Where to travel cheaply this spring

Savings in South Africa

For an international adventure during the shoulder season, think about travel to South Africa. In March and April, fares for a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Cape Town start around $1,200, a discount of $400 to $700 from prices in peak season, which spans December through February. Because winter in the U.S. is summer in South Africa, you'll catch the tail end of the hot season, with temperatures likely still reaching the high 70s.

Stay at the three-star Protea Hotel Fire and Ice for rates starting around $110 per night (about $25 less a night than in February). Located in the heart of the Mother City, you're just steps away from the beach -- where you can fulfill that lifelong desire to go shark-cage diving -- and from Table Mountain, known for climbing, biking and hang gliding.

As with most major cities, Cape Town has its share of areas you should avoid. PhoCusWright's Jones suggests checking with your hotel's concierge to pinpoint spots you should skip. "It's generally safe," he says. "Just use common sense, remember to do your best to blend in, and avoid being flashy."

And follow the crowd. A guided tour is a fun and safe way to explore. You can find some good deals from 2Afrika. In early December, the Web site offered a seven-day Cape Town package for travel that included accommodations, breakfasts and a sightseeing tour with a stop at Table Mountain for $599. For extra adventure, travelers could add a wildlife safari to the Aquila Game Reserve for $285 and discover a home of lions, hippos and zebras.

Take a late winter

Not quite ready to stow your long johns and break out your bathing suit? The spring shoulder season offers great deals in cooler climates, too.

Schwartz, of Cheapflights.com, suggests Park City, Utah, and Vancouver, British Columbia. In April, Schwartz says, "there's still a good chance you could ski." But in case the snow doesn't fall, both the Vancouver and Park City areas offer plenty of other things to do, even at the open ski resorts.

"A lot of the resorts have built up nice amenities for the off-peak season," Schwartz says.

Deals in Park City

At The Lodges at Deer Valley in Park City, for example, you can spend your time mountain biking, hiking or fly-fishing. Or stay in and relax by your suite's fireplace or in the Lodges' hot tub or outdoor heated pool. Rates for the three-star Lodges at Deer Valley drop from the peak holiday season's $645 per night to $290 per night for a regular room between mid-March and mid-April. Suites start at $470 per night during value season; they go for $940 in peak season.

There's also a free shuttle to downtown, where you can enjoy a day of shopping followed by a night of jazz. And on the last Friday of each month, you can do the free Park City Gallery Stroll and view local and regional art exhibits. But keep in mind that once ski season ends in mid-April, it'll be quiet; some businesses even close up shop.

Park City is 36 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. Weekend round-trip flights between New York City and Salt Lake City seem to run consistently between $300 and $400.

Park City is also home to the Sundance Film Festival. For a chance to hobnob with the indie-movie elite, a one-bedroom condo at TripAdvisor users' favorite Silver Queen Hotel will run you $799 a night during the festival in January. But year-round you can catch the Park City Film Series, where you can view Sundance films without the frenzied festival. And on Wednesday nights, the Reel Classics Series features free classic films.

The regular winter rate at the Silver Queen Hotel is $549 per night, but in mid-April, rates plummet to $159 per night.

Vancouver

In addition to offering late-ski-season deals, the Vancouver area gets you a sneak peek at the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

As with flights to Park City, round-trip fares from New York City to Vancouver are a little less than $450 on weekends any time of the year. But average daily hotel rates drop 18% from peak to shoulder season, according to Expedia.

Jackson Hole

Another popular ski resort you could try catching in the spring is the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa in Jackson Hole, Wyo. With the highest rating from TripAdvisor users, the lodge charges $305 for each peak winter night. But from April to mid-May, rates drop to $230 per night. Prices spike to $425 per night during summer.

The price includes a gourmet breakfast with items ranging from traditional steak and eggs to crème brûlée French toast. And along with in-room fireplaces and an outdoor hot tub, the Rusty Parrot has a lavish in-house spa called Body Sage.

You can also grab the last week in May for a stay at the Flat Creek Ranch. The $525-per-night rate -- $150 less than the summer rate from June to mid-September -- includes lodging in a two-room cabin, horseback riding, fly-fishing, all meals, and beer and wine with dinner. Again, airfares remain fairly constant throughout the year: From New York City to Jackson Hole, a round-trip flight costs around $400 for a weekend trip.

Continued: European vacation

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