Heading to Tanzania-Singita Grumeti’s!

Best camps are for last and we are on our way to Tanzania to Singita Sabora and Singita Sasakwa.  As good as it gets!!! Can’t wait to see them again! 
A note about the visa situation: get your visa before coming to Tanzania and be sure to have your Yellow fever shots documented on the yellow card. We flew on by charter, if we had flown in commercially, the visa application line and procedure would have taken a very long time because of the larger line of people. Visas cost $100 cash if you buy upon entry.

About

Catherine Whitworth is a Certified Travel Associate with Sterling Brownell Travel. Her destinations specialties are SE Asia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Her favorite destinations are SE Asia, Africa, France, Italy and India. She has been successfully designing travel experiences for travelers for 18 years.

Setai New York

I had the pleasure of visiting the new Setai New York last February, and it was a stellar experience. Situated on Fifth Avenue between 35th and 36th street, it is an easy walk to theatre, restaurants, and shopping. Capella Hotels manages it so you know it is special. The rooms were so luxurious, I really hated to leave! Floor to ceiling windows, very large space, wall of closets, bathroom with soaking tub, tv hidden in the mirror and double sinks. The view was of the city with the Chrysler building thrown in for good measure. The fully equipped Spa has all the usual offerings plus a Hamman, and a beauty salon. The restaurant- AI Fiori was amazing, and I am sure to be one of the top restaurant choices immediately. I most definitely plan to visit again.

Lobby Tintagel Hotel Colombo

Lizard at the Moonstone Mine

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Tintagel Hotel, Colombo Sri Lanka

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Catherine Whitworth CTA
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We made lots of new friends

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Catherine Whitworth CTA
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Reclining Buddha Pollonnawaru

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Tintagel Hotel, Colombo Sri Lanka

The last 2days we stayed in Colombo at the Tintagel. It is a beautifully designed hotel. It was the home of 2 Presidents of Sri Lanka. I am sending pictures. Food was good. Bar does not have a liquor license- odd, it has been opened for 3 years. The individual staff members were warm and friendly, but I found overall service terrible. The have some work to do. Our room was black- black floors and walls. Very high style, but hard to see. It has 10 individually styled rooms. We had lunch at the Gallery Cafe-again very stylish, there the food was divine and the service sparkling. They are both part of the Paradise Road group of properties.

Dutch House, Sri Lanka. The antithesis of the saying we are never in the room so book a cheap one.

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DS Thailand, Hong Kong ,SE ASIA

Temple of the Tooth Relic – Kandy Sri Lanka

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Catherine Whitworth CTA
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Temple of Buddha’s Tooth Relic- Kandy, Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka

Said to be the original garden of Eden, Sri Lanka- formerly Ceylon- is lush and so green. I have seen many varieties of trees and flowers from coconut palms to rubber trees. I have never seen bigger and fuller Frangipani. Mangos are in season. Acres, and acres of rice fields. Our first stop was the hotel Vil Uyana, a Small Luxury Hotel, which means Lake garden. Only 4 years old, it was delightful. One can drive from Colombo- about 3 hours or one can take a helicopter- 30 minutes. They have a pad. We were there because nearby are the 8th wonder of the world, Sigiriya and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa  – The ancient heart of Sri Lanka. An important royal capital with its well-preserved 12th century ruins & impressive stone culture recalls an inspired past. Although nearly 1000 years old, it is much younger than Anuradhapura and generally in better repair. The monuments are arranged in a reasonably compact garden setting and their development is easier to follow. 
We spent the morning climbing the spectacular Sigiriya rock fortress  with its rocky abode & water gardens. 1200 steps, yikes! Sigiriya is famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite, protruding into the searing blue sky from a hot, flat wilderness of scrubland, which is transformed in the rainy season to a water garden. In the 5th century King Kashyapa domesticated the Lions Rock, by building a palace atop its summit. Sigiriya commemorates some of the turbulence of Sri Lanka’s history.
Evening was massage time- divine! Then gin and tonics by the invisible edge pool watching multitudes of birds including eagles, bee eaters, kingfishers, storks, egrets-and those are only the names I know. They were  everywhere. In the early morning we participated in a blessing ceremony for the beginning of the rice harvest. The whole hotel staff and some of the villagers were there. It was a privilege to attend this very moving ceremony. 

