"BON JOUR" from Quebec City, Quebec

Within an hour after landing at the very modern Jean-Lesage International Airport we were checked in to the incredible Chateau Frontenac Hotel. Our room overlooks the Old Town Harbor area of Quebec and the view of the shops and the St. Lawrence is picture perfect.   A 5 minute cab ride took us to Restaurant SSS. There is nothing nefarious about the SSS, it stands for Simple Snack Sympathique.   We interviewed Stephane d'Anjou, who owns Restaurant SSS and the famous Restaurant "Toast". Stephan explained that while Restaurant SSS serves "Snack" appetizers, it is more than a tapas restaurant. The servings are larger and more varied. They also have main courses and sandwich selections.   I found the menu fascinatingly varied. The appetizers included duck wings with ginger & garlic, BBQ octopus,beef carpaccio with sweet red pepper puree,confit & fried capers,Beef Tartar with chorizo & parmesan, torchon of foie gras with homemade brioch bread,  salmon tartar with sesame, avocado & fries and potato skins with foie gras, fried milk fed piglet belly, veal juice and smoked sour cream to name a few. We tried the the torchon of foie gras, salmon tartar (the Chef's specialty) and the potato skins.   All I can say is WOW! Everything was perfect including the ambiance, a bistro setting on one side of the building and a comfortable, romantic dining room on the other side.   Main course items include steaks, seafood, pasta, nachos, ribs and even a lamb shank and more. There is something here for every appetite including burgers, hot dogs and even a grilled curry chicken, bacon,spinach,goat cheese tomato and old fashion mustard sandwich.   Restaurant SSS is located at 71 Saint-Paul and is open for lunch through after theater dinning. There phone # is 418-692-1991. You can find there menu and more information at www.restaurantsss.com.   We think that Restaurant SSS is a must visit when in Quebec. The hospitality is inviting and friendly, the ambiance is warm and romantic and the food is fantastic. Enjoy!

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO SHOW JANUARY 23

Our Caribbean/Mexican regular contributor, Dennis Klautzer interviews Greg Ludwig, of Funjet on NEW MULTI-GENERATIONAL VACATIONS in Puerto Vallarta.  Next, Dennis interviews Alex (Alejandro) of "Traffic Tours" about excursions and trips horseback riding, whale watching, zip lining and a Jeep tour into rural Mexico.   Ken Vandruff, CVB, Wichita, KS talks about Music & Art Crawls, new arena and horseshow.  www.gowichita.com   Kevin with his weekly Travel News Segment and Sue with her Travel Tips.   Regular contributor Tom Parsons, BestFares.com, discusses if it's too soon to plan for Spring Break and where the best deals are now for air and cruises.   Kevin and Sue just returned from Nashville, TN where they enjoyed breakfast at Loveless Cafe. A wall of celebrity photos greet you at the entrance, vintage aprons serve as window curtains, and southern hospitality was served by Dee. The biscuits are a secret recipe, but the website www.lovelesscafe.com shares other recipes.   Another regular contributor, Michelle Newman, shares her visit to www.lakeaustin.com to the Lake Austin Spa Resort.  She even took her Chihuahua Sasha.   The pledges for Help Haiti have now totaled $13,010.  Click on the Yellow Button on the from page of the website to contribute.   (DR) Domenican Republic airport and ports remain open for tourists.

ICELAND PHOTOS By Patrice Raplee

Our regular correspondent, Patrice Raplee, visited Iceland over New Years.  She took these great shots at night and sunset.

BROADCASTER'S RELIEF FUND

COMMUNITY HELPING HANDS   HAITI EARTHQUAKE PLEASE DONATE NOW   Broadcasters team up to assist the earthquake victims of Haiti.  Donations are 100% tax-deductible and will go toward the purchase of much-needed supplies. No administrative or management fees will be assessed...all money will go to the Haiti earthquake victims.  As of 1/14/10 $12,500 has been raised.  Go to www.GABhelp.com to learn how to make a donation to the Barnabas Society and in the memo of check put Haitian Relief.

Travel Planner Radio January 16

This week's show takes us to France, the Bordeaux Region with an interview with Ronald Rens, owner of The Bordeaux Experience and Chateau Coulon Laurensac www.bxwinex.com and www.CLBX.com.  We interview  Geoff Freeman, Sr. VP. of the U.S. Travel Association on the NEW SECURITY MEASURES and AIR TRAVEL SCREENING. www.ustravel.org   Then we head west to talk with Megan Mayo of the Albuquerque CVB www.itsatrip.com and Katie Harrington of the Lake Charles and SW Louisiana CVB. www.visitlakecharles.org

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO JANUARY 9

We interviewed Bill Chalmers of the Global Scavenger Hunt, Greg Purdy of the Palm Springs Follies.  Patrice Raplee, one of our favorite travelwriter regular contributors talked about her New Years in Iceland and what a beautiful country it is. Kevin and Sue talked about where we have planned to go and where we want to go in 2010.  Some of our upcoming trips will be to: Quebec City for the Winter Carnival where we will visit the Ice Hotel and stay at the gorgeous Fairmont Chateau Frontenac.  There is a legend if you kiss at the base of the stairs at the hotel you will return.  We did kiss last fall and we are returning, the legend must be true!  We will be doing a live broadcast from Quebec City.  Other destinations coming up for us will be to Traverse City, MI where Sue is going to learn to cross country ski, our first trip to Israel, back to Alabama for Shakespeare and To Kill A Mockingbird plays.

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO

JANUARY 2, 2010 HAPPY NEW YEAR   We started out the New Year talking with two of our regular contributors: Jim Winnerman, Travelwriter on Rt 6 East to West in Pennsylvania and Abilene, Kansas.  Also, another travelwriter regular, Michelle Newman on her recent trip to Colombia, S.A. Bob Heil, Rock n Roll microphone designer to the stars, rock bands and our very own mikes we use each week.

DECEMBER 25

Our holiday show was all about Christmas Around The World with guests from Netherlands, England, the United States and our very own childhood and adult Christmas celebrations.