I shot this at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park.

A great travel photograph requires two things: a great subject, and great light.  We were out hiking around Lake Louise, one misty morning, when this view popped into my trusty Nikon’s viewfinder.

Although the light was not popping the colors, like I generally prefer, this magnificent subject, along with the beautiful reflections in the water still made for a beautiful capture.  The low hanging clouds add to the mystery of the setting.

As you can see in the media photograph from Fairmont (right), the setting of this chateau is simply indescribable.

If you’d like a little more information about the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, take a peek at our feature video.

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The Hotel Valley Ho is offering some really sweet packages for Valentine’s Day.

Hotel Valley Ho is Downtown Scottsdale’s mid-century modern landmark. Originally opened in 1956 and reopened in 2005 after a complete restoration, this 193-room urban retreat blends old with new: vintage design with modern amenities like wireless Internet access throughout, flat screen televisions in each room, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There’s also ZuZu, VH Spa for Vitality + Health, and OH Pool Bar + Cabanas.

We had the opportunity to have a spectacularly groovy Sunday brunch at ZuZu back a few months ago.  We quickly learned that Hotel Valley Ho knows how to make very special memories.

With this foreknowledge, we can assure you that their Valentine’s Day packages are certain to be just as memorable.

Valentine’s Day Packages at Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale

Hotel Valley Ho has some swell offerings this Valentine’s Day — dinner at ZuZu, the Romance Package, splendid spa specials, and a variety of rooms and suites suited to sweethearts.

ZuZu will be featuring drink specials and an a-la-carte, three-course menu created just for the evening, along with its regular dinner menu. For an in-room treat, overnight guests can order amenities like chocolate-covered strawberries, Champagne, and handcrafted truffles.

The hotel also offers the Romance Package. A Red Flower aromatherapy candle is a gift upon arrival. Complimentary turndown service is offered, with delivery of a half-bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and fresh seasonal fruit. Also included is a complimentary in-room movie and breakfast in bed or at ZuZu. *$20 per person maximum for breakfast. All package items exclude tax and gratuity. Meals do not include alcohol.

VH Spa for Vitality + Health is featuring two specials for Valentine’s Day, for both couples and singles. The Romance Package for Two includes two 60-minute Aromatherapy Massages, followed by chocolate-dipped strawberries and two glasses of champagne served on the spa deck ($300, includes service charge). For singles, the Loving the Single Life Package includes a 60-minute Aromatherapy Massage, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a glass of Champagne ($150, includes service charge). Both packages are available Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14.

Rooms are available from $259 per night; the Romance Package starts at $346 (rates are for February 14) Dinner, spa, and room reservations can be made at 480.248.2000 and at www.hotelvalleyho.com.

Have fun!

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Disclosure: this is a sponsored post brought to you on behalf of Hotel Valley Ho.

Note: click for larger view

Over the past four years, Hawaii, the Big Island has been our annual winter visit to the tropics.

We love Hawaii Island because it’s bigger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined, has one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and has two volcanic peaks that rise from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet.

Of all the islands, Hawaii Island is the most ecologically diverse, with natural environments ranging from the desert plains of Ka‘ü to the rain forests above Hilo, to sometimes snowcapped Mauna Kea. There are said to be 13 climatic regions on earth and Hawaii Island has all but two, the Arctic and the Saharan.

We could sing the praises of Hawaii Island for hours.  However, the thing that we like most about Hawaii Island is that it is somewhat undiscovered by most American travelers.

Think about it, a somewhat undiscovered Hawaiian island that is barron of the massive throngs of people found on some of the neighboring islands.  For decades, smart travelers have quietly visited, built homes, and enjoyed this tropical paradise without the boat loads of tourists found elsewhere.

Shhh.  Don’t tell anyone our secret!

We are soon to make another trek to Hawaii Island, sponsored by our friends at the Big Island Visitors Bureau, and they wanted us to share with you that Hawaii Island is also the land of big adventure.

