by Julia Bainbridge on Travel Deals

If you've been following Wendy on Twitter for the past few months, or if you've read the USA Today article "Stay alert and on Twitter to snag fast-moving travel deals," you know that Wendy's been using Twitter to alert people to the best transatlantic airfare sales as soon as they arise.

Now that July is here, the question from Condé Nast Traveler readers who've been thinking about Europe this summer but haven't quite made their plans yet is: Is it too late to snag a cheap summer fare? And the answer is:  No. According to FareCompare.com CEO Rick Seaney, another must-follow travel expert on Twitter, it's still very possible to get airfare to Europe this summer for half what you would have paid last summer.

A few examples of current fare deals, from Rick's must-read Travel Deals blog:

$523 roundtrip (including all taxes) from New York to Shannon, Ireland

$579 roundtrip (including all taxes) from Los Angeles to Dublin, Ireland

$548 roundtrip (including all taxes) from Chicago to Stockholm, Sweden

The four European countries that are cheapest to fly to right now, Rick says, are Ireland, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. To find an affordable flight from the city where you live, go to farecompare.com/dealfinder, which does the hunting and pecking for you. Type in your city of residence and your destination, and the program does 180 searches--30 different departure days combined with 6 different lengths of stay--in less than a minute.

Bon voyage! And look out for our special section on European travel deals in the upcoming August issue of Conde Nast Traveler.

  See Thailand's islands by land and sea with this deal from Star Clippers. Photo courtesy of starclippers.com.

By Kathryn Maier on Travel Deals

If you want to explore Thailand--and beyond--by both land and sea, this deal's for you: Book a seven-night Star Clippers cruise in Southeast Asia and get six additional nights on land for free.  

For the cruise portion, you have your choice of three different itineraries. Two are round-trip out of Phuket and visit numerous Thai islands.  The third is between Phuket and Singapore and also visits Malaysia. These sailings start at $2,080 per person, including taxes and port fees, and depart weekly between November 2009 and March 2010. 

All three itineraries give you four free nights in Bangkok. The two round-trip cruises out of Phuket also include two nights on land in Phuket, and the Phuket-Singapore cruises add on two nights in Singapore.

What's included in the free land packages: In Bangkok, you get four nights in a hotel, a half-day city tour, a cultural dinner show, the flight between Phuket and Bangkok, and airport-hotel transfers.  In Phuket, you get two nights in a hotel, theme park admission, a buffet dinner, and transfers.  In Singapore, you get two nights in a hotel, a half-day city tour, and transfers. The six-night land package ordinarily has a price tag of $940 to $970 per person.

Book by:  There's no book-by date; this promotion will run as long as cabins are still available. 

For travel between: November 2009 and March 2010.

Book through: Linda Allen, one of the cruise specialists on Wendy's list of top travel planners, informed us of this deal.  She can be reached at 800-422-3445 or cruisesbylinda@cox.net.

A Geographic Expeditions tour of India, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal included, is one of 13 itineraries worldwide that are on offer for less.

by Katherine Hottinger on Travel Deals

Before you start leaving comments about how this Deal of the Day is unaffordable, here's a disclaimer: We know, we know. A thousand bucks off a trip that will cost nearly 10 grand for two people from start to finish is hardly bargain-basement.

But if you've got the means, as well as two to three weeks to spend on the other side of the world, delving beneath the surface of a different culture and gaining access to authentic experiences that are otherwise off-limits, you'll want to jump on Geographic Expeditions' unprecedented discounts. GeoEx is one of the world's premier tour companies, employing local experts to deliver unforgettable trips to a sophisticated, inquisitive, and truly interesting clientele. And GeoEx never reduces its prices. Except now.

The tours with price breaks are to Bhutan, China, Ecuador, India, Laos, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. Prices represent the starting rate for two travelers on a fully booked group tour and do not include international flights. Here's a small sampling:

* INDIA: Taj to Tiger: A 14-day tour of India's iconic attractions, from Varanasi to the Taj Mahal to an elephant safari. You'll pay: $7,770. You'll save: $1,600.

