Sherman's Travel

Also known as the “Emerald Isle,” Ireland is most lush in the spring. Unfortunately, airlines take advantage of this peak travel season to hike their fares to well over $600. However, in a fluke airfare price drop, Aer Lingus is offering round-trip flights from just $398 (not including taxes). Book by March 3 and fly from New York City to Dublin or Shannon April 2 through 9 in order to get the best price. Fares are also available out of Chicago and Boston for travel April 13 through May 14 starting from just $19 extra.

THE VALUE: Springtime fares to Ireland rarely clock in under $600. Plus – a recent development in the airline business – Aer Lingus is one of the only carriers that still allows one checked bag free of charge!

THE CATCH: Be sure to budget for up to an extra $125 in fees and taxes.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.aerlingus.com to book by March 3.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Visit our Europe Hotel Deals page to find a place to bed down during your stay, and then check out our Ireland Travel Guide for more trip-planning tips and information.

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!

A winding commute across the North-Pacific, Sydney, Australia, is a hotbed of trendsetting gastronomy, fashion, and eco-tourism, and a must-see city for travel enthusiasts of all walks of life. Follow your wanderlust with this eight-day Sydney vacation from Gate 1 Travel, clocking in at just $1,259 per person, including round-trip airfare (a steady $992 when booked separately in April and May). This Aussie steal includes a five-night stay at the 3-star Ibis World Square hotel (proximal to Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay), daily breakfast, and airline fuel surcharges.

THE VALUE: The advertised rate offers departures during Australia’s peak travel times and most comfortable climates in April, May, and June.

THE CATCH: You’ll have to spend at least 26 hours in air transit to visit this far-flung continent.

THE BOOKING: Visit Gate 1 Travel to book.

WE’VE GOT MORE: For trip-planning tips and information, visit our Sydney Travel Guide.

Check out our Adventure Travel blog for more exotic getaways.

Once the joyful holiday season comes to a close and the eggnog is finally polished off, the harsh reality of winter will loom, but having planned a beach escape in advance will bring much relief. TravelByJen.com is offering the Cabo Winter Steal in January that features a seven-night stay at the all-inclusive Presidente Los Cabos Resort in San Jose del Cabo with round-trip airfare, starting at just $669! In addition to the all-inclusive amenities, the 390-room Presidente Los Cabos Resort, which is nestled between the Sierra de San Lazaro Mountains and the Sea of Cortez, offers six restaurants and seven bars, the Chiqui Kids Club, golf, tennis, bicycling, horseback riding, and more!

THE VALUE: The all-inclusive amenities include all meals, drinks, gratuities, and non-motorized waters sports!

THE CATCH: The starting price of $669 is based on round-trip airfare from Los Angeles. Other departure cities are available at an additional price starting from $29 more.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.TravelByJen.com to book your January vacation.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Read our Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide to get all the need-to-know information before you go!

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find more great deals on flights, hotels, packages, cruises, and cars

Soak in the secluded tropics of a Costa Rican paradise, lit up by the embers of Arenal Volcano in the distance. Surrounded by gurgling waterfalls and rejuvenating hot springs, the 120-acre Lost Iguana Resort and Spa offers the Two for Two promotion, featuring four nights for the price of two, with daily breakfast. Rates start from an affordable $93 per person, per night, in standard deluxe rooms with views of the lush rainforest and the fabled, active volcano. A four-night stay clocks in at just $370 (only $185 per person) – a savings of 50 percent!

THE VALUE: Receive a complimentary couples’ massage when you mention ShermansTravel at booking.

THE CATCH: May through November is Costa Rica’s rainy season.

THE DETAILS: Travel through November 15. Visit www.lostiguanaresort.com or email maritzalostiguana@mac.com. Don’t forget to mention where you read about it to get the free massage!

WE’VE GOT MORE: For budget-friendly vacations, check out our 40 Sweet Spots for Fall Value.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find great rates on airfare.

Stretch out in a 4-star resort on the lush coastline of Cancun, overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Discount Vacations’ 6-night stay at the beachfront Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas includes hotel and round-trip airfare from Miami. From just $299 per person (before taxes), the package is 50% off regular rates. The stunning, recently renovated Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas features relaxed Mayan décor, cascading waterfalls, a swim-up bar, tennis courts, four restaurants, and more. The spacious guestrooms are outfitted with flat-screen televisions, iPod docking stations, marble floors, and king-sized beds, in addition to private lagoon- or ocean-view balconies.

THE VALUE: Kids receive free meals and accommodations! An all-inclusive option is available for just $33 more per day, with unlimited beverages and daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

THE CATCH: This deal expires August 25, so book soon!

THE DETAILS: Reserve online with Discount Vacations. This offer is valid on travel through December 23. Lower rates may be available based on departure date and prices are subject to airfare fluctuation.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out more budget-friendly Mexico Vacation packages.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to scout airfare, cruise, flight, and vacation deals.

Finding cheap flights to Europe has not been easy this year, but British Airways is offering a bargain that’s too good to pass up. Fly from New York City to London for as little as $249 each way from October 21 through December 19. Plus, when purchasing any round-trip ticket from the U.S. or Canada to London, you’ll also receive a two-night hotel stay ? saving you hundreds on the city’s notoriously expensive hotel scene. Choose from a selection of hotels ranging from traditional to boutique, with central locations near London’s famous museums and attractions. 

Sample Fares to London (Each Way; Before Taxes):
•    New York: $249
•    Philadelphia: $261
•    Boston: $264
•    Washington, D.C.: $272
•    Baltimore: $272
•    San Francisco: $288
•    Denver: $320
•    Los Angeles: $327
•    And more!

THE VALUE: While you’ll be paying $300 less on airfare by waiting until the fall to travel, the hotels will also save you approximately $150/night (or more).

THE CATCH: Flights are based on round-trip purchase, and the free hotel offer is based on double occupancy.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.ba.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE:  Check out our London Travel Guide.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find more low fares to Europe.

Expedia has entered the realm of blind booking – a space dominated by competitors like Priceline, Travelocity, and even its sister company, Hotwire. With the adopted “Unpublished Rates” option, Expedia will be able to save customers some $50 per night . . . if the customer is up for a little surprise (the hotel name is only revealed after the reservation is made) – only key info like location, star ratings, and hotel features (pool, business-friendly, etc) are revealed pre-booking. Still in trial phases, the new feature is powered by Hotwire and represents Expedia’s growing effort to increase customer satisfaction, along with the elimination of flight booking fees and reservation change/cancellation fees. Read more

For intrepid travelers intrigued by ancient history (and mystery!), the siren call of far-flung Easter Island  – site of oddities like the massive moai (giant stone heads) and the world’s most remote airport (Mataveri International Airport, IPC) – has been heard loud and clear. The one caveat? Actually getting there. With Easter Island access long restricted to limited LAN Airlines’ routes via Santiago, Chile, flight times from U.S. cities like NY, Miami, and LA, required anywhere from about 15 to upwards of 20 hours of travel time, when factoring in the Santiago layover. Enter LAN Airlines’ new Lima–Easter Island routes, which are slated to shave off up to 3 hours of the direct voyage for American and European travelers when they debut in January. The new route also serves to make two-stop itineraries that combine taking in ancient sites of Peru (like Machu Picchu or the Nazca Lines) with a jaunt to Easter Island pleasantly conceivable. Read more