Five places to spend your tax refund

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
Accessible only by ferry via Hilton Head or Savannah, Daufuskie Island's pristine tranquility is a haven for the traveler seeking solitude. The tiny island boasts two championship golf courses, a world-class spa, tennis, horseback riding and fishing as the main activities. Tennis, riding and golf lessons are all available for the kids or for the whole family. The beaches are vast and unspoiled - you likely will not see another soul as you walk their length. You can explore the island's trails and wildlife by renting a golf cart or biking - no cars allowed.

There is only one hotel on the island, the Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa. We found weekend rates in June from $329 per night for a deluxe oceanfront room. Airfare to Savannah for the same dates (including tax) was $269 from New York, $270 from Boston, $269 from Baltimore and Washington D.C., all on AirTran. Total cost? About $1,500 for a three-night getaway.

London, Paris and Rome
Europe Bargains and Features
You read it right - that's London and Paris and Rome - yes, you can visit all three and stay (barely) within your budget. If you've never been to Europe, or are just a culture junkie, this trip is pretty much perfect. See all the hot spots - Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Vatican City and the Colosseum - all in one perfect trip.

Go-today.com is offering this 10-day vacation that includes airfare, transfers and hotel accommodations from $1179 per person for travel through May. You'll fly to London and return from Rome, so there's no back-tracking and wasting precious time. Two people, three cities, one vacation - all for $2,358.

Talk to other travelers about Europe on our   message boards.

Bermuda
So close and yet so expensive. Bermuda's reputation for being pricey is not unfounded, but every year around tax time the island famous for its pink-sand beaches goes on sale. Why should you go to Bermuda? Besides the famed sand, there are excellent golf courses, lots of shopping and local men walking around in those cute shorts. Not convinced yet? Think about this - you can be on Bermuda's beaches in no time - it's just a two-hour flight from the East Coast.

TNT Vacations is offering $49 each-way flights from Boston or New York to Bermuda when purchased in conjunction with a vacation package. Prices are from $449 per person including airfare, transfers to and from the airport and four nights at the Harmony Club. At that price, you won't even eat up half of your budget. If you would rather book your flight and hotel separately, keep in mind that JetBlue is starting service to Bermuda in May with fares from $129 each way from New York and $138 each way from connecting cities.

Talk to other travelers about Bermuda on our   message boards.

The Independent Traveler is an interactive traveler's exchange and comprehensive online travel guide for a community of travelers who enjoy the fun of planning their own trips and the adventure of independent travel. You can access our wealth of travel resources and great bargains here at www.independenttraveler.com, or at www.bargainbox.com.

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