Here’s a recent release from Hawaii Island:

How long will the eruption last? No one knows but back up near the summit, at the park visitors’ center, rangers can tell explorers all about trails, campgrounds, guided hikes and Hawaiian cultural activities. Respected tour companies also offer interpretative drives and hikes through the park.

And down the road, visitors can explore the Kazumura lava tube system—the deepest, longest, tallest known lava tube system on Earth, on a guided trek.

Ocean Commotion – Hawai‘i Island has 266 miles of coastline—more than double that of any other Hawaiian Island—and there are many ways to explore the warm, clear ocean that surrounds us. Start with charter boats—traditional Hawaiian outriggers for paddling or sailing, cush catamarans for snorkeling and scuba expeditions to tucked- away bays, sturdy craft for close-up views of lava exploding into the sea, even a real submarine with very big windows. And don’t forget the stalwart yachts that cruise Kona’s famous deep-sea fishing grounds, hooking some of the world’s most spectacular fighting fish. Adventurers can also rent kayaks to discover hidden coves on their own for snorkeling and secluded picnics.

But you don’t need a boat to enjoy the ocean around Hawai‘i Island.

Surfing (he‘e nalu) was invented by Hawaiians, and Hawai‘i Island surf breaks are so treasured that songs and chants have been written about them. Surf lessons are a perfect way to learn where to go and what to do. Two local favorites are Honoli‘i Beach Park outside of Hilo, and Kahalu‘u Beach Park just south of Kailua Village.

Scuba guides will lead newbies or old salts out into the sparkling blue right from shore along the Kona and Kohala coasts, swirling through arches and caves, racing green sea turtles and flying weightless underwater. Or just put on your mask and snorkel and float in the shallows at one of the many beaches around the island where families love to gather. Or don’t even get your face wet—tip-toe among the tidepools and see a whole miniature world you never knew existed.

Click for large view

Star Struck – The ocean is pretty deep, but not compared to the heavens. At the 13,796- foot summit of Maunakea stand the planet’s most powerful astronomical observatories. From here, telescopes peer billions of light-years into the universe. Before going to the summit, cosmos-oriented dreamers will want to stop at the 9,300-foot visitors’ center and peer through portable telescopes to the rings of Saturn and beyond. Then they can drive or take a tour to the summit, be dazzled by a sky shimmering with more stars than they’ve probably ever seen, and stand next to the giant observatories that, at that very moment, might be discovering extraordinary new truths about our universe.

Active baby boomer travelers find it important to be able to maintain their regular daily oral hygiene while on the road.  For those who have come to depend on a Waterpik water flosser in their day-to-day regimen, carrying around the company’s flagship product was not a viable option.

That all changed a few months ago when the Waterpik® Traveler™ Water Flosser was introduced.

The folks at Waterpik recently asked us if we would like to try out a free sample of their new product.  Being regular Waterpik users, we eagerly agreed.

The Waterpik^® Traveler™ Water Flosser (WP-300) is 50% smaller than previous models with a reservoir that inverts for compact travel and has a premium travel case included. It features 4 unique tips, a pressure control system with 3 settings, is energy efficient and quiet; offers global voltage compatibility, and has a 2-year warranty.

We loved the compact styling, the separate slots for the various attachments, and we didn’t notice any reduction in water pressure.  Plus, with the unit only weighing just over a pound, and with dimensions of 5 x 4 x 4.25, it will easily fit into carry-on luggage.

