CHICAGO,
July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- American travelers looking for an
international beach getaway this summer may be wondering where they can get
the most luxury for less. Orbitz, with its heritage of keeping travelers A
Step Ahead(TM), examines popular beach destinations in two international
meccas --
Europe and
Mexico. The Orbitz Insider knows that travelers want
luxury in the surf that won't leave only sand in their pockets. And for
travelers looking for a late-summer getaway, Orbitz offers picks to help
beach-goers avoid the potential effects of hurricane season.
"It's no secret that hitting the beach is a popular summer pastime, but it
can be more difficult to decipher where you can find a truly great deal when
you head outside the U.S.," said Heather Leisman, senior director of
merchandising for Orbitz. "Whether you're heading close to home or off to
another country, take advantage of summertime sales and value-add incentives
at hotels and resorts to offset your costs. And consider locations that are
traditionally outside the infamous hurricane belt."
Orbitz Insider Index: Top Beach Destinations
In this summer edition of the Orbitz Insider Index, the online travel
company looks at the Top 5 most popular beach destinations in Europe and
Mexico and reports the average nightly cost of a hotel room in these beach
hotspots.
EUROPE: Top 5 Beach Destinations
RANK DESTINATION* Average Daily Hotel Rate**
1 Barcelona, Spain $194
2 Nice, France $193
3 Lisbon, Portugal $152
4 Naples, Italy $138
5 Mykonos, Greece $303
EUROPE'S AVERAGE*** $196
MEXICO: Top Beach Destinations
RANK DESTINATION* Average Daily Hotel Rate**
1 Cancun $200
2 Puerto Vallarta $173
3 Cozumel $180
4 Los Cabos $212
5 Riviera Maya $285
MEXICO'S AVERAGE*** $210
* Orbitz.com destinations based on popularity for arrival 6/1/07 to
8/31/07. Rank based only on nominated beach destinations. Data
includes hotel-only and package sales. Based on net sales as of
6/18/07.
** Average Daily Hotel Rate based on hotel bookings on Orbitz.com for
travel from 6/1/07 to 8/31/07. Based on net sales as of 6/18/07.
Rates are rounded up to the nearest USD.
*** Total average of Daily Hotel Rates for Top 5 destinations
Orbitz Staff Insider Picks
Looking for the perfect late-summer beach escape, but worried that the
hurricane season could get in the way? The Orbitz Insiders have put together
some of their top staff picks to help travelers find beach destinations that
are traditionally outside of the hurricane belt. These amazing locations and
beach retreats offer all the sand and surf with less chance that a storm will
threaten travelers' fun in the sun.
Kauai
If you really want to steer clear of hurricanes, head to Hawaii. Kauai is
the oldest of all the main Hawaiian Islands, and geographically it has some of
the most stunning vegetation and canyons. Greenery and flowers overwhelm the
island with beauty. Hiking and sightseeing are a must-do in addition to
spending some time on the beautiful beaches. The Waimea Canyon is deep and
vast, and shows amazing colors that even rival the Grand Canyon. Golf is also
popular on the island and is available at many of the resorts. For a cultural
and historical adventure visit some of the artwork and architectural remains
of the Hawaiian People over the centuries.
Aruba
Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Aruba prides itself on having some
of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The culture on the island is a
unique blend of Native American, African, and European influences and offers
all the activities and luxuries travelers' look for in an island vacation.
From sailing to scuba to deep sea fishing, there's something to suit nearly
everyone's mood on this tranquil, tropical island.
Barbados
This easternmost Caribbean island sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean,
but outside the hurricane belt, and offers nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a
year. One great way to experience this scenic environment is through the many
island, air, sea, and underwater island tours. A must see while visiting
Barbados is the Animal Flower Cave. The cave's floor is estimated to be
400,000 years old. Visitors can take a swim through parts of the cave or relax
at its restaurant and bar.
Puerto Vallarta
If Caribbean adventures don't suit your taste, check out one of Mexico's
most beautiful western beach destinations -- Puerto Vallarta. This seaside
town has a deep Mexican culture and beautiful landscape that will captivate
your senses. In addition to its laid-back beach attitude, Puerto Vallarta also
offers wonderful local art and some of the best in traditional Mexican dining
as well as other eclectic food options. The city is full of galleries and
five-star cuisine from chefs around the world.
Curacao
This Caribbean island located off the coast of Venezuela is famous for its
exquisite and picturesque beaches. The island offers extensive diving among
eye-popping coral reefs and plentiful sea life. The architecture throughout
the island's historic port is worth checking out, as well as art from one of
the many local artists. This destination exudes a European charm and friendly
atmosphere, and makes a great choice for a late-summer beach retreat.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that
enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products,
including airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation
packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com to the general
public in June 2001, Orbitz has become one of the largest online travel sites
in the world based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search
more than 80,000 suppliers worldwide including airlines, hotels and car rental
companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand. Travelport
(http://www.travelport.com) is one of the largest and most geographically
diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel
experiences the world demands.
Print This Page
Email This Page
Archives
Copyright Permissions
