September 2010                                               www.MiamiandBeaches.com

OUT AND ABOUT IN MIAMI
Thank you for your continued support of Miami! The monthly Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Media Relation’s e-newsletter is filled with story leads you can develop,
including exciting news and events. Enjoy!

KIMPTON’S EPIC MIAMI ANNOUNCES THE PERFECT ‘10-10-10′ MEETINGS PACKAGE: For planners looking for that “perfect 10″ meeting experience this fall, Kimpton’s EPIC Hotel in Miami introduces a pull-out-all-the-stops meetings package just in time for October 10, 2010 (10-10-10). EPIC, the luxury lifestyle waterfront boutique hotel in downtown Miami offering the most comprehensive and distinctively designed meeting space in the market, with services and amenities to match, is committed to creating memorable meetings that are also strong on value. To mark what could be considered the most perfect date in the calendar, Miami’s luxury lifestyle, waterfront boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Miami has created the perfect meetings package with special savings across the board for groups booking 50 rooms or more per night during October 2010. EPIC’s “perfect 10″ meeting package includes:

• A credit of up to 10% to the master account
• Up to 10 category room upgrades (for example, book 10 City View rooms  and receive up to 10 Water View room for the same price)
• Up to 10 upgrades to Jr. Suites at group rate for your VIPs
• 10 VIP amenities
• A $500 American Express Gift Card for every $10,000 charged to the master account
• 10 complimentary welcome cocktails for your VIPs
• Meeting attendees receive 10% off their dinner at Area 31
• Meeting attendees receive 10% off spa services provided by Exhale
• $10 off per night for overnight valet parking

In addition to the above, for groups booked over 10-10-10, EPIC will host a complimentary private wine hour event for meeting attendees. Book another meeting at EPIC of equal or greater size to be consumed in 2010 and receive this same offer again. Upgrades are subject to availability. Minimum length of stay for eligibility is two nights, 50 rooms per night. Offer is subject to change without notice. A mutually signed contract must be received by the hotel by September 10, 2010. Offer is not applicable to already contracted groups. For more information, call EPIC sales at 305-424-5226 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              305-424-5226      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or to send requests for proposals to sales@epichotel.com.

A NEW PRODUCTION FROM THE CREATORS OF STOMP TO MAKE ITS U.S. DEBUT IN MIAMI THIS FALL LAUNCHING THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER 5TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON: The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announced the kick-off to its 5th Anniversary Season with the U.S. premiere of PANDEMONIUM: The Lost and Found Orchestra. From the creators of the blockbuster hit STOMP, this modern, urban symphonic adventure features a cast of 25 performers plus a 30-member choir of local Miami singers. Fresh from sold-out performances in London, Sydney, and Amsterdam, PANDEMONIUM is poised to take Miami by storm, September 16-26, 2010 in the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House. Where STOMP creates rhythm with everyday objects, PANDEMONIUM transforms everyday objects into a plethora of invented instruments. Performed by the LFO (Lost and Found Orchestra), PANDEMONIUM recreates every section of a symphony orchestra, using musical saws, bottles, whirly toys and traffic cones. Out of chaos emerges an orchestra. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER-SONGWRITER JON SECADA PREMIERES INTIMATE NEW MUSIC VENUE IN MIAMI NOVEMBER 2010: Seating 200 guests, Secada’s at Magic City Casino will offer an ideal setting for meeting friends for cocktails and innovative bar bites, while enjoying great entertainment, ranging from dance-offs, Carnaval nights, and live DJ music. Secada’s will also bring back the intimacy of a live music venue to Miami, where guests will enjoy impromptu evenings hosted by Secada as well as performances by local musicians and emerging acts. Guests will also have the opportunity to buy new Secada’s signature merchandise, including cotton tees, camis, and hats. The venue is in tune with the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s affinity for music and the entertainment arts, and his passion for Miami. To celebrate the opening of Secada’s, Jon will star in a concert - Secada and Friends - on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. in the casino amphitheatre. The opening of Secada’s at Magic City Casino will be another career highlight for this internationally recognized Latin crossover singer-songwriter and actor who starred in Broadway hit musicals including Grease and Sam Mendes’ critically acclaimed version of Cabaret. In fact, Secada’s career is currently booming. He recently announced his participation on Univision’s first season of its dance competition show, Mira Quién Baila (Look Who’s Dancing), the Spanish equivalent of “Dancing with The Stars,” premiering nationwide on September 12, 2010. In addition, Secada is currently in the studio recording his upcoming Spanish pop album. For more about Jon’s music, concert tours, Secada’s at Magic City Casino, and Mira Quién Baila, visit www.JonSecada.com and www.magiccitycasino.com.

