LDPR: ALL THE NEWS

A Valentine's view like no other....

2012-01-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air...

G’Day Mate! It’s Australia Day

2012-01-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Today is Australia Day, the biggest annual celebration in the land down under. Anyone who has visited the great land will agree that Australia is something very special – from the rugged outback to the winding laneways and arcades in the great city of Melbourne.

In honor of the day, famed Melbourne chef Guy Grossi kicked off the morning by whipping up a delicious breakfast on CBS New York.

To further celebrate the day, check out our guide to all things Melbourne in 2012.

Foodie Frenzy

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. From March 2 – 21, 2012, visitors can enjoy city street feasts and the world’s longest lunch. Almost 100 of the world’s top chefs and winemakers will converge on Melbourne for the festival’s famous Langham Masterclass.

Somewhere to call home

Melbourne was recently rated the world’s most liveable city according to recent global liveability survey, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Art Theft Challenge

Any art fans will appreciate Melbourne’s Art Series Hotel’s recent challenge to Steal Banksy. The contest has ended, but there’s still time to check out the successful (and not so successful) heist attempts.

Take a dive above the city

Adventure lovers will enjoy taking a dip in the Adelphi Hotel’s rooftop pool featuring a transparent floor that looks over a nine-story drop to the city streets below. The pool was recently featured by DEPARTURES in an online "Spectacular Hotel Rooftop Pool" roundup.

A New Beer Scene is ‘Bourne’

A burgeoning boutique brewery industry is moving in on Melbourne’s famed Yarra Valley wine region. Visitors can take advantage of the newly launched Yarra Valley Cider and Ale Trail, providing an easy route to visit all of the innovative breweries.

Happy #AustraliaDay!

LDPR Digital Directory: January 2012 Edition

2012-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Gota digital dilemma? Head lost in the SoundCloud? Interested in Pinterest? Noneed to worry because LDPR will help make sense of it all with our DigitalDirectory. Follow us on Twitter andbookmark our blog for more info andupdates.

LDPR Digital Directory Categories:

★ SteadfastSocial Site

★ Mobile Mover

★ Newbie Network

★ Surprising Standouts

★ Facebook

Founded in February 2004, Facebook is a social utility that helpspeople communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers.The company develops technologies that facilitate the sharing of informationthrough the social graph, the digital mapping of people's real-world socialconnections. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people theyknow in a trusted environment. Facebook has over 800 million active users(users who have returned to the site in the last 30 days).

★ Foursquare (stylized as foursquare)

Foursquare is a location-based social networking websitefor mobile devices, such as smartphones. Users "check-in" atvenues using a mobile website, text messaging ora device-specific application byselecting from a list of venues the application locates nearby. Location isbased on GPS hardware inthe mobile device or network location provided by theapplication. Each check-in awards the user points and sometimes "badges". Whetheryou’re setting off on a trip around the world, coordinating a night out withfriends, or trying to pick out the best dish at your local restaurant,foursquare considers itself to be “the perfect companion.” As of January 2012, Foursquare has about15 million users worldwide and over 600,000 were using the Merchant Platform(more information at foursquare.com/business).Foursquare co-founders Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai met in 2007 whileworking in the same office space (at different companies) in New York City.Working from Dennis' kitchen table in New York's East Village, they beganbuilding the first version of foursquare in fall 2008, and launched it at Southby Southwest Interactive in Austin, Texas in March 2009. Learn more byfollowing Dennis' A briefhistory of foursquare list!

★ Google+

Google+makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world. Share yourthoughts, links and photos with the right circles. Use easy, spontaneous videochat to strike up conversations with as many as nine people at once. Geteveryone on the same page with fast, simple group chat. We’re very excitedabout the new approach to sharing we’ve created through Google+, but this isreally just the beginning.

★ Instagram

From the folks at Instagram: “When we were kids we loved playingaround with cameras -- we loved how all the old Polaroid cameras marketedthemselves as “instant” (something we take for granted today). We also feltthat the snapshots people were taking were kind of like telegrams in that theygot sent over the wire to others -- so we figured why not combine the two?”

Instagram came from thatinspiration - could we make sharing your life as instant and magic as thosefirst Polaroid pictures must have felt? Our first product is Instagram foriPhone, and we're just getting started.

★ LinkedIn

LinkedIn started out in the living room ofco-founder Reid Hoffman in 2002. The site officially launched on May 5, 2003.At the end of the first month in operation, LinkedIn had a total of 4,500members in the network. As of September 30, 2011 (the end of the thirdquarter), professionals are signing up to join LinkedIn at a rate that isfaster than two new members per second. As of November 3, 2011, LinkedInoperates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with morethan 135 million members in over 200 countries and territories.

★ Myspace (previously styled as MySpace orMy____)

Myspace is a social networkingservice owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake.Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills,California. In August2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors. Myspace was founded in2003 and was acquired by News Corporation inJuly 2005 for $580 million. From 2005 until early 2008, Myspace was the mostvisited social networking site in the world, and in June 2006 surpassed Google as the most visitedwebsite in the UnitedStates. In April 2008, Myspace was overtaken by Facebook in the number ofunique worldwide visitors, and was surpassed in the number of unique U.S.visitors in May 2009. Since then, the number of Myspace users has declinedsteadily in spite of several redesigns. As of December 2011, Myspace was ranked138th by total web traffic. On June 29, 2011, Myspace was sold to SpecificMedia and Justin Timberlake for approximately $35 million. If he can bring sexy back, maybe he can do the same forMyspace? More to come…

★ myYearbook

myYearbook is a social site where you canconnect with friends and make new friends while playing social games, earningLunch Money, supporting your favorite causes, and much more.

★ Pinterest

Pinterestis a virtual pinboard that lets you organize and share all the beautiful thingsyou find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decoratetheir homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browsepinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discovernew things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. The goal of Pinterest is to connect everyonein the world through the 'things' they find interesting. With millions of newpins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world basedon shared tastes and interests…including travel!

★ SoundCloud

SoundCloudis the world’s leading social sound platform where anyone can create sounds andshare them everywhere. Recording and uploading sounds to SoundCloud lets peopleeasily share them privately with their friends or publicly to blogs, sites andsocial networks. It takes just a click to share sounds to Twitter, Tumblr,Facebook and Foursquare. SoundCloud can be accessed anywhere using the officialiPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps builton the SoundCloud platform. For more about what SoundCloud can do, visit the tour page.

★ Tumblr

Tumblr is a microbloggingplatform and social networking website that allowsusers to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog,a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, and 'reblog' their posts, orchoose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use. Asof January 5, 2012, Tumblr had over 39.5 million blogs.According tocomScore, Tumblr scored 13.4 million unique visitors in the U.S. in July2011 — up 218% from July 2010.

★ Tagged

Tagged considers itself to be “a differentkind of social network.” Other social networks are for staying in touch withpeople you already know. Tagged makes it easy to meet new people through social games,friend suggestions, browsing profiles, group interests and muchmore. Tagged members can express themselves by creating custom profiles tomatch their individual tastes. With over 100 million members and 25 millionmonthly visitors, Tagged is the place where people can discover hundreds of newfriends or just meet thatspecial someone.

★★Twitter

Twitteris a real-time information network that connects you to the latest informationabout what you find interesting.Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow theconversations. At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of informationcalled Tweets.Each Tweet is 140 characters in length, but don’t let the small size foolyou—you can share a lot with a little space. Connected to each Tweet is a richdetails pane that provides additional information, deeper context and embeddedmedia. You can tell your story within your Tweet, or you can think of a Tweetas the headline, and use the details pane to tell the rest with photos, videosand other media content. Businesses use Twitter to quickly share informationwith people interested in their products and services, gather real-time marketintelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners andinfluential people. From brand lift, to CRM, to direct sales, Twitter offersbusinesses a chance to reach an engaged audience. For more information, checkout Twitter 101 for Businesses,Twitter’s guide to doing business on Twitter.

★ Yahoo! Answers

Find out everything there is toknow about Yahoo! Answers. If you arejust gettingstarted or are a seasoned veteran looking for thelatest on Yahoo! Answers here is the place to find it.

★ YouTube

Founded in February 2005, YouTube allows billions ofpeople to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube providesa forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe andacts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertiserslarge and small.

★ ★Yelp

Yelp was founded in 2004 with the purpose ofconnecting people with great local businesses like dentists, hair stylists and mechanics. Yelp had anaverage of approximately 61 million monthly unique visitors in Q3 2011. Yelpershave written over 22 million localreviews. In addition to reviews, you can use Yelp to find events, lists andto talk with otherYelpers. Every business owner (or manager) can setup a free account to post photos and messagecustomers. Yelp makes money by sellingads to local businesses - you'll see these clearly labeled "Yelp Ads"around the site. The Weekly Yelp bringslocals updates on the latest and greatest business openings & otherhappenings.

Aboutthe LDPR Digital Directory

At the close of 2011, CNETNews reported on the impressive growth of Pinterest, a new, invitation-onlysite that’s growing at a phenomenal pace. The article inspired us to takeinventory of existing and emerging social sites/forums to create the LDPRDigital Directory. As technology evolves and new platforms and channels comeand go, we’re keeping this Directory curated and relevant.

Source: Each site’s “About” sectionserved as the primary source for content. Wiki pages were referenced assecondary sources.

The Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI, Receives Coveted AAA Five Diamond

2012-01-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to announce that the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island has been honored with the celebrated AAA Five Diamond Award® designation for 2012, the travel authority’s highest rating for hotels and restaurants. A new addition to the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Lodging list, the Ocean House is the only Five Diamond rated hotel in Rhode Island. For 2012, only 126 lodgings and 53 restaurants received the Five Diamond Rating (accounting for just 0.3 percent of the total 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean!).

To celebrate this great honor, the resort is launching a signature “AAA Five Diamond” package, inviting travelers to experience first-hand why the Ocean House has achieved membership in this elite group. Available February 1 through April 15, 2012, luxury-seekers can reserve a Deluxe or Terrace Room to receive 20% savings. Deal includes:

-Spacious accommodations with unrivaled Deluxe or Terrace Water Views
-Complimentary seasonal afternoon refreshments served in Seasons Lounge

Rate starts at $292 per night, for a Deluxe room, based on double occupancy. Subject to availability and blackout dates apply. Tax, gratuities and resort fee excluded. Two night minimum stay over weekend dates (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). No minimum over weekdays (Monday - Thursday). Book by visiting www.oceanhouseri.com or call 401-584-7000.

Mobile tech, travel and hotels...

