THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

Norse Atlantic: Insane Premium Economy and Coach Fares to Europe
Norse Atlantic is flying former Norwegian Air 787s configured with very spacious premium economy seats that offer 43 inches of legroom. (The in-flight meal service is notably better than the old Norwegian, however.) The carrier's normal prices are a huge bargain compared to the major airlines, but its Flash Sale is dropping fares to insanely low levels. How low? Below $1,000 roundtrip including all taxes and Norse's seat-selection charge. That includes nonstops from New York/Kennedy to London/Gatwick, Rome, Paris/CDG, Berlin and other cities. The carrier also flies from Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. If Premium cabin seats don't appeal, Norse is also giving away the proverbial store back in coach. Price start as low as $109 one-way from JFK to Gatwick or Berlin. Fares from LAX are as low as $149 one-way to London, Paris or Oslo. Those prices don't include the seat charge or checked baggage, however. The valid travel period for coach travel is between September 1 and March 28. Premium travel is permitted from September 1 to December 31. Tickets must be purchased by July 29. Information: the FLY NORSE Web site.

OTHER NEW DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

Neos: Autumn From New York Is 15% Cheaper
Neos, a small international carrier controlled by an Italian tour operator, runs Boeing 787 Dreamliners configured with a Premium class that essentially duplicates Norse Atlantic (see above). And it flies two nonstop Italy routes from New York/Kennedy: to Milan/Malpensa and Palermo, Sicily. The current Neos offer: 15% off its premium fares when you travel from September 1 to December 16. To score the deal, use the promo code AUTUMN2024 and purchase tickets by July 31. Information: the Neos AUTUMN IS THE PERFECT SEASON page.

InterContinental Hotels: Prepay to Save 20-25% Off Room Rates
InterContinental Hotels has an awful lot of brands and an awful lot of rooms. Some are good, a few are very good and a lot are rather mediocre. At the moment, all of them are on sale in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. The offer is a little bit complicated: If you are an IHG One Rewards member, the discount is 25% from Sunday to Thursday and 20% off for Friday and Saturday nights. If you're not a member, the deal is a straight 20% off. You can get the discount if you book by July 29 and stay before October 13. The rates are nonrefundable, however, and require a three-day advance purchase. Information: the LIMITED TIME DEAL page.

American Airlines/Citi: Fewer Miles, But a Big Statement Credit
There aren't too many wrinkles left in the travel credit card game, so give Citi and American Airlines, um, credit for this one: a card that offers both miles and a big statement credit. Although the "standard" acquisition bonus for the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is 50,000 miles, the new offer is an intriguing hybrid. You'll receive a dollar-for-dollar statement credit up to $250 for American Airlines spend in the first six months and 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months. Depending on your travel patterns and how you value AAdvantage miles, the $250/40,000-mile bonus may substantially outweigh the 50,000-mile standard offer. Your call, of course. The card has a zero-dollar annual fee in the first year, then it's $99 annually. Information: the American Airlines LIMITED-TIME OFFER page.

Chase: 120,000-Point Bonus to Take an Ink Business Card
As airline frequent flyer programs get less generous, smart travelers are banking miles with banks. Chase Ultimate Rewards points, for example, offer a 1:1 transfer to United, Southwest, several international airlines and some hotel chains, too. There seems to be less risk by banking points with Chase and moving them to your programs as the good deals--or award availability--warrant. One of the current stars in the wide Chase portfolio? The Visa Ink Business Preferred Card. For the $95 annual fee, you'll receive an acquisition bonus of 120,000 points when you spend $8,000 during the first three months. You will also earn three points per dollar spent on travel; shipping charges; payments for cable, Internet and phone services; and some advertising purchases. Is $8,000 in spend too much to ask for 120,000 Ultimate Rewards points? Chase points out that its previous threshold was $15,000. I point out that a few years ago it offered 80,000 points for $5,000 in spend. So your call, I guess. Information: the Chase EARN 120,000 BONUS page.

