Jetsettersblog

Families, Friends And Couples Find Popular North Carolina Beach Destination Provides Great Deals During The Off-Season – Even For Weddings

KURE BEACH, NC– Booking a family getaway free of work emails and a throng of people ready to break one’s peace of mind shouldn’t be so difficult. At Kure Beach, many vacationers are seeing the zeroes roll off their trip costs without losing the natural charm the coastal town is known for.

Many people find it well worth the short drive to follow U.S. 421 to its southern end and reach the last public beach on its path.

Visitors to Kure Beach (http://www.visitkure.com) often choose to take advantage of spring season deals that make unwinding and reconnecting with friends and loved ones simple and easy.

Fantastic Getaway Rates

Hidden Treasure Inn (http://www.hiddentreasureinn.com/)  lives up to its name, as this unique, four-unit inn is located on a quiet side street just two short blocks from the beach, along with the fishing pier and restaurants. Its rates start at just $100 when you book a 6-night stay minimum.

Three of the four units have kitchens, linens, towels, daily maid service included in all.

It includes an outdoor pool and grill located in a fenced-in yard. To make reservations, call (910) 458-3216.

Dining Delights For One And All
Whether it is a romantic rendezvous at Freddy’s Restaurant (http://www.freddieskurebeach.com/)  or the traditional seafood at the Old Pier House and Big Daddy’s Restaurant (open seasonally), there are many options available to tempt one’s palate while at Kure Beach. Some locations do have reduced hours or are closed during the off¬-season, so check first before venturing out (http://bit.ly/jY4HmZ).

Marry By The Sea

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (http://bit.ly/lQrtWG) is the perfect venue to host an enchanted wedding by the sea. Imagine your guests dining among the dart frogs, shagging with the sharks and conversing with the catfish. The aquarium is open 362 days a year and is available for rental during and after hours, accommodating up to 2,000 guests in a variety of venues or the entire aquarium.

Planning a low-key wedding? Couples come to exchange their vows at Kure Beach for the leisurely pace and natural wonders that complement a lovely ceremony and reception. The townallows weddings on the beach, without requiring a permit, making it a great choice for many couples to hold ceremonies at or near the shore.

However, no chairs or tents are permitted.

If you have a large guest list, be sure to review available parking and plan accordingly. Of the more than 300 free public parking spaces, only 126 are oceanfront at eight public beach access locations, but additional public parking can be found at the town hall, the town community center on 3rd Avenue, and at Joe Eakes Park, where there are such amenities as tennis courts, a basketball court, playground, picnic tables and benches, bike trail and grills.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Fort Fisher State Historic Site also have areas available for weddings.

All of these other locations are within a few blocks of the ocean (http://bit.ly/mfTdqO)

If more information is needed, please call the Kure Beach Police Department at (910) 458-7586.

For more information on other escapes you can make at Kure Beach, go to http://www.visitkure.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
N.C. Jazz Festival
Thursday, Feb. 2-Saturday, Feb. 4 (in nearby Wilmington)

Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival
Friday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 5 (in nearby Wilmington)

8th Annual Steve Haydu St. Patricks Lo-Tide Run
Saturday, March 17

Kure Beach Annual Street Festival & 65th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 28

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher offers a variety of weekly programs and events.

For all event information, visit http://bit.ly/xKgnaf. 

 Kure Beach on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KureBeachNC

Kure Beach on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/KureBeachNC

ABOUT KURE BEACH, N.C.

Kure Beach offers visitors an inviting, small-town seaside retreat on North Carolina’s beautiful coast. This naturally beautiful setting with easy access to the big attractions the area has to offer is the perfect place to bring the family year-round to unplug and unwind, enjoy a more relaxed pace and reconnect with what really matters. For more information, go to http://www.VisitKure.com  or call (800) 631-1460.

Along with the city’s upcoming Food & Wine Experience, New Orleans is preparing for Fat Tuesday on Feb. 21, 2012, but the city is already in celebration mode as the official kick-off of Carnival was Jan. 6, 2012. For Mardi Gras 2011, New Orleans area hotels reported nearly sold-out numbers and crowds were estimated to reach approximately 1 million as revelers lined the streets for the two weeks of parades leading up to Mardi Gras day.

