Cruise and Vacation Packages

Thomson Apartments Accommodation Deals

cristina — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:23 +0000

Staying in an apartment during a vacation is not only a great way to save some money, but it’s also a good choice for families with children or for groups. There’s something nice when we have the liberty to eat our meals whenever you want or to be able to enjoy more space while on vacation. Thomson Apartments Accommodation Deals

The best part about these deals is that during the low season, the rates per night start at £6. Head to Furteventura (Spain) in January 2010 and you’ll pay just £6 per night. You won’t be able to sunbath but relaxing away from home and taking long strolls on the beach are excellent ideas when winter plays nasty trick to the rest of us. Remember to also book the flight to Europe when you book the accommodation.

If you want to go to Crete (Greece) in May 2010, prices start at £9 per night for a twin room. Of course, this is an early booking deal, so you need to act fast if you still want to benefit from it. If you prefer a studio, prices start at £10 per night. Book a flight to Athens and, for a more romantic way to travel, hop on a ferry to Crete. This would give you a chance to spend some time in Athens and you can even book a hotel here for couple of days and explore Greece’s capital. In early May, room rates start at $33 per night per person at this hotel just few steps from the Omonia square.

Don’t forget about the Caribbean

Puerto Rico can be a very nice choice for spending a short vacation, although you won’t arrive here before Valentine’s Day (bummer). Still, since you’ll arrive on February 18, 2010, it can be considered a romantic gift, right? The price is $408.00 per person for 4 days , airfare not included. So, book a cheap flight to Puerto Rico to create your own vacation package. The resort where you’ll be staying is located in San Juan and offers 184 rooms, all with AC, TV, coffee maker, fridge, microwave, phone and wi-fi.

TownePlace Suites: Live the way you want to live

cristina — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:11:50 +0000

Whether we visit a city for business or pleasure, choosing to stay in a suite makes the experience feel a bit more like “being home”. If you plan to stay longer, being able to cook your own meals and have the space to enjoy some relaxing time is a blessing. TownePlace Suites. Live the way you want to live.

TownePlace Suites have lower rates for long stays, so are excellent choices if your boss sent you somewhere for a longer period. There’s wi-fi within the suites, making it possible for you to keep in touch with your family and friends.

Valentine’s Day in Vienna

The beautiful European capital is an excellent choice for a romantic getaway. Vienna offers a lot of places to visit and there are quite a lot of opportunities to impress your loved one. Take a ride on the Giant Ferries Wheel or walk hand in hand in one of the many gardens. As for accommodation, this is a good choice . The inn is located close to downtown, in an ideal place to explore the entire city on foot. All rooms have High Speed Internet and wi-fi is available in the public areas. Three nights in Vienna (around St. Valentine’s) start at $335 per person in a 2 star-hotel located 0.5 km from downtown. Remember though that you have to book the flight to Europe along with the hotel.

Spring in Prague

Another beautiful European city to visit is Prague. While it’s mainly popular because of the Christmas Market, Prague can be an interesting choice during spring, as well. The crowds are low and the city starts to show its new face after the snow has melted. Seven nights in a 4-star hotel start at $413.00 per person . The hotel is located in the heart of the historical center. All rooms have AC, wi-fi, radio, alarm clock, coffee & tea making facilities, and mini bar. Remember that you also need to book the flight. You should look for flights into large European hubs, such as London, Paris or Amsterdam and then look for a low-cost flight to Prague. Or you can try the European rail system, which offers good connections between all European capitals.

Staying closer to home: the Caribbean

The high season is still in full swing in the Caribbean. Although the prices tend to be a little higher than during the rest of the year, if you search for Caribbean vacation packages , chances are you’ll find something to suit your budget. For example, 7-nights (including Valentine’s Day) in Barbados in a 3-star hotel starts at $784.00 per person.

Fairfield Inn Offers Affordable Comfort

cristina — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:00:49 +0000

Even the most dedicated budget traveler wants a vacation when comfort is of utmost importance. Seriously, when you get tired of staying in cheap hotels, cooking the meals – or finding cheap street food – and you just cannot take another second in a bus, you know it’s time to look for a bit of luxury. Fairfield Inn. Affordable Comfort. Book now.

