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This week's travel deals

12:08 PM EDT, June 30, 2008

Go ahead -- leave the country. With gas prices at home so high, you might as well get on a plane and head for the shores of Asia, Egypt -- even France. Get a great deal on a cruise in Vietnam or a stay in Cairo. Whatever you choose, here are great deals that will give you a chance to see the exotic up close. If, on the other hand, you'd rather see America first, we have some great deals in Florida, too.

RITZ TOURS is offering a six-night Bangkok & Phuket tour in Thailand for $1,761 per person double (plus $80 taxes) for travel Aug. 16 through Oct. 31. Trip includes round-trip airfare from New York to Bangkok; round-trip flight between Bangkok and Phuket; six nights' lodging; and several sightseeing tours. Priced separately, airfare alone would cost $1,729. Info: 800-900-2446, www.ritztours.com.

Foreign Independent Tours has a Nubian Jewel tour to Egypt for $1,799 per person double, with departures on Sept. 3 and 10. Tour includes round-trip air from New York to Cairo; three nights at the Sofitel Sphinx Hotel in Cairo; three-night cruise on Lake Nasser; land transportation; 13 meals; taxes; and guided sightseeing with entrance fees. Priced separately, air, hotel and cruise alone would cost $2,005. Info: 800-248-3487, www.fittours.com.

Value World Tours is offering a $1,000 per-couple discount on its Mekong River cruise package. The trip, which departs Dec. 1, includes hotel for one night in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; a nine-night cruise from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with shore excursions; and three nights' hotel in Siem Reap. Starting price is now $2,199 per person double, plus $220 port charges and fuel surcharge. Info: 800-795-1633, www.valuecruises.net.

France Cruises has two-for-one specials on 12 departures in July and August. For example, a seven-night cruise aboard the 20-passenger Litote through Burgundy, France, now starts at $1,060 per person double after discount. Info: 866-498-3920, www.francecruises.com/specials.html.

Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, has a deal for single parents. For July and August, the all-inclusive resort is waiving the $209-per-adult double-occupancy requirement. A single adult pays the $209 a night, and children ages 2-12 sharing the cabin each pay $95 a night (babies are free); taxes are included. Info: 800-223-6961, www.smallhope.com.

MORE GREAT DEALS

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on the Gulf of Mexico in St. Pete Beach, Florida, is offering a three-night Barrel of Fun package for midweek stays. Deal includes a 30 percent discount, plus a credit equal to the price of a barrel of crude oil on the day of checkout. For a family of four (children ages 4-17), price starts at about $667 before oil discount, which varies. (Recent price was $137 a barrel.) Promo is good through Aug. 28. Book by calling 866-587-8538. Resort info: www.tradewindsresort.com.

Stay at any Hilton-owned property, including Hampton Inn, Doubletree or Embassy Suites, by Aug. 31 and receive one free ticket to a Live Nation concert. Deal extends to lawn tickets at select concerts at any of Live Nation's 32 amphitheaters. Value varies. Register at www.hiltonhhonors.com/rockandrollsummer.

FLORIDA FOR LESS

Who doesn't want to go to Florida? American Airlines has great sale fares, whether it's the theme parks of Orlando you're looking for or the shores of Tampa Bay. The deal gets you from the Big Apple to Orlando or Tampa, witrh fares starting at $99 each way. Note: Fares are each way based on a round-trip purchase valid for travel Tuesday and Wednesday through November 5. Tickets must be purchased at least 10 days prior to departure or within 1 day of making reservations. -- amNewYork staff