Travel and Leisure

Travel & Leisure Group appointed Authorised Reseller for Diamond Resorts

2011-05-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Travel & Leisure Group appointed Authorised Reseller for Diamond Resorts ... - Online PR News (press release)

Travel & Leisure Group have been appointed Authorised Reseller for Diamond Resorts International points in March 2010.

Online PR News – 24-March-2010 – Travel & Leisure Group have been appointed Authorised Reseller for Diamond Resorts International points in March 2010. For the first time ever, you can now buy and sell DRI points on the Resale Market through TLG.

Maria Mills-Farinas, Managing Director of TLG is delighted to be able to offer the consumer this new opportunity and work together with DRI.

Travel & Leisure Group International Timeshare Resale Brokerage, is a family owned company working closely with developers and helping owners to sell their Timeshare and buyers to make the right choice, they are a financially sound international Timeshare company who have steadily consolidated and expanded their business throughout the world.

Represented now in many countries, their main function is to act as an estate agent on behalf of Buyers or Sellers of Timeshare Properties at a saving of thousands of pounds.

The management and staff at Travel & Leisure Group have many years experience in Timeshare and the company reputation is well known throughout the world.

Major exchange companies are first to recognise the Travel & Leisure Group as the company you can trust. Travel & Leisure Group is one of the most respected Timeshare resale companies in Europe. TLG is an individual company serving individual people and it has built its reputation on personal service and customer care.

Travel & Leisure Group are the ONLY authorised reseller. Until now, it has only been possible for owners to sell their Diamond Resorts Points to close family members or existing owners privately. But with this new venture, points can now be sold to members and non-members.

Travel & Leisure Group will be happy to assist you in the sale of your points and have the authority to arrange sales on your behalf for the EU collection. We will discuss the various options with you directly and will be glad to assist you throughout the process.

Should you wish to sell your points using their services, you may contact them on 0800 988 7168 or submit an enquiry form on their website at www.travelandleisure.co.uk.

Points resales between members will be carried out as before. Beware of the difficulties of private sales, you can always use our conveyancing department to assist you in your private transaction for a small fee, specially discounted for DRI members.

This is the opportunity for new buyers to acquire DRI Points for the European Collection at a fraction of the price, and enjoy the wonderful locations and many benefits Diamond Resort International offer all their members.

Diamond Resorts International, with global headquarters in Las Vegas, is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with more than 160 branded and affiliated resorts and over 24,000 guest beds in 26 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to more than 400,000 owners and members through the branded hospitality service of more than 5,500 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

Travel & Leisure

Diamond Resorts

“Party for Travel + Leisure Design Awards issue - San Francisco Chronicle” plus 3 more

2010-03-24T23:14:00.001-07:00

Party for Travel + Leisure Design Awards issue - San Francisco Chronicle

Nancy Novogrod, Travel + Leisure's editor in chief, has the enviable job of making sure her readers are hip to the world's most interesting hotels, spas and restaurants. No matter the price of a hotel room or a watch, beauty + function is the ideal combination she's always looking for.

For the magazine's sixth annual Design Awards 2010 issue celebration, she brought the party to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. On a recent evening with fun cocktails (Roederer Estate Brut and fresh tangerine juice), and nibbles by chef Loretta Keller of Moss Room, about 150 guests mingled with some of this year's winners. But none of the honorees were from the Bay Area, so why hold the party here?

"We've never held them here before, so it was time, and San Francisco is a very design-conscious, forward-thinking city," Novogrod said, looking quite chic in a leopard-print coat. "And this building is a great example of that."

The 2010 winners were chosen by a panel that included renowned designer and retailer Terence Conran, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, White House interior designer Michael Smith and the Fashion Institute of Technology's director and chief curator Valerie Steele, among others. The honorees spanned a wide range of products and services, from the newly redesigned rooms at the nationwide Motel 6 chain, to the upscale La Mamounia resort in Marrakesh, Morocco, to Nomiya restaurant in Paris, to colorful plastic watches by Nixon Time Tellers, and fashion designer Derek Lam's new New York boutique. (A complete list of this year's 16 winners is at travelandleisure.com).

While none of the judges attended and only one winning product was on display (the new Ford Fusion Hybrid), several of the designers were at the party, including accessories designers Lucy Wallace Eustice and Monica Zwirner of MZ Wallace, whose lightweight nylon multi-pocket pleated Kate travel bag won the award for best travel accessory.

"Six large outside pockets and eight inside," said Zwirner. The bag, which retails for about $300, is available locally at Two Skirts and the Nob Hill Spa.

The night's bigger winner, the Design Champion, was Adrian Zecha, founder and chairman of Amanresorts, who oversees luxury resorts all over the world, including places in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turks and Caicos, Thailand, China and Utah, among others.

"He has brought a new style of luxury travel to his guests," said Novogrod. "He believes that authenticity is more important than excess."

