The Super Bowl and Mardi Gras will make New Orleans a major travel hotspot this year. Photo: Medioimages/Photodisc

By Jeanenne Tornatore, Orbitz.com senior editor

What will be trending this year as the hottest destinations and best bets for deals? We’ve just released our 2013 forecast of all things travel and here’s the inside scoop:

Travelers looking for some vacation inspiration will find Orbitz’s three picks for this year’s hotspots as diverse as one is distant. Whether celebrating the Super Bowl in New Orleans, retracing the Hobbit’s footsteps in New Zealand, or taking in the history and hospitality of that southern gem called Charleston, there’s plenty happening in 2013 to put these locales at the top of the list.

For those who find satisfaction in getting a great deal, Orbitz dishes some value destinations that won’t disappoint. This year, sun-seekers will reap the most reward with picks from the Southwest to the Caribbean. Orlando continues to reign as a go-to family and value destination in 2013 thanks to the large hotel inventory with prices for all budgets, and the Dominican Republic showcases some of the best prices in the Caribbean and adds more flights to remote areas. Phoenix also makes it into the mix thanks to average hotel rates as low as $100 a night and affordable excursions to towns like nearby Tucson, host to many arts and culture events throughout the year.

And who doesn’t love a good comeback story? On the heels of Hurricane Sandy, Orbitz proclaims Atlantic City will be the comeback kid of 2013. Avoiding any major permanent storm damage, this resort town is very much up and running and with new hotels such as Revel, designer shopping, world-class restaurants and A-list entertainment like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Beyonce, Atlantic City has become much more than just a gaming destination.

Lastly, in this age of technology, travel trends just as often point to how travelers are booking their vacations as much as they are about where they are going. Orbitz makes three final keen predictions for the coming year: 1) bookings via mobile devices will continue to explode, including buying even international packages on smartphones and tablets, 2) social media-savvy consumers will continue to cash in on even more insider deals from their favorite travel companies, and 3) expect an uptick in international travel with particularly good deals across the pond in England and Ireland.

Visit the Orbitz Insider Index 2013 Travel Forecast for our entire list of travel trends in the new year.

Hotel ZaZa in Dallas is offering special meal deals during the month of January.

By Mark Chesnut

A recent survey of senior corporate travel buyers commissioned by the Business Travel Show has revealed that budgets are on the increase for 2013. But that doesn’t mean that business travelers aren’t keeping an eye on expenses. For anyone looking to make affordable business travel one of their New Year’s resolutions, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Book early, and avoid peak travel periods. If possible, it’s a good idea to scour Orbitz for airfares well before your travel dates. Avoiding peak holiday travel periods is another way to ensure you’ll get good deals. You also might want to avoid traveling on Mondays and Fridays, which sometimes are more expensive travel times due to demand. Check the Weekly Deals section on Orbitz for good rates on flights, car rentals and hotels.

2. Stay loyal. If you stick with the same airline and hotel group, you’re more likely to achieve elite status and get extras like free upgrades and free baggage checks. You may also want to consider getting an airline-issued credit card; several of them include extras like free baggage allowances.

3. Get the amenities you want. If the additional fees that some luxury hotels charge are starting to wear down your budget, consider going midscale. You’ll get extras like breakfast and Wi-Fi for free at many mid-priced chains. Check out brands in the Marriott International family of hotels, including Fairfield Inn & Suites and SpringHill Suites, as well as InterContinental Hotels Group properties like Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites.

4. Use mass transit. Some cities—such as New York City, San Francisco and Washington D.C.—are well equipped with efficient and economical mass transit, which can help business travelers avoid pricey taxi rides to and from the airport and between appointments.

5. Economize on meals. If you need to invite a client or colleague out for a meal, remember that lunch is often less expensive than dinner. And keep an eye out for hotel meal specials and other offers. In Dallas, Hotel ZaZa is offering special meal deals to celebrate its 10-year anniversary throughout the month of January, with all lunch items priced at $10 every day throughout the month, $10 bottles of house wines on Monday; on Wednesday, if you buy one steak entrée, you’ll get the second for just $10.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. His travel budget is miniscule.

