Jetsettersblog

Several Orient-Express Hotels are offering special packages for Valentine’s Day 2009. Among the participating properties is the Inn at Perry Cabin www.perrycabin.com , in Maryland, where the three-night Valentine’s Day package includes dinner for two in Sherwood’s Landing Restaurant, a candlelight turndown, a couple’s spa treatment and yoga class, room service breakfast for two, and a romantic movie delivered to the room as well as a late check-out at 3 p.m. Rates start at $1,590 for arrival on Feb. 13, 2008. Other Orient-Express Hotels with similar Valentine’s Day Getaways include Keswick Hall, Charleston Place and Casa de Sierra Nevada.

For more information, visit www.orient-express.com

North Carolina Vacation Rental Firm Takes The Guess-Work Out Of Booking A Vacation

Now vacationers can search our website and know the price they see if the price they are charged. As a company, Outer Banks Blue believes that All-Inclusive pricing will not only be simpler for our guests, but will become the standard pricing model for the Vacation Rental Industry

Outer Banks Blue

Vacation Rentals and Real Estate in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
KITTY HAWK, NC, December 26, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ — Outer Banks Blue, a leading vacation rental and real estate firm headquartered in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina has announced that for the 2009 rental season they have implemented an ‘All-Inclusive’ pricing structure designed to help vacationers make easier and more informed decisions when renting a professionally managed vacation home. All pricing on vacation rentals on the Outer Banks Blue website (www.OuterBanksBlue.com) will now include all fees with the exception of taxes and optional travel insurance.

“In response to requests from our guests, our team at Outer Banks Blue has implemented an ‘All-Inclusive’ pricing structure. In light of today’s economic situation, more and more vacationers have a set budget for travel and our new pricing will make their search for the perfect vacation property easier and quicker. No longer will they have to worry about such items as: Administration/Handling Fee; Linen Charges;

 
Damage Waiver Fees or even Cleaning Fees as we have built them into our pricing structure. Now vacationers can search our website and know the price they see if the price they are charged. As a company, Outer Banks Blue believes that All-Inclusive pricing will not only be simpler for our guests, but will become the standard pricing model for the Vacation Rental Industry,” stated Tim Cafferty, President of Outer Banks Blue Realty.

Outer Banks Blue is a full service Vacation Rental Firm which serves vacationers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In operation since 2005, the family owned and operated Outer Banks Blue provides professionally managed vacation homes and condominiums in the Outer Banks of North Carolina including the towns of Corolla; Duck; Kill Devil Hills; Kitty Hawk; Nags Head and Southern Shores.

Vacationers with Outer Banks Blue are able to choose from Oceanfront to Soundfront and all areas in between and have numerous amenity options including private pools; hot tubs; high speed internet access and even pet-friendly properties. Outer Banks Blue provides all guests with needed linens including fully made beds and towels for all guests based on the advertised number of people a property will accommodate.

The Outer Banks Blue website (www.OuterBanksBlue.com)  offers vacationers the ability to search and book online with real-time availability by choosing location, type of property and amenities as well as of course check-in date. Last minute vacationers should review the online specials page to peruse properties offering discounts to vacationers.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina and the nearly two-hundred vacation rentals offered by Outer Banks Blue are convenient to many metropolitan areas including: Charlotte, NC; Washington DC; Richmond VA; Raleigh/Durham, NC; Columbia, SC and Baltimore, MD. Outer Banks Blue is currently accepting reservations for the 2009 rental season.

About Outer Banks Blue

Outer Banks Blue was formed by Tim Cafferty in 2005 after over 25 years in property management on the Outer Banks. With experience in both a smaller, family operated company that evolved into a leader on the Outer Banks in occupancy numbers and technology under his expertise and in the management of a nationally recognized, publicly owned corporation boasting one of the largest inventories of homes on the Outer Banks his vision of a more personalized management opportunity developed into the conception of Outer Banks Blue Real Estate Services.

Experience and reputation in the area for attention to detail and integrity along with a team of experienced and dedicated personnel has brought Outer Banks Blue into the forefront of rental companies. With an original goal of 50 homes easily surpassed in two months of operation, it became very clear it would be necessary to promote this vision with a dedication to their clients for responsible growth, and a dedication to their customers with quality homes. Therefore, the decision was made very early to be selective in the properties and areas they represent.

