Need a Deal for the Holidays -- Try New York City as "New York Times" Reports

New York City -- An Enchanting place to spend the Holidays!

Ever since I watched the movie "Home Alone" I have always wanted to spend Christmas in New York City with my family.  It just seems like the perfect place to take in Holiday Spirit and Cheer even if it is only a once in a lifetime trip (that is getting the entire family together would be really a once in a lifetime occasion).  I know, many of you are wondering why New York?  Yes, it is considered a busy city with its problems that most large cities have; however, I have been told that it is a wonderful place during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Allison Busacca  of the New York Times, reports, some travel deals for New York city during the holidays.  Please see the information below:

• GEM HOTELS:  A collection of moderately-priced hotels in SOHO, Chelsea, and Midtown West, these hotels are normally priced at $219.00 a night; however, from November 20 to 29 and December 13 to 29, they are offering $139.00.  This hot deal is being called the Cool Yule deal.  For more information and to book a room go to:  www.thegemhotel.com/coolyule

A True New York Holiday:  Lots of People, Traffic and Christmas Spirit

by parrot201

TripAdvisor -- North America's Top 10 Wine Destinations

TripAdvisor Toasts North America's

Top 10 Wine Destinations

According to TripAdvisor editors travelers are particularly interested in wineries this fall. They have noticed the search term "vineyards" up 10 percent over the past six weeks, compared to the same period last year.

In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. respondents, 48 percent plan to visit a U.S. vineyard this year, with 40 percent planning to do this fall. Travelers are most interested in visiting California favorites Napa Valley (29 percent) and Sonoma (18 percent), with the Finger Lakes, New York and Willamette Valley, Oregon tied for third place with eight percent. When it comes to good taste, 59 percent prefer red wine, 43 percent want white and 12 percent request rose.

Napa Valley, California

Wonderful scenery and large-scale wineries.

Top Value hotel in Napa, California: Chablis Inn -- Average nightly rate: $114

Sonoma, California

Napa's neighbor makes Sonoma an enchanting wine destination.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Good for pinot noirs, Willamette Valley, one of Oregon's majority wine-growing regions.

Top Value hotel in Eugene, Oregon: Broadway Inn -- Average nightly rate: $82

Yakima Valley, Washington

Oldest wine region in Washington

Roseburg, Oregon

South of Willamett Valley, Roseburg has slightly warmer climate and is situated in the Umpqua Valley.

Top Value hotel in Roseburg, Oregon: Quality Inn Central -- Average nightly rate: $80

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Sweet dessert ice wines are what you will find in this wine region. Featuring more than 100 different wineries.

Finger Lakes, New York

New York's largest wine-producing region with its ideal conditions for growing a range of varietals.

Top Value hotel in Auburn, New York: Inn at the Finger Lakes -- Average nightly rate $94

Traverse City, Michigan

An important wine-growing region in the Midwest as a majority of the grapes are grown near the shores of Lake Michigan. Baco noir, cabernet franc, and others.

North Fork, Long Island, N.Y.

4,000 acres of vineyards and excellent fresh seafood and produce

Top Value hotel in Riverhead, New York: Holiday Inn Express East End -- Average nightly rate: $188

Oak Grove, Virginia

Virginia has a rich wine history dating back to Jefferson's Monticello wines in the 1770s.

TripAdvisor.com

Hotels.com -- U.S. Hotel Prices Drop 17%

According to hotels.com

U.S. Hotel Prices Drop 17%

The latest hotels.com Hotel Price Index(TM), the average price of a hotel room in the U.S. fell 17 percent in the first six months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. During Q1 and Q2 of 2009, the average cost of a nightly hotel room was $115, down from $139 the year before.

"This is by far the most significant change in prices we've seen since we created the Hotel Price Index. Americans' travel dollars have never gone farther than in 2009," said David Roche, President of hotels.com.

