Disney is taking their cruise to the European waters, as Disney Magic makes its maiden voyage to Europe this summer. While on board, kids will be able to partake in a variety of different activities, including crafting mosaic tiles, learning how to make crepes, and even producing puppet shows.
Embark on a magical journey from picture-perfect Barcelona through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Stand in the shadow of the volcano Etna on Sicily, before spending a day shopping and sightseeing in the romantic city of Rome. Tour the Notre Dame de la Garde in the south of France before taking a short jaunt from Villefranche and trying your luck at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo.Disney is running a few specials to celebrate summer, and some of the cruises are as low as $80 per person/per day. Interested in setting sail with Mickey and the crew? Drop me a line.
Photo from Disney's site.
Labels: Barcelona, Disney cruises, Disney Magic, Etna, Europe, France, Mediterranean, Mickey, Monte Carlo, Notre Dame de la Garde, Rome, Sicily, vacation, Villefranche
Choice Hotels has announced its $50 gas card summer promotion available to Easy Choice participants. Every time you stay at any of the 1,000+ Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels in the US, you'll collect Easy Choice stamps. Collect and redeem six stamps between June 1 and August 16, and you'll receive a free $50 gas card. Each night earns one stamp and up to five stamps can be accumulated per stay. Want to book a stay? Drop me a line - happy to help.
Labels: Chocie Hotels, Disney vacation, Easy Choice, gas card program, hotel
The Hilton Short Hills in New Jersey is now offering their "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" package. The package includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe room (on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night) and a $200 credit that can be used in any of the hotel's dining venues or full-service, European-style Spa at Short Hills.
The package is available for $369 per room per night, subject to availability. Ready to make a get-away? Drop me a line and I'll hook you up.
Photo from their website.
Labels: girls getaway, Hilton, Short Hills
Royal Caribbean International has welcomed its newest ship to the fleet. Their 21st ship is the 160,000-ton Liberty of the Seas, and it arrived in the US a few weeks ago. It is the world's largest cruise ship right along with RCCL's Freedom of the Seas, and it features all new programming in wellness, weddings, and family and teen activities. The new programming includes the Vitality wellness program; Explorer Weddings, for couples looking to tie the knot in extreme style; and new family programming introducing Adventure Theater, DJ classes, Chefs on Deck, and the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program.
The cruise ship holds 3,634 guests double occupancy, and highlights include the FlowRider surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the H2O Zone water park, full boxing ring and the Royal Promenade entertainment boulevard. The ship has more than 20 restaurants and lounges.
The Liberty sailed its maiden voyage on May 19 from its homeport of Miami. Liberty will depart on Saturdays and alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at San Juan, St. Maarten and Labadee.
A third Freedom-class ship, the Independence of the Seas, is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2008. Sailing from the U.K., it will be the largest ship to be homeported in Europe.
Ready to climb aboard? Drop me a line.
Photo from RCCL.
Labels: cruise, cruise line, cruising, Eastern Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, Western Caribbean
Families all over are starting to plan their summer vacations and will soon be on their way. The folks at Doubletree Hotel are getting ready for their annual fun and educational tradition with the Doubletree KidsCarePak program. In their 130 family-friendly destinations across North America, along with The National Arbor Day Foundation, Doubletree Hotels is equipping families with several nature-themed games and activities to help them discover the great outdoors. The complimentary "earth-packs" are filled with outdoor-friendly tools and toys and are presented to guests ages 3-12 staying with their families at participating Doubletree hotels from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Included in this year's durable, earth-themed souvenir sling canvas kidsCAREpak are: binoculars; a Hacky Sack; a rainforest-themed flying saucer; activity book and crayons; and playing cards. The packs are offered at no additional charge to guests traveling with children between the ages of three and 12 at participating hotels from May 25 to Sept. 3, 2007. For more information, call 800-222-TREE or visit http://www.doubletree.com/kidscarepakIf you're ready to plan your next vacation, drop me a line. I'd be happy to help.
Photo from Doubletree.
Labels: Doubletree hotel, kid-friendly hotels, KidsCarePack, National Arbor Day Foundation
Our family is partial to cruises, because there is very little thought involved ... no figuring out dinner reservations or how you're going to get to your next destination. It's all taken care of for you. If you're thinking about booking a cruise, you might want to check out www.cruisemates.com. Packed with practical advice (how to choose the best cabin, which ports are duds), you'll also find reviews and itineraries for more than 20 different cruise lines, written by not only cruisers, but also staffers. And, of course, when you're ready to book your cruise, e-mail me.
