Michigan Loving Slushy Season - Let's Join Them!

 

Michiganers are known for loving slush and the mud season that follows soon after, and you can't help but admire them. But do you want to join them in the fun?

A frozen fish toss, shovel racing, seal slide, and a silly slalom are just some of the wacky activities that are part of the traditional wild and crazy event known as Slush Cup Weekend.

It takes place at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan from March 4-6, 2011. If you are looking for one last fun and exciting winter getaway before the snow melts, then you have to experience this unique event.

Slush Cup Weekend, located at Schuss Mountain, has been one of northern Michigan's most popular winter events for over 30 years. The silliness peaks with the weekend's premier main event, racing on skis and snowboards across an icy 40' pond while wearing wacky costumes.

Guests who want to participate or just be a spectator can experience Slush Cup Weekend for as little as $90 based on double occupancy, which includes one-night's lodging in a condominium and a Superticket allowing skiers or snowboarders access to any of Shanty Creek Resorts three mountains.

For more information and to book a wild and crazy Slush Cup Weekend, visit www.shantycreek.com or call 800/678-4111. Do it quick before everything melts!

Pack With A Purpose - Spare Luggage Aids Local Causes

Pack for a Purpose is a worthwhile organization that matches travelers and their suitcases with charities that need aid supplies delivered to developing countries.

The organization was brought to our attention by one of  their partners Ecoventura, a green cruise company operating a fleet of small expedition vessels in the Galapagos region. Ecoventura runs family oriented Galapagos cruises and has long been involved in community projects and conservation outreach..

They support this charitable organization because its mission encourages travelers to save room in their travel luggage for five pounds of school or medical supplies, items that can make a difference to communities the travelers are visiting. Pack with a Purpose works with top tour operators from around the world.

How does it work?  What a traveler is recommended to bring is determined in advance with the tour operator who manages their trip.  For example, in the Galapagos, a youth organization may need computer equipment, digital cameras, scanners, a sound system, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, English teaching books, English/Spanish dictionaries, software and ecology-focused teaching aids. Another organization for physically and mentally challenged children needs puzzles, rubber balls, crayons, modeling clay and colored pencils.

As the experienced staff at Pack for a Purpose knows, having an extra 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) of space in your luggage can make a big impact. With that, your family can bring in:
   • 400 pencils or
   • 5 deflated soccer balls with an inflation device or
   • A stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, & 500 band-aids

The  tour operators let clients know what supplies are needed and what local charities would like to have contributed by visitors.

School supplies, sports equipment,  and over the counter medications are just some of the supplies that travelers have brought to various Central American, South American and African countries supported by the program.

Once the delivery is made (another opportunity for your family to connect with the local cutlure), travelers are encouraged to use their free luggage space to transport handicrafts and locals items purchased at the destination. That's the ideal full circle of sustainable tourism, and we think it's great.

Please visit Pack for a Purpose for more information.

Yellowstone Winter Adventures from $59/N Family of 4

As the seasons begin to change, Yellowstone National Park -- America's first national park -- is a beautiful place to enjoy the last of winter.  And because it's the slowest time of year in the park, several of the West Yellowstone lodgings are offering exciting getaways for thrill-seekers, families and couples. Some of the offers below expire in mid March, others remain available later in the spring.

Located just minutes from the park, Delaware North Companies' three West Yellowstone lodging options (Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, and The Yellowstone Park Hotel) feature romantic getaways (ideal if you've got infants and toddlers on board), inspiring family vacations and exhilarating winter sports.

Each of the hotels' Yellowstone vacation packages allow guests to enjoy the majesty of the park their way. Just a few of the options available this winter include:

    * Snowmobile Fun Pack
          - 3 nights lodging
          - 2 days of snowmobile adventures: 1 day Yellowstone Park Tour &
                  1 day groomed trails and powder of surrounding forests
          - Breakfast for two each morning
          - one welcome prime rib dinner for two at the oregon Short Line Restaurant
          - Available: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, The Yellowstone Park Hotel

      * Yellowstone IMAX Family Package
          - overnight accommodations
          - Tickets to "Yellowstone" -Yellowstone IMAX Theater (2 adults & 2  children (ages <13)
          - Available: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, The Yellowstone Park Hotel

    * Romance Package
          - overnight accommodations in a King Spa room (cribs available)
          - Dinner for two at the oregon Short Line restaurant
          - Champagne and chocolates 
          - Keepsake glasses and plate
          - Late checkout
          - Available only at West Yellowstone Holiday Inn

In terms of pricing and facilities, the most budget friendly Holiday Inn West Yellowstone is only 2 blocks from the park's West Entrance, with an array of services and amenities.The Gray Wolf Inn & Suites is located directly across from the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center near the Holiday Inn, and has full kitchen suites to make family vacations affordable and convenient. The Yellowstone Park Hotel is West Yellowstone's newest lodging property. and has earned the AAA Three-Diamond rating for its array of facilities.

Note that these packages are really added value activities and benefits that come free with the prevailing room rates at your time of booking.  We priced an early March IMAX family deal at the Gray Wolf Inn & Suites and their two-queen-bedded room was going for $59.50 per night with a AAA discount, or just $97 per night for a full family suite with private bedroom and living room sleepersofa. Obviously, these can be great values for families who plan ahead.

In addition to these exciting Yellowstone vacation packages, Delaware North's three unique Yellowstone lodging options also offer a variety of other winter activities. Take the kids out for cross-country skiing on the famous Rendezvous Trails, or dogsled and snow shoe adventures.

For detailed information about the latest packages and activities available, please visit Visit Yellowstone Park.com

Star In Your Family's Easter Break At Glam Hotel In Los Angeles

The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles is offering a glamorous and affordable way for families and friends to share time together this Easter holiday. 

