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KFWB, 980 AM, Los Angeles: Deal of the Week . . . It's Cabo!

Admit it, you deserve a break.  Somewhere along a beach where world-class golf courses are just a nine-iron away from your hotel . . . where the drinks are tropical, and the nights are, too.

You deserve a little Cabo.

It's no secret that Mexico's tourism numbers took a hit when swine flu came on the scene, but now it's here and we're dealing with it and and hopefully getting beyond it.  The Los Cabos tourist board is pulling out all stops with an almost resort-wide discounting of room prices and heaps of extras for visitors, at least until Dec. 17th, though many deals run into the new year, as well.

Some examples from the tourist board's web site:

• At the Cabul Azul resort, book six nights and get 20% off on your entire stay through Dec. 17.
• The Hilton Cabos Beach & Golf Resort gives you every third night free.  Plus a $100 resort credit if you stay three nights, $200 if you stay four or five nights, and $300 if you stay six or more nights.  But wait, there's more: Kids under 12 eat free from the kids' menu if accompanied by an adult.  Good through Dec. 17, with rooms starting at $269 a night.
•  The Marquis Los Cabos offers a family package rate that begins at $215 per person, per night for two junior suites or private pool casitas plus a rental car, yoga classes, daily breakfast delivered to your rooms, one dinner for six people, and a spin on the resort's yacht for a snorkeling or sunset trip.  Daily taxes, tips and resort fees are included in your room rate.  

And even the area's priciest resorts are offering deals.  The One & Only Pamilla, for example, offers a package that knocks 30% off your rate if you stay four nights.  Plus, continental breakfast is on the house and transport to and from the airport.  The summer deal that expires soon throws in two rounds of golf, and a $400 resort credit you can spend toward spa services, food, or more golf.

So do your homework, and then reap the rewards.

Press Release: 'Rudy Maxa's World' Wins 2nd Emmy w/ 'Tokyo'

The Tokyo episode of the first 13-show season of public television's travel series "Rudy Maxa's World" won a prestigious regional Emmy award last night in the category of "Arts/Entertainment feature" from the Upper Midwest chapter of the National Television Academy. 

It's the second Emmy win for the series in that category--last year, the "Rajasthan" show captured an Emmy as well.

Because the entry deadline bisected the series' season, only two shows were available for consideration by judges last year while 11 shows were eligible for consideration in 2009.

"I realize it's quite extraordinary for two episodes in an inaugural season to win Emmys in a major category," said executive producer Rudy Maxa.  "And the credit goes to Susan McNally, who wrote the script and co-executive produced the show, along with our photographer, Kirk Miller, whose artistic eye was well matched with the Japanese zeitgeist."

"Rudy Maxa's World" is the sixth season of shows hosted by Maxa for public television, and the first produced entirely by his company, St. Paul-based RMW Productions.  The company is currently producing a seventh season of shows, with episodes featuring South Africa, London, Scotland, and Uzbekistan's Silk Road already filmed.

Last night's win follows receipt of two Telly silver awards (the highest award possible from a judging panel of advertising and production professionals) for the "Kyoto" and "Bangkok" episodes and two CINE Golden Eagle awards for the "Tokyo" and "Rajasthan" shows.

"The Tokyo episode was particularly interesting to produce," said Susan McNally, "because Tokyo has so much color and life.  Everything from food to fashion is done with perfection, and we hope we captured that."

The crew was assisted during filming in Tokyo by local resident and guide Shinja Nohara, who has worked with journalists and television crews from around the world on assignment in Tokyo.

"Shinji's good spirits, his energy, and his willingness to tolerate our long days and nights of shooting made him an ideal 'fixer' during our week of work in Tokyo," said Maxa.  "Oh, and he also speaks Japanese."

The win coincides with the start of the broadcast of "Rudy Maxa's World" overseas by Travel Channel International, which recently began broadcasting the series in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa with Asia to follow in 2010.

The most recent season of "Rudy Maxa's World" was made possible by generous underwriting funds from The Leading Hotels of the World, Northwest Airlines, the Japan National Tourism Organization, and MedjetAssist.

DVDs of "Rudy Maxa's World" are available at the show's website, as are DVDs from previous seasons titled "Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa" and "Smart Travels: Pacific Rim with Rudy Maxa," produced in conjunction with Seattle-based Small World Productions.

