Is love in the air this winter? If you are getting married this year, you may be in luck on being able to score a great deal on that romantically perfect honeymoon. With the economy struggling and fewer people booking vacations to the Caribbean, there are some amazing deals out there to be had. You could have the honeymoon of your dreams for a lot less money than you ever thought possible. Dream Honeymoons; Destination Weddings at Sandals Resorts! With so many great travel deals to be had, maybe a ... [read more]

If you have sailed the Caribbean Seas at any point during the past few years, you have likely seen many a cruise ship. They are everywhere. In fact, with so may different cruise companies offering up trips in the Caribbean, cruises dominate the sea much like the Portuguese did during the time of great exploration. Last Minute Cruises.

The sheer quantity of cabins available especially during these uncertain economic times means that you can almost always find a reasonably priced cruise, especially if you are willing to wait ... [read more]

What could be better than spending some time out of the open seasenjoying the sunshine, warm weather and getting fed wonderfully the entire time? A great tan and great meals? What could be better? Especially with some amazing deals on cruises right now, you could be sailing the high seas and sipping cocktails overlooking sunsets over warm waters for less than you thought possible. With cruises starting at just $99, you’d be foolish not to pack your swimsuit and get ready for some rest and relaxation. Online Exclusives – Find the Perfect Cruise [read more]

With the economy sinking into deeper oblivion and many people dealing with foreclosed homes, lay offs and tightened budgets, there may be some of you out there trying to think of ways to go to the Caribbean for next to nothing. One option is to strap on a pair of infant water wings and let the tide take you out to sea. You could also strap yourself on the back of one of those inflatable alligators. These are both options for the bargain traveler, but they fall well short of fantastic (and cheaper than ever ... [read more]

While politicians in Washington are debating over a stimulus package that may or may not rescue the U.S. from the current economic recession, I’m going to be scouting web sites looking for hot travel deals. That’s because a bad economy means cheaper than ever travel, and trips you once thought would be way out of your budget are now seemingly affordable. In an effort to coax more travelers, companies like Funjet are offering great prices on Caribbean and Mexican vacations. If winter has got you down, than may now be the ideal time to book ... [read more]

By booking your airfare and hotel together, not only will you save yourself a bunch of time, you’ll save a whole bunch of money. Use the extra time for some quality time with the family and the extra dough on those great, must-have souvenirs. Plus, with great vacation packages offered all over the United States and world, you’ll have plenty of options of where to go and what you want to do. United Vacation Packages We provide vacation destinations including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico and more. From hitting the Vegas ... [read more]

The peso may be down and the economy coming close to a screeching halt, but the sun is still shinning south of the border in Mexico. In fact, with hotter than ever deals to Mexico and a favorable exchange rate, there is little reason not to pack up your swimsuit and get ready to down margaritas by the pitcher and get a tan going this winter (well, no reason besides a massive hangover and skin cancer). Mexico Vacation Sale Induldge in an all-inclusive vacation. Everything is included! Book now! With great, discounted flights to Mexico, as ... [read more]

If you are craving some warm sunshine and a big old margarita, now is still a great time to book a cheaper than ever vacation package to Mexico. In fact, until February 15, United is offering $200 off the price of your Mexico trip. Save up to $200 on travel to Mexico! Book by 2/15. Use promo code: MEXCARSAVE To me, anyone who doesn’t love Mexican food (especially the tacos) just isn’t quite right in the head, so not only will you get a great price on a ... [read more]

If you want to visit the state newly sworn in President Obama once called home, now may just be the perfect time to escape from it all and spend some time absorbing the laid back vibes and Aloha spirit of Hawaii. Especially with great deals on packages to the isles, now is the perfect time to take advantage of low prices and head into the Pacific. Hawaii Travel Deals with Air & Car – Save up to 75% Not only can you save big bucks on airfare and hotel with these deals to ... [read more]

Lately I’ve been seeing a whole lot more travel advertisements on t.v.and it seems there are an especially large number of ads out there trying to get you to go to Vegas. You may be asking, what’s the deal? Are people getting tired of Vegas?€ The fact is not that people are getting sick of Sin City, but rather the suffering economy is keeping a lot of people at home and NOT enjoying their stupid staycations (yes, I HATE that word. It’s not a vacation if you don’t go anywhere). That ... [read more]

When most people imagine a vacation ion a cruise ship, they immediately think of warm waters, palm trees and tropical breezes. However, cruises can also be a great way to explore Europeand with Carnival announcing 4 new European itineraries (and the brand new, luxurious Carnival Splendor to sail the European waters), taking a cruise across the Atlantic may be an ideal way to vacation in 2009. Carnival’s Fabulous European Excursions – 12-Day Cruises from $1,149 With so many fantastic deals on international airfare out there, you could ... [read more]

With unemployment at its highest rate in 16 years, more and more people defaulting on their mortgages and higher rates of people declaring bankruptcy here in the U.S., you may just want to lock yourself in a closet and avoid the real world until the recession is over. If you are lucky enough to still have a job and need a little vacation to help pick up your spirits, then right now is actually an ideal time to pack up your bags and head to the Caribbean. Not only will the azure water, warm ... [read more]

