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".
DID YOU KNOW that May 23rd is World Turtle Day, a global observance to help celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats?
On the island of Dominica, the annual sea turtle season is under way in an ancient ritual that dates back to the time of dinosaur and hundreds of endangered sea turtles travel thousands of miles to lay eggs on the protected beach at Rosalie Bay.
During this special time, guests at eco-boutique Rosalie Bay Resort can participate in conservation efforts and save 33% on 4 or more night stays.
Among the conservation activities offered, you can:
Join resort turtle expert for a guided educational walk along the beach.
Help patrol the beach to protect nesting turtles.
Assist researchers in collecting data or watching as they relocate nests that are too close to the ocean to the turtle hatchery.
Or, be “on call” for when baby sea turtles hatch and begin their journey.
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".
Spring may be right around the corner, but in Estes Park, CO., located adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, winter is far from over. And unlike pricey, hard to access ski towns, in Estes Park, an easy 90-minute drive from Denver, off-peak prices make for some of the best winter deals in the Rocky Mountains.
Here are 4 discounted winter sport packages still available for a last minute winter getaway:
Estes Park Outfitters offers private, customizable snowcat adventures with accommodations at the exclusive, luxurious High Mountain Cabin – inaccessible outside of the package.
Snowcat Overnight Package, Estes Park, CO
DEAL (Save $350): A private two-hour snowcat adventure, a chef-prepared dinner, a one night stay and breakfast. Adventures can be customized to include private cross-country or back-country skiing.The package is available while weather permits. Rates start at $695 a night for up to four people.
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".
Heads-up budget travelers…Generator, the world’s fastest-growing hostel brand, is celebrating the first anniversary of Generator Barcelona with a €1 flash sale* and early bird access now available.
From March 18th at 8 a.m. EST to March 19that 8 a.m. EST, travelers will be able to book as many beds as they want online for the incredibly low rate. Travel is valid for stays between March 18, 2014 to March 17, 2015.
Click here to claim the offer early.
In addition, all guests who book a bed for €1 a night will be automatically entered to win a free upgrade to the Penthouse Suite where rates start at €250/$344 per night. *Based on availability, city tax of €0.72 per night per person not included.
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".
Generator, the world’s fastest-growing hostel brand, is offering incredible winter wipeout deals available brand-wide at their eight locations throughout Europe’s best destinations starting as low as $7 per person, per night.
Winter Wipeout offers are available through December 31, 2013 for travel until February 28, 2014. Starting rates for each property are:
- Barcelona - $13 per person per bed
- Berlin Mitte - $13 per person per bed
- Berlin Prenzlauer Berg - $7 per person per bed
- Copenhagen – $21 per person per bed
- Dublin - $7 per person per bed
- Hamburg - $13 per person per bed
- London - $16 per person per bed
- Venice - $21 per person per bed
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’m not a fan of consumer holidays. I am a fan of affordable travel, however. So, if a Colorado ski break, an Italian hiking holiday, or an all-inclusive Mexico beach escape is on your travel wish list, here are four Cyber Monday travel deals to help you save big.
COLORADO SKI BREAK
The deal: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, located in the heart of Beaver Creek at the base of one of Colorado’s most celebrated mountain resorts, is offering Cyber Monday savvy-shoppers a free night stay and a free day of skiing! Those who book the Ski Free, Stay Free offer can enjoy an extra night as well as an extra day on the slopes. In addition, those who book on December 2 will receive a slope side view upgrade based on availability. This deal represents a 20% savings on accommodations and savings of $200 for skiing.
How to save: To make reservations for this four-night stay, visit http://beavercreek.hyatt.com/en/hotel/offers/offer-detail.html?offerId=52910544 and use promo code CYBER. Offer is valid for stays between December 3-20 and throughout select dates in 2014. Please check the terms and conditions for availability.
To make reservations for this four-night stay, please visit http://beavercreek.hyatt.com/en/hotel/offers/offer-detail.html?offerId=52910544 and use promo code CYBER. Offer is valid for stays between December 3-20 and throughout select dates in 2014. Please check the terms and conditions for availability.
