Archive for 'Travel'

PGA National Resort Craft Beer Fest and Burger Bash

Wow. If only I were anywhere near Palm Beach Gardens at the PGA National Resort on June 15th, I would make a beeline for this event featuring two of my absolutely favorite foodie things: beer and burgers. There are supposed to be more than 60 beers there and lots of juicy burgers. Yummo.  Thanks to Buffalo Communications for the heads up and following press release on this super cool event.   PGA National Resort & Spa host 2nd Annual Craft Beer Festival and Burger Bash PGA National Resort & Spa will host the second annual Craft Beer Festival and Burger Bash on Saturday, June 15 from noon until 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door (www.pgabeerandburger.eventbrite.com/). A portion of the proceeds benefit the Surfrider Foundation Palm Beach County Chapter – a non-profit environmental organization protecting area beaches. Accommodations include a special “Stay the Night” rate of $169 on [...]

Posted: May 14th, 2013 under Entertainment, Food and Wine, Travel.
Comments: none

Enter the Cold

I’ve been waiting two years to breathe in the cold — that’s how long its been since I traveled someplace cold. Ooooh I love to put away the flip flops and don furry boots, to layer clothes and wear a snuggly hat. Unlike many fashion victims er, um, women I think it’s looks stooopid to wear snow boots when it’s 75 degrees outside. I reserve mine for when it’s actually cold outside.    And today in beautiful northern Virginia, I’m wearing my boots. I got them years ago from an amazing Wyoming outfitter — no socks required, which is good since I completely forget to bring a single pair of socks on this trip. I have on two shirts. My hat and gloves are by the door. This is my first cold weather since 2010 and I LOVE IT. On assignment to cover family friendly outdoor winter activities, I just got [...]

Posted: January 21st, 2013 under Food and Wine, Musings, Raves, Travel.
Comments: none

YES! VALENTINE’S DAY AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS

This is pure, unadulterated decadence. And I want it. Whomever you love — whether you’re traveling with a spouse, loved one, best friend, whatever — Paris is always a great idea. And to stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris for Valentine’s Day, is a no-brainer. From our friends at Lou Hammond, travelers, start your salivating: The ‘Love in Paris’ package includes: · Overnight accommodations · Breakfast for two in-room or at Camélia · 80-minute Oriental Essence Treatment for two in a couples’ suite · Romantic welcome amenity in-room including a bottle of Champagne and rose petal arrangement · Candle gift by “Belle de Nuit” The Mandarin Oriental, Paris ‘Love in Paris’ package is available from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28, 2013 From $1,711, double occupancy. Reservations / info: www.mandarinoriental.com Mandarin Oriental, Paris is located on the Rue Saint-Honoré — 99 luxurious rooms and 39 suites. Perks: inner courtyard camellia garden, outdoor [...]

Posted: December 14th, 2012 under Entertainment, Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
Comments: none

Virginia Craft Beer month is almost here!

This post is an announcement from our friends at Lou Hammond and Virginia is for Lovers… I am packing my bags. Virginia is so gorgeous, and leave it to these guys to also develop a new interactive map leads visitors to Virginia craft breweries statewide. Yummo!   Virginia’s reputation as a destination full of local flavor has a new experience to tout with the first-ever August Virginia Craft Beer Month. The month’s theme, Love on Tap, is a nod to the state’s famous Virginia is for Lovers slogan and local craft beer on tap at more than 40 breweries and hundreds of restaurants across Virginia. The month-long celebration culminates with the first-ever Virginia Craft Brew Festival Aug. 25 at Devils Backbone Brewery in Nelson County. The Virginia tourism office has created a new, interactive map on www.Virginia.org/craftbeer to help visitors find craft breweries open for tastings and tours and plan [...]

Posted: July 25th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
Comments: none

Montreal Jazz Festival Rocks!!!

Dear God, in Heaven please let the pillows be made of goat cheese, bathtubs filled with gazpacho and may all mushrooms be topped with a soft poached egg. (And to be able to eat all of this while listening to the world’s best music.) Amen. Oh, wait a minute, I must be in Heaven — lunch at Brasserie T at the Montreal Jazz Festival! Can’t wait for tonight when the musicians take to this incredible stage!   

Posted: July 4th, 2012 under Travel.
Comments: none

Grandeur and opulence on American Queen

From our friends at LHA… Mmmmmm I can’t wait to do this someday. I can imagine how romantic it would be and the lifelong memories such a journey could create. AND, I’m really loving the American connection of this travel option because seeing the county by river is one of the best ways you can explore our backyard. Hop to it travelers! The Great American Steamboat Company is pleased to announce the 2013 schedule for the reigning queen of the Mississippi river, the grand American Queen. These fabled river voyages on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers for the 2013 season will go on sale Friday, June 22, 2012. Once again, travelers will enjoy this truly American experience, celebrated by Mark Twain and others, of steamboat voyages on the great rivers of the America’s heartland. With convenient departures from some of the United States’ most storied cities such as Memphis, [...]

