Update – today only JetBlue is running a $10 OW sale on select routes…These ultra-low rates are only valid on 25 seats per flight, so they’re sure to sell out quickly. Prices start at $10 one-way or $20 round-trip and you have to book by 6pm this evening.

Of the two, Lufthansa is offering the better deals.

We checked several destinations/dates on Southwest and they were generally higher than 2009 airfare  rates, leave comments if you found great rates on certain routes.

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 NYC area. If you have plans to go to NYC for all the great things to do in NYC these tweeple can provide insight into NYC 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.

NYC Restaurants, Bars, & Venues

• American Globe Theatre — @AmericanGlobe
• Art Raw Gallery — @artraw
• Atlantic Theater — @AtlanticTheater
• Bar Coastal — @BarCoastal
• Cupcake Stop — @CupcakeStop
• Film Society at Lincoln Center — @filmlinc
• Foley’s New York — @FoleysNY
• Gotham Comedy — @GothamComedy
• Irish Arts Center — @IrishArtsCenter
• M2 Ultra Lounge — @M2Ultra_Lounge
• New Victory — @NewVictory
• New York Dine — @NYCdine
• New York City Opera — @nycOpera
• Paul Corrigan — @LaughNYC
• Performing Arts Center, NY City Center — @CityCenter_NYC
• Roundabout Theater — @RTC_NYC
• Signature Theatre — @SignatureTheatr
• SOBs — @SOBs
• Social Bar NYC — @SocialBarLounge
• Stella Adler Studio — @StellaAdlerNY
• Symphony Space — @SymphonySpace
• The Counting Room — @TheCountingRoom
• The Inspired Word NYC — @InspiredWordNYC
• The Joyce Theater — @TheJoyceTheater
• The Pony Bar — @ThePonyBar
• The Public Theater — @PublicTheaterNY
• Tosca Cafe — @ToscaNYC
• UFCbars — @ufcbars

Things to Do in NYC

• A Little Night Music — @NightMusicBway
• Bronx Zoo — @TheBronxZoo
• Brooklyn Botanical Garden — @bklynbotanic
• Carroll Gardens — @CarrollPark
• Guggenheim Museum — @Guggenheim
• Living Free NYC — @LivingfreeNYC
• Manhattan User’s Guide — @MUGuide
• Museum of Math — @MoMath1
• Museum of Modern Art — @MuseumModernArt
• National Museum of the American Indian — @AmerIndianNYC
• New York Botanical Garden — @NYBG
• New York Tours — @NYcitytours
• NYCGO.com — @nycgo
• NY Youth Symphony — @NYYouthSymphony
• NY Public Library — @NYPL
• Off Manhattan — @offManhattan
• Queens Botanical Garden — @QueensBotanicl
• St. Nicholas Park — @StNickPark
• The Battery — @thebatterynyc
• The High Line — @highlinenyc
• The Morgan — @MorganLibrary
• TribecaFilm Festival — @TribecaFilmFest
• To Do In NY — @ToDoInNY
• Walking New York — @walkingnewyork
• World Science Festival — @WorldSciFest

Places to Stay in NYC

• 70 park avenue hotel — @70parkave
• Affinia Hotels — @affiniahotels
• Apple Core Hotels — @AppleCoreHotels
• Broadway Hotel — @BroadwayHotel
• Bryant Park Hotel — @Bryantparkhotel
• Carlton Hotel — @TheCarltonNY
• Crystal Springs — @CrystalSprings
• DT Metropolitan — @dtmet
• Fashion 26 – Wyndham — @Fashion26Hotel
• Gramercy Park Hotel — @GPHhotel
• Hotel Chelsea — @TheHotelChelsea
• Hotel Gansevoort NYC — @HotelGansevoort
• Hilton Grand Vacations Suites — @HiltonGrandVac
• Jazz Hostels — @JazzHostels
• LaGuardia Courtyard — @LGAmarriott
• Marrakech Hotel — @Marrakechhotel
• Mandarin Oriental — @MO_HOTELS
• Soho Grand Hotel — @SohoGrandHotel
• The London NYC — @TheLondonNYC
• The Pierre New York — @ThePierreNY
• The Roosevelt Hotel — @RooseveltNYC
• World Center Hotel — @WorldCtrHotel

