Romantic Travel News

82608: USVI Offering Fifth Night Free

If you can go ahead and make your winter travel plans now, here's a good deal that translates into some excellent savings. The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is offering a Winter Escape for travel booked between September 1 and October 31, 2008 for travel between January 1 and March 31, 2009. The promotion features a complimentary fifth night based on a five-night minimum stay at participating hotels, plus $300 in travelers checks, and a coupon book with savings on activities and attractions.

Participating hotels include:

St. Croix:

The Palms at Pelican Cove, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Divi Carina Bay Resort, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Sand Castle on the Beach, The Buccaneer, Best Western Holger Danske, Club St. Croix (Antilles Resorts), Colony Cove (Antilles Resorts), King Christian Hotel and Hotel Caravelle

St. Thomas:

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Best Western Carib Beach, Best Western Emerald Beach, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Windward Passage, Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort (Antilles Resorts), Point Pleasant (Antilles Resorts), Sapphire Village (Antilles Resorts) and the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa

St. John:

Estate Concordia Campground

The Fine Print: The Winter Escape promotion applies to new bookings only. Reservations can be made through a number of tour operators, including American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Book It.Com, Cheap Caribbean, Delta Vacations, Expedia/Hotels.com, Funjet Vacations, Liberty Travel, Island Resort Tours, Orbitz, Pleasant Holidays, Spirit Vacations, TNT Vacations, Travelocity, United Vacations, and US Airways Vacations.

US Citizens: You do not need a passport to travel to the USVI from the US.

For more information:
• visit www.usvitourism.vi

Labels: Caribbean

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 1:08 PM

82508: Make Plans for Poconos Leaf Peeping

Although it's still several weeks away, it's time to make plans now for autumn's leaf peeping season. We've just received word from the Poconos Mountains Visitors Bureau that they'll again be offering their annual Fall Foliage Hotline; the region will also have numerous value-added packages and lots of fall festivals.

The 24-hour Fall Foliage Hotline (570-421-5565) is also available online at www.800poconos.com to learn exactly when and where to catch peak foliage colors. The reports will include the percentage of full color, the estimated time leaves will be at their peak, the percentage of leaves on the trees and a description of native tree species at their peak.

Of special interest to romantic travelers, is the Fall Foliage Celebration Package, valid October 1-31, 2008 at Cove Haven Resort, Paradise Stream Resort and Pocono Palace Resort.
Caesars Pocono Resorts invites leaf-peepers to view the changing colors with a variety of activities at each property while enjoying suite accommodations, unlimited breakfast and dinner, intimate breakfast-in-bed and live entertainment every night. Mondays are “Nature Day” with designated nature walks; Tuesdays include free hayrides; Wednesdays guests can indulge in a free barbecue lunch; and Thursdays feature free horseback riding. Paradise Stream Resort will also host an on-property picnic for each couple including a picnic basket and blanket. Rates start at $230/night.

Labels: USA

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 5:06 PM

862008: Sandals Offers Air Credit Special Promotion

You and your sweetie have two chances to enjoy a fly free offer from Sandals Resorts. Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island in Jamaica is debuting both the Royal Honeymoon River Suites (debuting this week) and the Royal Honeymoon Swim-Up One-Bedroom Suites (debuting October 31) and launching both with a special offer.

The seven Royal Honeymoon Swim-up River Suites are located on the first floor with direct access to the resort’s lazy river. Five second-floor Royal Honeymoon Oceanview River Suites offer views of the Caribbean Sea and the lazy river below.

The Details: Lovers who book a minimum six-night stay in a Royal Honeymoon River Suite or Royal Honeymoon Swim-up One Bedroom River Suite by September 2, 2008 are entitled to:

• 30 percent off regular rack rates
• one night free
• an air credit of up to $350 per person

Prices: Rates start at $545 per person, per night.

What They Include: Both suite types feature the finest amenities, including four-poster mahogany beds, plasma TVs, and bathrooms complete with walk-in showers, whirlpools and hand-cut marble mosaic tile accents. And, as River Suite guests, additional privileges, such as personalized Butler service and 24-hour room service, are also included.

Photo courtesy Sandals Resorts

Labels: Caribbean

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 2:04 PM

7252008: Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts Offer Labor of Love Package

American couples: do you have Labor Day plans yet? To celebrate the end of summer, St. Maarten’s Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino is offering a Labor Day (or any four nights in September) promotion called the "Labor of Love" package. with a loved one in sunny St. Maarten, where the workload consists of catching rays, playing the slots, dining al fresco and soaking in the Caribbean Sea.

The Package: The Labor of Love package from Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino includes:

• One Full American Breakfast “in bed” from room service
• One bottle of sparkling wine per stay
• Strawberries dipped in chocolate
• Late check-out

Price: The package is priced at $150 per night based on double occupancy, plus 21% taxes and service charge.

Dates: Valid for travel September 1-30, 2008, with a four-night minimum stay.

Why They're Dreamy: Both the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino are great choices for couples; we've stayed at both and can highly recommend each resort. The difference? The smaller Sonesta Great Bay property is within walking distance to Philipsburg on a beautiful, one-mile stretch of beach. The larger Sonesta Maho is just minutes from the airport and is right in the heart of the best nightlife area on the island with a large casino and showroom plus lots of nearby shops and restaurants.

