************************************************************
TOP 20 DEALS * -- MARCH 13, 2013
************************************************************

$99 -- 4-Star Niagara Escape w/Casino & Dining, Reg. $194
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1426798
Source: Marriott Gateway on the Falls

US$1288 -- Costa Rica 6-Nt. Holiday from Vancouver, $310 Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429635
Source: TravelByJen.com

$179 -- Luxe Eastern Townships Manor w/Breakfast, Reg. $369
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1426748
Source: Manoir Hovey

US$2699 -- Luxury Mediterranean Cruise w/$400 Credit & Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429426
Source: Cruise.com

$119 -- Revelstoke 4-Star Mountain Resort w/Parking, 40% Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429102
Source: The Sutton Place Hotel, Revelstoke

US$2299 -- India & Nepal 10-Night Vacation w/Guides & Air
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1428944
Source: Gate 1 Travel

US$10 & up -- Travel to Florida: Deals for Spring & Summer
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429458
Source: Various Entertainment Companies & Restaurants

$959 & up -- Puerto Rico 7-Night Vacation w/Air, Save $350
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429386
Source: YYZ Travel Group

$169 -- Banff: 2-Night National Park Escape, Reg. $288
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1428433
Source: The Juniper Hotel

$130 -- Jamaica All-Inclusive Beachfront Resort, Save 40%
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429356
Source: Expedia.ca

US$7-$19 -- Amtrak: Vancouver to U.S. Northwest; Ends 3/14
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429674
Source: Amtrak

$299 -- Thailand: Luxe 3-Night Beach Break for 2, Reg. $1044
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1427967
Source: JW Marriott Khao Lak Beach Resort and Spa

US$2499 -- South Africa Safari incl. Air from Border Cities
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1428421
Source: Lion World Tours

US$10 -- Shutterfly: Custom 20-Page Photo Book; Ends 3/14
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1428279
Source: Shutterfly

US$1099 -- 10-Nt. 'Holy Land' Cruise incl. Israel, $1000 Off
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429478
Source: CruCon Cruise Outlet

$99 -- Lake Las Vegas: 4-Star Resort incl. $50 Credit
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429676
Source: Ravella at Lake Las Vegas

$1136 -- Greek Islands 7-Night Escorted Holiday in Summer
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429249
Source: Intrepid Travel

$501-$601 -- Vancouver to Cancun (Roundtrip, incl. Tax)
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429708
Source: Major Airlines

$199 -- Oregon Wine Country: 2 Nights & $160 in Dining & Spa
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1429638
Source: Oregon Garden Resort

US$1459 -- Galapagos Islands 7-Night Land Package, Save $690
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/top20/82707495-1428929
Source: Red Mangrove Galapagos & Ecuador Lodges


>>> TRAVELZOO NEWS & ADDITIONAL DEALS >>>

Free vacation? Join Travelzoo's 500,000 Facebook fans
Like us and enter to win a Wow Deal Destination trip for 2:
http://www.travelzoo.com/wowmeaway
(Void in Quebec)

NEW: Travelzoo's 2.0 iPhone app is faster, sleeker, and has
more visual access to unbeatable travel & leisure deals.
Download our free apps: http://www.travelzoo.com/ca/mobile/

Join the conversation on Twitter for more deals, trivia contests and sneak previews. Follow us here:
http://twitter.com/TravelzooCanada

For access to more up-to-the-minute deals visit:
http://www.travelzoo.com/ca

Is there a deal we should consider for our next Top 20? Fax it to the Travelzoo Newsdesk at 416-572-2101.

Publisher: Michael Duchesne

Showcasing mean South African mutants, long, Gold Coast Points and fun, rugged Baja peelers
SPOT CHECK: THE DEVIL'S HORN 

South Africa is a surf traveler's paradise. From J-Bay's racy walls to Durban's playful beachbreaks to crazy mutant slabs like the Devil's Horn, that country at the bottom of Africa is holding. Twiggy Baker narrates this spot check, offering insight into one of the country's more menacing tubes. 

READ MORE ON SURFLINE.COM »TRIPWIRE: BAJA 

Baja's not really known for barreling beachbreak or mind-bending slabs -- but it does have its share of superfun, long, peeling right points. This user-generated Tripwire documents a few dudes doing a quick-n-dirty mission South of the Border. 

READ MORE ON SURFLINE.COM »GOLD COAST POINTBREAK PERFECTION 

There's a reason the WCT descends on the Gold Coast every year around this time. Has something to do with cyclones, and what happens when a whole bunch of swell marches up the East Coast of Oz and the wind clocks in SW behind it. Surfer's Paradise offers up a wide array of sand-bottomed points to feast on. 

