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Why Visit Europe this Winter? Here's 9 Reasons

It’s no secret that winter in Europe is stunning, and the key to ensuring the most memorable experience is to let the best people plan your trip. Here are several reasons why you should jump out of  hibernation and head to Europe on a Contiki tour this winter, along with a few tour suggestions:

1. Crowds - The summer crowds are gone.  Fewer tourists mean you will get to experience cities as the locals do.  No standing in long lines to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, or the Roman Forum and Colosseum in Rome.
2. Authentic Experiences - You can’t get more authentic than the Christmas markets, festivals and carnivals that take place all around Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
3. Entertainment - Opera, theater, and symphony seasons are in full effect.
4. Adventure - For winter sports enthusiasts, it is prime snow season! Contiki offers seven and 14 day vacation packages to Hopfgarten, Austria where you can ski, snowboard, ice skate or take a sleigh ride through the beautiful countryside. 
5. Hofbräuhaus - So, you couldn’t make it to Oktoberfest, but you can still enjoy the beer, the food and the Bavarian oompah band.  Munich is one of the many exciting stops on Contiki’s European Inspiration tour.
6. Spanish Beauty - Spain comes alive in September.  From Barcelona, to Madrid, to Seville, winter is the best time for shopping and exploring.  If you’re looking to get a little spicy this winter, check out Contiki’s Spanish Spree tour.
7. Time to Break Tradition - Dick Clark will be around for a few more years, so why not party it up with the locals in Dam Square in Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve!?  It is as big a celebration as Times Square in New York with the addition of fireworks.
8. A Little Romance - Paris on Valentine’s Day- how much more romantic can you get!?
9. The Shopping - Italy is always top of mind when it comes to shopping.  Milan is world renowned for design and fashion, and the entire area surrounding the famous Spanish Steps in Rome is a shopper’s dream come true.
10. Packages - deals are a steal during this season.

Source: Contiki Vacations, the worldwide leader in unique travel packages for 18 to 35-year-olds. View Contiki’s Europe Winter 2009-2010 brochure here.

 

For more travel ideas from RTM, visit our Travel Channel.

 

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Do the Private Island Math: Little Whale Cay

Most people don't think about renting an entire island for that special occasion. It would be too expensive, out of the question. Well…not true. If a group of 10 to 12 rented the entire island of Little Whale Cay in the Bahamas, having it all to themselves for 5 nights, it's less expensive than you would think. Let's do the math.

What do you get? Little Whale Cay, a private island paradise set in the heart of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, replete with accommodations, a superb main beach stretching endlessly, a marina with a flotilla of boats for sailing, cruising, fishing, water-skiing, off-island excursions, spa and gym facilities, sea-view infinity edged pool, tennis court, and even a chapel. Plus, a top notch chef and dedicated staff, whose job is to watch over the guests.

It accommodates up to 12 guests in 3 individual, elegant villas, privately set on 93 acres, skirted by white, unspoiled, sandy beaches. Villas are all air-conditioned, with flat screen TVs, DVD players, WiFi and telephones; Little Whale House, the main house and usually the popular gathering place, is equipped with a bar and satellite fed flat screen TV, 2 en-suite bedrooms, one double bedded and 1 king master suite, study with computer, spacious living room, dining room and terrace. Flamingo House has 4 bedrooms, 2 en-suite queen bedded rooms, one twin and 1 queen that share a bath, living room and terrace, and Peacock House with a king en-suite master bedroom, living room and terrace. Houses are connected by pathways but sheltered for privacy.

At first glance, the price of $9,500 per day for up to 12 with a minimum of 5 nights seems pretty scary. But, that is $3750 per person for a five night vacation on a private island including accommodations, food, drinks (including spirits and house wines), and the use of all island facilities, boats, fuel, telephone calls and WiFi Internet connection in each guest house. Now, if the group should book a hotel for 12 people for 5 nights, they would get rooms, not an island, for maybe $2,000 per person (at $400 per night) not including food, certainly not spirits, or sports, or boating.

Little Whale is truly a discovery for friends and families. There are few resorts, never mind private islands that offer luxury and privacy for such a price. It’s not the most practical destination, but it’s a lot more practical than you’d think.

(Source: Morano PR)

For more luxurious vacations, visit RTM's Luxury Travel Section.