Views in the Backwaters of Kerala

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Video of Mass at ST.Mary’s Kerala Backwaters

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Catherine Whitworth CTA

Mass at St. Mary’s in Champakulam

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Catherine Whitworth CTA

Sunset in the Backwaters of Kerala as seen from our houseboat.

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Catherine Whitworth CTA
An independent associate of Sterling Brownell Travel

Backwaters of Kerala

We departed Cochin and I so sadly separated from my traveling buddies, Meg North, Martha Gaughen, Vicki Upchurch, Yeardley Williams, and Julie Lemish. I had an even better traveling buddy arriving, my husband, Gerry. Our first stop was to the Backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat! It was a delightful experience! The whole houseboat was just for us. We had a crew of 3 men, Shadib, Jacob( a wonderful cook) and Shadeesh. They welcomed us with Jasmine leis and a delicious fruit drink. We just took off our shoes and relaxed. I ordered wine, and they had a great red wine brand, Grover. We stopped along our way at a very old vilage, Champakluam. We visited an amazing Basilica, St. Mary’s and a Mass was going on. Again it was the most amazing experience. All the ladies were on one side in their colorful Saris and the men were on the other. A very moving service. They were all singing when we got there so I’m enclosing a video. The church was built in the 5th century by the Portugese. We then reboarded our houseboat and were served a most delicious dinner of vegetables, fish fillets, fresh, pineapple, Nan, and wine.

Sunset in Kerala over the Chinese fishing nets

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Sterling Brownell Travel
Atlanta Georgia

Mahaballiporam India

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PURE

Some of the exhibitors for the Pure Conference are below:Some of the participating suppliers are:
Guest List to date:
 
&Beyond
SOUTH AFRICA
 
&Beyond India
INDIA
 
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn Morocco
MOROCCO
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn The Orient
ASIA
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn Australia
AUSTRALIA
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn Egypt
EGYPT
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn Europe
EUROPE
New
Abercrombie & Kent / Akorn India
ITALY
 
Abu Camp
BOTSWANA
 
Advancing Tourism to Africa
Africa
 
Adventure Network International
ANTARCTICA
 
Adventure Travel Trade Association
WORLDWIDE
 
Africa Albida Tourism
ZIMBABWE
 
African Bush Camps
BOTSWANA
New
Ahilya Fort
INDIA
 
Aida Tourism
TURKEY
New
Al Maha
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
New
Albee Adventures
COSTA RICA
 
Alex Walker’s Serian
KENYA
 
Alfajiri Villas
KENYA
 
Alto Atacama
CHILE
New
Amara Selous
TANZANIA
 
Amber Tours PVt/Wildlife Adventure Tours Pvt. Ltd.
INDIA
New
Ananda in the Himalayas
INDIA
New
Ancestral Footsteps
WORLDWIDE
 
Andean Experience Co.
PERU
 
Antarctica XXI
ANTARCTICA
 
Antarpply Expeditions
ARGENTINA
 
Apple Tree
VIETNAM
 
Aqua Expeditions – Amazon, Peru
PERU
 
Aquapura Hotels
PORTUGAL
 
Aracari Travel Consulting
PERU
 
Aranui Cruises
FRENCH POLYNESIA
New
Arctic Kingdom Polar Expeditions
CANADA
New
Argos in Cappadocia
TURKEY
 
Asilia Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Apsara Backwater Cruiser
INDIA
New
Australia 2 See
AUSTRALIA
 
