Flowing east from Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River is the lifeblood of arid northern Nevada.

Ithaca, a college town in upstate New York, is known for its educated population.  There are several universities in the area (most notably Cornell University), meaning that there is a high concentration of PhDs.  It is no surprise,  then, that even the town’s festivities are center around intellectual and educational themes.

From January 21st to January 24th, A Light in Winter, Ithaca’s festival of science and the arts, will take place at venues throughout town.  Many of the more than 2 dozen events will center around the science of creative endeavors.

The highlight will come on the final day of the festival when celeb chef Tammy Travis will run a seminar about the science (and practice) of using chocolate in cooking and baking.  Local Cornell faculty members will also be a part of the presentation, offering nutritional and cultural insight into the phenomenon of cocoa.  Tickets to this event cost $15 and seating is limited.

Visitors can also get their nerd on at lectures like the Calculus of Friendship and the Physics of Juggling.  Less-math-centered events like dance and music performances and a beer-themed lecture are also on the agenda.  A complete list of events can be found on the Light in Winter calendar page.

As with many college towns, there are plenty of places to stay in Ithaca.  The Hilton Garden Inn is offering a discounted rate of $119 per night during the late January festivities.  Would-be guests who want to take advantage of this offer need to use the promo code LIW1 when booking at 607-277-8900.

The Statler Hotel is offering a $125 per night rate to festival attendees who book two nights.  Details for the Statler’s promotion and other accommodation options can be found via the Light in Winter web site.

Zephyr Cove Resort offers a different take on the Lake Tahoe experience.  While most visitors cruise down the slopes of popular ski resorts, Zephyr guests will be treated to a winter mountain getaway with boat rides on the area’s namesake lake and snowmobile tours of the scenic back country of the Sierra Nevadas.

This winter, Zephyr Cove is offering a package priced 22% below regular rates.  The “ride, stay and cruise” package includes two nights in one of the resort’s studios, bungalows or one-bedroom cabins and sightseeing excursions on the lake and in the woods.  The reduced price is $200 per person.

With each room booking, guests receive two passes to cruise Lake Tahoe on the M.S. Dixie II.  This boat holds over 500 passengers, making it the largest vessel on the lake.  The cruise offers stunning views of the water and the Sierra Nevada range.

Guests also receive two passes to take part in a guided snowmobile tour of the Sierra Nevada’s back country.  The resort runs tours that are suitable for people of all skill levels.

Of course, most visitors come to Tahoe for excitement.  The Zephyr is located only one hour from Reno and is within a short drive of the nightlife, restaurants and casinos of Lake Tahoe.  So the excitement is accessible, but  just far enough away that Zephyr Cove  feels like a true mountain getaway.

Booking for this 22%-off deal runs until March 30th, 2010.  Travel dates run through the end of April.  To book now, visit the Zehpyr Cove web site or call 866-761-6240.  In order to obtain the discounted rates, you will have to use the promotional code RSC200PP.

Check out Lake Tahoe’s land accommodations as well. There’s plenty of Lake Tahoe hotel deals for your perfect fall or winter getaway.

Newport, Rhode Island is a classic East Coast destination. The Hyatt Regency Newport takes the urban seaside vibe of the city and adds a tasteful dose of luxury. A recent $34 million dollar upgrade has turned this city resort into one of the best hotel choices in Rhode Island.

A 38% off promotion makes this hotel more accessible in terms of price.  After the discount, nightly rates start at $119. The hotel has a wide array of rooms, including water-view accommodations.  All guests receive a $25 resort credit that can be used at the in-house restaurant Windward Restaurant and the  Five33 lounge. Other extras include a 20% discount on some services at the hotel’s spa, complimentary internet access and free parking.

Perhaps the best aspect of this deal is its flexibility.  Reduced rates are available seven days per week, rather than the usual mid-week discounts that are not valid on weekends.  Also, the deal will not be short-lived.  Discounted rates will remain in place until the end of March, 2010.

The Stillwater Spa adds to the high-end experience offered by the Hyatt Newport.  The spa features a full menu of treatments include massage therapy sessions, skin, nail and hair care and full-body wraps.  The Hyatt also has an outdoor saltwater pool, the StayFit at Hyatt exercise center, a dry sauna and an indoor swimming pool.

The restaurants and bars at the Hyatt Newport all take advantage of the hotel’s seaside location.  The Windward Restaurant features views of the water and a casual/classy ambiance.  The Five33 Lounge is located on the seaside sun-deck.  Pineapples by the Bay is a seasonal outdoor restaurant that offers an authentic East Coast oceanfront dining experience.

via bribrito

For many travelers, business class seems to be reserved for passengers with a corporate expense account and those who have diligently saved up their frequent flier miles. However, a full slate of upcoming promotions will make it easier for average fliers to experience business class without going broke.

Business-class-only carrier OpenSkies, whose parent company is British Airways, launched last year with a lot of fanfare. It has yet to become very successful, but still maintains one route from New York to Paris. Though other airlines have been aggressively lowering premium class prices, OpenSkies’ $590 one-way ($1,350 round trip, after taxes and fees) is one of the best early winter deals for those flying to Paris. The current fares match the promotional prices that the airline offered when it originally began service. The $590 deal is a limited time offer. Tickets must be purchased by December 15th.

Continental Airlines offered some of the best business-class deals in the industry in September and October. Though the most amazing deals have passed, there are still some worthwhile fares for flights from Newark to Europe. The standout deal is a $1,448 round-trip business-class fare from Newark to Shannon, Ireland. A business-class flight to Stockholm will set you back $1564. Continental has competitive premium class fares to other European destinations as well.

The current prices at Aer Lingus for a New York to Shannon, Ireland flight are slightly higher than Continental’s ($1698 round trip). But Ireland’s national carrier offers quite a bit more flexibility. For the same $1698 price, passengers can choose to fly to Shannon or Dublin from New York, Chicago or Boston. Also, as long as tickets are purchased by November 30th, passengers are free to choose travel dates between January 1st and April 30th.

You don’t have to go to Europe for outstanding premium class tickets. Air Canada has been offering great deals on business-class (“Executive Class” in Air Canada’s vernacular) fares, though would-be passengers will have to sift through a myriad of overpriced premium class fares to find these gems. Current door-busters include $539 one-way business-class service from New York to Vancouver. Other deals are available to those who can purchase by December 1st and fly by February 5th.

United Airlines is a bit behind in this year’s race for business class customers. Compared with the other carriers mentioned above, their prices are almost laughably high in many cases. However, business-class offerings like $1032 one-way from Washington D.C. to Rome are worth noting, though travelers would be wise to shop around a bit before settling on a ticket from United.

Get more mileage for you money with these US airfare deals.