Jetsettersblog

Cheer on Mantra Hotel Ambassador Pat Rafter as he takes on tennis legends John McEnroe and Henri Leconte in Adelaide for the fourth World Tennis Challenge from January 10-12 and take ‘advantage’ of Mantra’s great accommodation rates right in the heart of the action.

Located in the centre of Adelaide’s vibrant CBD, Mantra on Frome is just a 20 minute stroll to Memorial Drive Tennis Centre. Rates start from $149* per night in a Studio Suite with one, two and three bedroom apartment options also available.

Another great option is Mantra Hindmarsh Square which has Studio accommodation from $159* per night. Mantra Hindmarsh Square is also located in Adelaide’s thriving CBD making it perfect for guests also wanting to catch some off-court action while in town for the event.

For accommodation bookings call 13 15 17 or visit www.mantra.com.au.

Pat will headline Team Australia at the three night international tennis event – tickets are available at www.ticketek.com.au.

*Subject to availability.

Sanibel Harbour Marriott Launches Limited-Time Book-By Offer

Ft. Myers, Fla.– This winter, snowbirds set their sight on both sunshine and savings, as Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Florida launches its limited-time “20/20” sale. Travelers who book between January 19 and February 2, 2012 can trade the 20 degree chills for 20% off rates on stays through April 1, 2012.

Located on a private 85-acre peninsula overlooking Sanibel and Captiva islands, and quite easy on the eyes, the AAA Four-Diamond Sanibel Harbour Marriott had a vision – offering guests a peak season special that they can’t resist.

Based on a minimum two-night stay, the 20/20 sale features 20% off accommodations and complimentary breakfast for two, with rates starting from $199 per night (regular rates from $249).

Visitors will shovel sand instead of snow this winter while indulging in luxurious amenities for less, such as sunset dinner cruises aboard the resort’s private, 100-ft yacht; lavish sea-inspired treatments at the award-winning spa; on-site water sports; three pools; six restaurants; and a Kids Club that focuses on water sport activities like jet skiing, fishing, kayaking, Ecological Boat Excursions and more.

To take advantage of the special “20/20” sale, valid on travel through April 1, 2012, guests must book between January 19 and February 2, 2012.

Starting rates after the savings range from $199 – $271. For reservations visit www.sanibelmarriott.com and use the rate code WNT or call 1-800-Marriott and mention Sanibel Harbour Marriott’s “20/20” book-by offer.

Package is based upon availability. Additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

About Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa

Located on the southwest coast of Florida, on a private peninsula overlooking Sanibel and Captiva islands, the Sanibel Harbour Marriott® Resort & Spa is an AAA Four-Diamond property that beckons travelers with a haven of gracious hospitality and relaxed luxury. Resting on an 85-acre waterfront escape, its world-class amenities include well-appointed accommodations with captivating views; three sparkling outdoor pools; the Sanibel Harbour Princess, a private 100-foot yacht for dining and sightseeing; a 40,000-square-foot award-winning spa; six distinctive restaurants and lounges; family programs; and an array of outdoor activities like tennis, kayaking, fishing, biking, swimming and nearby golf.

Take the worry out of your beach vacation with Trip Cancellation Insurance from Seven Corners, at www.sevencorners.com

DEFROST YOUR SWIMSUIT

Greater Fort Lauderdale is taking the “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign to Toronto, NYC and London.

In November 2011, ten ice blocks with bikinis and board shorts made an appearance in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square during the Santa Claus Parade. And in January 2012 to NYC’s Times Square and London’s financial district. Television, radio, billboards, retail promotions and street teams handing out ice scrapers, with opportunities to win beach getaways to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Greater “Fork” LAUDERDALE

Casually sophisticated new additions to Las Olas Boulevard include Las Olas Wine Bar with 40 wines by the glass and live music, as well as Cheese Culture, a whey of life.

M Bar Global Tapas features “master cocktailians” and small plates. The coolest restaurant to hit the scene, Tundra, serves crystal clear “chilling spheres” in drinks and “Tundratizer” small plate options with ice flatware.

Pl8, a new restaurant in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District features small “plates.” The latest addition to Fort Lauderdale beach is East End Brasserie, a new traditional French bistro from NYC Chef Steve Zobel, at The Atlantic Resort.

For the love of art

“Offering of the Angels: Old Master Paintings and Tapestries from the Uffizi Gallery” from Florence, Italy, makes its American debut at The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, November 19, 2011-April 8, 2012. Broadway Across America returns to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Beauty and the Beast (Nov.), Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Dec.) Jersey Boys (Jan.), Billy Elliot The Musical (Feb./Mar.), South Pacific (Apr.), and La Cage Aux Folles (June). Alice Cooper and Paul Simon appear at Hard Rock Live in December. BankAtlantic Center welcomes back Andrea Bocelli (Feb. 14) and Roger Waters (June 15).

Kid Lauderdale

The EcoDiscovery Center debuted at the Museum of Discovery and Science on 11/11/11 with an exciting outdoor otter habitat, simulated Everglades airboat ride and interactive prehistoric dig pit, highlighting the fragile Florida environment.

In Spring 2012, Young At Art Museum unveils its new $26.5 million, 57,000 sq. ft. gold-LEED certified facility with galleries including CultureScapes, GreenScapes WonderScapes and ArtScapes. For the adventurous kid at heart, the new Wonderdome indoor, activity-based, family fun center fuses modern play technology and kid-friendly fun.

FIT LAUDERDALE

Get, feel and stay fit on your Greater Fort Lauderdale getaway. With Blue Wave beaches as your outdoor fitness center, it is easy to keep that New Year’s resolution and get swimsuit ready in Fit Lauderdale.

Yoga-board on the Atlantic.

Bike by the beach.

Workout at a Lauderdale Luxe spa.

Run February’s A1A marathon.

Paddleboard or surf, golf or salsa dance and savor healthy fare.

Broward’s new B Cycle bike sharing program, lets riders from Hallandale Beach to Pompano Beach access public bicycles for short trips around town.

VERY ACCOMMODATING

From luxury beach resorts to Superior Small Lodgings, Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts 34,000 hotel rooms from Hallandale Beach to Deerfield Beach. Book online at sunny.org or on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale and receive a FREE “Beach Starter Kit,” including a beach towel, beach ball and flip flops.

New hotels and recent renovations include:

Coming soon to Hollywood Beach, a new $130 million, 349-room, Margaritaville Resort along the Broadwalk at Johnson Street. Opening in 2014, it will include a 15,000 sq. ft. Margaritaville Café, rooftop pool as well as pools at beach level, meeting space of 35,000 sq. ft. that can accommodate 800 people, a 1,000 car parking garage, boat dock and more. A revamp of the Broadwalk’s famed Bandshell amphitheater and a new lawn for events and concerts are planned.

The newly renamed Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is an iconic, oceanside retreat undergoing an enhancement program of its 296 guest rooms and suites and signature 8,200 sq. ft. Commodore Ballroom.

Renovated rooms will feature a light and airy décor with floor-to-ceiling water views and splashes of citrus color accents.

WE LOVE CRUISERS

Cruise passengers can stretch their vacations and their budgets with Greater Fort Lauderdale’s cruise and play deals.

Discover complimentary transfers from hotels, hotel deals, and special prices on excursions to the Everglades.

Sawgrass Mills launched a premier bag storage and shipping program, allowing shoppers to drop off their purchases at one of three convenient locations throughout the mall to either send their bags directly to the airport or have them shipped home. A new pre-post cruise video is available to see why Greater “Port” Lauderdale is your first port of call. www.sunny.org/cruiseandplay

FREE E-BOOKS FOR VISITORS

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport has paired with Broward County Libraries to offer travelers free access to 15,000+ downloadable e-books for smart phones or e-readers, with a scan of a Quick Response (QR) code displayed on screens in baggage claim areas. The e-books are a gift and never expire. Happy reading!

JUST FOR GROUPS: LAUDERDALE CONVENTION COLLECTION

Book any of the six hotels of the Lauderdale Convention Collection, and enjoy the attention of Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB’s Sunsational Service Team to coordinate transportation, marketing and beyond. Hotels include: Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Visit sunny.org/lcc for sunny savings when booking June 15-Oct 15, 2012-2014.

