Nov. 12--Here are some of the more interesting deals, websites and other travel tidbits that came across our desk recently:
--Virgin Vacations is offering early booking discounts on package tours of Europe for 2016. For instance, an April 2 departure for an Amsterdam/Brugge, Belgium/Paris itinerary is priced from $1,959 per person double occupancy if booked by Dec. 18. That's a $320 savings and includes round-trip air from New York, six nights' lodging, limited meals, sightseeing by motor coach, an English-speaking tour manager and more. Other dates and packages are available. 888-937-8474, http://tinyurl.com/nprst3z
The Aer Lingus Vacation Store has a six-night package called Great Cities of Ireland's West that's priced from $799 per person double occupancy for travel in January 2016. That includes round-trip air from Boston or New York, one night lodging each in Limerick and Adare, two nights' lodging each in Cork and Killarney and a rental car. Cost from Chicago is from $1,117. 800-495-1632, http://tinyurl.com/nnzzbmm
The 2016 Tour de France route was recently announced, and Trek Travel is taking reservations for its trips that give avid cyclists a chance to ride some of the Tour. 866-464-8735, http://tinyurl.com/ofgbfea
Go to http://tinyurl.com/palj83j to enter for a chance to win a weeklong vacation at a ski mecca in Whistler, British Columbia.
Google Street View isn't just for cities. At http://tinyurl.com/os6atxg you can see individual elephants in Kenya's Samburu National Reserve.
Want to get away before the holidays? The Wisconsin tourism folks suggest three small-town couples' escapes at http://tinyurl.com/q6uabe8.
Club Med's brochure of its more than 65 all-inclusive resorts is online at http://tinyurl.com/oexrlmt.
Check out special offers from the Sonesta Collection of lodgings at http://tinyurl.com/qfo96pw.
Kartograff is a new website that offers the chance to enter adventure-travel contests. www.kartograff.com
FamilyVacationCritic.com lists its picks for best food-factory tours for families at http://tinyurl.com/c33mh22.
For tips on how to see San Francisco on foot without getting too tired, check out http://tinyurl.com/qxbqpxh.
SmarterTravel.com lists its 10 dirty little secrets of frequent-flier programs at http://tinyurl.com/ozlbal8.
Prices include taxes and fee unless otherwise noted. Deals and websites listed here have been checked for availability as of press time, but the listings are not an endorsement.
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
