World Travel News

Las Vegas Celebrates Earth Hour

2009-03-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

On Saturday March 28th, Southern Nevada's signature neon glow will be dim for an hour in an effort to raise awareness about climate change.

The exterior of Las Vegas' MGM Mirage's New York New York Casino will go dark at 8:30pm, signifying the start of Earth Hour 2009. For the first time, the roller coaster will go dark and all riders will get neon necklaces. The Brooklyn Bridge will be entirely lit by soy based candles.

The brightest beam in the World at the Luxor and the Coca - Cola bottle on the strip will go out as well for Earth Hour as well.

From 8:30pm - 9:45pm the Acoustic Band Alternative Energy will perform on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10085867&nav=menu498_8_16

Everyone should travel the world

2009-03-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

By Natalie Veissalov

I remember the first time I went somewhere really adventurous, besides the usual trip to my uncle’s house in Memphis, Tenn., or up north to San Francisco. I did not really know anything about traveling the world or what places to go to, until I was twelve years old and my parents booked a trip to my father’s homeland: Turkey. From the minute I arrived, I fell in love with the city.

I must admit though I did experience some culture shock and anxiety. As I began to get used to my unfamiliar surroundings, I began to fall in love with the country, and the notion of traveling itself.

The next day as I toured the famous and historical city of Istanbul, I was in awe of how much one city could have so much to tell and offer.

As I toured mosques and ancient ruins left by the Romans, I even gained a love for world religions and history.

After exploring this one part of Eastern Europe, I moved on to Turkey’s neighboring country: Greece.

I was immediately captivated by its beautiful white homes and glistening blue water. It was like it came out of an oil painting; it just seemed so surreal.

The people there had an inner glow of happiness and serenity that you just do not see back home in the United States.

The people of Greece appreciate life and take time to enjoy life. This is something we need to learn back in the states. We need to focus less on the stressful demands of our hectic lives and focus more on what is really important.

Experiencing this different lifestyle, religion and culture helped open my eyes to another part of the world I did not know existed.

I felt ignorant and immature. I was in a tiny bubble for the first twelve years of my life. When it was time to leave to go back to my usual boring routine at home, I began to feel depressed.

However, on the plane ride back home all I could think of was where I wanted to go next. I was excited to see what other place God wanted me to see next.

The following summer, it was time to plan our next trip. And my parents chose Cancun, Mexico. I had always heard people talk about their beautiful beaches. However, this city had more to offer than its turquoise beaches.

When I arrived, I experienced a drastic change from what I was used to in California: the hot and humid weather. It took some getting used to. However, I got used to it pretty quick when we arrived to our hotel and could see the turquoise color of the water.

The scenery of this country was just unbelievable and breathtaking. It is nothing compared to the rugged and dirty streets of the Tijuana, a stereotype of what some people believe the entire Mexico looks like.

The amount of activities to do there are overwhelming. I was unable to do everything. However, I was able to go snorkeling and see Cancun’s beautiful marine life. It was a pretty amazing experience.

Not only was I able to experience the aquatic life Cancun had to offer, I also learned a lot about its history.

I also traveled to old city in the Yucatan peninsula known as Merida. It is famous for its history, its European architecture, and its production of henequen, which is a plant used to make rope.

I am truly grateful for being able to travel to these places. These are just some places I have been to, and there are so many other places where I want to travel.

However, time and the cost of traveling are two of the reasons that have stopped me from seeing the entire world. I encourage everyone to travel even if it is only to one country.

Although financial obstacles prevent many to travel the world, it is well worth the cost.

Traveling is something everyone should do because it allows the person to learn more about the world, become less ignorant about our world and open minded about other cultures and human beings whom we share this world with.

http://www.ulv.edu/campustimes/columns_archives/spring2009/natalie_veissalov_archives/veissalov032709.htm

Report: Las Vegas tourism tumbles 11.9 percent in January

2009-03-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

By Richard N. Velotta

Visitor volume took another header in January with fewer than 3 million tourists visiting Southern Nevada for the third straight month.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported today that 2.8 million people visited in January, an 11.9 percent decline from January 2008.

Worse, average daily room rates plunged 19.9 percent from the previous year, the steepest decline since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and citywide occupancy fell 13 points to 71.9 percent for the month. For area motels, occupancy fell 16.6 points to dip below half full for the first time in recent memory, calculated at 42.7 percent.

The statistics came on the same day that LVCVA board members voted unanimously to postpone its $890 million Las Vegas Convention Center enhancement project. The LVCVA board also received a report saying that since the fourth quarter of 2008, 340 groups have canceled meetings in Las Vegas, 236,700 room nights have been lost, 111,800 visitors stayed away and the local economy suffered a $131.6 million hit.

Terry Jicinsky, the LVCVA’s senior vice president of marketing, said those figures were based on a survey of Las Vegas properties. He said some organizations blamed the cancellations on the weak economy, but some said it was due to the public perception of conducting meetings in Las Vegas.

Several LVCVA officials left for Washington this afternoon to meet with government leaders about perceptions of Las Vegas.

Convention attendance in January showed continued erosion of the meetings industry, which Las Vegas has dominated for years.

The LVCVA statistical report said in January there were 1,368 meetings, 19.5 percent fewer than in January 2008, and attendance at those shows was 538,415, 20.6 percent off from the previous year.

But the lower average daily room rate and the reduced citywide resort occupancy were even more troubling for industry observers. Weekend occupancy was down 3.2 points to 79.7 percent and midweek occupancy was down 18.1 points to 67.6 percent. Just two years ago, Las Vegas enjoyed occupancy rates in the high 80s and low 90s.

The average daily room rate hit $104.89, creeping toward $100, a level that hasn’t been seen in Las Vegas ADR since December 2005.

Lower room rates translate into lower room tax receipts, a key factor in the LVCVA board’s decision to postpone the Convention Center project until at least the second quarter of 2010.

Brenda Siddall, the LVCVA’s vice president of finance, told board members that the LVCVA is facing a $53 million shortfall in room tax revenue in the next fiscal year as a result of the slumping economy. Although the LVCVA plans to cut operating expenses by 3 percent, it still wouldn’t be enough to offset the additional capital expenses and debt. Rather than risk default, board members reluctantly decided to suspend the project.

The LVCVA already has spent 15.7 percent of the project budget – $140 million – on the program to date. Workers already have completed a Metro substation, the refurbishing of one meeting room established as a prototype for the rest of the project, the paving of a parking lot and the design of the first two phases of renovations. The design of the third phase of renovations is about 90 percent complete, Terry Miller of HNTB Architects, which is coordinating the project, told the board.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/10/tourism-las-vegas-falls-119-percent-january/

Cubans applaud U.S. bill easing trade, travel

2009-03-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

By Rosa Tania Valdes

HAVANA, March 10 (Reuters) - Cubans applauded on Tuesday the passage of a bill by the U.S. Congress that would ease some travel and trade restrictions against the communist island, but said they hope for more changes under President Barack Obama.

The bill, which appropriates $410 billion to fund the U.S. government, includes provisions allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families in Cuba more frequently and makes it easier to sell agricultural and medical goods to Cuba.

It undoes some Bush administration rules that toughened the 47-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, a Cold War policy which Havana blames for the perennial economic woes afflicting the island just 90 miles (145 km) from Florida.

"I'm happy they are easing the rules so the Cubans can come. Families should not have to suffer because of political disputes between governments," teacher Hugo Alfonso told Reuters in Havana.

"Cubans have suffered the embargo for many years and (President George W.) Bush tightened the rope. Now is the time to improve relations between the two countries," he said.

In Miami, there were mixed reactions from the Cuban exile community, which is split between those who favor greater contact and opening between Washington and Havana and some anti-communist hard-liners who oppose any easing of U.S. sanctions on Cuba under the rule of Fidel and Raul Castro.

The bill, which Obama still must sign into law, would allow Cuban-Americans to visit the island annually instead of once every three years as the Bush government mandated. They could also stay longer than the current two weeks.

"People-to-people contact is the number one factor of change in a closed society like the one in Cuba. It's also the right of a Cuban to be able to return to his country," Ramon Saul Sanchez, head of the Democracy Movement, said in Miami.

But he urged President Obama to use his authority to completely lift restrictions on travel. "He can do it with the stroke of a pen," he said.

RAISED HOPES

The bill also would permit marketers and sellers of agricultural and medical products, which are exempted from the embargo, to travel more easily to Cuba.

"It will be something good that will improve commerce with the United States," 19-year-old Arnier Negrin said in Havana. "I hope they change other things, but I'm not too optimistic."

But in Miami, anti-Castro Cuban exile TV and radio commentator Ninoska Perez criticized the steps contained in the bill as "rewarding a 50-year-old dictatorship".

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1043162820090311

AirTran Airways launches new service between Baltimore and Cancun

2009-03-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Mar 09, 2009 (AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION via COMTEX) -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc (NYSE: AAI), has announced that it has launched non-stop service between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Maryland, and Cancun Airport International in Cancun, Mexico.

The service, which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, was launched by AirTran Airways on 7 March, but did not operate on 8 March.

Flight 84 will depart Baltimore at 11:35 on Saturdays and Sundays and arrive in Cancun at 14:00, while return flight 85 will depart Cancun at 14:25 on Saturdays and Sundays and arrive in Baltimore at 19:10.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2212661/

Arenas Blanca Hotel in Varadero, Cuba

2009-03-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Arenas Blancas hotel is an All Inclusive Resort with an attractive collection of buildings and gardens featuring the purest blue of the Caribbean and white sands of Varadero. This resort is a gift to enjoy your stay in Cuba. 434 rooms, 358 in the hotel (4 of them are suites and other 4 have been specially designed for disable guests) and 76 in the bungalows ( with 2 junior suites and 4 double standard superior). Arenas Blancas Solymar is close to the sea and scattered among green gardens and provides comfortable accommodations, good services and a variety of nautical sports.

Travel Varadero

Families get a break: New resort packages can make this spring a season to remember

2009-03-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

By Michael Nassar

Spring break may be a cherished tradition for schoolchildren of all ages, but it’s also synonymous with the annual migration to the sun by hordes of hormonally charged college students going wild at the usual hot spots — Cancun; Panama City Beach, Fla., and South Padre Island, Tex.

Yet there’s an upside to the madness — especially if you have younger kids underfoot for a week: The rest of the country gets pretty quiet. (Even onetime spring-break fave Fort Lauderdale famously gave revelers the boot recently in an effort to change its image.)

So if you’re looking for a spring vacation to satisfy kids large and small, take heart — here are some alternatives that don’t involve wet T-shirts or Jell-O shots. And with the discounts and deals being offered to attract wary travelers, spring break doesn’t have to mean spring broke.

Bargains for living la vida Boca

Boca Raton Resort & Club has long been one of Florida’s favorite resort destinations, but now you can take advantage of a Winter Escape package starting at just $299 per night through April. Guests also can earn $50 in resort credit for every second night of their stay, along with discounted golf, spa treatments and free breakfast for kids 10 and under.

Built in 1926 with Mediterranean-style architecture, the resort features a half-mile private beach, 30 tennis courts and seven pools — including an infinity-edge Atlantic pool and a zero-entry family pool ideal for younger children.

Feel at ease stretching out at Spa Palazzo, secure in the fact that the kids are enjoying an enriching and educational day in Camp Boca. This day camp focuses on fun and safety, offering numerous activities (a booking for the Winter Escape earns a free day session). All parents receive a beeper with a 60-mile radius to ensure constant communication.

Afterward, the family can reunite for movie screenings, frozen hot chocolate tastings or family bingo.
Or, eco-conscious families can tour the Everglades on an airboat, experiencing Florida the way it used to be (www.cypressairboats.com).

Better yet, send the little nippers to bed early and take advantage of the resort’s dance lessons, or an organized evening of drinks and card games. For information, go to www.bocabeachclub.com.

Southern comforts

The weather outside might still be frightful, but in Charleston, S.C., life can be really delightful. One of America’s favorite Southern cities, Charleston has a cure for spring fever with its warm climate and affordable accommodations.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/travel/2009/03/08/2009-03-08_families_get_a_break_new_resort_packages.html

QE2's Dubai owners: No plans to sell cruise ship

2009-03-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Dubai developer that bought the QE2 says it remains committed to renovating the British cruise ship.

State-owned Nakheel has been hounded by press and blog speculation that it may shelve plans to turn the storied ocean liner into a luxury hotel because of a lack of funds.

The company has cut staff and postponed several projects, including a tower planned to be the world's tallest and a high-end hotel being built with Donald Trump.

Nakheel said in a statement Sunday it is examining the ship ahead of restoration but has no plans to sell it or operate it again as a cruise liner. The ship is currently moored at Port Rashid in downtown Dubai.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gukZ2XaCrq2uls8uGf6E2GqYgU0QD96POOUO2

$2.3B Encore Las Vegas offers extravagance at every turn

2009-03-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

By Chris Gray

What's new: Encore Las Vegas

Claim to fame: The latest from flamboyant Vegas mogul Steve Wynn, the bronze-colored glass, $2.3 billion Encore tower rises above the Strip next to its sibling, Wynn Las Vegas. Connected by The Esplanade, an upscale mall featuring stores such as Hermès and Rock & Republic, the two resort/casinos are meant to complement each other (the Wynn has a larger footprint, while the Encore tower is one story higher).

Vital statistics: 2,034 rooms. The standard resort suites start at 700 square feet, larger than those at the Wynn. More luxurious Tower suites have a separate check-in desk and concierge service.

CITY GUIDE: Las Vegas lodging, dining, more

The scene: Steve Wynn built his reputation on extravagance, and the Encore, which opened in late December, bursts with pre-recessionary flame-colored glam. Butterflies flit as a motif throughout the casino — inlaid as floor mosaics, embedded into carpet designs, and hanging as glittering red crystal sculptures from the ceiling outside the Encore theater (where comedian Danny Gans is ensconced). Opulent touches range from the sweeping multitiered Venetian red glass chandeliers lighting the casino chambers to the glass peacocks guarding high-roller rooms. While the crowd seemed older and more international than that at the Wynn, the Sunday-night lines for XS — an immense indoor/outdoor nightclub where bottle service starts at $450 — was flush with hot young(ish) things in tight black dresses.

Bedding down: Luxury lovers won't be disappointed by Encore's suite-like rooms, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows, mirrored walls and cushy king beds with 310-thread-count linens. A divider wall holding a swiveling flat-screen TV separates the bedroom from a living room containing an L-shaped sofa and work area. A control panel for drapes, sheers and lights is conveniently placed bedside. Bathrooms are sumptuous, with dual sinks, separate shower and soaking tub and another TV that is set into the wall. Minibar amenities include a $30 "intimacy kit." Ask for a high-level, even-numbered room for Strip views. Amid the elegance, a burn mark on the new desk was jarring, as were the thin walls — conversations (as well as some bodily functions) upstairs and next door were easily heard.

Who will like it: Those seeking a more boutique casino experience. Natural light filters throughout the building, giving Encore an airier atmosphere than other Vegas gaming rooms. The casino floor is partitioned by columns and drapes into more intimate Monaco-style salons, adding to the exclusive feel.

Who won't: Encore's relative quiet may turn off gamblers who flourish on the buzz of an open casino floor. (On the other hand, the casino's smaller size makes it easier to flag down free cocktails.) Vegas lovers who like to be in the thick of things may dislike Encore's north Strip location, although the Fashion Show Mall is right across the street.

Wining & dining: No buffets here. Most of Encore's five restaurants are aimed at high rollers, with $30-$40 entrees the norm. At Switch, diners can watch the walls change colors and décor, while at the Italian restaurant Sinatra, patrons can ogle an Oscar, Emmy and Grammy won by the crooner. More reasonable pan-Asian fare is available at Wazuzu, where a 27-foot Swarovski crystal dragon hangs on the wall.

Indulgences: With 51 treatment rooms and $150 for a 50-minute massage, the 61,000 -square-foot spa provides plenty of escapist options for those who can ignore a plummeting Dow. When the weather heats up, start your weekend wet by renting a $400 poolside private cabana with plasma TV at the "European" (topless) pool.

The deal: The hotel's website offers midweek rates ranging from $159-$252, with a resort credit of $50 for two or more nights. Recent customers who scored $109 midweek deals at Wynn through Hotwire.com were "upgraded" to Encore at no additional charge. (In a reversal from its opening, rooms at Encore currently cost less than Wynn's.)

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2009-03-05-encore-las-vegas_N.htm

Australia and NZ positive source for British Columbia

2009-03-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

A large number of Australian and New Zealand travellers chose British Columbia, Canada as their destination in 2008 according to Tourism British Columbia.

Destinations in the region include Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria amongst 130 other cities, towns and mountain resorts such as Vancouver Island and the Okanagan and the Rockies.

Australian visitors to British Columbia increased 11.6% last year with 160,667 overnight customs entries and New Zealand visitors increased by 28.2% with 33,615 overnight customs entries.

For those interested in the destination, Tourism British Columbia has a website for Australian and New Zealand travellers and agents.

The website, www.BritishColumbia.travel, features information on where to go, what to see, maps, photos and travel tips essential to all visitors.

Visitors to the website can also discover the diverse array of activities available including snowboarding, hiking, ocean kayaking, whale watching, mountain biking and hot springs.

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=89304&nav=21

Jonas Brothers Visit Las Vegas Fans As Part Of Movie Promotion

2009-03-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

As part of a promotion for their new movie: Jonas Brothers: 3D Concert Experience, the famed brothers are supposed to visit random theaters to meet with fans. That's exactly what they did on March 1 when they showed up at Las Vegas' Town Square.

"They snuck in and sat down with the crowd like they were regular people," an eyewitness told In Touch. "Everyone freaked out when they saw who sat next to them!"

It was Kevin Jonas, 21, Nick Jonas, 16, and Joe Jonas, 19 in the flesh! Of course the fans were extremely excited to see them and the boys took a minute to offer a few words to everyone.

"They went to the front of the theater and thanked everyone for coming," the onlooker said.

Definitely sounds like a perk for Jonas Brothers lovers everywhere.

http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/52439.html

Las Vegas gears up for Extreme Makeover Home Edition

2009-03-06T16:43:00.000-08:00

A big rally on Fremont Street Tuesday night to welcome Extreme Makeover Home Edition to Las Vegas.

They'll be re-building a home for a local family, but they haven't announced which family they'll help.

We'll find out in just one week.

Tuesday night it was all about the volunteers and getting them geared up for hours of hard work.

Volunteers that were found in a crowd of hundreds at the rally.

Yet executive producer for the show, Conrad Ricketts, still encouraged even more to head to the tables and sign up.

"Everybody comes into it thinking they're going to change someone else's life but in the process they end up changing their own life," Ricketts says.

Starting next week, the extreme crew comes in, excites a town, builds a house, and does it all in seven days.

The builders, Wright Custom Home, haven't seen the designs yet, but they have hundreds of volunteers.

"At first it was 500 but we've been getting a flood of people from the community," Daniel Bartlett, with Wright Custom Home, says.

Volunteers like 11-year old Emily.

"You know that you're helping people that really need Extreme Makeover," she says.

Even Mayor Goodman himself said he'll help.

"He's going to give me a paint brush and I might take a little bit of broad brush," Mayor Goodman says.

While no one knows who the lucky family will be, they're ready to work and change the life of a stranger.

They will surprise the family at their house next Tuesday March 10th and then the demolition begins on the 12th.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9942771

Las Vegas Homes Keep Getting Cheaper

2009-03-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

The median price paid for Las Vegas region homes fell to $159,000 in January - the lowest since spring 2002 - as foreclosures' share of the resale market hit 73%. Lower prices triggered enough home sales to surpass the year-ago transaction level for the fifth consecutive month, a real estate information service reported.

A total of 3,127 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in the Las Vegas-Paradise metro area (Clark County) in January, down 21.8% from December but up 24.8% from January 2008, according to MDA DataQuick. The San Diego-based firm tracks real estate trends nationally via public property records.

January marked the 10th consecutive month in which sales of existing single-family detached houses rose on a year-over-year basis, while resale condos have seen an annual sales gain for seven straight months. Total home sales, which have suffered from the decline in new-home construction, climbed above the year-ago mark for the fifth consecutive month but were the lowest for a January since 2000.

The 249 new homes sold - detached houses and condos combined - marked a record low for any month in DataQuick's complete Las Vegas statistics, which go back to 1994.

The median price paid for all homes sold in the Las Vegas metro area fell to $159,000 in January, down 9.1% from $175,000 in December and down 37.6% from $254,990 in January 2008. The January 2009 median's 37.6% year-over-year decline is a record for any month in DataQuick's Las Vegas statistics.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10467178/1/las-vegas-homes-keep-getting-cheaper.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Add-on software apps make iPhone a great travel partner

2009-03-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

By Roger Yu

Tech-savvy road warriors are enjoying a new era of handheld computing as more sophisticated smartphone software floods the market.

The iPhone, in particular, has amassed more than 900 applications targeting business or leisure travelers. Many applications are free, and others range from 99 cents to $19.99.

Unlike desktop software, iPhone applications are relatively simple tools that don't require hours to learn. Most rely on the phone's embedded GPS chip to tailor information to a traveler's current location, such as spotting nearby Starbucks, Wi-Fi hot spot, police radar, restaurants and taxi companies. Others transform traditional travel tools — foreign language phrase books, city guidebooks, restaurant tip cheat sheets — and render them digitally.

We recently tried several of the most popular iPhone travel applications. Here's what we found:

FlightTrack
Provides real-time flight status with scheduled departure and landing times, as well as actual takeoff and projected landing.

Travelers can save their flight schedules and check for cancellations and delays when encountering bad weather. They also can search for flights by airline, flight number or date.

Its live flight maps show weather radar, provide information on aircraft type, speed and altitude. Price: $4.99

WorldView Live

Promises the "world in your pocket" by showing video streams from 6,000 webcams worldwide.

Search for a place nearby or browse through popular locations. Images are small and often grainy, especially at night.

It's an ideal toy for tourists wishing to get a sense of the weather at their destinations, or for armchair travelers stuck in their work cubicles. You can stare at downtown Moscow or Newport Beach in California. WorldView isn't necessary for business travelers, but it's a fun time-waster. Price: $2.99

Babelingo

Contains 300 useful phrases and words in 11 languages.

You can find a phrase by using key words and tapping a button to translate. Its unique feature is the large, clear script of translated phrases that can be read easily from a distance. Need help? Just show your iPhone — with the translated phrase — to the store clerk or taxi driver.

Its selection of phrases is limited, however. There was no phrase containing "ambulance," for instance. Only one phrase containing "bank" showed up in our search. Price: $3.99

Rocket Taxi

Find a cab from its database of 17,500 taxi companies.

A local search in Northern Virginia, for instance, found more than 80 taxi companies within 12 miles. It's not always helpful when trying to distinguish the quality of service. Customers can leave their feedback by rating companies on a 5-star scale. But only two of the 80 companies in our search were rated.

It can also roughly calculate the estimated fare. Even if it's just an estimate, it's nice to know the ballpark figure before hopping in and taking off. Price: $1.99

Where

Finds local points of interest using your current location. It pinpoints on a map the nearby Starbucks, Zipcars parking spots, hotels, gas stations (with prices), local concerts — and even friends who are in your network.

It's the only traveler's application among the ones tested that contained flash ads, which could explain its slow download speed.

It also contains information that road warriors may find irrelevant, such as random photos from people nearby, user polls and constellation maps. Free

Zagat To Go '09

Access to Zagat's ratings and reviews for more than 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightspots and shops in more than 100 countries.

Its advance search feature lets users select places by specific criteria, including food, décor and features such as "Child Friendly" or "Business Dining." Users can make reservations online for some restaurants. Ideal for those familiar with Zagat's 30-point scale. Its reviews also include a short, descriptive paragraph that highlights selected quotes from reviewers' comments. Price: $9.99

TravelTracker:

Stores information about your flight, hotel reservation, car rental and appointments in one place for easy referral. It also provides current flight status, finds Amtrak stations, shows a plane's seating chart and tracks frequent-flier miles. You can type in travel spending as you go, and it tracks and categorizes your expenses.

Travelers using TripIt.com, an online travel organization tool, can download their stored information to TravelTracker. Hyper-organized travelers may enjoy all the functions, but it could involve too much data input for those who travel simply. Price: $19.99

Global Wi-Fi Finder:

As the name implies, it uses GPS to find nearby public Wi-Fi hot spots. The list tells whether the hot spot is free or pay-only service, the distance and contact information for the host sites, which are typically hotels, restaurants or cafes. You can filter your search by distance, ranging from 300 feet to 40 miles. Free

Local Eats:

Reviews of 100 best nearby restaurants, based on your GPS location, by "serious diners" and "hopelessly hooked restaurant habitués," according to its description. Users can also search by "Best of" categories, such as "Best Japanese/sushi" or "Best brunch." You'll have to take their word for it because many entries don't contain customer reviews. Price: 99 cents

Excess Baggage:

A simple application that lists 26 domestic airlines' policies on checked luggage. It shows what extra, overweight and oversize bags cost to check. Use it to decide between packing an extra or overweight bag. Price: $1.99

Simultravel GPS Lite:

Displays an interactive map of hotels near you with their rates on the day of search. Derives prices of over 35,000 hotels from Priceline. But in a recent trial, it priced a local Hilton Garden Inn at $216. A search in Hilton.com for the same hotel turned up $209. A similar comparison for a room at a local Marriott Residence Inn showed $209, while Marriott.com quoted $242. Free

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-02-iphone-travel-apps_N.htm

DubaiLand in Dubai: The Next Big Theme Park

2009-03-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Dubailand is an entertainment complex under development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holding). Construction of Dubailand has been divided into four phases. Work is currently being carried out on phase one of the project which is expected to see completion some time between 2008 and 2010.

The Dubailand project was officially announced on October 23, 2003. Dubailand will be 278 km²/107 mile² and will include 45 "mega projects" and 200 sub projects. To date, there are currently 22 projects under development. It will be twice the size of Walt Disney World, and will be the largest collection of theme parks in the world; however, no theme park in Dubailand will surpass Disney's Animal Kingdom (located at Walt Disney World) as the world's largest theme park. Private reaction towards the project has been positive and Dubai has exceeded the $4.9 billion private investment figure it expected on the entire project by collecting approximately $6 billion from the private sector for the first phase.

The first of four phases comprising the development of Dubailand will be completed in early 2008 since the developers decided to extend the park by 50% subsequently bumping up its completion date. Completion of the final phase is targeted for some time between 2015 and 2018. Dubailand is seen by its designers as a city and therefore like a city they expect it to continue to grow and develop beyond the four phase plan.

Sahara Kingdom theme park, situated in the Attractions & Experience World, will cover 460,000 m2 (4,951,399 sq ft) and will combine high end virtual and physical theme park rides, attractions such as a state of the art gaming zone, IMAX theater, and integrated live and virtual entertainment shows, together with a retail zone, four hotels and residential accommodation. The theme of the development is traditional Arabia folklore and the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Sahara Kingdom is due for completion in October 2010.

On January 19, 2008, Dreamworks announced plans to build a Dreamworks park in Dubailand.

On March 4, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Six Flags to build a 5,000,000 square feet (460,000 m2) Six Flags Dubailand theme park. The theme park is scheduled to break ground sometime in 2009.

On May 1, 2008, Tatweer announced the launch of Freej Dubailand. Freej Dubailand will boast hotels totalling 2,600 keys, and feature retail, food and beverage outlets, as well as a spectrum of entertainment attractions.

On May 2, 2008, announced the finalization of the design and conceptual master plan for a Marvel Superheroes theme park, the first of its kind. It will include 17 rides and attractions on a 4,500,000 square foot development. It will also comprise nine retail outlets on an area of 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2). Over 40 food and beverage outlets, including carts merchandising light refreshments, will be developed over 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2). area. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to be conducted in the first quarter of 2009, with the theme park scheduled to open doors on 31 December, 2012.

On May 6, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Merlin Entertainments Group to build a Legoland park in Dubailand. The project will cost Dh912 million, occupy a total of 3,000,000 sq ft (278,709 m2), and will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions geared towards families with children ages 2 to 12. The park will open at the end of 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubailand

Jamaica, Belize air services deal on hold

2009-03-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 2, 2009 - Implementation of the a bilateral air services agreement signed by Jamaica and Brazil has been put on hold pending, among other things, the divestment of the national carrier, Air Jamaica.

The agreement was inked in December 2007, by Transport and Works Minister, Michael Henry, and then Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica, Cezar Augusto De Souza Lima, signaling the culmination of negotiations on a draft, which was reached in 2006. It establishes the regulatory framework, which will, among other things, facilitate scheduled commercial passenger and cargo flights between the South American country and Jamaica.

However, while confirming that the agreement remains intact, Communications Consultant with the Ministry of Transport and Works Reginald Allen said that little else has taken place since the signing, which, primarily, paves the way for further discussions involving representatives of Air Jamaica, or any other local carrier, and their Brazilian counterparts in mapping out the attendant logistics.

Air Jamaica's Senior Director for Government and Community Affairs, William Rodgers, said the airline is yet to engage any Brazilian counterpart in dialogue on the matter. This, he points out, is against the background of Air Jamaica's impending divestment, and to see how best the fortunes of the state-run entity, which has been operating at a loss for several years, can be reversed.

"We are going through that divestment process, which, I am sure, once we know where we are going, then discussions could be explored for the for the future expansion of the airline. So the door is open (for talks)," he said.

"Right now, we have been consolidating and dropping unprofitable routes. With the sort of losses that Air Jamaica has been incurring, we have been a bit reluctant to explore new routes. We need to know where we are going as a carrier before such discussions could take place," the airline executive added.

Last year, Prime Minister, Bruce Golding announced a March 31 date for the proposed divestment, which is being led by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Don Wehby.

In addition to the divestment, Rodgers, who was a member of the Air Policy Committee which spearheaded the negotiated agreement, pointed out that there still needed to undertake route and economic surveys to assess the viability of the service, in order to effect implementation of the provisions.

"So, even though the agreement is in place, there are on the ground logistics that have to be undertaken to determine the feasibility of having that service in place. Also, (it) would centre around us having the right equipment to fly long distances into these areas, and the sort of frequency that would be necessary to maintain a viable route," he explains, adding that no service will commence until there is further dialogue among stakeholders.

In addition to commercial passenger and cargo services, the agreement seeks to facilitate code sharing among the designated stakeholder airlines, and a chance for the exploration of Jamaica as an alternative gateway for connecting flights between North and South America. It further seeks to encourage the promotion of fair play among all interests, while discouraging discrimination and abuse of dominant positions.

http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2009/03/02/NEWS0000006985.html

SU cautions students vacationing in Mexico

2009-03-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

By Bethany Bump

Syracuse University and other colleges across the United States are warning students planning to travel to Mexico for Spring Break of a swell in drug-related violence and kidnappings.

SU issued a news alert Thursday to students, faculty and staff with an excerpt of the U.S. State Department's travel alert pertaining to Mexico and safe travel tips for students.

"While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year … violence in the country has increased recently. It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim," the alert read.

Kevin Morrow, university spokesman, said with Spring Break approaching, the university felt it was important to inform the campus community of the State Department's message, especially for those individuals making travel plans now.

