Egyptian Adventure

If you're a looking for an amazing last-minute bargain, our friends at Spirit Quest Tours have officially gone off the deep end... of the Nile, that is! They are offering the last two seats on their upcoming two-week trip to Egypt (Feb. 13-28) for the unbelievable price of just $3,895 per guest. This tour includes a full week aboard an 8-stateroom private cruise ship where the guest to staff ratio is about 2:1, sailing the Nile, stopping at amazing temples and soaking up the spirituality of Egypt.

The rate also includes nearly a week in Cairo, staying at the world-famous Mena House Hotel and at Le Meridien, both within full view of the pyramids. Did I mention your private visit inside the Great Pyramid? And 2 nights in the Sinai, where you can climb Mount Moses and visit St. Katharine’s Monastery? The price includes all activities, accommodations as described, all travel within Egypt, & most meals. We can help with great airfares as well (at presstime, nonstop flights between JFK and CAIRO available for $1100.

Check out http://www.spiritquesttours.com/egypt2009 or email me directly at elitetravelgal@aol.com for more details and to book. Don’t delay– there’s only 2 spots left!

SKI TOWN FREEBIES

Kudos to RockResorts for coming up with such a creative way to add value to its winter rates. The company, which owns such ski town resorts as The Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail in Vail; Hotel Jerome in Aspen; The Osprey and The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek; Keystone Lodge & Spa in Keystone; and Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, now offers a "Three for Free" package. In addition to a complimentary night of lodging (with two or three booked, depending on property), you'll enjoy a free bottle of organic Bonterra wine, plus your choice of a $50 RockResorts gift card that can be used at RockResorts Spas, various restaurants, dining or gift shops OR $50 in “on-mountain cash” that can be used for dining, ski/snowboard rentals and more. The package must be booked by Feb. 28 and is valid for travel through mid-April.

For more information on this fabulous freebie-filled winter package, contact The EliteTravelGal at 310.979.9036 or via email at elitetravelgal@aol.com.

Romantic Winter Retreats

With V-day a few weeks away, here 's a few ideas on how to pamper your loved one.

Book the overnight "Rub the One You're With" package at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar (seen) in Westwood, CA and enjoy a massage class (given by a certified massage therapist) in the privacy of your own guest room. You'll also enjoy a welcome bottle of Champagne, free overnight parking and a take-home massage kit featuring Kerstin Florian organic lavender massage oil, lavender & lemon aromatherapy candle and aromatherapy bath salts. The overnight package is priced at $399/night through the end of March.

Or, head to the sunny Turks & Caicos and book a three-night "Refresh Escape" at Point Grace. If you have additional time, the four-night "Exhilirating Escape" may be a better fit. Priced from $3,250/couple, the deal includes pool-cottage accommoations and one of the following treatments each day: Ocean Power Marine Algae Wrap, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Raindrop Technique Massages, and Aromatic Caress Facial, plus a healthy breakfast and lunch for two daily.

For more details on these or other romantic getaways, contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking here.

St. Lucia Stress Relief

How do you spell stress relief? In our book, right now, it's spelled S T L U C I A. An amazing four-night package is available NOW through Lincoln's bday (Feb 12) at Discovery at Marigot Bay (which happens to be James Michener's favorite bay in the Caribbean).

The "Economic Stress Relief" package includes four-nights in a Bayview room, a $100 food and beverage credit (for use at the hotel's 2 restaurants or its chic swim-up bar), two complimentary welcome cocktails, all taxes, round-trip transfers AND two ESPA stress-relieving massages at the spa in the hotel's Zen Gardens. Priced from just $1,977 for two (or upgradeable to a one-bedroom suite for $3,1117).

For more info on this and other non-wallet-busting getaways, contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking HERE.

Yes, We Can...Travel, that is!

The economy may still be fumbling but as we sit at the edge of our seat watching history being made, we can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of optimism. Along with this, the desire to travel the world has never been stronger as I, for one, am now proud to be an American (after years of being asked by foreigners worldwide how we could have possibly elected & re-elected George W.). Those days are over, it's time to get traveling...

Here are a few ideas on where to go, NOW, to celebrate the positive changes taking place in our world:

Tahiti Dreaming? We can help make these dreams come true, even if you don't have much time on your hands. Take a "Tahiti Short Break" and enjoy a five-night stay (one night is free) at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (seen above) in an over water beach view bungalow! Including round-trip air from Los Angeles, all taxes and daily breakfast, the special Elite Travel Gal/Swain Tours package rate is $3,365 per person.