Added benefits: Free event space at the Convention Center; one-hour welcome reception at Convention Center; one-hour Board of Directors reception; 10% discount off services such as F & B, electric, a/v, internet and security staffing; advance marketing assistance at the previous year’s event.

GET SOCIAL WITH US

Put Greater Fort Lauderdale in the palm of your hand with the new Sunny.org mobi site. Find hotel and dining deals, maps and virtual Vacation Playbook and Meeting Planners Guide for iPad. Like us on Facebook.com/VisitLauderdale or follow our tweets on Twitter.com/Visitlauderdale and find tips on Foursquare.com/VisitLauderdale  to stay in the know.

The hottest ticket in town has just become even hotter. After Sam Stosur’s amazing triumph at Flushing Meadows, the interest and demand for Australian Open 2012 has never been higher. 3 night packages for the Mens & Ladies Final start from $1,577 and include an exclusive Finals Brunch held at Crown with special guest John Fitzgerald. They are selling quickly so make sure you don’t miss out!

Plus every person that travel with Sportsnet to Australian Open 2012 will receive FREE entry to the Game, Set & Match Cafe/Bar! A new facility in 2012 Sportsnet guests will enjoy an exclusive cash bar and catering facility, all enclosed in a private space away from the frantic Melbourne summer crowds.

To BOOK NOW or receive further information, FREE-CALL 1300 888 858 or drop us an email at travel@sportsnetholidays.com

New Flights: KLM Returns To Aruba

Year-round access to Aruba has now become easier for UK visitors, with the introduction of new KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ flights. Launched earlier this month, KLM’s service to Aruba increases from 2 to 5 times per week.

UK travellers planning to connect to Aruba can catch flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from 15 UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

Offering the option of travelling in economy or business class and allowing plenty of time for connecting flights to/from the UK, the flights will depart from Amsterdam on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:35 hours and will arrive in Aruba at 17.50 hours on the same day. The return flight will depart from Aruba on the same days at 19:10 hours, arriving in Amsterdam the next day at 11:10 hours.

New Authentic Farmers’ Market With A Traditional Touch

A new authentic farmers’ market has been introduced in Aruba earlier this summer, offering top quality produce at affordable prices.

Supporting local farmers’ efforts, the market introduces local producers to the community and provides the venue for traditional products to be showcased and sold. Increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike, they can find a variety of Aruba’s fruit, vegetables, meat, fresh pork and fish.

At the moment the farmers’ market takes place once a month, however following an initial pilot period Santa Rosa plans to increase the frequency so that it takes place every week.

Further projects in the area include the creation of agricultural tours of local farms.

Walk This (Brand New) Way In Aruba

Work is well underway in Aruba to create the longest linear park in the Caribbean, with the first phase of the project completed last month. The park welcomes visitors to Aruba with a fully landscaped corridor along the coastline, which includes green zones, walking and bike paths and supreme ocean vistas.

The first phase extends from the Las Americas traffic circle near the airport to Wilhelmina Park, with the second – and final – phase scheduled to continue later this autumn.

Upon completion, Aruba’s linear park will be the largest in the Caribbean, stretching for 10 miles from Queen Beatrix International Airport along the resorts of Eagle Beach, concluding at the end of the high-rise hotel corridor on Palm Beach.

New Personalised Stamps by Post Aruba
Whether you are looking for that special extra touch for your wish-you-were-here postcards or just for a unique souvenir from your holiday, Post Aruba has now launched a new personalised service.

The new Personalised Stamps series consists of a souvenir sheet with a design of Aruba’s map and distinctive objects of the island, such as its history culture and nature. Each souvenir sheet contains 6 decorated stamps with a blank space where you can place your picture (you can bring your own digital photograph or you can have it taken at the post office for free).

The Personalised Stamps service is available only at the Postal Office located at Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

www.postaruba.com

COMING SOON

Thomson Adds New Aruba Properties For 2012 Season

The 2012 Summer Season will see Thomson adding two new properties to its growing portfolio in Aruba. With the addition of the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa and The Mill Resort and Suites, Thomson is now offering more hotels than ever before.

Manchebo Beach Resort is one of Aruba’s most intimate beach resorts and is located on Eagle Beach, the island’s widest stretch of beach. The two-storey hotel is a luxury boutique style resort, featuring just 71 newly refurbished rooms with contemporary décor and top-range amenities.

The Mill Resort is conveniently located just steps across the famous white sand strip of Palm Beach. A cosy compact low rise resort, The Mill offers spacious, comfortable, fully equipped rooms with easy access to the facilities, beautiful free form swimming pools and friendly staff.

In addition to the two new properties, Thomson’s Aruba portfolio already includes: Tamarijn Aruba on Druif Beach; Bucuti Beach Resort and Divi Aruba All Inclusive on Eagle Beach; Occidental Grand, Riu Palace and Westin Resort on Palm Beach; and Renaissance Aruba in Oranjestad.

www.thomson.co.uk
www.manchebo.com
www.millresort.com

Contemporary Art Biennial Encounter Comes To Aruba

The Caribbean contemporary artistic scene will experience a new and vibrant impulse through a series of events of the ‘Prome Encuentro Bienal Arte Contemporaneo di Caribe, Aruba 2011-2012′.

The biennial encounter is a platform to integrate communities in the Caribbean through contemporary art and enrich cultural identities.

A series of activities will run over several months, with more than 30 local and Caribbean contemporary artists scheduled to exhibit new artworks in July 2012.

The new event aims to bring together critics, curators and art historians from all over the world and will feature exhibitions on specific themes, as well as educational projects and workshops that will involve the local public.

www.encuentroartaruba.org

HOTEL UPDATE

More Upgrades For Hyatt Regency Aruba
Located on the white sand of Palm Beach, the five star Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino will soon be unveiling its latest overhaul.

The upgrades include a series of improvements, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. These include the hotel’s tennis courts, the Balashi Bar, the Shoco Market and an extensive spa renovation.

The current upgrades are an extension of the hotel’s multi-million dollar renovation that was completed in 2008.

www.aruba.hyatt.com

Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club Undergoes A Face Lift

Situated opposite Surfside Beach and just a few minutes’ walk from Oranjestad, the intimate Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club has just completed a major renovation of its facilities and guest rooms.

The superior rooms, painted with warm colours, now feature new mattresses, sofas and chairs, as well as 32-inch flat screen television screens and new air conditioning system. Wireless Internet access at the hotel is now free of charge.

The lobby and the bar areas of the hotel also have new furniture, including comfortable sun loungers placed around the pool area.

www.tottaruba.com

Bucuti Beach Resort Expands Adults-Only Policy

In keeping with its goal of providing a tranquil environment for all guests, Bucuti Beach Resort has now upheld its adults-only policy for diners at its restaurant.

Serving fresh local ingredients and a fusion of delicious flavours, Bucuti’s dining terrace boasts a unique beachfront setting.

The menu encompasses an extensive American buffet breakfast as well as à-la-carte options for lunch, while in the evenings diners can expect from fresh seafood to juicy prime steaks, complemented by an eclectic wine list.

Bucuti’s peaceful atmosphere and location set it apart from Aruba’s larger resorts, which are more family orientated. Already popular with couples from the UK and recognised by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world, the hotel introduced an adults-only policy at the end of 2010.

www.bucuti.com

AIR NEWS

Aruba shortlisted in world’s most stunning airports
Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport has been shortlisted by private jet charter marketplace PrivateFly as one of the most stunning airport approaches in the world.

PrivateFly chose airport locations that offer passengers a truly inspirational view on the approach – whether it be over a world-famous cityscape, stunning coastline or beautiful mountain views. Planes to Aruba hover low just above the sparkling blue sea before landing to the airport, with beautiful views of the lush green Renaissance Island.

Queen Beatrix Airport is just a five-minute drive from Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, and facilities include a terminal for private aircraft and US Border Pre-clearance facilities.

www.privatefly.com

More options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao
Visitors to Aruba now have more options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao with local airline Tiara Air.

Also part of the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire is quainter and less developed than Aruba and is known for its world-class scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkelling and nature. Curaçao is the largest and most populous of the three ABC islands and home of the sweet blue liqueur of the same name.