FOR THE 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY WILL SERVE AS HOST TO NASCAR’S FORD CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND IN 2011: South Florida again will be the site when NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions–the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series– the weekend of Nov.18-20, 2011. It’s a unique privilege to host the Championship finales of America’s No.1 spectator sport for a 10th year running. No other city in any other sport can claim such a string: Consider that the Super Bowl, college football’s BCS, the World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals all rotate their Championship-crowning events from city to city each year. Since the debut of Ford Championship Weekend in 2002, Homestead-Miami Speedway has played host to historic NASCAR Championship moments, including last fall when Jimmie Johnson became the first driver ever to claim four consecutive Sprint Cup Championships. In 2004, Homestead-Miami hosted the first-ever NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, as Kurt Busch became the first to hoist the “Chase” hardware. All told, Homestead-Miami has seen 18 different NASCAR Champions crowned. Kids FREE: Homestead-Miami Speedway is the only venue ever to host all of North America’s premier motorsports Championships, and they’re doing it again in 2010 in hosting both the NextEra Energy Indy Championships (Oct.1-2) and NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend (Nov.19-21). Kids 12 & under are FREE to three of the five Championship finales. For more information, visit THEChampionshipTrack.com or call (866) 409-RACE begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (866) 409-RACE      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

A NEW PRE-HEAT GAME DATE SPOT: Amuse, a glossy den of modern French cooking, is now open at Tempo Miami hotel. Despite its location across the street from the AA Arena, this is a relatively quiet, off-the-radar spot to take a date. Walking into the third-floor restaurant, the first thing you’ll want to do is look out the great sprawl of glass framing views of the bay. Take a deep breath and bask. Then, claim a couple of leather chairs and get things socially lubed with a beer or a Cucumber Lemonade. When you’ve got her laughing about your thoughts on Dan Le Batard’s chest hair, step over to the adjacent dining room and ask for a table by the 30-foot-tall windows overlooking the arena. That’s where you’ll want to dive into the mostly Californian wine list and summon plates from the no-stranger-to-Michelin-stars Argentinean/French chef like Soft Shell Crab Tempura, sake ice cream and braised short ribs with scoops of mango beer sorbet. Nothing pairs with alley-oops like mango beer sorbet. For more information call (786) 369-0300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (786) 369-0300      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit http://tempomiami.rockresorts.com/dining/amuse.asp.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT MIAMI CIRCLE SITE: At the mouth of the Miami River, an instant city of high-rise condos popped up around the 2,000-year-old Miami Circle in far less time than it took the state of Florida to devise a plan for public access to the ancient Native American site. Now, 11 years after taxpayers ponied up $27 million to save the archaeological relic from getting buried under a condo slab, earthmovers are finally at work transforming the 2.2-acre parcel into the city’s newest — and perhaps most resonant — waterfront park. That the first phase of the Miami Circle Park is close to completion is in large part due to an obscure state board — the Florida Inland Navigation District, known as FIND — that stepped in to help close a budget gap that threatened to again halt the long-delayed project. But by late November or early December, planners say, residents and visitors should gain unfettered access to the site via a new, palm-shaded riverwalk that connects to a year-old public baywalk behind the Icon Brickell condo complex next door. For an urban park, the roughly $1 million plan is simple and frugal: Aside from the riverwalk, it includes some landscaping, lighting and signage. A drop-off loop will provide auto access from Brickell Avenue. The ancient circle itself will for the foreseeable future remain buried for protection, its circumference delineated by paving stones. A new “ceremonial” circle will occupy the point where the river meets Biscayne Bay, a location archaeologists believe held special significance for the Tequesta tribe, Miami’s original developers.

Calendar of Events:

TO CONTACT US AT: 1-888-766-4264 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-888-766-4264      end_of_the_skype_highlighting,

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Invites Guests to Indulge in

A Fall For You Escape

NAPLES, Fla. – LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort – the only true luxury beachfront, boutique resort on the Gulf Coast of Florida – invites travelers to warm-up this fall and take advantage of rates starting as low as $329/night with the added-value Fall For You Package, including a resort credit, deluxe accommodations and complimentary resort fee and valet parking when booked now through

Dec. 30, 2010 and traveled Oct. 1-Dec. 30, 2010.

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>

Fall For You Package*

(Oct. 1-Dec. 30, 2010)

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·     <!–[endif]–>$50 Resort Credit for a One Night Stay 

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·     <!–[endif]–>$100 Resort Credit for a Two-Three Night Stay

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·    $200 Resort Credit for a Four-Night Stay or Longer

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·    <!–[endif]–>Deluxe Room Accommodations

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·    <!–[endif]–>Complimentary Valet Parking ($23 value)

<!–[if !supportLists]–>·    <!–[endif]–>Complimentary Resort Fee ($17 value)

LaPlaya offers travelers a refined respite on one of Travel Channel’s best beaches in the world, Vanderbilt Beach. Beach Butlers provide the ultimate luxury for guests relaxing in private cabanas along the cascading pools, from arranging a poolside cabana massage and parasailing excursion to creating personal favorite beverages and providing chilled towels. This Naples beach resort reflects the classic Florida charm through charming accommodations with lush bedding on the luxurious four-poster beds draped with delicate butterfly netting and crisp blue cabanas along a cascading falls pool.

