Lots of wonderful photos from the annual Winter Lights Festivals and other events around the world! We’re highlighting a few regional events below.

Virginia: 100 Miles of Lights. Virginia will host hundreds of dazzling winter displays, ranging from festivals and parades to tree lightings and fireworks shows, in honor of the holiday season. The 100 Miles of Lights will glow through seven Virginia cities, from the state’s capital of Richmond, to Virginia Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing brilliant light exhibits all along the way. Each city will host a plethora of events, including the Celebration in Lights festival in Newport News, or the Lighted Boat Parade in Yorktown. 100 Miles of Lights events take place between December 2009 and January 2010.

Utah: Salt Lake City’s Temple Square. Downtown Salt Lake is ablaze with more than a million holiday lights, and blue is clearly the dominant color this year. Besides the oodles of lights on Temple Square, there are more than 19 miles of new electric “Jazz” blue LED (light emitting diode) light strands along city streets, from The Gateway to Temple Square to Gallivan Plaza. The square’s famed cedar of Lebanon tree is being lighted again this year. This tree is on an every-other-year lighting schedule to preserve its health. It is also one of the first trees on the square to use LED lights, creating a “blinking, shimmering effect” as visitors walk past it.

Ohio: Arctic Ice Festival. The Sandusky Maritime Museum, Erie County Senior Center & Sandusky Sailing Club come together for this annual event. Bring your family for a fun and educational weekend of winter activities. Events include ice carving demonstrations, ice boat races, ice diving demonstration, guest speakers, Underground Railroad Trolley Tours and much more! Some events are weather-permitting.

Also in Ohio, the Ice-A-Fair to Remember takes place in Downtown Victory Park, Vermilion. With breathtaking professionally carved unique ice statues throughout downtown, ice carving demonstrations and contests, horse and carriage rides and more. Step into a shop or restaurant for some warm hospitality.

South Florida’s annual Edison Festival of Light events will take place January 30 – February 21, 2010. Centennial Park is transformed into a craft lovers dream with 100 exhibitors displaying their hand-crafts during the three-day Edison Festival event. Additionally, the event features a Bed Race, a 5K marathon, and the 53rd Annual Thomas Alva Edison Kiwanis Science and Engineering Fair and the Thomas A. Edison Inventors Fair, showcasing over 800 student finalists from elementary, middle and high schools in the surrounding four counties.

If you’re down in Texas, you don’t want to miss the Holiday Lights Festivals Texas Guide to all the events and sights scattered around the Lone Star State.

Other Winter Festivals include Ottawa Winterlude Family Getaway which takes place over the first three weekends of February each year (February 5-21, 2010) in Ottawa. This free and family-friendly winter festival offers programming throughout three main festival sites including the Rideau Canal Skateway, the Crystal Garden and Snowflake Kingdom.

Know of an event in your area? Let us know about it in the comments below!

Tour Egypt with this outstanding Nile Cruise and hotels in Luxor, Taba Heights and Cairo, from $2224 USD. Price includes: Flights, local transfers, 7 nights in Taba Heights on a half board basis, overnight stay in Luxor with dinner, 3 nights Nile cruise on a full board basis & 3 nights in Cairo on a half board basis.

Also in Egypt, Iberotel Coraya Beach Resort from £539.00 A diving school is located right on the sandy beach with adjacent calm and warm snorkelling waters for getting to know the Red Sea safely. The hotel is built in an oriental style, set in quiet surroundings directly on the Ghorayfat Bay, about 70 km from small village of El Quseir.

Looking for a last minute gift idea? Fly with a fighter pilot for only $349. Your fighter pilot instructor will teach you to fly aerobatic manoeuvres and the trip can be as mild or as wild as you choose. While this isn’t quite a travel deal, it’s certainly a great deal at a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity that makes an excellent gift!

$99 per night at a newly renovated Albuquerque Sheraton. The Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, which has undergone a $20 million renovation, is offering $99 weekend rates through March 28. Stay on Friday and Saturday nights for 40% OFF.

