Travel Inspiration: Food & Dining - Spotlight on Tourism Blogs

An inside look at food, drink & dining experiences around the globe. Grab your passport and let's travel the world in search of culinary treasures.

FEATURED POSTS

Cape Town Restaurants with Fireplaces - Cape Town Tourism Blog


Culinary Enthusiasts and Do-gooders Unite! - Travel Oregon Blog


Discover the Art of Making Fine Grenadian Rum - Grenada Tourism Blog


Foodies rejoice! Ireland's local delicacies await... - Tourism Ireland Blog


Take home a piece of Welsh heritage - Visit Wales Blog

Social Network Kiwibox.com Unveils U.S. version of Photo Blogging Community Pixunity

Kiwibox.com, a New York City based social network has announced the unveiling of the U.S. version of photo blogging community Pixunity, a division of Kiwibox.com. Pixunity, already established in the European market, was purchased by Kiwibox.com in the first quarter of 2011. The now translated, exciting and internationally focused photo blog website is set to enter the domestic U.S. market and take social networking by storm.

Pixunity features an array of creative templates and designs that enables users to easily bind memories through photo books to share with their friends, family and the online community.

Themed templates allow users to capture the essence of their favorite vacation, holiday or priceless moments from everyday lifestyles and turn photo-sharing into a showcase of life's fondest memories. With themes for every occasion, Pixunity's breadth and depth of offerings lets users stretch their creativity and make photographic masterpieces.

Enhancing interactivity of the photo blog, Pixunity offers digital scrapbooking features such as additional images, borders, text options and backgrounds which customize the photo blog to match the sentiment and brilliance in the pictures each photo book holds.

Kiwibox.com believes in the future of photo book communities, and will therefore build off of the successful launch of Pixunity's U.S. version with future enhancements. Kiwibox continues to showcase its bevy of offerings as both ground breaking and highly interactive, providing its growing user base digital channels to explore, connect and party, not available to social media networks before.

Source: PR Newswire

Travel Inspiration: Museum Visits [Featured Blogs & Video]

Vincent van Gogh in Paris: Montmartre
Courtesy of The Van Gogh Museum on YouTube

FEATURED POSTS

Writing Home: One Couple's Letters from the Civil War

"My love, Once more I am going to try to write to you under difficulties as usual."

Milton Barnes started a letter to his wife Rhoda in Cambridge, Ohio with this line on December 24, 1863 - {Smithsonian National Postal Museum Blog}

Vincent Van Gogh Letters

"Always continue walking a lot and loving nature, for that’s the real way to learn to understand art better and better." -{Vincent Van Gogh Blog}

Bice Curiger's Venice Biennal

"This year’s Venice Biennale has been curated by Tate Etc. magazine’s editorial director Bice Curiger. Laid out in the Central Pavilion in the Giardini, as well as the Arsenale, it features 83 artists from across the world. The title of the 54th exhibition, ILLUMInations, has the 16th century artist Tintoretto as its starting point..." - {Tate Modern Museum Blog}

Travel Inspiration: Discover the Ljubljanica river in Slovenia [Video]

Courtesy of Tourism Ljubljana

What are the best social media vehicles to reach Chinese outbound tourists?

According to China Elite Focus, a leading marketing and PR agency, the favorite Chinese social media networks of Chinese "mass-affluent" travelers are http://www.renren.com/, http://www.kaixin001.com/, http://www.qq.com/ and http://www.sina.com.cn/.

High-end Chinese travelers, with the biggest spending capacity rely more on international social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter (with Chinese content).

Orbitz Celebrates 10th Anniversary and Relaunch of Facebook Fan Page by Flying 100 Travelers to Las Vegas

Orbitz http://www.orbitz.com/ today announced the redesign of its Facebook Fan Page making it easier for travelers to stay "In the Know" about cool new places to go, special deals, and exclusive giveaways in a social atmosphere with other travelers.  In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Orbitz and the relaunch of new the fan page www.facebook.com/orbitz for the next 10 days, 10 travelers will receive free round-trip airfare to Las Vegas with the booking of an MGM hotel during the Orbitz Fans Fly Free promotion(1).