SpaTerre takes spa goers on a sensory stimulating journey, offering Thai- and Indonesian-inspired treatments such as the signature Javanese Lulur Royal Treatment, originally reserved for royalty.  Intimate treatment rooms that lead to private patios with traditional outdoor Japanese Relaxation Tubs filled with aromatherapy infused waters and topped with fresh flower petals.

Much acclaimed fine dining restaurant, BALEEN, will reopen its doors this fall with enhanced style amidst the epicurean enclave. Toes-in-the-sand dining takes place as BALEEN offers three daily seatings with palate-pleasing options all consisting of a coastal twist on traditional favorites. Spilling out through grand doors to a terrace with tables overlooking the sweeping beach, and a fire pit beyond.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is the only true beachfront, boutique resort on the Gulf Coast rivaling the élan of South Beach. Capturing a spot on the coveted Condè Nast Traveler “Gold List” and the “Great Hotels” ranking of Travel + Leisure, the stylishly simple escape features a sweeping soft private white beach with Beach Butlers, crisp blue cabanas along a cascading falls pool, David Leadbetter Golf Academy with a private 18-hole Bob Cupp golf course, exotic SpaTerre and stunning sunsets.

For more information on LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, call  (800) 237-6883 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) 237-6883      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.laplayaresort.com

* Credit applicable toward incidentals only and may not be applied toward package rate.  Credit is a one time, non-recurring credit.  Unused credit will not be refunded.  Credit may not be combined with other packages, discounts or offers.  Promotional code: FALL. 

