Travel & Entertainment Features Archives

Today marks the start of Mardi Gras, when you can live it up before eight long weeks without your favorite indulgence. And in the spirit of fun, this week's top travel deals include a Caribbean cruise for two as well as stays in Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, and more. So bookend your season of fasting with some fast living by taking advantage of the these travel deals.

If yesterday's roundup of Caribbean island deals wasn't quite your speed, maybe you'd instead prefer the rich, thriving culture of New Orleans. The Big Easy's decadent French architecture can serve as a backdrop for an adventure into a world of exotic Creole food, riverboats on the Mississippi, and sun-drenched afternoons. And with the deals we found on hotels, vacations, and activities, you'll do it all on a dime.

We got our hands on a list of the 10 most-visited Caribbean islands, and — luckily for readers with wanderlust — most of them are extremely deal-friendly. So we pulled all the current deals we could find on these popular locations, to help you plan your next Caribbean adventure. Whether you want to lounge in Aruba, walk the beaches of Jamaica, or hit up the Dominican Republic, St. Martin, and more, be sure to read on!

Even if you're not hurting from a cold winter this year, we bet a little Florida sunshine on your skin and temperatures that let you strut around in shorts or a sundress would be a welcome change from the gray, seasonal limbo. To help you get to the Sunshine State on a budget, we've highlighted a few deals on flights, hotels, and activities that'll get you one step closer to a sunny day at the beach!

Even if you have visited New York City in the past, it's an ever-changing place. Now's the time to fully explore this bustling city once again. And this time, let yourself live like the rich and famous (but without the price tag, of course) and find the perfect Manhattan hotel to call home base for a little while. This week, we've got deals on accommodations throughout Manhattan, as well as discounted activities to keep you busy on your visit to the city that never sleeps.

Trying to plan a budget-friendly trip can be a difficult task wrought with indecision and second-guessing. Airline prices can sometimes fluctuate on a daily basis, and although you know not to wait until the last minute to book, should you also avoid buying too early? A recent study shows that you might be able to get the best price by being patient — up until a point.

Attention travelers looking to further explore the U.S. of A. — our nation's capital is calling! Take a trip to Washington D.C. with our curated deals on flights, accommodations, and activities, so you can explore the sites, get some discounted grub, and see the District on a dime.

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy the cinema alone or with friends, or even cozied up with someone you love. But "the full movie theater experience" — complete with popcorn, soda, Snow Caps, and the like — can be pricey. Thankfully movie theater deals and discounts abound, and we've got some tips on how to enjoy the big screen films for a little cash.

What is first thing that pops into your head when you hear the Bahamas? Beaches? Glimmering waters? Warm air? Yes, yes, yes. A once-in-a-life-time trip? Expensive? Heck no! We've tapped into all your tropical travel notions and found vacation packages in the Bahamas for the budget-minded and budget-less travelers alike.

During this weekend last year, a large portion of the country was blanketed in snow and ice. But so far this year, the winter hasn't been very, well wintry. Those in Florida may be happy as clams to maintain 60- and 70-degree temperatures, but if you're seeking out colder climates (and some fluffy snow!) to get in the spirit of the season, then check out these budget-friendly cold-weather vacation deals.

You may have heard the famous adage: "If you aim to leave Las Vegas with a small fortune, go there with a large one." However, with these travel deals to Las Vegas, you won't need a fortune of any kind to enjoy the glitz, ritz, and razzamatazz that America's playground has to offer. So leave your holiday snowsuit behind and welcome 2012 with a bang, Frank Sinatra style.

Ahhh, Hawaii. The name conjures up images of clear, emerald green waters, miles of beaches, tropical waterfalls and volcanoes... and often how expensive it can be to visit. If you've ever thought that the Aloha State was out of your budget, then maybe these Hawaii travel deals will make you think otherwise. Just send us a postcard, will ya?

