CHICAGO, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- American travelers looking for an international beach getaway this summer may be wondering where they can get the most luxury for less. Orbitz, with its heritage of keeping travelers A Step Ahead(TM), examines popular beach destinations in two international meccas -- Europe and Mexico. The Orbitz Insider knows that travelers want luxury in the surf that won't leave only sand in their pockets. And for travelers looking for a late-summer getaway, Orbitz offers picks to help beach-goers avoid the potential effects of hurricane season.
"It's no secret that hitting the beach is a popular summer pastime, but it can be more difficult to decipher where you can find a truly great deal when you head outside the U.S.," said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandising for Orbitz. "Whether you are heading close to home or off to another country, take advantage of summertime sales and value-add incentives at hotels and resorts to offset your costs. And consider locations that are traditionally outside the infamous hurricane belt."
Orbitz Insider Index: Top Beach Destinations
In this summer edition of the Orbitz Insider Index, the online travel company looks at the Top 5 most popular beach destinations in Europe and Mexico and reports the average nightly cost of a hotel room in these beach hotspots.
EUROPE: Top 5 Beach Destinations
RANK DESTINATION* Average Daily Hotel Rate**
1 Barcelona, Spain $194
2 Nice, France $193
3 Lisbon, Portugal $152
4 Naples, Italy $138
5 Mykonos, Greece $303
EUROPE'S AVERAGE*** $196
MEXICO: Top Beach Destinations
RANK DESTINATION* Average Daily Hotel Rate**
1 Cancun $200
2 Puerto Vallarta $173
3 Cozumel $180
4 Los Cabos $212
5 Riviera Maya $285
MEXICO'S AVERAGE*** $210
* Orbitz.com destinations based on popularity for arrival 6/1/07 to
8/31/07. Rank based only on nominated beach destinations. Data
includes hotel-only and package sales. Based on net sales as of
6/18/07.
** Average Daily Hotel Rate based on hotel bookings on Orbitz.com for
travel from 6/1/07 to 8/31/07. Based on net sales as of 6/18/07.
Rates are rounded up to the nearest USD.
*** Total average of Daily Hotel Rates for Top 5 destinations
Orbitz Staff Insider Picks
Looking for the perfect late-summer beach escape, but worried that the hurricane season could get in the way? The Orbitz Insiders have put together some of their top staff picks to help travelers find beach destinations that are traditionally outside of the hurricane belt. These amazing locations and beach retreats offer all the sand and surf with less chance that a storm will threaten travelers' fun in the sun.
Kauai
If you really want to steer clear of hurricanes, head to Hawaii. Kauai is the oldest of all the main Hawaiian Islands, and geographically it has some of the most stunning vegetation and canyons. Greenery and flowers overwhelm the island with beauty. Hiking and sightseeing are a must-do in addition to spending some time on the beautiful beaches. The Waimea Canyon is deep and vast, and shows amazing colors that even rival the Grand Canyon. Golf is also popular on the island and is available at many of the resorts. For a cultural and historical adventure visit some of the artwork and architectural remains of the Hawaiian People over the centuries.
Aruba
Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Aruba prides itself on having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The culture on the island is a unique blend of Native American, African, and European influences and offers all the activities and luxuries travelers' look for in an island vacation. From sailing to scuba to deep sea fishing, there's something to suit nearly everyone's mood on this tranquil, tropical island.
Barbados
This easternmost Caribbean island sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, but outside the hurricane belt, and offers nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. One great way to experience this scenic environment is through the many island, air, sea, and underwater island tours. A must see while visiting Barbados is the Animal Flower Cave. The cave's floor is estimated to be 400,000 years old. Visitors can take a swim through parts of the cave or relax at its restaurant and bar.
Puerto Vallarta
If Caribbean adventures don't suit your taste, check out one of Mexico's most beautiful western beach destinations -- Puerto Vallarta. This seaside town has a deep Mexican culture and beautiful landscape that will captivate your senses. In addition to its laid-back beach attitude, Puerto Vallarta also offers wonderful local art and some of the best in traditional Mexican dining as well as other eclectic food options. The city is full of galleries and five-star cuisine from chefs around the world.
Curacao
This Caribbean island located off the coast of Venezuela is famous for its exquisite and picturesque beaches. The island offers extensive diving among eye-popping coral reefs and plentiful sea life. The architecture throughout the island's historic port is worth checking out, as well as art from one of the many local artists. This destination exudes a European charm and friendly atmosphere, and makes a great choice for a late-summer beach retreat.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com/) is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com/ to the general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become one of the largest online travel sites in the world based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than 80,000 suppliers worldwide including airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand. Travelport (http://www.travelport.com/) is one of the largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel experiences the world demands.
Orbitz
CONTACT: Jeanenne Diefendorf of Orbitz, +1-312-894-4986,
jdiefendorf@orbitz.com; or Bryan Olender of Brodeur, +1-617-587-2044,
bolender@brodeur.com, for Orbitz
Web site: http://www.orbitz.com/
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