Asia, Africa and Middle East

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DEAL OF THE MONTH!
Never Been to Asia?
Escapes Unlimited's seven-night trip makes the most of a week in Southeast Asia, covering some of the region's highlights: a Singapore river cruise, street life (and food!) in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, and the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

• From $1,339
  Air from L.A. or San Francisco, transportation, seven nights' lodging, and more. Stay in Singapore; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Siem Reap, Cambodia. When: Until June 5. Other Gateways: Many. SS: $325. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

DEAL OF THE MONTH!
Believe It!
As the religious-travel trend grows, so do your itinerary options.

• Protestant England from $1,889
  An eight-night tour of Protestant cathedrals and colleges in London, Cambridge, Oxford, Canterbury, and more. The price covers local transportation, lodging, guided sightseeing, and most meals, but not airfare. When: May 24, July 26, Oct. 4 ($1,889); Sept. 6 ($1,919). SS: $451. Information: Globus Religious Vacations, 866/313-2855, globusfaith.com.
• Lourdes, France from $1,899
  Air from New York, transfers and local transportation (bus, plane), and a four-night escorted tour of Lourdes. When: Apr. 24, May 8, Oct. 23 ($1,899); May 15, 29, June 5, 12, 19 ($2,149). Other Gateways: Boston, Philadelphia (add $50); Atlanta, Chicago, Miami (add $200). SS: $399. Information: Classic Pilgrimages, 800/682-3377, classic-pilgrimages.com.
• China's Buddhist Caves from $1,980
  A seven-day escorted tour round trip from Beijing to the Buddhist cave retreats in the Wutai Mountains with transportation (plane, bus, train), lodging, meals, and more. International airfare isn't included. When: Aug. 14. SS: None. Information: Sacred Journeys, 718/268-3153, sacredjourneys.org.
• Christian Holy Land Tour from $2,155
  Air from New York and a 10-day escorted tour through Israel with eight nights' lodging, guides, and most meals. When: Apr. 8, May 6 ($2,155); May 20, 27, June 18 ($2,259); July 29 ($2,299). Other Gateways: None. SS: $415. Information: Pilgrim Tours, 800/322-0788, pilgrimtours.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Cape Town & Victoria Falls from $2,695
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Cape Town (via Johannesburg); six nights at the Protea Hotel Sea Point; an onward flight to Livingstone, Zambia; two nights at the Zambezi Sun hotel; a Cape Town tour; and a Victoria Falls cruise on the Zambezi River. When: Until May 31 ($2,695); June 1-Aug. 19 ($3,095). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston (add $195); Austin, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, San Antonio (add $225); L.A., Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Francisco (add $295). SS: $550. Information: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.

Morocco Tour from $2,099
Royal Air Maroc flights from New York to Casablanca and a nine-night escorted bus tour with hotel accommodations, entrance fees, and all breakfasts and dinners. Spend one night each in Rabat, Erfoud, Ouarzazate, Essaouira, and Casablanca, and two each in the cities of Fez and Marrakech. When: Apr. 5, 19, May 3, 17, June 14 ($2,599); May 31 ($2,099). Other Gateways: Philadelphia (add $170); Boston (add $195); Chicago, Miami (add $305); Las Vegas (add $400); L.A. (add $450). SS: $399. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Mozambique from $895
A two-week escorted tour round trip from Vilanculos with 13 nights' lodging, a four-day canoe trip down the Rio Guvuru, five days of volunteering in Vilanculos (e.g., working in orphanages or coaching soccer), a full-day sailing trip through the Bazaruto Archipelago, and most meals. This is a land-only price; airfare isn't included. When: Apr. 26, May 24, June 21. SS: Not available. Information: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Tunisia from $780
Seven nights in Hammamet at the beachfront Nahrawess Hotel & Spa Resort, two nights on desert safari, most meals, and six guided excursions to Tunis, Carthage, Kairouan, oases, and more. Airfare is not included. When: Tuesday departures Apr. 1-June 30 ($780). SS: $253. Information: Goway Travel, 800/387-8850, goway.com.

ASIA
Beijing & Shanghai Tour from $1,589
Air from L.A. to Beijing (returning from Shanghai), transfers and transportation (bus, plane), and a seven-night escorted tour of Beijing and Shanghai with a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, entrance fees, and most meals. When: May 19 ($1,589); June 9 ($1,679); June 30, July 21 ($1,739). Other Gateways: San Diego (add $54), San Francisco (add $146), Seattle (add $188), Houston (add $202), New York (add $234). SS: $313. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

China, Tibet & Yangtze Tour from $4,280
Air from L.A. to Beijing, transfers and local transportation (bus, plane, train), and a 17-day escorted tour through China (including Tibet) with 11 nights' lodging, a three-night Yangtze River cruise, an overnight train, and sightseeing. Add $275 a week for meals and expenses. When: Apr. 26, May 17, 31 ($4,280); June 7, 28 ($4,530). Other Gateways: New York (from $4,430), Miami (from $4,505). SS: $690. Information: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

Thailand, Singapore & Hong Kong Tour from $2,748
Cathay Pacific Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bangkok and a 16-day escorted tour to Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The itinerary includes transfers and local transportation, 13 nights' lodging (three each in Bangkok, Phuket, and Hong Kong, and two each in Singapore and on the River Kwai), guided sightseeing, most meals, and fuel surcharges. When: Apr. 16 ($2,848); Apr. 30, May 14, 28 ($2,748); June 11, 25, July 9, 23 ($3,048). Other Gateways: New York (add $100). SS: From $1,000. Information: Ritz Tours, 800/900-2446, ritztours.com.

Tokyo & Kyoto from $1,649
United or American Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo, transfers, a seven-day Japan Rail Pass, six nights' hotel accommodations split between Tokyo and Kyoto, and a half-day tour each in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. Add $380 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Apr. 1-24 ($1,649); Apr. 25-May 15 ($1,699); May 16-June 6 ($1,799); June 7-30 ($1,849). Other Gateways: Chicago, New York (add $200). SS: $394. Information: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.