If you’re curious to see the real Grand Canyon, consider booking a two-day Grand Canyon Field Institute Learning & Lodging Program through Grand Canyon Lodges, part of Xanterra Parks & Resorts. The package includes two nights’ lodging, two days of guided hiking and tours, reading materials, breakfast, box lunches, dinner one evening, and gift shop coupons. Rates during high season are $672 (or $336 per person). If you’re bringing the kids along, per-child rates come in at $205.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

I compared several providers’ offerings for six-night vacations to Rome in spring, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, though other departure cities are available. Packages include airfare, accommodations, and hotel taxes. Except for Air France Holidays, packages include all additional taxes and fees for airfare.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Visiting Orlando in springtime can be a great escape—the heat hasn’t settled in, and (if you avoid spring break) you won’t have to deal with the summer vacation crowds.

I’ve tracked down several properties that offer a good value for your weekend getaway, each with reasonable prices and/or a little something extra to make your stay memorable.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

A vacation in Iraq may sound like some sort of joke in bad taste but I recently read about a new Iraq travel guidebook by Bradt and decided to do more investigation.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

I compared several providers’ offerings for vacations in May, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Rates start at $841 for seven-night vacations. Packages include airfare, seven nights’ accommodations, and all taxes and fees.

Sample prices are:

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Four-night packages to Orlando in spring start at $240 from select cities, making a little escape to visit Mickey and friends more affordable.

I compared several providers’ offerings for Orlando vacations, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Packages include airfare, four nights’ accommodations, and hotel taxes. All packages include additional taxes and fees for airfare.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Whether it’s a few days on the beach, a weekend of nightclubbing, or a chance to sample fine restaurants and shop at glitzy boutiques, Miami offers possibilities for both relaxed and on-the-town vacationers. To help get you there cheaper, I compared several providers’ offerings for June, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. All vacations include round-trip airfare and three nights’ accommodations. Except for the Southwest Vacations and JetBlue packages, sample vacations include all additional taxes and fees (Southwest and JetBlue include hotel taxes).

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Popularity: 4% [?]

New York City can be as expensive, or as cheap, as you like. It came as no surprise that when I checked several providers to see what offerings are available for spring, I found quite a range of prices and hotel classes. Departures from Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles were tested, and packages include airfare, two nights’ accommodations, and all taxes and fees.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

I compared several providers’ offerings for vacations in June to San Francisco, testing departures from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Packages include airfare, three nights’ accommodations, and all additional taxes and fees, with prices starting at $165.

The listed rates are per person based on double occupancy. Sample per-person prices are:

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Popularity: 3% [?]

I compared several providers’ offerings, testing departures from Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York. All vacations include round-trip airfare and two nights’ accommodations. Additionally, all sample vacations include additional taxes and fees.

Sample prices for May are:

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Popularity: 5% [?]