An amazing April adventure from our Tango Diva Preferred Travel Agent Sharon!
This is a 2 week escorted tour in the South Island leaving April 19th with you on it! Good on ya!
Southern Spectacle – New Zealand
13 Day / 10 Night Escorted Vacation
from $2999 per person based on double occupancy
This luxury small group escorted vacation includes all international and domestic New Zealand flights, private airport transfers and deluxe accommodations throughout, awe inspiring sights, unique activities and most meals, and will immerse you in the best of the South Island. We are offering this exclusive rate on a one-off departure only. Valued at $6999 last year, this represents a savings of over $4000 per person!
From the moment you step off the plane and into the waiting limousine, extravagance and adventure await you hand in hand. Journey with Green Realm Travel in a custom-built luxury coach, at the cutting edge in terms of environmental standards, enjoy sumptuous food and wine, stay in 5-star hotel and lodge accommodations, all complemented by iconic sights and unique and interactive activities.
Group size is restricted to just 18 people, allowing you the opportunity to travel in the company of like-minded friends while still enjoying the space, freedom and peaceful nature of New Zealand.
Book this Escorted Vacation today departing April 19 – including all air – for just $2999 per person!
INCLUSIONS
Round trip International air on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles / San Francisco to Auckland plus domestic air Auckland to Christchurch
1 night Christchurch, Millennium Christchurch
1 night Kaikoura, Te Kaikoura Lodge
1 night Nelson, Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco
1 night Fox Glacier, Te Weheka Inn
3 nights Queenstown, Heritage Queenstown
1 night Mount Cook, The Hermitage Hotel
1 night Christchurch, Millennium Christchurch
1 night Auckland, The Sebel Suites Auckland
Entry to Hamner Springs Thermal Spa
Kaikoura Whale Watch Experience
Wine Tasting at Marlborough Vineyards
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Round trip Private Airport Transfers throughout
Hotel Porterage
27 meals
ITINERARY
APR 19: DEPART LOS ANGELES / SAN FRANCISCO (D)
APR 20: IN FLIGHT
APR 21: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH (VIA AUCKLAND) (B)
APR 22: CHRISTCHURCH-HANMER SPRINGS-KAIKOURA (B,L,D)
APR 23: KAIKOURA-BLENHEIM-PICTON-NELSON (B,L,D)
APR 24: NELSON-PUNAKAIKI-FOX GLACIER (B,L,D)
APR 25: FOX GLACIER-QUEENSTOWN (B,L,D)
APR 26: QUEENSTOWN (B)
APR 27: QUEENSTOWN-MILFORD SOUND-QUEENSTOWN (B,L)
APR 28: QUEENSTOWN-ARROWTOWN-MT COOK (B,L,D)
APR 29: MT COOK-CHRISTCHURCH (B,L,D)
APR 30: CHRISTCHURCH-AUCKLAND (B)
MAY 01: AUCKLAND-LOS ANGELES / SAN FRANCISCO (B,D,B)
TERMS & CONDITIONS
All bookings should be made by Mar 31, 2009. Airline taxes and fuel surcharge (approx. $295 per person) are not included. US add-ons permitted, ask Sharon for details.
IF YOU CAN”T GO – SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!
Sharon -Tango Diva Travel Agent
Sharon, based in sunny Scottsdale, AZ, has assisted travel planning to all corners of the world. Her love, however, is the South Pacific: Fiji, New Zealand and Australia!
Specializing in gourmet wine tours, golfing getaways and recuperative medical treatments, Sharon is here to help you make your travel dream come true.
PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL – the legendary golf and resort destination recently completed a multi-million dollar ‘green’ revamp and became a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, a voluntary state initiative that provides assistance and encouragement to lodging facilities to adopt ‘green’ practice. PGA National Resort is currently one of only 3 in Palm Beach County, and one of just 66 in the state.
The sweeping renovations created a unique opportunity for the resort to make luxurious upgrades to the property while at the same time, enhancing conservation efforts. Debris from the construction site was recycled, unused furnitures and fixtures left from the project were donated to Habitat for Humanity, electronic and technology products were recycled and donated, and high-efficiency air filters were installed.