KFWB, 980 AM, Los Angeles: Deal of the Week

Marriott has long resisted cutting room rates even as the competition has lowered prices or offered extra-nights-for-free deals. 

But now Marriott has joined the trend with what it calls its Global Rate Break, a 20% discount on its weekend rates at about 2,500 participating Marriott properties including Marriotts, JW Marriotts, Renaissance, Courtyard, Fairfield, SpringHill, TownePlace, and Residence Inn properties around the world.

Now, pay attention to the fine print.  You must book your rooms by this Thursday, Sept. 24, for stays beginning Friday through Dec. 13.  Marriott describes a weekend as Thursday through Sunday, so those are the nights you'll get the price break.  You must include a Friday or Saturday night in your stay.  The promo code is F5X. 

The World's First 'Cougar Cruise' To Depart San Diego Dec. 4

No, it's not a safari at sea.  A Los Gatos travel agency called the Singles Travel Company is offering a three-day cruise so that young men and "cougars"--women between the ages of 35 and 50--can meet.

The World's First International Cougar Cruise will depart San Diego on Dec. 4, giving men who want to find their Mrs. Robinson 36 hours to impress their quarry.  The web site will provide details, or you may call 888-286-8687.

KFWB, 980 AM, Los Angeles: Deal of the Week

From the radio show, "Rudy Maxa's World," Sunday, Sept. 13, (4-5 Pacific time) in KFWB, 980 AM, Los Angeles:

How does a terrific, five-day getaway to San Francisco and Carmel sound?  I'm talking over-the-top luxury and pampering for a couple. This one is my deal of the week, and it comes courtesy of two swanky places to stay.  The first is the Mandarin Oriental that's perched high above San Francisco's financial district.  And the second is the comfy Bernadus Lodge set among the vineyards of Carmel Valley.

The package is called Creme de California, and here's what you get: Private car service from San Francisco airport to the Mandarin Oriental for two nights.  Then two nights at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel.  There's a long list of extras, as well: massage for two at the Mandarin, daily breakfast in your room or in the hotel's restaurant, Silks; and a couple of cocktails and a wine and cheese tasting.

At the Bernardus Lodge, you'll also receive two nights lodging, daily breakfast, a four-course dinner at the lodge's restaurant, two more spa treatments, and some nice little extras like a drawn bath every night sprinkled with rose petals.

Cost of all this cosseting: $3,550.

The only flaw I see in this is that you must arrange your own transportation between the two hotels.  The Mandarin will provide round-trip sedan service for $500, but obviously you can rent a car for much less.  Or you can drive to San Francisco, and the Mandarin will give you free valet parking.

Footnote: If you'd like to take your kids to the Disney Family Museum that's opening in the Presidio on Oct. 1, the Mandarin has a different, more-stripped-down offer for families.  Book one room at a regular rate and get a second room for the kids for only $195 a night.  That's called the Family Exclusive.  No rose petals in your bathwater with this one.

Both of these deals are good through the end of the year.  If you'd like to talk to a hotel staffer about the details of these deals, you may call the Mandarin Oriental at 415-276-9888.

Southwest Airlines Expands Flights From Denver

Southwest today announced new non-stop service between Denver and Boston Logan, Spokane, and Reno/Tahoe effective Jan. 10, 2010.  Tickets may be purchased beginning immediately.

Fares in mid-January between Denver and Boston begin at $129 each way.  Fares between Denver and Spokane begin at $99 each way.  And Denver-Reno/Tahoe start at $117 each way.

KFWB, 980 AM, Los Angeles: Deal of the Week

From the radio show, "Rudy Maxa's Traveler" Sunday, Sept. 6 (4-5 p.m. Pacific time) on KFWB:

If you've never traveled to Europe in business class, Continental Airlines and the upcoming holidays might encourage you to do so.

Continental puts its BusinessFirst seats on sale at a deep, deep discount over Thanksgiving, the December holidays, and New Year's with fares beginning as low as $1,130 non stop, round trip from Newark to Europe and $2,000 with one stop (in Houston) from Los Angeles to Europe.

That's round trip.  And you can also get these deals from other cities served by Continental.