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Take a 90210-Flavored Trip

Planning to visit the Los Angeles area this summer?  There are many tourist attractions to choose from, but the adventures must include some celebrity hangouts from one of the area's television staples!  

With 90210: The Complete First Season making its DVD debut August 11th, it is time to plan the perfect vacation that includes all of the trendiest (and historic) places LA has to offer.  Whether its food, shopping, sight-seeing or just plain-old fun, the show has seen and featured it all - and here is the travel guide to live like the stars of 90210!

• Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills) - Live by the code with the most famous shopping street in California that spans three blocks and features more than 100 world-renowned boutiques and hotels.
• Robertson Blvd. (West Hollywood - Beverly Hills) - A haven for celebrity dining and shopping, no trip to LA is complete without a meal at The Ivy and a visit to all the boutiques.
• Lucky Strike Lanes (Hollywood) - A great place to have fun with the whole family or even just some friends, it's the trendiest bowling spot around.   
• Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica) - Enjoy the beach, go surfing and then visit the pier for some great food and fun; a ride on the iconic ferris wheel is a must!    
• Nobu (West Hollywood) - No trip to LA is complete without a meal at Nobu, where everything on the menu is great and the sushi bar is a favorite of Naomi's.

(Source: Courtney Dolliver, Bender/Helper Impact)

 

For more vacation ideas from RTM, visit the Luxury Travel Section.

 

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Three of the World's Most Luxurious Resorts

Las Ventanas (Los Cabos, Mexico): Since its opening in 1997, Las Ventanas has met critical acclaim as one of Mexico’s most exceptional resorts. Featuring 71 spacious suites that welcome guests with in-room tequila, fresh fruit, and personal butler service, Las Ventanas pampers until one’s heart is content.

Cap Juluca (Anguilla, West Indies): Situated on the southwest coast of Anguilla and overlooking Maundays Bay and the mountains of St. Maarten, Cap Juluca blends the flavors of Dutch and French St. Maarten – transcending simple tranquility with Moorish-style beachfront villas.  

Villa Feltrinelli (Lake Garda, Italy):

The Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli’s distinctive guest rooms and suites are individually decorated and feature hand-printed Venetian paper, in-room music panel and heated marble bathroom floors. Tour the ancient home from the Library to the Salon, garnering dramatic views over Lake Garda.

Visit RTM's Luxury Travel Section for more hotel reviews.

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How to Fly First Class For No More Than Coach

Fly first class for no more than coach? Not only is it possible, such fares are available all the time, says Unpublished Airfare Analyst Matthew Bennett. Bennett, also known as "Mr. Upgrade," has launched a web site that posts free and low-cost upgrade deals on dozens of domestic and international airlines — firstclassflyer.com. "Since first and business class travelers represent less than 20 percent of the total airline passenger market, not much has been done to identify these little-known offers," said Mr. Upgrade. "Our job at firstclassflyer.com is to continually research all those elusive specials. They're available — if you know where to look. If there's a deal out there that will get our subscribers an upgrade, we'll find it."

First Class Flyer's paid subscription service will have you sitting pretty, knowing you booked the best seats and value for your money.

For more air travel advice, visit RTM's Airline Rules Section.

Top Five Over the Top Cool Hotel Pools

From the world's largest in Chile to the most unexpected in New York to the most luxurious in Beverly Hills to the most Hollywood-esque in Barcelona, these pools are a pool-dwellers dream. If the first thing you check out following hotel check-in is the watery oasis that comes with your stay, you've gotta see these:  

 

San Alfonso Del Mar Resort, Chile: The Guiness World Record’s largest pool covers more than 20 acres of transparent ocean water so crystal clear you can see the bottom even in the 115-foot deep end. Hotel guests can even use kayaks and small boats to navigate its waters, which are filtered directly from the bordering Pacific Ocean.

Altitude at SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills: Situated on the sixth floor of the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, these two whimsical pools are an oasis above the busy downtown L.A. scene. The first pool is a reflecting pool with chaise lounges resting in the shallow end, giving guests the look of floating over water.

 

The Pooldeck at The Empire Hotel, Manhattan: A hidden gem above busy Broadway on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this bi-level Pooldeck is replete with linen curtains, day-beds, ceiling fans, LCD televisions, iPod docking stations, mini refrigerators, telephones and wireless internet access.

