Jetsettersblog

San Antonio is a town that loves a celebration and its historic and most iconic hotel, Hilton Palacio del Rio celebrates the 2012 Leap Year spirit with a fun new promotion detailed below!

Located on the famed River Walk and 2 blocks from the Alamo, the Hilton Palacio del Rio is the only hotel on the famous River Walk with private balconies in every room.

The Hilton Palacio Del Rio put San Antonio on the map when it was built in 1968 to bring the World’s Fair to the city, and has been an iconic part of the skyline for 43 years. The hotel is finalizing an extensive renovation, which includes all 482 guest rooms at the 21 story hotel. The photo below shows the new guest rooms which now feature contemporary décor within a hacienda setting. Hand carved headboards, dark hardwood floors in the entries, local artwork in the rooms and corridors, expanded baths and 37” HD televisions are just a few of the updated amenities to be found at the newly modernized hotel.

2012 Leap Year Promotion: Guests who book the Leap Year Promotion stay on February 29, 2012 and receive 29% off on their next stay prior to December 30, 2012! www.palaciodelrio.hilton.com

Leap Year wedding? The Hilton Palacio del Rio features a unique wedding, event, meeting, banquet and reception venue located just across the street and steps from the River Walk – called The Pavilion by Hilton. It’s a historic two-story limestone and wood structure, built in the late 1800s, that has previously been thoroughly renovated into an elegant, self-contained venue. http://pavilionsanantonio.com/pavilion.asp

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Just as Texas has its own style of music, it also has its own style of golf: Hill Country golf.

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa’s Arthur Hills-designed championship course is among the very best around. Consistently ranked among Texas’ best courses, it’s a test of both strength and skill as it winds its way through rolling meadows, steep hillsides, peaceful creeks and tree-shaded plateaus. Dotted with colorful native wildflowers and mature oak trees, and populated by a variety of wildlife, it’s as breathtaking as it is challenging.

To help sharpen your game, all our carts offer a GPS system so you’ll always know exactly how far your ball is from the hole. Prior to arrival, please contact the Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club (210) 520-4040 to reserve your tee time. At check-in, you will receive a voucher for 1 day of unlimited golf for each night of your stay.

Dates: Good through April 25, 2012.

Price range: $299

For more information, please click here.

Emirates has begun service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Dubai. It is the airline’s fifth gateway in the United States and its fourth new route so far this year. The direct flight is daily and will be aboard a Boeing 777.

Dallas/Fort Worth becomes Emirates’ 121st global destination. Customers flying Emirates from Dallas/Fort Worth will be able to connect seamlessly to points across the Far and Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Africa via the airline’s state-of-the-art hub in Dubai.

Emirates will continue to expand its network over the coming months. In addition to the new Dallas/Fort Worth service, flights to Lusaka and Harare just started, and Seattle will launch on March 1, Ho Chi Minh City on June 4 and Barcelona on July 3.

‘The Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest’ is scheduled to take place Feb. 16-18 in the Terlingua/Lajitas area of southwest Texas.

The International Mountain Biking Association’s internationally acclaimed and designated 54-mile Epic Ride in Big Bend Ranch State Park will be the festival’s featured route on Feb. 18.

The Dirt Fest offers three days of riding opportunities for all levels of riders, from beginners on mostly flat, historic 4×4 double-track ranch roads to advanced riders taking on the challenging single-track of the Dome Trail and Rincon Loops or the Epic Ride up Fresno Canyon to Sauceda.

The Lajitas and Contrabando trails are great places to develop and enhance mountain-bike riding skills, while at the same time experiencing and enjoying some of the wildest remaining desert landscapes in the United States.

Each day of the Dirt Fest there will be guided trips led by staff from Desert Sports, members of the Big Bend Trails Alliance and by Big Bend Ranch State Park rangers. Riders are welcome to ride on any of the trails without guides at their own pace. Guided rides in the park will accommodate advanced rider fitness and skill levels and mid-level rider fitness and skill levels.

Thursday’s opening-day options include rides of various distances through Big Bend National Park, the guided 30-mile Rincon Loop or the 18-mile Dome Trail or an unguided two-day Epic option.

Friday’s options include a single-track ride through the rolling hills at LajitasTrails system, the guided 30-mile Rincon Loop or the 18-mile Dome Trail or an unguided two-day Epic Ride option.

Saturday’s options include the grueling 54-mile Epic Ride, the Dome or Rincon Loops, roll your own or a children’s’ ride.

Riders may also take the two-day Epic Ride option if the 54 miles is too tough and arduous to ride in one day. Riders on this option are invited to make a 29-mile ride on day one then throw their feet up and relax with dinner, a hot shower and a good night’s rest before heading out again in the morning.

After a hearty breakfast on day two, riders can then complete the 25 miles back to Lajitas.

In addition to seeing and experiencing the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert mountains, canyons and springs, visitors can see archeological and historic sites along the way. Water aid stations will be available.

The two-day Epic Ride can be done either Thursday/Friday or Friday/Saturday.

Persons opting for one of the two overnight Epic rides must observe the following guidelines:

Make Big Bend Ranch State Park lodging reservations through TPWD’s Customer Service Center at (512) 389-8919.

The Bunkhouse is $35 a night per bunk, or reserve one of three rooms (one queen bed) inside the original ranch residence, the Big House, which is $100 per room (two people maximum occupancy).

Park entry fees are being waived during the three-day festival.

Meal reservations must be made and paid for in advance by calling BBRSP at (432) 358-4444.

