SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury The majestic Mohonk Mountain House overlooks sparkling Lake Mohonk in New Paltz, just 90 minutes north of New York City. Spend the day exploring the property’s 85 miles of foliage-speckled nature trails or partaking in tennis, golfing, boating, horseback riding, or rock climbing. Then bed down in one of the Victorian castle’s 265 rooms. The rates include three meals daily, afternoon tea, and most activities. Read the rest of this post »

Renowned for its stunning natural scenery and important historical sites, 32-mile-long Lake George is one of most popular destinations in the heart of the New York State’s scenic Adirondacks. Nestled on its own private island, The Sagamore Resort offers a wide range of waterfront activities that include scenic cruises, kayak rentals and chartered fishing excursions. Visit during fall for crisper temperatures and colorful foliage and take advantage of the special low rates available only to ShermansTravel.com readers.  From now through October 31, you’ll pay just $159/night for the resort’s lodge-style guestrooms or $199 for stays in the main hotel. During the month of November, rates start as low as $129/night for stays in the lodge and $179/night for hotel guestrooms. This exclusive deal amounts to up to $100 in savings and all prices include daily breakfast for two. Visit www.thesagamore.com or call 1-800-358-3585 and mention ShermansTravel.

Steeped in history, Colonial Williamsburg offers tourists a glimpse into its event-filled past. Colorful foliage, subdued temperatures, and outstanding discounts make visiting this quaint historic area in the fall extra special. Currently, the Williamsburg Lodge is offering an autumn getaway package starting from as little as $149/night at the Williamsburg Lodge. Valid through December 29, this deal includes a $100 resort credit for arrivals Sunday through Tuesday which can be used at any of the Colonial Williamsburg restaurants or taverns, The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, and on-site Colonial Williamsburg-owned stores. In addition, guests will receive a 20 percent discount on most purchases at any Colonial Williamsburg-owned stores. A 2-night minimum stay is required.

An unforgettable adventure awaits visitors on Hawaii’s Big Island, renowned for its diverse landscape that includes snow-covered mountains, lush rainforests, black-sand beaches, and active volcanoes. Located on the island’s stunning western Kohala Coast, the 62-acre Hilton Waikoloa Village offers elegantly furnished guestrooms in a gorgeous oceanfront setting. The family-friendly resort also boasts a freshwater pool with dramatic waterfalls, a day camp for children ages 5 to12, and a Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon where kids can interact and swim with the friendly ocean mammals. Available through December 31, the Ocean Explorer Family Escape covers a 4-night stay for two adults and two kids, including daily buffet breakfast and one glass-bottom boat cruise. Kids also receive a backpack filled with goodies, including an underwater camera, coloring books, ocean fish guides, and more. Rates start at just $294/night per room.

Situated on the shores of Southern Maine’s largest lake, the Point Sebago resort is the perfect setting for a magical Maine getaway this Labor Day. Guests of this 775-acre family destination will discover a gorgeous marina with private boat rentals, an 18-hole championship golf course, and free kids programs. For the best value, we’d suggest the Labor Day Weekend Package. This 3-night special includes eight buffet meals (with one lobster dinner); daily family activities and games with prizes; unlimited paddle boat, canoe, and kayak rentals; nightly entertainment; and a special 1-hour cruise aboard the canopied Point Sebago Princess. Choose from tent-site accommodations, park trailers, resort cottages, or 2-bedroom vacation homes. Package rates start from $200 per adult. Kids age eleven and under pay just $35.

This 7-night southwestern adventure from Caravan Tours lets you visit some of this country’s most picturesque desert regions and national parks. Departing from Phoenix, you’ll drive north to Montezuma’s Castle, the historic site of 12th- and 13th-century Native American cliff dwellings. Next, you’ll explore the majestic Grand Canyon and cruise through the ravines of the 185-mile-long Lake Powell. Other tour highlights include a jeep tour of Monument Valley, scenic drives through the amazing limestone formations of Bryce Canyon National Park and the astounding sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. The trip costs just $995, a price that covers hotels and transfers for the duration of your tour as well as some meals. Various departure dates are available through October, but book soon for best availability.

Step back in time to experience life in the colonial capital of Williamsburg, Virginia, with this special 2-night package available at either the Woodlands or the Governor’s Inn, both conveniently situated just steps from all the action. Your stay includes access to the historic area, exhibition sites, daytime programs and museums, as well as a free guidebook. Explore the town on your own as costumed men and women regale you with tales of colonial life and the challenges they faced. Available through September 3, this offer starts at just $101/night and includes daily breakfast and dinner.

Experience America’s pre-Revolutionary days with a summer getaway to Colonial Williamsburg. With this low-priced family special, you and your clan can spend as much time as you choose exploring 18th-century life in the world’s largest living history museum. Starting at just $292/night for a family of four, you’ll enjoy nightly accommodations at the historic Williamsburg Lodge and 3-in-1 admission to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, Busch Gardens, and nearby Water Country USA. Other package highlights include free Colonial Kids Club admission, plus discounts at area spas, golf courses, and shops. The Williamsburg Lodge Family Fun Bounce package is offered through September 3, but availability is limited so be sure to book ahead.

Summer is here, so how about a retreat into the wild in Washington State? Just 85 miles northwest of Seattle, Olympic National Park offers ocean beaches, forests, valleys, glacier-capped peaks, and a wide variety of animals from elk to sea lions to grizzlies. Surrounded by more than 632,000 acres of temperate rainforest and picturesque lowland lakes, the Lake Quinault Lodge is a great place to stay with plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and hiking on 15 well-maintained nature trails. For a memorable summer getaway with your entire clan, consider the resort’s Family Adventure package. Highlights include one nights’ lodging, two 1-hour boat rentals, and enough s’mores for the whole family. Rates start at $199 through September 30, based on a family of four traveling together.

Many of us associate trains with uncomfortable seating and cramped quarters, but Northern Rail has managed to turn vintage train cars into a unique hotel substitute. Located in the town Two Harbors in the picturesque Northwoods region of Minnesota, this unusual take on a B&B offers upscale accommodations inside 18 converted train car suites. These old-fashioned enclosed boxcars offer enough space for a family of four, many of which feature full or partial kitchens, with separate dining areas and working fireplaces. Hopping off into the great outdoors, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking in nearby Gooseberry State Park. Summer rates for two in  the Porter Suite  start at $147/night, or try the posh Yardmaster Condo with rates from $289/night, available from June 1 through October 18.