Discount Hotel Deals for Branson

We are deep into the holiday season as I write on this very cold winter night. At this time Hanukkah is into it's 3rd night and for part of the globe Christmas Eve has started. Festivities are at their height and there is no doubt that this is a very special time of year. 

In Branson Missouri, a little tucked away city in the middle of the United States they enjoy an annual event called the Ozark Mountain Christmas Festival. Plain and simple, it's just a great event that offers the charm and warmth of a Norman Rockwell painting. No doubt at this point in the calendar, unless you're within driving distance to Branson making plans to visit there for Christmas has been missed for the year. That being said, however, as with any destination bargains abound for travel and vacations after such an event. More so, Branson is a great destination town anyway. It boasts being one of the largest providers of entertainment as a destination in the world. With over 50 theaters and entertainment venues it might just be right. Before I get into the discounts for hotels and accommodations here's the link to find out up and coming entertainment and Branson shows.  The guide offers a calendar of the events, ticket prices and ticket sales service.

To that end, Branson Hotels during the first week following New Years has some incredible deals and discounts. The average room rate per night for 3 Star Hotels is about $65.00. Again, these are 3 Star Hotels too. If you're looking for more upscale accommodations, the average rate for 4 Star quality hotels is about $125.00 per night. Generally it looks like rates for hotels are discounted about 25% from their level right now. 

Just to give a little insight and suggestions, I've taken the time to research and review a few properties in different quality categories. First is the Meadows Resort Branson located at 110 Willow Bend Drive.  Reviews I've read about this property have it quite simply as "magnificent". The resort is situated on a picturesque piece of land, and is geared to be family friendly. Not something that is often found in an upscale hotel property.  The Meadows Resort in Branson boasts 5 swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, 1 indoor pool, state of the art gym and fitness center and a whole range of activities to choose. Secondly, the rooms are fantastic. You can choose from one or two bedrooms and from single to king size beds. Also, depending on the room type you choose, units come equipped with sleeper sofas, full sized kitchens, washer and dryers and balcony's.  Find pricing and availability for Meadows Resort Branson Reservations. Availability is limited right now, but the seasonality should provide some openings. 

Coming down a notch we have the Best Western Music Capital Inn located at 3257 Shepherd Hill Expressway. The hotel offers four floors of 93 guest rooms and is located in the Shoji Tabuchi Theater District of Branson. The property offers an indoor heated pool, a steam room sauna, game room, concierge service, free parking and a complimentary continental breakfast daily.  Further the hotel property is located within walking distance to several key Branson attractions, such as 3 blocks from the Ray Stevens Theater, and two blocks from both the Pierce Arrow Theater and the MAX Theatre Complex. For Best Western Music Capital Inn Reservations check here. 

Last on our list is our recommendation for a budget hotel in Branson.  It's been my experience in travel, no matter what town you're in, that brand identity is the safest bet when you're looking for budget accommodations. To that end, the Days Inn Branson fits the bill perfectly.  The Days Inn brand in general is consistent and standard, and this property doesn't deviate from that norm. The Days Inn Branson is located at 3524 Keeter Street and is very close to some Branson attractions such as Silver Dollar City, the Grand Palace and the Table Rock Dam.  The hotel offers the standard in hotel room amenities such as in room coffee makers, hair dryers, and options for room types that offer king and or queen sized beds, plus handicap specialty rooms. Rooms  also include wifi internet access. The property offers a large outdoor pool and free parking. Days Inn Branson Hotel Reservations can be found with this resource.

Branson Missouri is probably a destination you may not have even considered as an option for a trip or vacation. Trust me, it's a little known treasure that you'll be sure to enjoy and revisit again and again. 

Travel Tips for this Week of Christmas

The holiday season is usually a time for visiting family, to traveling to see friends, or maybe even getting time to go on that vacation. Long and short it means travel congestion, increased lines at airports, train stations and bus stations, not to mention the hoard of cars on the highways and byways. As part of my public service message brought to you by Reserve Vacations we're going to offer a few bits of advice on how to deal with the overall "traffic jam" that comes along with all kinds of travel mediums this time of year.