"The new additions to the Orbitz Facebook Fan page allow us to better engage with consumers and build a community of travelers in a way that mirrors the actual experience of travel – interactive, social and fun," said Sam Fulton, Senior Vice President, Retail, Orbitz Worldwide.  "Our innovative use of social media to promote Orbitz as a premier place to book travel follows the launch of the Facebook Send social plug-in which allows travelers to easily share and solicit feedback on hotels from relevant friends or groups."

The redesigned Orbitz Fan Page is launching with new "Are You In The Know?" and "Fans Fly Free" pages.  The "Are You In The Know" page includes unique ideas on where to go and where to stay from Orbitz destination experts, interactive weekly polls, fun Q&A, and travel themed photo galleries.  The Fans Fly Free page will change frequently with the launch of each new promotion/sweepstakes. It also includes exclusive giveaways available only to Orbitz Facebook fans. 

Fans Fly Free Promotion
Get ready for slots, shots, secrets and sins.  Are you one of our fastest fans?  Now through May 13, Orbitz is giving away 100 free round-trip flights to Las Vegas to the first 10 fans each day that book a hotel room for two or more nights with a participating MGM property.  Here's how it works: 

1. "Like" Orbitz on Facebook.
2. Grab the exclusive Fans Fly Free to Las Vegas promo code on the Fans Fly Free page from May 3 through May 13, 2011.
3. Search for your favorite MGM Resort in Las Vegas for travel by October 1, 2011.
4. If you are one of the first 10 customers to apply the promo code to your participating hotel booking, you will see "Your promotion code has been successfully applied."
5. If your promotion code is accepted, winners will receive an e-mail with all the details on how to redeem their prize.
6. Too late? Check back every day throughout the promotion period for a new code.

For complete terms and conditions visit the Orbitz Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/orbitz and click on the "Fans Fly Free" link.

What's Happening on the Orbitz Facebook Fan Page Now:  Which celebrity do you want to travel with?  Find out the Orbitz Fan Favorite and cast your vote.  Also, view the hottest celebrity hotels and affordable alternatives.  And, don't miss details on upcoming 10th anniversary travel giveaways.  Only available to our special Orbitz Facebook fans.

Source: Orbitz News Release & www.twitter.com/Orbitz

Contiki Holidays Partners with Environmentalist, Adventurer and World Explorer, Céline Cousteau Céline [Video]

Courtesy of Contiki Holidays on YouTube

Carnival Cruise Lines Unprecedented Social Media Event on Facebook May 1, 2011

In an unprecedented social media event, Carnival Cruise Lines is inviting Facebook fans www.facebook.com/carnival to experience the excitement of Carnival Magic's May 1 launch from Venice, Italy, with a series of videos that showcase the ship's inaugural activities along with its many unique features and innovations.

A series of 11 videos will be posted every half hour between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (U.S. Eastern time) on Sunday, May 1.  The videos take viewers on a journey as they enjoy a front-row seat at the Carnival Magic's naming ceremony, tour the ship's bridge, and learn more about the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, WaterWorks aqua park, and Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant, with insight from company executives who helped create these exciting new spaces.

The videos also offer an in-depth look at the ship's European ports of call and a recap of the day's events, including a chat with the ship's godmother, Lindsey Wilkerson, a former patient of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who now serves as an employee and an ambassador of the organization. Carnival Magic's Senior Cruise Director John Heald will also answer questions submitted by Facebook fans as part of an informative "Ask John" segment.

After the videos are posted, fans can participate in a Facebook quiz based on the videos for a chance to win a seven-day Carnival Magic cruise for four to the Caribbean.

"Only a handful of people get to witness a ship launch in person so by using Facebook we're enabling fans from all over the world to be right there with us as we welcome Carnival Magic into the fleet," said Jim Berra, Carnival's chief marketing officer. "Those who are not already among our 725,000 and growing Facebook fans can visit us at www.facebook.com/carnival and simply hit the 'like' button." ww.facebook.com/carnival

The 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic will spend its inaugural season in Europe with a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating May 1 through October 16, 2011. Following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing, Carnival Magic will begin seven-day Caribbean cruises out of Galveston, Texas, on November 14, 2011, becoming the port's largest year-round ship.

