PRAGUE FOR $100 PER DAY

New York, NY- In times of a recession-battered economy there are plenty of opportunities to savemoney when traveling to the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic you can enjoy everything Europe has to offer but without the Euro! The Czech Republic uses the local currency – Czech Crown – offering unique experiences at excellent value. For $ 100 or less you can spend a great day in the city of hundred spires. We have found bargains and free things to do to make your stay even more enjoyable without burning a hole in your pocket.

Prague and other Czech cities offer discounted cards such as the Prague Card http://www.praguecard.biz/offering public transport and free entry to over 50 of the best tourist attractions in Prague. You can explore the cultural offerings of the cities with significant discounts on public transport, sightseeing, shopping and dining.

Take a walk through the magnificent city of Prague for FREE! The tour starts in the Old Town Square and Astronomical clock, and follows to the Powder Tower, Wenceslas Square, National Museum, and Jewish Ghetto. Along the way, you will indulge in great architecture, churches, art, shopping, markets, gardensand parks. Entrance to most is FREE! http://www.freepraguetours.eu

Prague offers plenty of accomodations to suit every taste and budget. Choose from a wide range of hotels, available in all categories – at rates much lower than in other European countries. For example, the centrally located 3-star Hotel Cloister Inn offers affordable accommodation and free wireless internet at the rate  $75 per night in Prague’s historical Old Town. A part of a monastery complex dating from medieval times, Cloister Inn Hotel’s property was once also used by the secret police.

For lunch you can visit the family restaurant Cerny Kohout offering a fine dining at a great price! The chef takes Czech cuisine to a haute level. The Czech-inspired 3 course menu showcases a truly great cuisine just for $ 12! www.cernykohout.cz Lovers of performing arts can experience the famous musical heritage of the Czech Republic at a reasonable price. Prague boasts a world-class music scene, with concerts, operas, and ballets performed throughout the year in the city’s famous theaters. You can get cheap tickets for afternoon concert performances at the National Theater, the Estates Theater and the Prague State Opera. Balcony seats are available for as little as 100 CZK =$5 www.bohemiaticket.cz Starting June 18^th Delta Airlines will offer 3-times weekly a non-stop flight from JFK to Prague. http://www.delta.com/ For more information contact: Andrea Liskova Liskova@czechtourism.com

WESTERN AUSTRALIA TAKES CENTER STAGE AS THE BACKDROP TO BAZ LUHRMANN’S SWEEPING ROMANTIC ADVENTURE, AUSTRALIA

The Kimberley region offers travelers a taste of the authentic outback experience

and is the “heart and soul” of this epic adventure

(PERTH; WESTERN AUSTRALIA; Nov. 13, 2008)—The Kimberley, the northwest region of Western Australia, makes its big screen debut this month starring alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Baz Luhrmann’s epic Australia. Inspired by the magnificent color palette and breath-taking natural landscape, which he calls the “heart and soul” of the movie, Luhrmann traveled to Western Australia’s Kimberley region with more than 400 cast and crew to film pivotal scenes of this epic romantic adventure.

Covering an expanse of over 260,000 square miles with an estimated population of just 30,000, Western Australia’s Kimberley region is one of the most mysterious and captivating regions on earth. The sweeping and dramatic landscape brings to life several themes explored in the movie, including adventure, romance, and Australia’s Aboriginal culture.

Like Nicole Kidman’s character, Lady Sarah Ashley, Western Australia’s Kimberley region offers travelers the opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore the unspoiled outback. Kidman has been quoted saying that her time spent in Western Australia “was a spiritual experience. There is a strength and power to this area that I haven’t seen elsewhere.” Whether in search of adventure, cultural enlightenment, or romance, the Kimberley region is home to the following not to miss destinations and attractions, including:

The Aboriginal Experience

Aboriginal culture is central to the storyline of Australia. As the world’s oldest continual culture and the first people of Australia, travelers to the Kimberley region can experience Indigenous art, safaris, and more. Intrepid travelers can explore the indigenous rock art galleries on the Mitchell Plateau and see the famous Gwion Gwion art, also known as the Bradshaws. A fantastic base for exploration of this area is Faraway Bay. For more information, please visit – www.farawaybay.com.au

