Fly Round-Trip From $808+
Now you can fly down under and keep your budget on track too. Qantas is having a spring flight sale to top destinations in Australia and New Zealand. Book today and take off for as low as $808+ round-trip. Dive the Great Barrier Reef, learn to shred the surf, or step off the beaten path in Auckland. Save today.
- Tickets must be purchased by March 16, 2009.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
This just in from one of my favorite travel providers, American Safari Cruises…
Follow the path of Lewis & Clark and become modern-day explorers aboard the 36-guest Safari Explorer
With the absence of three major sternwheelers plying the Columbia and Snake rivers, American Safari Cruises announces an exciting opportunity to meet the demand with a more comprehensive, luxury and active experience on the rivers. A privileged 36-guests experience a rare opportunity of cruising just onedirection along the Columbia and Snake rivers on a 9-day, 8-night yacht cruise aboard American Safari Cruises flagship, the Safari Explorer. The Safari Explorer is ideally-suited for river cruising due to its manageable size, well- appointed accommodations and public areas such as the unique Wine Library which is a perfect complement to the wineries visited. Guests have a unique opportunity of exploring the rivers completely by jet boat, kayak, inflatable skiff, transiting through eight mammoth dams, tasting wine from the barrel in Washington’s wine country and conversing with local specialists as they relate tales of the epic Lewis and Clark Expedition. No other cruise will take you this far into the breadth and depth of the wilderness, history and culture of the American West. Itinerary Details>
Offer valid on new 2009 8 -night, 9-day Safari Explorer Columbia & rivers yacht cruise bookings that are under deposit by 7/3/09 Details>
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
There’s good news for American travelers to Spain. Air Europa, which recently announced new non-stop service from New York to Madrid, is offering some very competitive fares for its inaugural season.
Spain’s second largest airline has announced a promotional fare for its new service to Madrid. Beginning June 1, when Air Europa launches daily nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD), the fare will be $490 plus applicable taxes and fuel surcharges.
Later in the year, the airline will have a special low season fare of $159 to mark its inaugural season. Valid beginning October 29, that fare is good for midweek flights, must be paid upon booking, and travel must be completed by December 13. Air Europa will fly 299-seat Airbus 330 aircraft in two-class configuration. Founded in 1986, Air Europa is the second largest carrier in Spain and today serves 44 destinations. The airline is part of the Globalia Corporation and is an associate member of the Sky Team Alliance.
For further information about Air Europa, go to www.aireuropa.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
For One Week Only, Cancun’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel Offers Lowered Nightly Rates and Free Daily Breakfast Buffet Per Person
AQUA Cancun announces its most enticing offer yet: lowered rates of only $190 per night, plus a free daily breakfast buffet per person, when booked by March 11, 2009.
Now is truly the best time to indulge in all that AQUA Cancun has to offer, from two celebrity chef restaurants to spa treatments from an extensive menu of international services to samplings from the region’s largest collection of wine, tequila and mezcal.
Travelers who act quickly can spoil themselves with indulgences without giving up peace of mind - or a piece of their wallets - at AQUA Cancun. The $190 nightly rate is based on single or double occupancy, is subject to availability and is not applicable for group reservations or any other promotional or discounted offer. Travel reservations must be booked by Wednesday, March 11, 2009, by calling 1-800-FIESTA-1 or by visiting http://www.feel-aqua.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Looking forward to your next vacation? With fares to exciting international destinations as low as $75* each way, based on round-trip purchase, you’ll want to journey abroad for a great adventure. Book on AA.com today.
Purchase your flight by March 10, 2009, and travel by May 16, 2009, to Europe, or by May 17, 2009, to all other international destinations!
Click here for details.
