Mardi Gras is less than six weeks away and for many Northshore families, it is the perfect time to take a vacation.
Christine Beesley, owner of McGehee Travel Agency in Mandeville, says the four favorite trips for locals during Mardi Gras are: Disney, skiing, island destinations and cruises. Always a kid-pleasing choice, more than 400,000 Louisianians visit Orlando every year. The middle of ski season is February and Beesley says, “You are almost guaranteed the snowfall will be good.” The islands have perfect weather and no one has to worry about hurricanes. Cruises, especially out of New Orleans, are convenient and an alternative to flying.
The toughest part of traveling during Carnival season is finding a flight. Beesley advises people to plan early. “The more time you have, the better the fare, the better the accommodations or the better the cabin. If you wait until two days before Mardi Gras--you will have to drive,” she says. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, there are plenty of great places to visit. It’s not too late to plan a fantastic family escape. Listed below are more suggestions on where to go.
Northwest Florida
The Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau says December through March is the “value season.” Visit Florida’s Gulfarium Marine Show Aquarium or book a dolphin cruise on the Southern Star. Online deals can be found at (www.Destin-FWB.com/EmeraldSpecials/).
U.S. Virgin Islands
No passport is required to visit St. Thomas. The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa has a fixed rate, all-inclusive package. The SunValue Island Getaway package price starts at $591 per room, per night, for two adults staying four nights or more and includes unlimited food and beverages, entertainment, non-motorized water activities and half-day access to the supervised Kid’s Club. Children under the age of 12 who share a room with their parents stay, play and eat (from the children’s menu) at no additional charge. The cost for children ages 13 to 17 who stay in the same room with their parents is $95 per child, per night. Rates are subject to availability. Promo Code is PKGSVAI www.wyndham.com/specialoffers/special_offers/details/sttsb_aipsunvall
Great Smoky Mountains
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (www.MyPigeonForge.com) is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most people visit during the warm months, but winter is an active time, too says Tom Adkinson a spokesman for the Department of Tourism. “Hikes in the Smokies are fun and different because vistas are available then that foliage obstructs later on, outlet and specialty store shopping is popular, mountain meals are available at restaurants such as the Old Mill and Mama’s Farmhouse, evening entertainment is offered at theaters such as the Comedy Barn and Dixie Stampede, and attractions such as WonderWorks and Dinosaur Walk offer indoor diversions.” Two bonuses to visiting during February are the city’s five million Winterfest lights remain operational and accommodation rates are among the lowest of the year.
Boulder, Colorado
If you are looking for an affordable ski vacation, check out the “Boulder Ski Escape” (www.boulderskiescape.com ). Lodging and lift tickets start at $64.50 a night per person.
Boulder’s ski area, Eldora Mountain Resort, is an easy 30-minute drive from downtown Boulder up through Boulder Canyon. There are four restaurants at Eldora. One of them, The Lookout at Corona Bowl sits at the top with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide.
Jackson Hole, WY
The 1,000-acre Spring Creek Ranch (www.springcreekranch.com) in Jackson Hole, WY has a full-time naturalist, who organizes and leads wildlife safaris that teach families about the land, conservation and introduces them to wildlife. For winter, the resort offers twice weekly snowshoe wildlife hikes and a weekly winter wildlife safari to Grand Teton National Park.
Februrary Hotel Deals
Stay for two consecutive nights at a Country Inn & Suites and receive a 20% discount. The offer is good through February 25, 2010 at hotels in the US and Canada (www.countryinns.com ).
A new Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort opens in February 2010 with the lowest rates of the season starting at $79. For reservation call 1-800-HOLIDAY or the hotel directly at 407-828-8888 or (www.hiorlando.com).
New York City’s Apple Core Hotels – a group of five moderately priced hotels situated in the heart of midtown Manhattan are all offering a “Winter Wonderland” package starting at $145 a night through February 28. Call (800) 567-7720 and ask for details.
February is a bargain-hunter’s dream in New York City. Look under “Offers” at (www.nycgo.com) to find hundreds of special offers from NYC hotels, attractions, museums, theatres, restaurants, shops and tours. For example two-for-one Off-Broadway tickets are available at more than 30 theatres.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, home of two championship courses and the world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, introduces “Unlimited Golf” where one greens fee provides the golfer with unlimited rounds per day with rates starting at $173 a night per person now through April 30, 2010 (www.omniorlandoresort.com).
Hilton’s Worldwide’s luxury brands, Waldofr Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts are giving guest who stay for two consecutive nights $50 activity credit and breakfat for two. The “Winter Escape” offer runs through March 31, 2010. For reservations, call 877.205.8271 use the promo code "PRES1N."