Travel Deals: San Diego on a Budget – Where to Eat
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Travel Deals
By HSimas
DealPro(view all posts by HSimas)
at 7:55AM Tuesday February 22, 2011
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Money Saving Tips
Did you know that over 90% of the animals at the San Diego Zoo eat specialized reddish-orange biscuits to make sure they are getting all the nutrition they need? It’s true! You can see said biscuits in the accompanying photo I’ve entitled “Monkey Has This Many Biscuits.”
Chances are, when you visit San Diego, you’re going to want a little more variety than reddish-orange biscuits at every meal. You’ve been at Sea World all day, you swam at the beach, the kids are screaming that they’re hungry. So what’s for dinner? Read on for tips on delicious, reasonably priced eats in the San Diego area.
Gaslamp Quarter
If you are dining in the Gaslamp, your restaurant choices are nearly endless. I know my suggestions are but a smattering of the cheap eats available in this area, but if you are overwhelmed with choices, it is a good place to start. For breakfast (in the morning or any other time of day), Brian’s 24 at the Ramada offers huge portions and tasty food at very low prices. If you’re craving a burger for lunch, O’Brother’s Burgers offers all natural beef and an organic salad for less than eight bucks. Or you could enjoy your lunch with a little rock and roll history at Croce’s Restaurant, owned by Jim (“Bad Bad Leroy Brown”) Croce’s widow Ingrid. For dinner, half the fun is hearing the hostesses hawk their wares and checking out the menus as you stroll down the crowded streets, so I’ll leave you to your own devices.
Hotel Circle
If Hotel Circle is your home base, chances are you will be gobbling down breakfast then getting on with your day in beautiful San Diego. If this is the case, you must eat at Ricky’s Family Restaurant, and you must order the apple pancake. I’m sorry if that doesn’t sound personally appetizing to you. You must. This “pancake” is the size of a deep dish pizza and is delicious. How will you save money at Ricky’s? You will save money because you cannot possibly eat this apple pancake yourself. It could probably feed a family of four, as could all their other gigantically-portioned breakfasts. Word has gotten out about the apple pancake, so there is often a bit of a wait. But even when the line looks long, we have never found ourselves waiting more than fifteen minutes for a table.
Hillcrest
I love me some good Mexican grub, so I was delighted to discover Baja Betty’s on a recent San Diego trip. Besides very reasonable prices and generous portions, Baja Betty’s features specials every night of the week, such as Cerveza Saturdays (featuring $3 Baja Brew drafts and $6 for a bucket of six Bud Light stubbies) and $2 Tostada Tuesdays (self-explanatory). Warning to those looking for a quiet, romantic dinner or a place to take the kids: Baja Betty’s is a very loud, very festive, very colorful place. So if you are not in the mood for a bachelorette party complete with obscenely shaped balloon animals at the table next to you, I would go ahead and dine elsewhere.
At The Zoo
Tourist attractions are not known for good or inexpensive dining options and unfortunately my beloved San Diego Zoo is no exception. A substandard burger and fries at any of the food kiosks will set you back close to $10 and it is, well, substandard. OR you can check out Albert’s! Albert’s Restaurant is tucked away by the primates (and named after one of the zoo’s gone-but-not-forgotten gorillas) by a cool man-made waterfall. For just a few dollars more than what you would have spent on that soggy burger and fries, you can enjoy dishes like linguine with basil cream sauce or a portobello mushroom sandwich, either indoors or on the open air deck.
If you’d like a midday break from the zoo, head over to the nearby fine dining restaurant The Prado at Balboa Park, where the lunch menu features entrees that are a full $10 cheaper than the average dinner dish. Bonus: though it is fine dining, the fine folks at The Prado don’t mind if you come in smelling like zoo. I asked.
Now that your tummy is full, why not check out my companion San Diego on a Budget posts, What to Do and Where to Stay. And be sure to follow me on twitter @SavingsHSimas for wine, food, travel tips and nonsensical ramblings.
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Article source: http://www.savings.com/blog/post/Travel-Deals-San-Diego-on-a-Budget-Where-to-Eat.html
Post-revolution travel offers to boost tourism – Al-Masry Al
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Travel Deals
An unprecedented drop in tourism during and following the weeks of the 25 January uprising is forcing Egyptian travel agencies to offer discounted travel packages to Egypt’s major holiday destinations.