*Each way, based on round-trip purchase. Taxes, fees and conditions apply.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Packages and Deals are Plentiful for an Affordable Spring Getaway
A WAVE OF SPRING DEALS BREAKS OVER THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA OF SOUTH CAROLINA
With budgets still on a tight string, vacationers need a bit of fun and affordability more than anything else. The Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina offers travelers just that, with its range of value-filled accommodations and sixty miles worth of diverting activities for every interest, be it on the beach, in charming historic communities, or on the golf course. For a full listing of Spring 2009’s most valuable deals in the Myrtle Beach area, visitors can check out the following site: www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/deals
- SPRING 2009 PACKAGE DEALS -
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Guests who book two separate stays at http://www.choicehotels.com or 800-4CHOICE for arrival now through April 30, 2009 will receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a free night at up to 1,500 hotels. This is the first time Choice has offered free night stays across all 10 of its brands:
Comfort Inn * Comfort Suites * Quality Inn * Sleep Inn * Clarion * Cambria Suites * MainStay Suites * Suburban Extended Stay Hotel * Econo Lodge * Rodeway Inn
Also included in the program are select members of the upscale Ascend Collection of Historic, Boutique and Unique hotels across the country.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
There’s a bright spot in these tricky times: it’s finally becoming a traveler’s market again. Now might be the time to finally chill out on Nantucket or cruise the Mediterranean. After all, getting to relax, see the larger world, and spend time with friends and family is more important than ever.
Check out these deals from luxury properties around the world. The prices aren’t ‘bargain basement.’ Instead, they each provide a chance to truly escape for a great value. All are subject to availability and varying tax and service charges.
Caribbean
Deal: With “4 for 3” and “7 for 5” at Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, stay a little longer - guilt-free
Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $775 in the winter, $650 in the spring and fall, and $400 in the summer; these two offers include return airport transfers as well as daily breakfast
Cool Extra: Complimentary yoga and Pilates daily, and celebrities in barefoot relaxation mode (no gawking)
Fine print: Valid for stays through December 20, 2009
How to book: parrotcay.como.bz or 649-946-7788
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay four nights this spring for $1,950 (double
occupancy)
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Deal: With “Extend Your Stay” at the new White Elephant Hotel Residences, stay two nights and get a third free
Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $400 for a one-bedroom residence; all guests save 20% on treatments at the White Elephant Spa. Upon check-in, guests also receive two $25 credits, which can be used at the spa when you spend $100 — so get two massages that would normally be $115 and pay $67 for each
Cool Extras: Alexandra Champalimaud interiors, Gayle Warwick bedding, a fireplace, and a deck. Is this how it feels to be set for life, or at least the weekend?
Fine Print: Book by March 31, 2009, for stays from May 14 through the end of June
How to Book: www.whiteelephanthotelresidences.com or 800-445-6574
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights for $800 (for double occupancy or a
family)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Deal: The Inn on the Alameda is offering “March Madness” rates, which slide down the longer you stay
Breakdown: Rates start at $170. Stay one night and get $10 off (so pay $160), stay two and get $20 off the second night, stay three and get $30 off the third night.
Cool Extra: The almost-spiritual “Breakfast of Enchantment” and wine and cheese each afternoon for a pick-me-up after a gallery tour
Fine Print: Valid for stays up to five nights from March 1 through March 31, 2009, in “Traditional Rooms”
How to Book: 888-984-2121; for more information, visit www.innonthealameda.com
— BOTTOM LINE: Stay three nights in March for $450 (double occupancy)
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Book by March 25 for Rates Starting at $71 in Jamaica and $114 in Curaçao and The Bahamas
Recharge, refuel and relax with recession-friendly savings on spring and summer SuperClubs getaways. Nine Super-Inclusive resorts in Jamaica, Curaçao and the Bahamas are offering up to $600 in savings on weeklong respites booked by March 25, 2009. Families, friends, honeymooners and couples will reap these Super savings on bookings made for travel between April 13 and August 31 with prices starting at just $71 per person, per night in Jamaica and $114 in Curaçao and the Bahamas.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Springing It on You! Reduced Offerings Spring Up This March & April The Inn of the Five Graces
Tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at the end of the oldest inhabited street in the country, sits New Mexico’s only Relais & Châteaux property, Santa Fe’s The Inn of the Five Graces. Take advantage of the special offers springing up this season at The Inn of the Five Graces. The handcrafted suites are inviting hideaways, private sanctuaries of hidden rooms, wood burning fireplaces, and indulgent, intimate bathrooms adorned with colorful mosaics of hand-laid tiles.