"This isn't a message saying stay away from Mexico," Morrow said. "We're saying if you do plan to visit Mexico, these are some troubling situations going on in that country right now and here are some tips to take into consideration."

More than 100,000 U.S. teenagers and young adults travel to resort areas throughout Mexico over Spring Break each year, according to the State Department's Web site.

Acapulco and Cancun, popular Spring Break destinations, have seen increased drug-related violence recently, according to the department. Though, violence has not been targeted at foreign residents or tourists.

Increased fighting among drug cartels has led to massacres and dumping of beheaded bodies in the streets, according to the travel alert. More than 6,000 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year, it said. Despite this bloodletting, 23 million tourists visited Mexico in 2008, an increase of 5.9 percent from last year, according to Mexico's Tourism Department.

The greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border, according to the State Department's travel alert. Bystanders have been injured and killed in violent attacks across the country, the alert added, warning of a more likely risk of violence in public places.

Brian Connolly, a junior finance and accounting major, will be spending Spring Break in Cancun at a resort with three other friends. He said he took into consideration SU's alert, but that he still plans on going because he has already paid for the trip.

"I'll be at the resort where I plan on staying," Connolly said. "I plan to stay with a group of friends there and not go off the resort to avoid the violence. No one's going to be by themselves."

Connolly said he knew Mexico was not safe in terms of drug trafficking, but he didn't realize until just recently the number of kidnappings and drug deals occurring. He said as long as he stays on the resort, he and his friends aren't worried.

"I don't consider the risk large enough to not go," he said.

http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/03/02/News/Su.Cautions.Students.Vacationing.In.Mexico-3654995.shtml

Dubai's Union Properties theme park put on hold

2009-03-01T16:16:00.000-08:00

DUBAI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Dubai-based Union Properties UPRO.DU said on Thursday its has suspended its $460 million Formula One theme park due to the financial crisis and drying up of liquidity from banks.

"The suspension will delay the opening of the Formula One entertainment concept until 2010," it said in a statement on the project which was scheduled to be completed in 2009.

"The project is founded on a strong business model that withstands recession whilst allowing for the future growth of Dubai," Penny Fischer, marketing director for F1-X said in a statement.

"With construction more than 50 percent complete, the core of international expertise on the ground and operational plans virtually complete, it is hard to believe that a financial partner will not come forward in the coming days or weeks to capitalise on the opportunity," Fisher said.

F1-X is part of Union Properties' MotorCity project.

Dubai's once-booming property sector has been hit hard by the financial crisis, which triggered a drop in property prices that has forced real estate firms to cancel or postpone projects and cut thousands of jobs.

Union Properties made a fourth-quarter loss of 37.6 million dirhams due to lower land sales. (Reporting by Jason Benham; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSLQ86125820090226

Yucatan city of Playa del Carmen, Cape Cod share few common virtues

2009-03-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

by Paul Gauvin

Playa del Carmen, Mexico – This city of a bit more than 100,000 people and the town of Hyannis have a couple of things in common. They are both situated on spits of land jutting out to sea, boast fine beaches and survive mostly on tourism.
There the similarities fade. Weather here is predictable, a sub-tropical 80s average with cooler nights. Rain is usually a brief cloudburst, and overcast skies are a real rarity.

The majority of service and construction industries do not require the importation of seasonal help. Here in Playa, the working class is home grown, the progeny of successive generations of what once was, say historians, the magnificent Mayan civilization.

Hmmm. What does that say of the Cape’s “snowbirds” who escape the blahs each year by flocking like Canada geese to kinder, gentler climes, as Bush the Father might say?

And, more to the point this time of year, the weather. The Cape Cod Times compared this year’s frigid, gray, slushy, ugly, lousy weather to Gran Marais, Michigan, where snow is five feet high and temps below zero…in effect calling complaining Cape Codders big sissies.

This 80-percent Catholic town on the Yucatan peninsula jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico on one side, and the azure Caribbean on the other, also has one other important – very important – virtue that Cape Cod doesn’t: It has a fantastic public transportation system comprised of very comfortable, cutting-edge buses, clean taxis and a ubiquitous array of vans called “collectivos” that travel hither and yon every five minutes carrying the labor force where it needs to go.

We’ve been traveling here in collectivos, sometimes sitting on a small box or jamming in with the driver in front to get to places like Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Akumal, Cancun and from one end of Playa del Carmen to the other…which one could just as easily walk if one has a few minutes to spare and/or like many a tourist, ride a bike.

Most workers here, like New Yorkers, don’t own cars, albeit the motor scooter enjoys a healthy market. You see dust-laden construction workers, two per scooter, heading home after a day’s labor.

Seeing this again spurs a recurring thought: I daydream sometimes of a high-speed train running on tracks laid out on the center green belts of our highways, particularly routes 6 and I95 to Providence, through New Bedford and Fall River, two cities with a combined workforce capable of ending the Cape’s need for foreign labor if only quick and inexpensive transportation were available.

The “collectivos” here seat about the same number of passengers as the short-haul Cessnas flying out of the Barnstable Municipal Airport…about nine to a dozen. Travel from Playa del Carmen to Puerto Aventuras, for example, a distance of about 14 miles, is 12 pesos and we’re exchanging for 13 to 14 pesos per dollar at the moment, meaning that 12 pesos is only 83 cents in U.S. currency. From the Cancun airport to Playa, nearly 50 miles, the per-passenger cost is $8 USD. That is compared to about $22 to travel by bus the 50 miles to Boston from Hyannis.

(One episode describes caution in dealing with pesos. One bus ticket seller tried to shortchange me $10 pesos, figuring perhaps I hadn’t been around long enough to figure out the coinage. When confronted about it, however, he quickly paid, with a guilty countenance, the $10 pesos before I made a boisterous issue of it.)

One advantage here is that the currency has no pennies, which the U.S. should also abandon, and people here actually use coin dollars rather than hoard them as do Americans. For the record, paper pesos come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, and $500 while coin values are $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 pesos.

When it comes to currency under a peso there are only denominations of 20 and 50 centavo coins, meaning the Mexican government coinage makes more sense out of less cents.

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17341&Itemid=112

Hollywood Hip Revel in Privacy of Old Chateau Marmont: Travel

2009-02-25T16:43:00.000-08:00

by Jason H. Harper

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The Chateau Marmont is Hollywood’s most notorious hotel, so you could hardly call it a hidden gem. Yet the fanciful 1930s-era mansion is famed for both discretion and privacy, important considerations during paparazzi-mad periods like last week’s run-up to the Oscars.

You arrive at the hotel on a narrow driveway off Sunset Boulevard that leads to a low, hidden garage where a tiny, creaking elevator goes straight up to the main floor.

Otherwise you can hoof it up a gloomy stairway to the lobby and cramped check-in nook. Grand? Not a bit. Yet that’s part of the allure of the place, where the Hollywood history is as thick as the grime on the baseboards.

The Chateau has been run by hotelier Andre Balazs since 1990, and while it was remodeled, it was never homogenized. Akin to New York’s Chelsea Hotel, the grittiness is hallowed.

There’s history here, too. The hotel’s often-naughty guests have included Errol Flynn, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable and James Dean. Led Zeppelin members once drove motorcycles inside, and in 1982 John Belushi overdosed in his garden bungalow.

It’s fair to say that the hotel’s 63 rooms both are and aren’t the point. The bungalows, set near the pool behind a locked fence and high hedges, are 600 square feet and the more private option. There are also one- and two-bedroom suites available. I booked the cheapest room: a standard in the main building for $370.

White, No Clutter

Room 16 is right off the lobby: a big square space with tall ceilings and wooden floors. It’s remarkably clutter-free, with no hanging art on the eggshell walls and otherwise only a white wooden armoire, two old chairs, an antique writing desk and an LG flat-screen television.

The baseboards need a good cleaning and a crawl-space trap door on the bathroom ceiling has oily black finger smudges. The bathroom is redone in marble and has a big shower.

If a bit beaten, there’s plenty of character, and large windows let in gobs of light. I like it much better than, say, the quasi-chic cookie-cutter rooms found at the new Hotel Palomar in Westwood, 15 minutes away.

Unfortunately an irksome beep emanates from an ancient speaker above the door, which I ask to be fixed. In the middle of the night I discover that it hasn’t been. So in the morning I’m moved to a much larger space on a higher floor with a full kitchen, including an antique Wedgewood four-burner stove and classic GE refrigerator. My favorite detail is the green Formica kitchen table.

Savory Bar Food

In the evening, a friend and I stop by Bar Marmont, in a separate building on Sunset. Chef Carolynn Spence used to cook at New York’s Spotted Pig, and the bar food includes very non- L.A. yet savory choices like prunes wrapped in bacon and homemade potato chips. It can be a scene, though it’s quiet this Monday night.

We retire back to the hotel lobby, where waitresses serve cocktails to groups sitting in couches and non-matching chairs. The space is dark and cloistered; you can’t quite make out faces. A host in a long black overcoat says the room is full, yet once he learns we’re guests, the attitude completely changes and within minutes we get seats.

This is one of my favorite things about the Chateau: The staff seems solicitous and protective of even their non-famous guests.

The final morning I take my laptop down to the pool among the other writer-like or movie types tapping at computers or talking quietly into cell phones. Not a single person is wearing a bathing suit.

No wonder so many guests make prolonged stays, choosing the hotel as a West Coast base. You can’t help but feel if you’d just hang out long enough, the Chateau’s secrets would start to reveal themselves. If you don’t mind a bit of grime, that’s pretty beguiling.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a.VeO7XmFhAg&refer=muse

Boyd Gaming Offers to Buy Station Casinos Assets

2009-02-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

By Beth Jinks

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Boyd Gaming Corp. offered to buy some assets of Station Casinos Inc., the Las Vegas operator that proposed a bankruptcy filing this month, and may be interested in the entire company.

Boyd sent a letter it called a “non-binding preliminary indication of interest” to Station’s directors to acquire all of the company’s assets that do not serve as collateral for secured loans for about $950 million, Boyd said today in a statement. Boyd may offer to buy the rest of Station after a “due diligence review,” it said.

Station, which was taken private by management and private- equity firm Colony Capital LLC in 2007, struggled to pay creditors in a market among the hardest hit by deteriorating home prices and recession-driven job losses. Gambling revenue in Las Vegas last year declined the most on record.

“This value would present a superior recovery to the unsecured creditors of Station versus the current exchange offer” Station made earlier this month, Boyd said today. Station on Feb. 3 offered investors 10 cents to 50 cents on the dollar in secured notes and cash, in exchange for about $2.3 billion of existing bonds.

Boyd, which hired UBS AG as its adviser, said it had about $2 billion available on its revolving credit facility. The $950 million offered is an estimated “enterprise value” of the assets, it said.

‘Will Evaluate’ Plan

“We intend to continue to work with our lenders and bondholders to pursue our previously proposed plan of reorganization, but we will evaluate the terms of Boyd Gaming’s proposal,” Station spokeswoman Lori Nelson said in an e-mail.

Both Station and Boyd are headquartered in Las Vegas and operate casinos that market themselves to local gamblers. Some of Boyd’s 16 casinos are located in New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, while all of Station’s 18 gambling facilities are in the Las Vegas area.

Station Casinos on Feb. 3 proposed filing for bankruptcy in collaboration with lenders, in a restructuring to be voted on by March 2. Some secured lenders have agreed to support the plan, the company said.

The buyout offer and bankruptcy proposal came 15 months after Station’s takeover by the Fertitta family and Colony Capital. The company’s casinos include Red Rock Casino and the 3-month-old Aliante Station.

Bankruptcy Proposal

As part of the proposal, affiliates of the Fertitta family and billionaire Tom Barrack’s Colony Capital have agreed to invest as much as $244 million to maintain their current ownership stakes. The family and Colony paid $90 a share, or $5.4 billion, and assumed about $3.3 billion in debt to acquire Station.

In December, Station abandoned a debt-exchange offer for some senior notes after trying to prod investors to accept a below-face-value cash payment or new, discounted notes with longer maturities. In August, Boyd stopped construction of its $4.75 billion Echelon resort development on the Las Vegas Strip.

Station, founded by Frank Fertitta Jr., started as a Las Vegas bingo hall in 1976 and grew into a casino company focused on attracting gamblers who live and work in Nevada’s Clark County, where the population more than doubled between 1990 and 2006.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aJTpB8QXOa2k&refer=us

Hard Times, High Fares

2009-02-25T16:40:00.001-08:00

By AYSE BAYBARS

I miss the nineties. Back then, besides having boy bands and great television shows, traveling by plane was almost a pleasant experience. I could carry-on more than just the clothes on my back, a laptop, and a book. Food and non-alcoholic beverages were both free. Go on a flight nowadays, and you find yourself thirsty, hungry, and possibly bereft of clothes when the airline loses your checked baggage.

I don’t, however, miss the higher airfares. Over the last decade, plane ticket prices have become ridiculously low-priced—on the whole, airfares have dropped an average of 30 percent since 1990. It’s easy to get used to paying less; when fares aren’t as low, the public is outraged and accuses airline executives of lining their pockets.

Given the present economic situation, this attitude is irrational. Raising airfares under the circumstances makes sense as airline companies feel the financial strain due to bad money management, raised fuel prices, and the loss of confidence in air-travel after 9/11. There is a fundamental problem with the entitlement the public feels regarding low airfares—flying a commercial aircraft is expensive, and when low ticket prices are coupled with overall financial strain, airline companies lack the means for the necessary aircrafts, pilots, and crew.

While it’s mildly annoying that we must now pay for food, drinks and checked baggage—which is usually our only option when overhead compartments are too small or flights are so full that we can barely fit our carry-on bags in the space provided—any slack in the system of efficient service is even more distressing.

The financial woes of airlines are particularly noticeable during emergency situations, when any lack of resources becomes obvious. On February 15, 2007, passengers on JetBlue’s Flight 751 to Cancun, Mexico were trapped on the runway for eight hours when a snowstorm delayed their flight. The logical conclusion in most weather-related delays is to have passengers sit in the terminal until the plane is ready to take off; although not an ideal situation, it is still preferable to being trapped in a stuffy airplane. In the case of Flight 751, however, passengers remained stranded on the runway and unable to reenter the terminal because not a single gate was available.

Airlines need to pay over $1 million to airports in gate fees to have ample space for their aircraft—including extra aircraft for emergencies. When airlines face so much financial strain that even water costs money, it’s clear that airlines do not have the means to pay airports for as many gates as are necessary to accommodate delayed flights. Disasters like JetBlue Flight 751 are the result.

Somehow, airlines need to find a means to increase their revenue. Whether this comes from raising food, beverage, and baggage fees—perhaps now pillows, blankets, and even air will cost money!—or from increasing airfares themselves, is up to the airlines.

The more logical and practical option is to increase airfares, despite the frustration many people will undoubtedly feel as they themselves feel the pinch of the economic downturn. Regardless, the public ought to remember that we are not entitled to being flown to our destination of choice for a low price; everyone, including airlines, is affected by the financial crisis. If increasing airfares is the only way to avoid catastrophes like the JetBlue affair, then the public must accept the economic realities of the airline industry and be prepared to shell out just a little more.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=526686

Going to Mexico for spring break? Read this first

2009-02-25T16:37:00.000-08:00

By Ed Walsh

As we approach spring break season, the US State Department is advising young people to use caution when visiting Mexico.

They have issued the following advice and information:

Over 100,000 American teenagers and young adults travel to resort areas throughout Mexico over Spring Break each year. While the vast majority enjoys their vacation without incident, several may die, hundreds will be arrested, and still more will make mistakes that could affect them for the rest of their lives. Using some common sense will help travelers avoid these unpleasant and dangerous situations.

We encourage all U.S. citizens to phone home periodically to assure family members of your safety and inform them of your whereabouts. Remember, whether you travel to Mexico by land, air, or sea, you are entering a foreign country and are subject to the laws and customs regulations of Mexico.

Entry Requirements

Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air to the United States from Mexico, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, (or if applicable, an Alien Registration Card, form I-551, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document), to enter or re-enter the United States. American citizens can visit http://travel.state.gov or call 1-8... (1-877-487-2778) for information on applying for a U.S. passport. Please see Mexico’s Country Specific Information for complete entry requirements.

Mexican Law

While traveling in Mexico, American citizens are subject to Mexican law. An arrest or accident in Mexico can result in a difficult legal or medical situation, sometimes at a great expense to the traveler. Mexican law can impose harsh penalties for violations that would be considered minor in the United States, and U.S. citizenship in no way exempts one from full prosecution under the Mexican criminal justice system. If U.S. citizens find themselves in legal trouble, they should contact the closest U.S. Consulate, U.S. Consular Agency, or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. (see "Contact Information" below). U.S. consular officials in Mexico can visit detained American citizens in prison, provide information about the Mexican legal system, and furnish a list of Mexican attorneys, among other assistance. U.S. Consular officials cannot arrange for Mexican officials to release detained American citizens.

Alcohol and Drugs

Excessive alcohol consumption and unruly behavior can lead to serious problems with Mexican authorities. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes, and deaths suffered by American students on Spring Break. Disturbing the peace, lewd or indecent behavior, littering, driving under the influence, drinking on the street or on public transportation, using public transportation without payment, or making obscene or insulting remarks are all considered criminal activities by Mexican authorities. The importation, purchase, possession or use of drugs can incur severe penalties, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried, and imprisonment of several years following a conviction. All individuals 16 years of age or older are tried as adults.

Safety and Security

Standards of security, safety, and supervision may not reach the levels expected in the United States. This has contributed to the deaths of U.S. citizens in automobile accidents, after falls from balconies or into unmarked ditches, by drowning in the ocean as well as in hotel pools, and in water-sports mishaps, among others.

Warning flags on beaches should be taken seriously. If black or red flags are up, do not enter the water. Strong undertow and rough surf are common along beaches throughout Mexico, especially on the Pacific coast, and drownings have occurred when swimmers have been overwhelmed by conditions. Swimming pool drain systems may not comply with U.S. safety standards and swimmers should exercise caution. Do not swim in pools or at beaches without lifeguards. Do not dive into unknown bodies of water, because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. If you choose to swim, always exercise extreme caution.

Use only the licensed and regulated "sitio" (SEE-tee-oh) taxis. Some illegitimate taxi drivers are, in fact, criminals in search of victims; users of these taxis have been robbed, kidnapped, and/or raped. Hotels, clubs and restaurants will summon a sitio taxi upon request.

Firearms and Knives

It is best not to carry even a pocketknife into Mexico as this can result in a weapons charge if a knife is found on a traveler who is arrested for a separate offense. Visitors driving across the border should ensure that their vehicles contain no firearms or ammunition. Mexico imposes harsh penalties for bringing as little as one bullet across its borders.

Renting and Operating Vehicles and other Equipment

Visitors should exercise caution when renting vehicles, including jet skis and mopeds. Many are not serviced and in poor condition, and many are uninsured or under-insured. Read rental contracts carefully to be sure your own insurance will cover you in the event of an accident, if the rental company's insurance is not adequate. Drivers of any vehicle, including jet skis and mopeds, should exercise extreme caution and ask the rental agency about local laws and procedures before operating the vehicle. The Department of State has received reports of equipment rental operators using locals to form a “mob” to intimidate customers into paying exorbitant amounts for damage to rented equipment.

Operators of any vehicle that causes damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people may be arrested and held in custody until full payment is made, either in cash or through insurance.

Driving in Mexico

American citizens planning on driving to Mexico should carry a valid driver’s license at all times. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican law requires that vehicles be driven only by their owners, or that the owner be inside the vehicle. If not, the car may be seized by Mexican customs and will not be returned under any circumstances. We strongly recommend that you purchase a full coverage insurance policy that will cover the cost of bail. Please be aware that if you are involved in an automobile accident, you will be taken into police custody until it is determined who is at fault and whether you have the ability to pay any penalty.

Know Before You Go

The following cities and areas are some traditional destinations in Mexico for travelers on Spring Break. While other resort areas may not be as well-known for this type of travel, the advice contained here still applies:

Acapulco: Drug-related violence has been increasing in Acapulco. Although this violence is not targeted at foreign residents or tourists, U.S. citizens in these areas should be vigilant in their personal safety.

Avoid swimming outside the bay area. Several American citizens have died while swimming in rough surf at the Revolcadero Beach near Acapulco.

Cabo San Lucas: Beaches on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula at Cabo San Lucas are dangerous due to rip tides and rogue waves; hazardous beaches in this area are clearly marked in English and Spanish.

Cancun and Cozumel: Cancun is a fairly large city, approaching 500,000 inhabitants, with increasing reports of crime. Crimes against the person, such as rape, commonly but not exclusively occur at night or in the early morning hours, and often involve alcohol and the nightclub environment. Therefore, it is important to travel in pairs or groups, be aware of surroundings, and take general precautions. To protect against property crimes, valuables should be left in a safe place or not brought at all. If you are a victim of a crime, immediately notify the U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun or Cozumel or the U.S. Consulate in Merida at the telephone numbers provided below.

If you rent a moped or other vehicle in Cancun, it is advisable to purchase third-party insurance, as the insurance offered on some credit cards will not cover you in Mexico. Should you have an accident or cause damage to the vehicle, you may be required to pay the full amount of any repairs, in cash, as determined by the rental agency, or face arrest.

In Cancun, there is often a very strong undertow along the beach from the Hyatt Regency all the way south to Club Med. Already this season, several U.S. citizens have drowned when overwhelmed by ocean conditions. In Cozumel, several drownings and near-drownings have been reported on the east coast, particularly in the Playa San Martin-Chen Rio area.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2026-SF-Gay-Travel-Examiner~y2009m2d22-Going-to-Mexico-for-spring-break---Read-this-first

5 mistakes to avoid when traveling overseas

2009-02-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

By Los Angeles Times

Round-trip Los Angeles-London flights for less than $400. Mediterranean cruises for $100 a day. Six-day air-hotel packages to Hong Kong and Singapore for less than $1,500 per person.

With jaw-dropping prices like these, penny pinchers can't go wrong. Or can they?

Amid an avalanche of travel bargains, vacationers who venture abroad can still get stung by surprising fees, unnecessary expenses, unfavorable exchange rates and more. It has to do with how you manage your money.

With that in mind, here are five mistakes that can drain your wallet on a foreign trip -- and how to avoid them:

Ignoring foreign-exchange rates: These are volatile but important. Between the time you book your trip and, say, months later when you take it, your costs on the ground could easily increase or decrease by 15 percent or more, depending on how much the U.S. dollar is worth in other countries' currencies.

During the past five months, the euro, generally used in Western Europe, has roller coastered between about $1.25 and $1.50. In the same time, Britain's pound has steadily plummeted, from nearly $2 to about $1.40, as has Mexico's peso, from about 9 cents to 7 cents, and Canada's dollar, from nearly 90 cents to 80 cents.

A dollar here, a few cents there, and you're spending hundreds more or less than you budgeted.
Less, of course, usually isn't a problem, but if you hate surprises, consider a cruise, a tour or an air-hotel package that includes major expenses such as lodging and meals. Because you pay upfront in U.S. dollars, these costs should remain constant.

If you're willing to take some risk, you might benefit by booking just your flights and first night's hotel, then paying as you go. Over the past few months, as the dollar generally got stronger worldwide, you would have come out ahead. This year? Who knows?

To follow the dollar's daily adventures in foreign-exchange markets, visit Web sites such as www.x-rates.com.

Looking only at exchange rates: Of course, just because the British pound is getting pummeled by the dollar doesn't mean that Britain is suddenly cheaper for Americans to visit than, say, Thailand or Argentina. That's partly because living costs vary.

For quick estimates, check out the U.S. government's per diem allowances for employees dispatched to hundreds of foreign cities. The State Department posts these on its Web site www.state.gov. (Click on "Travel," then choose "Foreign Per Diem Rates" from the drop-down menu.)

The "maximum per diem rate" for each city includes lodging, meals and incidental expenses. Of course, a prudent traveler will spend less, but the rates make useful comparisons.

As of Feb. 2, the per diem for London was $385, compared with Paris ($454), Bangkok, Thailand ($218), Buenos Aires, Argentina ($299), and Vancouver, British Columbia ($250 to $275, depending on the season).

Nearly anywhere in the world, you'll save by spending time outside a country's capital, financial hubs and major resort areas, while meeting more locals and having more authentic cultural experiences. For instance, the U.S. government's per diem for Cardiff, Wales, was $283, about $100 less than for London. In Mexico, the per diem was $300 for Mexico City but only $179 for San Miguel de Allende.

Any short list of cheap or newly cheaper destinations these days -- and there are many -- would include Iceland, which suffered a currency collapse last year; Mexico and Argentina, almost always good values; Hungary; Canada; Thailand; Cambodia, and South Africa.

Dining richly: At home, you surely don't eat every meal out. So why do that when traveling?

Just like here, you'll save a bundle by grabbing food-to-go at groceries and produce markets abroad. Stroll to a park and have a picnic. Eat foods that locals eat. They're nearly always cheaper than Western-style dishes.

If you're big on breakfast, which can easily cost $20 or more at hotels in London, Paris or Singapore, shop for a room rate that includes it. Or explore nearby cafes, where you'll often pay half what the hotel charges and get faster service too.

Taking private transportation: Cab travel is convenient but usually the costliest way to go. Unless you're too jet-lagged or luggage-laden to cope with alternatives, take public transit or shared-ride services, where available, to and from the airport.

The savings can be staggering: about $6 by Tube from Heathrow Airport to central London versus more than $80, plus tip, by taxi. It really pays to study the local transit system before you leave home. Once in the city, take buses and subways. With a little research, you can put together your own bus tour of local highlights for a fraction of the cost of a private one.

Changing money at the airport: You'll nearly always get better rates and pay lower service fees in town. Even more convenient, just shove your debit card into a local ATM machine and get local currency.
But here, too, watch out for fees. Just like in the U.S., you'll probably pay $2 or $3 or more for each ATM withdrawal. And believe it or not, many ATM and credit-card issuers charge "foreign transaction" fees of 1 percent or more to change one currency into another. Check out Capital One's charge cards, which generally don't assess this fee.

As for how to carry cash: In most major destinations, your ATM card should work fine. It can be smart, however, to buy $100 or $200 worth of local currency before you leave home, despite the poorer exchange rate, to cover incidental or unexpected expenses until you can get to an ATM at your destination. And travelers checks are worth carrying too, as a backup.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/40032882.html

Las Vegas Art Museum closing next week

2009-02-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

By Kristen Peterson

The Las Vegas Art Museum is closing its doors.

The museum will close Feb. 28. Staff and board members say the museum will remain an entity and keep its name so that it can possibly reemerge when the economy improves. Members and docents were notified this afternoon.

“We’ve tried everything to keep this afloat. It’s just a challenging time,” says Patrick Duffy, president to the museum’s board. “The economic climate has eliminated several of our donations and or reduced them significantly.”

The decision comes less than three months after executive director Libby Lumpkin resigned because the board announced that budget cuts would affect salaries and result in possible layoffs.

Lumpkin joined the museum in 2005 and with the board took the institution from a community art center to a contemporary art museum, featuring exhibits that included “Southern California Minimalism,” including work by Robert Irwin, John McCracken and James Turrell; a Frank Gehry exhibit; and “Las Vegas Diaspora: The Emergence of Contemporary Art from the Neon Homeland.”

“Las Vegas Diaspora” featured the work of artists who had studied at UNLV with Dave Hickey.

It’s current exhibit “L.A. Now,” curated by art critic David Pagel, features work by Los Angeles contemporary artists.

The museum formed 59 years ago as an art league. In 1974 it became a fine art museum and in 1997 it moved into the Sahara West Library on 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/20/economy-leads-closing-las-vegas-art-museum/

Spring break: Should you stay or should you go?

2009-02-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

By Helen Anders

A lot of Texans are playing wait-and-see with their spring break plans this year, and the result is a lot of last-minute deals as destinations try to boost their crowds.

In past years, if you didn't have your spring break destination booked by January, you were in danger of not finding a place to stay.

That's not the case this year. There are still plenty of rooms available with prices at or below last year's rates in South Padre Island, Corpus Christi and Galveston, as well as such other spring break destinations as Orlando and Panama City, Fla., and Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Ski resorts in Utah and Colorado also are offering good rates.

Austin-area resorts such as Horseshoe Bay Resort and Hyatt Lost Pines Resort also have deals on the table, hoping to lure people who can't afford to travel far.

Procrastinators who want to go to Cancún, Quintana Roo, might be out of luck, though. There are hotel rooms available, but "air to Mexico is hard to find now," says travel agent Sally Watkins of Century Travel.

Most schools and colleges in Texas have their spring break the week of March 16 this year. Austin's South by Southwest festival is also that week, and some people might be staying for that, if the number of festival volunteers is any indication.

"We had almost twice the number that normally show up" to volunteer, says SXSW publicist Elizabeth Derczo. "Our speculation was that people weren't going to be going out of town at spring break, so they wanted something to do, or perhaps they were out of a job and either wanted to volunteer so they could attend because they couldn't afford to otherwise, or to attend to network and hopefully find a job."

Spring break destinations are keenly aware that the economy is working against them this year, and competition is so fierce that some tourism pitches are starting to sound like political campaigns.

In one television interview, Corpus Christi Beach Hotels Sales Director Carla Ligon said that city expects heavy spring break bookings because hurricanes hit both South Padre Island and Galveston last year, and "we are truly the only beach destination in Texas."

That's not the case. South Padre Island's beaches are in good shape . Galveston had more erosion, although it has beaches open, including a lot of freshly replenished beaches along the sea wall. The big beaches on the island's west end have been cleaned but are still badly eroded.

Travel agents and student booking companies agree more people are waiting to plan spring break this year.

"For whatever reason, to wait and see about the weather or maybe whether they have any money, the trend seems to be last-minute," says Patrick Evans, spokesman for Dallas-based STA Travel, which books student trips.

Although some Galveston hotels are still filled with disaster workers, the visitor Web site, www.galveston.com, shows numerous rooms available the week of March 16 for between $55 and $120. Weekends are a bit higher. Galveston is primarily a family destination.

South Padre Island, where students predominate during March, has hotel rates similar to last year's - starting about $200 a night booked directly through hotels - although South Padre-based Inertia Tours books seven-night packages in major condo complexes, meals and parties included, starting at about $400 a person.

Inertia President Chad Hart says its bookings are nearly sold out, with most of its students coming from Texas State University-San Marcos, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas rather than the University of Texas.

Overall, though, South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Dan Quandt says, South Padre's bookings are a little behind last year's pace. And last year wasn't a banner year: About 60,000 students visited the beaches in March. Quandt is hoping numbers get to that point this year.

Rates might be staying high because a few big hotels, notably the Sheraton, still haven't reopened after being damaged by Hurricane Dolly. The hotel closest to the spring break stage, the Radisson, changed ownership this year and is now Isla Grand . It still has rooms available at $289 a night, with a maximum of four people per room.

Neither South Padre tourism officials nor tour operators are urging students to visit Mexico while they're in South Texas. A U.S. State Department alert warns about drug violence in the border regions.

Cancún, on the other hand, is a Yucatán tourist haven and isn't included in the State Department alert. Hart says, however, that the destination isn't as popular this year.

"International spring break destination travel is down across the board for spring break by over 50 percent from year," he says. "Parents are pulling back."

On the other hand, STA's Evans says his agency has booked as many trips to Cancún as last year and that Texans have also booked trips to London, Rome and Madrid, where money exchange rates have improved from last year.

