Easy Luxury Vacations

posted by Joyce on Apr 29

The Hawaiian island of Maui is a wonderful place for a family vacation. If you are considering a vacation this summer, be sure to take a look at what the Westin Maui Resort has to offer.

These are just a few features of this luxurious hotel.

Supervised programs for children. Your children will have plenty to keep them from being bored at this place. At this hotel they offer supervised programs for children; so you’ll never have to wonder where your children are spending their time. They have a large aquatic playground which includes five pools, grottos, waterfalls, spa tubs, and a water slide.

Your choice of amenities. Sitting atop a beach with white sand, the resort includes a full health spa, tropical gardens, a sauna, no smoking rooms with air-conditioning, arcade and gaming room, coffee shop, hair salon, fitness equipment, and much more.

Well-equipped rooms. The rooms include a refrigerator, coffee maker, robes, irons and ironing boards, cribs, trundle beds, with child care as an added bonus, along with a beautiful island theme.

A myriad of activities for the whole family. Miniature golf, golfing, snorkeling, whale watching, horseback riding, hiking, bicycle rentals, helicopter sightseeing, and a nearby playground provide plenty of activities for you and your family.

A variety of restaurants that will appeal to everyone. One of them commands a magnificent view of Kaanapali Beach and is an outdoor dining atmosphere which boasts fresh island seafood as well as grilled entrees.

Excellent fish, salads, breakfast buffets, and tapas can all be found at the poolside bar and grill. Enjoy a table that overlooks the beautiful ponds & waterfalls while dining on our lighter fare. Regardless of the time of day, the view & food are something to behold.

Near the beach and pool area, you will find a food stand, where snacks and cold drinks are readily available.

There’s something for everyone at the Westin Maui. Children under the age of 12 eat free at most restaurants.

A Kids Club is available at the Westin too, where kids ages 5 to 12 can participate in cultural activities.

But the Westin Maui isn’t the only family resort on the beautiful island of Maui. You will find other hotels are now offering family vacation resorts that offers countless activities and clubs for everyone in your family to enjoy.

Book today and receive $50 for free gas!

posted by Joyce on Jul 7

The two key factors that can have a huge impact on the cost of your vacation are the destination and the time of year. In fact, the single biggest saver is likely to be when you travel, not how successfully you manage to haggle for that last minute hotel bargain!

Don’t overlook the importance of considering these two factors together. Some destinations will be extremely cheap at one time of year yet finding a bargain four months later may be impossible. Traveling to a popular destination at a peak time will never be cheap. For example staying at a luxury hotel in a party city on New Year’s Eve is not likely to be a budget holiday; however, traveling to a traditional summer resort over New Year’s may be a very different story.

One thing that is very important to realize is that low seasons are low for a reason. A classic example of this is hurricane season in the Caribbean and Florida. Other low seasons to be wary of are the extremely hot areas such as Egypt during the summer months, when the heat can be so oppressive that it makes the holiday less enjoyable. Summer resorts are often so quiet during low season that there is quite literally nowhere open. This can be great for a retreat, but when it comes to a raging nightlife you may be sadly disappointed!

Shoulder Season

Shoulder season is the perfect time to be trying to travel for those who want to find a happy medium between low and peak seasons. Identifying locations that are in shoulder season when you want to travel or when your favorite destination is in shoulder season can save you literally hundreds of dollars.

Take a look at the guide books. Whilst they will not tell you when the shoulder season is, they will tell you when peak and low seasons are. The time in between, is, by definition, the shoulder season.

With almost every resort there is a period where the prices become low, not because the location is now poor but because all of the hotels and flights are still servicing the area but the demand is simply not there. Examples of shoulder seasons are Europe in the fall and the Caribbean during late spring.

Winter

Winter is an interesting time of year to travel. Before Christmas, most individuals are trying to make last minute shopping trips. After Christmas, people are dealing with their credit card bills. As such, holidays on far off beaches are often incredibly cheap during the winter period.

