Archives for January, 2008
25
Jan
Posted on 2008 under Universal Studios Events |
Let the good times roll at Mardi Gras 2008! Universal Studios boasts the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans – complete with a live concert series that features a diversity of musical stars, colorful parades full of floats (plenty of beads will also be thrown around!), elaborately costumed characters and delectable “Big Easy” cuisine such as jambalaya and shrimp gumbo. Mardi Gras 2008 at Universal Studios will begin on Saturday, February 2, 2008, and run for 12 Saturday nights through April 19, 2008.
Topping the entertainment list for Mardi Gras 2008 are such musical superstars as country singer Gretchen Wilson, rockers Third Eye Blind and Heart, rap impresario L.L. Cool J and old-school crooners such as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson and Kool & The Gang. Collectively, the musical lineup for Mardi Gras 2008 has sold 260 million albums worldwide. In addition, Mardi Gras 2008 at Universal Studios features live performances from some of the French Quarter’s most talented musicians through the “Celebrate the Music of New Orleans” program.
The centerpiece of Mardi Gras 2008 will be the parade featuring 13 colorful floats that wind around the “French Quarter Courtyard” - a replica of New Orleans’ legendary French Quarter - the heart of Mardi Gras. These authentic floats are designed by “Mr. Mardi Gras” himself, Blain Kern, whose company, Blaine Kern Artists, Inc., has built Mardi Gras floats since 1932. New for 2008, the Mardi Gras parade will bring exotic place to life with floats and performers designed to emulate Babylon, Atlantis, Camelot and more.
The Mardi Gras 2008 celebration would not be complete without the taste of traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine such as jambalaya, gumbo and beignets, which are sure to tempt the palate of Mardi Gras revelers. Along with delicious New Orleans-style cuisine, guests can enjoy flavorful drinks made famous in New Orleans.
Admission to Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is $46.95 plus tax. Mardi Gras ticket is valid at Universal Studios after 5 PM. Live concerts in the Universal Studios Mardi Gras Concert Series begin at 8:30 PM.
“This yearly event is a wonderful addition to the dynamic rides and shows at Universal Studios Florida,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing at HotelsCorp.com. “Both locals and visitors alike enjoy the nationally recognized musical acts that headline the Mardi Gras events. In addition, Universal CityWalk hosts an official Mardi Gras after-party that includes free admission to select nightclubs until 2 AM such as Pat O’Brien’s, the official Mardi Gras Headquarters of CityWalk.”
2008 Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Concert Schedule
FEBRUARY
Bret Michaels of Poison - February 2, 2008
Go-Go’s - February 9, 2008
Sara Evans - February 16, 2008
Third Eye Blind - February 23, 2008
MARCH
Gretchen Wilson - March 1, 2008
Smokey Robinson - March 8, 2008
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - March 15, 2008
Kool & The Gang - March 22, 2008
Heart - March 29, 2008
APRIL
TBA - April 5, 2008
LL Cool J - April 12, 2008
TBA - April 19, 2008
15
Jan
Posted on 2008 under Travel Bargains |
Most airlines will have unsold seats on scheduled flights throughout the United States. To remain competitive in the airline industry and cover operational costs, those open seats must be sold before the flight takes off. People wait inside airports at departure gates for flights going where they want to go because they know an airline agent will announce the last minute travel bargains at the last minute.
Many travelers have learned that a little patience can have a dramatic impact on travel costs no matter what time of the year the travel commences. The money saving options might come through airlines that have seats open in the first class section of the airplane. Travelers that have never experienced the luxurious features of first class might jump at the chance to fly in this section because the travel bargains are too good to pass up and some consider the bargain pricing to be a once in a lifetime event.
Travel bargains can always be found to meet the needs of people traveling in groups. Many travel package prices are based on numbers and when more people travel to overseas destinations the price is significantly reduced. These low prices allow people to take advantage of travel to destinations they only dreamed about before. Without those travel bargains, it is quite possible that travel by students during their senior year at high school would never be possible.
Travel bargains are always possible during the Christmas holiday season. People generally prefer to travel by air or car and the bargain prices on rental cars can be achieved if the rentals are scheduled well in advance. Travel agents keep track of the places that people want to go and organize travel packages that are priced so low that no traveler would pass up such a bargain.
For a few dollars a day a family could ride in a luxurious sedan or a multi-person van. The travel bargain might exist for only two or three vehicles but the pricing on those will be drastically lower. Many travelers will enroll in email notifications to know about newly released travel bargains before anyone else. The notifications might include the specific make and model of a vehicle but travelers who can fit those styles into their travel plans will enjoy traveling for cheap everywhere.
Some travelers know to consult with travel agencies to save travel funds on lodging. At many resort locations, travel agents will purchase hotel rooms in blocks and then make those rooms available to people who are members of their travel group. These travel bargains will allow people to sleep in hotels that would be sold out otherwise, and take advantage of luxury accommodations that cost other hotel occupants more than several nights would for a member of the travel group.
Little extras can be included on a variety of travel packages that might make the whole trip seem worthwhile. Hotels in resort locations might include a night out on the town with the purchase of a week’s rental at the resort. Tickets to amusement parks are often provided free of charge, and these travel bargains will often be offered with room upgrades to rooms that are located inside the park premises.
