WellsWorld on the radio: Spring flings in Europe and the U.S.A.

Timing tip

Planning a quick, impromptu getaway? If it's to the south of Europe better do enough planning to have confirmed reservations for transportation and lodging.

After Easter northern Europe residents surge to the south and sunshine like swallows to Capistrano. Planes and trains that may have been mostly empty before Easter, are crammed and overbooked. Same with hotels, ferries and cruise ships to sunny islands.

Viva! Tallahassee

Timucuan Chief Saturiba. Photo © by Judy Wells.

As Florida celebrates Viva Florida, the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon landing on its shores, the Museum of Florida History has added an exhibit to show what followed that momentous event.

Herman the giant mastadon, an earlier resident of the state, has been joined by  Timucuan Chief Saturiba, a Spanish galleon and dozens more characters and interesting objects.

It's an easy way to learn and appreciate the state's fascinating history that ensued from the arrival of Europeans.

www.museumoffloridahistory.com

Museum of Florida History
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
(850) 245-6400

Austrian Beauty Week

GrandHotel Lienz

What: Special Beauty Week package for men and women includes seven nights in a Superior Suite with scenic views from your balcony, breakfast buffet, 5-course gourmet dinner, fitness program of  full body toning and aerobics, a series of special massages and scalp treatments, steam bath, use of all facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Where: GrandHotel Lienz, named World's Leading Medical/Wellness Spa by World Travel Awards, amid the mountain scenery of Lienze, Austria. 

When: May 8 to Oct. 31, 2013 and Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, 2013.

How Much: $1,690 per person per week May to October; $1,300 from November to December 15, based on exchange rates as of March 8, 2013..

http://www.grandhotel-lienz.com/en/

Luxury Tour of China

Great Wall

What: Stay in 5-star hotels - Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La and boutique ship Victoria Anna - during a 16-day Dragon Heart of China Tour from China Spree. Includes 15 American buffet breakfasts, 26 other meals, guides, special shows, InSites Cultural Program, entrance fees, baggage handling and airfare. 

Where: Fly from San Francisco to to Beijing, Xian, Guilikn, Chongqin, Yangtze River cruise, Suzhou, Tongli and Shanghai.

Cost: $4,799 per person, double occupancy ($5,099 from New York) if booked by March 31. Prices are cash only (add $200 for payment by credit card), subject to availability.

www.chinaspree.com
(Click on "China Tours" then "Luxury Tours".
1-866-652-5656

VIP Packages for South Walton Beaches Food and Wine Festival

What: "Grand Tasting Getaway" includes upgraded beach-view accommodations at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa and two tickets to to the Grand Tasting April 27 starting at $409 per night.
"VIP Wine Lover's Weekend" includes beach-view accommodations; two tickets to the the Exclusive Vibrant Rioja Reserve and Grand Reserve Tasting and Food Pairing event Friday, April 26; two Upgraded VIP tickets to the Grand Tasting Saturday, April 27; and two tickets to the "After-Party Party" Saturday, April 27; for $769 per night.

When: April 25-28, 2013

Details: Use code WP for Grand Tasting Getaway; code VP for the VIP Wine Lover's package.
www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com
800-559-1805
www.sowalwine.com

 Book early to save at Disney Resort Hotels

For: Florida residents

What: Book by March 31, 2013, for lower rates at Disney Resort Hotels, slightly more for bookings April 1 to May 30, 2013.

How Much: 
• All-Star Music Resort, $82/$88 per night
• Coronado Springs Resort, $136/$145
• Animal Kingdom Lodge, $221/$238
• Old Key West Resort, $240/$258

Add Discover Disney tickets and save on those too.

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/specialOfferDetails?name=Promo&promotionCode=flfy13q3room&market=flfy13q3room&CMP=EMC-WDWFY13Q3FY13Q3RES0006A

Free Guide to N.C. Mountains

What: A 48-page, full-color guide to leisure pursuits in Jackson County's popular mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Cullowhee, Dillsboro and Sylva. Information on unique destinations like the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, the nation's only fly fishing trail, and the Richland Balsam Overlook, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,053 feet in elevation. Also on where to stay, dine and shop including a pull-out map of hiking trails and waterfalls.

How: Call 800-962-1911, request online at www.mountainlovers.com or download.

Segway through historic St. Augustine

What: St. Francis Inn, the oldest inn in St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, offers special deal on newest form of transport.

Details: Stay two nights at the Inn Sunday through Thursday and receive a complimentary two-hour ride through town on a Segway ($59 value) per person. Advance reservations at regular rates required.

