Travel Blog

Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary Offers

Hotel, roundtrip airfare, transfers and more..

Per person price, based on two in a room, from*

- The Fairmont Hamilton Princess - $779.00

- Grotto Bay Beach Resort - $839.00

- The Fairmont Southhampton Princess - $899.00

- Pompano Beach Club, breakfast and diner included daily - $1319.00

- Cambridge Beaches, breakfast included daily - $1699.00

*tax and fees not included

Travel valid until August 21, 2009 and must be booked by August 17, 2009, prices subjected to change.

You don’t have to hang off a mountain to do adventure travel. 

I was talking to Debbie at O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure Specialists), It brought back good memories of river rafting in Canada and my first time kayaking in Utah - see Archives July 2006 for full kayak story.

I didn’t get into active travel until after a year long course to get my ATC Certification (Active Travel Consultant). Part of the course included a ranch stay, river rafting and being taken to the top of a mountain in Alberta, Canada, by helicopter, for a little snow shoeing. During the course I met with many of the top outfitters to learn more about this special kind of travel. George Wendt, president and founder of O.A.R.S. and Russell Walters, president Northern Outdoors both shared their knowledge and especially their passion for the outdoors and protecting the enviroment.

Active & Adventure travel comes in all levels - you don’t have to be 20 yrs old and you don’t have to go out and buy all kinds of equipment.  A lot of trips include all the equipment, or you can rent what you need from the outfitter.

So you would like to try river rafting, but you enjoy going out for great meals when you travel and eating by the campfire doesn’t sound like your kind of trip…think again!

Wilderness Gourmet: Culinary Adventure (O.A.R.S)

You can combine great food and wine with an adventure experience. Chef Bob Anderson, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, will include instruction, in an entertaining way, as he prepares pan-seared filet mignon with a Jack Daniel’s reduction sauce or black pepper rosemary broiled prawns and served with an eclectic selection of wines…all prepared and served by the Rogue River.  

Northern Outdoors - the First Rafting Outfitter in Maine

For Maine rafting this is the place to go. I’ve rafted here and my group  did two rivers and had a great time - great things to say about the river guides and staff. They offer different kinds of lodging, I stayed in a cabin set in the woods - a great way to get a way from it all. They also offer snowmobiling and ATV tours. If you see Russell, the one with the British accent, tell him I said hello!

Think Adventure and Imagine the Possibilities…

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Love is a big business! Honeymoons are a $12 billion a year business and Destination Weddings $10 billion plus - yes I said billion.

A Destination Wedding can cost less then a traditional wedding, with complementary wedding planning and special prices for the wedding party.

I thought I would share a few possibilities for that special day.

Las Vegas

The wedding industry in Las Vegas is a $900 million industry, with a lot more to offer then the Britney Spears middle of the night wedding chapel. Also, you don’t have to have Elvis marry you or go to the Drive-Up chapel - unless you want to!  Some of the deluxe hotels, like Wynn, have their own chapel and offer elegant, traditional weddings and lovely areas for your reception.

Other options:  A Grand Canyon wedding with reception back in Vegas; the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel or a Venice cannal at the Venetian Hotel. If your  preference is a more natural setting head for Valley of Fire, with stunning red sandstone.

Hotel Rates have never been so low.  You can stay at a deluxe hotel for what you would have paid for a mid range hotel in the past. There are all kinds of special prices and offers making this cost effective for family and friends sharing your special day.
 

Princess Cruises

If you prefer the open seas, Princess Cruises could be for you, with their Weddings at Sea Program . Their ships have a formal wedding chapel and the captain can preform a legal marriage. Princess also has Renewal of Vows Packages and both can be shared with family and friend back home by web cam.

If it’s your wedding, honeymoon or renewal of vows, take time to Imagine the Possibilities…

I’m often asked if I have any specials, I receive many emails of specials everyday.  I will highlight some of the specials and promotions as they come in, so keep checking back, or give the office a call. 

The Best of Barbados  

The Hilton Barbados - $839.95

Package Includes

Air Credits of up to $300.00 

First night free

Free breakfast daily

Oistins Fish Fry dinner voucher for $25.00 per booking

Travel Dates:  September to December 18, 2009

Reservations: must be made by July 17th

Note:  other hotels and rates available. 

Las Vegas is different then most places…one of the ways is how the  rate of rooms is determined.  Most destinations have high and low seasons, Las Vegas changes from day to day. The best rates are usually when arriving the beginning of the week, (Sun - Wed), but if there is a large convention in town, the rates go up. So, if you are planning a trip to Vegas and can be flexable with your dates, you will get the best prices.

There has never been a better time to go to Las Vegas, with the major deluxe hotels offering special rates you can now stay in luxury for what it would have cost to stay in a mid range hotel. So, it’s  good time to enjoy all Las Vegas has to offer - top entertainment with great theater, world class performers; dinning in some of the best restaurants with celebrity chefs; wonderful spa experiences with all the hotels competing to offer the best services and gambling of course.

For you card players, a fun site, especially for Texas Hold’em fans www.pokapaloma.com

Minus 5 Ice Lounge - Las Vegas

Imagine ice walls, tables, chairs, sculptures and even the glasses are ice…what better way to enjoy a special vodka drink!  The Minus 5 Ice Lounge is the only one in the USA, there are 14 total in the world.  I stoped to see this Cool place on my last visit to Las Vegas, it’s located at Mandalay Place. They supply sheepskin-lined parkas, gloves and booties before entering this special ice room. It was fun to see, especially all the ice carvings, so if you want to get out of the desert heat keep Minus 5 in mind.

The Burger Bar

Also at Mandalay Place and a favorite of mine, it’s located right near the ice lounge. When I’m in town, I try to make it over for a great burger. They have a good menu, you build your own burger - several kinds of burgers including, Angus, Kobe, buffalo, turkey and vegetarian. You can be creative or just go for the classic burger. I have gone with friends and on my own,  I always feel comfortable and always have a great meal.

I love Hawaii

I’m a Hawaii Destination Specialist and recently attended a seminar to update my designation.  The bad news is, after spending time going over each island and all they have to offer, I have become obsessed with going back.  I have been to Hawaii many times and lived there for a year and now feel the pull to return.

I lived in Oahu and worked at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. On my last visit I spent a few nights at the Pink Palace before my Hawaiian cruise. At check-in I mentioned I had worked at the Camera and Gift shop many years ago, when the bell boy brought my bag he greeted me as if I had come home and wouldn’t take a tip.  I had gotten the job because I wore shoes to the interview!

I’m anxious to see this grand hotel again, after her 84 million dollar renovation.  All of the Waikiki area has been going through renovations, the area had gotten a bit run down and tourist were going right to the outer islands. New restaurants and upscale shops have been added to bring in more tourist.

I found myself watching Lost to see the beautiful Hawaii scenery, I even watched an old Magnum PI last night…this is really becoming an obsession!

Aloha