2012-01-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

What comes to mind when you think mobile?

Convenience? Text messaging? Social media?

How about room service, wake-up calls, virtual concierge?

As travelers continue to embrace digital devices, new applications and emerging platforms, hotels are in sync and riding a wave of innovation. Find out what this could mean for guests and hotel operations moving forward... 11 Ways Mobile Technology Could Change Hotel Experience, by Frank Wolfe.

@HFTP

@hospitalitynet

Likes...comments...travel advice?

2012-01-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

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There are a number of websites that connect travelers through social-networking. Trippy, Gogobot, Gtrot, and FlyMuch, just to name a few. In researching the topic, we revisited an August 2011 New York Times "Practical Traveler" column by Michelle Higgins where Gogobot and others were mentioned, "Crowd-sourcing for Travel Advice."

Which one works for you? Any new sites to keep an eye on?

Social Media & Travel in 2012....

2012-01-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Kevin May, editor of Tnooz shared a great infographic today that shows how travel companies are approaching social media in 2012. SimpliFlying analyzed the data from a recent EyeforTravel report. To view the infographic and highlights from the study, including which services are expected to be "huge this year," click here.

Where are travel brands concentrating their efforts in social media? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Tnooz http://bit.ly/yPGWKj

Just Back From...San Francisco!

2012-01-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

LDPR’s Michaelann Millrood just returned from her hometown of San Francisco and shares a highlight…

I’m fresh off a redeye back from one of my favorite cities on earth – San Francisco. Having spent middle school and high school in the Bay Area, my parents have since moved back East, but I still go back each year to ring in New Years with some of my oldest friends.

Regardless of the season, no trip to the Bay Area is complete without a day outside in sneakers. Usually we’ll head down the Peninsula to hike amongst the redwood trees in Woodside or in the golden hills of Palo Alto's Arastradero Nature Preserve. However, this time around my friend suggested we hike “in San Francisco.” And we’re not talking a little stroll along the beach or a walk through Golden Gate Park – we did a legit (albeit pretty easy) hike in San Francisco proper, along the forest and coastline in the northwest corner of the city. The Lands End hike -- we did the Lands End, Sutro Baths, and Coastal Trail segments – offered up a gorgeous day complete with dramatic cliffs, crazy surfers, eerie Northern California fog, shadowy cypress trees, bathhouse ruins, a striking sunset, and 30-mile views of coastline.

Days like this are what will make any NYC California-transplant miss home. Save the beautiful meteor shower we watched on Ocean Beach on Tuesday night, I’d say the hike was the most awe-inspiring part of my trip.

Check out my photos of Land’s End below!


Strolling into the fog


You'd never guess there's an ocean behind me


Where did Alan go?


Oddly enough there are bathhouse ruins on the coast of California


Over snacks and Bloody Mary's at the historic Cliff House restaurant, the fog revealed a classic West Coast sunset

The Golden Gate Bridge makes an appearance at dusk as the fog clears

LDPR Recognizes Tricia Lanigan

2012-01-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Taking in the beautiful views of Croatia

If you can look past the single digit temperatures in New York City, 2012 is off to a great start and it's even better for one of our staffers! We are very proud to recognize one of our star employees this month, Tricia Lanigan, who was promoted to Assistant Account Executive. Since moving from the West Coast out to NYC and joining the LDPR family last year, Tricia has wow'ed all of us with her can-do enthusiastic attitude, great work and PR savvy. Check her out on Twitter where you can catch updates on her clients and industry news: @Tlanigan.

And in honor of the New Year, we have asked Tricia to share a few of her travel resolutions:

Take more weekend trips - there are lots of great two-day getaways in the Northeast that I need to explore
Plan trips further in advance - my last trip to Croatia was planned very last minute so we ended up with every early morning plane, train, and bus departure. Late nights and early mornings leave for very tired days.
Make the journey to Machu Picchu - my mom and I have been planning to do this trip for several years and this fall is the perfect time.
Explore Napa Valley - I love visiting wine regions and have still never been to this iconic destination
Be better about asking for upgrades - you never know what's possible until you ask!

Please join us in congratulating Tricia!

LDPR Recognizes Dana Curatolo

2012-01-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

What a great way to kick off the New Year! We are proud to shine the spotlight on one of our dynamic LDPR staffers, Dana Curatolo, who has been promoted to Account Executive. Dana joined the LDPR family in 2009 (she was our hard-working intern in 2008). Since then, she has been dazzling her clients and colleagues alike with her dedication, enthusiasm and top-notch media placements. We invite you to get to know Dana, as she shares some of her favorite travel experiences and tips from the kitchen...

Most memorable travel experience? On my last trip to Italy, I was in the village Monterchi, not too far from Siena, staying at an agriturismo called Canto degli Alberti. The last night of our stay, the proprietor and her family had a little "festa" as a thank-you for staying with them. Out by the pool, we drank local wine under the stars accompanied by homemade panzanella, truffled gnocchi, porchetta and a variety of crostini. In that moment I found the perfect balance of feeling "at home" yet still whisked away, which was why it was so memorable. When you're traveling and find that feeling, it's pretty awesome.

Your must-have travel items? Nikon D3100, well-stocked iPhone with new playlists, good book, Evian moisturizing spray (great for long flights), a lot of dresses (accomplish an easy, put together look without taking up too much space!), my red leather passport cover, travel journal and most importantly: extra space in my carry-on...I'm a bit addicted to souvenir-ing.

Rumor has it that you know your way around the kitchen. Any recipes to share? I probably feel most at home in the kitchen (or an airplane for that matter). A great go-to is my no-fail recipe for Chicken or Pork Saltimbocca (literally means "kick in the mouth" in Italian, and lives up to its name)

Pound out pork loin or chicken breasts for tenderness, season well with salt & pepper, coat in flour, and fasten a piece of pancetta and a fresh sage leaf to each piece with a toothpick.
Melt a a tablespoon of butter and some extra virgin olive oil in a pan, add chicken/pork two pieces at a time, pancetta side down.
Cook on each side about 1.5 minutes. When the meat is done cooking, remove from the pan and deglaze with dry white wine (I use Chardonnay).
Let sauce reduce and pour over chicken/pork.

Favorite meal you've had during your travels? In Cascais, Portugal with my best friend. We stumbled upon a fantastic restaurant called "B&B." Accompanied by another couple, we were the only ones in the restaurant (for a four-hour meal). The staff was slim-- I mean one waiter, one chef, one host. Oh, and I should mention they were all the same man! I ordered a whole Dorade, a local specialty. The fish was unbelievable; everything about it was perfect. On this side of the Atlantic, I have to mention an extraordinary meal my boyfriend Sean and I had at a restaurant called Ye Olde Tavern in Manchester, Vermont. I fell in love with the decor, aroma, service and obviously, the food. My favorite was the chicken pot pie, which I nibbled on with the American flag as a back drop. Twas' the perfect red, white and blue foodie moment.

A farm stand in Manchester, Vermont

At LDPR you are known as being photog-savvy, can you share a few of your favorite travel pics?


A sunny day in Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italian Riviera


Peaches in Montepulciano, Tuscany

The Best Way to Spread Holiday Cheer

2011-12-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season upon us, LDPR staffers took the time to reflect and share their favorite holiday memories, yearly traditions, and any holiday disasters! With a love for travel, it’s no wonder our staffers have spent the holidays around the globe. From family feasts to excitement abroad, LDPR knows how to celebrate the season!

Laura Davidson and her family chop down the perfect pine

“The Davidson-Bill holiday tradition is to go to the Maple Grove Tree Farm in Easton, CT and chop down our own Christmas tree! Tobey and Jake get to use the saw, Andy shows his machismo by carrying the tree to the car, and I just look forward to apple cider donuts and hot chocolate. It’s a great family outing”

Michaelann Millrood celebrates a “Joyeux Noël” in Annecy

“For four years each winter I spent the holidays in Annecy, France with my boyfriend's family. The traditional Savoyard Christmas dinner, snowboarding in the French Alps, and shopping the holiday markets along the canals (Annecy is the "Venice of France"), will always be my fondest memories of France.”

Tricia Lanigan recounts snowy slopeside holidays

“I’ve spent almost every holiday skiing with my extended family in Sunday River, Maine or Park City, Utah. While the skiing out West is always beautiful, the travel can be a bit of a nightmare. One year we made the mistake of flying into Salt Lake City on Christmas Day with twelve people, twelve ski bags, boots, and the token rental car disaster (my sister forgetting her wallet on the plane did not help either). But on the mountain the next day all is forgotten – there’s nothing a sunny, brisk ski day and steaming hot cups of cocoa can’t fix!”

Dana Curatolo digs into the "Feast of the Seven Fishes"

“My family and I spend Christmas Eve every year cozied up around my parent's dining room table, just a few feet away from our Christmas tree. We've participated in the "Feast of the Seven Fishes" for as long as I can remember and it's certainly become my favorite holiday tradition. We make homemade pasta with stewed tomatoes, sherry and calamari (squid), baked filet of fish (typically tilapia or flounder), lobster tails, mussels and clams with white wine and butter, and fried butterflied shrimp. Before we dive into all that seafood, and we ALWAYS, always crack open a bottle of Asti Spumanti sparkling wine before dinner. “

(Wouldn’t you love to spend Christmas Eve at the Curatolo’s house?)

Sara Geen Hill celebrates the holiday Scottish style

“Since meeting my husband Dan - a Scotsman - we've begun the tradition of heading to the UK each holiday season to visit his family. During our first trip three years ago, we headed to Edinburgh for my first authentic fish & chips experience, and the Hogmanay street party - what a fun celebration! Then over to London for sightseeing. This year's visit will surely be more low-key when we bring our baby boy for his first visit.”

Chandra Dillon on safari!

“My family trip to South Africa is my favorite holiday travel story--three weeks of visiting family, traveling the country and of course, going on safari.”

Kelly Brewer gets festive with family and football!

“Christmas Eve is all about the Seven Fishes with my fiance and his family (I'm with you, Dana!) In between courses of pasta and every other seafood imaginable, we will have the Giants/Jets football game on. We are divided between support for the two teams, but I'll be rooting for Big Blue! Christmas Day we spend with my family and despite being adults, my parents love to make my sisters and me feel like kids again. Cookies are still put out for Santa - that's right, I said it!"

