Jetsettersblog

An adaptation of Northanger Abbey at the Theatre by the Lake could appeal to Lake District visitors.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — People staying in Lake District accommodation will have their last chance to catch Northanger Abbey in Keswick next month.

The Theatre by the Lake’s adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel is set for two final performances on Thursday November 4th and Friday November 5th before the run comes to an end.

With tickets priced between GBP8 and GBP23, the event could provide holidaymakers with a fun and affordable trip to the theatre.

Adapted by Tim Luscombe and directed by Ian Forrest, the show has been described by the Keswick venue as a “fresh and lively” version of Austen’s book.

Published in 1817, Northanger Abbey was the novelist’s first completed work and is an enduring favourite among Austen fans.

It tells the story of Catherine, an impressionable young reader of Gothic novels who visits Bath and finds her imagination captivated by an invitation to stay at the mysterious country home of the title.

Earlier this year, the Westmorland Gazette reviewed the Theatre by the Lake’s version and said the play “rekindles a passion for Austen” with its snappy direction and inspired casting.

“Northanger Abbey is a great night at the theatre and you don’t have to be an Austen fan to enjoy every line,” the newspaper commented.

Both the November 4th and 5th performances are due to begin at 20:00 GMT.

For more information on this event, visit the Theatre by the Lake website or contact the venue on 017687 74411.

Now’s The Time to Think Ahead for Ski Resort Reservations
Snowmobiling and Even Dog Sled Tours

According to ResorTime.com, the leading provider for nightly timeshare resort condominium rentals online, now is the time to book early and save on ski season 2010.

“If you are planning a trip to the mountains this season, the time is now. There are great discounts at popular snow and ski destinations including California, Colorado and Utah,” says Sherri Weeks, General Manager of the 10 year old California company which provides vacation rental accommodations to nearly 1000 travelers a year.

With more than a million room nights at hundreds of destinations, ResorTime.com has become one of the largest and most established rental reservation services in the Timeshare Industry, offering travelers discounted condo rentals around the world, on a daily or weekly basis.

Weeks explains “Anyone can make a reservation through ResorTime.com; you don’t need to become a member to book.”

One of the most popular destinations on the ResorTime.com site all year round, (and especially in the winter) is Lake Tahoe.

Popular Lake Tahoe, the second largest alpine lake in North America boasts the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with literally hundreds of lifts and seven different resort areas,

Tahoe is a great area for both beginners and die-hard black diamond skiers and boarders.

This popular destination draws visitors year round, but snow is now beckoning to winter sports lovers the world over. Particularly accessible from San Francisco, Reno and Sacramento, Lake Tahoe resorts are in both California and Nevada, so gaming is also a favorite after ski activity.

“Even though skiing is excellent in this neck of the woods,” says Weeks, “you’d be amazed at the variety of activities available for vacationers of all ages.”

An unusual and thrilling snow experience is Dog Sledding where you can explore the majestic and spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Cameras are a must as you experience the excitement of mushing through the majestic and spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains behind a team of eager huskies.

The Sierra Mountains are filled with beautiful sights and open spaces as a dog sled team bounds through the snow in a great adventure.

Perhaps a bit more contemporary, but equaling as adventuresome is snowmobiling. When there is snow on the ground, the most exciting way to get around is on a snowmobile.

There are several companies that will rent you a snowmobile. Tours are designed for all ages and ability levels with miles and miles of trails that travel through the pristine National Forest offering spectacular views of the entire fabulous Lake Tahoe.

Weeks also says “one of the earliest places to start skiing is always Breckenridge, Colorado. “

Nearly 10,000 feet at the base and rising up to 13,000 at the peak, this top ski destination is home to the highest ski lift in North America.

The charming town of Breckenridge averages 300 inches of snow and virtually as many days of clear blue skies per year. Perfectly tuned to families, the historic mining area is rich with activities for winter activities for all ages and levels of expertise. Whether it’s snowshoeing into the back country, or relaxing in the spa, Breckenridge’s popularity lies in its “something for everybody” reputation.