Local & Regional News

• 13 New York PBS — @ThirteenNY
• Broadway Pulse — @broadwaypulse
• Central Park Buzz — @CentralParkBuzz
• Everything NYC — @EverythingNYC
• Eyewitness News on ABC 7 — @Eyewitnessnyc
• Grub Street — @grubstreetny
• MVPNY — @NYC_Info
• New York Art Beat — @NYArtBeat
• New York City Parks — @NYCParks
• New York Mag — @NewYorkMag
• New York Post — @newyorkpost
• Nice Day, Huh: New York — @ncdnewyork
• NY1 Onstage — @NY1onstage
• NY Times Food & Drink — @NYTimesFood
• NY Times Dining & Wine — @NYTimesDining
• The Today Show — @todayshow

NYC Tweeples & Bloggers

• Broadway Reviews — @BroadwayReviews
• Brooklynology — @Brooklynology
• Brooklyn Vegan — @Brooklynvegan
• Craig Kanalley — @ckanal
• Curbed — @Curbed
• Dani Klein — @yeahthatskosher
• Gothamist — @Gothamist
• Kat in NYC — @katinyc
• Kelley Vick — @KelleyVick
• Kevin Spacey — @KevinSpacey
• Michelle Lockett — @MichelleLockett
• New York City Tweets — @TweetNY
• NY Musical Theatre Fest — @NYMF
• Pamela Parisi — @ElegantTightwad
• Roger Resnicoff — @NYCRockStar
• Ray Beckerman — @RayBeckerman
• Seth Rudetsky — @SethRudetsky
• Theater Scene — @Theaterscene
• The Tony Awards — @TheTonyAwards
• Tweeting NYC — @tweetingNYC
• Urban Hawks — @Urbanhawks
• Waterwell — @Waterwell

For a limited time, Sandals Resorts is offering free companion travel to our two resorts in The Bahamas! Guests who book a minimum 4-night stay by May 10th, 2010 will receive Free Companion Airfare from US gateways! This offer is available at Sandals Emerald Bay and Sandals Royal Bahamian only.

Additionally, guests staying for seven nights or longer can get up to 1 night free at both locations!

Travel Dates: April 22 through June 16
Days of the Week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Blackout Dates: May 27-June 1. Additionally, travel on the Ft. Lauderdale/Nassau or New York City/Bermuda routes is not valid Saturdays or Sundays. Travel to and from Boston is not valid April 22 through 28.
Advance Purchase: At least 10 days in advance may be required
Purchase By: April 21, 2010.
Where to Find These Fares: Go to JetBlue’s sale page,

Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or dates. Be flexible with your travel dates to find the lowest fares. Additional blackout dates and restrictions may apply.

Southwest Airlines is offering double credits if you book and travel between April 7 and May 26, too bad for me as I’ve two flights scheduled during that time that have previously been booked. I’m contacting Southwest to see if those flights will get double credit and will update the post when I hear back. Business select customers do even better -

Purchase a Business Select Fare with this promotion, and you’ll receive 2.25 credits for shorthaul flights and 3.0 credits for longhaul flights.

• Register for this promotion between April 7 and May 26, 2010.
• Book a flight for yourself between April 7 and May 26, 2010.
• Complete your travel between April 7 and May 26, 2010.

Register here

11 Free Things to do in Boston

Anyone visiting Boston on a budget will be relieved to know that there a host of excursions which won’t hurt your wallet at all. Whether you’re interested in nature, history, artwork, or even astronomy, Boston has free options just for you!