Azura Retreats
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Backroads
USA
New
Baillie Lodges
AUSTRALIA
 
Banyan Tours & Travels
INDIA
New
Baraza Resort and Spa
TANZANIA
New
Basecamp Explorer
NORWAY
 
Bella Coola Heli Sports Inc.
CANADA
New
Big Animals Expeditions
WORLDWIDE
 
Bivouac Azawad
MOROCCO
New
Blanket Bay Lodge
NEW ZEALAND
 
bloon zero2infinity
SPACE
 
Botswana Tourism Board
BOTSWANA
New
Boutique  Hotels India (Devi Resorts)
INDIA
New
Buffalo Tours Co.Ltd
VIETNAM
New
Bunga Raya
BORNEO
 
Bushtracks Expeditions
WORLDWIDE
 
Butterfield & Robinson
CANADA
New
Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
ITALY
 
Caiman Ecological Refuge
BRAZIL
New
Cameron Highlands Resorts
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Camp Jabulani
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Canadian River Expeditions
CANADA
New
Catherwood Travels
MEXICO
New
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality
COSTA RICA
 
CBV incoming
BRAZIL
 
Cheli & Peacock
KENYA
 
Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge, Sabi Sands
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Chiva Som
THAILAND
New
Churchill Wild
CANADA
New
Classic Safari Camps of Namibia
NAMIBIA
 
Classic Retreats- Southern & East Africa (selected properties only)
AFRICA
 
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
CANADA
New
Como Shambala
BALI
New
Compagnie du Ponant Yacht Cruises
WORLDWIDE
New
Condor Travel – Bolivia
BOLIVIA
New
Constance Lodge – Tsarabanjina
MADAGASCAR
 
Creative Travel PVT Ltd
INDIA
New
Cruceros Australis
SPAIN
New
Dar Sabra
MOROCCO
 
Dare to Explore
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Delfin Amazon Cruises
PERU
New
Denis Island
SEYCHELLES
 
Dharma Adventures Pvt. Ltd
NEPAL / BHUTAN / TIBET
New
Doli Lodge
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
New
Dolomite Mountains
ITALY
 
dm Africa
AFRICA
New
Dos Lagos Lodge
CHILE
 
Dream Escape
SCOTLAND
New
Dunton Hot Springs
USA
New
Easia Travel
VIETNAM
 
Eastern Journeys – Travels through China
CHINA
New
Eastern Safaris
BHUTAN
 
Eco Luxury
ITALY
 
EcoCamp Patagonia / Cascada Expediciones
CHILE
New
Ecoventura- Galapagos Network
GALAPAGOS
 
Entree Destinations – The Travel Alliance
CANADA & ALASKA
New
Eolo – Patagonia’s Spirit
ARGENTINA
New
Encounters Asia
INDIA
 
Epic Private Journeys
AUSTRALIA
New
Estancia El Colibri
ARGENTINA
New
Etho Metho Tours
BHUTAN
 
EuroPanache
FRANCE
 
Exclusively New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND
 
Exeter International
UNITED KINGDOM
 
Exotissimo Travel Group
THAILAND
 
Explora Hotels
CHILE
 
Far away & Long ago
ARGENTINA
 
Fregate Island Private
SEYCHELLES
 
Fundu Lagoon
TANZANIA
New
Galapagos Safari Camp
ECUADOR
New
Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya
BORNEO
New
Gentian Trails – The Authentic Experience
ECUADOR
New
Galapagos Odyssey
ECUADOR
New
Gibb’s Farm
TANZANIA
 
Governors’ Camp
KENYA
 
Great Explorations / Randonee Tours
CANADA
 
Great Plains Conservation
SEYCHELLES
 
Grootbos
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Gulf Ventures
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
New
Hacienda Benazuza – El Bulli Hotel
SPAIN
 
