ProtoTravels

Hiking - Top Ways to Enjoy an Awesome Experience

2010-05-11T16:14:00.002-04:00

What could be more exciting for an adventure lover than hiking in the beautiful valleys of Nepal? Of course, this is one of the most interesting things that you can do when on an adventure trip. However, there are certain things you need to consider in order to make sure that your trip goes in a smooth manner.
Read Full Article: http://ezinearticles.com/?Hiking---Top-Ways-to-Enjoy-an-Awesome-Experience&id=4230982

Take a tour from New York

2010-05-05T19:10:00.002-04:00

TrekAmerica.com offers a Freedom Trail trip from New York.

Prices range from $799 to $949

From their website:

Day: 1 New York Area & Boston
Welcome to Bean Town! Relive the Revolution along the Freedom Trail or let Faneuil Hall's street performers, stores and eateries tell their own Bostonian tale. Lounge and watch the locals from the lawns of Boston Common, then pop across to the famous pub Cheers.
Accommodation: En-route hostel paid locally

Day: 2 Berkshire Mountains
City folk just can't resist hiding out here in summer and you'll soon figure why. Trails snake through forested hills and meadow walks skirt clapboard farms. This is 100% New England.
Accommodation: Camping

Day: 3 Niagara Falls
From the edge of Lake Ontario, the sensation of crashing water is stupendous, the noise immense, at America's greatest national attractions, Niagara Falls. Wait 'til you're down on the water aboard 'Maid of the Mist', where the cascades pound, churn and foam right before your eyes. That's what you call a front row seat!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day: 4 Bear Country
Here in Pennsylvania, there are more black bears per square mile than anywhere else in the States. Keep your cameras on standby, folks!
Accommodation: Camping included

Day: 5-6 Washington DC
See where America's leaders shape the country's future. An evening tour shows off the seat of US power, awash with icons like the White House, Jefferson Monument and Capitol Hill. When it comes to DC's museums 'Land of the Free' is spot on: barely any of them, sensational Smithsonian included, will cost you a dime. Later, switch from culture to clubbing in the oh-so-cool lounges around DuPont Circle and Georgetown.
Accommodation: Camping included

Day: 7 New York Area
We head back to the Garden State via Pennsylvannia where our adventure began. This tour is not scheduled to spend any time in New York City so make sure you book extra hotel nights and explore the sights and sounds of the Big Apple on your own. Splurge along Fifth Ave, hit the top of the Empire State Building, or soak up the trendy, laidback vibe of Greenwich Village before heading home.

Tour ends at approx 17:00 hrs in New York Area on day 7.

New Tours for Gap Adventure

2010-05-03T19:16:00.002-04:00

GapAdventure.com has added some new adventures to its 2010 roster. Well, when I say some... dozens!

YOLO Trips (You Only Live Once)

Budget Galapogos
Touring Galapogos serves two purposes. First, you get to see them, and second, your tourist dollars can help save the Galapogos wildlife, which otherwise might be killed by poachers, or natives trying to make some money.

The tour:
Day 1 Arrive Quito
Arrive in Quito at any time.

Day 2 Baltra/North Seymour (B,L,D)
Early flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival meet our naturalist guide who will assist with the transfer to our boat, the g3. Set sail and reach Seymour Island in the late afternoon. Our first landing shows us the great bird life of the island, including magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. We may also catch a glimpse of sea lions and several species of endemic plants.

Day 3 Rabida/Puerto Egas (B,L,D)
Cruise to Rabida Island in the morning and visit a salt water lagoon rich in wildlife and vegetation. A large sea lions colony provides great photo opportunities. Spend the afternoon visiting the lava rock beaches for which Puerto Egas is known.

Day 4 Sombrero Chino/Bartolomé (B,L,D)
This morning we visit Sombrero Chino, located on Isla Santa Cruz. Arrive at Bartolomé Island in the afternoon. Learn the geological history of Bartolomé as our naturalist explains its dramatic volcanic features, including unusual splatter cones. We may spot rare Galapagos penguins, of which less than 1000 pairs exist.

Day 5 South Plaza/Santa Fé (B,L,D)
Set sail and reach South Plaza Island in the morning. One of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, South Plaza has one of the largest populations of Land Iguanas. In the afternoon visit Santa Fé Island. Santa Fé Island (also called Barrington) is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions.

Day 6 Santa Cruz (B,L,D)
The morning we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Charles Darwin Station, see giant tortoises and learn about Charles Darwin’s studies of Galapagos wildlife. Free time to do some shopping and exploring.In the afternoon visit the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Day 7 Floreana (B,L,D)
Reach Floreana Island in the morning and stop at Champion Islet. In the afternoon we go to Punta Cormorant to see a variety of birdlife.

Day 8 Española (B,L,D)
Head to Garner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkeling site. In the afternoon head to Puenta Suarez on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galapagos is home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies.

Day 9 Black Turtle Cove/Quito (B)
Located on the second-largest island in the archipelago of Isla Santa Cruz, we venture to the picturesque Black Turtle Cove by panga ride to experience the full splendour of the diverse marine life and birds. We then transfer to the airport and fly to Quito. Enjoy one last night on the town.

Day 10 Depart Quito

IF YOUR TOUR STARTS ON A THURSDAY IN QUITO PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW ITINERARY

Day 1 Quito
Arrive in Quito at any time.

Day 2 Puerto Ayora (B,L,D)
Early flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival we will be transferred by ferry and bus to Puerto Ayora where we meet our naturalist guide and visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz in the afternoon.

Day 3 Floreana (B,L,D)
Reach Floreana Island in the morning and stop at Champion Islet. In the afternoon we go to Punta Cormorant to see a variety of bird life.

Day 4 Española (B,L,D)
We make our way to Gardner Bay in the morning and Punta Suarez on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies.

Day 5 Black Turtle Cove/North Seymour (B,L,D)
Located on the second-largest island in the archipelago of Isla Santa Cruz, we venture to the picturesque Black Turtle Cove by panga ride to experience the full splendor of the diverse marine life and birds. In the afternoon we continue on to North Seymour, home to abundant animal life including the magnificent frigate bird.

Day 6 Rabida/Puerto Egas (B,L,D)
Cruise to Rabida Island in the morning and visit a salt water lagoon rich in wildlife and vegetation. A large sea lion colony provides great photo opportunities. Spend the afternoon visiting the lava rock beaches for which Puerto Egas is known.

Day 7 Sombrero Chino/Bartolomé (B,L,D)
This morning we visit Sombrero Chino, located on Isla Santa Cruz. Arrive at Bartolomé Island in the afternoon. Learn the geological history of Bartolomé as our naturalist explains its dramatic volcanic features, including unusual splatter cones. We may spot rare Galapagos Penguins, of which less than 1000 pairs exist.

Day 8 South Plaza/Santa Fé (B,L,D)
Set sail and reach South Plaza Island in the morning. One of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. In the afternoon visit Santa Fé Island. Santa Fé Island (also called Barrington) is well-known as a great place for watching (and swimming with) sea lions.

Day 9 Santa Cruz/Quito (B)
Today we arrive back to Santa Cruz. Morning visit to the Charles Darwin Station here we have the chance to view some of the giant turtles and learn more about Darwin´s work .

Transfer to the airport on Baltra Island for our flight to Quito. Transfer to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy one last night on the town.

Day 10 Depart Quito

A bit more about the Galapogos Islands

The Galápagos Islands (official name: Archipiélago de Colón; other Spanish names: Islas de Colón or Islas Galápagos) are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, 972 km (525 nmi) west of continental Ecuador. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site: wildlife is its most notable feature.

The Galápagos islands and its surrounding waters are part of a province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of around 23,000.

The islands are geologically young and famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The first crude navigation chart of the islands was done by the buccaneer Ambrose Cowley in 1684. He named the individual islands after some of his fellow pirates or after the English noblemen who helped the privateer's cause. More recently, the Ecuadorian government gave most of the islands Spanish names. While the Spanish names are official, many users (especially ecological researchers) continue to use the older English names, particularly as those were the names used when Charles Darwin visited.

and

Environmental threats
Introduced plants and animals, such as feral goats, cats, and cattle, brought accidentally or willingly to the islands by humans, represent the main threat to Galápagos. Quick to reproduce, these alien species decimate the habitats of native species. The native animals, lacking natural predators on the islands, are defenseless to introduced species and fall prey.

Some of the most harmful introduced plants are the guayaba or guava Psidium guajava, avocado Persea americana, cascarilla Cinchona pubescens, balsa Ochroma pyramidale, blackberry Rubus glaucus, various citrus (orange, grapefruit, lemon), floripondio Datura arborea, higuerilla Ricinus communis and the elephant grass Pennisetum purpureum. These plants have invaded large areas and eliminated endemic species in the humid zones of San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz. Also, these harmful plants are just a few of introduced species on the Galápagos Islands. There are over 700 introduced plant species today. There are only 500 native and endemic species. This difference is creating a major problem for the islands and the natural species that inhabit them.

Many species were introduced to the Galápagos by pirates. Thor Heyerdahl quotes documents that mention that the Viceroy of Peru, knowing that British pirates ate the goats that they themselves had released in the islands, ordered dogs to be freed there to eliminate the goats. Also, when colonization of Floreana by José de Villamil failed, he ordered that the goats, donkeys, cows, and other animals from the farms in Floreana be transferred to other islands for the purpose of later colonization.

Non-native goats, pigs, dogs, rats, cats, mice, sheep, horses, donkeys, cows, poultry, ants, cockroaches, and some parasites inhabit the islands today. Dogs and cats attack the tame birds and destroy nests of birds, land tortoises, and marine turtles. They sometimes kill small Galápagos tortoises and iguanas. Pigs are even more harmful, covering larger areas and destroying the nests of tortoises, turtles and iguanas as well as eating the animals' native food. Pigs also knock down vegetation in their search for roots and insects. This problem abounds in Cerro Azul volcano and Isabela, and in Santiago pigs may be the cause of the disappearance of the land iguanas that were so abundant when Darwin visited. The black rat Rattus rattus attacks small Galápagos tortoises when they leave the nest, so that in Pinzón they stopped the reproduction for a period of more than 50 years; only adults were found on that island. Also, where the black rat is found, the endemic rat has disappeared. Cows and donkeys eat all the available vegetation and compete with native species for the scarce water. In 1959, fishermen introduced one male and two female goats to Pinta island; by 1973 the National Park service estimated the population of goats to be over 30,000 individuals. Goats were also introduced to Marchena in 1967 and to Rabida in 1971. However a recent goat eradication program has cleared most of the goat population from Isabela.

The fast growing poultry industry on the inhabited islands has been cause for concern from local conservationists, who fear that domestic birds could introduce disease into the endemic and wild bird populations.

The tanker Jessica aground in the Galapagos, January 2001.The Galápagos marine sanctuary is under threat from a host of illegal fishing activities, in addition to other problems of development. The most pressing threat to the Marine Reserve comes from local, mainland and foreign fishing targeting marine life illegally within the Reserve, such as sharks (hammerheads and other species) for their fins, and the harvest of sea cucumbers out of season. Development threatens both land and sea species. The growth of both the tourism industry and local populations fuelled by high birth rates and illegal immigration threaten the wildlife of the Archipelago. The grounding of the oil tanker Jessica in 2001 and the subsequent oil spill brought this threat to world attention.

Currently, the rapidly growing problems, including tourism and a human population explosion, are further destroying habitats.

In 2007, UNESCO put the Galápagos Islands on their World Heritage in Danger List. [4]

On January 28, 2008, Galapagos National Park official Victor Carrion announced that 53 sea lions (13 pups, 25 youngsters, 9 males and 6 females) were killed at Pinta, Galapagos Islands nature reserve with their heads caved in. In 2001 poachers killed 35 male sea lions.[5]

The Galápagos Islands were short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation. As of February 2009 the archipelago was ranking first in Group B, the category for islands

Take a Trek to Canada

2010-04-30T20:02:00.002-04:00

www.trekamerica.com has a few tours to Canada.

Here's one called "Mountie"

From their site:

14 days, from SEATTLE to SEATTLE
Trek Type: TrekAmerica (18-38's)
Destination: Canada
Accommodation: Camping
Trek Code: MO

TREK IT OUT!!
Bathe in Sulphur Mountain's hot springs Delve into the wild on an included canoe trip See the sights of Vancover and Seattle

and

TOUR OVERVIEW

Explore the pristine wilderness of British Columbia and Alberta... Camp in the high Rockies, soak in hot springs, hike across an ice glacier, and canoe on a crystal clear mountain lake. The Mountie will take you into the heart of Canada's wilderness - the perfect outdoor adventure!

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
2-day overnight wilderness canoe trip - (experience not necessary) Sulphur Mountain hot springs Wildlife viewing Scenic walks and hikes Sightseeing in Vancouver & Seattle National and provincial parks - Yoho, Banff/Lake Louise, Jasper and Wells Grey Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader All transportation by private adventure vehicle 13 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)
Canoeing US$25-US$75 Great national park hikes US$FREE Mountain Biking US$45-$95 Horseback Riding US$45-$115 Western saloon evening US$10 Aerial Tramway Ride US$10-US$30 Guided Glacier Walk US$65-$175 Scenic Glacier Flight US$180 Rollerblading US$10-$20 Seattle Space Needle US$12 Capilano Suspension Bridge Park US$30 Whitewater Rafting (in season) US$100-$200

TREK NOTES
This tour may operate in either direction.

PRIVATE DEPARTURES
Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

Travel Insurance

2010-04-29T19:25:00.002-04:00

I was just visiting the GapAAdventures.com site, and I see they have a lot of info about Travel Insurance.

These days, travel insurance is a must. You never know when you're trip might be cancelled... either because of your illness, or because of bad weather. Travel insurance just makes good sense.

Here's a bit of what they have to say about it.

What insurance is required?
Travel medical insurance is mandatory. With a wide variety of company, credit card and travel policies out there, how do you know if your coverage is sufficient for our style of adventure travel? Our minimum insurance policy coverage for medical emergency evacuation and repatriation is USD$200,000 (or equivalent in other currency). If your pre-existing coverage does not meet these needs, you will be required to purchase travel medical insurance.

Why should I get cancellation insurance?
Adding cancellation insurance to your medical insurance is optional, but always recommended. By having 'all-inclusive' coverage you do not need to worry about emergencies that can happen any time, any where, before or during your travels. Including the cost of your airfare, as well as your tour(s), ensures that you do not have to worry about any unforeseen situations such as having to rush home to a family member or having a tour changed or cancelled because of a natural disaster.

How much does it cost?
Less than you'd expect! Travel medical insurance is based on the number of days of coverage - so how long you will be away. All-inclusive insurance, which adds cancellation to your medical insurance, is based on the dollar value of the tours, airfare, hotel nights and other services being covered. Typical costs, in USD, on a 10-day tour valued at $1000 with airfare coverage at $1000 as well would be:

Medical insurance only for 10 days = around $50
All-inclusive insurance (medical + cancellation) for $2000 (tour + airfare) = around $130

Get a quote on travel insurance!
Give our Adventure Specialists a call:

In North America - 1 800 708 7761
In the UK - 888 800 4100
In Australia - 1300 796 618
In New Zealand - 0800 33 33 07

Time for a Kenya Wildlife Adventure, May 23, 2010

2010-04-27T11:32:00.003-04:00

If you visit the website for GapAdventures (GapAdventures.com) you'll find a Kenya Wildlife Adventure just waiting for you. The next adventure starts May 23, 2010. $1408 per person (not including taxes, of course.)

Here's the overview of the 9 day trip from their website:

Day 1 Arrive Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi at any time.

Day 2-3 Samburu Game Reserve (2B,2L,2D)
Samburu is a wildlife haven with many species that are rarely found elsewhere. Enjoy a full day game viewing in search of this unique wildlife!

Day 4-5 Lake Nakuru (2B,2L,2D)
Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way. Lake Nakuru is a shallow soda lake, renowned for its huge concentration of flamingos and over 460 species of birds. Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of the resident black and white rhino, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.

Day 6-7 Masai Mara (2B,2L,2D)
With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit here! Spend time game viewing with excellent chances of seeing the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.

Day 8 Nairobi (B,L)
Enjoy one last morning game drive in the Masai Mara, watching the animal kingdom come to life as the sun rises over the Mara plain. Continue through the Great Rift Valley on your way back to Nairobi.

Day 9 Depart Nairobi (B)

If you're a wine enthusiast, Italy is the place for you.

2010-04-26T11:56:00.003-04:00

http://iexplore.com offers guided tours to Italy.

iExplore Luxury Wine Tour of Umbria

From their website:
Recommended times for this itinerary are May 1st to mid-July and September 1st to mid-October. Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details

Unlike Tuscany, Umbria has luckily been untouched by large-scale tourism. Etruscans and Romans made wine in this fertile region 2,500 years ago. Innumerable artists have lived here enriching its piazzas with architectural jewels and frescoed its churches and palaces with dazzling masterpieces. Food ingredients and preparation have remained traditional. Olive oil, lamb and Durham wheat pasta. Truffles from Norcia. Pecorino tartufato. Stuffed "porchetta", young roasted pig flavored with wild fennel. Stringozzi pasta resembling rustic spaghetti. Cardoon and lentils are protected by IGP. Unsalted bread, “casereccio”, is baked in wooden ovens. This is “essential” cooking where everything is balanced beautifully and all the flavors are brought out to sing together with their wines to a perfect pitch, in one of the most magical settings in the world.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Rome, Italy- Torgiano
Upon arrival at the Rome airport, you will be met by your chauffeur and your local Customer Service Coordinator and will be privately driven to your hotel Relais Borgo Brufa in Torgiano, Perugia where you will be assisted with check-in. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.

Dinner at the Hotel. Borgo Brufa is a luxury resort set in a highly panoramic position on the crest of a hill, offering superb views of Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Spoleto, and of the Umbrian countryside.
Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa

Day 2: The Cantico Route. Pila and Perugia
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide and you will be driven to visit the first winery.

There are 3 main wine routes In Umbria: The Cantico Route, the Etrusco-Roman Route and the Sagrantino route. We are starting with the Cantico Route. You will be driven to the Goretti Winery in Pila. This estate is in the DOC Perugia Hills and has its wine tastings in an imposing 14th Century tower, symbol of the winery. Outstanding wines are the red DOC L’Arringatore and the DOC Grechetto only grown in Umbria. L’Arringatore gets its name from 2nd Century BC Roman statue of “The Haranguer” (L’Arringatore) found on the Estate and which is now in the Archeological Museum in Florence. It also grows an awarded Sagrantino in Montefalco.

Wine tasting and lunch al fresco in the terrace overlooking the Colli Perugini and the city of Perugia.

Afternoon: you will visit Perugia, a notable artistic center of Italy. From its early days as an Etruscan city to the Renaissance the city played an important role in the history of the peninsula with powerful families giving birth to an overwhelming display of wealth and in turn the arts. The famous painter Pietro Vannucci, nicknamed Perugino, was a native of Perugia. He decorated the local Sala del Cambio with a beautiful series of frescoes; Notable sites are the Etruscan Arch, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Galleria Nazionale with paintings by Piero della Francesca and Beato Angelico.
Wine tasting and dinner at Relais Borgo Brufa.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa

Day 3: Torgiano
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide and you will be driven to the Hotel “3 Vaselle in Torgiano owned by the Lungarotti family, one of the outstanding wine makers of Italy. Here multi-award Chef Chef Domenico D’ Imperio holds his Umbrian cooking lessons. Guests will be receive recipe booklet, and certificate of participation.

For groups of less that 8 people the cooking class will be held at the Academy Cooking School in Bettona, near Perugia. Guests will receive recipe booklet, certificate of participation and photo of event.

Lunch today is at the Hotel Le Tre Vaselle; here you will have a 4-course D’Imperio lunch with the tasting of 4 wines from the classic Lungarotti line. Drawing from the millennial cuisine of the area Chef D’Imperio creates dishes that blend the traditional and innovative.

In the afternoon you will visit the nearby Wine Museum .The museum run by the Lungarotti Foundation is a history lesson on the making and drinking of wine through the ages from the role of wine in medicine to wine making techniques, equipment and the vessels used for storing, shipping and drinking wine . The Museum has also a world-class collection of art works ranging from paintings, prints, to ceramics on the consumption of wine.

Then you will be driven to the celebrated winery founded in the 60’s by Giorgio Lungarotti and run today by 3 Lungarotti sisters. Chiara Lungarotti is President of the National Wine and Tourism organization. Tasting Torre di Giano, Aurente IGT, Rubesco Riserva DOCG, Giubilante.

You then will be driven to your Hotel Relais Borgo Brufa where you will have dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relais Borgo Brufa

Day 4: Assisi- Todi
Today after checkout, your local English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel for a full day dedicated to Assisi area.

You will be driven to the Sportoletti Winery in Spello near Assisi. The Sportoletti brothers own 40 acres on the hills of Spello and Assisi. Tasting will be with local specialties prepared by Mrs. Sportoletti. The produce 4 wines: Assisi Rosso D.O.C., Assisi Grechetto D.O.C., Villa Fidelia Bianco I.G.T., Villa Fidelia Rosso I.G.T

Lunch will follow at Il Frantoio in Assisi. The restaurant is housed in an old 17th century olive press with a garden terrace serving local specialties.

Afternoon visit of Assisi: The city, which is still within the confines of the old Roman wall has preserved most of its medieval buildings, and walking around its narrow streets is like stepping back in time. Frescoes by Giotto adorn the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. The Cathedral of St. Rufino is built on a Roman cistern. And an imposing medieval castle, Rocca Maggiore, rises on top of the hill. Unesco declared Assisi a World Heritage site.

You will be driven to Todi to check-in at the Roccafiore Resort. This is a rich and comfortable rural farmhouse with a full view of the Todi hills. Gardens, vineyards and olive groves perfectly match the skyline of Todi’s medieval bell-towers and the beautiful landscape of the Martani Mountains. Sloping down from the pool one can contemplate the graceful lines of the Sangiovese and golden Moscato vineyards.

Each guest will receive a 30-minute full body massage in the spa.

Dinner at the Hotel: the Fiorfiore Restaurant blends homemade and refined cuisine based on the farm’s products (wine, oil, vegetables and legumes) and neighboring’ farm products (meat, cheese, truffles). Tasting of the Roccafiore wines: Rosso Sangiovese IGT, Roccafiore Grechetto.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Roccafiore Resort

Day 5: Todi
You will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a ride to the Cantine Peppucci in Petroro di Todi. Housed in the 13th Century St Antimo Abbey, this very small winery is a family business run by the founder’s children, Elizabeth and Filippo. The abbey is considered one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of Medieval Umbria. The spectacular territory and the Peppucci’ family dedication to making high quality wines makes this a unique visit. Tasting: Petroro Red, Montorsolo Grechetto di Todi, Alter Ego Red.

Lunch at the Todini Winery in Collevalenza, Todi. The agritourism and winery are located in the heart of the Colli Martini next to Colli Perugini and the Sagrantino area. Wine tasting in the winery and then lunch in the luxurious agriturismo owned by Mr. Todini. The views are spectacular and so is the food.

Tasting: Rubro San Giovese, Bianco del Cavaliere ( Grechetto di Todi DOC), Tiaso Rosso IGT Umbria, Eteria Grechetto IGT Umbria and Nero della Cervara.

In the afternoon you will visit Todi, another medieval jewel. The Duomo built on the Roman Temple of Apollo, The Captain’s palace and the Prior’s Palace face the sloping main square, one of the most picturesque in Italy and regularly used as a film set.

Return to Relais Roccafiore and before dinner a visit to the Roccafiore Winery and Cellars or relax at the Roccafiore spa.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Roccafiore Resort

Day 6: Etruscan- Roman Wine Route- Orvieto
Today you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a ride on the Etruscan-Roman Wine Road.

The first visit is to the Falesco Winery in Montecchio. Owned by enologist brothers Enzo and Riccardo Cotarella the estate is home to great experimentation with old vines. This has resulted in great new wines among them the EST!EST!EST! Enologist Riccardo Cotarella introduces wines. Marciliano, Pesano, Vitiano Rose’ and Grechetto

Lunch at “Le Grotte del Funaro” in Orvieto. Dating from the 1100 this restaurant with a spectacular terrace serves Umbrian specialties. Wines: Dubini Winery: Ultima Spiaggia, Piviere San Donato

Afternoon: visit Orvieto. Orvieto is a medieval city built high up on a cliff. The defensive walls are built of the same stone so that the city rises like an impregnable monolith from the surrounding plain. It was a major center of Etruscan culture since the 7th century BC. A Papal residence since the Middle Ages it has striking monuments ranging from Etruscan ruins to its magnificent gothic Duomo and the spectacular Well of St Patrick.

Check-in at Locanda Palazzone, Orvieto.

