Starting March 31 you can book these rooms at participating Red Roof Inns on RedRoof.com for 1 cent a night. Each participating property is offering one room per day for 1 cent and they become available at noon each day for the next two days…. so if you have plans at the last minute your chances of booking these deals is actually quite good.

The details:

No fooling, from April 1-15 all participating Red Roofs are offering one room per day for One Cent. You can only book this great deal online — go to the redroof.com website at noon EDT, starting on March 31, to book rooms for April 1 or 2 for one cent. Once these rooms are sold, you can try again the next day for another 1 cent room. You can keep trying until rooms booked through April 15 are sold out. These great deals will go quickly, though, so hurry!

Winter’s coming to a close, making way for the beautiful weather and colorful landscapes of spring. What better way to usher in spring’s arrival than at a daffodil festival?

Daffodils are almost synonymous with the word, “spring.” They are striking blossoms that range in color from bright yellow to pale white. Among the first flowers that bloom in the spring, daffodils are the centerpiece of several annual festivals around the country.

In warmer parts of the country, daffodils bloom anywhere from January to March, but in the Northeastern US, daffodils bloom in April or May. So, even if you missed the daffodil festivals that took place earlier this year, you still have a chance to enjoy the following festivities.

1. Litchfield, Connecticut (Laurel Ridge Foundation daffodil fields)

In the Litchfield Hills of Northwest Connecticut, you can admire hundreds of thousands of daffodils blooming on ten acres of woodlands and fields. The fields overlook a small lake with two islands in the middle, which are also carpeted with daffodils. Although the lands are private, they are open to the wider public during daffodil season.

2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

If you live in or near NYC and don’t want to stray too far from the big city to enjoy the daffodils, check out Daffodil Hill at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in March. Adjacent to Magnolia Plaza, this hill teems with yellow and white blossoms in early spring.

3. 2010 Daffodil Festival in Gloucester, Virginia

The 2010 Daffodil Festival in Gloucester will be taking place on March 27-28. It is a fun family event that celebrates both the arrival of the daffodils as well as Gloucester County’s heritage. While the adults enjoy socializing and viewing the daffodils, the kids can enjoy face painting, pony rides, carnival rides, and historic displays.

4. Daffodil Festival Weekend in Nantucket

In April and May, over three million daffodils bloom on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. One of the highlights of the Nantucket Daffodil Festival is the Antique Car Parade, during which over 100 antique cars adorned with daffodils parade through town. Other events that take place during Nantucket’s Daffodil Festival include the Annual Daffy Dog Parade, the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic, the Daffy Hat Pageant, and the Children’s Daffodil Parade.

5. Meriden Daffodil Festival in Meriden, Connecticut

At the Meriden Daffodil Festival in Meriden, Connecticut, visitors can see 61 different varieties of daffodils. In addition to admiring the sea of daffodils that bloom in 1800-acre Hubbard Park, festival attendees can enjoy amusement rides, food, entertainment, and fireworks.

6. Spohr Gardens Daffodil Days in Falmouth, Massachusetts

The Spohr Gardens in Cape Cod explode with color in the early spring, when thousands of daffodils bloom. Taking a leisurely walk through this stunning maze of fragrant blossoms is nothing short of exhilarating. The Daffodil Days event takes place on April 24 and May 1, and there are guided tours as well as activities for children.

7. Brewster in Bloom (Brewster, Massachusetts)

On top of admiring the daffodils at Brewster in Bloom, you can watch a daffodil parade, see the daffodil queen receive her crown, and attend an antique and collectible fair, among many other activities. Brewster is a beautiful town that serves as an ideal spot to celebrate spring’s arrival in Cape Cod. Brewster in Bloom takes place from April 30 to May 2.

8. Blithewold Daffodil Days in Bristol, Rhode Island

Located on the shores of Narragansett Bay, the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum in Bristol, Rhode Island boast a quaint and elegant setting. Stop by Blithewold between April 10 and May 2 to admire 50,000 daffodils in bloom while taking part in a variety of events appropriate for family members of all ages.