You can find the inns in countries all over the world. And all provide free and hot breakfast (with healthy choices!) and free wi-fi in all rooms and lobby. Paris for Valentine’s Day? No problem! Rates start at €129 per night and you’ll be staying quite close to the city center. A short shopping spree in London? Sure, for £104.25 per night you’ll have the comfort you need and stay close to the city center.

Valentine’s Day in Eastern Europe

No, nothing hit me in the head and I’m not delusional either. But I’ve come across a very interesting place for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend. Bed prices start at €10 per night and their offer for 4 nights (Feb 14-18) for two persons is just €72. And there isn’t any catch to it either. Why so cheap? Because the accommodation is in Busteni (Romania), which happens to be one of the cheap ski resorts in Europe . You do need to take into account the flight to Europe though.

Tip: fly into either Budapest (Hungary) or Bucharest (Romania) and take the train to Busteni. Driving is not a bad idea but the road can be icy and extremely crowded, especially during the weekends.

Youth tours in Greece

You probably are used to youth hostel imposing an age limit for their guests, but there are also tours dedicated to those between 18 and 35. Such a tour features 5 days in Greece and visits Athens, Olympia and Delphi. Rates start at $765pp (no air) for the April 25, 2010 departure. Accommodation (3 nights), meals and sightseeing is included in the price. If you decide to book the flight to Athens with them your companion flies for free (but you need to book by Jan 12, 2010).

Late April is definitely a nice time to visit Greece. The weather is warm and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. However, if you want to plan the vacation on your own, you will have some nasty surprises when it comes to using the ferries. The summer schedule starts in June and in spring there aren’t many connections between the islands. Your best bet is to stick with visiting Athens, Meteora and Thessaloniki. A weekend in Athens is quite enough to discover the most important landmarks of the city. Likewise, a weekend in Thessaloniki will allow you to check out not only the city’s sights but also some nice places near-by.

Affordable Ski Holidays

cristina — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:00:08 +0000

Many travelers start making ski holidays plans as soon as the first snow hits the ground… or as soon as the cold season starts. It’s quite hard to predict when the snow will be at its finest for winter sports but regardless of what you plan to do during your ski holiday, in Europe you can ski until the end of April (weather permitting). ” PV-Holidays: Maeva ski apartments ”

Renting apartments for your ski vacation is a very good idea. The apartments featured in this offer range from studios for 2 people up to 3 bedroom apartments for 8, which means they are ideal not only for couples but also for groups of friends. All apartments include fully-equipped kitchens, so it’s very easy to save on meals.

As for the prices, they are for everyone. You can stay in the heart of 3 Vallees (Les Menuires - Residence Maeva Les Combes) for €225 per week for a 3-person apartment. Or you can choose a 2-persons apartment in Avoriaz (Residence Maeva Les Portes du Soleil), which is a resort without cars, for €305 per week. Both residence is located at the foot of the ski lift.

Now that you’ve got the accommodation figured out, it’s time to book the airfare to France . Do your homework to find out which airports are closest to the ski areas. From the airport to the ski resorts, there are buses and trains available. Or you can rent a car (if you are used to driving in winter conditions).

Are there cheaper ski resorts in Europe?

Some of the most affordable ski resorts in Europe include: Innsbruck (Austria), Ski Park Eland (Slovakia), Bansko Resort (Bulgaria), Semenic (Romania) and Zakopane Ski Resort (Poland). Looking carefully at the locations, we can easily draw the conclusion that the ski resorts in Central-Eastern Europe are excellent choices if your budget is on the low side.

First of all, make sure to get all the info you need about traveling in Eastern Europe , which can be frustrating sometimes. And since we are talking about winter, please remember that delays in trains and buses schedules as well as being snowed in are part of the “deal” in this part of the world (unfortunately).

Busteni is one of the cheapest ski resorts in Prahova Valley, Romania’s premier ski destination. Renting an apartment or room in a pension or private villa is an excellent choice whether you travel with your partner or with a group of friends. Prices are around 40-50 RON per person per night (that’s €9.50 - €12).

