Sherman's Travel

Stay two nights at the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino or the Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club, two luxury sister properties in Curacao, and receive the third night free! Travelers can choose between the 80-room boutique 4.5-star Hotel which is comprised of restored 18th and 19th century Dutch Colonial Caribbean buildings in the capital of Willemstad, or stay at the 4-star Lodge, a beachfront hideaway resort on Curacao’s western tip. This deal is only bookable on Cyber Monday, November 28, 2011 for travel through December 23, 2011.

THE VALUE: Receive your third night free, a savings of 33 percent!

THE CATCH: This deal is only bookable on November 28, 2011.

THE DETAILS: Call 877-254-3106 and request the Cyber Monday special. Or, send an email reservation request to reservations@kurahulanda.com. Visit www.KuraHulanda.com for additional resort information.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to Curacao.

Check out our Curacao Travel Guide to help plan your vacation!

Hold on to your hats – the island of Curacao is going on sale! Starting August 1, an island-wide sale kicks off with great deals on accommodations, tours, and activities. Among our favorite offers: Enjoy 55 percent off the Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino, fourth night free and free room upgrade at the Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort & Marina, or $500 off a hotel and air package from Renaissance Curacao. With new flights to the island launched earlier this year, there’s never been a better time to visit Curacao.

THE VALUE: These deals offer up to 55 percent off standard rates.

THE CATCH: Blackout dates may apply. Rates do not include taxes and fees.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.curacao.com/sale to find the details on all the great offers.

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

This isn’t some Page Six story about bumping uglies with Brad Pitt. No, with summer caressing our skin, these four luxury hotels are taking sleeping outside to another level.

AKA Central Park, New York: The New York skyline is already exciting enough, but it goes to new levels at AKA, which bills itself as the first outdoor bedroom in Manhattan. The Central Park penthouse has a wraparound terrace with its queen-sized bed fronting a wood-burning fireplace during chilly late-summer nights (it’s available through October 31st, weather permitting). Music via iPod or Bose, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and midnight snacks like s’mores from Maison du Chocolate are served for one heck of a romantic night. Package is $3,000 a night. Reservations via 866-AKA-9999

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Los Cabos, Mexico: The resort’s Director of Romance came up with the idea of taking king-size beds and putting them atop the wide-open, but private rooftop terrace and penthouse suites. They’ve become the place to watch the stars, the sparkling Sea of Cortez, and the waves via the provided telescope. These rooms already have a Jacuzzi and a Kiva fireplace which only adds to the ambience, so you may find yourself sneaking downstairs. But in the morning, use the provided coffee maker to brew a pot of java and then watch the humpback whales as they frolic just off the coast. Suite rates begin at $855 plus a $100 fee (plus tax and service charge) for first-night outdoor bedroom set up; $50 plus tax and service each additional night. www.lasventanas.com.

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From Bermuda to the Big Island and from St. Thomas to St. Lucia, islands are popular destinations for romantic getaways. Here are five slightly under-the-radar and surprisingly affordable isles you should consider if you’re feeling an urge to try something new:

Corfu This Greek island may not be as famous as its chicer siblings, Santorini and Mykonos, but it is perhaps even more beautiful, with photogenic bays and beaches and charming Corfu Town, filled with French- and Venetian-inspired architecture, centuries-old fortresses, and inviting cafes. Don’t miss a climb up the Old Fortress for panoramic views and a peek inside the 16th-century Church of Spyridon, Corfu’s patron saint, who is entombed there. Stay at Grecotel Eva Palace (www.grecotel.com/corfu/eva-palace), a hillside resort offering sweeping views (shown above at left) of the Kommeno peninsula and the Ionian Sea, and conveniently located just 6 miles from Corfu Town, from $209/night.

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It’s a big year for Curaçao: The Caribbean island not only became its own autonomous country (within the Kingdom of the Netherlands) in October, it’s also now a breeze to reach from the Tri-State area.

