Trivial

question

Today's trivia takes the form of a photo. Can you tell where this picture, which shows how to get out of town, was snapped? Hint: It's somewhere a lot of snow-shocked people in the northeast U.S. and Canada would like to be right now. (Answer somewhere below.)
 

      (Photo by Carol Horne)

Atlantic City is springing back to life

Perhaps spurred by the success of the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," Atlantic City, N.J., is making a comeback in grand style with the slogan "Always Turned On."  Here is a sampling of 2011 events:

“[heart] by Atlantic City” weekend, Feb. 12-14

Visitors can enjoy an indulgent weekend dedicated to love with highlights including achampagne and spirits tasting hosted by Master Pastry Chef Jacques Torres and “A Crash Course in Love” hosted by VH1’s "Tough Love" talent Steve and Joann Ward.  Events will take place at Caesars Entertainment four Atlantic City properties – Harrah’s Resort, Caesars, Showboat, & Bally’s.Visit www.heartac.com.

Valentine’s Day Group Wedding Ceremony, Feb. 14

Couples looking to tie the knot on this iconic day can take part in a free Valentine’s Day group wedding, civil union and vow renewal ceremony presented by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.  The ceremony will take place in the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall on Monday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. and will include a champagne toast, wedding cake and photo opportunities.  For more information or to pre-register, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

Atlantic City Restaurant Week, Feb. 27 - March 5

More than 70 of the area’s best restaurants will offer special three-course prix fixe menus for only $15.11 per person for lunch and $33.11 per person for dinner at this third annual event. Visit www.acrestaurantweek.com.

Atlantic City Beer Festival, April 1-2

This sixth annual event will host over 75 brewers and breweries from around the world.  Participants will have food, live music, entertainment, guest speakers and plenty of beer.  Tickets are $50 at the door or $45 per session in advance. Visit www.celebrationofthesuds.com. 

Pizza Slaughter Fest Competition, May 14

Tony Boloney’s, an Atlantic City original that hails turn-of-the-century Atlantic City style pizza and bad-a** grub will host the second annual Pizza Slaughter Fest beginning at noon. at 300 Oriental Ave.  Activities will include eating contests, live entertainment, face painting and temporary tattoo stations for kids. Visit www.tonyboloneys.com.

Summer Solstice Parade, June

Celebrating the longest day of the year, this parade brings local artists, businesses, organizations, street performers and spectators together on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Visit www.acsolsticeparade.com.

International Nights, July-August

Free music from around the world with International Nights will be featured at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk.The event takes place every Wednesday in July and August beginning at 7 p.m.  Visit www.acfpl.org.

Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder Over The Boardwalk”, Aug. 17

Called  the largest air show on the east coast, the ninth annual Airshow includes parachute teams, fly-bys and formations performed by military and civilian pilots. The show takes place on the beach and Boardwalk. FoVisit www.atlanticcityairshow.com.

Out in AC, October

This three-day GLBT weekend features concerts, comedians, special events, and after-hours parties at Caesars Entertainment properties including Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s, Caesars and Showboat.Visit http://www.harrahs.com/getoutinac/.

Savor Borgata - An Evening with Borgata Chefs, November

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa offers an evening with the property’s lineup of award-winning chefs. Participants can sample menu items that showcase wines and spirits of Europe’s French, Spanish and Italian regions, as well as a beer garden with pairings that complement the Mediterranean atmosphere of the evening. Tickets are $100 general admission. Visit www.theborgata.com.

Holiday Celebrations, December

The city will host parades, tree lightings and gift-giving drives, as well as a Kwanza celebration at the Free Public Library and a “Running of the Santas” pub crawl sponsored by Tropicana Casino & Resort. Visit www.atlanticcitynj.com. 

For information on booking a stay and a complete calendar of events, go to www.atlanticcitynj.com.  A listing of annual public shows taking place at the Atlantic City Convention Center is available at www.accenter.com.

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Pampering pets -- and their 'parents' too

The historic Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Ariz., named one of  Condé Nast Traveler’s top small resorts in the world -- has a Pet Package that includes a one-night stay, a treat for a dog and fruit and bottled water for its owner, an hourlong in-room canine massage, an in-room spa treatment for the canine's owner, a dog walk plus dog movie, breakfast in bed for dog and owner, and a dog bed and bowl. The package starts from $599 per night. Call 800-241-1210 or visit www.hermosainn.com.