The trips operate twice a week (Monday and Wednesday to Bonaire, Tuesday and Thursday to Curaçao) and prices start $270 (£168) per person.

www.tiaradaytrips.com

LATEST OPENINGS

Española Way
Palm Beach 17, Noord

Located in a rustic 70-year-old house, Española Way is a cozy al fresco eatery on Palm Beach Road that features authentic Spanish cuisine, including Serrano ham and chorizo, fruity sangria and the restaurant’s steaming signature paella.

Yalla Yalla
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Specialising in tasty and exotic Middle Eastern food, the just opened Yalla Yalla offers ample servings of beef shish kebab, shrimp kebab, lamb shoarma and chicken shoarma, as well as tabouleh and hummus served with freshly made pita bread.

Spanglish
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

The recently opened Spanglish restaurant offers a menu true to the Caribbean-Latin culinary traditions of the owners.

The creative fusion menu features authentic dishes, with the parrillada for two being the highlight, served tableside on a mini charcoal grill.

Sky Lounge
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 186, Oranjestad

Ringing around the heart of Paseo Herencia, Sky Lounge is Aruba’s latest cocktail bar: a relaxing outdoor venue, here guests can enjoy a drink at the sparkling blue bar, in their own canopy lounge or at a comfortable chair on the open-air terrace.

Carambola
J.E.Irausquin Boulevard 64, Eagle Beach

Opened earlier this year, the chic Carambola Restaurant located at Paradise Beach Villas specialises in seafood and international cuisine. The chef’s signature dish is the freshly made Peanut Soup, which is served in a mashed plantain bowl.

Segafredo
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Segafredo, an Italian franchise known for its great coffee, now presents a diverse tempting menu of Italian specialties. Prepared by its award-winning chef, it includes antipasti, panini and thin-crust pizzas, as well as imported Italian beers and after-dinner liqueurs.

Cuba’s Cookin’
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

Marking its 12th year, Cuba’s Cookin’ has now relocated to Renaissance Marketplace. Still serving up the best mojitos and Cuban food outside Cuba, the restaurant is a new Havana circa 1960 Resto/Bar with a new splash of nostalgia.

For general information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from now through December 24, visit Kauai’s annual Festival of Lights at the Historic County Building. The holiday display features Christmas trees decorated with touches of Kauai like sparkling rainbows, waterfalls, shave ice and dolphins, or ‘Surfin’ Santa’s Sleigh’ pulled by roosters.

Other local favorites include the ‘SPAM Can’, Hula Bear’, ‘Kilauea Lighthouse’, and ‘Peacock’ trees, and Kauai’s own Aloha Recycled Treasures made from plastic water bottles. For more information, visit www.KauaiFestivals.com

Experience Christmas in Polynesia at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from December 12-23. Guests will take a 25-minute canoe ride that winds through a live production of Kamakana and the Five Fir Trees, a local adaptation of a popular Christmas story, The Three Fir Trees. Along the route, the grounds will be decked with elaborate Christmas lights, life-size gingerbread houses, and of course the season’s iconic Santa Claus. For more information, visit www.Polynesia.com.

Join the Maui Ocean Center for A Maui FISH-mas now through December 31. Celebrate the holidays with special presentations, exciting children’s activities, craft vendors, dining specials, and even a visit from Scuba Claus.

Daily Ocean Naturalist presentations will highlight the aquarium’s unique marine animals named for their exceptional holiday-themed appearances, including the Angelfish, Christmas Wrasse, Snowflake Eel, Candy Cane Shrimp, and more. For more information, visit MauiOceanCenter.com.

Come and learn the Japanese traditions of mochi pounding and kadomatsu making to prepare for the New Year on December 28 at the Donkey Mill Art Center. Kadomatsu, made of bamboo and pine branches, is placed at the entrance to homes to greet the New Year. Mochi, a rice cake delicacy served on New Year’s Day, symbolizes the many blessings that the family will receive in the new year. Price of admission is $25 per family. For more information, visit DonkeyMillArtCenter.org.

EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

The roving culinary adventure Outstanding in the Field is making its way to the Hawaiian Islands with four events on four different islands.

Outstanding in the Field breaks down the walls of a typical restaurant experience and brings foodies, farmers, producers, and culinary artisans around one table usually in an outdoor farm or garden setting to share their passion for food. Meals are prepared by a celebrated local chef using mostly all local ingredients sometimes sourced steps from the dining table.

The Hawaii tour will include stops at Kilohana Plantation on Kauai (January 14), Kupaa Farms on Maui (January 17), MAO Organic Farms on Oahu (January 21), and Kekela Farms on Hawaii Island (January 25). For more information, visit www.OutstandingInTheField.com.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

The exotic flavors of the Pacific Rim take center stage at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort’s (Oahu) new Japengo Restaurant. The restaurant’s contemporary design features an interactive sushi bar and lounge, private dining rooms, and intimate tables for two. Diners can choose from a variety of handcrafted cocktails and dishes highlighting the authentic tastes of Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, China, and more. For more information, visit www.Waikiki.Hyatt.com.

Relax at Waikiki’s newest wine bar and piano lounge bin1901 located in the main lobby of Oahu’s Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort and Spa. Open seven nights a week from 5:30-10:30 p.m. with live nightly piano performances, bin1901 offers an extensive collection of more than 100 varieties of wine. Menu items from the Beachhouse at the Moana are carefully paired to complement each wine’s characteristics, and on Wine Wednesdays Executive Sous Chef Norman Soderberg prepares a special appetizer only available at bin1901. For more information, visit www.Moana-Surfrider.com.

TRANSPORTATION

SpeediShuttle is now the exclusive on-demand shuttle service at Honolulu International Airport. Arriving passengers can book door-to-door service to any destination point between Kahala and Ko Olina on Oahu at designated kiosks strategically located throughout the terminals or through greeters dressed in aloha attire who can issue boarding passes using tablet PCs. For more information, visit www.SpeediShuttle.com.

ACCOLADES

Honolulu (Oahu) has been named one of America’s 50 Best Cities by BusinessWeek because of its beaches, how the city has dealt with the recession, and the low unemployment rate. Of the 50 cities, Honolulu was ranked third, behind Arlington, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.BusinessWeek.com.

The HVCB team is ready to assist you with your next Hawaii story. For information or assistance with a visit to the Islands, please don’t hesitate contacting us.

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

LÏHU‘E, KAUA‘I – Red and gold leaves are not the only things that fall during autumn. The season also brings special travel rates, new island offerings and unique cultural festivals on the beautiful island of Kaua‘i. Enjoy a perfect post-summer getaway while exploring the Garden Isle’s 50 miles of white-sand beaches, abundance of hiking trails and adventurous activities for a memorable fall vacation.

“The period between the summer travel rush and holiday season is an ideal time for a Kaua‘i vacation getaway,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. “Fall is a time for travelers to take advantage of off-peak fares and escape to the Garden Island for our beautiful weather, some adventure, relaxation, and to rejuvenate the spirit.”
Following are new happenings, specials and events that are “blooming” on the Garden Isle of Kaua‘i this fall:

WHAT’S NEW

Kaua‘i’s Kanani Akina is the American Girl of the Year
All this year, young girls everywhere are learning about the uniqueness of Kaua‘i’s special qualities, cultural appeal, and close-knit spirit of ‘ohana (family), as told through the story of Kanani Akina, the 2011 American Girl of the Year. The Kanani doll conveys Hawai‘i’s multi-cultural diversity and comes with two books that tell her story about life on Kaua‘i, including the rescue of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. In support of educational programs raising awareness about protecting endangered animals, American Girl is donating $1 for every Kanani plush monk seal sold in 2011 to the National Wildlife Federation (up to $100,000). www.americangirl.com/girloftheyear/2011

Let’s See Kaua‘i in the Movies

Hollywood loves Kaua‘i! The island has been the setting for more than 60 major motion picture films and television productions, and this year moviegoers worldwide are enjoying the island’s beautiful scenery in four major motion pictures. The first film, Just Go with It, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, was released in February and brought laughs to audiences nationwide. Soul Surfer, the inspiring story of Kaua‘i surfer Bethany Hamilton, debuted in April. The summer’s blockbuster, Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides used Kaua‘i’s landscape as the backdrop for Johnny Depp’s fantasy adventure film.