In December, Continental launched a twice-weekly nonstop flight from Newark. Although the carrier already offered seasonal weekly flights to Curaçao, East Coast travelers can now book these nonstop jaunts year round, every Wednesday and Saturday (flights are scheduled to leave EWR at 8:50am and take off from CUR at 3:40pm).

The new flights – just four hours long – make it even easier for travelers to trade the chill of the winter months for Curaçao’s sun-soaked beaches and cultural treasures. Situated between Aruba and Bonaire, just 35 miles north of Venezuela, Curaçao and its capital, Willemstad (a UNESCO World Heritage site), showcase an eclectic mix of history, culture, and tropical appeal.

Although this Dutch Caribbean isle’s newfound autonomy placed it firmly on North Americans’ 2011 travel radars, it also has plenty of traditional charms: pristine dive sites, secluded beaches, championship golf, and rich local cuisine.

See our Curaçao Travel Guide for general trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Venture to the clear, turquoise waters of the Southern Caribbean and relax on the island of Curacao. Book a three-night stay at the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino or Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club and receive the third night free! Room rates start at just $150 per night and guests will also receive daily buffet breakfast for two. Those who choose to stay at the secluded and tranquil 4-star lodge will also receive a three-day complimentary car rental while those staying at the 4.5-star hotel centered in the quaint but lively capital of Willemstad will receive complimentary access to the Mansion Executive Lounge – an island-inspired corporate executive lounge within a private mansion. This promotion is valid now through September 30, 2011.

THE VALUE: This package can save travelers more than $250!

THE CATCH: The offer is valid for guests who book an oceanfront studio or oceanfront one bedroom suite at the Lodge Kura Hulanda or a suite at Hotel Kura Hulanda.

THE DETAILS: To book the One, Two, Three and the Third Night is Free promotion, visit www.kurahulanda.com or call 877-264-3106.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on flights to Curacao.

Take a look at our Curacao Travel Guide and see all that the island has to offer.

The Luxury Caribbean cruises can enter dangerous waters in late summer since this is the peak of hurricane season. The ABC islands, close to Venezuela, however fall south of the storm belt, and are typically a safe bet for cruises. Itineraries including all three islands are rare, yet this seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas calls on two: Aruba and Curaçao (Bonaire is excluded.) Aruba is a tourist’s playground of sprawling beaches and flashy casinos. Curaçao exudes a different vibe, with pastel-painted homes and coastal cliffs. This cruise also stops at Dominica and St. Thomas.

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Located within the picturesque colonial capital of Willemstad, the 80-room Hotel Kura Hulanda is a member of the leading hotels of the world and features beautifully restored Dutch Colonial buildings and cobblestone courtyards. Guestrooms feature hand-carved mahogany furniture and murals by local artists; there is also a lavish spa, casino, and several upscale restaurants. Stay a minimum of five nights from August 15 through December 15 to take advantage of the resort’s outstanding Curaçao Now special. Starting at just $283 per person for a 5-night stay, the deal includes a $200 air credit per person and one $200 food and beverage credit per room. Book now to receive your fifth night completely free and enjoy discounts at area stores and museums!

Positioned for centuries at the crossroads of important sea trade routes, the island of Curacao has an amazingly diverse and colorful history. If you get a chance to go, take some time to explore the colorful colonial architecture around the capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site first settled in 1634. Located on the city’s picturesque historic waterfront, the posh new Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino offers sophisticated island accommodations just steps from the legendary Rif Fort, a 19th century landmark once used to defend the island from pirates and other sea-faring mercenaries. Beach goers will marvel at the resort’s uniquely-designed “eternity beach” – an above sea-level beach habitat complete with palm trees and real ocean water. Resort highlights include an onsite spa, shopping complex, and the 15,000-square-foot Carnival Casino. Opening rates start at $199/night, providing you with a savings of 40% off the regular cost for a room.