Sherman's Travel

May is National Bike Month, when hardcore cycling enthusiasts and newbies alike can enjoy a bevy of bike-related activities, deals, and discounts across the country (and why not make a mini-vacation out of it, with a visit to one of these top bike-friendly cities?). Here, some of our favorite offerings – saddle up and strap on your helmet for a month of fun on two wheels. Read more

I know, you’re a busy person. You’re constantly on the go, attempting to juggle several hundred inbound requests, and it’s all you can do to just keep your smartphone charged. In the past few months, I’ve discussed a few of my favorite travel applications for Windows Phone, Android, and iOS, but I’d like to take a deeper dive into the world of location apps. For many, the term “check in” is one that’s familiar, but perhaps not personal enough just yet. Turns out, these location apps can not only help you to discover the best activities and eateries in a new city, but they can also save you money.

In a nutshell, programs like Foursquare, Yelp, Facebook, Shopkick, Living Social, and Groupon serve to not only share your current location information with friends, but offer plenty of incentives to use their apps if all you’re after is savings. My recommendation, at least for iPhone and Android users, is to download these six applications and stuff them away in a folder entitled “Location.” This way, you’ll know precisely where to look when you’re itching for a little discovery. All of these are free to download and free to join, and while there’s some overlap in terms of what discounts are offered where, you’ll generally expand your chances for savings by peeking into all of them. Read more

If you think adventure travel is just for the younger set, think again: A growing segment of senior travelers are looking to amp up their next trip with some adrenaline and adventure. And increasingly, tour operators are targeting this valuable demographic.

Case in point: Consider the incredible “Your Age is Your Discount” offered by Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality Resorts for six eco-luxe properties in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Back by popular demand, the promo works like this: The age of the oldest traveler in the room equals the percentage discount off the total hotel room rate.

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I don’t usually like to mix spa treatments with alcohol. I’m already woozy after a massage, it defeats the purpose of detoxifying scrub and body wrap, and my skin during a facial usually gets way more antioxidants than a glass or two of pinot noir. But I might change my mind about spa happy hour. When everyone is rushing to their cars or the subway after work, many spas are offering deals on relaxing massages and rejuvenating facials. Guess which group is going to age better? Even more common are communal treatments like manis and pedis, where you can socialize and sip a cocktail (responsibly) then head home when the traffic has thinned.

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Wining and dining through Napa Valley is a classic getaway but this time it’s girls-only. Through July 31, Napa River Inn invites you and your three BFFs to stay two nights at the historic hotel fronting the Napa River, and they will take you around for a day of vineyard tours and tastings, including a picnic lunch, so that your clique can just sit back and relax. Staying in the heart of the city of Napa, you’ll experience the up-and-coming city with its hip Oxbow Market and newly restored Napa River Walk. The cozy inn has a jazz spot that you will have VIP access to, and its two restaurants offer top-rated Napa dining. 

THE VALUE: The “Girls Gone Wine” package starts at $199 per person and includes these perks:

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Turn your California dreaming into reality and save up to 50 percent on your next hotel jaunt. Joie de Vivre, the largest boutique hospitality group in the Golden State, is running a summer-long promotion with rates starting from just $99/night at 36 polished West-Coast properties. Travel from May 1 through September 15 to receive unrivaled discounts at any of the inspired hotels. Additionally, stay at least one night in three different Joie de Vivre lodgings this summer and get another night free, through the Road-Trippin’ California campaign. Reservations must be made by September 6. All packages include only a one-night’s stay, unless otherwise specified.
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Are you searching for affordable airfare? Join the club. Spirit Airlines’ $9 Fare Club just unveiled its Penny Plus Fares promotion. From August 1, 2010, through January 31, 2011, one-way tickets to more than 30 American and Caribbean destinations rack up a grand total of one penny (before taxes)! Booking is available now, on a first-come, first-served basis. Spirit, the self-proclaimed “Ultra Low Cost Carrier,” lifts the shroud of secrecy from airfare fine print, making fuel costs, and taxes and fees (a flat rate of $18.70), explicit. Club members also get an extra $10 off all regular baggage fees, which range from $25 to $45. One-way fares start from just $31.03 (one penny, fuel price, and $18.70) between Atlanta and Myrtle Beach, with round-trip travel required.

Spirit’s $9 Fare Club is a contract-free, annual membership for $39.95, which guarantees frequent airfare sales, member rates for non-members on the same ticket purchase, and other discounts on hotels and car rentals.

Sample one-way fares (including taxes):

•    Atlanta — Myrtle Beach: $31.03
•    Boston — Myrtle Beach: $46.28
•    Detroit — Fort Lauderdale: $55.20
•    Detroit — Las Vegas: $72.93
•    And more!

To book, visit www.spiritair.com.

Midtown New Yorkers looking for a big-screen TV to catch Sunday or Monday night football games can head to the Madison Club Lounge at the Roosevelt Hotel.The lobby level bar is offering up gameday discounts for football fans (guests and locals alike), including half-price Coors Light and $10 apps like buffalo wings, potato skins, and sliders. The Roosevelt’s clutch location on Madison and 45th sets up a nice stopping off point for businesspeople looking to catch a quarter before catching the train home from Grand Central. And, Madison Club isn’t your average sports bar – the lounge provides a sophisticated (but unstuffy) atmosphere with plenty of mahogany, leather loungers, and stained-glass windows. So even if game day serves up yet another upset (yes, we’re referring to both NY teams. Sigh.) you’ll still be served cold beer and sliders in style.

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!

Stretching more than 200 miles between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley features an eclectic mix of historic Civil War sites, picture-perfect farms, and backcountry hiking trails. Located between the North and South fork of the Shenandoah River, the historic Lackawanna Bed & Breakfast features three cozy guestrooms inside a charming, historic home, originally constructed in 1869. From now through December 31, visitors will receive a $40 discount off their weekday stay. Rack rates for rooms start at just $139/night.

Of course, this is just one of the many great deals now available through the statewide program “Virginia is For Lovers” with unbeatable savings at choice hotels, inns, and resorts throughout Virginia. In honor of the program’s 40th anniversary, visitors can now receive special discounts for the remainder of 2009.  These offers include savings of up to 40 percent at select hotels or $40 off rack rates, plus the fourth night free at over 200 properties. Check out the program website at www.virginia.org and discover the wide range of deals.