There’s no denying that over at T+L lately, we’ve been flushed with auction fever. First came Vacationist (a new private hotel sale site brought to you by T+L and online auction veteran Luxury Link), then last week it was Mystery Auctions. Who doesn’t love a good deal—especially if it’s for a great cause?
Which brings us to today’s auction announcement: The Bodhi Tree Foundation, a terrific first-of-its-kind nonprofit founded by heavy-hitters in the travel industry to fund worthwhile projects around the world (schools in Haiti, libraries in Mexico, tiger conservation in India, more), is auctioning off some amazing travel experiences.
Items range from city stays at NYC’s perennially chic 60 Thompson Hotel to bucolic getaways at the Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche on the French Riviera. And the values are tremendous (as is the feeling you get from contributing to this visionary organization and important causes), but hurry—you have just another three days to bid!
If you happen to live along the sweltering East Coast, in any one of the Gulf states, or any place where summer has yet to kick into high gear, you are no doubt day-dreaming—about strong, cooool ocean breezes, tar-free beaches, and well, a good old-fashioned getaway designed with a little barefoot relaxation in mind. This week, Vacationist comes to the rescue with a grab bag of terrific hotel offers guaranteed to bring relief:
Terranea Resort — 30 percent off Rancho Palos Verdes, California Escape to this former Marineland theme park in Southern Cali; the 102-acre, Mediterranean-style seaside resort comes complete with a 50,000-square-foot spa.
Diamond Deluxe Hotel — 53 percent off Kos, Greece With all the water in and around it—from glass-like pools weaving through the property to the sparkling Aegean—this 110-room boutique resort on the island of Kos appears to float.
Rendezvous — 42 percent off Castries, Saint Lucia Massages, showers, chaise longues—everything short of bicycles—are built for two at this couples-only resort.
Fourth of July weekend is just about here! If you waited too long to make plans—or just didn't want to deal with the high volume of travelers trekking to and fro—then head on over to Vacationist.com and book a relaxing post-holiday vaca. The four newest properties on sale are:
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, Dominican Republic All your needs will be tended to at this all-inclusive Oceanfront beach resort, where check-in and -out times are non-existent. Spend your time taking up one of the many hotel activities—snorkeling, anyone?—or grab a beach towel and cocktail and lounge by the pool.
Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe, VT Vermont is not just a winter destination, and Topnotch will help you take advantage of all the area has to offer. Get a tour of the lush maple and pine trees on horseback or head into town to sample tasty Vermont cheeses.
Do you start to panic about summer vacation days not taken when July 4 rolls around? Join Vacationist.com, and calm those waves of anxiety by perusing our currently featured offerings:
Resort at Squaw Creek, Tahoe, California Fly-fishing? Skiing? Dog-sledding? Careening down the 120-foot waterslide? A stay at this timber lodge in the Sierra Nevadas offers as much seasonal adventure as you can handle, or as much time lounging in front of a fireplace or a expansive view of the Alpine lake as you’d like.
The Landmark, London A stay in this aptly named grande dame in Marylebone will transport you to a romantic era of travel, where the journey ends in a hushed, cool lobby of marble columns and stately palms. Stroll over to the High Street to find boutiques featuring next year’s designers, tony wine shops, local cheesemongers, and restaurants that have the city buzzing.
Think it's too late to book your summer vacation? Think again. There are some amazing deals this week on vacationist. Don't miss reduced-priced stays at:
CARIBBEAN Laluna in Morne Rouge, Grenada Looking to make your summer getaway a summer hideaway? Run away to this tropical cove in Grenada that is all about privacy—private beach, private cottage, private plunge pools. . . the list goes on.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California La Jolla is peaceful, but also close enough to San Diego's beaches and SeaWorld for an entertaining vacation for the whole family.
NEW ENGLAND The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa in Essex, Vermont Sharpen your knife skills or backyard grilling technique at the resort's culinary academy located near the Green Mountains.
There are only four days left to take advantage of specials. Head over to vacationist.com now and book your summer getaway.
There's nothing sweeter than nabbing a good travel deal—especially in summer, when getting away for a much-needed break is not optional, it's a must! And right now is a smart time to start your search. Why? Because vacationist has some terrific offerings this week!
Currently on sale:
SOUTHWEST Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa in Lajitas, Texas — 30% off Southwestern swagger meets the rugged life (no roughing-it necessary) where Pancho Villa once led raids along the Rio Grande.
AMALFI COAST Furore Inn Resort in Furore, Italy — 38% off One of the most gorgeous places on the planet. Really.
There are just six days left to take advantage of these great values, so what are you waiting for? Head to vacationist.com and book your next trip!
A few weeks ago, we told you about a new book put out by the creator of the Titanic Awards, which celebrates Travel's most dubious achievements. This week comes a video. Click play for the worst baggage handlers, roughest cruise, most insane intersection, and seriously questionable tourist attraction. You may just want to stay home!
“What’s your sign,” may be the oldest (and cheesiest) pick-up line in the book, but according to travel website Tripbase.com, the stars can offer more than just a love match. The site, which uses artificial intelligence to match travelers with their ideal trip, is now applying its algorithms to the stars and “offering celestial guidance to travelers who know they need a vacation”—from Aquarius (go hiking and get physical this month!) to Sags (put on your party shoes and glam it up in another city!). Check out Tripbase.com/travelhoroscope for your on-the-go monthly chart.
June Tripbase Horoscopes
Gemini: Techie Geminis hate to part with their gadgets...even while on vacation. Hold off on that camping trip for another month. This June, head to a bustling metropolis where you post photos and blog about your adventure right from your mobile phone.
Summer is officially here, so if you haven’t started planning a vacation yet, we ask, what are you waiting for? This week, hotel offers from Vacationist, a venture between Travel + Leisure and LuxuryLink.com, include a little something for everyone—island, jungle, and far-flung.
Our advice? Act now—there are only 6 days left to take advantage of these great prices. And in case you want to keep things closer to home, vacationist is offering rooms at the Gansevoort Miami Beach for just $141/night at (over 40% off standard rates!) until June 7.
The situation in Bangkok appears to be changing by the minute. T+L's Asia correspondent, Jenn Chen, suggested just yesterday in her post that the reality on the ground in the Thai capital had taken a turn for the worst, but today's news brings the official surrender of anti-government protesters—as well as fires and a city-wide curfew. Not surprisingly, a travel warning for the region remains in effect.
Voice of America | The Thai government has declared an overnight curfew for the capital, Bangkok, as violence swept across the capital after military operations brought an end to a two-month long, anti-government protest in in the central part of the city. At least 6 people were reported dead in the latest violence, including an Italian photojournalist, the second foreign reporter to die since the protests began in mid-March.
Leaders of the anti-government protesters, known as the Red Shirts, surrendered to police and told demonstrators they were ending the extended rally in order to avoid further bloodshed. Some of the anti-government leaders fled the area as the military moved in. Amid the chaos, arson attacks broke out across Bangkok at power stations, malls, media outlets and other buildings. Rioters also commandeered public buses. READ MORE
There’s no denying that over at T+L lately, we’ve been flushed with auction fever. First came Vacationist (a new private hotel sale site brought to you by T+L and online auction veteran Luxury Link), then last week it was Mystery Auctions. Who doesn’t love a good deal—especially if it’s for a great cause?