For those who enjoy a good drama, Kaua‘i will share the spotlight with George Clooney in The Descendants, which opens in theaters on November 23 and is based on the popular novel by Hawai‘i author Kaui Hart Hemmings.
Kaua‘i Mini Golf opens on the North Shore
This is not your typical miniature golf course. There are no clown’s mouths or windmills to shoot through.

This 18-hole putting green style course is set amongst beautiful botanical gardens representing the different eras of Hawai‘i’s culture. Meanwhile, water hazards, pipe shots, and many other obstacles make for a fun and challenging experience. Along the way you will travel through Hawai‘i’s history, learning about the islands’ storied past and beautiful tropical flora. www.kauaiminigolf.com

Kaua‘i Culinary World Heats U

 Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill has opened in Po‘ipü. The new menu by Jean-Marie Josselin, one of the 12 original Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine chefs, features a mix of country French, seasonal Provencal and Asian dishes.

 22 North is a new restaurant at Kilohana Plantation that offers only Kaua‘i-grown meats, fish, and produce, including fruits and vegetables from its 1.5-acre garden and the 60-acre Kilohana orchard and agricultural park.
Ø Kaua‘i Grill,the first Hawai‘i restaurant of acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, features his French and Asian influenced cuisine at The St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Kaua‘i Culinary Market at Kukui‘ula Village is Kaua‘i’s latest market featuring live chef demonstrations using Kaua‘i grown food products.

Prince Golf Course to Reopen December 14
The acclaimed Princeville Prince Golf Course, one of Hawai‘i’s top-ranked golf courses and a Top 100 course in the United States, is reopening December 14 following a multi-million-dollar renovation. Tee time reservations are being accepted. Highlights of the renovation include a complete reconstruction of putting greens with SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turf and sub-surface material to meet modern USGA specifications; remodeling of bunkers to improve drainage, playability, and visibility; widening of fairways; and addition of new tees for added shot value and variety.

In addition, the Prince’s 60,000-square-foot clubhouse will complete its second phase of refurbishment to coincide with the golf course reopening. The Tavern Restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi and the Prince Golf Shop, both located on the clubhouse lower level, will continue to remain open during the renovation. www.princeville.com

New Offerings at Waimea Plantation Cottages
The Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages serves up the taste of Kaua‘i with a new menu at The Grove Café. Ele‘ele Coffee, local catch-of-the-day, Kekaha shrimp and pupu favorites, can now be enjoyed along with thirst-quenching Hawai‘i brewed beers.

The café features live entertainment Wednesday – Friday evenings, while almost American Idols can grab a microphone and sing Karaoke-style on Tuesdays.

www.AstonHotels.com

Kaua‘i Marriott Resort Completes $50M Renovation

Kaua‘i Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach has completed a $50-million renovation that brought improvements to all areas of the hotel. Highlights included a transformation of the 356 guest rooms with a timeless island elegance, a refurbishment of Kukui’s restaurant and Aupaka Terrace lobby lounge, a newly built children’s pool with a slide and water spout features, and an expanded porte cochere and improved main lobby.

The 800-acre oceanfront resort offers Kaua‘i’s most impressive swimming pool with five saunas, as well as a Jack Nicklaus signature golf experience at the Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club. www.kauaimarriott.com

Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa Completes Renovation

The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, located oceanfront at Po‘ipü, has finished renovating its guest rooms. Inspired by Kaua‘i’s ambiance, the guest rooms now feature new mahogany furniture, with marble entryways, and upgraded bathrooms that have marble counter tops, double sinks, and rain-style showers. www.kauai.hyatt.com

Sheraton Kauai Resort Completes $16M Renovation
Sheraton Kauai Resort has completed a $16-million renovation of its ocean wing pool, courtyard, front desk, lobby, and porte cochere.

A highlight is the new Lavas at Po‘ipü Beach restaurant, which offers a poolside dining experience with an open-air beach bar and culinary delicacies. Also coming to the resort is the introduction of a new RumFire restaurant (opening in December 2011). www.sheraton-kauai.com

New Köloa Landing Resort Opens at Po‘ipü Beach
Köloa Landing at Po‘ipü Beach officially opened in April, with the first phase featuring 85 guest villas, two resort pools, a lounge and bar, and upscale gourmet marketplace.

The resort’s second phase will include an additional 29 villas, full service spa, and restaurant. Köloa Landing is located on 25 acres in a lush tropical setting amid meandering lagoons and cascading waterfalls. Information: mward@mbennettspr.net

KAUA‘I SPECIAL OFFERS

Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort at Po‘ipü Beach

The Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort at Po‘ipü Beach is delighted to introduce Island Play Date, a special offer that includes an upgrade to a two-bedroom luxury villa, breakfast welcome basket the first morning, and choice of scuba, snorkeling or surf lesson for two. Starting at $245 per night with a four-night minimum stay valid until December 9, 2011. www.wyndham.com

Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation

If you’re hungry for a great hotel deal don’t miss Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation’s Food Fall Special. With a five-night minimum stay, guests will enjoy a $50 dining credit good for use at the Plantation Garden Restaurant. Special fall rates start at $195 per night for a one-bedroom Royal Garden condominium. Book now for travel through December 21, 2011. www.outrigger.com

Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages

Private seaside cottages located on a historic 27-acre coconut plantation adjacent to Kaua‘i’s famous Näpali Coast and Waimea Canyon.

Enjoy special fall rates now starting at $220 per night for a one-bedroom garden view cottage. Book now for travel through December 21, 2011. www.astonhotels.com

Sheraton Kauai Resort

Receive a complimentary upgrade to a midsize car when booking the Free Car Package. Call 808-742-1661 and mention code CCC0APKG to receive this offer valid until December 25, 2011.
www.sheraton-kauai.com

Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Located on the picturesque North Shore, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas is offering a free compact car with their Free Car Package for booking now through December 25, 2011.
Call 808-827-8700 and mention code DAILY0A. www.westinprinceville.com

Kaua‘i – Hawai‘i’s Island of Discovery

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kaua‘i is green and flourishing with lush flora that runs from the mountains to the ocean. Kaua‘i offers more than 50 miles of white-sand beaches – more beach per mile than any other island in Hawai‘i. Other natural wonders include the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and the 3,000-foot towering mountain cliffs overlooking the Näpali Coast along the northwest shoreline.

Kaua‘i’s abundance of outdoor activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, zipline tours, and helicopter and boat tours, offer memorable vacation experiences for the whole family.

For information about Kaua‘i – Hawai‘i’s Island of Discovery – visit www.KauaiDiscovery.com  or call the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau toll-free at 800-262-1400.

Follow updates about Kaua‘i via Twitter (@kauaidiscovery)  and as a fan on its Facebook page as Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.

The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawai‘i’s tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai‘i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawai‘i’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

FLORIDA KEYS — The spirit of the holiday season comes alive in the Florida Keys & Key West with holiday happenings and festive functions spreading cheer in a subtropical climate.

From Key Largo to Key West, the calendar is packed with events designed to celebrate the holiday spirit — including festive lighted boat parades featuring vessels whose decorations range from traditional greenery to offbeat salutes to the season.

Listed here are some holiday highlights, all spiced with a characteristically Florida Keys flair.

Now Through Thursday, Dec. 22

Holiday Photos with Santini (or another dolphin) at Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)

At Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 59 bayside on Grassy Key, visitors who participate in the Meet the Dolphin program also can pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors can select holiday-themed props to use while posing, and DRC’s experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras.

The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices.

The photos are available on a disk for $15 for one person or $30 for two to six people in the same shot. Print prices vary depending on the number ordered. Contact: 305-289-1121 or visit www.dolphins.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 23, throughout the holiday season
Key West Harbor Walk of Lights (Key West)
The harbor walk along the Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight, stretching from Greene Street to Grinnell Street, is to be festively lit from rooftops to the sea for the holiday season. Celebrate with holiday events, browse at unique island shops and galleries, and relax at waterfront restaurants and watering holes.

Part of the Key West “Bight” Before Christmas Holiday Celebration, the festivities are presented by the Key West Bight Preservation Association. Contact: www.keywestchristmas.org.

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 25-27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival (Islamorada)
Postcard Inn Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle, MM 84 oceanside, hosts the annual craft show, a perfect opportunity to do some holiday shopping for original artwork and unique and handcrafted items.

