Poolside vistas at Sugar Ridge Resort in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
Alexis Andrews

12 Amazing Thanksgiving Weekend Deals (Archived article, from 2009)

A Dozen Deals for Turkey Day Travel
By Carrie Havranek

(EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS IS AN ARCHIVED ARTICLE FROM 2009)

Rather than staying home over Thanksgiving, round up your friends and family to celebrate a long weekend away. If you've got the right destination, a traveling Thanksgiving can be incredibly rewarding. After all, no prep work and clean-up duty means more time to explore.

Consider one of these 12 deals that are valid over the Thanksgiving holiday. Though these packages thankfully do not have any blackout dates during peak travel times, booking as soon as possible will ensure availability and the best rates. If you can't squeeze in a trip just yet, many of these deals are good through December.

All prices are per person and, if lodging is a component of the package, based upon two people traveling together (unless otherwise noted). The prices listed are general starting rates; see "What Else You'll Have to Pay" for details about associated taxes and fees. Base-prices, taxes, and fees can vary based on point of departure and time of travel. Blackout dates may apply. Trip add-ons like sightseeing tours and meal plans may also increase the price. Check with the tour operator for additional gateways and any single supplements, which is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.

Photo Caption: Poolside vistas at Sugar Ridge Resort in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
The Colosseum's dramatic exterior features Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.
Vanessa Berberian
Rome, Italy
Package: Thanksgiving Special
Provider: TourCrafters
When: Through Dec. 15; a Saturday stay is required.
Price: From $959 per person
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
The Details: This four-night package includes round-trip airfare from New York, accommodations in your choice of deluxe hotels, breakfast daily, a half-day sightseeing tour of Rome, a free scoop of gelato, hotel services and taxes, and fuel surcharges. Hotel choices range from the Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, near Villa Borghese, to Starhotel Michelangelo, near the Vatican.
Other Gateways: Miami (add $50), Chicago (add $165), Miami (add $175), and Los Angeles (add $250)
Contact: tel. 800/482-5995; www.tourcrafters.com

Photo Caption: The Colosseum's dramatic exterior features Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.
Velas Resorts, Mexico. Courtesy Velas Resorts
Velas Resorts
Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Package: Thanksgiving at Velas Resorts
Provider: Velas Resorts (Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Casa Velas, Velas Vallarta)
When: Nov. 21-28
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: Rates start at $175 per person per night to $371 per person per night, depending on the property
The Details: The all-inclusive rates at these luxury properties include suite accommodations, gourmet meals, 24-hour room service, a kids' club, evening entertainment, taxes, gratuities, and more. Special Thanksgiving dinners and $50 spa credits are also part of the promotion (based on each property). Kids stay free. Airfare isn't included.
Contact: tel. 888/210-9591; www.velasresorts.com

Photo Caption: Velas Resorts, Mexico. Courtesy Velas Resorts
Sugar Ridge Resort in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
Alexis Andrews
Antigua
Package: Thanksgiving Break
Provider: Sugar Ridge Resort
When: Nov. 20-30
Book-By Deadline: Nov. 15
Price: From $127.50 per person per night (or $382.50 for four nights)
The Details: Pay for three nights and receive the fourth night free at this luxury boutique resort in Jolly Harbour. Enjoy breakfast daily, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and a $50 thank-you credit, which you can use at any of the resort's restaurants or at its ground-floor Aveda Concept Spa. Airfare isn't included.
Contact: tel. 866/591-7700; www.sugarridgeantigua.com

Photo Caption: A veranda at Sugar Ridge Resort in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
Haramara Retreat in Sayulita along Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. Courtesy Haramara Retreat
Haramara Retreat
Sayulita, Mexico
Package: Haramara Holiday Package
Provider: Haramara Retreat
When: Through Dec. 25
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $225 per room per night based on two people traveling (from $1,125 based on the five-night minimum stay); for solo travelers, the deal is valid from $200 per night (or from $1,100 for five nights)
The Details: Meditation and yoga are all about gratitude, and what better way to spend Thanksgiving than at a retreat? The five-night package includes breakfast and dinner daily, two yoga classes, and a 60-minute massage. Located in Sayulita, the property is ensconced in jungle vegetation on 12 acres of private land between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Airfare isn't included.
Contact: tel. 888/494-3688; www.haramararetreat.com

Photo Caption: Haramara Retreat in Sayulita along Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. Courtesy Haramara Retreat
St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia.
Frommers.com Community
St. Petersburg & Moscow, Russia
Package: Land of the Tsars
Provider: Eastern Tours Consolidated
When: Midweek departures through March 31, 2011
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $999 per person
The Details: Flights from New York-JFK to St. Petersburg (returning from Moscow), transfers, seven nights' lodging (three nights in St. Petersburg at Hotel Azimut, an overnight train from St. Petersburg and Moscow, three nights in Moscow at Hotel Izmailovo), a tour of the Kremlin, and one night each at the ballet in St. Petersburg and Moscow Opera.
Contact: tel. 800/339-6967; www.traveltorussia.com

