When it comes to vacation planning, one of the first things you decide is the destination based on your interests. Are you into golf? Fine dining? Nightlife? Theater? Shopping? Lounging by the pool? Gambling? All of the above? Regardless of your interests, Las Vegas is definitely a destination worth checking out if you have never been, since you will be likely to find something to fill and entertain your days and nights.

So, go ahead and grab one of the great fares to Las Vegas that our deal experts have found this week, and see what lies and wait for you in Vegas. These fares are for travel between fall and early winter, which in our opinion, is a much better time to visit, as the weather will be cooler with the average temperate being in the high 60s.

Cheap Flights to Las Vegas

These fares are not part of an airline sale and may disappear at any time, so book ASAP!

Availability varies by route, with many of them being nonstop flights. Click on the Fly.com Fare Calendar links below to find the best dates to travel to Las Vegas from September to December, unless otherwise noted (all prices roundtrip, including taxes):

• $72-$80 — San Diego Aug. — Nov.
  
• $108-$128 — Portland, Ore.
  
• $118 — Phoenix Aug. — Sept.
  
• $118 — Salt Lake City
• $168 — Dallas Aug. — Nov.
  
• $178 — Philadelphia
• $238-$252 — Boston
• More cheap flights to Las Vegas

For additional ideas on deals in Las Vegas, check out Travelzoo’s Destination Page for savings of up to 40% on hotels and entertainment.

Other Flight Deals

If you prefer your destinations to have an old world charm to it, we have found some other great deals to destinations around the world.

Travel September through December, unless otherwise noted. Click on the Fly.com Fare Calendar links below to find the best dates to travel (all prices roundtrip, including taxes):

• $337-340 — Cleveland to Los Cabos
  
• $353 — Raleigh to Cancun
• $640 — Charlotte to Honolulu
  
• $674 — Los Angeles to Budapest Nov. – Feb.
  
• $668 — Los Angeles to Barcelona Nov. – Feb.
• $688 – Pittsburgh to Sao Paolo
• $777 — Los Angeles to Amsterdam Nov. – Feb.
• $866 — St. Louis to Madrid Oct. 27 – Dec 12
  

Fly.com News and Updates

For the latest information:

• Subscribe to the Travelzoo Top 20
• Follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Fly_com)
• Subscribe to the Fly.com blog
• Fare Calendars – This tool shows the best deals from the nearest major airport and allows users to create a custom fare calendar for any route (scroll to the bottom for this functionality).

Featured Image: Las Vegas Strip (Shutterstock.com)

Top Flight Deals for June 19: It’s Vegas, Baby!

American Airlines is now rewarding passengers who pack light with early boarding privileges. The move comes sharply on the heels of reports that U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion in baggage and reservation change fees from passengers in 2012 (the highest amount since fees became common five years ago), and Frontier Airline’s announcement that it will now begin to charge some passengers $25-$100 for carry-on luggage.

But in a world of travel that is packed with unbundled airline fees, is American Airlines new policy a shining ray of hope? Perhaps for business travelers who are making a day-long short-haul roundtrip that requires only a briefcase or laptop bag. For the rest of us, the perk of boarding early will come at the expense of having to check our luggage for a fee.

However the good news is that most airlines are still not charging for carry-on luggage. So how do you take advantage of this one free benefit – albeit without pre-boarding – while it lasts? Answer: pack light.

Here are Fly.com’s tips for cramming everything you need for a week’s vacation into one small piece of luggage.

#1: Know your itinerary

It sounds like common sense, but planning ahead is the key to efficient packing. And, if you are one of those travelers who either throw random things into your luggage a few hours before your flight or have a habit of packing everything but the kitchen sink, this tip is certainly for you.

Knowing your itinerary can help you maximize your clothing choices. Pick footwear that can go with multiple outfits. Take accessories and separates – like thin jackets, jewelry, ties and wraps – that take up little space, but can turn your outfit from day wear into evening wear. Work off of a mix and match policy: by recycling pants, skirts and tops you can create multiple outfits from fewer items.