Domestically, many destinations, including Orlandoand Lake Havasu City, are offering third or fourth nights free, along with buy-one-get-one-free attraction tickets and "kids eat free" promotions.

In Panama City, Fla., prices are about like last year's, according to Dan Rowe, president of that city's convention and visitors bureau.

"Students are calling around shopping for a deal," Rowe says.

Cancun Hotels, Cancun Travel

http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/travel/02/21/0221springbreak.html

Spring break still goin' strong

2009-02-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- College students don't seem to be planning staycations for spring break. Bookings to beach destinations are strong, according to travel companies, and volunteering vacations continue to gain steam. Here's how students will be spending their break:

Beaches: Jamaica and, in Mexico, Cancun and Acapulco are top destinations, according to Patrick Evans of STA Travel. About 30,000 revelers are expected to visit Cancun this year, about the same number as last year.
Advertisement

In the United States, Panama City Beach, Fla., remains a top destination for the college crowd, according to Jason Chute, director of operations for StudentCity.com. Once again the beach hosts mtvU's Spring Break party March 8-21.

Adventure: Demand for trips to Asia and Australia is up, according to Atle Skalleberg of StudentUniverse.com. France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. remain popular, he said.

"The exchange rate is still not great for Americans, but it is a lot better, and that seems to be enough," he said.

Alternatives: Spring break volunteering is growing exponentially.

"We're farther away from Katrina, but President Obama was just elected," said Steven Roy Goodman, educational consultant. "There has been a real resurgence of a spirit of service."

And students can solicit donations to cover the cost of alternative spring breaks, said Goodman.

Jimmy Camacho, 26, a senior at San Diego State, will be working in Honduras to bring clean water access to a village.

About 40 students are going, and many of them are interested in the Peace Corps.

"I think this program was attractive in that it's only a week and not a two-year commitment," Camacho said. "It gives you work experience while allowing you to experience a new country and make a lot of new friends."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090221/LIVING/902210315/1007/LIVING

Surviving Spring Break in Cancun for adults

2009-02-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

by John Frenaye

The beach was pristine. The clear blue water of the lagoon-style pool beckoned. The food was fabulous and the room exquisite.

After years of planning, Brian Mayers was finally able to escape the pressures of his job with the Anne Arundel County, Md., Fire Department to take a well-deserved break from his three kids. He had arranged for the pet, house, and baby sitters. He and his wife were finally headed to the paradise called Cancun to celebrate an anniversary.

But when Mayers landed in the tropical paradise on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, he found he wasn’t alone.

Thousands of spring breakers were also there, waiting to spoil his dream. “They took over the pool, and when they weren’t in the pool they were taking over the bars,” he remembers. “Kids passing out and vomiting all over this luxury property was not what I had in mind. The hotel even removed all of the fire extinguishers because the kids were stealing them.”

Mayers went on to describe the other antics he encountered, ranging from being flashed from the balcony to having other guests pound on his door at 4 a.m., to enduring food fights at the buffet.

What’s an adult to do?

Avoid hot dates. Spring break comes into full swing every year in early March and continues through early May and it is no longer limited to the college crowd. Today’s spring breakers are younger and more apt to be inexperienced in traveling, and in the case of the spring break ritual — drinking. When you book your trip, keep these two months in mind. Your travel agent can discretely inquire about the guests and get a good feel for you. Some subtle questions to ask your travel planner might include:

* How many rooms will accept four people? (Most spring breakers pack as many people in a room as possible.)
* Are there any groups that are booked into the resort? (Sometimes schools and travel agencies will sponsor spring break trips.)
* How many vacant rooms are there now? (Spring break is a coming of age ritual and is typically planned at least 5 to 6 months in advance.)

Grow up. There is a growing segment of the vacation market that caters to the adult community. While spring breakers are technically considered adults, many of these properties require that you be at least 25 to book your trip, and many will not allow more than two per room. You will see very few spring breakers at resorts such as Sandals, Secrets, The Grand Lido or Couples resorts. If you are looking for a family oriented trip, Beaches or Breezes might be the best choice. What tends to separate these from the rest of the pack are inclusions and price. Any of these resorts will set you back a bit, but if you are seeking a civilized vacation, especially during the danger months, look to an adults-only resort that advertises itself as a resort for adults or couples.

Go to sea. Sometimes, the best way to avoid the spring breakers is to get on a boat as they are getting off of a plane. Again, most cruise lines do not accept individual passengers under 25. While a land-based resort may have hundreds of acres and many buildings, a cruise ship is a big floating hotel with 2,000 or more people. While they are very spacious, they are still relatively small and the crews are not very obliging towards behavior that would disrupt another guest. Cruising is still a growing business and they want you to return time and time again, and will go to the extreme to disembark a happy sailor.

Avoid the hotspots. While you probably want to go to a beach, think about avoiding the hot spots for spring break. Currently, Cancun, South Padre Island, Daytona Beach, and Key West are the “in” places for spring break with close to 70 percent of all spring breakers heading to one of those destinations. Why not avoid it entirely and head someplace else? To steer clear of the crowds, look to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, or even the Bahamas or Bermuda if it is a little later in the season. Hotspots will change, however. Fort Lauderdale went to great lengths to shed its spring break image after the city realized that it did more damage to its reputation than good. Any competent travel consultant will be able to give you a good idea where the kids are heading in any given year.

Complain now. If you somehow end up amid a throng of kids, make your dissatisfaction known at the time. Speak to the manager and ask to be relocated to another part of the resort or to another hotel if needed. It is always best to complain at the time of your displeasure. When you return, it is likely that the details will not be fresh — and possibly embellished since you have been stewing for a while and you will not get the resolve you want. The people who have the power to make you happy and correct the situation are on the boat, or in the hotel. If you still can’t resolve it, then get your agent involved when you return.

With a little common sense and some good planning, you can avoid a spring break disaster. There is no reason that your vacation should end up with pool full of anything more than the crystal clear water and other well-behaved guests.

Water Temperature in Cancun

http://www.examiner.com/x-3804-Baltimore-Family-Travel-Examiner~y2009m2d17-Surviving-Spring-Break-for-adults

Toes in the sand

2009-02-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

By TIMOTHY MONAHAN

Sunshine, stiff drinks and miles of open coastline await travelers looking to escape brisk winds and frozen sidewalks this spring break. Students looking for the best way to battle the lion's roar next month can trek south of the border to thaw out their body, mind and adventurous spirit.

Cancun, Mexico has been a college favorite for years with its gorgeous Caribbean waters on the country's tropical Yucatan Peninsula. Avid travelers will find familiar territory, but those heading south of the Tropic of Cancer for the first time will receive the most unforgettable experience.

The Mexican city boasts archaeological sites, scuba diving, fishing tours, colonial sites, golf courses and plenty of beaches. According to www.cancun.com, the area around Cancun is small enough that visitors can conveniently traverse the countryside to visit world-renowned ecological parks and Mayan ruins.

The key to making spring break in Cancun more than just another beach bash is leaving the resort and experiencing the exclusive treasures of the Yucatan.

There are three primary Mayan sites within close proximity of Cancun as well as the Xel-Ha ecological park. According to www.cancun.com, Xel-Ha is known worldwide as the largest natural aquarium and includes a massive blue lagoon amid luscious green jungles.

The city of Cancun has plenty of buses and taxicabs available for visitors to travel in safety from location to location, with the bus being the cheapest form of transportation. Taxi fares are set depending on city zones, while buses can take students pretty much anywhere for 6.5 Mexican Pesos, according to www.cancun.travel.

Travelers looking for a taste of adventure can swim with dolphins and whale sharks, rent wave runners and take jungle tours, while those with experienced sea legs can take to the high seas.

According to www.cancun.travel, visitors interested in getting the most out of the Caribbean setting can put on their best Jack Sparrow

If sailing off into the sunset sounds intriguing, there are many Cancun dinner cruises that combine the beauty of the tropical seas with high quality cuisine and entertainment.

For the more timid travelers who like to keep things simple, there are plenty of activities to engage in right in the comfort of the resort area, but they center more on relaxation than adventure.

Helping students forget their studies for a week are miles of beaches, resort spas and shopping centers, according to www.cancun.travel.

Visitors can pamper themselves with a Thalassotherapy session, which combines natural seawater, marine algae and mud for the premium therapeutic experience. Following in ancient Mayan traditions, the popular Mayan Massages use essential oils and hot stones to help ease the pains of Buffalo winters.

When it comes to spending money at the shopping centers, students will find souvenirs for friends, as well as themselves, for any budget. According to www.cancun.travel, travelers will find everything from designer stores and famous brand names, to flea markets and handcrafted souvenir shops.

Helping visitors afford not only their travel and hotel, but also their vacation spending habits, is the considerable exchange rate.

According to www.economist.com, the currency rates as of Feb. 17, 2009 are 14.57 Mexican Pesos for every one U.S. dollar. This means hotels, travel and drinks will seem like great values compared to prices in the States; even a McDonald's Big Mac costs a dollar less in Mexico.

Plane tickets from Buffalo to Cancun range anywhere from $300 to $500 round-trip and give students plenty of choices for departure and arrival times, according to www.priceline.com.

Hotel prices range from the budget vacationer $100 per night up to a luxurious and ritzy $700 each night, with well over 100 hotels and resorts to choose from.

Spring break 2009 is right around the corner and it's never too late to plan an unforgettable experience that includes a bit of history, water sports and lots of drinks with little umbrellas.

Cancun Water Temperature

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=39274

Money for high speed train could soon be coming to Las Vegas

2009-02-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Eight billion dollars from President Obama's stimulus package could be on its way to Nevada to help fund the long talked about high speed train.

The train would extend from Las Vegas to Anaheim, California and would only take 86 minutes to get from one city to another.

Its been talked about for more than a decade, but the funding was never there.

The train is called a Mag Lev.

Mag Lev stands for magnetic levitation, which is how the train travels on the track, by using magnets and electricity at a speed of 300mph.

To build one from Anaheim to Las Vegas would cost 12 to 14 billion dollars.

While the stimulus package doesn't say a word about the train, it does provide eight billion dollars for unspecified high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects.

"Money that shouldn't be spent right now, we need to worry about other things," Californian Eric Bragg says.

Bragg says we should worry about things like filling our gas tanks, or education, or even the housing crisis.

This eight billion is not ear marked to any specific project, so there is no guarantee Las Vegas will get all or any of the money.

There are several proposals for rail projects like this one across the country.

There's a 33 billion dollar plan to build one from Anaheim to San Francisco that will also compete for money from this package.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9850113

Antigua, Guatemala, is Wanderlust's top city for travel

2009-02-14T19:26:00.000-08:00

Readers of the U.K. travel magazine Wanderlust voted the Guatemalan city of Antigua tops for travel in the magazine's annual awards. The Central American city bested Luang Prabang in Laos, winner for the previous two years, to the title.

The decision by U.K. readers and voters was noted with pride by the Guatemala Times in this report, in which Barbara Schieber wrote that it "is a great pride for Guatemala that La Antigua has been chosen as number one city in the world to visit. Number two is Kyoto in Japan, that is a tough one to beat. Paris and New York did not make it to the top ten."

Latin America has been doing well in travel awards of late. Mexico City was declared the world's top religious tourist destination in January, and Peru and Mexico's Michoacan were named two of the top ten cultural destination in the world by Forbes magazine.

Latin American countries dominated the Ethical Traveler's top 10 travel destinations and Conde Nast Traveler's readers' choice awards voted Mexico's San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca among hemisphere's top 10 cities to visit.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/02/antigua-guatema.html

Spring break airfares decreasing

2009-02-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

By Kelly Yamanouchi

As airlines cope with a decline in demand for travel, spring break fares are down about 9 percent overall compared with last year, according to an air fare forecasting Web site.

Farecast’s spring break forecast shows that fares for travel Feb. 28 to April 4 from Atlanta to U.S., Mexico and Caribbean destinations averaged $249 this year, down from $273 a year earlier.

Nationally, spring break fares are down more than 15 percent year-over-year for the spring break period, according to Live Search Farecast, whose Web site makes predictions about air fares. The average spring break fare nationally is $308, down from $368 a year ago.

Delta held a fare sale earlier this year that extended through April that would be reflected in the fares, though the booking period for that sale has ended. Delta currently has a sale on flights to a number of cities in Mexico for travel by March 31. “There have been a number of sales in the marketplace in the winter and into the spring across the country,” said Delta spokesman Kent Landers.

The lower fares come as the number of U.S. airline passengers is projected to fall 6.6 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, according to a forecast by Boyd Group International, an Evergreen, Colo.-based aviation consulting firm.

The fluctuation in fares from Atlanta varies significantly, however. Spring break fares from Atlanta to West Palm Beach are down 21 percent and fares from Atlanta to Cancun are down 20 percent compared with last year. But fares from Atlanta to Nassau in the Bahamas are up 3 percent.

Travelers with flexible travel plans can save more by flying on less-popular days, avoiding peak weeks and choosing less expensive locations in Florida, or cities like Las Vegas, San Juan, Puerto Rico or Cancun, according to Farecast.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2009/02/10/spring_break_airfares.html

Tower Rising in Las Vegas but Now, Not So High

2009-02-11T17:31:00.000-08:00

By Steve Friess

LAS VEGAS — Usually in this city of ephemera, they at least finish the buildings before they bring them down.

But because of what it is billing as structural defects, MGM Mirage announced recently it has decided to shorten a hotel-condominium project it is building on the Strip to 28 stories instead of the planned 49.

Architectural experts say they cannot recall such a drastic midconstruction downscaling, especially of a building designed by a marquee architect, in this case Norman Foster. No one from Mr. Foster’s firm, based in London, responded to e-mail and telephone requests for comment.

“This is not the way we had expected things to play out,” said an MGM Mirage spokesman, Gordon Absher. “But we want to build safe buildings whose structural integrity everyone has confidence in.”

County inspectors discovered the defect — improper installation of critical steel reinforcements known as rebar — after 15 stories of the building, the Harmon, had been erected.

The Harmon is one of several structures that make up CityCenter, an $8.6 billion, 67-acre development at the heart of the Strip that includes two other hotel-condominiums, two residential towers, a 4,000-room hotel-casino and a 500,000-square-foot shopping center. Those involved in the effort promote it as the largest privately financed construction project in United States history. Besides Mr. Foster, other prestigious architects working on CityCenter buildings are Cesar Pelli, Daniel Libeskind and Helmut Jahn.

All the buildings were to open by the end of this year, Mr. Absher said, but the oval, aqua-colored Harmon, which was to have a 400-room hotel and 207 condominiums, now will not be ready until late 2010. And there will be no condominiums, he said. Would-be buyers who had put 20 percent down on 88 units will be offered refunds or the chance to buy in other buildings.

Mr. Absher said the company and county officials were investigating who is to blame for the problems but he predicted that that would be up to “a whole lot of attorneys” to sort out.

The Harmon is the CityCenter structure closest to the Strip so the shortening will significantly change the development’s look.

“There’s a lot of new work to be done in finding the new skyline of CityCenter,” Mr. Absher said. “We’re still working with the county to address their concerns, so new renderings have not yet been issued.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/11vegas.html?ref=us

Expedia Partners With HotelsCombined.com in APAC

2009-02-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

HotelsCombined.com announced today their new extended partnership with Expedia, Inc. covering 4 key markets in the Asia Pacific region: Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.

With the systems integration finalized on HotelsCombined.com, consumers within the APAC region can now search and compare live hotel rates from Expedia's global selection of hotels against other major travel sites to find the optimal hotel deal. Visitors choosing to make a hotel reservation with Expedia® are then redirected to the respective Expedia site (Expedia.com.au, Expedia.co.nz, Expedia.co.jp or Expedia.co.in) where they will be able to complete their hotel booking without additional fees or markups.

Yury Shar, Managing Director of HotelsCombined.com, welcomed the new deal: "We're excited to be working with the region's leading online travel provider Expedia. It is a very positive development for both companies and most importantly our users."

"We, too, are excited about the opportunity to provide a quality travel product to HotelsCombined.com's users. Expedia Affiliate Network's is continually seeking new ways to improve our service, support and added value for our top partners in APAC. This strategic partnership is yet one more example of Expedia's commitment to the APAC region," says Expedia Affiliate Network's new Managing Director, APAC, Jens Parkitny.

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia, hotels.com, Hotwire, Egencia (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel), TripAdvisor, Expedia Local Expert, Classic Vacations and eLong. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 60 global points of sale in more than 40 countries, with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).

About HotelsCombined.com

HotelsCombined.com is the leading global hotel price comparison engine searching over 900,000 hotel deals from prominent travel sites in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. Visitors to HotelsCombined.com can search and compare major travel sites to find the optimal hotel deal and click to buy direct from the hotel or favorite travel site. For more information, visit http://www.HotelsCombined.com.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0473200.htm

Tourists arrivals to Jamaica increased in January

2009-02-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has confirmed a 3.4 per cent growth in visitor arrivals for January, compared with the same period last year.

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that the 138, 000 tourists who visited the island during the month would be, "the largest number of visitors to have ever come to Jamaica in the month of January, in any year."

He made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday(February 4) at his ministry, New Kingston.

The Minister credited the growth to intense advertising, marketing and promotion of the island overseas, especially for the start of the winter tourist season, and the staging of the annual Jazz and Blues festival last month.

"We were in a good position in January to benefit from the changing or severe weather conditions that our tourists were experiencing," he said.

"In times such as these, people will travel to realize their passions. They have to be driven by some deeper value. When they have choices to make in terms of how to use their diminishing dollar, your destination must be impelling them to travel to you," the Minister explained.

He also revealed that there was a major spike in tourist arrivals towards the end of the month, while Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was being held.

"At the first week of January, we were down 6.4 per cent; the second week, we were down 0.3 per cent; the following week, we were up 1.3 per cent, then 1.8 per cent and the three days following that, we were up 51.1 per cent," the Minister outlined.

"The point is that we saw the spike during the two weeks when the festival took place and if it was not for the staging of the festival, the overall growth in arrivals in January would not have happened," he explained.

Mr. Bartlett said that a large portion of the visitors who came to Jamaica during the festival, were Jamaican nationals who came back for the event. He also said that hotels, both large and small, in the Montego Bay area were full to capacity.

Meanwhile, giving an update on the sector's performance last year, the Minister pointed out that, despite the economic downturn in the major markets overseas, Jamaica experienced a four per cent growth with a total of 1,769,271 stop-over arrivals and US$2 billion earned in revenue.

Giving details on individual market performances, he said that the United States continued to dominate the arrivals, with some 1,150,942 visitors, representing an increase of 1.6 per cent over the previous year. Europe followed with 284,700 visitors, an increase of 1.5 per cent.

Special mention was made of Canada, the biggest growth market with arrivals from that country increasing by 23.9 per cent.

The Minister reported that stop-over arrivals from the Caribbean showed a very outstanding growth, increasing by 6.8 per cent, while the Latin American market grew by 32.5 per cent.

On the matter of cruise arrivals, Mr. Bartlett said that the performance has been less than desirable, but it represented a stable position, with the extensive redeployment of vessels out of the Caribbean into the Mediterranean last year. Cruise passenger arrivals totalled 1,088,701 representing a 7.7 per cent decline.

The Tourism Minister said that the focus of the sector is to drive the "strongest and deepest "creative energies, and find new ways to innovate and develop strategies and processes that will identify opportunities that will mitigate the impact of the economic downturn and create growth.

http://www.sflcn.com/story.php?id=5638

Bose opens in Dubai Mall

2009-02-10T19:14:00.001-08:00

Bose has recently opened in Dubai Mall, bringing the number of outlets in the UAE to seven. The new store stocks the full range of Bose home entertainment systems and products. The Bose True to Life audio visual presentation has been installed at the outlet for customers to experience the features of Lifestyle Home Entertainment systems.

http://www.ameinfo.com/184179.html

Las vegas deals

2009-02-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO

LAS VEGAS -- What happens in Vegas doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

In a city that boasts $10,000-a-night suites, let's face it, the view is just as grand from a $129-a-night room in the same resort. Even in these tough economic times, there are fabulous finds in town. I've spent years discovering and enjoying these little gems, even in the best of times. With some planning, determination and willingness to occasionally step outside the "comfort zone" of the Strip, there are plenty of money-saving deals to be had when it comes to lodging, dining, entertainment and shopping.

To help you get more for your vacation dollar, here are a few of my fabulous finds. (Prices can change without notice, so call ahead.)

It seems all the top designers in the world have opened boutiques in Sin City. But if Prada is nada in terms of your budget, consider these options:

Macy's at Fashion Show Mall (north end of Las Vegas Boulevard). Wanna know a secret? Stop by the Visitors Services booth (first floor, near the cosmetics) for your 11 percent off Welcome Savings Pass valid for seven days.

The Las Vegas Premium Outlets (875 S. Grand Central Pkwy., 702-474-7500). A quick ride from the Strip (this is where a rental car comes in handy) and a great place for bargains if you're a savvy shopper. Outlets are of the high-end caliber: White House/Black Market, Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, True Religion, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade and about 150 more familiar labels.

The Las Vegas Outlet Center (Warm Springs Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, 702-896-5599). Just a few miles south of the resort area, this indoor mall boasts hundreds of outlet stores including Liz Claiborne Shoes, Aeropostale, Greg Norman, Jones New York, Coach and Off 5th. Not nearly as chi-chi as the Premium Outlets, but you will find tons of bargains, and a "restaurant row" has emerged along the road opposite the mall.

If you want souvenirs for everybody you've ever known, head to the Bonanza Gift Shop (Las Vegas Boulevard at Sahara, 702-...). It's purported to be the "World's Largest Gift Shop," and it might very well be. Aisle after aisle of everything from mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and moccasins to magnets and post cards is affordably priced.

For food, Hash House A Go Go (6800 W. Sahara, 702-804-GOGO) is hands-down one of the best places to eat in the city. Its slogan is "twisted farm food," which I translate as "humongous portions of some of the best breakfast, lunch and dinner chow west of the Mississippi." Their 1-pound stuffed burgers served with all the fixin's easily can feed two and will set you back about $10. The hash here ($12.95 on average) is served in a huge cast-iron skillet and is out of this world. Consider the "Pacers Hash" made with roasted pork tenderloin, crispy potatoes, fresh corn, green beans, cherry tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and scrambled eggs. The menu is extensive, the service is outstanding and the prices are very friendly.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay (3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-632-4555). Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, this is one of the best-kept secrets on the Strip. More than 1,200 species of tropical and freshwater fish, reptiles, and a mind-boggling assortment of sharks and rare golden alligators surround you in 2 million gallons of water. Travel through a glass-encased "under the sea" environment while creatures swim above, below and all around. Admission is $10.95-$17; kids under 4 are free.

Las Vegas Art Museum (9600 W. Sahara, 702...). Just eight miles west of the Strip, this is a nice way to spend a few hours in quiet respite from all the neon. Modern art rules the roost, and you can't beat the $3-$6 admission. You also can take in some extraordinary museum-quality artwork at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (inside the Bellagio Resort, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd., 702...). Admission, $10-$15. Currently on display is "Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends."

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Located 15 miles from the Strip, this desert canyon is worth the 30-minute drive. Travel a 13-mile loop through rock/canyon formations for a $5 car entry fee. You also can hike or bike scenic but very challenging trails (check with park officials at the visitors center for details). Wear plenty of sunscreen. Outdoor enthusiasts also can stay the night in the campground for a fee.

The Aquarium at Silverton Casino and Lodge (3333 Blue Diamond Road, 702-263-7777). Nowhere near the scale of Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, but every bit as fun. More than 4,000 tropical fish, sharks and other creatures traverse a 117,000-gallon artificial reef. Divers feed the lot at various times and visitors can ask questions while they're serving up lunch or dinner to their aquatic pals. In a throwback to the Vegas of the '40s and '50s, "mermaids" swim into the tank every 15 minutes for an underwater show. Free.

Mt. Charleston. A great day trip, the mount is about 40 miles northwest of the Strip. It's the highest point in southern Nevada -- some 12,000 feet at the summit -- climbing up through an alpine tree line and, depending on the time of year, snowcapped peaks. It's all part of the Spring Mountain Range of the Toiyabe National Forest, and the temperature up there can be as much as 40 degrees cooler than at the desert base. There is a restaurant and lodge around 7,000 feet, with 23 log cabins available year-round for a very different Las Vegas stay. Glorious vistas, waterfalls and plenty of crisp mountain air.

Big Dog's Cafe & Casino (6390 W. Sahara, 702-876-3647). This was the first microbrewery in Las Vegas and it still serves up several award-winning beers from its 15-barrel facility. Happy hour features $2 off all their brews. The food's not too shabby, either. When it's crowded, it's loud, rowdy and fun.

Bowling at the Suncoast Hotel/Casino (9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111). If you really want a fun outing that won't break the bank, consider bowling at this off-the-Strip locale. This is a nicely appointed, state-of-the-art Brunswick affair with 64 lanes, and it's open 24 hours a day. Saturday nights are Cosmic Bowling nights, when disco music blares and the light show thrills. Adults can bowl for $2.90 a game; kids and seniors, $2. Shoe rental is $2.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve (333 S. Valley View Blvd., 702-...). This is one of the most tranquil places you'll visit in the Las Vegas area. It spans the "birthplace of Las Vegas," a 180-acre site of landscaped botanic gardens and interactive exhibits on the city's history, such as the prehistoric swamps that evolved into desert landscape. The Nevada State Museum is slated to open there later this year. Wolfgang Puck's Cafe serves delicious fare and its outdoor terrace is the perfect place for peace and quiet. Admission is $18.95, adults; $10.95, children.

The deep-fried Twinkie -- only 99 cents -- at Mermaid's Casino, downtown Las Vegas (32 Fremont St., 702...). People line up for this sinfully delicious treat in this claustrophobic, rundown, slots-only casino.

The $25 bling ring at Decorazzi (Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade, 702-770-7000). This Swarovski crystal bauble in different colors will make your ring finger dazzle.

The dueling pianos at the Bar Time Square (New York New York Hotel/Casino, 702-74...). For a $10 cover you can sing along -- or not -- to one of the best lounge shows in town in this swanky spot.

When it comes to accommodations, Strip resorts can be very accommodating, especially in these tough economic times.

Average daily room rates were down 9.2 percent for the first nine months of 2008 compared with the same time period of 2007, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Lodging bargains abound on resorts' Web sites. Here are a couple of examples:

MGM Grand's Maximum Escape Package, featuring a room rate of $80 a night, Feb. 22-25 (other dates are available), includes a $35 activity credit, two line passes to Studio 54, and 25 percent off spa services. The Winter Escape Package is only $72 a night, but for $5 extra you get a $50 activity credit good toward dining, entertainment ("Ka" by Cirque du Soleil, or "Crazy Horse Paris"), spa services or Studio 54; (888) 646-1203, www.mgmgrand.com/special_offers/.

At the Venetian, you can't beat the Suite Life Package. For $149 a night (weekdays, minimum two-night stay), you enjoy a 650-square-foot suite, $40 off front orchestra seating to "Jersey Boys" (the resident production at the adjoining Palazzo), one complimentary passport to the resort's Canyon Ranch Spa and $30 off a variety of services. You also get 20 percent off an entree at Dal Toro Ristorante and a two-for-one gondola ride inside the resort's Grand Canal promenade. Book by Feb. 28; call (86... and mention code EVJHOME, or book online at www.venetian.com.

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/northamerica/1417797,TRA-News-deals08.article

Travel Picks: Top 10 destinations for chocolate lovers

2009-02-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - As Valentine's Day approaches, travel website IgoUgo.com has come with a list of top destinations for people whose main love is chocolate.

This list is compiled by IgoUgo.com editors and is not endorsed by Reuters:

1. Oaxaca, Mexico

In Oaxaca, chocolate is used not only as a food in chocolate corn, chocolate sauce and so on but also as a popular drink. For their fix, locals frequent Chocolate Mayordomo, a shop with two downtown locations. A trip to Oaxaca can be combined with a stop in Mexico City to see Nestle's factory and chocolate museum.

2. Ghana

Ghana wants to spread the word that it grows great cocoa, so its throwing a party -- National Chocolate Day and Cocoa Day with the theme "consume more cocoa for good health."

3. Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Hershey's Chocolate World in the self-proclaimed "sweetest place on Earth" with a factory-tour ride in which children especially enjoy Chocolate World's singing cows.

4. Philippines

In the north, Baguio is a foodie's dream destination, famous for its Chocolate de Batirol, named after the clay pot in which chocolate is heated. Down in Bohol, a main attraction is the Chocolate Hills - not technically edible but a must-see. Further south is Davao and its cacao fields, where every meal seems to end with a decadent dessert.

5. Zurich, Switzerland

Nowhere does Swiss chocolate taste better than in the confiseries of Zurich. Lindt, Sprungli, Teuscher, Suchard; the only hard part is deciding where to begin.

6. Bocas del Toro, Panama

Sample cacao flesh straight from the source on the Bocas del Toro archipelago and wash it down with plenty of cocoa. Research suggests that this habit of Panama's Kuna people keeps their hearts healthy. Another bonus effect of local cocoa is the presence of hiking trails on what were once cacao plantations.

7. Cologne, Germany

In the chocolate capital of Germany, the Chocolate Museum is much lauded for its historical exhibits, family fun, Rhine River views, huge chocolate fountain, and, of course, free samples.

8. New York, NY

New Yorkers know chocolate: how to make it, how to sell it, how to show it. Visitors can take a chocolate tour and attend a chocolate show, and, sometimes, sleep in a chocolate hotel room. You can also find some of the world's highest-quality sweets there, including the hot chocolate served at cocoa master Jacques Torres' shops.

9. Bruges, Belgium

A great spot for chocolate lovers which includes the Chocolate Line shop where the liqueur-filled chocolates come highly recommended.

10. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has been breeding leading chocolatiers for centuries, making it a natural place for a museum celebrating the substance. The Museu de la Xocolata features chocolate in every form, from ornate sculptures to hot chocolate. Afterwards burn off the treats on a self-guided tour of the city's high-end chocolate boutiques.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29050309/

Collegians say nay to ‘naycations’

2009-02-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

By Angela Mapes Turner

Spring break in exotic … Indianapolis?

For college junior Kaity White, Spring Break 2009 won’t get any wilder than the state capital.

But the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne student, 21, shivering against the wind on the snowy campus Thursday, said her decision doesn’t have much to do with the current recession.

“I’ve just always worked,” she said. “I’ve never gone anywhere.”

Lower gas prices, airfares and hotel deals are making spring break attractive to even cash-strapped students, who often find they can still afford the iconic beach trip.

Fares for spring break – Feb. 28 through April 5 – are averaging 15 percent lower than 2008 prices, costing about as much as two years ago, said Live Search Farecast, a travel-search Web site that offers airfare predictions.

Premium hotel rates in popular U.S. spring break destinations are also about 15 percent lower than last year, Live Search Farecast said.

Tarik Tucovic, 18, an IPFW freshman, plans to take his usual trip with friends to Florida, and he’s not worried about finding the cash.

“Luckily, my family has not been affected so far,” he said.

According to Rachel Berg, a senior writer for Travelocity’s WindowSeatblog.com, even those families affected by the economic downturn aren’t necessarily choosing a “staycation” – the tourism industry’s term for vacationing closer to home.