Fascinating fact
What time is it in Alaska? Well, the state is in a time zone one hour behind the U.S. West Coast and four hours behind the eastern states. Ah, but there's an exception: The fartherst western islands of the state's Aleutian chain are an additional hour behind. Got that?

How'd you like to win a $30,000 safari?

The Tourism Board of the central African nation of Zambia is launching a worldwide contest to come up with a new slogan and  logo that will brand Zambia as a must-see tourist destination.  The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old. Just come up with a snappy slogan or a great logo design for Zambia Tourism. The prize for each winner is a 15-day, $30,000 trip for two to Zambia. The contest launched today and closes on Feb. 25. The contest can be followed on Facebook (Zambia Tourism) and on Twitter . For more information visit the competition page of Zambia Tourism. 

Trivial answer

Visitors to the Caribbean, where there is no snow,  may have recognized the sign pictured high above as being in Grand Cayman island, specifically Rum Point.

New ships, deals and prices 

Here, from Orbitz, is a look at the 2011 cruise scene:

* In the next six months, cruising in the Caribbean is expected to hit all-time highs. In the latter part of the year, cruise lines will be moving ships to focus on European excursions.

* Several new ships in the Caribbean (including Celebrity Eclipse [pictured] and Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas) means 2011 will present many opportunities to score a great deal because of heavy competition.

* The Western Caribbean is expected to be this year’s most popular destination, and the average cost of a cruise will be down about 5 percent from 2010 levels.

* Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., will be the most popular ports of departure in the U.S., with average cruise prices of $1,270 and $1,199 respectively.* Cruises departing Boston will cost about 34 percent more than they did in 2010, while those leaving Charleston, S.C. are about 40 percent cheaper when compared to last year’s rates.
* The least expensive U.S.-based cruises will be departing from Mobile, Ala.; Long Beach, Calif.; and Jacksonville, Fla.

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Trivial question

What is Germany's third-largest city? (Answer somewhere below.)

Unlimited golfing in Tuscany 

Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort,  in Tuscany’s picturesque Maremma region, has a new Golf Unlimited package that features unlimited greens fees and use of the driving range, along with accommodations, cuisine,  a welcome amenity, and complimentary use of the resort’s thermal pool . From April 1-July 31, the resort will have a three-night package with rates starting at €699 per person,  double occupancy (about $950) and a five-night packagewith  rates starting at  €999 per person (about $1,365).  For more information, visit www.termedisaturnia.it.

Win one of 10 free vacations to Virginia 

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has launched  the Follow Your Heart to Virginia Sweepstakes featuring nine first-prize trips and one grand prize that allows the winner to build his or her dream vacation.  Each prize trip puts centers on things you love, be it amusement parks, wineries, museums and special experiences.  The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 21 and older who enter at www.Virginia.org/sweeps through Aug. 25.

Fascinating fact

Reykjavik translates to Bay of Smokes.

Your car dines for free with this offer

With the price of gas expected to rise some more, the Greenbelt Marriott has a Cars Eat Free promotion that lets guests to earn up to $75 in gas cards ($25 per night for up to they nights) when they stay at the hotel, which is in Greenbelt, Md., near Washington..

 Rates for the  free gas promotion range from $119 to $169 per night, include a $25 gas card for each night of stay, and must include a Friday or Saturday night stay.  This promotion is effective from now through Memorial Day, Monday, May 30,  and does not include taxes. To book this offer, you must mention promo code TRS.  Call 800-228-9290. The website is www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/wasgb-greenbelt-marriott/

Trivial answer

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is Germany's third-largest city.

Ah, love. Ah, valentines. Ah, hotels. Ah, restaurants.

As the Clovers sang so long ago, "There ain't nothing in the world for a boy and a girl but love, love, love." As the Month of Valentines (also known as February) approaches, travel providers are going all out to make your romantic rendevous memorable. Here are some offerings:  
*In Tennessee, the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train will  offer Valentine's dinner rides, which feature a romantic setting for couples as they take in the beauty of East Tennessee, while dining in the style established by the great passenger railroads of the 1930s and '40s. The annual Valentine trips have become so popular that Southern Appalachia Railway Museum, which operates the Secret City Scenic train, has scheduled four  special dinner trains on the weekend leading to Valentine's day. The classic dinner train will run on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m;. and Monday, Feb. 14 -- the big day itself --at 6 p.m. he rides last approximately 1-1/2 hours and roll through the former Manhattan Project K-25 plant site now known as East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge, as well as through rural Poplar Creek Valley of Roane County, which includes rolling hills, pastures and hardwood forest. Tickets are $140 per couple and include the train ride, complete dinner and all taxes. Call 865-241-2140 or visit www.southernappalachia.railway.museum.

