The Travel Snob

Fête Elvis on the 30th Anniversary of His Death at "Night of a Thousand Stars" in Memphis, Tennessee this Summer. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Orchestrated & hosted by actress and author Suzanna Leigh, The King's co-star in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966), more than two dozen celebs who knew him will gather this August to remember the 30th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock & Roll. Tens of thousands of fans from around the world will be in attendance at the glittering gala, where several notable actors and personalities will be on hand to talk to fans about their experiences with Elvis, sign books, photos & memorabilia - & meet with fans.

Participants include:

• Pat Priest Easy Come, Easy Go
• Sue Ane Langdon Roustabout, Frankie and Johnny
• John Rich - director of Roustabout, Easy Come, Easy Go
• Irene Tsu, Edy Williams & Donna Butterworth  - Paradise, Hawaiian Style
• Jan Shepard King Creole, Paradise Hawaiian Style
• Gloria Pall & Jennifer Holden - Jailhouse Rock
• Will Hutchins - Spinout, Clambake
• Lance LeGault - Girls! Girls! Girls!, Kissin' Cousins, Roustabout
• Leslie Bricusse (songwriter)
• Yvonne Romain Bricusse - Double Trouble
• Michael Dante - Kid Galahad
• Jack Carter - Viva Las Vegas
• Jack Grinnage - King Creole
• L.Q. Jones - Love Me Tender, Flaming Star, Stay Away, Joe
• Celeste Yarnall - Live a Little, Love a Little
• Victoria Paige Meyerink - Speedway
• Gail Gilmore - Girl Happy, Harum Scarum
• & fellow entertainers and Elvis pals Tommy Sands & Ty Hardin

There will also be a special video appearance by Dolores Hart, Elvis's co-star in King Creole and Loving You. She is now a Benedictine nun and spokesman for The Neuropathy Association. A portion of the proceeds from Night of a Thousand Stars will go to the charity that raises awareness of the neurological disorder that Mother Dolores has been battling since 1997.

WHEN: August 16-18, 2007
WHERE: Inn of Hunt Phelan, Memphis, Tennessee (a mere 20 minutes from Graceland)
CHARITY: The Neuropathy Association
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS: July 20, 2007
MORE INFO: Night-of-a-Thousand-Stars.com

- The Travel Snob

(photo: blavish.com)

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NYC's Moderne Hotel to go Green by Fall 2007. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Starting June 1, The Moderne will be getting a full-fledged green makeover. Using the guidelines recommended by the Green Hotels Association, by fall 2007, the building will be made environmentally friendly with energy efficient lighting, bulk dispensers for shampoos and soaps, recycled biodegradable paper products, 100% bamboo unbleached linen, and no smoking in the entire hotel.

"Converting The Moderne into a Green, non-smoking hotel is not enough," notes Stuart Podolsky, the real estate developer behind the greening of the 34-room boutique hotel - in partnership with Jay Podolsky. "We wanted to add an additional touch to it and begin serving a 100% health conscious breakfast that will include wheat grass, fresh juices, organic and soy products, buck wheat pancakes, basically a non-fat high fiber breakfast."

For more info, visit NYCHotels.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Raft Maine's Dead River, the Longest Stretch of Whitewater in the Eastern U.S. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Maine's Dead River, which flows from Flagstaff Lake, offers the longest continuous stretch of Class III to V whitewater in the East. The sixteen-mile trip begins below Grand Falls, culminating at the the confluence with the Kennebec River in The Forks and Big Poplar Falls. Melt waters from Maine's deep snow pack insure high water levels throughout the spring, and the Dead River releases high water only ten times a season, six of which are in the spring. "Lake refills are right on target," confirms Wes Hallowell, river engineer for Kennebec Water Power that oversees the Kennebec and Flagstaff watershed reports. "We can expect to have all high water releases as scheduled."

This year's spring high water release dates:

• May 5, 12 & 27
• June 2, 9 & 17

One of the fun benefits of rafting in the spring is the wildlife; eagles and osprey build their nests high above the river gorges, while moose feed along the rivers before they head deep into the forest to escape the summer heat. The season traditionally begins May 1st, some hardy souls have been known to push the season right after ice-out in April. The water is chilly and wet suits are mandatory, but the rides are thrilling with the added volume of the spring run-off.

