OrlandoTravelHotels.com Helps Travelers Save Money with a 110% Best Rate Guarantee
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a comment) Orlando, FL - August 12, 2009 - - OrlandoTravelHotels.com is a new destination travel site launched by Xcellimark in partnership with WCT, a division of Travelocity Partner Network. OrlandoTravelHotels.com provides everything visitors need to plan their vacation or travel to the Central Florida Orlando area including information on hotel accommodations.
OrlandoTravelHotels.com is also backed by a 110% Best Rate Guarantee from WCT. What this means for vacation planners is that if they find a lower rate on another website for the same room, at the same hotel, on the same dates, within 24 hours of booking, a price match is guaranteed, plus the traveler gets paid 10% of the difference in price.
“We want OrlandoTravelHotels.com to be a one-stop shop for hotel and travel reservations. The 110% Best Rate Guarantee applies to discount Save Rates at over 60,000 global properties. In fact, we guarantee that our Save Rate Hotels are the best prices available online,” said Nancy Lambert, Xcellimark Vice President.
Once a traveler makes a Save Rate Hotel reservation, and finds a lower rate, for the same room, on the same date, on another website, all they have to do is complete the 110% Best Rate Guarantee Request form with accurate, verifiable information. The request will receive a response within 48 business hours.
“Our Save Rate Hotels are already low - we can guarantee them because we negotiate these rates with hotels and hotel suppliers based on our bulk purchasing capabilities,” said Scott Lambert, Xcellimark President.
Save Rate Hotels are denoted with a special icon next to the property listing. The 110% Best Rate Guarantee is for the Save Rate Hotel room rates only and does not include any taxes, tariffs or fees. The 110% Best Rate Guarantee does not apply to discounted rates for senior citizens (including AARP rates), travel industry rates (e.g. IATA), corporate negotiated rates, Government/Military rates or AAA rates.
About Xcellimark
Xcellimark is an award-winning Internet Marketing firm based in Orlando, Florida with clients throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Barbados. Xcellimark specializes in providing clients with exclusive, qualified sales leads using a skilled online conversion process that includes design, search engine marketing strategies and copywriting. Through their unique approach to internet marketing, Xcellimark has significantly increased their client’s qualified sales inquiries. For more information on how Xcellimark can help you improve your bottom line, contact Scott Lambert or visit www.xcellimark.com
Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, Maui, Hawaii
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a comment
Lei making
For the most Hawaiian experience on Ka’anapali Beach, you need look no further than the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel on the beach in Ka’anapali, Maui, Hawaii.
The minute you walk into the lobby, you are treated as family and during your stay, you can embark on a journey to learn about Hawaiian culture. From the Ohana Welcome Breakfast to the Ukulele lessons to four different kinds of Lei Making classes, you have the opportunity to engage in Hawaiian culture while enjoying your vacation.
The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel prides itself in the expansive grounds and local flora. Lying on a lounge chair under a blooming plumeria is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, especially combined with a Mai Tai or two from the Tiki Bar and Grill.
King room with daybed
For children under 12, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel offers an Aloha Passport program, full of activities for the kids in your group, including Hula lessons, lau (leaf) painting, and ti leaf skirt making. Children also receive discounts in the on-site restaurants.
Rooms are spacious and comfortably appointed. The Ocean Front Family Suite sleeps 5 guests, and most rooms connect to create adjoining rooms and bathrooms to accommodate larger families.
Sunset Hula show
Our favorite part of the hotel? The free sunset Hula show – my daughter begged to go every night!
The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel
2525 Kaanapali Parkway
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761
Toll Free U.S. & Canada: 800-262-8450
Worldwide Direct: 808-661-0011
Rates from $143 for Garden View, to $265 for Ocean View Rooms
Reviewed by by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
For an authentic Hawaiian plate restaurant, check out Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina!