Brian Head Utah, Utah’s highest-elevation resort reports more than 400 annual inches of the light powder Utah skiers and snowboarders crave.

The resort has 50+ runs for all ability levels, including an entire mountain dedicated to beginners and children. Brian Head also draws attention for its Snow Tubing Park available via lift. Located on the

Booking spacious accommodations in locations such as Lake Tahoe, Colorado and Utah through ResorTime.com is particularly good for families and traveling with friends.

The company launched its Travelers Advantage Program in the spring. Its primary components are “No Booking Fees,

No Change or Cancellation Fees*, Best Rate Guarantee and 24/7 Manager on Duty. “

According to Sherri Weeks “The program saves guests time and money, taking the worry out of booking nightly timeshare, resort and condo rentals. Within 24 hours of booking with ResorTime.com, if someone finds a lower publicly available rate online for the same dates, hotel/resort, and room unit, we will match the price and refund the difference.

In addition, there are never any extraneous booking fees tacked on to transactions, and in most cases no change or cancellations fees. Some of the rates for winter holiday accommodations are as low as $75.00/night for a one bedroom condominium.”

ResorTime.Com, rapidly becoming the go-to source for spacious condominium rentals, has hundreds of luxury resorts for nightly and weekly rentals that accommodate leisure, business and group travel. All ResorTime Hot Deals and Value Packages change on an ongoing basis.

For more information go to http://www.resortime.com/attractions/ski_resorts.asp  or call 877-477-7368.

Quno launch set to kick-start online rail booking: Visual timetable makes finding train times and fares easy

LONDON– In stark contrast to the seven out of ten UK consumers that now book air travel online, two out of three UK rail passengers still queue up at the railway station to buy train tickets. Quno.com, a new rail search and booking service launched today, has finally made it quick and easy for travellers to search and book train travel online.

The Quno website features the internet’s first visual rail timetable. This ingenious tool allows customers to compare every train service available for a particular journey at a glance and purchase their tickets quickly. Quno also makes the best tools from online travel sites available to UK rail passengers for the first time.

Finding the right UK rail ticket at Quno.com takes a fraction of the time it takes to go to the station. Quno operates independently from the train companies, so customers can be confident they are comparing the best routes and fares made available by all operators. Tickets can be collected quickly from self-service kiosks, or the ticket office at the station on the day of travel, or can be posted beforehand.

Quno has been developed specifically to address the issues that prevent UK travellers choosing to buy rail travel online.

The company has removed the complexity that surrounds the UK rail ticketing system by making available to rail customers the convenient, easy to use online tools that are already commonplace on air and hotel booking sites. More features will appear over the coming months, including a mobile phone app and international train services.

“UK rail passengers can now feel confident about booking train travel online as we have cut through the historic complexity of times and fares. With the number of rail travellers at record levels and the dawn of high-speed services, we believe there is a huge opportunity for customers to benefit by using Quno’s straightforward search and booking process,” said Jeremy Acklam, managing director of Quno.

“At Quno we set out to simplify the process of booking rail travel online by being innovative and independent. We have given customers the confidence that when they search for and book rail journeys on Quno they have visibility of tickets for all UK journeys, knowing that the fares that we show on the site are never available cheaper at the station.”

About Quno

Quno is the web’s first straightforward rail search and booking engine – making rail booking as clear and simple as it is with airline ticketing. Quno rail booking searches will display results, including fares & timetables that are visually organised and clearly presented, which can be sorted according to customer preferences, enabling rail tickets to be booked in the fewest steps.

Quno is part of SilverRail Technologies, a global travel technology group focused on delivering global rail solutions. The company is funded by top-tier US and UK venture capital firms. The SilverRail team has extensive global online travel technology experience in air, hotels and cruise sectors.

The Ski Club of Great Britain has rebranded to clarify what it offers to skiers and boarders.