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
ARCTIC / ANTARCTIC
 
Helisud Maroc
MOROCCO
 
Heritage Tours Private Travel
MOROCCO
 
Heure Bleue Palais
MOROCCO
New
Hippo Point
KENYA
New
Horizon & Co. Canada
CANADA
New
Hunter Hotels
AFRICA
 
Hotel Rosa Alpina
ITALY
New
Huka Lodge
NEW ZEALAND
New
Hunter Hotels
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Huvafen Fushi (underwater spa & dhoni)
MALDIVES
 
I.D.I Travel
ITALY
New
Ibex Expeditions
INDIA
 
IC Bellagio – Travel Alliance
ITALY
New
Iceland Encounter
ICELAND
 
Il Salviatino
ITALY
 
Imperial Tours – The Travel Alliance
CHINA
 
In Any Event
UNITED KINGDOM
 
Indigo Patagonia
CHILE
 
Inkaterra
PERU
 
InnerSea Discoveries/American Safari Cruises
USA
 
Jembisa Private Bush Home
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Jnane Tamsna
MOROCCO
 
Journey Beyond
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Journey Mexico
MEXICO
New
Juvet Landscape Hotel
NORWAY
New
Ka’ana Boutique Resort Belize
BELIZE
 
Kalari Kovilakom
INDIA
 
Ker & Downey
BOTSWANA
 
Kicheche Camps
KENYA
 
Kensington Portfolio
AFRICA
 
Ksar Char-Bagh
MOROCCO
 
Kurtz-Ahlers & Assoc., L.L.C. (selected properties only)
WORLDWIDE
 
Kwando Safaris
BOTSWANA
New
L’Albereta
ITALY
 
La Maison Arabe
MOROCCO
 
La Pause
MOROCCO
 
La Villa des Orangers
MOROCCO
New
Lakutaia Lodge Patagonia & Cape Horn
CHILE
 
Laucala Island, Fiji
FIJI
New
Lemarti’s Camp
KENYA
 
Les Terres M’barka
MOROCCO
 
Lindblad Expeditions
GALAPAGOS/ALASKA 
New
Lion Sand – More Hotels
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Londolozi Game Reserve
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Loyd & Townsend Rose
SCOTLAND
 
Luxe India
INDIA
New
Luxury Adventures
ICELAND
New
Luxury Lodges of Australia
AUSTRALIA
New
Lyngen Lodge
NORWAY
 
Made for Spain – The Travel Alliance
SPAIN
 
Madrid & Beyond
SPAIN
 
Mahout – All India
INDIA
 
Mahout – Rajasthan and Kerala
INDIA
 
Mai 10
ARGENTINA
 
Maisons des Reves
FRANCE
New
Malabar Escapes
INDIA
New
Mantis Eco Experiences
WORLDWIDE
 
Marlin Lodge
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Mateya Safari Lodge
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Matuete
BRAZIL
 
Metropolitan Touring Argentina, Chile, Ecuador & Peru
ECUADOR
New
Molori Private Retreats
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Mountain Lodges of Peru
PERU
 
Mountain Voyage KDT
MOROCCO
 
Morukuru Family
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Museum Hotel
TURKEY
New
Musha Cay & The Islands of Copperfield Bay
THE BAHAMAS
 
Nihiwatu
INDONESIA
 
Nomads of the Seas
CHILE
New
Nomadic Expeditions & 3 Camel Lodges
MONGOLIA
 
North Island
SEYCHELLES
 
Norwegian Adventures AS
NORWAY
 
O.A.R.S. Rafting
WORLDWIDE
New
Oberoi Camps & Boats (Oberoi Hotels and Resorts)
AFRICA
New
Oberoi Villas (Oberoi Hotels and Resorts)
ASIA
 
