Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cyber Week Sale at The King and Prince

The King and Prince, St. Simons Island, GA.
Get away from the madding Christmas crowd with a bargain - 50% off - room rate at The King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island

Reservations are available for November 28, 2011 to January 31, 2012. Book through Saturday December 3.

The 50% off rates are:

$109.50 for Oceanfront Rooms
$94.50 for Partial Ocean View Rooms
$124.50 for Tower Rooms
$159.50 for Governor's Suite
$144.50 for St. Simons Suite
$149 for Wesley Cottage
$164 for Tabby House
$94.50 for Wynn Cottage
$199 for 2 Bedroom Partial Ocean View Villas
$229 for 2 Bedroom Oceanfront Villas

Rates are available to book from Monday November 28 to Saturday December 3. Limited availability on a first come first serve basis.

Black out dates are November 30, December 1, 9-10, 16-17, 30-31, January 7-9, 13-14, 20-21, 24-26.

Rates are not available online. Call 800-342-0212 for Reservations.

Kiwi Savings

Napier, North Island, New Zealand
Air New Zealand is offering a $150 discount on economy class flights from the U. S. to New Zealand for friends and family of Society of American Travel Writers members.

If you're here, consider yourself a friend.

Must book by Feb. 29, 2012 for travel beginning by March 1 through Nov. 30, 2012.

Promotion code: SATW150.

Just wish I could join you.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WellsWorld on the Radio: New Zealand, Alaska cruise deal, holiday travel tips

It's picture postcard beautiful wherever you look in New Zealand.
New Zealand
It's a country of two main islands where they drive on the left but then in the southern hemisphere north is warm and south is cold so it works.

It's Australia's neighbor and every third person you meet came from there. Kiwis are a bit more reserved but their senses of humor are wild. In Milford Sound April Fool's Day is celebrated with the nude tunnel run and the owner of the Bottom Bus - it covers the bottom of the South Island - also started nude rugby.

Rugby reigns and World Cup winners the All Blacks are adored. Air New Zealand uses them in its ads, safety messages and wraps its snacks in - all black, of course.

Sheep far outnumber Kiwis and relocated Aussies. There are more shades of green than Pantone ever identified in its rolling hills and only-there tree and plant life.  Truly awesome mountain ranges give the Rockies, Patagonia and the Alps peak for crag. Gentle rivers or raging torrents and blue, blue seas. One look and you start imagining Middle Earth just as Peter Jackson did.

Wellington advertises itself as the coolest little capital in the world and I won't argue. 

The experiences I had will keep me writing and blogging for months to come.

Deals

Princess Cruises is having its first-ever After Thanksgiving Alaska Sale.
Running from November 25-29, the sale offers passengers up to $1,000 in savings and up to a $50 onboard credit on one of the cruise line’s popular cruisetour vacations, which combine a Gulf of Alaska cruise with rail travel to Denali and stays at Princess’ exclusive wilderness lodges. For those who opt to see Alaska by sea only, the sale provides a free balcony upgrade and up to $100 onboard credit.
Examples of sale fares available include:

    •    10-day Denali Explorer cruisetour starting at $1,213 in May; $1,740 for August departures
    •    13-day Off the Beaten Path cruisetour starting at $1,618 in May; $2,373 for August departures
    •    7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise starting at $699 in May; $999 for August departures
    •    7-day Inside Passage cruise starting at $749 in May; $899 for August departures

The After Thanksgiving Alaska Sale begins on “Black Friday” November 25 at 12:00 am PST and runs through 11:59 pm PST on Tuesday, November 29. The sale is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Reservations made during the sale require a non-refundable deposit.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

Save on  any cruise
Speaking of cruises ....
Wherever you want to go, you might save money and/or get special treatment if
You're a senior - that's age 55 and up.
Are or are bringing a guest who is a member, past or present, of the military.
Are a past guest of the line.
Are taking a child or children.
Are flexible about your dates.
Or can leave on short notice.

Holiday Travel Tips

Last minutes tips for this weekend.

Flying
1. Non-stop flights are always best, but the reality is if you live in Jacksonville you'll probably have to connect thru Atlanta, Charlotte or Miami.

2. If so, and if you have less than 1 1/2 hour or 2-hours to change planes, limit yourself to a carryon.

3. Print out your boarding passes at home.

4. Consider paying extra for those premium up front seats so you'll board first and have room in the overhead for storage.

5. Don't forget: picture I.D., liquids together in one plastic bag and no container larger than 3 oz., wear shoes that are easy to shed and put on jewelry and belts after going through security.

Driving
1. Bring a cooler of drinks and snacks and put it where you can reach it without stopping the car. Games and videos for the kids or better yet, grab pictures of the relatives you'll be seeing and tell family tales about them to one another. Just don't say anything you don't want the young ones to repeat!

2. Set your departure time to avoid rush hours in any large cities you have to go through and remember, today's rush-hour traffic will begin early.



However you go, be patient and bring your sense of humor. You'll need it.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Fish Are Biting Specials



           November is a prime month to fish the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.
            Sections of the trail are stocked with 12,700 trout early in the month, creating an infusion of hungry trout at a time when typical fly fishing activity tails off.
            Throw in the fact that much of the trail is located at – or just above – 2,000 feet in elevation, and weather conditions are generally favorable for fishing all month long.
           Local innkeepers are offering “November Deals” on trail lodging. These specials are $69.99 and $74.99 per night for an array of hotel rooms, cabins and cottages in close proximity to the trail’s 15 fishing spots.
            To take advantage of these specials, go to: http://www.flyfishingtrail.com/ and click on “November Deals,” or call (800) 962-1911 and ask for Fly Fishing Trail November Deals.
         

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Winter Rates for National Parks

The park you love in summer is entirely new in winter. Give it a try. Here are some rates.

Zion National Park
Zion Lodge, Zion National Park


Zion in Winter package, Dec. 1, 2011 through March 15, 2012: Overnight stay and breakfast for two, Sun.-Thurs. $95 standard room, $105 Western cabin, $125 suite. Fri.-Sat. add $10 per night. Dec. 23-30 and Feb. 17-19 - $119, $129, $139. Add $10 for each additional person in room over 16 years of age, breakfast extra. Based on double occupancy, taxes and gratuities not included. Promotion code: "WNTR".


New Year's Eve Celebration package includes deluxe dinner in Red Rock Grill, late night reception and New Year's toast and New Year's Day brunch. Rates $199 standard room, $209 Western cabin, $219 suite plus taxes and gratuities for two; promotion code "NYE".

President's Weekend package Feb. 17 and 18 or Feb. 18 and 19, 2012: Two nights accommodation, 20 percent off gift shop products made in USA, president-themed dinner for two Feb. 18 and breakfast buffet for two each morning. Rates $259 standard room, $279 Western cabin, $299 suite; promotion code "PRES".

Book all packages online at www.zionlodge.com or call 303-297-2757 or toll-free 888-297-2757.

Death Valley Furnace Creek Resort
Stay and Play package: Accommodations, double occupancy, unlimited golf at Furnace Creek Golf Course (lowest course in the world), 18-hole cart rental and club storage; $248 at the Ranch, $412 at the Inn. Prices drop in January and February. Go to www.furnacecreekresort.com, promo code "golf," or call 800-236-7916 in U. S., 303-297-2757 outside the U. S.