With everyone concerned with the faltering economy these days, there are a lot of people looking for ways to getaway for less money. While the national media popularized the idea of staycations,€ I personally don’t think that you can define anything as a vacation if you don’t actually get to go anywhere. That being said, there are some great ways you can still go on a totally fabulous vacation this year without spending an arm and a leg. In fact, Carnival Cruises is offering some great special cruise offers, including 3-day cruises starting at ... [read more]

With New Year’s Day marking the official end to the holiday season, you are probably starting 2009 with a hangover and the leftover stress from spending too much time with your family in close quarters. Now, you’d like nothing more than the chance to get away for a few days and to take your mind off of the madness. You, my friend, are in luck because Carnival Cruise Lines has some fantastic rates on cruises after the holiday season. Carnival Fun Ships Specials – Click Here One ... [read more]

Always dreamed of a Caribbean getaway, but never thought you’d be able to afford it? So, we are all very aware that the economy has slowed down, and that we have not yet reached the bottom and blah, blah, blah. What does this mean for ME, you may be wondering? Well, if you’ve still got your job and your house, it means that vacation packages are getting cheaper, which in turn means you can travel MORE. Now, it may seem odd to pack your bags and head for the Caribbean during a recession, but with savings ... [read more]

As temperatures plummet and the reality of another 4 or so months of winter weather sinks in, you may just need a vacation on the sun to refresh your attitude and give you something to look forward to when it’s snowing at home. With fewer travelers getting out this year, and even fewer projected to travel next year, all-inclusive resorts like Sandals at Negril Beach in Jamaica, are offering great deals. In fact, right now you can save 45% when you book a vacation to the white sand beach, turquoise water Caribbean resort. Get 2 ... [read more]

The peso may be down and the economy coming close to a screeching halt, but the sun is still shinning south of the border in Mexico. In fact, with hotter than ever deals to Mexico and a favorable exchange rate, there is little reason not to pack up your swimsuit and get ready to down margaritas by the pitcher and get a tan going this winter (well, no reason besides a massive hangover and skin cancer). Mexico Vacation Sale Induldge in an all-inclusive vacation. Everything is included! Book now! With great, discounted flights ... [read more]

Apparently the old saying that Good things come to those who wait,€ is ringing especially true this holiday season when it comes to lower than ever prices on last minute cruise packages. In fact, Celebrity cruise lines is offering a 2 night cruise, which will sail January 8 from Miami to Nassau in the Bahamas for just $79. Last Minute Cruises You are probably looking at the above paragraph thinking, $79? No way,€ but your eyes are not deceiving you. With cruise companies feeling the pressure in these tough economic times, prices just ... [read more]

With 2008 coming to a close, booking a great vacation for 2009 could be the perfect way to start looking forward to the new year. Especially with travel prices especially low this season in light of the struggling economy, now is actually the perfect time to get some fantastic deals on packages to just about anywhere. In fact, Southwest is offering some great deals on vacations everywhere from Vegas to Orlando to San Diego, where you can book the perfect family getaway, romantic honeymoon or bachelor’s weekend for less than you thought possible. southwestvacations.com With cheap ... [read more]

With prices on all kinds of travel continuing to drop to encourage people to still go on vacation despite the faltering economy, now could be the perfect time to finally go on that holiday you’ve always dreamed of. With cruises offering especially great deals right now, hopping on a boat and sailing to Mexico, gambling your way to the Caribbean, or relaxing in the Mediterranean Carnival has some hard to beat prices on many of their cruise lines. Spectacular “Fun Ship” Cruise Specials With so many great travel deals to be had this year, ... [read more]

Even though summer may only be in the recent past, the colder weather makes it feel like ages ago when I could walk around comfortably in flip flops and a tank top. With so much winter still ahead of us, a vacation somewhere warm and sunny this winter may be exactly what the doctor order to lift my spirits and help me get through winter. With especially hot vacation deals to the Dominican Republic right now, you may be able to get a little warm weather fix this winter for a lot less than you imagined possible. ... [read more]

Who doesn’t love the idea of a Hawaiian getaway? For decades, these tropical islands have been a top tourist destination. With its pristine beaches, incredible scenery and aloha spirit, there isn’t a whole lot not to like about taking a vacation to paradise. Although Hawaii has been notoriously a more expensive destination, the hurting economy has triggered some great deals to the isles as of late. We spoke with a vp at Hawaiian Airlines this fall, and he told us now is absolutely the best time to head to Hawaii. With airfares down and hotels offering ... [read more]

Vacations that you never thought you could afford are now more affordable than ever. With the economy standing on some shaky legs right now and people hesitant to shell out the cash on a vacation, airlines and hotels are rolling out some unbelievable deals on great vacation packages. This means that you can go on that trip you’ve always dreamed of at prices you can actually afford. Sandals Jamaica is one of the places offering some phenomenal deals right now. Do your part to stimulate the economy (and have a great time) by getting a night free in ... [read more]

Looking to get away this winter, but not sure you can afford a vacation in these rough economic times? With global markets taking a nose dive and people concerned with the state of their portfolios, booking a vacation package could be a great way to go on vacation and save money. By booking your hotel and flight together, you can save up to $325 and head. With discounts available on Caribbean getaways, family travel, Florida vacations or romantic trips, you have no excuse not to book a vacation package and take that much needed break from ... [read more]