During the first couple of days of protests, Egypt’s economy reportedly lost an estimated US$1 billion as over a million tourists fled the country.
In an attempt to revive internal tourism, great travel deals are now on offer for vacations at the most luxurious hotels at highly attractive prices.
“This is the only way to rescue the tourism sector from a complete collapse and prevent the crisis of redundancies from escalating,” says Nesma, a tour operator.
The tourism company Nesma works for is adopting a marketing strategy that has started to prove successful.
“We have sent text messages and emails to all our customers to attract them to come and spend a holiday with their families or friends,” she says. According to Nesma, advertisements in newspapers are also encouraging Egyptians to make reservations for the next months.
“This year I won’t go to Europe. Cheap packages for Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada give a great opportunity to contribute to the tourism sector, so I decided to spend my vacations there instead,” says Sameh, a 28-year-old engineer. “Egypt is passing through a critical phase now, so we have to stand by our country until it regains its footing.”
Though Sameh has traveled abroad many times, he feels that Red Sea resorts are among the most beautiful places in the world. “This is why foreigners come from around the world to see it, and it’s time for us to appreciate its beauty too during these difficult times.”
Tourism, one of Egypt’s most important sources of revenue, generates around US$13 billion annually.
Although her work has been seriously affected by the toppling of the regime, Hoda, a tour guide, says she is optimistic that tourism will bloom again very soon: “The reason behind the revolution was internal political problems that have no relation to tourism.”
Nevertheless, many countries have warned their nationals against visiting Cairo, due to the unstable situation. Hotel occupancy rates have plunged to less than ten percent across the nation.
Hoda joined an initiative on Monday last week calling on tourists to return to Egypt. Two thousand tour guides launched the “Come back to Egypt” campaign at the Giza Pyramids, with the aim of conveying the message internationally that Egypt is now safe to visit.
The tour guides chanted, “The people want the return of tourism,” and carried banners bearing the same demand written in different languages.
“Until conditions go back to normal, I believe reasonable offers for Egyptians will help tourism to take its first step toward recovery,” says Hoda.
Here are some of those offers to enjoy during the upcoming period:
*Luxor
Hotel: Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel (4 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights’ stay for LE590 per person in a double room
Valid from 16 February till 26 April 2011
*Aswan:
Hotel: Movenpick resort (5 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights’ stay for LE640 per person in a double room
Valid from February till the end of March 2011
*Sharm el-Sheikh
Hotel: AA Grand Oasis Resort (4 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights’ stay for LE590 per person in a double room
Valid from February till the end of March 2011
*Hurghada:
Hotel: Marriott Red Sea Resort (5 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights’ stay for LE665 per person in a double room
Valid from 14 February till the end of March.
*Ain Sokhna
Hotel: Horizon al-Wadi
Stay: 3 days/ 2 nights
Rate: Two nights’ stay for LE375 per person in a double room
Valid from 17 February till 20 April
All packages are for Egyptians and foreign residents only.
For more offers or information, please call Thomas Cook on 26962139/40 – 24164000
Article source: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/326390
New Zealand earthquake: Christchurch airport plans to reopen Wednesday; extra …
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Travel Deals
Christchurch International Airport on New Zealand‘s South Island remained closed Tuesday after a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the country’s second-largest city, killing at least 65 people.
On its website, the airport said it plans to resume domestic flights at 8 a.m. local time Wednesday morning and international flights later in the day. The airport has also been posting updates on Twitter.
The country’s other airports, including Auckland, were operating normally.
Meanwhile, Google has set up a Person Finder link to find out about the welfare of those in Christchurch. As of Tuesday morning, the link showed 5,300 records.
Here’s roundup of airport and flight information; check websites frequently for updates:
*Air New Zealand says it plans to operate domestic flights in and out of Christchurch starting Wednesday morning when the airport reopens and will add extra flights to help move passengers who are stranded in the quake-stricken city. Tickets for domestic flights in and out of Christchurch from anywhere in the country will cost 50 New Zealand dollars (about $38 U.S.) each way, the website said.
*Qantas canceled its Sydney-Christchurch flights and was allowing passengers to re-route or rebook their flights without penalty. Check the website for guidelines on changing flight plans. Singapore Airlines also canceled its flights to Christchurch and asked passengers to call for further information.