1 – The Freedom Trail

Want to experience a lot of Boston in a short amount of time and a small budget? Boston’s Freedom Trail provides a scenic walking path between many historical sites in the city, including a few which are on this list, like the Massachusetts State House and Bunker Hill Memorial, as well as over a dozen others! No event (free or pricy) can bring you closer to the city in a single day than a self-guided tour through this trail. Travelers can start at any site, but one popular choice is the beautiful Boston Common.

2 – Critical Mass Bike Ride

Have a bike? Willing to have an exciting experience in a new city? Critical Mass bike rides are a party of hundreds of cyclists who ride through the streets on the last Friday of every month. These take place in hundreds of cities worldwide, and, luckily, Boston is one of them! Anyone can take part in these fun events; bike rides begin at Copley Square at 5:30, on the last Friday of the month.

3 – Museum of Fine Arts

Boston is home to one of the largest and most popular art museums in the country: the Museum of Fine Arts. Exhibits cover a broad range of styles from around the world, including The Secrets of Tomb: Egypt 2000 BC (pictured above), China/Tibet Confluences, and Harry Callahan: American Photographer. Wednesday nights after 4 require no admission cost, though the suggested voluntary donation is $20. Also check out free Community Days on April 26, May 31, and October 11 of 2010. The museum is located at 465 Huntington Avenue.

4 – Coit Observatory, Boston University

If you’re interested in astronomy, or even casual star-gazing, Boston University is the place for you! The University’s Coit Observatory, located at 725 Commonwealth Ave, has Public Open Nights on Wednesday throughout the year. These one hour events begin at 7:30 in the fall and winter and 8:30 in the spring and summer. Coit Observatory depends on good weather, so check the forecast before making any plans.

5 – Summer Concerts at Hatch Memorial Shell

If you’re planning on a summer visit, check out the concerts at the Hatch Memorial Shell! Notable performers are the Boston Pops, which plays every 4^th of July, and the popular band Dispatch. The venue is located at 10 Storrow Dr. and typically hosts free concerts on weekends, and some weekdays, throughout the summer.

6 – Bunker Hill Monument

You probably know that the Battle of Bunker Hill was a seminal moment of the American Revolution. But did you know that the fighting actually took place on nearby Breeds Hill? That is also the site of the Bunker Hill Monument. Visitors can climb the Monument to experience a panoramic view of Boston, or visit the nearby Bunker Hill Museum. The museum is located at 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, and is open for free visitation from 9AM-5PM.

7 – The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Interested in botany, or just want to appreciate some beautiful plant life? The Arnold Arboretum offers spectacular biodiversity which can’t be viewed anywhere else in the city. The grounds are open, sunup to sundown every day of the year. The grounds’ Hunnewell Building is also features art shows throughout the fall. The Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway, the Southern-most stop on the MBTA’s Orange Line.

8 – Tours of the Massachusetts State House

Interested in the government, politics, or history of the state of Massachusetts? This building, located at 122 Bowdoin Street, has been the capitol of the Bay State for over 200 years, and visiting is a must for anyone getting to know the city of Boston. Free 30-45 minute tours are offered on weekdays, 10AM-4:00PM. Advanced reservations are requested.

9 – The African-American History Museum

The Museum, located on 46 Joy Street, is home to several fascinating sites pertaining to African-American history. These include the Abiel School, the oldest public school for African-Americans in the country, and the African Meeting House, the oldest church founded by free blacks in the country. Also check out the Black Heritage Trail, a 1.6 mile walking trail through the city that stops at historical African-American sites. Suggested donation to the museum is $5.

10 – The Boston Harborwalk MP3 Tour

This free MP3 download will guide you down Boston’s exciting waterfront, along Atlantic Avenue. The tour begins at the Christopher Columbus’ statue and ends at the Moakley courthouse, passing such stops as the New England Aquarium.

