Targeting Americans who plan to stay close to home this year, Funjet Vacations launched a sale on packages for American cities called the Funjet America Land of the Free Sale. The sale applies to bookings made through Feb. 23 for travel through Sept. 28. Sale prices apply to packages for American cities such as Las Vegas, Orlando and New Orleans.

Special deals include free nights, kids stay free offers, reduced rates, free room upgrades and car rental discounts.

Funjet is putting its suite of marketing tools in service to help travel agents market the sale, including its Easy Emailer tool, which allows agents to pull sale pricing by origin, and turn-key ePostcards that can be emailed to clients.

With some hotels, agents can earn 2 percent bonus commission on the hotel portion of the reservation.

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation offering vacation packages with more than 20 air carriers, 300 origins, 26,000 hotels and 900 destinations, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, U.S. cities, Europe, Asia and Central America.

Auberge Adventures were inspired by the culture, natural environment and history of each Auberge property.

Programs range from culinary experiences to fitness and cultural explorations. Created exclusively for Auberge guests, many of the programs are led by local experts and leaders in their field. Auberge Adventures programs last from two hours to one full day, depending on the experience. Prices vary, and some activities are complimentary to guests, while others range up to $2,000 per person. All programs can be arranged directly through the concierges at each Auberge resort.

For more information, please click here.

The new business class service to Hamilton Island — offered for the first time in eight years — offers travelers such amenities and perks as luxury leather seating, gourmet menus, international-style cosmetic amenity kits, priority check-in/boarding and complimentary access to Virgin Australia’s lounges.

The package features accommodations at Hamilton Island’s most exclusive gated resort offering 60 one-bedroom pavilions, Spa qualia, two world-class restaurants and a host of recreational amenities.

Priced from $12,204.40 per person, the package includes roundtrip business class airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney on Virgin Australia; domestic business class flights on Virgin Australia; five nights at qualia resort in a Leeward Pavillon; full breakfast at The Long Pavilion; VIP Hamilton Island airport or marina to hotel return transfers; private beach drop-offs; private golf buggy; four nights at the Sydney Four Seasons in a deluxe city harbor view room; and private airport transfers Sydney.

For those who prefer a boutique-style accommodation, the Beach Club package is priced from $10,754.40 per person and includes roundtrip business class airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney on Virgin Australia; domestic business class flights on Virgin Australia; five nights at the Hamilton Island Beach Club; return VIP airport or marina transfers; bushwalking; use of the fitness center, squash and tennis courts; exclusive entry to the Beach Club bar, lounge, and infinity edge pool; four nights at the Sydney Four Seasons Deluxe City Harbor view room; and private airport transfers Sydney. Both packages include use of non-motorized water sports including catamarans, sailboards, paddle boards, and snorkeling gear as well as Wi-Fi access. For more information, call Aspire Down Under at 877-7-ASPIRE.

From London with Love

Create your own James Bond style affair, with a romantic getaway to the Hollywood Hills. Play the part of dashing Casanova or beguiling seductress, with luxe amenities and lavish indulgences available with the From London with Love package.

British sophistication combined with classic Hollywood style results in the perfect dreamy couples retreat.

Enjoy a well appointed suite, complete with luxurious amenities, decadent treats and the ultimate in relaxation at the nearby Carasoin Spa.

Package includes:

Spacious accommodations within a London Suite
Welcome amenity of sparkling wine and Gordon Ramsay specialty chocolates

Two one-hour spa treatments at the Carasoin Spa

Complimentary breakfast at the Boxwood Cafe Breakfast Table

Complimentary overnight parking for one vehicle

Complimentary 2 pm late checkout

Rates start from $499/night

About The London West Hollywood:

Just steps from the legendary Sunset Strip, The London West Hollywood is a fusion of both its namesake cities – smart, modern and evoking the utmost style. Distinctively imagined for LA, interiors are designed by the renowned David Collins Studio, dining by acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay and bath environments by posh purveyor

Waterworks. Highlights include incredibly spacious guest suites with private terraces, a panoramic rooftop pool deck, Alex Roldan Salon, offering hairstyling, nail and makeup, bistro style Boxwood Café, and Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood restaurant, awarded a Michelin Star rating. For more information call (866) 282-4560 or visit www.TheLondonWestHollywood.com

The three-story structure, originally constructed in 1977, will feature a pool located in a center courtyard and a restaurant by James Beard award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces, who also oversees food and beverage at The Saguaro Scottsdale. The Saguaro is owned and is being repositioned by The Sydell Group Ltd. Peak season, weekday room rates start at $189 per night. Weekend rates start at $249.

California ski resorts are offering hotel packages. Heavenly on the House’s Ski Free, Stay Free Deals start at $325 per person, per night.

Any booking of three to 10 nights at participating Heavenly Lake Tahoe lodging receives one night of lodging and one day of skiing or riding for free through April 15.

