Entries by Karen Kuzsel

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – OCTOBER 2022

October 10, 2022 /0 Comments/in /by

THE FUTURE LIES WITH THESE OPENINGS AND RENOVATIONS

Chef Dominique Ansel shows off the pastries for his new bakery at Caesars Palace.

OK. I’m drooling just writing about James Beard award-winning pastry chef Dominque Ansel’s new bakery opening in Caesars Palace on October 21. Dominique Ansel Las Vegas will naturally feature signature creations such as his iconic Cronut® pastry, the best-selling DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann), freshly baked French viennoiserie and the new “Lucky 7” collection, a set of pastries exclusive to Las Vegas. Bonus: the first 100 guests will receive a commemorative gift in celebration of the opening. Each month, the shop will offer a new Cronut® flavor available only at Caesars Palace. The Cronut® (a cross between a croissant

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – LATE SEPTEMBER 2022

September 26, 2022 /0 Comments/in /by

Caesars Palace Renovated Main Entrance

Hi ya’ll. Am prepping my house and yard for Hurricane Ian, so this will be a short update in case we lose power at some point. My blessings to all for safety, especially to those who were just impacted by Fiona and all facing the powerful Ian.

NEW AND RENEWED!

Caesars Palace (Las Vegas, NV) has finished the multi-million-dollar renovation. The front roof the entryway has been coffered and raised. There’s a new porte-cochère, refreshed gaming areas, and the new Galleria Bar is featured

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

September 6, 2022 /0 Comments/in /by

NEW AND RENEWED!

New rock climbing and canyoneering experiences on tap by Moab Adventure Center.

Do you know the difference between rock climbing and canyoneering? I didn’t Moab Adventure Center described their unique experiences that continue through November. Here’s how Sierra Schmutz, General Manager of the Moab Adventure Center, explains. Rock climbers use the textures, bumps, and cracks in the rock walls (and may wear special shoes) to go up a rock wall. Once they reach the top, they descend with the rope and harness back to the horizontal ground. Canyoneers slide or rappel down into canyons and caverns where only a rope can give them access. Often there are multiple descents through a given canyon. All guides with

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – AUGUST 2022

August 9, 2022 /0 Comments/in /by

HOT DEALS!

Save on end of summer packages, such as Atlantis Paradise Island resort.

End of summer savings on multiple Rentyl Resorts properties. Your fourth night with 4+ day booking in select rooms is free on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. Must book by Aug.10 for stays through Oct.21. Save 20% with a booking in Cap Cove Resort in St. Lucia. Must book by Sept. 1 for stays through Oct. 31, 2022. Stay three or more nights at The Cottages in the Cayman Islands and save 15%. Must book by Aug. 28 for stays between Sept. 1 and Nov. 15.

https://rentylresorts.com; 321-888-3509

Part 6: TRAVELER DISCOVERIES OF SOUTHSIDE ITALY’S ANCIENT ORIGINS – SORRENTO

July 28, 2022 /0 Comments/in , /by

Growing cactus must be one of the reasons there are so many varieties in Southern Italy.

In Part 5, we discovered Lecce Baroque is an attitude as much as an architectural style and that certified organic wines go down easily with a farm-to-table fresh meal wonderfully prepared.

The last city on this two-week Odysseys Unlimited tour of Sicily and Southern Italy came sooner than it seemed possible. That’s the way it is with all vacations, I expect, but sometimes the days melt faster into the next depending on activities and on the group’s personal dynamics. This 18-member group has been exceptionally harmonious, so the shared experiences have flashed by. Nonetheless, we are headed to Sorrento, a city Russ and I visited with Odysseys four years ago. Then we had mere hours in Sorrento, but an unmistakable allure demanded a lengthier stay.

Part 5: TRAVELER DISCOVERIES OF SOUTHSIDE ITALY’S ANCIENT ORIGINS – LECCE

July 25, 2022 /0 Comments/in , /by

Lecce Baroque styling means artistic flourishes carved in white limestone.

In Part 4, we discovered conical roofs of flat rocks not bound with mortar can be quite useful to thwart a King’s taxman and in today’s market, bring in the big bucks.

what we learned:

Barocco leccese is an ornate artistic style developed in Lecce and in Terra d’Otranto allegedly between the second half of the 16th century and the end of the 17th. It was developed as a thanks to God for protecting Christianity from the Ottomans. Lecce Baroque style leaves no empty spaces. The thinking was that empty space lets in the Devil. The 2,000-year-old city is considered the “Florence of the South” for the breadth of the fanciful designs of human figures, flowers, and animals carved in white limestone materials encouraged by Charles V, King of Spain, instead of the marble used in Naples. In Lecce, elaborate corbels appear under railings. Classical sculptures of women line the sides of doorways. The point of Baroque design is to wow!

Part 4: TRAVELER DISCOVERIES OF SOUTHSIDE ITALY’S ANCIENT ORIGINS -ALBEROBELLO

July 22, 2022 /0 Comments/in , /by

An abandoned castle on the side of the road in Apulia.

In Part 3, we traversed the crooked, uneven narrow roads of Matera’s Sassi area, finding a history steeped in ancient religions, superstitions, and a reluctance even now to live comfortably under the watchful eye of UNESCO and tourism.

Once again, Italy’s unfinished road system causes our bus driver to weave a meandering path along main highways and back roads towards our next destination, the Apulia (or Puglia) region, which forms the heel of Italy’s boot shape. Apulia, which means “land without rain” has a population of about four million. The economy is based on industry and agriculture, with tomatoes the chief moneymaker. Want the best mozzarella and burrata cheeses? Come to Apulia. The region is home to Bari, a port and university town, Lecce (known as the (“Florence of the South”), and Alberobello, home to another type of unique architecture that is a far cry from Matera’s Sassi caves.

Part 3: TRAVELER DISCOVERIES OF SOUTHSIDE ITALY’S ANCIENT ORIGINS – MATERA

July 18, 2022 /0 Comments/in , /by

A one € house might be yours.

In Part 2, we explored the historic Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and hiked on Mt. Etna. We also enjoyed sumptuous meals near both those famous landmarks.

We left the island of Sicily for the mainland region of Basilicata, Italy, aboard a 20-minute ferry that docked in Villa San Giovanni, Calabria. Calabria (old Italy) means “place of the bull.” Ninety percent of Calabria is mountainous.

Enroute to Matera, a city of growing fascination the more we learned, we pass by isolated run-down buildings along the road called “one Euro properties.” That’s the price anyone can pay to own one of these crumbling, likely medieval times-built homes. Here’s the backstory. Small villages desperately need restoration of abandoned homes that might entice new residents. However, remaining villagers are likely impoverished and unable to tackle repairs of a second home.  Anyone can apply to buy one of those homes for one € with the pledge to restore it to historical accuracy. Applicant must also commit to five – 10 years ownership (depending on the area) but is not required to live there year-round. The property must remain a personal home and cannot be turned into a B&B or other money-making business. Not caring which homes qualified for a one € sale did not stop our 18-member tour group from pointing out luxury homes for the remainder of the two-week trip and yelling out, “One € house.”