It doesn’t feel like it’s been three months since Larian Studios freed Baldur’s Gate 3 from its Early Access shackles and unleashed its huge Dungeons & Dragons epic on the world. In that time, it’s quickly become the highest-reviewed game on Metacritic this year, making it a likely shoo-in for Game of the Year…
This week, book cheap trips to Europe through Priceline and score cruise fares up to 50% off.
UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This post is updated weekly with the latest travel deals on flights, cruises, theme parks, and more.
We all follow those people on Instagram who are somehow always on vacation. We don’t know their life story, but we’d be willing to bet they didn’t pay full price for that excursion — they just planned strategically. We’re keeping track of the best flight, train, luggage, and hotel deals below to help you do the same. Now get outta here.
The cold weather version of Frontier’s internet-breaking summer pass unlocks unlimited flights to both domestic and international Frontier destinations between Sept. 2 and Feb. 29, 2024, for a one-time fee of $299. Frontier serves more than 100 airports across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, with new locations frequently being added to the lineup. This is cheaper than even the summer pass’ debut price of $399 and its long-term sale price of $499.
Frontier also dropped a monthly pass that’s free for the first month (aside from a $49 enrollment fee) and renews for $149 monthly after that. Your unlimited monthly pass begins the day you purchase it and runs for 30 days each period. Be sure to read the fine print before snagging any of the tickets.
PLAY — $99 flights from BWI, BOS, SWF, and IAD to Iceland, Paris, Copenhagen, London, Dublin, Berlin, Athens, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam when booked by Nov. 3
Southwest — one-way fares as low as $89 including Thanksgiving
If you need a sign to book that cruise you’ve been talking about taking since last year, Celebrity Cruise Line’s current offering of 40% off all guests on all trips is that sign. The Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Saint Kitts, Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and more Caribbean and European destinations are all options, and depending on the itinerary, you can sail for as long as 13 nights or take a quick three-night getaway.
American Airlines — save up to 35% on rental car base rates
Amtrak — save up to 60% on eight tickets to various destinations, up to 50% on Northeast trips, up to 15% on California and Virginia trips, and more
Norwegian Cruise Line — save 70% on a second guest’s fare plus a free unlimited open bar, $50 off-shore excursions, and more
Priceline — save 30% or more when you bundle a flight with a Hilton hotel
Princess Cruises — save up to 50% on fares and deposits
Vacation doesn’t feel like vacation when you’re trying to cram a theme park’s full glory into a few short days. You can add three full days at Universal to your trip for free when you purchase tickets for two days (as long as they’re all consecutive). That’s five days for the price of two, so you can really take your time between Universal and Islands of Adventure — or even devote a whole day to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You’d still have to buy separate tickets (starting at $84.99) to Halloween Horror Nights, but the money you’re saving with this deal basically secures those for free.
Busch Gardens — save 35% on single day tickets or $70 on two park tickets plus Tampa or save up to 60% on tickets at Williamsburg
Hersheypark — save up to 35% on Hersheypark Christmas Candylane presale tickets or up to 50% on fall weekend tickets
Quick weekend excursions are society’s sanity staples — but sometimes, you deserve more. If you didn’t get to take that long trip this summer, Kimpton’s extended “Stay Longer and Save” promo is your nudge to get away before 2024. Through Dec. 31, you can save between 15% and 20% on stays three nights or longer at a ton of stylish participating Kimpton locations across the U.S.
If a one or two-night trip is in the cards, however, you can also save up to 20% off the best flexible rate when you book at least seven days in advance.
B Hotels and Resorts Orlando — save up to 25% on stays of two or more nights when booked by Dec. 20
Casa de Sierra Nevada — stay three nights and get a fourth night free through Dec. 15
The Grove Resort & Waterpark Orlando — 20% off stays through Sept. 3, 2024 when booked by Nov. 19, 2023
Hamilton Princess and Beach Club Bermuda — save 15% on two nights, 20% off three or four nights, or 25% on five or more nights when you book by March 24, 2024, and stay before April 30, 2024
Hampton Inn — save up to 17% on the Best Available Rate when you book at least seven days in advance
JetBlue — save up to 20% on hotels if you have a JetBlue flight
Marriott — save up to 20% on hotel and flight bundles to select destinations
Priceline — save up to 15% on European destinations when you book through the app with code EUROESCAPE, plus save up to 40% on hotel and flight bundles for Europe vacations
Red Roof Inn — save an extra 15% on your stay with Redi Rewards
Sonesta — save up to 30% when you book two or more nights with code SAVEMORE
Walt Disney World — save up to 25% on stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from Jan. 9 through Feb. 22, 2024 when you book by Dec. 15, 2023
Still putting up with your suitcase’s busted wheel? Longstanding luggage icon American Tourister’s extended site-wide Labor Day sale is your excuse to finally replace it. Save up to 30% on hardside and softside spinners, carry-ons, garment bags, and more.