Kununurra – Purnululu National Park

Kununurra, meaning ‘big water’ in the local Indigenous language, is the eastern gateway to the Kimberley region. Traversed for centuries by Aboriginal people, the Australia cast and crew based themselves in Kununurra, which is home to the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. This remote wilderness experience is famous for the Bungle Bungle Range, where constant erosion and river movements have formed its huge black and orange striped domes over the last 20 million years. Travel further into the range and a hidden world of gorges and pools are revealed with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks, perfect for a romantic sojourn. Stay overnight at one of the permanent tented accommodations. For more information, please visit – www.kimberleywilderness.com.au

El Questro Wilderness Park – Cockburn Range

Luhrmann chose to film some of the pivotal scenes for Australia at El Questro, a working cattle station on more than one million acres. This wilderness park encompasses some of the Kimberley region’s most breathtaking and untouched scenery including wide tidal flats, fields of boab trees, and pockets of lush gorges and waterfalls. El Questro is also home to the Cockburn Range, a fortress-like rock formation rich with deep gorges and permanent pools that can be explored by four-wheel drive, on private bushwalking tours, or via scenic helicopter flights. Also at El Questro, travelers can relax in Zebedee Thermal Springs, warmed by water rising up through the earth from the tectonic plates below.

For a luxurious and romantic adventure, visit El Questro Homestead—an exclusive six-suite retreat cantilevered over the magnificent Chamberlain Gorge. Sitting in contrast to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley landscape, El Questro offers five star service to travelers seeking relaxation and privacy. Guests can choose from a selection of romantic, outdoor dining locations—including a private cliff top or the Homestead’s spacious verandahs—to dine under a canopy of stars. For more information, please visit – www.elquestrohomestead.com.au/

Home Valley Station

The backdrop to many key scenes in Australia, including Lady Sarah Ashley’s crossing of the Pentecost River, Home Valley Station is an outback adventure playground filled with towering gorges, sparkling waterholes, rivers, untouched beaches, waterfalls, and stunning ancient landforms and ranges.

For the ultimate combination of adventure and romance, Home Valley Stations’ Grass Castles offer the newest and most luxurious accommodation in the Kimberley. The large, freestanding guest rooms are located along the banks of the beautiful Bindoola Creek and shaded by towering eucalypts abundant with birdlife. Reminiscent of sturdy steel and timber homesteads designed by the Kimberley’s early pioneering settlers, each Grass Castle effortlessly combines historic touches with ultra-modern amenities. Design features include floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, polished timber floors, private verandahs, and unobstructed views of the water. For more information, please visit – www.homevalley.com.au/accommodation/grass-castle-rooms.php

Digger’s Rest Station

An adventure accessible only by four-wheel drive, Digger’s Rest offers warm hospitality amidst the gorgeous scenery of the Kimberley and is the location where the cast and crew spent 21 days filming Australia. The property is well known for its extended horse treks, which take visitors back in time to when the original settlers of the land moved cattle throughout the Kimberley. Whether embarking on a two or 11 day trek, travelers can explore the magnificent scenery and stop each night near a watering hole for a dip, dinner, and stories around a campfire.

For more information on the travel options and itineraries in Western Australia’s Kimberley region or Australia the movie, please visit: www.westernaustralia.com/kimberley

About Western Australia

Western Australia, the largest state in Australia located in the western half of the country, is divided into five distinct regions: Australia’s North West, Australia’s Coral Coast, The Golden Outback, Experience Perth, and Australia’s South West. Unspoiled, unpretentious, and full of adventure, the travel experiences in Western Australia are as diverse and spectacular as the landscape itself. The North West region is a vast wilderness area home to spectacular natural attractions including the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, the world-famous white sands and turquoise water at Broome’s Cable Beach, and the million acre El Questro Wilderness Park. Travelers to the Coral Coast can dive with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark, snorkel with manta rays, and see wild dolphins at play. Western Australia’s Golden Outback, the Gold Rush country of the 1890’s, offers the ideal blend of history and heritage. Travelers can explore mines and museums, pan for gold, or visit one of Kalgoorlie’s historic pubs. In spring, travelers to The Golden Outback can see brilliantly colored wildflowers in full bloom. Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, and the surrounding region is a microcosm of the whole state boasting vineyards, fantastic restaurants, a lively and original music and arts scene, and stylish accommodation. Perth is also home to Kings Park, the world’s largest inner city park. Featuring beautiful beaches, tall tree forests, and award winning wineries, the South West is also home to the Margaret River region, which produces almost 20% of Australia’s premium wine. With over 220 wine producers in the region, travelers can explore more than 100 cellar doors which are open to the public.  For more information on Western Australia, please visit www.westernaustralia.com

