With vacation season on the horizon, travelers hunting for a bargain will find wallet-friendly options in Belize as hotels are slashing prices and boosting inclusive packages for the summer months.
Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, ancient Maya temples, exotic wildlife and more, Belize provides an unforgettable vacation. And with a fixed exchange rate of BZ$2 to US$1, travelers will naturally save even more on their summer trips.
Below is a list of specific offers that begin in the summer and run through Belize’s low season (October 31) and are tailored to fit a range of travelers - from couples seeking romantic escapes to families in search of safe summer destinations. Travelers can also find a full roster of hot summer deals on Belize’s official travel website, TravelBelize.org.
SUMMER ROMANCE FOR A BARGAIN
Featuring remote islands, mesmerizing waterfalls and affordable luxuries, Belize is the ideal getaway for couples in search of rousing romantic destinations. From seaside star-gazing on the white beaches of Placencia to breathtaking sunsets on the Maya temples of Caracol in the Cayo District, Belize’s awe-inspiring attractions are sure to sizzle any couple’s summer. While the country’s romance website, Belize In Love, features romantic packages offered year-round, below are two summer deals perfect for stirring up a little romance.
Gas prices are rising and innkeepers are coming to the rescue with a “kick gas” promotion. To help relieve pain at the pumps for travelers, inns and B&Bs throughout the U.S. and Canada are going the extra mile by offering gas savings of all kinds. Rallied by the Better Way To Stay campaign, a grassroots “experience B&Bs” campaign, hundreds of innkeepers throughout the U.S. and Canada are helping travelers save at the gas pumps under the umbrella of B&Bs Kick Gas!.
Innkeepers have created offers including everything from free gas cards and gas credits (savings on a stay to put into the gas tank), to free tune ups for the car, and rewards for carpooling or driving eco-friendly vehicles. Simply visit www.BetterWayToStay.com where gas or eco-driving offers from almost every state in the United States and many Canadian provinces can be easily searched geographically.
“Innkeepers are pumped to help travelers underwrite the cost of travel this spring and summer,” said Jay Karen, CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, the organization spearheading the Better Way To Stay campaign. “The B&Bs Kick Gas! campaign, has rallied inns and B&Bs in the US and Canada to encourage those who might be anxious to travel this spring due to rising costs,” finished Karen.
Most B&Bs Kick Gas! offers provide a $25 or greater incentive, complimentary breakfast daily and afternoon refreshments when guests stay for two or more days.
Click here to read more and learn about offers from inns, B&B associations and consortiums.
Gray Whales Return to The Saratoga Passage
Inn at Langley offers special mid-week watch-the-whales rate
Each spring, the Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano islands becomes a temporary home to migrating Gray Whales. The giant mammals are drawn to the Puget Sound’s rich, shallow feeding grounds as they travel north from the Baja coast to the waters of the Arctic. From about mid-March through May, the passage plays host to up to a dozen whales.
The balconies at The Inn at Langley are ideal spots from which to watch the slow-rolling whales gather food and listen to the faint and soothing sounds of their breathing. In celebration of the whales’ return, The Inn is offering special mid-week room rates starting at $225 until May 13, 2011.
“Every year, we are amazed by these majestic creatures as they return to feed and frolic directly off shore from the Inn,” said Inn general manager and chef, Matt Costello. “There’s even a whale bell in downtown Langley about a block from The Inn that people are encouraged to ring when they spot a whale.”
For guests hoping for a look from the water, The Inn is partnering with a local tour boat operator. Guests need only mention they are interested in a charter whale watching tour when making a reservation at The Inn and the Inn staff will make arrangements.
Travelers exploring America this spring will be able to stretch their travel dollar even farther thanks to Choice Hotels and a new Choice Privileges promotion where members can earn a $50 gas card after just two separate stays. Book a reservation at ChoiceHotels.com or 800-4CHOICE and stay two separate times at any Choice Hotels property between March 3 and May 4, 2011, and receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a $50 gas card to use anytime.*
What’s more, guests who register at ChoiceHotels.com are eligible to earn more than one $50 gas card during the promotion. Also, Choice Privileges Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond members can book their qualifying stays through any channel. Qualifying stays at Choice Hotels economy and extended stay brand properties, including MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels, must be a minimum of two consecutive nights.
For more information about the ChoicePrivileges rewards program, as well as other promotional offers by Choice Hotels, visit choicehotels.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of December 31, 2010, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 9,000 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 18 other countries and territories.The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide.In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.
Source: Choice Hotels International
With Fat Tuesday right around the corner, Mardi Gras travelers can still save up to 30% on select hotels with hotels.com. Better yet, savings are available in both the U.S. as well as Canada, to make sure everyone can enjoy the party!
New Orleans
Winter may be Santa Fe’s best kept secret, but it won’t be for long with winter deals like these.
