Goodness, look where we are right now… we are in the middle of the middle of the year! Where’d the first half of the year go?
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”
One of the things I love about mid-year is travel planning. I usually allot this time of the year to plan my travels for the next 6 months. And judging from the Facebook feeds I’m seeing, I don’t think I’m the only one who’s been planning their travels. Well come to think of it, travel planning anytime of the year is always a good idea!
Sometimes the most challenging part of travel planning is simply knowing and deciding where to go.
And this is when a site like TripADeal comes in very handy.
Because sometimes, not only do you need suggestions, but you also need a getaway without the headaches of building an itinerary piece by piece.
What sets TripADeal apart from other package travel deal sites is they have a live built-in calendar booking system so you can actually see what travel dates are available. I’ve had one experience in the past with another travel company where I chose dates, booked, and the website told me that they will get back to me in 24-48 hours for confirmation (yet almost giving the reassurance that all should be well). Lo and behold 48 hours later, I got a response that my travel dates were unavailable. To those who travel plan a lot, you’d know that the 48 hours wasted is eternity. Had I known, I could have used that time to look for other flights/deals.
But I’m glad that TripADeal has this live calendar feature so you can book with confidence.
The other thing I like about TripADeal is the people behind it.
This company is based in Byron Bay, NSW and the team is composed of travel-loving people who know what indulgence is all about. After all, they themselves start their day by a dip or snorkel in the beach before heading to the office!
And seriously, have you been to Bryon Bay? I spent a weekend late last year and am hooked. Byron Bay folks are masters of relaxing , so they know exactly what one needs for that kind of getaway 🙂
So needless to say, what I like most about TripADeal is the KIND of trips that they assemble and offer.
Because they’re my kind of travel!
For instance, I’m lusting over their West Coast, USA deal at the moment.
12 days in the US West Coast, visiting Los Angeles, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Las Vegas and going to National Parks such as Arches National Park and Yellowstone National Park (just to name a couple)
If you all remember that West Coast road trip I did 2 years ago…
It’s THAT kind of trip! 🙂
The package they’re offering is AUD 3099 including international flights, accommodation, luxe coach transportation, sightseeing and National Park entrance fees.
I can tell you for sure that though our West Coast trip was done a couple of years ago, we spent much more than AU 3099.00 per person and am obviously wishing this deal existed back then.
—
The other package from TripADeal that caught my eye is the 19-Day European Experience with a 14-Day Mediterranean Cruise.
On board the MSC Magnifica, the cruise will be heading to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro.
For AUD 3599.00, you get: International return flights, 14 nights on board the MSC Magnifica, all on-board meals and entertainment, 1 night pre-cruise accommodation in Venice including American breakfast, transfer from Venice hotel to terminal. (departs 30 October 2015)
A month ago, I just finished a 2-week Mediterranean cruise myself, so I’m really stoked that TripADeals offers the kinds of travels that I indulge in.
Giveaway
I’m quite thrilled to announce that I will be giving away:
AUD 500.00 Travel Voucher for use towards any TripADeal trip!
Terms & Conditions :
This competition is open worldwide to readers who are at least 18 years of age.
Giveaway runs from 16 -30 June 2015 23:59 AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time UTC +10:00)
Drawing the winner: One (1) winner will be drawn via Rafflecopter.
You can only enter once.
Winner will be announced on Holy Smithereens Facebook page on 01 July 2015 AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time ), and the winner will also be contacted via email.
Do note that though this giveaway is open worldwide, if the trip that you chose involves flights, they depart from Australia. If you don’t need the flights, you can choose just the land tours. The winning voucher cannot be redeemed for cash or exchanged .
The voucher will be valid up to 12 months upon receipt.
I’ve made the giveaway extremely simple! To enter:
1.) Enter your email in the Rafflecopter box below. (In doing so, your email address will also be entered on TripADeal’s newsletter.) You will also be subscribed to Holy Smithereens’ newsletter. Well really, you wouldn’t want to miss out on any exciting travel deals and juicy travel reviews and stories do you??
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And finally:
Write a comment below and tell me which TripADeal getaway you’d like to take!
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Trillina Palemi for winning the voucher! Happy travels! 🙂
Good luck! 🙂
—
This giveaway is sponsored by TripADeal, but I will never giveaway products or activities I personally will not use or engage in. Our sweepstakes is listed on ContestHound.com Enter to Win a $100 Gift Card at ContestHound.com! HyperSweep
156 Comments
The 18 Day European Bucket List Experience looks like a dream come true!
Anywhere with a beach!
Well Probably Anywhere x) As long as it’s Europe :3
Anything! My husband and I just need a vacation!!!
