Moscow
Moscow is often a mysterious and imposing city for American travelers. The city is also known to have some of the most expensive hotels in the world with average rates of $400 per night. The good news is this is offset by cheaper flights, which can be as low as $468 round-trip from New York on Swiss Air for travel in April.
To boost tourism, Moscow is remaking its image into a tourist friendly city. With the launched in December of the Moscow Pass, travelers would save up to 30 percent on main attractions. The city also has added double-decker tour buses and tourist information centers.
If hotels are too steep, hostels may be a good alternative. New ones have emerged such as the Safari Hostel with shared rooms from around $22 per night. Moscow now has its first Sleepbox hotel with rates under $100 per night.
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Budget-conscious travelers can now add this Caribbean destination — St. Croix — to their list. The U.S Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is promoting this island with some great incentives. Its Fantastic Flight Promotion includes a $300 airfare credit on six-night packages and the sixth night for free for travel through May 31 with purchase by March 31. This offer is good at over a dozen participating hotels and travel partners including JetBlue and Expedia.
Intimate Treasures is another promotion that provides dining and attractions vouchers (valued up to $100) at select hotels. Of course, some of the island hotels have their own deals.
Germany
Germany celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Brothers Grimm stories this year. For Grimm fans, Germany’s biggest theme park, Europa-Park, will reopen on March 23 with an expanded Enchanted Forest. They are offering a 20 percent discount at the park’s themed hotels
Air deals are common. Lufthansa has regular sales with fares as low as $669 round-trip from New York to Berlin for travel in April.
You can score some in-country deals, such as 20 percent off Bahn rail passes for travel between Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. This also includes city cards with free public transportation and attractions discounts for travel through May 31 if book by March 31.
Hawaii
Beautiful Hawaii has become extremely cheap with some great sales from Hawaiian Airlines and as more airlines are competing in the Hawaii market, fare should remain relatively attractive. Air Canada is offering free nights with purchase.
Hotels also offering some great spring deals. Aston Hotels & Resorts have rates that start as low as $99 per night on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. You will need to book by March 15 for travel until June. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has a list of the most current promotions.
China
A country that some Western travelers consider hard to navigate is now getting easier with the help of a new website from the China National Tourist Offices. The website provides a wealth of information ranging from travel planning to activities.
A new policy that should bring more travelers into the country, the Chinese government now allows travelers from the U.S. and Canada a 72-hour stay in Beijing and Shanghai without a visa, alleviating the cost and inconvenience of obtaining a visa for ultra-short visits.
There are also plenty of travel agencies providing amazingly well-priced packages. According to Smarter Travel, “Tour operator China Spree has launched a 10-day Tibet and Beijing trip starting at $1,899, which includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Beijing, round-trip airfare from Beijing to Tibet, four-star hotels, meals, and day tours. The company also lists an eight-day Beijing-only tour with round-trip airfare from just $899. For those yearning to sail the Yangtze, Viking River Cruises is offering up to two-for-one pricing on its China’s Cultural Delights and Imperial Jewels of China departures (mention offer 03).”
[yahoo]
photo credit: young-germany, uniquehomes, kojoreport, lovethesepics