NEW ZEALAND OFFERS GOLF ENTHUSIASTS MORE THAN JUST GREAT COURSES WITH ALL-AROUND GOLF PACKAGES

NEW ZEALAND OFFERS GOLF ENTHUSIASTS MORE THAN JUST GREAT COURSES
WITH ALL-AROUND GOLF PACKAGES

Luxury Golf Tour Packages (Land Only) From $1,644 Per Person

Combine Rounds of Golf with Wine Tours, Soft Adventure Activities and Much More

SANTA MONICA, CA, March 17, 2009 – For golf lovers on a personal quest for that “all in one” golf trip, New Zealand has teed up a variety of luxury travel packages combining love of the game and exploration of the destination – both in true Kiwi-style.  With its celebrated wineries, outdoor adventure offerings and famed Kiwi hospitality added to some of the world’s leading golf courses, New Zealand tempts golfers to drive beyond its spectacular fairways and greens.  Top-flight golf on dramatic courses with scenic backdrops is rounded out with car rental, exclusive food and wine experiences, soft adventure activities and more.

Best of New Zealand Golf & Wine: Golfers who want to play at some of New Zealand’s top golf courses as well as get an all-around culinary, wine and soft adventure experience, will appreciate Down Under Answers’ “Unforgettable New Zealand”.  This 10-day trip begins with a guided tour in the charming art deco town of Napier, with visits to the art deco buildings, wineries and art studios.  Enjoy a spectacular round of golf at the award-winning Cape Kidnappers Golf Club, with its championship layout making superb use of the natural countryside and hailed as a marvel of modern golf course design.  After journeying south to the outdoor adventure playground of Queenstown, discover the dramatic landscapes of Milford Sound; enjoy the thrill of a Shotover Jetboat ride before hitting the lush fairways and greens at Millbrook, a championship course nestled in an impressive alpine amphitheater of snow-capped mountains.  Conclude the adventure in Auckland, “City of Sails,” with a day trip to the vineyards of Waiheke Island.

“Unforgettable New Zealand” packages start at $2,359 per person (double occupancy), land only and include: 9-night accommodations (3 nights at The County Hotel, Napier; 4 nights at Browns Boutique Hotel, Queenstown; 2 nights at Hilton Auckland), round of golf (18 holes) at Cape Kidnappers; round of golf (18 holes) at Millbrook Resort; Napier Food & Wine, Artists & Walks Experience; Milford Sounds Nature Cruise including lunch; exclusive tour of Waiheke Island Vineyards including lunch; private roundtrip airport transfers in Queenstown and Auckland; car rental for 3 days in Napier; 10 meals.  Valid for travel until March 31, 2010.  For reservations and information, visit www.duatravel.com or call toll-free 1-800-889-1464.

North Island Golf Retreat: Down Under Answers’ “Discover New Zealand” is a seven-day journey that ushers golfers and sophisticated travelers into the pleasures of Auckland and the Bay of Islands.  The quest begins in Auckland, set in the midst of the sparkling Waitemata Harbour and home to two America’s Cup regattas.  From there take a ferry for an excursion on Waiheke Island, with its spectacular views and boutique wineries holding the secrets to Waiheke’s world-famous red wines.  Enjoy a round of golf on the Gulf Harbour Golf Course – offering challenging holes along the cliffs and overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.  Next drive north to Carrington Resort on the Kari Kari Peninsula in the stunning Bay of Islands, with its subtropical climate and myriad beautiful islands, bays and beaches.  In addition to a round of golf at the resort, travelers can opt to enjoy the resort’s heated swimming pool, spa services, clay targets shooting range, and more.

“Discover New Zealand” packages start at $1,644 per person (double occupancy), land only, and include: 6 nights accommodations (3 at Hilton Auckland and 3 at Carrington Resort, Bay of Islands); exclusive tour of Waiheke Island Vineyards including lunch; round of golf (18 holes) at Gulf Harbour Country Club; round of golf (18 holes) at Carrington Resort Golf Course; private airport transfer to Auckland Hotel; car rental for 4 days; 7 meals.  Valid for travel until March 31, 2010.  For reservations and information, visit www.duatravel.com or call toll-free 1-800-889-1464.

