Planning a fall or winter vacation? Then here’s the deal you’ve been waiting for! Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort in Jamaica offers amazing savings that apply to the travel dates between October 1 and December 26. With the resort’s incredible deal, you can save up to 55% off the regular price of a room in any room category, including the most luxurious villa suites featuring a private pool and a personal butler. Selecting a room for the Manor House Select Mountain View category for instance, can cost you as little as $139 per person, per night.
Along with an upscale accommodation, this package includes meals, unlimited premium drinks, transfers to and from the airport, all taxes and tips, land and water sports that include scuba diving and golf, a 65-foot catamaran ride to the famous Dunn’s River Falls (when booking a 2nd room category or higher), hurricane guarantee, in case your vacation would be interrupted due to hurricane-force winds, as well as free weddings!
This offer has to be booked by August 14. Note that this is a land-only package, and that a three-night minimum stay applies.
For more information, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/caribbean-vacations/317380
August 14, 2007 No Comments
The U.S. road trips sure are an American classic, but have you considered experiencing your travels abroad from the driver’s seat? Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the unrestricted speed limits on the German Autobahn, the jaw-dropping scenery of the northern loop of the Peloponnese, and spontaneous croissant breaks on the way. Here are the five samples of the world’s best road trips:
1. Scandinavia
Drive on the curvy roads along the Scandinavian fjords, and see the breathtaking scenery of mountainous backdrops and crystal clear water. Start in Gothenburg, Sweden and follow through Oslo to Bergen. From there, take a ferry and drive further south to Kristiansand, where you will catch a ferry for Hirtshals, Denmark. Follow the coast through Skagen to Copenhagen. From the Denmark’s capital, head back to Sweden. Take the ferry to Viking Stronghold of Visby, then to Ninashamn, and it is only a short drive to Stockholm from there. On the way, indulge yourself in the views of the picturesque towns on the Atlantic; visit art galleries on the Windblown Peninsula of Skagen, stop by Hamlet’s castle in Helsignor, explore the medieval Island of Gotland, and get a close look at the rock formations of Faro. And, should you come in the early summer, soak up the midnight sun and keep the headlights switched off!
2. The Himalayas
Explore the roof of the world from the driver’s seat! The 485km journey from Manali in India’s Himachal Pradesh to the Ladakh capital, Leh, offers fascinating scenery of wild mountains and incredible rock formations. Mountain crests, passes, and the terraced valleys of the Himalayas tectonically uplifted spine will bid you farewell as you will drive along. This trip is navigable just for a number of weeks between the mid of July through the mid of September, so make sure you bare this in mind when scheduling your trip.
3. Greece
The coastal road outside the metropolitan area of Patras is set in a beautiful backdrop between high mountain ranges and the peacock-green water of the gulf. Continue to Pirgos, one of the most picturesque villages on the island that has up to 70% of its surface covered with vineyards. Stop here to visit the museum, dedicated to Chalepas, one of the finest sculptors in the history of modern Greece, and continue through the island to Olympia. You will find yourself taking a sensational trip down the track where the first Olympic race was run. From there, the ancient fishing town of Navplio is certainly worth a visit. This large town on the Higher Peloponnese is perfect for a delicious lunch. Try a dish of octopus and roasted peppers with feta cheese.
4. Australia
Dreaming of a 4×4 ride? Then the Gibb River Road in the Kimberleys, Western Australia, is the right for you! Six hundred kilometers of dirt track will lead you through an amazing landscape of gorges, waterfalls, cliffs, tropical vegetation, and rugged escarpments. Take as many sporadic stops as you wish; cruise the Chamberlain Gorge’s waters, view aboriginal art at the Wandjina Aboriginal rock, or relax in thermal springs. Stop by the Pentecost River where saltwater crocodiles inhabit the deceptively calm waters, or visit the Wilderness Park – one million acres in the Kimberley wilderness.
5. Iceland’s Ring Road
Iceland’s Highway 1 – the roughly 830-mile Ring Road – is the only route that circles the island. It offers a magnificent view of an entire array of the world’s fascinating phenomena; sea coasts meet barren expanses of a desert, valleys of tundra feature waterfalls, and glaciers are paired with geysers. On the way, stop by to relax in one of the hot blue pools’ sulfurous streams tucked away in Iceland’s lava rocks.
August 14, 2007 No Comments
Get ready for a relaxing autumn trip to the Dominican Republic! For a package price, beginning at $499/person, the TravelByJen.com offers a roundtrip airfare from the departure city of choice, roundtrip transfers from and to the airport, 7 nights in a hotel at the Barcelo Talanquera beach resert with a possibility to upgrade to the Barcelo Capella for just $49 per person, all meals, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and non-motorized water sports. Prices are calculated per person based on double or triple occupancy and include tips. The rates, however, do not include hotel charges, international travel taxes, or airport taxes and security fees. For more information, visit http://www.travelbyjen.com/cgi-bin/pages.pl?script=show_deal&id=424.