Off the Beaten Path
WORLDWIDE
 
Okavango Horse Safaris
BOTSWANA
 
Okavango Wilderness Safaris
BOTSWANA
 
Okonjima/Africat
NAMIBIA
New
Olarro
KENYA
New
Olive Branch Tours
MOROCCO
 
One Ocean Expeditions
ARCTIC / ANTARCTICA
New
Orange County Kabini
INDIA
New
Orange County Resorts
INDIA
New
Orient Express (Asia)
ASIA
New
Orient Express (Peru)
PERU
 
Orient Express (Trains and Cruises)
ASIA
 
Orient Express (Africa)
AFRICA
 
Orient-Express (Italian Hotels)
ITALY
 
Orion Expedition Cruises
AUSTRALASIA
New
Outback Encounter
AUSTRALIA
 
Oyikil Argentina
ARGENTINA
NEW
Palazzo Seneca
ITALY
 
Pambele
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Parador de Granada
SPAIN
New
Patagonia Camp
CHILE
New
Patagonia Wilderness
ARGENTINA
 
Parador de Granada
SPAIN
 
Peirce and Leslie
INDIA
 
Personal Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Ponta dos Ganchos
BRAZIL
New
Poseidon Arctic Voyages
ARCTIC
New
Porini Safari Camps
KENYA
 
Pousada Estrela D’Agua
BRAZIL
New
Pousada Picinguaba
BRAZIL
New
Preferred Boutique (selected properties)
WORLDWIDE
New
Qualia, Great Barrier Reef
AUSTRALIA
 
Quasar Expeditions
ECUADOR
New
Rani Resorts
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Red Travel
ITALY
 
Relais & Chateaux (selected properties only)
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Remota in Patagonia
CHILE
 
Rovos Rail
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd.
INDIA
 
Samara Private Game Reserve
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Samode Hotels
INDIA
New
Sanctuary Eclipse
GALAPAGOS
New
Sanctuary Safari Camps and Lodges
AFRICA
New
Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
CHINA
New
Saruni
KENYA
New
Sausage Tree Camp
ZAMBIA
New
Sea Cloud Cruises
EUROPE/ CARIBBEAN
 
Sea Song Tours
TURKEY
 
Seasons in Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
 
SeasoNZ Travel
NEW ZEALAND
 
Senderos
LATIN AMERICA
New
Shambala Private Game Reserve
SPUTH AFRICA
 
SHA Wellness Clinic
SPAIN
New
Sibuet Hotels
FRANCE
 
Singita Grumeti Reserves
TANZANIA
 
Singita Game Reserves
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Siwash Lake Ranch
CANADA
New
Six Senses Destination Spa
THAILAND
 
Six Senses Soneva Resorts
MALDIVVES
New
Six Senses Tented Camp at Zighi Bay
OMAN
 
Skeleton Coast Safaris
NAMIBIA
 
Sonora Resort – Canada
CANADA
 
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (selected properties only)
WORLDWIDE
 
S.O.S Synergy of Specialists
WORLDWIDE
 
Southern Crossings – The Travel Alliance
AUSTRALIA
New
Split Apple
NEW ZEALAND
 
Sportstour Chile
CHILE
 
Sri Lanka In Style
SRI LANKA
 
SUJAN Luxury Hotels
INDIA
 
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
PERU
 
SwaSwara
INDIA
 
SwisSKIsafari
SWITZERLAND
New
Taj Palaces(Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces)
INDIA
New
Taj Camps (Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces)
INDIA
 
Tanzania by Firelight & Lupita Island
TANZANIA
New
The Blue Train
SOUTH AFRICA
New
The Bushcamp Company
ZAMBIA
 
The Cliffs Preserve
CHILE
 
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
NEW ZEALAND
New
The Indian Maharaja
INDIA
 
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
NEW ZEALAND
New
The Haciendas Experiences
MEXICO
 
The Inspired Traveller
AUSTRALIA
New
The Marine Hermanus
SOUTH AFRICA
New
The Out of Africa Collection
KENYA
 