Ideal for families are the new Villas at La Samanna in St. Martin (especially with the amazing deals in place). Through Dec. 21, anyone booking four nights in the three- or four-bedroom villa gets one extra free, while those booking 5 nights will enjoy 2 comp nights. If available, an upgrade from the 3BR to the 4 BR will be given. Our special rates include VIP airport transfers, daily private breakfasts, a private concierge, twice daily housekeeping service, a private pool and garden, a private beach cabana, and, during holidays even beach butler service.

New Zealand Nice: Enjoy a mix of "Vines & Adventure" in New Zealand, with a 6-night experience inclusive of round-trip air on Air New Zealand (from Los Angeles), internal flights in NZ, and 3 nights and gourmet meals at the world-famous Cape Kidnappers, set on a 6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm on the Eastern Coast on New Zealand's North Island (where the cliff's plunge 800 feet downwards). From here, travel to Queenstown, and enjoy three nights at the deluxe, city-center Spire Hotel. Each of the 10 rooms features a fireplace, modern funky furnishings, a balcony and interactive multimedia system. Including air, daily breakfast, transfers and all meals at Cape Kidnappers, this NZ adventure can be enjoyed for just $3,299 per person.

For more ideas on how to celebrate the changing of the guard, contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking HERE.

Exclusively Yours

Membership does have its privileges...especially in luxury hotel chain's invite-only, "preferred agency" programs. As an affiliate of an agency belonging to Orient-Express Hotel's prestigious Bellini Club, Elite Travel International (ETI) can offer up to 25 percent off rates at such fabulous hotels as La Samanna (pictured) in St. Martin, Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Copacabana Palace in Rio, Reid's Palace in Madeira and La Residencia in Mallorca, Spain!

Here's the deal: Book a stay at any of these properties by Feb. 28 for travel through April 30 and enjoy a free 4th night with 3 booked and 2 additional free nights with 5 nights booked! This equates to savings of up to 25 percent...In addition to the free nights, also enjoy a three-course dinner for two and two 30-minute massages at Maroma Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya.

Another great "Members Only" deal currently on offer through end of May: Book a stay by Feb 27 through ETI (an affiliate of a Ritz-Carlton STARS agency) at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and your rates will be discounted 25 percent. For example, a Club Level City-View room typically priced at $575 is available (if you book through us!) for $479. Extra perks? Continental breakfast and a customized welcome gift are included as well!

We've got many more "exclusive" offerings (not to mention, great breakfast-inclusive rates and lots of special perks!) as an affiliate of TravelStore Platinum, a Brentwood, CA-based agency with membership in Signature Travel Network plus the Ritz-Carlton STARS, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Orient-Express Bellini Club and Rosewood Hotels Elite invite-only programs. Contact the EliteTravelGal by clicking here for more details on how we can help you stretch your luxury travel bucks in 2009.

Exclusively Yours

Winter Sun Promotion with savings up to 25% Book by February 28 and valid for travel through April 30, 2009.
Pay for 3, and get the 4th night FREEPay for 5, and get the 6th and 7th nights FREEParticipating hotels include:La SamannaBora Bora Lagoon ResortCopacabana PalaceReid's PalaceLa ResidenciaPay for 4, and get the 5th night FREEPay for 6, and get the 7th night FREE, PLUS a 3-course dinner for two with house wine and two 30 minute massages per roomParticipating hotel: Maroma Resort and Spa

There IS Such a Thing as a Free Lunch....

Book a four-night (or more) stay at Amanyara in Providenciales (Turks & Caicos) and not only is your lunch free, but breakfast and dinner are too. This incredible food-inclusive offer is valid through October 31 (with the exception of President's week, Feb 12-16 and April 3-17) for all bookings in any of the resort's Pavillions or Villas. And lest you think these are just any meals, think again...

The gourmet cuisine at Amanyara is known for its mix of Asian and modern Mediterranean cuisine and casual Caribbean fare, emphasizing fresh seafood (South Caicos Lobster Tail in season or King Prawns), the latter served at the Beach Club. Coffee, tea and juice at breakfast are complimentary, and dining in complete privacy on the terrace of the Pavilions or Villas is also a tempting option.

