A trip to the beach is a summer vacation staple. Whether it's a quick weekend getaway or a longer vacation, cheap beach travel deals can definitely help you unwind. Here are a few cheap vacation options for East Coast beaches:
Newport, RI: Right on the water and walking distance to restaurants and shopping, the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina puts you in the center of it all. The hotel features a heated indoor pool, sauna and sundeck overlooking the harbor. Travel by September 7 and receive a $25 food and beverage credit plus 10% off one-night stays, 20% off two-night stays or 30% off three-night stays.
Ocean City, MD: Just a block from the beach and centrally located to all of Ocean City's best attractions, the Sea Bay Hotel could be your home base for a cheap vacation at the beach. Rooms at the Sea Bay have microwaves, refrigerators and private balconies. Save 30% on stays through September 30.
Virginia Beach, VA: The Best Western Oceanfront Virginia Beach has indoor and outdoor pools, an oceanfront fitness center, ice cream shop and on-site restaurant. Through June 30, save 15% on a one-night stay, or 20% on stays of two nights or more.
This week’s travel deals feature cheap Arizona hotels. From golfing to lounging by the pool, a cheap Arizona hotel puts you close to the action.
For an outstanding cheap Arizona hotel deal, check out the Scottsdale Resort and Athletic Club & Spa. It's offering up to 50% off your hotel reservation for stays through June 1, plus 30% off spa services. This resort, which has earned a 4 out of 5 satisfaction rating from CheapTickets guests, features tennis courts, tai chi classes, Pilates, discounts on surrounding golf courses, and personal training to bring your golf game up to par.
In Tucson, the Viscount Suite Hotel is offering 25% off a one-night stay through Oct. 1. Newly renovated and business friendly, this cheap Arizona hotel is great for a traveler on a budget.
This week's Deal of the Day is for travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sometimes called the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is known for it's tree-lined boulevards, elegant architecture, and, of course, the tango.
For a cheap vacation in Buenos Aires, stay at the three-star Tribeca Buenos Aires Apart. You'll get a third night free when you pay for two for stays through February 28.
What makes the Tribeca Buenos Aires Apart a good home base for your cheap vacation? To start, the hotel offers free breakfast, free Internet and a free gym. It also has an outdoor jacuzzi and solarium, and is close to major tourist attractions.
Travel to Buenos Aires can be cheap with this special offer on the Tribeca Buenos Aires Apart hotel.
With most of the nation feeling winter’s chill, you may be especially motivated to travel someplace warm. Cheap tickets on Midwest Airlines can help you find some sun. Right now, Midwest Airlines has a sale on airline tickets to Las Vegas, Phoenix and sunny Florida cities. Check out these sample round-trip airfares:
Pittsburgh to Phoenix: $265
Columbus, OH to Las Vegas: $245
Grand Rapids, MI to Fort Myers: $225
Des Moines to Tampa: $225
Madison to Orlando: $225
Midwest Airlines’ sale on airline ticketslasts until January 3 and is good for travel from January 5 through February 11, 2009. Book one of these cheap flights and start your new year in the sun.
Even if you’re on a budget, you can make travel plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. CheapTickets has unveiled the top five cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations and nearby destination alternatives for cheap New Year’s Eve hotels.
From big cities to the beach, you can join the party and save big on your travel budget by staying just a little bit further from the action. The top New Year’s Eve destinations and cheap hotel alternatives are based on hotel bookings on CheapTickets for arrivals December 27-31, 2008. Check out the average daily rates for the big cities versus the alternatives.
TOP NEW YEAR’S EVE DESTINATIONS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR CHEAP HOTELS
Las Vegas Strip $154.50 / Las Vegas off-Strip $137.42
New York City $256.53 / Newark, NJ $80.95
Orlando, FL $93.43 / Kissimmee $75.32
Cancun, Mexico $289.74 / Cozumel $165.71
Miami Beach $197.22 / Ft. Lauderdale $91.81
LAS VEGAS STRIP/OFF-STRIP: If you’re planning to ring in 2009 in Las Vegas, booking one of the Las Vegas hotelsoff the Strip can save you up to 11 percent. Just take a quick cab ride downtown to partake in the New Year’s fireworks and live music on the Strip and at the Fremont Experience.
