Late summer may be sultry, but it's a great time to stay at the Lodge at Little St. Simons Island — not only for the wildlife on the 10,000-acre private island but for special midweek rates in August and September.

All-inclusive rates start at $650 for two for two nights and include three Lowcountry meals daily, all snacks and beverages and unlimited use of all on-island activities and recreational gear (horseback riding, boats, kayaks, canoes, bicycles, fishing equipment, etc.).

Little St. Simons Island (ENLARGE)
Horseback rides are one fun way to take in the lush forests and abundant wildlife of Little St. Simons Island.
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Accessible only by boat, the island is a haven of preserved maritime forests and seven miles of untouched beaches to be enjoyed by a maximum of 30 overnight guests.

It's a nature lover's paradise. Protecting the island's fragile ecosystems is a priority. Beach Road was rerouted to protect the nest of a killdeer.

At sunset, pelicans and seagulls soar above the beach while dolphins swim the waterways bordering the island. You might even see a loggerhead turtle lumbering ashore in the dark to lay eggs in the sand.

Given the island's location along the Atlantic flyway, there's a good chance you'll see migratory species as the fall trek gets under way.

Tarpon fishing is at its peak in August, with anglers reeling in fish reaching 60 to 80 pounds. Also, red drum, sea trout and flounder will be running offshore or in the rivers and creeks.

Then there's the food. Summer means lots of beach picnics, with bonfires, oyster roasts and Lowcountry or crab boils, as well as barbecues or fried chicken dinners with vegetables.

The offer is valid Sunday through Thursday nights, except Sept. 4-5 (Labor Day weekend). Reservations: 1-888-733-5774, http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com.

Turtle tales

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Jekyll Island won't open until next spring. But a program of the rehabilitation and education complex is already introducing visitors to the sea turtle.

The Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Project, which marks and monitors sea turtle nests, is offering nightly interpretive walks through mid-August. Reservations are required and can be made through the Jekyll Island History Center at 912-635-4036; registration for adults is $10, $5 ages 12 and under. Tours led by trained sea turtle technicians are offered at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

After a brief orientation, visitors are led to the edge of the ocean, where they learn about sea turtles and the importance of Georgia's coast as habitat and nesting ground. Every year, about 100 loggerhead nests are documented on Jekyll Island.

Participants may be lucky enough to see a mother loggerhead emerge from the ocean and move up the beach to prepare her nest and lay 80 to 100 eggs.

The sea turtle center will provide veterinary care in Georgia for ill and injured sea turtles, conduct turtle research and offer a museum and educational exhibit that will be open to the public free of charge. Funding for the center is coming primarily from donations from private individuals and corporations. Over $1.6 million of the estimated $2 million construction cost has been raised.

Information: 912-635-4053, http://www.georgiaseaturtles.org, http://www.jekyllisland.com.

Beauty at Beau Rivage

"Krasnaya," Russian for beautiful, is the new show onstage through Nov. 20 at Beau Rivage Theatre at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss.

The 85-minute production, choreographed by Alla Duhova, features 42 performers including dancers from the Russian dance company Todes, top acts from the Russian Circus, clowns and jugglers.

Duhova operates 25 dance schools and studios throughout Russia, Latvia, Ukraine and other countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Tickets are $22.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service fee. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 3 and 7 p.m. Sundays; no performances Fridays. Ticket office: 1-888-566-7469.

"Krasnaya" packages start at $85 per person and include deluxe accommodations and a ticket to the show. 1-888-567-6667, http://www.beaurivage.com.

Hot deal in Vegas

"Sizzling 10s" is the latest promotion at the Westin Casuarina Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas.

Book a room at the property in July and August and get 10 percent off dinner, $10 in free slot play per night and $10 in match play at table games. Double the deal at the spa, where you'll receive 20 percent off services.

Room rates: $139 (Sundays-Thursdays), $189 (Fridays-Saturdays); suites: $499 and $699. Reservations: 1-866-837-4215, http://www.westin.com/lasvegas.

Weekend getaway

The Inn at Iris Meadows in Waynesville, N.C., is offering Biltmore Estate SummerFest Weekend Packages through Sept. 6.

You'll receive one complimentary pass to Biltmore Estate ($40 value) and the Biltmore Estate Winery Summerfest Weekends, Aug. 6-7 or Sept. 3-4, when you book a three-night weekend stay at the inn. Guests may purchase additional tickets at the inn. Biltmore tickets can be renewed for a next-day visit for $10 at one of Biltmore's ticket centers on the grounds.

Summerfest weekends include live music, grape stomps, barrel tastings, red wine and chocolate events and more. For details: www.biltmore.com/plan/calendar/calendar_summer_winery.shtml.

"Wind down your days with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and Biltmore winery wine on the spacious porches of the inn, with majestic mountain views," says innkeeper Becky Fain. "And if you watch closely, you may view the inn's resident silver fox pair as they venture forth to fetch the day's leftover muffins."

Fain says the foxes have a new litter, but there have been no sightings of the kits since she saw the mother moving one.

Reservations: 1-888-466-4747, http://www.irismeadows.com.

New Orleans deal

This Big Easy bargain is easy on the pocketbook. The Bienville House Hotel, on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, is offering a Summer Saver Rate of $88 a night Sundays-Thursdays through September.

The deal includes deluxe accommodations and $5 off a cooking class at the Louisiana Heritage Cafe & School of Cooking, off the hotel lobby.

The historic 83-room hotel has four sun decks, indoor valet parking, access to fitness center and a flagstone courtyard with pool.

Reservations: 1-800-535-7836, http://www.bienvillehouse.com.

At the opera

Eldorado Hotel & Spa celebrates the Santa Fe Opera with its Altos & Baritones package, valid Wednesday nights through July.

The package features a pair of tickets to the Santa Fe Opera, with seating in Section 2, and dinner for two at the hotel's award-winning Old House. Cost is $295 a night, based on a three-night minimum stay in a standard room. The package includes 15 percent off treatments at Nidah Spa.

Reservations: 1-800-955-4455, http://www.eldordadohotel.com.

Shaping up

The Bathing Suit Ready package allows guests to tone muscles, drop a few pounds and even get pampered without leaving the hotel room at the Westin New York at Times Square.

At $329 a night, double occupancy, through Sept. 6, the package includes access to the new Westin workout rooms, which feature Reebok Pilates/Yoga and Spinning DVDs, dumbbells, resistance tubing, a stability ball, yoga mat and either a Reebok Tomahawk XL indoor cycle or Life Fitness treadmill.

The package includes an in-room manicure and pedicure for two and daily American breakfast.

Reservations: 1-888-627-7149; when booking ask for the workout rate plan. http://www.westinny.com.

Key to relaxation

The Perfect Getaway package at the Resort at Longboat Key Club in Longboat Key, Fla., features midweek rates beginning at $159 for a golf course-view club suite through Sept. 30.

The 650-square-foot suites feature a king bed with queen-size sleeper sofa, full kitchen, washer-dryer, dressing area and private balcony. The deal includes daily use of beach cabana, fitness center and tennis courts.

Upgrade to lagoon view at $189 a night or beach view at $219 a night. This special is good Sunday through Thursday nights, excluding holiday periods. Taxes and resort fee not included.

Reservations: 1-888-237-5545, http://www.longboatkeyclub.com.