Best Fall Bear Trips: From Rare BC Spirit Bears to Chinese Pandas on Natural Habitat Adventures Eco Tours
Posted , add a comment) Boulder, Colorado ? July 30, 2009 ? From stalking the mystical Spirit Bear ? a rare white subspecies of black bears living in a remote tract of Canadian coastal rainforest ? to viewing endangered giant pandas in China to traveling among hundreds of polar bears on the shores of Hudson Bay, the best bear tours, like Natural Habitat Adventures’ small-group eco tours, provide an intimate experience of these impressive animals, closely tied to the complex conservation issues that threaten them. These four top fall bear trips from China to the Arctic, offered by award-winning eco travel company Natural Habitat Adventures, go well beyond the bear essentials:
- Only 400 or so rare Kermode bears ? known to Native Americans as the Spirit Bear ? remain. The new Spirit Bears and Humpback Whales of BC tour travels aboard a private sailing ketch exploring the largest remaining tract of virgin temperate rainforest ? with kayaking from shipboard among humpback whales. 9 days, September/October, $5,995, for 14 people.
- See endangered giant pandas in natural habitat in eastern China’s Bifengxia Panda Base, and the Asiatic Black Bear ? known as the Moon Bear ? in Chengdu. The Wild and Ancient China tour also includes man-made wonders: the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall. 12 days, September 2009 (May ? September 2010), $6,995, for 15 people.
- Watch abundant grizzly bears feasting on salmon on this new tour into Canada’s “Wild West,” remote Chilcotin Country. Bears & Eagles of Chilko Lake includes nature encounters by raft, kayak, boat and helicopter and lodging on alpine Chilko Lake. 6 days, September, $5,995, for 12 people.
- Experience up to 100 bears a day, as well as arctic fox, caribou, the northern lights and more on five separate Churchill polar bear itineraries. Classic Polar Bear Expedition is 6 or 7 days, October/November, from $4,595, for 15 people.
A member of Adventure Collection and exclusive Conservation Travel Provider to World Wildlife Fund, Natural Habitat Adventures’ awards include a 2009 Best Adventure Travel Company ranking from National Geographic Adventure and 2009 World’s Best Tour Operator honors from Travel + Leisure. All Natural Habitat Adventures trips are carbon neutral. For information, visit www.nathab.com.
Media Contacts: Matt Kareus, Natural Habitat Adventures, 303.449.3711, mattk@nathab.com; or Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, 307.734.5335, darla@wordenpr.com.
First All-Inclusive Staycation Package in Atlantic Canada
Posted July 30, 2009 , add a comment) July 10, 2009 - West Bay, Nova Scotia. As many Maritimers are facing tight travel budgets this summer, they are seeking vacations close to home. Dundee Resort is making it easier for vacationers to get the most out of their hard-earned dollars by introducing the first all Inclusive Staycation Package in Atlantic Canada.
Florida, Cuba, Mexico and other sunshine destinations are popular for their all-inclusive packages, which you do not generally see in Atlantic Canada. However, Dundee Resort on Cape Breton Island has just introduced an all-inclusive package to give tourists an easy economical staycation in Nova Scotia.
“Times are tough but everyone needs a getaway. For a very affordable price, this package gives visitors access to all resort amenities-it’s everything you need to have a great time, said Scott MacAulay, Owner of Dundee Resort. “By getting creative and developing an all-inclusive package, we are introducing an ideal spot for a staycation. This is the first of its kind, that I am aware of, in Atlantic Canada”, he added. Dundee Resort is located 20 minutes from Port Hawkesbury on the Bras d’Or Lakes. With an 18-hole championship golf course and a supervised children’s program, Dundee is the perfect place to getaway on Cape Breton Island. Dundee also has an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, spa and a fully equipped water adventure centre where kids of all ages can have fun on the lake. Dundee offers spacious hotel rooms and one and two bedroom efficiency cottages.