But more spring breakers are traveling domestically than internationally.

The top destination this year is Las Vegas, which was No. 3 last year, Berg said.

“Packages to Vegas are so good right now,” she said.

Amusement parks, swimming pools and shows mean Vegas has much to offer for both student groups and families traveling together.

Travelocity does not separate bookings by families and students.

Orlando and South Florida round out Travelocity’s top-three domestic spring break destinations, Berg said.

Travelocity has also seen a trend of more college students booking all-inclusive cruise packages.

“You know very easily what the price is going to be upfront,” she said.

Because of Mexico’s weakened economy, Berg said, three of that country’s destinations top Travelocity’s list for foreign vacations: Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

About 30,000 partyers are expected to visit Cancun this year, the same amount as last year, according to the Quintana Roo state tourism office.

Other foreign locales might not see as many American visitors.

Last year, Ben Gates, executive director of Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry, led 24 students from IPFW and Indiana Tech on a spring break mission trip to Italy.

At the start of the school year last fall, almost 40 expressed interest in this year’s trip to Nice, France.

But only 11 are going, Gates said.

Because of expensive international airfare, the trip will cost $2,000 a person, not to mention the unfavorable exchange rate for the euro.

Most of the students who opted out told Gates money was the reason.

Even so, Gates said, the organization – IPFW’s largest student group – is planning a trip to Northern Ireland a year from now and to India a year from June.

“Even with the economy the way it is, we’re not cutting back on those trips,” Gates said.

It’s hard to choose a “naycation” – tourism slang for nixing a trip altogether – when the prices keep falling, Travelocity’s Berg said.

“They’re taking advantage of the deals,” she said.

But even the good deals aren’t enough to entice Bethany Casey, 22, an IPFW history major who traveled to Europe on spring break last year.

Even though the recession isn’t necessarily the main reason she’s staying put, she said, it seemed foolish to turn down an opportunity to earn a few dollars at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center.

“I’ll get stuff done around the house,” Casey said. “I’ll be working part time.”

http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090207/BIZ13/302079972/1002/LOCAL

Pioneer Travel hosts third annual travel show at Mel & Faye's Diner

2009-02-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

By Bethany A. Monk

Everyone's afraid to spend money on traveling these days, but for those who are able to take a vacation, "now's the time to do it," said Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Cramer and several other independent travel agents from Pioneer Travel in Pine Grove were on-hand during the agency's third annual Travel Show in the banquet room of Mel & Faye's Diner in Jackson on Jan. 31. An array of travel companies including Club Med, Carnival Cruises, Holland American Line and several others, set up booths in the banquet room, decorated with streaming lights and pictures of far away places. Visitors "shopping" for a good deals on an upcoming getaways mingled with the agents and travel company representatives. Some lucky visitors went home with free vacations packages raffled off during the show.

The purpose of the event, according to Pioneer independent travel agent Sharon Nuuhiva, is to bring travel vendors to the people of Amador and Calaveras counties to help showcase the several travel options available to them.

Pioneer Travel independent travel agent Pat Waller said she's noticed a recent trend for Amador residents booking trips via Pioneer Travel - a majority are planning trips to Alaska, she said. To get the best deals, the ideal time to book these cruises, she said, "is way out or real close" to travel dates.

Holland America Line, in fact, was at the travel show promoting its upcoming Winemaker Cruise, which will feature Stefano Watson, winemaker/owner, Avio Winery of Amador. The seven-day round-trip cruise departs from Seattle July 26. Watson will host wine tasting events and various wine seminars during the cruise, said Rob Taylor, Holland America Line business development manager.

There has been a decrease in people from out of the county booking vacations in Amador, said Pioneer independent travel agent Bernie Cramer.

Nuuhiva said that because of the economy, there has been an increase in sales and deals on various trips.

"We have picked up a little bit," Nuuhiva said, noting that Pioneer travel has seen more business in the start of the year than it had seen at the end of 2008. "We're booking smaller trips, like to Canada and Mexico. We haven't done a lot with Europe lately," she said.

Valentine's Day trips can be planned "right away," Cramer said. "Cruises are a fantastic idea - many of them are offering special deals, like two for one deals, or have reduces prices."

Going on vacation within the county is also an option, Cramer said. "We can set up wine tours in the county, one-day theater trips to Sacramento or Sonora."

Even people on tight budgets can benefit from letting a travel agent help them plan a trip. "We can find ways to make it work," she said.

Michael Weldon, district sales manager for Viking River Cruisers, said that the company has reduced prices to help stimulate business. The cruise will take its passengers to Glacier Bay National Park for a full-day scenic cruise, and to Alaskan cities Juneau, Stika and Ketchikan. The final stop on the tour will be Victoria, British Columbia.

A lot of people booking through Pioneer Travel are staying local this year to help save money, Waller said. Popular places to visit right now include San Diego, Monterey and Las Vegas, she said.

Jackson couple Alba and Gary Arosio were among the more than 100 travel show visitors Saturday. The two have booked several trips through Pioneer Travel to places like Washington, D.C. and day-trips to Sonora.

"I like it when we do this," Alba said of attending Pioneer Travel shows. "It's always interesting," she said, adding that the two are just "checking out what they have."

One of the goals of Pioneer Travel, according to its president Pat Thurin, is to find the best deals for travelers. "We can match almost any Internet (deal) if you give us a chance," she said.

Pine Grove resident Kay Drummond said she likes coming to the travel show to learn about the variety of trips and special vacation packages. This year's show "is very nice, Kay said. "It's not as crowded as last year, but it's fun."

Pioneer Travel, 19900 Highway 88, Pine Grove, is open Monday through Friday. For more information, call 296-5555.

http://www.ledger-dispatch.com/life/lifeview.asp?c=253479

Real Resorts Launches Automated Commission Booster

2009-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK and CANCUN, Mexico, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Real Resorts loves agents! As a thank you to our travel agent partners, Real Resorts has launched RRMembers Automated Commission Booster(R), an easy to use program that empowers agents to immediately increase their commission's at all four Real Resorts all-inclusive, all-suite properties in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The RRMember Commission Booster(R) program enables agents to immediately earn bonuses based on the length of stay, the number of guests, and superior suite categories. Bonuses are paid on all confirmed reservations made for travel beginning March 3, 2009 and beyond. There is no limit on the number of added incentives an agent can earn, and it is easy and free to sign up for the program online at: www.RealResorts.com/RRMembers . Incentives are paid for booking through a host of distribution channels -- travel agencies, tour operators, GDS, Real Resorts 800 number, and online at www.RealResorts.com . Real Resorts include: Gran Caribe Real and THE ROYAL Cancun in Cancun, and Gran Porto Real and THE ROYAL in Playa Del Carmen.

"Real Resorts respects that the travel agent community is integral to our success and we want to thank our partners in a 'big way' for booking Real Resorts," said Ing. Fernando Garcia Zalvidea, Real Resorts' General Director. "In developing our new Real Resorts RRMember Commission Booster(R) program we took a look at what our competitors are offering, and then we listened to you -- our travel agent partners. We believe that we have created the fastest, easiest and most user-friendly commission-boosting program in Mexico. At Real Resorts we are committed to exceeding expectations and rewarding our travel agent partners for your hard work. Our new Commission Booster Program is just one way we work for you, and say thank you for your support throughout the years," added Garcia Zalvidea.

About Real Resorts

Real Resorts is a privately owned hotel company in Mexico. It owns and operates four all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen under THE Royal, and Gran brands, which appeal to a wide range of lifestyles. THE Royal in Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer luxurious accommodations and attentive service for couples. THE ROYAL in Cancun and THE ROYAL Playa del Carmen are recent recipients of the prestigious International Star Diamond Award, a recognition awarded by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences to select five star hotels that exceed a selection of criteria for facilities, operations and service. The Gran Caribe Real in Cancun and the Gran Porto Real in Playa del Carmen offer personal service and upscale accommodations appropriate for families and travelers seeking a casual vacation experience. Reservations can be made through a travel agent or by calling 800-543-7556. For more information visit online at: www.RealResorts.com

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-05-2009/0004967272&EDATE=

Travel briefs

2009-02-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

CALIFORNIA

Universal Hollywood's sets to reopen in summer

Universal Studios Hollywood announced that most of the sets destroyed last June when a fire ripped through part of its back lot will reopen this summer.

Production will resume in midsummer on the rebuilt New York streetscape — featured in "Spider-Man 2" and "Transformers—" plus Courthouse Square and Brownstone Street, a studio news release said.

Roofers using a blowtorch accidentally started the fire June 1. The blaze also destroyed the King Kong attraction and a video vault.

New sets, including a London-based street and a modern urban cityscape, also will open. No announcement has been made on rebuilding King Kong.

UNITED STATES

Virginia City, Santa Barbara receive historic honors

Coastal gem Santa Barbara, with its Spanish-style architecture, and the historic mining boomtown of Virginia City, Nev., were among the 12 places honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destination" awards for 2009.

The list honors places that offer an authentic visitor experience with dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a commitment to preservation.

Other winners were Athens, Ga.; Bristol, R.I.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Fort Worth, Texas; Franklin, Tenn.; Hot Springs, S.D.; Lake Geneva, Wis.; Lititz, Pa.; Santa Fe, N.M.; and Saugatuck-Douglas, Mich.

Details at www.Preservation Nation.org/ddd.

This 'March Madness' is all about maple syrup

New Hampshire is gearing up for the February-March maple-sugaring season.

It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup, and New Hampshire produces nearly 90,000 gallons of maple syrup each year.

Many sugar houses offer sugaring demonstrations, tastings, sleigh rides or hayrides, petting farms, and opportunities for kids to gather sap and sample just-cooked syrup on snow.

Also, more than 50 sugar houses are taking part in New Hampshire Maple Weekend, March 28-29, with tours, tastings and pancake breakfasts.

Many inns offer package deals during the season with maple-themed meals and maple sugar spa treatments. Details: www.nhmaple producers.com., or call the Maple Hotline, (603) 225-3757.

HOTELS

New brand from Hilton: Home2 Suites

Hilton Hotels has announced the launch of a new extended-stay lodging brand called Home2 Suites by Hilton. Construction is expected to begin on the first hotel in the next six to 12 months.

Applications for franchises for the brand have been received from six states, including Nevada, New York and Texas.

Home2 Suites' design includes sustainable elements like recycled flooring and plumbing that conserves water; complimentary breakfast; a walking and exercise course and fitness facility; indoor pool; and outdoor communal space with grills and areas to socialize.

The room design will include a "working wall" with modular pieces that include work space, closet and storage.

Each property will have an average of 108 guest rooms, 80 percent studios and 20 percent one-bedrooms.

AIRPORTS

New flights from Oakland to Washington state

Tapping into the Northwestern and Canadian travel markets, Allegiant Air has launched a new, twice-weekly route from Oakland to Bellingham, Wash., a gateway to British Columbia.

The flights, using 150-seat MD-80 jets, are on Mondays and Fridays. Departure time out of Oakland International is 5:45 p.m., with arrival at 7:45. The return flights leave Bellingham at 2:55 p.m.

Allegiant, based in Las Vegas, plans to offer three weekly flights by May, and five weekly flights by June.

The carrier's decision to move its Bay Area operations from San Francisco to Oakland was good news for the East Bay airport, which lost a number of airlines in 2008.

Newly released figures show that the airport's 2008 passenger totals were down 21.5 percent from 2007 — a sharp decline, but much less than airport officials initially estimated.

http://www.mercurynews.com/travelheadlines/ci_11629329

AIR JAMAICA STRENGTHENS CORE ROUTES

2009-02-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – February 5, 2009 – Moving swiftly on key elements of its 2009 Business Plan, Air Jamaica has announced a new schedule that focuses on core routes in the U.S., offering flight options with superior convenience to travelers.

Effective February 26, 2009, the airline’s new schedule will include four daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica, allowing South Florida passengers to have the flexibility of early morning arrivals and late evening departures. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport offers travelers easy access to Miami, and with many travelers also living and working in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas, Air Jamaica is confident that the new schedule is in step with the lifestyles of its passengers.

The new schedule will also offer the only daily non-stop flights from New York to Jamaica, with two flights to Kingston and one to Montego Bay each day. In addition, this new schedule will give New York travelers a chance to wake up in Barbados or Grenada with two non-stop flights each week to both destinations.

Air Jamaica’s new schedule has 218 weekly flights to 13 destinations, with service between Jamaica and Toronto, New York (JFK), Chicago (O’Hare), Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Curacao and Nassau, as well as service between New York and Barbados and New York and Grenada.

For more information on Air Jamaica’s schedule, or to book a trip, visit www.airjamaica.com

http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=16662_0_1_0_M

Allegiant Launches Nonstop Grand Rapids – Las Vegas Flights

2009-02-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

Currently, travelers in Grand Rapids wanting Las Vegas flights need to change planes, but as of May 1, that all changes: Allegiant Air announced it will launch twice-weekly non-stop Grand Rapids-Las Vegas flights.

To peark travelers' interest, the discount airline is offering one-way introductory rates as low as $99, exclusive of taxes and fees.

To land this discount airfare, book and buy no later than Feb. 18, and complete the trip by July 31. For the lowest discount airfare, purchase your ticket at www.allegiantair.com.

Allegiant’s 150-seat MD-80s will make the Grand Rapids – Las Vegas run Mondays and Fridays.

Good news for travelers in Grand Rapids: you won’t have to run around as much at Grand Rapid’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport, now that a new, curb-front passenger drop-off and pick-up area has opened.

http://news.cheapflights.com/airlines/2009/02/allegiant-launches-nonstop-grand-rapids-las-vegas-flights.html

Booking travel early may cost more

2009-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Travelers often like to buy tickets well in advance, but in the current economic climate if you buy too soon you probably will overpay.

The travel industry is offering deals for travel in the short term, but sellers are holding out when it comes to the typically busy summer season. Unless you see a great deal, wait to see if prices drop.

It used to be that if you bought 330 days in advance, you would get the best deal, but that's no longer the case. We recently compared fares for February 2009 travel and found that the fares that were available in mid-January 2009 were much lower than those for purchase in September 2008.

For February travel from Boston to Los Angeles, the airlines were charging $408 round trip if you purchased in September, but if you bought tickets in January, the price was $179 round trip. Fares from Dallas to London for travel Feb. 18-25 were selling for $878 in September; $589 in mid-January.

Keep an eye on fares offered now for travel this summer and beyond. If you bought tickets in mid-January from Dallas to Los Angeles, nonstop flights were selling for $278 round trip for February travel vs. $370 round trip for late June travel.

When travel was deregulated in the late 1970s, we saw unbelievable deals. Today, we still see incredible deals, such as $99 one-way flights on coast-to-coast travel. However, in the past, the airlines had much friendlier rules. You could change your ticket multiple times and not face a penalty. Today, change fees range up to $150 on domestic flights and to $250 on international flights. Because of these high fees, and because airlines are holding out on offering far-future deals, you're better off waiting until closer to your travel date to buy.

However, now is the time to buy your spring-break travel. If you're looking for flights to Florida, you'll have to be flexible if you want to find a deal. For example, if you want to travel from Dallas to Orlando from March 14 through March 21, the cheapest fare we found was $411 round trip, but the price dropped to $278 for travel March 15-20. If you can go before or after spring break, you'll save even more with round-trip fares of $219 for travel March 7-14 and $198 for travel March 21-28.

A getaway to Washington, D.C., combined with New York City could be a bargain. When we recently checked fares for travel during spring break, prices including taxes and fees were less than $300 round trip for flights to and from Washington and for flights to New York City and out of Washington.

If you see a $399 round-trip fare for July travel to Honolulu, grab it. If the fare is $1,000, hold off. If the price doesn't drop, consider changing destinations. Depending on what sales are available, less-expensive flights could be to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe or someplace you hadn't considered. Deals go to flexible travelers.

http://www.bnd.com/542/story/644841.html

Government of Canada Promotes Safe and Healthy Travel

2009-02-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Government of Canada today launched a new information booklet designed to help Canadians stay safe and healthy while travelling abroad.

"This Government is taking steps to ensure that Canadians are healthy and safe, both at home and abroad," said Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Reading this booklet will help our citizens enjoy a problem-free travel experience."

Well on Your Way, A Canadian's Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad, is a joint publication of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). It includes practical recommendations and useful tips on a range of travel health topics, including the importance of immunization and other preventative medications, infectious diseases, personal protective measures and advice on how to cope with a health emergency abroad. The booklet also contains information on how Canadians can access consular services around the world.

"At any given time, about 3.4 million Canadians are outside of the country," said Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon. "Canadians need to take active responsibility for their personal health and safety when planning international trips and when travelling and living abroad. The information in this booklet will help them do that."

Well on Your Way is part of the Government of Canada's campaign to help inform Canadians about health, safety and security issues abroad.

Well on Your Way will be distributed to travel health clinics, travel agencies and other travel-related retail outlets. It is also available upon request from Service Canada, and on the websites of the Public Health Agency of Canada and DFAIT (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/publications/well-way_bon-depart-eng.asp).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29033018/

Spring break: Have it your way

2009-02-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

By Christine Delsol

With its 18-year-old drinking age, yard-long margaritas and buckets of beer, Mexico's hedonistic side trumps the country's scenic, cultural and historical virtues for spring break appeal, but an alternative spring break movement has also taken hold in recent years. Here's a look at options for students who want to party 'til they drop, mix revelry with digestible doses of history and culture, or try to make a difference.

The classics: Party-hearty breaks

The main advantage of these venerable party centers is the number and variety of packages available, which take the guesswork out of budgeting and planning — you can just bring a few hundred dollars for incidentals and concentrate on your tan line and body shots.

Cancún

Incomparable beaches, varied restaurants, glitzy hotels and nonstop nightlife have made Cancún the perennial top dog for spring break in Mexico, if not the world. All-inclusive resorts such as the 1,008-plus room Oasis Cancún, which throws in all meals and drinks for less than $150 a night for students sleeping three or four to a room, sell out by early March.

Days in Cancún can be downright calm, as late risers soak up sunshine on the beach or loll by the pool with a margarita. The madness begins anew when the sun sets and doesn't wind down until dawn. House music, dance mixes, rock, jazz, world beat, reggae, salsa or virtually any other music genre is yours for the asking at clubs ranging from the astounding Coco Bongo to local hole-in-the-wall hangouts. If your head is clear for long enough, fun in the sun can take the form of snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle cruises and ferry trips to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

Los Cabos

The 18-mile stretch of coast between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas (officially the "Cabo San Lucas Tourist Corridor") offers some of Mexico's finest resorts, beaches, snorkeling and diving. The formidable array of clubs and bars range from the infamous Cabo Wabo to El Squid Roe and Zoe's dance clubs to the inevitable Hard Rock/Carlos 'n Charlie's chains.

The focus at this time of year is unmistakably on spring break hijinks. But you can mix it up a little with Cabo's eco-friendly ATV tours, unspoiled hidden beaches, snorkeling, surf breaks, rock climbing, cycling, diving, horseback riding, Baja-style off-road test drives and whale watching. Zero risk of boredom during daylight hours.

The alternatives: Raucous, with some redeeming social value

Sure, you have to party, but sometimes you want to escape the frenzy for awhile and get a taste of authentic Mexico. A major difference in these places is the presence of a traditional zócalo, the central square that serves as the hub of most Mexican life.

Acapulco

The onetime queen of Mexico's Pacific coast resorts slipped off the radar for awhile but is again drawing hordes of college students in search of revelry — so many, in fact, that the city could arguably go in the "party hearty" section. For now, at least, Acapulco garners alternative status on the strength of its less reckless atmosphere and the pride it lavishes on its heritage.

Acapulco's spring break crowd is diluted by squadrons of other vacationers seeking out the city's historical and cultural attractions. Inexpensive family restaurants soothe the budget, and plenty of friendly local bars offer an antidote if you overdose on "Dancing with the Devil" at the Palladium. Among the cultural diversions that are easy to take in: The most important Spanish fort on Mexico's Pacific coast, one of Diego Rivera's last murals, the still-thrilling cliff divers at Le Quebrada or a day trip to secluded Yelapa. For a taste of local life, you can't beat a Sunday band concert in the lushly landscaped zócalo.

Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán are two other Mexican Riviera resort cities where you can join the spring break pack at plenty of beaches, clubs, foam parties and contests, or bail for awhile to bask in traditional Mexico.

In PV, roam cobblestone streets and drink in the classic white buildings capped by red tile roofs and festooned by blooming bougainvillea, geranium and hibiscus; take in eclectic sculptures, artisan markets and live entertainment along the city's well-scrubbed malecón, or seafront promenade (but steer clear of the spendy gift shops); or jaunt south to the friendly villages along the shores of Bahía de Banderas, Mexico's largest natural bay.

In Mazatlán's beguiling Plazuela Machado, the town square where the Spanish first established their commercial and social center, renovated colonial buildings ringing the square house lively cafes and clubs, and the gorgeous 19th century theater is the nexus of Mazatlán's thriving arts scene. Nightlife here is far more refined than in the Zona Dorada, Mazatlán's spring break central, yet the party frenzy is within easy reach when you need it. Other worthwhile diversions include a bay cruise, a climb to the clifftop El Faro lighthouse at the end of the malecón or a visit to the downtown cathedral and mercado.

The anti-spring break: Doing your part to save the world

Students who want to devote spring break to making the world a better place have virtually endless options in Mexico, from seeking justice for women murdered in Ciudad Juárez to painting churches in a Coahuila mining town to working with orphans in Tijuana. Many colleges and universities have alternative spring break programs, many as members of the Campus Compact or Break Away organizations.

If your school doesn't have a program, one good place to start building your own spring break is Idealist.org, a clearinghouse for global volunteer opportunities. You might conduct marine research on Mexico's remote southern Caribbean coast, teach indigenous children in Chiapas, or conduct research and write for media outlets in Oaxaca, or work on promotional videos in Cuernavaca, among many others.

A sampling of other volunteer opportunities available in Mexico:

* Volunteer International has openings for health outreach in Oaxaca, animal care or newspaper and radio work in Guadalajara, turtle conservation in Tecoman, Colima, and work with ceramic artists in Tlaquepaque, near Guadalajara.
* Global Volunteers needs volunteers to teach English to college students in the colonial cities of Dolores Hidalgo and Queretaro.
* Global Vision International is looking for certified scuba divers to identify wildlife and monitor conditions in the Mesoamerican Reef along Mexico's remote Caribbean coast, in return for training and PADI Advance Open Water certification.

Good to know

Homework: See the U.S. State Department's "Spring Break in Mexico — "Know Before You G0" for a good overview of entry requirements, Mexican law, safety, conditions in popular spring break destinations and other advice.

Deals: Booking several months ahead nets the best choice and value, but last-minute trips are still available well into March. Prices peak in March; if you can go in late February or in April, your bank account will thank you. If you just plan to shuttle from resort to nightclub and back, you probably want a package deals combining airfare, hotel and the occasional added perk. A package from a student travel agency such as STA or Student TravelServices will often be your best bet, but always compare it with the best prices you can find separately before you buy. Mexican agencies such as bestday.com or docancun.com usually have the best deals for destinations off the well-trod spring break circuit.

If you're going with a group and don't require daily maid service or poolside drinks delivered to your lounge chair, consider checking vrbo.com for vacation rentals. A house large enough for your group usually will be cheaper than a hotel, and you can save still more by cooking a few meals at your home away from home.

Safety: Headlines about drug gang firefights notwithstanding, the biggest threat to the spring breaker's well-being is too much alcohol, which efficiently erases everything you know about decent behavior and common-sense precautions necessary in Mexico and anywhere else in the world. While not all spring breakers aspire to MTV's "Girls Gone Wild" model, the vast majority of spring break problems, from minor annoyances to drownings to rapes, are attributed to drinking.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/02/04/mexicomix020409.DTL&type=travel

Vacation piqued interest in authentic Mexican food

2009-02-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

By Ron Mikulak

One thing that makes travel so broadening is the different food we eat when we are in exotic locales. That certainly was the case for Patty Marguet when she first traveled in Mexico.

"This was in the late 1980s," she said. "The only Mexican-style food in Louisville at that time was at Tumbleweed. There was no Internet then, and no ethnic groceries in town. And supermarkets had very limited choices of ethnic ingredients. Eating real Mexican food was a revelation."

Marguet and her husband, Jim Miller, went to Cancun around Thanksgiving and ate in a small family restaurant. "We had mole for the first time, which really blew my husband away. The sauce in the Mexican food here was just a runny red sauce, nothing like the depth of the mole."

After her return to Louisville, Marguet began to peruse the Rick Bayless cookbook she had received as a wedding present. Bayless, through his Chicago restaurant Frontera Grill, is credited with introducing American diners to the subtlety and refinement of fine Mexican cuisine.

Marguet said her husband returned to Mexico a few years later for a business assignment and again found the food revelatory. "He called me and told me how fabulous the food was," she said. "He was staying with a family that made tequila, and they had their own cooks.

"Then we went to California, where we went to a little restaurant a friend told us about, where we saw women making tortillas by hand. By that time, my interest in cooking was growing, and I was trying to find my own cooking style. That is when I really discovered corn tortillas.

"Fresh, warm tortillas are nothing like what you buy in the grocery store here," where all she was familiar with were relatively stiff flour tortillas, she said. "Fresh corn tortillas are soft and really taste of corn. Bayless explains how to cook them, so I just had to try."

She found a tortilla press at Lotsa Pasta and started experimenting, with mixed results, until she encountered a woman who was also buying masa harina, the fine corn flour needed to make tortillas, at Wild Oats.

"She explained to me that it is more important to get a feel for the dough, rather than to follow precise measurements. Because the humidity in Louisville is so different at different times of the year, you have to go by the feel of the dough. She explained what I was supposed to look for in the texture of the dough, and that made all the difference.

"When I quit measuring, when I got a sense of what it was supposed to look and feel like, the tortillas got a lot better," Marguet said. "And then I saw Rick Bayless talking about tortillas, and how it is best to let the dough sit after it is mixed, so the masa can absorb the moisture better. He also said that tortillas are supposed to puff up a little bit in the middle, like pita. It is the moisture inside that keeps them soft and pliable."

In the 20 years or so that she has been interested in Mexican food, Marguet has tried to develop a better sense of how to put the basic ingredients of beans and cheese and meat together. Now Mexican is one of the staples in her repertoire of dishes, maybe her best, she says, other than Italian.

When she tried veganism, she found eating Mexican was very adaptable. "If you eliminate the cheese and the meat, you still have a complete protein with beans, a wide variety of vegetables — jicama, tomatoes, avocados, greens. And the flavors are so fresh and bright, with the cilantro and lime. And Mexican food has so much color you can really make a beautiful plate," something both she and her husband, graphic designers and art directors, want in their food.

Marguet also turned to quinoa instead of rice, when her husband's triglycerides were high and the doctor said to cut back on starches. "Quinoa is a good source of protein and has very low starch. It's not Mexican, but close." Quinoa has been traced to its origins in the Peruvian Andes.

"Nothing is more fabulous to me than a fish tortilla," Marguet said. "Fish with pinto beans, quinoa and salsa, wrapped in a fresh tortilla with a zucchini coulis (a simple puree of zucchini, garlic, jalapenos and salt). It's creamy, green, garlicky.

"It's fabulous," she said. "I make it all the time. And I make a red bell pepper coulis. Not a classic Mexican sauce, but it goes with the rest of the food."

Marguet showed us how she makes fresh tortillas, and shared a favorite Mexican dinner menu.

Cruise ships and condos may be best bet for beds during 2010 Games

2009-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Winter Olympics conjure up images of skates and skis, mukluks and mittens.

But the 2010 Games are being held in British Columbia, where winter is just as likely to involve golf as it is giant slalom, and local tourism operators are hoping to cash in on the atypical climate.

The fact that people can sail in the morning and ski in the afternoon creates unique options for Olympic spectators.

One Alberta-based company is offering golf on nearby Vancouver Island before or after the Games, along with a stay aboard a cruise ship. Stays on the Norwegian Star start at $2,010 for a four-night stay.

And with around 27,000 hotels rooms available in the Vancouver area and as many as 300,000 visitors expected for the Olympics, travellers just might need to get creative finding a place to stay in 2010.

Though there's just one year until the Games, it's still unclear how many traditional hotel rooms will be available to the public.

"We're finding out as we go, particularly as we get inside a year we'll know more," said Walt Judas, vice-president of marketing for Tourism Vancouver.

More than half of Vancouver's hotel rooms are reserved for the international and local Olympic committees, who have until March to start notifying hotels of how many rooms they'll actually need, though it's not expected that any will be released.

Some hotels put aside as much as 75 per cent of their rooms for Olympic officials and media. Athletes and team officials will not be taking up space in hotels as they will be staying at the Olympic village.

"When the Olympics are all over and there is a big bill to pay, people will think 'oh yeah, the hotels are getting a lot of money.' But we aren't," said Zack Bhatia, the vice-president of Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, which owns six hotels in the Vancouver area.

Hotels in the Vancouver area and in Whistler, B.C. were asked to lock in rates during the bid phase for the Games. Those lucky enough to secure a room through the Olympic committee are only paying about 15 per cent more than high-season.

But room rates for the public are much higher.

At a Radisson hotel near the Vancouver airport, rooms during the Olympics will be $599 per night, with a minimum stay of four nights. The regular nightly rate in February is around $150.

But over-charging could leave operators with empty rooms or worse, said Judas.

"The customer that we see in 2010, the visitor that's here for the Games is the same person we want here in 2011 and 2012 and beyond," he said.

"If they think they've been hard done by in any way, or over-charged, we're not going to see them as a repeat customer."

Prices that were already high have climbed into the stratosphere in Whistler, B.C., which will host mountain events for the Games.

Fewer journalists are expected to stay in the mountain resort and the German Olympic delegation has cancelled plans to use the village as its base.

Vancouver-area hostels are taking a different approach.

Three run by Hostelling International Canada only raised their nightly rates by $5 or $10, even though they knew they could have charged much more.

"Jacking up prices isn't really in the spirit of what we've been about and what we were created for," said Shelbey Sy, director of marketing.

Both hotels and hostels say demand increased after tickets began to be allocated last fall, but no hotels with rooms left for the public are yet sold out.

Some hotels have given over their entire stock to tour operators and travel brokers, preferring a guaranteed payout to empty rooms.

Even with a bad economy, Americans are hungry for 2010 travel packages, said Anbritt Stengele with Sports Traveller, a Chicago-based company specializing in travel to sports events.

"The Olympics is once in a lifetime," said Stengele. "People are looking to still do this trip, but at a lower cost."

Rather than secure rooms at four-or five-star hotels, the agency is working with cheaper properties combined with add-on packages, Stengele said.

Even the Burnaby Cariboo RV Park and Campground has a waiting list.

"This is our slow time," park manager Harriet Mazur said of a typical February, but not in 2010.

"We will now double the number of people who are with us."

In Salt Lake in 2002 and last summer in Beijing, people found rooms cheaper in the days before the Olympics than by booking months in advance.

To save spectators the effort of scouring dozens of sites, tourism officials have set up an online listing at www.2010destinationplanner.com.

However, no hotels in the Vancouver-area are currently listed and bookings must be made over the phone.

Listings for private apartments for rent and house swaps increase every day.

