TravelLeisure

For the first time in decades, rather than closing completely for the winter season, High Hampton Inn is offering winter accommodation/activities packages from late November 2006 through late April 2007 in selected cottages at the resort in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains.

All cottages have heaters, and some have wood-burning fireplaces for which firewood will be provided. All packages include accommodations for two and a welcome gift basket including breakfast treats and beverages.

Some packages include unlimited golf and tennis at the resort; use of the new, state-of-the-art Hampton Health Club & Spa; and/or a selection of spa treatments. Read more

Tripmates is the first social networking site that takes dating to another level by connecting travelers worldwide. Singles never have to see sights alone, as Tripmates unique “Trip Buddy” feature allows users to meet locals or fellow travelers - building the trend of Destination Dating - for the most well-connected vacation you could imagine. Tourists seeking locals to meet…or other tourists that can help cut down the cost of a trip, can log on to Tripmates to network before they plan their next getaway. Read more

Drawing more than 2 million visitors from throughout the United States, the renowned Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition is preparing for its final stop on the current U.S. tour. The exhibition will be at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, its only northeast destination, from Feb. 3, 2007 – Sept. 30, 2007, giving Americans one more chance to experience the world that remains of Egyptian royal life 3,000 years ago, before the exhibit heads to London.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs builds on the legacy of the last King Tut exhibit to visit the United States, which drew record crowds more than 26 years ago. Now this larger and even more intriguing exhibition, featuring approximately 130 artifacts from the tombs of King Tut and his contemporaries, is breaking records of its own. Five months prior to opening in the city of brotherly love, approximately 300,000 tickets have been reserved, and visitors from as far away as California, Oregon and Montana are represented, which speaks to the hold the exhibition has had over the country since it began its four-city tour in June 2005. Read more

Anyone who thinks Halloween is just for kids is missing out on some ghostly fun. Halloween is the one time of year when it’s okay for grown ups to indulge in everything from diet-breaking candy binges to daring costumes a la vampires and the French maid. If nothing else, Halloween is a means of breaking routine and trying out another role. Break your routine this year in one of the following cities, where the festivities promise to scare, or at least tickle, your funny bone. Read more

The Internet has revolutionized the way Americans make their travel plans. We log on to find the best price on everything from airline tickets to rental cars to hotels. The Web is also a wealth of information on popular travel destinations. In fact, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, approximately 64 million Americans now research their travel options online.

One trend fueling the popularity of planning and booking travel online is the proliferation of sites that make it fast and easy to find all the information you need to plan the trip of your dreams with a few convenient clicks of a mouse. Read more

It's a "blitz" of action-packed fun on the New Orleans Saints completely renovated home turf...the Louisiana Superdome, with the New Orleans Marriott Hotels Comeback package! This touchdown of a deal is offered from only $139, per room, per night(a) at the New Orleans Marriott and JW Marriott New Orleans. It's time to catch the fun in the Big Easy, whether watching the Saints march to victory, strolling the streets of this enthralling city or simply relaxing poolside. Everyone catches the spirit with this dynamic package that includes: Read more

A 15th century Tuscan villa, ten thousand olive trees, seventy acres of Italian countryside and culinary lessons at the famous Toscana Saporita Cooking School are all part of the grand prize package in De’Longhi’s “Taste of Tuscany” sweepstakes. De’Longhi, the Italian manufacturer of upscale kitchen electrics, announced today that it will award 14 lucky winners with a free weeklong trip for two to Italy to attend Toscana Saporita and explore the Tuscan countryside. From October 1 to November 30, contestants can enter to win at participating retailers, including Linens ’n Things, Macy’s, Sur La Table, Starbucks and Williams-Sonoma (online only), or online at www.delonghi-sweepstakes.com (site goes live October 1, 2006). Read more

Gold, marble and mahogany throughout. Anything-you-want, any time in-room dining. Your own concierge. Satellite channels from around the world and newspapers in any language delivered at the snap of a finger. Sure, international royalty, celebrities and the wealthy demand this level of luxury when they stay in New York, Paris or Tokyo. But, nestled in the Minnesota countryside?

This is Rochester, Minn.’s new International Hotel (www.internationalhotelmn.com), welcoming guests who appreciate and can afford exceptional levels of service while visiting the Mayo Clinic.

“From the interior design to the first-class amenities, the International Hotel is truly a home away from home for worldly travelers and Mayo patients,” said Bruce Fairchild, regional director of operations. “Our adage is ‘Yes is the answer, what is the question.’”

Known as one of the top medical facilities in the world, the Mayo Clinic fuels health tourism with more than 500,000 outpatients checking in each year. From the demands of the city’s most luxurious visitors was born the International Hotel, a Sunstone Hotel Investors Property. Read more

As the Vegas Insiders, VEGAS.com customers think they know everything because, well, they do. But that doesn’t mean they can do everything. Wondering about something a little less, ahem, “mainstream?” Ask away – they’re not prudes but they may have to draw the line somewhere.

The following are excerpts from actual call center conversations: Read more

Luxury and sophistication meet this fall at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, where guests are invited to stay in style at the elegant surroundings of the historic Biltmore hotel and explore Los Angeles in a sporty Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Biltmore’s new “Suite Drive” package is offering Deluxe accommodations at the Millennium Biltmore along with a complimentary rental of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, courtesy of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, as well as valet parking.

Rates for the “Suite Drive” package begin at $199 per room, per night and are subject to availability. Guest may upgrade to the Biltmore’s Executive Club Suite accommodations for an additional $100. Friday and Saturday night stays are required to book this package and package is valid through December 30, 2006. For convenient access guests will pick up their car at the Millennium Biltmore and drop it off after use. For reservations please visit www.millenniumhotels.com or contact 213-624-1011. Read more