It has a new look and website, due to go live before the start of the winter season.

“This is an important moment in the Ski Club’s history,” said the Ski chief executive Caroline Stuart-Taylor.

“The Ski Club brand is one of the most established and successful in the snowsports industry and its re-launch will ensure that this position continues to strengthen.

“We are confident that the changes we have made to the Ski Club brand reflect our strong heritage and show that we are a club which inspires and welcomes skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.”

The new website will have community-based features and information-sharing tools.

The not-for-profit club currently has over 33,000 members and over a million annual unique visitors to their website,

www.skiclub.co.uk

LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND – Guests of Lake District accommodation who are keen to explore the area may be interested in a guided walk scheduled for next month.

Around Coppermines Valley will take adventurous visitors through an area that is synonymous with the great mining heritage of Cumbria.

Starting at the Coniston Tourist Information Centre on October 26th, this mid-level walk is free to attend and follows disused water channels to some of Coniston’s most famous features, including Red Dell and the huge Pudding Stone boulder.

Organised by the Lake District National Park, the four-mile hike is due to begin at 10:30 BST and will last for approximately four hours.

Public transport to the starting point is available and walkers are advised to take a packed lunch with them.

Visitors keen to learn about the history of Coppermines Valley can also do so at Coniston’s Ruskin Museum. The area’s copper mines date back 400 years and enjoyed their most productive period during the 1850s.

Exploring the area with an experienced guide is recommended, as there are many deep shafts and abandoned workings that could be a safety hazard.

Hikers may also like to tackle some of the nearby famous fells during their visit, such as the Old Man of Coniston.

For more information on this event, visit the Lake District National Park website.

LateRooms.com features a variety of accommodation in the Lake District, such as the Sharrow Bay Hotel Lake District.

Aquarias Spa at Whatley Manor (01666 822 888 www.whatleymanor.com)  is a place to restore and revive. Set in the courtyard of the honey coloured Cotswold manor house hotel, the award winning spa offers a tempting and luxurious selection of spa experiences with the aim of restoring both body and mind to new levels of relaxation.

The European style spa is arranged into a series of thermal cabins, treatment rooms and VIP Suite, as well as having a gym, work-out studio complete with a Power Plate© and a stylish hydrotherapy pool.

New to the spa is the UK’s first Iyashi Dôme which was first developed in Japan and comes from the traditional Suna Ryoho technique of burying oneself in the warm sand by the seashore or near hot springs to detoxify the body through perspiration.

The modern Iyashi Dôme allows the user to lie back and relax in the Iyashi Dôme whilst the head remains uncovered and the body is cocooned in the ceramic chamber.

The Iyashi Dôme initiates an intensive deep cleansing session, lasting 30 minutes, whereby toxins are eliminated through a large volume of perspiration as the body starts to breakdown fats including cholesterol, fatty acids and subcutaneous fats as well as lactic acid and accumulated toxins.

The level of perspiration (Type 1) that is produced from general exercising, bathing and using a sauna or hammam is seldom sufficient to remove toxins. However, this deeper level of perspiration referred to as Type 2 encourages the body to start to draw from its fat reserves and has a number of health benefits that might be achieved from a vigorous 20 Km run but without the aggressive effect on the body.

A full consultation is given at the start of the first treatment and this includes a ‘Body Composition’ analysis reading, to record an individual’s weight, muscle mass, water and fat percentages and readings are taken at the end of each session to measure the results and percentage changes.

The 60 minute treatment costs £55 per person and may be booked as a spa treatment or alongside a day/evening spa experience.

A course of sessions is recommended, however health benefits are achieved from a single session.

Aquarias spa is the only La Prairie five star ‘Art of Beauty’ centre outside of London. It has recently introduced its most indulgent La Prairie treatment with the launch of the ‘La Prairie Platinum Rare Facial’ (£220).

This luxurious facial can be experienced as an individual spa treatment or as part of a full day spa experience (£330pp), which includes use of all the spa facilities and tea served in the spa lounge.

