Thursday, March 25, 2010

Girls Getaway to Arkansas

You heard me talk about Hot Springs, Arkansas a top travel trend for 2010. Now follow my travels as I visit this southern state whose eastern border is the Mississippi River. With gorgeous mountains as our backdrop, we will be mining for diamonds, cheering on Thoroughbred horse racing, visiting a Gangster Museum, indulging in state-of-the-art spa facilities and, of course, soaking in the hot springs, which stay a nice 143 degrees year round.
Follow me on Twitter (@GetawayGirl) or on Facebook: Girls Getaway Guide. "See" you in Arkansas!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Travelers' Claims for Damaged, Lost Luggage Down 50 Percent

Complaints that airport screeners lost, stole or damaged items in passengers' bags have plunged more than 50% as the government imposed tighter safeguards on luggage, federal records show.

Passengers who discovered missing or damaged belongings demanded money from the Transportation Security Administration 11,700 times in 2009, a steep drop from the 26,500 claims filed in 2004, according to TSA figures. The claims involved both carry-on and checked bags.

The agency has deterred baggage theft and damage by adding surveillance cameras to rooms where luggage is screened. The TSA and airports also have installed "hands-free" conveyor belts that whisk suitcases past screeners into bomb scanners.

Source: Thomas Frank, USA Today

Friday, March 19, 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

U.S. Has No Plans to End Requirement Travelers Remove Shoes at Airport Security

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Tuesday that technology currently available doesn't allow screeners to adequately examine what is in someone's shoes while the person is wearing them.

While that could change one day, for now the Transportation Security Administration doesn't have plans to end the shoe-removal requirement, which was implemented after Richard Reid tried but failed to ignite a shoe bomb on a U.S.-bound trans-Atlantic jetliner in 2001. Napolitano spoke in a live online video chat with travelers about the Obama administration's aviation security efforts.

Source: Harry R. Weber, Associated Press

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Girls Getaway to Cancun - Day 4

While some of us had “too much fun” the night before, the adventure seekers woke up the next morning to an exciting day! We arrived at Selvatica (http://www.selvatica.com.mx/), an award winning attraction in Cancun, and quickly got geared up for our 12-station zip line experience (and getting dressed was half the fun; well, maybe 15%). With helmets, cables, and straps all in place (and in places you didn’t know existed), it was time to climb up and zip through Mexico’s lush, tropical canopy. It was such a great feeling to effortlessly glide over the treetops. I must have looked like an expert zipper because at my third station, the guys decided to turn me upside down and send me over. I won’t lie; I was a little scared and not quite ready to be upside down traveling at high speeds without any knowledge of how I would stop once I reached the other side. Here’s the video: http://tinyurl.com/ybcstjp. My apologies to Cheech, once again, for kicking him in the video.

After the zipline fun, we climbed into Selvatica’s army trucks for a quick ride to the Cenote, which is a freshwater sinkhole where we enjoyed more zip lining fun. This time, however, we let go mid-zip and plunged into the water. We had so much fun and were disappointed to leave, but we were starving and a delicious lunch was waiting for us back at Selvatica’s headquarters.

Selvatica also offers horseback riding, night zip lining, Segway tours, corona buggy adventures and more, so be sure to stop by next time you are in Mexico. There’s a reason they are ranked the #1 attraction in Mexico.

Our next stop was El Cid Marina for a sunset sail and snorkel. We boarded the boat and left the harbor excited to see the sun covering the top of our boat, which made for the perfect sunning deck. Some of us snorkeled the reef and some stayed on the boat enjoying Bloody Marys. But the party started when crew member Mario unveiled a shot glass and tequila. No one could say no to him, and we felt like we were in college on Spring Break! Guess he knew we needed to “Leave Your Baggage at Home®.”

I finished the trip with a lovely group meal at Le Meridien, where we reminisced about our short time together and exchanged contact information in order to stay in touch. Thank you Le Meridien, Cancun CVB and Cessie Cerrato for a fantastic trip to Cancun! Adios.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Girls Getaway to Cancun - Day 3

Monday morning’s agenda included snorkeling in the Underwater Museum with Aquaworld (http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/). The museum will eventually consist of more than 400 permanent life-size sculptures, becoming one of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial attractions in the world. After the swim, a few of us hammed it up with the crew who furnished the sombreros and oversize bottle of beer.

