Memorial Day in Miami is filled with events that are outside the norm for the holiday.  Yes, there are parades and celebrations related to the holiday itself, but some of the biggest fests have nothing to do with marking Memorial Day.  Urban Beach Week, one of Miami’s largest springtime parties, culminates on Memorial Day weekend with concerts and beach parties.  This event adds to the usual assortment of attractions along Miami’s seafront strip.  But there are plenty of non-wild-party options in Miami and the other cities along South Florida’s Gold Coast.

The most visible event during the last weekend in May is Urban Beach Week.  This event originally had a music theme, but has grown into a full-blown beach party that more-or-less dominates South Beach during Memorial Day weekend.  Parties at some of South Beach’s hottest clubs will feature appearance by rap luminaries like Sean Diddy Combs and Busta Rhymes.  For those who don’t care for the hip-hop scene, Miami also plays host to the Best of the Best Concert.  Many of reggae’s biggest names will be taking to the stage, as will stars of the Caribbean’s other musical genres.  The event will be held in Bicentennial Park on Sunday May 3oth.  The tunes will start at 1:30 and last for more than 10 hours. If you have too much fun while visiting, find great Miami summer travel deals to keep the party going.

While Miami’s city beaches are crowded – more-so than usual – during the holiday weekend, sandy spots up the Gold Coast are reasonably calm.  Fort Lauderdale is a favorite alternative to the big city, as is West Palm Beach  These beaches are cleaner and the vibe more laid back.  But not too laid back.  Monarchy, a club in West Palm Beach, will host legendary DJ Roger Sanchez on Sunday May 30th, while the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida features plenty of entertainment options to go along with its gaming tables.

Fort Lauderdale also hosts the Great American Beach Party, a family-friendly version of the holiday events taking place to the south in Miami.  The event is free and features movie screenings, a classic car show, sand castle contest and plenty of musical performances.  The Beach Party will take place on Saturday, May 29th.

Museum Month runs throughout May in Miami.  Visitors to area museums are offered a buy-one, get-one-free deal until the end of the day on May 31st.  For those who really want to explore the city’s exhibit halls, there is also a deal that allows anyone who purchases an annual membership to any museum to visit every other museum in the city free of charge during May.  The museums involved in this promotion include the Miami Science Museum, Miami Beach Botanical Garden, the Children’s Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Haitian Heritage Museum.

Florida’s Gold Coast has something for everyone on Memorial Day.  Fans of urban culture, hip-hop and reggae will enjoy the scene in central Miami, while those looking for a more relaxed South Florida vacation will find what they are looking for in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Hollywood.

Bermuda is unlike the other “tropical destination islands” in the Caribbean.  It hangs on to much of the culture that comes from its status as a British overseas territory.  It is more about high tea and country clubs than rum-based punches and lounging on the beach (though there are plenty of sandy stretches to explore and plenty of unique alcoholic beverages available).  The old forts, classy restaurants, low-key nightlife, and high-quality golf courses make this one of the more unique destinations in the North American tropics.

Unfortunately Bermuda is one of the more expensive Caribbean islands to visit.  Import taxes raise the price of goods, which are further inflated in tourist areas, and steep airport fees cause airlines to charge much more than standard Caribbean fares.

This is all the more reason to take advantage of special promotions when they come along.  An early March promotion offers a reasonable flight and hotel package for the Grotto Bay Beach Resort, which sits one a few minutes from the town of Saint George and the international airport.  The 4 night fly-and-sleep deal starts at $639 per person.

This will be one of the better chances to see Bermuda on the cheap.  The only catch is that you have to book by the end of this week (Friday, March 5th) and travel by March 26^th.  That might seem like a last minute trip, but there are some welcome extras to take some of the uncertainty out of the deal.  The $639 includes both trip insurance, should weather make travel impossible, and a $100 discount if there is a significant amount of rainfall during the four day stay.

Grotto Bay is more than your typical, bland “package” resort.  It features well manicured lawns, three private beaches, an in-house dive shop, tennis courts and a network of underground caves (which give the resort its name).  Yes, there are cheaper packages if you choose another Caribbean island, but you will not be able to find the landscape, attractions, activities, and atmosphere of places like the Grotto on other islands for this price.

Italy – starting at $799 until February 28 – Explore Sorrento’s ancient beauty with the Dooley Vacations Amalfi Coast Package.