Where: St. Francis Inn, 279 St. George S', St. Augustine, FL.

www.stfrancisinn.com
904-824-6068

Moms rule at Mainsail Beach Inn

Anna Maria Island

What: "Month of Mom" package. Reserve a three-night or more stay Sunday through Thursday and receive a $250 American Express Gift Card  for Mom.

When: Month of May, 2013.

Where: Mainsail Beach Inn, Anna Maria Island, Florida, 40 miles south of Tampa.

How Much: Rates begin at $234 for a two-bedroom suite.

amireservations@mainsailhotels.com

www.mainsailbeachinn.com

888-849-2642

WellsWorld on the radio: Sleeping on ice

Popsicle for a night

Hotel de Glace. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Imagine a queen-size bed of ice in a room of compressed snow. Now imagine sleeping on it after wrapping yourself in a shroud-like lining and encased mummy-like into an aptly named mummy sleeping bag.

Kind of like being a tightly-wrapped Popsicle in a deep freeze.

Me with Tom Griffith of Deadwood, S. D. Photo © by Judy Wells.

That was me at Hotel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel, outside of Quebec City, Quebec.

What they don't tell you on the website or during the tours fills the 25-minute session on how to sleep in below freezing temperatures and wake up breathing.

Next. enjoy the hotel's amenities:  


• Drink up at the ice bar. Photo © by Judy Wells.

                       



      • Dance in the adjacent disco. Photo © by Judy Wells.

• Slip down the ice slide. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Chapel. Photo © by Judy Wells.

 • Tour the hotel.









• strap on a pair of snowshoes or skis and hit the trails.

When ready for bed, 

1. Get your body temperature up by hitting the hot tub followed by a session in the dry sauna. Oh, and you'll have to put on a bathing suit and hustle through the snow to get there. Don't get your hair wet or it will freeze. It did.

2. Come back into "camp," the heated Celsius building, dry off thoroughly - wet is what makes you cold - and get dressed for bed in anything except cotton which holds wetness. Better yet, wear nothing. No one was that brave or foolhardy.

Sleeping chamber in Hotel de Glace. 

3. Go into your sleeping chamber and get the big black bag. Pull out the lining and sleeping bag, replacing them with anything you don't want frozen such as your shoes and coat. Store an extra pair of socks and valuables such as cell phones and cameras at the bottom of the sleeping bag. Don't put your glasses on the bedside table; it's ice and they'll freeze to it.

Photo © by Judy Wells.

4. The best way to line and bag yourself is to stand atop your bed.

Photo © by Judy Wells.

Oh, the bathrooms are a snowy trek away in another building.

It's an experience like no other, one best suited for young, agile bodies able to stand on the "bed" to step into said shroud and bag. The less agile will be constantly reminded that the bed is ice and the floor is snow and their bodies are not going to keep those drinks inside all night.

Sweet dreams.

Ski back to the '80s

Flipped collars, headbands and all things '80s at Beech Mountain. Photo by Amy Morrison.

What: Bring your leg warmers, parachute pants and bandanas to the "big air, big hair" celebration at Beech Mountain, N. C. Retro bands and DJs, costume contests, freestyle jump competition and lots of remembering when during this lighthearted weekend of skiing.

When: Feb. 22-24, 2013

Where: Beech Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain, N. C.

Costs: Eighties-style, dudes.  Lodging from $80.80 a night, $119.80 dinner specials, three bandanas for $8.80.

www.beechmtn.com
800-468-5506

Inn of the Five Graces

Santa Fe luxury and culture

What: Southwest Splendor package features suite and breakfasts; Tibetan-inspired fireside massage for two plus Desert blend gift set of massage and body products; two four-day passes to five museums including The Place of the Governors, that houses the New Mexico History Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the Museum of International Folk Art; and a one-hour cultural walking tour of Santa Fe.

Where: Inn of the Five Graces, a Relais & Chateaux facility on Conde Nast's 2013 Gold List "Best Hotels in the World."

When: Now through April, 2013.

Cost: $1,065 for two nights totally inclusive.

 Do good in Key West

Want a warm, laid-back voluntourism vacation? Consider Key West, Florida, which has a website for that.

Where: www.keysvoluntourism.com

What: That link connects you to Key West charities and nonprofits that can use your help building an underwater coral nursery, collecting data on reef fish, feeding injured birds, maintaining trails and an island's worth of other good deeds. 