The first annual Santa Fe Winter Fiesta takes place February 18 - 27, 2011 throughout Santa Fe’s historic streets and in the nearby Rocky Mountains.
Each day will be a celebration of the season with daily special events focusing on Santa Fe’s bountiful outdoor opportunities, Native American and Spanish cultures, the region’s savory and diverse cuisine, the city’s performing arts, and Santa Fe’s endless fine arts.
Lots of winter events and Santa Fe Specials are available plus hotel packages with value pricing and additional savings opportunities around town, including:
- Stay one night get one free offers are available at Luxx Hotel, Lodge at Santa Fe and Hotel Plaza Real
- Spa and resort packages up to 50% off
- 505 Bar Crawl Friday, February 18th - FREE ADMISSION
- Discounted snowshoe and skiing
- Santa Fe School of Cooking Classes 30% off
- Dining at famous resaturants 20 - 60 % off
- SEE ALL DEALS
A Winter Fiesta Pass lanyard ($20) is the key to savings for many events, venues, classes and programs.
For more Santa Fe information and Winter Fiesta deals visit: www.SantaFeWinterFiesta.com
Source: Santa Fe Conventions and Visitors Bureau
THE FINE PRINT: Not applicable to groups, existing business or with any other offer. New reservations are pre-paid, non-refundable at time of booking. Blackout dates may apply.
RESERVATIONS: To book a reservation, call 800.732.2240 or book directly with this link
Escape the winter blues for less with savings from Windstar Cruises. Enjoy 2-for-1 fares starting at $999 for select voyages departing Barbados and St. Martin. Offer expires January 31, 2011.
Southern Caribbean Explorations
Barbados - Barbados, 7-days
Category B staterooms from $999*, Savings up to 64%
January 23-March 27, 2011 on the Wind Surf
Caribbean Adventures
St. Martin - St. Martin, 7-days
Category B staterooms from $1,249*, Savings up to 64%
January 22-April 2, 2011 on the Wind Spirit
About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.
Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.
The Romance Experience package includes:
If you are traveling to any of the destinations beyond Fiji, your stopover in Fiji is Free.
Low fares starting at $29 available for travel through February
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have launched a New Year’s sale with airfare to several popular Hawaiian destinations starting at $159. Fares are available for travel throughout the Lower 48 states and Hawaii, and are good for travel between Jan. 11 and Feb. 17, 2011. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 12, 2011, and are available for purchase today at alaskaair.com and horizonair.com.
$29* between:
San Jose and Sacramento, Calif.
$ 49* between:
Los Angeles and San Jose
Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore.
Spokane and Seattle
$ 59* between:
Boise, Idaho, and Portland
AirTran Airways, today launched a sale for travel to select Caribbean destinations with special low fares. Travelers may purchase these sale fares at airtran.com, from their local travel agent or via AirTran Airways’ reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842. These special fares are available for purchase through January 13, 2011, and are good for travel fromJanuary 11, 2011, through May 24, 2011. Off-peak sale fares are valid for travel on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to the Caribbean and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from the Caribbean. Peak sale fares are valid for travel daily. Like all AirTran Airways fares, prices included in this sale are available for one-way travel and do not require a roundtrip purchase or an overnight stay. These sale fares require a 14-day advance purchase. Following is a sample of one-way sale fares*. All fares are valid in either direction:
Sample Fares: |
Off-Peak |
/Peak |
|
Akron/Canton - Punta Cana |
$139 |
$159 |
|
Atlanta - Aruba |
$129 |
$159 |
|
Atlanta - Cancun |
$89 |
$99 |
|
Atlanta - Montego Bay |
$109 |
$119 |
|
Atlanta - Nassau/Paradise Island |
$79 |
$89 |
|
Atlanta - Punta Cana |
$109 |
$129 |
|
Atlantic City - Cancun |
$119 |
$149 |
|
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) - Aruba |
$149 |
$179 |
|
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) - Bermuda |
$99 |
$129 |
|
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) - Cancun |
Experience Yellowstone National Park this winter at budget-friendly rates.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges is offering a special rate of $49 for rooms with shared bathrooms in the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Jan. 4 through March 6, 2011 with the exception of Feb. 18-21, 2011. Rates are normally $87 per night for single or double occupancy.
Yellowstone’s winter season began Dec. 18, 2010 with the opening of Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel opens Dec. 21, 2010. The lodges provide the only wintertime accommodations within the park. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel will close for the season March 7, 2011, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge will close March 6, 2011.
To qualify for the special rate rooms must be reserved before January 14, 2011 using the promotional code “WOB49.” Reservations can be made by calling 1-307-344-7311 or toll-free 1-866-439-7375 or online atwww.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com using the promo code box. This rate cannot be combined with other specials or packages.