We arrived back at La Amada for the oceanside fashion show, Cancun & The Treasures of the Caribbean. The setting was beautiful and we quickly took our seats in the front row facing the ocean. With champagne in hand, we watched the fashions as they made their way down the catwalk. Designers included: Pineda – Covalin, Erika Flores, Daniel Espinosa, David Salomon and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. After the fashion show and outdoor reception, we join the designers and Mexican dignitaries for dinner at La Amada, which included gastronomical tastings by some of the area’s top chefs.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Girls Getaway to Cancun - Day 2

Our buffet breakfast the next morning at Le Meridien was a meet and greet. With about 15 people on our trip from all over the U.S. and Canada, we were doing good just to remember everyone’s names, much less where they were from. We got on the bus and made our way to the beautiful La Amada Hotel (http://www.laamadahotel.com/) to see Spanish fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s (http://www.agatharuizdelaprada.com/) photo shoots. Since several of our group members are fashion editors for major publications, they interviewed Agatha about her fashions, inspirations and why she chose Cancun for this line’s fashion show and photo shoot.

We also got to speak with and see fashions from Mexican-based designers, such as Erika Flores and David Salomon. After a late lunch at La Amada, we bused back to Le Meridien for some more beach time. Although we had just met, the group bonded pretty quickly as new acquaintances quickly became friends.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Girls Getaway to Cancun

Cancun, the gateway to Mexico and the Mayan world, offers luxurious hotel infrastructure with more than 28,000 rooms, and is Mexico’s most beautiful and stylish destination. Opportunities for new experiences are everywhere, as the setting brings you into contact with both nature and Mayan culture like nowhere else. Cancun…here I come!

After checking in to the Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa (http://tinyurl.com/g6jhj), I made the most of the late afternoon with lunch and cocktails on the beach, then unpacked and got fully rested for tomorrow’s adventures. After all, I had been awake since 3:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Love to Win Free Stuff???

Love to win free stuff? Looking for prizes to help you getaway and travel the world? Be sure to visit the updated “Win Free Stuff” section of the Girls Getaway Guide website at http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/ where you will find more than $2,000 in fun and travel-related prizes. Every few months we will post new and exciting prizes for Girls Getaway Guide fans, so be sure to check back regularly.

Current prizes include:
Café Tu Tu Tango ($50 value)
Travel Perfume Gift Set ($54 value)
Astrology/Psychic Consultation ($150 value)
Dove® Visibly Smooth Travel Package ($200 value)
Red Mountain Resort & Spa’s Signature Package Stay for Two ($1,556 value)

Register today at http://www.girlsgetawayguide.net/ in the “Win Free Stuff” section.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Join us for the Sex and the City Party on May 28

Join us on May 28 for the second Sex and the City Movie Premiere Party in Orlando!

If you joined us at the first movie premiere, you know how much fun we had with a special VIP Reception from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Neiman Marcus, complete with martinis, makeovers and Manolo Blahniks! Not to mention our very own movie theater with cocktails! Put this on your calendar as more details about this exciting night will be coming soon!


If you want to be on the pre-invite list, please send an email to Info@GirlsGetawayGuide.net with “Sex and the City” in the subject line.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Casey Wohl Featured in In the Field Magazine

I am so honored to be featured in this month's issue of In the Field Magazine.

Many thanks to Sharla Elliott for writing a very nice article.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Spring Break Getaway Ideas - Daytime TV

Can't decide where to go for Spring Break this year? Watch my recent Daytime TV interview for a few ideas!

Click on http://bit.ly/dk3nsM to watch.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Body Scanners Are Headed to 11 Major Airports

Eleven major airports will begin using body scanners to screen passengers as the Transportation Security Administration launches a plan to buy 1,000 of the machines over the next two years. The scanners can look under passengers' clothing in order to detect weapons and explosives.

Boston Logan International Airport received one new scanner this week and will get two more next week. All will go into the same terminal. Among the other airports getting the scanners are Los Angeles International, Chicago O'Hare and Charlotte Douglas International.

Source: Thomas Frank, USA Today

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Women Making Holiday Travel Decisions

According to new research from Hotels.com, a leading hotels accommodation website, women undoubtedly 'wear the trousers' when it comes to making holiday decisions.

One in four wives and girlfriends take sole responsibility for choosing the finer details of a holiday, according to the findings.

But whilst the ladies are busying themselves with organizing the getaway, the men are steeling themselves to foot the bill. Of the 360 UK couples polled, 25% admitted that the holidays are paid for by their partner.

Source: Travel Daily News