Latest travel deals

St. Martin

By Carol Sottili | The Washington Post

March 11, 2008

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The stores may be carrying spring gear, but that doesn¹t mean winter is over. What better way to jumpstart your summer than taking a trip to the Caribbean. Packages are available for less than $600 (the price is well worth getting a head start on your tan).

Air and hotel
JetBlue Getaways is offering a sale on four-night packages to the Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino on St. Maarten. The package starts at $595 per person double and includes round-trip airfare from JFK to the Caribbean island and lodging. Travel April 1-June 30; book by March 31. Info: 800-538-2583, www.jetblue.com.

Car

The best way to see the island of St. Maarten is via automobile. Though the island is small in size only 37 square miles the mountainous terrain allows room for several towns and villages. If you can handle listening to a one-hour sales pitch, you can rent a car for free for one week between April 28th and December 15th. For more information, freestmaarten.com.

Casanova Hotel in Barcelona is offering introductory rates of $190 a night (plus 7 percent taxes) through March, a savings of at least $120. The deal includes buffet breakfast. Some dates are sold out. Book by calling 866-849-6396. Hotel info: www.rafaelhoteles.com.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is offering savings on hotel stays for travel April 1-Dec. 15. Deal is good on three-night stays at any of 19 hotels and resorts on Grand Bahama Island, Nassau or Paradise Island. For example, all-inclusive rates at the Paradise Island Harbour Resort start at $348 a night per couple (including taxes), a savings of $145. Book by March 31. Info: 800-224-2627, www.bahamas.com/escape.

Pay for two nights at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, an upscale Auberge property in Bluffton, S.C., and receive a third night free. Price for a lagoon-view cottage is $750 a night double (plus $108 taxes and fees). After discount, a three-night stay with taxes and fees is $1,745. Valid through March. Info: 866-706-6565, www.palmettobluffresort.com.

Crystal Cruises has discounted its 13-night Follow the Sun cruise aboard the Crystal Symphony from Miami to Los Angeles. The cruise, which departs Nov. 10, now starts at $2,995 per person double, plus $345 port charges and $7 fuel surcharge per person per day. Brochure rate was $5,990. Info: 888-722-0021, www.crystalcruises.com.

Save $1,000 per couple on Value World Tours' Four Country Adriatic Sea cruise. Discount applies to three departures in May. The package includes a seven-night cruise along the Dalmatian Coast; two nights' hotel in Ljubljana, Slovenia; and transfers from Ljubljana to the cruise departure port in Koper, Slovenia. Price after discount starts at $1,399 per person double, plus $162 port charges. Info: 800-795-1633, www.valuecruises.net.

American is offering sale fares to Tokyo for a two-week period. Fare is $769 round trip (plus $89 taxes) from JFK. Depart April 25-May 1 and return May 2-8; book by March 14. Four-day minimum stay required. Other airlines are matching, but fare typically starts at $749. Purchase at www.aa.com or pay $15 more by calling 800-433-7300. Deals subject to change