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!

Las Vegas-Grand Canyon helicopter tour now 41% off. The four-and-a-half-hour tour includes a helicopter ride (45 minutes each way) with views of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Strip en route between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Guests will also get a ride on a horse-drawn wagon to the Grand Canyon West Ranch where they’ll be served a western meal and be entertained by cowboys.

USA Today is reporting that, effective today through Jan. 4 2010, travelers can buy tickets for the 48 contiguous states and Canada at the last minute without necessarily paying more. The airlines that waived their advance purchase requirements are American Airlines, United, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, Frontier, AirTran and Midwest.

$99 a night for this Atlanta 4-Star Boutique Hotel. The property features a state-of-the-art fitness center and the re-concept-ed Terrace restaurant, offering farm fresh American cuisine. The hotel also offers complimentary evening wine receptions and coffee each morning.

$384 for a 7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Costa Cruise Lines. Offer is good through January 15th for travel from January 24th through January 31st, and visits the islands of Saint Thomas, San Juan Port, and Grand Turks before returning to Port Everglades, FL.

$149 a night for an AAA 4-Diamond Top-Rated Dallas Hotel. The Palomar is listed on the Conde Nast “Hot List” (2007) and the “Best Dallas Boutique Hotel” by Citysearch. It’s located in downtown Dallas and rooms include FREE wireless Internet access, goldfish, and a plasma TV.

$119 per person each night at this Florida Gold List Resort. The offer includes a free round of golf for one person per night at the resort, a $95 value. Both golf courses at the Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa were voted by readers of Corporate and Incentive Travel Magazine as a “Greens of Distinction Winners”.

Adults-Only Mexico Resort from $359 a night in Riviera Maya, Mexico this winter. For a limited time only, this opulent all-inclusive beachfront resort is slashing its nightly prices to $120 off standard rates! Plus, El Dorado Royale is giving its guests $500 worth of resort credit. Just be sure to book soon. Although travel is valid from January 4 through February 28, this offer expires December 22.

Stay for three or four nights Dec. 18-31, including Christmas and New Years Eve, for $79 per night at the Element Lexington hotel, just outside of Boston, MA. Element is a new concept hotel by Westin offering open-layout public spaces and eco-friendly design, and this offer includes a full hot breakfast daily (and there are additional last-minute Christmas travel deals here on BestTravelDeals.net).

Save Up to 20% on a Ski Vacation at Steamboat, Colorado with the Champagne Powder Family Package Sale offering up to 20% off lodging, lift tickets, and ski rentals, plus a $100 resort credit, and a $25 American Express Gift card. The discount applies to all Steamboat lodgings, including premium accommodations such as the Steamboat Grand and the ski-in/ski-out Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

Today’s photo of the day reminds us of Cape Cod.  Most people think of Cape Cod as a summer vacation spot but it’s also a great place to visit during the holiday season.  Stay at the Woods Hole Inn and enjoy beautiful harbor views of the ferries coming and going across the Vineyard Sound.  The Woods Hole Inn is offering Holiday Season special rates with luxury accommodations discounted as low as $100 a night.

Looking for something unique to do with your family over the holidays?  There are plenty of opportunities out there for those who want to take a break from all the holiday traditions and make a new kind of memory.

Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe New Mexico is offering a chance to spend part of the holiday season in the saddle.  The classic guest ranch experience is geared towards kids and families during the holidays.  Of course, Bishop’s is more than a classic guest ranch.  It is also a resort and spa that has been recognized as one of the best in the Southwest by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

The showcase holiday-themed ride is a two-hour trot to the top of a scenic mesa.  A bonfire, hot cocoa and s’mores are waiting for the riders at the summit along with a tremendous view.  This offer lasts through December and has a price tag of $75 per person.

Bishop’s also offers a winter kids camp during the holiday school break.  The camp features daily riding lessons, activities such as crafts and hands-on experience with horse care.  The five-day camp costs $70 per day, the three-day option is $80 per day and guests can also pay daily ($95 per day).

The ranch also has horseback riding lessons.  The cost for a group lesson is $30 per person.  Individual lessons start at $50.

Gift certificates and booking information are available at the lodge’s web site.  Sante Fe is known for its unique holiday celebrations, so the camps are a perfect chance to give the kids something to do while you explore the historic, culture-filled city.

$183-$215 a night at the Millennium Broadway New York. Here calm mellows cosmopolitan. Ease balances edge. And the glow of Broadway beckons after a day of hard work or leisurely sightseeing. Millennium Broadway sets the stage for your most successful meetings and social events, not to mention the simple pleasures of a romantic getaway weekend, and with this deal you get %20 OFF the regular rates.

