Tut Reigns in Chicago
One of the most famous royal figures in history, King Tutankhamun is the subject of the highly-anticipated "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs" exhibit which is being shown at Chicago's Field Museum to January 1, 2007. The exhibit focuses on the impact of the boy-king, affectionately known as King Tut, as well as offering insights into the life and times of ancient Egypt and its citizens. The exhibit has already opened to great acclaim and long lines in Los Angeles and Florida.
The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel located on the city's "Magnificent Mile" is offering a special "King Tut" package which features accommodations, two tickets to "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" exhibit, and two VIP welcome drinks, the King Tuttini Martini in the hotel's Martini Bar. Rates for the package begin at $219 excluding tax. For reservations visit www.millenniumhotels.com or contact 866-866-8086.
The Martini Bar is the centerpiece of the hotel's elegant lobby and it features over 50 varieties of martinis and is headed by experienced bartender Mr. Epigmenio Vera affectionately nicknamed Mora and who has over 17 years of experience bartending at the Millennium Knickerbocker. In honor of the King Tut exhibit, the Millennium Knickerbocker and Mora have created the King Tuttini Martini which shimmers in gold. Guest will also enjoy live jazz piano and can have a toast to the boy-king.
The exhibit will showcase Egyptian funerary and burial traditions as well as their concepts of the afterlife. It will also feature priceless and personal artifacts of King Tut such as a golden diadem crown inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stones; one of four miniature viscera coffins, also made of gold and inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stones that once contained the king's mummified organs; and a painted wooden mannequin of the young king. The exhibition will also showcase more than 70 objects from graves of other members of the 18th Dynasty, including the king's great-grandparents.
For more information on the exhibit visit the Field Museum's website at www.fieldmuseum.org.
From Russia with Love
Trafalgar's Wonders of Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow Holiday Russia is sure to be one of the hottest destinations in 2006. And Trafalgar is offering an escorted vacation to the legendary cities of Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow. Trafalgar's 10-day Wonders of Helsinki, St. Petersburg andMoscow tour showcases the country's attractions from the world's most majestic metropolises to the famous Red Square.
Highlights include: Helsinki, sightseeing includes Finlandia Hall,
Senate and Market Squares; St. Petersburg, sightseeing includes views of the Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt, a visit to the St. Peter and Paul fortress, plus a visit to the Hermitage Museum; Moscow, sightseeing includes Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin Walls and a scenic drive through the Karelian Forest.
Trafalgar's 10-day Wonders of Helsinki, St.. Petersburg andMoscow itinerary is priced from $1499 per person, twin share (land only), and includes accommodation in first-class hotels, luxury touring on Trafalgar's fleet of modern coaches, the services of a Trafalgar tour director and driver and many meals including breakfast daily.
Departures for this tour are available through October 13, 2006. Atour director and local guides will introduce the history, customs and culture of each destination. Trafalgar was established in 1947 and has 58 years of experience providing vacations to Europe, Britain, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Asia.
For more information, contact Trafalgar at (800) 854-0103 or visit
www.trafalgar.com. |
Lizards, Jazz and Dali—Fall in Florida
Autumn is the time of year when the weather gets cooler in Florida but the fun is just starting. From jazz to geckos, activities abound throughout the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.
Here's a list of the top events for fall 2006. For more information, contact the individual event organizer or visit www.FloridasBeach.com/events
Gulfport's End of Summer Gecko Fest-
September 2
This quaint town on Boca Ciega Bay celebrates the little lizards known as Geckos with a family festival and parade. Artists in Gulfport's Art Village create pins, hats and yard ornaments celebrating these salamanders. Visitors are encouraged to wear colorful costumes and hats. Craft tables will be set up with supplies for those who didn't bring their gecko garb. For more information, call 727-345-0750 or 727-302-9299.
7th Annual Renaissance Night-
September 15
Downtown Safety Harbor Safety Harbor steps back into ye old Middle Ages as the annual Renaissance Night returns. Renaissance Night will fill downtown Safety Harbor with gypsies, wizards, musicians, fairies, pirates and animals.
Entertainment will center near Gazebo Park and will feature magic shows,
an animal extravaganza, an ancient sword fighting demo and a live performance from the West Florida Youth Ballet. Admission is free from 6- 10 p.m. For more information, call 727-799-2200.
Clearwater Jazz Holiday--
October 12-15
Coachman Park, Clearwater
In its 27th year, the annual Jazz Holiday brings together all veins of jazz music together in four days of free entertainment at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. From bebop to blues, from big band to the compositions of Frank Zappa, there is something for everyone. Performers are TBA. Information: 727-461-5200.
Dali Museum Hispanic Heritage Fest
- October 14
Salvador Dali Museum St. Petersburg
The Salvador Dali Museum celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with this family festival. The festival will include reduced admission to the Museum, tours of the collection in Spanish, bilingual storytelling, dance and music performances by local artists, children's art activities and a variety of Hispanic food vendors. The event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 727-823-3767
Dunedin Oktoberfest
October 14 - 15, Highlander Park, Dunedin
Dunedin hosts this traditional annual event featuring Dunedin's own microbrew. The event also features typical German foods such as bratwurst, knockwurst and Oktoberfest chicken along with oom-pa-pa bands, Bavarian dancers and pancake breakfasts. Admission is free admission, however, there is a charge for food. For more information, call 727-669-4592.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa's Family Fun Package
Just in time for summer vacation season, the four-star Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, Ft. Myers Beach's premiere family destination for over 50 years, is offering its Family Fun package.
The package includes 3-day/2-night deluxe accommodations for four (2 adults and 2 children) in a two-bedroom suite at the White Sands Villas; dinner for four at Pink Shell's restaurant, JoJos at the Beach; a complementary day at Pink Shell's adult-supervised KiddsKampp;
a $100 credit towards Aquagene, the resort's state-of-the-art spa, and an additional $100 resort credit that may be applied to purchases at Audrey's, the resort's own boutique, dining, or water sports activities, such as marina cruises, fishing, waverunner rentals, parasailing, and dolphin adventure tours. 
The Pink Shell's Family Fun package is available through December 20, 2006, subject to availability, at $799 per package and may be booked by calling 888-309-2911, or at www.pinkshell.com.
Located on Estero Island along the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel,
the 12-acre Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa caters to families and small groups seeking a four-star resort experience. The property features Aquagene, a 6,000 square foot, state of the art full-service spa, meetings facilities, 180 deluxe rooms, two restaurants, KiddsKampp, a specialized children's program with separate activities for teens, and a myriad of water sports activities.
For information/reservations, contact the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, 275 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, 1-888-222-7465 or visit www.pinkshell.com.
An Eye On Women
According to a Travel Goods Association (TGA) survey, women make 74 % of all luggage purchases, are the chief decision-maker when it comes to family vacation plans, and are responsible for 20 percent of all business travel. It is, therefore, no surprise that women are an important market segment to the travel goods industry, which keeps a close eye on their interests and tastes when assembling new collections.
 Beyond style and fashion, though, women are clearly interested in the features of luggage that make it more portable and efficient. Certainly wheel systems and piggyback systems (separate pieces of luggage that can be attached and wheeled as one unit) have created comfort and convenience for the female traveler. Michele Marini Pittenger, vice president of the Travel Goods Association (TGA), says, "For women, fashion and function are inseparable when it comes to travel goods. The buzzword for luggage this year is systems: travel systems, transport systems, packing systems. Manufacturers are taking luggage to a whole new level by making it smarter, easier to maneuver, and more functional for travelers." Pittenger adds, "At the same time, there are fabrics and textures to meet everyone tastes, from old world tapestries to the lightweight high-tech metal materials."
Pittenger says that it is not only luggage that can make a difference to women travelers. She states, "Travel accessories are booming, and many are specifically designed with the female traveler in mind." Some of the accessory items she lists include: palm size garment steamers, easy to identify luggage tags, "smart" electrical currency converters, cellular phone cases, and organizer daypacks with an anti-theft device built into the strap. "Clearly, the woman travel consumer has a significant card to play in shaping tomorrow's travel goods industry," Pittenger says.
A list of manufacturers and retailers of travel goods products can be obtained by contacting the Travel Goods Association at 609-720-1200. |
