Sherman's Travel

Fly to Australia this February through May, and count on a three-night complimentary stopover in Tahiti with luxe accommodations included. This is how we see it: You’re preparing for a killer flight halfway around the world to your dream down-under destination (ahem, Auckland or Sydney), so how clutch is a free touchdown in South Pacific paradise along the way? Travelers can pick between the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti, a contemporary beachfront resort with innovative dining and prime access to Tahiti’s most famous black-sand beach, or the Sofitel Maeva Beach Resort, a two-year-old all-suite resort with a happening lounge (upgrades are also available for an overwater bungalow at Le Meridien Tahiti for $275 per person for all three nights). Round-trip Air Tahiti Nui flights to Auckland or Sydney from LAX start at $1,118 which represents over 30 percent in savings, minding the Tahiti stopover. This offer must be booked by November 6 for travel January 30 to May 31. Visit www.airtahitinui-usa.com for more details or call 877/824-4846 to book.

For general trip-planning info, see our Australia and Pacific Travel Guide.

Adventure seekers and Scuba diving enthusiasts looking for the best bang for their buck can direct their attention to St. Vincent and the Grenadines where the Summer & Fall Dive Special from the Mariners Hotel and Dive St. Vincent gets travelers an 8-night stay with 12 dives (gear included) for $999! Divers of all levels are welcome and are sure to be awestruck by these gentle Caribbean waters that abound with exotic marine life and unique topography caused by La Soufrière, Saint Vincent’s own active volcano. When the underwater exploration comes to an end and divers are ready to relax, the boutique, 20-room Mariners Hotel with a picturesque restaurant and beach bar awaits them.

THE VALUE: With this deal travelers get the equivalent of one free night’s stay and two free dives! Additionally, this offer includes daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, and a 20 percent discount on dinner at the French Verandah Restaurant!

THE CATCH: Sadly, airfare is not included.

THE DETAILS: To book your dive special, visit www.marinershotel.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find cheap fares to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Know before you go with our St. Vincent and the Grenadines Travel Guide.

Between the hot bodies and hedonistic partying, South Beach has plenty of sex appeal, and after five years, The Setai is still one of Miami’s sexiest hotels. Part of a second wave of boutique hotels to sweep Miami Beach, these designers eschewed the Art Deco look for a more subtle and exotic ambience. Inject some heat into your fall — or even summer if you are so inclined — with a deal that offers guests a free 4th night through November 30. Exclusively for ShermansTravel readers, the deal, with rates starting at $550, also includes a daily Setai Grand Breakfast. The hotel pulls out all the stops for this breakfast, offering made-to-order omelets, freshly baked breads and pastries, fresh fruit and smoothies, Asian dim sum and more goodies.

THE VALUE: With the fourth night free, the deal even beats out the Setai’s anniversary offer which promotes rates starting at $475. Plus, the Setai Grand Breakfast has a value of $47 (with taxes and gratuity).

THE CATCH: Be careful of heatstroke if you go to Miami in August. Been there, done that.

THE DETAILS: Call 305.520.6110 or email setaireservations@ghamericas.com and mention the Stay Three Night and Receive a Fourth Free Exclusive ShermansTravel deal.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Find more Florida Hotel Deals. 

Check out our Miami Travel Guide. 

Compare hot airfare, hotel rates and more using our Travel Search.

Rubbing elbows with Spain, Western Sahara, and Algeria, Morocco marries these cultures with its own diverse history into an exotic, Afro-European folktale. This Bedouin journey begins in romantic Casablanca, and continues on to Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, visit Meknes, an imperial city built one thousand years ago, and finally wind down in Marrakech, a walled-in haven of mosques, palaces, and tombs – all the while returning to your five-star hotel room to cap off each fascinating day.
 
THE VALUE:
•    Round-trip flight from New York City (worth up to $1,200)
•    All domestic, ground transportation in Morocco
•    Five-star hotel accommodations
•    Daily breakfast and dinner
•    Comprehensive tours with an English-speaking guide

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Earth Day or not, it seems that every hotel, airline and tour operator nowadays is shouting from the (solar-paneled) rooftops about their environmentally-friendly initiatives.

Of course, many companies are genuinely improving themselves, both environmentally and ethically. But there are plenty of others guilty of “greenwashing” – making exaggerated or false claims about how earth-friendly they are – which makes it difficult for travelers to know what they’re booking.

With that in mind, we’ve done the work for you when it comes to your next adventure-minded getaway. The following companies were focused on sustainability long before “carbon” and “emissions” were dirty words, so book with them in honor of Earth Day 2010 and you’ll get a green star for yourself – and perhaps save some green along the way.

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Like the idea of the convenience and relaxation offered by a cruise — but not so much the images of pasty passengers, crowded ports and stuff-your-face midnight buffets?

Then consider a river cruise: a segment of the industry that’s growing in popularity among travelers, especially those looking for a more authentic local experience. Some cruise lines have seen bookings grow by 60 percent over the past five years, as travelers discover the delights of less-crowded boats and ports, local cuisine and a much more intimate experience than their seafaring counterparts can provide.

While European destinations are growing in popularity for river cruisers, adventure-minded passengers might opt for a more exotic experience. Our picks? The Nile and the Amazon. Here are some deals to consider.

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In the quest for world peace and affordable jet-setting, ShermansTravel editors have spotted a common trait that unites the residents of Mexico, the United States, and Canada: They can all fly round-trip to Tahiti for the low price of $1,226! When booking by April 9, Air Tahiti Nui offers equal airfare for all — regardless of departure city* (flights connect in Los Angeles). Rates are valid on airfare to Papeete from 91 North-American cities, between April 20 and May 31, and all round-trip travel must be completed by June 15. There are no blackout dates.

For reservations, call 877-824-4846.
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Small ship cruises often come with a large price tag, but Variety Cruises has tapped into the hard-to-reach niche of offering intimate sailings at budget rates. Apart from establishing some serious “sea credit” for its popular Mediterranean voyages, the family-owned cruise line has just announced that it will be expanding into the Arabian Gulf beginning this November. The 7-night cruises will sail from Dubai or Muscat, and are available at some very attractive rates, starting from just $1,592 – a rare find for such a unique itinerary.

Unlike many cruise ships that visit the region, the newly renovated Panorama holds just 49 passengers, providing a private, personalized setting. These enticing itineraries include 3-nights spent sailing and exploring the Musandam Peninsula, and two nights traveling around the Omani coast and interior. The ship will coast past scenic mountains, lagoons, and remote fjords, and numerous optional shore excursions are available for those wanting to venture farther inland. Cruisers can partake in water activities like diving and snorkeling, or they can hop on a 4-wheel-drive adventure to hot springs, fishing villages, and ancient fortresses.

To learn more about these new itineraries, visit www.varietycruises.com.

Or, check out this great offer on sailings to Greece from Variety Cruises with our Editor’s Review.