Sherman's Travel

The new year may have just begun, but it’s definitely time to start thinking about your next vacation. For a fully loaded family getaway with year-round activities, consider The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. The town lives up to its name with the aforementioned hot springs one of the big draws at the resort, not to mention a slew of other active pursuits from skiing and snowboarding to horseback riding to golf. In honor of the leap year, you can get a second night at The Homestead for only $29. The special rate is available for travel January 4 through December 20.

THE VALUE: Standard rates start at $175/night, so you’ll save over 40 percent on a two-night stay.

THE CATCH: Though the discount is available on most dates in 2012, these rates are only bookable through January 6.

THE DETAILS: To book, call 540-839-1766 and mention the Leap Year Sale.Visit The Homestead’s website for more information on the resort.

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

For some people, February 29 may be just another date on the calendar this year. But Disney Parks wants to make sure that day means a little extra magic. Two of its parks – Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Orlando – will stay open for 24 hours straight on February 29 to March 1, beginning at 6am on the leap day.

Schedule your stay for that time period and you could get a free night to spend at the resorts. The offer applies to stays of three or more nights from February 26 through March 10 at official Disney hotels at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World when you book a room and ticket package; book by January 31.

The best way to enjoy a Disney vacation, obviously, is if the whole thing is free: Every day through February 29, Disney is giving away a four-night vacation for four to either Disney World or Disneyland – a total of 60 prizes! The packages include hotel accommodations, airfare or ground transportation, Park Hopper passes, a $1,000 Disney gift card, and more. Enter to win (one entry per day) at disney.go.com/memories.

For general trip-planning information, see our Walt Disney World Travel Guide and Disneyland Travel Guide.

Romantic vacations don’t have to break the bank – no really, they don’t have to. It’s still possible to find great deals on warm getaways during the winter, when snowbirds flock to the Sunshine State to escape the cold. If a romantic escape is what you seek, packages can offer more for your money. Of course, everyone’s idea of a romantic getaway is different – mine was a scuba certification mission with my husband to West Palm Beach in January (I scored two round-trip flights from Baltimore for $300!). But there are a few elements that make any winter escape romantic in everyone’s eyes. Privacy is key; a hot tub is a plus. There’s a better chance you’ll get both by booking at a venue that caters to couples. Here’s a look at three wintertime Florida romance packages worth looking into once dreary January comes:

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Not sure what to do with that $100 Sears gift card you got for the holidays? Now through February 29, you can pay for a Caribbean vacation at Elite Island Resorts with your unused gift cards. Walmart, Home Depot, Amex – whatever you’ve got, Elite will take it, up to 25 percent of the cost of your stay.

On top of that, Elite will donate the gift cards to children’s charities including Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Make a Wish Foundation, among others.

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Make a New Year’s resolution to visit New York City this January to take advantage of post-holiday sales, un-crowded attractions, and great savings on accommodations. Playing off the city’s popular “Restaurant Week” promotions in January and February, eight hotels are offering steeply discounted rates for their own version of “Hotel Week.” Pay just $100/night at The Pod Hotel (queen room), Z NYC Hotel, The Hotel @ Times Square, and nyma, the new york manhattan hotel. Andaz Wall Street and the new Hyatt 48 Lex will run you $200/night, while Gansevoort Park Avenue and Gansevoort Meatpacking are charging $250/night. These rates are bookable January 6-15.

THE VALUE: You’ll save 35-50 percent by booking a January trip with this offer. Rates at The Pod Hotel, for example, would be $159/night during these dates, while Gansevoort Meatpacking could run as high as $475/night in summer. The “Hotel Week” rates are even good on weekends!

THE CATCH: January is typically a slow period for New York, so many of these hotels would otherwise have discounted rates. The city’s “Restaurant Week” doesn’t start until January 16.

THE DETAILS: The following hotels can be booked by phone by mentioning “Hotel Week”: The Pod Hotel (212-355-0300), Z NYC Hotel (212-319-7000), The Hotel @ Times Square (800-567-7720 or 212-790-2710), and nyma, the new york manhattan hotel (800-567-7720 or 212-790-2710). These hotels are bookable online: Andaz Wall Street, Hyatt 48 Lex, Gansevoort Meatpacking and Gansevoort Park Avenue.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more travel deals. For general trip-planning information, see our New York City Travel Guide.