15
Jan
Posted on 2008 under Caribbean Vacation |
If you are looking for a Caribbean Vacation Special in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, then perhaps you need to do some investigation about the private island of Mayreau. It is a quiet destination found just west of the Tobago Cays. There is no airport on Mayreau so visitors arrive by small cruise ships that dock at Saline Bay on the south west corner of the island.
Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, being only one and a half square miles in area with a permanent population of about three hundred people who all live in a village on the south west of the island.
The real charm of Mayreau, is the fact that this island of all islands in the Grenadines isn’t rich from tourism, so what you are going to see is a side of the Caribbean untouched relatively speaking by the 21st century. If that is important to you, then you must visit.
What you will find is a few dozen simple houses, a few restaurants owned by the locals, all beautifully and colourfully decorated, and a guesthouse. There are also rum shops and pool tables.
You’ll need to hike up the steep hill to the village from Saline Bay or the nice bush path from Saltwhistle Bay, but the reward is a stunning view over Saline Bay to Union Island, whilst you reward yourself with a nice cold drink.
Walk even further and you will find a beautiful little church.[most of the population are Catholics].
The views on all sides from the church are just stunning, across the reefs to the Tobago Cays, and south to Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, Union Island, as well as Petit Martinique and Carriacou. Loking north you will see Canouan behind which is bequia, and on the horizon you can even see the hills of St. Vincent.
Technically Mayreau is a private island, as one would guess from its name, there is something very French about it, and if you think that, then you wouldn’t be wrong. The British seemed to have forgotten all about it, which has resulted in a number of people who seem to hold ownership. In typical Caribbean style this seems to mean a total lack of coordination as to how it is to be developed.
This is a large part of the charm of Mayreau, but it also means it is quite untidy with no effort apparently made to control the rubbish. There is no supplied electricity, but the hum of generators adds to the feel of old Caribbean
Most visitors to Mayreau come by yacht and arrive at either Saline Bay which has a beautiful clean and very long beach, or Saltwhistle Bay a lovely anchorage at the north end of the island, and site of the Saltwhistle Bay Resort, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Grenadines.
Saltwhistle bay is absolutely beautiful, very much a tropical lagoon in appearance. Most visitors who aren’t either yachties or off small cruise liners, only on Mayreau for the day, stay at the Saltwhistle Bay Resort.
It is small, exclusive, and a world away from the sleepy hillside village.
You may well find it paradise because Mayreau has no roads or cars, and indeed seems at times far from civilization, and that is the main reason that some people will find it to be the place to go for the best Caribbean Vacation ever.
Travelodge Budget Hotel Company has expanded to Spain with one location set in beautiful Madrid and another in Barcelona.
The UK budget hotel chain recently announced a one billion euro expansion plan for Spain and plans to open 100 more affordable hotels and create two thousand jobs in Spain by the year 2020.
This follows successful trials at Travelodge Madrid Las Rozas in Madrid and Travelodge Barcelona Hospitalet in Barcelona. Travelodge in Spain is ripe for growth and hotels in Valencia, Malaga, Zaragoza and Bilbao are set to join the two pilot sites in Madrid and Barcelona.
The budget hotel chain desires leadership in the emerging Spanish affordable hotel market. Travelodge hopes to double in size by 2011; taking advantage of growth in the sector.
Chief executive Grant Hearn said he believes there is a very strong growth pattern outlook for the next 10-15 years. The pilot program demonstrated that the Travelodge model works in Spain and the time is right to capitalize on this demand. The company learned some sixty percent of their UK 1.5 million online customers are planning holidays to Spain in the next three years.
‘Spain is the logical place for us to start our overseas expansion,’ says Hearn. ‘We are very excited about our plans for Spain, an important longer-term growth strategy.’
‘Spanish travellers take 143 million trips a year and there were only 100 budget hotels in Spain,, says Mr. Hearn. According to Travelodge, the budget sector is the fastest growing part of the hotel business.
Travelodge said it was first drawn to Spain by the favorable conditions. It will target businesses first, followed by British tourists whom regularly visit Spain.
Only a quick flight away from the UK, Spain has consistently been a favorite destination for British tourists since the 1950’s. Less than two hours by air, Spain offers luxuries that aren’t readily available in the UK. Diverse cultures and customs have more to offer than miles of beautiful white sandy beaches and clear waters with year-round spring temperatures.
Spain is also rich in monumental heritage, great food and entertainment - all of which bring many British tourists to Spain year after year.
British tourists who want to enjoy more than the beautiful beaches of Spain take in day trips to nearby areas that include some of the world’s best golf courses, swimming pools and lush forests.
Convenient locations of Travelodge in Spain, enhanced with comforts of home and modern amenities, complete the Spanish holiday experience to offer exciting possibilities to British travelers.
Low cost flights have made trips to Spain a real possibility for British tourists as well. This has been instrumental to the growing number of British citizens taking holidays in Spain. Since the 1960’s air travel prices have steadily dropped and became available to a wider customer range. This makes Spain a very desirable vacation spot for many British tourists.
The budget hotel chain Travelodge was recently bought by Dubai International Capital in a 675m deal. The current management team, which includes chief executive Grant Hearn and Chairman Keith Hamill, will stay onboard after the sale has completed.