* TANZANIA: The Real Kilimanjaro: A 15-day safari and trek takes a slower, less traveled route up the mountain to reach the "true summit," Uhuru Point, rather than the lower Gilman Point, which is the goal of many other expeditions. You'll pay: $7,815. You'll save: $2,000 on the October 25, 2009 departure.

* TURKEY: Sail the Sapphire Seas: A 16-day cruise and walk along Turkey's Emerald Coast, with stops at Oludeniz's forested lagoon, the partially submerged tombs at Kekova, and the ruins of Aphrodisias. You'll pay: $6,145. You'll save: $1,100. 

The bonus: Travelers who sign up for GeoEx trips have the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that their visit directly benefits the local community. Local guides, cooks, drivers, and artisans are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, and GeoEx is hoping that its discounts will attract more visitors, thus allowing these locals to continue earning a living.

Book by: August 15, 2009.

Travel dates: These vary by destination, but fall in the coming autumn and winter through the end of 2009.

How to book: Call GeoEx at 800-777-8183.

The tantalizing, tentacled octopus salad appetizer at Esca, a Manhattan restaurant that Wendy once blogged about. A prix-fixe lunch there will cost only $24.07 next month.

by Katherine Hottinger on Travel Deals

If you'll be in New York City the second half of July, and have an appetite, get your fingers ready to dial the phone or click the mouse.

Eateries participating in New York City Restaurant Week--during which scores of NYC dining establishments serve prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at steep discounts--start taking reservations today.

When: New York City Restaurant Week runs July 12 -31. (We know: That's really two and half weeks.) Saturdays aren't included, and some locations don't participate on Sundays. Not all locations offer special menus at both lunch and dinner.

Where: All over Manhattan below 96th Street (there's one in Brooklyn, too). Check Open Table's Restaurant Week page for a list of participating spots.

How Much: You get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $24.07 at lunchtime and $35 at dinnertime, not including drinks, tax, or tip. 

How to Book: Go to Open Table to make a reservation, or call each participating restaurant directly.

Learn More: The New York tourism group NYC & Company is on Twitter and will be tweeting about special deals and promotions during Restaurant Week at @nycgo.

Which to Try: Critics slam Restaurant Week, saying it's a time when chefs turn out sub-par fare to the fanny-pack crowd. New York Magazine's Grub Street blog usually posts a list of Restaurant Week must-eats as the date approaches, but hadn't done so yet at post time.

To help Perrin Post readers get a jump on the best tables, we asked our resident expert in all things culinary, Conde Nast Traveler's Senior Assistant Editor Mollie Chen, for a few choice morsels:

For Lunch
10 Downing Food & Wine: Less than a year old, this place has a beautiful interior, great light, and big windows facing Sixth Avenue. The West Village location makes it perfect for a shopping break.
Bar Boulud: At his wine bar near Lincoln Center, Daniel Boulud serves wonderful charcuterie.
A Voce: This lush Italian near Madison Square Park is fab.
Esca: In Hell's Kitchen, this Italian seafood place does a great job and is so serene during lunch (you might even spot a few Condé Nast Traveler employees there).

For Dinner
Anthos: The chef here does elegant modern Greek.
Apiary: Worth checking out for the new chef, hip East Village location, and a positive review from the New York Times.
Elettaria: Its talented, experimental chef weaves Indian flavors into interesting food combos.
The Harrison: This Tribeca spot is helmed by one of the best female chefs in the city and serves duck-fat fries.

Where Else: A number of cities across the country hold their own restaurant weeks. Check the locations and dates below for dining deals this summer and into the fall:

Charlotte, NC: Dinner for $30, July 10 - 19.

Atlanta: Dinner for $25, July 27 - August 9.

Hoboken and Jersey City, NJ: Pricing not yet announced. July 27 - August 7.

Baltimore: Lunch $20.09, dinner $30.09, August 7- 16.

Boston: Lunch $20.09, dinner for $33.09, August 9 - 21 (Saturday, August 15 not included).

St. Louis: Dinner $25, August 11 - 16.

San Diego: Dinner $20, $30, or $40, depending on restaurant, September 13 - 18.

Phoenix and Tuscon: Dinner $29, September 19 - 26.

Nantucket: Dinner from $25 to $45, September 28 - October 4.

