June 7, 2005 - New Barbados Tourism Web Site
The Barbados Tourism Authority has a new web address online. The tourism authority has launched their website www.visitbarbados.org.Along with having the traditional interactive tools for web surfers, the site has added a vacation planner feature that provides users with a comprehensive, on-island information guide. There's also information on exploring the island, festivals and events and family vacations.
Barbados offers kid-friendly hotels, restaurants, and car-rental agencies to make island vacationing a wonderful experience for children. Entertainment activities along with water and air adventure combine for great outdoor excitement, while fascinating historic sites make fun history lessons.
One new feature worth noting is the site's Chat Live functionality which will allow users to actually chat with a representative of the Barbados Tourism Authority. So if you need a question answered, they are their to help.
For more information on Barbados, visit our Caribbean Destinations page.
June 9, 2005 - Cruise News
Free air for NYC Radisson cruise
Radisson has announced that the last four New York to Bermuda cruises on its Seven Seas Navigator this August will feature free air from 86 North American gateways, plus a free two-night pre-cruise stay at The Waldorf Astoria, including a ticket to a choice of Broadway musicals. Additionally, children can sail free on the Aug. 24 and 31 departures when sharing a suite with their families. The other dates are Aug. 10 and 17.
Online Tours at Holland America
The shore excursion program available to Holland America's Alaska CruiseTour guests is now available for booking online. These customers get an extra day of unscheduled time to use as they please, and can thus schedule one of optional excursions. For instance, an extra day in Denali National Park gives them the chance to explore the park by helicopter, river raft, horseback, covered wagon, jet boat, jeep and hiking trails. Or, they can take a trip up the famous Dempster Highway through the Tintina Trench to the sub-arctic tundra of Tombstone Territorial Park. Further options include a Grizzly Lake hike, Angelcomb Peak hike, and North Klondike River hike.
Online Tours a Carnival Cruises
Meanwhile, Carnival Cruises has launched an online booking system that allows clients to purchase shore excursions at www.carnival.com. Each listing offers a description, activity level, duration and price.
June 18, 2005 - Consider a private Kauai vacation rental for your next getaway
There are many wonderful resorts with tons of activity in the Hawaiian Islands. However, have you ever considered staying in a vacation rental home or condo? You can experience much of what the resorts offer while enjoying the comforts of home in a private Kauai vacation rental. The island of Kauai still has many secluded areas and beaches, and a private vacation rental can give you access to it all while also giving you an unequally level of privacy.Kauai, Hawaii has a lot to offer for all ages - golfing, fishing, shopping, dinner cruises, fine dining, luau’s, hiking or camping in tropical rainforest, swimming in the ocean or under breathtaking waterfalls, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, helicopter tours, hang gliding, paragliding and more... About 10 percent of Kauai is accessible by road. That's great news if you enjoy hiking because it means there's a lot of island out there waiting to be explored on foot. It also means that are lots of opportunities to stay in a secluded Kauai vacation rental, such as a personal home, condo, or villa.
Relax and enjoy Maui’s beautiful sunsets or go to a luau on the beach. Kauai has a number of world renowned beaches, such as Princeville, Kappa, and Poipu Beach.
In addition, Kauai, Hawaii has some of the world’s best and most challenging golf courses, both resort and public courses. What sets these golf courses apart is the spectacular ocean views and mountain backdrops on nearly every hole. Kauai, Hawaii is a golfer’s paradise and recognized as a premiere golf vacations destination. Whether you’re on vacation and just want to relax and play a round of golf, on a business trip or corporate outing, Kauai offers dozens of challenging courses and is the perfect golf vacation destinations.
So, whether you’re planning a relaxing family vacation, romantic getaway, business trip or corporate outing, Kauai, Hawaii has a lot to offer for everyone...including privacy in the comfort of a personal vacation rental home or condo.
Doug Fowler is an Internet Consultant for numerous vacation rental websites, such as www.vrul.com. VRUL.com offers worldwide vacation rentals by owner.
