$252+: La Valencia Beachfront Hotel In  La Jolla, San Diego, California

Mediterranean-style luxury accommodations on the Pacific Ocean

$189+: All-Inclusive Hilton Rose Hall Resort In  Jamaica

Chic Jamaican resort with golf, water park and spa near Montego Bay

$827+: Three Night Package for Two: The Landmark London

Your London getaway in a Superior Room features welcome drinks at Mirror Bar

$1949+: Air And Nine-Day Italy  With 4-Star Hotels Plus Meals

Includes airfare from New York JFK, plus fine dining across Italy

$172+: Three-Nights Hawaii Island Resorts: Save up to 50%

Three nights in Maui with island hopping and excursions

55% off! 3-night package at 968 Park Hotel in Lake Tahoe starting at $415

Sleeps up to 4. Includes $50 spa credits, free wi-fi, all taxes and fees.  Travel May – September.

7-night Hawaii cruise aboard Norwegian’s Pride of America from $1099

Departs from Honolulu and sails to Kahului, Hilo, Kona and Port Allen.  Valid Aug- Dec 2011.

London culture and theatre 4-night package deal from $899

Includes round trip airfare, accommodations, daily breakfast, sightseeing tours and excursions.

3-night package for 2 at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in California starting at $657

Ocean view room with private balcony, free wi-fi, dining and spa discounts, all taxes and fees.

Half off at Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort in Orlando

Only $69/night through December 2011. Conveniently located on I- Drive with free shuttles.

3rd night free at Cova Hotel in downtown San Francisco

Average: $71/night.  Free wi-fi, shuttle and breakfast! Valid now through March.

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas only $69/night through March

Conveniently located on the Strip.  Free buffet for February stays.

$179pp/pn at all-inclusive Dreams Los Cabos Suite Golf Resort and Spa

Includes $100 spa credit and $100 resort credit. Valid now through April. Regularly $362.

7-night Bermuda cruise aboard the Carnival Miracle from $629

Departs from New York and sails to Kings Wharf.  Valid in April.

Photograph © Andrew Dunn http://bit.ly/ieUVRo

4-star Hyde Park Premier London Paddington Hotel from $122/night!

Conveniently located one block from Lancaster Gate and Kensington Gardens.

Nationwide Hotel Sale from Courtyard Hotels- $49 & up through March!

Receive 2 free movie passes and $25 off a future stay.  Valid Thursday-Sundays.

$109– Meeting Street Inn– Historic Charleston, South Carolina

Includes free breakfast, wi-fi and wine reception. Book now for travel through February.

Amazing Vegas budget deal:  Save 30% at Imperial Palace on the Strip!

As low as $21/night plus FREE show tickets and drinks.

Save 40% at the Ambassador Hotel in New Orleans through April!

$65/night includes free valet parking and breakfast.

Tuscana Resort near Orlando only $90/night- suite with full kitchen!

One-bedroom condo in Davenport.  Minimum 2-night stay.

New York Helmsley Hotel from $148/night (Reg. $229)

Centrally located in the heart of midtown Manhattan.

$949 per person: All-inclusive St. Thomas USVI getaway package!

4-nights at Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa including round trip airfare.

Save 60%! Las Vegas Package Deal from JetBlue starting at $189 per person.

Includes round trip airfare and 3-nights at Excalibur Hotel. Travel select dates through February.

11 hotels near Waikiki Beach up to 69% off! Nightly rates as low as $79 through June.

Free wi-fi, long-distance calls, beach tote, and transportation on the Waikiki Trolley.

4-star New York, New York Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip only $44/night!

Must book by 1/12 for travel through June 2011.

5-night Orlando package from NYC: $335 per person!

Includes round trip airfare, 5 nights at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and airport transfers.

Stay and Ski Deals for Peak Season in Utah starting at $75!

View participating hotels and resorts.  Some offers include free breakfast, parking, shuttles or massages!

Save $275 when you book a 4-night package deal to Breezes Resort in the Bahamas!

Round trip airfare, 4-night all-inclusive accommodations, and hotel transfers starting at $645 per person.

$111/night at Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans. Save 30%!

Centrally located adjacent to the French Quarter and only 5 blocks from Bourbon Street.

Beresford Hotel in San Francisco with free breakfast: $76 & up.

Conveniently located near Union Square shopping, financial district, theater district and cable cars.

4-night London getaway package starting at $899 per person through October: Save $200!

Includes round-trip airfare, 4 nights at the Thistle Euston Hotel and daily breakfast.

London, the capital of England is an immensely popular tourist destination. This lively city which is home to the British Monarchy, is  a city from which popular global trends tend to radiate so much so London is often referred to as ‘the Capital of  Cool’  and  is closely watched  for the emergence of the next ‘best’ thing.

