Robert J. Nebel

Rome for Valentine’s Day

2012-01-27T09:02:00.001-08:00

The most romantic weekend in the Eternal City!

The Bettoja Hotels of Rome, Medterraneo, Massimo D’Azeglio, Atlantico, and Nord invite you to celebrate romance with them by offering a very alluring Valentine’ Day Package.
The package includes:

• Accommodation in classic double room

• Upon arrival, a bottle of sparkling wine and a red rose for the lady, in your room

• Early check-in & late check-out (depending on hotel availability)

• A romantic dinner for two at the restaurants of the Hotel Mediterraneo Massimo D’Azeglio*

• Buffet Breakfast

• Daily newspaper

• Free WI-FI

• Free access to the fitness area at the Hotel Mediterraneo or at the Hotel Nord

• Tax** and service included

All the Bettoja hotels are within a block on one another and centrally located making it a breeze to get around on foot or mass transit. It is easy to visit the key sites and be back in your air-conditioned hotel for a rest without long cab or bus rides.

The Bettoja Hotel’s have been privately owned for five generations, well known for their warm personal service and penchant for romance. There are two fine restaurants, Massimo D’Azeglio and Restaurant “21” that service all four hotels. Two unique rooftop terraces are available to all Bettoja guests as well as two fitness centers, one in Hotel Mediterraneo and Nord.

Prices for the package are at Hotel Mediterranneo, 300 Euro, Massimo D”Azeglio, 276 Euros, Atlantico, 256 Euros and Nord, 240 Euros. Prices are for 2 nights for 2 people. Drinks are not included, **Local city tax not included (Hotel Mediterraneo, Massimo D'Azeglio and Atlantic € 3.00 per person per day, € 2.00 for Nord Hotel per person per day).

For reservations, contact: e-mail: reservations@bettojahotels.com: web site: www.bettojahotels.it Bettoja Hotels 800-783-6904, Fax: 212-860-4544..

FANCY A STROLL ON A MOONLIT BEACH IN AID OF TURTLES?

2012-01-25T15:24:00.001-08:00

World Turtle Day Awareness - May 23, 2012

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, January 25, 2011 – Turtles, the easy going “dudes” of the ocean, have fascinated us for generations, in turn becoming symbols of patience and wisdom. We are in love with turtles, each of them with a unique story underneath that hard shell. Historically they were the slow and steady characters of children’s literature, and as of late, take on the hero role in cartoons such as Finding Nemo and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Today these same heroes need our help. GoVoluntouring connects volunteers with hundreds of projects all over the world, and is host to a growing number of turtle specific volunteer vacations.

Pollution, industrial fishing, and habitat loss are the main forces pushing turtles evermore towards endangered status. The American Tortoise Rescue established World Turtle Day in 2000; with its aim is to highlight the conservation efforts needed to help these placid and endearing animals. Explore the oceans with a guide that’s been around for more than 200 million years. Here’s a sample of volunteer action projects for the turtle lovers amongst us:

Turtle Research in Baja, Mexico: http://goo.gl/zaSZp

Join Baja Expeditions and RED Sustainable Travel, on a unique whale watching and turtle research excursion to Magdalena Bay. Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on green sea turtle research with local conservationists. SEE Turtle founder, Brad Nahill, has this to say about volunteering with turtles, “Volunteering with a sea turtle conservation project is very rewarding with benefits including personal satisfaction, resume material, lots of exercise, new friends from around the world, and great stories to tell. It should not be taken lightly though; it is hard work and the local organizations that run the turtle programs expect volunteers to fulfill their obligations.”

Monitoring Nesting Sea Turtles in the Grenadines Archipelago: http://goo.gl/dS1pO

As the Kido Foundation (part of the WIDECAST family) points out, they survived the glacial era, yet today they may not survive the destruction of their species and habitat by humans, unless we actively protect them. Helping mother turtles to nest safely and protecting their nests and hatchlings is essential for their population to survive the odds against them and for maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. Volunteers will make a difference not only for sea turtles, but also for the local communities. This project trains and employs guides from the nearby villages and promotes turtle conservation awareness in local schools.

Tagging the Terrapins of the Jersey Shore: http://goo.gl/pFh5b

The New Jersey Pine Barrens is a protected Biosphere Reserve designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and covers nearly one quarter of the state of New Jersey. Volunteers will be integrated into teams to locate nesting female terrapins, will set and check traps, track terrapins with radio-telemetry equipment, mark and tag them whilst taking and recording measurements of body size and weight. During late summer, volunteers will assist with nest monitoring and determination of hatchling success. They will then get to assist in marking and releasing hatchlings that emerge from nests.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka: http://goo.gl/XtfOi

In Sri Lanka, the paradise island, five species of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Volunteers help to ensure these eggs hatch and that the baby turtles make it to a safe place in the ocean. The LEO Project Foundation sea turtle volunteer program not only takes care of the eggs, baby turtles and wounded turtles, but also educates tourists and locals on sea turtles and their endangered status.

GoVoluntouring is an online community for volunteers, overseas teachers, and learners’ abroad that allow users to perform detailed searches from a huge database of projects and programs. With thousands of programs to choose from, GoVoluntouring offers pre-checked charities and non-profits the chance to connect with the volunteers they desperately need, with no added cost to the user or the volunteer organization. For more information visit www.govoluntouring.com.

Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges Emphasizes Diver Training and Land-Based Multi-Island Accommodations To Enhance Novice-to-Expert Scuba Diving Experiences

2012-01-10T11:25:00.001-08:00

Red Mangrove Lodges now largest producer of PADI dive certifications in the Galapagos

QUITO, ECUADOR, Jan. 5, 2012 -- Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges http://www.redmangrove.com/, the region’s leading hospitality company for active adventure, suggests that recreational divers, novice to expert, consider Darwin’s magical archipelago as the destination for a wide variety of official PADI dive certification programs.

Hernan Rodas, founder and director of Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges reports that the Red Mangrove’s Dive Center accomplished more diver certifications in 2011 than any other operation in the Galapagos.

“In all of Ecuador there were 1,489 diver certifications issued in 2011. Red Mangrove’s team of licensed instructors and master divers accounted for 160 of them, making us the largest producer of diver certifications in the Galapagos,” Rodas said.

Rodas suggested that would-be divers seeking certification do classroom and required pool work at home, either with a local dive shop or recreation center or online through PADI’s website (accessed via Red Mangrove’s dive website: http://www.redmangrove.com/diving-in-galapagos/diving-classes/.)

To complete the third and final stage of the certification process divers are then required to perform open water check-out dives with an instructor.

“This is when many beginning divers look to warm and exotic waters so they can combine their requirements with an extended vacation,” explained Rodas. “We have packages with just that in mind, allowing a diver to be certified during the first two days of their stay and then enjoying all the islands have to offer during the rest of the week.”

“We’re finding more and more dive instructors bringing their students here as a group for certification,” said Rodas, adding that a new instructor incentive program is being developed that will provide lodging incentives for the instructor who brings with him/her four paid students.

According to Rodas, many divers travel with non-diving companions and family members which also makes Red Mangrove’s land-based multi-island programs attractive. Year-round certification programs and vacation packages can be combined to accommodate diver/non-diver groups. There’s a staff of five PADI approved dive instructors available with an equal number of dive masters to accompany divers on recreational outings. Two modern dive boats take guests to 45 dive and snorkel sites available off of Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela islands.

A popular package for beginner divers is Darwin's Land and Sea Adventure, 6 days and 5 nights (with eight dives) priced from $2,291 per person, double occupancy. See: (http://www.redmangrove.com/diving/land-and-sea-adventure.html). Certification is extra starting at $350 per diver on up according to the type of program (PADI certifications include Open Water Diver / Referral, Advanced, Rescue Diver, Dive Master, Specialty Certifications and Emergency First Responder).

Another option for guests who have never been diving but would like to try it is to sign up for the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience for ages 10 and up. Guests will watch a 45 minute video followed by time in a pool with an instructor. When comfortable, participants then head out to a specially chosen spot with an instructor for an open water dive. A PADI instructor leads the course that is $250 per person including introduction, equipment and in-water instruction.http://www.redmangrove.com/diving/discovery-scuba.html

About Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges

Red Mangrove Galapagos and Ecuador Lodges in 2007 introduced a land-based alternative to exploring the Galapagos that heretofore was a cruise-only destination. While it may be best known for its upscale lodging and dive operations in the Galapagos, recent expansion has made it a leader in mainland Ecuador hospitality as well. With upscale waterfront lodges strategically situated on Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana, it is the only company offering high quality, branded accommodations and services on multiple islands in the Galapagos and across mainland Ecuador. Because it is land-based, Red Mangrove can offer a more extensive roster of activities and more flexibility than traditional cruise options.

The customary way to experience Red Mangrove’s Galapagos hospitality is to spend a number of nights on each island accessed by small boat and/or aircraft. With 14 guest rooms, Aventura Lodge on Santa Cruz is distinguished by its architectural design which blends its mangrove forest and seafront environments tastefully and responsibly. Separated from the ocean by a white sand, palm-lined beach, Isabela Lodge offers eight rooms outside the fisherman’s village of Puerto Villamil on one of the most volcanically active islands on Earth. Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge is a gathering of 10 private pine cottages just a five minute walk from the village of Puerto Velasco Ibarra (population 150). Red Mangrove Divers Lodge Santa Cruz has 11 rooms near the Red Mangrove Dive Academy. Red Mangrove Isabela Divers Lodge features 5-rooms adjacent to scenic Puerto Villamil. On the mainland coast of Ecuador Samai Lodge with 11 rooms is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and wellness surrounded by the sounds of the jungle and surf.

Contact Information:

Phone: 1.888.254.3190 / Email Form: http://www.redmangrove.com/contact-us/ / Website: http://www.redmangrove.com/.

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF AMERICA'S LEADERS ON PRESIDENT'S DAY; NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS ARE FREQUENT HOSTS TO U.S. PRESIDENTS

2012-01-05T14:29:00.001-08:00

DENVER, January 4, 2012 – America’s parks are presidential. At least many of our national leaders must think so. Over the years, many sitting U.S. presidents have made treks to national and state parks. Sometimes they visit for official business, but often they come for fun too.

Concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts has hosted numerous U.S. presidents and their families in national parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon as well as lesser-known state parks including Maumee Bay State Park in northwestern Ohio.

Travelers thinking about a getaway the weekend before President’s Day, Feb. 20, may want to consider taking a page from a presidential playbook and visiting a national or state park.

Xanterra’s national and state park operations include Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming, where two lodges are open during the winter; Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona; California’s Death Valley National Park and Zion National Parkin Utah. Xanterra also operates summer-season-only lodges in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park; summer-season foodservice operations in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park and year-round foodservice and gift shop operations at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota and Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. In addition, Xanterra operates five lodges at Ohio State Parks and Grand Canyon Railway.

Zion Lodge is offering a special two-night package for the holiday. Available Feb. 17 and 18 or Feb. 18 and 19, the President’s Weekend package includes a lodge room, deluxe president-themed dinner for two on Feb. 18 and breakfast buffet for two each morning. There is a two-person and two-night minimum for this package. Rates begin at $259. Taxes and gratuities are not included in that rate. As of early January, there were still many lodge rooms available for that weekend.

There is also still plenty of availability at Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and limited availability at Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Grand Canyon lodges have plenty of availability, including rooms at the historic El Tovar, which has frequently been the home-away-from-home for visiting presidents. And Ohio State Park Lodges also have rooms available at Maumee Bay, Punderson Manor, Mohican, Salt Fork and Deer CreekState Park Lodges.

Park historians from Xanterra Parks & Resorts and the National Park Service shared the following anecdotes about the visits of previous U.S. presidents:

President Gerald Ford was already familiar with Yellowstone National Park when he visited in 1976; he had been a 23-year-old National Park Service ranger in 1936. Ford once said his time in Yellowstone was “one of the greatest summers of my life.” One of his duties was to meet and greet VIPs at the Canyon Lodge. He also protected other park rangers who fed bears at the bear-feeding truck, a popular visitor attraction at the time. The park long ago stopped feeding bears and other wildlife.

Instead of staying in one of Yellowstone’s lodges, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose to stay at the private home of Harry Child, the owner of the Yellowstone Park Company, which operated the park lodges and other concessions. His reason: he did not want the general public to see him in his wheelchair. Designed by Robert C. Reamer, the same architect who designed the Old Faithful Inn, the large home is a single-floor prairie-style structure, so it can easily accommodate a wheelchair. Recently passing its centennial, the home is occupied today by the general manager of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of the lodges and other concessions in the park.

Bill Clinton visited both the Grand Canyon (in 2000) and Yellowstone (in 1995). President Clinton stayed in the Mary Colter Suite of the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar and had lunch at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton also took a stroll around Old Faithful Geyser.

President Barack Obama visited both Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks with his family in August 2009. National Park Service rangers accompanied the family to various viewpoints along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and provided them with a brief overview of the park’s geology and human history. Xanterra’s executive chef in Yellowstone made the Obamas a meal of sustainable cuisine items, many from the dining room menu at Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

Long before he became president, actor Ronald Reagan visited Death Valley -- when it was still a national monument -- in 1948 when he was a regular host of the wildly popular “Death Valley Days.” Sponsored by 20 Mule Team Borax – which was appropriate because the discovery of borax was pivotal in the history of the region – “Death Valley Days” was originally a radio program and then also achieved stunning success as a television program, airing for 16 years before its final episode in 1968. Death Valley was designated a national park 1994.

Grand Canyon Railway has hosted numerous U.S. presidents before, during and after their terms. Those presidential passengers included Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, 1911 and 1912; William Howard Taft in 1909; Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940 and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1950.

In 1883, President Chester Arthur rode a horse from the southern to the northern entrance of Yellowstone and met supporters at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel entrance before departing the area aboard the newly completed Northern Pacific Railroad. Although it was still under construction and lacked a complete roof, President Arthur dined at the Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room before his departure.

President Theodore Roosevelt made his final visit to Yellowstone National Park in 1903. Although he was on a two-week vacation, he managed to squeeze in some business too. Roosevelt, Harry Child and Robert C. Reamer reviewed plans for the Old Faithful Inn, which was completed the following year. During that trip he also laid the cornerstone for the Roosevelt Arch at the northern entrance to the park. The arch bears the inscription: “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” President Roosevelt also visited the Grand Canyon – in 1903, before it was a national park and again in 1911.

President Barack Obama spent three nights at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge in October 2008, where he prepared for the final presidential debate with Senator John McCain. The northwestern Ohio lodge is situated on Lake Erie. The president dined on eggs and bacon at the lodge’s Water’s Edge Restaurant, which offers sweeping views of the lake.

William G. Harding enjoyed playing cards and visiting with close associates – sometimes called the “Ohio Gang” by newspaper reporters – in a cabin in Ohio’sDeer Creek State Park that was owned by his chief strategist and the U.S. Attorney General at the time, Harry M. Daugherty. The restored and furnished “Harding Cabin” is now available for rent, and is particularly popular with small groups such as wedding parties. The cabin overlooks Deer Creek Lake and features sleeping accommodations for up to eight people, a full kitchen, laundry facilities, fireplace, private boat dock and screened-in porch overlooking the lake.

The state of Ohio was birthplace for seven presidents and long-time home to an eighth, which earned the state the label “Mother of Presidents.” Several historic sites, memorials and museums dedicated to those presidents are located within an easy drive of Ohio State Park Lodges managed by Xanterra. They are the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, 45 minutes north of Punderson Manor State Park Lodge; William McKinley National Memorial in Canton, 60 minutes from Salt Fork and Mohican State Park Lodges; Warren G. Harding Home in Marion, 45 minutes west of Mohican; and William Harrison Tomb & Memorial, 90 minutes south of Deer Creek.

President George Herbert Walker Bush visited both the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. His visit to Yellowstone in 1989 occurred the summer after the historic Yellowstone fires. He was briefed by park officials about Yellowstone fire science.

During his visit, President Jimmy Carter traveled to one of the islands on Yellowstone Lake to fish with National Park Service officials. After his presidency, Carter returned to the park and had pizza in the employee pub at Lake Lodge. He even signed the wall of the pub, and his signature is still visible today.

President Warren Harding visited the park in 1923, shortly before he died. Staff in the park named a geyser after him and observed a moment of silence in his honor.

Calvin Coolidge visited Yellowstone in 1927. Although Yellowstone Superintendent Horace Albright tried to engage President Coolidge in park-related politics, Coolidge was more interested in fishing than talking.

Calvin Coolidge was also pivotal in granting funding for Mount Rushmore. In 1927, he visited Custer State Park in South Dakota’s Black Hills, not far from the site where sculptor Gutzon Borglum planned to carve the giant faces of Mount Rushmore. Borglum hired a plane to fly over the lodge where Coolidge was staying and dropped a wreath from the plane with an invitation for Coolidge to attend a dedication ceremony for the mountain. Coolidge not only agreed to attend but following the ceremony, he promised federal funding for the project.

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill that designated Yellowstone the world’s first national park. It was a move that has been called America’s best idea. President Grant never visited Yellowstone.

For lodging reservations and to book tours and packages in Yellowstone National Park, visit www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or call (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free (1) 866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375). For lodging reservations at all other lodges visit the individual websites or call 1-800-236-7916 or 1-303-297-2757.

iPhone App Developers Release Travel App to Eliminate Language Barriers in the Social Network

2011-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

Transfire 1.0 Passes 250,000 Users; TransFire XP is Free for a Limited Time

Bethesda, MD - December 8, 2011 - TNT Creations announced today the release of their iPhone application, Transfire XP, free for a limited time. Transfire 1.0 has already passed 250,000 downloads from 89 countries.

Transfire XP brings the first chat and instant-messaging app with real-time, translated text. The application features a user-friendly interface, fast message delivery, and supports over 50 languages. There are many options to connect with your friends and contacts. Transfire XP finds contacts on your local phone or device, and supports contacts from gchat and Yahoo Messenger. Support for more chat platforms will soon be added, including Facebook, ICQ, Baidu and many more.

The incredibly fast and accurate translation is made possible by integrating Google Translate with Transfire’s own custom instant and chat-messaging service enabled with push notifications. Eliminate the language barrier from your social network and stay connected with friends and family across the world.

Say for example, your Argentinian cousin, Javier, speaks only Spanish. With Transfire XP, you can now chat with each other in real-time, without any language barrier. Send a message wishing Javier a "Happy Birthday!", and he will read "Feliz Cumpleaños!" on his or her phone. Javier then responds, "Gracias," and you read, "Thank you."

Transfire users come from a wide-range of places for a variety of uses. The app is enjoyed by social chatters, travelers, international businesspeople, language students, and more. "The use of chat applications continues to grow as a replacement for text messaging. Transfire is on it's way to becoming the gold-standard in instant messaging and translation for your iPhone. We hope Transfire will improve communication barriers on a global scale," explained Elik Topolosky, TNT co-founder.

“Transfire isn’t just meant to overcome language barriers; it’s a slick social networking app that sees barriers as opportunities,” adds Jonathan Topolosky, TNT co-founder.

Diamond-Dusted Honey Bees Will Sweeten Culinary Presentations Of New Cooking School at Winvian and Farm-to-Table Menus

2011-12-14T16:29:00.001-08:00

LITCHFIELD HILLS, CT – December 2011 – Honey bees foraging at Winvian www.winvian.com in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut this season are tasked beyond making honey. They are expected, as with all details at this world-class stunner, to bear the standards of a AAA 5-diamond kitchen and 5-diamond resort.

An international celebrity in the apiary world, Marina Marchese, is collaborating with Winvian’s Executive Chef Chris Eddy whose own foraging efforts continue to bring delectable to its highest art form, including honey from Winvian’s own diamond-dusted bees.
Queen bees won’t reside in Winvian’s 18 exceptional private cottages, though they will enjoy their own eco chic accommodations in two traditional Lanzstroth wooden and hand-stained beehives with fancy copper topped outer covers. The colonies arrived at Winvian in May and reside close to the kitchen gardens (where visitors can see their comings and goings) and have free reign to forage on pollens early morning and on nectars later in the day on the resort’s 113 sustainable acres and gardens that support Eddy’s farm-to-table menus.

Winvian’s honey will also be featured in the newly launched Cooking School at Winvian, which Chef Eddy presides over. The Cooking School offers weekend, three-night midweek and six-week extensive culinary retreats. A gleaming state-of-the-art appointed culinary kitchen / classroom can accommodate up to 12 students.

The school includes a classic two-hour introduction class on mastering savory pasta dishes or delicious pastries and treats as well as more in-depth, longer courses, Dishes will evoke the feeling of a cozy French bistro, Italian trattoria or a friend’s vacation home in Provence. Guests will cook with herbs, salad greens and vegetables from Winvian’s garden and with seafood and game sourced as locally as possible.

Eddy, who helped earn Winvian’s restaurant the AAA Five Diamond award, the only new USA restaurant to achieve this honor in 2011, will lead all classes.

Winvian, the private and whimsical AAA Ten Diamond retreat – the property also received Five Diamonds for its accommodations – ideally located just two hours from NYC, houses 18 luxe cottages and one suite on 113 acres of meadows and woodlands. Nightly rates at Winvian start from $650 for two a la carte (breakfast included) and from $1,250 for two all-inclusive (full breakfast, room service, lunch, picnics, spa snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails, dinner, after dinner petit-fours). A 13% gratuity and 9% CT State tax will be added per night to the room rate. The entire property is available for special celebrations and weddings with rates upon request.
For additional information on the Cooking School at Winvian and class schedules, or to book reservations, please visit www.winvian.com or call 860-567-9600.

THE PGA OF AMERICA AND USGA ENCOURAGE GOLFERS TO TEE IT FORWARD IN 2012

2011-12-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America (PGA) and United States Golf Association (USGA) want golfers to have more fun by “teeing it forward” all year long.

Following the successful pilot launch of TEE IT FORWARD in July 2011, The PGA and USGA are encouraging golfers to continue to tee it forward and play from distances that match their playing skills. More than 1,900 facilities registered in 2011 with an average of 123 golfers per facility (nearly 237,000 nationwide) playing from forward tees during the promotional period. Additionally, a survey of more than 3,000 consumers who experienced the program showed that 70 percent found their round of golf more enjoyable and more than 90 percent said they would recommend TEE IT FORWARD to a friend. The survey also found nearly 50 percent of respondents saying the program helped them play faster.

“These golfers told us that they found golf more enjoyable by playing courses at shorter lengths than usual. At the end of the day, that’s what we want…golfers to have more fun, which, in turn, hopefully means they will play more and stay in the game,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “This initiative also generated incredible buzz through traditional and social media, as well as at golf facilities across the country.”