Escape a little more with a visit to the new spa treatment room. In keeping with the rest of the resort, the new treatment room at The Inn of the Five Graces provides an intoxicating journey for the senses. Adobe walls bathed in gold and crimson envelope guests, and the soothing crackle from the wood burning kiva fireplace creates an inviting respite, ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Springing It, $349
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Central & South America
Save up to $2000 per couple
Mediterranean & the Middle East
Save up to $2000 per couple
Africa
Save up to $3600 per couple
Asia
Save up to $2400 per couple
South Pacific
Save up to $2000 per couple
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS EXTENDS FREE IN-COUNTRY AIR OFFER ON APRIL 1 – NOVEMBER 27, 2009 AMAZON AND GALAPAGOS VOYAGES
______________
Save Up To $820 Per Couple on Small-Ship Expeditions
With the New Year comes new adventures, and International Expeditions is jump-starting 2009 with an enticing gift for guests. Those who book select April 1 through November 27, 2009 Amazon Voyage or Galapagos Voyage departures will receive free in-country airfare (a value of up to $410 per person).
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Some of the best things in life truly are free, particularly in our national parks. And even those things that aren’t free are still an incredible value, in part because every item with a price tag in every U.S. national park has the approval of the National Park Service.
Here’s a few budget-friendly ideas from National Park concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts:
Free experiences:
Spot an owl. Or a bear, elk, wolf, otter, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyote, bison or trumpeter swan. The Lamar Valley in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park is often called the “American Serengeti” because of its abundant wildlife. Some good binoculars and a little patience are all you need to observe the wonders of the park’s wildlife. Xanterra also offers a variety of guided wildlife-watching experiences.
Go low. At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin in California’s Death Valley National Park is one of the lowest places in the world. The vast salt flats are typically bone-dry but can turn into a ready-made lake after a big rainstorm. Look up at mountainside sign marking sea level posted well above the Badwater Basin viewpoint. No, up a little higher. Feeling small yet?
Walk in the footsteps of presidents. Six presidents – and Three Stooges – have stayed at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. It was built for $140,000 in 1904 and is one of the most famous buildings in any national park. A Xanterra historian tells travelers about the inn’s colorful history during free walking tours offered several times a day throughout the summer.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
JW Marriott’s luxurious Aquae Sulis Spa Las Vegas wants spa-goers to celebrate their birthdays with a well deserved day of rest and rejuvenation. For 2009, guests will receive $50 off any spa service valued at $100 or more when booked for that special day. And who can forget presents! A special take home gift will be presented upon check-in (valued at $10).
“We want everyone to celebrate their birthday and what better way than with a spa day,” said Nichole Pfeifer, Aquae Sulis spa director.
Also, for guests who register their contact information on their birthday, a complimentary day pass will be given, providing an opportunity to come back and enjoy the spa facilities on another day … a gift that just keeps on giving!
Offer is available any day of the week through to December 31, 2009. No additional discounts can be applied and a valid ID is required.
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa features 548 oversized guestrooms set amid 54 acres of lush gardens. Located in Summerlin, 20 minutes northwest of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the resort is close enough to indulge in the city’s amenities, but far enough away to enjoy golfing on one of the courses surrounding the resort or explore beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Indulge yourself at JW Marriott’s luxurious Aquae Sulis Spa or lounge by the grass-edged pool. Plus, the resort features a wide selection of dining and entertainment options, from casual to elegant. All services and amenities synonymous with JW Marriott are at your fingertips when you visit.
JW MARRIOTT LAS VEGAS RESORT & SPA: 221 N. Rampart Blvd., Toll Free: 877-869-8777, www.jwlasvegasresort.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Rosen Hotels & Resorts in Orlando announces today the extension of their special offer for active duty military. In honor of their continued service and commitment to our nation, active, guard and reserve military can enjoy half-price accommodations and half-price food and beverages at Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ four Orlando leisure properties through the end of 2009. The four hotels include Quality Inn International, Rodeway Inn International, Quality Inn Plaza (all three ideally located along International Drive, in the tourist corridor) and Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista near Walt Disney World.