Organizations include Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Pigeon Key, Marathon Wild Bird Center, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Habitat For Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys, Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden and Key West Wildlife Center.

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com

Winter golf deal$

Winters in the South can be colder than a toilet seat of ice or as balmy as a warm spring day and you never know what you're going to get. Golfers are eternal optimists, though, and the prices are the best you'll get all year. So pack the sticks, toss the tee and drive on.

Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront course, Palmetto Dunes.

What: Stay & Play package includes 4 days, three nights in a resort view villa, two rounds of golf, free tennis, resort dining and merchandise discounts.

Where: Hilton Head Island’s Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

How much: $129 per person per night.

When: Through March 5, 2013. A group golf getaway with three rounds and range balls is available for groups of 12 or more through March 13, 2013 for $399 per person per night.

www.palmettodunes.com,  866-306-4330.

Santee National Golf Course.

What: Spring Special including three nights lodging at Chapel Creek Villas for a foursome and three rounds with cart at Santee National Golf Course.

Where: Santee, S. C.

When: March 4 through April 28, 2013.

How much: $274 per person.

www.golfsantee.com.

WellsWorld on the Radio: New for 2013

Crusader's castle at Acre. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Cruise from Haifa to Acre

What: A new 30-minute boat ride will connect Haifa, Israel's third largest city and port, with the fortress city of Acre. The line will offer twice daily runs between Haifa, which backs up onto Mount Carmel and is home to the Baha'i Shrine and its famous Hanging Gardens, and Acre, once Akko, the Crusader capital of the Holy Land.

 When: The boat service is due to launch in March 2013.

AirTran Flights continue to Key West

What: Southwest Airlines will assume the routes - one daily nonstop between Orlando International Airport and a daily nonstop between Tampa Bay International Airport and Key West International Airport.

A new daily nonstop flight between Key West and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will be added.

Boeing 737-700, 143-passenger aircraft will be used on the Key West routes.


When: March 9, 2013.

www.southwest.com
www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Romantic deals

Hilton Sandestin.

Romantic Rendezvous
What: Celebrate the month of love with a Romantic Rendezvous Package at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. It includes upgraded beach-view accommodations and breakfast for two at Sandcastles Restaurant, plus a complimentary box of Godiva chocolates, bottle of champagne and one dozen red roses.

How Much: Starts at $217 per night .

When: Available February 1 - 28, 2013.

Fine print: Reservations must be made at least seven (7)-days in advance; limited availability; not applicable to existing reservations or contracted groups; the Hilton Sandestin Beach reserves the right to modify or discontinue this package at any time at its sole discretion. 

www.HiltonSandestinBeach.com or (800) 559-1805 and use booking code “RT.”

Serene Little St. Simons Island. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Couple's escape
What: Couples escaping to a private island stay three nights and get the fourth night free at exclusive and inclusive (even the sun block!) Little St. Simons Island. 

When: Feb. 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2013.

How Much: $549 per couple per night for three nights.

Fine print: Includes boat trip to and from the island, accommodations, three full meals and a cocktail reception each day, all activities and equipment. Does not include taxes and service charges.

www.littlessi.com or 866-855-0718.

Unicoi Lodge.

Winter Woodlands Getaways

What: The Lodge at Unicoi State Park, Georgia, with 30 cabins, 100 Lodge guestrooms and the Unicoi Dining Room, is open all winter with special rates.

How Much: From $89 a night Sunday through Thursday.

When: Now through Feb. 28, 2013.


Where: The Lodge at Unicoi sits on 1,063 acres between the Chatahoochee River and the town of Helen.


What: Cabbage Patch Kids Package at Unicoi Lodge includes  a one-night stay in a Lodge guestroom, breakfast for two, a park pass, a certificate for a free gift at Babyland General, and a crib in the guestroom for the for newly adopted Cabbage Patch Kid.

How Much: From $95.

When: through March 15, 2013.

 www.gastateparks.org or 800-573-9659

Special Restaurant Week prices

 What: Nineteen different island restaurants, each offering a special fixed menu, three courses and a non-alcoholic beverage priced at either $20.13 or $30.13.

Where: Amelia Island, FL.

When: Jan. 18 through 27.

