Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Gala To Take Place Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Top level cruise executives will serve as hosts for an unforgettable evening that features the unique opportunity to interact with some of the cruise industry’s top decision-makers.

The 18th Annual FCCA Gala Dinner and Entertainment Extravaganza will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It will include a 90-minute cocktail reception with the CEO’s, presidents and cruise executives and a silent art auction with a collection of magnificent artwork from Park West Galleries before the dinner commences.

Guests will purchase tickets to sit at tables hosted by the cruise line executive of their choice, each representing the member lines of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Tables with the CEO’s and Presidents of Cruise Lines Companies will be sponsored tables and allow personal attention from the prominent table host. Table sponsors will enjoy special benefits and recognition during the evening.

The Gala will benefit the FCCA Foundation, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the non-profit, charitable organization. Created in 1993, the Foundation funds humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Latin America. Numerous worthy projects receive funding each year throughout the FCCA Foundation. Most recently, the FCCA Holiday Gift Project brought smiles to the faces of nearly 7,000 underprivileged children throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

For more information about the 2012 FCCA Gala Dinner and Entertainment Extravaganza, visit www.f-cca.com or contact the FCCA at 954-441-8881.

To purchase your tickets on line, visit: http://www.accureg.com/csm12/regprod.html?src=FCCA

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The Cayman Islands and Camana Bay, Chapter 1 [Video]

Courtesy of Camana Bay on YouTube
View more Camana Bay videos

Stonyfield Launches Know Your Food Campaign; Win a Trip to a Vermont B&B...

This year, Stonyfield is making it easier to get to know more about the food we eat.  The world's leading organic yogurt maker is launching a year-long Know Your Food campaign aimed at helping people get to know more about the what's really in the foods in their refrigerators, freezers and pantries. At a time when the origins and ingredients of what we eat are becoming increasingly hard to decipher, Stonyfield is offering tools and resources to help empower people to make the best food choices for themselves and their families.

The Stonyfield Know Your Food campaign kicks off with a new website www.IWillKnowMyFood.com, where people can learn about the farm-to-fridge journey and why what we eat matters.  The site will feature a frequently changing roster of food, agriculture and health experts offering insights into how food is produced, what's really in the things we eat, and how all of this impacts our bodies, our communities and our planet.  The site also showcases a selection of short mini-documentaries for people to watch and share with friends and family.  

To celebrate the launch of the Stonyfield Know Your Food campaign, people are invited to log on to www.IWillKnowMyFood.com and enter a photo of their refrigerator for a chance to win a Know Your Food Adventure including four nights at a bed and breakfast in Vermont, complete with organic breakfasts, real-life farm experience, and an abundance of information about organic farming. The winner will also get a fridge makeover, including a consultation with a nutritionist, a year's worth of free Stonyfield Organic products and a $500 shopping trip to stock the fridge and pantry with healthy food!

"It's no wonder people are hungry for knowledge and seeking food sources they can trust, with the abundance of studies proving that chemical agricultural practices are harming us and the planet," said Stonyfield Co-Founder and Chairman Gary Hirshberg. "It's clear that we're in a time when, more than ever, people want to know everything possible about their food. Stonyfield got its start as a nonprofit sustainable farming school and we see this campaign as yet another extension of our roots."

The Stonyfield Know Your Food campaign will last throughout 2012, with new and fresh information updated frequently, as well as additional contests and interactive features to come.

Learn more about Stonyfield and its organic yogurts and dairy products at www.Stonyfield.com and www.Facebook.com/StonyfieldFarm.

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The Regattabar at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square Launches Master Series With Acclaimed Jazz Artists

Regattabar, the leading jazz and world music club in Boston, is partnering with the renowned Berklee College of Music to launch The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) Jazz Masters Series.

Each concert will be dedicated to the music of an Artist in Residence at BGJI and will conclude a day of master classes.

All performances are open to the public and tickets can be purchased online or by calling 617-395-7757.