The PGA partnered with the USGA to support TEE IT FORWARD in 2011 and both organizations are once again teaming up to make this a year-round promotion.

“Simply put, TEE IT FORWARD can make golf much more fun for millions of people, while contributing to the growth of the game,” said Jim Hyler, USGA President. “We are encouraged by the results of our pilot, and believe this new approach to the game is really beginning to catch on with golfers of all skill levels.”

TEE IT FORWARD was brought to the forefront by industry veteran Barney Adams, retired founder of Adams Golf. Adams was a strong advocate and ambassador for TEE IT FORWARD in 2011 and will continue in that role.

“I’ve been around the game for more than 30 years and continue to be amazed as golfers make it much harder than it should be by playing golf courses at distances that don’t come close to matching their abilities,” said Adams. “By playing from forward tees, amateur golfers have the chance to play the course at the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. We need golfers to be hitting eight-irons and wedges into par fours like the pros…not fairway woods.”

While it was highlighted during a specific time period in 2011, TEE IT FORWARD is now being promoted as a year-round initiative. Courses can set up additional tees to provide golfers with more options or simply encourage golfers to use existing forward tees to potentially have a more enjoyable experience on the course.

The PGA and USGA will be developing educational and promotional materials to be distributed to golf facilities across the country. World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR star Dustin Johnson and LPGA star Paula Creamer have been utilized on materials to carry the TEE IT FORWARD message. Both organizations will also leverage PSA and other promotional opportunities around their respective championships to support the initiative.

For more information, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com/TEEITFORWARD

December in Dahlonega features more than 30 days of Holiday Fun

2011-12-11T16:34:00.001-08:00

Tis’ the season to celebrate the holidays in Dahlonega , Ga. Starting Thanksgiving weekend and not ending until after the New Year, the town of Dahlonega will be North Georgia ’s ultimate holiday destination. From festive decorations and a parade to holiday tours and almost daily celebratory events, December in Dahlonega will offer something for everyone this Christmas season.

This season’s Old Fashioned Christmas will launch its first-ever guided trolley ride. The motorized trolley bus will run during the weekends until December 17^th and will take riders around the historic downtown area. During the 30-45 minute ride, a guide will enlighten riders with fun and interesting stories about the town’s history and landmarks. The tours will be offered on Friday evenings at 7 and 8 p.m. and Saturday evenings at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets for the trolley tour are $5 for adults and $3 for children and can be purchased from the Dahlonega Visitors Center .

The daily holiday celebrations will begin in December. On Friday, December 2^nd, visitors can check off items from their Christmas lists because all of the shops on the square will be open for a moonlight shopping event. The Dahlonega Luminaries and Merchants’ Open House is not to be missed. Dahlonega’s gourmet candy stores and many unique shops will all offer a number of treasures that are sure to bring smiles to many faces on Christmas morning.

Starting at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3^rd, Dahlonega will host its annual Christmas Parade where Santa will come to town to see who has been naughty or nice. Later in the evening, immediately following the parade, the Annual Lighting of the Tree at the Visitors Center will take place. The historic downtown square will be filled with festive cheer since it will be decorated with all of the holiday trimmings. From Christmas trees and mistletoe to thousands of twinkling lights, the town will feel like a holiday wonderland once the centerpiece is illuminated. In addition to December 3^rd, Santa will return to town on Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Throughout the rest of the month, Dahlonega will come alive with numerous holiday celebrations and events including Christmas caroling along the square, live entertainment, wine tastings, and Christmas performances at the Historic Holly Theater .

“December in Dahlonega is the perfect time to visit this historic town because the square truly comes alive with thousands of Christmas lights blinking in the night sky and yards of trimmings decorating the businesses,” said Gayle Jones, Co-Chair of Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration. “In addition to our Christmas festivities that visitors look forward to every holiday season, our new trolley ride offers another exciting reason to spend the season with us.”

One of the most popular Christmas events in Dahlonega is the Sleigh Bell Tour, which is a self-guided driving tour of all of the town’s bed and breakfast inns. Each inn will be decorated with a unique holiday theme and will feature holiday music and refreshments. This year’s participants include: Lily Creek Lodge, Mountain Top Lodge, The Historic Worley B&B Inn, Long Mountain Lodge, Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa, and Dahlonega Spa Resort. The tour will take place on December 11 from 1-6 p.m. and will cost $12. For more information on the participating inns, please visit www.innsofdahlonega.com.

For additional information on December in Dahlonega, please visit www.Dahlonega.org.

Think Winter? Think the Coast of Maine

2011-12-06T12:52:00.001-08:00

Portland, Maine, December 5, 2011 - Winter is one of the very best times for couples or BFFs to cozy up in a luxury seaside resort. Especially with Inn by the Sea's new Winter Warmer Package, which launches on January 2 and is available until the end of March. Looking out to the moody Atlantic Ocean and Casco Bay, with a warm drink in hand and curled up before a roaring blaze, this is winter perfection. It's when northern Atlantic shrimp are in season and hard shell lobsters are abundant and sweet. It gets even better when the Inn by the Sea turns up the heat by adding Hot Stone massages at the SPA, two pairs of L.L. Bean Slippers, and plenty of nurturing comfort food from award-winning Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich of Sea Glass restaurant. If that doesn't warm your heart, try this: Winter rates are about 40 % less than during the peak summer months.

Winter Warmer Package
Includes:

Two nights in Spa Suite - ocean-view, duplex room with a Living Room, fully equipped wet bar kitchen, Loft Bedroom, oversized marble bathroom with an air-jet tub and glass walk-in shower and a heated floor.

Daily Full Breakfast for two at the Inn's Sea Glass Restaurant

Welcome Spiked Hot Chocolate in the Fireside Lounge

Two pairs of L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers

Two 60-Minute Casco Bay Hot Stone Massage treatments at the SPA

Chef's Cheese Fondue for Two

The Winter Warmer Package is reasonably priced at $992.46 per room, for a two-night stay, based on double occupancy. The package is offered from January 2, 2012 to March 31, 2012.

Looking for the perfect something for under the tree? Gift Certificates may be purchased online and redeemed for future stays or resort services.

Inn by the Sea is located on a mile of sand beach just seven miles south of Portland's chic little port city, offering guests a relaxed but elegant Maine coast experience in 57 luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom suites and rooms. Selected one of Travel & Leisure's Best 500 Hotels worldwide for 2011, Inn by the Sea has also made Forbes Traveler's list for Top Ten Green Hotels in the US and Canada. www.innbythesea.com

Getting Here
Most major carriers fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM). JetBlue has non-stops service and great low fares from JFK, only 45 minutes flying time from New York. The Inn is a two hour drive from Boston and Amtrak offers rail service into Portland from Boston, New York and Washington D.C.

ANGUILLA: 5 MONEY-SAVING PLANS TO ENCOURAGE SUN-LOVERS TO BOOK EARLY AND GET THE BEST DEALS

2011-12-06T12:45:00.001-08:00

More and more people are waiting until the last minute to book their Caribbean vacations. But what happens if the planes are full or the fares too high?

(Anguilla, December 6, 2012) There’s a trend in Caribbean vacations these days: travelers book rooms later and later.

No problem with that but remember: the longer they wait, the greater the chance of not finding a flight. Or of paying much higher fares than anticipated.

“That’s why we’ve come up with five special winter packages to encourage our guests to get a head start on their planning,” say Sue and Robin Ricketts, owners of Anacaona Boutique Hotel, Anguilla’s much-acclaimed cultural oasis of affordable chic.

“Our regular winter rates are already good value -- less than $300 a night for two (which is exceptional on a celebrity-studded island like Anguilla) but with these special plans guests can reduce their room rates to less than $200 a night.”
Here’s a quick summary of these outstanding 2012 offers (note: beer and wine are not included in any of these offers; additional nights will be charged at the regular room rate):

AMOROUS ANACAONA”: 7 nights, $2,950/two

This popular package offers a standard room for two, with continental breakfasts daily, local tax and service charge; 3 dinners for two in Anacaona’s Firefly Restaurant (including an Antillean buffet with Mayoumba folkloric group), bubbly or rum on arrival, a one-hour massage for each guest; daytrip for two to Sandy Island (setting for a romantic episode of ABC’s The Bachelor) -- plus guests get to plant a “love tree” in the hotel garden, complete with a plaque sporting their names. Available January 2 through April 8.

NEW! “DINE AROUND” Package: 7 nights, $3,100 for two

This is a brand new plan designed by the owners because they want their guests to sample some of the other outstanding dining opportunities on the island, with dinner-for-two served at four outstanding restaurants (Blanchard’s, Straw Hat, Oliver’s and DaVida) plus three evenings at Firefly, including the Thursday Antillean buffet and folkloric show, Mayoumba. Also included with your 7 nights in a standard room are the local tax, service charge, continental breakfasts daily and welcome rum beverage. Available January 2 through April 8.

“ANACAONA GETAWAY 2012”: 4 nights, $1,520 for two

Designed for those days when you’re up to here with winter gloom and you must have warm sands and sun, this breakaway package offers 4 nights in a standard room, with local tax and service charge, continental breakfasts daily, two dinners for two in Firefly (including one of Anacaona’s popular cultural evenings of folkloric music and dance), welcome rum on arrival and bottle of wine in your fridge. Available January 2 through April 8.

“JANUARY IN SUNNY ANGUILLA 2012”: Pay 6, Stay 7

Spend six nights in any one of Anacaona’s 27 rooms and suites and you get the 7th night on the house. Available January 2 through February 4, 2012.

“MARCH MADNESS” 2012: Pay 6, Stay 7

Stay six nights in a standard room and the 7th night is on the house. That’s a $1,750 value but you pay only $1,500, making your $250 room just $180 a night for two. In winter! That $250 in savings will pay for a couple of candlelight dinners at Firefly and a rental car for a tour of Anguilla’s legendary beaches (although one of the best beaches is right there at the end of Anacaona’s garden path). Available March 1 through April 8, 2012.

For full details, dates and a few standard conditions, check out the Anacaona website (www.anacaonahotel.com) then talk to one of the reservations experts, Kenisha or Frank, at 877-647-4736 (toll free) or 264-497-6827.

ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE 2012 AT ANSE CHASTANET, ST. LUCIA

2011-12-06T12:40:00.001-08:00

Soufriere, St. Lucia, November 30, 2011…If you are looking for love, romance and adventure, Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia is where you should be. Few places offer enchanting accommodations midst spectacular scenery and intoxicating romance and the option of an adventure a day. So couples can wile away the day in sensuous seclusion of their rooms or on the beach or head out to partake in the many activities: yoga, snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, sunset sailing sea kayaking, jungle biking, hiking and bird-watching among the ruins of the 18th century colonial plantation. Here are a few of the luxurious choices great for romance and the pocketbook: The Total Romance Early Bird Special, Summer Romance Promotion, and the Elope for Free package:

2012 LOVERS' EARLY BIRD "FREE NIGHT" PACKAGES: The most popular package with our honeymooners and romantics at large is our TOTAL ROMANCE PACKAGE and in particular, the LOVERS' EARLY BIRD "7th NIGHT FREE" PACKAGES. The resort offers one night free for a 7 night visit or longer. Only a few rooms per room type were assigned to this promotion - we therefore suggest you book as early as possible to ensure that the room type of your choice will be available.

At ANSE CHASTANET, the Total Romance Packages with 7th night free, per couple, are:
US 7128/8190/8544/9390    from January 5 - April 15, 2012
US 6276/7266/7620/8472   from April 16 - May 31, 2012
US 5886/6630/6984/7836   from June 1- October 31, 2012
US 6276/7266/7620/8472   from November 1 - December 19, 2012
in Superior, Beachside Deluxe, Hillside Deluxe and Premium accommodation respectively.

The Total Romance Package includes: Accommodation for number of nights in category chosen, all tax and service, airport transfers both ways, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, all drinks including house wine (but not bottled wines and champagne), welcome cocktail, tour of Volcano, Sulphur Springs and Diamond Mineral Baths, guided tour of old French Colonial Plantation of Anse Mamin, drinks package in room fridge, basket of local fruit, use of tennis court and equipment, snorkeling, kayaking, mini-sailing, windsurfing, use of beach chairs and beach towels, a guided boat snorkel trip, a resort scuba diving course for beginners or 2 dives for certified divers, bottle of French champagne, one hour Swedish Massage, 1/2 day Jungle Biking in Anse Mamin Valley, 2 resort t-shirts, half day sailing on skippered resort yacht Serenity, an anniversary certificate of US$ 500 to be used on a return visit. (Unused features are not refundable)

ST. LUCIA TOTAL ROMANCE SUMMER PROMOTION
St. Lucia Summer Deals: Travel Jul 15 - Oct 15, 2012: Book our Total Romance package (above) for a 5 night stay and receive your 5th night FREE. Stay 7 nights, and receive 2 nights FREE!
A 5 night stay on basis of this special summer promotion Total Romance package (5 for 4) is priced at US 4164 in Superior, US 4660 in Beach Deluxe, US 4896 in Hill Deluxe and US 5464 in Premium accommodation.
A 7 night on basis of this special summer promotion Total Romance package (7 for 5!) US 5025 in Superior, US 5645 in Beach Deluxe, US 5940 in Hill Deluxe and US 6650 in Premium accommodation.
This promotion is available in almost all categories, but with limited availability. To book, call the numbers below and book. Book by Dec 31, 2011.

ELOPE FOR FREE AT ANSE CHASTANET: Guests staying in a Hillside Deluxe or Premium room at ANSE CHASTANET can ELOPE FOR FREE in summer 2012. Couples wishing to get married at ANSE CHASTANET can do so free of charge if they are staying a minimum 7 nights at ANSE CHASTANET between August 1 - September 30, 2012.

The free wedding includes costs of the Justice of the Peace, registrar, wedding license, marriage certificate and all legal fees; expert services of our personal wedding coordinator and ANSE CHASTANET team members to handle all arrangements; messenger service and transportation of documents; witnesses, if required; use of half-day room for groom if required; choice of wedding locations on 600 acre property including Treehouse and Kai La Mer; decoration of wedding location; decorated wedding arch; wedding bouquet; button hole for groom; wedding cake; bottle of champagne; special decorated dinner table for wedding party. If you are already married but would like to re-affirm, the resort will make the FOREVER YOU renewal of vows package available instead. This will be a similar yet not legally binding arrangement.

The free wedding can be combined with other promotional offers if applicable. Rates at Anse Chastanet start at US 575 nightly for 2 in a Hillside Deluxe room, plus 18% tax/service. The all inclusive TOTAL ROMANCE package starts at US 6984 this summer in a Hillside Deluxe room, based on our 7th night free Lovers' Early Bird Promotion. Currently, both promotions can be combined. The value of the free wedding package is US 995. Book by Dec 31, 2011.

Please also visit our wedding website Elope to Paradise Weddings and our wedding page onFacebook.
For more information about these soft adventure activities and the Anse Chastanet Resort, email ansechastanet@candw.lc or call 800-223-1108.

Art at the Beach

2011-11-21T19:03:00.001-08:00

Smooth, milky white and iridescent pearls … hand-rolled and conditioned leather … exotic and enticing turquoise. All of these elements come together under the skilled hands of Allison Craft, South Walton’s 2012 Artist of the Year, who creates elegant jewelry embodying the heart of the destination.

Craft, who lives in Grayton Beach, finds inspiration for her art while looking out over the peaceful and beautiful waters of South Walton. It’s hard to not be inspired by South Walton’s strand of 15 unique beach neighborhoods.

These quaint and eclectic neighborhoods along Northwest Florida’s Coast, with their sugar-white sand and sparkling, turquoise waters, come together to create their own vibrant and exceptional work of art: a relaxing, 26-mile haven for artistic talent and its enthusiasts. From galleries and studios, to openings and festivals, from performance art to distinctive architecture, the area’s thriving arts scene offers residents and visitors year-round opportunities to create a lasting memory in their perfect beach location.

A Culmination of Artistic Focus
The breadth of talent in South Walton rivals that found in major cities across the United States. In support of cultural programming and the arts community, the South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) honors a selected artist each year. No matter the time or the place, the Artist of the Year demonstrates South Walton’s celebration of the arts, all year long.

Each fall a new “artist in residence” is chosen and honored with this distinction. It’s at this time that South Walton reflects on the close of another year of lasting artistic memories, and looks forward to what’s sure to come in the next: new one-time art encounters, monthly and annual artistic traditions, and ever-present art that is a way of life throughout South Walton’s 15 distinct beach neighborhoods.

Artists of the year are chosen based on their medium and how well they capture the nature, heritage and beauty of this coastal destination. Allison Craft’s art, beautifully crafted leather and pearl jewelry, perfectly represents South Walton—a strand of cherished beach neighborhoods connected like pearls along Northwest Florida’s Coast. While Allison’s work can be found in shops throughout South Walton and the southeast, 30A Studio at Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse in Grayton Beach is home to her as well as three photographers. To see more of Allison Craft’s work online, visitwww.AllisonCraftDesigns.com.

Past Artist of the Year honorees include Allison Wickey, who recreates local scenes using a 13-step, four-day process involving Venetian plaster, acrylic paint, glazes and an orbital sander; Michael Granberry, a photographic artist from Seaside who honed his craft over the last 30 years; abstract artist Michael McCarty, who produces contemporary, modern art with acrylic on canvas; watercolorist Donna Burgess, capturing the beauty and joy of coastal life through her multi-media interpretations; wood maker Bill Stephenson, creating one-of-a-kind woodturnings in his Santa Rosa Beach studio; and, Phil Kiser, who has dedicated his life to glass art.

Art Experiences Abound

Art events and exhibits fill the calendar in South Walton, showcasing the area’s passionate artistic talent. Developing or encouraging new ways to celebrate the arts is a focus for the South Walton Tourist Development Council, with unique and memorable events such as Digital Graffiti. Held in Alys Beach, this outdoor projection art festival lets artists use the latest technologies to project original video art onto the resort town’s iconic white walls and rooftops.

Held every month in Seaside, the First Friday Ruskin Place ArtWalk features live music showcasing local talent and gourmet hors d’oeuvres and wine inviting guests to stroll the galleries under illuminated oak trees. Visitors enjoy the largest collection of art galleries on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast and view new work by diverse artists. An updated schedule of featured artists is available at www.VisitSouthWalton.com.

Each May, a week-long celebration of the arts is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Association. ArtsQuest includes gallery tours, artists at work, performances, road races, a fashion show and a champagne shopping tour. Participating galleries and shops throughout the area showcase their own interpretation of artistic expression. The week of festivities culminates in a vibrant two-day art festival at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. Recognized as one of the finest art festivals in the Southeast, the event promotes world-class artists and their works, and includes exciting performances and entertainment.

Rosemary Beach has the honor of playing host to the West Indies Market. This summer-season, open-air market allows browsers to discover booths filled with paintings, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood carvings and other handcrafted items.

The Flutterby Children’s Art Festival in October is a unique family festival to celebrate the colorful migration of the Monarch butterfly through the region. The Rosemary Beach event features an open-air market of talented artists coupled with children’s art, crafts booths, children’s interactive art projects and other activities. Check www.culturalartsassociation.org for more information.

Many art aficionados punctuate their Labor Day weekend with the Baytowne Wharf Art Expo, featuring world-class art and live music under the stars. This Sandestin event brings exceptional art from the Southeast’s premier artists and galleries together for this three-day festival. Checkwww.baytownewharf.com for more information.

The Rosemary Beach Fall Writer’s Conference offers budding authors the opportunity to explore the creative writing process. Renowned writers, such as Lynne Barrett, John Cottle, Michael Lister and Leonard Nash, offer writing exercises, craft classes, evening readings and receptions.

The Autumn Playwright Festival celebrates the works of a playwright, featuring a weekend full of play productions, poetry readings, guest lectures, social events, music and games/activities in October. Check www.seasiderep.org for more details.

Ever-present Art

From streets to galleries and parks to stores, it seems like art is everywhere you turn in South Walton. No matter what type of experience encompasses your perfect brush with the arts, you can find it in the always-available options in South Walton.

If you love whimsy and playfulness, you should visit Grayton Beach and its folk art shops. In the heart of Grayton Beach, The Zoo Gallery welcomes visitors with its quirky, colorful and energetic atmosphere. This is a hip-hop happening shop offering jewelry, pottery, sculptures, handmade furniture and a large selection of prints and framed art. Funky iron sculptures of animals greet visitors as they walk through the door and the airy layout begs art lovers to explore every nook and cranny.

Home to the 2006 Artist of the Year, Phil Kiser, Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery features funky outsider art, unique home and garden décor, handcrafted jewelry, art furniture, sculptures, pottery, vintage jewelry, bags and clothes. The gallery is owned by Alabama folk artist Debbie Weant-Lane and showcases her creative use of color and design, and also the works of more than 30 regional artists.

If you’d prefer a more traditional gallery with a selective repertoire, then you can find it at Anne Hunter’s gallery in Rosemary Beach. At World Six Gallery, she features the work of 30A artists Allison Wickey (2011 Walton County Artist of the Year), Shantell Martin, Francisco Adaro, Steve Wagner and Andy Saczynski, with jewelry by Wendy Mignot and Mary Kay Samouce featuring 'Adorn,' and clothing by Nicole Paloma.

You could also pick up a souvenir and admire the extensive collection of hand-blown glass jewelry, lighting and art from more than 200 artists at Fusion Art Glass, located in Sandestin and Seaside. Fusion is also home to an extensive Allison Craft collection.

If you’re looking for a true beach art experience besides swaying palms and colorful buildings, you’ll like Artists at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach. Nine local artists formed this art cooperative where they personally present their work to the public. Potters, sculptors, painters, metal artists, candle makers, photographers, folk artists and furniture makers are among the talents represented at this lively marketplace.

River Rafting Pioneer Western River Expeditions Announces Lodge-to-Lodge Rafting on Oregon’s Rogue River

2011-11-17T14:12:00.001-08:00

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Nov. 17, 2011 – Celebrating over 50 years of navigating the West’s wildest rivers, whitewater rafting pioneer Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) inaugurates lodge-to-lodge rafting trips on Oregon’s Rogue River this summer, with three and four day trips scheduled weekly June 3 through Aug. 26, 2012. See: http://www.westernriver.com/trips/rogue-river-rafting

“Our lodge-to-lodge itinerary removes the camping equation, leaving guests to play like an otter on the river by day and hibernate like a bear in a private lodge room come twilight,” said Brandon Lake, vice president. He noted that most other Western River Expeditions are all-inclusive camping adventures.