In the spirit of our previous post, The Ultimate List of Twitter Travel Accounts, we’ve created this twitter list of profiles that would be helpful to follow for people traveling to the Washington, DC area. If you have plans to go to DC for the Cherry Blossom festival or just for all the great things to do in DC these tweeple can provide insight into DC that you won’t find in the guidebooks. As with that post, we’re welcoming recommendations to these lists! Let us know by following us on Twitter (@BesTravelDeals) and contacting us there, or by leaving a note in the comments below.

DC Restaurants, Bars, & Venues

• Allmenus DC — @AllmenusDC
• 18th Street Lounge — @18thSTLounge
• 9:30 Club — @930ClubDC
• Adour Restaurant — @adourdc
• Asylum Bar & Lounge — @AsylumDC
• Bar Louie DC — @BarLouieDC
• Busboys and Poets — @busboysandpoets
• Circle Bistro — @CircleBistro
• Clyde’s — @Clydes
• CommonWealth Pub — @CommonWealthPub
• DC Clubbing — @DCNightlife
• DC Improv — @DCimprov
• Dino Restaurant — @dinodc
• EAT Washington, DC — @EatDC
• Eatonville Restaurant — @Eatonville
• Gin and Tonic Tavern — @GandT_Tavern
• Kennedy Center — @KenCen
• Kramerbooks/Afterwords Cafe & Grill — @KramersCafe
• L’Enfant Cafe-Bar — @LEnfantCafeBar
• La Tasca — @latascadc
• Mandu — @ManduDC
• MetroMix DC — @MetroMixDC
• MetroWeekly Nightlife — @MWNightlife
• Paolos Georgetown — @paolos_gtown
• Perry’s Restaurant — @PERRYSdc
• Pete’s New Haven DC — @petes_newhaven
• Pitango Gelato — @PitangoGelato
• Science Club — @ScienceClub
• Sticky Rice DC — @StickyRiceDC
• Theater J — @TheaterJ
• Verizon Center — @VerizonCenterPR
• Vinoteca — @VinotecaDC
• Wildfire Restaurant — @WildfireRest

Things to Do in DC

• Bands in DC — @BandsInDC
• DC Area Trail Status — @DCTrails
• DC Live — @LiveDC
• DC Jazz Festival — @DCjazzfest
• DC Theatre & Performing Arts — @DCtheatre
• DC Central Kitchen — @dcck
• Eastern Market DC — @EasternMarketDC
• Free in DC — @FREEinDC & @FreeinDCBlog
• Film DC — @DCFilmOffice
• The Spy Museum — @IntlSpyMuseum
• Honfleur Gallery — @HonfleurGallery
• Library of Congress — @LibraryCongress
• National Zoo — @NationalZoo
• US Holocaust Museum — @HolocaustMuseum
• Newseum: Museum of News — @Newseum
• The Smithsonian — @Smithsonian
• Air & Space Museum — @AirAndSpace
• American History Museum — @amhistorymuseum
• National Museum of Natural History — @NMNH
• American Art Museum — @AmericanArt
• Sinergy — @SinergyDC
• Sweets and Tweets — @SweetsandTweets
• Things To Do DC © — @thingstododc
• What’s the Deal DC — @whatsthedealdc

Places to Stay in DC

• St. Regis Hotel DC — @StRegisDC
• Clarion Hotel — @ShannaCockrell
• Doubletree DCA — @DoubletreeCC
• Embassy STE DC Metro — @EmbassyDCMetro
• Embassy Suites D.C. — @ESWashingtonDC
• Four Seasons DC — @FSWashington
• Georgetown Suites — @Gtownsuites
• Hamilton Crowne — @Hamiltoncrowne
• Hilton Washington — @HiltonWash
• Hyatt Washington — @Hyattwashington
• Mandarin Oriental DC — @MO_WashingtonDC
• The Liaison — @AffiniaDC
• Sofitel Washington DC — @SofitelDC
• Willard Hotel — @WillardHotel

