Summer Lasts Longer in Orlando
The Hotwire 2008 Travel Value Index named Orlando a “Top U.S. City for Vacation Value” and Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI) named the destination the least expensive in the world. The Hotwire Index includes the top 10 cities where savvy travelers across the country can find the best value and entertainment options. The travel index is based on a statistical model that evaluated 50 U.S. markets for consumer vacation value. The discount prices on hotwire.com are then compared to published prices to help determine which places offer the lowest rates and greatest discounts to travelers. The Hotels.com Index is based on consumer prices paid for hotel rooms and comes from its proprietary database.
Not the Last of Summer
Visitors can squeeze in one more “summer” getaway without breaking the bank through Orlando’s second annual Endless Summer™ promotion. Running through November 15, travelers can keep summer alive with “Get One Free” accommodation and attraction offers throughout the destination.
The program, created by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) for the long-weekend getaway traveler, provides such deals as “Stay 2 Nights, Get the 3rd Night Free,” “Stay 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free,” “Buy 1 Ticket, Get the 2nd Free” and “Purchase 1 Round of Golf, Get the 2nd Round Free,” with more offers available as the kick-off date approaches. The availability is during a time when Orlando enjoys 70-degree temperatures, lighter crowds, and a variety of outdoor activities and special events.
“Get One Free” offers are available at a wide range of accommodations from value to luxury including: Orlando World Center Marriott; The Point Orlando Resort; Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort; Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal; Quality Inn Plaza and Radisson World Gate, to name a few.
“Free Ticket” offers include popular local attractions such as Gatorland, home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles; Fun Spot Action Park and Magical Midway, offering multi-level go-kart tracks, rides and arcade games; SkyVenture Orlando, an indoor skydiving experience; and Dinosaur World, featuring more than 150 life-size dinosaurs. A “Purchase 1 Round of Golf, Get the 2nd Round Free” offer is available at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club.
“No matter your age, summer evokes feelings of fun, whimsy and a carefree attitude. And while the calendar may say that it’s fall, we can still embrace the opportunity to hold on to those summer feelings a little longer through a quick-break getaway.” said Gary C. Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando CVB. “Whether you want to take the grandkids to world-class attractions, hit the road with the guys for a golf-filled weekend, take that long overdue romantic getaway or relax in a spa with your best friends, Endless Summer in Orlando appeals to all and puts a little money back in your wallet in the process.”
Scheduling Synergy
In addition, visitors can peg their travel dates to a blockbuster Endless Summer special events calendar filled with more than 15 culinary, cultural and sporting events, as well as one of the world’s largest destination-wide Halloween celebrations. In September, the Orlando CVB launches its 3rd Annual "Orlando Magical Dining Month" to showcase Central Florida's ever-expanding dining universe. From Sept. 1 – 30, 2008, participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinners for $19 or $29 (excluding beverage, tax and gratuity) allowing locals and visitors alike to enjoy exceptional values at some of Orlando's most popular restaurants including; Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Bice Ristorante, Graze Orlando and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Additional events include: the 13th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival featuring hundreds of wine, beer and culinary seminars and tastings; the Children’s Miracle Network Golf Classic, bringing together nearly 150 top PGA Tour players in early November; the 35th Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, a juried art show featuring Florida artists and live entertainment; and a wide-variety of haunted happenings from Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando to SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular.
Culture Season
Orlando’s thriving arts community also rolls out a new season of cultural entertainment with Broadway-series shows at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center; professional-ensemble plays at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre; family audience plays at the Orlando Repertory Theatre; and performances by the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Opera and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
More information on all Endless Summer “Get One Free” offers, participating establishments and special events is available at www.orlandoinfo.com/endlesssummer or call 888--675-438. While in Orlando, visitors can stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Drive, at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Visitors Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).
