London, the capital city of England is an extremely popular tourist destination but this vibrant and multi-cultural city also has the reputation of being prohibitively expensive even with the London hotel deals available. However thankfully several of London’s famous attractions offer free access to the public and the city also offers various avenues of  free entertainment which help to stretch any travel budget.

Visit the museums in London for free

If visiting museums is your passion then you will strike jackpot in London as most of the museums in London offer free public access though they do charge a fee for special exhibits.  Free public access London museums include the Tate Modern (which features contemporary art), The Tate Britain( which features British Art from the 16th century until today), The Imperial War Museum(which as its name suggests  has exhibits that date back to the two World Wars), The Victoria and Albert Museum(a great museum for art and design which has wonderful  cultural galleries and many interactive exhibits and events for children) and The National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square(which features nearly 16000 portraits of famous Brits from the 16th century to present day).
The National  History Museum, the Science Museum and the Transport Museum, which are also free access and are  especially popular with children though the Transport Museum does have a charge for adults while it offers free access to children under 16 who must be accompanied by an adult. Also included in the list of free museum is the British Museum, the National Gallery, The Museum of London which is located near the Barbican center and  chronicles the history of evolution of London and other smaller museums like the Horniman Museum, The National Maritime Museum, the Geffrye Musuem and  Sir John Sloane’s Museum.

Get swept up in British pomp and ceremony at the changing of the guard ceremony

The Changing of the guard ceremony is a well known tourist attraction in London which is always free. This display of military music and  regalia can be witnessed by standing outside Buckingham Palace at 11.30am on most days.  However you should  check the official website of the British Monarchy for the daily schedule before you plan your visit.

Attend a service at Westminster Abbey

This historic church is a favored spot for Royal ceremonies, both joyous and somber. Westminster Abbey contains the graves of  has more than 3000 famous  people though it also hosts 600 monuments. You can choose to tour the church by paying the appropriate admission fee or just attend a daily service for free though you should check the official website of  the abbey for timings of these daily services.

Visit the many animated markets of London

Britain has often been described as a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’ and appropriately its capital city is home to several lively markets which always offer free public access.  Must-see markets in London include the foodie heaven of Borough Market, the antique filled Portobello Market and the fashion forward Spitalfields  and Camden Markets.  You could also include in your  must-see list the Asian flavored flea market at Brick Lane which is held only on Sundays and the Petticoat Lane Market which is also held on Sundays and which  features vendors of  all sorts of goods.

Witness the Ceremony of the Keys

Every night the world famous site of the Tower of London is locked up by the Chief Warder as he makes his way to the gates from the Bayard Tower at exactly 21.53pm. Once the gates are locked the Last Post is sounded by a trumpeter and this 700 year old tradition which doesn’t last for more than ten minutes comes to an end.
The Chief Warder represents ‘the Beefeaters’(guards) who have looked after the Tower since the fourteenth century. This ceremony offers free public access but to gain tickets you have to send in your request to attend the ceremony at least 6 or eight weeks in advance. Requests have to be mailed to The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, London, England, EC3N  4AB and it is  only when you receive your tickets that you can attend the ceremony of the keys.

Stop for a break in London’s many Royal Parks

London is a city whose residents relish their parks and gardens. This stately city is actually home to several Royal Parks like the Kensington Gardens, Regents Park( home to the London Zoo), Green Park, Hyde Park( renowned for its speaker’s corner), St James Park and  Greenwich Park which provide an oasis of calm and block out the hustle and bustle of the city. These free public access parks are a hub of activity especially during the summer months when they offer many free concerts, fairs and events. During the  dreary London winters . many of these London parks are transformed into winter wonderlands as they host lively holiday markets and rides.

Take a peek at the Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed Memorial at the sumptuous Harrod’s Department Store.

Princess Diana who was referred to affectionately by the British people as the ‘People’s Princess’ was tragically killed with her companion Dodi Al Fayed in an auto accident nearly a decade ago. A sober memorial to the couple has been set in a quite escalator lobby on the lower ground floor of the imposing Harrods’s department store which is owned by Dodi’ Al Fayed’s  dad, the flamboyant , Egyptian businessman , Muhammad Al Fayed.

