The Lodge at Sun Ranch, the newest U.S. eco-lodge, opened this weekend. Accommodating a mere 16 people at capacity, the luxury lodge is in the 26,000-acre Sun Ranch sustainable ranching operation in southwestern Montana.

The new lodge boasts 10,000 square feet of space and offers accommodation in six guest rooms and suites in the main building and two freestanding cabins, as well as expanded common areas including a larger kitchen, dining room and wine cellar.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch’s eco-friendly features include flow-restricted fixtures; reuse of “gray water” for plants; reclaimed and non-toxic materials for new construction; and high-efficiency appliances and utilities including Energy Star-rated fixtures.

The Lodge at Sun Ranch recycled all usable lumber from demolition (about 75 percent), donated bath fixtures to area families in need; re-milled flooring for custom trim and furniture; repurposed original patio stone for new landscaping; recycled copper from electrical and plumbing demolition; and performed on-site quarry for road and parking lot materials.

Guest amenities are also green and include recycled paper products, natural toiletries and fair trade cotton linens.

The new lodge will educate guests on ecotourism and eco-ranching through a guest orientation designed to encourage participation in basic conservation practices.

To help offset carbon emissions, The Lodge at Sun Ranch participates in the Trees for Travel program, which plants 10 trees in the Amazon per guest.

Lodge at Sun Ranch works is working with area organic farmers to fill the lodge pantry to offer a “sustainable Western bistro cuisine.” The dining room is open to guests seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also is open to the public for lunch and dinner by reservation Thursday through Sunday.

For additional information, visit  the Lodge at Sun Ranch Web site or call 888-674-3030.

A visit to a major museum or historical site in New York, Boston, L.A., or any other one of America’s cultural hotspots can always be divided into two categories: the time you wait to buy a ticket, and the time you actually spend at the attraction. All too often these categories are equal, or the former is greater than the latter. With such long lines, what should be a memorable visit to a world-famous site becomes a dreaded obligation.

In order to avoid waiting in line like everybody else, consider buying a CityPass before your next trip to one of the big cities. A CityPass is a condensed booklet of everything you need to get around the city with speed and ease, including tickets to main attractions, transportation information, and discount coupons.

Not only does this simplify and economize your time, but the CityPass saves you money, too. The New York CityPass, for example, provides tickets to 6 of the city’s top sites, including the Met, the Moma, and the Statue of Liberty, and costs $74, compared to the $134 it would cost to buy individual regular-priced admissions tickets to each of the 6 sites.

A CityPass can be purchased for the following cities or regions:

• New York
• Atlanta
• Boston
• Philadelphia
• Toronto
• Chicago
• Seattle
• San Francisco
• Hollywood
• Southern California
• Houston

The CityPass is valid for 9 consecutive days and begins whatever day you first use it. So if you’ve only got a weekend, make sure you will have time to visit enough sites to make purchasing the pass financially worth it.

Prices vary by city, and there are lowered prices for a childrens’ CityPass.

For more information or to purchase a CityPass, visit http://www.citypass.com/index.html

The Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has a limited time offer for special rates to the cities of Rome, Florence, Milan, Asolo, Venice and the island of Sardinia. Guests will receive a 20% discount on best available room rates including 20% off on food and beverage at the following hotels and resorts:

• ROME: The St. Regis Grand Hotel; The Westin Excelsior Rome; Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center and Hotel Eden (20% off food and beverage not applicable at Hotel Eden)
• VENICE: Hotel Danieli; Hotel Gritti Palace; The Westin Europa & Regina; The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, Venice Lido Resort
• MILAN: The Westin Palace; Sheraton Diana Majestic and Le Méridian Gallia
• ASOLO: Hotel Villa Cipriani
• FLORENCE: The Westin Excelsior Florence and The Grand Hotel
• SARDINIA: Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel and Hotel Romazzino

The online offer is valid for bookings made from now until July 31st 2008 for reservations up until October 31, 2008. Potential guests must visit www.italiansummervacation08.com and book through the website. Payment for reservations will be charged at time of booking. All reservations are non-changeable and non-refundable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

Join me on a 10 night cruise to Tahiti’s Society Islands, May 16-26, 2009, onboard Regent Cruise Lines Paul Gauguin, where you won’t just travel to Tahiti, you’ll be transported! Have the pleasure of 5 star elegance and service which includes all meals and beverages, gratuities, FREE airfare from Los Angeles, a private cocktail party and a $200 per person shipboard credit. This sailing has been conveniently chosen to include two weekends including Memorial Day, to maximize your vacation time and minimize your time away from work. Prices start at $5387.50 per person (5% off the listed price), including all port charges, government fees and fuel surcharges!

Come join me! It would be great to meet you in person! Call 866-408-WIZE (9493)

Palm Springs Restaurant Week takes place June 15-20 and features more than 30 of Palm Springs’ finest establishments offering a special prix-fixe, three course dinner for $26 or $36 depending on the restaurant (tax, beverages and gratuity not included).
$1 from each dinner served during the week will be donated to Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports physically and mentally challenged youth. For more information, please visit www.PalmSpringsRestaurantWeek.com.

Give Mom a card now - enjoy a day of LUX later!

This year’s creative gift options for Mother’s Day are sure to impress even the most hard-to-please moms.