Dinner at Locanda.

This Hotel and winery owned by Giovanni and Ludovico Dubini is a treat. Built like a town palazzo by a Cardinal in the 13th century it stands alone on top of a hill with spectacular views of Orvieto. It is now a converted farmhouse with 7 luxurious residences. Reds: Armaleo, Rubbio, whites: Terre Vineate, Campo del Guardiano. They are the only producers who age Orvieto.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Locanda Palazzone

Day 7: Orvieto
In the morning you can lounge around the pool or take strolls through the vineyards. Later in the morning you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a drive to The Winery of Decugnano dei Barbi.

Wine was grown on the Decugnano Hills since the 13th century. Claudio Barbi owns it since the 1960’s and his son Marco runs the company. Impressive caves have been excavated in lava rock to age the sparkling wine Decugnano Brut for which they are famous.

Tasting and lunch al fresco around the pool.

Wines Decugnano Rosso-Lago di Corbara DOC, Rosso Umbria IGT, Decugnano Pinot Nero – Lago di Corbara DOC, white: Orvieto Classico DOC, Bianco Umbria IGT.

After lunch your guide will take you to visit the winery Antinori’s Castello della Sala in Orvieto. The 1,000 acres estate has as its center a totally restored Medieval Castle built in the 14th Century, The Antinori's, giants among Italy’s wine producers bought the castle in the 1940s to take advantage of Umbria’s unique microclimate and to expand into whites. The castle’s tasting room feels like Henry the VIII could come in any time. Tasting: Cervaro della Sala, Muffato della Sala, e Pinot Nero.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Locanda Palazzone

Day 8: Montefalco
Today after checking out you will be met at your hotel by your local English-speaking guide for a trip on the Road of Sagrantino.

No more than 20 growers only make this wine in the Montefalco and Bevagna area.

Visit to the Arnaldo Caprai winery. Caprai in the 1970’s took the old Sagrantino, an ancient dessert wine and experimenting with the vine created the first Sagrantino red. Wines: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano DOCG, Montefalco Rosso DOC

Lunch Enoteca Alchimista Montefalco: In the midst of Montefalco’s main square the Enoteca Alchimista is true to its name concocting fanciful flavors out of classic umbrian recipes. Wines: Caprai’s Anima Umbra, Bea’s Montefalco DOC Rosso.

Afternoon visit of the village of Montefalco and the St. Francis Church with its remarkable frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.

And then another visit to an important grower: Paolo Bea . The family roots in Montefalco go back to the 1500’s.The small, still artisanal production focuses on high environmental standards and organic farming barring chemicals in the vineyard. Among its unique organic methods is the burying of globe artichokes under the vines to improve exhausted soil.

Tasting: Santa Chiara IGT bianco, Rosso de Veo, Montefalco Doc Rosso Riserva, Montefalco Docg Sagrantino Secco, Montefalfo Docg Sagrantino Passito.

Dinner at “Il Bacco Felice” Foligno. Owner Salvatore Denaro is a passionate proponent of growing your own food. His chickens, rabbits and pigs as well as his tomatoes and fava beans come from his farm. You do not order. He brings out whatever he has created for the day. A dictatorial chef well worth the surprise. The only place in which wines are not included in the dinner.

Your Hotel for the night is Villa Pambuffetti in Montefalco. This is a 19th Century family Villa under majestic trees turned into a 4 star resort.
Villa Pambuffeti
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Montefalco- Rome- Depart
Today you will be privately transferred to the Rome airport.
Breakfast

Take a tour to Australia with iexplore.com

2010-04-25T21:14:00.004-04:00

From their website:

Tours to Australia depart on any day. Just contact www.iexplore.com to discuss.

Tour Overview
Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sun-baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.

Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee the next will have to re-think their grasp of geography in this huge country. It is this sheer vastness that gives Australia - and its diverse population - much of its character.
In cities, visitors will experience a blur of fashion-festooned boutiques and plate-clattering restaurants, then lose themselves in a long fluid moment inside a beer or wine glass. In the interior, they might be harangued by the thump of rocks under their 4WD, only to be transfixed by a slow, silent swirl of outback dust. Around the coast, they'll take an endless breath in the depths of a rainforest, then slowly realize they have an entire beach to themselves.

Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Sydney, Australia
Today when you arrive at Sydney International Airport, you will be met and driven to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure in Sydney.

You will be confirmed for three nights at the Grace Hotel in a standard room. The landmark Grace Building is recognized as one of Sydney's most elegantly restored Neo Gothic buildings located in the heart of Sydney. Modeled on the Chicago Tribune building and opened in 1930, the Grace Building was originally the headquarters of the Australian department store, Grace Bros. Converted into The Grace Hotel in 1997 it stands beautifully renovated with many of the original features restored and retained. The Grace’s 382 spacious guest rooms were designed with the frequent traveler in mind. These luxuriously appointed rooms are complete with thoughtful amenities to ensure being away from home and the office is a pleasure for all the senses. The pièce de résistance in every room is the exceptionally comfortable bed with its soft feather comforters and pillows.

Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales, is Australia’s most well known city. With its extraordinary icons both natural and man-made, this is a city that never fails to please the eye. It’s magnificent natural harbor spanned by the ‘coat hanger’, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the man-made sails of the Sydney Opera House are just some of its most widely photographed views.
The Grace Hotel- Standard Room

Day 2: Sydney
Enjoy your morning at leisure.

Later, walk to Circular Quay (across the street from your hotel) and check-in for your scheduled 90-minute Magistic lunch cruise on Sydney Harbor. Cruise aboard a modern catamaran and see Sydney in style! Cruise in air-conditioned comfort as you glide effortlessly past some of the most wonderful sights in the world.
Breakfast, Lunch
The Grace Hotel- Standard Room

Day 3: Sydney
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Sydney.

Most of the major attractions of the city are within easy walking distance of your accommodation - Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbor, Centrepoint Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks etc. Our local office can assist you with dinner reservations, sightseeing excursions and/or theater and opera venues.
Breakfast
The Grace Hotel- Standard Room

Day 4: Sydney- Ayers Rock
Today you will be driven to Sydney Airport for your flight (not included) to Ayers Rock. When you arrive in Ayers Rock, you are met and transferred to the Desert Gardens Hotel.

Desert Gardens Hotel is set amongst magnificent ghost gums and flowering native shrubs. With over 65 tours, local activities attractions within the resort and the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, your stay will be action packed.

This afternoon, join your tour to Kata Tjuta (“the Olgas”). Discover the magnificence of the Olgas, as your guide walks you through the Olga Gorge describing the geology and Aboriginal plant use in the area. You will return to the hotel for approximately one-half hour before your pick up for the Sounds of Silence Dinner tour. Here you will dine under the stars amongst the serenity of the outback desert. Upon completion of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Desert Gardens Hotel- Standard Room

Day 5: Ayers Rock
Beginning prior to sunrise, this 9.4km walk, including a light breakfast, will introduce you to the geology of Uluru and you will hear how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding environment.

Hear of the relationship of the Anangu people to Uluru, which provided shelter, water and a tangible link with their creation ancestors. On the walk around the base hear and see the creation time stories of these ancient people unfold, see where they lived and carried out ceremonies. From a distance Uluru is spectacular; from close up it is powerful and deeply moving.

Balance of the day at leisure at the hotel.
Breakfast
Desert Gardens Hotel- Standard Room

Day 6: Ayers Rock- Cairns- Palm Cove
Late morning transfer to the Ayers Rock airport to board your scheduled flight to Cairns (flight not included). On arrival in Cairns you will be met and transferred to Palm Cove.

The Beaches of Cairns stretch for 26km along a beautiful coastline beginning north of the city. One of them is Palm Cove – just 20 minutes north of Cairns, and considered one of the top 10 beaches in Australia. Palm Cove's beach offers warm tropical water year round and a silky sandy beach lined with majestic Palm trees with beautiful views of the Coral Sea – the ingredients for an idyllic tropical holiday; warm seas, watersports and uncrowded sand with a sweeping backdrop of rainforest mountains.

Sebel Reef House is a charming boutique hotel, capturing the essence of the tropics with natural Australian style and offering elegant superbly appointed accommodation, three swimming pools, spa and a choice of restaurants and bars.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House- Verandah Room

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef
Transfer to Marina Mirage in Port Douglas and board ‘Quicksilver’ cruise for a full day excursion to Agincourt Reef. Situated on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Agincourt Reef provides a sheltered anchorage for the Quicksilver vessel and the prefect spot for passengers to snorkel, dive, and view the spectacular coral formations.

Return to Port Douglas and transfer by coach to Sebel Reef House.
Breakfast, Lunch
Sebel Reef House - Verandah Room

Day 8: Palm Cove
Enjoy a full day at leisure at Sebel Reef House. Perhaps join in some of optional activities available from the lodge such as spa and massage treatments, hiking, freshwater swimming, canoeing, tennis, golf, fishing and bike riding. Or take a guided walk through the rainforest during the day or evening.
Breakfast
Sebel Reef House- Verandah Room

Day 9: Palm Cove- Cairns- Depart
Transfer to Cairns International Airport for your departing flight.
Breakfast

How much does it cost?

2010- 11 Prices:
April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011
$2,795 per person double occupancy.
$2,495 per person, triple share.
$4,175 solo traveler.
$1,125 single room supplement.

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of December, 2009. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Inclusions:
· Sydney airport meet and assist upon arrival and welcome packet
· Accommodation as detailed:
o The Grace Hotel – Superior Room
o Desert Gardens Ayres Rock – Standard Room
o Sebel Reef House Palm Cove – Veranda Room
· Airport transfers in Sydney, Ayres Rock and Cairns by private vehicles
· Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
· All sightseeing excursions and transfers are on a non-exclusive basis
· Entrance fees while sightseeing

Exclusions:
· International and Domestic air and taxes
· Internal air: Sydney-Ayers Rock-Cairns
· Internal air: Cairns-Sydney
· Meals other than those indicated
· Optional sightseeing excursions
· Items of a personal nature
· Travel Insurance
· Departure tax
· Gratuities
· Holiday surcharges

These trips are priced assuming two travelers. Surcharges for solo travelers and discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary is purchased "as is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Any customization requiring us to start with a new base itinerary will require a non-refundable upfront planning fee of $250 that is creditable towards the final trip price.

Group Discounts
The more people you bring on your next iExplore adventure, the more you save. Learn how with iExplore Group Discounts.

Last Minute Special to Central America and Mexico

2010-04-23T12:07:00.002-04:00

GapAdventures (www.gapadventures.com) offers last minute travel specials all the times.

Well, last minute is a relative term when it comes to the travel business...

There's a 46 day tour to Central America and Mexico that leaves on May 15, 2010. It's at a special price, used to be $2900, now $2549 - although there'll be taxes added on to that, of course.

Here's the info from their website:
Day 1-17 Mexico
Arrive in Mexico City at any time on day 1. Begin in the world's largest metropolitan area, Mexico City, and explore several not-to-be missed art and ancient artifact museums. Next, head south to Puebla where the street life will more than fill your days and nights. Continuing south, visit Oaxaca for handicraft markets and the impressive Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban; the highland gem of San Cristóbal and Mayan site of Palenque in Chiapas and then finally on to the famous Yucatán towns of Mérida, Cancún and Playa del Carmen, home of some of the best beaches in Mexico.

Day 18-21 Belize
Belize's famous barrier reef and the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere sum up Caye Caulker, a top snorkelling and diving spot. The Mountain Pine Ridge area provides us with several fascinating options for exploring the jungle wilds of Belize.

Day 22-30 Guatemala
Deep in the Guatemalan jungle lies Tikal, one of the largest excavated Mayan ruin sites in the Americas. Visit the colourful town of Flores on Lake Petén Itzá. Rio Dulce, the gateway to the Guatemala's Caribbean Coast, stands in sharp contrast to the colonial highland town of Antigua, and Mayan centres of Chichicastenango and Panajachel, on breathtaking Lake Atitlán.

Day 31-35 Honduras
Explore the superb ruins of Copan, with temples, pyramids and intricately carved stelae that predate many European civilizations. Swim, dive, snorkel or simply relax in the crystal blue waters and white sand beaches of Roatan Island

Day 36-40 Nicaragua
Nicaragua has flourished in recent years and boasts both friendly people and impressive natural beauty. Granada's colonial charm is enhanced by the active volcanoes and lakes that surround it. Day trips from here are a fun and easy option. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city's markets and museums.

Day 41-46 Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a must see for its breathtaking flora and fauna. Travel through the highland cloud forests and coastal rainforest and experience the full spectrum of the country' s diverse natural highlights. Take time to bird watch, go horseback riding or try mountain biking. Soak up some pure mountain air before ending our journey in the capital of San José. Depart on Day 46.

TrekAmerica goes to Peru

2010-04-22T12:40:00.002-04:00

From its name, you'd expect that TrekAmerica would deal only with "America" or the United States of America, but it's really a global name... there's North America, Central America and South America, after all! (Although the fact that their logo features the striped reds and whites of the US flag does seem to hint that they only do the US!)

But, in any event, what's happening in Peru?

From their website:

Many travelers are convinced that Peru is the most colourful nation in South America. It had thriving Indian civilizations long before the Spaniards arrived and its ruins, including Machu Picchu, are the most spectacular on the continent.

If you're planning a trip to Peru, there is plenty to see and do! While trekking the traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous journey, there are many other dynamic places to visit.

Highlights include the Colca Canyon - a gorge twice as deep as the Grand Canyon; the mysterious Nazca Lines - whose shapes tell forgotten stories from the past; Lake Titicaca's native island communities will welcome you to their traditional cultures and then there is Cusco with its traditional markets, historic archaeological sites and the excellent cafes and nightlife that make the city a visitor's favourite.

Here are the tour highlights:

Cusco: Heart of the Incan Empire and home to the nearby Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Its many markets and colonial architecture will take your breath away as you acclimate for your journey to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu: "Lost city of the Incas" and ultimate hiking destination, the winding trails or comfortable train will provide you with an unforgettable sunrise over the Inca citadel.
Lake Titicaca: The highest navigable lake in the world is located in the high plains between Peru & Bolivia. The villagers' traditional cultures are illustrated in their local artisans' handiwork.

TrekAmerica offers three tours to Peru: Inca Trail - 8 days from Cusco, Flight of the Condor - 14 days from Lima, and Classic Peru - 21 days from Lima.

I'll talk about each in a later post.

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

2010-04-21T10:37:00.003-04:00

Trek America (www.trekamerica.com) offers a 4-day roundtrip tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back.

This tour starts in May, and can be booked through to October.

Here's what you'll get to see:

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain nightstops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!

Day: 1 Las Vegas & Cowboy Camp
Leaving Las Vegas we'll pass through colourful Colorado City and the Grand Staircase / Escalante National Monument en-route to Lake Powell for a 'must do' swim and fantastic photo op. Then tuck into an authentic Western BBQ and tales around the campfire at the rugged Paria Canyon Ranch.
Accommodation: Bunkhouse included | Meals: Lunch & dinner included

Day: 2 Cowboy Camp & Monument Valley
Saddle up for an optional horseback ride before heading out to Monument Valley. Along the way we'll stop off for a short hike to Horseshoe Bend and a quick visit to the Indian market, before jumping on our guided Jeep tour deep into the valley for an overnight experience with the Navajo in one of their traditional mud-hut Hogans.
Accommodation: Camping included | Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day: 3 Monument Valley & Grand Canyon
Passing through the Painted Desert we'll make our way to the Cameron Trading Post sat on top of the Little Colorado River Gorge. Stopping off at various view points along the way, you'll have plenty more photo opportunities to catch the sun setting over one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.
Accommodation: Camping included | Meals: Breakfast & lunch included

Day: 4 Grand Canyon & Las Vegas
Catch a bird's eye view on an optional scenic helicopter flight before making our way back to Las Vegas via the famous Route 66 and Hoover Dam. Tour The Strip and outlet malls for some last memories and mementos of your south-western adventure.
Meals: Breakfast included.

Tour ends in Las Vegas at approx. 17:00 on day 4.

So check it out at their website.

Take a Mini-Trek to Niagara Falls

2010-04-18T16:23:00.002-04:00

trekadventures.com leads adventure travels on journeys all across the United States.

What's in store for you?

How about a "Mini-Adventure" to Niagara Falls?

Here's the ifo from their website:

3 days, from NEW YORK AREA to NEW YORK AREA

TOUR OVERVIEW

If you've got a taste for the USA but time is in short supply then TrekAmerica's New York to Niagara mini-adventure is just the ticket. Leaving the bright lights and crazy nights of New York City behind, venture deep into 'up state' New York for a night on the shore of the Finger Lakes with it's many waterfalls and wineries, then on to the thundering wonder of the incomparable Niagara Falls!

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

Delaware Water Gap / Poconos Finger Lakes hiking & swimming Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist scenic boat cruise College town of Syracuse, NY Woodbury Common Outlet Mall Select breakfast, lunch, dinners Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader All transportation by private adventure vehicle 2 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)

Wine tasting US$12-$35 Outlet Shopping Malls US$Your credit limit! Walk across Rainbow Bridge to Canada (subject to visas) US$FREE Illumination viewing of Niagara Falls US$FREE

TREK NOTES

The tour will pick-up from the Chelsea Hostel (address below) in New York at 07:30 A.M followed by our gateway hotel in New Jersey, The Holiday Inn Secaucus, at 08:30.

You must specify at the time of booking if you want to be picked up at the Chelsea hostel otherwise it will be presumed you will meet the group at The Holiday Inn, Secaucus.

Chelsea International Hostel
251 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212.647.0010
www.chelseahostel.com

Southern Sun Tour from Trek America

2010-04-15T10:40:00.002-04:00

Let's see what Trek America has on offer today. (Well, what they have on offer every day, but that we're going to talk about today!)

How about their Southern Sun tour. You're on the road for 21 days, camping out under the stars at night.

Here's what their website has to say about it:

Experience the fast paced East, the slow moving South and the laidback West with exciting activities such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding and hiking on offer - don't forget about the nightlife of New Orleans and Las Vegas!

The first of these Southern Tours stars on April 21, and you'll be travelling, one way, until 11 May. Prices start at $2109.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
Night time illumination tour of Washington D.C monuments Limousines in Las Vegas New Orleans' Bourbon Street Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset San Antonio's Riverwalk Alien spotting in Roswell Scenic walks and hikes National parks and monuments - Carlsbad Caverns, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Zion Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader All transportation by private adventure vehicle 16 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)
Whitewater Rafting (in season) US$60-$175
Great national park hikes US$FREE
Waverunners US$50
New Orleans Jazz Clubs US$10-$20
Mississippi Steamboat Ride US$20-$75
Southern Mansion Tour US$10
Smithsonian National Museums US$FREE
Grand Canyon Scenic Flights US$135-$400
Monument Valley Navajo guided jeep tour US$50-$95
Western horseback riding US$45-$95
IMAX Theater US$8-$12
Las Vegas clubs and casinos US$50-US$150
Swamp tour US$20-$40

TREK NOTES
We are no longer including a day trip to Mexico on this tour due to previous problems experienced at the border crossing.

Travel specials from iexplore: Galapagos Explorer

2010-04-12T11:32:00.002-04:00

Let's take a look today at a travel special from http://www.iexplore.com/.

The Galapagos Explorer expedition was priced at $2620, it's now at $2320. That's a savings of $300. You must book by April 30, 2010 to get this special rate.

Here's all the info from their website - go there to book it!

Flying to Baltra we cross by ferry to Santa Cruz island and continue by road to Puerto Ayora where we'll visit the Galapagos tortoise research program at Darwin Station. In the afternoon we board the M.Y San Jose and cruise to Leon Domido and the large island of San Cristobal where we visit the new interpretation centre and the rugged volcanic peaks of Cerro Brujo. Next stop is isolated Espanola Island where we find waved albatrosses plus blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, sea lions and marine iguanas. On the 'Buccaneer' hideaway island of Floreana we'll visit Post Office Bay and the island's volcanic cone, a great spot for snorkelling, full of sea lions and colourful fish. You'll also encounter the stately, pink flamingos as they wade in the shallow waters of inland lagoons. Arriving back at Santa Cruz Island we'll visit Black Turtle Cove and cruise amongst the mangroves, where the array of wildlife kicks into overdrive! The lagoons are a nursery for many sharks and rays. Amongst all this activity you will also find time to relax sunbath, swim, snorkel and enjoy new friendships.

Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
On arrival at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting in the evening where you meet others travelling on your cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Please look for a notice in the hotel reception confirming the time of the meeting.

Note: Quito is located at 2850 metres above sea level. At this altitude you may possibly experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If this is the case we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity.

Day 2: Galapagos (Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora - Charles Darwin Station)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the Galapagos. Lunch is normally served on the flight. On arrival at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be a time consuming process. We are met in the arrival hall and transferred by boat and bus to the 'M.Y. San Jose' in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Once our luggage has been stored on board we commence our exploration of Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, whilst the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. If you didn't take your lunch on the flight you can eat in one of the many excellent restaurants in town. In the afternoon we visit the Darwin station to observe the tortoise research and breeding program. It is here in the station that we have the opportunity to get up close to some Galapagos giant tortoises. In the late afternoon we board the 'Endeavour' and set sail for San Cristobal.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 3: Galapagos (San Cristobal Island)
The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital and administrative centre of the Galapagos Islands. There is a good interpretation centre here that is well worth a visit. The centre focuses primarily on the history and geography of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present-day ecosystem. We pass through Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, set in a shape resembling a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 metres above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel navigable by small vessels. We also visit Cerro Brujo, where there is a chance to go hiking, swimming and snorkelling. The sandy beach is home to Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 4: Galapagos (Espanola – Bahia Gardner - Punta Suarez)
Today we cruise to the island of Espanola - the southernmost island of the Galapagos. Because of its remote location this place has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world's 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. We also visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkelling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, including surgeon and angelfish, often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are also often spotted resting under the rocks. We also pay a visit to Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 5: Galapagos (Floreana - Post Office Bay - Punta Cormorant)
Our destination is the island of Floreana, where we go ashore at Punta Cormorant. Here, the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach its olive-green colour and it is the best place to we see Galapagos sea lions. Today is also our best opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates. Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. The centre of the cone is an outstanding snorkelling spot, full of sea lions and colourful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th Century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos!
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6: Galapagos (Caleta Tortuga Negra - Baltra) - Quito
Today we take an early morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. In the smaller corners of the cove we paddle a dinghy for a wonderfully peaceful journey through this beautiful and unique area. This is often an excellent place to see green turtle, golden ray and Galapagos shark. There is also abundant birdlife, such as yellow warbler and lava heron. It is not uncommon to see turtles mating. This is our final excursion before we return to the airport in Baltra for our flight back to Quito.

As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. As a guideline we recommend each passenger consider US$15 per day for the crew and US$7-10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin on this last day of your journey. Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 7: Quito
Our 'Galapagos Explorer' adventure ends today after breakfast.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Included: An experienced English-speaking naturalist, arrival transfer, cruise transfers, transport, four-night cruise and activities.

Not Included: Airport departure taxes, international departure transfer, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips, items of a personal nature, Galapagos transit card and the entrance fee to the Galapagos Islands National Park.

Meals: 6 breakfasts,4 lunches,4 dinners

Notes:

M.Y. San Jose
The San Jose is a modern vessel. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned, twin cabins and yet, at 34 metres, she is small enough for us to offer an individual level of service. She's just perfect for a more personal look at this great marine reserve.8 large double cabins with private facilities, all lower berths.9 crew including bilingual Naturalist.Fully air conditioned, Radar, HF, VHF Radio, Satellite Navigation, 2 motor boats.The M.Y. San Jose was previously marketed as the Endeavour.Accommodation on board is based on twin share. Single supplements are available on request should you require a cabin to yourself; however, be warned, they are expensive.Please remember that the sun in the Galapagos can be quite fierce. Make sure you bring along a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. You should also bring insect repellant for use on some shore excursions and excursions into the mangroves.

Peregrine Community Trust & The Galapagos Conservancy
If, after having visited this unique and precious region of the world, you would like to make a donation towards the protection of the Galapagos, the recently launched Peregrine Community Trust is the easiest and most convenient way to do so. We support the work of The Galapagos Conservancy. The Conservancy is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Galapagos conservation. It is a membership-based organisation and the largest source of private support for conservation efforts. The 11,000 Friends of Galapagos are individuals and institutions who care deeply about the Galapagos Islands, and understand the scientific importance of preserving this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.Funds raised by the Galapagos Conservancy support the core operations of the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), both located on the island of Santa Cruz.Please see below for details on how to make a contribution to the Peregrine Community Trust or refer to the Pledge Card provided at your pre-cruise briefing which contains details for making a donation.

