Sherman's Travel

Rome may be the Eternal City, but there’s always something new to discover in the Seven Hills. We’ve rounded up the latest finds in our Rome Travel Guide. Here are a few hotels that are definitely worth checking out for your next trip:

• Hotel Raphael boasts its own collections of Picasso ceramics and Mayan art, as well as a superlative rooftop restaurant.
• Hotel Lancelot is within walking distance to the Colosseum and the Forum, and some rooms have terraces with views of the city.
• The Marriott Courtyard Rome Central Park is a good moderate option that underwent a top-to-bottom refurbishment in 2010.

See more great lodging picks in our guide to Rome Hotels.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals to Rome.

Great vacation memories spring from many sources: Photographs tell the literal side of the story, but those one-of-a-kind acquisitions – an intricate Colombian rug, an antique Mexican doorknob, a one-off dress by an Israeli designer – continue to live with us, transmitting their provenance through time. Since shopping districts the world over are becoming increasingly interchangeable with big-box stores, we sought out urban neighborhoods, some emerging and others longer established, where you can still find homegrown items that impart a true sense of place. Read on for our top 10 picks.

Spring usually means the arrival of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and higher airfare to Europe. Fortunately, KLM is breaking tradition and slashing rates on flights to London, Venice, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rome, Barcelona, Helsinki, Oslo, Prague, Madrid, Zurich, and Stockholm! This sale coincides with the start of festival season in Europe, so why not pop over to Budapest for the Palinka food and wine festival, Barcelona or Madrid for May Day fiestas, and Stockholm for the popcorn film festival?  Fly now through May 15 from Chicago, New York, Dallas, or San Francisco for rates as low as $278 one-way.

Sample Fares (O/W)
•    New York City – Barcelona: $278+
•    Dallas – Amsterdam: $313+
•    Chicago – London: $336+
•    Miami-Budapest: $374+
•    Washington – Oslo: $379+
•    Houston – Venice: $384+
•    San Francisco – Madrid: $419+

THE VALUE: Fares to Europe in April and May are often close to $500 each way, so this sale saves you an average of $400 round-trip.

THE CATCH: Taxes and fees are not included, and these one-way prices are based on round-trip purchases.

THE DETAILS: Click here to book your flight with KLM.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the best hotel deals in Europe.

Spring is a great time for a romantic getaway – either to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, or the West Coast – so here are four tips to help you maximize your enjoyment of the destination, and each other, while away à deux:

Avoid kids and conferences: Nothing wrecks a romantic mood more than screaming kids – but loud, badge-wearing conference-goers are a close second. The best way to avoid both is to book a smaller resort, preferably one where children under 16 are either not allowed or discouraged.

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The hidden costs of most all-inclusive tours can quickly add up once you factor in gratuities, shore excursions, and single supplements. Not so with Smithsonian Journeys, which has just announced three new all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise deals that include: international airfare, shore excursions in each port, on-board lectures, gratuities to shipboard staff, and more.  Unlike most cruises (where you won’t need any brainpower beyond what’s required for reading the latest trashy magazines poolside), be prepared to learn on these cruises, as they are run by the world-famous Smithsonian Institution’s travel branch.

The cruises offered are fairly lengthy, in order to allow cruisers to have ample time to explore the amazing cultural sites throughout the Mediterranean. Choose from:

“The Wonders of Turkey and the Greek Isles” (June 23-July 6) or “The Glories of Greece and Turkey” (July 1-14), which both stop in the Greek Islands of Crete, Delos, Mykonos and Samos; the historic Turkish cities of Ephesus and Aprodisias; and World Heritage sites in Athens and Istanbul. Land stops in Istanbul and Athens are also included. Book either one of these cruises by March 31^st, and pay only $3,195 (which includes international airfare from select East Coast cities).

Or pay a little bit more ($3,750) and try the “Splendors of Italy and the Dalmatian Coast” (May 31-June 15), featuring the Italian cities of Rome, Corsica, Sardinia, Venice and Sicily; the tiny country of Malta; and Croatia’s Dubrovnik and Split.

All three cruises will take place on-board the 350-passenger Aegean Odyssey, which features a spa, pool, library, lecture theater, and a variety of dining options. Be sure to take advantage of Smithsonian Journeys’ unique lecture programs with on-board experts, to help you learn about what you’ll be seeing off the boat. Or, just hang out at one of the Odyssey’s three bars – your call.

Check out the Aegean Odyssey here or visit Smithsonian Journeys’ website to book.