ITALIAN HIKING HOLIDAY
The deal: REI Adventures, a leading adventure tour company, is offering a Cyber Monday deal on its classic Cinque Terre Hiking trip in Italy. Guests who book this trip on December 2, 2013 will receive $700 off any 2014 departure of the trip, a 20% discount. The trip is a stunning tour by foot through the five picturesque fishing villages dotting the Mediterranean Coast of Italy. Guests will hike along dramatic views of the coastline, through chestnut and pine forests and past a 16th century naval fortress – all the while enjoying the region’s renowned wines, gastronomy and relaxed seaside culture.
How to save: Trips can be booked at www.rei.com/adventures (FYI the last time REI Adventures offered a discount was for their 25th anniversary, which was in April 2012.)
MEXICO ALL-INCLUSIVE BEACH ESCAPE
Barceló Hotels & Resorts
The deal: Barceló Hotels & Resorts specializes in all-inclusive resort experiences found in the world’s most desirable locales. The brand’s two multi-resort mega complexes, Barceló Bávaro and Barceló Maya, are characteristic of Barceló’s high quality service and endless entertainment options. Catering to online travel consumers, the brand is offering a 40% discount on stays with a three-night minimum.
How to save: Reservations must be made on Monday, December 2 though the savings is valid for travel throughout 2014, blackout dates may apply. To book, visit http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en_GB/offers/cybermonday-deals.aspx.
Sandos Hotels & Resorts
The deal: Sandos Hotels & Resorts is offering up to 50% off at one of Sandos’ four all-inclusive Mexico resorts. The brand’s Mexico collection includes: Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort and Sandos Playacar Beach Experience Resort, both in Riviera Maya; and Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort in Cancun. Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos is the fourth and newest Mexico property in the collection, which opened May 2013. Only available for booking on Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. Valid for travel in 2014; blackout dates may apply.
How to save: To book, visit www.sandos.com, select the Sandos Mexico hotel of choice and then click on the special offers tab at the top of the hotel landing page.
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".
Does the end of summer have you yearning for one last beach fling before the chill of autumn settles in?
I’m in the midst of writing about the Dominican Republic and Mexico this week and have stumbled upon some amazing last-minute travel deals in the process.
Here are three affordable hotel deals in Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya offering exceptional last-minute savings that just might tempt you to hop a 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".
If you’re like me, always on the lookout for last minute travel savings, this 30% off deal in Chilean Patagonia might be just the ticket for an October adventure.
Why go:
With high season officially beginning in November, the month of October is an ideal time to travel to Patagonia in order to avoid the crowds, but take advantage of the improving weather.
Trip highlights include hiking along the world famous W Route in Torres del Paine National Park, witnessing the birth of icebergs as they calve away from the Grey Glacier, encountering guanacos, pink flamingos, and condors in their natural habitat, and sleeping in tented domes at a luxury eco-camp.
photo courtesy BikeHike Adventures.
The Offer:
All October 2013 departures for BikeHike Adventures’ On the Trail of Chile’s Patagonia are discounted to $1,799 USD, a savings of up to 30%. The 7-day itinerary offers travelers the chance to hike the famous W Route in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights include the Grey Glacier, the French Valley, the Italian Valley, and the Torres del Paine themselves. Accommodations are in an Eco-Camp with comfortable dome tents that have solar showers and flush toilets as well as in cozy mountain refuges.
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".
Is Russia on your travel wish list for 2013?
Check out this new last-minute booking offer from Grand Circle Cruise Line’s for free round-trip international air fare from 22 U.S. gateway cities on 3 Fall 2013 departures on their 16-day Russia Revealed: Moscow to St. Petersburg river cruise. Offer ends August 27, 2013.
Cruise Russia for less with Grand Circle Cruise Lines
This Russia river cruise is among GCCL travelers’ top 3 most popular river cruises for 2013. In addition, two GCCL Russia ships, the M/S Tikhi Don and the M/S Rossia, were the highest ranked Russian river ships in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World.
Here are the details:
Russia Revealed: Moscow to St. Petersburg River Cruise
Explores Moscow, Uglich, Goritsy, Kizhi, Petrozayodsk, Svir Stroi, and St. Petersburg
16 days from $3195 per person (or $200 per day)
SAVE up to $3100 per couple on three fall 2013 departures: Free round-trip international air fare from 22 U.S. gateway cities includes airport transfers and government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. (Please note: visa costs are not included).
Departure Dates & Prices:
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".
Latest & Greatest: The newest property from Generator, Europe’s fastest-growing hostel brand, opened this week (14 May, 2013) in Barcelona with beds starting from just €13 per person, per night.