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THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

Singapore Airlines: Longest Flight, Cheapest Price in Premium Economy
Singapore Airlines may be positioned as a premium airline, but it was late with a dedicated premium economy class. And its premium economy cabin has lagged in sales since its 2015 introduction. A recent refresh probably won't move the needle, either. So it is constantly discounting--and discounting heavily--to fill the cabin. That means great bargains on long-haul flights across the Pacific. On its Los Angeles-Tokyo nonstops, for example, its premium economy cabin sells for as little as $1,707 roundtrip. San Francisco-Singapore is selling as low as $1,437 and LAX-Singapore is $1,736 roundtrip. Biggest bargain of all: New York/JFK-Singapore/Changi for $1,197 roundtrip. That's literally the world's longest nonstop. Availability is sporadic at the lowest prices, of course. Information: the Singapore Airlines COMPARE FLIGHTS page.

British Airways: AARP Deal Is Back (Again), Save $200 in Business
British Airways has a long-standing partnership with the AARP and its discount deal is back again. BA once offered AARP members $400 off roundtrips. Now it's less compelling: $200 roundtrip off business class and $65 off standard coach or premium economy fares. Still, it's never wise to look a gift fare discount in the mouth. The current deal is valid for BA flights booked by August 31. You must be an AARP member, of course, which offers great value for the $12 annual rate. Information: the EXCLUSIVE AARP MEMBERS page.

Zipair: Business Class to Tokyo Below $1,500 Roundtrip From Honolulu
Zipair, the Japan Airlines subsidiary, had a tortured birth. But the discounter is running fine now and flying nonstop to Tokyo/Narita from five North American gateways: LAX, San Jose, San Francisco, Honolulu and Vancouver. In some ways, its stripped-down business class is an even better value than in recent months. During the summer, one-way prices up front are as low as $1,057 from San Jose and $917 from San Francisco. LAX prices start at $1,207 and Vancouver prices are as low as USD$1,041. From Honolulu, business class fares start at an astounding $722 one-way. These fares are available on select days, of course, but other days are priced at around $1,300-$1,800 one-way, still a great value. The best part of the deal? Zipair business class offers full-flat beds on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The so-called Full-Flat Pods are a bit narrow (seats are 20 inches wide between armrests) and pitched at a comparatively tight 42 inches. Zipair fares have other "compromises"--you'll pay for seat assignments, checked bags and meals--but, again, look at those prices for a flat-bed transpacific ride! Information: the ZIPAIR HOME PAGE.

Finnair: Europe Business Class Sale Via Our Helsinki Hub
Want to fly to business class to Paris for as little as $2,254 roundtrip? Rome for only $2,554 roundtrip? You can do it if you fly Finnair and change aircraft at Vantaa, Finnair's stylish, compact Helsinki hub. But I suggest a much better use of Finnair's business class sale fares it to reach European cities where nonstops are scarce or nonexistent. Examples: Budapest for $2,962 roundtrip or Berlin for $2,809 roundtrip. There are also excellent prices into several destinations in Poland and the Baltic states. The quoted prices are from New York/Kennedy, but Finnair is offering comparable deals from its other U.S. gateways, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle and Miami. Information: the Finnair BUSINESS CLASS FLIGHT OFFERS page.