Save 32% Pre-Olympics at the Shangri-la Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. This package offers great savings, and continues through February 7, 2010. Under this deal, accommodations start at $268 (C$285) for a Superior Room (including taxes and fees), and come with breakfast for two at Market by Jean-Georges and free overnight valet parking.

$139 per night for this southern Oregon Ranch Near the Cascades with full kitchens, gas fireplaces and incredible views that make Running Y’s two-bedroom townhomes and chalets an idyllic destination for everything from family gatherings to romantic getaways.

$109 a night for a Kansas City Country Club Plaza Hotel. The Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza is centered in some of the city’s best shopping and entertainment. Amenities at this hotel include a lap pool, fitness center and tennis courts.

Kids Ski, Fly, and Stay Free in Colorado. United Airlines and American Airlines are teaming up with Vail and Beaver Creek resorts in Vail, Colorado to offer families the deal of the season: kids fly, ski, and stay for free. Considering that plane ticket can set you back around $300 to $400 per child, and lift ticket start at $140 for three days, this deal offers some serious savings for families! With combined savings totaling at least $500 per child, there’s never been a cooler time to hit the slopes

Speaking of skiing, $420 a night for Park City’s famous 5-Diamond Lodge, Plus 4th Night FREE! Stay 3 nights at the five-star, five-diamond Stein Eriksen Lodge and get your fourth night free! Nearby all the fantastic ski resorts of Park City, you’ll enjoy gorgeous accommodations and fantastic service on your mountain getaway.

The Austrian Tourist Office is holding a contest called “Its Got to Be Austria Facebook Sweepstakes” where the winner chosen (and their guest) will receive a 7-day themed vacation package of their choice valued at $4500. Contest is open to residents of the U.S., 18 and over. Official rules can be found at ItsgottobeAustria.com or via Facebook.

$79 & up for an Orlando Hotel near Walt Disney World. This deal saves 50% off regular prices and includes complimentary daily breakfast. This hotel is a winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award as a “Top 10 Family Hotel in the United States” and features three swimming pools, shuttle service to nearby attractions and complimentary parking

Chugach Mountain Range beyond Turnagain Arm from the Seward Highway
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

42 million people have yet to start their holiday shopping. With only four days left until Christmas, shoppers are quickly running out of time to find that “perfect gift” at the right price, so for unique gift ideas from racing sofas to playing paintball with real tanks, take a moment to listen to some of the great gift ideas available at BestTravelDeals!

Struggling to come up with that perfect gift idea? Perhaps an ideal gift to give someone who is a ‘bit of a car guy’ might be one of these driving experiences days; unique gift ideas & inspirational gift experiences from racing sofas, off-roading in a Hummer, or playing paintball with real tanks. Go behind the scenes at the Home of British Motor Racing, or challenge a friend to a race on a Grand Prix karting track!

Here’s 10 unusual gifts that promise an adventure full of excitement:

1. World’s Wackiest Racers – Are you ready for the wackiest day of your life? Come and be chauffeured through country lanes in the World’s fastest street-legal bed. Thunder round a race track on an 87 mph sofa. Tame the Double Decker car, as seen on BBC’s Top Gear, and pull up a seat to the World’s fastest office. This truly is the weirdest and wackiest way to travel.

2. Hummer H1 Off road experience – A unique opportunity to get “Hands On” and experience the awesome might of the iconic American Hummer in its element, off road. Using the power of its 6.5l V8 engine climb severe slopes, descend banks, side slopes in excess of 30 degrees, manoeuvre extreme changes in terrain, negotiate mud and water. A challenging course set out in a mix of open and wooded terrain.

3. Tank driving experience – If you have always dreamed of whizzing around in some mean military machinery, then it’s time to pinch yourself because this is your chance. You will be pounding around in all sorts of different vehicles during the experience which, depending on which location you choose, could include an Armoured Personnel Carrier, designed to carry troops into battle, the Ferret Scout Car used as a light reconnaissance vehicle and still in use today, a 17-ton Self-Propelled Abbot Gun, the Snowcat, which can operate on snow, marshes or on soft desert sand or even a 55-ton Cheiftain Main Battle Tank.