According to a new study from the Carnival Krewe Civic Foundation, the economic value of the 2011 Mardi Gras season showed a total contribution to the New Orleans economy of $300.7 million. This season, New Orleans welcomes two new krewes to the Carnival line-up with the Krewe of Nyx and the Krewe of Freret.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell has also announced its line up for the 2012, seven-day festival.

This year’s performers include the Eagles, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bon Iver, Jill Scott, Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Springsteen. Jazz Fest is a staple event in New Orleans’ spring festival line up, attracting approximately 400,000 attendees each year and generating nearly $300 million in economic impact.

This year’s festival is April 27 to 29 and May 3 to 6.

The Transportation Security Administration is expanding a program that allows some passengers to go through pre-screening to expedite their trip through security. The program is called TSA PreCheck, but uses a checkmark in the logo. The expansion follows a pilot program at seven airlines.

More than 336,000 passengers been screened to date through TSA PreCheck lanes, which allows travelers who have volunteered information about themselves prior to flying to get expedited screening.

TSA PreCheck is currently operating with American Airlines at airports in Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, and with Delta Air Lines at airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas and Minneapolis. US Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are all opting in new passengers and will begin operations later this year.

TSA PreCheck will be implemented at the following airports this year: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI); Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Denver International Airport (DEN), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Portland International Airport (PDX), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The TSA will add more airlines and airports once they’re ready. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) praised the move, saying it increases both efficiency and security.

Porter Airlines, a Canadian carrier, is applying U.S. standards to its Canada advertising and using “one-price advertising” by including all taxes and fees in the prices it displays in ads and online.

The U.S. Department of Transportation began requiring all airlines operating in the U.S. to show the complete price, including taxes and fees, in all advertising and online at the end of January. Porter has been in compliance with that since it went into effect.

But, as of this Friday, Feb. 10, it will begin displaying its fares the same way in Canada, even though that is not required by law. (Canadian authorities are now reviewing that policy).

When you visit Porter’s website and search for a fare, Porter displays the total cost of that fare, including taxes and fees, in large print. In smaller print, it breaks out the taxes and fees included in that fare.

It will begin doing the same in Canada. “Unlike other carriers, Porter will show one price for the customer without highlighting fees and taxes separately,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines.

Porter serves Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington (Dulles) and has seasonal flights to MountTremblant, Quebec;Myrtle Beach, S.C.;and Burlington, Vt.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time for a family spring break trip to shake winter’s doldrums. In Kentucky, spring breakers will find plentiful opportunities to experience world-class golf, fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, off-roading, and many other fun, adventurous things to do.

In Kentucky, you don’t have to venture far to have an exciting vacation that will create great memories for kids, college students, family and friends for years to come. These activities are easily accessible to visitors from throughout the Midwest and other surrounding states, allowing an escape that doesn’t require a long drive or expensive airline flight. Kentucky State Parks’ 17 resorts are open seven days a week and are the perfect place for a spring getaway. The park system’s 30+ campgrounds offer outdoor enthusiasts easy access to stunning scenery, outdoor pursuits, and budget-friendly spring break accommodations.

Golfers will find attractive packages at state parks. Eighteen state park golf courses in every region of the state offer championship play amid pastoral beauty. Economical packages start at $79 per person for one night lodge accommodations and 18 holes of golf with a cart. For more ideas about how to enjoy the great outdoors in Kentucky this spring, visit
THISI LINK.

Trump Hotel Collection said it has been selected by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) as the preferred hotel developer to convert Washington, D.C.’s Old Post Office Building. “The selection of the Trump Hotel Collection is a tremendous validation of our plan for the highest and best use of this historic building and the hard work of our organization,” said Donald Trump, chairman and president.

“The GSA ran an extensive process and we are extremely honored to have been selected.”

Under its proposal, Trump Hotel Collection will be sponsor, investor, developer, brand and operator, making it possible to shepherd the building through every stage of concept, redevelopment and operations. Colony Capital partnered with Trump on the proposal and will co-invest in the project.

“We are delighted to team with The Trump Organization to redevelop this historic American landmark while preserving its grandeur and elegance,” said Thomas Barrack Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Colony Capital LLC.

