Sherman's Travel

As dependable as the swallows of Capistrano, and quite possibly as majestic, there’s no surer sign that Spring has sprung (as well as your libido) than the annual invasion of our Men in White. For those of in you New York City – or fans of Sex in the City re-runs – you know what I’m talking about, and for those of you watching from afar, here’s two simple words you’ll remember forever once you experience it: Fleet! Week!

Since 1984 a small armada of vessels dock in NYC harbor to honor the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. over Memorial Day Weekend – this year May 26 to June 2 – releasing their uniformed crew the to carouse with the locals, titillate the tourists, and all around impress with their starched sculptedness. And of course, feature military demonstrations, tours of boats, musical performances, yada yada . . . Did we mention there are sailor balls?! This year, you can also get in on the action with some exclusive hotel deals. Read more

Many cities offer all-inclusive discount passes on sightseeing, but what if you just want to see a handful of attractions? Do you really need the pricey pass? Introducing Go Select, a new service from Smart Destinations that allows travelers to pick and choose which sights they most want to visit – with savings of up to 36 percent off regular admission.

Go Select is currently offered in Boston, Chicago, New York City, Oahu, San Diego, and San Francisco, with Los Angeles and Seattle coming soon. All the top attractions are included, from New York’s Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty Ferry to Chicago’s Field Museum and Navy Pier to the San Diego Zoo and Legoland California. The more attractions you add to a pass, the more money you save.

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The oceanfront Sands at Grace Bay Hotel in the Turks & Caicos Islands is now offering special room pricing! Right now, you can stay 4 nights for an average of only $140 per night (Reg. $185). There’s lots to do there, because Sands at Grace Bay Hotel offers all guests access to free water sports equipment, bicycle rentals, three swimming pools, and more! In addition, because you found this deal here at ShermansTravel, they are offering a complementary bottle of wine at check-in.

THE VALUE: The 4th night free promotion is valid on all room categories this May thru December 21.

THE CATCH: The 4th night will be applied to the resort bill at the end of the stay.

THE DETAILS: Click here to book online or call (877) 777-2637; don’t forget the promo code: 4WINE

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Sign up to receive more editor-vetted deals with our Top 25 Newsletter.

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.

No plans next weekend? No problem. For under $200 ($189 to be precise), you can answer the siren call of the Bahamas with this January 23 sailing from Carnival. The Carnival Sensation departs for a 4-night cruise from Port Canaveral in just 8 days, calling on Freeport for one night, and idling in the warm waters of Nassau for another two, before returning to the Florida coast on Thursday, January 27 – all for the price of a one-night hotel stay! There’s even time to book a last-minute flight to Florida.

THE VALUE: This rate offers a savings of up to 79 percent!

THE CATCH: You’ll have to book right this second.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.vacationstogo.com and complete a free, short sign-up in order to see the details.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find cheap airfare to Orlando – a short drive from Port Canaveral.

Visit the Bahamas Travel Guide for trip-planning tips and information.

Check out our Bahamas & Bermuda Cruise Deals page and plan ahead next time!

Summer’s not over until the South Seas Island Resort says it’s over. The resort, located on Florida’s secluded Captiva Island (which is famous for shell-strewn beaches), has extended its Summer Escape package, allowing vacationers to stay in a sunny state-of-mind through October 31, 2010. Included in the package is a fourth night free when booking three consecutive nights (rates start at $149/night), a voucher for a free fourth night on a future stay, and 20 percent discounts on food and beverages, golf, water sports, sailing lessons, and the tiva kids’ camp!

THE VALUE: The 20 percent discounts alone can add up to over $250 of savings!

THE CATCH: The free nights do not include taxes, gratuities, or service charges and the voucher is only valid through December 20, 2010.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay visit www.southseas.com.

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

Use our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Travel Guide to help plan your vacation.

More like an ultra-luxury hotel than a cruise ship, the m/s Paul Gauguin floats soundlessly from one port to the next, enticing guests with five-star amenities and the ever-so-elusive, electrifying landscapes of French Polynesia, Tahiti, and the South Pacific. When sailing Paul Gauguin, you get what you pay for; regular all-inclusive rates start from around $4,500 on an F category room and climb to about $21,000 or more for an Owner’s Suite. All staterooms open up to ocean views (think emerald water and distant, lush oases), and guests receive 24-hour room service, complimentary use of the private beach in Bora Bora, and a complimentary day on Paul Gauguin’s private islet Motu Mahana.

Recently, the high-end carrier kicked off two new promotions, featuring extravagant cutbacks of up to $2,000 off select sailings for a limited time on F stateroom reservations (book by October 1), or one night in an overwater villa at the idyllic InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (book by October 31), valid on category B staterooms and higher – a $1,775 value. Plus, when participating in the latter promotion, guests receive round-trip transfers, a VIP greeting, dinner with Champagne, breakfast, an implied discount of 50 percent on cruise fares, and free airfare from Los Angeles! That might be just enough cajoling to make us drop $4,000 on the South-Pacific sailing of our dreams.

Cruises to Tahiti and the Society Islands start from just $3,295 (orig. $3,997) when you book by October 1, and $6,497 when you book by October 31 with complimentary hotel. For more details on either offer, visit www.pgcruises.com.

If you’ve always wanted to experience the far-flung frontiers of icy Antarctica, Intrepid Travel is offering a significant discount on its new trips to the glacier-covered continent if you book your trip by the end of September.

The outfitter, which has carved out a nice niche for itself in sustainable travel with carbon offsets for flights and a strong network of local vendors, announced in June its Antarctica trips. The current discount provides 20 to 25 percent off trips beginning in November, which start at $5260 per person, based on a triple occupancy room. Trips run from 10 to 19 days, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina; all meals (except liquor) and activities on board are included.

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California Wine Month lasts the breadth of September, with the first harvest bestowing drastically reduced, local libations on visitors from far and wide. Through September 30, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, in Temecula Wine Country, hosts guests in their beautiful king and queen deluxe villas on vineyard grounds for just $269 per night, based on double occupancy. The Sip & Stay package also includes two Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association tasting passport tickets, a bottle of award-winning wine, a welcome gift upon arrival, two extra tasting flights, and a discount booklet.

THE VALUE: The deluxe villas are outfitted with Jacuzzis and fireplaces.

THE CATCH: This offer is valid on Sunday through Thursday reservations.

THE DETAILS: Call 1-866-994-6379 and mention the booking code September wine, or visit the package booking page. Booking and travel windows expire September 30.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Read our Romantic Getaways blog to stay in touch with the hottest couples’ destinations.

Find low fares on flights to California using our Travel Search price comparison tool.

Shelling out for kid care at a hotel is one of those inevitable costs that can add a significant chunk to your vacation bill and there’s nothing you can really do about it. Especially in a city like London, where grown-up fun (happening restaurants, brilliant theater) comes at a high cost anyway, paying for several nights of nanny care can really take its toll. Unless…you check into The Athenaeum

For a limited time, the luxe hotel in London’s Mayfair district is offering complimentary nanny service. And these aren’t just any nannies… Read more