With legendary Pacific Northwest appeal stemming from deep roots in river rafting lore, the Rogue River rafting trip blends wildlife (think deer and black bear) wilderness with cabin comforts and family-style meals in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, a region so remote that mail boats still deliver letters to isolated residents on waters running over 200 miles from the Cascade Mountains near Crater Lake to the Pacific.

The all-inclusive rate for three days per adult is $939, $879 for ages 5-16; for four days the rate is $1,245 adult, $1,165 ages 5-16 (plus tax). Trips begin and end at Morrison’s Lodge near Merlin, 43 miles from Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Medford, OR.

On Day One a rapid named Grave Creek marks the congressionally designated (National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968) Wild & Scenic section of the Rogue River. Later guests walk around Ranie Falls, a notorious Class V rapid. Afternoons are spent splashing through Class II and Class III rapids before retiring to off-the-grid Black Bar Lodge that shuts down its generators after dinner.

Hikes to historic cabins are interspersed with river adventures on Day Two that ends at Marial Lodge. There’s an optional evening hike through dense conifers to a nearby waterfall. Day Three brings rafters to Mule Creek Canyon, Blossom Bar and Devils Staircase, all Class IV rapids with an end in sight at Galice Resort. Those who embark on a four-day adventure spend a night at Paradise Lodge and more time exploring the Oregon canopy.

Western River Expeditions

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, Idaho rafting and now Oregon rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week. See:http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2011 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the eighth consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction.

All About Cheese and Beer Pairings

2011-11-15T14:27:00.001-08:00

Grafton Village Cheese and Long Trail Brewing Present a Taste of the Holiday Season

with Vermont Cheese and Beer Pairings

GRAFTON, VT – The creative minds behind Vermont’s Grafton Village Cheese and Long Trail Brewing Company know that the flavors of the holidays taste best when paired together. No matter where you celebrate the holidays this year, these beer and cheese pairings will take your taste buds to Vermont’s wintery wonderland. Grafton Village Cheese’s Master Cheesemaker Dane Huebner coordinated with Long Trail Brewing’s Head Chef Matt Pond to create a pairing guide that’s sure to please for holiday entertaining and indulgences.

Grafton Village Cheese Tavern Select Two-Year Cheddar

Pairs best with: Altbiers and Brown Ales
Suggested Pairings: Long Trail Ale, Long Trail Harvest (seasonal)
Dane says: "The slight fruit and bitter notes in both the cheddar and beer play with each other."

Grafton Village Cheese Tavern Select Three-Year Cheddar

Pairs best with: Pale Ales, Reds, Wheats
Suggested Pairing: Long Trail Pale Ale
Matt Says: “The sharpness of the cheddar is accented nicely by the floral tones of a pale ale.”

Grafton Village Cheese Tavern Select Four-Year Cheddar

Pairs best with: IPA
Suggested Pairing: Long Trail Traditional IPA
Dane Says: "The stronger bitter notes in this beer bring out more mature cheddar aromas and flavors in our four year."

Grafton Village Cheese Duet

Pairs best with: Porters and Stouts
Suggested Pairing: Long Trail Imperial Porter
Matt Says: “The creaminess of the cheese and the malty undertones of the porter are incredible together; it’s a match made in heaven!”

To learn more or purchase Grafton Village Cheese please visitwww.GraftonVillageCheese.com. Visit www.longtrail.com to learn more about the brewery and Visitor Center, open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for lunch, tours and beer to go.

Come Home to Tallus

2011-11-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

Luxury Vacation Rental Homes Unveiled at

Mammoth Lakes for the 2011-2012 Ski Season

MAMMOTH LAKES, CA – For decades, savvy skiers and snowboarders have known that Mammoth Mountain offers some of the best skiing in the West in a magnificent setting.  With a season that can run from early November to the 4th of July, there are plenty of opportunities to hit the slopes at this alpine resort snuggled into the Eastern Sierra.

Until now, five-star luxury vacation rental homes have not been available in Mammoth.  Tallus, a private, gated collection of 4 and 5 bedroom, architecturally stunning homes has shaken up the status quo.

With its private clubhouse, onsite staff, concierge services and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, slopes, dining and more, Tallus offers the finest luxury accommodations in the region.

Designed with couples, groups and families in mind, Tallus homes include children’s rooms with bunk beds, and their very own dining and play areas. For those seeking romance, hot tubs on covered decks with pine tree views and fireplaces in the living rooms add to the ambiance. Master bedroom suites feature spa tubs and steam showers.  Dining areas, including those on outdoor or covered terraces and in elegant dining rooms, provide the setting for communal meals, part of the Tallus philosophy of “coming together with friends and family”. Fully equipped kitchens feature Viking appliances for the gourmet cook or private chef. Unique amenities, that make Tallus stand above the rest, range from a private screening room in each home to the gated entrance for privacy and security.  The clubhouse with indoor pool and spa and fireside lounge features a fitness center, as well as an activities room with arcade games, and a ping-pong and pool table, for the young at heart. 

Tallus, built and designed by Eric Fishburn, a longtime California builder/developer who specializes in sustainable and LEED certified projects, conceived this mountain retreat to reflect the majestic surroundings.  Situated facing the 10thfairway of the Sierra Star Golf Course, and near the center of town, Tallus was built using plantation grown hardwoods, modular-framing techniques that minimize lumber waste, low VOC paint and finishes, high efficiency appliances and heating systems, as well as locally sourced timber.

“For decades our family has been coming here to enjoy the natural splendor and year round outdoor activities of this alpine retreat,” says Eric Fishburn.  “It is my love of Mammoth that has inspired the creation of a secluded enclave where families and friends can experience mountain living with a standard of luxury, comfort and style that has never been available until now.”

And for those who fall in love with Tallus, club ownership will be offered in the spring of 2012.

Daily (and some twice daily) non-stop flights from San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, via Horizon and United Express Airlines,  provide convenient and swift access to Mammoth Lakes.

For reservations, call (800) 568-9976; for more information visit www.tallus.com.

MILLENNIUM OFFERS THREE GREAT REASONS TO CELEBRATE IN BOSTON

2011-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Spirit Sparkles in Boston
with Extra-value Holiday Packages at the Millennium Bostonian

BOSTON (November 7, 2011) --- From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, the Millennium Bostonian Hotel is making it easy, affordable and lots of fun to celebrate the winter holidays. A mix of narrow cobblestoned streets right out of Dickens, famous architectural landmarks transformed in centers for dining and entertainment, world-famous cultural institutions and vibrant 21^st century urban energy, Boston has a personality unlike any city in the United States. And, at no other time of the year is its character more festive and appealing than during the winter holidays.

Millennium Bostonian has four extra-value holiday packages featuring the best of Boston – dining, shopping and showing off its history – offered from the middle of November through December, and in one case through January, 2012. Guests may even combine all three, for a three-night celebration of winter festivities as only New Englanders can provide.

In honor of the city’s place in history – birthplace of the American Revolution and home of the real Tea Party – the Millennium has created the “Bostonian Freedom Trail Holiday Stroll” Package. This features overnight accommodations in a Superior Plus guestroom, a $50 credit at the hotel’s highly popular North 26 Restaurant & Bar and two adult tickets for the guided Holiday Stroll Tour of Historic Freedom Trail. Boston’s Freedom Trail, led by 18^th century-costumed guides, winds through the city’s historic heart past all the most famous landmarks, including Old North Church, King’s Chapel, Paul Revere’s house, the USS Constitution and more than a dozen others. Guests during the holidays have a unique opportunity to see history dressed up with lights, candles and special decorations. The Freedom Trail Holiday Stroll Package is available from November 17 through January 30, 2012. Room rates start at $297.00 per room per night , PROMO Code FREEDOMT

For those seeking more contemporary fun, there is the Millennium Bostonian’s Holiday Shopping Package. This also features an overnight stay plus the $50 credit at North 26 but also a Faneuil Hall Festival Savings Card for stores, restaurants and the food court. Transformed from their original purposes into a nonstop hub for entertainment, dining and socializing, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market were among the first historic urban developments in the country that have dramatically changed downtown life. They figure prominently in all the festivities of BostonUSA Shopping Madness, which kicks off Thanksgiving weekend. The package is offered from November 20 through December 30. The package cost starts at $239.00 per room per night. PROMO Code FANEUIL

The third offer, also available from November 20 through December 30, is the Millennium Bostonian Holiday Package. This is for revelers who want to plan their own activities. In addition to overnight accommodations in a Superior Plus room, guests will receive a $100 food and beverage credit at North 26. After that, all the city’s special events and festivities are at their pleasure. And, there are almost too many to choose from. The package cost starts at $289.00 per room per night, PROMO Code N26D

The fourth and most mouthwatering offer, also available from November 20 through December 30, is the Millennium Bostonian Pie Package. This is for holiday travellers who are invited to dinner at a nearby family or friends’ home and need to bring an impressive dessert or for those who want to enjoy the taste of homemade pie in their guest room. In addition to overnight accommodations in a Superior Plus room, guests will receive a $50 food and beverage credit at North 26 as well as their choice of a pumpkin or apple pie- wrapped to go OR here to stay. After The package cost starts at $229.00 per room per night, PROMO Code PRPIE

The 27^th Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for November 19. The 70^th Boston Common Holiday Lighting takes place on December 1^st. The Merry Tuba Christmas, a free concert with 150 tuba players, will be held on November 26 at Faneuil Hall, and the 37^th Boston Pops Holiday Concert at Symphony Hall can be enjoyed December 7 through the 24^th. The Boston Common Ice Skating pavilion opens for the season on November 11.

Other events guaranteed to bring out the holiday spirit in Millennium Bostonian guests include the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus annual holiday concert beginning December 11, an Old North Church Christmas concert December 12 with a tree lighting on December 19, a Bach Christmas Handel & Haydn concert December 15-16, and the 5^thEveryone Loves Latkes Party! across the river in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Cambridge is also where the 41^st annual Christmas Revels, featuring music of England, France and Spain, takes place December 16-29. Last but not least, the 36^th First Night Boston, America’s oldest and largest New Year’s arts celebration takes place throughout December 31^st, with music, dance, ice sculptures, fireworks and more.

By showcasing the best of Boston during the winter holidays and offering great value as well, there is no doubt that the Millennium Bostonian Hotel’s holiday packages will bring a smile to even Scrooge himself.

For more information and reservations, visit www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumbostonian.

When In Rome

2011-11-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

Rockville Centre, NY (November 1, 2011) — Sceptre Tours has done it yet again. Known for providing great vacation values, the tour operator is now launching a 6-night Rome getaway priced from $799 per person. And when you consider that airfare alone to Rome from the East Coast costs about the same if not more, this vacation is a truly great deal.

The Rome City Vacation package was designed for those who want to immerse themselves in the epic history, culture, and charm of the Eternal City. This is a perfect vacation for those who want to set their own pace while exploring some of the most famous sites including the Vatican, Sistene Chapel, Coliseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and more while breaking for a cappuccino or gelato at an outdoor café or a plate of homemade pasta and a glass of wine in many of the city’s family-run trattorias.

Travelers will stay at the three-star Santa Costanza Hotel in the Northeastern part of Rome — close to Mausoleo di Santa Costanza, Villa Borghese, and Luiss University of Rome — which offers complimentary Continental breakfast and is conveniently located a few blocks from the nearest Metro station and is a quick 10-minute ride into the city center.

The Rome City Vacation package includes:

6 nights at the three-star Santa Constanza Hotel in Rome with breakfast daily except day of arrival;

Roundtrip airfare from New York (JFK) to Rome

This package is priced from $799 from New York for travel November 24, 2011 to February 12, 2012. All rates are per person based on double occupancy and blackout dates apply. This package is available from November 1, 2011 to March 23, 2012 at slightly higher rates. These rates are based on select mid-week departures and exclude government taxes/fees/facility charges up to $240 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for US enplanements.

For more information on the Paris City Vacation, visit Sceptre Tours Rome Offer
For additional information call 1-800-221-0924 or visit: http://www.sceptretours.com/.

November Brings New Trout, Mild Weather & Lodging Deals

2011-10-29T07:51:00.001-07:00

Check out the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail!

SYLVA, N.C. - Although often overlooked, November is a prime month to fish the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.

Sections of the trail are stocked with 12,700 trout early in the month, creating an infusion of hungry trout at a time when typical fly fishing activity tails off.

Throw in the fact that much of the trail is located at - or just above - 2,000 feet in elevation, and weather conditions are generally favorable for fishing all month long.

In an effort to lure anglers this November, local innkeepers are offering "November Deals" on trail lodging. These specials are $69.99 and $74.99 per night for an array
of hotel rooms, cabins and cottages in close proximity to the trail's 15 fishing spots.

To take advantage of these specials, go to: www.flyfishingtrail.com and click on "November Deals," or call (800) 962-1911 and ask for Fly Fishing Trail November Deals.

And if all that isn't enough to entice anglers, a trail viral video has launched. "We Love Our Trout" is a fun, two-minute video that shows just how much anglers along the WNC Fly Fishing Trail love their trout. Folks are encouraged to pucker up for the video, which includes cameo appearances by PAWS, the mascot of Western Carolina University.

The video is available at FlyFishingTrail.com, or via the following YouTube link: http://youtu.be/oAjJKlmyfkc.

Four Nights Accommodations, Breakfast Daily, Thanksgiving Dinner, Gift Wrapping Party, Tree Trimming Party, And Much More From $516 per Couple!

2011-10-24T16:16:00.001-07:00

Bradford, NH (October 24, 2011) — It's time to start a new holiday tradition with the Harvest Home Thanksgiving package at the Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford, New Hampshire. The Inn's owners Lesley and Dick Marquis, have designed a wonderful New England Thanksgiving experience for guests priced from just $516 per couple for four nights.

The Harvest Home Thanksgiving package is for travel November 23 to 27, 2011 and includes the following:

Wednesday, November 23: Arrival

Thursday, November 24: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast but save room for that glorious turkey dinner with all the fixin's at the Millstone Restaurant ($75 gift certificate for dinner).

Friday, November 25: Awake to a full gourmet breakfast served before a crackling fireplace, then it's time to go off for a full day of "tax-free" shopping. There are church fairs, bazaars, and antique and country artisan's shops to explore as well as the outlets in Tilton, New Hampshire (approximately 40 minutes away). When guests return to the Inn, all that is needed to wrap their holiday gifts will be waiting (paper, ribbons, and bows) plus hot mulled cider and light hors d'oeuvres.

Saturday, November 26: After a hearty country breakfast, it's time to get the Inn dressed up in all of her holiday finery for the Christmas season ahead. In the evening after the trees are all trimmed, we'll relax by the fire with a glass of wine as we enjoy a delicious farmhouse supper.

Sunday, November 27: Enjoy a leisurely "candlelight and crystal" breakfast while planning the final day's activities. Guests will return home with all of their holiday shopping bought and wrapped! What better way to relax and enjoy the holiday season ahead.

The four-night Harvest Home Thanksgiving package includes:

4 nights accommodations;
Hearty country breakfast each morning;
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Millstone Restaurant ($75 gift certificate);
Friday evening wrapping party with light hors d'oeuvres;
Saturday afternoon lunch while tree trimming;
Saturday evening fireside supper

Rates for this package start at $516 per couple for four nights, based on double occupancy. Fireplace suites start at $676 per couple and Luxury Fireplace and Jacuzzi Suites start at $796 per couple. This package is exclusive of tax and gratuity.

To make a reservation for the Harvest Home Thanksgiving Package, call the Rosewood Country Inn at 800-938-5273 or e-mail: rosewoodinn@tds.net.

Pottery Festival Features Array of Artistic Talent, Nov. 4-5

2011-10-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

DILLSBORO, N.C. - A talented lineup of potters is coming to Dillsboro for the seventh annual Western North Carolina Pottery Festival, which takes place Nov. 4-5.

This juried festival showcases 45 master potters hailing from 17 states.

Elmer Taylor of Denton, Texas, is this year's featured artist. Taylor is the Regents' Professor of Art at the University of North Texas and has a summer studio in the Sun Valley region of Idaho. Early in his career, Taylor trained in England under Bernard Leach, considered the father of the modern functional pottery movement.

Taylor's appearance speaks to the quality of ceramic artists who frequent the WNC Pottery Festival on an annual basis.

"What started as a local pottery event has blossomed into a national show featuring some of the best potters in America," said festival organizer Joe Frank McKee of Dillsboro's Tree House Pottery. "These artists love our show because of the fall scenery, the great customers who come year after year, and the hospitality of everybody in Western North Carolina."

The main portion of the festival is Saturday, with potters manning their booths along Front Street and demonstrations on-going throughout the day. All festival attendees
receive a ticket for a day-long raffle, while a silent auction has been added this year to benefit a local organization that provides meals to needy families.

Pre-festival excitement takes place Friday from 1-5 p.m. with the third annual WNC Clay Olympics competition, featuring a field of 20 potters from the festival. Also Friday is the firing of the wood-fired kiln, plus the opportunity to buy pottery tools and equipment at discount prices from Shimpo Ceramics of Chicago. Stone Mountain Clay and Glaze of Tucker, Ga., will also be on hand Friday selling clay and glaze products.

Saturday's festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $3 per person, with children under the age of 12 admitted free.

"Festival attendees get to buy incredible works and see wonderful demonstrations all day long," McKee said. "And they're surrounded by the fall foliage of the Great Smoky
Mountains."

For festival info, call (828) 631-5100, or visit: www.wncpotteryfestival.com.

For lodging info, call the Jackson County Visitors Center at (800) 962-1911.

Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, Fla. Welcome New Dining, Attractions, Art

2011-10-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

BRADENTON, Fla. (October 17, 2011) – Winter is fast-approaching and Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, and their coastal companions of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, are offering a number of new experiences for a toasty Old Florida getaway. Whether dining at the latest culinary standout, attending an island-wide arts event, or playing on the Southeast’s first Heavy Equipment Playground, visitors will find no shortage of memorable moments during a visit to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

New Dining Divas

In 2011, Anna Maria Island welcomed several new dining hot spots. Eat Here Anna Maria Island, opened by famed restaurateur Sean Murphy of the Zagat-rated Beach Bistro, focuses on fresh, chef-driven Gulf Coast cookery with a more casual atmosphere and plate presentation of dishes like the New Orleans-style Seafood Stew or the port-braised Pot Roast. In neighboring Holmes Beach, Fusion Café specializes in gourmet, made-from-scratch meals for lunch and dinner, serving fresh-from-the-boat Gulf seafood and shrimp from the nearby Cortez fishing village. Further south on Anna Maria Island, Bridge Street Bistro opened in Bradenton Beach at the corner of Gulf Drive and historic Bridge Street. Its third-story dining room captures spectacular evening sunsets, and a new open-air ground floor eatery, Island Time Bar and Grill, features the restaurant’s traditional menu as well as lighter fare and live entertainment on weekends. In Bradenton, Pier 22 recently opened at the Twin Dolphin Marina and offers an awesome waterfront dining experience featuring an expanded menu of land food and seafood, not to mention sushi. Some of the Chef’s recommendations include the Beef Short Rib, Hunan Shrimp, Jumbo Lobster Tail and French Dip. Opening soon along Old Main Street and just a few blocks from Pier 22, will be Old Main Grill featuring dine-in and grab and go cuisine cooked to order for lunch or a late-night craving and The Grill at O’Bricks ready for diners in early 2012. www.eat-hereami.com; www.fusionami.com; www.bridgestreetbistroonline.com; www.pier22dining.com, www.mangrovegrill.com, Facebook.com/OldMainGrill

Anna Maria Historic Green Village Heating Up

On track to be Florida’s first LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy retail park, the Anna Maria Historic Green Village is a restoration project founded and developed by two British vacationers who became Anna Maria Island residents. Spanning a seven-lot campus and more than 8,000 square feet of space on historic Pine Avenue, the Village is completely powered by renewable energy – an innovative combination of solar, geothermal, and smart technology, as well as large-scale reuse and recycling, that will eventually generate more energy on-site than it consumes in a given year. The Village is currently home to the upcycled vintage boutique, Relish, located in a 1935 Sears Cottage, and the Village Café at Rosedale, in the original home of Will Bean, the island’s first developer. By Spring 2012, the Village will also include additional retail shops, gardens, a medical center, professional services, and a luxury vacation rental in the 100-year-old Anglers Lodge. www.annamariahisotricgreenvillage.com

Only Green Grapes Grow Here

Bradenton natives Lenora and Larry Woodham opened Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery in 2010 to rave reviews. Open daily and offering free vineyard tours and wine tastings, Bunker Hill focuses on “green” operations with handcrafted wines that are unfiltered, never blended, and fermented with the skin of the grape. They pride themselves on using 100 percent recycled wine bottles, natural corks, and origami gift wrapping. All 10 of their wines are aged in a “wine cave” in complete darkness and at the appropriate temperature between 52 and 57
degrees. The winery is a popular choice for destination weddings and special events, and beginning in 2012, will offer Fresh Whole Fruit wines. www.bunkerhillvineyard.com

Anna Maria’s ArtsHOP

Anna Maria Island Cultural Connection’s fifth annual arts and cultural weekend, ArtsHOP, kicks off November 11 with an Island-Wide Gallery Walk featuring local island-style art, live demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Running through November 13, ArtsHOP activities include a performance of “Charles Lindberg – The Lone Eagle” from the Island Players on Friday and Saturday evenings; a Traditional Small Maritime Craft Show on historic Pine Avenue in Anna Maria; A Little Autumn B&B classical music performance by the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra; and weekend-long Anna Maria Island Butterfly Garden Arts and Crafts Fair in Holmes Beach. www.islandartshop.com

The Heavy Equipment Playground Talks Turkey

As the holiday season approaches, People at Play: The Heavy Equipment Experience, the Southeast’s first Heavy Equipment Playground, has added turkeys to its demolition experience with a fun new “TurkeyToss Package”. Visitors climb into the cab of a CATERPILLAR 312 Steel Track Excavator to navigate a fun and challenging obstacle course. They then have three chances to toss a piñata-style brown, gold and orange Gobbler into one of three strategically placed hoops on the ground – using the excavator bucket, of course. If successful, participants win a gift certificate for a frozen turkey. Recently featured on the “TODAY Show”, this new spin on “men at work” allows anyone 18 years and older to be heavy equipment operators for a day and tackle an obstacle course on its 21-acre construction site (aka construction playground). People at Play emphasizes safety first in their heavy equipment games, giving each guest their own hard hat as a keepsake, along with a commemorative photo. This one-of-a-kind experience costs $425 (plus tax) per person and is only available November 1-30. Another themed “Heavy Equipment Holiday Package” is available December 1-31 that includes a holiday gift bag full of construction goodies for $475 (plus tax) per person. www.pplatplay.com

About Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key

Located between Sarasota and Tampa Bay on Florida’s southwest coast, Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key, and their coastal companions, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, are treasured for their authentic Old Florida charm, breath-taking scenery, funky dining and shopping districts, and miles of sugar-white sands. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Manatee County, Florida. Tourism is Manatee County’s leading industry, employing nearly 18,000 residents, generating a direct annual economic impact of more than $470 million in the local economy and producing more than $6 million in bed-tax collections in 2010. For more information, call (941) 729-9177, ext. 243 or visit www.AMILBK.com. We also invite you to follow us on Facebook at “Anna Maria Island & Longboat Key” and Twitter @VisitBradenton.

