Fodor's Top 100 Hotels of 2012 Announced

Fodor’s, the world’s largest English language travel and tourism publisher, released its second annual top 100 hotels list on Wednesday.  41 countries around the world are represented with nearly 25% located in the US.

Fodor’s Travel executive editorial director, Arabella Bowen, explains, "We look for properties with great amenities and stellar service that offer a unique experience to guests.  Every traveler will find a dream hotel on this list, no matter what their travel personality happens to be."

To fit the multitude travel personalities, the list showcases today’s hottest hotel trends broken down into 9 categories: New & Noteworthy, Global Icon, Trendsetter, Trip of a Lifetime, Local Experience, City Chic, Royal Pedigree, Best All-Inclusive and Fun for All Ages. 

Check out the list for yourself here: http://www.fodors.com/hotel-awards/2012/.  You can sort by category or use the interactive map feature to find your next meeting, vacation or adventure destination.

Merry Christmas from Meeting Sites Pro!

The team here at Meeting Sites Pro would like to wish all of our readers a happy holiday season as well as a wonderful Christmas Day! We hope that you are surrounded by your loved ones. Thank you for all of your support and hope that you will continue to support us in 2013.

Tasty Thursdays: White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Can you believe it? Christmas is next week! The time has passed by so quickly and it is hard to believe that 2012 is almost over and the New Year is approaching so quickly. During the holidays, I love spending time with my family and getting to see old friends that I haven’t seen in a while. However, it only gets better when you’re sharing a delicious dessert together. One dessert that I have made over the years and continue to get many compliments on is the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake that I make.

I have found many variations of this same cheesecake at places like Cheesecake Factory, various hotels, and bakeries. However, I still find this recipe to be the best one yet. It adds a nice pop of color to the holiday spread at my house and you really can’t go wrong if you follow the directions.

Go here for the full recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/white-chocolate-raspberry-cheesecake/

Travel Destinations: End of the World Packages

We are hoping the world doesn’t end this Friday, December 21^st but it has been predicted that it will by the Mayans. While some of you may see this as a predicament, many hoteliers are seeing this as a great time to offer some end of the world packages.

If you are staying local for this highly publicized event and want to spend your last hours on Earth with some decadence, go on over to The Keating hotel in downtown San Diego. They are offering an “End of the World” package at rates starting from $666. This deal runs until the 21^st and includes a 2 night stay in a Stanza Vista room with a fitness boot camp class to train you how to outrun zombies. It comes with a last supper as well as various other amenities including a spa treatment.

 

If you would rather go out of town for the end of the world, the Rosewood Mayakoba is offering guests a package at $79,000 per couple labeled “The Ultimate New Beginning”. Guests will start their vacation on Thursday with a personal airport welcome by the resort and stay in the 6,272 square-foot Presidential Oceanfront Suite. Amenities will include private helicopter to Mayan ruins as well as a cleansing Mayan massage. You will get to enjoy live entertainment and welcome in the end of the world in style.

For more information about these packages be sure to visit each of their websites.

Travel Tuesdays: San Francisco

People come from all over the world to visit the city of San Francisco and for good reason. There is an endless amount of places to visit catering to every personality. Oh, you like science? You might like to visit the California Academy of Sciences where almost every exhibit is interactive. The living 4-story rainforest exhibit is a must see. It serves as an oasis inside the museum that you won’t want to miss.

Maybe, you are craving a sourdough bread bowl filled to the brim with fresh clam chowder to enjoy while you take in the views of the ocean? Fisherman’s Wharf provides a wide selection of places you can indulge in seafood at so don’t stop at the first restaurant you see! Give yourself time to wander and pick the place with the best smelling soup. There are several places to eat outside and perhaps watch the sea lions.

