Jetsettersblog

Experience- Haul Lobster on an authentic Lobster Boat in Casco Bay, Chill in Beachside Luxury w Captivating Cuisine at Inn by the Sea

Haul lobster on a Casco Bay Lobster Boat, and chill out in beachside luxury with captivating cuisine

No summer is complete without the quintessential Maine experience- Venture out onto picturesque Casco Bay to haul lobster with a real Maine lobsterman, return to relaxed seaside luxury at Maine’s premier beach destination, Inn by the Sea, and top it off with captivating cuisine!- a 5 course lobster tasting menu featuring Maine’s famously delectable and most celebrated crustacean.

Spend two nights in coastal elegance at Maine’s premier beach resort, located on a mile of unspoiled sandy coastline, just 7 miles from the urban chic shopping scene of Portland’s Old Port. Enjoy panoramic Atlantic views in Sea Glass restaurant with lobster boats bobbing on the horizon while savoring Chef Kaldrovich’s miniature lobster roll and bisque, lobster gnocchi, butter braised lobster, lobster cerviche and signature sweet. You’ll join the crew of the Lucky Catch, an authentic working lobster boat to learn lobster lore and help Captain Tom pull traps as you cruise past Portland’s celebrated lighthouse.

Catch the Maine Experience Package includes:

2 nights in a spacious one bedroom suite or cozy fireplace room
Authentic Lobster boat cruise for 2 on Casco Bay with Cpt. Tom aboard the Lucky Catch
5 Course Lobster tasting menu in ocean view Sea Glass restaurant
Gourmet breakfast for 2 each day in Sea Glass
Complimentary Dishing up Maine cookbook to take home

Available: June/12-October/9, 2011.

Cost: Complete packages range from $1001.86 to $1631.02 depending on accommodation type and season. (Does not include gratuities or alcohol)

About the Inn by the Sea: The eco luxury Inn by the Sea, located on a mile of unspoiled sand beach in charming coastal Cape Elizabeth, is just seven miles from Portland’s vibrant Old Port. A multimillion dollar renovation added upscale amenities to traditional coastal charm and personalized service with LEED certified SPA, and cozy fireplace lounge. Enjoy Maine fare and spectacular ocean views dining inside intimate Sea Glass restaurant or Al Fresco on seaside decks. Children, pets welcomed. Maine’s first and only Virtuoso™ and Preferred Boutique Resort™ in the state, selected one of Travel & Leisure’s Best 500 Hotels in the World for 2011. (www.innbythesea.com ) 207-799-3134.

Now eBooks can guide travelers around town or off-road. Save money and
make the most of each vacation day or your free time on business trips.

San Francisco, CA – VisualTravelTours (VTT) Bay Area guided tours prove that e-readers aren’t just for reading. Just like most tablets and smartphones, Barnes & Noble’s NOOK and Amazon’s Kindle can act as virtual tour guides, taking you on a dozen different trips through the San Francisco area. Now that e-readers work in daylight, include images and weigh so little, the traditional walking tour has a new platform. Being guided by an e-reader can be like having a friend show you around.

According to VTT CEO Marie Profant, “We’re pleased to be launching on the NOOK Color because our eBooks, which we call QuietGuidesT, are generally 50% images. They are created by professional travel writers around the world who supply the ‘pictures worth a thousand words.’ This abundance of photos allows travelers to become immersed in their journey, confident they are viewing exactly what is in the description. Without the weight of a traditional book or the complications of an app, e-readers offer convenience for travelers of all ages. With so many eBook tours in our VTT inventory we’re excited that Gartner forecasts e-reader sales will grow by 68% this year.”

SF Bay Area resident and VTT Executive Editor Gordon Burgett describes some of the tour benefits: “You can use them at your own pace, on your own schedule, and even preview the tour so you know where you want to spend your valuable vacation time, or extra hours on a business trip.” This format saves tourists the price of a personal guide, and the SF tours supply in-depth narratives of areas like Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Angel Island, North Beach, Embarcadero & Ferry Building, Sausalito, Berkeley, and more.

About Visual Travel Tours
Visual Travel Tours meet the needs of anyone who wants a friend to show them around. VTT has married traditional storytelling and photography with the latest technology, delivering guided tours to any mobile device so that the entire family can share one tour no matter which phone, tablet or e-reader they prefer. Headquartered in Santa Barbara, VTT was started in 2007. Nearly 200 VTT tours of US and international locations are ready to download from the company’s site, www.visualtraveltours.com. Inquiries are also welcome from those interested in publishing their own content, such as instructions, announcements, fiction or non-fiction, in QuietGuideT format (text and images optimized for mobile devices).

