Hotel Guide Spring 2016 Edition

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Medical Travel:101

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Yosemite Valley

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Arlington, Texas

Call a for yo Hote lGuide pecia rat

Accommodations • Attractions • Events • Destinations • Wellness

A Scottsdale Getaway

Phoenician Resort

Pass to a Fr iend

Spring Edition - 2016

Phoenician Resort - Scottsdale, AZ

NOW OPEN #GIRAFFESAREBACK

GIRAFFES ARE BACK!

” o D t s u M “ W THE NE O O Z E H T T A

3903 NORTH ST. MARY’S ST. | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212 | (210) 734-7184 | SAZOO.ORG OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR | 9 A.M. – 6 P.M.

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Table of Contents

Foodies in Arlington

Texas Dining in Arlington, Texas

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Natural Bridge Caverns 12 Azalea Trail - Tyler, Texas 16 FIESTA San Antonio 18 Mansion at Judges Hill - Austin, TX

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Wellness Travel 21 Medical Travel:101 24 Windflower Spa About the Cover:

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Destinations 29 Yosemite Valley 30 Phoenician Resort - Scottsdale, AZ

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Blooming in San Francisco 34 Indie Grits Festival Cancun, Mexico

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Experiences 38 New Orleans Getaway 39

Tucked away in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, the Phoenician Resort is a true destination. Perfect for a family getaway or that romantic choice too. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. (Photo: Courtesy of the Phoenician Resort) www.thehotelguide.com

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Ride the Rio

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elcome to San Antonio! Hop on a Rio San Antonio Cruises barge for a narrated tour of the River Walk. Visit our website to find one of our four convenient locations.

For our Rio Taxi service, hail one of the checker-flagged barges for a trip to your River Walk Destination.

www.riosanantonio.com (210) 244-5700 • (800) 417-4139 4 www.thehotelguide.com

The Publisher

A Word From

S

pringtime is here and the perfect time to get out and travel.

The latest edition of The Hotel Guide is sure to please. We have an incredible food getaway in one of the funnest places in Texas - Arlington.

Mouth-watering and delectable places to eat certainly are in abundance.

Can’t miss two fantastic events in the Lone Star State. First, hop on over to San Antonio for their 10-Day FIESTA® events.

As well, you can’t go wrong in Tyler, Texas with their annual Azalea Trails. An array of colorful flowers and incredible people await you there.

Ready for a little sun? Try the featured property in the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you get there soon enough you might be able to catch a few MLB Spring training games.

With all of the recent rains in the Yosemite Valley, you might also want to take in this area. Green abounds and majestic sites are sure to be seen.

Speaking of flowers in bloom, San Francisco is taking Spring by storm. There are a myriad of incredible events and places to go and see just want this time of year means to the city.

Finally, if you are wanting that tropical getaway.

Make your way to Cancun, Mexico and partake in some of the incredible updates happening down South. You surely won’t be disappointed.

For great story ideas or to be a part of our “Experiences” section, send me a personal e-mail by clicking here. Looking for great hotel deals? Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here.

Happy Traveling!

Edward R. Leos Publisher

Jennifer Leos

Associate Publisher

Christa Thompson

Senior Travel Writer

Katherine Belarmino Nicole Connolly Dr. Cacinda Maloney Callie Summerlin Michelle Tijerina Travel Writers

Daniel Leos Illustrator

Deanna Barrett Carla Ferrer Lauren Leos Contributors

Contact Information:

The Hotel Guide P.O. Box 592418 San Antonio, TX 78259

Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1 phone (210) 857-2003 info@thehotelguide.com www.thehotelguide.com

Special Thanks to:

• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority • Denver Convention & Visitor’s Bureau • Texas Department of Tourism • Texas Department of Transportation • Texas Hotel and Lodging Association • Texas Travel Industry Association • Las Vegas CVB • Austin CVB • Tyler CVB •GalvestonCVB • Houston CVB • Corpus Christi CVB • New Braunfels CVB • El Paso CVB • Lubbock CVB • Granbury CVB • San Antonio CVB Copyright 2014 The Hotel Guide.

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TEXAS

Texas

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Arlington, Texas

Casual Dining in Arlington: No Suit or Tie Required

By: Decima Cooper Mullen & Nikki Stephens

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ocated 15 minutes from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport, Arlington offers down home, real “mom and pop” places. We speak the international language of food, and this is flavor at its best. Leading the state with the most diverse and eclectic mix of restaurant choices in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Arlington is a notch above the rest. Here are 3 can’t miss places to try in the American Dream City.

Damian’s Cajun Soul Café “A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.” - Thomas Keller Thomas Keller must have eaten at Damian’s Cajun Soul Café, because no other chef we know has put as much love and happiness into making sure his soul food touched ours. His cooking skills are Cajun real. Here, in the middle of Arlington, Texas is where you will find a whole lot of true and authentic Louisiana flavor.

A man with a brilliant smile, Damian Placide, Sr. learned everything he knows about the art of cooking serious Cajun food from his mom, who still owns a restaurant in New Iberia, Louisiana. “Everything I cook is from my heart, we don’t use recipes here,” he says. Named after his son, his restaurant sits in a shopping center right off the highway, and it is a mom and pop stop at its best.

The place is homey and quaint, and it is wise to get there early. When the food is gone for the day, it’s gone. The restaurant closes. Because of this, the lunch crowd line often stretches out the door.

Rising every morning at 3 am to start the day, he cooks up everything from seafood etouffee (with a quite

impressive roux, we might add!) to some of the best smothered pork chops you’ve ever tasted, from scratch.

The pork chops are so tender that they literally fall off the bone with the mere touch of the fork.

There are other dishes that get your mouth watering, including fried catfish, fried chicken, sweet hush puppies, jambalaya and warm, spicy but tender shrimp, chicken and sausage gumbo that makes your heart sing. And, if you are a dessert fan, the pound cake is an absolute must. We promised not to share his secret, but let’s just say that a cake that takes 4 hours to perfect each and every day is worth standing in line for.

