Jetsettersblog

Epoque Hotels Discount Program in Europe

Epoque Hotels is introducing “Go Europe,” a summer 2008 promotion tailored to Americans seeking a European holiday. Travelers need to book beginning now and through June 30 for a vacation that takes place during the July 1 through Aug. 31 timeframe.

Participants in the promotion will receive 25 percent off the best available room rates at select Epoque Hotel Pan European properties. To illustrate the value of “Go Europe,” consider that a one-night stay at the Duquesa de Cardona hotel in Barcelona may cost 265 euros ($416). With the discount, the nightly rate is reduced to $312. A two-night minimum stay is required; restrictions and cancellation policies vary per property.

Participating hotels include the Duquesa de Cardona and Grand Hotel Central in Barcelona; the EME Hotel and Inglaterra Hotel in Seville; De Las Letras in Madrid; Hotel Miro in Bilboa; UNA Bologna in Bologna; UNA Hotels Tocq in Milan; Palazzo Viviani Montegridolfo in Rimini; Una Vittoria in Florence; Sofa Hotels and Bentley Hotel in Istanbul; Ventana Hotel, Maximilen Hotel and Josef Hotel in Prague; and 27 Hotel in Copenhagen.

Call 866-376-7831 or visit www.epoquehotels.com

Aruba Hotels Summer Specials

Hotels and resorts across the island Aruba are offering summer vacation deals for families, couples and others. Guests at the Westin Aruba Resort Spa & Casino (877-822-2222, www.westin.com/aruba) will receive a fourth-night-free on a minimum five-night stay, plus $100 food and beverage credit. Stays of six nights or longer, receive $200 food and beverage credit.

The rates start at $289. Agents should use the promotional code SUNFREE. Other properties offering specials include: the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino’s (800-333-3333, www.radisson.com/arubaspavacations)  the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s (800-421-8188, www.renaissancearuba.com)  the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives’ (800-554-2008, www.diviaruba.com  and www.tamarijnaruba.com)  the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino’s (800-55-HYATT, www.aruba.hyatt.com)  the Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba’s (888-4-BUCUTI, www.bucuti.com)

For more information, call 800-TO-ARUBA or visit www.aruba.com .

Vegas’ Trump International Hotel Deal

Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas announced special Trump Experience rates, effective immediately, for a limited time. From $199 per night mid-week, and from $239 per night Friday and Saturday, guests can enjoy a studio or one-bedroom suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, custom-designed furniture, European kitchens, marble bathrooms with spa tubs, and Trump by Stearns & Foster sleep systems with 500-thread-count linens. This special offer is effective through Sept. 1, 2008.

To make reservations directly with Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas, call 866-939-8786 or 877-878-6711, or visit www.trumplasvegashotel.com

Jamaica Okays Casinos

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding granted authorization to two large-scale resort casino projects. Local Jamaican newspapers are projecting that pending regulations are likely to face opposition from Christian groups.

Golding made the announcement in the 2008/09 budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, saying that revenues from casino operations would be put in a special fund to finance health, education and security. The plans were attacked by the country’s Evangelical churches, its Anglican Church, the Seventh Day Adventists and the Jamaica Council of Churches. The developers of the Palmyra Resort and Spa have been given approval to construct a new 2,080-room hotel in Rose Hall, St James that was predicated on the granting of a casino license. Slot machines are already operating in Jamaica, but the new permission will allow for table games as well. The legislation will be taken to Parliament for its consideration and approval.

Call 800-526-2422 or visit www.visitjamaica.com.=

Harrah’s Properties Offer 2-for-1 Show Packages

Harrah’s Entertainment is introducing 2-for-1 room and show packages for the spring and summer travel seasons. The packages are available at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, the Flamingo, Harrah’s, the Imperial Palace, Paris and the Rio. Packages must be booked before May 31 and travel must take place by Aug. 31.

Book any one of the seven Harrah’s Entertainment Las Vegas properties for spring and summer travel and receive a coupon upon check in for 2-for-1 tickets to one of the following shows: “Legends in Concert” at the Imperial Palace, “Mac King” at Harrah’s, “Improv” at Harrah’s, “Second City” at the Flamingo, “Chippendales” at the Rio, “Jubilee!” at Bally’s, “Ooh La La” at Paris, or “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.” Standard box office processing fees and leisure entertainment taxes apply. Guests will receive the show ticket coupons upon check in. Guests can redeem the coupon at the designated show’s box office.