$499 — Cabo All-Inclusive 5-Night Vacation w/Air, Save $300

cristina — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:18:22 +0000

Take a look outside. Is it snowing? Is it cold? If so, I bet you dream of a warm holiday destination, where you can sip a cocktail while sitting by the pool. Right? And I bet you also think that you probably need to break a bank to afford that vacation. Wrong! The high season might have just started in Mexico, but that doesn’t mean you cannot find excellent deals. $499 — Cabo All-Inclusive 5-Night Vacation w/Air, Save $300 — As seen on Travelzoo’s Top 20

You can now save up to $300 on an all-inclusive vacation in Cabo. The offer includes the airfare to Cabo . The deal includes 5-night vacation costs $499 per person and is available during the high season, from Jan. 3 - March 8. Should you want to go over Spring Break dates (March 9-31), add $20 to the price. The price (starting at $499) includes: air from Los Angeles, all meals, drinks, entertainment, hotel taxes and gratuities. If you travel with the kids, they stay and eat for free. Hurry up and book by Dec 16.

Are vacation packages good deals?

Whether we are talking about Mexico vacation packages or all inclusive packages in the Caribbean area, we cannot help but wonder whether such deals are good bargains or we just get “fooled” by the whole advertising process.

Fear not, for there are ways to find out whether you get “tricked” or the deals are actually good bargains and you’ll end up saving (at least some) money. First of all, look up airfare to Mexico for the same period and for the same route as the one included in the deal. Depending on the date of travel you’ll pay at least $250 for round trip flight (LA to Cabo and return).

Then look up accommodation either at the same place or at a resort offering comparable amenities. Depending on the resort, prices start at $108 per night . We are talking about a luxury resort and the accommodation is based on the all inclusive plan.

Now put everything together and compare the total price. If it’s higher than the one in the deal, your best bet is to choose the package. Otherwise, just plan the vacation on your own.

Typically, during the high season it’s quite hard to book a vacation independently and come up with a lower price, especially if you want a high-end resort with many facilities. However, if you prefer the cheap hotels in Mexico , you will find excellent deals, but you need to be willing to stay further from the beach and all the hustle and bustle.

Thomson Late Deals

cristina — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:00:28 +0000

The majority of travelers take their time to look for the perfect deal and perfect location to spend a planned vacation. And then, there are those travelers who have no idea where they’d be heading to and plan to take advantage of the late deals available. Of course it takes a degree of courage (or should I say “madness”?) for such endeavors but you are guaranteed to have fun. And to end up in a place you probably never planned to visit. Thomson Late Deals

While the rest of your friends are torn between heading to the Caribbean to soak up the sun during the winter holiday or planning a vacation in a cheap ski resort, you can do something totally different. And by that I mean spending 7 nights on Costa del Sol (Spain) for £169pp. The price includes the round trip flight from London Gatwick and 7-nights accommodation with self catering. Bed & breakfast and half board options are also available. Sure, you won’t be getting a tan, but you’ll surely relax in a mild climate and enjoy a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of crowded vacation spots.

Not having a free week from work? Not to worry. The late deals include 3-nights accommodation as well. You can head to Morocco and spend a short vacation there for only £160pp. The price includes the round trip flight from London Gatwick and accommodation in a twin room with bed & breakfast. And by the way: the weather is absolutely amazing in Morocco right now so it’s not surprising that Morocco ranks high among the cheap winter holiday destinations preferred by Europeans .

Creating a late deal on your own

If you don’t exactly like vacation packages, there’s always the possibility to create a late deal on your own. How? Simple. Look for cheap flights to the region or country you plan to visit. Stick with a time frame of 2-4 weeks and see what’s available right now.

Then, look for hotel deals. There are a lot of websites specialized on late hotel bookings. You can still find excellent last minute deals for hotels in the European cities where the Christmas markets are open. You’d probably need to be a bit creative when it comes to flying though, as the prices tend to be a bit high right now. But you can always fly into a major hub and choose another way to travel to the destination.

bmi Special Offers

cristina — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:53:30 +0000

Since many of us are contemplating the idea of not giving Christmas gifts and cutting the expenses to a minimum, it’s hard to even think of planning a vacation right now. But why not? When the fares are excellent and there’s the opportunity to travel, what else is there to do than enjoy what life is offering you? bmi Special Offers.
View our special offers now. Low fares on many routes worldwide. Book now for competitive fares.

bmi offers special rates for flights to Europe, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Asia and UK domestic. And the return fares are great. For example you can fly from London Heathrow to Brussels for only £56.60.

Once you’ve got the flight planned, don’t forget to book the hotel or hostel . Of course, there are plenty of special offers available, regardless of where you are heading to. This is one of the direct results of the economic crisis: hoteliers were forced to cut the prices in order to keep the hotels full and the tourists coming.

Flying from the States

Don’t worry if you are in the States and want to travel. There’s cheap international airfare from the US available as well and you can travel anywhere: Europe, Asia, and even the Caribbean. You can even fly into a major European hub, such as London and then use a special offer or low-cost carrier to travel to another city in Europe or even another part of the world.

During the entire month of December you can still find Christmas markets open all over the European cities. The experience is unique and you’ll definitely see Christmas from another point of view. Vienna and Prague are traditional destinations for those who want to enjoy the festive month, but did you know there is an interesting Christmas market in Budapest as well? And did you know that there are markets in many Romanian towns? Visiting Eastern Europe at this time of the year is an excellent choice if you want to save money and enjoy the traditional Christmas; for this I suggest staying in traditional rural housing, not heading to the popular ski resorts. You’ll enjoy the carols, the traditional customs related to preparing the food and the colorful dances.

What if you want to fly to an exotic destination? Bangkok flight deals are excellent now and you’ll land in a beautiful country and enjoy great weather. If you ask me, when you fly from a city where the snow is already setting and land in a warm, tropical country, you’ll forget about the jetlag and how the flight was and all you want to do is enjoy being in such a location. Of course, do remember to also book the hotel in Bangkok before you leave. The city is a preferred destination for backpackers so you’ll be surprised to find that if your budget allows for some splurges, you can afford quite luxurious accommodation.

$44 — Las Vegas 4-Diamond Hotel on The Strip w/Breakfast

cristina — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:40:28 +0000

How many of you dreamed of a vacation in Las Vegas but didn’t have the budget to fulfill your dream? We are happy to tell you that now you can spend a vacation in Las Vegas without worrying much about the budget. $44 — Las Vegas 4-Diamond Hotel on The Strip w/Breakfast — As seen on Travelzoo’s Top 20

The special room rates are available with a minimum two-night stay at Treasure Island and are for two persons and include the breakfast. In January the rates are slightly higher ($52 or $59 per room per night). All rooms have LCD TVs, bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows. Within the resort, the guests can enjoy Mystère by Cirque du Soleil and have a great meal at the famous restaurant Isla.

Now that you’ve got found an excellent and affordable place to stay, don’t forget to book a Las Vegas flight to get there.

Fulfill your dreams and travel the world

If you are like me, then you probably keep your eyes open for excellent travel deals and cannot wait to grab one that suits you. Right? You can now fly anywhere you want and you won’t need to break a bank either.

Christmas Markets in Europe? Sure, why not? There is still time to head to Vienna, Prague or other stunning cities to enjoy the special winter celebrations. The special offers for hotels in Prague are abundant, especially during this time of the year. You can stay in a 4-star hotel for just €49 a night. And if you want to check out Vienna’s incredible markets, worry not for the hotel rooms start at $36.44 per night (2-star , 10 min from the city center, all rooms have private shower, toilet and TV). Don’t forget to grab a flight to Europe as well when you book the hotel.

Now that you are in Central-Europe, why not wet your feet in the not-so-travel Eastern Europe? For many it appears quite exotic, but for Europeans it’s just slightly different. Americans will have a culture shock though (as much as the entire Balkans is a whole new world for them).

You can enjoy the hot baths in Budapest while the snow is falling on the beautiful Hungarian capital. Room rates start at €35 per night in a 3-star hotel located near the metro station. And by the way: if you are close to the metro station, you’ve got the entire capital at your hands, as the public transport network is excellent and you’ll enjoy going from one place to another. Remember to book the flight to Budapest as well. The city’s airport is very well served by European low-cost carriers so it’s a good idea to fly into a major European hub first (London, Paris, Amsterdam) and then travel to Budapest.