Serdar Tevar is looking to rent his fully furnished, one-bedroom apartment in downtown Vancouver for $5,000 per month in February and March 2010.

"Why not to turn this opportunity into a two-month business and make some money?" he said in a e-mail. "I am not sure if it'd work. I decided to give it a shot at least."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iBdfSuJpVtnVHH_f_4oxD8BHh4_w

UPDATE 2-Wynn Resorts cutting salaries, bonuses to save jobs

2009-02-05T20:29:00.000-08:00

By Deena Beasley

LOS ANGELES, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Casino operator Wynn Resorts Inc (WYNN.O) said on Tuesday it would cut the wages of its salaried workers in Las Vegas and reduce work weeks for its full-time hourly employees to avoid cutting jobs.

"In effect, everybody makes a little bit less money, but everyone keeps their job," Chairman and Chief Executive Steven Wynn said on a conference call with analysts and investors. "We don't want anybody on unemployment here."

Competitors like MGM Mirage (MGM.N), Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS.N) and Harrah's Entertainment [HAMLEH.UL] have been laying off workers as recession-weary consumers and businesses cut back on extras like travel and gambling.

Wynn, which recently opened a second casino on the Las Vegas Strip, said it would eliminate 2009 bonuses and suspend its program of matching 401-K retirement plan contributions.

Wynn expects to save $75 million to $100 million annually.

In December, the company opened the $2.3 billion, 2,000-room Encore, which is adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas, the company's 3-year-old luxury casino hotel.

"We spent a ton of money in November, December and January getting this place off the ground," Wynn said. "These expenses occurred, of course, at a time when the economy of America, and Las Vegas in particular, was softening."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUKN0354442320090204

It’s Still a ‘Wynn-win’ situation these days in Las Vegas

2009-02-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

By Carly Tracy

Sure, Las Vegas ranks among the nation's foreclosure capitals. But, with a few exceptions, one hardly notices it when driving down the neon Strip.

On our annual visits for my husband's boat accessories show, and to, well, go there for a little vacation fun, we always eagerly check out what's new in town.

On our last visit in January, we learned that CityCenter will be "unprecedented." The massive urban metropolis will open late 2009 on 76 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. A call for 12,000 employees just went out to fill positions at its upcoming Mandarin Oriental and Vdara all-suite hotels. In addition, the $2.9 billion Fontainebleau still looks like it will be completed north on the Strip this fall.

These types of openings certainly appeal to people in Hawaii, who view Las Vegas as the "ninth island" for jobs and vacation fun. Caesar's Palace is pushing ahead its $1 billion expansion of its new 23-story Octavious Tower. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is continuing its mere $850-million build-up of its 17-story North Tower, due in September.

Of course, these are all down the road. For now, if the excess of Sin City is your cup of cognac, then you must check out the new eye-opening XS Nightclub at Encore.

It's extravagant to the nines - all 40,000 feet of it -with gold-leaf body sculptures, 10,000 light fixtures, plush crocodile leather couches and elevated pole-dancing stations. But hey, this is the kind of thing you'd expect in Vegas.

What really takes it over the top is the fact it all spills out into the open air with Balinese day beds, baccarat tables, and an island bar in the middle of an adult pool that will reportedly be European style dress code during the day (the adult pool wasn't yet open when we visited the hotel).

In addition, 36 cabanas on two levels give you privacy to order, say, a bottle of Dom Perignon, as you watch HDTV on your cushy private couches. In fact, bottle service is what's hot at XS. You may even order a $50,000 bottle of bubbly or a more humble Grey Goose for the entire table. But there's one particular cocktail that's all the rage for $10,000.

"The club's new signature cocktail will be known simply as 'The Ono,' and the cocktail recipe is of rare vintage Dom Perignon Enotheque champagne and a shot of prized Louis XIII Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac," pens Robin Leach on his most recent Luxe Life Blog site. "You can't get more expensive champagne or cognac if you tried. As a keepsake of experiencing the world's best, you will be presented with either a ladies' 18k gold chain and black pearl pendant or a set of men's sterling silver cufflinks with black pearl insignias."

The Encore hotel itself made a splash when it first opened on the Strip Dec. 22. We vacationed there in mid-January - after the initial grand opening festivities and a week before owner Steve Wynn's birthday bash with a slew of celebrities. It's a $2.3 billion property boasting restaurants such as Switch, with electronic walls and ceilings that move every 25 minutes to create a new ambience; and Sinatra, with an Oscar, gold records and other memorabilia adding to classic tunes by Ol' Blue Eyes and fine Italian cuisine such as Osso Buco My Way.

As I was on the ninth island, I ran into someone lobby level at Encore, whom I knew from his days at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. The strawberry-blond-haired man with expensive rectangular gold eye glasses spotted me and said, "Hi, Carla."

I said, "Wow, it's been years! What's your name again?" "Brian," he said. "What's your last name?" "Gullbrants," he said. "Geez," I said. "You're all dressed up in a designer suit. Do you work here in Vegas now?

"Yes, I'm the GM and senior vice president of hotel operations at Encore."

My jaw dropped to the floor as this is a super glitzy multibillion dollar property with over 2,000 suites, five over-the-top restaurants and retail shops. It's a smaller signature version of its sister, Wynn Las Vegas, connected by the esplanade next door.

Of course, Gullbrants was the epitome of graciousness during his days at the Ritz and everyone I've told this story to on Maui gushed about his professionalism. My jaw only dropped because of his stellar rise to the top.

"He is brilliant!!! An incredible talent and born to be a hotelier!" says Yvonne Biegel, a public relations director who knew him from his early days as banquet captain at the Ritz in Kapalua. "I'm so happy for him!"

It just goes to show you can get ahead through hard work, and this former Mauian rose through the corporate Ritz ranks before he joined Steve Wynn's team at Encore.

"I have to pinch myself sometimes when I pull up to Encore's entrance," he said. As it turns out, Gullbrants works side by side with the legendary Wynn on a day-to-day basis, and even though his career is HUGE, he generously agreed to chat for awhile, let us join a back-of-the-house tour, showed us a high-roller three-story luxury suite, and let me snap his picture.

"Mr. Wynn is uncompromising and relentless," Gullbrants said.

Las Vegas

Continued from Page C1

"He pays attention to each and every detail. "Yet he's genuinely caring and he treats everyone just like family."

We found out just how well Wynn treats his "family," on the back-of-the-house tour, when we entered the massive maze into the employee dining room.

Over 15,000 employees from both Wynn and Encore dine here "anytime they like, 24 hours a day." The 550-seat restaurant is quite elegant and embarrassingly enough, it's fancier than anything we have in Central Maui. Arched Moorish doorways lead into the plushly carpeted room with all manner of seating, from joiner tables to pub seats. Lighting is soft. Hispanic channels are set up in one big section and English HDTVs in many others. Internet stations are available along with brick-oven pizzas, an incredible array of gourmet entrees and lots of tempting desserts.

"The employee experience is comparable to anything in the front of the house," said the tour leader, Edward Pascal. "This is a peak behind the scenes to show what it takes to deliver on this type of scale."

Room service delivers 3,500 meals a day; and housekeeping cleans 4,750 rooms. As Pascal talked, Gullbrants helped a lady push a laundry cart past all of the listeners.

We also learned "Boris the bread man" Villatte bakes over 20,000 "units" a day.

"Everybody talks about how all the money is in the casinos, but this is where the real dough is made," said the saucy baker, who trained under Alain Ducasse and who oversees a staff of 42 other bakers. The next tour stop was the horticultural department, where the manager said they had just planted a huge 204,000 pound, 80-feet-tall tree.

"We get flowers from all over the world on a daily basis," he said. "From Holland, Thailand, New Zealand." When I asked him about our islands, he said, "We get orchids and anthuriums from the Big Island, and protea from Maui."

Returning to the lobby, we met up with Wynn's longtime designer, Roger Thomas. "It's all my fault," he joked, as he led the group past Encore restaurants, Botero (which has sculptures just like at Grand Wailea), Society, Switch, Wazuzu and Sinatra, the latter sanctioned by Frank's daughter, Nancy.

Thomas has been with Wynn for 29 years, since the hotelier first bought the Golden Nugget and built Mirage, Bellagio and Treasure Island. So for decades now, he's been, "killing off the red in Las Vegas."

The color red was ubiquitous in Vegas back in the day and now with Encore, Thomas is bringing it back in a classy way. Glittery red chandeliers are from Venice. Abaca banana fiber from Manila graces the lobby. "It's designed to evoke the emotions of the guests," says Thomas, who also opened up Las Vegas' newest hotel to the outside with floor-to- ceiling glass everywhere, atrium lighting, the open-air doorway in XS and much more.

"It's the first Las Vegas casino to bring the outside in," says Gullbrants. "The colors, flavors, fragrances evoke the emotions and enliven the senses. Never to the degree that a day in Maui does. But it's as close as it gets in Vegas. The reds and the purples and the natural lights all add to it. We know it's not for everybody. But it's certainly for some."

That was the end of the tour and almost as if he were on cue, the man himself, Steve Wynn, walked by, cigar in one hand, cell phone on his ear, entourage on either side of him. Gullbrants pointed him out.

"He's such a great leader. So dynamic and charismatic," said Gullbrants. "I love interacting with him. It makes working a lot more joyful and fun," Thomas chimed in.

We also heard Danny Gans will open this month at Encore in his own theater. David Spade just debuted his stand-up at Venetian Showroom. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is now permanently docked at Luxor Hotel & Casino for those interested in deep-sea history. Harrah's Las Vegas just unveiled its modern "M" suites. And, Aliante Station Casino and Hotel is up and running in North Las Vegas for all budget-minded vacationers.

Just like Encore, these are all sure to get us back in town for a repeat performance.

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/514388.html?nav=12

Casinos See Big Super Bowl Weekend

2009-02-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas will get a much needed economic boost this weekend as 295,000 people are expected to watch NFL Super Bowl in Las Vegas. The fact that one of the teams is from the southwest may have helped the number of people coming to town.

The amount of visitors is expected to be down just 1-percent. In fact, almost three times as many people are expected here than will go to Tampa for the actual game.

Las Vegas sports books say they have seen a lot of money bet on the Arizona Cardinals. MGM Mirage Sports Book Director Jay Rood says that's because of how close Las Vegas is to Arizona. He expects the money bet on Pittsburgh to go up dramatically based on Steeler fans converging on Las Vegas.

The most important thing for casinos, restaurants, and workers around Las Vegas is for all of the fans, like Peter Shannon, to be spending money, "We got a lot of things organized. We are always trying to spend some money and have some fun -- get away from the real world for a little bit."

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says the amount of visitors may be down just 1-percent, but the estimated amount they will spend in non-gaming revenue will be off 6.5-percent. That means close to the same amount of people as last year will buy cheaper dinners or maybe not see a show.

That's bad for our economy.

But there are a number of deals being offered. Hotels are offering restaurant coupons in hopes of getting more people in. Casinos say they underestimated the impact of New Year's Eve this year and hope the same phenomena happens -- the visitors spend more money than the LVCVA thought.

Betting on the game is also expected to be lower by about $2 million.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=9764627&nav=menu102_1

18 Times The Speed of Light

2009-02-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

AeroMexico launches nonstop service between Mexico City, Denver

2009-02-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

AeroMexico inaugurated daily nonstop flights between Denver and Mexico City on Sunday.

The airline, Mexico's largest carrier, said it is creating the flights in response to growing demand, including the needs of Denver's growing Latino population.

AeroMexico flight 658 departs Mexico City International Airport each day at 10:30 a.m. and arrives at 1:40 p.m.

Flight 659 departs Denver daily at 2:55 p.m. and arrives in Mexico City at 7:40 p.m.

The Mexico City flight connects to AeroMexico flights to about 40 other cities in Mexico and other Latin America destinations.

Mexicana and American Airlines also fly nonstop between Denver and Mexico City, according to the Orbitz website.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines flies between Denver and the Mexican resort cities of Cabo San Lucas, Cancún, Cozumel, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Cancun Water Temperature

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/26/daily64.html

Romance blooms in package deals

2009-02-02T20:36:00.000-08:00

By Harry Shattuck

Roses. Chocolate. Champagne. Candles. Strip poker.

Got your attention with that last one, didn't I?

It's never too early to plan for Valentine's Day, and hotels are offering a slew of promotions, such as Affinia Hotels' "Naughty and Nice" romance package in New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Guests are encouraged to play out their "friskiest fantasies." All the usual amenities are included. But romantics also get an Agent Provocateur Strip Poker set! Prices start at $289 per night. Visit www.affinia.com.

Not into strip poker? Enchantment Resort, in Sedona, Ariz., takes a different approach with a Feb. 13-15 package that includes an aura-soma color reading.

Resort representatives say it's a lecture that "discusses ways for couples, business partners or family members to learn to recognize and value each other's unique gifts and qualities."

How to choose: strip poker or a lecture? Oh, but wait: The Enchantment promotion also includes a "sweetheart yoga" session with music, candles and aromatherapy and a "couple's aqua flow" where "you and your partner will learn how to support each other in the water while developing strength and flexibility with fluidity and grace."

Room rates start at $295 per night. See www.enchantmentresort.com.

LONE STAR ROMANCE

In Texas, a number of hotels are offering romantic packages. They're not cheap. But then, what price love?

Austin: Available all of February, the Five Senses package at the Four Seasons includes a two-night stay in a suite overlooking Lady Bird Lake, a private dinner for two customized by the hotel's executive chef and accompanied by a classical guitarist, an 80-minute couples massage in your suite, two dozen roses, a private diamond consultation and other luxuries. Take a deep breath before I tell you the price tag: $6,000. Less-elaborate packages are available. Call 512-68... to book. www.fourseasons.com/austin

Irving: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas offers a three-course dinner for two at its AAA Four-Diamond restaurant and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to the room. Package rates start at $515 per night; it's available throughout February. www.fourseasons.com/dallas; 972-717-2499

Dallas: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek's Valentine's Getaway includes in-room champagne, a dozen roses, a rose-petal turndown service, a three-course dinner in the Mansion Restaurant, breakfast and valet parking. Prices start at $725 per couple. Dinner only can be booked for $125 per person in the restaurant, or $250 per person in the Chef's Room. www.mansiononturtlecreek.com; 214-559-2100

San Antonio: Omni La Mansion del Rio and the Watermark Hotel & Spa offer a two-night Valentine's Weekend package that includes a bottle of champagne, daily breakfast, $100 voucher for dinner, 50-minute Swedish couples massage and a private carriage ride. Prices start at $799 at La Mansion del Rio, 210-518-1000, and $999 at the Watermark, 210-396-5800. www.omnihotels.com; www.watermarkriverwalk.com

WINE IN THE HILL COUNTRY

Fall Creek: Celebrate with a three-course French picnic lunch at noon Saturday or Feb. 14 at Fall Creek Vineyards, near Lake Buchanan. Fall Creek wines will be paired with each course — among them the newly released Mission San Antonio de Valero Cabernet Sauvignon, benefiting the restoration of the Alamo. Cost is $25 per person. Following lunch Feb. 14, a wine- and chocolate-pairing class costs $18 per person. Attend both functions for $40. www.fcv.com; 325...

Wine trail: Twenty-four wineries will participate in the Wine Lovers Trail Feb. 6-8 and 13-15. Tickets cost $35 per couple and include wine flight trios or a tasting at each winery. Several wineries plan special events, from chocolate and port pairings to music and gourmet meals. www.texaswinetrail.com. Cancun Water Temperature

http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/travel/38775352.html

Air Jamaica Extends amazing winter deals from selected U.S. gateways

2009-02-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

MIAMI – In response to the increasing costs of travel, Air Jamaica has extended its unbeatable deals offering travelers a great opportunity to escape the frigid temperatures this winter and warm up in the Caribbean with its amazing fares.

Travelers can now take advantage of this special non-refundable one-way sale fares from selected gateways in the U.S. to Kingston or Montego Bay, Barbados and Grenada.

Customers must book by Tuesday, February 3 to benefit from the special $92 fare between New York and Montego Bay valid for travel through to April 30, 2009 while those wishing to benefit from the special $99 fare between New York and Barbados must travel on Monday, February 2, 2009.

“We are pleased to offer these low fares to anyone wishing to escape the winter blues and enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean at an affordable price,” says George deMercado, Air Jamaica’s Senior Director, Sales. “In these challenging economic times, we delight in the fact that travelers can experience our great service at a great price.”

These additional one-way fares are valid for travel originating from the U.S. between January 14 and March 12, 2009 and combinable with any available fare on the return. Conditions regarding cancellations and changes apply. These fares are one-way and government taxes and fees are additional. Sample fares include:

· Orlando to Montego Bay/Kingston $89

· New York (JFK) to Montego Bay/Kingston $ 92

· Philadelphia to Montego Bay/Kingston $107

· Baltimore to Montego Bay/Kingston $107

· Chicago to Montego Bay/Kingston $149

· New York to Barbados/Grenada $178

http://www.sflcn.com/story.php?id=5589
Dubai Water Temperature

Travel Picks: Top 10 scariest runways

2009-01-31T16:38:00.000-08:00

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - Nervous fliers, stop reading! Travel website Travel + Leisure has come up with a list of the world's scariest runways that can make even the most relaxed travelers grip their armrest.

This list is compiled by Travel + Leisure and not endorsed by Reuters (http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/the-worlds-scariest-

runways/1):

1. Paro Airport, Bhutan

Tucked into a tightly cropped valley and surrounded by 16,000-foot-high Himalayan peaks, Bhutan's only airport is forbidding to fly into. It requires specially trained pilots to maneuver and land through a channel of tree-covered hillsides.

2. Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten

The length of the runway is just 7,152 feet which is fine for small or medium-size jets, but as the second-busiest airport in the Eastern Caribbean, it regularly welcomes wide-body jetliners like Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s which fly in low over Maho Beach and skim just over the perimeter fence.

3. Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C.

Located smack in the center of two overlapping air-exclusion zones, Reagan National requires pilots flying the so-called River Visual into the airport to follow the Potomac while steering clear of sensitive sites such as the Pentagon and CIA headquarters. On taking off, pilots need to climb quickly and execute a steep left bank to avoid flying over the White House.

4. Gibraltar Airport, Gibraltar

Pinched in by the Mediterranean on its eastern flank and the Bay of Algeciras on its western side, the airport's truncated runway stretches just 6,000 feet and requires pinpoint precision.

5. Matekane Air Strip, Lesotho

The 1,312-foot-long runway is perched at the edge of a couloir at 7,550 feet. You drop down the face of a 2,000-foot cliff until you start flying. Says bush pilot Tom Claytor: "The rule in the mountains is that it is better to take off downwind and downhill than into wind and uphill, because in Lesotho, the hills will usually out-climb you."

6. Barra Airport, Barra, Scotland

The airport on the tiny Outer Hebridean Island of Barra is actually a wide shallow bay onto which scheduled planes land with the roughness of landings determined by how the tide went out.

7. Toncontin Airport, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Having negotiated the rough-hewn mountainous terrain, pilots must execute a dramatic 45-degree, last-minute bank to the left just minutes prior to touching down in a bowl-shaped valley on a runway just 6,112 feet in length. The airport, at an altitude of 3,294 feet, can accommodate aircraft no larger than Boeing 757's.

8. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

Pilots have to avoid interfering with flights into New York's two other close-by airports, LaGuardia and Newark. Set up in 1964 as a noise-abatement measure, this approach forces pilots to have a reported 1,500-foot ceiling and a five-mile visibility before lining up with runway 13L and the waters of Jamaica Bay.

9. Madeira Airport, Funchal, Madeira

Wedged in by mountains and the Atlantic, Madeira Airport requires a clockwise approach for which pilots are specially trained. Despite a unique elevated extension that was completed back in 2000 and now expands the runway length to what should be a comfortable 9,000 feet, the approach to Runway 05 remains hair-raising. Pilots must first point their aircraft at the mountains and, at the last minute, bank right to the runway.

10. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba, Netherlands Antilles

Perched on a precipitous gale-battered peninsula on the island's northeastern corner, the airport requires pilots to tackle blustery trade winds, occasional spindrift, and their own uneasy constitutions as they maneuver in for a perfect landing on a runway that's just 1,300 feet long..

(Editing by Miral Fahmy).

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE50T2LM20090130?sp=true

Air Jamaica needs to explain Miami route cut

2009-01-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

We have to believe that the decision by Air Jamaica, the national airline, to drop its Miami route, among others, was based on very strong financial reasons.

We also have to believe that the cost-benefit analysis has made it abundantly clear that no other factor can outweigh the financial, and that the traffic from the Miami route can move, stress free, to the Fort Lauderdale flight.
Otherwise, Air Jamaica might just have sounded its death knell.

For Miami was not a route like any other. Over time, Miami became the heart and soul of Air Jamaica. For convenience, it is hard to beat. Jamaicans needing to do business and shopping in Miami, a little over an hour away, and return home the same day, depended on those flights.

As our lead story in yesterday's edition pointed out, Miami has become for Jamaicans, "Kingston 21", a virtual extension of Kingston and St Andrew, because of the many nationals living in Florida and the heavy traffic between the two gateways.

The importance of Miami was established from as far back as the 1970s when the late former Prime Minister Michael Manley, perhaps in overexhuberance, offered to those who opposed his visit to Communist Cuba "five flights a day" then operated by Air Jamaica. The statement came back to haunt Mr Manley, but it demonstrated how deeply embedded the "Love Bird" was in the psyche of the Jamaican people.

Then in the eighties and early nineties, the airline became the favourite choice of the Informal Commercial Importers (ICIs), that hardy bunch of Jamaicans who traded goods for United States dollars used to purchase US goods for sale here. Their social and commercial impact has been documented and the Pearnel Charles and Constant Spring Arcades remain a testimony to that era.

We do not, of course, wish to see Air Jamaica go under. And we fervently hope that the current divestment effort will succeed, as a precursor to the complete turnaround of the airline.

It is just possible that the national airline can soar again. We believe that, having seen the possibilities when our own chairman, Mr Gordon "Butch' Stewart ran Air Jamaica from 1994 to 2004. Memories are still fresh in our minds about the "on-time no-line airline; "champagne flights"; "the flying chef"; the "Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival" and a whole slew of other marketing efforts that spoilt us for other airlines. No other airline would accept the huge boxes that Jamaicans coming home like to take with them on "the little piece of Jamaica that flies".

It would sit much better with Jamaicans if the officials at Air Jamaica would take the time to explain why it is necessary to dispense with the Miami route and how they will compensate for that.

Moreover, the country needs to be told if there is a plan to sell off the route - similar to what we did in the case of the London Heathrow slots - or whether they will be retained for the new owners to have the possibility of reopening the Miami route.

One relatively obscure news release will not cut it.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/html/20090129T000000-0500_145426_OBS_AIR_JAMAICA_NEEDS_TO_EXPLAIN_MIAMI_ROUTE_CUT.asp

Hawaii business travel declines

2009-01-31T16:34:00.000-08:00

There were fewer people coming to Hawaii for meetings and conventions in December.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that 11,692 visitors traveled to Hawaii on business, down nearly 31 percent from 16,903 in December 2007. Of those, 3,844 were international visitors.

There were only three visitor segments to see gains in December: those on honeymoons, those traveling for government or military purposes and students.

The number of visitors to Hawaii for government or military purposes increased 15 percent in December, compared to 2007.

The department said that 6,767 visitors traveled by air to Hawaii for military or government affairs, up from 5,860 in December 2007. Of those, 2,809 were international visitors, up 333 percent from the 648 visitors in December 2007.

There were 32,063 visitors in Hawaii on their honeymoon, up 2 percent from 31,423 in December 2007. International visitors were up nearly 15 percent from 18,199 in December 2007 to 20,875 in December 2008.

And there were 2,109 visitors in Hawaii to attend school, up nearly 9 percent from 1,939 in December 2007. Of those, 1,565 were international visitors.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2009/01/26/daily53.html

'The Real World's twenty-second edition to take place in Cancun

2009-01-30T21:51:00.000-08:00

By Christopher Rocchio

Just in case being on The Real World hadn't already become enough of a de-facto vacation for the show's roommates, MTV had decided to film the show's next edition in a tropical playground that vacationers visit to escape the real world.

The network has announced that Cancun will serve as the setting for The Real World's twenty-second season.

Production on the next installment of the long-running MTV reality series has already commenced, and it is currently slated to debut later this year.

Similar to the show's currently airing The Real World: Brooklyn -- which premiered earlier this month -- The Real World: Cancun will feature eight strangers instead of seven.

"Cancun is a good one to do after Brooklyn, which was a more gritty environment," The Real World co-creator Jonathan Murray told The Hollywood Reporter.

The Real World: Cancun's participants will reportedly work with spring break resource site StudentCity.com to serve as guides for visiting college students while also enjoying the Mexico vacation destination themselves.

"They're going to help give people a safe and fun vacation," Murray told The Reporter. "They also might have to bail somebody out of a Mexican jail, stuff like that."

While The Real World has never filmed a season in Cancun, it was the setting for 2003's The Real Cancun -- an unscripted R-rated movie produced by The Real World's Bunim-Murray Productions.

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-real-world-twenty-second-edition-take-place-in-cancun-8346.php

Travel Deals

2009-01-30T21:39:00.000-08:00

by Cait McVey

Snow, freezing rain, and temperatures well below zero. We've already seen it all this winter and we still have at least another month to go. For those living in the northeast, it's the perfect time of year to get away.

"Between January and April is traditionally our busiest time. That's because people that live around here want to get someplace warm," says Ed Plog, owner of Empress Travel in Schenectady.

This year is a little different. The economy is taking it's toll on the travel industry. Plog tells us business is much slower this year. Not just for him, but for everybody. Airlines, hotels...They're all feeling the squeeze. So, to coax people back into vacation mode, many are offering deals.

"Pricing wise, it's probably the best year we've seen in maybe ten years," says Plog. "I mean literally, they're giving airline seats away."

For example, in years past, if you're looking to fly roundtrip to say Orlando, Florida, you would've paid about five-hundred dollars. But now, using an online search engine, you can find tickets for half that price.

"You can go to California for 250 dollars, you can go to Phoenix for 250 dollars," Plog says.

And there are plenty of other deals. Plog tells us you can go to Disney World, pay for four nights and get three for free. Or, you can go to Cancun for five nights all inclusive for under 1,000 dollars per person.

"That's air, hotel, all your food, all your drinks and activities at your hotel," says Plog. "You couldn't do that last year."

As for how long these deals will be out there? Plog says probably until the economy turns around. So book your getaway now.

http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/Travel-Deals/tIkO95llpkesd7chMPRuzA.cspx

Get in the groove with a Jamaican vacation

2009-01-28T21:23:00.000-08:00

Whether you come to explore the island’s impressive history, stunning beaches or lush mountainous terrain, you’ll find all you need for a truly relaxing break on a winter getaway to Jamaica. Get into the groove Rastafarian-style with these hot deals for island resorts.

60 percent off FDR Pebbles resort
An award-winning family resort situated just 30 minutes from Montego Bay, the FDR Pebbles resort offers an affordable all-inclusive stay complete with complimentary nanny service, a deluxe pool with a hundred-foot waterslide and free watersports such as sailing, windsurfing and glass-bottom boat tours.

Plus, receive unlimited food and beverages at the resort’s four casual restaurants and free airport-hotel transfers. Starting at just $109/night, you’ll save 60 percent off rack rates on stays through Feb. 11.

Luxury package at the Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort
Located on a secluded stretch of private beach in Jamaica’s exclusive Rose Hall, the Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort offers luxurious island accommodations, an 18-hole championship golf course, full-service spa, as well as a wide range of water sports and dining options.

With the resort’s new Escape to Luxury package, guests can now enjoy an all-inclusive plan covering continental breakfast daily, lunch and dinner, unlimited alcoholic beverages, all taxes, and gratuities. This deal saves you $150-$200 off the usual rates for rooms at the same time last year.

The package starts at $409/night for a garden view room from June through October. If you choose to travel sooner you’ll pay just $589/night from now through April.

4-nights with air at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios
A luxury couples-only resort located on Jamaica’s North coast, Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort offers 529 guestrooms with mahogany four-poster king beds, seven swimming pools, free golf at the nearby Sandals Golf & Country Club and a full-service spa.

This winter, you’ll save up to 40 percent off an air-inclusive package available through Travelocity; book four nights from only $832 per person.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28682349/

Emirates sets new standard for airlines, but will its master plan fly?

2009-01-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

By David Grossman

A billboard on an Oakland city bus touts complimentary chauffer-driven limousine service for first- and business-class passengers flying to Dubai and beyond on Emirates Airlines. Although it might seem an unlikely place to plug an airline based 8,000 miles away, this is part of a much larger advertising campaign for a new nonstop flight linking this rapidly growing Middle East city with San Francisco, Emirates' fifth gateway in North America.

Before the ads, few locals had likely heard of Emirates or Dubai. Then a radio blitz, newspaper ads and several well-publicized media events heralded the arrival of this new airline. In San Francisco's financial district, the walls of an entire subway station were plastered with billboards and columns dressed up as palm trees to advertise exotic Emirates destinations. "Everybody in the San Francisco Bay Area knows who Emirates is today", says Terry Brodt of Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

While everyone may now know the Emirates name, the real targets of the ad campaign are the corporate travel managers and travel agents serving the many high-tech, bio-tech and financial services corporations located in San Francisco and nearby Silicon Valley. Who else would pony up $11,000 or more to fly their corporate travelers in Emirates business class, or almost $18,000 for a private first-class suite on the 16-hour nonstop journey to Dubai and beyond?

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2009-01-27-emirates-airlines_N.htm

Next "Real World" Locale Has Been Chosen; Production Started In Cancun

2009-01-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

By Stephanie Sims

Cancun, Mexico (CNS) - The location for the 22nd season of MTV's "Real World" was finally chosen. The lucky city that will soon have seven strangers living together running rampant on its streets next season is Cancun, Mexico.

The vacation destination will be home to the housemates. They will also work at StudentCity.com, a popular spring break travel agency/website, as tour guides for visiting college students. "They're going to help give people a safe and fun vacation," co-creator Jonathan Murray told the Hollywood Reporter. "They also might have to bail somebody out of a Mexican jail, stuff like that."Production has already started on the 22nd season, which will air on MTV later this year. The current "Real World" season is set in Brooklyn. "Cancun is a good one to do after Brooklyn, which was a more gritty environment," Murray said.

Since Cancun is a huge party destination and popular spring break getaway spot for young twentysomethings and college kids, it's actually surprising the city wasn't chosen as a locale earlier. It's also a familiar choice because "Real World" producers shot an R-rated unscripted movie there, "The Real Cancun," in 2003, that's unrelated to the series.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7013843128

Spring break dangers: Practicing safety on vacation

2009-01-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

By Midm Yi

With the unusually warm weather appearing briefly last week, Mother Nature seems to be teasing us with the thoughts of sunshine, flip flops, shorts and skirts. As the snow melts so does the patience of students who desire to reside on a tropical beach with the sun radiating warmth all around them.

For many college students, spring break is a week of full of partying in clubs, swimming on beaches and living in luxurious hotels all located in exotic hot spots. With television programs such as MTV, students see visuals of the palm trees, the clear blue water with young adolescents in swim shorts or bikinis all joining together to have some fun in the sun. To soak up the sun, college students choose the typical warm locations. According to About.com, the past three years students have chosen hot spots such as Cancun, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Barbados to throw down a week of crazy parties.