Phone Tour Reveals Cheraw’s Secrets

2011-10-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Cheraw, South Carolina, Oct. 13 -- Haunted houses, racing preachers, and Dizzy Gillespie’s musical roots may not seem to have much in common. However, they are all part of more than 250 years of Cheraw’s intriguing history that have been brought to life.
For more than a year, the town of Cheraw has been developing “The Historic Cheraw Cell Phone Tour.” Comprised of Cheraw’s 10-block historic area, the complimentary self-guided cell phone tour allows residents and visitors alike to visit the town’s storied past and discover more than 50 significant tidbits of information. This intimate experience, which includes 25 stops at homes, churches, and businesses, many pre-dating 1860, offers participants an opportunity to become acquainted with some of Cheraw's most impressive architecture and uncover Cheraw’s past like never before.

Cheraw may be one of the first towns in the Southeast to boast of such a tour. The town partnered with Dale Davis of Blue Streak Cell Phone Tours to create the unique journey, which features an entertaining studio-recorded narrative. At each tour stop, a small exterior sign offers a local phone number and appropriate stop number. By dialing the number, 843-865-3002, the caller accesses information about each specific site. Tour map brochures, prompting individuals to take advantage of the tour, are available at Town Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lyceum, Old St. David’s Church, and other high traffic areas, including restaurants, shops, and motels.

While the tour may begin at any of the 25 stops, the Town Green has been designated as the first stop. From downtown, those following the tour will be guided to the riverfront with stops at Old St. David’s Church and Pee Dee Union Baptist Church along the way. The tour then winds down Market and Kershaw streets before going to the birthplace of Dizzy Gillespie on Huger Street. Two historic homes are featured on McIver Street with more tour stops on Greene, Third, Second and Front streets. The tour concludes downtown at the Atlantic Coastline Freight Station, now known as the Cheraw Police Department.

“While the tour was initially developed with tourists and newcomers in mind, I believe local residents will also benefit,” David Sides, the town’s Director of Tourism and Community Development commented. “Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to one of Cheraw’s local civic groups about the tour. During the presentation, I asked the group several questions, all covered on the tour. If this had been a graded exam, I teasingly told them they would have all failed.”

Future plans include adding the audio portion of the tour to the town’s website, www.cheraw.com. By pairing the audio with photos, visitors will experience Cheraw’s history, hopefully enticing them to make a personal visit and see Cheraw first-hand.

“Cheraw is very fortunate that our history is so well preserved,” Sides continued. “More of Sherman’s army passed through Cheraw than any other town in South Carolina and amazingly, they left the town essentially untouched.”

“The tour will be an exceptional way to share our history,” said Cheraw mayor Scott Hunter. “Both visitors and residents will experience Cheraw like never before. Our weekend guests have always commented on our town's beauty. I believe this cell phone tour will absolutely give them cold chills."

Stars on the Square in Burnsville Offers Stargazing Oct. 22

2011-10-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

BURNSVILLE, N.C. - The Burnsville Town Square becomes a wonderland for amateur astronomers during the Stars on the Square evening on Saturday, Oct. 22.

From 7:30 p.m. until midnight, Burnsville will turn out all lights on the square, allowing astronomy aficionados to set up telescopes and view a sky full of stars on a dark autumn night.

Folks who don't have their own telescope are invited to attend as well. Local astronomers will share their telescopes and laser pointers to help the public view stars, constellations, planets and satellites.

Dark skies are integral to Burnsville's heritage as the town derives its name from naval captain Otway Burns, who used the stars to navigate his ships. An iconic statue of Burns - a hero in the War of 1812 - stands sentry over the town square.

There is no charge to attend Stars on the Square, and setup begins at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be sold by the Burnsville Rotary Club.

In the case of rain, snow or clouds, the event will be moved to Oct. 29.

For information on the event, contact organizer Barbara Webster at (828) 682-7331. For lodging info, visit: www.DiscoverBurnsville.com.

ItaliaOutdoors ANNOUNCES CUSTOM SKI ADVENTURES FOR WINE ENTHUSIASTS AND FOODIES

2011-10-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Custom Tours for Small Groups and Ski Clubs Combine Ski and Snowboarding in the Dolomites with Opportunity to Explore the Wines and Cuisine of Northeastern Italy

Newburyport, MA, October 2011 – Fresh from its successful “Chefs on Bikes” tours with James Beard Award-winning chefs Susan Regis and Jody Adams, Italiaoutdoors introduces equally engaging and intimate custom ski and snowboard tours for the winter sport enthusiast and oenophile. Like all Italiaoutdoors experiences, the small group tours are led solely by partners Vernon McClure, a one-time Airborne Ranger turned Defense Department mountaineering instructor, and Kathy Bechtel, a certified ski instructor and chef. Together, they customize unique tours that reveal their deep-rooted passion for the Trentino Alto-Adige region of Northeastern Italy. Highly personalized programs can be designed for every budget, with each custom tour including daily wine tastings and activities tailored to all ski levels, from shorter trails and groomed terrain for relaxed athletes to classic climbs of the majestic Dolomite Mountains for the advanced skier. Dates are available beginning December 2011. Trips are all-inclusive, with the exception of air, and can be arranged from a mini-holiday of five days to a more comprehensive tour of two weeks. As an example, a week-long adventure starts as low as $2800 per person and can be customized to include all level of accommodations.

Designed for small groups of friends and family, or ski clubs, Italiaoutdoors works with each group to craft a custom itinerary that provides a perfect balance of activity, rest and relaxation. The small group size (12 travelers maximum) allows for daily itinerary customization and refinement, based on participants’ interests, pacing, and real-time “finds.”Exploring the region’s well-known and undiscovered wines in and around the cities of Bolzano, Trento, Merano and Bressanone, and pairing them to the area’s fine cuisine, are itinerary staples.

An avid researcher of and writer about the region’s wines, Bechtel carefully curates each day’s wine tasting selection, choosing wines from the world-renowned wine regions of Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige and Friuli Venezia-Giulia, as well as some wines only familiar to frequent travelers within Italy, including Amarone, Valpolicella, Lagrein, Schioppettino and Vino Santo. In the evenings, the culture and rich Austrian-Hungarian history of the region come to life, as guests enjoy local cuisine in charming osteriasand elegant dinners in more refined ristorantes. This small region boasts more Michelin star restaurants than any other region in Italy.

By day, guests ski and explore the Trentino Alto-Adige region of Northeastern Italy, home to the majestic Dolomite Mountains and numerous winter resorts, where guests can enjoy some of the most stunning panoramic vistas in the world while skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing.

Italiaoutdoors partners Bechtel and McClure personally design and lead each tour. McClure, a trained ski and snowboard instructor and mountain guide, has more than 15 years experience designing, leading and teaching ski adventures in Italy and Europe. Bechtel is a trained ski instructor currently on staff at Sugarloaf,Maine. She is also a chef with formal wine training and hosts a TV food and wine show at Sugarloaf where she shares recipes and tips inspired by her travels to these regions.

Commented James Beard Award winner (and “Chefs on Bikes” special guest) Chef Susan Regis about her experience, “Italiaoutdoors supplies the framework for the trip of a lifetime leaving just the right amount of time and space to discover the unexpected and the authentic Italy. To feel as though you are part of the Italian culture is a testament to the insightful precision of a thoughtful journey, because in the end, it is all about the roads taken. I loved my journey!"

For more information on custom ski or bike tours or to receive Italiaoutdoors’ newsletter with recipes and wine information, visit http://www.italiaoutdoorsfoodandwine.comor Chef Kathy Bechtel’s blog at www.chefbikeski.com. For ski clubs and other groups, discounts are available for trip organizers, with a free trip earned for as few as eight guests. Italiaoutdoors can also work with organizations to create fundraising opportunities.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Calendar

2011-10-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Biathlon Clinic, Tommelfest, Full Moon Ski & Snowshoe,

Progressive Dinner, Skijoring clinics and Governor’s Cup Race

offer fun and variety for all ages and ability levels

TABERNASH, Colo., Oct. 10, 2011…For sustainable fun that’s easy on the pocket book and the environment, head to Devil’s Thumb Ranch 65 miles west of Denver and 15 minutes west of Winter Park Ski Resort and come recreate on more than 100km of groomed and tracked cross country ski and snowshoe trails.

For some added fun and recreation, join in on one of the Ranch’s upcoming events that range from a season kick-off Tommelfest party to full moon ski and snowshoe tours, skijoring clinics (you and Fido skiing together!) or for s the ultimate adrenaline pumping experience, the annual Governor’s Cup ski race.

Trail System & Equipment

Located on 6,000 acres of privately owned wilderness, Devil’s Thumb Ranch offers 100+ Km of groomed track and cross-country ski/snowshoe trails as well as outdoor ice skating rink, sleigh rides and tubing hill. Lessons and equipment for all Nordic sports and ice skating are available through the Adventure Center, including skijoring harnesses and leashes and chariots for parents who want to trailer toddlers on the ski trails.

Ongoing Community Programs at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Dates: Nov. 21st, 2011 – April 15, 2012

Every Th, Fri, Sat -- National Ski Center for the Disabled Cross Country Ski Days

Every Friday, Jan. 6-Mar 9, 2012 – Grand County Public Schools’ Kids Fun Days

2011 events at Devil’s Thumb Ranch include (we will post 2012 events on this blog when we get closer):

OCTOBER

Oct. 15th

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Pre-Season Nordic Sale

5 -6 pm

Buy quality new or used gear for the upcoming ski & snowshoe season.

More information: www.devilsthumbranch.com 970-726-8231 (Devil's Thumb Ranch Activities Center)

Oct. 29

Biathlon Clinic

Join former U.S. Olympic Team Biathlon member Haley Johnson for an informative and skill building clinic that includes skate technique and drills, Dryfire and shooting techniques, mental strength and strategy and race warm up tips.

Time: 12:30-2:30 pm

Cost: $25/person

To Register: Space is limited and advance reservations are required through Devil’s Thumb Ranch Activities Center, 970-726-8231

NOVEMBER

Nov. 19

Ski trails open (conditions permitting)

2011-12 Trail pass fees:

$18 day guests

$12 overnight guests

$13 ski club members

$8 Kids under 12 or over 65 years of age

Season Passes:

Adults: $180/person by 12/10/11; $240 thereafter

Kids under 12 and over 65: $80 by 12/1; $120 after

Punch Card: 5 days for $70; 10 days for $140

Family passes, Ski Club Member rates, Local Business Passes and Joint Snow Mountain Ranch passes also available

DECEMBER

Dec. 9

Holiday Gift Market

Time: 3 to 9 pm

Kick off your holiday shopping season at this special evening featuring gifts from local and regional artisans and crafts people and a lot of holiday cheer! Also a great time to purchase gift cards for loved ones and your Nordic trails season pass before the price increases on Dec. 11^th.

Dec. 10 -- Tommelfest, Season Pass Holder Reception, Full Moon Ski, Skate & Snowshoe

Tommelfest

Time: 11 am to 4 pm

Fun for all ages, this season kick-off celebration includes free lessons from the University of Denver Nordic Team, team sprints, grog & beer garden, keg toss, BBQ, retail specials and prizes. Also includes Biathlon Clinic with US Olympian Haley Johnson

Last day for pre-season discounts on season passes ($180, savings of $60 from regular season price of $240).

Cost: $15/adult; $7/child 5-12 years, under 5 free (food); $3 beers and grog

VIP Reception for Season Pass Holders

Time: 4 – 5 pm

Complimentary reception and gift for all season pass holders and VIPs who make Devil’s Thumb Ranch Nordic Center a success through their support (Season Pass purchasers that day are also invited).

Full Moon Ski, Skate & Snowshoe

Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Celebrate the joys of the holiday season under a moonlit, star-studded sky and don skis, snowshoes or ice skates and enjoy an evening on the trails. Warm up at the bonfire, roast some marshmallows and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate

Cost: $5 trail pass, $5 rental equipment

Reservations & Lodging Information:

800-933-4339 or 970.726.5632

www.devilsthumbranch.com

3530 County Road 83 / Tabernash, CO / 80478

Attention: D.C. travel deal

2011-09-22T15:21:00.001-07:00

Through the end of this year, special rates at the VirginianSuites Arlington start at $139 per night. Less than two miles from downtown D.C., the hotel is close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington National Cemetery and just a mile from the lively shops, restaurants and nightlife of historic Georgetown.

Virginian Suites just joined the Ascend Collection membership program from Silver Spring, Maryland-based Choice Hotels International. As part of this elite network, the stylish property remains independently owned, while also gaining a global reservations system and a guests rewards program with more than 13 million members worldwide.

The 261-room hotel has large apartment-style suites, 24-hour high-tech gym, a business center, meeting and event space, and an outdoor swimming pool opened seasonally. Studio and one-bedroom suites range from 440 - 610 square feet.Each suite features a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen HDTV. For families and extended stays, one-bedroom suites also house living rooms and dining rooms, and many suites boast large windows with dramatic city views. A brief stroll away, guests can hop on the Metro and take it one stop to the fashionable West End neighborhood and the Kennedy Center for the PerformingArts. Less than five miles away, they can visit the National Zoo, monuments,White House, U.S. Capitol and renowned museums.

Ascend Collection appeals to a growing number of travelers who like to discover independent, upscale hotels with unique ambiance and local flair when visiting new cities.

For more information, visit http://www.ascendcollection.com/

A Big BIG Bug Invasion

2011-09-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Cape Fear Botanical Garden to host David Rogers Big Bugs exhibit

Greater Fayetteville – From September 24 through December 31, David Rogers' friendly swarm of larger-than-life bugs will take up residence at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Visitors will get a bugs-eye-view of the world when they see a 1200-pound preying mantis, three 25 foot ants and six other larger-than-life sculptures.

The sculptures, created by artist David Rogers of Glenwood Landing, NY, are made of various combinations of whole trees found standing or fallen dead, dry branches and forest materials. The different shapes, colors and textures of these materials provide the bugs with character, definition and a sense of motion. The special visitors are on display throughout the Garden’s 77 acres.

In recent years, the Big Bugs have traveled to Denver, Disney's Epcot, New York Botanical Garden and the U.S. National Arboretum. "This is only the second time the exhibit has been seen in North Carolina," says Jennifer Sullivan, Cape Fear Botanical Garden Executive Director. "With the completion of our Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex and new gardens surrounding the center, the time was right to bring an exhibition of this caliber to the Garden."

The exhibit is included with admission to the Garden. Every Saturday from 12 to 3 pm during the exhibit, child-friendly activities are scheduled. Additionally, kids are invited to be “bug detectives” each day the Big Bugs are in residence.

While in town to see the Big Bugs, visitors might check out the Patri-Arts & Gardens Cultural Heritage Trail for other arts and gardens activities. As another option, browse the range of outdoor activities on www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com. Follow the link for information on ZipQuest, a 2-1/2 hour canopy tour through the trees, Gillis Hill Farm, a 9th generation working farm and Jambbas Ranch, a small zoo with walking trails and more.

“As America’s hometown, visitors can experience Americana at its best,” says John Meroski, Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO. “Come and see the Big Bugs, and create an All American adventure.”

ABOUT THE CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Cape Fear Botanical Garden is located on seventy-seven acres nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek just two miles from downtown Fayetteville. Founded in 1989, the Garden now boasts more than 2,000 varieties of ornamental plants and has several specialty gardens, including Camellia, Daylily and Hosta gardens and a newly installed Butterfly Stroll. The Garden is open Monday - Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm - 5pm. Admission is $8 for adults; $2.50 for children 6-12; free for children 5 and under. A Military discount is available. Tel. : 910-486-0221 . CapeFearBg

Promises Clients Exclusive, Up Close Encounters

2011-09-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

Wild Planet Adventures Unveils New Hidden Thailand Program

Guiding Guests to Remote Wildlife Sanctuaries, Exotic Islands

SAUSALITO, CA, Sept. 12, 2011 – Leading wildlife viewing specialist Wild Planet Adventures http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/ knows silence is golden when viewing elusive wildlife. For the first time ever they now access Thailand’s Klong Seang Wildlife Sanctuary by long-tail boat and soundless sea kayak which allow sightings of the most shy and rare animals without scaring them away.

Featured in Wild Planet Adventures’ newest tour offering – Hidden Thailand (http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/204/433/) the Klong Seang Wildlife Sanctuary has been nearly inaccessible until recently. The sanctuary is several hours from the nearest village and the only other humans are occasional passing fisherman. Because of this extreme isolation, Klong Seang harbors healthy populations of rare animals like smooth-coated and small-clawed otters, sun bear, slow loris, white-handed gibbons, wild boars and large colonies of flying foxes. There have even been recent sightings by Wild Planet guests of the elusive clouded leopard.

“This 5,300-square-km sanctuary includes a 185-square-km lake surrounded by pristine rainforest and massive limestone Karst formations over 1,000 meters high. It is extremely remote so it’s perfect for travelers who love finding spellbinding places no one knows about,” says Wild Planet Adventures founder Josh Cohen.

The area remains untouched and harbors some of the most diverse wildlife in all of Thailand, including six species of primates. Klong Seang is the only location in Thailand where Storm’s Stork was confirmed to breed.

For his company’s newest addition to their Thailand and Laos wildlife adventure programs Cohen has devised an ingenious way to transport his clients quietly over rainforest waterways so as not to startle wildlife. A combination of motorized long boats and kayaks provide wildlife aficionados with silent access into dozens of fingers and among 200 islands on Klong Seang’s Ratchaprapha Reservoir.

“This strategy has already more than doubled sightings of notoriously skittish animals such as clouded leopard,” said Cohen.

Guests are accommodated at a brand-new, floating aqua-lodge raft house that Cohen promises “provides previously unavailable creature comforts in style, in a completely isolated setting and with a world-class Thai restaurant.” Visitors also enjoy swimming in this “breathtakingly beautiful” area where rivers and waterfalls flow into a multitude of valleys amidst tall limestone Karst mountains and lush rainforest.

This sanctuary visit is one facet of many wildlife viewing opportunities on Wild Planet Adventures’ new Hidden Thailand: Remote Rainforests & Islands. The 14-day itinerary is priced from $4,398 per person, double occupancy inclusive of lodging, site-to-site transportation, meals, entrance fees, guides and more. A shorter 11-day version for $3,398 per person is also available. Scheduled and custom departures are offered from late October to June.

Also included is the Ko Tarutau Archipelago, the most remote islands in Thailand. Comprised of 51 islands in the Andaman Sea, its isolated location offers underwater ecosystems that are unparalleled anywhere in the region. In the spring of 2011, Josh Cohen helped identify the archipelago as one of the only places in Thailand where one could still snorkel amongst soft corals, survivors of the massive coral die-off of 2010 that affected 90 percent of Southeast Asia. Colorful tropical fish thrive in the turquoise waters that have some of the best visibility in Thailand. Numerous uninhabited islands offer prime opportunities for snorkeling and beachcombing.

The new itinerary also visits Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand’s largest and least visited. Close to the border of Burma, visitors may see black leopard, wild elephants, six species of primates, flying squirrels, slow loris, monitor lizard, dole, jackals, and the best possibility to see tigers in the wild.

Before venturing off the beaten path, the adventure starts with a taste of Thailand's exotic culture in Chiang Mai with a visit to a unique elephant camp, a Buddhist temple, exclusive interaction with tigers at a tiger rescue center, a choice of Thai cooking school or a bird watching visit to a cloud forest preserve and a visit to Thailand's famous night bazaars.

Alys Beach Introduces Caliza Courts

2011-09-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

The newest option for gracious courtyard living in Northwest Florida

Located along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast along Scenic Hwy 30A, the town of Alys Beach continues to take shape. The visually stunning, all-white town, which today includes dozens of homes and a variety of amenities, including Grecian-inspired Caliza Pool, is now introducing the next phase, Caliza Courts.

Located just steps away from Caliza Pool, Caliza Courts enjoy a convenient location between the pool and town center. Continuing Alys Beach's tradition of sustainability and timeless design complemented by functional form, Caliza Courts feature all the benefits of the courtyard homes at pre-construction prices. "Caliza Courts have an incredible location adjacent to the spectacular Caliza Pool and are priced competitively ," said Tom Dodson, vice president of sales and marketing at Alys Beach. "Those looking to buy a home along Scenic 30A will delight to find a home of this quality in a premier location, priced under a million dollars."

Caliza Courts will follow the same architectural styles and focus on sustainability as the rest of the town. The classic architectural style ensures timeless appeal, while sustainable building techniques and modern conveniences make the homes luxuriously livable. Designed to mimic Bermuda's whitewashed limestone and traditional slate roofs, stucco-over-block and cement roof tiles capture the island feeling while the white exteriors reflect sunlight, keeping homes and neighborhoods cooler.

Underneath it all, masonry construction ensures a durable, long-lasting and energy-efficient home in Florida's bright sun and high humidity. Alys Beach's dedication to sustainability also includes using natural materials such as cypress, coquina, raffia, sea grass and locally harvested wood. Caliza Courts feature Dominican Shellstone and quarter-sawn white oak among other finishes.

Award-winning town architects Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt were passionate about this project from the beginning.

"We have been working with the town founder and town planner (DPZ) for Alys Beach for almost nine years and the rowhouse courtyard concept was one of many ideas that came out of the design charrette at the very beginning," said Marieanne Khoury-Vogt, town architect- Alys Beach. "These new courtyard rowhouses will complement what we currently have at Alys, including compounds, villas and courtyard homes, and will incorporate the many aspects of sustainable living. While some of the lots are a little smaller, we liked that we could deliver gracious courtyard living."

Caliza Courts are designed with great rooms that open to private courtyards. Available in both three- and four-bedroom floor plans, the 16-foot ceilings and expansive windows in these rooms offer an open and light-filled living area of exceptional scale.

As with all structures in Alys Beach, Caliza Courts are built "fortified for safer living" giving homeowners the added protection from storm-strength winds. The walkable, energy-efficient community also employs responsible construction practices and the process of building is made greener by reusing or recycling up to 75 percent of construction waste.