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Get your copy of Norfolk’s Official Map & Local Food Guide Cherry tomatoes that are so sweet, you can just pop them in your mouth as a snack. Texas Long-horn cattle from YURanch. Ad featured in September edition of LCBO Food & Drink publication.  Visit www.norfolkfarms.com to enter to win a fall package to Norfolk County. Enjoy local Norfolk County foods at The Blue Elephant with owner Heather Pond-Manorome. Virtual Food Festival September 2010 Norfolk County is proud to be Canada’s most diverse agricultural areas and one of Ontario’s largest growing regions of many of your favorite foods.  Norfolk County has such an abundance of locally-grown and produced foods - you’ll be amazed at the selection. How can you find the farms?  Call or email us for a copy of the Norfolk County Map & Local Food Guide.   www.norfolkfarms.com WHAT’S IN SEASON:    September: apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, cantaloupe, bok choy, tomatoes (field), sweet corn, cucumber (field), snow peas, green/yellow beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, radishes, onions, green onions, celery, lettuce, spinach, peppers (field), squash/pumpkin, potatoes, leeks, zucchini, eggplant, swiss chard, basil, garlic, mushrooms October: apples, pears, plums, bok choy, sweet corn, tomatoes (field), cucumber (field), green beans, cabbage,  cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, radishes, onions, green onions, celery, lettuce, spinach, peppers (field), squash/pumpkin, potatoes, leeks, sweet potatoes, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms ALWAYS IN SEASON: beef, pork, poultry, Lake Erie fish, home baking, preserves, honey, herbs, mushrooms, maple syrup, cheese, peanuts, popping corn, apple cider, wine Norfolk County foods - from A to Z. Article - as it appeared in The Silo As the promotions coordinator of Norfolk County tourism and local foods, I often get asked by city folks about our farmer’s markets.  This year, with the warmer weather and early summer, our crops seemed to just pop out of the ground and it “hit me” – our whole county is one big farmer’s market.  What can be better than stopping by a road-side stand to buy a dozen cobs of freshly –picked corn to eat only an hour later?  Or to take your kids to the local cherry farm, climb a ladder and pick your own cherries right off the tree?  Norfolk County is Canada’s most diverse agriculture area and is home to Canada’s and Ontario’s largest growers of some of your favorite foods.   Sweet potatoes, popping corn, peanuts, asparagus, apples, pumpkins and strawberries are only a selection.  But our local foods also include Lake Erie perch, cheese, honey, Texas Longhorn cattle, a variety of meat products, maple syrup – even wine.  People talk a lot about the “100-mile Diet” in other regions and large cities but can they truly get the variety and year-round selection that is found right here?  Norfolk County promotes its local foods with a campaign “Direct From Norfolk – Know Where your Food Comes From” and it is important for all of us to look for these labels and support the local growers and producers.   You can find over 50 farm gates, pick-your-own, markets, retail stores and restaurants , all growing and supporting the “local movement” , in the official map and local food guide published each year by the tourism and economic development department.   Local foods can be a lot of fun and a great learning experience.  With the popularity of television food channels and celebrity chefs, cooking and local foods have become “cool”.   New terms like “agri-tourism” and “culinary tourism” have emerged as reasons to travel.   If you think about a trip to Italy, what would be your one thing to try?  Pizza? Wine?    Travellers seek out these unique agri-tourism experiences and local food establishments.  If they can “walk the crop” at a nearby strawberry field and learn about the many varieties and differences of strawberries, then purchase their own basket to snack on – they’ve had a great Norfolk County food experience.  If they can horseback ride through a shitake mushroom  farm, then enjoy a western-style barbecue on a picnic table in the woods, served with their own hand-picked mushrooms – they’ve had a great Norfolk County food experience.  The popular coined phrase “field to fork” becomes reality. It’s an exciting time with local foods as we think more about health benefits, great-taste and helping the environment.  Norfolk County continues to attract new types of crops, such as the Goji Berry and ginseng and to appeal to more businesses joining the “culinary” trend.  You can visit www.norfolkfarms.com to find local foods, recipes and stay current with events and food festivals.  Whether you’re a resident of Norfolk County or just visiting, enjoy our county-wide farmer’s market.  Great flavours, great fun and experiences you’ll never forget.    Cindy Vanderstar Promotions Coordinator - Norfolk County Tourism          It’s Still Barbecuing Season! It’s been a hot summer - as the season winds down and the weather gets a bit more comfortable, it’s the perfect time for barbecuing.  Give this one a try… Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Cantaloupe Courtesy of The Canadian Living Test Kitchen http://www.canadianliving.com  1 pork tenderloin 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. salt 2tbsp. hot pepper jelly 2 tsp. orange juice 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard 1/2 cantaloupe Trim any fat and membranes from pork tenderloin; tuck thin end under and secure with wooden skewer.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place pork on greased grill over medium heat; close lid and grill for 15 minutes, turning to brown all over. Meanwhile, is a small bowl, stir together hot pepper jelly, orange juice and mustard; brush over pork.  Grill, covered, until glazed and just a hint of pink remains inside, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, seed cantaloupe; cut into 1/2″ thick half moons.  Add to grill and grill, turning once, until well marked, about 5 minutes.  This makes 4 serving.    Back-to-School Tasty lunch and snack ideas to send your kids back-to-school while eating healthy AND local… Jensen cheese and crackers apples, peaches, pears cherry tomatoes, beans, carrots with caesar dip peanut hummus with crackers sweet potato chips add Stonkus honey to a Kernal peanut butter sandwich a mini deli platter using local meats, keilbassa and cheese a thermos full of homemade soup using local vegetables dill pickles you have canned yourself make your own salsa (see recipe below)- send with tortilla chips Join us for a local food event… Watch for more details about the upcoming FlavourFest event at the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show.- October 5-11.  Visit many of our local farmers under one roof and watch cooking demonstrations featuring The Food Network celebrity chefs and our very own Norfolk County chefs.  You can get your copy of the latest edition of the FlavourFest Recipe Book with a minimum purchase* of local foods. *call for details From Our Field to Your Fork Chunky Tomato Salsa -courtesy of www.norfolkfarms.com 4 Ontario tomatoes 1/2 Ontario cucumbers, chopped 2 Ontario green onions, chopped 1 Ontario green or red pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 drops hot pepper sauce 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley In medium bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and garlic.  Whisk together oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce.  Pour over vegetable mixture and combine gently.  At serving time, add parsley.  Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Longhorn Pepper Stew -courtesy of YURanch   2 lbs. Longhorn stew or Longhorn sirloin steak cut into bite-sized pieces 1 tbsp. salt 1 tbsp. Vegeta 1 tbsp. Hungarian hot paprika 1 medium onion chopped 1 tbsp. Pristine Gourmet canola oil 2 tomatoes, skin removed then diced 2-3 red and green peppers, quartered 450ml beef broth Cook onions in oil until clear.  Add meat and brown.  Add seasonings, stir in tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Add beed broth, bring to a boil again, then simer for 4-5 hours stirring frequently, adding more broth if necessary.  Add peppers then simmer another 30 minutes.  Serve over mashed potatoes. For more information on Norfolk Farms, recipes and restaurants serving local foods, visit www.norfolkfarms.com.  For information on visiting Norfolk County - www.norfolktourism.ca

Norfolk County Tourism & Economic Development 30 Peel Street | Simcoe ON N3Y 1R9 | Canada | (800) 699-9038 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) 699-9038      end_of_the_skype_highlighting www.norfolktourism.ca | www.norfolkfarms.com | www.norfolkbusiness.ca

]]> http://kimagic.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=291 http://kimagic.com/wordpress/?p=290 http://kimagic.com/wordpress/?p=290#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:22:03 +0000 ABUTTCLUTTGIZ http://kimagic.com/wordpress/?p=290 Follow Us on Twitter    |    Become a Fan on Facebook