August 14, 2007 No Comments
Explore Cusco, Titicaca Lake, and Machu-Picchu! With Gotmyfare.com, you can now experience the best of Peru for just $999 per person. The offered package includes a roundtrip airfare from the United States to Lima, transfers from the airport to the hotel, one night at an exclusive hotel in Lima, transfers to the airport and a flight from Lima to Juliaca, two nights at Casona Plaza Hotel, a full day tour of Uros and Tequile Islands with lunch, transfers from Pono to Cusco with lunch, 2 nights at 3-star Samay Hotel in Cusco, a half-day city tour in Cusco, transport to and a 1-night stay at a 3-star Hotel Santuario in Aguas Calientes, an escorted tour to Machu-Picchu with an English-speaking guide, transfer to the hotel in Cusco, and a flight to Lima.
The rates are based on Miami departures and are calculated per person, based on a double occupancy. Taxes and fees are not included. Flights are available for any U.S. city; for prices and additional information, visit http://www.gotmyfare.com/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=171
August 10, 2007 No Comments
Coasts and islands in the Caribbean Sea are an excellent travel destination for beautiful white-sand beaches, warm turquoise waters, great snorkeling and diving spots, and their fascinating, often untouched exotic environment. With the U.S. dollar recently hitting its lowest point in 15 years against an index of other major currencies, they are also extremely strategic places to visit currency-wise. The majority of the countries in the Caribbean have their currencies tied to the US dollar. In other words, values of these currencies are matched to the value of the U.S. dollar: as the reference value of the U.S. dollar rises or falls, so do the currencies pegged to it. Hence, exchanging greenbacks for the currencies tied to the U.S. dollar doesn’t become more expensive or less advantageous, even as the value of the U.S. dollar falls.
Therefore, while a trip to Europe might be rather expensive these days, a vacation in the Caribbean is, in terms of currency exchange rates at least, just as affordable as it was last summer. Aruba’s guilder, the Barbados dollar, the Caymanian dollar, the Antillean guilder (used in the Netherlands Antilles and Saint Martin), the East Caribbean dollar (used in Grenada and Saint Lucia), or the Haitian gourde are all pegged to the U.S. dollar. In addition, some countries such as the British and the United States Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico use the U.S. dollar as their currency, or have a currency which value is equivalent to the U.S. dollar (the Bahamanian dollar).
Similarly, some continental countries with Caribbean coastlines and islands that are attractive vacation spots have currencies fixed to the USD. The value of the Belize dollar, the Honduran lempira, as well as the Suriname dollar and the Venezuelan bolivar correspond to the value of the United States’ currency. That way, you don’t have to worry that the current exchange rates will turn against you when planning a beachfront getaway in Belize or a diving trip to Honduras.
While currencies of many countries in the Caribbean are fixed to the U.S. dollar and hence guarantee exchange rates immune from the dollar’s falling value, there are some exceptions. Local currencies of the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, or Mexico are not pegged to the U.S. dollar, but still remain affordable. Martinique and French Guiana are, however, French territories, and hence use the currency of the European Union. With the Euro soaring to a new historic high against the U.S. dollar just a few weeks ago, these destination might not be the best choice if your are trying to prevent losing money on unfavorable exchange rates.
August 10, 2007 No Comments
Enjoy a 5-night stay at the Aqua Continental in Honolulu! The Travel Services offer a travel package that includes a roundtrip air travel, together with a 5-night accommodation at the Aqua Continental for just $429 per person. With this deal, you are saving up to 300 dollars! The rates are calculated per person and are based on a double occupancy and San Francisco departures. Alternative departure cities are available. Air taxes and fees and government taxes are not included in the price. The offer applies to travel dates from September 11 trough December 12. To select this, or other Hawaii special offer from the Travel Services, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/hawaii-vacations/317638.
