Asia, Africa and Middle East

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Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

Travel solo for less Overseas Adventure Travel is now waiving the single supplement on more than 20 itineraries as long as you book by January 31 (800/873-5628, www.oattravel.com).

ASIA

China Tour from $1,199
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing and an 11-day tour round trip from Beijing with all meals. Spend three nights each in Beijing and Shanghai, one each in Jinan and Tai'an, and one on a train. Add from $415 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Dec. 2, 9; Jan. 3, 6, 13, 17, 24; Tuesdays Feb. 3–24. Other Gateways: L.A. (add $140), New York (add $200), Chicago (add $310). SS: $350. Information: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.

Hong Kong, Macau & Beijing from $1,299
Cathay Pacific Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hong Kong (returning from Beijing), transfers and local transportation, and three nights each in Hong Kong and Beijing. The itinerary includes a full-day tour of Macau. Add $385 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 9, Jan. 8–Mar. 15 ($1,299); Dec. 10–Jan. 7 ($1,899). Other Gateways: Seattle (add $150), New York (add $200), D.C. (add $300), Miami (add $400). SS: $400. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

South Korea from $1,289
United Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Seoul and five nights at the Itaewon Hotel, a 10-minute drive from downtown. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Dec. 5–23, Jan. 9–24 ($1,549); Dec. 24–Jan. 1, Jan. 25–Feb. 28 ($1,289); Jan. 2–8 ($1,439). Other Gateways: Denver (add $50); New York (add $90); Atlanta, Boston (add from $140). SS: $279. Information: United Vacations, 888/288-7170, unitedvacations.com.

Tokyo & Kyoto from $1,599
Japan Airlines or Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo, transfers and bullet train transportation, five nights in Tokyo, and two nights in Kyoto. Add from $350 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Dec. 1–Jan. 4 ($1,949); Jan. 5–Mar. 31 ($1,599). Other Gateways: Chicago, New York (add $150); Denver (add $180). SS: $680. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Vietnam from $1,600
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hanoi (via Singapore, returning from Ho Chi Minh City), transfers and local transportation, and eight nights' hotel. Spend two nights each in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, three in Hoi An, and one on Halong Bay. Add $460 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 5, Jan. 1–31 ($1,600); Dec. 6–12, 24–31 ($1,900). Other Gateways: Denver (add $200); Chicago, New York (add $350). SS: From $250. Information: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Sunshine and Souks
In less time than it takes to fly from New York City to Hawaii, you can reach the beach town of Agadir, on the southwestern coast of Morocco, where the sun shines about 300 days a year and the average monthly high in January reaches 74 degrees.

Agadir, Morocco from $1,699
Air from New York and six nights' hotel. When: Thursdays Dec. 4 ($1,699); Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Jan. 29–Feb. 12 ($1,999); Dec. 18 ($2,299); Jan. 1 ($2,199); Jan. 8, Feb. 19, 26 ($2,099); Jan. 22 ($1,799). Other Gateways: Many. SS: $499. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

This Month's Reader Report
Hanging With the Masai
"40 Best Deals lets me and my husband see the world at prices we can manage," says Patti Baker of Huntington Beach, Calif. "We visited a Masai village while on a trip to Kenya and Egypt through Foreign Independent Tours. Traveling helps us appreciate what we have." FIT's 17-day tour with air starts at $3,999 (800/248-3487, fittours.com).

Dubai from $1,889
Emirates Airline flights from New York, transfers, three nights at the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai hotel, a guided city tour, and breakfast daily. Add $145 for a half-day desert safari, a dinner cruise on Dubai Creek, and a tour of Burj Al Arab, the sailboat-shaped hotel. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Feb. 13, Mar. 27 ($1,989); Apr. 17 ($1,939); May 22 ($1,889). Other Gateways: None. SS: $330. Information: Friendly Planet Travel, 800/555-5765, friendlyplanet.com.

South Africa from $1,999
South African Airways flights from D.C. or New York to Cape Town, transfers, four nights in Cape Town, one night on safari each in Thornybush Private Game Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, and four game drives. Add $601 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Dec. 1–15 ($1,999); Jan. 1–Feb. 28 ($3,199). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $50), San Francisco (add $150). SS: From $590. Information: SAA Vacations, 888/722-4872, flysaavacations.com.