Social maven Maria Manetti Farrow, who came to the party just to see Zecha, is a huge fan of the resorts.

"They are elegant and simple, gracious and not commercial; it's like you are in your own home," she said. "And you always have a sense of where you are; you know you are in Jackson Hole, Wyo., or some exotic locale."

When Novogrod travels, which of course is frequently, she longs for the basics along with the spectacular. Her pet peeve? "Hotel room lighting that is so contemporary it defies any normal understanding."

This article appeared on page S - 24 of the San Francisco Chronicle

“Great getaway deals at the travel and leisure show - Yourcanterbury.co.uk” plus 1 more

2010-03-23T23:15:00.001-07:00

“Great getaway deals at the travel and leisure show - Yourcanterbury.co.uk” plus 1 more

Great getaway deals at the travel and leisure show - Yourcanterbury.co.uk

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 08:58 AM PDT

KENT NEWS: Exclsuive deals for day trips, weekend breaks and holidays abroad will be on offer at KOS Media's third annual Travel and Leisure Show.

Last year's event was a huge success, with more than 4,000 visitors flocking to the Dover Cruise Terminal to find out more about the attractions available on their doorstep, as well as those on the other side of the Channel and beyond.

This year's show will be held at the same venue on Sunday, March 28, and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

KOS Media events manager Liz Hare said: "After two successful years the show has become the biggest of its kind in the region. With the variety of local tourist attractions, cruising holidays and many other leisure opportunities, it provides a great day out for all the family.

"In previous years many visitors have actually booked their holiday at the show itself or taken advantage of other great exclusive show offers."

This year's Travel and Leisure Show will take place just one week after the end of British Tourism Week, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of the industry to the national economy.

Among the companies represented will be many of the major cruise lines and ferry operators, with some great cross-Channel offers and short breaks available to book on the day.

Coaching holidays will also be promoted, as will air travel through Kent International Airport at Manston.

Representatives from many of Kent's biggest tourist attractions – as well from the lesser-known 'little gems' – will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have, and there will also be a presentation theatre with speakers covering a wide range of topics throughout the day.

As well as the large number of companies exhibiting at the event, there will also be a competition to win a two-week cruise courtesy of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

There are 31 other fantastic prizes to be won, including an overnight stay with dinner at Canterbury's ABode Hotel, a return Channel crossing provided by Norfolkline, and a family membership to Kent Wildlife Trust.

Children's entertainment, a licensed bar and refreshments will also be available throughout the day, which runs from 9.30am-4.30pm.

Admission and parking to the show is free, but visitors can beat the queues by registering for fast-track entry.

Visit www.thetravelandleisureshow.co.uk for more information, or call Liz Hare on 01303 817172.

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Soft Adventure Walking Trips With Classic Journeys - About - News & Issues (blog)

Posted: 23 Mar 2010 04:14 PM PDT

I've added Classic Journeys to the Top Adventure Travel Companies list. This company specializes in small cultural walking adventures, family journeys and culinary tours. Classic Journeys is a three-time winner in Travel + Leisure Magazine's "World's Best Tour Operator" category, as well as one of the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth," as voted by the editors of National Geographic Adventure.

I'm always looking for additional top companies to add to my Top Adventure Travel Companies list. Readers with suggestions should send them along to me.

Photo courtesy of Classic Journeys

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“Do you know the best time of year to travel? - abc7.com”

2010-03-22T23:18:00.001-07:00

“Do you know the best time of year to travel? - abc7.com”

Do you know the best time of year to travel? - abc7.com

Posted: 22 Mar 2010 09:16 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- If you're ready to start traveling this spring, you can book great rates on hotels and airfares. The key to finding deals is to look at your calendar.

Cindy Richards loves to travel. She runs the Web site, TravelingMom.com. Her family of four is always in search of a bargain.

"Cost usually plays into the decision on where we go depending on how much it's going to cost to get there," said Richards.

She is a fan of something called "shoulder season." It is the short time that falls between low and high travel season.

"You can always get a better deal during the shoulder season," said Richards. "You can always find the destinations to be less crowded."

It hits at different times for different places. Travel and Leisure Magazine's Sarah Kantrowitz says finding great destination deals depends on when you plan to get away.

In January, Florida is one of her top picks since hotels and beaches are still fairly empty. Skipping ahead to March, Kantrowitz recommends looking south of the border.

"Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a fabulous place to travel to in March. This is because it's just after Carnival and you're going to find hotel rates that are about 60 percent off the average rate," said Kantrowitz.

The Caribbean is hot for April, but so are many European cities.

"We're particularly excited about Scotland in Edinburgh and in Glasgow you can visit all sorts of cultural attractions," said Kantrowitz.

In May, it's all about the Mediterranean, where prices are about 20 percent lower than in the summer plus great cruise deals too. And if you're already planning for September you may want to head to the islands of Hawaii.