Starts/Ends: Quito to Quito

Responsible travel

2010-04-08T10:29:00.003-04:00

Tourism to "undeveloped" countries is always a Catch-22.

On the one hand, the tourists get to see undeveloped country, and bring some much needed money to the area.

On the other hand, the more tourists go there, the more they want their creature comforts, and the more developed the country becomes, so that the original charm and character are lost.

That is not yet the case with such rmeote locations like Machu Picchu in Peru, but it is fast getting there, as more and more people from around the world travel their, expecting to find first class, air conditioned hotel rooms and so on!

Then there's all the litter, not to mention the strain of the visitors on the site's sanitary systems.

It is the responsibility of the tourist, or traveller, to take care of each and every site they visit, not only by packing out their own garbage, but even the garbage they see, left by others.

Here's an example from a visit to Stonehenge a year or so ago. Admittedly the people were attending a festival - but really, that's no excuse!

Revelers Leave Trash All Over Stonehenge

The good news is that lots of people got to visit Stonehenge for the summer solstice this past weekend. The bad news is that they left the place covered in litter. Over 36,000 people came to the sacred site on Salisbury Plain for the annual celebration, and local Druids are not happy about the mess. One said, "It is nice to see a lot of people here because there is no better place to learn about our culture and history... But it is upsetting to see so much litter, and some people can be disrespectful."

There had been some controversy a few weeks back, regarding increased police presence. However, local authorities say the attendees were well behaved, with only two dozen arrests. Not bad at all for a crowd that size.

Anyway, the article doesn't indicate whether the trash left behind was due to a shortage of garbage bins, or just people being lazy. My guess would be that it's a combination of the two. Really, if you're attending a public festival like this and you have garbage, you should be responsible enough to take it with you when you go home if there aren't enough trash cans.

Then people wonder why a site they've come a thousand miles to see is all roped off, with no one allowed within a hundred yards of it. Why? Because if they were allowed to get up close and touch it, somebody's hand would sneak out and grab a rock to take away for a souvenir, or spraypaint a clever little slogan...

Info on Machu Picchu

2010-04-07T10:18:00.002-04:00

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). It is often called "The Lost City of the Incas", and is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

It is believed that the Incas started building Machu Picchu around AD 1400 -- but that it was abandoned a century later when the Spanish conquistadors arrived and started decimating the populace.

Although known ever since by the locals, the "outside world" didn't know about it until 1911 when American historian Hiram Bingham discovered it.

In 1981, Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. For some reason the Spanish never plundered the site, so it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place.

Built in the classical Inca style, Machu Picchu has polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what archaeologists call "the Sacred District."

An affordable tour from Gap Travel: Inca Discovery tour

2010-04-06T20:59:00.003-04:00

Who isn't looking for bargains these days?

Well, Gap Travel, has quite a few.

Here's their latest tour to Peru to visit the archeological sites of the Inca.

Inca Discovery - book now as it leaves April 13, 2010!

Trip Style: Active
Service Level: Standard
Physical Demands Rating: 4
Next Available Departure: Tue, Apr. 13, 2010
Highlights
Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu.

Follow in the steps of the Incas on this trip to the "must-see" highlight of Peru - the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! The 4-day trek from Cuzco is spectacular and the first glimpse of Machu Picchu will leave memories to last a lifetime.

Machu Picchu was recently the site of tremendous thunderstorms that made travel difficult for many weeks. Here's the latest update:

In an effort to preserve and protect the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian governing bodies have taken drastic measures in the past few years to limit the amount of people hiking the Trail. As of March 2004, no more than 500 people (including support staff) per day are allowed on the Inca Trail and this number is strictly adhered to. As Sustainable Tourism is constantly at the forefront of our business philosophy, Gap Adventures is happy to work within the framework of these regulations in order to properly protect the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Our company policies regarding the Inca Trail are put in place in order to guarantee an excellent passenger experience and also as a way to directly address these issues and make sure that this information is clear and understood.

The rules and regulations controlling the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are continually changing and it is important to be aware of the issues detailed in this document before embarking on your adventure to Peru.

Current Inca Trail Regulations
As stated above, no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82. This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made. Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made. Any attempts at modifications result in a loss of the permit and any money paid.

Booking policies
Inca Trail permit availability will be reflected on our website under individual trip departure dates.

With immediate effect, the Gap Adventures policy for all Inca Trail bookings is:

Bookings made 65 days or more before the Inca Trail portion* of any Gap Adventure should proceed without any issue if we receive the following pieces of information:
Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport)
Date of birth
Passport number
Nationality
Date of passport expiry
Bookings between 64 and 31 days before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour will be taken on a request basis.

Please Note: The passport number and name that is submitted to Gap Adventures, at time of confirmation, will be used to purchase the Inca Trail permit. This passport number and name will be used to identify yourself as you enter the check point at the start of the trail and throughout the hike. If this information does not match the information you have submitted at time of confirmation, then you will be subject to delay, fine, and/or cancellation of admission to the Inca Trail.

Should any requests made within 64 days before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour be denied, the following three alternatives will be offered:

In the unlikely event that we are unable to secure permits, the following options will be offered:
Hike the Lares Trek route through the Sacred Valley, a fascinating and challenging 4-day, 3-night trip ending in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. This trek takes in much of the Inca's most sacred and important countryside and many monuments. All transportation, accommodation, guide services etc. will be included.
Spend two nights in Cuzco, travel by train for a night in Aguas Calientes, and join the hikers for the tour of Machu Picchu.
Cancel or change the trip without penalty

If changes to the current government policy affect our ability to provide access to the advertised itinerary including the Inca Trail, we will endeavor to provide clients with the best options and customer service available. Please also see clause 17 in our terms and conditions concerning our responsibilities.

*When booking any trip involving the Inca Trail, please book as far in advance as possible in order to increase the possibility of securing space on the Trail during the peak periods of the year.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your understanding.

Iceland Adventures

2010-04-05T03:38:00.001-04:00

Here's another trip sponsored by www.gapadventures.com:

The next trip to Iceland is scheduled to leave September 8, 2010.

Arctic Highlights - Spitsbergen, Greenland, and Iceland

Trip Style: Expedition
Physical Demands Rating: 2
Next Available Departure: Wed, Sep. 8, 2010
Highlights
Spitsbergen, Longyearbyen, the Greenland Sea, East Greenland, the Scoresbysund Fjord, Reykjavik, Zodiac cruises, tundra, unique wildlife, and local communities.

Description
Sailing from Spitsbergen to Greenland, follow the ice's edge always on the lookout for wildlife. Navigating south, explore this remote landscape not only by ship but also on foot and by Zodiac. This journey highlights the contrast and change in the Arctic as you move south finally ending in the "land of fire and ice," Iceland. Inuit villages, unique wildlife and remote destinations are some of the highlights on this truly unforgettable voyage through the Arctic

Time for more Gap Adventures

2010-04-04T21:35:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had a pleasant Easter weekend.

Now let's get back to talking travel!

What's the latest at gapadventures.com/?

Well, lets talk about Finland.

Nestled between Russia, Norway and Sweden, Finland is a perfect balance of modern development and unspoiled nature. Helsinki is the metropolitan Capital, but this northern European nation boasts over 200 000 lakes, and some of the best cross-country skiing you can find.

How about a 6 day trip to Finland?

Finland Winter Activity Week and Igloo Village
Trip Style: Canada Goose
Service Level: Comfort
Physical Demands Rating: 2
Highlights
Stunning Lapland scenery, Igloo Village and night in a snow igloo, Variety of winter activity options, Northern Lights

Description
Venture to the heart of Finnish Lappland and surround yourself with the natural beauty of this winter wonderland! Spend your days keeping busy with a variety of optional activities such as dog-sledding, a reindeer safari, or ice fishing. Keep warm at night in your traditional log-cabin and snow igloo, and of course keep warm with your Canada Goose parka, included with this tour.

List of caverns in Virginia

2010-04-01T14:58:00.002-04:00

There are 13 "showcaves" in Virginia - caves or caverns that are open to the public.

US Showcaves Directory - Virginia Caves (and Virtual Cave)
National Caves Association - Virginia Caves
Crystal Caverns at Hupp's Hill
Gap Cave (formerly Cudjo's Cave)
Dixie Caverns
Grand Caverns (and the geology)
Endless Caverns
Luray Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Tunnel State Park
Shenandoah Caverns
Skyline Caverns

There are many more caves that are not accessible to, or suitable for the general public. These take the appropriate gear and safety precautions.

Butler-Sinking Creek System --Bath County 17 miles of passages
Chestnut Ridge Cave System --Bath County 14 miles of passages
Perkins Cave --Washington County 10 miles of passages
Stompbottom Cave --Tazewell County 7.7 miles of passages
Unthanks Cave --Lee County 7.3 miles of passages
Paxtons Cave --Alleghany County 7.2 miles of passages
Paul Penley's Cave --Bland County 6.6 miles of passages
Newberry - Bane Cave --Bland County 6.6 miles of passages
Helictite Cave --Highland County 6.5 miles of passages
Clarks Cave --Bath County 6.4 miles of passages
Fallen Rock Cave --Tazewell County 6.4 miles of passages
Cudjo's - Cumberland Gap
Saltpetre Cave --Lee County 6 miles of passages
New River Cave --Giles County 5.3 miles of passages
Spring Hollow Cave --Bland County 5 miles of passages
Endless Caverns --Rockingham County 4.7 miles of passages
Gilley Cave --Lee County 4.5 miles of passages
Breathing Cave --Bath County 4.5 miles of passages
Crossroads Cave --Bath County 3.5 miles of passages
Williams Cave --Bath County 3.4 miles of passages
Barberry Cave --Bath County 3.3 miles of passages
Banes Spring Cave --Bland County 3 miles of passages
Yer Cave --Giles County 3 miles of passages
Lowmoor Cave --Alleghany County 2.6 miles of passages
Millers Cove Cave --Roanoke County 2.5 miles of passages
Salamander Cave --Giles County 2.4 miles of passages
Starnes Cave --Giles County 2.2 miles of passages
Clover Hollow Cave --Giles County 2.1 miles of passages
Cavin Cave --Lee County 2.1 miles of passages
Reasor Pump Cave --Lee County 2.1 miles of passages
Buchanan Saltpetre Cave --Smyth County 2.1 miles of passages
Doe Mountain Cave --Giles County 2 miles of passages
Witheros Cave --Bath County 2 miles of passages
Hancock Cave --Smyth County 1.9 miles of passages
Porters Cave --Bath County 1.9 miles of passages
Smokehole Cave --Giles County 1.8 miles of passages
Kimbalton Mine Cave --Giles County 1.7 miles of passages
Vickers Cave --Washington County 1.7 miles of passages
Jessie Cave --Russell County 1.7 miles of passages
Aqua (Lockridge) Cave --Highland County 1.6 miles of passages
Locomotive Breath Cave --Alleghany County 1.6 miles of passages
Blair - Collins Cave --Scott County 1.5 miles of passages
Surgener Cave --Lee County 1.5 miles of passages
Cave Spring Cave --Rockbridge County 1.5 miles of passages
James Cave --Pulaski County 1.4 miles of passages
Buddy Penleys Cave --Bland County 1.4 miles of passages
Kelly Cave --Wise County 1.4 miles of passages
Starr Chapel Saltpetre Cave --Bath County 1.4 miles of passages
Lowes (Fritz Breathing) Cave --Washington County 1.4 miles of passages
Hairy Hole --Wise County 1.3 miles of passages
New Castle Murder Hole --Craig County 1.3 miles of passages
Stay High Cave --Giles County 1.3 miles of passages
Pig Hole --Giles County 1.2 miles of passages
Wildcat Cavern --Wise County 1.2 miles of passages
Stonleys (Divides) Cave --Tazewell County 1.1 miles of passages
Cribb Cave --Scott County 1.1 miles of passages
Wilburn Valley Cave --Giles County 1.1 miles of passages
Rufe Caldwell Cave --Craig County 1.1 miles of passages
Flannery Cave --Scott County 1.1 miles of passages
Skyline Caverns --Page County 1 mile of passages
Slussers Chapel Cave --Montgomery County 1 mile of passages
Young - Fugate Cave --Lee County 1 mile of passages

Time to go to the Gap

2010-03-31T10:38:00.002-04:00

Adventure Travels with GapAmerica, that is: http://www.gapadventures.com/

How about some Adventure Travel in Austria?

From GapAmerica's website:

Mountainous, landlocked Austria was the epicentre of the powerful Hapsburg dynasty for 600 years. Nowhere was its wealth and power displayed more openly than in riotously Baroque Vienna, which the Hapsburgs adorned with talent as much as it did architecture: the city has been home to no less illustrious composers than Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Brahms and Mahler. Medieval-flavoured Salzburg, despite being the birthplace of Mozart and home to one of the world's greatest classical festivals, may be best known as the setting for the Sound of Music. And on the natural front, Austria is cut by Europe's greatest and most beautiful river, the Danube, while the over half the country is covered by the Alps, and offers legendary hiking and skiing.

Their tours:

Best of Eastern Europe
Countries Visited: Austria Czech Republic Hungary Poland Slovakia

Paris to Venice Adventure:
Countries Visited: Austria Belgium Czech Republic France Germany Hungary Italy Netherlands Poland Slovenia

Paris to Prague Adventure:
Countries Visited: Belgium Czech Republic France Germany Netherlands Poland

Prague to Venice Adventure:
Countries Visited: Austria Czech Republic Hungary Italy Slovenia

Adventure Travel In Virginia Beach, Virginia

2010-03-30T18:59:00.002-04:00

The adventurer traveler will find much to enjoy in Virginia Beach, Virginia (especially now that summer is coming!)

For the bicyclist, there's the Back Bay Refuge at 4005 Sandpiper Road.

Back Bay Refuge contains over 8,000 acres. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh. The majority of refuge marshlands are on islands contained within the waters of Back Bay. Approximately 10,000 snow geese and a large variety of ducks visit Back Bay Refuge during the peak of fall migration, usually in December. The refuge also provides habitat for a wide assortment of other wildlife, including threatened and endangered species such as loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles. Back Bay provides scenic trails, a visitor contact station, and, with advance scheduling, group educational opportunities. Fishing, hunting, bicycling and hiking are available. The Back Bay Refuge is located near Virginia Beach - south of Sandbridge at the southern end of Sandpiper Road.

If you'd like to try horseback riding but don't have much - or any - experience, check out the Easy Does It Riding Academy, at 3581 Muddy Creek Road. They offer summer camps and ranch tours.

Of course, the Beach is the main attraction at Virginia Beach. There is surfing, several locations that offer parasailing, and swimming.

White water rafting in West Virginia

2010-03-29T12:08:00.001-04:00

Rafting Season Opens April 10th

http://www.raftinginfo.com/

Ready to start planning your wild, wonderful West Virginia vacation? Get the most authentic experience and the best value with River Expeditions as your host. Count on them to provide all the elements of an exciting vacation getaway while balancing your schedule, budget and interests. Take advantage of their affordable whitewater rafting and area adventure vacation packages while making the most of your visit to the scenic New River Gorge National Park.

Choose a high-energy white water rafting adventure, a relaxing retreat, or something in between. Diverse recreation, lodging and meal options guarantee there’s something for everyone to enjoy – whether you’re traveling with your family, friends, co-workers or a group. Rafting experiences range from moderate, low-impact to exhilarating, high-impact adventures while accommodations vary from primitive camping at our basecamp and along the river to deluxe cabins, hotels and luxury resorts. Let them create your custom West Virginia vacation package.

Discover the excitement of rafting America's Best Whitewater®! Experience the history, culture and fun of New River or challenge yourself on the wild and scenic Gauley River - fall releases create world-class whitewater. Trips are available for beginner to advanced rafters.

River Expeditions goes that extra mile by providing online tools to make preparing for your trip easier with helpful West Virginia Vacation FAQ's, downloadable brochure/adventure guide and rafting forms, testimonials submitted by past guests, and an online newsletter to keep you informed about upcoming deals. For up to the minute information, follow them at Twitter.com/raftinginfo or become a Fan at Facebook.com/raftinginfo

Alaska Adventures from TrekAmerica - Kenai Peninsuala

2010-03-26T23:08:00.002-04:00

Alaska in winter is cold, but now that summer is almost upon us, it's time to consider taking a Trek America Alaskan adventure

Alaskan Kenai (late June to July)

7 days, from ANCHORAGE to ANCHORAGE
Trek Type: TrekAmerica (18-38's)
Destination: Alaska
Accommodation: Camping
Trek Code: AK

TOUR OVERVIEW
Wilderness experience, Alaska-style! Clear mountain lakes, salmon-filled streams and majestic fjords are just a few of the Alaskan Kenai's attractions.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
Luxury wilderness camp, including boat transfers and all meals
Sea kayaking
Wildlife viewing
Visit Alaskan glaciers
Scenic walks and hikes
National parks - Kenai Fjords and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Services of a TrekAmerica tour leader
All transportation by private adventure vehicle
6 nights camping fees & equipment (except sleeping bag)

Is it time to TrekAmerica?

2010-03-25T16:24:00.002-04:00

TrekAmerica is a business that's been around since 1972. Here's its website: http://www.trekamerica.com/.

TrekAmerica offers six adventure packages:
USA Adventure
Canada Adventure
Alaska Adventure
Mexico Adventure
Costa Rica Adventure
Peru Adventure

So, let's start with USA Adventures:

Here are only a few examples of the multitude on offer:

NEW YORK CITY TO NIAGARA FALLS - 3 days from NEW YORK AREA
TrekAmerica (18-38's) | USA East | Camping
May-Oct from: US$429

Mini Adventure | Niagara Falls | Syracuse
Leaving the bright lights and crazy nights of New York City behind, venture deep into 'up state' New York for a night on the shore of the Finger Lakes with it's many waterfalls and wineries, then on to the thundering wonder of the incomparable Niagara Falls!

LAS VEGAS TO THE GRAND CANYON - 4 days from LAS VEGAS
TrekAmerica (18-38's) | USA West | Camping
May-Oct from: US$699

Cowboy Camp | Grand Canyon | Monument Valley
Cowboys, canyons and Indians - need we say more? Experience an authentic cowboy BBQ and bunkhouse accommodation before a night with the Navajo people deep in the heart of Monument Valley, then top it all off with the grandest canyon on earth!

LOS ANGELES TO THE GRAND CANYON - 4 days from LOS ANGELES
TrekAmerica (18-38's) | USA West | Camping
Apr-Oct from: US$569

Mini Adventure | Grand Canyon | Las Vegas
Escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angles for the best of the best of the Desert Southwest! From Lake Havasu to the Grand Canyon, then follow old Route 66 over the Hoover Dam into Las Vegas for an included limousine tour that you'll never forget!

If you're thinking its time to tour America, give http://www.trekamerica.com/ a look.

Yo ho, yo ho, the ocean cruising life for me

2010-03-21T16:16:00.003-04:00

There are some people who do, and some who sit in armchairs and read about those who do, and then there are those who not only read but also do, and I'd wager that it is those people, who read as well as do, who get the most fun out of their trips, because they're the best prepared.

In that regard, I've been reading through Latitudes & Attitudes, published by Seafaring International, which is "an inside look at the cruising lifestyle."

Now, this is the type of life I'd like to lead, or an adventurous couple of weeks I'd like to spend, except for one thing, I get seasick at the drop of a hat and don't get well again until I get off the boat. (I visited a docked tall ship at the Hampton Roads Blackbeard Festival a couple of years ago, and within a minute was seasick, and it wasn't doing anything except gently raising up and down!)

So this kind of romantic adventure is something that I can only experience second hand, by reading about it.

But if you have no such qualms, look into it. The cruising lifestyle requires that you have the funds to purchase a yacht of suitable size, can afford marina fees, and so on, which is getting more and more difficult these days. Nevertheless, if you can afford it, go for it.

How about some nautical terms? (From dictionary.com)

Scuttlebutt:
1805, "water cask kept on a ship's deck," from scuttle "opening in a ship's deck" (see scuttle (v.2)) + butt "barrel." Earlier scuttle cask (1777). Meaning "rumor, gossip" first recorded 1901, originally nautical slang, traditionally said to be from sailors' custom of gathering around the scuttlebutt to gossip.

Chandlery:
[Middle English chaundeler, from Old French chandelier, from Vulgar Latin *candēlārius, from Latin candēla, candle; see candle.]
chan'dler·y (chānd'lə-rē)
In other words, a chandler was someone who sold candles. Today, it's a place to stock up on nautical gear.

Flotsam, Jetsam and Lagan
Flotsam the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on the water (c.1600, from Anglo-Fr. floteson, from O.Fr. flotaison "a floating," from floter "to float" (of Gmc. origin) + -aison, from L. -ation(em). Spelled flotsen till mid-19c. when it altered, perhaps under influence of many English words in -some.) In British law, flotsam are goods found floating on the sea as a consequence of a shipwreck or action of wind or waves; jetsam are things cast out of a ship in danger of being wrecked, and afterward washed ashore, or things cast ashore by the sailors. Whatever sinks is lagan (anything sunk in the sea, but attached to a buoy or the like so that it may be recovered.)

Websites:
oceanwatch.com
www.seafaring.com

Seminars and SAils
Bob Bitchin's [yes, that's his real name] Advanced Cuising and Lee Chesneau's Advanced Weather Seminars: Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. August 21-22.

Lats & Atts Share ther Sail: May 9-16th in Thailand.
check it out at http://www.seafaring.com

Paragliding in Nepal

2010-03-19T20:25:00.001-04:00

Here's a video of a trainer and a newbie paragliding in Nepal. Fun to watch, and to know what to expect when you first go paraglding.

Travel resources: iexplore.com

2010-03-18T17:48:00.002-04:00

Check out http://www.iexplore.com/ to see the great adventure travels they have on offer at this tour-booking site.

Their top ten tours this month are:
1 Egypt: Temples and Nile Cruise
2 India: Cultural Exploration
3 Expedition to Antarctica
4 Australia: Explore the Outback
5 New Zealand: Active Adventure
6 Japan: Culture & History
7 Ecuador: Active Adventure
8 Chile: Land of Fire & Ice
9 China: Cultural Experience
10 Nepal: Culture & Adventure

The iexplore webiste also has a great feature where you can type in your favorite activity - from biking to hiking to fishing to exploring botanical gardens or architectural ruins, and they'll come up with the top 10 places around the world for that activity.

Again, check it out at http://www.iexplore.com/.

White Water Rafting trip New River West Virginia

2010-03-17T20:35:00.001-04:00

Here's a video of White Water Rafting trip New River West Virginia.

Doesn't it look fun?

Check out: http://www.aceraft.com/

Adventure travel with your dog, in Vermont

2010-03-15T13:10:00.003-04:00

Ever heard of the Paw House Inns?

It's located at the base of Mount Snow, and nearby Killington, in Vermont.

Here's the website for Mount Snow: http://www.pawhousemtsnow.com/.

Welcome to the charm of Vermont and come home to a special place where dog owners needs and desires are completely understood.

Our most unique pet friendly hotel is located three minutes to the base of the Mount Snow ski area nestled within the majestic valley of the Vermont State Forest.

Awaiting you and your best friends are spacious grounds, tail-proofed luxuries, and easy access to Vermont's dog friendly, four season treasures...dare we say pawfect!

Depending upon your dates, nightly rates range from $155-$295 are inclusive our on-site dog care facility, use of our dog-friendly amenities, and a gourmet breakfast (for humans)

Also available on-site is human pampering at our fabulous Human Pampering Spa and dog pampering too at our State of the art Grooming Facility

Also check out our other wonderful dog friendly inn in Vermont's spectacular Killington Region.

And here's the Killington website:

http://www.pawhouseinn.com/killington-okemo.html

Our historic 1786 farmhouse B&B is an intimate country retreat located in South Central Vermont, just a short drive to Killington and Okemo resorts.

Rates range from $135-$245 and include use of our on site dog care facility, full country breakfast for humans, and a great time for all!

Depending on the type of dog you have, you can fit him - or her, with a harness and go "skijoring." What this means is, your dog will pull you along on skis.

There are hundreds of miles of dog-friendly trails. There's also a doggy daycare center.

Each room comes with a padded doggy bed. Dogless humans are welcome - for a $10 surcharge.

http://pawhouseinn.com

Even the Out-Of-Shape Can go Bicycle Touring

2010-03-14T13:22:00.002-04:00

Many people have longed to go for a bicycle tour... of the United States, England, or some country in Europe, but given up that dream because they simply were not in good enough physical condition to do so ... the though of having to bike up a long, steep hill stopped them in their tracks.

Well, with the advent of the electric bicycle, that no longer needs to be a concern. An electric bicycle - depending on the type you get - allows the rider to pedal it like a normal bicycle for most of the ride, and then just press a button to start the motor when a hill manifests itself.

So there's no reason anymore (well, except that of price!) why people can't get on their bikes and go riding around the country.

