Now that we’re comfortably ensconced in March, this wintry weather is getting a little old. We might be a good few months away from Memorial Day, but it’s never too early to start planning for the summer, and luckily Budget Travel has a handy slide show of the world’s best affordable beach resorts, including destinations in Mexico, France, Israel, and Maine. Here’s hoping it’ll take the edge off the chill outside.
One of the other (hundred or so) miserable things about winter? Chances are that any time you get on a plane you’ll immediately turn into a human petri dish. The top New York Times travel story this week is a piece by Michelle Higgins detailing “How Not to Get Sick From a Flight.” Be warned: There are a few grisly details, such as the fact that in one study, four out of six tray tables tested positive for the superbug MRSA and one for the norovirus. Coffee, tea, or an incredibly infectious vomiting bug? Flying just seems to get better and better.
Two awesome deals from Travelzoo this week, the first of which we’d recommend jumping on soon because it’s selling out fast. Icelandair is celebrating its inaugural nonstop service from Reykjavik to DC with a $469 weekend deal, including round-trip flights, two nights at the Hotel Loftleidir, and breakfast (taxes are an additional $84, and extra nights can be added for $75 per person per night). The trip is valid for some dates in August and September.
Closer to home, the four-star Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina has rooms available in May for $99 per night and in March and April for $129. The hotel is on the Intracoastal Waterway and has a complimentary shuttle to the beach for guests (a mile and a half away) as well as a pool, three restaurants, and a fitness center. Water taxis are available to head downtown, and the deal includes free wi-fi and two cocktails at check-in.
And finally, if Arthur Frommer’s instincts are right, it’s going to be an expensive summer for anyone traveling across the Atlantic. One travel company estimates that rising oil costs are going to lead to a $360 fuel surcharge on flights. Luckily, Seth Kugel went to the New York Times Travel Show this week and scored a few money-saving tips from industry experts. You can read about them here.
