The Pantai Luar massage at Spa Atlantis in Reno, Nev., is a truly wonderful experience. This Eastern Asian massage is apparently incredibly rare to find in the United States. Only eight places in the U.S. offer this delightful massage. The hot oil treatment uses two heated sachets filled with herbs (including lavender and rosemary) along with coconut and limes that are massaged up and down your body in a rhythmic and entrancing way. One of the most relaxing massages I've ever had. For more info, www.AtlantisCasino.com.

This 3-in-1 luggage strap helps travelers keep it all packed in. It can firmly secure a carry-on bag on top of a roller bag (freeing your hands); or use the colored strap to ID your luggage quickly at baggage claim; or use it to keep a bag closed as a compression strap for over-packed suitcases. If all of these sound appealing, you’ll probably need more than one! It comes in six bold colors – green, gray, pink, black, orange and blue. It will soon will be offered in custom colors and you’ll be able personally accessorize it with initials, logos or your favorite design.

Coastal Uncorked is the Myrtle Beach area’s premiere food and wine festival, celebrating its inaugural season in the spring of 2010. The festival will take place May 16–23, 2010 and all proceeds will be donated to two local hospitality programs: the Horry Georgetown Technical College Culinary School and the Clay Brittain Hospitality Program at Coastal Carolina University .

In honor of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Lonely Planet is offering a free iPhone city guide application to the host city. Travelers can get the low-down on all Vancouver has to offer in the mobile app "Vancouver Travel Guide: The Sights." This free application can be downloaded via the iPhone's application store or on iTunes. It is available through March 1st, 2010.

This is the final day of the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival (www.atlanticcitynj.com/foodandwine.aspx). So far, I’ve met and spoken with Tom Colicchio (from Top Chef), watched Emeril Lagasse give an intimate cooking class, strolled through the food expo packed with vendors and saw Guy Fieri signing books. The four-day festival has been a nonstop, food celebrity extravaganza. Today, I’m off to a House of Blues brunch hosed by Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes. The festival has been held at four different hotels, Harrah’s, Bally’s, Caesar’s and Showboat.

An Observation for June 25, 2009

A family summer day-trek into the summer oppressive weather of Missiouri can yield amazing sights that I would never dream of.

Staying at the Hotel Monteleone (www.hotelmonteleone.com) in the heart of the French Quarter. This hotel has seen it all – been around since 1886. The beautiful property boasts the famous Carousel Bar (that actually turns) and serves as an ideal base to explore the city. Deals right now that last until September 30 include a $139 per night package which includes breakfast for two and parking or you can opt for just $99 a night. That makes sense to me because I love to roam around looking for the best café au lait.

The new and improved Travelworld Magazine is getting a lot of attention. And rightfully so. Travel journalists and photographers deserve to have a publication they can be proud of and a showcase for their published work. We work hard and enjoy what we do. Gosh knows we don't do it for the money. We do it for the love of travel and adventure. We do it because we love to enlighten and inspire others.

Dare to inspire and dare to enlighten.