Jetsettersblog

Are there any authentic Christmas markets left? Any where locals outnumber tourists? In LutherCountry, the answer is “Yes!”

In this part of eastern Germany, you can still smell the cinnamon, the sausage and fresh pine in the frosty air. You can still talk to locals over a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) or coffee and a slice of Stollen (traditional German cake with dried fruit). You can listen to bells that have rung out for 500 years. And, you can join in singing carols that have resounded on the same cobbled squares for centuries.

There are gifts to take home that have been made locally, from wooden toys and exquisite glass Christmas decorations to special cakes. In the federal German states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, the build up to Christmas is still celebrated the way that Martin Luther suggested it should be 500 years ago: with joy.

4 GREAT AUTHENTIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Erfurt, Thuringia

Guarded by the towering cathedral, more than 200 wooden stalls fill the vast Domplatz (Cathedral Square). Highlights include the nativity scene, with 14 near life-size, hand-carved figures, a traditional tall wooden pyramid and the 80-foot Christmas tree, lit with hundreds of candles at night. The festive specialty here is Schittchen, a delicious version of Stollen. Made with flour, butter, candied fruits and ground almonds, it is the perfect gift to take home. And the post office has a stall where you can get your Christmas cards and postcards franked with the special Christmas market stamp!

TIP: Visit the crypt beneath the cathedral to see the 24 Advent scenes (Florales zur Weihnachtszeit), the imaginative floral tableaux that are created by local enthusiasts; book a guided tour and climb up the cathedral tower to see the 500-year-old Gloriosa, the oldest free swinging medieval bell in the world.

Dates: 23 November – 22 December 2011

Wartburg Castle, Thuringia

Nearly 1,000 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wartburg was a refuge for Martin Luther while he translated the New Testament into German. It was also an inspiration for Wagner’s opera, Tannhäuser. Flecked with snow, this atmospheric backdrop gives an authentic feel of the Middle Ages to the weekend Christmas markets, where candle makers, glass blowers and wooden-toy makers are dressed in medieval garb. As ever, there is glorious food, from sugared almonds to right-off-the-grill Thüringer Bratwurst, Thuringian-style sausage.

TIP: In Eisenach, the Lutherstuben Restaurant in the Eisenacher Hof hotel hosts medieval evenings, with a hearty meal, a witty master of ceremonies, even a monk doing a medieval twist and shout!

Dates: 26-27 November, 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 December

Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt

As well as the usual Christmas ornaments, wood carvings and mulled wine, there are foods from Finland, Hungary, France, Austria, Russia and the Netherlands in the “European village.” But Halle is also the birthplace of composer George Frederick Handel (1685), and no work is more associated with Christmas than Messiah. As well as visiting the Christmas market, you can attend a concert in the Marktkirche or in the Händel-Haus, the house where he was born.

TIP: New this year is the 275-foot tall ‘Advent Candle’ – when the Red Tower of the Market church is lit up!

Dates: 23 November – 23 December

LutherstadtWittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt

There is nowhere more historic or atmospheric for a Christmas market. As well as half-timbered townhouses, there is the church where Luther once preached, with its famous altar triptych, painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Explore little courtyards to find fun stalls: toys, decorations, roasted almonds and mulled wine.

TIP: On 18 December, the Martin Luther Nativity play is in the Church of St. Mary, where the Great Reformer preached his sermons.

Dates: 25 November – 21 December

For further information, please visit us at LutherCountry www.visit-luther.com

Find more pictures of Christmas markets and other attractions in LutherCountry here.

Tweet: Celebrate the Holidays with a “Festive Experience” or Self-Catering Apt at Connoisseurs Scotland’s Turnberry; http://tinyurl.com/67v8vf9

Edinburgh, Scotland – Whether seeking a vibrant, fun-filled celebration or a private getaway for Christmas and the New Year, Connoisseurs Scotland’s Turnberry Resort makes for the perfect family destination. The 5 Red Star resort, normally closed during the holiday season, is opening its doors to offer guests an 8-night “Festive Experience” featuring a full program of activities for young and old, lasting from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, and accommodation in one of the hotel’s 150 stylish guest rooms. Those preferring a more private affair can choose a 7-night self-catered holiday in one of the eight fully-equipped Lands of Turnberry Apartments. Guests choosing either package can relax with ESPA spa treatments, enjoy adventurous outdoor activities such as off-roading and clay pigeon shooting, dine in the renowned 1906 restaurant or simply take in the stunning views of Ailsa Craig and the snow-capped mountains of Arran afforded by Turnberry’s location overlooking the Ayrshire Coast.