Taste of Europe Irina and Mikhail Frumkin are the chefs and owners of this unique and one of a kind gem in the middle of the city. Known for its perfect eclectic mix of Russian gifts and warm and welcoming atmosphere, well known American TV shows like Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives have perused the isles and enjoyed the food.

The owners are like diamonds themselves. Friendly and outgoing, they genuinely enjoy and love their cuscontinued on page 10

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FOOD IS THE UNiVERsAL Language

Located 15 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Arlington offers a world of unique flavors from “mom and pop� restaurants. No suit or tie required, because we offer a casual taste of Texas with an international flare.

We celebrate our diverse and eclectic mix of food and events, like Texas Christkindl Market, one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest.

Find out more about Texas Christkindl Market and Arlington at arlington.org/ftm.

ARLINGTON.ORG/FTM

www.thehotelguide.com

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800.342.4305

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TEXAS tomers, and you can feel it from the moment you arrive.

Taste of Europe welcomes you visually with a large Russianinspired mural painted on the building, and once inside, you won’t know whether to visit the store or eat at the restaurant first. The smell of Belarussian kolduny, a potato pancake stuffed with a layer of ground meat (half beef, half chicken) will invite your appetite, and your wallet will be teased by the beautiful and vibrant colors of the amber jewelry, Russian nesting dolls and many, many other gift items invite you to shop for exclusive international gifts that can’t be found anywhere else.

And for an honorable mention, the hot beet borsht is slowly stewed, producing a sweet yet tangy flavor that is gently amplified by the coolness of the sour cream on the side. It is a must try.

Fairly priced and authentic, the dishes served here don’t disappoint.

Chop House Burgers We wouldn’t be true Texans if we didn’t include Texas beef. Nine times out of ten, when you go where the locals go, you will never be let down. That’s definitely the case for locally-owned burger joint Chop House Burgers.

The man behind the burger, chef Kenny Mills, famously takes brisket and ground beef and creates a mouth-watering masterpiece unlike any other. The star of the show and namesake, “The Chop House Burger” is a celebrity in its own right, with glistening melted cheddar cheese,

tangy house made steak sauce and aromatic apple wood smoked bacon served on a toasty buttery bun. It’s bliss!

For some, bleu cheese is an acquired taste.

Not when you try the “Blacken Bleu Burger.” Flatter than the rest of the menu, the patty is thinned down, blackened and introduced to bleu cheese.

Those who normally turn their nose at bleu cheese save a special place on their taste buds for this deliciously melty concoction, transcending existing qualms and devouring it in 1-2-3.

As an added bonus, once you’ve made your order, you’re given the name of a well-known celebrity, character or public figure.

Instead of a name or a number, the waitress will be yelling out “Beyonce!”

And, not to be forgotten, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike love “The Veggie Burger.” It blends together quinoa, cremini mushrooms, pinto and black beans with Cajun seasoning and topped with a to-die-for spicy chipotle mayonnaise.

We’re leaving right now to go devour one. Hope to see you there one day!

For more on these and other great places, visit our website at: arlington.org.

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HOP ON HOP OFF: 18 Bus Stops Departures every 20 minutes 9.30am to 5.30pm BUY TICKETS

www.CitySightseeingSanAntonio.com

HG1617

Bus Stop 1 - SA Visitors Center 216 East Crockett St., The Alamo, 78205. Call Us: 210 224 8687

$4 OFF PER ADULT

www.thehotelguide.com Save Voucher March 2016.indd 1

$2 OFF PER CHILD

$10 OFF PER FAMILY

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TEXAS

Natural Bridge Caverns

Texas’ Largest Underground Adventure

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fascinating trip awaits guests of NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS, the largest show cave in Texas.

What makes the Discovery Tour so awe-inspiring?

The caverns, located in the Texas Hill Country and minutes from San Antonio, contain cave formations that are centuries in the making and still growing today.

In March of 1960, four college students from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio obtained permission to explore the area. Lured by an amazing 60-foot limestone bridge and a large sinkhole, the explorers made numerous attempts to find the large underground passages they theorized were there.

On their fourth expedition, Orion Knox Jr. felt a cool draft from a rubble-filled crawlway. Such air currents often indicate the presence of additional rooms or passages.

Upon clearing this 60foot crawlway, the explorers made their way through two miles of vast cavern passage before returning to the surface to tell the landowners of their amazing discovery. The discoverers knew immediately what an astonishing find they had made and the land owners decided to develop the first ½ mile, the most spectacular part of the caverns, for the enjoyment of guests from around the world.

Natural Bridge Caverns’ Discovery Tour was developed with two main goals in mind: preservation of the cavern system and comfort of its guests. The result is one of the world’s premier show caverns.

The Discovery was opened to the public on July 3, 1964 and dedicated by Texas Governor John B. Connelly as a “Jewel in the crown of Texas’ attractions.”

Natural Bridge Caverns has also been designated a State Historical Site and a Registered National Natural

Landmark.

Guided Tours Your guided tour, which takes approximately 75 minutes, will take you through vast underground rooms.

Discover Sherwood Forest, the Castle of the White Giants and the Hall of the Mountain King, a room the size of a football field.

Amazing delicate crystalline formations and gigantic stone monuments fill these beautiful underground chambers. Since Natural Bridge Caverns opened to the public, hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world have enjoyed the Discovery Tour. You are invited to see this spectacular natural wonder, too.

For more information, visit Natural Bridge Caverns online at www.naturalbridgecaverns.com.

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On A Whole New Level.

Imagine a place that towers overhead, even though it’s deep underground. A place filled with delicate formations of solid stone formed by single splashes of water.

A place that’s eons old, but feels brand new every time you see it. From giant chambers that echo with mystery to passages with discovery around every bend, come see what makes Natural Bridge Caverns… Naturally AMAZING.

NaturalBridgeCaverns.com • 210-651-6101

MORE TO EXPLORE: www.thehotelguide.com

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HOTEL SORELLA CITYCENTRE 800 Sorella Court | Houston, Texas 77024 P 713.973.1600 | F 713.973.1601 | Reservations 866.842.0100 www.hotelsorella-citycentre.com

Accentuating the Setting.

