Our Travel-Expert-in-Residence, Rudy Maxa, starts this week's Deal with a question: What's the most popular tourist activity? Complaining about the airlines? No. It's shopping.

For a lot of travelers, shopping isn't just a side trip -- it's the main event. Every January, the famous London department store Harrod's has a blowout sale that lures travelers from all over the world.

Well, this week, the folks at Virgin Atlantic have a great package that will fly you to London for the sale on January 16th. You can stay 3 nights, or if you're a serious shopaholic, there's a 6-night package, too. Virgin will fly you from New York or Boston to London, get you to and from the airport, and put you up in a hotel for $439 per person for 3 nights, based on two people traveling together. If you add those other 3 nights, the price goes up by just $60.

Now that's a sale! But, you have to leave January 16th -- after all, you want to get there for the start of the sale and snag all the fabulous bargains.

Breakfast is included, and you'll also get a ?25 gift certificate from Harrod's, which is worth about $37 U.S.

You can fly out of other cities, but it will cost you a little more. Los Angeles is an additional $180, for example. It's $70 more from Washington, DC. And, figure another $99 in taxes and security fees.

Savvy Resources: Virgin/Harrod's Shopping Info: http://www.virgin.com/vacations, click on "Special Offers," then go to "Virgin/Harrod's 6nt Shopping Spree" or "Virgin/Harrod's 3nt Shopping Spree" for details. By phone: Call 88-YES-VIRGIN (888-937-8474) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.