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Free Tabacón Nights

nicholef — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:33:54 GMT

Enjoy free nights at Costa Rica’s Tabacón Hot Springs Resort, a rainforest retreat at the base of Volcán Arenal. Tabacón is announcing free night stays from January to March 2009.

Get four nights for the price of three (for a savings of more than $300 per stay), which offers superior premium or superior room accommodations, a welcome drink, entry for two to the Temazcal sweat lodge, a $125 credit for any treatment in the Grand Spa and free entry to the thermal springs. The package price for the superior premium room starts at $1,208, a savings of $361; price for superior room starts at $1,033, a savings of $302.

If you’re on a tighter schedule, get three nights for the price of two. All package features are the same as above, except guests receive a $100 credit (instead of $125) for the Grand Spa. The cost for superior premium room starts at $822, a savings of $361; price for superior room starts at $705, a savings of $302.

The package is available from Jan. 4 to March 31, 2009.

Prices are based on double occupancy. Additional adults (12 years and older) stay for $64 per night; children 6 to 11 stay for $49 per night; children under 6 stay free.

Tel. 877-277-8291. www.tabacon.com

Eco Luxury Carts at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

nicholef — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:33:14 GMT

Spare the air on your next Southern California golf vacation at the award-winning Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the legendary golf and spa resort—located 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara—announced the introduction of three electric Luxury Carts available for guests to rent during their stay.

Two Cadillac Escalade carts can be rented for $50 per hour. Another luxury cart, a Bentley, will be available as part of an inclusive package for guests staying at Casa Elar, a 10,147 sq. ft. estate with four bedroom suites, a dining room with seating for 12, a hair salon, massage studio, swimming pool, a butler and many more amenities. (Casa Elar inclusives start at $15,000 per night.)

Carts will be available to rent starting Jan. 1, 2009. For booking and additional information, call the room reservations department at 805-646-1111 or go to www.ojairesort.com.

Upcoming Events at Ojai

Peter Greenberg, travel expert, author and television personality introduces his newest book, Don’t Go There! at a literary luncheon and book signing Jan. 22, 2009. $55 per person.

Susana Trilling, chocolatier and chef from Oaxaca, Mexico. Dinner and wine pairing, co-hosted by Ojai Inn executive chef Jamie West. Feb. 10, $85 per person.

Yoga & Vosges Chocolate with Dave Romanelli. Exciting yoga and chocolate pairings with one night stay. Feb. 27 to 28, $495 per person. yeahdaveyoga.com

Carolyn Robb Hootkins, organic chef specialist (former personal organic chef to Lady Di and Prince Charles), prepares dinner paired with biodynamic wines. Co-hosted by Inn executive chef Jamie West. March 12, $90 per person.

Glenwood Springs Getaways

nicholef — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:59:20 GMT

Visit Glenwood Springs, Colorado this holiday season, where 10 area lodges have teamed together to host the Ski, Swim, Stay package at rates starting at just $99 per night (kids stay free). The package includes a lift ticket to Sunlight Mountain Resort and a pass to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, an original sandstone bathhouse built in 1888. Call 888-445-3696 to custom build your trip with a Glenwood Springs booking agent. Available Dec. 5, 2008 to April 6, 2009. www.skiswimstay.com

Spa of the Rockies

Be sure to visit the brand-new Spa of The Rockies, which opened in October 2008, at Glenwood Hot Springs, offering modern treatments inspired by historic healing rituals that incorporate herbs and plants used by Ute Indians who first soaked in the natural springs. Herbal treatments include:

Stonecrop Extreme Hydration Body Cocoon, a hydrating body wrap that incorporates stonecrop, an alpine succulent.

Rosehip & Maize Gentle Renewal Facial, for vitamin C antioxidant protection.

Calendula & Rose Hand & Foot Soother, using the native flowers to smooth dry skin.

Kneipp Herbal Relaxation Soaks, using essential-oil products with spruce, wildflowers, valerian, juniper and linden blossom.

The spa has eight treatment rooms (including facial rooms and couples’ suites) as well as a specialized hydrotherapy room for Vichy shower massage. Other features include five hydrotherapy tubs for mineral baths and herbal soaks, two manicure stations and two pedicure thrones. Guests have full access to women’s and men’s locker rooms and a coed relaxation room. www.hotspringspool.com

New Budget Bus Lines Offer Affordable Comfort

nicholef — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:19:16 GMT

If you’ve ever been on a Greyhound bus for more than a couple of hours, you know that it’s a pain. No, seriously—it hurts your body. Your legs are cramped, you’re often squished next to (sometimes odoriferous) seatmates, and the successive stop-and-go traffic make sailing a more attractive mode of travel for motion-sickness sufferers.

But there are perks to bus travel: In general, it’s cheaper than flying, it’s kinder to the earth, and it’s slower, allowing you to see more countryside during your trip. If you want to save a little dough and travel in comfort—even style—check out these new bus travel companies that offer eco-chic and comfy alternative journeys on the cheap:

BoltBus

The red, bullet-fast BoltBus zips around a handful of East Coast cities (New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.), and offers extra legroom, wheelchair accessibility, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and rates as low as $30 roundtrip. Do your work on the way home for the holidays and actually be home for the holidays. Also when you book four roundtrip tickets, you get a fifth trip for FREE. Now they just need to bolt on over to the West Coast and give me a lift home for Christmas!

megabus

Megabus was so successful in the United Kingdom it decided to launch across the pond in Canada and the United States. One-way fares start as low as $1! Travel roundtrip from New York to Boston for as little as $14, and you can even ride on a double-decker bus. Another eco-friendly and hassle-free benefit: ticketless reservations. Just write down your reservation number and give it to the bus driver. Luggage limits: one carry-on and one standard-sized to check. Megabus routes are expanding and include Chicago, Madison, Wis., New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

DC2NY

Travel by bus in luxury on DC2NY. Service is offered only from, you guessed it, Washington, D.C., to New York City, but the bus features clean onboard restrooms, free Internet and wide seats. Fares are $50 roundtrip; travel eight times and get the ninth trip for free. You can stow your bike and up to three pieces of luggage, too.

Early Ski Season Deals

nicholef — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:45:09 GMT

‘Tis the season to head for the slopes! Especially now, in order to snag incredible early ski season deals. The deals are endless, so browse Web sites of hotels near your favorite ski resorts and search through ski resort sites, too. Be sure to check out TravelMuse's family ski deals in our Ski Issue. Here are just a few more to get you stoked about this season’s savings:

Tahoe for Under $100

Alpine Meadows
The Eldorado Ski Special includes two nights’ stay at the Eldorado Hotel and Casino, an adult lift ticket per person and a $10 dining voucher—at your choice of 10 hotel restaurants including top rated, La Strada. Also enjoy Eldorado’s sprawling casino floor. Rate starts at $89 per person. Valid from Nov. 23 to Dec. 22, 2008. Tel. 800-949-3296, www.skialpine.com.

Homewood Mountain Resort
Homewood Mountain Resort and the Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino offer lakeside lodging and skiing starting at $65 per person. Package includes one-night stay in Tahoe Biltmore’s cottage rooms and one full-day adult lift ticket to Homewood per person, double occupancy. Requires a Sunday through Thursday stay. Available Nov. 11, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Tel. 877-263-7768, skihomewood.com.

Vail/Beaver Creek Treats

Ski and stay at the Antlers at Vail starting at $200 per night in a two-bedroom condo. Book five nights for $998 for four guests including four-day lift tickets per person. Valid for stays from Jan. 3 to 30, 2009, which is a 25 percent savings from peak season stays. Tel. 800-843-8245, www.antlersvail.com.

Third Night Free deal at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek when you book early. Also get a free room upgrade and daily breakfast for two. Rates start at $249 per night. Valid through Dec. 19, 2008. Tel. 866-471-7658, beavercreek.hyatt.com.

Also at Beaver Creek: Fly, Ski & Save

All guests flying into Vail/Eagle County Airport (EGE), 20 minutes from the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, receive a complimentary one-day lift ticket at any of the area slopes. Bring your boarding pass and Hyatt lodging confirmation to any Beaver Creek ticket window, and you'll receive a free same day lift ticket.

And the cherry on top: For those flying into EGE on American Airlines, children ages 2 to 12 fly free with each paid adult. Tickets must be purchased before Feb. 13, 2009 for travel from Dec. 2 to 12, 2008 and from Jan. 4 to Feb. 13, 2009. beavercreek.hyatt.com

Happy Holidays From Outgoing President Bush

nicholef — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:53:23 GMT

President George W. Bush announced today that his administration will be opening up military airspace to commercial flights during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, to alleviate congested holiday skies. Last year, two East Coast corridors were added during Thanksgiving; this year, airspace across the country will be added, including the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast.

Bush is also working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to get additional airport staff during the holidays.

It’ll be interesting to see how these additions will affect holiday air travel. I’m certainly not considering getting on an airplane until January 2009. For those of you who are traveling, take note of one more FAA expansion: Three new runways are opening Thursday (Nov. 20) at Washington-Dulles, Chicago O’Hare and Seattle-Tacoma airports.

Share, Save and Socialize With Hitchsters

nicholef — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:40:58 GMT

Traveling to the airport doesn’t have to be a drain on your wallet, time and sanity. After its New York City debut two years ago, Hitchsters launched its San Francisco edition of the popular Web-based rideshare service on Nov. 11.

Hitchsters matches riders who need a ride to the airport. Simply choose your flight time and Hitchsters hooks you up with a rider (who’s on the same flight as you) and a driver (they’ve partnered with local sedan and limo companies to provide the rides). Other Hitchsters features include Google Maps distance matching and user accounts, which allow riders to see how much money and carbon dioxide they’ve saved.

The benefits? Splitting the cost of gas, meeting cool, eco-conscious folk, and reducing CO2 emissions. According to Hitchsters, riders save an average of $21 per trip and reduce CO2 spew by 30 lbs. Read our TravelMuse article on Carbon Offsetting, in our upcoming issue on Nov. 14, to learn how you can reduce CO2 emissions during your travels.

I’d be totally into this. Why spend $40 on a cab fare to the airport when you can spend $20? That’ll afford you a nice dinner—with your new friend. Sign up with Hitchsters at www.hitchsters.com.

Have you used Hitchsters or rideshared before? What do you think about this new service?

New Eco Sandos Resorts

nicholef — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:08:58 GMT

Get some eco-education on your next family vacation when you stay at two family-friendly Sandos Hotels & Resorts in Mexico. Sandos is converting its Sandos Caracol Beach Resort Spa and Sandos Select Club Beach Resort Spa in the Riviera Maya into eco-resorts.

The Caracol complex—which comprises both resorts—is poised to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions 75 percent by 2012 by turning to alternative energy sources. Caracol is also creating an “Eco-Zoo” around the property, where endangered species will live in designated habitat zones; the resort will work with area universities to establish breeding and re-population programs. Guests will be able to partake in Eco-Zoo activities such as free lectures and tours, and eco-activities including beach clean-ups and tortoise conservation projects.

The all-inclusive Sandos resort vacation includes accommodations, all meals and beverages, sporting activities, daily activities program, supervised Kids Club and Teen Club, entrance to the disco and all hotel taxes and service charges. Additional activities can be arranged including deep-sea fishing, visits to archaeological sites like Tulum, Cobá and Chichen Itza, and ecological park Xcaret. Rates range from $67 to $132 per person, per night for a standard double; rates are good through April 18, 2009.

To learn more about Riviera Maya destinations, read TravelMuse articles on Treasures of Tulum, Cobá: Into the Mayan Jungle, Playtime at the Playa, Off Track Adventures and Top 4 Riviera Maya Resorts for Families.

Trashy Art Around the World

nicholef — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:28:04 GMT

Seoul is full of trash, artistically speaking. The South Korean capital claims what may be the largest recycled plastic art installation in the world: the Happy Happy Plastic Stadium. Joy!

Green Seoul

Last September, 3,600 people collected 1.7 million pieces of thrown-out plastic in 40 days, requiring 488 dump trucks. Korean public art company Godsome headed the project, which evolved into a citywide collaboration between citizens and businesses. The installation decorates the Jamsil Sports Complex and is being showcased this week at the Seoul Design Olympiad 2008, which runs from Oct. 10-31.

The Happy Happy installation is just one example of Seoul’s greening efforts; the city is adding 17 new bicycle paths totaling about 124 miles, and it’s on the cutting edge of sustainable building design.

Recycled Art Displays

Back to trash art: I love this idea and as the burgeoning ‘trash/junk/recycled art movement’ will attest, so do others. Garbage artists around the globe are transforming landfill-destined plastic bags, scraps, tin cans—whatever they can find—into thought-provoking and sustainable art. During your travels, seek out local trash art installations and recycled art festivals. Here are a few cool ones I’ve found:

The Rock Garden of Chandigarh: Self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand created the world-famous Rock Garden in India, built of discarded materials like broken pots and bottles. The garden features statues of animals and people, like these ladies made out of women's colored bangles . www.clt.astate.edu

The Beer Can House: John Milkovisch retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1968 and starting this decades-long project incorporating nearly 40,000 beer cans into his Austin, Texas house. www.beercanhouse.org

Astro Boy: In Tokyo, a 10 ft. by 7 ft. work displays 138,000 old metro tickets glued together to create anime cartoon character, Astro Boy. On temporary display at the Shinjuku Takashimaya Department Store.

HA Schult's Trash People: A traveling art exhibit displaying 1,000 life-sized ‘Trash People’ against dramatic landscapes at numerous famous sites, including the Great Wall of China and New York City. www.haschult.de

Recycle Santa Fe 2008: Nov. 14-16 in Santa Fe, N.M. See green fashion like a gown made of recycled plastic bags, recycled metal art and jewelry made from bicycle parts. Admission: $5, free for kids 12 and under. www.recyclesantafe.org.

Oil Drum Art: A Connecticut non-profit started this environmental and political art movement. Used 55-gallon oil drums are painted and redesigned into art and decorative furnishings. Exhibits held several times a year. www.oildrumart.org

What recycled/trash art exhibits have you seen during your travels? Have you ever made recycled art? Please share your experiences!

Space Tourism: The New Frontier

nicholef — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:49:15 GMT

As a kid, I was obsessed with outer space. I wrote songs about the solar system, short stories about space travel (including one about an alien Santa Claus, and his disgruntled former elf employee who comes to earth to spill S.C.’s extraterrestrial secret … yeah, weird kid), and I wanted to be the first female astronaut to go to Mars.

Sadly, that didn’t happen. I didn't even get to go to Space Camp!

But maybe I don’t have to retire my dream of space travel quite yet.

Real Space Tourists

Today, Richard Garriott became the sixth space tourist when he docked at the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft; he launched Oct. 12 from the Baikonur Cosmodome in Kazakhstan. The folks that sent him there: Space Adventures, Ltd. the first and only private space tourism company to send clients into space. Space Adventures works alongside professional astronauts and cosmonauts to provide safe space travel opportunities for its clients.

There are more than a dozen private space tourism ventures in the works, among them, Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of the popular Virgin Atlantic Airlines. Virgin Galactic owns the world’s first spacecraft line SpaceShipTwo, modeled from Burt Rutan’s award-winning SpaceShipOne design.

Most space tourists won’t get the same space experience as Garriott; space tour companies are currently focusing on offering sub-orbital flights—a spaceflight that reaches 62 miles above sea level and doesn’t make a full orbit around the earth—before orbital space flights are feasible on a wider scale. Before your flight, you’ll get an intensive three- to four-day training to prepare you for your outer space adventure.

Virgin Galactic is currently offering sub-orbital flights for the astronomical (heh) price of $200,000, and Space Adventures offers flights from $102,000—what a deal. In comparison, Garriott’s 10-day space jaunt cost him $30 million.

Satisfying the Celestial Itch

So maybe my space travel dreams are still light years away. For now, I’ll satisfy my cosmic nerdom with some low-budget, outer space-themed endeavors: stargazing and watching my favorite space films—Apollo 13, Contact and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Oh yeah, bring on the cheese. Green cheese. From the moon. Wow, I am a geek.

What are your thoughts on space travel? Do you think “space tourism” is only a reality for the insanely wealthy few, or could it pose a viable new frontier in the travel industry? Would you sign up for a spaceflight?

In the meantime, I’ll start counting my pennies now; see you in 40 years Virgin Galactic.