— WebWireID152345 —

— WebWireID152305 —

Where holidaymakers want to go is just part of leading tour operator Kuoni's annual Travel Trends Report. The 20-page report also tracks hot travel trends and the top destinations for weddings and honeymoons, for families, for solo travellers, for pampering spa holidays, for the most exciting adventures and authentic experiences as well as the best destinations for those that care about the planet.

The report also highlights changes in holiday behaviour and includes trends in holiday booking behaviour, such as the importance of social media in driving holiday choices.

The top five destinations for 2012 are Maldives holidays, Thailand, Sri Lanka, The United Arab Emirates and the USA, including New York holidays. Kuoni predicts that South Africa will witness huge growth over the next 12 months, helped by the exposure from the football World Cup last year and the weakened currency against sterling. The only mid-haul destination in the 2012 Top Ten selling destinations is the United Arab Emirates, mostly due to the popularity of Dubai holidays.

The Maldives also retained its top slot for honeymoon destinations and topped the wish list for digital natives, better known as Generation X, Y and Z. Sri Lanka holidays retained 'Number One Destination for Weddings', Kuramathi Island Resort in the Maldives kept the top slot for 'Family Destinations', as did Thailand holidays for solo travelling.

The winner of the Top 10 Adventure Holiday is the 11-day tour of culture-rich Sri Lanka on the Ceylon Tour, while those looking for the best 'Planet Friendly Holiday' voted for Governors Main Camp in the wildlife safari heaven of Kenya.

Aside from favourite and new destinations, there are changes in the type of holiday the customer wants. More destination-savvy and discerning holidaymakers are looking for different types of holiday, with four specific trends emerging:
- a thirst for discovery
- authenticity of experience
- social responsibility
- face to face contact with a travel expert when booking.

To meet the needs of a changing holidaymaker, Kuoni launched the Discover brochure for 2012, packed with experiences and tours to help get under the skin of a destination. The company has also launched ananea, a sustainable brand that stands for socially responsible holidays that empower people to protect the natural environment and local population. Kuoni has also strengthened its retail presence across the UK over the last 12 months, with more retail stores for holidaymakers to access all-important first-hand expertise and knowledge.

About the 2012 Travel Trends Report:
Figures in Kuoni's 2012 Travel Trends Report are based on multiple sources, namely statistics from booking patterns made between January to December 2011 for holidays during 2011 and 2012, actual passenger numbers, customer behaviour and feedback.

About Kuoni:
Kuoni was established in 1906 in Switzerland by Alfred Kuoni, a visionary adventurer and explorer of his time who opened some of Europe's first travel agencies. Today it has branch operations in over 40 countries. For 105 years Kuoni has been creating holidays with a spirit of adventure and has been recognised consistently, winning coveted awards such as The World's Leading Tour Operator for 11 years in a row at the World Travel Awards, Best Large Tour Operator at the 2011 Daily Telegraph Ultratravel 100 Awards for five consecutive years, best Luxury Tour Operator at the Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers' Awards and has also scored most highly in the Which? top 20 travel company survey 2011. Kuoni has also been voted Britain's Best Long-haul Tour Operator by travel agents for the past 29 years.

PR contact:
Anne-Marie Hansen
Kuoni Travel Ltd
Kuoni House
Deepdene Avenue
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 4AZ
01306 744 173
www.kuoni.co.uk

— WebWireID152296 —

— WebWireID152293 —

— WebWireID152287 —

The country hotel is ideally located just a short drive from some of Iceland's most popular tourist sites, proving ideal for those wanting to explore the Golden Circle, where one finds the magnificent waterfall of Gullfoss; the geothermal area of Geysir; and Kerid, a water filled volcano crater.

'Due to our location, we often accommodate people who come specifically to explore the Golden Circle at their own pace. It is an ideal opportunity to fully take in and appreciate the sights. We always happy to help by providing visitors with information about the local area; there is plenty to see,' explained Ólafur Laufdal, Manager and Owner of Grímsborgir Guest Houses.