Warm breezes, white sand, clear blue water and nothing to do all day but take a nap under a palm tree and sip cocktails with little umbrellas in them. Sound like paradise? If the tumbling financial markets have you stressed out, maybe all you need is a little R &R away from the plunging Dow and worries about your stock portfolio. Plus, with airlines and hotels are offering fantastic travel deals to the Caribbean right now in an effort to encourage weary travelers to still take that vacation they planned despite of the current economic climate. ... [read more]

There isn’t a lot to love about Europe in the fall. With the tourists gone (and prices a lot lower), the grape harvests in full swing, and beautiful fall foliage, a vacation to Europe in the autumn is pretty ideal. With the weather still beautiful (and still very warm along the Mediterranean), you can indulge in the great food and wine, scenery and culture of Europe for super low prices right now. In fact, Carnival cruises is offering fantastic deals on European cruises right now that are just too good to pass up. Carnival’s Fabulous ... [read more]

With a 7-mile long white sand beach and a fabulous all-inclusiove resort, there is not a whole lot not to like about a vacation package at Sandlas Negril Beach resort in Jamaica. If your stock portfolio has recently taken a hit, I can also think of no better way to forget the economic crisis and soothe your worries than while relaxing on the beach sipping cocktails (hopefully complete with miniature umbrellas). The market will rebound eventually, so why not take advantage of the super low travel prices right now and take off on a great vacation? ... [read more]

If you are looking for an excuse to escape reality and enjoy a wonderfully relaxing and cruise vacation, I found some absolutely amazing deals on cruisedirect.com this morning. With packages starting at as little as $499 a person for an 8-night southern Caribbean cruise, now is the time to take advantage of everyone freaking out about the economic crisis and snap up one of these terrific deals. While Congress is debating the Wall Street bail out bill, you can sip pina coladas on deck and work on your tan. Online Exclusives – Find the ... [read more]

If you are looking for a great and affordable getaway this Fall, United is offering up some great deals on airfare plus hotel packages: United Vacations We provide complete travel packages including air, hotel, rental car and attraction tickets.

By booking your airfare and hotel together, not only will you save yourself a bunch of time, you’ll save a whole bunch of money. Use the extra time for some quality time with the family and the extra dough on those great, must-have souvenirs. Plus, with great vacation packages offered all over the United States and world, ... [read more]

Feeling stressed out at work? Think you deserve a relaxing vacation to the Caribbean? With incredibly discounted rates to the Bahamas, right now is the time to kick back, relax and finally go on that dream vacation you feel you’ve always deserved. The Caribbean experts are now offering rock bottom prices to some of most beautiful and idyllic islands in the world with huge discounts: 60% Savings in the Bahamas!

Don’t let that summer tan slip away, head to a white sand beach where you can lay next to crystal clear blue water, drink cocktails and ... [read more]

This time of the year is when vacation packages are at their most affordable, but this fall continues to be exceptional, with even the stoic Sandals chain offering amazing deals: Up to TWO NIGHTS FREE at Sandals Resorts: Plus save up to 50%! One of their current deals is that if you book as few as three nights at one of their resorts you can qualify for airfare credit of up to $550 per person. I don’t know the small print on that one, but I ... [read more]

We are all about finding vacationers the best deals possible, so we’d like to point out a new section on BootsnAll.com that collects special travel deals from many different places and puts them together on one page. You can see the newest hottest cruise and vacation deals updated regularly on the main page, and you can also search by location for deals that relate to that destination.

Most of these deals can’t be found on normal ticket booking sites, and many of them give you nights in a hotel with airfare for only ... [read more]

They aren’t publicizing this too much, but the reality is that Las Vegas is really hurting lately, and they are offering excellent deals to help fill up some of their empty rooms: Las Vegas Vacation Packages and Deals Here’s the thing. About half of the business in Las Vegas is from people driving in from Southern California, and when gas prices shot way up many of those people decided this was an expense they could do without. And airfares also shot up for the ... [read more]

For some reason it seems like the cruise industry has been even more competitive than usual lately, but these cruise deals from Priceline are still shocking to me: Priceline Cruises, 110% Price Guarantee – 23 ports, 155 ships, 17 Cruise lines! Once you get to their page you’ll see that their 110% guarantee is only the beginning. Sure, they want you to be sure you can’t find these cruises any cheaper, but once you see their offers you’ll see how they can make that bold ... [read more]

You may recall that not long ago we were trying to get Sandals to extend their special Fly Free plus up to 35% off€ offer, and we are pleased to announce that our campaign worked and the offer is good until the middle of August, at the very least: Get 1 Night FREE plus save up to 50% at Sandals Grande St. Lucian! Find out more. We’ll see what we can do beyond that, but this at least gives our best customers ... [read more]

Usually leading up to Valentine’s Day you’ll see all kinds of vacations for romantic couples advertised, so it’s nice that Expedia has gone out of their way to spread the love into the summer with this sale: Book your Romantic Travel on Expedia.com! They’ve got quite a few really outstanding offers at the moment, including some special ones to Paris, New York City, and Venice. Those places can all be kind of pricey, so it’s great that Expedia also has some packages to Cancun, ... [read more]