The eight-night “Festive Celebration” kicks off with a night of Christmas Eve activities: carols and mulled wine around the grand piano, a three-course dinner in 1906 and an optional midnight service with mince pies and hot chocolate upon your return. Guests awake to personalized stockings and a hearty Scottish breakfast on Christmas morning, followed later in the day by a champagne reception, Christmas lunch, showing of the Queen’s Speech and an evening buffet and quiet drinks. Boxing Day features a drinks reception followed by a gala dinner with at-table entertainment, a live band and dancing. The centrepiece of the holiday is Hogmanay, where a champagne reception precedes a black-tie celebration featuring a lavish five-course meal – prepared by Head Chef Justin Galea and his award-winning team – dancing, live ceilidh music and traditional Scottish activities. Children enjoy a Young Explorers’ Club with face painting, games and arts & crafts; Hogmanay Party with music, dancing, food, drinks and games; and a sleepover service until 3am on New Year’s Eve. Pricing is £2,615* ($4,089) per classic room, double occupancy, for an eight-night stay between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1 and includes a full program of meals and entertainment.

For a more intimate holiday, Lands of Turnberry offers an exceptional range of two to six bedroom self-catering apartments that offer the privacy of home with the benefit of having luxury resort amenities within walking distance. Each of the eight apartments have spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchen and dining area, large living room with fireplace, TV with Freeview and DVD, WiFi and washing machines. Visitors enjoy VIP access to Turnberry’s collection of championship golf courses and unlimited use of the spa facilities: swimming pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation lounges. Aside from the amenities offered by the hotel year round, guests staying in the private apartments during the holiday season will also have the option of participating in any of the hotel’s celebrations – such as the gala events on Boxing Day or the black-tie dinner on Hogmanay – on an a la carte basis. Pricing for a seven-night stay starts at £995 ($1,556) for a two bedroom apartment, based on up to six occupants, and includes full Scottish breakfast daily. Additional bedrooms can be added to the apartment for a rate of £385 ($602) per bedroom for the seven-night stay.

Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 members include three of the world’s finest golf resorts, Gleneagles, Turnberry and Old Course; Inverlochy Castle, recently voted the best hotel in Europe; several outstanding city centre properties including Prestonfield, one of only two 5 Red Star Hotels in Edinburgh, and the recently refurbished Sheraton Grand; a 19th-century castle health spa; a collection of intimate country house hotels; the ultimate luxury train; the finest hotel afloat and an exclusive use property. Five of the members boast Michelin-starred restaurants. Information on Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts, partners and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk

If you’re not in love when you come to Kaua‘i, you will be when you leave.

Kaua‘i is Cupid’s playground, tailor-made for romance. Kaua‘i’s allure as a romantic destination is proven time and again, not just by Hollywood filmmakers, but also by the couples who return year after year, often with children and grandchildren in tow. Whether planning a wedding and honeymoon, anniversary or vow renewal, this is an island where couples create joyful memories for a lifetime.

Kaua‘i has many experienced wedding coordinators who are unflappable in planning the details. There are also independent licensed wedding consultants, available through an organization of professionals on the island. The planners know the island, the process, the locations, and the details. What about the marriage license, officiant, lei, flowers, photography, entertainment, rehearsal dinner, reception? The wedding coordinator is the go-to person who can even arrange a pre-nuptial spa date. All these details can be seamlessly worked out before the couple’s arrival, so the time spent on Kaua‘i is stress-free.

Location is paramount, and Kaua‘i does not disappoint. Fantasy is real on this island—just look at the movies. Elvis got married on a tropical lagoon in the movie Blue Hawai‘i, and South Pacific’s Mitzi Gaynor couldn’t wash her leading man out of her hair. On this island, cathedrals take many forms, and some couples never leave.

