Off the Beaten Path...

Looking for a real adventure? Does your ideal trip consist of wide-open spaces, kayaking, hiking or fishing? YTB has partnered with Hunt’n and Fish’n Biz to bring you a unique experience for your outdoor vacation. Available packages include the Alaska Kayaking Adventure: 5 days of experiencing Alaskan wildlife such as whales, otters, and bears;
Costa Rica Fishing: a 5 day fishing trip with an abundance of game fish such as dorado, roosterfish, sea bass, marlin, and more; and the 8 day Peru Tour: tour the city of Cuzco, travel to the Sacred Valley and see Pisac, and hike to Machu Picchu. Visit VastVoyages/Paradise Network and click on the Huntn' & Fishn' logo.

**********

Wineries aren't the only destinations for travel-hungry foodies. What if your palate desires the smoky taste of charred chicken, a just plucked golden peach or my personal favorite, a molten chocolate truffle cake? Check out the New York Beer Trail, the Vermont Cheese Trail, the Texas BBQ Trail, the Fresno Fruit Trail or the Finger Lakes Chocolate Trail for some truly delicious trips.

**********

Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Point Village, Jamaica - Family Getaway 2008
All Inclusive rates start at $81.25 pp/night
Book by April 18, 2008
Travel by August 31, 2008

Wyndham Sugar Bay, USVI, St. Thomas - Winter Blowout Sale
European Plan rates start at $69.38 pp/night. Children 17 and under stay for FREE.
All Inclusive rates start at $158.75 pp/night. Children 12 and under stay for FREE.
Book by April 14, 2008
Travel by December 22, 2008

The Westin Aruba - Spring Medley Sale
Book by May 15, 2008 for travel March 30 to June 30, 2008 and receive:
- 5th Night FREE
- $100 Resort Credit on stays 7 Nights or longer
Offer valid in all categories May 1 to June 30 and in Oceanview only March 30 to April 30, 2008.

Visit VastVoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.

Sisterhood Rules!

Oh, the stresses of everyday life: cleaning up house, taking care of the little ones, working a full-time job. This and more can certainly make you want to pass out on the couch from exhaustion or maybe even pull your hair out! So what’s the remedy? Grabbing your sisters and favorite amigas and escaping on the ultimate “girlfriend getaway.” Both Travel Agent (pages 60-61) and Recommend magazines recently published articles on hotels and spas that cater to just that: a weekend (or week if you dare to leave your children for longer than three days) full of spa treatments, dinner plans, and shopping with NO BOYS ALLOWED! What a great way to recharge your batteries!

Another property not mention in the articles that is offering a girls-only package is Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa. Beaches Turks & Caicos is rolling out the red carpet for you and your friends to kick back, relax and enjoy Caribbean-style fun at the Beaches Friends Forever (B.F.F.) Getaway. Exclusive B.F.F. activities include: a welcome reception; sunset catamaran sail-away; “Wine”-ing Allowed sponsored by Beringer Vineyards; island dance lessons; Beach Bonfire Pajama Party sponsored by Harlequin; farewell dinner, and much, much more! You can also receive $200 Red Lane gift certificate, a 10% discount voucher to our specialty gift shop and one free 5"x7" picture to capture the memories.

Travel Dates: October 2 - 6, 2008
Book By: September 30, 2008
Sample Price: 4 nights from only $1034 per person

**********

The final week of Carnival's Funtennial Celebration is here and they're going out in style - family style! Now through March 31st, receive a FREE stateroom upgrade when you book virtually any cruise sailing in 2008. Plus 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom sail from only $99. That means there's no reason for you to leave your family and friends behind. Remember, this extra-special offer ends March 31st. Book early for best price and availability.

Remember: Each week, one lucky guest -- who books any “Fun Ship” cruise -- will be automatically entered to win the Grand Prize of a cruise for two in the Owner’s Suite aboard either the Carnival Inspiration or Carnival Imagination! Ten second-place winners will receive a Fuji digital camera to capture and immortalize all the wonderful moments and memories of their Funtennial celebration.

Visit VastVoyages.com to find the right cruise for you and your family.

**********

Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Sunscape Puerto Aventuras, Cancun - Sun & Fun Promo
All Inclusive Rates start at $81.20 per person/night
Book Now!
Travel by April 26, 2008

InterContinental Resort & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Summer Sale Break
Rates start at $91.25 pp/nt; children 17 & under stay free
Book by April 30, 2008
Travel by Oct. 31, 2008

Sheraton Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Early Booking 35% Off Promo
Book by April 30, 2008
Travel by Dec. 19, 2008

Visit www.vastvoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.

Stop and Smell the Roses (or lilies, or orchids, or…)

Ahhh… Spring has certainly sprung. The grass really is getting greener and the buds are starting to sprout. What better way to literally stop and smell the roses, than to visit the vast museum-garden exhibits around the U.S. Check out the Gardens That Bloom With Art article on MSN. Don’t forget, right here in New York City, Macy’s is holding their 34th Annual Flower Show at Herald Square from March 16 through March 30.

**********

Week 3 of Carnival’s Funtennial Celebration is offering TWO specials! In the first special, customers can save up to $400 per stateroom and receive $200 onboard credit on Europe sailings. The second offer includes savings of up to $200 per stateroom and customers can receive $100 onboard credit on Alaska sailings. These specials open March 15th and are available until March 21th. Be sure to book early for best price and availability.

Remember: Each week, one lucky guest -- who books any “Fun Ship” cruise -- will be automatically entered to win the Grand Prize of a cruise for two in the Owner’s Suite aboard either the Carnival Inspiration or Carnival Imagination! Ten second-place winners will receive a Fuji digital camera to capture and immortalize all the wonderful moments and memories of their Funtennial celebration.