 After picking out your favorite bowl of soup go ahead and wander over to visit the Bush Man. If you are looking for a good laugh the Bush Man will do the trick. He literally disguises himself behind a bush in the middle of the sidewalk which doesn’t sound very subtle but surprisingly enough it scares people almost every time. Just make sure to be a member of the audience and not be the one being the next Bush Man’s visitor J

For More Information Please Visit:

• http://www.calacademy.org/science/biomes/rainforestst
• http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bush-man-san-francisco
• http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

4 Lenses Personality Test

Have you ever had a coworker or colleague who you just didn’t get along with because they had odd behavior that did not mesh well with your own? Most of us will all have had some experience with this. Most of us will also have dismissed the behavior and just went on thinking about how we didn’t like something or understand it. However, assessing the personalities and attributing a color from 4 Lenses Personality Test to your coworkers may provide a more productive and conducive workplace because we will know how to better interact with others who are a different color than we are.

There are four different colors in the 4 Lenses test: orange, gold, blue, and green. Here are some words that are generally associated with each color.

Oranges: bold, entrepreneur, generous, witty, trouble-shooter, spontaneous, enthusiastic, competitor, performer, optimistic, charming, courageous, independent, fearless, adaptable, easy-going, mechanical, persuasive, wild, fun, and crazy.

Golds: punctual, practical, sensible, organized, stable, thorough, dependable, conservative, detailed, hard-working, solid, orderly, consistent, structured, positive, and reliable.

Blues: caring, humane, artistic, spiritual, subjective, sympathetic, insightful, compassionate, personal, peaceful, sincere, empathetic, romantic, poetic, sensitive, accepting, patient, giving, and true.

Greens: scientific, curious, complex, abstract, independent, ingenious, intellectual, inventive, fact-oriented, logical, cool, calm, collected, and theoretical.

By finding out what color you are and also assessing your colleagues around you, you may be able to create a more productive work environment by being able to understand how to better work with those around you.

Find out more information about the 4 Lenses Personality Test at http://www.shipleycommunication.com/assessments/4_lenses/

Travel Tuesdays: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Planning your next international meeting for that C-level group? Consider Monaco as your preferred location. Anyone who has the seen Casino Royale has seen the extravagance that Monaco has to offer and the decadence that awaits you there.

The principality of Monaco lies in between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, bound by the French Riviera to the west and the Italian Riviera to the east. This is the second smallest independent state in the world and is almost entirely urban. The country is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville (the old-city), the Condamine (port quarter), Monte-Carlo (business and recreation), and Fontvieille (recreation and light industry).  The country is exploited for its exquisite location and climate, the principality is a resort for tourists and a tax haven for businesses.

Monaco boasts some of the most extravagant hotels in the region perfect for your meetings. Here are a few hotels ready to accommodate to your groups. The Hotel de Paris on Casino Square is considered the top property in Monaco. This 182 room five star hotel offers 7 meeting rooms to accommodate to your groups. Built in 1864, this hotel symbolizes the very same excellence in the art of hospitality. Not to mention it is only a few steps away from the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo!

The Hotel Hermitage is but a block away from the aforementioned Hotel de Paris. The 280 room five star hotel offers 8 meeting rooms and over 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Centralized in the heart of Monte Carlo, it offers great views of the city and accessibility to the sparkling life of Monaco and unforgettable sunsets over the sea.

Last but not least, the Fairmont Monte Carlo offers more of a modern feel to your stay. With over 600 sleeping rooms and over 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Fairmont Monte Carlo offers great luxury for your group. Also situated in the Principality of Monaco in between the Mediterranean Sea and the legendary Casino of Monte Carlo, the Fairmont reflects exclusive and sophisticated locale through the hotel’s exceptional meeting facilities.
 

Of course luxury hotels are not the only items Monaco has to offer. Aside from the extravagant style of living, Monaco offers incredible music, art, and exploration.

Your group will have plenty of activities to keep them busy.

For more information visit: http://www.successfulmeetings.com/Destinations/Meetings-International/Articles/Feeding-the-Body-and-Soul-in-Monaco/

Tasty Thursdays: Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

It is officially the holiday season and that means all the cups from Starbucks are bright red in holiday cheer and people are putting up lights on their houses in the shape of snowmen and reindeer. Lights are not the only thing shaped like reindeer however. If you like to bake, you will enjoy this cookie recipe that brings in the cheer of the holidays while making it fun for your guests to eat as well. These reindeer cookies are really simple to make and are great treats for a holiday party or if you just want to have some fun making them with your family.