Africa: If You Can Handle Coach, Some Great Deals
Even now, in the dead of a slow(er) international winter travel season, business class deals are nearly impossible to find. Except for Africa, where they are impossible to find. (In fact, business class deals to Africa are always impossible.) But if you can rough it in coach (or buy several seats to create a "poor man's business class"), there are some interesting deals to be found. KLM, for example, is selling flights between Minneapolis and Casablanca for as little as $725 roundtrip. It's $805 roundtrip from Atlanta to Nairobi and $893 from New York/Kennedy to Entebbe. Speaking of New York, it's $843 roundtrip to Cairo on Brussels Airlines or $728 to Casablanca on Air France. The French carrier is also selling roundtrips between Los Angeles and Lagos for $1,017. If flying through a European hub--and all those routes are via Europe--doesn't cut it, try Ethiopian Airlines. The carrier, aligned with the Star Alliance, flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners between Washington/Dulles and its Nairobi hub. Roundtrips are as low as $1,128. Rather fly a SkyTeam carrier? Kenya Airways offers New York/JFK-Kinshasa roundtrips via Nairobi for $852. It's $903 roundtrip to Kigali.

Air Tahiti Nui: Secret Nonstops to Paris, Surprisingly Cheap
Once upon a time, before ultra-long-haul flights were a thing, airlines overcame the daunting distances by flying between third countries en route to their destination. They were often permitted to carry passengers between those nations in order to fill their aircraft. A few of these "secret flights" still exist today. One example: Air Tahiti Nui, which connects its Polynesian home to Paris via the United States. The surprisingly good island carrier can fly you nonstop from Los Angeles or Seattle and Paris/CDG for notably inexpensive fares in coach or premium economy. The roundtrip coach fare starts at $927, a great West Coast bargain. Premium economy--38 inches of legroom at seats configured 2x3x2 on Boeing 787s, 13-inch monitors and amenity kits--runs about $1,700 roundtrip. Information: the Air Tahiti Nui FLIGHTS TO PARIS page.

STAY ON THE WAY/STAYOVER OFFERS

Etihad Airways: Two Free Hotel Nights With Abu Dhabi Stops
After a nasty financial patch and misbegotten attempt to buy into weak airlines to create a fourth alliance, Etihad has rebounded and is again serving five North American cities: New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston and Toronto. Since all connecting flights require a change in Abu Dhabi, a stayover in the United Arab Emirates makes sense. Etihad now offers two free nights in a three-star hotel or 40% off stays at 4- and 5-star properties. There are also discounts and packages on dining, attractions, sporting events and other activities in Abu Dhabi, which fancies itself as more sedate and sophisticated than Dubai, its historic rival. YMMV on which city is better--and whether you prefer a layover with Emirates via Dubai--but at least Etihad is again making the effort to attract your long-haul business. Information: the Etihad ABU DHABI STOPOVER page.

Emirates Airline: Dubai in a Day (or More)
As many as 88 million people passed through Dubai Airport last year and the Emirates Airline superhub hosts lots of North Americans headed to the UAE and other destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. With so many connecting flights to so many places--and with the time zones completely askew--Emirates offers a spread of stopover and stay-on-the-way deals and packages. A 12-hour bundle, for example, includes a Dubai city tour, one-hour excursion around the harbor on a traditional wooden dhow, a desert ramble that includes a stop at a camel farm and a buffet dinner. That costs about US$100. For about the same price, a three-day itinerary includes a city tour, a safari run, a kayak adventure, dinner cruise and other attractions. There are also special rates available at the city's wide array of hotels and resorts, many of them among the most luxurious in the world. Information: the Emirates DUBAI EXPERIENCE page.

Turkish Airlines: Stay Up to Two Days Free in Istanbul
You'd be surprised to learn the identity of the carrier that flies to more nations than any other. It's Turkish Airlines, hubbed at sprawling and elaborate Istanbul Airport. The airline flies to 274 destinations and offers connections from more than a dozen gateways in the United States and Canada. Another perk: the Stopover in Istanbul scheme. It allows travelers connecting in Istanbul to spend a night or two in Turkey's largest city while Turkish picks up the hotel tab. Connecting coach flyers are eligible for a one-night stay at a 4-star hotel and business class travelers can get two nights in one of Istanbul's five-star properties. Some folks will not fly on Turkish because Turkey is ruled by an increasingly autocratic strongman who has been intent on turning the once proudly secular nation into an Islamic redoubt. But if you're flying Turkish--which is part of the Star Alliance and often offers great business class deals--why wouldn't you avail yourself of a free stop in one of the world's most intriguing cities? Information: The Turkish Airlines STOPOVER IN ISTANBUL page.

