Bora Bora, a tiny island surrounded entirely by lagoons and a barrier reef, awaits you with treasures, pleasures, and leisure. Located on the furthest horizon between New Zealand and Hawaii, Bora Bora offers the ultimate escape. At just $1,899 per person, you can save thousands when you book with Tahiti Tourism. The luxurious 7-night Couples Retreat Package includes:

•    Roundtrip economy class airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui
•    1 night at InterContinental Tahiti Resort in a Standard Room
•    6 nights at Le Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora in an Ocean View Room
•    Inter-island air transportation, including transfers and baggage handling
•    Option to upgrade to a private Beach Bungalow, from $75 per night
•    And more!

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Head to the luxurious Snake River Lodge & Spa in stunning Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for some relaxation and adventure. From November 27 through April 5, 2010, this property is offering the Holiftic Ski Package to guests who are half adrenaline-junkie, half spa-aficionado. Let your skis slice through the soft, powdery snow during the day and after, treat your tense muscles to an invigorating deep-tissue rub-down at the 17,000-square-foot spa. With this package, you’ll stay four nights at the deluxe lodge with daily breakfast, receive three full-day lift tickets for two people at Jackson Hole Mountain, as well as one 50-minute custom massage each day per person. Rates start at $362/night.

Located at the foot of Aspen Mountain’s powder-packed slopes in Colorado’s picturesque high country, The Gant Resort provides an ideal base for an ultimate winter ski getaway. This posh mountain lodge boasts 140 upscale condominiums with luxurious amenities like wood-burning fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and daily housekeeping. Rack rates in December start at around $195/night for a standard 1-bedroom suite, but you’ll save up to 30 percent with the early-bird special. The Summer Snow Saver promotion entitles guests to a 30 percent discount on stays of 4 nights or longer, or 15 percent off a single night’s stay, for travel between November 26 and April 11, 2010. Plus, ShermansTravel Readers enjoy perks like guaranteed late check-out and a complimentary bottle of wine upon check-in. Visit www.gantaspen.com and enter special promotional code SHERGT by November 15.

Destination Resorts Snowmass is currently offering steep discounts on ski vacation rentals for the upcoming season, with your choice of luxurious mountaintop guestrooms or spacious townhouse-style condominium units. Close to world-class mountains like Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk, these slope-side properties offer convenient access to a wide variety of runs and steep backcountry trails. Book this special offer before September 30 to enjoy 40 percent off on stays of six nights or longer. We found discounted rates as low as $285/night for a 2-bedroom condo during high-season, reduced from $475/night. Visit www.destinationsnowmass.com and enter special promotion code “SAVE40” when booking.

Nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in breathtaking British Colombia, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler has 550 elegantly furnished guestrooms and amenities that include an award-winning onsite spa and Audubon-certified golf course. From gondola rides to guided mountain biking and fishing excursions, guests can explore the resort’s stunning alpine surroundings with an exciting range of seasonal activities. For a luxury adventure with unbeatable savings, we suggest the Green with Envy package. Available throughout 2009, this special includes nightly accommodation with daily breakfast and one $90 credit per room to use towards any mountain excursion. Rates start at approximately $130/night and include a donation to the Whistler Bear Society.

Skiers and boarders looking to save a bundle on accommodations this winter should take advantage of the early-bird rates available at one of Colorado’s top mountain resorts. Based at the foot of the Snowmass ski area, The Stonebridge Inn provides direct ski-in, ski-out access to more than 3,100 acres of diverse terrain that includes steep shutes, groomed beginner trails and challenging runs through shady groves of towering Aspen trees. Simply book your stay of three nights or longer by September 30 to enjoy low nightly rates from only $199 and a $25 daily credit towards spa treatments or dining. Plus, ShermansTravel readers enjoy an exclusive perk of late checkout by noon, so you hit the slopes on the morning of your departure. Visit www.stonebridgeinn.com and enter special promotion code “SAVEBIG” when booking.