Recently named the “Golf Destination of the Year – Asia & Australasia” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the leading golf tourism trade group, New Zealand prides itself on being the home of some of the world’s leading golf courses, and being able to offer golfers a holistic travel experience.  For more information about New Zealand golf, visit www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com.

For information about New Zealand’s extensive vacation options, log onto the 100% Pure New Zealand website at http://www.newzealand.com.

*Villa Garbo, the perfect place for meetings and incentives in **Cannes* *

*Give some colors to your business meetings!*

*Villa Garbo, the perfect place for meetings and incentives in **Cannes* *

A new concept of luxury hotel is born in the heart of the Film Festival City, in Cannes: *Villa Garbo*. Located a few steps away from the famous Croisette, *Villa Garbo* offers 11 elegant and upscale apartments with a full 4* hotel service and a business room with lively colors for dynamic meetings.

chambre2_bd*Villa Garbo* reflects a new state of mind in Cannes. With its Belle Epoque façade, *Villa Garbo *is like a private demeure seducing guests expecting independence, intimacy, modern design and excellent standards of service. Each apartment (from 25m² à 70m²) features trendy colors (brown grey / flashy pink and orange / absinth green), a bedroom with a very comfortable king-size bed, a lounge with a fully equipped kitchen and a modern bathroom.

In addition, *Villa Garbo* benefits from the legendary know-how and hospitality experience of *Le Cavendish 4** boutique hotel owners. Breakfast will be served either in the apartment or in the Lounge Bar – where a generous continental buffet expects the guests (bakeries, home-made pastries and marmalades, fresh fruits, cereals …). For those who prefer to have breakfast in their bedroom, a linen basket full of breads and bakeries is handed at the door at the time requested. Then, the guests can appreciate their breakfast in the intimacy of their apartment or on their balcony.

In the evening, the Lobby of *Villa Garbo* becomes Lounge Bar with free « open bar », a new concept where everyone helps oneself, just like at home, and invites the guests to have a drink in a friendly and cozy atmosphere.

C:\Documents and Settings\Pondy\Mes documents\VILLA GARBO\photos ok_131107\sallereunion2.jpg*Villa Garbo* is therefore the perfect place to organize business meetings and incentive. With grey / absinth green colors, the meeting room offers a dynamic environment and can welcome up to 25 people. The room can modulate and be featured as a screening room or a conference room. Equipped with the latest technologies, the business room offers a giant plasma screen of 2mx1,25m with « BOSE home theatre system ». Besides, thanks to the WIFI, accessible from every part of *Villa Garbo*, the meetings can be followed up in a more casual way in the Lounge Bar around a drink or on the sunny terrace under the palm trees.

Nouvelle imageThe small structure of *Villa Garbo* makes it an ideal place to privatize all the apartments when organizing meetings or special events.

Entirely privatized, *Villa Garbo* becomes an exclusive residence 5 minutes away from La Croisette and the luxury shopping street of rue d’Antibes, a very nice address in the heart of Cannes.

For the second year, the managers of ESTEE LAUDER have chosen *Villa Garbo* during the Tax Free Exhibition.

VM WARE board was staying at *Villa Garbo* during their annual convention in Cannes, OGILVY executives selected *Villa Garbo* during international Advertising Festival to host their corporate clients every evening on the terrace and show their latest creations in the screening room …

*Villa Garbo* can be privatized from 5000 euros per day (including all business services and facilities)
*La Villa Garbo*
64, boulevard d’Alsace
06400 Cannes
France

*Information et Reservations :*

Tel : 00 33 4 93 46 66 00

Fax : 00 33 4 93 46 66 02

Website : www.villagarbo-cannes.com <http://www.villagarbo-cannes.com/>

E-mail : contact@villagarbo-cannes.com <mailto:contact@villagarbo-cannes.com>

Blog : www.cannesautrement.com

Martinique for 2009 vacation..you bet!

