TravelLeisureNews

Feb. 2008 – In response to recent above-average snowpack reports, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, an ARAMARK-managed destination, announces a new “Cut Open Guarantee” package to encourage guests to book their houseboating vacations now in anticipation of the reopening of Castle Rock Cut due to increased lake levels this spring.

New snowpack reports from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predict the highest water levels at the lake in recent years. The rising water in spring are forecasted to cause Castle Rock Cut, a shortcut route from Wahweap Marina to popular Lake Powell destinations, to open for the first time in more than five years during June or possibly sooner. Read more

February 11, 2008 -- Nintendo’s Endless Ocean game for Wii takes users on a virtual undersea trip to explore deep-sea wrecks and encounter more than 230 different animal species. Players of all abilities explore at their own pace as they swim through coral reefs, explore ancient shipwrecks, meet local wildlife and search for sunken treasure.

In the spirit of the game’s themes of fun and exploration, Nintendo and Norwegian Cruise Line are partnering to offer a real-life ocean adventure: the Endless Ocean Cruise Giveaway. Three lucky winners will receive a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, where they can experience the fun of Wii at sea. Read more

February 8, 2008 -- Despite the explosion of pink hearts and flying cupids in every drugstore and the overload of sappy jewelry commercials on TV, somehow a large subset of the population still manages to end up without a gift to give his or her sweetheart on February 14th.

What could be a better last-minute Valentine’s Day gift idea for these “romantically challenged” laggards than a surprise getaway for two? Here are some simple “Cheap Getaways” that make perfect stay-out-of-the-doghouse splurges for your sweetheart from five major cities across America. (And don’t forget: Cheapflights.com offers special handpicked deals to many locations around the world. Whether you’re dreaming of a specific destination or are simply seeking inspiration for something new or different, check out our 400+ destination guides to help narrow your choices.) Read more

February 6, 2008--CaseCruzer is pleased to introduce a Pelican case that will ease the air travel nightmare experienced by most photographers. The new camera case, the Photo StudioCruzer 1510, is the toughest airline-legal carry-on case available today. Now photographers can roll on and off an aircraft without fear of baggage handlers and accidents.

The mobile Photo StudioCruzer 1510 is yet another innovative CaseCruzer design of Montclair, California. Its modular interior gives photographers flexibility for storing and transporting equipment with closed cell foam adjustable sizers. And the exclusive lid compartment is the perfect cradle for an Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-, 15-inch or the new MacBook Pro Air. Read more

February 4, 2008--Although Valentine’s Day is when many couples rekindle the romance, Hilton Hotels & Resorts offer a variety of romantic experiences and destinations at its more than 500 hotels around the world to help fuel the fires any time of year.

DUBAI, UAE: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah & Hilton Dubai Creek
Jet-setters can zip off to Dubai, the jewel of the United Arab Emirates and a cosmopolitan oasis nestled among ancient cultures and striking landscapes. Couples can start their visit at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah’s Spa, where they can experience a special “Glowing Body” treatment made up of an aromatic scrub of coconut butter, lavender, lemongrass or mocha, and a soothing massage using moisturizing oils. Once sufficiently relaxed, couples can make their way across town to the Hilton Dubai Creek to dine at Verre by Gordon Ramsay, where the executive chef has prepared a special four-course dinner of salmon, caviar, lobster and a hot chocolate fondant with Baileys ice cream to finish. Lovers can finish their evening back at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah by lounging in a private tent on the beach complete with waiter service, champagne and romantic music. If inclined to leave their luxurious hotel accommodations, couples will find more than enough activities to keep them occupied, including visits to archaeological excavations, incredible shopping, a visit to the Dubai Museum or even a day of skiing at Dubai’s indoor ski slope. Read more

February 2008- Hartmann, Inc., is excited to announce the upcoming launch of their newest collection, the nautical inspired Regatta Collection. The Regatta Collection is comprised of seven pieces, each available in your choice of Navy, Red or Cream. The four business cases and three luggage cases come together to make the ultimate travel collection.

All pieces have a water-resistant cream lining with Navy polka dots, and are made of soft, yet durable pebble grain leather with aged natural belting leather accents. Each features polished nickel hardware and contrast stitching. Read more

Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring 2008 will see a new generation of luxury hospitality on the Las Vegas scene when Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas opens its doors on March 31. The hotel will join sister Trump International Hotel & Towers in New York and Chicago as the three founding hotels of the newly launched Trump Hotel Collection. The ultra-luxury brand, which embodies the vision of Donald Trump and his three grown children -- Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric -- promises to raise the bar on the top-end travel experience with a style of customized service unmatched in the market.

Rising 645 feet above the city, its 64 stories wrapped in 24-karat gold glass, Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas will stand out on a skyline known for bold architectural statements. Its location will afford guests direct access to the world-renowned Fashion Show Mall adjacent to the hotel. Its boutique-style approach, sans casino, will bring welcome understatement to a city dominated by just the opposite. Read more

February 1, 2008 -- Disney.com announced today the launch of the first ever Dreams Come True online sweepstakes, in partnership with Disney Parks. The sweepstakes, which celebrates the Year of a Million Dreams at Disney Parks, gives Disney fans the opportunity to win one of five Disney Parks magical vacations. The Grand Prize trip is a vacation at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, including one night in the heart of the Park in the all new Disneyland Dream Suite, which has been created based on designs originally made for Walt Disney himself. Fans can visit www.Disney.com/Dreams and enter once a day, every day in February – each daily entry is an additional chance to win.

Each entry instantly wins a limited edition digital prize such as a Mickey Mouse bobble head, a Disney Princesses snow globe, a Hannah Montana clock or a vintage Disney characters calendar. Throughout the month of February, fans are encouraged to collect the entire set of digital prizes by visiting Disney.com/Dreams and entering the Dreams Come True sweepstakes. Read more

Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon, the number-one kids' entertainment brand, and Mall of America, the country's largest shopping and entertainment destination, will officially welcome guests into the grand opening of Nickelodeon Universe, the Mall of America's new, re-branded theme park, on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Construction is well underway on several of the new Nickelodeon-themed rides that will be added to the seven-acre indoor theme park including: the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge; Avatar Airbender; and Splat-O-Sphere. Nickelodeon Universe marks the first-ever Nickelodeon theme park in the world.

The two new roller coasters, SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge and Avatar Airbender, are the first of their kind to be built inside a mall and completely indoors. SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge will offer unique vertical lifts, spirals and 90-degree turns screeching to a halt at the Bikini Bottom Bus Stop. The Avatar Airbender ride will reach heights of up to 70 feet. The new roller coasters consist of 45-tons of reinforcement steel, 8-tons of structural steel and 4,000 cubic yards of concrete. Read more

January 28, 2008 – With its magnificent restaurants, world-class entertainment and spectacular sites, New York City has always been an ideal romantic getaway. This Valentine’s weekend, The Kitano New York, the city’s first and only Japanese-owned hotel, invites couples to enjoy a romantic rendezvous in the city with its Valentine’s Day Package, valid the nights of February 14, 15 and 16, 2008.

With rates starting at $450 per night (plus tax), the special offer includes deluxe accommodations for two, chilled champagne upon arrival, complimentary admission for two to a live jazz performance in the hotel’s Bar Lounge (food and beverage charge not included), a 15 percent discount for a Valentine’s dinner at the Garden Café, breakfast for two and a late check-out to enjoy the city at your leisure. Read more