Warm winter vacations

THE winter is here and already the warm sunshine, balmy tradewinds and sparkling beaches of another snowbird travel season are beckoning.

No need to remain confined to the season's ice, sleet and snow. With some planning and determination, travelers can avoid the worst of winter weather with a sun-and-fun escape.

Whether its the fun of Walt Disney World, the pristine shores of the U.S. Virgin Islands or the rhythmic festivities of the Bahamas, nothing quite warms the body or refreshes the soul like a warm-weather winter vacation.

Keep in mind that a good vacation requires flexibility and planning. American, Delta, United and other major airlines usually offer special rates to some vacation destinations in January, but you have to make reservations early and shop around for the best available bargains.

A reputable travel agent is a prized asset in planning any winter vacations. Travelers can also cheek with Amtrak, Greyhound Bus Lines, hotels, charter groups, credit card companies and car rental firms for available discounts.

Cruises remain an attractive alternative, with packages ranging from $529 to $1,795, says Carolyn Banks, manager of Mahogany Travel Service Inc., in Chicago.

"Vacationing has never been easier or more affordable," Banks says. "When you add the costs of meals, air transportation, accommodations and entertainment, you'll find many travelers prefer the all-inclusive cruise package. There's never a dull moment." Vacationers looking for sun, fun and reasonable prices will find plenty of each in picturesque island destinations.

Bermuda, for example, has several vacation packages designed to bring frost-weary vacationers to the island's pink sandy beaches, temperate winds and warm hospitality. The "January to March 68 Degree Guarantee" vacation package includes round-trip airfare and four days and three nights accommodations at selected hotels beginning at $419. If the temperature doesn't reach 68 degrees during your stay, the participating hotel will deduct 20 percent from that nights room charges.

Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas attract visitors with an assortment of delights, ranging from spectacular underwater realm for scuba divers to the pulsating nightlife of glittering discotheques, nightclubs and casinos.

For those value-conscious travelers seeking the festive flair of powder-soft beaches, fine dining and the Caribbeans famed Straw Market, the Bahamas is another warm-weather destination offering reasonable fares along with the simple island pleasures. The Bahamas' new "Funway Holiday Funjet," for example, is a new air-inclusive charter package between Chicago and Nassau that offers three-, four- and seven-night packages starting at $349.95.

Jamaica is another Caribbean tourist jewel that offers value along with its lush tropical splendor. For example, the island's "Spring Break 93" program for students vacationing in Jamaica offers discounted rates at selected hotels, attractions, restaurants and nightclubs in Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The program, scheduled to start in March, also features reggae concerts and beach volleyball competitions.

The island also comes alive in April with its Jamaica Carnival 93, a week long pageant of calypso dancers, street parades, Soca parties and reggae bands.

The U.S. Virgin Islands also offers values to those vacationing visitors who want to "shop-til-they-drop." The province allows shoppers $1,200 of duty-free purchases, the largest allowance permitted by any Caribbean island.

However, good value in St. Thomas shopping districts aren't the only island attractions. The islands have some of the world's best beaches, and tennis, golf and water activities are everywhere. For those travelers who want a little more excitement to go with the islands' lush surroundings, the annual "Three Kings Day" carnival on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Carnival on the isle of St. Thomas provides a festive air and cultural entertainment in January.

Closer to home, visitors to Miami can enjoy many of the exotic, Caribbean like surroundings without leaving the country. Besides its famed beaches, Miami offers plenty of multi-cultural fun. The city's Little Haiti neighborhood, for

example, offers visitors samples of island cuisine and culture at the Caribbean Marketplace and more than two dozen other neighborhood shops.

Visitors to the state who want culture and history should consider Floridas annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Fla., located just outside of Orlando. The three-day music and cultural festival will be held in January.

Another Florida landmark, Walt Disney World, provides a package of action packed rides, exhibits and entertainment from one of the nation's best known theme parks.

To help visitors enjoy the various theme parks, Walt Disney World offers a new "Be Our Guest Pass" program, which offers unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park and other attractions to guests who use participating Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Guests, spending at least two days at the park, may purchase this new "length-of-stay" pass that offers savings on the repeated costs of daily admission to the park.

With all these exotic warm-weather destinations, there is no excuse to hold off from heading for the sun. An escape from the seasons cold and snow is more affordable than you might think.

COPYRIGHT 1993 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group