A free bag shuttled is offered to riders.

E-mail park superintendent Barrett Durst at barrett.durst@tpwd.state.tx.us  for more information, as there is limited space available.

“This is truly an epic event with plenty of adventure, breathtaking views, spirit and soul rejuvenation, and healthy fun in the sun,” said Barrett Durst, superintendent of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

“The two-day Epic Ride opportunity this year should be a hoot. For many, the Dirt Fest adventure will be an experience of a lifetime. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department welcomes the citizens of Texas and from all over to visit and experience their grandest state park,” he said.

To pre-register for Dirt Fest, visit http://www.bikereg.com. For more information about the event, call Desert Sports toll-free at (888) 989-6900, or by visiting http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event.

http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bigbendranch

United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced that it will launch year-round and seasonal service on several new routes to begin in the summer of 2012.

United will begin daily year-round service between Washington/Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Honolulu (HNL) on June 7, 2012, the only nonstop service between the two points.

The flights will operate using Boeing 767-400 aircraft.

It will add new daily service between Denver and Fairbanks, Alaska, June 7 through Aug. 27.

In South Dakota, United Express will offer daily seasonal service between Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport and Rapid City, gateway to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park, from June 7 through Aug. 27.

In Wyoming, it will add twice weekly flights between its Houston and San Francisco (SFO) hubs and Jackson Hole, Wyo.

World championship and music festival will return to Lake Conroe and the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center

CONROE—Dates for the highly-anticipated return of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing and country music festival, were announced today with all of the action set to begin Friday, Sept. 28.

The three-day event (Sept. 28-30) will feature anglers from across all major tours and some of country music’s premier artists with event proceeds benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its youth outdoor programs.

“We are very excited to return to Conroe and bring together the best anglers in the world and offer amazing entertainment value each day,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur.

“The TTBC has become an annual community event that has generated over $1.2 million for the TPWD and the state of Texas and we are thrilled about what we’re putting together for this year.”

Daily tournament weigh-ins, outdoor expo and concerts will take place at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center and the TTBC will offer a wide range of activities that families, outdoor enthusiasts and music fans will enjoy.

The 2012 concert line-up will be announced this summer with previous year’s performers including Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Pat Green and Blake Shelton.

Last year’s world championship was the closest finish in tournament history requiring a sudden death fish- off between eventual TTBC Champion Keith Combs and runner-up for the second straight year, Mike Iaconelli.

This year’s tournament field will consist of 50 anglers assembled from the top professional leagues in the world, including the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series and the Walmart FLW Tour.

Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days with the field being reduced to the top 10 who will compete in the final round on Sunday, Sept. 30. The tournament remains a non-entry fee event, with all 50 competing anglers taking home guaranteed prize money.

In addition, the TTBC will continue its focus on conservation and adhere to strict catch, weigh and immediate release format that has earned the event national praise for its conservation efforts over the past five years.

“Now more than ever the conservation practices of the TTBC and the TPWD are playing a pivotal role in maintaining the precious natural resources throughout Texas,” said J.C. Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation.

“The progressive efforts and education programming the TTBC has helped to fund will only further aid us in protecting what we all value and enjoy.”

The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston.

The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants.

For more information visit http://www.thelonestar.org/.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota.

For additional information, visit http://toyotatexasbassclassic.com/ or call 1-866-907-0143.

Gaylord Hotels’ four properties are re-introducing their Buy One Night, Get One Free offers for birthdays and anniversaries, available through the end of May 2012. The offer starts at $209 per night at Gaylord National and $199 per night at Gaylord Opryland, Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Texan.

The Dallas Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa has joined the Luxe Hotels portfolio. It will be renamed The Luxe Stoneleigh Dallas Hotel & Spa in the second quarter of 2012.

Originally opened during the roaring 1920s, the property recently underwent a $36 million renovation and restoration that added modern amenities while retaining the hotel’s historic ambience.

The property offers 170 guestrooms that feature large windows; luxury bed and bath linens; complimentary wireless and high-speed Internet access; flat-screen TVs; and bathrooms with Calcutta marble flooring and Baronessa Cali Oliva bath accessories. The junior suites offer views of downtown Dallas, an art deco design, high ceilings and antique fireplaces. The hotel’s penthouse suite features a 590-square-foot rooftop terrace, a music room, a dining room and a library. To book a room, call 800-921-8498.

For the 28th year, the Dallas Arboretum will host the Dallas Blooms floral festival, presented by Capital One Bank.

The festival runs March 3 through April 8 and will feature 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, Dutch iris and hyacinths, in addition to 100,000 pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring-blooming annuals and perennials.

During the festival, more than 100 cherry blossom trees bloom for a 10-day period.

The finale is the mass flowering of the garden’s collection of 6,000 azaleas, which bloom through the end of April.

The Dallas Arboretum has many activities scheduled during Dallas Blooms, including ArtScape, Kimberly-Clark Mommy and Me Mondays and Macy’s Tiny Tot Tuesdays.

The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 general, $12 for seniors age 65 and older, $9 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for Arboretum members and for children ages 2 and under. Onsite parking is $10. The Arboretum is wheelchair accessible, and tram service is available for the mobility impaired.

American Eagle Airlines is replacing all of its ATR turboprop aircraft operating from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Fourteen markets throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas will have all-jet service beginning Jan. 31.

The airline will operate the daily flights with a combination of 37-, 44- and 50-seat jets.