Frommer's 5 Deals for Oct. 26, 2011
By
This Week's Deals
By Jason Sheftell
Explore Sicily during the off-season, relax in Aruba, visit Beijing, or book affordable hotels in Seattle and New York City.
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. The single supplement is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.
Photo Caption: A pebble beach in Taormina, Sicily
Explore Sicily during the off-season, relax in Aruba, visit Beijing, or book affordable hotels in Seattle and New York City.
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. The single supplement is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.
Photo Caption: A pebble beach in Taormina, Sicily
Aruba
Destination: Aruba
Provider: Liberty Travel (tel. 866/674-5082; www.libertytravel.com)
Duration: Four nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; all-inclusive
Base Price: $1,049
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare, four nights at a waterfront hotel, all meals and beverages, airport transfer, hotel tax, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $105 in departure tax and security fee
When: Through Dec. 16
Book By: Nov. 15
Why this is a Deal: Save 30%; kids 17 and under stay and eat for free.
Complete Details: All rooms are on the ocean at the Tamarijn Aruba, an all-inclusive resort on Druif Beach in Oranjestad. The hotel has three freshwater swimming pools, nine dining options, bikes, sailing, and windsurfing. The hotel also has a rock-climbing wall. Nearby activities include golf, hiking, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing. Each room has a balcony or a deck. The Alhambra Casino is a short walk from the hotel.
Other Gateways: New York ($1,099), Miami ($1,175), Chicago ($1,185), Philadelphia ($1,289), Los Angeles ($1,299)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Arashi Bay near Oranjestad, Aruba. Photo by FSant/Frommers.com Community
Provider: Liberty Travel (tel. 866/674-5082; www.libertytravel.com)
Duration: Four nights
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; all-inclusive
Base Price: $1,049
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare, four nights at a waterfront hotel, all meals and beverages, airport transfer, hotel tax, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $105 in departure tax and security fee
When: Through Dec. 16
Book By: Nov. 15
Why this is a Deal: Save 30%; kids 17 and under stay and eat for free.
Complete Details: All rooms are on the ocean at the Tamarijn Aruba, an all-inclusive resort on Druif Beach in Oranjestad. The hotel has three freshwater swimming pools, nine dining options, bikes, sailing, and windsurfing. The hotel also has a rock-climbing wall. Nearby activities include golf, hiking, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing. Each room has a balcony or a deck. The Alhambra Casino is a short walk from the hotel.
Other Gateways: New York ($1,099), Miami ($1,175), Chicago ($1,185), Philadelphia ($1,289), Los Angeles ($1,299)
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: Arashi Bay near Oranjestad, Aruba. Photo by FSant/Frommers.com Community
Sicily
Destination: Sicily
Provider: Central Holidays (tel. 800/935-5000; www.centralholidays.com)
Duration: Seven nights
Trip Type: Land-only
Base Price: $569 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Seven nights' hotel in Sicily, a seven-day car rental, hotel service tax, and breakfast and dinner daily
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Airfare to Sicily
When: Nov. 1, 2011-March 23, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to lock in the low price
Why this is a Deal: From $82 per day including a car rental, plus breakfast and dinner
Complete Details: Enjoy the peace of off-season travel during this independent trip to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean. Highlights include the town of Taormina and the ancient city of Agrigento. Stay at the Sporting Baia Hotel, located above the coast with water views.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: The pace of life is a little slower in Italy's deep south; here, the coast near Taormina, Sicily
Provider: Central Holidays (tel. 800/935-5000; www.centralholidays.com)
Duration: Seven nights
Trip Type: Land-only
Base Price: $569 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Seven nights' hotel in Sicily, a seven-day car rental, hotel service tax, and breakfast and dinner daily
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Airfare to Sicily
When: Nov. 1, 2011-March 23, 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to lock in the low price
Why this is a Deal: From $82 per day including a car rental, plus breakfast and dinner
Complete Details: Enjoy the peace of off-season travel during this independent trip to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean. Highlights include the town of Taormina and the ancient city of Agrigento. Stay at the Sporting Baia Hotel, located above the coast with water views.
Other Gateways: N/A
Single Supplement: N/A
Photo Caption: The pace of life is a little slower in Italy's deep south; here, the coast near Taormina, Sicily
Seattle
Destination: Seattle
Provider: Sheraton Bellevue Hotel (866/716-8126; www.starwoodhotels.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $94-$99 per room per night
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations and free parking
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $13 in local and state hotel tax
When: Fridays and Saturdays through December
Book By: Nov. 11
Why this is a Deal: Save up to 45%.
