Sherman's Travel

If you’re looking for a different kind of getaway this season, the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, might be just the right thing. This working horse ranch located on 60,000 acres of breathtaking desert landscape is offering a 4^th night free package, which comes to $175 per night. Travel through March 4 and book by February 29. This offer includes all meals and activities such as horseback riding lessons, trail rides, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing.

Nestled between the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park, and the Coronado National Forest, the ranch is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the craziness of daily life. There are no TVs in the traditionally decorated rooms that provide guests with spectacular scenic views of the desert and mountains, making Tanque Verde Ranch an amazing retreat for those who need to unplug and recharge their batteries.

THE VALUE: You’ll save 25 percent on current rates with this offer.

THE CATCH: You need to stay for three nights to get your fourth night on the house.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Tanque Verde Website or call 800-234-3833 to book. Mention the fourth night free offer.

WE’VE GOT MORE: See our Arizona Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, packages, and more travel deals.

Explore Arizona’s stunning Red Rock Country with this “1, 2, Free Winter Offer” from the Orchards Inn in Sedona. Stay two nights between now and February 12, 2012 and receive a third night for free. This comes to a rate of just $93 a night, including breakfast daily. If you travel by December 21 you will also receive two tickets to Red Rock Fantasy, a lights festival for the holidays.

Located on a hillside in the middle of Sedona’s Main Street, the Orchards Inn offers spacious accommodations with an upscale, contemporary feel. Each of the 75 guest rooms offers a private balcony or patio with panoramic views of the famed Red Rocks, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an LCD TV.

The Orchards Inn received the 2011 Expedia Insider’s Select Award for service, guest experience, and best value for your money.

THE VALUE: You will save 33% with this third night free offer.

THE CATCH: Blackout dates apply and the offer is not valid over the holidays.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Orchards Inn Website and choose the “1, 2, Free Winter Offer” or call 1-800-474-7719 and mention promo code 12FREE.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, packages, and more travel deals.

Kimpton is one of the most pet-friendly hotel brands by far, with each of their properties touting a robust list of pet-friendly perks that are typically tailored to the individual hotel, to its region, or to their very own four-legged pet concierge. All of their 50-plus boutique hotels nationwide welcome furry friends at no additional charge (nor are there restrictions on pet size or weight) and pamper pet guests with complimentary welcome treats, in-room bowls, beds, toys, and an endless supply of pooper-scooper bags.

What’s more, thanks to their fun “Guppy Love” program, most Kimpton hotels offer the company of a complimentary fish friend to guests who might be missing their pets at home (or who are just eager for some local companionship). In addition to Kimpton’s signature pet amenities, every hotel celebrates pet patrons in their own unique ways – read on for some of our favorite offerings of the pampering and spa-centric varieties. Read more

The other day my daughter and I were in a neighborhood toy store that had aggressively beefed up its selection of costumes and scary accessories for Halloween. And for some reason I felt the need to point out that beyond late October, we could walk into that store the rest of year and still find good, spooky stuff.

The same holds true for some great destinations. If what’s clogging my inbox is any indication, attractions and hotels nationwide are preparing to roll out over-the-top ghoulish events and shows and candy-laden amenities (if I see “spooktacular” in an e-mail subject line one more time I will simply freak). But the simple truth is, many of us families won’t be traveling on Halloween and will miss all of the seasonal, scary fun in those places. Which is why if you have a hankering for the spooktacular the rest of the year, it helps to know about a few year-round scary sights for kids.

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At the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona, the best part of waking up (and capping off the night) is likely the orange juice in your cup. The two-year-old property planted a citrus orchard before it opened in 2009, and the trees are finally mature enough to harvest. To celebrate, the Ritz will let guests pick Arizona oranges, Minneola tangelos, and red grapefruit from the 42 on-site trees and deliver them to the chef to make freshly squeezed breakfast juices. Come evening, the bounty produces tangy cocktails, like the house specialty Greyhound, a blend of grapefruit-infused vodka and garden-fresh grapefruit juice. City-dwellers unfamiliar with proper harvesting techniques need not worry: Staff will reveal the secrets to selecting the juiciest, branch-ripened fruits. The service is free; for reservations, call 520-572-3000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain

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

For the picturesque outdoors coupled with golf, spas, and history, travel to Scottsdale, Arizona for a great getaway this summer. The 4-star Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center offers a deluxe guest rooms from $110 per night. Included in this deal is a $100 food and beverage credit at the Palapas Pool Bar, Sangria’s Lounge, Vista Verge, or for room service. Looking to upgrade? For an additional $70 per night guests will be upgraded to a spacious casita suite– a discount of 40% off. Travel now through September 7, 2011.

