January to April, 2012 dates are:

January – 1/19-21

February – 2/2-4; 2/9-11; 2/16-18; and 2/23-25

March – 3/1-3; 3/8-10; 3/15-17; 3/22-25; and 3/29-31

April – 4/5-7; 4/12-14; 4/19-21; and 4/26-28

So jump on the bandwagon, and find out for yourself why everyone is talking about Santa Fe!

To see if your favorite U.S. hotel made the list, click here!

Lucky fans will get the thrill of their lives upon meeting the “Queen of Suspense” herself,  author Mary Higgins Clark, on Crystal Cruises’ “Beyond the Bosporus” sailing  from Venice to Istanbul September 7 – 19.

Known for keeping readers on the edges of their seats, Clark will share tales of her life, her novels, and what it takes to make the suspense come to life.

Two-for-one fares start at just $7,485, and guests can save on verandah and penthouse staterooms as part of Crystal’s big fall fare sale. All bookings include air transportation from 24 North American cities and $2,000 “As You Wish” shipboard credit per couple.

Is the suspense killing you? Book today for the thrill of a lifetime!

Little (and big) Francophiles don’t have to stop learning this summer just because the school year is over. The charming Pavillon de la Reine, set in the heart of Paris’ Marais, is offering a new getaway package that includes daily French lessons.

Dormir (Sleep): The impossibly chic Pavillon de la Reine is the only hotel located on the historic Place des Vosges. Originally built in the 1600s as part of the Place Royale by King Henry IV, each of the 54 individually designed rooms are a brilliant combination of antique pieces and sleek contemporary design – cozy yet stylish, sophisticated but comfortable.

Apprendre (Learn): Enjoy 20 minutes of fun and engaging daily French instruction, as well as a French-English dictionary, so one can expertly declare, “je voudrais un croissant” or ask, “où est Le Louvre?”

Jouer (Play): The beloved ivy-clad hotel is steps away from the three-Michelin-starred Ambrosie restaurant, and close to such landmarks as the Pompidou, the Picasso Museum, and Notre Dame. Pavillon de la Reine is ideal for those who love the life and activity of the Marais – not to mention the amazing cafés and boutiques in the neighborhood – perfect for that caffeine boost before a day of shopping in Paris’ oldest designed square in the city.

Rates start at €350 including accommodations, French lessons, dictionary, breakfast and private parking. The package is available July 15-August 15, 2011 and can be booked by calling 33(0)1 40 29 19 19 or visiting www.pavillondelareine.com.

Crystal Cruises ahora ofrece su entera 2011 formación de crucero (211-pages) como un Atlas lleno del español-Idioma. If you can read that sentence, it’s all you need to know…. If not, we wanted to share that Crystal Cruises is now offering its complete 2011 cruise atlas in Spanish. Crystal is the only luxury line to publish a full atlas in Spanish and they hopesto start a trend!

Crystal noticed a growing interest from 23 primarily Spanish-speaking countries, and hopes the new atlases will make it easier for native Spanish tongues to understand all of the details within a Crystal itinerary. Crystal prides itself on being the ultimate service-oriented cruise line– and the new publication extends its service to the millions of Spanish-speaking travelers worldwide.

sitka.net

Just in case you still need another reason to consider a Crystal Symphony sailing to Alaska this summer, how does helping rebuild the state’s famous salmon population sound? As part of the line’s You Care, We Care program, interested guests will visit the Sitka Sound Science Center and help with the operation and/or maintenance of the salmon hatchery or marine-life exhibits. The hatchery is the only of its kind in Alaska and provides training for hatchery professionals and releases up to 2.5 million fish, including four species of salmon each year. (The grizzlies will appreciate the efforts too!)

Nature lovers of all ages are invited to explore the wildlife found in the Himalayas this Saturday through the paintings, sculptures, and other objects on display at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York. After seeing all the species which call the diverse terrain home, guests are welcomed to sculpt their favorite animal of the day as part of a collaborative installation.

Want a preview?  Sikkim is home to the endangered red panda, snow partridge, Himalayan cuckoo, snow and clouded leopards, and over 650 species of butterflies, while Ladakh has native populations of red fox, ibex, snow leopard, Tibetan gazelle, and Chiru antelope.  Kumaon is within the Corbett National Park and the natural protected habitat of the snow leopard, blue sheep, and mountain goats. Shakti can arrange walks through each of these areas for the best chance of spotting these animals in their natural habitat.

Food for thought, the likelihood of seeing the peak of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, is the same as seeing a tiger in the jungle… about 70 percent.

Send home a postcard that is likely to stay on the fridge for months to come (not because of the clever picture or, sorry, your stories!). Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is offering a calligraphy workshop led by Khaled Al Saai April 7-9 with lessons in theory, history, and practical application. To avoid writer’s cramp, participants will also be given plenty of free time to enjoy the Abu Dhabi resort’s spa and hammam, desert activities, and dining facilities. Now that’s something to write home about!

The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is inviting families to create their own Himalayan towns and stupas this Saturday with clay, fabric, and mixed media. The museum will provide photographs of Himalayan villages, tents, temples, and stupas, but then it’s all up to the imagination! Get those creative juices flowing!

Or make the picture a reality on a family trip with Shakti.  Customize an itinerary based on your families interests in three distinct regions of India’s North: Kuamaon in Uttarakhand; the tiny state of Sikkim, and Ladakh, in Jammu-Kashmir.  Ideal for active and engaging family travel, guides will lead travelers on daily walks and exploration of temples and monasteries.  In Ladakh, adventurous types can try their hand at rafting down the Indus River, camping out under the stars, or riding an indigenious Bactrian camel through the Nubra. You might need a few more supplies, but we’re certain the personal treks will leave all ages inspired.

Truffle & Wine Weekends

Learn:  Join a morning truffle hunting excursion with an expert truffler in the woods near Mont Ventoux and see how dogs sniff for the black diamonds. Back at the hotel, head into the kitchen for a cooking demonstration featuring your fresh truffles.

Tour and Explore: Taste wines at Château La Nerthe, an 800-year old estate; visit Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Provence’s antique capital; and visit local colorful outdoor markets with fresh produce on offer.

Saveur: Beef tenderloin drizzled with truffle puree, salmon stuffed with scallops and truffles and foie gras topped with truffles

Details: The three-night all-inclusive package is offered March 3-6 and March 17-20 with prices starting at €1,130 for two guests ($1,534 at time of release). Includes accommodations, above activities, and all meals (except lunch following truffle excursion). Wine with meals and transportation is an additional cost.

Cooking Program

Learn: In groups of up to eight, guests participate in five intensive half-day cooking classes with recipes for complete menus to take home.

Tour and Explore:  Excursions to meet with local truffle hunters, winemakers, and cheese makers; visits to Carpentras Market (which has been in existence since 1155); wine tastings at Chateau Pesquié and, cheese sampling at a local artisanal.

Saveur:  Leg of lamb, sweet onion soup, poached quail eggs, crusted sea bass, and fresh legumes

Details:  The six night all-inclusive program is offered April 3-9 and April 10-16 and costs €2,900 per person. Non-cooking companions cost €1,900 per person ($1,615 at time of release). Includes accommodations, above activities, ground transportation, all meals (including wine), and welcome cocktails.

50% Savings Offer

Details: Room nights start at €125 per night ($169 at time of release), March 2 -April 28 with 50% savings offer. Crillon le Brave is open Wednesday through Saturday nights in March, and seven days a week in April. Blackout dates include April 22-24 and cannot be combined with any other offer.

To make a reservation, call +33 (0)4 90 65 61 61 or email reservations@crillonlebrave.com.

About Hotel Crillon le Brave

A relaxed haven of simple sophistication, the five-star property consists of seven beautifully restored stone houses, dating from the 16^th and 17^th centuries, that are linked by bridges, cobblestone walkways and hidden courtyards. The authentic Provençal accommodations include 23 rooms, seven suites and a two-bedroom house, each decorated with a mix of contemporary furnishings and shabby-chic accents.

Cartagena, Colombia

Crystal Cruises is excited about their new You Care, We Care initiative now available on every sailing… and even more so after the first was such a success! Guests aboard Crystal Serenity stopped in Cartagena, Colombia on Saturday to help the Foundacion Granitos de Paz plant local organic gardens and general facility repairs.

All participants enjoyed the ability to better interact and learn from the local community – more than one typically gains from just disembarking for the afternoon. Bravo! Upcoming You Care, We Care programs are:

Lima, Peru – Brightening the environment of the children at the ANQUIEM Burn rehabilitation center with arts & crafts

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Assisting the PEACE organization in beach cleanup and community beautification, including possibly helping in light construction at a local green space.

Santa Lucia, Uruguay – Contribute to the SOS-Children’s Village–an NGO village which provides a family-based infrastructure for raising children without parental care—via cookie-baking, handcrafting, painting, or gardening.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Join RIOVOLUNTARIO in engaging local orphans in recreational activities such as face painting or traditional Brazilian games

Marigot Bay, St. Martin – Help the St. Maartin Pride Foundation’s conservation of local culture and historical landmarks via painting a school or community center

Honolulu, HI – Learn about local geology and preservation of ecosystems via weeding at Makapu’u Beach Native Coastal Plant Preserve

Astoria, OR – Assist “Friends of Fort Stevens” with the restoration and cleaning efforts of the grounds, trails, and camping sites at the much-revered, 84 year-old Fort Stevens State Park