Qatar Airways: Stay on the Way With Doha Discounts
Qatar Airways has grown its Doha home into a global megahub and it carries many American travelers onward to Africa and Asia. But if you're interested in spending some time in the ultra-modern Qatari capital along the way, Qatar Air offers a raft of on-the-ground discounts. For stayovers as long as four nights, hotel rates start as low as $28 a day per couple for four-star properties. Beachfront hotels start as low as $60 a couple a night. There are also substantial discounts on city tours and attractions. One caveat: You'll need a visa to overnight in Qatar, but the airline can help handle that, too. Information: the Qatar Airways EXPERIENCE MORE page.

Icelandair: Add a 7-night Free Stay in Iceland to Your Trip
Icelandair, and before that Icelandic, has survived for decades in the cutthroat transatlantic market by leveraging its position between North America and mainland Europe. It has used Reykjavík as its continent-to-continent connecting hub and regularly promoted stay-along-the-way packages. It's the latter that is of interest now: The airline is permitting stays in Iceland for as long as seven days when you fly between North America and Europe. The so-called Stopover in Iceland program is available at no extra charge on your outbound itinerary. The airline's Web site also does an excellent job helping you book the stop. Information: Icelandair's STOPOVER IN ICELAND page.

Copa Airlines: Up to 7-Day Free Stopover in Panama
Panama's Copa Airlines is one of the few stable and reliable carriers in Latin America. The Star Alliance airline also has developed an efficient hub at its hometown of Panama City that connects destinations in the United States to both Central and South America. And now an added perk: A free stopover of as long as seven days in Panama City. The stay-on-the-way offer can be used on the departing or returning itinerary. The airline also works with Panamanian tourist authorities to offer up a bundle of tours, hotel stays and other add-ons. Information: the PANAMA STOPOVER page.

TAP Air Portugal: Free Portugal Stopover Can Now Be Ten Days
In the early days of transatlantic jet travel, free "stopovers" in the country of arrival were a standard perk. The deal was eventually abandoned as longer-haul nonstops came to dominate flying. But "stay along the way" offers are making a comeback among airlines that depend on connecting traffic to compete with longer nonstops. TAP Air Portugal is probably the best current practitioner of the stopover. The airline originally revived the deal with a free, three-day stopover in Portugal as part of roundtrip, transatlantic nonstops to Lisbon or Porto. It was then upped to five days. Now the offer is 10 days in Portugal before continuing to your next destination. There are other perks attached to the stopover, including a 25% discount on domestic flights, hotel discounts, museum and attraction admissions and freebies with meals. Information: the VISIT PORTUGAL page.

SATA Azores Airlines: Free Stopovers To/From Europe
It's a huge understatement to suggest that SATA Azores Airlines flies under the metaphoric radar. It's one of the least publicized carriers in Europe. But the islands-based carrier serves a number of gateways in the United States (New York, Boston and Oakland) and Canada (Toronto and Montreal). So when it offers free stayovers of as long as seven days en route to and/or returning from Europe, it's worth considering. Among its European destinations are London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and, of course, Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. The stayover allows you to add in visits to the Azorean islands of São Miguel or Terceira. If your geography fails you, the Azores lie about midway between the United States and the Portuguese mainland. And if your meteorology fails you, the winter months in the Azores are mild (daytime temps in the low 60s, evenings in the mid 50s). Information; the SATA STOPOVER page.

