Sherman's Travel

Even if the cold doesn’t bother you, the trouble with winter is that nightfall arrives sooner than most of us would like it to. There is however, one good reason to venture out into the frigid winter air during the darkest months of the year: the Northern Lights. Also known as aurora borealis or the “northern dawn,” this electrical phenomena is approaching a peak period that will last until about 2016. In other words, if you haven’t seen this shimmering display before, the odds of catching a glimpse in the next few years are higher than usual. Clear skies on or around the spring equinox (March 20 in 2013) will up your chances even further. And for travelers planning a trip to see the aurora, the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks helpfully posts a forecast online. Read more

Head to snowy Vermont this winter and save as much as 40% on current rates at a 4-diamond resort in the popular town of Stowe. As part of their pre-season sale, Topnotch Resort and Spa – a top-rated property on TripAdvisor – is offering rates as low as $139 on most weekdays between December 1, 2012 and April 7, 2013. Most weekends are available for $209 per night. But hurry, you need to book by midnight on September 17 to take advantage of this special offer.

Blackout dates includes the travel periods around Christmas and New Year (December 24 – January 1), Martin Luther King Day (January 18-20), Presidents’ Day (February 15-23), and March 7-10.

The picture-perfect town of Stowe is nestled in a cozy valley and surrounded by majestic mountains. Founded in 1794, it has preserved its quintessential New England charm and features many locally owned shops, a variety of restaurants, and a vibrant music and arts scene. Popular activities in the winter months include Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, and dog sledding. Or relax in the upscale resort’s outdoor hot tubs, make s’mores, or enjoy a treatment at the Topnotch Spa.

Topnotch Resort and Spa is located on 120 wooded acres three miles from Stowe Mountain Resort and less than six miles from Smugglers’ Notch Ski Area. Area attractions also include the Ben and Jerry’s Factory. Free wireless Internet access is available and guests also received a complimentary newspaper every day.

For more information and to book, visit the Topnotch Resort and Spa website or call 800-451-8686.

See our Stowe, Vermont destination guide for more trip planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on return flights, packages, and more travel deals.

Already anticipating your holiday vacation? Get away to the luxurious 4.5-star Milliken Creek Inn & Spa in Napa Valley this winter. This elegant hotel in California’s renowned wine country is tucked away overlooking the Napa River, and you can take advantage of its Scents of the Season package for bookings this holiday season. With rooms starting at $199 per night for stays from November through January, you’ll save 40 percent on current rates.

Stay in a luxurious guestroom that features a king bed, a spa bathtub, a plasma television with DIRECTV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and evening turndown service.  Select rooms also feature one-touch gas fireplaces and private balconies. Read more

The fact that math and I don’t quite get along has never inhibited my fondness for making up equations, including this one: Cold off-season destination + solid indoor attractions = value family vacation.

It’s this thinking that has inspired my non-sequential series on the Midwest, including a post last winter about Chicago, more recent looks at Columbus, Milwaukee, and South Dakota, and today’s stop, the often underrated Kansas City. Should you wish to pull together a KC jaunt over the next several weeks, sub-$250 per person round-trip airfares are easy to come by, as are value-priced air-and-hotel bundles. Read more

Looking for a bed and breakfast experience for less in New York City? Look no further than The Franklin Hotel, a charming BnB on NYC’s stylish Upper East Side. Rooms at The Franklin start from $199 per night, but the hotel is offering every third night free through March. This means you’ll effectively pay  $132 per night for a 3-night stay– a savings of 33%.

The Franklin is located in the heart of this upscale neighborhood that boasts shopping on Fifth Avenue, the picturesque Central Park, and world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. The intimate hotel features luxurious rooms appointed with Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen LCD TVs, Bvlgari bath amenities, and iPod docks. Complimentary buffet breakfast is offered every morning, as is 24-hour espresso and cappuccino service and free wireless internet.

This promotion is valid through March 31, but book now: space is limited in this boutique hotel.

THE VALUE: Save 33% on rooms at this Upper East Side BnB from now through the end of March.

THE CATCH: New York City temperatures drop during the winter – so bundle up!

THE DETAILS: Visit The Franklin Hotel to book this deal, or call 800-607-4009 and mention the 3rd Night Free promo.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to New York City. Then plan your trip using our New York City Travel Guide.

Charles Hotel (Cambridge, MA)

Book a wintery trip to Cambridge, MA and stay at an upscale, Four Diamond hotel in historic Harvard Square for just $99 a night. This Cyber Monday deal is valid for stays between December 3, 2011 and March 31, 2012, with some black out dates. The 50% discount applies to all room types, including suites.

Guests that book this deal on Monday, November 28 between 11:28am and 12:29:28pm will also receive a $50 gift card for the hotel’s French inspired Corbu Spa & Salon.

The Charles Hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and a AAA Four Diamond award-winning hotel. With its classic New England design, sophisticated service, technology and one-of-a-kind accommodations, the Charles Hotel is ideal for business and leisure travel.

THE VALUE: Stay at a stylish hotel in Harvard Square at a 50% discount.

THE CATCH: This offer is only bookable on Monday, November 28 between 11:28am and 12:29:28pm, so don’t miss it!

THE DETAILS: Visit the Charles Hotels’ Website and use booking code CYBER11.

WE’VE GOT MORE: See our Boston Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, packages, and more travel deals.