Norwegian Epic maiden voyage “Seven Night Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise” package includes two nights at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel in Paris, plus daily breakfast buffet and a half-day sightseeing tour, tickets for the Eurostar train to London, two nights at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (to open in early 2010) in London, plus daily breakfast and a half-day sightseeing tour and seven nights of cruising, including most meals, most entertainment and some beverages.

Radisson LA Westside deal lets you save 30% on 3 Night stay. The hotel features 368 spacious and contemporary guestrooms including 3 suites, spa like amenities and all the comforts you would expect in our full service hotel. The hotel also offers accessible room types and is a pet friendly hotel.

Sherman’s Travel is reporting that the Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort is promoting a 5-night beach getaway with Travel by Spa Week from just $700 – a great price considering nightly rates alone can be as high as $170. Another great package deal they’re highlighting is the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach. From now through January 5, this green resort is offering guests an outstanding Silver Bells, White Sands package with rates starting at $269/night.

Three great Chicago hotel deals, including the upscale Blake Hotel at 30% off, with rooms from $88 to $112 per night, and $76 per night with Chicago’s The Avenue Hotel Holiday Sale, and the Avenue is just steps away from Michigan Avenue’s “Magnificent Mile” offering the ultimate in world-class shopping, dining, arts and entertainment. The third hotel deal is a last-minute Christmas travel deal thru 12/14-12/28 for $90-$104 per night at the Dana Hotel and Spa in Chicago. Features personalized service with modern technology and luxurious furnishings to create luxury boutique hotel services unlike other Chicago boutique hotels.

Renaissance Mayflower Hotel is within walking distance to the National Mall and just one block from the Farragut North Metro Station. This hotel, which opened in 1925, has hosted every Presidential Inaugural Ball from Coolidge through Reagan, and is now offering $139 per night weekend stays at this historic, Washington DC 4-Diamond hotel.

Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado is featuring a $134 ski package with 2 Night stay, including weekends, through Dec. 17. Copper Mountain Resort is steps away from 2,450 acres of prime ski and snowboard terrain featuring 125 ski trails, but this deal expires very soon!

Another last minute deal is the $85 per night rate at an Orange County 4-Diamond Hotel. This offer is valid any day of the week from Dec. 18 through Jan. 7. Once this special ends, rates are expected to double.

Today’s best hotel deals for skiers is easily the $59 Rooms at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada during Peak Ski Season. It’s only two blocks from the gondola base at Heavenly Ski Resort, whose 4,800 acres of terrain receive an average snowfall of 360 inches per year. The recent blizzard dumped three feet of powder on Heavenly in the past week. For weeknights at the 532-room resort—which has seven restaurants, a heated, indoor pool, and a full-service spa—rates start at just $59 per night. These special prices are good for travel from January 3, 2010, through April 30, 2010.

We’re seeing lots of incredible deals being voted on for this year’s holiday season, and here’s three deals that deserve special attention.

The Grandest Christmas Package in Crested Butte, Colorado. For under a grand enjoy the “Last Great Colorado Ski Town” this holiday season and create memorable moments with friends and family while saving a bundle. This holiday season a family of four can enjoy 4 nights of lodging at the Grand Lodge and 3 days of skiing or riding. The limited time package is perfect for families and makes a holiday ski vacation affordable on any budget.

We’ve posted about Myrtle Beach before, but these deals were too good to pass up. Christmas travel deals for 2009 include Myrtle Beach hotels for the holidays starting at just $26 a night. Myrtle Beach is home to many tourist attractions, notably Family Kingdom Amusement Park, a sea-side amusement park, Freestyle Music Park (formerly Hard Rock Park), and the diverse Broadway at the Beach, which features many shopping, tourism, and dining options.

And speaking of shopping, last-minute tax-free shopping trips to New Hampshire! Franconia Notch Vacations invites you to NH for some Tax-Free Christmas Shopping and early season skiing by offering one free nights lodging with every 2 night stay at any participating professionally managed Vacation Rental Homes. (Offer good on til December 21st.) Located in the heart of NH’s White Mountains and surrounded by 3 major ski areas plus lots of tax free shopping, there is no better place to get that holiday shopping out of the way.

Here’s three great deals going on now in Las Vegas: Mandalay Bay offers $100 resort credit before Christmas, Room rates start at $85 per night at Mandalay Bay.  In addition to the $100 resort credit, the package also includes a 2-for-1 buffet, 2-for-1 spa access and two free drinks at the eyecandy sound lounge & bar. Room rates are based on single or double occupancy. The third and fourth guest in the same room will be charged an extra $30 each.