Benefits

• Clinically proven to be 2x as effective as string floss at reducing gingival bleeding and up to 52% more effective at reducing gingival inflammation
• Specially designed Orthodontic Tip with tapered brush is clinically proven to remove three times as much plaque biofilm and significantly reduce bleeding in orthodontic patients versus string floss
• Removes 99.9% of plaque biofilm from treated areas
• With the Classic Jet Tip, a solution will penetrate on average 50% of the depth of a pocket
• The Plaque Seeker Tip™ is designed to access stubborn plaque around implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, and other areas that are especially susceptible to plaque accumulation
• Massages and stimulates gingival tissue

Features

El Malecon Boardwalk in Havana Cuba

Until recently, it has been illegal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba since the 1962 trade embargo put into place by President John F. Kennedy

The only travel allowed between the two countries was primarily limited to Cuban-Americans, research trips for professional and academic research, and humanitarian or religious mission trips.

While travel to Cuba is still not legal for the average American tourist, last year President Obama made it possible for limited numbers of people to legally travel to Cuba through “people-to-people” educational travel programs.

In that spirit, professional photographers Tod O’Driscoll and Otto von Munchow invite you to join them on an intimate 8 Day Cuban Photographic Journey on April 16-23, 2012 (travel provided by Insight Cuba).

Join an 8-Day Cuban Photographic Journey!

As part of this people-to-people exchange, group participants will meet and get to know Cubans from all different walks of life.  Participants, through an English speaking Cuban guide,  will learn about Cuban history, culture, and the joys, triumphs, and every day struggles of the Cuban people.

From Tod and Otto:

“Get acquainted with the romantic city of Havana and its people through interactions with the residents, visiting communities, sharing stories and experiences.

After falling in love with Havana, it’s on to Cienfuegos, commonly referred to as “The Pearl of the South”, before settling in to soak up Trinidad’s colonial charm. While here, you’ll walk the cobblestoned streets, mingling with the residents while absorbing the history of this wondrous region. Set amongst the Sierra del Escambray Mountains to the north, where coffee plantations dominate, and the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea to the south, you’ll take in the beauty of the area, and won’t want to leave!

Each day on the tour, you will go out with your camera to meet Cubans from various walks of life, and you will be able to hear their stories about their lives, their customs, and their country. You will also see the beautiful architecture, be seduced by the infectious Cuban music, and take in the stunning landscapes.”

Highlights of the tour include:

• A walking tour of Old Havana’s colonial streets and squares
• Visiting a Cuban cigar factory
• Meeting Cuban photographers
• Touring Cienfuegos (the “Paris of Cuba) and visiting a Cuban artist colony
• Meeting Cuban musicians
• Touring the Miramar neighborhood of Havana
• Meeting Cuban artists
• Exploring colonial Trinidad
• Visiting the Sugar Mills Valley

What’s included:

• 4 or 5-star accommodations in Havana
• All meals (as outlined in the itinerary)
• Days full of guided activities
• U.S. Treasury Department License and Letter of Authorization
• A Cuban host (travel guide)
• All entrance fees to scheduled activities and events
• All in-country ground transportation and transfers
• Travel health insurance, emergency medical evacuation, and trip cancellation coverage (up to $1,000)
• Insight Cuba Travel Handbook
• 24-hour emergency service

What’s not included:

• Flights to and from Miami, and international flights to and from Havana are not included in cost of the program (prices to Havana vary depending on the season, but can range from $400 up to $600+)
• $50 visa charge
• $20 Fed Ex charge
• $50 Administration fee
• This cost also does not include any fees to be paid to Fototecha (the Cuban Photographers group we will be meeting with).
• $25 Cuban departure tax
• Tips for your guide, driver, chambermaids, bell hops and waiters are not included in the program fee.
• Any optional event that requires an admission fee such as museums, night clubs, a baseball game, etc.
• Beverages or snacks which are not part of a meal (i.e., a beverage or snack purchased between meals).
• Individual transportation within Cuba for optional activities.
• All expenses of a personal nature such as room service, phone, mini-bar, laundry, internet access, etc.
• Any excess baggage charges.
• Cost of obtaining a passport.
• Any additional cost(s) not included in the itinerary.

