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General Travel News
Sonoma Wine Country Getaway
Even the drive to Sonoma County can be a pleasure as the Golden Gate Bridge crosses over the San Francisco Bay and heads into the hills. The scenery changes yet again as the trip gets you closer to the more than 190 wineries and rolling hills covered with grape vines. Sonoma County is about an hour north of the city, but is feels like light years away. Small towns, organic farmers, wineries, and craft stores beckon. The best part is that just minutes from the vineyards are state parks with massive redwoods, stunning coastal views along the Pacific, and small towns worth exploring. Visit the Charles M. Schultz Museum (www.schulzmuseum.org) in Santa Rosa for a look at this artistic genius while enjoying the top-notch wineries. Check out the events in Sonoma County as well as places to stay, dine, and lodge at www.SonomaCounty.com.
Southern Charm
This quaint city offers great travel deals for families, history buffs, and single travelers. Celebrating the recent number two “Top Cities” ranking from Travel & Leisure, the city’s website offers the best packages for hotel, resorts, restaurants, and attractions. Go to www.come2charleston.com.
Hawaii Savings
Check out the deals at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, a place that will bring a bit of heaven to your travel plans. With the Explore Waikiki Surf Package, you’ll be in the middle of the action with savings for three nights with Regency Club Lounge access, daily breakfast, snacks, and cocktails as well as a two-hour surf lesson. Visit www.hyatt.com/hyatt/resorts/hawaii/waikiki for details.
San Diego Baby
Visitors lucky enough to spend some time at the world-famous San Diego Zoo can enjoy the antics of the zoo’s latest star—a baby hippo named Adhama. This 500-pound baby river hippo dances, swirls and moves to his own beat, creating a YouTube sensation. If you’re in town, join the rapt crowds watching the baby and his mother, and don’t forget to enjoy the other creatures that inhabit this special attraction. Visit www.sandiegozoo.org.
Family Fun
The Adirondack region is a great place for a family getaway, so it’s smart to make plans for the next summer season by booking early at The Sagamore Resort, located on Green Island in Lake George. If you book early enough and arrive on a Sunday or Monday, you get the fourth night free in this classic family resort. Visit www.thesagamore.com for details.
Spa With View
Escape to the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur, California, a 243-acre resort with scenic vistas and a Spa Escape package where a one-night stay includes breakfast, two 50-minute spa treatments, a yoga or Pilates session, and a wine and cheese welcome. You’ll want to stay here much longer, however, and enjoy the view as well as the world-class spa. Visit www.ventanainn.com for details.
Marilyn Arrives in Chicago
In July, a 26-foot-high sculpture suddenly appeared in Pioneer Court, right on Michigan Avenue near the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Locals recognized the artist as Seward Johnson, who has been commissioned to place massive sculpture here before. The controversial artwork, called Forever Marilyn, shows the late movie star in her most famous pose from The Seven Year Itch—with her dress billowing up over the subway grate. It’s the newest photo op in the Windy City.
Food and Wine Savings
Through November 23, check out the savings package at the Tempo Miami, a RockResort hotel, which includes four nights for the price of three and a $150 credit at Amuse restaurant. Who can resist? Visit http://tempomiami.rockresorts.com or call (877)857-7625.
Los Angeles Zoo Loves Elephants
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden has housed Billy, a 25-year-old elephant, for years and now he has a brand-new home in the recently opened elephant exhibit. It’s a great place to relax and observe wildlife in busy Los Angeles. Visit www.lazoo.org for a peek at all the wildlife in this updated zoo.
The Other Orlando
Family vacations tend to focus on the major theme parks when it comes to Orlando, and that’s a good thing unless you have been there many times over. If convention travels with family lure you to Florida, certainly visit these well-known entertaining theme parks—Disney, SeaWorld, Universal—but also leave some time to discover the “other" Orlando. This would entail visiting some of the older parks such as Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park and alligator (and crocodile) preserve founded in 1949. The shows are fun, but it’s the natural habitat that draws visitors all year long (www.gatorland.com). The nearby Everglades are another natural wonder worth a look with the Boggy Creek Airboat Rides that offer a view of the state’s wilder side in both day and night airboat tours. Visit www.bcairboats.com.
Resort Savings
Consider a trip to Sarasota for a luxurious stay at the Longboat Key and Club Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond property where the kids’ club and six dining venues keep things lively. Spa and tennis packages are available. Check out the private beach and challenging golf course. Visit www.longboatkeyclub.com.
Caribbean Package
On the “must-go-there” radar, the island of Nevis often seems unattainable due to high hotel rates. Now through August 13, you can score one free night with a five-, six- or seven-night stay. Visit www.nisbetplantation.com for details.
Atlanta Literary Landmark
The year 2011 marks the 75th anniversary of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel Gone With the Wind. The small apartment where it was written is now the Margaret Mitchell House, a three-acre Midtown campus of the Atlanta History Center, open to the public for tours. Visit www.MargaretMitchellhouse.com for event details. Also plan to spend some time at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, home to one of the Southeast’s largest history museums (www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com).
Golf in Tennessee
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Memphis is a different sort of golf experience with solid celebrity credentials. Owned by singer/actor Justin Timberlake and his parents, Mirimichi has enchanted the golf community. The golf destination is situated amid rolling hills, natural creeks and scenic vistas with a special emphasis on environmentally friendly landscaping. It boasts 18 holes, par 72 with a convenient 9 hole, par 35 executive course and a learning center. Huge claim to fame—it’s the first golf course in the United States to achieve the Audubon Classic Sanctuary and Golf Environment Organization certification. Visit www.mirimichi.com.
Summer Savings
The brand-new Tides Beach Club in beautiful Kennebunkport is offering a great package that includes two nights, one beach bag filled with tanning lotions and towels, breakfast, two bikes, and two welcome cocktails from May 27 to June 28. Call (207)967-3757 or visit www.tidesbeachclubmaine.com.
Santa Fe Getaway
Desert living is easy in the luxurious and affordable Quail Run Resort, where budget-minded vacation rentals are available. Check out the best prices at www.quailrunsantafe.com or call (800)548-6990.
Food & Wine and Rum Fest
It’s never too early to start planning a trip to the Caribbean, especially if there is a special reason to go there. For an unrivaled epicurean event, set your sights on Barbados for the fall. The 2nd Annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival will take place from November 18 to 21 and offers fun, food, warm weather, and rum. Visit www.FoodWineRum.com for details and save the date.
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