  Silversea is offering two-for-one deals on dozens of sailings through the end of the year.  

By Kathryn Maier on Travel Deals

Silversea, which Condé Nast Traveler readers rated their 5th favorite small-ship cruise line last year, is offering two-for-one deals on 39 itineraries worldwide through the end of the year. All room and suite categories are included. In addition, select sailings combine the two-for-one pricing with free airfare and $1,000 per couple in onboard credits, which can be used for spa services or shore excursions. The scope of the deal is unprecedented on this cruise line, says Richard Turen, one of the cruise experts on Wendy's list of top travel specialists.

Turen particularly recommends the November 26 eight-night sailing of the Silver Cloud for its interesting itinerary: Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, with stops in Parati, Săo Paulo, and Itajai, Brazil; and Montevideo, Uruguay. On this sailing, the lowest category room is $3,697 per person, including taxes and port charges--down from the original price of $7,145. This sailing does not include free air, but you do get the $1,000 per cabin onboard credit. 

Book by: There is no expiration date. The deal is available as long as cabins on the select sailings are available.

Book through: Richard Turen, whom Wendy has recommended before on this blog for his savvy advice, unflinching honesty, and encyclopedic knowledge of cruising. Turen can often wrangle great perks for his clients. On the South America cruise above, for instance, booking through Richard gets you your choice of a complimentary specially arranged shore excursion or a $300 shipboard credit on top of the one from the cruise line.

See Angkor Wat on a trip to Cambodia with Intrepid Travel for less than $50 per day. Photo submitted by Condé Nast Traveler reader x100.

By Kathryn Maier on Travel Deals

Intrepid Travel, a tour operator with an emphasis on responsible travel practices, is holding a flash sale of up to 60% off 400-plus trips in more than 90 countries. Next Tuesday, June 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (eastern time), you can book select July tours at 60% off, many August departures at 30% off, and all other 2009 trips at 15% off. 

At the very lowest end of the price range, two July departures of the 12-night Cambodia Basix itinerary are reduced from $670 to $268 per person. This doesn't include a mandatory local payment, directly to your guide upon arrival, of $300 cash (an amount that varies by trip). Near the top of the price range is a July departure of the eight-night Inca Encounter trip, reduced from $1,660 to $664 per person, plus a local payment of $300 cash. The tour price covers your accommodations, ground transportation, guide, most sights and activities, and some meals.

Caveat: These are not "luxury" trips by any means. Intrepid Travel's emphasis on environmental responsibility and giving back to local communities means you'll be staying in rustic accommodations (think hostels, rural homestays, and ecolodges that may not have hot water, much less air-conditioning) and getting around via buses and rickshaws. But you can also expect to have authentic experiences and meaningful interactions with local residents. As a bonus, many of Intrepid Travel's trips are certified carbon-neutral.

Book by: This is a nine-hour sale on Tuesday, June 30, between 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (eastern time).

Book through: Intrepid Travel's reservations line at 800-970-7299.

Condé Nast Traveler approved: Intrepid Travel was a finalist in our 2004 Ecotourism (now World Savers) Awards, and its "Heart of Cambodia" trip was featured in "Yes We Can!" in our May 2009 issue.

by Julia Bainbridge on Travel Deals

Does that headline sound familiar? It was the first Deal of the Day I ever wrote (tear), and now it seems Sofitel has extended its stay for three, pay for two promotion.

Sofitel advertises the deal as a third night free, but that's confusing because the rates differ depending on the day of the week. (Thursday, for example, is more expensive than Friday and Saturday). Better to think of it as 33% off if you book three nights.

Participating properties: The Sofitels in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay, and Washington, D.C.

Book by: July 2, 2009

For travel through: September 7, 2009

by Katherine Hottinger on Travel Deals

Last month, as the Mexico travel advisory was lifting, we told you about how Riu Hotels and Resorts was slashing prices by 40% at nine of its all-inclusive properties in Mexico. Now Riu has another promotion, this one targeted at families: At five Riu properties, there's no charge for children ages 2 to 12 staying in their parents' rooms. (Under twos always stay for free).