Participating Restaurants include:
29 South, eclectic, 904-277-7919 
BarZin Bistro & Wine Bar, American bistro, 904-310-6620 
Baxter's, steak and seafood, 904-277-4503
Brett’s Waterway Café, casual seafood and steak, 904-261-2660
Bonito Grill and Sushi, Asian fusion, 904-261-0508          
Café Karibo, eclectic American, 904-277-5269   
Crab Trap, seafood, 904-261-4749      
David’s Restaurant & Lounge, fine dining, 904-310-6049       
Espana Restaurant & Tapas, Spanish and Portuguese, 904-261-7700          
Falcon’s Nest, casual dining, 904-491-4242         
Horizon’s, eclectic cuisine, 904-321-2430      
Le Clos, French cuisine, 904-261-8100       
Lu Lu’s at the Thompson House, American cuisine, 904-432-8394          
Marina Seafood Restaurant, casual seafood dining, 9-) 261-5310          
Merge, eclectic cuisine, 9-277-8797   
PLAE, fine dining, 904-277-2132   
Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, seafood and burgers, 904-277-3811          
Sandy Bottoms, American, 904-310-6904         
Sliders Seaside Grill, seafood and steak, 904-277-6652

www.ameliaisland.com/yummy

Stay Over: In conjunction with Restaurant Week, several of Amelia Island accommodations are available with a “Free Night, Any Night” deal, allowing visitors a Free Night with a minimum three- or four-night stay.

www.ameliaisland.com/freewww.ameliaisland.com/free.

Wild Webcam

 Take a peek at the watering hole and salt lick at The Ark in Kenya's Aberdare National Park. Last time I checked http://www.thearkkenya.com/live-webcam-feed, six Cape Buffalo were congregating within sight of the live video cams.

Fair waring: It's addictive.

WellsWorld on the radio: Travel goodies for Christmasts

Disneyworld's present: New Fantasyland

Cinderella's Castle is joined by the Beast's. Photos © by Judy Wells.

 Belle tells her story with visitors' help, the Beast stalks through his castle while diners enjoy French cuisine, Ariel takes humans on a trip under the sea and two identical Dumbos fly over a new recreation of a 1930s circus.

At Epcot, guests design their dream drives then take them for a spin on the Chevrolet Test Track.  Meanwhile, at Downtown Disney, Splittsville provides bowling, booze, sushi and more to keglers. 

Merry Christmas, Disney devotees. New worlds to visit.

Pros offer bargains

Bid for seven-nights at Morgan Bay Beach Resort, St. Lucia.

What: The Society of American Travel Writers' annual on-line auction is open to all with bargains to be had in travel packages, photography and travel writing courses.

Fairmont St. Andrews

Windjammer Cruise

For instance, a six-day Windjammer Cruise or a four-night luxury Nile cruise, stays in Abu Dhabi or St. Andrews, family packages in the Smokies or Legoland, hip and historic hotels.

Hotel Matilda, San Miguel Allende, Mexico

                                                                                         
When: Now through 11:45 p.m. (EST) Dec. 30, 2012.

How: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/societyofamericantra/

Happy bidding.

Dine IN Gingerbread

Great Wolf Lodge, Pocono Mountains.

What: Have breakfast, lunch or dinner in a Life-Sized Gingerbread House.

Where: Snowland in all 11 locations of Great Wolf Lodge, the largest family of indoor waterpark resorts. This includes resorts in North Carolina, Washington State, Virginia, Texas, Ohio and the Pocono Mountains, PA.

When: Now through Dec. 25, 2012

How:  Book a stay and pay a $20 seating fee which goes to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Bet you won't be able to pass up dessert.

Ultimate Outdoor Experience: Camping overnight in Antarctica

Camp on the White Continent  in 2013.

What: Sign up for camping overnight when booking any of five different 2013 cruises to Antarctica aboard Hurtigruten's MS Fram -

• 10-day "Classic Expedition" focuses solely on Antarctica, sailing through the Drake Passage to landings that immerse guests in the remote landscape and exotic wildlife of The White Continent.

• 13-day "Polar Circle Expedition," similar to the 10-day experience, spends its extra days traveling as far south as the Antarctic Circle.

• 13-day "Weddell Sea Expedition" follows the path forged by British Captain James Weddell, who reached 74º latitude in 1823 - a first for explorations;

• 17-day "Christmas Expedition" celebrates the season with traditional carols, festive meals, Santa Claus visits and a New Year's gala and includes the Falklands and South Georgia;

• 19-day "In the Realm of the Great Explorers" explores the areas visited by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, and takes in the sub-Arctic eco-system of the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.

Details: Each camping night is limited to 15 in two-person tents. Campers are accompanied by expedition guides and will be supplied with cold-weather gear, but all is weather permitting.  Should more than 15 sign up, a lottery will be held determine who participates. A second camping experience can be scheduled if weather and land conditions permit.