READ MORE ON SURFLINE.COM »
THIS MONTH'S TRAVEL BULLETIN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY WATERWAYS
Waterways Featured Trip: Jeffreys Bay, South Africa 

J-Bay is one of the top ten most perfect waves on the planet. You've dreamed about J-Bay, seen a zillion photos and videos, mind-surfed it for years. Aren't you curious to see how you go for real? Contact one of Waterways' knowledgeable agents to start planning your next surf adventure -- book your trip today. 


Planning a Trip? 

Surfline's Travel section can help. Downloadable travel guides, surf resort information, board bag charges, international forecasts and cams, and much more. Check it out now. 

GO TO SURFLINE TRAVEL »

Here are today's Top 10 Cruises, brand new specials from the world's best cruise lines. Click the FastDeal # for details.

1) Caribbean, 7 nights on Norwegian, departs Miami Mar 17, starting at $429, save 61%, FastDeal # 15692

2) Bahamas, 7 nights on Carnival, departs Baltimore Apr 7, starting at $509, save 71%, FastDeal # 20454

3) Caribbean, 7 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs San Juan Mar 9, starting at $369, FastDeal # 34995 (Royal Caribbean does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

4) Mexico, 7 nights on Princess, departs Los Angeles Apr 20, starting at $699, save 60%, FastDeal # 25550

5) Caribbean, 7 nights on Celebrity, departs Miami Mar 9, starting at $549, save 42%, FastDeal # 28528

6) Middle East, 7 nights on Costa Cruises, departs Dubai Mar 15, starting at $489, save 75%, FastDeal # 31454

7) Alaska Cruise & Alaska Tour, 10 nights on Royal Caribbean, departs Vancouver May 17, starting at $1,519, FastDeal # 24803 (Royal Caribbean does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

8) Mediterranean, 14 nights on Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, departs London Apr 8, starting at $1,608, save 34%, FastDeal # 14576

9) Greek Islands, 7 nights on Silversea, departs Istanbul May 18, suite starting at $2,840, FastDeal # 20386 (Silversea does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

10) Caribbean, 10 nights on Regent, departs Miami Mar 22, suite starting at $4,099, save 68%, FastDeal # 14413

For the best last-minute cruise specials in the next 90 days, please visit our world-famous 90-Day Ticker.
To search for discounts on cruises departing more than 90 days from now, click here.
For escorted tours worldwide, or air/hotel packages to London or Paris, click here.
For hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda or the Bahamas, click here.
Para visitar a nuestro sitio web de cruceros en español, haga clic aquí.

Once you've found a FASTDEAL, call us toll free at 800-338-4962 (US and Canada) and a cruise counselor will attend to your needs. International customers, please email or call us at +1-713-974-2121.

Please email me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@vacationstogo.com and I will respond the same day.

Enter Now for a Chance to Win -
Wow Me Away Sweepstakes
Enter for a chance to win a surprise vacation to one of Travelzoo's 2013 Wow Deal Destinations

Highlights include:

• Surprise vacation to one of Travelzoo's 2013 Wow Deal Destinations: New Zealand, Ireland, Colombia, Alaska or Niagara Falls.
• Roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations included.
• "Like" Travelzoo on Facebook by March 29 to enter.
• Share with your friends on Facebook. For each friend who enters, you get an additional entry into the sweepstakes.

Enter Now »

Relax, Lose Weight, Feel Great. And Hit A Spa While You're At It!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you a chance at a fitness-fused getaway...

Work + family + obligations = very little time for you. Those resolutions you made over a month ago are a distant memory.

Take a mulligan.

We're here to whisk you (and a friend) away for a 4-day, 3-night stay at The Oaks At Ojai, valued at over $2,000.

We've teamed up with our friends over at Peaceful Daily, alignyo, and Healing Lifestyles and Spas to bring one lucky member (and their luckier friend) four days and three nights of fitness fun, including group hikes in the beautiful Ojai Valley, aqua fitness, strength training, Pilates and yoga...just to name a few activities. You'll be pampered with daily spa treatments for your relaxing pleasure and treated to delicious, all-natural spa cuisine expertly prepared by their chefs to fuel your healthy stay.

What are you waiting for? Enter into Spa Bliss HERE!

