Columnist Muriel Stevens: Checking out deals overseas

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002 | 8:24 a.m.

As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, my wanderlust goes into full gear. There are a few planned trips on the horizon, but none as exciting or as reasonable as the seven-day London jaunt my Cambridge, Mass., friends are enjoying.

My friends took advantage of one of the remarkable package deals being offered these days. It's no secret that airlines and travel-related businesses are struggling to survive through these uncertain times, so they've sweetened the pot by offering hard-to-resist, all-inclusive packages.

The London trip included airfare, seven nights at a three-star hotel, meals and more. Being seasoned travelers my friends knew that a three-star European hotel is no big deal, but they were able to upgrade the hotel to one in Kensington that they knew they would enjoy. The price of the trip increased with their upgrade from $384 per person to a total of $634. Considering that everything except entertainment was included, this was quite a buy.

My first thought when they invited me to join them was that the hotel was within walking distance from Harrod's and the shopping columns I could write, but the timing was bad.

Airfare to London is usually more than the price of this complete package, so my friends were wise to go, but I'm convinced such packages are going to be available for a while.

Twelve nights in Bali: Natrabu Travel in San Francisco -- (800) 628-7228 -- is offering "The Shocking Bali Budget Package" through May 31. Included is international airfare from San Francisco or Los Angeles on Cathay Pacific Airlines, 12 nights in Bali (an island in southeast Indonesia), breakfast every day, three full-day tours, two half-day tours, airport transfers and hotel taxes and surcharges for $1,149 per person.

There's a plane change in Hong Kong where passengers may choose to stay over at no extra fee. Since this is not a group tour, participants can take advantage of the Hong Kong plane change (ask the tour office about it). In Bali, guests will be housed at the beachfront Natour Sindhu hotel. Or they may choose an upgrade (as my friends did) to other moderate or deluxe hotels situated at various beaches. For $1,355 guests may choose the Aston Bali in the resort area of Nusa Dua Beach or for $1,479 per person stay at the Le Meridian Resort and Golf Course located near the Tanah Lot Temple. Both of these upgrades are five-star hotels, have traditional Bali decor and private balconies.

Among the guided tours is a trip to the exotic Bali Bird Park, as well as one for shopping.

Springtime across Canada: Train buffs (I'm one) can enjoy "The Great Canadian Train Ride," a journey across Canada aboard the the last classic passenger train in North America, the legendary "Canadian," as it travels between Toronto and Vancouver via the Canadian Rockies. Included are stays at Canadian Pacific hotels in Montreal, Toronto, the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver. April excursions are less costly than those in June; June journeys include extra meals.

Prices start at $1,995 per person for April trips, $2,495 for those in June. To learn more about the 12-day adventure call Train Holidays, (800) 543-2840.