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Saving Money on Summer Escapes

When flying out of state for a family getaway not only do you have to deal with the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations, but in most case you also have to consider the price of a rental car… and record high gas prices.

But not with these cool summer travel deals. The following hotel packages cater to families who are looking to explore virtually car-less destinations such as Nantucket, Catalina Island and Mackinac Island where two feet will get you farther than 4 wheels (which are banned in most of these vacation hotspots).

NANTUCKET

From now until October, The Cottages at the Boat Basin is offering a fabulous deal that allows families to explore this charming, historic island named from the native Wampanoag word for “faraway land.” Nantucket is a short 50-minute flight from Boston and a one-hour ferry ride from Hyannis, Massachusetts. The Cottage at the Boat Basin features 29 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages with waterfront locations or harbor views, all of which you can stay in at reduced rates. Standard rooms start at just $143/night.

MACKINAC ISLAND

This car-less Great Lakes oasis is accessible by ferries from either Michigan’s Lower Peninsula or Upper Peninsula or by private plane. Once you land on the island’s sandy shores you will notice that motorized vehicles have been replaced by horse-drawn buggies and bicycles. The island is home to stunning Victorian architecture and a ton of fudge shops. To take it all in check out the Hotel Iroquois’ travel deal. The 46-room waterfront property was named one of Travel + Leisure’s top 500 hotels and is offering standard rooms for just $175 per night. The package price includes baggage service; complimentary coffee or tea service and reduced ferry tickets.

CATALINA ISLAND

If you are looking for a Mediterranean summer getaway, California-style, look no further than Catalina Island. Right now the ultra-luxe Avalon Hotel is offering a “Cool Summer Savings” special. The deal is good through the end of August and features a $50 credit on your nightly tab. (High season room rates range between $295-$495 per night.) The hotel sits in the heart of the one-square-mile town of Avalon, which is surrounded by picturesque rocky landscape and spectacular Avalon Bay. The area is easy to navigate on foot, bike or you can rent a golf cart to tool around town.

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This entry was posted in Budget Travel & Deals and tagged , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.