• Why not give the gift of a trip this year? Jupiter Beach (Fla.) Resort & Spa makes it easy for you to do so. Through January 31, 2009, the property is offering a $50 resort credit for a two-night stay and $100 for a three-night stay or more. The credits can be used in the restaurants, spa or other places on the property. Book online, or call 800-228-8810 and use promo code THAW.
• Wondering where you can find some travel deals? Check out your favorite southern city’s CVB/tourism sites. For instance, Destin, Fla.’s site list all types of specials for the area. Lexington, Ky.’s site also features the latest holiday packages available as well as Chattanooga, Tenn.’s site. And don’t forget about all the great deals that can be found here and here.
• Let Sterling Resort’s properties take care of your guests this holiday season with their low rate plus a $20 grocery gift cards. This special is valid for new reservations only through December 30. Book online or call 866-934-9178  and be sure to request promo code MLP. This discount cannot be combined with any other.

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• From one popular beach destination to another, this time on the Gulf Coast as hotels, attractions and restaurant in Panama City Beach, Fla., are offering all types of packages and deals for the winter season: 

*Guests can take 50 percent off in-season rates at the Towne of Seahaven, and every third night is free at Origin at Seahaven, Seahaven Beach Hotel and America’s Best Value Inn. Plus, children 12 and under eat free, and grownups buy one meal and get one free at nearby Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant. The “Buy-One-And-Get-One-Free” offers also are available on-beach activities, including parasailing and wave runner rentals. The rates are valid through February 26, 2009.       
*Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort is offering a  “Stay Three Nights, Get One Free” through February 20, 2009, at this beachfront resort located in the heart of town. The hotel offers a new SunSet martini lounge, three restaurants, a fitness center and Pirate’s Den game room.
*Shores of Panama  has a “Stay Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free” package that is good through the end of February 2009.      
*Now through December 31, 2008, stay two nights, and get the third night free in a one-bedroom condominium with private Gulf-front balcony at Pinnacle Port. Also included is free WiFi, DVD rentals, canoe and kayak usage, and more. Use code MHE when booking.       
*Now through the end of Feb. 2009, stay two nights, get the third free in a new one-, two- or three-bedroom beachfront condominium at Cabana Cay. Include your four-legged in family getaways with Cabana Cay’s pet-friendly units that feature full baths, kitchens and private beach access.
*The third and seventh nights are free now through March 1, 2009 on a 2,300 square-foot condominium with an expansive private balcony overlooking the Gulf at Hidden Dunes Condominiums. Plus, guests get 50 percent off an one-time housekeeping fee, a savings of $100.
*Paradise Palms, A Seaside Inn, Panama City Beach, is offering a “Buy One Night, Get One Free” through Feb. 20, 2009.    
*Through February 20, 2009, Days Inn Beach is promoting special weekly rates. Enjoy family-style suites feature WiFi and private gulf-front balconies. *Stay two and get the third free at any of Blowin-N-The Wind Management’s properties. Guests staying 2 nights get the 3rd night free, guests staying 2 weeks get the 3rd week free . Offer is valid through December 31 2008 at The Inn at St. Thomas Square (personal note: highly recommend), Top of the Gulf, Longbeach Resort, Sunbird and Venture Out.
*Guests enjoy savings all around town when they stay at any one of the three By The Sea Resort beachfront resorts: Legacy by the Sea, Beachbreak by the Sea and Beachcomber by the Sea. With the Passport To Play program, guest key cards or parking passes double as discount cards, earning great savings at the hottest area attractions and more. Get a free children’s meal with every adult meal purchased at The Barefoot Beach Club restaurant or at the nearby Calypso Beach Café. Receives 20 percent off admission to ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Park, 20 percent off admission at Gulf World Marine Park, and $1.00 off bowling and skating at Rock’It Lanes. Grownup enjoy up to $10 off at Holiday Golf Club and 15 percent off local spa services.

photo credit: Christmas is Coming!, flickr, creative commons by carowallis

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Here are a few:

Don’t miss out on The Peabody Arkansas’ (in Little Rock) Special Holiday rate that is good through February 28, 2009.

Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Ark., has a Festival of Lights package that is available November 22 -December 24. This include admission for two at Garvan Woodland Garden’s holiday lights display and breakfast for two at the hotel.

