12 Terrific 12-12-12 Trips And Deals
Hotels and restaurants around the world are taking advantage of Dec. 12, 2012 with terrific 12-12-12 trips, deals, and steals like $12 meals and $12 amenities.
See 12 Terrific 12-12-12 Trips and Deals Slideshow
In a typical year, Dec. 12 — the 346th day of the year — doesn't hold much significance to most folks, though it is the birthdate of American actress Mayim Bialik, American gymnast Cathy Rigby, and singer Connie Francis and the anniversary of the Russian Federation gaining independence from the USSR. But for some, Dec. 12, 2012, or 12-12-12, is a special day, and hotels and restaurants are hoping travelers and food lovers will get in the spirit of the triple 12 day.
In recent years, we have seen 10-10-10, 11-11-11, and even the Beijing Olympics were carefully coordinated to begin at 8:08 p.m. on 08-08-08, but 12-12-12 is the last time we'll see a triple-12 date like this until 12-12-2112 .
When The Daily Meal heard that hotels and restaurants were offering extraordinary deals and that Madison Square Garden in New York City is hosting a benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy relief on 12-12-12, The Daily Meal asked celebrity numerology expert Julian Michael why some folks were making such a fuss.
"People are fascinated by things that are duplicated. We're fascinated by things that are different," said Michael, who has consulted celebrities like actors Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy, and designer Donna Karan. "It's all about joy; it's about celebrating. This vibration is a celebration of the child within oneself. It's about making a difference, being enthusiastic about the mystic, and that no matter what happens, we're still here."
But the date may hold a higher significance beyond travel and meal deals. According to Michael, "one" symbolizes self, "two" stands for sharing, and "three" is the trinity, and there's the belief that events occur in threes. Then, take the date, Dec. 12, and you have 12 months in a year, 12 houses of astrological signs, and 12 apostles. But no matter all the correlations, no day of celebration is complete without food or spirits, so these 12 terrific 12-12-12 trips are here to provide that.
While hotels from coast to coast (and even abroad) are offering $12 deals, like The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., which is serving a $12 lunch by executive chef Sean O'Connell, others have deals in multiples of 12, like the Waldorf-Astoria Chicago, which is offering 36 percent off (12+12+12) suites at the 188-room hotel, which houses popular bistro Balsan and bar Bernard's.
Deals like these aren't sure to last; several are valid for travel long after the nifty numbered day is past (you just have to book on 12-12-12), but others are only valid on Dec. 12, which gives you a convenient excuse to escape the holiday hustle with a quick staycation or getaway.
Lauren Mack is the Travel Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @lmack.