Travel Tips & Trips — Ellen Barone

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Twelve Tips for Planning National Park Vacations

Winter is a great time to plan national park trips because there is still a broad range of room options available in popular parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Although some of the iconic lodges are filling up during peak times, there is plenty of availability.

National park concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers tips for successfully planning a park visit and securing accommodations.

 

1.    Be informed.  Visit Xanterra’s web site at www.xanterra.com for general information on the parks operated by Xanterra as well as lodging descriptions, rates and availability. Another good source of information on national parks is the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov. 

2.    Be web-savvy. Rooms can be booked online at: 

 

 

Booking online is usually the quickest way to secure a reservation. Travelers can check room availability too via Xanterra’s online reservations calendar.

3.    Confirm that you have the full online picture. Some lodges will list various room types as part of drop down menus. If you do not click on the down arrow only one room type will be visible. And guess which room type is the first to show up as sold out?

4.    Be flexible with your choice of lodge. Some of the larger parks such as Grand Canyon and Yellowstone feature multiple lodges in spectacular settings. While Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn and Grand Canyon’s El Tovar are best-known and tend to fill up first, other lodges offer history, comfortable accommodations and their own appeal.

5.    Avoid the crowds. Regardless of which park you are visiting, consider traveling during the first two weeks of June, the last 10 days of August or the first two weeks of September.

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

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What do men and women really want for Valentine's Day?

a guest article by B&B expert, Marti Mayne

The Distinctive Inns of New England have spent some time researching what women and men really want for Valentine’s Day. And the answers may surprise you.

While women do love their flowers, romantic escapes and chocolates, it’s the sentiment that comes with the gift that really counts. And while some men may answer the question about what they want most for Valentine’s Day with a three letter word, the majority are more interested in their loved ones’ happiness. 

Surprised? 

Read the two part series in the Distinctive Inns of New England’s blog .

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

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Overcome your fear of heights by ziplining

a guest article by B&B expert, Marti Mayne

“Aren’t you worried it’s going to be cold?” asked more than one person when I told them I was heading to Sunday River Ski Resort for a weekend of ziplining. For this acrophobe, cold temps were the least of my worries. One of the items on my “bucket list” has always been to conquer my fear of heights, and I was bound and determined to do it on this trip.

I packed my two daughters (Calli, 11, and Kim Han, 9) into the car and off we went with my husband Lincoln for a weekend adventure at Sunday River. We’re an avid skiing family, and a weekend of skiing fun combined with the novel adventure of ziplining sounded like the perfect getaway. The drive included rousing group renditions of “Zippity Do Dah” and Christmas carols on the radio; clearly, everybody was ready! 

Read all about the zipline adventure on EasternSlopes.com.

 

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

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New Year Deals: Keep Your 2011 Resolutions at Marriott Resorts

Whether your resolutions are about reducing stress, shaving strokes off your golf game, enhancing knowledge of history, improving your ski skills, or rekindling romance,  Marriott Hotels & Resorts offer a variety of packages to keep you motivated.

New Year’s Resolution #1:  Stress-reduction therapy

Escape the everyday and experience a world of serenity at The Spa at Doral and Pritikin Longevity Center at The Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort in Miami, FL (Promotion code SPA).

Now through October 28, 2011, get away from it all with a package that includes the choice of a Doral Massage, Citrus Mango Body Scrub, Shirodhara, Doral Custom Facial, Express Manicure & Express Pedicure or Personal Training; a full breakfast buffet per person per night; complimentary access to spa facility; and unlimited use of spa fitness center and classes. Rates start at $149 per person, per night;$199 per person, single occupancy. For details, call (305) 592-2000 or visit www.doralmarriott.com.

New Year’s Resolution #2:  Grand golf and commemoration of the Civil War

The venerable Dogwood and Azalea courses at Lakewood Golf Club have hosted President Gerald Ford, Dr. Billy Graham and Bob Hope and remain showcases for great golf in the South. Golf enthusiasts can discover the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail with The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa’s Escape! Package (promotional code SPO), which runs through October 28, 2011. Enjoy a deluxe room that includes one round of golf for two. Both the Dogwood and Azalea courses offer golf instruction to help hone your skills. Rates start at $239 per room, per night. For details, call (251) 928-9201 or visit www.marriottgrandspa.com.

