Celebrate back-to-school season at Barceló Beach Resorts with these two last minute summer packages offering savings of up to 40 percent off.
At Barceló Maya Beach Resort (Mexico), currently in the final stages of a $50 million renovation, families can score a deal on a last blast of fun with a dedicated U-Spa for kids, mocktail menus and more.
Adults looking for a summer-end travel deal can head to Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort (Dominican Republic), offering adults-only accommodations and a PGA-rated championship golf course.
Families can score a deal on a last blast of fun at Barcelo Maya Beach Resort, Mexico.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
It’s not too late to hop in the car and save this Memorial Day weekend - stay 3 nights or more at any Wingate by Wyndham or Ramada hotels and receive 20% off your stay.
1. Washington, D.C.
National Memorial Parade. Washington D.C.What better place to be patriotic than the nation’s capital? Events in the area include the National Memorial Day Concert and the National Memorial Day Parade.
Perfect for last-minute trips from: Baltimore; Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, C.T.; Louisville, K.Y.; Nashville; New York City; Providence.
2. Atlanta, GA
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
River rafting. Sun salutations. Mother Nature. Wallet-friendly savings. Women looking for a restorative summer adventure will appreciate this women-only, yoga-focused rafting trip down the Green River through Utah’s Desolation Canyon with Holiday River Expeditions.
Whether you are new to rafting, new to yoga, new to the outdoors or looking for a new girlfriend getaway, this June 2 - 6, 2014 trip welcomes women of all abilities and ages.
The deal:
Book by April 30, 2014 and receive $150 off.
Why go
Not your standard yoga retreat for the uber-fit, this wellness vacation is designed for ALL women including those who struggle with weight, arthritis, chronic pain, sports injuries, MS, aging or mobility related issues. Leading the yoga will be Deanna English, a registered nurse, yoga therapist, and integrative health coach.
What to expect
Rafting splashy rapids that build in intensity each day. Big beach camps with plenty of room for yoga. Excellent inflatable kayaking opportunities. Dramatic canyon scenery. Great hiking. Plenty of down time. Fresh delicious meals. Scenic flight.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Here’s a new small ship Alaska cruise with wallet-friendly savings from one of my favorite travel companies…
Book a 2014 Alaska voyage with Un-Cruise Adventures aboard their new 88-guest S.S. Legacy by February 28, 2014 and receive adventure savings up to $600 per couple.
S.S. Legacy, Un-Cruise Adventures.
Un-Cruise Adventures’ new replica coastal steamer S.S. Legacy sails back through history bringing alive the stories and characters from Alaska’s Gold Rush. The S.S. Legacy sails with crew in period costume and a team of Heritage guides charged with bringing characters and events from history alive through skits, impromptu vignettes, presentations and strolls on deck. Shoreside tours to points of historical interest are included. On board, guests enjoy the ambiance of an elegant coastal steamer with modern conveniences. Public spaces include an elegant Klondike Dining Room, Grand Salon with dance floor, wine bar and rollicking Pesky Barnacle Saloon. Wellness amenities include two hot tubs, sauna, massage room, fitness equipment and yoga on deck.
From June 15 through August 17, 2014 ten departures of a new Alaska’s Golden History cruise bring the Klondike Gold Rush alive. The weeklong cruise visits Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines and Skagway; Frederick Sound and Icy Strait are prime whale watching territory. An 11-night Gold Rush Legacy cruise between Seattle and Juneau (and reverse) will be offered in June and August.
Highlights include guided tours in port, whale watching, viewing glaciers in Glacier Bay, discovering native Tlingit culture and exploring scenic waterways by coastal steamer.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Why Go:
It’s no secret that Peru is one of South America’s hottest destinations with Amazon adventures, the Sacred Valley of the the Incas and Machu Picchu, plus some of the best cuisine on the planet. But the price of getting there isn’t always wallet-friendly.
Move quickly and you can fly for less with LAN Airline’s BIG DEAL Summer Sale on flights to and within Peru. Fly from the U.S. to Lima, Peru with fares starting at $549* and see more of Peru when you visit an additional domestic destination for $14 or LESS. Tickets must be booked together before August 5, 2013 for travel between August 15 and December 5, 2013.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Switzerland ranks as one of the prettiest places on the planet. It’s also one of the most expensive. But that doesn’t mean budget travelers have to steer clear. Here are five wallet-friendly summer deals to help you stretch your dollars and expand your fun.
Alpine Summer Switzerland
Better still, discover how you can win a free one-week Swiss summer holiday.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Are you looking for a summer getaway? To help you start planning, and save some money while you’re at it, Destination Hotels & Resorts is offering big saving to those who book early with its Countdown to Summer promotion.