For more information on Orlando, visit www.orlandoinfo.com
March 2008 Feature
Paradise Found: Naples, Florida
By Kathy Feeney
Spectacular sunsets are serious business in Naples, Florida. Ditto white sand beaches, dancing dolphins, world-class golf courses, wonderful water sports and talented restaurant chefs ready to tantalize your taste buds. As those who live in Naples say, the only challenge with visiting this charming chic city on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico along Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast is that you’ll eventually have to go home.
But, to paraphrase another adage, it’s better to have experienced paradise than to have never been to paradise at all. So send your clients to Naples for the fun, adventure, and relaxation they’ve been wanting all winter long.
What to do in Naples
Located on the outskirts of Florida’s Everglades, the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Blair Audubon Center is just 25 minutes from downtown Naples. Home to the world’s last old growth bald cypress forest, the sanctuary is the world’s largest nesting site for the endangered wood stork. Other bird species as well as mammals and reptiles can be spotted from the center’s 2.25 mile boardwalk, which transports visitors through what many natives call “the real Florida’’ of upland, wetland and cypress forest habitats. Visit www.corkscrew.audubon.org
Your clients can both watch playful dolphins and contribute to scientific research during a trip with Captain Chris Desmond and crew aboard the Dolphin Explorer. Owned by Sea Excursions, Inc., the boat cruise offers a new take on the dolphin sighting experience. The trip is lead by a dolphin researcher and passengers participate in Sea Excursions’s dolphin project, which identifies and tracks the movements of resident dolphins around Marco Island, Naples’s next-door-neighbor. Visit www.seaexcursions.com
Shoppers can stroll Fifth Avenue Florida style in Naples to find upscale and unique boutiques, art galleries and clothing stores as well as wonderful restaurants. Other shopping choices include Tin City, which features nautical gifts; the elegant Waterside Shops and The Village on Venetian Bay, both in North Naples; and Prime Outlets, a bargain hunter’s favorite haunt located halfway between downtown Naples and Marco Island. Visit www.ParadiseCoast.com
The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is located within a 52-acre old growth botanical garden. Botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling planted the garden in 1919. All of the zoo’s primates live cage free on islands in a large lake. Boat tours transport guests through the lake up close to the primate’s island homes. Visit: www.napleszoo.com
Author John Villani named Naples as “The No. 1 Small Art Town in America” in his book “The 100 Best Art Towns in America.” There are at least 130 art galleries in the greater Naples area, including the home and studio of famed black and white nature photographer Clyde Butcher. Visit: www.clydebutcher.com
The world class Philharmonic Center for the Arts is home to the Naples Philharmonic and the Naples Museum of Art. The center and the area’s nationally recognized art festivals has landed Naples on the map as a cultural destination. Visit: www.thephil.org.
January through April is peak season for visitors, according to the Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau. From May through December, travelers can find great deals on hotels, because rates drop by one third to one half compared to peak season.
Where to Stay
Accommodations available in Naples range from cottages to condos and hotels to resorts. JAX FAX stayed at The Inn of Naples, which is within easy access of area attractions and less than three miles from the city’s upscale Fifth Avenue shopping and dining district. Billed as a “boutique family resort,” the Inn of Naples is comfortable and charming with its Mediterranean style exterior architecture. Amenities include refrigerators, meeting facilities, free parking, private balconies, a fitness center, free in-room wireless High-Speed Internet access, and free local and 800 calls. The inn offers 63 standard and deluxe rooms and 36 one-bedroom suites; all non-smoking and all with private balconies. Depending on room and season, rates range from $169 to $269. Call 800-895-8858; www.innofnaples.com
At the Naples Grande Beach Resort, guests stay in an 18-story tower featuring 395 recently refurbished luxury guestrooms and 29 tower suites with balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The resort also has 50 Bungalow Suites. Dining choices at the Naples Grande include poolside at the Palm Terrace Pool Bar and Grill and the Strip House, a signature steakhouse restaurant. Recreational activities range from playing one of the resorts 15 Har-Tru clay tennis courts to water sports including sailing, windsurfing, and aqua cycles. The Naples Grande Golf Club offers 18-holes of championship golf designed by golf architect Rees Jones. And at the Golden Door Spa at Naples Grande, guests can find themselves in a “Zen-inspired haven of relaxation amidst paradise, featuring 12 Asian-style treatment rooms, a relaxation area, sauna, steam, and eucalyptus rooms.” Rates vary with room and season starting from $249.
