A New Travel State of Mind and of Course, The Superbowl

Now is the time for a New state of mind. New York and New Orleans that is! January is rapidly coming to a close and there are some excellent promos and deals to both cities available right now. Just think, in New York you have theater, cuisine, art and history. In New Orleans you have cuisine, art history and of course the daily people watching theater on Bourbon street.Do I have to remind you that Mardi Gras is almost here? And of course their beloved Saints will be heading to the Super Bowl in Miami so the party in New Orleans is sure to be full blown! With the Big Apple and The Big Easy in mind (and a few other places as well), here are this weeks best travel deals:

Stay in New York's Upper Westside at the 4-Star Empire Hotel for as low as $149/night! (Valid while supplies last).

New York Vacation Packages and Deals

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Source! Save on New Orleans Hotels! (Ends 2/16/10)



Las Vegas Deals: flights, hotels, cars, vacation packages & more!

Spring for Europe and Save: Round-Trip Flights on Sale from $398!

I would be remiss if I did not pass on this press release from Morgans Hotel group in Miami for the Superbowl
If you got the dough to blow...

MORGANS HOTEL GROUP (SHORE CLUB/DELANO/MONDRIAN) IN MIAMI ANNOUNCES SUPER BOWL TRAVEL PACKAGES

DELANO
Delano’s Ultimate Super Bowl package includes Limo service to/from the airport and game, 2 tickets to the Super Bowl (club level), 4 nights accommodations in a Bungalow at Delano, 24 hour personal poolside cabana including bottle service daily, dinner for 2 at Blue Door, table for four at The Florida Room including bottle service & access to all Morgans Hotel Group Super Bowl events. An array of Super Bowl gear featuring your favorite team.
Total for 4 nights: $46,000 - Guest Rooms for Super Bowl starting at $1150 per night.

About Delano: Located in the heart of South Beach and directly on the ocean, Delano is the ultimate world-class urban resort hotel and self-contained destination. In a completely original manipulation of space that blurs all “normal” distinctions, Delano boasts the first Indoor/Outdoor lobby, offering a seamless flow between a series of unique indoor and outdoor environments. Nine beautifully conceived areas are each distinct in form and function, yet together create the feel of an interwoven village where guests can find both a wealth of activity and a peaceful haven.

MONDRIAN
Mondrian’s Ultimate Super Bowl package includes: Limo service to/from the airport and game, 2 tickets to the Super Bowl (lower level), Bayview Suite, Access to Delano’s Beach throughout your stay, table for 4 at Mondrian’s Sunset Lounge including bottle service, Access to all Mondrian Super Bowl events, continental breakfast at Asia de Cuba daily, and An array of Super Bowl gear featuring your favorite team.
Total for 3 nights: $24,000 – Guest Rooms for Super Bowl starting at $1100 per night.

About Mondrian: Located on newly-fashionable West Avenue, Mondrian is a quiet enclave just minutes from the bustling center of South Beach, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami.. The visionary style of designer Marcel Wanders is apparent from the moment you pull into the porte-cochere: guests walk through a grand entryway appointed with custom-designed furniture, lighting and accent pieces, evoking Wanders’ design homage of “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle”. Upon entering the soaring lobby, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of Biscayne Bay.

SHORE CLUB
Shore Club’s fun in the sun Super Bowl package includes: Limo service to/from the airport, 30 minutes jet ski excursion for 2, access to all Shore Club Super Bowl events, Beach House accommodations, Private poolside soirée for 10 guests including hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and game viewing on patio,An array of Super Bowl gear featuring your favorite team.
Total for 3 nights: $34,000 – Guest Rooms for Super Bowl starting at $820 per night.

About Shore Club: Shore Club features a landmarked Art Deco lobby conceived as a calming transition to the labyrinth of gardens with secret passageways, alcoves and a succession of different outdoor 'rooms'. Anchored by the original polished terrazzo floor, this radiant space features a lit metal wall mural and white sheer curtains surrounding columns that are internally illuminated with colored light. Shore Club features the world renowned Skybar, Nobu & Ago.

**For personal assistance with exclusive packaging please contact Erin Macho at 305.695.3256 or Erin.Macho@morganshotelgroup.com. For general reservations please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com or call 800.606.6090 to book. All prices subject to local and state taxes. Subject to availability.

And in the End
It was so fun watching the Saints beat the Vikings It reminded me that a little New Orleans break would be great fun. Maybe I can get some of the girls together and make it a girlication as those are good for my soul. Then again the allure of New York is always there too. I must see how I can make both happen. Perhaps a couple of long weekends over the next couple of months...before the Spring break higher airfares pop up! Remember traveling friends, life is a journey, stay packed!

British Airways Flight Crews Ordered NOT to Strike, Other Potential Disruptions of Travel Services Loom

BA Strike Thwarted
A judge in Britain issued an injunction to prevent British Airways flight crews from starting a 12-day strike at the peak of the holiday traveling season. The Judge issued the order two days after the strike was called by an overwhelming majority of the airline's 14,000 crew members, CNN reported Thursday. Unite union leaders said the ruling marked "a disgraceful day for democracy."In a statement, the airline said it was "delighted for our customers," an estimated 900,000 of whom would have been inconvenienced by canceled flights.BA's attorney Bruce Carr told the court the voting process included "serious and substantial irregularities." In addition, he said a strike in the holiday travel season was "willfully disproportionate and clearly unlawful."

