Italy – starting at $799 until February 28 – Explore Sorrento’s ancient beauty with the Dooley Vacations Amalfi Coast Package.

Starwood Family Travel Deals – Book before 30 April 2010 and your kids can eat for free and you get 50% off the second room at participating hotels and resorts across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

$327 & up — Royal Carribbean Cruises up to 80% Off exclusive deals on cruises to Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and beyond.

$189 & up — Carnival Cruises with free room upgrades on virtually any Fun Ship cruise departing through December 31, 2010

3 for 2 and 4 for 3 Hotel Deals! As previously mentioned in today’s blog post, there are hundreds of hotels offering free nights around the world when you book three or more nights.

$189 per night for Grand Caymans 4-Star Resort This Summer (Reg. $400) This Marriott Beach Resort is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and night clubs.

$99 a night weekends at Indianapolis 4-Diamond Hotel (Reg. $219) This AAA 4-Diamond hotel is connected to the Indiana Convention Center, Circle Centre Mall and is also within a short walk of the Indianapolis Zoo and the NCAA Hall of Champions.

MSNBC Travel is highlighting this Canadian travel deal: 9 nights, from $995 – Tour Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick with transfers and all other transportation; the services of a professional tour director and local guides.

USA Today: Learn how to use your frequent-flier miles for more than plane tickets!

$119+: NYC Flights to Grenada & Grand Cayman, tickets must be purchased by February 9 for travel through August 28.

For more of the best travel deals as we discover them, follow @BesTravelDeals and subscribe to our blog’s RSS feed!

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.

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.

There’s an excellent Ice skating in Manhattan package in today’s LATimes. If you’re in New York for the holidays, or thinking about surprising your sweetie with a weekend getaway, take a look at this “Miracle on 31st Street” package at $239 per night for one night stay in a suite plus VIP Skating Package to the Pond at Bryant Park which includes 2 skate rentals, as well as other bonus discounts.

Last minute vacation packages from $390 for a 2 night stay at a Vermont Resort, includes ski pass and breakfast. This two-night package is valid any day of the week through Jan. 31, including New Years Eve.

Last Minute Hawaii Hotel Deal: $230 per night for Upscale Maui Beachfront Resort. Nestled against historic Black Rock, one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, this property normally goes for over $350.

$49 and up each way to Fly to California and Idaho Ski Destinations. Direct service to Mammoth Mountain starts December 17, 2009. Service to Sun Valley begins December 19, 2009.

Another last minute hotel deal starting at $73 per night for 4-Star Hotels in Downtown Nashville near Vanderbilt University and the Metrocenter.

$99 per night for the Landmark New Orleans French Quarter Hotel, that’s 35% OFF normal price plus includes two FREE welcome cocktails at the popular, on-site Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge ($20 value).

Exclusive New Year’s Discounts in Texas from $99 per night. From December 30 through January 4, guests can stay at this scenic Texas Hill Country resort for $99/night and make use of both the 50 percent golf discount, as well as the 30 percent spa discount.

$589 for Punta Cana All-Inclusive 5-Night vacation with airfare. Every reservation comes with weather insurance. Outside of the hotels, half a dozen of high-quality discotheques allow tourists to interact with local residents. Add nights to any package at our exclusive discounted prices!

Cozumel, Mexico Getaways from $539.00 with Airfare. All packages include hotel, airfare and travel insurance. There are over 100 restaurants on the island and many hotels, some of which run dive operations, have large swimming pools, private docks, multiple dining facilities, and offer complete vacations like this one. Book now though, this sale ends Wednesday.

$109 per night for chic Chicago 4-Diamond Hotel. This Chicago Loop hotel is within short walking distance to the Theatre District, Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and the State Street shopping corridor. This deal is only available online for Dec. 11-12, 17-30 — great for the holidays — and weekends (Friday-Sunday) Jan. 1 – April 4.

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 Prana del Mar Retreat and Wellness Center near Cabo San Lucas is one of many wellness and natural healing retreats in Mexico. It stands out because of its location on the ruggedly scenic Baja Peninsula and its diverse menu of offerings.  In addition to the natural health-themed spa treatments, the resort offers surfing vacations and yoga retreats.

Over the New Years holiday, the Prana del Mar will host a yoga and surf retreat featuring celebrity yoga instructor Isabelle du Soleil.

