Dancing with the Stars at Sea

Whether you like to Tango, Quickstep, Paso Doble, or sit back and enjoy watching the sizzling performances, the new program offers guests an entirely unique experience on the seas.

“Dancing with the Stars” is one of the biggest television shows on earth, teaming celebrities and professional dancers to compete for the coveted mirror ball trophy. Cruise guests can learn the steps, meet the stars, and join in the fun. Six theme cruises in 2013 and early 2014 will feature “Dancing with the Stars” events including dance lessons; a chance to meet the dancers, ask questions and take photos; and a dazzling production starring celebrities and the famed dance pros, complete with glamorous costumes and routines from the TV show.

Currently scheduled to appear on select sailings are two-time champion pro dancers Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson; pros Tristan MacManus and Lacey Schwimmer; and some of your favorite celebrity competitors.* More dance pros and celebrities to be announced.

In addition to the theme cruises, every sailing on all 15 ships in the Holland America Line fleet will feature an exclusive “Dancing with the Stars” program including dance lessons and an opportunity for some lucky guests to dance center stage in an exciting dance-off performance. These activities will feature the ships' professional dancers and will be developed in collaboration with the show's dancers and choreographers.

For more info and bookings call Supreme Clientele Travel (888)434-7665

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Exploring Faith on Your Travels

World-class museums and historic monuments get top priority from many travelers. But for some of us, there's something equally fascinating -- and sometimes much more so -- about visiting houses of worship, even when they represent beliefs that aren't our own.

"But I'm not into organized religion," you might say. You don't have to be religious to appreciate a visit to a place others consider sacred. Even if you're not specifically seeking the religious aspect of worship, there's something special about thoughtfully witnessing and observing someone else's faith in action. So why not get a spiritual boost by checking out houses of worship when you're on the road?

"A lot of the richness in life comes from getting outside your own skin and experiencing the world beyond what you know and understand. If you open yourself up, you can have such experiences," says Stuart M. Matlins, co-editor with Arthur J. Magida of "How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook." The book shares easy-to-understand background on faith traditions ranging from Baptist to Buddhist, Jewish to Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists to Sikhs.

"Typically, the way you are received depends on the way you behave," says Matlins, who also is the founder of Jewish Lights Publishing and SkyLight Paths Publishing. He and wife, Antoinette, co-founded a Reform synagogue in Woodstock, Vermont, where Matlins served as lay spiritual leader for 19 years.

"I've never found a place where I was not welcome. The larger the place, the more likely they are to be welcoming of strangers, whether it's a mosque, a synagogue or a church. That's why I did this book -- if you know the basics of what's going to happen during the worship or the ritual, you're less fearful of embarrassing yourself and intruding in the space of others."

When I'm traveling abroad -- but also when I'm visiting American cities -- I often get up on Sunday mornings and attend some Christian service. I enjoy the religious aspect of worship, but it's also about savoring local culture in one of its most authentic forms. And when you're on the road alone, as I often am, these communal experiences offer the solo traveler a sense of belonging for an hour or two.

When previous reporting jobs took me to Manhattan, I'd go uptown to Harlem to visit Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of the nation's oldest African-American Baptist congregations. And I was hardly alone. Every week, groups of tourists from around the world do the same -- but in such huge numbers that the church specifically addresses first-time visitors by making clear its worship "is not a gospel performance or entertainment of any kind."

Abyssinian now has a tourist entry point where folks must queue for first-come, first-served seats at its 11 a.m. service only. And tourist or not, tank tops, flip-flops and shorts are not allowed.

What's most important to remember, says Matlins, is that even though you're a tourist, visiting a functioning house of worship is not just like walking through a museum.

Regardless of the place's faith tradition, he says, "You're sharing a very special moment with people, and be aware of that. The key thing is to open yourself to the experience so you are not just an observer, even though you are not a participant. You enter a space where you're not participant or tourist, but as one might say, you're in the moment."

But how do you know if worshippers at, say, a Muslim mosque or a Buddhist or Hindu temple will welcome you?

Francis X. Clooney, the director of the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard, has found Hindu temples to be fluid places where "smaller and larger rites" take place during the day, not always according to a fixed schedule. But if one is welcomed in, usually one is welcomed for the worship that is in progress."

When in doubt, he suggests "checking in advance, or at least at the door before entering."

Adds Matlins: "If you know people who live in that place, ask them if they can take you to their house of worship, or where they know you would be welcome. I did that in Lahore, Pakistan. I had the same concerns, but we were meeting with someone who was a very religiously involved Muslim.

