Sherman's Travel

It wasn’t until I vacationed in Fiji that I fully understood the monumental amount of hurt that an essential fluid can put on one’s budget. In the United States, it’s fairly easy to find bottled water at well under 50 cents for 20 ounces if you buy in bulk, and in most cases, you don’t even have to – the water is safe to drink right out of the faucet. But many people take the ability to consume water from the tap for granted. In select nations that don’t have good filtration systems, it can become exorbitantly expensive to buy bottled water. Read more

Every frequent flier keeps at least a loose eye on his or her available miles. To those who board airplanes more frequently than any other means of transportation, a skyrocketing mileage count takes on a life of its own.

You’ve probably heard nightmare stories of those who can’t seem to find a good way to spend all the miles they’ve earned, and, in fact, you may be one of those distraught fliers. Every airline treats award miles slightly differently, enabling you to spend them in varying ways, but there are a few tricks of the trade that tend to work across the board.

Regardless of which airline you favor, there’s a good chance you’ve considered using miles to buy tickets for a vacation, or perhaps to buy a ticket for a friend or family member. Generally speaking, there are a few levels of award redemptions, and finding a “low” award – one that lets you travel for the fewest amount of miles – is the goal. Airlines tend to charge more miles for flights that they think will have higher overall demand. Flying in the days prior to Thanksgiving, for example, will practically never be a wise use of miles. You’ll always be extorted, because the airlines know that they’ll sell those flights out regardless. Read more

A centuries-old island paradise by day and maritime party town by night, St. Thomas in the USVI offers a plethora of activity options for visitors. From May 1 through August 31, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, a popular St. Thomas shores mainstay, is offering a 5-night package for four people, for just $1,338 (including all taxes, fees, and surcharges) – this averages out to under $70 per person, per night. The 5-night stay includes oceanview room accommodations, a welcome cocktail per person, a complimentary bottle of Cruzan rum upon arrival, $21 in food or beverage credit per person at Iggies Beach Bar at the resort ($84 in total), and a happy hour Sunset Cocktail Harbor Cruise on a catamaran.

THE VALUE: This package rate actually factors in a free stay for the third and fourth guests!

THE CATCH: The price includes a 7 percent gratuity, so plan on shelling out a little extra cash for good service. Also, this deal is honoring the 21 anniversary of Iggies Beach Bar, so it is not applicable to stays for children.

THE DETAILS: Call 1-800-524-4746 to reserve Iggies 21 Birthday travel deal. Travel from May 1 through August 31. For more information about the resort, visit www.bolongobay.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Visit our St. Thomas Travel Guide for more trip-planning tips and information.

Check out our Travel Search price comparison tool for great rates on airfare to St. Thomas.

Sign up for the Top 25 newsletter for exclusive savings on cruises, packages, airfare, and hotels.

British Airways’ Europe air fare sale is the perfect way to spend that languishing Christmas bonus. Starting from just $397, round-trip flights span the breadth of Western Europe from Paris to Madrid to Frankfurt and more, departing from over 15 major U.S. cities on both coasts, with the lowest rates on routes from the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia heading to London and Edinburgh. Reserve your seat by January 27, and soak in Athens’ mild climate and Carnival celebrations or stroll through Florence’s art galleries and cathedrals unhindered by the crowds of summer, all the while paying half the rate of non-discounted flights.

Sample Round-Trip Fares (Before Taxes):

• New York-London: $397
• Boston-Edinburgh: $397
• Houston-London: $472
• Philadelphia-Madrid: $498
• New York-Rome: $519
• Philadelphia-Munich: $530
• Chicago-Amsterdam: $565
• Boston-Prague: $577
• Miami-Milan: $579
• Orlando-Rome: $579
• Washington, D.C.-Barcelona: $549
• Los Angeles-Milan: $649
• Las Vegas-Paris: $656
• Baltimore-Athens: $676
• And more!

THE VALUE: Save over 50 percent on regular airfare.

THE CATCH: The climate is similar to the States, so don’t expect to get too far away from the chill.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.travelocity.com to book your flight by January 27! Travel January 25 through April 12.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Visit our Savvy Flyer blog before you take off for up-to-date advice and news from the skies.