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Wednesday Night Beer can races start

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Tons of Blubber, Critters and Crawlers, Natural Wonders,

Tons of Blubber, Critters and Crawlers, Natural Wonders,

World’s Tallest Trees, Tule Elk, Fun Trails and more

Find it all in California State Parks

We’ve got Buffleheads, tule elk and Ringnecks.  Go a little farther and we can show you the best views of the Los Angeles area or gray foxes and opossums.  At another location, we’ve got elephant seals that grow to 5,000 pounds and you will need to respect their space or find out how fast tons of blubber can move.  We’ve got trees taller than large skyscrapers and still here and doing well after a thousand years and more.    We’ve got really fast moving water and huge waterfalls and granite ledges that also demand respect.  And how about the 100,000 butterflies found in another of our State parks?

If anything on this laundry list of critters, crawlers, flyers, plants and places sounds like a good adventure, then we have a destination that will widen the eyes of your family and create the memories of a remarkable adventure into the outback of California.

You can call it eco-tourism, if you want.   We have just been calling it fun for the last hundred years or so.

California State Parks are home to the best of the state’s natural wonders. For eco-tourists, there’s no better way to discover the wildlife, trees, flowers, waterfalls, caverns – and more – that make the golden state a top destination.

Here’s just a sample of what you can find in California State Parks:

Bird Watching at Sunset State Beach

Sunset State Beach (SANTA CRUZ COUNTY), 16 miles south of Santa Cruz on Highway 1 via San Andreas Road, is a great place for bird watching, including the California Thrasher and Snowy Plover. Lawrence’s Goldfinch is often seen in the campground and House Wrens are in the park in late fall and winter. Along the coast in summer and fall you can see groups of Bottlenose Dolphins from the shore. The park phone number is (831) 763-7062 and the park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=544

Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve

Año Nuevo State Reserve (SAN MATEO COUNTY), 55 miles south of San Francisco and the Golden Gate, is home to elephant seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals that come ashore to rest, mate, and give birth in the sand dunes or on the beaches and offshore islands. The park is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world for the northern elephant seal. The males battle for mates on the beaches and the females give birth to their pups on the dunes. During the breeding season, December 15 through March 31, daily access to the Reserve is available only via guided walks. Advance reservations are recommended for walks. For reservations call (800) 444-7275. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=523

A reclaimed natural oasis in the city at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (LOS ANGELES COUNTY), just eight miles from Los Angeles International Airport in Culver City and close to Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles, is a soon-to-be-open 50-acre park where visitors can experience 360 degree views of the entire L.A. basin and the Pacific Ocean.  A state of the art visitor center sits perched upon a 500-foot hill with exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area.  Winding trails give nature lovers a chance to explore a rehabilitated coastal sage scrub plant community and see wildlife such as birds, gray foxes, opossums, skunks and other small mammals.  Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is adjacent to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, with a total of 387 acres of parkland to enjoy. The park phone number is (310) 558-4566.  The webpage is currently under construction.  The park is scheduled to open in late April 2009.

Bird Watching at Los Encinos State Historic Park

Los Encinos State Historic Park (LOS ANGELES COUNTY), less than a mile from the 101 Ventura Freeway and surrounded by the city, is a natural spring-filled pond which, especially in the winter, attracts several types of ducks including Buffleheads, Mallards, Woodducks, Ringnecks, and Hooded Mergansers. In this quiet, historic park, birders and photographers have unusually close access to their subjects.  Visitors are encouraged to bring along a picnic, tour the park’s historic structures, and enjoy the beauty and peace in the midst of the city. The park phone number is (818) 784-4849.  The park web page is: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=619

Tule Elk at Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve (KERN COUNTY), north of Gorman, south of Buttonwillow, west of I-5 via the Stockdale Highway, protects a herd of tule elk, once in danger of extinction. In the 1880s, vast herds of tule elk were greatly reduced by hunting and loss of habitat. The elk are most active from late summer through early autumn. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars for better viewing. The park has picnic areas and interpretive exhibits. The park phone number is (661) 942-0662. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=584

Redwoods at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park (CALAVERAS COUNTY), four miles northeast of Arnold on Highway 4, features two giant groves of some of the oldest living redwood trees in California. The trees can reach a height of 325 feet and a diameter of 33 feet. They are a surviving species from a time when dinosaurs roamed, and birds, mammals and flowering plants began to appear. Some of these trees are thought to be as much as 2,000 years old. The park phone number is (209) 795-2334 and the park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=551

River walk at South Yuba River State Park

River walk at South Yuba River State Park (NEVADA COUNTY), eight miles north west of Nevada City on Highway 49, features many scenic vistas, including  fast-moving water pouring over massive granite ledges in the spring and warm slow moving emerald swimming holes during the late summer. Hikers have a choice of easy trails (Independence Trail) to more strenuous ones throughout the park. The park phone number is (530) 432-2546. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=496