U.S. is not alone in regards to the fall in room rates as hotel rooms in Europe were down 16 percent, rates in North America and Asia both declining 17 percent, and hotel prices in Latin America fell 18 percent for the first half of the year.

Other notable findings in regards to U.S. destinations include:

Las Vegas overtook New York City as the favorite domestic destination for U.S. travelers in the first half of 2009, with room rates in the city just $82 a night on average. Destinations rounding out the top five U.S. favorites included New York City, Orlando, Chicago and San Francisco.

Las Vegas and New York City both experienced the nation's greatest drop in room rates with each destination down 30 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

Among the states, New York was the most expensive destination, followed by Hawaii, Massachusetts and Wyoming, whose ski tourism helped boost hotel prices in the state. The nation's least expensive states in the first half of 2009 included Nevada, with room rates just $77 on average, Idaho and Kansas.

For international travelers visiting the United States, New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco were the top destinations in Q1 and Q2 2009.

Hotels.com -- Record Breaking Fall Sale

Hotels.com Offers Record Breaking Sales for the Fall

There are nearly 2,000 properties on sale in more than 100 destinations with savings up to 50 percent. Hotels.com is celebrating the season of foliage, fairs and football with the largest Fall Sale in the company's history.

"Fall is one of the best times to travel since it lands between two heavy tourism seasons - summer and the holidays. Travelers can find some of the year's deepest hotel discounts with rates often much lower than other months," said Carl Sparks, general manager of hotels.com. "Plus with great weather, beautiful fall scenery, and an abundance of sporting events, fairs and festivals there's plenty to see and do in almost every destination."

The Fall Sale offers up to 50 percent off in select hotels in Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas and Miami, as well as free nights at participating hotels in New York, Dallas, and Orlando. Also, in addition to great rates, guests may also receive added perks including resort credits, food and beverage gift certificates, and more.

Guest must book by October 12, 2009, for stays through October 19, 2009. For additional information and details on the promotion go to: www.hotels.com/fallsale

Sample of Fall Foliage and Fairs:

Boston: The Westin Boston Waterfront

4 star, 4.3 hotels.com guest rating, 88% recommended

Save up to 30%, Sale rates from $132

Denver: Hotel Monaco Denver -- A Kimpton Hotel

4 star, 4.5 hotels.com guest rating, 94% recommended

Save up to 20%, Sale rates from $135

Seattle: Fairmont Olympic Hotel

5 star, 4.7 hotels.com guest rating, 94% recommended

Save 40%, Sale rates from $179

Santa Fe: Villas de Santa Fe

2.5 star, 4.5 hotels.com guest rating, 95% recommended

Save up to 50% Sale rates from $100

Football Destinations and City Escapes:

Austin: Radisson Hotel Austin -- Town Lake

3.5 Star, 4.0 hotels.com guest rating, 81% recommended

Save 40%, Sale rates from $131

Miami: Pelican Hotel

3.5 stars, 4.6 hotels.com guest rating, 100% recommended

Fourth night free, Sale rates from $120

San Francisco: Hotel Adagio a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel

3.5 star, 4.4 hotels.com guest rating, 90% recommended

Save up to 30%, Sale rates from $123

New York: On the Ave Hotel

3.5 star, 4.4 hotels.com guest rating, 92% recommended

Save 20%, Sale rates from $219

A minimum night stay may be required for some Fall Sale Rates. For more information go to www.hotels.com/fallsale.

New York Shopping -- VIP Luxury Shopping DeLuxe Card

New York Shopping -- Luxury Shopping DeLuxe Card


New York City distinctive hotels and luxury stores work hand in hand putting together a VIP card for tourists.  While shopping in partner luxury stores cardholders will benefit from:

• discounts
• luxury gifts
• glass of champagne
• sparkling water
• limited editions
• access to private showrooms
• invitations to fashion shows and more

For more info. go to http://www.luxuryshoppingdeluxecard.com/ or check out the video below from mojo212022