No plans next weekend? No problem. For under $200 ($189 to be precise), you can answer the siren call of the Bahamas with this January 23 sailing from Carnival. The Carnival Sensation departs for a 4-night cruise from Port Canaveral in just 8 days, calling on Freeport for one night, and idling in the warm waters of Nassau for another two, before returning to the Florida coast on Thursday, January 27 – all for the price of a one-night hotel stay! There’s even time to book a last-minute flight to Florida.

THE VALUE: This rate offers a savings of up to 79 percent!

THE CATCH: You’ll have to book right this second.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.vacationstogo.com and complete a free, short sign-up in order to see the details.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find cheap airfare to Orlando – a short drive from Port Canaveral.

Visit the Bahamas Travel Guide for trip-planning tips and information.

Check out our Bahamas & Bermuda Cruise Deals page and plan ahead next time!

If you happen to be in the NOLA in December, the AAA 3-Diamond French Quarter New Orleans Marriott, is offering blowout rates for select travel periods this month, including Christmas. As part of a Shermans Travel exclusive, the world-class hotel combines their Papa Noel discounted rates, starting from just $109, with a 20 percent dining discount (including the Marriott’s five-course dinner menu), and free parking (worth $33/night). Perfect for exploring vibrant New Orleans, the newly remodeled hotel is located by the riverfront, Bourbon Street, and the New Orleans Museum of Art.

THE VALUE: The nightly rates offer a discount of over 30 percent!

THE CATCH: Travel dates are from December 12-16 and 19-29.

THE DETAILS: Visit the New Orleans Marriott website and use promo code LPR to get the Shermans Travel Exclusive perks.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to New Orleans.

Check out our 20 Sweet Spots for Winter Value for more fantastic savings.

Gazing over limestone coves and cliffs, Bermuda’s upscale Reefs Hotel and Club sparkles on the breezy shore of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoys waves of accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Choose between three upper-tier guestrooms at this coveted, premium resort, starting from just $475 per night (save up to 28 percent on peak season rates), and receive an exclusive $100 drink voucher just for ShermansTravel readers.

THE VALUE: All the Reefs guestrooms open up to private patios with views of Bermuda’s prized pink-sand beaches. A full complimentary breakfast is served daily.

THE CATCH: These rates apply to Bermuda’s peak season, so book your ocean view lanai before someone else does.

THE DETAILS: Based on double occupancy, this rate is valid on stays through November 1. Call 1-800-742-2008 and mention ShermansTravel to receive the exclusive offer.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Visit our Bermuda Travel Guide for more information about this scenic island destination.

Read up on more secluded rendezvous spots in our Romantic Getaways blog.

Check in with the Travel Search price comparison tool for airfare deals to Bermuda.

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.

SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury Best known as a winter ski destination, Telluride attracts the active crowd in summer, too, with activities like hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. The 95-room Capella Telluride serves as an excellent base for outdoor pursuits, providing plush amenities for tired bodies like pillow-top mattresses and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. When you’ve had your fill of nature for the day, indulge in the Alpine-inspired spa, dine on locally-sourced dishes at the Onyx Restaurant, or sample a local microbrew at the Suede Bar. Read more

The Luxury As the former residence of aviator Rémy de Haenen, who first put St. Barts on the glitterati map in the 1950s, Eden Rock is the island’s most fabled resort, with a truly enviable location. Since being converted to a hotel in 1995, the sprawling estate has grown to include 34 sumptuously decorated suites and cottages, two hip restaurants, and an art gallery featuring up-and-coming American talent.  Read more

Put the good cop, bad cop act to rest. Both mom and dad earn major brownie points through the new Air Pacific promotion, which includes free airfare to Fiji for one child per paying adult. With fares starting from just $960 (plus $300 for taxes and fuel), families land in the beautiful South Pacific among undeveloped hot springs, remote beaches, and rainforests. Forming a 333-island archipelago, the Fijian paradise lies largely uncharted by human footprints, providing some of the most secluded and rare sights around the world.

THE VALUE: A tremendous savings of at least $683 per child, and “coolest parent” lunchroom nomination.

THE CATCH: Passengers are still required to pay a tax and fuel surcharge starting from $256.70 per child. 

THE DETAILS: Children 11 years old and under apply. With a booking deadline of August 15, flights depart between August 1 and February 28. Blackout dates are from December 15 through January 15. Call 1-800-227-4446 to reserve.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Find International Flight deals to remote, island destinations.

Check out our Family Vacation blog for other great getaway ideas.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool for savings on hotels, airfare, and packages. 

FOUND A BETTER DEAL? Tell us.