First to our sponsor, Reserve Vacations Vacation Deals has a great deal to Cancun called the Royal Mexican Riviera Vacation. The package offers 4 days and 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Playa Del Carmen. The package offers standard hotel room, transportation to and from the airport, the use of all resort facilities and 2 $30 Certificates to the Spa. Now get ready, all of this can be yours for a mind blowing $199 per person fee. That's quite a deal. There are many other Cancun Mexico Vacation Packages that the site has to offer and they change regulalry. Not to mention other destination such as Pigeon Forge Tennessee, Branson Missouri, Atlantic City New Jersey, Las Vegas Nevada, and Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

Now to the travel tips. I've been combing the net for an all inclusive group of information that shows a full range of great tips. Ones that offer the best for each of the forms of transportation. Here is an excerpt I found from National Geogrophic Magazine's official Web Site and their section known as the intelligent traveller. The author is Jeannette Kimmel for the Intelligent Travler.

If you're Traveling by Bus here are some tips. Many discount bus operators have emerged in the past year, giving penny-pincher passengers one-way tickets for as little as $1. They key to getting these cheap fares is, of course, to buy early. If you haven't done so already, buy them now!

Like any wheeled vehicle, buses are still subject to traffic conditions, just like any other car. Bring a book, charge your iPod, try to travel outside of rush hour, and don't cut your time too close. If you have to be at Aunt Millie's place for dinner at 3 p.m., it's best not to take the bus that is scheduled to arrive at 2:30 p.m. Try to be flexible.

Those traveling by bus after the holidays should check out MegaBus--the discount bus company is giving away 100,000 free bus tickets for travel between January 14 and March 18. Seeing as their tickets generally start at $1, and now they're giving away 100,000 free tickets, I'm not really quite sure how the company stays in business. But hey, I'll take it.

Getting on any number of trains or railways check out this advice. Those who don't like the confinement of a bus or the lines at the airport can opt to travel the old-fashioned way. Sure, it might take some four hours to get from D.C. to New York on Amtrak (compared to the 45 minutes on a plane), but--and especially if you are lucky enough to sit in a "quiet car"--think of all the reading and/or sleep you can catch up on, and of all the leg cramping that you can avoid.

Last, as most probably do, taking a flight here are some great bits of advice. Don't try to pack food on the plane. It's messy, and the whole point of traveling elsewhere for the holidays is to have someone else do all the cooking, right? TSA advises against trying to carry-on the following items: cranberry sauce, maple syrup, and gravy (among other foods). And while you can't bring those foods on the plane, you can bring cakes and pies; however, desserts are subject to additional screening (because pumpkin pie can be lethal...).

On November 20, TSA implemented "Green" lanes to all of its security checkpoints nationwide. The Green lanes are part of the "Diamond Self-Select" program that TSA created earlier this year, and were tested in some 48 airports. The Green lanes are designated for families, those needing extra assistance, and passengers who aren't familiar with security rules. Call it a segregation of the passengers who can take their time from those who are impatient, but either way, the Green lanes have been popular in airports so far, and should hopefully ease the security checkpoint process.

You can also reduce your time at the airport by checking into your flight online. Many airlines (like American Airlines or Southwest) will allow passengers to check in online and print out their boarding pass 24 hours before their scheduled flight. Currently, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Continental are even testing a system that allows passengers scan their phone screen as a boarding pass. Delta passengers departing from LaGuardia can sign up online to receive a text message with their boarding pass bar code. Before they board the plane, all they have to do is hold up their phone to the bar code scanner, and they're on their way. All passengers should also check out TSA's Wait Time Calculator. Just enter your airport, day, and flight time and it will tell you the approximate time you will have to stand in line at the security checkpoint.

As always, with any travel, be prepared! Do your research! Don't show up to any airport or rail station without proper I.D., your boarding pass, and plenty of holiday patience. And be nice to transportation employees. I'm quite sure that plane and train delays are not their fault, so don't take it out on them.

Tips for Making the Most Out of Any Vacation..and Not Spending a Lot of Money...

