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.

One of America’s favorite destinations, Las Vegas Hotel Deals are always available at BestTravelDeals.Net

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. Today’s travel podcast focuses on all the great hotel deals and sales starting now!

Celebrity Cruises is offering $200 onboard credit for any Alaskan Cruise tour reserved by Dec. 31

$79 per night for Fall Weekends at Charlotte, NC Hotel. That’s 40% OFF the regular price!

In airline news, Midwest Airlines and Virgin America top Zagat poll of fliers, while JetBlue was named the top large U.S. airline for coach passengers, scoring 19 points on Zagat’s 30-point scale.

Cruising to Alaska? Get 2-for-1 Savings on Top Shore Excursions in Juneau and Ketchikan, including whale watching and helicopter flightseeing tours!

Italy:  Flights plus 5 nights in Venice and Florence for $989 includes air transportation from Los Angeles to Venice and then Florence back to L.A.; two nights in Venice; a first-class train trip from Venice to Florence; three nights in Florence; breakfast daily at both hotels; and all hotel and city taxes.

Lake Powell 2-Night Escape from $139. For just $20 more, upgrades are available to lake and canyon-view rooms.

25% OFF in San Francisco at the trendy Hotel Metropolis, $76-$89 a night.

30% off in San Francisco on a 3 night stay at the Cova Hotel, making it only $77 a night.

40% off in New Orleans at the Ambassador Hotel, $59-$79 a night.

Weekends at Greensboro, NC Marriott for only $79-$84 a night.

Up to 20% Off Black Friday & Cyber Monday Gap Adventures 4-Day Sale.

Enjoy the white sandy beaches of Tunisia while staying at the El Mouradi Palm Marina Hotel. Package price from 669.00 EUR includes: Accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, air passenger duty, Gala meals and transfers to and from resort.

Europe Holiday Package Deals include a 4 star Prague city breaks package from 157EUR.

And skiers, be sure to check out the 9 Top Ski Europe Deals showing the best Earlybird Offers in UK from £239.

$249 for a 5-night Caribbean Cruise from Miami, ports of Call include Miami, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; then back to Miami, Florida.

Last Minute Hotel Deals in Miami, FL, only $49 a night for a South Beach Hotel with $100 in Extras if you book by MIDNIGHT Nov 30

Reduced Fares to China and Japan, roundtrip starting at $736 & up to many destinations. See such attractions as Shenyang Imperial Palace in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, or check out the Hong Kong Highlights in today’s NYTimes for the end of December.

Ten of the best Christmas markets: Susan Greenwood picks her top 10 festive fairs at home and away for The Guardian UK

Looking for Europe Hotel Deals? Here’s a luxurious hotel with prime location – 5 star in Dublin, from £111.71 to £142.99 just steps away from the Cultural Quarter, Temple Bar, and the famous shops of Grafton Street.

There’s also a 4 star hotel in Leeds, England from £58.65 per room. Or there’s a stylish 4 star hotel with fantastic leisure facilities in Heathrow Airport from just £39 a night.

Another great deal: Tophams Hotel, a 4 star Hotel in London, just re-opened after an extensive £6 million refit as a 48 bedroom luxury hotel situated in the heart of Belgravia, one of the most exclusive residential areas in London. Stay in Tophams from £144.79 to £281.25 per room, only a few minutes walk from Victoria Station.

Cruise fans already know the Oasis of the Seas set sail from South Florida.  USA Today has a live blogger onboard posting from the ship.

Speaking of cruise news, the Disney Dream is due to start sailing January 2011, and will feature ‘virtual portholes’ in its inside staterooms, showing the seas in real-time and occasional animated visits from Disney characters.

Last Minute Las Vegas Hotel Deals: $39-$69 per night for rooms in the Brand-New Biloxi Casino Hotel (Midweek Only).   Guest rooms range in size from 325 to 375 square feet and include a 27-inch plasma television and luxurious bath products from Gilchrest & Soames.

4-Night Mexico Spa Package from $616 location features 48 spa treatment rooms, three restaurants, lighted tennis courts, an 18-hole championship golf course, fitness center, as well as many walking/hiking trails.

Ski resorts roll out the discounts, featuring fewer blackout dates and better value-added incentives, such as getting a third night free on a two-night booking.