Whale Watching at MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park (MENDOCINO COUNTY) features whale watching at Laguna Point on the Mendocino Coast,  three miles north of Fort Bragg. For more information, call: (707) 964-9112 or (707) 937-5804. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=436

Tidepooling at Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park (ORANGE COUNTY), off Highway 1 between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, is a great place for visitors to explore tidepools. The park has 3.5 miles of beach and undeveloped woodland, which is popular for hiking and horseback riding. The offshore waters are designated as an underwater park. Crystal Cove is used by mountain bikers inland and scuba and skin divers underwater. The beach is popular with swimmers and surfers. The park phone number is (949) 494-3539. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=644

Wild flowers at Los Angeles State Historic Park

Los Angeles State Historic Park (Los Angeles County), located next the intersection of the 110 and 5 freeways just north of the 101 freeway, is the front porch of downtown Los Angeles, offers a variety of California’s native flora. Just east of Chinatown, visitors will find 32 acres of open space, dotted with Bush Sunflowers, Tidy Tips and the state flower – the California Poppy. Following springs showers, Arroyo Lupine, White Yarrow, Red Buds and Blue Dicks begin to blossom. The park phone number is (323) 441-8819, email at tcarroll@parks.ca.gov, and online at www.parks.ca.gov/lashp.

Mitchell Caverns at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Providence Mountains State Recreation Area (SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY), 40 miles west of Needles off I-40 on Essex Road, includes Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve. El Pakiva and Tecopa Caverns are filled with intricate limestone formations and can be visited by taking cavern tours, which are offered daily year-round. The park has dramatic views of the surrounding Mojave Desert. The park phone number is (760) 928-2586. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=615

Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Park (SANTA CRUZ COUNTY), on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, is temporary home for over 100,000 Monarch butterflies each winter. From mid-October through the end of February, the Monarchs form a “city in the trees.” The areas mild ocean air and eucalyptus grove provide a safe roost until spring. The park phone number is (831) 423-4609. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=541

Waterfall at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (SHASTA COUNTY), 11 miles northeast of Burney on Highway 89, has the beautiful 129-foot Burney Falls. Burney Creek originates from the park’s underground springs and flows to Lake Britton, getting larger along the way to the majestic falls. The park phone number is (530) 335-2777. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=455

Azaleas in Azalea State Nature Reserve

Azalea State Nature Reserve (HUMBOLDT COUNTY), five miles north of Arcata, is a reserve for western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale). Each spring, the pink and white azalea blossoms scent the air. Visitors should plan to visit in April and May when azaleas are in bloom. There is a picnic area available. The park phone number is (707) 677-3132. The park web page is:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=420

Poppies in the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (LOS ANGELES COUNTY), 20 miles east of Lancaster, features California’s official flower – the California Poppy. Each spring, the reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year, depending on winter rain. The park phone number is (661) 724-1180. The park web page is: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=627

Rare Pine Trees at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (SAN DIEGO COUNTY), one mile south of Del Mar, is the home of the nation’s rarest pine tree – Pinus torreyana. Once the trees covered a large area. Now they only grow in the reserve and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The park phone number is (858) 755-2063. The park web page is: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=657

The view at Mount Diablo State Park

Mount Diablo State Park (CONTRA COSTA COUNTY), five miles east of I-60 in Danville on Diablo Road is known for its spectacular view. On a clear day 35 of California’s 58 counties can be seen. Visitors with binoculars can see Half Dome in Yosemite. Other sites from the summit include the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Farallon Islands. The park phone number is (925) 837-2525. The park web page is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=517

Hiking and Botany Exploration at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park (LOS ANGELES COUNTY), just south of the 118 Ronald Reagan Freeway and west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, has rugged mountains with great hiking trails surrounded by city life. With moderate inclines, these sometimes rocky and uneven trails allow visitors to take in great views of the San Fernando Valley. During the spring, visitors can observe beautiful wildflowers including fields of mustard, unusual red sticky monkey flowers, Santa Susana tarweed, California poppies, and the rare chocolate lily.  Many visitors enjoy horseback riding and mountain biking on the trails, where allowed.  Trail access is located at the 10200 block of Larwin Avenue south of Devonshire Street.  City street parking only at this time.  The park phone number is (818) 784-4849, and additional information can be found on the website at http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=611.

