Fly to Australia from $399! Qantas Vacations just reduced fares to Australia to as low as $399 one-way for flights May 1 through June 8. Plus, for only $100 more, travelers can add flights to three extra cities in Australia.

Kauai Marriott Resort has a special offer of $189 for an ocean view room for travel through December 24, 2009, and if you prefer to travel to travel between January 3 – 31, 2010, you’ll pay just $20 more.

Planning your holiday events? Today’s holiday shopping, light displays and events guide by Mary Ramos for the Dallas Morning News features more than 60 of the liveliest Christmas and Chanukah events in Texas and neighboring states.

There’s a wonderful 5-night Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Activities package this winter at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge starting at $1281 single, or $2220 for double occupancy. The lodge’s excellent location and large rental fleet of snowmobiles helps guests take advantage of the area’s back-country trails.

BED-and-breakfasts are starting to ‘man up’ — Michelle Higgins reports on sports-friendly B and B’s and highlights some great deals for BOTH spouses.

The Shopaholics Train (a.k.a. the Atlantic City Express Service – ACES) will ferry shoppers from New Jersey to New York on November 27th. A complete timetable is available on the ACES web site.

48-hour Sale, 40% OFF: Hotel Kabuki San Francisco is a premier Japanese-style hotel in San Francisco with a western touch. Hotel Kabuki is located in Japantown, and for the next 48 hours rooms are only $84 per night!

Caribbean Vacation Spa Package at the Renaissance Aruba from $398.

Get 30% Off in Your Stay at Leows Hotels and Resorts, valid for travel between 11/20/09 – 01/31/10.

And there’s a great last minute Hotel sale for the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, $139 and up per night. The hotel is on the Intracoastal Waterway and offers a complimentary beach shuttle.

Black Friday is notorious for the chaos that characterizes the shopping scene at stores around the country.  Whether you want to get the most out of retail’s biggest day or escape from the madness, there are plenty of travel deals available for those who want to venture to the East Coast on November 27th.

Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, in Downtown Philadelphia, is offering the Black Tie Friday package.  It attempts to put a classy spin on the unofficial shoppers’ holiday.  The promotion includes a stay in the Bellevue’s luxurious accommodations on Thanksgiving night.  Guest receive a complimentary breakfast the following morning.  The hotel’s location is perfect for shoppers because the epicenter of Philadelphia’s retail scene is just a few footsteps from the front door.  The one-night-only deal costs a mere $135 when you use the code bltie during booking on the hotel’s web site (or on the phone: 1 800 778 7477)

The Country Inn & Suites Manchester Airport is offering a 2-day stay with plenty of perks: a $50 gift card to the nearby Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and free shuttle service to the Mall of New Hampshire, where the city of Manchester is bringing the retail festivities to Northern New England with several stay-and-shop deals.  The deal launches on November 27th.  Rooms  can be booked now at the hotel’s web site.

Best Western Executive Court Inn, also in Manchester, is offering a similar package with room, shuttle service to the mall and a $50 gift certificate to the nearby Yard Restaurant.  This deal includes a shopping kit with local maps and coupons from local retailers.  The 2-night promotion starts on Black Friday and runs over the weekend.  Book at the hotel’s web site or by phone (1 877 627 25250)

Manchester’s Highlander Inn is offering a deal aimed at more serious shoppers.  The coupon book and shuttle service are still part of the package, but guests will be able to check in on the 26th and can catch shuttles to the Mall of New Hampshire as early as 4 a.m. on Black Friday.  Getting the drop on your deal-searching competitors, as well as experiencing the classy accommodations at the Highlander, will set you back only $109.99 when you book soon on the hotel’s web site.

The Tangier Outlets, near Concord, New Hampshire, will be one of the most popular venues for area shoppers on November 27th.  Concord’s Courtyard by Marriott is offering a special “Shop Till You Drop” package for $119.  The deal includes a $25 gift card for the outlet mall as well as a book of coupons.  Guests are also treated to a complimentary breakfast before departing for the shops.

Further south, the Renaissance Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, has an offer that is designed to take the stress out of Black Friday (and the holiday shopping season in general).  The Renaissance, part of Marriott’s upscale hotel portfolio, offers a high-end experience and access more than 170 stores, all of which are located a few footsteps from the lobby.  This means that there is no need to struggle with over-crowded parking lots and traffic.  The package, which costs $139 per night, is available from November 27th until December 26th.  Each room comes with a $25 gift card to the Providence Place Mall.  Even those who don’t plan to shop will appreciate the historic surroundings and luxurious amenities of this particular Renaissance.   For more info or to book a room at the Renaissance Providence, visit the hotel’s web site or call 1 401 919 5000.

It isn’t necessary to check into a hotel in order to get the most out of Black Friday. The Shopaholics Train (a.k.a. the Atlantic City Express Service – ACES) will ferry shoppers from New Jersey to New York on November 27th. The train will depart Atlantic City at 10:02 a.m and the ride will include prizes and giveaways. All riders will receive a special shopping
tote and a discount code “ACESTRAIN” gets riders 10% off at the ACE Hotel in New York City. The main event will take place on Black Friday, but a special fare will continue throughout the holiday season, with round-trip tickets costing $39. The only stop during the two-and-a-half hour trip will be in Newark. A complete timetable is available on the ACES web site.

These special Black Friday travel deals make the end of November a great time to visit the East Coast.  If you already live near the Atlantic, there are plenty of opportunities to experience something new before and after doing battle in the aisles of your favorite stores.
.