There is no doubt that there are a lot of services out there that "claim" to offer great discounts on vacations and other vacation packages. My last post had information about treading lightly while looking for travel deals because many scams are out there. In today's post I like to offer a little advice in preparing for a trip. That is, things not to do that will first and foremost cost you money, but not waste your time or put you in a position to be harmed. It's all very important. Sure vacations are something that should not have an element of "work" with it, but there is no avoiding the adult nature of planning. It's just the way it is.

Two of the types of vacation packages that I've spoken often about in my latest posts have been to destinations like Cancun or those that are near theme parks. Each type of vacation has it's advantages, but also it must be stated that a better planned vacation makes for more fun, less stress and less cost.

For either of the type of vacation you plan, that is going to a destination that is sun drenched and has miles and miles of beach, or the type of destination that has super theme parks, the following suggestions make for the best trip.

1- Wear Sunscreen. Yes, I know this seems ridiculous, but I can't think of a more important initial step that needs to be taken than to put on your suncscreen. Get that sunscreen on those kids too. Sure there is no doubt that the sun has it's effects over the long term, but I'll tell you what. No one wants to deal with a kid with severe sun burn during a vacation.

2- Dress comfortably. This is not the time to put on those new shoes you bought to look good. I had an uncle that was in Vietnam and he said if there was one little bit of advise he had to anyone that was to keep your feet warm, clean, and comfortable. You're on them for hours and hours and having to contest with that new blister you got while visiting and using the Silver Dollar City Vacation Package you got a great deal.

3- Know the transportation services in the area. I'm serious. This actually goes hand in hand with dressing comfortably. Many of the destinations you will go on vacation to or visit have towns that actually provide free transportation. Like the owe so famous monorail of Disneyworld, these other towns also offer one form or another of shuttle service or car service to get around town. This can save a ton of money on bus fare or even renting a car. The reality is you really don't need to rent a car in many of these destiantions.

4- This one may also seem ridiculous and maybe not even practical, but think about traveling off season. That is maybe heading to a place of beauty like Cancun near the summer or to a ski resort right before the season starts. Sure there are definite draw backs to doing this, like being on the beach in Cancun when it's 150 degrees, or trying to ski down a moutain of grass, but these aren't the absolutes. I've heard many great stories where someone took a trip to Cancun in late may to be greeted with wonderful whispy air and one guy that traveled to Colorado in early november to enjoy an early snowstorm.

All in all a lot of what I mentioned above may seem like common sense, but I'm sure like most of of if we don't think through the options the obvious never even gets on our radar.

Should any of you have any ideas that can really help out with keeping a vacation fun, stress free and from hemorraging money, as always please offer your advise and tips here.

Beware of Vacation Package Discount Scams..

Usually I take a lot of time and effort pouring through emails, sites, blogs and mailings that tell me about the up and coming vacation deals. All the time it never occurred to me that out there are many, many scams that fill these ads, just as much as the good deals that are out there.

So sitting here at my desk I thought the noble thing to do is to get a little into how not to get scammed with a vacation package that seems to good to be true.

The biggest scams when it comes to vacation deals usually come along with contests or awards. That is the infamous "You've Won a Free Vacation"...But with these come along so much bad I may not be able to finish my report in one readable post..I sure will try. Let's get into some of the "hooks" as we'll refer to them.

First there are the infamous free plane tickets. You get a call or something in the mail that says "Congratulations, you have been chosen from a select few people as are award winner and have received free plane tickets. These are usually pretty obvious when it comes to the scam because when it comes to free plane tickets most of the people I've spoken to usually want to know where the heck they are staying. When you look into the details about this kind of stuff, you see very quickly, that the company offering the free plane tickets requires that you book your hotel, get all of your meals and have to buy all the other things that go along with the vacation directly through them. When it comes down to it, you have a hugely inflated price tag that would have been less even if you included the plane tickets in the first place.

The second is a real beauty of a scam. I've found that this one catches many consumers off guard than probably any one scam. It's the Free Vacation Package. The reason this one is so tricky is that you don't know that you're screwed until you actually end up at your destination. The horror stories I've heard are anywhere from ending up in deplorable hotels, having to eat at run down restaurants and ending up in parts of towns of the destinations where they wouldn't house criminals. What's more, with these types of scams, they usually pull the old bait and switch. That is, ok, you're pissed off about your situation and want to upgrade. The vacation property will gladly do so, but only after you sign away your soul and your first born. What's worse is they won't even let you leave. Many of these scams make you stay the entire time, and if you want to leave, yep once again, get ready to hand over the first born. It's terrible.