The new 90 minute ‘La Prairie Platinum Rare Facial’ offers a state-of-the-art balancing skin care treatment that cannot be compared with any other facial.

Comfortably nurtured in the hands of two expert therapists who work in tandem to expertly re-balance and re-energise the complexion, body and mind, using La Prairie’s new protecting and hydrating Platinium Rare Collection.

Whilst one therapist concentrates on the La Prairie facial using stimulating massage techniques and highly effective hydrating and firming masks, the other offers a pampering hand and arm treatment and a leg and foot treatment including an exfoliation followed by a warming and hydrating mask to deeply nourish the hands and feet.

An opulent blend of Jasmine essential oil and La Prairie Cellular hand cream is then applied, delivered by a soothing and nourishing massage to ease aches and pains away.

Whilst the hands, arms, legs and feet are nurtured, the facial therapist concentrates on harnessing the power of the luxurious La Prairie Platinium Rare skin care collection to deliver a deeply relaxing ninety minute facial treatment.

The facial features the ‘La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare’ and ‘Cellular Serum Platinum Rare’, both of which contain Platinum molecules that are held in a negatively charged suspension and use La Prairie’s exclusive Smart Crystal Technology to realign the moisture balance of the skin and connect to free radicals particles in order to stabilise them and prevent the breakdown of proteins in the skin which cause the skin to age.

Other day spa options include a ‘Relax and Re-energise Half Day Spa Experience’ starting at £118 per person, which also includes use of all the spa facilities plus the choice of a 60 minute spa treatment and tea in the spa lounge. Alternatively, for £152 per person choose from a selection of 90 minute spa treatments.

As the nights draw in again the spa has also introduced a series of ‘Evening Spa Experiences’ from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm (£38), and include full use of all the spa facilities. ‘Evening Spa and Dinner’ (£68) includes spa use followed by a two course a la carte dinner with tea or coffee served in Le Mazot, the informal brasserie, from 8.30pm onwards.

For guests staying at the hotel use of the spa facilities is offered as part of their stay and can be enhanced with a treatment, such as one of the signature treatments which have been developed exclusively by La Prairie for Whatley Manor.

These include the 90-minute ‘Aquarias La Prairie Signature Facial’ (£140 per person), which uses caviar extracts for the face and hot stone massage to provide legs, feet, arms and hands with all-over relaxation and ends with a head massage.

The 90 minute ‘La Prairie Pure Gold Radiance Facial’ (£140) uses pure golden drops of La Prairie Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold to visibly brighten and energise the skin whilst gentle heat helps to enhance the penetration of the Pure Gold Serum making the skin smoother and more radiant.

The ‘La Prairie Swiss Cellular Facial for Men’, is a 60 minute treatment that instantly cleanses, energises, and conditions the skin using La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex and Cellular 3-Minute Peel that combine to bio-energise the skin, eliminate congestion and skin impurities to reveal younger, fresher looking skin (£85).

In addition the ‘La Prairie Deep Muscular Revive’ massage is a popular treatment for men who are keen to relieve muscular aches and pains and target tension zones (£75 or £85).

For something a little different the ‘Payot Ressource Minérale Rituals’ offer a series of body wraps, massages and body salt scrubs.

These treatments harness the power of marine crystals, semi-precious gemstones, marine mineral clays and essential oils leaving the body totally re-energised. Choose from two rituals, each one lasting two and a half hours. ‘Reviving’ – firming and energising and ‘Correcting’ – detoxifies and improves circulation (£190).

More specific treatments include the ‘Aquarias Detox and De-stress Spa Experience’. This two hour detoxifying spa treatment starts with an all over body brush and body polish using luxurious oils.

A detoxifying ‘Dead Sea Mud’ wrap is then applied. Whilst you relax cocooned in the body wrap your therapist delivers a restoring head massage followed by a targeted body massage using aromatherapy specific contour oils to cleanse and eliminate toxins.

