Romantic Getaways for Valentine's Day

By mid-February, the excitement of the holiday season has faded into memory and the winter can begin to seem long.  Fortunately, a bit of mid-winter woe makes Valentine's Day a perfect excuse to plan a getaway vacation with someone you love.
Wherever you live, there are likely to be dozens of nearby places where  you can enjoy a quick break from your daily routine.  But if you have the time and the desire for something outside the ordinary, consider one of these special destinations.

Alberta's Lake Louise is a tiny hamlet nestled in the forest and mountains of Banff National Park.  In winter, the lake's jewel-toned water turns into a perfect ice-skating rink.  The fabulous and historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel overlooks the lake and is right next to one of North America's largest ski areas.  If you don't ski or snowboard, you can strap on some snowshoes, take a sleigh ride, or settle into a comfortable seat in front of the hotel's picture windows and drink in the view.

If a tropical location holds more appeal for you, the Caribbean island of
St. Lucia has beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the sun and surf and some terrific snorkeling.  At the Anse Chastanet Resort, you can stay in the rambling main building, or right on the beach in a three-walled Infinity Suite (the forth side is open to a view of the Caribbean).

The Cappadocia region of Turkey has an unusual, moon-like landscape dotted with "fairy chimneys" slim outcroppings of rock seemingly sculpted by a giant, unseen chisel.  It may be hard to believe that this mysterious and stark landscape could conceal luxurious hotel, but the town of Urgup is famous for the hotels built inside its caves.  The Sacred House cave hotel near Goreme offers 12 elegant, uniquely decorated rooms.

On Indonesian of Bali, mountain peaks slope down to idyllic beaches of white or black sand, edged by coral reefs.  The town of Ubud is the cultural center of the island, and the nearby Viceroy Bali resort is perched on a ridge overlooking the Valley of Kings.  Each villa has private outdoor space, or you can soak in the view from the valley-top infinity pool or yoga pavilion.
For more ideas on Valentines Day getaways near and far, talk with your travel professional.

Trends in Buisness Travel for 2012

More business travelers are moving through airport security checkpoints using electronic boarding passes stored on their mobile devices, according to Travel Leaders’ 2012 Travel Trends Survey. More than 81 percent of the Travel Leaders owners, managers and agents surveyed said that at least 10 percent of their business travel clients use electronic boarding passes to pass through security; more than 15 percent of those surveyed said at least 80 percent of their business travel clients follow this practice.

Electronic boarding passes are currently offered by several major airlines, and are accepted at dozens of U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration says these “paperless” boarding passes actually heighten the ability to detect fraudulent passes; and, there’s little chance that passengers will misplace, tear or crumple boarding passes that are stored on their mobile devices.

The use of electronic boarding passes is one way business travelers and their employers are making increased use of mobile communications. Employers are also relying on mobile app programs, like the one recently developed by Travel Leaders, to quickly find and assist their travelers if their itineraries are affected by weather or unexpected events.

Another notable business travel trend for 2012 is a continued focus on containing the cost of air travel. While some business travelers will be able to return to first-class airline seats this year – nearly 60 percent of the travel professionals surveyed said that more than 10 percent of their business travel clients are flying “up front,” compared with 56.4 percent last year – 41 percent said that less than 10 percent of their business travel clients will be able to enjoy the comforts of first class. When asked why these business travelers fly in coach seats, the overwhelming response was cost, cited by more than 89 percent of respondents.

Still, few employers are cutting back on buisness travel:  the survey shows that more than 94 percent of respondents to the Travel Trends Survey say their business travel clients plan to spend as much or more on travel during 2012 as they did in 2011.

Great Places to Celebrate Carnival

Carnival is one of the world’s great celebrations. Who hasn’t dreamt of being part of the revelry in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, home of the world’s most famous Carnival celebration? But, Carnival has deep roots in places like Italy, Belgium and Louisiana, too.

In Catholic and some Eastern Orthodox traditions, the six weeks before Easter is the Lenten period, traditionally observed by fasting and other austere practices. Long ago, in the days just before Lent, people would gather for parties to enjoy the rich food and drink that would not be allowed during Lent. Through the centuries, this practice evolved into what we now know as Carnival.

This year, Carnival begins on February 18 and ends on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, February 21. Where would you like to celebrate?

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest in the world. Highlights include the glittering Samba Parade, elegant balls, street parties and street band parades. After partying late into the night, you can relax and enjoy the sun on one of Rio’s gorgeous beaches during the day.

Many Carnival traditions, such as parades and masquerade balls, were first recorded in medieval Italy. At the ancient Carnival of Venice, everyone wore a mask so they could mingle and celebrate without being identified by social class. This tradition continues at the modern Carnival of Venice, where a contest to select the best mask is a highlight.

Carnival in the Belgian town of Binche dates back to the 14th century. It features the antics of the Gilles, clown-like characters who wear vibrant costumes, wax masks and wooden shoes. They march through the town, dance, brandish sticks to shoo away evil spirits, and throw oranges to the crowd.

In the U.S., New Orleans is famous for its Carnival celebration, Mardi Gras – a legacy of the city’s early French settlers. Parades and parties begin in early January, with a citywide celebration on Mardi Gras Day, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. People congregate in the picturesque streets of the French Quarter, but the parades take place along some of the city’s wider avenues.

There’s still time to make arrangements to attend a Carnival celebration in one of these locations or many others around the world.

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth

A Diamond Jubilee – the celebration of a British monarch’s 60th year on the throne – is a rare occasion. In fact, the only monarch so far to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee is Queen Victoria in 1897. As of February 6, 2012, Queen Elizabeth II will be the second British monarch to share her Diamond Jubilee with the world.

When her father – King George VI – died in 1952, Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, staying at the Treetops Lodge Hotel in Nyeri. Visitors entered the hotel by climbing a wild fig tree. When Elizabeth descended the tree on the morning of February 6, she learned that her father had died during the night – and she became the woman who “went up a princess and came down a queen.”

Dancers from Kenya will entertain the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee festivities, along with Maasai warriors, Samburu herdsman, the Nairobi Chambers Chorus choir and other performing groups from more than 17 nations. The main celebration will take place June 2-5, beginning with the Epsom Derby horse race. There will be a flotilla of ships on the Thames River, a concert in at Buckingham Palace, and a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Special museum displays, environmental projects and street parties will take place across London and throughout England.

In addition, members of the royal family will represent the Queen in far-flung locations linked to the British Empire. Charles, Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will travel to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will visit Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Prince Harry will visit the tropical destinations of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

The Diamond Jubilee promises to be an exciting prelude to the 2012 Olympic Games in London later this summer. Details of the celebration in London and elsewhere will be announced throughout the spring and early summer. However, it’s best to make your Jubilee-related travel plans as soon as possible.