january 2 - 9
Happy Holidays to you all! With wishes for safe and happy travels in the New Year,
- Jan Butsch Schroder and the staff at travelgirl
Social network with travelgirl.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at travelgirl by following us on Twitter! We're listed as travelgirlmag. We're also looking for more fans on our Facebook page - we'd love to see you there.
Here is the link:
www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/
Travelgirl-Magazine/8234314556?ref=s
all-inclusive deals
In our current economy, an all-inclusive can be an excellent way to watch your budget, rather than mentally calculating the cost of each additional Coke or ice cream cone. Two adults-only resorts have specials: Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort in Xpu-Ha, Mexico on the Caribbean has rates starting at $165 a night. The resort has 288 guestrooms and junior suites, a spa, fitness center and six restaurants. A sister property, Catalonia Royal Bávaro in the Dominican Republic near Punta Cana, has rates starting at just $120. The resort is located close to the Catalonia Caribe Golf Club and has 144 junior suites, a private beach, free water sports and five restaurants. www.hoteles-catalonia.com
better times ahead?
Well, the Year of the Ox starts in January, a sign of prosperity. Hong Kong is celebrating with the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Jan. 26, followed by a fireworks display that lights up Victoria Harbor on Jan. 27. Asian Adventures is offering tours for five nights that start at $1399; Gala Tours also has five night packages starting at $1334. Both of these include airfare. Pacific Delight's has a package starting at just $598 and Pleasant Holiday's starts at $498 for land only and $1459 with airfare. Departure dates vary. For more information visit www.asianadventureusa.com,
www.galatours.com,
www.pacificdelighttours.com, www.pleasantholidays.com. For more information on Hong Kong, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/usa
new in south walton
The Beaches of South Walton are about the prettiest you'd ever hope to set your pretty flip-flopped foot on, and there's plenty new in this collection of 15 beach towns on the Florida panhandle. New restaurants include the Australian-inspired Taste of Oz; JamBone for barbecue and fresh, locally grown fare at Fire Restaurant. Or guests can dine in with personal service from chefs at Table Five. For adventures, try YOLO boarding, a kind of yes-you-can surfing on a large board, or the new zip line at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. For more information, visit www.beachesofsouthwalton.com
wine and dine
new orleans-style
Just writing this makes me long for a bit of Cajun fare. Buy tickets now for the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, a five-day food and drink extravaganza from May 19-23, 2009. More than 175 wineries from around the world will be represented, along with 75 of New Orleans best restaurants. Now in its 18th year, the event kicks off with vintner dinners, followed by the traditional Royal Street Stroll and Vinola Tasting & Live Auction on Thursday, and ends with Grand Tastings in the Louisiana Superdome on Friday and Saturday. Visit the event's new website for more information: www.nowfe.com
pick of the week
Make your luggage stand out in the crowd with these easy-to-use Stick Tagz from UBrand. Invented by a mom tired of trying to locate her family's luggage in the endless parade of black suitcases, these durable 3-D stickers come in three sizes and a variety of designs, starting at $3.95 a letter. They aren't just for luggage - I used a set to identify my MacBook from the two other identical ones in my family. www.ubrand.com