Presenting the new and enhanced ideeli travel

The days of stress-filled searches for the perfect trip are over. Welcome to the new ideeli travel: 1-stop shopping you can trust for the getaways you crave. And if you book any offer of $300 or more by July 5th, you’ll receive a $50 credit to spend on ideeli, perfect for scooping up luggage and other vacay essentials.*
Our favorite things about the new ideeli travel:
We’ve partnered with Voyage Privé, the first and largest global flash sale travel group, to bring you everything from hotels and all-inclusive resorts, to cruises and vacation packages.

• Up to 100 of the most-wanted domestic and international destinations each month, all at ideeli members-only pricing of 30% to 75% off.

• No vouchers or coupons—select specific dates, length of stay and receive automatic confirmation all on one site.

• Book confidently knowing that all deals are carefully vetted and verified by ideeli Travel editors, including tips for every destination.

Login to ideeli as usual and get instant access to new Travel sales every Tuesday through Friday. And kicking it all off are today’s sales: escape to Paris, Las Vegas, New York City, French Riviera and Antigua.


*Offer is valid for any travel purchase of $300 or more, made by July 5th, 2011. Credit will appear in your account within 2 weeks and is valid toward any non-travel purchase on ideeli.com. Limit 1 credit per member. Credit must be redeemed by September 30th, 2011.

Pick of the Day: Tumi

New Year's resolutions are in full effect. And while we've pledged to live healthier, call home more, and save money just like everyone else, there's a new goal on our list for 2011—traveling! And if you think we're going to be lugging around that ratty old suitcase from college, think again. We can't wait to pack up this bold tangerine-colored Avignon Frequent Traveler suitcase from Tumi. This famed luggage label is a favorite among the jet set, and and it's easy to see why with Tumi's patented technology, solid construction, and attractive styling. For the forgetful ones among us (guilty!), this bright orange beauty will also stand out in a sea of black bags at the airport. And our Tumi sale isn't limited to just suitcases—there are also handbags, crossbodies, and laptop cases, so you can rest assured that all your possessions will be safe and tucked away in style. With so many places to see and be seen, these Tumi pieces make getting away a cinch, whether for a weekend jaunt or that exotic getaway you've pledged to treat yourself to this year. Get them here!

Introducing ideeli Travel!

You’ve come to us for fashion, home, beauty, and even the latest in travel gear. Now, we’re giving you the exciting destinations that will help you put those goodies to use: Say "hello" to ideeli's brand new travel category!

Just like the carefully curated sales you love, ideeli's travel deals are editorially vetted and set at privileged prices that can be accessed only by our members. New travel deals will be announced every Tuesday (and can always be found on our nifty Travel tab), and frequent getaway giveaways will sweep you off to some of the hottest destinations around the globe. Even better? Unlike other travel sale sites, we understand how hard it is to plan trips months ahead, between needing to coordinate your crew and/or snag days off from work. That's why with our vouchers, you're not required to commit to travel dates at the point of purchase, and are given extra time to book your getaway.

So, whether it's a romantic escape to a sumptuous hideaway, a family adventure full of sight-seeing, or a luxe jaunt to your favorite playground, we've got you covered (or, shall we say, booked). Just take look at some of our most recent events:

Travel Sales
• Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, TX)
• The Venetian (Las Vegas)
• Tucker's Point Hotel (Bermuda)
• The Greenbrier (West Virginia)
• Sagamore Hotel (South Beach)
• Cabo Azul Resort (Mexican Riviera)
• OPUS Montreal (Canada)

ideelACCESS:
• Mr & Mrs Smith

Giveaways:
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Thanks to ideeli travel, Tuesday is about to become your new favorite day of the week.