"By having Alys Beach construction company and Town Architects located on-site, we have found there is a great benefit to those who purchase a home here," remarked Dodson. "Since many owners are out of town, it is assuring to know someone is overseeing the details and that the building process is greatly simplified."Once construction begins, Caliza Courts will have an 18- to 22-month build out period. In the meantime, home buyers will enjoy use of a home on the Alys Beach rental program for two-weeks per year and will begin enjoying all the benefits of homeownership, including access to Alys Beach amenities, immediately.

Those who have experienced the timeless sophistication of Alys Beach are often mesmerized by the style and design. Alys Beach artfully combines English and Spanish architecture with the soul of a European resort. It is a new vision of Florida architecture, inspired by Bermuda and Antigua Guatemala. The visually stunning town is complemented by white sand beaches and turquoise waters and a 22-acre nature preserve, providing a natural playground and backdrop for laughter, family time, romance, and relaxation.

Wine fest package in Chattanooga

2011-09-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (September 7, 2011) - The Chattanoogan, Chattanooga'sonly AAA Four Diamond-rated full-service hotel, introduces an incredibleweekend getaway to enjoy the city's premier wine tasting festival, Wine OverWater. The Chattanoogan's Wine Over Water Weekend Package includes deluxeaccommodations on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1; two ticketsto the Friday night exclusive "Best Cellars" reserve wine tasting event atThe Chattanoogan; two tickets to the 17th Annual Wine Over Water Festivalthat features more than 200 wines served by 100 wineries; daily breakfast atthe hotel's Broad Street Grille; valet parking; unlimited use of the hotel'shealth and recreation facilities; and service charges. The weekend packageprice is $618 per couple.

The Chattanoogan is also offering Friday night only and Saturday night onlypackages starting at $269 per couple. For more information or reservations,call (423) 756-3400, toll free (877) 756-1684, or visit The Chattanoogan'sWebsite at www.chattanooganhotel.com.

On the evening of Friday, September 30, guests will enjoy an exclusive winetasting at The Chattanoogan, featuring exceptional reserve and limitededition wines from 150 of the world's top wineries such as Stag's Leap,Chateau St. Jean, Charles Melton, Louis Jabot, Kiona Estates, La Regola,Joseph Phelps, Chateau Musar, Ballentine, Raymond Napa Valley, LibertySchool and Coppola. At the Best Cellars event, sponsored in part by TheChattanoogan, participants will also be delighted by the culinary delicaciesof the hotel's talented chefs and live jazz. Highlights of the eveninginclude a silent wine auction and a sampling of extraordinary aged cellarwines.

Wine Over Water will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. Theincredible festival takes place on the historic Walnut Street Bridgeoverlooking the Tennessee River. The bridge is one of the longestpedestrian bridges in the world and the centerpiece of Chattanooga'sriverfront revitalization. Thousands of Chattanoogans and visitors areexpected to attend the wine tasting and sample hundreds of wines from suchesteemed wineries as Clos du Bois, Hogue, Kim Crawford, Lindemans, Penfolds,R.H. Phillips and Sutter Home. In addition, amazing cuisine from the city'sfinest restaurants, including The Chattanoogan's Broad Street Grille, willbe available. Local artists will also perform live music on five stagesspanning the bridge.

Proceeds from Best Cellars and Wine Over Water benefit Cornerstones forHistoric Preservation in Chattanooga, the city's only non-profit historicpreservation organization. For more information on Cornerstones, pleasevisit www.cornerstonesinc.org.

The Chattanoogan, a 210,000 square-foot five-story upscale hotel with 199newly renovated guest rooms and suites, also has three outstandingrestaurants and a 25,000 square-foot conference center with comprehensivemeeting planning and audiovisual support services. The Chattanoogan isconveniently located within a two-hour drive from Atlanta; Nashville, Tenn.;Knoxville, Tenn.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Birmingham, Ala. It is withinwalking distance of the city's museums, galleries, retail stores,restaurants and The Tennessee Aquarium.

THE WAYFARERS ENTICE WITH NEW FALL AND SPRING FOOD & WINE WALKING TOUR ALONG ALSACE’S WINE TRAIL

2011-08-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

2011 Pricing Offered for 2012 Tours When Confirmed by December 31, 2011

Newport, RI, August 2011 – The Wayfarers’ new France: Alsace tour combines a love for the outdoors with a passion for gastronomy. With a focus on local and sustainable cuisine, the week-long program offers guests a small-group walking vacation with a chance to engage with farmers and vintners while savoring regional specialties.

The Wayfarers immerses guests in culturally rich regions of the world that are best experienced on foot. Expert tour guides lead participants along windy trails and through picturesque villages, introducing local experts who are eager to share more about the area’s culture and customs. Group size averages from eight to 10 participants. Wayfarers’ programs include all accommodations, meals and trail snacks, wine with dinner, entrance fees, guides, van transport for moving luggage and resting walkers, and taxes and gratuities at hotels and restaurants. The France tour is priced $3895 US/Cdn per person, double. A single supplement is available. 2011 prices apply to all 2012 tours secured by deposit by December 31, 2011. All prices are guaranteed in U.S. dollars.

France: Alsace Tour – September 4-10, 2011; June 17-23, 2012; September 9-15, 2012

This new 7-day adventure introduces walkers to French foods and wines as they explore the best of Alsace, from its feudal castles and historic villages to its famous farms and lush vineyards. Starting in Strasbourg, the journey begins with a welcome dinner of Alsatian cuisine. Breathtaking views throughout the tour include the Alsace plain, the Rhine Valley and Germany’s Black Forest. The walk then makes its way to Alsace’s Wine Trail and stops at local vineyards where guests taste renowned Grands Crus including Pinot Gris, Tokay, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Walkers become further skilled in the art of wine tasting in Bernardville and sample world-famous Munster cheese. A 12th-century church, castle ruins, and Riquewihr – a village famous for its medieval courtyards and historic houses – are among the historical highlights of this comprehensive cultural vacation. Challenge Rating: 3

Offered September 4-10, 2011; June 17-23, 2012; September 9-15, 2012; Priced $3,895; $575 Single Supplement

SC Evacuation Routes

2011-08-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

The coastal communities at risk to serve as Irene's landfall point later this week lie from Miami, Fla., to Morehead City, N.C.

"A look at [latest computer model] track forecasts suggest a higher chance of Irene tracking along or just off the coast of eastern Florida and making landfall along the Carolina coast," stated AccuWeather.com Hurricane and Tropical Weather Expert Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski.

Such a scenario would give Irene time to strengthen into a major hurricane and become an even greater danger to lives and property at landfall.

However, since the hurricane is so far off shore, the Director of Communications for South Carolina Department of Transportation Pete Poore says it is "way too early to think about yet."

Evacuation information from South Carolina Department of Transportation:

Grand Strand Area

North Myrtle Beach and northward: Use SC 9 to proceed to I-95 and beyond.

Myrtle Beach:

-10th Avenue North and northward to Briarcliff Acres use SC 22 (Conway Bypass) to US 501. Motorists using SC 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) or the Grissom Parkway will be directed north to SC 22.

-South of 10th Avenue North southward to the Myrtle Beach Airport use US 501 toward Marion and beyond.

-Myrtle Beach Airport southward through Surfside Beach use SC 544 to US 501.

Under certain conditions, US 501 will be converted to four lanes westbound from SC 22 to US 576. Instructions will be given to motorists through signs and highway advisory radio.

Garden City Beach south to Winyah Bay, Georgetown: Take US 17 south through Georgetown, then take US 521 to SC 261 to US 378 to Columbia.

Under certain conditions, an alternate route from Georgetown will be Black River Road to US 701 to SC 51 to SC 41 to US 378 at Kingsburg.

Charleston Area:

Edisto Island, Adams Run: Evacuees will take SC 174 to US 17.They will then take US 17 south to SC 64. This will take them to Walterboro, and then to Aiken and I-20.

Yonges Island, Meggett, Hollywood, Ravenel: Use SC 165 to US 17, then US 17 south to SC 64.

Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook: Evacuees will use SC 700 to Road S-20 (Bohicket Road) to US 17. Evacuees will take US 17 south to SC 64 where they will go to Walterboro, then to Aiken and I-20.

James Island and Folly Beach: Use SC 171 to US 17. Evacuees should then travel south on US 17 to I-526 to the reversed lanes of I-26.

City of Charleston:

The west side of the city (West Ashley) will use SC 61 to US 78, US 321, SC 389 to I-20. Downtown will use normal lanes of I-26.

North Charleston: Evacuees will take US 52 (Rivers Avenue) to US 78 to US 178 to Orangeburg then to I-20 or continue on US 52 to US 176 or continue north on US 52. The right lane of US 52 at Goose Creek will continue on to Moncks Corner. In Moncks Corner, it will be directed onto SC 6, where SC 6 will take evacuees toward Columbia. The left lane of US 52 at Goose Creek will go onto US 176 to Columbia. Evacuees using SC 642 will travel west toward Summerville and take road S-22 (Old Orangeburg Road) to US 78 west.

Hilton Head Island:

Hilton Head Island and Beaufort Areas: Hilton Head Island evacuees will use both the William Hilton Parkway (US 278 Business) and the Cross Island Parkway toll facility (US 278). As these two roads merge, a third lane will be formed by reversing flow on the inside eastbound lane of US 278. This lane will carry the traffic from the toll facility.

Lane assignments will be as follows:

1. The right lane in US 278 westbound will exit at SC 170, proceed to SC 462, then be directed to I-95 northbound at I-95 exit 28.

2. The left lane on US 278 westbound will be directed to I-95 northbound at

I-95 exit 8.

3. The reversed lane on US 278 westbound will continue on US 278 to

Hampton and eventually to North Augusta. Should a third lane not be necessary, then both lanes on US 278 will be routed to I-95 with the right lane to I-95 north, and the left lane continuing on US 278.

Beaufort:

Two Lane Evacuation: Evacuees will use the two present northbound lanes on US 21 to US 17. Upon reaching US 17, the right lane will be directed to US 17 north to SC 303 to Walterboro. The left lane will be directed to US 17 South, then to US 17 Alt/US 21 to Yemassee and then ultimately to North Augusta.

Three/Four Lane Evacuation: Under certain conditions, a third northbound lane will be formed by reversing flow on the inside southbound lane of US 21 at SC 280. This lane will carry traffic from SC 280. This reversed lane will be directed to US 17 southbound and eventually I-95 northbound at Exit 33 (Point South). The remaining two lanes will be used as described above for the two lane evacuation. Should all four lanes be used for evacuation, lane assignments will follow the three lane plan with both reversed lanes merging into one lane on US 21 prior to going southbound on US 17.

New Eco-Tours & Twilight Adult-Oriented BYOB Cruises with Live Music

2011-08-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

Fernandina Beach, FL - August 18, 2011 - Amelia River Cruises has expanded its daily tour schedule to include new Eco-Tours and adult-oriented BYOB Twilight/Sunset Cruises. Our three-hour Eco-Tour is led by a marine biologist and features dragging an authentic Otter Trawl or shrimp net, allowing passengers to view the catch and learn of what is found before the catch is released back into the wild. Our Twilight BYOB cruise offers a relaxing way to end the day while enjoying your beverage of choice, along with live, local entertainment against the backdrop of northeast Florida's rustically beautiful landscape and spectacular sunsets.

Our Eco-Tours run Monday through Friday throughout summer from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., respectively - from Labor Day through Thanksgiving. Eco-Tours then resume in spring 2012. Our Twilight Cruise will run seven nights a week through Labor Day, and on Friday and Saturday evenings from Labor Day through Thanksgiving. Twilight Cruises also resume in spring 2012.

Eco-Tours are $25 per person plus sales tax for adults; $15 per person plus sales tax for children ages 12 and under. Twilight Cruises are $29 per person plus sales tax and include two drink specials that can be redeemed at local Fernandina bars with presentation of your Amelia River Cruises ticket the night of your cruise. Food and beverage are allowed aboard both new cruises and people-friendly pets are also welcome.

For more information on either of our new tours, on existing nature and history cruises, Discovery Tours, or to book a private charter, contact Lori Hoerl, Director of Marketing, at 904-321-7372 (cell) or via email at lorbell1@aol.com.

Amelia River Cruises offers daily narrated historic and wildlife sightseeing tours through the waters of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Tours depart from Fernandina Harbor Marina in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach and are available four times daily March through August and three times daily September through February. Additional public tours include seasonal day-long excursions to unique destinations. Amelia River Cruises is also available for private charters based on availability, offering a unique venue for events including weddings, birthday parties, receptions, company outings and fundraisers.

Amelia River Cruise vessels are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and helmed by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains. Two vessels offer 49-passenger capacity and a third can accommodate up to 80 passengers. All vessels are handicap-accessible and pet-friendly with onboard restrooms, shaded canopies and side curtains provided for comfort. Owner, Captain Kevin McCarthy, is a renowned tour narrator, entertaining passengers with his endless accounts of history and nature mixed with colorful tales about local people and personal connections to the area.

For more information about Amelia River Cruises or to book a tour, visit www.ameliarivercruises.com or contact Marketing Director Lori Hoerl at (904) 321-7372 or lorbell1@aol.com.

Tennessee Aquarium Launches “Serve & Protect” A New Sustainable Seafood Program

2011-08-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Chef Alton Brown Collaborates on Long-Term Initiative

Chattanooga, Tenn. (August 15, 2011) – For nearly 20 years the Tennessee Aquarium has been dazzling visitors with huge catfish, colorful trout and myriads of colorful reef fish. As guests explore each exhibit, they discover information about each individual species, their habitats and conservation status. Many people are surprised to learn how many creatures are threatened or endangered.

Some species have been pushed to the limits of survival through commercial fishing. While the Aquarium’s exhibits are vibrant representations of the natural world, the amount of fish in the ocean has diminished rapidly in the past 50 years. “One-third of all fished species have collapsed globally,” said Dr. Anna George, director of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. “That means that these fish are now at least 90 percent below their historic maximum populations. The time to act has come if we want the ocean to remain healthy.”

So the Aquarium is collaborating with celebrity chef Alton Brown to launch, “Serve & Protect,” a new seafood program designed to offer some tasty solutions. "Working as a chef and working on television, I know the number one answer to this problem is education," Brown said. "Americans tend to eat a lot of a very few fish species. And there’s a lot more flavor available out there than just tuna, salmon and grouper."

That’s why Brown is excited to be working on a locally-focused sustainable seafood effort that begins at the Aquarium. Visitors will learn about select species on display and then discover new ways to prepare these seafood offerings at home. Brown is developing recipes specifically for this program and providing information about how to purchase sustainable seafood at local markets. This see it, buy it, cook it and eat it approach may raise some eyebrows at first. "Hopefully this will bring people to the point where they’re not only involved with understanding the fish, their habitats and what is sustainable, but then we’ll start putting food on the plate that hasn’t been there before," Brown said. "It’s about opening doors rather than closing them. Instead of saying, 'You can’t have THAT,' I like to ask, 'Have you tried this?'"

Serve & Protect will officially begin on Thursday, September 22 nd with an evening of fun, fine wine and fabulous sustainable seafood. Guests will enjoy appetizers in the IMAX Great Hall provided by Greenlife Grocery. Next, Brown will host a live cooking demonstration in the IMAX 3D Theater. Then, an elegant seafood dinner, prepared by chefs from some of Chattanooga’s finest restaurants, will be served within the Aquarium. Aquarium experts, chefs and local growers will provide additional insight about the meal.

Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th a Chattanooga "dine around" is planned. Local chefs will put their own special touch on recipes that feature the highlighted species in the inaugural program. Brown believes this opportunity to connect with area restaurants is an important step to sustainability. "I will be working with all of the chefs and wait staffs, because a lot of the selling of sustainable seafood is in the education and narrative," Brown said. "Then we're going to turn it over to these chefs to put their creativity on display and show the real culinary possibilities of these fish."

Brown will wrap up this sustainable seafood school at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, September 25th by hosting the Cast Iron Cook-off. This annual event challenges chefs to purchase ingredients from local farmers at the market and then prepare a dish on site within a specified time. They are provided the protein, which in this case will be a sustainable seafood item. Brown is excited about seeing the results of this fish frenzy in front of the Market crowd.

Beyond the ocean conservation messages, Brown also plans to serve up information highlighting the health benefits of sustainably caught seafood. "Obesity is the number one killer of people in the United States. And I think the answer to that is to eat more seafood." Brown said. "It’s a better source of protein than what Americans are used to.”

To learn more about the Aquarium’s Protect & Serve program, go to: http://tnaqua.org/SustainableSeafood.aspx

Serve & Protect Participating Restaurants:

212 Market

Bluewater Grille

Broad Street Grille

Easy Bistro & Bar

Hennen’s

Porter’s Steakhouse

St. John’s Restaurant

Table 2

Great Fort Lauderdale Deals

2011-08-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

This fall, B Ocean Fort Lauderdale – the first hotel of the new B Hotels & Resorts® brand – is offering new packages that let travelers escape to South Florida’s famed Fort Lauderdale Beach for a rejuvenating retreat. With nightly rates starting at $189* and exciting amenities, these unique getaways provide maximum value for the vacation dollar.

“Overlooking the tranquil blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean , B Ocean Fort Lauderdale is the ideal spot to unwind before the winter chill sets in,” said Veronica Miranda, B Experience Manager at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. “Our mission is to let guests define ‘how’ they want their vacation experience to be and these dynamic fall offers do just that!”

Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Retreat (Promo Code: BEACH)

Travelers seeking one last chance to lock in their tans this Labor Day should look no further than B Ocean Fort Lauderdale’s perfect end-of-summer hurrah, which includes:

·Deluxe accommodations

·‘B Basket’ with lunch and beverages for two from B’stro on the Beach™

·B beach bag

·B Ocean beach ball

·B Ocean flip-flops

·Two B Ocean beach towels

B Social Girlfriend Getaway (Promo Code: GETAWAY)

Gal pals can reunite for the ultimate fun-filled retreat with this special offer, which is available through the end of the year and includes:

·Complimentary upgrade to a Stunning/Captivating Curve Double

·Two sparkling pink sake welcome cocktails in-room upon arrival

·$20 wine card for B’stro on the Beach™

·50% off one 60-minute treatment in the hotel’s new B Indulged™ Spa Suite

·Coupon books for the nearby Galleria Mall

** Some restrictions may apply. Subject to availability. Must be consumed by December 21, 2011.

Florida Resident Getaway (Must provide valid Florida ID upon arrival)

This is the last chance to take advantage of B Ocean’s Florida Resident Rate! B Playful at the beach, B Relaxed lounging poolside or B Indulged™ with a relaxing massage in our spa suite.

·Receive 25% off the best available rate

·Receive 50% off valet parking each day

·Receive one $10 wine card redeemable at B'stro on the Beach™

** Some restrictions may apply. Subject to availability. Must be consumed by September 30, 2011.

For reservations or more information, log onto www.BOCEANFORTLAUDERDALE.COM or call 888-66-BHOTEL.

FOCUS ON LOCAL SEAFOOD FAVORITES AT FLORIDA HOUSE SEPTEMBER EVENT

2011-08-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Florida House Inn has announced its menu for the High Tide Women's Weekend luncheon Saturday September 24 at 12:00PM.

Susannah Sands, the historic inn's talented chef, created a menu that will focus on the abundant seafood that is available locally. The menu will feature Fernandina shrimp and grits, Florida grouper with mango-orange dressing served on chilled greens, spinach soufflé, biscuits and a cold lemon soufflé for dessert.

The luncheon is one of several events being offered during the second annual High Tide Women's Weekend. In collaboration with the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA, the nation's leading voice for National Parks) three special events have been planned. The first, on Friday September 23, will offer a day long boat cruise to Cumberland Island (limited tickets $150). There will be three stops including a lunch and tour of the historic Greyfield Inn. Saturday morning a special tour of the Kingsley Plantation hosted by National Park representatives is being offered.

Saturday's highlight will the luncheon at the Florida House Inn and will feature the NPCA's executive vice-president Theresa Pierno as the keynote speaker. A membership to the NPCA is included in the $40 cost.
High Tide Women's Weekend, scheduled each fall on Amelia Island, is a series of events for and about women.

For more information contact: www.ameliaislandcoastalconnections.com or Dickie Anderson at dickie.anderson@gmail.com .

Eco Trailblazer Greenloons Invited to Join Global Sustainable Tourism Council

2011-08-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Both Organizations Committed to Educating Travelers on Sustainable Tourism

Irene Lane, founder of Greenloons announced that her organization that showcases certified international sustainable travel opportunities for families has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The GSTC is an international initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world. It was founded in partnership by the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, UN Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, Sabre/Travelocity and others. GSTC membership is open to all travel and tourism companies, organizations or individuals interested in sustainable travel.

Lane will contribute time and expertise to both the international standards and market access groups working to help raise certification standards and increasing consumer access to certified ecotourism suppliers worldwide.

As a member, Greenloons will commit to promoting the GSTC to its customers, vendors and peers. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee lasting sustainability.

Information about membership can be found at www.gstcouncil.org.

Greenloons guides families to travel experiences managed by certified third-party suppliers engaged in eco- and sustainable tourism. Lane founded Greenloons in 2010 for the global community of nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists interested in accessing detailed and reliable information about responsible, sustainable and certified ecotourism travel vacations both in the US and abroad.

According to Lane, Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry and over the past ten years has become a billion-dollar-a-year market. The green travel segment is estimated to be growing 5 percent annually worldwide, representing 6 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and reflecting 11.4 percent of all consumer vacation spending.

About Greenloons

Greenloons is a first-of-its-kind online resource aimed at answering the growing need for accredited eco-tours and sustainable holiday travel in the tourism industry. Greenloons.com provides ecotourism education, news, comparable certified ecotour and volunteer conservation program listings, tour reviews and booking services, plus a forum for the community to share its personal vacation stories and tips for establishing ecotourism in any corner of the world.

R&B SINGER NE-YO PURCHASES HOME IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA

2011-08-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the following:

ATLANTA, GA – Music producer and top recording artist, Ne-Yo and his fiancé, who are expecting their second child, are the newest residents of a prominent Alpharetta Golf Community. The couple recently closed on the European-style home listed by Harry Norman, REALTORS Alex McGraw and Annemarie Russo.

“The four finished levels with elevator, exercise room, sauna, gourmet kitchen and a luxurious master suite with spa bath provide plenty of space for this growing family,” stated McGraw.

The home’s 15,000 square-feet were essential to the artist’s plans to add a movie theater, a sound/dance studio and rebuilding a large storage closet to house Ne-Yo's considerable shoes and clothing collection.

“The couple initially chose the home, originally-priced $3.3 million, for its secure and private location, but fell in love with the Pebble Tec pool, waterfall and grotto-style hot tub. With multiple patios and decks, the outdoor living area was made for entertaining,” said Russo.

