Sherman's Travel

Looking for a 2013 cruise adventure that won’t break the bank? Set sail into the New Year and save with one of these five budget-friendly cruise picks. Cruising from close-to-home cities to popular ports in Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and beyond, these great-value 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises all ring in from under $409/person – and one from as little as $199.

Just hurry up and book – prices are sure to spike soon, so don’t miss the boat on these priced-to-go sailings. Read more

Winter time can prove to be an even bigger headache than usual for air travel. Blustering winds and pesky snowstorms regularly clog major air-hubs from New York City to Chicago (and everywhere in between), causing frustrating flight delays and cancellations. Spare yourself the stress of lengthy, invasive security procedures, and unreliable service by taking the train for your next getaway.

Fares for many of North America’s regional train lines are available for less this season. Here’s some of our favorite deals on rails.

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Proof that Canada’s VIA Rail train is so much more than a basic commuter train? When you disembark, you’ll feel sad saying goodbye to the conductors.

Two of our favorites, who held court in touring class on VIA Rail’s “Skeena” route across mountainous, snow-capped British Columbia, were Patrick and Gilbert. They helped us with our bags, sure, but they also offered historical factoids, let us browse the library of provincial history books that they kept on board, and served wine. Gilbert even brought along flowers from his garden for the curved, vintage caboose car.

All the while, we traveled along the thundering Skeena River from Jasper, just over the British Columbia boarder in Alberta, to the charming coastal town of Prince Rupert. The entertainment, besides Patrick and Gilbert? Hundreds of miles of breathtaking scenery – untouched forest, show-capped mountains, the occasional ancient petroglyph, and the rusting remnants of Skeena River canneries. Read more

Summer may be peak season in Vancouver, but a full calendar of free events means a lot less stress on your wallet once you arrive in this idyllic coastal city. Moreover, many of these festivals highlight Vancouver’s distinct international flavor and diverse population that makes it so unique.

Starting this weekend, the Rio Alcan Dragon Boat Festival on June 15-17 draws 100,000 spectators for multi-cultural food, music, and dance performances, as well as the signature boat race.

At the International Jazz Festival taking place June 22-July 1, many of the 150 concerts are free, including performances downtown at the Vancouver Art Gallery and on Granville Island at the Public Market.

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Pride is upon us. Wherever you hope to travel this summer, chances are you’ll be crossing paths with (or joining) a rowdy parade of L, G, B, and Ts flaunting what they got. So why not save some money while you’re at it? Or make Pride the reason for a trip in the first place?

With that reasoning, Marriott International (long a leader in equality for its LGBT employees) gets in on the action with a new campaign targeted to gays and their allies entitled “Be You, With Us.” Spanning its brands, from the super-luxe JW Marriott to the wallet-friendly SpringHill Suites, the crux rests on a global Pride calendar that denotes celebrations from now – Los Angeles and Boston Pride this weekend, Portland next, NYC and Paris later in the month – and into September when Las Vegas Pride and Key West PrideFest both take a bow. Properties in each city are handily noted, and 22 related LGBT packages both Pride-specific and year-long are called out with amenities such as free Red Bull in the room and glasses of wine or spa credits. For example: Read more

Vancouver has become known as one of the most beautiful cities on the globe and has topped the list of the world’s most livable city since 2007. Discover this stunning and vibrant city on a two-night stay for just $239 – more than 40 percent off current pricing. This great rate also includes many extras such as daily breakfast and dinner, a two-day ticket for the hop-on-hop-off Vancouver trolley, a free shopping shuttle, and complimentary wine.

You’ll stay at the 4-star River Rock Resort and Casino in Richmond, just a few minutes from Vancouver Airport and only eight miles from downtown Vancouver. The upscale property has a 24-hour casino, several restaurants, and a spa. All of the elegantly decorated guestrooms feature king beds, spacious bathrooms, and a separate sitting area with a sofa bed.

To book your getaway, visit Only Canada Tours’ website. Rates are valid for travel May-September.

See our Vancouver destination guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights.

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

Now that we’re all trying to avoid that dreaded checked-bag fee, the maximum three-ounce allowance for carry-on liquids means that favorite perfumes and colognes might stay at home during quick trips and getaways. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has solved this particular problem, however, with another niche butler service. After checking in at any participating Rosewood location, call up the Fragrance Butler, who will bring ten fragrances on a silver platter, free for your use.

The fragrance menu varies by location, as the scents are meant to reflect the area in which the hotel is located. You can use Tom Ford Black Orchid at the Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, Hermes Eau des Mervailles at New York’s The Carlyle, or Givenchy Dahlia Noir at The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. Fragrance Butlers are also available at Crescent Hotel in Dallas, The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, the Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, Rosewood Sand Hill and CordeValle in California, and Al Faisaliah Hotel and Rosewood Corniche in Saudi Arabia. With Rosewood having your olfactory needs covered, you can let your three-ounce worries waft away.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and other travel deals.

Two hip hotels in Vancouver and New York City are offering guests special access to romance-dedicated staff this February. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, look to OPUS Vancouver’s Cupid Concierge, who’s tasked with bringing customized romantic experiences to guests on request – primed for those who could use a little help ramping up the romance department. Or, bunk down in NYC’s 70 park avenue, where an on-site Romance Sommelier is encouraging ladies to borrow from the British tradition of proposing to their fellas on Leap Day (February 29), with special month-long planning services available to help women pop the question in style. 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