To complete the series of specific spa treatments the ‘Payot Ressource Minérale Celluli Correction’ treatment (£85 or £120) is a quick and effective way to reduce cellulite and includes a body brush, professional treatment body mask and body massage.

The 60 minute treatment focuses on the thigh area whilst a 90 minute treatment addresses all areas of concern.

For total pampering couples can book the VIP suite, which has its own hydrobath and dedicated therapists.

Choose from four daydream rituals such as the ‘Aquarias Heaven’, comprising an aromatherapy full body aromatic salt and oil polish, a luxurious flower hydrobath and a full body massage using warm volcanic basalt stones infused with aromatherapy oils and finishes with fresh chamomile tea for two (£455 for two people).

Couples can also enjoy the ‘Serail Mud Chamber’ a 60-minute nourishing and detoxifying spa treatment (£120 for two people) in which two people experience the treatment in their own private steam chamber gently massaging medicinal muds and chalks into one another’s skin whilst inhaling the steam infused with pure essences, completing the treatment with an invigorating shower and nourishing body moisturiser.

In addition to the spa treatments guests experience the soothing effects of the spa through a series of heat and thermal cabins. The spa journey starts with a salt scrub shower before acclimatising to the gentle warmth of the Laconium a prelude to the scented steam experienced in the Caldarium, moving on to the Camomile Steam Grotto, a real treat for the hair and skin. The final cabin offers the intensive heat of the Finnish Sauna.

In between each of the cabins guests can make use of the ‘experience showers’ which offer a cooling mint infused shower or a tropical rain shower infused with Maracuja scent.

The journey around the spa continues with the hydrotherapy pool heated to 35 degrees and where guests can lie on underwater recliners for an all-over-body massage to relieve tired muscles and neck fountains to ease aches and pains from more ‘hard to reach’ areas.

The hydrotherapy pool allows guests to swim outside to find individual massage jets around the edges of the hydrotherapy pool for the feet and back or sit on the underwater massage benches as they gaze out over the ‘infinity edge’ to the spa garden and woodland below.

The next part of the experience takes guests back inside to the Wave Dream Sensory room and a spellbinding art installation by Swiss water scientist Helmut Eigenmann, which uses light and ripples of water to reflect waves on to the domed ceiling accompanied by soothing music.

Relax on the warm stone recliners in The Tepidarium before the final part of the journey returning guests to the spa lounge overlooking the hydrotherapy pool where a range of light lunches and refreshments are served.

A one-night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £295 per room for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the spa Aquarias. Spa treatments cost from £75 for a 45-minute treatment, £85 for a 60-minute treatment and £120 for a 90-minute treatment.

For further information and to book call Whatley Manor on 01666 822 888 or visit the website at www.whatleymanor.com

Driving from Lake Louise to Jasper is like journeying through the Ice Age, only with warm temperatures and better snacks.

This was it. My 230-km (143-mi), epic Icefields Parkway journey in Alberta. I drive past scooping mountains with ragged snow bridges, veer off to milky blue Peyto Lake. Soon,

I stop for tea at Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, where the cool blue-coloured ice of Crowfoot Glacier drapes over the turquoise water. Inside the musty leather-and-timber-clad lodge, I find a wall of antlers and trays of fresh muffins. Timeless.

Happily caffeinated, I drive on to discover looming glaciers that resemble giant whipped cones with drizzling turquoise rivers running along their base. What are those black dots in the basin? Chocolate chips? I pull over to see they are people, their bodies dwarfed by the giant domes.

Later, my radio crackles, and my cellphone bars drop. All is quiet when three bighorn sheep trot across the highway.

The male stops, centre line, chewing. For five minutes we wait, in wonder. When I reach the Icefields Interpretive Centre, I marvel at the receding toe of the Athabasca Glacier, which some believe was born a million years ago. There are weeping waterfalls and hidden creeks. I need another two days.