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MSC Cruises & Blend Craft Wines To Bring Exclusive Wine-themed Activities to Select Caribbean Sailings

MSC Cruises is partnering with Blend Craft Wines to bring exclusive wine-themed activities to guests on four upcoming Caribbean sailings of MSC Poesia.

"We are very excited to be able to bring the world of wines to our guests through these unique, fun and educational activities," said Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. "Blend Craft Wines creates a virtual winery at sea and adds yet another dimension to MSC Cruises' already exceptional onboard experience."

Blend Craft Wines will bring guests unique interactive onboard guest winemaking and other wine-themed experiences, including the following:

• Winemaker Experience: Guests create, bottle and label their own custom bottle of wine, with the option of creating up to a case of their wine to take home.
• Winemaker Dinner: Combining the Winemaker Experience with an interactive group dining event, guests make a minimum of two bottles of wine -- one to take home and one to share in a blind tasting during the group dinner.
• Wine Tasting College: A specially designed series of individual 60-minute programs designed to educate guests on the world of wine.
• World Series of Wine: A re-creation of a famous 1976 European wine competition featured in the movie Bottle Shock, this event includes wine tasting and movie viewing.

Blend Craft recruits its onboard winemakers from Napa, California, where they have an average of 10+ years of wine industry experience including work as professional winemakers.

Blend Craft's fee-based activities will be offered on the following MSC Poesia roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale:

• Jan. 28, Feb. 11: 7-night Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Roatan Island, Honduras; Montego Bay, Jamaica; rates begin at $499
• Feb. 4, 18: 7-night Eastern Caribbean, calling at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nassau, Bahamas; rates begin at $499 for Feb. 4 and $429 for Feb. 18.

Rates are cruise-only, per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional.

For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com or call call 877-665-4655. Connect in real-time on Twitter @MSCCruisesUSA

  

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Source: MSC Cruises

Lifestyle: Massachusetts Based Yankee Candle Unveils Pure Radiance™

The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of premium scented candles, today announced the launch of its new contemporary candle line, Pure Radiance™. Made of a custom soy wax blend, Pure Radiance features patent-pending LumiWick™ technology. When lit, this flat, all cotton Lumiwick™ provides a consistent burn and a wide, radiant flame. 

  Photo courtesy of The Yankee Candle Company

 
With a clean design, the line is offered in 12 new distinctive, but approachable fragrances and three sizes. Pure Radiance is available for purchase immediately in all 12 scents.

AAA/CAA Five Diamond Awards for 2012 -- First Ever For Antigua & Rhode Island Establishments

AAA announced today the 126 lodgings and 53 restaurants that earned the AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award® designation for 2012. These select establishments represent just 0.3 percent of the total 59,000 AAA/CAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants.

Of note among the 16 new additions for 2012 are first-ever Five Diamond establishments for Rhode Island and Antigua. In the restaurant category, New York tops the list for growth with three new Five Diamond establishments. California is the only state to grow in both categories, with two additional lodgings and one restaurant.

During the past year, eight Five Diamond restaurants closed their doors, at least temporarily. "This 15 percent drop illustrates the speed at which the concept of luxury dining is shifting in response to the economy, changing diner preferences and a corporate redefining of acceptable luxury levels for business reimbursement," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. "Today the service style is more casual, with a greater focus on providing a high-quality, individualized, value-focused experience. The addition of seven Five Diamond restaurants reflects the rebound that began for this segment during the latter half of 2011."

AAA's professional inspectors, ideally positioned to observe emerging hospitality trends, noted other changes in store for 2012. For hotels, a prevalent trend is creating a home-away-from-home environment, according to AAA inspectors. Another growth area is "smarter" hotel rooms that learn guests' habits as they use a central remote to control everything from heating and air to lights, curtains, music and wakeup calls. In the restaurant industry, prevailing themes include more natural ingredients, locally sourced foods and healthier meal options. These include rustic fare — simple dishes with fresh ingredients — made in-house and new twists on comfort foods such as a "dusting" of dried, powdered fruits or vegetables to add texture and flavor, rather than heavy sauces.