GETTING READY

Kaua‘i resorts offer wedding and honeymoon packages that are lavish and wide-ranging. Top-to-toe pampering is the norm. The independent Kaua‘i Wedding Professionals Association can also be helpful: www.kauaiwedpro.com.

Weddings held in public settings require a state or county permit, depending on the location. A resort wedding planner or independent professional planner can obtain the permit for you. Marriage licenses are a must, also obtainable by a professional planner. For more information on marriage licenses, go to www.hawaii.gov/doh.

Where to SAY, “I Do”

Some couples favor sunrise, others the blazing sunset. Some opt for a boat cruise, others a tropical waterfall. Possible venues for Kaua‘i weddings are as numerous as the island’s beauty spots, limited only by access and the imagination.

Weddings and water are natural partners: waterfalls, rivers, beaches, saltwater lagoons, and mountain pools. And tears of joy, naturally.

At a 30-acre tropical garden in east Kaua‘i’s Coconut Coast, couples can exchange their vows on the banks of a river revered for its cultural sites. The tropical garden is on the banks of the 21-mile Wailua River, a silky-smooth waterway favored by Hawaiian royalty and now a scenic favorite of Hollywood filmmakers.

The Wailua River is lined with hau trees with heart-shaped leaves. Up the river, the Fern Grotto is another popular wedding site, a geological wonder drippy and covered with ferns. After the boat reaches the dock, the wedding party takes a short walk through a jungle garden to a deck at the entrance to the grotto. A Hawaiian trio sings “The Hawaiian Wedding Song,” their voices wafting through the garden of bamboo, gingers, banana plants, ti, and other lush tropical foliage.

The gardens of the Garden Isle are natural locations for weddings. A guided tour of Limahuli Garden in Hā‘ena, in the shadow of the mountain named Makana, made famous as “Bali Hai” in the movie South Pacific, is a great way to celebrate a honeymoon or anniversary. On the south shore of Kaua‘i, a tour of the Allerton Garden brings a cocoon of beauty on this most beautiful day.

Also on the south shore, on a hilltop in charming Kalāheo, the Kukuiolono (“light of Lono”) Park is hidden near the end of easy-to-miss Papalina Road. The Hawaiians made fires of kukui nut (candlenut) and placed them on the hillside to guide Hawaiian mariners, hence the name Kukuiolono.

Walter McBryde donated the park to the people of Kaua‘i in 1919, and it remains a quiet Kalāheo treasure next to a 9-hole golf course. Bonsai trees and a small footbridge are part of the Japanese rock garden, shaded in Zen-like tranquility by ironwoods, eucalyptus and Royal Poinciana trees. Butterflies flutter, and the air is perfumed with laua‘e ferns. Bird of paradise, vandal orchids, and ti leaves add color, and a short (0.8-mile) loop trail reveals the view. Couples will find this is a romantic setting perfect for an intimate wedding before dark; the gates close at 6:30 p.m.

Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens, on the north shore in Kīlauea, has a range of romantic environments within its 240 acres: garden, waterfall lagoon, beach and meadow, and hardwood plantation. There’s also a maze to entertain the party after completion of the ceremony. The garden’s non-profit foundation supports many community and environmental efforts.

With more than 50 miles of white-sand beaches, weddings and honeymoons are naturally beach-bound. State and city beach parks are abundant (permit required), and most of the resorts located on the shoreline have their own ocean settings to suggest and the coordinators to plan them.

PEERLESS PAMPERING

Resort settings are romantic and offer every possible amenity. In addition to full-time wedding coordinators, resorts have facilities and services for the receptions and private dinners that are part of the celebration. Banquet rooms and services, gazebos and chapels as locations, a quiet beach or a festive wedding lü‘au—the wedding choices can be customized.

Wedding packages often include a honeymoon suite, complimentary champagne or sparkling wine upon arrival, and a festive welcome of flower petals and special amenities. Couples can customize their weddings with torch lighting and the sounding of a conch shell, a Hawaiian chant and hula. Orchid showers and fireworks, or a Chinese lion dance before or after whale watching. An oceanside couples massage before or after the wedding. A sunrise ceremony or a sunset cruise—and why not both? The master stroke is in the details.

