Dancing with the Stars – aboard Holland America Line – Guests aboard one of these theme cruises can enjoy dance lessons and meeting the dancers.  There are six theme cruises starting February 16, 2013.  If you are not on one of the special theme sailings you can still participate  in the Holand America exclusive ship board dance program including dance lessons and an opportunity for a lucky guest to dance on stage in a dance-off performance.  These activities will feature the ships’ professional dancers – do you want to be a star!  

New York City Winter Sale – January 2 to February 28 – this is a great time for a NYC getaway.  The average hotel room rate is approximately $216.00 ( 24 percent lower then the rest of the year) and there are  1.3 million fewer visitors during this time.  Some hotels are offering 3rd night free and family specials with the Muppet Family Fun Hotel Promotion.

New York Restaurant Week – January 14 to February 8. with special three-course prix-fixe meals

Broadway Week – Jannuary 22 to February 7. Two for one tieckst to theatrical productions.

Off Broadway Week – January 28 to February 10.

NOTE:  Tickets and restaurant reservations go on sale on January 7th!

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia – This luxury boutique hotel and restaurant is a great place for chocolate lovers!  The resort is set at The Rabot Estate, a working cocoa estate.  The Boucan Restaurant’s menu is inspired by the setting using cocoa in many of their dishes and don’t forget to try the Cacao Bellini in the bar.

EL AL Israel Airlines offers chance to win Free Flight to Israel – check out their new Facebook based contest offering a chance to win two round trip Economy Class Plus tickets.  Ends December 27th www.facebook.com/ELASIsraelAirlinesUSA.  Good luck!

Japan National Tourism Organization – has a new Tourism Website with Japan travel information,news, monthly features, event calendar, updates and more…   www.JapanTravelInfo.com

Walt Disney World – The Test Track is now open, this is a multisensor experience; create your own virtual concept vehicle to race – how will your car perform?   Development of AVATAR Themed Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, to bring the epic fantasy world of AVATAR to life is underway.  Just a few of the additions and upgrades the creative people at Disney are working on. 

Imagine the Possibilities….

 See you next Tuseday!  If you are not on my Email List and are not receiving  Travel by Tatten’s Fun Friday see Linda Tatten on Linkedin.  My Email List is only used by Travel by Tatten, I do not sell my lists – ever! 

Titlis Cliff Walk – high adrenaline – 3 ft wide, 320 ft long and swaying 10,000 feet above sea level.  This is Europe’s highest suspension bridge and is  located in the Swiss Alps.  Cost: $90.00 for cable ride to the bridge and walking the bridge. Value: priceless.  The cost of building the bridge 1.6 million

Gluten Free Italy –Perillo Tours is offering several tours to Tuscany that are Gluten free.  A good way to see Italy and still enjoy the food.  Tour dates: May 11 – 17, 2013 or October 12 – 18, 2013.  The package includes cooking class, market visits with lunch, wine tasting (sulfate free) and much more.  Cost: $2199.00 land only.

Turks and Caicos – Sandals Resorts International  has just purchased The Veranda; the Caribbeans only luxury beach front residential resort community of its kind.  The Veranda features a variety of villas and suites.

Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas – The Nobu restaurants are world famous, now there is a Nobu Hotel.  The hotel is home to the world’s largest Nobu restaurant and lounge, at 12,775 square feet and located in the heart of the hotel,

The Gathering Ireland 2013 – a nonstop series of events and festivals featuring all aspects of Ireland – culture, music, the arts, sports and heritage.  Ireland’s yearlong party of a lifetime!

Colorado Skiing – a recent storm brought much anticipated snow to the ski areas.  Colorado Ski Country now has 13 resorts open – all should be open by Christmas Day! 

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Hawaii Connection – In 1939 she spent time in Hawaii, especially the Hana area on Maui.  She showed critics that she could paint more then her arid Southwest.  Hana was and still is today a lush tropical paridise, away from the main tourist centers.  When are you going to visit the island?

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – now allows bringing wine aboard. You can  bring two bottles of wine  per cabin.  Enjoy your wine in your cabin or on your balcony without a charge; there is a $25.00 corkage fee if the wine is consumed in a public space.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – weddings at sea. Imagine a wedding at sea!  Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will be offering legal weddings at sea. Now under a new law in the Bahamas, marrages will be recognized if performed on a Bahamian-flagged ships in international waters.  In the past, couples would have a ceremony aboard the ship and then another on land to make it legal.

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill – at the Venetian Las Vegas. Going to Las Vegas?  They will be performing on select dates between Dec 7th and April 27th.  Their show Soul2Soul will be performed in the intimate Venetian Theatre, a great place to experience their show. 

Myanmar (Burma). Has opened their doors to travelers.  You will be hearing more on this interesting destination as more tourist visit.  It’s not easy to travel there, travel plans should be made well in advance.  The culture is 2,500 years old with thousands of temples and pagodas more then 900 years old.

Lanai, Hawaii – sold. Billionaire Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of Orcle has bought Lanai, yes he bought the island including the Four Seasons Resorts Lanai at Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele,   It must be nice to have your own island.  I stayed at the Manele Bay Four Seasons – it was wonderful!  If you are a golfer think about Lanai for your next vacation.

The Volcano House – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. After being closed for two years the 32-room hotel and 10 camping cabins at Namakanaipalo Camp Ground will reopen in phases.

Hawaiian Honeymoons. One in six couples choose Hawaii for their honeymoon according to Brides Magazine’s 2012 study.  June is a favorite month for wedding with 55,734 honeymooners arriving in Hawaii.  Maui is the most popular island with 42 percent and Oahu second with 32 percent.

Imagine the possibilities…