Today, Outer Banks Blue represents nearly 200 premier vacation rental properties in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

For more information on Outer Banks Blue Real Estate services and to experience a taste of their personal, quality service, visit the on the web at www.OuterBanksBlue.com  email them at info@OuterBanksBlue.com  or call 866.546.0596.

The Hotel Galvez, A Wyndham Historic Hotel, will host the 24th Annual Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball, “An African Adventure,” as part of Mardi Gras Galveston 2009. Proceeds from the ball will benefit Help4Galveston a program dedicated to rebuilding and restoring the city post Hurricane Ike.

The Hotel Galvez is offering a two-night package that includes accommodations, two tickets to the ball on Feb. 21, 2009, and parade viewing of the Momus Grand Night Parade. The package price is for Feb. 20 to 22, 2009, and starts at $1,100. Ball tickets, sold separately, are $350 per couple and include an open bar, dancing, parade viewing, a dinner buffet, and a breakfast to complete the evening.

For more information, call 409-765-7721, email mgreservations@wyndham.com or visit www.wyndham.com

A new indoor water park, Wild WaterDome, has opened at Wilderness at the Smokies in East Tennessee. The waterpark spans more than 60,000 square feet with a see-through, energy-efficient Foil Tec roof that lets guests tan indoors year-round. The facility features the Smokies SurfRider, Tennessee’s only surfing simulator. The Surf Rider uses 50,000 gallons of water a minute to create a continuously moving sheet of water on which people can surf or boogie board. The Wild WaterDome also includes the Storm Chaser, a four-person tube slide that begins with a 58-foot drop into a giant orange-and-white funnel where riders swoosh back and forth up the sides of the funnel. Other activities at the waterpark, which is reserved exclusively for resort guests, include a 10,000-square-foot wave pool, two tube slides, an indoor/outdoor hot spa, a multi-level play structure with a gigantic dumping bucket and 50-plus play-and-spray features. Plus, there is a special toddler area with mini-slides and a swing tree.

Wilderness at the Smokies, the region’s first full-service waterpark resort, also unveiled the property’s 472 multi-room suites conveniently connected to the Wild WaterDome. The units include three different floor plans ranging from one to three bedrooms designed to accommodate up to 16 guests. Phase I of Wilderness at the Smolies opened in June 2008 with a 234-room hotel and outdoor waterpark adjacent to the 240,000-square-foot Sevierville Events Center. The resort will be unveiling a second outdoor waterpark next to the Wild WaterDome in the summer of 2009. The developers are the owners of Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, America’s Largest Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

 For more information on the resort or for reservations, call 800-867-WILD or visit www.wildernessatthesmokies.com

SANTA FE — New Mexico big-game hunters will see significant rule changes for the 2009-2010 seasons that affect the way hunters apply and pay for licenses and permits.

The new rules, adopted Dec. 4 by the State Game Commission, are in the 2009-2010 Big-Game Rules and Information Booklet, now available on the Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. A printed version of the booklet will be available in early January at more than 200 license vendors statewide, and at Department offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Raton, Roswell and Las Cruces.

Rule changes and important dates include:

2009-2010 seasons

Customer ID number: Beginning in 2009, everyone applying for a public-land license or permit, or purchasing a license via a private land authorization or the Valles Caldera must first obtain a Customer ID Number online at www.wildlife.state.nm.us  or in person from any Department office. This number must be included on each application, or the application will be rejected.

Application deadlines: Feb. 4 is the deadline to apply for oryx draw licenses, bear WMA permits, population management hunts, and turkey draw permits. April 8 is the deadline to apply for public deer permits; and elk, pronghorn antelope, ibex, Barbary sheep, javelina, and bighorn sheep draw licenses. Online applications must be made before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline day.

Full fee up-front: Everyone applying for a pronghorn, bighorn sheep, ibex, javelina or Barbary sheep draw license must pay the full license and application fee when applying. Online applicants will be charged for the full license fee, plus the nonrefundable application fee at the time of application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive refunds.

New online application fees: The new nonrefundable application fees are $9 for residents and $12 for nonresidents.