Located in West Houston’s prestigious CITYCENTRE development. This prime location is near the Westchase District and Energy Corridor, with sophisticated retailers, elegant dining, upper-end commercial o ces and luxury homes nearby. Equidistant from both Houston airports: • Bush Intercontinental Airport (28 miles) / Hobby Airport (24 miles)

Indulging the Senses.

• 244 contemporary guestrooms / 30 Suites and a Presidential Suite • 6 exclusive one- and two-bedroom luxury penthouse residences and 11 condos atop Hotel Sorella, available for corporate lease • Custom-designed Hotel Sorella bed • Goose-down pillows and non-allergenic foam pillows • Luxurious Egyptian cotton bed and bath linens and plush terry robes • Designer toiletries • Co eemakers with specialty co ees • Proudly serving Katz Co ee™, Roasted to PerfectionSM • MP3 compatible plasma flat-screen televisions • Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet throughout property

Delivering the Experience.

• Outdoor pool overlooking CITYCENTRE plaza • Pre-arrival guest preference service • Doorman, bellman and valet parking service • Exclusive spa and fitness availability • Valencia VIP Loyalty Program • The Monnalisa™, a stylish bar and lounge • The Bistro and Bistro Bar™ • Wine and espresso bar with outdoor terrace overlooking the plaza • Fitness center • 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. room service • Multilingual associates

Creating the Unexpected.

From small meetings to large conventions, to intimate social gatherings, Hotel Sorella is the ideal choice. Featuring approximately 10,000 s.f. of meeting and event space, our nine meeting rooms accommodate eight to more than 230, two VIP Boardrooms are perfect for executive level meetings, depositions or breakouts. Hotel Sorella o ers state-of-the-art lighting and sound, plus complimentary wifi access and garage parking.

Stay Authentic.

Condé Nast Gold List ranked Best in the World, 2011, 2012 & 2013 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Boutique Lodging Lifestyle Hotel of the Year, 2012

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Tyler, Texas

Must-See Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

o other town in Texas lays claim to a budding heritage quite like Tyler.

Tucked serenely in beautiful East Texas, Tyler, the Rose Capital of America, is home to some of the state’s most bountiful rose gardens.

Azalea Spring & Flower Trail However, in March and April the roses take a back seat to azaleas during the annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail. This year marks the 57th year Tyler has welcomed guests from around the world to stroll the brick streets, join in community events, and bask in the beauty that is the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail.

This year’s event is March 25 – April 10. During this time, Tyler hosts citywide events for visitors to enjoy. While visiting Tyler, take in a show at the historic Liberty Hall, wander through art galleries, or taste some local flavors at a café or restaurant.

While oil booms gave Tyler an economic head start in the 1930’s, azalea and rose blooms gave the city its beauty.

Azaleas were introduced to Tyler in 1929

by Maurice Shamburger, one of the city’s early nurserymen.

Pleased with results of a test garden of azaleas, Shamburger shipped the colorful plants to Tyler by the boxcar loads from Georgia.

Homes of Distinction Tyler residents began buying the plants by the thousands, and these home sites soon became springtime showplaces with their colorful azalea blooms. Some

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of the thick, towering azaleas at older homes on the Trail date back to the ‘30’s and ‘40’s.

Since then, the Trail has grown into an annual spring affair and today, two trails wind through ten miles of historic homes and gardens with blooming bushes and fresh flowers.

Incredible Welcome Visitors are welcomed in true Southern style by the Trail ambassadors, the Tyler Azalea Belles, wearing antebellum dresses. Over the years, the Belles have become a much beloved and anticipated part of the three-weekend event and are always happy to visit with guests and pose for photos along the Trail.

Tons of Events The Azalea & Spring Flower Trail is more than just flower gazing. Enjoy city-wide events including historic home tours, live entertainment, arts and crafts fairs, a flower market, historic reenactments, and more.

Visit Tyler will once again be hosting the ever so popular contests: the Bunny Hunt and Azalea Photo Contest. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to try their hand at these two contests as they enjoy walking along the Trail. Prizes are awarded to the winners.

Grab your camera, your family, and get ready for the most spectacular flower event in East Texas just outside your window.

More information...

For more details about the Trail, an updated progress of the blooms, a list of the Azalea Belles, and more go to our website at www.VisitTyler.com/AzaleaTrail.

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FIESTA San Antonio

A True Alamo City Tradition

iva! It is that time of year again to stock up on cacarónes, collect medals and celebrate—all for a good cause. The 124th annual Fiesta® San Antonio is April 14-24 and boasts more than 100 events.

Plus, the city-wide celebration festival features seven new events to add to your schedule this year.

Party for a Cause With almost 3.5 million people attending Fiesta®, it is one of the biggest festivals in the United States, a top three in Texas and the largest in San Antonio. It is held each April to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, celebrating the diverse heritage, culture and spirit that make up the city of San Antonio.

This year’s schedule is a wide array of fun for all ages including music, food, sports, pageantry, military and patriotic observances, exhibits, parades and nine official Fiesta® Royalty.

Why is it all for a good cause?

Because Fiesta® is also the “Party With a Purpose” with more than 100 local nonprofit organizations and military units create each of the terrific events you can enjoy over this year’s 18 days. Those groups then spend the rest of the year giving back to their community. They provide education, religious ministries, the arts, athletic opportunities for youth, health services and the defense of our great country.

Fun Beginnings All of this began over a century ago. By 1890, San Antonio was a thriving trade center with population of 38,000. In 1891 a group of citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto with a Battle of Flowers. The first parade had horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and floats carrying children dressed as flowers. The Belknap Rifles represented the military. The participants pelted each other with blossoms. Today, the Battle of Flowers® parade is the largest parade, is second in size nationally only to the Tournament of Roses Parade and is the

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only parade in the country to be planned and directed completely by women.

