It has never been a better time to travel. Hotels are offering incredible packages and including special value add-ons. Airfares to foreign countries are more affordable. Gas prices have dropped for the time being. Overall this is an ideal scenario, even in this down economy, for those hoping for a little R&R and pampering away from home.
Luxury travelers can find exceptional deals right now. Below is a list of five travel deals ranging from a night at the ultra-chic Winvian in Connecticut to a New Zealand experience at the world-renowned Huka Lodge to an exclusive stay at one of Wimco’s luxe Caribbean villas, among others…
New Zealand Adventure
1) The Ideal Time for US Travelers to Visit New Zealand: It’s autumn in New Zealand and Huka Lodge, the country’s premier luxury lodge located in Taupo on the north island, is featuring low season rates from NZ $730 per night (US $432 as of May 18). This rate (per couple) includes full country breakfast daily, evening cocktails and a five-course dinner at the lodge’s fine dining restaurant. To date, Air New Zealand’s round-trip fares on select dates this summer and fall were as low as $781.50 from Los Angeles to Auckland. www.thehukaretreats.com.
New England Pampering
2) A Night of Pampering in CT’s Litchfield Hills: Winvian, Connecticut’s luxe private resort featuring 18 whimsical cottages, now features a special a la carte nightly rate starting at just $699 per couple (a savings of $750 off regular all-inclusive rates). Included in the rate are a full gourmet breakfast and a fully-stocked in-cottage mini bar (chock full with wine, beer, champagne and all the fixings for fabulous cocktails). www.winvian.com
Gourmet Maine
3) A Kennebunkport Cottage Retreat: Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport’s newest luxury resort, features 14 two-bedroom cottages, each decked to the nines with fabulous screened porches, outdoor showers, fireplaces and gourmet kitchens. It’s the ideal spot for a coastal New England holiday. Nightly rates (per cottage; up to five persons) are from $395 to $695 based on month of travel and include a gourmet breakfast basket with freshly baked goods, juice, coffee and newspaper, evening bonfires and Beach Safaris. www.hiddenpondmaine.com.
Caribbean Escape
4) Exploring the DR’s untouched Samana Peninsula: One of the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful destinations is the Samana Peninsula on the northeast side of the country. This undiscovered area is home to The Peninsula House, the DR’s first small luxury hotel and one of the Caribbean’s most unique private retreats. Through fall 2009, The Peninsula House is offering a special Book Five Nights and Receive a Sixth Night on the House package for $2,600 per couple including a full European breakfast daily. This represents a savings of nearly $100 per night. www.thepeninsulahouse.com.
5) Caribbean Villa Deals: Wimco, the world’s leading villa rental company, is featuring some exceptional deals throughout the Caribbean and Europe. Through fall 2009 Wimco is featuring highly popular Value Villas deals available throughout the Caribbean with villa rental rates starting at under $100 per room, per night. Villa vacations offer guests space, value and privacy and are perfect for group travel, honeymoons, small destination weddings and family travel. www.wimco.com.
Source: Widness & Company
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, escape the daily grind, grab the kids and head to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which offer exclusive activities for children and a range of family-friendly activities ideal for any budget. Whether taking to the pink sands of Bermuda, enjoying a family trip to the zoo in Washington, D.C., or getting the royal treatment at a legendary castle in Quebec City, Fairmont destinations areeasy to access by car, train, or a short plane ride and promise a memorable experience for all.
As an added bonus, families can also take advantage of Fairmont’s kids dining program, which offers complimentary meals from the buffet or children’s menu for little ones 5 years of age and under, and 50% off the regular menu for children aged 6 -12. With exciting offers at a great value, Fairmont’s family packages will keep both youngsters and parents entertained all summer long. Packages include:
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".
My sister is on the hunt for affordable vacation lodging this summer in/around Somerset, England, and asked me to put together a list of websites that could help.
Here’s my shortlist. But I’m sure you know lots more. So, come on, let’s get her a house!
VRBO.com (Vacation Rental by Owner)
Caretaker.org (Caretaker Gazette)
Homebase-Hols.com (Home Base Holidays)
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum (House sitting & swaps)
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 the warmer weather quickly approaching, The Fairmont Washington, D.C. is ushering in spring with its signature Cherry Blossom Package.
Available from March 25 through April 30, 2009, the Cherry Blossom Package offers overnight accommodations for two in a luxurious guestroom, complimentary valet parking and a box of assorted note cards featuring scenes of the capital’s monuments and Cherry Blossoms by celebrated Washington, D.C. photographer Jake McGuire.
A remarkable piece of D.C. history, the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, highlights the annual blooming of the thousands of cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and elsewhere in the Nation’s capital. The 2009 Festival will celebrate the 97th anniversary of 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees presented by the Mayor of Tokyo to the City of Washington as a “memorial of national friendship between the United States and Japan.” This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival® will be held Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Rates for the Cherry Blossom Package start at $189 per night based on double occupancy and availability. This package is not applicable to group bookings of ten or more, nor able to be combined with other promotions or special rates. Rates do not include tax or gratuities. For reservations, please call 202-429-2400 or toll free at 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.Fairmont.com/washington
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 budget-friendly tip for families traveling to New Mexico this January…
KOAT TV-7 in cooperation with Ski New Mexico and nine (9) of its resorts ( Angel Fire Resort, Pajarito Mountain, Red River Ski Areas, Ski Santa Fe, Sandia Peak, Ski Apache, Sipapu Ski Resort, Taos Ski Valley, and Nordic areas- Enchanted Forest ) have joined the nationwide efforts of “Learn a winter sports month” this January 2009 .
For a price of $30.00 per day a youth 6-12 may contact any one of the eight cooperating alpine ski resorts and make a reservation for the program. The program starts on January 5, 2009 and runs through January 31, 2009. *Please note: The program is space available by reservation only.
For reservations - Alpine
Angel Fire Resort 575-377- 4383
Pajarito Mt.. 505-662-5725
Red River Ski Area: 575-754-2223
Sandia Peak: 505-242-9052
Sipapu Ski Resort: 800-587-2240 or 505-414-1550
Ski Apache: -575-464-3600
Ski Santa Fe: 505-992-5084
Taos Ski Valley: 575-776-2291
For reservations- Nordic:
Enchanted Forest: 800-966-9381
For nationwide information on discounts and promotions related to Learn a Snow Sport Month, visit www.winterfeelsgood.com
Source: Ski New 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".
Celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2009 with the country’s biggest golf giveaway - Drive it Home! VisitScotland is giving golf fans free rounds across a selection of the country’s 550 golf clubs. From championship courses like Royal Troon to classic links such as The Glen in East Lothian, visitors can claim their free foursome by logging on to Drive it Home’s website. The giveaway officially launches on January 21, 2009. Registrants will also be offered money-saving deals like a $100 voucher redeemable on Scotland golf 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".