Take a Well-Deserved Mancation with GolfKings

Golfing has to be one of the best mancations available, okay, well maybe second to Vegas and golfing.  But instead of choosing a course you’ve already played or a typical vacation destination, why not live the dream and play a PGA course in Scotland, Spain or a Ryder Cup Course in Wales?

It’s a lot easier than you think when you choose to make your travel arrangements with the pros at GolfKings.  As part of an established travel agency that’s been around for 25 years (an amazing feat in itself given today’s economy!), the GolfKings team is comprised of experienced travel consultants who are avid golfers themselves – “golf holidays by golfers for golfers".

Dedicated to providing competitive pricing and tailored golf vacations throughout Europe, Turkey, and exotic destinations like South Africa, GolfKings can arrange golfing mancations that include flights from the UK or land-only packages with all the ‘essentials’ like all-inclusive airport lounge passes and car hire/rentals so you can enjoy your mancation in style.

Check out these current GolfKings Vacation Special Offers:

• Unlimited Golf Offer at Vincii Buenavista Golf Hotel in Tenerife (7 night stay) for only £495 or USD $782!  For further savings, gather up a group of 8 for your mancation and 1 person stays & plays for FREE!
• La Cala Resort in Costa del Sol including breakfast (5 night stay) for just  £379 or USD $598!  The same group savings apply to this offer so book your amazing golfing mancation abroad today! 

View additional GolfKings Special Offers, their list of Frequently Asked Questions, or just generally check them out at GolfKings.co.uk.

Images: Courtesy GolfKings.

New England's Unusual Ice Cream Flavors

ITWA Press Release:

Ahhh, summertime in New England.  Sunshine, beaches, and ice cream. This beautiful area is home to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, VT, and to many other ice cream parlors that use local products to develop a range of interesting and unique flavors including:

Lobster

During the summer season, Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor, ME, serves lobster ice cream made from butter flavored ice cream mixed with chopped lobster meat.

Pumpkin Pie

The pumpkin is the official New Hampshire state fruit and Annabelle's Natural Ice Cream, based in Portsmouth, NH, uses pumpkin to make its signature cinnamon-laced Pumpkin pie ice cream.  

Maple Bacon

Vermont is the top producer of maple syrup in the United States and home to many sugar houses where maple syrup is produced.  Island Homemade Ice Cream, based on Grand Isle in Lake Champlain, offers maple syrup flavored ice cream with real bits of bacon.  

Chocolate Wasabi

This sweet but spicy flavor is served up at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, with locations in Bar Harbor and in Portland, ME.  President Obama opted for coconut ice cream when he stopped by on a 2010 visit to nearby Acadia National Park. 

Black Guinness

Connecticut is known for its winery trail, breweries and ice cream.  The Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe in Old Lyme, CT, sells three flavors of beer infused ice cream produced by The Brewer's Cow Black & Tan made with Guinness, Ten Penny Beer Nut Parfait and Bavarian Beer Brittle made with Samuel Adams. 

Jalapeno

Herrell's Ice Cream, whose flagship store is in Northampton, MA, boasts over 200 different flavors of ice cream, the most unusual of which is Jalapeno ice cream.

Kentucky Bourbon

At Ashley's Ice Cream, available in four different locations in Connecticut (New Haven, Branford, Guildford and Hamden), Kentucky Bourbon is fused with ice cream and brown sugar. 

Peanut Butter and Marshmallow

Also known as Fulffernutter, this unique flavor is available at Jakes' Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Bakeshop in Amherst, NH.

Earl Grey Tea

Born in a small town in Devon, England, ice cream maker Sue Williams is so proud of her English heritage that she developed an Earl Grey flavored ice cream which is available at Susanna's Ice Cream and Sorbet at Sweet Berry Farm in Middleton, RI.

Carrot Cake

At Christina's Homemade Ice Cream located in Cambridge, MA, visitors can indulge in ice cream filled with carrot cake pieces, walnuts, raisins, carrot shavings and cream cheese frosting.

Faster to the Fun with Carnival Cruise Lines

While everyone knows about those dreaded airline fees for extras (!) like pillows, blankets and even meals, now it seems the cruise lines are getting on board with value-added fee structures.

Carnival Cruise Lines announced last week that they're rolling out a new Faster to the Fun Package allowing passengers to get their own 'personal express lane' to fun.  For a $49.95 fee, all occupants of the cabin will receive the following benefits:

• priority check-in, tender, and debarkation
• guaranteed stateroom availability upon arrival
• express luggage delivery
• dedicated access to Guest Services
• priority dining room reservations

Well, I don't know about you, but I wouldn't utilize this latest offering.  But maybe I'm one of the lucky ones who's never experienced late luggage delivery (okay, well maybe once) nor has my stateroom not been ready.  