Located at 2025 Avenue of Stars (yes, that's really the street name!) in the heart of Century City in LA's fashionable Westside, the hotel is often frequented by celebrities, politicians and dignitaries.  Tweens will appreciate that all of the hotel’s 726 guestrooms and suites are designed with modern décor, yet are spacious enough to have residential touches. Be sure to sneak a peek at X Bar, the hotel's most celeb-studded venue (pictured above).

Hotel amenities include a nearby shopping mall that rocks, a Starbucks Coffee Bar; state-of-the-art Equinox Fitness Club & Spa; the famous Lobby Court & Lounge; Les Clef d’Or Concierge staff; an infinity edge pool; on-site Hertz rental desk and 24-hour room service.

During the weekend of April 15-17th and over Easter weekend, April 22-24, the hotel has terrific $152 nightly room rates. This amounts to a 35% savings on a weekend of star treatment, a great offer that's available with a 21-day advance purchase. (It's non-refundable, and you have to add tax.)  For more information and reservations visit Century Plaza Hyatt or call 310/228-1234.

Even if you're not guests at the hotel, your family may want to indulge in Executive Chef Manfred Lassahn’s monumental, gourmet Easter Brunch Buffet from 11am – 3pm on Sunday, April 24th. It features a locally sourced and inspired menu, a stand-alone kids buffet, and all the star treatment your little ones deserve.

Children 12 and under receive a coloring book and crayons, and choose their own Easter candies to take home. Plus, from 11:30am – 1:30pm, kids can take part in an Easter egg hunt on the hotel's lawn; a visit from the Easter Bunny and a roving Magician.

The Easter Brunch Buffet costs $65; $25 per child ages 6-12; under 5 free; plus tax and gratuity.  There is indoor and outdoor seating available, as well as a private dining room if your 'All In The Family' party seats 12 or more. Reservations are being taken at 310/551-3334.

Miami Boat Show Makes Fun, Free Event for Families

This year, the 70th annual Miami International Boat Show and the Strictly Sail Miami expo cruises into town Feb. 17-21, 2011, over the President's Day long weekend holiday.

Catching some rays with the kids in Florida that weekend? If so, put your wallet away and head to Miami's Convention Center where new and experienced boaters from throughout the world will gather to view, board, and buy the best the boating industry has to offer.

You may not be in the market for watercraft, but we guarantee fun for all ages, and with free admission for your sailors under 16 and a fee of only $16 for adults, you can't go wrong.  You can check out everything from sport fishers, sailboats and mega-yachts to engines and the newest electronics, as well as the pretty girls and guys touting new products..

Boat lovers can learn from many of the special guests, lectures, booths and displays:  Dive and Travel Harbor; new Discover Boating Resource Center; appearance by Zac Sunderland, youngest male to circumnavigate the globe; Guy Harvey Artist Pavilion; the Affordability Pavilion; daily free boating, sailing and fishing seminars; world product unveilings; and more.

On Friday, February 18th at 6pm, we're saving seats for the "Evening with Chris Fischer."  The legendary ocean explorer, angler, conservationist, and host of National Geographic Channel’s ground-breaking series, "Shark Men," will give a presentation on his experiences during his recent shark research expeditions and will answer audience questions. Fischer will also be on hand to meet fans (and who's not a fan?) and sign autographs following his presentation.

While filming during several trips throughout the Pacific, Fischer and his crew caught more than 20 Great White sharks, tagged them with unprecedented real-time tracking tags and released them unharmed. The effort has created entirely new theories about the life-cycles of these powerful apex predators. Several of the sharks were the largest fish ever caught and released—weighing more than 4,000 pounds. 

We guarantee the kids will want to stay in the water after this show. For more information about the show and other features, call (954) 441-3220 or visit www.MiamiBoatShow.com, www.StrictlySailMiami.com.  

Chinese New Year Begins Year of the Rabbit

In celebration of the "Year of the Rabbit," the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will present the 16th Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first evening of the Chinese New Year – February 3, 2011.

Traditionally, the Year of the Rabbit is associated with home, family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy and peace – auguring tranquility and blessings for the year ahead. In Chinese cultures, families will celebrate with fireworks and elaborate meals, always in the company of family and friends.

Hong Kong, of course, enjoys a reputation for its vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations. The parade will feature an all-star line-up of 36 performing groups from 11 countries and regions, including 13 elaborately decorated floats and 23 performing troupes, 12 of them international and 11 local.

If you're lucky enough to be in Hong Kong, be sure to check out the local restaurants and hotels that are adding to the festivities with themed events and special menus for Chinese New Year. The elegant Conrad Hong Kong (where rooms are 25% off during the New Years period of Feb 3- Feb. 19th)  is hosting a Lion Dance and God of Fortune performance in its lobby on the first day of the New Year in a gesture intended to bring health, fortune and wealth to its guests. The Conrad's rooms facing Victoria Harbour offer a perfect spot to watch the fireworks and all guests are invited to savor a  traditional Chinese buffet dinner on the second day of the New Year.

The Hong Kong Tourist Board has more information and up-to-date news and hotel offers for Chinese New Years..

If you're not going to be in Hong Kong, never fear!  Our friends at CheapFlights have shared their list of the Top 10 Chinatowns to celebrate Chinese New Years, if you can't be in China itself!  Their picks are
Honolulu, Bangkok, New York,  Paris, San Francisco, London, Vancouver, Melbourne, Toronto and Mauritius.  Maybe you will find yourself in one of them to celebrate; we know we will be seeking that perfect Chinese New Year's feast in New York's Chinatown.

Let us know how your family is celebrating the Chinese New Years, and if this is the year that you will bring a rabbit into your  home to live!