McGraw and Russo, top sales associates with the Harry Norman, Realtors North Fulton office, have successfully completed over $9 million in combined sales year-to-date.

When it’s time to purchase or sell your exceptional home, contact Alex McGraw at alex.mcgraw@harrynorman.com or Annemarie Russo at annemarie.russo@harrynorman.com.

Planeterra and Gap Adventures’ Appeal for East Africa Drought Relief

2011-08-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Adventure Travel Community Response Is Now Helping Fund a 2nd Emergency Water Station Through a Partnership with CARE Canada.

TORONTO, ON, AUGUST 3, 2011 – Planeterra, an international non-profit organization, and leading adventure travel company Gap Adventures, appealed yesterday to the adventure travel community, and in just 6 hours realized their goal of $25,000 to help fund emergency drinking water stations in drought-stricken areas in East Africa. The humanitarian effort, which is managed by international non-profit CARE Canada, is continuing its appeal to the travel and business communities to help fund a second emergency water station in Kenya.

Donors everywhere can contribute directly to the relief effort online through links on Gap Adventures’ web site, Drought Appeal Africa and Planeterra’s web site, East Africa Drought. There is no minimum contribution amount.

“Give whatever is significant to you,” said Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures. “If 5,000 people donate just $5 each, we can reach our goal; but if you can afford more, every cent will be used towards this important cause, and the Canadian International Development Agency will match donations made by Canadians.

The severe drought in East Africa has created the region’s worst humanitarian crisis in a generation, with over 11 million people in need of assistance. Lack of water has spurred a mass migration of people from Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya. Many of the refugees are headed for the Daadab Refugee camps — the largest refugee settlement in the world – where aid agencies are providing water, food, shelter and medical care.

“Gap Adventures and its traveler’s response has been overwhelming,” said Planeterra Director Megan Epler Wood. “Representatives at CARE Canada indicated that they have never seen anything like this!” Sixty-five percent of donations received have come from Canadian residents, with 27% of donations from people based in the U.S. Travelers from Gap Adventures’ global community in over 100 countries are also contributing.

In his personal message to the adventure travel community at 3:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 2 Poon Tip stated that these water stations provide refugees the water they need to complete their journey to safety.

“Sadly, thousands of people are dying of dehydration within days of reaching the camp,” he said. “In this case, hope is measured by the litre.”

As of 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 3, the CARE Canada web site showed that Planeterra/Gap Adventures relief effort has generated more than $35,000 in contributions.

Planeterra recently announced that it had established four social and environmental responsibility funds, including its Emergency Preparedness & Response, which is designed for emergency response to climate related and natural disasters in travel destinations where travelers and travel partners can donate effectively to help the area recover.

Donations exceeding these goals will be allocated to Planeterra’s Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund, and distributed according to urgent needs and in ways that will help prevent the need for emergency aid in future.

Contributions for this emergency relief effort have also come from people in dozens of countries around the world, including: Australia, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and Taiwan.

‘PLEASE DO TOUCH’: FAMILIES ARE GOING INTER-ACTIVE ALL OVER CONNECTICUT THIS SUMMER

2011-08-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

Museums, Aquarium Adventures and Journeys through History

HARTFORD, August 2, 2011 - For the thousands of parents who grew up in the time of “Don’t touch the exhibits,” Connecticut has a message: “Bring the kids and touch all you want; get involved, have fun!”All over the state there are museums where the goal is interactive fun and learning. After all, what child wants to stand and stare at something too tempting, too overwhelmingly exciting or interesting to resist getting into it with both hands and feet. And, that’s not just museums. Connecticut has some of the country’s finest and most famous aquariums, where interactive play is encouraged. There is no better way to spend a summer getaway.

PLEASE TOUCH

Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea, in Mystic, is the nation's leading maritime museum and one of the most interactive attractions possible. Offering a total immersion experience in the 19th century, the museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels and 500 historic ships, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. Mystic Seaport also features a working preservation shipyard, a re-created 19th century seafaring village, a children’s activities center, other fun exhibits and a planetarium. Additionally, visitors can get out on the water and explore the historic Mystic River from April through October. (860) 572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org

The Mystic Aquarium is indisputably one of the most important, educational and fun in America, and perhaps the world. The “National Geographic Crittercam: The World Through Animal Eyes” is a 6,000-square foot exhibition featuring video shot around the world by animals (equipped with cameras) – penguins, turtles, alligators, sharks, bears, sea lions and whales – and even enables visitors to design their own Crittercams using “Build-a-Cam.” Youngsters can touch a Crittercam model, examine how the process of attaching the camera works – with harnesses, adhesive patches, suction cups, straps and collars – and try their hand at Crittercam puzzles. The aquarium also offers shark encounters, opportunities to feed sting rays and even feed hundreds of colorful cockatiels, parakeets and rosellas, all native to Australia (860) 572-5955; www.mysticquarium.org.

To really “sea everything” purchase a Mystic Pass Card for admission to both Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium. The pass includes a fountain drink at the Penguin Café at Mystic Aquarium, one free aluminum water bottle, a free planetarium show at Mystic Seaport and discounts throughout the Mystic area. To purchase a Mystic Pass Card, visit, www.mystic.org

For a taste of another history, a pre-historic caribou hunt, adventures in a glacial crevasse, and a 16th century Indian village are among the highlights of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. History comes alive with life-size exhibits, dramatic films, multi-sensory dioramas, and six touch-screen computer programs that showcase the exploits and trials of the first people of the Americas who, more than 10,000 years ago, used the resources of the land and waters to survive in a forbidding climate. The Museum is located on Mashantucket, the tribal reservation a short shuttle ride from Foxwoods Resort Casino and not much farther to Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. (800) 411-9671; www.pequotmuseum.org

At the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport there are always cool things to do in summer for the entire family. And, just because school's out, there is no reason to stop learning. Children can sign up for week-long, exciting, hands on programs throughout the summer. This little gem of a museum educates, excites, and engages its visitors in the exploration of science, technology, and imagination through fun, interactive experiences. Adventures include see-hear-and-touch physical science exhibits, a Space Gallery with an Apollo 11 space suit replica and a Challenger Space Center for missions and special programs, and a MoonBase Discovery play and activity area. (203) 372-3521; www.discoverymuseum.org

There’s also lots to do at the New England Air Museum as well. Not only is the museum very hands-on and enjoyed by the whole family but they have a new traveling exhibit coming in August…Flight Sim Zone – a flight simulator experience giving visitors an opportunity to gain a pilot’s eye view and discover how airplanes move in three dimensions using cockpit controls. It is also the largest aviation museum in New England. (860) 623-3305; www.neam.org

Other interactive museums for children include the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. Their popular Discovery Room’s most important rule is “please do touch” and it is visited by more than 60,000 people a year. Full of touchable specimens and hands-on activities, the Discovery Room also houses interesting live animals from both around the world and right in your own backyard — endangered poison dart frogs from South America, giant hissing cockroaches from Madagascar, tropical leaf-cutter ants from Trinidad, a bearded dragon from Australia, and harmless eastern milk and rat snakes from New England. (203) 432-5050; http://peabody.yale.edu/

For adventures into healthy living, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk is an award-winning and LEED certified children’s museum where kids ten and under can explore a variety of exhibits and activities that inspire an understanding of the world around them. Visitors can discover the wonders of tropical rain forests, learn about the water cycle, explore the science of bubbles, and take a trip to “Healthyville,” a fun, vibrant community home to fictional residents committed to living healthy, active lifestyles. Here’s an insider tip, text "Inspire" to 88500 to join the Stepping Stones Insiders Club. Insiders receive special discounts, are eligible to win great prizes, and get early notification of museum events, programs and information. It is free to join. (203) 899-0606; www.steppingstonesmuseum.org

DIVE IN!

Another Connecticut aquarium, the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, is also putting the emphasis on interactive this summer. Until September 6, kids may take part in “Dinosaur Summer” and learn what it was like to grow up as a dinosaur. The robotic exhibit lets visitors imagine how fast dinosaurs grew, what they ate and how they were protected from danger. The dinosaurs roar, blink their eyes, and one is even a “cut-away” display enabling children to see and even control how its body worked.(203) 852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org

For an interactive dive into a different kind of science, families will “weather” everything at the Connecticut Science Center, a LEED certified facilityin Hartford this summer with the popular “Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters” exhibit. This is an up-close, in-depth exploration of all the types of natural disasters caused by the earth’s weather and why they happen. Visitors will also enjoy getting a real taste of skiing on the museum’s Ski Simulator and the younger guests have the opportunity to explore and discover the world around them in Kids/Space. This summer, visitors can purchase a joint ticket for general admission to both the Connecticut Science Center and to Mystic Aquarium for one low price and save big at the same time. Tickets on sale now through August 31, 2011 and visitors have until December 31, 2011 to explore each location. (860) 724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org.

To plan a Connecticut Getaway, please visit www.CTVisit.com.

For complete information about Connecticut’s Travel Deals, One Tank Getaways, special events and other things to do and places to stay, please call 1-888-CTvisit (1-888-288-4748) or log on at www.CTvisit.com. Connecticut offers visitors a multi-faceted wealth of attractions, historical, cultural and recreational activities, diverse and beautiful natural landscapes, parks, beaches and wilderness sure to fulfill any getaway need.

DISTINCTLY ARUBA: EXPERIENCE WHY ARUBA IS KNOWN AS THE ONE HAPPY ISLAND

2011-08-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, NY (August 2, 2011) – Aruba is known by most for its white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and year-round 82 degree weather, but the island is also full of unique offerings waiting to be experienced by travelers of all types. From natural wonders dating back to the early 15th century to freshly brewed beer and a cuisine that would make anyone’s mouth water, Aruba delivers a truly distinctive vacation experience.

Pick up a light bite as the day begins at a food stand along the main roads and try a pastechi, the ubiquitous national snack, a deep-fried half-moon pastry with a savory filling (chicken, beef, cheese or ham) to provide energy for a hike through Arikok National Park. The park, which takes up about one fifth of the island, encompasses the three primary geological formations that shape Aruba: the Aruba lava formation, a quartz diorite formation and a limestone formation. While trekking through the park, keep your eyes peeled for animal life found only in Aruba including two snake species: the cascabel (Aruba’s rattlesnake) and the santanero (Aruba cat-eyed snake); two bird species: the shoco (Aruban burrowing owl) and the prikichi, (Aruban parakeet) and the kododo blauw (Aruban whiptail lizard).

Also located in Arikok National Park are the Guadirikiri and Fontein Caves, where you can get a glimpse into Aruba’s past through cave paintings from the Arawak Indians, which date back to the 1400s.

To cool off after your morning hike, dive into the clear waters off Aruba and explore the Antilla Wreck located on the North West coast of Malmok Beach. This famous wreck of a World War II German freighter is one of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean.

After building up an appetite on your hike and dive, dig into Aruba’s traditional dish, Keshi Yena, which is made by stuffing the shell of a hollowed Edam or Gouda reel with spiced meat, raisins, olives, nuts, etc and then baked in the oven or steamed in the top of a double boiler. Thirsty? Wash it all down with Aruba’s national Balashi Beer or perhaps the brand’s new, lighter Balashi Chill for an authentic taste of the island. Those looking for something stronger can try the famed Aruba Ariba cocktail, made with vodka, 151 proof rum, creme de banana, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and coecoei, a centuries old Aruban liquor first made by the island's Indian tribes.

End the day by heading to one of Aruba’s beautiful beaches and watch the sunset under the island’s trademark Divi Divi tree (watapana tree), which acts as a natural compass because it always points south-west due to the constant trade winds blowing from the north-east. After the sun goes down, don’t forget to use some locally made Aruba Aloe to soothe that sunburn!

Travelers looking for that authentic Aruba experience can take advantage of the following hotel packages through December:

o Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts’ “Experience Aruba Green Vacation” package is perfect for adults looking for the true Aruba experience and only wanting to see native wildlife, indigenous plant-life and Indian artifacts. The package includes hotel accommodations with a balcony or terrace, full American Breakfast daily, an authentic three-course Aruban dinner for two prepared by local chefs, a tour of the Aruba Aloe Factory, and a guided hike through Arikok National Park with a native ranger. Rates start at $2,164 per couple for an 8 day, 7 night trip. For more information please visit Experience Aruba Green Packageor call 888-4-BUCUTI.

o The “Sail into Luxury Package” at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino can save couples up to $1,000 on a four-night stay. The package includes a 25% discount on leisure rates at the adults-only Tradewinds Club, a Catamaran sail for two, five gourmet food and beverage servings daily, access to Tradewinds Club Lounge and reserved beach area, plus daily open bar from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Rates start at $393/night and are available through December 20, 2011. To book, call (800) 223-6388 or visit www.arubamarriott.com and request promo code L9Z.

o The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba has introduced its new Modified All-Inclusive package. Rates start at $399 per room, per night (based on double occupancy). The deal consists of overnight accommodations including taxes and gratuities, daily breakfast for two in Bon Bini Restaurant, daily lunch for two in The Terrace Restaurant, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and non-motorized water activities at the resort. For more information or to book the Modified All-Inclusive package at The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba, call 1-877-822-2222 or visit www.westinaruba.com and reference rate code MODAI.

For more information on Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1-800-TO-ARUBA.

About Aruba
Aruba, One happy island, is truly an extraordinary experience. Located only two-and-a-half hours by air from Miami and four hours from New York City, the island is ideally situated in the southern Caribbean and boasts year-round cooling trade winds and perfect weather with average annual temperatures of 82 Fahrenheit and less than 20 inches of rainfall per year. Aruba serves up 28 luxurious hotels/resorts, championship golf courses, sumptuous spas, vibrant casinos, extraordinary international and local cuisine, exclusive shops and boutiques, exciting land and water activities, art galleries and museums, world-famous festivals and events, clubs and cafes with live music and world class beaches. The backdrop of a cosmopolitan tropical destination with warm, hospitable people is the perfect place for first-time guests and loyal visitors. For more information, please call 1-800-TO-ARUBA, visit us online at www.aruba.com or find us on Facebook.

PERFECT PUMPKIN PANCAKE TIPS FROM IHOP

2011-08-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

GLENDALE, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2011) – As Americans begin to light their fireplaces and warm up to the wonderful aromas of the fall harvest, IHOP restaurants will again salute the season by serving an annual favorite, pumpkin pancakes. Although the family-friendly restaurant chain does not divulge its original recipe, IHOP is sharing tips to enjoy pumpkin pancakes at home this season:

•The batter – Start with your favorite pancake batter recipe and simply add canned pumpkin pie mix.

·Water temperature – When preparing dry pancake mix, it is essential that the water is chilled to less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Use ice to bring the temperature of the water down.

·Lumps are good – Do not over mix the pancake batter. Small lumps of flour are what make pancakes tall and fluffy.

·Grill temperature – Use a 350-degree grill and make sure there are no hot or cold spots that can affect cooking time.

•Cook time– The appearance is how you judge when a pancake is ready. When dropping the pancake batter, watch for bubbles to form and for the batter to have a dull appearance. This takes approximately 2.5 minutes. After flipping, cook approximately 2 minutes.

For those who want someone else to do the cooking, pumpkin pancakes, topped with creamy whipped topping, will be available at participating IHOP locations throughout October in stacks of four, or two if part of a combo meal, which includes eggs any style and golden hash browns.

Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat Buttermilk Pancakes are also available a la carte or in a combo October 3-31, starting at $4.99 and served three at a time until guests are satisfied. In observance of Halloween, IHOP’s famous Funny Face Pancake will turn Scary with Count Spatula, the Scary Face Pancake for kids 12 and under. The Scary Face Pancake is an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, and two mini OREO® cookies and candy corn on the side to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcakes.

Savor the Taste of the Season this October

GOODELL TO CONDUCT WEDNESDAY FAN FORUM AT PANTHERS WOFFORD COLLEGE TRAINING CAMP

2011-08-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

SPARTANBURG, SC--- The Carolina Panthers Training Camp at Wofford College will be the site of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s first 2011 Training Camp visit Wednesday, August 3 when he participates in a Fan Forum prior to the team’s 6:00 practice.

The forum will take place on the bank overlooking the lighted practice field at Wofford at approximately 5:15 Wednesday and fans are invited to participate.

It will be Goodell’s first visit to Spartanburg since he became Commissioner and comes following the successful negotiation of an unprecedented 10-year Collective Bargaining Agreement for the League and its players.

The Commissioner will arrive in Spartanburg Wednesday afternoon and attend practice after the forum. Goodell has conducted numerous forums since becoming Commissioner, but Wednesday will be his first since ratification of the CBA by both the owners and players.

During the negotiations, Goodell worked closely with Carolina Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson, who served as co-chair of the League’s 10-owner executive committee. The CBA allows the NFL to maintain competitive balance while providing economic support to past players and focusing on the health and safety of our current players.

Wofford College is the alma mater of Richardson and has been the home of the Panthers training camp since the team’s inaugural season in 1995.

Travel Through Time on Augusta’s Historic Trolley Tour

2011-07-30T06:15:00.000-07:00

Augusta, GA Introduces Its Newest Tourist Attraction

Known worldwide for the Masters® and the coveted green jacket, Augusta, Ga. also boasts a rich past that tells the story of Southern history and progression. Now a new attraction – The Historic Trolley Tour - offers natives and visitors alike the chance to travel back in time to further explore the second-oldest and second-largest city in Georgia.

The tour begins with the Augusta Museum of History. There guests can explore the many fascinating exhibits featured at the museum, such as a restored 1917 steam locomotive, an exhibit dedicated to Mr. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, and six life- size bronze statutes of some of golf’s greatest players.

Following the Museum of History, visitors will board the Lady Liberty trolley and explore Augusta’s Historic Downtown. The tour takes riders by some of Augusta’s most famous homes, including the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson. Learn about the bones in the basement of the Medical College of Georgia, see the Augusta Canal and hear the legend of the famous Haunted Pillar.

The tours are available to the public. Trolleys can also be reserved for a tour that is customized to guests’ interests, ensuring people get the most out of their time travel through Augusta’s history, making it perfect for groups, getaways or family reunions.

The Historic Trolley Tour takes place each Saturday from 1:30 – 3:15 p.m., and departs from the Augusta Visitor Center. Tickets are $12 per person, which includes admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Twenty-four hour advanced reservations are required. Call 706-724-4067, or visit www.augustaga.org for more information.

NEED A QUICK SUMMER GETAWAY?

2011-07-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Rosemary Beach invites you to spend a few more days at the beach this summer! Stay just 4 nights in a Cottage, Loft or Flat instead of the usual required 7-night minimum.

Take advantage of this special offer while the weather is still warm... properties are limited, so call us today to reserve your mini-vacation!

Call us at 855-636-9489 or visit rosemarybeach.com to book your vacation!

Don't forget, every stay at Rosemary Beach includes:

Passport to Paradise (over $750 in savings)
Complimentary Fitness Club Access

Complimentary Tennis
Mid-week Cleanings
FREE DVD Rentals
*Offer does not apply towards existing reservations; properties subject to availability; valid only on select properties.

EAT. DRINK. BE ROSEMARY.

Please join us again this year as we host the Rosemary Beach Uncorked wine event and offer exclusive lodging specials:

Stay 2 nights, get the 3rd night FREE
Stay 3 nights, get a pair of FREE tickets!
Enjoy the autumn weather in Rosemary Beach and the chance to learn about wine from a culinary aspect. Different vendors will demonstrate the beauty of pairing wines with various cuisines while you taste and toast!

Guests of the Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company attending the Uncorked wine event will receive the following:

Complimentary "Uncorked" wine glass and wine pouch, official event souvenir
Complimentary access to exclusive wine pairing demonstrations at participating Rosemary Beach restaurants
Complimentary access to our fitness and tennis facilities
Complimentary access to our exclusive 24 hour DVD rental
Call one of our vacation planners at 855-749-9719 or email us at rentals@rosemarybeach.com to book your Rosemary Beach Uncorked 2011 vacation!

For the most recent event updates, 'like' Rosemary Beach Uncorked on Facebook.

2011-07-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine posted on Facebook, “Lovin’ the cool weather” in mid-July in an above-average hot summer in Hotlanta. It was no joke. We received the respite that I was wishing for only days earlier. The cool-down greeted the metro area after a quiet downpour on a Thursday night leading into a Friday morning. The pleasantness hit me when I was done with work on Friday afternoon. The breeze was like something that we typically experience in October. I always tell my daughter, “Embrace the moment when it’s here.” I know that it doesn’t sink in now as she listens to the modern pop music on her Droid phone which seems to do everything but make quality calls. But, perhaps my fatherly philosophical speeches will one day sink in when she finds out that time fights us. I know this because I have a good memory and from that, I know that she’s much like me in so many ways.

Over 30 years ago, I recall the endless summers of adolescence when I was too old for camps and too young to work. I remember on those rare hotter days on Ohio’s north coast seeking refuge in my best friend’s house gulping huge portions of “pop” from those gargantuan two liter plastic Pepsi bottles while drawing up plans for our next Super 8mm film or simply hashing through The Cleveland Press. But, we would be frolicking outside the next day – or the day after. We were the type of adolescents of a lost generation who were free of adult interference. No one needed a permission slip to go outside in those days.

Very few summers in the northern portion of Ohio have scores of days where it is like the Atlanta metro area. The summer of 1988 is the only one I recall where it rarely rained and the heat and humidity was miserable. I did an internship at the then-CBS affiliate where I would arrive at the station at 3 a.m. I’ll never forget the local Savings and Loan’s outdoor light bulb clock reading 82 degree F in the middle of the night. I had an air conditioning unit in my bedroom window which pushed that moist synthetic air towards me where I would fall into a deep afternoon slumber after working on such an odd shift.

Most northern Ohio summers typically have these breezy July days which I fondly recall through my youth and adolescence. I visit once a year and it’s a crapshoot as to what weather I get to experience: heat, rain or that comfortable cool breeze.

I compare our brief cool-down to a weather version of that Robert De Niro film, Awakenings. In the 1990 film, patients were awakened after being in a catatonic state for years not knowing how to deal with their new reality. Our weather respite was miraculous and embraced. It was an endless set of possibilities as to what to do outside without sweltering. Nevertheless, the quick cool-down was fleeting as the doldrums of reality set in after so much hope. Onward we go through summer. Yes, it’s the South and yes, we have to expect it to be hot, but can’t we dream?