Youth encouragement elk hunts: These hunts will be made available to youth hunters who applied for big-game hunts and were unsuccessful in the draw. These hunts will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

New unit boundaries: Several Game Management Unit boundaries have changed, including: the elimination of Unit 44 and the creation of a new Unit 59; and boundary adjustments in units 5B, 41, 45, 51, 52, 54 and 55B.

No deer application fees for resident disabled veterans: New Mexico resident Disabled American Veteran applicants do not need to submit an application fee when applying for a free deer permit.

2010-2011 seasons

Every-other-year restrictions: Beginning in license-year 2010-2011, anyone applying for a pronghorn license, or a public-draw Q (quality) or HD (high-demand) elk or deer license, may not have received a Q or HD public draw elk license the previous year.

Anyone with questions about the new rules or hunting and fishing in New Mexico is encouraged to call (505) 476-8000.

SPECIAL GAME COMMISSION MEETING WILL ADDRESS PRIVATE-LAND ACCESS, POSTING

ALBUQUERQUE — The State Game Commission will have a special meeting in Albuquerque on Saturday, Jan. 10, to hear public comments and discuss proposed rules regarding hunters’ and anglers’ access to private lands.

The special meeting was called to gather more information from the public about proposed amendments to state hunting and fishing manner-and-method rules, specifically how property is posted against trespass. The proposed amendments also address responsibilities of landowners, hunters and anglers in obtaining or granting permission to hunt or fish on private land.

The meeting will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, in the first-floor multi-purpose room or the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, in Albuquerque. More information is available by calling (505) 476-8008.

The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Jim McClintic, Albuquerque; Vice-chair Sandy Buffett, Santa Fe; M.H. “Dutch” Salmon, Silver City; Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; Leo Sims, Hobbs; Tom Arvas, Albuquerque; and Oscar Simpson, Albuquerque.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Shirley Baker, (505) 476-8030.

Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

oneworld® has become the first in the travel industry to sell multiairline
round-the-world air tickets on-line with its new internet booking tool for its oneworld Explorer fare. This also makes oneworld the first global airline alliance to offer any of its public fares for sale through the worldwide web.

The new on-line booking tool is available now through oneworld.com The alliance’s member airlines will add it to their own websites too or provide links from their internet sites to the oneworld.com facility – at www.oneworld.com/ow/flight-info/plan-and-book-your-itinerary
oneworld Explorer is among the most popular multi-airline tickets worldwide, enabling passengers to travel right around the globe using the flights of any of oneworld’s ten member airline and 20 or so affiliates, who together serve some 700 destinations in approaching 150 countries.

With the launch this new oneworld internet tool, customers or their travel agents can for the first time both plan their round-the-world itinerary and now book and pay for their tickets on-line. The system has a number of special features to make it as simple as possible for customers to plan oneworld Explorer round-the-world trips.

As they build their itinerary - simply by clicking on destinations displayed on the alliance’s interactive map - the system automatically checks availability and displays only flights that have seats available for each route and date selected. It also validates that the itinerary meets all the fare’s rules and conditions - and then provides an instant price for the trip. Once customers have finalised their itinerary - which can be of up to 16 sectors - they can pay online using a credit card (see notes) and print out all the details. The e-tickets for the entire trip are then sent to the customer by email.

oneworld Vice-President Commercial Nicolas Ferri said: “The tremendous value and flexibility our oneworld Explorer fares offer now combined with the ease and simplicity of planning, booking and paying on-line extends oneworld and our member airlines’ leading position for worldwide travel. We are delighted to be the first and only alliance - and indeed the first in the travel industry - to offer this level of convenience to our customers and travel agency partners, building further on our record of
innovation.”

The booking engine project has been led on behalf of all the alliance’s carriers by Qantas. Its General Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney said: “With so many possibilities of places to visit and routes to take, planning and booking a round-the-world trip can be time-consuming - both for our customers and sales representatives. Our new, easy-to-use on-line booking and payment facility simplifies the entire operation, saving customers a huge amount of time and providing them with far more flexibility in planning their trips. It will also reduce costs for our member airlines and free up time of airline and travel agency reservations agents to handle other tasks.” oneworld first to sell alliance fares on-line…

Unlike other round-the-world fares, oneworld Explorer’s price is based on the number of continents visited (three to six), not the mileage flown, making planning and pricing journeys much more simple and flexible. It covers flights worldwide by all oneworld member and affiliate airlines.