Those who’ve decided they don’t want to go to Europe this year because it’s so expensive will be happy to find out that these all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean are really cheap right now: All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacations Sure, part of the reason these things are so cheap right now is because of the so-called hurricane season, but that’s mostly a myth. Most of these resorts only have one storm through their area like every 10 or 15 years or so, and even then they know ... [read more]

The fine people at Spirit Vacations have some deals so good right now that I really had to share this with you guys: All Inclusive Vacation Deals Enjoy 25% – 50% off or more on All Inclusive Vacation Packages. Book today! The best deal is the one they have right on the top of the page. They have several options to the Bahamas and it says you can fly free and save an additional 50% off! It says Last Chance  so I wouldn’t wait ... [read more]

If I was looking for a super cheap trip then United Vacations wouldn’t be the first place I’d look, but that was because I wasn’t aware that they had really good deals like this: United Vacation Packages We provide vacation destinations including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico and more. The fine people seem to have extended a sale whereby travelers get $125 off to Las Vegas, and there are many more offers where that came from. They have a $300 discount to Italy, and ... [read more]

I just found the kind of deal that really appeals to me. These Caribbean experts have published a deal whereby their Mexico packages are always $50 off if you use this special code: Mexico is Always $50 Off As summer approaches and so many places looking incredibly expensive Americans it’s nice the we have our friends south of the border to turn to. These resorts are jammed all winter and spring, but they start emptying out this time of year so the prices go way ... [read more]

Right now many of the destinations we all like to flock to during winter are pretty cheap, and Funjet has some really good package deals you should consider before booking elsewhere: Funjet Vacation Packages. We offer exciting vacation destinations including Las Vegas, Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and more. I get a lot of emails here from people asking me if June or July is too late to go to the Caribbean or Mexico, and I always reply that it’s too late as long as ... [read more]

In these tough economic times, more and more people are looking for cheaper vacation ideas. So with that in mind, have a look at the Southwest Vacations packages because this might be just what you are looking for: Southwest Airlines Vacations. Affordable vacation packages to destinations from coast to coast. Many people were thinking Europe would be ideal this year, but with the currency exchange rates lately that’s now out of the question. You probably know that Southwest Airlines has some of the cheapest ... [read more]

The fine people at Carnival are almost being unfair by offering 3, 4, and 5 day cruises at prices so low that we can no longer resist: Recharge your Batteries with 3,4,5 day Carnival Cruises These cruises are starting at $250 per person, and keep in mind that when you take a cruise you are getting your room, food, entertainment, and transportation all included in one price. You have to pay for drinks and shore excursions, but not much more than that. If you instead booked ... [read more]

Some people don’t take Priceline too seriously because of the whole William Shatner thing, but don’t hold that against them because they have some of the lowest prices anywhere: Priceline Last-Minute Package Deals! I think the last-minute deals this year are going to be better than ever because so many people are unsure of the economy that some people are probably canceling their vacations. Their loss is our gain because they lose their deposit and we get really cheap last-minute specials. Thanks, cancellers!

Click on the ... [read more]

The season in the Caribbean still has another month or more to go, but prices are way down so the timing is great: CARIBBEAN Travel Deals I’m not sure how this guy does it, but Caribbean Jim has rounded up some exceptional deals for us at the moment. Actually, I think Caribbean Jim is just a composite of other successful mascots at other companies, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less of a deal-getter for us!

For example, Caribbean Jim tells us that 7-night Barbados vacations ... [read more]

I just came across an astonishing deal and I had to share it with you guys: Last minute travel deals and vacation packages at Expedia.com! Once you click on that link you’ll see the current batch of last-minute vacation deals at Expedia. I don’t know how these prices are so low. Perhaps these are vacations that others have chosen and paid for, but they can no longer go so Expedia is reselling them for a special low fare. It’s got to be something like that ... [read more]

Dear Wade, I see that Carnival Cruises has excellent deals, but my husband has a fear of clowns. Will he be okay? Signed, Concerned Cruiser. Dear CC, yours is a common mistake, but Carnival Cruises don’t actually have American-style carnivals aboard, at least not usually: Sensational Rates on “Fun Ship” Getaways I get e-mails like that all the time from people who assume going on a Carnival Cruise involves riding rusty roller coasters and rickety Ferris wheels. It’s possible they started out that way, but now ... [read more]

Obviously not all cruises are alike, so the best deal for me might not be the best deal for you. This is one reason we are big fans of cruisedirect, who bring us this offer: Online Exclusives – Find the Perfect Cruise When you go to their site you see many major cruise companies with all of their best deals, including some really good last-minute offers. You can enter a destination and cruise length, and their search engine will tell you the best deals and which ships ... [read more]

I hesitate to even post this link because I have a feeling this will completely crash their computer system, but here goes anyway: Southwest Airlines Vacations. Affordable vacation packages to destinations from coast to coast. Okay, so the link text doesn’t do a great job of selling you on clicking, but once you do see the page this will take you to you’ll thank me. Everyone knows Southwest Airlines is consistently a low-price leader among US airlines, and in case you hadn’t heard, their packaged ... [read more]