The third that I've heard is really just awful. I mean, at least the others I mentioned above have actual places to go and see, but this one is a scam I feel that puts those that do it on a direct path to hell. Say you get the typical notification that you've won a trip or vacation like I mentioned above. All that is necessary is that you pay a modest fee to secure the vacation and you're all set...or are you?...Time goes by, you anxiously await to go on your trip and you never seem to get the confirmation papers or call you're waiting for to get going on your excursion. You try and get in touch with the Travel Agent that helped you book the trip and process your award...it's a dead line !! No lie...I've heard this referred to as the disappearing travel agency...Quite a disappearing act..and with your money.

The thing is there are things you must always be aware of when looking at deals that seem to good to be true. It's just the cold hard facts of today's world of technology and global economy. You could be receiving a deal from a company in a country that has no tie or oversight by any regulatory agency in the United States. Even when they're in the United States it can be tricky, but here are some strategies.

1- First and foremost, it should be common sense, but any travel deal that comes to you via email, mail or phone should always be looked at cautiously. The biggest stat to know here is that every scam comes in this form so be on the look out.

2- It's been my experience when it comes to buying anything why not just go with brand recognition. Sure, times are tight and the economy is down, but why not go to a travel company that is well known, or at the very least is reputable if you look them up at the Better Business Bureau, or other legitimate travel associations. I know it sounds like a pain in the neck, but I'll tell you what's worse...trying to hunt down the $1000 you put down on a trip that doesn't exist.

3- This last tip I really think is a big one. I know we all want to take the path to least resistance and not have to deal with the details or bs that comes along with anything. Ok that's fine. It's also fine to be interested in a deal that sounds pretty good, because, yes, times are tight and in times like these looking for economical alternatives makes sense. So do a little homework. Get the information from the person or company soliciting you...Make sure you get the name of the hotel and any other place that the promoter says they are offering to you..Then follow up with a call to the official office of these places. See if the name of the promoter and the company they represent are for real. Sometimes you may be pleasantly surprised and the company is legit. It's better than being unpleasantly surprised to open the door to your "vacation getaway" and see a family of roaches playing poker on the hotel room table.

There are definite ways to get a deal when it comes to travel and vacation packages. Let me also tell you that not everyone else out there is a scam artist. It's sad and it's a tiring, but the truth of the matter is you just have to take time to investigate just a little more into deals that sound too good to be true.

If any of you have stories, suggestions or anything to add to this post I certainly welcome them. This is an all too important subject. 

Getting that Las Vegas Vacation Package at a Discount..

Ok, I've gone into enough about how bad the economy is and how bad we all have it. Enough is enough !! We are all still alive and need to have fun. There are many places we could travel to where "fun" is the epitaph, and one I think that needs to be on that list is Las Vegas. Don't thing for a second that going to Las Vegas needs to cost you lot's of money. It can and no doubt the city have many ways and places for one to throw $1000's of dollars down the drain, into a slot machine or into the panties of stripper, but you can also get to Las Vegas, enjoy yourself and not break the bank. I've done some searching for some current deals out there and there are some very interesting ones to be had.

1- Ceaesars Palace is offering a great vacation package through the vacation portal I noticed on Yahoo Travel. Caesars is a brand name in casinos and the information for this deal is offering $116 a night right now through the next week. This includes use of all the facilities, about $50 in cash comps and other features. This could get you a great stay at a fantatsic casino hotel in Las Vegas for about $500 for a 4 day 3 night stay

2- Travel Zoo is an incredible web site that consolidates information about vacation pacakges from 100's of qualified suppliers. Checking out their web site today I noticed a great vacation deal and resort package to the Mandalay Bay. The Vacation Package offers 3 nights, plus 2 for 1 one tickets of the show Mamma Mia !. This deal is only available up and until January 5th 2009.