The collection-wide promotion offers special discounts on summer lodging throughout Destination’s portfolio of hotels, resorts, condominiums and vacation rentals with discounts, upgrades, and added-value packages.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
We cruised the Galapagos with Ecoventura earlier this year and loved it. If the famed islands are on your travel wish list, check out this budget-friendly travel deal…
Book a Galapagos Yacht Cruise by Aug. 31st for Travel in 2012 or 2013 and save.
Sally lightfoot crab, the Galapagos Islands. ©Ellen Barone.
Environmentally friendly Galapagos cruise company, Ecoventura, is offering a special ten percent discount on some seasonal departure dates through mid-December 2012. In addition, guests booking a trip now for 2013 (excluding holiday weeks) can lock in 2012 cruise rates. This promotion can also be combined with a 5 percent Early Bird discount for selected departure dates 180 days out from booking date.
The 2012 seasonal departures that apply are July 29-Aug. 5, Aug 19-26, Sept. 2-9, Sept. 16-23, Sept. 23-30, Sept. 30-Oct. 7, Oct. 21-28, Nov. 4-11, Nov. 18-25, Dec. 2-9 and Dec. 9-16.
Seven-night/eight-day cruise rates start at $3,550 per person, double occupancy before any discounts are applied. Additional discounts are available for children. All cruises run Sunday to Sunday.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Keep it all in the family this summer with Nature Air and Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality Family Travel Package.
From young eco-minded adventurers to more senior explorers who like a little pampering, Costa Rica has what it takes to cater to multi-generational families looking for more bang for their buck. During the Green Season (May to December) kids 12 years and under fly for free on any of Nature Air’s 74 daily flights to 15 destinations across the country, AND stay and eat for free at some of the top eco-luxury accommodations in Central America.
Partnering with Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, a company that manages a number of Earth-friendly lodges, hotels and inns in the Central American region, carbon-neutral Nature Air allows families to economically combine city stays with rainforest adventures, mountain and beach getaways for this summer’s vacation in one of the most popular eco-tourism destinations in the world.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Learn more at AA.com
Source: American Airlines.
About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of TravelUpdatesbyEllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
I’ve got a serious crush on our National Parks and now, Holiday River Expeditions, for choosing to celebrate National Park Week by making it easier, and cheaper, for travelers to enjoy one of their National Park rafting and biking adventures this summer.
Where Canyonlands National Park and Dinosaur National Monument.
Why go Ultimate access to the hidden treasures of our national parks.
The experience Adventure, exhilaration, natural history, kids activities, delicious meals, impeccable gear and expert guides.
Deal details Book select Cataract Canyon Rafting, Combo Cataract Rafting & White Rim Trail Mt Biking, Yampa River or Combo Yampa Bike & Raft trips and save $200 OFF the Adult Fare. Or if you just want the ultimate mountain biking adventure you can save $100 OFF the Adult Rate on their White Rim Trail Mt Biking trip. National Parks Week Special Ends April 27, 2012.
For booking and information, visit http://www.bikeraft.com/great-deals/
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
King Pacific Lodge, a floating luxury wilderness lodge located on the central coast of British Columbia deep in the Great Bear Rainforest, wants Canadians to make themselves at home this summer. And with half price lodging for the month of June 2012 for Canadian guests, a visit to the eco-friendly seventeen room lodge just got a whole lot more inviting.
King Pacific Lodge, A Rosewood Resort, is offering the experience of a lifetime. During the month of June 2012, Canadians will pay 50% less for a visit to King Pacific Lodge, or $5,100 CAD, for a fully inclusive seven-night stay.
The fully inclusive package features:
• Scenic round-trip chartered flights from Vancouver to the lodge
• Champagne welcome reception and orientation
• Gourmet meals featuring British Columbia’s finest organic and seasonal ingredients
• All beverages including award-winning British Columbia wines
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Head to one of Mexico’s most exclusive beach spa resorts and enjoy the last remaining days of summer with special savings from Ceiba del Mar, an award-winning property in Mexico’s exotic Riviera Maya.
Now through the end of September, spend one night at the boutique Ceiba del Mar and get the second night free. Accommodations include 88 plush and intimate ocean-view rooms and suites, including junior and master suites with private terraces and a penthouse with a plunge pool. Each guest residence at Ceiba del Mar is beautifully decorated with Mexican painted tiles and hardwood furnishings from Guadalajara. Room and suite amenities include:
• A balcony or terrace and hammock.
• Large sitting areas.
• Walk-in showers and separate bathtubs.
• Organic bath products.
• Complimentary wireless Internet.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Who doesn’t love free stuff? The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, is offering guests plenty of ways to stay and play for free this summer.