For more information, visit http://www.carnival.com/


Source: Press release at PR Newswire

"Pick Your Prize With CheapOair" Social Media Contest

CheapOAir, an award-winning website launched their "Pick Your Prize With CheapOair" contest today. One lucky individual (and someone they ‘like’) will have two prizes to choose from if they are the big winner.

Prize 1: Get Trendy in Lisbon
• Two round-trip tickets on TAP Portugal to the city of Lisbon.
• Four-night stay at the luxurious 5-star Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa.
• A 72-hour city pass to explore Portugal’s capital and largest city!

Prize 2: Porto – Your World Heritage City
• Two round-trip tickets on TAP Portugal to the city of Porto.
• Four-night stay at the luxurious 5-star Tiara Park Atlantic Porto.
• A 72-hour city pass to explore the home of port wine along the Douro River.

The contest starts today April 25, 2011 and ends April 29, 2011.

To enter,  Like’ the CheapOair Facebook page. Already a fan? Then just leave a comment on the daily Portugal posts. Leave a comment each day for more chances to win!

The winner will be announced Monday May 2, 2011 on the CheapOair Facebook page.

For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/cheapoair

JW Marriott Indianapolis Presents the “33 Stories” Facebook Contest

In celebration of the recent opening of the tallest hotel in Indiana, with 33 stories of sophisticated design, the JW Marriott Indianapolis today announces its “33 Stories” contest promotion, encouraging fans to share their stories about the JW Marriott Indianapolis hotel.

The participant whose story receives the most “likes” will win two nights in a spacious executive suite at the groundbreaking Indianapolis hotel as well as champagne and strawberries upon arrival and complimentary breakfast for two each morning.

Full press release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/4/prweb8280697.htm

Idaho Tourism Unveils New Look for VisitIdaho.org Website

The Idaho Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism today unveiled a new version of their flagship website, VisitIdaho.org.

“The evolution of our Adventures in Living brand and our Great Idaho Getaway campaign inspired the updated look and feel” said Karen Ballard, Administrator for the Division of Tourism. “Easier navigation with new user interface and advanced search features that embrace mobile usage required the update of the award winning site.” said Ballard.

The site includes photography, video, 360 degree virtual tours, Google Maps and a range of social media platforms including the Visit Idaho Blog, Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

The launch coincides with Idaho Tourism’s Great Idaho Getaway marketing campaign that runs April – Sept 2011 and offers impressive monthly vacation prize giveaways from our regional tourism partners.

For ideas on how to have an active, good value, adventure-filled vacation, visit http://www.visitidaho.org/ where you can find package deals and sign up for the vacation getaways.


Full Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/4/prweb8237191.htm

Blog Outpost: Win a Free Vacation at the Beach!

Blog Outpost features interesting sights & sounds from Travel & Tourism blogs on our radar.

Today, you are viewing 'Win a Free Vacation on Beautiful Panama City Beach!' at http://www.edgewaterbeachresort.com/blog/?p=2388

Photo courtesy of Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort
http://twitter.com/ResortsPCBeach

Cheapflights Brings Inspiration Search to Facebook

Cheapflights, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, has added a new spin to its Facebook page, literally.

Now, with the Travel Inspiration application, Cheapflights Facebook users in the U.S., U.K. and Canada can spin the globe to spark their travel imaginations.

Modeled after the successful "Be Inspired" tab on the Cheapflights Web sites, the new Facebook application combines a playful interface with travel inspiration, asking users to simply click on the flag of their home country and select their departure point. From there, they have the option to add details such as budget, continent, trip type (beaches, adventure, family, etc.) and/or timeframe (next 30 days, two months or three months). The app does the rest, delivering a destination suggestion and specific flight deals for the trip.

"We are striving to put the fun back into travel and travel planning," said Chris Cuddy, CEO of Cheapflights Media. "There's a vast world of travel opportunities, and sometimes all that's missing is a spark of inspiration. Because our app is tied to real deals, we not only whet users' appetites for new places, but give them the concrete pricing and availability they need to book a great adventure."