In 1888, Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen became the first person to cross Greenland, and he did it on skis. The reports of his expedition created a Norwegian national hero, and aroused great interest in skiing in Europe and the United States. We're not aware of any good ski offers involving Greenland, but you can use the great deals on lift tickets, ski condos, and resorts we've rounded up to emulate Fridtjof in the great states of Utah, Idaho, and Colorado.

Although winter has yet to start officially, the weather throughout much of the country already has got many looking forward to a warmer weather reprieve. But why wait six months for summer in order to exchange your boots for flip-flops and work emails for beach reads? Take a trip to Mexico while temperatures are mild and the beautiful beaches aren't overrun with co-eds on spring break. We've found six vacation deals for resorts on the Riviera Maya, in proximity to the cities of Cancún and Playa del Carmen.

Known for its parks, the two tallest buildings in the world, Prohibition history, its theatre scene, Jazz, and more, Chicago has sights for all kinds of travelers. We've found several deals on flights, hotels, and entertainment to help make a trip to Chi-town as affordable and enjoyable an excursion as possible.

Is the thought of the upcoming holiday season and snowy winter weather (already!) giving you anxiety? Perhaps the thought of a relaxing, playful vacation at one of Orlando's famed theme parks would ease your mind. We've got discounted flights, hotels, and vacation packages to make the dream a reality.

Known for its white sand beaches, bright blue waters, and near-perfect weather, the Cancun and Riviera Maya region is the choice for thousands of vacationers year-round. If you're a first-timer or even a seasoned traveler looking for that once-a-year visit, we've found several budget-friendly travel packages and hotels to get you to this hot spot.

For many hardworking Americans, a day at the office consists of emails, meetings, and work ... and subsequent daydreams about throwing one's tie in the trash and letting loose. This week, we're romanticizing about Las Vegas, that extravagant playground for adults. Find the best flight, hotel, and entertainment deals here!

If you like the sound of a Caribbean-style party with historic flare, consider taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. We've rounded up deals for various hotels and activities that will bring the tropical destination within financial reach.

This week, it's time to break away from our normal tropical hot spot deals and pave the path for a wider variety of destinations, to Europe, Asia, and beyond. To make it easier on the wallet, we've rounded up the hottest travel deals from the past week, and you can grab a quick sojourn to Puerto Rico, visit three countries in one inexpensive trip, and more.

If you're looking to keep the summer party going during those cooler, start-of-fall nights, consider taking a trip out to New Orleans. We've rounded up deals for various hotels and activities that will bring the Big Easy within financial reach.

With white sandy beaches that seemingly extend into the horizon, Mexico is a tropical paradise right in our own backyard. Best of all, there's an abundance of vacation packages for every budget, regardless of which area you choose to visit.

If the last days of summer (or the impending hurricane) are bringing you down, consider taking a trip out to sunny California this fall. We've rounded up deals for various vacation packages that put the sunshine state within reach.

If you're planning a vacation, you've probably already found yourself a great deal on airfare and accommodations. (You read dealnews, after all.) But what about those exhilarating city-specific activities and scrumptious must-eats that make vacationing all the more memorable? With the birth of local deal sites, you can now unearth savings in other areas of your trip — and we have the tips you need to effectively integrate those deals into your trip.

Worldwide ATMs have made Traveler's checks and even local money changers a thing of the past for those traveling abroad. But tourists should still keep a sharp eye on escalating bank fees, which can add up quickly. Jason Cochran details the ways to avoid these fees, including a recommendation for the bank that will be the kindest to your travel buck.

Just like cars, houses and universities, the cruise deal you choose for your vacation is as much a reflection of your lifestyle and expectations as it is of your budget. So which one should you pick? Here are 10 considerations a vacationer might have, paired with the line that answers them best from travel expert Jason Cochran.

There are secondary markets for everything these days, from baseball tickets to Groupons you regret. But what if the companies selling things like concert tickets decided they didn't like the idea that you could resell your purchase or give it away. They'd come up with something like "Fan Protected Paperless Ticketing." Consumer advocate Mitch Lipka explains what's changing and how you can protect yourself when buying tickets online.