Great deals on end-of-summer getaways

The end-of-summer getaways are starting to multiply, with Labor Day vacation just around the corner and school starting up soon. And as the leaves begin to fall, so do travel prices. Even if some of the deals last through December, many of the best ones should be booked immediately. Here are eight of the top travel deals for late August and September.

All prices are per person, double occupancy unless otherwise specified. Deals were valid at press time, but packages sell out quickly. Airport fees and taxes are not included in air-and-hotel packages unless specified.

Take an African safari

COST From $3,299 a person

THE DEAL If watching this year's World Cup in soccer had you longing to visit host country South Africa, now is the time to do it. SAA Vacations is offering a nine-day Safari Royale that includes round-trip airfare on South African Airways from New York to Johannesburg and domestic flights within South Africa. Included are four nights at Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence in Cape Town, one of the most physically striking cities in the world, renowned for its rare flora, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain. Then guests spend two nights at Savanna Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Reserve of Kruger National Park, where lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos roam the African bushveld, pausing at water holes in front of the lodge. The package also provides travelers with a full-day Cape Peninsula tour, a half-day Winelands tour, plus a safari and game drives. Tour meals include six breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. The rate includes fuel surcharges, and the package is available through Dec. 15.

INFO 888-722-4872, flysaavacations.com

Cruise the Mediterranean

COST From $998 a person

THE DEAL Why not make it a vacation by air, land and sea for one low price? And why not hit eight cities in four countries on two continents? Unique World Cruises of Manhasset is offering an eight-day Mediterranean cruise that includes round-trip airfare and air transfers for $998 a person for a double cabin. On Sept. 11, fly via Air France from New York to Marseille, and then hop aboard Louis Cruise Lines' 1,460-passenger Louis Majesty, which visits the exotic, sun-soaked cities of Palma de Mallorca, Almeria, Granada, Málaga, Ibiza and Barcelona (all in Spain); Tangiers, Morocco; and Genoa, Italy. The price includes meals and entertainment aboard the Louis Majesty; cabin upgrades and companion rates can be negotiated. Fees of $358 apply.

INFO 800-669-0757, uniqueworldcruises.com

Bambi on a budget

COST From $39 a night

THE DEAL For that final infusion of fun for the kids as summer ends, check out the newly renovated Quality Inn Plaza at International Drive in Orlando, Fla. Through Dec. 4, the hotel is offering accommodations in a room with two double beds, a mini-fridge, microwave and free wireless Internet for $39 a night, Sundays through Thursdays. (Weekends are $10 more a night.) Children younger than 18 stay free. Included in the rate are a buy-one-get-one breakfast, a buy-one-get-one dinner and all kids younger than 9 eat free. Free shuttles go to Universal Studios and SeaWorld; Disney's Epcot Center and Magic Kingdom are only a 20-minute drive away. Three outdoor pools and a video arcade will occupy the kids, while Mom and Dad can stroll to Pointe Orlando for designer boutique shopping and moviegoing.

BOOK IT Act quickly - the booking deadline is tomorrow. Some blackout dates apply.

INFO 800-999-8585, mention "Travelzoo"; qualityinn-orlando.com/tzoo

Bahamas make a splash

COST From $299 a person

THE DEAL For beach fun for the family or couples, Paradise Island's Atlantis resort in the Bahamas is offering a fall package where guests can stay three nights and get the fourth night free. The package also includes free companion airfare. Guests will receive unlimited access to Aquaventure, 141 acres of water rides and pools, as well as an Atlantis Experience pass that has dolphin swims, golf and dining perks. A five-day, four-night package starts at $299 a person; kids 11 and younger stay for free. The Atlantis is a resort of Las Vegas proportions, with everything from a theater and aquariums to a full casino and a marina. For those who miss out on the Atlantis deal, Nassau Paradise Island is also offering free companion airfare for a minimum three-night vacation at any of 16 other resorts and hotels on the island.

INFO 800-285-2684, Atlantis.com, nassauparadiseisland.com

Jazz journey in the city

COST From $235 a night

THE DEAL "Staycationers" can forego the expense of air and car travel for a visit to the Big Apple; there are plenty of summer hotel deals at such establishments as the Waldorf-Astoria (800-925-3673), Westin New York at Times Square (212-201-2700), Buckingham Hotel (212-246-1500, ext. 3201), and a dozen Marriott-owned hotels throughout the city (marriottsummerinthecity.com). One enticing deal for jazz enthusiasts is being offered by the Affinia Shelburne in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood. Starting at $235 a night through Sept. 6, the service-oriented boutique hotel is providing accommodations with an Ibanez guitar included for your musically inspired moments; two free tickets to a performance at Birdland Jazz Club accompanied by two cocktails; and daily breakfast for two at the Rare Bar & Grill. When you take a break from the club-going, there's in-room spa service and a sleek rooftop bar, the Rare View.

INFO 866-233-4642, Affinia.com/jazz, code JAZZ

D.C. at a discount

COST From $120 a night

THE DEAL For little more than the cost of a tank of gas, families and couples can take a tour of the nation's capital, which has some extraordinary deals at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria (703-837-0440), the Quincy near Dupont Circle (800-424-2970) and the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. (202-835-0500), among others. Eight Marriott hotels are offering a particularly attractive deal for two-night stays, Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 6. For $120 a night, guests receive accommodations for up to two adults and two children; two free adult city sightseeing passes offering free access to major attractions; and free breakfast for two or more, depending on the hotel. Check out the political and legal center of the country, with its national museums and monuments and the elegant homes of Dupont Circle - and do so while it's relatively quiet, with Congress on recess until Sept. 12. (Similar deals are being offered at Marriott hotels in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.)

INFO marriottsummerinthecity.com, code CUE

Stay for less in Jamaica

COST From $250 a night

THE DEAL For a beach resort that offers as much for the kids as it does for adults, try the romantic Colonial-style Half Moon resort on Jamaica's Montego Bay, with its two-mile white sand beach. Rates for its Fall Frenzy package start at $250 a night a room, and up to two children stay free. Guests staying four nights get the fourth night free. While adults will enjoy 50 percent off golf greens fees, 30 percent off spa treatments and 15 percent off the hotel shop, kids (and adults) will love the dolphin swims in the natural Dolphin Lagoon and the equestrian programs (both 50 percent off) and 10 percent off excursions, such as a tour of the Appleton Estate Rum Distillery or a visit to the YS Falls on Jamaica's South Coast. The room rate includes 50 percent off the meal plan for children younger than 12. Besides the 51 swimming pools, 13 tennis and four squash courts and other facilities, Half Moon has a new club for young teens, Hype Zone, with lots of organized activities; little guests receive special perks such as a welcome drink and tuck-in service. Single-parent rates are available.

INFO 888-830-5974, halfmoon.com

'Labour Day' in London

COST Airfare from $620; $109 a night

THE DEAL For travel over the Labor Day holiday between Sept. 3 and 7, CheapOstay is offering rooms starting at $109 a night at the Britannia International Hotel in East London, with a $20 hotel booking credit. Combine that with CheapOair's deal on round-trip airfare from New York to London starting at $620, and you have an appealingly affordable package deal. Next to Canary Wharf (a stop on the tube's Jubilee line not far from central London), this London Docklands hotel has a restaurant (along with a pizzeria and bar) with views of the old Jamaica Sugar Docks and a fitness center with pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

BOOK IT The booking deadline for airfare is Aug. 22.

INFO 866-636-9088, cheapoair.com; 866-466-8827, cheapostay.com