Sherman's Travel

When it comes to summertime fun, not every town is satisfied with state fairs and carnivals. These intrepid communities celebrate quirky bits of history and time-honored traditions that make simple petting zoos seem boring. While some of these festivals might look bizarre at first glance, they serve the same purpose as the more run-of-the-mill gatherings: Get a bunch of people together to have fun. Read more

When I was around eight years old, my family took a road trip from Long Island, New York to northern Vermont. The drive took nearly eight hours and my father’s new sports car was not exactly made for comfort. As such, I found myself feeling ill toward the end of the trip. My father encouraged me to tough it out since we were “almost there.” What follows is my belated apology to my father for what happened in the backseat of that Honda Prelude.

Dear Dad,

Thanks for the great childhood. I feel like I should stress that point. We had some good times when I was completely reliant on you and Mom for survival. I hope that I have been a gracious and thoughtful child. However, one episode from my youth still haunts me, and I owe you an apology. I vomited in your four-day-old car sometime in the mid-1980s and feel pretty lousy about it.

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Out of all the dreamy spots visited on our recent Amalfi Coast escapade, Amalfi’s “city center” and its nearby Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi were highlights. The coastal town has a compact little village (aka the city center) tucked behind the port, while the hillside Grand Hotel Convento, a centuries-old convent turned hotel, sits high above the sea overlooking the coast, its three jetties, and the winding, cliff-hugging road below. Read more

RockResorts and Vail Resort Hospitality start the 96-hour sale today, with participating hotel rates starting as low as $96 per night! Ski enthusiasts can start planning winter adventures now and save in world-class ski destinations like Vail, Teton Village, Breckenridge, Lake Tahoe, and Aspen, to name a few. For those not ready to see summer slip away, resorts in St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Miami, the Bahamas, and more are participating in the deal, offering the best of both worlds. Book by Wednesday August 31, 2012 for travel through April 30, 2012.

THE VALUE: Savings varies by resort, but here’s some that caught our eye:
35% Off at the Hotel Jerome, Aspen, Colorado
40% Off at the Snake River Lodge & Spa, Teton Village, Wyoming
50% Off at the Pines Lodge, Beaver Creek, Colorado
65% Off at the Alma del Pacific, Costa Rica

THE CATCH: Rates are based on availability and blackout dates apply.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, visit www.RockResorts.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Check out our Travel Guides to find the destination that matches your vacation dreams.

Punta Tragara sits high on the rocky cliffs of Capri across from the Faraglioni Sea Stacks, about a 10-minute walk from Capri Town. The splashy 44-room villa-cum-boutique hotel has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Eisenhower, Churchill, and, more recently, Jonathan Adler and Trina Turk. I checked in a few weeks ago and am happy to report that our few nights here were a highlight of our Amalfi trip. Read more

The 4-star Trump International Beach Resort is offering 20% discount on travel through October 2. Located in the exclusive Sunny Isles section of Florida, the oceanfront Trump International Beach resort are inviting guests to take advantage of the summer promotion “Rein in the Summer” where guests get a bunch of extras including three activities in the high-energy kids club. The best part is if it rains during your stay guests can relax in the spacious deluxe, family-friendly accommodations and receive a complimentary in-room movie that includes movie theater amenities including candy and popcorn as well as in-room video games

THE VALUE: Rates for this 4-Star luxury hotel can start at over $300 per night.

THE CATCH: Two-night minimum stay required. Package is based on availability and valid on travel through October 2, 2011 only.

THE DETAILS: To book your stay, Trump International Beach Resort or call 866-628-1197.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Start planning your vacation with our Miami Travel Guide and use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find low rates on flights to Miami!

Whether you’re packing up the family for a few more days of quality time before everyone’s hectic school year schedules start up again or planning a rendezvous for two, these hotels are offering an old-school way to kick it on a red-checkered blanket, no ants allowed, for the last few days of summer.

Head west to the family-owned El Capitan Canyon located on the Pacific coast of Southern California for the Family Picnic Package, which includes a two-night stay in the accommodation of your choice. This upscale outdoor destination is nestled against the Los Padres National Forest and only a five-minute walk away from the El Capitan State Beach. The package includes a complimentary Canyon Logo picnic bag packed with a s’mores kit for four and a bundle of firewood, as well as a picnic blanket, trail mix snack, and a lunch coupon for four to be redeemed at either the Canyon Deli Garden Patio or the Back Market Lawn. Lunch can be packed up to go and enjoyed with gorgeous ocean and mountain views from one of Canyon’s several hiking trails. Rates start at $384 for two nights in the Safari Tent, $516 for a Cedar Cabin, and $494 for the Adventure Yurt; www.elcapitancanyon.com.

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In Mexico and the Caribbean, the summer is never really over, and now you can experience that firsthand with Marriott’s Endless Summer Sale. Book a room at select Marriott and Renaissance Resorts by August 31 and save up to 40% off regular rates, with rooms starting from just $109 per night! Additionally, guests will be able to travel now through December 20, 2011. Nine resorts are participating in the sale, including the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, and the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. With this sale, you can plan that last summer getaway, or look ahead to relax on the beach during the first snowfall back home.

THE VALUE: Save up to 40% at nine Mexico and Caribbean resorts!

THE CATCH: Travel is not valid over Thanksgiving, and rooms rates are based on availability at the time of booking.

THE DETAILS: To see all the participating hotels and to book your vacation, visit www.paradisebymarriott.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tools to find low rates on flights to your desired destination.

Peruse our Travel Guides to find a destination that inspires you.

Now through July 29, book a room for the family at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate for just $97! These rates are at a 25 percent discount and available throughout August. The resort is also waiving the $18 resort fee and there will be complimentary breakfast for children under 12. Enjoy these unusually low rates at the AAA 4-Diamond resort which features two championship Greg Norman golf courses, a full-service European-style spa, a lazy river and two outdoor pools, and five diverse dining options. At the resort guests have shuttle services provided to the theme parks so the allure of Orlando is always within reach. Travel now through August 31, 2011.

THE VALUE: Save 25 percent during the summer!

THE CATCH: Book by July 29.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.omnihotels.com to book now!

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

Take a look at our Orlando Travel Guide to help plan your end of the summer vacation!

Book a last minute trip to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Island this summer and relax in this hidden treasure. Travel now from Miami to St. Croix for only $194 round-trip now till July 31. Guests must book by July 21, so act quick! St. Croix is the largest of the four islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands and vacationers relax on the north shore where resorts and condos are found. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, and if lucky, one may get to see sea turtles while visiting one of the three National Parks on the Island.

THE VALUE: Summer flights costs are over $300 round trip.

THE CATCH: Rates are based on round-trip purchases and different departure cities are available for a higher price.

THE DETAILS: Visit American Airlines to book your flight.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Guide to find the perfect hotel for you and your guests that are traveling.