http://www.ajc.com The latest headlines from AJC en-us Copyright 2008, Cox Newspapers Inc., AJC Tue, 2 Dec 2008 23:12:09 EST Newspapers COXnet RSS Generator v1.0 http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/08/17/52/image_1352178.jpg http://www.ajc.com 5 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/30/orlando_disney_christmas.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/30/orlando_disney_christmas.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:43:25 EST Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Never mind the fact we were splashing about in the hotel pool earlier in the day. Snow, albeit man-made, is falling on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom, one of Walt Disney World's four theme parks. Kids are reaching into the air grabbing at flakes, smiles plastering the faces of both young and old. Even park employees, known as cast members in Disney speak, can't help but gaze in wonder, some bobbing their heads to the holiday soundtrack jingling in the air. Christmas at Disney World truly is a wonder. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/26/fontainebleau_hotel.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/26/fontainebleau_hotel.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:02:29 EST Miami Beach, Fla. — It takes a lot to impress here, a place where magazine models shop and $100,000 cars creep by without a batted eye. But there are exceptions, and in the 1950s and 60s the only one that mattered was the Fontainebleau hotel. Blending five-star luxury with chic, progressive style, it was where Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack stayed and played, where James Bond beat Goldfinger in a game of gin rummy. A sleek, curvy layer cake of a place bending into Atlantic beach. But that was decades ago — centuries, really, in the lifetime of a high-class resort — and the grand old dame had been surpassed by newer and hipper sites. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/18/universal_orlando.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/18/universal_orlando.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:27:16 EST ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando is getting ready to kick off its annual holiday celebration with a month of parades, shows and other special events running Dec. 6-Jan. 1. At Islands of Adventure, the Grinch and the Whos from Who-ville perform in the park's holiday "Grinchmas" show, based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" At Universal Studios in Orlando, the Macy's Holiday Parade steps off at dusk daily during the holiday period with balloons, floats and performances by marching bands from around the country. The musical group Mannheim Steamroller will perform two live concerts at Universal Studios on Dec. 6, including music from the group's new "Christmasville" album and songs from "Grinchmas." Mannheim Steamroller wrote the score for "Grinchmas." http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/18/canyon_ranch_miami.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/18/canyon_ranch_miami.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:39:15 EST MIAMI — One of the country's best-known luxury spas, Canyon Ranch, has opened a new resort in Miami Beach. It's Canyon Ranch's third resort, in addition to properties in Tucson, Ariz., and Lenox, Mass. Canyon Ranch Miami Beach opened Nov. 12 in the former Carillon Hotel after nearly four years of restoration, renovation and new construction. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/09/apalachicola_florida_travel.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/11/09/apalachicola_florida_travel.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 6 Nov 2008 16:58:13 EST  This isn't your grandparents' Florida. Franklin County and the towns of Apalachicola (pop. 2,300) and Carrabelle (800) are part of Florida's Forgotten Coast, a drowsy, off-the-beaten-path slice of Gulf of Mexico shoreline, a few hours and about a half-century from Destin's high-rises and Panama City's amusement parks, and a galaxy away from Miami's glitzy glam. With only one stoplight and an environmental protection mandate that encompasses 85 percent of the landscape, the county of 12,000 year-round residents is not "forgotten" by those who find their way here to fish, bird-watch, kayak and canoe, hike, and dine on some of the world's finest oysters, harvested by the plump, succulent ton from Apalachicola Bay. Many Georgians take their outdoor recreation vacations on the Forgotten Coast, 300 miles south of downtown Atlanta. Fishermen give the area a big thumbs up. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/sarasota_winter_sights.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/sarasota_winter_sights.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:03:00 EDT Like any Florida city where tourism is big business, Sarasota has a long list of holiday and winter activities. Here are 10 you'll want to sample: 1. Heritage Holidays at Historic Spanish Point: See Victorian-era holiday decorations and listen to holiday stories from the late 1800s, when Frank and Lizzie Webb Guptill and other Florida pioneers lived there. A bonus: You'll see native Florida plants and a bald eagle and other wildlife that call the 30-acre property home. You'll also see evidence of the first settlers to occupy the Point, from 3000 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Bertha Matilde Honore Palmer, a Chicago socialite, bought and preserved the Point in 1910. Nov. 22-Jan. 2. $9 adults, $8 seniors age 65 and older, $3 children 6-12, free for children under 6. 941-966-5214; www.historicspanishpoint.org 2. Holiday Lights and Jungle Nights: Normally, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is about free-roaming flamingos and exotic bird and reptile shows. For the holidays, the gardens dress up with holiday lights along the winding paths and offer evening entertainment, food, marshmallow roasting, holiday music and visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Nov. 28-Dec. 28: 6-9 p.m. on select evenings. $11 adults, $4 children 3-12. 941-355-1112; www.sarasotajunglegardens.com http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/go_sarasota_circus.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/go_sarasota_circus.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:28:40 EDT Sarasota, Fla. — The town that long ago was built on big cats and elephants, flying trapezes and sideshow acts — and more than a few clowns — has morphed into a sophisticated resort city. Look beyond the accomplished West Coast Symphony or Sarasota Ballet, beyond the numerous art galleries and theaters, or shopping at chic St. Armands Circle, and you'll find experiences unique to a place nicknamed Circus City. You'd expect no less from the town that was once the winter quarters for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Here are six ways to entertain children of all ages over the holidays and into the new year: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/spring_break_budget.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/30/spring_break_budget.