Summer Travel Hot Spots
With so many destinations available for summer travel, the decision-making can become intimidating — especially when it comes to picking an enjoyable, affordable vacation.
Diane Brancella, director of Sales and Promotions at Liberty Travel, recommends a Caribbean holiday.
Many of the Caribbean islands are offering island-wide discount deals this summer, which in some cases amount to a savings of 40-50 percent off winter prices, according to Brancella.
In Barbados, for example, they are offering a Â"Barbados Super SaverÂ" program which includes one night free for a five-day booking, round trip airport transfers and many discounts for sightseeing and dining all over the island.
Â"We suspend our royalty and rock star prices for the summer,Â" said Barbados Tourism Authority Regional Sales Manager Deirdre Kindthistle.
And in Barbados, the summer lasts until December.
Kindthistle also said there is a national celebration at the beginning of August, which marks the end of the sugar cane harvest. She said the costumes during the festival rival those seen in Rio de Janeiro during their annual carnival.
Alternatively, the Endless Summer Adventure package awaits vacationers in Puerto Rico, U.S.A.
The vacation package can include a free deluxe continental breakfast, a $25 match play casino chip, and free accommodations and food for children under the age of 12. Additionally, vacationers receive a VIP card worth $2,500 in shopping, dining and entertainment discounts.
Ciso Moreno, Director of Continental Operations for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, said Puerto RicoÂ's beaches, nightlife, culture, adventure and modern conveniences make it an attractive vacation spot.
Â"People will recognize that Puerto Rico is a very diverse location,Â" said Moreno.
If youÂ're looking to stay within the continental United States this summer, Brancella recommends a trip to Las Vegas, where new properties like the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino are offering Â"incredible values.Â"
Open since May 1999, the Venetian Â"combines the romance of Venice with the luxury of Beverly Hills and the excitement of Las Vegas,Â" said hotel Director of Communications Kurt Ouchida.
The Venetian was designed to recreate the city of Venice and to Â"bring the city on water to the middle of the desert,Â" Ouchida said.
With its emphasis on being a destination resort, the Venetian caters to gambling vacationers and to those who may want to bypass the casinos in favor of shopping or relaxation.
A five-acre pool deck, an indoor shopping mall, five-star restaurants, a floor full of casinos and a recreation of St. MarkÂ's Square make the Venetian a likely destination for many travelers this summer.
Finally, if youÂ're searching for a great vacation with a more affordable price ta, Brancella said the choice is clear.
Â"Without a doubt, the best bargains right now are European Cruise bookings,Â" Brancella said.
Orient Lines Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Mitchell Schlesinger said the Kosovo conflict put a damper on Mediterranean cruise bookings and the discounted fares are an attempt to lure people back.
Â"This gives the consumer a phenomenal opportunity to travel to the Greek Isles during the best time to go at unbelievable savings,Â" Schlesinger said.
Orient LinesÂ' Â"Aegean OdysseyÂ" is a five-night cruise which sets sail in Athens and ends in Istanbul.