Olympic Gold medalist Misty Hyman, swim coach at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, offers travel fitness tips.

By Mark Chesnut

Combining business travel with a fitness regimen is always a challenge, and when you throw in the festive holiday season, it can be even harder to stay in shape. So here—just in time for that list of New Year’s resolutions—are some travel tips for feeling good the road.

1. Get wet. This tip comes straight from Olympic Gold medalist Misty Hyman, who serves as the swim coach at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain near Scottsdale, Arizona. Multi-tasking your workout by getting in the pool can be a great time saver, she says. “In the water you can accomplish your cardio, strength training, build your lung capacity and meditate—all at the same time.”

2. Use the space you’ve got. Rina Jakubowicz, health and fitness consultant and yoga instructor at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts, reminds travelers to stretch while en route and after check-in. “Whether you’re at an airport gate waiting to board a flight or at a pit stop amidst a road trip, take five minutes to stretch your muscles,” she says. “Doing basic stretches for your shoulders, neck, legs and spine will increase your circulation and allow your muscles to relieve tension and relax.”

“I frequently do a few sets of push ups and sit ups,” says Chris McGinnis, Best Western’s travel trends expert and business travel blogger for YouMustBeTrippin.com. “If I need to blow off some steam but the weather outside is bad, I’ll huff and puff up and down hotel stairwells.”

When visiting an area you may not know well, John Forrest Ales, senior director of global brand relations for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, recommends that you speak with the staff for ideas. “Ask the concierge for recommended running routes,” he suggests. “To keep it interesting, I always try to pick a local sight and plan a running route that lets me discover the city and soak in the local flavor, too.”

3. Don’t skip meals. “I bet you’ve heard someone, whether friend, family member or co-worker, tell you they are skipping lunch to “save room for a feast,” says Sean Piazza, fitness manager at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, California. “Remember that your body burns more calories when it’s being fueled constantly throughout the day. If you skip meals, your body tends to slow down the amount of calories it burns. Instead of skipping meals, try to eat smaller portions leading up until the ‘big feast’ that way your body doesn’t slow down the calories it burns and you don’t go into that feast ready to eat everything on the table.”

4. Eat clean. “If the body is fed garbage it will feel like garbage,” says Katie Brauer, the resident yoga professional at Rancho Valencia. “You are what you eat! Consume a diet rich in organic, fresh produce, hormone free meats, and plenty of anti-inflammatory foods. Avoid refined sugars & processed foods. My mantra: Green is good!”

5. Use common sense. “Let your clothes be your guide,” says road warrior and Iron Man competitor Peter Shankman. “I rely on my clothes to tell me how I’m doing. Jeans starting to get a little tight? That’s my answer: Time to scale back my eating and increase my workouts.”

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He at least considers using the gym in every hotel he visits.

Living it up: The penthouse suite at the InterContinental New York Times Square.

By Mark Chesnut

Even if you’ve never stayed in one, you’ve heard of them: Those dreamy rooms at the very top of the hotel. Whether they’re called a penthouse or the presidential suite, these are the accommodations to indulge in countless amenities and luxurious style. And business travelers take note: Many suites can also be used for business meetings, private cocktail parties and events, making it easier to justify the expense. To get your travel imagination going, here are a few great places to check into the top of the hotel.

In Southern California, actual presidents are among the guests who’ve checked into the presidential suite at The Beverly Hilton. The posh, 1,870-square-foot space includes a master bedroom, living room, dining area (which doubles as a conference table) and two 42-inch plasma televisions with the Bose Home Theater System.

Scottsdale, Arizona—a hotspot for upscale hotels—offers plenty of opportunities to spoil yourself with grand accommodations. At the retro-chic Hotel Valley-Ho, the Tower Loft Suite has two levels, connected by a graceful floating staircase. In January, the W Scottsdale is debuting six presidential-style suites with attention-getting monikers, including a one-bedroom Wow Suite and four two-bedroom Extreme Wow corner penthouse suites that feature high-tech kitchens, hardwood floors and sliding glass doors that lead to large balconies.