Admission is free. Contact: Christy Cockrell at 305-433-9935 or ccockrell@holidayisle.com.

Sunday, Nov. 27, 8 p.m.
“The Messiah” (Key West)

As many as 90 singers from around the Florida Keys participate in the annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s holiday masterpiece. Directed by Dean Walters, the 28th annual production is to be staged at Key West United Methodist Church at the corner of Eaton and Simonton streets, and admission is free. Contact: 305-745-1409.

Friday, Dec. 2, 4-10 p.m.
Florida Keys Holiday Festival (Islamorada)

This extravaganza features a tree-lighting ceremony at Founders Park, MM 87, a holiday parade with decorated floats and a 20-ton mountain of snow for mitten-clad munchkins.

Other attractions include a Vino Village with gourmet food and fine wines, seasonal contests, a Santa Paws Pet Parade and live music and dance performances. Contact: 800-322-5397 or www.islamoradachamber.com/events.cfm.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
Key West Holiday Parade (Key West)

The island city shows its holiday spirit with this annual hometown parade.

Featuring marching groups and motorized and nonmotorized floats, the festive procession traditionally draws entries from churches, civic organizations, businesses and neighborhood and school groups.

Starting at Truman Avenue and White Street, it proceeds down Truman to Duval, where it takes a right and continues on to Eaton Street. Contact: 305-809-3881 or visit www.keywestcity.com.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 4-7 p.m.

Annual Tree Lighting Celebration (Marathon)
An early evening event in the parking area outside Fishermen’s Community Hospital gathers the Marathon community to light the tree atop the hospital. Holiday entertainment includes a “special guest” appearance, raffles, activities for kids, jazz and tap dancers, music, cookies and punch. Contact: 305-743-5533.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m.
Light Up Key Largo (Key Largo)

Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, holiday happenings with live music, decorations, food and drinks are to spark the holiday spirit. The annual tree lighting is to be held at the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center, MM 102. The Key Largo community tree is to be decorated with railroad flair in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

Eggnog, caroling, holiday cookies and stocking stuffers are guaranteed to get everyone in the festive mood. Contact: 305-822-1088 or www.floridakeys.org.

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m.
Keys Chorale 2011 Holiday Concert (Key West)

The Keys Chorale at Florida Keys Community College, under the direction of Dean Walters, presents its annual holiday concert featuring seasonal favorites from around the world.

Highlights include a selection of “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi, accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. Tickets for Friday night are $30 for reserved seating and $20 for general admission. The concert is staged at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road.
Contact: 305-296-1520 or visit www.keystix.com.

Friday, Dec. 9, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6-9 p.m.
Holiday Historic Lighted Inn Tours (Key West)

Discover the holiday spirit and Key West’s architecture and history by touring beautifully decorated island inns. Hosted by the Key West Innkeepers Association, the tours include mouthwatering cuisine from Key West restaurants, vintages from Opici Wine Co. and other holiday refreshments.

Tours can be self-guided or taken in conjunction with a holiday trolley tour. For cost and ticketing information, visit www.kwholidays.com.  Contact: 305-295-1334.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Big Pine & Lower Keys Island Art Festival (Big Pine Key)

Experience the joys of art and music at this winter festival to be held on the wooded grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside.

Family fun highlights include live music by favorite local entertainers, exhibits and booths featuring the original work of artists and craftsmen, raffles of artwork and vendors offering food and beverages. Parking and admission are free. Contact: 305-872-2411 or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m.
Boot Key Harbor Lighted Christmas Boat Parade (Marathon)

At this favorite Middle Keys holiday event, dinghies, mega-yachts and vessels in between cruise the harbor in a sparkling procession. Best viewing sites include Lazy Days South, Marathon Marina, Sombrero Dockside Lounge and Burdine’s Waterfront. Contact: 305-849-0285 or www.bootkeyharbor.com/christmas_parade.htm.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Key Largo Boat Parade (Key Largo)

This year’s theme is “Key Largo Imagination.” Blackwater Sound is to shimmer as decorated boats parade along the shoreline in celebration of the holiday season.

The best viewing and libations are to be found at Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club, MM 103-104. Contact: 305-394-3736 or www.keylargoboatparade.com.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m.
Schooner Wharf Bar 21st Annual Lighted Boat Parade (Key West)

Lighted and decorated vessels from rowboats to tall ships proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. Before the boat parade, at 6 p.m., the Gerald Adams Elementary School “Steel” Your Heart Band will welcome spectators with songs of the season, followed by the popular family band, The Doerfels. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport. Contact: 305-292-3302 or www.schoonerwharf.com/11boatparade.htm.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.
Southernmost Christmas Tree Celebration (Key West)

Holiday revelers enjoy free conch chowder, then board Conch Tour Trains to proceed to the continental United States’ Southernmost Point to set up the southernmost Christmas tree at sunset overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The event is an annual community thank-you party presented by the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens. The fun starts at 1401 Seminary St. Contact: 305-294-9526.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. (dusk)
Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade (Marathon area)

Christmas lights on outriggers and displays on boat decks are part of the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade, set to begin at the 7th Street canal.

The parade is open to all boats, and the route visits canals and cuts, and passes city hall three times. Great viewing spots include Sadowski Causeway at MM 53.5 and the area behind city hall. The event is open to the public. Contact: 305-743-7214.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m.
Pops in the Park Holiday Concert (Plantation Key, Islamorada)

The Keys Community Concert Band is to perform a free holiday concert titled “Tropical Christmas” at Founders Park, MM 87 bayside on Plantation Key.

Performances are outdoors and attendees are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Contact: Donna Heiner at 305-853-7294 www.keyscommunityconcertband.org 

Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 & 8 p.m.
Marathon Community Theater presents a Christmas Concert (Marathon)

Two shows are slated to ring in holiday cheer for Marathon-area audiences. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Contact: 305-743-0994 or www.marathontheater.org.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
Lower Keys Lighted Boat Parade (Lower Florida Keys)

All boats are welcome to enter the parade including deep-sea cruisers, dinghies, kayaks and canoes. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive and hand out candy to the kids.

The best recommended viewing is from Pine Channel Causeway or Parrotdise Waterfront Bar & Grille, 183 Barry Ave. on Little Torch Key. Contact: Steve at 305-923-5370 or bigpinenews@aol.com.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, 6-8 p.m.
Holiday Music on the Harbor Walk of Lights (Key West)

Enjoy traditional Christmas music under the stars on the Key West Harbor Walk of Lights. Classical violin and Celtic fiddle compositions of favorite holiday tunes are to be performed by “Violins in Motion” from Fort Lauderdale, consisting of talented 4- to 18-year-old South Florida and international students, all self-funded. The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the fight against childhood diabetes. Contact: www.keywestchristmas.org.

Sunday, Dec. 18, 1-3 p.m.
Christmas on the Farm 2011 (Stock Island, Key West)

Kids and adults can visit the furry, fluffy and feathered residents of the Animal Farm and get a photo taken with Santa. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm is situated at the county’s detention center just outside Key West at 5501 College Road. This event is free and open to the public. Contact: Jeanne Selander at 305-293-7300 or www.keysso.net/miscellaneous/animal_park.htm.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 27-28, 5-8 p.m.
52nd Annual Key West House & Garden Tours (Key West)

Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the annual self-guided tours showcase festively dressed Key West homes and gardens. Tickets are $25, and proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation’s museums, collection and education, grant and scholarship programs. Contact: 305-294-9501 or visit www.oirf.org.

Saturday, Dec. 31, just before midnight
Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations (Key West)

The Southernmost City celebrates New Year’s Eve with a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a super-sized red high-heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St., and the descent of a pirate wench from atop a tall ship’s mast in the island city’s Historic Seaport. Contact: 305-296-2388, ext. 121, for Sloppy Joe’s conch shell drop; 305-293-9800 for the high-heel drop; 305-292-3302 for the descent of the pirate wench.

Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Beach (Islamorada)

Fireworks on the beach are planned at Pierre’s Restaurant and Morada Bay Beach Café, MM 81.6 bayside. Live music and cocktails are available for purchase to add to the celebration, but coolers are not allowed. Contact: 305-664-8414.

Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound (Key Largo)

The back bay in Key Largo is to be the setting for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza hosted by bayside restaurants Sundowners, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack’s, Gus’ Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around MM 103-104. Contact: 305-451-4502 or visit www.keylargofireworks.com.

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, 8 a.m.
Village New Year’s Day Celebration (Islamorada)

The annual 5k Run, Walk and Crawl is slated to start at 8 a.m. Jan. 1 at Founders Park, MM 87 bayside in Islamorada. For the less athletically minded, festivities follow with the 10 a.m. blessing of the fleet at Whale Harbor Bridge, MM 84 oceanside. Contact: 305-853-1685.

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

MAJOR ATTRACTION NEWS

In December 2011, the San Diego Zoo will introduce a new 4-D theater to coincide with the start of Jungle Bells, the Zoo’s holiday celebration. The 50-seat theater will combine the visual drama of a 3-D film with a variety of sensory effects that are built into the seats and theater environment, such as water mist, blustery wind, snow, bubbles, scents, seat vibrations and more. The theater is located near the Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge exhibit. Entertaining and educational films, each about 15 minutes long, will show throughout the day. The cost of a film is $6 per person in addition to Zoo admission.

MAJOR EVENT NEWS

The peak of San Diego’s whale watching season occurs December through April when majestic California gray whales make their annual migration from the Arctic waters to the warm lagoons in the Gulf of California for breeding. These “peaceful giants of the sea” come within miles of San Diego’s coastline and can be viewed on daily whale watching excursions and from Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma.

On December 21, 2011, the annual pre-Christmas football bowl game, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, is played at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley and matches teams from the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences. The nationally recognized event features all the pomp and circumstance of a major college post-season football game.

On December 28, 2011, the Big Bay Balloon Parade, a harbor-side parade in downtown San Diego, is followed by the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, a major college football game at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley featuring teams from the Pac-10 and Big 12 Conferences. The exciting gridiron action is augmented by spectacular pregame and halftime pageantry.

From January 15 – 20, 2012, more than 180 of San Diego’s finest restaurants participate in San Diego Restaurant Week, a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus.

The Farmers Insurance Open is an annual PGA Tour men’s golf tournament played January 23 – 29, 2012, at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 U.S. Open.

Click here for more information on San Diego’s Major Events this winter.

NEW HOTELS AND NAME CHANGES

LEGOLAND® California Resort in Carlsbad announced the Summer 2013 opening of the LEGOLAND® Hotel. The three-story LEGOLAND Hotel will provide guests the interactive family experience that has brought success to LEGOLAND California as well as bring children’s imaginations to life. The 250-room LEGO®-themed hotel will feature brightly colored LEGO décor, a pool area and restaurant. LEGOLAND Hotel will be the first of its kind in North America, and construction is set to begin in November 2011.

In September 2011, the Kimpton Hotel Group acquired Sé San Diego Hotel in downtown and re-launched the upscale urban property as Hotel Palomar San Diego, a Kimpton Hotel. Hotel Palomar offers Kimpton programs including the InTouch loyalty program, “Live Like a Local” daily tips for guests, wellness programs, eco-friendly practices and products and pet-friendly amenities. The hotel plans to be closely connected to the San Diego community, especially arts and cultural organizations, by hosting art exhibits and supporting local charitable organizations.

HOTEL PROMOTIONS

In 1991, Loews Coronado Bay Resort opened its doors on a private 15-acre peninsula off the Pacific coast in Coronado. In 2012, Loews will embark on an extensive lobby and restaurant renovation, marking 20 years in which the hotel has maintained its AAA Four Diamond status and earned national praise for its innovative family offerings. To celebrate 20 years of hospitality, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is offering special 20th Anniversary perks and packages including money-saving hotel deals for guests.

The Paradise Point Resort & Spa is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of hospitality on Mission Bay with special promotions starting in January 2012. Guests can win prizes playing contests with trivia from each decade: the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, with a chance to win a weekend for $8.25 per night—the price for a room in 1962. The hotel is also collecting and publishing stories from guests about their experiences at Paradise Point during the past 50 years.

In 2012, the Ramada St. James Hotel in downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter celebrates its 100th Anniversary. When the 11-story downtown hostelry opened in 1913, it claimed to be the tallest building with the fastest elevators in San Diego. Through the years, the property has served as everything from a tourist hotel to a single-room-occupancy and an R&R resort for military personnel during WWII. Today, the St. James is a historic boutique hotel with whirlpool tubs in several of its 99 rooms and suites and includes a newly refurbished two-story sign on top.

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS HOTEL NEWS

In November 2011, the city of Oceanside in San Diego’s North County celebrated the opening of the newly constructed Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, located in the emerging Rancho Del Oro business district, close to area businesses, Camp Pendleton and the area’s beaches. The hotel features 133 guest rooms and nine suites and offers 64 double queen rooms, a feature typically in high demand by groups. The property’s Endless Summer Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 160 guests, is ideal for large group functions, while the Blue Crush Boardroom, with seating for 12 guests, is suited for executive retreats or intimate breakout sessions. The hotel also offers a pre-function foyer and creative outdoor space including a fire pit for breakouts and receptions.

Click here for more information on San Diego’s Meetings & Convention properties.

HOTEL AND CASINO RENOVATIONS

In September 2011, Sycuan Casino in San Diego’s East County completed a nine-month, $27 million property renovation that affected every area of the casino interior. Renovations included new design in the casino gaming areas, an all-new non-smoking buffet, a new sports bar and grill restaurant, and the installation of a one-of-a-kind specialty lighting fixture in the main lobby. Other visual upgrades were included in the poker room, off track betting area, bingo pavilion, gift shop and restrooms.

Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, The Westgate Hotel announced that a 37,000-sq. ft. PureFitness Sports Club will open on its property by early 2012. The fitness center will offer hotel guests and club members an upscale health and wellness experience. The state-of-the-art facility will include a cardio deck with more than 200 pieces of equipment, circuit training and three separate group exercise rooms offering classes in spinning, yoga and boot camp. The 15,000-sq. ft. roof deck will feature an Olympic-sized lap pool, a lounge area with a fire pit and Jacuzzi, and outdoor fitness and training stations. Additional amenities will include 5,000 sq. ft. of locker space, a steam room, sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services.

RESTAURANTS, BREWERIES AND NIGHTLIFE

Opened November 2011 in Little Italy, UnderBelly is the latest venture of Consortium Holdings, the collective behind several of San Diego’s most progressive restaurants, including Neighborhood, Noble Experiment and El Dorado. The restaurant group fashioned its own version of a traditional Japanese ramen bar, with 52 seats in an intimate 1,100-sq. ft setting. The name “UnderBelly” refers to the prized pork cut favored by Tokyo’s revered gods of ramen. UnderBelly’s culinary offerings pay tribute to traditional Japanese beliefs, emphasizing quality, consistency and approachability, while always respecting the ingredients and regional customs—you won’t find a single spoon inside the establishment. Regional ramen options, including a vegan alternative, are available along with assorted toppings, pork buns, gyoza and light appetizers. UnderBelly’s beverage program is dominated by an internationally focused, 27-handle draft beer list of rare styles, deliberately enticing diners to experiment. A rotating selection of beers from Japan’s Hitachino Nest are also featured, in addition to four varieties of draft wine from Sonoma Valley.

In September 2011, Saltbox, a “new American gastro-lounge,” opened under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Simon Dolinky. The restaurant is located in downtown San Diego’s former Suite & Tender in the Sé San Diego, which is now the new Hotel Palomar. In his debut menu, Dolinky draws inspiration from local San Diego purveyors and farmers for an ingredient-driven “social plates” menu designed to be accessible and inspiring. Sample dishes include lobster corn dogs with ginger remoulade, beef cheek tacos and snap pea kim chee, and crispy fried asparagus with poached egg and paprika vinaigrette. Saltbox also unveiled a trend-setting bar and cocktail program, created by in-house master mixologist Erin Williams of Pegu Club in NYC fame.

The Habit Burger Grill, a popular Irvine-based burger eatery, opened its first San Diego location in October 2011 in Mission Valley. Started in Santa Barbara in 1969, The Habit has additional San Diego locations planned, including a location in Carmel Mountain Ranch. The Habit is best known for its made-to-order “charburgers,” grilled over an open flame that are reasonably priced. The eatery also serves fresh, char-grilled sandwiches, tossed to order specialty salads, onion rings, sweet potato fries, “hook and line”-caught albacore tuna and a variety of hand-blended shakes and malts.