For more info on whitewater rafting in Maine, visit RaftMaine.com, an association of professional whitewater outfitters. They can provide maps of the Dead River locating the rapids, as well as their Class levels, current river flow, water temperature and wave height.

- The Travel Snob

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With a New Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego will Officially Rock this Fall. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Livin' large in a rock star suite.

The hopping Gaslamp Quarter will host the new hotel, a combination of four-star luxury with a rock vibe, replete with upscale, contemporary design, signature restaurants, sophisticated nightlife, exceptional customer service and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. The 12-story, 315,000-square-foot property will feature 420 suites, including 17 Rock Star Suites,  a landscaped rootop pool deck with a smattering of private cabanas, a retro coffee shop, luxurious spa, a fourth floor urban garden overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter, Nobu restaurant by celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and a stunning lobby lounge and rooftop pool bar created by design daredevil Michael Czysz and Rande Gerber. "Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is one of our most exciting projects to date," explains Gerber. "The design of the bar and rooftop pool bar will incorporate the energy, passion and originality of San Diego's lifestyle with a rich cutting edge design. As with all of our properties, we will create a unique ambience that will play host to an eclectic crowd and offer an international mix of music, as well as a few surprises. When I look at this city, it feels like Miami did years ago with the vitality and anticipation to take off. It's exciting to be part of a city with such spirit and people who are ready to shake it up a bit."

Enlisting the talents of renowned San Diego-based architect Graham Downes, the interiors of Hard Rock Hotel San Diego include both layering and staging elements, such as the dynamic 40-foot lobby at the hotel's entrance with custom-designed furniture and fixtures, leading to a striking lobby bar. The surround-sound music & constant energy are orchestrated under the watchful eye of the hotel’s Vibe Manager (!).

"Every guest will receive true rock-star treatment and services when staying at the property," promises Trevor Horwell, Vice President of Hard Rock Hotels. The life of rock royalty includes cantilevered furniture, 300-thread count cotton linens, green-room inspired refreshment centers, halo-illuminated beds that create a sense of floating, and sensually-styled bathrooms with ceiling-mounted rain showers. Technology pulses through the rooms with integrated video and sound systems, including a home-theatre entertainment center with WiFI and large HD TVs. Life in one of the 17 custom-designed, one-of-a-kind Rock Star Suites is even sweeter with matte leather couches, vibrantly colored fur pillows, dark ebony floors and hand-woven custom rugs. The top floor suite features a fire pit and deck seating for 20, while another boasts 270-degree views of the San Diego Bay and an outdoor hot tub. In the Black Eyed Peas Suite designed by will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo, everything from the furniture to the bed linens reflects the band members' personal touches, including a video greeting from will.i.am, where he’ll suggest everything from his favorite haunts in the historic Gaslamp Quarter to choice tunes stashed in his personal music collection.

For guests choosing to eat at the hotel, Nobu awaits - the seventeenth location in Nobu Matushisa's chain. With offerings such as Yellowtail with Jalapeno, Tiradito Nobu Style, Lobster with Wasabi Pepper Sauce and Black Cod with Miso, sushi lovers and A-listers will be vying for reservations at this see-and-be-seen destination. Guests will have the option of dining in the main dining room, in the private dining room, or at the sushi bar. "Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is a natural next step for Nobu,” says Nobu Matsuhisa. “We’ve been in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas for about eight years and the brand is so strong worldwide. I also live in Los Angeles and I love coming to San Diego, so when I saw the location, I was in. The hotel and the city itself have such a dynamic, fresh energy and is the perfect setting for us to provide exceptional food and service in an atmosphere that is stylish and comfortable."

For more info, visit HardRock.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Go Back in Time During Preservation Month at the Hawthorne Hotel in Historic Salem, Massachusetts. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

A statue of hotel namesake Nathaniel Hawthorne, who spent his childhood in Salem, and returned in 1846 for a three year stint as Surveyor of the Port at the Custom House. In 1849, he penned The Scarlett Letter at his Salem home.

