I have moved my blog to a new place. You can find me at www.al.com. This site has the most comprehensive news for the state of Alabama. You can paste the following address into your favorites file and keep abreast of all the deals and specials.
http://blog.al.com/pattys-travel-tips

Hope to hear from you soon!

Gimme Shelter

Mama Shelter is a nifty new Paris hotel located in the St. Blaise neighborhood. What a find! This hotel opened in the fall of 2008 and all 172, sexy, luxurious rooms were designed by Philippe Starke. The rooms are loaded with amenities including plush bedding, wireless internet, kitchenettes, rainshowers in the bathroom and Kiehl's bath products. Right now the hotel is offering an unbelieveable rate of Euro79. Of course at that price the reservation is non-cancellable, non-refundable and non-transferable. In other words it's yours. What a great place to spend a long winter break or Valentines weekend.

Alaska - The Great Land

Alaska is a destination that surpasses one's expectations. The season for prime touring is short by most standards. Most people visit between early May and mid October. and even then the weather can be unpredictable. Denali is a very elusive mountain and you need to plan to stay at a lodge at least two nights and even then you may never see it. Cruising and cruise tours give people the best opportunities for viewing both spectacular scenery as well as wildlife and if the weather is cold and rainy then you can always seek an interior spot and watch the scenery glide by. A trip to Alaska will delight even the most finicky traveler and this year the deals are out there.

Travel tip. One major cruise line is offering two-for-one rates on selected cruise tour dates. But the deal is based upon availability and they will not keep this out on the market for long. A deposit will hold your space and the deal. You can pay the balance about 70 days before your trip.

Last Minute Deals - How Fast Can You Pack?

One major mass market cruise line has begun offering pack-and-go, last minute cruise specials. These specials are posted every Wednesday. They offer very deep discounts on last minute cruises. Most of the specials will be for cruises out of Port Canaveral, Miami or even San Juan, Puerto Rico. You will need to be prepared to pay in full at the time of booking and with no refund for cancellation. But if you have the time and there is an empty cabin you can't beat the deal.

Let The Celebration Begin

Walt Disney Travel Company wants to help you celebrate your birthday. If you are planning a trip to coincide with the big day you need to register your actual birthday date on disneybirthdaytreat.com. You will receive a confirming letter by email that you will need to bring to the Park along with proof of your actual birthday date. The celebrant will receive either a free one-day pass to the park on their actual birthday or if they have purchased a multi-day Park Hopper Pass they can choose a Birthday Fun Card instead which can be used to purchase merchandise inside the park. There are other packages for other special moments but I believe in celebrating my special day in Walt Disney Style.

Travel Tip: Right now Walt Disney Travel Company is offering a buy four nights with park passes get three extra nights and passes free. But offer ends soon.

Croatia On My Mind

Croatia forms a meeting point between the Mediterranean and central Europe. It is a stunningly beautiful country that is slowly re-emerging from difficult years of conflict. Croatia has the clearest, emerald green water and it has hundreds of miles of coast guarded by picturesque, ancient fortifications. They call this area The Dalmatian Coast. I call it a great deal! The Croatian currency, the Kuna, has a much better exchange rate than either the Euro or the British Pound. Croatians make wine, they grill exquisite fish, English is widely spoken and Americans are welcome. You should go there!

Travel tip: I went by ship. This way I saw lots of ports but came back to my comfy bed at the end of the day. Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include Croatia.

Deals, Deals, Deals - What Should I Pick?

So far this year it seems that almost every vendor has offered a booking special. In fact, because there are so many deals floating around, it makes it hard to actually focus on one type of trip. They all sound too good to be true. But the way I usually approach planning my next big vacation is to decide my budget and the time of year I plan to travel and usually a destination. Then I do some research. This year if you take the same type of vacation that you normally enjoy whether it is a moderate, superior or deluxe type of trip you should be able to save some money. That's because of the "deal" factor. Or you could take that money and upgrade to a luxury product. Even the vendors of luxury products are offering incentives. Instead of ocean view, move up to a balcony or if you always book a balcony move up to a mini suite. The upgraded vacation may be within reach for the first time in several years.