Arriving in Jasper, I am totally refreshed. This is no celebrity-style resort. Jasper’s vast natural beauty may be postcard-perfect, but with frayed edges.

The mountain town has a lived-in look—a place where folks wave to their neighbours and sheep roam across the main drag.

I grab hot scones from the Bear’s Paw Bakery and make a note to try the local brewhouse. Hiking around an emerald lake the next morning, a large, fuzzy horned elk is crouched in the near forest. His soft brown eyes are peaceful, and that feeling sinks in. No wonder the town is boomerang shaped.

10 stops on the road in Canada

1. Ice, ice, baby: roaming the Columbia Icefield
Left over from the Ice Age, the Columbia Icefield is the largest body of ice along the Rocky Mountains, covering 325 sq km (125 sq mi).

Stop in at the Icefields Interpretive Centre to take in gorgeous view of the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, book an Ice Explorers tour or take a guided hike. Plan your own Icefields Parkway trip here. Or follow the experts at Travel Alberta here.

2. An angel at my glacier: hiking Mount Edith Cavell
Drive the winding switchbacks to Mount Edith Cavell and fall in love with the blue-tinged, winged glacier.

The powder-blue Angel Glacier is easily reached by a short trail around a lake filled with floating ice calves. Explore ice caves, icebergs and hanging glaciers, or follow the trail to Cavell Meadows—carpeted with alpine wildflowers—and well worth the sweat.

3. Born to rev: motorcycles and the real meaning of life
If you’re born to be wild, but prefer chauffeured comfort, check out Jasper Motorcycle Tours. Get a whiff of mountain air, enjoy unobstructed views and let your guide give you the inside scoop on the region’s history.

4. Tales and ales: Meet park wardens at the Jasper Wildlife Festival

Meet the folks who have never met a black bear they didn’t like. During the Behind the Scenery Wildlife Festival in late summer, park wardens and biologists lead demonstrations in the park, allowing visitors to learn more about protecting the park and its wildlife. Take a guided tour and you might catch a glimpse of wolves, bears, moose, elk and mule deer.

5. Discover Jasper’s disappearing lake: legendary Medicine Lake

Visit this shallow lake where the Maligne River backs up, then suddenly disappears underground. It’s true.

The nine-km (5.5-mi) lake (filled with brook and rainbow trout—attention anglers!) drains naturally in fall, like a giant bathtub with a missing plug. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a moose swimming across the lake. Caribou, mule deer, wolves and bear are also spotted here.

6. Howl at the moon on a guided moonlight hike

Nature after dark never looked better when you see it along with the Friends of Jasper National Park.

On a guided full-moonlight hike, learn about the stars, nocturnal animals and creatures that howl and sniff in the night. The Friends also offer a popular (and free) 1.5-hour historical walking tour of the town.

7. Cruising for photo-ops: cruising Spirit Island on Maligne Lake

We can thank Mary Schaffer, a Victorian-age woman in her mid-40s, for venturing into the wilderness to Maligne Lake, following a map drawn by a Stoney Indian.

Follow in her footsteps as you canoe or cruise to Spirit Island (considered one of the most photographed islands in the world) on beautiful Maligne Lake, framed by wisps of pine and rugged peaks.

8. Feel the rush of Maligne Canyon

Wicked waterfalls drop as the Maligne River cuts through limestone bedrock at Maligne Canyon. Walk six bridges, switching from side to side as the canyon deepens and the roaring river races beneath your feet. Daring locals even climb the frozen waterfalls in winter; we recommend a tamer but equally beautiful canyon ice walk.

9. Meet me at Miette Hot Springs

After you’ve trekked your share of the over 1,000 km (621 mi) of trails in Jasper National Park, make the trip to Miette Hot Springs, just under an hour’s drive from town. Bathe in mineral waters tucked away within Fiddle Valley.

10. Up, up and awake: the Jasper Tramway experience

It’s hard to take in the immensity of Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain park. So, if you’re craving an above-it-all panorama, the Jasper Tramway is a good bet. For fab views, take the seven-minute climb above the treeline. Bring a picnic or have lunch at the Treeline Restaurant.