In October 2011, Bolillo Tortas, a restaurant specializing in tortas (Mexican sandwiches), opened in downtown San Diego’s East Village. Bolillo offers a unique fusion of favorites like turkey breast with cranberry and beef kosher-style tortas and traditional styles like carne asada and Cuban.

Click here for more information, on Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife.

SHOPPING

In September 2011, Westfield University Town Center, one of San Diego’s premiere shopping destinations, began a $180 million renovation and expansion project slated for completion by December 2012. The plans include the addition of a new dining terrace with full-service restaurants, including Tender Greens, new shops and San Diego’s first ArcLight Cinemas, a 14-screen, 1,800-seat luxury theater experience. The Phase I revitalization plans are designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards for environmental sustainability.

VISUAL ART AND MUSEUMS

TRASH, the latest museum-wide exhibition at The New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego, now through March 30, 2013, features the work of 12 artists from around the globe focused on the kid-friendly and timely topic of trash. Through inventive, participatory artworks, TRASH takes an invisible but important issue and invites kids and parents to explore new perspectives through each work of art, along with hands-on art-making projects, artist lectures, family workshops, special events and more.

Visions of Coronado at the Coronado Museum of History & Art , January 12 – February 20, 2012, showcases the work of local artists in a wide variety of media, materials and styles. All pieces are original art and pertain to the city of Coronado.

San Diego’s Craft Revolution, an exhibit of post-war Modern to California design, is on display now through April 15, 2012 at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. This local exhibition reveals the important contribution of San Diego craftsmen to the post-war Southern California art scene. The progression from sleek modernism to unconventional handmade objects such as furniture, doors, jewelry and ceramics are explored. Many of these San Diego-based artists received national attention and participated in major Southern California exhibitions, including the California Design series held in Pasadena and Los Angeles. The exhibition features over 60 artists including Arline Fisch, Jack Hopkins, James Hubbell, Larry Hunter, Rhoda Lopez, Toza and Ruth Radakovich, Kay Whitcomb, and Ellamarie and Jackson Woolley. San Diego’s Craft Revolution is part of Pacific Standard Time, an unprecedented collaboration that brings together more than 60 cultural institutions from across Southern California.

Mexican Modern Painting, currently on display through February 19, 2012 at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, features selected paintings from The Andrés Blaisten Collection of 20th-century Mexican art. The exhibit features 80 paintings dated between 1907 and 1962 from well-known painters like María Izquierdo, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo, and from less familiar painters like Alfonso Michel, Federico Cantú and Angel Zárraga. Also on display through February 19, 2012 is Experiments in Abstraction: Art in Southern California, 1945 to 1980, which addresses a generation of California-based artists who explored the possibilities of abstraction in the years following World War II. A distinctive style, identified as Hard-Edge painting, was developed by pioneering artists such as Karl Benjamin, Lorser Feitelson, Oskar Fischinger, Helen Lundeberg and John McLaughlin; partly a reaction against Abstract Expressionism, Hard-Edge emphasized angular lines, reduced forms, precise surfaces and rich colors. Walk from the Sun, now through March 18, 2012, marks the first solo exhibit at a museum for Southern California artist scott b. davis (davis uses a specialized shorthand in which he forgoes capitalization). davis’ photographs of Southern California, taken at night with a large-format camera, document iconic aspects of the region like the Hollywood sign. Other works offer moody and enigmatic looks at seemingly abandoned highways, parking lots and buildings. davis is currently living in San Diego.

Click here for more information on San Diego’s Visual Art and Museums.

PERFORMING ARTS

La Jolla Music Society has a variety of performances scheduled for their 2011-2012 season running now through May 2012. The Society’s music series feature diverse music and dance styles including classical, chamber, jazz and modern. Performances are held in venues in La Jolla and the North Park neighborhood. Notable performances include the New York Philharmonic playing Debussy and Tchaikovsky, the Mark Morris Dance Group and Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band.

The Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse’s 2011-2012 season ends with American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, January 27 – February 26, 2012, a West Coast Premiere of a new comedy by Culture Clash with Jo Bonney. As Juan feverishly studies for his U.S. citizenship exam, he becomes ensnared in a tumultuous, whirlwind journey through pivotal moments of American history. Juan discovers America’s best in a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in this provocative, irreverent comedy about our shared past and future.

As part of its 2011-2012 season, the Tony Award-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park presents Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, November 19 – December 31, 2011, returning for its 14th year to The Old Globe. Some Lovers, November 26 – December 31, 2011, features Academy- and Grammy Award-winning music legend Burt Bacharach and Tony Award-winner Steven Sater (Spring Awakening) in a World Premiere musical that re-imagines The Gift of the Magi , the classic O. Henry Christmas tale, for today’s audiences. Dividing the Estate, January 14 – February 12, 2012, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Horton Foote and nominated for a 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, is a comedy about family, money and greed in present day Texas. The Recommendation, January 21 – February 26, 2012, is the story of Aaron, smart, charming and over-privileged, and his new college roommate from a middle-class immigrant family. The two soon become the best of friends as Aaron shares his world of favors and fortunes.

TRANSPORTATION AND TOUR COMPANIES

Starting November 2011, Bite San Diego launched a tour in La Jolla including seven popular restaurants: Brick and Bell, Bubbas Smokehouse BBQ, The Cottage, Cups, Extreme Pizza, Harvard Cooking School and We Olive. Bite also offers Old Town Walking Tours incorporating tastes from eight different restaurants and a guided historical tour of Old Town San Diego.

So Diego Tours’ newest offering is Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones, a food and beverage tasting tour of popular restaurants in Old Town State Historic Park. The walking tour combines dining with the story of San Diego in the 1820s-1850s. Guests hear commentary on Old Town’s history, which according to the tour was “a place where bull fights were a weekly occurrence, brutal executions were up for public viewing and the souls of today’s ghosts thrived as living beings.” Tours begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and the cost is $45 per person.

Click here for more information in San Diego Transportation and Tour Companies.

AIRLINE NEWS

Alaska Airlines announced a daily non-stop flight from San Diego to Honolulu starting November 2011.

In September 2011, Spirit Airlines increased its service between San Diego and Las Vegas to three daily flights.

Effective December 15, 2011-April 15, 2012, United Airlines is providing a seasonal route between San Diego and Mammoth, CA.

For more information, on flights to San Diego, visit www.san.org.

AWARDS

In October 2011, The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla was honored with the 2012 AAA Five Diamond Award, the 10th year in a row that the luxury resort has captured one of the travel industry’s most prestigious awards. Since opening in 2002, The Lodge at Torrey Pines remains a premier luxury destination hotel and features authentic California Craftsman-style architecture and furnishings, as well as a remarkable location overlooking the Pacific Ocean and adjacent to the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course and Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, www.sandiego.org, or call 619-236-1212. In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown; the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla, and the California Welcome Center, located in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine.

Why is Kaua‘i such a favorite of filmmakers? They love beauty and adventure, and Kaua‘i is brimming with both. Kaua‘i is the only island in Hawai‘i with navigable rivers, and waterways mean adventure.

Its 50 miles of white-sand shoreline offer more beaches per mile than any other island in Hawai‘i, and that means ocean adventure.

A mere one-third of the island contains the volcanic crater of Wai‘ale‘ale, the rarefied bog of the Alaka‘i Swamp, the desert like terrain of the Waimea Canyon, and the valleys, sea caves and hiking trails of the Näpali Coast—you can’t get more adventurous than that. Whether you’re in the air, in the water, or on terra firma, you’ll find yourself immersed in intense visual drama and mega-doses of adventure.

Filmmakers have captured these alluring qualities of Kaua‘i in South Pacific, Blue Hawai‘i, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, The Thorn Birds, Fantasy Island, Outbreak, Tropic Thunder, and numerous other movie and TV productions through the decades. But more than a scenic backdrop, Kaua‘i is a leading player—alive, energetic, and bursting with opportunities for active, life-changing pursuits. Here are some of them.

FROM THE AIR

Only one main road joins the north, south, east and west shores of the island, leaving the interior inaccessible by car.