"This app is also the perfect fit for the newest wave of budget-driven travelers -- those willing to be adventurous, try new things, and go further than they've gone before to make the most of their holiday budget. Our app opens their eyes to new choices and affordable alternatives," adds Cuddy.

The Facebook application puts inspiration search at the heart of the social media universe, where users share and compare travel plans and aspirations, but that's not all. Each spin of the globe brings a chance to be entered into a golden pin sweepstake. If a user and two friends all find a gold pin while using our Facebook application, they all win a chance to enter for a weekly prize.

View full press release at http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Cheapflights-Brings-Inspiration-Search-to-Facebook-1423036.htm

Tourism Video Channel of the Day: Visit Peru

Beginning today, we are featuring a "Tourism Video Channel of the Day" at www.twitter.com/socmediatravel.

Today, let's go to Peru! http://www.youtube.com/visitperu, Follow on Twitter @VisitPeru

Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific Launches ‘Live Elite’ Competition on Facebook!

Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific invites you to enter their 'Live Elite' competition on Facebook and experience some of the most amazing resorts in the Asia Pacific region.

Photo Credit: Elite Resorts of Asia Pacific

Each month (April, May, June, July) will feature a Sun, Sea, Spa or Snow experience at these hotels in the region: Banyan Tree Samui, Koh Samui; Huvafen Fushi, Maldives; AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali and The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Japan. Check out the details on their blog http://bit.ly/ecAb4i. Follow on Twitter @eliteresorts

New Media Travel Recognizes Vemont B&B Owners for Social Media Marketing Campaign to Reach New Customers

New Media Travel has recognized 40 Putney Road, in Brattleboro, Vermont as one of the few Bed & Breakfasts actively using social media platforms to attract new customers.

A recent TripAdvisor research project with The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) found that 95 percent of travelers never consider staying at a B and B.

Clearly, Owners Tim and Amy Brady understand the power of social media marketing in converting hotel and resort patrons into B and B guests.

And Founder and CEO of New Media Travel Kaleel Sakakeeny http://technorati.com/people/kaleeltvp/ agrees with this strategy. "Social media is critical to engage travelers," he said. "A recent survey by Google http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article43160.html uncovered that 79 percent of consumers watch YouTube videos to research personal travel options," Sakakeeny added.

To continue building momentum for 40 Putney Road, Sakakeeny created a branded Travel Video Postcard http://www.youtube.com/travelvideo#p/a/u/2/BZiKB8Ge3kY.

"Our Travel Video Postcards http://www.youtube.com/user/travelvideo are one-minute editorial-quality, compelling sound-rich travel videos that bring destinations to life, linked to an effective energized social networking strategy. They are embedded on nearly a million websites and blogs globally," he concluded.

He also posted a blog on about 40 Putney Road on a dedicated Technorati travel feature page: http://technorati.com/lifestyle/travel/article/new-innkeepers-use-social-media-to/

But why is social media a powerful tool for building business at this independently owned inn?

"This study reveals," Tim says, "that most travelers are afraid of the B and B experience." Younger travelers, in particular, don't want to eat breakfast with people they don't know, he added.

So the Bradys accept the marketing challenge of reaching potential B and B guests with robust Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as fun, non-promotional videos posted on YouTube and other video sharing sites.

And Sakakeeny of New Media Travel says he'll continue to spotlight and partner with marketers, tourism boards, and destinations to tweet, blog, engage and market their way to success in the digital world.

Kaleel Sakakeeny, founder and CEO of New Media Travel, (http://technorati.com/people/kaleeltvp/) produces Travel Video PostCards, one-minute, sound rich travel videos; timely blogs, and Audio PostCards, all providing travel news and information for consumers and the travel industry.

New Media Travel (http://www.newmediatravel.com/) identifies travel trends and travel technology developments and actively creates editorial quality, rich media content for the travel industry.

Source: PR Web http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/03/prweb5189874.htm

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok Goes Mobile

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok is now going mobile by launching its brand new mobile website. Guests using any mobile device are able to visit the Rembrandt and be automatically redirected to the mobile site featuring all the latest promotions from Rembrandt's five award winnings restaurants, make bookings, and much more.