Meredith Phares’ holiday (disaster) in the English countryside

“The Phares family has taken some interesting vacations over the years, but the holiday trip that really takes the cake was definitely when we flew to the south of England for a "genealogical adventure" to trace the roots of my grandmother's family. Somehow, the region experienced its first hurricane in seven years during our travels and we had to cover ourselves from golf-ball-sized hail as we explored the English countryside. I'm grateful to this day that my brother was a college lacrosse player, as we got stuck in a historic stone church with only candlelight - until he powered the heavy doors open after 30 minutes of panic. Happy holidays, indeed!”

Stephanie Preston trims the tree with care

“My favorite holiday tradition is hanging ornaments on the tree with my mom. My favorite is a beautiful, hand-painted ball that I brought back from Germany. That or the little robin perched on a clothespin that I made in kindergarten (how the Elmer's glue has held up for 20 years is beyond me)! “

Seasons Greetings to all and best wishes for wherever your travel takes you in the New Year!

Just back from...Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island!

2011-12-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

LDPR's Laura Davidson, Sara Geen Hill, Meredith Phares and Chandra Dillon are just back from an exciting new client - the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Meredith shares the team's experience during the trip.

Just 2.5 hours after departing New York City, we arrived at the stunning Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a festive winter wonderland setting including a dazzling Swarovsky decorated Christmas tree in the living room, and a buffet of candy jars filled with holiday goodies. When I entered my ocean view guest room, I was greeted with two freshly-baked pumpkin muffins alongside an apple and a pot of caramel (how fabulous is that, for a welcome amenity?). After a quick sample and a bit of unpacking, I met the group for lunch in the resort's Club Room, where they serve a classic American bistro menu amidst wood-paneled walls, red leather chairs and a roaring fireplace.

Throughout the afternoon, we met with various members of the Ocean House staff, from Food Forager Jan Faust Dane to Spa Director Renee Gwaltney, whose OH! Spa just received the coveted Five Star ranking from Forbes Travel Guide. For dinner, the LDPR team gathered in Seasons restaurant to experience the restaurant's highly-acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine. The menu in Seasons changes daily and is based on the chef's inspiration from what's local and fresh each day at the nearby farms and farmers' markets. That evening, we feasted on a medley of butternut squash soup, seasonal greens, scallops and steak and tried samples of the resort's signature "Ocean House" and "Snow Day" cocktails.

After a restful sleep in my inviting feather top bed enveloped in sumptuous Frette linens, it was time to depart for New York City. Til next time, Watch Hill!

MOBILE FEEDS LAST-MINUTE appETITE FOR DEALS!

2011-12-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

Smartphones aren't just for Facebook status or Foursquare check-in. Great deals rest in the palm of your hand! A recent USA Today article by Roger Yu takes a closer look at how mobile technology feeds last-minute travelers appetite for savings. Click here to view.

Speaking of mobile, this article poses another question about empowered impuse travelers. Are they more likely to be on the lookout for QR (quick response) codes? In early 2011, BudgetTravel.com answered FAQs about QR and highlighted mobile-barcodes.com, which offers a Quick Find Reader tool. Definitely a page worth bookmarking.

Ever wonder what QR is all about? Click here and you'll find out!

LDPR Named the PR Agency for the Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island

2011-12-07T07:14:00.001-08:00

LDPR announces the newest, exciting addition to our client roster: Ocean House, a luxury Victorian-era seaside resort in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. An ideal locale for romantic escapes, close-to-home family vacations, destination weddings and mid-week business retreats, the Ocean House offers 49 guest rooms and 23 private residences. The resort re-opened in 2010 after a $140 million rebuild and restoration, and currently boasts such amenities as OH! Spa, which recently joined Forbes Travel Guide's prestigious Five-Star spa list, and an outstanding culinary program that is immersed in the farm-to-table lifestyle. At the center of the F&B team, dedicated Food Forager Jan Faust Dane travels to regional farms and farmer's markets year-round to ensure that guests are experiencing the highest quality, freshest ingredients possible.

Additionally, LDPR will represent the Ocean House's nearby sister property, The Weekapaug Inn, when it opens in fall 2012. For more information about the Ocean House visit www.oceanhouseri.com or call LDPR at 212-696-0660.

Just Back From...New Zealand!

2011-12-01T06:36:00.001-08:00

The green beauty of New Zealand

LDPR's executive vice president Leslie Cohen just returned from an amazing trip to the youngest country on earth -- New Zealand -- and shares some highlights.

I was fortunate to represent LDPR at the 56th annual convention of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) held in Wellington, New Zealand in November 2011. Realizing what a tremendous opportunity it would be, I added time before and after the business meetings to tour with my husband Rich.

Me and the famous Kiwi bird (full disclosure: it's not real since they are nocturnal animals)

We started the journey on the food & wine trail of the Hawke's Bay region, located on the east coast of the North Island. From the moment we landed we were greeted with Kia Ora which means welcome in the native Maori culture. Hawke's Bay is known for its culinary innovation and cultural diversity. We were in awe of the natural beauty which was only matched by the friendliness of the locals. I want to give a special "shout out" to our New Zealand tourism guide, Vicky Roebuck, who was an outstanding ambassador. We visited Napier, which has a unique Art Deco heritage, and spent an amazing overnight at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers, a luxury lodge set within a real working farm. Rich and I agreed it was one of the most special places we have ever stayed at.

Then it was on to Wellington, the site of the SATW convention, where I reunited with many friends and colleagues. I think it was one of the largest attended conferences, with more than 400 participants including writers, editors, bloggers, photographers, PR people like me, and spouses. It was a wonderful five days of professional development, networking, sightseeing and attending the media marketplace session for one-on-one meetings with the press. I have to commend the SATW leadership for organizing such a professional and memorable program! Since Rich is a big fan of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, I signed us up for a half-day tour of "Middle Earth" lead by an actor who was in all three films. He showed some of the locations and provided behind-the-scenes stories. Many people were talking about the "Hobbit," which is currently filming in the country. It seems that director Peter Jackson is quite the local celebrity and has done a lot to develop the film-making industry in New Zealand.

Some call Wellington, "Wellywood" for its movie-making magic

Then we flew to Tauranga to the Coromandel/Bay of Plenty coastline region, also on the North Island This part of the trip was more active (thank goodness since we had been eating nonstop!). Here we enjoyed an evening kayak trip to view glow worms, hiked in the bush with Kiwi Dundee, relaxed in the salt water pools by Mount Maunganui and paddled a sea kayak to Cathedral Cove.

Rich and me at Cathedral Cove

Rich and I thoroughly enjoyed our New Zealand trip and highly recomend friends add it to their own "bucket list."

Residence Inn Giveaway - A Traveling Family’s Residence for All Seasons

2011-11-28T06:16:00.001-08:00

With the holidays upon us, now is a great time for families on the road to stay with Residence Inn by Marriott. With suite style accommodations, full kitchens, and free hot breakfast, moms can rest easy knowing their family will be taken care of while traveling. To celebrate the start of holiday travel, TravelMamas.com's Colleen Lanin announced a $300 Residence Inn by Marriott gift card giveaway good at any of over 600 Residence Inn locations. To enter, visitors had to answer which Residence Inn family-friendly convenience they like best and share which Residence Inn location they’d most like to visit.

Nearly 2,000 moms entered the contest which ran November 6 - November 20, agreeing some of the brand's best family-friendly amenities include the 24-hour in-lobby market, outdoor grills, and on–site laundry facilities. Favorite locations included Residence Inn Calgary, Orlando, New York City, Atlanta, Anaheim, and Phoenix.

And the winner is …. Residence Inn loving mom Kerry! Kerry highlighted the great free breakfast and laundry facilities as reasons she chooses to stay at Residence Inn hotels.

Check out the full giveaway coverage on TravelMamas.com as well as Colleen's great review of Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp

To become a fan of Residence Inn by Marriott on Facebook, click here and to book your next family-friendly stay, visit Residence Inn by Marriott

Montréal Declared Best Global Destination in Logo’s NewNowNext Travel Awards!

2011-11-11T15:24:00.001-08:00

The fans have voted and the results are in – Montréalis the “Best Global Destination” for LGBT travelers! Bursting with excitingfestivals and events and a venerable hotspot for travelers in all spheres oflife, it’s no wonder why the city edged out Tokyo, Marrakesh, Corsica, Londonand Shanghai for this honor in Logo’s 2011 NewNowNextTravel Awards. No stranger to theawards, Montréal received back-to-back nominations for Best Global Destinationand last year Tourisme Montreal President and CEO The Honourable CharlesLapointe, P.C. was honored with the “Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making thisWorld Gayer.”

Montreal is the perfect mix of old-world charm andromance and forward-thinking modernism, full of trendy shops, chic bistros, andhappening clubs. It proudly declare its tolerance for diversity with one thebiggest Villages in the world, and can’t-miss events include the colorful PrideCelebrations, Divers/Cite Festival, image+nation LGBT film festival, Black& Blue Festival and Bal des Boys New Year’s Eve bonanza. In summer 2011,Montreal celebrated diversity with its second-annual innovative and excitingglobal search for “Queer of the Year” (get your entry ready fornext year!).

LGBT Package Offer

Tourism Montreal offers great packages all year,including the LGBT Package with hotel rates starting as lowas $129 CAD per night.

For more information on planning your trip and thelatest Montreal LGBT news…

Visit Tourism Montreal’s website:www.tourisme-montreal.org

Visit Tourism Montreal’s Gay Lifeblog: www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/gay-life/

Follow Tourism Montreal onTwitter: www.twitter.com/VisitMontreal

Become a fan of Montreal onFacebook: www.facebook.com/montreal

Where in the World Does LDPR Want to Go Next?

2011-11-11T08:25:00.001-08:00

Obviously, travel is our passion at LDPR so we love The Today Show segment Where in the World is Matt Lauer (though we should probably be better about following the clues and choosing the right destinations. I won't go into some of the places we guessed this year #cluefail). Now that the 10th Anniversary of the show has wrapped up in Barbados, what were some of the agency's favorite destinations?

The winner here seems to be Day 4 - Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps:

- Ashley MontBlanc Day has long wanted to travel to the Alps and the town of Mont Blanc (obviously!) and now she'll be adding the Sphinx Observatory to the itinerary.

- Kelly Brewer loves amazing train travel (NJ Transit and NYC subway - here's NOT looking at you) so taking the train to Europe's highest railway station would be the ultimate experience.

Namibia was a close second, however. We love heading out West for fresh powder days, but are open to a different type of skiing it seems:

- Tricia Lanigan is ready to hit the dunes just like Matt, who we all thought looked very professional on skis. Helmet cam that please, Tricia!

- Chandra Dillon has family roots in South Africa, but hasn't been to the Skeleton Coast so it's now on her wish list.