The 19 day European Experience sounds LOVELY!!!
The U.S West Coast trip sounds incredible! I have lived in Texas most of my life and am living in Indiana now, and have always wanted to explore the west coast and one of my biggest must-dos in life is to go to the yellowstone park. That would be a dream!
I would love to go on the 19 day European Experience.
The Euro Trip looks fabulous!
I would love to go to Australia, one on my Bucket List, along with Bali
I want to go to Bali!
Europe!
Planning to visit relatives soon. Have a brand new niece and nephew to see! Hope to win the voucher to possibly extend my visit 😉
I’m planning to catch Taylor Swift’s concert in Sydney in November. I hope to win the voucher to defray some of the costs! 😉
I want to go to USA (New York)
Arches!!!
ITALY I went there for a work trip last year but barely saw anything
I would love a trip down the West Coast! Been a dream of mine forever.
I would love to go to Singapore and visit The Raffles Hotel
I would love any of the places to visit
West coast is the best coast and I would love to take my husband to see all those amazing sights!
I would love to go to the grand canyon never been there and it looks beautiful
Grazie per il giveaway! Vorrei viaggiare in crociera nel Mediterraneo.
The West Coast trip sounds fun to me!
I would love to go on the Mediterranean Cruise and visit Greece, Italy and Turkey – they are places that I’ve always dreamt of seeing some day and I’d love to make that a reality! Also more locally – I would also love to spend a few days relaxing in Byron Bay, it looks amazing. Thank you
The Yellowstone trip looks amazing! I’ve always wanted to go there!
Yellowstone
I would like to go to Australia!
i have never been further than a few hours flight away from my home in Bendigo, Vic, Australia. I would travel anywhere, but i have always dreamt of traveling to Rome, Germany or Italy.
A trip to Spain would be great
Anywhere warm! I haven’t been on a vacation in a very long time! Would love this 🙂
anywhere but here
I would love to take my Mom to Hawaii for two weeks..i’m the oldest of nine (six boys and three girls) she has done a tremendous amount for us and also has been thru a whole lot especially in the last four years. My dad passed away at 60 and then two years later my brother passed away at the age of 31. It’s been rough but we all have come together to help one another. Taking her to Hawaii would be awesome!!
I would love to go to some National Parks back East
I would love to visit the the Greek islands! What a wondweful giveaway. Thank you for the oppurtunity!
These all sound amazing! But if I have to choose just one the it would be the Mediterranean cruise. Thank you for the chance to win!!!!
I really want to go to Hawaii!
I would love the West Coast, USA!
West Coast for sure, especially since we’re living in Hawaii now. See it while you can!
Oh, how I would love the Mediterranean trip!
I would love to go to Germany
I would live the west coast Trip!
Bali for me!
OMG, luv to see Europe. Divine. Pick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!! It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. 🙁 Starving artist here desperately needs the $500 gc to travel, have fun and feel alive and inspired again. A life changing experience. Top of my bucket list. Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂
I would go to Bali or Thailand
I would love to see the Grand Canyon
Thailand will be my choice
I would love to go to Paris! I haven’t been in years! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Hi, The West Coast USA would be an amazing vacation!!( I would love to go to Europe but don’t have the extra money for transportation If that were needed.) I live on the East Coast and there’s so much to see on the West Coast. I’m Praying hard for this. Thank You and God Bless you!!
Grecee will be nice 🙂
Anywhere in Europe!
I would go on the West Coast trip! I haven’t been in years and it was like a second home to me. I would love to return!
I would want to go to Thailand! Their day adventures look amazing!
Oooohhhhhhhh, the Mediterranean..
Mediterranean!
SPAIN WOULD BE FABULOUS!
the European trip with the Mediterranean cruise!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Mediterranean.
Not sure….maybe Ireland.
That 19-Day European Experience with a 14-Day Mediterranean Cruise looks awesome! I would love that!
I would love to take a trip to Italy!!!
I would love to go to Greece, but the West Coast would be great. I guess I just want to go somewhere!
I am always game to visit the West Coast. I could go every year!
wow awesome giveaway – thanks!
I would love to visit NYC.
Alaska cruise would be great
The European experience would be amazing!
A Cruise anywhere would be awesome. Maybe a European one would be my first choice.
I’d love to be able to experience Bora Bora.
An Alaskan cruise
I want to go to the West Coast.
Ireland #IsItMyTurnYet
I’d love to take the Five Star Bali Jungle Escape – 5, 7 or 10 Luxury Nights for Two People at the Award Winning Komaneka Villas vacation!
Vegas baby!