New Years is generally one of the more expensive times of year to travel.  However, those interested in the surf and yoga retreat will be happy to know that the del Mar is offering a special deal that will make this New Years retreat cheaper than similar experiences at other times of the year.  The regular rate of $1,800 per retreat will be reduced to $1,650.  That’s not bad for a 7-day vacation (running from December 27th to January 3th).  The price includes three meals per day, a room, transportation to and from the airport and all taxes and fees.

The location of Prana del Mar, in a rugged, remote-feeling section of Baja near Cabo San Lucas, fits well with the relaxed stress-free experience that the resort promises.  If watching the ball drop in Times Square or popping  open champagne bottles is not your New Years thing, the yoga and surf retreat at Prana del Mar might be worth checking into.

Cyber Monday is here. The online retailers’ version of Black Friday will not only bring deals for holiday gift shoppers, but for travelers as well. It is going to be the single best day of the entire winter to find low prices on flights, hotels and vacation packages. Here are some of the best cyber savings:

Sun-seekers have several exciting opportunities to get great value on a Caribbean vacation this winter. Sonesta St. Maarten Resort launched a huge 50% sale on Black Friday. Rooms are still available today, with the sale running until midnight Eastern Standard Time. All inclusive stays start at $123 per night, down from the regular price of $245. To take advantage of this offer, use the code BF09 when booking at the Sonesta St. Maarten web site.

Hawaii is one of the more expensive wintertime destinations. But there are ways to avoid the high costs. Case in point: the Maui Seaside Hotel on Kahului Bay is taking reservations for 45% below regular price. The promotion, which runs until midnight tonight, gives travelers access to a classy seaside hotel with views of Hawaii’s most scenic landscapes for under $100 per night.

The upscale Saint James Hotel in Chicago is offering to match the number of “hotel credits” that customers buy on November 30th. Those who buy 50 credits, for example, will be awarded 50 more credits at no additional cost. The credits can be used for rooms, but also at the hotel’s stylish lobby bar, the super-trendy Jbar Lounge and the award-winning in-house restaurant David Burke’s Primehouse.

Massive travel booking site Expedia recently listed some last minute cruise deals that have escaped notice (for the most part). Booking ends today for 4-day Caribbean cruises priced from $119. Sail dates are throughout December. This is a perfect deal for cruisers who want to enjoy a quick pre-holiday getaway without having to throw too much cash out the porthole.

Carnival Cruises is offering a similar deal, with 4-day fares starting at $109. Week-long cruises are also part of the line’s Cyber Monday promotions. The price tags on a 7-day journey starts at $309.

Not to be outdone by the other tropical vacation promotions on Cyber Monday, JW Marriott is offering 40% off a stay at a number of its resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Costa Rica. This hefty discount is offered to all customers who book by the end of the day today and travel between January 1st and April 30th. This is a great opportunity to lock in a good hotel price for Spring Break.

Las Vegas is known for its great hotel and package vacation deals. Casinos will do anything to get people to the gaming tables and slots, even offer them hotel and airfare at ridiculously low prices. Some of the Cyber Monday deals, though, are shockingly under-priced, even by Sin City standards. Not only do packages start at $32 per person, it is possible to earn two free nights by booking at least two consecutive nights at the already reduced prices.

One of the best family-friendly deals of Cyber Monday is being offered by Solaris Resorts. With locations in Cancun and Los Cabos, Mexico, this is one of the better all-inclusive options south-of-the-border. For today only, rates are reduced 45%. In addition, kids stay and eat free with a paid adult.

South Africa will be one of next year’s “it” destinations. Foresighted travelers can take advantage of Cyber Monday prices and book a hotel in South Africa for 30% off. Once the wave of popularity hits next year, prices are bound to rise further.

Continental Airlines is winding up a Thanksgiving promotion today by offering reduced fares to 10 cities from New York. Fares start at $148 round-trip. For those who really want to fall off the map, Lufthansa is currently offering a tremendous deal on flights to India. Prices start at $340 one-way from New York and $405 from Atlanta. That’s an exciting opportunity for globetrotters, considering the fact that round-trip fares usually hover in the $1,000 range between the US and the Subcontinent.

Jet Blue Airlines is running a one-day only sale for Cyber Monday: One-Way Non-Stop flights from $39, $69 and $99 depending on destination. Travel dates are between December 1, 2009 through December 17, 2009, so hurry to take advantage of this great sale today.

Find more Cyber Monday deals at besttraveldeals.net.

Black Friday is bittersweet to many shoppers. It’s a great way to catch a deal on otherwise pricey holiday gifts but it’s also a great way to give you a headache with the crowds that flock to shopping centers. Last year was the first year  I braved the crowds for some deals at a local outlet mall. It was well worth it but I’m not sure I’d do it again.