Pick of the Day: Mr & Mrs Smith

From the prime room to book to the restaurant to call for that must-have reservation, imagine what your vacations could be with the kind of insider information you could only get from a well-traveled, super-connected friend. That friend is Mr & Mrs Smith, a travel website started by a British couple who, after having an unfortunate experience at a bad hotel, are determined to make sure every trip is extraordinary. Mr & Mrs Smith-approved properties exceed the expectations of even the most discerning traveler. The off-the-beaten path accommodations are selected for their intimacy, style, and service. Not just any property can be a Smith—they've all been hand-picked by a style-savvy team, including boldface names like Stella McCartney and Dita von Teese. Our ideelACCESS deal is first class: $50 gets you a $100 credit for any of the 650+ Smith hotels. Pick up your credit here and start packing your bags!
As if that isn't enough, you can also pick up one of Mr & Mrs Smith's renowned travel tomes in today's concurrent Home sale. Choose your destination (France, the UK, and Australia & New Zealand, among others), settle in, and open up the sumptuous cover to dive right into your preferred location. Packed with coffee table-worthy photography and an in-depth look at each locale, you'll keep these glossy guidebooks around long after your vacation haze has worn off. Shop now!

The ideeli Scoop with Claire Newell

As the founder of Jubilee Tours and Travel Ltd 17 years ago, author of Travel Best Bets, and frequent guest on the TODAY show, Claire Newell knows all about the best destinations and how to get there in one, pulled-together piece. Her line of luggage (check out our sale here) incorporates must-have features for making the journey stress-free, including telescoping handles and easy-gliding wheels. So, as we plan late-summer getaways (and even full-fledged vacations!) who better to answer some of our most burning travel questions than Newell herself? From travel etiquette (look back before reclining your seat!) to organization (packing cubes are Newell’s secret weapon), even the most seasoned travelers can benefit from the travel guru’s innovative yet no-nonsense tips.

What's always on your travel check-list?
• Pashmina (works great as a pillow or blanket on the plane)
• Packing cubes (makes packing simple and keeps everything organized)
• Photocopies of all travel and identification documents (if anything goes wrong or is lost, makes the reissuing process easier)
• Wrinkle-proof, comfortable, yet fashionable clothes for the plane

What are some must-knows about keeping your wardrobe fashionable on the road? Are there packing tips, hotel secrets, etc. that will help keep your pieces looking like they just stepped out of your closet (and not your suitcase)?
• It is important to bring options that can go from day to night with a little bit of accessorizing or a shoe change. Black pieces tend to be the best options for this.
• It is fantastic that jersey material is fashionable now, as it is much less likely to wrinkle.
• There are many packing methods that prevent wrinkling in transit. Using packing cubes definitely help with this. There also bundling and layering with tissue paper.
• I also make sure to hang-up my more wrinkle prone pieces as soon as I get to the hotel room. The more time it has out of the suitcase, the more the likely the wrinkles are to shake out.

What are your secrets to stress-free flying?
• I always have something to keep me occupied. My iPhone is great because I can watch movies, listen to music etc.
• "Checking out" and being able to silence my surroundings is very important to me, so headphones are a must.
• Always book insurance. You will rest easier knowing you are protected.
• Check in early. You can do this online now, and it really makes the process much smoother.
• If you can, travel only with a carry-on. The eliminates waiting at the carousel, or the chance of the airline losing your luggage.

When you experience travel problems, as we all do, how do you cope?
• It is important to stay calm. Panicking will get you nowhere.
• This is why booking travel insurance is so important, it really acts like a lifesaver during the times you need it most.

What are your top travel etiquette tips?
I have some major pet peeves on this topic!
• Look back before reclining your seat. This way you give the person behind you some warning that you will be moving and their drink is less likely to end up in their laps.
• The person in the middle row gets access to both arm rests. This is only fair as they are the poor souls cramped in the middle.
• Do some research on the country you are traveling to before going there. Take a the time to brief yourself on key phrases and customs. This could save you some major embarrassment in destination.

What destinations are still on your travel wish list and why?
I would love to visit South America. Machu Piccu and its incredible history blows my mind. I would also love to see San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina.

What's been your own most memorable trip?
Volunteering in an orphanage in Jamaica with my family was life changing. Seeing my own children interact with the children there and knowing we were impacting their lives was beyond heart-warming.