Visit Montserrat with an amazing Volcano Dive Package Discover one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean - diving the pristine waters off the coast of Montserrat. Scuba Montserrat is offering a special Volcano Dive Adventure Package which includes: 7-nights tucked away in the beautiful lush grounds of the Royal Palm Club or historic Olveston House, with a welcome volcano rum punch, daily continental breakfast & all taxes included. 3-days of exciting 2-Tank boat diving with the fantastic laid back people at Scuba Montserrat, fresh water & refreshments included. A two and a half hour boat trip to a modern-day Pompeii - Plymouth, the former capital city of Montserrat which is now buried in mudflows and ash. A three hour self-guided snorkeling and kayaking trip to the secluded Rendezvous Bay made by the extinct Silver Hills Volcano. Island Tour to the island’s main attractions including the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Airport pick up and drop-off. Rates start at $1096. Tailor made packages can done on request for shorter or longer periods. TO BOOK CALL (664) 496 7807 OR VISIT www.scubamontserrat.com

Contact: Kathryn Burnside, CTTC
916-319-5421 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              916-319-5421      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Jennifer Sweeney, CTTC
916-233-0255 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              916-233-0255      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Naureen Kazi, Publicist
212-725-0707 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              212-725-0707      end_of_the_skype_highlighting x162

For Immediate Release

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW THIS FALL IN CALIFORNIA
New flights, week-long package deals and signature events

     SACRAMENTO, CA, August 31, 2010 - With more direct flights into California, it’s never been easier for Canadians to escape to the Golden State. The good news comes just in time for a variety of fall events about to get underway.

“California welcomes more visitors from Canada than from nearly any other country in the world,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). “With new non-stop service and the diversity of experiences the state has to offer, California is a perfect fall destination for our northern neighbors.”

Air Canada and Virgin America are launching new non-stop service between Toronto and the Golden State. Air Canada now offers non-stop service between Toronto and San Diego as well as Orange County, joining its non-stop service to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Virgin America also recently launched new daily service connecting Toronto, the Canadian film epicenter, to its U.S. counterpart, Los Angeles. WestJet continues to offer easy connections from Eastern Canada to California via Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver. Starting February 2, 2011, WestJet will offer new non-stop seasonal service between Toronto and Palm Springs.

Fall Travel Deals

Air Canada Vacations:

Five nights in San Francisco from CA$999 ex Toronto/ CA$1,029 ex Montreal
Experience San Francisco! Over five days, become immersed in this city’s beauty, bountiful culinary options and world-class culture. Visit the de Young Museum, featuring two consecutive special exhibitions, “Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay and Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne” and “Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay,” or head over the Bay Bridge to Berkeley and explore the new Oakland Museum of California.

Package includes:

• Round-trip flights Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• Five nights’ accommodation at four-star Hilton San Francisco

• Valid travel dates: September 23 through October 5 and October 19 through November 15, 2010

For more information on the Toronto package, call 1-866-529-2079 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-866-529-2079      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit:
http://bit.ly/AirCanadaVacations-YYZtoSFO

For more information on the Montreal package, call 1-866-529-2079 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-866-529-2079      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit:
http://bit.ly/AirCanadaVacations-YULtoSFO

Prices are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise stated, from Toronto International Airport or Montreal International Airport. Taxes and Fees not included. Vacations to the USA include return flight and hotel as described. New bookings only. Subject to availability. Not applicable to group bookings. Sale prices reflect applicable reductions, are subject to change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada. Together with its regional partner Jazz, Air Canada serves over 32 million customers annually and provides direct passenger service to over 170 destinations on five continents. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance^TM, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. For more information, visit: www.aircanada.com
WestJet Vacations:

Get five nights for the price of four in Anaheim from CA$819 ex Toronto
Stay at the four-star Hilton Anaheim and spend five nights in the famed O.C. For kids and kids at heart, visit Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Head out to the region’s famous beaches - learn to surf at Huntington Beach or mix with the stars at Laguna Beach. Or, search for the elusive “real housewives of Orange County” in the region’s leading shopping precincts at Newport Beach boutiques or Fashion Island.

Package includes:

• Round-trip flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Los Angeles (LAX)
• Five nights for the price of four at the four-star Hilton Anaheim
• Valid September 7 through October 24, 2010

Get four nights for the price of three in Palm Springs from CA$1049 ex Toronto
Escape to sunny Palm Springs for a desert getaway. Play the region’s world-class golf courses, enjoy some spa therapy or just relax by the pool. The Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa provides the perfect base for a Palm Springs escape. Over this 45-acre oasis in the desert, swim in one of the resort’s seven pools, tee off on the championship golf course or improve your serve with the staff tennis pro.