June 20, 2005 - New Additions in Florida
Busch Gardens and the Dive Coaster
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will unveil the US's first dive coaster, SheiKra, this spring. The new roller coaster will carry riders up 200 feet at 45 degrees, then hurtle them 70 mph back toward the ground at a 90 degree angle. As the eighth member of the park's family of renowned coasters, SheiKra will serve as the centerpiece of a new, lushly themed habitat within Busch Gardens' Stanleyville area.
See a Mummy in Fort Lauderdale
The Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale will be home to the "mummy" of all exhibitions in December when it welcomes Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of Pharaohs. More than 130 rare items and artifacts associated with the Egyptian "boy king" will be on display for the first time in the US in nearly 30 years. (1-800-22-SUNNY (78669); www.sunny.org)Manatees at the Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne has completed a US$250,000 renovation of its Florida Manatee Exhibit. Visitors can now learn about the endangered manatee, while watching them through large underwater windows. The exhibit also offers interactive educational graphics on the history, evolution, anatomy and endangerment issues facing the Florida manatee. www.miamiseaquarium.com
Fountainebleau Hilton Adds a New Spa and Tower
Miami Beach's Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has opened a new tower with 462 luxury suites. Seven waterfalls and fountains, palm trees, tropical flowers and a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean welcome guests. Also on tap is a new 15,000-sq.-ft. world-class spa.
June 24, 2005 - Crocodiles Are Puerto Costa Maya's Newest Attraction
On your next cruise you may want to visit Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya, the newest port of call in the Mexican Caribbean. Built around the enigmatic culture of the ancient Maya, and the rich expanse of the Yucatan Peninsula , travelers enjoy sapphire blue seas, emerald green jungles, and a wealth of experiences ranging from diving shipwrecks in Chinchorro Banks, to shopping and floating down calm rivers at the helm of a kayak.Land expeditions include explorations of newly unearthed ruins, the ancient masks of Kohunlich, Fort San Felipe, multi-colored lagoons, and a treasure of wildlife and culture.
And now the port has another attraction - Crocodiles!
The Croc World Museum & Tour, enables visitors to see all three crocodile species native to Mexico. The tour, lead by bilingual naturalists and like all Puerto Costa Maya attractions is only accessible to those sailing on cruise ships that dock there, has an interactive museum that looks at crocodile history and present conservation efforts for the large reptiles.
Puerto Costa Maya is also opening 120-room hotel open in September, with hotel guests becoming the first non-cruise ship passengers able to enter the complex, reports Cesar Lizarraga, Puerto Costa Maya's director of sales and marketing.
Cruise lines already visiting are: Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Sun Cruises, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, Seabourn and MSC Cruises.
June 27, 2005 - Save cash at Casa de Campo
Prominent La Romana, Dominican Republic resort Casa de Campo has a number of incentives for families to stay there this summer.It's time for your summer family vacation. Make it carefree and fun for all!
Get one night FREE with a minimum 4-night stay June 15 - September 15, 2005 in the spacious comfort of a Superior or Luxury guest room.
Sample savings per person for a 4-night stay with inclusive supplement:
SAVE: $273.00 for 4-nights in a Luxury room
WAS: $ 1,092.00 NOW: $ 819.00
Rate and savings in Superior room slightly lower
USE BOOKING CODE: CDC443 to receive this offer.
FREE GOLF GREEN FEES
On famous Pete Dye designed courses "Dye Fore" and "The Links".
Extra charge of $35.00 per person per round for shared golf cart.
FREE GOLF TEE TIMES
Subject to availability at Pro Shop upon arrival.
No advance tee times for FREE golf.
VALID ONLY FOR TRAVEL JUNE 15 TO SEPT 15, 2005
VALID ONLY ON NEW BOOKINGS
COMBINABLE WITH 4TH NIGHT FREE SUMMER SALE
KIDS STAY & EAT FREE!
Two children 12 and under stay and eat for free when sharing room with parents who add Inclusive Supplements to their stay. Children's activity program not included.
SAVE: $312 on two kids for a 4-night stay!
Guaranteed connecting room at additional charge
SUMMER CAMP for Toddlers, Kids and ‘Tweens. Bonche Club for Teens. NANNY SERVICE by day & by night. ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM with special events, excursions and family fun.
New family adventures include baseball clinics given by former professional players, and sailing and golf clinics.
For more information visit Casa de Campo