A wonderful destination for the winter months is Asia. Flights are losing popularity, however, availability is still good, meaning that there are plenty of discounts on offer. Weather is variable in Asia during the winter which could mean that you are surrounded by snow one minute and then basking in glorious sunshine. This lack of dependability is something that puts a lot of visitors off and can mean that there are some excellent bargains for those prepared to take the risk!

Spring

If you are looking to travel to Europe, this is the time to do it! Flights are a lot cheaper during the spring months when temperatures are still relatively low.

Mexican beaches and the Caribbean islands start to see their prices drop from mid April as the weather becomes hotter. However, during the spring months, the water and air temperatures are still pleasant and the resorts less crowded.

During later spring, for example May, the traditionally hot and dry countries are not in their peak seasons but have not yet become intolerably hot. So if you want to visit Morocco, Jordan or Egypt, plan a spring vacation.

You should also check out delightful destinations close to home that offer lots of fun and excitement.

Summer

Finding a bargain in summer is tricky. Americans, Japanese and Europeans are all on the move and this is also the time of year that most weddings take place, so honeymoon destinations are in a great deal of demand.

During the early part of summer, through June and July, Caribbean destinations are still good to get a deal, provided you try to book before the Europeans start to flood in during their school holidays at the end of July.

Flights and hotels are still quite reasonable in Southeast Asia during the summer months, but temperatures can be quite hot, so if you can’t stand the heat, avoid this destination during the summer months.

Fall

This is the time to head to Europe. Flights to most major European destinations will be cheaper from October onwards, mainly because the schools are no longer on holiday and families are not traveling as much. Temperatures are normally perfectly pleasant until mid November, so grab yourself a fall bargain in Europe.

posted by Joyce on Jul 4

Just want to wish my American friends and family a very happy, relaxing 4th of July weekend! Be safe and be blessed.

posted by Joyce on Jul 1

Just want to wish all my fellow Canadians a very happy Canada Day! We live in a great country.

I’m off to Grand Lake, New Brunswick, for a day of fun in the sun & water with family.

posted by Joyce on Jun 30

4th of July is around the corner!! Hotels.com is offering great deals in so many places, you will be sure to find top destinations and cheap hotels within a short distance from wherever you are!

Discover the deal near you by checking out the destinations below:

* Book by 7/4/08 for travel from 7/3/08 to 7/7/08.

Albuquerque
Celebrate the 4th of July and Save up to 30% in Albuquerque!

Anaheim
Celebrate the 4th of July in Anaheim!

Atlanta
Save up to 30% in Atlanta!

Austin
4th of July Sale! Save up to 30% in Austin!

Cancun
Celebrate the 4th of July in Cancun!

Dallas
Celebrate the 4th of July with savings of up to 30% in Dallas!

Destin
Celebrate the 4th of July in Destin!

Florida Keys
Celebrate the 4th of July and Save up to 30% in the Florida Keys!

Fort Worth
4th of July Sale! Save up to 30% in Fort Worth!

Big Island
Celebrate the 4th of July on Big Island!

Jackson Hole
Save up to 30% in Jackson Hole!

Kansas City
Celebrate the 4th of July and Save up to 30% in Kansas City!

Las Vegas
Find cheap 4th of July hotels in Las Vegas!

Monterey
Save on hotels in Monterey the 4th of July weekend!

New York
Celebrate the 4th of July and Save up to 30% in New York!

Park City
Celebrate the 4th of July and Save up to 30% in Park City!

Washington DC
Celebrate the 4th of July Save in Washington DC!

Williamsburg
Save up to 30% on hotel accommodations in Williamsburg the 4th of July weekend!

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posted by Joyce on Jun 23

A luxury cruise is the vacation you can only dream of. Right? Wrong!! With a little careful planning and saving, your dream cruise can become the vacation of your dreams.

While dramatic drops in cost have made cruising an affordable vacation alternative for almost everyone, “all-inclusive cruises” don’t necessarily mean “ALL inclusive.” Extra charges for on-board items or activities or shore trips can put what sounded affordable out of reach. Does that mean your dream cruise is only a dream again?