"Preservation month is an exciting time for Salem Massachusetts and the Hawthorne Hotel," explains Susan Babine, Director of Sales and Marketing, of the Hawthorne Hotel, founded in 1925. "Perfect for history buffs, ocean lovers, and general enthusiasts of New England culture and society, the city of Salem has a number of museums and historic homes open for visitors. Right upstairs at the Hawthorne Hotel is the headquarters to the Salem Marine Society, a 241 year old maritime organization. This rich historic site has rarely been available for viewing to the general public since the hotels founding in 1925, and right now we are open and offer private tours with our hotel packages."

To celebrate Preservation Month, the Hawthorne is serving up an Offer of Historic Proportions throughout May - a two night stay for two featuring:

• a narrated tour of the Hawthorne Hotel
• a rare opportunity to visit the Salem Marine Society - headquarters of Salem's oldest organization founded in 1766 by 18 Salem area sea captains - located on the hotel's rooftop
• full breakfast each morning
• two tickets to the famed House of the Seven Gables
• two tickets to the Peabody Essex Museum, America's oldest continually operating museum including its collection of historic homes spanning three centuries

Rates start at $372 (plus tax). For more info, visit HawthorneHotel.com.

- The Travel Snob

 

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Rejuvenate at one of the Top Destination Spas on the Condé Nast Traveler Annual Best-Of List. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The April issue of Condé Nast Traveler recently released their 2007 readers' poll celebrating the top 56 spas in North America, showcasing  the best spas and highlighting the opinions of their very sophisticated, discriminating travel-enthusiast readers. "Readers raved about destination spas this year," explains the magazine, " with more than twice as many high scorers as last year". Of the top nine awards, Destination Spa Group spas - a select, by-membership-only group - received seven, including:

    * Lake Austin Spa Resort
    * Cal-a-Vie
    * Canyon Ranch in Lenox
    * Golden Door
    * Canyon Ranch in Tucson
    * Rancho La Puerta
    * Red Mountain Spa

Get your spa on at DestinationSpas.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Enjoy the Kentucky Derby That Much More by Staying Like a Local. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Instead of watching the Derby on TV this year, celebrate My Old Kentucky Home style during 133rd Run for the Roses on May 5. RentMyHouse4derby.com specializes in houses in and around Louisville at a variety of price ranges, so gather up a group of friends, party & stay together, and enjoy a unique and memorable vacation by renting a local house.

- The Travel Snob

Aloha! Jet Off to Maui for a Girlfriends Getaway. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

    

One of Hawaii's most "Hawaiian" hotels is offering a new two- night Girlfriends Getaway Package for $700 (a $200 savings - additional nights are $265 & include a car.) “We have seen an increase in female travelers to Kaanapali Beach Hotel in recent months,” says the hotel's General Manager, Mike White. “We wanted to create a unique girlfriends getaway package that is flexible and affordable that reflects the hotel’s commitment to Hawaiian culture.”

The 430-room oceanfront hotel is set on a three-mile stretch of sandy beach on Maui’s western coast, and boasts spacious guestrooms, two restaurants and an award winning Hawaii-born Chef, a beach activities center equipped with snorkel gear, boogie boards and access to a sailing catamaran, and the Beauty of Aloha Spa Salon. The hotel’s Hawaiian cultural arts program includes daily complimentary activities, a nightly hula show, and features its singing staff at their guest welcome breakfast and farewell lei ceremony.

The Girlfriends Getaway is available to book through June 30, and for travel through December 2007, and includes:

• Two nights in a partial ocean view room
• Compact rental car with unlimited mileage
• Lunch at the Tiki Grill
• One facial and massage for each person
• Chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling cider
• Plumeria scented spa amenity

For more info, visit KBHMaui.com.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: lodging4vacations.com)

Snazzy Car Design Translates into Hotel Hipness at the Pininfarina-Designed "The Keating" in San Diego. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Renowned for their sophisticated design of automotive zeniths Ferrari and Maserati, Italian powerhouse Pininfarina has lent its signature clean, ergonomic design aesthetic to The Keating, a newly-opened luxury 35-room boutique hotel in the heart of the centrally-located Gaslamp Quarter. Housed in an historic building, The Keating takes inspiration from the juxtaposition of the intricate façade of the structure and the modern vibe of the city. Snapshots of the building's heritage line the exposed brick walls, while sky blue in the bathrooms and bold red hues in the rest of the space showcase custom-designed mahogany furniture and stainless steel accents in each of the 35 Stanzas (Italian for guestroom).