Saving the best for last, Fly Round-Trip to the Bahamas from $210! There’s only three stipulations, your tickets must be purchased by December 15, 2009, outbound travel is valid beginning November 20, 2009, and all travel must be complete by January 31, 2010.

NYC Restaurant Week coming soon, Grand Bahama Island Flight-hotel packages for $900, JetBlue Announces One-Day Sale from $29, and hotel deals in both the US and Europe in today’s Travel Deal podcast!

Kabuki Hotel

The Hotel Kabuki is one of the premiere Japanese-themed hotels in the neighborhood.  Actually, it is unfair to call it a theme hotel.  Many of the details at Kabuki are quite authentic, although there are plenty of Western elements in the design as well.  The ambiance, the popular O Izakaya Lounge (which boasts Japanese-inspired international cuisine), and the Kabuki Springs and Spa help Kabuki stand as one of San Francisco’s most unique hotel experiences.

A 48-hour sale on rooms, currently underway, will make this one of the best deals in the Golden Gate City as well.  People who book a room in the next two days will get 40% the Kabuki’s already quite reasonable (for San Francisco) rates.  The total cost will come to $84-$110 per night.  The deal also includes a $20 certificate to the Japanese-style baths located at the adjacent Kabuki Springs and Spa.

Location is another thing that the Kabuki Hotel has going for itself.  San Francisco’s Japantown is as close as you can get to experiencing the Land of the Rising Sun without traveling across the Pacific.  Japantown is filled with authentic shops, sushi bars, and movie theaters. In addition, Fillmore Street, one of S.F.’s hippest spots, is within walking distance of the Kabuki’s lobby.

For those who book in the next 48 hours, the $84 to $110 rates will be locked in until New Year’s Eve.  Even travelers who aren’t interested in staying in Japantown will find this a great price for a hotel in one of America’s most expensive cities.

Traveling during the week if you’re able to is a great way to save a little money and still get some down time. The Dawn Ranch Lodge in Sonoma has lower rates for midweek stays. The Fall Vacation Special running through December 21, 2009 gives you three nights for the price of two or five nights for the price of three. Unfortunately Saturday night stays aren’t included.

Cabins at Dawn Ranch Lodge in the Fall time

If you’re not able to sneak away for a weekday getaway, there are still some specials available at the Ranch. For the Harvest season, weekend packages start under $300 and include a cabin for two nights and dinner for two at the Roadhouse Restaurant. If you’d like to travel with a group, larger cabins are available.

The Roadhouse Restaurant is known for their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays – with an extensive list of Russian Fiver appellation. The restaurant also carries organic produce from both Napa and Sonoma counties.

The Dawn Ranch Lodge was named after a variety of Redwood – the Dawn Redwood – that was thought to be extinct. Nearly seventy years ago, saplings were found in China and some were transplanted in North America. The 15-acre Dawn Ranch Lodge is lucky to be home to two of these former saplings which are now towering trees.

Creekside at Dawn Ranch Lodge

Thanksgiving season is a good time to try new wines and enjoy the company of friends and family. The Dawn Ranch Lodge has Thanksgiving Packages starting under $300. These packages include two nights’ accommodations and $20 “Roadhouse Bucks,” which are good towards a meal at the Roadhouse Restaurant or a delicious boxed lunch for an outing on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Your choice!

Dawn Ranch Lodge Christmas Time

If you prefer to celebrate holidays at home, the Parade of Lights Weekend Packages are available for December 5^th and 6^th. The Holiday of Lights in Guerneville (near the Dawn Ranch Lodge) includes a parade of more than 100 floats, antique vehicles of all sorts, horses and marching bands. If you decide to skip into town earlier than the fifth, the Dawn Ranch Lodge will be participating in the Dining Out For Life event on December 3, 2009. A percentage of diner’s total food bill will be donated to Food For Thought. The weekend package includes two nights accommodations and a dinner one night and $20 Roadhouse Bucks for brunch.

Deck Party at the Dawn Ranch Lodge

The New Years Party Package starts at under $400 and includes two nights accommodations for two, complimentary champagne and a dance party! Better yet, there’s also a New Year’s Day champagne brunch for two.

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There’s a myth that lodging in New York City is expensive, especially around the holidays. The Cool Yule Deal brought to you by the GEM Hotels in NYC has savings of about $80 less than the average price for a similar hotel room in Manhattan. There are three locations, one in SoHo, Chelsea and Midtown West.