#2: Check the weather forecast

Don’t pack for every eventuality unless you are traveling to a climate that requires it. A good litmus test is to check the weather forecast before you pack. If the forecast is telling you that it is going to be 82 degrees and sunny during your visit, you really don’t need to pack bulky and heavy clothing “just in case.” At worst, should the weather change, you can always use your jacket (see #3 below) or buy an umbrella.

#3: Travel in bulky clothing

Save space in your carry-on luggage by wearing or carrying your bulkiest items. This includes footwear, like sneakers or boots and cold weather jackets or sweatshirts.

#4: Roll, roll, roll

Rolling clothes can help save valuable space and also prevent wrinkles. Just remember to roll from the bottom up, smoothing out any creases along the way. But, if you don’t want to do this for your nicest dress or suit, that’s o.k.; just rolling T-shirts, under garments, pajamas and casual clothes will save lots of space.

#5: Maximize the space

Any empty cavity should be maximized. So stuff your socks, deodorants, hair brushes, belts etc. into your shoes. Fill your purses with toiletries or undergarments. Plus the added bonus is this will help the original item keep its structure too!

Happy Travels!

Featured Image: Overfilled Suitcase (Shutterstock.com)

Packing Light

Cheap airfare to Brazil doesn’t come by very often, and even less so from Pittsburgh. So if you have been itching to visit Brazil, now’s a great time to do so with these great fares to Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. These fares are up to $400 off regular roundtrip pricing.

Fare Details

Travel is from September 3 to December 5. Both fares require a layover, but should only be 1-5 hours, which is very manageable on such a long trip. We recommend booking ASAP, as these deals are not part of an advertised fare sale, so we don’t expect them to last long.

Click the link below to search for the best dates to travel using Fly.com’s Fare Calendars:

• $688 — Pittsburgh to Sao Paolo (Roundtrip, incl. Tax)
• $929 — Pittsburgh to Rio de Janeiro (Roundtrip, incl. Tax)

Finding the flights on Fly.com is easy, see example screenshots below:

Fly.com Search Results: Pittsburgh to Sao Paolo

US Airways Booking Page: Pittsburgh to Sao Paolo

Fly.com Search Results: Pittsburgh to Rio

US Airways Booking Page: Pittsburgh to Rio

Fly.com Updates

Here are a few ways to stay connected with us:

• Subscribe to the Travelzoo Top 20
• Follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Fly_com)
• Subscribe to the Fly.com blog
• Fare Calendars – This tool shows the best deals from the nearest major airport and allows users to create a custom fare calendar for any route (scroll to the bottom for this functionality).

Featured Image: Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge (Shutterstock.com)

$688-$929 — Pittsburgh to Brazil (Roundtrip, w/Tax)

Andy Mossack, a well-known British travel writer and the creator and presenter of BBC Radio’s “Where in the World is Andy” travelogue series, shares his overall impression of beautiful Vienna. Be sure to check back in for other insightful reviews from Andy’s travel exploits.

There’s a square in the old city. It’s not a particularly impressive square, or for that matter all that large, but it is nevertheless a square of great secular significance. Judenplatz, as it is called, has come to represent a turning point in Austrian political thinking. Like its neighbor Berlin, Vienna is witnessing a revolution of revelation, where its less than illustrious history is no longer swept under the carpet but exposed, warts and all, for everyone to see. In fact Vienna is bending over backwards to embrace and rebuild its former Jewish heritage, and going there today, you certainly feel that they have taken huge strides forward in making this a reality.

This is a stunningly beautiful city, and the countless museums and landmarks documenting its famous people and buildings are seemingly everywhere you turn. You may also be surprised at the list of famous names that have walked these streets: Marie Antoinette, Mahler, Schubert, Johann and Richard Strauss, Sigmund Freud, The Von Trapp family immortalized in “The Sound of Music,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, Fred Zimmermann and Otto Preminger to name but a few. Of course these were also the streets where Beethoven and Mozart plied their trade, and while a visit to both of their houses is recommended, you should avoid one of Vienna’s less desirable sights: the hordes of tacky hawkers in Mozart costumes falling over themselves to sell you tickets to concerts.