And you can't go wrong with Madrid:

- Stephanie Preston loves the idea of late dinners and dancing. We recommend she tag along with Meredith Phares who is fluent in Spanish. Though language barriers often lead to some of the funniest travel experiences, it's always nice to travel with someone who can communicate well with the locals!

We'll let you know if any of the LDPR staff makes it to one of these destinations in a future "Just Back From..." post. In the meantime, we're already excited for next year's Where in the World is Matt Lauer. And Matt, let us know if you need suggestions!

LDPR Recognizes Ashley MontBlanc Day

2011-11-11T08:01:00.001-08:00

Thismonth, we are very proud and excited to shine the spotlight on one of LDPR’ssuperstar staffers, Ashley MontBlanc Day, who has been promoted to AccountDirector. Ashley is a results-driven, dynamic publicist who joined the LDPR family in 2006, and has beenwow’ing us ever since. Her unique work style with clients, media and LDPRstaffers is admirable. Ashley's earnest approachability, social savvy, humorand smart story telling is a powerful combination. Since joining the team,Ashley’s travels have taken her across the globe, from Scotland to Spain,Africa to Australia, Montana to the Bahamas. Therefore, we thought we’d checkin with this globetrotter to get some travel tips and her viewpoints on agencylife…

One of your most memorable travel experiences?

Travelingto Zambia with Sanctuary Retreats and Abercrombie & Kent. It was my firsttrip to Africa and was the most dramatically unique location I had been to –From the landscapes to the wildlife and the locals, it was an incredibleadventure.

Any travel tips to share?

Be adventurous…Whether it isrenting a car and driving on the "wrong" side of the road to see moreof a country or trying a new activity, food, drink – Take it in. Traveling isyour chance to walk in someone else's shoes. Learn, relax and beinspired!

Your "must-pack" travel item?

Sneakersand my iPod. Going for a run in a new location is a great way to see the area. (Alsoa good way to counterbalance all of the food and drink that I inevitablyindulge in while traveling)

Favorite thing about working at LDPR?

My LDPRfamily – Both the staff and our clients. It is incredible to be able to workwith a crew that inspires, supports and keeps me laughing!

Art, Design and Fashion Converge in Bal Harbour, Florida

2011-11-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Art and design have forged an alliance in the fashion capital of Bal Harbour. Visual synergy created by top brands, South Florida basedartists, local galleries and museums happened last season at Bal Harbour ArtNights and is back this season - bigger and better!

Duringthe 2011-2012 season, Bal Harbour Village, Bal Harbour Shops, The St. Regis andArt Nexus will host four collector worthy evenings, which will start onThursday, November 3 at 6pm at the Bal Harbour Shops. Bal Harbour’sintention is to please the eyes and inspire the mind by creating a platformthat celebrates the relationship between fashion and art. The Art Night events also embrace the high level art components present in South Florida throughmuseum presentations, Miami-based artist installations, and innovative chats. Future Art Nights arescheduled for January 11, February 8 and March 29.

A fewhighlights of this first event:

-BalHarbour Chat Series, Neiman Marcus (2nd floor): "Miami: A CulturalChronicle" with Tony Goldman, developer and visionary. Tony Goldmanis known for transforming declining historical districts into thriving, globaldestinations. He is the driving force behind the evolution of SoHo in NewYork City and South Beach and Wynwood in Miami (Interview by NinaJohnson-Milewski, Owner and Director, Gallery Diet)

-100%Capri will feature the work of Miami-based artist Michael Genovese, benefitingMAM (Miami Art Museum).

-EllieTahari will feature a Renato Freitas photography exhibition, benefiting CareResource.

-Books& Books will celebrate artist Sheila Elias and her dynamic collection withthe book Somewhere-Anywhere. The bookhighlights her collection of paintings, collages, sculptures, photographs andinstallations over the past three decades.

And much more with exhibitions throughout the iconic Bal Harbour Shops.

Just Back From....Antarctica (well, sort of!)

2011-10-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Social media mavens at work. Tiffany Dowd (@LuxeTiffany), Kelly Brewer (@KellyMBrewer), KC Geen (@kcgeen) and Stephanie Preston (@StephPreston) in a Le Boreal stateroom "pre-tweet"

LDPR’s Abercrombie & Kent team departed New York City and were transported to Antarctica by way of Boston – all in one day! Carla Tracy, Kelly Brewer and Stephanie Preston experienced Antarctica when the ship A&K charters to the destination, Le Boreal, was docked in Boston Harbor. The team was joined by travel agents and local Boston media for a tour of the ship, delicious lunch and an enlightening speech from Dr. James McClintock on the implications of climate change in Antarctica. Dr. McClintock is an award-winning scientist, author and endowed professor of microbiology and marine sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is also one of the many expert guides and speakers that A&K works with on the Antarctica cruises.

Antarctica is a trip of a lifetime, but it’s certainly a rugged destination. However, after touring the sleek, modern interior of Le Boreal, it’s clear to see that luxury is possible even in the most remote places. We could imagine spending the majority of our time in The Panoramic Lounge with amazing views of glaciers and the large Theater was a surprise – a great space for entertainment, lectures and movies. The ship’s staterooms were all roomy and the best part is, when traveling with A&K, all guests have a private balcony! Le Boreal carries more than 264 passengers, but A&K limits this to 199 for all Antarctica trips. The luxury of extra space!

For more information on A&K Antarctica and Le Boreal, please visit www.abercrombiekent.com

Hey Honey, the bees are abuzz at Grande Lakes Orlando

2011-10-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

It just got a little sticky at Grande Lakes Orlando and it's not the humidity! In the property's continued commitment to sustainability and conservation, the Queen Bee of Orlando resorts has recently seen the first harvest of honey from a new on-property apiary. Guests of the luxury property, which is comprised of a JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, can now enjoy the benefits through dining experiences as well as honey-infused spa treatments at the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa.

“Harvesting honey on-site has given the JW Marriott Orlando culinary team another opportunity to show how passionate we are in sharing the best local flavors with guests,” explains Executive Chef Chris Brown. But the buzz also brews outside of the kitchen... While visiting The Ritz-Carlton Spa, guests can indulge in a signature Grande Lakes Honey Treatment, the Bee Pampered Pedicure or the Harvest Glow Hot Honey Treatment, all of which take full advantage of the natural skincare benefits of honey.

Find out more information on Grande Lakes and its honey initiative by visiting here or by going to www.grandelakes.com

Survey says....

2011-09-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

According to a recent survey of parents conducted by McPheters & Company for Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 23 percent of parents consider any distance over 500 miles to be "too far" for a child to go away to college. USA TODAY Snapshots^®featured this statistic today in the newspaper's Life Section.

USA TODAY - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Additional USA TODAY Snapshots^®are online http://www.usatoday.com/news/snapshot.htm

More information about the Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out College Campuses program is available at www.fairfieldcollegevisits.com

Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out Colleges!

2011-09-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right college can be challenging but it’s also a wonderful chance for parents to bond with their grown-up children and travel as a family. In collaboration with The Princeton Review, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott has launched Check in to Fairfield Inn & Suites, Check out College Campuses. This program helps out parents of high school junior and seniors, and includes a travel package (with a complimentary Princeton Review admissions guidebook), valuable free tips & advice, and $10,000 in giveaways. For more information, visit www.fairfieldcollegevisits.com

To become a fan of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott on Facebook, click here

Just Back From...The French Riviera

2011-09-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Nubia DuVall Wilson has just returned from a press trip to Cannes and Nice in France where she experienced two beautiful properties in the Concorde Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

One of the customized courses served at La Palme d'Or

Many say September is one of the best months to visit the south of France because it is not filled with tourists and the weather is still beach friendly. I just returned from an amazing trip to Cannes and Nice for my client Concorde Hotels & Resorts. My most memorable moment in Cannes at the Hotel Martinez, eating a 6-course meal at La Palme d’Or, the hotel’s 2 Michelin star restaurant while watching fireworks. Each course was displayed on custom made plates created by the head chef Christian Sinicropi and his wife. After dinner, we were served herbal tea made from herbs plucked from plants and infused in hot water right in front of us.

Next up on our French Riviera adventure was Nice; we stayed at Palais de la Méditerranée, which has suites with beautiful floor-to-ceiling views of the sea. After eating a lovely lunch at the hotel, we were off to the village of Eze to make perfume! Eze is a scenic 30-minute drive from Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice. This special activity takes place at Galimard Perfumerie, the birthplace of French perfume. After smelling the most exotic and aromatic oils for an hour, and choosing which we like best, the expert perfumer Caroline helped me create my own unique scent. I am going to call mine, Musk of Nubia.

Nubia "nose" the secret to creating a personal perfume is taking the time to smell only the best aromatic oils

Laura Davidson Public Relations Retains VisitScotland Tourism Account

2011-09-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourist Board, has re-appointed Laura Davidson Public Relations (LDPR) as their North American public relations agency following a competitive re-pitch. LDPR continues its PR momentum as the agency of record effective September 1, 2011. The agency has held the account since 2003.

Scotland’s rich cultural history, exciting cities, legendary golf courses and touring opportunities make it a truly versatile and fascinating destination for all types of travelers. The current 2011 "Year of Island Culture" continues to shine the spotlight on Scotland’s 790+ offshore islands, including the stunning Isle of Skye with its craggy coastline and fresh, mouth-watering seafood. In 2012, Scotland will launch exciting activities, festivals and events with the announcement of “The Year of Creative Scotland.”

Special Kids Cooking Class in Times Square Celebrates the Opening of Virgil’s Real BBQ at Atlantis Resort

2011-09-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Bahamas family-vacation mecca Atlantis Resort is thrilled to announce the opening of Virgil’s Real BBQ this November. To celebrate the upcoming opening, Atlantis and Virgil's hosted a very special kids’ cooking demo -- a preview of the newest Atlantis Kids Adventures’ (AKA) class. Chef Neal Corman of Virgil's and Chef Chara Roberts of Atlantis’ AKA culinary kitchen lead the charge – and the budding chefs prepared a very tasty lunch!

Steeped in the storied cooking traditions of the South, using the world-famous BBQ styles of Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, the Carolinas and Missouri, Virgil’s Real BBQ will provide guests of Atlantis with a new family-style dining experience at the heart of Coral Towers. Designed by world-renowned interior architect and designer Jeffrey Beers, the restaurant will be Virgil’s first outside of the US. At Atlantis Kids Adventures, up to 21 child participants, seated at the U-shaped counter surrounding the cooking station, participate in a hands-on cooking class in a fully functioning kitchen, where tackled recipes include Virgil’s signature coleslaw, cornbread, and chicken kebabs. AKA culinary programming also adds on a lesson in table manners, etiquette, and napkin folding to perfect kids’ Southern hospitality.