Labels: cabin, cruise, cruise line, cruises
It's a slippery slope when buying plane tickets, isn't it? Do you take the fare that is available today, or wait in case it drops a bit? You might want to check out www.farecast.com first. This airfare-prediction engine can help you make your decision with its fare-history chart for 75 cities. It will even predict next week's rate. There's no fee to use it, and the site claims a 70-75% accuracy rate overall. Certainly can't hurt.
Labels: airfare, plane tickets
Kathleen Ameche gives some fantastic tips on how to pack efficiently in her book The Woman Road Warrior: A Woman's Guide to Business Travel
- Gather all the garments you anticipate needing. Then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you'll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt. The average 22-inch check-in bag fits roughly two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, two dresses and five shirts.
- Choose knits, wools and cottons. These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile (some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas).
- Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, t-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded.
- Arrange rolled items in the bottom of the bag. Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer.
- Place folded garments next. For your (cream filling) middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabrics over the opposite end. (This conserves spaces since thick waistbands won't be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
- Cover the pile with a dry-cleaning bag. It's like Botox for your clothes. Because of the bag's slippery surface, folded clothes don't stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
- Top the pile with the clothes you'll need first. Anything goes with your top layer - a bathing suit or pajamas.
- Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. This cradles your three layers.
Labels: Judy Gilford, Kathleen Ameche, packing tips, suitcases, travel tips
Want to travel in style, right down to your passport? Then you may want to pick up one of these fancy schmancy leather passport holders.
A steal at just $20, they come in a dizzying array of soft-hued colors. If not for yourself, then it's a perfect going away gift for your favorite friend.
Labels: passport holder, Vera Bradley
Heading to Maui this summer? You may want to check into the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. They have recently completed a $50 million + investment and updated their facilities and services.
They have redesigned their three restaurants, and renovated 380 rooms and suites. During the renovations, they "added HD-ready LG 42-inch plasma TVs connected to DVD players with photo card slots, as well as alarm clocks that host iPod and MP3 players. Surfboard-shaped writing desks feature pop-up electric panels equipped with outlets, and high-speed wireless Internet access is now available throughout the resort. The resort also modernized its in-room coffee and refreshment centers and updated the oversized bathrooms with new lighting, fixtures, marble tile, dark wood vanities and all-glass shower enclosures. One of the last transformations was changing the Pacific Grill into the recently opened Duo, featuring the dual choice of prime steak and seafood in a luxurious poolside garden setting."
Ready to book a trip? Drop me a line, I'm happy to help.
Photo from their website.
Labels: Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii, Wailea
Now may be the perfect time. The Venetian has recently renovated their suites and they now feature a very modern European design with Art Deco hints. Why does this matter? Besides getting a newly refurbished room, they are also offering them at rates of $199/night to celebrate, and that includes a complimentary glass of Champagne with purchase of an entree at David Burke and $20 in promotional slot credits.
Venetian Shows
Enjoy an evening of exuberant entertainment.
World-Class Dining
The Venetian hosts 18 acclaimed restaurants.
Canyon Ranch Spa Club
Check out our leading-edge health spa and fitness oasis.
Interested in visiting? Drop me a line.
Labels: Canyon Ranch Spa Club, David Burke, Las Vegas, The Venetian
Different countries have different requirements on what you need to enter. Since requirements do have a tendency to change, it's a good idea to doublecheck the specific needs when planning a trip abroad, instead of trusting your memory.
Did you know that going to Venezuela requires a passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds? Did you know that a visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days, but business and other travelers need a visa?
You can see the complete list of foreign entry requirements by country on the State Department's page right here.
Labels: foreign entry requirements, passport, State Department
On our many trips to Disneyworld over the years, we've stayed both off-site and on-site. There are perks to each scenario, but I've finally come to the realization that it's better to stay on property. After a trip a few weeks ago, I've upgraded my opinion to the fact that monorail resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian) are the way to go ... for so many reasons, but especially for people with kids.
One of the perks to staying at a Disneyworld resort (monorail or not) is that you can use the Magical Express, providing free transportation from the airport to the hotel, and back again. And to take it one step further, when you arrive in Orlando, no need to struggle with your bags. They'll be picked up from the baggage carousel and delivered right to your room. On the way back to the airport, you can check your luggage in at the hotel, and don't have to worry about them until you reach your home airport. A free perk, just for staying at a Disneyworld property. One of the many advantages.
There are a bunch of great deals available for Disneyworld vacations... interested in a trip? E-mail me.
Labels: Contemporary, Disney vacation, Disneyworld, Grand Floridian, Magical Express, monorail resort, Polynesian