(Of course, safety is an issue. Many drivers continue to treat bicyclists as if they have no right to the road, when of course they do, and accidents do happen. Worse than that, even when it's clear the driver was at fault, he or she very frequently is not punished at all... there seems to be a tacit agreement that any accident between a car and a bike is de facto the bicyclists fault because he or she had no business being on the road.

So activism in that area needs to continue.

But accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and now that the ebike revolution has bicycle tourng in the reach of so many people, why not do some research and plan a trip...and then take that trip?

Kayaking Events Calender, March 2010

2010-03-11T20:42:00.003-05:00

If you're a kayaker, you might be interested in checking out some of these events.

March 12 - 14, 2010
Canoecopia
www.canoecopia.com

March 20, 2010
River Quest 2010
www.HigherGroundBeaufort.com

March 26-28, 2010
PaddleSport 2010
www.jerseypaddler.com

March 27, 2010
Hope Floats
hopefloats.homestead.com/index.html

The Armchair Adventurer: Sea Kayaker

2010-03-10T11:59:00.002-05:00

So you're sitting on the couch, watching the snow outside your window panes (or, if you're lucky, watching it melt!) and you can't afford to go on vacation for a few months. So what do you do?

Why, you plan your vacation? Especially in these days when every penny, and really, every second, counts.

Depending on your adventure of choice, there is literature somewhere that will tell you the information you need - reviews of the tools, where to go, and so on. But of course you will always need to practice your hobby or sport, before going off on the wild side.

So Let's talk about sea kayaking. There's a magazine for this, called Sea Kayaker: Experience the World's Wterways. The current issue has a photo of Freya Hoffmeister on the cover, with an article on how she just completed her circumnavigation of Australia by Kayak.

The magazine also has reviews of two kayaks - the Alchemy 140.S by Dagger and the Pinguino Sport by Pygmy Boats.

There are also two features: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Exploring Passamaquoddy Bay (up in Canada) and Blown Away on Lake Powell (between Utah and Arizona).

Then there's a science article, on understanding plankton blooms.

There's also a cautionary tale, "How-not-to". A mman tells the story of how his kayak and hiis car roof rack had peeled right off while he was driving. Because of the wind forces on a kayak, always remember to tie down the bow of the kayak, and make sure that the points where you tie down the kayak don't have sharp edges to fray the rope.

National Geographic Adventure

2010-03-09T15:36:00.002-05:00

"Dream it. Plan it. Do it."

Hopefully everyone has heard of National Geographic magazine, which has been in existence for over 100 years. There is also a somewhat less scholarly magazine put out by the Natioanl Geographic Society, called National Geographic Adventure.

So what's in the latest (Dec/January 2010) issue?

1. Nat Geo in the Field
2. Field Notes
--Go green
--Dream job
--The good stuff
--Leading edge
--Gear crush
3. High performance (Lindsey Vonn)
4. Media (polar bears on thin ice and more)
5. Deep survival (charging people who need to be rescued)
6. Intelligent design (watches)
7. Digital Adventure (cameras)
8. 18 instand adventures
9. Wild roads
10. Adventure Town
11. Argentina uncorked
12. World class (three far-flung retreats)
13. The Visionary (curing preventable blindness around the world)
14. They did it: Adventures of the year
19. Must have gear
20. The Wayfinders (Polynesians sailing the open ocean)

Check out Wend magazine

2010-03-08T11:19:00.002-05:00

Wend magazine is an online zine that promotes Adventure Travel activism.

Here's the description of their magazine, from their website:

Wend is a forum for real people, writing real stories about real adventures and real environmental issues. As an independent media group, active in both environmental activism and the outdoors, we realize that part of going off the beaten path means making sure the path doesn’t get beaten. We are a magazine that understands that to advocate for the majesty of nature, we’d be hypocritical to print on paper that comes from destroying it, and thus, every issue of Wend is printed on locally sourced, FSC certified paper.

Our mission is to educate and inspire, as we see travel and experience as revelation that enriches our lives, and makes us better world citizens. We travel not to escape but to challenge ourselves and discover the humanity that every culture, big or small, poor or rich, shares. Sometimes grand adventure takes us to the other side of the planet, atop a towering peak, across an ocean, or even to our own cities, just around the corner. Our narrative style doesn’t focus so much on where we go, or what summit we made, but rather all the nuances of how we get there. We are people who write in our journals, take photographs, and build our understanding of the world one step at a time with humility and respect.

We believe in partnering with outdoor brands and environmental organizations who exist to promote a true green ethic and economy. We have built our growth model so that our love for the earth, in all its vast wonders, translates into a better ability to affect the destiny we face as human inhabitants of it.

Parasailing in Tacoma

2010-03-06T12:45:00.003-05:00

Pacific Parasail is a parasail outfit located out of Tacoma.

Summer Hours - consisting of Memorial Day Weekend (May 23, 24, 25) thru September 7, will find parasailing available from 11am TO dusk.

From September 8 thru September 30, parasailing is available through appointment only, doubtless because of the weather. And of course there's no parasailing between October thru April.

What is parasailing?

Parasailing, also known as parascending, is a recreational activity where a person is towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a specially designed parachute, known as a parasail. The boat then drives off, carrying the parascender into the air. If the boat is powerful enough, two or three people can parasail behind it at the same time. The parascender has little or no control over the parachute.

There are six parts of a parasail. The harness attaches the pilot to the parasail, which is connected to the boat, or land vehicle, by the tow rope. The activity is primarily a fun ride, not to be confused with the sport of paragliding. There are commercial parasailing operations all over the world.

Land based parasailing has also been formed into competition sport in Europe. In land based competition parasailing, the parasail is towed to maximum height behind a 4 wheel drive vehicle and then releases the tow line and flies down to a target area in an accuracy competition. The sport was developed in the early 80's and has been very popular ever since. The first international competitions were held in the mid 80's and continue to run today

Here's the history from Wikipedia:

PARASAIL CANOPY INVENTIONS The first towed parachutes were developed by Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne in 1961. Lemoigne is a well known developer of ParaCommander-type of parachutes known as "ParaCommander" or PC-canopies that were derived from free fall parachutes. The date of the first towing of a parachute (parasail)is not known, but one of the first mentions is a flight by Colonel Michel Tournier from France flying behind a tractor in the same year - 1961. In 1963 Jacques-André Istel from Pioneer Parachute Company bought a license from Lemoigne to manufacture and sell the 24-gore parachute canopy he had developed for towing which was labelled as a "parasail".

In early 1974, Brian Gaskin designed, created and tested the first purpose made parasail which was a 16-gore canopy design which he named "Waterbird". The Waterbird was revolutionary in its canopy design, its unique tow yoke harness arrangement its construction and the use of zero perosity fabrics which allowed it to be used over water safely. The majority of commercial parasail operators utilise the 16-gore canopy design that was derived from Gaskin's original invention. In 1975 Gaskin founded his company Waterbird Parakites which is still in operation today, producing commercial and recreational 16-gore parasails worldwide.

Sailing in Seattle

2010-03-04T14:46:00.002-05:00

The United States is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

It's one thing to sail on a lake, quite another to do ocean sailing!

So, let's talk about sailing in Seattle.

If you're going to go ocean sailing, and you've never sailed before, or even if you have sailed, but only on a lake, you need to take a few classes, or at least sail with some other, experienced people, until you know everything you need to know.

The Seattle Sailing Club, located out of Shilshole Bay Marina for over forty years, is one place to start.

They:

run American Sailing Association certification courses starting with Basic Keelboat 101 through Celestial Navigation 107 on weekends, weekdays and weekday evenings every month of the year. They also run spinnaker handling courses, racing courses and weeklong cruise-n-learn courses in the San Juan Islands. They keep their class sizes small, no more than 4 people, to give people as much one-on-one time with their instructor and as much time as possible on the helm/crew positions on 24-36 foot racing and cruising sailboats.

Sailnet.com explains some differences between ocean sailing and lake sailing.

In ocean (or "blue water) sailing, the waves are bigger BUT the wind does not gust like it does on many lakes.

Lake sailors spend a lot more time tacking.

Blue water sailors are, usually, better prepared to handle things like chafing issues and securing the interior of the boat for these things as well as things like running preventers.

And then there's the all important issue of navigation. "There's not much to navigation on "most" inland water ways!"

Let's talk Adventure Travel

2010-03-03T14:03:00.002-05:00

ProtoTravels is embarking on a new direction - Adventure Travel.

What is Adventure Travel?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:

Adventure travel is a type of tourism, involving exploration or travel to remote, exotic and possibly hostile areas. Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in popularity, as tourists seek different kinds of vacations. According to the U.S. based Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel may be any tourist activity, including two of the following three components: a physical activity, a cultural exchange or interaction and engagement with nature.

Adventure tourism gains much of its excitement by allowing its participants to step outside of their comfort zone. This may be from experiencing culture shock or through the performance of acts, that require significant effort and involve some degree of risk (real or perceived) and/or physical danger. This may include activities such as mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, zip-lining and rock climbing. Some obscure forms of adventure travel include disaster and ghetto tourism. Other rising forms of adventure travel include social and jungle tourism.

Access to inexpensive consumer technology, with respect to Global Positioning Systems, flashpacking, social networking and photography, have increased the worldwide interest in adventure travel. The interest in independent adventure travel has also increased as more specialist travel websites emerge offering previously niche locations and sports

Here at ProtoTravels, we're going to concentrate on "adventure" in the formerly accepted use of the word - going mountain or rock climing, hiking in out of the way locations, sky diving, parasailing, and so on!

One Free Night When You Stay Seven At Beaches

2010-02-21T13:10:00.002-05:00

Time to visit Jamaica or the Turks & Caicos, and enjoy a week in a perfect resort hotel.

Visit their website at http://beaches.com to see all the details.

Book your Vacation at least 45 days prior to your departure. If your booking qualifies, you will be given an option to "hold" your entire reservation for only $200 per person.**

Of course there's always the small print. In this case...it's the fact that beaches' website hasn't been updated since January, and that's when this one night free offer was due to expire. So when you book your tour, make sure you talk to someone who can confirm that the one night free offer is still on the table!

Feel like heading to Pagosa Springs, CO?

2010-02-19T10:36:00.003-05:00

There's a special deal from Endless Vacation Rentals - available through Priceline.com.

Starting at $54/night* - Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Weeklong 2 bedroom Condo!5 days left
A special deal from Endless Vacation Rentals®. Deal ends: 2/23/2010.

Here's all the info:

Endless Vacation Rentals® by Wyndham Worldwide is offering incredible prices for the Wyndham Pagosa Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

For select travel dates in February through April, an entire week is just $379! At this low price you can stay in a one bedroom condo which sleeps 4, or even a two bedroom condo which sleeps 8! Not staying all 7 nights - for 5 nights it is less than $76 per night - which is an amazing deal!

Bordered by 2.3 million acres of breathtaking San Juan National Forest, Wyndham Pagosa is a complete recreational community. Here you may enjoy spacious and well-equipped accommodations as well as nearby amenities such as a golf course, tennis courts and a recreational center with an indoor pool, weight room and racquetball courts. In winter, a daily shuttle to the Wolf Creek ski area is offered. Cross-country skiing with rental equipment is also available.

Check it out at: Priceline.com.

Cruise From Miami to the Bahamas

2010-02-18T14:43:00.002-05:00

Check out CruiseDirect.com to see what cruises you can take now!

There's one from Carnival on February 20, 2010:

Carnival Cruise Line - Carnival Destiny
Destination To: Bahamas
Departing from: Miami
Saturday, February 20, 2010 Miami, Florida -- 04:00 PM
Sunday, February 21, 2010 Nassau, Bahamas 09:00 AM 05:00 PM
Monday, February 22, 2010 Miami, Florida 08:00 AM --

If you're in Australia, check out this cruise on March 4, from the Princess Line

Night Australia Cruise
Princess Cruise Line - Dawn Princess
Destination To: 4
Departing from: Melbourne
Ports: Melbourne, Australia, Sydney, Australia

Prices, in US dolalrs
$200 USD $299 USD $369 USD $623 USD , depending on the cabin: Inside Outside Balcony Suite

Save 25% at Sheraton Hotels

2010-02-17T16:46:00.002-05:00

Priceline.com has a great special on Sheraton Hotels - 25% off.

Here are the details from their website:

Experience their $6 billion enhancement and save big on your next reservation at a Sheraton hotel. Sheraton not only created brilliant, new hotels but refreshed and revitalized existing properties providing you with even more ways to relax and connect at over 200 hotels throughout North America and Canada.

Enjoy the comfort of beautiful guest rooms with crisp, new all-white bedding; join Sheraton in the lobby at the Link@Sheratonsm experienced with Microsoft® where you can connect back home with free WiFi, have a cocktail, socialize or just hang out and upgrade to their exclusive Club Level and enjoy extra privileges throughout your visit. At Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Life Is Better When Shared.

Early Booking Bonus - Save up to 25% when you make an advance purchase reservation*

Note the asterisk that leads to the small print!

Terms and Conditions:
Offer is valid at participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts in North & South America.

--Offer is valid for stays booked and completed between January 25, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
--Offer components and restrictions vary, see individual offer terms and conditions for complete details.
--Rooms are limited and offer is subject to availability. To receive the promotional offer, advance reservations are required. Rooms must be booked 3 to 21 days in advance of stay date. Advance purchase date varies by hotel.
--Credit card will be charged at time of booking. Reservations cannot be changed, are pre-paid and non-refundable; if cancellation takes place, guests forfeit total room charge plus tax.
--Rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and availability at time of reservation and do not include additional per room, per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes.
--A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates.
--Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
--Offer not applicable to groups.
--Not to be combined with other offers or promotions and subject to change.

Still 25% off is a good deal, so check it out!

Save $50 on a 2-night weekend getaway until Feb 28

2010-02-15T12:08:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day may have been this Sunday, but you can have a great romantic getaway, and save $50 over the course of two nights, by booking a bed and breakfast between now and February 28.

Here are the details from the Bedandbreakfast.com website:

Just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, we’re bringing you a discount on the most romantic way to get away. Save $50 on any two night stay (or longer) when you book online at BedandBreakfast.com between now and February 28 and fall in love all over again.

Find a bed and breakfast that accepts online reservations. These inns all feature a [BOOK IT] button.

Make an online reservation of two nights or more via BedandBreakfast.com.
Type the code BBROMANCE50 in the "Redeem Special Promo Code" box before completing your reservation.

Go to Bedandbreakfast.com for more information

Kids Sail Free on MSC Cruises

2010-02-13T12:08:00.002-05:00

Now, that's a great deal!

And what makes it even a greater deal is that MSC doesn't have any funky definition of what a kid is. (Try going to most amusement parks. Any kid over 13 is considered an adult!) For this deal, as long as the kid is under 17, he or she sails for free.

The offer is made through CruiseDirect.com

Here's the information on the MSC Cruiseline:

MSC Cruise Line Overview
MSC’s motto is, "The Finest Italian Hospitality Afloat.” To them, that translates into caring, personal attention from an authentic Italian crew. MSC Italian Cruises’ staff is on-hand to provide guests with the highest level of service. From a nightly turn-down service to a late-night snack delivered to your private room, no detail is too trivial for your comfort. The Mediterranean is more than just a destination for MSC Italian Cruises, it's a home. That's why they know its ports of call and their famous and secret attractions so well. While they offer luxurious modern amenities, MSC has remained true to their past by maintaining their unique personality. For guests, that means an authentic service and ambiance that will make you want to return time and time again. If an elegant and refined atmosphere fits your definition of timeless bliss, MSC Italian Cruises will transform your idea of cruising.

Go to this webpage, and scroll all the way to the bottom to see their cruises happening in February. Put a little sunshine back in your life!

MSC Cruises to the Caribbean

72 hour sale on Resort Packages!

2010-02-11T11:53:00.002-05:00

Visit Priceline.com to get in on this great deal.

72 hour sale - 40% off select resorts and destinations! Prices from $228* USD for an entire week!

2 days left (ends 2/12/2010)

Why We Love This Deal
Incredible 72 hour sale - Save 40% off entire weeklong rentals at select resorts and destinations with Endless Vacation Rentals® by Wyndham Worldwide!

An entire week starts from just $228* USD for a one bedroom condo which sleeps 4. Not staying all 7 nights - for 5 nights it is less than $46* USD per night - which is an amazing deal! Book by 5pm CST on Friday February 12th, 2010 to take advantage of these incredible prices!

Endless Vacation Rentals has properties worldwide including Hawaii, Florida, Las Vegas and much more!

Of course there's always the fine print, which you should always read:

Terms and Conditions

*Book by 5:00 PM CST Friday, February 12, 2010. Offer valid for selected weeklong stays only. Prices reflect discount. Only those specific dates and specific resorts with the discounted rate are on sale. Cannot be combined with any other offer. This offer is non-refundable. The regular Endless Vacation Rentals® cancel policy of 100% refund up to three days before travel is not applicable to this sale. Destinations and travel times are subject to availability and confirmed on a first come, first served basis. Price includes only accommodations and specifically excludes travel costs and other expenses that may be incurred. Promotional discounts may not apply to all properties. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law. Price does not include tax.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at a B&B

2010-02-10T11:27:00.003-05:00

You've got one more day - today - to enter Bedandbreakfast.com's Valentine's Day Getaway Giveaway, worth $2,000. Go to their website and click on the box to enter.

While you're there, check out the other special they have. Purchase a $100 gift card and receive a 10% discount.

Diamond Collection inns
BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection is an exclusive group of professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns. Each Diamond Collection property participates in a comprehensive annual inspection program, maintains top consumer reviews on BedandBreakfast.com, and offers the amenities and services required for a top-quality guest experience.

Each Diamond Collection property offers the following amenities and services:

Private bathrooms
24 hour per day guest access to service or staff

Maintains a 4.0 or higher consumer review rating on BedandBreakfast.com
Accepts BedandBreakfast.com gift cards

Free Internet service

Flexible check-in or guaranteed late arrival
Accepts online reservations on their website and/or BedandBreakfast.com
Maintains all applicable licenses, permits, and insurance

Check out a list of the B&Bs participating in this program at:
http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/diamondcollection/diamondmembers.aspx

Tips For Winter Travel

2010-02-09T15:32:00.002-05:00

Well, two winter storms have hit the US so far, burying Washington DC in snow.

Although I live in Hampton Roads, Virginia now - a place so unused to snow that when we get a light dusting, schools shut down for the day - I am originally from Minnesota and I know what's needed when people go on winter travel!

Obviously if you're going via airplane, the onus is on the plane to keep you warm and safe, assuming you can reach the airport. It's difficult to give you suggestions on what to bring to the airport, since regulations change all the time. You should bring water and food... but once you get into the secure area sometimes the powers that be don't let you have water anymore.... so much silliness. The best thing to do, if you are going on travel while your city is in the grip of winter, is to call the airport and find out what the chances are of your flight leaving on time, and what the regulations are against you having sustenance inside the passenger waiting area.

If you're renting a car and driving, however or even if you are driving in your own car, be prepared. First of course, get yourself a cell phone. Buy one of those non-contract ones if you don't want the expense of a full service phone. I have a Tracphone that worked just fine as I drove from Virginia up to Pennsylvania, across to Ohio, and then retracing my steps.

Here's your winter survival kit.

Pack your trunk with several blankets, one for each of you and your potential passengers (ie if you're bringing your whole family, or picking up people on the way). Have several boxes of candy bars or trail mix - something to eat. Emergency fire kit, emergency flares. Several jugs of water. Some waterproof blankets as well. A battery operated radio.

You can pick up little chemical packets of handwarmers from any Walmart or even Walgreens. Those always come in handy. Also a few LED lights to put on your coat, should you find yourself walking in darkness.

In addition, always tell *someone* **reliable** where you are going and when you expect to be there. Plan your route in advance and *doublecheck it* before you leave.

If you're renting a car rather than taking your own, always drive around the block of the car rental agency a ocuple of times, checking to make sure the car heater and defroster works. Check the trunk to see if there's any winter survial paraphenalia - there probably won't be, as people do have a tendency to walk off with such things. So if you're going to be driving long distances - stock it with your own gear, as listed above. If you dont need it, and hopefully you won't, just put it all in a box and mail it back to yourself.

Finally, you must maintain a sense of humor and proportion. Winter travel is simply unpredictable. Prepare as much as you can, expect the unexpected, and be relieved when everything goes right. Being "over-safe" is better than being "under-safe"!

Air Tran Offerings Some Flights for $44 One Way

2010-02-08T11:52:00.001-05:00

Of course most of their flights are going to be higher than that, but there are still some pretty good one-way deals here:

Here's the info from the Priceline website:
Fly to over 60 cities with great low fares from AirTran Airways. Flights are now available with fares as low as $44 one-way* to/from destinations all over the country, including the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. And, as always, there's no booking fee. Travel anytime between Mar. 10th - May 26th. Book your ticket by midnight February 9th and let AirTran Airways take you on an affordable getaway.

Additional taxes and airline fees apply.

And some of the city pairs:

Akron (CAK) Boston (BOS) $64

Akron (CAK) Tampa (TPA) $84

Allentown (ABE) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $74

Allentown (ABE) Orlando (MCO) $69

Atlantic City (ACY) Dallas (DFW) $99

Atlantic City (ACY) Miami (MIA) $64

Atlanta (ATL) Boston (BOS) $89

Atlanta (ATL) Columbus (CMH) $79

Atlanta (ATL) Denver (DEN) $129

Atlanta (ATL) Las Vegas (LAS) $139

Atlanta (ATL) Milwaukee (MKE) $79

Atlanta (ATL) New York City (LGA) $94

Atlanta (ATL) Phoenix (PHX) $119

Atlanta (ATL) San Antonio (SAT) $94

Atlanta (ATL) Sarasota (SRQ) $79

Atlanta (ATL) Washington (DCA) $84

Baltimore (BWI) Boston (BOS) $49

Baltimore (BWI) Dayton (DAY) $49

Baltimore (BWI) Miami (MIA) $74

Baltimore (BWI) San Juan (SJU) $98

Boston (BOS) Aruba (AUA) $189

Boston (BOS) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $70

Boston (BOS) Houston (HOU) $92

Bloomington (BMI) Los Angeles (LAX) $89

Charlotte (CLT) Cancun (CUN) $94

Charlotte (CLT) Denver (DEN) $104

Charlotte (CLT) Tampa (TPA) $74

Chicago (MDW) Aruba (AUA) $169

Chicago (MDW) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $69

Chicago (MDW) New York City (LGA) $76

Chicago (MDW) Orlando (MCO) $74

Dallas (DFW) Baltimore (BWI) $94

Dallas (DFW) Miami (MIA) $107

Dallas (DFW) Minneapolis (MSP) $85

Dallas (DFW) White Plains (HPN) $114

Denver (DEN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $89

Denver (DEN) Washington (DCA) $94

Des Moines (DSM) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $99

Des Moines (DSM) Orlando (MCO) $79

Detroit (DTW) Nassau (NAS) $99

Detroit (DTW) West Palm Beach (PBI) $69

Houston (HOU) Fort Myers (RSW) $99

Houston (HOU) New York City (LGA) $99

Jacksonville (JAX) New York City (LGA) $74

Jacksonville (JAX) Washington (DCA) $99

Miami (MIA) Milwaukee (MKE) $77

Miami (MIA) Philadelphia (PHL) $64

Miami (MIA) St Louis (STL) $69

Minneapolis (MSP) Milwaukee (MKE) $49

Minneapolis (MSP) Nassau (NAS) $159

Moline (MLI) Miami (MIA) $102

Moline (MLI) Orlando (MCO) $81

New York City (LGA) Cancun (CUN) $92

New York City (LGA) Los Angeles (LAX) $89

New York City (LGA) Montego Bay (MBJ) $129

New York City (LGA) San Juan (SJU) $105

New York City (LGA) Sarasota (SRQ) $70

Omaha (OMA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $109

Omaha (OMA) Tampa (TPA) $107

Orlando (MCO) Nassau (NAS) $44

Orlando (MCO) San Juan (SJU) $59

Orlando (MCO) Seattle (SEA) $99

Pittsburgh (PIT) Cancun (CUN) $94

Pittsburgh (PIT) Nassau (NAS) $99

Phoenix (PHX) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $91

Raleigh (RDU) Atlanta (ATL) $69

Raleigh (RDU) Cancun (CUN) $114

San Antonio (SAT) Boston (BOS) $79

San Antonio (SAT) Washington (DCA) $99

San Antonio (SAT) Atlanta (ATL) $94

San Francisco (SFO) Washington (IAD) $89

Sarasota (SRQ) Chicago (MDW) $84

Sarasota (SRQ) New York City (LGA) $70

Washington (IAD) Las Vegas (LAS) $99

Washington (IAD) Los Angeles (LAX) $89

Washington (DCA) San Juan (SJU) $98

Washington (DCA) Tampa (TPA) $69

White Plains (HPN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $79

White Plains (HPN) Orlando (MCO) $74

White Plains (HPN) West Palm Beach (PBI) $79

Wichita (ICT) Orlando (MCO) $99

Wichita (ICT) New York City (LGA) $99

The Winter Blahs

2010-02-07T17:05:00.002-05:00

Just as most Americans in the midwest and east coast had dug out from one snowstorm, we were hit with another one. And if the weather man is to be believed, another storm is on its way.