The Ranch At Rock Creek
USA
 
The Real Japan
JAPAN
 
The Retreats of Tanzania
TANZANIA
 
The Royal Portfolio
SOUTH AFRICA
 
The Safari and Conservation Co.
KENYA
 
The Safari Collection
KENYA
New
The Singular Patagonia
CHILE
The Travel Alliance
WORLDWIDE
New
The Travel Designer
NORWAY
New
The Yachts @ Casa Dell’Arte
ITALY
 
The Victoria Falls Hotel
ZIMBABWE
New
The Yeatman
PORTUGAL
New
Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa
CHILE
New
Tongabezi Lodge
ZAMBIA
 
Tours For You
PORTUGAL
New
Trans Asia
SYRIA
 
Trans Africa Safaris – The Travel Alliance
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Travel Scope India
INDIA
New
Treetops Lodge & Estate
NEW ZEALAND
New
Tropic Air
KENYA
New
TropicSurf
AUSTRALASIA
 
Tswalu Kalahari
SOUTH AFRICA
 
Uncharted Africa
BOTSWANA
New
Uncommon Journeys
CANADA
New
Uma Paro
BHUTAN
 
Unusual Destinations
SOUTH AFRICA
 
UXUA  Casa Hotel
BRAZIL
New
Vamizi Island
MOZAMBIQUE
New
Variarts Travel Ltd
CHINA
 
Viaventure
GUATEMALA
New
Villa Mangiacane
ITALY
 
Volcanoes Safaris
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Volga Dream Cruises
RUSSIA
 
Wabi-Sabi Japan
JAPAN
New
Wakatobi
INDONESIA
 
Waterproof Expeditions
NETHERLANDS
 
Wharekauhau Country Estate
NEW ZEALAND
 
Whitepod Concept
SWITZERLAND
New
Wickaninnish Inn
CANADA
New
Wild Bush Luxury
AUSTRALIA
 
WildChina
CHINA
 
Wilderness Australia
AUSTRALIA
 
Wilderness Safaris
SOUTH AFRICA
New
Wilderness Safaris Botswana
BOTSWANA
 
Wines and Adventures of the Andes
ARGENTINA
 
Within The Wild Adventure Company
ALASKA
New
Wolgan Valley
AUSTRALIA
 
XO Private Collection
WORLDWIDE
 
ZINIRY – see Norway
NORWAY

Summer Values and Experiences!

Summer Values and Experiences!

 The Palace at Playa Grande (Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic):  Grand Opening Specials – Free Nights!! To celebrate their opening on April 7, 2010,  Buy 5 nights, Get the 6th and 7th Night Free and Buy 3 Nights, Get 4th Night Free! For Garden Suites starting at $300 / night. Valid for stays until November 30, 21010. Free night must be used consecutively after paid nights. No credit for unused night. Based upon availability.  Taxes and service charge are additional.   Take the entire 11 room Palace building PRIVATELY!  All 11 rooms in the Palace Building are available to rent exclusively at Grand Opening Special rate of only $3500 /night! This will be your family’s or group of friend’s private vacation. You must purchase either their FAP Meal Plan (only $95 per person per night) or their FAP with Alcohol (which is just like an All-Inclusive Meal Plan) (only $145 per person per night) for all guests in your party when purchasing The Palace exclusively. Based upon availability. Taxes and service charge are addtl. 3 night minimum rental. Holiday weeks have a higher minimum and rate.

The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia): Great Value for May and June – Third night FREE! In May and June, stay for 3 nights and get the first night for only $229, the second night for $129, and the third night FREE! This offer also includes a two-for-one activity voucher per day! (So, when you stay the 3 nights, you receive 3 vouchers, which one can be used per day). You also receive a $20 free Slot Play per room in their Tavern Casino, 20% discount on Spa Services, complimentary access to the resort’s steam and sauna facilities and the resort fee is waived! Ask for the “Spring into Action” Package. This offer is available only Sunday through Thursday with a three night minimum stay. Room taxes and svc charge are addtl.  Subject to availability.

