courtesy of the Kiwi Collection
Do your 2010 resolutions include…
Dancing the nights away in Paris?
A romantic island getaway?
Sampling the best wines in Australia?
Dining al fresco in Italy?
A safari in South Africa?
Skiing the slopes of Switzerland?
Seeing the sights of New York City?
Learn more: www.kiwicollection.com
*sponsored listing.
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 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".
Aficionados of Scottish Whisky can spend their days visiting and touring several of Scotland’s most popular distilleries and themed events while enjoying their evenings (and off days) at one of Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 distinctive upscale hotel properties. Three of Scotland’s most popular distillery attractions are conveniently located near one or more Connoisseur Scotland property, offering their own reasons to visit:• The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is located close to the Malt Whisky Trail — a 68-mile route through the picturesque glens of Speyside, connecting several of the country’s finest distilleries. The five-star country hotel is offering a “Partner Stay Free” package, allowing a second guest to stay for free when a single rate Executive or Deluxe room is booked Monday-Thursday; the offer includes a full Scottish breakfast and runs through the year. Amenities include world class salmon fishing, championship golf, nearby historic castles, chefs specializing in the best of Grampian produce and a selection of more than 400 wines and 100 malt whiskies.
• “Whisky Live” is a world-wide celebration taking place in cities from Glasgow to Tokyo, bringing together hundreds of different whiskies for tasting by both industry professionals and novices. Hotel du Vin (at One Devonshire Gardens) is the perfect host for those partaking, conveniently located in the fashionable West End of Glasgow. The boutique hotel has walled-in gardens, impeccable service and a new bistro and bar and is offering a free half or whole bottle of Macallan to those booking Standard/Club or Superior rooms, respectively, and a complimentary in-house whisky tasting to those booking suites.
• The Glasshouse, Edinburgh’s five-star boutique hotel - voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 50 hottest hotels - is ideal for those wishing to visit the popular Glenkinchie — the 19th-century distillery known for its highly regarded single malt whisky. The Glasshouse is currently offering three nights for the price of two, with regular prices starting at £185 ($250) per room per night. Built behind the facade of the 150-year-old Lady Glenorchy church, the hotel features a two-acre, lilac-scented roof garden, in-room massages and an impressive whisky selection. The special three-night offer, valid through July, includes full Scottish breakfast for two, a luxury fruit plate, noon checkout and VAT.
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".
THE REAL THING AT THE MERRION
The Merrion in Dublin is the perfect backdrop for all things romantic in the heart of a city where none other than St. Valentine found his final resting place. Created within four Georgian townhouses, one of which was the birthplace of the Duke of Wellington, The Merrion has intimate drawing rooms, working fireplaces, a very private 18th-century style garden, an extensive art collection and a two-Michelin star restaurant. Three weekend escapes lead the way to romance:
Real Love: Looking to rekindle that flame? The Merrion has partnered with The Gate Theatre to offer guests the best seats in the house for the forthcoming production The Real Thing - “a play which reminds you why you go to the theater and why you fall in love, and why, just sometimes, it is all worth the effort.” The Real Thing was written by Tom Stoppard, one of the giants of modern playwriting. His razor-sharp wit burns with passion in this tender and poignant semi-autobiographical play of marital manoeuvring and the mysteries of love, commitment and authenticity. Real Love at The Merrion includes two tickets to see the production, overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast in bed, a bottle of chilled rosé champagne, Valentine’s chocolates and a Champagne Afternoon Tea served in one of The Merrion’s log fired, cozy Drawing Rooms. Available from February 13 to 15, 2009 and priced at €515 (approximately $714), per couple, per night.
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".
Winter Blues Turn Turquoise in the Turks & Caicos 5th Night FREE on all room categories this winter
The Somerset on Grace Bay has long understood the importance of balancing great travel experiences with much-needed family time and cost. Therefore, starting January 3rd, a 5th Night Free promotion is being offered for the winter months, the time when a warm weather break is needed most. Now more than ever, value and pure together time have never been so priceless.
The 5th Night Free is valid for consecutive night stays in all room categories through February 28, 2009, making it ideal for a post-holiday getaway, Valentine’s Day weekend or school vacation with the family. Winter rates start at $600 double occupancy per night for a Standard Gardenview Room and go to $4,000 double occupancy per night in a five bedroom penthouse ocean view suite.
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".
PAW; Pet-friendly Accommodations Worldwide provides a new resource for luxury, pet-friendly travel and criss-crosses the country spreading the word!
Janine Franceschi, owner of PAW; Pet-friendly Accommodations Worldwide, and her Irish setter, Beau, have logged over 5000 miles, (and counting) touring the country to promote the booking site of the only collection of luxury, pet-friendly hotels on the Web today, www.luxurypaw.com and they want to make sure YOU hear about PAW.
The dynamic duo travel the American highways and byways in their red “PAW”-print-adorned Honda Element, on loan from the Honda Corporation, on a mission to reshape the notion of pet-friendly travel, one hotel and one pet owner at a time. Their message? It is no longer necessary to sacrifice the level of amenity and comfort you want when you travel simply because you choose to travel with your pet. Finding and booking gorgeous pet-friendly hotels just got a whole lot easier!
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".