Grimsborgir offers 6 luxury apartments situated right next to the River Sog, the largest freshwater river in Iceland. The apartments vary in size, accommodating from 4 to 10 people. The largest is 200 square metres with 4 bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining room, fireplace, lounge area with a TV, and large bathroom with both a shower and bathtub.
 
All of the apartments include a kitchen, dining room, and living area, as well as an outdoor hot tub overlooking the beautiful surroundings. There is also a first class restaurant on site, serving gourmet food made with fresh, local produce.

To find out more about Grimsborgir and the surrounding area, visit http://grimsborgir.com for more information.

— WebWireID152279 —

The tours will be held in Hangzhou, China, which is a prime location to experience some of the best of Chinese culture.  To kick off the event there will be weekend sight-seeing at tea plantations, 800 year old temples, and Chinese medicine museums.  This will be followed by a bicycle ride around the magnificent Western Lake, which is surrounded by antique gardens, pagodas, and bamboo forests. 

During the course of studies participants will do clinical rounds in numerous Chinese medicine hospitals, and they may choose to study acupuncture or herbal medicine.  In acupuncture clinic students may study in specialty departments including neurology, gynecology, the treatment of headaches and musculo-skeletal conditions.  In herbal medicine, clinical rounds are available in gastro-enterology, gynecology, respiratory therapy, and pediatrics.

The tour is approved for continuing education credits by the NCCAOM, and it also includes 50 hours of study, 4 star accommodations, group meals, weekend events, tour guide services, and a spa treatment.

For more information about this event please visit: www.ihsociety.com     

— WebWireID152267 —

• Somerby - The distinct blue and cream traditional step through frame is perfect for shopping trips priced £299.99. Complete the look with wicker basket priced £16.99.

• Brooke - Victoria's favourite colour plum red features on the frame of this hybrid bike priced £299.99.

• Dalby - At £349.99, the sophisticated white hybrid bike features great gearing and mud guards.

-ENDS-
 

Halfords is the UK's largest bike and accessories retailer, with over 460 superstores.  Our wide range includes road, MTB, BMX, town and trail and includes leading bike brands Boardman, Voodoo and Carrera.  We build every bike purchased free of charge and also offer our customers a free six week safety check.
Halfords www.cycle2work.info provides a one stop cycle2work package for employers and employees.  As the scheme's pioneers we are able to supply virtually all bike brands available in the UK through both our own stores and Independent Bike Shop partners.
For more information contact:
 
Louise Iles
Halfords 
t: 01527 513206 
m: 07921 107362 
f: 01527 504780 
e: Louise.Iles@halfords.co.uk

— WebWireID152244 —

100% Aware, launched in late 2011, is a voluntary program that encourages PADI dive centres around the world to promote the work of Project AWARE, a non-profit organisation that relies on financial support from environmentally concerned divers. All funds raised by the organisation go towards collecting and removing devastating underwater debris worldwide, securing protection for the world's threatened shark species, and engaging people in conservation efforts world globally.

As of February 2012, Action Scuba, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre located in Montreal, Canada, will make a donation to Project AWARE of at least $10 for every student who completes a recreational scuba diving certification course with them.  In exchange, the students will receive special limited edition Project Aware PADI certification cards, which stand out from the traditional cards held by others.

Student divers will also be welcome to make their own voluntary donations to complement those made by Action Scuba, and the dive shop will continue to organise other regular activities in support of Project Aware such as their popular annual Beach Clean-Up & Dive Against Debris and in-store collection of signatures for shark protection.

'Action Scuba has shown dedication to conservation for years through their participation in Project AWARE activities but their commitment to the 100% AWARE program makes them shine as they not only lead by example but demonstrate to their students the importance of supporting ocean protection. Thank you for leading the way.' Says Lauren Wiskerson, Program Specialist, Project AWARE Foundation.

'We are genuinely pleased to be one of the first dive centres in the world to introduce 100% Aware, and the first in Canada to do so' says Gary Davis, president of Action Scuba and a PADI Master Instructor.  'At Action Scuba we certify hundreds of scuba divers annually, and therefore our involvement in the 100% Aware program represents a substantial investment on our part in the work being done by Project AWARE. We feel strongly that conserving the marine environment is our responsibility as leaders in the diving community and we challenge all other local and global dive shops to follow suit and join us in the 100% Aware program.'

