Here’s a fabulous new travel contest

Do you know someone who has no job, no direction, no umph, is truly annoying with no redeeming qualities?  (May sound like your recent college grad who’s returned home….) Here’s a chance to nominate them for eviction and send them packing for a full 6 months with the hope they return a better person.  To be chosen your entry will have to be witty and employ a variety of media tools  (video, song, sound effects, prose) – anything you can think of to garner the votes of friends, family and voters to just “Get Rid Of Me“!  The prize will include two tickets, so maybe you can find a friend who is just as annoying as you and tag team the competition.

Each candidate will need lots of votes, so be sure to enlist all your friends, relatives and even strangers in the voting.  One of the top contestants even performs annoying songs in public parks in order to gather voters to get rid of them. So you’ll have to be crafty  and imaginative in your approach.  Get all the details of the fabulous trip and the contest rules at GetRidOfMe.com.  Entries must be submitted by September 30th and the winner will be picked in October.  Be truly obnoxious and good luck!

NorthernOutdoors.com

Be A Really Cool Family – Go White Water Rafting On The Kennebec River! You can’t get much more refreshing than a plunge down the rapids in an inflatable boat.  The adrenaline rush all the water and amusement parks are trying to duplicate is right here in northern Maine on the Kennebec, Penobscot and Dead rivers.  Until July 15th it’s value season at Northern Outdoors – you can take 35% off standard summer rafting and lodging prices.  AND all summer long, kids raft at half price on weekdays.  On Wednesday it’s single parent day, two kids pay half price with a single paying parent.  These rivers will give you the ride of your life! 

SacoBound.com

Families wanting a slow lazy river experience can paddle a canoe down the quiet waters of the meandering Saco River.  Crystal clear waters tumble down from the White Mountains as they make their way from New Hampshire to the Maine coast.  The folks at Saco Bound can outfit you with everything you’ll need for a one day trip or 2 days with overnight camping.  You’ll hardly need to paddle as the current glides you over sandy bottomed river beds where the water is usually just a few feet deep.  Strap a tube on the back of the canoe and float down the lazy river!

Photo by Michelle McLean

For some old fashioned country fun head to the 50th anniversary celebration of Mollyockett Days in Bethel Maine from July 17-18th.

A beautiful village just down-mountain from the Sunday River Ski Resort, Bethel celebrates the life of Mollyocket a famed Indian Healer from the Peuqawket tribe who befriended early settlers in the region.

Photo by Michelle McLean

There will be all the down-home country fun you could wish for: a grand parade, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, farmer’s market, arts, craft and food vendors, a pig and turkey roast, frog jumping contest for the kids, chain saw carving, fun run, fiddlers and jazz band concerts, Adirondack auction, and of course we can’t forget the fireworks!

Come for the whole weekend and take advantage of specials at the beautiful Bethel Inn where kids 11 and under can stay and eat for free.

So for some summer fun that will have the whole family smiling, head north to Maine!

We arrived at Washington Dulles and were able to check in at the British Airways lounge.  Graciously greeted and welcomed (what a novel idea of thanking the customer), we relaxed while waiting to board our flight to Paris. You are welcome to participate in pre-boarding dinning, cocktails, or simply to snack and use the business center. The lounge service was A+, and since they notify you when it’s time to board your flight. you to can relax in comfy seats and enjoy the view. Our evening flight to Paris was a short 6 hours, and didn’t quite live up to our expectations.  Our dinner and breakfast were fine (but not extraordinary), and we actually felt a bit neglected at times as the flight crew were busy trying to troubleshoot several personal entertainment devices that were not working properly. The plane was older than we anticipated which resulted in some difficulties with the seat recline mechanisms.   But hold on, Open Skies still deserved a 5 Star rating, read on…..

It Pays Not to Judge Too Soon

Fully prepared to experience the very same on our return, we were pleasantly surprised. Our Flight Attendant Michael on the return flight was extraordinary. Since the fight back was nearly 9 hours, the crew had a lot more time to expand the service and provide us with a  truly first class experience, which included complimentary wine and champagne, a three-course meal, and a snack prior to arrival.  The good news is… they serve a nice selection of food, although like most airline food it suffers a bit in translation. All the equipment was operational on this flight and the 9 hours flew by (no pun intended). It was one of the best flights we’ve had in a very long time, and we would definitely go out of our way to fly Open Skies again.  The fact that their pricing is considerably below British Air, Air France, Delta etc. for business seats is a considerable bonus.  (At writing, the round trip business seat fare is approx $1,500 in high season!)  Here are a few additional tips to insure a great flight:

• Order a special meal, they have many options and they seemed to be more carefully prepared than the normal “chicken or fish” options.
• The travel kit is quite sparse (socks, mini toothpaste and brush), so bring along your own mouthwash, eye covering, chap stick and face moisturizer.
• The crew is very accommodating, don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need.
• Make sure you get up and move those legs to prevent DVT
• Bring along your own in-seat entertainment (book, magazine, iPod) just in case the entertainment devises are finicky
• Be sure to fill out all the pre-boarding information online to expedite your airport check in
• It’s possible to book a Business Bed seat for the overnight flight to Europe and a Business Seat for the daytime return.