Here in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where I live, this much snow is unusual. Typically, we're lucky if we see a single day of snow. It's all melted by the next day.

Not this winter, however!

So I'm sure quite a few people are heartily sick of the cold and the snow, and are ready to take flight to somewhere warm, like Florida, California, the West Indies, even Hawaii.

So check out flights at http://priceline.com and reserve a flight, or a cruise, today!

Mardi Gras Special For New Orleans!

2010-02-05T11:12:00.002-05:00

Going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that is a tradition that continues to this day, despite the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina several years ago. Although much evidence of that destruction still remains, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is still a must see.

There are three days left to book the special rates via Priceline.com

Here are the details from their website:

Travel anytime between Feb. 1st - Mar. 14th to take advantage of these great vacation packages to the Intercontinental New Orleans! We've got 3-night vacation packages from just $339 per person, and that includes your airfare! Hurry, this offer ends February 7th.

This four-diamond treasure is right in the centre of town. The InterContinental New Orleans enjoys one of the city's most coveted locations: two blocks from the French Quarter, four blocks from Harrah's New Orleans, six blocks from the riverfront, The Morial Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome are also nearby. Be close to it all but enjoy the experience of premium services at the Interconinental New Orleans.

Renovated recently in 2001 this 479 guest room has whirlpool, state-of-the-art fitness center, internet access, and more. Stay at the Intercontinental New Orleans and enjoy being close to all the attractions this great city has to offer!

Head to New Orleans, but don't forget to pick up your Power Pass before you go! Click here for details. Don't get caught at the airport without a ride. Arrange for transportation now. Click here for tickets. New Orleans is known for being "different." Try a Haunted History Ghost Tour. Click here for details.

Right now, when you book this package through PriceBreakers at the Intercontinetal New Orleans for travel dates between February 1 - March 14, 2010, you'll get a great deal on a 3+ night stay. But hurry, you must book by February 7th!

We went shopping and found the following sample packages for Feb. 16 - 19, including round-trip airfare and three nights' accommodations at the Intercontinetal New Orleans, plus all taxes and fees. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and prices can change at any time.

So go get a taste of Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

Valentine's Day Gift Card Sale from BedandBreakfast.com

2010-02-04T11:48:00.001-05:00

The title of this post says it all.

BedandBreakfast.com is offering a Valentine's Day Gift Card sale.

With Valentine's Day falling on a long weekend this year, show your love to that special someone with a romantic getaway! Surprise your sweetie with The Getaway Gift Card, get 10% off, free FedEx shipping and a personalized invitation to a romantic rendezvous.

HURRY! This deal ends on February 15!

Getting 10% off your gift card purchase is easy.

Go to their website and check it out. BedandBreakfast.com

One way airfares from $49 available until Monday

2010-01-28T15:47:00.002-05:00

Don't miss out on these great air fare deals from Virgin America!

Here's the fine print:
Purchase by Jan. 29, 2010
Travel Feb. 6 - Mar. 10, 2010.
Additional taxes and airline fees apply

Here are the city pairs (the dollar price is the one way price):

Boston (BOS) Las Vegas (LAS) $119

Boston (BOS) Los Angeles (LAX) $109

Boston (BOS) San Diego (SAN) $119

Boston (BOS) Santa Ana (SNA) $119

Boston (BOS) Seattle (SEA) $119

Boston (BOS) San Francisco (SFO) $109

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Las Vegas (LAS) $129

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Los Angeles (LAX) $119

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Santa Ana (SNA) $129

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Diego (SAN) $129

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Francisco (SFO) $119

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Seattle (SEA) $129

Las Vegas (LAS) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $129

Las Vegas (LAS) New York City (JFK) $119

Las Vegas (LAS) San Francisco (SFO) $49

Las Vegas (LAS) Seattle (SEA) $89

Las Vegas (LAS) Washington (IAD) $119

Los Angeles (LAX) Boston (BOS) $109

Los Angeles (LAX) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $119

Los Angeles (LAX) New York City (JFK) $119

Los Angeles (LAX) San Francisco (SFO) $49

Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) $89

Los Angeles (LAX) Washington (IAD) $109

New York City (JFK) Los Angeles (LAX) $119

New York City (JFK) Las Vegas (LAS) $119

New York City (JFK) San Diego (SAN) $129

New York City (JFK) San Francisco (SFO) $119

New York City (JFK) Santa Ana (SNA) $129

New York City (JFK) Seattle (SEA) $129

San Diego (SAN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $129

San Diego (SAN) New York City (JFK) $129

San Diego (SAN) San Francisco (SFO) $49

San Diego (SAN) Seattle (SEA) $89

San Diego (SAN) Washington (IAD) $119

San Francisco (SFO) Boston (BOS) $109

San Francisco (SFO) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $119

San Francisco (SFO) Las Vegas (LAS) $49

San Francisco (SFO) Los Angeles (LAX) $49

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $119

San Francisco (SFO) San Diego (SAN) $49

San Francisco (SFO) Santa Ana (SNA) $49

San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) $69

San Francisco (SFO) Washington (IAD) $109

Santa Ana (SNA) Boston (BOS) $119

Santa Ana (SNA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $129

Santa Ana (SNA) New York City (JFK) $129

Santa Ana (SNA) San Francisco (SFO) $49

Santa Ana (SNA) Seattle (SEA) $89

Santa Ana (SNA) Washington (IAD) $119

Seattle (SEA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $129

Seattle (SEA) Las Vegas (LAS) $89

Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) $89

Seattle (SEA) New York City (JFK) $129

Seattle (SEA) San Diego (SAN) $89

Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) $69

Seattle (SEA) Santa Ana (SNA) $89

Seattle (SEA) Washington (IAD) $119

Washington (IAD) Las Vegas (LAS) $119

Washington (IAD) Los Angeles (LAX) $109

Washington (IAD) San Diego (SAN) $119

Washington (IAD) San Francisco (SFO) $109

Washington (IAD) Santa Ana (SNA) $119

Washington (IAD) Seattle (SEA) $119

6 days to take advantage of last minute airline prices!

2010-01-22T13:07:00.001-05:00

Here are the city pairs...take 50% off the price. But you need to go to Priceline.com, and make your booking within the next 6 days!

Atlanta (ATL) Chicago (ORD) $326

Atlanta (ATL) Las Vegas (LAS) $529

Baltimore (BWI) Dallas (DFW) $409

Boston (BOS) Atlanta (ATL) $374

Boston (BOS) Newark (EWR) $262

Boston (BOS) Washington (DCA) $321

Buffalo (BUF) Newark (EWR) $266

Charlotte (CLT) Newark (EWR) $427

Chicago (ORD) Dallas (DFW) $397

Chicago (ORD) Las Vegas (LAS) $452

Chicago (ORD) Newark (EWR) $358

Dallas (DFW) Atlanta (ATL) $367

Dallas (DFW) Las Vegas (LAS) $460

Dallas (DFW) Newark (EWR) $525

Denver (DEN) Dallas (DFW) $360

Denver (DEN) Phoenix (PHX) $307

Detroit (DTW) Atlanta (ATL) $346

Detroit (DTW) Newark (EWR) $491

Detroit (DTW) Phoenix (PHX) $435

Detroit (DTW) San Francisco (SFO) $435

Houston (HOU) Atlanta (ATL) $435

Houston (HOU) Las Vegas (LAS) $578

Houston (IAH) Los Angeles (LAX) $489

Houston (IAH) Newark (EWR) $464

Las Vegas (LAS) Los Angeles (LAX) $263

Los Angeles (LAX) Dallas (DFW) $380

Los Angeles (LAX) Newark (EWR) $372

Minneapolis (MSP) Chicago (ORD) $298

Minneapolis (MSP) Newark (EWR) $413

New York City (LGA) Cleveland (CLE) $271

New York City (LGA) Dallas (DFW) $323

New York City (JFK) Detroit (DTW) $656

New York City (LGA) Houston (IAH) $486

New York City (LGA) St Louis (STL) $289

New York City (JFK) Tampa (TPA) $346

Newark (EWR) Atlanta (ATL) $367

Newark (EWR) Denver (DEN) $498

Newark (EWR) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $379

Newark (EWR) Orlando (MCO) $374

Newark (EWR) San Francisco (SFO) $409

Newark (EWR) Tampa (TPA) $409

Philadelphia (PHL) Atlanta (ATL) $487

Phoenix (PHX) Chicago (ORD) $373

Phoenix (PHX) New York City (JFK) $441

Raleigh (RDU) New York City (LGA) $255

San Francisco (SFO) Houston (IAH) $489

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $482

Washington (IAD) Atlanta (ATL) $432

Washington (DCA) Dallas (DFW) $381

Washington (IAD) New York City (LGA) $269

Here's the small print:
* Markets listed represent a subset of those markets where a substantial percentage of searches on Priceline.com have resulted in up to 50% savings on Name Your Own Price® in comparison to the lowest published fares on Priceline.com (same travel dates and origin and destination dates). Published Retail Fares shown represent actual published airline fares found on Priceline.com between January 5 - 11, 2010, for travel within 7 days of search. Savings are not guaranteed and will vary based on offer price and availability. Airfares are subject to change frequently and there is no guarantee that an offer will be accepted. Priceline's Name Your Own Price® service is different from other travel sites. Exact airline and flight times are disclosed only after purchase. All sales are final.

Bed and Breakfast's midweek discounts continue

2010-01-20T10:59:00.002-05:00

Visit Bedandbreakfast.com to take advantage of a special Winter sale:

This deal ends March 31, 2009! Click here for more details.

To receive your 20% discount:

Find a bed and breakfast that accepts online reservations. These inns all feature a "Book It" button.
Make an online reservation of any length via BedandBreakfast.com that includes at least one day Monday - Thursday.
Type the code BBWINTER20 in the "Redeem Special Promo Code" box before completing your reservation.

Take a look at the website to see the hundreds of bed and breakfasts at which you can stay.

Great deals on hotels in New York

2010-01-19T18:18:00.002-05:00

Priceline.com is offering great deals on hotels in New York, for the next 6 days.

The site doesn't tell you the name of the hotel until you confirm your bid, but you can rest assured that they are all quality hotels.

Midtown West hotels for $129 a night. It is conveniently close to the city's most popular attractions: Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

How to Snag this Deal:
Travel between January 18 - January 31, 2010
Check the Midtown West Zone
Select a 4 star rating
Bid $129
You save 32% off the retail price

Times Square - Theatre District is priceline's most popular New York hotel neighborhood because it is home to some of the best hotels in the city with the excitement of the Broadway lights. Times Square is now home to ABC, MTV, and the NASDAQ. Head down any street in this neighborhood and experience some of the best entertainment, restaurants and shopping in the world.

How to Snag this Deal:
Travel between January 18 - January 31, 2010
Check the Times Square - Theatre District Zone
Select a 3.5 star rating
Bid $117
You save 19% off the retail price

Check out their website today!

Take Advantage of a Cruise Mega Sale!

2010-01-18T12:11:00.002-05:00

Priceline.com is offering a cruise mega sale.

It's going on for two more days...it ends on January 19, 2010.

Now's your chance for incredible 2010 early-bird savings on a cruise vacation. All of the world's top cruise lines are on sale and Priceline has the best deals on thousands of popular sailings. In addition to our everyday 110% Best Price Guarantee, you'll enjoy huge price drops and a sea of valuable bonus offers on select voyages.
--FREE Hotel Stays - up to 2 Nights!
--Kids Sail FREE!
--FREE Onboard Spending - up to $400!
--EXTRA Savings - up to $200 OFF!
--50% OFF Deposit & More!

Here's more details from their website:

There's never been a better time to discover the joys and unbeatable value of cruising. Sail 4 nights from just $169 - that's from just $42/night! All your meals, cozy accommodations, day/night activities, and world-class entertainment are included in one low price. Most itineraries let you visit multiple vacation spots without having to pack and unpack each time. Plus, with 21 U.S. departure ports, chances are you're just a short drive away from your dream cruise.

44th Superbowl: Miami Gardens, Florida

2010-01-17T14:53:00.002-05:00

The 44th Superbowl (dont you just love the fact that they still use Roman numerals for this... XLIV!) will take place in Miami Gardens, Florida, at Dolphin Stadium, on February 7, 2010.

The Who will be performing during halftime. (The Who consists of Pete Townsend, Roger Daltrey, along with Simon Townshend, Pino Palladino, Zak Starkey, and John "Rabbit" Bundrick).

The entire area of Florida around Miami Gardens will be jam-packed, not only with people attending the Superbowl -- 76,500 people fit into Dolphin Stadium, where most will be watchign from the jumbotrons since they'll be too far away to actually see the action on the field!) but also all the activities and parties surrounding it.

And of course in Februrary, there will be millions of people in Florida taking a vacation from winter weather.

Miami is located at the very southern tip of Florida. Here's a bit of info on the city of Miamia Gardens, from Wikipedia.

Miami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. Since Key Biscayne was incorporated in 1991, there has been a movement in several unincorporated areas, also known as census-designated places (CDPs) throughout Miami-Dade County to incorporate as cities, often due to a perceived lack of attention or services from Miami-Dade County government. Residents in Miami-Dade county who lived on the Broward County line in the former CDPs of Andover, Bunche Park, Carol City, Lake Lucerne, Norwood, Opa-Locka North, and Scott Lake voted to incorporate as the city of Miami Gardens in 2003, although some of those CDPs were not entirely incorporated. The city was incorporated on May 13, 2003.

The city has about 100,000 residents. It is not a particularly safe city -- only 4% of Florida cities have higher crime rates, and there is a lot of violent crime -- so if you're planning on visiting there for the Superbowl, travel in groups or stay in neighboring cities.

Both the Dolphins and the Florida Marlins play at Dolphin Stadium, as do the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Ski and Stay, from Bed and Breakfast.com

2010-01-16T15:23:00.002-05:00

Ski and Stay

Bedandbreakfast.com is offering Ski and Stay packages from a lot of Bed and Breakfasts, from the States to Canada to Germany.

Below are the participating B&Bs.

Check the website to make reservations.

Canyon Ridge Lodge - Golden, BC
12/15/09 - 04/12/10
Ski and Stay pacakages available: Example: 2 nights bed and breakfast for 2 people, with 2 days skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort from $222 per person.
View all specials for Canyon Ridge Lodge

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The English Garden - Hoechenschawnd, Germany
12/03/09 - 03/31/10
Stay for a week and receive a special skiing discount on our daily rate. The snow has arrived and we are close to the popular skiing resorts of Bernau and Feldburg. Or you can take your skis just across the road and use the local small slope. E mail us with your needs and quote SKI OFFER and we will get straight back with an unbeatable quote and the latest snow news.
View all specials for The English Garden

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Fall Inn to Nature - Flagstaff, AZ
01/11/10 - 04/17/10
If you haven't found a room for this weekend, we have a large family Suite (sleeps up to 5) or a large Suite! Sledding behind our Inn!! Call now 888-920-0237 or book online www.fallinntonature.com

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Bear Creek Resort - Big Bear Lake, CA
01/17/10 - 01/21/10
Stay at the Bear Creek Resort and ski Big Bear! Mid week ski package includes a savings of 25% off the price of any cabin and 25% off the price of your lift tickets.

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Belle Aire Mansion Guest House - Galena, IL
01/08/10 - 03/14/10
Ski the slopes for Free Belle Aire Mansion loves skiers! Stay any weekend for two nights and we will pay for one (one day) lift ticket at Chestnut Mountain Resort. Stay two nights Monday through Thursday, and we'll pay for TWO (one day) lift tickets!! Ski for free! This package cannot be combined with any other value added packages and must be booked in advance. Not available for the weekend of February 12-15. Good until the end of ski season. Only one value added package per stay please. This package must be booked directly through innkeeper.

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Stonebridge Inn and Spa - Batesville, IN
01/12/10 - 03/20/10
Ski for Free!!! Carve the slopes at Perfect North and master your skiing or snowboarding skills. • Two or three nights of luxury accommodations. (15% discount) • Free Perfect North Slopes 8 Hour Admission Ticket. $45 Value (One ticket per person with two night stay and two tickets per person with three night stay) • Complimentary skiing and snowboarding lessons every hour on the hour at Perfect North Slopes. • Hot chocolate and chocolate truffles nightly. • Gourmet breakfast served daily. • Sleds are available for riding the hills of Hillcrest Golf Course, walking distance from Stonebridge. TWO Nights 2 ppl / 3 ppl / 1 p -- Midweek $128 / $119* / $256 Weekend $192 / $161* / $384 Midweek/Weekend $160 / $140* / $320 THREE Nights 2 ppl / 3 ppl / 1 p Midweek $192 / $178* / $384 Weekend $288 / $242* / $576 2 Midweek & 1 Weekend $224 / $199* / $448 1 Midweek & 2 Weekend $256 / $221* / $512 Price is PER PERSON. Tax not included. Subject to availability and black out dates (February 12th-15th). Valid on new reservations only, made now thru mid March or until Perfect North closes. *Three person accommodations include rollaway bed and breakfast. Only available in the Rooftop Retreat, Hillenbrand Suite or Garden Spa Suite.

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Inns At Blackberry Common - Camden, ME
02/01/10 - 02/28/10
Enjoy a perfect relaxed ski vacation getaway at a truly affordable price! Camden Snow Bowl, just 3 miles from the Inn, offers something for everyone! From the novice to the pro...a thousand foot vertical drop and a view of the ocean! Plus enjoy snow shoeing, tubing, tobogganing and skating on the pond! ALL FREE! Come and stay three nights, Tuesday thru Sunday, in a fireplaced room or suite and we'll give you 2 full day passes for the Camden Snow Bowl! Includes room, gourmet breakfast daily and hot cider after noon refreshments! priced from $429. Limited availability. Call for reservations 1-800-388-6000. Mention SKI FOR FREE !!

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Federal House Inn - South Lee, MA
01/09/10 - 02/28/10
Ski package at Ski Butternut: Elegant hospitality, complimentary wine and Hors d'oeuvres, candlelit breakfast, guest pantry - including hot beverages and goodies, fireplaces.. FREE MIDWEEK SKI PASSES with Midweek Stay $8 off on Weekends and Holidays

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Bayview Terrace Inn - Petoskey, MI
12/12/09 - 03/01/10
$349.00 plus tax per couple Available on weekends only 2 nights lodging in a standard room, 2 lift tickets to Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain (9:30am-4:00pm –OR- 12:00pm-9:00pm), Dinner for two at the Terrace Inn, 2 logo keepsake Terrace Inn mugs and Breakfast daily! THIS PRICE EXCLUDES HOLIDAYS.

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Deutsche Strasse (German Street) Bed and Breakfast - New Ulm, MN
01/10/10 - 03/31/10
Flandrau State Park's cross country ski trails are in excellent condition and groomed as of Jan. 8. Our ski package includes a certificate to cover the cost of cross-country skis for two, day pass and day vehicle pass, a $50.00 certificate for dinner at Lola's Larkspur-An American Bistro, and two Schell's faceted beer mugs (yours to keep) filled with warm spiced cider upon your return from your outdoor adventure. $74.95 + tax, in addition to the cost of your room.

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Cheney House - Ashland, NH
12/01/09 - 03/31/10
Stay at our elegant Victorian bed & breakfast, purchase reduced rate lift tickets for your skiing/snowboarding fun at "Waterville Valley Ski Resort" (30 minutes north). Return after a fun day on the slopes and relax by the fire. Off-season B&B special rates; call for details.

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Inn at Ellis River - Jackson, NH
12/25/09 - 03/31/10
XC & DOWNHILL WEEKEND SKI PACKAGES Packages include 2 nights lodging, full gourmet country breakfast each morning, après ski refreshments, candlelight dinner for 2 one evening at a local restaurant, and 2 one day lift tickets or trail passes. Does not include taxes, lessons, or equipment rentals. BLACK MOUNTAIN $399-$639, WILDCAT $419-$379, BRETTON WOODS or ATTITASH $439-$699, depending upon room selection. JACKSON SKI TOURING CENTER (xc ski, snowshoe) or GREAT GLEN TRAILS (tubing, xc ski, snowshoe) $349-$609, depending on room selection.

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Inn at Ellis River - Jackson, NH
01/03/10 - 03/31/10
MID-WEEK STAY AND SKI, SKI, SKI! Choose from all the Mount Washington Valley has to offer - ski your favorite mountain AND explore new terrain. Package includes vouchers redeemable for all day skiing at any of six Alpine centers (Bretton Woods, Wildcat, Cranmore, Black, Shawnee Peak and King Pine) or for rental, group lesson and trail passes at any of six Nordic (cross country) centers. One, two, three and four day packages include full gourmet country breakfasts, afternoon refreshments and skiing for two. One day ski package (2 ski passes) $199-$249 for a traditional or fireplace room or $279-$299 for a fireplace and jacuzzi room. Two day packages (2 ski passes) $299-$349 for traditional and fireplace rooms or $449-$499 for jacuzzi rooms. Three day package (4 ski passes) $499 - $799. Four night package (6 ski passes) $669 -$999. Available Sunday-Thursday evenings. Not valid December 26 - January 3 or week of February 13-21, 2010.

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The Buttonwood Inn - North Conway, NH
12/16/09 - 03/31/10
"SKI and STAY" MID-WEEK SKI PACKAGE You decide on alpine or cross-country skiing locations just a stone's throw from our Inn. Package Includes: Two nights lodging at our Select Registry Inn Two complimentary ski lift passes or two cross-country passes with lesson & rentals good Monday through Friday Full gourmet breakfast each morning Enjoy Paula's early evening tea/hot chocolate service with baked treats while warming yourself in front of one of our wood burning fireplaces Use of our hot tub "under the stars" to relax at the end of the day Room Type Midweek Rates (Mon. - Fri. - per couple) Traditional $369 Standard $399 Deluxe $429 Deluxe Plus $449 Premier $579 Based on double occupancy; subject to availability; includes NH rooms and meal taxes; not to be combined with other packages or discounts. Couples ALPINE Package: Includes two all-day lift tickets at one of the following 6 ski areas - Cranmore, Wildcat, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, King Pine, Shawnee Peak

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The Buttonwood Inn - North Conway, NH
12/16/09 - 03/31/10
"SKI IT YOUR WAY" - Ski Tickets, Dinner & More You decide on alpine or cross-country skiing locations just a stone's throw from our Inn. Choose your room which includes all of the following: Two nights lodging at our Select Registry Inn Two complimentary ski tickets or vouchers or snow tubing passes Full gourmet breakfast each morning Enjoy Paula's early evening tea/hot chocolate service with baked treats while warming yourself in front of one of our wood burning fireplaces Dinner for two one night at one of our fine area restaurants Use of our hot tub "under the stars" to relax at the end of the day Room Type Package Rates (Per couple) Traditional $459 Standard $489 Deluxe $519 Deluxe Plus $539 Premium $669 Based on double occupancy; subject to availability; includes NH rooms and meal taxes; not to be combined with other packages or discounts.

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Farm by the River B&B with Stables - North Conway, NH
12/03/09 - 04/15/10
2009-10 Snow Much Fun- MID-WEEK: 2 nights Stay, Ski, & Snowshoe Package queen with private bath for two people, 2 -one day ski vouchers, 2 full breakfasts/morning, and complimentary snowshoeing on site. Discounts on winter horseback and private sleigh rides. Incl. tax, but not gratuity. Rates: Queen with private bath $290: Jacuzzi OR fireplace $390, 2-person jacuzzi whirlpool tub. WITH fireplace $470. Two-room suites for families or groups of 3-5, call for pricing. Avail. opening day 2009-until closing 2010, Sun.-Thurs: (not avail. Dec. 25 thru Jan. 1, 2009, and not avail. Feb. 15-21. Can be used Feb.23 thru Feb.27 (NH Vacation Week) and Jan 19 (Martin Luther King Day). (Ask for extended stay packages with or without tickets) Ski Vouchers redeemable at ANY of the Nordic or Alpine skis areas listed. Choose from major ski areas: Down Hill skiing: Mt. Cranmore, Bretton Woods, Wildcat, King Pine, Black Mt. or Shawnee Peak. Or go Cross Country skiing, which includes rentals and a lesson (for x-ctry only). Choose from: Bretton Woods, Bear Notch, Great Glen, Jackson Ski Touring, MWV Ski Touring and King Pine.