Save Money on Food and Drink While Traveling
At last, a real budget-conscious guide about how to save money while traveling, written in concise, friendly prose. Author Matt Kepnes, or Nomadic Matt, definitely penned How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter, for the...
Read More

Omni’s Simply Street Food Menu
Tapping in on the ever-growing popularity of street food, Omni Hotels & Resorts introduced their Simply Street Food menu in January and The Daily Meal had a chance to taste the dishes at the Omni Houston. Click here for Omni's Simply Street...
 Read More

Zeke’s D.C. Donutz Opens, Changes Name Due to Controversy
Graffiti-covered walls and hip-hop blasting out of speakers isn’t exactly what most picture when they think of donut shop décor. But most donut shops are nothing like the recently opened Zeke’s D.C. Donutz.   This... 
Read More

Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town Updates Oasis
There comes a time when a restaurant knows it needs to change, whether it is a shift in demand or simply the desire not to become tired. Oasis, which was originally a buffet-style restaurant in Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel, has just... 
Read More

Chef Gordon Maybury Named Executive Chef at Arizona Biltmore
Chef Gordon Maybury, who has just been named executive chef at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, has a simple philosophy about food: "You can never make a good dish out of bad ingredients, even if it looks good." Handling the... 
Read More

The Comcast Center in Philadelphia Has Food Surprises
One of the biggest Philadelphia tourist draws is the city's extensive history, as it is home to sites like the Liberty Bell and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, among others. Of course there are many other attractive aspects about... 
Read More

A Tutorial on Tasting Rum While Traveling in Puerto RicoSunny skies and lush rainforests aren’t the only inviting aspects of a trip to Puerto Rico, which, even though you don't need a passport to travel there from the mainland U.S., feels like another world. Certainly the beachside resorts and... Read More

It's your last chance!

Join the Walk In Her Shoes challenge by January 31 for your chance to win an amazing adventure to Cuba!

This January through May, CARE is challenging Canadians to:

• Join the Walk In Her Shoes challenge 
  (registration is simple and you can do it online)
• Walk 8,000 steps per day for 8 days
• Raise funds to fight poverty by getting your friends and family to sponsor your walk!

And thanks to our friends at Karavaniers, we are rewarding one lucky early bird registrant with a fantastic cycling and beach adventure in Cuba.

But you need to JOIN THE CHALLENGE BY JANUARY 31!

Don't wait -  sign up now for your chance to win and start your walk to defend dignity and fight poverty today!

(Full content rules and regulations can be found atcare.ca/win.)

“Going” (Literally) Green — The Need-to-Know
Green travel is a broad term with two main branches: It refers first and
foremost to responsible travel
practices that pay attention to environmental, social, and
economic sustainability. It can also refer to eco-tourism, which
involves responsible travel specifically to natural areas. And while we love our
readers in the Galapagos and the Arabian Desert, for the purposes of this
article, we’ll be focusing on the first definition.


Why should we bother greening our travel practices? For starters, the U.S.
transportation sector is responsible for about 40 percent of the
nation’s fossil-fuel related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions — one of the main
gases responsible for climate change. Reducing
our collective transportation footprint
(aka environmental impact) could significantly lower the amount of CO2 we emit
into the atmosphere. But is it possible to add worries about “traveling green”
to the stresses of holiday travel and still maintain sanity? Luckily, yes.
Not only is it possible (and pretty easy) to keep the environment in
mind while traveling, but in a lot of cases green travel practices can save us
some, uh, green.


Before You Go: Packing and Leaving Home
Greener travel starts before we actually… start traveling. Follow these
packing and home preparation tips to prepare for environmentally friendly travel
and minimize a home’s footprint while you’re away
 

• Pack light. The more weight trains, planes, and automobiles
  have to carry, the more fuel they use,
  and the more greenhouse gases (the
  kind that cause the planet’s temperature to rise) are emitted into the
  atmosphere.

 Bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. Toss the
bag in the suitcase and keep the water bottle handy for water fountain fill-ups
— using both items will help cut down on wasteful
packaging during travel.

• Recycle before you go. If you purchased new products before
  the trip (an iPhone charger, a new tube of toothpaste), recycle the cardboard
  wrappers before leaving home. It’ll circumvent the “I can’t find
  a recycling station anywhere” panic that can happen away from home
  (just me?).


• Turn off — and unplug! — lights and electronics. Unless the
  roommate is staying put for the holidays, nobody’s going to use that couch-side
  lamp while you’re gone. Turning off electronics saves on the electricity bill
  and cuts down on energy usage. To make an even bigger dent, unplug all electronics,
  since they can “leach” power even when they’re not turned on.