For more information about California State Parks visit www.parks.ca.gov

Close to Home” Travel Deals Offered for 2009

“Close to Home” Travel Deals Offered for 2009 American Express Platinum Travel Service has put together a series of travel offers for some of North America’s most renowned destinations, especially for travelers visiting “close to home” destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and U.S. Travelers booking from now until March 31 can take advantage of the following special offers: The Grand Del Mar, San Diego * Stay 2 nights, receive complimentary third night * Book by March 31, with Platinum Travel Service, receive room upgrade if available upon check-in, daily breakfast for 2 and $100 resort credit Colonial New England and Canada – Holland America * 7 day cruise of Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Quebec City, Montreal * Book by March 31, receive two-category upgrade on outside staterooms or up to $300 shipboard credit per suite, complimentary Mariner Club onboard host, cocktail party and shore excursion * Prices from $899 per guest, including up to $570 savings Oceanfront South Beach Flair – The Tides South Beach * Stay 3 nights, receive complimentary fourth night * Book by December 22, with Platinum Travel Service, receive room upgrade if available, upon check-in, and complimentary lunch for 2, valid on select dates for travel through December 26 Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii -Classic Vacations * 7 night Stay at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii * Every 3rd night free (2 free nights) + $200 Resort Credit + up to $500 Air Credit * Book by December 15, travel now through December 20 * Special Rates from $1419 per person, receive amenities valued up to $2000 per couple

Lupita Island, opened in January 2008 in Tanzania, now presents itself to the US market

Lupita Island
A Private Island in the Middle of Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania?

Lupita Island, opened in January 2008 in Tanzania, now presents itself to the US market. A unique combination of luxurious, wild and unconditionally private, Lupita island is a one hundred acre resort in Tanzania’s Lake Tanganyika, just 15 minutes boat ride from the village (and air strip) of Kipili. Its 13 thatched-roof guest accommodations accepted their first guests just about one year ago, providing luxury and comfort along with breathtaking views of this seemingly endless lake, Africa’s second largest. Guests can stay busy with water sports and excursions to tiny local villages, or they can simply luxuriate in the truly amazing open-air “rooms.” This is private island living with an African twist.

Guests of Lupita are in for a treat. Were it not for the total privacy this island affords, its pleasing warm and breezy weather, its recreational variety and unique excursions, Lupita’s guest accommodations would steal the thunder. They are unusually large; the “smaller” ones are a full 1800 square feet and the larger, which are two-bedroom, two bath units perfect for a family, are 2800 square feet! More important, though, is their unique design. Their undulating roofs are thatched from local grasses, and the side facing the lake and views is totally open-air. Thus a guest could spend all his time in his quarters, taking in the endless lake views, and have a perfectly satisfying stay.

Separations between sleeping, living and bathroom areas are half walls only and thatched/timbered roofs soar to a lofty 25 feet, thereby adding to the sense of space. Beautiful hardwood floors are decorated with colorful area rugs, beds are extra-large kings custom-made from local dhou wood and draped with canopies that billow in the breezes. A most unusual shower is actually a waterfall, and there is a stone bathtub on the deck. For daytime cooling off, there is a plunge pool on the sunning deck.

All accommodations are furnished with interesting antiques like spice chests, old colonial writing desks and weathered boats cleverly transformed into bookcases – a mix of African and Arabic influences. Colors are yellows, tangerines, greens – a riot of happiness just like the sunny attitudes and colorful attire of the Tanzanians.

Luxuriating in the “rooms-without-walls” could keep most guests serenely content. But the very solicitous general manager Johanita successfully tempts visitors to try the many things the island offers. Take a vigorous one-hour walk on the adjoining island, to a small village totally beyond the reach of any outsiders other than Lupita’s guests. Try a picnic lunch for two on a nearby beach; the staff boats guests there with a sumptuous spread and picks them up three hours and a full feast later. Enjoy snorkeling in incredibly clear Lake Tanganyika waters (kayaking and canoeing there and to other hidden spots), a world-class massage in the open-air spa, line-fishing, and a sunset cruise on the property’s own lake cruiser.

