Cool Catalina deal

I don’t know about you, but I could use an easy island getaway—soon! Hawaii is out of the question until the economy and my budget both begin to look a lot healthier. Luckily, the grace and beauty of Southern California’s closest island getaway—Catalina— is not out of reach. There's plenty to do: swim, fish, or kayak in crystal clear waters, hike or take jeep tours.

It's all just a high-speed ferry ride away from Long Beach, (departs from Downtown and
Queen Mary locations), San Pedro, & Dana Point or Marina del Rey and a new deal just made it a more affordable destination.

Just 26 miles from Los Angeles, on Catalina Island, lies the appealing and intimate Hotel Villa Portofino (deck shown above, room below). And what a deal: Through October 31, 2009, the hotel offers its Villa Venturer Package, beginning at $161.50/night, double occupancy, plus tax. In addition to accommodations at the oceanfront Hotel Villa Portofino, it includes:

-R/T boat transportation aboard Catalina Express from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point
-R/T taxi transfers between boat dock and hotel
-1 ¼ hour snorkel trip with Catalina Ocean Rafting
-Plus a lovely Continental breakfast and a welcome gift.

Note that weekend rates are higher, and a two-night minimum stay is usually required.

So if you’re ready to breathe in a bit of clean ocean air and adopt a slower pace of island life (without hopping a pricey, five-hour flight to Hawaii), make your own easy escape to Southern California’s most engaging island, Catalina and the Hotel Villa Portofino.

Details: 888/34-OCEAN, 888/510-0555, or locally, 310/510-0555. Visit www.hotelvillaportofino.com. For transportation, call Catalina Express at 800-429-4601, or log on to www.catalinaexpress.com.