Forgoing the usual warm and wet zones (bedroom & bathroom), Pininfarina divised a fresher, more open interpretation of space - which is filled with little (and not so little) luxuries & indulgences: in-room spa services, goose down duvet and feather beds, sumptuous Egyptian cotton linens from Frette, a wall-mounted High Definition plasma television and entertainment center experience by Bang and Olufsen, in-room professional LavAzza espresso machines, a customized sip & crave selection bar, plush designer bath robes, and complimentary high speed WiFi Internet access. Personalized in-room check-in and an always on-call lifestyle concierge, available at a moment's notice to respond to any request, only add to the fabulousness. 

"The Keating represents everything that San Diego is evolving into," says Edward Kaen, the local real estate developer responsible for hotel. "It combines historical significance with modern design appeal and premier service in a welcoming, urban setting that underscores how vibrant and exciting this city has become. We are incredibly proud to debut such a unique hotel concept here."

More info at TheKeating.com.

- The Travel Snob

Get Creative with an Art Seminar Package at the Spencer Hotel, Chautauqua, New York. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Travel around the world in your dreams in the Jules Verne room at The Spencer Hotel.

To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the Spencer Hotel - an intimate, literary-themed boutique hotel - has teamed up with the not-for-profit Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center to host a series of art activities and customized workshops by renowned artists, writers and musicians of multiple disciplines. Workshops will include poetry, pottery classes, jazz guitar lessons, concert & composition, watercolor & acrylic painting classes, drawing and illustration, visual arts for children, theater and performing arts, and playwriting. Wine tastings, spa treatments, food themes and relaxation exercises will be also be part of each themed workshop.

Each room of the Spencer is dedicated to a renowned author, depicting scenes from their most famous works. In the C.S. Lewis (Room 302) a mural shows the entrance to Narnia from The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, complete with the famed Wardrobe. The Isak Dinesen (Room 203) pays homage to Out of Africa with a bed under dream-like safari tent, while the Jules Verne (Room 306) gives the playful feel of sleeping up in a balloon traveling Around the World in 80 Days.

More info at TheSpencer.com.

- The Travel Snob

Painter Karl Benjamin to be Celebrated as the Inaugural Exhibit at the New Claremont Museum of Art in Southern California. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The tree-lined college town of Claremont, California, will gain a museum of its own when the Claremont Museum of Art opens its doors on Sunday, April 15, 2007. Located inside a renovated citrus packing house, the museum's inaugural exhibit, A Conversation with Color: Karl Benjamin, Paintings 1953-1995, will be a retrospective of the work of world-renowned painter Karl Benjamin. Featuring 46 paintings spanning 42 years, the exhibit traces Benjamin's career, from his early experiments with cubism to works that represent his role as one of the founders of abstract classicism, through to his serial explorations with patterns, systems, letter shapes, stripes and natural forms in the 70's and 80's.  Considered a regional artist of international importance, curator Steve Comba points out that his legacy as an open & generous teacher is just as important.

"Claremont is home to a remarkable number of internationally-acclaimed artists, many of whom settled here to teach at the prestigious Claremont Colleges," says Executive Director William Moreno, former director of The Mexican Museum in San Francisco. "The result is an impressive body of work and significant arts community that will now have an institution dedicated to celebrating this on-going legacy." The museum's permanent collection, Building a Legacy: Founding a Museum, Building a Collection, will occupy the smaller of the two museum galleries with works exhibited on a rotating basis. The collection will present work by Millard Sheets, Jean Ames, Harrison McIntosh, Betty Davenport Ford, Aldo Casanova, Roland Reiss, Norm Hines, James Hueter, Milford Zornes and other notable local artists.