Local & Regional News

• A.V. Club DC — @AVClubDC
• City Paper DC — @WCP
• DCist — @DCist_Updates
• DC Local News — @dcwire
• DC Twestival — @dctwestival
• District Dept of Transportation — @DDOTDC
• District Insider — @DistrictInsider
• Fishbowl DC — @FishbowlDC
• Greg’s List DC — @GregsListDC
• Going Out Guide — @goingoutguide
• Groupon DC — @groupondc
• Happn.in dc — @happn_in_dc
• LivingSocial: DC — @LivingSocialDC
• Metro Weekly — @metroweekly
• NBC Washington — @dcscene, @nbclocaldc
• The Scene — @TheSceneBisnow
• Washington DC News — @washdcnews
• Washington DC Weather Alerts — @d_c_alerts
• Washington DC Weather — @WshDCweather
• Washington Flyer — @WashingtonFlyer
• Washingtonian — @washingtonian
• Washington Life — @washingtonlife
• Washington Post — @washingtonpost

DC Tweeples & Bloggers

• Brightest Young Things — @BrightestYoung
• Capital Spice — @CapitalSpice
• Catherine Andrews — @CAndrews
• DC Social Lifestyle — @DCSocialLifeSty
• Debbie Weil — @DebbieWeil
• Erin Hartigan — @emerock
• FrenchTwist DC — @FrenchTwistDC
• Karen Hart — @washingtondcist
• Lisa Byrne — @Dceventjunkie
• Living in the District — @livingindc
• Mark Indre — @MarkIndre
• Mellie — @CarpeDC
• Music DC — @MusicDC
• Nathan Smoyer — @Secret_DC
• Peter Corbett — @Corbett3000
• ReadysetDC — @ReadySetDC
• Sacha Cohen — @goinggreendc
• Shana Glickfield — @DCconcierge
• The District Dish — @thedistrictdish
• TrendyDC — @TrendyDC
• We Love DC — @WeLoveDC
• Yelp DC — @YelpDC
• Zena Polin — @zenap

If you’ve been neglecting a trip to Europe because of the steep prices, you’ll be pleased to see the results of a travel industry report recently published by online travel agency, Trivago.

According to UK-based Trivago, the average cost of a standard double hotel room in Europe from February to March of 2010 is seven percent less than it was in March 2009. And as if it couldn’t get any better, prices for hotel rooms in 34 of the top 50 European cities have dropped.

Bear in mind that, despite these exquisite stats, prices are actually rising in Central and Southern Europe and falling in Northern Europe. In many major European tourist capitals, like Rome, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, lodging prices have gone up just in the last month. Although the opposite is true in Northern European cities like Stockholm and Copenhagen, their prices are currently still higher than the European average.

European Cities to Avoid

If you’re looking for an excellent bargain on a hotel room in Europe, you’ll probably want to avoid London, Paris, Stockholm, Oslo, and Geneva, which are the most expensive cities in Europe when it comes to lodging. In Geneva, the average cost of a hotel room is $235 per night while in London, Paris, Stockholm, and Oslo, the average nightly rate is around $175.

Budget-Friendly European Metropolises

The lowest average prices for a double hotel room can be found in Granada, Krakow, and Budapest. These cities offer an average nightly rate from $85 to $91. Other low-cost European cities that you may want to consider for your Euro-trip include Vienna, Bucharest, Lisbon, Prague, and Istanbul.

Remember… It’s Always Possible to Go Lower

Just remember that these prices are averages. You can always find hotels that charge well below the average nightly rates if you do a little research and stay in places off the beaten path rather than major capitals. Nevertheless, the average prices are always worth a look because they give you a good glimpse into the overall cost of accommodations in major European cities.

How to Save on Airfare to Europe

Airfare is another story. Unfortunately, cheap airfare to Europe isn’t exactly abundant in 2010. The cost of flights departing from North America to Europe this spring and summer are very high, particularly for non-stop, direct flights and business class flights. You can save on Europe airfare by traveling outside of the peak season and opting for flights that have layovers.

You may even want to wait till a last minute sale comes along to get the best bargains. However, waiting till the last minute can also be a risk because that deal you’re waiting for may never come along, which means that you’ll pay even more for your ticket in the end.

Fortunately, discount airlines make it easy to fly within Europe affordably, making up for the hefty prices of transatlantic flights. There are plenty of discount airlines to go around in Europe, but remember to travel light because many of them charge extra for checked luggage.