• Turn down the thermostat. Same reasoning as above: An empty
  room doesn’t need to be heated, and keeping it warm unnecessarily uses up energy. If you
  have your own water heater, go ahead and turn that down, too.


• Suspend newspaper delivery. A quick call to the
  newspaper company can save trees (and the paper kid’s tired little legs) for the
  time that you’re away.

Getting There: Choosing How to Travel
Airplanes have been pretty vilified by the green community (it does
take a lot of fuel to keep those things up in the air), but the greenest
method of transportation might actually depend on how far we have to go.
The basic breakdown, in terms of pounds of CO2 emitted per mile, goes something like this:
Buses, trains, hybrid cars, and coach seats on narrow jets weigh in with the
smallest carbon footprints at less than ½ pound of CO2 per mile. The “medium
carbon footprint” category goes to regular cars and coach or regional jets. The
worst carbon offenders are SUVs and first-class jets, which produce more than
one pound of CO2 per mile. What does this mean in practical terms? Read on.

Buses tend to be the best option all around. Yeah, bus
rides can be long, and the person next to you might have BO. But that’s a risk
on any form of public transportation, and the environmental benefits of motor
coaches are impressive: A couple taking the bus will automatically cut their
carbon emissions nearly in half — even
when compared to a hybrid!  And compared to flying, that same bus-ridin’ couple
will cut their emissions anywhere from 55 to 75 percent (whoa). Just make sure
the bus is full or close to it; otherwise, the benefits aren’t so
clear-cut.

• For shorter trips: Take the train or bus instead of flying. Doing
  so emits three to seven times less gas than air
  travel.


• For couples and solo travelers: A nonstop coach flight almost always beats car
  travel, especially for trips longer than 500 miles (but a full
  bus or train is still the best option).


• If renting a car: Choose the smallest vehicle possible and
  rent a hybrid if one’s available.


• If traveling by air: Use the most direct route possible;
  take offs and landings use the most fuel. Fly
  coach instead of first-class (less leg room = more people on the plane, which
  means more bang for fuel’s buck). Also try to choose an energy-efficient plane.
  This one can be tough, because the information isn’t always available. But some
  airlines, like Southwest, have started retrofitting their
  planes to make them more energy efficient, and new plane models
  (like Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner) are being designed to burn up to 20 percent less
  fuel. If you’ve got the time and inclination, call up the airline and ask them
  about their environmental practices.


• Offset your travel. To make up for the carbon dioxide
  released during transportation, why not plant a few trees? Trees
  convert CO2 for oxygen, which is good for us (apparently we need oxygen to
  survive?) and good for the planet, because CO2 “consumed” by trees isn’t
  released into the atmosphere. Luckily, a host of programs exist
  to do the planting for you. It’s worth noting, however, that carbon
  offsetting has gotten some flak: Critics worry
  that offset plans give people a “free pass” to use the same amount of resources
  (since they can “make up for it”) instead of taking direct action to reduce
  their environmental footprint.

During Your Stay: Keeping it Green
Whether you’re staying in a hotel or crashing with family, there are steps
you can take to minimize environmental impact in transit.

Choosing a (green) hotel: There are some accrediting bodies for
green hotels (though they have their critics) and also a host of resources for
the would-be green traveler. Regardless of whether a hotel has a green sticker
in the lobby window, it’s possible to get a sense of the company’s environmental
ethics by visiting their website or calling them up to ask a few questions: Is the
hotel locally owned and operated and/or staffed by local employees? What kind of
recycling programs are in place? How does the hotel work to reduce its energy
consumption?

• At the hotel. Follow some simple practices to minimize energy use:
  Keep showers short, and shut off the water while brushing your teeth. Turn off
  the TV, lights, and heat or air-conditioning whenever you leave the room. If
  staying for multiple nights, reuse sheets & towels instead of having them
  washed and changed every day.


• Or just scrap the hotel. Instead, stay with family,
  friends, or friends you’ve never met.


• Getting around: Use public transportation, bike, or walk
  whenever possible. If driving, follow tips for green driving:
  Avoid fast starts and stops, avoid idling, keep the tires properly inflated,
  combine trips, keep cargo light, and stick to the speed
  limit.


• Shopping: Purchase meals, foods, and other products from local vendors (and use that reusable bag to carry
  your loot!).


• Eating: The basic principles of eating green apply pretty much anywhere.
  Challenge yourself to include one local or organic ingredient in every dish on
  the family table (just make sure to suggest it in a friendly way to the
  chefs).

How do you travel green? Did we leave anything out? Share in comments
below or get in touch with the author on Twitter @LauraNewc.