Travel News Blog

Tripadvisor Unearths Top 10 Green Eco-mmodations

TripAdvisor, the world's most popular and largest travel community, announced its top 10 eco-friendly accommodations, according to TripAdvisor editors and travelers. From rustic cabins in the forest to contemporary digs in the city, these green properties allow travelers to be environmentally conscious, while enjoying incredibly unique and beautiful places to stay.

1.   Eco-Adventure: Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins, Belize – Travelers' Choice  Winner 2009: Best Bargain, Best Hidden Gem, Best for Romance – Average Nightly Rate: $245

2.  Terra Firma: Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Teton Village, Wyoming – Average Nightly Rate: $371

3.     Organic Accommodations: La Cusinga Eco Lodge, Uvita, Costa Rica – Travelers' Choice Winner 2009: Best Hidden Gem – Average Nightly Rate: $166

4      Tree House: Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua – Travelers' Choice Winner 2009: Best for Romance, Best Luxury – Average Nightly Rate: $257

5.    Preservation Place: The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica, California – Average Nightly Rate: $242

6.     Nature Nook: Hix Island House, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico – Average Nightly Rate: $200

7.  Wildlife by the Water: Alaska's Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge, Homer, Alaska – Average Nightly Rate: $300

8.     Conservation with Coffee: Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn, Santa Barbara, Costa Rica – Average Nightly Rate: $370

9.    Sustainability Under the Stars: Concordia Eco-Tents, Virgin Islands National Park, St. John – Average Nightly Rate: $130

10.  Paint the Town Green: Hotel Monaco Seattle – a Kimpton Hotel, Seattle, Washington – Average Nightly Rate: $344

Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Hotel Offers Springtime Suites for Family Travel

Guests of all ages will enjoy in this celebration of all things spring, and what better way to welcome a fresh new season, than with a weekend getaway at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village, complete with spacious Orlando family hotel suites.

Awarded with the 2009 Trip Advisor's Travelers Choice Award as one of the Top 10 Family Hotels in the United States, this Walt Disney World Good Neighbor(R) Hotel is both playful and accommodating to families of all sizes.

The San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf Hotel Completes Multi-Million Dollar Makeover

The San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf hotel has completed a multi-phased renovation, in which all 285 deluxe guest rooms and suites received a complete makeover including the new Marriott Revive bedding package. In celebration, the hotel is offering a special weekend package so visitors can enjoy an reasonably priced "staycation" getaway.

"The completion of the renovation has come at a great time for guests as Fisherman's Wharf is ranked as one of the most visited destinations in the country," said General Manager Cindy Ricketts. "We are just steps away to many iconic sights in San Francisco including the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square.”

The $109 Staycation Package: Reserve by April 5th for Friday-Sunday stays between March 31 - May 31, 2009 and receive*

• Deluxe guest room, per night
  
• Pier 39 Fun Book -- full of coupons to a variety of shops and attractions
  
• Late Sunday check-out (3:00 pm) with Saturday night stays

Via:PRNewswire

Crystal Cruises 'All Inclusive - As You Wish' Europe Promotion

What a great way to leave winter behind and start planing for a European Cruise. Together with its Celebration Fares, Crystal Cruises is announcing its most dramatic promotion for Europe 2009: a $2,000 per couple - or $1,000 per person - shipboard spending credit for discerning travelers who want to design their own vacation experience.

"All Inclusive - As You Wish" can be used toward:

• Any Crystal Adventure shore excursion

• Any spa treatment

• Any wine

• Any cocktail,

• Any boutique purchase

• Any gratuities

• Any Vintage Room experience

• And anything else on board except Casino gaming

Applicable with:

• Every Mediterranean cruise aboard

  Crystal Serenity July-November

• All 11-day Baltic and British Isles cruises aboard Crystal Symphony

  June 19-August 23 and

• Crystal Symphony's Northern Europe London-New York Transatlantic cruise.

Guests on Crystal's seven-day Baltic cruise departing August 5 will enjoy a $1,000 per couple, or $500 per person, spending credit. In all, there are 17 Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises eligible for the "All Inclusive - As You Wish" promotion.

2009 The Year Of The Cruise Deal

Is 2009 the year of the cruise deal? Ask CruiseCritic.com Editor In Chief Carolyn Spencer Brown, and you will get a loud "yes." "2009 is certainly the year of the cruise deal, as cruise lines look to fill up vacancies through extraordinary incentives, price cuts, and last-minute deals," says Spencer Brown.

