Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco Provides Fabulous Girls Night Out

Heather and I had a wonderful time (and a great Girls Night Out) at Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco premiere in Florida. Everything from the set, costumes, music, dancing, comedy and acrobatics is AMAZING!

The world permiere of Saltimbanco was held in Montreal in 1992 and featured a cast of 36 performers. During its 14-year tour, the show has visited 75 cities on five continents for a total of more than 4,000 performances before a combined audience of 10 million people.

The name "Saltimbanco" comes from the Italian "saltare in banco," which literally means "to jump on a bench." The show takes its audience on an allegorical and acrobatic journey into the heart of a city. Acts include: Chinese poles, bicycle, juggler, Russian swing, duo trapeze, hand to hand and bungee, along with clown and parody acts.

Ticket prices range from $40-$110 for adults and $32-$88 for children under 12. For dates and locations for Saltimbanco, visit http://www.cirquedusoliel.com/.

The Getaway Girl's Dress on Display for "Red Dress Exhibit"

Thanks to the participation of millions across the country, the color red — and the red dress — represent the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live healthier lives, free from cardiovascular disease and stroke. You can Go Red in your own fashion and know you are making a difference. With the help of passionate women in our community, the American Heart Association will launch the Red Dress Exhibit highlighting various red fashions throughout Orlando to inspire residents to Go Red in their own fashion.

This May, the Red Dress Exhibit will be on display at the Orlando History Museum, Downtown Orange County Library and the Orange County Administration featuring garments donated by Casey Wohl, Girls Getaway Guide Author & The Getaway Girl; Amy Kaufelt, Fox 35 Anchor; Allison Kreiger, former Miss Florida; Linda Stewart, Orange County Commissioner; and many others.

Log onto americanheart.org to find out where the exhibit will be next or contact your American Heart Association.

Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco Comes to Florida

Looking for a fabulous Girls Night Out (GNO)? Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that the Saltimbanco arena tour will perform in seven cities across Florida from April to July 2009. The high-intensity acrobatic spectacle will perform in local arenas in an intimate theatrical setting. For Saltimbanco tickets and information, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco.

Saltimbanco is a signature Cirque du Soleil show with a style that borrows from theatre, dance and music and where spectacular costumes, lighting and make-up take pride of place. The international cast of 50 artists hails from 20 countries. Saltimbanco is a show full of color, amusement and amazement.Since its world premiere in 1992, Saltimbanco has toured the world and thrilled more than 10 million people on five continents.

For 14 years, the show performed in the trademark Cirque du Soleil big top. In 2007, Saltimbanco embarked on a new arena tour across Canada and the United States. This model allows Cirque du Soleil to bring its shows to new cities, giving more people than ever the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.

Saltimbanco Florida Tour 2009
April 29 – May 3: Lakeland Lakeland Center
May 6 – 10: Gainesville Stephen C. O’Connell Center
May 13 – 17: Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center (FSU)
May 20 – 24: Jacksonville Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
May 27 – June 7: Sunrise Bank Atlantic Center
June 25 – July 5: Tampa St. Petes Times Forum
July 8 – 12: Estero Germain Arena

Girls Getaway to Miami - Day 2

On Saturday, Liz and I ventured to Full Bodied Wine & Spa (http://www.fbwineandspa.com/) for some terrific spa treatments. Teresa gave me one of the best massages I have ever received (thank you) and Liz got her hair cut while she sipped some light and crispy wine. Co-founder Emile told us the concept behind Full Bodied is “all about the grape.” They even use grape-based treatment products. What a great place to come with the girls and indulge in two of our favorites…wine and spa!

With its upbeat atmosphere, we loved our dinner experience at Historia Romana (where Italians go for Italian). Just one of the restaurants located along Espanola Way, I felt like I was in Spain with the al fresco seating and white lights hanging across the car-less street. Historia Romana features a live band (I just had to join them and play the cowbell), singing waiters, people dancing in the street, and a “Roman-esque” host for your evening fun. After dinner, we walked off our pasta with some boutique shopping along Espanola Way as the stores are all open until at least 11:00 p.m. After our fill of shopping, we ended the evening with one last cocktail at Segafredo on Lincoln Road (http://www.segafredocafe.com/) where people watching and random magicians are more than entertaining.

Sunday Funday was all about the sun. Although it was much too windy for the beach, we enjoyed the Miami sun poolside. What a relaxing way to end a fabulous Girls Getaway to Miami!

PHOTO: Liz gets her hair cut and styled at Full Bodied Wine and Spa in Coconut Grove.

Girls Getaway to Miami - Day 1

My trip to Miami started with a fabulous lunch with Rebecca Kollaras at the brand new Epic Hotel (http://www.epichotel.com/). The restaurant here, Area 31, is located on the 16th floor and offers a delicious assortment of lunch options, including their specialty…seafood. After lunch and a quick look at their pool area (with great Miami views and cozy private cabanas), I headed to my next stop, the new Mary Brickell Village (http://www.marybrickellvillage.com/). This new outdoor shopping area features a great variety of boutiques and restaurants. Next, I headed to the
Mayfair Hotel and Spa (http://www.mayfairhotelandspa.com/), which is located in Coconut Grove. After a tour of the hotel, including the Jurlique Spa and Cabana One (pool area that serves as nightclub), we made our way across the street to CoCoWalk at Coconut Grove (http://www.galleryatcocowalk.com/). Girls could easily spend the day here checking out the great shopping, cozy cafes and wonderful restaurant options.