Rooms at the four Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ leisure properties start from $59.95 (rate is prior to the discount and does not include applicable taxes). This special military rate can be booked online at: www.orlandohotels4less.com\military or by calling 1-877-224-5377. Participants must present a valid military ID and should be active, guard or reserve military. The package is based on availability and is subject to black-out dates. Not valid for groups or conventions. Rates are subject to change.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
The US dollar is worth what? - $1.43 : £ 1.00
More British deals & discounts…
2 for1 special from England’s largest vineyard
Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey is offering 2 for 1 on adult ticket purchases for its Indoor Wine Experience Tour. This deal is valid until June 2009. Said to be the first wine estate in the world to give visitors a look into all aspects of the wine making process, Denbies has a four-diamond rated guesthouse and a Kitchen Garden Centre. For more on this special offer visit http://www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk/.
Source: VisitBritain.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Boutique Printer’s Row Property’s Romance Package is Easy on the Wallet, Big On Atmosphere, Luxury and Relaxation
All you need is love – and the charming and elegant atmosphere at Chicago’s Hotel Blake – for a perfect couples’ getaway that’s easy on the wallet. Located in the heart of Chicago’s Printer’s Row close to museums, shops, restaurants and theater, this luxury boutique hotel is offering a Romance Package for just $159/night through February 28, 2009 that includes luxury accommodations for two as well as a box of Vosges chocolates to share.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Spring is just around the corner and many Utah ski resorts are offering great savings for savvy spring snowriders. Enjoy impeccable snow conditions, sunny skies and entertaining après with the following package deals and events:
THE ALTA LODGE
-Kids ages 18 and under stay free April 12-19, 2009 at the Alta Lodge. With a reservation for a minimum of four nights, two kids stay in their parents’ room at no additional charge. Full breakfast and four-course dinner are also included daily at no charge. With two kids, this is a savings of over $200 per night. In addition to this value for families, Alta Lodge offers a free supervised Kids’ Program with activities after skiing, a special kids’ dinner, after dinner activities and shuttle service to and from the Alta Ski Area Children’s Ski School, which also has a full-time day care service for non-skiing children. For more information, visit www.altalodge.com, or call 800-707-2582 for reservations.
BRIGHTON SKI RESORT
-Brighton has a new deal with Maverik convenience stores. Pick up a Maverik Adventure Card, bring it to the Brighton ticket window any Thursday and receive a HALF PRICE Twilight ticket (12:30 p.m.-9 p.m.). That’s eight hours of skiing for just $29! Limit one Maverik card per ticket. Valid for Twilight tickets only. Brighton is open for night skiing mid December through the end of March. Call (801) 532-4731 for details.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Travel Through the End of March and Two Can Fly For the Price of One On Your Next Getaway
American Airlines has extended a special offer that rewards customers who fly round trip from the United States to the United Kingdom with a free* companion ticket for future travel to the UK or to select destinations in the Caribbean.
Now through March 31, simply fly American Airlines round trip in First Class or Business Class, or on select Economy Class fares from the United States to the United Kingdom, and earn the free companion ticket for future travel.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
AIR TAHITI NUI’S EXCLUSIVE INTERNET FARE:JUST $789 NONSTOP FROM LOS ANGELES TO PARIS
Book by February 6 for Travel Now Through May 15, 2009
The City of Light has just gotten brighter with Air Tahiti Nui’s limited time Los Angeles to Paris Internet fare, just $789 per person – including all taxes, fees and surcharges. The economy class special is available on select nonstop departures now through May 15, 2009. Bookings must be made by February 6.
An affordable getaway to the fashion capital is in easy reach from the West Coast. Air Tahiti Nui flies nonstop from Los Angeles International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport midday on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, arriving France early the next morning, with same day return flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".