What's that? "Don't kids 12 and under always get to stay in their parents' hotel rooms for free?" you ask. Yes, that's the case for traditional hotel rooms, but at all-inclusive resorts, the pricing is per person. At Riu properties, the children's rate is normally half the adult rate, and it covers meals, activities such as water sports, and supervised child care in kids' clubs. Under Riu's current promotion, you get all these goodies gratis.

The Savings: For a family of four, the kids-stay-free deal puts the discount at 33%. But the reduction is even more dramatic when you consider what you would have paid last year. In 2008 Cancun's Riu Caribe (shown here), for instance, would have cost $119 per person per night in a standard double room, or $357 for a family of four (rates include taxes and fees). This year, the rate is $90 per person, or $180 per night for that same family--almost 50% off last year.

The Properties: Here's what two adults and two kids will pay per night for a standard double room in the participating resorts:

$164 at Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlan
$178 at Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas
$150 at Riu Jalisco in Riviera Nayarit
$178 at Riu Playacar in Playa del Carmen

The Review: How good are these places? Condé Nast Traveler editor Beata Loyfman has stayed at several Riu locations and says they're great for families.

Book by: August 22. Good for travel June 26 - August 22, 2009.

How to book: Call 888-748-4990. Or log on to riu.com; when we checked, there was no page outlining the promotion, but the special price shows up when you make your reservation for the applicable dates at participating properties.

Enjoy Croatia's chic coastline for less this summer.
Photo: Julien Capmeil for Condé Nast Traveler

In Condé Nast Traveler's July issue, we highlight 14 destinations around the globe that represent a particularly good value for your dollar right now, compared with what they cost last summer. We thought we'd share a handful with Perrin Post readers, too.

Croatia: The next St-Tropez is in the Adriatic. It's the Croatian island of Hvar, and, thanks to the weakened euro and third-night-free deals at its top hotels, you can enjoy it for far less than it cost last summer. The three best hotels on the island--the Riva (doubles, $200-$316), the Adriana (doubles, $387-$523), and the Hotel Amfora (doubles, $213-$316)--are all offering a third night free. Book through: Eastern Europe travel specialist Greg Tepper of Exeter International (800-633-1008; greg@exeterinternational.com), as his connections can secure upgrades and even better deals than you can find solo.

Iceland:  The U.S. dollar will buy you about 60% more there than it did last summer. After a discounted flight (see icelandair.com for deals, including a $479 fare from New York), check into what was once one of Reykjavik's most expensive hotels, the Park Inn, for about $190 a night, and dine at the formerly exorbitant Seafood Cellar, where an over-the-top dinner and drinks for two is less than $200.

Ireland: Aer Lingus's fleeting sales have been dropping fares to as low as $238 round-trip from New York (versus $850 last year), $538 from Chicago, and $738 from San Francisco. Book through: Ireland specialist Kathleen Sheridan of Altour (201-477-7002; kathi.sheridan@altour.com), who has negotiated rates at charming properties around the country that are approximately 25% less than last year's. She can also get you a guaranteed upgrade at Adare Manor in County Limerick (doubles, $604) and Hayfield Manor in Cork (doubles, $230).

Alaska: Imagine a week of coasting past glaciers and the Pacific Northwest's loveliest islands on a cruise line luxe enough to make Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List 15 years in a row. Sound expensive? It's not: Celebrity Cruises is offering a weeklong Alaska cruise in July for $449, which translates to less than $70 per day (not including taxes and fees). Book through: Alaska specialist Margret Propper of Brownell Travel (205-414-1656; margretp@brownelltravel.com).

You'll find the basics on deals for ten more summer destinations here, but only the July issue of Condé Nast Traveler has all the details.

by Julia Bainbridge on Travel Deals

An email from JetBlue just landed in my in-box promising airfare sales for flights going to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Mexico.

The site advertises $29 one-way flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Cancun, for example. I test-booked it and found that, with taxes and fees, it's $134 round-trip. More than $29 each way, but still a good deal. Another example: Ft. Lauderdale to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for $247 round-trip (including taxes and fees). Seats are going fast--I can't find any more cheap Boston-to-Bermuda flights--so act now if you are in need of some sand and sun.

Book by: June 26, 2009
For travel from: July 14 through October 6, 2009