What better place to learn about America’s past while playing outstanding golf than at The Grand on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, with commemorations scheduled from 2011 through 2015.  The property first opened in 1847 as a Southern resort, but later became a Confederate hospital guarded by the Alabama Infantry and fired upon by Union troops.  A Confederate cemetery is adjacent to the grounds near the Lakewood Golf Club.  To honor the Grand’s military history, a patriotic procession travels through the resort each afternoon, culminating with the firing of an 1840’s-era cannon.  The military salute is followed by afternoon tea in the hotel’s lobby.

New Year’s Resolution #3:  Skiers’ paradise

Practice makes perfect.  Now through April 23, 2011, ski buffs looking to improve their skills can take advantage of a special package at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort in Colorado (for 14 of the past 20 years, Vail has dominated as SKI Magazine’s No. 1 U.S. ski resort).  The Stay More, Pay Less! package (promotional code SKI) includes daily lift tickets and resort accommodations. Vail’s Ski and Snowboard School offers private and group lessons and schools for adults, teens and children.  Call 1-970-ski-vail or visit www.vail.com. After a day on the slopes, relax in one of the resort’s heated pools or whirlpools. Rates range from $185 per room, per night, for a seven-night stay to $257 per room, per night, for a three-night stay. The offer is blacked out April 17-18. For details, call (970) 476-4444 or visit www.vailmarriott.com.

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

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'Tis The Season for Holiday Packages From Fairmont

DECK THE HALLS AT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON  

 

If you’re scouring the globe for the best place to reunite with family or escape the holiday rush, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has a full selection of activities, packages and celebrations to choose from:

 

United States

In Boston, The Fairmont Copley Plaza offers a variety of packages to make the holiday season bright.  For a gift buying getaway, the city’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a premier shopping spot featuring over 125 shops and restaurants within three impeccably restored 19th century buildings. The Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Shop & Stay Package is available from November 20 to December 30, 2010, and includes an elegant guestroom and a VIP welcome packet full of special incentives, offers and interactive experiences with the Faneuil Hall Marketplace merchants. Rates start at $219 USD per night.  For those who want to explore the city in a more leisurely way, the hotel also offers its Twelve Days of Christmas Package from December 14 to 30, 2010. The package includes an elegant guestroom, Sleigh Ride a traditional Holiday CD from the Boston POPS, and a late check-out of 4:00 p.m.  Guests can plan a full day of shopping, dining and enjoying the festive holiday season with rates starting from $209USD per night.

 

In California, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has a wonderful holiday season in store for guests.  The Inn is once again pleased to offer authentically local Wine Country Winter holiday activities that promise to delight guests of all ages. A complete schedule of holiday events are planned including Victorian carolers, (seasonally-inspired) cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and S’mores by the outdoor fire-pit with special guest appearances.   With the Water and Wine package, revelers can enjoy organically sustainable wine, bath house passes to the resort’s famed geo-thermal bath house, daily docent-guided hikes and a Farm-to-Fork dinner for two at the Michelin-rated Santé dining room. Package is valid for stays until December 30, 2010 with rates starting from $449 USD per night.

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

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Jackson Hole Four Seasons Resort Winter Packages

From private wildlife tours and ski free packages to romantic sleigh rides and hand crafted, custom built skis, the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole offers a mountain of tempting winter adventures this season. 

Winter Adventure Package

Offering an action-packed winter getaway, Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole’s Winter Adventure Package features a four-hour private wildlife tour providing guests the unique experience of observing animals in their natural habitat, a day trip by snowmobile to Granite Hot Springs for a soak in the restorative thermal waters, and a day of skiing on the legendary slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. 

Ski Free Package

Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole’s popular Ski Free Package is offered throughout the season featuring two complimentary three-day ski lift tickets to the renowned Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with a five-night stay, and includes ski and boot rentals through its full-service Ski Concierge.

Ticket to the Tetons Package

Exclusive to Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, the Ticket to the Tetons package outfits a guest with a pair of Igneous hand crafted, custom built skis designed by avid Jackson Hole skiers.  Guests booking the package will be introduced to Igneous head engineer, Michael Parris, who will work with the guest prior to arrival to create his or her custom skis.  The package also features a four-night stay in one of the resort’s luxury one-bedroom suites and includes a three-day lift ticket for two and a day of skiing with a private guide on the celebrated slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.  The package must be booked 60-days in advance.

Bed and Breakfast Package

Ideal for couples seeking a relaxing winter retreat, the Bed and Breakfast Package at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole includes breakfast for two in Westbank Grill and access to the resort’s famous alpine inspired Health Club and Spa, as well as its Base Camp concierge team who will create custom itineraries offering everything from romantic sleigh rides for two, to skiing or hiking through a winter wonderland of trails.

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".