One Po‘ipū resort offers a honeymoon package that includes a 15% spa discount. Imagine a couple’s massage in a private bungalow with a lava rock shower and steam grotto. After a treatment with the healing Kaua‘i clay, a couples massages and facials, who wouldn’t want to get married or renew a wedding vow?

Earlier this year, the hotel industry had a glimpse of the future with the launch of the first dedicated Experiential Hotel brand: Travaasa Destinations. The innovative hospitality brand combines an extensive selection of customizable programming with spectacular natural locations. The first Travaasa Destination, Travaasa Austin, opened May 5, 2011. The second property, formerly known as the legendary Hotel Hāna-Maui, opened as Travaasa Hāna on June 30, 2011.

The collection will be adding additional properties in desirable ocean, desert, rainforest and mountain locales that feature signature rich cultural heritage.

Each property in the Travaasa Destinations collection delivers locally infused, robust programming within five core pillars: adventure, culinary, culture, fitness and spa. Guests of Travaasa Destinations choose their own schedule, with varying skill and fitness difficulty levels available.

“We developed a brand that captures the thrill of exploring something new and the magic of travel while eliminating the stress of planning. Travaasa Destinations does exactly that by offering guests a variety of experiential programs and activities that are educational, local and authentic,” said Joy Berry, president of Travaasa Destinations.

Travaasa Destinations’ portfolio consists of spacious campus-style hotel properties, each with less than 100 rooms, which blend harmoniously with natural surroundings and incorporate local flavor into all features of the property. Travaasa Destinations’ current properties were acquired by Green Tea LLC., in 2010 for undisclosed sums.

Travaasa Austin is located on 210 acres of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve overlooking beautiful Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country, only 30 minutes from downtown Austin. The property infuses Austin’s strong musical background and Western roots throughout its selection of activities and comfortable décor to create an experience that reflects the culture of the region. Programming ranges from equine experiences at the on-site stables, cowboy poetry and storytelling at the fire pit and an outdoor challenge course designed by Outward Bound to fitness classes, yoga sessions, and spa treatments. Texas-fusion cuisine, such as the Executive Chef Benjamin Baker’s signature Flourless Chipotle Chocolate Cake, immerse guests in local tastes while cooking demonstrations and skills courses allow visitors to take a little bit of Austin home with them.

Travaasa Hāna is located along the shoreline on 69 acres of Maui’s lush eastern coast. The 70 spacious rooms include sprawling sea-ranch cottages and bungalow-style garden suites, offering dramatic ocean and mountain views, many featuring private lanai hot tubs. Whether participating in the hotel’s calming health and wellness classes, enjoying cultural programming such as traditional lei making and net fishing, surfing Maui’s legendary waves or hiking through lush tropical forests, Travaasa Hāna’s upscale amenities and tranquil location make for countless memorable experiences for guests.

“With both Travaasa Austin and Travaasa Hāna, we saw an opportunity to take two solid properties, located in two beautiful destinations and transform them into a new breed of destination hotels,” said Chris Manning, principal of Travaasa Destinations. “We wanted to create an escape, not for people who are looking to be ‘fixed’ but a place for people who are looking to enrich their lives or try something new.”

For more information on Travaasa Destinations, visit www.travaasa.com  or call 855.TO.TRAVAASA (855.868.7282)

New Attractions

Imagine flying through the jungle on high speed turns and sliding by more than two meters of jungle and splash landing in the interior of a cenote. The new Avatar One at adventure park Hidden Worlds is the only zip line in the world whose cable spins, falls and slides like a roller coaster, to allow adventure lovers of all ages to experience a thrill. www.hiddenworlds.com

Aktun-Chen. In addition to all the attractions of this natural grotto with cenotes and a large space to walk through the forest, admiring a variety of species of flora and fauna, Aktunchen now features a 1 km adventure in the air consisting of 11 zip-lines and 2 suspension bridges. Aktunchen has been recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 10 underground walks in the world. For more information, please see www.aktunchen.com