4. Half Day Quad Bike Adventure for One – You will be riding for several miles and will get to ride your Quad over all manner of different obstacles where the four wheel drive is an essential not just nice to have. Once you you have had your safety briefing, you will begin with an introductory session on flat ground to enable you to build confidence and practice maneuvers. You will then progress onto some more challenging areas where you will have a chance to tackle all manner of slopes and obstacles to find out just how much fun a Quad is. A fun and exhilarating half day experience that anyone of any ability can enjoy.

5. Tour of Silverstone – exclusive special offer – 2 for 1 – During an attention grabbing two hours you will see unique behind the scenes views of the Home of British Motor Racing, with plenty of memory making photo opportunities too. Stand in the footsteps of the Formula one greats on our famous podium, see exclusive roof top views from the landmark BRDC Clubhouse and get a closer look at legendary sites around the track.

6. Grand Prix karting experience – special offer 2 for 1 -Driving drones, motor maniacs, four wheeled floosies – put your pedals to the metal and get ready to take part in the karting Grand Prix. You will have a few laps of practice to get used to the karts, before the competition really hots up. Everyone will compete in four races, determining who’s the fastest driver. Then, the top drivers will race in the final to work out who the real karting daddy is!

7. Performance car driving experience – Fancy a break from your Nissan Micra? If you want to get behind the wheel of a high performance car then aside from winning the lottery, this is your best bet. You will get to drive a Ferrari, a Aston Martin and a Porsche among others. If this is a gift for someone who likes their cars, then get ready to score big brownie points when you hand it over, this one’s a winner…

8. Tankballing – paintball battles with tanks – If you’ve tried and enjoyed paintballing, then tankballing is the experience is for you. It’s paintballing, but taken to the next level. Imagine actually taking part in a tank battle? This is your chance, not with live ammunition of course, but with paint.

9. JCB racing experience – Get ready for the ultimate challenge… You are going to experience the thrills of JCB racing. After a safety briefing and individual instruction it’s straight into the JCB’s to challenge your fellow competitors in the heats and finals over a specially designed rough terrain obstacle course.

10. Speed Freaks Choice – Your choice of six experiences – If you are having trouble choosing which amazing experience to buy someone, don’t fret – let them do it themselves. This fantastic lastminute.com experience voucher is a perfect gift for those ‘difficult to buy for’ friends and relatives. The recipient can choose from a list of 6 exhilarating experiences such as quad biking, karting, power boating and much much more.

If you’re planning to visit New York City in January or February, you’d be remiss to miss the Real Deal Winter promo by NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism organization. Deals include two-for-one attractions admissions, $50 hotel credits and 50% off Sunday night stays at certain hotels. You can also save on theater tickets, circus tickets, tours and more.

$79 & up a night for a luxury French Quarter New Orleans hotel. Recently renovated and one of the only LUXURY French Quarter hotels on Bourbon Street at the corner of Orleans directly behind Jackson Square, the Bourbon Orleans offers a glimpse of 18th century French Country House decor & sanctuary. One of the most unique & historic New Orleans hotels directly on Bourbon St in the HEART of the French Quarter.

$110-$120 per night for a north Indianapolis 4-Star Hotel. The Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel was awarded “Renaissance Hotel Opening of the Year” in 2008 and offers easy access to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lucas Oil Stadium, fine art galleries and world-class golf courses. This deal saves 35% off the hotel’s regular rates and is available over weekend and holiday dates.

$89 a night for this Minneapolis Luxury Collection Hotel (Reg. $229). It features Minneapolis’ only spa destination, the Ivy Spa Club and the upscale Porter & Frye restaurant. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and guest rooms with 10-foot floating ceilings, original works from local artisans, Italian linens and flat-panel televisions.

$139 a night for a 4-Diamond Kentucky Golf Resort & Spa. This hotel is located the rolling Bluegrass Country of Kentucky near the Kentucky Horse Park and features a Rees Jones-designed golf course, luxurious full-service spa and upscale restaurant JW’s Steakhouse.

