Rants & Raves

For the third year, the editors of Travel and Leisure magazine have compiled a visually impressive book of vacation ideas, organized geographically by region. According to Editor-in-Chief Nancy Novogrod, "the stories chosen for this volume represent both the timely (making the restaurant rounds in Las Vegas) and the timeless (touring the art-encrusted temples and historic sites of India's Tamil Nadu)." Some destinations - Santa Fe, Montreal, Moscow - are tourist havens; others are almost unknown to outsiders - France's Ile de Re; Ilulissat, Greenland; Lake Wanka, New Zealand. A Guide section in the back of the book distills essential information for each place. This is a heavy, large-format book, not a portable travel guide. It's designed to stimulate new ideas for the passionate globetrotter. American Express Publishing, 2008, $34.95.

Posted by Lisa at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Montreal’s High Lights Festival is designed to light up the heart of a long Canadian winter. This year to celebrate its 10th anniversary the festival features over 30 of Paris’ top chefs who will collaborate with local chefs to create memorable meals. Alain Passard of L’Arpège serves as Honorary President of the food and wine events, which are complemented by music, dance, and theater events. Paris is featured again in an exhibit of the City of Lights' top designers. It’s 11 days of international foodie fun in a world-class setting.
Read more at http://www.montrealhighlights.com

Posted by Lisa at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Looking for a way to beat this frigid weather? The antidote to winter might be vacation opportunities on offer at this year’s New York Times Travel Show. A visit to nearly 500 exhibits from over 100 countries at New York City’s Jacob Javits Convention Center February 6-8 can tempt even die-hard couch potatoes to sprout wings.  

This year travel experts Rick Steves, Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Samantha Brown, photojournalist Ann Charles, Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern , and Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, will share their tips and take questions.

As in the past, American Express will collaborate with the New York Times to sponsor an event that encourages and highlights the joys of travel. “As a founding sponsor, we take particular pride in the show’s record-breaking growth year after year,” says Lynne Biggar, senior vice president and general manager for American Express Travel.

The US’ largest consumer and trade travel event of its kind, the New York Times Travel Show offers something for consumers of every stripe—singles, couples, families with children, budget travelers, and luxury travelers. All of them will benefit from on-site promotions that give them great value. Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/travelshow.

Posted by Lisa at 02:31 PM | Permalink