Sherman's Travel

Fly to Australia this February through May, and count on a three-night complimentary stopover in Tahiti with luxe accommodations included. This is how we see it: You’re preparing for a killer flight halfway around the world to your dream down-under destination (ahem, Auckland or Sydney), so how clutch is a free touchdown in South Pacific paradise along the way? Travelers can pick between the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti, a contemporary beachfront resort with innovative dining and prime access to Tahiti’s most famous black-sand beach, or the Sofitel Maeva Beach Resort, a two-year-old all-suite resort with a happening lounge (upgrades are also available for an overwater bungalow at Le Meridien Tahiti for $275 per person for all three nights). Round-trip Air Tahiti Nui flights to Auckland or Sydney from LAX start at $1,118 which represents over 30 percent in savings, minding the Tahiti stopover. This offer must be booked by November 6 for travel January 30 to May 31. Visit www.airtahitinui-usa.com for more details or call 877/824-4846 to book.

For general trip-planning info, see our Australia and Pacific Travel Guide.

Destination weddings are great – an intimate group of family and friends in an idyllic location. Many hotels and resorts will even organize the whole thing for you, and throw in a bunch of perks for guests and the happy couple to boot. But guests must still foot the cost of flights to the location, which may discourage some from making it to your big day.

Luckily Cayman Airways is there to help you out. With an ongoing promotion, the airline is offering special rates for wedding parties: The bride and groom, plus groups of nine or less, can score round-trip airfare for $230 from Miami, $250 from Tampa, and $260 from New York. Where you’ll really find the most value, however, is for a group of 10 or more – pay just $199 from Miami, $211 from Tampa, and $231 from New York.

Read more

The March earthquake and tsunami decimated tourism to Japan, and officials are eager to remind potential visitors that the country is safe and open for business. Head off to Tokyo next month with a jaw-dropping four-night package – including hotel, airfare, plus all taxes and fees – for only $780. Departures are available every Wednesday and Thursday in June from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles (plus June 14), San Francisco, and Honolulu, as well as June 2 from Newark. For each booking, $50 will be donated to the Consulate-General of Japan for continued relief efforts. Book by 5pm EST on May 31.

THE VALUE: Airfare alone to Tokyo from L.A. costs close to $1,000, and East Coast fares run around $1,400 – with this deal, you’ll save $200 or more on airfare AND get a four-night hotel stay.

THE CATCH: Airlines and hotels (one of which is at Haneda airport, 30 minutes outside Tokyo) are determined by the travel agency based on availability. Stays cannot be extended beyond the four nights. The package is non-refundable.

THE DETAILS: Find the details of the package here.

Book through one of the following travel agencies:

• IACE Travel – 877-489-4223, 212-972-3200
• Nippon Travel Agency America Inc. – 800-682-7872
• JTB USA – 800-222-5824, 800-305-5824, 877-798-9808
• ANA Sales Americas – 800-826-0995
• Amnet – 212-247-1900
• Kintetsu International – 800-422-3481

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more.

For general trip-planning information, see our Tokyo Travel Guide.