*Wellington International Airport, which sits on the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island and was unaffected by the quake, posted a message on its Facebook page asking residents to take in stranded travelers whose flights to Christchurch were canceled. People with extra rooms or even a couch responded to the online call.
“Thank you for your amazing response to request for accommodation assistance. We have accommodated everyone we needed to at this stage. Thanks Wellington!” the airport responded.
Article source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-new-zealand-quake-20110222,0,41415.story
New York area: $18 rooms at Sheraton Lincoln Harbor in New Jersey
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Travel Deals
After spending $18 million on a makeover, the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel near New York City seized on the number 18 for a limited-time offer: Pay for a room at the regular rate and get the second night — or a fourth night too, depending on how long you stay– for $18.
The deal: The hotel sits on the New Jersey waterfront at Weehawken, across from Manhattan. In fact, user reviewers rave about the skyline view. The hotel is a short ferry ride from the Big Apple. Rooms start at $218 plus tax a night for this deal, which is good Thursdays through Sundays only, subject to availability. Use the promo code “18LTO” when making a reservation.
When: The offer is good through Aug. 31, but you must reserve by March 7.
Tested: You can peruse the details online at the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor’s website but reservations must be made by phone.
I wanted to maximize the savings, so I decided to check on a four-night stay in which I could get two nights for $18. I called and found availability for April 14-17 with two nights at the $218 rate and two at the $18 rate; prices don’t include tax. That’s roughly $118 plus tax a night — pretty good for a stay near the Big Apple.
Contact: Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel, (866) 716-8115.
Article source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-sheraton-lincoln-harbor-20110221,0,3261972.story
FOX 5 Money: Spring Travel Deals
February 22, 2011 by admin
Filed under Travel Deals
WASHINGTON – According to AOL Travel’s Spring Break survey, travel is up and people are planning to spend more money than last year.
If you haven’t booked yet, you’re not alone. 67 percent are still in the planning process and 75 percent who are flying haven’t nailed down a flight yet.
AOL’s Travel Director Beth Caulfield says this is not the year to procrastinate. Airfares are up about 10 percent and airlines have cut capacity, so you may not get the price or schedule you want.
Florida is by far the No. 1 destination, and Panama City Beach offers great value. There is a new airport serviced by Delta and Southwest Airlines, which offers easy access to all of the Northwest Florida beaches.
The Bay Point Marriott (where the Obamas stayed last year) has rates starting at $135 and has a 20 percent off special if you book 21 days in advance. Use promo code ADV.
Atlanta is hot for many reasons. There are tons of flights into this city, plus mild temperatures, attractions and some pretty swank hotels.
Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar is offering a spring special of $149 a night for weekend stays through May 1. That’s 30 percent off its regular rate.
The Ellis hotel is $135 through the end of April, which includes a $15 daily food and beverage credit.
If Texas is more your style, I found a package deal to Austin on Southwest Airlines from BWI Airport. It’s for midweek travel (I chose March 26-29), four nights for two people at the Hyatt for $1,060.
It’s always a good idea to check with a city’s convention and visitors’ bureau for local deals and discounts when you get there.
We also found some great deals by car. Head nine hours north to Burlington, Vermont for this fabulous deal by TravelZoo: $99 a night at the Essex Resort and Spa (minimum three-night stay). The deal also includes 20 percent off lift tickets, spa services and cooking classes.
Or, you can head nine hours south to Myrtle Beach. The Grande Ocean Shores has rooms for $42 a night midweek until March 24, and $59 a night from March 25-April 21. It’s $5 extra on Fridays and Saturdays. That’s also a TravelZoo exclusive deal.
And we can’t forget cruising. The Port of Baltimore served record numbers of passengers last year, and has a full schedule of 112 cruises for this year.
Here’s a sample: a seven-night cruise on the Carnival Pride to the Bahamas from $559 a night. Or, a five-night cruise on Royal Carribean’s Enchantment of the Seas for $449. Booking through Travelocity will get you additional onboard credit and a discount on shore excursions.
Travel-Ticker.com also sent us a few good DC/Baltimore deals:
-United’s new non-stop service from D.C. to the Grand Cayman starting at $181 each way.
-A nine-day Spain/Portugal trip with hotel, tours and meals – from $949.
-The Amalfi Hotel Chicago, starting at $99 a night on select dates through April 25.
LINKS:
travel.aol.com/discount-travel/
Article source: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/money/fox-5-money-spring-travel-deals-022111
