by admin on April 11, 2012
Did you know that New York City is about to receive their very first casino? Last week JCJ Architecture announced the completed first phase of the 1,086,000-square-foot Resorts World Casino New York City in Queens, N.Y., the largest entertainment center in New York City’s metro area and the city’s only casino. Developed and operated by Malaysian-based Genting Group, the project is the first company-owned U.S. venture for the leading global leisure and hospitality corporation. The complex will contribute approximately $350 million annually to the State of New York to support education while offering locals and tourists alike world-class gaming, dining and entertainment options.
Resorts World, designed to be ‘uniquely New York,’ subtly incorporates design elements that celebrate many of the most iconographic features of the city. Each of the casino’s three levels reflects a distinctive atmosphere inspired by a New York City landmark:
- Times Square Casino: Located on the first floor, this casino evokes the energy of Times Square with dramatic interactive digital billboards, streaming video displays presenting music videos and sporting events, and Bar 360 – a multi-level entertainment venue, featuring the largest video screen of its kind in the nation. An outdoor terrace extends beyond Bar 360 and the Aqueduct Buffet, providing patrons with similar views of Aqueduct Racetrack from which past visitors cheered famed champions Secretariat, Man O’ War and Seabiscuit.
- Fifth Avenue Casino: Positioned on the second floor, this casino features high-stakes gaming set amidst an elevated level of refinement and luxury. Upscale dining offerings include Genting Palace and RW Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. The Liberty Bar provides guests an exciting view of the first-floor entertainment as well as the “Light of Nations,” a 60-foot crystal chandelier with 193 hand-blown glass balls etched with the name of every nation recognized by the United Nations.
- Central Park: The third floor features an expansive 70,000-square-foot event space, the largest in Queens, and is inspired by Central Park’s open spaces, verdant colors, and natural textures. The space includes a central performance area for high-profile events and can also be segmented for more intimate gatherings such as weddings and private receptions.
Other design highlights include:
A climate-controlled bridge to the Aqueduct A train subway station providing direct access to Manhattan and the AirTrain transit system to nearby Kennedy International Airport. The location is also easily accessible from La Guardia airport, rail transport, and major highways.
A five-level, 2,365-space parking garage with bus drop-off area, 5,000 video lottery terminals and electronic table games. And sustainable design strategies and materials will be used throughout the project, exceeding New York’s energy efficiency standards (Executive Order 111).
by admin on April 10, 2012
Several days ago Tourism Queensland announced their partnership with Australia’s number one blogger, Darren Rowse. The two have put together a fun competition inviting bloggers to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Ten bloggers from around the world will be chosen as the ‘Queensland Blogger Correspondents’ and will experience unforgettable, unique-to-Queensland, world-class tourism adventures first hand, during a five-day trip to THE Natural Wonder of the World with Rowse, who writes problogger.net and digital-photography-school.com.
“It will be a tough gig for the successful bloggers tasked with spending a few hours blogging on a tropical island or under the canopy of the world’s oldest rainforest daily,” said Anthony Hayes, Tourism Queensland CEO. “Not only is Darren an influential social media writer, but he’s also an Aussie who is passionate about Queensland and wants to showcase our region to the world.”
Entering is simple; interested bloggers aged 18 and older need only to submit 150 words on what makes them the ideal ‘Queensland Blogger Correspondent’ at problogger.net, paired with details on their own blog. The 10 winners will travel to Queensland in June 2012 , receive a five-day, all-expenses paid trip including economy-class airfare, accommodations, excursions to some of Queensland’s bucket-list attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, meals and two close-encounter workshops with Rowse.
Visit problogger.net for more information about the ‘Queensland Blogger Correspondent’ competition, and be sure to follow the competition conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #QldBlog.
by admin on March 8, 2012
Last week thousands of Air Canada customers, employees and suppliers took part in an open house event in Toronto to kick off Air Canada’s year-long celebration of their 75th anniversary. To kick off the celebrations, the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its inaugural visit to Canada. This plane is the world’s newest and most modern commercial aircraft.Air Canada has 37 firm orders plus 13 options for the Dreamliner, with first delivery of the aircraft in 2014.
The Boeing 787 aircraft will replace the current Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A330 fleets, renewing Air Canada’s fleet (average age 11.6 years as at Dec. 31, 2011) with the world’s most fuel efficient aircraft, in fact it is estimated that the fuel usage and maintenance costs for a Boeing 787 aircraft is to be approximately 30 per cent less than that of the Boeing 767-300ER that it will replace.
The 787 features larger windows, larger overhead bins, higher levels of humidity and increased cabin pressure, all designed to provide increased passenger comfort. With the arrival of its first 787 aircraft in 2014, Air Canada will be announcing enhancements to its award-winning Executive First lie flat bed suites and Economy class product to offer its customers industry-leading amenities on board.
Another neat feature are the larger dimmable windows, which will be more than 30 per cent larger than today’s similar sized planes. There will be no shades over the windows, instead the passengers will be able to regulate the intensity of light coming through their windows with the touch of a button. An electrochromic dimming system allows passengers to change the tint of the window from fully transparent to completely dimmed.
Other perks – bigger bins and LED lighting.
Sounds pretty cool no?
Source: Air Canada
by admin on February 26, 2012
At the beginning of this month Lisa Marie Presley opened a new exhibit at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis as part of a yearlong commemoration the 35th anniversary year.
“Elvis…Through His Daughter’s Eyes” explores the relationship between Elvis and his only child. Presley has been personally involved in the exhibit’s development and planning. Visitors will see numerous items including rarely-seen family photos and home movies that explore her childhood and special relationship with her father.
Artifacts include Presley’s baby footprints, tricycle, record player, key to her personal golf cart, and dozens of other priceless items that highlight the influence of her father in her life.
This exhibit is part of the Graceland VIP Tour during a two-year run from now through February 2014.
by admin on February 19, 2012
On Valentine’s Day Princess Cruises unveiled the maiden season itineraries for their highly anticipated Royal Princess debuting in June 2013. They also announced some additional features of the ship’s signature and greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship.
Royal Princess will sail on her inaugural voyage, a seven-day Iberia cruise from Southampton to Barcelona departing June 16. The ship will then sale on 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice beginning on June 23,
The Royal Princess maiden season cruises will open for sale on March 15, 2012. There will also be two three-day preview cruises sailing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and 13 that will be available for booking at a later date.
The ship’s atrium will be 50 percent larger than on the newest class of Princess ships and will debut many new features including:
- Bellini’s Italian cocktail bar
- Ocean Terrace seafood bar
- A Gelateria
- Celebrations, a new gift shop for those marking special occasions onboard
Favorite spaces will return as well such as Sabatini’s Trattoria, International Cafe and Crooners martini bar which will now feature dueling piano entertainment and a dramatic ocean vista. The stunning Bar Piazza will feature an exclusive twin tea tower with over 300 tea and infusion combinations.
The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is the first of two new-generation ships for Princess which are being built by Fincantieri at their Monfalcone, Italy shipyard. Some additional new features found aboard will be an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship’s starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel, and the similarly-unique cantilevered SeaView bar, featuring cocktails with unbeatable vistas.
One of the main highlights of Royal Princess is its expanded atrium offering more open space for viewing live entertainment in the Piazza from decks 6 and 7, as well as new venues that appear to float mid-air.
Additional information about other ship features will be released in the coming months.
by admin on February 19, 2012
And, they have added yet another location to their growing list of destinations!
Last month Porter Airlines announced that they would start flying from the Washington Dulles International Airport on April 16. This will be the Canadian carrier’s sixth U.S. destination with up to three daily roundtrip flights operating between Dulles and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Porter is known for its exceptional customer service and offering a premium experience at affordable prices. Lounge access in select airports, coffee bars, wine and beer onboard, and extra legroom are just part of the experience that is complimentary for all passengers.
The weekday schedule is as follows:
Toronto City Washington Dulles
departure times departure times
0700 0915
1355 1630
1815 2035
Numerous other Canadian cities in Porter’s network can also access Washington by making a simple connection in Toronto.
by admin on February 6, 2012
It’s official! Crystal Cruises’ fleet has been named as 2012′s top mid-sized cruise ships by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. In the February issue’s list of “Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World”, Crystal Cruises is up from 80 last year—ranks the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity and 922-passenger Crystal Symphony as the number one and two vessels, respectively, in the medium category.
Out of all seven categories in which the various ships and lines were rated, Crystal won in more areas than on any other small, medium or large cruise line. The ultra-luxe company ranked highest of all ocean cruise lines in Design/Layout, and further dominated most criteria in its size category, including Crew/Service, Food/Dining, Activities/Facilities, and Shore Excursions.
Have you ever sailed on a Crystal ship?
by admin on February 3, 2012
If you are visiting Maui, the humpback whales are mostly seen off Maui’s shores between the months of November through middle of May. Most of the real action peaks in February when most of the whales are present to mate, give birth and take care of their newborn calves. “During February, you can see whales in almost every direction,” says Greg Kaufman, President of Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), the nonprofit host of the Maui Whale Festival. “We honor and celebrate these remarkable animals through the Maui Whale Festival.”
The Maui Whale Festival celebrates and honors the whales. Saturday, February 18, marks World Whale Day, an outdoor celebration at Kihei’s Kalama Park. Admission is free and the celebration will begin with Maui’s Parade of Whales at 9:00 am, followed by live entertainment until 8:00 pm featuring popular Hawaii recording stars and hula. You’ll find food booths, a children’s carnival, whale displays and more.
Other events include “Tribute to Whales” — a free photography exhibition open daily in Ma’alaea — plus free whalewatch hikes and free “Whale Information Stations” staffed by Pacific Whale Foundation naturalists. Check out the Whale Photo Safaris and special whalewatches offered by Pacific Whale Foundation.
For more info, visit www.mauiwhalefestival.org.
by admin on February 3, 2012
Did you know that the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina is one of the fastest growing family and vacation destinations in the nation? Attraction an average of 15 million visitors a year, this destination known affectionately as “The Grand Strand” has grown over 35 percent in the last ten years.
~Attractions and Exhibits~ [click to continue…]
by admin on January 26, 2012
Yesterday, Sofitel Luxury Hotels announced the debut of a new traveling photo exhibit called “BB Forever – Brigitte Bardot, The Legend”. The exhibit showcases over 30 exclusive photographs of Bardot’s rise to fame and is set to launch February 21, 2012 during Oscar Week at the Sofitel Los Angeles. It will then continue to Sofitel properties in Chicago, Washington DC and New York through 2012.
This is actually the very first time that an exhibit featuring the international icon will appear in North America. It is designed in collaboration with Henry-Jean Servat, a famed French journalist and author and retraces the life of French icon Brigitte Bardot with an exclusive selection of never-before-seen photos that follow her from teenage dreamer to modern day star.
In 2012, the French actress will also be honored at an event at the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. After its departure from Los Angeles, BB Forever – Brigitte Bardot, The Legend will move to the Windy City and run during the spring months from April 19th to June 7th at the stylish Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. It will then continue to Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square from June 21st to September 13th and culminate fittingly at the center of international culture at the Sofitel New York from September 26th to December 31st. The exhibit will be open to all hotel guests and visitors.
