Deal of the Week

Time again for the deal of the week. This was a tough decision, because there were at least four deals I thought were pretty good. But, alas, I had to narrow it down.

And the winner is.....

6 NIGHT EGYPT VACATION WITH NILE CRUISE AND FLIGHTS FOR $1299!!!

Who wouldn't want to see the Pyramids of Egypt or sail along the Nile River? This package gives you that option for a decent price. While the title says 6 nights, it's actually an 8 day package, but that includes flying over from the U.S. But for this price, I'd say it's worth it.

The deal from Gate 1 Travel includes roundtrip airfare to Cairo from New York--options for other departure cities can be inquired about through the website or over the phone,--intra-Egypt flights, 6 nights first class accomodations (2 nights at the Oasis Hotel in Cairo, 3 nights MS Queen of Hansa Nile cruise, 1 night Iberotel Cairo Hotel & Casino), all transfers, 12 meals (6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners--all meals on the cruise), sightseeing, and an English speaking Egyptologist tour guide throughout the trip.

The only downfall of this trip is its limited travel days, April 13, 20 & 27 and May 4 & 11, but luckily prices on surrounding dates are only a couple hundred dollars more. To book this deal, you can either call 800-682-3333 and ask for this package using the promo code TZEG150, or you can go online to their website and use the same code when prompted. But hurry! You have to book by Febuary 3!


The Runner-Up this week...

NEW ZEALAND 'SUMMER' FARES, WITH TAHITI GETAWAY $1253

Let's face it, flights to Australia and New Zealand are pretty pricey. So when a deal like this comes up, it's almost too good to pass up. Bonus? Three free nights at a Tahitian hotel! Sold!

Thanks to Air Tahiti Nui, you can visit New Zealand in the summer--their summer--and get a free stop-over in Tahiti and have a choice between the 4-star Hilton Tahiti, Sofitel Tahiti or Radisson Tahiti for accomodations. You can stop in Tahiti on either leg of your journey, heading there or going back. Travel dates are any time through May, but you have to book by February 1.

One negative--no accomodations provided in New Zealand. But who cares? You're in New Zealand!!!!




P.S. For anyone who is curious, the other two contenders in this competition were a Mediterranean Cruise and a week in St. Maarten. Check them out!

A Helping Hand

As most of you know, in the aftershock of a devastating earthquake, Haiti needs help more than ever. Many are probably asking "what can I do?" While most of us do not have extensive funds--like George Clooney or Madonna--to send to the country or to organizations, we still have options.

Even just a small donation--as much as you can afford to give--will help. You can donate to the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, CARE, or Yele Haiti.

To all the travelers out there, I know you're busy jetting from one place to the next. I would be out there with you if I could. If money is not something you want to give, how about some of those frequent flier miles you've been racking up, or those hotel points that might be gathering dust. If you are a United Airlines flier, you can donate miles to the Red Cross or Airline Ambassadors or Operation USA. Hilton, Marriot, Starwood, Choice Hotels, and many others are asking members to donate their points and they in turn will make cash donations to various organizations aiding in the Haiti relief effort.

If you are a frequent flier of American Airlines or Spirit Airlines, you will not only be giving, but receiving as well. If you donate a certain cash amount, these airlines will reward you miles. Giving just $5 could buy you a free flight! Of course, none of you need incentive to contribute to a good cause.

So use your travel for good. And if you have the time--and the miles--why not book a flight down to Haiti and lend a hand.

Deal of the Week

It's that time again...time to determine the best deal this week. After careful consideration of all Travelzoo's top 20 deals, I have narrowed it down--once again--to a winner and a runner-up.

and the winner is... (drumroll, please)

TUSCANY: LUXURY VINEYARD ESTATE VACATION--$999

Ok, so maybe I'm a bit biased because it's Italy...but just wait until you hear this deal, you would pick it, too.

Imagine staying at a vineyard redesigned by the famous Ferragamo family. That vineyard would have style, and in this case, it does. Il Borro Estate is a 1,000-year-old country estate in Tuscany. Now renovated, it has 5-star amenities and a medieval village. Usually, a stay hear would run you $500 a night, but with this deal from Sceptre Tours, you can stay 6 nights in one of their village villas with airfare and car rental included, all starting at $999. On top of all that, a complimentary bottle of wine from Il Borro's wine cellar will be awaiting your arrival at the villa. With all the money you save on flights and accomodations, you could purchase a 3-hour Tuscan cooking class for $99 or take part in a wine tasting or take a ride on horseback.

The only problem with this deal is that you have to travel in February and March, and if you decide to go in April or May, the cost will increase by $300. So maybe the smart move is to clear some time from your busy schedule the next couple months and book this deal by Jan. 22.

This week's runner-up...

7 Night Florida & Bahamas Cruise--$429

Celebrate Spring Break aboard the Norwegian Jewel. At the beginning of May, the cruise ship will take off from New York and venture down to Port Canaveral (Orlando), then Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Lines private island) and finally to Nassau, Bahamas. You also get $50 credit per cabin, a FREE upgrade to a better interior cabin, and 15% off shore excursions.

The $429 price is only available for May 1 and 8 departures. If you depart May 15 or 22, it's $10 more, departing on May 29, June 5 or 12 will push the price up by $20. So really you aren't trapped by departure dates, since the price stays pretty low through June. But hurry, cause these rates will only last until this Friday, January 15!!

Delivering a Smile (and a Treat)

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand."

If there is one thing in this world I love more than traveling, it's chocolate. So anyone who combines those two is a winner in my book. Obviously most hotels place that glorious piece of chocolate on your pillow when the turn-down service comes to the room, creating an ever-so-delightful surge of joy when you return after a long day. But other than that, what is there?