With oneworld the only airline alliance with members based in South America, Australia or Asia’s Middle East, it is just the ticket for anyone who truly wants to circumnavigate the globe. It offers great flexibility and value, generating the largest portion of the US$725 million revenues earned by oneworld for its member airlines through its alliance fares and sales activities last year.

Around 50,000 people bought a oneworld Explorer round-the-world ticket last year. oneworld Explorer can be booked for travel in Economy, Premium Economy (where available), Business or even First Class, and earn frequent flyer programme mileage awards and tier status points. Prices from the USA start at US$3,900, from the UK at GBP1,349, from Euro-zone countries at EUR1,999, and from Australia at A$3,499, all excluding any taxes, charges and surcharges. For lead-in prices from other countries and full details, see www.oneworld.com/ow/air-traveloptions/
round-the-world-fares/oneworld-explorer#fare-estimate

The on-line booking tool build on oneworld’s record for innovation. More than three years ago, it became the first of the global alliances to put in place interline e-ticketing (IET) links between all members of the grouping, enabling customers to travel with the convenience of just one electronic ticket for journeys involving any combination of alliance’s member airlines. Rival alliances have only recently completed links between their own member airlines.

Initially, oneworld Explorer itineraries ticketed through British Airways (generally when the first sector flown is on British Airways) will still need to have their payment processed through a British Airways sales outlet rather than on-line. The airline ticketing the itinerary will be displayed in the reservations’ confirmation page, before the booking is completed and payment requested. oneworld Explorer sectors in Premium Economy cabins cannot at this stage be booked on-line. oneworld developed the on-line booking engine in cooperation with Innovata, the global leader in travel related content management and content distribution, and Amadeus, the global distribution system, which also supports the majority of oneworld’s member airlines.

About oneworld oneworld brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, and around 20 affiliates including American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Mexicana and its affiliate Click Mexicana will join the alliance in 2009.

Between them, these airlines
:
• Serve almost 700 airports in nearly 150 countries, with more than 9,000 daily departures.
• Offer nearly 550 airport lounges for premium customers.
• Carry some 320 million passengers a year.
• Employ 250,000 people and operate almost 2,500 aircraft.
• Generate more than US$100 billion annual revenues.

oneworld is the only alliance with any member airlines based in Australia, South America or Asia’s Middle East. The alliance enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges. oneworld was voted the World’s Leading Airline Alliance for the sixth year running in the 2008 World Travel Awards, retaining the title ever since it was first presented.

DK Eyewitness Travel has named its pick of the best cities to visit in 2009. The world’s bestselling city-guide publisher shows why Northern Europe and the Americas are going to be hot next year. So whether it’s new attractions, regenerated neighbourhoods, or more for your money, the travel experts at DK have 2009’s Top 10 cities all wrapped up…

Vilnius – European Capital of Culture in 2009, the Lithuanian capital is planning 120 art and culture projects, and over 900 cultural events. Highlights include the Vilnius Book Fair in February, Street Musician Day in May, Culture Night on Midsummer Night, and the LUX Festival of Lights in November which brings socially deprived groups into the ‘lighted’ city, using science, nature and art to ‘light’ Vilnius at its darkest period of the year.

Buenos Aires – The old port district of La Boca will feature a major exhibition of France’s surrealist master Marcel Duchamp at the recently revamped Fundación Proa art gallery in February. In June the Puerto Madero docklands district opens the first-ever Fosters & Partners (led by Sir Norman Foster) design project in Latin America. The uber-hip residential space will be the centrepiece of a new cultural district. The bicentenary of Argentina’s independence from Spain is in 2010 but next year offers the chance to go before the hordes do.

Gdansk – Reputed to be the new Krakow in 2009, Gdansk’s old town has been spruced up and the picturesque Bergher houses that line its streets are interspersed with an influx of new hotels, restaurants and shops. With direct flights from Liverpool, Stansted and Birmingham with Ryanair, Poland’s coastline could see a new influx of visitors to this part of the Baltic Sea.