Explore the many landmarks at London’s famous Trafalgar square

Trafalgar Square which is located in the heart of London is one of its most famous attractions. This  square which is surrounded by imposing buildings like  the National Gallery, the Canada House and  St Martin-in-the Fields Church has within it several important landmarks like the towering Nelson’s column and many statues and fountains. Trafalgar square which commemorates Britain’s naval victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 is a popular area of congregation in London as it often hosts various political demonstrations and Christmas and New Year’s Eve revelries. In fact every year, the square is adorned with  a gaily decorated towering Christmas tree which is gifted every year to the city of London by the people of Norway to commemorate the help  rendered to them by the British people during the Second World War.

Grab a free Theater  performance if you happen to be  under the age of  26

This is London’ s ‘newest’ free attraction which was instituted by the English government’s theater initiative in February 2010. Free tickets for people under the age of 26 are available at more than 200 theaters all over England including famous London theaters like Donmar Warehouse, the Young Vic, the Barbican, Soho Theatre, the Royal Court, the Almeida, Hampstead Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre.
Tickets can be located and  booked at the website of the Art Council for the scheme-www.anightlessordinary.org.uk. However tickets cannot be mailed out under this scheme and can only be collected by the booker on the night of the performance. The booker has also to supply proof of age at the time of collection of  these tickets.

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.

The Washington Post today is featuring a round-up of great spring and summer cruises for this season. From excursions to Albania or week-long ventures in the Bahamas, to a European river cruise down Germany’s Elbe River, this guide will give you some great ideas on how to plan your own getaway.

A couple of great discounts and travel deals are highlighted in the Dallas Morning News, including Southwest’s double Rapid Rewards credits for paid flights to and from Florida for travel through March 9. Other deals you will want to keep in mind is Amtrak’s 20% off winter fares on many routes for tickets purchased by January 25, and Delta’s sale on bargain airfare to Europe from Dallas, under $600 for round-trip airfare to Paris, London, Rome, and Milan.

Cruise Planners have organized an exclusive event, the Cruise With World Famous Astrologer/Psychic David Wells. David Wells, billed as one of the world’s leading astrologers, psychics and “past-life therapists,” announced this week he’ll be hosting a voyage focused on the topic for the first time in June on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. The seven-night group sailing, organized by a branch of travel agency Cruise Planners, is on the ship’s June 13-20 departure out of Miami.

$45 a night for the New Orleans: Parc St. Charles Hotel. The hotel is located next to Lafayette Square, the second oldest park in New Orleans, and sits within walking distance of Riverwalk Marketplace, Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, Harrah’s Casino, and scores of world-renowned art galleries and restaurants. What’s more, the French Quarter, Louisiana Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are all within five blocks of the establishment, and the hotel’s prices are good through the Mardi Gras celebration.

The Chicago Tribune highlights the great deals on skiing in the Midwest, detailing ample options for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tubing. Families can put their kids in special winter programs and share in outdoor activities such as sleigh rides, dog-sledding and hiking, all the while inhaling clear country air and without incurring the cost of traveling out of state. Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin locations and prices are covered, and there are a number of great midweek packages for even bigger discounts!

The Guardian has a special section in travel called ‘Beenthere’ where people can suggest travel tips and highlight deals that might otherwise be overlooked. In today’s comments, one member points out how to save significantly on tours in Japan, by using the web site called “Tour Guide-interpreter Search System” maintained by Japan’s own Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which can connect you with a licensed Tour Guide directly, saving you both time and money.

And of course, you can add to the discussion both here on BestTravelDeals.net and over at twitter, where you can follow @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!

The Santa Barbara Car Free special is running now. Get 20% off the best available adult train fare on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin and associated buses going to and from the following Santa Barbara County stations: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Surf, Solvang, Santa Maria and Buellton. You must reserve at least three days in advance of travel to qualify for this discount.

Global Fare Sale on bmi from $161 (O/W)! U.K.-based bmi is slashing rates on airfare by as much as 50 percent! This impressive sale encompasses dozens of destinations worldwide including Europe from $161 each way, Africa from $374, Asia from $478, and more.