Package includes:

• Round-trip flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Palm Springs International (PSP)
• Four nights for the price of three at the four-star Hyatt Grand Champions
• 2010 Departure dates: September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24

Note that WestJet Vacations packages quoted must be booked by September 15, 2010 (11:59 p.m. MT). Flights from Toronto to Los Angeles require a connection in Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver. Until WestJet’s non-stop seasonal service from Toronto to Palm Springs begins, flights offered will connect via Calgary. Other departure cities and dates available, but prices may be higher. Price is per guest, based on double occupancy. Fares on other days may be higher. Taxes and fees not included. Advance booking required. Offer limited and subject to availability. New bookings only. Visit www.westjetvacations.com for details.

For more information on the above packages, contact your preferred travel agent, call 1-877-737-7001 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-877-737-7001      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.westjetvacations.com/ 

About WestJet Vacations
WestJet Vacations provides guests with affordable, reliable and easy-to-book travel experiences to destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Leveraging WestJet’s fun and friendly image, extensive network and world-class guest experience, WestJet Vacations offers guests a personalized, once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience. For more information, visit www.westjetvacations.com.

What’s New

For a complete list of what’s new and news in California, visit the California Travel and Tourism Commission’s official media page: http://tourism.visitcalifornia.com/industry/pressroom.

A selection of what’s new in California includes:

In the Shasta Cascade Region, Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding sports a brand new water feature, thanks to months of hard work from Turtle Bay’s exhibits team and generous donor support. Visitors can also join the many GPS and geocaching enthusiasts celebrating the opening of the new GPS Adventure exhibition. Earlier this year, the Chico area welcomed the Gateway Science Museum, located in a chic modern building, which is surrounded by a unique landscape. Visitors will find five separate eco-regions, including a paleo flora area, riparian zone, buffer zone, delta and northern lower mountain region.

In the North Coast Region, there’s wine tasting in unusual places - including Safari West in Santa Rosa. The new Wines over Watusi program launches in October to coincide with the grape harvest in Sonoma and Napa Valley. This unique offer includes a private safari for 10 people with one of Safari West’s knowledgeable guides, touring their 400-acre Sonoma County preserve, with the addition of a private wine tasting somewhere along the trail. Famed vintner Mike Draxton, who has produced wines for a number of labels including El Roy, Heliodoro and Henry Bronson, is opening a tasting room in Geyserville’s Alexander Valley. All of his wines are made from estate-grown or purchased grapes from the Alexander Valley.

In the San Francisco Bay Area Region, travelers coming to Oakland for business or pleasure now have even more options for downtown accommodations. The newly-opened Clarion Hotel Oakland, located at13th Street and Franklin, offers easy access to BART, the Fox Oakland and Paramount Theatres, the Oakland Museum of California, Old Oakland Chinatown and the many fine restaurants in the area. Two consecutive special exhibitions, “Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’OrsayVan Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne” and “Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay” are at the de Young Museum in San Francisco through January 2011.

Delta Discovery Cruises, a family-owned business, has expanded its operations to include the City of Stockton in the Central Valley Region. Their newly acquired vessel, Island Girl, is a luxurious 149-passenger motor yacht based out of the Stockton Waterfront Marina. Hyatt Place UC Davis recently opened, conveniently situated on the beautiful University of California, Davis college campus.

In the Gold Country Region, Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” short story catapulted Twain and Calaveras County into fame. Today, Mark Twain is celebrated in Angels Camp, where there are numerous sculptures, statues and events honoring the author. The most recent tribute to Twain is a new permanent exhibit at the Angels Camp Museum.

It’s pure luxury in the High Sierra Region, as the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park recently opened the 10,000-square-foot Ascent Spa, as well as 15,000-square-foot enhanced comprehensive conference facility. The new spa increases the AAA four-diamond resort’s wellness offerings with new treatment rooms, dry saunas, steam rooms and health classes for guests to enjoy. After much anticipation, the Truckee Railroad Museum opened its doors May 8, on National Train Day. Situated right next to the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks and the downtown train depot, the museum is housed in a caboose and features displays of models, historic photographs and artifacts representing the area’s rich railroad heritage.

In the Central Coast Region, Santa Barbara Adventure Company paired two favorite treats to create a new, mouthwatering adventure: the Tasty Cupcake & Wine Tour. Guests tour the Santa Ynez Valley tasting wine and learning the difference between a pinot blanc and a pinot gris, as on a typical wine tour. But the icing on the cake is a stop at Enjoy Cupcakes in Solvang, where guests sample six miniature wine-infused cupcakes with incredible flavors, such as Pomegranate Mango Chardonnay and Chocolate Blackberry Syrah. Situated on Moonstone Beach in Cambria, the Blue Dolphin Inn offers 20 newly designed guestrooms, including six specialty hotel rooms inspired by locales from all over the world that are home to dolphins, the results of an extensive $1.2 million renovation.