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“Tripipedia: Sleek, stylish ... Motel 6? - San Jose Mercury News” plus 1 more

2010-03-21T23:13:00.001-07:00

“Tripipedia: Sleek, stylish ... Motel 6? - San Jose Mercury News” plus 1 more

Tripipedia: Sleek, stylish ... Motel 6? - San Jose Mercury News

Posted: 21 Mar 2010 12:04 AM PDT

Style on a budget

Forget the five-star hotels. Ditto the sleek boutique inns. Motel 6 was just crowned the winner for best room design by Travel & Leisure magazine.

Yes, Motel 6, as in "We'll leave the light on for you." Make that ambient lighting.

The budget hotel rooms recently debuted their new "Phoenix" look. Highlights include faux-wood floors, pedestal beds, wood entertainment centers with flat-screen televisions and black granite countertops and walk-in showers in the bathrooms.

As Travel & Leisure summed it up: "Bright color on the walls and lots of rounded-off corners and beveled edges make for a fresh, pop-modern look."

Skinny on new exhibit

The Museum of Modern Art in New York is going skin to skin.

In an exhibit generating a lot of buzz, two nude performers stand inches apart in a doorway of the exhibit "Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present" by the Yugoslavian-born Abramovic. Visitors then must decide if they are willing to walk between the naked performers to enter the exhibit.

Abramovic is known for works of art that make people squeamish. Also on display are a nude performer lying under a skeleton and a nude woman on a bicycle seat.

The exhibit runs through May 31. Details: www.moma.org.

Waterfall wonders

Although the

Big Island checks in with the most, Maui leads the pack in the Top 10 Waterfalls of Hawaii as selected by the WorldofWaterfalls.com.

1. Waimoku Falls, Maui (pictured)

2. Akaka Falls, Big Island

3. Papalaua Falls, Molokai

4. Wailua Falls, Kauai

5. Umauma Falls, Big Island

6. Sacred Falls, Oahu

7. Rainbow Falls, Big Island

8. Moaula Falls, Molokai

9. Seven Sacred Pools, Maui

10. Hanakapiai Falls, Kauai

Before you disembark

Forget the create-your-own-towel-animal book from Carnival, Princess Reflections Souvenir video and Celebrity-exclusive water safe. For the sixth year running, the "Best Cruise Souvenir" award goes to the Torguga Rum Cakes, as selected by Porthole Cruise Magazine editors.

The No. 1 export of the Cayman Islands, the rum cakes are sold in onboard gift shops of more than 100 cruise ships sailing the Caribbean.

— Ann Tatko-Peterson

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United Airlines open to mergers: CFO - Reuters

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 07:39 AM PST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAUA.O) is open to merging with U.S. or foreign carriers as the industry is "poised for consolidation," the airline's chief financial officer said on Tuesday.

Deals

"UAL has been supportive of consolidation for a long time," CFO Kathryn Mikells said at the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit in New York. "It is something we will continue to look at."

Mikells declined to comment on whether United's parent company, UAL Inc, was in talks with other carriers, but added that the airline is seeking more alliances, especially in regions such as South America and Brazil.

In 2008, sources told Reuters that United was in talks with Continental Airlines (CAL.N) and U.S. Airways (LCC.N) about a possible merger with either company. Mikells declined to comment on whether those talks had resumed.

She said barriers preventing foreign airlines from entering the U.S. market were blocking global consolidation at a time when airlines needed scale. Current U.S. law restricts foreign ownership of U.S. airlines to 25 percent of voting stock.

"Clearly, outside of the U.S., consolidation is underway," Mikells said. "Not being able to participate in that in a more material way just really positions the U.S. companies detrimentally relative to international carriers.

"We are hopeful as we move into this recovery period ... that folks will focus again on the fact that we need to have the same ability to make changes in our industry as other industries clearly have," she said, referring to sectors such as autos and technology.

INDUSTRY LOSSES

The airline industry has lost $50 billion in the past 10 years, including $11 billion in 2009 alone, according to the International Air Transport Association. The trade group expects the industry to take at least three years to recover from the slump in demand caused by the recession.

Mikells said United was seeking more alliances and was planning to eke out more cost savings from current partnerships, which typically focus on sharing revenue.

"We are now focusing more on the cost side by co-locating at airports, sharing IT systems, doing joint investments in information technology," she said.

When asked if the 2008 merger between Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and Northwest Airlines had made the combined carrier a stronger competitor, Mikells said the market had spoken: Delta's current market capitalization is nearly $10 billion, about twice that of United and Continental Airlines combined.

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“Great getaway deals at the travel and leisure show - Kent News” plus 2 more

2010-03-20T23:17:00.001-07:00

Great getaway deals at the travel and leisure show - Kent News

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 07:04 AM PDT