Flamenco Beach (Photo: Lena Katz)
By Lena Katz
You don’t exactly swim in the limpid blue-green sea off the shore of Puerto Rico’s famous Flamenco Beach; you bob like a cork. The warm, calm water and soft sand make this one of the most swimmable beaches in the Western Hemisphere — and hardly trafficked compared with others of its stature. This is only one of many surprises that make Puerto Rico one of America’s favorite Caribbean vacation destinations.
By Mark Verone
“Back to school” is music to the ears of many parents dreaming of getting back into a normal schedule. For us, “back to school” means family vacations with fewer crowds, shorter lines, less people and great travel deals. As parents of a non-school-age toddler, we find that travel is more enjoyable during off-peak periods.
Over the past two years, we have planned several family vacations during off-peak periods, and we’ve had the luxury of having pools, beaches and resorts all to ourselves. We know that in a few years we will be fighting the crowds during school break periods with so many other families, which is why we are taking advantage of our situation now and traveling as much as we can before our son starts going to school.
Traveling off peak has many advantages.
By Lena Katz
“That chicken club sandwich cost $25 dollars? But it didn’t even have cheese on it!!” *Cue sputtering outrage.
Paradisus Palma Real
As anyone who’s ever had this reaction to a poolside lunch tab knows, a boatload of extra charges for beverage, food and activities can nearly sink the vacation vibe, particularly if you’re traveling with kids during a cash-strapped spell. That’s why so many people have turned to all-inclusive vacations these days…you pay upfront, and you know there won’t be a second reckoning at the end. Lately you may get even more than you expected, as so many of these beachside paradises are introducing new and innovative extras to improve the vacation experience.
The greatest example of this that I’ve seen is the Paradisus chain, an all-inclusive brand within the Melia family. For all the different room categories, one round of golf and one SCUBA dive per day are included in the package price. Paradisus properties tend to be on the large side, so for a slight price hop, Family Concierge and Royal Service programs give family or adult groups the extra personalized attention and perks they desire. For families, it’s kiddie amenities and snacks; for Royal adults, dry-cleaning and laundry service, private butlers and a business lounge with wireless access and other business amenities.
Curacao
By Lena Katz
With 10 contenders flying to Curacao in August to compete for a half-million dollar prize, this Netherlands Antilles island is a treasure-hunting hot spot in 2009. However, cash prizes aside, Curacao’s always been one of my favorite Caribbean vacation destinations, thanks its adorable beach hotels, reasonable prices and colorful culture. Although just a few lucky folk are going to get greenbacks out of their summer vacation experience, everyone who’s ever visited can tell you that Curacao has all kinds of treasure to offer.
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Flamingos (Courtesy: The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism)
By Samantha Chapnick
Say “Bahamas” and most people think of Atlantis, the massive resort on Paradise Island. With a water park, dolphin swim program, casino and gourmet dining from some of the world’s most renowned brands, it’s easy to think that’s all there is to a Caribbean vacation in the Bahamas.
Actually, there are plenty of other attractions — many even serving a wide variety of budgets — that make this a good spot for a family vacation. Here are some of my favorites:
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre – Situated only minutes from the heart of Nassau, there’s no place quite like the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre. Part jungle, part gardens, it’s home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles — many of them endangered species of the Caribbean. The zoo is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is renowned for its famous marching flamingos, the national bird of The Bahamas, which perform daily at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Parades, cookouts, fireworks — however you like to celebrate, the Fourth of July is the holiday of summer, and with the 4th falling on a Saturday this year, it's a great opportunity for a short summer vacation. Before you book your flights and hotels, check out these top picks based on Orbitz bookings for travel July 3-6:
Top 10 Fourth of July Vacation Destinations for 2009
1. Las Vegas: Las Vegas hotels — with their glitzy shows and gourmet restaurants — are popular year 'round, and it's no surprise that Vegas celebrates the Fourth in a big way. Check out a virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy at the Fremont Street Experience, or see the real thing — times nine — as nine different Stations Casinos properties display fireworks simultaneously.
2. Chicago: The Fourth of July is a great time to plan a summer vacation in Chicago. Taste of Chicago is in full swing, and you can take full advantage of the lakefront beaches. Chicago's official Fourth of July fireworks take place on July 3 over the lake by Grant Park.
3. New York: Book your New York hotel now and plan to enjoy the Big Apple's Fourth of July fireworks display over the Hudson River. Here are the recommended spots for best views of the fireworks.
By Joe Brancatelli
CONNECTIONS
AirTran Airways Logs on to In-flight Wireless: AirTran
Airways is equipping all of its aircraft for in-flight Wi-Fi. It claimed
the entire fleet of 136 Boeing 737s and 717s will be wired with
Aircell's Gogo Inflight service by the end of July, a record for speedy
installation.
By Lena Katz
I get out to the Caribbean a fair bit, admittedly. But I haven’t even come close to fully discovering its myriad island nations and tropical hideaways. So when I started compiling this list of hints to help you save money and increase fun factor on your next Caribbean vacation, I turned to my friends and colleagues. And they in turn delivered secret spots and local favorites all over the Caribbean. Check out these budget-friendly and fabulous finds, and you may decide that the tropics can fit into your summer plans after all.
Barbados has released one “wow”-worthy travel deal after another, all year long. Hotel chains from the Divi (Divi Southwinds Beach Resort or Divi Heritage) to the Hilton Barbados to the uber-posh Fairmont Royal Pavillion are currently running great rates on Orbitz. But to eat and drink on the cheap, skip the hotel restaurant and head to a local hangout like Fisherman’s Pub or Oistin's Fish Fry, where a full plate of flyish fish & cou cou (no that is not a typo; it is their national dish) and cold island-brewed Banks beer will run you around $10 US. If you plan to make a grownups' night of it, hit up the James Moore Bar — a full bottle of Mount Gay Rum & Coca-Cola costs about US $5.
By Joe Brancatelli
HOTEL HOT SHEET
Recession Be Damned. The New Properties Keep Opening: The number of new hotels opening would be overwhelming even if the economy were still roaring along. Now it just seems, well, chaotic. But here we go.
By Lena Katz
From sea to shining sea, America’s getting ready to celebrate all that tastes great this summer. Whether you’re in the market for a Hawaii vacation, an East Coast summer home or a quick family-friendly hop to a Tampa hotel, an awesome array of food festivals will add extra flavor to your holiday. Here are my top 10 picks for 2009.
In the Pacific Northwest, Bite of Oregon August 7-9 showcases organic/sustainable produce, great seafood, and craft beer — the latter in the brand-new Oregon Brewed Craft Beer Garden. And may we just say…it’s about time? Oenophiles note, Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine region may well be the wine snobs’ next “it” place — so don’t just sip, take notes!
Down south, the LA Wine Fest June 6-7 showcases primarily California Central Coast and Napa wineries, with contingents from the Loire Valley and Australia, as well as a number of boutique-label tequilas. In keeping with Los Angeles “get ready for your closeup” mentality, the festival includes “lifestyles” vendors like Italian gastronomy site AcademiaBarilla.com, but very little in the way of actual food.
We love to travel, and we love to talk about it. The Orbitz Blog is another way we can share our expertise, advice and the occasional random thought.
Check back often for fresh insight from Orbitz staff and contributors about cool places to visit, fun things to do and smart ways to save.