About Action Scuba

Action Scuba (www.actionscuba.com) is a PADI 5 star Instructor Development Centre and dive shop located in Pointe Claire, Quebec, which has been serving water-loving Montrealers since 1997. As underwater experts they offer training and certification for all levels of divers, from beginners through to specialist technical divers or dive professionals. Action Scuba carries a large inventory of scuba and snorkeling equipment for purchase and rental at their full service dive shop. They also organize travel to dive destinations around the world and offer regular local diving excursions on their own dive boat.

About Project Aware

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, mobilizes the world's divers to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time. Join the growing movement of divers striving toward a clean, healthy and abundant ocean planet.   www.projectaware.org

###

— WebWireID152210 —

The NASCAR season roars open this month with the 54th annual Daytona 500 at the Daytona Intl Raceway on February 26. Goss Luxury RV customers will be packing up, climbing into their luxury coaches, and heading out to follow their favorite racing teams around the country. "Daytona Beach, Florida, is a particularly popular location for Goss RV fans," says Ken Goss.

Goss RV Inc., the premier luxury motor coach rental and charter service is the first choice among renters of luxury coaches and the most prestigious race teams. "The leading race teams now seek out Goss RV for their Luxury Motorhome needs. We are able to provide luxury RVs to any venue in the nation," adds Goss.

Both Goss RV Inc. and NASCAR have made changes to their line-ups for 2012. NASCAR has some schedule change ups and Goss Luxury RV has nearly doubled its luxury coach line up since the last racing season.

"We believe the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule will once again provide fans with what they've come to expect every season -- the world's most exciting and competitive form of motorsports…The schedule has a few adjustments that we think will be good for the fans and good for the overall flow of the season," stated NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France

.It's not just NASCAR fans who love to travel in luxury and comfort, of course. Goss RV has become the recognized luxury motor home rental of choice for fans of race teams in almost all the race circuits. Ferrari teams and many others around North America look to Goss RV to provide all their motor home needs. Goss offers more than 90 coach options to choose from, and can deliver their coaches right to the client's front door. They can even provide a driver and staff to set up the RV at the client's destination.

"We are seeing strong indications that the public is back at the luxury table," says Ken Goss. "And we've posted the 2012 NASCAR on our site as a planning resource for out race fan clients.

"Although Goss RV specializes in providing a luxurious motor home rental experience, many Goss RV customers find that renting their coaches actually results in significant savings when compared to the cost of staying in a quality hotel. 

"It's especially cost efficient when customers want to bring along family and friends during their travels, saving the expense of renting multiple hotel rooms throughout the various spots on the race car circuit," notes Ken Goss.

Luxury coach rentals also allow clients the freedom to be spontaneous, without having to worry about cancelled hotel fees or the obligation to stick to a strict schedule.

Goss RV Inc., a family-owned business, with national headquarters near Atlanta, Georgia, has more than 30-years-experience and provides the best full-service solutions for luxury motorhome rentals and charters, across the U.S. and Canada

• For more information, please visit www.GossRV.com.
• For 2012 NASCAR schedule visit Goss' Travel Club House News

— WebWireID152209 —

Many of Birmingham's finest, including the Lord Mayor Cllr Anita Ward, were on hand to share in the celebrations of one of the city's premier hotels.  

In tribute to the popular movie 'The Italian Job', guests were greeted on arrival by blue, red and white Mini's at the hotel's entrance. Super stylish Lambretta and Vespa scooters were loaned to the hotel to further celebrate and embrace all things Italian. Inside the party, guests entertained themselves on Formula One stimulators, testing their mettle behind the wheels of a Ferrari in a Top Gear-style "Filini challenge". Meanwhile, Amore Voce, the Italian pop-opera singers with a name that translates as "love voice", provided the evening's entertainment with some striking sounds.

The Italian flavour continued through the food and beverages on offer for guests, with Jonathan Parnell, Head Chef of 'Filini', the hotel's authentic Italian restaurant in Birmingham, serving up delicious treats including homemade pizza, mini risottos and selections of Italian breads and olives.  