But what you can’t see on land is magical from the air. Kaua‘i’s geology is tailor-made for air tours, making airplane and helicopter tours a Kaua‘i signature and a heart-stopping way to sightsee. Within 90 minutes, you can view the entire island from the air.
See why the ancients trekked up the river for days to honor their gods at their most sacred mountaintop altars. Lush rainforest clears suddenly, the clouds part, and the crater of Wai‘ale‘ale comes into view, yawning and streaked with waterfalls.

A single shield volcano, Wai‘ale‘ale, lies at the center of the island it created and is spectacularly visible from the air.

A plateau here, a ridgeline there, waterfalls and mountain pools scoring the precipices—take it all in with expert narration and state-of-the-art headphones.

Peer at the Alaka‘i Swamp, the great watershed of bogs, birds and rare dwarfed plants in a unique upland ecosystem.

Behold the rivers, streams, canyons, rises, gullies, and the remote valleys of the Näpali Coast, where ancient Hawaiians worshipped their gods, grew taro and thrived.

To the west, flanked by the highland forests of Kōke‘e, Waimea Canyon is starkly red, purple, and ochre, “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” incised with 2,000-foot-high cliffs and streams that lead to the Waimea River. From the air, where the island’s fullest glory emerges, you’ll see why the white-tailed tropicbirds, wedge-tailed shearwaters and Laysan albatrosses have the finest views on the island.

THRILLS AND HILLS ON THE ZIPLINE

There’s another way of seeing Kaua‘i from the air: ziplines.

Zipline safaris combine multiple adventures and give you access to remote, hard-to-find areas and private ranch lands that are otherwise off-limits to the public.

Hike, zip, have a waterfall picnic, and float in a mountain pool. Smell the flowers and feel the fresh mountain air in your hair as you zip over trees, ravines and bamboo forests.

Just north of Līhu‘e is the Hūle‘ia River, made famous in Raiders of the Lost Ark, where kayak and zipline safaris carry you past native sanctuaries that are home to rare and endangered birds.

On the north shore, zip and dip in the far reaches of a private ranch, on nine ziplines and a suspension bridge spanning a waterfall. Take a leap off the 1,200-foot King Kong zipline before cooling off in an inner tube at a remote mountain swimming hole.

Paddle up the Kalihi Wai Stream, climb ashore for a hike and zip near a mountain pool.

Look for waterfalls while in mid-air; if you’re not zipping over one of them, you’ll see them curling down the cliffs above the Hanalei Valley.

IN AND ON THE WATER

Passionate Paddling – The navigable rivers of Kaua‘i—the Wailua, Hanalei, and Hūle‘ia rivers—are smooth, scenic portals to new worlds of exploration. Kayak rentals and guided tours for all skill levels are offered by outfitters who have thought of it all. The silky water. The idyllic, tree-lined stretches where the only sound is birdsong.

The views of sacred valleys and mountains.

And the glimpses of sites that look familiar because you’ve seen them before, on the big screen.

Hike, kayak, swim and zipline combinations are offered by some outfitters, but you can also tailor your adventure to paddling only, on fresh water or in the open ocean.

Freshwater kayaking—river kayaking—will take you on any of the three rivers mentioned, to waterfalls and streams toward the jungle interior of the island—a bonanza for bird-watchers too.

Kayakers on the Wailua River have a special treat in store: the Fern Grotto, a natural amphitheater covered in ferns, surrounded by an exotic jungle of tropical flowers. Single or multiple-person kayaks are available for rent.

Open-ocean kayaking is best done with a guide who knows the ocean and current conditions.

Don’t be surprised if you have company—dolphins, sea turtles, schools of fish, or even whales during winter.

Motorized Zodiac rafts are available for the more challenging visit of the Näpali Coast.

Hang Ten – It’s no accident that some of surfing’s most popular champions cut their teeth on the surf breaks of Kaua‘i.

Hanalei Bay on the north shore, Kalapaki Bay on the southeastern shore, Po‘ipü on the south shore, and Kekaha on the west side are some of the popular surf breaks in this Hawaiian sport of kings.

Surfing’s cousins, stand-up paddling and kite-surfing, are also popular at various surf breaks on the island, and sailboards, along with surfboard rentals and instruction, are available at many beach activity stands.

Tube Together – In the earliest days of the sugar plantations, workers built irrigation flumes to transport water from the island’s moist interior to the sprawling sugar cane fields in and around Lïhu‘e. Most of the flumes were dug and designed before 1870 and are now being used in recreation.

With the Lïhu‘e Sugar Plantation now closed, you can ride an inner tube down hand-built canals and tunnels, on the historic waterways of the Hanamä‘ulu ditch system.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and Underwater Cathedrals – Kaua‘i is replete with sights and discoveries at the shore and in the water.

There are at least 35 dive sites ringing the island, many of them world-renowned. You can even dive off Ni‘ihau, the “Forbidden Isle” 17 miles from Kaua‘i and visible from the west shore.

On the north shore, Ke‘e Beach, at the end of the road in Hā‘ena, is a protected lagoon teeming with tropical fish for great summer snorkeling. Tunnels, or Makua Beach, also in Hā‘ena, is a living aquarium renowned for its inner and outer reefs and dramatic underwater caverns and canyons.

When the ocean is calm, Tunnels has something for everyone: caverns for divers, a reef-protected lagoon for snorkelers, tunnel-shaped waves for surfers, and a beach enjoyed by swimmers and body boarders.

In east Kaua‘i, Lydgate Beach Park, near the Wailua River, is a favorite of families and children, who feel protected by the reef and buoyed by the clear, calm waters. This is a great beach park for picnics and family gatherings, with a pavilion and all the amenities.

Po‘ipü Beach Park is the south shore spot for swimming, a sunny, easily accessible strand with a reef-protected area and frequent sea turtle sightings. There are all the amenities—pavilion, parking, restrooms—and restaurants nearby.

Sailing Along – Some of the most extraordinary views of Kaua‘i are from the ocean, from the catamarans, zodiacs, fishing vessels, and oceangoing charters available from longtime operators.

Angling to angle? Deep-sea fishing charters will take you to where the tuna and marlin are running. A sunset cruise? Catamarans and sailing vessels will sail you into the sunset. Seabirds, dolphins, and whales during winter may appear without warning, and the cliffs—of Kipu Kai, Hā‘upu, Mount Makana (known as “Bali Hai” in the movie South Pacific), and the Näpali Coast—are even more spectacular when seen from offshore.

BICYCLING

To feed your soul and venture off the beaten track, think wheels. There’s nothing like seeing the island from a two-wheeler or all-terrain vehicle (ATV), whether on a downhill bicycle tour from Waimea Canyon or an ATV expedition through the island’s rugged interior.

Half- and full-day bicycle tours take you from the rim of Waimea Canyon, 3,600 feet high, all the way to sea level. The 12-mile downhill cruise is all the more comfortable with wide saddles and hi-rise handlebars, on smooth blacktop all the way, and at sunrise or sunset.

The County of Kaua‘i’s Ke Ala Hele Makalae project is helping bicyclists experience the joy of Kaua‘i on two wheels. Translated as “The Path that Goes by the Coast,” Ke Ala Hele Makalae is the name given to the shared-use path that, when completed, will follow the scenic coastline from Nāwiliwili to Anahola.

On private trails and dirt roads, ATV adventures take you to waterfalls, jungle idylls, and remote, unspoiled areas that are usually inaccessible to the public.

SADDLE UP

Ranches and stables dotted throughout the island offer horseback riding in paradise: coastline, ranchland, waterfall jungle, and everything in between. Saddle up for a relaxing, loping ride across vast ranchlands in the lee of waterfall-lined cliffs, or head to a secluded waterfall for a picnic and jungle adventure.

TEE OFF IN PARADISE

Kaua‘i is home to many acclaimed resorts and courses, which are regularly rated among the best in Hawai‘i and in some cases the world. Designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., these renowned courses help account for the high number of professional golfers who have hailed from this island. Eight scintillating, diverse courses traverse spectacular landscapes across the north, east and south shores. Streams, waterfalls, rock gardens, farmland, the well-preserved remnants of an old Hawaiian village, as well as glimpses of whales, sea turtles and monk seals are among the natural glories which can be experienced playing golf on the Garden Isle.