Now, however, there’s a chance to take advantage of Black Friday deals on travel from the comfort of your own home. Shell Vacation Hospitality’s Black Friday sale, will begin on at midnight on November 27 (the day after Thanksgiving) and end at midnight on November 30 (Monday night).

The sales includes up to 45% off Shell resorts across the US, Mexico and Canada. With twenty three resorts, there are options for any sort of vacation imaginable. If you’re interested in a romantic wine tour with beautiful site-seeing, the Vino Bello Resort in Napa Valley, California is included in the Black Friday sale.

If you’re traveling with kidlets in tow, the Peacock Suites in Anaheim, California is included in the Black Friday deal. Spend New Year’s within walking distance from Disneyland Park! There’s the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted House, Parade of lights and the Disneyland holiday fireworks display to keep everyone happy while ringing in the New Year.

Planning a getaway with friends? The Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas is included in this Black Friday deal. Of course, this is also great for wedding parties, reunions and family vacations – there’s always something for someone in Las Vegas.

There are many other deals available on November 28^th. In addition to these, there are several deals that won’t be listed until November 27^th. No peeking!

The holidays fall at such a dreary time, weather-wise. I’ve always wondered if the calendar companies planned it that way to pass the time more quickly with friends, family and food. If you’re looking for a less traditional way to pass the holidays, there’s always the option of traveling somewhere tropical. The Occidental Hotels and Resorts group are holding fall specials for locations such as Aruba, Cancun and Cozumel.

The Occidental Grand Xcaret resort is offering inclusive deals for around $60 per night. The resort is located near the Cancun International Airport – which is convenient for pick-up and drop-off. Also, it’s usually possible to get rather inexpensive flights from most major cities to Cancun, Mexico.

Xcaret Beach Ckub / C Derek Alfonso

For those of you who are skeptical of “all-inclusive” packages (where are the hidden fees?? What type of icky food will we be served??) Rest assured, there are no hidden fees. There are additional activities such as excursions to nearby attractions and babysitting that cost a bit extra. The “All-inclusive” consists of unlimited meals, snacks and beverages (the foodie in my just perked up!), Beach Club access including Beach bar and butler service. There are also nightly entertainment options (also included!) and sports such as mini golf, tennis courts, and a Kid’s Club with supervised activities. Speaking of, kids under 12 stay for free.

Xcaret Occidental / CC Derek Alfonso

If Mexico perked your interest, there’s also the Occidental Grand Cozumel which is designed to feel like a private island. This luxury resort has deals starting at under $70 a night, and includes unlimited meals, a full open bar with top shelf brands, in-room dining and nightly entertainment (among other amenities).

Night Dive with the Occidental Grand Cozumel / CC Oblivious Dude

If you’d like to splurge a little, the Occidental Grand Aruba runs around $160 a night and includes the usual all-inclusive resort perks.  In addition, there are tennis and scuba clinics, snorkeling, kayaking, aqua aerobics as well as nightly shows and entertainment. Children under 5 are free. For kids 4-10 there’s the Kids Club with supervised activities.

Some features that aren’t included in the resort price are the on-property casino, 18-hole golf course, massage services and “motorized water sports,” scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, private tennis lessons, laundry services and scuba diving certification courses.

Head down to some sandy beaches, sangria and scuba to make the winter months pass more quickly and the next thing you know, it’ll be spring!

Spend Thanksgiving in a new and exciting way, Forever Houseboats is offering a deal on boat rentals of up to 40% off.

Save up to 30% off in almost 100 cities with Hotels.com’s Thanksgiving sale, treat yourself on a peaceful and luxurious holiday getaway.

If getting $20 off your room rate is a big saving then stay at the Inn at the Opera, your room will get “limited housekeeping” so for $20 discount, it’s your responsibility to pick up after yourself.

Do you want to unwind in the beautiful island of Maldives? Some hotels and resorts offers deals and discounts of up to 25% off.

More Fall and early Winter discounts from Mexico Hotels and resort from as low as $61 per person.

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

Fly from New York City to the island of St. Lucia from just $129 one way on JetBlue. book this limited offer by October 30 for travels from November 2 through February 8, 2010.

Air New Zealand is giving away 30 free flights in 30 days.

Bedand Breakfast.com’s fall sale ends Tuesday. Book by Novemeber 3rd to save up to $100 off fall lodging.