Instructors: Tod O’Driscoll and Otto von Munchow

Tod O’Driscoll is an award winning photographer with twenty two years experience. He has an M.A. in Photography, and his work has taken him all over the U.S., as well as to Mexico, Europe and Africa. His fine art, documentary, and event photography have all been awarded top honors in various regional, national and international competitions over the years, and his work has been published by corporations, universities and print and web publications.

Otto von Munchow is a documentary photographer based in Bergen, Norway. In 1989, he studied at the International Center of Photography in New York City, where he assisted acclaimed documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark. Since then, he has photographed in Africa, the Ukraine, Thailand, Norway, Cuba, and all over Europe. His work has been published in many print and web publications. He first visited Cuba in 1991, and has returned many times since then, as he loves Cuba and the Cuban people.

Cost of the trip is $3,695 (double occupancy). A single supplement is an additional $300 per each single room request. A deposit of $600 is required to reserve your place on the trip.

For more info. on the trip (including pricing details, etc.), please visit: www.phototourscuba.com.  To reserve your place, please call: (206) 948-9481 or (480) 313-8121, or email: odriscollphoto@msn.com

This program is organized and operated by Insight Cuba. Insight Cuba has been issued a specific license by The Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorizes registered guests of their programs to visit Cuba legally.

This trip sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.  As a photographer, and a lover of unique travel experiences, this trip would definitely merit our personal consideration if we weren’t already committed to other travel during the time of this excursion.

Disclosure:  this information is brought to you as a sponsored post paid for by World Photo Tours.

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The AAA Four and Five Diamond lists are one of our “go to” lists when we are deciding which properties to visit and share with you our readers and subscribers.

One of the great missions of our website is to peruse these lists on your behalf, go visit, and bring you back a report filled with lush photography, videos, and more.

Here’s a recent press release that we hope might spark a few travel ideas in your mind.

If so, be certain to head to our Facebook page and share some of your pictures.

ORLANDO, Fla., (Jan. 20, 2012) – AAA announced today the 126 lodgings and 53 restaurants that earned the AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award® designation for 2012. These select establishments represent just 0.3 percent of the total 59,000 AAA/CAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants.

Of note among the 16 new additions for 2012 are first-ever Five Diamond establishments for Rhode Island and Antigua. In the restaurant category, New York tops the list for growth with three new Five Diamond establishments. California is the only state to grow in both categories, with two additional lodgings and one restaurant.

The Roaming Boomers help you decide which of these properties to visit with our lush video and photographic reports!

During the past year, eight Five Diamond restaurants closed their doors, at least temporarily. “This 15 percent drop illustrates the speed at which the concept of luxury dining is shifting in response to the economy, changing diner preferences and a corporate redefining of acceptable luxury levels for business reimbursement,” said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Tourism Information Development. “Today the service style is more casual, with a greater focus on providing a high-quality, individualized, value-focused experience. The addition of seven Five Diamond restaurants reflects the rebound that began for this segment during the latter half of 2011.”

AAA’s professional inspectors, ideally positioned to observe emerging hospitality trends, noted other changes in store for 2012. For hotels, a prevalent trend is creating a home-away-from-home environment, according to AAA inspectors. Another growth area is “smarter” hotel rooms that learn guests’ habits as they use a central remote to control everything from heating and air to lights, curtains, music and wakeup calls. In the restaurant industry, prevailing themes include more natural ingredients, locally sourced foods and healthier meal options. These include rustic fare — simple dishes with fresh ingredients — made in-house and new twists on comfort foods such as a “dusting” of dried, powdered fruits or vegetables to add texture and flavor, rather than heavy sauces.

“Five Diamond lodgings feature extraordinary physical attributes and meticulous personalized attention, and Five Diamond restaurants feature world-class service and imaginative menu selections using the finest ingredients,” said Petrone. “It is an amazing accomplishment to achieve and maintain this level of quality and service, and AAA is pleased to honor these properties with a Five Diamond Rating.”

