THE SPLURGE
St. Vincent for $2,972
The buy St. Vincent and the Grenadines boasts some of the most upscale island getaways in the Caribbean. Young Island Resort, on its own private island, has a special for those who want to splurge and still save.
The savings Couples who book the seven-night Lover's package pay for five nights. The Lover's package starts at $2,972 per couple and also includes three meals per day and a foot massage per couple.
The catch This special is valid for travel from Jan. 1 through March 31.
Why it's worth it Not only is the island private, couples have a beachfront or hillside cottage with an ocean view. One of the resort's features is the floating Coconut Bar, jutting three metres into the Caribbean in two metres of water. Water-sports enthusiasts can snorkel in crystal-clear waters right off the shore, embark on a sailing trip to the neighbouring Grenadine Islands, or book a dive excursion to explore St. Vincent's underwater world.
Book it For more information or bookings, contact Ralph Locke Islands at 1-800-223-1108 or visit www.youngisland.com . For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, visit www.discoversvg.com .
$4,091 for a Tahiti cruise
The buy The ship Paul Gauguin, which has recently been sold to new owners in Tahiti and will no longer be represented by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has several special offers this winter.
The savings Up to 50 per cent – plus on on select cruises, two-for-one round-trip airfare between Los Angeles and Papeete, an additional savings of up to $1,329 based on two people sharing a stateroom.
The catch You must reserve and deposit by Dec. 18 to save up to 50 per cent off standard fares for departures from January to March, 2010, and up to 45 per cent off departures from April to December, 2010.
Why it's worth it The 10-night cruise, priced from $4,091 for the March 27 departure, visits Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a as well as overnighting in Rangiroa, Bora Bora and Moorea. The ship is one of the highest-rated small luxury ships, according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
Book it Visit www.pgcruises.com or call 1-800-848-6172.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
A four-star Venezuelan experience
The buy The holidays are among the most expensive times of year to book a holiday in the sun. Nolitours is offering the 4-star Lagunamar Hotel Resort and Spa on Margarita Island, Venezuela, for $947 per person out of Toronto.
The savings $740 per person.
The catch It is only valid for flights Dec. 22 and 29, and taxes and surcharges are an additional $317.75.
Why it's worth it Margarita Island is a prime attraction for both Venezuelans and international visitors, offering plenty of water sports as well as Spanish colonial architecture and history.
Book it Through a travel agent. For more information, visit www.nolitours.com.
A week in Huatulco
The buy Signature Vacations is selling one-week, all-inclusive packages from Toronto to Las Brisas Huatulco in Mexico for $598.
The savings $810 off the regular price of $1,408.
The catch The price is available for the departures on Dec. 4 or 11, and taxes are an additional $272 per person.
Why it's worth it The 41/2-star, 484-room Las Brisas Huatulco sits on four beaches in an area where 69 per cent of the land has been designated a national wildlife preserve.Huatulco is Mexico's only Green Globe-certified destination, and claims to be the first sustainable tourist community in the American continent and the third in the world.
Book it Through a travel agent. For more information, visit www.signaturevacations.com.
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL
Puerto Vallarta for $898
The buy Transat Holidays is selling one-week, all-inclusive holidays out of Toronto at the 4-star Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta for $898.
The savings $1,230 per person.
The catch This is available on the Dec. 22 departure, and taxes and fees of $271.75 are not included.
Why it's worth it Christmas is an especially festive and colourful time in the old town of Puerto Vallarta with its hundreds of restaurants and art galleries.
Book it Through a travel agent. For more information, visit www.transatholidays.com.
Hawaii for $759
The buy Fun Sun Vacations is selling a week in Honolulu for $759, including air from Vancouver. Add-ons are available from other major Canadian gateways.
The savings $100 per person.
The catch Taxes are an additional $105 per person.
Why it's worth it The hotel is two blocks to Waikiki Beach and across the street from the International Market Place. The hotel also offers a number of free amenities, such as in-room high-speed Internet, in-room safe and calls under 15 minutes to Canada and the U.S.
Book it Through a travel agent. For more information, visit funsunvacations.com.
GET AWAY, STAY AWAY
28 days in the Cook Islands
The buy Toronto-based Goway Travel pioneered the long-haul Snowbird package in 1994. In addition to long-stay programs in Australia and New Zealand, the operator has a 28-day air-inclusive package to the Cook Islands from $3,079 per person, twin share.
The savings This package includes four free nights and free transfers, an approximate saving of $550 per person. Book by Nov. 24 and travel by Feb. 28 and be eligible for a $212 rebate per couple. Book by Nov. 24 and depart Jan. 3 or 10 and save $244 per person and be eligible for $212 rebate per couple.
The catch The Snowbird vacation is valid for departures until March 31. Taxes, fees and surcharges are additional and are about $318 per person.
Why it's worth it The package includes round-trip airfare from Vancouver with Air New Zealand, meet and greet upon arrival, round-trip airport transfers, 26 nights' accommodation at Palm Grove Rarotonga and a black pearl pendant valued at $388.
Book it For more information, visit www.goway.com.
TAKE A MONTH IN THE SOUTH OF PORTUGAL
The buy JM Vacations is offering a wide range of apartments in Portugal's southern region of Algarve during the winter months aimed at snowbirds.
The savings A four-week package in a one-bedroom apartment starts at $1,479 per person including return air from Toronto to Faro, hundreds less than the cost during the peak summer season.
The catch Not included are air taxes of $267 and a $100 supplement for a return flight March 10 through April 14 if your departure is from Jan. 19 through March 16.
Why it's worth it The weather is mild and perfect for golf and the resort isn't crowded at this time of the year. The package also includes airport transfer to and from the apartment or car rental for the first and last week of the stay.
Book it For more information, visit www.jmvacations.ca .
Special to The Globe and Mail