FAQ: How are VTT tours different from travel apps, blogs or search results?

1) Apps offer travelers many useful functions like hotel and restaurant reservations, and time-sensitive info like flight status. VTT offers non-commercial, “ever-green” material, history, legacies, etc. just like museums do, but in our case it’s around neighborhoods, on routes or to off-the-road destinations.

2) Search results are a fragmented collection of facts that have to be assimilated, and relying upon blogs can result in “hit-or-misadventures.” In comparison, VTT offers a library of professionally written tours, each with a narrative, sequential story line, with what to see along the way. See critic’s remarks: http://visualtraveltours.com/2010/10/satw-award-winner/

3) VTT tours are virtual field trips which teachers worldwide might find useful, based on tremendous local response: http://visualtraveltours.com/2010/11/virtual-field-trips-around-the-world/

4) VTT content is available cross-platform so that families can tour together, each with the narrative/imagery on the device of their choice. QuietGuideT tours appear automatically when purchased from e-reader stores (NOOK and Kindle), and can be downloaded from www.VisualTravelTours.com to any tablet or mobile phone that has a PDF reader. Many VTT tours are also available in audio/video versions, for download in all the standard movie and audio file formats.

The Great Gatsby Era of the 1920s and 1930s ushered in the Golden Age of Travel, which opened the far corners of the globe to journeys characterized by a new style and grace. This was the time of the Orient Express and millionaire luxury yachts. Exotic and romantic destinations offered a sense of adventure combined with a new level of comfort and service where how one traveled became as important as the destination.

This golden age lives on today aboard the M/V Evolution, where the destination is designed to be experienced as a voyage through one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders, the Galapagos archipelago. By day travelers experience the magic of incredible underwater encounters with sea lions, sea turtles and Galapagos penguins; while terrestrial outings bring one eye-to-eye with hundred year old giant tortoise and the amusing antics of dancing blue footed boobies. You’ll enjoy hiking, snorkeling, swimming and kayaking all designed to get you up close to the islands’ many exotic and curious creatures with two dinghies to take you on outings.

The Golden Age of Travel was also known for service including that of one’s loyal guide. Your expert Galapagos National Park guide is no exception. One of our travelers’ put it this way, “I have never met such a brilliant nature guide. He has an affinity to the ecosystems that would be hard to beat and combines his natural ability, university education, passion and love for his islands into a world class guiding and education style.” The Evolution typically offers two guides during each voyage along with a cruise director serving as your concierge.

Your home away from home among these timeless shores is your own 32 passenger expedition vessel, the M/V Evolution, designed to take you back in time to the luxury yachts of the 1920s. From the rich wood paneling and brass appointments of the dinning saloon, to the rattan furnishings of the outdoor sky lounge under shade, the Evolution is designed to evoke the richness of a bygone era, while providing you with all the modern comforts and amenities, including a state of the art navigation system. Incomparable Galapagos snorkeling outings are capped off with a warming soak in the Evolution’s gigantic hot tub. The library is stocked with a rich collection covering the history and natural history of these islands made famous by Charles Darwin, whose voyage here in 1835 aboard HMS Beagle led to his earth shaking work, On the Origin of Species. The spacious main saloon is surrounded by a great wrap around sofa; perfect to cuddle up on while watching episodes from our collection of
the best DVDs about the archipelago on a large flat screen TV.

Each cabin offers the spaciousness and comfort with old world charm and modern amenities that the Evolution is known for. Your cabin and on suite bathroom are cleaned twice daily during the voyage by, “a crew that knocks themselves out to treat the guests like royalty,” according to passenger Lee Lowrie. You’ll never go hungry during your voyage with three square meals a day featuring a combination of both local Ecuadorian and international dishes (which have been written up on the web) from our full time chef and kitchen staff. Now is the time to take an adventurous step back in time to enjoy style and comfort aboard the Evolution in the Galapagos with Quasar.

For full press kit visit:
http://galapagosexpeditions.com/departure-center/evolution-press-kit.php

FLORIDA KEYS — There’s always something happening in the Florida Keys & Key West, from festivals focusing on the area’s literary history and indigenous seafood to events that celebrate the Keys’ underwater paradise.