Starwood Family Travel Deals – Book before 30 April 2010 and your kids can eat for free and you get 50% off the second room at participating hotels and resorts across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

$327 & up — Royal Carribbean Cruises up to 80% Off exclusive deals on cruises to Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and beyond.

$189 & up — Carnival Cruises with free room upgrades on virtually any Fun Ship cruise departing through December 31, 2010

3 for 2 and 4 for 3 Hotel Deals! As previously mentioned in today’s blog post, there are hundreds of hotels offering free nights around the world when you book three or more nights.

$189 per night for Grand Caymans 4-Star Resort This Summer (Reg. $400) This Marriott Beach Resort is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and night clubs.

$99 a night weekends at Indianapolis 4-Diamond Hotel (Reg. $219) This AAA 4-Diamond hotel is connected to the Indiana Convention Center, Circle Centre Mall and is also within a short walk of the Indianapolis Zoo and the NCAA Hall of Champions.

MSNBC Travel is highlighting this Canadian travel deal: 9 nights, from $995 – Tour Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick with transfers and all other transportation; the services of a professional tour director and local guides.

USA Today: Learn how to use your frequent-flier miles for more than plane tickets!

$119+: NYC Flights to Grenada & Grand Cayman, tickets must be purchased by February 9 for travel through August 28.

For more of the best travel deals as we discover them, follow @BesTravelDeals and subscribe to our blog’s RSS feed!

Lindsey Wallace has negotiated some truly amazing special rates at Shangri-La Villingili in the Maldives, including ultra-private, 2,350-square-foot hideaways ordinarily cost $3,096 per night, but just $598 through Wallace: a discount of over 80%, according to Truth.Travel.

$59 & up per night for Ski & Stay Packages at Loon Mountain Resort. Spread out over 336 acres, this mountain resort offers an impressive 55 trails winding down 2,100 vertical feet. The resort features 10 ski lifts and five lodges and cafes for dining, daycare facilities, a skiing and snowboarding school for adults and children, and equipment rentals.

House of Travel is offering a 24-night cruise priced from $4975 a person, including all main meals, most entertainment onboard, port charges and government fees. Holland America Line Cruise departs Rotterdam on August 26. Available until sold out.

Rock-bottom Hotel Deals today include just $69 a night for a San Francisco Union Square Hotel, and that is including breakfast. You’ll be steps from world-class shopping and restaurants, as well as the historic cable car line to take you to Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown and Ghirardelli Square.

Las Vegas is very, very cheap to visit right now. According to MSNBC, you can get round-trip airfare on Southwest Airlines, four nights at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino, fuel surcharges, and hotel taxes, from $152 per person—plus about $30 in airport taxes.

Kate Hamman of SmarterTravel details all the ways you can visit the Caribbean this spring for under a $1,000. She includes tips on cheap airfare, hotels, and even vacation rentals.

Jet off to the base of the Baja California Sur and stay at the splendid AAA Four-Diamond Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos for a mere $196/night. From now through December 22, the stylish resort is offering a stay-for-four, pay-for-three deal that equates to 25 percent off.

If you’re interested in Barbados, American Airlines Vacations and the Barbados Tourism Authority are offering free companion air on four-night packages to the Caribbean island. For example, two travelers pay $899 total for round-trip air from Washington Dulles, a standard studio at the Worthing Court in Christ Church and taxes according to the Washington Post.

Southwest is revving up tourist-luring discounts for Orlando, FL vacations. The new “Super Deal” program shaves $150 off a seven-night Southwest Vacations package that includes airfare and starts at $35 to $57 per person nightly, based on availability and city of origin, with four people sharing a room at the Sheraton Safari or the DoubleTree near Universal Orlando Resort. Plus, each passenger can check two bags for free.

In time for Valentine’s Day, a handful of upscale hotel brands including Fairmont and RockResorts are offering Twitter-only discounted rooms and packages at resorts in the Caribbean, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has a San Francisco hotel sale going, with eight hotels are participating. The Harbor Court Hotel and Hotel Triton start at $85 per night, and the Prescott, Cypress and Sir Francis Drake hotels start at $89 per night. The Serrano Hotel starts at $95.

USA Today reported today on loyalty bonuses from Marriott, Hilton and Loews, including Marriott’s “MegaBonus” promo beginning in Feb. 1st that lets members who register for the promo earn 2,500 bonus points with each paid stay, up to 25,000 bonus points.

Pauline Frommer suggests four great low-cost getaways on Good Day New York today to help you plan an affordable vacation. Her suggestions include finding the cheapest rates on Carnival cruises, Outdoor camping, and vacation packages to Cancun.

