TRAVEL NEWS YOU CAN USE!

November 2008

Hawaii hotel occupancy is at its lowest in years. If you’re dreaming about Hawaii this fall or winter, there’s rarely been a better time to visit America’s Paradise. Journeys to Paradise has outstanding deals on all islands this fall and winter. As of late October, there is still some Christmas holiday space available. The very best deals are for travel now through mid-December.  Tip: Ask us about our Sand Dollar promotion with Marriott Resorts of Hawaii: free nights, free breakfast, & upgraded room.

Cruise prices dropping. Cruising has felt the impact of the worldwide economic crisis and some wonderful offers have emerged. Where do you want to sail? Alaska? Europe? Mexica?  An Elvis theme cruise? Let Journeys to Paradise find the cruise that best meets your need and desires and saves you money today. Tip: Every week cruise lines send us outstanding short-term promotional specials with short sales periods. The savings can be spectacular if you’re ready to cruise. If you have a specific region where you want to cruise, let us know about it and we will contact you if a great special comes across our desk.

European River Cruising is becoming increasing popular…and for good reason It’s an easy and comfortable way to see many of Europe’s great cities and rich historic sites at a great value. You don’t have to fly or train from city to city, pack and unpack your luggage, or find your way around in an unfamiliar country. One of our suppliers, Scenic Tours, offers 82% private balconies, fully inclusive tours with no optional add-on costs, all tipping included, more public space than most river cruise ships, and excellent cruise and tour directors. Bonus: You save on your European vacation by paying for your cruise in US dollars rather than paying local vendors in Euros. Let Journeys to Paradise help you plan your 2009 or 2010 European river cruise now while prime space is still available. Call or email us for a brochure.

Long Weekends. Don’t have time for a long vacation this winter? How about a long weekend instead? Journeys to Paradise has recommendations for just about ever budget. Choose from Las Vegas, Disneyland, San Francisco, one of our many fine regional resorts, or even a special weekend in downtown Seattle or Portland. Hint: Most resort prices are lower midweek, but city properties often offer their best specials on weekends when they don’t have business travelers or conference goers booking their rooms.

The Early Bird gets the best buy. Most airlines are reducing holiday flight schedules in favor of higher loads and profitability. This could significantly impact holiday travel plans for those that wait until the last minute to book. It’s never been more appropriate to book early during heavily traveled times, or be prepared to pay significantly more than in the past. At Journeys to Paradise, we’re booking spring break and summer travel for 2009 and have cruise bookings for the 2009-2010 Christmas and New Years season. Hint: If you’re thinking of a multi-generational vacation, a reunion, or other significant travel in winter 2009 or beyond, we suggest that you discuss plans at your next family get-together. Book early. Save money. Avoid disappointment of not getting what you want.

Frequent Flyer Miles. It’s a good time to use earned frequent flyer miles. Most airlines are making miles more costly to redeem. It may make sense to cash in some of your miles. Your airfare savings will allow you to upgrade your accommodations for a fantastic dream trip. But book early (see previous paragraph). Airlines allow a limited number of seats per aircraft at their best mileage redemption levels.. Once these seats are gone, you can still use miles for seats, but you will often have to redeem double the number of miles for the same seat. Hint: Plan far ahead. Call your airline and ask them what the earliest date is that you can redeem your miles for your desired dates of travel. It's often about 330 prior to your desired departure date. Call the airline very early on that day to assure the you get the best value for your earned miles.

We Book Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions. We can book any hotel, car rental or attraction (like a luau in Hawaii) for you no matter how long or short your stay will be. Don’t just think of Journeys to Paradise for you longer stay travel. Call us for all of your travel needs. We can save you time and often money, even on short stays.

Best Buys Now From Journeys to Paradise

(The following fall offers are available as of October 20, 2008 and are subject to availability and change without notice. All prices shown are per person based on double occupancy and include applicable taxes.)

HAWAII

• WAIKIKI for $529 at 4-Star WAIKIKI MARRIOTT for 4 nights in Partial Ocean View room, daily breakfast, in-room amenity, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/25/08.
• MAUI for $$369 at 3-Star LAHAINA SHORES for 5 nights in Studio Mountain View room, compact car for 5-days, all taxes. Stays thru 12/20/08.
• KAUAI for $639 at 4-Star OUTRIGGER LAE NANI for 5 nights in One-Bedroom Ocean View room, compact car for 5 days, all taxes. Stays thru 12/15/08.
• KONA for $429 at 3-Star ROYAL KONA RESORT for 4 nights in Bay Tower Standard room, compact car for 5-days, all taxes. Stays thru 12/21/08.

MEXICO

• PUERTO VALLARTA for $329 at 4-Star SHERATON BUGANVILIAS for 5 nights in Studio room, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/18/08.
• CANCUN for $434 at 4-Star CASA MAGNA MARRIOTT for 5 nights in Garden View room, a $100 per room resort credit, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/18/08.
• RIVIERA MAYA for $589 at 4-Star IBEROSTAR PARAISO BEACH in All-Inclusive Run of House room, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/18/08.
• LOS CABOS for $399 at 3-Star RIO SANTA FE in All-Inclusive Garden room, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/18/08.
• LOS CABOS for $648 at 4-Star VILLA LA ESTANCIA in Deluxe Garden View room, airport transfers, all taxes. Stays thru 12/18/08.

CRUISES (2009)

• 3-NIGHT PACIFIC NORTHWEST CRUISE on Celebrity Mercury for $385 Inside Cabin/$485 Ocean View/$585 Ocean with Veranda. 10/2-10/5/09. Itinerary: Seattle-Victoria, BC - Nanaimo, BC - Seattle. Journeys to Paradise holds 50 cabins (24 sold through Oct). Price includes cruise, taxes, port charges & fuel surcharge. Book by 12/24/08 with $100 per person deposit.
• 7-NIGHT 2009 NEW YEARS CRUISE on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Sea for $1361 Inside Cabin/$1571 Ocean View/$1741 Ocean Veranda. 12/27/09-1/3/109. Itinerary: Los Angeles - Los Cabos - Puerto Vallarta - Mazatlan - Los Angeles. Journeys to Paradise holds 16 cabins. Price includes cruise, taxes, port charges and fuel surcharge. Book by 3/1/09 with a $500 per person deposit.

LAS VEGAS

• PRE-HOLIDAY FLING for 4 nights 12/11-12/15/08 including all taxes.

- 4-Star LUXOR in Run-of-House room for $199.

- 5-Star BELLAGIO in Deluxe room for $395

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

• LAKE QUINAULT LODGE for 2 nights in Main Lodge View room for $139 or cozy Fireplace room for $169 including tax.
• SUNRIVER RESORT for 2 nights for $149 Guestroom/$205 Lodge Village Suite including tax.