"Five Diamond lodgings feature extraordinary physical attributes and meticulous personalized attention, and Five Diamond restaurants feature world-class service and imaginative menu selections using the finest ingredients," said Petrone. "It is an amazing accomplishment to achieve and maintain this level of quality and service, and AAA is pleased to honor these properties with a Five Diamond Rating."

New Five Diamond Lodgings: 

ARIA Sky Suites, Las Vegas, Nev.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C.
Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Jumby Bay, Antigua
Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Fla.
Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Ocean House, Watch Hill, R.I.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Calif.
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The St. Regis Houston, Houston, Texas

New Five Diamond Restaurants: 

Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Tarrytown, N.Y.

Del Posto, New York, N.Y.
Herons Restaurant, Cary, N.C. (in the Umstead Hotel & Spa)
The Kitchen Restaurant, Sacramento, Calif.
Marea, New York, N.Y.
Menton, Boston, Mass.
Restaurant Initiale, Quebec, Canada

Noteworthy for 2012:

• Three lodgings have maintained the Five Diamond Rating for 36 consecutive years – since 1976 when AAA first introduced the Diamond Ratings for accommodations: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz.
• The restaurant with the longest Five Diamond tenure, 24 consecutive years, since 1988, is The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room in Washington, Va.

For more information about Diamond Ratings and a complete list of Five Diamond lodgings and restaurants, visit NewsRoom.AAA.com.

AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotel and restaurant listings can be found in the AAA TourBook® guides available at AAA and CAA offices across the continent. They can be accessed online at AAA.com/Travel and through downloadable eTourBook(SM) guides at AAA.com/ebooks. Smartphone users can locate Diamond Rated establishments using the free AAA TripTik® Mobile app or AAA Mobile Web at AAA.com/mobile.

Source: PR Newswire

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Sea-U Guest House, Barbados, renews its pledge to sustainability with Green Globe Certification

Green Globe today announced recertification of Sea-U Guest House, Tent Bay, Bathsheba. Located on the rugged east coast of Barbados, surrounded by green hills, natural beaches, tidal pools, and small villages, Sea-U Guest House is committed to preserving nature and invites their guests to be a part of their Green Team.

Green Globe Certification CEO Mr. Guido Bauer said: “Sea-U Guest House is a perfect example of collaboration and innovation between the guest house owner, expatriate Miss Uschi Wetzels, and the local community from Tent Bay. “Together they deliver an authentic and quality holiday experience which leads as an example of good environmental practice and social engagement for all Barbadian tourism operators,” added Mr. Bauer.

Sea-U Guest House rests near the natural, unspoiled beaches of Bathsheba and is close to one of the finest surf spots in Barbados, Soup Bowl. The guest house is also within walking distance from the renowned Andromeda Botanic Gardens.

Sea-U Guest House owner, Miss Uschi Wetzels, said: “Since our original certification, we have achieved so much, and we are very pleased to receive the Green Globe certification once again. Born and raised in Germany, I learnt early about ‘being green.’ Here in Barbados, it is a relatively new idea to pay close attention to environmental issues. As an example, a couple of years ago, I had to insist that cleaning products, not hazardous to us or the environment, must be used instead of the chlorine-based ones that were in use all over the island.

“Today it is in ‘everybody’s blood’ as we say in Germany, to be environmentally conscious in all of our daily activities at the guest house. Today, members of our staff come up with their own ideas on how to advance our green practice, while maintaining high standards. One of our interesting innovations was to replace common drinking straws with home grown bamboo straws to serve our house drink, coconut water in its own shell,” added Miss Wetzels. 

For more about the property, visit www.seaubarbados.com


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InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to Offer Full Folio Priority Club Points

Priority Club Rewards, the world's largest and fastest-growing hotel loyalty program from IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), announced today that beginning Feb. 15, 2012, Priority Club members who stay at any(*) of the 55 InterContinental Hotels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean will earn ten points per every $1USD spent(**) on qualifying revenue during stays.  Unlike the current earning rate of 2,000 points per stay, regardless of what is spent at the hotel, there is no maximum number of points a guest can earn under this new program.  On average, most Priority Club Rewards members can expect to earn approximately three times the number of points that they do today.