Within a few years, more events were taking place on or near April 21—a carnival, balls and coronations of “royalty.” Other early events included street dancing, children’s fetes, a Trades Display Parade and an orphan’s party. The Fiesta® tradition had been born and as the years passed, Fiesta® continued to grow.

Royalty Abounds The Order of the Alamo was founded in 1909, along with the Queen and her Court; the Pilgrimage to the Alamo began in 1925 with The Daughters of the Republic of Texas; the Texas Cavaliers and King Antonio were formed in 1926; the first El Rey Feo was crowned in 1947; and 1948 marked the first Fiesta® Flambeau® Parade as well as the first NIOSA®.

In 1959, the Fiesta® San Antonio Commission was formed as an independent nonprofit organization working year-round to manage the thousands of details and day-to-day tasks essential to planning and executing the huge citywide celebration. The Commission also acts as the liaison between its nonprofit members, local military activities and City departments. The Commission provides funds for Fiesta® events that are not financially self-supporting. The organization itself is funded entirely by the private sector and receives no direct City funding, relying heavily on membership dues, corporate partnerships, carnival income and licensed merchandise sales.

Fiesta® has grown over the years to a grand, citywide celebration and 2016 marks the milestone 125th anniversary. So, get started on that whimsical hat, a sash for the many pins to be collected or the tradition that makes your Fiesta® yours.

For all the latest schedule of Fiesta events, visit their website at www.fiesta-sa.org.

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TEXAS

Mansion at Judge’s Hill

Elegance in the Texas Capital

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he Mansion at Judges’ Hill has a history as storied as the city it dwells in.

Originally built in 1900, the Mansion was a wedding gift to Goodall & Ella Wooten by Thomas Dudley Wooten, one of the founders of the University of Texas.

The two both had a passion for life and they used the Mansion as a fountain of new ideas. In fact, in 1929, they hired Neiman Marcus at a cost of $10,000 (today’s estimate of $1 million) to re-decorate the home.

Since its inception, this grand venue has combined the elegance of its historical roots with the vibrancy of its future.

“Fluffy. Not Stuffy.”

At the Mansion, you are whisked away to a timeless era with the hint of today. Each room in this fabulous boutique hotel is different, uniquely-appointed with an inviting appeal.

All the rooms have a personality all their own. Even the bathrooms have texture and color to give it more style and panache.

Amenities in these incredible accommodations include: 310 thread count Egyptian cotton linens, hypo-allergenic down and duvets and pillows, complimentary L’Occitane and Gilchrist & Soames custom bath products, private stocked honor bar, complimentary wireless & high-speed internet access, cable television and dvd players. Additionally, there is twice daily housekeeping services.

Food for Thought.

The Mansion has its own dining room that boasts a five-star chef and an impeccable array of delicacies. Here you will find an exquisite blend of International Modern and Classic Cuisines. The food is always fresh and the plates are designed to allow you to experience many tastes all in one meal.

The 1900 Lounge is open everyday from 4 pm - 11 pm and features stunning carved wood accents, intimate tables, vivid draperies and the attentive and friendly atmosphere the Mansion has come to be known for. Here you can enjoy a delicious martini, tempting frozen margarita or a glass of wine from our selections.

Special Events and More.

The Mansion offers groups the perfect backdrop for their events.

Regardless of the formality, tastes or budget, they can weave a tapestry of simple elegance into any function. Whether it’s a business meeting, wedding reception, or conference, they can create the right atmosphere for you and your guests. The venue can accommodate up to 250 people.

Contact Us For more information on this world-class, boutique hotel, visit them online at www.judgeshill.com or call (512) 495-1800.

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Traveling?

Take Your Nutrition with You

Organic • Non-GMO • Lactose, Gluten and Caseine FREE

Products:

• ID Nutrition • Meal Replacement Shakes • Appetite Chews • Energy Chews • Sleep Strips

Personalized Nutrition

A nutrition plan designed for you specifically courtesy of IDLife. Take the guesswork out, complete our assessment and get on a focused nutrition program.

HIPAA-compliant.Take the steps to a better life.

Visit: www.IDLife2.com

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Wellness Travel

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Wellness

Medical Travel:101

Ambulatory Surgical Centers: Healthcare Options Around the Country by: Laura Carabello hysician-owned ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are modern healthcare facilities designed to provide same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures.

ASCs give millions of Americans access to convenient, alternative hospital-based outpatient procedures that emphasize quality care and positive patient outcomes.

Options...

Just as important, they offer transparent, affordable care. For example, a hysterectomy in a U.S. hospital can cost as much as $45,000. Cartersville Ob/Gyn Associates in Georgia offers bundled rates for travel patients, which includes the surgeon’s fee, the ASC facility fee, anesthesia fee, pathology fee and other disposable fees for less than $10,000.

This is an increasingly common scenario around the country: patients are given a choice between having a surgery performed by their local doctor at an exceptionally high cost hospital setting, or traveling to a preferred facility where their employers may waive deductibles and co-pays since the cost of care is so much lower – without sacrificing quality of care. Some benefit plans even cover hotel and travel fees for both the patient and a companion. When contemplating surgery, just ask your employer or director of human resources to consider this option – it’s good for the patient and great for the employer.

Surgery Center of Oklahoma The Surgery Center of Oklahoma is able to offer procedures at one low price -- no hidden costs, charges or surprises -- because it is owned and operated by surgeons and anesthesiologists. They control every aspect of the facility from real estate costs and efficient use of staff, to the elimination of wasteful operating room practices that non-profit hospitals have no incentive to curb.

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ASC’s focus ASCs focus on ensuring that patients have the best surgical experience possible, an approach that has saved the government, third party payers and patients a great deal of money. On average, the Medicare program and its beneficiaries share in more than $2.3 billion in savings each year because the program pays significantly less for procedures performed in ASCs when compared to the rates paid to hospitals for the same procedures. Likewise, patient co-pays at an ASC are significantly lower.

