Resorts in the Dominican RepublicBucket List Package for Winter’s Bite

Balcones del Atlántico a luxury resort located in the Samaná Peninsula of the Dominican Republic – an area of un-touched beaches and eco-tourism offerings. A quintessential, plantation-style Caribbean Resort, Balcones del Atlántico is offering a “Bucket List” package that allows guests to choose from three dreamy activities during their stay: horseback riding to the El Limon Waterfall, whale watching (seasonal, January through March), or visiting the spectacular Cayo Levantado private island. Rates start at $414 per night for a two-bedroom villa suite, based on double occupancy, breakfast included daily, with a three-night minimum stay. This package is good through October 2013.

Each Suite includes:

  • A comfortable, plush living room and sitting area
  • Fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with Viking and Cuisinart appliances
  • Extended private terraces for beautiful light and amazing views
  • Private bathroom and showers in each sleeping room
  • An additional guest bathroom
  • 27-inch Aquos flat-screen televisions in each villa suite
  • DVD players in select villa suites
  • Internet Access
  • Air-conditioning throughout
  • 110-volt wiring
  • Irons/Ironing Boards

The resort is within easy access of Las Terrenas, a base for tourists on the Samaná Peninsula with a busy center of town that lines the water with an array of pubs, dining, shopping and nightlife.
JetBlue has launched nonstop service from New York (JFK) to Samaná (AZS). The resort, now independent, is a former RockResort.
Contact: (800) 770-3359; 877-412-7625
Visit: Balcones del Atlántico

 

Top Spas of the World: SHA

A European Wellness Package for Your New Year’s Resolution

SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante, Spain offers a package savings that will give guests a new life for this New Year – if wellness and vitality are among their New Year’s resolutions. Guests who stay for seven nights for a health program will receive complimentary accommodation for two nights.

SHA Wellness Clinic is an international pioneering wellness clinic that is dedicated to improving and prolonging health and soundness by combining the best natural therapies originating mainly from ancient Eastern wisdom with the most advanced Western techniques. At SHA, health is not only the absence of illness, but also an overall state of physical and mental wellbeing, ideal weight and vitality.

Room rates for SHA Wellness Clinic start at $300 per night. This offer is valid for stays from January 1-February 28, 2013.

SHA is located 40-minutes from Alicante International Airport by car with VIP transfer service available.

Contact: (+39) 966 811 199.
Visit: www.shawellnessclinic.com
SHA is a member of the Kurtz-Ahlers collection of exclusive spas and resorts worldwide.

 

Inn at Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Shelter from the Storm in Cozy Cape Elizabeth

There’s nothing like storm watching along the Maine coast, especially from the sanctuary of a luxurious new Beach Suite with a sea view, a roaring fireplace and a soaking tub. Inn by the Sea, Maine’s premier luxury coastal resort on scenic Cape Elizabeth, has combined all of these elements to create their Winter Warmer package.

The package offers a dramatic ocean view, a fireplace, and a soaking tub in one of the Inn’s new 700-square-foot Beach Suites overlooking Crescent Beach.

The Winter Warmer package includes:

  • Two nights in a one-bedroom Beach Suite, with an ocean-view, fireplace and a soaking tub in an oversized bathroom.
  • Gourmet breakfast for two daily
  • Welcome Spiked Hot Chocolate in the Fireplace Lounge
  • Two pairs of L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers
  • Two 60-Minute Casco Bay Hot Stone Massage treatments at the SPA
  • Chef’s Cheese Fondue for Two in the Fireplace Lounge

The Winter Warmer package is priced at $515.62 per night, based on a minimum two-night stay and double occupancy. The package is offered from January 2 to March 31, 2013. Inn by the Sea is located on a mile of sand beach just seven miles south of Portland (a 15-min. drive). Most major carriers (including JetBlue) fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM).

Contact: (207) 799-3134.
Visit: Inn by the Sea

 

Lion World Tours safari

Romance of Africa

Lion World Tours has a Valentine’s Special discount on its “African Dream Honeymoon” itinerary: A five-star visit to South Africa and Mauritius. Book by February 28, 2013 and receive a complimentary scenic helicopter flight along the Atlantic Seaboard either to or from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, plus a half-day Cape Winelands Tour.

The trip includes a visit to Cape Town with a room and dining at the opulent Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. Also included in Cape Town stay is a trip to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and sunset.

On safari, guests stay at Savanna Lodge in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. It is not unusual to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in a single game drive. Several of Savannah’s suites have tented roofs, blending the elegance of a bygone colonial era with all the convenience of modern facilities.

In Mauritius, guests stay at Maradiva, an idyllic hideaway for romantic holidays and a source for well-being and rejuvenation. It offers an exclusive private villa environment with each villa possessing a spacious terrace for al fresco dining, lounging or cooling off in the private five-meter plunge pool.

This package starts at USD $7,899 per person. The price is valid for departures in September 2013, but is available year round at other prices. Also included in the price is international airfare from New York (JFK) or Washington D.C. (Dulles) on South African Airways, domestic and regional flights, fuel surcharges and flight taxes.

Contact: 800-387-2706 and ask for the Valentine’s Special.
Visit: Lion World Tours

 

Tours of Rajasthan

Land of Kings Tour to India

Geringer Global Travel has put Rajasthan on sale in India. Book by February 15 and save $400 per couple (off an starting price of $2,875 per person, quad rate) on a tour that includes visiting Delhi, Udaipur, Jodphur, Nagaur, Jaipur, Ramathra and Agra. The two-week trip includes luxury accommodations, site entrance fees, transport services, guided tours, English-speaking tour guides, unique activities, and most meals.

Highlights:

  • Heritage Walk in Old Delhi, guided by a local expert;
  • A gourmet dinner at the lit stepwell of Rawla Narlai
  • Safari in Jodhpur to learn about conservation from top ecologists
  • Cooking session and dinner with a Jaipur local at the heritage hotel, Dera Mandawa;
  • Tour of Ramathra Fort, with excellent views of the surrounding countryside;
  • A walk on the Heritage Kachhpura Village Trail in Agra in time for sunset over the Taj Mahal.

Note: International airfare, airport taxes, passport and visa fees, insurance and personal expenses not included.

Contact: (877) 255-7438.
Visit: www.geringerglobaltravel.com