Bagail — save up to 40% on packing cubes in select colors
Béis — save 10% on a luggage set of two or 15% on a luggage set of three
Calpak — save up to 60% on select best sellers
Delsey — 40% off select pieces from the Paris collection
Herschel — save up to 30% on Forever Classics
Kohl’s — save up to 50% on suitcases from Kenneth Cole Reaction, London Fog, Rockland, and more
Macy’s — save up to 60% on Bric’s Milano, DKNY, Jansport, and more
Mark & Graham — save up to 50% on select personalized totes, handbags, travel pouches, and more
Paravel — save 20% on a set of two Aviator suitcases or 30% on a set of three
Samsonite — save 30% on select styles
TravelPro — save up to 20% sitewide
Tumi — save up to 20% on select styles
Walmart — save up to 50% on hardside luggage sets from Sunbee and Travelhouse
Kaiber, the generative AI creative studio behind the music videos of popular artists Kid Cudi and Linkin Park, announced today the launch of its new mobile app to […]
Larian has dropped another colossal patch for its hugely successful Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Baldur’s Gate 3, and it brings over 1000 individual fixes and tweaks to the game just as we head into its three-month anniversary.
As Kotaku’s resident Soulsbud, I was stoked to check out the action-Soulslike RPG Lords of the Fallen when it debuted back in mid-October, so I booted it up and immediately navigated to the settings menu. This is always my first stop when starting any game, to ensure I can actually play the thing.
The worst meet-cute of all time, now on Paramount+. “Colin from Accounts” is an Australian romantic comedy series created and written by husband-and-wife team Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, who star as the leading roles Gordon and Ashley.
You’d be forgiven for assuming that Colin from Accounts, an Australian comedy series, is about a) a man named Colin and b) someone who works in accounts. Which — no offence to anyone named Colin, or anyone working in accounts — doesn’t sound like the most riveting premise for a TV programme.
Thankfully, none of those assumptions are in any way based in reality.
Colin from Accounts is the story of two single strangers brought together by an accident. The show is created and written by husband-and-wife team Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, who both star as the show’s main protagonists, Gordon and Ashley.
Episode one begins with what can only be described as the worst meet cute in human (and dog) history. Medical student Ashley is lying in bed eating crisps and texting her ex, when she realises she’s late for a training session at work. She chaotically heads out the door on foot, glugging a swig of Tequila for the road. Meanwhile, brewery owner Gordon, wakes up with last night’s porn still open on his laptop, proceeds to workout and then drive to work. At the very same time, a postman leaves a gate ajar, prompting a dog to escape and make a dash for it on the open road.
When Ashley haplessly steps off the kerb, Gordon (who’s nicknamed Flash) swerves and comes to an abrupt halt. As Ashley crosses the road, she beams at Gordon, who smiles back. They’re having a moment. Ashley then pulls down her top on one side, revealing her boob for a split second to a mesmerised Gordon. But then… disaster strikes.
A distracted, flustered Gordon gets beeped at by a car behind and promptly takes his foot off the brake. The next words out of his mouth: “Oh shit shit shit shit…”
Gordon accidentally ran over the poor little runaway dog. Don’t worry: the doggo survives. But, Ashley and Gordon are facing a A$12,000 vet bill. Who’s to blame? And who should pay up?
Suddenly, these three souls are brought together in the most unexpected circumstances, bringing a string of highs, lows, and complete an utter chaos.
With no idea who the four-legged friend belongs to, Gordon and Ashley are thrust into the role of stand-in dog parents — a role neither of them is equipped to take on.
Without saying too much, that momentary flirtation that turned into disaster isn’t brushed under the carpet. It was just the beginning.
Colin from Accounts brings together the essential ingredients needed for a satisfying romantic comedy. First of all, you’ve got the signature acerbic Australian wit. Then you’ve got some serious will-they-won’t-they tension. You’ve got a couple of exes thrown in for good measure, just to add to the suspense. Plus, you’ve got an adorable dog that the characters can’t help but love.
Ashley is a far cry from the “manic pixie dream girl” and “cool girl” stereotypes that litter a lot of romantic comedies, and not for the better. Ashley feels like an honest representation of someone who’s having a bit of a tough time and coming up against constant hurdles: Her landlord selling all her possessions without her consent; her toxic mother showing up unannounced at the worst possible times; her ex-boyfriend and current colleague being an all-round prick to her as she nurses a bruised heart. Gordon is also having a bit of a shit time, going through nerve-wracking checkups after undergoing treatment for cancer. The writing is funny as hell — even in the darkest of moments.
Ashley and Gordon have glimmering on-screen chemistry, which is just as well because they happen to be husband and wife in real life.
What I loved the most about Colin from Accounts was that it avoids saccharine lovey-dovey cringe dialogue. The show doesn’t rove into corny territory, as many rom-coms tend to. It’s honest and messy and complicated, as love stories so often are.
How to watch: Colin from Accounts is begins streaming on Paramount+ Nov. 9.
UPDATE: Oct. 31, 2023, 10:27 a.m. EDT Colin from Accounts was originally reviewed out of its BBC premiere. The review has been republished to toast its U.S. debut on streaming.
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