Part of the multi-million dollar revamp includes keeping the fairways dryer to conserve water, switching to chemicals on the greens that are more environmentally-friendly, posting recycling containers throughout the resort and using reclaimed water from its lakes. The hotel implemented an energy management system that shuts off lights in unused guestrooms and ballrooms and the resort as a whole has implemented numerous environmental carbon conserving practices including: use of electronic communication vehicles; linen reuse programs; installation of low-flow aerators, sensor water faucets, low-flow toilets, compact fluorescent light bulbs and computerized air conditioning management; use of environmentally-friendly cleaning and pest-control products; and extensive recycling.
Travel Portland’s web site lists hospitality and retail members who have a certification on file from one of several organizations that certify businesses as “green.” This page will give you a link to the member listing and the name of the certifying organization.
Palm Desert is one of the country’s most aggressive cities in terms of environmental initiatives. Last year, the city introduced a new government division, the Office of Energy Management, and unveiled a plan to cut its energy consumption by 30 percent over the next five years (that works out to 215 million kilowatt hours of electric energy). It’s the most ambitious plan in California and is seen as a pilot program for the rest of the state. Palm Desert ’s program educates and provide incentives to businesses and residents who install efficient pool pumps, awnings, air conditioners, lighting, refrigeration, and more.
The energy initiative is just one more way Palm Desert is thinking green. In late 2006, the city passed a law requiring all new construction to surpass state energy requirements by 10 to 15 percent. It’s also banned drive-through restaurants, waived permit fees on the installation of photovoltaic solar systems in homes and businesses, and declared electric golf carts street-legal. Palm Desert has the only LEED-certified visitor center in the United States ; there’s a LEED-certified community center being constructed next door. The public golf course is not only one of the nation’s best; it was the country’s first environmentally sound course when it opened 10 years ago. And, the city has recently started a program encouraging residents and businesses to install desert-appropriate landscaping in order to reduce water use.
Desert Springs, the city’s largest hotel, is similarly making major headway in the green arena, using reclaimed water in its landscaping, partnering with Ecolab to ensure all cleaning products are certified green, and installing double insulation on all windows to reduce heat gain.
The Living Desert — Palm Desert ’s 450-acre museum, zoo, botanical garden, and nature preserve in one—is one of the country’s most respected zoos and concentrates on desert flora and fauna from across the world. It includes an open animal hospital, which allows visitors to watch surgeries and checkups in progress; miles of hiking trails; and campouts called Starry Safaris.
Last February, The Living Desert introduced a new exhibit: Amazing Amphibians: Frogs on the Edge. The exhibit includes about 45 amphibians, most of them endangered or threatened. It’s part of the facility’s participation in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ designation of 2008 as the Year of the Frog in order to draw attention to the global amphibian extinction crisis resulting from climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and pesticides. (According to the World Conservation Union, at least a third of the world’s 6,000 amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction.)
The exhibit includes several colorful and fascinating amphibians, including a Poison Dart Frog from the South American rain forest; the highly predatory Ornate Horned Frog; and an African Clawed Frog, which has been used extensively in genetic research.
For the third year California’s Artisan Cheese Festival will bring you a four fantastic days of seminars, tours, and demos that will cover everything you wanted to know, (and of course taste) from curds to chevres. This year’s bigger and cheesier event will again be hosted by the Sheraton Sonoma County – in Petaluma from March 20 – 23, 2009.
Just some of the happenings:
The festival kicks off on Friday night, March 20th, with a Meet the Artisans Welcome Reception and Tasting.
In on of 13 seminars, cookbook author and cheese expert Laura Werlin pairs up with Sommelier and Wine Consultant, Christie Dufault for “Slam Dunk Pairings” in which the two discuss fail-proof cheese and wine pairings.
Saturday night’s Artisan Gala Dinner is designed to be a truly memorable event. This five-course dinner is being prepared by some of the Bay Area’s most notable (and cheese loving!) chefs: John Ash, Duskie Estes (ZAZU and Bovolo), Joseph Humphrey (Murray Circle at Cavallo Point), Josh Silvers (Syrah and Jackson’s Bistro & Oven), and Christopher Moonsommy (Tolay at the Sheraton).
The festival continues with the Sunday Artisan Cheese Marketplace, which is being held under an 8,000 square foot tent. This year’s Chef Stage boasts demonstrations from chefs Joey Altman, Chris Jones (The Girl and the Fig), Michael Tuohy (Grange, Sacramento), and Andy Wild (CIA Greystone). Sunday’s events also include a very special Cheese and Wine Pairing event with acclaimed chef Michael Tusk of Quince. Learn what makes Quince one of the highest rated restaurants in San Francisco!
Monday wraps up the weekend with field trips to local creameries for a first-hand look at the artisan cheesemaking process.