August 9, 2007 No Comments
Liberty Travel is here with a great late summer special that offers a stay at Bermuda’s premier luxury resort, beginning at $499 per three nights, per person. The Fairmont Southampton resort features the island’s most extensive recreational facilities that include two golf courses, private tennis and beach clubs, diving, snorkeling, water sports, and the Willow Stream Spa, along with six restaurants, including the Newport Room, a AAA Five–Diamond award winner and the Waterlot Inn, a AAA Four-Diamond award winner. The resort is also features a year-round Explorer’s Kids Camp and 7-and-Up Night Club, and is suitable for families. The package includes a round-trip midweek air fare to Bermuda, transportation to and from the hotel, accommodation for a number of nights selected, air fuel surcharges, and hotel tax and service charges. Applicable fare taxes, fees and charges are not included. Rates are based on double occupancy and on New York departures. For departure dates and other departure cities, visit http://www.libertytravel.com/Vacation/SpecialsDetail.asp?aCity=&aCityParent=&aCityDescription=&spcode=11378
August 9, 2007 No Comments
Check out this vacation special from the CheapCaribbean.com that offers a 4-night stay in a 4-star Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort with a roundtrip air travel for just $409 per person! The beachfront resort is located just a few minutes from the rainforest and on the top of the great package prize, it also grants the CheapCaribbean.com guests V.I.P. status that guarantees a 25% discount for a number of resort activities, which include golf, tennis, spa, tours, and more. The offer is valid for travel dates from September 9 through December 22; bookings have to be made by August 16. Note that the promo code (RIO100) must be used while booking in order for the discount to apply. Also, note that U.S. passports are not required to gain entry to Puerto Rico.
For more information, the list of departure cities, and terms and conditions that apply, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/caribbean-vacations/317040
August 9, 2007 1 Comment
Get ready for a romance! Take a late-summer/early-fall vacation and experience the comfort and beauty of a Colorado mountain resort at the Grand Timber Lodge. The resort currently offers 25% savings on the regular rates, bringing the price down to $125 per night for all days from Sunday through Thursday. Additionally, a 20% discount is also available for weekends. Nestled in a stunning mountainous backdrop in Colorado, the place is perfect for a romantic getaway. However, with a wide array of activity possibilities that include hiking, biking, golf, and rafting, easy access to all the shopping and dining in historic downtown Breckenridge, as well as several exciting Breckenridge festivals and events scheduled for August and September, the spot is equally suitable for a family vacation or a pleasant escape with a group of friends. The offer is valid between August 10 and October 4. Note that taxes and fees are not included in the price, and that restrictions may apply. For more information, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/north-american-vacations/314979.
August 3, 2007 No Comments
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad that cruising the Atlantic is affordable and within proximity of your home and work? In evaluating New York ports vs. Florida ports, in this article you will better understand the differences between the Big Apple and the Sunshine State, and their diverse itineraries.
The Empire State is a haven for tourists, so it would only make sense that it is a great place to depart from as well. As far as the cruising industry goes, New York is a port that delivers various destinations. Some of these destinations may include anywhere from Canada/New England and the Caribbean to Spain and Portugal. New York’s central location on the Atlantic gives the city’s cruise lines more of an eclectic feel by traveling to Europe and more of the northern hemisphere. Although most cruise destinations can be sought out from this port, the major difference behind New York is your ability to choose from a variety of assorted spots, not just the most popular ones. When it comes to the ships, the boats that depart from “the city that never sleeps” are an array of popular cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland American Line, and limited Royal Caribbean Cruises. If your experience has taught you to pick a specific cruise line, then rummage through the options and find out where the wind blows.
You’re not cutting an onion, so there is no reason to cry over prices. In fact, prices from New York are actually something to smile about. According to SideStep.com, a vacation search engine, several destinations can be financially affordable. Examples of these vacations without a plane ticket, would run about $599 for a 7-day trip to Canada/New England, an average 7-night cruise to Bermuda is $799, an 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise will cost around $1200, and a 15-night transatlantic trip to Europe will also cost approximately $1200. If you’re monetary options are limited and you’re not only searching for a tropical paradise, New York would be a better place to depart from. Not to mention, if you’re from the area, then you will save money you would’ve spent on a plane ticket.
Florida, is a port that dedicates most of its traveling to the southern exotic destinations. Florida’s ports including Miami, Tampa Bay, and Ft. Lauderdale are among the most frequently used in the Peninsula State. A majority of the cruise lines that depart from New York also depart from Florida, but there are a few that more often than not take off from Florida calling it more of a home. These would include: Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and even Royal Caribbean. The vacation destinations that are the more recognizable and desired stops on the map typically come from this area and we would know them as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Florida ports do travel to the eastern coast of the U.S, but finding a feasible date for this type of vessel may seem a bit more complicated.
If you’re from the northeast, vacationing from one of the three Floridian destinations might add some extra cash to an originally manageable price. Similar to those prices from the New York port, SideStep.com has an assortment of low cruise prices. Some examples of these trips to paradise include a tropical 4-day trip to the Caribbean starting at $189, a 7-night sail to the Exotic Eastern Caribbean, and even a 2-night sail to the Bahamas for $309. Adding in discount airline tickets to Florida cruising at approximately $160 to $200 roundtrip, is something new to consider.
Depending on whether your preferences lead you to travel from the north or south is contingent on your final destination choice. Either way, when traveling in the lap of luxury, make sure your preferences meet your financial expectations. Orange you glad I brought it up?
August 3, 2007 No Comments
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