New Investments, Renovations and Announcements

The RIÚ Playacar Convention Center opened in July 2011. The facility, which has 8,070 square feet of meeting space, will support RIÚ’s six hotels, offering a total of 2,700 guest rooms, in the vicinity. RIU has a total of six hotels and 2,700 rooms in Playa del Carmen, where its renowned service, attentive and professional staff and its 24 hour All-Inclusive program makes the ideal complement for all kind of events. www.riu.com

Sian Ka’an Biosphere received 788,267 acres of protected land, a more than fifty-percent expansion to the already 1.3 million acre UNESCO World Heritage Site. The biosphere is home to over 104 remarkably diverse species of mammals, multitudes of exotic bird species, and countless amphibians, reptiles and plant species, and the area is home to more than 22 archaeological ruins, some as many as 2,300 years old. http://cesiak.org/

Grand Coral Riviera Maya .- The 18 hole Nick Price-designed golf course opened to the public on February 1, 2011. The surrounding complex also offers 123 homes available for shared or fulltime ownership located next to the clubhouse overlooking the field. For more information visit: www.grandcoral.com.mx

Kanai – Riviera Maya: With investments from two of the largest real estate developers in Mexico, the mega hotel development will feature a residential area and four luxury hotels, including Park Hyatt, W Retreat, St. Regis and Auberge along with a beach club. The complex will consist of 847 rooms in total, 2 golf courses (36 hole PGA) designed by Olazabal and Nick Faldo and private residences. To date, $80 million USD has been invested in the project, and it is expected that an additional $280 million will be invested for the completion of the project. For additional information please visit: www.kanai.com

New Attractions

Experiencias Xcaret: Two new excursions have been added, the Coba Xel-Ha Tour and the Ria Lagartos – Ek Balam – Valladoilid Tour. The Coba Xel-Ha will combine the world-class service of Experiencias Xcaret with visits to two of the Riviera Maya’s most important tourist attractions – Coba, an ancient Mayan city, and Xel-Ha, the world’s largest natural aquarium.

The Lagartos – Ek Balam – Valladoilid Tour will allow visitors to experience a biosphere reserve home to 230 species of water birds including the largest population of pink flamingoes in Mexico. Guests will also visit the archaeological site at Ek Bakam known for magnificent ancient Mayan stone masonry and wall paintings.. For more information please visit www.xcaret.com

Sac Actun: One of Riviera Maya’s many cave and underground river systems, has now been connected with the Actun Hu system, making Sac Actun Mexico’s biggest cave system at a length of 217,363 meters. It also contains the longest underground river in the world at 215,246 meters and is the fourth largest cave system in the world.

Special Events and Festivals in 2011

For the ninth consecutive year, the Sea Turtle Festival 2011 will take place from 14 to 17 October. The Festival organizing committee has taken an important mission: to promote and report on the conservation of sea turtles, through competitions, workshops, visual art exhibitions and cultural activities to celebrate the end of life Festival, protection and completion of a year of marine turtle reproduction on our beaches. For more information visit the website: www.festivaltortugamarinatulum.com

9th Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival: Over three days, 10 of the best exponents of contemporary jazz will vibrate the white sand and blue sea with bars leaving the interpretative genius of those who carry their instruments at one of the top ten international music festivals. This year the festival will be held from 24 to 26 November. For more information visit: www.rivieramayajazzfestival.com

Mexico’s largest dance music festival, the BPM Festival 2012 will celebrate its fifth anniversary from December 30, 2011 to January 8, 2012. Named one of MixMag’s Top Ten Best International Parties, the electronic-dance music festival held in Playa del Carmen hosted 25,000 attendees in 2011 and promises to be even bigger and better in 2012. Top talents include Damian Lazarus, Dubfire, Laidback Luke, Lee Burridge, Richie Hawtin, and Steve Lawler, among others. www.thebpmfestival.com

