Dunnan's Daily Travel Tip
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July 2009
¤ Summer Savings In Lehigh Valley (PA)
Your summer vacation won’t break the bank if you take advantage of Lehigh Valley’s new S.O.S. (Summer of Savings) Web-based travel promotion.
More than 50 area hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops are offering a wide range of discounts through Labor Day weekend.
Discounts are arranged in six categories: Activities, Arts & Culture, Lodging, Restaurants, Shopping and Services. The terrific deals include reduced price admission, buy-one-get-one-free, a percentage off a meal or purchase and more.
Particulars: www.lehighvalleypa.org/visitors/specialoffers/travelpackages.
Once you’re on the site you can download and print out the discount coupons. Then present the coupon when placing an order or making a purchase, at the time of admission to an attraction, or when making a room reservation in order to receive the discount.
About Lehigh Valley...
The Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania is located along the state border with New Jersey and is approximately one hour north of Philadelphia and an hour-and-a-half west of New York City.
It is home to the three cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton and is the state’s third largest metro region.
For a Lehigh Valley Map & Guide, call 800-747-0561 or visit www.LehighValleyPA.org.
June 2009
¤ New York City Hotel Packages: Reduced Prices!
TravelSmart’s number one choice when it comes to New York hotel and theater packages is New York City Vacation Packages. Our readers continually tell us about their fine experiences with the company.
We just received word that for a limited time, prices have been reduced for select dates through March 2010. And the lower prices are for popular midtown hotels, including the Waldorf-Astoria and several Marriotts.
You can add on tickets to a Broadway Show, such as “Jersey Boys,” “Wicked” or “Chicago.
All packages include:
- Accommodations for 2-nights or longer at a midtown Manhattan hotel
- All state and local taxes
- Free admissions to popular New York City sites and attractions, including several museums.
The lowest priced package: The 4-star Sheraton New York has a 2-night package starting at just $253 per person, including taxes.
Particulars: www.nyctrip.com.
¤ Bike Rentals Available In 140+ US & Canadian Cities
You can now rent a bike in most major cities. Simply go to www.RentaBikeNow.com, select a destination, the dates involved and the type of bike you would like. You can rent a comfort bike, a road bike, a mountain bike, a kid’s bike, recumbents and even kid’s trailers.
The Web site has bike photos and specs, price ranges and shop hours and locations as well as information on bike tours with maps of the best biking routes at your destination.
You must make a refundable reservation deposit fee, using PayPal or a credit card.
Note: You pay the balance when you pick up your bike. You must cancel 7 days in advance to get a full deposit refund.
George Gill, president and founder of RentaBikeNow, told TravelSmart: “As the environment, gas prices and health awareness continue to make headlines, it’s exciting to provide a service that addresses these critical issues. Our company has made biking more easily available for enthusiasts and casual cyclists alike.”
¤ Military: $50 Off at Virginia's Lansdowne Resort
Peter Farone, Managing Partner at the resort, told TravelSmart that “we wanted to do something special for all our Active military serving our country. Each and every staff person would be honored to serve these dedicated individuals by providing our over the top service and the perfect setting for a family or friends getaway.”
And so the Lansdowne is offering $50 off to those who show an Active Military ID at check-in on its many packages.
The elegant Lansdowne Resort, on 500+ acres pf secluded countryside, has 296 guest rooms and suites and is less than an hour from Washington (DC) and just 15 minutes from Dulles International Airport. It is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate or refresh with family and friends. With 45 holes of championship golf, a spa, fitness center, a 5-pool aquatic complex and five restaurants, you can unwind and enjoy the $50 discount.
Our favorite package:
“The Sounds Of Summer Concert.” It starts at $199/room/night and includes food and drink tickets, VIP concert seating and a donation to the USO. For an additional charge, the resort provides a kids’ night out option, in which children can enjoy dinner and a movie while the parents sit under the stars.
Particulars: Call 877-509-8400 or visit www.lansdowneresort.com.
¤ Hotel Monaco Portland (OR) & The "Carless Vacation"
Portland (OR) was recently named the "Most Bike Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists. And to encourage biking, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco came up with the "Carless Vacation Package."
It includes:
- Deluxe overnight accommodations
- Reimbursement for Trimet MAX Light Rail passes between the airport and hotel
- Access to the hotel's complimentary bikes
- A three hour "Historic Downtown" bike tour with Pedal Bike Tours
- Two $10 vouchers for post-tour drinks and snacks from the sustainable kitchen of chef Tom Dunklin at Red Star Tavern & Roast House, adjacent to Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Portland
Rates start at $249, based on double occupancy. For each additional person, there is a $50 charge, per person, per night. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Craig Thompson, general manager of the hotel, told TravelSmart: "We are offering this package for the growing number of eco-conscious travelers that want to share in the local experience by viewing our stunning parks, rivers, bridges and city streets by bike."
Particulars: The Hotel Monaco Portland (part of the extremely well run Kimpton group) is located in the heart of downtown at 506 SW Washington Street. For information or reservations, call (503) 222-0001 or visit www.monaco-portland.com.
¤ Kids’ Restaurant Week
Your kids may like hot dogs and French fries but you crave sautéed salmon with wild rice and mushrooms.
Three cities -- Chicago, New York and Washington and two sponsors (Cookie and Gourmet magazines) have come up with the solution: Kids’ Restaurant Week.