Visit VastVoyages.com to find the right cruise for you and your family.

**********

Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

The Reef Playacar, Cancun* - Summer Early Booking Bonus '08
All Inclusive Rates start at $93.75 per person/night
Book by April 10, 2008
Travel by October 31, 2008
* Family-friendly

Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic* - After Easter Sale
Receive up to 20% Off
Book Now
Travel from March 23 - April 11, 2008
* All-inclusive resort, great for couples

Grand Case Beach Club, St. Martin* - Last Minute Special
Receive up to 20% off
Book Now
Travel by April 12, 2008
* Family-friendly

Visit www.vastvoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.

Carnival Cruise Lines' Funtennial Celebration

Carnival’s Funtennial Celebration is well on its way. Throughout the month of March, Carnival is celebrating its anniversary by giving YOU super specials and prizes! Plus, each week, one lucky guest -- who books any “Fun Ship” cruise -- will be automatically entered to win the Grand Prize of a cruise for two in the Owner’s Suite aboard either the Carnival Inspiration or Carnival Imagination! Ten second-place winners will receive a Fuji digital camera to capture and immortalize all the wonderful moments and memories of their Funtennial celebration.

Week 2 of Carnival’s Funtennial Celebration is offering $300 in family savings on 3-7 day summer sailings. This extra-special offer opens March 8th and is available until March 14th. Be sure to book early for best price and availability.

Visit VastVoyages.com to find the right cruise for you and your family.

********************

Golf season is in full swing! Book your tee times at VastVoyages/Golf today!

********************

Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Excellence Resorts, Cancun, Mexico - Spring Special
30% Off at Playa Mujeres
20% Off at Riviera Cancun
Book Now
Travel by April 11, 2008
* All-Inclusive Resorts, Adults Only

Nassau Palm Resort, Bahamas - Winter Sale '08
Rates Start at $46.88 Per person/per night; kids 17 & under stay Free
Book by March 31, 2008
Travel by April 14, 2008
* Budget and family friendly

Oasis Hamaca & Oasis Canoa, Dominican Republic
All Inclusive Rates start at $75.00 per person/night
Book Now
Travel by April 30, 2008
* All-Inclusive Resorts

Visit www.vastvoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.

Honeymoon Trends and Hot Spots

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the New York Times Travel Show at the Jacob Javitz Center. Over 500 exhibitors gathered for the public and trade to offer information about their destination and products. Some exhibitors included Homeric Tours, specialists in travel to Greece; Tourism Turkey; and Carnival Cruise Lines. Nearly all the islands of the Caribbean had a presence. SpaFinder.com had a long line of patrons waiting to receive a complimentary massage. For a special treat, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove presented "Wild Survivors," an entertaining show with penguins, a sloth, and a lynx.

I decided to attend The Knot’s Travel Seminar: Honeymoon Hot Spots: Trends in Honeymoon Travel from The Knot. The panel had representatives from Jamaica, St. Lucia and South Africa. Yes! South Africa. It may be hard to believe but it looks like honeymooners are really splurging on their romantic getaway and looking for something adventurous as well. There are very few places in the world where you can go on a jungle safari one day and have dinner under the stars the next (with park rangers standing guard of course). Couples are looking for more than just sand and surf at ultra-mega resorts. They are looking for a more personalized vacation where they can do the activities they enjoy (or thought of trying) or just enjoy each others’ company away from overcrowded pools and restaurants.

Speaking of enjoying each other’s company, couples are also looking at ultra-romantic spa getaways. According to SpaFinder, many couples want to able to take a massage together or book a lavish suite, complete with a Jacuzzi and spa room for a more private massage encounter. SpaFinder notes that when booking the hotel stay couples should also book spa treatments at the same time. Although there are many types of massages, many spas have simplified their spa menu as not to confuse clients. Couples can talk to their therapists and develop a personalized spa treatment based on certain pressure points, music, and spa products. But don’t fret: if you don’t see a watsu massage (that’s a water and shiatsu combination), that doesn’t mean it’s not offered. Most spa therapists are trained in a variety of techniques so just ask. Many hotels are also offering massage classes so that the spa/massage experience doesn’t end when the honeymoon does.

Looking for something more in tuned with Mother Earth? Opt for a “green” honeymoon. Hotels are beginning to make eco-friendly changes such as using recycled materials for pools, restaurants and furniture. Some hotels only offer bicycles as the mode of transportation in and around the property. Others are using alternative fuel options such as coconut oil to power their vehicles. Couples may also engage in charity work during their honeymoon to help the local community.

Whatever the option is, couples are urged to really research your interests, costs and activities to define the honeymoon that suits your wants and needs.

Note: www.vastvoyages.com offers a spa search with available online specials. Click on the Extras Tab and then click on Spa Finder to find your next spa getaway.

**********

Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, USVI* - Book a 5 Night Stay in April and Receive $700 in Activities Incl. All Day Sail Outing, Sunset Cocktail Cruise, Scuba Lesson, Parasailing
Book by Mar. 31, 2008
Travel by April 30, 2008
*All-Inclusive Resort. Great for families!

Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico* - 4th & 7th Night Free
Book 4 Nights get 1 Nt. Free or Book 7 Nights get 2 Nts. Free
Book by March 30, 2008
Travel April 14 - Dec. 20, 2008
*Perfect for a destination wedding or honeymoon.

AMHSA Resorts, Dominican Republic* - Spring Sale, up to 35% off
Choose From 3 Resorts: Casa Marina Beach, Casa Marina Reef or Grand Paradise Bavaro & The Club Beach Resort Spa
Book Mar. 31, 2008
Travel by Sept. 30, 2008
*All-Inclusive Resorts.


Visit www.vastvoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.