After walking around CoCoWalk, I met up with my friend Liz and we ventured to the Spa 101 grand opening at Hilton Bentley (http://www.thebentleybeachhotel.com/). After our hand massage and exfoliation we joined a group of friends for dinner at China Grill (http://www.chinagrillmgt.com/). As we sat down the girls ordered two bottles of champagne to celebrate the evening. After Liz and I split the Riceless Tuna Roll and Dragon Roll…both were amazing! We caught a cab to The Mondrian (http://www.mondrian-miami.com/) for a few drinks at their Sunset Lounge, then it was off to Mynt (http://www.myntlounge.com/) for a late night (or early morning) of dancing the night away.

PHOTO: Sami, Betsy, Casey & Liz at Mynt in South Beach.

Girls Getaway to Miami - Here We Come!

Welcome to Miami! From sunning in South Beach to shopping in Coconut Grove, the Miami area has so much to offer fun-loving girls who want to get away from it all!
Follow me and my adventure to this exciting hot spot as I meet up with Liz for one great Girls Getaway to Miami weekend. Be sure to follow our travels on this blog, Facebook (Girls Getaway Guide) and on Twitter (GetawayGirl). Stay tuned!

Fabulous Mother's Day Girls Getaway Packages

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! How can you show mom just how much you care? Send her (or join her) on an amazing Girls Getaway, of course. Here are some great Girls Getaway packages designed especially for your favorite mom.

Mommy Moon in Charleston, SC
If Mom is having a few too many "Calgon, take me away" moments, then a rejuvenating escape may be in order this Mother’s Day. Wentworth Mansion®, the AAA Five Diamond hotel in Charleston, SC, is offering a "Mommy Moon” getaway throughout the month of May to help frazzled moms relax and come back to their families refreshed and renewed. The Mommy Moon treats moms, and a guest, to a kid-free getaway to historic Charleston, which offers sun, history, beaches, shopping, world-renowned restaurants and more. Their stay at the luxurious Wentworth Mansion® includes two nights, a three-course dinner for two at award-winning onsite restaurant Circa 1886, and a 90-minute Lemongrass and Ginger massage for Mom at the The Spa at the Wentworth Mansion® for $1,175 (about $294/person/night) with additional nights available for $425 per night. The dinner at AAA Four Diamond, Mobil Four Star Circa 1886 includes tax and gratuity but not alcohol. For more information, visit http://www.wentworthmansion.com/.

Tulips & Tea in Ottawa, Canada
Nothing says Happy Mother’s Day better than a fresh bouquet of flowers. This year, why not take your mom to the flowers, as the annual Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the thousands of tulips that pop-up around Canada’s capital in the spring. In honor of the ever-so-sweet smelling blossoms, the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa is offering a Tulips & Tea Package, which includes nightly accommodation and traditional Afternoon Tea at the hotel’s stylish Zoé’s Lounge. Available from May 1 to May 18, 2009, rates start from $199 (USD) per night including food and beverage gratuities. For more information, visit www.Fairmont.com/Laurier.

Sunset & Spa Mother Daughter Getaway in Key West, FL
Wondering how to thank Mom for all her years of devotion and dedication? We've got just the ticket so get down to the Pier House Resort. Sip Mimosas while enjoying three nights in a newly- renovated tropical Lanai guest room. Pamper yourselves with our relaxing 50-minute Swedish Massage, Island Botanical Facial, or Pier House Pedicure. Sunset Sail included.
Offer good from April 19, 2009 - May 16, 2009. Rates start at $240/person/per night, includes taxes and gratuity. For more information, visit http://www.pierhouse.com/.

Hula Girl Getaway in Hawaii

For the more adventurous, mother and daughters are invited to “skirt away” to Hawaii’s Big Island for a Hula Girl Getaway. The Fairmont Orchid’s new female friendly package includes two guestrooms for the price of one, full daily breakfast for four, “Fun in the Sun Activity” passes granting access to surf lessons with the resort’s “Beach Boys” (cultural ambassadors), kayaking, snorkeling and much more, plus a daily hula lesson, daily yoga, daily oceanfront massages, Hula Hands manicure, and a daily Hula Girl amenity for all. Rates start from $979 USD per night, including taxes, for two rooms. Valid through December 20, 2009. For more information, visit www.Fairmont.com/Orchid.

Water Lovers Mother’s Day Getaway in Ambergis Caye, Belize
Tranquility Bay’s Mother’s Day Girlfriend Getaway package is full of surprises both on and under the water. Enjoy guided snorkeling, kayaking, diving and fishing starting at $745 per person for seven nights, based on double occupancy, through 12/14/09. Mothers and daughters can get a two bedroom cabana for $815 per person for the week. The package includes boat transfers to the resort, a welcome cocktail, three full days of guided reef or flats fishing, three days of local diving with two-tank dives (some equipment provided), and a river jungle trip to Altun Ha Mayan ruins. Guests can trade the tour for a personalized Spa Day. This boutique property is perfect for active travelers. Located on Ambergris Caye, it features 11 beach-front cabanas on 12 acres within Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. Experience unique underwater adventures as the resort is just a swim away from the Belize Barrier Reef, the world’s second largest reef. For more information, visit http://www.tranquilitybayresort.com/.