British Airways’ Europe air fare sale is the perfect way to spend that languishing Christmas bonus. Starting from just $397, round-trip flights span the breadth of Western Europe from Paris to Madrid to Frankfurt and more, departing from over 15 major U.S. cities on both coasts, with the lowest rates on routes from the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia heading to London and Edinburgh. Reserve your seat by January 27, and soak in Athens’ mild climate and Carnival celebrations or stroll through Florence’s art galleries and cathedrals unhindered by the crowds of summer, all the while paying half the rate of non-discounted flights.

Sample Round-Trip Fares (Before Taxes):

• New York-London: $397
• Boston-Edinburgh: $397
• Houston-London: $472
• Philadelphia-Madrid: $498
• New York-Rome: $519
• Philadelphia-Munich: $530
• Chicago-Amsterdam: $565
• Boston-Prague: $577
• Miami-Milan: $579
• Orlando-Rome: $579
• Washington, D.C.-Barcelona: $549
• Los Angeles-Milan: $649
• Las Vegas-Paris: $656
• Baltimore-Athens: $676
• And more!

THE VALUE: Save over 50 percent on regular airfare.

THE CATCH: The climate is similar to the States, so don’t expect to get too far away from the chill.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.travelocity.com to book your flight by January 27! Travel January 25 through April 12.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Visit our Savvy Flyer blog before you take off for up-to-date advice and news from the skies.

Keeping in stride with off-season trends, Aer Lingus is offering one-way flight deals this winter to European cities from just $177, a great find for the savvy traveler! Take off to Europe’s most sought after destinations, including Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and more! Because travel is valid between January 5 (travel starts later for certain destinations) and March 31, 2011, you’ll save yourself the headache of overcrowded tourist attractions and hotel price-hikes. Travel must be booked by January 6, 2011.

Sample One-Way Fares to Europe (Excluding Taxes):
•    New York?London: $177
•    Boston?Madrid: $190
•    Chicago?Dublin: $229
•    Orlando?Amsterdam: $259
•    And more!

THE VALUE: These fares can save you more than $150 each-way on competitors’ prices.

THE CATCH: Taxes and fees can be up to $150.

THE DETAILS: To book your flight, visit www.aerlingus.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out Europe Travel Guide and decide what destination best fits you!

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the hotel that completes your trip!

Winter is the perfect time to hop the pond as flight prices are slashed and the crowds dissipate in search of warmer climates. Savvy travelers are sure to note this trend and take advantage of United Airlines’ deal offering  flights from cities nationwide to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with prices starting at just $412 round-trip! Escape to iconic cities, including London, Rome, Egypt, Prague, Istanbul, Paris, Amman, Oslo, Amsterdam, and more! Tickets must be purchased by October 26 for travel through March 31, 2011.

Round-Trip Sample Fares (Excluding Taxes):

•    New York?London: $412
•    Charlotte?Berlin: $564
•    Boston?Budapest: $561
•    Washington, D.C.?Prague: $608
•    Phoenix?Rome: $645
•    Philadelphia?Istanbul: $690
•    Houston?Egypt: $726
•    And more!

THE VALUE: These prices are up to $400 cheaper than summer flights!

THE CATCH: A Saturday night minimum stay is required and taxes and fees are not included in the price.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.travelocity.com to book your flight.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool and find a great hotel deal to complete your vacation!

Elizabeth Gilbert’s New York Times bestselling travel memoir Eat, Pray, Love set off polarized opinions when it hit shelves in 2006. Some fans connected to the author’s midlife gap year, while others found the tale too self-serving. Readers on both sides of the fence, though, seem to agree that Gilbert’s journey through three countries and two continents – eating piles of pizza in Italy, praying in an Indian ashram, and falling in love on Bali’s beaches – was nothing short of enviable. With Julia Roberts starring in the big screen version of the memoir next month, a slew of travel companies are, not surprisingly, capitalizing on the film – even if they didn’t rank on Gilbert’s itinerary.
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London and Rome are nothing short of iconic – these two cities exemplify European craftsmanship, culture, and history. But, rather than visiting Europe during peak season when crowds are difficult to deal with and vacation package prices are sky-high, you can save a heap of money by putting off your trip until the fall or winter.

Central Holidays is currently offering a tantalizing 6-night trip this fall and winter to London and Rome that is priced from $669 per person – including round-trip airfare from New York City!

This deal also includes the following:
•    Three nights’ hotel accommodations at Corner House Hotel in London
•    International flight from London to Rome
•    A three-night stay at Hotel Regno in Rome
•    Daily breakfast
•    Hotel taxes and service charges
•    All fuel surcharges

Additional departure cities are available starting from:
•    Boston … +$124
•    Chicago … +$219
•    Miami … +$235
•    Los Angeles … +$258

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