Frontier Airlines announced 10 new cities in 2010. Branson, MO Long Beach, CA Fairbanks, AK Louisville, KY Grand Rapids, MI Madison, WI Green Bay, WI New Orleans, LA Santa Barbara, CA Newport News/ Williamsburg, VA |
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
FRONTIER AIRLINES - 10 NEW CITIES
Sunday, February 21, 2010
TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO SHOW FEB. 20
We continued the show from last week when we talked about Sue's trip to Traverse City, MI. You can't head north to Michigan in the winter without doing some snow sports. The show started out with talking with Steve Kershner, the Director of Snowsports for Shanty Creek Resorts www.shantycreek.com Steve talked with us about the downhill and cross country trails, the snowtubing, and snow boarding and dogsledding (for kids). Shanty Creek is made up of three villages and is a great family destination. So, what happens when the skiing is dwindling? The fun begins with cardboard decorated boats going downhill, a slush pond to jump across or fall into and a triatholan of sorts with pole, paddle and pedal. Shanty Creek is known as "Michigan's Favorite Resort." We headed west with our next guest, Bonnie Char, CVB of Iron County Tourism from Cedar City, UT. We found out about "Festival City USA", the Gateway to the National Parks of Zion and Bryce Canyons and exploring slot canyons. Cedar City is a four season community. Kevin talked about the latest in Travel News and Sue Talked about some good winter tips when traveling in your vehicle. Tom Parsons, BestFares.com, talked about some super deals and steals for spring and out of the country to Spain and Barcelona. We headed back north to the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, MI to talk with Marie Chantal-Dalese about her family's vineyard Chateau Chantal. The chateau is also a B&B, conference center and is great for romantic weddings. There are year-round Tapas Tours and cooking classes. See you next week and hope you join us again. |
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Fox News Channel 2
Sue was back on Channel 2 talking with Randi Naughton and Tim Ezell in the new 9:00am time slot. Randi has a segment called Bargain Hunter. I was talking about Spring Break Getaways and bargains. Orlando/Disney area Fairfield Inn & Suites 1-407-351-7000 Orlando - Sea World/ Busch Gardens World Quest Resorts 1-407-413-9577 Panama City Beach www.SterlingResorts.com 1-866-348-0920 Promo Code AQP Cancun Solymar Beach Club Condo Carribean Cruise Discount Code 9013# 1-888-489-3501 7-night Carribean cruise Mar. 20 - 27 Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, Day at Sea, Grand Cayman Islands, Roatan, Honduras, Cozumel, Day at Sea and Fort Lauderdale Prices from $ 588 pp Inside Cabin Save 31% $ 658 pp Oceanview Save 31% $ 908 pp Balcony Save 18% $1,208 pp Suite Save 35% |
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO FEB. 13
We were joined on air by Cathy Christopher, Dir. of Sales and Marketing Inn on Fifth in Naples, FL Judy Neilsen, Spa Director Inn on Fifth, Naples, FL Tom Parsons, http://www.bestfares.com/ is a regular guest offering Deals and Steals After returning from my (Sue) recent trip to Traverse City, MI on air guests were: Mike Norton, CVB J. Mike de Agostino, PR Mgr. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Lindsey Southwell, Mktg Mgr Shanty Creek Resorts |
WINTER RESORTS IN MICHIGAN
To find out more about Michigan's Traverse City resorts and activities contact my hosts on this trip: Travel Michigan - www.michigan.org Kirsten Borgstrom and Dave Lorenz Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau Mike Norton |
TRAVERSE CITY MI
WHERE TO STAY AND WHERE TO EAT My last night in town we went to Red Ginger Restaurant where Chef Dan Marsh prepared some great sushi and Asian inspired dishes. Since I'm not much of a sushi lover I did try the Caterpillar, looks like one and is made with avocado. I ordered Calamari to share with my friends and it literally melted in my mouth. Part of the group I was traveling with stayed at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Although I stayed elsewhere I did tour the facilities and spa. After a day of learning to cross country ski and falling down four times and then snow tubing for two hours I was ready for a relaxing spa treatment. My massage therapist, Kenny, found all those sore and tender muscles as I was wrapped up in hot towels infused with cinnamon and vanilla. The 900-acre resort includes 600 rooms, suites and condos. In season there are 54 holes of championship golf, 85,000 sq ft of meeting space, indoor and outdoor tennis courts (with lessons), Kids enjoy the 15,000 sq ft Indoor Water Playground. The resort is a perfect venue for weddings. I stayed at Shanty Creek Resorts www.shantycreek.com featuring golf, conference center, spa and skiing. Shanty Creek is made up of Summit, Schuss and Cedar River Villages. Summit Village where I stayed has had a $10 million renovation with a complete redesign inspired by the nearby water and woods. With four championship golf courses, dining overlooking Lake Bellaire and 16,000 sq ft of meeting space. My room faced the lake where I could watch the sun rise from my balcony. My room had a kitchenette with a microwave and refrigerator, a jacuzzi, fireplace, flat screen TV, a soft pillow-top king bed and a work desk with free Internet. Schuss Village looks like you're in a swiss village. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, an Arnold Palmer designed "Legend" golf course, Families can enjoy the downhill ski packages of Schuss Mountain and the cross country Nordic trails. Cedar River Village offer snowtubing where I spent two hours of total fun acting like a kid again. They have a tow to take you back to to the top. We had lunch at Weiskopf's Grill and enjoyed a hot chocolate after tubing. |
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
Many communities let their magnificent historical buildings get demolished and don't have the foresight to help them become the grand dames they can become. The city of Traverse City, MI had foresight to allow the 1885 former State Hospital for the mentally ill to become what would be called "The Village at Grand Traverse Commons." The cream colored brick Victorian-Italiante historic buildings were renovated in 2000 - 2007. The 63-acre complex now houses the www.undergroundcheesecake.com , an urban winery and www.highergroundstrading.com There are also several trendy boutiques and restaurants. We headed for the Higher Grounds Trading Co where we sampled the small-batch coffee roastery and hot chocolate. Organic fresh-roasted coffee from around the world and cocoa beans are used. Left Foot Charley's uses grapes from 13 local vineyards. We met our chocolate guide and author, Barbara Disborough "The Guide to Chocolate in the Grand Traverse Region" and sampled rich chocolates made from chocolatier Mimi Wheeler, owner of Grocer's Daughter Chocolate. www.grocersdaughter.com Mimi uses Rainforest Alliance premium high-cocoa content chocolate for her hand-made truffles, caramels (try the sea salt ones), Bon Bons filled with her home grown herbs, locally blended spices and honey. She also makes non-dairy vegan fruit, spice and nut bon bons. |
CHOCOLATE AND CHERRIES IN TRAVERSE CITY MI
From the Chef Ted Cizma at Grand Traverse Resort preparing Tiramusu and Chef Andrew Reh at Lakeview Restaurant in the Summit Hotel at Shanty Creek Resorts preparing an assortment of delectable chocolates for dessert to the tiny shop Morsels, I enjoyed eating my way around town savoring chocolates and cherries. Our chocolate/cherry stroll stopped at Grand Traverse Pie Company for lunch, I had a Cherry/Chicken Salad and a delicious piece of Cherry Pie. There are over 30 varieties of gourmet pies, including cherry, apple and pot pies, soups and quiches. Our chocolate stroll took us for more chocolate sampling to Chocolate Exotica, Kilwins and Morsels. Don Coe from Black Star Wines paired wines to accompany our tasting dinner at Aeerie Restaurant at the Grand Traverse Resort. Micro brewery Shorts provided sampling prior to our dinner at Lakeview Restaurant. Wine tasting was provided by Chateau Chantal. |
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Visiting Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas
The vineyards of Traverse City included L. Mawby, Two Lads, Black Star Farms, Chateau Chantal, Brys Estate, Shady Lane Cellars and Chateau de Leelanau and Left Foot Charley winery. The Peninsulas are located on the 45th parallel the same as the Freench wine regions. The deep water of the Grand Traverse Bay warms the narrow peninsulas and allows grapes to ripen late into October and early November. |
TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN
Sue took a wonderful trip to Traverse City Michigan and enjoyed cross country skiing and snow tubing. The area is well known as the Cherry Capital and the numerous wineries. A day visiting several wineries and chocolate shops made for a delicious day. |
Hotel de Glace - Quebec's Ice Hotel
We decided not to spend the night in the Ice Hotel but, we did take a tour of the 36 rooms, bar, slide and wedding chapel. We stood at the wedding chapel altar and had a special kiss. |
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Quebec City
Interviews with GM Robert Mercure of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac and Richard Sequin, Acct Exec with Quebec Tourism Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Bonhommes Ice Palace Place Loto 400 foot slide |
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