Mammoth Mountain’s Slopeside Lift and Lodging Deal starts at $139 per person, per night.

Guests who stay two or more nights at one of a participating lodging property receive one lift ticket per day for each guest on the reservation through May 26.

The Big Bear Lake Resort Association Weekend Lift & Lodging package starts at $89 per person, per night. It includes a full-day adult lift ticket (interchangeable at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit) and lodging and is valid through April 15, excluding Feb. 18 to 20.

“Now is the time for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels to become immersed in California’s snow experience,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California president and CEO.

“This past weekend’s snowfall means visitors can find top-to-bottom mountain thrills from Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Mountain to Big Bear.”

ESCONDIDO, Calif. – – Golden Door, North America’s premier destination spa, is offering a special Dance Week hosted by Karina Smirnoff, reigning champion for the hit television show “Dancing with the Stars.” Available during Feb. 8-10, Karina will teach a series of exclusive dance classes for guests. Karina will also talk about her inspirational journey and be available for photos during a special evening presentation.

“I have been a fan of Golden Door for years and I couldn’t be more excited to do my DanceFIT program here!

We’re going to dance, get in shape and have a ton of fun! It’s a perfect FIT for the start of 2012!” says Karina. Beyond being an incredible teacher and world champion, Karina is dedicated to helping people lead healthier lives, and will be sharing her exclusive DanceFIT program and dance moves, designed for all fitness levels (private sessions offered as well for an extra fee).

In addition, a variety of other dance classes will be offered by our skillful staff.

As a form of self-expression and communication, dancing is a powerful emotional and spiritual outlet. As exercise, it provides all the essential components of a complete aerobic workout, improving endurance, balance, strength, flexibility and core stability.
Learn from the best while you enjoy a transformational getaway and practice your favorite dance steps to build strength, burn calories and have fun.

Also included in your week is a customized Golden Door stay of massages, beauty treatments, organic garden-to-plate cuisine, fitness at your level, skin care products, camaraderie, and attentive service in the secluded rolling hills of Northern San Diego.

The original Golden Door Spa, founded by Deborah Szekely in 1958, is home to one of the most innovative, integrative and transformative luxury retreats in the world today. Winner of SpaFinder Reader’s Choice Award in 2011 and Travel & Leisure’s 2011 World’s Best Awards, it is known for customized fitness and wellness programs, 20 miles of private hiking trails, Japanese-inspired architecture, plus a staff-to-guest ratio of 4:1. Golden Door Spa is part of the LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels collection, a dynamic collection of resorts and hotels dedicated to an entirely new definition of luxury.

For information and reservations contact Golden Door Spa (800) 424-0777 or reservations@goldendoor.com.  To book online go to www.goldendoor.com/escondido

Foody Field Trips offers tours of Old Town Pasadena, a National Register Historic District, and of Culver City, which is rich in filmmaking history. In Pasadena, guests take a walking tour and taste delectable eats from such diverse restaurants as Korean, Argentinean, vegan and a cupcake shop.

The three-and-a-half-hour guided tour will take guests to six tasting locations. Along the way, participants will learn about the unique history of Pasadena.

In Culver City, visitors can learn about the city’s moviemaking past, while stopping at restaurant locations to taste some of the artsy, avant-garde cuisine cooked up by some of the area’s innovative young chefs and restaurateurs.

Guest will sample such cuisines as Lebanese, Korean fusion, nouveau American and Italian at five locations for 20 tastings.

www.foodyfieldtrips.com

A tour of mid-city Los Angeles’ Farmers Market at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue introduces eclectic tastes from Brazilian to French to Japanese from Melting Pot Food Tours.

Participants can visit restaurants, cafes, gourmet grocers, bakeries, unique specialty shops and little known haunts frequented by celebrities.

The tour company also has an Old Pasadena walking tour and an East LA Latin Flavors tour, which takes guests aboard the Metro Gold Line to travel to a kitchen where hand-made tamales are made.

Also included is a stop at a tortilla factory followed by a sumptuous lunch.

The tour ends with Mexican chocolate and pastries. www.meltingpottours.com.

Six Taste Food Tours takes food fans to Santa Monica for beach eateries, Downtown LA for historic cafes, Little Tokyo for authentic Japanese dishes, Chinatown for Cantonese delicacies, Thai Town for pad Thai noodles, and Hollywood to try restaurants along the Walk of Fame. Each tour lasts about four hours. www.sixtaste.com.

Want the inside scoop to Hollywood and Santa Monica? TOURific Escapes specializes in these two locations, and tour participants can explore them through each city’s famous restaurants. Santa Monica Sites & Bites gives seven tasting stops at ethnically diverse eateries while visiting the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Canals and the Third Street Promenade. Hollywood Sites & Bites tour visits six eateries along with stops at trendy shops along Melrose and the Sunset Strip, the Capital Records building and the Kodak Theatre where the Academy Awards take place. www.tourificescapes.com