All shows subject to availability. This offer is not valid with any other offers. The coupon is valid for up to four tickets. No call in available. For general information, call 800-427-7247 or visit www.harrahs.com

Vinnie Favorito Teaches Humor

Enrollment Now Open for Humor Boot Camp Classes

LAS VEGAS – Comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito has partnered with Toastmaster’s 2001 World Champion of Speaking, Darren LaCroix to host Humor Boot Camp™ classes, two-day seminars designed to teach everyone from sales people to top-level executives how to use humor as a means to deliver a message. Humor Boot Camp™ is now accepting students for the following full-day courses held inside Favorito’s showroom at O’Sheas Casino:

Humor 1: July 19 – 20, October 2 – 3

Humor 2: October 4 – 5

Humor 3: November 15 –16

Humor Boot Camp™ will cover the comedic thought process, including how to make scripted material seem improvised, how to select and arrange your words to have the greatest impact and how to make any subject more interesting. Tuition is $895 per person and includes two full-day seminars with professional feedback, a VIP ticket to the “Vinnie Favorito Comedy Show” and a money-back guarantee. Early bird and buy-one, get-one half off discount specials are also available. Seating is limited. For more information, interested parties may log on to www.humorbootcamp.com  or call toll free (888) 528-4451.

LaCroix, author, keynote speaker and corporate comedian, was named the Toastmasters 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking after competing against 25,000 people from 14 countries. Prior to his success, LaCroix struggled with public speaking and sought professional help from veteran comic Vinnie Favorito who taught LaCroix the art of humor. LaCroix has extended his knowledge to help others through boot camps, seminars, books and DVDs.

Comedian, celebrity roaster and radio talk show host Vinnie Favorito is a veteran in the comedy world. Known for his quick-witted insults and outstanding improvisational skills, Favorito has roasted many well-known celebrities including Jerry Springer, Pat O’Brien, Larry Flynt and Magic Johnson. Together, Favorito and LaCroix offer a dynamic Boot Camp teaching audiences how to master the art of public speaking through comedy.

Teen Chef Finals in Vegas

Culinary-savvy high school seniors from throughout North America are heading to Las Vegas, preparing to out dice, out slice and out chiffonade the competition to win the Best Teen Chef 2008 Final Round Competition.

This year’s Best Teen Chef Final Round Competition will be held on Saturday, May 17 at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.

Top prize winners in the Competition can win a full-tuition scholarship toward an associate’s degree, certificate or diploma program to study Culinary Arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art Institutes locations.

In addition to a full-tuition scholarship and the title of Best Teen Chef 2008, the first place winner in the national competition, in partnership with Food Network, will be an “Intern for a Day” at the Food Network Kitchens in New York City. The winner will also receive a tour of the Food Network Studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef’s restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

“We are gratified that in the nine years we have sponsored Best Teen Chef, the quantity and quality of the students entering increases,” says Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The Art Institutes. Hundreds of students from the U.S. and Canada enter the competition each year in hopes of snagging the grand prize, and more importantly, an opportunity to launch their culinary arts education.

The Best Teen Chef event is a timed-competition. The internationally-inspired menu will include Braciole Calabresi - Stuffed Pork Bundles; Peperonata - Peppers Saut ed with Olive Oil; and Capers and Orechietti con Carciofl - Orechietti Pasta with Artichokes.

Student competitors are provided the same ingredients and recipes, and prepare their entries using identical equipment.

The esteemed judging panel for this year’s event includes chef faculty from The Art Institutes schools and the first-ever Best Teen Chef winner, Brent Lewis of Loveland, Colorado.

For more information about The Best Teen Chef Competition, visit this link.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu)  is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

ROBERT SCHIMMEL RETURNS TO MONTE CARLO

Award-winning stand-up comedian and writer, Robert Schimmel, returns to the Lance Burton Theatre at Monte Carlo May 30 – 31.

Show times are 9 p.m. nightly.

Tickets are priced at $49.50 inclusive for the main floor and $38.50 inclusive for the mezzanine and balcony. Guests must be 18 years of age to attend.

For more information or to purchase tickets please call (702) 730-7160 or visit www.montecarlo.com

 Combining humorous adult material with brutal honesty, Schimmel’s performance is a reflection on his bout with cancer, his divorce and his overall view of life. Schimmel has appeared in numerous cable specials and television programs and he can be seen in the movies “Scary Movie 2,” “A Low Down Dirty Shame” and “Blankman.”

