If you'd like to visit a European chateaux, but can't afford or don't have the time to leave the country, Erna Kubin-Clanin and Dr. René Clanin have brought a piece of France to America. Located in Yosemite National Park, California, the Château du Sureau boasts not only access to the Park, but is also host to those interested in taking group-sized French cooking classes. chateausureau.com
Small, medium or large, cruise ships vary from those for families and groups to those that cater strictly to couples and romance or professional singles who hanker for some alone time. Crystal Cruises specializes in themed cruises ranging from culture and enrichment, such as those geared to help cruisers learn more about lost civilizations, to holiday cruises centered around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The 2009 and 2010 Crystal Cruise "all-inclusive" packages include $2,000 worth of on-board ship credits per couple to spend as they wish. crystalcruises.com
The Intercontinental Miami in downtown Miami, Florida, boasts five-star accommodations in the heart of Miami's business district and Biscayne Bay. Less than five miles from the Seaquarium and South Beach, they provide babysitting services and a full-service salon and spa, as well as theme packages like myBody, "Gas Up" and the Make-a-Wish Ball. icmiamihotel.com
The York Lodge Guest House, Bootham, York, United Kingdom, is a restored Victorian residence 10 minutes away from the York historic center. It is a cozy, family-run guesthouse offering freshly prepared breakfast, fresh flowers and an old-fashioned personal touch that is hard to come by. yorklodge.yorkwebsites.co.uk
The Cerf Island villas offer a Seychelles holiday for a last-minute bargain price. All-inclusive packages include accommodations, breakfast, a poolside lunch, dinner and unlimited FREE drinks. The Seychelles of East Africa (located north of Madagascar) is known as the modern-day "Garden of Eden." cerf-resort.com/islands
Sometimes, luxury is all about atmosphere and ambience. The Santorini Princess Hotel, located in the Sea of Crete in the Greek Isles, offers not only honeymoon suites with unique views, but also mini-apartments with the usual fare as well as marble floors, a view of the Caldera Gulf and its world-famous volcano, and a look at the little islands of the Aegean Sea. santoriniprincess.com
Punta Cana, a region on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, is a top Caribbean destination. The area, which rarely has rain during the daytime, does not pull a slacker on the amenities or the white sandy beaches with coconut palm trees. Casinos, golf, spas, restaurants and merengue dancers highlight the fun times of this island paradise. puntacana.com
The Regal Hongkong Hotel is located in the heart of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. This is a deluxe Baroque pampering five-star hotel, so last-minute deals and reservations cannot be canceled or changed once confirmed. One of the unusual deals with the Regal is the "Welcome Little Sunshine Package," which features a daily menu of nutritious food for expectant mothers.
regalhotel.com/Regal-Hong-Kong
Say casino and most people think Las Vegas, Biloxi or Atlantic City and hot summer days and nights. How about a luxury lodge in New Mexico with hunting, fishing, skiing, concerts and gambling? Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero boasts natural beauty, poker tournaments and an opportunity to be in the thick culture of the Apache tribes who run the casinos. innofthemountaingods.com
Dolmen Yachts, headquartered in the Channel Islands (between Great Britain and Northern France) travel to the most exotic luxury locations on earth. It is not impossible to get last-minute deals to yacht like a millionaire to places like Monaco, St. Tropez, the French Riviera and the Cannes Film Festival. dolmenyachts.com/charter