Sacred Mayan Journey: In late May 2012, Mayan communities will reenact this traditional important ritual that worships the Mayan Goddess of Fertility, Ixchell, inviting visitors to watch. At the break of dawn, Mayans with authentic body paint and dress will take 25 traditional Mayan canoes from Polé (today Xcaret) to the island of Cozumel. More than 300 rowers from the communities of Xcaret, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen will participate in the journey, approximately a seven hour paddle across the Cozumel Channel. Once in Cozumel, the oarsmen will perform the ritual in which they pay patronage to the Goddess Ixchell. The oarsmen will return from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen the following morning. For more information visit: www.travesiasagradamaya.com.mx

About the Riviera Maya

One of the world’s most desirable destinations, the Riviera Maya is situated along the Eastern coast of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and protected jungles, the Riviera Maya stretches eighty-one miles, beginning south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos and extending through Sian Ka’an, the first established Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Riviera Maya boasts the tranquility of sparsely-populated beaches, a vast network of underground rivers, more than 100 cenotes and numerous eco-adventure activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, bird watching and deep sea fishing. A vast variety of lodging options, from luxury hotels, all-inclusive properties to charming boutique hotels, provide excellent accommodations, first-class facilities and the warm hospitality of the local people. Many of Mexico’s most significant archeological sites are nearby, providing visitors with the chance to experience the fascinating Mayan culture. The Riviera Maya has been named a Top Destination in Mexico for seven consecutive years by Travel Weekly (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010), awarded with The Best Destination in Mexico by Crystal Apple Award 2008 and 2009; one of the hottest beach destinations by Orbitz in 2008 and was recognized as the Sexiest Destination by Recommend Magazine. For more information on the Riviera Maya visit www.rivieramaya.com

Carmel-by-the-Sea , California — Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its plethora of art galleries, quaint shops and courtyards, pristine beaches and abundance of fine restaurants. Now, it may soon be known for its numerous wine tasting locales, available on a self-guided WINE WALK tour.

Thirteen different tasting rooms can be easily accessed within just a few blocks in this one-square mile village, making for an easy and delicious afternoon stroll in this scenic California coastal town.

Galante Vineyards opened the first wine tasting room in Carmel in 2005, showcasing one of the best Cabernets in Monterey County. Owner Jack Galante is the great grandson of Frank Devendorf, one of the two founding fathers of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Like Galante, many of these wine tasting rooms represent long time winery families in Monterey County such as Caraccioli Cellars and Scheid Vineyards. Additional wine tasting rooms, Cima Collina and Wrath Wines, showcase the wines of female winemakers which is still a rarity in the business.

Some of the wine tasting rooms help accent other businesses including Figge Cellars in the Winfield (art) Gallery, and Scheid Vineyards in Homescapes, a local home décor business. The Cheese Shop, famous for tasting of cheeses from around the world also features wine tasting. Tudor wines are available for tasting in Andre’s Bouchee Bistro and the Bountiful Basket offers wine tasting along with olive oil tasting.

Southern Latitude Wines, Vino Napoli, LaBicyclette Restaurant and Nielsen Bros. Market offer wine tasting from Australia, New Zealand, Italy and other international climes.

For more information about wine tasting and planning your trip to Carmel, contact the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 800-550-4333 or www.carmelcalifornia.org.  A downloadable made is available on the website at http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/things-to-do/wine.aspx

SOUTH LUANGWA, Zambia – Robin Pope Safaris (RPS) announces a seven-night “Carnivore Week” Safari starting March 24, 2012, in the South Luangwa Valley of Zambia, where seasoned guides will take guests to see Africa’s large carnivores including the rare, highly-endangered Wild (or Painted) Dog of Africa.

Rates for seven nights at Robin Pope Safari’s Nkwali Camp start at $3522 per person sharing and include room and board and all safari costs including a contribution to the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP). Not included are domestic and international flights, visas and airport taxes. Domestic round-trip flights from Lusaka to Mfuwe are US$510.

Among its many conservation initiatives, Robin Pope Safaris is actively helping to protect one of Zambia’s most threatened species, the African Wild Dog, a unique and highly social member of the dog family. Since 2005, RPS has partnered with ZC P to conserve the population of the Wild Dog and other large carnivores in the South Luangwa Valley and to establish sustainable wildlife tourism there.