Vienna State Opera House (Shutterstock.com)

Vienna has always been a must-see city — its glorious architecture and classical music heritage have no equal — but it is also fast becoming a place where young and old can happily co-exist and enjoy their own particular brand of activity without overlapping. Trendy bars live alongside traditional restaurants and cafes that seem to bring home what eating out is all about. The clearest example of this is right near The Danube in Bermudadreieck, or The Bermuda Triangle area. Why the seemingly out-of-place moniker? Because some say it’s guaranteed you’ll get lost amid its maze of cobbled streets piled high with staggering amounts of restaurants, bars and music clubs! That may be true, but it does have an antiquated feel to it that goes back to when the old merchant ships came up river and their crews were looking for a good night out. You’ve been warned.

You simply cannot come to Vienna and not indulge. With a seemingly endless supply of cafes and cake shops there seems little point in attempting to follow your cholesterol free diet, so just for a few days let it all go and just throw yourself into it. Apple Strudel and Sacher Torte are on tap everywhere; with great coffee to wash it down and always a glass of water on the side. Very Viennese.

While Vienna is not a cheap city, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the place without breaking the bank. I would for instance recommend taking the CAT from the airport. It’s a train service directly into the city center that takes 15 minutes and only costs about $3. Using the hop-on/hop-off bus tour will give you a feel for the city and teach you some interesting facts along the way. And you can even conduct the Vienna Philharmonic yourself using a virtual baton at the House of Music.

If time permits, you can grab a train and visit Slovakia’s capital Bratislava, only 45 minutes away down the Danube. It’s the only place in the world where two capital cities are so close, but remember: Bratislava is not in the euro zone, so you will need to change currency. However it is well worth a day trip.

To keep up with Andy and his travels, be sure to check out:

• http://andymossack.blogspot.co.uk
• @andymossy
• Clips from his “Where in the World is Andy” radio program

Featured Image: Vienna Skyline (Shutterstock.com)

Embracing the Culture and History of Vienna

Matthew DeJong is the owner of Winding Road Productions specializing in feature films, documentaries and video game production.  Through his travel writing, he encourages  young families to conquer their fears and explore the world with their children. 

Anticipating your trip to Disney World might provoke many well-marketed scenarios: meeting Princess Aurora for the first time; sauntering through the castle on a perfect summer day; your child turning to you as fireworks dazzle the night sky saying “Thanks for everything, mom.”  However, those who brave the parks with very small children know that at any moment, the magic could turn to tragic. As veterans of two tours of duty, there are several ways to keep the dream alive.

Fly—Don’t Drive

Don’t plan a road trip if you know it will take multiple days to get there. Being behind the wheel for eight hours each day, you also have to take into consideration bathroom and meal breaks every few hours, as well as those emergencies that would make prospective parents think twice. Granted, road trips can stretch your dollar, but when you consider gas, hotels, meals and incidentals, the savings are generally minimal, especially if you can take advantage of the type of flight deals that you find on Fly.com. Some might also suggest that traveling by car “adds to the fun.” We found that such a long drive simply exhausted our children before they even entered the gates. Spend your energy wisely: save it for the parks!

Have a Plan

If you haven’t been to the “house the mouse built” since you were young, you need to know something. It’s changed.  A lot! What once was a leisurely two-day tour through Magic Kingdom and Epcot is now an epic journey through four sprawling theme parks, two water parks, Downtown Disney and more, notwithstanding the endless delights provided by a range of custom hotels like The Grand Floridian or The Yacht Club. For the kids, Magic Kingdom is everything. We found that rides are fun but are soon forgotten, yet experiences like lunch at the castle with Cinderella are worth their weight in memories. However, the rides that you want to plan for are those famous for a reason – It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and even the Haunted Mansion for the bravest of little souls. There are other attractions appropriate for young kids at Epcot, Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom, and circling age-appropriate activities in the helpful brochures makes the best use of your Hopper Pass.