Call 800-247-9810; www.NaplesGrandResort.com
Another excellent choice is the Marco Beach Ocean Resort on Marco Island. Dubbed the “boutique Ritz,’’ by local residents, the resort features a spa and fitness center, a pool, and five miles of white sand beachfront. Accommodations feature 83 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom suites. The resort is a AAA Four-Diamond Award winner and offers casual and fine dining. Sale e Pepe is the resort’s signature restaurant. Graced with Renaissance art and architecture, the restaurant features the menus of Chef Alberto Varetto, who was born in Torino, Italy. Depending on the room and the season, rates range from $239 to $1,400. Call 800-260-5089; www.marcoresort.com
Getting There
Southwest Florida International Airport, the region’s largest airport, is just 30 minutes to the north of Naples in Ft. Myers. Fort Lauderdale International is 90 minutes from Naples and Miami International is two hours from Naples. The airport’s new Midfield Terminal offers daily flights on Southwest Airlines. Air charters and aerial sightseeing tours are available out of Naples Municipal Airport.
Visit: www.flynaples.com
Call 800-688-3600; www.ParadiseCoast.com
A Postcard from Naples, Florida
Debi DeBenedetto wants you to visit Naples and its surrounding neighbors. “(Our) staff is eager to assist you with travel planning for your clients, site visits, and other requests as needed,” said DeBenedetto, Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Manager for the Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are not currently offering a formalized travel agent destination specialist program for Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, but we will work with you to provide the best client experience possible in our destination.”
The Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades region is “a beautiful and safe year round destination,” for all of your clients, according to DeBenedetto. From travelers who adore outdoor adventure to families seeking the perfect beach vacation to couples wanting a golf getaway or a destination wedding, the Naples area offers it all. “Accommodations range in price from budget to five star and everything in between. Most properties offer travel agent commission of at least 10%,” said DeBenedetto. “Don’t forget that Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades is a featured destination on the Visit Florida Rewards agent miles program. Be sure to log in bookings for any of our destination’s participating hotels and resorts to earn your miles! Visit Florida also offers a Florida Vacation Specialist program.”
Call 239-403-2379; E-mail Debi DeBenedetto at debide@colliergov.net; www.paradisecoast.com
November 2007 Feature
Warm, Wonderful Winters in Palm Beach
Palm Beach County is known as America’s tropical destination on Florida’s glittering east coast. With 47 miles of beaches, an array of lodging choices and edge-of-your-seat sports and attractions, this enchanting destination is preparing for a busy winter season.
Accommodations to Watch
The Breakers, Palm Beach presents newly completed $15 million luxury day beach bungalows; built in the Old Florida cottage style, in triplex and duplex layouts. Located on five acres of beachfront along its half-mile private beach, exclusive design creates a stunning tropical setting of intimate spaces, pools, and of course private respite during the day.
The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, is a luxury landmark hotel that earned the highly coveted AAA Four Diamond rating this year. The Colony is at the center of Palm Beach’s social life hosting U.S. Presidents, European Royalty and all manner of discriminating travelers from around the world. Located adjacent to world-famous Worth Avenue and one block from the Atlantic Ocean, The Colony recently announced a new entertaining season of Cabaret in The Royal Room. Recently opened is Café 155 for seated breakfast, lunch and box lunches for picnics, entertaining or quick trips to the airport.
The Boca Raton Resort & Spa Complex is comprised of Old Homestead, which opened at the Resort & Club this summer, giving resort guests the chance to experience the legendary steak house; established in 1868 in New York’s Meatpacking District. Old Homestead features an impressive menu of beef and an award-winning collection of wines.