More details here

And watch Neal Corman turn a grill into a smoker at Atlantis

Check out the new "Island Grilling Recipes" e-cookbook, available for download for some great recipes to try at home

LDPR Recognizes Stephanie Preston!

2011-09-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

At LDPR we value and encourage our employees personal and professional growth. We are very proud and excited to recognize one of our star employees this month, Stephanie Preston, who was promoted to Senior Account Executive. Stephanie joined LDPR as a graduate of Marist College in 2008 after an impressive internship with the Agency. She wow’ed all of us with her can-do attitude and budding PR savvy and we knew we had to scoop her up! Stephanie has since achieved several milestones during her time at LDPR and currently works on exciting clients like Abercrombie & Kent, Tourisme Montreal, Visit Scotland, Eden Rock in St. Bart's and A&K Villas. She is a social media maven with a true knack for digital media – you may see her tweeting about LDPR’s clients and other interesting travel-related news. We're personally a big fan of her recent twit pics from Majorca where she traveled with press to experience A&K Villas in Spain. When asked what she liked best about working at LDPR, Stephanie responded, “Working with a close-knit group of amazing publicists, whom I learn from every day.” As our resident fashionista who might give Carrie Bradshaw a run for her money on spectacular shoes, we weren’t surprised when Stephanie’s personal travel tip involved fashion: “Always dress up slightly more than you think you need to. The best thing about travel is that you never know what the day will bring – and it’s far better to look too elegant than too casual!”

Please join us in congratulating Stephanie - @stephpreston

St. Barths in Style

2011-09-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

LDPR’s Stephanie Preston recounts a trip to Eden Rock – StBarths, one of the most enviable addresses in the Caribbean, with fellow stylishLDPR traveler Sara Geen Hill.

Perched on a rocky promontory in St Jean Bay, Eden Rock – StBarths epitomizesthe sense of glamour that marked its early days as a retreat for Old Hollywoodelite like Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes. Still as glamorous as ever, here’s howto do St Barths in style:

A WarmWelcome: World-class service at Eden Rock – St Barths begins uponarrival. Champagne, homemade spinach quiches and lime marshmallows were theperfect pick-me-up after a morning of traveling.

Time tohit the beach: Eden Rock – St Barths is situated on St Jean Bay, one ofthe most beautiful spots on the island.

Insidertip: Try your luck at paddle boarding, the celebrity beachactivity of choice, offered complimentary at the hotel.

My perfectoutfit: Missoni silk retro print dress, which even matched the décor of my stylish quarters inthe Michaels Suite.

Perfect for an evening of dinner and drinks at Eden Rock’sglam (and delicious!) restaurant On the Rocks.

VillasGalore: St Barths is home to some of the moststunning villas in the world. This fall, thehotel’s VillaRockstar (pictured above) and Villa Nina will become part of an additional newventure – Eden Rock Villa Rentals (ERVR) – in conjunction with the island’sleading villa rental company SiBarth. Forty of the island’s most sought afterproperties will be available to guests who seek the privacy of their villa but stillwant to enjoy private airport transfers and many of the services and facilitiesbelonging to Eden Rock – St Barths.

We just had to check out a few for ourselves…

My favorite? Villa Jade – modern, sleek and sexy with Asiantouches throughout – truly a serene island oasis. And the view from theinfinity pool is absolutely amazing!

Fit for aQueen: The Freddie Mercury Suite in Eden Rock – St Barth’s ultra-luxeVilla Rockstar is equal parts cool and chic.

My perfect outfit: REDValentino top and Emporio Armani shorts andbelt. Easy to take from villa hunting by day to toasting a beautiful St Barthssunset by night.

For a stylish getaway to Eden Rock – St Barths of your own,visit www.edenrockhotel.com .

A Welcome Dose of Americana: Grand Teton National Park

2011-09-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

While waiting for our flight from Chicago O'Hare to Jackson Hole — CNN was broadcasting news of 50 new planets discovered across a small screen at Gate 9. When I woke up to the Teton Range the next morning — I was entirely convinced I had landed on one of them — feeling completely overwhelmed by the destination's unique beauty. Driving to Jackson Lake Lodge at 10pm the night before was no easy fete (as you can imagine, Manhattanites are not used to such dark roads). But when we each arrived safely to our lovely cabins, I soon found comfort in the solitude of the mountains, the crisp, clean air and distant (or maybe not-so-distant) sounds of bountiful wildlife. The trip had a very classic, back-to-the-basics, Americana vibe — which inspired the use of my iphone instagram app — creating a cool, vintage mountain feel for my photos.

What's Grand Teton National Park all about? Getting back in touch with history, American culture, and most of all, the great outdoors! See my list of Teton’s Top Four below for some tips on how to make the most of your time in the park.


Mormon Row Historic District

1. Grand Teton Lodge Company is without-a-doubt the perfect option for families and travelers looking to experience the park and nearby Jackson Hole. Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village and Jenny Lake Lodge provide wonderful accommodations, prime access to activities and dining options that are nothing less than superb. If you haven’t yet experienced huckleberry pancakes (or anything with huckleberries for that matter), you're missing out.

2. Rent a car. The views are spectacular and there was truly something special about waking up at 6:30 each morning before sunrise — zooming through the morning fog to discover the Teton Range a few miles up the road.

The Corrals at Jackson Lake Lodge

3. If conducive to your travel plans, book a night at each lodging property; the drives between each are leisurely and gorgeous. Colter Bay Village is right on the water, providing easy access to the marina and Jackson Lake. Enjoy lake cruises, fishing, hikes, an on-site historical museum and great shopping. Jackson Lake Lodge has lovely rooms, a grand main cabin lobby and three lovely eateries: The Mural Room (fine dining), The Pioneer Grill (delicious casual-style dining with very generous portions) and the Blue Heron Lounge (unbelievable views of the range and wildlife; their Huckleberry margaritas and local beer are also well worth sampling). Jenny Lake Lodge is absolutely lovely, with cabins spread out around the base of The Tetons. The view from your porch will be spectacular — no matter what the location. Tip: don’t miss out on the five-course dinner tasting menu at The Dining Room at Jenny Lake Lodge; Chef Alyson Zimmerman and Vishwatej Nath are masters of American cuisine. The Dining Room additionally serves breakfast and lunch. Dinner and Breakfast at Jenny Lake Lodge are included in the nightly rate.

Lorianne Lacey rafting on Snake River

4. Take advantage of the park’s activities, which seem endless. Horseback riding, Dinner Wagon Rides, Scenic and Whitewater Rafting, Hiking, Boat Cruises, Guided Tours, Golf & Tennis at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club and much, much more. If heading down to Jackson Hole (about 45 minutes drive from the park), you’ll find the town is always bustling with cultural events and activity. Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort is located right in the heart of Teton Village with wonderful rooms and suites, also providing access to the on-site Avanyu Spa (Jackson Hole’s largest at 17,000 square feet!) If you're headed to or from Yellowstone, a great home-base to consider is Flagg Ranch, located conveniently between each of the parks, where spacious log cabins, camping and RV sites are nestled between the pines. The main lodge also boasts a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an on-site gas station and gift shop.

Prepping for s'mores after a Dinner Wagon Ride

Like many, in the past I’ve fallen victim to the lures of Europe and the Caribbean — forgetting what amazing experiences are right here in The States. If you’re looking to get back in touch with nature, and inevitably your own American history — the Tetons are for you. I’ll speak for both Lorianne and I when I say we’ll be back... that’s for sure.

Just Back From...a family adventure in Costa Rica!

2011-09-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Laura Davidson recaps her family's summer adventure on an Abercrombie & Kent trip to Costa Rica.

The highlight of my summer sabbatical was a two-week trip to Costa Rica organized by LDPR client, Abercrombie & Kent. This was my third time there — it’s one of my favorite countries — but the first visit with Andy and the boys (Tobey is 10 and Jake is 9). I can see why Costa Rica is such a hot destination this year: it’s easy to get to, yet exotic; it has dramatic topography, yet it’s easy and safe to get around; it has delicious cuisine; and the Ticos are the friendliest people in the world.

We spent our first week at Lapa Rios, a fabulous ecolodge deep in the primary rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. Many thanks to all my media friends for this recommendation! Our bungalow was a luxury cottage perched on a ridge hundreds of feet above the smooth rolling waves of the Pacific. Every morning we awoke to the screeches of macaws and the grunts of howler monkeys. We took a different guided hike each day, threading our way through lush rainforest and picturesque waterfalls, checking off more wildlife than we ever thought we would see (three species of monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, snakes, agoutis, vultures, etc.). The added bonus: Lapa Rios is a paragon of sustainability (meaning that it has no negative impact on its pristine surroundings). If anyone in the travel world needs a template to copy, then this is it!

Laura, Andy , Tobey and Jake get ready to hike the primary rainforest at the Lapa Rios preserve

For the second week we joined an A&K “Family Departure” that combined adventures in two very different ecosystems: Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast and Arenal, an active volcano in the center of the country. I now understand why people say that the guide is the most important part of any tour. William Granados was brilliant, not just as a guide, historian, naturalist, but also as a buddy to the kids. Thanks to him, I feel like an expert on the destination (and car games).

In Tortuguero we went kayaking with crocodiles (William claimed they were a rare vegetarian species), saw sea-turtle nesting sites, and incredible bird life. But the most memorable experience for my boys was when William organized a game of soccer with the local kids in the village. Tough competition!

Kayaking in the Tortuguero National Park

At the Arenal Volcano the scenery was vertical instead of horizontal, but just as spectacular. The days were clear of cloud, so we saw the volcano in its full glory, all the way up to its crater rim belching smoke. We went hiking on suspended bridges in the rainforest and toured an organic farm where the kids got to squeeze out their own sugar-cane juice.

Laura, Andy, Tobey and Jake hiking near the Arenal Volcano

Much to my great surprise, I came home relaxed. Everything ran so smoothly and I had such confidence in William that I had no choice but to sit back and enjoy the ride. Coming from a mom with two hyperactive, food-picky, danger-magnet kids, that is high praise for A&K indeed!

Up close and personal with a turtle family

When You Can’t Travel - How to Handle A Weekend of “Down Time” from an Ever-Moving Individual

2011-08-31T06:15:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Lorianne Lacey gets creative when her "on-the-go" life is suddenly paused.