To learn more visit: www.ascassociation.org/home About the Author Laura Carabello has been an entrepreneur and a strategy consultant in both domestic and international businesses related to health care and technology since 1985.

She is the publisher/managing editor of Medical Travel Today, the authoritative, online business-to-business international newsletter of the medical tourism industry (www.medicaltraveltoday.com), as well as US Domestic Medical Travel (www.USDomesticMedicalTravel.com), the newsletter dedicated to U.S. intra-state and inbound medical travel. In 2011, Carabello published Medical Travel Today: Opinions and Perspectives on an Industry in the Making.

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The Pulse of Medical Travel

· · · ·

Discover options for higher quality more affordable healthcare in the U.S. or abroad Learn about new options for treatment not yet available in the U.S. Explore destinations for health and wellness programs offering spa vacations and more Understand what employers and health plans are doing to make medical travel a new option for you and your family

For Free www.medicaltraveltoday.com www.thehotelguide.com

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Signature Hyatt Regency Spa

Wellness

The Windflower

he Hill Country Spa is giving everyone a great excuse to stay focused and feel great through whatever the season has in store. After all, there’s nowhere better to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season than at Windflower, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa’s signature retreat that makes you feel a world away from the stress and busy-ness of every day life.

Get Away...

So let the fall wind blow you into Windflower, then stay soothed and relaxed in the face of winter’s chill. You’ll be refreshed and ready to welcome spring’s return! Windflower Spa’s Winter Wellness special is available now through March 31, 2016, and includes two options: four services for $360, making each service $90 each, or six services for $510, making each service $85 each. The services available include Windflower’s 50-minute Therapeutic Massage or Signature Facial. All Winter Wellness services must be redeemed by March 31, 2016.

Think that sounds too decadent for yourself? Then how about giving the gift of wellness by treating someone to a season of relaxation? The Winter Wellness special is available for gifting and makes the perfect early holiday gift. Imagine winding through native live oaks and flowering gardens bursting with color, the scent of the season lingering in the air as an antique star windmill spins along. That’s the scene that will greet you or your favorite someone as step into Windflower. With a front porch lined with rockers, the spa beckons you to make yourself at home and settle in for a tranquil retreat.

Award-Winning Spa There’s no doubt as to why Windflower has been named by Condé Nast Traveler readers as one of the top 100 resort spas in the United States. This is no runof the-mill cookie-cutter, institutional spa—Windflower’s comforting setting truly welcomes you home to unwind and rejuvenate both body and soul. Wrapped in the charm and allure of a 19th century Texas Hill Country

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homestead, Windflower is a refreshing way to slow down and step back in time as you enjoy a first-class spa experience unlike any other, secluded in a setting that provides a true getaway, whether you’re in search of a quick beauty boost for the holidays or an extended retreat from the hustle and bustle that fills your calendar.

Windflower – The Hill Country Spa is a peaceful sanctuary featuring the finest spa services for resort guests and locals who want to get away for 50 minutes—or more!—of relaxed wellness for mind and body.

Pampering All of Your Senses With Windflower’s unique setting engaging all of your senses, the spa’s treatments are designed to help those senses unwind to bring your mind and body to a truly relaxed state. From soothing music punctuated by an occasional overheard bird call, to the soft scents of the spa products that mirror the natural scents blooming outside Windflower’s doors, everything is relaxed and comforting. Spa guests can choose from a menu of services including relaxing, deep tissue, therapeutic and hot stone massages, body scrubs, facials, pedicures and manicures, as well as couples treatments. Windflower’s services also include prenatal massages and massages for young adults (ages 14 and up). Aromatherapy and other treatments utilize indigenous herbs, botanicals,

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Wellness

available for individuals or couples and in six month or full year increments, providing the perfect way to add relaxation and balance to your calendar.

A single annual membership is $1,750 and includes 12 50-minute services (one per month), as well as 24 spa guest day use and elements of the Texas Hill Country to leave you feelpasses (two per month), while the semi-annual membering naturally refreshed. ship is $900 and includes 6 50-minute services and 12 The spa also features seasonal specials, such as body spa guest day use passes equally allocated across a sixscrubs that match the season and often sound good month timeframe. enough to eat (Watermelon-Basil Vodka, Bourbon BubThe couples annual membership is $3,400 and bler, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Citrus Grass Soothing, Rasincludes 24 50-minute services (two per month) and 48 mopolitan, Honey Lavender, Butter Rum and more), and spa guest day passes (four per month), as well as a pass special treatments to give guests fun options to explore, to use the resort’s facilities for one day (up to six people such as “Wine Down Facials” that include an age-defymay enjoy the resort day pass). A semi-annual couples ing serum derived from Texas winery grapes is used to membership is $1,750 and includes 12 50-minute serhelp diminish wrinkles, decrease pore size, and seal in vices (2 per month) and 24 spa guest day use passes (2 moisture. per month) during a six-month period.

Make it a Holiday “Spa”-rty All spa memberships include unlimited jacuzzi, dry Another aspect of Windflower that makes it stand out sauna, steam room and spa pool access, unlimited use from other spas: its inviting common areas that can be of the resort’s 24-hour fitness center, as well as access to enjoyed on a private visit to the spa, or with a group, the spa’s locker room and daily usage of lockers. Memmaking Windflower a fantastic venue for a getaway with berships also feature monthly specials and promotions, friends, a birthday celebration, pre-wedding pampering including a 20 percent discount on Windflower services or some down time during the holidays. Spa guests may and products, a 20 percent discount at Hyatt Regency enjoy the use of the spa’s facilities before or after their Hill Country Resort and Spa food and beverage outlets, treatments, giving you the perfect spot to enjoy a day including Antlers, the resort’s award-winning restaurant away, even if you live in San Antonio. Want to create a that offers ranch-inspired cuisine with a focus on prime unique escape? The Windflower team works with each cuts and game. Members also receive special seasonal group to create a customized experience, giving you a rates at the resort’s Hill Country Golf Club and a 20 day like no other. Pull up a rocking chair and take in the percent discount on FlowRider® sessions at the resort’s gorgeous Texas countryside from the spa’s back porch, 5-acre water park. complete with fire pits, making it a wonderful respite For more information on Windflower memberships, year-round, perfect to be shared. contact the spa at 210-767-5577 or visit them online at Wellness Year-Round www.hillcountry.hyatt.com.