What if you could just cut down on all the extra on-board and on-shore costs, above and beyond the actual cruise fare? You could not only take that cruise, you could take a cruise more often. Sounds great! So what’s the catch?

No catch. It’s the KEY– knowing where to save money WITHOUT sacrificing fun or rest and relaxation.

So where do you find this key? There are hundreds of money-saving tips out there from family, friends, the internet, or your local travel agent. But what are the best tips? And how do you remember them all?

You don’t have to. Luxury Cruising: How to Save Money without Sacrificing Fun has taken the best tips and put them all right here in one convenient place! Armed with these tips, almost anyone can take a cruise vacation that’s everything you’ve dreamed. Enjoy The Bahamas, Hawaii, Mexico, and even Alaska aboard luxury cruise ships with all the amenities of a resort on land.

You deserve to enjoy your dream cruise and all that comes with it, and you CAN do it within your budget, without breaking the bank! What could be better than that?

With this book, you are already on your way to planning your cruise and making that dream cruise the cruise of your dreams!

posted by Joyce on Jun 21

If you want to get away from the hectic city life, or just need a vacation, you should head to a beach resort that lavishes you with fine dining, shopping, and much needed relaxation for you and your whole family. When looking for a great place to stay, try East Hampton, New York!

East Hampton has some of the best pools, beaches and accommodations, and is located only 90 miles from Manhattan. The minute you exit the city, you’re headed to Long Island’s aesthetically stunning South Fork, East Hampton House Resort. Well known for it’s glorious beaches, you may partake in numerous outdoor activities including sailing, surfing, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, strolling paths, vineyards, and children’s activities, or just kicking back and taking in the soothing sounds of the sea.

At the East Hampton House you will find luxurious accommodations. Each unit boasts a private sun deck or patio from which there is a magnificent view of lovingly manicured trees and gardens. Each is completely air-conditioned and offers color cable television and housekeeping services every day. A workout room, a warm swimming pool, and two tennis courts are also available.

When making a reservation for one of the luxury suites, you can request a room with a full kitchen and dining room, or just a kitchenette. Other features include a barbecue site, and a place for kids to play. Additionally, the pool features an area for children.

The resort is within minutes of Main Street, and also a “stone’s throw” from many eateries – including a Chinese restaurant, a barbeque restaurant, three delis, and an ice cream store.

Main Street provides the history and attractiveness of an old English village with unique stores, dining facilities, boutiques and antique shops. If you are looking for fun family friendly activities, then East Hampton is the place for you. Enjoy unique outdoor village fairs. live music and theatre in this idyllic setting.

East Hampton, even more so, is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, or even take advantage of all this small community has to offer you as a visitor. After driving along Montauk Point, visiting the Amagansett Shopping Mall or gazing at the Hook Mill Windmill; you can sit on tree-lined benches and sip cappuccino on Main Street or the family can indulge in their favorite flavor of ice cream, eaten out of the largest cone ever made.

The best thing about this village is that all of the amenities are very close to the East Hampton House.

posted by Joyce on Jun 14

The last few days I’ve read several blog posts about whether or not to take a vacation in hurricane-prone areas during hurricane season.

It’s certainly very wise to consider the season when planning your vacation destination, but today I’d just like us to consider what’s happening at home. You don’t have to be in the Caribbean to experience severe, destructive weather.

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I want to offer my sincere sympathy to the families of the boy scouts who were injured or lost their lives because of the tornado Wednesday night.

And to the thousands of others who have been injured or who have lost property as a result of the recent severe storms and flooding throughout the United States.

My prayers are with you.

posted by Joyce on May 27

Every day I read various blogs and travel sites. I often find news that can really benefit travelers and those planning vacations, and sometimes I post summaries and links to those stories as I come across them. This is one of those times.

This year with the cost of travel sky-rocketing, many families will be looking for a simple, refreshing vacation close to home. A beach vacation fits the bill.

But are you tired of the same beach and surroundings you go to every year? Check out Dr. Stephen Leatherman’s (aka Dr. Beach’s) Best Beaches in America list to get tips on the best beach vacation spots.

And if you find one that you really like, please come back here and tell us about it.