3- Another great Las Vegas Vacation Deals is offered by ResereVacations.com with a few packages worth mentioning. This is a perfect Las Vegas Romantic Getaway at a great rate. The package offers 3 days and 2 nights to the Las Vegas Cancun Resort for $179 for the total package !! Now check this out. You get a suite in the villa, two tickets to Madame Tussards, a free meal either lunch or dinner at Zeffirino/Tintoretto and a Gondala Ride !! Now that's value.

I'm sure for many of you thinking about going to Las Vegas seems like splurging, but with deals like the above I'm sure you can see all that can be offered. I'm going to keep my eye out for even more incredible deals over the coming days, weeks and months. Stay tuned.

Finding Great Travel Deals for After Thanksgiving Holiday..

There is no doubt that the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend is the busiest travel days of the entire year. We are all currently in the thick of it right now as we are on Thanksgiving Eve as I write.

Well for many there is an old saying, we sometimes need a vacation from our holiday or vacation. In keeping with that theme I thought I'd stay ahead of the curve and offer some nuggets or deals from other sites for various locations and destinations...So here they are. For the purposes of my discussion I have looked up airfares for next weekend December 5th to December 7th. This gives people a chance to get back from the Thanksgiving holiday, get a week of work in and have something to look to for the next weekend. So here they are.

From  Philadelphia to Miami Expedia offers several options. Non-Stop, One Stop and Two or more stops. In the Non-Stop column United and American Airlines have rates of $420 and $360 respectively. For One Stop flights United, American, US Airways, Airtran and Delta offer rates of $342, $435, $371, $399 and $437 respectively. Finally for the Two or more stops, United, American Airlines and Delta offer airline rates of $401, $433 and $412 respectively. As you can see, there is no clear airline that consistently has the lowest offer.

The biggest thing that this little exercise I just did is to do a search using a pretty interesting tool web site called Booking Buddy. The site allows you to put in dates and airlines from and to which you are traveling and then use a variety of web sites right on the site such as Expedia, FareCast and Orbitz, just to name a few to see how all the rates compare. The process is a little laborious because if it really were efficient the rates to all the other services would automatically show up. You have to click on the logo for each site and then review their rates.

The other thing is, many of the sites I mentioned, such as Expedia and Orbitz actually have the comparison model in the sites themselves. I still think there is something very novel in the Booking Buddy site and it's worth a look.

Please enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday and the up and coming Holiday Season..

Williamsburg Vacation Deals..

Williamsburg vacation deals. Yes, I said Williamsburg Virginia vacation deals. Why? In this time of economic downturn travel and vacation deals have to be a little altered to fit tightening budgets. Not to say that Williamsburg is a low class place or has an air of "cheap" to it. 

In all actuality Williamsburg Virginia is a touch of class with step into the past. To those of you who do not know the Williamsburg area is home to the first permanent English settlement in America, Jamestown. There's so much to see and do there. With that I've found some great Williamsburg vacation deals that offer great packages.

AAA is offering some great Williamsburg Vacations right now. The deals end by November 30th. prices range from $99 per night to $389. Variations and restrictions apply but check now for these great deals. Check out AAA's web site. 

I've referred to this web site a few times, but ReserveVacations.com is offering several great packages for Williamsburg Vacation Packages.  The one that caught my eye is the Historic Williamsburg Capital City Package. The deal offers $189 for 4 days and 3 nights for a studio suite at the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort. The deal also offers 2 passes Capital City passes. I mean this is just incredible.

Another classic in the world of vacations is Marriott. The Marriot Manor Club at Ford's Colony  with 40% off regular rates for a short time. Restrictions on these deal do exist.

The Holiday season is upon us and there are plenty of ways to get a trip in with out breaking the bank. A visit to historic Williamsburg is a way to do just that. 

Tropical Getaway Vacation Packages...

It's that time of year again where those of us who are stuck in the cold of winter start looking for warmer escapes. With that I've taken a little time to check out some deals to places of warm weather, I hope that something catches someones eye that visits this blog.

For those of you that are brave enough to travel to the Middle East, there is a paradise out there known as the United Arab Emeriates. Yes, you are looking to be about 150 miles out of Tehran Iran, but this really is a beautiful place to visit. The Millennium hotel Sharjah is offering a deal of $183 a night, which is incredible relative to the property. Check out the deal here.