CREDIT CARD ACQUISITION BONUSES

Chase/Marriott: 60K Bonvoy Points and a Free Night for 'Free'
The desperation of hotel chains and their card-issuing partners to get you to take more credit cards is reaching a fever pitch. Example: a new offer from Chase to open a Marriott Bonvoy Bold card account. For very minimal spend ($2,000 within the first three months you open the account), you'll earn 60,000 Bonvoy points and a free night at properties that cost 50,000 points or less. The best part of the deal? The card has no annual fee. So, essentially, you can score 60,000 points and a hotel night for "free." Of course, there are some limits: If you have another Chase/Marriott Bonvoy card, you probably won't be able to get the card. Information: the Chase OUR BEST OFFER EVER page.

American Express: Ready to Play Even Richer Platinum Card Roulette?
For all the tough competition, the American Express Platinum Card remains the, um, gold standard against which all other premium cards are judged. Whether you find its $695 annual fee too pricey (Will Allen's conclusion), fair (Bob McGarvey's conclusion) or a hard-boiled calculation (my conclusion) is another matter. YMMV, as they say. If you can justify the card based on club access or statement credits or hotel deals or its excellent earning for airline charges (five points per dollar), now is the time to apply. The public acquisition proposition lately has been 80,000 points, but you can find offers as high as 175,000 points. The problem is finding them because Amex plays roulette with its links and varies the offer based on the browser you use, your browser history or even cookies on your device. Best solution? Google "Amex Platinum 175K points" and you're likely to find the biggest offer with the same purchase requirement ($8,000 in six months).

Wells Fargo: One Travel Card Won't Rule Them All, But Still ...
Wells Fargo hasn't been a big player in the travel card segment. But now comes the Autograph Journey Visa that Wells Fargo hopes will be a category killer. It's compelling, but not a category killer. The Autograph Journey Card offers a strong earnings proposition: 5 points for hotel spend; 4 points on airline purchases and three points on dining and most other travel charges. The annual fee is low ($95) and offset by a $50 annual statement credit against airline charges. There's generous trip-cancellation and lost-luggage coverage, cell-phone protection and no foreign transaction fees. Wells Fargo is even creating a points-transfer operation. Points accrued on Autograph Journey can be transferred 1:1 to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and programs operated by British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. Wells Fargo promises more partners to come. And there's a hefty acquisition bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. So where does the Autograph Journey card fail? The car-rental collision-damage waiver is secondary, ride shares don't earn extra points, there's no trip-delay coverage and probably a shallow pool of future points-transfer partners. Still, it's an impressive package for a functional $45 annual fee. Information: the Wells Fargo AUTOGRAPH JOURNEY CARD page.

Best Western: Slightly Higher Card Fee, Many More Points
FNBO, which issues Best Western's credit cards, has upped the annual fee on the premium version of the Best Western Rewards Mastercard. It's now $89 a year, up from $59. But the paybacks are much larger hauls of Best Western Rewards points. The acquisition bonus is now 80,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first three billing cycles. And the nice ongoing perk--bonus points for annual spend--has been hiked to 40,000 points when you spend $5,000 a year. Best Western Rewards isn't a sexy lodging frequency programs, of course, but Best Western represents many excellent mid- to upper-tier hotels in overseas markets. If you're bored of the other chains, now is a good time to give Best Western and the FNBO Premium MasterCard a shot. Information: the FNBO CHOOSE HOW YOU EARN page.

LODGING BARGAINS TO CONSIDER

Hyatt: Double Points for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Stays
Hyatt leans heavily on and into its image as a more upscale chain than larger competitors such as Marriott and Hilton. But the truth is that most of Hyatt's property openings in recent years--and most of the ones in the construction pipeline--are via its Hyatt House extended-stay and Hyatt Place limited-service brands. Keep that in mind when you consider the impact of Hyatt's new promotion: It offers double World of Hyatt points per stay at more than 550 Hyatt Place/House properties worldwide until October 15. You can earn as many as 25,000 points during the promotional period. Advance registration is required, of course, and must be done by September 15. Information: the Hyatt MORE TO DISCOVER page.
Hyatt: A Sale So 'Private' You Might Not Find It!
Hyatt continues to get weirder as it gets larger. To wit: a "private" sale that offers up to 20% off room rates and complimentary breakfast on stays until January 5, 2025. The deal is valid at participating hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East--and clearly covers a swathe of properties in Hyatt's upscale chains. But the only brand actively mentioning the deal is Park Hyatt, which offers nine participating properties. Nevertheless, if you use promo code 20ON24 when booking a property in the covered region, you'll find some version of the sale. The deal is valid for World of Hyatt members if you book by August 1. Information: the Hyatt MEMBERS SAVE MORE page.