What draws college students to travel down to these locations? The freedom from the watchful eyes of parents and the easy accessibility to alcohol and drugs instantly attract college students to spend spring break in these specific locations. The drinking age in places like Cancun and Cabo sit at 18 years of age. Students being able to gain easy accessibility to alcohol and drugs without a chaperone are prone to dangerous activities, which at times can potentially be life-threatening. However, as hazardous as this can look, college students overlook the perils lying in front of them while in search for fun and pleasure.

Griffin Ng, a third-year finance major, believes that the dangers of spring breakers generally depend on the person's ability to have self-control.

Ng said, "Students usually want to go there for fun so most of them avoid dangerous activities, but when a person doesn't have a strong self-control things can get a little bit dangerous."

Breet Singh believes that places like Cancun where the drinking age limit is younger compared to the U.S. can create dangerous situations as well.

Singh states, "Although I haven't personally been to these locations, I have been on spring break trips before and my friends have gotten alcohol easily and it led to bad situations."

As spring break seems to be months away, this gives college students enough time to think about the issue, the fact of the matter that lies behind the curtain of the fun. As beautiful Cancun or Cabo may seem, what lies beneath is a beautiful danger.

http://media.www.chicagoflame.com/media/storage/paper519/news/2009/01/26/SpringBreak/Spring.Break.Dangers-3596031.shtml

Mayor Of Las Vegas Wants To Create Red Light District In Sin City

2009-01-27T21:06:00.001-08:00

And he wants to create it “for the children.” Which, of course, means he wants to tax the hookers.

[Mayor Oscar] Goodman said, I've met with folks from that industry who make a very compelling argument that it could generate 200 million a year in tax dollars, and that would buy a lot of textbooks, pay for a lot of teachers.

So how do the hookers feel about this? They’re not exactly happy about the idea:

“Since many customers are critically concerned with discretion and prostitutes prefer their ‘freedom,’ I believe the idea may appear much more appealing than the reality of the situation and what is necessary to make it happen.”

In any other industry, the brothel system itself would seem obviously a bad deal for the workers. The brothels charge room and board to the workers for lodging as well as take up to half the money earned by them from customers, technically often including tips. So, you could in theory work a week and lose money after you pay your rent to the brothel. Women have no privacy rights even in their rented rooms which can be searched by the brothel owners for hidden cash or drugs at any time. The sacrifice of “freedom” is real.

Others strongly object to the money. One local high-end illegal escort I reached who opposes legal brothels in Vegas told me: “I would never give a brothel owner half of what I earn, that is a legal word for pimp.”

If you ask me, Mayor Goodman’s scheme here may be more exploitive of the hookers than pimps are. Herding them into one area? Heavily regulating their industry, forcing them to do business in only one manner (the brothel system), and applying what I’m sure will be heavy taxes?

I don’t blame the hookers for being upset.

I actually believe that prostitution should probably be legal. We’re not getting anywhere by having it be illegal. It’s “the world’s oldest profession,” and people will be doing it whether it’s illegal or not. And while I’d be devastated if it were a trade one of my daughters ever took up, from a policy standpoint I have a hard time with laws that ban financial transactions between two consenting adults surrounding a perfectly legal activity. Again, they’re going to do it anyway. And our law enforcement resources could probably be better spent elsewhere.

In fact, while prostitution will probably always be a seedy industry, we’d undoubtedly see less exploitation and abuse were it brought out from the dark margins of society.

Again, I don’t like the concept of prostitution, but it’s not a perfect world. We’re never going to see an end to prostitution. So maybe it’s time for a pragmatic embrace of reality?

http://www.kxmc.com/News/Nation/324102.asp

Jazz Festival Essential to Jamaica's Tourism

2009-01-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Director of Tourism and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch, has said that the annual Jazz and Blues festival "is very essential" to Jamaica's tourism sector, in terms of bringing visitors to the island at a time of the year, when there is usually a slowdown in arrivals.

"January, traditionally, is a very challenging month for the tourist industry and you need events like this to draw people to set you apart from the competition," he stated.

Mr. Lynch, who spoke to JIS News at the opening of the festival at the Aqueduct in Rose Hall last evening (Jan. 22), said that every area of the industry stands to benefit from the staging of the event. He said that the JTB is pleased to be a major sponsor of the festival.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rowan Locke, a Jamaican living in the United States, who is in the island for the festival, said that the event is good for Jamaica's tourism, as it brings together persons from around the world for a great island experience.

Several government officials, including Minister of Tourism, Ed Bartlett, and Director General in the Ministry, Carrole Guntley, were among the thousands of locals and visitors to the island, who witnessed the world class performances on the opening night of the show.

The three-night festival, which ends on Saturday, January 24, features quality local and overseas acts performing a wide mix of musical genres, including jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, Caribbean, world music, Latin, country, and the cornerstone of Jamaican culture, reggae.

In addition to the music, the event offers delicious Jamaican and international cuisine in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere and showcases the work of artisans from all over the island.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/indus_tourism/html/20090124T140000-0500_18149_JIS_JAZZ_FESTIVAL_ESSENTIAL_TO_JAMAICA_S_TOURISM___LYNCH__.asp

Caribbean Resorts Ready to Deal

2009-01-25T15:09:00.001-08:00

By Michelle Higgins

THE Caribbean is on sale. Beachfront rooms from $78 a night. All-inclusive vacations at 70 percent off. Five-night cruises for less than $250. These are just some of the deep discounts on offer as the islands attempt to attract penny-pinching travelers with cut rates and islandwide promotions amid the depressing economy.

Normally, as the region enters the height of tourist season, which runs from now through March, sun-deprived travelers flock to the islands for the region’s idyllic weather and alluring beaches, prices soar to peak levels and resorts fill up well in advance. Of course, the economy has changed all that this year.

Three of the biggest online travel agencies —Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz — are all offering numerous Caribbean packages from 30 to 50 percent off across a broad range of vacations, including cruises, through peak season. Wimco Villas has introduced its Value Villas program, normally offered only during the low seasons of summer and fall, with average nightly rates starting at less than $200 a room. And Liberty Travel, the travel agency chain based in Ramsey, N.J., just rolled out a late winter and early spring sale with discounts starting at 45 percent off at more than 100 Caribbean properties.

“There’s been a reality check,” said Mark Benson, vice president of Caribbean product for Liberty Travel, noting that even just a few months ago resorts were still reluctant to cut rates. Now, he said, hotels are simply focused on putting “heads in beds” and “fighting for market share.”

Entire islands are on sale. The United States Virgin Islands, where visitors dropped 39 percent to 104,969 for the month of October, has an Extended Winter Escape promotion for travel through March that includes $300 in American Express traveler’s checks, $100 in vouchers toward island attractions and restaurants and a fifth night free at various hotels including the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott on St. Thomas and the Westin on St. John. Book by Jan. 31 at usvigetaway.com/winterescape.

Similarly, hotels on St. Kitts and Nevis (www.stkittstourism.kn), including the Royal St. Kitts Hotel & Casino and Mount Nevis Hotel, are offering a fifth night free and $75 resort credits. Bermuda (www.bermudatourism.com/400th_anniversary.aspx) is offering up to $400 credit at various hotels booked by March 27, based on length of stay. And Grand Cayman (www.caymanislands.ky/promotions) is advertising daily resort credits ranging from $25 to $100 a day, depending on the property and length of stay.

Few destinations rely as heavily on tourism as the islands of the Caribbean. Perhaps that’s why some of the latest bargains are so aggressive, if not desperate. Expedia, for example, has five-night western Caribbean cruises as low as $239 a person on Carnival — that’s about $50 a day. A recent search for cheap hotels in Jamaica found room rates as low as $78 in Negril on Travelocity. And Liberty Travel is offering all-inclusive four-night vacations to Aruba from New York with airfare for $699 a person — a savings of 70 percent.

For families, Club Med in Guadeloupe and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic are offering a Kids Stay Free special for vacations beginning Feb. 14 or 50 percent off the second guest for seven-night trips at those resorts as well as properties in Martinique and Turks and Caicos.

Even well-known luxury hotels, that are normally so hard to get into at this time of year that they don’t need to discount, are throwing in extras. The luxurious Malliouhana Hotel & Spa on Anguilla is offering a four-night getaway for $4,715 per couple that includes daily continental breakfast, two massages per guest, a four-course dinner for two, and snorkeling off the hotel’s 40-foot motorboat.

The exclusive Parrot Cay, on a private island in Turks and Caicos, has been offering four nights for the price of three or seven nights for the price of five. Dinner is included if booked by Jan. 31. Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda is offering five nights for the price of four when guests book the Escape a Little Longer package. Guests who fly nonstop to St. Thomas and use the hotel’s air taxi also qualify for up to $500 in resort credit. And the deluxe Carl Gustaf Hotel on St. Barts is cutting winter rates on one- and two-bedroom suites by 30 percent.

The hope is such deals will spur bookings by travelers who have largely been hesitant to commit to a vacation. “There is a tremendously shorter booking window now,” said Hugh Riley, interim secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, which has committed to raising $60 million for a marketing campaign to help promote the region. “Consumers don’t seem convinced yet that whatever price they’re looking at is the lowest it’s going to be,” he said. “They keep looking for a better deal.”

Another challenge is confronting the islands: airlines reduced service to the region by 14.5 percent in December, according to OAG, which tracks airline flight schedules. That helped keep airfares high and made it difficult for some travelers to get to the Caribbean for the holidays. While some of that service has come back, airline seats from the United States to the Caribbean are still down by about 9 percent in March.

Despite the cuts, there are some decent airfare bargains out there right now. Travelocity has been advertising American Airlines’ new nonstop service between Grenada and Miami with four-night vacations to the island from $585 a person. And Liberty Travel has negotiated special rates of 20 percent off with some airlines.

“Last year, if I had suggested that, they’d have slammed the phone down on me,” said Mr. Benson, the Liberty vice president. “But this year, they’re playing.”

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/travel/25praccarib.html?ref=travel

Playa del Carmen has plenty to explore

2009-01-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

By Roseanna Schick

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - Situated in the tropical tourist region known as Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is 65 kilometres south of Cancun and 20 kilometres from the island of Cozumel. This humble hot spot provides all the sun, sand and surf of its trendy cousins, but still sports fewer crowds.

At least for the time being.

Named for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patron saint of Cancun, Playa del Carmen was a rest stop and readying point for the earliest travellers making their way from the great Mayan cities to the island of Cozumel. From the same shores that now house modern-day resorts and restaurants, they launched dugout canoes to journey across the open water.

During ensuing centuries of European exploration, Spaniards travelled up and down the Yucatan Peninsula, and pirate ships patrolled the waters. Trade was established in the area, where local commodities like salt and honey were bartered for goods imported from other regions.

Today, bartering still takes place, with the commodity being the Mexican peso or U.S. dollar. You can still venture away from the shoreline, but the vessel will most likely be a kayak, fishing boat or perhaps a parasail. But first, you have to get to the waterfront.

Riviera Maya's coastline extends nearly 145 kilometres along the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, with Playa del Carmen at the heart of it all. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the beach looks exactly like those magazine pictures of turquoise water and sparkling white sands. If ever I'd imagined paradise, this was it.

One of my favourite pastimes when travelling, besides wandering alone into wilderness areas, is roaming along a beach. It is here I'll find my most treasured souvenirs - seashells eroded from endlessly spinning in salt water, and rocks smoothed from tumbling about the tides.

Riviera Maya is home to the largest barrier reef system in the Northern Hemisphere. Second only to Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef, the Great Maya Reef was introduced to the world by Jacques Cousteau in 1954. Stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula southward to the Bay of Honduras, the Great Maya Reef is a chain of crevices, ravines, canyons, and coral gardens.

It has become one of the most popular and spectacular scuba and snorkelling destinations in the world, offering 100 different dive sites and more than 500 species of fish, four species of sea turtles, and some of the biggest sponge formations in existence.

Diving takes place inland, too, where numerous subterranean streams throughout the jungle are connected to submerged caverns, resulting in the world's largest underground river system. Cenotes, or freshwater pools, are formed by water filtering through the limestone, providing a myriad of tunnels, channels and caves to be explored.

Riviera Maya's natural jungle setting is the perfect place for eco-parks, and there are several to choose from. Our group toured Xcaret, a destination teeming with opportunities to learn about regional ecology, culture, traditions and history.

Xcaret means "little inlet" and is one of the most visited places in the Riviera Maya. It hosts an array of indigenous wildlife, including monkeys, bats, zebus and tapirs - whose main predator also lives at Xcaret. Jaguars are kept on an island shaded by lush vegetation. To the Maya, the jaguar was a god called Balam, a symbol of power and sovereign of the underworld. To the admiring tourist, this king of the tropics is majestic. To the tapir, the only good jaguar is one kept on an island.

Marine turtles have lived in the oceans for more than 100 million years, and constitute an important symbolic figure for indigenous communities around the world. During nesting season, Xcaret establishes turtle camps to protect the endangered species from possible predators. When baby turtles hatch after 60 days, the ones that arrive at the park as part of the conservation program are marked for identification when they return to nest 25 years later.

To see other marine life, the Xcaret Sea Trek allows you to walk and breathe underwater using a special helmet. Other unique experiences include snuba diving, which combines the technology of scuba diving with the ease of snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, and swimming with sharks.

With so much to do and see at Xcaret, including performances, ceremonies, cultural sites, sculptures, chapel, Mayan village, wine cellar and more, you could spend an entire week exploring everything it has to offer.

There's an increasingly popular attraction in Riviera Maya that doesn't involve swimsuits, sunscreen or waterfall massages. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival celebrated its sixth birthday in November, and is becoming more acclaimed with each passing year. The festival features the best of Mexico's jazz culture and a choice selection of international artists.

While there are other jazz music festivals in Mexico, this is the only one on the sandy beach alongside the Caribbean Sea. An estimated 30,000 visitors attended over three evenings, using beach towels, blankets and lawn chairs to stake claim to their piece of sandy real estate.

If you are visiting Playa del Carmen, you must stroll down La Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, a festive pedestrian walkway running parallel to the ocean. It offers a wide selection of shopping, dining and entertainment, along with Internet cafes, money exchangers and other specialty places. It's also lined with boutiques, stores and kiosks, giving tourists plenty of potential to practise the age-old tradition known as haggling.

There are three rules to remember when shopping in Mexico. First, everything is negotiable. Second, never buy the first one of anything you see, as chances are there will be five more just like it down the street. Third, don't forget rule number one.

You can get great deals in Playa del Carmen, even on a tourist strip like the Quinta. The selection of silver jewelry is exceptional, and somewhat overwhelming. With so many stunning and inexpensive pieces to choose from, the toughest part is making a decision. Take the time to look around first to find the best quality and locate that one special item that truly catches your eye.

Of course all that walking around and haggling will make you hungry, so stop in at one of the many restaurants along the Quinta. With ex-patriots from dozens of countries around the globe calling Playa del Carmen home, the town has a vast selection of food choices, including Italian, Argentinean, Chinese, French and other cuisines.

My preference is authentic Mexican cuisine like ceviche, empanadas, and fresh salsa and guacamole that tastes delicious atop anything. To wash it all down, nopal juice made from the medicinal prickly pear cactus is not only refreshing, but also contains valuable nutrients that support immune, glandular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems.

After a long day's roaming it's always a relief to rest your weary head. Being one of Mexico's fastest-growing destinations, Playa del Carmen has had a boom in the quantity and quality of lodgings. Small hotels possess a captivating Caribbean charm, with some offering spectacular ocean views, while others resemble cosy nests surrounded by tropical jungle. And of course you have the high-end, all-inclusive resorts, which line the waterfront up and down the Yucatan Peninsula. Looking like fenced-in fortresses, some of these places are the size of small villages and have all the amenities.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/liveit/article/550014

Las Vegas casinos hoping for lucky Chinese New Year

2009-01-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

By Deena Beasley

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Golden dragons hang from the ceilings and lion dances are poised to start as Las Vegas Strip casinos prepare to ring in the lunar New Year -- one of biggest money-making events for the gambling corridor.

While the global financial crisis has stilled the hand of many gamblers, Las Vegas is doing what it can to keep them coming in the year of the Ox.

The Chinese New Year, which starts this year on Monday, ranks with the western New Year and the National Football League's Super Bowl weekend as the three busiest times for Las Vegas casinos.

"There is great demand for the Chinese New Year period," said Rob Oseland, chief operating officer at Encore, the new casino-hotel from Wynn Resorts Ltd.

Encore and the adjacent Wynn Las Vegas will host a series of galas, starting with a 67th birthday party for owner Steve Wynn and culminating with the Super Bowl next weekend.

"Every year we have a dragon dance processional that runs through the casino and casts good luck," Oseland said.

The atrium at Wynn features a huge, bejeweled dragon, but the seasonal decoration at Encore, which already includes huge red chandeliers and Asian-esque rosettes, is more muted.

"Our Asian customers are very important and they appreciate the touches, but we wanted to show off the (existing) design. Having a huge dragon up there would just be gilding the lily," said Bruce Anderson, Encore's director of horticulture design.

Other resorts, particularly high-end properties like Las Vegas Sands' Venetian and MGM Mirage's Bellagio, are also keen to court Asian clients.

The Venetian and the adjacent Palazzo plan dragon and lion dances, complete with firecrackers and an eye-painting ceremony.

Sands' resorts feature lotus lanterns and decor in the customary color scheme of red and gold, along with traditional tangerine trees and banners heralding "Gong Hei Fatt Choy," a common New Year greeting that translates as "Wishing you great happiness and prosperity."

Chris Harrington, a visitor from New York, described Encore as "lovely, other than the red ... I feel like I'm in China, but I think that's what he (Steve Wynn) was looking for." Las Vegas Travel

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE50M50420090123

As economy hits travel biz, actor Shatner fights back

2009-01-24T11:03:00.000-08:00

By Kyle Peterson

CHICAGO, Jan 23 (Reuters Life!) - The job market stinks, home foreclosures are mounting, consumer spending has slowed to a crawl, and actor William Shatner's job just got a lot tougher.

As the pitchman for online travel agency Priceline.com, Shatner, aka the Priceline Negotiator, has to convince people to take vacations. That's a tall order at a time when economic recession has all but squashed discretionary spending in the United States.

But the 77-year-old actor best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek movies and television series is hopeful that spending begets spending, and that if enough people loosen their purse strings and venture out for leisure travel the economy could rebound.

"We're in danger of retracting so much that everything will fail," Shatner told Reuters. "We're being fed by fear, and fear feeds on itself. And if we can break that cycle, we might come out of this sooner and better than we expect."

Since 1998, Shatner has been the celebrity spokesman for Priceline, which staked out its turf with its name-your-own-price auction.

But in 2006 Shatner stopped promoting the company as himself and stepped into the role of the Negotiator, a comically intense super agent obsessed with helping travelers find deals on travel bookings.

"He's a commercial character, born of necessity and nurtured on fear," Shatner said.

In the TV ads, the Negotiator barges into homes and offices where he intimidates, berates and bullies customers into negotiating cheap bookings on Priceline.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUKN2216424920090123

3 great deals: NYC; Cancun and Loreto, Mexico

2009-01-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

Save 50 percent at Le Meridien, Cancun

Orbitz is launching a winter sale that includes a wide variety of destinations, many with specific travel dates. For example, Le Meridien Cancun Resort and Spa is offering rooms for $294 per night, a 50 percent savings, for stays that are booked between Jan. 23-26. Two kids younger than 12 may stay free as part of this offer. The resort, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea, has 213 rooms with marble bath fixtures, soaking tubs, separate shower stalls, bathrobes and designer amenities. The spa features holistic and healing treatments, and the three swimming pools are a fun way to stay cool while enjoying the gorgeous scenery.

Details: www.orbitz.com, click on "winter escape, save up to 50% on hotels," scroll down to "Mexico," click on link to Le Meridien, then enter the dates above to see rates.

Choice rates at Chelsea, NYC, hotel

The Gem Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan is offering travelers the chance to check out the new boutique property with special rates that start at $159 a night. The 81-room, five-story hotel, which opened in November after a yearlong renovation, offers nightly turndown service, high-speed Internet access, iPod docking stations and Gilchrist and Soames bath goodies. The smoke-free rooms also include flat-panel LCD televisions, bottled water and Wolfgang Puck coffee. This deal is valid through Feb. 28.

Details: 212-675-1911, www.thegemhotel.com.

Buy 1, get 1 free in Loreto, Mexico

The Loreto Visitors Bureau, the tourism organization for Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico, is featuring a buy-one-get-one-free promotion during January. Every time a visitor purchases one hotel night, one meal or one activity at a participating hotel, restaurant, car-rental agency or tour operator, the bureau will pick up the tab for a second night, meal or activity. In addition, visitors who book their travel online through Alaska Airline Vacations (www.alaskaair.com/vacations) will receive an additional 15 percent discount. Four hotels are participating in this deal: Hacienda Suites, Loreto Bay Resort, La Mision Loreto Hotel and Oasis Hotel. Meals, tours and activities may be booked through each hotel's concierge.

Details: 866... or www.haciendasuites.com; 877-522-9466 or www.discoverloretobay.com; 877-535-2647 or www.lamisionloreto.com; 866-482-0247 or www.hoteloasis.com.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/22/20090122gooddeals0111.html

Hotel Deals In 10 Travel Hot Spots

2009-01-23T16:17:00.000-08:00

By Lauren Sherman

When it comes to 2009's hottest travel destinations, think cheap--but not chintzy.

To keep visitors coming, top-shelf destinations no longer have top-shelf price tags. This year, four- and five-star hotels are offering unprecedented deals at in-demand spots like Cape Town,Belfast and Vancouver.

In Depth: Hotel Deals In 10 Travel Hot Spots

According to booking site Hotels.com's quarterly Hotel Price Index, the cost of hotel accommodations decreased by 3% globally in the last three months of 2008. And average daily rates for Jan. 1, 2009, were down significantly in several major U.S. cities, according to another booking site, Travelocity.com. In San Francisco, rates were down 15% from Jan. 1, 2008; in Las Vegas, the rate decrease was 18%.

"For the first time in my career, [high-net-worth travelers] are focused more on the deal than the experience," says Jack Ezon, president of leisure travel for New York-based agency Ovation Vacations. In other words, travelers are looking for the best prices first and considering the destination second.

Just last week, Ezon sold one week in hotspot Riviera Maya, Mexico for $7,000. The suite booked usually runs $3,000 per night, which means this guest received a nearly 67% discount on his or her holiday.

Sure, the tropical forests, view of the Caribbean Sea and seven restaurants at Riviera Maya are nice, but the best part about staying in a Mandarin Oriental hotel is the highly lauded service and amenities, which include private yoga and Pilates sessions as well as culinary classes that teach local food traditions.

Sexy Getaway Ideas in Mexico, Jamaica

2009-01-23T16:16:00.000-08:00

This week, we've had two questions from readers looking to spice up their travels:

My fiancee and I want to take an erotic vacation June 09 but we are not interested in swinging but a more personal erotic experience. We were thinking Mexico but any ideas you can forward would be great.

My wife of 30 years and I are planning our first vacation without kids. The idea of clothing optional beaches and pools is something we've never done, but would like to try. PJ parties and fun entertainment is also an interest. Good food a must, casino a plus and to make it even harder we have somewhat of a budget. Where should we go. Any ideas? Thanks so much.

You'll find quite a few properties that fit the bill for a sexy vacation with clothing optional beaches and an adults-only atmosphere.

In the past few years, Mexico has become home to a growing number of such all-inclusive properties including Temptation Resort Spa with locations in Cancun (formerly Blue Bay Resort) and Los Cabos. The resorts have a topless-optional policy at the pools and offer sexy activities such as "Sensual Fitness" classes for women with workouts that include lap dancing, pole dancing, etc. Both have fine dining, on-site spas, and other upscale offerings.

A less-clothed option is Desire Resorts with locations on the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos. These are both clothing-optional, all-inclusive adult resorts with evening activites such as PJ and lingerie night or a strip tease contest.

In Jamaica, Hedonism II (Negril) and Hedonism III (near Runaway Bay) are both popular all-inclusive options. Hedonism II has the highest repeat rate among Caribbean hotels with a nude (not clothing-optional) beach as well as a "prude" beach, nude pool, bar and grill, and sexy evening entertainment. Hedonism III has similar features and more elaborate guest rooms. Hedonism resorts include a game room with slots, electronic poker, etc. (At this time, there are no casinos in Jamaica but that might change soon.) For more on Hedonism resorts, see our special Hedonism section.

As for budget, the time of year you visit will have a lot to do with the amount you pay. Summer and fall are the least expensive seasons (due to hurricane season which runs June 1 - November 30). You'll find the cheapest rooms during the height of hurricane season (August-September) and ask about hurricane guarantees. We know that SuperClubs offers a hurricane guarantee in case your vacation is interrupted by a storm.

http://www.lovetripper.com/mailbox/2009/01/sexy-getaway-ideas-in-mexico-jamaica.html

Winter travel deals heating up for Northwest, cruises, Hawaii

2009-01-22T15:00:00.000-08:00

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Ride free on a Washington ferry to the San Juan Islands or the Kitsap Peninsula.

Take an Amtrak train between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., or Portland and take a friend along for free.

Fly a family of four from Seattle to Hawaii and back for less than what the airlines are quoting for one round-trip ticket to London in July.

Those with time and money will find better-than-ever winter travel deals to favorite destinations as airlines, restaurants, hotels and ski resorts dig deep to lure customers in a faltering economy.

Expect to see some of the best bargains between now and mid-February, before the Presidents Day (Feb. 16) holiday period.

"It's the dead time," says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. "A lot of people have already spent their money on holiday gifts. They're tired and they don't want to go anywhere. So ... if you can get away, there are some great places to go and some great prices."

One caveat: Beware of promotional offers laden with hidden taxes and fees or extras you can do without.

"A lot of promotions are packages," says Banas, "so you really want to price everything out a la carte in advance.

"Really decide if those extras are worth it to you. ... A bottle of Champagne might be nice, but what you really want is to get that room rate down."

Here's a selection to get you started planning a last-minute getaway:

All aboard

The deals:

PCC Natural Markets in Seattle have teamed with Amtrak Cascades to give away 10,000 two-for-one coupons good for travel anywhere between Vancouver, B.C., and Eugene, Ore., through May 21. The coupons are at Seattle-area PCC stores through January or until they are gone; no purchase or membership required.

Travel Portland is offering companion fares for travel between Portland and Seattle and other Western Washington cities valid Mondays-Thursdays through May 22. Buy one adult fare and get the second for 50 percent off. Type in promotion code H779 when booking at the Amtrak site, www.amtrakcascades.com.

Keep in mind: The PCC coupon is the better of the two deals. Some travelers have had problems booking the special fare on Amtrak's Web site. If so, call 800-872-7245 to book by phone. Both offers are good only for Amtrak Cascades trains, not the long-distance Coast Starlight or Empire Builder trains. Up to two children ages 2-15 may accompany an adult at half the full adult fare on either offer.

Both the PCC and Travel Portland offers have some blackout dates.

Free ferry rides

The deal: Free rides on Washington State Ferries.

Book a room on the Kitsap Peninsula or in the San Juans and ride the ferry round-trip for free.

The San Juan offer is good through May 21 for two people and a car, a $35-$50 savings, depending on whether you're going to Lopez, Orcas or San Juan Island. See www.VisitSanJuans.com.

The Kitsap offer is good through March on ferry runs to Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Edmonds/Kingston and Fauntleroy (West Seattle) to Southworth. See www.visitkitsap.com.

Keep in mind: Winter is the offseason in these areas. Some shops and restaurants may be closed or operating at reduced hours, especially early in the week. The offer applies only to participating inns, B&Bs and hotels.

Rooms at the inns

The deal: Portland's "Big Deal" hotel packages.

Hotel rates include free parking, a continental breakfast, a booklet of discount coupons and 15 percent off tickets to the Portland Jazz Festival, which runs Feb. 13-22. See www.travelportland.com.

Keep in mind: If you don't need parking and don't plan to go to the jazz festival, you might get a better room rate by calling the hotel directly.

The "Big Deal" rate we checked on a double room with a city view at the Marriott Portland-Downtown Waterfront on a Saturday in January, for instance, was $201 with taxes, breakfast and parking (normally $28 a day) compared with a quote of $167 by calling the hotel.

The deal: "Dine Out Vancouver" hotel packages in Vancouver, B.C.

Book a hotel room Jan. 14-Feb. 1 when Vancouver chefs offer special three-course menus for Cdn. $18, $28 or $38, and get a three-course meal at a top hotel restaurant included in the rate. See www.tourismvancouver.com.

Keep in mind:The appeal is that after an evening of wining and dining, the farthest you have to go is upstairs to your room, but the value varies according to each hotel's offer.

The Cdn. $208 (about $173 based on an exchange rate of 83 cents to Cdn. $1) rate for two found for a Saturday night stay in January at the Delta Vancouver Suites, including taxes and dinner for two worth $Cdn. 28 ($23) each, was only a few dollars less than booking the lowest-priced room available at Cdn. $162, and paying for the dinners separately.

If you'd rather dine elsewhere and just want a deal on a room, note that Tourism Vancouver has a "stay two nights get a third night free" specials through March 31 at participating hotels. The regular Cdn. $89 ($74) rate at the Inn at False Creek, a boutique hotel near Granville Island, drops to Cdn. $59 ($49) if booked for three nights through Jan. 31.

Other Vancouver, B.C., bargains:

It's sometimes cheaper to fly to Europe or Asia out of Vancouver than Seattle. If you find a good fare, spend the night before your flight at the Vancouver Airport Accent Inn for Cdn. $99 ($82) and get eight days free parking and free shuttle service to the airport. See www.accentinns.com.

BC Ferries "Winter Super Sail," offers 33 percent discounts on all sailings in January. Two passengers and a car going by ferry between Vancouver and Victoria round-trip pay about $100 Cdn. ($82). See www.bcferries.com

Cruise control

The deal: Seven-night cruises to Alaska from Seattle. Book now and sail in May or early June for around $100 or less per person per night.

A check last week showed mid-May openings on Royal Caribbean's seven-night Seattle-to-Alaska Sawyer Glacier Cruise for $1,344 for two or $96 per person, including taxes and fees, for the least expensive inside stateroom. See www.royalcaribbean.com.

Celebrity Cruises showed similar prices for seven-night May and June sailings on the Alaska Hubbard Glacier itinerary. See www.celebritycruises.com.

Keep in mind: The prices could get even better as time goes on, depending on bookings. Remember though, drinks, shore excursions and onboard extras can ratchet up the cost. Know what's included before you book, and be aware that the weather can be cool and unpredictable in spring.

Hitting the slopes

The deal: Whistler's Winter Ski Escape. Book a three-night stay now through Jan. 29 and get the third night free. Three nights lodging and a two-day lift ticket start at Cdn. $106 ($87) per person per night. See www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Keep in mind: Packages starting at $106 are limited. A check on rooms available for a Thursday, Friday and Saturday stay in January turned up a total price of Cdn. $660 (for two people for three nights) as the lowest available. Taxes and fees added another Cdn. $106 for a total of Cdn. $766 ($636).

