Sherman's Travel

This holiday season, escape to the warm weather and friendly atmosphere of Sandestin, Florida, located on the Gulf of Mexico’s beautiful and eclectic South Walton Coast. Take advantage of special holiday rates at the 4-star Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, where you can book two nights and receive the third free.  With lead rates from $149 per night, you’ll pay only $99 per night for three nights — a savings of 33% on current hotel rates.

Set along the coast of the aquamarine gulf, the Hilton Sandestin serves as an ideal family getaway. Guests have access to four championship golf courses, 15 tennis courts, a fitness center, and a full-service health spa. Make a splash in one of the three pools and two whirlpools, or wade in the warm Gulf waters. All spacious rooms offer a wet bar, kitchenette, sitting area, private balcony, and in-room entertainment. The resort also boasts six diverse dining options and two bars.

For more information on the beaches in South Walton, go to www.visitsouthwalton.com.

THE VALUE: Save 33% on current rates at this upscale family resort.

THE CATCH: This deal is only available until December 30, and rates are slightly higher on weekends.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Hilton Sandestin to learn more, then call 800-559-1805 and mention the code BT.

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

For general trip-planning information, see our Florida Travel Guide.

After much hype and anticipation, Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa opened today in grand Hawaiian style. Part of the Ko Olina Resort complex, comprising two other hotels – including a JW Marriott – in pristine Oahu, the world-class beachfront resort boasts ocean views, tropical gardens, and turquoise lagoons. The spirit of the Aulani people resonates throughout the resort, reflected in the colorful artwork and intricate Hawaiian architecture. Its trademark Disney family entertainment and recreation, featuring an adventure trail, golf course, pool parties, and character meet and greets, make for a fun-filled getaway with the kids.

The resort offers 359 rooms – including 16 suites – starting from $399 per night, as well as 460 Disney Vacation Club villas. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining, with four restaurants showcasing the finest local cuisine, and among its first-rate amenities there is an 18,000-square-foot spa and fitness center in case you overeat!

Bookings can be made from September 4^th onwards. For more information , visit the resort’s website: resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort.

For general trip-planning information, see our Oahu Travel Guide.

Summer is the perfect time to visit the green shores of Eire, and with our newly updated Ireland Travel Guide you’ll have all the latest on what to see and do while you’re there. We’ve got some exciting additions to our hotel guide, from a bustling Dublin hotel near the city center to a wooded resort next to a wildlife park in the east of the country.

• For a dose of Irish culture in Dublin, the Burlington Hotel offers an in-house cabaret showcasing traditional Irish music, song, and dance, with a four-course dinner for about $80/person.
• Fota Island Resort, set on 780 acres of peaceful woodland on Fota Island in County Cork, has three golf courses, a hydrotherapy spa, and golf and fitness camps.
• At the Parknasilla Resort & Spa, you can bed down in the luxurious Princess Grace suite, where Grace Kelly once stayed with her family.

Get the skinny on all the recommended castle hotels, resorts, and B&Bs in our Ireland Hotel Guide.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights to Ireland. For general trip-planning information, see our Ireland Travel Guide.

Calling all online shoppers – add a new sale to your list of must-visit sites for Monday. Omni Hotels & Resorts will discount rooms across the brand to just $99/night this November 29. Log on from 9am to 9pm to snag one of the 999 available units. Book stays between November 29 and January 31, 2011. Properties span the country, from Austin, San Diego, Chicago, Boston, New York, San Francisco, and beyond. Omni’s newest resort on Florida’s Amelia Island comes with a prime beachfront locale, golf course access, Har-Tru tennis courts, holistic spa, and oceanfront rooms. Mark your calendars – a post-holiday vacation is within reach. Visit www.omnihotels.com or call 1-800-843-6664.

With salty breezes blowing across the links and green hills unfurling in the distance, the Emerald Isle is an unforgettable place to tee off. Best of all, Ireland’s top golf resorts cater to seasoned pros and spa-bound revelers alike. Check out these listings for every budget with packages from less than $400 to more than $700.

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