 

For the full recipe please visit: http://buddingbaketress.blogspot.com/2010/12/peanut-butter-reindeer-cookies.html

Social Media Precautions

Social media has changed everything about the way we communicate with clients, coworkers, and the world in general. It has had huge advantages to companies in terms of branding and marketing; however, it also introduces legal complications to beware of. As you market your company and its events, steer clear of these issues:

Copyright/trademark infringement:  Be careful to grab photos/materials off the Internet and post them without permission. Pictures of exhibitor booths, speakers, etc. can lead to copyright infringements. Posting a picture that is seen by millions of users almost instantly can exacerbate the problem quickly. Don’t assume anything is automatically reusable. Look for copyright-free materials. Creative Commons is a nonprofit that allows images, songs and videos to be shared at no charge. Use this same care with logos.

Defamation: Defamation is defined as anything resulting in harm of a person or organization. Because it is so easy to post anything on social media platforms, it introduces a liability and responsibility to make sure that everything posted is truthful and respectful. Even negatively reviewing suppliers can be a liability if you don’t stick to completely factual information, or unnecessarily reflects others in a bad light. Make sure you also have a review system in place on your company/conference social media sites, so harmful posts by attendees/staff/etc. can be monitored

Privacy Issues: If you are posting pictures of attendees at a conference, make sure you have their explicit permission via a consent form. A lot of times this isn’t a major issue, but it avoids liability and any stress that could come up because of someone. If you are going to publish close-up shots of anyone, let them know. Also be cautious of posting anything that could be considered trade secrets/ private information.

Anti-trust violations: Don’t post anything that restrains fair trade, such as discouraging booking at a certain hotel. Be careful when negatively reviewing a service not to create a call for action for readers, as it could result in backlash from the service and their company.

For more tips, check out this article.

Travel Tuesdays: Dublin, Ireland

Ireland sets itself apart from the rest of Europe with its culture and overwhelmingly welcoming community, creating a more casual and refreshing change of pace in business from the more deliberate business practices around the world. It’s a great place for leisure and business, especially if you have people coming from all places and cultures

Business in Ireland

Expect extensive and social conversation amidst your business transactions in Ireland. Dublin is about relationships and networking; business agreements are done once a friendship is established. Expect business to be coupled with dinner, golf, and other social events.

Dubliners are also much more casual, and don’t have as much concern for process and procedure as they do for working together and problem solving. So let your guard down, get to know your business companions and trust each other when solving issues and creating solutions.

Play in Ireland

Dublin has continued to hold onto its small-town community feel, so you will quickly get a feel for the people and places. Check out their famous pubs, theaters, or anywhere with live music! Feel free to explore on foot and browse libraries, the Dublin Castle, or museums while you are there. And of course, say hello to everyone you meet!

For more information on places to stay, eat, and visit check out this article!

Tasty Thursdays: Healthy Holiday Living

The words “holidays” and “healthy” never seem to go together, but if you prioritize correctly, you can make it through the holidays without too much damage and without depriving yourself. MSP has lots of experience staying healthy on the road, so check out some of these tried and true tips!

·         Scout out your fitness options. Check out local trails and outdoor areas in the area you are headed to- it can be a great way to enjoy the area with family and friends! If you are staying at a hotel, try to stay at one with a fitness center. If you have a membership to a nationwide gym, go online to find a gym nearby!

·         Sandwich your meals with exercise! If you start your day with a workout, your body is a lot happier processing that giant Thanksgiving dinner you just ate. After dinner, why not go for a walk? Just getting up and moving instead of succumbing to the “food coma” will help your body process those excess calories the right way.

·         Be creative and motivate yourself. Before you leave, treat yourself to something that will motivate you to work out on your trip. Buy a new fitness DVD, some new songs for your iPod, or portable exercise equipment. Also, many exercise studios have affordable and even free trial sessions, so hunt one down in the area you’re going to and try something new!