Whistler offers a variety of packages through the end of April. Depending on your dates, your preferred location in the village and the type of room you want, it might be better to book lodging and lift tickets separately.

Check out the resort's last-minute deals on unsold rooms if you're planning a spur-of-the-moment trip.

Waikiki anyone?

The deal: Hawaiian Airlines' $300 Seattle-Honolulu round-trip flights for midweek travel in January and early February. Other airlines have fares in the $340 range to Honolulu and to Kona on the Big Island. See www.kayak.comto compare prices.

Keep in mind: Even with discounts, rates at the major hotels in Waikiki may be higher than you want to pay. Shop carefully to find the best rates and take advantage of free-night offers for extended stays, AAA and AARP discounts. Think about staying within walking distance of the beach instead of in a waterfront hotel.

Consider a bid on Priceline.com for a high-end hotel. A colleague reports bidding $132 per night in mid-December, and got a week at Westin Maui Resort and Spa on Kaanapali Beach with an ocean view for that price. The room normally goes for at least triple that rate. Some hotels tack on a resort fee - usually $25 a day - on top of whatever bid price they accept. Cancun Hotels

http://www.bnd.com/542/story/625329.html

Report: Statewide Casino Profits Down 68%

2009-01-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

By Brian K. Miller

LAS VEGAS-Casino industry net income tumbled by 68% statewide and 57% on the Las Vegas Strip during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2008, according to a fiscal 2007 report released Friday by the state Gaming Control Board. The report covers all casinos statewide that grossed at least $1 million in gaming revenue, which in this case totaled 266 properties, including 40 on the Las Vegas Strip. The net income figure is computed before federal taxes and extraordinary expenses.

The national economic decline officials began in January 2008, mid-way through fiscal 2007. Control Board senior research analyst Frank Streshley reports that total revenue fell only 1% but general and administrative costs rose 16%, the latter attributable at least in part to increased interest expense related to private equity buyouts and resort expansions as well as increased discounting in the second half of the fiscal year. Streshley was not available Tuesday afternoon for comment.

Statewide, net income fell 68.6% to $721 million. On the Las Vegas Strip, net income fell 57.3% to $709.3 million.

Slot machines accounted for 67.6% of statewide revenue, which totaled approximately $12 billion. Table games plus bingo and keno accounted for more of the remainder, 28.8%.

On the Strip, slot machines accounted for 53.9% of revenue, while food brought in 25.8% of the total and hotel rooms brought in 14.7% of the total. Bar sales accounted for 5.2% of revenue.

Casino net income in Downtown Las Vegas fell 54.2% to $30.8 million. Casino net income in Laughlin fell 51.3% to $49.8 million. Casino net income on the Boulder Strip was negative at $6.1 million. Casino net income for the remainder of Clark County, which is home to 54 casinos including those in Mesquite and North Las Vegas, fell 235.9% to $146.2 million.

Net income data wasn't immediately available for year-to-date fiscal 2008. Gaming win, the amount gamblers lose in casinos, for that period was $4.67 billion statewide, a 12.9% decline from the same 2007 period. On the Strip gaming win fiscal year-to-date was $2.45 billion, down 14.2%. The Boulder Strip and Laughlin markets are off 14.6% and 11.6%, respectively. What to wear in Las Vegas

http://www.globest.com/news/1330_1330/lasvegas/176421-1.html

Meltdown 101: Travel industry vs. the 'staycation'

2009-01-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

By Ryan Nakashima

When the economy goes into the tank, people stay at home. But for those still willing to see what's out there, there are stupendous deals to be had.

Hotels, resorts and cruise lines are offering rock-bottom rates and doing everything they can to fill rooms, including teaming up with airlines to offer jaw-dropping package deals. And savvy consumers can reap the benefits.

A case in point: This reporter recently booked a Waldorf Astoria suite in the Palm Springs, Calif., area through Priceline.com for about $130 after taxes — in the middle of a holiday weekend, no less. Although we didn't know where we'd end up, the 900-square-foot "Spa Villa" where we ended up staying is listed next weekend for $679 a night.

The Walt Disney Co. is also offering a seven-night stay at its Walt Disney World resorts, including seven days of park tickets, for the price of four nights and four days of tickets. And it's throwing in a $200 gift card that can be spent on food and merchandise.

According to one travel agency Web site's spokeswoman, travel deals haven't been better since the aftermath of 9/11.

Here are some questions and answers about what kind of deals are out there and how to snag them.

Q: Why are companies offering such cut rates now?

A: Around the world, occupancy and room rates are down as business travel has fallen and vacationers are staying at home because of the recession. According to Smith Travel Research, occupancy in North American hotels was down 10.3 percent in November from a year ago, to 52.3 percent. The average daily rate was down 3.3 percent, to $101.84, while the revenue per available room was down 13.3 percent, to $53.28.

In other words, hotels are about half-full these days. And if you are a paying customer, management is willing to cut you a deal.

Q: Why are a hotel's official, posted rates often so much higher than what you can find through a travel agent or travel Web site?

A: Hotels are averse to cutting their posted rates, because some people are willing to pay that price — and those people help the bottom line.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, hotels slashed rates and suffered for years afterward, according to Smith Travel Research spokesman Jeff Higley. Now they are more likely to throw in freebies to keep customers happy.

"Rather than lowering their rates, they try to put packages together to add value to the rate," Higley said.

So, if you can't score a rate cut, Higley says, look for free valet parking, free Internet access or a free breakfast — hotels may be willing to throw these freebies in.

Q: Back to the bottom line: How do I snag a cheap rate?

A: Some Web sites are offering extreme discounts on hotel rooms. Priceline.com is now offering hotel rooms in New York at 3-star establishments for $99 and in Washington, D.C., for $59. (This reporter can't remember staying anywhere in New York for less than $100, ever.)

The catch is that users have to submit their price and credit card information before knowing which exact hotel they will be staying at.

"Occupancies are under pressure and prices are generally coming down," Priceline.com Inc. Chief Executive Jeffrey Boyd told The Associated Press.

Because hotels and airlines remain anonymous until after the purchase, they can maintain their posted rates, while selling empty inventory at the last minute for big discounts — up to 50 percent off for hotel rooms up to 60 percent off airfare.

Spokeswoman Jeanenne Tornatore of Orbitz Worldwide Inc., which owns Cheaptickets.com and Orbitz.com, said even openly posted hotel rates are falling. In Las Vegas, rates are down in some cases more than 50 percent — and in Hawaii, around 40 percent — since late last year.

"Some of those 4-star Las Vegas hotels that used to go for $200 to $250 are in the $80 to $120 range," she said.

Vegas.com, owned by the Greenspun Family of Companies, said room rates in January have declined 33 percent from a year ago, to $92 from $138 a night on average.

"There are some unbelievable values right now," said Bryan Allison, Vegas.com's vice president of marketing. "There are food and beverage credits, gambling credits. It is definitely stimulating demand."

Cruise lines are also slashing prices. A five-night Caribbean cruise from Carnival Corp., leaving from Mobile, Ala., is on offer at Orbitz for $249 with a $200 onboard coupon booklet — 75 percent off the brochure price.

Q: How can companies offer such deals and survive?

A: In many cases, hotels benefit just by your presence, in case you spend money on something else, like room service, a meal at a restaurant or spa treatments.

Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said last month that the seven-for-four deal was "a good trade-off." Presumably, once at the resorts, guests spend all day in the park buying hot dogs, ice cream, bottled water and souvenirs.

The discount amounts to about 25 percent off, Staggs said, and really was no better than a deal the company offered back in 2003. What's more, he said, advance bookings in the six months to this coming March, which at one point had been down 10 percent from a year earlier, were down just 6 percent by early December, thanks in large part to the deal.

Q: Will prices bounce back — and the deals evaporate — much like after 9/11?

A: That's not likely.

Oppenheimer & Co. hotel and casino analyst David Katz points out that the circumstances behind the travel deals are very different this time around.

After Sept. 11, 2001, Katz said, "it was a situation almost solely driven by a fear of flying." This time, consumers have lost trillions of dollars in home equity and stock holdings — not to mention, in many cases, their jobs.

"This is entirely different," he said. "It's an economic matter rather than a fear matter. Post-9/11, people and companies had the money. Now they just don't."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkOf1GS5Sdl1sXAVQDAUyUTLNO2gD95RR2780

Romantic getaway in Mexico

2009-01-21T12:55:00.001-08:00

By Scott Fisher

If you're going on your honeymoon, you want to be treated like Royal-ty.

And that's exactly how every guest feels at the Real Royal in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Newcomers at this adults-only resort are greeted by friendly staff and handed a mimosa within seconds of arriving at the resort.

After a quick check-in, you're free to explore the grounds of the Royal, which are in immaculate condition, thanks to an unparalleled workforce of 665 employees.

Royal general manager Beat Muller takes great pride in the work his employees provide in order to make your vacation one to remember.

"We have more employees than other resorts because we want to make sure our guests are comfortable," Muller says.

"We love God, our families and our guests. That's the main way we look at it.

"We want every person to feel welcome."

Mission accomplished.

Even at the Spice restaurant, which is a magnificent buffet of every food imaginable, the young staff hustles to meet the needs of every diner.

There are numerous restaurants to choose from, featuring the best menus from around the globe.

It's impossible not to find one great meal after another. My wife is a vegetarian. I eat meat almost exclusively. We both found fabulous food at each of the resort's six restaurants.

It's probably impossible, but if you can't find what you're looking for, the chefs will prepare it.

Guests are also encouraged to try the restaurants across the street at The Gran Porto Real, the resort's sister hotel.

The Royal resort in nearby Cancun is also available to vacationers.

The Playa del Carmen resort was expanded from 312 to 459 rooms last year to keep up with increasing demand.

"This is one of the fastest-growing cities in Mexico," Muller says.

All Master and Presidential Suites include free international telephone calls and a free test drive of a Mini Cooper. Oceanview rooms come with a Bose music system and an iPod.

And the resort is located right off of cosmopolitan 5th Ave., a popular shopping destination.

While some resorts have been known to use cheaper brands of alcohol, that isn't the case at the Royal, which proudly displays all of its high-quality liquor at its many bars. Each room also has its own dispenser featuring four different kinds of alcohol, as well as a stocked mini-bar.

The convenient swim-up bar and massive Lobby Bar are two of the most popular hangouts.

Guys, it's probably not advisable to spend your honeymoon watching football. But let's face it. If there's a big game on, we gotta watch it.

Maybe you 'accidentally' stumble into the enormous Lobby Bar -- where there just happens to be three huge screens. You won't be alone here.

Later in the evening, the Lobby Bar plays host to a different entertainment act every night.

If you want to push the envelope even further, there are numerous pro golf courses nearby -- the Playacar Golf Club, Puerto Aventuras, Pok Ta Pok, Cozumel Country Club and the Melia Cancun Golf Club, to name a few.

You may be able to get away with a round or two if you send the wife to the European-inspired SpAzul.

The spa offers a full range of treatments, including facials, massage therapies and body waxing. A separate steam room, sauna and whirlpool are also on site.

Twenty-four hour room service is available.

And if you're taking advantage of the Jacuzzi, which is found in every room, you won't have to worry about scrambling to the door.

The Royal's 'magic box' allows resort staffers to deposit your order in a secure closet that you can access at your convenience.

There's plenty of activities during the day -- both on and off the grounds. There are numerous adventure tours to choose -- from touring the ancient ruins at Tulum to swimming with the dolphins in Cancun.

http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/Activities/SunSand/2009/01/15/8076626-sun.html

Romantic getaway in Mexico

2009-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

B.C. platform for film

2009-01-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

By Lori Holcomb

As a thundering freight train cut through blowing snow on Sunday morning, one could see the scene play out in the mind's elaborate theater.

"This area here would have been the loading dock, where the Battle Creek police would have been waiting for Jack Johnson's train to arrive," said Mike Salerno, pointing to a snow-covered aisle between the train tracks and the Community Action Agency, 175 Main St.

The weather was similar, almost blizzard-like, when the heavyweight boxing champion of the world was arrested at the Grand Trunk Railroad Depot at about 3:45 a.m. Jan. 14, 1913.

This little-known fact was discovered by the former Battle Creek resident while reading a biography about the first black heavyweight boxing champion of the world. An amateur filmmaker since childhood, the reels instantly began turning in Salerno's mind.

"I really like history a lot, especially when it's local history and involves someone famous," he said. "So when I heard that Jack Johnson had been to town ... I was kinda excited to tell other people."

Salerno, who now lives in Kalamazoo where he is a physical therapist, devoted his free time to researching the event. Using microfilms of old newspapers, photographs and century-old maps, phone books from Willard Library's Helen Warner Branch and equipment borrowed from AccessVision, Salerno put together a half-hour film titled "Jack Johnson's Battle Creek Visits."

The documentary begins with Johnson's background. Raised in Texas and known as "The Galveston Giant," he began boxing as a teenager. In 1908, Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to become the first black heavyweight champion of the world.

But Johnson's victories were greeted by fear and social upheaval by white America. Racial riots broke out across the country, eventually leading to a congressional act that banned dispensing films across state lines of Johnson badly beating James Jeffries, a white opponent and former world champion.

Even more threatening to whites, however, was the boxer's romantic relationships with white women, according to the PBS documentary, "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson."

In 1913, a former white lover and Chicago harlot, Belle Schreiber, conspired with authorities to convict Johnson of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits interstate and foreign travel of women for "immoral purposes." The law was made during a time of social reform to prevent the trafficking of women for prostitution, but many historians, including Salerno, agree the charges against Johnson were largely a sham used to make the boxer pay for his success and lifestyle.

It is believed, Salerno said, that Johnson was on his way to Canada to escape his jail sentence when he was stopped in Battle Creek.

On the morning of Jan. 14, the Battle Creek Police Department was notified that Johnson would be passing through the city from Chicago and officers were ordered to stop the train and arrest him. The officer that took that call happened to be a childhood friend of Johnson's, Officer John W. Patterson.

Johnson and his wife were only in the city for a few hours that day before catching the afternoon trip out of the Central Michigan Railroad Depot (now Clara's on the River) to return to Chicago.

Salerno and his crew, consisting of cousin Christopher Douglas and friend Chris Fucile, when to painstaking efforts to capture scenes and intimate details of Johnson's stay in the Cereal City.

"The big thing you have to have to do this is patience," Fucile said. "We spent an hour just getting the lighting right for one interview and used only about 10 seconds of it."

The film also tells of several other, less eventful visits Johnson made to Battle Creek. It also incorporates numerous pictures of the city's heyday, with pictures of bustling streets, elegant theaters and flourishing downtown businesses.

"I look at that and think, 'What the heck happened to Battle Creek?'" said Douglas, a native of the city.

"Jack Johnson's Battle Creek Visits" will air at 7 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 15 through March 8 on AccessVision, channel 16.

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090120/NEWS01/901200308

Where to Watch Super Bowl in Vegas

2009-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

By Jimmy Boyd

If you are heading out to Sin City for the big game then a question you might be asking is where to watch the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. This will be one of the busier weekends in the city so make sure you get a plan established early. It doesn’t matter if you are going to be rooting for the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers, we will help you find the hot spots so you can make this Super Bowl one that you will never forget.

The first thing that most visitors think of are the sportsbooks on the Strip and why wouldn’t you. Go there on most days and you will see wall to wall televisions with sports tickers and best of all, the betting counter. However, on Super Bowl Sunday these places are going to be packed full of people, and the action is going to be intense at the counters after every quarter as people chase their losses or try to double up their winnings. Some people don’t mind this kind of atmosphere and if you don’t then we recommend you hit up either the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, or New York New York. New York New York has the ESPN Zone which is always a favorite for when the guys and I head out to Vegas. It’s a great sports bar/restaurant that bombards you with the sports entertainment that I crave on a daily basis. The Mandalay Bay has 17 mega screens, seats over 300 people, and is a favorite of ours as well. If you are of a finer taste then the Bellagio has leather seats, classy cocktail service, and personal screens. Of course, most of these sportsbooks and hotels are going to be throwing VIP parties with free booze and excellent food, but you’ll have to score an invite to get through the ropes.

So you want a little lady action with your football? No problem as there are plenty of gentleman’s clubs that will be showing the game on Sunday. Some of our favorites are Scores, which has 500 international showgirls on two different levels. This place has over 25,000 square feet of sports and chics to get you going. They also offer a big game party package with a free limo from the strip, free food, and an open bar during the game. What a better way to spend the commercial breaks than with a hot blonde on your lap. There is also Sapphire Las Vegas, known as the world’s largest gentlemen’s club. You can get halftime dollar dances and buckets of beer for their special.

As for myself, I’ll end up watching the game with some buddies at my house. We throw a small Super Bowl party every year to celebrate the end of another great year of NFL betting. But if you are heading to Las Vegas then I hope this guide gives you some assistance on where to head.

Want to win with your Super Bowl betting? Then take a look at the Super Bowl picks provided by our experts! Nobody spends more time breaking down the Super Bowl odds than they do, which is why their NFL picks have hit at such a high rate all season long!

http://www.locksmithsportspicks.com/where-to-watch-super-bowl-in-vegas/

In bad times, Vegas casinos know when to hold 'em

2009-01-21T12:49:00.001-08:00

By Oskar Garcia

LAS VEGAS—Major gambling companies' ledgers have told the same, sinking story for a year: Fewer people are visiting casinos, their trips are getting shorter and they're not gambling as much.

Casino construction has slowed or halted from one end of the Las Vegas Strip to the other, more than a dozen projects across the U.S. and abroad have been modified or dropped, and more than 40,000 new rooms in Las Vegas planned by some of the industry's biggest players are on hold.

Among other bids to entice customers in the lagging economy, casinos across the country also have slashed room rates. But executives are heralding bigger changes than two-for-one deals on rooms as a decade of rapid revenue growth based on physical expansion and easy credit has stopped short.

Industry leaders are following the widespread layoffs, debt reduction and other cost cutting of recent months with calls for innovation and a back-to-basics approach that focuses on delivering a quality at good prices.

Most casino markets in the United States already are saturated, said Jonathan Halkyard, chief financial officer for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., and operators have to start thinking beyond their next construction project while the economy retrenches, he said.

MGM Mirage Inc. chief executive Jim Murren said he's seeing small signs that travelers are opening up to Las Vegas again, but not enough to predict when a recovery might happen.

"We have a consumer that is not confident, that has been scared, and has every reason to be scared," said Murren, whose company has more casinos on the Las Vegas Strip than any other.

The world's four largest casino operators—MGM Mirage, Harrah's, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts Ltd., all based in Las Vegas—are preparing to play the hands they have. There are no new plans afoot for new flourishes like the multimillion-dollar volcanoes or fountains that already grace the Strip or for expensive new clubs or hotels built substantially on credit.

"The executives' optimism is shaking," said David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Gambling revenue for commercial casinos across the U.S. dropped $1.1 billion, or 3.6 percent, to $30.2 billion in the first 11 months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, according to the American Gaming Association. Many states saw much more dramatic drops, except Pennsylvania, where casino gambling began only in 2007. The figures include only private gambling operations and not, for example, casinos owned by Indian tribes, which also have seen revenue tumble and some of which have cut staff and other costs in response.

In Macau, a Chinese enclave hailed as the next Las Vegas, American casino companies have been cutting table games and slot machines to cope with tightened Chinese visa rules and the recession, said gambling analyst Celeste Mellet Brown of Morgan Stanley Research. Revenue fell 2 percent for the fourth quarter in Macau, Brown said.

Visitor volume in Las Vegas declined 3.8 percent for the first 11 months of 2008 compared with 2007—meaning 1 million fewer people showed up to gamble, shop and dine out—and revenue here dropped 9.3 percent, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Wynn Resorts was the only operator among the four largest that saw growth between the first three quarters of 2007 and the same period in 2008: Its net income rose 92 percent to $369.8 million from $192.7 million.

Las Vegas Sands and Harrah's each lost money during the first nine months of 2008, while MGM Mirage's profit plunged. Sands lost $52.2 million from January through September 2008, after earning $76.8 million for same three quarters in 2007. Harrah's lost $415.1 million in the period in 2008 after earning $667.2 million in 2007.

MGM Mirage earned $292.7 million, down nearly 59 percent from $712.21 in the period in 2007, creating some uncertainty, especially in Las Vegas. Murren said he told 2,700 casino managers during two meetings last week that he didn't know if his company would trim more workers—it has laid off 3,200 since October 2007—or sell other casinos. It recently sold the Treasure Island for $775 million. He also told the managers MGM Mirage may sell noncore assets, including two airplanes and nearly 300 acres of land in Nevada and Atlantic City, N.J., he told The Associated Press.

"If the market doesn't grow, it's going to be a market share discussion," Murren said in an interview.

The company must stay its course by finishing CityCenter, its $8.6 billion project on the Strip, he said. But, instead of borrowing more and spending more, the company is exploring a half-dozen deals around the world in which it will lend out its name and expertise, he said.

"We have vastly under-leveraged brands," Murren said. "Who does not know Bellagio, and yet there's only one Bellagio? And MGM is one of the most recognized brands in the world—a lot of people still think we make movies—and how do you not try to leverage that?"

That sentiment is reverberating through the industry.

"Here's an idea: How about innovation? I mean if you look at the slot machine, it's basically the same as it was 75 years ago," said Halkyard, the CFO at Harrah's, the world's largest gambling company by revenue.

"There has been a shocking lack of innovation around our core product in this industry when compared to virtually any other consumer entertainment product over decades," Halkyard told the AP.

Last week, the privately held company—which owns or manages 50 casinos in six countries, including 20,000 rooms in Las Vegas alone—said it would wait for demand to pick up before it finishes more than 600 new rooms at its flagship Caesars Palace on the Strip. Harrah's has been restructuring its debt and in November withdrew a proposal made with partners to manage a $535 million state-owned casino in Kansas.

Instead, Halkyard said the company is experimenting with ideas like sending guests same-day specials at shows, restaurants and clubs by text message.

"Once people are here, it is fierce competition for their attention," Halkyard said.

Sands' president and chief operating officer, William Weidner, said at a conference this month that his company's strategy is not changing much, however, in the hope that it can take quick advantage when the economy rebounds.

"But again, we are very mindful of the degree of difficulty," Weidner said. "We're very mindful of how difficult '09 is going to be, and we're focused on operating through '09 as we get into '10."

Sands is working to finish developments on time and on budget, he said.

Anthony Marnell III, chairman and CEO of the $1 billion M Resort, Spa and Casino to open in March south of the main resort corridor in Las Vegas, said times may have changed forever.

"Two years ago, you didn't have to differentiate yourself—you could just build a nice, big, brand new building and put a good product out there, and you could charge just about what you wanted for it, and people would pay it and keep coming back for more," Marnell said.

Marnell said fewer consumers will tolerate $15 martinis, $50 filets and $2,000 booths in nightclubs.

"The masses ... they're done with it," Marnell said. "They are going to stay retracted and conscious of their dollars for a long time."

Billionaire Steve Wynn's resorts—including the Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn Macau and Encore in Las Vegas—cater to customers used to expensive drinks. But the Wynn CEO said casino operators run smoothest when they plan prudently.

"There's nothing up our sleeves here—this is just common sense," he told the AP when Wynn opened Encore in December in Las Vegas. He expects to open a $700 million Encore resort in Macau by the end of this year.

"Whether you're talking about the capital structure of the company (or) the way the employees are treated, all that results in the guests being able to trust us to be the same this month and next month," he said. "If we can do a good job opening week, when everything is on trial, then sure as hell we're going to be dandy six months from now."

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11504772?nclick_check=1

Top-10 free attractions in Las Vegas

2009-01-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

By Gary Trask

LAS VEGAS – When you're on vacation, it's a foregone conclusion that you are going to do things differently than you would while you're at home – especially if your place of choice is Las Vegas. Sin City presents a visitor plenty of options to spend their time. In addition to gambling, shows and restaurants there are also a fair share of tourist attractions.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not one of these people that would suggest you spend your vacation acting and looking like a tourist the entire time. In fact, I'm usually the last person who would suggest any kind of guided tour or a visit to a museum that is going to eat up any valuable vacation time. But in Las Vegas, there are certain attractions that you can visit almost by accident. They're in convenient spots, they won't take up a lot of your time and – best of all – they're free.

So, with those conditions firmly in place, we present Casino City's Top-10 Free Las Vegas Attractions. If you're methodical enough there's no reason why you can't hit all ten the next time you visit the Strip.

10. 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign
Much like the famous "Hollywood" sign that sits in the hills of Los Angeles, the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign is a world famous landmark that you have seen hundreds of times online, in magazines or on TV. So while you're in town, why not seek it out and get a picture of everyone in your group standing there like dorks in front of it?

There's even a new parking lot for the sign that is designed to improve pedestrian safety. At the very least, a trip to the south end of the strip where the sign resides will give you the perfect excuse to visit Mandalay Bay, one of the most underrated hotels in Las Vegas.

9. Wynn Conservatory
Sure, you may not be into floral displays, but this won't take long to see and it is indeed a thing of beauty. The conservatory is conveniently located just inside the main entrance of Wynn Las Vegas so it's not like you have to search and find it. It's open 24 hours – although its exquisiteness is accentuated during the day as the sun shines down – and the display changes on a regular basis. And like the Las Vegas sign suggestion above, you can really make this trip worth your while by spending some time in the Wynn Sports & Race Book – one of the best on the Strip – or by making your way over to the stunning new Encore Las Vegas resort that just opened in December. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

8. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
If you have even the slightest appreciation for music, a trip off the main strip to one of the hippest venues that Vegas offers is a must. The casino is virtually a museum with actual memorabilia from many of music's past and present legends (e.g. leather jackets from Aerosmith, a guitar from Jimi Hendrix). There is usually a big-name concert on the docket at the 1800-seat concert-hall, the pool is spectacular and just a few months ago the Hard Rock opened one of the coolest poker lounges you'll ever experience. Not to mention the voguish Body English nightclub that is classic Vegas all the way. Do yourself a favor and block off at least one night of your trip and spend it here.

7. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
If you've never been to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, you simply must visit this classic Vegas landmark the next time you're in town. The best way to lure the other people in your group – particularly if they're women – is to tell them about the Forum Shops. With 160 specialty stores and restaurants, this is a great spot for everyone to enjoy. It is designed to look like an Italian street scene and there are two separate free shows at each of the mall, complete statutes that come to life and a laser show. There are also plenty of great vistas to sit down and enjoy a cocktail, which comes in handy if the wife decides to disappear with your credit card. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this spot and if you happen to be in town during the summer, it's a great place to escape the 100-degree heat for a while.

6. Treasure Island Pirate Show
As cheesy as some of the items on this list may be, the truth is that you won't be able to walk by them if they come alive as you stroll down the Strip. That's especially true for the new show outside Treasure Island called "Sirens," a pirate battle in Buccaneers Bay that features female performers swinging around in skimpy pirate garb. The two ships fire fake cannons at each other that explode in the air. The show is free and takes place outside the hotel six times a day beginning at 4 p.m., weather permitting. Get your video camera ready. The kids at home will love it.

5. Mirage Volcano
If it's good enough for the kin of Evel Knievel, it's good enough for me. That's right, in case you missed it, Robbie Knievel, the 46-year-old son of the late daredevil, helped ring in the New Year at The Mirage Hotel-Casino on New Year's Eve by staging a 200-foot jump over the volcano, which just recently went through a $25-million redesign. The volcano erupts every hour on the hour from dusk until 11 p.m. on a daily basis. The flame-shooting show lasts three to five minutes and one of the new features of the volcano is the accompanying soundtrack that was produced by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian musician Zakir Hussain.

4. Bellagio Fountains
Every half hour it happens. And when it does, most of the people in the vicinity simply stop in their tracks. Simply put, the water fountain show outside the lavish Bellagio is a Las Vegas icon. The show is a choreographed performance set to lights and music. The fountains sit in a nine-acre man-made lake that cost $50 million to build. And the best place to watch the show is…

3. Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris
The Eiffel Tower restaurant is located on the 11th floor of the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris. Guests are whisked up to the restaurant level by an all-glass elevator located inside the scenic Paris casino. Once you step inside the romantic, dimly lit restaurant you will find a stunning panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip. This is an upscale experience (no shorts allowed) but even if you can't fit a full dinner into the budget, take 30 minutes from your evening and sit at the bar and have one drink. It is, by far, the best vantage point to watch the Bellagio fountains.

2. MGM Grand Lion Habitat
If you're the type of person who always seems to land on Discovery while surfing the TV channels in your living room, you'll love the MGM Grand Lion Habitat. You're simply not going to get any closer to the king of the jungle than you are here, where only one and a half inches of glass separate you and the playful, 500-pound lions. The lions are in the habitat two at the time, but there are more than 30 different ones that make it their home in six-hour stints. When they are not in the habitat, the lions spend their time on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles outside the Strip. The habitat is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but be sure to time your visit so you can see the human workers go in the habitat and play fetch with the lions as if they were Golden Retrievers. Also, if you need a souvenir for a young cub back home, you'll find plenty of decent options in the Lion Habitat gift shop.

1. Fremont Street Experience
Jump in a cab and put a little "old school" into your next trip to Vegas and check out Fremont Street. This is where Las Vegas saw its first paved street, first gaming license, first elevator and first traffic light. Today it is home to a $70-million, seven-block, open-air pedestrian mall that was built in 1995. There's live entertainment, more than 60 festive bars and restaurants and, of course, the 90-foot high Viva Vision canopy that features 12 million lights and 550,000 watts of concert-quality sound for its incredible light and laser show.

The shows take place every night on the hour from dusk to midnight. And if you're a poker fan, you simply have to stop by the historic Binion's Gambling Hall and check out the newly revamped poker room and poker Hall of fame. Playing a few hours here is akin to an avid golfer playing a round at Pebble Beach.

http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=176708

Travel Preview: Where to go in 2009

2009-01-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

By Gary A. Warner

Hawaii and Alaska are throwing big parties. The nation's second-tallest building is going up smack in the middle of the U.S.A. New baseball stadiums are opening. A resurgent dollar is making overseas travel if not a bargain, then less like liposuction on your bank account. And the usual suspects: Mardi Gras, Fourth of July and all those beaches, pools and lakes for summer splashing.

There are a million reasons to hit the road in 2009.

All you have to do is just say no.

No to the "naycation."

If you haven't heard, the same killjoy wordsmiths who coined the "staycation" during last year's gas price run-up are taking their austere approach to the pleasures of the road one step further.

In the "staycation," you didn't venture far. I had a simpler term for it: "staying home." Now with the economy wobbling comes the "naycation." Don't just stay at home – go to work! Don't want to endanger that job by not putting in all 52 weeks of the year at the grindstone.

Fun! The only people who say nay are equine behinds, in my book. Shorten the trip. Move down a class on that hotel room or cruise cabin. Buy breakfast and lunch from a market instead of a restaurant. Just remember to go. The key word in "vacation" is vacate. Here are plenty of reasons to put the mail and newspaper on hold, get the neighbors to feed the goldfish, and head out the front door.