Rembrandt's webpage also interlinks with its Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Blog and other social media platforms. In addition, the webpage is combined with Rembrandt's dynamic CRM platform powered by Mobikon technologies providing guests with convenience and the latest in news and updates right in the palm of the hand. The Rembrandt is proud to maintain its positions as one of the leading trendsetting hotels in Bangkok by implementing the latest technology to enhance guest experience.

Source: http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=662261&Itemid=30

Mesa, Ariz. Tourism Bureau Launches New, Gadget-Loaded Web Site

The Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau (Mesa CVB) unveiled a new website, http://www.visitmesa.com/, featuring updated Internet functions that will help the tourism organization promote Mesa’s core attributes to the online consumer.

The site, designed and hosted by Tucson-based Simpleview, utilizes numerous new and innovate tools and gadgets that are in-demand by today’s Internet user. From up-to-the-minute social media feeds for Twitter and Facebook to the addition of a coupon function for Mesa attractions and tourism-related businesses, consumers can expect more user-friendly access to travel-related content for Mesa, Arizona.

The website overhaul re-organized the destination under four basic pillars: Hotels, Restaurants, Calendar and How to Get Here. When laying out the site map it was critical to make the online travel resource easy to navigate and these four categories were selected based on most popular search terms from the previous website. The site’s content was completely updated and now reflects bold Mesa imagery that changes based on the season/time of year, as well as six sub-categories with tailored information for each unique audience: Tour & Trade, Media, Sports Planner, Meeting Planner and Visitors.

Access the full press release here http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8216351.htm

First Ever Combination of Social Media and Cruise Vacation Giveaway

Cruise Discounter CruiseNow.com recently launched a very innovative and unique Cruise Giveaway with Royal Caribbean International to give away a cruise for 2 on a 7 night Royal Caribbean Cruise.

What makes this contest so unique is the introduction of social media. The sweepstakes of the past are traditionally an email or name sign up, including but not limited to, some minor demographic information. CruiseNow.com has taken that concept to the next level.

Online users are prompted to enter their email address to earn an entry in the contest, but then are invited to “connect” with Cruise Now socially to earn additional entries which will enhance their chances of winning the cruise. Some of these extra opportunities are, “Liking” CruiseNow.com on Facebook, Following them on Twitter, Retweeting the promotion to their friends, sharing the promotion on their Facebook wall, subscribing to the Cruise Now YouTube channel, reviewing a cruise ship they have been on in the past for their friends and much more. Fans of the contest will have the opportunity to earn up to 9 additional entries in the contest.

Initial response has been overwhelming and CruiseNow.com is fielding calls from news outlets across the country interested in finding out more about this innovative concept. John Keen, CEO of CruiseNow.com, says “I knew we had something special when we saw the huge response to the contest in the first 24 hours. It really shows you the power of social media. When your friends recommend something the influence and magnitude is incredible.”

The grand prize for this sweepstakes is a 7 night Caribbean cruise for 2 on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Once Royal Caribbean heard about the social aspect of this sweepstakes they jumped on board to be the cruise line of choice for the winner. They too have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly the contest has spread. It rivals many much more expensive similar sweepstakes that have been done in recent years. It is a true testament that social marketing is here and working in a big, big way.

View original press release at http://www.prweb.com/releases/CruiseNow/cruisegiveaway/prweb8204944.htm

Golden Age of Aviation Concept Planes Come to Life Again with Launch of a New Online Community

What does it feel like to fly a high-performance fighter plane that never went beyond the concept stage? Those who had that experience did so as armchair aviators in the mid-1920s to the late ‘30s. They were at the controls of futuristic flying machines engaging in dogfights against advanced-design enemy aircraft. All they had to do was read the aviation adventure novels published in 10¢ pulp-fiction magazines.

Each issue featured aircraft that were created in the minds of the most talented aviation artists of the day. These sleek concept planes were so futuristic that they could never have been built with the technologies of those days, yet many of them have since been proven flight worthy when built as flying models.

Those same adventurous experiences of flight are alive today on a new website dedicated to preserving those vintage aviation publications. The Magazine Collector is a social network for an aviation community that focuses on collecting titles such as Bill Barnes Air Adventures and Air Trails that captured the experience of flight in the pre-WWII era.

Read the full press release: http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/87074/