For More Information:
• call 1-800-223-0757
• visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten

Labels: Caribbean

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 10:43 AM

7242008: Fourth Night Free in Turks and Caicos

A reader once asked us what we thought the minimum time for a romantic getaway in the Caribbean should be. Three nights is a real minimum, in our opinion, but we always encourage travelers to stay four nights. Because of the travel day coming and going, it's great to have three full days on the island instead of just two (which is what you get with a three-night stay).

So we were happy to see a new promotion offered by the Turks and Caicos Islands. The “Our Coast is Clear” promotion for travel through Sept. 30, 2008 offers the fourth night free when guests book three nights with any of the Islands’ 15 participants which range from affordable hotels and comfortable guest houses to upscale villas and five star resorts. Also, many Turks & Caicos operators are boasting special discounts on amenities and activities from spa treatments to snorkeling trips.

Properties Offering 4th Night Free: Here's a rundown of the properties offering the fourth night free:

• The Alexandra Resort: rates begin at $200 per night.

• Aquamarine Beach Houses: offers accommodations for up to 36 people in three adjacent beach houses.

• Caribbean Paradise Inn; rates begin at $135 per night.

• Ocean Club Resorts: located on Grace Bay; rates begin at $179 per night.

• Coral Gardens on Grace Bay; rates begin at $199 per night.

• Neptune Villas: located in Chalk Sound on Providenciales; rates begin at $250 per night.

• Nikki Beach Resort Turks & Caicos Islands; rates at this new jet set property begin at $250 per night.

• Hollywood Beach Suites: located on North Caicos, rates begin at $253 per night.

• The Regent Grand; rates begin at $495 per night

• The Somerset on Grace Bay: a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, rates begin at $275 per night.

• Bohio Dive Resort: located on Grand Turk, rates begin at $299 per night.

• Turks & Caicos Club: located on Grace Bay, rates begin at $325 per night.

• Villa Renaissance: located on Grace Bay, rates begin at $325 per night.

• The Regent Palms: located on Grace Bay Beach, rates begin at $325 per night.

• Point Grace Resort: located at the point of Grace Bay Beach, rates begin at $383 per night.

More Discounts: Businesses are also getting involved with the “Our Coast is Clear” summer promotion. Operators including Anani Spa, Anacaona Restaurant, Blue Whale Excursions, Dive Provo, Dream Spa, Eagle Parasailing, Mirabella Salon & Spa, Oasis Divers, Ocean Vibes, Provo Golf & Country Club, Provo Turtle Divers, Sail Provo, Spa Sanay, Spa Tropique, and Teona Spa at The Regent Grand are offering activities at discounted rates such as special spa services and discounts on dive trips.

For more information:

• visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com/summer08/

Labels: Caribbean

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 10:45 AM

07222008: Mexico's Sandos Resorts offers Romance Package

Mexico's resorts are pretty romantic on their own but if you'd like to kick the romance factor up a notch, here's a new package we just received: the "Special Moments" package at Sandos Hotels and Resorts. The package is good for all four all-inclusive properties on Mexico's Riviera Maya in Royal Club, Deluxe and Junior Suite accommodations.

Price: The "Special Moments" package is priced at $120, which is added on to the cost of an all-inclusive stay in royal club, deluxe or junior suite accommodations. All-inclusive room rates start at $120 per person, per night, based on double occupancy in a deluxe room. The "Special Moments Package" must be added to the reservation at the time of booking via the hotel's website .

The Package: The package includes the following features:

• Welcome fruit basket and a bottle of wine
• Romantic lobster dinner on the beach (for one night)
• In-room romantic toast each evening
• Aromatherapy massage at the spa or on the beach (one per person)
• Framed photo of the couple
  

For More Information:
• visit www.SandosHotels.com
Photo courtesy Sandos Hotels & Resorts

Labels: Mexico

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 3:03 PM

7212008: Are You Planning Day Trips?

Are the two of you reevaluating your travel plans and considering day trips close to home these days? As the authors of two day trips books (Day Trips from Austin and Day Trips from San Antonio), we've long known the fun of day trips as an inexpensive and easy-to-schedule getaway. Recently we polled readers of our TexasTripper.com travel site about their upcoming travel plans and the results showed that travel is still on the horizon for most, although prices are keeping those plans a little closer to home.

Day Trip or Stay Home?

Fifty-eight percent of all travelers surveyed planned to cut back on this year’s travel plans. Many of those travelers planned to take a day trip within two hours of their home town. Although only 66 percent of those surveyed had taken a day trip this year, three out of four planned to take a day trip in the coming months.

How Travelers Plan to Save Money

Vacationing close to home was the top method travelers chose to save money, with 37 percent of those responding that travel near home would be this year’s strategy. Twenty-eight percent of readers planned to look for free attractions while 19 percent planned to search for online discounts. Eleven percent of TexasTripper.com readers planned to either dine in their hotel room or pack picnics as a money-saving strategy. Only seven percent of those surveyed said they were not keeping an eye on the travel budget this summer.

What Travelers Look for Online

When it comes to getting online, 45 percent of those surveyed planned to check the Web for discounts at attractions and hotels. Nineteen percent will use the internet to obtain driving directions to minimize driving distances while 15 percent plan to check on free admission days or discounts after certain hours. Thirteen percent are looking for information on free festivals and eight percent of travelers polled are looking for information on free parks.

Labels: USA

posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 3:47 PM