"I told him of my interest in attending service at a mosque. He said he would be happy to take me." But Matlins has also wandered alone into a Hindu temple in Singapore and Buddhist temples in Japan, which many tourists do.

Of course, it never hurts to do some research before you go, checking out books and websites that offer insight into the cultures and faith traditions you hope to see up close.

For folks seeking out Christian experiences close to home or on the other side of the world, the Mystery Worshipper website offers about 2,000 candid, sometimes tongue-in-cheek reviews of church services around the globe. Its volunteer mystery worshippers drop in and serve up details on everything from sermon length to the comfort of the pews to the warmth of members' welcome.

And it's the friendliness-factor details that give travelers a measure of comfort and behind-the-scenes intel when visiting these places, from massive St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Fiji.

Curious, open-minded travelers also shouldn't let their lack of a personal faith stop them from dropping into houses of worship.

"They don't have to be a gourmet to appreciate a good meal," Matlins reasons. "And you don't have to be a person of faith to appreciate the beauty and passion of a religious experience. It is in a way like theater -- part of the experience is to suspend disbelief, literally."

Thinking about stopping into a living, breathing house of worship on your next trip? Matlins and Clooney suggest keeping these things in mind, regardless of the place's faith tradition:

Be respectful. "You are in a place that is special and holy to other people," Matlins says. "Dress and behave appropriately so you do not disturb their sense of the specialness and holiness of the place."

Pay attention. You want to "be sensitive to what is expected of the visitor -- either to hold back, or to participate more fully," says Clooney. "Being too forward or too passive may both be offensive." Also, "be careful to note where and how far into the space one is welcome. Some areas are more sacred than others."

Follow along. Observe "the customs of the community -- removing shoes, covering heads, the segregation of men and women, talking or not, taking photos or not, in accord with custom," says Clooney.

Listen with your "third ear." "You may not understand the language," says Matlins, "but you can hear the feelings if you open yourself up to them."

Sit in the back. Not only does it keep you from appearing intrusive, but it can minimize any innocent missteps. Suggests Matlins: "Do what you see other people do, unless it violates the tenets of your own faith."

Who knows, perhaps through these spiritual experiences you'll discover what so many travelers find: Despite people's very real differences across nationalities, cultures and faiths, it's what they share in common that matters.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel

Fun Ways to Hit The Slopes without Skis

The top ski destinations know that pleasing the downhill crowd is only part of the snow-filled picture.

After all, in the United States alone winter at ski resorts is a $6 billion a year industry, according to the National Ski Areas Association.

Mountain biking, Frisbee, golf and zip line adventures are a few activities popular at ski resorts during the "green" season, but what's a non-skier to do when the landscape is white? If you've had your fill of snowmobiling, sleigh riding and tubing, here's a smattering of extraordinary pastimes for non-skiers at some of the premier U.S. ski meccas.

ALTERNATE ADVENTURES

Snowkiting in Dillon: If you prefer waterskiing to snow skiing, don't shy away from Colorado's triple-threat of Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts — even if it's the middle of winter. In a location centrally located to the three ski areas, Colorado KiteForce is replacing downhill thrills with a new winter sport sure to get your adrenaline pumping. It involves a frozen lake, but no ice skates. Instead, strap skis or a snowboard on your feet and let kite power pull you across the frozen tundra of the Dillon Reservoir. It's like windsurfing on the ocean, but with a frosty twist. A two-hour beginner lesson is $175 per person; group rates are available.

Snow biking in Telluride: Mountain bikers flock to Telluride, Colorado, from spring to fall, but there's no reason to stop riding when the snow falls. Local outfitter BootDoctors offers tours on "fat bikes"-- mountain bikes with oversized wide tires that can be ridden on traditional bike trails but excel in the snow. Rentals are $39 per day, including a helmet. Guided Big Tire Bike and Brew trips, which end with a tour and tasting at Telluride Brewing Co., are $99 for a half-day and $149 for a full day.

Newfangled snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe: The option of snowshoeing is nothing new to non-skiers, but at California's Northstar resort, the normally low-key concept is evolving into a competitive sport. Along with tours tailored to families, stargazers and those who want to snowshoe by moonlight, the resort also hosts snowshoe skills and running clinics, a.k.a. intense workouts for the athletes among us. Once you're up to speed in your snowshoes, take part in the Snowshoe Social & Race Series, with upcoming competitions January 27 and March 23.