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1785 Inn & Restaurant - North Conway, NH
12/08/09 - 04/04/10
1785 Inn & Restaurant has Ski & Stay Packages starting at only $35 for Cross-Country or $79 for Downhill skiing. Packages are priced per per person double occupancy and include lodging, full breakfasts, as well as trail pass or lift tickets.

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Wakefield Inn - Wakefield, NH
12/10/09 - 03/31/10
Cross Country skiing is free on the groomed trails of Wolfeboro with you stay at our Inn. Book a one night stay, and we have your passes waiting for you when you arrive, along with a wine reception and a gourmet breakfast before you set off for your day of play in the winter wonderland.

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Columbine Inn & Conference Center - Taos Ski Valley, NM
01/02/10 - 01/31/10
Ride Taos! 3 Nights Lodging & 2 Days Lift Tickets for 2 Adults: $557.00 + Tax ($278.50 Per Person) Includes breakfast. Try our new outdoor hot tub!

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Columbine Inn & Conference Center - Taos Ski Valley, NM
01/02/10 - 01/31/10
4th night FREE! Stay 3 nights and receive the 4th night FREE. Valid January 2 - 30, 2010. Includes breakfast.

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Chalet of Canandaigua - Canandaigua, NY
01/07/10 - 01/31/10
Book a TWO night stay in January and ski all day at Hunt Hollow Ski Resort FREE.

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The Bella Ella Bed & Breakfast - Canandaigua, NY
01/02/10 - 01/16/10
$99.00 rates all winter...til April 1st. thank you for letting us serve you here at The Bella Ella Bed & Breakfast!

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Blair Mountain Bed & Breakfast - Dillsburg, PA
01/08/10 - 03/31/10
Come & stay only 4 miles away from Skiroundtop! Package includes a two-night stay with a pair of lift tickets for only $299.00!! Offer good for Garden, Tea or American Heritage Rooms. New this year is complimentary homemade bread and soups during the winter weekends! Additional discount lift tickets available.

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Angel Of The Morning Bed and Breakfast - Jim Thorpe, PA
12/29/09 - 03/31/10
Blue Mountain Ski Packages available with stay at Angel Of The Morning Bed and Breakfast, Jim Thorpe, PA. Please call for information.

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The Inn At Starlight Lake - Starlight, PA
12/01/09 - 03/31/10
Come and enjoy the rolling hills and snow's arrival with a cross country ski getaway. Stay with us for 2 nights in a queen room, with full American Breakfast daily, use of our 2o km of beginner to advnaced cross country ski trials, free ski rentals, a 30 min Swedish Massage to take care of any sore muscles, and hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies upon return from your vigorous ski $175 per person plus tax and service based on double occupancy

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West Hill House - Warren, VT
01/04/10 - 04/02/10
New for the 2009-10 ski season. Stay at West Hill House during the week for 2 or more nights and enjoy a Mad River Glen weekday ski pass for $30 per day. If Mad River Glen is closed for any reason we will give you $20 per day per room towards lift tickets at Sugarbush. (This offer is not available during holidays.) Other ski and stay packages are available and some restrictions apply. Check our website for full details.

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Doveberry Inn - West Dover, VT
01/04/10 - 03/31/10
Weekend NON holiday ski and stay packages starting at $265 per person for 2 nights lodging with full breakfast each morning, 2 adult ski tickets for two days. We are only 1.2 miles from the mountain, come SKI and STAY!

American Airlines offering Round Trip Specials!

2010-01-15T10:23:00.002-05:00

Only one day - today - left to take advantage of these specials!

Save With These Low, Last Minute Domestic Getaway Fares! These Weekend Getaway Fares offer Economy Class discounted fares valid for travel this weekend, plus there are no booking fees when you book with Priceline.com! Depart anytime after 7:00pm Friday Jan. 15 or anytime Sat. Jan. 16 Return Jan. 18 - 19, 2010. Hurry, this deal ends January 15th!

And I'll give you the fine print...

Fares shown are for round-trip Economy Class travel, and are in U.S. dollars. Seats are limited, and fares may not be available on all flights and may be subject to change without notice.Tickets must be purchased by January 15, 2010. Outbound travel valid after 7pm on January 15 through January 16, 2010. Return travel January 18 through January 19, 2010. Fares are valid on nonstop flights only.**Fares do not include (a) a federal excise tax of $3.70 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing, of a passenger's itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges; and (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport, up to $5 per one way or $10 per round trip

(Depressing when I think how easy air travel used to be...nevertheless, with such great low fares, it's worth it to get away for a weekend!)

Here are the city pairs and the fares:

Flying from Flying to Round-Trip Price
Amarillo (AMA) Dallas (DFW) $111

Atlanta (ATL) Chicago (ORD) $158

Austin (AUS) Los Angeles (LAX) $227

Charlotte (CLT) Dallas (DFW) $228

Charlotte (CLT) El Paso (ELP) $196

Charlotte (CLT) Fresno (FAT)

Charlotte (CLT) El Paso (ELP) $196

Charlotte (CLT) Fresno (FAT) $225

Charlotte (CLT) Santa Ana (SNA) $299

Chicago (ORD) Atlanta (ATL) $158

Chicago (ORD) Denver (DEN) $148

Chicago (ORD) Montreal (YUL) $239

Chicago (ORD) Fayetteville (XNA) $222

Chicago (ORD) St Louis (STL) $98

Dallas (DFW) Amarillo (AMA) $111

Dallas (DFW) Charlotte (CLT) $228

Dallas (DFW) El Paso (ELP) $194

Dallas (DFW) Fresno (FAT) $269

Dallas (DFW) Pittsburgh (PIT) $227

Dallas (DFW) Santa Ana (SNA) $248

Denver (DEN) Chicago (ORD) $148

El Paso (ELP) Charlotte (CLT) $196

El Paso (ELP) Dallas (DFW) $194

El Paso (ELP) Pittsburgh (PIT) $205

Fresno (FAT) Charlotte (CLT) $225

Fresno (FAT) Honolulu (HNL) $269

Fresno (FAT) Pittsburgh (PIT) $286

Jacksonville (JAX) Miami (MIA) $144

Los Angeles (LAX) Austin (AUS) $227

Miami (MIA) Jacksonville (JAX) $144

Miami (MIA) New Orleans (MSY) $161

New Orleans (MSY) Miami (MIA) $161

Fayetteville (XNA) Chicago (ORD) $222

Pittsburgh (PIT) Dallas (DFW) $227

Pittsburgh (PIT) El Paso (ELP) $205

Pittsburgh (PIT) Fresno (FAT) $286

Santa Ana (SNA) Charlotte (CLT) $299

Santa Ana (SNA) Dallas (DFW) $248

Santa Ana (SNA) Pittsburgh (PIT) $154

St Louis (STL) Chicago (ORD) $98

St Louis (STL) Montreal (YUL) $269

Marriott Hotel Sale!

2010-01-12T21:07:00.002-05:00

By booking weekend hotel stays on Priceline.com, you can save 20% off your hotel bill.

Here's the details:

Book a weekend stay between January 22 - March 21, 2010 at any of the more than 2,500 participating Marriott Hotels around the world and save 20% on your stay, and up to 40% at select resorts in the Caribbean, Latin America and Hawaii. Hurry -- book by January 22, 2010 to save.

Here's the fine print: The 20% discount applies to room rate only. Promotional rates are valid for weekend stays, Thursday through Sunday for reservations booked between January 8, 2010 and January 22, 2010, for stays from January 22, 2010 to March 21, 2010 at participating Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott®, Renaissance® Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott® and Marriott Vacation Club hotels around the world. A Friday night or Saturday night stay is required. Offer available seven days a week at select hotels, and resorts and country clubs. Up to 40% savings available at select resorts in the Caribbean, Latin America and Hawaii. Offer not applicable to groups of 10 or more.

Here are the Marriott hotels that qualify:

Marriott® Hotels & Resorts
Flagship brand offering quality accommodations, warm and caring service and full service comforts to help make the most of your travels.

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JW Marriott® Hotels & Resorts
Discover the most elegant and luxurious Marriott brand offering exquisite architecture, finely appointed guest rooms and a deluxe level of comfort and personal service.

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Renaissance® Hotels & Resorts
Enjoy the ambiance of a boutique with eye-catching decor and individual sense of style. Sophisticated ambiance combined with attentive and respectful service will ensure a perfect stay.

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Courtyard® by Marriott
Experience everything that makes for a great stay and a break from the routine, including the 24/7 Market, free WiFi (in North and Central America), plush bedding and relaxing outdoor spaces.

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Residence Inn® by Marriott
Designed to provide you with everything you need to thrive on long stays. Enjoy spacious rooms with separate living and sleeping areas, full kitchens, free grocery delivery and real outdoor spaces.

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Fairfield Inn® by Marriott
Offering free hot breakfast, free high-speed internet access and comfy bedding, this brand provides you with everything you need to be confident your trip will be a success.

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TownePlace Suites® by Marriott
Built to help you settle in, connect to the local neighborhood and maintain your daily routine while on long trips. Relax on your own terms with modern suites featuring full kitchens and spacious room to spread out.

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SpringHill Suites® by Marriott
Stylish suites with inspiring touches to help you relax and soothe the stresses of travel. Enjoy crisp linens, free high-speed internet access and a complimentary breakfast with fresh in-season selections.

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Marriott Vacation Club® International
Enjoy spacious villas as an owner or a renter. From Orlando to the Rocky Mountains to the beaches of tropical islands, choose from 46 resorts in 24 premier destinations worldwide.

JetBlue Airways specials for 3 more days

2010-01-11T17:15:00.002-05:00

Take advantage of JetBlue Airways one-way airfare specials for 3 more days:

Here are the cities and the airfare if you make your reservations now:

Austin (AUS) Boston (BOS) $109

Austin (AUS) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $79

Austin (AUS) Long Beach (LGB) $89

Austin (AUS) New York City (JFK) $99

Austin (AUS) Orlando (MCO) $79

Austin (AUS) San Francisco (SFO) $89

Boston (BOS) Buffalo (BUF) $39

Boston (BOS) Chicago (ORD) $67

Boston (BOS) Denver (DEN) $89

Boston (BOS) Jacksonville (JAX) $79

Boston (BOS) Las Vegas (LAS) $99

Boston (BOS) Long Beach (LGB) $99

Boston (BOS) Los Angeles (LAX) $99

Boston (BOS) New York City (JFK) $39

Boston (BOS) Oakland (OAK) $119

Boston (BOS) Pittsburgh (PIT) $44

Boston (BOS) San Francisco (SFO) $99

Boston (BOS) Seattle (SEA) $99

Boston (BOS) Washington (IAD) $59

Burbank (BUR) Las Vegas (LAS) $39

Burlington (BTV) New York City (JFK) $44

Charlotte (CLT) Boston (BOS) $49

Charlotte (CLT) New York City (JFK) $49

Chicago (ORD) Boston (BOS) $67

Chicago (ORD) New York City (JFK) $67

Denver (DEN) Boston (BOS) $89

Denver (DEN) New York City (JFK) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Long Beach (LGB) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Francisco (SFO) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Santo Domingo (SDQ) $49

Fort Myers (RSW) Newark (EWR) $79

Houston (HOU) New York City (JFK) $109

Jacksonville (JAX) Boston (BOS) $79

Jacksonville (JAX) New York City (JFK) $74

Las Vegas (LAS) Boston (BOS) $99

Las Vegas (LAS) Burbank (BUR) $39

Las Vegas (LAS) New York City (JFK) $99

Long Beach (LGB) Las Vegas (LAS) $39

Long Beach (LGB) Portland (PDX) $67

Long Beach (LGB) San Francisco (SFO) $39

Los Angeles (LAX) Boston (BOS) $99

Los Angeles (LAX) New York City (JFK) $99

New Orleans (MSY) New York City (JFK) $84

New York City (JFK) Aruba (AUA) $139

New York City (JFK) Bermuda (BDA) $109

New York City (JFK) Burlington (BTV) $44

New York City (JFK) Kingston (KIN) $99

New York City (JFK) Oakland (OAK) $99

New York City (JFK) Phoenix (PHX) $99

New York City (JFK) Pittsburgh (PIT) $39

New York City (JFK) Portland (PDX) $99

New York City (JFK) Raleigh (RDU) $49

New York City (JFK) Sacramento (SMF) $99

New York City (JFK) Salt Lake City (SLC) $99

New York City (JFK) Seattle (SEA) $99

New York City (JFK) Tampa (TPA) $79

New York City (LGA) Orlando (MCO) $74

New York City (LGA) West Palm Beach (PBI) $79

Newark (EWR) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $74

Newark (EWR) Orlando (MCO) $74

Newark (EWR) Tampa (TPA) $79

Newark (EWR) West Palm Beach (PBI) $79

Oakland (OAK) Long Beach (LGB) $39

Oakland (OAK) Washington (IAD) $99

Orlando (MCO) Boston (BOS) $79

Orlando (MCO) Nassau (NAS) $44

Raleigh (RDU) Boston (BOS) $49

Raleigh (RDU) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $59

Richmond (RIC) Boston (BOS) $49

Richmond (RIC) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $67

Rochester (ROC) New York City (JFK) $44

Salt Lake City (SLC) Long Beach (LGB) $54

San Diego (SAN) New York City (JFK) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Austin (AUS) $89

San Francisco (SFO) Boston (BOS) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Long Beach (LGB) $39

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $99

San Juan (SJU) Santo Domingo (SDQ) $39

Sarasota (SRQ) New York City (JFK) $79

Seattle (SEA) Boston (BOS) $99

Seattle (SEA) Long Beach (LGB) $59

Seattle (SEA) New York City (JFK) $99

Syracuse (SYR) New York City (JFK) $44

Tampa (TPA) Newark (EWR) $79

Tampa (TPA) White Plains (HPN) $79

Washington (IAD) Boston (BOS) $59

Washington (IAD) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $67

Washington (IAD) Oakland (OAK) $99

White Plains (HPN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $74

Here's just a bit of the fine print. Check the rest of it at the website:

Terms and Conditions
*All fares are subject to change without notice. Fares require up to a 10-day advance purchase. For all city pairs except as noted below: travel must be completed by Mar. 24, 2010 and travel must take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Higher fares may be available on other days of week. Blackout dates for all travel are Jan. 14-18, Jan. 29-Feb. 4, Feb. 10-15, and Feb. 19-22, 2010.

The Carribean Adventure With Sesame Street

2010-01-09T10:41:00.002-05:00

Beaches Resorts make an excellent vacation, whether it is just an individual wanting to go scuba diving or ride a catamaran, or a couple wishing to relax in the sun, or a whole family with activities for both kids and adults.

For kids in particular, Beaches features the Sesame Street characters.

Indeed, there is a "non-stop agenda" for kids. Here's the details from their website:

Story Time with Elmo
Listen to master storyteller weave a spellbinding Caribbean or Sesame Street tale which is followed by an appearance by Elmo who'll interact with the children.

Bake with Cookie Monster
Kids will have a great time mixing cookie batter to be baked by kitchen staff. Cookie Monster will stop by to visit the kids and, of course, enjoy fresh cookies from the oven.

Make Music with Bert & Ernie
Kids will have a memorable time learning to make music. After the kids practice their musical talents, Bert and Ernie will visit the kids for fun and learning.

Dance with Zoe
Join in the fun of learning ring games, line dancing and ribbon dancing. Zoe will make a guest appearance to see the latest steps kids have mastered.

Explore with Grover
Kids can join in on nature walks and scavenger hunts, and learn about plants, rocks and nature. Grover will see what the kids have collected and enjoy all the fun.

Discover Magical Treasures with Abby Cadabby
After kids guess from clues to find Abby Cadabby's magical treasure chest, they get to make one of the their own.

Sesame Street Stage Shows
All the same characters that you enjoyed as a child come together, on stage, to entertain a whole new generation of Sesame Street fans.

So if you and your spouse would like a vacation that both you and your kids of all ages can enjoy, check out Beaches Resorts.

Beaches Turks and Caicos

2010-01-07T15:16:00.002-05:00

Beaches has resorts on Jamaica abd The Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos are a British Overseas Territory. They are two groups of islands in the West Indies, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands. Their two main industries are tourism and as an offshore financial centre.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas and north of the island of Hispaniola (on which are the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The capital is Cockburn Town.

The total population is about 36,000, of whom approximately 22,500 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands. Cockburn Town, the capital, is on Grand Turk Island.

The Beaches Turks and Caicos is located on Providenciales.

Here's what it features:

A 45,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art waterpark; three magnificent villages, boasting the architecture and ambiance of Italy, France and the Caribbean; incredibly sumptuous hotel accommodations; a powder-white-sand, 12-mile beach lapped by clear turquoise waters; endless fun activities for everyone, from tots to tweens and teens, featuring Sesame Street® characters, the new Xbox 360® Game Garage and a sizzlin’ teen disco, Liquid at Beaches—all amidst some of the most gorgeous tropical scenery on the planet.

Give them a look-see today.

Winter Sale From BedandBreakfast.com!

2010-01-06T20:23:00.002-05:00

Make your reservations online at Bedandbreakfast.com and receive 20% off any participating bed and breakfast.

The details are that you must stay in the middle of the week, and that you make the reservations online at their website.

This special will end March 31, 2010.

The fine print is:
Prices are subject to change and based on availability. Inn-specific minimum stay requirements and policies apply to all reservations

There are five myths that Bedandbreakfast.com wishes to dispell:

1. Top 5 B&B Myths
Bed and breakfasts are expensive.
B&Bs are a great value with free breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi and free snacks!

2. Bed and breakfasts are for couples.
B&Bs are for everyone -- including business travelers, families, and solo adventurers!

3. Bed and breakfasts are too remote.
B&Bs are found everywhere. Innkeepers are typically happy to offer an insider’s perspective about the area.

4. Bed and breakfasts are for grandmas.
Most B&Bs offer private bathrooms with upscale bath products, luxury linens, updated amenities, and more!

5. Bed and breakfasts are hard to find.
BedandBreakfast.com makes it easy to find the perfect B&B!

Jet Blue Offers Great Prices from Priceline

2010-01-04T23:07:00.003-05:00

It's January 4 and time to get away from the cold weather to warmer climes - if you can find any.

Jet Blue has some great prices right now. It's a special deal that will be expiring on January 13, 2009, so you need to make your reservations ASAP.

Here are the 1-way prices for various cities (and note that travel must take place on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

Austin (AUS) Boston (BOS) $109

Austin (AUS) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $79

Austin (AUS) Long Beach (LGB) $89

Austin (AUS) New York City (JFK) $99

Austin (AUS) Orlando (MCO) $79

Austin (AUS) San Francisco (SFO) $89

Boston (BOS) Buffalo (BUF) $39

Boston (BOS) Chicago (ORD) $67

Boston (BOS) Denver (DEN) $89

Boston (BOS) Jacksonville (JAX) $79

Boston (BOS) Las Vegas (LAS) $99

Boston (BOS) Long Beach (LGB) $99

Boston (BOS) Los Angeles (LAX) $99

Boston (BOS) New York City (JFK) $39

Boston (BOS) Oakland (OAK) $119

Boston (BOS) Pittsburgh (PIT) $44

Boston (BOS) San Francisco (SFO) $99

Boston (BOS) Seattle (SEA) $99

Boston (BOS) Washington (IAD) $59

Burbank (BUR) Las Vegas (LAS) $39

Burlington (BTV) New York City (JFK) $44

Charlotte (CLT) Boston (BOS) $49

Charlotte (CLT) New York City (JFK) $49

Chicago (ORD) Boston (BOS) $67

Chicago (ORD) New York City (JFK) $67

Denver (DEN) Boston (BOS) $89

Denver (DEN) New York City (JFK) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Long Beach (LGB) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Francisco (SFO) $99

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Santo Domingo (SDQ) $49

Fort Myers (RSW) Newark (EWR) $79

Houston (HOU) New York City (JFK) $109

Jacksonville (JAX) Boston (BOS) $79

Jacksonville (JAX) New York City (JFK) $74

Las Vegas (LAS) Boston (BOS) $99

Las Vegas (LAS) Burbank (BUR) $39

Las Vegas (LAS) New York City (JFK) $99

Long Beach (LGB) Las Vegas (LAS) $39

Long Beach (LGB) Portland (PDX) $67

Long Beach (LGB) San Francisco (SFO) $39

Los Angeles (LAX) Boston (BOS) $99

Los Angeles (LAX) New York City (JFK) $99

New Orleans (MSY) New York City (JFK) $84

New York City (JFK) Aruba (AUA) $139

New York City (JFK) Bermuda (BDA) $109

New York City (JFK) Burlington (BTV) $44

New York City (JFK) Kingston (KIN) $99

New York City (JFK) Oakland (OAK) $99

New York City (JFK) Phoenix (PHX) $99

New York City (JFK) Pittsburgh (PIT) $39

New York City (JFK) Portland (PDX) $99

New York City (JFK) Raleigh (RDU) $49

New York City (JFK) Sacramento (SMF) $99

New York City (JFK) Salt Lake City (SLC) $99

New York City (JFK) Seattle (SEA) $99

New York City (JFK) Tampa (TPA) $79

New York City (LGA) Orlando (MCO) $74

New York City (LGA) West Palm Beach (PBI) $79

Newark (EWR) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $74

Newark (EWR) Orlando (MCO) $74

Newark (EWR) Tampa (TPA) $79

Newark (EWR) West Palm Beach (PBI) $79

Oakland (OAK) Long Beach (LGB) $39

Oakland (OAK) Washington (IAD) $99

Orlando (MCO) Boston (BOS) $79

Orlando (MCO) Nassau (NAS) $44

Raleigh (RDU) Boston (BOS) $49

Raleigh (RDU) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $59

Richmond (RIC) Boston (BOS) $49

Richmond (RIC) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $67

Rochester (ROC) New York City (JFK) $44

Salt Lake City (SLC) Long Beach (LGB) $54

San Diego (SAN) New York City (JFK) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Austin (AUS) $89

San Francisco (SFO) Boston (BOS) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $99

San Francisco (SFO) Long Beach (LGB) $39

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $99

San Juan (SJU) Santo Domingo (SDQ) $39

Sarasota (SRQ) New York City (JFK) $79

Seattle (SEA) Boston (BOS) $99

Seattle (SEA) Long Beach (LGB) $59

Seattle (SEA) New York City (JFK) $99

Syracuse (SYR) New York City (JFK) $44

Tampa (TPA) Newark (EWR) $79

Tampa (TPA) White Plains (HPN) $79

Washington (IAD) Boston (BOS) $59

Washington (IAD) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $67

Washington (IAD) Oakland (OAK) $99

White Plains (HPN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $74

Terms and Conditions
*All fares are subject to change without notice. Fares require up to a 10-day advance purchase. Travel must be completed by Mar. 24, 2010 and travel must take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Travel deals for the New Year - Skiing in Canada

2009-12-29T11:18:00.002-05:00

We here at Prototravels hope that you have all had a wonderful holiday season, and are poised to take advantage of everything that might come your way in the New Year.

To that end , Priceline is offering some great deals on ski trips to Canada, but you must make reservations before December 31, 2009.

Indeed, you can get a free 4-day lift ticket and 5,000 Mileage Plus® bonus miles per adult, in this special deal from the Canadian Tourism Commission & United Vacations.

Here's the info from the Priceline website:

NEVER BEFORE SEEN OFFER!
You choose: Free 4-day lift ticket, free tours or $250 off!
Plus, 5,000 bonus miles & an exclusive upgrade
Book your Canada vacation now and choose your way to save!

Free 4-day lift ticket (up to $250), or
$250 off tours and activities, or
$250 off your total vacation package price

Savings are per adult, meaning you can take up to $500 off your vacation price! And that's not all - you'll also receive:

5,000 Mileage Plus® bonus miles per adult (10,000 per reservation)
Exclusive upgrade at select Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Terms and Conditions
Book by 6 p.m. CST on 12/31/09 for travel through 4/30/10
Select a roundtrip flight to Canada and hotel stay
Make sure to choose a 4-day lift ticket or other tour if you are choosing those options
Use promotion code SKICANADA

Facts About Alaska

2009-12-22T20:26:00.002-05:00

It's wintertime in Alaska, and the pristine beauty is available for all who want to view it. There'll be Christmas festivities in which to join in, sled dog races, photography contests, and mid-winter carnivals.

Here are a few things to try to experience while in AK, as its called.

Blanket toss - if you're athletic, give a blanket toss a try. The Eskimos used to do this, tossing a sharp-eyed hunter 20 feet in the air so that he could see if there were any seal or walrus about. 30 or so people will hold the blanket, and give any willing customer a ride they will never forget.

Aurora Borealis - this spectacular display of shimmering lights is most often seen from August to April, and the best cities in which to view them are Barrow and Fairbanks.