Located in the fashionable Gràcia district, smack dab in the middle of Barcelona’s two main Metro stations of Diagonal and Verdaguer, and as little as 15 minutes away from la playa, this hip new hostel hotel is as wallet-friendly as it is gorgeous and amenity packed.
With free Wi-Fi, a stylish bar and chill-out areas, 24-hour security plus a free walking tour of the city, this cool new hostel is definitely bookmark worthy.
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".
Make the most of your tax refund dollars with St Maarten’s Sonesta Resorts’ new, “Tax Back? You Bet!” promotion, a 46% savings on any all-inclusive vacation booked during the entire month for travel the entire year.
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, St. Maarten. Photo: Peter Wesley Brown
The resort is offering an additional 21% off (symbolizing the amount of tax & service) on Sonesta’s already low “advance purchase rate” - for a total of 46% savings off published rates.
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".
Finally! Savings for Solo Travelers…
Anyone who enjoys traveling alone, or has little choice but to do so, knows that the decision often carries a costly penalty—the dreaded ‘single supplement’, a hefty fee that hotels and travel providers add to trip rates for solo travelers.
I travel solo a lot and know that single supplements, or lack thereof, can make or break my vacation choices. So, I was thrilled to find this Spring getaway at Vancouver Islands’ Long Beach Lodge Resort offering 40% off savings for solo travelers.
The deal: From now until May 31, 2013, Long Beach Lodge Resort, in Tofino, British Columbia, is offering solo travelers 40% off room rates in the Lodge. “Solo Rates” start at $119 Cdn per night plus taxes.
The place: Famous for its iconic Great Room, where guests are welcome to relax and enjoy the incredible views, Long Beach Lodge Resort is home to one of the best surfing beaches in the area. Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2012, Long Beach Lodge Resort is set right on the ocean in Cox Bay, Tofino, BC, and provides beautifully appointed accommodations in a private, wild Pacific West Coast setting. The resort offers 41 lodge rooms, 20 two-bedroom cottages and a full service dining room, the Surf Club and Adventure Centre, fitness room, outdoor hot tub, as well as meeting space and instant beach access. For more information, visit www.longbeachlodgeresort.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".
I love it when an inside connection turns me onto exceptional savings on vacation experiences that I can pass along and share.
Here are two last-minute deals offering incredible wallet-friendly discounts on March 2013 European river cruises that you won’t find anywhere else.
Combined savings are more than $3,000 pp, but you’ll have to act fast. Booking deadlines are January 17 and 21, respectively. Hope it helps get you Out There!
Special #1:
Old World Prague & the Blue Danube (2013) River Cruise Tour
Explores Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Austria: Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Salzburg; Prague, Czech Republic
Regular price: 12 days from $2195
Special Discount: $1,000 pp for 03/07/13 departure (Book by: January 17, 2013 and please use code: TAAA 689)
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".
Highlights of this extraordinary adventure include three nights in the Selous Game Reserve- the largest reserve in Africa - and a stay at the luxury Serena Mivumo Lodge overlooking Steiglers Gorge, with game activities during the day including sundowners along the mighty Ruaha and Rufiji Rivers- where explorer’s caravans were likely to have once camped for the evening.
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".
Advance planning for a winter escape to warmer climes pays off for travelers booking an un-cruise adventure with American Safari Cruises. The line is offering travel credits of $500 per couple on its yacht in the Hawaiian Islands or $300 per couple in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés aboard the newest addition to the fleet, the Safari Endeavour.
The 86-guest Safari Endeavour will spend its first winter exploring wildlife rich Sea of Cortés on weeklong Baja’s Bounty expeditions roundtrip La Paz, Baja, Mexico. Transfers are included from either Los Cabos or La Paz airports. Highlights include snorkeling with sea lions, water sports activities, and viewing dolphins and whales. Guests making a new reservation by September 30, 2012 receive a $300 travel credit per couple.
The 36-guest Safari Explorer embarks on its second season of Hawaiian Islands cruises sailing seven-night inclusive Hawaiian Seascapes adventures between Hawaii, the Big Island and Lana’i with two days of activities on Moloka’i. Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands. A $500 travel credit per couple is offered on Hawaii sailings. Both travel credit offers are for new bookings made by September 30, 2012 for travel November 2012- April 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".