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Part 1: SOUTHERN FRENCH CONNECTION: ART, FOOD and WINE

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Idyllic Southern France countryside

Art. Food. Wine.

Those were the three words that drew my husband, Russ, and I to book our two-week tour to Southern France, the Languedoc and Provence regions. Russ expected this tour would be a bit more laid back than our previous Odysseys Unlimited tours, though sometimes we still felt as if we were racing against time to cram in as many cultural experiences as we could before our weary bodies collapsed. That’s not a complaint, by the way… just the reality of not wanting to miss out Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MAY 2018

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Zebras are just one of the many 55 species of animals you might see on Safari Wilderness’ Sunset Safari’s this summer.

It’s the season for summertime travel if you’re based in North America, and if you are one of 72 million Americans expected to travel abroad, WalletHub has some interesting statistics about foreign transaction fees you may want to consider. According to surveys done by WalletHub, 51% of Americans worry more about foreign transaction fees on credit cards than tariffs on Chinese imports. Two-thirds of those surveyed think credit cards should charge lower foreign transaction fees in countries allied with the U.S. Are you aware that 96% of credit cards offer rental car insurance, while 86% offer travel accident Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – APRIL 2018

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Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach’s guitar-shaped pool. photo by Architectural Photography Inc


CSR TOUCHES YOUNG LIVES IN PROFOUND MEASURE
April is World Autism Month. In honor of the month, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, which already offers entertainment for children with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as food allergies and other dietary restrictions, has their carousel alight in blue. The theme park’s Guide for Guests with Disabilitie, available in printable PDF form, lists ride-by-ride safety requirements, including LEGOLAND Water Park, Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – MARCH 2018

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Cliff House Maine in Neddick, ME is offering promotional discounts

HOT DEALS!
Breathe in Spring by taking a long weekend to relax and rejuvenate at Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, FL Enjoy 20% off plus $25 daily hotel credit for your weekend stay for travel through May 31. Just minutes from Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, the resort’s $25 credit per night can be used at on-site restaurants, in-room dining or at Relâche Spa. Use promotional code P91 in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – FEBRUARY 2018

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Paradisus Punta Cana has promotional discounts and gorgeous settings


HOT DEALS!
Pamper yourself or your group with new promotions by Paradisus, renowned for its top all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Punta Cana. Receive up to $1,500 USD in resort credit, free golf rounds, and complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Resorts include Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, Paradisus Punta Cana, Paradisus Cancún, Paradisus Los Cabos, and Paradisus Palma Real.
www.melia.com
See the world from the deck of a Seabourn cruise liner during their Signature Savings Event and receive incentives such as a complimentary upgrade when Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – JANUARY 2018

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Swim with the Manatees? It’s a popular package at Plantation on Crystal River, located on Florida’s Nature Coast.


BEGINNINGS AND FRESH LOOKS
Parents and business visitors to Gainesville, FL will have a new reason to yell “Go Gators” when the AC Hotel Gainesville (by Marriott) opens its doors early this year. This college town has always been known for rousing spirit and Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – DECEMBER 2017

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Caesars Forum will have a 550,000 sf conference center in Las Vegas, NV

It’s that time of year when everyone’s personal life clashes hard with business activities, no matter how much one strives for balance. With that in mind, I will respect your time and not regale you with tales of the cookies I’ve baked or the fun parties I’ve worked as Natasha, The Psychic Lady. Your time is precious, so here are some of the deals and promotions you may want to keep in mind going forward.

HELP REJEUVENATE PUERTO RICO’S MEETING AND TOURISM MARKET

Meet Puerto Rico (MPR), the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for attracting meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events and incentive groups to Puerto Rico, is launching the “Check Off your Bucket List” promotion Read more

Edible, Yes… But Keep Your Hands Off These Centerpieces!

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Top Chef Santa. See the cleaver in his hand?


Edible centerpieces are 3-D works of artistic skill that can showcase an event’s theme, decorate a simply clad table, or in the case of the Orange County (FL) public high school and vocational tech students, it can be the recognition that their creativity, knife cuts, and timed artworks merited their focused concentration.
I’ve lost track of how many years I have had the privilege to judge Orange County (FL) Public School’s Annual Hospitality and Culinary Competition, hosted each December at the Orlando World Center Marriott, but I haven’t lost my enthusiasm for what each Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – NOVEMBER 2017

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Safari Wilderness in Lakeland, FL offers customized tours and facilities for private events.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY—MEETING PLANNERS & TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

How many of London’s spectacular palaces have you visited or hosted an event in? One of the most unexpectedly incredible venues I’ve ever been to is the Banqueting Hall. I kept imagining myself in a Renaissance dress and hair garland of flowers dining at the long table under massive wooden chandeliers and low-lit wall sconces while the musicians played lilting melodies. This place is truly fit for a luxurious dining event. The Banqueting Hall and other sites such as Kensington Palace and the Hillsborough Castles are all included in the special edition of Historic Royal Palaces, a guidebook of venues and special offers only available to Meeting Planners and Travel Specialists. The book is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk.

ONE OF FODOR’S “TOP 10 SAFARIS IN THE U.S.” LIES IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL FLORIDA????

When I first learned about the 260-acre Safari Wilderness located halfway between Tampa and Orlando, my reaction was Read more

HOTEL HAPPENINGS & PROGRAM PROMOTIONS – LATE OCTOBER 2017

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Gaylord Palms snow tubing


WINTER’S COMING BUT THESE DEALS AREN’T COOLING OFF!
Save up to 20% when you book a holiday package at the Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee, FL), for stays between November 21 – January 7, 2018. Here are some of the perks included with this offer. ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World; breakfast with Charlie Brown™ & Friends; Build-A-Bear Workshop® Scavenger Hunt; snow Read more