The strike was one of several potential disruptions of travel services in Britain this month.

Scottish charter company Globespan canceled all its Flyglobespan flights as it went into administration -- a step similar to bankruptcy.

In separate strike action, Unite baggage handlers and check-in clerks at Heathrow and Aberdeen airports plan three work stoppages lasting two and three days through Jan. 4 over pay issues.

British Eurostar drivers have also called for four days of strikes, scheduled for Dec. 18-19 and Dec. 26-27, but Eurostar said service would not be disrupted, as other train drivers were available.

Obviously you should check with your carrier and/or Travel Agency if your Holiday plans involve travel to Great Britain.

And now for this weeks best advertised deals:

Fly Within the 50 States from $116 Round-Trip: Book Your Flight Today and Save! (Expires 12/21/09)

Affordable Escapes to Asia: Fly Round-Trip from $575 on China Airlines! (Expires 12/31/09)

Attention Bargain Hunters! Take 10% off Mid-Size and Full-Size Cars with Dollar Rent-A-Car! (Expires 01/03/10)

Welcome to the Hotel California Sale! Save up to 40%, Plus Get a Free Night or Upgrade!

Make the Celebration of Love a family affair at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos!

Mexico Air + Hotel vacation packages from $471 pp!

And In The End

I cannot believe it is one week until Christmas and Hanukkah is fully underway. So much to do, so little time (and money). We had hoped to be hopping back to Vero for the Holidays with family and then the Kitchenaid built in fridge decided to die. Bad timing, that is for sure. While we do have another fridge in the Garage, I rather like my food kept inside and my extra bevs and frozens outside. Anyhoo, stuff happens and you roll with it traveling friends. So Florida will have to wait a bit for us and we will enjoy the holidays shopping for a replacement appliance. Send me your travel pics for posting and your comments for boasting! Remember, life is a journey, stay packed! Ciao for now, Maggie

The Breakers Palm Beach Features Breakers Rewards

On this rainy afternoon after Thanksgiving doesn't this shot of The Breakers in Palm Beach look enticing? Bonnie Reuben, head of Marketing and Communications for The Breakers clued me in on this winters special Breakers Rewards program. Here is the skinny:
America's legendary oceanfront resort on the island of Palm Beach, The Breakers bolsters its peerless beachfront location and array of prized resort amenities with an enticing seasonal offer, "Breakers Rewards," available January 4 - April 27, 2010.

Added value abounds with the provision of $100 or $200 nightly credits per room (based on type of accommodations), for significant savings on an abundance of resort amenities: dining (nine restaurants / five bars), golf play on two championship courses, golf instruction, rejuvenating spa, tennis court time and instruction, luxury beach bungalows and grand cabanas for daytime rental, world-class shopping (11 boutiques), children's programs and other leisure activities. Rates start at $499, per room per night, based on availability. Winter season guests receive:

· $100 Breakers Rewards (per room, per night), when booking Superior and Deluxe guest rooms
· $200 Breakers Rewards (per room, per night), when booking all Suites, Flagler Club (club level) and Oceanfront Guest Rooms

The generous daily monetary credit encourages winter travelers to savor and save on their preferred experiences, all available on site. "With so many amenities to choose from at our multi-faceted resort, guests never have to step a sandal off property," said David Burke, vice president of sales & marketing of the 140-acre property. "The Breakers Palm Beach offers a peerless resort experience that could not be replicated today - a stunning atmosphere of relaxed elegance with an amazing range of resort experiences, and we ensure it keeps getting better year after year."

With consumers' heightened demand for premium value, The Breakers shines in these times as an unsurpassed resort experience. "Our quality standards remain untouched by the economy, we continue our $20 million annual investment in the hotel's ongoing revitalization, and we remain the leader in luxury green lodging for our pioneering commitment to sustainability and conservation," said Burke. "And we are easy to get to…, only 15 minutes from Palm Beach Airport."

For reservations or more information, visit www.thebreakers.com, call toll-free 1-888-BREAKERS (273-2537), or contact your travel professional.

FTC disclaimer...below are great deals I have found. Yes, they are advertisements that I may benefit from if you actually buy something, but they are in my opinion very good deals. The end.

1-Day Sale Today Only! Save up to 45% on Hotels and Vacations!

Chicago Getaways Fun Weekends in the Big City: 3-Day Weekend Getaways From $380

Visit Travelocity for New York Deals

Top Hotel Deals in San Diego

Get up to 2 Nights FREE plus save up to 65% at Sandals Whitehouse! Find out more.

Excite Your Senses at the Wynn Las Vegas! Definitive Style on the Strip!

And In the End

Even though The Breakers was founded in 1896, I sort of picture it as a Great Gatsby type destination. You know, the Flappers arrive on the car train from New York and commence drinking bathtub gin and partying whilst the nannies care for the children. Great clothes, great accessories and great fun. That last part is probably correct. Anyhoo, even if that is not your fantasy view, it sure looks like a swell place to spend some of our winter, doesn't it Old Sport?, sigh. Now, to get on our StairMaster so we are prepared for that beach. Remember loves, life is a journey, stay packed. Ciao for now, Maggie