Experience The Big Creek Greenway Trail

2011-07-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

I was there about six years ago and my memory was being challenged. I don’t remember it being long, winding, hilly, shady and well-maintained. Welcome to Alpharetta’s Big Creek Greenway. This 8-plus-mile paved trail that peacefully co-exists with Alpharetta’s Big Creek is a great little exercise respite in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

During the hot summer months, I recommend driving over to the trail on a weekday morning. You can breathe somewhat in the morning and the crowds are not there. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of walkers, joggers and rollerbladers, but they’re fewer in numbers and easy to get around.

For me, going downhill on the Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway gives me resistance and going uphill, gives me a good push. The cool breeze from that push is complimented by the awesome scenery on this well-preserved trail that wends its way through the lazy pines. No sound emanates from the still creek, but the American Robins, Blue Jays, Bluebirds and Cardinals fill the auditory landscape.

I like to park at the Haynes Bridge Road parking lot and head towards the end at Webb Bridge Road. The route takes riders through Kimball Bridge Road, Old Milton Parkway and onto the Ed Isakson Alpharetta YMCA. Once riders hook up to the section of the trail behind the Y, the shade is even more intense. A mountain bike trail is off to the side before reaching Webb Bridge Road.

Somehow heading back to Haynes Bridge seemed quicker than going towards Webb Bridge Road. When I got to my originating point, I passed it and headed towards North Point Parkway. The day was growing hotter, so I headed back to the car which was thankfully in the shade.
The Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway is an awesome, well-marked trail that’s great for outdoor recreation any time of year.

For a map of the trail, visit here.

Post-Fourth of July thoughts

2011-07-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

"There’s a lot of tension this morning," the TV reporter announced on the recent Fourth of July morning.

Where was the tension? It wasn’t on the New York Stock Exchange’s floor. The markets were closed for the day. In fact, very few things were open for business on the country’s 235th birthday.

No, the reporter was talking about the tension at Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest on New York’s Coney Island. Apparently, every Fourth of July, competitors gather to stuff their faces with these so-called famous hot dogs within minutes. I still wonder where the infamous hot dogs reside. Just trying to imagine human beings attempting to swallow these things made me want to regurgitate my breakfast. The reporter was bantering with the anchors about a man named Joey Chestnut who seems to be a "the-guy-to-beat" at this contest. Last year was a bit of an off year for Chestnut: he downed only 54 hot dogs, but still walked away with the Mustard Belt due to a lack of competition. Yep, I can just feel my Grape Nuts ready to come back up as I write this entry.

I cannot understand why abusing one’s body is synonymous with a national holiday, but to quote the world-famous composer and one-time New Yorker, John Lennon, "Whatever gets you through the night." In this case, I would say, "Whatever gets you through the day" – which might be some Alka-Seltzer and Pepto Bismol for the hot dog eating contestants.

The contest is obviously big business for the hot dog giant, but why do we need another contest where something unhealthy is consumed in massive quantities? I’m sure there are competitions for something a bit healthier and I’m not talking about a tofu pup contest. I once witnessed my daughter in a watermelon-eating contest in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. I liked that one, but where’s the Chiquita Banana-Eating Contest? Or the Dole Pineapple Consumption Competition? Perhaps those contests do exist, but they don’t get the attention that Nathan’s contest receives.

It was a bit saner around these parts. I enjoyed nearby Norcross’ fireworks. Each year the throngs enjoy the patriotic atmosphere filled with great music, food, fireworks and of course, interesting booths set up on the streets. The crowd seemed a bit thinner this year since we had a four-day weekend which inspires folks to get out of town.

We metro Atlantans get a little cabin fever at this point in the summer by staying indoors to beat the heat. The fireworks display and several other outdoor evening events are a great way to re-connect with friends and neighbors. I ran into some really nice folks who I didn’t expect to see there. I love a good surprise.

As far as holidays go, the Fourth of July is it until Labor Day and I’m grateful because the stores don’t have a promotional push for that day. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter quickly sneak up on us. The mattress stores somehow claimed President’s Day. But, there’s lonely Labor Day which is duly noted with picnics, but it really doesn’t have its own celebratory angle. Perhaps there could be a Trader Joe’s Kiwi Fruit-Eating Contest on that September day?

Calendar listings for the Augusta, GA area

2011-07-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

Calendar Listings:

The 26th Annual Augusta Southern Nationals Drag Boat Races will be held in Augusta, Ga., Savannah River from Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17, 2011
Advanced series tickets for the weekend are only $22 in advance and $30 at the gate. Visit Augusta Southern Nationals Web site.

Hundreds of boats will speed down the Savannah River during an action-packed weekend to remember this summer in Augusta, Ga. The Augusta Southern Nationals Drag Boat Races will be July 15-17 and will feature more than 100 racing teams from 25 states that will compete for prizes. Watch as they aim to beat the record over 250 MPH in the “World's Richest Drag Boat Race.” To join the action, advanced series tickets for the weekend are $22 and $30 at the door. For more information, visit Augusta Southern Nationals. Tickets may also be ordered online at tixonline.

Enchanted Expeditions Announces Culinary Tours of Ecuador

2011-06-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

Programs to Also Examine the Debate Surrounding the “Ethanol Effect” –
The Clearing of Tropical Forests Stimulated by the High Price of Corn

QUITO, ECUADOR, June 28, 2011 – Enchanted Expeditions, a leader in Ecuadorian travel http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/, announces a new program of culinary tours of Ecuador that will engage guests with a diversity of cuisines and at the same time encourage thinking about such world issues as the burning of tropical rainforests due to the “ethanol effect” caused by the high world market price for corn.

“This tour provides opportunities to engage with local ethnic groups while observing their traditional cooking styles. We’ll witness meal preparations and sample centuries-old culinary traditions,” said Judy Carvalhal, the founder of Enchanted Expeditions. Guests will also witness major issues facing local farmers in Ecuador and elsewhere in Latin America.

She noted that the butterfly effect of the commodities market (think corn) reverberates to the farmers of Ecuador where in the past it was cheaper for countries like Ecuador to import corn from the US. But after the US Congress passed a mandate on alternative fuels in 2005, farmers in the US have begun to plant more corn for ethanol than for food. This reduction in food supply has caused the price of corn to go up. Poor countries like Ecuador faced food shortages. This has prompted farmers in Ecuador to burn tropical forests for new acreage in which to plant corn. The worldwide destruction of tropical forests now accounts for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

Offered on an independent, open-scheduled basis, gastronomic tours through Ecuador are 9 day / 8 night programs with an optional Galapagos extension. Rates begin at $1,718 per person double occupancy for two people and dip to $902 per person for nine to 15 guests. Included are breakfasts, lunches, accommodations, an English speaking guide, private transportation, entrance fees, the domestic flight from Cuenca to Guayaquil and more. See: Echanted Expeditions.com

The journey begins with historic city and market tours of Quito. In Imbabura province guests sample bizcochos con queso de hoja (biscuits and cheese rolls) in Cayambe, are introduced to the role of the guinea pig in dining history and visit a cheese factory.

Agricultural enterprises are explored between the Ecuadorian highlands and the coastal area to San Lorenzo. A visit to Pedernales embraces a traditional cebiche manabita (need English for this please) before a stop at the fishing village of Puerto Lopez where breakfast will include bolones de verde (plantain dumplings). On another day after a typical Guayaquilanian lunch the tour moves into the southern highlands to Cuenca, Ecuador's most beautiful historical city, for tours of the famous Gualaceo food market.

(For a video detailing the issues surrounding the “ethanol effect” see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0sxhX8XZB0)

About Enchanted Expeditions

Enchanted Expeditions http://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/ (formerly Angermeyer’s Enchanted Expeditions) is in its fourth decade of operating tours in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. Over thirty years ago while travelling around South America, Judy Carvalhal, the founder of Enchanted Expeditions, fell in love with Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, settling thereafter.

Judy first worked as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos, gaining valuable experience in the tourism business, before moving on to operate her own yachts, and then progressed to form her own company, which has helped pioneer the modern tourist industry in the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. Enchanted Expeditions is the exclusive representative of the yachts Beluga and Cachalote I.

"Super 8" really hits home

2011-06-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

When I first heard about a film titled Super 8 was coming to theaters this summer, my eyes and ears perked up. Like thousands of kids across the U.S. in the 1970s and 80s, Super 8 filmmaking was an integral part of my youth and adolescence. I finally got the chance to see the film this past week and it seriously hit home. I felt as if Writer/Director J.J. Abrams, who is around my age, got a peek into my life when I started making home movies in Ohio in 1979.

Abrams pretty much got the entire look right in Super 8 even down to the Kodak Ektachrome film cartridges that my friends and I used in our cameras. I confess that the first camera that the characters in Super 8 used was a brand that I dreamed of owning. Our first cameras were Bell and Howell. A few years later when the Super 8 format was being pushed out of department stores in favor of the newly-crowned VHS video cameras, I begged my dad to purchase a nice Sankyo camera that was able to record sound as well as switch to frame-by-frame filming to produce claymation films.

For those of you who are too young or never owned moving visual recording equipment prior to the video camera, Super 8 mm film was a popular format in the 1970s. In addition to purchasing a camera and film projector, consumers had to buy Kodak cartridges that contained 50 feet of film that translated into 3 minutes and 21 seconds of usage. Starting out in 1979, the cartridges ran from about $6-$9 depending on where we were shopping. Young filmmakers like my friends and I had to conserve on what we had to shoot given the amount of time that was allotted. Most of our shorts were limited to one or two cartridges. As we got older, we delved into longer films – some of which were submitted to contests.

I’m jealous of the equipment that kids have today. Editing, creating special effects, achieving good sound and distribution is far superior to what we had to work with from 1979 through 1987. To get ideas, my friends and I read Super 8 Filmmaker magazine just like the characters in Super 8. One such effect was actually scratching the film to create “laser beam effects” in the sci-fi films.

Just like Abrams, my friends and I were inspired by the director’s producer on Super 8, Steven Spielberg. Anyone who watches our Super 8 films today can see the Spielberg-Lucas inspirations. As we were creating our sci-fi adventures, animated featurettes, action-thrillers and comedy films, we received media attention in newspapers and on TV’s PM Magazine. Sure, we dreamed as kids, but also kept things in perspective. We knew that there were plenty of other kids out there producing Super 8 films perhaps even better than what we produced.

No, my friends and I never ended up like Mr. Abrams, although some of our vocations these days come close, but we all remain proud of our accomplishments at such a young age.

Super 8 reminds me of a mixture of E.T., Close Encounters and Jurassic Park. It’s a great summer family film filled with loads of action, special effects and plenty of surprises.

To view our Super 8 films and much more, go to my YouTube channel and Vimeo channel.

A Cool Mountain Getaway & Hot Fire Cracker Fun!

2011-06-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa July 4th Weekend Specials Starting at $169 per night

Young Harris, GA — Light up your summer with Brasstown Valley Resorts’ Fourth of July Firecracker Getaway. Enjoy July 4th Weekend starting at $169 per night* for a traditional guest room, including a full buffet breakfast for two. In addition, up to two children 12 and under can share their parent’s guestroom for free. Or stay two nights for The Grand Finale Package and get two nights’ accommodations in a traditional guest room, breakfast for two each morning, and a buy one get one half-off on resort services including golf, horseback riding, and select spa services.

The Firecracker and Grand Finale Packages are available June 30th, July 1st, July 3rd, July 4th, and July 5th. In addition, guests staying July 4th will enjoy an All American Fireworks display and an All American 4th of July Picnic at the Sunset Pavilion. The picnic begins at 7 p.m. and is priced at $35 per person (children 5-12 are $20, and children under 12 are free. It features an all you can eat buffet, a pie eating contest, a watermelon seed spitting contest, music and other family fun activities.

Brasstown Valley’s cooler mountain temperatures, beautiful scenery and summer activities provide the perfect backdrop for a great getaway. The Resort offers golf on its championship Denis Griffiths 18-hole mountain course, an Equestrian Center with miles of trails for horseback riding, and the Equani Spa which features a large selection of holistic treatments. In addition there is an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, hiking trails and tennis courts. For kids there is a supervised children’s activity program, as well as family activities and movies.

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is only two hours north of Atlanta on US Highway 76. It is deep in the Appalachian Mountains near the foot of the state’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald. The resort includes 102 lodge-style guestrooms in the main lodge and 32 guestrooms in eight lodge cabins. For more information & reservations visit www.BrasstownValley.com or call 800.201.3205.

*Package Rates do not include a $10.00 per room resort fee & taxes. Subject to availability.

ENJOY THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER IN ROSEMARY BEACH!

2011-06-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the last days of summer in Rosemary Beach! Now offering relaxed 4 night minimums on Lofts, Flats or Carriage Houses through July and August.

Call 877-202-7212 or visit rosemarybeach.com to book your vacation!

Don't forget, every stay at Rosemary Beach includes:

Passport to Paradise (over $750 in savings)
Complimentary Fitness Club Access

Complimentary Tennis
Mid-week Cleanings
FREE DVD Rentals
*Excludes 4th of July; offer does not apply towards existing reservations; properties subject to availability; valid only on select properties; 4-night minimum applies.

BURN FAT NOT FUEL: VIA RAIL BIKE TRAINS RETURN FOR THE SUMMER WITH MORE DEPARTURES, MORE DESTINATIONS

2011-06-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

MONTREAL, (June 21, 2011) - VIA Rail Canada is pleased to announce that as in previous summers, its bike trains are back! With more departures and more destinations to choose from there are thousands of miles of cycling paths waiting to be enjoyed. From Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Quebec City, London, Windsor to Jonquière or Senneterre, VIA's Bike trains make it a simple and worry-free travel experience.

First launched in the summer of 2007, bike racks are now available year-round on select VIA Rail departures. Rack up the bike miles: with increased baggage cars operating over VIA's network including on the popular Ottawa -Toronto route, customers and cyclists can now connect to even more cycling destinations. Additionally, cyclists traveling to Toronto can continue on to Niagara Falls with their bikes using GO Transit services.

"Whether you're a Sunday biker or a professional cyclist, taking your bike on board with VIA Rail allows you to discover all the culture, history and authenticity of these regions from a whole new perspective," said Steve Del Bosco, VIA's Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. "When you take the train and your bike, not only are you helping to reduce our carbon footprint, you can relax and have fun getting there too."

From Quebec's extensive Route Verte (2,671miles), the Greater Niagara Circle Route (86miles), Ottawa's Capital Parkway Network (136 miles) to any of Ontario's Waterfront Trails (559 miles), VIA's Bike Trains provide a multitude of cycling destinations to choose from this summer.

To use the bike trains, customers simply check their bikes in at the counter for a small fee. VIA staff handle the loading of the bikes and hand them back to the customers on the platform at their destination. For a full listing of VIA's Bike Train schedules visit http://www.viarail.ca/bike.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's (www.viarail.ca) mandate is to provide efficient, more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation, in the country's two official languages. Every week VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500 kilometers route network. The demand for VIA services is growing as travelers increasingly turn to train travel as a safe, hassle-free and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports. Follow VIA on Twitter at twitter.com/via_rail. Check out VIA's new Facebook page at facebook.com/viarailcanada.

South Haven Yacht Club Will Host Finish of Prestigious 2012 Queen's Cup

2011-06-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

SOUTH HAVEN, MI - June 16, 2011 – The South Shore Yacht Club of Milwaukee, sponsor of one of yachting’s oldest freshwater offshore races, has accepted the South Haven Yacht Club’s invitation to host the finish of the 2012 Queen’s Cup. This will mark the 74th running of this world-class event – but will be the very first time the race has ended in South Haven. The Queen's Cup is one of the most coveted trophies in sailboat racing, symbolizing the spirit of elite yachtsmen and competition.

Over 200 boats are expected to set sail from Milwaukee, Friday night, June 29, 2012 finishing throughout the day in South Haven, on Saturday, June 30. Participants and spectators will be able to celebrate the finish at one of the most scenic harbors in the Midwest.

“The Queen’s Cup is a terrific way for us to showcase South Haven, a premier Lake Michigan beach town and boater’s paradise,” said Mayor Bob Burr. “We welcome not only the Skippers and crew but sailing fans and family to enjoy our City, our Harbor and our many attractions. We hope they will make a weekend of it.”

The Chair of the South Haven Yacht Club’s Finish Committee, Alan Silverman, has announced that an entire weekend of events is being planned that will keep family and boaters entertained and well fed Friday through Sunday. “Stay tuned for specific event announcements. This will be a party weekend.”

“We are pleased to have South Haven as our finish destination in 2012,” Queen’s Cup Committee chairman Dave Wehnes said. “All can join the excitement of the post-race festivities in South Haven where I expect that the hospitality will be outstanding.” South Haven Yacht Club Commodore, Greg O’Niel, says that he hasn’t seen this much excitement about a sailing event in years. “Everywhere I go, Chicago, Milwaukee, Michigan City, Holland, Muskegon, they are talking about the 2012 Queen”s Cup. Sailors can’t wait to see all that South Haven will have to offer… and I know we will not disappoint them!”

The Queen's Cup race is traditionally held the last Friday evening of June. The Cup itself is one of the oldest known cups in world yachting that is still offered for competition every year. Since the race is held at night, it is always thrilling. After a long night on the water next year, sailors may be surprised to see the finish line anchored by the tall ship Friends Good Will. “Its just one example of how South Haven plans to go all out and welcome boaters and spectators to town,” mentions Mayor Burr.

For more information on the Queen’s Cup, go to www.ssyc.org. For more information on South Haven and the 2012 Queen’s Cup go to www.southhavenyachtclub.com.

The South Haven Yacht Club was established in 1939. The SHYC encourages the sport of boating, promotes the science of seamanship and provides and maintains a clubhouse, restaurant and docks for its members. Junior sailing programs are available all summer and round-the-buoy races every Thursday night. All boaters are welcome.

The South Shore Yacht Club, founded in 1913, has grown to be the largest yacht club in Wisconsin. Members strive for a feeling of family, and take pride in being known as the "Harbor of Hospitality" on the Great Lakes.

Close Call

2011-06-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Why Driving Responsibly is a Two-Way Street
For Teens and Parents

By Stephen Gray Wallace, M.S. Ed.

As high school students pour out of the classroom and into their cars, it’s a good reminder that the summer season almost always proves to be the most dangerous for teen driving.

And the news is not getting any better.

A new study by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Insurance gives parents reason to pause before handing over the keys to their newly released young driver, revealing an alarmingly high number of teens who have had “near misses” while behind the wheel. It also delivers some insight into what may be chief contributors to those events – even if they differ from what most young people think.

According to the study, 68 percent of teens admit to having narrowly avoided a crash. Yet, perhaps not surprisingly, teens are more likely to blame external factors than to point the finger at themselves – even when they are at fault.

Indeed, one in three drivers (34 percent) who say they have had a “near miss” blame another driver, while 21 percent say weather was the primary cause. Yet when asked what they were doing in the car at the time of the incident, teens admitted to an array of distracting or dangerous behaviors: 30 percent were speeding, 21 percent were texting, 20 percent were talking to their passengers, and 17 percent were changing songs on their MP3 player.

Ironically, only 9 percent of teens believed excessive speed was the primary contributor to a close call, while 13 percent said texting while driving was to blame. Another 6 percent passed along responsibility to friends who distracted them.

Close Call Kids

It’s no surprise that our ‘close call kids’ are likely to report they regularly engage in dangerous or distracted driving behaviors:

36 percent say they regularly talk on the cell phone while driving; and
33 percent say they regularly text behind the wheel.

Those numbers are significantly lower for the 32 percent of teen drivers who report never having had a close call.

Reality Gap

Despite these disturbing statistics, 92 percent of teens consider themselves to be safe, cautious drivers.

And few seem to sense the dangers lurking on the roadway once school’s out for summer – despite the fact that young drivers are behind the wheel 44 percent more hours each week in the summer than during the rest of the year or that summer is the most popular time of year for kids to be driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, June, July, and August are the deadliest months for teen motor vehicle fatalities when almost 1,000 teenagers die (994 in 2009).

Short Shelf Life

Close calls cause the majority of teens to change their driving behaviors, but only for a while. In fact, nearly half of them say their renewed commitment to more responsible driving lasted only a month or less. And what improvements in driving habits teens do report are more likely to involve paying better attention to other drivers than to texting or speeding less.

Apparently, it takes a tough lesson - actually getting in a crash – for teen drivers to significantly change their driving behaviors. Nearly 70 percent of teen drivers who have been in a collision say the experience changed their driving habits, with the majority of them (58 percent) saying those improvements are “forever.”

There’s got to be a better way.

A Shared Responsibility

Keeping young drivers safe behind the wheel has never been timelier, and some new help is on the way. The Parent/Teen Driving Contract developed by Liberty Mutual and SADD which can be found at www.libertymutual.com/teendriving is both a conversation starter about safety and a customized agreement that promotes dialogue and saves lives. In short, it helps families create and sustain important driving rules for both sides – because responsibility is, indeed, a two-way street.

This parent-teen dialogue is not a close call.

Stephen Wallace, author of Reality Gap: Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex—What Parents Don’t Know and Teens Aren’t Telling, serves as national chairman and chief executive officer of SADD, Inc. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and has broad experience as a school psychologist and adolescent counselor. For more information about SADD, visit sadd.org and parentteenmatters.org. For more information about Stephen, visit stephengraywallace.com.

Copyright: Summit Communications Management Corporation/Echo Lake Media Group
2011 All Rights Reserved

NEW ‘ONE TANK GETAWAYS’ MAKE CONNECTICUT EVEN ‘CLOSER THAN YOU THINK’ THIS SUMMER

2011-06-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

Easy, Affordable Summer Getaway Itineraries, Special Offers and Discounts Unveiled on New Version of www.CTvisit.com Website

HARTFORD, June 13, 2011 --- More than 30 million Americans are about to discover some amazingly fun ways to enjoy summer – and every one of them is closer than they think. One tank of gas away, in fact - in Connecticut, far away from the congestion, heat and stress of metropolitan city or suburban life, but almost just around the corner.

The Connecticut Commission of Culture & Tourism has just unveiled new “One Tank Getaways” (http://www.ctvisit.com/page/ctonetankgetaways/21) featuring themed getaway and vacation options that singles, couples, families, sports enthusiasts and friends living anywhere from Boston to Philadelphia can access on one tank of gasoline (Prius owners from Washington D.C. probably also qualify).

All “One Tank Getaways” details can be found on Connecticut’s new www.CTvisit.com website, along with more than 180 summer travel deals at hotels and attractions, as well as events and activities in Connecticut now through September. The search engine-optimized site features such visitor-friendly functions as a “Getaway Wizard” tool that instantly plans the perfect getaway when users answer three quick questions; Travel Deals posted daily; a Quick Search that provides recommendations for what to do, where to stay and special events; and even interactive travel maps. A “My Trip” planner saves the visitor’s top choices and plots a driving itinerary.