Posted: June 20th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Raves, Travel.
Comments: none

Unprecedented Tourism Opportunity

Leave it to the Paradise Coast folks to do something so cool as to hire Lou Hammond and Associates to do their tourism PR… amazing! But they didn’t stop there: now they’re sharing all of the best insider tips for attracting customers to your business through tourism at a great event right here in Collier County next week! The event is starring my good friend and one of my communication idols, Lou Hammond and it’s free! Here’s the 411: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB / National travel and tourism PR agency, Lou Hammond & Associates (LHA)Thursday, June 148:30am-11:00amMarco Island Marriott Beach Resort400 S. Collier Blvd. Free PR Seminar for representatives of businesses involved in tourism and hospitality in Collier County, such as hotels, attractions, retail stores, restaurants, tour operators, etc.  1) Tips on how to communicate newsworthy information directly to local and national media2) How to work with the CVB and LHA so [...]

Posted: June 6th, 2012 under Travel.
Comments: none

Water-Themed Summer Camps at Gorgeous Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo

A water-themed summer fun camp in Key Largo at the Ocean Reef Club sounds like a blast to me… what a great idea for summer vacation planning from our dear friends at Lou Hammond and Associates.   FUN TAKES TO THE HIGH SEAS AT OCEAN REEF CLUB’S 2012 WATER-THEMED SUMMER CAMPS Aspiring Jack Sparrows and Jacques Cousteaus can unite this summer for Ocean Reef Club’s popular Summer Camps series. Set within the turquoise waters and world renowned coral reefs of the Florida Keys, Ocean Reef Club’s 2012 MarineLab, Fishing, Sailing and Diving Summer Camps are offering a season filled with learning and adventure. Held from June through August, each program challenges campers during the day or week-long programs taught by professional and certified instructors. Kids can take advantage of nature’s classroom onboard skiffs and sailboats as they discover techniques to improve skills in their favorite water activity.Many camps at Ocean Reef [...]

Posted: May 30th, 2012 under Travel.
Comments: none

Ricardo Zarate’s Mo-chica grand opening in LA

If ONLY I could be in LA tomorrow!!!!   From our foodie friends at Sauce LA!  Mo-chica—Ricardo Zarate’s contemporary Peruvian restaurant in downtown Los Angeles—celebrates its grand opening tomorrow — Wednesday, May 30th with a ribbon cutting ceremony, live art by street artist Robert Vargas, live performances by traditional Peruvian dancers, and more…  Opening Day Events 9a Local street artist Robert Vargas tags the windows 11a Official ribbon cutting with Ricardo, local artists, city officials (open to the public) 11:30a-3:30p Open for Lunch  5:00p Step-and-repeat photos (open to the public) 5:30-10:30p Open for Dinner  6p Dancers and musicians begin their night-long performances  About Mo-chica Mo-chica is a vibrant, urban restaurant serving Chef Ricardo Zarate’s modern interpretations on traditional Peruvian comfort food.  Originally built in an assuming food court in downtown Los Angeles, the restaurant’s humble setting proved a stark contrast for the innovative cuisine served. Chef Ricardo Zarate, a good-humored Lima native who trained at some of London’s most celebrated restaurants for 12 [...]

Posted: May 29th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Travel.
Comments: none

Bon Appetit Magazine Names Bien Cuit Bakery in Brooklyn in Top 10 for US Baguettes

Few things pique my interest like something from Bon Appetit Magazine. (http://www.bonappetit.com/) So when our friends Allan and Kate sent me the following press release, I wanted to share it with you. Bien Cuit… scrumptious! Bon Appetit Magazine Names Bien Cuit Bakery in Brooklyn in Top 10 for US Baguettes Since its launch last July in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill neighborhood, Bien Cuit Bakery has received a basket-full of accolades, including being named one of New York’s 10 best inexpensive restaurants by the New York Times, picked as one of the city’s best new breadmakers by New York magazine, and even touted for serving one of New York’s best sandwiches by the Village Voice. Now, the storefront bakery and bread shop on Smith Street has earned a new honor. Bon Appetit magazine has included Bien Cuit in a select round-up of the Top 10 baguettes in the U.S – and the only one [...]

Posted: May 25th, 2012 under Food and Wine, Travel.
Comments: none