50TH ANNIVERSARY

OF 50 STATES

It was 50 years ago this year that Alaska became the 49th state and Hawaii the 50th. Since it is winter, we suggest you head first to Honolulu or one of the outer islands to party with the people of the home state of our new president. Two venerable hotels: The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki and the Mauna Kea Beach Resort on the Big Island have recently reopened after major renovations. Wait until things thaw around May or so before going up to Anchorage and environs, where Denali (also known as Mount McKinley) will celebrate 50 years as the tallest mountain in the United States when Alaska's entry into the U.S. pushed it past California's Mount Whitney.

EUROPEAN LOW

AND HIGHBROW

Though the dollar has slid back some in recent weeks, the greenback has enjoyed a recent resurgence against European currencies, especially the British pound. While Europe is still a pricey vacation, it hasn't been this inexpensive in a while, and Britain has cut its Value Added Tax on just about everything from 17.5 percent to 15 percent. If not now, when? The European Capitals of Culture for 2009 are Vilnius, Lithuania and Linz, Austria. Each will host a full slate of arts and culture events organized by the European Union. Similar events celebrating the Americas (Asunción, Paraguay) are planned, and a group focused on Arab culture has named "Jerusalem, Palestine" as its capital for the year, even though the city is controlled by Israel.

BIG STUFF

As if Chicago didn't already have enough to celebrate with the inauguration of local guy Barack Obama to the White House, the "Second City" will get the second-tallest building in the U.S. with the opening of Donald Trump's 92-story hotel and tower. The Windy City already has the tallest in the Sears Tower. The Art Institute of Chicago also will open its long anticipated Contemporary Wing. The city has a lot to be proud of – now if the Cubs would just end that 100-year drought without a World Series win.

Four score and

120 years ago

It's 200 years since the birth of America's great Civil War president. It will be marked around the country, but especially in Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana, where he lived before going to Washington, D.C. He was assassinated at Ford's Theatre, which is scheduled to reopen in February after a long renovation. This year is also the centennial of the Lincoln head penny, which replaced the Indian head penny in 1909 to mark 100 years since Lincoln's birth.

NEW PASSPORT RULES (AGAIN)

Starting in June, you'll need to show documents proving your identity and citizenship when coming into the U.S. by land or sea (already a requirement by air). It's a change for Americans who drive to Mexico or Canada or for cruise passengers in areas of the Caribbean that were previously exempt.

One option is the new credit card-size passport card, a hybrid between a passport and an identity card. They are meant for frequent cross-border travelers who don't want to have to carry their passport. A microchip allows information stored on the card to be viewed by border agents. The cards cost $45 ($35 for those under 16) and are good for a year. Apply anywhere you can get a passport (like a post office), or if you already have a passport you can order by mail and it costs $20. For more information, go to travel.state.gov.

CRUISE DEALS

The cruise industry built fast and big during the boom, and that means deep discounts as it heads into the rougher seas of this economy. There will be 12 major new ship launchings this year – on top of eight last year. The biggest is Royal Caribbean's 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas. Most cruise lines have dropped fuel surcharges instituted last year during the fuel price spike. There are plenty of deals – particularly in the overcrowded Caribbean market. Solo travelers can enjoy surcharges of 50 percent to 75 percent instead of the doubling of fares to travel alone, as lines look for bodies to put into otherwise empty cabins. As usual, the best deals are for those who book very, very early – and very last minute.

SPORTS SPOTS

Pro football's Super Bowl will be held Feb. 1 in Tampa Bay. Phoenix hosts pro basketball's All-Star Game on Feb. 15. Pro baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers will report in February to spring training in Arizona for the first time when they open their new camp in Glendale, Ariz., after more than 50 years in Vero Beach, Fla. The new season will bring two new baseball stadiums to New York City. Most of the media glare is on the much-anticipated premiere of the new Yankee Stadium, overshadowing the Mets' new park, Citi Field. St. Louis will be the site of baseball's 80th All-Star Game on July 14.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Everybody loves an anniversary, especially local tourism offices. It's the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Fifty years ago, Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba, and the new Obama administration may loosen travel restrictions on the teetering communist regime. Salzburg, Austria, became a tourist hit with the opening of "The Sound of Music" on Broadway 50 years ago, but the bigger celebration in that nation will be in Vienna, for the 200th anniversary of the death of composer Franz Joseph Haydn. North American cruise ship fans, raise a glass of Champagne as you pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway, marking its half century offering a shortcut from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. If you are taking the new express train to Lhasa, a somber note: It was 50 years ago that China took over Tibet, and the Dalai Lama fled to exile. Happy 75th anniversary to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most popular national park. Britain celebrates the 500th anniversary of the crowning of that monarch of many wives, King Henry VIII.

ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE

Get a jump on the 2010 Winter Olympics by visiting Whistler, B.C., host of next year's games Feb. 12-28. It might be easier to get there if Air Canada moves ahead with much-discussed plans to add nonstop service from John Wayne Airport to Vancouver this spring.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/new-year-years-2282942-anniversary-cruise?slideshow=1

Work on golf swing at Jamaican resort

2009-01-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

By Dianne Newcomer

"My golf swing was off. My hook was the size of the Florida Panhandle, and I was taking it out on everyone. I resented everybody who tried to give me tips," said Gary Flynn, a busy pharmaceutical representative from West Monroe. "Luckily, my wife recognized the problem and suggested we go somewhere to work on my golf game."

Gary was realistic. He knew Carrie was not totally thinking about him when she came into my travel agency asking about a good place for golfers to go to work on their game, but, as long as she had sun and sand and beach butlers waiting on her every whim, he knew she would be happy while he golfed.

When I found a package for a little more than $3,000 that included airfare from Monroe, a week's stay at the beautiful Sandals Grande Ocho Rios with all meals, drinks, entertainment, water sports, plus free unlimited golfing privileges at the Sandals Golf and Country Club — with free golf lessons — they were set to go.

Here's what Gary had to say about the experience:

"People say Jamaica is paradise, and I totally agree — especially when it comes to golfing. The Sandals course is a fun course to play. Unlike what you'd expect from a golf course at a beach destination, the club isn't located on the sand or even near the ocean. You'll take a bus or a taxi into the hills, passing through some local neighborhoods. This gives you the opportunity to see some pretty scenery as well as to get a quick look into the depressed economic condition of the country. You quickly understand why Jamaica is so dependent on tourism and foreign cash to feed its financial system.

"Since Jamaica was once a British colony, the traffic still drives on the left side of the road. I obeyed our Sandals tour guide's advice to check out the scenery and look out the side windows of the bus during our free transfer to the country club, because looking out the driver's window and seeing the crazy Jamaican drivers coming at you was way too frightening of a proposition.

"At first glance, the Sandals Golf Club did not appear to be a whole lot different from many other resort destinations — lots of green foliage with palm trees and a nicely manicured layout with some elevation. It's a short course and appeared fairly easy to play, but, as I soon learned, between the wind (the course is more than 700 feet above sea level so sometimes I had to take two to three clubs more than usual) and the small elevated greens, I was definitely being challenged. This was something my fragile golf ego did not need.

"And, that was when my $15-a-day caddy charge paid off. My caddy was a middle-aged Jamaican named Cowboy with a single-digit handicap who had never been off the island. The caddies at the Sandals Club are given the opportunity to play the game in the evenings and during the low season, so they, like Cowboy, not only are trained by professionals, but many are quite accomplished players.

"Cowboy was well-schooled in the yardages and techniques of golf. His low handicap score was not just a mere boast. He taught me a lot about Jamaica that day, but, most importantly, he helped me improve my game. It was easy to take advice from someone who took their job so seriously and had a great sense of joy about it at the same time. His lessons were invaluable.

"My caddy, the well-kept golf course with a jerk shack in the middle and a beautiful warm sunny day made for such an excellent experience that I played three more days during my vacation. Remember, the golfing was free, and, since I had the time, I decided to take advantage of their five-hour instruction school for only $295. I don't know if it was the school or the help of Cowboy, but I eventually found the third hole, which could turn a long 7 iron into a sweet 5 iron, was no longer as intimidating.

"Meanwhile, as I was working on my golf game, Carrie was taking advantage of another free, all-inclusive feature at Sandals — she was learning to scuba dive. After her first dive, she was so excited about the neat things she had seen underwater and how the dive leaders had been so attentive that I took the course and joined her on a couple days of boat dives, ranging from 20 to 90 feet. Once again, it was all free and really very impressive. We saw shipwrecks, underwater caves and all sorts of marine life.

"In short, our Sandals vacation to Jamaica turned out to be much more than we had expected. We not only had the chance to relax and escape our everyday life routines, but we had a real adventure — and a lot of it was free. We both learned how to scuba dive and see a whole new world we never knew existed, and, most importantly, with the help of a Jamaican named Cowboy, I learned to enjoy my golf game again."

The cold wet days of a Louisiana winter have arrived, so why stay here? Escape and find your adventure. Like Carrie and Gary Flynn discovered, there really are "deals" out there that can make a world of difference in how you enjoy the game of life.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20090118/LIFESTYLE/901180304

Keep your eyes open for this year’s hottest destinations

2009-01-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

By Joy Crutchfield

What will be the hottest spots for travel in 2009? Where’s the best nightlife? Where can I take Mom and Dad, me and my husband, our kids and grandchildren? Where can I go to get away from the crowds? What’s the best value? Do we have to have a passport?

The hottest spots for travel in 2009, according to the experts, are Hawaii and Mexico.

Hawaii for two reasons: 1) no passport necessary, and 2) the economic downturn has been especially hard on the tourism industry in Hawaii, resulting in unheard of values offered by airlines and resorts in an attempt to make paradise irresistible to you. There are free nights, free meals, rental car discounts and more.

In 2009 the Riviera Maya, Mexico is the place to be. Travel Agents already have $119 round trip airfare into Cancun and many Riviera Maya resorts are offering free or discounted upgrades, free nights, kids stay free and more.

For example right now you can stay at the Barcelo Maya Beach for seven nights for only $1,000 per person. That price includes round trip air from DFW, transfers, taxes, tips, your food and drinks and all non-motorized watersports. With nightly shows, kids club, and three miles of beautiful beach on the Caribbean, what more could you ask for?

The best nightlife on a budget is in Cancun. The best club anywhere is Cabo Wabo (owned by Sammy Hagar) in Cabo San Lucas. There are many great clubs on the Riviera Maya as well, with the standard Senior Frogs, Carlos and Charlie’s and more.

For family vacations the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta are tops. There are so many wonderful, family oriented resorts with fun-filled water parks, kid clubs and even movie nights. Adventures from snorkeling (in the ocean or in underground rivers), to zip lining, to donkey rides in the mountains will provide your family with fantastic vacation memories.

Get away from it all destinations abound in Hawaii and Mexico, as well as Jamaica. There are many resorts within a short flight of our area that offer seclusion and rejuvenation. They cater to our need to escape from our fast paced lives. Gourmet restaurants with healthy menus, spa treatments, exercise programs. They want us to live longer, healthier lives and return to spend our travel dollars again.

The best values are always found when you utilize charter flight schedules. Charter service from DFW into Cancun is year round. Charter service from DFW into Cozumel and Los Cabos begins in May, and ends mid-August. DFW to Puerto Vallarta service begins in June and also ends mid-August.

Right now pricing is the lowest I have seen in years for winter travel to Mexico. If you can depart from DFW before May you are going to experience great values. I just priced four nights in Cancun at the Barcelo Tucancun for under $600 per person. That’s air from DFW, all-inclusive package, transfers, taxes and tips. Another great value at a beautiful beachfront resort.

All air travelers entering or returning to the United States must present passports. The exceptions are U.S. citizens returning from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, both U.S. Territories. None of my clients had to wait more than two weeks for their passports last year, but please don’t wait until the last minute, apply for your passport before the rush. Download the application at www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html.

This year is full of great travel values for you and your family. But don’t delay. Demand is already high and as you know, travel pricing is based on supply and demand.

http://www.mcalesternews.com/features/local_story_017145939.html?keyword=topstory

Tour package for Dubai fete

2009-01-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

Thiruvananthapuram: The Great India Holidays, the holiday arm of The Great India Tour Company, and the Airtsravel Enterprises have announced their tour packages for the Dubai Shopping Festival 2009 which got under way this week and will continue till February 15.

Priced at 1163 UAE Dirhams per person, excluding airfare, the packages include three nights accommodation in a three-star hotel, meet and greet assistance at the Dubai airport, daily breakfast, arrival and departure transfers, UAE tourist visa, health insurance and a-half-day Dubai city tour with half-a-day desert safari and dinner. Tourists can also choose hotels of two, four and five star categories.

The bookings can be made at all ATE and GITC offices located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode besides their branches located across the country.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/18/stories/2009011856391500.htm

Aussies get full-price disclosure

2009-01-18T20:39:00.000-08:00

By Phil Reimer

After lengthy debate, the Australian government passed legislation last month making it compulsory for travel-service providers to include the full price of their services in their advertising.

In Canada, where travel agencies fall under provincial jurisdiction, only Quebec and Ontario require them to include fees and surcharges in their advertised prices.

A federal move to enact "all-in" advertising rules in the airline industry has been stalled, with the government citing lack of national consensus.

Full-price advertising is not mandatory in British Columbia, but the B.C. Automobile Association (BCAA) took it upon itself last year to advertise full prices for its services.

Dale Urquhart, BCAA's director of travel services, said it's too early to say whether or not it's boosted sales. "We do know, however, that it meets the needs of our clients. We have had nothing but positive response from members of BCAA."

Travel providers must now advertise their full prices in Australia and they even have to add any mandatory gratuities in the final prices that are displayed in their ads.

I blogged on portsandbows.com about Australia's new law and many readers posted their comments on the subject. Here are some examples:

- "I completely agree with the legislation proposed. It's about time companies and advertisers spell out the exact cost of their 'special', without having to read the small print."

- "Why would such wonderful legislation be hotly debated? I think it should be mandatory, if only to cut down on the wasted time (mine and the travel agent's) because I'm always asking for the final price before I get excited about travel ads."

- "I agree. My husband and I are going on our first cruise, and I tell you, that final total has added up to quite a bit along the way since first booking. What with prepaid tipping, paying to reserve actual seats on the flights, etc. If they showed the total it would save everyone involved a lot of time just with inquiries."

BOW SHOTS

MSC, the Italian cruise line that bases some of its ships in Florida for the winter to cruise the Caribbean, is expanding its number of home ports.

Beginning in 2010, MSC will sail several trips out of Quebec City and New York City. MSC Magnifica, a new ship that has yet to be launched, will be the ship that sails from these ports.

The first trip is a 10-night round trip from New York City departing on Sept. 22, 2010, with stops in Sydney, N.S., Charlottetown, Quebec, Halifax and Newport, R.I. After that, the ship will embark on a series of seven-day trips out of Quebec and New York.

PHIL'S PICK OF THE WEEK

This week's pick is a South American cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line where the base price for an inside cabin works out to be less than $40 Cdn per day. The ship leaves Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 1 and March 29 and finishes in Santiago, Chile (Valparaiso), 14 days later. The prices quoted here do not include taxes and fees and were available at time of writing.

The price for inside cabins start at $561 while balcony cabins begin at $1,000. Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. You can get more details on NCL's website at ncl.com.

Some of the ports of call for this trip include Montevideo, Puerto Madryn and the Falkland Islands, it then sails around Cape Horn and on to Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, the Chilean fiords and ends the trip in Santiago.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=1184587

Reggae, jerk and rum in Jamaica

2009-01-18T20:35:00.000-08:00

Having given the world reggae, jerk seasoning and the finest rum, Jamaicans have much to celebrate and they certainly do, all through the year and usually with reggae, jerk and rum.

From exuberant island-wide bashes to local fiestas, Jamaica is home to a large variety of events.

There are jerk festivals, yam festivals, coffee festivals, seafood festivals and, of course, reggae festivals. The Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay in July is the mother of all reggae festivals.

The art of social satire is alive and well in Jamaica at the Little Theatre Movement National Pantomime, which runs from December well into the New Year.

Don't miss this irreverent song-and-dance revue at the Ward Theatre in Kingston, which has its origins in British-style theatre but, since 1941, has developed into a uniquely Jamaican tradition.

You should also visit the National Gallery to see the Annual National Exhibition (December to February), which showcases the work of Jamaica's newcomers and old hands. It's the highpoint of the island's arts season.

A homestay would be the nicest way to spend your time in Jamaica. You can arrange to rent a room in a private home through Countrystyle Community Tours www.countrystylecommunitytourism.com) or Southern Trelawny Environmental Agency (www.stea.net).

Make sure you read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade's (MFAT's) travel advisory for Jamaica at www.safetravel.govt.nz before setting off; Jamaica has high levels of violent crime in certain parts.

Find gem off Rio
I will be in Rio de Janeiro for a conference for three days early next year. I have another four days to do a bit of sightseeing before I leave, but I wanted to get out of the city and perhaps a bit off the beaten track (if that's possible close to Rio). Where do you suggest I visit? Kurt Bysby

Although not exactly off the beaten track, you could do a lot worse
than jump on a bus and travel the four hours to Paraty ($30), west of Rio.

Set amid jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches, with a backdrop of
steep mountains plunging into an island-studded bay, this town is one of Brazil's real gems.

There is a beautifully preserved 17th-century colonial centre with cobbled streets closed to traffic. It makes a great change from the hustle, bustle and pollution of Rio. It does get busy during the December to February period but this translates into a vibrancy that is truly exciting.

There's also Ouro Preto, a wonderful baroque town with cobbled streets that climb the surrounding precipitous hillsides. The higher parts of the town offer some fantastic views of the surrounds and the 23 churches spread across the hills. There is a lot to see here, including some
outstanding local art. The town is six hours by bus from Rio ($40).

If you want to get away from the tourists, head a little further north to Belo Horizonte, a small city named for its beautiful view of nearby mountains. Belo has great restaurants and markets, concerts and art museums, as well as a friendly and welcoming nature. It's also six hours by bus from Rio ($40).

Haven for cyclists
My wife and I will be visiting family for a wedding in Wales next northern spring. We are keen cyclists and would like to bring our bikes over to do some cycling around the south of Wales. Are there good cycling routes around there?

Wales is a haven for cyclists. Official cycle trails, bicycle-only routes and quiet back roads provide a wonderful perspective on the Welsh landscape. There is also some serious off-roading possible on a plethora of world-class mountain-bike trails.

Bringing your own bike is a great idea, as it will free you to take as many days as you wish exploring southern Wales. Bicycles can be ridden on any track identified as a bridleway on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps, but you generally can't cycle on public footpaths.

The best roads for cyclists are the quiet, unnumbered country roads
and lanes between villages. You would be best to perhaps take the train out of Cardiff to start your trip.

VisitWales, the national tourist board, publishes Cycling Wales, an
introduction to the long-distance and regional routes with listings of tour organisers, bike hire outlets and regional publications.

It also produces a map pack and gives details of local routes that can be done over three to seven days. More information can be found at www.cycling.visitwales.com.

The Cyclists' Touring Club (www.ctc.org.uk) has information about cycling in the UK (and overseas) and mail order OS maps and books.

Sustrans is a sustainable transport charity that encourages people to walk, cycle and use public transport in order to reduce motor traffic in Wales. Its brainchild is the National Cycle Network (NCN), which comprises 16,100km of track and is coordinated by more than 2000
volunteers who maintain routes in their communities.

There are two main long-distance cycle routes in Wales, with their end points are on the rail network so you can catch the train back.

One of these routes, Lon Geltaidd, covers 355km from near Chepstow, via
Newport and Swansea to Fishguard on the North Pembrokeshire coast. The route picks up the varied landscape, history and culture of South Wales and includes 21km of car-free cycling through the magnificent Millennium Coastal Park. For more information go to www.sustrans.org.uk.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10551812&pnum=0

Travel expo comes up with the truly unique

2009-01-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

By Chris McNamara

They came from around the globe to the Adventures in Travel Expo, convening at Rosemont's Stephens Convention Center last weekend in search of your vacation dollars. Representing Holland were two blond beauties touting bike tours. New Orleans sent women with Mardi Gras beads. Anguilla presented a woman serving rum cake. We came looking for the wildest adventures we could find. The winners:

•Tiny, idyllic Niihau is described as the "forbidden island" not because of active volcanoes or some Hawaiian curse. Rather it's one of the few privately owned islands in the world; trespassing is illegal. The 180 residents limit access to their piece of paradise, but Holo-Holo Charters ( www.holoholocharters.com) will ship you close to shore to become really jealous of the Niihauns.

•The Mena House Oberoi golf course ( www.oberoihotels.com), where the 18th green sits in the shadow of towering Egyptian pyramids.

•Day trips through the Amazonian jungle based out of the Explorama Lodge ( www.explorama.com). Said the spokesman, "There's the fear that someone is waiting in the jungle to snatch you. But that hasn't happened in our 42 years."

•Palace Tours ( www.palacetours.net) shuttles guests via rail between India's glorious palaces. "The train is like a hotel that travels with you," explained Supinder Singh, who added that locomotives come equipped with spas, dining rooms, bar cars and butlers who can "get you anything you want, at any time." It might have been the accent, but I think I detected tone of mischief.

•The docs at Northwestern Memorial Physician Group, whose booth was a bit of a reality check, warned against the latest travelers' health scare— schistosomiasis, a larvae found in African rivers and lakes that burrows into the skin and sickens swimmers. Makes you rethink that tubing trip to Lake Malawi, huh?

•The black, ashen slopes of Nicaragua's Cerro Negro volcano ( www.visitanicaragua.com) invite skiers to test out their warm-weather moves on volcanic sand. You need not pray for snow, only an afternoon free of lava.

•Mel Fisher's Treasures ( www.melfisher.com), a treasure-hunting corporation in which you can buy shares to join dives and reap potential rewards recovered from shipwrecks. Rep Chris Norwood wore a half-ounce silver coin around his neck, a Spanish piece that was recovered from the ocean floor near Key West and now serves as an accessory and advertising tool. The minimum to buy into this booty business? $10,000. Arrrgh.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-travel-show-0118_r_tjan18,0,3778241.story

Famed Las Vegas Topless Revue Shuts Down

2009-01-18T16:10:00.001-08:00

By Jill Marino

Over the years, Las Vegas has taken on the mantra of “out with the old, in with the new.” It has shuttered many of its vintage hotels like the Stardust and the Frontier. Now, one of its famed shows is closing.

Topless revue Les Folies Bergere will shut down after playing at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino for 49 years, the Associated Press reports.

Executives for the casino said on Thursday that the show will play its final performance on March 28. What will replace the show at the hotel remains unclear.

The show, Jubilee!, which plays at Bally’s, will be the only showgirl revue left on the strip after Bergere closes.

These types of shows have fallen off the radar with tourists through the years, as over-the-top shows by Cirque du Soleil now dominate in Las Vegas.

Begere came to Vegas from Paris in 1959. It opened when Lou Walters was the entertainment director at the Tropicana. He is the father of journalist Barbara Walters.

Reasons for the show closing weren’t explained. Ron Thacker, president of the Tropicana, said in a statement, the casino “is extremely proud to have been part of such an iconic Las Vegas production.”

http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/23523.html

Airlines offering spring break travel deals

2009-01-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

By Jane McCarthy

SEATTLE - Good news if you're anxious to fly away for a vacation. Airlines are waging an unexpected fare war.

The expectation was that there would be very few deals for spring break travel this year. Airlines have cut flights in order to cut costs. Fares overall are a bit higher this year compared to last, but demand is lower than expected, which means you can save some money.

It's been a long, trying winter, and we can't blame you if you want to ride a different kind of wave.

So if you want to break away for spring break, the good news is you can do it on the cheap.

"Two things happened: Oil came down, but the economy tanked. So now what's happened, they are flying fewer seats but they're having a little more difficulty this year filling those seats up," said Steve Danishek, travel expert.

Many airlines are being more aggressive with their deals this year, allowing you to buy a cheaper ticket further in advance. That means you could snatch up spring break deals today.

In order to cruise for the lowest fares, try looking at places like Expedia.com or Travelocity.com first, but don't stop there.

"Then go directly to that airlines Web site to test and make sure you are getting the best and lowest fare," said Danishek.

And once you get to that sunny spot, more hotels are offering a couple nights free. But you might want to get the deals while they're hot - you're not the only one who wants to get out of dodge.

"We are seeing a spike in last minute bookings, people saying I gotta' get out of here," said Danishek.

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_011609WAB-airfare-sales-LJ.b61fb98.html

Tips for Getting Upgraded at Your Favorite Hotel

2009-01-16T18:13:00.000-08:00

By Sarah Pascarella

Sometimes, the stars all seem to align—you arrive at your hotel, weary from your travels, and check in at the front desk. The smiling clerk announces you've been upgraded, and you make your way up to your newly assigned suite, enjoying its luxuries for the cost of a standard double.

What, this has never happened to you? It's not mere fantasy—read on to find tried-and-true recommendations for getting upgraded for your next hotel stay.

Don't Be a Stranger. If there's a hotel you visit frequently, make sure the staff knows you're there and that you plan on returning again in the future. Be courteous and get to know the manager, front-desk clerks, and concierge. When you next make a reservation, contact the hotel directly, not a central reservations line. Before your arrival, get in touch with the property staff and let them know you're arriving (offering a compliment on the property, service, etc., couldn't hurt, either). Then, once you get there, politely mention your frequent visits and inquire if any upgrades are available.

Is it a Special Occasion? Mention It! Are you traveling for a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon? Be sure to tell the front desk staff. Oftentimes, to lure repeat guests and encourage good word-of-mouth, hotel staff will go out of their way to make special occasions even more memorable, and that may include an upgrade or other complimentary perk.

Be Loyal. Joining a hotel's loyalty program can go far toward getting you free upgrades and other benefits. Most programs cost nothing to join, keep track of how often you stay at a brand hotel (e.g., Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott, etc.), record your preferences (non-smoking, rooms near an elevator, favorite snacks/refreshments), and also offer free stays (usually after a minimum requirement).

Be Fashionably Late. The later in the day you arrive, the less chance there is that the hotel has filled up unused inventory (possibly including higher-class rooms than the one you booked). Just make sure you inform the staff you're arriving late—if you don't show up during standard check-in hours, there's a chance the hotel may automatically cancel your reservation.

Sweeten the Deal. My friend once got an upgrade at a Cancun hotel by smiling sweetly and slipping the front desk clerk a five-spot. Now, this may not work at every hotel, but it never hurts to offer an extra $10 or $20, if you think it may help. And a room upgrade for $20 or less, while not exactly free, still works out to be quite the bargain.

What's your favorite way to get a free hotel upgrade? Share your strategies by submitting a comment below!

http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/tips-for-getting-upgraded-at-your-favorite-hotel.html?id=2805906

Inaugural travel tips for parents

2009-01-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

By Tanesha Manigo

The Swearing-In Ceremonies for Barack Obama, as we know, have generated a lot of attention. Millions are traveling from across the country to be a part of this historical day, though many may not be aware of all the security measures surrounding the event. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has issued advisories to help those traveling to Washington DC remain safe. I believe that one such advisory regarding parents traveling with their children is worthy of your attention. Below I have compiled seven travel tips to keep you and your children secure during your visit to DC.

Travel tip #1: Everyone, including children, attending the Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremonies must have their own ticket in any of the seated or standing areas. Infants too young to walk are the exception.

Travel tip #2: Strollers, baby carriages, back packs, and all other large bags are prohibited within the ticketed areas. All purses and other allowed bags will be searched by hand.

Travel tip #3: Remember to check the weather forecast for January 20, 2009 as umbrellas will not be allowed within the secured perimeter, and there will be no tents or covered areas in the West Front of the Capitol.

Travel tip #4: Plan to arrive early, though expect to stand in long lines at security check points. This is important to note because small children do get restless.

Travel tip #5: Be aware of surroundings and keep an eye on children. There will be a lot of traffic before and after the ceremonies with the multitude of

people getting in and leaving the Capitol grounds.

Travel tip #6: Plan accordingly for smaller children and infants. Unlike a typical day in DC, concession stands will not be on hand, and the only available restrooms will be portable ones.

Travel tip #7: If you definitely need to bring any of these restricted items, all of the above will be allowed in the non-ticketed National Mall area.

The goal for parents traveling with children is to plan ahead and be safe so that your entire family can enjoy this epic occasion of our new President being sworn-in.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2274-Charlotte-Day-Trips-Examiner~y2009m1d13-Inaugural-travel-tip-for-parents

Las Vegas is No. 1 destination for movers

2009-01-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

By Steve Green

"CityCenter to hire 12,000 employees."

"Metro Police to hire 400 officers."

With headlines like those, why wouldn’t people move from other states to find work in Las Vegas?

In fact, it appears they are, according to a report issued today by Relocation.com, a New York company that helps people move locally or from state to state; either on their own or by hiring companies that can pack their goods, move their goods, or both.

"Despite the housing market struggles and a downturn in gaming revenue, Las Vegas still beckons to people looking for a fresh start, according to an analysis of moving requests from 2008 by Relocation.com," the company said Wednesday. "The data revealed that on a per-capita basis for cities with more than 1 million people, Las Vegas retained its spot as the No. 1 destination for people looking to make a long distance state-to-state move."

The company said that of the moving requests involving Las Vegas it handled in 2008, 52 percent were looking to move to Las Vegas, while 48 percent were requests to leave Las Vegas.

Today’s numbers do reflect the weakening in the Las Vegas economy.

Relocation.com said that in 2007, 56 percent of the requests involving Las Vegas were from people looking to move to Las Vegas, while 44 percent were moves out of Las Vegas.

The relocation company said that although the recession has spared no area of the country, cities in the West and South continue to appeal to people relocating, whether to take a job or to find a new place to live with more solid economic opportunities. Las Vegas was followed in popularity by Denver; Charlotte, N.C.; the Phoenix area; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; Orlando, Fla.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta and the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Fla., area.

The Relocation.com numbers differ from those of U-Haul. The Las Vegas Sun reported that U-Haul found that in 2007, outbound U-Haul rentals barely outpaced those arriving in Las Vegas. In 2008, the number of outbound rentals was 1 percent higher than rentals arriving in Las Vegas, the Sun reported.

It’s unclear which set of numbers best reflects the state of the Las Vegas economy.

One thing’s likely: With 100,000 people expected to apply for the 12,000 CityCenter jobs, there will be plenty of U-Hauls leaving town as the unsuccessful applicants learn the bad news.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/14/report-people-still-moving-las-vegas/

Fergie & Josh Duhamel Starting Honeymoon Off in Dubai

2009-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

By Breanne L. Heldman

The Ferghamels have liftoff.

Less than 24 hours after their fantasy nuptials, Fergie and Josh Duhamel were at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday with bags in wedding-banded hand.

While the casually dressed couple appeared to be headed on a tropical honeymoon, E! News has exclusively learned from a source close to the newlyweds that the duo are planning to begin their husband-and-wife life in Dubai, before jetting off to an unknown island destination.

Meanwhile, it's already time to cue the baby rumors.

Despite the bride's tight, high-waisted jeans, a paparazzo dared to ask if The Dutchess was expecting.

"I'm pregnant with twins," Fergie, 33, joked.

The "Glamorous" star's mother, Terri Ferguson, talked to E! News' Ryan Seacrest this morning gushing about the event and saying her daughter has "never been pregnant," but that with all the rumors, "Josh's mother says, 'Would she hurry up and have that elephant,' it's such a long gestation period."

Uh-huh. We all know the truth is oft said in jest.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b78599_fergie_josh_duhamel_starting_off_in.html

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