The Buckingham Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of the NYC cultural district, is the perfect place to send maxed out Moms for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

The Hotel’s perfectly peaceful Mother’s Day Spa Package includes a stay in a luxurious Buckingham suite, a lavish massage, manicure and pedicure at nearby Townhouse Spa, and a bouquet of beautiful flowers.

Starting at $460*, sons and daughters can treat their mothers (or ourselves come to think of it) to this NYC retreat, complete with plenty of pampering.

Townhouse Spa’s quiet, serene setting and traditional luxury with modern flourishes is the perfect match for the Buckingham Hotel’s classic style and beautiful décor.

After Mom is pampered like a VIP, nearby top shopping destinations like Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany, Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Barneys will provide the perfect NYC playground.

The Buckingham Hotel’s Mother’s Day Spa Package is available for bookings before May 10, 2008 and available on reservations through July 31, 2008. *Price excludes taxes and gratuity and is based on a one night stay.

To book this package, visit BuckinghamHotel.com or call toll-free at (888) 511-1900.

Day 1 - CRUISE FROM SAN FRANCISCO: You’ll be welcomed aboard with a flute of Champagne and toast as we cruise to the backdrop of San Francisco’s skyline. Dinner on board the ship.

Day 2 - THE NAPA VALLEY EXPERIENCE :Explore Napa Valley, by wine tasting, shopping and then a 3 course lunch in Clos Pegase’s cave theatre, followed by a tour and wine tasting. Clos Pegase is not only known for its excellent wines, but for its extensive art collection and the fluid architecture of Michael Graves. Return to your ship for a relaxing cocktail hour with featured wines followed by dinner.

Day 3 - SONOMA VALLEY: The highlight here is meeting with the winemakers at Benziger Family Winery before boarding a private tractor-pulled tram for a ride through the vineyards, followed by a tasting.
Wrap up your day with a tour and tasting at Domaine Carneros, owned by the famous Tattinger family, the notable producers of Carneros sparkling wines. You’ll be treated to a tour followed by a flute of sparkling wine and time to relax on the terrace overlooking the beautiful Carneros landscape. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner as we cruise back to San Francisco Bay.

Day 4 - RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO : Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge before returning to Redwood City. Disembark and transfer to the Huntington Hotel. The best is yet to come…

Day 5 - HUNTINGTON HOTEL, NOB HILL : Relax in your luxury room plus indulge yourself with a soothing 80-minute spa treatment of choice. Hotel services include complimentary chauffeured sedan service to/from Union Square, twice-daily maid service and daily Continental Breakfast.

Day 6 - HUNTINGTON HOTEL, NOB HILL : Another leisurely, pampered day before the deluxe Towncar Service transfers you to the San Francisco Airport for your return flight home.

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Starting at $2149 per person all inclusive
2008 Departure dates: September 26, October 3, or October 10th

For more info, contact Preferred Tango Diva Travel Agent Alyse at 415-892-5076

Take an upscale Woman only Journey this fall!
Learn about the only female emperor with a museum specialist in Xian.
Enjoy Henna painting, have your astrology read, and shop at the Johari Bazaar in Northern India. Blend your own perfume in Grasse. Learn how to belly dance in Egypt.
Blend your own wine and have a chocolate tasting in Provence.
What else could you ask for?
Contact Tango Diva Preferred Travel Agent Alyse at 866-408-WIZE (9493) for info!
China Sep 26-October 8.
Northern India October 4-18.
Chile & Argentina October 7-18.
Bordeaux, Provence; the Riviera October 16-27.
Egypt October 30.

Valentines Day is not only a time to remember to express and share your love for others, but also a time to love and honor yourself. An experience with Babes is priceless…and can far outlast the effects of chocolate, flowers or a fancy dinner.

Sign up by February 20th to receive a special Valentines Day Discount: 10% off the Backcountry Ski/Ride/Snowshoe/Yoga Retreat March 1-3, Breckenridge, CO. No skiing experience required.

Sign up with a friend and recieve an additional 5 % off your trip.

Offer expires: 2/20/08

For more details visit www.babesinthebackcountry.com or call 970-453-4060. Tell them Tango Diva sent ya!

Sacramento Hostel is now offering half-price weekend stays in shared-room accommodations, through March 1, 2008. Guests who stay Friday and Saturday nights receive 50% off their two-night stay, when they book in advance at the Winter Weekends special rate. To reserve, call (916) 443-1691 and request the Winter Weekends special.

The Winter Weekends special applies to shared, dorm-style accommodations (private rooms are not available at this rate). Shared rooms accommodate four to nine people, and are normally priced at $23-$26 per night for adults and $10 per night for children age 12 and under (plus tax).

All guests have access to a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, two guest lounges, recreation room, patio with barbecue, veranda, and garden. Amenities include DSL Internet facilities and free WiFi, on-site laundry and parking, and discounts on nearby museums, dining, and shopping.

The Sacramento Hostel is housed in a restored Gold-Rush era mansion with vaulted ceilings, antique wood paneling and stained glass, hand-painted ceilings and chandeliers, and decorative marble-tiled fireplaces. The hostel is located in downtown Sacramento, within easy walking distance of the state Capitol and Old Sacramento.

The Winter Weekends special rate applies only to stays of two consecutive nights falling on Friday and Saturday nights. The Winter Weekends special rate does not apply to private room accommodations, and is not available for groups of 10 or more people.

The Sacramento Hostel is owned and operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel.

Contact information for publication:
Sacramento Hostel
925 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-1691
hisac@norcalhostels.org