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Spring and Summer Specials for the Florida Sun

A sudden late burst of winter has hit the northern states and it makes me ever more determined to get to Florida soon. What a perfect time to research the best deals to get me . . . oops, I mean you, to Florida this spring/summer.

As I write this article, it is snowing in New York City. I mean really snowing, a complete white out -- and it is April. A sudden late burst of winter has hit the northern states and it makes me ever more determined to get to Florida soon. What a perfect time to research the best deals to get me . . . oops, I mean you, to Florida this spring/summer. Whether you're into the glitz and glamour of South Beach or the more tranquil waters of the Gulf coast, now is the perfect time to take advantage of low airfares and some money saving vacation packages.

E-Leisure Link (tel. 888/801-8808; www.eleisurelink.com) has some super cheap Miami Beach hotel deals starting from $70 a night midweek per person. The Fairwind Hotel and Suites, just one block from Miami's famed South Beach is also $70 per night in May, as is the Dorchester Hotel. The Starlite Hotel, located in the heart of South Beach is $72.50 and the San Juan Hotel is a touch under $77. For package deals, their three night "Miami Beachfront Spa or South Beach Resort Getaway" is priced from $299 per person and that includes round-trip airfare from New York for select travel dates between April 24 and December 21, 2006 (blackout dates may apply). Choose from the following three-star hotels: The Howard Johnson Dezerland, Greenview South Beach, The Dorchester South Beach or the Ramada Marco Polo. For the same price you can also fly from Chicago, Providence, Atlantic City or Washington, D.C.

Their four night "Hollywood Beach" special gives you round-trip airfare to Ft. Lauderdale from New York, Chicago, Providence, Atlantic City or Washington, D.C. and four-nights in a superior room at the five-star Westin Diplomat Deluxe Oceanfront Resort & Spa from $29 per person. Travel between May 3 and September 29, 2006 (with some blackout dates). The three night "Miami Beach Deluxe Oceanfront Hotel and South Beach Getaway" package is priced from $498 per person for travel from May 1 to October 31, 2006 (low season) and from November1 to December 31, 2006 (high season), pay $159 more (some blackout dates may apply). The package includes round-trip air from New York, Chicago, Providence, Atlantic City or Washington, D.C. to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and three-nights at your choice of four different hotels: the four-star Shore Club, the four-star The National, the four-star Loews South Beach and with an extra surcharge, the five-star Ritz Carlton South Beach.

Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) has three night Florida getaways staying at select boutique hotels in South Beach. A three night package including round-trip airfare from New York to Miami on US Airways and three nights at the three-star Kent Hotel South Beach is priced from $359. From Chicago this package is priced from $349 per person and from Detroit $402.

A three night package including round-trip airfare from New York to Miami on US Airways and three nights in a superior room at the four-star Astor Hotel South Beach is priced from $415. From Washington, D.C. this package is priced from $414 per person and from Atlanta $434. All package prices include all taxes and are based on double occupancy fro midweek travel during the month of May, 2006.

Expedia (www.expedia.com) has a selection of three night air packages in Miami. Stay in Art Deco splendor at the Sovereign Oceanfront Hotel located in the heart of Miami Beach with a package that starts from $523 per person based on double occupancy or stay at the beachside Wyndham Miami Beach Resort from $541. An up-market Loews Miami Beach Hotel getaway is priced from $862. These prices are for midweek travel from New York from now until May 31, 2006.

JetBlue's (tel. 800/JET-BLUE; www.jetblue.com) current wave of SuperFly fares allow you to travel from Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale from $79 one way until May 24, 2006. From New York, fly to Tampa, Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach or Ft. Lauderdale from $89 or from Boston, any of these Florida destinations is $109 one way (with no fly-by date). From Newark the rate is also $89 but travel must be completed by May 24 (or May 22, 2006 to Tampa). From Buffalo, Burlington, Pittsburgh, Rochester or Portland (ME), one-way airfares to Florida destinations are a low $89 (daily service to/from Portland begins May 23, 2006 and to/from Pittsburgh begins June 30, 2006). Fly from Oakland or Long Beach (CA) to Ft. Lauderdale by May 24, 2006 and pay $119. A seven-day advance purchase is required. Travel must be completed by May 24, 2006 (blackout dates are April 6-24, 2006). Check the JetBlue website for deal updates on these Florida sectors.

JetBlue getaways has a "Take it Easy in Tampa Getaway" from $385 per person based on double occupancy. Enjoy three nights at Doubletree Beach Resort Tampa Bay, North Redington Beach and round-trip airfare from New York for midweek stays during the month of May.

Air Tran (www.airtran.com) has the following airfare specials. Fly from Milwaukee to Ft. Lauderdale between April 10 and May 31, 2006 for $74 one way. Or fly from Minneapolis/St. Paul for the same low one way fare. This special is available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and must be purchased by May 17, 2006.

Delta (www.delta.com) is also offering discounted flights to Florida for travel between April 19 and July 28, 2006. Tickets must be purchased by April 19, 2006. Sample one way fares include:

  • Boston to Ft. Lauderdale: $79
  • Boston to Tampa: $79
  • New York to Tampa: $79
  • New York to Ft. Lauderdale: $79
  • Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale: $129

A 14-day advance purchase is required. Blackout Dates are April 20 and 22; May 27 and 29; June 29; and July 5, 6 and 8, 2006.

The Hyatt Regency Hotel (www.hyatt.com) in Miami currently has a special rate for stays until May 30, 2006. Regular rooms here usually cost around $280, but this deal lets you hang at the Hyatt for only $109 per night per room for stays from Sundays to Thursdays. Pay only $10 more to take advantage of this special on weekends. Upgrades to bay view rooms and the Regency Club are also reduced during this period. Blackout dates are April 15 to 22 and May 26 to 28, 2006. When booking online enter TVL020 in the Special Offer Code Field. This offer must be booked by April 14, 2006.

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