Sherman's Travel

Think New York City has a lock on the most expensive hotels in America, or glitzy South Beach? Think again. The highest hotel rates in the U.S. are actually in Hawaii, according to a report from Skift.com. So far in 2013, guests have spent an average of $233 per night for a hotel room in Hawaii – that’s an increase of $27 over the previous year! With airfare costs on the rise, this can make for a spendy island getaway. But not all Hawaii hotels cost a fortune. Here are some money-saving tips so you can enjoy the luau (or the whale watch, or six hours of lazying in the sun with a view of Diamond Head in the distance) without worrying about how you’ll pay for it: Read more

Looking for an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily live? Drive on over to the intimate Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, and receive a $100 gas card if you stay two nights or more. Travel to the working horse ranch, which is located on 60,000 acres of breathtaking desert landscape, is valid through September 15. Rates start at $199 per person, per night, including all meals and activities such as horseback riding lessons, trail rides, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing.

Nestled between the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park, and the Coronado National Forest, the ranch is perfect for anyone looking to unplug and discover the great outdoors. The traditionally decorated rooms offer spectacular scenic views of the surrounding desert and mountains.

Visit the Tanque Verde Website or call 800-234-3833 to book. Mention the Fill Up Your Tanque offer.

See our Arizona destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Tucson, packages, and more travel deals.

Located on 80,000 acres in British Columbia’s scenic Cariboo Mountains (about a 5-hour drive northeast of Vancouver), this boutique lodge features six upscale log cabin-style rooms with private balconies. Every guest gets their own horse for the duration of the stay and can canoe, fly-fish, hike, and mountain bike as much as they please.

The Open Range package saves readers 15 percent during July and includes all meals, daily horseback riding with instruction, guided fishing safaris, skeet shooting, a 1-hour spa treatment, and a private dinner in the meadow. Rates start at $2,043 for four nights; $3,078 for the week (based on availability). Call 250-395-6541 and mention code ROY0O2. www.siwashlakeranch.com

From the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of Smart Luxury Travel magazine by ShermansTravel.com.

Montana has long been a favorite of adventure travelers for its spectacular offering of outdoor activities, from world-class fly fishing to horseback riding to hiking. And this October, thanks to a unique program at one of the country’s most sought-after wilderness resorts, adventurers can add a little art appreciation – and participation – to their itineraries.

Throughout October, the spectacular Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, about an hour and a half drive from the Missoula airport, is again offering its popular Artists’ Workshop Weekends (Oct. 7-10, 14-17, 21-24), as well as its David Stoecklein Photography Weekend (Oct. 28-31). The programs offer guests the chance to get in touch with their inner Picasso amidst the stunning backdrop of Montana’s raw beauty in the Bitterroot Valley, with guidance from some of the most well-known artists in the West.

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Park City, Utah, isn’t just for skiers — in the off-season, it offers loads of outdoor activities like hiking, fly-fishing and horseback riding. Nearby Newpark Resort serves as a great jumping-off point for exploring the 300 miles of trails and the nature preserve that’s practically the resort’s backyard. An ideal family destination, Newpark Town Center has shopping for moms, a state-of-the-art rec center for kids, and golf for dads. This offer slices the resort’s nightly rates down to $82 for a Deluxe Hotel Room, but one- and two-bedroom suites as well as townhomes are available.

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Dating back to the 13th century, Ashford Castle is one of the oldest castles in the British Isles and also one of the most upscale hotels to stay in Ireland. Create your own fairytale with this Aer Lingus Vacation that flies you to Shannon in the beautiful southwestern region with iconic rolling green hills and dramatic cliffs. Stay one night in the four-star Strand Hotel in Limerick along the banks of the Shannon River and then three nights in small Irish B&Bs. Travel between charming seaside villages in your included rental car with unlimited mileage. The fourth night is in the lavish Ashford Castle where estate activities include golf, horseback riding, fishing and even falconry, and the final night is spent in Limerick at the Strand before departing from the Shannon airport.

THE VALUE: One night at the Ashford Castle is over $200/nt alone so getting the rest — including airfare and rental car — for $749 is a steal. Full breakfast is included everywhere except The Strand.

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Experience an authentic backcountry adventure in Montana, among the rolling hills, teeming rivers, and majestic mountains that once captivated Lewis and Clark. Located in a picturesque valley along the Blackfoot River, The Resort at Paws Up provides guests with an unrivaled luxury Western-style experience with a range of activity choices from horseback riding to fly-fishing and whitewater rafting. Stay in a secluded “tented suite” and experience glamping (glamorous camping) at its finest. The Last Best Glamping Package includes 3 nights’ accommodation for the entire family in a posh 2-bedroom tent, all meals, including a chuckwagon dinner cookout, plus fly-fishing lessons, visits to nearby Garnet ghost town, and all transfers, taxes, and gratuities. The offer is available through the end of September and costs $3,255 for a family of four.

Cruising to Mexico has traditionally been more expensive than similar Caribbean sailings, but now that Mexico’s tourism has taken a hit, we are seeing remarkably low rates in the Mexican Riviera. Rates are dropping on major cruise lines across the board, but our top pick is this fall sailing on the new Carnival Splendor from just $359, which translates to an impressive 78% off rack rates.

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Even in these tough times, a luxury vacation is not out of reach. Excellence Resorts is currently offering a special promotion at three of its luxury resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Travel this spring or summer and you can save up to 25% percent at the posh Excellence Playa Mujeres, Excellence Riviera Cancun, or Excellence Punta Cana. These romantic all-inclusive resorts include unlimited drinks, all meals, and activities like horseback riding, free bike rentals, and yoga and cooking lessons. Rates start at just $161/night, but you’ll want to book by April 20 in order to receive this discount.

TOMS Shoes, a popular California-based nonprofit, sells linen espadrilles modeled after Argentinian alpargatas at stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Urban Outfitters. For every pair purchased, one pair of TOMS is donated to a needy child in Argentina, South Africa, Ethiopia, or the United States. This past fall, the company launched an initiative called TOMS Tours. Currently operating biweekly, the tours consist of eight-day volunteer trips to Argentina, where the project began back in 2006. Participants spend about half the time partaking in “shoe drops,” during which they visit local communities and hand out shoes to kids. The rest of the time, do-gooders take in the sites, including hikes in Iguazu National Park, wine tasting and horseback riding in Mendoza, and shopping in Buenos Aires. From $1,800/person, with accommodation, meals, activities, transportation (except for international airfare).

From the Feb/March issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.