Celebrate the arrival of autumn in New York’s Hudson Valley, an area praised for brilliant fall foliage, up-and-coming wineries, and dramatic white stone cliffs. Located on the scenic Shawangunk ridge just 90 miles from New York City, the historic Mohonk Mountain House has over 85 miles of trails tailor-made for hiking or snow-shoeing, along with breathtaking lake views, and a brand-new 30,000-square-foot spa. Choose from two special seasonal packages for an outstanding fall escape with all meals included. The Apple Festival package celebrates the apple harvest with midweek rates as low as $195 per person. Book your stay from September 7-30 for tasty perks like apple pancakes at breakfast and apple cocktails in the evening. Or, visit during the Pumpkin Festival from October 1-November 24 for midweek rates as low as $252 per person. Plus, ShermansTravel readers receive free access to the spa’s heated mineral pools, sauna, and solarium. Visit www.mohonkexclusives.com or call 1-866-666-3146 and mention ShermansTravel to receive free spa access.

Argentina won’t be crying for you—at least not when you’re touring exciting Buenos Aires, Iguazú National Park, and saving $300 to boot. With this 9-day excursion, you’ll visit breathtaking Iguazú Falls accompanied by an expert tour guide to explore jungles home to toucans, parakeets, and capuchin monkeys. Other package highlights include a 3-hour boat ride on the picturesque San Francisco River, as well as a ride through the lush, tropical rainforest in a 4X4 vehicle. This unforgettable trip costs $2,195 if you book by August 31. Rates include eight nights in luxury hotels and lodges, guided tours and entry fees, and some meals.

Back in mid-July on my visit to Paws Up in Montana, at the height of summer, there was a day of rain as cold as one in the midst of October. Summers just aren’t what they used to be, but something you may not know – and you should – is that fall in Montana is an absolute stunner. Comfortable temperatures and crisp and sunny weather make the landscapes even more scenic during this time of year. Not only is fall a well-kept seasonal secret, it’s also the time to save a serious chunk of change at Montana’s award-winning Resort at Paws Up. A serious chunk of change means a hefty 30 percent off summer rates for stays in the resort’s luxury accommodations this September and October. I can vouch for the luxury aspect – my tent at Tent City and my Wilderness Estate both exceeded my expectations.

In addition to these savings, those guests who book by August 31 will receive free wilderness adventures. Those include a full spectrum of fun activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing on the legendary Blackfoot River, clay shooting, rappelling off a historic cliff, ATV touring, and much more. During my recent stay at Paws Up, I went river kayaking and ATV riding – both were lots of fun! To make sure the experience is smooth and memorable, there’s now the new Adventure Concierge on site, an expert who matches guests with an adventurous itinerary designed just for them.

So, hurry and book by August 31 to receive complimentary wilderness adventures. All rates include three meals daily for two people. Guests receive free adventures in the form of a $250 activity credit per room/per night; this excludes spa services, some fishing excursions and Montana Master Chefs (Oct. 8 - 11). The offer is good for resort stays between August 31 and October 31, 2009 and a minimum three-night stay is required. Book by visiting www.pawsup.com or call 1-800-473-0601.

The Luxury Located on 730 acres of lushly landscaped Arizona desert, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa features 732 spacious guest rooms and suites with private balconies or terraces and exceptional golfing resources. The resort offers three championship courses, ForeMax golf training programs ($90 a class), and private lessons at the award-winning LaBauve Golf Academy ($275 an hour). Tee off on the Acacia, Ironwood, and Mesquite courses, or hone your swings on the climate-
controlled driving range. 

The Value With the Unlimited Golf for Two Package, a duo can enjoy a full day of golfing on any of three nine-hole courses and then sleep in a guest room with a king-size or two double beds. Through September 13, rates for this package start at $209/night, more than half off those during the peak season.

The Catch Temperatures climb above 100 during the summer. Use of the resort’s free air-conditioned golf carts is essential. 

The Details For more information, call 800/354-5892 or visit www.kierlandresort.com.

From the summer issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.