I’m not sure how they manage it, but United Vacations has come up with yet another winner and I just had to share it with you guys: Hawaii Vacations Save up to $200 on vacations to Hawaii! Use Promotion Code NEWYEAR Think of how many more leis you could buy with that $200 you save! I’m pretty sure state law requires them to put a complimentary one on each arriving guest, assuming it fits around their head. So with this extra cash you could buy a box ... [read more]

Southwest Airlines often has the best fares on flights around the United States, and their vacation deals kick ass as well: Southwest Airlines Vacations. Indulge for less with great rates on vacation packages to Las Vegas

This is a great time of the year to be in Las Vegas. If you play your cards right you can actually have the other gamblers pay for your whole trip. It’s not easy, but it can be done if you put your mind to it and have your autistic ... [read more]

We are constantly on the lookout for the best cruise and vacation package deals around here, and this offer by Carnival Cruise Lines is so good we were thinking Ashton Kutcher and the PUNK’D crew were going to pop out from behind the filing cabinet at any minute – Caribbean Cruise Specials from $219!

Amazingly enough, it was no prank. They are offering Caribbean Cruise Specials starting at $219! Even if it is a prank, I think US law says that they have to honor it anyway, so don’t wait too long ... [read more]

In the cruise industry Carnival Cruise Lines are the 7-million pound monster. You can hardly go to a port of call in North America and the Caribbean without coming upon at least one Carnival cruise ship. They are everywhere.

The cruise monster has no intention of resting on its considerable laurels. Carnival Cruise Lines will begin sailing to South America in 2009. What this means to you, fair reader, is that you will have another cruising option to places like Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile. That option will inevitably include ... [read more]

If you are American you know that you are not allowed to travel to Cuba unless you get special permission for something like an educational tour or a Michael Moore documentary. If you are an American traveler, you know that plenty of people flaunt this law. They make their way to Cuba via a couple of undisclosed locations (cough* Mexico * cough * Canada).

Knowing full well that you are not intent on breaking any laws and that this is purely aimed at people who can legally travel to Cuba, BootsnAll does ... [read more]

In my vision of paradise cars don’t exist. I think my vision is not one shared by NASCAR drivers or those who like to get around by some other means than bike riding. Cars or no cars, Hawaii has been described on many an occasion as paradise on earth. It is hard to argue with a place that has beautiful white beaches, lush tropical forests, stunning mountains, and, yes, cars.

Some people choose to spend their Hawaiian vacation moving no further than the lounge chair by the swimming pool. Others ... [read more]

Do you remember the olden days when you had to choose between buying a VHS player or a Betamax player? Both were enormous devices that cost more than a pretty penny when they first came out. For those of us who gambled on the VHS player, we got years of quality movie entertainment until one of the kids in the family stuck a peanut butter sandwich in the machine and ruined it. For those who chose Betamax, the gamble reaped little rewards and soon most had to switch over to ... [read more]

Among the many reasons why you shouldn’t move to Florida: alligators, mosquitos, sink holes, hurricanes, people who drive with their left turn signal constantly on, the preponderance of blue hair, OJ Simpson lives there, Don Johnson, the 2000 presidential election and drive-in liquor stores.

The argument in favor of moving to Florida: sunshine.

If you are someone who can live with the unpleasant other things, but can’t live without sunshine then Florida has your name written all over it. Perhaps you aren’t thinking about moving there, but a visit is what you have in ... [read more]

Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerta Vallarta. If most people were asked to name the best places to go on the Pacific coast of Mexico, those three cities would likely be at the top of the list.

Cabo San Lucas is a beautifully located town. Located at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, Cabo has near perfect weather all year round. That is a good thing since it is located next to an ocean that is a virtual playground for fisherman and water sports enthusiasts.

Further down the ... [read more]

Traveling by yourself can be a unique and rewarding experience. It challenges you to figure out where you are going and how to get there. It can also inspire you to make new friends. Everyone loves a solo traveler. Group travelers, not so much.

While an individual trip can be special, sometimes an experience is best when you have someone else around. Someone else to help navigate through the airport customs. Someone else to be sympathetic when you stomach doesn’t appreciate the food it just ate. Someone ... [read more]

If you pay the least bit of news to what is going on in this world of ours you know that China is a country on the move. Its economy continues to surge, its cities continue to be rebuilt and its culture continues to change. These are exciting and dizzying times in China. It is an excellent time to see a historic transformation while it happens by visiting the world’s most populous nation.

A unique way to experience China is on a cruise ship. For whatever reason, there aren’t tons ... [read more]

There are two kinds of people. There are the kinds that like nothing more than to receive a big block of chocolate for their birthday and there are the kinds that like receive one of those boxes that have many flavors of candy. If you are in the sampler chocolate camp and think that variety is the spice of life, you probably will enjoy this 7-night Southern Europe cruise by Costa Cruises.