11 – Massachusetts Historical Society

The Massachusetts Historical Society is a library and manuscript repository, as well as the oldest historical society in the United States. If you’re interested in Massachusetts or New England history, the Society houses the Adams family papers, the Philadelphia copy of the Declaration of Independence, and a host of colonial-era artwork. The museum is open on weekdays from 9AM-4:45PM.

If you’re planning a trip click here for some hotel deals in Boston.

You may have your sights set on taking a month-long vacation in the Caribbean, but if you only have a short time off from work or it’s not in your budget to plan a lengthy getaway, taking a weekend trip is a great alternative.

Sometimes, all we need is a temporary change of scenery to unwind, rejuvenate, and be ready to face another week in the office. Weekend trips require less planning and allow you to take off on a whim.

Determine What the Goal of Your Trip Is

Are you hoping to spend some quality time with your kids, or do you want to enjoy a romantic getaway with your partner? Once you determine what the true purpose of your trip is, it will be much easier for you to decide where to go and what to do.

Ideas for an Unforgettable Weekend Trip

Want to relax, commune with nature, and enjoy outdoor activities? Consider taking a camping trip at a national park or campground in your state.

If you feel like lying on a beach and sipping on a tropical cocktail, look for last minute weekend vacation packages to beach destinations like Bermuda, the Mayan Riviera, the Dominican Republic, or the Bahamas.

For an action-packed vacation complete with theatre shows, concerts, museum hopping, and fine dining, plan a vacation in a bustling city like Washington DC or New York.

If the main purpose of your vacation is spend time with your kids, Disneyland, Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm, and other theme parks are great options.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

When you take off for a short weekend vacay, your best bet is to choose the most convenient transportation option available. For example, if you are going to the Caribbean for a quick tropical getaway, choose a direct flight instead of a flight that has a layover. You may have to pay more, but it also means that you’ll be able to spend more time on the beach instead of waiting around at the airport.

If you only have a short weekend to spare, you may want to consider staying close to home and taking a road trip. Try to hit the road as early in the morning as possible to make the most of your short vacay.

Pack Light

Remember – you’re only going to be away for a weekend, so there’s no need to take your entire wardrobe with you. If you’re flying, travel only with carry-on to save time. Not only is it a pain to lug a bunch of suitcases around, it is also a hassle to pack, unpack, repack, and then put all of your belongings away once you get home.

Look for Last Minute Packages

Sure, you could just plan everything on the fly, but you’ll save more money on your impromptu vacation if you take the time to look for last minute deals. Many travel agencies lower the price of their unbooked vacation packages at the last minute, so it doesn’t hurt to check out some deals sites before you start making reservations. Last minute vacation packages are available year round, and can make for some of the most exciting trips.

Hot springs are special, the tradition of drinking the water for it’s curative powers and using it for bathing continues today, just as in days long past. Here are our favorite hot springs around the world:

1. Mammoth Hot Springs

A large hot spring complex near Fort Yellowstone called Mammoth Hot Springs, the water is heated by magma to about 170°F (~77°C). Algae living in the warm pools have tinted the travertine shades of brown, orange, red, and green. It is the largest known carbonate-depositing spring in the world.  The most famous feature at the springs is the Minerva Terrace, a series of travertine terraces.

2. Morning Glory Pool

Morning Glory Pool is a hot spring in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The distinct blue green and yellow colors of the pool are due to bacteria which inhabit the water.

3. The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is rumored to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon

averages 40 °C (104 °F).The lagoon is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in. The Blue Lagoon holds 6 million liters of water, renewed every 40 hours.

4. Wai-O-Tapu

Wai-O-Tapu is an active geothermal area north of the Reporoa caldera in New Zealand’s Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser.  The area also has a long history as a tourist attraction. While the area has been protected as a scenic reserve since 1931, a tourist operation occupies part of the reserve under a concession. It operates under the name “Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Notable features include Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools.

5. Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River. The name Jigokudani, meaning “Hell’s Valley”, is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests. The heavy snowfalls (snow covers the ground for 4 months a year), an elevation of 850 meters, and being only accessible via a narrow two kilometer footpath through the forest, keep it uncrowded despite being relatively well-known. It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques, more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. Starting in 1963, the monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters, and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

6. Aguas Calientes

The closest town to Machu Picchu in Peru is Machu Picchu Pueblo, which features several hot springs. The pools of sulphurous hot springs are located at the upper section of valley, having different temperatures and altitudes. The hot springs are accessible via train and the destination is worth a visit not only for the refreshing hot springs but for the city in itself, which is an architectural wonder built with Incan techniques.

7. Conundrum Hot Springs

Essentially undeveloped, wilderness location, Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Colorado’s most exquisite settings. The pools vary in size and temperature, but the larger pools average about 102 degrees F, depending on the season The pools are craters of rock hewn into their present shape over years of visitation. The larger pools are more than 3 feet deep and have room for several people, if need be.  There are steep avalanche chutes and pockets of snow that almost never leave, as well as waterfalls, all around. At nearly 12,000 feet in elevation one can look down the long valley marvel at the view.

8.  Kusatsu Onsen

The main feature of Kusatsu Onsen is one of the sources of hot spring water located in the center of the town, called Yubatake. There is an active volcano called Shirane-san near Kusatsu Onsen. A popular sightseeing spot here is a crater lake called Yugama. The water in the lake is emerald green. The springs were a well known resort for centuries but they became one of the best known of such locations after the water there was recommended for its health benefits.

9. Deep Creek Hot Springs

A natural hot spring located in the San Bernardino National Forest on the Deep Creek fork of the Mojave River. Being located next to a creek provides for both hot and cold water bathing. The landscape surrounding Deep Creek is unique, and its recreation opportunities are valued at the regional and national levels. Thermal hot springs located here are unique and regionally important.  Deep Creek supports the greatest diversity of wildlife habitats of any drainage on the San Bernardino National Forest and has earned the State designation of a Wild Trout Stream. It also represents some of the greatest diversity of vegetation communities of any drainage on the national forest. The surrounding area represents a transiticonifer forest.

10. Yangbajain Hot Springs

The Yangbajain hot springs field is at an altitude of 4290–4500 m which makes it the highest altitude set of hot springs in China. The water emerges at 30 degrees C-84 degrees C, which is above the boiling point at that altitude.

London, the capital city of England is an extremely popular tourist destination but this vibrant and multi-cultural city also has the reputation of being prohibitively expensive even with the London hotel deals available. However thankfully several of London’s famous attractions offer free access to the public and the city also offers various avenues of  free entertainment which help to stretch any travel budget.

Visit the museums in London for free

If visiting museums is your passion then you will strike jackpot in London as most of the museums in London offer free public access though they do charge a fee for special exhibits.  Free public access London museums include the Tate Modern (which features contemporary art), The Tate Britain( which features British Art from the 16th century until today), The Imperial War Museum(which as its name suggests  has exhibits that date back to the two World Wars), The Victoria and Albert Museum(a great museum for art and design which has wonderful  cultural galleries and many interactive exhibits and events for children) and The National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square(which features nearly 16000 portraits of famous Brits from the 16th century to present day).
The National  History Museum, the Science Museum and the Transport Museum, which are also free access and are  especially popular with children though the Transport Museum does have a charge for adults while it offers free access to children under 16 who must be accompanied by an adult. Also included in the list of free museum is the British Museum, the National Gallery, The Museum of London which is located near the Barbican center and  chronicles the history of evolution of London and other smaller museums like the Horniman Museum, The National Maritime Museum, the Geffrye Musuem and  Sir John Sloane’s Museum.

Get swept up in British pomp and ceremony at the changing of the guard ceremony

The Changing of the guard ceremony is a well known tourist attraction in London which is always free. This display of military music and  regalia can be witnessed by standing outside Buckingham Palace at 11.30am on most days.  However you should  check the official website of the British Monarchy for the daily schedule before you plan your visit.