"Although we will continue our focus on providing Priority Club members with new ways to redeem their points, this new earning structure at InterContinental Hotels will allow them to earn them faster than ever before, too,"  said Don Berg, vice president, Loyalty Programs and Partnerships, IHG.  "Priority Club members who stay at InterContinental properties between now and February 15 will begin to experience this richer earning policy as we operationally ramp up the program over the next 30 days," said Berg.  Starting Feb. 15, all members can expect to earn at the new rate.

"We're delighted to enhance our program in the Americas and hope to be in a position to extend our offer to the rest of the world in due course," said Simon Scoot, vice president, Global Brand Management, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.  "It's incredibly important that we retain and grow the loyalty of our guests and reward them as best we can."

For further information about the new InterContinental Hotels earnings, contact the Priority Club Service Center at 1-888-211-9874 or PriorityClub@ihg.com.

(*) Excludes InterContinental Alliance Resorts: Venetian, Palazzo and Montelucia

(**) Hotel charges not eligible include: No Shows, Gift certificates, Health Club/Spa fees, Ticket sales, Internet Access, Audio Visual, Flowers, postage, etc.

Source: PR Newswire

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RISD Museum of Art Announces 2012 Exhibition Schedule

The Museum of Art Rhode Island School of Design has announced new exhibitions for the new year 2012. The major winter show, Painting Air: Spencer Finch, opens February 24. The internationally renowned artist draws inspiration from painter Claude Monet in his debut of an exciting new installation; Finch also exhibits recent works and curates a selection of influential works from the Museum's collection. Pilgrims of Beauty, also opening in February, offers a window into 19th-century Italy, a creative nexus for artists such as Sargent, Whistler, and Turner.
 

In April, the RISD Museum looks at familiar objects in a new way in Everyday Things—in which artists have used non-traditional materials to transform, repurpose, and represent aspects of daily life. In May, the third Designing Traditions Biennial reveals the ways in which the Museum’s Asian Textile collection inspires up-and-coming designers. Multimedia artist Wendy Richmond and Minimalist painter Dan Walsh exhibit their contemporary works in May and June, respectively. In July, the museum celebrates the generosity of contemporary art collectors Dorothy and Herb Vogel, who gave the RISD Museum 50 works from their collection as part of their Fifty Works for Fifty States project. And in September, a major exhibition on American Landscape Photography examines aesthetic shifts throughout history through the lens of American landscape photographers, while celebrating a recent gift of photographs from the collection of the late landscape photographer Joe Deal.
 

For more information, visit risdmuseum.org



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Crystal Expands Asian Specialty Cuisine

In accordance with Crystal Cruises’ tradition of bringing high-quality, authentic international experiences to its guests in unique ways, the luxe line has announced the addition of “Chinese comfort food” to its Crystal Serenity cruise ship.  Debuting as a casual dinner option in the ship’s Tastes café, the menu of traditional, “down home” Chinese food, such as steamed dumplings, noodles, soups, fried rice and vegetables, is a more relaxed, regional dining experience to complement Crystal’s upscale Nobu specialty restaurant.  Under the direction of Malaysian chef Jennifer Pei Vun Lee, the program debuts on Crystal Serenity’s 2012 World Cruise in January. 

 

In development for more than a year and a half, Crystal’s food & beverage team visited dumpling and noodle restaurants throughout Asia, researched head chefs, planned challenging sourcing of ingredients, and investigated the necessary equipment for the highest quality execution of the cuisine.  

“Those with sophisticated palettes enjoy exploring specialties from other parts of the world, including the ‘comfort food’ of international destinations,” says Crystal Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations Toni Neumeister.  “This simple, but exciting, menu provides something for everyone when, and if, they want to take a break from dinnertime ‘fine dining’ during their cruise.  Luxury these days isn’t always about lavish; it’s more about authenticity, which this delivers.”

Among the dim sum-like delicacies are:

• Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shiaomai
• Steamed Mushroom Vegetarian Dumpling
• Singapore-style Stir-Fried Noodles

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal vacation.  Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity’s extensive, innovative choices for gourmandizing include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars, overseen by on-board, certified cheese and wine sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); fresh, chef-like cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea or in specialty restaurants Prego or Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road and Sushi Bar.

For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.

Source: Crystal's Media Center

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Buccaneer Resort Launches 65th Anniversary with Four "Legends & Luxury" Packages for Couples, Families, Spa-lovers and Those Who Want it All

“Legends & Luxury” is a new collection of four packages that highlights St. Croix's history and heritage, and the new luxury enhancements of The Buccaneer resort, celebrating its 65th anniversary throughout 2012 as the Caribbean’s longest-running resort.

Courtesy of The Buccaneer resort

Created for couples, families, spa-lovers and those who want it all, the four “Legends & Luxury” packages – Immersion, Indulgence, Romance, and Family – feature exceptional resort value and the historic and environmental treasures of The Buccaneer and St. Croix. Each package includes: breakfast buffet each morning; daily Kids Camp for 4 to 12 year olds; use of snorkels, kayaks and floating mats at the beach; scuba lessons; welcome rum punch at check-in; general manager’s cocktail reception (Tuesday), and a nature and history tour of the resort.

“Legends & Luxury: Immersion,” for those who want it all, features five nights in the resort’s top-of-the-line beachside Doubloons, two 50-minute spa treatments, a sunset sail, dinner for two with wine, an 18-hole game of golf, three hours of tennis, and a rental car for five days. Four island experiences are also included: a private island tour with lunch, a half-day snorkel trip to the renowned coral reef at Buck Island, and a choice of two of three activities – kayak tour, scuba diving or horseback riding -- at scenic sites. The package is $6,125 January 22-April15, and $4,520 April 16-December 16, based on double occupancy. Additional nights are available at special prices.

The four-night “Legends & Luxury: Family,” one of The Buccaneer’s most value-oriented packages, includes two connecting oceanfront rooms with private patios for up to two adults and four children under 18, a car rental for the entire stay and daily Kids Camp for 4 to 12 year olds. Kids Camp, complete with its own clubhouse, trained counselors, indoor and outdoor creative activities, naps and lunches, offers a “separate but equal” resort experience for children. The four-night package is $5,910 January 22-April 15, and $4,010 April 16-December 16.

“Legends & Luxury: Indulgence” focuses on spa treatments inspired by the Caribbean seaside setting. Guests may add the “Indulgence” package to their accommodations of choice for $665, double. It includes a Sea Silk body polish using marine products, aromatherapy massage, a cleansing facial, and a mani/pedi. The package also includes gentle fitness: Yoga for two at the historic Sugar Mill or on the beach, and a guided morning stroll through The Buccaneer’s scenic estate. “Indulgence” guests receive a large bottle of Noni, oil from an ancient, tropical medicinal plant with healing properties for the skin.

“Legends & Luxury: Romance” is offered as an add-on to accommodations for $1,100 for two people, and features a one-category room upgrade with a guaranteed king bed; private airport transportation to and from The Buccaneer; in-room welcome champagne and chocolate; in-room couples’ massage, and a sunset sail. Three meals are included: lunch at the beachside Mermaid restaurant; three-course Terrace dinner with wine, and a picnic lunch at The Buccaneer’s secluded Whistle Beach. “Romance” also features a half-day sail to the renowned coral reef national monument Buck Island, and a one-day car rental to explore the island’s historic and cultural landmarks. Finishing touches to the package are the gift of two plush bathrobes and a late check-out.

The historic Buccaneer is owned and managed by the Armstrong family for 65 years, and recognized by the National Trust as a Historic Hotel of America. The resort's 138 spacious, elegant rooms are spread over 340 acres with stunning views of the beach.

To check in to the Buccaneer Resort, visit http://www.thebuccaneer.com.

MidWinters Night Dream Art Exhibit at The Chocolate Church Art Gallery on January 20-May 3, 2012

The Chocolate Church Art Gallery has an inspiring new focus for 2012.The planned seven Art Exhibits will be seasonal or Maine inspired and each exhibit will feature a mix of disciplines. A dreamy white winter theme kicks off the season with the exhibit, 'A Midwinter's Night Dream'. You are invited to enjoy wintertime with several featured Maine Artists and their interpretations of this special season on January 20 - May 3.. The following artists are included in 'A Midwinter's Night Dream': 

• John Orcutt - intimate winter landscape photography 
• Sally Loughridge - oils and pastels 
• Kevin Mizner - oil paintings 
• Diana Johnson - oil paintings 
• Sara Cox - ceramics 
• Scott Redfern - acrylic paintings 
• Ann Thompson - hand fabricated pewter table and wall accessories 
• Allison Shutts - ceramics 
• Susan Mills -felt/mixed media

The Chocolate Church Art Gallery will have a very special opening reception January 20th. It will be a visual celebration of artists, their artwork and community.

For more information, visit www.chocolatechurchgallery.blogspot.com

Source: Press Release (Maine Arts Commission)

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The prestigious Marlin University, Marlin magazine's annual billfishing school, comes to Cap Cana, Dominican Republic May 7-12, 2012.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is pleased to welcome the prestigious Marlin University, Marlin magazine's annual billfishing school, to Cap Cana, Dominican Republic May 7-12, 2012.  

The event selects five top offshore fishing destinations to host the educational sessions, and this year Marlin U's staff chose Dominican Republic, the Caribbean's most visited destination, and the luxurious and newly opened Fishing Lodge Cap Cana, part of Salamander Hotels' Grand Resorts at Cap Cana collection, on the country's beautiful East Coast.

With one of the most expansive coastlines and nearly 1,000 miles of diverse coastal environments, Dominican Republic is a top destination for deep sea fishing. The country's East Coast attracts year-round marlin species due to its location along the Mona Passage as well as the area's unbelievable eddies and upwellings. 

"Dominican Republic boasts a strong white marlin fishery from March through July along the western edge of the Mona Passage, conveniently located along Cap Cana. Marlin University has selected Cap Cana for their 2012 educational series, which is attended by avid anglers, due to its prime location," said Magaly Toribio, Vice Minister of International Promotion, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "The event will help to inform visitors and anglers alike that our tropical fishing paradise offers a sport fish population that rivals any in the world, and our white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters are sure to enchant the anglers and their guests."

Anglers will fish side-by-side with some of the industry's top pros in aims of further perfecting their skills. Dave Ferrell, editor at Marlin magazine added, "Over the last several years, the numbers of small blues and white marlin caught off the coastline warrant a Marlin University session. We are about getting the bite and we think Dominican Republic will be a good place to get our students a number of shots each day."

"Fishing Lodge Cap Cana is the perfect location for fishing and angling," said Hendrick Santos, managing director at Grand Resorts at Cap Cana. "As the area's newest resort, we feature spectacular villa accommodations that surround Cap Cana's beautiful marina." 

To learn more about Marlin University and to register for the Dominican Republic program, visit www.marlinuniversity.com.

Source: via PR Newswire

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Celebrity Inside Access presents an inside look into modern luxury at sea

Guests onboard Celebrity Cruises can now have an inside look into the fascinating world of cruise ship operations. A new addition to the unique and robust Celebrity Life onboard activities program, “Celebrity Inside Access” takes guests on a once-in-a-lifetime journey behind the scenes of Celebrity’s renowned fleet, inviting them to discover the intricate details and functions behind modern luxury at sea. Celebrity’s Inside Access program invites guests to join two intimate and exclusive activities, the “See How It’s Done Tour” and the “Bridge Sail Away Experience.”

Designed to provide a thorough and rich three-hour experience, the See How It’s Done Tour guides an intimate group of guests through several otherwise non-public areas of the ship, including the bridge, mooring deck, crew gym, theater, engine control room, prep rooms and the main dining room galley. At each area of the tour, guests have the opportunity to interact with expert members of the Celebrity crew. Each tour is followed by a savory wine-paired lunch hosted by an officer in the main dining room.

The Bridge Sail Away Experience presents the opportunity for vacationers to join the navigational team on the bridge as the ship sails away from port. Beginning 30 minutes before and concluding 30 minutes after departing, guests are given a tour and an overview of the bridge conducted by a senior Celebrity bridge officer. Guests also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the ship’s captain. “Celebrity has dedicated itself to providing guests with the finest in culinary experiences, award-winning service and engaging onboard activities,” said Simon Weir, Director of Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises. “Now, with the addition of Celebrity Inside Access, vacationers can also satisfy their curiosity and gain rare, behind-the-scenes insight into a Celebrity ship’s inner workings.”

The Celebrity Inside Access program is offered on all ships and available for purchase onboard.

Visit Celebrity Cruises at http://www.celebritycruises.com

Source: Celebrity Cruises 

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"Traditions of Nature" is the 2012 Theme for the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show

Traditions of Nature is the theme for the upcoming Connecticut Flower & Garden Show.

This year's event is set for Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Connecticut Convention Center on 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford.

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2012 International Boston Seafood Show, March 11-13, 2012

Each year, 18,000 buyers and sellers from more than 120 countries, and over 900 exhibitors, come together in Boston to do business at North America's largest seafood trade event.  Here, buyers find the newest fresh, frozen, and packaged seafood products and processing equipment, stay on top of emerging consumer trends, meet suppliers, and build important relationships to grow their businesses.

Courtesy of Diversified Business on YouTube

Event:

International Boston Seafood Show / Seafood Processing America 2012

Dates:

Sunday, March 11, 2011 10am-5pm

Monday, March 12, 2011 10am-5pm

Tuesday, March 13, 2011 10am-3pm

Where: Boston Convention & Exposition Center Boston, MA USA

For more information, visit  http://www.bostonseafood.com


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Looking for food related events in New England? A myriad of food events & festivals can be found at www.newenglandfoodadventures.blogspot.com.

Official Meeting Planning Site Of New Hampshire Relaunched

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) recently announced the re-launch of its official meeting planning site of New Hampshire at visitnh.gov/meetings. The site has been redesigned to help visitors more efficiently find options for their meeting or group gathering in New Hampshire. The meetings site also includes a “Special Offers” Page, linking users to money-saving packages.

“The original site, which launched in the spring of 2009, has been very popular among meeting planners,” said Lori Harnois, Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism Development, (DTTD). “With the support and involvement of property owners throughout the state, we believe this new and improved site will draw even greater numbers of people looking for the perfect New Hampshire venue for their gathering.”

Key features and capabilities of the website include:
• Search hundreds of venues and services throughout New Hampshire.
• Search venues and services by type, radius from a city or town, tourism region and by
keyword.
• Sort venues by total meeting space; total number of meeting rooms, size of largest meeting room, total overnight rooms, and by venue with outdoor meeting space.
• Property profiles show images, Google maps, detailed descriptions, and display icons to show which venues have golf or a spa, a restaurant, internet access, onsite catering and A/V, and if they meet sustainable standards.
• Search for exclusive deals and special offers.
• Watch videos and photo slideshows.
• Sign up to receive information quarterly on news, alerts, and special deals for meetings in New Hampshire.

“Our goal is to give people the tools they need to make the most of their New Hampshire event – including profiles of dynamic meeting sites and diverse accommodations statewide,” said Harnois. “This site makes event planning simple, efficient and enjoyable; and New Hampshire offers a wide array of venues – from stately grand hotels to cozy inns and B & Bs to ski resorts, scenic cruises, historic mansions or rustic retreats.”

Meeting planners can also access meetings services vendor listings on the site such as audio/visual specialists, caterers, printers, rental supply companies.

Source: visitnh.org


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