Travel Ticker Announces the Top Five Destinations to Find Luxury Travel Deals in 2011

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Ticker®, a leading inspirational travel website, today announced the top locales where consumers can take advantage of luxurious deals at affordable prices.

With the economy inching towards a full recovery and prices stabilizing in many popular destinations, Travel Ticker's team of seasoned travel experts understand that it will take a little bit more leg work to find once in a lifetime deals this year, and they're out there doing it for you every day. To help consumers make the best travel decisions for their dollar, Travel Ticker has also put together a handpicked list of their favorite value destinations, complete with deals that won't break the bank. Now, travelers can just exhale, enjoy, and lap up the life of luxury!

"For many destinations, now is the time to get luxury for less, but you have to know where to look," said Barbara Messing, General Manager of Travel Ticker. "To help, we took the guesswork out of where and how travelers can find affordable luxury retreats. We also recommend taking advantage of deals to these destinations sooner rather than later because they might not last long."

Below is a list of Travel Ticker's top five picks for luxury travel now. For more hand-picked luxury deals visit www.travel-ticker.com/Theme/Luxury.

#1 Las Vegas

Las Vegas is still recovering from the new hotel openings in the midst of the economic downturn, so top luxe hotels on the strip are offering amazing deals. With the highly anticipated, 3,000-room Cosmopolitan Hotel officially opened on New Year's Day, luxury hotel deals are here to stay – some at prices even lower than 2010. Travelers should be on the lookout for grand opening promotions and deals for Sin City in 2011 loaded with complimentary extras.

The Deal: 3-night Vegas trips w/air and 4.5-star hotel on The Strip -- $415+: At these rates, there's no excuse not to go to Vegas. United Vacations has 3-night Vegas trips that include a flight and a stay at the 4.5-star THEhotel at Mandalay Bay on The Strip from $415. Plus, you can earn extra Mileage Plus(R) bonus miles. It's a win-win.

#2 Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Mexico

Viva la deal! Now is the best time to visit Mexico. Premium brands are opening resorts in the Riviera Maya area and these all-inclusive luxury resorts are a great option for travelers looking for a deal as everything is included – meals, drinks (with premium liquors), entertainment, activities and even ocean view upgrades.

The Deal: Riviera Maya: all-inclusive resort w/transfers & credit, $99+: The all-inclusive, beachfront Ocean Maya Royale is celebrating its complete renovation with $99-per-person rates in April. This includes airport transfers and up to $100 in resort credits. Stay now-March from $107.

#3 Hawaii

Aloha! If lounging by the ocean with your umbrella drink seems like a perfect vacation for you, Travel Ticker can deliver! Resort destinations, especially those focused on families, see slower demand during the winter season, making now the time to take advantage of their offerings. In fact, several resorts on the Hawaiian Islands are showcasing winter sales to attract travelers to their beaches, making it easy for consumers to escape to the islands for some affordable R&R.

The Deal: Exclusive Hawaii rates: 30% off 4-star Waikiki hotel -- $145:  Boutique luxury at 30% off is a rarity for peak-season Waikiki. Stay at the 4-star Lotus at Diamond Head for only $145, now-June 30. Additional extras are included. You'll only find this rate on Travel Ticker, so book now.

#4 Egypt

Never thought you'd see the pyramids in person? Well, what better time than now than to make that dream a reality! Luxury resorts and travel providers are offering deep discounts right now to attract travelers back who've been putting travel off to the region over the past couple years. And luxury package deals are a great way to cut even more costs this winter.

The Deal: Egypt w/Red Sea trip: air, luxe stays, Nile cruise -- $1,999+   The real Luxor, real luxury, and more. Gate 1's 15-day Egypt package includes a flight from NYC, stays at luxury resorts, a 7-night Nile cruise, intra-Egypt flights, and 31 meals from just $1,999*. The airfare alone prices out at over $1,300. It's as if the hotels/meals/cruise are only $700. Valid select departures, January 27-August 4.

#5 Southern California

Winter is the perfect time to skip the crowds of high season and take advantage of the warm and sunny off-the-beaten path luxury locales in Southern California, like Catalina. Many travelers tend to overlook this wonderful island, resulting in some great deals during the off-season. From the activities to the relaxing surroundings, Catalina is a great destination that isn't checked off most people's lists yet and rounds out the top five list.

The Deal: Catalina Island: upscale hotel with $380 in extras -- $102+:   The upscale Pavilion Hotel on Catalina Island is offering rates from $102 per person, per night, Sunday-Thursday, now-April 14. You'll get over $380 per person in passes and extras, including the new Zip Line Eco Tour (a $92 value), round-trip ferry transportation (a $66 value), and unlimited access to six tours, movies, and the golf course.

About Travel-Ticker.com

Travel Ticker is an online inspirational travel website that is home to some of the best insider deals at many of the world's favorite destinations. With an ear to the ground and an eye for the unique, Travel Ticker's experts provide users with a platform to browse for researched travel bargains, the latest travel trends, and editorial insight. Established in 2006 as a travel newsletter and in 2008 as a standalone website, Travel Ticker boasts more than 11.5 million subscribers. Travel Ticker is an independent business unit of The Hotwire Group. For more information, visit us at http://www.travel-ticker.com/ and follow us on Twitter (@travel_ticker).

Travel Ticker, travel-ticker.com, and the Travel Ticker logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. CST# 2053390-40

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