If keeping self-care is at the top of your busy to-do list, spa memberships can make relaxing and rejuvenating a regular part of your routine. Memberships are www.thehotelguide.com

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Be a part of the Texas Travel Industry Association.

Join today. www.ttia.org 28 www.thehotelguide.com

destinations

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CA

A Beautiful Experience

Yosemite Valley

osemite/Mariposa County, home to Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, is experiencing one of its wettest winters in more than four years, making this spring the ideal time to visit for waterfalls and wildflowers.

Stunning Attractions Come early in the season to see the ephemeral falls that are at their fullest this time of the year. Among these brief, but stunning attractions, are Horsetail Fall and Ribbon Fall. Yosemite’s most iconic waterfall, Yosemite Falls, whose multiple cascades can be seen from numerous places around the valley, leaves onlookers in awe of its power and force. Don’t miss Yosemite Falls “moonbow” or lunar rainbow, visible on a clear spring night with a full moon, guided photography tours are available. To see rainbows during the day, check out Vernal or Bridalveil Fall, when sunlight hits the mist below the falls and creates a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors.

Rafting is Back A return in rainfall also means a return in some of the area’s best attractions such as whitewater rafting.

Enjoy a guided whitewater half-day or full-day excursions down the sinuous Merced River to experience class IV whitewater rapids. Best time for whitewater rafting is typically April-June. Wildflowers are also making a big return this spring. The famous wildflowers of the Wild and Scenic Merced River are blazing color along the canyon in shades of poppy orange, amethyst lupine and magenta redbuds. Beginning in late April and early May, delicate white dogwood blooms begin budding all over Yosemite Valley. Spring is the best time for taking guided nature walks to explore the beautiful profusions

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of wildflowers and enjoy the return of dozens of species of songbirds.

After the sunsets, gather the family for a different story every night and cozy accommodations at Yosemite and within Mariposa County. Families can also explore Yosemite under the starry sky on the Night Prowl guided adventure, taking place April through November, with permitting weather conditions.

More Info With something for everyone, it’s easy to start making memories in Yosemite/Mariposa County. Bring the kids, visit with friends or plan a work or group retreat.

To book your spring adventure in Yosemite/Mariposa County, visit YosemiteExperience.com today.

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FL.

DISCOVER YOUR

URBAN. There’s always something NEW TO DISCOVER in Downtown Orlando. Be ENTERTAINED with a Broadway show at the new performing arts center. TASTE local flavor while dining outdoor at one of our award winning restaurants. EXPLORE local art at a nearby art gallery. INDULGE in retail therapy with boutique shopping. UNCOVER Orlando’s rooted history with a walking tour.

AND WITH EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO DISCOVER,

YOU’LL WANT TO KEEP COMING BACK. downtownorlando.com www.thehotelguide.com

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AZ

Luxury in Scottsdale

The Phoenician Resort

ince it first opened its doors in 1988, The Phoenician has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert. The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece, spanning 250 acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the remarkable diversity guests will find here, allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams. Accommodations range from luxurious guestrooms to residential-style casitas. Dining can be a casually elegant affair, as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzo; as informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside; or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars.

The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoenician’s golf, tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resort’s fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection; or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake Lagoon.

Spacious, Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spacious accommodations from guestrooms and luxury suites to casitas with private entrances. In the main resort building, there are 450 beautifully decorated guest rooms, plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive, 3,000 square-foot presidential suites.

The intimate Canyon Suites, nestled against Camelback Mountain, is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services, such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of freshbrewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set, a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carter and a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guest’s every desire. The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms, 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites, as well as its own secluded “edgeless” pool and cabanas.

A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon, the casitas include an additional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances.

Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining options that are as diverse as they are inspired. Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo, featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine; and J&G Steakhouse, showcasing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

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Jean-Georges Vongerichten. For a more casual experience, the charming Café and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere; and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites; while a complete lineup of signature burgers, appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro. For a more traditional experience, relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court.

Another popular gathering spot, the Thirsty Camel Lounge, serves luxury spirits, light fare and rare cigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambience. And for private dining, The Praying Monk offers an intimate, Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties.

World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician, world-class recreational options abound. The golf club offers 27 holes of championship play on three, nine-hole par 70 combinations designed by Homer Flint and Ted Robinson, Sr., while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playing surfaces.

Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments at the 22,000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being, or learn about the resort’s many treasures – both natural and cultural – with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenician’s $25 million art collection.

More info?

Visit them online at www.thephoenician.com.

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AZ

Capture the moment, as well as the imagination. With elegant accommodations, award-winning cuisine, a stunning golf course and a lavish spa, The Phoenician is where your highest expectations are met and always celebrated in style.

LIFE IS A COLLECTION OF EXPERIENCES LET US BE YOUR GUIDE thephoenician.com/offers 800 888 8234

RELISH BURGER BISTRO

IL TERRAZZO J&G STEAKHOUSE

THE CENTRE FOR WELL-BEING

Š2014 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Luxury Collection and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

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Springtime Blooms Abound

CA

San Francisco

all it a gift from El Nino or just Mother Nature doing her annual thing, but springtime is returning to San Francisco in a big way. Here are some fragrant favorites:

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March 20-April 3, 2016 Macy’s Flower Show Macy’s Union Square welcomes spring with its milestone 70th Macy’s Flower Show®, a gift to the city of San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area, March 20-April 3, 2016. “America the Beautiful,” this year’s floral extravaganza, will take visitors on a road trip through America’s vast and varied landscapes, from the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard to the bright hues of the Southeast’s tropical blooms, and from the cactus-filled deserts of the Southwest to the stunning Pacific Northwest coastline.