I'll tell you what...the sweet, delicious aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafting through an airplace cabin at 30,000 feet. That's right, you guessed it. The famous Midwest Airlines cookies! Since the mid 80s these moist, chocolatey morsels have become a staple of the airline. They are a symbol of the service Midwest wants to deliver to its flyers. And while every other airline is charging an inflated amount of money for sweets and snacks during a flight, Midwest is sticking with the complimentary cookie. It's a way to say thank you and give flyers a mid-air boost. Also, the cookies have set Midwest apart from other airlines. They are known as the airline that gives you cookies. And if something as little as a cookie can draw customers, why not do it?

Doubletree hotels also join Midwest on the cookie bandwagon. They have been giving fresh chocolate chip cookies to hotel guests as they check in since the early 80s. They make sure that cookies are available 24 hours a day. It is unclear how the cookies really affect the happiness of the customer, but most people seem to appreciate the generous favor. Doubletree wants to emphasize that their hotels and services are warm, personal, and inviting--just like a cookie.

I have not taken a Midwest flight since I was in college, but my experience was definitely improved by those two warm chocolate chip cookies melting in my mouth. The flight was made even better when the flight attendant--clearly seeing my elation as I devoured the delectable sweets--offered me another two because someone else had not wanted theirs. How could I say no?

It's the little things, like complimentary cookies, that make the stresses and annoyances of travel fade--even if it's just for a tasty, chocolatey moment.

Deal of the Week

Since I love Travelzoo's Top 20 Deals of the week so much, I decided to pick one of their 20 to be my favorite DEAL OF THE WEEK! It's a new weekly post to expect from me, so I hope you enjoy.

This weeks winner is...

6 Nights in Peru, Cuzco & Manchu Picchu--$998!!

Who wouldn't want to visit a place like this?? LatinAmerica4Less.com is offering an amazing trip that saves you up to $550 off the regular price. The six-night special includes roundtrip airfare to Lima, Peru, six hotel nights: 2 in Lima, 3 in Cuzco, and 1 in Aguas Calientes, flighs between Lima and Cuzco, a full-day guided Machu Picchu tour that includes lunch, half-day guided tour of Lima, half-day guided city tour of Cuzco, entrance fee and tour of Sacsayhuaman Archeological Park, transportation on the backpacker train to Machu Picchu, all airport-hotel and hotel-train transfers, and, finally, breakfast provided daily. (Give me a second to catch my breath.)

While the travel dates are a little limiting, there are a number to choose from, so hopefully everyone can find a time to go. Departure dates are Feb. 14 (romantic Valentines Day trip perhaps?), March 8, April 18, May 7, June 11, July 20, Aug. 13, Sept. 18, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, and Dec. 18.

The biggest problem is that flights may cost more if you're leaving from a city other than Miami and New York. You can call 800-480-0707 for additional city fees.

The Runner up...(cause I have to give this deal props)

6 Summer Nights in Western Ireland--$799

Ireland is a gorgeous country, especially in the summer. Unfortunately that's when the plane ticket prices skyrocket. This deal can save you $1300 of those regular summer rates. Sceptre Tours provides roundtrip airfare to Shannon, Ireland, a three-bedroom private villa for six nights at the 5-star Adare Manor near Limerick, full-size manual car rental, admission to the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre, and discounted traditional afternoon tea.

Another bonus: travel dates are anytime from June 16-August 22. Also, you aren't just limited to travel in the summer. If you decide to go in the off season, prices start as low as $599.

Venturing to the Ice City

If you haven't noticed, it's cold outside! No, not just cold, frigid, bitter. Chicago has been hit by a cold snap, and I for one am not thrilled about it. But I solace the fact that I don't live somewhere like Harbin, China--better known as the Ice City.

The name alone tells it all--this place is cold. In fact, it can reach as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. I can honestly say I am happy I live in Chicago, a place where the average monthly high in January is not 9 degrees. And yet this city appears to have some interesting quarks that even the sanest person would venture to see. One being the International Ice and Snow Festival held every January since 1985. The sculptures are created using a range of technology, from modern lasers to traditional ice lanterns. Other activities other than touring the sculptures include alpine skiing and winter swimming, as well as ice lantern exhibitions.

Apart from the ice festival, there is plenty more to see in Harbin. It is a city known for its architecture--a mix of Russian and European. There is a free museum where one can view all the various styles--Zhong Yang Street. It houses one of the main business areas, as well as showcases the international focus of the city. Baroque and Byzantine buildings, Russian bakeries, French fashion houses, American eateries and Japanese restaurants line the street. Fiest your eyes.

The local cuisine is largely Russian influenced, especially their bread--lie ba. Their sausages are worth trying as they have more of a European flavor than other Chinese sausages.

Yes, the cold definitely makes this city less than desirable to visit. But given the chance--and the right outerwear--one may find Harbin a pleasant destination. Plus, their summers are fairly warm, so if the cold is really that much of a deterant, head there in early August for their music festival.

Sure, the cold is rough. But if I had architecture and ice like Harbin, I'd be outside a lot more--well, maybe only a couple extra minutes.

Happy New Year!

Hopefully everyone had a fantastic holiday season and welcomed 2010 with a bang!!

Pardon my absence from the blog scene, but I was in Denver for two long, wonderful weeks. And since it was the holidays and I was on vacation, I decided to avoid the responsibilities and demands of my crazy, everyday life and just get lost in the comfort and relaxation of home.

Anyway, I'm sure many of you were traveling these past couple weeks. I hope the delays, crowds, weather, etc. did not bring down the holiday spirit. I also hope everyone got what they asked for this year from Santa (or your parents, significant other, friends).

This will be a short post as I am currently on my lunch break from my new apprenticeship, which I just started today. It's exciting, and I will tell you all more about it at a later time. Enjoy the new year and returning to the daily grind.