San Diego’s culinary community joins forces during September 13 – 18 for San Diego Restaurant Week. More than a hundred of the region’s top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course dinner menus at just $20, $30 or $40 per person, so visitors can sample the signature cuisine and sophisticated style that make San Diego’s dining scene one of the region’s top attractions.

For more information, call 858-523-9020, or visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com .

The “turf meets the surf” at the Del Mar Racetrack where home racing fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 22 – September 9.

The races run six days weekly, except Tuesday. Every Friday, guests can catch 4 O’Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day’s last race.

On September 6, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation’s top thoroughbreds and $1 million purse. For more information, call 858-755-1141, or visit www.dmtc.com

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

In April 2009, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park opened Flightline, a new zip-line adventure that transports guests more than 400 feet across the park at speeds up to 60 mph.

The 1.5-hour experience begins at the top of a mountain in Nairobi Village and features a brief training lesson, behind-the-scenes narration and an aerial adventure that soars across the Asian and African field exhibits, and ends at Kilima Point. Participants must be 10 years of age or older and weigh between 75 and 200 pounds; the cost is $70 in addition to regular park admission.

For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org/wap

On May 23, 2009, the San Diego Zoo unveiled a journey through time with the opening of its newest exhibit, The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. Highlighting animals of the past, present and future, the $44 million, seven-acre habitat features Asian elephants, a California condor, sloths, snakes and rodents, as well as life-sized replicas of animal species that dotted the Southern California landscape more than 10,000 years ago.

A herd of eight elephants roam a 2.5-acre exhibit that includes a 120,000-gallon pool, gentle rolling hills and the Conrad Prebys Elephant Management Facility, where visitors can see keepers and veterinarians at work with the animals.

Additional highlights of Elephant Odyssey include a tar pit replication, fossil dig, children’s play area and much more. For more information, call 619-231-1515, or visit www.sandiegozoo.org

On May 29, 2009, SEA LIFE Aquarium in Carlsbad launched a new exhibit, Sharks Revealed.

The new display will replace the Kelp Forrest exhibit and provide an up-close look at the evolution, development and lifestyles of sharks, including how they eat, breathe and sleep. Several unique shark species will roam through the exhibit like the brown banded bamboo shark, white spotted bamboo shark and coral catshark.

Sharks Revealed will also showcase a number of educational displays and interactive opportunities for guests.

For more information, call 760-918-5346, or visit www.sealifeus.com

NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS

In August 2009, Hotel Indigo San Diego, a new alternative to traditional hotels, will open in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego.

Catering to the style-conscious traveler, the hotel will offer personalized service, affordable luxury and intelligent design to create a one-of-a-kind, welcoming environment.

The 12-story, 210-room property will feature open spaces, bold colors, unique textures, natural imagery and spa-inspired touches throughout the property.

In addition, public spaces and guestrooms will undergo seasonal transformations so that aromas, music, artwork, murals and more correlate to match the four seasons.

Hotel Indigo San Diego will also offer a bistro-style Golden Bean restaurant and Phi bar, each offering seasonal gourmet fare for breakfast and dinner.

A 24-hour “Phi”tness Studio, rooftop terrace with a reflection pool and fire pits, business center, 6,200-sq. ft. of meeting space and free wireless internet will round out the amenities.

Hotel Indigo will be San Diego’s first LEED-certified hotel, and green building practices will be seen throughout the property, including green roofs on its 9th and 12th floors.

For more information, visit www.hotelindigo.com

HOTEL RENOVATIONS AND NAME CHANGES

Renovations and upgrades to the historic 1906 Lodge in Coronado were completed in May 2009.

The building was originally built in 1906 as a boarding house, and now serves as a charming 17-room hotel.

Six of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in the mail lodge and feature queen beds, period furniture and original leaded glass windows that provide gorgeous views of Coronado.

Eleven of the hotel’s guest rooms are located in newly built bungalows and feature king beds, spa tubs, private entrances and private balconies or porches. Additional upgrades to the building include renovated common areas like the parlor, dining room and veranda.

The 1906 Lodge also boasts meeting space that can accommodate up to 40 guests.

For more information, call 866-435-1906, or visit http://1906lodge.com

The Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay recently unveiled a complete brand re-launch featuring a new look and feel throughout the 14-story property.

The hotel’s 600 rooms now feature comfortable beds with crisp linens and a selection of pillows that range from soft to firm.

Guestroom bathrooms have been enhanced with superior showerheads, a curved shower rod for a more spacious feel and premium bath products. Enhanced lighting and landscaping designs offer a warm arrival experience, while just inside the lobby, new stylish touches, signature sounds, scents and an efficient guest check-in round out the welcome experience.

For more information, call 619-232-3861, or visit www.hisandiegoonthebay.com

In May 2009, Pala Casino Spa and Resort in San Diego’s North County completed a $100 million expansion, which includes major improvements to the dining and gaming areas and a new parking garage.

Pala Casino’s buffet area was expanded to 20,000-sq. ft. and renamed Choices, providing guests a world-class, interactive dining experience featuring eight live-action cooking stations, seating for more than 625 guests, an area for private parties and great views of the neighboring scenic mountains.

Pala Casino also opened two new restaurants — Amigos, an authentic Mexican eatery with quick-style service, and Sushi Sake, a Japanese restaurant. Within Pala’s casino area, a Poker Room with 15 tables, private cage windows and tableside dining was also added. Additionally, the casino’s private High Limit Area features three redesigned, Feng Shui-inspired rooms.

For more information, call 877-946-7252, or visit www.palacasino.com

MEETING AND CONVENTION NEWS

When Hotel Indigo San Diego opens in August 2009, the hotel will feature 1,900 sq. ft. of ground-floor meeting space and over 4,000 sq. ft. of functional indoor and outdoor rooftop event space on the 9th floor.

The indoor meeting space will consist of three venues, the 1,000-sq. ft. Fibonacci Meeting Room, which can break out into two equal spaces, a 500-sq. ft. Boardroom with a built-in bar and 400-sq. ft. Boardroom Suite.

The 9th floor meeting space will offer a 350-sq. ft. Hospitality Suite with an adjoining private outdoor Phi Bar Terrace that spans views of the San Diego Padres’ PETCO Park and downtown San Diego.

For more information, visit www.hotelindigo.com (5/09)

In February 2009, the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego completed the transformation of its new Folsom Executive Meeting Space.

The new, multi-functional 7,500-sq. ft. space is a sleek dual-level meeting and events wing with seven breakout rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 – 150 people.

Taking advantage of the hotel’s hip, urban surroundings, each breakout room features floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize natural lighting while offering panoramic views of downtown San Diego.

Complimenting the hotel’s distinctive rock ‘n’ roll reputation, each room has edgy design elements like platinum, textured reptile-inspired wall coverings and stunning black-etched murals of rock legends. In addition, the wing is fully tech-enabled with WiFi-ready group connectivity, customizable electronic reader boards with optional video streams and individually-controlled music zones enabling clients to load in personal playlists.

With the addition of the Folsom Executive Meeting Space, the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego now houses over 40,000 sq. ft. of meetings and events space.

For more information, call 619-702-3000, or visit www.hardrockhotelsd.com

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley recently began construction on a new ballroom slated for completion in fall 2009. The new space will encompass 6,600 sq. ft. and have the capability to break out into four smaller rooms, accommodating groups of up to 700 people.

For more information, call 888-444-0401, or visit www.crowneplaza.com

RESTAURANT NEWS

Back by popular demand, the Old Spaghetti Factory reopened in February 2009 in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, returning to the location it occupied from 1974 until closing in 2005 as part of the building redevelopment.

After the closure, the owners received overwhelming requests from long-time diners to bring the restaurant back to the Gaslamp Quarter, and following an unsuccessful search for a new downtown location opted to return to the original location.

The Old Spaghetti Factory is best-known for family dining that offers complete meals at great value. The restaurant was recently recognized by Parents magazine as “one of the top 10 family-friendly chains in the United States.”

For more information, call 619-233-4323, or visit www.osf.com

In April 2009, the Point Loma Brigantine re-opened after completion of a major rennovation. Construction included knocking down the wall, which once closed off the restaurants dining space, and expanding the bar area.

Additional restyling included adding six new HD flat-screen TVs, a red brick veneer to the walls, an art sculpture simulating a rolling ocean wave that runs the full length of the ceiling and much more.

For more information, call 858-268-1030, or visit www.brigantine.com

Corvette Diner, a San Diego restaurant famous for its rock ‘n’ roll vibe, burgers, shakes and sassy waitresses in bouffant hairdos, closed its Hillcrest location in April and reopened in June 2009 in San Diego’s historic Liberty Station on Point Loma.

The restaurant is moving into one of first permanent buildings, built in 1923, on the old Naval Training Center site which now is home to Liberty Station. The new restaurant will seat up to 242 guests in three distinctively themed dining areas and feature a 5,000-sq. ft. arcade named the Gamers’ Garage, private dining rooms for birthday parties and events and a full bar for adults. This new location will be twice the size of the original with plenty of room to carry on the tradition of fun family dining and plenty of free parking.

For more information, call 619-236-1299, or visit www.dinecrg.com

NIGHTLIFE

Side Bar returned to downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter in May 2009 after a $1 million remodel. The 5,000-sq. ft, bar and lounge now embodies an art deco modern feel with a dark, moody ambiance. The decor includes a gypsy-like approach to furnishings with a collection of mismatched items appointed in varied textures and colors. Thirty deep red birdcages dangle from the lofted ceilings at various heights, contrasting the black painted brick walls lined with paintings of artistic nudes.

Behind a large silver curtain in the middle of the space is the club where DJs spin tunes Thursday through Saturday nights within a floor-to-ceiling, oversized birdcage DJ booth.

The club’s bottle service area features deep red diamond tufted custom sofas, giant custom chandeliers and a backlit acrylic image of a vintage nude scene hidden behind strands of crystal.

Also new to Side Bar is a late night dining menu featuring a bar menu and artisan pizzas from Chef Derek Dinublia.

For more information, visit www.sidebarsd.com

On May 14, 2009, the Keating Hotel replaced its former Minus 1 lounge and club with the new SWAY Lounge. Featuring the Keating’s signature Pininfarina Italian design, SWAY exudes sexy sophistication and a VIP setting with red lighting, black paneling, rich leather booths and candlelit candelabras.

SWAY also features two bars that serve only fine, premium liquors like Hennessey, Johnny Walker and Dom Perignon. In June, SWAY will open a third bar, the Bubble Bar, which will serve as San Diego’s first “champagne only” bar.

For more information, call 619-814-5700, or visitwww.thekeating.com

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Two new skate parks recently opened in the city of Oceanside in San Diego’s North County.

The Melba Bishop Park provides a “street”-style layout that includes ledges, banks, hips, rails, stairs and gaps for a well-rounded skateboarding experience.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Park offers a “flow”-style layout with a gently sloping bowl area that accommodates multiple riders.

Both parks enhance San Diego’s already popular skate scene and offer opportunities where skaters can develop and refine their skills.

For more information, call 760-435-5619, or visit www.ci.oceanside.ca.us

TRANSPORTATION AND TOURS

This summer, Hornblower Cruises & Events offers a casual and relaxed two-hour sunset San Diego Bay cruise with hors d’oeuvres and drink specials every Friday and Saturday.

The new Sights and Sips Sunset Cruise is like a happy hour on the water that the whole family can enjoy. A menu with kid-friendly drinks, beer, alcoholic beverages and appetizers rotate thematically, highlighting local favorites and seasonal picks from Hornblower chefs. Guests board the Sights and Sips Sunset Cruise at 5:30 p.m. and cruise from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., timed perfectly for sunset.

The cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children 4 – 12 years old.

For more information, call 619-686-8715, or visit www.hornblower.com

In June 2009, WestJet began seasonal, direct flights between San Diego and Calgary, Alberta three times a week.

For more information, visit www.westjet.com

On May 15, 2009, Air Canada began a daily nonstop service between San Diego and Calgary, Alberta.

The Air Canada flight 8307 departs Calgary daily at 12:55 p.m., arriving in San Diego at 3 p.m. Air Canada flight 8308 departs San Diego daily at 11:55 a.m., arriving in Calgary at 4:05 p.m. The flights are timed for convenient connections in Calgary to and from Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg and Toronto.

For more information, visit www.aircanada.com

VISUAL ARTS/MUSEUMS

In June 2009, Quail Botanical Gardens, located in Encinitas, will open its new one-acre Hamilton Children’s Garden, set to be the largest children’s garden on the West Coast. The garden will feature 14 different interactive areas for exploring and educating children about nature.

Highlights will include Toni’s Tree House, a 20 ft.-high climbable tree and tree house; Quail Haven, an enclosure for close-up viewing of quail; Rock Hoppers, a rock garden where children can hop from one rock to another without ever touching the ground; and Gardens and Music, which comes complete with a stage set for children to perform musical performances using instruments made from plants like grass whistles and bamboo chimes.

For more information, call 760-436-3036, or visit www.qbgardens.org

After a historical year in politics, the San Diego Museum of Art presents the exclusive West Coast premiere of Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power, June 6 – September 6, 2009.

The exhibition showcases more than 150 political portraits by Richard Avedon, one of the greatest portrait and fashion photographers in the world, and traces Avedon’s fascination with politics from the 1950s until his death in 2004.

Some rarely seen photographs and never published works are on display alongside some of Avedon’s most groundbreaking photo series.

For more information, call 619-232-7931, or visit www.sdmart.org

The San Diego Natural History Museum will present an enlightening new exhibition, Darwin: Evolution|Revolution, November 7, 2009 – February 28, 2010.

The exhibit will explore the life and work of Charles Darwin, whose evolutionary theories on natural selection and evolution changed the face of science.

Darwin’s personal manuscripts, notebooks and artworks will be on display, as well as fossils, taxidermy mounts and living specimens like Galapagos turtles, green iguanas and intricate orchids that Darwin used when developing his revolutionary theories.

For more information, call 877-946-7797, or visit www.sdnhm.org

PERFORMING ARTS

The Tony Award®-winning La Jolla Playhouse kicks off its 2009-2010 season with the U.S. West Coast premiere of Terrence McNally’s Unusual Acts of Devotion (June 2 – 28, 2009). During a hot summer night, a couple celebrates their fifth wedding anniversary with friends, but danger lurks in the air as each confronts unfulfilled desires and secret longings for one another.

Later this summer, the Playhouse presents the World Premier of Claudia Shear’s Resoration (until July 19, 2009).

Inspired by the restoration of Michelangelo’s David in 2004, this illuminating and imaginative play follows an unexpected love story and a comedic portrait of survival and endurance. Also playing is the World Premiere musical,

The Big Time by Douglas Carter Beane (November 10 – December 20, 2009). When a G8 cruise ship is taken hostage by terrorists with the intent of destroying the world, romance and mistaken identities take over as the hostages become heroes and the radicals become hoofers.

For more information, call 858-550-1010, or visit www.lajollaplayhouse.com

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe theater in Balboa Park will present the World Premiere of The First Wives Club — A New Musical (July 15 – August 23, 2009).

Based on the Hollywood blockbuster, this Broadway-bound musical will feature a book by Tony Award®-winner Rupert Holmes and score by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland.

The production will be directed by award-winning opera and theatrical director Francesca Zambello. Later this year, the Old Globe will present the World Premier of Sammy (September 17 – November 1, 2009).

Written by two-time Academy Award and Grammy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse, this delightful new musical will follow the life of Sammy Davis Jr., one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

For more information, call 619-231-1941, or visit www.theoldglobe.org

The Diversionary Theatre, the nation’s 3rd oldest LGBT theatre, presents TWIST!, a new musical based on the tale of Oliver Twist (July 9 – August 9, 2009).

In this clever retelling, Oliver is an attractive young man who encounters loneliness, adventure, Victorian erotica and redemption while on the search for love in London. Later this year, the Diversionary Theatre celebrates the 30th anniversary of BENT (October 29-November 22, 2009).

This riveting story highlights the persecution by the Nazis and the fight for gay love in the midst of the Holocaust.

For more information, call 619-220-0097, or visit www.diversionary.org

Happy happens in San Diego. For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web site, www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, or the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla.

At Nekton we are always looking for new experiences to bring you and sometimes we get lucky. Well, we just got lucky!

Nekton’s itinerary development team has discovered an outpost in the Bahamas that just blew us away! It is less than 40 miles from the Turks & Caicos. Known more for the legend that pirates dug a fresh-water well there, Mayaguana island has turned out to be a special and undisturbed dive destination.

You can be among the first to discover what her bountiful waters have to offer.

Our new itinerary team and some lucky Nekton past guests, while there reported rich marine life, healthy reefs, huge basket sponges, breathtaking swim through’s, caves and deep, spectacular walls dropping into the Atlantic Ocean. Check out some of the pictures of the Mayaguana Exploration Trip.

The 300+ residents of the island, who subsist on fishing and farming (the mail boat only comes to the island once a week), are so happy to have us visit that they insist we come over for dinner. They have arranged a tour of the island and dinner for us during the week (they ask that we help defer some of the costs and pay a small fee).

There is sure to be a lot of excitement around this itinerary so check it out and book today.

The 300+ residents of the island, who subsist on fishing and farming (the mail boat only comes to the island once a week), are so happy to have us visit that they insist we come over for dinner.

They have arranged a tour of the island and dinner for us during the week (they ask that we help defer some of the costs and pay a small fee).

There is sure to be a lot of excitement around this itinerary so check it out and book today.

Mayaguana Itinerary

Are you staring out the window and are unable to concentrate? There’s only one cure- book your Mayaguana diving adventure.

While each Mayaguana cruise may vary due to weather and sea conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the adventure you could experience!

Saturday:

Your adventure begins as you arrive in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The word Turks derived from the Islands’ pirate history, when 17th and 18th century pirates used the islands as hideouts and preyed upon the passing Spanish treasure ships bound for Europe.

The term “Turk” for a pirate stemmed two centuries earlier when the Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and Turkish corsairs harried European Atlantic shipping, thus translated “Turks” Islands becomes “Pirate” Islands!.

The Nekton Rorqual will be docked at NikkiBeach Marina on the east side of the island. A taxi ride from Providenciales to Nikki Beach marina should be less than $50 one way. Once at the marina, you may enjoy dinner ashore. Embarkation begins at 7:00 pm with the Captain’s briefing about 8:00 pm. Later that night the vessel gets underway.

Sunday - Friday Morning:

After clearing Customs in Mayaguana, exploration begins in the waters around the island. The diving here ranges from shallow water reef dives to deep blue water drop-offs. There are quite a few impressive swim throughs as well. The reefs along the wall are very healthy and have lots of colorful sponges, corals, and tunicates. Small shrimps and crabs are attached to many of these corals, which provide an excellent site for macro photographers. You will also find colorful tropical fish, schools of blue tangs, hawksbill turtles, large grouper, reef sharks, nurse sharks and many more.

Friday Afternoon:

Enjoy an evening ashore were the friendly locals are pulling out the red carpet and showing Nekton’s guests the charming towns.

A guided tour will be given of the main settlements. Dinner will be served at the Baycaner. Please bring $25 cash for the guided tour and dinner. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the $25 fee. (Please note: Bring cash with you. There are no banks or ATM’s on the island. Credit cards are not accepted.)

Mayaguana Settlements

Betsy Bay

Located on the West Coast; Enjoy the scenery of quaint pastel cottages, secluded’ wild corn plants, saucy hummingbirds.

Pirate’s Well

Located on the North Coast; hear the tales of the buried treasure lost on the island. Enjoy dinner at Baycaner - directly across the street from Pirates Well.

Abraham’s Bay

Located on the South coast; is the main town where you will find the harbor; (Quick fact: the main form of communication is mail boat once a week)

North Beach

Enjoy the stunning ocean flats scenery. Where you will see tropical birds such as the West Indian Flamingo and the Brown Booby.

Mayaguana Airport

The 11,000 foot runway was part of former US missile tracking stations used during the NASA Project Mercury and Apollo programs to help keep the astronauts on course.

Friday night:

The boat makes the passage back to Turks and Caicos Islands.

Saturday:

The Nekton Pilot will arrive back at Niki Beach Marina at 8 in the morning. After clearing customs, local taxi service is available with dock side pickup for transfers to the airport.

Please schedule flights for after 12:00 noon and REMEMBER DAN’s recommended waiting period between repetitive diving and flying.

Nekton Diving Cruises? Let us know. Email marketing@nektoncruises.com  or call (800) 899-6753
email: newsletter@nektoncruises.com
web: http://www.nektoncruises.com

The offer applies to stays at the budget chain’s hotels between November 1 and January 31, 2010.

Foundation’s Lake Michigan Chapter Co-Chair Vince Deur in celebrating their victory yesterday as The Chicago Parks District officially announced that surfing is no longer illegal. For decades, Chicago has banned all flotation devices from their beaches since a deadly tragedy occurred with three girls on an inflatable raft.

The CPD agreed to open two city public beaches for the Summer, Montrose & 57th St, and in the Fall two other beaches will be added for off-season surfing: Rainbow & Osterman In early summer of 2008, Pribram, Deur, Surfer & Attorney Todd Haugh and local Kitesurfer Mike Urban had a surf summit with officials at the Chicago Parks District to make their case for surfing in Chicago and tried to reverse a city-wide ban on floatation devices, a law that ultimately put Chicago surfer Jack Flynn behind bars overnight when he attempted surfing a cold and stormy December day.

To further protest the law, Pribram joined local surfers David Vanderveen, Jack Flynn, Vince Deur, Jim Hoop and Ryan Gerard last month for a “paddle out” in front of Chicago’s legendary ‘Miracle Mile’. After almost two hours of stand-up paddling, Chicago police boats arrived, but the surfers were long gone.

“While our little stand up paddle-out was just a small step owards taking a stand for change, I look forward to sharing the importance of keeping surfing clean, legal and a choice for all local surfers and future surfers,” said Pribram. Deur added, ”

We are very pleased with the decision of the Parks istrict to allow surfing in the city of Chicago…it’s a great opportunity to prove ourselves to the CPD and the community that we are respectful stewards of the beaches…”

James Pribram is best known for his philanthropic and environmental endeavors through his Eco-Warrior project. Through the project, Pribram works with developers and government officials to solve a variety of environmental problems that endanger the ocean.

www.surfrider.org

Baja California Sur, Mexico - About 35 miles north of charming San Jose del Cabo, lies a region of Baja California Sur synonymous with sport fishing; the East Cape.

For the past decade, anglers from around the world gather here to compete for large cash prizes and enjoy the plentiful waters of the Sea of Cortes, home to of some of the world’s largest billfish. The 10th Annual East Cape Offshore Tournament will take place July 28-August 1, 2009.

“The state of Baja California Sur is proud to welcome back the East Cape Offshore Tournament for the 10th consecutive year,” says Alberto Treviño, Secretary of Tourism for Baja California Sur.

“Our waters offer experienced anglers world-renowned fishing conditions, capturing the essence of Baja Sur that lures visitors back year after year.”

Presented by Snell Real Estate and Las Villas de Mexico, the East Cape Offshore Tournament offers payouts to anglers for gamefish species in addition to marlin, for which the region is well known.

In 2008, the tournament awarded over $300,000 in cash prizes and included 56 participating teams.

The annual East Cape Offshore Tournament is one of three tournaments produced by Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments in Baja California Sur. Due to the size of the cash awards, number of teams that enter and the locations, special rules regarding tournament entry and payment apply.

The beautiful Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort, a favorite among anglers, will provide accommodations for this year’s tournament.

For more information or to enter, please visit www.bisbees.com

Eco-tourists, families, honeymooners, mature travelers, artists and others delight in their discovery of Baja California Sur.

Comprising three international airports Baja California Sur is both accessible and exotic.

Non-stop flights or convenient connections to Los Cabos are available from all major gateways throughout the United States.

Non-stop flights to La Paz and Loreto are available from Los Angeles.

For more information Baja California Sur call (877) MY-BAJA SUR or visit www.mybajasur.com

Here our Guests can indulge in a rare panoramic view of Nassau’s land and sea. The scenery boasts the best of the island’s natural wonders, from the native pine forest by Lake Killarney to the brim of the coral reefs that protect the glimmering beaches of west Nassau.

The property was recently built to echo the traditions of an old Bahamian home: wood floors and wood ceilings, louvered shutters and a large wrap around porch bring the visitors back to a quieter time long ago when the music of the islands could be heard in the whispers of the trade winds.

All the rooms all have direct access to the large wrap-around porch. The Garden View rooms are located on the ground floor and overlook the gardens and the pool area.

The Island View rooms of the second and third floor allow a panoramic view of the island, lakes Killarney and Old Fort Bay .

On a clear day, Coral Harbour located on the southern coast of New Providence looms up in the distance, seven miles away.

The Ocean View rooms open up to the largest section of the porch on the ocean side of the house. There, guests can relax on one of the antique Indonesian teak daybeds or on one of the loungers and admire the most amazing view of the ocean and the coral reefs that protect the glimmering beach which extends from Northwest Point to Caves Point, a mile apart.

Check out this special Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas special at this new offering:

Now to Oct 31st

4 days, 3 nights, 2 days of diving

$409

pp double occupancy garden room, some restrictions may apply

Announcing an unprecedented US$55 nightly room rate for the hotel’s lead-in and recently upgraded Kreole room category, Chastanet said the promotional Coco Palm rates are to counter the traditional challenging slow summer and fall seasons which are compounded by the global recession, and “incredibly high” intra-regional airfares that have negatively impacted the travel industry.

“We want to encourage summer travel, to assure our guests that they will qualify for bargains and that they can continue to take a holiday despite high air fares,” said Coco Palm’s managing director, who expressed her delight about JetBlue’s promotional US$99 one-way fares from New York in October and November.

“Combine that (JetBlue) airfare with our rates and we are offering the value vacation of a lifetime,” she said, confessing that she could not promise these rates would return in 2010.

The special hotel rates, which also include discounts on Coco Palm’s higher room categories, are available for travel through December 15, 2009.

Rates are room only, double occupancy (maximum of two people), and do not include tax (8 %) and service charge (10 %).

Coco Palm’s Kreole Rooms are a short walk from a wide selection of attractions in the popular Rodney Bay Village.

These include St. Lucian bars and restaurants, offering French Creole, Thai and tapas themed cuisine. The rooms were recently upgraded and include complimentary wireless internet access.

Located in the heart of St. Lucia’s entertainment capital, the award-winning Coco Palm caters to the savvy traveler looking for a chic boutique hotel with affordable rates and excellent standards of style and service.

For further information or reservations, visit www.coco-resorts.com  or call toll free 1 877-655-COCO (2626) or +1 758-456-2800.

BRANSON, MO – If you’re seeking a fun family-friendly getaway this summer, you should check out Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, Missouri. Featuring an array of recreational offerings that can please virtually everyone in the family, the resort is offering a new “KidsFest Package” as a tie-in with Silver Dollar City’s popular “National KidsFest.”

In addition to deluxe accommodations for two nights at the AAA Four-Diamond resort, the package includes: a $50 Food Credit toward any of the resort’s food services, to be used during your stay;

one set of Two-Day Passes to Silver Dollar City for two adults and one child, for use during your stay (additional tickets may be purchased separately);

use of outdoor and indoor pools, hot tub, fitness facilities, playground and nature trail; and free indoor parking.

The package is from $550 per room, and is available through August 9, 2009. Tax and gratuity are additional, and the package is based on availability.

Silver Dollar City’s “National KidsFest” runs through August 9, 2009, and will feature special performances that will appeal to the entire family. Summer 2009 offerings include performances by illusionist Peter Gossamer, drum and dance performances by Swedish super group Jeerk, and a special VeggieTales show.

Featuring a beautiful Ozark mountaintop setting overlooking scenic Table Rock Lake, Chateau on the Lake Resort offers a diversity of recreational options. This includes a marina, which offers more water sports activities than any other resort in the Midwest. Offerings include an array of watercraft rentals, which includes ski boats, fishing boats, waverunners, catamarans, paddleboats, sea kayaks, and canoes. Parasailing, guided fishing excursions, scuba diving, and snorkeling are among the many other available options.

Table Rock Lake features 850 miles of pristine shoreline and 80 miles of crystal blue water, making it a very appealing vacation destination.

“It’s beautiful at Chateau on the Lake in the summer,” said Stephen Marshall, vice president and general manager of the resort.

“Add to that the diversity of recreational options at the resort, and in Branson, and guests are in for a wonderful vacation.”

For reservations or additional information, call 1-888-333-LAKE (5253) or (417) 334-1161, or visit www.ChateauOnTheLake.com .

In addition to the marina, recreational options at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa include the $6 million, 14,000-square-foot Spa Chateau.

The full-service spa features 10 luxurious treatment rooms; customized body treatments; a soothing Infinity Tub that is filled from the ceiling; a Roman Bath situated beneath a waterfall overlooking Table Rock Lake;

a lake-view Movement Therapy Studio for Yoga; and a unique Barber Spa.

Additional recreational offerings at the resort include a 24-hour fitness center, two lighted tennis courts, a year-round indoor pool, an outdoor (seasonal) pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, nature and biking trails,

The Sassafras Movie Theater, Crawdaddies Kids Club (for children ages 4-12), and full-service concierge. Golf at six area courses, which includes two of Missouri’s finest, also is available to guests.

Widely regarded as the “Live Music Show Capital of America,”

Branson features more than 100 live shows per day, and a variety of impressive attractions.

Among the newest offerings is the Titanic: The World’s Largest Interactive Titanic Museum & Exhibition.

The new $420-million Branson Landing in historic downtown features festivals, musical events, a variety of new waterfront dining options, and more than 400,000 sq. ft. of national brand-name shops, galleries and specialty gift shops. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater Complex is among the many other offerings in Branson

Dining options at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa include the award-winning Chateau Grille, the 9th Street Italian Deli, the Atrium Café & Wine Bar, and The Sweet Shoppe.

The resort’s 301 beautifully-appointed guest rooms and suites boast cherry wood beds, down comforters, tiled stone baths, dual-line telephones with data port, WiFi access (at a nominal fee), iron and ironing board, coffee maker, in-room safes, and in-room movies and music (at a nominal fee). Select pet-friendly rooms for pets less than 25 pounds are also available.

Additional features at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa include an impressive 10-story sky-lit atrium that provides breathtaking vistas of the lake, lush gardens, and surrounding mountains, and which features meandering streams brimming with colorful Koi fish, as well as a charming library lounge with a great stone fireplace.

Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa is owned and managed by Springfield, Missouri-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

For more information or reservations, call 1-888-333-LAKE (5253) or (417) 334-1161, or visit www.ChateauOnTheLake.com

Luxury resort and spa teams-up with Amtrak to offer two-night package featuring roundtrip transportation from New York’s Penn Station and Boston’s South Station –

WESTBROOK, CONNECTICUT – The 170 room Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, situated on the Long Island Sound along the magnificent Connecticut shoreline, has partnered with Amtrak to offer a two-night package featuring roundtrip tickets for two aboard Amtrak just in time for the summer season.

The value-added package was created specifically for summer revelers from the New York City and Boston areas desiring a reprieve from the crowded beaches of popular summer resort areas such as the Hamptons and Cape Cod.

The private escape features luxury accommodations at the famed turn-of-the-century style New England estate, nestled within 25 acres that include manicured grounds leading to a private white sand beach; making it the only resort in the state to house a private beach.

Most of the spacious guestrooms and suites offer spectacular views of the Long Island Sound along with high-end, in-room amenities and elegant décor.

The resort offers a full-service spa featuring ten tranquil treatment rooms, award-winning restaurants with sea views, lounges, a fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools. Just a two-hour Train ride from Penn Station or Boston’s South Station, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa provides an elegant, affordable and accessible retreat.

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa ‘Train to the Sound’ – Two night Package

Roundtrip Penn Station
Friday – Sunday
$799.00++
Sunday – Thursday
$659.00++

Roundtrip South Station Boston
Friday – Sunday
$799.00++
Sunday – Thursday
$659.00++

Two roundtrip tickets Amtrak (coach)– Penn Station or Boston’s South Station

A third night can be added to either package for a cost of $99.00++ guestroom only

Ground transportation for two from Old Saybrook Train Station in Old Saybrook, Connecticut to the resort

Two-night accommodations (standard guestroom)

Breakfast Buffet for two days

Three Course Dinner for two on your second night stay

Complimentary activities

Private sandy beach access (includes lounge chairs)

Beach discovery walks

Water aerobics

Kayaking rental available

Fitness Center

Guests may also add a la carte spa services. The Spa at Water’s Edge Resort specializes in marine therapies and treatments.

It is an elegant sanctuary of ten treatment rooms and a relaxation suite.

The extensive menu consists of services ranging from massages to body treatments, facials and products by natural skincare line Pevonia Botanica.

Dining options for package holders include dinner for two at the award-winning Restaurant at Water’s Edge, named the best brunch in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine.

Guests may also choose from two additional restaurant and lounges offering Italian to Continental cuisine along with an extensive wine list from leading international and local vintners.

A history steeped in tradition and entertainment, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa was built in 1946 as Bill Hahn’s, a quaint and stately New England seaside resort where visitors from the tri-state area were treated to relaxing accommodations, exceptional cuisine and live entertainment. The entertainment roster headlined today’s legendary performers such as: Woody Allen, Barbara Streisand and Art Carney to name a few.

Bill Hahn, known as Bill the innkeeper and Mr. Showman during this period, turned the hotel’s main dining room into a “Broadway” stage establishing the resort as one of the most sought after entertainment venues in the northeast.

In 1981, businessman and local resident, Michael Dattilo purchased Water’s Edge Resort & Spa restoring it to its original grandeur and maintaining the rich tradition of service excellence and extraordinary entertainment in the memory of Mr. Hahn.

Mr. Dattilo renamed the inn The Water’s Edge Resort & Spa.

Over the years the resort and spa has flourished and expanded to include villas and condos for a total of 170 guestrooms and suites, three restaurants, including an award-winning restaurant, 12 spacious meeting and social function rooms, outdoor garden terraces, full-service spa with ten treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pool and Onsite retail shopping outlets, i.e., Salon Massimo, Southern Exposure, Azul, Medical Esthetics, Michele A Bridal Boutique.

The peak season offer applies to children accompanied by two full fare-paying adults on board Star Clipper and Royal Clipper.

It represents a discount of up to £2,903 off published prices for a family of four with two children accommodated in their own cabin, and up to £535 for a family of three, with one child sharing the parents’ cabin.

The deal applies to departures on board 170-capacity Star Clipper and includes a seven-night sailing around the Greek islands departing on August 8, an 11-night sailing around the Greek islands on August 15 from Athens to Venice, and a 10-night sailing in the reverse direction on August 26.

The offer is also available on 228-passenger Royal Clipper for sailings on August 8 and 29 on 11-night voyages from Rome to Venice and a 10-night cruise in the reverse direction on August 19.

Prices start at £1,310 per adult for the seven nights sailing on August 8, saving £1,965 off the usual cost of a family of four.