Tiger in Animal Kingdom (Shutterstock.com)

You Can’t Do It All

Much to the chagrin of list makers, you can’t do it all in one visit, especially with young children. In fact, there are large components of Disney World that are geared for much older teens and even adults. Kids need those times of rest and recovery from their overloaded senses rather than just being dragged from exhibit to exhibit, dispassionate and uninvolved. Surprising to us was that staying around the hotel and going for a leisurely dip in the pool or a free ride on the monorail was just as satisfying to our brood as exploring Ariel’s Grotto. As well, depending on the time of year, excessive lines, frequent summer storms or an intense August heat could prevent you from a couple of “must dos” the first time around.  It’s better to take your time and maintain a right attitude rather than following a frenzied state. Just keep telling yourself you’ll be back someday, and if you set the right tone your kids will want to come with you.

Take Some Time to be a Grownup

Walt must have known that as much as we like to believe we’re young at heart, we still need to be treated like adults.  And these days at Disney, there are endless activities for moms and dads like Magnolia Golf Course near the Polynesian, the luxurious Grand Floridian Spa enjoyed by stars such as Paula Abdul, award-winning restaurants like Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table,  and a thriving nightlife filled with dance clubs and blues nooks. Such activities can be embraced during scheduled “nap times” or even while the kids are down for the night if you want to take full advantage of Disney’s convenient babysitting service. If you’re feeling guilty enjoying the pleasures of the Kingdom without them, you can sooth your conscience by enrolling the little ones in the Mousekateer Club, a sensational program for kids as young as 4 who will be entertained with crafts and fascinating activities. Those solitary moments of peace and quiet or an exhilarating date under the stars will leave you refreshed for another day of child-like activity under the Florida sun.

Anyone who has ever taken young children to Disney World knows the experience is unique. The excitement, the wonder, the belief in the magic can never be replicated by any other vacation or perhaps by any other age group. Consider not just their limitations but yours because, with a little planning and patience, everyone’s dream can come true.

To keep up with Matt and his travels, you can find him on Twitter: @DeJongMatt.

Featured Image: Alaska Airlines Disney Plane (Christopher Parypa / Shutterstock.com)

The Small World: Disney for the Very Young at Heart

This week AirTran and Southwest are having a limited time sale from their hubs to practically every city they fly to in the U.S., starting as low as $47 each way ($94 roundtrip, including taxes). And this sale is the real deal, unlike many of the so-called-sales both airlines tend to offer on what seems like a monthly basis. And the best part: all other airlines are matching, or undercutting AirTran and Southwest’s sale by $10 to $30. Destinations include Boston, Chicago, Denver Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, Reno, and much more.

These fares represent savings of up to $200 off typical roundtrip prices, and most are available to be purchased as a one-way fare.

Cheap Fall/Winter Flights

The AirTran and Southwest sale ends Thursday at 11:59 p.m. PT, but if you see a fare you like, don’t wait or it might be sold out for your preferred dates!

Availability varies by route, with many of them being nonstop flights. Click on the Fare Calendar Links below to find the best dates to travel from September to December (all prices roundtrip, including taxes):

• $94 — Chicago to Memphis
• $98 — Atlanta to Orlando
• $98 — Baltimore to Boston
• $98 — Detroit to Baltimore
• $98 — Los Angeles to Reno
• $98 — Portland to Sacramento
• $98 — Salt Lake City to Denver
• $98 — San Francisco to Los Angeles
• $197 — Houston to Phoenix
• $198 — Austin to Los Angeles
• $198 — Philadelphia to Chicago
• $198 — Miami to New Orleans
• $198 — Denver to Seattle
• $198 — Cleveland to Orlando
• $198 — Chicago to Austin
• $258 — St. Louis to Los Angeles
• $258 — Los Angeles to New Orleans
• $258 — Detroit to Phoenix
• $258 — Chicago to Las Vegas

Don’t see your hometown? Click here to browse Today’s Best Fares from your city.

Fly.com News and Updates

For the latest information:

• Subscribe to the Travelzoo Top 20
• Follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Fly_com)
• Subscribe to the Fly.com blog
• Fare Calendars – This tool shows the best deals from the nearest major airport and allows users to create a custom fare calendar for any route (scroll to the bottom for this functionality).

