BAJA

Winter blues? Not here

Party your way down to Cabo for a great price; Carnival's Elation makes a fun, affordable five-day trip.

Itinerary: San Diego to Cabo San Lucas to Ensenada and back to San Diego.

Info: Carnival Cruise Lines, Miami; (888) 227-6482, www.carnival.com.

Dates: Departure dates include Nov. 29, Dec. 13 and 17, Jan. 10 and Feb. 7.

Price: Starting at $239 a person, double occupancy, including port charges but not including fuel surcharges or taxes. Carnival charges $4 a person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests in a cabin.

YELLOWSTONE

Talk about your snow birds

Get on the snow and ice with Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel's "Nordic Heaven at Mammoth" package at the national park.

Info: Xanterra Parks & Resorts; (866) 439-7375, www.travelyellowstone.com.

Dates: Available Jan. 4 through March 8. Minimum two-night stay.

Price: $175 per person, double occupancy; $259 for single occupancy, including a full-day ski rental, one ski drop, unlimited ice skating and skates, a one-hour hot tub rental, two breakfasts, a Snow Card (good for local discounts) and a welcome gift. The price does not include tax.

RIO DE JANEIRO

It's carnival time in Rio

Cross an item off your life's to-do list by heading to Rio for the world's most exuberant carnival celebration. General Tours World Traveler provides the navigation once you're there with a six-day key to the city.

Info: General Tours World Traveler, Keene, N.H.; (800) 221-2216, www.generaltours.com.

Dates: Feb. 20 to 25.

Price: $1,399 per person, including private airport transfers; sightseeing tours with a personal car, driver and guide; a choice between ascending Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car or Mt. Corcovado by train to see the famous Christ statue up close; five nights in your choice of seven upscale hotels and five meals. Airfare is not included.

FRANCE AND ITALY