The prix-fixe menu for adults is $29; kids 11 and under pay their age -- provided you dine between 5 and 7pm.
Dates:
June 13-21 in Washington (DC)
June 20-28 in Chicago and New York
Particulars: www.kidsrestaurantweek.com
¤ Vienna, Prague or Budapest: Only $799 With Airfare
This “City Steal" winter package, which must be booked before August 1, is valid for travel between November 1 and December 10, 2009 and then again from January 4 to March 21, 2010.
It includes roundtrip economy class air from either New York (JFK) or Washington, DC (IAD), three hotel nights hotel in the city you select (Vienna, Prague or Budapest), daily buffet breakfast and hotel service charges and taxes.
Travel is valid any day of the week, subject to availability - no weekend surcharge applies. All hotels are centrally located, superior tourist class properties.
Bram Majtlis, president of Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, told TravelSmart: “This special package price (yes, it’s actually $80 less than last year!) is only available for a limited period… So start planning your Thanksgiving in Budapest, Valentine’s Day in Vienna or President’s day in Prague – and get an unprecedented bargain!"
$TIP: To upgrade your City Steal Package to a first class, four-star hotel, add $140 per person; ask about a five-star package.
Note: The package must be paid in full within 7 days after reservations are confirmed, and no later than 14 days prior to departure. Once confirmed, the package is non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be changed. Minimum stay is 3 nights or one Saturday overnight and maximum stay in Europe is 30 days. Package includes fuel surcharges but do not include US Customs / INS / Aphis fees / International Transportation Tax / Passenger Facility Charges / Civil Aviation Security Fee / domestic and foreign Security and Airport Charges of approximately $145.
Particulars: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center: 800-790-4682 or www.austrianair-vacations.com.
¤ Double Points At Choice Hotels International
After every qualifying stay at any MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn in the U.S. and Canada, you will automatically earn double Choice Privileges rewards points. The double points deal runs through August 13.
Combined with value-conscious nightly rates, free breakfast and free Internet access, this summer promotion will leave extra cash in your wallet for entertainment and fun.
Particulars:
To be eligible, you must join Choice Privilege (which is free) and then book your stay at www.choicehotels.com or by calling 800-4-CHOICE.
¤ New Gray Line Washington (DC) Tour With 'Two-for-One' Summer Offer
The new, 2-hour “Taste of DC" bus tour, which begins at Union Station, is an excellent bargain, at only $22/adult and $11/child.
$ Tip: Book this tour online for dates prior to August 30, 2009 and take advantage of the "Two-for-One" summer promo!
The tour takes you to the Capitol, the White House, World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian Museums.
It ends with a stop between the Air and Space Museum and the Native American Museum, or you can go back to Union Station.
Particulars: www.grayline.com/washingtondc.
Note: Tickets are available at Gray Line's Union Station kiosk located on the second floor bus level or at any Gray Line retail location throughout the city.
¤ Brandywine Valley & Sweetwater Farm B&B
Our "Checking In" columnist, Ward Morehouse, recently stayed at this charming inn, nestled on 50 rolling acres of meadows midway between Philadelphia and Wilmington. The beautifully decorated rooms are located in an 1815 Georgian manor house and 7 adjacent secluded guest cottages. All have private baths and AC.
Rates start at just $135 per night (for a dormer room) and include a 3-course gourmet breakfast, served in the manor house or on the outdoor patio.
Particulars: www.sweetwaterfarmbb.com.
Ward recommends having dinner at the historic Pace One Restaurant (610-459-3702) several miles away, in Thornton.
Note: Sweetwater Farm is ideal for fall foliage visits and for its proximity to the Brandywine River Museum (www.brandywinemuseum.org), home of three generations of Wyeth paintings, and the magnificent 1,050 acre Longwood Gardens (www.longwoodgardens.org).
Longwood, formerly a historic arboretum, was purchased by Pierre S. DuPont in 1906 to save it from being sold for lumber. Today it has 11,000 different types of plants, magnificent fountains, four acres of heated greenhouses and a great gift shop and cafe.
Sooner or later, everyone winds up at the Empire State Building in New York City –- or they should because the views are spectacular.
That's a no brainer. But where to have lunch or dinner afterwards presents a dilemma, especially for out-of-town visitors. New Yorkers, however, know about Meli Melo, the delightful bistro on Madison Avenue, near 30th Street. Here chef/owner Bernard Ros, who was born in France near the Italian border, presents sophisticated French dishes with a Mediterranean accent in an elegant yet casual atmosphere.
There's a great long bar, a full dining room, plus tables by the windows in the front where you can watch the crowds pass by. The flowers and art are especially appealing.
Everything, and we mean everything, is fresh. The fish, pasta and Angus steak are excellent, as are the vegetables. On our most recent visit, we dined on tomato soup, asparagus salad, and swordfish with spinach. This was followed by New York City's best crème brulee. The house Chardonnay was way, way above average. And, Bernard gives you a generous amount of wine in a generous size glass -- not just a paltry inch of liquid, which is always irritating.
No loud music. No shrieking diners. Only fine food and fine service.
Bring quarters for the binoculars mounted on the outside Observation Deck on the 86th floor. Most spectacular times: Sunset and when the stars are out.