Choice Hotels: A $50 Gift Card for Two Summer Stays
Choice Hotels has been advertising relentlessly on television in recent months, but a mid-market chain with 7,500 properties also needs to promote relentlessly, too. Hence the late-spring and summer offer: a $50 gift card when you stay twice between June 5 and August 5. But since this is Choice, there's a ton of fine print. The choice (ahem!) of gift cards is somewhat limited, although you can score one from Amazon, Target or Walmart. Technically, you're not earning a gift card, but Choice Privilege points that can be claimed for the gift card. The card you choose must be redeemed by October 5. And, of course, you must register to participate.

Best Western Rewards: 10,000-Point Bonus for Three Nights of Stays
Best Western Rewards isn't a top-tier frequency program but it has strong global distribution and useful hotels, especially overseas. And Best Western constantly promotes bonuses to attract attention. The spring and summer variant is particularly rich: 10,000 bonus points after three days of stays in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean between May 20 and September 2. You can earn the bonus twice during the promotional period. You must register in advance, however. And a unique twist: A similar promotion--10,000 points bonus after three nights of stays--is available for some Europe and Africa stays and an identical deal is available for some Asian nations. I see nothing in the terms and conditions that prohibit you from registering for and claiming the bonuses in multiple regions.

Hilton Honors: The We're-Not-Even-Trying 2Q Promotion
Hilton Honors isn't a bad program per se, but Hilton has devalued its points so severely that the huge chain must constantly offer quarterly promotions to remain competitive. Which is why its 2Q promo--2,000 points per stay is so pathetically weak. And it's even worse than last year's second quarter promotion, which at least offered 4,000 points for resort stays. In other words, Hilton certainly doesn't seem to care if you book with its hotels and resorts just now. If you are, however, you might as well register and gather your crumbs. The promotion runs until September 2.

Air Canada Aeroplan: Fourth Night Free on Hotel Redemptions
Airline frequency programs stopped offering good deals on hotel redemptions decades ago, but Air Canada Aeroplan (and its related credit card) is a unique frequent-flyer plan. So maybe this isn't as much of a surprise as you might assume: If you are an Aeroplan credit card holder, you'll receive a free fourth night when you book participating hotels using Aeroplan points. Book six nights with points and receive two free nights. The promotion is available for stays through December 31, 2024. Information: the Air Canada EXTEND YOUR REST FOR LESS page.

Loews Hotels: Some Sweet Stuff With Suite Rentals
Loews Hotels is a tiny hotel group with a tiny footprint (just 15 cities), but many travelers swear by the chain's properties and services. If you're one of them, then consider this special offer. Reserve a suite at most Loews outposts around the country and the chain will throw in some goodies: up to $125 a day in food and beverage for up to seven nights and the property's fastest WiFi service. Information: the Loews A SUITE DEAL page.

Omni Hotels: Golf Swag From a PGA Partner
Omni Hotels is the official lodging partner of the PGA Tour, so the chain is trying to capitalize on the link with golf swag and course discounts. Book a golf package at one of 11 Omni resorts and you'll receive: one round of golf per registered guest each day of your stay; unlimited use of the driving range; a pack of Callaway golf balls; a PGA Tour hat for each adult; and a $100 resort credit. The participating Omni properties include resorts in Arizona, California, Texas, Virginia, New Hampshire, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Information: The Omni PGA TOUR GOLF PACKAGE page.