While this piece lists selected summer highlights for 2011, a comprehensive schedule of events throughout the Keys can be found at www.fla-keys.com/calendarofevents

June 9-12: Second Annual Key West Bacchanalia. Key West. At this food and wine event with a twist, join Keys celebrity chefs and Bravo TV’s Top Chefs as they face off in culinary competition for a great cause. The event benefits breast cancer research. Visit www.keywestbacchanalia.com  or call 305-766-3356.

June 18: The Original FKCC Swim Around Key West and Swim Meet. Key West. Sponsored by the Bone Island Masters Club, this United States Masters Swimming-sanctioned event is a 12.5-mile swim clockwise around the island of Key West. Swimmers ages 18 through 65 and older can register. Visit www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com  or call 305-809-3562.

July 9: 27th Annual Underwater Music Festival. Big Pine & the Lower Keys. A quirky concert broadcast underwater for divers, snorkelers and the occasional mermaid emphasizes reef preservation. The submerged songfest is held at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com  or call 305-872-2411.

July 14-17: Mel Fisher Days. Key West. This annual celebration brings together history buffs, divers and treasure hunting enthusiasts to celebrate the anniversary of Mel Fisher’s discovery of the shipwrecked Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Visit www.melfisher.com  or call 305-296-6534.

July 19-24: Hemingway Days. Key West. The 31st annual celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Look-Alike Contest and more. A celebration will be held July 21 honoring the 112th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth. Visit www.sloppyjoes.com  for look-alike events or www.hemingwaydays.net for all other events.

July 29 – Aug. 7: Key Largo Food & Wine Festival. Key Largo. Set on an island known for its bountiful tropical fruit, fresh snapper, tuna, mahi-mahi, shrimp and lobster, the nine-day festival incorporates gourmet wine dinners with cultural specialties, feasts and fiestas, palate-pleasing adventures and wines from around the world. Visit www.KeyLargoFoodandWineFestival.com  or call 305-394-3736.

Aug. 12-14: Key West Lobsterfest. Key West. The festival commemorates the start of the Florida Keys lobster season with an open-air lobster feast and street fair on Key West’s famed Duval Street. Other events include Friday’s Lobsterfest Duval Crawl, a free concert Saturday and a Sunday lobster brunch. Visit www.keywestlobsterfest.com  or call 305-294-2000.

Sept. 15-18: Phil Peterson’s Key West Poker Run. Florida Keys. Motorcycle enthusiasts from around the U.S. are to travel the Keys’ scenic Overseas Highway from mainland Florida to Key West to raise money for charity. Stops are arranged throughout the Keys with a final celebration in Key West. Visit www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com  or call 800-545-2561.

Sept. 21-25: Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival. Marathon and Lower Keys. A celebration of the natural wonders of Florida wildlife takes place at the peak of the fall birding season. The event includes presentations and field trips focusing on education and conservation as they relate to Keys birds and wildlife, and an environmental fair. Visit www.keysbirdingfest.org  or call 305-872-0774.

Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Second Annual Conchtoberfest. Marathon. This Middle Keys event is chock-full of food, beverages, vendors, music and entertainment for the entire family. “Conchtoberfest Nights” at local venues throughout Marathon lead up to main weekend events at Hawks Cay Resort. All events are open to the public. Visit http://experience.hawkscay.com/conchtoberfest/  or call 305-289-4901.

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com  or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

Royal Caribbean International has launched a summer deal for families booking cruises on the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas. Booking must be made by April 13 for cruises departing during June, July or August 2011. Vacationers booking two or more Central Park- or Boardwalk-view balcony staterooms that are grouped together will receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom, up to a maximum of three staterooms, for a total of $600 onboard credits per group. The offer is only valid for new U.S. and Canada individual bookings, and availability is limited.

The two ships sail year-round and roundtrip from Port Everglades, Fla., alternating an Eastern and a Western Caribbean itinerary. On the Eastern Caribbean sailing, the ships call at Nassau, Bahamas; St. Maarten; and St. Thomas. On the Western Caribbean itinerary, the ships call at Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti.

Travel Impressions in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, is offering Cayman Summer Splash, an island-wide promotion affording families savings with kids stay, play and eat free options, plus a fifth night free.

Rates for five-night, land-only vacation packages start at $426 per person double occupancy, on new bookings made now through May 22 for travel May 1 to Sept. 30.