The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is located five miles inside the park’s northern entrance and is convenient for visitors who want to drive to the Lamar Valley to view wolves, bison, elk and other wildlife. The road from Gardiner, Mont. to Mammoth Village and on to Cooke City, Mont. is the only road plowed all winter. Just outside Mammoth Village are groomed cross country ski trails and access to the park’s interior via snowcoach and snowmobile.
Complete details about winter accommodations, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone can be made by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free 866-439-7375, or online at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.
Source: Xanterra Parks & Resorts
American Airlines Brings Kids to Telluride for Free
Telluride Ski Resort and American Airlines are back with the ever popular Kids Fly Free Program this winter. American, Continental, Delta and United Airlines are also offering some of the most aggressive First Class fares in recent history, with rates as low as $632 to get to the slopes of Telluride.
Telluride boasts some of the best non-stop access of any destination ski resort, with daily direct flights from Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Denver, and now Atlanta, as well as direct flights from Newark and Los Angeles on the weekends.
From January 5 - February 16 and February 27 - March 10, 2011, kids ages 2-12 will fly free with an accompanying adult ticket on American Airlines flights into Telluride’s Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ).
Located on the western slopes of the Tetons, Grand Targhee Ski Resort is regionally known as the Rocky Mountain’s best kept secret. Their abundance of champagne powder snow, coupled with Teton Springs luxury accommodations, makes this affordable lodging, lift and breakfast package a perfect romantic getaway or family winter vacation.
- Luxury Accommodations in a Deluxe Lodge Room
- Daily Deluxe Continental Breakfast
- 1 Day Lift Ticket at Grand Targhee Resort
No Minimum Stay Required. Upgrades Available. Price based on double occupancy and does not include resort fee, taxes, or gratuities. Based on availability and not valid with any other promotion. 11/25/2010 - 4/17/2011. From $135 per person per night.
All packages can be modified to better suit your needs. Options include additional days of heli-skiing, snow cat skiing, or lift tickets at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Airline Offering Special Sale Fares During First 12 Days of December -
Airtran Airways Offering Special Sale Fares During First 12 Days of December -
AirTran Airways today launched a special 12-day “Festivus For the Rest of Us” sale. Over the next 11 days, the sale will feature new and exciting destinations each day with special fares valid for one day only. New sale fares posted daily.
Today’s feature kicks off with special fares to a Caribbean getaway – Montego Bay, Jamaica – providing rest and relaxation to those who may have just completed a Festivus Feat of Strength.
Similar to the humble beginnings of Festivus that eventually gained legendary status, the sale will grow into something larger each day. Special fares will be posted daily at www.airtran.com/festivus and the number of destinations on sale will correspond with the day of the sale (i.e. seven destinations on sale on day seven, etc.). A final surprise will be unveiled on the 12th day, December 12.
Travelers can purchase these Festivus fares online at www.airtran.com, from their local travel agent or via AirTran Airways’ reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.
These special Festivus fares are available for purchase daily through Dec. 12, 2010, and are good for travel from Jan. 5, 2011, through Feb. 16, 2011. Sale fares are valid for travel daily
Grand Canyon Railway package rates have dropped for the winter and will drop again on Jan. 1, 2011. The rates for packages – which include train travel, accommodations and more – will be as much as 36 percent lower during the winter season.
All Grand Canyon Railway packages feature roundtrip train travel to Grand Canyon National Park and accommodations at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, Ariz. Several packages include meals, and some also include accommodations and/or narrated motorcoach tours at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railway also offers reduced winter rates for RV packages that include stays at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park.
The following rate examples are per person based on double occupancy in a standard hotel room and for coach-class train travel. Upgrades are available. Rates for children ages two to 15 and single occupancy vary. Taxes and gratuities are not included.
The Railway Express features roundtrip train travel and one night of lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. The rate is $119.50 per person through Dec. 31, 2010 and $89.50 per person Jan. 1 through March 14, 2011.
The Railway Getaway features roundtrip train travel, one night of lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and one breakfast and one dinner per person in the Grand Depot Café. The rate is $148.50 per person through Dec. 31, 2010 and $118.50 per person Jan. 1 through March 14, 2011.
TWO WEEK SALE: Super Savings off cruise pricing in all categories on select sailings, plus FREE airfare from Los Angeles
Black Friday comes to Tahiti. Paul Gauguin Cruises is kicking off the holiday season with incredible savings on previously advertised cruise fares. Book between November 26th and December 10th to enjoy this special offer of savings from $750 to $2,775 per person on select sailings*.
Sailings include:
- 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands: April 2 & 9, 2011
- 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands: June 4 & 11, 2011
- 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands: March 5, May 14 & June 18, 2011
BONUS: Book on Black Friday (November 26th) or November 27th and receive a $100 per person Spa Credit to the Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.
For reservations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-800-848-6172 or visit www.pgcruises.com.
About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., the leader in French Polynesia luxury destination resorts, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific. For additional information, visit www.pgcruises.com.