BACK HERE ON EARTH

Travel Tech: When Phil Baker Says Buy, We Buy …
Our tech guru, Phil Baker, is raving about a foldable, 3-in-1 travel charger for iPhones, Apple watches and AirPods. The JARGOU also gets a 4.8 positive rating from Amazon.com buyers. The charger, which weighs less than a pound, normally sells for $40, but Amazon.com now is offering a 45% discount via a check box on its sales page. Phil loves it, Amazon users love it, Amazon is selling it at nearly half off. What's not to love, right? Information: the Amazon.com 3-IN-1 CHARGING STATION page.

Kennedy Airport: Half-Price AirTrain Rides This Summer
After cleaning up LaGuardia Airport, New York and its various agencies have turned their attention to Kennedy Airport. Anyone who's been there recently can tell you that the place is more construction zone than airport. Solution (kind of)? Use the AirTrain, which connects New York City's subway system and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) with JFK's passenger terminals, car rental stations and parking facilities. The AirTrain normally costs $8.50 if you connect at the subway or LIRR stations, but the airport is reducing the price to $4.25 a ride through the summer. A few bucks isn't a big deal, of course, but a discount is a discount, right? Information: the JFK Airport AIRTRAIN page.

Oxford: You Can Still Get Smart With a Summer Week to Spare
If you want to give a week of your summer over to education and edification, Oxford's summer-school learning programs are available to book. Running from June 30 to August 10, more than three dozen courses can be reserved, ranging from English Lit and Italian Renaissance Art to modern topics such as artificial intelligence and the concept of time itself. Each course includes ten 70-minute small-group lectures and four 45-minute general sessions. Other package components include: drinks; walking tours; concerts; visits to stately homes; and even punting on the Thames. The course fee also includes accommodations at Brasenose College, daily breakfast and dinner and several lunches. Prices for the week start at $2,700 a person for two in private accommodations or $2,500 for singles. If you don't wish to stay on campus, prices start at around $2,000 a person including lunch and dinners. Information: the INSPIRING OXFORD summer school page.

Cambridge: Learning This Summer Because, You Know, Cambridge
There's a certain appeal to going to the seats of British learning and spending a week or so in the summer pretending our brains are still flexible enough to absorb new information. (Kidding, I'm kidding...) Oxford's summer programs are the best-known (see below), but Cambridge offers even more intensive one- and two-week summer sessions. The Cambridge courses are lighter on pop-culture stuff than Oxford, but much stronger in deep-dive topics such as Shakespeare, modern art, British law, literature, astronomy, physics, creative writing and Medieval history. Tuition fees start at 995 pounds a week and about 1,900 pounds for two-week versions. You can stay in lodgings located in Cambridge's historic colleges--fees start at 525 pounds for a room with shared bath--or you can arrange your own lodging elsewhere. Courses are available from July 7 to August 3. The class sizes are limited to a maximum of 25 students. Information and details: the University of Cambridge INSTITUTE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION page.

Burj Al Arab: Would You Pay for a Tour of a Glitzy Fantasy?
Burj Al Arab in Dubai was designed to be a glitzy, over-the-top fantasy as well as an outrageously expensive lodging and dining venue. It's built on its own island, is designed to look like the sail of an Arabic dhow and makes the ludicrous claim that it is a 7-star hotel. (They never quite say who awarded the seven stars, of course.) But the place is something to behold. And now they'll sell you a 90-minute tour--ahem, "exclusive" tour--that covers some regional history, the design and creation of the gigantic property, a visit to the wacky atrium and a peek into the hotel's huge Royal Suite. Whether you think such a thing is worth AED299--that's about US$82--may depend on how much free time you have in Dubai and whether you're interested in how the 2% of the 2% live on the road. Information: the Burj Al Arab TOUR OF AN ICON page.