Orbitz Sale Saves Travelers $150 or More on Vacation Packages
'Orbitz Travel Mom' Picks Top Family-Friendly Islands
Strip off the winter jacket, throw down the snow shovel and head south for the winter. Travelers seeking a respite from the icy bite of "Winter 2007" can take advantage of a new Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale and use the Orbitz Insider Index to plan a tropical getaway to one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.
"Planning a winter getaway for the family can be easy and affordable if you take advantage of winter deals like the Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale," said Heather Leisman, director of merchandising for Orbitz."
Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale
Don't head out this winter without checking out all the deals out there! The Orbitz Winter Getaway Sale gives families the opportunity to save on 4 and 7 night qualifying packages (flight + hotel) to Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Whether relaxing on Hapuna Beach in Hawaii or teaching a loved one to snorkel around The Cayman Islands, the Winter Getaway Sale gives you plenty of destination options to beat the winter blues.
Using promo code 150SUNNY
Save $150* off a flight + hotel package of 4 or more nights
Using promo code 300SUNNY
Save $300** off a flight + hotel package of 7 or more nights
To take advantage of the Winter Getaway Sale, packages must be booked between January 8, 2007 and February 4, 2007 and travel must occur between January 8, 2007 and July 31, 2007.
For more information on this sale and how Orbitz can helping your family escape the cold, visit:
http://www.orbitz.com/App/PerformMDLPDealsContent?deal_id=07jan08wintersale&cn t=PRO
Top Caribbean Island Destinations
To help provide travelers with the inside information they need to plan the perfect getaway, Orbitz once again releases the Orbitz Insider Index and taps into its staff of experts for their advice on where to go and what to do in the hot Caribbean.
To determine the most popular Caribbean destinations, the Orbitz Insider Index examines vacation package and hotel bookings on Orbitz.com, indicating significant destination trend information within the data.
2007's top Caribbean Island destinations this winter are:
The Orbitz Insider Index
1. Bahamas
2. Puerto Rico
3. Dominican Republic
4. Jamaica
5. Aruba
6. Virgin Islands (U.S.)
7. Netherlands Antilles
8. Saint Lucia
9. Bermuda
10. Antigua and Barbuda
Based on land-only hotel room and package hotel room sales for checking between 12/1/06 and 3/31/07.
Based on net bookings as of 12/13/06
Top Caribbean Islands for Families
Amid the most popular island destinations, travelers will find some are more suitable for adults, while others provide for a great family experience. It's key to research each island you plan to visit to ensure it suits your expectations for a warm weather getaway.
Orbitz looks to the "Orbitz Travel Mom", Emily Kaufman, for her motherly advice on where to head with your family this winter to ensure everyone will have a good time.
"My picks for an island or beach destination have multiple activities and amenities that suit everyone in your family. Avoid less kid-friendly destinations that cater mainly to adult travelers and look for resorts and hotels are tailored specifically to families," said Emily Kaufman, Orbitz Travel Mom. "The Caribbean has many unique islands that cater to family-focused travel, so you don't have to look far to find an islands that offer something for everyone."
The Orbitz Travel Mom's 2007 Caribbean picks are:
Bermuda (#9 on the Orbitz Insider Index)
Just a quick hop from the East Coast, Bermuda is bursting with family friendly activities. For families that adore animals, there is excitement on land and at sea. Dolphin Quest at the Bermuda Maritime Museum offers year round encounters with playful bottlenose dolphins for vacationers of all ages. For land lovers, Bermuda is home to over 360 unique species of birds and visitors to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo can view more than 200 fish, mammals and reptiles. If your family is full of explorers, a visit to the Crystal & Fantasy Caves of Bermuda or the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will have your entire group viewing crystal stalactites and stalagmites or exhibits that unlock the secrets of the sea.
Orbitz Travel Mom Tip - Bermuda does not allow rental cars, so many people get around via bikes, buses, taxies and mopeds. Mopeds can be fun, but they're not something for the kids. In general, Americans might want to stick to bus and taxi service as the driving environment can be hectic. As a territory of the United Kingdom, Bermudians drive on the opposite side of the road, which can be uncomfortable for U.S. residents.
The Cayman Islands
For the adventurous family, Grand Cayman Island is loaded with water sports and other exhilarating activities. For fun in the ocean, a visit to Seven Mile Beach will immerse everyone in activities such as banana boating, catamaran sailing, ocean kayaking, windsurfing and snorkeling. Boatswain's Beach, also on Grand Cayman Island, is a 23-acre adventure marine park which hosts an enormous turtle farm where visitors can view and even hold these fun four finned animals. For older children looking for additional excitement, a visit to Black Pearl Skate and Surf park is the perfect location for high thrills fun. This skate and surf park includes a 62,000 square foot skate park and a Waveloch Surf Machine which will have kids hanging ten in no time.