THE VALUE: Rates for this deluxe room during the summer run upward to $200.

THE CATCH: Rates subject to availability.

THE DETAILS: Visit Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center or call 1800-540-0727

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search to price comparison tools to find low rates to Scottsdale.

Use our Arizona Travel Guide to find out even more to do in this amazing state!

Nationwide heat waves have made it feel like summer is in full swing, but the year’s steamiest season officially kicks off June 21. To celebrate, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at its 394 parks for that day only.

That means you won’t have to spend a penny to witness the Grand Canyon’s vertigo-inducing cliffs or be dwarfed by Yosemite’s massive sequoias.

The only drawback here is that the solstice falls on a Tuesday. If you’re bound by vacation days instead of a school calendar, we still suggest playing hooky and checking out one of our Top 10 National Park Hikes. Favorite picks include spelunking in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, exploring Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoos, and retreating to Shenandoah National Park’s leafy section of the Appalachian Trail.

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

Procrastinators are in luck with this last-minute deal from the Wigwam Resort. This 4-star Phoenix resort is offering rooms starting at just $99 for travel through September 7, and is valid over Memorial Day Weekend. The resort recently underwent a $7 million renovation, and now features a brand-new pool complex with water slides, an outdoor plaza, and new restaurants. The Wigwam gets in the Memorial Day spirit this weekend, hosting summer games (including an ice block relay to keep everyone cool), a fireworks show, and demonstrations from Luke Air Force Base. Golfers will love free rounds for kids under 17 (with a paying adult), and a complimentary short game golf clinic. Or, relax at the resort’s spa, which will offer discounted treatments and massages.

THE VALUE: Save up to 35% off regular rates, plus, stay during Memorial Day Weekend!

THE CATCH: Resort fees and taxes apply.

THE DETAILS: Click here to book online.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on flights to Phoenix, Arizona

Forty: That’s the number of fitness class options I had on a recent Sunday at Miami’s Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa. And that’s the light day. On Wednesday, there were 59 offerings, ranging from an early morning beach walk to rock wall climbing, three kinds of yoga, and something called stick fusion that combines kickboxing with a padded foam stick to work the entire body. There were also workshops on healthy eating, inner beauty, self-awareness, and understanding Chinese herbs. But here’s the biggest surprise: The classes were included in the price of the room.

Until Canyon Ranch opened its Miami location in 2008, the only way to truly experience the legendary wellness center was to participate in an immersive program of planned meals and activities at the center’s locations in Arizona or Massachusetts. At the Miami property, the company took a more freewheeling approach: Although fitness is included, spa treatments and meals are all à la carte. The resort even serves alcohol, a first for Canyon Ranch. What it didn’t change was the staff’s scope of knowledge. Not only do the fitness instructors know their stuff, but waiters can rattle off every ingredient in your lunch entrée without batting an eye.

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Save over 35 percent at Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico this spring. In the mid-19th century, Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa was the personal getaway of Jean-Baptiste Lamy, Santa Fe’s first bishop (his little chapel remains). Now, the well-appointed mountain resort is done up in Southwestern style with adobe walls, exposed beams, and a mix of Native American patterns. Fine dining, spa options, and pastimes like tennis, skeet shooting, and horseback riding are available on-site.

THE VALUE: Rack up more than 35 percent in savings with a package that includes a bottle of wine, a tour of the historic chapel, and a daily $100 resort credit for use towards dining, spa, or resort activities.

THE CATCH: Hurry and book soon; this offer is valid for travel through May only.

THE DETAILS: Reduced rates start at $199 a night and are valid for stays through May. Call 800-732-2240 or book online using code Smart Luxe. www.bishopslodge.com

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find hot hotel deals for your trip.