• The Dallas/Plano Marriott Legacy Town Center is offering the “Spend Your Weekend Shopping in Dallas” package. This includes a Macy’s discount shopping card as well as a $50 gift card and complimentary shuttle to either The Shops at Legacy, The Shops at Willow Bend or Stonebrier Center. This package is good through December 31. When making your reservation, be sure to indicate the promo code: P50.
• There are too many to list here, so be sure to check out the different packages offered by various hotels and bed & breakfasts throughout New Orleans, La.
• Be sure to check out the two different packages offered by Jekyll Island  (Ga.) Club Hotel. The property’s “Golfer’s Haven Package” available December 1, 2008 – January 31, 2008, includes a free round of golf each day during your stay at one of the four courses. The Christmas Package, available November 30 – December 29, features a Christmas stocking filled with goodies and a Jekyll Island Club commemorative ornament.
• And while we are on various packages offered by one hotel, one of my favorite places to stay and play, Sandestin (Fla.) Golf and Beach Resort. The Sensational Golf Package, available December 1, 2008 – February 1, 2009, includes a special rate for a two night stay in a three bedroom Dockside Villa as well as a round of golf at Raven Golf Club and at Baytowne Golf Club. The Sandestin Winter Wonderland and “Christmas on the Coast” package includes possible room upgrades among other amenities. The package is good through January 15, 2009. When making reservations, use the following code: 2263MA. Sandestin’s Sensational New Years Eve Celebration package is available December 21, 2008 – January 7, 2009. Use the following code: 2263MB.
• The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, N.C., is offering a “Stay More, Save More” package good through January 4, 2009. Stay one night and get a 15 percent discount off your room stay. Stay two or more nights, get a 20 percent discount and a $25 hotel credit. Must book this package by November 30.

Photo credit: piggy bank, flickr, creative commons by Carol Esther.

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• Ellis Hotel, located in downtown Atlanta, Ga., is offering the “Hip for the Holiday” special rate, good through November 21 – December 26. When you call 866/841-8822, be sure to request the “Hip for the Holiday” special rate.
• The TradeWinds Island Resorts (the Island Grand Resort and the Sandpiper Suites) in St. Pete Beach, Fla.,has the “Thanksgiving Togetherness” package, available at only the Island Grand. The package includes three night accommodations, two tickets to the Thanksgiving buffet and a value book with over $250 savings, among other amenities.
• Steinhatchee Landing Resort in Steinhatchee, Fla., says happy holidays with their special for the season. Book three nights and receive you fourth night free. And the savings don’t end there – you’ll also receive a $50 fuel credit and 25 percent off a return visit. These savings are good through December 30.
• Stay a minimum of three nights at Universal Orlando Resort’s Loews Hotels (Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort or Hard Rock Hotel)between November 30 – December 18. During their special, you can receive a Universal Orlando Resort Savings Guide that offers $150 in food and merchandise discounts good throughout the resort and a $25 Universal Orlando gift card. In addition, other perks include complimentary valet parking at The Mall at Millenia, a $20 Starbucks gift card and gift wrapping for all purchases. To make reservations, call 800/Be A Star and ask for the “Extra Value Weeks” promotion
• If you stay at any of the participating accommodations at Lake Oconee/Greene County, Ga., between November 29 – January 31 and receive a $50 gas rebate card.
• Light up Your Life with St. Augustine’s Inns of Elegance’s holiday package. Stay a minimum of two nights (Sunday -Thursday) at any one of the six inns November 23 – January 28, and be gifted with an exclusive private ride aboard the St. Augustine Sightseeing Train and a complimentary beverage at the Tini Martini Bar.

 Photo credit: Twenty Dollar Bill, flickr, creative commons by Darren Hester

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Until November 15, a handful of hotels are offering specials, such as stay so many nights and get the next night for free. If you stay 2 nights, you can get the 3rd free at hotels like Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel in The WDW Resort and Caribe Royal Orlando. Up your vacation by staying 3 nights and getting the 4th free at such properties as Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and JW Marriott Grande Lakes. The endless summer promotion isn’t just about hotel deals either; many attractions and activities are included as well. For instance, at Gatorland, if you buy one ticket, you get your 2nd one free.

Were you aware that it’s also Magical Dining Month in O-town as well? You have until September 30 to enjoy a three-course, prix fixe dinner at any of the over 50 participating restaurants. For $19, you can enjoy The Grape (Point Orlando) or The Harp (downtown). For $29, you can dine at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop (Loews Royal Pacific Resort), The Plantation Room (Celebration Hotel), or Salt Island Chophouse & Fish Market (I-Drive).

And don’t forget, from September 26 – November 9 is the 13th Annual EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. If you enjoy trying international cuisine, this is for you. Talk about eating your way around the World Showcase at least once.

Photo credits: (upper left) Orlando sunset, flickr, creative commons paul+photos=moody; (bottom right) George, flickr, creative commons by drasticgroove

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• The Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld is offering variety of packages that are good through the end of the year and the beginning of 2009.

