Sherman's Travel

Venice is one of my favorite places (I just returned from my 8th visit), but trying to figure out where to stay in this romantic maze of 117 islands and 409 bridges can be frustrating. There are so many options  – this small city of 60,000 residents has several hundred hotels to cater to its estimated 15 million-plus annual visitors – it can make your head spin. Over the years, I have sampled about a dozen properties and here are five of my top picks that offer a terrific mix of location, service, and amenities – and range in price from about $150/night to $579/night.

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Retreat to an elegant mountain resort in the Austrian Alps this summer. Stay at the 4-star Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, a renowned Design Hotels property, for only $153 per night for three nights. You’ll save over 30% on seasonal rates, plus receive daily breakfast and all applicable taxes.

The designer behind Hotel Kitzhof combines traditional alpine materials with contemporary lines to create a ruggedly upscale space. Enjoy views of the snow-capped Alps from the lobby’s panoramic windows, local specialties in four hotel restaurants, and unique cocktails at the Kitz Lounge. The property also features an indoor swimming pool, a spa, fitness facilities, and a garden. All rooms include complimentary high-speed Internet, leather armchairs, flat-screen TVs, and desks made from antique wood.

Hotel Kitzhof is just a five-minute walk from Kitzbuhel, a medieval town renowned for its picturesque cobblestone streets, incredible vistas, and world-class outdoor sports, including mountain biking, hiking, tennis, and golf.

To book, visit the Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort website and enter your travel dates. Rates for the Design Hotels 3FOR2 Promotion will appear; pricing is listed in Euros. Or, call 800-337-4685 and mention the same promotion.

See our Austria destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our TravelSearch price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

Global travel exposes us to all sorts of cheap eats from roadside vendors, whether it’s dim sum in Hong Kong (pictured) or a hot dog with relish in New York City. New this spring, Peninsula Hotels gives a nod to this kind of street food with room service menu items called “Snacks & the City.” I’d like to know what street cart is selling Kobe beef sliders and fries with truffle aioli, like the Peninsula Chicago, or filet mignon hoagies, like the Peninsula Beverly Hills. Also, buying “street food” on the street is kind of half the fun. However, as room-service options these new menu items really spice up the old stand-bys, and they’re available 24 hours a day (unlike food trucks or street vendors). Though prices may start at street fare levels of around $3, expect to pay a bit more for many of the upscale delights. Participating Peninsula locations also include Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Manila. www.peninsula.com

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more.

This is one glass house you won’t want to throw stones in. Chihuly Garden and Glass, an exhibition showcasing the prolific works of world renowned glass sculptor and Washington native Dale Chihuly, opened May 21 at the Seattle Center.

Spread over 1.5 acres of exhibition space, the collection is the most comprehensive display of Chihuly’s artwork ever assembled. The centerpiece of the show is the Glasshouse, a soaring glass and steel structure which houses a 1,400 piece, 100-foot long glass sculpture that hangs in midair. Surrounding the Glasshouse are the gardens, an outdoor exhibit of Chihuly’s installations. This includes his Sun, a swirling mass of yellow and orange glass that rests on a bed of black grass.

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We’re always on the hunt to find you the very best travel deals. Yet, we know it’s easy to get caught up in the industry jargon and skip over a good deal – or worse, book an offer without fully understanding all the conditions only to get a nasty surprise later. Here’s a handy deal dictionary to decode all the offers you see.

Based on double occupancy: Many hotels base their rates on two people staying in one room. Extra fees could apply if you want the kiddos to stay in the same room, too.

Rack rate: This is the official price a hotel says it will charge at a given time, without any discounts or special offers. Though few people end up paying the rack rate, hotels and deals sites like to use it as a base to make the actual rate seem like huge savings.

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For a last-minute Memorial Day Weekend trip, head to sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida for three nights starting at $313. For those who plan in advance, this offer is valid through September 30.

Stay at the historic Riverside Hotel – the only hotel on glitzy Las Olas Boulevard – in a traditional guest room with either a king or queen bed, vintage 1930s decor, cable TV, same-day dry cleaning service, and Wi-Fi access. For $76 more, upgrade to a spacious executive tower room with a king bed, contemporary furnishings, and a balcony overlooking the city.

As an added bonus, the Riverside Hotel adds in the following savings: 25 percent off services from a local salon, 20 percent off dinner at the hotel’s Indigo restaurant which features Classic American Cuisine, buy one get one free ice cream from popular confectioner Kilwins, and half off beer, wine, or cocktails at the hotel’s Golden Lyon Vintage Pub.

The Riverside Hotel provides guests with many amenities such as an outdoor pool with food and beverage service, a fitness center, onsite restaurants, bars and lounges, a business center, and riverside boat slips. Read more

Is Michigan’s Henry Ford Museum a Detroit side trip, or vice versa? While the answer might be a matter of pride to the folks in Dearborn and Detroit, for the visitor it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference as long as you see parts of both places.

After writing about the Henry last week, it’s time to focus on the ten things worth doing when you visit what the kids call “the d.”

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Whether you just returned home from a long trip, a hard day at the office, or simply running some errands, nothing beats collapsing onto the couch to relax at home. There was a time when humans called caves home, and we sat on rocks or straw. Things have changed, however, and our modern bodies can’t tolerate such hard surfaces. In the SkyMall Monday Tuesday headquarters, we kick it old school by reclining on stone floors and using logs as pillows. We understand, however, that such unyielding surfaces are not for everyone. If you’re the kind of person who has evolved to enjoy soft cushions, then SkyMall has just the product to help you unwind after a busy day. The next time you want to put your feet up on your hard coffee table, make sure to put on your Kickrest Table Top Pillow.

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Vancouver has become known as one of the most beautiful cities on the globe and has topped the list of the world’s most livable city since 2007. Discover this stunning and vibrant city on a two-night stay for just $239 – more than 40% off current pricing. This great rate also includes many extras such as daily breakfast and dinner, a two-day ticket for the hop-on-hop-off Vancouver trolley, a free shopping shuttle, and complimentary wine.

You’ll stay at the 4-star River Rock Resort and Casino in Richmond, just a few minutes from Vancouver Airport and only eight miles from downtown Vancouver. The upscale property has a 24-hour casino, several restaurants, and a spa. All of the elegantly decorated guestrooms feature king beds, spacious bathrooms, and a separate sitting area with a sofa bed.

To book your getaway, visit Only Canada Tours’ website. Rates are valid for travel May-September.

See our Vancouver destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our TravelSearch price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

With summer — and school break — just around the corner, it’s time to start planning a great getaway for the whole family. These money-saving deals are suitable for a group, whether you’re taking the kids to Orlando for some theme park hopping, planning your next family reunion on a cruise, or hiding out at a Caribbean resort where little ones stay free. We found those deals and more, good for travel throughout summer and fall, starting from just $87. Book soon to lock in the best savings.

$87+ Orlando: Disney-Area Hotel w/Breakfast, Save 50%

$389+ Weeklong Mexico Cruise to Cabo, Save 45%

$599+ 5 Nights at Jamaica All-Inclusive Resort w/Air; Kids Stay Free

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