Your neighbors.

Cost: The night of camping is $500 per person; cruises start from $5,327 to $10,321.

www.hurtigruten.us.

You've got to admit this is the gift for anyone who has everything. Talk about bragging rights.

Tickets to Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Photo © by Judy Wells.

What: One of the nation's top gathering of automotive collectibles from classic town cars to world-famous racers.

When: March 8-10, 2013; Concours display March 10.

How: Buy tickets now and save. Advance adult tickets are $55, at the gate $70. You the ages 12-18 $30 in advance, $35 at the gate.

Buy: www.amelia concours.org.

Reduced winter rates for Grand Canyon and Zion Lodge

Grand Canyon in winter.

What: Grand Canyon -  $85 a night at Maswik Lodge South, $115 per night at Maswik Lodge North. Now through March 7, 2013, excluding Dec. 21-31, 2012.
           El Tovar Romance package - $380 plus tax for one night, a bottle of California sparkling wine, and dinner for two with a bottle of Grand Canyon label wine. Available now through Feb. 14, 2013, excluding Dec. 22 through Jan. 1, 2013. Use promo code "romance".

www.grandcanyonlodges.com 

Zion with a smattering of snow.

What: Winter Magic in Zion at Zion Lodge - $89 standard room, $109 Western cabin, $119 for a suite, with breakfast for two, Sunday-Thursday. Available through March 15, 2013.

www.zionlodge.com

Special holiday rate at JIA

What: Economy Lot 3 at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) opens from Dec. 21 through Jan. 5 - or until the lot fills - for a flat fee of $20.

Details: It's first come, first served with the fee payable by cash or credit card upon entry. Travelers are advised to arrive at least two hours before their flight in case the lot is full and they have to find alternative parking. Options include Economy Lots 1 and 2, $5 a day; daily surface lot, $8 a day; Daily Garage, $14 a day, and Hourly Garage, $18 a day.  

Picking someone up? Wait in the free courtesy lot next to the JAA administration building and have your traveler call after picking up their luggage.

Give or get an Oxford education

The Quad, Christ Church, Oxford.

What: Learn something new in one of the world's most prestigious centers of learning. Study a variety of topics from the operas of Verdi to quantum mechanics or mythical animals during a one-week residence and savor the Oxford experience.

Where: Christ Church, Oxford University, England.

Cost: Tuition, accommodations and all meals are included for approximately $1,885 (US). Private bathroom will add to cost.

When: One-week periods from June 30 to August 10. Registration deadline is May 1, but the most popular courses fill early.

www.conted.ox.ac.uk/oxfordexperience,

Splurgiferous Family Christmas 

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris

If money is no object, spend it before we go over the Fiscal Cliff and taxes go up.

 What: Head to Shangri-La Hotel, Paris for the Noel en Famile package, a two- night minimum stay in an Eiffel Premier Suite for parents and a connecting room for the children including a Christmas tree to decorate, breakfasts and tea, a two-hour tour of Paris in a horse-drawn carriage and VIP treatment at Studio Harcourt where movie stars go for portraits. Champagne for adults, fruit juice for children, professional makeup sessions and a two-hour photo session for four or six people. A framed portrait, a low-res digital copy plus a book and 50 greeting cards. You could also set the session in your suites around the Christmas tree.

Price: Approximately $11,674 (US) per night, but that includes value-added tax, visitor taxes and service.

Book: www.shangri-la.com/paris/

Catch a launch at Kennedy Space Center

What: Experience the excitement of a space launch from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as an Atlas V rocket launches a space plane prototype. United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket will carry X-37B, a prototype of an unmanned space plane or an orbital test vehicle (OTV), in its secret cargo.

The X-37B space plane, developed by The Boeing Company, is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. This prototype measures at 29 feet in length and can return to Earth and land like an airplane. The mission, named OTV-3, is the second flight of this re-usable spacecraft. The first flight successfully landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Dec. 3, 2012, after 224 days in orbit.

When: Launch window scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, between 1:03 and 6:03 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s operating hours may be extended based on the actual launch time.

Where: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Cape Canaveral, FL.

How Much: Launch viewing is included with admission. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission is $50+ tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11.

 Admission also includes the Kennedy Space Center Tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted and all exhibits, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, open from noon until 5:00 p.m. daily.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander's Club Annual Pass is $63 + tax for adults and $53 + tax for children ages 3-11.

