The Lodge at Chaa Creek, BelizeThe Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize’s award-winning luxury eco-lodge in the jungles of Central America is offering all inclusive vacation packages to the lucky winners of its “Rainforest & Reef Vacation Sweepstakes.”

From September 1, 2010, through October 2, 2010, the Lodge at Chaa Creek is inviting interested travelers to submit a 300 word essay, explaining: “Why you want to vacation in Belize at the Lodge at Chaa Creek.” To be eligible, participants must follow the Lodge at Chaa Creek on Twitter or Facebook, and submit the essay via email to marketing@chaacreek.com.

The winning essay will be published anonymously on the Chaa Creek Travel Blog. All other qualified entries will be placed in a drawing and four prizes are to be given away including one complimentary stay ($3,479 value), and one trip each at a 50-percent, 40-percent and 30-percent discount.

For more information about the sweepstakes, visit the Chaa Creek Travel Blog.

Source: Belize Tourism Board (http://www.travelbelize.org/)

Cunard’s Queen Victoria Begins Debut Americas Season with Transit Through the Historic Panama Canal in Early 2011 with 11, 15, and 17-day Voyage Savings of up to $1,600*

Coming off the heels of Cunard Line’s historic Royal Rendezvous on 13 January 2011, when all three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the newly launched Queen Elizabeth – will sail into New York harbour on the same day, Queen Victoria debuts her Americas Season for sailings through the Panama Canal, visiting ports between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Aruba, Mexico and Los Angeles. This season’s 11-, 15- and 17-day voyages begin in New York, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Los Angeles, respectively, with each voyage making a transit through the famous locks of the Panama Canal. A special offer is available on early bookings for these voyages, with savings of up to $1,600 per balcony stateroom.*

photo by WanderingtheWorld via flickr (commons license)

Packages include free sightseeing passes and breakfast, based on availability, at 33 participating JW Marriott, Marriott Hotel & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott properties. 

image courtesy of Maine Huts & Trails

Kids Stay Free this summer at Maine Huts & Trails. Your kids will thank you and so will your wallet.

Valid Sun – Fri. Limit one child per paying adult. Book by Aug 6 for stays by Nov 7, 2010.

ABOUT MAINE HUTS & TRAILS

Maine Huts & Trails is Maine’s newest, year-round outdoor adventure destination. Located in the beautiful and wild, western mountains region of Maine, their system of backcountry eco-lodges connected by people-powered trails consists of two huts and more than 25 miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and much more. 

Source: Maine Huts & Trails

Whether it’s visiting friends or family or just a new city you want to explore, there’s still time to save on fall travel with American Airlines starting as low as $39 each way, based on round-trip purchase, to destinations across the country. Purchase your flight by July 29, 2010, for travel through November 17, 2010, and save!.

Read more at AA.com

*Fares are each way based on round-trip purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Source: American Airlines

Against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the world’s most spectacular Tattoo will host a celebration of talent from four continents including pipers, gymnasts, singers, dancers and an amazing motorcycle display team. As always, the exciting programme will include probably its two most popular items - the music of the Massed Pipes and Drums and that of the Massed Military Bands. Among the many bands taking part are those of South African Irish Regiment along with the South Australian Pipes and Drums and the prestigious Military Band of the Coldstream Guards.

Find out more on the Tattoo website.

Source: VisitScotland.com

One island, two distinct adventures. $400 savings if booked by July 23, 2010.

On La Bella Sicilia Ovest, unlock an archeological treasure chest on a spin around the magnificent western half of Paolo’s homeland. Traces of ancient Greek settlements greet you almost continually along the route. Other highlights include riding through a medieval village with gorgeous coastal views and spinning along vineyards and olive groves. A ferry ride to a fishing village and hike on the Egadi Islands round out your Sicilian tour, not to mention the spectacular seafood and friendly locals you will surely meet.

The La Bella Sicilia tour will take you and your bike along the Eastern coast of the Island to the dreamy volcanic Aeolian Islands and Taormina, a magical hilltop town you’ll never forget! You’ll ride through remote local towns and zigzag through medieval and Baroque architecture. Your hike up the beautiful volcanic Mount Etna, and boat ride through the turquoise Mediterranean waters to Salina add to the fantastic cycling, cultural immersion and gorgeous scenery of Sicily!

Save $400 per person on the few remaining spots on the Sicily East or Sicily West tours if you book by next Friday, July 23, 2010.