California’s Artisan Cheese Festival
Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma
Friday, March 20th – Monday, March 23rd 2009 For tickets and info:
Tango Diva member Connie Umbenhower is offering an all-day conditioning retreat on Sunday, March 15 in beautiful Scotts Valley, located in the Santa Cruzmountains. Her day camps are designed as a short getaway to relax, do some yoga, meditate among quiet surroundings and eat nutritious, healthy food with an Indian twist.
Focus on fitness exercises, healthy food (curry specialties), yoga & meditation sessions, and an afternoon hike in the mountains (weather permitting).
Additionally you can loosen up those dormant muscles by participating in a vigorous dance fitness class “Bollywood” style, with Nima George, a 10 year veteran of Indian dance. She will also be performing an Indian cultural dance for us while we enjoy afternoon tea.
This is a really great way for friends to attend together and have fun. Space is very limited so sign up now.
Cost is $99 if you sign up by Feb 28. $129 after Feb 28.
For this price you get:
* 3 hours of yoga and meditation
* 1 dance class – Bollywood style
* Cooking Demo and Gourmet Lunch
* Snacks and teas throughout the day
* Cultural Indian dance performance
Detailed information on the itinerary and to sign up at the following link: Sign me up!
An Imperial Rose Trellis egg by Faberge, made with gold, enamel, and diamonds.
In the year 1900, at the International Exhibition in Paris, three world-renowned designers of luxury objects, Fabergé, Lalique, and Tiffany, were brought together for the first time. The event was meant to celebrate the technological and artistic achievements of the last century and look forward into the next. But it was also a way to showcase the values of the Gilded Age, the increasing emphasis on opulence, material excess, and the status-conferring power of high-end goods. These three design houses perfectly embodied the spirit of the age. As the San Francisco Legion of Honor’s website puts it:
In the end, the three artists were united by a common purpose: to elevate the mundane object (umbrella handles, lamps, inkwells, etc.) into the most luxurious and artistic creations imaginable for their illustrious clientele. Their work became the ultimate status symbol of the Gilded Age. This event brings together nearly 250 objects from more than 40 international lenders including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, as well as institutions and private lenders in London, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, and across the United States.
The advent of World War I pretty much ended the demand for things like ultra-luxurious inkwells for a long time. Some of the pieces seen at the Exhibition were put into storage and never seen again. Until now. The Legion of Honor in San Francisco will be showcasing some of the most elaborate pieces by these three design houses in a stunning exhibition that runs until May 31, 2009. This is an incredible opportunity to see some meticulously designed and incredibly costly Art Nouveau jewelry, famous Tiffany Favrile glass lamps and vases, seven Fabergé Easter eggs, including one made for Princess Grace of Monaco, and even jewelry designed for the Russian Tsars and their family, auctioned off by the Bolsheviks after the execution of the Romanovs in 1917.
In a related exhibition, for those of you Divas who may be heading to Russia, the world famous St. Catherine palace just outside St. Petersburg will be opening up its underground vaults to show off more of the Romanovs’ confiscated possessions. These include more Fabergé items, clothing and other personal effects belonging to Catherine the Great, and even a Torah scroll presented to Tsar Nicolas II by the Odessa Jewish community. This is a really once-in-a-lifetime experience; you’ll get to see some incredibly beautiful and highly significant pieces of history. The event is being sponsored by Exeter International - questions can be directed to Jade Moore at Jade@exeterinternational.com. And for even more amazing things to do in St. Petersburg, check out Scharlene Fulmer’s great essay on visting the renowned Hermitage Museum.
Qantas Vacations and Qantas Airlines are offering what they’re calling a One Week Walkabout – a weeklong vacation package to a number of destinations on Australia’s east cost, starting at just $699 for 7 days and 6 nights. Airfare starts at $798 with direct flights from LAX and SFO. You can plan trips to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane and their surrounding areas. Sydney means seeing the famous opera house, the gorgeous harbor, Bondi Beach, or maybe a trip to Hunter Valley wine country. In Melbourne, the most Victorian of Australia’s cities, you can see the dazzling scenery of the Great Ocean Round, make a trip to the Phillip Island Nature Park, or visit the spa in Daylesford. And Brisbane of course means access to the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast, and some of Australia’s most stunning rainforests.
But! This offer is only good if you book by March 16, so think about making your travel plans soon. And for more on what to do in these amazing cities, check out Katherine Losse’s fun essay on living in Sydney, and Andrea Clarke’s great tips for a quick trip to Melbourne.