Macy’s Union Square’s Flower Show will also showcase two weeks of in-store special events with music, fashion, cooking and DIY demonstrations that will delight floral fans while celebrating the rejuvenating power of Spring. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, live music, children’s activities, and festive shopping parties, featuring the vibrant colors of the incredible exhibits. Also on display are exclusive exhibits including the Bouquet of the Day series, which features locally renowned floral designers, and a special art gallery celebrating iconic Americans by students from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM).

April 5–10, 2016 Bouquets to Art

de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. Peonies and Picasso, hydrangeas and Hockney. Art and nature come together to spectacular effect during the annual “Bouquets to Art.” See arrangements by some of the most innovative floral designers in the Bay Area and beyond, inspired by works from the permanent collection and the architecture of the de Young in this annual fundraiser, now in its 32nd year.

April 9-10 and April 1617, 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Japantown, San Francisco San Francisco’s colorful Japantown will burst into full bloom when members of Northern California’s Japanese American community gather to celebrate their 49th annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Each year, more than 200,000 people attend this dazzling tribute to the color and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American community. Leave time to explore the oldest Japantown in the United States, roam the food bazaar, and enjoy traditional arts and crafts and the children’s village. Entertainment stages feature Japanese dancers, martial artists and taiko drummers.

PERENNIAL FAVORITES No matter what the season, Golden Gate Park is a playground for garden devotees from the profusion of tulips in the Queen Wilhelmina Gardens to the serene tranquility of the Japanese Tea Garden. Also of note are the National AIDS Memorial Grove, the Garden of the Humanitarians, San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers. At the California Academy of Sciences, visitors can explore a living roof planted

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with 1.7 million native plants. Four perennial and five wildflower species were chosen for their ability to thrive in Golden Gate Park.

Conservatory of Flowers 100 John F. Kennedy Dr., Golden Gate Park The oldest structure in Golden Gate Park and the oldest wooden framed conservatory in the nation is a spectacular museum of living plants. Immersive displays in five galleries engage visitors physically, intellectually and emotionally. Known for its extensive collection of orchids, the Conservatory is one of only four institutions in the U.S. to house a highlands tropics display featuring a large and diverse group of high-altitude beauties.

San Francisco Botanical Garden Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way, Golden Gate Park After four dry years, some very wild flowers are getting ready to put on a particularly vibrant show this spring and summer at San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG). A spectacular variety of protea will bristle with huge, fiery flowers in the South African Garden. The magic dogwood is set to dazzle with its spiraling, white flowers that perch on its limbs like exotic lanterns. The monkey’s hand tree will explode with what seems like hundreds of small, open hands extending from its crimson flowers. The season will also bring vivid profusions of flowers in the Garden of California Native Plants, the Mediterranean Garden, and the Zellerbach Garden of Perennials. The garden is a unique home to a huge variety of remarkable and rare plants, including many no longer found in their native habitats. Fantastical flora from the farthest reaches of the globe can be found in 55 acres of geographically specific gardens from South Africa to Chile. Many of the more than 8,000 kinds of plants in the Garden’s collections are native to Mediterranean habitats worldwide, flowering brilliantly after a wet winter soaks ground parched during the rainless summer. Starting in April and extending through August, the largest portion of the Garden’s collections comes into bloom, drawing a huge host of pollinators to its bounty of remarkable and rare plants. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees will put on a spectacular show, lured by the abundance of flowers and the food they offer.

San Francisco Flower Market Sixth Street between Brannan and Bryant Streets The San Francisco Flower Market is one of only five grower-owned wholesale flower markets in the U.S. While largely the purview of florists and professional landscapers, the market is open to the public Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; wholesalers have access starting at 2 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and they “sleep in” on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday when the market opens to the trade at 5 a.m.

Recent reconnaissance of the market has yielded branches of forsythia, tulips just at the peak of perfection and www.thehotelguide.com

lilacs cascading from tin buckets.

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Grace Marchant Garden Telegraph Hill, off Filbert Street Tumbling, tumbling down the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, the Grace Marchant Garden is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Marchant, who embarked on her labor of love when she was 63 years old, groomed this hillside retreat for 33 years. Offering views of the bay, the two-acre plot is cared for by a cadre of neighbors and volunteers. The climb is sweetened by fragrant wisteria vines, hydrangeas, roses, masses of foliage and a bench to catch one’s breath along the way. Settle in with a good book. Perhaps David Bittner’s “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill,” which documents his “love story … with wings,” or David Goodis’ thriller, “Dark Passage” which featured Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart taking refuge in a nearby home in the movie version of the book.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Beginning where the Pacific Ocean meets San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area has grown to more than 75,000 acres since it was established in 1972. For 60 minutes or a half-day excursion, it offers access to everything from a stroll through a restored coastal habitat or a wildflower walk at Fort Funston in the spring.

Alcatraz Historic Gardens Project In 2003 the Garden Conservancy and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy formed a partnership with the National Park Service to restore and maintain key gardens on Alcatraz. Through the Alcatraz Historic Gardens Project, the partner organizations preserve, rebuild, and maintain the gardens created by those who lived on the island during its military and prison eras, and interpret their history, horticulture, and cultural significance for visitors. For more than a century, gardens were an important part of everyday life for officers, families and prisoners on Alcatraz. Many of the plants selected by these unheralded gardeners proved to be excellent choices for the harsh and barren environment, flourishing through the four decades of neglect that followed the prison’s closing. Visitors can now experience an island that is alive with colorful plants gathered decades ago from around the world, and complemented by newly introduced plants. Docent-led tours of the island gardens are offered twice a week on Friday and Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. starting at the Alcatraz dock. Alcatraz Cruises serves the island; because tickets sell out quickly, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

More San Francisco Information For information on reservations, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel, read the Visitors Planning Guide or call 415-391-2000.

