Their trips to Chile & Argentina, New Zealand, and Vietnam are sure to make you forget about your winter blues and have you start doing the cha cha. Make like the birds and head south this winter where summer is in full swing. There’s still plenty of time to plan a winter vacation. This could be the perfect gift to yourself this holiday season. Chile & Argentina - 8 days (+2-day post-extension)
Discover an unspoiled and often less-visited countryside in the Andes and Chile’s Lake District, just north of Patagonia. The area’s landscape has been sculpted over millennia by glaciers and volcanoes and has created the backdrop for riding-tranquil lakes, coastal cities, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and thermal springs. By bike, you will explore the Andes, cruise across Pirehueico Lake and meet the largest group of indigenous people in the area. You will also have the option to extend your stay on a three-day Santiago and Chilean Vineyard Tour, including a visit to Chile’s capital, sommelier lectures and three private winery visits.
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New Zealand - 10 days (+4-day post-extension)
Cycling New Zealand’s South Island is like soaring through a virtually untouched microcosm of the natural world.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Exclusive Access to New Zealand’s Wildlife and Culture and the Chance to Make a Difference
Fiordland Crested Penguin, South Island, New ZealandTerra Incognita Ecotours, an adventure travel company that specializes in wildlife-focused ecotours that give travelers the chance to “make a difference” while vacationing is offering a new ecotour of New Zealand for 2010. This unique adventure takes visitors to both the North and South Islands of New Zealand for an up-close and personal exploration of the incredible wildlife, scenery, and culture of the region.
Travelers will experience things like newly-hatched penguins, the flightless kiwi, keas and kakapo, spectacular marine life, Maori culture, high altitude sheep farming, majestic fjords, seals, dolphins, rainforest, glaciers, and so much more. Travelers also have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the local community as Terra Incognita Ecotours donates part of the booking fee to the Tiritiri Matangi Conservation Project, a program that involves protecting indigenous plants and animals on a small island off the coast of New Zealand.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
It has never been a better time to travel. Hotels are offering incredible packages and including special value add-ons. Airfares to foreign countries are more affordable. Gas prices have dropped for the time being. Overall this is an ideal scenario, even in this down economy, for those hoping for a little R&R and pampering away from home.
Luxury travelers can find exceptional deals right now. Below is a list of five travel deals ranging from a night at the ultra-chic Winvian in Connecticut to a New Zealand experience at the world-renowned Huka Lodge to an exclusive stay at one of Wimco’s luxe Caribbean villas, among others…
New Zealand Adventure
1) The Ideal Time for US Travelers to Visit New Zealand: It’s autumn in New Zealand and Huka Lodge, the country’s premier luxury lodge located in Taupo on the north island, is featuring low season rates from NZ $730 per night (US $432 as of May 18). This rate (per couple) includes full country breakfast daily, evening cocktails and a five-course dinner at the lodge’s fine dining restaurant. To date, Air New Zealand’s round-trip fares on select dates this summer and fall were as low as $781.50 from Los Angeles to Auckland. www.thehukaretreats.com.
New England Pampering
2) A Night of Pampering in CT’s Litchfield Hills: Winvian, Connecticut’s luxe private resort featuring 18 whimsical cottages, now features a special a la carte nightly rate starting at just $699 per couple (a savings of $750 off regular all-inclusive rates). Included in the rate are a full gourmet breakfast and a fully-stocked in-cottage mini bar (chock full with wine, beer, champagne and all the fixings for fabulous cocktails). www.winvian.com
Gourmet Maine
3) A Kennebunkport Cottage Retreat: Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport’s newest luxury resort, features 14 two-bedroom cottages, each decked to the nines with fabulous screened porches, outdoor showers, fireplaces and gourmet kitchens. It’s the ideal spot for a coastal New England holiday. Nightly rates (per cottage; up to five persons) are from $395 to $695 based on month of travel and include a gourmet breakfast basket with freshly baked goods, juice, coffee and newspaper, evening bonfires and Beach Safaris. www.hiddenpondmaine.com.
Caribbean Escape
4) Exploring the DR’s untouched Samana Peninsula: One of the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful destinations is the Samana Peninsula on the northeast side of the country. This undiscovered area is home to The Peninsula House, the DR’s first small luxury hotel and one of the Caribbean’s most unique private retreats. Through fall 2009, The Peninsula House is offering a special Book Five Nights and Receive a Sixth Night on the House package for $2,600 per couple including a full European breakfast daily. This represents a savings of nearly $100 per night. www.thepeninsulahouse.com.
5) Caribbean Villa Deals: Wimco, the world’s leading villa rental company, is featuring some exceptional deals throughout the Caribbean and Europe. Through fall 2009 Wimco is featuring highly popular Value Villas deals available throughout the Caribbean with villa rental rates starting at under $100 per room, per night. Villa vacations offer guests space, value and privacy and are perfect for group travel, honeymoons, small destination weddings and family travel. www.wimco.com.
Source: Widness & Company
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".