Senior editor, Gabe Saglie says now is also the time to start thinking about planning your summer vacation.
More information and other deals, visit travelzoo.com
The Deals: Regional Ski Getaways
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa
Thompsonville, MI
Upscale ski resort on the Northwoods of Michigan (about 4.5 hours N of Chicago)
This 1500-acre resort boasts 3 terrain parks , snowboarding trails, 40 kilometers of cross country ski course and horse-drawn surrey rides… and features :45 downhill runs, 27 lighted slopes for night skiing, 8 ski lifts, 80 acres of wooded valleys for snowshoeing and 140 inches of annual snowfall. Property also features winter paintball, several restaurants and an award-winning spa.
- $149/nt. for Guest Room and 2 lift tickets
- Room only rate is $79
- Travel through April 7
Timber Ridge Lodge & WaterPark
Lake Geneva, WI
Popular family-friendly resort featuring a 50,000-sq.ft. indoor water park (inc. 3-story slides and lazy rivers)
Resort also features an upscale full-service spa/salon, tennis and 36 holes of championship golf
Guests can hit the slopes at the neighboring Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort
- $109/nt. (45% off)
- Deal features accommodations in a One-Bedroom Suite (w/fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, whirlpool bath and covered balcony) and FREE water park passes for 4
- Travel through May 31st including ski season.
Summer Travel Deals
#1 Ireland
Roundtrip airfare from ORD to Dublin, Ireland
- Seven days'/6 nights' luxury hotel accommodations
- One night at the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort -- a 2012 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice pick
- Two nights at Glenlo Abbey in Galway
- Two nights at the Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney, including breakfast
- One night at the Four Seasons Hotel Dublin
Travel June-August -- peak summer travel season
#2 Niagara Falls, ON
Marriott Gateway on the Falls
Upscale AAA 4-Dimond, newly renovated hotel w/sweeping views of the Falls
Hotel features indoor pool and whirlpool; a fitness center and multiple dining options
VIP Wine Package at this property features VIP tours of 3 high-end Niagara wineries (inc. Peller)
- $139/nt. (60% off)
- Deal inc. Fallsview Room, VIP wine, buffet breakfast, $25 dining credit & welcome cocktails
Travel through April 25
2013's Top Deal Destinations
- 1)New Zealand
- Increased flights: more seats to full capacity means more deals
- Air New Zealand increasing flights from SFO and Hawaii adding nonstop flights from Hawaii. rom Hawaii
- U.S. dollar goes further: the New Zealand dollar continues slow decline
- Tourism push: 10% decline since 2008, earthquake/flooding in Christchurch and new Hobbit movie
- 2)Alaska
- Cruising bargains expected to abound in 2013
- Celebrity and Princess adding more ships and departures, increasing capacity and resulting in better deals
- Cruise lines also expanding cruise tour options – bundling cruise w/land excursions to Denali and Glacier Bay National Park and hotels
- 2013: scientific predictions show 2013 may offer best chances in recent history to see the Aurora Borealis
- 3)Ireland
- 2103: the Year of the Gathering, with emphasis on luring travelers from all over the world, esp. the U.S., to discover their Irish roots; this means huge added value in forms of extra events, concerts, festivals, etc.
- Economy still struggling, hoteliers expected to have strong need periods throughout the year, combined with strengthening dollar against the Euro
- The Northern Ireland phenomenon: more flights into/out of Belfast means better overall deals
- 4)Colombia
- Expanded air lift means better airfare bargains
- Airlines eyeing growth into Colombia: JetBlue, LAN, Spirit, American, Avianca and Taca
- Bogota is one of fastest growing airports in South America
- Flurry of hotel openings means greater availability: JW Marriot, InterContinental and Hilton
- Shifting perceptions – increased safety and recognition of dubious image – plus strong U.S. dollar
- 5)Niagara Falls
- Aggressive tourism push: area hotels have already begun saturating the market with deals
- Rock bottom rates mean package incentives make the room rates effectively free
- Niagara wine country pushing major tourism drive, driven in large part by aggressive deals
- Ease of getting there: drivable from variety of NE and Midwest cities, as well as regional airports on both sides of the border