Seattle, USA – With a new Four Seasons hotel just unveiled, a new Hyatt at Olive 8 opening in January 2009 from the Hyatt brand, and a large new “eco-friendly” hotel called “1” scheduled to open mid 2009, a good nights sleep in Seattle is scheduled for next year. Something you need in a city that can see you catching a rock show or taking in the sleek downtown area by kayak, all in one trip. A truly modern American city surrounded by acres of stately redwoods, misty coastline, and glacial caves makes for intriguing juxtaposition.

Bristol – Dita Von Teese recently opened a new Harvey Nichols store alongside a Cinema de Lux and a wealth of luxury apartments at Cabot Circus - a long awaited boost to the Broadmead shopping district. Not long after, Bristol’s robust eco-appeal got stronger as it was named the ‘most sustainable city in Britain’. Luxury consumerism and environmental sustainability look set to coexist in 2009.

Fes – With new direct flights from Gatwick starting in December 2008, with the low cost airline Atlas Blue, it won’t take long before the tourists turn east from Marrakech’s crowded souks, to explore Morocco’s spiritual and cultural hub. The narrow streets of Fes are alive with commerce, and all lanes lead to the Karaouiyne mosque, established in 859, one of the oldest and most illustrious mosques in the western Muslim world.

Washington DC – Fresh with reinvigorated patriotism, tour the Eastern Seaboard by train or bus, heading south from New York to the home of the founding fathers in Philadelphia, then on to the seat of American government. With the largest library in the world (Library of Congress), the National Museum of American History and Arlington National Cemetery, not to mention the White House, Washington DC is a vision of marble and light, with icons and monuments at every turn.

Copenhagen – With 12 Michelin stars awarded in 2008 (that’s more than Vienna, Rome, or Madrid) plus a clutch of new boutique hotels and minimalist designed budget hostels, Copenhagen has become the ultimate gourmet and style destination. Its green-credentials aren’t bad either, recently becoming the world’s first ‘Bike City’ with 36 percent of all Copenhageners cycling to work, school and university.

Cape Town – The hosting of the world cup in 2010 means that visitors in late 2009 will see an upgraded Cape Town Station and the arrival of the One&Only Cape Town luxury resort, complete with Africa’s first branch of Nobu. Cape Town looks set to raise its tourist game in 2009 as it gears up for the sporting events of the following year. Add this to the world famous vista, outdoor activities, and affordable prices due to the exchange rate, and it’s a good time to visit.

Vienna – Vienna’s festival calendar is a true ballroom blur, kicking off with the city’s glittering New Year balls and the annual splendour of the Vienna Opera Ball on 19 February 2009. Come mid-May the city’s greatest festival, the Wiener Festwochen, comes into play with operas, theatre, music and performing arts, and Mozart’s operas are performed in the beautiful Schönbrunn Park until late August.

FROM SELECTED U.S. GATEWAYS TO THE CARIBBEAN

Offer Valid for Travel January 10 – February 28, 2009

Air Jamaica continues the spirit of giving this holiday season and starting tomorrow December 20 through December 23, travelers can take advantage of this special offer in order to beat the winter chill. In response to the escalating costs of air travel, Air Jamaica is providing an unbeatable offer by providing special non-refundable one-way sale fares from selected gateways in the U.S. to Kingston or Montego Bay, Barbados and Grenada. Air Jamaica passengers can take advantage of this last minute winter deal and escape the frigid temperatures to enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean.

Customers are encouraged to book now to benefit from these incredible one-way sale fares good for travel between Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, February 28, 2009 and combinable with any available fare for the return trip to the U.S.

“This holiday is a great time to fly Air Jamaica. As always, we want to make it affordable to travel the Caribbean,” says George deMercado, Air Jamaica’s Senior Director, Sales. “Especially at a time when travelers are seeking deals which offer great value for money, we want customers to experience our award winning lovebird hospitality at a great price. Air Jamaica continues to prove that the Caribbean is an affordable vacation option this winter.”