I’ll admit it. I have a case of S-P-A – stay-put anxiety. It’s times like the recent “hunker down” orders during the anticipation of Hurricane Irene that reinforces why I chose to live in such a bustling, non-stop city and promote travel for a living.

If you’re like me, the threat of having the MTA suspended, shows canceled, restaurants closed, and losing electricity can give you almost as much anxiety as a hurricane itself. It’s Newton’s Law: An object that is in motion will not change its velocity unless an unbalanced force acts upon it. Irene, for many of us – you were that unbalanced act!

Here are tips from an ever-in-motion individual for handling a case of S-P-A:

Charge all devices! That Netflix DVD that’s been sitting on your coffee table for the past few weeks suddenly gets incredibly more appealing.
Break out the old board games! This weekend I relived some old-fashioned fun by playing Checkers, Chess – and who knew a game of Sorry! could be so entertaining?!
Organize, organize, organize! Tasks such as cleaning out a closet for clothes to donate or adding photos to an album are much more enticing without other 21st century distractions (and it’s great to have these off your plate when there are more exciting things to do).
Do some creative “cooking.” What can you use from your fridge before you potentially lose power, and what can you create with your non-perishable items?
Write letters. Yes. On paper. With a pen. Friends will smile, I guarantee it.
Actually CALL people on the telephone. I was amazed when staying with my boyfriend’s parents how often their land line was ringing. As someone who doesn’t even have a land line anymore and uses her phone about 90 % of the time to text, it was refreshing to hear such an influx of phone conversations.
Last but not least (and my personal favorite) – plan your next vacation. (Of course, feel free to check out www.ldpr.com for some inspirational ideas!) Sometimes when you have down time it’s nice to think about the places you’d love to go, and explore the possibilities of getting there. I thought of a few new spots to add to my personal travel list (Maldives, Portugal, and the Carolinas).

All in all, I consider myself very fortunate that the results of this storm were limited to my case of S-P-A. My heart goes out to all those who experienced loss and damage. I hope that you fared well this weekend and stayed as dry as possible!

Enjoy a FREE three-day photography workshop in Grand Teton National Park!

2011-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

Channel your inner photographer while surrounded by some of the most beautiful and stunning vistas on earth with the complimentary Jenny Lake Lodge Photography and Film Workshop in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. From September 27-30, 2011 along with the luxurious Jenny Lake Lodge inclusions, guests of the lodge will receive photography and film guidance from two industry professionals at no additional cost. Guests can call Jenny Lake Lodge Reservations at 1-307-733-4647 to reserve a room and sign up for the workshop. Topics to be covered include camera operations, composition, lenses, filters, daylight photography tips, flash photography, action photography, portrait photography, using digital darkrooms and more. Any camera or video is allowed (DLSR Cameras are preferred). The guide to student ratio is guaranteed to be at least one to six.

Guests at Jenny Lake Lodge September 27-30, 2011 receive:

Deluxe accommodations at the Four-Diamond Jenny Lake Lodge
Participation in the three-day photography and film workshop
Daily breakfast in the Jenny Lake Lodge Restaurant
Five-course nightly dinner at the Jenny Lake Lodge Restaurant
Horseback riding
Use of cruiser bicycles

Rates start $620 per night based on double occupancy. For detailed information please visit: Jenny Lake Lodge Photography & Film Workshop.

Slip Back in Time and Celebrate with a Speakeasy Getaway at Hotel Jerome, A RockResort

2011-08-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

Hotel Jerome, A RockResort in Aspen, Colorado has just launched one of Colorado’s hottest new bachelorette party locations, Established. With the combination of the mountain and being in the heart of some of the country’s best shopping, it is sure to draw ladies looking for a chic weekend away.

Check-into Hotel Jerome in Aspen for a weekend of old-world sophistication combined with a fun and exciting “something new.” Sip on prohibition-style cocktails, like the Aspen Crud at the hotel’s ever-popular J-Bar, before heading up to the new speakeasy-inspired Established nightclub. New to the Aspen nightlife scene, Established has quickly become a Saturday night hotspot with Aspen’s own DJ Cerius.

Established is a welcome addition to Aspen, as it is the first and only nightclub of its kind that does not require membership for admission – ideal for ladies seeking a weekend away.

After a night on the dance floor, ladies can unwind at the Aspen Club & Spa. Hotel Jerome offers guests membership club privileges at this private 77,000 square foot fitness and relaxation oasis.

Hotel Jerome is located in the heart of downtown Aspen, where guests can enjoy great outdoor activities, shopping, world-class dining, and nightlife. http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/

Sanctuary Retreats Reopen Sanctuary Kusini with a Special Offer

2011-08-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sanctuary Kusini, the only permanent, tented camp in Tanzania’s remote region of the southern Serengeti, reopened in July 2011 following an extensive renovation.

Retaining the classic safari atmosphere that Sanctuary Kusini is known for, and with the utmost consideration for the surrounding environment, the main guest areas have been rebuilt. Updates include a new, tented dining area, reception area (now offering internet access), a bush boutique and an extended deck looking over the central fire pit and views of the surrounding plains. Each of the twelve guest tents have been replaced and doubled in size offering 500 square-feet of tented accommodation. The en suite bathroom facilities have been redesigned with twin basins installed in each and the private verandas have been enlarged to provide the perfect vantage point to enjoy the expansive plains below.

To celebrate, Sanctuary Retreats is offering a “Special Opening Offer” available for travel through December 15, 2011.

Special Opening Offer:

· Book a four-night safari in Tanzania, with two nights at Sanctuary Kusini and two nights at Sanctuary Swala, and in celebration of the camp’s re-opening, the second night at Sanctuary Kusini is free!
· Represents a savings of up to $1,500 per couple.
· Valid for new bookings only, with travel from July 1 through December 15, 2011.
· All-inclusive rates are $520 per person per night based on double occupancy.

Follow Sanctuary Retreats on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for updates, deals and fun facts!

Residence Inn by Marriott Celebrates – Moms Night Out!

2011-08-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

New York
Over the past month, Residence Inn by Marriott and LDPR have had the privilege to be in the company of top mommy media from coast to coast. Starting in New York City on July 18, with a second event on July 25, the extended stay brand invited influential moms and family press to spend a night at Residence Inn New York Times Square. This was a great opportunity for the moms to become familiar with the brand’s family-friendly amenities, enjoy a night out on the town and then a day of fun-filled activities.

July 18 group in front of Residence Inn New York Times Square

July 25 group in Centro Vinoteca during Foods of NY Tour

The moms were welcomed with a cocktail reception and then got the chance to see all the hotel has to offer for families on the road – from spacious suites to free hot breakfast and a full size laundry room on-site. The group was certainly impressed and excited about the free WiFi and suites with kitchen space and refrigerators. For moms traveling with young children and kids with allergies this is a huge perk.

Residence Inn New York Times Square

After a night out on the town, the moms enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep, leaving everyone relaxed and refreshed! The morning began bright and early with a workout in Bryant Park, followed by Residence Inn’s signature free hot breakfast and a lively roundtable discussion on family travel.

Next, the group headed downtown for the Foods of NY original Greenwich Village culinary tour and they were in for quite a treat. The first stop was the famous Joe’s Pizza, where everyone folded their slice and dug in. Other tour highlights included a stop at Olive & Co. for a honey and truffle salt combo that had everyone swooning, a tasty treat at Milk & Cookies bakery (note: they are famous for their homemade ice-cream sandwiches) and a stop at the famous Murray’s cheese!

After a day of walking in the summer sunshine, it was time for some much needed pampering and cool down at Dashing Divas where everyone was treated to pedicures.

Thank you to all of our New York attendees!

Residence Inn San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego
LDPR’s Meredith Phares headed to the West Coast to San Diego for the third leg of Residence Inn’s moms celebration for the “Recharging Moms” event at the beautiful Residence Inn Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter property. The event followed the popular BlogHer conference and was designed to give moms a chance to relax and recharge after the busy conference days. The San Diego Residence Inn provided the perfect backdrop for an overnight getaway, complete with sunny weather and a rooftop pool! After the moms had the chance to unwind and lounge at the hotel, they headed to the marina for a sunset sail.

The boat docked at the chic Bali Hai restaurant, where everyone enjoyed a delicious meal before happily settling into their Residence Inn beds for a relaxing evening.

August 7 group enjoying a sunset sail in San Diego

An early morning yoga session on the rooftop deck started the day before the moms enjoyed a complimentary breakfast buffet, followed by a roundtable discussion to close out their visit.

Thank you to all of our San Diego attendees!

Residence Inn by Marriott is committed to celebrating moms and making family travel as easy and convenient as possible. Residence Inn gave out 50,000 roses to mothers on Mother’s Day and recently honored their first ever “Resident Mom” Holly Robinson Peete.

Back By Popular Demand! RockResorts/Vail Resorts 96-Hour Sale Returns!

2011-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Rates are headed downhill for ski enthusiasts! Starting Sunday, August 28, RockResorts and Vail Resort Hospitality will open up the exclusive 96-Hour Sale to the public, just in time for fall and winter travel plans. There are plenty of options for booking your winter vacation in advance – at a steal – in Colorado or Wyoming (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Aspen and Jackson Hole) with rates starting at just $96 for travel through April 30, 2012.

Experience elegant accommodations and thrill-seeking winter adventures with access to some of the world’s best skiing and snowboarding. If you want to prolong your summer tan or temperature, RockResorts properties in St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Miami, Santa Fe and Jamaica are also participating in this limited-time sale. To find out more on each property, visit www.RockResorts.com .

The 96-Hour Sale starts at 12:00am midnight (Mountain Standard Time) on Sunday, August 28. Bookings must be made online, ONLY at www.RockResorts.com/96Hour by Wednesday, August 31. Offer is good for travel through April 30, 2012. Based on availability. Blackout dates apply. Offer is valid for new bookings only, and cannot be combined with any other offers. All reservations booked through the 96-hour sale are non-refundable.

LDPR Internship Opportunity!

2011-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

LDPR is seeking an intern to assist with writing press releases, research, reporting, media lists, editorial calendars and distributing press materials. The position requires the following:

Completion of a minimum of two full years of college in pursuit of a PR, journalism, communications or related degree
Some PR coursework or experience
Strong organizational, oral and written communications skills
High level of dependability, maturity and professionalism

We seek an intern for 2-5 days per week (9 AM to 5 PM) from September 2011 through January 2012. The internship is unpaid but offers a stipend to cover public transportation expenses to and from work.

