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Check this list often as new tips, events and deals around Florida come in:
Potter package -- To celebrate the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort has announced an exclusive vacation package. The package includes accommodations at any of Universal Orlando's three on-site hotels and admission to both Universal Orlando parks. Also, benefits include early park admission and a traditional English breakfast at signature restaurant Three Broomsticks. The four-night package may be booked now with travel starting May 28. Prices start at $645 per adult. Visit www.universalorlando.com.
New for kids in Jacksonville -- Yes You Canvas is a new family-friendly activity in Jacksonville. Families with children are welcome on Saturday mornings to come and discover their inner artists. A theme is selected for each class and a professional artist walks children through creating their own masterpieces. Classes are $20 each and include all supplies. Visit www.yesyoucanvas.com.
Golf offer for Orlando spring training travelers -- Golf-loving baseball fans traveling to Orlando for spring training may wish to check out Falcon's Fire Golf Club's "Hats Off" to baseball fans promotion. The offer enables golfers to book a tee time at Falcon's Fire from March 4 to April 3 and receive $30 off green fees just by playing in their favorite baseball team's hat. The promotion is earmarked for the 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. tee time period, allowing golfers to finish their morning round in time for the early afternoon games. With the discount, a round at Falcon's Fire costs $99 (a $30 savings off the regular rate). The promotion cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. To book a tee time, call 407-239-5445. Visit www.falconsfire.com.
Pie-lovers rate -- The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is offering contestants and spectators a special rate of $129 plus tax per night, double occupancy, for the 2010 APC/Crisco National Pie Championships on April 23-25 and the APC Great American Pie Festival on April 24-25. During the event last year more than 170 judges graded pies created by 138 bakers who entered 465 commercial, 130 professional and 266 amateur pies. To take advantage of the pie-lovers' rate, call 800-THE-OMNI (843-6664) and mention the APC events.
Spa access in Miami -- EPIC Residences, where Brickell Avenue meets Biscayne Bay in Miami, is featuring access for residents to exhale, Miami's new mind body spa. Split over two levels and spanning 12,000 square feet on EPIC's 16th floor, the spa provides residents with a range of complimentary privileges including use of the 24-hour gym, co-ed Hammam detoxification chamber, infra-red sauna, organic tea bar, lounge and more. Visit www.exhalespa.com.
Nostalgic cruising tradition revived -- Princess Cruises has revived the nostalgic cruising tradition of inviting friends and family aboard ship on embarkation day with the introduction of a new Bon Voyage Experience. The program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it's now back complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship. The Bon Voyage Experience enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost fo r the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.
The program debuts in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (774-6237), beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Visit www.princess.com.
Fall foliage cruises -- MSC Cruises' MSC Poesia will launch her inaugural fall foliage Canada/New England voyages from New York City on Sept. 22. Fourteen itineraries and nearly 25 ports will be featured for guests departing from New York and Quebec. Cruises vary from six- to 19-nights. Rates begin at $599 per person, double and children 17 and younger cruise free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults (government fees and taxes are applicable). Visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com.
Culinary cruises -- Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, will present more than 65 guest culinary experts this year. Among the culinary notables appearing this season are Bravo-TV's "Top Chef" contender, Nikki Cascone; Mark Bittman, food columnist for The New York Times and cookbook author; and Keith Coburn, television personality of the hit series, Deadliest Catch. Visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Letting the sparks fly in Vero Beach -- Kimpton Hotels, including the oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, are offering the Let the Sparks Fly promotion through March 31. The program features festive freebies in addition to being able to book a Spark Winter Fun package. Among the features are Light Me Upgrades, whereby guests can ask to play the Light Me Up game at check-in to answer a trivia question for a free upgrade (based on availability); Seasonal Sips (complimentary treats such as hot chocolate and hot apple cider); Winter Wonderland Wine Hour (complimentary wine each evening) and other perks. The Spark Winter Fun package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, $25 food and beverage credit to use at Kimpton restaurants or for in-room dining, and complimentary in-room movie and popcorn. Package rates vary by location and are based on availability. Rate code is SPARK. Visit www.KimptonHotels.com.
Celebrating personal triumphs at Disney World -- The Disney Florist has introduced a new package, "My Personal Triumph," for those celebrating receiving a promotion at work, marking a graduation, overcoming cancer or some other success story. The package ($265) includes a commemorative banner for the room, a medal, a personalized certificate, sparkling cider and Mickey flute. It is available to Disney World resort guests and for the personalized certificate, it needs to be ordered with 48 hours advanced notice. The Disney Florist offers packages for birthdays, romance and other special occasions. Visit www.disneyflorist.com.
For young explorers -- Greg Heffley, middle school student whose life is chronicled in the series of books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is on his summer vacation. His vision of the ideal school break, as a self-confessed "indoor person," however, clashes with his Mom's in Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days (Amulet Books, $13.95). Kinney is an online game developer and designer and a #1 New York Times best-selling author. A live-action film of Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes to theaters on March 19. Visit http://www.abramsbooks.com/amulet.html.
Youngsters curious about other parts of the planet can find out about the Arctic and savannas with two new books from Kids Can Press, The Kids Book of The Far North and Who Lives Here? Savanna Animals. The Kids Book of The Far North by Ann Love and Jane Drake ($14.95) takes children to the regions of the "top of the world" and includes ecological alerts; Who Lives Here? Savanna Animals by Debra Hodge with illustrations by Pat Stephens introduces kids to creatures of the plains including lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, black mamba, wildebeest, rhinoceros and ostrich. Visit www.kidscanpress.com.
New restaurant at sea -- Celebrity Cruises has announced a new restaurant, Qsine, aboard its new Celebrity Eclipse debuting on April 26. The brainchild of Chef Jacques Van Staden, the line's vice-president of culinary operations, the new dining venue will serve a globally-influenced blend of dishes designed to surprise guests with favorite foods prepared and presented in new ways. Among the selections on the restaurant's menu itself a large, backlit square--are Sushi Lollipops (Nigiri sushi with soy center, wasabi mayonnaise and picked ginger-radish salad) and Meatball Trilogy (Kobe beef with cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy). Dessert selections include individual cookie jars and candied apples. The restaurant will be open nightly for dinner with a cover charge of $30 per person. Visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Mimosas in Miami Beach -- It's mimosa time during brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at 660 at the Angler in Miami Beach. Unlimited mimosas and bloody Marys are included. A "creative beverage cart" features all sorts of goodies to add to bubbly. Cost is $14 per person. The Angler's Resort is at 660 Washington Avenue. For reservations, call 305-534-9600. For details about the resort, visit www.theanglersresort.com.
LEGO fantasy camp -- Atlantis on Paradise Island has announced LEGO Fantasy Camps this July. During three five-day LEGO workshops, children will work side-by-side with a LEGO Master Builder in group building events and hands-on building challenges.
Camp dates are July 12-16, July 19-23 and July 26-30. Cost per session is $425 per child. Space is limited. Camp pricing excludes room cost and is available only in conjunction with a four-night minimum stay at Atlantis. Camp includes a four-day-long mega-project with the LEGO Master Builder and daily activities both outdoors and indoors, plus one-of-a-kind gifts from Atlantis and LEGO Systems and LEGO materials, a swo, the the resort's rescued Katrina Dolphins in Dolphin Cay, complimentary Atlantis Speedway sessions along with a car for each child to race, lunch each day for the campers and an all-camper ice cream social and pizza/coketail party. As always, Atlant is activities: the resort's marine habitats, Aquaventure Water Park and other water experiences are complimentary to all guests. LEGO Atlantis Fantasy Camp will also include two for one pricing on Dolphin Cay shallow interactions (limit one per family). JetBlue is the official airline of LEGO Fantasy Camp at Atlantis and will provide air-inclusive room packages for consumers. Visit www.LegoAtlantisKidsAdventure.com.
Resort credits in Sanibel -- Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa is offering guests an opportunity to earn up to $350 per week in resort credit now through March 28. Guests earn a nightly resort credit of $50 per night when a minimum of two nights are booked. Credit may be used at any of the seven dining venues or in The Spa or for water sports. Promotional code is RPH. The resort credit cannot be applied to room rate or be redeemed for cash. Resort credit applies to Marriott-managed outlets, may not be applied to spring training tickets. Credit will be applied to valid incidental charges upon check-out. No refund or credit for an unused resort credit will be issued to guests. Visit www.sanibelmarriott.com.
Two-for-one offer -- The Yachts of Seabourn has announced two-for-one, cruise-only savings on more than 80 voyages in Europe and Asia plus reduced round-trip add-on airfares from $499 for economy class and $1,999 for business class from 40 North American gateways. The cruises depart from May to November and range from seven to 15 days in length. Cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per person, double. To qualify for this promotion cruises must be booked by April 30. Airfare. Airfares include transfers between the piers and airports. Visit www.seabourn.com.
Potter package -- To celebrate the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort has announced an exclusive vacation package. The package includes accommodations at any of Universal Orlando's three on-site hotels and admission to both Universal Orlando parks. Also, benefits include early park admission and a traditional English breakfast at signature restaurant Three Broomsticks. The four-night package may be booked now with travel starting May 28. Prices start at $645 per adult. Visit www.universalorlando.com.
New for kids in Jacksonville -- Yes You Canvas is a new family-friendly activity in Jacksonville. Families with children are welcome on Saturday mornings to come and discover their inner artists. A theme is selected for each class and a professional artist walks children through creating their own masterpieces. Classes are $20 each and include all supplies. Visit www.yesyoucanvas.com.
Golf offer for Orlando spring training travelers -- Golf-loving baseball fans traveling to Orlando for spring training may wish to check out Falcon's Fire Golf Club's "Hats Off" to baseball fans promotion. The offer enables golfers to book a tee time at Falcon's Fire from March 4 to April 3 and receive $30 off green fees just by playing in their favorite baseball team's hat. The promotion is earmarked for the 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. tee time period, allowing golfers to finish their morning round in time for the early afternoon games. With the discount, a round at Falcon's Fire costs $99 (a $30 savings off the regular rate). The promotion cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. To book a tee time, call 407-239-5445. Visit www.falconsfire.com.
Pie-lovers rate -- The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is offering contestants and spectators a special rate of $129 plus tax per night, double occupancy, for the 2010 APC/Crisco National Pie Championships on April 23-25 and the APC Great American Pie Festival on April 24-25. During the event last year more than 170 judges graded pies created by 138 bakers who entered 465 commercial, 130 professional and 266 amateur pies. To take advantage of the pie-lovers' rate, call 800-THE-OMNI (843-6664) and mention the APC events.
Spa access in Miami -- EPIC Residences, where Brickell Avenue meets Biscayne Bay in Miami, is featuring access for residents to exhale, Miami's new mind body spa. Split over two levels and spanning 12,000 square feet on EPIC's 16th floor, the spa provides residents with a range of complimentary privileges including use of the 24-hour gym, co-ed Hammam detoxification chamber, infra-red sauna, organic tea bar, lounge and more. Visit www.exhalespa.com.
Nostalgic cruising tradition revived -- Princess Cruises has revived the nostalgic cruising tradition of inviting friends and family aboard ship on embarkation day with the introduction of a new Bon Voyage Experience. The program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it's now back complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship. The Bon Voyage Experience enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost fo r the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.
The program debuts in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (774-6237), beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Visit www.princess.com.
Fall foliage cruises -- MSC Cruises' MSC Poesia will launch her inaugural fall foliage Canada/New England voyages from New York City on Sept. 22. Fourteen itineraries and nearly 25 ports will be featured for guests departing from New York and Quebec. Cruises vary from six- to 19-nights. Rates begin at $599 per person, double and children 17 and younger cruise free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults (government fees and taxes are applicable). Visit www.MSCCruisesUSA.com.
Culinary cruises -- Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, will present more than 65 guest culinary experts this year. Among the culinary notables appearing this season are Bravo-TV's "Top Chef" contender, Nikki Cascone; Mark Bittman, food columnist for The New York Times and cookbook author; and Keith Coburn, television personality of the hit series, Deadliest Catch. Visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Letting the sparks fly in Vero Beach -- Kimpton Hotels, including the oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, are offering the Let the Sparks Fly promotion through March 31. The program features festive freebies in addition to being able to book a Spark Winter Fun package. Among the features are Light Me Upgrades, whereby guests can ask to play the Light Me Up game at check-in to answer a trivia question for a free upgrade (based on availability); Seasonal Sips (complimentary treats such as hot chocolate and hot apple cider); Winter Wonderland Wine Hour (complimentary wine each evening) and other perks. The Spark Winter Fun package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, $25 food and beverage credit to use at Kimpton restaurants or for in-room dining, and complimentary in-room movie and popcorn. Package rates vary by location and are based on availability. Rate code is SPARK. Visit www.KimptonHotels.com.
Celebrating personal triumphs at Disney World -- The Disney Florist has introduced a new package, "My Personal Triumph," for those celebrating receiving a promotion at work, marking a graduation, overcoming cancer or some other success story. The package ($265) includes a commemorative banner for the room, a medal, a personalized certificate, sparkling cider and Mickey flute. It is available to Disney World resort guests and for the personalized certificate, it needs to be ordered with 48 hours advanced notice. The Disney Florist offers packages for birthdays, romance and other special occasions. Visit www.disneyflorist.com.
For young explorers -- Greg Heffley, middle school student whose life is chronicled in the series of books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is on his summer vacation. His vision of the ideal school break, as a self-confessed "indoor person," however, clashes with his Mom's in Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days (Amulet Books, $13.95). Kinney is an online game developer and designer and a #1 New York Times best-selling author. A live-action film of Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes to theaters on March 19. Visit http://www.abramsbooks.com/amulet.html.
Youngsters curious about other parts of the planet can find out about the Arctic and savannas with two new books from Kids Can Press, The Kids Book of The Far North and Who Lives Here? Savanna Animals. The Kids Book of The Far North by Ann Love and Jane Drake ($14.95) takes children to the regions of the "top of the world" and includes ecological alerts; Who Lives Here? Savanna Animals by Debra Hodge with illustrations by Pat Stephens introduces kids to creatures of the plains including lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, black mamba, wildebeest, rhinoceros and ostrich. Visit www.kidscanpress.com.
New restaurant at sea -- Celebrity Cruises has announced a new restaurant, Qsine, aboard its new Celebrity Eclipse debuting on April 26. The brainchild of Chef Jacques Van Staden, the line's vice-president of culinary operations, the new dining venue will serve a globally-influenced blend of dishes designed to surprise guests with favorite foods prepared and presented in new ways. Among the selections on the restaurant's menu itself a large, backlit square--are Sushi Lollipops (Nigiri sushi with soy center, wasabi mayonnaise and picked ginger-radish salad) and Meatball Trilogy (Kobe beef with cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy). Dessert selections include individual cookie jars and candied apples. The restaurant will be open nightly for dinner with a cover charge of $30 per person. Visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Mimosas in Miami Beach -- It's mimosa time during brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at 660 at the Angler in Miami Beach. Unlimited mimosas and bloody Marys are included. A "creative beverage cart" features all sorts of goodies to add to bubbly. Cost is $14 per person. The Angler's Resort is at 660 Washington Avenue. For reservations, call 305-534-9600. For details about the resort, visit www.theanglersresort.com.
LEGO fantasy camp -- Atlantis on Paradise Island has announced LEGO Fantasy Camps this July. During three five-day LEGO workshops, children will work side-by-side with a LEGO Master Builder in group building events and hands-on building challenges.
Camp dates are July 12-16, July 19-23 and July 26-30. Cost per session is $425 per child. Space is limited. Camp pricing excludes room cost and is available only in conjunction with a four-night minimum stay at Atlantis. Camp includes a four-day-long mega-project with the LEGO Master Builder and daily activities both outdoors and indoors, plus one-of-a-kind gifts from Atlantis and LEGO Systems and LEGO materials, a swo, the the resort's rescued Katrina Dolphins in Dolphin Cay, complimentary Atlantis Speedway sessions along with a car for each child to race, lunch each day for the campers and an all-camper ice cream social and pizza/coketail party. As always, Atlant is activities: the resort's marine habitats, Aquaventure Water Park and other water experiences are complimentary to all guests. LEGO Atlantis Fantasy Camp will also include two for one pricing on Dolphin Cay shallow interactions (limit one per family). JetBlue is the official airline of LEGO Fantasy Camp at Atlantis and will provide air-inclusive room packages for consumers. Visit www.LegoAtlantisKidsAdventure.com.
Resort credits in Sanibel -- Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa is offering guests an opportunity to earn up to $350 per week in resort credit now through March 28. Guests earn a nightly resort credit of $50 per night when a minimum of two nights are booked. Credit may be used at any of the seven dining venues or in The Spa or for water sports. Promotional code is RPH. The resort credit cannot be applied to room rate or be redeemed for cash. Resort credit applies to Marriott-managed outlets, may not be applied to spring training tickets. Credit will be applied to valid incidental charges upon check-out. No refund or credit for an unused resort credit will be issued to guests. Visit www.sanibelmarriott.com.
Two-for-one offer -- The Yachts of Seabourn has announced two-for-one, cruise-only savings on more than 80 voyages in Europe and Asia plus reduced round-trip add-on airfares from $499 for economy class and $1,999 for business class from 40 North American gateways. The cruises depart from May to November and range from seven to 15 days in length. Cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per person, double. To qualify for this promotion cruises must be booked by April 30. Airfare. Airfares include transfers between the piers and airports. Visit www.seabourn.com.