 

Angels & Kings Pooldeck, ME Barcelona: This picturesque location's pool has movie projections displayed over the water as well as through the waterfall feature in the center of the pool. During the evenings, the space turns into the city’s hottest nightspot, with a stage for impromptu karaoke battles. 

 

Room Mate Grace, New York: In the heart of Times Square, this hotel has the most unusual and unexpected pool in the city. As guests walk into the lobby of the property, they are greeted by a chic, brightly neon-colored pool with its very own swim up bar.

 

For Luxury Travel information from RTM, click here.

Tropical Girlfriends Getaway in St. Petersburg, Florida

By Sue Mead

Imagine a tropical island experience complete with velvety beaches, towering palms, vivid-hued flowers, delectable dining, winding beach pathways and dunes ... that’s what we found at the TradeWinds Beach Resort & Conference Center in St. Petersburg, Florida on our “Girlfriends Getaway". The Tradewinds pulls out all the stops, with two resorts on the island of St. Pete Beach, in the Gulf of Mexico: the larger Island Grand Resort; and the smaller, more intimate property, the Sandpiper Hotel & Suites.

What sets this resort apart are the elements that combine to let you create exactly what you want for your getaway. Take part in a wide array of day-time activities and nightlife offered at both resorts, or explore places of peaceful and tropical ambience. Explore the Island Grand’s meandering waterway encumbered by exotic natural life, or the The Grand Palm Colonnade, an 8,000-square foot garden atrium.

The Island Grand has pools, whirlpools, beach volleyball, a three-story inflatable slide, banana boats, wave runners, water trykes, and parasailing. Snorkeling, dolphin watch cruises, fishing charters and boat rentals are all available. The property is like a town of paradise, with a fitness facility, mini-golf, life-size chess, tennis courts, a business center, shops, a full-service salon and spa, restaurants, bars, on-the-go eateries, a coin laundry and dry cleaning. Guests also have access to 20 pristine acres of St. Pete Beach, a hub of cultural activities from art festivals to musical events.

A pet-friendly atmosphere is supported by a number of Pet Friendly Suites. Pets enjoy a true resort experience, with an “unleashed” Pet Play Zone, designated dog walk area, and a complimentary Doggie Accessory Center. The TradeWinds Resorts also cater to eco-savvy tourists. The TradeWinds resorts are designated as Two Palm Certified Green Lodges, and St. Pete Beach received the Blue Wave Award.

The resort is about 45 minutes from Tampa International Airport, and 25 minutes from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. For reviews and booking, click here.

For more getaway ideas, go to RTM’s What Women Want section.

Celebrate Summer with a Private Beach Vacation

Sitting on a beach crammed full of people, ducking out of the way of flying Frisbees doesn’t really sound like a relaxing vacation. Still, if you are looking for a tropical beach getaway, a private beach might be just what the doctor ordered. Picture you and your sweetheart relaxing on a white sandy beach underneath the palm trees with not another soul in sight, now we are talking!

If this is what you are looking for your next getaway, here is a look at Hideaways International has the top 10 private beaches;

The Beach House, Palmetto Point, Barbuda
Tucked away on largely undeveloped Barbuda, this simple and simply perfect hideaway sits on a private lagoon, just steps from a tranquil slice of the Caribbean.

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa, French Polynesia
You can't resist the charms of this enchanting resort on the private isle of Motu Toopua, with its overwater bungalows and the powder-soft white sand in perfect arcs of palm-fringed beach.

Click here for the complete list of private beaches on RTM.

Fly First Class at a Coach Price

Flying first class for no more than coach is no longer a travelers dream, it’s a reality. Such fares are available all the time, you just need to know where to find them. First Class Flyer is an online service that free and low-cost upgrade deals on dozens of domestic and international flights.

The web site specializes in special business and first class travel opportunities, such as:

• Free upgrades for business travelers when flying full-fare with various airlines
• How to fly Business Class to Europefor less than $1,000
• Low-cost upgrades when not flying full-fare
• How to get an Elite status card on seven major airlines
• Two-for-one tickets on more than 22 airlines
• How to manage your Frequent Flyer miles to get First and Business Class tickets for half price
• How you can fly front cabin without getting an upgrade

Click here for more on first-class travel from RTM.