For more details or to book a stay at Amanyara--which gets kudos for coming up with such a creative promo--contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking here.

Pampering in Puerto Plata

Just in time for Valentine's Day, a slew of romantic getaways have hit the inbox. Here's one from Small Luxury Hotels that sounds especially nice...at a terrific price.

Located on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa Colonial Beach & Spa is a charming beachfront boutique hotel ideal for romantics seeking a peaceful Caribbean retreat. A two-night Romance package includes pampering from the moment the plane lands at Puerto Plata (in the form of welcome cocktails at the VIP airport lounge while waiting for priority customs processing, passport control and tourist cards). A private transfer awaits, and once at the hotel, couples will enjoy a self-guided spa treatment (inclusive of an herbal wrap, body scrub, rain shower exfoliation and more), a 30-minute "Serenity & Sensuality Soak" and a couples' massage. A three-course candlelit dinner, bath butler surprise and return airport transfer are all included in the package rate of $1,095 per room (additional nights can be added) through February 28.

Click here to contact The EliteTravelGal for more details on this and other romance-themed winter getaways!

New Year, New You

Need to kick-start those New Year's resolutions? Head to Kamalame Cay, a private island resort in the Bahamas next weekend (Jan 16-18) and enjoy daily yoga classes and complimentary life-coaching sessions with Jo Sawalha designed to help you define your dreams and redesign such areas of your life as relationships, career choices and health & welless. Price from $800 for the 2-night stay, the "all about you" weekend is a bargain considering coaching sessions with Jo typically run $300/hour. A total of three yoga classes, three coaching sessions, accommodations in a beachfront cottage and daily breakfast are included in the $800 weekend package price.

This is a weekend you dont want to miss, not if a better you is in the plans for 2009. Contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking here for more details.

Deal of the Week, Next Week That is...

One of the biggest trends we're seeing right now has luxury travel companies offering time-sensitive promos, with deep discounts available...but only during a limited booking window. EliteTravelGal thinks it's a pretty wise move, as what better way to stimulate advance bookings than to offer early-booking savings? So...if you've gotten into the habit of waiting til the last minute to see what kind of deals you can grab, change your thinking and start planning that summer vacay as the deals won't get better than those offered far in advance.

For example, Seabourn just announced a 60 percent savings on dozens of amazing Mediterranean sailings between March 31 and August 29. The catch? Bookings must be made Monday Jan 12 through Monday Jan 19th. Per person fares from about $2,800, depending on date and itinerary.

If you book a select sailing to Alaska aboard Celebrity by this Friday,Jan. 9th, you'll get a $200 shipboard credit and only 50 percent of the typical deposit is required. For its part, Windstar (pictured above) is also offering a 50 percent reduction on cruise deposits on all new bookings made now through Feb. 28. This means a committment of only $375/person instead of $750 each, within 3 days of putting a cabin on hold.

Check back with us often for more time-sensitive deals as they appear to be one of the first hot trends in luxury travel for 2009. Click here to contact The EliteTravelGal for more information on these and other luxury vacation ideas.

Italian Holidays

With many of our favorite Italian hotels reeling from a less-than-stellar 2008 (largely due to the Euro/dollar exchange), many are offering appealing rates and packages heading into 2009. For example, if you book four nights at the Hotel Caruso (pictured) in Ravello along the Amalfi Coast this April, that 4th night will be gratis.

Or, book the Caruso along with any of its Orient-Express sister properties (Hotel Cipriani, Villa San Michele or Hotel Splendido) for a total of 7 nights and you'll pay the same rate at each property, each night (starting at around $850/night compared to the $980/night charge by the foursome in the chain's 1-4-7 deal last year). NB: This promotion hasn't been officially announced to the public yet, but we do hear it from an inside source so consider it true.

If you're planning an early season visit (before April 28), add Lake Como to the mix with the "Spring on Lake Como" package offered at Villa D'este, one of EliteTravelGal's personal faves. The price of 1150 Euros (for two) includes: a two-night stay in an Executive Room with park/garden view; buffet breakfast at the Restaurant (or continental in the room); a delicious 3-course meal; plus a spa credit of 100Euros and complimentary access to the Villa d’Este Sporting Club. In high season, the same package is offered from 1500Euros/couple.

For more details on these and other incredible Italy offers for 2009, contact The EliteTravelGal by clicking here.