·         Don’t go solo. The holidays are spent with loved ones, so a lot of people justify skipping workouts to take advantage of family time. But what could be better family time than a morning hike or walking around to look at holiday lights? Try to plan something more active in between watching football games.

·         Pack accordingly. Don’t let yourself show up to a dangerous holiday meal famished. Pack high protein snacks, lots of water (especially when flying), and fruit to curb your appetite. It will make the seconds (or thirds or fourths) a lot easier to skip out on!

For more tips, check out this great article! Wishing everyone a fit and happy holiday season!

Travel Tuesdays: Sao Paolo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is one of the key business areas in Latin America, but its culture and attractions are sure to be the main event. This busy city is home to an array of activity all year that grab the attention of people everywhere. Here are a few reasons to visit Sao Paulo: 

·    Sports: The beloved Brazilian sport of soccer (or football as they call it) has given the city three different stadiums, all which are home to different teams. No matter which one you visit, the energy is unprecedented and will make for an unforgettable experience!

·    Ibirapuera Park: This impressive park has winding bike paths, lakes, and attractions from an open-air theatre to a roller skating rink. It’s a wonderful escape from the busy city with breathtaking scenery.

·    Culture: However you like to get a taste of a city’s culture, Sao Paulo has something for you. Musical performances and ballets at the Teatro Municipal, hundreds of museums, outdoor fairs and markets, and even Liberdade, a Japanese district, are great places to see. Also keep an eye out for different events at the stadiums in between soccer games!

·    Shopping: Home to the major Sao Paulo Fashion Week, you can’t leave Sao Paulo without shopping! Both in Sao Paulo and Guarja, a beach about an hour away from Sao Paulo, you can shop at countless stores that vary from casual shops to luxury boutiques.

·    Municipal Market: Latin America’s production of produce, plants, flowers, wine, and other goods is one of the most impressive in the world. The Municipal Market gives you a chance to see colorful displays with different fruits and plants that you might have never seen before!

Click here to learn more about visiting São Paulo!

Travel Tuesdays: Black Friday Travel Steals

Black Friday Travel Steals

Skip the mall on Black Friday and find some awesome travel ideas online! Although all deals for this year haven’t officially been released, here are a few that have.  Keep your eyes open for these deals and more similar packages so you can travel often and affordably in 2013.

Major Hotel Discounts: If you book on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, hotels all over the country and even internationally are slashing prices. You can book luxury getaways at prices that are unheard of, especially if you have some flexibility in traveling outside of peak season. Resorts that are offering these deals include:

·         Hacienda San Angel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

·         Grand Lucayan, The Bahamas

·         The Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

·         Trump Hotel Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

·         Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Sonoma, California

·         Tanque Verde Ranch, Tuscon, Arizona

·         Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach, Florida

Lift Ticket Deals- With ski/snowboarding season coming up, keep your eyes out for flash deals that offer huge lift ticket discounts at luxury resorts. Nothing has been released this year, but last year sites like  Liftopia offered great savings all over the country on lift tickets. Stay posted!

Sleep & Shop- For those of you who can’t say no to shopping in-store on Black Friday, the Hyatt Regency Irvine is offering deals on Black Friday weekend and through December for hotel rooms starting at $79.00/night.  Its location next to Irvine Spectrum (Irvine), South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa), and Fashion Island (Newport Beach) can’t be beat.

Happy Shopping!

Tasty Thursdays: Best of San Diego

It’s always fun to try new foods when you travel, but this week MSP wanted to try some favorites in our own backyard. San Diego is thriving with diverse restaurants all over the city, and whether you live or vacation here, you should give them a try! Here are some of our favorites:

Taco Shops:

What’s San Diego without tacos? San Diego has some of the best Mexican food on this side of the border, so make sure you try these top picks.

El Indio Taco Shop: Although famous for its rolled tacos, you won’t be disappointed by anything on this menu! Located in Mission Hills, this Mexican food place is about 10 minutes north of downtown San Diego. It is worth a visit at any time of day!

Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop: Coincidentally, our other top Mexican food pick is just down the street from El Indio. Both are delicious in their own way. Lucha Libre branches out with their own creative taco creations and a festive décor. It was even featured on Man V Food!