“This summer, Americans are justifiably concerned about the price of gas and its impact not just on driving, but also on flying somewhere for vacation. So, for the more than 30 million people living in the New York metropolitan area, New England and even much of the Midatlantic, we have a message: the perfect summer vacation in Connecticut is closer than you think,” said Randy Fiveash, tourism director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism.

A summer road trip to Connecticut is all that summer has always been and should always be: waterfront dining and seafood shacks, picnics by mountain streams, country farm stands, sunny beaches with sailboats, shaded mountain bike trails and souvenir shopping. But this is just the beginning; what makes Connecticut a special pleasure are the things found nowhere else. There are the famous tall ships of Mystic Seaport, for example, and the belugas and African penguin chicks at the world-famous Mystic Aquarium. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, offering luxury hotels, dozens of restaurants and non-stop, world-class entertainment, are among the country’s largest casino resorts destination.

In Hartford, Connecticut’s appealingly small and historic capital, One Tankers can take in Mark Twain’s and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s homes or touring Broadway shows at the Bushnell. Not far away, original musicals and revivals are a popular summer treat at the Goodspeed Opera House. And, for wine, beer, ice cream or antique aficionados, the state has guided “trails” leading visitors across the region to the best examples of each. These samples barely skim the surface of summer possibilities in Connecticut but they, like hundreds of others, are featured in One Tank Getaways such as the ones below:

Splish Splash Getaway Type: Family Fun
Roundtrip Mileage from NYC 224, Boston 252:

Young children favor Quassy Amusement Park with two dozen rides and attractions, including an interactive waterplay area (Saturation Station), the Big Flush Watercoaster, the Grand Carousel, and a white sand beach.
School-age children and teens like Lake Compounce in Bristol. The 320-acre park features the only coaster built into the side of a mountain, Thunder N, and a ride-packed water park and new Rev-o-lution.
Kids of all ages New London’s Ocean Beach Park. Fans love the half-mile-long “sugar sand” beach, boardwalk, small carousel, 18-hole mini-golf course, 50-meter Olympic-size pool, picnic areas and onsite restaurants.

Island Hopping Getaway type: Active Adventures
RoundtripMileage from NYC 193, Boston 291:

Head to the Thimble Islands for a kayak trip. Named for the thimbleberry (related to the black raspberry), the Thimbles are an archipelago of small islands near the harbor of Stony Creek, part of Branford.
To get your bearings, take a 45-minute narrated cruise around the Thimbles on the Sea Mist. On the trip, you’ll learn Adrien Block was the first European to discover the islands (in 1614), and legend has it that Captain Kidd buried his treasure here.

Hit the Getaway Jackpot
Getaway Type: Rest & Relaxation
Roundtrip Mileage from NYC 269, Boston 230:

Spend the night at Foxwoods Resort Casino, the world’s largest casino. Enjoy six casinos, the Fox Theatre, gourmet dining, several nightclubs (dance your socks off at The Club), and specialty stores.
Treat yourself to a night at Mohegan Sun’s 34-story luxury hotel. The resort features 300,000-square-feet of gaming space, 40 shops, the Elemis Spa (opt for a couple’s massage in the Strawberry Moon Room), live entertainment, gourmet dining and three nightclubs (including Vegas-style Lucky’s Lounge).

Before you head home, search for bargains at two Connecticut outlet centers. In Clinton, Clinton Crossing includes seventy designer outlets, such as the Ralph Lauren Home Factory Store, Coach, and Barney’s New York Outlet. In Westbrook, the Tanger Outlet Center has 65 stores, including an Old Navy outlet, Timberland outlet and an onsite cinema.

Victorian Wanderings
Getaway Type: History
Roundtrip Mileage from NYC 244, Boston 205:

Begin your Hartford tour at the Mark Twain House and Museum, home to one of Connecticut’s most beloved residents for 17 years (1874-1891). Inside Twain’s painted brick Victorian mansion includes interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Next door, at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, learn about the author who rocked the world with the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin in 1852. This year, the center will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Stowe's birth with a robust calendar of special events and tours of Stowe's home.
The following day, enjoy Sunday brunch and browsing at the Wadsworth Atheneum (1842), the country’s oldest public art museum. During a visit, you’ll learn about founder and arts patron Daniel Wadsworth, and see masterworks by the Hudson River School, Dali, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh.
Around the World, New Haven Style

Getaway Type: Arts & Culture
Roundtrip Mileage from NYC 137, Boston 242:

Yale Center for British Art houses the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom including paintings, drawings, prints, rare books, and sculpture from the Elizabethan period onward.
Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant or Mother’s Homestyle Kitchen (Caribbean) both provide intriguing tastes of international cuisine for an unforgettable meal.

Yale University Art Gallery’s 80,000 objects include paintings by Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, and Picasso. Yale’s Asian collection includes vessels from the Changsha region of Hunan Province and the African collection features ritual figures and masks from ancient civilizations, such as the Djenne, Nok, and Koma.

Magical Mystic
Getaway Type: Family Fun
Roundtrip Mileage from NYC 270, Boston 198:

Mystic Aquarium/Institute for Exploration allows families to enjoy a sea lion show, meet a beluga whale and don 3-D glasses for a wild ride as an action-packed movie rolls in the XD Motion Theater.
Mystic Pizza, the family-owned pizza shop that inspired the 1988 movie of the same name, starring Julia Roberts and Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream Shop, by the Mystic Bridge are perfect for a family meal and summer treats
Mystic Seaport, a 19th-century maritime village along the banks of the Mystic River and the onsite Children’s Museum where kids can dress up as sailors and swab the decks.

For a complete listing and description of all Connecticut’s One Tank Getaway suggestions, please visit www.CTVisit.com.

Feast at Inman Park's Savi Market

2011-06-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

I just read that pizza chains’ sales are up in this recession. We’re talking about Pizza Hut, Domino's and Papa John’s. A recent ABC-TV report said that in this sluggish economy, cheap sells. To me, that’s a bit of a shame. I like to support my locals who put their original interpretation on a dish like pizza. I hope the neighborhood restaurants are doing well because in these tough economic times, it’s tough to eat well and local. It’s all too tempting to hit a fast-food chain when the food is quick and cheap.

The folks at Savi Urban Market have done something about eating what's good for you while being affordable. No, Savi is nowhere near here. I asked the owners to think about locating a unit in Peachtree Corners. They’ll think about it. The closest market is in Inman Park. If you’re looking to buy local, fresh and easy-to-prepare food, make the trek to this neighborhood market in a well-preserved brick building on Atlanta’s Elizabeth Street. High quality affordable gourmet products fill the market’s shelves in addition to a premier beer and wine selection. The market even features an Enomatic wine serving system where customers can sample scores of wines before committing to purchasing a bottle. I confess that it’s a very good idea, but I still like a live professional conducting a wine tasting session.

Savi uses the Sous Vide technique, according to their official literature, it is French for "under vacuum and describes a method of cooking in vacuum-sealed plastic pouches at low temperatures for long times." Sous Vide has been around since the mid-1970s and is used by scores of fine dining restaurants. The results are stunning. I sampled some of Chef Don Trimble’s creations including his own Scallops, Lardo, Rhubarb; Veal Cheeks; Piedmontese Strip Loin; Berkswell Raw Sheeps Cheese; and a very interesting dessert, Berkshire Belly Preserved Pears.

Owner Paul Nair works closely with Loganville’s Dillwood Farms to bring the freshest local ingredients to the table. Dillwood Farms’ Doug and Rosetta Dillard along with their staff, work hard to cultivate the most awesome products to the market.

Fresh, fast and affordable is what I love about Savi Urban Market. If you’re visiting Inman Park, check it out.

Visit Savi Market at www.saviurbanmarket.com or phone them at 404-523-3131

Beech Mtn Resort to Host USA Cycling's Mountain Bike National Championships in 2011 & '12

2011-06-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C.- Beech Mountain Resort has been awarded a two-year contract to host USA Cycling's Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships in 2011 and 2012.

This year's event takes place Sept. 22-25 at the popular North Carolina High Country ski resort, making it the first time this prestigious event has been contested in the Southeast.

Beech Mountain Resort is building a world-class mountain biking facility in preparation for the championships, which will bring mountain bikers from around the country to the area.

"We are pleased to host Gravity Nationals, while also producing a facility for all mountain bike enthusiasts," says Ryan Costin, Beech Mountain Resort's general manager. "Beech Mountain Resort realizes the increased popularity of cycling, and the demand for a facility with lift access for cyclists."

The new mountain bike park will be constructed to the highest standards for competitors and also be spectator friendly, providing plenty of options for family-fun activities during the event.

Christopher Herndon, a Brevard native and the 2007 Dual Slalom National Champion, is designing the course and overseeing construction. Herndon is a leader in mountain bike
course design in the Southeast.

"We feel confident that Christopher Herndon will design a unique facility ensuring that Beech Mountain Resort will produce an innovative product," says Costin.

Beech Mountain Resort is excited to share this event with the Western North Carolina community, and is pleased to soon provide local cyclists with a mountain bike destination in their backyard.

"There is a lot of untapped terrain on Beech Mountain, ultimately providing a unique facility for Gravity Nationals," said Shaw Brown of Boone Bike and Touring.

Michael Thomas, a Boone resident and 2008 and 2009 collegiate downhill champion, said: "This will be the first time that the National Championships have ever been held in the South, and it's a big step forward in the progression of downhill racing here. We have great mountains to ride in, but actual downhill specific trails have been limited until now."

To find out more about USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity Nationals, visit www.skibeech.com, or call (828) 387-2011, extension 204.

Three feet over

2011-06-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Our governor recently signed a bicycle bill which requires drivers to stay three feet away from road cyclists. Indeed the intentions are good, but just how do motorists judge that distance? It’s a tough call to make from the driver’s seat. Do automobile operators have to get out their measuring sticks? Is there an “app” for this requirement?

All kidding aside, I love recreational cycling with an emphasis on recreational. I wish I could write that my bike will replace my car to get to work, the grocery store and doctor’s appointments, but I’m just not comfortable with sharing main roads with a Ford F-150 or worse yet, an 18-wheeler. I don’t mind riding on the side streets, but to be honest, the roads are not big enough for all of us. The busy straight and windy roads in the metro area are not wide enough for the SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans which have been popular in this region for years.

I’m a big fan of bike lanes and paths. If I ever share the road, I prefer less busy times, like say, 3 a.m. Unfortunately, I would have to invest in bike lights and reflectors

Yes, according to state law, riders should not be on the sidewalks, but like most roads in the area, there’s very little room for cyclists in front of certain areas.

My area is making some progress in building bike paths. I’m hoping that there will be more paths in our future.

Calm after the storm

2011-06-03T22:09:00.001-07:00

As I entered the neighborhood on a rainy, gloomy Thursday evening in late May, a plethora of tree limbs, leaves and branches met my wet, well-worn tires. I encountered more debris as a power truck passed me by on the other side of the road. The crunching sound of my automobile smashing twigs and pine cones mixed with the rain made my heart pound a bit. After I was away at my daughter’s gymnastics class for just one hour, I quickly discovered that a massive rainstorm plowed through the area.

“This couldn’t be good,” I thought to myself. When I came upon the road leading into my subdivision, there was a fire truck blocking its entrance. A tree had fallen on the one line that feeds power to the subdivision in which I live. I know this drill all too well. I’ve been living in this house for 17 years and in the state for 22 years respectively. Once something like this hits, it takes the dedicated workers at the power company several hours to restore electricity. Believe me; I have worked crazy hours for the better part of the past 28 years. I feel somewhat their pain.

There I was along with my neighbors on this spring evening, out of power and out of choices as to how we would enter and exit the neighborhood. I took the long way back to my house from another direction. A tree’s branch was blocking that road. I had visions of leaving the car and taking on the role of television’s MacGyver. For those of you who never followed the TV show, Mac Gyver used raw materials to overcome obstacles. I felt like the television character: a person on a mission who needed to get around Mother Nature’s wrath. The good news was that there was room to squeeze by on the road as the rain was pounding on our car roofs. Fellow post-storm drivers were quite courteous letting vehicles take their turns getting around the large branch which looked like it would take an army to remove.

I was quite nervous as I approached my house which very well could have had trees taking up residency in it. As I meandered around the remnants of pine trees, I made it back to my humble abode. The roof, windows, siding and yard were festooned with leaves as if my daughter pasted them with school glue onto their surfaces. Branches and twigs were lodged into the wet Georgia red clay.

I entered the humid house. The silence was deafening. I opened up the windows to let the then-cool air in. Late evening light gave way to total darkness. Flashlights became my best friends. As my daughter cleaned out her backpack under the limited light, I couldn’t help but stare out into the night. I thought to myself that this could have been much worse like the devastation that took place only a few days earlier in Joplin, Missouri. As a video editor, I worked with the footage and interviews coming out of that tornado-ravaged area. I was and still am, haunted by those images. Yes, I experienced the after-effects of the twisters that skipped through these parts 13 years ago, but I just couldn’t believe what happened in Joplin. I digressed, came back to the present and gazed at the light pollution to our south, where other Georgia Power customers were enjoying their electricity. After being in a news blackout until morning, I learned that a great deal of the metro Atlanta area was equally devastated. As I drove to work, I heard that there were some fatalities from the storm. I was at a stoplight, once again, staring out into the Peach State’s darkness looking for answers instead of light.

Travel Insurance Group Raises Concerns

2011-05-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

SYDNEY, Australia, May 27, 2011 -- Travel insurance provider WorldNomads.com says safety must be put ahead of
profit as airlines push for more lenient guidelines for flying through ash clouds.

After clouds of volcanic ash caused the cancellation of 1600 flights in Scotland, England and Germany this week, the heads of two of Europe’s biggest airlines have questioned the need to close airspace.

Both Ryanair and British Airways flew test flights through areas that Britain’s Met’ Office said contained extremely high densities of ash, without ill effect.

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary went as far as to describe the ash clouds as a myth.

In an opinion piece published on the WorldNomads.com, travel safety specialist Phil Sylvester said,

“Mr. O’Leary might be right. I hope he’s acting on the advice of his aircraft engineers, but it worries me when travel safety decisions are influenced by people who have one eye on the bottom line.”

Mr. Sylvester said his concerns were sparked when he read reports that the British Transport Secretary had made changes to guidelines, allowing aircraft to fly under areas of high ash density, after lobbying from the airline chiefs.

“Of the thousands of people inconvenienced by Grimsvotn’s eruption, I didn’t hear one of them insisting their plane should fly regardless of safety doubts,” said Mr. Sylvester. “The only people making that demand are the bosses of British Airways and Ryanair.”

“These would be the same two businessmen who were part of an industry that incurred losses of $1.7 billion dollars when that other ash cloud closed European airspace in 2010. They are under enormous pressure to make sure that doesn’t happen again; the very existence of their businesses depends on it.” Mr. Sylvester said.

While acknowledging that it wasn’t in the best business interests of the airlines to put passenger safety at risk, Mr. Sylvester said he is worried by the apparent process.

He added, “We could organize a conga line of scientists from both sides of this argument to take part in an enormous game of ‘yes it is safe - no it isn’t’, but are you comfortable with profit-and-loss being part of the equation?”

Read more about Volcanic Ash & Safety Decisions

volanic safety

World Nomads Safety Hub

Phil Sylvester is a journalist and travel safety specialist at travel insurance provider WorldNomads.com based in Australia. He can be contacted for comment at phil.sylvester@worldnomadsgroup.com
WorldNomads.com is the travel services company that helps independent travelers stay safe and stress-free on the road World Nomads main site.

ZIP around the ATL and beyond

2011-05-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

According to a AAA study, car trips will represent nine out of 10 holiday weekend journeys, and AAA expects gas prices to average $3.91 during the holiday weekend, 37.2% higher than a year earlier.

Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing company, is an easy, affordable way for Atlantans to enjoy the city and beyond without a car. Zipcar rates include gas, insurance, and 180 miles per day. Every Zipcar is equipped with a gas card that acts as a credit card for Zipsters to refuel at gas stations.

With the issue of gas prices settled, Zipsters can focus on the most important part—the weekend activities! Atlanta Zipcar members can receive discounts at popular museums, restaurants and outdoor activities, which you can find here

Save Money:

·It costs an average of $9,519 a year to operate a mid-size car in the U.S., but Zipcar allows consumer the convenience of a car without the hassle or cost of actually owning one (e.g. insurance, gas, monthly car payments, maintenance).

·Zipcar members save more than $500 (vs. car ownership) on average per month.

·Savings calculator: http://www.zipcar.com/umn/is-it/savings-calculator

Be Healthier:

·Last year, we challenged members in 12 cities to give up their cars this year for our “low-car diet,” and they walked a total of 5,051 miles and lost a 249 pounds.

·In general, members of Zipcar and car sharing programs report a 47% increase in public transit trips, a 10% increase in bicycling trips and a 26% increase in walking trips.

·Low-car diet results: http://www.zipcar.com/lowcardiet/

Help the Environment:

·Each Zipcar takes 15-20 personally-owned vehicles off the road. Multiply that by the more than 6,500 cars in our fleet, and you've got a really big number.

·After joining Zipcar, 90% of our members drove 5,500 miles or less per year. That adds up to more than 32 million gallons of crude oil left in the ground—or 219 gallons saved per Zipster.

·Green benefits: www.zipcar.com/is-it/greenbenefits

BAD DOG TAQUERIA OPENS IN THE EMORY VILLAGE

2011-05-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Open for Seven Days Week for Fresh Tacos, Burritos, Salads and More

Atlanta, Georgia (May 25, 2011) – Flavors of the world unite at Bad Dog Taqueria, a new dining spot in the Emory Village that officially opens tonight, Wednesday, May 25th, with dinner at 5 p.m. A thoughtfully designed and internationally inspired taqueria, co-owners Tracy Mitchell and Bardo Arroyave are excited to bring delicious, affordable and creative offerings to the neighborhood that will be made fresh daily.

“It took us about two-years to refine our concept and find the perfect location. We are overwhelmed by the positive support the community has shown us so far and our team is committed to serving fresh and affordable fare that is consistent each time you dine with us,” says Mitchell.

The 1700-square foot taqueria boasts of modern comfort and clean lines, centered around an impressive hand-crafted bar made from a fallen tree salvaged from the 2008 Atlanta tornado that left a trail of destruction through the heart of the city. An exposed brick wall lays backdrop to the bar, which is complimented by lighting designed by Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass Jewelry, minimalist metal stools, dark hardwood floors, and sleek, white-washed wood tables coupled with white Bellini chairs. Diners are also invited to sit outside and enjoy the patio as they explore Bad Dog’s menu and watch passersby.

Using fresh and local ingredients, patrons can satiate their appetites with any cultural quest from Argentina to Korea at Bad Dog. Diners can start their meal with a mix of traditional corn, yucca, plantain, and boniato chips served with three salsas - salsa fresca, plantain pineapple serrano and smoked tomato - or grilled guacamole. The inventive and playful menu features nine mainstay tacos served on soft tortillas for just $2.99 a piece, including: The Bollywood, a traditional vegetarian Indian samosa with curried potatoes, peas, and served with tamarind coriander chutney; We’ve Got Seoul, a Korean BBQ pork belly taco with Kimchee slaw and salsa verde; Go Fish!, a plantain-encrusted tilapia taco with creamy cilantro sauce and cabbage slaw; and, the Uncle Morty, slow roasted brisket with marinated grilled onions served in its own special sauce. While the menu is eclectic, Bad Dog’s Yo Mama’s Taco, is the only taco served on a familiar hard shell and promises to be a traditional beef favorite for those who forgot their passport or still prefer the way it was done in the 80s. Taco elements can also be served over a bed of romaine and weekly taco specials, salads and burritos are also available.

To match the creativity of the food menu, owners Mitchell and Arroyave have an array of specialty cocktail recipes in the works with their take on popular libations from the mojito and margarita to the Michelada. They also plan on sourcing small batch liquors, craft beers and will be diligent about introducing little known or new brands to their customers in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Bad Dog invites patrons 21 and older to bring along their favorite wine or beer when they dine.

Located at 1579 North Decatur Rd NE in the Emory Village, Bad Dog Taqueria will be open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to 11p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information visit www.Facebook.com/BadDogTaqueria or call 404-370-8822. Follow Bad Dog Taqueria on Twitter at @BadDogATL. Parking is available behind the building and on the street.

Metro Atlanta is No. 3 in gas guzzling

2011-05-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

Metro Atlanta is No. 3 in gas guzzling

Visit South Carolina for the summer!

2011-05-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous spring day in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta. I rarely get the chance to visit this area even though I have been working around the corner from here for well over two decades. On any given weekday, I typically run back home in the ‘burbs to do all the household chores and get ready for the next day. Welcome to my boring normal weekday routine. Before I know it, the year is over. I love it when the routine gets broken, especially on a gorgeous low humidity day.

On this particular day, the nice public relations folks from all over South Carolina invited me to a place called The Trolley Barn to tell me and scores of other journalists about all the great things that have been happening in the Palmetto State these days.

Since I have been doing a lot of travel writing in my spare time over the years, public relations specialists enjoy meeting writers and editors alike to “sell” their destinations. To be honest, with South Carolina, I was sold on the state as a destination long before I got into travel writing. From Hilton Head, where I love to bike, up to Myrtle Beach and over to the Pee Dee region, South Carolina has always been quick, cheap and rather easy jaunt for folks like me in the Atlanta area.

Several cities and regions were well represented at the South Carolina Made for Vacation event.

The Old 96 District which includes Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick has some of the country’s best BBQ anyone could ever dream about.

The Thoroughbred Country area includes Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell and Bamberg. Speaking of Bamberg, their young, savvy governor, Nikki Haley is a native of this little town on U.S. 78. Governor Haley was on hand to act as “cruise director” as one local media outlet dubbed her appearance. The governor is incredibly enthusiastic about the state and her new job. I asked the governor if she gets back to Bamberg much these days – not really. After spending a lot of time in the capital, Columbia, Governor Haley typically heads back for R&R at Hilton Head.

Columbia has been typically known as a “pass-through” to Charleston, but that image is long gone. Restaurants, lodging and museums are festooned throughout the city. Aside from Columbia, this area known as the Midlands, also lays claim to Historic Brattonsville.

Of course, I can never forget the Charleston area where no one can go hungry and nearby Kiawah Island, where the awesome Sanctuary Resort is located.

There is more for me to explore in South Carolina. I met up with the Greenville folks who promised me that there are great biking trails in the city. I’ll have to make a return visit to the Upcountry area very soon. I’ll also have to explore more of the Pendleton District, Mountain Lakes, Beaufort and Lowcountry areas in the future as well.