Starting at $81 for a night at the luxurious Caesars Palace on The Strip. Elegant accommodations, fine dining featuring an array of cuisines, world-class gaming, plus legendary entertainment and special events await.

$25 a night at the Landmark Stratosphere, located at the top of the Las Vegas Strip. As one of the closest properties to downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience, Stratosphere offers the best value in accommodations, extreme thrill rides and exciting casino action.

Holiday & Winter Europe Airfare Sale starting at $465 for round-trip airfare if you book online by Dec. 17, 2009 and depart by Mar. 28, 2010.

You’ll save almost 40% off a stay at the Blackstone Hotel, located in Chicago’s South Loop. December 20 to April 10, 2010, you can book a standard room for $115 (including taxes) per night. Normally, this room would cost $184, so you’re saving around 37%. During this time, the hotel will serve classic cocktails (think a Singapore Sling or a Flora Dora) at its Jose Garces-helmed restaurant Mercat a la Planxa—all for a celebratory $1 each.

New York City flights from $129 Round-Trip, as airlines are slashing prices from cities nationwide. We’ve uncovered fares from as little as $129 round-trip! Go ice skating in Central Park, take in a Broadway show, or do a little shopping for what you really wanted this holiday season. Travel is valid from January–March.

$597 for a London 6-Night Vacation including Airfare. This offer from Delta Vacations includes roundtrip airfare with select nonstop flights. Six nights in a Deluxe room at the Thistle Euston Hotel, Daily English breakfast, and Two-for-one dining at the hotel restaurant. The Hotel is Conveniently located behind Euston Station and minutes from top London attractions including Buckingham Palace, Kensington Gardens, Westminster Abbey and Hyde Park.

$69-$109 a night at the Regal Sun in Downtown Disney, Save 50%. Regal Sun offers 626 rooms located on 13 beautifully landscaped, lakeside acres offering two heated swimming pools, hydrotherapy pool, and zero-entry beach pool featuring a child’s play area, therapeutic thermal spa, for the ultimate in relaxation. Hot tub, lighted tennis & basketball courts, volleyball & shuffle board. Disney Character Breakfasts, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, (check with hotel for pricing).

Florida Vacations with Airfare and Hotel from $340 and up, but ends Thursday: If you choose a Florida vacation and add a car rental, you can fly into 1 city, drive wherever you like, and fly home from another (except to/from Key West), with no drop fees.

Right now there are two hotels in San Diego and one in San Francisco with rates starting at $36 per night. The Bristol, a boutique hotel in San Diego, has rooms starting at $46 per night on select dates through Jan 1, 2010. The King George Hotel in San Francisco starts at $36 per night through Jan. 10. The third hotel is the Best Western Seven Seas in San Diego. It also has rooms starting at $36 through Jan. 10. Grab them while you still can from this LA Times article.

$134 per person for a top Colorado Ski Resort with 2 Night Stay, including weekends. Copper Mountain Resort is steps away from 2,450 acres of prime ski and snowboard terrain featuring 125 ski trails. Resembling a small village nestled at the base of Copper Mountain, guests are within walking distance from local shops, restaurants and nightlife.

Another great winter vacation package deal is the Zephyr Ski Package. At $118 per person Zephyr Cove Resort is truly the best kept secret for Skiers and Snowboarders.

$440 for 3 Nights at Award-Winning Florida Hotel (Save $350) located on the sugar-white beaches of the Gulf Coast. All guest rooms feature beachfront porches or balconies. Several hiking and biking trails are nearby, as well as water activities and golf.

Christmas travel deals include $89 per night in Palm Desert, California, includes breakfast and parking. Tennis courts, swimming pool, Whirlpool are located on site, while golfing is just half a mile away at the Desert Willow Golf Resort. Nearby activities are horseback riding, hiking on a nature preserve trail and hot air ballooning.

$119 a night stays at Louisville 4-Diamond Downtown Hotel (Reg. $209) located in the heart of Louisville, providing Pedway connection to the Kentucky International Convention Center and Louisville’s bustling new Fourth Street Live district. Guest rooms feature great city views, plush bedding and free high-speed wireless Internet.

$119 a night in Philadelphia Center City at The Independent, a 24-room hotel located in a fully-restored Georgian Revival building in the vibrant Midtown Village area that features complimentary European breakfast and a weekly happy hour with wine and cheese. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and mini-refrigerators and microwaves.

Other US Vacation Package Deals today include Three Perfect Tahoe Winter Days Package at $127 per person. With this package each person in the guest party will receive benefits of the package. For the snowmobile, if there are 1 or 2 people there is one double rider snowmobile tour. If there are 3 or 4 people there would be a second double rider added.