Thomson Luxury Holidays from £517 per person

cristina — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:41:58 +0000

After the holiday rush, it’s time to spend some relaxing time together with your significant other. And why not, pamper yourself with a luxury holiday? Lanzarote is a perfect destination for the Europeans. It might not be warm enough to swim, but you definitely don’t need to wear too many clothes either. Plus, Thomson Luxury Holidays are actually very affordable.

You can spend 7 nights in a 4-star resort in Lanzarote for prices starting at £474 per person, RT flight from London Gatwick included. Departure is on January 7, 2010.

The alternative: ski vacations

January marks the high season in winter resorts all over Europe. By now, there is enough snow on the slopes to allow for great skiing. You can spend a 7-day vacation in Innsbruck from $750 per person . Breakfast is included in the daily rates but you need to add the cost of the flight to Europe . You can fly into either Vienna or Salzburg and then rent a car to get to Innsbruck. If you are not used to driving in winter conditions, there’s always the possibility to choose the local means of transport (buses, trains, airport shuttles).

A little more to the East, you’ll find the less-discovered ski regions of Romania and Bulgaria. Both countries have a great potential when it comes to ski vacations but not many have discovered it yet. While some ski areas in Romania can be downright expensive – Prahova Valley and Poina Brasov are two good examples – there are small ski areas tucked away in the Banatului and Western Carpathians and where you will be able to spend a vacation at very low prices.

Word of caution though … traveling in Romania can be a bit of a nightmare especially when you are planning to stay in remote places. Planes will get you big cities but once you landed, it takes some planning to get to the ski resorts. Driving in winter conditions is not recommended. Trains will get you close to ski areas but be prepared for delays.

But the prices surely beat all the troubles. One of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe is Semenic, located in the mountains with the same name (Romania). A double room in a 2 star hotel starts at €40 per night and the daily ski pass costs about €15 during the weekends. Plus, the climate is milder than in the rest of the Romanian ski regions (which can be nice or a nightmare, if there isn’t enough snow).

Go a little bit to the South and in Bansko (Bulgaria) you’ll find rooms in 4-star hotels for prices starting at €55per night (during the low season). In the middle season room rates start at €98 per night (double room) at this hotel .

Save up to £250 per couple on Christmas ski holidays

cristina — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:00:33 +0000

With only a month to go until Christmas, those who haven’t decided yet where they’d spend the vacation have one more reason not to feel depressed. And they don’t need to break the budget either. That’s because Cheap Ski Holidays are an excellent choice for your Christmas vacation.

You can save up to £250 per couple on Christmas ski holidays. The cheapest vacations are in Italy. You can stay at Hotel Relais des Alpes for prices starting at £408. The departure is on Dec 20 from London Stansted. The price includes 7-nights accommodation (with half board) and the round trip flight.

Christmas markets are good choices as well

By the end of November, the Christmas markets are in full swing all over Europe. For those who have never experienced such a market, the smells, colors and sounds are both overwhelming and exciting.

There are Christmas markets taking place in many European cities and if you are planning to visit the most famous of them, you’ll need to consider that the airfare to Europe and accommodation in Europe will be a bit more expensive at this time of the year.

Vienna has become synonymous with Christmas markets and is, indeed, a magnet for the tourists looking for a lovely experience. The market in front of the Town Hall is the most popular of them.

Did you ever imagine that one of the best Christmas markets in Europe takes place in London? In Hyde Park to be exact. It opened on Nov 21 and will close on Jan 3 (2010). It is a German Style Christmas market and features 40 wooden chalets. Don’t miss the German Mulled Wine and the typical German Sausage “Bratwurst”.

Another interesting Christmas market takes place in Brussels, at Place Sainte Catherine. It opens on Nov 27 and closes on Jan 3 (2010). There will be a vast numbers of stalls and everyone can enjoy the skating rink, as well.

Lille Christmas market is very popular with the British thanks to being very easy to get to (on Eurostar). The market is held in Place Rihour. Visitors can sample French Christmas delicacies and get interesting gifts from the stalls.