Sherman's Travel

Sedona may not come to mind when you think of great food cities. It’s not Paris, New Orleans, or New York City, but there are the beginnings of a food scene here and enough great dining options to fill your vacation. Here are three of my favorites: Read more

Though we’re all glad for the warmer weather in summer, when temperatures spike too high it can really be a drag on your vacation. Not anymore! With a bevy of hotel discounts tied to the outside temperature you’ll be praying for a scorcher.

Book a two-night stay at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston from June 29 to July 8 and you’ll receive a discount on the first night based on the temperature at 5pm that day. Plus, you can always beat the heat at the hotel’s swanky Roof Top Pool. Rates for the July 4 Summer Meltdown Package.

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Say you’re looking to get away this spring and you know exactly what you want: Southwestern ambiance, gorgeous scenery, amazing sunsets, and fabulous food. Trouble is, two terrific places – Sedona, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM (that’s Encantado Resort just outside Santa Fe to the left) – fit the bill. You need help deciding which to visit and I’m here to offer advice. I’ve visited both spots twice and totally love them . . . but for very different reasons. So, here’s my point-by-point comparison:

Overall Vibe

Sedona: New Age – you will be seeped in all things holistic and wellness-oriented as the city’s location on so-called energy vortexes (said to promote mind/body healing) has attracted a throng of crystal-toting, aura-reading healers and massage therapists, who can rub you the right way (or wrong) depending on your appreciation for or aversion to touchy-feely stuff. It’s all good, so just go with the energy flow. Read more

Romance is revving up all over the place during the month of February, from sun-kissed beaches to sophisticated big cities. Here are 25 deals and packages – from Fort Lauderdale to Fiji, Maine to Madrid, and St. Kitts to Sedona – that you can still book to make this Valentine’s Day the most memorable ever:

IN THE U.S. & CANADA
The Grand Del Mar: Unplug and relax with the “Disconnect Package” at the luxurious The Grand Del Mar near San Diego (shown above at left) and you’ll get one night’s accommodations (with the room TV unplugged and upgrade upon booking if available), berry-infused champagne cocktail upon arrival, choice of a 60-minute couples massage, or a 2-hour horseback ride for two, breakfast in bed for two, and late checkout, from $795/night. Read more

Explore Arizona’s stunning Red Rock Country with this “1, 2, Free Winter Offer” from the Orchards Inn in Sedona. Stay two nights between now and February 12, 2012 and receive a third night for free. This comes to a rate of just $93 a night, including breakfast daily. If you travel by December 21 you will also receive two tickets to Red Rock Fantasy, a lights festival for the holidays.

Located on a hillside in the middle of Sedona’s Main Street, the Orchards Inn offers spacious accommodations with an upscale, contemporary feel. Each of the 75 guest rooms offers a private balcony or patio with panoramic views of the famed Red Rocks, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an LCD TV.

The Orchards Inn received the 2011 Expedia Insider’s Select Award for service, guest experience, and best value for your money.

THE VALUE: You will save 33% with this third night free offer.

THE CATCH: Blackout dates apply and the offer is not valid over the holidays.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Orchards Inn Website and choose the “1, 2, Free Winter Offer” or call 1-800-474-7719 and mention promo code 12FREE.

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

As promised, here’s another great Southwest deal for spring. Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, one of our favorite wilderness hideaways, is offering ShermansTravel.com readers 30 percent off rates, plus a $50 resort credit. Blissfully tucked away from Sedona’s main drags, Enchantment Resort is surrounded by nothing but the American Southwest wilds Sedona is famous for. Enchantment’s pueblo-style casitas with private decks grant views of Boynton Canyon. The acclaimed Mii Amo Spa is located among red buttes and cliffs in the area the Yavapai-Apache Nation considers sacred for healing. Details Discounted rates start at $315/night (based on a two-night minimum) for stays through May. Call 800-826-4180 and mention Smart Luxury Travel, or book online with promo code SLT2011. www.enchantment resort.com

Check out more Southwest resort deals: Hotel Contessa from $199, La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa from $144.

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

Travel as a vehicle for spiritual transformation is hardly a new notion – seekers have practiced the act of pilgrimage for as long as they’ve looked up to the skies and attempted communion with a higher power. Even in today’s short-attention-span society, setting out to honor the divine or ponder the mysterious is a time-honored tradition that refuses to wane with the changing tides of our technologically driven lives. This list of 10 sacred places (and the accompanying slideshow) showcases points of perceived power and peace around the globe, where the physical appears to meld seamlessly with the metaphysical whether due to awe-inspiring natural settings, reported ties to great gods or holy humans, or long-standing consecration as sites of worship and ritual.

Our list isn’t meant to be comprehensive. Sacred places mean many things to different people – zipping along an open highway, sailing a calm sea, or even hibernating inside on a cold winter’s morning can all bring about their own sort of peace. Where do you go to retreat from the world?

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

For spectacular views and outdoor pursuits, the Grand Canyon is hard to beat. Sedona’s secluded Enchantment Resort offers two unique ways to see the natural wonder with new packages that add in a dose of luxury to the experience.

With the Grand Canyon by Trail package, guests enjoy one day of sightseeing by mini-coach (seats 10) courtesy of Pink Jeep Tours. Start with a drive through nearby Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff’s Ponderosa Pine Forest before lunch at El Tovar lodge and a tour on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. The return trip includes a stop at the Navajo Indian Reservation.

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