I Can’t Stop Thinking About Planes & Passports…

What is it about all this rain?   All I can do today is daydream of a different local, preferably one that involves a passport to get there.  Maybe it’s the fact that my youngest is now in kindergarten, so the thought of a big family trip now seems doable, except for the weak dollar.  Maybe it was Elizabeth’s post on The Hutton Hotel yesterday.  All I know is that, with a good enough deal, I could be tempted.  These sites I’m about to mention will get your mind wandering to far off shores, and perhaps ones more exotic than you had previously thought.  Join me in the daydream….

Before I dive in on all these other travel deals, let me say that Southwest Airlines is running a great deal if you book it by the end of day October 29th. I just got a round trip ticket to DC for $150.  I’m thrilled to fly “home” and see my friend from childhood’s baby girl!

Jetsetter

Ok – onto bigger deals than Southwest.  How about Jordan?  Smiles, I know you weren’t expecting that.  No, I never had thought about going to Jordan either, until yesterday when I decided to check out what Jetsetter, a division of Gilt.com, was offering. (If you need an “invitation” to view the site or purchase, just email us and we’ll send it your way) I love this newly launched site and I found myself suddenly longing to see a Jordanian sunset, from Six Senses Jordan, when I had never considered the Middle East previously.  Jordan is pretty safe and I did what all good daughters do: I called my Mom and told her she and Dad needed to book it!

Six Senses Jordan is a great and luxurious base from which to explore the spectacularly beautiful country.—Travelandleisure.com

And, yes, you can drink wine in Jordan.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to have dinner here:

You can book a room at Six Senses with this deal, available through 2 a.m. on Oct 30th, for anytime through February 2010 for just $120 a night for a room or $209 a night for a one bedroom suite.  Roundtrip airfare is just about $1,000 per person.  Talk about a Romantic get away.  I want to go.

Jettsetter is offering a deal starting Nov 1 for Capella Telluride in Colorado.  Anyone planning a ski trip for December should know that the Holidays are not blacked out for this sale, so you may want to check it out on Sunday.  Most sales run for three days at a time.

Luxury Link

How did I not know about  LuxuryLink.com?  I’ve been searching auctions for the past 90 minutes ready to pounce.  The one I’m just moaning about is a trip for SIXTEEN people to a Tuscan Countryside Haven for a “buy now price” of $5,099!  It includes:

• 7 nights in Casa al Piano
  • 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms (4 two-bedroom apartments)
  • Modern kitchen and washing machine
  • Private pool and barbeque area
• Four cases of Il Borro Pian Di Nova wine upon arrival
• Three course gourmet dinner for sixteen on one evening of your choice
• Estate winery tour on one day of your choice, including tastings of Il Borro wines
• Housekeeping service each weekday and Saturdays
• Unlimited use of driving range and soccer field
• Taxes & service charges

Why are we not grabbing seven other couples and doing this?  It’s only $637 a couple for THE WEEK with no taxes or service charges added!  Did you read the UNLIMITED DRIVING RANGE?  Housekeeping everyday?  If I did my math right, you have until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday to buy this package.  A quick look at airfare shows most roundtrip flights starting at…. OH OH OH – I just read “babysittng included….”  are you kidding?  Jay, my dear husband, are you reading this?  Becky, Kristen: how about this for Spring Break?  There is a POOL!  My mother-in-law: how about this for Stan’s 65th?  The possibilities are endless, just someone, include ME!   The ugggg part is, going back to where I interrupted myself, is that airfare is about $1,500 per person.  Ok, I’m back to a couples trip.  Or, just invite one of the many Nashville folks who have access to jet planes to join the trip and fly us all there.  So, who has access to a TRANSATLANTIC JET?  Ahhh, friends with jets…it’s like friends with pickup trucks, only sooooooo much better.

Anyway, check out Luxurylink for seriously hundreds of great trips that let you save heaps of money and experience trips that don’t fit the cookie cutter mold.

Tablet Hotels

Next travel tip site: Tablet Hotels. The best part about this site is the “last minute” deals.  For example, you could fly to NYC this weekend and stay at Gild Hall for $209 a night, not $499 a night.  Pretty darn good.  So, if you are unlike me and have access to family to throw your kids at or you are not in that stage of life, check out this site.  Apparently you will get lots of email from them but the type you really want to open….you know, just like StyleBlueprint!

Concierge & Trip Advisor

For general travel info, I like CondeNast’s site www.concierge.com.  I also planned an entire 10 day Mexican vacation for my parents, without a single stop in Cancun, through suggestions available on www.tripadvisor.com

Locally

Lastly, with this weak economy, the high end auctions here in town have some great trips, at a great price, on the block.  Be on the lookout when those invitations come your way.  Ones known for great trips include The Swan Ball Auction and L’ete du Vin. But almost all auctions have some trips and you get to support local when you bid.  And do check with your travel agent of choice.  They know so many details and can plan a great trip and save you money as well.

So, I’ll get back to fashion and shoes tomorrow.  Right now, I’m dreaming of the trip…but that includes what to pack, so my mind will get there, I just need to sift through all the possibilities today….

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.