Portofino Island (Pensacola Beach, Florida):  Buy 3 nights and get the 4th night complimentary! Valid from today to June 16, 2010 on all Sunday and Monday night arrivals, excluding Memorial Day Weekend.   Also, Rates Reduced! From April 27- June 16, 2010, 2 bedroom 2 bath units are now only $299 / night (that is only $150 per bedroom) and their 3 bedroom 3 bath units are now only $399 / night (that is only $134 per bedroom)!

The Sanderling Resort and Spa (Duck, North Carolina): Summer Escape Package!  Visit the Outer Banks Beaches of North Carolina this summer. The Sanderling is offering a $75 room rate reduction per night on weekend getaways from June 25 – Sept 7, 2010. You need to stay a minimum of two nights in order to get the $75 off each night. You get a North Inn King bedded or two-Queen bedded room, use of a beach umbrella, beach chairs, sun block, enjoy afternoon tea and cookies, AND also included is one activity per person for the two night stay, of either: an individual tennis lesson, a Corolla wild horses guided tour, a guided kayak tour, bicycles for two. Priced at only $325 per night, 2 night minimum, two activities total included in a two night stay. Taxes are addtl.

Barnsley Gardens (Adairsville, Georgia): Mother’s Day Weekend Events Starting on Saturday, May 8th enjoy Garden Tours at 10.30 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm. Then Treat mom to a night of magic of dancing under the stars at Firefly Night Saturday evening. The even includes dancing under the stars, live romantic music, and cocktails for purchase in the Historic Manor House Ruins. Spend the evening mingling by candlelight while spotting fire flies that twinkle amidst the surrounding gardens. On Sunday May 9th, enjoy a Mother’s Day Lunch Buffet with seating at 11.30 am, 12.00 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm featuring Breast of Chicken Marengo, Seared Black Cod, Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Prime Rib of Beef and for the kids, Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Mini Pizzas and a lot more. $48 per adult, $20 for 6-12 year olds, kids under 5 eat free. Tax and gratuity addtl.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, South Carolina): Harbourtown Golf and Palmetto Bluff’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Course Team Up! The best golf experience and the best golf value that Palmetto Bluff has ever offered! This is a two night package and includes Cottage accommodations, breakfast daily in the dining room, FOUR rounds of golf per day! (1 round per person per day on Palmetto Bluff’s own May River Golf Club Course (Jack Nicklaus Signature Course) and 1 round per person per day on Harbourtown Golf Links Course on Hilton Head Island for 2 people), Boat Transportation to Harbourtown from The Inn at Palmetto Bluff and back. Rates for a Lagoon View Cottage start at only $625 per night for 2 people, plus taxes and fees. This is a 2 night package.

Gasparilla Inn & Club (Boca Grande, Florida): Mother’s Day Package From May 6-10, 2010, escape to The Inn to celebrate Mom. Your package includes your accommodation and floral arrangement. An optional Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday May 9th is from 11 am – 2.30 pm. From May 6-10, 2010, rates start at $193 per room per night, based upon single or double occupancy, subject to availability, daily service charge and taxes are additional.  Not available to groups or existing reservations.       Midweek Golf Value and Bed & Breakfast Package!  From April 27 – May 27, 2010, enjoy a luxurious guest room and a full breakfast for 2 people in the Main Dining Room. Rates start from only $230 per room per night, based upon double occupancy. Daily service charge and taxes are additional. Valid Sunday to Thursday only, excluding Holidays. Not available to groups or existing reservations.             Pete Dye Golf Getaway Package includes a round of golf, cart and practice facilities and your luxurious accommodation. The golf course is on an “island within an island” providing your golfer with an incredible golfing experience. Available from April 27 – May 27, 2010, rates start at $298 per room per night, based upon double occupancy and subject to availability. Daily service charge and taxes are additional. Valid Sunday to Thursday only, excluding Holidays. Not available to groups or existing reservations.