Paul Wade and Kathy Arnold in today’s Telegraph offer ten money-saving tips for travel in the USA, such as an 11-night package with Premier Holidays with visits to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii from £1,269 per person, including all flights and accommodation.

The Tamarijn Aruba Resort’s All-Inclusive deal offers fun, food, drinks, and a stunning location for a perfect island getaway from $899 for five nights, including airfare. Swim laps in the pool, borrow a resort bike to explore, or visit underwater worlds with a snorkel and fins. Floats and equipment for non-motorized watersports such as Sunfish sailing, canoeing, and snorkeling are part of the all-inclusive package.

And if you’d like to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking travel deals, you can follow us at @BesTravelDeals and subscribe to the blog’s RSS Feed.

via Paul Mannix, Flickr

Carnival is one of the most famous festivals in the Western Hemisphere.  It is known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in francophone places.  Images of elaborate, revealing costumes, city-size parties and raucous parades have been drawing hard-partiers from around the world for years.  While the samba parade in Rio de Janeiro is the most iconic of the Carnival celebrations, it is far from being the only version worth attending.  Fat Tuesday fests occurring in Latin America, the Caribbean and even the US and Canada are equal to Rio’s event when it comes to fun and memorable experiences.  The party culminates on February 16th this year, but the good times start rolling well before that.

Here are the best destinations to enjoy the world’s biggest party.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is the biggest of these celebrations.  That is enough of a reason for many travelers to head south of the Equator in early February.  However, a trip to Brazil is expensive (airfares from the US are currently hovering the $700-$800 range).  The city is notorious because of its crime problem and non-Portuguese speakers might find it intimidating to get around the crowded streets during the festivities.  That said, it is difficult to imagine that other Carnivals can match the atmosphere and sheer good times at the main samba parade and the many neighborhood-wide parade/street party events held throughout the city.

But Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival at least comes close.  The laid-back island vibe of this festival is a major positive for visiting revelers.  Party trucks, complete with towering speakers and mobile DJs are as common a sight as ornate floats.  There is plenty of dancing in the streets.  Bands, with percussion instruments vie for prizes.  Their ornate costumes are not the only ones on the street.  Locals and tourists don colorful, sometimes skimpy outfits as well.  The five day affair, beginning on   February 12th this year, is characterized by the unique culture of Trinidad, with African, Caribbean, French, Latin American, and South Asian influences evident.  The fact that Trinidad is an English-speaking island and the reasonable airfares from the US (from $400), are major positives for would-be American Carnival attendees.

via Vince Alongi, Flickr

In the US, New Orleans holds the biggest Carnival festival.  It is, of course, known as Mardi Gras.  The epicenter of the party takes place on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.  Revelers stand shoulder to shoulder in the streets and the bars and balconies are also filled to capacity.  Of course, there is more to Mardi Gras in the Big Easy than this small strip of pavement.  Groups known as Krewes put on parades throughout the city in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.  The major parades take place in the Uptown and West Bank districts on Tuesday morning.  Yes, the all-out party in the French Quarter can be rowdy and over-crowded, but New Orleans is still the gold standard for Mardi Gras in the US.  It is, of course, cheaper to fly to New Orleans than to international destinations that celebrate Mardi Gras, but hotels, from five-stars to respectable bed-and-breakfasts, are difficult to come by unless you book well in advance.

Brazil’s Spanish-speaking neighbor, Uruguay has one of the longest-running Carnivals in the world.  Like other Carnivals the festivities start late in January with the parades and dancing in the streets culminating on Fat Tuesday.  But the capitol of the country, Montevideo, hosts celebrations and Carnival-related events until late March.  Despite the fact that most of its citizens are descended from European ancestors, many of the celebrations have a decidedly African vibe.

via A. da Silva, Flickr

Skimpy, colorful outfits, dancing in the streets, percussion-heavy music and parades are not confined to the end of January and beginning of February.  In the US Virgin Islands, Carnival takes place in late April (starting on the 27th, this year).  This is one of the more popular events in the Caribbean and has something for everyone.  There are separate parades for families and the general public, and an adult-centered parade that takes place on the final day of the festival.  Not only does the late date give would-be revelers some extra time to plan, but passports are not required to travel to and from the USVI, making it one of the more convenient Caribbean destinations for US-based travelers.