One of the major benefits of flying Open Skies is that you land at Orly Airport instead of Charles de Gaulle (think LaGuardia rather than JFK).  We walked off the plane, through customs, and were in a taxi within 5 minutes of landing!  The taxi ride into the city wandered through suburban Paris neighborhoods and cost approx. 35 € ($45).

In our opinion Open Skies is well worth the splurge. The price of their round trip business class flight may be only a few hundred dollars more than flying coach on another airline.  The seats are wide and comfortable, the meals are actually edible, and the service is friendly, efficient and engaging.  They actually look happy to see you – pinch me, have I returned to the 60′s?  If you are considering a trip to Europe, definitely give Open Skies a try.   You may just fall in love with flying again – and you DO deserve a little pampering on your next vacation!

No longer do you have fly to England to join in the excitement of the most acclaimed tennis tournament in the world.  For 133 years Wimbledon has attracted the elite of the tennis world to compete on it’s grassy courts.  Now, thanks to HSBC, you too can test your volley skills on a replica grass tennis court in the heart of New York City.  Beginning on Monday, June 21, 2010 from 7am until 7pm (and continuing through the week), spectators can reserve court time on the replica grass court, take a clinic with pros from Prince, request a racket restringing, play Wii Grand Slam Tennis thanks to EA Sports, and even pose with a virtual Wimbledon Trophy.  To kick off the celebration, tennis greats Jim Courier and Monica Seles will play with selected fans on June 21st from 12:00 – 1pm.

The venue is in Rockefeller Center between 50th & 51st Street, between 5th & 6th Avenue.  You can reserve singles court time by calling 212-525-2367, or take advantage of walk-in tennis clinics by Prince on June 22-25 from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, and 4:30 – 6:00 pm.  Get a schedule of all the clinics and activity times  by visiting HSBC/tennis.

There’s a hidden treasure in Europe that everyone with kids needs to know about – family friendly holiday vacation villages built to entertain families in high style.

For most of us the thought of visiting Europe with the kids in tow conjures visions of  faces buried in tourist maps, schlepping between famous monuments, endless magnificent churches, countless museums and a castle or two.   I suggest you throw a bit of frivolity into your family vacation to Europe with a stay at one of Europe’s family friendly vacation villages – also known as holiday villages, parcs and camps.  There are hundreds of holiday villages scattered throughout Europe specifically designed for family vacation fun.  Each village offers comfortable family style accommodations and is centered around an impressive water feature that provides nonstop entertainment within the park.  Many have a covered ‘water world’ as well, so even on rainy days the fun doesn’t stop.  There are kids clubs offering supervised activities based on age, sports facilities, golf, hiking, biking, zip lines, horseback riding, and a multitude of diversions based on area attractions.  And did I mention the prices are less than you’d be paying at a city hotel?  Here’s a look at three of Europe’s most popular holiday village developers.

Sunparks offer family friendly villa accommodations in holiday villages throughout the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France.  Have you been hankering to visit Provence, St. Tropez and Cannes but thought it was an adults only vacation destination?  You’ll be happy to know that you can rent a Sun Park villa for a week and bounce around the Riviera to your heart’s content.  Be sure to check out their last minute specials, and great discounts offered to travelers age 55+ (up to 40% off)!

Center Parcs has established 17 impressive villages tucked into natural park landscapes throughout Europe.  If your family loves spending time by a scenic lake surrounded by forest, these villages may be the perfect choice.  Accommodations are in a bungalow or villa that feature cozy living rooms with fireplaces and floor to ceiling windows to bring the outdoors in.  The villages offer a huge variety of sporting activities,  ususally a “domed subtropical swimming paradise”, climbing walls and rope courses,  imaginative playground structures, game rooms, golf, tennis, and a great variety of restaurants and shops.  Wouldn’t your kids just love to play Robin Hood and his merry men at this Parc in Sherwood Forest?  Have a look at their photo slide show – it’s amazing!  Sherwood Forest Center Parc

Eurocamp is not just about camping (although you may go gaga over their 3 bedroom tents!), they also offer stays in a variety of bungalows and holiday homes.  This is a large operation with 160 camp developments in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and more.  Eurocamps are like huge nature resorts offering every entertainment imaginable for family fun.  Their goal is to provide a setting where families can “play in safety from dawn til dusk”.  Imagine spending a week at a fabulous vacation village perched at the edge of Lake Garda in the Italian lakes district – it’s very appropriately named “Eden”!

