Just Back From...Argentina and Paraguay!

LDPR’s Meredith Phares just returned from a vacation to Argentina and Paraguay and fell in love with South America in the process!




While Argentina consistently graces the pages of glossy travel magazines, its next door neighbor Paraguay is mostly unknown to Americans, apart from Peace Corps volunteers and the occasional backpacker. On a recent trip to South America, I had the opportunity to explore both of these gems of the southern hemisphere, primarily focusing my time in the capital cities of Buenos Aires and Asuncion. With a mix of Spanish-influenced architecture, regal colonial buildings, incredible steaks, vibrant nightlife and friendly people, my 10-day vacation flew by. And I can sum up the dessert highlights for a sweet tooth like me in just three wonderful words: dulce de leche.

Welcome Michaelann!

LDPR is excited to announce our newest staffer, Michaelann Millrood, who joins us as an Account Executive. Michaelann comes from the PR publishing world and has worked on many exciting partnerships with renowned authors and photographers. She is well ingrained in the social media space and most importantly, she has a wonderful sense of adventure, style and love of travel!

THE VILLA GROUP BRINGS LUXURY TO LORETO WITH THE GRAND OPENING OF VILLA DEL PALMAR AT THE ISLANDS OF LORETO, MEXICO

Pristine beaches and ecotourism adventures await travelers at the new Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa at the Islands of Loreto. Located in Baja California South, Mexico, the resort offers 181 spacious suites (studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom villas as well as an Ambassador Suite, Royal Suite and Presidential four-bedroom Suites) with views of the sparkling Sea of Cortez. Future developments include tennis courts and a 35,000 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, which will open this summer.

The resort faces Danzante Island and is surrounded by the majestic Sierra de la Giganta Mountains. With the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, a unique turtle-shaped pool and the largest Jacuzzi in the entire Baja California South, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa at the Islands of Loreto offers a variety of water activities including snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. The resort also offers ecological activities such as mountain hiking, climbing, camping and much more in the Bay of Loreto, home to close to 900 species of reef-dwelling and migratory fish. Villa del Palmar is the only five-star resort in the area and the first property in the Villa Group Resort’s planned 1,800-acre development in Loreto, “Danzante Bay,” which will include seven resort hotels, 240 home sites, additional restaurants and a Rees Jones golf course.

Guests can receive the third and fifth nights free with special summer rates starting at $208 per night, based on double occupancy. They can also book an “Ultra-Inclusive” getaway including meals, beverages, golf and many outdoor activities starting at $350 per night, based on double occupancy – reflecting a 30 percent discount. These rates are valid for bookings from now through October 31, 2011. For reservations or more information about Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa at the Islands of Loreto, call (888) 844-8169 or visit http://www.villadelpalmarloreto.com.

A NEW BREED OF CULTURE ALIVE IN NYC!

Montréal’s “new breed of culture” Street Crew will be out & about in NYC over the next few days. Be on the lookout for me, Squirrog, and my friends as we cause a colorful commotion and cause a travel stir! Three all-expense paid trips to Montréal are to be won so stop by and say hello...do a dance, tell a joke, snap a photo, laugh, giggle, share a smile and find out why the place where 106 eclectic festivals coexist is THE place to be this summer!

à la Montréal,
Squirrog

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Blog/

http://www.facebook.com/Montreal

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MONTREAL'S NEW BREED OF CULTURE STREET CREW - SCHEDULE / LOCATIONS...

Friday, May 20th
103 am – 6:00 pm Times Square
· 45th and Broadway (Marriott Marquis)
· 7th Avenue between 41st and 42nd (Pedestrian Rest Area)

Saturday, May 21st
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Union Square
· 14th Street between University and Broadway (Whole Foods)
6:30 am – 11:30 am Prospect Park, Brooklyn
· Prospect Park between Park Circle & Greenwood Ave. (adjacent to NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon Route)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Riverside Park
· Riverside Drive between 73rd and 74th

Monday, May 23rd
7:00 am – 11:00 am AND 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Grand Central Station
· 42nd Street between Vanderbilt Ave. and Lexington Ave.
10:30 am – 3:00 pm Upper West Side
· Columbus Avenue between 77th and 78th (Shake Shack)

Wednesday, May 25th
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Madison Square Park
· East 23rd Street between Broadway and Park Avenue
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Bryant Park
· 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue

Thursday, May 26th
7:30 am – 3:30 pm Union Square
· 14th Street between University and Broadway
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm The Meatpacking District
· 14th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue

WHAT'S YOUR Q?

MONTREAL SEARCH FOR NEXT “QUEER OF THE YEAR”

OFFERS CASH TO GO WITH THAT CROWN!

In celebration of the diversity, individuality and pride within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, Montreal is launching its second annual global campaign in search of the “Queer of the Year!” Participants from around the world can enter to boast this illustrious title and compete to win over $10,000 in cash and prizes!

Visit http://www.facebook.com/QOTYcontest and show the world that you have what it takes! Participants are required to submit applications explaining why they should be the rightful owner of the crown. People will be judged on the following five criteria: personality, community involvement, sex appeal, healthy lifestyle and yes, even talent! Finalists will be chosen by Tourism Montreal representatives to be interviewed and answer open-ended-questions (move over Miss TransAmerica!).

For more information, prize info, rules or the latest Montreal LGBT news…

· Visit Tourism Montreal “Queer of the Year” Facebook page and become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/QOTYcontest

· Visit Tourism Montreal’s website: www.tourism-montreal.org/gay

· Visit Tourism Montreal’s Gay Life blog:

www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/gay-life/

· Follow Tourism Montreal on Twitter: www.twitter.com/QOTYcontest

#qotycontest

HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE RECEIVES "RESIDENT MOM" AWARD

"Resident Mom" Holly Robinson Peete with Senior Director, Residence Inn by Marriott, Christina Taylor and General Manager, Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square, Mark Irgang

Residence Inn by Marriott honored actress, author and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete with the first annual “Resident Mom” award for her contributions as a wife, mother and working woman, specifically citing her devotion to her family while maintaining a successful career. The award and donation to her charity was given today, May 17, at Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Times Square. The “Resident Mom” award is a continuation of the brand’s celebration of moms, which was in full bloom earlier this month when 50,000 red roses were given out on Mother’s Day, May 8, at the almost 600 Residence Inn properties throughout the U.S.

To view, click here

For more information about Residence Inn by Marriott, visit www.residenceinn.com

The LDPR team with Holly Robinson Peete at Residence Inn by Marriott Times Square, NYC

Preferred Hotel Group Welcomes 9 New Members this May

Preferred Hotel Group announced the addition of nine hotels worldwide this May. The hotels include:

• Inn by the Sea – Cape Elizabeth, Maine
• Essque Zalu Zanzibar – Zanzibar, Tanzania
• Ohla Hotel – Barcelona, Spain
• Hotel Excelsior – Pesaro, Italy
• Hermosa Inn – Scottsdale, Arizona
• Hotel Los Gatos – Los Gatos, California
• Cristal Salam Hotel – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Hotel New Grand – Yokohama, Japan
• Rasa – Jaipur, India

About Preferred Hotel Group™
Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 800 independent, best-in-class hotels and luxury shared-ownership residences in over 70 countries across a collection of six distinct brands: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Historic Hotels of America® and Preferred Residences™. A family-owned company, Preferred Hotel Group offers independent hotels the global reach required to serve the leisure and business markets, providing its partners with a suite of comprehensive business solutions including global sales, marketing, distribution, technology, and quality assurance. Partner hotels have access to over one million active travel consumers through a global guest loyalty program, I Prefer™, and increased opportunities and exposure to a valuable niche market through Preferred Golf™. For more information, visit us on the web at www.PreferredHotelGroup.com.

An Official Save the Date for an Iconic Wedding on 11-11-11

You’re cordially invited to make your wedding even more memorable by booking an Iconic Wedding on 11-11-11. RockResorts, a collection of 12 luxury properties from the Mountains to the Tropics, and Vail Resorts Hospitality’s Iconic Weddings program is your one-stop shop for this once in a lifetime day. Iconic Weddings venues still have availability for this hard to come by date and now, Anniversary and Honeymoon specials are being offered as well.

Couples who exchange vows at a RockResorts property on 11-11-11 are invited to mark their anniversary one year later with the “Anniversary on Us” offer. Book a getaway the following year at the same venue where you tied the knot and RockResorts will give you one night free plus a discounted rate for any additional nights of your stay. Couples will also be greeted with a special anniversary amenity, customized by property.

RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality are still giving couples that book an Iconic Wedding, the chance to earn a free honeymoon. The “Honeymoon on Us” consists of a complimentary four-night/five-day honeymoon at any other RockResorts or Vail Resorts property of their choice (the cost of the wedding must reach a catering minimum of $25,000).

For more details, please visit www.iconicweddings.com

BACHELORS AND BRIDES IN BEAVER CREEK

The gated mountain community of Beaver Creek, Colorado has been said to be “a world apart from the world” – and since being in love feels the same way – what better place to celebrate a wedding? Nestled in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort is a great choice for brides and grooms seeking an intimate mountain setting to exchange their vows. The property is situated directly across from The Beaver Creek Chapel, and can host everything from bridal luncheons, brunches, ceremony space, rehearsal dinners and receptions.

This summer, the Beaver Creek Wedding Deck will also be opening – the premier outdoor venue overlooking Gore Range is a perfect option for up to 150 guests.

In advance of the walk down the aisle, bachelors and bachelorettes looking for a classy, rustic way to celebrate should look no further than Trappers Cabin. Located 9,500 feet atop Beaver Creek Mountain, it is the perfect retreat for those looking to decompress before the big day. To help plan the perfect occasion, the property’s Celebrations Concierge will coordinate dining, beverage, décor requests and more to help execute the perfect party. For rates and more information on this chic, private, ski-in, ski-out cabin, head to their website.

For more information on RockResorts Iconic Weddings at The Osprey at Beaver Creek, click here