These special one-way fares are valid for travel originating from the U.S. between January 10 and February 28, 2009 and combinable with any available fare on the return. Government taxes and fees are additional. Conditions regarding cancellations and changes apply. Sample fares include:

• New York to Montego Bay/Kingston: $119

• Atlanta to Montego Bay/Kingston: $120

• Philadelphia to Montego Bay/Kingston: $139

• Baltimore to Montego Bay/Kingston: $175

• Chicago to Montego Bay/Kingston: $188

• Los Angeles to Montego Bay/Kingston $222

• New York to Barbados/Grenada $237

THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT

Providing access to an unrivalled world of privileges, benefits, expert knowledge and a global network of insider information, a Quintessentially membership offers the perfect present this Christmas.

Quintessentially is a unique private members’ club and global luxury lifestyle group committed to delivering nothing but the best in high quality services. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, by telephone or email, Quintessentially provides unlimited access to an unrivalled package of privileges, preferential rates and bespoke services, and acts as your very own PA – any time, anywhere.

With three tiers of membership available, starting from $1500 per year Quintessentially provides an affordable and long-lasting support to help guide you through to 2009. From securing last minute hotel reservations and travel deals, to restaurant bookings and access to events and galas around the world, Quintessentially is here to help. Offering an excellent benchmark of service and a unique network of insider information and benefits, Quintessentially aims to bring you nothing but the best, making it not only an invaluable resource but, more importantly, an easily accessible time and money saving solution.

Membership also includes access to the growing number of expert Quintessentially sister companies which can cater to all your needs including the dedicated personal shopping service Quintessentially Gifts, the bespoke experience company Quintessentially Escape, the bespoke wine service Quintessentially Wine and many more including Quintessentially Art, Quintessentially Events, Quintessentially Estates and Quintessentially Flowers. Members are also sent a weekly Quintessentially newsletter, packed full of the latest news, views, events and benefits, as well as the Quintessentially Magazine, published quarterly.

Quintessentially now encompasses a staggering 44 offices in a host of major cities worldwide, in destinations as diverse as Hong Kong, Cape Town, Istanbul, Mozambique, Cairo, Panama, Los Angeles and Sydney with a number of new office launches planned in the coming months, including those in Amsterdam, Auckland, Chicago, Luxemburg and Kuala Lumpur.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation said the new state travel guide is available to travelers looking to live passionately on vacation in Virginia. Visit www.Virginia.org or call 800-VISITVA to request a free copy of the new guide. The 2009 Virginia Travel Guide celebrates the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers with nearly 250 pages of personal stories and travel tips from “Portraits of Passion” — real Virginians from the Eastern Shore to the Crooked Road whose overwhelming passion for life makes travel in Virginia rewarding. Four collectable cover designs make the 40th anniversary guide an instant classic.

The “Portraits of Passion” from across the commonwealth are found in stunning photography throughout the 2009 travel guide and in rich, video vignettes at www.Virginia.org/portraits. Four of the portraits are featured on the 2009 Virginia Travel Guide cover designs — Eric Coulson, surfing school sensation from Surf & Adventure Co. in Sandbridge, who connects with travelers passionate about outdoor adventure;

Gary Carroll, artisan basket weaver from Southwest Virginia, who exemplifies Virginia’s rich cultural traditions; Mitch Bowman, Civil War Trails executive director based in Richmond, who symbolizes Virginia’s incomparable place in history; and Kristina Robertson, dog-walking diva and owner of Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique in Alexandria, who touts Virginia as a pet-friendly travel destination.

New additions to the travel guide include a section about Virginia Green, the state’s new program that certifies hotels, inns, restaurants, attractions and destinations that take important steps to improve and respect the environment. The guide also includes green travel tips and green getaways, all found at www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org.

Other highlights in the guide include articles on Virginia’s 400 years of history with an emphasis on the Civil War and heritage trails.

Ecothusiasts and adrenaline junkies will love the Get Outside and Play feature. Virginia motorsports experiences will get fans’ hearts racing while an overview of Virginia movie locations will surprise film buffs with tidbits about major motion pictures filmed in Virginia. The guide also captures the Virginia wine travel experience with info and trip ideas around the state’s nearly 140 wineries.

For more information, call 800-VISITVA or visit www.Virginia.org