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Celebrate St Patrick’s Week March 13-20
 Fondly known as “The Other Emerald Isle”, Montserrat is the only place
in the world, besides Ireland, that recognises St. Patrick’s Day as a
national holiday. In fact, the island has a week of celebrations, which
this year will run  from March 13th - 20th, 2010. This event
commemorates a slave uprising that took place on the then predominantly
Irish island on St. Patrick’s Day in 1768. Declared a national holiday
in 1985, the bulk of the festivities during that time took place in the
village of St. Patrick’s in the southern part of the island.  Volcanic
activity which commenced in  1995 made this area uninhabitable and
celebrations are now held in the north of the island. On St Patrick’s
Day itself, Festival Village in Little Bay will undergo a transformation
which will include individually decorated slave huts and a heritage
feast where indigenous foods, such as goat water, stewed yard fowl, and
bush tea, can be sampled. Other activities include the dancing of the
masqueraders (masked mummers dressed in colorful costumes), a heritage
jamboree, locals dancing in the street dressed in their national attire.
During the weeklong celebration there is also a national exhibit with
local art and crafts, a junior calypso competition, a freedom walk and
run, a freedom hike and an annual church service. In addition to selling
Guinness, local bars celebrate in a more mainstream way by decorating
bars in green and shamrocks.   for further information on the activities
for St Patrick’s Week go to www.visitmontserrat.com
<http://www.visitmontserrat.com>

Head to Montserrat for the Volcano Show
 With the increased activity by the Soufriere Hills Volcano, now is the
time for thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts to travel to the
destination to get a first-hand look at this geological phenomenon.
Leisure travelers have the opportunity to safely view the volcano from
several vantage points including the Montserrat Volcano Observatory
(MVO) and Jack Boy Hill. “We would like the traveling public to know
that Montserrat remains open for visitors and is still a safe
destination,” comments Montserrat Tourist Board’s director of tourism,
Ernestine Cassell. “In fact we are encouraging travelers to visit
Montserrat and marvel at the activity taking place at the Soufriere
Hills Volcano.”  The volcanic activity is closely monitored by the
experts at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and visitors to the
island can now see the glowing dome at nights from safe vantage points
in the north of the island. Current information on volcanic activity,
including images and videos, can be found at the MVOs wbsite at
www.mvo.ms <http://www.mvo.ms/>

Montserrat’s Top Entertainers to Sing for Haiti
 More than 20 of Montserrat’s musical maestros are coming together to
raise funds for Haiti. On Saturday 30th January, the Montserrat Cultural
Centre will be the venue for the family day and evening of entertainment
from 3pm until midnight, with the funds raised going to aid the victims
of the January 19th  devastating earthquake in the Caribbean nation of
Haiti. “The Cultural Centre was actually built from the generosity of
musicians and other benefactors and it is great that it can now be used
to help others,” said Peter Filleul of the organising committee.
Montserrat’s own soca king Arrow, whose Hot Hot Hot, Groove Master and
many other hits have attained international acclaim, will perform at the
concert along with Kulcha Don, Hero, calypsonians, soca artists from
Festival 2009, and several local bands. The afternoon will begin with
games and activities for children, food stalls and live entertainment. A
grand raffle with prizes including flights to Antigua, boat trips to
Plymouth, and dinners at the island’s finest restaurants will be held. A
recent Radiothon for Haiti raised over EC$51,000 and this event is  a
continuation of the effort to assist Montserrat’s Caribbean neighbour.
“Montserrat knows what it is like to go through and recover from a
tragedy but that has never stopped us and will not stop us from lending
a hand to our brothers and sisters in need,” said Chief Minister and
Minister of Tourism Reuben T. Meade.