Are you planning a trip to Europe this spring or summer? Have you come across any great deals on hotels and airfare? Please submit a comment below to share your thoughts and experiences with us!

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted overnight on March 21 and forced hundreds of people to evacuate the area and closed the airspace causing flights to be diverted. The volcanic eruption broke through the ice and shot ash and molten lava into the air.

The Midwestern US is a mixture of cosmopolitan cities and charming rural areas.  Urban areas in this part of the country are often known for their comparatively laid-back style and user-friendliness, while rural places welcome visitors with natural attractions and friendly attitudes.

Perhaps more-so than other areas, a trip to the Midwest requires planning, whether you want to embark on a road trip or fly into a metropolis for a weekend of culture and cuisine.

Here are the top five destinations in the Midwestern US.  They are guaranteed to be the setting for a memorable summertime getaway.

1. Omaha, Nebraska is a surprisingly sophisticated city.  There are great dining options, charming small-city architecture, an impressive museum scene and plenty of summertime attractions, such as the Collage Baseball World Series.  High-brow attractions like the Joslyn Art Museum and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts feature world-class art collections.  Modern artists display and sell their works at galleries in Downtown’s Old Market neighborhood.

In June, the College World Series takes place at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium.  The country’s best college baseball teams face off in a double elimination tournament.  For non-sports enthusiasts, other outdoor summertime activities include Thursday evening’s Jazz on the Green (a weekly series hosted by the Joslyn Art Museum), the Omaha Farmers Market (open on Saturdays in the Old Market neighborhood), the Taste of Omaha food festival, and the Shakespeare on the Green festival (held over a three week period  each summer).

2. The Wisconsin Dells are known for the water-related theme parks that are scatted throughout the area.  But the quaint, Central Wisconsin charms (cheese shops and hand-made souvenirs, for example) and the beauty of the surrounding rock formations make this more than a crowded, summertime theme park destination.

Popular water parks include Noah’s Ark, with some of the largest water slides in the area.  Most hotels have their own small water parks, some with both indoor and outdoor sections.  Opportunities for paddling and tubing on area rivers bring more options for summertime visitors.  Venues like the Sundra Spa offer decent, high-end spa experiences that can add a bit of class to a Dells getaway.

3. A vacation in Saint Louis can be surprisingly cheap.  Most of the museums and other attractions in the city (including the famous zoo and the park that contains the Gateway Arch) do not charge any sort of admission fee.  That might not seem like a convincing reason to visit, except for the fact that the museums and zoo are world class venues.  In every other city, save perhaps Washington D.C., you’d expect hefty admission fees to get into attractions of this quality.

In addition, summertime brings perfect weather for strolling past the city’s many public art installations, including the numerous pieces at the Laumeier Sculpture Park.  The Muny Outdoor Theater offers free tickets to its summertime musicals, while the Botanical Gardens – a pleasant venue in and of itself – hosts the Whitaker Music Festival each Wednesday evening during the warmer months of the year.

Saint Louis also hosts one of the Midwest’s more spectacular Fourth of July celebrations.  Events include concerts by nationally known music acts, fireworks, parades and carnivals.

4. Minneapolis is usually categorized as a cold weather destination.  But the warmer months of the year bring ideal conditions for enjoying the city’s outdoor amenities.  The string of lakes that run through the center of the city draw thousands of people daily.  They populate the beaches, bike trails, picnic areas and canoe docks found near these urban waterways.  The cafe culture in the neighborhoods around the lakes moves outdoors during the summer.

If the urban outdoors does not suit your taste, farmers markets, suburban horse race track, gigantic Mall of America and Downtown shopping promenade offer visitors an alternative to the lakes.  Minneapolis is also a good base for exploring the natural attractions of rural Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, where fishing, boating and camping top the list of activities.

5. Though it is primarily known for its gigantic amusement park, Sandusky, Ohio -a town about 50 miles from Cleveland – is also a good base for exploring the Great Lakes.  That said, the main event in Sandusky is the Cedar Point Amusement Park, a massive funland that boasts some of the world’s largest roller-coasters.  Nearby Catawba Island holds a more natural experience with picnic spots, lighthouses and stunning views of Lake Erie.