The actual packing house space in which the museum is located boasts an interesting history itself.  During the first half of the 20th century, citrus was the primary industry for Claremont and many other cities in Southern California. By the late sixties, however, housing tract development had become more lucrative, leading to the decline of the citrus industry until the last packing house closed its doors in 1972.  "The spirit in which this building was originally conceived -- a cooperative effort of citrus ranchers who came together to pack and ship their fruit -- is similar to what's happening with the Claremont Museum of Art," notes architect Mark von Wodkte, also a founding board member of the museum. "That the Claremont Museum of Art is located within the Packing House is a celebration of this place and its history."

Check it out at ClaremontMuseum.org.

- The Travel Snob

Saddle up, Pilgrim, for "Ten Decades of the Duke: the Official John Wayne Celebration" in Newport Beach, California. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

(photo: Newscom.com)

Considering his last film was released in 1976, it's incredible that Hollywood legend John Wayne was voted #3 in the 2007 annual Harris Poll of America's favorite film stars. In fact,Wayne has never been out of the top ten since the poll began in 1994 and has placed in the top three slots eight times. On average, his films are shown 3-4 times daily on national broadcast/cable outlets.

May 26 marks the 100th anniversary of John Wayne's birth and in salute to his life and impressive 50-year film career - which spanned half a century, more than 175 films (including a record-breaking 142 leading roles), a Best Actor Academy Award (1969), three Golden Globe Awards, four People's Choice Awards and both the Congressional Gold Medal (1979) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1980) - the city of Newport Beach (Wayne's longtime home town in Southern California) is commemorating Ten Decades of 'The Duke': The Official John Wayne Centennial Celebration from April 21 - 28.    "There has never been a bigger internationally recognized movie icon than John Wayne and the fact that he called Newport Beach home for nearly two decades is a cherished part of our city's history," notes Gary C. Sherwin, president and CEO, Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. "It's appropriate that Newport Beach be the host city for this extraordinary celebration -- this is where John Wayne came to relax, recharge, enjoy good times, and not play a role other than  friend, husband, and father."

Produced in collaboration with the Wayne family and the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau, the celebration will be a featured part of the 2007 Newport Beach Film Festival (April 19 - 29) which is expected to attract more than 35,000 people. The event will launch with the first-ever presentation of the newly established John Wayne Courage Award, created specifically to honor noted individuals who have blazed their own trails in the field of motion pictures and the arts. "Though my dad's movie projects took him to many different locations around the world, he always loved returning home to his family and friends in Newport Beach," says Ethan Wayne, Wayne's youngest son and president of Wayne Enterprises. "We are thrilled to be celebrating his 100th birthday in connection with this year's Newport Beach Film Festival. It is a fitting and appropriate venue to honor and remember his legacy." 

The celebration will be highlighted by screenings of many of Wayne's most memorable films, along with rarely seen footage, photos and personal appearances by notable co-stars, filmmakers & contemporaries. Other festivities include an art unveiling, original prop and costume displays, a scholarly film symposium, and a fundraiser  in support of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation at The Balboa Club & Resort, themed around the Wayne comedy Donovan's Reef. "We are truly proud to honor two things John Wayne loved: Cinematic excellence and the community of Newport Beach," comments Gregg Schwenk, executive director, Newport Beach Film Festival. "The festival is excited to host the many special screenings and events during the Centennial Celebration. The 2007 Festival line-up will offer a unique view of classic and contemporary filmmaking at its finest."

Ten Decades of 'The Duke': The Official John Wayne Centennial Celebration - April 21-28, 2007

• Saturday, April 21 Opening night presentation of the John Wayne Courage Award at a gala at The Island Hotel Newport Beach.

• Wayne movies to be shown: True Grit (1969; his Academy Award-winning performance); Rio Bravo (1959; a Howard Hawks classic Western); Stagecoach (1939); The Sands of Iwo Jima (1949); The Quiet Man (1952); The Searchers (1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962); The Shootist (1976)

• 350 other films: As part of the 8th annual Newport Beach Film Festival, an ambitious and international selection will be on offer, including features, shorts, documentaries, and animation that will compete for both jury and audience awards.

• More info: VisitNewportBeach.com; NewportBeachFilmFest.com; JohnWayne.com

• Saturday, April 28 An elegantly casual fund raiser for The John Wayne Foundation at The Balboa Club & Resort will close the celebrations.