$85 a night in Bangor, Maine, where January and February stays are on sale. Accommodations include complimentary WiFi, Four Points Comfort bedding and flat-screen TVs. The hotel features a restaurant as well as Godfrey’s lounge, which is open until 12:30 AM on Tuesday-Saturday.

$99 a night for a Washington D.C.-Area Hotel with breakfast & parking. This value packed deal offers a $99 per night rate and includes extras: breakfast for two, free self-parking and wireless Internet. These extras normally cost $70.

$99 a night for a Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive resort. Safe, exotic, pure and accessible, this all-suite luxury resort is nestled between ocean and tropical rain forest just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The awarded property (5 Star Diamond Award) features four swimming pools (one reserved for adults) with waterfalls, Jacuzzis, children’s slides, fitness center, water sports, pool volleyball, tennis court, Spa, and ample activities for both adults and children such as scuba diving, mountain biking , and horseback riding.

Jamaica Holiday Package from $225/Night. Sunset Resorts in beautiful Jamaica is offering a terrific holiday package priced from $225 per person, per night ($100 for children) at three all-inclusive properties on the island: Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios, and Sunset at the Palms in Negril. From December 23 through January 1, 2010, guests can stay at one of these three oceanfront resorts and participate in a whole slew of family activities that are sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

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Belize is fast becoming a hot-spot for eco-tourists and romantics who are tired of the usual Caribbean resort scene.  The Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort offers the quintessential Central American eco-adventure experience.  It is also a romantic and remote alternative beach destination for travelers heading to the Caribbean to escape the cold of winter.

Kanantik features 25 beachfront cabanas that blend rustic Mayan design with the feel of a classic Mediterranean resort.  The resort includes over 300 acres of jungle inhabited by native wildlife.  A nearby jaguar preserve offers a chance for guests to experience the wildlife of this untouched natural area up close.

A recently launched promotion will make this eco-vacation option even more affordable than usual.  Standard cabana rates are $300 per night.  Guests who book three nights will receive a fourth night free.  That’s a savings of $300 or 25% off the total bill.  Those who book five nights will receive two additional nights free, for an overall savings of $600.  The promotion lasts until April 2010.

Kanantik is an ideal destination for nature lovers and couples seeking a romantic getaway.  Families with older children are also welcome (children over the age of 13 are permitted on the resort).  In addition to the jungle tours, there is plenty of wildlife swimming in the waters off of the coast near the resort.

To book a vacation and take advantage of the “free nights” promotion at the Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort, visit the destination’s web site.

Ecuador, like many of its South American peers, is growing as an eco-tourism destination.  Travelers looking to experience the untouched, exotic landscapes and indigenous culture of the continent can choose from destinations in its jungles, mountains or plains.

BikeHike Adventures, a company that specializes in guided outdoor adventure travel,  is offering a 10-day trek through Ecuador’s diverse landscapes.  The family-friendly itinerary includes hiking, biking, horseback riding and a zip-line ride.  The places visited are as diverse as the modes of travel: a volcano, the Amazon jungle, a whitewater river, traditional villages, and a hot spring.

BikeHike is currently offering a $200 last-minute deal on the upcoming Ecuadorian adventure trip.  The departure date is December 26th, perfect timing for families who want to get a vacation in before the kids head back to school in January.  The usual price tag on the trip is $2099.  So after the last-minute discount, that’s $1899 per person.  Hotels and daily breakfast and lunch are part of the package.  Three dinners are also included.

Despite the somewhat daunting list of activities on the itinerary, everything is toned down to make the trip accessible to school-aged children.  There are cultural elements on the trip (a visit to an indigenous handicraft market, local dishes served at most meals) as well as the promised outdoor adventure sports.

To take advantage of the $200 discount, book soon on the BikeHike web site.  The site also has a complete itinerary for the jungle and volcano trip, as well as offerings and itineraries for several other South America destinations.

It is time to think about purchasing those last minute holiday gifts.  Here are some reasonably priced options that will be appreciated by the serious travelers on your shopping list.