High Hampton Inn (Cashiers, North Carolina): Southern Heritage Food Symposium! From May 19-21, 2010, Indulge in a three-day symposium that will focus on the heritage of Southern food featuring chef John Fleer, former chef of  Blackberry Farm and Sheri Castle, cooking instructor for Viking and Southern Seasons. Package includes six meals, complimentary green fees and tennis fees. This 3 day, 2 night package is $320/person, double occupancy.  Taxes and service fee are additional.     Teddy Bear Picnic On July 8, 2010 come and enjoy this beloved highlight of the children’s summer season! There is a Treasure Bear Hunt, Best Bear contest and a Teddy Bear Picnic Supper with games and entertainment afterward.  Be sure everyone in the family brings a favorite teddy bear to this event.    Artist Workshop  From August 28-September 3, 2010 join well-known artist Pat Weaver for the watercolor workshop.  Learn the fundamentals, direct painting without drawing, wet into wet technique, watercolor pencils and working watercolor over gesso coated paper. This package includes 3 meals per day, complimentary green fees and tennis fees too! This 7 day, 6 night package is $1136/person, double occupancy.  Taxes and service fees are additional.

The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs, Colorado):  Celebrate Memorial Day and the Fourth of July   Memorial Day Family Escape -From May 27 – June 1, 2010, this THREE night package includes accommodations for 3 nights, incidental services fee, and family activities to include: Fly Casting Demonstration, Family Bingo, Paddle Boat Races, Fireside Tables, and Bee Bunch Day and Evening Camps (Ages 3-12).   American Family Fourth of July – From July 1-8, 2010, this FOUR night package includes accommodations for 4 nights, incidental services fee, and family activities include: Rubber Duck Capture, Huck Finn’s Fishing on Cheyenne Lake,  Face Painting, Family Fun Carnival, Historical Tour, Improv Show, Bee Bunch Day & Evening Camps (Ages 3-12), Family Tennis Round Robin and Carnival and Live Entertainment. BOTH Packages include: one (1 hour) horseback trail ride OR one Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour for each person on the package, bicycle and paddle boat rental (1 hour each daily), 50% discount off of the adult ticket price at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 10% discount off of select Spa services, golf tee times, select retail purchases and children’s Bee Bunch program, children 10 and under stay and eat free (with paying adult – excludes Brunch) and complimentary access to The Broadmoor movie theater. Suites available at 30% off of published rates. The Memorial Day Package prices starting at $444 per person for all three nights, based on double occupancy. Limited availability. Not applicable to groups.  The Fourth of July Package prices starting at $707 per person for all 4 nights, based on double occupancy. Limited availability. Not applicable to groups.

The Resort at Paws Up (Greenough, Montana) Pawsitively Romantic Package They have taken romance in the Rockies to new heights. Their starlit wagon or sleigh ride, sumptuous spa treatments and gourmet dining will ensure that your romantic getaway is as memorable as the Montana “Big Sky” . The Package includes your accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, the Dom & Dipper Wagon or Sleigh Ride,  Couples Custom Music Massage, Fire & Fondue for 2 people, Two Authentic Paws Up Fleece Vests, Taxes, Gratuities, Airport Transfers. On-Property Transportation. Three night packages starting from $3,070, based upon double occupancy, Five night packages starting from $4,536, based upon double occupancy.
Catherine Whitworth
An independent associate of Sterling Brownell Travel
a * VIRTUOSO* agency
A Member of the Tzell Travel Group
DS Thailand, Hong Kong ,SE Asia
398 Dearing Street
Athens, Georgia 30605
Telephone 706 714 3766
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PASSPORT NOTICE – due to constantly changing passport requirements,
I recommend that for ANY travel outside the United States,
you travel with a US PASSPORT which is valid 6 months after your return.