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/drives/banff-jasper.html
www.travelalberta.com

Key West’s Sebago Watersports, renowned for offerings including snorkeling, adventure cruise and champagne sunset catamaran excursions, recently introduced private catamaran yacht charters for guests seeking an exclusive on-the-water experience.

Passengers cruise on the elegant 41-foot Sebago Pelican, which offers plenty of deck space for sunning, outside and under-top seating, clear visquene windows that zipper down to keep out the elements, and a small below-deck galley, bathroom and dressing area.

The vessel can accommodate up to 20 passengers for dinners, receptions, weddings or commitment ceremonies, birthday parties or corporate gatherings.

Among the Design Your Day excursion options are morning and afternoon snorkel and water-sports trips that include equipment, instruction, food and beverages; full-day adventure and relaxation charters featuring breakfast, lunch and beverages; sunset sails with wines, beers and hors d’oeuvres; and four-course sunset dinner cruises with wine pairings.

Charter fees range from $750 plus tax and gratuity for a sunset cruise for up to 10 people to $2,200 plus tax and gratuity for a full-day excursion for up to 20 people.

For more information, visit www.keywestsebago.com  or call (305) 942-1992.

Eaton Bikes, a popular bicycle rental and sales company at 830 Eaton St. in Key West, now offers two-hour bicycle tours around the island’s Old Town district. Led by an entertaining and knowledgeable guide, the treks include insights into Key West’s unique seafaring history, tropical plants and trees, architectural styles and more.

Locally sourced refreshments are provided, and the $30 per person tour cost includes the rental of a bike with basket and helmet. Tours are offered three times weekly and begin at Eaton Bikes.

The company also offers a variety of rental bicycles including cruisers, mountain bikes, adult three-wheelers and kids’ models available by the day, week or longer. Prices start at $12 per bike per day, with free bike delivery and pickup in Key West included.

For more information, visit www.eatonbikes.com  or call (305) 294-8188.

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Old Logan Cemetery will come alive with Tombstone Travels as costumed interpreters tell the eerie stories of the region’s founding families.

LOGAN, OH, — What do Mary Todd Lincoln, Sir Francis Drake and Spanish Merino sheep have in common? All have ties to Logan, Ohio.

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Old Logan Cemetery will come alive with Tombstone Travels as costumed interpreters tell the eerie stories of the region’s founding families.

Guests will hear the tales of local characters, such as Lt. James K. Rochester, a civil war soldier whose life was cut short at the Battle of Chattanooga. Meade Bowen and his family were among the first three families to settle in Logan, as was Mrs. Lucinda (Drake) Bowen, a descendant of Sir Francis Drake. Doc and Lucy Culver’s son, Reuben, married Mary Todd Lincoln’s cousin, Mazie. Captain Wilford Stiers returned from the Mexican-American War to raise the finest flock of Spanish Merino sheep in the country.

Ten different stops on the tour will provide a colorful peek into the past as docents lead each group through the historic cemetery. Three tours are being offered; 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. The tour will last approximately 1 hour.

Tickets to Tombstone Travels are now available at the Hocking Hills Tourism Association Welcome Center, located at 13178 St. Rt. 664 S in Logan from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets may also be purchased by calling (740) 385-2750 or (740) 385-9706. Personal checks are accepted, however, credit cards are not. Each tour is limited to 100 people, with a total of 300 tickets available. Tickets are $10. Parking is free.

Tombstone Travels is sponsored by Logan Town Center, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to the economic and cultural vitality of Logan’s original town center for the enjoyment and benefit of the residents and visitors in the Hocking Hills.

Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of Admission: FREE fall activities.

The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging options, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and country inns. In addition to numerous hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills area offers unique gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf and more.

Complete traveler information on accommodations and the region’s many sites and attractions is available at www.1800Hocking.com or 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).