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:41:50 EDT NEW YORK — A survey of college students who traveled in the past year shows three-fourths are still planning a spring break trip next year, but about half are budgeting just $500 or less for their trip, according to STA Travel, a student and youth travel organization. The survey also found that students apparently believe they'll get the best deals by planning early. Two-thirds of those who responded to the survey have either already started making arrangements for their spring trips or said they will start in November. Only 13 percent said they're waiting until 2009 to make plans. The survey was distributed via e-mail and Facebook to subscribers to the STA Travel newsletter and STA Facebook group, and results were compiled from 391 responses. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/11/02/go_sarasota_circus.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/11/02/go_sarasota_circus.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:55:19 EDT Sarasota, Fla. — The town that long ago was built on big cats and elephants, flying trapezes and sideshow acts — and more than a few clowns — has morphed into a sophisticated resort city. Look beyond the accomplished West Coast Symphony or Sarasota Ballet, beyond the numerous art galleries and theaters, or shopping at chic St. Armands Circle, and you'll find experiences unique to a place nicknamed Circus City. You'd expect no less from the town that was once the winter quarters for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Here are six ways to entertain children of all ages over the holidays and into the new year: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/11/02/sarasota_winter_sights.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/11/02/sarasota_winter_sights.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:51:40 EDT Like any Florida city where tourism is big business, Sarasota has a long list of holiday and winter activities. Here are 10 you'll want to sample: 1. Heritage Holidays at Historic Spanish Point: See Victorian-era holiday decorations and listen to holiday stories from the late 1800s, when Frank and Lizzie Webb Guptill and other Florida pioneers lived there. A bonus: You'll see native Florida plants and a bald eagle and other wildlife that call the 30-acre property home. You'll also see evidence of the first settlers to occupy the Point, from 3000 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Bertha Matilde Honore Palmer, a Chicago socialite, bought and preserved the Point in 1910. Nov. 22-Jan. 2. $9 adults, $8 seniors age 65 and older, $3 children 6-12, free for children under 6. 941-966-5214; www.historicspanishpoint.org 2. Holiday Lights and Jungle Nights: Normally, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is about free-roaming flamingos and exotic bird and reptile shows. For the holidays, the gardens dress up with holiday lights along the winding paths and offer evening entertainment, food, marshmallow roasting, holiday music and visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Nov. 28-Dec. 28: 6-9 p.m. on select evenings. $11 adults, $4 children 3-12. 941-355-1112; www.sarasotajunglegardens.com http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/21/st_augustine_chowder.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/21/st_augustine_chowder.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:51:05 EDT ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — You get one type of chowder in Boston and another in Manhattan. But there's a third variety of clam stew called Minorcan chowder, and for that you'll have to head to St. Augustine, on the northeast coast of Florida. A group of Minorcan families, originally from the Mediterranean island of Minorca off the coast of Spain, settled in St. Augustine in the late 18th century, and their culinary traditions — including use of fresh seafood and locally grown hot peppers known as datil — survive today. Minorcan chowder typically includes datil peppers along with clams and tomatoes. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/15/go_icebar_orlando.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/10/15/go_icebar_orlando.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:59:35 EDT Orlando — At ICEBAR Orlando, patrons don't need to order drinks on the rocks. "You have a vodka IN the rocks," said co-owner Patz Turner. Make a reservation, pay a $35 cover charge, don an insulated cape and gloves and you can have a vodka drink in a 27-degree room. There, the couches, chairs, walls, glasses, bar and even the fireplace are made of ice. Lights alternately bathe the room in subtle colors, and the drinks are served by waitresses dressed in stylish all-white snow suits and Russian-style fur hats. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/10/12/Orlando_maerz_pricepoints.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2008/10/12/Orlando_maerz_pricepoints.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:38:26 EDT BUDGET Getting there: A doable drive at about 6-7 hours for an average fuel cost of $68 (based on $3.80 a gallon). http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/ga_stories/2008/09/28/appalachian_spas_southeast.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/ga_stories/2008/09/28/appalachian_spas_southeast.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:26:53 EDT For centuries, the tranquil foothills and mountains of the southeastern United States have provided the perfect setting for world-class spas. From a soothing view of a soaring vista to the simple sounds of wind chimes blowing in the cool mountain breeze, higher-elevation spas in the region can be pleasingly peaceful. "As many vacationers are planning trips around the spa experience, the mountains of the Southeast make for a tranquil getaway," says Lynne McNees, president of the International SPA Association. "The beautiful scenery allows spa-goers to relax, reflect and revitalize while reducing stress." Whether for a quick weekend away or a weeklong spa vacation designed to take overall well-being to new heights, this overview of options focuses on resorts in the region's mountains and foothills that offer top spas on-property or nearby. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/08/28/orlando_tourism.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2008/08/28/orlando_tourism.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=23 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:53:40 EDT ORLANDO, Fla. — Rene Blanco reaches for his back pocket where the tips go and shakes his head, his hand coming up empty. "I've been here an hour this morning and haven't made a penny," said the skycap at Orlando International Airport. "The summer's been slow. Delta had a whole terminal of those small regional jets, and now they've cut back a lot of those flights. And it's not just Delta. The airlines are getting killed by high fuel prices." Skyrocketing gas prices and the sour economy have left tourist destinations around the country feeling the pinch as consumers cut back their discretionary spending, shortening or even canceling vacations.