Ultra Posh but comfy lobby of the GEM Chelsea

Dates included in this deal are November 20^th-29^th (perfect for catching the Macy’s Day Parade!) and December 18^th-29^th. The boutique hotels have three very different locations. If you’re interested in catching some shows or visiting the Javits Center for any reason, than the Midtown location is perfect for you. Also near that location is the Empire State Building, the Broadway Theater District and Times Square.

Midtown is great for seeing some of the classic tourist spots. I’d advise staying in that location during the Thanksgiving season if you’re interested in seeing the parade – Herald Square is a few blocks away. It’s also great for shopping with Lord and Taylor nearby.

If you’re more interested in eating than sightseeing the SoHo location is perfect. It’s a little off the beaten track and close to the unique shopping opportunities of the Meatpacking District.

Of course, if you’re the type of person who travels for nightlife, Chelsea is the place to be. With a plethora of unique nightclubs, bars and galleries, the Chelsea GEM location is key for experiencing it all. Also, it’s only a hop, skip and a short subway ride from Midtown where you can take in the classic tourist sites as well.

Lobby of the GEM Chelsea

As a New York City frequent traveler, I recommend staying in Chelsea (although I am a bit biased – that’s where I usually stay so I know the neighborhood very well). It’s a funky, artsy area with many colorful characters to keep you busy people watching.

The GEM Hotels also offers tips and local guides that are constantly updated. Called the GEMine, travlers are also encouraged to add their own experiences to the lobby-located chalkboard. This is a great source for local events and other happenings that you can’t find in the typical guidebook. As someone who likes to travel like a native, this is extremely helpful.

If you are interested in some more traditional tourist attractions, the hotels are stocked with iPods that have pre-loaded audio tours of different areas such as Little Italy and Times Square. These GEMwalks are complimentary for hotel guests.

For on –the-go tourists, GEMtexts is another service the hotels offer. Twice daily you’ll be alerted to neighborhood and hotel offers via your cell phone. Talk about convenient! Make sure you get your room soon – there’s limited availability and with this rate, the rooms won’t be around for very long.

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I had the opportunity to spend a past New Years in New Mexico and thoroughly enjoyed it. Prior to my trip, the Southwest region was never very high on my list of destinations. After seeing firsthand the culture, color and attractions, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

The architecture is wonderfully different from the Northeastern building I’m used to. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is one of those spots. Situated near the artsy district which is mainly pueblo buildings, the Cathedral, with its pseudo-Gothic yet decidedly Southwest style towers is a  juxtaposition of culture. If you’re interested in visiting other religious spots, the San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe is said to be the oldest standing church in North America. Built in 1610, this building is open every day of the week and costs only $1 donation.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe /CC Meghan Butler

The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort is the epitome of Santa Fe style with Spanish, Native American and Southwestern cultures beautifully melded into traditional structures. The resort itself has some interesting historical background. The land was bought in 1851 by bishop Jean-Baptist Lamy. The chapel he erected nearly 160 years ago still stands.

Main Building of Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort

For the holiday season, The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch is offering Thanksgiving and Christmas deal of 25% off the regular rates.  The Ranch has many relaxing activities, including the SháNah Spa & Wellness Center with six indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor massage gardens and outdoor Japanese Watsu pool and even a hair salon. The word “SháNah” means “vitality and energy” in Navajo. With that in mind, the spa offers massages, yoga and Pilates, facials along with the traditional salon treatments of waxing, hair and nail care.

Guest Room of Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort

After some relaxation, explore the Downtown Santa Fe area’s artsy district. Artists sell their unique and handmade wares out of authentic pueblos. One of the most notable artists (whose prints can be found in almost any store in Santa Fe) is Georgia O’Keeffe, Her colorful flowers and abstract renditions are well represented in the Southwest. And rightfully so – they’re beautiful.

You can purchase real skulls in Downtown Santa Fe! / CC Meghan Butler

For the more active travels, The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch has guided horseback riding trails, a skeet and trap range and tennis courts. To keep your entourage of kiddies happy, the Lodge has youth horseback riding programs. So sign em up, saddle em up and send em out to pasture. Then enjoy some quiet time!

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