[Travelandtourism] TRAVEL BARGAINS, CALL YOUR AGENT AND TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL

Sat Apr 14 11:23:50 UTC 2012

What’s the Deal? This week’s  best travel bargains around the globe.

Anthony Grote/ASSOCIATED PRESS - A  swimmer off North Island resort in the 
Seychelles.

By Carol Sottili and _Andrea Sachs_ 
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/andrea-sachs/2011/02/02/ABltABJ_page.html) , Published: April  13The Washington  
Post 

< 
What’s the Deal?  
This week’s best travel bargains around the globe
< 
Land  
● Book a BritRail Freedom of Scotland Travelpass by May 10 and receive a  
free day of rail travel around Scotland. Pay $225 for five days  (usually 
four) of travel within an eight-day period or $299 for nine days (vs.  eight) 
within 15 days. Standard-class only; taxes and shipping included. The  
hop-on, hop-off pass also includes the Caledonian MacBrayne and Strathclyde  
ferries and key bus links. Travel up to six months after booking. Info:  
866-938-RAIL (7245), _www.britrail.com_ (http://www.britrail.com/) . 
● Visit the Deep Creek Lake area of Western Maryland with a  deal from the 
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. Through May 16, stay  three nights for 
the price of two, plus receive one discounted  activity. Promotion applies to 
nine lodging companies, including hotels, inns  and vacation home rental 
companies. For example, a suite for two at the Waters  Run Guest House & Suite 
bed-and-breakfast inn is now $190 for three nights  (plus $15 taxes), a 
savings of $95. Discounted activity choices include a pass  to Smiley’s Fun 
Zone family entertainment center for $19.95, a savings of $13.  Info: 
301-387-4386, _www.visitdeepcreek.com_ (http://www.visitdeepcreek.com/) . 
Sea  
● Book a Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing between Mumbai and Safaga, 
Egypt,  by June 30, and receive free three-night pre- and post-cruise land  
tours. The 17-night cruise, departing Nov. 14, and a similar 16-night  itinerary 
departing April 18, 2013, include stops in Oman, Jordan and the United  Arab 
Emirates. The Pharaoh’s Treasures land tour in Egypt includes one night’s  
lodging in Cairo, two nights in Luxor, most meals and daily sightseeing, 
and the  Taj Mahal land tour in India includes one night in Jaipur, one night 
in Agra,  one night in Delhi, most meals and daily sightseeing; the two 
tours, priced  separately, would cost $3,398 per person double. Total cost, 
including cruise,  shore excursions, transfers, land tours, round-trip airfare 
from Washington,  tips, beverages and taxes, starts at $8,499 for the 
November departure and  $10,499 for the April departure. Info: 800-285-1835, 
_www.rssc.com_ (http://www.rssc.com/) . 
●Save 25 percent on Hurtigruten’s Classic Coastal voyages between Bergen 
and Kirkenes, Norway. Deal applies to more than 50  departures in August, 
September and early October on nine ships. Pricing varies  by date, itinerary 
and ship. For example, price for a six-night southbound  cruise aboard the 
M/S Kong Harald departing Oct. 3 starts at $1,028 per person  double (plus $40 
port charges) after discount. Deadline to book is May 31. Info:  
866-552-0371, _www.hurtigruten.us_ (http://www.hurtigruten.us/) . 
Air  
● JetBlue is offering a deal for those who fly often between Boston  and 
Washington. The Go Pack promotion offers 10 one-way flights for travel April 
23 through June 27 for $699 (taxes  are $7 extra per flight). The deal 
applies to flights between Boston Logan and  Reagan National, Washington Dulles or 
BWI Marshall. Flights can be booked  starting April 20 and up to 90 minutes 
before departure. A typical  advance-purchase one-way sale fare is about $7 
cheaper than the Go Pack rate,  but last-minute fares usually run more than 
$200 each way. Buy by April 17.  Info: _www.jetblue.com/gopack/bos-dc_ 
(http://www.jetblue.com/gopack/bos-dc) . 
Packages  
● Mauiva AirCruise, which specializes in exclusive packages, is launching 
the  new Sun and Fun Experience, a seven-day Caribbean hop via private  
plane. The deal costs $1,999 per person double and includes charter air  
transport from Orlando to a trio of destinations — Grand Bahama Island, Grand  
Cayman and Cancun — plus two nights at an all-inclusive resort on each island  
(for example, Grand Lucayan Bahamas). Special activities, such as a catamaran  
sail in Grand Cayman and Xplor ecological park in Cancun, are also 
included. Add  $162 customs fee, plus air from Washington to Orlando. Departures 
start Sept. 22  and run every other day. Maximum 30 guests. Booked separately, 
the trip would  cost more than $3,000. Info: 407-215-7204, 
_www.mauivaaircruise.com_ (http://www.mauivaaircruise.com/) . 
● Spend five nights in the Seychelles for less than  the price of airfare 
alone. The Ethiopian Airlines package starts at  $1,653 per person double and 
includes round-trip air from Washington Dulles to  Mahe Island, via Addis 
Ababa, Ethiopia; accommodations at the Augerine Hotel, on  the largest island 
in the Seychelles; breakfasts; and taxes. Book by April 30;  travel by May 
31 or Aug. 1 to Nov. 30. By comparison, fares typically start at  about 
$2,000 and the hotel charges from $216 a night. Info: 800-445-2733, 
_www.seeyouinethiopia.com_ (http://www.seeyouinethiopia.com/) .