Photo Caption: St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mr. Fred/Frommers.com Community
70 Park Avenue hotel in New York City. Limo not included.
David Phelps
New York City
Package: Black Friday, Bright Sunday
Provider: 70 Park Avenue
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights until Nov. 28
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $349 per room per night
The Details: With this Kimpton package at 70 Park Avenue hotel, it's easy to start your holiday shopping over Thanksgiving. Stay any Friday and Saturday night during the valid travel period and you'll receive 50 percent off the Sunday night's stay. With the discount, your three-night stay starts at $970.50. Upon check-in, guests will be greeted with Black and Tans and can sit down with the shopping concierge to map out a plan of attack. Mention promo code PFRI when booking.
Contact: tel. 212/973-2400; www.70parkave.com

Photo Caption: 70 Park Avenue hotel in New York City. Limo not included.
Cartagena, Colombia. Courtesy Escapes Unlimited
Escapes Unlimited
Cartagena, Colombia
Package: Cartagena: Beach and History
Provider: Escapes Unlimited
When: Through Dec. 9
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $799 per person
The Details: Stay in sunny Cartagena, spending five nights at the beachfront four-star Hotel Capilla del Mar. The package includes round-trip airfare from Miami (midweek departures), airport transfers, a half-day tour of the old walled historic city, a full-day boat tour of Rosario Island (with lunch), and hotel taxes.
Other Gateways: New York (add $230), D.C. (add $270), Los Angeles (add $340)
Contact: tel. 800/243-7227; www.escapesltd.com

Photo Caption: Cartagena, Colombia. Courtesy Escapes Unlimited
Sunrise in Istanbul, Turkey.
Frommers.com Community
Istanbul, Turkey
Package: Let's Talk Turkey: Thanksgiving in Turkey
Provider: Troy Tours
When: Nov. 24-28
Price: From $949 per person
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
The Details: This customized tour for Frommers.com readers is a steal. You get flights from New York-JFK to Istanbul, three nights' hotel, breakfast daily, and hotel-airport transfers. You'll stay at the Crowne Plaza, a new five-star hotel within walking distance of Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Also included is a turkey dinner. Yes, turkey in Turkey. Mention Frommers.com when booking.
Contact: tel. 800/748-6878; www.troytours.com

Photo Caption: Sunrise in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by Richard Flinn/Frommers.com Community
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. Courtesy Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels
Orlando, Florida
Package: Wandering Wizards
Provider: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
When: Nov. 20-27
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $154 per room per night during Thanksgiving week
The Details: A farm-fresh breakfast is included for up to two adults and two children per day. Upon check-in, each child will receive a magic wand, a perfect souvenir if you're bound for the new Harry Potter theme park. A free shuttle provides easy access to nearby Disney World, and the 3p.m. checkout means you don't have to rush home. Should you need a little decompression time from all the Disney and Harry Potter excitement, the resort features a three-acre lazy river pool for kids.
Contact: tel. 407/597-3600; www.hilton.com

Photo Caption: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. Courtesy Hilton Hotels
The lounge at Viceroy Snowmass near Aspen, Colorado.
David Matheson
Aspen, Colorado
Package: Linger Longer
Provider: Viceroy Snowmass
When: Nov. 20-Dec. 18
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $225 per room per night for studio accommodations (or $450 for three nights)
The Details: You could literally spend the day as the first person on the slopes at Aspen/Snowmass, where the ski season officially opens on Thanksgiving. Viceroy Snowmass is new ski-in, ski-out luxury property. With this special, you pay for two nights and get the third one free.
Contact: tel. 888/328-1724; www.viceroysnowmass.com

Photo Caption: Cozy up next to the fireplace in the Viceroy Snowmass lounge.
A king room at Hotel Diva in San Francisco.
Peter Medilek
San Francisco, California
Package: Turkey Neck
Provider: Hotel Diva
When: Nov. 19-30
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: From $101 per room per night
The Details: This price reflects 30 percent off the best available rate at San Francisco's Hotel Diva. The package includes shopping discounts at nearby malls and department stores. The sample size of StriVectin neck cream is a goofy add-on, so you can "avoid getting a turkey neck of your own," according to Personality Hotels.
Contact: tel. 800/553-1900; www.hoteldiva.com

Photo Caption: A king room at Hotel Diva in San Francisco.
The dining room at Maine's Kennebunkport Inn. Courtesy Kennebunkport Inn
Kennebunkport Inn
Maine
Package: Thanksgiving Getaway
Provider: Kennebunkport Inn
When: Nov. 24-26
Book-By Deadline: As soon as possible
Price: $379 per room for two nights
The Details: Spend your Thanksgiving on the coast of Maine, where a welcome cocktail awaits your arrival in Kennebunkport. You'll also receive some shopping coupons, a tote bag, and deluxe continental breakfast each morning. The included Thanksgiving feast features local specialties such as Maine crab cakes, a lobster pumpkin bisque, an organic turkey dinner, and all the traditional sides you'd expect.
Contact: tel. 800/248-2621; www.kennebunkportinn.com

Photo Caption: The dining room at Maine's Kennebunkport Inn. Courtesy Kennebunkport Inn
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