The Cayman Summer Splash promotion includes fifth night free; kids 11 years of age and under stay free in the same room as paying adults; free Stingray City Trip (two vouchers per booking) or free Introduction to Scuba Diving course (one voucher per booking); free Cayman Islands Sea School with Sir Turtle where children can learn about the island’s marine environment; kids eat free from the children’s menu at participating restaurants (with purchase of full-priced adult meal); discounts on watersports and land activities from participating partners; and 50 percent off air tickets on Cayman Airways for children 17 years of age and under (adult fare must be purchased).

Prices range from $426 for the Comfort Suites Cayman Islands to $1,050 for the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman. Prices are per person double occupancy. Airfare is available from gateways nationwide and can be easily added to the cost of the hotel package.

Founded in 1974, Travel Impressions is one of the nation’s largest leisure tour operators and a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express. The company offers FIT vacations to 200 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the Continental U.S., and features more than 2,700 resorts, hotels and luxury villas. For more information, call 800-284-0044 or visit www.TravelImpressions.com

Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women is offering a surf scholarship designed to recognize and honor an exceptional woman who inspires others and makes a positive impact at home, in the community, and in the world.

Last year, Las Olas awarded a scholarship to Karen Wilson from Portland, Ore. Her daughter, Claire, who suffered from brain cancer, passed away two days before her daughter, Anna, was born. “Imagine the feelings a mother must have to have one child leave and know that you must be strong enough to deliver a new life,” wrote her husband, Mark. “I witnessed Karen do this with strength and poignancy that still gives me shivers five years later.” (To read his essay, visit www.surflasolas.com/Surf_Scholarship_Winner.html.)

“I met Karen while she was at Las Olas. She had been through a lot, but wanted to be an inspiration to others who may be facing devastating life circumstances,” said Las Olas founder Bev Sanders. “Her message was, ‘You can get through it.’ And she was glowing when she left Las Olas.”

The 2011 scholarship will be awarded to a woman who can describe, in 250 words or less, a challenge we face along with a positive, inspirational solution. “We believe that women have the ability to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles by creating solutions for our families and communities,” Sanders said. “I’m certain we’ll receive many inspirational essays.” Official rules are posted at www.surflasolas.com/Scholarship_11.html.

The scholarship recipient will receive a week-long surf safari with daily surf lessons, luxury oceanfront accommodations, local cuisine, yoga, massage and more. The award also includes a $500 Athleta Gift Card for surfwear plus stylish travel luggage from Sherpani. “Athleta and Sherpani have graciously donated to the cause,” said Sanders. “One deserving surfer girl will be very happy.” Submissions will be accepted starting on May 12. The winner will be announced on Aug. 4. For more information, visit www.surflasolas.com

Disney Cruise Line (DCL), at a press event in New York City, unveiled plans to sail from three new homeports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas – providing travel agents the opportunity to offer their clients more choices than ever with several new planned itineraries. Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada, as well two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend.

For 2012, all DCL ships, including Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will be sailing in North American or Caribbean waters. That means no Disney ship will visit Europe in 2012. Disney Magic has a full schedule of sailings out of Barcelona this summer.

DCL President Karl Holtz said the time was right to focus on more regional cruises and open up new homeports in the U.S. market. He said this will expose more guests to the DCL experience. At the same time, Holz said DCL fully expects to return to Europe in 2013. Meanwhile, New York City tourism officials said they expect Disney Magic to bring 45,000 passengers a year generating $11 million to the city in 2012.

The eight Bahamas cruises out of New York will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; a stop in Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Fla., giving passengers an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort. As part of this itinerary, each guest will get a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort as part of the cruise packages. DCL said rates for the new eight-night Bahamian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $1,240 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The nine five-night cruises out of New York up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these Canadian ports, clients can view natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit cafes and shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market. DCL said rates for the new five-night Canadian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $715 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10) out of New York are aimed at providing families looking for a quick getaway with a day at sea over a weekend and a taste of the Disney cruise experience. Rates for the new two-night cruises start at $370 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Eight-night sailings from New York depart May 25, June 2, June 22, June 30, July 20, July 28, Aug. 17 and Aug. 25. Each sailing will feature two days at sea, a stop at Nassau, a stop at Castaway Cay, a stop at Port Canaveral, and two more days at sea before returning to New York. Five-night Canada sailings will depart New York on June 20, June 17, July 8, July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Sept. 2, Sept. 7, and Sept. 12. Each sailing will feature a day at sea, a stop at Halifax, a stop at Saint John, and another day at sea before returning to New York.

Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel. Sailings will include three days at sea to explore the ship and three days in port to shop, snorkel or visit beaches. Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Seven-night Western Caribbean sailings depart from Galveston on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Sailings feature two days at sea, a call at Grand Cayman, a call at Costa Maya, a call at Cozumel, and a day at sea before returning to

Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail 14 seven-night Alaska cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Disney Wonder begins Alaska itineraries this fall sailing from Vancouver but is switching to Seattle in 2012. DCL also is working closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history. These include excursions to view brown bears, bald eagles or humpback whale; explorations of glaciers and fjords in Juneau; fishing for wild salmon or learning about Alaska culture in Ketchikan; or panning for gold with Donald Duck and taking a scenic railway journey in Skagway. Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Seven-night Alaska sailings depart on May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, Aug. 20, and Aug. 27. Sailings feature a day at sea, a call at Tracy Arm, a call at Skagway, a call at Juneau, a call at Ketchikan, and a call at Victoria before returning to Seattle

Disney Wonder is scheduled to continue sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year – throughout winter, spring and fall. Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. In addition, the Disney Wonder will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. DCL said rates for the new seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

For the first time, the Disney Wonder will offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai and Ensenada, Mexico. Rates for the 15-night Hawaiian itinerary (departing April 29, 2012) start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral in 2012. The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012 out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay. Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $471 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Until she is repositioned to New York, Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises. All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, government taxes and fees not included. Bookings for the entire 2012 schedule open on April 8, 2011. For more information, call 888-DCL-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com

Far and Away Adventures has announced three American Safaris. These programs, with fine art photographer and wilderness specialist James Bourret, are July 27 to 29 and July 29 to Aug. 1 on Yellowstone Lake, and Aug. 11 to 16 on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, one of the world’s most revered wild and scenic waterways.

The two-night Yellowstone Lake photo workshop is priced at $1,040 per person double occupancy. The five-night Middle Fork of the Salmon workshop is $2,990 per participant, double occupancy. A shorter two-night Middle Fork trip option is also available. Prices include all customary tour inclusions plus associated workshop instruction and activities. For non-workshop tour participants, price is $100 per night less.

Bourret is also a practicing architect based in Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho. His love of the natural world was cultivated in his youth spent at play in California’s Sierra Nevadas. Each day of a trip includes small group and one-on-one working sessions with Bourret who will focus on improving skills using the digital SLR camera and tripod.

Topics include, among others, composition, manual and long-exposure techniques, focus and depth of field, and filters as they relate to landscape, wildlife and outdoor action photography. Sessions will be split up throughout the day, with emphasis on spending time photographing during the magic twilight hours. Each day will also include a review of the day’s images on a laptop in camp, which will promote discussions of image adjustment techniques.

Steve Lentz, founder and owner of Far and Away Adventures, said participants on his American Safari can anticipate the quality of North American big game wildlife sightings in their natural setting to rival those of an Africa safari experience.

The Yellowstone program provides opportunities for lake kayaking, guided backcountry hikes, wildlife observation and fly-fishing based from a luxurious wilderness camp on Yellowstone Lake, the largest freshwater alpine lake in North America. Guests access the deluxe camp by powerboat from Bridge Bay Marina inside the Park.

The Middle Fork of Idaho’s Salmon River departure comes with, in August, playful Class III rapids through a 100-mile stretch of pristine wilderness. On river and lake alike, tented camps like those in Africa await guests after a day of exploring. A chef prepares organic feasts with local microbrews and wines to be sipped from crystal stemware. This level of sophistication, comfort and concierge attention attracts A-Lister’s Stephen Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, Mariel Hemingway and the Nordstroms, to name a few. Solar lanterns, hot water for showers and state-of-art tents with elevated beds, flannel linens, carpets and nightstands ensure sweet dreams. Far and Away Adventures has been in business since 1980.

For more information, call 800-232-8588 or visit www.far-away.com

Grupo EMR will open Palermo Place, a 26-room luxury boutique hotel, in Buenos Aires on May 1, 2011. The hotel will be located two blocks from Avenida Santa Fe, one of the city’s main streets, and the Ministro Carranza “Subte” subway station. Palermo Place will offer luxuriously appointed guest rooms, with French balconies, fully equipped kitchenettes, flat-screen LCD TVs, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and wired Internet connections. For more information, call 54-11-3220-9600 or visit www.palermoplace.co