Pardon Me, Your Gürdle is Showing
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.
Myrtle Beach Gears Up for Food and Wine Festival
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 .
There's an App for That: Vancouver
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.
Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival
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.
Hotel Monteleone
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.
Wrapping Up Book
I am in the home stretch with my fourth book. This week it goes to the publisher for good, then the copy editor. I can't wait to finish and see it in print in the fall. I have just returned from Cleveland, where the North American Travel Journalists Association annual meeting was held. I am on the advisory board, so lots to chat with members about, esp. regarding the new TravelWorld International Magazine format.
Heading to NOLA
Now that the book is in (yes!), I am on my way for a treat, fours days in New Orleans, one of my favorite cities in the world. Stay tuned for updates on what I am sure will be a food-centric journey.