Burgers:

This American staple has to be included, especially with some of the delicious options San Diego has to offer! If you’re from out of state, In N’ Out is always a must, but here are a few great places that are a little less well-known.

Hodad’s: Hodad’s is located in Ocean Beach right near the water, and the place is full of character. The décor embodies California, and the menu is simple but delicious. You will never worry about going hungry after Hodad’s! Try a milkshake if you think you can handle it.

Burger Lounge: Burger Lounge is a newer, sleeker burger joint that has found the balance between healthy ingredients and a high-quality burger. The beef is grass-fed, and all the ingredients are high quality. There are several around San Diego, so stop by one whether you are downtown or in La Jolla!

Ocean Views:

If you’re traveling to San Diego, nothing beats a nice dinner with a beautiful view of the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean. These restaurants offer equally stunning food with their ocean views.

C-Level: Nearby downtown and the airport, this is an elegant restaurant that offers a gorgeous view of San Diego Bay. The menu includes steak and seafood, so save a night of your trip for a nice evening at this restaurant.

The Marine Room: The Marine Room requires a little bigger budget, but the food doesn’t disappoint and you can’t beat the location. This restaurant is literally right on the sand, and the waves crash against the window during high tide. Stay dry!

Aside from these favorites, San Diego continues to have an endless array of dining adventures for both locals and visitors. Check out this list  for more of them. Bon appetít! 

Travel Tuesdays: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Not too long ago, the newly moved Four Seasons Hotel Toronto opened its doors on October 5. Having moved their location about 400 yards, the hotel has brought the best of the best to Yorkville Avenue and the look that only a Four Seasons can provide.

The newly opened hotel has 259 guest rooms and the décor inside is sleek and designed to make the guest feel comfortable. It is located in the charming Yorkville Village. You are steps away from Bloor Street boutiques if you’d like to do some shopping. A few minutes more and you are in the business district of Bay Street. You can also go visit the Royal Ontario Museum which is nearby.

When you’re not spending your time touring around Toronto, you can enjoy the wonderful 30,000 square foot spa or do some laps in their sky lit indoor pool. After you’ve done some laps, you can enjoy the delicious food at the Hotel Toronto’s Café Boulud cooked to perfection by Chef Daniel Boulud.

The hotel has over 14,000 square feet in meeting space with a total of 12 function and 5 pre-function rooms. The highlight of their meeting space is the Aria room which is a glass enclosed ballroom showing off beautiful views of the Bay. The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is an ideal place to have a meeting, social gathering, or conference to meet any needs.

 

Tasty Thursdays: Pumpkin Pie Bites

Fall is hands down one of my favorite seasons out of the year although there are only four to choose from. Fall for me means that we can start pulling out scarves and boots while still getting to pretend it is summer sometimes. It also means that the holiday season is coming up very quickly and with the holiday season comes all the yummy pumpkin treats that I wait for all year to become appropriate.

One of my favorite desserts every year to make are Pumpkin Pie Bites. They are very simple to make but everyone will think you are the queen or king of desserts when you bring them to all those holiday parties that you’re going to be attending.

I found the recipe several years ago while looking for a perfect treat to bring to a pre-Thanksgiving function. Check out the original recipe here:

http://www.bakerella.com/pumpkin-pie-bites/

 

How To Prepare For The Unexpected

Planning meetings and events is a very rewarding process but sometimes it can be a roller coaster ride. You can usually expect things to go a little awry despite all the best preplanning. There are many variables that can cause a disruption in your planning process so it is best if you have a contingency plan set up to help you prepare best for any potential disturbances brewing on the horizon. Successful planners are proactive in their actions and like to prepare ahead for potential trouble. Being prepared is what makes them successful. Careful planning is a strategic tool that allows you and your business to succeed and grow. It allows you to provide excellent service to your clients and maintain your brand and reputation that you have worked so hard for.

Three key pieces of advice to help prepare for any potential disruptions:

1.      Always anticipate potential problems that could arise during the preplanning process. It is always better to over prepare and go over things three times over than get to the event and realized that there was something you had forgotten.