• The deals are aplenty in Dahlonega, Ga. Forest Hills Mountain Resort’s “Fall in Love” package (good until December 31) includes an hour long couple’s massage and a picnic lunch. Lily Creek Lodge’s “Great Autumn Getaway” package (good until November 30) features fudge from the Dahlonega Fudge Factory and two tickets for wine tasting at one of the area’s wineries. Check out Long Mountain Lodge’s “Autumn Theatre” package with complimentary tickets for a performance at the historic Holly Theater. Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa’s “Fall Into Romance this Autumn” (good until October 31) includes an outdoor couple’s massage in the spa’s pavilion that overlooks the mountains and a box of gourmet chocolates from Paul Thomas Chocolates. Puda Vida USA Spa and Yoga Center is offering “Romance in the Mountains Getaway Weekend” (good through December 31). This includes two spa treatments as well as flowers, champagne and chocolate. The Smith House’s “Dahlonega Experience” package (good until October 31) features one admission for tubing the Chestatee River with Appalachian Outfitters, and dinner for one at the Smith House. The “Autumn Value” package (valid until November 15) through Town Creek Bed and Breakfast includes complimentary upgraded wine tasting and gold panning. Stay two-night stay Sunday  -Thursday at the Dahlonega Square Village and receive a bottle of wine from one of the local vineyards. The special is good through October 31. Families will enjoy the deal at Georgia Mountain Hideaways. Reserve a 3-bedroom, 2-bedroom cabin, or a 3-bedroom Treehouse and get $25 of the published rates for each night’s stay. This is good until November 2. At Yahoola Lodge, reserve two nights and get the third night free. Deal is valid through December 31.

• Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., has announced their “FALL in Love” package. Stay two nights and enjoy a bottle of champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival. In the morning, indulge in the Casa’s Continental Beach Breakfast.

• Stay at Renaissance Charleston Hotel Historic District through October 30 and receive a Savvy Savings certificate. If you stay one night, you’ll receive a $50 savings certificate. A two night will earn you a $100 savings certificate.

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• The Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., is offering a “FALL in Love” package that is good for two night, Sunday – Thursday, September 2 – November 26. The package includes a bottle of champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries upon arrival, and a continental beach breakfast for two on the verandah.

• Who doesn’t like to indulge on vacation? Now you can in a more economical way at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort. The property is offering their Paradise Deliciously Escape, which allows you the opportunity to sample dishes at their five restaurants. The package includes a choice between breakfast or lunch for two, and dinner for two. The offer is good through December 19.

• Since we are on the subject of food, don’t overlook New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center’s “Escape! Dining Package in the Big Easy.” Good through November 19, the package requires a minimum two-night stay. You receive a $50 dining credit that can be used for either room service or at the hotel’s restaurant, Wolfe’s in the Warehouse.

• If you have plans to visit Atlanta, Ga., soon, be sure to check out the Atlanta CVB site for the latest information on hotel packages available through the metro area.

Photo credit: Money Roll 2, flickr, creative commons by zzzack

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Don’t let the summer slip away without visiting the South. Plan a quick weekend getaway or a four-day jaunt with any of the following deals and savings…

• When planning a trip to anywhere in the region, don’t overlook the city’s CVB sites. If you don’t click, you just might be missing some specials. For instance, you can find lodging packages in Lexington, Ky., or Dallas, Texas. On Birmingham, Alabama’s site, you can locate attraction coupons.

• Did you realize that Palm County, Florida’s value season runs mid-April – mid-December. Visit during this time and you can save up to 40 percent at different area hotels. For further savings, be sure to check out the additional savings through their 2008 visitors guide. From golf to beaches to all kind of events, this part of the Sunshine State offers a little something for everyone.

• If you and your golf buddies are looking for somewhere to play this fall, consider Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines, North Carolina. From September 1 – October 31, they are offering Free Gas (gas card) package for groups of eight and more.

Photo credit: Coke bank, flickr, creative commons by iluvcocacola

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• Thinking about taking everyone to Orlando? Now is the perfect time as the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village is offering low rates for those seeking suites. To take advantage of this special, you need to book your reservations 14-days prior to your trip. The property is located one mile from Walt Disney World and other main attractions.

• Enjoy golfing and relaxing at the spa at during Doral Golf Resort and Spa’s (Miami, Fla.) Florida Summer Savings Package. While it is good through September 15, you need to book 14 days prior to your trip.

• Indulge in some intense shopping with the Atlantic Station Weekend Shopping Package through Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown. Located in midtown Atlanta, Atlantic Station is a sustainable development that features retail, residential and commercial properties. Part of the package’s amenities include a $25 Atlantic Station gift card.

• Find a summer deal that fits your travel needs at Renaissance Resort at SeaWorld in Orlando. With 13 packages offered, there’s really no reason for not planning a quick trip here.

• Speaking of a lot of savings, the Florida Gulf Islands (Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch) is your place for a summer getaway. Different properties are offering various discounts.

• The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort located in the Ocean Walk Village has three different packages that includes are good through December 30. Even better news, all the packages include a gas card.

Photo credit: Coin Stacks, flickr, creative commons by Darren Hester

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• In the don’t-wait-book-now-category, Hilton Sandestin, located along the Beaches of South Walton in Florida’s Panhandle, is offering a “Midsummer Beach Breakaway” package good only for July 27-29. Stay for $199/night and receive a $50 hotel gift card that can be used anywhere on the property.

• Thinking about a long weekend in Williamsburg, Va.?Be sure to check out the “Funpack” package. Good through December 31, certain hotels are guaranteeing $2.99/gallon gas. Show you gas receipt at check-in and the difference between what you paid and $2.99/gallon will be deducted from the third night of your stay.

Photo Credit: George Washington, flickr, creative commons by SqueakyMarmot.

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