NEW YORK CITY/NEWARK: Newark is just a short train ride from Times Square, so you can take the train to see the ball drop and save an average of 68 percent on your hotel room.
MIAMI/FT. LAUDERDALE: Miami’s New Year’s Eve celebration is better than ever with Bayfront
Park’s free fireworks show, the annual Big Orange Festival — which
drops a 35-foot orange ball to a laser show and fireworks. Stay in one of the Fort Lauderdale hotels just 30 minutes away and celebrate average hotel savings of 53 percent.
Tired of the same old weekend routine? Spice things up with cheap vacations from CheapTickets. With dozens of cheap vacation packages under $500, you are sure to find travel deals to fit your needs. Hit the beach, ski the slopes or win big at the slots when you take advantage of cheap vacation packages under $500. Here are some exciting ideas for your next cheap weekend getaway:
New Orleans: Take it easy in the Big Easy, when you take a cheap weekend getaway to one of the most charming cities on the Gulf Coast. Cheap flights and cheap hotels let you experience Southern hospitality for less than $500. During your stay in New Orleans you can sample fabulous food, cruise the Mississippi River or explore the French Quarter.
Denver: Take a cheap weekend trip to Denver and hit the slopes for less. Some of the best Colorado ski resorts are less than 75 miles from Denver, making it easy to hit the slopes during the day and get back just in time to enjoy the bustling nightlife. With two-night vacation packages under $500, you will have plenty of cash left over for lift tickets, ski rentals, and the ever-important cup of hot chocolate!
Washington, D.C.: Experience history with a cheap vacation to Washington, D.C. From tours of the White House to free admission to the Smithsonian museums, you are guaranteed to have an exciting weekend in our nation’s capital.
Las Vegas: Even if you don’t win big at the table, you’re still a winner with vacation packages under $500 from CheapTickets! Whether you enjoy lounging at one of the many fabulous see-and-be-seen Las Vegas pools, or sipping Champagne at the high-rollers table, CheapTickets will get you there for less and leave you with plenty of money left to gamble.
CheapTickets knows how to make your money count. This winter add a little spice to your life with a cheap vacation. From the slots to the slopes, cheap travel has never been more fun or affordable.
Kate Schwartz is a marketing coordinator for CheapTickets. When she’s not searching for the best travel deals, she’s out taking advantage of them! From hiking the Rockies to lounging on the beaches of Barcelona, Kate is always looking for adventure.
The key to cheap travel is knowing the best time to find cheap flights and cheap hotels. So we created the CheapTickets2009 Value Travel Forecast, a month-by-month guide of top destinations that offer the most savings for travelers.
To help identify the best budget-friendly travel opportunities for next year, we analyzed hotels booked on CheapTickets from December 2007 to November 2008 and calculated the percentage of savings compared to peak rates.
Here are the winners (and honorable mentions) for 2009:
JANUARY: 37% savings in New York In addition to a 37 percent savings on New York hotels compared to peak rates, retailers are buzzing with post-holiday sales, and big-city attractions are easily accessible now that the holiday crowds have come and gone. Visitors can also take advantage of New York City’s Restaurant Week in January, giving them access to some of the city’s best restaurants for a fraction of the price.
FEBRUARY: 42% savings in Italy In February, Italy is just starting to come out of its winter cloak, and budget travelers will appreciate the lower airfare and savings of up to 42 percent on Italy hotels when compared to the high season. February visitors can experience one of Italy’s most famous festivals, Carnevale.
Other February cheap vacation destinations: France and Colorado Springs, CO MARCH: 53% savings in Portland, ME This historic, seacoast town is filled with galleries, one-of-kind boutiques and incredible restaurants serving everything from creamy clam chowder and lobster rolls to nouvelle New England cuisine.
Other March cheap vacation destinations: Reno, NV and Canada
APRIL: 58% savings in Brazil In April, the summer surge of tourists in Brazil is complete, which means fewer crowds, but the same great tropical weather.
MAY: 38% savings in Lake Tahoe For those who love the outdoors, Lake Tahoe is the ideal destination in May. The lake is popular for water sports and beach activities, and with 38 percent savings on Lake Tahoe hotels compared to peak winter rates, going during the off-season means affording activities like a guided cruise or dining at the many lake front restaurants.
JUNE: 38% savings in Egypt With 38 percent savings compared to peak rates, June visitors can relax on the wondrous Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo or even leisurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a river boat.