Winter safaris in Yellowstone: Guests at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, may opt for enhanced access to the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park on small-group winter safaris. Five guests at a time can join a wildlife biologist and a naturalist on a four-hour journey tailored to the group's wishes. Gourmet snacks are served inside the Mercedes SUV, and safari riders enjoy the use of Swarovski spotting scopes and binoculars. Included in the price, but not guaranteed: appearances by elk, moose, bears, eagles and bighorn sheep. Cost depends on size of group, starting at $125 per person.

FOOD & BEVERAGE BUZZ

Go gourmet in the Green Mountains: Adventure dining may not be an Olympic sport, but you'll wish it were after you indulge in a five-course feast inside the Killington Ledgewood Yurt in Vermont. It's a unique wilderness retreat accessible only by sleigh and may be the closest you'll come to dining in a Hobbit hole. The yurt's executive chef can cater to special diets upon request, but the regular menu includes signature prime cuts of meat and local New England produce. Alcohol is additional and there are set "family nights" with a different menu and lower rates. Make advance reservations for this Friday or Saturday night adventure; regular Friday night rates start at $109.

Revel in the Rockies: You won't needs skis, snowboards or skates to enjoy the scenery at 10,700 feet, but you will need to take the Zephyr Express chairlift up the mountain to be wowed at Winter Park. The moon lights the way as you rise above the Continental Divide and the spectacular Fraser Valley, en route to an award-winning parade of Colorado culinary delights in the dining room of The Lodge at Sunspot. A three-course Easter brunch is also an option this year on March 31. Rates vary.

Brewing up fun in Breckenridge: If your taste leans more toward choosing small batch bourbon or bitters over green trails or blue, you have reason to head for Breckenridge well beyond the action on the slopes. The awards keep piling up for the spirits made at the Breckenridge Distillery, which bills itself as "the world's highest." A tasting room and tours make this a destination worth checking out -- and here's why it's unique: The bourbon whiskey is made from Rocky Mountain snowmelt, and hand-harvested alpine herbs go into creating the bitters.

COOL CLASSES

All about Alta: Give your brain a break and sit down for a fireside chat with historians, musicians, documentary filmmakers and ski experts brimming with local lore about Utah's Alta Ski Area, celebrating its 75th birthday in 2013. Area ski resorts and the Salt Lake City REI store take turns hosting this popular lecture series run by the Alta Historical Society throughout the winter months. The chats are free and run 45 minutes to an hour. Check out the schedule at www.altahistory.org.

Trade texting for chopping: That's the goal at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek, Colorado, where complimentary teen-focused cooking classes are held weekly at the 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill. Creations include cold weather "mocktails," gourmet pizzas and sushi rolls. Move over Starbucks, here's another perk for parents: There's a class that teaches teenagers the art of making barista-style coffee at home.

School at St. Regis: You may yearn for detention once you enroll in these educational sessions held at the elite St. Regis Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah. Three clinics are open to resort guests and the public, with instruction on champagne sabering, chocolate infusion and how to create the perfect Bloody Mary. Champagne Sabering 101 is held every night at twilight and this ritual -- where a sword is used to slice off the top of a champagne bottle -- must be seen to be believed. Attend the clinic and bring home a skill sure to impress friends and family at your next gathering. The nightly sabering demonstration and tasting is free, but a private lesson with a sommelier can be had for $250, including a bottle of Charles de Fere champagne. The Bloody Mary and chocolate clinics are held regularly and cost $16 per person.

SNOW SEASON SMARTS

Check with your travel agent, tour operator or hotel if you're on a trip and suddenly decide you've had enough of the slopes. Rules vary by location, and you should always investigate your options. For example, at Sun Valley ski area in Idaho, there's an official lift ticket exchange program that lets you trade in a "downhill" day for a long list of options including a massage, ice skating and lunch or a shopping credit.

Après ski is always an option for skiers and non-skiers alike. One spot to try: Tamarack Lodge atop Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe, California -- where December saw a record-breaking 12 feet of snowfall -- and they're celebrating this lofty designation: Forbes named Unbuckle at Tamarack the No. 1 après ski party in North America.

Do your pre-trip homework beginning with regional tourism board websites for recommendations on museums and music venues. They are generally open year-round and offer constant cultural respite from the chill of the great outdoors. Aspen, Colorado, is one example of a ski spot that doubles as a cultural destination. It's home to museums, concert halls and music venues such as the intimate Belly Up where shows often sell out faster than an expert skier can speed down a bunny slope.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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