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SC

Food, Film, Art, Music

Indie Grits Festival

elebrating its 10th anniversary, the Indie Grits Festival is a 4-day food, film, art, culture and music festival extravaganza that will be taking place April 14-17. What first started as a DIY festival for a tight-knit community at the state’s only art house, non-profit theater, Indie Grits has grown into a staple of the city’s cultural life. The festival provides novice to advanced media makers with a venue for sharing their interests and films, while also giving thousands of visitors and locals access to the cultural life unmatched in the Southeast.

Cool Vibes Indie Grits has been named twice by Movie Maker magazine as one of the world’s 25 coolest film festivals. This year’s theme is WATERLINES as a tribute to the city’s healing and growth following last year’s historic flooding.

Several artists will be showcasing exhibits that tell the story of how the community is rebuilding, and the theme will be featured in several films throughout the festival, as well. For the first time, this year’s 2016 Indie Grits Festival is free for attendees!

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Some of the festival highlights and must-attend-events include: Eighth blackbird: eighth blackbird will kick-off the 2016 Indie Grits Festival with their HAND EYE project. A sextet of progressive and singular musicians known for their multiple Grammy-award-winning music and collaborations, eighth blackbird will be coupled with site-specific live performance visuals–featuring new work from past Indie Grits filmmakers and the 2016 festival theme, WATERLINES. Weekly Revue: Hosted by the actor, comedian, and master of ceremonies, Toby David, the Weekly Revue oozing in juicy fun is returning for a third straight year to dazzle, educate, and entertain. This hodgepodge, variety show designed by David “to edify and romance the people” hails from New Orleans. David presents the

Revue as a sort of curated open-mic with a wide range of performances, which will take place on Friday, April 15 at 8 pm.

River Concert: Big Freedia, the New Orleans Queen of Bounce, will be headlining this memorable night! This event will feature other bands yet to be announced, and performers from all across the Southeast, as well as art installations, food and drinks, and festival screenings!

This all-day music event will be held on the banks of the Congaree River on Saturday, April 16.

Back Alley BBQ: This family-friendly afternoon event will take place on Sunday, April 17 with Southern food and music. Great BBQ will be available, since it’s an essential menu item for South Carolinians and the culinary highlight of this event.

Kindie Grits: Kids can experience a free animation workshop fit for all ages. Children will have a chance to learn about filmmaking, draw on film and then see their creation on the big screen.

More Info: www.indiegrits.com/

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Top-Rated Destination

Cancun, Mexico

he Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce an array of new attractions, excursions and offerings that will propel Cancun into an exciting 2016.

Tour operators and hoteliers expect the destination to top 2015’s record-breaking year of 5 million visitors by around four percent.

In honor of the 25th anniversary celebration of the popular Xcaret Park, the opening of the new Xenses Park has been announced.

With an investment of over $20 million USD, Xenses is slated to open to the public on June 1, 2016, and is expected to receive about 1,500 to 3,000 visitors per day. The new park will create sensorial, olfactory, auditory and tactile experiences for its visitors through the combination of various natural elements and visual effects.

New Properties In January 2016 the destination welcomed the inauguration of Hyatt Ziva Cancun, the second Hyatt all-inclusive resort property in Cancun. Some of the all-inclusive perks guests can enjoy during their stay at the newly unveiled property include an on-site microbrewery, a tequila bar, and a sweets shop featuring pastries and chocolate fountains.

The official opening of Cancun’s new wax museum took place last month on January 20, 2016. Located at La Isla Shopping Village in the Cancun Hotel Zone, the city’s first ever wax museum has 23 rooms displaying more than 100 characters from movies to sports and music figures.

Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun recently launched its exclusive new “e-concierge” mobile app, which is now available for download in the App Store and Google Play for both iOS and Android devices.

The resort’s innovative digital concierge platform aims to elevate guest experience to the next level by offering visitors the ease of vacation planning with just the click of a button after making their reservation and during their stay.

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Sweet Jazz To continue solidifying its place as one of the Mexican Caribbean’s best live entertainment resort, Oasis Hotels & Resorts is hosting its annual Oasis Jazz U Festival once again this May. The event will feature an exceptional line-up of artists in May, including: Los Músicós de Jose, Tower of Power, and Grammy Awardwinning recording artist Chaka Khan.

“We are proud to see the growth of the destination’s dynamic tourism offering as it adds hotels, restaurants and attractions to its expanding repertoire. Cancun’s constant evolution will help it continue to solidify its international presence as one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world.” said Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun CVB. The newest additions to Cancun will enhance the destination’s already robust tourism offerings and provide visitors with an additional incentive to choose Cancun as their top vacation destination.

Visit the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau website at: www.cancun.travel.

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Experiences

experiences

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Perfect Weekend Getaway

New Orleans

Experiences

by: KJ Feder

t the end of February, I spent a long weekend in New Orleans with my travel buddies. We stayed at the Astor Crown Plaza Hotel, positioned at the gateway to Bourbon Street, it is a luxurious oasis for travelers.

It offers the convenience of easy access to French Quarter night life along with a luxurious, upscale sanctuary to sleep away the morning.

Grand chandeliers, lavish crown molding and polished floors enhance the French style lobby and provide a stunning welcome. Beautifully decorated guest rooms and the most comfy hotel bed I’ve ever slept in made it easy to relax and rejuvenate after exploring the plethora of delicious restaurants and lively bars lining Bourbon Street.

Life’s a Parade While in town, I enjoyed a tour of Mardi Gras World and learned about the history of New Orleans Parades and parade krewes (who help put on the lavish parades that are the signature events of Mardi Gras).

I even got to try on a few parade costumes and make my own mask.

The foodie in me had a blast on the walking food tour where we all enjoyed

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a sample of authentic local cooking at each stop and learned about the various influences that helped create Cajun cuisine.

People Rocked From the hotel to the tours, my recent trip to New Orleans was quite the experience however, my favorite part of visiting New Orleans was its people.

Whether locals, transplants or tourist, everyone seems happy to walk the streets of the city and strike up a conversation with a stranger, hung a new best friend or laugh at a shared joke…and maybe even throw some beads!

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Experiences

an adventure travel blog

Searching the world for legend, myth and lore

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