Eskimo Ice Cream - a delicacy you must sample while you're in Alaska. It is traditionally made of whipped berries, seal oil and snow. However different variations of it can be found throughout the state.

Another delicacy to try is sourdough, used to make bread and hot cakes.

Go Swimming in Winter

2009-12-21T12:50:00.002-05:00

Great Wolf Lodge and Water park is a great place to take the kids for a variety of swimming activities. And, hey, it's not just for the kids who are kids in chronological years! Find the kid in you as well.

There's a Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Here's what's there:

A 67,000-sq. ft. indoor entertainment area featuring its own gigantic waterpark, with four-stories, an interactive treehouse, a Waterfort, a 1,000 gallon Tipping Bucket, eight Waterslides, four pools, two giant hot tubs, and a Huge Wave Pool.

Actually there are several Great Wolf Lodges in the US:

Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina
Grand Mound, Washington State
Grapevine, Texas
Kansas City, Kansas
Mason, Ohio
Niagara Falls, Canada
Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Sandusky, Ohio
Sheboygan, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Beaches having end-of-the-year Big Sale!

2009-12-18T12:25:00.002-05:00

Check out photos of the resorts at http://beaches.com

You'll save at least 55% off of each room.

Note, pp/pn means "per person, per night"

Beaches Boscobel
Rooms from:
Adults: $126 pp/pn
Children: $105 pp/pn

Beaches Negril
Rooms from:
Adults: $180 pp/pn
Children: $105 pp/pn

Beaches Sandy Bay
Rooms from:
Adults: $113 pp/pn
Children: $105 pp/pn

Beaches Turks & Caicos
Rooms from:
Adults: $199 pp/pn
Children: $105 pp/pn

Visit their website to see photos of each resort, of the glorious beaches that surround them, and to make your reservations.

Great deals on travel to Cancun continues for 3 more days!

2009-12-17T19:22:00.002-05:00

Check out Priceline.com to make your reservations.

Here's the info:

3-Night Cancun Vacation Packages from Just $407 per person!
4 days left
A special deal from Priceline.
Deal ends: 12/20/2009.

Bask in sunny Cancun at the 4-star Me Cancun Resort with a great vacation package! We have 3-night vacation packages that start at just $136 a night which includes your round-trip flight! Stay anytime between December 14, 2009 - January 24, 2010. This is a great deal, Priceline's competitors are charging $637 for the same package, compared to their $554.

And here's a description of Cancun from their website:

ME Cancun resort is all about YOU. A sensory paradise of art, design, music and cuisine, situated on the most perfect stretch of beach in the Western Hemisphere - and focused on one pursuit: your pleasure.

The sea and sky are captured and tamed in the waterscape of ME Cancun resort. The Pool Concierge can help you discover a pool to suit your mood, or to change it. Balinese daybeds and "Water Rituals" are part of a scene that includes Caribbean views and one of the largest Infinity-edge pools found at resorts in Cancun, Mexico.

ME Cancun hotel accommodations offers amenities beyond that of other luxury hotels in Cancun. Inviting and inspiring, ME Cancun's deluxe guest rooms offer mesmerizing views, custom art and furnishings by artist Yuri Zatarain, essential luxuries like monsoon showers and Aveda bath amenities, and habit-forming extras like MP3 player docking and digital, surround-sound theater. Around the clock, the kitchens of ME Cancun restaurants are one step ahead of every craving, pang and whim. A variety of unparalleled dining experiences await you at the most desired restaurants in Cancun.

Venture out and experience Mexico with a Chichen Itza day trip. Click here for details. Or experience a cruise. Click here for an Isla Mujeres Trimaran Cruise. Also, don't get stuck at the airport. Arrange for transporation now. Click here for information.

Right now, when you book this package through PriceBreakers at the ME Cancun Resort for travel dates between December 14, 2009 - January 24, 2010, you'll get a great deal on a 3+ night stay. But hurry, you must book by December 20th!

We went shopping and found the following sample packages for December 14 - 17, 2009, including round-trip airfare and three nights' accommodations at the ME Cancun Resort, plus all taxes and fees. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and prices can change at any time.

Bed and Breakfast giftcards make great stocking stuffers

2009-12-16T10:59:00.002-05:00

Bedandbreakfast.com is running its gift card promotion for the next two days.

It's called:
The Getaway Gift Card
-Welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada
-Free shipping
-Upload your own photo for free or choose from over 25 designs
-No expiration date
-Never declines in value
-No blackout dates
-No fees or taxes
-Free directory of participating inns

Here's the details from their website:

Biggest Gift Card Sale Ever—Save 15% Instantly + Free Shipping
Buy the travel gift card with all the best features for everyone on your holiday list. The Getaway Gift Card is welcome at over 4,000 inns in the U.S. and Canada. It comes with free photo customization, never expires, has no blackout dates and never declines in value. For a limited time, take advantage of our biggest gift card sale ever -- 15% off and FREE FedEx shipping on all orders of $100 or more.

This deal will end on Friday, December 18 -- don't miss out!

Receiving your instant discount is easy:
Purchase a gift card of $100 or more here.
Enter promo code BIG15GIFT at checkout.

To redeem your gift card:
--Look for the appropriate icon (you'll know it when you see it) or search all inns that welcome gift cards.
---Use your gift card number to book online at BedandBreakfast.com.
---Or, contact the inn directly to make a reservation using your gift card number.

*Note – For security reasons, gift cards are not valid until seven (7) days after purchase.

Priceline Offering Last Minute Holiday Deals!

2009-12-15T12:42:00.002-05:00

Visit Priceline.com to check out the lateset discount room rates that hotels are offering this holiday season. Here's a list of some of the cities you can visit, and find discounted room rates.

Round Trip Published Price Saved
New York City to Las Vegas
Booked within 7 days of departure $248 21% off

New York City to Los Angeles
Booked within 7 days of departure $268 25% off

New York City to Miami
Booked within 5 days of departure $298 28% off

New York City to Ft. Lauderdale
Booked within 4 days of departure $313 25% off

New York City to Orlando
Booked within 1 day of departure $443 44% off

Chicago to Las Vegas
Booked within 6 days of departure $704 38% off

Chicago to Los Angeles
Booked within 7 days of departure $368 34% off

Chicago to Miami
Booked within 1 day of departure $298 27% off

Chicago to New York City
Booked within 3 days of departure $283 38% off

Chicago to Orlando
Booked within 4 days of departure $283 33% off

City/Neighborhood Star Level Price
Orlando, FL ... Winter Garden
Booked on the day of check-in $69

Orlando, FL ... West Disney Area
Booked within 1 day of check-in $65

Orlando, FL ... Universal Orlando Resort Area - Intl. Drive North
Booked on the day of check-in $50

Orlando, FL ... Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center
Booked within 7 days of check-in $60

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Ocean Drive
Booked within 1 day of check-in $150

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Collins Avenue Oceanfront
Booked within 1 day of check-in $150

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Central
Booked within 7 days of check-in $130

Los Angeles, CA ... Santa Monica & Marina Del Rey
Booked on the day of check-in $80

Los Angeles, CA ... Redondo - Manhattan Beaches
Booked within 2 days of check-in $45

Los Angeles, CA ... Los Angeles Airport (Lax)
Booked on the day of check-in $60

Ft. Lauderdale - Great hotels and a $25 Gift card

2009-12-15T09:44:00.002-05:00

Among many specials that Orbitz is offering (http://orbitz.com) is this deal for travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Details from the website:

Earn a free $25 gift card when you book a Fort Lauderdale hotel on Orbitz

1. Book a room at one of these eight Fort Lauderdale hotels by Dec. 23, 2009.
2. You'll see a $25 American Express® gift card automatically included under our listing of attractions & services.
3. In your confirmation e-mail, you'll be provided with an e-mail address to which you can send your travel dates and home address.
4. You'll receive your gift card by mail after your stay.

Here are the participating properties:

Beachcomber Resort & Villas: Beachcomber Oceanfront Resort Hotel & Villas provides lodging in Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Year-round you will enjoy tropical breezes, courtesy of the gulf stream (nature's own air conditioning), and still be only minutes away from all of South Florida's world-renowned attractions.

Receive 20% off each night

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa: Reflect and reconnect during a seaside getaway at this Fort Lauderdale beach resort hotel. Highlighted by a pristine oceanfront location and close proximity to the airport, The Harbor Beach Marriott Fort Lauderdale Resort & Spa in South Florida embodies an upscale retreat. Secluded on 16 waterfront acres, guests enjoy an idyllic private beach setting near the area's top attractions.

Receive your 4th night free

Il Lugano Suite Hotel: The il Lugano is Ft.Lauderdale's newest luxurious, spacious and stylish guest suites. The hotel features include an exquisite lobby finished with the artistry of venetian plaster, combining contemporary design with timeless quality and exceptional service.

Receive 30% off your stay

Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort: The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort Hotel is a beachfront historical hotel in Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach -- also referred as the Grand Lady, built in 1925 by the world renown Rubish and Hunter architects. It sits right on Hollywood Beach, a family-friendly award-winning beach with a newly renovated Broadwalk.

Receive 20% off 3+ nights

Bahia Mar Beach Resort: Fort Lauderdale's Most Exciting Beach Resort and Yachting Center. The Bahia Mar Beach Resort offers 296 deluxe guest rooms, 250-mega-yacht slip yachting center, and the best location. It is home to the Jungle Queen, the Water Taxi, and the deep-sea fishing fleet.

Gallery ONE - A Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel: Perfectly situated on the main Intracoastal Waterway, Gallery ONE - A Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, is the city's premier boutique hotel that exemplifies the casual elegance and sophistication. In a superb location, Gallery One is an easy three block walk to Fort Lauderdale's beautiful sandy beaches and blue Atlantic Ocean.

Receive $50 dining credit

Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort Spa and Marina: Discover a landmark resort with world-class amenities located in the heart of Florida's foremost yachting center. Set upon 22 acres amidst the tropical lushness of Fort Lauderdale across the waterway from Port Everglades.

Receive 30% off your stay

Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel: Welcome to the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel, where the fun and sun of South Florida perfectly intersects with the needs of business travelers. Whether you're in town to catch some rays or for an important meeting, our hotel is ideally situated to meet all of your business and pleasure needs.

Receive 15% off your stay

Cruise Direct Offers Great Deal on Cruise Leaving Dec 19!

2009-12-14T17:56:00.002-05:00

Check out http://www.cruisedirect.com to see a great deal on a cruise from New York to the Bahamas, leaving December 19.

Here's the itinerary for the Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Gem:

Saturday, December 19, 2009 New York City -- 04:00 PM
Sunday, December 20, 2009 At Sea
Monday, December 21, 2009 Port Canaveral (Orlando) 12:00 PM 10:00 PM
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Great Stirrup Cay 11:00 AM 06:00 PM
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 Nassau 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Thursday, December 24, 2009 At Sea
Friday, December 25, 2009 At Sea
Saturday, December 26, 2009 New York City 09:00 AM --

Interior cabins are sold out, here's what's available:

Oceanview Balcony Suite
from $799 from $899 from $1099

Here's the fine print:

Cruise Pricing Terms and Conditions: All prices are per person based on double occupancy with port charges and do not include airfare or taxes unless otherwise noted. Rates for third and fourth passengers are not shown. Your exact price depends upon selected day of departure, ship, and cabin level. All prices and dates are subject to availability, and are limited. Additional restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change without notice.

Cruise Itinerary Notice: Cruise itineraries are subject to change without notice. Please verify Ports, Dates, and Times with the Cruiseline directly on ALL bookings before the sailing.

Cruise specials do not include port charges unless otherwise stated.

Last minute hotel deals

2009-12-13T13:26:00.001-05:00

Typically, if you're going travelling, the best rates come if you make your reservations 14 days in advance.

However, there are always some last second deals if you know where to look, as for example at Priceline.com.

Check out these specials:

Orlando, FL ... Winter Garden
Booked on the day of check-in $69

Orlando, FL ... West Disney Area
Booked within 1 day of check-in $65

Orlando, FL ... Universal Orlando Resort Area - Intl. Drive North
Booked on the day of check-in $50

Orlando, FL ... Sea World - Intl. Drive - Convention Center
Booked within 7 days of check-in $60

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Ocean Drive
Booked within 2 days of check-in $150

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Collins Avenue Oceanfront
Booked on the day of check-in $170

Miami, FL ... South Beach - Central
Booked within 3 days of check-in $125

Los Angeles, CA ... Santa Monica & Marina Del Rey
Booked within 1 day of check-in $80

Los Angeles, CA ... Redondo - Manhattan Beaches
Booked on the day of check-in $52

Los Angeles, CA ... Los Angeles Airport (Lax)
Booked on the day of check-in $60

Roundtrip flights for under $150

2009-12-12T10:22:00.002-05:00

More specials from Priceline... make your reservations within the last 10 days, and round trip airfare to selected cities is less than $150.

According to the site: The prices you see are shown for departure between 14 and 45 days of ticketing and include all taxes and fees.

So check out the specials at www.priceline.com today.

Flights Under $150 Round-Trip Flying from Flying to Round-Trip Price
Atlanta (ATL) Detroit (DTW) $150

Atlanta (ATL) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $134

Atlanta (ATL) Miami (MIA) $134

Baltimore (BWI) Boston (BOS) $100

Buffalo (BUF) Chicago (ORD) $138

Buffalo (BUF) New York City (JFK) $100

Buffalo (BUF) Orlando (MCO) $150

Charlotte (CLT) Baltimore (BWI) $123

Charlotte (CLT) New York City (JFK) $98

Charlotte (CLT) Orlando (MCO) $148

Chicago (ORD) Cleveland (CLE) $140

Chicago (ORD) Fort Myers (RSW) $148

Chicago (ORD) Kansas City (MCI) $144

Chicago (ORD) New York City (LGA) $120

Chicago (ORD) Omaha (OMA) $133

Denver (DEN) Phoenix (PHX) $140

Denver (DEN) Salt Lake City (SLC) $125

Detroit (DTW) Tampa (TPA) $148

Honolulu (HNL) Kahului (OGG) $111

Honolulu (HNL) Kailua (KOA) $111

Indianapolis (IND) Atlanta (ATL) $150

Indianapolis (IND) Baltimore (BWI) $150

Kansas City (MCI) Denver (DEN) $140

Long Beach (LGB) Portland (PDX) $140

Los Angeles (LAX) Las Vegas (LAS) $140

Los Angeles (LAX) Reno (RNO) $140

Los Angeles (LAX) San Francisco (SFO) $100

Milwaukee (MKE) New York City (LGA) $148

Minneapolis (MSP) Dallas (DFW) $138

Minneapolis (MSP) Milwaukee (MKE) $98

Nashville (BNA) Chicago (ORD) $138

New York City (JFK) Raleigh (RDU) $100

New York City (LGA) West Palm Beach (PBI) $140

Philadelphia (PHL) Columbus (CMH) $140

Philadelphia (PHL) Raleigh (RDU) $124

Pittsburgh (PIT) Atlanta (ATL) $140

Pittsburgh (PIT) Boston (BOS) $120

Pittsburgh (PIT) New York City (LGA) $100

Portland (PDX) Sacramento (SMF) $138

Raleigh (RDU) Boston (BOS) $140

Rochester (ROC) New York City (JFK) $150

Rochester (ROC) Orlando (MCO) $146

San Diego (SAN) San Francisco (SFO) $100

San Francisco (SFO) Las Vegas (LAS) $100

San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) $116

Santa Ana (SNA) Las Vegas (LAS) $140

Santa Ana (SNA) San Francisco (SFO) $124

Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) $140

Seattle (SEA) Oakland (OAK) $124

Spokane (GEG) Seattle (SEA) $124

St Louis (STL) Atlanta (ATL) $150

Tampa (TPA) Newark (EWR) $140

Washington (DCA) Orlando (MCO) $140

Time for some innocent fun in your life, Disneyworld

2009-12-11T10:16:00.002-05:00

Priceline.com has some specials for Disneyworld running right now.

For example, they are offering a 3-Night Walt Disney World Vacation Packages From Just $114/night per person, and there are 3 days left to make your referservations.

Once you make reservations, you must travel between now and January 17, 2010.

The offer is good for the 4.5-star Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel, in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort®.

IIn addition, the price also includes airfare from the following cities:

Sample Price for a 3-night Vacation Package from Chicago: $343 per person.
Sample Price for a 3-night Vacation Package from San Francisco: $451 per person.
Sample Price for a 3-night Vacation Package from Houston: $403 per person.
Sample Price for a 3-night Vacation Package from Los Angeles: $457 per person.

Check out the deals at www.priceline.com today!

3-star hotels in Denver for Christmas

2009-12-10T11:10:00.002-05:00

Denver, Colorado in December is a great location for a skiing vacation, or a Christmas gathering.

Here's the details from the www.priceline.com website.

It's 66% off a 3-star downtown Denver hotel! Enjoy Mile High City at a great price of just $57/night for stays from December 7 - 20, 2009* thanks to Priceline QuickPicks!

What is a Priceline QuickPick you ask? QuickPicks are ultra-select hand-picked hotels, with only the highest customer satisfaction ratings, that have agreed to let priceline.com customers have a limited number of their rooms at exclusively deep discounts. All the amenities and prices are displayed; we just can't name names. But rest assured - you will be absolutely delighted with your Priceline QuickPick.

What else is in Denver:

The Mile High City has the Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, Coors Field, Pepsi Center and so much more! This is Denver, so enjoy the great outdoors with activities like skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding/tubing, checking out the casinos and shopping.

United Airlines holiday specials!

2009-12-08T10:05:00.001-05:00

Priceline.com is offering plenty of holiday specials for travelers, including flights from United Airlines.

There's two days left to book to get these great rates, so check them out now!

You'll find flights around the U.S. starting from just $94 round-trip! Travel anytime between December 3, 2009 - January 4, 2010 to take advantage of these great fares. Hurry, this deal ends December 9th!

Sample fares:
Atlanta (ATL) Las Vegas (LAS) $338

Atlanta (ATL) Los Angeles (LAX) $384

Atlanta (ATL) New York City (LGA) $294

Atlanta (ATL) San Francisco (SFO) $394

Atlanta (ATL) Toronto (YYZ) $651

Boston (BOS) Chicago (ORD) $152

Boston (BOS) Los Angeles (LAX) $328

Boston (BOS) Orlando (MCO) $170

Buffalo (BUF) New York City (LGA) $122

Chicago (ORD) Denver (DEN) $186

Chicago (ORD) Houston (IAH) $204

Chicago (ORD) Las Vegas (LAS) $314

Chicago (ORD) Miami (MIA) $170

Chicago (ORD) New York City (LGA) $146

Chicago (ORD) Orlando (MCO) $192

Chicago (ORD) Phoenix (PHX) $268

Chicago (ORD) San Francisco (SFO) $294

Chicago (ORD) Tampa (TPA) $170

Chicago (ORD) Vancouver (YVR) $719

Dallas (DFW) Las Vegas (LAS) $332

Dallas (DFW) New York City (LGA) $388

Denver (DEN) Las Vegas (LAS) $162

Denver (DEN) Phoenix (PHX) $144

Detroit (DTW) Las Vegas (LAS) $266

Detroit (DTW) Los Angeles (LAX) $308

Detroit (DTW) Orlando (MCO) $132

Houston (IAH) Denver (DEN) $168

Houston (IAH) Las Vegas (LAS) $262

Houston (IAH) New York City (LGA) $330

Kansas City (MCI) New York City (LGA) $266

Los Angeles (LAX) Chicago (ORD) $312

Los Angeles (LAX) Dallas (DFW) $252

Los Angeles (LAX) Denver (DEN) $204

Los Angeles (LAX) Houston (IAH) $366

Los Angeles (LAX) Las Vegas (LAS) $132

Los Angeles (LAX) Minneapolis (MSP) $332

Los Angeles (LAX) New York City (JFK) $356

Los Angeles (LAX) Orlando (MCO) $454

Los Angeles (LAX) Portland (PDX) $262

Miami (MIA) Toronto (YYZ) $461

Minneapolis (MSP) New York City (LGA) $318

Minneapolis (MSP) Orlando (MCO) $266

Nashville (BNA) New York City (LGA) $242

New York City (LGA) Calgary (YYC) $752

New York City (LGA) Denver (DEN) $198

New York City (LGA) Detroit (DTW) $272

New York City (LGA) Las Vegas (LAS) $332

New York City (LGA) Miami (MIA) $198

New York City (LGA) Montreal (YUL) $367

New York City (LGA) Orlando (MCO) $198

New York City (LGA) Tampa (TPA) $198

New York City (LGA) Vancouver (YVR) $616

Philadelphia (PHL) Toronto (YYZ) $356

Phoenix (PHX) Las Vegas (LAS) $94

San Diego (SAN) New York City (LGA) $350

San Francisco (SFO) Boston (BOS) $338

San Francisco (SFO) Las Vegas (LAS) $170

San Francisco (SFO) Los Angeles (LAX) $114

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $356

San Francisco (SFO) Orlando (MCO) $466

Seattle (SEA) Calgary (YYC) $268

Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) $266

Seattle (SEA) New York City (LGA) $350

Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) $242

Seattle (SEA) Toronto (YYZ) $696

St Louis (STL) New York City (LGA) $156

Washington (IAD) Atlanta (ATL) $242

Washington (IAD) Chicago (ORD) $176

Washington (IAD) Dallas (DFW) $276

Washington (IAD) Edmonton (YEA) $455

Washington (IAD) Houston (IAH) $382

Washington (IAD) Las Vegas (LAS) $276

Washington (IAD) Los Angeles (LAX) $508

Washington (IAD) Miami (MIA) $304

Washington (IAD) Minneapolis (MSP) $186

Washington (IAD) Orlando (MCO) $114

Washington (IAD) Phoenix (PHX) $554

Washington (IAD) San Diego (SAN) $538

Washington (IAD) San Francisco (SFO) $518

Washington (IAD) Tampa (TPA) $190

Washington (IAD) Toronto (YYZ) $352

Check them out today!

B&B Gift Card Special - Get yours now!

2009-12-06T18:11:00.001-05:00

BedandBreakfast.com is offering a great deal on gift cards up until December 18, 2009, so don't miss out.

Here are the details from their website:

Biggest Gift Card Sale Ever—Save 15% Instantly + Free Shipping
Buy the travel gift card with all the best features for everyone on your holiday list. The Getaway Gift Card is welcome at over 4,000 inns in the U.S. and Canada. It comes with free photo customization, never expires, has no blackout dates and never declines in value. For a limited time, take advantage of our biggest gift card sale ever -- 15% off and FREE FedEx shipping on all orders of $100 or more.

Don't delay - take a look at what's on offer at BedandBreakfast.com today.

Rome...a few sites to see pt 1

2009-12-03T22:27:00.003-05:00

The most popular tourist destinations in Rome are:

--the Vatican Museums
in Viale Vaticano in Rome, inside the Vatican City, display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries.

--the Colosseum
originally the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheatre, where the Roman gladiators used to fight.

--the Forum Romanum
located between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill of the city. It is the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. Citizens referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum".

Travel to Rome This Winter

2009-12-03T22:21:00.002-05:00

Using Priceline.com, and stay in selected four-star hotels for $129 a night.

But you must make the booking before the end of the day Thursday, December 3, 2009.

Here's the info from the website:

Stay anytime between Nov. 20, 2009 - Jan 31, 2010* to take advantage of this great deal!

Rome has it all. Here you witness history with cultural attractions such as the Vatican Museum and St Peter's Basilica, or the Coliseum and the Pantheon. Pack a lunch and people-watch next to the celebrated Trevi Fountain. Afterwards, stroll down and visit the Via Condotti boutiques and some of the city's main piazzas. You won't find a better city for cuisine, hey, everyone likes Italian, nightlife and culture.

And

Rich history, breath-taking architecture, exquisite food, delectable gelato, a major art center of the world - the Eternal City's Central neighborhood is one of priceline's most popular areas and has an eternal number of reasons why you ought to visit. Central Rome is made up of seven hills and many public squares each finding its roots in an ancient time of Roman history. In Central Rome, you can see sites such as the Colosseum, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum and Palazzo Venezia. The Spanish Steps lead the way to the best shopping in the city; to see what's what in Roma high-fashion this season, browse the streets around Piazza di Spagna. Peruse Rome's oldest open air market for fresh produce and flowers at quaint Campo de' Fiori. The city is easily navigated by foot or using the Metro system; you can get to FCO airport via the Rome Tremini Train Station.

How to Snag this Deal:
Travel between November 20 - January 31, 2010
Check the Central Zone
Select a 4 star rating
Bid $129
You save 24% off the retail price

*Black out dates of 12/30/09 - 1/1/10 apply.

Take a look at the website to see what you can do.