Check out these fun-filled summer specials…
PEAK FOR FREE
Soar into the air with The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Peak For Free Package. Enjoy luxury Whistler resort accommodations as well as two Peak 2 Peak Gondola Sightseeing tickets per room, per night. Take sightseeing to a new level and travel across the world’s longest unsupported span, at 436 meters above the valley floor. For a bigger thrill, try the glass bottom gondola for unimpeded views straight down. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Peak for Free offer is available until September 25th, 2011, and weekends only until October 9th. Rates for this great family offer start at $229 per night, based on double occupancy.
GOLF FOR FREE
Spend time bonding in the great outdoors with The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Golf For Free Package. Rates start at $230 per night based on double occupancy with a minimum two night stay. This great offer includes luxury accommodation and one round of golf per person. Additionally guests receive complimentary, unlimited use of the Practice Facility and unlimited rounds of play after 1 p.m. following the first round included with the package. Children aged 10 to 16 golf for free during their stay when playing with a paying adult. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Golf For Free Package is available until October 10th, weather permitting.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Continental Airlines has just introduced reduced airfares for North Americans interested in visiting Palau, Micronesia, anytime from September 1-December 15, 2011.
Roundtrip airfares are as low as $1,305 from Los Angeles or $1,405 from Houston. Other select U.S. airports feature airfares of only $1,505. Additionally, the airline is offering a special add-on rate for stopovers in Yap, for a fee of only $75.
Restrictions apply and airfare is subject to applicable taxes, passenger facility charges and security fees. These special rates require a minimum stay of six days and maximum stay of 30 days. Tickets must be purchased at least seven days prior to departure and no later than August 31, 2011.
For more information and to book these special rates, visit www.continental.com.
About Palau, Micronesia
Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water features and beaches as well as the world famous Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. With more than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have called Palau the “8th Natural Wonder of the World”, while others have identified Palau as “One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World.” For more information about Palau, please visit www.visit-palau.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Wouldn’t it be nice to getaway to Europe this summer without worrying about the airfare? Here’s a deal that can help…
Adventure travel company, Mountain Travel Sobek, is offering to cover the cost of your airfare up to $1,000*, when you book one of their Top 5 European Summer Adventures (see below) by June 24, 2011.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
This summer and fall, leave work and life stresses at home and round up your favorite gal-pal for a Central American girlfriend getaway.
Finca Rosa BlancaFrom now through November 15, 2011, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality is offering new Girlfriend Getaway Packages at five of its Costa Rican and Nicaraguan properties. Known around the world for their highly sustainable and Earth-friendly ways, the hotels and lodges offer a range of outdoor activities for girls on-the-go with on-site amenities for ladies in need of relaxation including: surf lessons, ziplining over a rainforest canopy, rebalancing the sprit with private yoga, learning to make authentic tortillas, and more.
Perks of the Girlfriend Getaway Packages vary at each of the Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality properties:
Lapa Rios Ecolodge
Costa Rica’s Lapa Rios Ecolodge is set on a private nature reserve spread over 1,000-acres of Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes five nights accommodation for the price of four, three gourmet meals per day, transfers to and from the Puerto Jimenez airport, a sustainability tour of the Lapa Rios property (includes participating in your own Plant a Tree program) and an on-site, guided tour (choices include bird watching at sunrise, a local medicine walk and exploring the rainforest). The five-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $2,175 US. For more information or to book, visit www.laparios.com.
Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn
Come stay at the first certified sustainable hotel in Costa Rica, and the only property to achieve a perfect score on the Sustainable Tourism Certification program. This property’s Girlfriend Getaway Package includes three nights accommodation, three gourmet meals per day, transfers to and from the airport, a tour of the inn’s organic coffee plantation, a rainforest massage and a head-to-toe massage. The three-night Girlfriend Getaway Package starts at $1,843 US.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Whether it is a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation, the Rivera Maya’s award-winning Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa Resort is offering special savings this summer so guests can enjoy world class amenities and attractions for less.
Now through August 31, 2011, guests can book a stay for $129 (European Plan) per person per night, which includes breakfast, or for $192 (Luxury Gourmet Plan) per person per night, which includes all a-la-carte meals at the resort’s restaurants, as well as snacks and premium beverages, including wine by the glass and top-shelf liquors. (Offer does not include room service or mini bar purchases.) And for every additional night a guest stays, various amenities are added complimentary, including:
• Second additional night includes airport transfers.
• Third additional night includes a snorkeling visit to the National Reef Park in Puerto Morelos, which is the second largest coral reef in the world
.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
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.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Look for hundreds of gas saving offers from inns and B&Bs at www.BetterwaytoStay.comGas 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.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".