Sherman's Travel

The other night one of my dear high school friends, now a mother of two, emailed me in state of level-headed anxiety. She wanted to arrange a safe airport transfer for her teenage son traveling overseas, but she didn’t know precisely how to go about it. Problem was, neither did I.

The back story was that her son, who I’ll call “Brad,” was supposed to be flying from the U.S. to South America as part of a group, an arrangement that fell through. Not a deal breaker: while Brad had never traveled solo, he’s a savvy kid. The concern was that he had to fly into a city with recurring safety issues that have been known to include unreliable ground transportation and crimes against taxi drivers. Further, Brad had to get from the cagey city’s airport to a hotel and then back to the airport the next morning.

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There’s no excuse for missing out on a South American adventure thanks to Spirit Airlines’ new sale to Colombia. Those seeking to soak up some sun and culture can now fly to Colombia from 10 different U.S. cities for as little as $49 one-way! Travelers can choose to fly into the exuberant capital of Bogota, the city of Medellin (which rests amongst the Andes), or the coastal city of Cartagena – all of which are brimming with history and personality. Whether you’ve needed an excuse to make it to South America, or just want an on-the-fly vacation, this sale simply can’t be beat. Tickets must be purchased by May 1 for travel through May 20. Round-trip travel is required.

One-Way Sample Fares (Before Taxes):
•    Fort Lauderdale?Cartagena: $49 
•    Orlando?Bogota: $89
•    New York City?Medellin: $99
•    Washington D.C.?Bogota: $99
•    Atlanta?Cartagena: $129
•    Chicago?Medellin: $149
•    Los Angeles?Bogota: $179
•    And more!

To book your flight visit www.spiritair.com

Peru’s ancient cultural legacy forges ahead high up in the Andes Mountains of South America. However, exploring the rugged expanse of this country is no frugal undertaking, with flights to lesser-known Peruvian cities soaring up to $800, round-trip. When you book with LAN Airlines by April 19, round-trip, direct flights to Lima start at just $379 from Miami. As part of this promotion, passengers can also choose another Peruvian destination for the same low price as a flight to Lima. Whether you’re flying to Cuzco to see the remnants of Machu Picchu, the bustling city of Lima, or Arequipa to scale the chilly peak of El Misti volcano, this offer will save you as much as $300 off the regular cost of airfare.

Round-Trip Airfare to Peru (Excluding Taxes):

•    Miami—Lima (Cuzco, Arequipa, Juliaca & Puerto Maldonado): $379
•    New York—Lima (Cuzco, Arequipa, Juliaca & Puerto Maldonado): $545
•    Los Angeles—Lima (Cuzco, Arequipa, Juliaca & Puerto Maldonado): $569
•    And more!

Visit LAN Airlines to book.

The hardest part of planning a trip to South America? Trying to fit its far-flung cities and sites into one doable itinerary. From well under $3,000 to over $4,000, these cruises visit both popular and remote spots, while adding on exciting excursions and amenities without breaking the bank. Read more

On Thursday evening, I set sail on luxury small-ship cruise line, Silversea, from Rio de Janeiro’s stunning harbor, bedecked in an evening gown, champagne glass in hand, all under the watchful gaze of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Back in the stateroom, a personally assigned butler worked on unpacking my belongings, while the waitstaff buzzed about taking orders of complimentary top-shelf cocktails. Best of all, with butler service, alcoholic beverages, and all gratuities already included in the upfront Silversea fare, I wouldn’t need to reach into my pockets for any of it. Now this was sailing in carefree style! Read more