Photo by Robert Landau
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The Contrarian Traveler
Holiday Escapes
By Peter Greenberg, November & December 2009
Need a break from the Yuletide madness? Skip town for a cheap year-end vacation
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If you like... The cold: Iceland
The secret: Winter offers a mix of chilly thrills—sledding, skiing, glaciers, geysers—and a lively nightlife in Reykjavik. The city is loaded with dance clubs, jazz clubs, wine bars, pubs, and cafés. Don't miss traditional Icelandic cuisine (such as smoked lamb) with a hip, modern twist at Silfur, located in Hotel Borg.
Great deals: The exchange rate is 128 kronur to the dollar, which means cheap hotel and air packages. At press time, an Icelandair (800-223-5500) package included breakfast, airfare, and a two-night hotel stay starting at $469 a person.
If you like... The heat: Jamaica
The secret: Want an alternative to touristy Montego Bay and Ocho Rios? Jamaica's southwest coast has old fishing villages and laid-back beach towns such as Treasure Beach. Tour the misty mountain village of Mandeville and eat cheap seafood at funky beachside shacks (spicy pepper shrimp is a local specialty).
Great deals: Resorts in Jamaica are cutting prices by as much as 65 percent. The southwest coast is perfect for a beachside villa or guesthouse: the charming Nuestra Casa in Treasure Beach (876-965-0152) starts at $45 a night in winter.
If you like... The sea: Winter Cruises
The secret: "Dead week" is an industry term for the week after both Thanksgiving and New Year's, when no one travels. Many cruise lines sail year-round to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and other places, so dead-week rates can be affordable. Look for last-minute deals, too: cruise lines often need to unload rooms fast.
Great deals: You'll find good deals all winter. Try consolidators like CruiseOne or GalaxSea Cruises and Tours, or online brokers such as CruiseBrothers.com. Or, negotiate with the cruise line directly. Ask for perks like onboard credit or room upgrades.
Find Peter Greenberg Q&As and videos on AARP.org
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