A New Package to Orlando Costs Only $449 for 5 nights at a three-star Disney-area resort. In addition to receiving round-trip air on this remarkable package to Orlando, you’ll be receiving continental breakfast each morning. You’ll be given an Orlando-area coupon booklet for dining and attraction discounts. And to top things off, you’ll receive a compact car for five days with unlimited mileage (but not including car rental tax, fuel, and optional insurance). Price is per-person based on two persons traveling together.

That’s not the only Orlando hotel deal out there though, how about $67-$100 a night at the Radisson Orlando Celebration Resort! With luxuries such as custom furniture imported from Italy and granite and marble bathrooms adding a special touch to the resort, this is truly a great place to unwind. The unparalleled pool facilities boast a huge free-formed pool with cascading waterfalls, two whirlpools, a children’s wading pool, heated mid-sized pool and a 40-foot waterslide that winds around a rocky hill. In addition, you will be close to all the sites that make Orlando, FL a vacation retreat.

$76-$109 a night for New Orleans’ Bourbon Orleans Hotel, which features a rich history and French styling reminiscent of the early 1800s. As it is just steps away from the famed St. Louis Cathedral, it means you’re never far from the best the city has to offer-from upscale shopping on Royal Street, to the performers of Jackson Square, to all of the restaurants, galleries and nightlife in between.

$42 a night for a 4-Star Hotel Near The Strip, in Las Vegas, where South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa has slashed rates to 40% off. This special is valid for travel Sunday-Thursday through April.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge is a brand-new ecolodge in the Granada Isletas bringing ecotourism to Nicaragua. As an opening special, the property is offering a third night free for stays through April 2010. A three-night stay is usually $1,311 (double occupancy, including tax); with this deal it’s just $874, averaging $291/night and all meals are included as well in the package price.

Colorado River White-Water Rafting Trip from $965, which is $285 off the standard rack rate for Wilderness River Adventures’ Be a Kid Again package for select dates from April 16 through August 20. In addition to the 88-mile trek down the mighty Colorado River, the deal includes all meals (primarily home-style and barbeque), drinks, and all the essential camping equipment (sleeping bags, a foam pad, ground tarp, tent, etc.). Adrenaline junkies will also have ample opportunities to explore hidden cascading waterfalls and crevices during their trip.

Mardi Gras season began Wednesday with the Feast of Epiphany and continues through Mardi Gras itself, or Fat Tuesday (Feb. 16). Celebrations of the festive season, previously occurring mainly in and near New Orleans, have spread widely in Louisiana, Texas and other states. We’ll cover more Mardi Gras deals as members vote them up over the coming weeks.

New and luxury hotels are opening in London, Tokyo and other major destinations this year and 2010 promises to be a huge year for these new hotels. The New York Times has a handy guide to all of them, and you’ll want to visit each one!  Speaking of new hotels, be sure to add any new deals you may come across, and if you aren’t yet a member, it’s easy to sign up and start voting on the best travel deals!

£54.70 & up a night in La Palma, Spain. The hotel Sol La Palma offers quality service with a warm welcome in elegant surroundings. Equipped with modern facilities, this property is an ideal base for both business and leisure travellers.

Legoland California water park set to open in June 2010 at Legoland California on 5.5 acres inside the Carlsbad kiddie park. Located in the northern part of the park between the Lego Factory Tour and the Adventurers’ Club, the water park will require a separate $10 charge tacked on to the regular admission price.

Last Minute Vacation Packages include $369 for 4 Nights at Bahamas All-Inclusive Resort, and that includes Airfare from NYC. Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino is located on Nassau’s famous Cable Beach. It comes complete with gourmet restaurants and a 35,000 square-foot Vegas-style casino. Close to town for shopping and nightlife and is a good choice for singles, couples and families, at a price that’s hard to beat.

Myrtle Beach Golf Package with airfare from $499. DirectAir is currently offering a remarkable golf package in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from $499. The March Golf Madness deal is valid Thursday to Sunday from March 1 through March 31, and includes a 3-night stay at the Legends Resort with daily breakfast, two afternoon rounds of golf with carts, and all-day use of the practice facility with unlimited balls.

$449 for 5 Nights at Dominican Republic All-Inclusive resort, with airfare from Miami included. The buildings are low rise Mediterranean style, amid Caribbean style thatched roofs and cobblestone walkways, comfortably blending with the surrounding mountain ranges and the sparkling silvery hues of the ocean. This resort is all you want in a vacation, from sunning and snorkeling to tennis or jogging. Fantastic food, unlimited drinks, an exciting disco and bars, and best of all, the friendliest service in the world.