Exclusive Santa Fe Cooking 3-Night Package. The package, which is priced from $470 for two people, includes a three-night stay at the Inn, one 2.5-hour cooking demonstration class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking (culminating with lunch), and daily continental breakfast. This “Save and Savor” package also calls for daily afternoon wine and cheese receptions, and a $40 voucher to dine at Mucho Gusto, a Mexican café located next to the Inn.

Save Up to 50% on Stays this Winter at Select Leading Hotels of the World. Truth.travel is reporting that
room prices at more than 80 hotels around the world are being slashed around 30%-50% off regular rates for stays between January 1 and March 31, 2010.

AirTran’s near-system-wide sale has returned once again with rock-bottom domestic fares starting from as little as $39 each way for those who book before December 10th.

Downtown Columbus 4-Diamond Hotel, $99 a night right now. This hotel is nearby Nationwide Arena, the Convention Center, as well as popular Columbus museums, theaters and attractions.

$99 a night deal at the Minneapolis City Center Hotel, connected to shopping, entertainment and dining through the city’s famous Skyway system. Guests will also find popular attractions, including the Metrodome, Target Center and historic Theatre District nearby.

$65 a night in Las Vegas near The Strip, that’s 50% OFF the normal price for the holidays. The M Resort will celebrate this holiday season with a special lighting ceremony of a 109-foot-tall Christmas tree, a hand-made gingerbread display in the lobby and special holiday dining menus.

Stay minutes from Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld with a $29 per night deal now at an Orlando Hotel, good into March.

$318 Special to Mexico. This is an all-inclusive vacation package to Mazatlan, Mexico, that knocks $200 off the regular cost of peak season travel.

$90 a night for holidays in Boulder, with Parking. Outdoor activities are just a few minutes away at El Dorado Springs, twenty miles to Eldora Ski Resort and forty miles to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

$79 a night for a Dallas-Area Resort on the shores of Lake Texoma. This resort boasts an 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, plus a spa, boating, fishing, hiking, tennis and more.

$81 a night resort lodgings in the Cascade Lodge at ResortQuest Whistler. A two-day lift ticket to Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains is included when you book a three night stay.

Never skied before? Not to worry, Lake Tahoe is offering a “Learn to Ski and Board Weekend,” and you have nine resorts to choose from. First-time skiers and boarders get a beginner lift ticket, group lesson and gear rental for $25 per person. Be sure to check out the great deal on vacation rentals for the cheapest Lake Tahoe lodging!

The 3 Day Sale from Air New Zealand ends today. Save 20% on any fare from any city in the USA to anywhere Air New Zealand flies in New Zealand or Australia this Holiday Season.

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa offers 2009/2010 Ski Package, which includes 2 adult lift tickets for Snow Valley Ski Resort, 2 $25 certificates to the Spa of the Pines, discounts on dining and more.

Speaking of skiing, Tom Robbins highlights the best ski deals in Europe, Canada, and the US in his article in today’s The Guardian. Check out what he lists as The Best December Ski Deals.

Toronto hotels offers deals up to 30% off when you stay for 3 nights or more and travel from now through Jan. 15th, 2010.

Romance in Aruba, from $2,100 for 5 Nights, featuring custom-designed Colonial West Indian furnishings including four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and spacious balconies and patios.

A Winter Caribbean Vacation for 40% Less at the Radisson Aruba Resort. Stay five nights and get a $150 beverage credit at the resort; stays of six nights or more get a $200 credit.

Support Canada in Vancouver in 2010 with Vacation Packages from C$689. Watch Canada go for glory next year! Stay in Vancouver where the action is, or, if you’re looking to save a bit, check Canadian hotel deals for the latest low prices in other areas.

Top five Christmas travel deals from USA Today. Highlights include London, Las Vegas, and Madrid.

$79 & up for 4-Star Downtown Los Angeles Hotels. Affordable areas near LAX with convenient freeway routes to key sights.

$149 & up for a luxury San Diego Hotel. The US Grant is located in historic downtown Gaslamp Quarter, and is near many top beaches, shopping, and dining.

$75 & up for 4-Star Washington D.C. Hotels near Capitol Hill. The country’s political epicenter is home to many national monuments easily accessible from where you choose to stay.

$200 Instant Savings on 5+ Night Curacao Vacation Packages. Travel to Aruba, Bonaire, & Curacao now through April 1, 2010, including holidays. Book now though, this Sale ends next Wednesday, Dec. 9th.