I would to visit Las Vegas, thanks
Would love to do the West Coast trip!
The west coast deal.
i would love to visit texas to finally taste the delicious foods
I would take the West Coast, USA deal I’ve always wanted to go to America and it would be awesome to experience some of those places.
China’s National Treasures for me!
The Europe trip would be perfect!
I would love to travel to Ireland. I have tons of family there that I would LOVE to finally meet!
Vegas…
I would love to go to Spain!!!
West Coast, USA deal looks absolutely amazing!!!!
I would absolutely love to take a trip to Tahiti (Bora-Bora & Moorea).
I would love to go to Greece!! Thank you for the opportunity!
West Coast, USA!
bali
Without a doubt, the Mediterranean Cruise!
somewhere on the west coast
Praga,Amsterdam, Cruise, ……..
I would like to win a trip to London because my two kids live there with their father and it’s been more than a year I haven’t seen them 🙁
I hope I am lucky, amen
Mediterranean Cruise
The West Coast Package would be great! My son has never been further west than Alabama!
I would love beach trip (either West Coast or Hawaii)
Greece for me please! ( :
I would love to spend time in the West Coast! I’m a Texas girl, but there are so many places I haven’t seen out there. Hopefully this giveaway can get me out there (:
The trip to National Parks and Vegas looks amazing!
The west coast would be wonderful love San Francisco
I would definitely go to hawaii!
Vegas
Ireland, please!
I have never been to the Grand Canyon…that’s where I’d go.
I want to go to Australia!!
Definitely the West Coast trip!
Thanks for the great giveaway! Fingers crossed xoxo I would love the Mediterranean Europe package!
i would love to go and visit west coast..
West Coast USA looks amazing and would be so much fun. It would also take me to places I’ve never been!
I would love to travel to Europe!
west coast!
14 day Mediterranean cruise is on my bucket list!
A bed and breakfast dream getaway. Just to take out just a little “me time” for me! Quiet, relaxing…Maybe even the bahamas! 🙂 Good luck to everyone
Off to Vancouver, B.C. if I win!
I have’t been on a honeymoon or vacation in over 18 years. So any location that I can win would be much appreciated.
I would love to go anywhere on the west coast
I would love to experience the West Coast, USA deal. I Love the outdoors, but Have never experienced it like I want to and this would be awesome!
I would love to you to Europe.
I would love to go to greece or other european countries.
The Mediterranean Cruise would be awesome
I live on the west coast so I would love the 19 Day European Experience
Euro trip on my wish list 🙂
Greece!:)
The European trip would be glorious! Thank you and good luck to all!
west coast road trip
I would love that 12 Day USA Natural Wonders Tour!!
We’ve been thinking about going to the US and doing the national parks next (have been holding off until our daughter got older), so that West Coast package is looking pretty good!
I would not know where , I would love somewhere I have never been before, so hard to pick . Euro maybe , a cruise .
Thanks
I love the west coast
Mediterranean Cruise
I am dreaming for that European experience !!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’d definitely choose the European holiday, and the highlight would be the mediterrean cruise … what a dream come true that would be!
Would love to do Sri Lanka tour.
Would love to use it all in the Philippines! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’d love the Gold Coast Australia Getaway.
Holy wow woman, this is fabulous. 🙂
11 Day Journey of Magical India fo shiz!
I would love the 14 day Mediterranean cruise, it would be amazing
Id love to go to Australia , Rome, Paris , anywhere in Europe. To pick one, it’d have to be the Caribbean!
Thank you for this chance
Good luck everyone!
west coast road trip is just perfect
Any of the trips to Bali would be great!!
I would love going to India!
I’d love to do their “4 Day Wilderness Escape – Ultimate Kakadu Getaway” trip to see more of Australia!
Anywhere with a beach- I live in Wisconsin!!
That’s a cool giveaway, the winner will be very lucky. Love the fact that the TripADeal team go snorkelling before starting work – you can only dream of that in London
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
West Coast deal! Even though i live in California, I would love to see Utah and Montana!
The Mongolia trip looks amazing.
Been awhile since I’ve been able to travel. This would surely help me get started again!
I love Vegas!
The west coast would be lovely, but then I’ve been lusting for Greece?! Thank you for the chance!!!
A great comp Jean! I’m sure everyone could use $500 off their trip!
I fancy the Mediterranean Cruise. That would be fantastic!
The euro trip looks amazing ❤️❤️
I would love to go to greece.
I would love to visit the West Coast and see all the beauty there.
It would be totally amazing to win the West Coast, USA deal as apart Las Vegas, I have never been to the other places in the itinerary… Wish me luck!!!
London!
any!