For more information, contact info@ldpr.com

The World at Your Fingertips: Abercrombie & Kent Unveils World of A&K App for iPad®

2011-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

It’s not where you take your iPad, but where your iPad takes you. Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has developed a free travel application http://www.abercrombiekent.com/ipad for iPad that delivers a choice of inspiring experiences combined with the ability to explore a destination more in depth and share “wish list” trips.

The World of A&K app opens with an invitation from Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent to “explore the world with A&K.” The home page features a mosaic of experiences that extends beyond the screen in all directions, inviting the user to dig deeper into each destination. Tiles along the top allow users to easily navigate according to their travel interests: Exotic Adventures, Family Travel, Culture & History and Nature & Wildlife. By tapping an image, the user is transported directly into the experience. Interspersed throughout the mosaics are 26 inspiring :60- to :90-second “Virtual Visits” designed to provide an immersive experience. The experiential, day-in-the-life approach blends vivid imagery and authentic audio (such as penguins chattering in the background) to capture the sights and sounds of each destination. The World of A&K app invites users to create a personalized travel map by flagging all the countries they have visited -- and marking those on their wish list. These can be exported to Google Earth, which provides a satellite tour of each destination. The new app also enables viewers to share images, videos or ravel maps with Facebook friends and Twitter followers or create and send an e-mail postcard.

For those eager to explore the World of A&K but don’t have an iPad, Abercrombie & Kent is giving away an iPad a day on Twitter, from Wednesday, August 3 to Friday, August 5. Follow @AKTravel_USA for your chance to win.

iPad® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

Just Back From... Vail!

2011-08-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Dana Curatolo and Lorianne Lacey just returned from a press trip exploring Vail, Colorado.

Last week, Lorianne Lacey and I hosted a press trip with eleven fantastic media and experienced what #VailSummer is all about. This mountain town served as a breath of fresh air (literally) - following a record-breaking heatwave here in NYC. In addition to the open air, other findings proved why Vail is so much more than a world-renowned ski destination:

Fresh, organic, local food is everywhere —especially at RockResorts like The Lodge at Vail, Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Osprey at Beaver Creek. All properties participate in RockResorts and Vail Resorts' “Appetite for Life” program, which implements the use of sustainable ingredients in all food & beverage operations. Indigenous menu items like elk were served up on The Patio at The Arrabelle at Vail Square (accompanied by a local beer of course), as well as organic corn and scallop tamales from award-winning Chef Michael Wilganowski of The Osprey at Beaver Creek. Visitors looking to score some local produce must pay a visit to The Vail Farmer’s Market (Sundays through September 26; 10am – 3:30pm).

Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, Top of The Mountain Tours, hot-air ballooning, mountain biking and hiking are among the most popular activities in Vail. If you’re not much of a thrill seeker – take advantage of free Summertime Community Yoga (courtesy of Vail Athletic Club), which takes place near the lawn in Vail Village (every Saturday and Sunday in July & August; 8:15 – 9:30am). Lorianne and I opted out of yoga and hit some serious rapids instead... :)

In need of a place to wind-down following all of those activities – The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort, was the perfect place. Mickey’s Piano Bar for a late-night tune and night-cap is recommended. Another great leisurely activity was heading to Sunday's Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, where The New York Philarharmonic performed live at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

Speaking of relaxing – The RockResorts Spa at The Arrabelle at Vail Square was a welcome addition to a weekend in the mountains. Experiencing the Ultimate Body Bliss Scrub, Hot Honey Foot Treatments and Fruit & Spice Body Peel were a few favorites. What a treat!

Inspired by our recent mountain experience? Head to RockResorts.com or Vail.com to learn more. To keep up with social media buzz via Twitter, follow: @LodgeatVail, @ArrabelleVail, @VailMtn, @RockResorts/@RockResortsNews

It's Five O' Clock Somewhere ... RockResorts Goin' Coastal Happy Hour Starts Next Week!

2011-07-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday “Happy Hour” just got a bit more tropical for Twitter users and Facebook fans thirsty for travel deals. RockResorts’ Coastal Collection properties in Florida, The Caribbean and Costa Rica are announcing a weekly “Goin’ Coastal Happy Hour” exclusively for social media friends. Follow the collection on Twitter, www.twitter.com/CoastalRocks or www.twitter.com/RockResortsNEWS and Facebook, www.facebook.com/RockResorts.

How it works:
Each Thursday beginning August 4, from 5:00pm-6:00pm EST, a link to a special website will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, which will direct guests to that week’s Happy Hour special.

Each week, one RockResorts Coastal Collection property will feature a discounted room rate – up to 50 percent (a guaranteed lowest rate for the Happy Hour designated travel time period). Travelers will have up until 11:59pm EST to book the offer on Thursdays, but the link will only be announced/shared from between 5:00pm-6:00pm EST on Twitter and Facebook. To get a little jump on the offers however, email HappyHour@RockResorts.com to receive a link to that day’s Goin Coastal Happy Hour the morning of the sale.

The featured ‘Happy Hour Sale’ property will be announced via social media on Wednesday, the day before each sale. Properties taking part in the promotion include:

So grab some friends, raise your glass to savings and don’t miss the Goin’ Coastal Happy Hour. Monitor RockResorts and Coastal Collection’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for more information and teasers on the sale. For more on these properties themselves, visit www.rockresorts.com/CoastalCollection

Just Back From...Island Hopping in Scotland

2011-07-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Ashley Montblanc Day just returned from a press trip exploring the islands of Scotland.

Did you know that there are over 700 islands in Scotland? Only 100 of which are inhabited. I recently traveled with an adventurous group of journalists to explore just a few of the islands off the Scottish coast. After landing in Glasgow, we took a scenic drive to the western coast in order to catch a ferry to the Isle of Gigha, the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands. The community actually owns the island after a buyout in 2002. From Gigha, we ventured to the ultra charming Isle of Islay (accessible via plane from Edinburgh or Glasgow). Islay is known for housing some impressive distilleries, including one of Scotland’s oldest, Bowmore. We explored many of Islay’s villages and spotted plenty of wildlife including Highland cattle, lamas and loads of sheep. A five minute ferry ride from Islay is the Isle of Jura – what I think is an incredible untold story in Scotland. Jura comes from the Norse words meaning “Deer Island” and today over 6,500 deer live on the island. In contrast, the human population is less than 200. The island feels untouched in many ways and is a magical place, I can understand why George Orwell stayed there to write the book 1984. The island is also home to the Jura Distillery where we got a full behind-the-scenes tour.

The adventure wasn’t over for me there. I found myself behind the wheel (yes, that's right) for a road trip out to the Isle of Skye, the largest and most northerly of the Inner Hebrides. Skye is wild and remote, unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful. After a stunning drive (even with it being on the wrong side of the road), I arrived with an editor/photographer from Saveur magazine in tow in the tiny town of Dunvegan, home to the acclaimed Three Chimneys restaurant. We spent time with Chef Michael Smith and were lucky enough to dine at the restaurant that has been touted as one of the best in the world.

Travelers would be remiss to visit Scotland and not make it out to the islands to explore the pristine beauty that the country’s coast has to offer – not to mention some of the most amazing local produce you have ever tasted and a whole lot of whisky, of course!

NBC TODAY à la Montréal – Tune in Tomorrow, July 14 and Friday, July 15!

2011-07-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever the fourth hour of NBC’s TODAY Show will be taped outside the United States...à la Montréal! The city will play host to the filming of two episodes of this daily morning show. The initiatives undertaken by the Ministère du Tourisme, through its Destination Québec office in New York, as well as the Canadian Tourism Commission, in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, have succeeded in attracting the star hosts, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, along with some 60 members of their production team.

Be sure to tune in on Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15 and click here for more info!

Follow Kathie Lee and Hoda along their journey @klgandhoda, @KathieLGifford, @HodaKotb and be sure to check @VisitMontreal for updates!

Just Back From...Glamping at Paws Up, Family Style!

2011-07-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

LDPR’s Ashley MontBlanc Day on a family adventure with journalists from Creators Syndicate, LA Family and MomTrends.com

I recently dusted off my cowboy boots and ventured out to The Resort Paws Up, a luxury ranch resort in Greenough, Montana. The resort is particularly known for their glamorous camping - “glamping” - accommodations and we hosted top family media (kids in tow) for the opening of Paws Up’s newest luxury tented camp, Pinnacle Camp. We were among the first guests to stay at the camp and absolutely stunned by the beauty of the tents complete with ensuite bathrooms, the dining pavilion and the setting (at the confluence of Elk Creek and the Blackfoot River). It was great for me to be able to experience the resort through the kids’ eyes – Paws Up is a family’s dream! The kids (and Moms of course) were blown away by everything from the amazing tents to the expansive options for adventures: horseback riding, hiking, ATV’ing, canoeing and more. And while the kids spent the afternoon in kids camp (known as Kids Corp of Discovery) fishing, making crafts and nature walking, the moms were able to slip away to Spa Town for a few hours. Each night ended with s’mores (a lot of s’mores) around the campfire with our Camping Butlers - thanks Wesley and Matt! The resort is a great option for a final family summer adventure: www.pawsup.com

Check out the Paws Up Glamping video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu2YjOTWxS8&feature=player_embedded

Welcome Chandra!

2011-07-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

LDPR is excited to announce our newest staff member, Chandra Dillon, who joins us an Assistant Account Executive. Chandra is a Florida native who comes from an agency in Tallahassee. She was bitten by the travel bug early on and has explored destinations including England, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and South Africa. We’re all happy to have her as part of the LDPR family!

The Destinations of Independence!

2011-07-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thinking of places to visit this July 4th holiday weekend? Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott forecasted a top 10 list of patriotic travel destinations. A few to consider are listed below. For a full list and more information, click here

New York, NY – Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Times Square
The Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center site, Statue of Liberty, and Federal Hall where George Washington was sworn in as the first president in 1789, are just a handful of spots that make this city one of the country’s most historic.

Williamsburg, VA – Fairfield Inn & Suites Williamsburg
Experience history firsthand through Williamsburg’s interpretation of a colonial American city. Stop by nearby Jamestown, site of the first English settlement in 1607.

Savannah, GA – Fairfield Inn Savannah Midtown
Meander the cobblestone streets alongside beautiful Victorian homes in the largest U.S. National Historic Landmark District. Discover the monuments and famous forts of the Revolutionary and Civil War eras.