This is a fast moving cruise that will fill your tourist tummy with some delightful samples of Italy, Tunisia, Spain ... [read more]

It might be built on a swamp and it might be a political swamp, but the nation’s capital is still a great place for children to visit. I should know. Just about every year from third grade through eighth grade my class made a field trip to Washington, DC. It got to the point where I could give a tour of the city better than the tour guide and where I actually grew tired of the freeze dried ice cream at the National Air and Space Museum.

With its many monuments ... [read more]

As nice as he may be and as charming as the tradition is, spending another year watching a ball in New York drop while Dick Clark wishes you a happy new year is something that you should be actively seeking to avoid. Why let everyone else have the time of their life while you sit at home trying to stay up until midnight? This year, you can make it a New Year’s to remember by being aboard a cruise ship.

You don’t have to worry about drinking and driving the ... [read more]

We’ve been hyping summer cruises to Alaska for some time now on this here little blog. Alaska is truly one of the best places to do on a cruise. The only real drawback is that it is far away from where most of us live and as a consequence the cruises that visit the Last Frontier are usually more expensive than those going to the Caribbean and Mexico. That is not necessarily the case at the moment.

As we officially celebrate the first day of summer today we see that prices ... [read more]

As far as countries go, Costa Rica has always marched to the beat of a different drum. Instead of spending the 1980s engaged in war like many parts of Central America, it abolished its military. Instead of chopping down all of its trees and wilderness, it protected it. More than a quarter of the country’s land has been set aside for protection. Indeed, Costa Rica is the exception to the rule and that is one reason why it is an exceptional place to visit.

With one of a kind rainforests, ... [read more]

Some people like to call Reno, Nevada a poor man’s Las Vegas. That isn’t exactly the label one wants to read when they are going to a city that is known for its gambling establishments. Perhaps a better endorsement would be to call Reno a luck man’s Las Vegas.

Poor or lucky, Reno is what it is, which is primarily a city of casinos. That means lots of large rooms with gaming tables where you never can tell what time of day it is. That means hotels that are ... [read more]

Did you know that this is The Year of a Million Dreams? If you have been paying attention to all the Disney commercials recently you couldn’t help but know this. Disney and dreams apparently go together like chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows. One person’s dream can be another person’s nightmare, however. Disneyland and the other assorted properties are the happiest place on earth as long as you have enough money to pay through the nose.

Southwest Vacations to the rescue. The little airline that could is doing its ... [read more]

Whenever you come across a travel description of cruises to New England and Canada you are almost always going to see the word “charming”. Unlike cruises to the Caribbean it would not be accurate to describe a Canada/New England cruise as a “sun getaway”. It would also not be right to label it “exotic”. Charming, however, fits the bill.

There is a charm to the way the costal towns in New England and eastern Canada go about things. These are places that are rich in history and where people cling to their ... [read more]

Fireworks, family and fun. Those are the things that many of us associate with the Fourth of July holiday. It was so very kind of the founders of the United States to choose to do the whole independence thing during the summer months. The extra day off during the summer is always a welcomed thing.

There is no shortage of choices available to those who are looking to get away for Independence Day. Heading to the beach is always a popular option, camping out in the woods usually doesn’t disappoint, ... [read more]

If you have read any travel magazines over the years or visited any number of Web sites, you know by now that Negril, Jamaica has been named one of the top ten beaches in the world. Located in the westernmost part of Jamaica, Negril has grown from a sleepy isolated town into a thriving tourist destination replete with the high quality resorts you’d expect to find where there are beautiful sand and clear blue waters.

What makes Negril different than a lot of popular beach resort destinations is that it hasn’t been entirely ... [read more]

Everyone knows the legend of New York City. It is a great place to travel but it is expensive as heck. Everywhere you look there are hamburgers that cost $30 and beers that will run you $20. It is a place to go only if you share the same tax bracket as Donald Trump or if you have a couch to crash on in one of his apartment towers. You’ll need to cash in your 401K plan just so you can spend a night out on the town.

This is ... [read more]

It is almost impossible to believe that yet another generation of children is growing up with Mickey, Pluto and the Disney gang. With so many entertainment options available to children today, it speaks volumes that so many still enjoy Disney movies, cartoons and those big theme parks in Orland, Anaheim, Paris and Tokyo.

The Disney empire spreads its wings far and wide. That includes ruling the high seas, as well. Disney Cruise Line has a couple of boats that set sail on a regular basis from Cape Canaveral, Florida. ... [read more]

Sometimes the best of travel is the planning. It is easy to spend hours looking for interesting sights to visit, scouting out the best restaurants in a foreign city, choosing which hotel you want to stay at, and figuring out how to get from point A to point B without getting stuck in point C. Indeed, vacation planning can often be more fun than the vacation itself.

Vacation planning also takes time and time is something we don’t often in have in abundance in our busy lives. Planning can also be ... [read more]

They call Alaska America’s Final Frontier. The second to last state admitted into the union is certainly not last when it comes to beauty. Alaska’s vast natural resources are legendary and no matter how great you have heard that they are you will still be blown away when you see them in person.