On the East Coast, the penthouse suite at the InterContinental New York Times Square measures an impressive 2,700 square feet (larger than most New York City apartments), with a two-story living room that has floor-to-ceiling windows, a fireplace and windows framed with wood-paneled columns and Mother of Pearl insets. Even larger is the, 2,800-square-foot presidential suite at The Surrey Hotel, which comes complete with a baby grand piano, formal dining room and 160-square-foot private patio; the suite can be reserved with either one or two bedrooms.

In Miami, the EPIC Miami, a Kimpton Hotel, has a 1,100-square-foot presidential suite that offers sweeping views of Miami River and Biscayne Bay. A Bose sound system allows music to flow freely through the spacious living area and eight-person dining area as well as the master bedroom, where the master bath has a second balcony.

In North Carolina, a top choice is available at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, near Raleigh. Original artwork, silk draperies and pillows and furniture designed in exotic woods are among the décor elements, while a 50” television, eight-person dining table and pantry with a wine cooler allow for various entertainment options.

Of course, the problem with staying in one of these suites may be the trip back to reality when you get home.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He usually stays in a standard room. 

The Sheraton Malpensa hotel offers day rates and extra amenities for air travelers.

By Mark Chesnut

In many parts of North America, it’s the time of year when travelers may find themselves spending more time in the airport than they’d like, thanks to winter storms, flight delays and cancellations. But relief may be closer than you think, when you check into one of the new generation of airport hotels that help passengers relax, rejuvenate and even conduct business, often without stepping a foot outside the terminal building.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, which is part of the main terminal building, has been named the best airport hotel in North America for the second year in a row, in the 2012 World Airport Awards. The property, which is fully soundproofed, has a full spa and fitness center to help travelers feel good, while the 8,800 square feet of meeting space allows business travelers to plan efficient fly in/fly out face time.

Runners-up in the awards include the Grand Hyatt DFW, where a $13 million renovation last year has brought even more allure to the property. Integrated with the International Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt DFW is accessible by SkyLink or Terminal Link. A business center and 45 meeting rooms mean that business travelers can stay productive, while the rooftop pool and spa provide ample opportunities for relaxation. The hotel even has an on-site Epicurean Studio cooking school, allowing travelers to leave with tasty tips for creating their own indulgences back home.

Another award-winner is the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which offers easy access to the Edward H. McNamara/World Gateway Terminal with its own private security entrance, as well as free 24-hour shuttle service to the North Terminal. A fitness center and 28 meeting rooms are among the offerings here.

Travelers looking for a bit of boutique chic near Los Angeles International Airport should consider the Custom Hotel, a Joie de Vivre boutique hotel that combines mod 1960s style with a convenient location. The property offers a free shuttle service to and from LAX daily, and features a bar and restaurant, two fitness centers, free Wi-Fi, wireless printing in the business center, on-site dry cleaning and pet-friendly accommodations.

Across the Atlantic, one of the best examples of an airport hotel designed to provide real travel relief is located in Italy. The Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport has 22 meeting rooms and an indoor swimming pool, as well as a bar, restaurant and hair salon that are all open to the public. Day rates are available for five- and eight-hour visits, making the hotel an ideal option for travelers with long layovers or travel delays. After a few hours in a spa or hotel pool, you might just forget about that canceled flight.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He loves airports as well as hotel beds. 

The Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee north offers space for socializing and working.

