Maine is the perfect state for a bed-and-breakfast vacation.  The stylish quaintness of Upper New England fits nicely with the intimate/personal setting of a family-run inn.

The Brewster House in Freeport, Maine is offering a holiday shop, dine and stay package for those who want to get the most out of the town’s attractions.  The two night package costs $499 and includes a $100 gift card to the nearby LL Bean flagship store and a $50 gift card to the Azure Cafe, an upscale eatery that features Italian dishes, wine and local ingredients.  A third night can be added onto the package for an additional $100.

Of course, the local LL Bean outlet is more than a strip mall shop.  It is the original,  store of the popular clothing manufacturer.  The retail space is massive and is worth visiting even if you do not plan to purchase any products made from flannel.  LL Bean has regular events at its store and also sponsors events in Freeport.  The Northern Lights Festival will be going on throughout the holiday season.  Events include light displays, old-fashion carriage rides starting in front of the store  and complementary valet parking over the holidays.  Other events include weekend campfires and book signings by several popular children’s authors.  There is also a promotion that gives a $10 gift card to anyone who makes a purchase of $25 or more.

More information on the Brewster House can be found on their official web site.  A list of holiday events and activites at LL Bean’s flagship can be found on the store’s web site.

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.

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.
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