New AAA Five Diamond Lodgings:

ARIA Sky Suites, Las Vegas, Nev.

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C.

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Jumby Bay, Antigua (pictured above)

Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Fla.

Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ocean House, Watch Hill, R.I.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Calif.

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The St. Regis Houston, Houston, Texas

New Five Diamond Restaurants:

Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Tarrytown, N.Y.

Del Posto, New York, N.Y.

Herons Restaurant, Cary, N.C. (in the Umstead Hotel & Spa)

The Kitchen Restaurant, Sacramento, Calif.

Marea, New York, N.Y.

Menton, Boston, Mass.

Restaurant Initiale, Québec, Canada

Noteworthy for 2012:

Three lodgings have maintained the Five Diamond Rating for 36 consecutive years – since 1976 when AAA first introduced the Diamond Ratings for accommodations: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The restaurant with the longest Five Diamond tenure, 24 consecutive years, since 1988, is The Inn at Little Washington Dining Room in Washington, Va.

Continuing a 75-year tradition, AAA’s professionally trained inspectors use published guidelines to conduct unannounced property evaluations. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity and is the only rating system that covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations, assigning AAA/CAA Approved lodgings and restaurants One to Five AAA Diamonds. Travelers can access information about AAA inspections and Diamond Ratings at AAA.com/Diamonds.

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Few travelers find Pfeiffer Beach, but it is well known and loved by the locals.

The beach is unmarked from the highway, and to get there you must keep a sharp eye for Sycamore Canyon Road located just outside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.  At the end of Sycamore Canyon Road, you will find a nice parking area, restrooms, and the beach only a quarter-mile down a beautiful path.  As of this writing, entrance was $5/car.

Be certain to bring a camera as the rock formations are stunning, and you won’t want to miss showing your friends photographs of the patches of purple sand that adorn the beach.  With manganese garnet in the hills surrounding the beach, colorful shades of violet, ruby red, pink, or even royal purple gets washed down to the beach.  The farther north you walk, the more colorful the beach becomes.

Although somewhat remote, the beach is family-friendly and well worth a visit.  Don’t forget your beach towels!

The beach is “point A” on the map below.

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View Larger Map

Spring comes early in the Sonoran Desert.  Ofttimes, we can find wildflowers beginning to bloom as the weather begins to warm in late February.

Springtime at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden is a treasure trove for professional and amateur photographers alike.  I shot this butterfly a few years ago at the Desert Botanical Garden, and it remains one of my favorite captures.

If you enjoy photography, be certain to put this destination on your agenda for the spring desert bloom.

Here’s our feature on the Desert Botanical Garden.

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Grand Del Mar, From our 2010 Visit

Today, TripAdvisor announced the winners of its 2012 Travelers’ Choice^® awards. The 10^th annual awards has revealed premier properties in the U.S. and world, in addition to winners in the categories of Best Luxury and Bargain, Best for Service, B&Bs and Inns, All-Inclusive, Spa, and Trendiest.

In total, 3,943 properties globally have been recognized this year with dedicated lists featured for 30 countries and eight regions worldwide. The winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

As we scanned the list, we noticed a few of our favorite properties:

Top 25 Hotels in the United States:

• #2 – The Grand Del Mar – Complete review from our visit.
• #13 – Adobe Grand Villas – Complete review from our visit.
• #16 - Four Seasons Resort Hual’lai – Complete review from our visit.

Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean:

• #3 – Tortuga Bay – Complete review from our visit.
• #22 – Jade Mountain Resort – Complete review from our visit.

Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the United States:

One of our favorite places to unwind, frolic in the ocean, and gain a little centeredness is at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John, US Virgin Islands.

The resort, formerly a Caribbean home to Laurence Rockefeller, features seven private beaches and 170 acres of lush tropical paradise.

I captured this sunset from our beach-side cabana as we were headed out to dinner one night.  Looks peaceful, doesn’t it?

Click here for our video and full feature.

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