SN Travel Charity Support for Meals on Wheels Montserrat
 UK Travel Agency Stoke Newington Travel is supporting the Montserrat
charity Meals on Wheels, through it sales in January 2010.    For every
booking made in January they will donate a sum to the Meals on Wheels,
which provide a meal deliverly service to the poor and indigent on
Montserrat.  SN Travel  was created to support local persons,  so they
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“urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />could have access to
affordable travel experiences around the Caribbean and worldwide. The
agnecy is dedicated to the needs of the community and has been committed
to sponsoring local causes and events around the world. For further
information on SN Travel go to www.sntravel.co.uk
<http://www.sntravel.co.uk> 

Caribbean Map <http://www.visitmontserrat.com/index.php?categoryid=30>        
Remember to Follow us On Twitter & Facebook
You can follow all the happenings on Montserrat on Facebook by becoming
a fan at www.facebook.com/islandofmontserrat
<http://www.facebook.com/islandofmontserrat>  or on Twitter  by going to
http://twitter.com/VolcanoIsland <http://twitter.com/VolcanoIsland>   

Photo credits: David McGillivray, Ishwar Persad, Dagan Smith

aeroplane <http://www.visitmontserrat.com/index.php?categoryid=15>

Guest House <http://www.visitmontserrat.com/index.php?categoryid=12>

snorkler <http://www.visitmontserrat.com/index.php?categoryid=18>

masqueraders <http://www.visitmontserrat.com/index.php?categoryid=27>

Calendar of Events

March
St. Patrick’s Week of Celebrations
March 13th - 20th
 
St. Patrick’s Day -Holiday:
March 17th
 
April
Good Friday - Holiday
April 2nd

St Georges School Reunion
April 3rd -10th

Easter Monday - Holiday
April 5th
 
CTUs Information & Communications Technologies (ICT)Road Show
April 21-23
 

May
Labor Day
May 3rd

Local Fishing Tournament
May 3rd

Nurses Week
May 9th - 19th

Outer Banks CVB Launches Social Media Squad

Visitors Bureau Searches Online Fanbase For Prolific Posters To Serve As Event Press

(Manteo, NC) January 27, 2010  The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is launching a new social media initiative to help promote the Outer Banks Restaurant Associations signature spring festival, OBX Taste of the Beach, March 11-14.  In an effort to tap into the power of ubiquitous social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where the organization has a considerable online following, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is providing free accommodations and event tickets to five regular people with the passion for posting, who would serve as a sort of social media press corps.  To be considered, join the Bureaus official facebook site, and share why youd be perfect to help tell the virtual world what OBX Taste of the Beach is all about.  Instructions are posted at www.facebook.com/theouterbanks.

The passion that our Facebook fans have for the destination just blows us away, explains Lee Nettles, Managing Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.  Who better to spread the word about Taste of the Beach and show whats going on during the this four day seafood and wine festival than actual visitors?  Were hoping to bring together a diverse group, what were calling the OBX Event Squad, to share first-hand experiences with their audiences and introduce the Outer Banks and our events to a lot of new folks.

The OBX Event Squad will likely be utilized at other major events on the Outer Banks of North Carolina this year, and would be made up of different people each time.  To see a complete list of culinary events available for the Taste of the Beach festival, including cooking classes, tapas crawls, wine tastings, and special menus at locally owned, original restaurants visit www.obxtasteofthebeach.com or for a list of other events happening on the Outer Banks, visit www.outerbanks.org.

AMRESORTS Unveils New Lifestyle Resort Brand:
Now Resorts & Spas to Offer Unlimited-Luxury® and
Enriching Experiences

About AMResorts

DIVE LOVERS FALL DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH A PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTIN ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Young Island Resort’s Seven-Night “Lover’s Package”

Now Includes 10 Dives; Travel through March 31, 2010

NEW YORK, NY, January 27, 2010:  Young Island Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines tempts curious couples to discover new depths together with a revamped seven-night “Lover’s Package.”  Rounding out the allure of ocean view accommodations, three meals per day, a foot massage per couple valued at US$70, the 35-acre private island resort adds in 10 dives with Dive St. Vincent, whose owner and PADI & NAUI certified instructor, Bill Tewes, is the very person who put St. Vincent on the “critter diving” map of the world, with rare finds like the island sea horse and algae crab.  The “Lover’s Package” with 10 dives is US$3,880 per couple, for travel through March 31, 2010.

