THE BUY In conjunction with the Gay Games in Cologne this year, Rail Europe is offering special prices on the German Rail Twin Pass.
THE SAVINGS With the limited-time discount, a first-class German Twin Pass will cost $226 per person (it currently costs $282).
THE CATCH You have to book by July 30 for travel from July 24 to Aug. 23.
WHY IT'S WORTH IT The pass gives five days of unlimited consecutive or non-consecutive rail travel within one month on Germany's extensive rail network, which connects all major German cities. The pass also features free boat transportation on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, a 20-per-cent discount on the Europabus Romantic Road route as well as a 50-per-cent discount on Lake Constance boat journeys.
BOOK IT Visit www.raileurope.ca.
CRUISE IN A PENTHOUSE SUITE
THE BUY Crystal Cruises has put penthouses and verandah staterooms on sale on holiday Caribbean and fall Mexican Riviera cruises.
THE SAVINGS Either $1,000 (U.S.) or $500 per person for a Christmas/New Year cruise, U.S. Thanksgiving cruise and fall Mexican Riviera cruises on the line's two ships. In addition, there is a $500 shipboard credit.
THE CATCH You have to book by Sept. 30.
WHY IT'S WORTH IT Crystal is using a series of promotions to rebuild traffic after, what one of its executives called, a “brutal year”– prices are rarely this low on this upscale line. Staterooms with verandahs now sell for $2,858 ($2,730 U.S.) per person for one-week Mexican Riviera cruises out of Los Angeles in late November and early December while a 14-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami departing Dec. 21 sells for $9,257 ($8,840 U.S.) per person.
BOOK IT Call 1-800-446-6620 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.
THREE FREE FLIGHTS DOWN UNDER
THE BUY The Australian airline Qantas is offering the Aussie AirPass, a special low-season fare of $1,199 from Vancouver (plus $300 more from Toronto) for a return flight to Sydney plus three free domestic flights in Australia.
THE SAVINGS From $300 to $900 compared with similar promotions at other times of the year.
THE CATCH The fare is available July 24 to Sept. 21 during the Australian winter and is valid for flights to Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Tasmania. The Pass price increases marginally the farther you fly outside this zone. Surcharges are an additional $260 and taxes and fees $150 to $200 depending on the itinerary.
WHY IT'S WORTH IT Australia is a huge country and flying is the most convenient way to explore the diverse cities and landscape that varies from Outback to rain forest. Plus the Australian winter is nothing like ours.
BOOK IT Visit www.qantas.com.
YOUR MONSOON GETAWAY
THE BUY The beachfront Leela Kempinski Goa is offering a Monsoon Getaway package that works out to $135 per room per night for two persons including breakfast and transfers.
THE SAVINGS About $100 off the regular summer rack rate and more than 70-per-cent savings off the 2010/2011 winter rates which start at $635.
THE CATCH The package is available through Sept. 30 and there is a 15-per-cent surcharge for weekends and holidays.
WHY IT'S WORTH IT During the monsoon, it tends to rain in the afternoon – that cools things down so you can explore Goa's fascinating history and great beaches. A Portuguese colony until about 50 years ago, it features numerous festivals and a collection of 16th- and 17th-century colonial churches that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
BOOK IT E-mail central.reservations@theleela.com or visit www.theleela.com.
Special to The Globe and Mail
