Planning on an Asian Pacific vacation over the holidays? Accor, one of the leading hotel groups in the world is holding the Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific for hotel stays between December 9, 2009 to April 10, 2010. This campaign will run run for only 3 days, from Oct 27, 2009 to Oct 29, 2009.
If you book online before October 30. 2009, you can book luxury hotel rooms for as low as $30 per night. Accor has hotels in Thailand, Korea, China, Japan, HK, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, and Bali. Some of the hotel names under the Accor umbrella and therefore are all offering this 3-day Super Sale Asia Pacific are: Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels.
If you love Chinese food as much as I do (and what better reason to travel than to sample a country's cuisine and culture, right?), there is a China gastronome package where you can experience the rich and varied cuisine of China while staying in luxurious hotels such as the Sofitel Shanghai, Novotel Shanghai Atlantis or the Ibis Shanghai Lianyang. All these fine hotels are in the best neighborhoods to discover all the gastronomic finds in China.
Branson, Missouri has a lot to offer but I never thought that a Cooking School would be one of them. Sure, I've thought of going to Branson for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. They do after all have panoramic vistas, terrific sightseeing packages and a wide variety of activities are offered. But cooking school? Who knew!
On the weekend on October 16th and 17th, the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel will be hosting the a premier Cooking School Weekend. Guests will first be welcomed with a wine tasting reception then they will participate in a cooking demonstration by the hotel's own, Chef Nathan Read where he will prepare appetizers that are served at wine tastings. Guests will also be treated to a deluxe four-course dinner with wine pairings. The perfect weekend for anyone who loves food!
This Cooking School Weekend, which includes accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, costs only $398 for two people for two nights. That's an awesome deal! Considering there are also other activities and attractions around Branson that you can take advantage of. Branson is home to championship golf courses, lakes, museums and live entertainment theaters. You know, Branson has been called the new home of country music outside of Nashville!
If food and cooking is not your thing, check out the list of other packages offered by the Hilton Branson. They have packages such as: The Moon River, Silver Dollar City, and Romance.
I was lucky enough to visit Kissimmee, Florida a few years back and got such a kick out of the name that I never forgot it. I used to say 'kissing me' to remember the name. The name is certainly unique enough that it stuck. Historians say that the name Kissimmee is a modern version of a tribal word derived from the name of a mission, built in the 1600's to convert local Indians to Christianity, Atisimmi.
Nowadays, Kissimmee is one of the most popular destinations in Florida. One reason being that it is in the middle of everything. It has become a destination of the rich and famous and also of anyone looking for a good vacation somewhere warm. It isn't unusual to see celebrities doing the same things you're doing on the streets of Kissimmee and neighboring areas. For instance, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell have homes in Florida and don't forget Gloria Estefan who is a Florida native albeit she's probably more in the Miami area. Heartthrobs like Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias are among many that I would just love to run into either by accident or by design. lol!
If you've never been to Kissimmee, I highly recommend it. If you have kids, just think, Mickey Mouse is just around the corner! Visit Kissimmee is giving away three weekend getaways (3 days/2 nights) for two and two vacation packages for four. This is your chance to visit this beautiful area for free. Go on to www.visitkissimmee.com/ and enter the sweepstakes. You never know, you could be vacationing sooner than later!
May 22, 2009!
Mark the date. That is when Seaworld is set to unveil Manta! What is Manta? Manta is the newest ride at SeaWorld Orlando and it is supposed to be the "only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world." When you ride the Manta, you become a Manta ray and you enter its world. You experience the sense of flight and catch a glimpse of the underwater world that the Manta swims in.
By this summer, the Manta will be the place to be at SeaWorld and if you've ever been to amusement parks, you know what a nightmare it could be to navigate the long lines on the rides. Sometimes it can take hours of waiting in line for popular rides! Now you have a chance to avoid all that and win a Front of the Line pass by simply learning more about Manta and helping to spread the word. It's easy to do, here's how you can enter the contest:
Visit the Seaworld Manta website (www.ridetheflyingray.com) and check out the ride. Learn all you can about it and do the following to start earning chances to win:
- Register for an account at RideTheFlyingRay.com
- Follow @RealShamu on Twitter for insider tips on the quiz and tweet about Manta (see the website for details)
- Take the Manta Quiz - correctly answer 5 questions (answers found throughout the website)
- Upload a photo of yourself to Flickr displaying "I heart Manta"
- Invite your friends to Fill Your Row - when they sign up with your referral code, you get credit.
- Upload a video of yourself on YouTube showing how excited you are about the Manta
So are you ready to fly? Get on over to www.ridetheflyingray.com and visit the participate and win section to get the details.
We have been talking of taking the kids for an Orlando vacation for a long time. You know, take a week and visit all the amusement parks at the same time. But then we start thinking of the logistics of getting that accomplished and we change our minds real quick. So now we're more of the mind set that maybe we ought to drag it out by taking in the parks one per year.
We're thinking maybe start out with Mardi Gras at the Universal Studios Orlando.
Discount Universal Tickets is surely a step in the right direction towards having a fun vacation. Universal Islands of Adventure has some of the best roller coasters in the country which is just perfect when you have teenagers who are wild for coasters like I do. They are also big Dr. Seuss fans so I know that a stop at Seuss landing will be on the itinerary, probably in between the wild coaster rides. At Islands Adventure, paleontology buffs can also get their thrills at Jurassic Park River Adventure where they can go on an unforgettable river raft ride.
At the Universal Studios Park, it's all about the movies. We can re-live the movie experience by visiting attractions such as Shrek in 4D, Men in Black, The Simpsons, the E.T. Adventure, and much more. While the kids are soaking up the adventures, I think my husband and I would rather spend our time celebrating Mardi Gras. You heard me, celebrate Mardi Gras at the Universal Studios Orlando by catching one of the fabulous concerts on their line up of amazing entertainers. Lined up, for the Mardi Gras music at Universal are names like: MC Hammer, Kelly Clarkson, Trace Adkins, Nelly and more.
The best deal to be had, if you're planning on visiting Universal Studios Orlando is to get the unlimited park admission to two parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The ticket is good for seven days, so you can take your time exploring both parks and won't feel like you have to see everything in one day.
What do pies, prizes, the Hilton and Al Roker have in common? Why Branson Missouri of course! I'm surprised you didn't see the connection right away ;)
The Great American Pie Contest is going to be at the Hilton Hotel in Branson, MO on April 24-25. The event, sponsored by Taste of Home magazine, will feature Al Roker, the indomitable foodie and weather man of the Today Show. If you have a favorite pie recipe hibernating in the recesses of your hope chest, this is the time to dust it off and head on to Branson. The winner of the Great American Pie Contest will win, among other prizes, $2,500 cash and a trip for two to Branson, MO.
So are you a skeptic like me and the first thought to pop in your head was, "What's in Branson, Missouri?" I haven't been there, see, but hearing about Branson being the new seat of country music piqued my interest and found out that Branson also has championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters. It sounds like Branson has something for everyone in the family.
Check out all that Branson has to offer. Besides the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel where the Great American Pie Contest is being held, other Hilton properties, the Hilton Promenade and the Branson Landing offer a variety in choices of accommodations in town.
If you're seriously considering entering the contest, start making your plans now. A block rooms have been reserved from April 20, 2009 until April 29, 2009 especially for attendees of the contest. If you're interested in going, you have until March 22 to reserve your room. Don't wait until the last minute though, they are on a first come first served basis.
I realized yesterday that it's been almost a month since I posted a new recipe. A couple of people have emailed to ask whether I was on vacation. I wish I was! I could certainly used it but unfortunately, it was just a vacation from food blogging while I took care of other things. Now, hopefully I can get back to our regular programming.
Having weather in the 80's like today though, keeps me thinking of being on vacation and makes it very hard to hunker down indoors with the computer.
I would love to be in the water right now. Even better, in the water and swimming with dolphins! That would be an awesome experience that I would like us, as a family, experience. We all love being in the water and this would be the ultimate water adventure, to be able to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.
There are several venues to take on this adventure. Resorts in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific offer this experience to their guests. I have friends who got married in Hawaii and they said one of the highlights of their honeymoon was being able to swim with dolphins. 
Cancun is another big destination for swimming with dolphins. Just check out the list of Cancun tours and activities on DolphinDiscovery.com.
Besides swimming with dolphins, the island of Isla Mujeres is one of the most beautiful with its gorgeous beaches and blue waters. Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and other water activities. There is also Garrafón Park which is a park showing off the ecology and rich natural environment of the tropical island.
Then.... I wake up and I'm still in front of the computer. Darn! I want to be swimming with dolphins out in the sun and warm waters!
Most people, when they think of vacation homes tend to think of sunny locales with white sand beaches and temperate clime year round. Others though, require more variety to hold their interest. What could be better than Vermont vacation homes for those who look for the change in seasons?
The seasons aren't the only draw in Vermont. Vermont's Quechee Lakes is one of the many growing communities that are geared for people who are looking to obtain a second residence. The Quechee Lakes community is composed of both single family homes and luxury townhomes nestled in the beautiful Ottauquechee River Valley where recreation and adventure amidst breathtaking views is part of the lifestyle. The winter scene, which Vermont is most famous for, offers the best in winter sports but during milder weather the activity does not stop; there is a world class golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness center, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding and lake front access to keep you busy and entertained.
Best of all, for families with children, the Quechee Lakes community is very kid friendly and has activities to keep them occupied in any season. The Quechee Club, where every homeowner becomes a member automatically, offers activities geared specifically for children and teens like ski and swim instruction, junior tennis and golf, a swim team, supervised activities, family adventure trips and field trips.
Start dreaming, check out their website and imagine the possibilities!
The number of people who travel usually increases during the holidays and this season was no different even with the stressed out economy. We still all have to be with our families, after all. However, what with unexpectedly severe weather conditions in some areas of the country, the delays and cancellations have affected travel plans all over. There are people right now who are stranded at hotel rooms if they're lucky, but many more are just camping out at the airport.
I thought it was kind of funny that just as I was watching the news talking about the stranded travelers, I stumble on this wiki-how page on how to cook food in a hotel room. There are instructions on how to make oatmeal and bacon for breakfast, ramen noodles for lunch or a grilled cheese for dinner! If you need some convincing, just watch the video below of Alton Brown demonstrating how to make oatmeal. It actually sounds yummy!
Visit our new blogs:
Amoores.com
Cooked from the Heart - our new food blog
Our New Backyard - garden & photo blog
Found Not Lost - about all the things we 'find' worth talking about
Every year just around this time, the girls and I start dreaming of a white Christmas. For the twelve years that we have been here in North Carolina, we haven't experienced a White Christmas yet. We've had snow and we've had ice, but never on Christmas day. Most times the sun is out and shining on Christmas day.
Wouldn't it be nice to have a nice family winter vacation? It would be a dream come true to be able to go somewhere to spend Christmas and be surrounded by a winter wonderland. Not counting the change in scenery, it would be nice to do something different for a change. I don't even think we would mind being away from family just this once.
Green Mountain Inn in Vermont's historic Stowe Village would be just the ideal place for such a getaway. If Vermont skiing is on your list to experience, then there is no better place than this resort to start from. They offer every amenities you can think of (restaurants, specialty shops, a year-round heated outdoor pool, game room, afternoon tea and cookies, fully equipped health club)and there are plenty of things to do if skiing is not your thing to do such as: walking, biking, rollerblading, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and the great American past time, shopping!
The Ski Vermont experience is not something to be missed though. Whether you're a novice or an expert, you've just got to hit the slopes to get your money's worth. If you've never gone skiing before, this may be the perfect place to learn. Believe me, you'll love it!
Speaking of tom yum goong soup, this hot and sour soup is perfect as an apre ski soup. Keep this in mind if you have any plans for a ski trip this holiday season.
Christy Sports carry every winter gear you can think of from snow skis, Burton snowboards, clothing, snow boots and other accessories. Based in Colorado, Christy Sports does not cater to other sports other than skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing and mountain biking. This is their specialty so you know that what winter gear you get from them will be of excellent quality. Their staff, because of their specialized line, are all knowledgeable and professional and are ready to assist you in whatever you need. They have a number of locations in the Rocky Mountains, but if you can't get there, you can get the same service and quality products online.
The summer is not quite over yet. There are still enough warm days to make a family beach vacation. By mid October, Morey's Piers in Wildwoods, New Jersey, will be ending the season. If you're in the east coast, New Jersey is within a day's drive from its neighboring states. Yep, I'm thinking me here in N.C.
Morey's Piers owns the largest amusement park operation in New Jersey, running three amusement piers and two waterparks in Wildwoods. My girls are wild about water parks and Wildwoods has two of them! Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club and Raging Waters both offer a variety of rides, slides and amenities to please everyone in the family from the youngest to the oldest. And what kid doesn't enjoy amusement parks. They have three of them! What could be better than a roller coaster by the beach. I for one am happy enough with the carousels and bumper cars. Whatever type of amusement ride excites you, they have them in Wildwoods.
Visit the Morey's Piers website now to take advantage of their weekly specials offered. They also offer a listing of wildwood hotels motels nearby. Don't put off that one last fun in the sun, visit the website now and make your reservation.
Do you believe in the old saying about the one bad apple spoiling the whole barrel or the one about one bad experience spoiling the soup? Read about our recent experience with Delta airlines and why we're not going to be flying with them anymore on Found Not Lost.
Here is an excerpt:
Trent at The Simple Dollar asked, Does one bad experience spoil the soup? He is referring to our adverse reaction to certain brands or establishments as a result of one unpleasant experience that we pretty much boycott the product altogether.
That reminded me of all the whining I’ve been doing lately about the inconvenience of traveling nowadays. I whined about the higher prices, the luggage, the extra fees, I whined about the delays. But you know what, I think most of us expect that now. We don’t really expect first class treatment in coach anymore. Actually, I think even first class travelers will agree that the overall service of commercial flights have been declining every year. Even with all the things I complained about, they weren’t enough to make me stop flying altogether. It’s just too much of a necessity. I will still be flying commercial planes. I can’t afford to fly any other way.
Read more...
Visit our new blogs:
Amoores.com
Cooked from the Heart - our new food blog
Our New Backyard - garden & photo blog
Found Not Lost - about all the things we 'find' worth talking about
First they took away the food. And no matter how badly maligned airline food was, when they take the food away, you know that no good can possibly follow that. Water was the next to go. The complimentary blanket and pillows went next, but not before they started re-using the same ones from one flight to the next. Yuck!
This week, it was just announced that your luggage now has to pay to fly too. There is not end to the torture.
But, flying doesn't have to be an unpleasant experience. It all depends on how you look at it. If you like being comfortable, then provide your own comfort. Cabin Cuddler can give you that comfort. The Cabin Cuddler is your own personal travel blanket. It comes in its own tote bag that doubles as a pillow case for the inflatable pillow that comes with it. The best thing about bringing your own pillow and blanket is that you know that no one else has drooled all over it from the last flight. If you get cold on flights like I do, you'd appreciate the sleeping bag feel of this blanket. You'll feel like you're in first class! Check out the Cabin Cuddler before you get on another plane.
I've always loved to travel. I love learning about different cultures and exploring new places. With the rising cost of fuel travel has gotten to be very expensive and a chore to boost. For instance, did you know you know that when you fly, you now have to pay for your luggage too? It's getting really ridiculous.
But don't give up hope yet, you can still travel. Travel right in your own kitchen. That's right. After all, one of the best ways to learn about a culture is to eat their food. So we're going on a year round staycation in the kitchen. The girls and I have decided we will try out at least one dish from somewhere we have never been to. We kind of do that anyway, it's just that sometimes we get stuck in Asia. LOL! Well, this time around we'll try to be more creative and try to venture out of our comfort zone. So stay tuned, we'll be sure to post our travels to international cuisines in this blog.
Visit our new blogs:
Amoores.com
Cooked from the Heart - our new food blog
Our New Backyard - garden & photo blog
Found Not Lost - about all the things we 'find' worth talking about