Young Island Resort is located right off the southern coast of the main island of St. Vincent – an enjoyable three-minute water taxi ride away.  Pampering begins even before check-in, when guests are greeted on the dock with a glass of the resort’s signature rum punch.  When not lounging in their private, beachfront or hillside cottages with an ocean view, couples can enjoy downtime at the quaint swimming pool amidst lush grounds or on the pristine white sand beach. The floating “Coconut Bar,” in six feet of tranquil Caribbean Sea, is an idyllic spot to enjoy refreshing drinks. Watersports enthusiasts can snorkel in tranquil waters right off shore or embark on a sailing trip to neighboring Grenadine islands.  A perfect start to an evening is dinner under a thatched kiosk near the beach, where savory meals are accompanied by the resort’s signature six loaves of bread – white, coconut, banana, raisin, cinnamon, and whole wheat.  For more information or bookings, visit www.youngisland.com or call Ralph Locke Islands at 1 (800) 223-1108.Dive St. Vincent is the only dive shop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that specializes in critters.  Joining Bill Tewes at the dive shop is another PADI instructor and two NAUI certified dive masters who offer full certification courses for ages eight and up, advanced open water excursions for diving connoisseurs, and the introductory “learn to scuba dive” lesson for novices.  For more information or bookings, visit www.DiveStVincent.com or call 1 (784) 457-4928.

Divers are advised to allocate 24 hours between diving and flying.  For this “dry day,” St. Vincent boasts myriad activities.  The culturally curious will enjoy visiting the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western Hemisphere; admiring the blend of Moorish, Romanesque and Georgian architectural styles at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral; or joining local Vincentians at the Market Square, overflowing with fresh produce, fruit and meats.  Outdoor enthusiasts might quest for a rare glimpse of the Vincy parrot at Vermont Nature Trails; hike to the 40-foot Trinity Falls deep in the Vincentian jungle; or climb the imposing La Soufrière volcano.  The charming neighboring island of Bequia makes a perfect day trip.  Just a one-hour ferry ride from St. Vincent, this cultural enclave boasts three family-run model boat shops and the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where owner “Brother” Orton King nurtures endangered hawksbill turtles back to health.

Young Island Resort’s seven-night “Lover’s Package” with 10 dives is US$3,880 per couple for travel through March 31, 2010 and includes: Accommodations at an ocean view cottage; three meals per day; a foot massage per couple valued at US$70; non-motorized watersports; day or night tennis; basic laundry; and tax and service charge; and 10 dives with Dive St. Vincent, including all diving equipment.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a string of 32 islands and cays in the southern Caribbean, located 1,500 miles southeast of Miami.  For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, please visit www.discoversvg.com or call (212) 687-4981 from the U.S. and (416) 630-9292 from Canada.

Beat the winter blues and escape to sunny Grenada in 2010! 
 

January 20, 2010. (St. George’s, Grenada, WI) - Leave the cold behind this winter and head to Grenada, where an exciting line-up of events ensures that it will be a holiday to remember. Visitors will be met with a unique mix of cultural events, holidays, festivals and sports, leaving them counting down the days until they can plan their next trip! The following will take place in Grenada this winter and early spring:

40th Annual Spiceisle Billfish Tournament (January 25 - 31, 2010): This week long event takes place on an annual basis at the end of January and consists of three days of fishing and four days of fun filled activities. The tournament provides the opportunity to experience fishing in some of the Caribbean’s best game fishing waters and operates under a catch and release system. This year will be a big one for the Spiceisle Billfish Tournament as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. For more details on the tournament, visit www.sibtgrenada.com

The Grenada Sailing Festival (January 29 - February 2, 2010): Sailing enthusiasts from around the globe arrive in Grenada for this world famous event. The festival will begin with the Port Louis Racing Series, four days of sailing, based out of the Port Louis Marina on Grenada’s southern coast. International keelboats from the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe compete alongside those from Grenada and the Caribbean.

