The Drakensberg Mountains, or uKhahlamba (Barrier or Spears) in Zulu, is a place of profound practical and symbolic importance to South Africa. It is the central watershed that gives rise to the three iconic rivers of the Vaal, the Tugela and the Orange; it is the physical landmark that split the Bantu Migration into the Nguni and Basuto subgroups; and it was the parameter of settlement between Briton an Boer during the tense years leading up to the great Anglo/Boer War. Besides that it was the last fortress of the San, or Bushman people in the central region, who were ultimately pushed to the fringes of viable existence both by white and black expansion, and who left in their wake a sweeping legacy of cave art, not just in the Drakensberg, but throughout the region. Currently the highlands make up most of the independent state of Lesotho, with just the leading approaches of the escarpment falling into the territory of the South African provinces of Mpumalanga and Kwazulu/Natal. (more…)

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In addition to its Caribbean and Mexico sale, USA3000 is also offering Florida sale fares from $64 one-way and $128 round-trip. Cities include Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, and Sarasota.

USA3000′s everyday prices topped its sale fares for each of the six routes I checked, and AirTran and Northwest also offered lower prices for travel between Philadelphia and Ft. Lauderdale. Skip this deal and compare USA3000′s regular prices with those from other airlines. Hint: check the “Flexible Traveler” box in USA3000′s booking form to find the cheapest fares by month.

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Expedia has listed last-minute offers on several cruise lines. Fares start at $219 if you’re looking to plan a getaway real soon.

The deal

Last-minute deals can disappear quickly, so if you see a price you like, it’s best to book quickly. When I checked, sample per-person prices for 2008 cruises included:

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Spring flights to Europe are on sale from Lufthansa. Fares start at $478 round-trip, and Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Marseille are included.

Shop around before you book to ensure you find the best deal for your route.

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This is a big NASCAR weekend in Las Vegas, but the events aren’t just happening on the track. Various other points around Las Vegas will play home to race-related activities.

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A weekend in Ocala, Florida, considered the “Horse Capital of the World,” can easily be filled with outdoor pursuits. Beyond riding, enjoy hiking and hunting in Ocala National Forest or head out to a golf course. Additionally, if you need a beach getaway, Ocala is equidistant from either coast for an easy day trip. It’s about an hour-and-a-half from Daytona Beach, for example.

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Frontier is offering U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica sale fares starting at $98 round-trip. Travel is valid through May.

Frontier’s best deal among the routes I checked was for travel between Colorado Springs and Denver, where its $98 fare beat other airlines’ prices by hundreds of dollars. Its Chicago/San Antonio and Denver/Vancouver fares were also competitive, though American, Continental, Northwest, and United matched the former. Frontier has some good deals, but you should still do a quick fare comparison before booking.

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The Schooner Inn in Virginia Beach offers family-friendly accommodations from $70 per night for weekend-night stays through the end of March. Children 17 and under stay free when accompanied by a parent. Standard rooms are kitchenette-style, and include sinks, refrigerators, and microwaves. Higher-class accommodations (with stoves, a kitchen table, etc.) cost $20 more per night.

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Fort Davis, a historic town in west Texas (about a three-hour drive from El Paso), provides a quiet place to get away for the weekend. Attractions include outdoor recreation in Davis Mountains State Park, educational tours and hiking at the Fort Davis National Historic Site, and stargazing at the McDonald Observatory.

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American’s latest domestic deal competes with Southwest’s nationwide sale. Fares start at $96 round-trip, and include Chicago, Jacksonville, and San Antonio.

American’s sale prices were the best available for three of the six routes I compared, though airlines including Southwest, Continental, Frontier, Northwest, United, and US Airways offered similar prices. Southwest topped American for the San Francisco/Dallas route, while Southwest, AirTran, and US Airways beat American’s Dallas/Jacksonville fare. American itself had a lower price for travel between Baltimore and San Antonio. Shop around before you book to ensure you find the best deal for your travels.

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