Gabe Saglie, the Senior Editor of Travelzoo, www.travelzoo.com/tv/Chicago , has sorted out some of the best deals that will take you as close as Wisconsin to as far away as South Africa.
Find all the deals created just for Chicago at www.travelzoo.com/tv/Chicago .
The Deals: Drivable
1) Geneva Lake
Popular 5500 sq.-acre lake located 75 miles from Chicago, featuring 4 beaches and 2 diver-friendly shipwrecks
Boating and water skiing and popular sports and town of Lake Geneva offers festivals throughout summer
Geneva Ridge Resort
Lake Geneva, WI
Upscale golf-and-spa retreat on the shores of quiet, family-friendly Lake Como
Property houses the Geneva National Golf Club boasts 54 holes – 3 courses -- designed by legends Arnold Palmer,
Gary Player and Lee Trevino and just completed major renovations to its outdoor space (the "Veranda)
Downtown Lake Geneva is 3 miles away, w/cafes and shops, and a lakeshore path gives hikers and bikers some of the best views along the water
$139/nt. weekdays
$179/nt. weekends (inc. live concerts on their music stage)
$199/nt. for the Grand Opening Celebration over 4th of July weekend (games, giveaways, music, fireworks)
Travel through summer
2) Northwest Michigan
Popular family-friendly destinations featuring miles of beaches and dozens of historic small towns, about a 5-hour drive from Chicago
With Traverse City as a hub, popular activities range from sport fishing to beachcombing to hiking
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa Thompsonville, MI
Upscale resort that draws big crowds in winter but becomes a family-friendly haven in summer Resort is home to Michigan's only alpine slide (great for mountain biking) and features 3 eateries and an 18-hole championship golf course
Property received accolades for being the state's first attraction to invest in wind energy and having the Midwest's first silver LEED-certified spa
$199 for a 2-night escape for a family of 4 (50% off) Deal inc. choice of a $50 resort credit OR 2 rounds of golf Travel through summer
3) Route 66
It's the journey, not just the destination: the romance and allure of Route 66 continues, with most of it (and its modern-day usurper I-55) preserved by towns along the way, including Springfield
On the 300-mile drive to St. Louis, flat prairies and field of corn do dominate the landscape; but quirky attractions still make it a fun drive (inc. a prehistoric city and a water tower shaped like a ketchup bottle)
Moonrise Hotel
St. Louis, MO
Boutique AAA 4-Diamond hotel located on Delmar Boulevard, one of the trendiest streets in the city Hotel is in the vibrant Loop neighborhood, filled with funky boutiques, diverse cuisine and nightlife, including a Walk of Fame showcasing legends like Miles Davis
Hotel is adjacent to the Pageant Theater (live concerts and shows) and MetroLink stop to downtown is 2 blocks away
$109/nt. (40% off)
Travel July-September
The Deals: Flyable
Cerritos Surf Colony Resort
Cerritos Beach (near Cabo San Lucas), Mexico
Luxe resort located on the white sands of Cerritos Beach, considered one of the best surf spots in the world, located 40 mi. from Cabo San Lucas and just south of famous Todos Santos Resort is comprised of free-standing solar-powered villas on the sand, featuring Mayan design and thatched roofs, full kitchen and 2.5 baths
Nearby draws include restaurants and shops, kayaking, horseback riding and ATV'ing
$489 for a 4-night stay in a 2-Bedroom Villa (Reg. $2100!)
Deal inc. a $150 resort credit (for food/drinks, massages or surf/boogie board rentals)
Travel any day through December
Luxury Safari
South Africa
Roundtrip airfare from Chicago to South Africa
8 days, 7 nights deluxe accommodations
4 nights at a luxurious 4.5-Star Cape Town hotel
3 nights at a 5-Star game lodge (Lion Sands River Lodge or Tinga Game Lodge, based on availability) inside famed Kruger National Park
6 open-vehicle safari game drives (w/chance to see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards)
Half-day tour of the winelands outside Cape Town included
All intra-city flights and transfers included
Most meals included
$3899/pp, inc. taxes/fees ($2000 off)
Travel late summer (September) and through the fall
