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Obamas, Clinton living large in Trinidad

While the U.S. government grills corporate executives for spending on things like retreats in Las Vegas and other high-profile destinations, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are on their way to the crystal clear waters of Trinidad in the Caribbean.

The fifth Summit of the Americas gets underway in Port-of-Spain this week, which will bring leaders from North and South America together to discuss topics ranging from the global economy to social prosperity. And the digs couldn't be nicer.

Accommodations for the [Obamas] have not been officially confirmed, but speculation has them either at the private residence of Prime Minister Patrick Manning or in a large suite at the 380-room Hilton. Clinton will be staying at the 428-room Hyatt Regency Trinidad, the headquarters hotel for the summit.

While I'm sure the summit is all for a good cause, how much work could you get done looking out on this each day?


Note: The Hilton Trinidad is currently closed to the public, as it is hosting only summit attendees while undergoing a complete facelift.

FareFinder: Tuesday, March 24

VacationMyrtleBeach.com offering Grand Strand resort specials starting at $48 a night.

The four-star Post Hotel Weggis in Switzerland offering a two-night Spring Awakening package that includes accommodations, meals, wellness treatments and mountain bike rentals for $780.

Continental.com last-minute airfare specials this week include Newark Liberty to Bermuda for $149 or Montreal for $128 and Houston to Mexico City for $209. All prices are for roundtrip tickets.

Delta.com partnering with Sandals Resorts to offer a four-night all-inclusive vacation to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa for $1,149 per person, including airfare.

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. offering a Weekend Traditions package that includes accommodations, breakfast at the elegant Adour restaurant and complimentary valet parking, starting at $395.

FareFinder: Monday March 23

(Ed. Note: This was scheduled to run on Thursday, and we apologize for the delay. My bad.)

Golf.VisitNC.com offers a sweepstakes for golf lovers. Enter to win the dream golf getaway now through March 31.

Radisson Edwardian's 12 hotels in London and Manchester are offering an Advance Purchase promotion, which gives you 20% off the best available rate.

Divi Carina Bay Resort & Casino in beautiful St. Croix offering specials during the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience, which is April 14-18.

South African Airways once again offering its "Planes, Trains and Safarimobiles" special for September, which is basically a 10-day all-inclusive vacation in South Africa (airfare, most meals, accommodations, tours, etc.), for $2,999 plus tax.

FareFinder: Thursday, March 12

Divi Resorts offering a five-day Girlfriend Getaway Package at its Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten starting at $585, which includes a $100 spa treatment, a $50 gift certificate at the resort’s on-site jewelry store and a $100 boat trip to island-hop over to St. Barthelemy for the day.

MSC Cruises extending its Caribbean Spring Sale aboard the MSC Liricia's March 24 and April 13 eastern Caribbean sailings. Interior cabins start at $60 per person, per day for the 10-day itineraries. Plus, kids sail for free when traveling with two adults.

Last-minute airfare deals on Continental and Delta for this weekend.

With March Madness one week away, tickets are still available for 2009 NCAA Tournament games in Greensboro, NC (first and second rounds) and Indianapolis, IN (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight).

Scoot Coupe: Future of Rental Scooters?

The Scoot Coupe was unveiled back in 2008 and displayed recently at a Detroit auto show. Available in three engine sizes (50cc, 100cc, and 150cc) and getting around 70 miles to the gallon (80 mpg in some tests), many people are wondering if the three-wheeled wonders will catch on as commuter vehicles.

If you don't want to shell out the US$6,000+ to buy one yourself, wait for your next vacation. Because of their stable three-wheel design, it's likely that travelers will start seeing Scoot Coupes available for rent in popular tourist destinations.

While the vehicles are not recommended for highways (they top out around 45 mph), they would be ideal for exploring small areas like islands in Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Keep an eye out. The Scoot Coupe may just be the next Segway.

FareFinder: Tuesday, March 3

Dreams Resorts is offering two great deals: 15%-50% savings and $200 resort credit when you book by March 31, plus a "Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free" deal on select dates.

Luxury property Post Hotel Weggis is offering the "Winter Dreams at POHO Package" that includes two nights, meals, and other great extras for around $1,000.

NYC & Company extends winter deals for Restaurant Week, Deal-O-Matic, The Signature Collection Third Night and more.

College basketball fans can win a free Caribbean vacation at Nisbet Plantation by choosing the team they think will be this year's Cinderella in the NCAA Tournament.

Looking for something for the family? Check out the new Family Getaways section for trip ideas, insightful stories and travel deals.

FareFinder: Tuesday, February 24

47 last-minute airfare deals from Continental hubs in Newark Liberty, Houston and Cleveland

Apple Vacations offering three night, all inclusive values from $599.

