We miss the turn on the dark, winding road, a road that seems to go on forever. But, then, there it is, right in front of us: a castle, a sprawling, Victorian castle.

Not exactly what you'd expect just north of New York City. "So random," mutters 17-year-old Melanie from the back seat, as we arrive at Mohonk Mountain House, which has welcomed families for the last 140 years.

When it comes to 2009's hottest travel destinations, think cheap — but not chintzy.

To keep visitors coming, top-shelf destinations no longer have top-shelf price tags. This year, four- and five-star hotels are offering unprecedented deals at in-demand spots like Cape Town, Belfast and Vancouver.

The worst snowstorm to hit Britain in 18 years forced the cancellation of more than 650 flights at London's Heathrow airport Monday and shut down the city's bus network, partially paralyzing the British capital.

Heathrow, one of the busiest transport hubs in the world, closed both its runways for more than two hours Monday morning and operated with just one for the rest of the morning, according to BAA, the company which runs it.