May 13, 2004 - We tend to organize our columns around a theme (think adventure travel or spa vacations) or a particular place, researching leads from e-mail and press releases and calling around for additional material to fill out the piece. All those bits that don't tie-in nicely, but are still worth reporting, begin to pile up, however, so today we serving you a mish mash of deals that cover myriad types of travel and locations.
Through June 20, you can get fifty percent off the second night in the Red Apple Inn, up in Glen, New Hampshire. You ask for the "Bud to Blossom" package, and get the two nights, a potted rose, a collection of coupons for area attractions and shopping, a fresh fruit basket, morning coffee and juices, starting at just $74 for the two nights based on double occupancy. Contact the inn at 800/826-3591 or visit www.theredappleinn.com. (Late news: the deal isn't available for weekends from Memorial Day onward.)
If you are a golfer, you can take advantage of the midweek golf packages at the North Conway Grand Hotel, also in New Hampshire, through June 30. You stay any night from Sunday through Thursday and can choose from eight courses in the area. You get the one night of hotel lodging, breakfast each morning and golf (including greens fee and a shared cart), all taxes and tips, for $129 to $140 for two persons. Children 17 and under stay free in the room, and two children 12 and under per room get breakfast free. There's a great shopping district in North Conway, as well. Contact them at www.northconwaygrand.com or phone 800/648-4397.
The Chicago Tribune deemed Bayfield, Wisconsin, "The Best Little Town in the Midwest." If it isn't the best, it certainly is the busiest, judging by its schedule for the rest of spring. In addition to working up a discount card for its "Bayfield in Bloom" celebration, covering 100 items good for lodging, dining, attractions, and merchandises, the town has a slew of programs for visitors in the next month.
Included are a visit to several B&Bs on May 16, a citywide yard sale on May 22, a "Gardening for Wildlife" workshop on May 22, free public viewings of gardens on May 29 and June 5, a workshop on wild orchids and other local wildflowers on May 29, an arts and crafts exhibit on May 29, a workshop on growing blueberries and raspberries on June 5, and a free passenger ferry day going over to Madeline Island on June 6. You can get more information by phoning the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce at 800/447-4094 or visiting www.bayfield.org.
If homespun isn't your thing, consider taking the family to Europe. United Vacations has "Family Fun Vacations" to London and Paris, with special children's pricing (valid for up to two kids traveling with two paying adults). Packages include roundtrip airfare on United Airlines, three nights of hotel accommodations "at a family-friendly property," daily breakfast (unless you opt for the self-catering apartments), a city tour, a three-day transport pass, a guidebook with discounts on shopping, dining and attractions, a city map, hotel taxes and fees, and more.
Staying at the Novotel London West, package prices start from:
- $889 for adults and $504 for kids from New York
- $984/$574 from Boston
- $1,064/$634 from Washington, D.C.
- $1,149/$699 from Los Angeles
- $1,159/$704 from Chicago,
- $1,164/$709 from San Francisco
- $1,179/$719 from Portland OR or Seattle
- $1,199/$734 from Denver
Prices for three nights at the Holiday Inn Paris Republique include:
- $1,369/$654 from New York
- $1,419/$689 from Boston
- $1,474/$734 from Washington, D.C.
- $1,509/$759 from Chicago
- $1,609/$834 from Denver
- $1,659/$869 from Los Angeles
- $1,669/$879 from San Francisco and Portland OR
- $1,684/$889 from Seattle
Prices are per person, based on two adults and up to two kids in a room for travel from August 1-28, 2004. The London child rate is valid at the Novotel through age 15, the Paris child rate valid for kids through the age of 11 at the Holiday Inn mentioned. Additional taxes and fees are not included. You get these deals at www.unitedvacations.com or by phoning 888/328-6877.