Fly Fishing in Baja, Mexico? Si, Si, Si. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Fishing in the Sea of Cortez has been recognized as some of the best sport fishing in the world, and now that AmericanFlyFishingTravel.com has teamed up with Baja Fly Fishing Co., a premiere Baja guide service, finding the prime fishing spots just got easier. "I just love the action when I'm on the Sea of Cortez," says AmericanFlyFishing.com co-owner Gary Eblen, about the fishing at the East Cape region, where prize Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Roosterfish and Wahoo move north in the spring and back south in the fall migration.

Only a short trip from nearby North America & featuring relatively inexpensive airline connections, Mike Riesser of Baja Fly Fishing Co. thinks the time market for sport fishing in Baja is on the up-swing. "Fly fishing in Baja has never been better and more accessible."

For more info, visit AmericanFlyFishingTravel.com.
 

- The Travel Snob

(photo: flyfishtravel.com)

With Record-Breaking Snow in Whistler, It's Time to Take a Ski Vaca. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

ResortQuest is offering Mid Week Whistler accommodations and Whistler vacation rentals and fifth nights free. With over three months still to go in the season, there are a number of fun events coming up, including Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup, and Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival.

• Sierra Wireless Whistler Cup - April 6-8, 2007: This is the 15th year of the Whistler Cup, North America's premier International Juvenile Ski Race for girls and boys aged 11 to 14 years. The race brings together 350 athletes from over 20 countries around the world.

• Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival - April 13- 22, 2007:  For 10 days and 10 nights, Whistler turns up the volume with 50 live concerts, major pro ski and snowboard comps, legendary arts events, endless nightlife and the best spring skiing & riding in the world. Off-the-slope activities include an outdoor concert series, filmmaker showdown, pro photographer showdown, and the Brave Art series.

• Mountain Travel Symposium - April 15th - 21, 2007:  Whistler will host 1,000 delegates, including North America's top buyers and sellers of mountain resort products for the largest and longest-running annual gathering of mountain travel professionals in North America

For more info, visit ResortQuest.com.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: whistlervillageinn.com)

Find a Travel Needle in a Haystack with Lonely Planet's Newest Accommodation Booking Website. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If you're the adventurous sort who enjoys your travel off the beaten path, but still digs excellent accomodation, Lonely Planet's Haystack is serving up a unique 'invitation only' booking service that features only properties that have been chosen, visited, reviewed and recommended by a Lonely Planet author.

"Whenever you go checking places out grumpy hotel owners say "Why do you guys come at such difficult times?" and that's exactly why we do it. We want to see places at their best and worst," explains one of Lonely Planet's intrepid authors. "First thing in the morning when people are checking out is always a good time to see how people handle being busy, plus there's always a helpful cleaner who might let you see a room that you might not otherwise have caught on the grand tour. The most important thing is to avoid the "official tour," where the people at the desk get the manager and you get shown how light switches work or invited for a cup of tea. Sometimes this can mean sneaking around the front desk or talking to people who are staying there or even just breaking up that tour by saying "What about these rooms?" You have to review against what you're being shown, which often means being pretty annoying to hotel staff." Adds another of their authors: "I don't really jump on beds, but I do look closely to see that the bedspreads are clean (I hate gunky-looking patterned bedspreads), suss out the bathrooms for water pressure and mould, test the windows to see if they can be opened and open wardrobes to look for wire coat hangers (yuck!). I often check minibar prices to see if they're extortionate, and I like to look at communal areas to see how guests and guests of guests are treated. I like to say hello to the people who clean the rooms to, you can tell a lot about a place by the greeting that's returned - and I think everyone in a hotel/motel or wherever should be happy to be there, even if it's for work."

In fact, many of their properties were not previously bookable online through any other service. "We are inviting our favorite properties from around the globe to join the service -- whether it's a backpackers in Sydney, an eco-resort in Yap, or a boutique hotel in Rome," says Dan Christian, Lonely Planet's Haystack Product Manager. "Haystack is a unique service in that every property listed is recommended as a great place to stay. Every property review is 100% independent and written by an experienced travel writer." Currently, Haystack boasts over 1000 properties in more than 58 countries, and more are being added all the time. "Haystack will continue to grow daily as more destinations and properties are added to the site throughout 2007 and beyond."