Cruise Critic, the leading consumer cruise travel Web site, has take action to meet travelers' needs by launching a new Cruise Deals section that lists last-minute cruise deals and cruises under $75 per night.

Think Spring With MSC Cruises Caribbean Sailing

Being right in the middle of winter this is a good time this would be the right time to start planning your spring vacation with MSC Cruises.

With outstanding values, a 7-night cruise on the MSC Orchestra or 10-night sailing on  Fort Lauderdale MSC Lirica from to the sunny islands of the Caribbean offers a perfect way to say good-bye to winter and celebrate the arrival of spring.

Here's a sampling of the special opportunities MSC Cruises is offering this spring:

A family cruise to make this year's "spring break" special without breaking the bank. MSC Cruises makes it easy to take the entire family on a Caribbean vacation with its "Kids Sail Free" offer. Kids ages 17 and under always sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults (government taxes and fees are additional, per person).

As spring training gets underway, sail with the Major League Baseball heroes of your youth on two special "Baseball Greats" theme cruises: Guests on the Mar ch 28 and April 11 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings of MSC Orchestra, will meet and spend quality time with some of the greats of "America's Pasttime" who will be onboard to share their memories and offer tips for budding ballplayers. One of the highlights of the cruise is the free autograph session.

Special values for Boomers and Seniors: Boomer/Senior Saver prices on all 2008-09 Caribbeansailings of MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra begin at just $499 per person, double occupancy (cruise only, not including government fees and taxes) on 7-night itineraries and $699 per person, double occupancy on 10-night itineraries -- savings of up to 50 percent from regular prices. At least one guest in the stateroom must be 50 years of age on the departure date.

A great value for multi-generational family vacations and reunions. When you combine the Boomer/Senior Saver rates with "Kids Sail Free," an MSC Cruises' Caribbean sailing is a fantastic value and a memorable experience ideal for multi-generational family vacations and reunions.

 

Southwest Airlines And Teleflora

Southwest Airlines has the deal for you. The airline has announced that the carrier's award-winning frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards, has added Teleflora, the world's leading floral wire service, as a new Preferred Partner. The Teleflora-Southwest alliance will allow Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards' Members to earn one-half of a credit on each order that costs between $34.95 - $99.99, and one full credit on each flower order that costs $100 or more. Rapid Rewards Members will be directed to make floral purchases with Teleflora, or they can call the dedicated phone line.

"With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you can have your flower arrangement delivered to your home while you get credit for traveling! It's like having a bonus every time you buy a gift," said Ryan Green, Southwest Airlines' Director of Customer Loyalty. "We saw a great opportunity for our customers in this alliance, and teaming with Teleflora will bring an added value to our Rapid Rewards program."

St. Pete/Clearwater Offers Sun, Sand, and Super Hotel Deals

If you are a football fan it's not too late to take advantage of amazing deals on Gulf-front accommodations on the sun-soaked beaches of St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater announced today that available lodging includes Gulf-front rooms on America's Best Beaches starting as low as $249, and water-view condo vacation rentals starting as low as $150. These travel deals and many others can be found on the bureau's Super Bowl mini site.

Cheapcaribbean.com Special Offers

Cheapcaribbean.com has some travel deals to Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa at Riviera Maya that offers couples and couples with children an extra measure of romance and sensuality in exquisite luxury settings. Immerse yourself in Unlimited-Luxury where everything is included: Elegantly appointed rooms and suites with 24-hour concierge and room services, multiple gourmet restaurants and lounges serving premium beverages, endless day and evening activities, all in spectacular settings.

Available Vacation Packages with Air:

• From $174 per person per night All Inclusive!
• Travel: January 31 - April 11
• Book by: January 31
• $200 Resort Credit
• Garden, Marina & Family Garden (sleeps 6) All at Same Price

Ski And Stay In Stowe Vermont For Under $100 Per Person

It's worth taking a mental-health day to Ski & Stay in Stowe, Vermont for under $100 per person. Stay midweek during January 4-8; January 11-15; January 25-29; February 1-5; February 8-12, and receive a FREE Stowe Points Card  for each person in the party.

The Stowe Points Card offers a $59 adult lift ticket each time you ski at Stowe Mountain Resort, Sunday through Friday, non holiday. Plus, it gathers points for purchases made on lift tickets, food and merchandise at the resort, throughout the entire season. And it's easy to earn points toward a FREE UNRESTRICTED LIFT TICKET. For added value the card remains valid throughout the year, accumulating points during the summer and fall as well as winter.