Budget Travel's hot winter deals, money-saving tips

Deals
We’ve also rounded up great deals from the packagers whose deals we regularly feature. All prices are per person double occupancy:

USA
Hawaii (The Big Island) from $1,189

Roundtrip United Airlines flights from San Francisco, six-day Hertz car rental, and five nights in a garden view room at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort. Departure dates: December 18, 19, 20. Other gateways: Chicago (from $1,419), New York (from $1,599). Contact: Apple Vacations, applevacations.com.

Las Vegas from $229
Roundtrip JetBlue flights from Long Beach, Calif.; three nights at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, two buffet meals, two spa admissions, two free well drinks or beers at pub, $10 free play at casino. Other gateways: Sacramento, Dec. 16–18, from $326; D.C. Dulles, Dec. 16–18, from $402; New York, Dec. 16–18, from $520. Departure dates: Until Dec. 21. Note: Must book by Dec. 15. Contact: JetBlue Airways, 800/538-2583, jetblue.com.

Canada
Quebec City from $759
Roundtrip Air Canada or United Airlines flights from Atlanta, Boston, or New York and three nights at the downtown Delta Québec hotel. When: Until Apr. 30. Add from $100 on weekends during Winter Carnival (Feb. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16). Other gateways: Miami (from $768), Chicago (from $799), L.A. (from $857). SS: From $209. Contact: Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

Mexico
Cancún from $819
Roundtrip Delta flights from Atlanta and three, four, or seven nights at one of four all-inclusive hotels (Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres, Royal Solaris, Le Blanc Spa Resort, Temptation Resort & Spa). Departure dates: Dec. 24 (four nights or seven nights), Dec. 28 (three nights). Other gateways: add $80 for 11 southern gateways including Nashville, Jacksonville, and Montgomery; add $100 for 20 eastern gateways including D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Contact: Vacation Express, vacationexpress.com

Riviera Maya from $1,450
Roundtrip airfare from Dallas or Detroit and seven nights in a Jacuzzi junior suite at adult-only all-inclusive El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort. Departure dates by gateway: Dallas (Jan. 6); Detroit (Jan. 5, 6). Contact: funjet.com

Puerto Vallarta from $780
Roundtrip airfare from one of six gateways (below) and seven nights at the all-inclusive Hola Puerto Vallarta Club & Spa. Ocean view room and children under six stay free. Departure dates by gateways: Denver (Jan. 2, 3, 4); Detroit (Jan. 4); Kansas City (Jan. 6); Milwaukee (Jan. 5); Chicago O’Hare (Jan. 6); San Francisco (Jan. 3, 4, 5); St. Louis (Jan. 2). Note: Sale extends through January at the same price; February dates are available at $899.99 per person. Contact: funjet.com

Caribbean
Grand Bahama Island Promotion
Spirit Vacations (which is affiliated with Spirit Airlines) is running a promotion to Grand Bahama Island – buy one roundtrip ticket and your companion flies free. On top of that, if you use MasterCard to buy an air/hotel package at least two nights at one of six resorts on Grand Bahama Island you save $100 off your room charges; stay at least three nights and knock off $200. For example: roundtrip airfare on Spirit Airlines from Fort Lauderdale with transfers and five nights at the Pelican Bay Resort is $379. Departures: Dec. 15, 18, 19; Jan. 3, 4. Companion Flies Free program is only out Fort Lauderdale. Contact: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com. Note: FPOMC200 must be entered.

Jamaica from $900
Roundtrip airfare from D.C., Detroit, and St. Louis; and seven nights at the all-inclusive Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay. Up to three children under the age of 12 stay free with an adult. Departure dates by gateway: D.C. Dulles (Jan. 5), Detroit (Jan. 4), St. Louis (Jan. 4). Contact: funjet.com

Cable Beach Resorts in Nassau, Bahamas has a promotion: Guests who book at least a four-night stay get a $300 air credit valid for any airline used to fly to the Bahamas; a three-night stay gets a $200 air credit, and a two-night stay gets a $100 air credit. Departures: Until Dec. 28. Note: Book by Dec. 21. Contact: Cable Beach Resorts, 800/222-7466, cablebeachresorts.com.

Central America
Nicaragua from $900
Roundtrip airfare from Miami on American Airlines into Managua (other gateways & carriers available), seven all-inclusive nights at Barcelo Playa Montelimar in Playa Montelimar, airport transfers in Nicaragua. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Europe
Ireland from $599
Roundtrip airfare to Shannon from New York starting Jan. 1; six nights’ hotel accommodations (two nights in Clare, two nights in Cork, two nights in Dublin); car rental for the week with unlimited mileage. Contact: Look for “Best of Ireland” at dooleyvacations.com

London from $1,069
Air from New York to London, six nights’ hotel accommodations at the Caesar Hotel (in Queen’s Gardens, near Hyde Park), and breakfast daily. Departure dates: Daily Dec. 15–Jan. 6. Other gateways: Boston, Philadelphia ($1,089); Washington D.C. ($1,119); Atlanta ($1,179); Dallas ($1,249); Chicago ($1,189). SS From $400. Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Asia
Beijing from $1,168
Airfare from New York on Dec. 26, seven days’ hotel in Beijing, and more. Other gateways: 21 East Coast cities and Vancouver ($1,228). Contact: Pacific Delight Tours, Pacific Delight Tours, 800/221-7179, pacificdelighttours.com. Note: Must book by Dec. 20.

China tour from $1,899
All airfare (including roundtrip from Los Angeles to Beijing), local transportation, 10 nights’ accommodations in five-star hotels, meals, and tours. The tour goes to Beijing, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Departure date: Jan. 1. Other gateway: New York (direct flights from $1,999). Contact: Champion Holidays, 800/868-7658, china-discovery.com. Note: Mention the Today show and get an extra $100 off per person.

South Pacific
Tahiti and Moorea $1,999
Round-trip coach airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, one night in a mountain-view room at Sofitel Tahiti with breakfast, and five nights in a garden-view bungalow at Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, inter-island transport by ferry, all transfers, and breakfast and dinner daily. Departures: daily. Valid for stays until Mar. 31, 2008. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.

For more great travel tips and deals, visit Budget Travel magazine online.

 

More from TODAY 293 lbs. lighter, he’s ‘Biggest Loser’ of all time |   Images Stretch holiday dollars: Toys under $20 | More gift ideas Grandma who crashed into swamp still going strong Makeover! Nuclear power plant worker gets hot Animal tracks: Hungry chimp, swimming cow, more

MORE FROM TODAY HOLIDAY GUIDE

TODAY Holiday Guide Section Front

Party hard? Try the morning-after panini   Have a worry-free new year 15 affordable gifts for the holiday hostess 10 ways to save money in 2009 Entertaining? New Year’s snacks in a flash How to deal with a holiday debt hangover Indulge in a tasty tomato tart Got leftovers? Eat them for breakfast Hoda and Kathie Lee: Fave holiday recipes   Letters to Santa TODAY Holiday Guide Section Front   Add TODAY Holiday Guide headlines to your news reader: