Global Travel News

Celebrating International Women’s Day at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

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Celebrating International Women’s Day at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort - TOP25HOTELS - TRAVELINDEXChiang Mai, Thailand, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / On Wednesday 8 March 2023, the world celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is proud to join in, marking the occasion with a day of self-care and reward for guests and day visitors alike.

Spa & Wellness

The award-winning Anantara Spa is an oasis of tranquillity where guests are invited to take a moment for themselves, to rest and revive. On International Women’s Day, women enjoy a complimentary 30-minute massage or facial with any treatment booked.

There will also be complimentary classes throughout the day: at 10.30 am, the Ched Haek workshop teaches the ancient Lanna massage technique to stimulate energy flow; at 1.00 pm, a core and lower body workout provides a rush of afternoon energy; and at 4.00 pm, guests can take flight with aerial yoga, moving through a sequence of asanas with freedom of movement.

Dining

All ladies dining at either Bodhi Terrace or The Service 1921 will enjoy a complimentary sparkling cocktail. This could be afternoon tea in the gardens, or lunch or dinner at either restaurant.

The popular ladies’ night at the rooftop bar Bubbles begins with a celebratory welcome cocktail, then happy hour prices through the night beginning at THB 199++. There will also be a tarot reader at the bar, predicting what lies ahead in the coming year, whether fortune or fame.

Celebrating Women in the Workplace

Throughout the day, guests may notice female staff shedding their uniforms for their personal clothes. It is a mark of celebrating the uniqueness of each individual, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality and more.

Gender equality is a foundation of operations at the resort, with 60% of management in fact women. “At Anantara, we select team members based solely on vision, ability and drive”, says General Manager Pitak Norathepkitti. “The fact that the majority of our leadership is female speaks for itself. While we empower our team members to be themselves and to succeed, credit must go to the women for their achievements”.

For more information about International Women’s Day at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, or career opportunities, call +66 53 253 333

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Forget and Unwind in Perfect Spot at The Okura Prestige Bangkok

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Bangkok, Thailand, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Bangkok continues to be the dream destination for many and The Okura Prestige Bangkok is pleased to welcome jet-setters and world travellers wanting to experience a hassle-free, perfect city retreat with ‘Holidaymaker at Okura’ Room Package.

Tailored to offer the ultimate in pampering and relaxation in the true traditions of omotenashi – the Japanese art of hospitality – the ‘Holidaymaker at Okura’ Room Package includes a minimum 3-night stay in luxurious accommodation enhanced by exquisite indulgences. Guests are invited to unwind and relax amid towering skyscrapers at the spectacular cantilevered infinity-edge swimming pool high above the beating heart of the city. The hotel’s downtown location is ideal for guests to enjoy all that Bangkok has to offer in terms of shopping, sightseeing, local culture and activities, with convenient connections to major roads and sky train systems.

The ‘Holidaymaker at Okura’ Room Package also includes a complimentary ‘sunset drink’ per person per night (maximum two drinks per room per night) served at the picturesque terrace at Up & Above Restaurant and Bar, where guests also receive an exclusive 20% discount on food.

Those who choose The Okura Prestige Bangkok as their ultimate sanctuary in the heart of bustling Bangkok are in for many treats with the ‘Holidaymaker at Okura’ Room Package. Bookings are available from now until 27 June 2023 with minimum three days advance reservations required for stays until 30 June 2023.

For more information please call +66 (0) 2 687 9000 or email: reservations@okurabangkok.com

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hotels and Resorts Across Asia with their Own Farms

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Cam Ranh Resort Grows Its Own Food at New Onsite Farm

In an effort to realize more self-sufficiency and sustainability at Alma Resort, landscape manager Ngo Duc Thinh and his team have transformed parts of the 30-hectare resort into a 1000sqm nursery garden, a 260sqm chicken farm and a 180sqm herb garden. The nursery garden is teeming with bananas, coconuts, papaya, squash, passionfruit, sunflowers, daisies and more. The adjacent chicken farm is home to a growing brood of hens, roosters and chicks. Outside beachfront restaurant Atlantis, the herb garden brims with mustard leaves, morning glory, red and green chili peppers, Vietnamese basil, lettuce, green onions, white radish, bok choy, tomatoes and more. All the farm’s produce is directed to the resort’s restaurants. Bananas, coconuts and eggs are served during breakfast. Lettuce and mustard leaves are included in salads and coconuts are provided as drinks at Atlantis. Italian restaurant La Casa’s traditional caprese salad features tomatoes from the herb garden with locally produced mozzarella cheese.

To Plant, to Raise and to Understand on Phuket

Trisara, an exclusive hideaway in Phuket’s unspoiled northwestern corner, is notable among resorts in Thailand for its sustainability philosophy. And this ethos is to the fore in its Michelin-garlanded F&B that encompasses PRU—the only Michelin-starred restaurant on Phuket—and Jampa, a zero-waste venue leading the charge for sustainable dining on the island. Locavore inclinations reach a delicious crescendo at Pru. The venue’s name – an acronym for Plant. Raise. Understand. – provides a solid clue as to its overriding creed. Jampa, meanwhile, takes Trisara’s “Dine Good, Do Good” motto to a logical conclusion with its zero-waste cuisine. The beating heart of this philosophy is Pru Jampa, Trisara’s 16,000-square-metre farm. The treasure trove of a garden is a culinary playground bursting with aromas and flavours to be utilised by award winning chefs Jimmy Ophorst (Pru) and Rick Dingen (Jampa). Here chickens are raised for their eggs, fish is farmed sustainably, and myriad fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs are cultivated. All together, along with rotating their crops, this creates a sustainable ecosystem to nourish the land and to support the local economy.

Onsite Farm’s Produce Feeds Resort’s Guests and Staff

The Anam Cam Ranh has dedicated 8500sqm of its 12 beachfront hectares to an array of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and chicken and duck eggs for meals for guests and staff. The resort’s chefs incorporate ingredients from the resort’s farm such as morning glory, malabar spinach, corn, mustard green, and wild betel leaves in meals served to guests at Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar as well as at the staff kitchen. The farm’s variety of vegetables also include lettuce, cucumber, green onion, and cassava root. Custard apple, papaya, banana, mango, cac fruit and bitter melon are among the farm’s fruits. Herbs grown include basil, coriander, thyme, mint, imperata cylindrica, and plantago asiatica. In addition to ducks and chickens, the farm also features geese, rabbits, goats, guinea fowls, turkeys and peacocks. Children are welcome to visit the farm as part of a supervised program to learn more about sustainable farming.

Buffalo Manage the Margins at a Mid-Coast Golf Course

Located in a part of Vietnam renowned for its pristine nature, Laguna Lang Co prides itself on having a strong focus on sustainability. And part of this drive is an extensive organic farm which utilizes worm farming as the source of nutrition. The farm provides fresh produce for the F&B outlets at award winning resorts Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. It is supported by a range of other agricultural initiatives: not least Laguna Lang Co’s famous bovine greenkeepers. Water buffaloes help to manage the seven-hectares of rice fields located right in the middle of the Sir Nick Faldo Signature course by eating excess weeds and crops in the area that would otherwise require machinery and manpower to maintain. Not only do the animals provide a vital service in tending to the paddies, they supply an additional appealing optic to one of the most eye-catching sections of a golf course that is already strong on visual manna. The rice-fields, though, are not just for show. Harvested twice a year, they yield up to 20 tons of rice that are used to support the organic farm at Laguna Lang Co and donated to families and seniors in the area.

Willow’s Garden Grows from Strength to Strength

What began as a spice garden in response to a shortage of vegetables during an ongoing COVID-19 lockdown has blossomed into a self-sustainable half-acre space dubbed ‘Willow’s Garden’ on Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort’s grounds. The team at the beachfront resort on Vietnam’s southern coastline started the project in 2021, planting a few fast-growing vegetables and spices for use in lunches at the staff canteen in a bid to be more self-sufficient during the pandemic. The 1700sqm that surrounds a 300sqm lake harbors an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, such as grapefruit, pomegranate, cucumber, eggplant, ginger, coriander, and sunflowers, all free from chemicals and additives. The resort expects to develop a specialized menu embracing a plant-to-plate philosophy in its restaurants, and a program giving guests the chance to cultivate their own mini-garden at home by learning the fruitful tips and tricks deployed by staff. Guests will also be encouraged to rummage through the garden to pick ingredients such as fresh herbs to use when crafting their own dishes before indulging them as part of Muoi restaurant’s “Cook & Dine” cooking class. The resort will also roll out fun, free gardening activities for guests such as painting pots, flower puzzling, leaf crafts, and making herb-infused essential oils.

‘360° Cuisine’ Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint 

Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept, under which executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy) crafts dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Meliá Chiang Mai has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa.  “Our ‘farm to plate’ efforts, sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel and using every part of each ingredient we can – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – come full circle with ‘plate to farm’, whereby we return food waste back to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept,” Billy said. Through the partnership with ORI9IN, local farmers assist the hotel with import substitution, growing various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper, that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production, in a bid to make communities and the overall food system more resilient.

A Huge Hands-on Resort Farm Kids Love Along Vietnam’s coast

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, on Vietnam’s south central coast, boasts one of the largest resort farms in Vietnam – with more than 250 animals, a mango orchard, and a herb & vegetable garden of more than 3,000 square meters producing over 40 kg of fresh organic vegetables daily. The resort established the Fusion Farm school in 2020 where they teach classes daily, on a complimentary basis, to guests and employees’ children on how to care for animals and grow vegetables. Children also enjoy collecting their own eggs for breakfast.  All of their wet raw food waste is used to feed the animals, resulting in zero removal of waste from the property.

A Bali Resort Farm is Abuzz

Melia Bali, an oceanfront property situated along the pristine coastline of Nusa Dua in Bali, has been abuzz in recent months with the addition of bee hives to its impressive 1,000 sqm organic garden. The beekeeping initiative was introduced to support pollination, biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem, within the garden, and also on a more broader scale. A range of vegetables, spices, herbs, fruit and a mini paddy field can also be found in the Chef’s Garden of this tropical island.

A Picturesque and Practical Design Helps Feed Locals and Guests in Mai Chau

The mountainside property, Avana Retreat Mai Chau, embraces its local roots – literally. The team recently launched their own natural, pesticide-free garden, where they grow a vast selection of herbs and vegetables that appear on guests’ plates. From chayote to coriander many typical Vietnamese flavors can be found in the new vegetable patch. Also on site is a free-range chicken farm where around 500 chickens enjoy a spacious home, while supplying the kitchen with an abundance of eggs. And while the picturesque terraced rice fields that cascade throughout the property are a stunning design element, they’re also working rice paddies tended to by the local community.

A Vegetable Garden Experience With a Passionate Chef in Bali

While most of the produce at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, comes from a thriving vegetable garden, elements on each plate aren’t restricted to what can be found in the produce patch. Chef Dean, the head chef at the property who is behind this vast organic garden, likes to make the most of what can also be found throughout the lush grounds of the property, collecting herbs and spices such as the bark from cinnamon trees on-site. Tarragon, garlic chives, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm, cinnamon basil, Vietnamese coriander, turmeric, and vegetables from okra to eggplants, along with fruits ranging from limes to durian, are just some of what is grown at the property and a tour with the chef of his abundant yield is a must-do for passionate foodies.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ambassador Cruise to Launch New Day Cruise in Halong Bay

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Ambassador Cruise to Launch New Day Cruise in Halong Bay - TRAVELINDEXHalong Bay, Vietnam, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Ambassador Cruise is heralding the dawn of a new day in cruising Halong Bay, with the launch of a day cruise on a new vessel with restaurants and bars, an outdoor jacuzzi and a striking glass bridge.

The five-star line behind the UNESCO World Heritage site’s most sublime cruise experiences began the day-long ‘Ambassador Day Cruise II’ tours on February 10 this year.

Elegantly designed, the ship features spacious sundecks across two floors that total 324sqm and 250sqm, affording 360-degree vistas of Halong Bay and its myriad limestone karsts. Two restaurants, two bars, an entertainment area for live music, and the large open-air jacuzzi are among the 45-cabin vessel’s top-notch facilities. The five-metre glass bridge jutting from the vessel’s bow inspires compelling photographs.

The 500-ton five-floor steel craft with a basement measures 90 meters long, 16 meters wide and 19 meters high, making it the largest and most luxurious ship to ever ply Halong Bay’s waters with a total of 10,000sqm of lettable space. Ambassador Cruise is the only Halong Bay cruise line to include an elevator system for the elderly and people with disabilities.

With amenities that hitherto have been the province of overnight adventures only, the new cruise caters for up to 500 passengers, who will check in at Ambassador’s Check-In Lounge in Halong City at 9.45am.

The itinerary includes exploration of Sung Sot Cave, a delectable buffet lunch while the vessel’s route plys a passage by Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trong Cave, Me Cung Cave and Cua Van Floating Village. The cruise anchors off Titov Island whose scalable heights offer panoramic views of the bay. Afternoon tea is served on the vessel’s sundeck. Guests return to Halong International Cruise Port at 4:30pm.

A round-trip shuttle bus links Hanoi with Halong Bay via an expressway that opened in 2018, cutting the drive time between the destinations in half to two hours.

Nguyen Cao Son, founder of Asia Premier Cruises Corporation, which owns Ambassador Cruise, said February was the right time to launch the day cruise, following the world’s reopening and 2018’s launch of both the expressway and Van Don International Airport, located 50km from Halong Bay.

“The day cruise opens up Halong Bay in an exciting new way for many travelers, particularly those who can’t squeeze an overnight cruise into their schedule and yet now have the opportunity to experience this breathtakingly beautiful destination in style in a day,” he said.

Since launching its first vessel in 2021, Ambassador Cruise has made a name for itself as the leading luxury cruise operator on Halong Bay and also offers overnight cruises.

For more information about Ambassador Cruise or to make a booking, call +84 1900 3045.

Ambassador Day Cruise II is priced from USD 112 per person (VND 2.625 million) including day cruise itinerary and program, round-trip shuttle bus transfer from and to Hanoi, one luxury buffet lunch, onboard insurance, tax and service charges, sightseeing fees and afternoon tea on the sundeck.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Danang Marriott Resort and Spa Opens its Doors

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Danang Marriott Resort and Spa Opens its Doors - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comDa Nang, Vietnam, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Marriott Hotel’s first hotel in Vietnam is nestled on the country’s stunning central coast, with a collection of spacious rooms, suites and villas, plus five pools and exceptional facilities for couples, kids, friends and events. Danang Marriott Resort & Spa is nestled directly on Non Nuoc Beach, overlooking the East Sea. Danang Marriott Resort & Spa recently opened its doors on Vietnam’s stunning central coast, offering fantastic facilities for fun-filled family vacations, seafront escapes and unforgettable events overlooking the ocean. Nestled on Non Nuoc Beach, close to downtown Danang, this stylish retreat made its debut late last year and has already become one of the city’s most popular places to stay, meet, dine and unwind.

An oasis of tranquility, the resort offers a wide range of facilities help all ages to unwind, disconnect from their daily lives and soak up the relaxing ambiance. Guests can take a dip in a choice of five infinity pools, including a dedicated kid’s pool, or soothe their senses at Quan Spa, a haven of wellness that features 12 treatment rooms, a foot massage area, beauty salon, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. The fitness center is ideal for invigorating workouts, the kid’s club will excite and inspire youngsters, and bicycle rental is available for curious explorers who want to uncover the local area, including the mesmerizing Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc stone carving village, which are located close to the resort.

Danang Marriott Resort & Spa’s 200 spacious rooms and suites are blessed with Indochine architecture and adorned with contemporary interiors, wooden floors and furnishings, 24-hour room service and views of the lush gardens and glistening sea. The 39 villas provide plenty of space for families and friends to unwind together, with three or four bedrooms and private pools.

Marriott Hotels’ signature Great Room lobby concept invites travellers to come together and enjoy light refreshments, while Goji Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant international culinary marketplace that stages the daily breakfast and all-day dining, including bountiful buffets with authentic Vietnamese, pan-Asian and Western cuisine and indoor or alfresco seating. Alternatively, Madame Son is an elegant restaurant that showcases the authentic flavors of Vietnamese and fusion cuisine.

Corporate visitors and wedding planners can explore 1,055 square meters of world-class event space, including a 500-pax Grand Ballroom which can also be divided into two, plus four meeting rooms and an intimate boardroom, all supported by audio-visual technology and professional services. The lush gardens, long beach, sea views and warm climate also make Danang Marriott Resort & Spa the ultimate venue for alfresco events, including one-of-a-kind weddings.

When guests are not busy working or relaxing, Vietnam’s central coast promises an amazing array of attractions, from beautiful beaches and championship golf courses to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, and the breath-taking Ba Na Hills and Son Tra Nature Reserve. Danang International Airport is just 11km away, offering direct connections to and from major Asian cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Guests can choose to stay in a collection of 39 spacious and stylish pool villas
As the inaugural Marriott Hotels branded resort in Vietnam, this fully refurbished property promises to deliver world-class hospitality with sophisticated spaces, enriching experiences and exceptional service are designed to clear the mind, inspire brilliance and spark new ways of thinking, whether guests are visiting for leisure, business or a special event.

“We are delighted to introduce guests to Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, an oasis of tranquility, amazing events and fun for all ages on Vietnam’s central coast. With its prime beachfront setting, fantastic facilities, diverse dining and engaging event spaces, our resort is perfectly placed to attract business and leisure guests alike. We look forward to introducing the many wonders of Danang and Vietnam’s central coast to our discerning clientele,” said Piotr Madej – General Manager.

Danang Marriott Resort & Spa is now inviting guests to add a little extra romance to their stay with the One & Only package. The ideal promotion includes a complimentary room upgrade, a daily 60-minute treatment at Quan Spa, daily buffet breakfast for two people, a special turndown service, and a 20% discount on food and drinks. Book now using the promotional code LVU.

About Marriott Hotels
With more than 600 hotels and resorts in over 65 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels continues to elevate the art of hosting – placing people first is the brand’s living legacy – ensuring guests always feel deeply cared for throughout their stay. Marriott Hotels raises the bar by consistently delivering heartfelt service, within modern, comfortable spaces, and by providing experiences elevated beyond the everyday. As global travelers needs and expectations evolve, so does Marriott Hotels, with its forward-thinking spirit including the Greatroom lobby and M Club that elevate style and design.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Tourism Awards Open for Submissions

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Thailand Tourism Awards Open for Submissions - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netBangkok, Thailand, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that submission for the 14th Thailand Tourism Awards, the country’s most prestigious awards that recognises the Thai travel industry’s best and brightest, opens from 1 March to 30 April, 2023. The winners will be announced on 8 September, 2023, and the awards ceremony will as usual be held on World Tourism Day (27 September), as a symbolic gesture of recognition that builds awareness for responsible and sustainable tourism.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The Thailand Tourism Awards plays a pivotal role in elevating the positive image of Thailand as a tourism destination that is clean, convenient, safe, fair, and environmentally friendly. The biannual awards will continue to signify quality and excellence in tourism and hospitality operations, while underlining Thailand’s new direction towards high value and sustainable tourism.”

This corresponds with the TAT’s ongoing commitment to drive the Thai tourism industry towards safe and sustainable travel in line with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economic Model and the Sustainable Tourism Goal which in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is under the goal of making tourism part of Thailand’s commitment to promote low-carbon tourism and implementation of climate action for sustainability.

Two new categories of Low Carbon and Sustainability, and Tour Programme have been added to the three exiting categories – attraction, accommodation, and health and wellness tourism.

Each category features Thailand Tourism Awards (Outstanding), Thailand Tourism Gold Awards (Excellence), and Hall of Fame Awards for entries that had received three consecutive Thailand Tourism Gold Awards.

Selection and judging process is classified under three concepts: sustainable tourism, safety and health administration and tourist interest.

The biannual Thailand Tourism Awards serve as a catalyst for the winners, who benefit by leveraging the publicity and increased interested in their products that help drive business development.

Winners are also invited to partner with TAT in its marketing activities; such as, participations in travel shows in Thailand and overseas. They also get additional publicity via TAT’s marketing tools on the Thailand Tourism Awards and by attending TAT’s seminar and workshops.

Full information on the Awards can be found at https://tourismawards.tourismthailand.org,

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

FUN IN THE SUN: A Florida Spring Break primer

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With Spring Break on the horizon (at last!) and many Canadians preparing to escape the trenches – not to mention the snowbanks – to head south for heaping helping of sunshine and warm weather, many Florida destinations are gearing up for the annual migration of students and families with a host of happenings throughout March and April.

Starting in the Florida Panhandle and heading to The Keys, here are a few highlights, activities, and accommodation tips for some of Florida’s most popular spring break destinations:

PENSACOLA

• Along Pensacola Beach, families can embark on a racing trimaran with Condor Sailing Adventures, while hanging their feet off the boat, watching for dolphins, enjoying the sunset views, or flying on the bows.

• In late April, the Flora-Bama Lounge will host the annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Greatest Beach Party. Open to all ages, participants in the Mullet Toss will throw a dead mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest. Families can also dine at Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill or Red Fish Blue Fish for some of the best local flavours.

• Keep kids thinking with a little historical walk down America’s First Settlement Trail, a new, free five-km. marked path that traverses Historic Downtown Pensacola. Along the trail are 20 stops and more than 70 sites from as early as 1756, when the Spanish built Fort San Miguel in what is now downtown Pensacola.

DESTIN FORT WALTON BEACH

• Destin-Fort Walton Beach serves as the perfect playground for the ultimate spring break getaway with tons to explore for everyone in the family. From charter fishing and Gulf-to-table cuisine, family-friendly accommodations and natural historical sites, the destination inspires all to get outside, learn something new and find adventure in “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

• Visitors can stay in style at The Island Resort in Fort-Walton Beach, where guests staying in the pool deck rooms can relax with their own private pool deck with direct swim-up access. Additionally, Hilton Homewood Suites features spacious suites with full kitchens and separate living areas, complimentary evening socials, outdoor grills, and recreational areas ideal for families. Dining is easy for families at spots like Dewey Destin’s Seafood, a long-standing favourite, and Lulu’s, which allows families to check in online to join the waitlist for this kid-friendly restaurant.

• Watersport enthusiasts can rent a pair of jet skis or captain their own pontoon boat with Island Watersports Company. Little Adventures offers bite-sized adventure packages, which provide endless outdoor activities for families to enjoy, such as watersports, dolphin pod excursions, surf lessons, fishing from The Island Pier and much more.

ST. AUGUSTINE

• The St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival is held in America’s Oldest Celtic City with cultural events to be held March 11-12. Top Celtic bands, Highland Games, workshops, lectures, Celtic food, artisan crafts and a St. Patrick Day parade will be featured, plus a special whiskey tasting event on March 10. The Celtic Music & Heritage Festival and activities will be held at Francis Field in the historic downtown.

OCALA

• Home of Ocala National Forest and other popular parks, Ocala in Central Florida invites visitors to explore more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs, including those in Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, Juniper Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Paradise Springs. Dubbed “Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala boasts local horse farms offering horseback tours or carriage rides. Equestrian season runs from January to March, so early spring is the perfect time to watch a horse show like the HITS Ocala Tournament, Winter Spectacular Show Series IX and Ocala March Dressage.

• Ocala is also home to spring festivals, including Strawberry Festival, Santos Fat Tire Festival, Rainbow Springs Art Festival and Springs Fest. With so many events, families need to squeeze in some time for adventure on a zip line at the Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park. Built around a reclaimed quarry, parents and kids who meet the criteria can soar on nine different zip lines, cross two rope bridges and conquer a rappel on a canopy tour.

PASCO COUNTY

Florida’s Sports Coast – aka Pasco County – is home to Epperson Lagoon – a massive man-made lagoon filled with stunning crystal-clear turquoise water and lined with bright white sand. There’s also Lift Adventure Park, designed with adrenaline-seeking families in mind. Sitting atop the Florida Sport’s Coast waters, the aqua park sports a full-size cable system for high-speed wakeboarding. The sizable park also includes a jungle ropes course suspended above the bay water, kayaking, paddle boarding and massive slides. Adventurous families will want to visit TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park for an aerial park experience, especially the Cosmic Night Climb, where nine courses light up.

ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER

St. Pete/Clearwater offers white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, perfect for the family member that wants to lay in the Florida sun for the week. The Salvador Dalí Museum provides some culture and is home to the largest collection of Dalí’s work outside of Spain. And for accommodations, families need look no further than the TradeWinds Island Resorts – the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort – which has added 141 guest rooms to its portfolio, along with a new a three-storey, dual-line zipline on the beach and a new Mexican restaurant concept at the Island Grand.

ORLANDO

With nine theme parks and five water parks, Orlando promises a host of immersive experiences for travellers this spring. Among them:

• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (March 1-July 5) boasts impressive Disney-inspired topiaries and colourful gardens and delicious fresh flavours around the World Showcase.
• Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval (through April 16) features Cajun and Creole dishes, and performances by some of the biggest names in music.
• SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival (thru May 7) features exquisite global cuisine, an ocean of local craft beers and diverse live entertainment.
• The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (March 17-19) is one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious outdoor art festivals, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year. Hosted in the heart of historic Winter Park, the juried art show features sculpture, paintings, digital art and more from hundreds of artists, along with live music, art activities and more.

Avanti International Resort

Meanwhile, here are some Spring Break accommodation deals:

• Caribe Royale Orlando: Enjoy 15% off the best available rate on stays of two or more nights, plus a $25 daily dining credit when booking directly through April 21, for stays between Feb. 27 and May 31.
• Floridays Resort Orlando: Get a sixth night free when staying for five nights by May 31
• Avanti International Resort: Save 20% on the best available rate.
• Avanti Palms Resort: Save 25% on the standard rate for stay through May 31.
• The Point Hotel & Suites: Take advantage of the Spring Break 25% off deal when staying a minimum of two nights through May 31.

KISSIMMEE

In Kissimmee, there’s no shortage of things to do for spring break, but it also offers vacation homes that let the whole family congregate together without trying to squeeze into a hotel room. Nearby, world-famous theme parks and unbelievable natural beauty await. Kissimmee also boasts chic shopping centres and golf courses for parents, while kids can feel engaged at educational attractions like SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, WonderWorks, and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

ST. LUCIE

• St. Lucie on Florida’s east coast, halfway between Miami and Orlando, offers pristine beaches with more public beach access points per square mile than any other coastal community in the state. With exception of the Florida State Park beaches, all beaches in St. Lucie are free admission and free parking and many are equipped with amenities such as bathrooms, pavilions, dune walkovers and more. And as one of the only places to ride horses on the beaches, a slow-paced ride down Fort Pierce’s natural, isolated sandy shoreline is the kind of memory families want to create.

• Treasure Coast Kids Quest is an interactive and educational passport program where participating locations provide a stamp after the children have completed their activity at each stop. Once all the passport stamps are collected, a goodie bag is provided at the Fort Pierce City Marina gift shop. There’s also the Nature & Wildlife Digital Pass, which invites visitors to explore nine locations to digitally “check-in” and enjoy the nature-based adventure and education at each spot. Passholders receive prizes as they complete the pass and passholders who complete the trail by March 27, will be entered to win the Ultimate Eco-Giveaway – a custom hammock, two vouchers for a local wildlife boat tour, two vouchers for a guided kayak tour through the mangroves, and a one-night stay at local accommodations.

BRADENTON BEACH

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, families can spend hours playing in the sand at Holmes Beach, get up close to bottlenose dolphins taking a ride with the Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours, or take in a show during the evening at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

SEBRING

• This spring, Florida’s fizziest festival, the annual Sebring Soda Festival, takes over in April. Families can also check out the Sebring Area Geotour, a free geocaching scavenger hunt that will guide families throughout the greater Sebring area to find treasures and learn about this special area of Florida.

• Highlands Hammock State Park offers nine trails, an elevated boardwalk, and a tram. Families might be lucky enough to spot a Florida alligator, deer, or black bear among all of the other wildlife in the park. For indoor experiences, visit the Children’s Museum of the Highlands to allow kids to learn about Sebring through arts and crafts, science, and games.

• Families won’t want to skip Sebring Soda and Ice Cream Works. Home to more than 300 craft and vintage sodas and an array of more than 20 ice cream flavours, this soda shop is great for adults and children looking to reach for an old classic soda or try something completely new, such as cucumber, peach cobbler or chocolate soda.

SARASOTA COUNTY

Siesta Beach

• Known for its many offerings of beaches, Sarasota County is the place where families can hunt for shark teeth in the Shark Tooth capital of the US. Venice, play on the white sand of one of America’s top-ranked beaches of Siesta Beach, or simply relax on Longboat Key Beach. Serious students can keep their education going at Suncoast Science Center, while the Faulhaber FAB LAB offers hands-on activities for kids. The Ringling Museum of Art and Circus Museum offers several programs for families and kids, including ROAR! Storytime that connects art and literacy, family art-making and stroller tours. Myakka State Park offers a Junior Ranger program and teaches kids about the park by completing six CORE activities to earn their Junior Ranger badge.

