Summer Travel

Think you can't afford to get away this summer? Don't think so quick. TripAdvisor recently announced its new "Great Escapes" tool at www.tripadvisor.com/takeoff. With this tool you can find low-cost getaways by air or by car. The Great Escapes trip-planning resource gives you options of up to ten great air and car getaways from your point of origin, based on the lowest priced flight and popularity of the driving destination (popularity determined according to the millions of TripAdvisor travelers).

Here is a sampling of some Great Summer Escapes for less than $199*:Read more

Best Western just announced a new promotion for members of Best Western Rewards loyalty program. From June 21 through August 16, members of Best Western Rewards loyalty program who stay two separate times at any Best Western hotel in the U.S. and Canada will receive a voucher redeemable for a free night at many of its hotels globally. In addition, travelers who book each reservation through www.bestwestern.com earn 250 bonus points, and those who redeem their free night even earn qualifying Rewards points during their stay.

How it works:

• A 16,000 point electronic voucher good for a free night at many Best Western properties will be awarded to every Rewards member who completes two separate qualifying stays at any of the 2,200 Best Western hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
• A maximum of two vouchers can be earned during the promotion. Vouchers are combinable and can be used any night of the week, based upon availability.
• Points will be rewarded to travelers even during nights redeemed with the voucher.
• Every reservation made online at www.bestwestern.com will also earn 250 bonus points.
• To be eligible for the promotion, guests must register at www.bestwesternrewards.com, and reside in North America, South America or Asia.

Are you looking for an affordable vacation this summer? Visit a National Park this summer. ARAMARK Parks and Destinations just announced new discounts in conjunction with the National Park Service's Fee-Free Weekends. During the weekends of June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16, 2009, in addition to receiving free entrance to the National Park, visitors can also get deals on tours, lodging and retail specials at select national park destinations.

Deals for travelers during the weekends of June 20 and 21, July 18 and 19, and August 15 and 16, 2009, include:

Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

• Full-day Rainbow Bridge Scenic Cruise: Buy one ticket and receive the second ticket at a 50% discount. Valid dates: June 20 and 21, July 18 and 19, August 15 and 16, and September 26, 2009. To make a reservation, call (888) 486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com for more information.

Summer is in full swing now that June is here. If you have yet to plan your summer vacation, or just want to get away at the spur of the moment, Marriott has announced a Deal of the Day program, giving you up to 60 percent off of their regular rates. Better hurry though...Deal of the Day offers end on June 12th! The special rates and packages can be found on the company's Twitter feed and www.Marriottdealoftheday.com.

One new "Deal" will be featured each day, for 24 hours, at resorts in the Caribbean, Hawaii and California. New deals will be announced daily at 7 am EDT, Monday through Friday, with the last deal announced June 12.

Today's (June 1st) Deal of the Day is from the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. Guests can book a room with a private balcony for $120 per night -- a 55 percent discount -- for stays of three nights or more through July 31, 2009. The resort is located on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach and also features a turtle lagoon and tropical gardens with walkways and private seating areas.

To book, visit www.Marriottdealoftheday.com. Check back in less than 24 hours for the next vacation Deal of the Day.

Universal Orlando Resort just announced a new summer vacation offer. For less than $34 per person, per night, they have a new Kids Free Package - which gives your kids free, unlimited theme park admission with a stay of four nights or more at a hotel near Universal. For only $28 more per person, per night - or a total of $62 - you can upgrade to an on-site hotel and receive complimentary Universal Express access to skip the regular lines at theme park rides and attractions just by showing your hotel room key.

The Kids Free Off-Site Package starts at $533 for four nights for a family of four at a hotel near Universal (that's less than $34 per night!) And, kids ages 3-9 get free theme park admission. The package also includes transportation to and from Universal's theme parks. The offer must be booked by July 31, 2009 and is valid for travel through October 8, 2009.Read more

Best Western is kicking-off warm-weather travel by rewarding guests that vacation during the spring with a gift card to use on their summer travel. Best Western Rewards members who stay twice during the spring will get a $50 Best Western Travel Card that can be redeemed at more than 4,000 Best Western hotels worldwide on their next vacation.

To earn the $50 Travel Card, guests must register for the promotion at www.bestwestern.com/jump and stay at least twice between April 6 and June 14, 2009.

Also, guests who participate in the promotion can earn 250 bonus points, up to a total of 500 points, each time their hotel is booked online at www.bestwestern.com.

For base Best Western Reward members to be eligible for the promotion, they must register at www.bestwestern.com/jump, and reside in North America, South America, South Africa, China or Asia. All other Best Western Rewards members belonging to Speed Rewards, Ride Rewards, AAA, CAA or AARP must reside in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean Islands and register for the promotion. Those who are not already members may join the program prior to or during their first stay. Membership is free.