The fun continues the following weekend with the Digicel Independence Workboat Regatta (February 6 - 7, 2010): Based on Grand Anse Beach, the event is a part of Grenada’s Independence celebrations and includes competitive sailing, cultural song and dance, and traditional musical performances, etc. For more information on the Grenada Sailing Festival, visit www.grenadasailingfestival.com

36th Anniversary of Grenada’s Independence (February 7, 2010): This year marks Grenada’s 36th year of Independence from the British monarchy. Each year the holiday is celebrated with national ceremonies, parades, etc. As this is a public holiday all banks and the majority of shops are closed for the day. In Toronto the celebration will be marked with a flag raising ceremony on February 5th - 12 noon at City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square and a celebratory evening dinner and dance.

Carriacou Carnival (February 15 - 16, 2010): This lively celebration of Caribbean culture is traditionally held the weekend before the start of Christian Lent. Calypso competitions and a parade of brightly costumed masqueraders make this a very exciting weekend to visit Carriacou.

South Grenada Regatta (February 26 - 28, 2010): The South Grenada Regatta is a three-day event and is fun for the whole family. Junior races are held on Saturday and Sunday consists of events for all ages – the day is filled with a BBQ, beach party, and pirate trail, along with dinghy races! To learn more about the South Grenada Regatta, visit www.southgrenadaregatta.com

Grenada Classic Yacht Regatta (March 4 - 7, 2010): The race will be held over three days and takes place on Grenada’s south-eastern coast between St. David’s Harbour and Petite Calivigny. After racing parties provide the perfect opportunity to experience Grenada’s famous hospitality. International blues artist ‘Janus’ will be performing.

Eighth Annual Grenada Round-the-Island Race (March 12 - 14, 2010): Hosted by the Grenada South Coast Yacht Club, the annual race will be taking place on Grand Anse Beach. This family friendly event will also feature a lively youth sailing event, bathtub derby, beach games, along with local cuisine and live entertainment. For more information, visit www.aroundgrenada.com

Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival (April 22 - 25, 2010): Established in 2001, this three-day event is focused on preserving the island’s unique culture. This distinct festival allows visitors to witness the practice of a ‘maroon’ – during a ‘maroon’ gratitude is expressed for the last harvest, as prayers are offered for the next planting season. A string band competition is also a part of this memorable festival.

Awards
The Spice Island Beach Resort was recently awarded the prestigious Green Globe Certification for the significant steps that they have taken at going green. For instance, the environmentally friendly property uses solar rooftop water heaters for all hot water and purchases locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables. These are just a couple of the many methods that this organization has been using to help sustain the environment. Sir. Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG and Spice Island Beach Resort’s owner and chairman also received the globally recognized Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for ‘Outstanding Leadership In Environmental Conservation And Sustainable Tourism’.

About Grenada Board of Tourism The Grenada Board of Tourism (GBT) was formed in 1991 to market and promote Grenada as a preferred Caribbean tourist destination, while also providing technical and managerial support to industry partners. For more information on Grenada contact the Grenada Board of Tourism office in Toronto at 416-595-1339, e-mail at tourism@grenadaconsulate.com or visit www.grenadagrenadines.com

How to Get to Grenada Grenada can be reached via Air Canada Vacations that operates a seasonal direct flight from Toronto to Grenada (11 resorts, Sunday departure with easy connections from major Canadian gateways, and bookings for the 2009/10 season available at www.aircanadavacations.com ) from December 20, 2009 to April 2010. AC operates daily flights from Toronto to Barbados (Saturday & Sunday departure from Montreal) with connections on LIAT to Grenada and Caribbean Airlines operate regularly scheduled flights from Toronto to Barbados and Trinidad with connections on LIAT to Grenada. GG Tours and Titan Tours operate seasonal charter services (www.ggtours.ca and www.titantours.com ). West Jet operates a flight from Toronto to Barbados with connections on LIAT to Grenada from November onwards. American Airlines operates a non-stop flight three times per week from Miami to Grenada from November onwards.