“As long-term investors in hospitality, we share the GSA’s vision for transforming this iconic property into one of the finest destination hotels in the country. We look forward to working with the Trump Organization and GSA to make the redevelopment a reality.”

Trump Hotel Collection said the redevelopment plan will include the highest-caliber features and amenities – with more than 250 guest rooms, penthouses and presidential suites; world-class restaurants, a café, and a bar and lounge; extensive banquet, ballroom and meeting facilities;

The Spa at Trump; and a library — as well as a curated museum, exhibition gallery, and indoor and outdoor gardens — all preserving the integrity of the historic structure.

Completed in 1899, the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival edifice known as the Old Post Office is located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street.

In 2008, Congress directed the GSA to enter into a long-term lease for private-sector development and restoration.

offers golf getaway member packages

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday — the Grand Strand’s golf marketing cooperative — is highlighting a diverse cross-section of customized, member packages perfect for spring golf getaways.

The offerings span the antebellum atmosphere of the “South Strand,” bustling “Central Strand,” and picturesque fishing communities of the “North Strand.” Packages feature roomy villa accommodations and layouts wrought by household names such as Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, as well as hands-on craftsman like Tom Doak, Mike Strantz and Tim Cate.

Prices are per person and include green / cart fees, lodging, taxes and surcharges.

The sample lineup includes:

- Big Cat Package — Play three rounds on the “Big Cats” — Lions Paw, Panthers Run and Tigers Eye — at Ocean Ridge Plantation. Starting at $209, stay three nights in a two-bedroom luxury villa at Brunswick Plantation and enjoy a “safari” of championship golf with clubs in tow.

http://www.golfholiday.com/packages/?hotelid=202

- North End Four Nights / Four Rounds – Tee it up on Carolina National, Crow Creek, Sandpiper Bay and Rivers Edge for $370 per player until May 20. Lunch / two beers daily and accommodations at Brunswick Plantation (quad occupancy) are included. http://www.golfholiday.com/packages/?hotelid=278

- Pay For Three, Get Five Rounds Free — Play three of the acclaimed Glens Group courses – Glen Dornoch, Heather Glen, Shaftesbury Glen and Possum Trot — and receive two additional rounds complimentary as well as free prebooked replays – which may be secured in advance.

Available until Sept. 5. http://www.golfholiday.com/courses/?courseid=96

- Grande Collection Four-Round Special – Thru June 3, play four Grande Collection courses and save 25 percent. Choose from nine of Myrtle Beach’s best designs, including lauded Grande Dunes, Pine Lakes and Tidewater. The more you play, the more you save. Four nights / four rounds packages with accommodations at Myrtlewood Villas begin at $249 per golfer. http://www.golfholiday.com/packages/?hotelid=39.

- Ambassador Golf & Beach Vacation’s “Play Four, Get One Free” — Enjoy four rounds and a get a fifth round gratis on 14 signature layouts including Aberdeen Country Club, Willbrook Plantation, Pawleys Plantation, Long Bay Club and Wachesaw East. http://www.golfholiday.com/packages/?hotelid=1

“No destination on Earth offers the scope of opportunities for exceptional golf vacations as we do in Myrtle Beach,” says Bill Golden, president of Golf Holiday. “Whether adding a ‘Top 100′ course to your resume, playing designs by the ‘Who’s Who’ of architects or booking yearly ‘golf buddy’ trips – our members have perfect packages for all.”
For more information about golf packages in Myrtle Beach, visit www.GolfHoliday.com.
About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association comprised of 79 championship golf courses, 99 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area.

Founded in 1967, the organization continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the region’s thriving golf market.

The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation.

Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help to foster continued growth of the game. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the GOLF.com World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world’s largest single-site amateur golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the Myrtle Beach Never Forgets Memorial Golf Outing.

The Hertz Corporation has expanded its car-sharing fleet in the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Hertz On Demand offers a range of cars — from electric vehicles, available at Union Station, and compacts to sedans and SUVs — available both in parking garages, outdoor spaces and in 23 on-street parking spots.