For more info, visit Haystack.LonelyPlanet.com.

- The Travel Snob

Bon Appetit et Salut! Wine & Culinary Adventures await in the Walla Walla Valley. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If your personal holy trinity involves great wine, food & scenery, it's time to add Walla Walla to your travel plans. Extending from eastern Washington State to the south, and across the Oregon border (one-third of Walla Walla's vineyard land is actually in Oregon), the Walla Walla Valley increasingly the talk of wine & foodie circles.  "We surveyed the most intriguing wine producing regions of the world, looking for the perfect launch destination for Inspired Travel," explains Steve Woodward, managing director of HinsdaleCellars.com, about their boutique travel service which specializes in small group experiences, private tours and custom dining."The choice soon became obvious -- Washington's incomparable Walla Walla Valley."

In addition to connoisseurs, the region has been luring winemakers from tradition-bound parts of the world such as Christophe Baron of the acclaimed Cayuse Vineyards, who uprooted from his native France more than a decade ago - drawn by the rocky soils of Walla Walla. "The best wines made in Washington rank among the best wines produced anywhere in the world," notes author and Washington native John Doerper. "(Yet) much of Washington's Wine Country and many of its wines are still little known, making this a perfect region to explore."

For more info, visit HinsdaleCellars.com.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: whitman.edu)

The Envelope, Please. And the Winner is...the Traveler! Movie-Themed Tours in Los Angeles & the East Coast. TRAVEL SHOB TRAVEL BLOG

Even if you don't plan to get up close & personal with a gold statuette on Oscar night (Feb. 25), there are plenty of blockbuster tours in, around, above & below Tinsel Town to feel "on location" and fabulous. Viator.com has more than 100 tours with a Hollywood theme - backstage tours, location visits, shopping excursions and private soirées - that you may even start preparing a weepy thankyou speech.

Some Red Carpet worthy tours:

• That’s a Wrap Visit the studio that produced two of the Oscar nominees for Best Picture: The Departed and Letters from Iwo Jima. The Warner Bros. & Santa Monica Tour includes full VIP access to the studio back lot, movie and production facilities, a visit to the prop warehouse, front-of-the-line and reserved seating for theme park attractions and shows, and access to a relaxing VIP loungeAfterward, enjoy lunch in Beverly Hills and shopping on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. ($179)

• Be Seen at the Scene Become part of the L.A. scene with their Los Angeles Soiree Tour. You are picked up at your hotel by your personal guide for a night out in West Hollywood & Beverly Hill, with dining at a celeb-studded spot like the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel or Massimo Beverly Hills just off Rodeo Drive. ($141) Alternatively, soak up some culture along with your celebs on the Private Luxury Los Angeles Tour ($123) which includes a visit to The J. Paul Getty Museum, followed by lunch at "Bon Appetit" Restaurant, and shopping on ritzy Rodeo Drive.

• Getting Above it All The Hollywood Skies Helicopter Tour, starting at $167, hovers high above the City of Angels and soars over Marina del Rey, Venice and Santa Monica beaches, the mansions of Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades, as well as the rock & roll glamour of the Sunset Strip and the glitter of Hollywood Boulevard.

• Dig Deep To get below the surface, the Director of Undertakings narrates travelers through decades of death, murder, and just plain fun during the Dearly Departed Tour, starting at $35. Scenes frequented by the famous and infamous are explored, as well as the final scene of Frank Sinatra, River Phoenix, Bela Lugosi and Mae West. On the Movie Stars' Homes and Celebrity Grave Site Tour ($47), visit he final resting places of many of Hollywood’s legends - Hollywood Forever and Westwood Memorial - as well as resting places of the living, including the homes of Nicolas Cage, Harrison Ford, Eddie Murphy, and the Playboy Mansion. 

• Hollywood on Location On the other coast, the Washington DC TV and Movie Sites tour ($34) includes locations from The Exorcist, the bar from St. Elmo’s Fire, Wedding Crashers, Forrest Gump and All the Presidents Men. On Location Tours: New York TV and Movie Sites tour ($47) includes the TV "homes" of Will and Grace, Ross and Rachel (Friends), and Jerry and George (Seinfeld).