Stunning mountains, gorgeous glaciers, marine and land wildlife these are just a few of the attractions you will see while taking a cruise to Alaska. The famed inside passage is as beautiful a waterway as you ... [read more]

If you have spent any time shopping for cruises, and I am willing to bet that you have because you are reading these very words right now, you know that Carnival Cruise Lines offers up some of the cheapest voyages around. Their appeal is that they have quick voyages that are convenient to large swaths of the population in the United States and that these voyages are affordable. If you are looking for glamour, look elsewhere. If you want cheap fun, think Carnival.

You probably also have come across a number ... [read more]

Nothing in life is free and technically neither is this offer. You do have to spend money to fly to either Hawaii’s Big Island or to Maui. You do have to spend money on a new bathing suit because frankly you should be embarrassed to be seen in that old one. You also have to spend money on a hotel room for at least four nights. If you manage to do all of that, the free reward is within your reach.

Funjet Vacations and Prince Resorts have come together ... [read more]

Perhaps it will be the indelible legacy of the 21st Century. No, not the Internet or artificial sugar made from real sugar. What I am talking about is our modern custom of combing two disparate words into one. For example, did you know that you can combine crud and nuts to come up with “crust”? You can also do it with spiffy and terrific so that it is “spifirific”. But did you know that there is something now known as a “mancation’? Tis true. If you ... [read more]

Sometimes it feels like all we do in life is go from one place to another. We go to work. We go to school. We go down to the local bar to forget about work and/or school. Go, go, go .when is there ever time to sit in a chair and watch the world pass us by? Almost never.

We even choose to be on the go while on vacation. Whether it is a road trip or a backpacking trip or an around the world adventure, we are ... [read more]

Here is a 13-day cruise and overland tour that will blow you away with its incredible scenery, amazing wildlife and outdoor opportunities. CruiseWest is offering a package on a trip that takes you through the splendors of Denali National Park and on a memorable cruise along Alaska’s famed coast.

The trip begins in Fairbanks and heats up right away with a couple of days in Denali National Park. In addition to being home to the tallest mountain in the United States, Denali is a virtual summer playground for bears, elk, moose ... [read more]

Many a baseball fan has made a summer pilgrimage to Boston over the years. The city is, of course, home to Fenway Park, one of the true jewels of the American sporting world. You can’t call yourself a baseball fan or even a sports fan until you have watched a game from the historic stadium. Just be forewarned that it is home to something called the Green Monster. Kind of scary sounding, don’t you think?

If baseball is not your thing, there are myriad reasons to visit Boston in the ... [read more]

The samba, the beaches, the parties¦Brazil is one of the most funnest places to visit on this planet. Imagine the time you will have aboard a 4-night Costa cruise! The Costa Victoria is your vessel on a journey that begins and ends in Santos, a city in Sao Paulo. In addition to being the entry point for the bubonic plague in Brazil in 1899 (no sign of it today!), Santos has the biggest seaport in Latin America, a Coffee Museum that will leave you buzzing and a soccer memorial ... [read more]

There is something indescribable about Italy that sucks you in and makes you one of her own. There is the beautiful countryside, of course, with its quaint towns, rolling hills and relaxed way of life. There are the cities, as well, with their hustle and bustle. There is the Riviera with its stunning cliffs that overhang deep blue waters. There are also the mountains. The Alps and the Dolemites redefine the reaches of land.

Some or all of these components of Italy will likely leave you enchanted, but ... [read more]

Why did they decide to call it New Mexico? It is not like they came up with a newer, better formula like New Coke. Why not just call it North Mexico instead? And while we are at it, why did they have to name the biggest city in the state Albuquerque? Didn’t they realize that name is very difficult for those of us who are spelling impaired?

Thos are the only complaints I have about New Mexico and its biggest city. It is a lovely state with awesome scenery. ... [read more]

One minute you rarely hear about a country, the next it is the darling of the travel world. If your take a bit of time looking at the various travel deals floating around the Web, the odds are good that you will quickly come across something to do with Belize. The Central American country is a hot travel destination this year and it is easy to understand why.

Just a two-hour flight from the continental United States, Belize is an easy-to-reach beach destination. It doesn’t hurt that the country has a ... [read more]

The Pacific Ocean in many parts of North America hardly lives up to its name “peaceful sea”. For large portions of the year the Pacific churns and turns and swells¦and, well, you get the idea. It isn’t exactly the ideal place to be on a cruise. All of that changes in the summer when the seas become a bit more pacific and the costal scenery more visible.

Norwegian Cruise Line has an excellent six-night cruise along the Pacific Coast. Starting in Vancouver, British Columbia, the ship first makes its ... [read more]

Here is your trivial fact for the week. Saint Maarten is the smallest island in the world to ever be partitioned between two nations. The tiny Caribbean island is just 38 square miles and is split in half between the Dutch and the French (who call it Saint-Martin). The island is home to 71,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. It also attracts more than 1 million tourists each year.

The reason that so many people are drawn to so small a place ... [read more]

The Dominican Republic is hot, both literally and figuratively. The summer temperatures are steamy and the island’s popularity is even hotter. The Caribbean island is quickly becoming a favorite destination of the jet set crowd (how does one apply to be a member of the jet set?) and it is also becoming a favorite destination for families looking for affordable vacations in paradise.