Details: 877-313-2610 or www.kennedyspacecenter.com .

Win a FLASH: Win Caribbean Cruise for 2 at Carnival's Breeze-A-Thon

What: Carnival Cruise Lines on-line sweepstakes in honor of the new Carnival Breeze's official naming ceremony. Top prize, the Caribbean cruise aboard the Breeze, the largest ship home-ported in south Florida. Others include Samsung 40-inch 3D hi-def TV, pre-loaded iPod touch and Bluetooth speakers, Kindle Fire HD and wine glass collection.

When: Now through Dec. 6.

How: www.facebook.com/carnival

WellsWorld on the WJCT: Deals on Manhattan digs, Manatee swims and more

Manhattan © Judy Wells

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Travel Specials

What: Manhattan room rates starting at $119 for December 16- 25, 2012 & January 2- March 10, 2013. Extras include complimentary Wi-Fi (a $15 daily value) and two free welcome drinks at the new lobby bar ($24 value).

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan, located at Lexington Avenue at 51st Street in Midtown's East Side, within walking distance to many museums, Bloomingdales, Park Avenue, Central Park, the United Nations, Broadway theaters.
All-new guestrooms after a $25 million renovation.

How: Must book between Friday, 11/23/12, and Monday, 11/26/12, for new stays between December 16-25, 2012 and January 2, 2013 through March 10, 2013.

Go to http://bit.ly/ZGNLrS, 800-222-TREE, or the hotel directly at 212-752-7000, and requesting plan code PL1.

4 BR, 3 Ba property in Seacrest Beach.

What: Save 20 percent on sunny Florida vacation rentals throughout 2013.

Where: Rental home communities of Blue Mountain Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seacrest Beach, Seagrove Beach, WaterColor and WaterSound in the South Walton area.

How: Book Cyber Monday, 11/26/2012, at Beach Rentals of South Walton, managed by Sterling Resorts, www.brswvacations.com, 877-500-4801.

What: Starwood Hotels' 20-40 percent-off packages at 35 hotels for the following six weekends and resorts seven days a week for the following six weeks. Offers at Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Westin Hotels and Resorts, St. Regis Hotels and Resorts.

How: "Like" them on Facebook to get a sneak peak before Cyber Monday then book that day.

Patagonia © Judy Wells

Cyber Monday Sale
What: Friendly Planet Travel offers $100-$400 off every tour package, almost 300 departures, booked during Cyber Monday.

Examples: $400 off 10-day Easter Island and Machu Picchu or Patagonian cruise, $100 off 7-day Kenya safari or Barcelona. 

When: Starting 12:10 a.m. EST and ending 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26.

How: Use coupon code CYBERMONDAY. www.friendlyplantet.com, 800-555-5765

Yoga at Wintergreen.

Thanksgiving Excesses Got You Down?

Get up and moving with a week in Virginia. at Wintergreen Resort and Spa.

What: Wellness Week, Nov. 26-Dec. 2 includes daily morning hikes, meditation, yoga and Pilates classes, circuit training, abs and interval training and health and nutrition classes discounted to $10 each per person. Room rates 20 percent off for participants. 

Where: Wintergreen Resort and Spa in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains offers an array of overnight accommodations from studio condominiums to six-bedroom residences with large kitchens. All come with complimentary use of the Aquatics and Fitness Center's strength and conditioning circuit and free weights, treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers, hot tubs and indoor pool.

How: www.wintergreenresort.com, 434-325-8562.

Days Inn and Suites, Jekyll Island

Island Holiday

What: Special holiday rates start at $49.95 Islandside, $59.95 Oceanside including continental breakfast, free WiFi, oceanfront locale, bike rentals, a heated pool, grills and picnic area.

Where: Days Inn and Suites, oceanfront, Jekyll Island, GA.

When: Now through Jan. 31, 2013.

How: 888-635-3003

Swim with Manatees

What: Swim with the Manatees one-night stay package includes garden view room, welcome bag, manatee snorkeling tour for two with all needed equipment from Plantation Adventure Center, breakfast for two, hot chocolate and coffee on enclosed boat, hot shower facility; $224 for two people, Sunday-Thursday.

Where: The Plantation on Crystal River, Florida, 80 miles north of Tampa, also offers 18-hole and 9-hole executive golf courses, Aveda spa, full-service marina and dining.

When: Best viewing is Oct. 1-March 31.

Fine Print: Taxes not included, package based on double occupancy.

How: www.PlantationCrystalRiver.com, 800-632-6262.