                                                                            ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES WINS HEARTS WITH VALENTINE’S DAY PACKAGES

————————————-

Grenadine House and Bequia Beach Hotel Announce Limited-Time

Room Upgrades, Complimentary Meals & Couples Massage

            NEW YORK, NY, January 19, 2010 – Couples pierced by cupid’s arrow owe it to themselves to steal away to the virtually undiscovered islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines this Valentine’s Day.  Grenadine House – on the main island of St. Vincent – and its sister property Bequia Beach Hotel – on Bequia, the largest of the Grenadine Islands – have cooked up romance-themed weekend packages that
set the scene for canoodling.  Those looking to extend their getaway without stretching their wallets too thin can add more nights to these packages for savings of up to $120 per couple, per night.

Grenadine House’s two-night “Deluxe Romance” package welcomes guests with a complimentary bouquet of roses.  Couples can enjoy an upgrade to a Superior Garden or Bay View room with a private balcony or a terrace; daily continental breakfast overlooking the picturesque bay; and a romantic dinner for two at the historic Sapodilla Room, accompanied by a live Jazz performance.  “Deluxe Romance” is available for $349 per couple for travel from February 13 through February 15.  Each additional night is $140 per couple, per night – for up to seven days prior to or following Valentine’s Day weekend – while retaining the room upgrade.

Bequia Beach Hotel’s three-night “Valentine’s Day” package offers an upgrade to a Classic Sea View room; a rose petal turndown service on Valentine’s Day; two three-course dinners with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine; a rejuvenating couple’s massage at a secluded spot on the beach; airport and ferry transfers; and daily continental breakfast.  The “Valentine’s Day” package is available for $790 per couple for travel from February 12 through February 15.  Additional nights in the same room category can be booked for $180 per couple, per night.

Grenadine House was originally built in 1765 as the residence to the British Administrator of St. Vincent.  Fully renovated to meet today’s international standards while keeping its charming Victorian-style, the intimate boutique hotel features 20 guest rooms. Foodies can enjoy Creole and Western cuisines at the Sapodilla Room restaurant, with live Jazz on Friday nights.  For more information or bookings, visit www.grenadinehouse.com or call 1-784-458-1800.

St. Vincent is the gateway to the multi-island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  The picturesque capital city of Kingstown boasts the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere; St. George’s Anglican Cathedral built in the early 1800s; the vibrant Market Square, abundant with fresh produce, fruit and meats; and Fort Charlotte, some 600 ft. above Kingstown Bay.  Ecotourists and adventure buffs alike can climb the imposing La Soufrière volcano at 4,048 ft.; explore the recently revamped Falls of Baleine on the northern tip of the island; or visit the Vermont Nature Trails for a chance to spot the indigenous St. Vincent parrot in its rainforest habitat.

On an island of intimately scaled properties, Bequia Beach Hotel on Friendship Bay offers 11 classic rooms, each with a private covered terrace; 13 suites; and six villas – three with private plunge pools.  Twenty-nine additional rooms are slated for completion later this year, along with an a la carte spa and gym.  Dining options include the elegant Blue Tropic Café and the recently opened, beachfront Bagatelle Beach Bar and Restaurant.  For more information or bookings, visit www.bequiabeach.com or call 1-784-458-1600.

Just a one-hour ferry ride from St. Vincent, Bequia is a charming enclave that retains its age-old boat building and fishing traditions.  The quaint island is dotted with colorful homes draped in bougainvillea and shaded by almond trees.  Travelers arriving by ferry can explore the small town of Port Elizabeth, with its boutique lodging and waterfront restaurants serving West Indian fare.  Nearby are the island’s iconic family-run model boat shops – Sargeant Brothers Model Boat Shop and Mauvin’s Model Boat Shop.  South of the bay, locals stage model boat races every Sunday, culminating in Friendship Bay.  Travelers can also visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary and capture panoramic views of the town from the 18th century Fort Hamilton.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a string of 32 islands and cays in the southern Caribbean, located 1,500 miles southeast of Miami.  For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, please visit www.discoversvg.com or call (212) 687-4981.

* Note to Editors: High-resolution photos are available upon request.

The Largest Cross-country Ski Event in Gatineau!From february 19 to 21, the Outaouais Region welcomes the Gatineau Loppet! It’s the largest cross-country ski event in Canada which welcomes more than 2 500 skiers from all around the world. Held in Gatineau Park, the 32th edition will feature activities for all, from beginners to experts.   www.gatineauloppet.com. 

Tubes and Candies: What a Good Recipe!Tubes & Jujubes is the largest and most entertaining family amusement centre of the National Capital Region. On March 1^st, the company celebrates its second anniversary. Lots of activities will be offered for this special occasion: make-up, animation, birthday cake, gift and more surprises for kids! During March break, day camp are also offered. www.tubesjujubes.com. 

An Affordable Inn!Located in the heart of Saint-André-Avellin, the Auberge de Jeunesse Petite-Nation showcases 13 private guestrooms, 16 bunk beds dormitory style and ‘’Le P’tit Café de l’Auberge’’. It is the only youth hostel in the Papineau area, its aim is to promote sustainable tourism development, by proposing lodging with local activities in partnership with various ecotourism, agricultural, social and cultural organizations of the region. An affordable getaway, a good suggestion these days! www.aubergepetitenation.org.   

Brantford, ON? Comedian André-Philippe Gagnon will be performing in
Brantford, ON at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on Wednesday
June 2, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

André-Philippe Gagnon was just a young hopeful when he did his very first
impressions… five years young! From Mick Jagger to Bob Dylan, The Bee
Gees to Frank Sinatra-almost better than the original! One of the biggest
breaks came in 1985 when he appeared at the world-renowned comedy festival
Just For Laughs in Montreal.

After that show, he was invited to appear on the Tonight Show with Johnny
Carson, where he performed a” signature” song, his version of the
famine-relief anthem “We Are The World”, doing every singer on the
song-eighteen famous voices in one composition.

The world discovered him, and he discovered the world performing in Los
Angeles, Paris, Switzerland and beyond.

André-Philippe Gagnon established his career in both English and French,
becoming recognized as a star in Canada and around the world. He toured
Europe receiving standing ovations wherever he went, and he continues to
share his talents with audiences in his adopted home Las Vegas.?

Tickets to see André-Philippe Gagnon are available by visiting the
Sanderson Centre box office located at 88 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.
Tickets can be ordered with a major credit card by calling               (519) 758-8090       
or               1-800-265-0710        www.sandersoncentre.ca
- 30 -
For further information on this release contact Liz Oden               (519) 752-9910        x
202 or loden@brantford.ca
 
Liz Oden  Communications & Public Relations
88 Dalhousie Street, P.O. Box 1762,  Brantford N3T 5V7
http://www.sandersoncentre.ca   http://www.facebook.com/sanderson.centre
2009 Tourism Award Winners - Promotion & Marketing over 30,000
              519.752.9910        ext. 202 /               1.800.265.0710        /               519.752.1866        fax
Take our programming survey at:    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D537ZQX

Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway ( <http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway>
www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway)  officially opened  today and launched
the 40th season of organized ice skating on the world’s largest naturally
frozen skating rink.   

A 4.3 km section of the 7.8 km Rideau Canal Skateway opened at 8:00 am this
morning — from the National Arts Centre to Bank Street.  The National
Capital Commission ensures  that the ice is at least a foot thick before
it’s deemed safe to open to the public.   

Skating on the Canal is one of the favourite things to do in Ottawa for
visitors and residents alike - in fact, many residents skate to work or to
school once the Canal is open. All along the Canal are services to make the
skating experience more enjoyable - picnic tables, coffee, hot chocolate and
of course BeaverTail kiosks. Bring your own skates or rent some at three
locations along the Skateway.

The Canal will host young hockey players on January 30, 2010 as part of the
programming for Hockey Day in Canada when all six Canadian NHL teams will
play one another. The Canal is also the focal point for Ottawa’s annual
Winterlude festival ( <http://www.winterlude.gc.ca> www.winterlude.gc.ca)
taking place February 5-21, 2010.