More info at Viator.com.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: hellolosangeles.com)

New San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Pass Offers 33% Discount on Sightseeing, Cruises & Attractions. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Any visit to the City by the Bay is likely to include Fisherman's Wharf, one of the San Francisco's top attractions. The new Fisherman's Wharf Pass offers a steep 33% discount on sightseeing, cruises and attractions at the Wharf, including 12 restaurants & shopping. Priced at $61 for adults, and $38 for children, each pass is valid for three days after it is first used.

WharfPass Attractions include:

• San Francisco CitySightseeing Open Top Double Decker Tour OR San Francisco Hop On Hop Off Motorized Cable Car Trolley Tour
• Red & White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise ® OR Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure
• Ripley's Believe It or Not! ® Museum San Francisco OR Turbo Ride at PIER 39
• Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf OR USS Pampanito Submarine Tour
• Aquarium of The Bay At Pier 39 OR Historic Ships at Hyde Street Pier - San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
• Boudin at The Wharf Sourdough Bakery Museum and Tour OR San Francisco Carousel At PIER 39

Available at WharfPass.com.

- The Travel Snob

Hop on a Motorcycle & Get Your Kicks on Route 66. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Historically, Route 66 was the road to a better life, leading thousands of people out of poverty in the east into prosperity of the west, especially the golden state of California. It's no longer a U.S. Federal highway, and is rarely designated on maps - making it ideal for an adventurous motorcycle odyssey. Spanning anywhere from five days to three weeks, the customizable Route 66 motorcycle tour from Ride & Fly Tours runs from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before ending in Los Angeles. "The American pioneering tradition is really the original source of our love of the road, and especially for bikers, that wanderlust will echo strongly," says John Garwood of Ride & Fly Tours. "A motorcycle tour down Route 66 is the definitive way to relive that era and to rediscover a forgotten path from American heritage."

An experienced, knowledgeable guide rides along, so you can enjoy the best roads, and avoid the poorly maintained sections of Route 66. Ride & Fly customizes all aspects of the tour, such as accommodations, depending on your particular tastes. "Route 66 is the mother of all road trips, and beauty and timeless history abounds at every turn. Come along on our motorcycle tour and experience this adventure of a lifetime!"

Find out more at RideAndFlyTours.com.

- The Travel Snob

(illustration: legendsofamerica.com)

For Added Resolve, the New Life Hiking Spa in Vermont is Offering $300 Off its Signature 11-Day Weight Loss Retreat. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

Following through on new year's resolutions to lose weight is more fun in theory than practice. But hiking in the gorgeousness of Vermont with a pack of fellow would-be losers is a fab way to lessen the pain. The 11-Day Weight Loss Retreat features daily hikes, fitness classes and healthy, wholesome meals of approximately 1,600 calories a day - all against a serene backdrop and well-balanced environment necessary to make a significant lifestyle change. Cooking classes, nutrition and wellness workshops, and individual counseling as well as an online cookbook, the New Life Diet (NewLifeDiet.com) - which features the spa's popular dishes and specialties - are all available to help you keep up the good work once you head home.

"There is no better way to jump start your weight loss or fitness routine than by joining our weight loss retreat," explains Jimmy LeSage, M.S., founder and director of New Life, one of Shape Magazine's Eight Best weight loss spas based on its realistic programming, and one of the 10 best spas in six categories - Hiking, Weight Loss, Fitness Programming, Going Solo, Cooking Classes and Affordability - in SpaFinder Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards for 2006. "We are located in the Green Mountains of Vermont, and it is a wonderful way to clear your body and mind. You will return home with a renewed spirit and the tools necessary to introduce to your everyday life, so you can continue to lose weight."

11-Day Weight Loss Retreat at the New Life Hiking Spa:

• WHERE: Killington, Vermont
• WHEN: The season opens May 18, 2007, and the 11-Day Weight Loss Retreat is good for May 18 through May 29.
• CHECK IN & OUT: May 18 anytime after 4 p.m.; check out on May 29 by 1:30 p.m.
• IMPORTANT: Book by March 1, 2007 to receive the $300 off the regular price. Also, space is limited to 40 guests, so booking early is recommended.
• MORE INFO: NewLifeHikingSpa.com

- The Travel Snob