Lupita’s dining “room” (also without walls) sits at the center and highest point of the island and, like the guest accommodations, enjoys the cooling breezes days and night. With no more than 24 guests on the island at any time, dining is an intimate experience and, for those wanting a little more privacy, there are two curtained alcoves. Fresh fish like perch and kuwe straight from the lake are deliciously grilled and from the bush comes springbok mousse. Desserts include warm malave pudding, a traditional South African dish. Chef Tina calls her style African fusion, and she uses local ingredients like coconuts and bananas, spices from Zanzibar, and zesty pepper sauces.

Lupita is reached by international flights to Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. From there, we recommend a chartered flight to Kipili, just a short boat ride from Lupita, or chartered helicopter right to the island. This transfer is from 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the size and speed of craft that is chartered.

Rates at Lupita are fully inclusive – accommodations, all three meals and afternoon tea, wines, spirits and other beverages, all water sports except scuba diving, transfers from Kipili, massage and taxes. The two-bedroom, two-bath accommodations are $2,600 daily, for two, and the single bedroom accommodations are $1,725 daily for two. Rates for the exclusive rental of the island, for up to 26 guests, are available upon request and can include pre- or post-visits to one or both of the luxury tented camps offered by the same owner.

Lupita Island is part of TANZANIA by FIRELIGHT, which also offers two luxury tented camps that can be booked in conjunction with the island stay; Camp Mwanga Moto in the beloved Serengeti and Camp Palahala in tourist-free but wildlife-rich Katavi National Park. All three properties accommodate at least 16 guests (Lupita accommodates up to 24), so they lend themselves perfectly to extended family vacations or small groups of friends who want the privacy that an exclusive rental affords. And the country of Tanzania, which has never experienced any social unrest since it was formed in the sixties from a combination of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, provides a serenity and warmth of welcome that is extraordinary. TANZANIA by FIRELIGHT also offers customized helicopter safaris.

For reservations and information, call toll free (800) 225-4255 or (203) 602-0300

VOLUNTOURISM AND VOLCANOES…A LEARNING VACATION AWAITS YOU AT THE FAIRMONT ORCHID, HAWAII

Kohala Coast, Hawaii’s Big Island, March, 2009 – The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii-a luxury AAA Four Diamond resort located on the Big Island of Hawaii is pleased to offer a newly formed Adventure Package which will include admission to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as enrollment in one of the many classes offered by the Hawaii Volcanoes Institute, an educational arm of the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of Hawaii Island geology, biology, history and culture.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ existing partnership with the World Heritage Alliance makes this a perfect fit for travelers today who would like a bit more than just sand and surf during their Hawaiian getaway.

“The Hawaii Volcanoes Institute shares the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s educational mission as a partner providing quality programs that inspire and engage people in the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of this remarkable Park. We are delighted to see The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii’s involvement with this program,” said Cindy Orlando, Superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“Fairmont Hotels & Resorts enjoys a long tradition of environmental stewardship,” said Ian Pullan, General Manager of the Kohala Coast Resort. “The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is honored to be a partner with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaii Volcanoes Institute.”

Package includes deluxe accommodations, daily breakfast for 2, Fun in the Sun Activity passes, a picnic lunch for two, enrollment in a Hawaii Volcanoes Institute class, and a donation to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to be used to support the threatened and endangered species at the park including the Hawaiian Petrel (seabird), Hawksbill Turtle, the Mauna Loa silversword, and the Hawaiian Nene Goose. Prices from $449/night including taxes. Book your Adventure Package with your preferred travel agent, by calling the hotel direct toll free at 800-845-9905 or visit www.fairmont.com/orchid/hotelpackages Five-night minimum stay required. Valid through December 20, 2009. For more information on the Hawaii Volcanoes Institute as well as a listing of classes offered, please visit www.fhvnp.org

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii on the Big Island is a AAA Four Diamond luxury destination resort on 32 oceanfront acres offering 540 guestrooms on the island’s northwestern coast. Facilities and services include the Hawaiian-inspired Spa Without Walls with 10 waterfall hale (hut) and 5 oceanside cabanas, authentically local daily beach and cultural activities, golf, tennis and water sports, year-round children’s program, six delectable restaurants and expansive indoor and outdoor meeting facilities all surrounded by service with Aloha.

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City, Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi and London’s The Savoy, reopening in 2009. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont’s portfolio includes 56 distinctive hotels, with plans to develop over 25 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Shanghai, Morocco and Anguilla.

Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 91 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmon