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January / February 2012
Media Newsletter |
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Tips, Trips, and Happenings from
Friends of Travel Classics Writers Conferences
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This Summer: Travel Classics Goes to Wales
Announcing
Travel Classics International 2012, June 7-10, at the four-star Park Plaza hotel in
Cardiff, Wales. Register by February 15 and save $100. Editors are posted
here.
Pre- and
Post-Conference Media Tours are available to all conference attendees and editors. Wales is
full
of breathtaking views, quaint towns, Celtic heritage and endless culture. Home to 641 castles, 3
national parks, HRH Prince William, and 11 million sheep, you'll experience a friendly "croesco."
That's Welsh for "welcome," and you'll feel it everywhere you go in Wales. Contact: Maren
Rudolph (914) 591-4503.
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 Love-struck in
Wales
Wales has been in love with love for centuries, ever since the 5th century Welsh
Princess St. Dwynwen (patron Saint of lovers) started spreading love after an angel granted her
three wishes: be freed of a jilted lover, never to marry, and shepherd others through the journey of
love. St. Dwynwen's Day, is celebrated January 25th.
Download our printable PDF St Dwynwen's Day card. Visit
http://www.visitwales.com.
Media contact: Robert
Titley, 917-690-8418.
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 Enter Canada's
Northern Lights Awards for Excellence in Travel Journalism
The race is on for Canada's Northern Lights Awards presented by the Canadian
Tourism Commission. Through compelling headlines, stunning imagery and riveting descriptions,
thousands of writers, photographers, producers and other media tell Canada's story around the world.
This is our chance to recognize your work as being one of the most influential and
important motivators for all travellers. Visit
canadamediamarket.org.
Media contact: Heather Dolan, 703-731-5653.
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 10th Annual Restaurant Festival Returns to Vancouver
Dine Out Vancouver, the largest restaurant festival in Canada, returns for its 10th
anniversary January 20 to February 5, 2012. Local and visiting foodies are invited once
again to
experience Vancouver's culinary creativity and world-renowned hospitality with 17 days
of unique
events, special hotel offers and more than 225 participating restaurants. For more
information on
events and where to book, visit
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/dov. Media contact: Amber
Sessions, 604.631.2870.
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 Four Seasons
Scottsdale Introduces Evening Club for Teens
New in 2012, Kids For All Seasons transforms into a teen hangout each night -- Club
27 -- for ages 13 to 17. Teens enjoy traditional and interactive games, movies and more.
Upon check-in, teens receive a personalized welcome card, bracelet and electronic QR
code scavenger hunt code
to complete via their smartphone, with a special prize at the end. Visit
http://www.fourseasons.com/scottsdale. Media contact: Kim Cole, 480-513-5049.
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 Pan Pacific
Vancouver Offers Urban Ski Adventure Packages
Stay by the ocean and ski or ride Vancouver's North Shore Mountains! Pan Pacific
Vancouver's "Sea to Ski" packages offer a unique "urban ski adventure". These customized packages
offer guests the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful waterfront hotel in the heart of Vancouver,
while skiing any of the three ski areas within 30 minutes of downtown.
Visit http://www.panpacificvancouver.com. Media contact:
Laurie Cooper, 604-376-3207.
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 Regional
Pond Hockey Championships Coming Up in BC
It's a Canadian tradition: pond hockey, played on frozen lakes. In
February, Invermere
British Columbia will host the regional championships with over 60 ice-hockey teams.
The rules are
simple: 75x150 foot outdoor rink; 30 minutes on the clock; teams of six; no goalies.
While sure to
draw die-hard ice-hockey fans, the weekend also promises family activities such as ice
skating--plus hot cocoa. Visit http://www.hellobc.com/travelmedia.
Media contact: Janice Greenwood-Fraser, 604-660-3228.
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 Huge Indoor
Climbing Wall Nearly Complete in Richmond, BC
In February 2012, the award-winning Richmond Olympic Oval will install an
indoor climbing wall over 7,000 square feet in length and 40 feet high. Wheelchair
accessible
and able to accommodate all climbing levels, the wall has cheekily been referred to as
"Richmond's
First Mountain." Visit http://www.tourismrichmond.com/media. Media contact: Michelle Dunn, 604-821-5481.
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 Cutting Edge Horticultural
Exhibition Returns to Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the site of the Philadelphia International Flower Show,
the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind. This year's annual gardening celebration, happening
March 4-11, features
top-of-the-line horticulture and landscape design, entertainment and more than 150 vendors.
This year's theme, "Islands of Aloha," draws from the tropical colors and atmosphere of Hawaii.
Find out more: call (215) 988-8800 or visit
http://www.theflowershow.com. Visit http://www.visitphilly.com. Media contact: Donna Schorr, 215-599-0782.
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 Sanctuary on Camelback
Mountain
Celebrates 10 Years
From upgrades to private parties, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain will celebrate its
10th Anniversary with 10 randomly awarded guest prizes throughout 2012. Lucky guests will gain
more
than a key to their room with surprises planned such as a roomful of restaurant patrons
unexpectedly enjoying an after-dinner treat, or local residents just might find themselves holding
a complimentary one-year membership to Sanctuary Spa.
Visit http://www.sanctuaryaz.com. Media contact: Shara Seigel, 1-800-245-2051
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 Indulge Your Valentine
with Romantic Offerings at The Boulders
Sweet pampering for Valentine's Day at The Boulders Resort includes cozy wood-burning
fireplaces in the newly enhanced private Casitas; a "Decadent Duet" or Couples Astrological Soul
Readings in the Golden Door Spa's Couples Spa Suites; or a private Dine Under the Stars celestial
dinner. Golfing couples love the "Valentine Refresher" that includes play on the new "Pebble
tees". Moonlight Bicycle Rides and Desert Secrets Hikes are ideal for adventurous couples.
Visit http://www.theboulders.com. Media contact: Debora Bridges, 480-306-4242.
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 Cruise Compete Offers Special Cruise Itinieraries
Politics your passion? Don't miss "Ocean Views" on Crystal Cruises. Renowned experts will
debate global issues & news items, followed by Q&A. Prominent political & world affairs pundits
James Carville, Mary Matalin, former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg, and 4-star General Hugh Shelton will
part of a discussion moderated by British foreign correspondent Ken Rees. Visit
http://www.cruisecompete.com. Media contact: Heidi Allison, 248-651-4491.
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 Stay at Enchantment
Resort and Enjoy Choice of $100 Credit
Now through March 15, 2012, book a minimum two-night stay at Enchantment Resort and
receive a $100 resort credit towards enjoying a premier Southwestern dining experience, shopping
in
one of our boutiques or a life-affirming treatment at Mii amo Spa.
Visit http://www.enchantmentresort.com. Media contact: Julia Thorn, 480-264-3004
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 Treat Your Valentine to an Ultimate Foodie Getaway in
Kelowna
Feb 10-11, 2012: The Canadian Culinary Championships come to Kelowna. Stakes are
high and competition is fierce! Eight master chefs, 60 minutes and a coveted championship.
A budget of $500 per chef and a hungry crowd of 350 (roughly $1.47 per head). All proceeds
are donated to the
Canadian Olympic Foundation. Visit
http://www.goldmedalplates.com or
http://www.tourismkelowna.com. Media contact: Catherine Frechette, 250-861-1515, ext 203.
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 Enjoy Daily Resort Credit
with
Westin Kierland's Family Escape
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona is the number one Resort
for
family travel. Guests visiting during the 2012 Spring Training Season can expect the
ultimate
Family FUN experience, while catching the games at nearby ballparks. Enjoy a $100 Daily
Resort
Credit and more with the Family Escape package! Call 480-624-1202 and ask for rate plan
FAM100. Visit www.kierlandresort.com.
Media contact: Stephanie Dowling,
480-624-1315.
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 Celebrate with BC Ferries Vacations'
Romantic Retreats
Choose from two packages available: Beach Club Parksville Romantic Retreat, one night ocean-view
suite with $100 food credit, wine and chocolate or Parkside Victoria Romantic Retreat, two nights'
deluxe suite with $200 spa credit. Each package includes round-trip transportation for two and
one car, parking and hotel accommodation. Let us package your divine getaway at 1-800-223-3779
(ext 3) or visit http://www.bcferriesvacations.com
to choose your special Valentine retreat!
Visit
http://www.bcferries.com/vacations. Media contact: Eric Kalnins, 604-673-2446.
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 Phoenix Baseball Spring
Training
Kicks Off in March
Batter up! It's that time of year again where beautiful sunny days and baseball collide.
March marks the start of Cactus League Spring Training Baseball season in Phoenix, Arizona where
15 teams and 10 stadiums welcomes fans. Whether you're a hard core fan or just simply looking for
an excuse to enjoy a day outside, come spend it at the ballpark.
Visit
http://www.visitphoenix.com. Media contact: Trish Hendrickson, 602-452-6249.
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 Hermosa Inn Wins High
Honors from Top Travel Magazines
Hermosa Inn, named by 2011 Conde Nast Travelers' Readers Poll "Top (U.S.) 30
Small Resorts" and
Travel + Leisure 2012 "Top 500 Hotels", is a luxury Scottsdale, Arizona hotel featuring 34
hacienda-style accommodations on six acres of desert landscaping in view of famous Camelback
Mountain with the award-winning restaurant, Lon's, and the lauded Artist in Residence Program.
Visit
http://www.hermosainn.com. Media contact: Brian Garrido, 415-874-9696.
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 Newcomer of the Year Ballyfin Demesne Wins Gold
Named 'Winner' in the Style Awards section of Food & Wine magazine's
Restaurant on the Year Awards 2011, Ballyfin's also cutting a swathe on the foodie
front under Executive Chef, Fred Cordonnier.
Russia's new Conde Nast Traveller magazine sets the bar high with a list of
its Top 50 Best Hotels that have opened in 2011 and includes Ballyfin within it.
In the US, November's Forbes Life magazine features its 'Best New Hotels' with Ballyfin
profiled as one amongst just two
hotels in Europe. Visit
www.ballyfin.com. Media contact: Joanne Creveling, +353 (0)5787 55866.
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 Share a Romantic Retreat with Your Valentine at The
Ballantyne
Rediscover romance at The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Charlotte, NC.
Enjoy two nights in an elegant guest room, champagne, floral arrangement, daily breakfast in bed
or in Gallery Restaurant and complimentary valet parking. Pricing starts at $498 inclusive for
double occupancy. For reservations, please call 888-325-3589 (valid Thurs - Sun).
Visit
www.theballantynehotel.com. Media contact: Christina Thigpen, 866-248-4824.
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The Rhinecliff Celebrates 4 Years
The Rhinecliff on the Hudson is celebrating our 4th anniversary--special events
continue! Traditional
Robbie Burns Supper: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6 pm; Celebrate Valentine's Day with a full
weekend of great food & entertainment capped by
Valentine's dinner; on St. Patrick's Day we go green! Easter, Mother's & Father's Day
are always popular. Ask about our very
affordable winter rates and packages. Come enjoy and celebrate!
Visit http://www.therhinecliff.com for details.
Media contact: David Archer,
914-299-0837.
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