He has released a series of best-selling comedy CDs including, “Robert Schimmel Comes Clean,” “If You Buy This CD, I Can Get This Car,” “Robert Schimmel: Unprotected” and his newest release, “Robert Schimmel: Resurrection.” In March 2008, Schimmel released his first book, “Cancer on $5 a Day (Chemo Not Included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life,” which chronicles his battle with the disease.

Sapporo Vegas Sizzling Specials

Enjoy great prices on flavorful dishes and beverages throughout the week

Sapporo, the Teppanyaki, Pacific Rim and sushi restaurant located on West Flamingo Road and the 215 Beltway, is showing appreciation to its valued customers by offering enticing new specials for the remainder of 2008.

Celebrate Sundays and Mondays with “Happy Endings and Great Beginnings” including Happy Hour prices on all drinks and a variety of sushi and appetizers.

Join Sapporo on Tuesdays for a “Taste of Teppan.” All Teppanyaki menu items are 20 percent off and children eat free.

“Un-Cork and Un-Wine” on Wednesdays with half-priced bottles of wine and sake.

Ladies, “The Night is Yours” with $20 off your entire purchase on Thursdays.

Travel “Around the Rim,” on Fridays with 25 percent off Pacific Rim entrees.

Get ready to “Raw and Roll” with 25 percent off all sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri on Saturdays.

Sapporo opened it doors in May 2006 and offers a variety of flavorful cuisines and dining areas ensuring a unique dining experience with each visit. Guests can dine at the Teppanyaki tables for an exciting, authentic Japanese meal cooked right before them, choosing from unique menu items like sea bass, halibut and Kobe beef served with hot soup, house salad, fried rice, fresh vegetables and a shrimp appetizer.

The lavish dining room features a menu fused with flavorful dishes combining diverse ingredients and cultures with dishes that include crab crusted Mahi Mahi served with jasmine rice in a black bean beurre blanc and asparagus relish, or the kabayaki glazed scallops served with asparagus tips, shitake mushrooms and scallions. Sapporo’s sushi bar includes a wide range of the freshest sashimi, nigiri and sushi rolls created by Sapporo’s professional sushi chefs.

A kids menu and kids Teppanyaki menu are also available with items like Kobe sliders, orange chicken or Teppanyaki scallops. Guests can also enjoy a meal or a cocktail at the luxurious bar or on the cozy outdoor patio.

 Sapporo is located at 9719 West Flamingo Road, just west of the 215 Beltway in the Grand Flamingo Centre. The restaurant accommodates seating for up to 500 guests throughout the 11,600 square foot interior and 800 square foot patio. A private Teppanyaki dining room seating up to 20 guests and a private dining room seating up to 40 guests are available for reservation.

For more reservations please call 702.216.3080 or visit www.sappororestaurants.com  for more information. Sapporo is also located in Scottsdale, Ariz., which opened in 2001, with plans to open another location in Chandler, Ariz. in November 2008.

The Spinners at The Club at the Cannery

LAS VEGAS –The Spinners will bring their timeless collection of R&B hits to The Club inside the Cannery Casino & Hotel on Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $9.95 plus tax and fees and can be purchased at the Cannery Casino & Hotel’s ticket sales counter located at the front desk. Tickets are also available for purchase by calling (702) 617-5585 or (866) 287-4643 (toll free), or by visiting www.cannerycasinos.com.

 The Spinners have always made timeless music. Throughout the years, they have earned twelve gold records with their hits climbing to the top of both pop and R&B charts and they are one of the few groups who can boast of four lead singers. 

 Their hit singles include such classic tunes as “Working My Way Back to You,” “Rubberband Man,” “I’ll Be Around,” “One Of A Kind (Love Affair),” “Games People Play,” “Could It Be” and “Then Came You” with Dionne Warwick. In their career, The Spinners have been nominated six times for a Grammy® Award and have performed at the White House for President Clinton and at the Republican National Convention for President Bush.

Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC, owns and operates the Cannery Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas; the Rampart Casino within the Resort in Summerlin, also home of the J.W. Marriott Resort; and the brand new Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel which will open its doors in August 2008. The company also owns and operates the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington County, PA. Cannery Casino Resorts can be reached at (702) 856-5100.

The specific property websites are as follows: Cannery Casino & Hotel and Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel, www.cannerycasinos.com  Rampart Casino, www.rampartcasino.com  The Meadows Racetrack & Casino can be reached at (724) 503-1200, (877) 824-5050, or by visiting www.meadowsgaming.com