Featured Image: Boston Public Garden (Shutterstock.com)

Top Flight Deals for June 12: Nationwide Fall Travel Edition

According to an article in USA Today, Europe’s passenger compensation policy for flight cancellations is about to be revised. The move follows a court ruling earlier this year that forced airlines to provide financial compensation for a week of flight cancellations ensuing from a volcano eruption in Iceland back in 2010.

It seems that European airlines are hoping for new policies that are more in alignment with the United States, which does not impose penalties for cancellations blamed on weather or natural disasters. However, while there is little recourse for passengers who experience a flight cancellation due to inclement weather, the reality is that most flights are canceled due to aircraft either arriving late, or air carrier delay. More importantly, there are consumer rights and compensation attached to both of these.

Similarly flights that are legally canceled because there aren’t enough passengers booked for the airline to turn a profit (otherwise known as ‘fuel conservation’) also entitle travelers to some form of compensation.

What does all this mean? Well, if you suspect any of these reasons to be the cause of your cancellation, you should seek out the airline’s Contract of Carriage. For example, United Airlines states its delay and flight cancellation policies in ‘Rule 24’, on Delta Air Lines it is ‘Rule 240’, and on JetBlue Airways, their compensation is outlined in their Customer Bill of Rights.

Other Tips:

#1: Speak up

On Delta Air Lines, if the delay will cause you to miss a connection, they will refund the unused portion of your ticket. But you have to request this specifically. If not, then Delta isn’t obliged to issue a refund. Instead it will transport you to your destination on the next available flight.

#2: Be observant

Passengers are often told by gate agents that the flight has been canceled due to inclement weather, which offers no recourse.  However, if other carriers are still flying to the same destination it is possible that the flight was canceled due to being under booked (fuel conservation). If you suspect this, work your way up the chain of command and politely demand appropriate compensation.

#3: Provide appropriate contact information

Airlines will often reach out to booked passengers well in advance if a flight is canceled – sometimes even before you are at the airport. This can save a premature trip to the airport.

#4: Look at other options

If your original carrier’s flights are already booked up by other passengers, request a flight on a competing carrier. It is a good idea to pull up a list of competing carriers’ schedules and flight numbers (if you can) while waiting in line.

#5: Ask questions

If you are able to get on another flight, make sure you know exactly where your luggage is and how it will get to you, as well as whether there will be an additional cost. Flight cancellations often cause baggage mix-ups. Also be sure to let ticket agents know about any connecting flights before rebooking!

#6: Stay calm

Being angry, rude or overly demanding with ticketing agents will likely only decrease your chances of receiving satisfactory compensation from the airline. Request “inconvenience compensation,” but keep in mind the amount will depend on the reason the flight was canceled as well as the original ticket price.

Happy Travels!

Featured Image: Canceled Flights Display (Shutterstock.com)

What to Do When Your Flight is Cancelled

Mary Steele is an avid cruiser and writer hailing from the Port of Boston. She primarily covers cruise port destinations and helps her readers decide what to see, what to do, and best of all – what to avoid.

Seattle was my departure point on a recent Alaska cruise. Never having been there, I didn’t know what to expect of the Pacific Northwest destination. What I discovered was that Seattle has a lot of unexpected surprises. It’s hip, edgy and fun, complete with a come-as-you-are vibe.

What to do Downtown

Downtown Seattle is about a half hour from the Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport, which makes for an easy commute into the city. Hotels can be expensive during cruise season, so do your homework. The city is easy to navigate, and most hotels will provide reasonably inexpensive parking. Parking lots also dot the tourist areas, so there are no worries there. Walking can be another story. Seattle has very steep hills, so those with disabilities be cautioned. The hike down the hilly streets won’t seem so bad, but after a day of touring, the hike up can be trying.

Our first stop was Pike Place Market, which is one the country’s oldest farmers markets. You can buy pretty much anything here, from handmade crafts to candy to fresh produce. Be sure to stop and watch the flying fish—fishmongers tossing their fish to unsuspecting visitors make for quite a show.

Surrounding Pike Place are restaurants, bars, and specialty shops offering artisan cheeses, wines and specialty foods. It’s also home to the original Starbucks. There are plenty of musicians and street performers to make it interesting as well.