• For pure adventure, Tree-Umph! Adventure Park has courses for all skill levels, from easy to adventurous.

PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH

• Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is the place for outdoor fun, with Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours inviting families to see alligators, wild hogs, and turkeys, as well as the historic Cracker Cattle. Visitors can collect seashells or take a discovery walk through nature at Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach State Park, where manatees, gopher tortoises, snowy egrets, least terns and magnificent frigate birds call home. Outfitters near Englewood Beach offer activities such as jet ski, kayak, stand up paddle boarding, boat, and parasailing packages for the whole family.

• Tire little ones out on Punta Gorda’s Harbor Walk along the beautiful Charlotte Harbor shoreline. The Harbor Walk is a fantastic location to take advantage of the Free Bike Loaner Program that is unique to Punta Gorda. Bike stations include Fishermen’s Village, Laishley Marina, Bayfront Punta Gorda’s Wellness Center, Sheraton Four Points and SpringHill Suites.

THE PALM BEACHES

• Animal fans can explore the many wildlife attractions in the Palm Beaches. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, for example, doubles as protection of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources where visitors may see Florida Panthers, bobcats, and black bears, among other native wildlife. There is also Lion Country Safari, Florida’s largest drive-through safari, which displays 900 animals roaming in wide-open habitats within inches of your car! And Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society invites guests to go wild with koalas, tigers, macaws and more.

• Loggerhead Marine Life Center promotes the conservation of the ocean’s ecosystems with a special focus on sea turtles. The perk here (besides the many sea turtles) is that this centre is located just steps away from some of the most densely nested loggerhead sea turtle beaches in the world.

• There’s also the Snorkel Trail at Phil Foster Park, where blue waters are home to a variety of marine life including sea turtles, tropical fish, sailfish, goliath groupers and dolphins. Manatee sightings are frequent in the winter and springtime, while sea turtles are common year-round. For the best snorkeling conditions, visit at high tide.

FORT LAUDERDALE

• The beachfront town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, on the southeast coast of Florida, offers beautiful white sand beaches, low-rise hotels (literally on the sand!), shopping and many dining options. Families should take note that many hotels offer free bikes, and bike rentals are available along with free “around town” Pelican Hopper bus. Take a stroll to the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway to discover marine sculptures, locally owned shops and eateries, as well as ice cream shops and bakeries. The Town Walking Map is a handy guide for your family’s visit to our small seaside town.

• Recognized as “Florida’s Beach Diving Capital,” Lauderdale-By-The-Sea teems with marine life less than 100 yards off the white sand beaches. The whole family can enjoy snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and paddle boarding right off the beaches’ shorelines. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is also a designated “Blue Wave Beach,” a distinction given to clean and environmentally responsible beach communities.

MIAMI

• With the Discover JW Miami Turnberry package, guests get entrance to Tidal Cove, an award-winning waterpark with seven water slides, a 370-sq.-m. kids pool and the first-ever FlowRider Triple surf simulation pool in the nation. There’s also Acqualina Resort’s newly enhanced AcquaMarine Kid’s Club, which provides educational adventures for the resort’s youngest guests and is complimentary when booking accommodation at the luxury resort.

• The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, located in downtown Miami sparks wonder and investigation across 1.6 hectares that house the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium and the North and West Wings. Families can geek out over exhibitions about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in an experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows all year-round.

• Foodie families in Miami can also drop in at the Deering Seafood Festival on March 26, at the Deering Estate. Fresh seafood, chef demos, live entertainment and activities for the kids await.

FORT MYERS

The famed Sanibel Lighthouse re-opened on Feb. 28, five months to the day after Hurricane Ian nearly toppled the iconic structure, symbolizing the town’s ongoing recovery. Gasparilla Island beaches, Tarpon Bay Beach and Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Island are open and other beaches and parks are coming back in stages.

FLORIDA KEYS

Islamorada Resort Collection, comprised of four premier resorts located in Islamorada, a village in the Florida Keys, offers four private beaches to relax on as well as boating, fishing, snorkeling, and diving excursions. New to the collection this spring is the Islamorada Spearfishing Adventures at Amara Cay, which invites families to embark on an excursion with a local captain to find Florida Keys’ spiny lobster, participate in inshore and offshore fishing, or an underwater hunt.

SPRING TRAINING

Of course, spring training baseball continues throughout the state in March, including the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin (last game March 27).

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

APPY DAYS: Air Transat unveils mobile app makeover

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If you haven’t tried Transat’s mobile app for awhile, now’s the time, as the airline has unveiled a fresh interface and new features, all designed to simplify the user experience.

The mobile app makeover accompanies Air Transat’s travellers every step of the way by providing contextual and timely information for pre-trip preparation, as well their outbound and return flights and at their destination. It allows users to check in online, track their flight status, access their travel documents and more.

In addition, for clients who booked a package, it is possible to consult the schedule of welcome sessions and airport transfers, to communicate with a Transat representative at any time, to view the excursions purchased before their departure, and to obtain their check-out time.

It also allows travellers to easily locate links to add inflight services such as Option Plus, inflight extras and meal pre-order. And more new features will also be added throughout the year.

Travel agents are invited to watch YouTube video to get an overview of the available features. Click HERE.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Constantly craving k.d.

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Kudos to k.d. lang, who was just awarded Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts – the 2023 Governor-General’s Performing Arts Awards, one of seven Canadians to receive the honour. The lifetime achievement award “recognizes artists for their outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the performing arts in Canada.”

For Edmonton-born (Kathryn Dawn) lang, now 61, the award recognizes an “impressive discography (that) spans over three decades and comprises 13 studio albums, one soundtrack, two live albums, four compilation albums and 41 singles,” according to the Awards Foundation, which adds, “(She) is known for her wide-ranging musical talent, distinctive and androgynous style, and hauntingly pure mezzo-soprano voice.

It continues: “She has played an important role in the recognition and development of country and popular music in Canada, and her unique creative contribution has added a new dimension to contemporary music. A noted activist, she publicly came out as a lesbian in the early 1990s and is a strong advocate for the gay rights movement, as well as for animal rights and HIV/AIDS care and research.”

Known as “the Alberta Rose,” the singer evolved from her early cow-punk days with band The Reclines, breaking out as a breathtaking crooner, and solo artist, on the album “Ingénue,” which featured the hit single, which she co-wrote, “Constant Craving” (video below).

She also collaborated with such prominent artists as Roy Orbison (on the Grammy-winning duet “Crying”), Tony Bennett, and Elton John, as well as country greats Loretta Lynn (best friend of her idol, Patsy Cline), Brenda Lee, and Kitty Wells.

Another career highpoint came when she mesmerized the world with one of the most definitive renditions of fellow Canadian Leonard Cohen’s classic “Hallelujah” at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

The GGPAA adds to lang’s long list of accolades, which includes being an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals. Other awards and honours include the GGPAA National Arts Centre Award, four Grammys, eight Junos, and three GLAAD Media Awards (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

She has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame and holds honorary doctorates from two Canadian universities.

The GGPAA will be awarded at a ceremony in May.

Lyrics

Even through the darkest phase
Be it thick or thin
Always someone marches brave
Here beneath my skin

Constant craving
Has always been

Maybe a great magnet pulls
All souls towards truth
Or maybe it is life itself
That feeds wisdom
To its youth

Constant craving
Has always been

Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving
Has always been
Has always been

Constant craving
Has always been
Constant craving
Has always been

Craving
Ah ha
Constant craving
Has always been

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Amadeus’ Lutz Vorneweg joins Joyned team as its Travel industry expert

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Jerusalem, Israel, March 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Jerusalem-based start-up Joyned, developer of Joyned Booking, a solution that makes online group booking a social experience, has today announced the appointment of Lutz Vorneweg, a senior executive at tourism giant Amadeus, as its travel industry expert. Vorneweg has over 30 years’ experience in senior management positions at Amadeus, most recently as SVP of Strategic Alliances and Portfolio Partnerships. Amadeus provides technology solutions for the entire tourism industry, including hotels, travel agencies, airports, and airlines. It employs 16,000 people in over 190 countries, and in 2021 its annual turnover reached more than $3 billion.

Lutz Vorneweg, SVP of Strategic Alliances and Portfolio Partnerships at Amadeus, said: “Eighty per cent (80%) of leisure travel takes place with friends and family. I am fascinated by what Joyned is doing in this space – helping friends and family to plan, book and share travel together – creating togetherness before and after the actual trip. Helping the team of a young, dynamic company that’s helping set the future of the travel industry keeps me at the forefront of all the latest innovations in the sector. While at the same time, I am looking forward to using my experience to help Joyned create collaborative travel experiences for more and more friends and family and in turn accelerate its own growth.”

Founded in Jerusalem in 2017 by CEO Jonathan Abraham and Michael Levinson, CPO, Joyned is a SaaS solution for travel websites that encourages friends and family to book together, while increasing revenue for the site. The appointment of Lutz Vorneweg comes following a period of strong growth for Joyned, with the company having secured several major partnerships with travel industry giants including OYO, during the past twelve months.

Commenting on Vorneweg’s appointment, Jonathan Abraham, CEO of Joyned, said “Lutz has been at the heart of global tourism for over 30 years. Many significant players in the industry have been impacted by his leadership in developing and adopting advanced technological solutions. His knowledge, experience and connections are a tremendous and unprecedented asset for an Israeli travel-tech startup like Joyned. He will, I believe, help us realize our vision of becoming the de facto standard of international booking sites in a market worth $1 trillion annually.”

The Joyned Booking solution enables social communication on travel and tourism sites, making group booking a collaborative, shared experience. People can invite their friends and family to a chat while browsing a website or app, where they can view the content, discuss it, and make shared decisions about booking flights, hotels, jeep tours, sailing, and other activities.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News