Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Celebrate Your Single-ness This Valentine’s Day with a Cheap Vacation

By
Genevieve Poblano/The Manual

National 7-Eleven Day, National Eat Your Beans Day, National Thrift Shop Day — it seems every year brings a slew of new fake holidays. But with Valentine’s Day around the corner and the inevitable crush of your committed friends’ melodramatic romance posts blowing up your social media feeds, we can fully get behind Singles Awareness Day (also on February 14). Nothing underscores your alone-ness like V-Day, which is why “SAD” as it’s known (it has its own Wikipedia page, so it must be real) is a way for proud singles to thumb their noses at traditional sappy Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Embracing that spite usually comes in the form of attending singles’ events, volunteering, treating oneself with gifts, or — our favorite — just getting the hell away from it all. Contiki is looking to make those solo celebrations even better for 2019 with deeply discounted travel packages through their Singles Awareness Day Special.

Recommended Videos
Related

This weekend only, Contiki is offering discounts of up to 15 percent on select, singles-friendly trips to some of its most popular destinations. Options include something for every type of traveler: volun-touring in India; island-hopping around Thailand (think stunning beaches, authentic Thai food, and the legendary, hedonistic Full Moon parties); or finding yourself a la a transformative Eat, Pray, Love-style European travel experience complete with Roman gelaterias, hiking Austria’s stunning mountains, and swigging Bavarian brew in a traditional German beer hall.

Further Reading

Contiki has long been known as the “anti-tour company” tour company. They offer more than 350 unique itineraries around the world with a focus on active tours perfect for young (read under 35) travelers.  While this sale is geared toward single travelers, they offer romantic, couples-friendly tours perfect for V-Day as well. Their “Simply Italy” itinerary, for example, is as romantic and bucket-list-worthy as your S.O. could ever want. The 12-day rendezvous includes everything from pizza-making classes to visiting Italian leather-makers to sipping world-class Chianti at a 16th-century Tuscan winery. For something more active, the “Cape, Safari & Falls” tour will let you and your S.O. tick off Africa’s most iconic highlights. Think trekking alongside the Big 5 in the continent’s famous wildlife preserves, snapping selfies on the rim of Victoria Falls, and living the nightlife in downtown Cape Town.

Contiki’s Singles Awareness Day Special travel discounts are available this week only, from February 14-16. Use discount code TRAVELCRUSH at checkout to score up to $500 off your next getaway.

Editors’ Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection extends voyages to Alaska — what you need to know
Summer 2026 will be a great time to cruise to Alaska
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Renderings are artistic concepts. All features, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice.

The cruise industry has a lot of exciting announcements around the corner, but my favorite has to be the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection extending their voyages to Alaska. Currently, the brand is constructing the Luminara for the route, with inaugural sailings to Alaska scheduled for the summer of 2026 (and summer is a great time to visit Alaska). This 226-suite luxury yacht will run from May through September, and trips will range from seven to eleven nights.

Tina Edmundson, President of Luxury at Marriott International, commented on the excitement surrounding this project. “With the launch of our third superyacht, the Luminara, we’re thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska,” she said.

Read more
Aruba nightlife: The draw for the Dutch Caribbean island
Live it up after the sun goes down
Couple at Flor de Oriente

Aruba is one of the most popular destinations for those looking for a beach getaway. When you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day grind, disappearing to an island deep in the Caribbean, only a few miles north of South America, can change your entire outlook on your life. Ten minutes in the sun and five minutes by the ocean will start to make you think there is no reason you haven't packed up all of your things and moved to an island to slow down and write your memoirs. Of course, there are dozens of things to do throughout the day if you are not a beach bum.

You can start your day trying to get that beach body by jogging up the 900 steps leading to the top of Hooiberg (if that is your kind of thing, take a lot of water); you can explore the exploding street art scene with a mural tour of the "One Happy Island," or you can snorkel the clearest water you have ever seen. However, one of the number one things you should do when on the island is get away from the hotel and discover the energy of Aruba nightlife.

Read more
Tumi vs. Rimowa: How do the two luggage brands compare?
What you need to know to choose the right suitcase
Man carrying luggage in both hands

Whether your existing luggage is worn down or you don’t even have any yet, you’re going to need somewhere to stow your belongings for your next trip. There are a ton of great luggage brands on the market, but at some point, you’ll narrow your choices down to one or two options. If that’s the case, and you’re currently weighing Tumi vs. Rimowa luggage, well, you’ve ended up here. And trust me, I’ve been there, scrolling through luggage websites online and wondering which suitcase to splurge on.

Both Tumi and Rimowa have incredible reputations, so choosing between them isn’t easy. A head-to-head between these two brands makes a lot of sense because they are similar in many ways. Of course, there are some differences, too, and that might help you make your decision on which to choose for your next luggage set. We’ve got the lowdown on Tumi vs. Rimowa right here, so let’s discuss. 
Tumi vs. Rimowa luggage: Who wins?

Read more