Fishing in Cold Creek, where trout are plentiful throughout the year, is another summertime activities that draws visitors to this area of Ohio.  There is also the African Safari Park, where wild animals roam past your car as you drive along the road.  Sandusky can provide a good balance between a “theme park vacation” and a nature-centered Great Lakes getaway.

Portland, Oregon is a regular “best places to live” list topper.  This user-friendly metropolis has great public transportation, a pleasantly laid-back, hip vibe and easy access to nature.  Yes, the weather can sometimes leave a lot to be desired, but that is one of the very few negatives.

Portland offers tourists plenty of art and urban green spaces.  But the most charming aspect of this mid-sized city is that it has so many places that are simply enjoyable to hang out in.  Many of the city’s top attractions, eateries and museums are not pricey but West Coast standards, but there are also numerous spots that don’t cost anything at all.

1. Powell’s City of Book is the country’s largest independently-owned bookstore.  It covers a city block and has both new and used books in stock.  You don’t even need to make a purchase to enjoy a stop at Powell’s.  The sheer amount of reading material means you could browse all day, even if you are not an avid reader.  And you don’t have to feel obligated to buy anything.  According to the Powell’s site, about half the people who enter the store simply browse without making a purchase.

2. The Saturday Market is one of Portland’s most popular institutions.  Its yearly run begins in early March and continues until December.  Vendors sell hand-made crafts (everything from pottery to baby clothes) and art (prints, photographs and paintings).  The products are quality, but the real attraction is the festive atmosphere.  Visitors can spend the entire afternoon browsing and, perhaps, picking up a bite to eat at one of the many food stalls.  Or they can listen to one of the daily musical acts on the stage.  Despite its name, the Saturday Market is also open on Sunday as well.

3. Forest Park is one of the world’s largest urban parks.  More than 50 species of mammals call the confines of the park home.  There are an astonishing 30 miles of trails and opportunities for both bike riding (Portland’s favorite pastime) and horseback riding.

4. Pioneer Courthouse Square is easily recognizable because of its iconic red bricks.  It is often referred to as the Portland’s “living room.” Arguably the best place to people-watch, it is filled with residents, workers from nearby office buildings and tourists.  In addition, there are nearly 300 events hosted by the square each year.  You might happen on a concert or cultural event when you pass through the square.

5. On the first Thursday of every month, art galleries in Downtown’s Pearl District open their doors to the public.  the event, fittingly referred to as the First Thursday Art Walk, features some of the city’s best artists.  Larger galleries have live music, and you will happen upon some spots with free snacks and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

6. The Alberta Art District hosts an alternative art extravaganza on the final Thursday of each month.  Last Thursday has a more hang-loose, block party vibe that its Pearl District peer.  There are art galleries,of course, but also street performers food carts, and music.

7.  Of its many monikers, one of the most fitting is the City of Roses.  Portland celebrates its favorite flower year round at public and private gardens.  However, the flower truly takes center stage a the the Rose Festival.  The event takes place annually in the early summer.  Features include a rose parade, tours of the city’s gardens, a golf tournament, dragon boat races and a music festival with nightly concerts.

8. Portland’s Japanese Garden is recognized as the most authentic Japanese-style garden outside of the Land of the Rising Sun.  The landscapes seem like they came straight from Tokyo or Kyoto.  There is also a pavilion  that hosts Japanese art and plenty of informational and educational events.  The garden is open year-round.

9. Shakespeare in the Park takes place each summer in Portland area parks, including Pioneer Square (see #4 above).  The troupe that performs the plays, the Portland Actors Ensemble, is one of the oldest in the nation.  It was originally formed in 1970.

10. Though it is technically not free, the Waterfront Blues Festival is a charity event held each summer in Portland’s popular Waterfront Park.  A donation to area charities and food shelves is requested from each attendee (the “suggested” amount is $10 plus two non-perishable food items).  Aside from notable performers like Booker T, Little Feat, and Cedric Burnside, there will be food and fireworks.

Fare sale – discounted fares on 350 routes starting at $118