Each March, RPS hosts “Carnivore Week,” wherein RPS guides and senior ZCP ecology staff teach safari-goers the art and science of researching large carnivores. During these game-viewing excursions, the guides not only help guests with sightings and photo opportunities, but they report their findings back to the Luangwa Valley Carnivore Monitoring Programme. They also report on large carnivores that have been injured in wire snares used by poachers, and this information helps the South Luangwa Conservation Society and ZCP to find, capture and treat these animals.

While safaris in search of Africa’s Big Cats have long been a tourist draw, the interest in viewing large carnivores is on the upswing. Observing the grace, power and elegance of such wild species as lion and leopard in their natural habitats is awe-inspiring and a major reason why tourism continues to thrive on the continent.

The Luangwa Valley comprises a massive unfenced ecosystem that borders multiple countries and holds considerable promise for carnivore conservation. Centered on South Luangwa National Park and the Surrounding Game Management Areas, the region holds the country’s second largest wild dog population, some 200 plus animals.

But the survival of the Wild Dog is still tenuous, given increases in resource extraction, human settlement and poaching.

By signing up for a Robin Pope Safari’s Carnivore Week Safari, animal lovers will help a most worthwhile cause.
For reservations: info@robinpopesafaris.net or visit: www.robinpopesafaris . Skype: Robinpopesafaris

NEWPORT, RI—Newport has been named the final stop of the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series, which will conclude the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit. The series will be a nine-day event held June 23-July 1, 2012.

The City-by-the-Sea will be the first American host of the high-tech AC45 wing-sailed catamarans in 2012, capable of closing speeds exceeding 35mph. The first circuit champion will be crowned following 10 days of heart-pumping racing in Narragansett Bay.

“Newport and Rhode Island have strong historical ties to the America’s Cup, dating back to 1930,” said Rhode Island Governor Lincoln D. Chafee. “This exciting event will be a tremendous boost for the Rhode Island economy and continues the relationship between Newport and the America’s Cup.”

Considered by many to be the sailing capital of the world, Newport has played host to some of the most legendary America’s Cup battles in the competition’s 160 year-old history, making the city the unofficial US home to the oldest trophy in international sport. The 2012 AC World Series event brings the America’s Cup experience, the fanfare and prestige surrounding it, back to Newport following a nearly 30-year absence. Current plans call for holding the racing inside Newport Harbor, with the start/finish line just off the shoreline where multiple locales will offer unsurpassed spectator views. As the AC World Series features tight, short racecourses designed to deliver close racing, the thrill of competition will be clearly visible to fans on shore in addition to broadcast and online audiences.

“Newport is the cradle of the America’s Cup sailing, so we’re very pleased to bring the AC World Series to the city that first exposed the Cup to the world,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. “We are building upon that rich history through this new professional circuit to accelerate the global appeal of the America’s Cup.”

The AC World Series Newport stop is the result of interagency collaboration by Gov. Chaffee, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Department of Environmental Management and Department of Administration. The Newport County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Newport, the Newport Chamber of Commerce and other members of the state’s hospitality, tourism, sailing and marine trades communities will be supporting this event.

For information additional information, please visit www.GoNewport.com

Decatur, AL – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association announces the kick-off of Football, Fishin’, and Foliage, the final of its four-part 2011 advertising campaign to promote North Alabama. Football, Fishin’, and Foliage is a celebration of what North Alabamians and visitors love about fall.

The South is known for its football tradition, and whether it’s a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon, Southerners can be seen rooting for their favorite teams. Fishing remains one of the top activities in North Alabama, and the eight lakes located in the region provide more than 4,000 miles of shoreline. Another fall past time is checking out the breath-taking fall foliage across the region.

Beginning in late September, the Natchez Trace Parkway and Lookout Mountain Parkway provide colorful drives, or visitors can take a hike in one of the many parks, which have miles and miles of hiking trails that are perfect for catching a glimpse of the fabulous foliage.