2.      Give yourself sufficient time to develop and roll out back up plans to implement should anything go wrong. Although it will not always be the case that you will have all the time you need, try to think three steps ahead when planning so that you can get more done in the time that you do have.

3.      Remember to always keep your client and the attendees in mind as they your most important priority. Know what they expect of you and how you can deliver that to them with the exceptional service that I’m sure you are known to provide. You don’t want your clients to see that there is a problem so being able to anticipate them and know what to do if or when something happens is important.

Travel Tuesdays: D-Cube City

We love the new Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel, located in the lifestyle complex D-Cube City in Seoul, South Korea. D-Cube City is an advanced, exciting complex that includes themed restaurants, high-end malls, a theme park, living and office spaces. These are all connected to the hotel, and also include easy transportation options to see the rest of Seoul. It’s a wonderful tourism center to experience all that Korean culture has to offer in one place.

The hotel itself includes a high-tech golf course simulator, 11 meeting & event spaces, a high-end fitness club and more.  You’ll never run out of things to do, and everything is right outside your door.

D-Cube City is located in southwest Seoul, the capital and largest city in South Korea. Even with so many things to do at the Sheraton, you will want to take some time to explore one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. It is a global economic, cultural and political center with so much to offer. The city has quick and advanced public transportation options, and tourist attractions ranging from old rivers and palaces all the way to brand new outdoor shopping and cuisine.

Tech Thursdays: Meeting Apps

In today’s world, everyone has a smart phone glued to their hands.  These smart phones, while tiny, bring a world of possibilities literally to your fingertips.  The best potential for business on phones comes from apps – applications that can do everything from booking a hotel, checking traffic, or even just pinning a mustache on a friend.  How can you tap into this world of opportunity at your next meeting? Check out these apps that can help get your next meeting and event connected.

GamifyApp - Everyone loves to play games on their phone, so why not turn your conference into a game?  In the GamifyApp, attendees can earn badges by ‘checking in’ to exhibitor’s booths or specified areas, answering questions about sessions, or taking part of an event specific scavenger hunt.  Organizers receive this information and can use it to share with the clients or for their own feedback.

Pathable - Pathable, a custom online community brings social networking at events to another level.  This app integrates with registration systems to create a virtual presence for each attendee.  This allows them to network with each other, create custom agendas, and download session handouts.  Pathable is a great way to get attendees to connect with each other and stay informed about everything happening at the conference or meeting.

CardCloud - The days after an event, attendees find business cards everywhere.  How great would it be if all those cards could be stored in one place? With the CardCloud app, it’s possible!  CardCloud allows users to swap online business cards or send the contact information through email.  It can store multiple cards for each user and each new contact is marked with a time and location stamp for an easy reminder of where and when a particular connection happened. 

Now more than ever you can easily connect your attendees to your event.  With these apps and so many more, you can keep the focus on the event while participants still feel connected to their favorite thing – their smartphone!

Travel Tuesdays: Hurricane Sandy

In the wake of the destructive path of Hurricane Sandy, thousands of flights coming out of the East Coast, and especially New York's JFK and New Jersey's Newark, have been cancelled for safety purposes. As New York's JFK International Airport is a hub for many domestic and international flights, this has caused about 50,000 people to have to cancel travel plans or change them.

While all European, Asian, and U.S. airlines are prepared to take an financial hit, it will be most costly to many European airlines who have a "duty of care" to put up their travelers in hotels and pay for accommodations during this time. There are no laws for this for U.S. airlines. Above everything, all airlines are making the safety of their passengers their highest priority. Some airlines are offering the opportunity to rebook their flights at no cost.

Airlines are hopeful that once the storm subsides, it will not take long to get the stranded passengers to their destinations. CNN's Richard Quest explained that airlines have "sophisticated recovery programs" which are already in the works and working out schedules for the next few days to restore the schedule.

If you are traveling during this time, we wish you safe travels. For those on the East Coast, we hope that you are safe!

