is extra. tiny url.com/pjbvof4 Inland & Amazon, Ecuador (G Adventures): Starts Dec. 5 or 19 or Jan. 2 in Quito, then spends 15 nights exploring from the heights of the Andes to the heat of the Amazon. The $1,599 price is land only and covers lodging, some meals, and internal flight and guide services. tiny url.com/pp6usvg Family Affair in Adare — Ireland (Sceptre Tours): Fly from New York on Dec. 31 and spend six nights at Adare Manor for $961 quad occupancy. Air and lodging are in- cluded, as well as a rental car. tinyurl.com/qg7dl59
North America tours
New Orleans Holiday Express (Vacations by Rail): Travel overnight on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans from Chicago, then spend three nights in the Big Easy for $498. tiny url.com/phluv5w Montreal & Quebec City Holiday (Vacations by Rail): For $620 you can get your French fix by spending two nights in Montreal, then travel by VIA Rail to Quebec City for three nights. tinyurl.com/ osq3k8k Manatee Tour and Breakfast Package: For $125, spend one night at Florida’s Plantation on Crystal River and also get an adventure tour to swim with manatees in the wild. tinyurl.com/pb4kjuk Christmas in Lamar (Yellowstone Association): A four-day outing exploring the wildlife and wonders of Yellowstone National Park from the association’s Lamar Buffalo Ranch, including a Christmas Day potluck. The $390 tuition does not include lodging. tinyurl.com/ q75uyfd
Ski holidays
Ski Salt Lake Super Pass (Utah Travel Connec- tion): One pass gets four Utah ski areas: Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird. Two- to 10-day passes range from $154 to $680 per adult, $80 to $355 for kids. tinyurl.com/payhs79 Kids Ski Free (Aspen/ Snowmass): For kids 7-12, rent their gear from Four Mountain Sports at Aspen/ Snowmass in Colorado and get their lift tickets free. Must book by Dec. 1. tiny url.com/nbptohx
Lodging
Generator: Hostels in Barcelona, Spain; Berlin; Copenhagen; Dublin; Hamburg; London; Paris; and Rome and Venice, Italy, have shared-room rates as low as $16 per night or individual rooms from $75. www.generatorhostels .com/en Brave the Storm Package: Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park in Washington offers midweek rates from $114 per room for a chance to view the storms that pound the Pacific coast. tinyurl.com/ qg2nkse Family Winter Carnival — Ohio: Maumee Bay State Park Lodge has rooms Dec. 27-30 from $126 per night plus tax, with activities for the kids plus an indoor pool, wallyball courts, game room and fitness center. tinyurl.com/ocgeplh Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.