Travel businesses that offer best deals from a point of origin?

[LuvOrlando]

Do they exist?

I used to LOVE the NY Times Sunday paper because it offered all sorts of travel deals from NYC area airports. I would be able to discover all sorts of new places simply because they would offer package deals out of EWR or JFK that were cheap... I remember the $99 to Florida deals well Now when I look for a place to go there is no inspiration, it is all so very blahhh seems businesses want to know where I want to go first then backfill, but I do not know. All I do know is I would like sunshine and it to not be too expensive. I would love to travel for Christmas but everything is so very hohum, the places I know would be too busy and are bananas expensive - still want to be wooed and find a new place and fall in love with it.

 

[soccerdad72]

I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about, but from time to time, I like to surf Google Flights. You can put in dates and a departure airport and it will give you a broad picture of flight costs to various destinations. As my wife and I are starting to talk about travelling more as empty nesters, we have talked about picking a destination that we haven't been to before, finding the best flight deal we can and then building a trip from there. Obviously, the hotel and other expenses can vary widely in cost, but often the flight is one of the largest expenses, so to me, that is a starting point.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about, but from time to time, I like to surf Google Flights. You can put in dates and a departure airport and it will give you a broad picture of flight costs to various destinations. As my wife and I are starting to talk about travelling more as empty nesters, we have talked about picking a destination that we haven't been to before, finding the best flight deal we can and then building a trip from there. Obviously, the hotel and other expenses can vary widely in cost, but often the flight is one of the largest expenses, so to me, that is a starting point.

I also found with Google flights, you can put in a VERY generic destination... like "United States" and it will show you places all over the country. Maybe that's what you're referring to?

 

[soccerdad72]

I also found with Google flights, you can put in a VERY generic destination... like "United States" and it will show you places all over the country. Maybe that's what you're referring to?

Yeah, that's what I meant. I think you can leave the destination field empty (I believe) and it will give you a map of the US (and even internationally) with flight prices listed.

Granted, sometimes the cheapest flights shown are not exactly ideal (e.g. long layovers or multiple stops), so you have to dig in deeper to find a legitimate value, but I find it's a good starting point.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'll go give it a try, I really want to find somewhere for a peaceful change of scenery for 2025 holiday season and the searches are just so messy. I booked a place in Florida I have been to before just to have a spot but my heart isn't in it. Feels like going to prom with your cousin when you want to be madly in love instead.

So much in the news about ChatGPT and DeepSeek, DH talking about how it can change the world and I'm over here wondering if it can make finding a vacation spot more enjoyable like back in the 90s. I believe Google has its own Bard, maybe this functionality is part of it.

I appreciate the suggestion, fingers crossed