By Mark Chesnut

In years past, business trips inevitably meant lonely hours spent working in hotel rooms. But a new generation of hotel concepts—as well as non-hotel rentable work space—has brought fresh options to travelers who want to stay productive without being sequestered.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is among the companies paying a lot of attention to the changing work patterns of today’s business traveler. Through consumer research, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts learned that a large percentage of road warriors prefer to conduct business outside of their hotel room, so in 2006 the brand launched Link@Sheraton, a social space for doing work that’s now located in every Sheraton lobby—it’s something like a 21st-century version of the old business center.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, meanwhile, calls its new workspace Project Hive, and furnishes it with media:scape by Steelcase technology, floor-to-ceiling white boards, office supplies and room for small meetings. Starwood’s Four Foints by Sheraton brand has also invested heavily in addressing the new demands of business travelers, with lobbies that offer free WiFi and an ambiance that’s as conducive to socializing and interacting as it is to sitting in front of a computer.

Individual properties have also made strides in providing business-friendly yet social environments for working. In Miami Beach, the Surfcomber, a Kimpton Hotel recently unveiled The Docking Station, a so-called “Travel Lounge” that provides free Wi-Fi, enhanced bandwidth and the opportunity to buy food and drink by texting from your cell phone.

Outside of hotels, other options include companies like LooseCubes, OpenDesks and LiquidSpace, which help connect business travelers with temporary work space.

If all else fails, of course, there is still Starbucks.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He’s always looking for the nearest outlet.

The Andaz Wall Street is among the hotels in lower Manhattan that welcome upscale business travelers.

By Mark Chesnut

Hurricane Sandy was a tragedy on many levels, but lower Manhattan—one of the areas of New York City most affected by the storm—is back on track and welcoming guests, with reopened hotels and attractions.

Among the hotels that have reopened are the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park and the Wall Street Inn, which sits near the New York Stock Exchange and many corporate offices. At the Andaz Wall Street, a Hyatt Hotel,  guests are again indulging in farm-to-table cuisine at the hotel’s Wall & Water restaurant and Bar Seven Five. The Andaz’s annual Farmer’s Market—which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from early spring through late fall—had to close a bit early this year thanks to Sandy, but will be back when the weather warms up again in 2013.

Also up and running is Club Quarters Wall Street, a financial district hotel designed with a club-like atmosphere for business travelers. Located one block from Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, the hotel offers amenities including free Wi-Fi and free bottled water. At the stylish Smyth Tribeca, a Thompson Hotel, guests find themselves in an ideal spot between the Financial District, SoHo and the West Village, with on-site dining choices that include Thalassa, a bi-level eatery with an extensive selection of seafood.

Visitors will find that attractions are ready for business in lower Manhattan as well, whether they’re looking to plan New York vacations or a productive business trip with unique venues. The South Street Seaport Museum has reopened its doors, with two new exhibitions—”A Fisherman’s Dream: Folk Art by Mario Sanchez” and “Street Shots/NYC”, while institutions including the Skyscraper Museum, the Jewish Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian showcase the rich history not only of the Big Apple, but of the entire nation.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. The hurricane left him stranded for a week in Florida. 

Heading to New York for New Year’s? Check out the Punch Brothers at Bowery Ballroom.

By Steve Dollar

Every New Year’s Eve since 1907—save for a two-year gap during World War II—a glowing ball has dropped at midnight in Times Square, signaling the beginning of a new year. This December 31 is no exception, as a million celebrants are expected to gather in Manhattan’s neon crossroads. They’ll be entertained for a few hours, by the likes of Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen and K-Pop sensation PSY. And then, the ritual “10-9-8-7-6…” countdown begins.

Not everyone, obviously, wants to squeeze into a screaming crowd, no matter how much cheap champagne they’ve consumed. But there are more intimate crowds to party with—and all kinds of ways to revel before the skies erupt with light and the city echoes with choruses of Auld Lang Syne. Demand is high, so secure your tickets soon. (And if you’re traveling to New York for the festivities, make sure you have somewhere great to stay.)

1. The Punch Brothers at Bowery Ballroom. The adventurous string band, fronted by former Nickel Creek vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Thile, is notorious for its avant-bluegrass shindigs—and pure harmonies, even when covering Radiohead and hip-hop. The quintet closes a three-night stand at New York’s best small concert hall, taking over the annual gig from former stalwart headliner Patti Smith.