Orbitz offers specials on Disney Cruises

2009-11-28T12:27:00.002-05:00

Here's information on the Orbitz website about Disney Cruises - leaving from Port Canaveral, Florida

As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney.
Ship's Registry: The Bahamas EVERY DISNEY CRUISE FEATURES:

Fun for the Whole Family
• Musical extravaganzas at spectacular Walt Disney Theatre
• 3 themed restaurants
• Nursery for kids under age 3
• Disney's Oceaneer Club for ages 3-7 with playground &
storytelling
• Disney's Oceaneer Lab for ages 8-12 with animation fun &
hands-on labs
• Teen coffeehouse with Internet café & dance floor
• Dining with Disney Characters on select voyages
• First-run film releases
• Deck parties

Just for Adults
• Romantic panoramic restaurant, Palo
• 3 themed nightclubs
• Exotic spa treatments
• Private pool
• Special programs like wine-tasting & ship tours

EVERY TROPICAL VOYAGE FEATURES:

A visit to Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island
• Beaches for families, teens, & adults
• Barbecue lunch buffet
• Sports including swimming, biking & volleyball
• Open-air cabana massages
• Shore excursions like parasailing & snorkeling

If you book on http://www.Orbitz.com you can save up to 67% off the brochure price!

Tis the season to relax and have fun

2009-11-27T10:40:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving was Thursday, November 26, 2009, and I hope everyone who celebrates that holiday had a good one. Now, today, Black Friday, a large percentage of people are going to venture out to their local stores in hopes of finding bargains, and starting their Christmas/holiday shopping now.

Now's the time to start planning your Christmas vacation as well, if you haven't already done it. (After all, for "big" holidays like 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's usually best to make plans a year in advance, if you're trying to get in to a particular resort or vacation package!)

How about being on board the inaugural cruise of the Oasis of the Seas, the newest cruise ship from Royal Caribbean? Take a look at what http://www.cruisedirect.com is offering!

It departs December 5 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, cruises down to the Caribbean, and then returns to port 7 days later, on December 12.

Here's the cabin costs:

Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite
from $1299 from $1549 from $1699 from $4829

If December 5 is too soon for you to go, rest assured that this ship sails on a weekly basis throughout the month of December and into the new year.

Check it out.

Fall specials still available at Beaches resorts

2009-11-25T18:48:00.002-05:00

Make your reservations and travel before November 30, 2009

Here's details from their website:

When it comes to family vacations, no other resort is the world offers more than Beaches Resorts. Beaches is the Luxury Included® Family Vacation where everyone in the family can enjoy endless fun in the sun... and Best of All, It's all Included! Travel between August 15 - November 30 to take advantage of WonderFALL's special savings and adventures*.

Exclusively during the Fall Beaches has a special welcome for returning guests! As part of Beaches' Reunion Month Celebration, guests will receive extra special touches like a complimentary Catamaran Adventure, a wet 'n wild Wet Fête Pizza Party at Pirates Island Waterpark, and Beaches Reunion Month T-Shirts. And we'll even throw in Beaches bags – filled with candy of course!

Check out what's on offer at http://www.Beaches.com

Endless Vacation Rentals offering a great deal at Priceline!

2009-11-24T19:33:00.002-05:00

Here's the details from the Priceline website:

Endless Vacation Rentals® is offering a fantastic sale on select resorts - With savings of:

30% in December
20% in January
10% in February

THE TIME TO BOOK THIS DEAL IS BEFORE MIDNIGHT, NOVEMBER 24, 2009.

Winter Getaway sale starts at just $59* USD per night, for a weeklong stay, which is just $413* USD for the entire week. Unit sizes available include: studios, one-bedrooms and even two bedrooms. One bedrooms typically sleep 4! One low price for the whole gang for the entire week! Not staying all 7 nights? For 5 nights, the price starts less than $83* USD per night - which is still an amazing deal!

Destinations include:
Orlando
Las Vegas
Hawaii
Arizona
Colorado
Bahamas
And much more!!

Deals at BedandBreakfast.com

2009-11-18T15:11:00.002-05:00

Here's the info from http://BedandBreakfast.com.

Buy the gift of travel for your favorite people on your holiday shopping list today! We're bringing you two great deals to make your holiday shopping a breeze.

Save 10% on a gift card purchase of $100 or more.
Plus, get a free $25 or $50 gift card to keep or give away as a gift.
Don't miss out. This deal ends on Monday, November 30th!

Go to the webiste to get this great deal.

To receive 10% off your gift card:

Purchase a BedandBreakfast.com gift card of $100 or more before midnight CST on Monday, November 30th.
Enter BBAGIFT10 in the "reward code" box before clicking the "purchase" button.
To receive your FREE gift card:

Purchase a gift card for $150-$249, get a FREE $25 gift card!
Purchase a gift card for $250 or more, get a FREE $50 gift card

Beaches Boscobel

2009-11-17T18:36:00.002-05:00

There are several resort rooms at Beaches Boscobel, Jamaica, enough to suit any pocket book or vacation plans.

Here's descriptions of just a few:

Top of the line
OWNER'S PENTHOUSE OCEANVIEW 1 BEDROOM SUITE - OP
Breathtaking panoramas are unmatched in this one-of-a-kind, One Bedroom Suite. Privacy, an extraordinarily large deck with 360-degree views of the ocean, resort grounds, and the mountains to the south make this suite a singular delight. The bedroom features a king bed and the parlor has a queen pull out sofa and large dining area with a wet bar and powder room. There is also a whirlpool in this suite. This suite is "by request only."
Bedding: 1 King Bed & 1 Queen Pull-out Sofa
Maximum Occupancy: 5
View: Ocean, Mountains and Entire Resort

HONEYMOON OCEAN FRONT TERRACE SUITE - HT
Suites gently arched along the rear of the beach. Bedrooms have either one king or two double beds and a double pull-put sofa in the living area. Each room offers a large patio and stunning ocean views plus suite concierge service. Suites are located on the second and third levels of the Lanai building.
Bedding Options:
Option 1: 1 King Bed & 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 3
Option 2: 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 4
View: Ocean Views

LUXURY FAMILY SUITE - LK
Large rooms located on the 1st through 3rd floors of the East and West wings of the Main building. These rooms are extremely large and are on two levels. The upper level is separated from the living area by a Moorish-influenced half wall. Many rooms in this category connect. All suites have either a patio or a balcony.
Bedding Options:
Option 1: 1 King Bed & 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 4
Option 2: 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 5
View: Venetian Terrace, Resort Grounds

DELUXE FAMILY ROOM - DK
Great rooms in the main building. Sleeping area has either a king bed or two double beds and the living area has a double pull out sofa and can accommodate a roll-away bed. These rooms do not have a balcony or a patio. Some rooms connect.
Bedding Options:
Option 1: 1 King Bed & 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 4
Option 2: 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 5
View: Kid's Center, Mountains

Check out Beaches Boscobel at www.Beaches.com today.

Virgin America offering $90 round trip fares

2009-11-16T19:59:00.002-05:00

Thee's only two days left to make reservations on Virgin America, starting from $45 each way, via Priceline.com

Here are the details:

Purchase by Nov. 17, 2009
Travel now through March 10, 2010.
Additional taxes and fees apply

Boston (BOS) Las Vegas (LAS) $105

Boston (BOS) Los Angeles (LAX) $105

Boston (BOS) San Diego (SAN) $105

Boston (BOS) Santa Ana (SNA) $105

Boston (BOS) Seattle (SEA) $105

Boston (BOS) San Francisco (SFO) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Las Vegas (LAS) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Los Angeles (LAX) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Santa Ana (SNA) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Diego (SAN) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Francisco (SFO) $105

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Seattle (SEA) $105

Las Vegas (LAS) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $105

Las Vegas (LAS) New York City (JFK) $105

Las Vegas (LAS) San Francisco (SFO) $45

Las Vegas (LAS) Seattle (SEA) $65

Las Vegas (LAS) Washington (IAD) $105

Los Angeles (LAX) Boston (BOS) $105

Los Angeles (LAX) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $105

Los Angeles (LAX) New York City (JFK) $105

Los Angeles (LAX) San Francisco (SFO) $45

Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) $65

Los Angeles (LAX) Washington (IAD) $105

New York City (JFK) Los Angeles (LAX) $105

New York City (JFK) Las Vegas (LAS) $105

New York City (JFK) San Diego (SAN) $105

New York City (JFK) San Francisco (SFO) $105

New York City (JFK) Santa Ana (SNA) $105

New York City (JFK) Seattle (SEA) $105

San Diego (SAN) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $105

San Diego (SAN) New York City (JFK) $105

San Diego (SAN) San Francisco (SFO) $45

San Diego (SAN) Seattle (SEA) $65

San Diego (SAN) Washington (IAD) $105

San Francisco (SFO) Boston (BOS) $105

San Francisco (SFO) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $105

San Francisco (SFO) Las Vegas (LAS) $45

San Francisco (SFO) Los Angeles (LAX) $45

San Francisco (SFO) New York City (JFK) $105

San Francisco (SFO) San Diego (SAN) $45

San Francisco (SFO) Santa Ana (SNA) $45

San Francisco (SFO) Seattle (SEA) $45

San Francisco (SFO) Washington (IAD) $105

Santa Ana (SNA) Boston (BOS) $105

Santa Ana (SNA) Santa Ana (SNA) $105

Santa Ana (SNA) New York City (JFK) $105

Santa Ana (SNA) San Francisco (SFO) $45

Santa Ana (SNA) Seattle (SEA) $65

Santa Ana (SNA) Washington (IAD) $105

Seattle (SEA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) $105

Seattle (SEA) Las Vegas (LAS) $65

Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) $65

Seattle (SEA) New York City (JFK) $105

Seattle (SEA) San Diego (SAN) $65

Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) $45

Seattle (SEA) Santa Ana (SNA) $65

Seattle (SEA) Washington (IAD) $105

Washington (IAD) Las Vegas (LAS) $105

Washington (IAD) Los Angeles (LAX) $105

Washington (IAD) San Diego (SAN) $105

Washington (IAD) San Francisco (SFO) $105

Washington (IAD) Santa Ana (SNA) $105

Washington (IAD) Seattle (SEA) $105

Bed and Breakfast Gift Cards

2009-11-14T12:41:00.003-05:00

While you're watching college football today, and real football tomorrow, why not do a little research into your next vacation, and stay at a B&B?

With the down economy, most hotels and bed and breakfasts are running specials to entice travellers - so take advantage of them.

The Bed and Breakfast Gift Cards have the following features:

Bed & Breakfast Gift Cards
No fees
No expiration
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Thanksgiving Packages at B&Bs

2009-11-12T11:38:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving Packages. Check them out at http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/.

Among many B&Bs taking part in this:

Hartzell House Bed and Breakfast - Addison, PA
11/25/09 - 11/28/09
2009 Thanksgiving Special Book Hartzell House West, and leave the work to us! Enjoy an old fashioned holiday in the beautiful Laurel Highlands. Arrive Wednesday evening to the aroma of baking bread and pumpkin pies. Linger by the fire with a glass of fine wine or spiced cider. On Thursday, enjoy a Continental Breakfast of David's legendary, home-made cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit, then spend the day your way, returning to a full, traditional Thanksgiving Feast, followed by parlor games and classic holiday movies. Friday, wake up to the smell of spiced Belgian Waffles in a buffet-style breakfast. Then explore our incredible countryside and enjoy one of the area's many fine-dining establishments (not included in Special's price). Return to an evening dessert buffet. Saturday morning, experience Hartzell Houses' mouth watering, two-course, made-to-order, gourmet breakfast, then head back home; relaxed and rejuvenated, with no holiday mess to clean! Total Package Cost: Hartzell House Thanksgiving package for up to six guests - $1350 - plus tax

Ligonier Country Inn - Laughlintown, PA
11/26/09 - 11/26/09
Thanksgiving Dinner Package: Thanksgiving dinner for 2 with the Innkeepers at 6:30pm and a one night stay in one of our rooms-$100.00 Add an additional night for only $50.00!!!

Berry Sweet Bed and Breakfast - Lenoir City, TN
08/23/09 - 11/30/09
Have family in or traveling as a large group? Rent the whole inn & get 3 wonderful rooms available. Plus the common areas (extra living room, game room, deck & sunroom all to yourselves.) We can help work with you if you have several extras. 20% discount for 3 nights or more when renting the entire inn. 10% discount for 2 nights for entire inn.

Nordic Hills Lodge - Wilmington, VT
11/25/09 - 11/29/09
3 nights lodging, 2 four course dinners, 3 hot country breakfasts, and a 3 day lift ticket to Mount Snow for $310/person, double occupancy. Or 2 nights lodging, 1 four course dinner, 2 hot country breakfasts, and a 2 day lift ticket to Mount Snow for $230/person, double occupancy.

Shavers of Abingdon B & B - Abingdon, VA
11/25/09 - 11/26/09
Thanksgiving Day Dinner Package. Arrive Wednesday evening or Thursday by early afternoon, and receive a tradtional homecooked Thanksgiving Dinner and one night's lodging for $135 plus tax per couple--gourmet breakfast in the morning. Valid for 1 night stay either Wednesday, 11/25 or Thursday 11/26--additional nights only $110 plus tax, include breakfast.

Holladay House Bed And Breakfast - Orange, VA
09/15/09 - 11/28/09
Join our family for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. At 6pm, begin feasting upon organic turkey, lots of side dishes, desserts and great conversation! Dinner is $45, all inclusive. Make a long weekend out of it and do some holiday shopping at unique shops and wineries: stay with us a second consecutive night, we will take 25% off your second night stay. If you stay with us a third consecutive night, we will take 50% off your third night stay. Both offers cannot be combined. Subject to availability.

Daughter of the Stars Bed and Breakfast - Stanley, VA
11/26/09 - 11/29/09
Come discover the history of the Shenandoah Valley during the Thanksgiving Holiday!! We are offering rooms for $79 per night. Requires a 2 night stay (Thursday-Sunday)

Staunton Choral Gardens - Staunton, VA
05/27/08 - 12/31/11
We feel Thanksgiving is not only a time to be thankful but also a time to relax (especially since the "busy-ness" of the Christmas season is about to begin). We want to pamper you! Stay Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights over Thanksgiving weekend, and receive a free 30-minute massage (must book ahead of time). Add on Sunday night and get a 25% discount for Sunday night PLUS receive a free 30-minute massage. In order to guarantee your space, please call ahead. You will also need to know when you want your massage so that can be arranged well in advance.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage B&B - Staunton, VA
11/20/09 - 11/30/09
Coming or going along 1-81? Take time to make a stop in lovely historic Staunton. The "cottage" is close to downtown with its restaurants and antique shops so if you have time you can stay an extra night to take in some of the sights. 10% off for a 2 night stay.

Dutchies View Bed & Breakfast - Woolwine, VA
11/24/09 - 11/30/09
Come celebrate the fifth annual Thanksgiving Celebration with Patrick & Crystal at Dutchies View B&B. The package includes two nights stay in a comfortable room, full breakfasts each morning. Best of all on Thursday we pull out all the treats from turkey and ham to all the other fixings that you might expect for a celebration meal. After all the other food you are treated to no less than three different desserts from our raved about pecan pie, to pumpkin and maybe even a light keylime. Once dinner is over sit back and watch the games on TV and enjoy a bottle of wine, or non-alcoholic beverage included in the package. This package with all the above for only $340.00 per couple. Book early as this has been a sellout every year. This year add a third nights stay for just another $85.00

A Rendezvous Place Bed & Breakfast - Long Beach, WA
11/25/09 - 11/29/09
Enjoy a nice liesurely weekend at the beach before the holiday rush begins. Come join us in our Thanksgiving celibration and dinner Saturday 11/28/09 at 2:00pm. Enjoy the peace and quite or "shop till you drop" at our local shops and outlet stores(Oregon is tax free and only 20 minutes away). A full 4 course Thanksgiving dinner will be served with continental breakfast each morning. This special requires a 2 night minimum stay.

Single Parents will find fun at Beaches Resorts

2009-11-11T16:06:00.002-05:00

Beaches Resort is running a special "to honor single parents everywhere."

They are waiving the single supplement fee (up to $190 per night ) at all their resorts, when you stay 3 nights or longer.

Come and enjoy a much-deserved vacation under the Caribbean sun during Single Parent Fun months:
Enjoy Tailored Activities

• Single Parent Welcome Receptions

• Single Parent Social Cocktail Receptions

• Kids movie night and more...

The window for 2009 has closed, but mark these dates on your calendar for 2010.

Aug 17 - Oct 31, 2010

This special rate offer will end soon, so make your plans today for the vacation of a lifetime next year!

Blue Willow Bed and Breakfast, Covington, Louisiana

2009-11-10T14:07:00.002-05:00

Of the many bed and breakfasts in Louisiana, one is the Blue Willow Bed and Breakfast.

The address is:
505 East Rutland Street
Covington, LA 70433

Blue Willow Bed and Breakfast was remodeled in 2005 and is now about 5000 square feet. We offer three beautiful suites, each featuring a private entrance, private sitting room and private bath. The king sized Orleans Suite provides a private balcony, jacuzzi tub in the bath, wet bar and built-ins. If relaxation and privacy is what you seek, Blue Willow was created for you. "Come enjoy life as it was meant to be."

Location is best described as:
Historic District
Downtown
Small town
Wine country
Nearest major city: New Orleans, LA (25 miles South)
Directions to property:
If traveling I-12 take the Madisonville / Covington exit to Covington. This is Hwy 21 or Tyler. Travel to 8th. Street, take right to Jancke, turn left to Rutland. Turn right on Rutland and we are the first Cottage on the right.
Nearest major airport: New Orleans, LA (MSY) 25 miles
Directions from airport:
Take I-10 to Causeway Blvd. Go North or to the left on Causeway Blvd, cross the Causeway Bridge, Stay straight on 190 to Covington then left on 190 Business or Boston to Vermont. Take left on Vermont one block to Rutland then left and Blue Willow is the first cottage on the right.

There are 3 rooms at th is bed and breakfast.

In Room Amenities
Air conditioning
Alarm clock
Amenities Basket
Bath robes
CD player
Ceiling fans
Coffee/Tea facilities
DVD Player
Desk
Fireplace
Fridge
Hairdryer
Hot tub/whirlpool tub
Internet Service
Ironing Board
Microwave
Private entrance
Radio
Satellite/Cable TV
TV
VCR
Videos
Wet bar
Wi-Fi

Hotels in Orlando for $79 a night!

2009-11-09T11:46:00.002-05:00

This is a special deal from Priceline that ends on November 15, 2009.

4.5-Star Orlando Hotels for ONLY $79/night This Week & Weekend

Why You Will Love This Deal!

Spend one night or spend eight nights in Orlando this November for just $79/night! That's 66% Off what you would normally pay for a 4.5-Star hotel!

Why miss the chance to experience one of Florida's most thrilling cities at such an incredible price? Home to more theme parks than anywhere else in the country, Orlando is full of excitement. Ride a roller coaster at Disney World or Universal Studios then get a closer view of nature at Discovery Cove. Swing by the amusement park and aquarium SeaWorld to catch an amazing water show and see a wide variety of marine wildlife. Many of the parks have places to eat, but Orlando offers a plethora of restaurants. Get a bite to eat at Hemingway's, The Cheesecake Factory, or Victoria & Albert's to name a few. If it's nightlife fun you crave, this city has an abundance of nightclubs and bars. Find many of Orlando's hot-spots centered along Orange Avenue and all throughout the downtown area.

Check out the great offers on Priceline.com today!

Beaches Caribbean Resorts are So Kid Friendly

2009-11-05T10:40:00.002-05:00

Beaches Caribbean Resorts have sun and fun for the whole family, but for the reallyl small kids, there is also their favorite characters from Sesame Street!

There isn't a kid in the world who doesn't adore Sesame Street®. And now parents can give kids the extraordinary gift of sharing their vacation with Elmo and friends. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts are the only Caribbean destinations where you'll find a colorful cast of characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, Bert and Ernie, and Abby Cadabby.

Throughout the day, kids can enjoy the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street® with a full schedule of events.

Kids can listen to Story Teller Elmos, bake cookies with Cookie Monster, make music with Bert and Ernie, dance with Zoe, explore with Grover, and discover magical treasures with Abby Cadabby.

There are also Sesame Street stage shows.

So don't be afraid to take the littlest ones with you on your trip to Beaches Caribbean Resorts.

Bed and Breakfasts for the Holidays

2009-11-04T10:28:00.002-05:00

Bedandbreakfast.com has another special for the holidays, lasting until December 18.

Book a room for two nights or more in a participating B&B, and receive $50 off.

A participating B&B is the Penobscot Bay Inn, in Penobscot, Maine.

The Penobscot Bay Inn sits on five-acres, on a hillside overlooking beautiful Penobscot Bay, renowned for its many islands and coves and scenes of white-sailed schooners and lobster boats.

It is on the edge of historic Belfast, a charming harbor town with lots of shops, art galleries and variety of restaraunts.

Penobscot Bay Inn is central to all of mid-coast Maine’s premium attractions -- Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Camden, Penobscot Marine Museum, Maine Maritime Academy, the Farnsworth Art Museum/Wyeth Center and L.L. Bean and the numerous shopping outlets in Freeport.

Check out Bedandbreakfast.com today to see hundreds more bed and breakfasts at which to stay during the fall and winter seasons.

Hotels for $49 a night in Las Vegas

2009-11-03T10:43:00.003-05:00

Priceline.com has yet more deals on Las Vegas hotels. They're offering selected ones for $49 a night.

Here are the details.

Las Vegas
West of Strip
$40/night

Summerlin - NW Las Vegas
$44/night

Near Las Vegas Strip East
$57/night

Las Vegas Strip Vicinity South
$90/night

Then there's great deals in Orlando and Los Angeles:

Orlando
West Disney Area
$40/night

Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney
$50/night

Universal Studios - Sea World
$50/night

Orlando East
$50/night

Los Angeles
Santa Monica & Marina Del Rey
$107/night

Redondo - Manhattan Beaches
$60/night

Lawndale
$67/night

Brentwood - Westwood
$100/night

One day left for great airfare to Amsterdam

2009-11-02T10:33:00.002-05:00

Take a look at Priceline.com today and make your reservations to travel to Amsterdam.

Flights to Amsterdam on Martinair from Just $563 round-trip! -- Leaving from Orlando, Florida
1 day left to make reservations.

Travel to Amsterdam this winter (travel must be before January 31, 2010) with great fares from Martinair. Flight are now on sale from Orlando to Amsterdam from only $563 round-trip, plus there are no booking fees. From the beautiful canals to the historic Anne Frank Museum, Amsterdam has something for everyone.

These fares expire November 2nd.

Halloween Sale at Beaches.com

2009-10-30T11:52:00.002-04:00

Beaches Resorts is having a Halloween sale! Which extends after Halloween is over, obviously!

For example, guests can have a free night at Beaches Boscobel. Here are the details:

OWNER'S PENTHOUSE OCEANVIEW 1 BEDROOM SUITE - OP

Breathtaking panoramas are unmatched in this one-of-a-kind, One Bedroom Suite. Privacy, an extraordinarily large deck with 360-degree views of the ocean, resort grounds, and the mountains to the south make this suite a singular delight. The bedroom features a king bed and the parlor has a queen pull out sofa and large dining area with a wet bar and powder room. There is also a whirlpool in this suite. This suite is "by request only."

Bedding: 1 King Bed & 1 Queen Pull-out Sofa

Maximum Occupancy: 5

View: Ocean, Mountains and Entire Resort

Guests pay for 6 nights, the 7th night is free.

Or how about a deluxe family room?

DELUXE FAMILY ROOM - DK

Great rooms in the main building. Sleeping area has either a king bed or two double beds and the living area has a double pull out sofa and can accommodate a roll-away bed. These rooms do not have a balcony or a patio. Some rooms connect.

Bedding Options:

Option 1: 1 King Bed & 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 4

Option 2: 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Pull-out Sofa
Max.Occupancy: 5

View: Kid's Center, Mountains

Check out the specials at Beaches.com today.

Free B&B card from Bed and Breakfast

2009-10-29T10:23:00.002-04:00

Breadandbreakfast.com is offering a new promotion. Buy one B&B gift card for family and friends... get another one, of lesser value, free!

Here's how it works:

Purchase a gift card for $150-$249, get a FREE $25 gift card!
Purchase a gift card for $250 or more, get a FREE $50 gift card!

Redeeming these gift cards is very easy.

---All the traveler has to do is enter the gift card number at checkout for any online reservation made directly with BedandBreakfast.com
---Book directly with one of over 4,000 inns that welcome gift cards (properties with this welcome gift cards.

Each property that welcomes the gift card will have an icon "book it" next to their name, so it's easy to distinguish them.

So make your plans today for travel in the future, and save up to $50.