Try whitewater rafting in North Carolina. Credit: chrishusein.
By Derek Brown
Mosquitoes and humidity come to mind when I recall summer camp, but I didn’t have the fortune of growing up in Asheville, N.C. Tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, this Western North Carolina town is active and only a short drive to adventure and full of history. When the mercury rises, the chilly mountain waters and outdoor adventures are natural magnets for explorers like me. (more…)
Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
By Derek Brown
Stomach turning, scream inducing and heart racing roller coaster rides are as much of a summer tradition as barbecues and beaches. Every year there’s a race to build faster, more exhilarating and technologically-advanced rides. From coast to coast, 2011 is no exception. (more…)
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
By Derek Brown
Bald Head Island, NC is an escape to tranquility and ocean breezes. There are no cars just golf carts and bikes. The island is at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and is steeped in naval history, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War and sunken ships. Golf, tennis and beach walks are popular activities. The more active set will enjoy fishing, stand up paddling (SUP) and even kite surfing. In addition, it is a favorite destination for sea turtles to lay eggs.
Bald Head Island is accessible by a ferry from Southport, N.C., a short drive from Wilmington.
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Derek Brown, a member of the Orbitz editorial team, just returned from vacation in Bald Head Island, N.C. He’s off to New York City this weekend.
Fourth of July fireworks over Washington, D.C. Credit: JoshuaDavisPhotography.
By Derek Brown
Celebrate America the Beautiful this Fourth of July in our nation’s capital. Wrapped in bunting, flags whipping in the wind and fireworks in the summer sky make it one of the most patriotic, colorful and popular times of the year to visit Washington, D.C. (more…)
By Derek Brown
Airplane ticket costs shouldn’t stymie your summer vacation plans. Even with increasing gas prices, you can still score plenty of cheap tickets for less than $200.
These sizzling summer fares stretch from sea to shining sea and each city in between: (more…)
By David De Lalio
ArrowHead Golf Course, Colorado. Credit: Richard Saxon
Like many people who live in Colorado, I came here with a plan to spend a year “checking it out.” Nine years later and I’ve met my wife, had 3 children, bought a home — all but cementing that I’m here to stay. What’s kept me here all these years? It’s definitely got something to do with Colorado’s extraordinary outdoor activities, and I’m not just talking about our world-class skiing: From its mountains to its rivers, Colorado summers are quite amazing, too, with beautiful dry weather and outdoor activities galore. If you’re looking for a cheap and active summer vacation, Colorado has it all — and for a lot less.
When are cheap hotels even cheaper? When you book them during a less-than-popular travel time. And now CheapTickets reveals these travel deals just in time for your summer vacation.
The CheapTickets 2008 Summer Off-season Travel Report highlights destinations in Florida, the Southwest and The Bahamas with savings of up to 56 percent (based on hotel bookings for May 30 – August 15, compared to average monthly rates).
Grand Bahama Island, with its white sand beaches and tropical vibe, is a great travel deal in the summer. One of the Grand Bahama hotels where you can save is the Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort. CheapTickets found rates of $90 a night for August 4-7.
Phoenix, Arizona, known for its golf courses, spas and stunning scenery, can be a cheap vacation destination in the summer. The Carefree Resort and Villas is one of the Phoenix hotels with low summer rates. CheapTickets found rates of $67 a night when you travel July 14-17.
For a cheap Florida vacation this summer, Fort Lauderdale may be a good pick. This sunny city has golf, nightlife and miles of beaches, and hotel savings averaging 34 percent in the off season. One of the Fort Lauderdale hotels with low summer rates is the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club, where CheapTickets found rates of $99 a night for July 23-26.
CheapTickets resources:
The bargain-hunter's resource for the most noteworthy CheapTickets travel deals, including hand-picked hotel offers, new sales, last-minute discounts and money-saving travel tips.