Hertz On Demand vehicles will be available in all eight wards of the District including Union Station, Adams Morgan, Connecticut Avenue NW, Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Anacostia, H St. NE, Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, Takoma, Cleveland Park, Friendships Heights, Georgetown and South Capitol Street. As the program expands, additional locations will be opened throughout the city and surrounding suburbs, including Virginia and Maryland.

The American Civil War Trails are now documented in a new brochure which features routes through six states, including West Virginia, to attract and guide history buffs to the region and experience the history found in this area. There is also a dedicated website: www.civilwartrails.org

As part of the Civil War Trails, there are a number of museums, historic small towns, plantations, and military cemeteries that can be visited. All of these attractions, including the battlefields, offer informative tours that appeal to tourists with little knowledge of the history.

The trails which run through these states all include interactive stops, as well as self-guided audio tours. Tours by Segway and bus to the areas most affected by the war are also included.

West Virginia is said to be the home of the start of the Civil War. In Harpers Ferry, abolitionist John Brown began a raid, which many consider to be the beginning of the war. Being the origin of the war, West Virginia is rife with history and events pertaining to the Civil War.

The town, which is on the Appalachian Trail, is full of historic buildings. West Virginia is also the only state to be born as a direct result of the Civil War, after it split with Virginia because of its political differences. The state plans several celebrations and remembrance ceremonies beginning this year and lasting for the next few years.

Great Maps of the Civil War by Miller, William J.; Gragg, Rod Edition ILL, - When Union General George McClellan marched toward the Confederate capital of Richmond in 1862, he encountered the Warwick River where it wasn’t supposed to be, causing a delay in his strategy and criticism from Northern press. McClellan was following a map created by an esteemed and experienced topographer, but the map was wrong! The map McClellan was following, reproduced in Great Maps of the Civil War, shows lines in pencil along the true course of the Warwick, apparently drawn after it was too late.Most people interested in the Civil War are fascinated by maps – for what they tell about the battles, for what they tell about the terrain, and in some cases for their artistic beauty. But maps reproduced in books have limitations and there is not a good way of preserving a map collection – until now. Fifteen chapters in Great Maps of the Civil War each contain two or three maps that can be pulled out of a pocket. Ten of the maps are 18 x 24; others are smaller. In addition to a discussion of the battles and the roles of the maps, the book tells about Civil War mapmakers and the methods they used.Stunningly designed, this unique full-color book will make a significant addition to the library of any Civil War enthusiast or those who are fascinated by maps and mapmakers.

The Great American Steamboat Company will operate three Civil War voyages during the inaugural season of the American Queen. The eight- and 10-night theme cruises will include visits to battlefields and on-board entertainment including actors, impersonators, lecturers, balladeers and reenactments.

Fares start at $2,295 per guest, double occupancy, which includes a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay, bottled water and soft drinks, wine and beer at dinner and complimentary shore adventures in each port of call.

The Aug. 10 to 20 voyage sails from New Orleans and visits Vicksburg and Helena, Miss.; Chattanooga, Memphis and Savannah (for Shiloh National Military Park), Tenn.; Paducah, Ky.; and Decatur, Ala.

The Aug. 20 to 30 voyage between Chattanooga and Vicksburg visits Decatur and Florence, Ala.; Savannah for Shiloh National Military Park; Paducah; and Ashport Landing and Memphis, Tenn.

The Aug. 30 to Sept. 7 voyage between Vicksburg and Louisville, Ky., visits Helena, Ark.; Memphis; and Henderson, and Louisville, Ky.

The Aug. 10 voyage, presented by American Experience and Artful Travelers, will feature Ric Burns, who co-produced the PBS series “The Civil War” in 1990, and Mark Samels, executive producer of “American Experience” on PBS.

The Aug. 20 cruise will feature historian A. Wilson Greene, manager with the National Park Service and founding member of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites; James I. “Bud” Robertson Jr., executive director of the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission; Barry Meadows, who portrays Gen. Ulysses S. Grant; and Al Stone, who portrays Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The Aug. 30 cruise will feature the Hon. Frank J. Williams, founding chairman of the Lincoln Forum and retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, and Harold Holzer, vice chairman of the Lincoln Forum and co-chairman of the U.S. Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.