Let's focus our desires to South of the Border, Mexico Way. Cancun Mexico to be exact. From a site called ReserveVacations.com comes a vacation deal from the Cancun Ocean Spa Hotel. For 5 days and 4 nights all for $329 you get accommodations, (2) gift certificates with a value of $30 each to be used towards a spa trip and complete use of the facilities. Check out this Cancun Getaway Vacation Deal...They won't last long.

If you're someone that has to make that trip with the family there are some options. One more than any other is a trip to one of the Disney Parks. The current discount vacation deal the Disney is offering is to buy a 4 night trip and get a 3 extra nights free. The value is approximately $1271 which also includes 7 days of family passes to the park of the destination you are staying. Check out this incredible deal right now. The deal only includes vacations for stays between January 4th to January 9th, January 19th through March 26th, April 2nd through April 4th and April 24th through June 27th.

Travel Deals for Thanksgiving Weekend...

The big question right now on many people's minds is are there deals for travel for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The trick at this point in the game is to look for dates that might be out of favor. For example, leaving the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a huge cash trap. I've take a little time to check fares and providers for various rates and for various trips and here they are;

1- For flights for Philadelphia to Los Angeles leaving Monday November 24th and coming back on Friday November 28th, the best rate I found was through CheapoAir.com at $253.99 per person round trip.

2- For flights to Miami from Boston, the same dates offer better savings, and once again via CheapoAir.com, round trip rates are $195.00.

CheapoAir.com seems to have some great deals right now so I'd check them out.

Good luck with your searches and have a great up and coming Thanksgiving Holiday. 

How to Travel Cheap in these Down Economic Times

I'm almost shutter at the thought of getting up each day recently. It seems like every day more news comes out about how bad the economy is, about how bad the state of the world is, that hope and solutions are far away. 

The only thing is I was raised to live life with zest, fun and a smile. No doubt these times and the days that surround us truly tests that philosophy. My feeling is, it's at these times when you have to dig most to the meaning of that type of life philosophy. 

That being said, there are still ways to enjoy life, and not the stop and smell the roses stuff. Getting away and taking a vacation, getting outside your area and seeing something new, these are things that are well documented as to maintaining a healthy life. The only issue is times are tough and tight.

A new trend I've noticed online are ads and marketing of what are called mini-vacs. Basically these are deep discounted vacation packages that throw in accommodations plus some other kind of premium like free passes to a local amusement park, spa, golf or whatever. The only catch is it's a way of marketing timeshare properties.

Now I know, I know that the term timeshare has a stigma attached with it, almost to that of a used car sales person. I'm here to tell you, though, these packages are incredible. One such site that offers these Vacation Package Deals is ReserveVacations.com. I've seen vacation packages that have included trips to places like Cancun, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach and Orlando. What's more the value on the packages is insane!!! I'm talking about room night costs at about 30% of regular rates. Then, like I said, they throw in things like a trip to a spa, coupons to high class restaurants and so much more.

The point of all this is, good old capitalism shows it's merits once again. In the face of a sagging economy and poor consumer confidence, the market innovators search for ways to make it. This type of offering fits that bill.

So keep your eye out for deals like this, because they're on the rise. 

Discount Vacations in Branson Missouri..

I've taken some time to write up on great new sites to find discount vacations in the past, but due to the poor economic climate many new sites are popping up. One such is offering some really incredible packages. The one I can across today is for Branson Vacation Packages. 

Let's see what they have here b/c this might be a great place to jet off to before the craziness of the Holiday rush. Specifically there are two major packages being offered. First one for the family called the Branson Family Fun Vacation Package, which offers for 4 days and three nights including accommodations plus tickets to an amusement park. The total package price is $129. The second package is also for the family but is a weekend package, and most appropriately called the Branson Super Weekend Vacation Package. With this package you can get for $249 full accommodations plus tickets to the Pierce Arrow Show.

Of course travel to and from the area is not included, but one would have to make an incredible argument that these are not great deals. 

Travel Deals for the Following Week October 25th 2008...

