january 15, 2010

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.

Jan Gets a Blog!
I realized one of my long-time goals and launched my Girl on the Go blog covering travel-related news, events in Atlanta and relationships. Check out other blogs from travelgirl contributors here.

Is Your Photo Cover-Worthy?

Win the Frommer's Cover Photo Contest and your photo will be placed on the cover of a travel guide, and you win $5000. Four second-place winners will receive a prize pack with three Frommer’s Day by Day travel guides and a selection of Frommer’s Lug travel accessories, worth more than $300. You have until March 31 to submit your winning photo at
http://www.frommers.com/go/photocontest/
and the winner will be announced in April.

Do-It-Yourself Wine Tours

Experience the world of wine with Sonoma County Vineyard Adventures, a free self-guided tour of four wineries: Mantanzas Creek Winery (Bennett Valley), Paradise Ridge Winery and Balletto Vineyards (Russian River Valley) and Mauritson Winery (Dry Creek Valley). You'll learn about the grape-growing process then taste the wines. (Tasting fees may apply.) Each tour is less than a mile long and designed for all ages. www.SonomaVineyardAdventures.com.

King of the Jungle

Save 25% on tickets to The Lion King on Broadway when you book the "King of the Jungle" package at The Buckingham Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The package includes a two-night stay for four people, four tickets to the show and a Lion King CD. Rates start at $798 and this package is available through May 30, 2010.

Starck Goes Italian

Phillippe Starck has opened his first Italian hotel in a former residence in Venice on the Canal Grande, with 16 rooms and six apartment suites, restaurant and members-only club. Guests can choose to be picked up by boat and check in on board, then be dropped off directly at a private pier. Italian touches include exposed bricks and custom-made Murano glass works by the artist Aristide Najean. www.palazzinagrassi.it/

Pick of the Week

As much as I love shoes, they always present the biggest problem when packing so I'm constantly on the lookout for comfortable, stylish shoes. Geox shoes are a real find because they keep your tootsies dry on the inside and out. In addition to being waterproof, they are made of a special microporous material that lets sweat out – so whether you're hiking up the Washington Monument or just experiencing a few jitters during a business meeting, you'll stay dry. The collection goes from flats to high heels, so there's a shoe for every need. Pictured: Magda for $126; www.shopgeox.com