The Los Angeles County Region is packed with new developments, including Santa Monica Place, where SoHo meets South Beach, featuring Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Kitson. These famous retailers and others highlight the brand new Santa Monica Place Mall, which opened August 6, an outdoor shopping haven with a beachside setting and ocean breezes, unique meetings and event space, stellar ocean-view dining on a rooftop deck, and more. King Kong 360 3D, a new attraction based on the Oscar®-winning 2005 Peter Jackson film, is Universal Studios Hollywood’s new signature attraction. Riders on the Studio Tour tram are transported, via a darkened soundstage, back to King Kong’s home - Skull Island. The action, which takes place before King Kong ever makes his way to the modern world, culminates in a ferocious battle between the world’s most famous ape and a 35-foot dinosaur.

In the Orange County Region, the Discovery Science Center’s newest permanent exhibit, “Rocket Lab,” launched in July in Santa Ana. Located inside the museum’s famous cube, this Lab highlights the history and science behind rocket travel. Experience a rocket launch by surrounding yourself by video screens, blasts of fog and state-of-the-art sound effects. “World of Color” debuted earlier this summer as the first major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim. “World of Color” brings Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen by combining hundreds of magnificent fountains, dazzling colors and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects.

Two new boutique hotels have opened in Palm Springs in the Deserts Region. The Pool House is a mid-century boutique hotel that opened in May. The intimate six-room property is embraced with stunning mountain views, and rooms that open onto the pool deck with plush cabanas. Its onsite restaurant, The Blue Pear, features a full-service menu. Another recently-opened boutique hotel is POSH Palm Springs. The 1930s Art Deco architectural gem is an 11-room property that offers all-inclusive complimentary three-course gourmet breakfast, light poolside lunches and evening happy hours with appetizer.

In the Inland Empire Region, Lorimar Winery has announced the grand opening of its tasting room in Old Town Temecula next to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater. It offers a relaxing atmosphere with premium wines and a friendly, well-trained staff. While a Tuscan-style winery is being built a few miles away in Temecula Valley wine country, the tasting room is open and bursting with activity in a charming brick building located in the center of Old Town Temecula at Front & Main Street.

In the San Diego County Region, the three-year, multimillion-dollar restoration of Old Town San Diego’s Cosmopolitan Hotel has been completed; the “crown jewel of the State Park system” is now open. The Cosmo enjoys a prime location in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, surrounded by museums, historic landmarks and quaint shops, overlooking a grassy plaza. The Cosmopolitan includes an indoor and outdoor restaurant by the same name, boutique hotel with 10 rooms on the second level, along with private dining rooms for special occasions. Paradise Point Resort & Spa along Mission Bay is also open, with a fresh new look to its 462 bungalow-style guestrooms and expansive bay front meeting facilities following a $20-million renovation. Featuring an exotic South Pacific motif, guestrooms were transformed into airy and sophisticated retreats with sleek hardwoods, handcrafted Batik-style bed throws, expansive windows, and contemporary artworks and furnishings.

Sampling of Signature Events September through October 2010

The Taste of Beverly Hills, presented by Food & Wine magazine, September 2-5, 2010, will showcase top chefs and restaurateurs from throughout the area, including “Top Chef” season six winner Michael Voltaggio. http://thetasteofbeverlyhills.com

Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week puts the spotlight on High Sierra fine dining, giving local food aficionados and visitors an opportunity to enjoy three-course, prix fixe menus at participating restaurants for $20, $30 and $40 per person during September 5-12. www.tahoerestaurantweek.com

In Dana Point, the Italian Opera Festival, September 10-19, offers 10 days of opera productions and concerts under the stars at Lantern Bay Park.
www.iaof.org/Italian-Opera-Festival.html 

Don’t miss Sunset magazine’s Savor the Central Coast Weekend from September 30 to October 3 in San Luis Obispo, when Food Network chef Tyler Florence will charm his way into the hearts of foodies as the official celebrity chef of the event, providing cooking demonstrations and hosting book signings. www.savorcentralcoast.com

Fort Bragg hosts the scrumptious Abalone Cook-Off & Festival October 2 with wine tasting, clam chowder and live music. www.mendoparks.org/abalone 

The inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival (AIFF) will debut October 13-17, marking the addition of a world-class cultural event to Orange County and showcasing the latest independent feature and student films. www.anaheimfilm.org 

Visit www.visitcalifornia.com/events to search California’s diverse range of events from art and film to outdoors, performances, sports, and wine and dine celebrations.

About CTTC
The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state’s travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $87.7 billion annually in California, support jobs for 881,000 Californians and generate $5.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide and California Road Trips 2010, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

ST. KITTS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF HURRICANE EARL

** Island Sees Minimal Effect from Storm and is Welcoming Guests **

Basseterre, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts Tourism Authority is pleased to report that St. Kitts is welcoming guests as normal, having sustained only minimal damage during the passage of Hurricane Earl well to the north of the island on Monday morning, August 30.

