Package Tour Possibilities

For lots of destinations, package tours can be a smart way to go. In many cases, a package tour that includes airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from the airport costs less than the hotel alone on a tour you book yourself. That’s because packages are sold in bulk to tour operators, who resell them to the public. It’s kind of like buying your vacation at a buy-in-bulk store — except the tour operator is the one who buys the 1,000-count box of garbage bags and resells them ten at a time at a cost that undercuts the local supermarket.

Comparing packages

When dealing with packagers, keep in mind that differences exist among the available options — differences that may significantly affect your travel experience. Set side by side, one combo may top another in any of the following ways:

- Better class of hotels.

- Same hotels for lower prices.

- Accommodations and travel days (days of departure and return) may be limited or flexible.

- Escorted and independent packages available — not one or the other only.

- Option to add on just a few excursions or escorted daytrips (also at discounted prices) without booking an entirely escorted tour. Some packagers specialize in overpriced, international chain hotels. Spending time shopping around can yield rewards; don’t hesitate to compare deals and details before you fork over your funds.

Hunting down the deals

You can find a tour package on your own. In fact, the information is right under your nose: Start by looking for packagers’ advertisements in the travel section of your local Sunday paper. Also check national travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Conde Nast Traveler. Reputable packagers include these standouts:

- Go-Today.com (425-487-9632; www.go-today.com)

- OffPeakTraveler.com (www.offpeaktraveler.com)

- Euro Vacations (877-471-3876; www.eurovacations.com)

- American Express Vacations (800-346-3607; www.american express.com/travel)

- Liberty Travel (888-271-1584; www.libertytravel.com) Airlines themselves often package their flights together with accommodations. When you check out the airline choices, look for one that offers both frequent service to your airport and frequent-flier miles. The following airlines offer tour packages:

- American Airlines Vacations (800-321-2121; http://aav6. aavacations.com)

- Continental Airlines Vacations (888-898-9255; www.cool vacations.com)

- Delta Vacations (800-872-7786; www.deltavacations.com)

- Northwest Airlines World Vacations (800-800-1504; www. nwaworldvacations.com)

- United Vacations (888-854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com)

- US Airways Vacations (800-455-0123; www.usairways vacations.com)

Most European airlines offer competitive packages as well (see the appendix for their Web sites and toll-free numbers).

Several big online travel agencies — Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminute.com — also do a brisk business in packages. If you’re unsure about the pedigree of a smaller packager, check with the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is based, or go online to www.bbb.org. If a packager won’t tell you where it’s based, don’t book with them.

The biggest hotel chains and resorts also offer packages. If you already know where you want to stay, call the hotel or resort and ask about land/air packages.