If you are more in a touristy mood, visit the Space Needle, which offers panoramic views of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound in the distance. Personal note: We found the Space Needle to be a disappointment, as it doesn’t offer the spectacular views of say, Manhattan or Paris, and it can be expensive for a family. But, to each his own.

Also located near the Space Needle is the Experience Music project, which explores every genre of music. Visitors can view musical artifacts and rare memorabilia. Interactive media allows you to listen to musicians tell their stories in their own words. It’s a must-see for anyone truly interested in music.

Snoqualmie Falls (Shutterstock.com)

For the sports fans in all of you, Saturday mornings offer a tour of Safeco Field–home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team. The tour will take you to the field, the locker rooms and the luxury boxes. There are plenty of photo ops here with a behind-the-scenes feeling. The tour lasts about two hours and costs about $10.  It’s money well spent for a true sports fan.

Vineyard Hopping

If you want to experience life beyond Seattle, rent a car and drive about an hour to the Washington State wineries of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest located in Woodinville, Washington. The Chateau Ste. Michelle winery is housed in a gorgeous French chateau with beautifully landscaped gardens. Be sure to visit the Barrel Room and see the oak barrels stacked long and high. Tours are available in each winery, and then it’s on to the tasting rooms. It’s easy to do both wineries, as they are located directly across the street from one another.

Picnic by Snoqualmie Falls

On the way back to downtown Seattle, stop at Snoqualmie Falls. It’s a breathtaking 270-foot waterfall that provides a scenic vista to complete your day. There’s a two-acre park for a picnic lunch, along with hiking trails to the base of the waterfall. The observation deck on the way down will provide you with some pretty incredible photo opportunities as well.

Visit the Center of the Universe

For those looking for something completely off the beaten path, how about a visit to the 18-foot Fremont Troll? Self-proclaimed as the “Center of the Universe,” the funky neighborhood of Freemont in Seattle is known for its bohemian lifestyle and quirky public art. One of the most visited pieces is the Freemont Troll created by four local artists. Feel free to pose and take pictures next to him or the full-size Volkswagen Beetle he’s holding. He doesn’t bite.

Seattle is a city that celebrates its diversity in music, food and culture. Whether you are there for a day, or a weekend, your visit will definitely provide you with a memorable experience.

Featured Image: Seattle Space Needle and Mt. Rainier (Shutterstock.com)

In and Around Seattle

Summer is a wonderful time to visit England and large cities like London blossom during summer weather. In this article guest contributor David Wishart shares why Victoria is the best place to call home-away-from-home when exploring the country’s capital. 

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life — so said the British sage Samuel Johnson.

To which many a tourist might reply, “that’s all very well but where can I start this journey?”

Fact is London is a huge city and, like New York or Tokyo, a traveler planning a visit needs to know the next step after landing – specifically which part of London to use as a base for the visit.

Recently I was back in Victoria, and found myself thinking that it was a location hard to beat for a first-time visitor. It is central, a transport hub, has a huge variety of hotels, buzzes with nightlife including theaters, and should the Queen be inclined to invite you over for tea, it is just 10 minutes to Buckingham Palace.

But first things first. Victoria is easy to get to from Heathrow Airport on the inexpensive Underground, or Tube as it’s known. Buy an Oyster card (you’ll be glad you did) for repeat journeys and change at Hammersmith station (you just cross the platform) for the District line to Victoria.

Victoria is also the terminus for trains from Gatwick Airport, as well as buses to and from other cities in Europe, and connections to cross-Channel ferries. It is also the starting point for the famous Orient-Express rail service to Paris and Vienna.

Right in the Victoria railway station there is an exit to the Grosvenor Hotel, a newly refurbished, grand building that will satisfy most tastes. It has elegance in abundance, free Wi-Fi and a club lounge offering an oasis for a quiet breakfast.

And just across the road is the Z Hotel, where travelers young at heart can enjoy attractive compact rooms at a very affordable price. Wi-Fi is included, as is breakfast, as well as wine and cheese in the evening.