2. On the most festive night of the year, what could beat Bach? On a barge? In Brooklyn? The innovative outfit Bargemusic has presented live chamber music performances since 1977, welcoming audiences onboard a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Its last program of 2012 features Mark Peskanov (violin) and Steven Beck (piano), performing six Bach sonatas.

3. New York is the jazz capitol of the world and the late, great Charles Mingus was one of the music’s most singular giants. The Mingus Big Band, a long-running ensemble dedicated to the burly composer’s repertory, holds forth with boisterous blues anthems and walloping horns at the Jazz Standard (which also happens to share a killer BBQ menu with Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke, located upstairs from the city’s swankest jazz basement).

4. Maybe you want more variety—and pageantry. Dig deep into the closet, or maybe visit the costume shop, and get ready to masquerade at this revival of Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball. “Expect the surreal and the sublime in shades of black and white,” promises the website, which also offers details on appropriate dress. Entertainment includes some of the city’s finest postmodern Vaudeville artists, burlesque dancers and sideshow accordion-grinders.

5. You can also escape the city entirely…and go sailing through New York Harbor. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise isn’t cheap—$150 per head—but it offers an unparalleled perspective on midnight pyrotechnics. The three-hour trip includes an open bar, a DJ and dancing, and other party-starters.

Thinking about traveling to New York? Check out our complete travel guide to the city.

“Hobbiton,” also known as Matamata, Waikato, New Zealand.  Photo source: Rob & Jules.

No, this week’s Foto Friday pick isn’t a country revival painting–you’re looking at a hobbit-hole view of the idyllic New Zealand countryside. The farming town of Matamata played host to the Lord of the Rings series and takes up the task again in the upcoming The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The best part? You can feed your Hobbit fever and visit Matamata and the set of The Hobbit! The set is preserved, and year-round tours serve visitors looking to capture the magic of the Shire.

The Tryp by Wyndham Panama Centro is one of the newest hotels in Panama City, Panama.

By Mark Chesnut

Panama’s capital, Panama City, is a metropolis on the move. With an expanded international airport, an eye-catching new museum by a world-famous architect and an increasingly restored historic center among its ongoing projects—not to mention the massive plans to widen the Panama Canal—this Latin American hotspot is preparing to welcome more business and leisure travelers than ever. So it’s no surprise that an array of new hotels are rising in the city center, to better serve the needs of a decidedly international clientele. Here’s a quick guide to what you shouldn’t miss.

Must-See: Panama City’s Casco Antiguo, a historic district that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dotted with gorgeous, eclectic architecture that’s being increasingly being restored, with interesting restaurants serving as good places for business meetings as well as a night out on the town. Also a must-see is the legendary Panama Canal, which will be expanded by 2014; the Miraflores visitor center—which is also slated for expansion—is the best place to view the locks. Another important attraction is about to open in 2013: the BioMuseo, an eye-catching biodiversity museum that’s the first work in Latin America designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry.

Must-Stay: Among the newest noteworthy hotels in Panama City is the TRYP by Wyndham Panama Centro, which offers one of the city’s best combinations of value, amenities and location, with free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and free access to the rooftop pool and gym included in its reasonable room rates.

Travelers looking for an amazing view of the water should consider the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower, which opened last year in an iconic, 70-story tower on the city’s coast. The five swimming pools are reason enough to stay here, but the view from the rooms are truly amazing as well—and the stylish decor and sumptuous dining options a plus.

For a luxurious vibe that just might make you feel like you’re staying at your own private residence, check into The Bristol Panama, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World that this year debuted a new tower with posh suites, a beautiful lounge, gym, spa and rooftop pool. And if a beach is what you’re after, the closest hotel is the Westin Playa Bonita, a new luxury property that opened a few months ago, just across the Panama Canal. With multiple restaurants, a large spa and an attractive stretch of sand, it’s makes for an easy getaway from the hustle and bustle of Central America’s fastest-growing city.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on travel to Latin America. He just got back from Panama and had a great time.