Flying halfway around the world — to New Zealand, for instance — tends to be pricey, which is why a package from Travelscene caught our attention. The 11-day New Zealand and Fiji Getaway is priced from just $1,899 per person, double occupancy, a sum you could spend on air alone. The package includes round-trip air from Los Angeles, three nights’ lodging each in Auckland and Rotorua, transportation between the two cities and half-day tours in each. There’s also a stopover in Fiji, where you’ll spend two nights. The package is billed as 11 days, but as is common practice, days in transit are counted. The main downside to the package is that New Zealand is a wonderful destination and deserves much more time. That said, the price is quite good, and Auckland and Rotorua, which has many interesting geothermal features and good exposure to the Maori culture, both merit multiple days. You’ll want to do additional tours in both places, which will boost your cost, and you’ll have to book airfare to get to LA, of course. Info: 800-345-3504, http://tinyurl.com/z7krmmv
Foreigners are staying away
The recent Brexit vote in Britain to leave the European Union shook up the financial situation worldwide and resulted in the value of the British pound declining against the dollar. But even before that, foreign travel to the U.S. had declined, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Year-on-year growth in May, the most recent figures available, showed a continuing decrease in international inbound travel to the U.S. That’s at least partially attributable to the strength of the dollar — a factor that’s discouraging our Canadian neighbors from heading our way. Results from the Brexit vote are expected to show up in the figures that will be available in August, according to the association. Meanwhile, domestic travel continues to be the major factor driving the U.S. travel industry.
Middle East at low price
Go-Today.com has some very attractive prices on a destination that may not be on many travelers’ radar: Dubai. The package is priced from an amazingly cheap $999 per person, double occupancy, for round-trip air from New York or Chicago and six nights’ lodging. That’s for a mid-September departure. Other dates and departure cities are available, as well as upgraded hotels, and the only additional charge is city tax. You’re on your own as far as sightseeing, but with such a cheap package price, you could hire a guide and still have a very reasonably priced getaway to an exotic destination. Info: 800-227-3235, http://tinyurl.com/hbek8zr
Phil Marty is a freelance writer.
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