Travel to Hawaii doesn’t have to be just a dream this winter. CheapTickets and Northwest Airlines have teamed up to offer cheap flights to Hawaii.
Travel from Los Angeles to Kona on the Big Island from $405 round trip. Some of the most popular Big Island hotels, including the Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Royal Kona Resort, are just a short drive from the airport along the Kona coast. A cheap car rental is a must during your stay: The Big Island has 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones, and you’ll want to see them all. Another must-do is a visit to one of the world’s most active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Admission is just $10 per car, and it’s good for seven days.
Cheap flights from Seattle to Honolulu start at just $331 roundtrip. You may want to stay at one of the Honolulu hotels along the famous Waikiki Beach. There are plenty of interesting, and cheap ways to enjoy the island of Oahu. A visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor is free, and you can hike (or drive) to the top of Diamond Head Crater for just $1 per person or $5 per car.
Travel from Salt Lake City to Maui from $585 roundtrip and stay at one of the popular Maui hotels along Kaanapali Beach or the Wailea coast. Maui is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and, from November through April, some 3,000 humpback whales. For an unforgettable drive, book a cheap car rental and head to Hana. This is one of those instances (maybe the only one) where your travel really is about the journey, not the destination. While Hana itself doesn’t have much to see, the drive there is famous for its hairpin curves, dramatic coastal views and spectacular waterfalls.
These cheap flights to Hawaii are on sale only through December 16, and tickets are good for travel through February 8, 2009, so book soon, and say Aloha to a Hawaii vacation.
This week’s CheapTickets Deal of the Day is for travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a great beach vacation destination voted "Best Family Beach" by the Travel Channel.
Guests can walk to fine restaurants including P.F. Chang’s and Tommy Bahama, and upscale shops like Anthropologie and Williams Sonoma are just steps away. In addition, Market Common Suites is minutes from the beach and attractions including the Hard Rock Theme Park. And with kitchens, living areas and separate bedrooms, Market Common Suites by ResortQuest is great for families or anyone who wants more room to relax.
Even with cheap flights and cheap hotels, your wallet could probably use a break this time of year. So here’s our second roundup of free holiday events to help you celebrate the season on the cheap.
BOSTON — From strolling with historic characters to performances of the Nutcracker, Boston has lots of events to celebrate the season. We’ve listed a few of the free ones below. You can see all the events online.
Sparklefest Holiday Parade: Santa and others parade from the Inn at Harvard down Massachusetts Avenue. Sunday, December 21, 12-1 p.m.
Skating rink at the Charles Hotel: Free skating and skate rentals during the grand opening Sunday, December 7, 12-8 p.m.
Tree lighting ceremony: Local and national performers and carolers join Santa for holiday entertainment and the lighting of Boston’s official non-denominational holiday shrub. December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Boston Common.
PHILADELPHIA– Light displays, children’s programs and events celebrating Chanukah and Kwanzaa are part of Philly’s holiday celebration. Learn more.
Holiday Light Show: 100,000 LED lights illuminate to create holiday images, accompanied by music from the Wanamaker Grand Organ. November 28-January 1 at Macy’s Center City.
Sharing the Heritage Holiday and Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration: If you bring an unwrapped gift to donate, you’ll get free admission to this event featuring discussions, films and performances about Kwanzaa. The African American Museum in Philadelphia. December 20
Holiday Railroad: More than a dozen model trains traverse snow-covered mountains and wind through miniature towns at this display at Reading Terminal Market. November 28-December 31.
DENVER– The Mile-High City has plenty of holiday happenings. See them all online.
City & County Building Holiday Lights: 600,000 lights illuminate the building and the bell tower plays carols. Nightly November 23 - January at 6 p.m.
Parade of Lights: Eight marching bands, giant balloons and brightly lit holiday floats wind through downtown Denver. December 5 at 8 p.m. and December 6 at 6 p.m.
Denver Christkindl Market: Vendors from Germany and throughout Europe offer traditional handcrafted items and food. At 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street through December 23. Note: It’s free to enter the market and browse, but if you want to shop, bring your wallet.
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.
A trip to the beach is a summer vacation staple. Whether it's a quick weekend getaway or a longer vacation, cheap beach travel deals can definitely help you unwind. Here are a few cheap vacation options for East Coast beaches:
