10 weird laws from around the world

Weird laws—from a stiletto ban in Greece to the pinball crackdown in South Carolina—give travel a unique flavor. They're a way for destinations to look travelers square in the face and say, "We do things a little differently around here." We've rounded up 10 surprisingly strange laws from around the world to help you avoid fines, jail or spending your next vacation on the lam.

South Carolina

Illegal: Pinball for minors

If Footloose ever needs a sequel, South Carolina is ready with the plotline. The state allows teenagers to dance (we think), but no one under 18 better shimmy anywhere near a pinball machine. In a place where an old-timey arcade game like pinball is illegal for minors, what's next? Malts? Going steady?

Rome

Illegal: Eating and drinking near landmarks

It's like that time when you were five and spilled ice cream on the rug in the living room, and your mother yelled, "This is why we can't have nice things!" Except substitute Rome for your mom, and imagine the Pantheon instead of a rug. Fed up with drippy picnickers, Rome is now enforcing a municipal ordinance outlawing eating and drinking in areas of "particular historic, artistic, architectonic and cultural value." That Nutella gelato may be amazing, but unless you think it's worth $650, steer clear of landmarks (including the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum) until you're between cones.

Dubai

Illegal: Sharing a hotel room outside of marriage

Significant other. Friend with benefits. These relationship qualifiers are your one-way ticket to separate rooms in Dubai. It's against the law in the United Arab Emirates to share a hotel room with (or live with, for that matter) someone of the opposite sex unless you're married or closely related. On the upside, you won't have to fight over that single luggage stand in the room.

The ancient Parthenon temple, in the Acropolis hill in Greece.(Photo: Petros Giannakouris, Associated Press)

Greece

Illegal: Stiletto heels

Fact: No woman in heels wants to be compared to an elephant. So it's an uncomfortable truth that the pressure a stiletto heel exerts on the ground is much greater than that of a walking elephant. For that reason, Greece is taking a hard line on high heels, with a policy that prohibits shoes that "wound the monuments." The new guidelines will help preserve ancient sites like Athens' Odeon of Herod Atticus for new generations of sensible-shoe wearers.

Netherlands

Illegal: Soft drugs

Because complicated rules and being high go so well together, the Netherlands has come up with an increasingly complex set of policies around smoking "soft" drugs like marijuana and hash. This year, the country introduced a law banning tourists from buying marijuana. Amsterdam, however, is having none of it. The mayor recently announced that Amsterdam will continue to welcome tourists at the city's more than 200 coffee shops, where soft drugs are sold and smoked.

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Illegal: Spitting in public

Daytona Beach wants you to stroll down its sidewalks confident that no stranger's projectile mucous is careening your way. The city's code of ordinance decrees that it does not allow "any person to expectorate upon the streets or sidewalks or in public buildings or places within city limits." So walk tall, secure in the knowledge that you're not going to slip in someone else's spit.

Thailand

Illegal: Stepping on currency

See a penny, pick it up, right? In Thailand, the second verse of the rhyme would go, "And whatever you do, don't step on it. Seriously." Thailand reveres its king—photographs of the monarch are always hung high in a room as a mark of honor and respect, and it's illegal to criticize the king. Since his likeness is on all currency, stepping on money is akin to stepping on the king's face. So, clearly: not cool.

Venice

Illegal: Feeding the pigeons

You know what would be great? If Venice could outlaw pigeons. Since it can't do that, the city has instead cracked down on those who feed the birds. The new law ends a long tradition of pigeons landing on tourists who are willing to exchange some avian bacteria for a photograph or two.

Canada

Illegal: Penny overuse

Poor Canadian piggy banks, straining under the weight of all those unusable pennies. Across the provinces, it's illegal to use more than 25 pennies in a transaction—something to remember next time you're trying to use up all your Canadian currency at the end of a vacation. Need more proof that the penny is Canada's most unloved tender? The government announced earlier this year that it would soon begin phasing out the one-cent coin.

Singapore

Illegal: Chewing gum

Unless you're blowing those bubbles under a doctor's orders, you're in violation of Singapore's strict ban on chewing gum. If you're thinking that you'll just sneak some in to chew in the privacy of your hotel room, know that smuggling gum into the country is a serious offense as well. We can only imagine that this granddaddy of weird laws has inspired a thriving industry of mint manufacturers.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Preparation Tips for Going On Vacation

Typical vacation planning involves selecting the right hotel, making flight arrangements and purchasing tickets for events and attractions. While the dizzying array of vacation options can keep you focused on your trip, it’s also important to prepare your home for your time away. Before heading off to your destination, you want to make sure everything will run smoothly in your absence so you can really leave home behind while you're relaxing and rejuvenating. Keep your family, friends and coworkers at bay during your trip by including advance planning on your to-do list, before your vacation has begun.

Step 1

Make arrangements for pets, plants and mail. If you are leaving pets at your house to be tended to, have your pet sitter water the plants and pick up the mail. You can also use Aqua Globes or other types of devices that will water your plants in your absence. If you won’t have anyone tending to the house, contact the U.S. Postal service to arrange to have your mail held until you return.

Step 2

Take advance care of family members you are leaving behind. If you are leaving children or a spouse at home, make sure they have everything they might need while you’re gone. Freeze a few favorite casseroles to give them a taste of your cooking even while you’re away. Leave a photo of yourself with small children, who will be reassured by seeing your face each day. Leave detailed instructions with your caregiver for everything from snack preferences to bedtime routines to minimize disruptions.

Step 3

Tie up loose ends at work. Set up an away message for your e-mail and voice mail, giving your return date and the names and numbers of coworkers who can be contacted in your absence. Give a copy of important files to a contact in your department who can act on your behalf while you're away. Place other information that coworkers might need in brightly colored, clearly labeled files on top of your desk so they don't need to rummage through your drawers. A short list of the contents of each folder will encourage coworkers to replace anything they remove or copy, and also ensure you can tell if anything's missing when you return.

Step 4

Send out an itinerary and instructions for reaching you. Let your family know where you will be at all times. Give them flight numbers, hotel names and addresses and a rough schedule of your activities. Arrange for a way for them to reach you in the event of an emergency. Make sure they have the phone numbers for the places you're staying as a backup to your cell phone number. If you will be hiking or camping, schedule regular check-in times for calling your family.

Step 5

Set up payment for bills that are due while you’re away. The last thing you want to come home to is a disconnection notice or unexpected late fee. Most bills can be scheduled online for payment on the appropriate day. If you cannot schedule bill payment for while you’re gone, pay the bill early.

Step 6

Clean out the refrigerator. Toss out leftovers as well as any items that will expire before you return. Limit your grocery shopping in the weeks leading up to your vacation to the bare essentials. Keep the ingredients for at least one or two meals in the freezer so you won’t have to go on a last-minute shopping trip as soon as you get home.

Step 7

Purchase timers for three or four lights throughout the house and set them to go off at various intervals. This will help the house look lived in while you’re away. You should also arrange for a friend or neighbor to mow the lawn if you will be gone for an extended period of time, as an unkempt yard is a big indicator for burglars that a house may be unattended.

Supreme Clientele Travel

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Tips on How To Save On A Cruise

The high cost of a dream cruise vacation can leave you feeling a little queasy before you even set sail. (And let's not mention the add-ons!)

Here's some sage advice about how to save big before boarding.

Book early

By reserving six to 12 months ahead of your cruise, you can lock in an early-bird rate that's 25 to 50 percent lower than the published "brochure" rate most lines advertise. You'll also have a wider selection of itineraries, dates and cabins, and possibly get better deals on airfare and hotels. If prices go down after you book, a good travel agent -- or the cruise line itself -- should help you get the new lower rate.

Or book late

Yes, it runs completely counter to what we just said about booking early, but if you wait 60 to 90 days before you want to sail, cruise lines often drop prices significantly to fill any remaining spaces on their ships. If you're willing and able to white-knuckle it, this is when you can nab a weeklong Caribbean cruise for under $500. But of course, you won't have as much choice of itinerary or cabin, it may be tricky to find a low airfare to your port, and last-minute fares are typically nonrefundable.

Request a discount

Asking the right questions can work magic. If you're a return customer, mention it when booking and politely inquire whether you're eligible for a discount -- it can shave 5 to 15 percent off your fare. Since cruise prices are based on double occupancy, a third or fourth person in your cabin should get a 30 to 60 percent discount. If you're 55 or older, don't be shy about asking for a 5 percent discount; likewise, active and retired servicemen and women should always ask if the line offers them savings.

Use a travel agent

Sites like Kayak and Expedia have put you in the driver's seat -- sometimes literally -- but don't underestimate the role a good agent can play in finding you the right deal. Many have reserved spaces they can sell you at a discount, and they can explain whether an advertised "free" upgrade or all-inclusive package is for real or just a ploy. They can also advocate for you if rates drop after you've booked your cruise.

Go big

Large groups -- like family reunions at sea -- can be complicated to pull together, but they can also knock big bucks off the price of cabins. A group of 16 people in eight cabins, for instance, can sometimes get a steep discount on the 16th fare, or in some cases a free berth. For large groups, booking a year in advance is advised to ensure you get the block of cabins you want.

Try shoulder season

You won't save a ton, but sailing when most folks stay home can nab you a modest bargain -- maybe 10 percent off typical high-season rates. Here are the best times to find deals in four highly popular cruise regions:

Caribbean: September and October, the non-holiday weeks in December, and early January to Presidents' Day.

Europe: Mid-March and April, September to December

Alaska: May and September

Bermuda: April and October

 

Royal Caribbean    Norwegian Cruise Line   Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruises    Cruise Deals

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Travel Tips on How Eat to Healthy While Traveling

It's easy to give up on your diet or general healthy eating plan while you're traveling. Whether the trip is for leisure or business, the constant rush of activities may make it tempting to stop at a fast-food outlet whenever hunger strikes, or indulge in unhealthy snacks or beverages. But if you keep healthy food choices at bay, you may maintain a healthy regimen during your travels with no regrets.

Step 1

Pack your own meal on the airplane flight or mode of transportation of your choice. This provides you with an alternative to eating the expensive and typically unhealthy prepared meals offered through the airline. Bring protein- and nutrient-dense dry food that won't easily leak or get smashed in your bag. Examples include nuts, protein bars and firm fruit, like apples.

Step 2

Drink plenty of fluids during your trip. If you can, choose water over other beverages while you're in transit. Milk and juices are adequate, but avoid soda and an excess amount of alcoholic beverages. Avoiding the latter is especially important for minimizing travel-related health conditions, such as jet lag.

Step 3

Stock your hotel room with bottled water, fresh fruit and healthy snacks like granola bars or fiber cookies. Doing so helps remove the temptation to raid the room's mini bar, and can be indispensable for staving off hunger between business meetings or tourist activities.

Step 4

Avoid fast-food outlets. Though they may be a comforting choice when you're in a new city, these kind of meal options are often high in fat and calories, and more importantly, they may cheat you out of experiencing the local culture. Wherever you decide to eat, focus on meals that incorporate healthy components, like fresh vegetables and lean proteins.

Step 5

Don't forget to eat breakfast. This is usually easier said than done in the whirlwind of a vacation. However, breakfast helps prime your system and prepares you for a full day of activities or business meetings. If your hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, choose a high fiber and protein meal, such as whole grain toast with peanut butter, to give you instant energy and fill you up until lunch. This way you may reduce the temptation to snack in a few hours' time.

Supreme Clientele Travel

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Seaworld Orlando Sets New Special Acts Just for Kids

SeaWorld Orlando announced a new concert line-up for its Just For Kids festival,, Saturdays, Jan. 12-Feb. 2.  The 2013 Just For Kids concert lineup includes: Saturday, Jan. 12, Imagination Movers; Saturday, Jan. 19, Laurie Berkner – Solo Performance; Saturday, Jan. 26, Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve; Saturday, Feb. 2, Kratt Brothers Live Featuring the stars of Wild Kratts.

Concerts are included with park admission, with show times at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at SeaWorld’s Nautilus Theater. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates 10 parks across the U.S. including SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Traveling with Children Holiday Tips

Keep planning simple: Traveling with kids in tow involves many details. To make the process easier, consider using a travel agent, who can recommend vacation destinations tailor-made for your family's interests and budget, find great deals on airfare and hotels, and fill you in on the latest airport security news.

Make getting to your destination fun: Use time traveling together for zany sing-alongs, family storytelling sessions and scavenger hunts. Parents can draw up a list of things you might expect to see from a car or plane, such as two-toned cows, a car toting a Christmas tree, or a man wearing a red hat, then have the kids vie to see who spots the items first. For the ultimate treat, splurge on a portable DVD player, and watch a new holiday movie in transit, the just-released A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is a good bet this winter.

Pack a fun bag: Assemble a bag for each child containing stickers, paper and washable markers, poseable figurines (that don't have a lot of pieces), magnetic games and puzzles, and a pillow. If you use these particular bags for trips only, they'll remain novel, and kids will look forward to the journey.

Break up the trip with frequent stops: Playgrounds, indoor fun centers, and family restaurants are good bets. AT&T Wireless even offers new M-Mode cell phone services that let customers access the locations of nearby fast-food restaurants, movie schedules, restaurant reviews, directions and even weather reports. For more info visit www.attwireless.com/personal/features/mmode/.

Make a memory box: Bring an empty shoebox along to store items you'll collect along the way, such as seashells, rocks, funny postcards, and marked-up road maps. When you get home, label the box with the trip destination and date, and you'll have a great souvenir of your time together.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Tips for Baby's First Flight

If you’re bringing your baby home to meet the family for the first time this year, you’re probably anxious about weathering that first flight. The truth is, most parents are surprised at how well their young babies do on flights, and many infants are content to let the gentle motion of the plane and the soothing hum of the engine lull them to sleep. Here are some tips to help you set yourself and baby up for a smooth flight.

Bringing Baby food and Formula through Security

You can bring as much baby food or formula through the airport security checkpoint as you think you will need (you still need to remove it from your bag so that it can be seen by TSA agents,) but note that agents may open any containers over four ounces. My recommendation is to pack only containers that are 100 grams or smaller. Remember to bring along enough for your flight and what you'll need in transit from the airport to your final destination, then add a little more in case of flight delays. If you’re bringing powdered formula, buy bottled water after security—the tap water on a plane is not considered safe to drink.

Pack an Extra Shirt for You

You probably already have a change of clothes for your son or daughter in your diaper bag, but what about you? Air pressure changes can wreak havoc on little tummies, and I’ve learned from experience that it’s no fun to step off a plane with a child perfectly changed while mom is dressed in clothing fashioned from a baby blanket.

Pack Light and Organized

It’s tempting to throw everything you might possibly need into your carry-on bag, but nothing wears you out faster than lugging that extra weight through the airport or having to search through a mountain of gear to find the one thing you do need. Instead, try to choose items that do double duty (your down jacket, for instance, might also work as a blanket) and keep things organized in purpose-specific pouches or pockets. Remember that your child will probably be fascinated with the airplane and the people nearby, so you might not need to pack as many toys as usual.

Talk your way through the tricky parts

Getting through security and onto a plane can be disorienting, especially if mom and dad seem frazzled. Even if your child isn’t old enough to understand all the details, it’s worth narrating what is happening; just hearing the sound of your voice can be soothing for everyone.

Feed During Takeoff and Landing

The air pressure changes during takeoff and landing can hurt babies' ears. If your child is awake, either nursing or a bottle will help clear ears, and may just put your infant to sleep in your arms. If your little one isn't hungry, a pacifier or even sucking on a finger works well, too.

A Paid Seat Is Safest

Though regulations allow children under age two to sit on a parent’s lap, the safest place for a baby is buckled into a car seat in his or her own airplane seat. If another ticket isn’t within your budget, consider reserving a window and aisle spot near the back of the plane. With any luck, that middle seat will remain open, and you can install the seat. If not, you’ll gate check the car seat just before takeoff.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

European Ski Lodges

As temperatures drop and days shorten in the northern hemisphere, it can only mean one thing: the European ski season is almost upon us.

With so many options -- both in terms of chalets and resorts -- and a huge range of prices to navigate, it's all too easy to book the wrong thing. Whatever your skill level, group size or budget, here are some of Europe's best mountain lodges for the coming season.

San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge, Dolomites, Italy

Lodge: Built in the 16th century as a bishop's hunting lodge, San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge is now a family-run, four-bedroom mountain retreat where everything is done to the very highest level.

There's a helipad (which means a seven-minute commute to the slopes), a wine cellar in what was the old goat shed (now goat-free and stocked with 1,500 bottles of local wine) and a mini-spa complete with a Finnish sauna and Turkish bath. At 1,200 meters above sea level, the panoramic views of three valleys are best enjoyed from the heated outdoor whirlpool.

Resort: Ideal for beginners or pros, the Italian Dolomites have 1,500 kilometers of skiable slopes.

Best for: A splash-out, outdoorsy, foodie ski holiday.

Price: From €2,400 (US$3,100) per day.

Contact: Locality Elle 23 39030, San Lorenzo di Sebato, Italy; +39 (0) 474 404042; www.sanlorenzomountainlodge.com

Chalet Marithé, Chamonix, France

Lodge: With six en-suite bedrooms and an al-fresco hot tub, Chalet Marithé is perfect for groups of friends.

A short walk from Chamonix's bars and restaurants, the chalet itself is secluded, so no need to worry about keeping the noise down. Sun worshipers should make for the first-floor balcony to soak up some rays while admiring the peaks and glaciers.

Resort: With four different ski areas, Chamonix has no shortage of slopes. Skiers up for a challenge can book a glacier guide and take on the Vallée Blanche.

Best for: Extended families or groups of friends.

Price: From €3,500 (US$4,533) per week.

Contact: 15 Chemin Des Fontanettes, La Frasse, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France; +44 (0) 7920 445826; cruchaletschamonix.com

The Mooser Hotel, St Anton, Austria

Lodge: In a 300-year-old farmhouse, The Mooser Hotel is best known for its adjoining après-ski bar, the MooserWirt.

Packed with Euro-pop-loving, table-dancing, Jägerbomb-drinking skiers, the bar is lively until closing time at 8 p.m. This is the cue for hotel guests to retreat through a secret door into a haven of white interiors, soft beds and a spa with multiple saunas and an outdoor pool.

Resort: St. Anton is geared for hard-core skiers and hard-core partiers.

Best for: Anyone who wants to party and be pampered.

Price: From €110 (US$142) per person per night.

Contact: Unterer Mooserweg 2 6580 Sankt Anton am Arlberg, Austria; +43 (0) 5446 2644; www.mooserhotel.at

Monte Rosa Hütte, Zermatt, Switzerland

Lodge: With its glass and aluminum walls, the Monte Rosa Hütte almost melts into the Swiss and Italian Alps that surround it.

Simple and functional, 18 mini-dormitories (each with three bunk beds) are spread over three floors. The all-Swiss design creates 90 percent of its own energy with a stack of solar panels generating electricity and hot water, which, of course, comes from snow. The 10 p.m. curfew reminds you this is a functional mountain hut -- count yourself lucky there's a sauna.

Resort: Zermatt has 350 kilometers of slopes, including the Klein Matterhorn which, at 3,820 meters, is Europe's highest lift-serviced summit.

Best for: The adventurous and active.

Price: From CHF30 (US$32) per night.

Contact: Reachable only by foot, ski or helicopter, the Monte Rosa Hut sits at an altitude of 2,795 meters near the Swiss resort of Zermatt. Book via Zermatt Tourismus: +41 27 966 8100; www.zermatt.ch

Chalet Auriane, La Tzoumaz, Switzerland

Lodge: Split over two floors with views across the Rhone valley, Chalet Auriane sleeps 12 guests.

Fashioned from local stone and wood, this ski-in lodge has all the luxury extras: sauna, hot tub and private funicular that delivers you from slope to door and vice-versa. Full of quirky touches, such as a full-size papier-mâché tiger and white reindeer heads wearing ski goggles, the interiors come from London designer Hugh Berry, the genius who designed the inside of Fortnum & Mason.

Resort: The Four Vallées have 410 kilometers of runs and 89 lifts, all of which are covered by a single lift pass.

Best for: Families or groups of friends.

Price: From €1,021 (US$1,322) per person per week fully catered, excluding transfers.

Contact: La Tzoumaz, 4 Vallées, Switzerland; +44 (0) 7903 018 549; www.chaletauriane.com

Petite Marmotte, Courchevel, France

Lodge: A converted hay barn sitting on the slopes, the Petite Marmotte is Courchevel's only chalet for two.

Rustic, snug and romantic, this is a refuge where you can get back to basics -- cooking for yourself, sitting by the wood burner and snuggling up under the eaves. It's an antidote to the glitz of high-end lodges.

Resort: Courchevel has 10 black runs, 38 reds, 27 greens and 44 blues. There's also a runway on the slopes, so the super-rich can arrive in style, sans transfer.

Best for: Couples.

Price: From €2,000 (US$2,590) per week for full chalet including breakfast.

Contact: Courchevel 1650, Three Valleys, France; +33 (0) 637 343 875; www.leportetta.com

Le Petit Relais, Gstaad, Switzerland

Lodge: New this season, Le Petit Relais is a two-star ski-in, ski-out chalet.

The traditional wooden exterior contrasts with 11 bright, modern bedrooms. Compact and modern, this family-run hotel is changing the face of a traditionally high-end resort, opening it up to skiers on a budget. Food is simple, seasonal and homemade by the hostess.

Resort: This winter's new SuperPass means cheaper access to Gstaad's 220 kilometers of slopes.

Best for: Families or anyone on a budget.

Price: Double rooms from CHF80 (US$86) per person per night.

Contact: Familie Solveig Lanz and Thomas Kernen, Alte Strasse 8, 3777 Saanenmöser-Gstaad, Switzerland; +41 (0) 33 744 75 05; www.lepetitrelais.ch

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

New Transformers 3-D ride at Universal Orlando

You are needed in the fight to save humanity! The new TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride–3D at Universal Orlando® Resort is the greatest battle you will ever ride. This ultra-immersive sensory experience puts you on the front lines of an intergalactic war between the Autobots® and Decepticons®.

You will fight alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee as they protect the Allspark from being captured by the enemy. The line between fiction and reality blurs as epic high-definition 3D film is fused with flight simulation technology to redefine thrill rides. The battle continues Summer 2013 at Universal Orlando Resort.

Plan your Universal Studios Resort vacation now! Contact Me

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Top U.S. travel destinations for 2013

Attention American travel aficionados: There's no need to leave the United States to find the next hot destination.

With Lonely Planet's Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2013, innovative cuisine and drink, hopping art scenes and spectacular nature are available -- all without a passport. They include emerging destinations, locations that have something special for 2013 and longtime favorites with something new to offer visitors.

"U.S destinations are always going to be popular for U.S. residents," said Robert Reid, Lonely Planet's U.S. travel editor. "It's a big country and we don't have as much vacation time as Europeans."

So consider putting that limited time to good use at one of these top destinations:

Louisville is the new Portland?

Louisville, Kentucky, was named the top U.S. destination for 2013, following travel publisher Lonely Planet's discussions among its group of U.S. editors and authors. While they tend to debate entries into each year's Top 10 list, everyone agreed on Louisville, said Reid.

While many horse lovers descend upon this Southern town the first Saturday in May to witness the Kentucky Derby, also known as the "greatest two minutes in sports," there's more to Louisville than one horse race.

With its hip bourbon scene (including microdistilleries), fine dining and emerging East Market District, also known as NuLu, Louisville may just be the new Portland, Oregon. Reid said. Consider exploring the city via the Urban Bourbon Trail for a powerful introduction to Kentucky's famous spirit.

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); Eastern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10).

Lonely Planet's Best Value worldwide destinations for 2013

The top city to visit in 2013 is...

Nature is putting on a show

Fairbanks, Alaska, is the place to view the northern lights (aurora borealis) next year, when the sunspots put on a spectacular show in the sky. It's the end of an 11-year solar cycle so the show should be exceptionally beautiful. Go in late summer for the best view.

And people who haven't seen Glacier National Park yet should visit soon. Beloved by Montana residents and visitors alike, most visitors enjoy the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. However, the park's namesake glaciers are melting and could be gone by 2020 if the current warming trends continue, according to the National Park Service.

The Eastern Sierra in California is just beyond Yosemite, allowing for exploration of hot springs, a gold rush ghost town and the amazing Devils Postpile National Monument's 60-foot curtain of basalt columns made from rivers of lava.

Across the country, most visitors going to Maine stick to the shoreline. But the interior of northern Maine also has plenty for the active outdoors traveler. Not only is the Appalachian Trail's northern terminus located at Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, there are also miles of bike trails, canoe trips, rafting and a nearly 100-year-old steamboat ride at Moosehead Lake.

The Spiritual Journey of the Appalachian Trail

The food and drink are divine

The lovely San Juan Islands north of Seattle have been coined "the Gourmet Archipelago" by Lonely Planet guidebook author Brendan Sainsbury. The area has plenty of not-Seattle-like sunshine and lots of fresh, local food. High on the menus of local restaurants: locally farmed artichokes and marionberries and fresh-caught salmon, oysters and razor clams. Sainsbury recommends the Doe Bay Cafe on Orcas Island, and Willows Inn on Lummi Island.

Beyond the red rocks, crystals and spa culture of Arizona, Verde Valley is blossoming as a wine community. The new Verde Valley Wine Trail near Sedona connects four vineyards around Cornville in northern Arizona.

Classic American cities

Art is truly taking center stage in Philadelphia. True, the city has long had the Philadelphia Museum of Art with its Rocky-climbing steps. But with the move of the Barnes Foundation -- with its once-private collection of Cézanne, Matisse and Renoir -- into the city, Philly is now the place to explore art. And the gallery scene is exploding in emerging neighborhoods like Fishtown and Northern Liberties -- with a restaurant and bar scene to enjoy while you're there.

Minnesota's Twin Cities have long been known as bike-friendly, but the Nice Ride Minnesota bike-share system and its new bike lanes have made the region even more cyclist-friendly. Ride along the Mississippi River close to the headwaters and enjoy the beauty of the trails there.

Prince still stops by the Minneapolis clubs to hear the latest bands, Reid promised. And you can also enjoy a show at Minnesota Public Radio's Fitzgerald Theater (named after St. Paul native F. Scott Fitzgerald) where Garrison Keillor tapes "A Prairie Home Companion." Keillor's next show is February 2, 2013, but there's plenty of other entertainment there in the meantime.

Far away without a passport

While there's no need to have a passport when traveling to the U.S. territory of American Samoa, it will take most U.S. residents some time to get there. From already far-flung Hawaii, travelers take a nearly six-hour flight from Honolulu to Pago Pago on Tutuila.

It's not a place most people can afford to go, but it's worth your consideration for the trip of a lifetime, said Reid. "It's a dream South Pacific beach vacation," he said.

Tutuila offers incredible beaches, waterfalls and even the National Park of American Samoa, but Reid recommends jumping on a quick connecting flight to the 3-square-mile Ofu in the Manu'a Islands, which features white-sand beaches flanked by palm trees and surrounded by shark-tooth-shaped mountains. While the editors recommend visiting on Flag Day, April 17, when the island celebrates big time, snorkeling and pure Polynesian bliss is available almost anytime.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Christmas lights tour of Brooklyn

Tony Muia was born and raised in Brooklyn and always loved the Christmas lights of Dyker Heights, an Italian-American neighbourhood where proud locals cover their homes in twinkling bulbs and fill their front yards with life-size Santas and Nativity scenes.

Now he makes his living taking busloads of tourists from around the world to see these over-the-top holiday displays, playing Frank Sinatra on the bus and ending the night with a stop for cannolis and hot chocolate.

"Rockefeller Center, forget about it! Because I'm taking you deep in the heart of Brooklyn," he told a bus departing from Manhattan's Union Square on a recent night.

On board for the 10-mile (16 kilometres) trip to Dyker Heights and another Brooklyn neighbourhood, Bay Ridge, were 50 visitors from around the world (Australia, Japan, Holland, England, Northern Ireland) and the country (Utah, Texas, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Virginia, Florida, New York and New Jersey).

"Overwhelming! Over the top! All American!" was all Brigit DeBoer from Zeist, Holland, could say after wandering past three-story mansions draped from roof to sidewalk in shimmering lights.

Other displays featured a 14-foot-tall (4 metres) Santa, twinkling snowflakes, moving carousels, animatronic reindeer, candy canes and characters from "The Nutcracker." Some homeowners create a traditional Nativity scene with the Christ child in the manger as their centerpiece, while others take a more whimsical approach, like the man who puts a half-dozen dancing bears on his front lawn, one for each of his grandchildren.

For many tourists, Christmas in New York means the tree at Rockefeller Center, Macy's holiday windows and Radio City's "Christmas Spectacular" show. But those who booked Muia's tour — most of whom came across him online — said they were excited about going to Brooklyn.

"We've done Manhattan," said Robin Green of Fort Pierce, Fla. "We wanted to see something different."

"We have a few houses like this but not so many in one strip. It's incredible," said Julie Morgan of Sydney, Australia. "I've been to Brooklyn before but I would never have found this on my own."

In fact, Brooklyn has lately become a trendy destination for out-of-towners, with Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique hotels and neighbourhoods like hipster Williamsburg offering craft beer. But you won't encounter artists in porkpie hats and Converse sneakers on Muia's tour: This is old-school Brooklyn, home for the holidays.

And never mind artisanal concoctions like the Mexican-Japanese tacos found in Brooklyn's hipper spots. Muia takes his tour to the Bella Luna pizzeria for cannolis, a classic cream-filled Italian pastry. At least one visitor, Moe Takeuchi, visiting from Tokyo with her mom, found the cannolis quite exotic; she spent a long time taking pictures of her plate.

Muia, 48, grew up in an Italian-American family in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, and spent 20 years working in hospitals as a respiratory therapist before switching to the tour business in 2005. He introduces himself by saying: "I'm Tony. I got two younger brothers named Vinnie and Joey. You can't make this stuff up! I'm as authentic as it gets."

His company, called A Slice of Brooklyn, started with a pizza tour and added the Christmas lights tour in 2006. These days, he runs three to four buses a night, bringing thousands of tourists from Manhattan each season to see the lights.

Some homes on the tour still feature the inflatable Santas that have been around for years, while others display characters like Snoopy that were more popular a generation ago. But many residents on blocks where homes can go for $1 million or more hire professional decorators to use the latest in LED technology. On one front lawn, golden lights outlined every inch of manicured topiary, while outside another home, a stately tree was bejeweled in bright red lights from the highest branches to the roots. Professional displays can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 or more, depending on how elaborate they are.

At one home, a blinking light display was synchronized to the beat of "Jingle Bells" broadcast on a local radio frequency. And at the mansion owned by a man Muia called "Sam the Greek," holiday greetings were illuminated in three languages — English, Italian and Greek, Cyrillic letters and all.

How do homeowners feel about Muia as he tosses out comments like "You can probably see that house from space!" and "That house looks like a dessert!"? Judging from the affectionate hug Muia got from Lucy Spata as he passed her decked-out house, they like the attention.

At Muia's prompting, Spata retells the story of how her neighbours used to complain about the traffic the lights attract. Her response: "I told them to move."

Muia also tells inside stories as he walks along: This mansion was built by a car dealer for his daughter; that homeowner died of cancer and his wife does the lights up in his honour; and this one's married to a Jewish woman, so all the lights are blue instead of more traditional Christmas colours like red, green or gold.

Dale Pollard and his wife of Ogden, Utah, were the only ones on the tour who said their hometown has lights to rival Brooklyn. But one thing they don't have back in Utah, Pollard said, is "a house with blue lights that's Jewish."

More typical was the reaction of Nadia Boyer of Burke, Va.: "My house is going to look really lame when I get back home."

Tour Info:

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & CANNOLI TOUR: http://www.asliceofbrooklyn.com/christmas.html . Tours last 3 1/2 hours, departing nightly from Manhattan through Dec. 31. Tickets, $55. Advance booking required; tours often sell out.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Last Minute Cruise Deals

	Some incredible cruise deals have just become available and now is the perfect time to book your best vacation ever. But hurry, these deals won't last so book now! Contact Me

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Las Vegas

Las Vegas will ring in New Year 2013 by watching a firework display across the Strip. The show will be fired from the rooftops of seven resorts along the iconic boulevard: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, and the Stratosphere. Dubbed "America's Party," the event will be hosted by Las Vegas Events and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority with the fireworks display produced by "Fireworks" by Grucci of New York.

A musical performance by The Killers will take place at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Dec. 28-29, 2012 at 9 p.m. in The Chelsea Ballroom. In addition, The Red Hot Chili Peppers will perform on Dec. 31, 2012 at 11 p.m. The Black Keys will also play two shows at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with performances at 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 30-31, 2012 with special guest Divine Fits. Pitbull takes over the Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms Casino Resort on Dec. 28-29, 2012 at 8 p.m. Celine Dion performs a special New Year's Eve concert at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace at 7:30 p.m.

Partygoers can rock in the New Year with Fremont Street Experience's Downtown Countdown starting at 6 p.m. with a street party featuring Buckcherry and Queensryche plus special guests Quiet Riot, Pop Evil and Otherwise. The Downtown countdown also includes a 2012 year-in-review on the Viva Vision screen, and a midnight countdown led by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will host the grand re-opening of the Body English nightclub on Dec. 28, 2012, and will showcase indie, electronic, rock and pop music.

TAO Las Vegas at Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino will ring in the New Year with hip-hop sensation, J. Cole. LAVO Las Vegas at Palazzo Las Vegas will play host to Grammy award-winning artist Brandy.

Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas starts the New Year's Eve weekend with ATB on Dec. 28, 2012, Kaskade on Dec. 29, 2012, AVICII on Dec. 30, 2012, and Benny Benassi will be hosting the event.

There are also four nights of celebration at XS, the nightclub at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. Tiesto kicks it off on Dec. 28, 2012, followed by Steve Angello with Third Party on Dec. 29, 2012. Deadmau5 takes over the celebration on Dec. 30, 2012 with AVICII playing into 2013 on New Year's Eve.

N9NE Group Las Vegas will throw several parties at The Palms Casino Resort. Questlove and DJ Jazzy Jeff will get the crowd going at Moon Nightclub on Dec. 29, 2012. Kelly Rowland hosts an evening at Rain Nightclub also on Dec. 29 with the club's big bash on Dec. 31, 2012 with Travis Barker and Yelawolf acting as the New Year's Eve grand marshals.

Wynn Las Vegas will host an exclusive New Year's Eve soiree in the Lafite Ballroom starting at 9 p.m. In addition, the opening of Andrea's at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is scheduled for Dec. 28, 2012.

miX Lounge at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay will offer guests a front row seat of the fireworks. Located on the 64(th) floor of THEhotel restaurant and ultra-lounge will provide a prix fixe three-course menu complete with champagne, along with indoor and outdoor dining options.

Caesars Palace will be offering a variety of dining experiences for New Year's Eve, including the perfect place to countdown to midnight. Starting at 10 p.m., guests should arrive at Serendipity 3 to claim their seat.

Chef Gordon Ramsay will host a special five-course prix fixe menu at his Las Vegas flagship restaurant in Paris Las Vegas, which includes his signature dish, beef wellington rossini.

Inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino the party gets started at Tacos & Tequila with the ladies of FANTASY handing out complimentary Patrón tequila shots for all partygoers at 9 p.m. Rice & Company guests will be able to enjoy the New Year sushi roll with a glass of champagne. At nearby TENDER Steak & Seafood, the restaurant is offering steak, lobster and champagne specials.

Contact Me for more information or to book your Vegas vacation

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Family friendly cruises

By Gene Sloan

Looking for a cruise that will keep every member of the family happy? You need a ship that offers a range of activities for both the young and the old.

The good news is that nearly every cruise line has expanded its offerings for children in recent years as the market for family cruises takes off. On the biggest ships, it's no longer uncommon to have expansive on-board children's play areas broken down into separate zones for different age groups; multiple family-friendly pool areas; deck-top water parks with multiple water slides; video arcades and other kid-friendly amenities (Royal Caribbean's two latest ships, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, even have family-focused outdoor amusement areas called the Boardwalk with hand-carved wooden carousels, carnival games and an outdoor high-diving show).

In general, the biggest mass-market lines (with the biggest, most amenity-filled ships) also tend to be the best for families because of the sheer volume of child-friendly things to do on their vessels. Lines that operate smaller vessels, including the major luxury lines, generally offer fewer activities for children. In addition to Disney Cruise Line, which has staked its business on catering to families, large mass-market lines Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Princess are top choices for families due to the diversity and quality of their children's programs and on-board entertainment.

The Boardwalk area on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas offers two rock-climbing walls that passengers can try at no extra charge, along with a zip line.(Photo: Gene Sloan, USA TODAY)

Which specific ship is the best for your family? It'll depend, in part, on the age of your children. Some lines (Disney, for instance) are particularly appealing to families with younger children, while others are great for tweens and teens. Royal Caribbean, for instance, draws many families with older children due to its many teen-luring deck-top amusements such as rock climbing walls, miniature golf courses and (on its latest ships) surfing pools and zip lines.

MORE: How to pick the perfect cruise
MORE: Who wins the cruise ship entertainment smackdown?

Be warned that the family-friendliness of ships varies not just from line to line but within fleets. In general, the newest ships at the big mass-market lines tend to have the most family-friendly amenities. And at any given line, a bigger ship generally will have more children's attractions than a smaller one. There will be a lot more for children on Princess Cruises' 4-year-old, 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess than it's 13-year-old, 688-passenger Pacific Princess.

In a nod to larger families, several lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney have been adding more specialized family cabins that can hold five or even six people at a time (in contrast to the typical two- to four-person capacity of traditional cabins), and connecting cabins also are becoming come common. In recent years, several lines also have followed Disney in bringing characters on board some of their ships, notably Norwegian (with Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob) and Royal Caribbean (with DreamWorks characters such as Shrek). Disney cruises, of course, feature an array of Disney characters, including digital animated characters in kids clubs that converse with children.

MORE: Norwegian Cruise Line to revamp kids program
MORE: 'Horizon the limit' for DreamWorks-Royal Caribbean partnership
MORE: Five things on the Disney Dream that will leave you dreamy

Overall, if you've never been on a cruise ship before, you may be surprised by the depth of children's programs on many ships as compared to resorts on land. On the biggest ships operated by such lines as Carnival and Disney, it's not uncommon to have dozens of children's camp counselors on every cruise, and scheduled children's activities run from early in the morning until well past dinner time (usually for no extra charge).

Guests on board the Carnival Magic try out SkyCourse, the first-ever ropes course at sea in which participants can traverse suspended cables with views 150 feet to the sea below. The course is part of an expansive outdoor recreation area on the ship called SportSquare.(Photo: Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival, which carries more children than any other line, is typical in offering separate programs on every ship for those ages 2 to 11 (Camp Carnival); 12-14 (CircleC) and 15-17 (Club 02). Camp Carnival is broken into three groups, ages 2-5, 6-8 and 9-11, with each offering such counselor-led activities as finger painting, game playing, dance parties and talent shows. The tween group, Circle C, offers its own set of supervised activities, as does the teen-focused Club 02. On all Carnival ships, there are dedicated space for Circle C and Club 02, with the latter getting its own teen club with video monitors, non-alcoholic bars and dance floors.

Carnival says its children's counselors all have experience or education in child care, are trained in first aid and CPR, and undergo background checks before they're hired.

There is no charge for kids to attend the Carnival children's programs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. An after-hours program for 2- to 11-year-olds available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. costs extra.

ARCHIVES: Carnival to offer late-night kids program on cruise ships fleetwide

Until recently, few cruise lines offered programs for children under 2. But a growing trend among major lines is to offer day-care services for babies as young as 6 months old. Royal Caribbean's Royal Babies and Tots Nurseries, now on five ships (Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas) offers parents a by-the-hour drop-off option for babies as young as 6 months for an hourly charge.

Looking to plan your cruise vacation? Contact Me

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Real Life Winter Wonderlands

With presents to buy and families to visit, the holiday season can become an endless to-do list.

But take some of that vacation time to explore the holiday spirit in action. At these five wonderlands around the country and the world, you'll find the wonder of winter, the wonder of shopping and the wonder of Santa Claus up close.

White River National Forest, Minturn, Colorado

This year, the White River National Forest is known for two things. It's the most visited recreational forest in the country, a hub of skiing aficionados, thanks to nearby Aspen and Vail, and it's also the home of the 2012 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

Since 1970, the Capitol Architect has partnered with a different National Forest to choose a new tree for the Capitol lawn. This year it was White River.

"This was the first time that White River's ever had the privilege of providing it, so it was a big deal for us," said Bill Kight, a Forest Service spokesman.

The Capitol Tree tours the country during the holiday season before making its way back to Washington -- and it offers visitors a chance to see a piece of the White River National Forest on the move.

Those who see the forest itself should expect a different experience than in the warmer months, according to Aurora Palmer, who works in public affairs and sustainable operations at the park.

During the winter season, the major attractions include skiing, snowmobiling and sledding, as well as other icy sports. The park even gives out permits for those looking to cut down their own Capitol Tree.

"Fantasy of Lights," Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Callaway Gardens' "Fantasy of Lights" is entering its 21st year. The resort hasn't added a new scene to the massive lights display since 2000. And yet it has lost none of its holiday power.

"It's amazing to see the faces of the people as they come through the gates, and they leave, and they make those Christmas memories," said Callaway Gardens spokeswoman Rachel Crumbley.

The Georgia resort draws guests year-round. But "Fantasy of Lights" -- which includes 8 million lights in 15 seasonal scenes, making it one of the largest displays nationwide -- is special, Crumbley said, drawing both couples and families.

"It's just on such a grand scale," Crumbley said. "And with the music combined with the lights combined with the themes, I think it kind of resonates."

Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains see the majority of visitors between May and October, but that doesn't mean that the area is lacking when the weather gets colder.

Thanks to its proximity to the mountains, Lake Placid offers "just what the Adirondacks offer," said Kim Rielly, spokeswoman at the Lake Placid Convention and Visitors Bureau. That means a variety of outdoor recreation, in a park that stretches across 6 million acres.

That's equal to 6 million football fields, she said, although she says that's a conservative estimate.

In the last 100 years, Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice, and it remains a destination for the athletic. Still, Rielly called Lake Placid a "cool little alpine village in the middle of the wilderness."

At the center of town is an old ski jump, while the surrounding wilderness of the Adirondacks holds multiple museums for exploring and 43 peaks for hiking. One of them, Whiteface Mountain, is paved all the way to the top, so that families can visit the peak by car.

And from December 7-9, Lake Placid will host a "Holiday Village Stroll," featuring workshops, holiday story time, a "Jingle Bell Run" and more.

Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota

The Mall of America remains a destination for any holiday shopper, if only because of its size, featuring more than 500 shops.

But this year, the mall is adding to its seasonal appeal with the unveiling of the "HGTV Holiday House," a life-size gingerbread house.

Guests can explore the space, which will feature demonstrations, meet-and-greets and regular appearances from HGTV's stable of home décor and design personalities.

Beyond that, the mall is also hosting a Holiday Music Festival; and its multi-floor shopping selection, complete with an amusement park and larger-than-life Lego installations, dwarfs any other shopping experience as an indoor travel option.

Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi, Finland

Last on the list is a wonderland across the globe, "the official home of Santa Claus," at Rovaniemi in Finland.

It's not just a title: one of the town's main attractions is the Santa Claus Village. At the heart of the village is the Santa Claus Chamber, where Santa lives, ready to greet visitors.

One of the village's biggest draws is the Santa Claus Main Post Office, said Sanna Kortelainen, managing director for Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing.

"The Santa Claus Main Post Office is a real post office, which operates 365 days in the year," she said. "That is the place where all the letters to Santa are sent. The letters are opened by post elves and read through."

After that, guests can ride a sleigh or visit the reindeer farm or even explore the Arctic Circle, which begins at the edge of Rovaniemi.

The Christmas season is also the best time of year to visit, Kortelainen said. The season begins with a declaration from Santa on November 24 and goes into January, ending when the sun again begins to rise above the horizon.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Disney World’s Expanded Fantasyland Scheduled to Open Dec. 6

By Claudette Covey

The grand opening for Walt Disney World’s Fantasyland is set for Dec. 6. The expansion is the largest in the company’s history and is nearly doubling the size of Fantasyland from 11 to 21 acres. Storybook Circus, which is part of the expansion, opened earlier this year.

“Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made, where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends,” said Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, U.S. and France. “We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before.”

Visitors will be able totravel with Ariel and her friends through their adventures above and below the waves against a musical backdrop of songs from the film at Under the Sea -- Journey of the Little Mermaid.The new attraction combines the enduring appeal of a classic Disney “dark ride” with technological innovations to offer guests a personal journey into the scenes of the film. Visitors will feel as if they are descending below the ocean’s surface. Once under the sea, guests will become immersed in The Little Mermaid story, sharing Ariel’s adventure through a magical cast of characters and a captivating musical score. The fun continues at Ariel’s Grotto, a meet-and-greet with the mermaid heroine.

The castle of the Beast stands majestically upon a hill across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery and mysterious West Wing of the castle. With seating for 550, the facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full-service table dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

  Just outside the village is Maurice’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where an enchanted mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience. Guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”

Beyond 2012, there’s more in store for Fantasyland guests. Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature stone walls and stained glass windows, opening up into a large gallery -- an airy space with a high ceiling, where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to elegantly finished rooms to meet Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel (2013).

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The roller coaster will feature a first-of-its-kind ride system with a train of vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs (2014).

Storybook Circus, which is now open, includes a water play area, gift shop, character-greeting location, roller coaster and revamped Dumbo ride that now has an indoor queue lounge. Guests receive a pager that holds their place in line. Children have a playground and adults have comfy seating while they wait.

For more information on Disney Parks

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Book the Ultimate Spring Break Getaway with Adventures by Disney

Now is the perfect time to book the ultimate spring break getaway. And this spring, Adventures by Disney® is offering three exciting itineraries to Central and South America.

You can discover lush tropical rainforests, majestic ruins and the fascinating cultures that make Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands distinctive destinations for a family travel adventure.

Experience the world together, in ways every member of your family can enjoy. You'll spend time together on an Egyptian camel ride, take a private visit to a local pineapple plantation in Costa Rica or make pizza in Italy. We'll not only show your kids the world, we'll help them get to know it. They'll step into the pages of history, meet legendary figures and live timeless stories through unique activities designed just for them. Where else can a kid go on a scavenger hunt in the Louvre Museum or paint their own masterpiece in the shade of Monet's home? And because you know your kids are having a great time having fun and making friends, you'll be able to relax and do the same. Of course, there's also plenty of time build into each trip just when you'd want it. Every bit of your adventure has been crafted with everyone in mind.

Adventure Guides

To really know a place, you need to be immersed in its stories and legends. And when it comes to living out tales – true or mythical – there are no better storytellers than your Adventure Guides. Wherever you go and whatever you do – whether it's trying your hand at the age-old Greek traditions of cheese making or biking around the grounds of a historic French chateau – your Adventure Guides are there to share their knowledge, insights and passion for the places you visit.

From the moment you first meet your Adventure Guides, you know that you're in good hands. As the hosts of your trip, your Guides make you feel right at home – wherever you go. But more than the personal attention they provide, you'll appreciate your Guides' ability to bring you closer to the destinations you visit with their knowledge and knack for storytelling. By the end of your vacation, you'll feel like they've become part of your family.

Local Experts

Without people, places are just…well, places. On an Adventures by Disney vacation, you not only meet the locals – you're welcomed by them and are made to feel like one of their own. When an Andean weaver teaches you her craft; a Chinese Tai Chi master invites you to practice his art; or a South African bush ranger shows you how to track wild animals, you truly become a part of the places you visit.

For more info visit Supreme Clientele Travel

Request Form

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Las Vegas Zipline

Tourists will soon have a new way to see the lights of Las Vegas: By being spit out of the mouth of an 11-story slot machine and zinged down a five-block zip line past some of the city's oldest casinos.
Officials on Tuesday unveiled plans for a permanent zip line on the downtown Las Vegas promenade known as the Fremont Street Experience.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said the thrill ride dubbed SlotZilla was destined to become an iconic city landmark.
"This is going to be known around the world: Come ride our Slotzilla," she said, standing beside showgirls and a scale model at the unveiling.
The monster zip line will cost $11 million to build and between $20 and $30 to ride. Construction is expected to start in January.
The attraction, expected to open in June, is an expansion of a much smaller, temporary zip line that has for two years scooted families, newlyweds and Elvis impersonators beneath a long metal canopy that displays an hourly light show.
That ride was intended to be a 30-day novelty, but it proved such a crowd pleaser the business community began working to make it permanent.
Currently, riders launch four at a time from a 67-foot (20-meter) metal scaffolding and land 800 feet (244 metres) away near the Four Queens casino, halfway across the pedestrian mall that features the world's largest video screen.
The new tower will be twice as tall, feature twice as many lines, and will look like a giant slot machine spitting out disoriented tourists.
With each new batch of zip-liners, the handle will dip, the wheels will spin, and the doors will open, revealing the course to the tourists on top.
"If you're going to do something here, you have to do it bigger and better than anywhere else," said Fremont Street Experience marketing director Thomas Bruney.
Officials are betting the new attraction will lure more visitors the downtown area, which has struggled to compete with the flashier Strip three miles (less than five kilometres) away.
It is intended to reflect the "vintage Vegas" vibe that characterizes the promenade, nicknamed "Glitter Gulch" for the classic casino signs that glow amid the souvenir shops and buffet signs.
Riders will be able to stop halfway, or continue to the end of the 1,700 course, landing near the Golden Gate casino. They will have the option of flying along the lines in a horizontal "superman" position, and accelerating their ride using a new "power launch" system.
Bootleg Canyon Flightlines operates the current ride. The new structure will be built by the Hawaii-based company Skyline, better known for zip lines that span waterfalls and forests.

Book your Las Vegas vacation with Supreme Clientele Travel

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

New York City Says It's Open for Business

By James Shillinglaw

New York City, on the cusp of the popular Thanksgiving holiday parade, is officially stating it’s open for business and ready for tourists, after being hit by Hurricane Sandy two weeks ago. More than 95 percent of the city’s attractions, cultural organizations and other tourism related businesses have re-opened and are welcoming travelers. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Nov. 22, taking a new route down 6th Avenue. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree has been erected in Rockefeller Center, and the lighting will take place Nov. 28.

While some hotels in lower Manhattan, especially those in the Wall Street area were damaged and are under repair, most have reopened and all hotels above Wall Street are open for business. For a full listing of what’s open in New York, click on New York City attractions. For a full listing of New York City holiday activity can be accessed by clicking on New York City Holiday Season. Follow NYC & Company on Twitter @nycgo for the latest travel information or on Facebook at Facebook.com/nycgo,

Separately, South Street Seaport Museum, located in lower Manhattan, was damaged by the storm, but museum workers are reportedly working around the clock to re-open its doors as soon as possible. The museum reports the exhibitions and collections were completely unharmed; the seven historic vessels at the seaport are safe and secure; new exhibitions include a Street Photography Exhibit featuring hundreds of submissions from people across the globe. The museum hopes to open in the coming weeks. While the repairs will cost money, the damage was limited to electrical equipment. Donations in any amount to the Seaport Museum can be made at the museum’s website.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Walt Disney World Resort's Fantasyland Now Open!

Prince Eric's Castle is home to Ariel and her friends in Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid. This new attraction takes you through beautifully rendered scenes featuring classic songs from the popular animated feature film. And tucked into the rocks beyond Prince Eric's Castle, you can continue your journey "under the sea" with "the little mermaid" at Ariel's Grotto, a new character greeting location.
Click Here to view for more on Disney Parks

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Oakland traveler arrested for watch "art" that TSA thinks is timing device

By Jim Barnett

Art is not always in the eye of the beholder. That may be the lesson one Southern California man learned Thursday night at Oakland International Airport after he tried to get through a TSA security checkpoint wearing a watch fashioned to look like a timing device.

"The watch had a toggle switch, wires coming out of it and fuses," said Sgt. J. D. Nelson with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, which is leading the investigation.

The man was detained and then arrested for having the material to craft a bomb, the sheriff's department said.

The bomb squad was called and it was determined the man did not have a device "that could function."

KGO-TV, a CNN affiliate in San Francisco, reported the man said the watch was art.

The FBI in San Francisco is assisting with the investigation.

"No explosives were found," said Julianne Sohn, FBI spokeswoman. "He was arrested on local charges."

A law enforcement source told CNN the incident doesn't appear to have anything to do with terrorism. The official did not provide details about why the man had the suspicious device.

The discovery of the item "resulted in the closure of the Terminal 2 checkpoint," said Nico Melendez, TSA spokesman.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Supreme Clientele Travel's Valentine's Eastern Caribbean Cruise Vacation

Cue the calypso music. Escape the fall and winter chill by booking a Caribbean Cruise with our award-winning fleet sailing the crystal blue waters of The Caribbean. Choose from nine cruise ships, including Norwegian Breakaway & Getaway, four convenient departure ports, and itineraries that offer island time in paradise for Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean Cruises. And with all the choices and flexibility that come with Freestyle Cruising®, you have the freedom to find your own rhythm in the tropics.

What is Included?

•     From traditional fine dining to endless buffets with custom-order action stations, there is a host of delicious options included in your cruise fare. For an additional cover charge, you’ll have access to a world of possibilities including gourmet French, Japanese teppanyaki and an upscale steakhouse – up to 20 dining options in all on your Caribbean Cruise.
•     Blue Man Group, Second City® comedy troupe, Broadway-style shows, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a sports court, bars and lounges of all kinds, pools, hot tubs, kid’s centers, teen discos and more are all on board and included in your Caribbean cruise fare.
•     Flexible accommodations ranging from the affordable to the over-the-top opulence of our Suites & The Haven - all cruising in the hottest Caribbean cruise destinations.

Contact Form

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

5 interesting places to visit in Toronto for free

If you're visiting Toronto, you can't help but notice construction cranes, new condos and other signs of gentrification, like restaurants and bars popping up in new hipster 'hoods. But despite the upscale crawl, many of the city's best attractions are tried and true mainstays that can be experienced for free.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT

Formerly The Gooderham and Worts Distillery, the quaint East End area now known as the Distillery District has been turned into an enclave of art galleries, restaurants and boutiques offering one-of-a-kind fare such as hand-crafted jewelry housed in restored heritage Victorian buildings. Drop in at a gallery, stroll along the cobblestone streets in the warmer months to catch a free concert or check out the Christmas market when the frost sets in. The distillery may no longer be churning out spirits, but the charm of the neighborhood lifts the spirit of this otherwise industrial stretch of the city.

KENSINGTON MARKET

If your tastes are a little more eclectic and organic, make your way through bustling Chinatown to Kensington, where hippies, homegrown fare and hipsters happily coexist for the ultimate in people-watching. The original immigrant inhabitants have left their mark with a bevy of ethnically diverse fare from empanada stands to European cheese shops to Asian fusion restaurants, intermixed with vintage clothing stores, retro furniture shops and just the right amount of fair-trade coffee spots and brooding bars to draw a diverse range of patrons. Pedestrian Sundays are always fun when the streets are filled with bands, buskers, Brazilian drummers, and more, all for free.

HARBOURFRONT

Beautiful views and fun freebies abound on Toronto's waterfront. The Harbourfront Centre's 10-acre lakeside site hosts over 4,000 events, many of which are gratis. The arts and culture hub's York Quay Center and The Power Plant have changing arts and photo exhibits year-round for no entry fee. From May to October, take in a different free festival every week ranging from Expressions of Brazil to the Vietnamese Lantern Festival featuring concerts, performances and films. Come November, strap on your skates and glide around the center's rink. On Saturdays, put a little groove in your skate with music from the resident DJ, and all it may cost you is a little embarrassment if you're ability to boogie and balance on blades is off kilter.

BRUCE TRAIL

The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada at 521 miles (840 kilometers) long and over 273 miles (440 kilometers) of side trails, many of which are in Ontario. (The trail helped put the Niagara Escarpment on UNESCO's World Biosphere Reserve list in 1990.) While it's not smack-dab in downtown Toronto, parts of the Ontario section of the route pass through the Greater Toronto area and are a short-to-moderate drive or transit ride from downtown. While autumn turns the trails into blazing streams of fiery reds, pumpkin orange and honeyed hues, the winter snow makes it perfect for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing.

YONGE STREET

Until 1999, Guinness recognized Yonge Street as the longest street in the world. That title was up for dispute because by the time it nears the Minnesota and Ontario border, it has turned into Highway 11. But at 1,178 miles (1,896 kilometers), it's still one heck of a stretch of street. Follow it from the start at the bed of Lake Ontario at Queen's Quay, where you can hop on a ferry to head to the Toronto Islands, where bikes and beaches abound. As you move north to Front Street, you'll hit Union Station, the city's transportation hub, as well as the neighboring streets of the former seat of city government at St. Lawrence Market, now a bustling foodie's haven. The street moves up through the financial district to the Eaton Center, Toronto's largest downtown mall, and the Yonge-Dundas Square, a mini-Times Square where you can often catch free films, concerts, performances and festivals. If you keep strolling north, you'll hit Yorkville, where the rich go to shop, nosh and gossip while the rest of us snicker at their poodle-stuffed Louis Vuitton purses. Yonge Street passes through midtown and into the suburbs where you'll eventually reach rural stretches, kettle lakes and the crest of the Oak Ridges Moraine, protected ecological land.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel