Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

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!

Considered one of the world’s greatest theatrical festivals, not to mention the longest running in France, the Festival d’Avignon marks its 64th anniversary this summer! From choreographed dances to modern plays, the festival is sure to suit any art lover’s fancy. Taking place July 2-26, with over 35 performances in the beautiful Cour d’Honneur of the Pope’s Palace and multiple other outdoor venues, it’s hard not to get lost in the location’s rich history. This year’s shows include such works as La Paranoia by Elise Vigier and Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, Child by Boris Charmatz, and I Am the Wind directed by Patrice Chereau. (Click here for a complete list of programming.) Ticket prices range from free to €38 (approximately $54), allowing everyone an opportunity to participate in this historic event!

Need a place to stay?

Hotel Crillon le Brave, a mere 26 miles away, is the perfect place for festival goers to rest their heads. The property offers seven beautifully restored 16th and 17th century stone houses, accented by cobblestone walkways and hidden courtyards. When not immersing in theatrical performances, relax back at the hotel while sipping wine at the Grange bar, pedaling through the olive groves on complimentary bikes, or joining in a cooking demonstration with new head Chef John Ellis.

The hotel’s concierge is happy to assist with transportation arrangements and booking tickets to the Festival d’Avignon. Rates start at €290 (approximately $416) per night.

Music festivals, world-class opera, hiking, biking, museum hopping, unique culinary adventures and art shopping – Santa Fe has plenty to offer this summer! Recently nominated by Travel + Leisure as one of “America’s Favorite Cities,” Santa Fe invites travelers from around the world to dive into its unique culture and exciting history.

Right in the heart of the city is the Inn on the Alameda, a charming, cozy inn as rich in history as the city itself. Located just steps away from some of Santa Fe’s most exciting attractions, the inn maintains a secluded serenity throughout its stone courtyards and peaceful patios. Authenticity radiates from the handcrafted finishes, adobe walls and southwestern décor, reflecting the essence of “the city different.”

Whether a relaxing getaway or adventurous fun in the Southwest sun, Santa Fe has it all!

For more activities in Santa Fe, visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau web site: http://santafe.org/perl/page.cgi?g=1067

While enjoying a round of golf on Nantucket seems to be the perfect vacation activity, red ropes at private clubs, long waits at public courses, and the relative absence of golf academies have kept island visitors from hitting the links.
Enter the Nantucket Golf Academy, offered by Nantucket Island Resorts as its answer to the golf gap on Nantucket.  Packaged along with a three-day, two-night stay at the White Elephant, the Golf Academy offers a full day of instruction on the Miacomet Golf Course.  The daylong session begins at 9:30 am on the driving range and in the short game area covering full swing, chipping, pitching and putting.  After enjoying a lunch served on the course, golfers will hit the green for 18-holes in the afternoon – nine-holes with instruction, nine-holes without.

Fun extras include a Digital Video Swing Analysis DVD of each guest’s swing and a gift bag that includes a White Elephant hat, a Miacomet golf shirt, and a bag tag.  Rental clubs will also be provided for those unwilling to lug their clubs from home.

The Nantucket Golf Academy package will be offer Sunday – Tuesday, with golf instruction occurring on the Monday of each stay.  It will be available on the following spring and fall dates: May 15-17, May 22-24, October 2-4, and October 16-18.   Included in the package rates are breakfast each morning at the hotel’s Brant Point Grill, spa and dinner credits, and transportation to and from the course.  An additional day on the golf course on Tuesday is available at a reduced rate.

The Nantucket Golf Academy package starts at $1300 for two people.  Room upgrades available upon request for a fee.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS: All White Elephant guests can request priority tee times at Miacomet golf course and have off-season access to Sankaty Head Golf Course.

Celebrate Switzerland’s Lucerne Festival with “Spa & Sounds” Package

From Victoria Jungfrau Collections’ Palace Luzern

In conjunction with the renowned Lucerne Festival, Switzerland’s Palace Luzern is offering a two-night “Spa & Sounds” package, available for stays April 9-17. Designed to promote ultimate relaxation, the package combines five-star accommodations with massage, music, and a mobile device drop-off service!

While enjoying Balinese massages, and festival tickets for performances of those chart-toppers of the 17 and 1800s, Bach, Brahms and Mozart; the “Spa & Sounds” package is as much about what you WILL hear as what you DON’T HAVE TO hear – namely, the unsoothing sounds of your cell phone. Bringing new meaning to the term “hands-free”, included in the package is Palace Luzern’s mobile device drop-off service. Simply hand your phone over to the hotel’s concierge on arrival, they’ll be happy to answer any phone calls and relay your messages.

The annual festival has been in existence since 1938 and attracts a roster of major international orchestras, conductors and soloists to the Swiss city. View the complete program here.

The “Spa & Sounds” package costs 1764 CHF based on double occupancy ($1,922 USD at time of release) and includes the details below. Guests can book the two-night offering between April 9 – 17.

• Two night accommodations with views of Lake Lucerne
• Breakfast both mornings
• Tickets for evening of your choice to the Lucerne Festival
• One Balinese massage per person
• Roundtrip transfers from the Lucerne train station and KKL (festival location) in a Jaguar car
• Butler service
• Mobile “drop off service”
• Fruit and Swiss chocolate upon arrival

Don’t fret if you can’t make it this time; the offer will also be available in August for the Summer Festival and November for the Piano Festival (Prices may vary).

Anantara never wants to see guests leave without having the chance to really soak up the sun and all of their unique property offerings, so they are throwing travelers a bone. An extra night, on them! The new Extra Night on Us promotion is available for all bookings now through April 15 (with a minimum stay at all properties).

Don’t leave Si Kao without a wellness consultation, Golden Triangle without playing with the elephants, or Kihavah without enjoying a glass of wine underwater. Happy travels and enjoy your (longer) stay!

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.

Etihad Airways and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) are inviting visitors to experience all that Abu Dhabi has to offer with the Essential Abu Dhabi campaign.  After flying Etihad’s new three class A330-300 aircraft featuring the new Diamond First Class, simply show your boarding pass at participating hotels, restaurants, shops, adventure parks, cultural attractions, and sports facilities – including one of our favorites, Ferrari World – for exclusive offers and deals.

After all the essential action in Abu Dhabi, unwind at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara located just ninety minutes outside the city in the heart of the Liwa Desert. The landscape is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, and was built from the vision of celebrating the traditions of the Emirate and celebrating the culture of the Bedouins. Enjoy a pampering treatment at the spa featuring a real hammam, a camel ride through the desert, or the 2,500 museum-quality Bedouin artefacts sourced from all over Arabia throughout the resort.  It’s hard to know what’s more relaxing, the resort or Diamond First Class – let us know your findings!