Discount airline Southwest to begin Boston flights into Logan this fall

MSC Cruises offering 60% off Transatlantic sailings from Ft. Lauderdale on MSC Orchestra and MSC Lirica

Divi Resorts in the Caribbean offering up to 40% off vacation packages, as well as food & beverage credit

Vantage Travel offering 16-day South American tour, including hotels, meals, airfare and sightseeing, for $3,999

Carnival Cruise Lines' one-day sale is this Thursday

FareFinder: Ushering in 2009

After a holiday hiatus, we're back to offer the best travel deals that come across the PTG desk each day. So, off we go:

Free Meals at Caribbean Resort: Guests who book four nights or more in one of Amanyara's Pavilions or Villas between January 4 and October 31, 2009 (excluding Presidents' Week, February 12-16, and Easter, April 3-17) will enjoy complimentary meals throughout their stay.

"Balcony Bonanza": Princess Cruises is offering couples free upgrades and $1,200 in savings on hundreds of cruises through 2009. Must be booked by the end of February.

More cruise deals: Travel to Europe on Oceania Cruises and you'll be rewarded with a $2,000 price reduction off two-for-one cruise fares, plus free airfare per stateroom on 18 of the company's 2009 European Collection sailings.

Continental.com weekly specials: A FareFinder favorite, the big last minute specials this week include roundtrips from Newark Liberty to Bermuda and Houston to Monterrey, Mexico for under $200. Book by Friday.

Delta.com Web fares: Delta is also offering some good deals online, including one-ways starting at $69 on routes such as LaGuardia to Orlando or Tampa, Salt Lake City to Las Vegas and Washington-Reagan to Reno. Book by Saturday.

FareFinder: dropping some knowledge on email "deals"

We here at FareFinder get a lot of newsletters. A lot. Most are even travel-related and revolve around deals.

Here's an example of one such "deal" I just got in the inbox this week.

Four all inclusive nights at a Cancun all-inclusive billed as "five-star" for $900 per person plus a "junior suite with jacuzzi" as the included room.

Here are some problems. First, you travel when they tell you to travel, which in this case was at the end of January. I can't make it then, but I can head down in the beginning of February. Is that price still available? Um, no. Plug those dates into the search bar and you get charged nearly $100 extra per person.

Second, you get the room they give you. That suite might sound nice, but what about something with an ocean view? Another $50 per person. What about oceanfront? Bump it up some more. And don't even think about going luxe on this trip (a swim-up suite could cost an added $650 per person through this particular "deal").

Third, you have to get there. I tried searching for a flight using their booking system out of Charlotte and it spit back airfare for two at over $1,000. Tried searching a couple big-city airports. Same thing. Now, that might be the case if you went to one of these discount airfare Web sites, but it still has to be factored into your "deal."

The kicker? Checked out this resort on PTG v.2. The resort's regular room rates start at $225 a night. Basic math: $225 x 4 nights = $900. Same as the "deal". Also, checked out the resort's Web site. Their regular rooms are ... you guessed it -- junior suites with in-room Jacuzzis.

In other words, be careful when you get these "deals" in your inbox. Many times, you can get the same price, or better, booking direct or going through a reputable travel agent.

Sun, Sea and Song: NCL bringing them all together

Just got word on a great cruise experience. You know, for those who like parties, concerts, the Caribbean -- that sort of thing.

NCL has teamed with Sixthman, a travel company that creates "experiences" aboard cruise ships, to create two music-themed cruise trips in February. The first is Ships & Dip aboard the Norwegian Jewel, which will feature concerts by a bunch of acts -- including a little band called Barenaked Ladies -- and will be sailing around the Western Caribbean for five days. The second is Cayamo: A Journey Through Song on the Norwegian Dawn, and will feature The Indigo Girls, Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin, among others, over the course of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Limited space is available as of this post, and I'm sure they're going to sell out fast. Prices are starting around $750 per, which include admission to concerts, plus the standard cruise fare (food, activities, etc). Both are departing out of Miami. Sounds like it's going to be a blast.

Image via NCL

FareFinder: Five-star Turks deal (aka -- Spend a lot, save a lot)

We here at the FareFinder understand that not all of you are looking for the five-day/four-night $300 all-inclusive (But if you know of a good one, pass it along!). You might be saving for that special second honeymoon. You might just have a mountain of money that didn't get swept away in the stock market (if so, I have a great Web site investment for you). But you still want value for your hard-earned bucks.

Sometimes, you have to spend a lot to save a lot. If you're part of the champagne wishes and caviar dreams crowd, we've got a deal down in the Caribbean. Seven Stars Resort is a newbie when it comes to the luxury resorts on T&C's Grace Bay Beach, but it certainly doesn't rank near the bottom for experience or price (more on that in a bit). But there's still value to be had, evident by the email I received not too long ago from the FareFinder fairy in editorial:

[...]Seven Stars resort on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands is offering complimentary nights and other added value for guests from Nov. 16, 2008-May 31, 2009. Guests staying three nights or longer get one complimentary night; those staying at least seven nights get two nights free. In addition, they receive a 20% resort discount for their entire stay on all food and beverages, spa treatments and boutique purchases. Also, minimum stay requirements have been relaxed. No blackout periods apply, including Christmas and New Year, and the promotion is valid for all room categories.

Great deal, but like a wise man stated earlier: Spend a lot to save a lot. Rooms start around five bills; suites reach an AIG-like $5,800 a night (Do I get a bailout if I stay here?). But the five-star property is worth it according to our reviewer, so who am I to judge?