I'd rather keep my $50 and lose it at the casino (just kidding) or spend it during a shore excursion on something that I love.  While I love cruising (and really, I do) I think these 'priority' standards should be the standards for all passengers (something that Carnival Cruise Lines should strive for) and not something extra so passengers are divided into 'specially' treated guests and regulars, like me.

And if you're a VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club Platinum or Diamond member already, don't worry, the Faster to the Fun Package benefits are already included in your VIFP Club status.

For more information, visit Carnival Cruise Lines.

Cairo in Pictures

  These photos by Simona Scolari appear on Flickr.com.

10 Beaches that Take Your Breath Away!

I love Tripadvisor for putting out these great lists including their latest, 10 Beaches that Take Your Breath Away!  They're all picturesque destinations perfect for couples, families, or maybe just some me time.

Without further adieu, here's the list of Top 10 Beaches that Take Your Breath Away:

• Orient Bay Beach, St. Martin
• Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
• Eagle Beach, Aruba
• Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast, HI
• Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, WA
• Balandra Beach, La Paz, Mexico
• Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
• Gold Rock Beach, Bahamas
• Flamenco Beach, Culebra, PR
• Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Flickr Photo Credits:

Turks & Caicos 2008 by Ben.Ramirez

Hapuna by Bryan_Chan

Travelling with the Japan Rail Pass

If you're planning a vacation to exotic Japan, there's no better to way to travel once you're there than with a convenient Japan Rail Pass from the Japan Railways Group (JR Group).

Offered by the six main rail companies in Japan (Super Ozora, Norita Express, Hida, Haruka, Shiokaze, and Sonic) making up the JR Group, the Japan Rail Pass is only available for foreigners visiting Japan for tourist purposes. It must be purchased outside of Japan at an authorized sales office or travel agent.

There are two types of Japan Rail Pass tickets available: a Green pass which offers travel in Superior class Green rail cars or Ordinary class. Each of these are available in 7, 14, and 21-day durations.

The costs for the Japan Rail Pass are charged in Japanese YEN and range from JPY28,300 (USD$361) for an adult 7-day Ordinary to JPY79,600 (USD$1,015) for an adult 21-day Green pass. Discounted rates for children ages 6 to 11 are also available.


Depending on your destination, there are several more Japan rail passes to choose from including Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass, JR West Rail Pass, and the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.

For information, visit Japan Rail Pass.

Image: RomanceCar ©Odakyu Electric Railway/©JNTO

Squirrel's Eye View of the Forest

Even if you've been to beautiful Vancouver, BC, previously, this is a new attraction you have to come back to see!  As the latest edition to the Capilano Suspension Bridge experience, the Cliffwalk is a hands-on breathtaking journey through the Pacific Northwest rainforest along a series of suspended glass walkways.

Definitely not for those with a fear of heights, this new attraction is second only in popularity to the Treetops Adventure where guests venture along a series of suspension bridges from one majestic Douglas fir tree top to the next.  Visitors will find themselves as high as 100 feet above the Capilano River and forest floor below.

As one of the top attractions in Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge does not disappoint!  There are tours for children (Cap Kids), Totem Poles, a Fish Feeding area, gift shop, and three dining venues ranging from casual fair to authentic West Coast three-course meals featuring specialties like Wild BC Salmon Chowder and Buffalo Sheppard's Pie.

For more information or to buy your tickets online, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  And for BC Residents, view this special offer!  

Images: Courtesy of Capilano Suspension Bridge

2012 Summer London Olympics Apps & More

As everyone turns their focus to London during the 2012 Summer Olympics, how are you watching the games?  

If you've got an iOS or Android smartphone, you could download the free app NBC Olympics Live Extra to follow along minute by minute or the NBC Olympic App that's geared more toward stats and the biographies of athletes.

If you're in the US, you can follow along at NBCOlympics.com or on Facebook & Twitter by downloading the 2012 Team Road USA app available on Google Play or the App Store.

In Canada, check out CBC Olympic coverage or follow major updates on Canada Cheers 2012 or CTV Olympics London 2012 available for iOS, Android and Blackberry.

Australian fans can download the Australian Olympic Team London 2012 while Londoner's have free access to BBC Sport's Olympic App.

However you do it, enjoy watching until August 12. 2012 - best of luck to everyone worldwide!!