Boca Bungalows provide guests with an opportunity to “get away from it all,” as they are located near the Resort Golf Course and offer spacious accommodations, many equipped with kitchenettes, apart from the main resort, with a separate swimming pool and self-parking available.
The Delray Beach Marriott Beachfront Resort is a five-story, award-winning property with full amenities, pool, terrace, gift shop, and spacious lobby bar, three restaurants, 180 rooms, 88 suites and four luxury penthouse suites. Located on the Atlantic Ocean and the corner of trendy Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, the hotel features an 11,000-square-foot Spa.
The Resort at Singer Island, a Luxury Collection Resort opened February 1, 2007, bringing a renaissance to Singer Island; a tropical paradise on a sweeping beachfront located between Jupiter and Palm Beach. The Resort features 239 one-and two-bedroom suites, 66 residential accommodations and all the amenities and services expected from a world-class property. Two spectacular pools, waterfall, slide, private cabanas, beach butlers, an 8,500-square-foot spa and a fitness center with personal trainers are on site. The resort’s restaurant, Solu, is an Asian-infused Caribbean grill, featuring an expo kitchen as well as al fresco dining.
The Chesterfield Hotel embraces the charm of England and luxury of Palm Beach, and is only a “scones” throw away from the renowned shops of Worth Avenue. Featuring European hospitality, exemplary cuisine, High Tea served daily. Trendy and fashionable nightlife can be found at the Leopard Lounge and Restaurant. Extensive multi-million dollar room enhancements were completed this fall with new furnishings and designer upgrades bringing a fresh experience to this landmark. The Leopard Lounge is one of the hottest spots, with live music nightly.
The Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach has spent $60 million to improve, renovate and refurbish the entire resort. Being the area’s only Mobil Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel was not enough for The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach. The Ritz Carlton will spend $45 million on new renovations to lavish guests in an unforgettable resort experience. Having recently completed the first phase, $15 million room renovation, Phase II will feature a 28,000-square-foot Avery Brooks designed spa, raising the bar for destination and day spa experiences.
The Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa has undergone a multi-million dollar, hotel-wide renovation transformation in its 158 guest rooms and suites, including the award-winning on-site restaurant Sinclairs. The new luxurious 7,500-square-foot spa and fitness center opened this year to rave reviews, offering an exclusive line of Fiji products and exotic treatments, including the warm oil scalp massage and full spa treatment facilities. Located on the beach, near shopping, entertainment, golf courses and water sports.
Getting There
Chosen as the “Best Low Cost Carrier” in the U.S. by business travelers, Denver-based carrier Frontier Airlines recently announced it will offer new daily non-stop service between its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“We are impressed with Palm Beach International Airport, Palm Beach County is a dynamic market that was clearly underserved for the low-fare and high-quality product that Frontier Airlines offers,” said Frontier Senior Vice President of Marketing and Planning, John Happ.
Dick Haller, Director of Airport Marketing summed up the announcement by Frontier. “This adds up to a win-win for travel convenience into Palm Beach County. Palm Beach International Airport’s only year-round service west of Houston will be Frontier Airlines. The new Airbus 319 jet is a terrific aircraft featuring 132-passenger seats, each with 24 channels of Live TV and four pay-per-view movies in every seatback. This is a great day for the business and leisure travel industry of Palm Beach County.”
Palm Beach International Airport houses 18 domestic and international airlines with an annual average of 225 scheduled commercial flights arriving and departing daily. Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) was recently recognized as a first-place winner for “Best Concessions Design of Small Airport” and second place winner for “Best Customer Service of Small Airport” by Airport Revenue News. PBIA set an all-time record, with more than 7 million passengers last year. A $23.6 million expansion project, completed in 2006, added a total of 10 screening lanes in an expanded 92,000-square-foot area at both concourses. PBIA boasts 31 non-stop daily flights from six airports in the New York area including LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, Newburgh, Westchester and Long Island MacArthur. For more information, call the Palm Beach County Convention Visitors Bureau at 561-233-3000; www.palmbeachfl.com