As St. Kitts was not directly hit by the storm, vacationing on the island was only temporarily impacted while the storm itself was passing.  Visitors are now all reported to be safe and returning to normal vacation experience activities.  Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and the island’s Port Zante cruise pier were reopened early Tuesday morning and are conducting business as usual.  Some power lines were down during the storm, but power has since been restored to all areas of the island.  The storm brought the usual downed trees and road side debris, all of which is being cleared.  Beaches remain in good condition.  There has been no significant damage to hotels and all remain open for business.  One of St. Kitts’ leading restaurants, Marshall’s, experienced both wind and water damage and is expected to be closed for repairs temporarily. The owner told the Tourism Authority that he will take the opportunity to make significant improvements to the venue for the winter season.  

“We are fortunate that Hurricane Earl passed us so far to the north, as this was potentially a very dangerous storm,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport.  “Following a thorough, island-wide assessment, I am pleased to report that all visitors are safe, the island’s tourism product remains well intact, and clean-up efforts are nearly complete in affected areas.  We are back to business as usual on island.”  

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history.  The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches.  Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts. 

For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-582-6208      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or from Canada 1-888-395-4887 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-888-395-4887      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube. 

Bonjour, Summer has been gorgeous throughout Canada and we hope you enjoyed it. Always looking for ideas and news to share with you, we suggest extending this vacation mood by planning now your escapade to the sunny regions of France. In this e-news, we highlight Overseas France: the Reunion island, recently listed as a Unesco world heritage site, Martinique, famous for its dazzling nature as well as its rich culture, Guadeloupe, where exotic flavours appeal to gourmets and Tahiti’s beautiful underwaters, a wonder for divers and other water-sport fans alike. September is grape harvest season, a key moment in all the wine-producing French regions. Many have contacted us to know how to participate, so here are a few châteaux where you can give a hand! Very soon, you will also be able to follow the winners of the Discover France by its wines contest, on franceguide.com.  François, Charlotte, Rico and Rose will share with you their impressions, tastings and encounters with the winegrowers. Need some help for your next travel to France?  You can contact a French certified agent, our destination specialists! Caroline Putnoki Directorr for Canada On the agenda   Reunion Island and the city of Albi recently became Unesco world heritage sites The World Heritage Committee held their 34th session in Brasilia from July 25th to August 3rd. The two sites proposed by France were accepted by the committee. The pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island, as well as the episcopal city of Albi are now part of the prestigious list. France now totals 35 World Heritage sites.   2010 grape picking: take part and visit the vineyards Pick grapes or watch others as they work…

La France des gourmets
	Authentic taste of Guadeloupe Besides sunny beaches, lush vegetation, good rums and beguine, the islands of Guadeloupe will win you over with their multitude of flavours! A Caribbean feast showcases abundant and tasty vegetables and fruits, inimitable sugarcane, honey, not to forget some authentic cultures recently going through a boom…

 

Wine domains and oenological classes on the French Riviera

These wines, among the best vintage wines of Provence, are worth discovering, notably the wine of Bellet, a small vineyard with a great reputation, producing aromatic whites and rich red wines.

 

Corsican local products and specialties

Rich in heritage, Corsica is equally rich in living traditions, in which gastronomy plays a central role.

Our favorites
	Martinique, island of flowers and…museums! Martinique, it is more than 6000 years of history, to be discovered through all its heritage. You will be staggered by all the Martinique treasures.

 

Explore Tahiti’s Waters

The warm, crystalline waters of Tahiti and its surrounding islands have for years beckoned to those who love the life aquatic. French Polynesia’s many oceanic drop-offs and lagoons offer a spectacular array of coral gardens, rare and vividly colored sea creatures, and water temperatures that hover between 79Ëš and 84ËšF all year. There are more ways to experience these warm tropical waters than you may think…

 

Information about eco-tourism in Outre-mer: gîtes holiday cottages and guestrooms

The France of the three oceans offers superb “nature” destinations, thanks to its preserved landscapes, but also because of its beautiful addresses located very close to their environment.

Book now
	Tips from the certified “Agent of the Month” of August 2010 Each month, ATOUT FRANCE, France Tourism Development Agency, features one of our France certified destination specialists to allow you to get to know them better. This month, Marjorie Chartier from Corail bleu Voyages tells you about French West indies and the languedoc-Roussillon region!

 

Agents specialised in France

To organise your trip, choose one of our certified agents. They have received a complete training on all the practical and cultural aspects of France.

ATOUT FRANCE for Canada 1800 av. McGill College, Montréal, QC, H3A 3J6 | 1 (866) 313-7262 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1 (866) 313-7262      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

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