With its white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and verdant landscape, the Dominican Republic is a beautiful country. It also has some excellent resorts that won’t break ... [read more]

An old wise man once told me that the best way to save money is to not spend it. He also died with a pile of money and with few life experiences to show for it. Going by his logic, it might seem like a paradox that the more you spend the more you can save. How can you save more by spending more?

United Vacations shows how this contradiction works:

Save $200 on vacations of $3,600 or more Save $150 on vacations of $2,500 – $3,599 Save $100 on vacations ... [read more]

Dilemma time. You have limited vacation time and even more limited vacation money. You have some time off from work stored up and this summer seems like an ideal time to take it. You could stay at home and watch cartoons on the couch all day or you could go on a fun-filled trip that will include fabulous food, entertainment and weather. Is there really any choice? You’ve seen all the cartoons before anyway. The coyote is never going to catch that darned roadrunner.

Carnival Cruise Lines ... [read more]

There is something special about camping. Maybe it is the misquitos or the prospect of getting eating by a bear or eating burnt hot dogs over a campfire that attracts so many of us to campgrounds in the summer and all year round.

It is more likely that we enjoy camping because it is a chance to get away from the grind, it is an affordable vacation option, and it affords us the opportunity to spend time in spectacular parts of the United States. It also gives us all an ... [read more]

There are many places in this big old world that you can go and very few of them are more beautiful than British Columbia, Canada. With its stunning coastline, glorious mountains and relaxed way of life, British Columbia is an oft forgotten North American jewel. That won’t be the case after 2010 when Vancouver hosts the Winter Olympics. Once the world sees how amazing it is you can bet that people will flock to B.C.

Now is the optimal time to visit. The summer months in British Columbia cannot be ... [read more]

When you ask most Americans what their favorite holiday is there is a slim likelihood that anyone would choose Memorial Day. It doesn’t have the gifts of Christmas or the food of Thanksgiving or even the costumes of Halloween. It is a holiday after all to remind us of those who have died for the country. Hardly a reason to celebrate but it does have one thing that all of us can enjoy: the title of being the unofficial start of summer.

The summer months are, of course, the time when ... [read more]

Talk about a bummer. You are a slave to the man for 40+ hours a week. Your own saving grace is that you know you will have a few days off sometime in the future. You start socking away a little bit of money to save up for a cruise. You finally get the cash together, purchase your spot on board and you pack your bags. What you don’t realize is that while you are floating around the sea having a grand old time you still have to ... [read more]

Maybe you are past the age where it seems fun to sleep in a hostel dorm room with 25 strangers snoring all around you. Perhaps you are a road warrior who would like nothing more than to never see the inside of another hotel room ever again. Or maybe you are the type of traveler who likes to hang around a place for a while and to get to know the locals as much as possible.

Even if none of those descriptions fit who you are, you’ll still want to check out ... [read more]

If you have ever in your lifetime had an itch to visit Puerto Rico you will want to read on because I have the perfect scratch just for you. If you have no interest in Puerto Rico whatsoever but still like reading poorly written prose about vacation deals, keep on reading on too.

Cheap Caribbean has an outstanding deal on vacation packages to Puerto Rico. The only real catch is that you have to travel during the summer months sometime between June 14 and July 29, 2007. If you ... [read more]

The only thing cooler than traveling is going on the road to help those who need your assistance the most. Volunteer vacations are becoming increasingly popular especially for large groups like churches, universities and charities. Cheap Tickets has a program to help you save money on travel while you are saving lives and communities.

To qualify for the CheapTickets Volunteer Savings Program, groups must meet the following criteria:

¢ Contain 10 or more travelers ¢ Book hotel plus flight packages for the volunteer vacation on CheapTickets.com ¢ Provide documentation that your organization ... [read more]

It never ceases to amaze how different people in this country live in such different fashion. A person in New York City could go years without ever walking barefooted on grass. A person in a small town in the middle of nowhere could also go years without ordering sushi from a restaurant at 3am. Ours is a big and diverse country and we all go about living in it in our very own way.

AirTran has a deal that is being billed as a way to visit the big US ... [read more]

There are three people. Two of you are in one location and one person is in an entirely different location. You are all headed to the same place to holiday together. How do you make it so that two plus one equals three together in the desired location at the same time?

No, this isn’t a question for the SATs. This is a challenge that travelers often face when they are going to travel together with family or friends. The logistics of making sure that you all arrive in ... [read more]

Pound-for-pound (I should say kilo-for-kilo) Canada is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world. The United States’ neighbor is often overlooked by Americans looking to go on holiday. The perception some have is that once you cross the border you will have to contend with polar bears and Mounties. The Mounties part is true. The polar bear part, not so much.

The very real fact is that Canada is a wonderful place to travel for Americans and for people from other countries. It is a large ... [read more]

If you are looking for a quick and easy escape, consider taking a holiday in Montego Bay, Jamaica. With its sheltered Doctor’s Cave beach, clear turquoise waters and pretty surrounding mountains, it is a beautiful place to relax for a few days, especially when you can get an outstanding deal on a flight and hotel vacation package.

When Christopher Columbus first visited the island in 1494 he named the bay Golfo de Buen Tiempo (Fair Weather Gulf). The weather nor the fairness haven’t changed since. Make no bones about it, ... [read more]