With the end of October hurdling faster and faster at us I have hunted down some additional great travel deals. I've searched quite a bit this week and the pickings on some of these seem so-so. So here we go world, with travel deals that just might work.

Let us start our tour in Boston Mass. Yahoo's esaver's program and specifically offered through ebookers is offering nightly rates at a great hotel. The Boston Park Plaza Hotel has rates of about $88 a night !!! No lie. You can check out the accompanying link provided at yahoo or if you like to find more information about the Boston Park Plaza Hotel Reservations with this link. Boston is particularly beautiful this time of year especially if you were to go to the outskirts and visit some great suburban and country spots. This deal is definitely worth looking into right now.

The other day I said to a friend, why haven't I made trip to Death Valley just yet? Interesting question I'm assuming for most of you. Well much to my chigrin a travel discount company is offering a great deal for visiting Death Valley. I kid you not. This one came directly off of the Yahoo Travel Deals section and you can find Death Valley vacation deals here. Trust me, when the weather starts to turn cold and the sun is going down much ealier this time of year, excusions like visiting Death Valley can do a lot for the soul. The deal offers great full packaged vacations. Travel, stay, food and recommendations.

 

 

Travel Discounts for Continuing Declining Climate..

A common theme of topic in the last few weeks of my posts has been the ailing economy and it's effects, to one degree or another, on travel and tourism. Those effects being either how these effects are hurting travel professionals and at the same time how this is presenting opportunities for consumers. Today I continue with travel deals I've found that are gems for the discerning consumer traveler. 

The spotlight today is a deal I found through Expedia.com.  The latest convert to better deals for the consumer is Virgin Atlantic. Specifically, seats in it's Premium Economy section. Currently, and it's not known for how long this deal with last, deals for great flights from major United States cities to and from London England. Rates are quoted one way, and a complete round trip ticket package is needed to be purchased to get the discount. Great rates from US cities to the Jolly Old Land of England include $517 to and from New York City, $819 to and from Las Vegas, $710 to and from Miami. Many other deals for other major US cities exist. Check out the above link to Expedia for more information.

Discount Vacation Packages for Second Thought Destinations...

If one were to put a gun to another's head and force them to list out, say five destinations that are the quintessential definition and synonymous with vacation it would be safe to say that 9 times out of 10 that list would include Las Vegas, Hawaii, Miami, Orlando and Cancun. Of course other cities and/or destinations could come to mind, but the point is there is no doubt that a second tier of destinations is probably equally equated to vacation destination. Two such places in my mind include Niagara Falls and Bermuda. Of course in this time of economic downturn and financial uncertainty the topic of vacations is far from many peoples minds. For those of you that still want to find that silver lining and also see what kind of discounts are available for a getaway, I have a few for Niagara Falls and Bermuda.

First for Niagara Falls. In doing some research for quality places to recommend one such resort and package kept showing up. The Americana Conference Resort and Spa is a can't miss. First it's a top quality property. Second, it has it all !!! From well appointed rooms and suites, to a first class spa and finally a fantastic indoor water park called Waves. General package prices that include room, voucher for dinner and passes to the water park average around $250 to $300 a night. Special rates are available for certain dates.

The second spotlight destination, Bermuda is equally fantastic as an option. And just like Niagara Falls, some great vacation packages are available, especially in the face of a soft consumer market. After some careful searching, the best place I've seen for finding great packages to Bermuda is the official Bermuda Tourism site. The site offers a compilation of packages from various resorts and varying by premiums. The average package price I've seen for a four day trip per person is about $750. That's fantastic.

There are other great destinations that often are a second thought. Trust me, many offer hidden treasures at deep discounts to the best known destinations and are worth a look.

Dare I say Christmas Vacation Packages...

I know I know, it's not even Halloween yet. The point is it really is not too early to find a great deal for the holiday season. To be quite honest, planning for a trip is the right thing to do if in fact you really want to go away during this time. There are many different ways to go with a great holiday trip. A trip to a sunny destination, or getaway to a ski vacation or anything in between. Let's start with a few that I've seen.