Vieux Montreal: Exploring a Touch of Europe - Montreal, Canada
Posted , add a commentVieux Montreal: Exploring a Touch of Europe - Montreal, Canada
I got off the bus ride not expecting it to be so cold. Making my way to Old Montreal (about 5-10 minute walk), I stopped at Brisas Le 808 to warm up and downed two cups of coffee. I told the owner it was delicious, savouring the smoothness. I mentioned it was better than Tim Hortons. “Don’t talk to me about Tim Hortons” the owner said with a smile. I laughed.
Leaving the restaurant, I decided I had to buy another layer of clothing with three other light layers I was wearing. I bought a fleece jacket to keep me warm and now a souvenir with “Montreal“ in front.
I headed back to Rue Notre Dame my starting point. I walked around the property of Musee du Chateau Ramezay built in 1705, once residence for Claude de Ramezay, the 11th governor of the colony. Benjamin Franklin tried to persuade Quebec to go against the British rules but failed. Now this museum displays coins, furnishings, tools and more from the 18th and 19th century.
Hotel de Ville (1872-1878) is Montreal’s City Hall. Modeled after the one in Tours, France, it was here that president Charles de Gaulle of France marked Canada’s 100 birthday shouting “Vive le Quebec libre” (Long live for Quebec) much to the separatists delight but the federal government, who invited him, was not amused.
Across the street is Basilica Notre Dame de Montreal (Our Lady of Montreal). Opened in 1829, for $5.00 you can have a quick 20-minute tour of the inside’s gorgeous carved linden wood altar, a 7,000 pipe Casavant organ and stained glass windows depicting the parish’s history and biblical passages.
Though the cathedral dominates Place d’Armes, this square is full history. The red-stone Romanesque eight stories Edifice New York Life, was Montreal’s first skyscraper in 1888. Next door is Edifice Aldred (1931) resembling the Empire State Building, completed the same year. Now pigeons flock this area making their mark around the statue of Paul de Chomedey, Montreal’s founder along this cobbled square.
Banque de Montreal (1847) is Montreal’s oldest bank.
Montreal was born in 1642. The Obelisk (1893) near rue St. Francois Xavier has the names of Montreal’s pioneers. Around the Obelisk are benches to have a quiet break and relax.
No more signs of rain. The sun struggled to get out. I headed back onto Rue Saint-Paul, the oldest thoroughfare in the city, dating from 1672. This city has a feel of Europe. Walking along this windy, narrow cobbled streets. With cars passing by, I secretly wished for pedestrian only. I loved the different colourful signs of the shops and restaurants displaying their address number. It reminded me of Salzburg.
I sauntered down Rue Saint-Paul trying to find a restaurant to eat then found myself at Place Jacques-Cartier, named for the French explorer. Plenty of outdoor restaurants on this cobbled street. Unfortunately there were no colourful flowers inside the huge pots in the middle of the square on the mid May, in front of the Statue of Nelson (1809).
Despite the chilly weather I still sat outside, near the door, at L’Aventure Pub and savoured the Caesar salad and glass of white wine, watched a few people walk by. The waitress told me the forecast of 22C was expected today. Yeah right?
Energized and ready to go, I walked back to Rue Saint-Paul, stopping at Marche Bonsecours (1847), a beautiful classical revival style building. Once a market, a parliament of United Canada, a City Hall, now home to upscale boutique and art shops. The outside the intrigued me with the six cast-iron Doric columns and the silver dome.
There are plenty of narrow cobbled streets that branch off like Rue Saint-Dizier. Oh, the reminders of Europe.
Next-door is Notre-Dame de Bonsecours, founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys, the oldest church in Montreal built in 1771 over the ruins of an earlier chapel. It is free to tour inside of the altar, statues, and stained glass windows but on my way out I did slip some money in the box.
Just in front to the chapel, down Rue Bonsecours, is Maison Pierre du Calvert (Calvert House). Built in the 18th century, Pierre du Calvert supported the American Revolution. He met with Benjamin Franklin here in 1775. Paul was jailed from 1780-73 for giving money to the Americans. Now this is a bed & breakfast and a restaurant.
Ah Montreal. Elle est une belle ville (it is a beautiful city.) I’ll be back.