A wildly popular vacation getaway, London is served by its five main airports namely Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton and Stansted  Airports. While Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airport receive both legacy and low cost carriers, Luton and Stansted Airport host  primarily low cost carriers like EasyJet and Ryan Air that offer a plethora of connections to various European destinations. Aside from these major airports, London can also be accessed from the continent via a trans-channel high speed train service which provides under the channel connections between London and the European cities of Brussels and Paris.

Getting to the city from these airports is also relatively easy for most of them are connected by high speed express trains like the Heathrow Express, the Gatwick Express and the Stansted Express which provide convenient connections to the city. Aside from these express trains, regular trains, buses, and the London Underground (the Tube) also provide connections from the city to the various airports. Of course all these London airports are served by the iconic London black cabs or taxis; however they can be prohibitively expensive with the ride from Heathrow to the city costing as much as £50 to £80. Many travelers who are on a budget often eschew these black cabs and choose instead to hire a minicab. Minicabs are licensed private taxis which operate for airport transfers and intra –city transfers within London. Information about licensed minicabs can be obtained on the Mayor of London’s Transport for London website.

A word of advice should be noted here, if you are a single traveler on a visit to London then it makes sense for you to take one of the Express train connections into London city for tickets for those journeys cost approximately £20 for a single transfer and are offered at a discount if you buy your return at the same time. However if you are traveling with a group then it makes sense to arrange for a pickup in a minicab or get a black cab at the airport itself.  

Public transport is the best way to get around London and the city’s transport department offers a variety of travel cards as well as a stored value Oyster card which can be used by visitors to access the system. International visitors can buy the visitor Oyster card online at the website of Visit Britain and Transport for London. The visitor Oyster card currently costs £12 and comes loaded with  £10 and has a non refundable activation fee of  £2. If you are traveling to London with your children you will be happy to know that children aged 10 years and under travel free on the Tube, and London Over ground services at any time as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket or with a Visitor Oyster card.

The best time to plan your London holiday is during the traditional summer months of June and July. The weather in London can be quite gray, dreary and chilly for much of the year but during these summer months the British capital actually gets a few sunny days which are perfect for enjoying the many charms of this fascinating city.

London is known for its unpredictable weather and rain showers are a common occurrence even the midst of Indian summer weather so if there is one essential that your luggage should contain is an umbrella. This device is a must for any trip to London no matter which season. Yet another important apparatus that should be included in your luggage is a travel adapter for the use of electric appliances in London for London has a standard voltage of 240v and the plugs most commonly used is a three square pin. If you are planning to travel with the cell phone that you use in your home country, you should perhaps make sure that it is unlocked and capable of accommodating a UK sim card which is freely available any of the many cell phone stores that line London’s main shopping drag of Oxford Street.

London has a plethora of heavily tourist trafficked attractions like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud’s, Westminster Abbey,  Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye. However aside from these popular attractions, London also has several other must-see attractions like the Tate Modern Museum which is located on London’s South Bank and offers fantastic exhibits of modern, contemporary art. Admission to the Tate is free like it is for  many other museums in London though you are expected to pay an admission charge for special exhibits.

Yet another must do attraction on your visit to London list should be a visit to the many animated markets in London. Some of  London’s most popular markets include Borough Market( organic and specialty fresh and prepared foods), Spitalfields market and Brick Lane (quirky apparel, knick-knacks and South Asian foods), Portobello Road ( antiques, fashionable garments, specialty foods) and Camden Lock( avant-garde fashion).

A visit to famous London department stores like Harrods and Selfridges should also feature in our itinerary as well as partaking of typical English cream tea at a tea room like Richoux which has several branches in London (Mayfair, Piccadilly, Knightsbridge) or at the temple of gourmet foods, the world famous Fortnum and Mason store which also has tea rooms and restaurants within its premises at Piccadilly. Other not to be missed attractions in London include its verdant parks like Regents Park, Hyde Park  and Green Park as well as it Botanic gardens at Kew and Hampton Court Palace.

Even though London is classified as an expensive city it  offers  a  wide array of shopping options and if you are looking to take back some unique souvenirs from your trip to London then you would do well as to eschew the ubiquitous ‘Made in China’ souvenirs that litter the various souvenir stores be found all over London. Your best bet would be to take back some indigenous British foods like biscuits, tea, cakes which can be bought at many fine stores like Fortnum and Mason, Harrod’s and various branches of  Marks and Spencer’s( the popular English high street chain that has outlets all over London) or to invest in something uniquely British like a Barbour jacket which is definitely cheaper in London than in the US and  is available in various stores all through-out London.

Actually Portobello Road is a heaven for authentic souvenir shopping in London for it has a wide assortment of stores that offer all sorts of interesting and authentic souvenirs like British prints and maps, china, cashmere sweaters, time pieces and more.

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!