AMLA will wrap up 2011 promoting the 16 North Alabama counties with the final 2011 campaign. Each of the 2011 campaigns highlighted the many unique attractions, events, festivals, and food that make North Alabama a travel destination.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions, and individuals. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org  or www.ThinkNorthAlabama.com

Starline Tours, Los Angeles’ oldest and largest tour company known for its long-running tour of movie stars’ homes, has rolled out its latest look at Hollywood for CSI fanatics and armchair investigators: Crime Scene Tours of Los Angeles. The tour visits some of the most shocking, talked-about crime scenes in Los Angeles and is led by off-duty or retired Los Angeles Police Department personnel who provide an insider’s look at the crime scene most people can’t bear to see.

More than just another celebrity tour peaking over hedges and inside celebrity lives, Crime Scene Tours provides crime buffs a new way to really delve into the often horrific details of LA’s most shocking crimes. Developed by Lonnie Levine, a former Los Angeles Police Department crime analyst, the tour uses a custom-designed, 28-passenger bus equipped with video screens for viewing actual police and news helicopter footage of famous crimes.

The tour includes a stop at the Brentwood condominium where Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, wife of O.J. Simpson, were brutally murdered. In North Hollywood, passengers will stop at Vitello’s Restaurant, where Robert Blake was accused of fatally shooting his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley in the neck. Although Blake was later acquitted of the murder, the tour guide provides passengers with a step-by-step accounting of Blake’s activities that evening, down to the inconsistencies in his alibi, as well as police video footage of the scene.

Perhaps the most dramatic stop on the tour is the site of the North Hollywood Shoot Out, considered one of the longest and bloodiest shootouts in U.S. police history. In 1997, two gunmen stole $300,000 from a Bank of America in North Hollywood. Upon exiting the bank, they encountered nearly 50 police officers, yet still attempted to flee the scene. Tour passengers will see actual police footage of the shootout while the guide explains how the events unfolded. Also covered are the heinous crimes of the Night Stalker and the Hillside Strangler, the Manson family’s horrific murders of actress Sharon Tate and Abigail Folger, (heiress to Folgers Coffee), and The Black Dahlia, one of the oldest unsolved murders in Los Angeles history.

Each tour is unique, as guides interject tales of their own involvement and personal knowledge of the law enforcement professionals involved in each case. An evidence book created specifically for Crime Scene Tours is available for viewing, but caution is advised; many of the photos have never been produced for the public and are extremely graphic in nature.

“Crime Scene Tour guides know details about the crime scenes that have never been revealed,” says Mr. Levine. “In some cases, the person leading the tour actually worked the crime scene. Not only do they want to tell their story, often times they need to tell their story.” Mr. Levine developed the tour with Starline Tours because of the nation’s obsession with television shows focusing on crimes, crime scenes, forensic evidence and detective operations. The guides on Crime Scene Tours have investigated more than 1,000 homicides collectively.

The Crime Scene Tours bus departs twice daily Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for a 2 ½ hour tour. Private charters for groups are available at special pricing. The tour will run special evening Halloween Crime Scene Tours on Saturday, October 29, Sunday, October 30 and Halloween, Monday, October 31.

Tickets are $69, available online at www.crimescenetours.net  or www.starlinetours.com and at Starline Tours’ box offices in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard and in Santa Monica at Santa Monica Pier. For more information, call 800-959-3131 or 323-463-3333. Youth prices are also $69 with parental discretion advised.

About Starline Tours
Starline Tours is the oldest and largest sightseeing tour company in Los Angeles, having pioneered the famous Movie Star’s Homes Tour in 1935 – making this Starline Tours’ 76th operating year. The company offers a full range of sightseeing tours of Los Angeles, including a multi-lingual City Tour, a city-wide Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker tour and tours to Theme Parks, Movie Studios, San Diego and Tijuana, and pick up from more than 250 hotels in the Los Angeles area. Starline offers the Movie Stars’ Homes Tours and Malibu Movie Stars’ Homes Tours daily and now operates the all-new TMZ Hollywood Tour – Secrets and Celebrity Hot Spots, which is the TMZ show on wheels. Crime Scenes Tours L.A. is the newest tour offering. Starline Tours has locations throughout Hollywood, with its main terminal at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. The company also has a sales office on Santa Monica Pier, starting point of the Malibu Stars’ Homes Tour. The company is privately owned and operated in conjunction with TourCoach – the company’s Bus Charter division.