• Sicily West, Sept 27 - Oct 4

• Sicily East, Oct  21 - Oct 29

For information and reservations visit www.ciclismoclassico.com or call 800-866-731. Limited space available.

You can read about my La Bella Sicilia cycling vacation with Clicismo Classico in ‘Tour de Pasta: A Gastronome’s tour of Sicily’ as published in Epicurean Traveler magazine.

Source: Ciclismo Classico

Ceiba del Mar Beach & Spa Resort, a luxury Mexico boutique hotel with a coveted Riviera Maya oceanfront address and an ideal location on the beautiful white-sand shores of peaceful Puerto Morelos, has announced its “Twice As Nice” offer exclusively to the resort’s Facebook friends: Book a one- to three-night stay between August 10-23 and double the length of the reservation at no additional cost. A $100 spa credit (per couple, per stay), valid through December 19, 2010, completes this limited-time offer, promo codes for which are only available online at Facebook.com/CeibadelMar.com.

For fun in the sun, Breezes offers a private white-sand beach and three swimming pools including a misting pool, children’s pool and adult pool with swim up bar.  While mom and dad enjoy some peace and quiet, little ones are kept very happy playing with their peers at the resort’s 12,000 sq. ft. “Kids Club,” where hotel staff supervise and lend a helping hand during arts & crafts, sand castle competitions, and rock climbing – for those a bit older and more adventurous.  A daily nanny-supervised nursery for infants and toddlers up to 2 years old is also available on a complimentary basis, allowing parents a true mini-vacation of their own.  The resort also boasts an arcade and professional Circus Workshop for teenage guests and those young at heart, with flying trapeze and juggling lessons

For those travelers following our SPOTLIGHT ON PORTUGAL this week at our sister site, YourLifeIsATrip.com, here’s a Portugal deal just begging to be seized. 

Portugal is smokin’ hot since the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue was shot in Lisbon.  Prices haven’t risen to match, however, and Portugal remains one of Europe’s most affordable destinations.  Here, even high-end hotels and tours come in at much less than one might think, such as Tours for You’s Elegantly Portugal package.  On this eight-day/ seven-night tour, all hotels are Relais & Chateaux, Design Hotels and Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties, each inaugurated or refurbished in 2009 and 2010.

Princess Cruises has launched a new “Caribbean Super Sale” offering significant savings on select 2010 and 2011 voyages through the sparkling waters of the Caribbean. Travelers can choose to sail among the sun-swept islands for seven to 14 days, with fares starting at just $399.

Tropical itinerary options and pricing (per person, based on double occupancy) available in the Caribbean Super Sale include:

• Seven-day Classic Southern Caribbean on Caribbean Princess – starting at $399

• Seven-day Western Caribbean on Crown Princess – starting at $449

• Seven-day Eastern Caribbean on Ruby Princess – starting at $449

• Seven-day Southern Caribbean Explorer on Caribbean Princess – starting at $449

• Eight-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean on Caribbean Princess – starting at $549

• 10-day Eastern Caribbean Voyager or Southern Caribbean Medley on Emerald Princess or Star Princess – starting at $749

• 14-day Caribbean Collection on Grand Princess – starting at $999

CIE Tours International is offering an 8-day “Irish Spirit” tour, priced from $898 plus airfare, or from $1,353 including round-trip airfare from NY. Everything is included – hotels, meals, transportation, sightseeing, entertainment, and more. Departures are on Thursdays and Saturdays from now through December 4^th.

Focusing on the main highlights of Ireland, this tour visits Dublin, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Galway and Connemara.

Activities include a tour of Dublin with a local guide and a catamaran cruise on Killary Fjord. Admission fees to leading attractions are also included – from Dublinia & The Viking World, to the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Woollen Mills, Blasket Centre, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, and Clonmacnoise. 

The price provides first class hotel accommodations with private bath for 6 nights; welcome get-together drink; full Irish breakfast daily; five dinners including the Abbey Tavern dinner/entertainment in Dublin; and a fully escorted sightseeing program via luxury motorcoach with a professional Irish driver/guide; all local taxes, hotel service charges, and baggage handling; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and luggage strap.

For travelers with more time, a 9-day version of this itinerary is available, with an extra day/night in Dublin including a Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary visit/drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery, priced from $1,025 land-only.

For more information, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International at 1-800-CIE-TOUR or online at www.cietours.com.

Source: CIE Tours/Harrison Leifer DiMarco PR