$572 & up for a London vacation. If you’re looking for something to do, check out these exciting London sightseeing tours. You could choose a visit to Stonehenge, take an open top bus tour of downtown London, daytrip to Paris, and more. Or embark on the Gems of Britain escorted tour which departs from London and takes you throughout England and Scotland.

$89 a night for Riverfront Chicago Boutique Hotel. The property is uniquely located along the Chicago River, just minutes from the famed Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and the Theatre District. Bonus: The hotel is including $20 food and beverage credit with this deal for use at the hotel’s Cafe 71 or for room service.

$690 & up for Los Cabos All-Inclusive 4-Star Getaways with airfare included. Say hello to savings of up to $150 with an air and hotel vacation to the new Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe, where you’ll enjoy Barceló’s exclusive All-Inclusive Plus program, available only through Continental Airlines Vacations.

£86.45 & up a night for a Palma De Mallorca 4 Star accommodations at the Hotel Tryp Bellver, part of the Sol Meliá chain. This four-star hotel is splendidly set on the Paseo Maritimo promenade of Palma de Majorca, with panoramic views of the marina, the bay and the cathedral. This hotel has an ideal location for leisure clients as well as the business travellers, set in one of the most important commercial and business districts of Majorca in an area well-known for its beauty and entertainment.

Save Over $1,000 on Africa Adventure Cruise, a 17-night odyssey marked down over $1,000. The cruise visits enchanted ports around Africa and the Red Sea starting from $1,750 – including airfare!

12 Day Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise from $1999.00 w/ 2 Nts in Paris and 2 Nts in London. Cruise package includes two nights at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel in Paris, tickets for the Eurostar train to London; two nights at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (to open in early 2010) in London, plus seven nights of cruising.

Free Business Class Ticket on British Airways w/ Visa Companion Ticket Offer. Receive a ticket for a companion when you purchase a qualifying round-trip full-fare ticket.

San Francisco, CA (SFO) To Miami, FL (MIA) From $134 RT. Saturday night minimum stay required, 30 maximum stay, 14 days advance purchase requirement, available on Mondays through Thursday and Saturday.

£170 & up for a Magnificent Country House Tylney Hall Hotel – 4 Stars. Tylney Hall is the perfect location to relax. Luxurious accommodation is complimented by fine food and extensive health and beauty facilities. These include an indoor and outdoor heated pool, beauty suite offering both classic and contemporary treatments, saunas, solarium, fitness studio, tennis, croquet and snooker.

$119 per night for San Francisco 4-Diamond Hotel (Reg. $279). 15-minute walk from Union Square, the MoMA, Chinatown and the Embarcadero, the hotel also offers an indoor pool, whirlpool, spa and fitness center.

$625 & up for Cancun: 3 Nights at a 4 Star Resort with Airfare included. This Cancun deal does include round-trip airfare, 3 nights, Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach & hotel transfers. BONUS save 40%. Plus save 25% on food, beverages & spa.

$289 & up for 3 Nights at Las Vegas Planet Hollywood with Airfare in February. This Las Vegas deal does include round-trip airfare, 3 nights, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and hotel transfers, plus a bonus complimentary bottle of liquor.

$149 per night at Award Winning 5-Diamond Seattle Hotel (Reg. $400). A perennial award winner, it was ranked Seattle’s #1 Hotel by Travel and Leisure magazine and is the only AAA 5-Diamond property in the Pacific Northwest. Rooms go for $400 per night in high season, but now guests can stay through March for just $149 per night, including weekends.

$649 for 3 night stay at Riviera Maya, Mexico’s Top-Rated Resort, and price INCLUDES round-trip airfare, 3 nights, The Fairmont Mayakoba & hotel transfers. Kids 17 & under stay free.

11-day Exotic Borneo & Bangkok tour. Book by Jan. 8 to get this deal for $1,599 including international round-trip airfare from LA, intra-Asia flights, all ground transportation, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and five lunches, sightseeing tours and fuel surcharges.

$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.

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.

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.