Gorillapod is one of the hottest gifts this holiday season.  It is a tripod with flexible legs that allows the user to balance their camera on uneven surfaces.  The legs can even wrap around objects while still supporting the camera.  Camcorders and smaller cameras are supported by the $39.99 version of the tripod.  There is also a heavy-duty Gorillapod ($49.99) that is specifically designed for digital SLR cameras.

On the more practical side, the Rick Steves Essential Silk Money Belt is able to combine security and comfort for $13 (on sale for $10.95 during the holidays).  There is also a version of the belt that hangs around your neck and can be worn under your shirt.  The silk makes this a comfortable alternative to all those stick-to-your-skin money-belts out there.

Airlines have gotten into the gift card game.  Though you might think a $50 gift card will not cover the price of a flight, you might be surprised.  Southwest Airlines has plenty of sub $100 flights, as do other low-cost carriers like Alaska Air, AirTran, and JetBlue.

The Kensington Plug Adapter with USB Charger ($31 from buy.com) is a handy tool that not only allows you to plug your devices into electrical outlets around the world, it also has a USB socket for charging iPods and similar products.  This is one of those useful tools that no one considers buying, but everyone finds indisposable once they own it.

The Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale can save you from all those hefty airline baggage fees.  The best part is that you do not have to lift the bag in order to weigh it.  You simply have to lift the hand held scale up while it is attached to the bag.  The device can take an accurate reading without the bag ever leaving the floor.

Magellan’s Travel Supplies is one of the best places to find travel gadgets.  The Moshi Voice Activated Alarm Clock is a high-tech hit for only $32.  The Deluxe Seat-Back Organizer hangs off the back of the airplane seat in front of you, so you dont have to squeeze your carry-on between your feet during the flight.  The price is $40, well worth it for convenience-starved economy class fliers.

The Ultimate Travel Pillow is nothing like those funny-looking around-the-neck devices that seem to be strangling their users.  This pillow is light-weight and inflatable and tethers to your body instead of your neck.  It can be worn around your back or over one shoulder for more comfort.  Not a bad deal for $24.95.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of useful travel-related iPhone apps.  One of the coolest has to be PicTranslator.  At $1.99, it is a cheap download that is extremely useful and fun.  Simply snap a picture of a street sign that is in a foreign language and the app will translate it for you.  It currently supports 16 languages, with more being developed.

Noise-canceling headphones can be a great addition to any frequent traveler’s arsenal.  However, top-of-the-line models can run between $200-$400.  JVC’s Noise-Canceling Ear-Buds offer good performance for under $50.  This is a good gift for people who want a quiet flight (that’s everyone, right?), but don’t want to carry ear-muff-sized headphones around their neck.

There is no need to spring for a dream vacation or week-long Caribbean cruise to please the traveler on your gift-giving list.  The gifts above are only a sample of the unique, useful and fun travel-related gifts that you can choose from during your shopping trips this holiday season.

Maine is the perfect state for a bed-and-breakfast vacation.  The stylish quaintness of Upper New England fits nicely with the intimate/personal setting of a family-run inn.

The Brewster House in Freeport, Maine is offering a holiday shop, dine and stay package for those who want to get the most out of the town’s attractions.  The two night package costs $499 and includes a $100 gift card to the nearby LL Bean flagship store and a $50 gift card to the Azure Cafe, an upscale eatery that features Italian dishes, wine and local ingredients.  A third night can be added onto the package for an additional $100.

Of course, the local LL Bean outlet is more than a strip mall shop.  It is the original,  store of the popular clothing manufacturer.  The retail space is massive and is worth visiting even if you do not plan to purchase any products made from flannel.  LL Bean has regular events at its store and also sponsors events in Freeport.  The Northern Lights Festival will be going on throughout the holiday season.  Events include light displays, old-fashion carriage rides starting in front of the store  and complementary valet parking over the holidays.  Other events include weekend campfires and book signings by several popular children’s authors.  There is also a promotion that gives a $10 gift card to anyone who makes a purchase of $25 or more.

More information on the Brewster House can be found on their official web site.  A list of holiday events and activites at LL Bean’s flagship can be found on the store’s web site.