Fairfield Inn & Suites offer guests service that’s consistent and accommodations that are fresh and clean, all at an exceptional value. In addition to complimentary breakfast daily, Fairfield Inn & Suites offer free Internet access, a pool, outdoor spaces, an in room mini-refrigerator, a microwave and spacious guest rooms. www.fairfieldinn.com

Summer Starts Here: Trump SoHo New York Pool Party to Launch Bar d’Eau

2011-07-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

On June 22, Trump SoHo New York teamed up with TUMI to celebrate the first summer season of Bar d’Eau, the hotel’s 6,000-square-foot pool deck and bar. While media sipped on summer cocktails and ate gourmet bites, they learned more about TUMI’s new sunglasses line, Traverso. Henna artist Akiyo Ohura invited guests to “get their glow on” with intricate Luxe Glow glitter tattoos.

Just Back From...Santa Fe, New Mexico

2011-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Lorianne Lacey just returned from hosting a press trip to La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, A RockResort in New Mexico.

Every time I have had the privilege to visit Santa Fe I come back feeling so refreshed, as the destination just immerses one in fine arts, culture, amazing cuisine and the refreshing friendliness that is found in the Southwest. I’ve been to La Posada a few times before, and it’s fascinating how much you can learn about a destination on a return visit. For example, on a downtown Santa Fe historical walking tour, I was able to tour the gift shop that was the secret office of J. Robert Oppenheimer as he created the Manhattan Project! I must have passed by this store quite a few times before, and had no idea!

Two years ago, La Posada hired Artist Sara Eyestone to become the full-time art curator of the gallery collection at the resort. Sara has done an amazing job with this project – beautiful works of art are hung so carefully throughout the property’s public spaces, and in some guest rooms. It is just such a treat to walk in the spa or dine at Fuego and have these experiences in the midst of a gallery exhibit. A real treat was the two-hour oil painting lesson that Sara gave our group (something that can be arranged for guests upon request). She gave each of us an apple and asked us to paint it. We were all pretty apprehensive as none of us had touched a paintbrush in quite some time, but after learning the different basic techniques of mixing and applying color, we all ended up with some beautiful souvenirs and the satisfaction of learning a really fun, relaxing new skill.

You can’t talk about Santa Fe without mentioning the culinary scene. Every Monday, the resort offers complimentary tequila tastings (“Margarita Mondays”) and we learned about the different types of tequila (anejo, silver, resposado, to name a few) and how to best use them in mixed drinks. Chef Eric Hall also hosted us for an amazing tasting menu at Fuego. After five courses with unique intermezzos, we decided this was the best way to wrap up a fun few days!

I would definitely recommend putting Santa Fe on a list of cities you should visit in your lifetime if you like to shop, see art, eat and relax!

LDPR’s Meredith Phares recently returned from Villa del Palmar Cancun...

2011-06-24T11:42:00.001-07:00

I’m just back from sunny Mexico, where we hosted a group of travel writers at Villa del Palmar Cancun, a new luxury resort on serene Playa Mujeres. Throughout our four days, we enjoyed the resort’s pristine beach and pools, swam with whale sharks, toured future additions to the resort and, of course, enjoyed fresh guacamole and margaritas. Swimming with the whale sharks was an incredible experience. They’re actually neither whales nor sharks, but the biggest fish in the sea and only eat plankton – who knew? We wrapped up our visit to Villa del Palmar Cancun in a most magical way – dining on gourmet cuisine at sunset on the balcony of the penthouse suite. Hasta la próxima vez, Cancun!

How Social Media Is Changing Paid, Earned & Owned Media

2011-06-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

"Earned Media" is where PR thrives! Check out this great article on Mashable.com that takes a closer look at social media in the marketing mix...

Curtain Bluff Resort Offers Free Weddings this July!

2011-06-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Curtain Bluff Resort in Antigua has just announced a deal that will make couples really want to say “I Do!” this summer. For the month of July, the resort is offering FREE WEDDINGS (featured on Brides.com!) Couples getting married at Curtain Bluff have their choice of venues at the resort including the beach, garden gazebo, and the deck of The Bluff House, with sweeping, panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the setting sun. The wedding includes the marriage license fees, wedding officer’s fees, a cocktail reception following the ceremony and the wedding cake.

Curtain Bluff is a fully-inclusive resort that specializes in offering personalized, memorable experiences – the property features 72 rooms (all of which have a view of the Caribbean Sea) and a breathtaking waterfront spa. Weddings ceremonies can take place Monday – Saturday at Curtain Bluff. To book a wedding, contact Wendy Eardly or call 1-888-289-9898.

Just Back From...PRSA in San Antonio!

2011-06-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Lorianne Lacey shares her experience while attending the PRSA Conference in San Antonio, Texas on behalf of the agency.

I recently had the privilege of traveling to San Antonio to attend the PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference on behalf of LDPR. After having made many an airline connection at various Texas airports (DFW, IAH, HOU) this was my first time actually stepping out into the state. San Antonio is a beautiful city rich in a culture influenced by Spanish missions. Its River Walk (created for when the city hosted The World’s Fair) is fun to stroll as you pass by the numerous restaurants and shops. It’s not surprising to hear serenades from several Mariachi bands over the course of a walk.

One of the key takeaways I learned was how important it is that the travel industry is “going mobile” (a pretty natural fit when you think about it!). More consumers are looking to their apps and mobile devices when booking travel stays. The majority of the business booked on these devices is for same-day stays, so it is very important that hotels and destinations have a presence in this space.

I also attended several panel discussions led by media experts to glean the latest industry trends. For spa travel, consumers are looking for more sustainable, local ingredients. The romance travel panel discussed the trend of “Encore Weddings” - big ceremonies, usually incorporating children, for second marriages.

It was a great opportunity to attend this conference and stay on top of current travel industry trends while meeting some interesting new colleagues ranging from one-person firms to large CVBs. Looking forward to starting the summer off with these new perspectives!

LDPR Recognizes Dana Curatolo - Rising PR Star!

2011-06-16T05:59:00.000-07:00

At LDPR we are thrilled to recognize one of our super star employees Dana Curatolo, who was recently promoted to an Assistant Account Executive. Dana joined LDPR as an intern in 2008, and so impressed us with her can-do attitude and budding PR skills that we hired her full time in November of 2009. Dana hit the ground running, coming up with creative media pitches and ideas for her clients. She also has a true knack for social media – you may see her tweeting about LDPR’s clients and other interesting travel-related news. When asked what she liked best about working at LDPR, Dana responded, “You know you love what you’re doing when it really doesn’t feel like work.”

Please join us in congratulating Dana (@dlcuratolo)!

Just Back From...TBEX in Vancouver!

2011-06-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

LDPR's Kelly Brewer shares her experience while attending TBEX 2011 on behalf of the agency.

Despite a crushing loss by the Vancouver Canucks in game 7 of the Stanley Cup, I’m still remembering the city fondly. I was in Vancouver to attend TBEX 2011. This was my first time attending the conference and I was looking forward to finally meeting some of the bloggers that LDPR has been working with for awhile. And of course it was great to see familiar faces, including both current and former clients! I think we can officially say that social media continues to be a key aspect of our industry so I enjoyed hearing panels on how best to work with bloggers while speaking candidly on measurement and ROI. As fellow publicists discussed how they determined success in social media, I think we all appreciated hearing directly from the bloggers as well. We had a preview on a new database launching in the fall called TBEX Connect, which should better help us qualify the bloggers we work with. Watch this space for more on that! Jennifer Miner from The Vacation Gals (@JenniferMiner) also conducted a panel on SEO and I came away with better insight on this topic to share with our clients.

I was excited to see Vancouver for the first time so I made sure to explore the city. A walk along the sea wall not far from the Convention Center was absolutely beautiful. Yet despite my newfound love of the Pacific Northwest, I can’t help but get excited for TBEX 2012 at LDPR’s client Keystone, Colorado! I’m sure the Vail Resorts team won’t disappoint and TBEX extraordinaire Kim Mance (@KimMance) will arrange another fantastic conference. See you there!

Just Back From...Montana!

2011-06-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

What a group! LDPR's Carla Tracy (center) with journalists from (left to right) Meetings Focus, Smart Meetings, Successful Meetings and Prevue Magazine.

LDPR's Carla Tracy just returned from The Resort at Paws Up in Montana.

Meet you in Montana! I'm just back from The Resort at Paws Up – a luxury ranch resort in Greenough, Montana, and the KING of all “glamping” (glamorous camping) resorts – where we hosted top meetings media for the grand opening of Pinnacle Camp and a preview of the new group facility, The Bull Barn. To be the first to stay at Pinnacle Camp, The Resort at Paws Up’s most luxurious tented accommodation to date, was quite a thrill — it’s mind blowing: a master bath with heated slate floors and full jetted tub in a TENT? Yes, please. This is our kind of camping. Between the Big Sky setting along the Blackfoot River, the incredible adventures (Cattle Drive, Blackfoot River Float, ATV’ing and a trip to Spa Town being the favorites amongst our group), our Camping Butlers helping us perfect our s’more making skills (one named Morgan who is nicknamed S’Morgan really says it all), and the variety of unique group spaces and special dining options, this was a FAM trip that made an indelible impression on how terrific Paws Up is for groups and special events. And great memories with new friends!

Here's a video to experience your own bit of Paws Up glamping!

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island is a "Teenage Dream" this Summer

2011-06-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island just announced what has got to be the ultimate teenage girl’s summer getaway. The luxury resort is teaming up with Seventeen Magazine to put on a 5-day Fantasy Camp designed to not only indulge every girly girl’s beauty/fashion dreams, but to boost confidence and self-esteem. The 5-day camp (July 25-28) will be hosted by Seventeen writers and best-selling author, activist, and Seventeen contributor Katherine Schwarzenegger -- celebrated for her inspiring book Rock What You Got, helping teens develop a positive sense of self.

In addition to exploring Atlantis — Aquaventure waterpark, swimming with dolphins, enormous open-air marine life habitats — campers get to treat themselves to a spa party, magazine “cover shoot” with a Seventeen photographer, fitness classes, confidence-boosting sessions, fashion trend chats, entrée to CRUSH (the premiere teen dance/gaming venue), and much more.

Seventeen Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket said, “As the iconic teen brand, we’re thrilled to be able to talk to girls in a brand new way – and at such a fun location!”

If you know a teenage girl whose parents are cool enough to send her on this trip – forward this along! And where do we sign up our teenage-selves?!

http://www.atlantis.com/camps/fantasycamps/seventeenfantasycamp.aspx

Just Back From...Argentina and Paraguay!

2011-05-31T06:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

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.