*In Oregon Wine Country, the Allison Inn & Spa in the Willamette Valley offers a Valentine's and Vineyards package starting at $430. Included are a luxurious bedroom with king bed, fireplace and soaking tub, chilled champagne and a customized four-course dinner in the JORY Restaurant featuring Oregon Wine Country cuisine. Visit www.theallison.com/specials.php.

 *If you're well-heeled and want to make an unforgettable marriage proposal that will be seen on a giant outdoor screen in Manhattan, then  Eventi Hotel's "Love on the Big Screen" package is for you. The package offers the "proposing party" the opportunity to upload a marriage proposal on DVD that will appear on the Big Screen at Eventi, an outdoor 30 x 16.5 foot public arts and culture LED screen adjacent to the plaza behind the hotel at 29th street & 6th Avenue.  But this package, which starts at $2,011 plus taxes and tips, is availalbe ot only one couple on a first-come-first-served basis. Included  is a  four-course meal with a bottle of champagne in the hotel's Bar Basque, luxurious suite accommodations, complimentary "his" and "her" bathrobes, a magnum of champagne upon check-in, Urban Therapy Facial treatments for two at the Spa at Eventi, and chocolate-covered strawberries.For reservations, e-mail info@eventihotel.com. For hotel information, visit  www.eventihotel.com.

*Atlantic City, N.J. is offering up a passion-filled Valentine’s Day weekend with [heart] by Atlantic City, featured at Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s and Showboat. There will be romantic dinners, exclusive couples' hotel packages and  entertainment. The program will kick off Friday, Feb. 11,  with specially designed menus at these restaurants:  Nero’s and Primavera at Caesars; The Reserve and Arturo’s at Bally’s; Rib and Chop House and Casa Di Napoli at Showboat; and Polistina’s and The Steakhouse at Harrah’s Resort. Dinner  is $160 per couple.  Star of MTV’s cult phenomenon, Jersey Shore, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino will be making a fist-pumping appearance at the Pool After Dark on Friday evening. A whole lot more is happening, so you might consider a hotel package. Information on those, can be found by clicking  here.

*Couples who spend Valentine's Day (which falls on a Monday) at the Kennebunkport Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine,  can take in Historic Dock Square and check out the town's one-of-a-kind shops.  Then they can check in to a guest room with a welcome gift and a romantic four course dinner in the inn'sa ward-winning restaurant One Dock.  After dinner they may want to settle in by the fireplace and  have one of One Dock's specialty drinks. (Or they may have other plans.) The romantic getaway with a continental breakfast on Tuesday morning. Rates start at $199 a couple. Call (800) 248-2621 or visit www.kennebunkportinn.com/packages.asp.

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Beer here, beer here

For some people, romance is OK but beer is better. Accordingly, the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston has partnered with Samuel Adams to offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes brewery experience. You get a private tour of the brewery and a private tasting of Samuel Adams Boston Lager and limited edition brews in the  barrel room. Back at the hotel, a three-course beer pairing dinner awaits. The Samuel Adams Behind the Scene Brewery Package starts at $429 based on double occupancy, and is available January to May and September to December.  Visit www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/COP/HotelPackages/, call 800-441-1414 or see a travel agent.

Trivial question 

Travelers who visit a destination ought to know how to spell its name correctly. Can you picked out which name or names is misspelled: Carribean, Philipines, Portugese, Tuczon? (Answer somewhere below.) 

Warm up in Costa Rica ... for $200 less
Wash away your winter woes with a Pura Vida Adventures, a surf and yoga center at the beachfront locale of Malpais, Costa Rica, has a deal for you.  Book the March 12-18 (coed) or March 20-26 (women only) surf and yoga adventure by Feb. 1 and save $200. The discounted all-inclusive package rates per person are: shared accommodation, $2,195; private accommodation with shared bath, $2,395; private accommodation with private bath, $2,895. Register online at www.puravidaadventures.com/index.php/reservations/camp_reservations, or call  415-465-2162.

Fascinating fact

In 1973, Bhutan issued a stamp that looked like a record and could actually be played on a record player.

Trivial answer

All four words are misspelled. The correct spellings are Caribbean, Philippines, Portuguese and Tucson.