Trafalgar Square (Shutterstock.com)

All London hotels are geared up for travelers; with maps and other information like the times for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and how to find the Houses of Parliament (also just 10 minutes away).

If the weather is good walk to the palace and stroll around the royal parks, then along the Mall (pronounced like pal) to Trafalgar Square. One stop on the Tube and you are at Green Park on Piccadilly, which has the not to be missed Royal Academy of Arts.

Shoppers can head up New Bond Street to Oxford Street and back down Regent Street, home of Hamleys, the best toy shop in the world. The Soho nightlife area is also close by, as are most of London’s many theaters.

A good day out is to take a riverboat with City Cruises. They depart from Victoria Embankment, Westminster (right by the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey) and go all the way to Greenwich. This is the home of Greenwich Mean Time, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the famous Cutty Sark clipper.

Greenwich has a bustling market and waterfront pubs and restaurants. While there, you can get a view of the city on the Emirates Air Line cable car ride across the river (although you can also get your bearings from up high on the London Eye).

If your Dad wants to keep his feet on the ground he’ll love afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel, and if he’s in the mood to push the boat out steer him to the Goring (apparently the Duchess of Cambridge’s favorite hotel), which does superb British cuisine, at a price.

To dine well on a budget, and get a taste of France, try Le Relais de Venise in Marylebone, a Paris import taking London by storm. But be warned, you can’t book so you will have to line-up.

Finally, check the Visit London website. Click here to find cheap flights to London.

To keep up with David and his travels, you can find him on Twitter @dcwishart or visit his blog Cruise Plus.

Featured Image: Westminster Palace, Big Ben Clock Tower and Victoria Tower (Shutterstock.com)

Victoria, London: The Perfect Home Base to See City Sights

Memorial Day is behind us, which means the lazy days of summer are in full swing! However, there is no rest for us deal experts, as we have been hard at work hunting down fall and winter travel deals. This week we have unearthed a slew of great domestic (and international) deals that represent savings of up to $200 off typical roundtrip prices.

Cheap Fall Flights

These fares are not part of an airline sale and may disappear at any time, so book ASAP!

Availability varies by route, with many of them being nonstop flights. Click on the Fare Calendar links below to find the best dates to travel (all prices are roundtrip, including taxes):

• $72 — Las Vegas to San Diego (Aug. to Nov.)
• $138 — Boston to Chicago (Aug. to Oct.)
  
• $176 — Seattle to Anchorage (Aug. & Sept.)
• $178 — Portland to San Francisco (June to Sept.)
• $188-$203 – Baltimore to Las Vegas (Aug. to Nov.)
• $202-$217 — Atlanta to Denver (Oct. to Dec.)
• $204-$242 — St. Louis to New York City (June to Sept.)
• $424-$459 — Phoenix to Honolulu (Oct. to Feb.)

International Deals

If your aspirations extends beyond borders to far flung destinations, we have some fabulous deals to Europe, plus Peru, for late Fall/early Winter travel. These fares will save you as much as $350 off typical summer prices.

Click on the Fly.com Fare Calendar links below to find the best dates to travel (all prices roundtrip, including taxes):

• $575 — New York City to Istanbul, Turkey (Nov., Jan. & Feb.)
• $660 — Washington, D.C. to Lima, Peru (Aug. to Nov.)
• $655-$663 — Chicago to Kiev, Ukraine (Nov., Jan. & Feb.)
• $717 — Houston to Copenhagen, Denmark (Nov., Jan. & Feb.)
• $765 — Chicago to Athens, Greece (Nov., Jan. & Feb.)
• $766 — Houston to Vienna, Austria (Nov., Jan. & Feb.)

Fly.com News and Updates

For the latest information:

• Subscribe to the Travelzoo Top 20
• Follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Fly_com)
• Subscribe to the Fly.com blog
• Fare Calendars – This tool shows the best deals from the nearest major airport and allows users to create a custom fare calendar for any route (scroll to the bottom for this functionality).

Featured Image: Snorkerling Bay in Oahu (Shutterstock.com)

Top Flights Deals for June 5: See the US or the World Edition