A four-day package to Hato Dona Barbara that includes meals, accommodations and air fare from Caracas costs $1,100.

Be aware that the popular four-day, three-night packages to Chitwan include a day of travel at either end.

Starting Jan. 1 it will be offering two-day, three-day and four-day packages, plus three days of half days.

Instead of a cruise, you might consider a four-day package.

A four-day, three-night package is $488 a person including airport transfers, city and canal tour, but not air fare.

Round-trip air fare, hotel accommodations, breakfast, dinner and limited sightseeing are included in the four-day package, $524 a person in double occupancy.

"The offerings of four-day, three-night packages to places like London or Paris have dramatically increased in just a couple of years," Mr. Loucks said.

A four-day, three-night package is available on Spirit Cay, a private island, for $3,600 for eight people, all inclusive.

Some centers offer three- or four-day packages that start at $215 and $285.

The speciality is four-day, four-night packages.