I'd like to start with a trip that I'd even like to take. A trip to Fiji. Any red blooded American Male, or better yet, Male in the world has probably thought for even just a second, why can't I just run away to the islands. Well for most of you, whether you realize it or not, those islands are most likely Fiji. Scenes of scantly clad women, unbelievable sunsets and so much more can be found right on Fiji. I came accross this Fiji Vacation Package while looking for vacations like this. The package really is incredible. It offers for five nights accommodations in what is called an oceanfront bure. You get a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, plus two 60 minute spa treatments. Damn, I may stop writing this post now and make my reservations for this package right now.

Ok, let's go in the complete and opposite direction, and get your skis on people !! Ok, I'm not kidding, before I go one step further in telling you anything I want to see some skis on your feet....Ok that's better. Well in doing my due dilligence I came across a great group of ski vacation packages being offered by Frontier Airlines. The majority of these vacations and the destinations they serve can be found in the western United States in states like Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and even in New Mexico. Vacation package rates range for, on average of a four night stay, somewhere in the area of $600 to $1300. There are a variety of premiums being offered for each package so take a look at the specific deal for each destination.

Many of the deals I speak about time sensitive so it's important to book these now for the holiday season. I just might see you in Fiji around Christmas.

 

 

Frontier Airlines has kicked off a series of deals on ski vacations to destinations throughout Colorado including Telluride, Vail, Crested Butte, and more.

These ski deals include airfare and accommodations as well as specials such as free-night stays, early booking discounts, and “ski for free” passes. The folks at Frontier Airlines can help you put together your perfect ski

More Deals for The Economically Challenged. Hotel Discounts that make sense..

With another horrible day on Wall Street, the sense of gloom and doom is yet again heightened. Optimism must overcome. I'm not saying that we should all go forward and pretend that life is a bushel of roses, but living, breathing and trying to enjoy life the best we can must be an edict. As such I will continue to scour the world for great deals. 

One such deal I think is just incredible is being offered by the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.  The Atlantis has a great deal for $299 per person package for three nights. This is just fantastic. A deal like this to a property like this is almost unheard of and may not come about again. If you can find the time, and a teammate to join this is a great option.

If you're looking to find a great vacation idea that you can include the entire family several deals being offered for European destinations are available. One such deal I found offers a complete European Family Vacation Package that is definitely worth checking out. 

We will continue to come to you with new and innovative hotel and vacation packages that offer great discounts. Don't let these times get you down. Continue to enjoy life. 

Discount Travel Deals for October 10th..

With all the fuss and huff going on about the economic downturn people are really tightening their belt. The only issue is in this day and age, and a friend of mine has to be given credit for this statement, people really just want to be happy. There was a time and place, say back in the 1930's when the Great Depression hit, where a sense of acceptance to not being able to control one's environment was a mainstay in peoples personalities. Today, that just isn't the case. 

Today one of the biggest declines and downturns in almost a century has shaken the United States economy down to it's core, but still people go to dinner, go to shows and go on vacation. It's just that now most are taking a different approach to evaluating their options. I present to you all for your consideration discounts through renting vacation properties.  And here are a few to whet your whistle from various areas.

West Hollywood and Beverly Hills for the Christmas Holidays.

Once again, due to economic reasons, misfortune can turn into fortune and a coincidence of wants for both parties. This great property, checking out the link above, is available during that week. Properties from 3 to 5 bedrooms are available and prices are in the range of $1100 to $1500 a night. Sure a little pricey, but this is an upscale area. Contacting the owners may give you some leverage. I'd check them out. 

Be Pious and Go to the Promised Land.

Well the Holy Land that is. This deal is brought to you by Cheap Flights and offers a great package for travel to the Holy Land of Israel. The deals is a little over $1000. Departure dates are in the range of December 1st to December 15th and Returns are anywhere from December 16th to 29th.

These are just a few great deals depending on budget. Obviously they vary by range and taste. More will be sure to come in the coming weeks as we delve into greater deals. Stay happy people and make sure you take on a great getaway.

Coming Back to You with More Travel Deals..

Unfortunately our previous blog address is no more. We're happy to come to you from our new and improved addressed and couldn't be happier. Our goal is the same. To scour the internet from web sites, to posts to forums to emails to see the best travel deals out there. 

Well this week is the first week of October. Lets get to it.

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