Attend a service at Westminster Abbey

This historic church is a favored spot for Royal ceremonies, both joyous and somber. Westminster Abbey contains the graves of  has more than 3000 famous  people though it also hosts 600 monuments. You can choose to tour the church by paying the appropriate admission fee or just attend a daily service for free though you should check the official website of  the abbey for timings of these daily services.

Visit the many animated markets of London

Britain has often been described as a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’ and appropriately its capital city is home to several lively markets which always offer free public access.  Must-see markets in London include the foodie heaven of Borough Market, the antique filled Portobello Market and the fashion forward Spitalfields  and Camden Markets.  You could also include in your  must-see list the Asian flavored flea market at Brick Lane which is held only on Sundays and the Petticoat Lane Market which is also held on Sundays and which  features vendors of  all sorts of goods.

Witness the Ceremony of the Keys

Every night the world famous site of the Tower of London is locked up by the Chief Warder as he makes his way to the gates from the Bayard Tower at exactly 21.53pm. Once the gates are locked the Last Post is sounded by a trumpeter and this 700 year old tradition which doesn’t last for more than ten minutes comes to an end.
The Chief Warder represents ‘the Beefeaters’(guards) who have looked after the Tower since the fourteenth century. This ceremony offers free public access but to gain tickets you have to send in your request to attend the ceremony at least 6 or eight weeks in advance. Requests have to be mailed to The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, London, England, EC3N  4AB and it is  only when you receive your tickets that you can attend the ceremony of the keys.

Stop for a break in London’s many Royal Parks

London is a city whose residents relish their parks and gardens. This stately city is actually home to several Royal Parks like the Kensington Gardens, Regents Park( home to the London Zoo), Green Park, Hyde Park( renowned for its speaker’s corner), St James Park and  Greenwich Park which provide an oasis of calm and block out the hustle and bustle of the city. These free public access parks are a hub of activity especially during the summer months when they offer many free concerts, fairs and events. During the  dreary London winters . many of these London parks are transformed into winter wonderlands as they host lively holiday markets and rides.

Take a peek at the Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed Memorial at the sumptuous Harrod’s Department Store.

Princess Diana who was referred to affectionately by the British people as the ‘People’s Princess’ was tragically killed with her companion Dodi Al Fayed in an auto accident nearly a decade ago. A sober memorial to the couple has been set in a quite escalator lobby on the lower ground floor of the imposing Harrods’s department store which is owned by Dodi’ Al Fayed’s  dad, the flamboyant , Egyptian businessman , Muhammad Al Fayed.

Explore the many landmarks at London’s famous Trafalgar square

Trafalgar Square which is located in the heart of London is one of its most famous attractions. This  square which is surrounded by imposing buildings like  the National Gallery, the Canada House and  St Martin-in-the Fields Church has within it several important landmarks like the towering Nelson’s column and many statues and fountains. Trafalgar square which commemorates Britain’s naval victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 is a popular area of congregation in London as it often hosts various political demonstrations and Christmas and New Year’s Eve revelries. In fact every year, the square is adorned with  a gaily decorated towering Christmas tree which is gifted every year to the city of London by the people of Norway to commemorate the help  rendered to them by the British people during the Second World War.

Grab a free Theater  performance if you happen to be  under the age of  26

This is London’ s ‘newest’ free attraction which was instituted by the English government’s theater initiative in February 2010. Free tickets for people under the age of 26 are available at more than 200 theaters all over England including famous London theaters like Donmar Warehouse, the Young Vic, the Barbican, Soho Theatre, the Royal Court, the Almeida, Hampstead Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre.
Tickets can be located and  booked at the website of the Art Council for the scheme-www.anightlessordinary.org.uk. However tickets cannot be mailed out under this scheme and can only be collected by the booker on the night of the performance. The booker has also to supply proof of age at the time of collection of  these tickets.