For more information, please visit: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/travel/hurricane-sandy-flight-cancellations/index.html

Tasty Thursdays: Bacchanal at Caesar's Palace

Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the most famous strips in the world for many reasons; lavish casinos, high stakes gambling, and last but not least, world renowned restaurants are the major components that make Vegas the envy of other cities. As if this weren’t enough, Caesar’s Palace has added a new addition to the many lavish, jaw dropping, and belt-busting buffets out there- the $17 million Bacchanal Buffet has opened its doors to the public.

The over the top feast features nine kitchens and chefs cooking up more than 500 dishes, many prepared as guests watch. Multiple trips around the restaurant would be necessary to try just a fraction of the offerings. The Bacchanal left nothing out of their menu, with options including: prime rib, king crab, dim sum, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, lasagna, sushi, enchiladas, and roasted South Carolina shrimp and grits.

The Bacchanal hopes to draw a big number of visitors with its great food and décor. The 25,000 square foot buffet can accommodate 600 guests in sections that feature glass, wood and steel and offer views of the Garden of the Gods pool complex at Caesars. Prices in the new Bacchanal Buffet will be $19.99 for breakfast, $31.99 for weekend brunch, $24.99 for weekday lunch, $34.99 for dinner Sundays through Thursdays and $39.99 for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. For your next meeting in Las Vegas, make sure to consider buffet options on the strip when selecting a site. Voilà!

For more information visit: http://itineraries.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/10/13708454-caesars-palace-bets-big-on-new-17-million-las-vegas-buffet?lite

Travel Tuesdays: Affordable Travel

Everyone wants to travel, but there is one big question that makes people hesitate: How much is this going to cost?

Whether you’re trying to plan a vacation on a budget or travelling for business, here are some great tips to keep your trip from breaking the bank.

Getting to your destination:

-Use sites such as airfarewatchdog.com to send you fare alerts. This allows you to buy tickets when prices are low. On that note, don’t wait forever for the perfect price- if you see a good deal, go for it!

-Try to go during the off season if possible, or be flexible within the region that you’re wanting to stay in.

-Be as flexible as you can with dates 

Where to stay:

-Check out the many discount sites, such as Groupon, that offer travel deals daily. However, make sure you read the fine print before purchasing!

-Try to find something outside of the city center.

-Pay attention to the value you are getting in terms of amenities, meals, etc.

-Check out sites like Tingo.com, which promise that if hotel rates lower before you arrive, you receive the new rates.

-Use sites like homeaway.com or vrbo.com to rent a home- this saves you money by getting rid of the middleman and doing business straight with the owner.

Eating there:

-Pack lunches from the grocery store to eat outside, or cook if you have a kitchen.

-If you want to go out for a high-end meal, go for lunch instead of dinner. You’ll save money but have the same restaurant experience!

What to do:

-Avoid cabs, and walk whenever possible.

-Try to find local transit passes for the week or the month

-Shop around online or find promo codes for car rentals

-Check out package tours, they can save you money on every part of the trip!

For more information check out: http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-money-20120902,0,2853395.story. Bon voyage!

Travel Tuesdays: Castles of North America

Think you have to travel to Europe to explore Cinderella-style castles?  Think again!  Here’s a photo tour of 7 castles right here in the USA waiting to be explored.  The pictures don’t do them justice- you’ll have to check them out yourself!

1.      Boldt Castle

This beautiful destination resides on a heart-shaped island in the Thousand Islands (near Alexandria Bay, NY).  Built by industrialist, George Boldt, the castle took 300 stonemasons, artists and carpenters to build and is home to Italian gardens, a dove-cote and a turreted powerhouse.

 

2.      Hammond Castle

     John Hammond, credited as the ‘father of radio control’ (like tanks, airplanes and remote-     controlled cars), built this stunning castle to showcase his medieval art collection.  Residing on the      Massachusetts shore,

3.      Castello di Amorosa

 

4.      Bishop’s Palace 

5.      Fonthill Castle

      6.      OHEKA Castle

7.      ‘Iolani Palace

 

Which one is your favorite?

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/travel/american-castles-budget-travel/index.html?iphoneemail