Toronto’s Caribana, a celebration of Caribbean culture held each August in Toronto, has a Carnival-like vibe and draws more than a million people each year.  Attractions include parades, fashion shows, musical performances and art shows.  Packages including hotel and event tickets start at just over $200.

Julia Scott at WalletPop is highlighting the great airfare deals to Hawaii, Vegas, NYC, and more that Virgin America, Southwest and United Airlines are offering. With United Airlines all destinations, including London, Paris, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, are on sale.

Speaking of airfare deals, Air Tran is offering some pretty good deals right now. You’ll find airfare for as little as $44 one way, according to Terri Gruca of KVUE News.

Rent a car that’s miles away from the airport, and you could save a lot of money, according to Christopher Elliott. His article today explores how to avoid airports’ sky-high car rentals in today’s Seattle Times.

An 8 day fly and drive package to Tuscany in the NYTimes includes a seven-day car rental, six nights in a hotel and breakfast daily, starts at $949 a person with departure dates of March 31 and April 7.

Hilton Hotels is offering up to 33 percent off Friday through Sunday stays at more than 520 hotels and resorts worldwide for weekend stays through Dec. 26, must be booked by Jan. 31.

Truth.travel shows us how to get a free companion ticket to Barbados on American Airlines

20 perfect getaways for Valentine’s Day for our friends in or traveling to Europe

Get half-price tickets to Off-Broadway shows such as “STOMP,” “The Fantasticks,” “Avenue Q” and the new “Venus in Fur” in New York City. The “On the House” deal from NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism organization, offers 2-for-1 tickets to more than 20 Off-Broadway shows for February performances.

$17 a night and up for a hotel room in Las Vegas, but these hotel rooms are going fast, so book NOW!

For more great travel deals, be sure to follow @BesTravelDeals on Twitter and subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed.

If you’re interested in traveling to the UK, Aer Lingus has announced transatlantic airfares to Ireland as low as $239 each way from NY or from $269 from Boston or Chicago for economy class for travel to Shannon or Dublin, from April 10 to June 15. Sale prices are slated to end on January 21 according to IrishCentral.com’s travel expert, Patricia Preston. She writes that Continental and Delta also have specials running for airfare to Dublin, and CIE Tours International has extended its discount on tours around Ireland as well.

$469 and up for an Iceland Getaway with Airfare, Hotel & breakfast. Enjoy shopping for quality Icelandic products, delicious gourmet Icelandic cuisine (including Icelandic game), invigorating outdoor adventure, highland wilderness beauty, soothing spas and more. The Reykjavík City Library hosts a walking tour in downtown Reykjavík where Icelandic literature, from the Saga period to newly published books, is introduced. This is a fun introduction to Icelandic literature and the downtown area at an easy pace that suits everyone. Deal includes accommodation at the friendly Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Baron, both situated in the historic city center.

Truth.Travel is covering the last-minute Hyatt hotel sale of 30% off rates at 180 Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites hotels. Travelers must book no later than this coming Saturday (January 23, 2010) for stays from February 7 through April 5, 2010. Hyatt Place, a contemporary-style chain aimed at business travelers, while Hyatt Summerfield Suites are extended-stay hotels that come with a full kitchen and 24-hour in-house grocery markets (making them especially convenient for families). Both brands offer free breakfasts and free WiFi, and this deal is good at nearly every location.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, MSC Cruises is offering Caribbean cruise deals on bookings through January. The “Wave Season” offer is available on new bookings through Jan. 31 starting at $419. The sailings, from Fort Lauderdale, go to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bermuda.

Southwest Airlines’ Swing Into Savings sale is last-minute fares that start at just $49 for flights from over 40 U.S. cities, and cap at only $99 on cross-country routes like Chicago to San Francisco, according to Elina Vaysbeyn. Booking expires January 21 for spring travel between April 7 and May 25. Fares are one-way, and round-trip purchase is not required.

Tom Johansmeyer of Gadling is highlighting Five Valentine’s Day deals in New England in his post today, and features romantic vacation adventures in Chatham, Massachusetts, North Conway, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine among others. Tom writes, “There are plenty of deals at your disposal through the New England Inns and Resorts Association, and a tough travel market is leading many properties to put together some amazing deals.”

And finally, NASA offers Out-of-this-World Space Shuttle Deals. Originally, NASA was asking for $42 million per shuttle, but now they’ll take $28.8 (or best available offer). The Smithsonian has already called dibs on Discovery, but Endeavor and Atlantis are still available, as is “The Enterprise,” which never took an actual trip into outer space. While this is probably out of most everyone’s price range, it’s not very often we get to point out a travel-related deal that’s $14 million off the regular price!

For more up-to-the-minute travel deals, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter at @bestraveldeals.

From Sunday’s Washington Post:Book a flight on British Airways and travel by Jan. 29 and receive free companion air with your next flight to any of the carrier’s 300-plus destinations. To use the bonus ticket on future travel, you must book by July 30, depart through Dec. 15 and complete travel by Dec. 31.

Phil Reimer of the Canwest News Service has published his analysis of cruise deals. According to his article, prices are on the rise but there are still some deals to be had. Compared to last year, February prices are up in the Caribbean although some of the shorter cruises are still good deals with prices near $70 a day with some costing as low as $50 per day.

In today’s USA Today, there’s a review of one African Adventure Cruise that promises savings of over $2,000 the regular price. This is a 21-night African adventure reduced up to 20 percent with an early booking discount, plus an additional 25 percent off. Priced from $4,156 (originally $6,350), this cruise also includes a 2-night hotel stay in London after the voyage, and a 3-night Kenyan safari prior to setting sail.

L.A. Times is highlighting a 6 Days + Airfare “London Escape” starting at $865 from Virgin Vacations, and you can customize your own vacation, easily adding airport transfers, sightseeing, activities and more, if you like, during the booking process.

New York Habitat is offering specials on hundreds of vacation rental apartments in Paris, with discount accommodations ranging from EUR 500 per week and up.

For more, subscribe to our RSS feed and be sure to follow @BesTravelDeals for the latest deals!

Priceline Cruises kicks off wave season with exclusive Hotel Bonus Cash Coupons and stateroom upgrades. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 5-6 night cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 1-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 7 nights or longer cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 2-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. For full details and restrictions, visit cruises.priceline.com.

Fly to NYC this winter just $49 each way out of Atlanta. The $49 rate is relatively easy to land, and it’s valid on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday with other days priced at $69, even Sundays. Give a 14-day advance notice of travel and finish trips on or before March 11 to take advantage of this deal.

Stay at a small Queen Room at the Ace Hotel in New York City for just $152 a night when you book by January 21 for travel through April 30, 2010. The hotel’s restaurant, The Breslin, doesn’t take reservations, so most patrons have to cool their heels at the bar for hours before snagging a table. Hotel guests, however, can skip the line and get on a priority list.

New York City skiers and snowboarders will want to read Matt Gross’ report on Metro-North Railroad’s one-day getaway to Thunder Ridge Ski Area, in Patterson, N.Y. At $51.50 for round-trip train fare and an all-day lift ticket ($50.43 if you order online), it’s nearly $30 less than comparable bus trips. Even better, Thunder Ridge has night skiing (included in the one-day getaway package), so even with an early-afternoon arrival you can ski for seven hours and catch the 8:55 p.m. train back to the city.

£68 & up for a modern hotel in Amsterdam. Located near the Amsterdam historical centre, it offers high quality accommodation. This modern design hotel offers you trendy rooms, all equipped with contemporary amenities. All rooms and public areas have free Wi-Fi!

Valentine’s Day travel deal: celebrate any day in February at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver. The package is $589 per night, pre-tax, and includes dinner, jewelry, and more. It’s available the whole month of February (based on availability). And you can get it just for one night — there is no two-night minimum, even on Valentine’s Day weekend.

$143 a night for Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards for Thursday-Sunday stays from Jan. 22 – March 31. The AAA 3-Diamond hotel is a short walk to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and National Aquarium. Guests will enjoy the new Marriott Revive bed, high-speed Internet access and fitness club.

$119 and up for stays at Boston’s Waterfront Harbor Hotel. The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel offers Thursday-Sunday night stays through March 7 for $119-$135 per night. This saves 20% off regular weekend rates during this time.

Also in Boston, $103 a night for the Cambridge Hotel over winter weekends. Located two subway stops and across the Charles River from downtown Boston, the Boston Marriott Cambridge is centrally located in Kendall Square close to top universities such as MIT, Harvard, and Boston University.

Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie and his team of experts have just released 5 “wow” travel destinations for 2010. The destinations include Las Vegas and the Caribbean, perennial favorites popular among Chicago area travelers. Central America, becoming more popular with Midwesterners also made the list. And for those who want a real “wow”, destination Gabe recommends China and South Africa. And for other great deals, be sure to follow our RSS feed and @BesTravelDeals on Twitter!