Christopher Pike, General Manager of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham, said: "We are all extremely excited to be celebrating our 6th year of business in the city and it is great to be able to celebrate in style with so many of our valued guests and clients, it has been a great six years with some challenges along the way but we are extremely proud to be here and look forward to many more successful years in this wonderful city,"

One happy chap at the end of the evening was the lucky winner of the hotels Formula One "Filini Challenge" who achieved the fastest recorded lap on the Formula One Stimulators, in a hotly contested competition, winning a VIP stay in the hotel's impressive Presidential Suite in the process.

Notes to Editors:
Ideally positioned near the business district, convention centre and shopping complexes, the Radisson Blu hotel in Birmingham city centre is located in a 39-storey glass skyscraper. This contemporary hotel offers stylish Birmingham accommodation, with 211 stylish guest rooms and suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-panel televisions, free high-speed Internet access and other desirable amenities. In addition to state-of-the-art conference facilities, this hotel features an award-winning Italian restaurant, two bars, three spa treatment rooms and a health and fitness centre offering spectacular city views from the 18th floor.

About Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts:
Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts (formerly Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts), part of The Rezidor Hotel Group, offers first class service, providing guests with a contemporary, upscale hospitality experience. Radisson Blu has received numerous awards for Best Hotel Chain and is renowned for its "Yes I Can!" spirit of service and the "100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee". September 2005 saw the roll out of a free broadband service across the portfolio - the first international hotel chain to offer this service. Radisson Blu currently includes more than 250 hotels either in operation or under development and with more than 58,300 rooms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including Birmingham hotels.

For more information, visit www.radissonblu.com.

PR Contact:
Christine Reiter
Senior Director Corporate Communication
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avenue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brüssel
Belgien
+32 2 702 9331
www.radissonblu.com

— WebWireID152202 —

— WebWireID152197 —

To make the important decision, Gram appointed an independent judging panel, formed of representatives from Caterer & Hotelkeeper Magazine, the Considerate Hoteliers Association and the Institute of Hospitality, who were all impressed with the high standard of entries. The panel chose Radisson Blu Edinburgh as overall winner because of the focus the team at the hotel in Edinburgh city centre has placed, on putting sustainability at the top of their agenda for the hotel. The hotel walks away from the competition with a Gram refrigerator from the Energy Technology List.

Lisa Jenkins, products and suppliers editor at Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, commented: "This hotel had an obvious passion for the environment with many systems in place.  I particularly liked the fact that they were reducing the use of chemicals.  They had also reduced the number of beverage deliveries and I think this will become much more of a key target for many businesses in 2012."

John Firrell, director of the Considerate Hoteliers Association and fellow judge added: "The winners have shown consistency and persistency in their intent, staff colleagues willingly embrace the hotel's green credentials and despite the economic outlook the hotel is prepared to press home their sustainable initiatives. Well done!"

The competition goes hand in hand with the publication of the hotel edition of the Gram Green Paper which takes all of the insight, findings and results from the landmark 2010 issue of Gram's Green Paper, and draws conclusions and results that are specifically relevant to the hotel sectors.

Steve Valentine, Regional Chief Engineer of Radisson Blu Edinburgh commented on their win: "We are delighted to receive this prize as we have always taken pride in our green programme and which for many in the hotel is second nature. This prize will be welcomed by our kitchen team and will certainly not look out of place in our newly refurbished kitchen in early 2012."

The Radisson Blu Edinburgh offers 238 contemporary rooms of Edinburgh accommodation that reflect the individuality of the hotel and its unique location on the historic Royal Mile.

Ends

About Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts:
Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts (formerly Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts), part of The Rezidor Hotel Group, offers first class service, providing guests with a contemporary, upscale hospitality experience. Radisson Blu has received numerous awards for Best Hotel Chain and is renowned for its "Yes I Can!" spirit of service and the "100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee". September 2005 saw the roll out of a free broadband service across the portfolio - the first international hotel chain to offer this service. Radisson Blu currently includes almost 250 hotels either in operation or under development and more than 58,000 rooms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including hotels in Edinburgh, and offers many special offers including Edinburgh hotel deals.

PR Contact:
Christine Reiter
Senior Director Corporate Communication
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avenue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brüssel
Belgien
+32 2 702 9331
www.radissonblu.com

— WebWireID152191 —

The Park Inn by Radisson hotel Stuttgart had a very successful first year and has established itself well in the Stuttgart hotel market.

According to the General Manager, Mr Norbert Schneider said: "Stuttgart has so much to offer every traveller. Business or pleasure, Stuttgart's infrastructure and excellent transport links makes it a perfect city to visit."

The guest reviews and comments of the hotel in Stuttgart reflect this success. In the popular travel website tripadvisor.de it occupies the prestige's ranking number 8 out of 154 Stuttgart hotels. Guests particularly appreciate the central location in Stuttgart, The RBG Restaurant & Grill and local delicacies such as 'Maultaschen'. These reviews are of great importance to the hotel.

Beside the central city centre location and the easy access to the airport and Stuttgart's convention centre the Park Inn by Radisson Stuttgart offers its guest modern, spacious rooms, high speed Internet access free of charge as well as an international and local menu in the RBG Stuttgart Restaurant Bar Grill.

With the opening of the Park Inn by Radisson Stuttgart, the Rezidor Hotel Group just set another mile stone in hospitality. And the development of the fastest growing hotel company continues.

About the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group:
In January 2012, Carlson Hotels and Rezidor have announced that they will go to market and do business as the "Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group".
 
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group - born in early 2012 - is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels (including Stuttgart accommodation); a global footprint spanning 80 countries, a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Park Plaza). In most of the group's hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club Carlson, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 80,000 people.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and Brussels, Belgium.

PR Contact:
Christiane Reiter
Senior Director Corporate Communication
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avenue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brüssel
Belgien
+32 2 702 9331
www.radissonblu.com

— WebWireID152184 —

With plenty of the special return Standard class fares available for midweek travel, this is the perfect time for Eurostar customers to book a reviving day trip or a relaxing long weekend. Travellers can also treat themselves to a more luxurious journey for less as Eurostar is also offering special Standard Premier return fares for travel during the same period.

When passengers arrive in their chosen destination their Eurostar ticket gives them much more than travel alone, with a range of enticing 'Eurostar Plus' offers and discounts.

'Eurostar Plus Culture' offers travellers 2-for-1 entry into paying exhibitions at selected top museums and galleries in Paris, Brussels and Lille, simply by showing their Eurostar ticket. So, whether they're visiting the Grand Palais, Galeries Nationales in Paris or the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels, there's plenty to keep them entertained over the coming months.
 
'Eurostar Plus Gourmet' offers also give passengers up to 50% discounts on meals at popular restaurants in Paris, Brussels and Lille, by booking their table via www.eurostarplus.co.uk/gourmet and presenting their Eurostar ticket at the restaurant on arrival.

Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar said: "Many of our travellers like to travel midweek as our destinations and their tourist attractions tend to be less busy. These discounted fares give everyone the perfect excuse to treat themselves to a getaway for less. After all, with special fares to Paris, Brussels or Lille and exclusive offers for museums, restaurants and shopping when you're there, this is an offer not to be missed."

For more information about the new promotional fares, Eurostar Plus, or to book cheap Eurostar tickets or purchase Eurostar gift vouchers, customers can visit eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186.

-ENDS-

About Eurostar:
Eurostar is the high-speed train service, offering a birmingham to paris train, a manchester to paris train, a train from london to paris, a london to brussels train and linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.

Eurostar was established in 1994 as a partnership between three railway companies: SNCF, SNCB and LCR (London and Continental Railways). On 1 September 2010, Eurostar became a single, unified corporate entity owned by three shareholders: SNCF, SNCB and LCR.

The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph. Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 115 million passengers between London and the Continent. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet.

About The Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel:
Since 2001 the Ashden awards have been supporting sustainability projects across the globe and now they're working with Eurostar to promote sustainable travel. As part of the Tread Lightly programme to cut carbon and get people thinking differently about their journeys, Eurostar has launched the Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel.

With a prize fund and a host of benefits, the Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel will celebrate and support local sustainable travel projects in the UK, France and Belgium. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe's leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.

Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel's biggest customer.

PR contact:
Aude Criqui
Senior Press Officer
Eurostar Press Office
Times House
Regent Quarter
Bravingtons Walk
London
N1 9AW
0044 (0)20 7843 5405
www.eurostar.com

— WebWireID152178 —

A memorable Florida family vacation allows families to enjoy cool restaurants, great hotels, attractions, entertainment and endless year-round family recreation. 

All ages can enjoy a Florida beach vacation. Golfing, surfing, building sand castles or a romantic stroll along the beach are fun, relaxing options for a Florida family vacation. Consistent warm weather throughout the year allows more outdoor activities.

As a matter of fact, warm weather brings a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon to the Space Coast area February 4-5, 2012 for the State Farm Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon.

The cash and prize purse for the event is $17,200. Of that purse, $10,200 will go to the Masters group of top finishers of men and women aged 40 and over. The remaining $7,000.00 will go to athletes competing in the Top End/PVA EuroAmerican Handcycling Championships. Concerts will be held after the races each day.

— WebWireID152158 —

Disney Cruise Line Featured 2013 schedule (which can be booked at this time). Rates and ports of call are subject to change, to get up to date information and cruise deals vist www.cruisedealership.com

 Mediterranean from Barcelona

Beginning June 1, 2013, the Disney Magic returns to Europe.

The 12-night voyages visit destinations which include Venice, Italy, and Croatia's Dalmatian Coast on one itinerary and Ephesus, Turkey and the Greek Isles including Athens, on another. Each itinerary will offer a voyages departing in June and the other departing in July.

Rates start at $796 per person for four-night cruises, $1,015 per person for seven-night cruises and $2,244 for 12-night cruises departing from Barcelona for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy (prices subject to change) plus incentives for booking thru CruiseDealership.com

Four-night Mediterranean Cruises 
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Departure dates: July 9, Aug. 6

Seven-night Mediterranean Cruise
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy
Departure dates: June 1, 8, Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31

12-night Mediterranean with Greece
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Valetta, Malta
Departure dates: June 15, July 13

12-night Mediterranean with Venice
Ports: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy; Venice, Italy (overnight); Dubrovnik, Croatia; Valetta, Malta
Departure dates: June 27, July 25

Bahamas and Western Caribbean Cruises out of Miami

Disney Cruise Line will now leave from Miami for the very first time on Dec. 23, 2012. One six- and one seven-night Caribbean Cruise Voyages onboard the Disney Wonder plus four or five night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean between Jan. 5, 2013, and May 2, 2013. The four- and five-night cruises have a range of itineraries. Ports of call to such destinations as Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West; Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for four and five night cruises departing from Miami start at $440 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy plus extra incentives when booked at Cruisedealership.com

Five-night Caribbean
Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay
Departure dates: Jan. 5, 19, Feb, 2, 16, March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27

Five-night Caribbean
Ports: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Departure dates: Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 11, 25, March 11, 25, April 8, 22

Four-night Bahamas
Ports: Miami, Key West, Nassau, Castaway Cay
Departure dates: Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, 21, March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2

Western Caribbean Cruises from Galveston

The Disney Magic, will also begin departing from Texas in 2012, from the Port of Galveston through May 2013, to the Western Caribbean.

Rates start at $750 per person for six-night cruises and $920 per person for eight-night cruises departing from Galveston for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy plus added incentives when booking at CruiseDealership.com

Six-night Caribbean:
Ports: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Departure dates: Dec. 15 and 29, 2012, Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 6, 20. May 4

Eight-night Caribbean:
Ports: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel
Departure dates: Dec. 21, 2012, Jan. 4, 18, Feb. 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29, April 12, 26, May 10

Alaska from Vancouver

Starting May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will cruise seven-nights from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska.

Rates for seven-night Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver start at $1,015 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy plus added incentives when booking online at www.Cruisedealership.com

Seven-night Alaska:
Ports: Vancouver, Tracy Arm (scenic cruising through fjord), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan
Departure dates: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2

Caribbean and Bahamas Cruises from Port Canaveral

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will also be departing from a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries leaving from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Fantasy will depart out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean Sailings, alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Also Eastern Caribbean Cruises, January through April 2013, with stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy Cruises include Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for seven-night Caribbean cruises on the Disney Fantasy start at $1,085 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy plus Special Deals at CruiseDealership.com

The Disney Dream will cruise three, four and five-night voyages from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
Rates for three and four night Bahamas cruises on the Disney Dream start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy which include incentives when booked online at CruiseDealership.com

CruiseDealership is one of 16,000 North American travel agencies and agent members of CLIA, whose 25 member lines represent over 97% of the cruise berths marketed in North America. According to CLIA statistics, the wide majority of travelers - about 90+% - book cruises through travel agencies, and for good reason: agents excel at finding the perfect cruise to match their client's vacation needs, lifestyle and budget. CruiseDealership is part of  CLIA's certified cruise counselors programs which are the cruise industry's premier professionals, providing the best service and value for travelers' vacation dollar

— WebWireID152147 —

Face and body painting has been a part of the festive atmosphere in the French Quarter, since the very first Mardi Gras. It's a very versatile art form, from the 'essential' eye mask or arm design, to a full body work of art.

Bourbon Heat is one of Bourbon Street's newest and 'hottest' hot spots. Complete with downstairs bar and courtyard, upstairs nightclub, and a fifty foot balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.

Mardi Gras Body Painters boast over 40 years combined experience in face and body art. They have been featured worldwide in major magazines, television and internet. For more information including photos, Artist bios, and contact information please visit Mardigrasbodypainters.com

###

— WebWireID152135 —

Nomad Sailing offer sailing courses from the very basic introductory level up to courses that prepare students for the yachtmaster, one of the most highly regarded sailing qualifications. The foundation course known as the competent crew course is carried out in Sussex or Portsmouth. Nomad Sailing are also offering many other RYA courses London. These are mainly the day skipper theory courses as they are classroom based but will also include the learn to sail course. Nomad has aimed to ensure that everyone can manage the course regardless of their lifestyle. Students can opt to do it in one full stretch in London or they can do it online at home. Jim Barden, Co-Director of Nomad Sailing says 'we have tried to make sure that even people with a busy lifestyle can still achieve their dream of getting their day skipper qualification'.

With the end of the winter approaching, Nomad Sailing's peak season is getting closer. In order to be ready for this Nomad Sailing has decided to market solidly on the London and Portsmouth area, rather than spread themselves too thinly over the whole of the South coast of England. Jim Barden, Co-Director of Nomad Sailing states that 'although we would like to get clients from all over the country, we feel that by simply concentrating on London and Portsmouth we will be able to provide a more high quality service and can deliver more courses if we target just one area'.

It clearly is a streamline and efficient method and will ensure that Nomad Sailing have full numbers on their learn to sail courses in London and on their sailing courses in Portsmouth. According to Jim Barden, Co-Director, 'customers will get much more satisfaction and enjoyment from a full sailing course in London rather than a half empty one'.

— WebWireID152123 —

The tourist season of 2011, while not back to pre-spill numbers, was up dramatically from what the experts had proclaimed and by the looks of the numbers, 2012 will set new records for gulf states. Resorts and hotels along the Florida panhandle are seeing reservations pour in for the upcoming spring. Prime destination spots like that of Destin, FL, are preparing for what appears to be a banner season as the vacation rentals in Destin are being snapped up daily.

The beaches in Destin were largely unaffected by the oil spill to begin with but rumors and speculation about the outcome had vacationers staying away from the gulf. Many videos had been captured and posted in places like YouTube.com, showing clean sand and clear water in the summer of 2010, but fear of oil and tarballs coming to shore had kept tourists away in droves. As these videos and testimony from people who visited Destin spread proof of how unaffected the area's beaches really were, the public was made aware of the truth of the situation.

Resorts such as the Edgewater Beach Condominiums are happy and relieved to see the resurgence of vacation rentals. Destin, FL, has long been a prime spot along the panhandle for vacationers of all types. With miles of pure, white sand beaches and many exciting attractions, the area draws the snowbirds from the north during the winter as well as sports fishermen, beach-goers, couples and families throughout the season.

— WebWireID152062 —