So the next time you’re planning an excursion over to Europe, investigate a stay at a ‘vacation village’.  Your entire family will relax and enjoy new experiences together while meeting fellow vacationers from across Europe.  Since these villages are marketed extensively in the UK, English is widely spoken.  Be sure to read the descriptions of the accommodations carefully as definitions of a “bungalow” vary widely between companies and locations.  We think you’ll find the pricing irresistible – many in the $500 per week range for a villa that accommodates a family of four.  And remember, this is where all of Europe goes to take their summer vacation, so if you’ll be traveling in July and August, you’ll have plenty of company!

While major ocean cruise lines build ever larger ships so huge that they virtually guarantee long lines, over crowding and an impersonal journey, river cruise lines offer a vacation experience that is congenial, engaging and relaxing.  River cruising is gaining popularity among discerning travelers looking for a relaxed and intimate European vacation.  And since their ports of call are in major cities along notable waterways, it’s convenient to add a short river cruise to any European itinerary.

The Mozart cruise aboard the deluxe Amadeus Royal, is described as ‘a musical odyssey’, visiting cities in Bavaria before making it’s way to Vienna Austria where Mozart lived most of his short adult life.  There will be numerous opportunities to learn about the life and times of Mozart as well as enjoy special performances of his compositions while gliding past magnificent scenery.  This is truly a journey that will lift your spirit and make your heart sing!  Visit eWaterways.com for the full details.

2010 Washington DC Winning Team

If you watch CBS’ popular series The Amazing Race and think, “shoot I could do that”… here’s your chance to grab a buddy and give it a one-day try.  The folks at Urban Dare have designed an adventure race series that visits 32 cities nationwide, culminating in a Super Dare competition with a $5,000 prize. Two person teams are given challenges to navigate urban landscapes in a quest to solve clues, beat the clock, and document their successes.  The contest covers approximately 5 miles of city terrain which can be crossed by foot or public transportation.  Participants are given clue sheets that send them on a mission to complete tasks, solve puzzles and arrive at checkpoints where they receive a ‘passport’ stamp before heading off on the next challenge.  Winning teams typically complete the contest in two hours, with many more arriving at the finish line in four hours.

If you think you are cagey enough to out-wit and out-scramble the competing teams to claim your city’s top Urban Dare championship title, come out to register right up until race time.  In Boston, the competition begins at 45 Union Street, with registration beginning at 11am.  All proceeds from the event go to fight breast cancer, and the winning team will progress to the next Super Dare competition in early 2011.  Visit the UrbanDare.com site for a full list of cities that will host competitions through the summer and fall.

If zip lining is not your thing, you’ll still find plenty of outdoor activities to entertain you at Glenwood Canyon Resort.  They have complete camping and RV facilities, offer white water rafting, an elevated challenge course, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, recreational trails and lots more.  Glenwood Canyon is about a 4 hour drive west of Denver, at exit 119 off Interstate 70.

You’ll definitely want to bring ALL the dare devils in your family to this beautiful and action packed vacation spot.  And then you too can say, ‘Oh sure you climbed Mt. Everest, but have you crossed the Colorado River on a cable???

What’s even more exciting, is that Wendy offers culinary tours and walks for travelers who are interested in gaining  a deeper understanding of Parisians and their incomparable cuisine. These insider tours will have you nibbling and sipping your way through Wendy’s little black book of French culinary excellence.  Offered for individuals or groups up to 6 people, Wendy’s tours include a Left Bank Food & Wine Crawl, Chocolate & Pastry Tasting Walk, Champagne Tasting and Appreciation, French Market Walks and more.  What could be more ‘delicious’ than getting a personal introduction to the best food vendors, chefs, wine and cheese shops, and world renowned bakers of Paris?  A walk with Wendy will surely give you insights into French life and customs that will enable you to shop and dine with renewed appreciation wherever you travel in France.

Not interested in the process – just want to dig into a  sublime meal at a buzz worthy Paris restaurant?  Sign on for an outing with Wendy’s inventive Paris Supper Club!  This is a twice monthly series of hosted all-inclusive prix-fixe dinners for six at the hottest eateries around the city.  The summer schedule has just been released and is filling up quickly.  Check your travel calendar and sign up immediately if you’ll be lucky enough to be in Paris on one of their dinner evenings!

So whether you’re heading to Paris soon, or just yearning to do so, enjoy the enthusiastic insights Wendy has to offer in her TheParisKitchen.com website.

The state of Virginia has an abundance of inviting landscapes from seaside communities stretching along miles of coastal beaches, to stately historic mansions and plantations dotting rolling countrysides, to the beguiling rustic life in the blue ridge mountains.  This year will be the 77th Historic Garden Tour in Virginia as more than 250 homes and gardens welcome visitors.   There are over 36 separate tours organized by local garden clubs, each offering a glimpse into 6 or more homes and gardens.  Visitors are treated to strolls through formal and walled gardens, cottage and perennial plantings; and tours of Revolutionary,  Civil War and Victorian era homes.

Everyone who appreciates the beauty of a tended garden, the architecture of historic America and finely executed decor, will revel in Virginia’s “Open House” celebration.  Visit VAGardenWeek.Org for a glimpse at the full schedule of tours by area.