Situated along San Antonio’s iconic River Walk, the 338-room Omni La Mansión del Rio boasts an inviting Spanish colonial vibe. Built in 1852, today the hotel encompasses a pretty pool, a popular riverside restaurant, and a killer location close to some of the city’s top sites. With a special booking code from the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, you’ll save 30 to 50 percent off rack rates on Deluxe rooms. The offer is available for stays through January 20.

THE VALUE: While the lowest rates of $99 are available in late December, the best deal can be found in mid-January. Then, the discounted rates are $119/night while standard rates for the same room type start at $229/night – a savings of almost 50 percent.

THE CATCH: The discount is not available for Friday or Saturday stays.

THE DETAILS: Book online using code SAVE.

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

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

Located just a few minutes’ drive from all of Orlando’s major theme parks, the all-suite Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa is the ideal home base for families visiting the area. While the kids are sure to go gaga for the pirate-themed pool complex – with water cannons, a water slide, and waterfalls – parents will appreciate perks like full kitchens and in-room Jacuzzi tubs. The experience is rounded out by three restaurants, a full-service spa, and free shuttle service to Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Thanks to a two-night pre-holiday package, rates start at just $89/night for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite that sleeps up to six. You’ll also receive a coupon booklet with $200 worth of savings for the on-site Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. The package is available through December 22.

THE VALUE: You’ll save 45 percent on the room rate alone, not to mention the $200 in potential savings on your holiday shopping!

THE CATCH: There’s a two-night minimum stay for this package.

THE DETAILS: Head over to www.lbvorlandoresort.com and use code SHOP to book, or call 866-401-2699 and ask for the Holiday Shop & Stay package.

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

For general trip-planning information, see our Walt Disney World Travel Guide and Orlando Travel Guide.

Located on the highest peak in Southern Vermont, Stratton Mountain Resort has always been a trailblazer in the world of skiing and snowboarding, though this year it commemorates its 50th anniversary. Come join in the celebration with an amazing ski and stay deal at the Liftline Lodge, a tried-and-true value option located just 5 minutes from the lifts. Throughout the 2011/2012 ski season, guests can book two nights and receive a three-day Stratton lift ticket, all for $55 per person, per day ($165 per person total for the package, based on double occupancy).

THE VALUE: A three-day adult lift ticket costs $165, so essentially your hotel is free!

THE CATCH: The low rates are only available on select midweek, non-holiday dates. Blackout dates include March 4-10.

THE DETAILS: Call 800-787-2886 and mention the “Stay for Free” offer to book. For more information, visit www.stratton.com.

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

For general trip-planning information see our Stratton Travel Guide.

Winter may be on its way, but things are starting to heat up in Arizona: The state is celebrating its centennial in 2012, and Joie de Vivre Hotels just opened its first property outside California, The Saguaro, in Scottsdale. In honor of the former, the latter will offer 100 rooms per week at the super low rate of $100/night for the next 100 days. At the 194-room Saguaro, set in vibrant Old Town Scottsdale, guests can indulge in a lively Mexican restaurant and whiskey bar, a spa specializing in indigenous treatments, and two outdoor pools. The sale starts at midnight tonight and runs through March 1.

THE VALUE: Standard rates start at $159-$189 during this time period, so you can save 37 to 47 percent!

THE CATCH: Blackout dates include December 31 and January 12-14.

THE DETAILS: Head to thesaguaro.com and use code PROPEN to book.

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

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

Fairmont Mayakoba (Riviera Maya)

Escape to the sunny Riviera Maya, Mexico, and stay at the luxurious, Five Diamond Fairmont Mayakoba from $199 a night. This Cyber Monday deal is valid for stays between November 28 and December 23, 2011 and includes the following extras:

•    Free upgrade to the next room category, a value of $40 or more
•    $50 spa credit per stay
•    Daily breakfast buffet for two, a $50 value
•    Complimentary margaritas for two when dining at one of two AAA Four Diamond restaurants

Nestled in the heart of Riviera Maya, the 401-room Fairmont Mayakoba is set on 45 acres within a private, luxury community surrounded by a lush mangrove forest intersected by crystal clear canals. The property features several dining options and bars, a spa, and a golf course. A dedication to a green philosophy has earned Fairmont Mayakoba verification as a Rainforest Alliance certified hotel.

THE VALUE: Stay at a luxe resort, located on 45 acres in the sunny Riviera Maya,  at a 30% discount.

THE CATCH: This is a Cyber Monday special and can only be booked on Monday, November 28.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Fairmont Mayakoba Website to book.

WE’VE GOT MORE: See our Riviera Maya Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Cancun.