Oh honey, you know you want that designer dress, but why do you want it soooo much? Well, I meet up with rock star designer Bacca da Silva and found out why true designer clothing makes us feel like a million bucks.
Who is Bacca da Silva?
Darling Bacca is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bacca and was first introduced to fashion while watching his mom sew clothing for his family. When is was still a ween teenager Bacca started producing fashion shows, his productions not only gained recognition for local merchants, but also raised money for a variety of charitable causes. Now, a decade (or so) later, he has been recognized as an up and coming designer by GEN ART and gaining attention at a national level for his imaginative and colorful expression through fashion. The house of Bacca da Silva was founded in 2004 and the San Francisco headquarters opened in 2008, with representatives in Brazil, London, and Bejing.
Bacca da Silva Influences
Influenced by worldwide culture and art, Bacca’s line emphasizes playful individuality through vibrant colors and luxury details. Drawing upon his experience of living in Brazil and San Francisco, Bacca believes local atmosphere is important to his creation process of combining international style and luxury into everyday life.
Bacca on San Francisco Fashion
Bacca observes a lack of color at the local level of San Francisco, where people are attempting to fit into tribes and categorize themselves through uniform looks with minimal individuality. Big on pushing the envelope in color, Bacca believes in integrating luxury into everyday looks with bright colors and ornate details, for unique style that deviates from the norm.
What does every woman need in her closet?
The little black dress is always a key item, but now is the time for the vibrant color dress. The hot shades to be seen in are stimulating and spirited, such as green and yellow chartreuse, sunflower yellow and red. Additional key pieces this season are bright silk pants, skinny black jeans and bright color tops.
What should I invest in?
Bacca advises that you should invest in pieces that have personal ties or resurrect memories. Fashion should be an extension of the owner’s individuality, sentimental worth adding true value.
Fashion Dictionary Demi-Couture: One level below haute couture. Limited number of pieces made with basic sizing, but the option to be customized post-production.
Fashion Humor: Fashion that is carefree, fun and playful. Style that is not contrived or uniform. Haute Couture: French for “high sewing.” Custom fit, made to order clothing. Opposite of pret-a-porter. Pret-a-porter: Ready to wear fashion designed for the masses and produced in basic size runs.
A Lesson on Fashion…..
Bacca Da Silva is demi-couture, a limited number of pret-a-porter pieces with the option to be customized to fit postproduction. Each piece is 100% designed by Bacca himself, implementing quality materials including 100% pure Mongolian cashmere, custom hardware and organically dyed silks and cottons. Bacca extends the luxury of his brand with unique details such as hand-laid embroidery, sequins and beading that take 40-80 hours to complete.
One of Santa Fe’s super-fancy downtown hotels, the Inn and Spa at Loretto, is offering rooms for just $129 if you book by March 4 and stay by April 30. The rooms look very, very nice, and the spa features aromatherapy, hot stone massages, and all-natural, organic, fair-trade skin products. The Inn also has an in-house restaurant, a heated outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, three art galleries, and a few other specialty shops. This place is gigantic!
As a Santa Fe native, I’ve obviously never stayed here. But I can tell you that the Loretto’s location is pretty much perfect. You can walk to the Plaza, meaning that some of Santa Fe’s best restaurants, bars, bookstores, art galleries and museums are about two minutes away. I would still recommend renting a car so that you can drive into the mountains and take in some spectacular views. But if you’d really rather go carless, this location would ensure that most of Santa Fe is still at your fingertips.
The Loretto is also right next to the famous Loretto Chapel, a gorgeous Gothic-style church that houses one of Santa Fe’s most enduring mysteries. The story goes that the nuns of the church needed to build a staircase up to the choir loft, but couldn’t afford to do so. They said novenas asking Saint Joseph (patron saint of carpenters) for help for nine days. On the ninth day, a mysterious man arrived with an armful of tools and set to work building the staircase. Months later, when the construction was finished, he disappeared without asking for payment or ever giving his name. The finished staircase is a spiral structure, but lacks a central supporting beam. It doesn’t look like it’s physically possible for it to stand up on its own, but it does. Many Catholics consider the staircase to be miraculous, and insist that it was built by Saint Joseph himself. The mystery of who built the staircase, and how it manages to stay up, endures to this day. So stay at the Loretto – you can walk over to the chapel and decide for yourself!