Orbitz Travel Mom Tip - Families visiting the Cayman Islands should take advantage of the beautiful underwater scenery located near these islands. Learning to snorkel together as a family is extremely fun. Snorkeling is very easy to learn and exploring the marine environment together makes for great vacation memories. Before diving in, don't forget an underwater camera to capture the memories! And for the kids just learning to swim -- that resort pool is the perfect place to learn to stay afloat with mom and dad!
Puerto Rico (#2 on the Orbitz Insider Index)
Puerto Rico is an island rich in history and natural beauty and there are numerous ways for families to experience both. A unique look at Puerto Rico's history can be found at El Morro. This bluff was used by Spanish and American explorers as a campsite and today there are over 2,000 inscriptions, featuring signatures and messages, as well as Ancestral Puebloan ruins. For a taste of Puerto Rico's natural beauty, visit Rio Camuy Cave Park, home of the third- largest underground river in the world and The El Yunque Rainforest. Well groomed trails lead families 200 feet down through huge beautiful underground caverns at Rio Camuy Cave Park. At El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, families have over 28,000 acres of lush forest to explore.
Orbitz Travel Mom Tip - For families that love great food, dining in San Juan is a taste extravaganza. In San Juan, families can experience everything from French, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Caribbean cuisine. Be sure to check out Old San Juan -- one of the best neighborhoods for food-y families!
Curacao
With an average temperature in the mid 80s and 38 different beaches to explore, Curacao is an ideal place for family relaxation and fun. Curacao has several family beaches, most of which are located along the southwestern coast, where the waters are clear and calm. For families seeking a unique animal experience, a visit to the Curacao Ostrich Farm can be great fun. One of the biggest outside of Africa, the farm has over 600 birds and does allow individuals to feed and hold baby ostriches. If interacting with animals is not your family's cup of tea, visit the city of Willemstad for great shopping, dinning and a look at some unique Dutch architecture. As a former Dutch commercial center, this is a great location to view Amsterdam style buildings as you stroll throughout this vibrant city of more than 125,000 people.
Orbitz Travel Mom Tip - Some of the beaches in Curacao do charge a fee which may or may not include a beach chair. Before heading down to the sand, check with the hotel concierge to find out if you should bring cash with you.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas
The ultimate family-friend island, Castaway Cay is Disney's private island for moms, dads and kids. For kids and teens, it's Never Land; for adults, it's Shangri-La. Step off the ship and you know, instantly, you've arrived at a magical place. Be as active as you want -- with hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and an aquatic playground -- or simply find your place
under the sun in Serenity Bay, the island's adult-only beach area.
Orbitz Travel Mom Trip - Only aboard a Disney Cruise Line vacation can guests indulge in a day-long visit to Castaway Cay. Cruising itself is a great way to spend a winter weekend away with the family, so check out family- friendly cruises to take you to on an island hopping adventure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
*Promo code: 150SUNNY
Book a qualifying Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii flight + hotel package-- indicated by a coupon icon -- between January 8, 2007, and February 4, 2007, for 4 or more nights for travel between January 8, 2007, and July 31, 2007, via Orbitz ("Qualifying Purchase") and instantly receive $150 off your purchase on Orbitz through the use of the promotion code ("Instant Discount"). Only Qualifying Purchases made through February 4, 2007, by 11:59 p.m. CT shall qualify for the Instant Discount. Travel must be completed by July 31, 2007. Only one Instant Discount allowed per hotel room. Instant Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Once Instant Discount has been redeemed, it may not be returned or refunded for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. In the event of any violation of these terms and conditions, Orbitz reserves the right to not honor the Instant Discount, cancel your reservation, and pursue other remedies.
**Promo code: 300SUNNY
Book a qualifying Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii flight + hotel package-- indicated by a coupon icon -- between January 8, 2007, and February 4, 2007, for 7 or more nights for travel between January 8, 2007, and July 31, 2007, via Orbitz ("Qualifying Purchase") and instantly receive $300 off your purchase on Orbitz through the use of the promotion code ("Instant Discount"). Only Qualifying Purchases made through February 4, 2007, by 11:59 p.m. CT shall qualify for the Instant Discount. Travel must be completed by July 31, 2007. Only one Instant Discount allowed per hotel room. Instant Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Once Instant Discount has been redeemed, it may not be returned or refunded for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. In the event of any violation of these terms and conditions, Orbitz reserves the right to not honor the Instant Discount, cancel your reservation, and pursue other remedies.
This Year's Top Caribbean Getaways