On Sunday morning, I priced a round-trip ticket between Los Angeles and Paris departing Nov. 24 and returning Dec 3.  Price with all taxes and fees: about $2,300.  That's a whopping $3,500 less than it would cost you to make the same trip in, say, October.

Here's the fine print.

The sale period over Thanksgiving begins--for outbound travel--Nov. 21 through Nov. 27.  Return travel must be between Nov. 26 and Dec. 4.

For December travel, outbound deals start Dec. 19 through Jan. 1 . Returns are between Christmas Day and Jan. 9. 

There's a five-day minimum stay, and fares are non-refundable.  Lowest-priced destinations in Europe are Ireland, Scandinavia and Great Britain.

This could be the perfect opportunity to check out the Christmas markets in Germany, Switzerland, or Scandinavia or do a little skiing in Gstaad.  Anytime you can fly between North America and Euorope in business class for these prices, that's a deal. 

Singles Travel: Beating the 'Based On Double Occupancy' Rule

A week ago I began a new, one-hour travel talk show on the CBS all-talk station in Los Angeles, KFWB-AM 980, and a listener called in to ask how she could save money while taking trips that routinely require two people traveling together to snare a bargain price.

It's a good question, but before I answer it, let me invite you to tune in on Sundays from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific to the radio version of "Rudy Maxa's World" if you happen to live in Southern California.  Otherwise, you may listen to the show as a live stream at the station's web site and join the party by calling in with a question or comment.  And beginning any day now, the station promises me that a podcast of each Sunday's episode will be available for downloading at the KFWB website.

OK, for the listener who asked the question and who was driving in her car and unable to write down the several web sites to which I pointed her, here is what she (and perhaps, you) need to know about saving money as a single traveler.

There are two ways to beat the double occupancy rule. The first is to find a tour or cruise that only charges a modest "singles surcharge."  This is not easy, but if you find a trip you'd like to take, it's worth calling the trip provider to ask if there's a reasonable surcharge if someone is traveling alone.  Sometimes, if an organized trip or cruise has empty spaces, a provider may be willing to have you aboard simply for the incremental revenue.

The second way is to find a suitable traveling companion.  Some cruise lines and travel companies will match you with another single traveler, though it's obviously a crapshoot as to whether or not the two of you will get along in, say, a cozy on-board berth.  Several web sites promise to come to the rescue by introducing you ahead of time so you can perhaps judge your compatibility.  Some charge a fee.

--The Solo Travel Network promises to "search the world for singles tours, singles cruises, singles travel clubs, hospitality organizations, any and all single-friendly holiday ideas."  That's a pretty big promise, but the group's home page provides plenty of examples.  Based in British Columbia, Connecting: Solo Travel Network (CSTN), publishes a travel newsletter, and you can see a sample here to help you decide if you'd like to subscribe. In my opinion, this is one of the more robust sites that can be helpful to singles looking for travel companions or deals for singles.

--If you're of a Certain Age (which means 50 or older), check out Wired Seniors, a site that links seniors for free to one another for social purposes.  There is a travel section that isn't all that helpful but does provide lots of links that might be.

--Solo Travel is another site that links to singles tours mainly by linking to appropriate Google ads.  However, there are a few articles about traveling alone or with a partner that you might find interesting.

--Airtroductions is a membership website that posts profiles and the travel schedules of folks who want to meet fellow travelers with similar interests.  Or who just want to share a flight they happen to be traveling on together. It seems to me a complicated way to find someone to share a cab with into town, but it may be a low-pressure site for meeting a new friend. Or, then again, you may meet the man or woman of your dreams and you can then thank me for changing your life. 

--Singles Travel International calls itself "America's premier singles travel company" attracting single professionals between the ages of 35 and 63 from around the world.  This is a travel agency, but there's nothing wrong with that if you find a trip that meets your criteria.

--And Solo's bills itself as the United Kingdom's "number one" singles tour operator with a worldwide menu of trips geared to solo travelers.

--Travel Chums claims to have almost 50,000 membes who are all looking for travel companions.  Sort of a Facebook of travel, you are invited to post your own web page with a photo and details about your likes and dislikes.  About 75% of members live in the US, 56% are single, there are slightly more men than women who are signed up, and membership skews across almost all ages with a surprising number of younger members. It's a big, wide, wonderful world, isn't it?