Complete Details: Located seven miles from downtown Seattle near Mount Washington and Mercer Island, the Sheraton Bellevue has a gym, a lobby bar, and a free shuttle to downtown Bellevue or anywhere within a five-mile radius of the hotel. Three wineries are within a 20-minute drive. In 2010, Bellevue was named the "number one place to live and launch a business" by CNNMoney.
Photo Caption: Early morning at Pike Place Market in Seattle
Provider: Sheraton Bellevue Hotel (866/716-8126; www.starwoodhotels.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $94-$99 per room per night
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations and free parking
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $13 in local and state hotel tax
When: Fridays and Saturdays through December
Book By: Nov. 11
Why this is a Deal: Save up to 45%.
Complete Details: Located seven miles from downtown Seattle near Mount Washington and Mercer Island, the Sheraton Bellevue has a gym, a lobby bar, and a free shuttle to downtown Bellevue or anywhere within a five-mile radius of the hotel. Three wineries are within a 20-minute drive. In 2010, Bellevue was named the "number one place to live and launch a business" by CNNMoney.
Photo Caption: Early morning at Pike Place Market in Seattle
China
Destination: China
Provider: China Spree (tel. 866/652-5656; www.chinaspree.com)
Duration: Six nights, eight days
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent
Base Price: $799 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from San Francisco, six nights' hotel, some sightseeing, some meals, hotel service tax, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $71 in security fee and departure tax; $170 China visa fee if processed through China Spree, $140 if done independently
When: Six departures in Feb. 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability at this price point
Why this is a Deal: Save more than $650 when compared to booking each component of this deal independently.
Complete Details: The guided tours include Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, unique Beijing neighborhoods with alleys and pathways, museums, the Bird's Nest, and the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs. Stay at the four-star Huabin International Hotel, a 456-room modern property within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and key sights such as China's National Grand Theatre.
Other Gateways: Los Angeles (add $50); Chicago, D.C. (add $190); Boston (add $220); Houston (add $250); New York (add $330)
Single Supplement: $499
Photo Caption: Army Post on The Great Wall, Beijing
Provider: China Spree (tel. 866/652-5656; www.chinaspree.com)
Duration: Six nights, eight days
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent
Base Price: $799 per person
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Airfare from San Francisco, six nights' hotel, some sightseeing, some meals, hotel service tax, and fuel surcharges
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $71 in security fee and departure tax; $170 China visa fee if processed through China Spree, $140 if done independently
When: Six departures in Feb. 2012
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability at this price point
Why this is a Deal: Save more than $650 when compared to booking each component of this deal independently.
Complete Details: The guided tours include Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, unique Beijing neighborhoods with alleys and pathways, museums, the Bird's Nest, and the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs. Stay at the four-star Huabin International Hotel, a 456-room modern property within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and key sights such as China's National Grand Theatre.
Other Gateways: Los Angeles (add $50); Chicago, D.C. (add $190); Boston (add $220); Houston (add $250); New York (add $330)
Single Supplement: $499
Photo Caption: Army Post on The Great Wall, Beijing
New York City
Destination: New York City
Provider: Hotel Thirty Thirty (tel. 800/804-4480; www.thirtythirty-nyc.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $139 per room
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations and discounts on local tours
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $18 in hotel tax; transportation to New York
When: Jan. 2-Feb. 29
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability
Why this is a Deal: Save at least $150 with combined offers on these rates.
Complete Details: Located on 29th Street off Fifth Avenue, this newly renovated hotel is blocks from the Empire State Building and the 34th Street shopping corridor that includes brands such as Macy's, Zara, and H&M. Also, Madison Square Park, Koreatown, Madison Square Garden, and Chelsea are within easy walking distance.
Photo Caption: The Empire State Building in New York City. Photo by Cathy Warrington/Frommers.com Community
Provider: Hotel Thirty Thirty (tel. 800/804-4480; www.thirtythirty-nyc.com)
Duration: Per night
Trip Type: Hotel-only
Base Price: $139 per room
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Accommodations and discounts on local tours
What Else You'll Have to Pay: $18 in hotel tax; transportation to New York
When: Jan. 2-Feb. 29
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability
Why this is a Deal: Save at least $150 with combined offers on these rates.
Complete Details: Located on 29th Street off Fifth Avenue, this newly renovated hotel is blocks from the Empire State Building and the 34th Street shopping corridor that includes brands such as Macy's, Zara, and H&M. Also, Madison Square Park, Koreatown, Madison Square Garden, and Chelsea are within easy walking distance.
Photo Caption: The Empire State Building in New York City. Photo by Cathy Warrington/Frommers.com Community
