The Real Deal: Six nights' accommodations on a passenger ship, bike rental, all meals, the services of two guides, and maps and route notes, from $1,995 per person — plus about $100 in taxes.
When: Aug. 22, 2009; add $200 for May 30, June 6, 13, July 18, Aug. 29, Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3.
The fine print: Does not include taxes of about $100 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $425. Maximum group size is 16 people. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Active Journeys, 800/597-5594, activejourneys.com.
Why it's a deal: For the Aug. 22 departure only, the Waterways of Montreal package is $200 off the regular price. Consider that you're booking accommodations, meals, and the bike rental (a $125 value) at once — and you'll have the valuable services of two professional tour guides.
Highlights: Expect to bike an average of about 22 miles a day along the St. Lawrence River, going south from Montreal's Old Port, where you'll spy the extensive canal system built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Ports of call include Ste.-Anne-De-Bellevue, Salaberry de Valleyfield, Lac Ste.-Francois, Beauharnois, and Lachine. You'll see locks, lakes, rolling countryside, lighthouses, and towns along the way. Your tour guide will determine the route depending on group size and ability, but you'll get a break every 10 miles or so, plus stops for sightseeing and picture-taking. The boat will dock at the port of your new location each night and will transport your luggage. If you need a break from biking, feel free to stay on the boat during the day as it sails.
Lodging: You'll stay in a cabin with two single beds, a private bathroom, and air-conditioning on a 16-passenger, double-decker boat. You'll pack up your breakfast and lunch on the boat before taking off at 9 a.m. each morning. After returning each night, you'll be served a four-course meal featuring gourmet fare from farms in the region.
More: Add nights from $70 per person.
Before you go: The trip begins and ends at Montreal's Old Port. If you're flying in, you can catch a bus to downtown for $15 per person and then take the Metro to the port. A cab ride would be around $40. U.S. citizens will need a valid passport for travel; a visa is not required.