travelwriter

If you’re visiting the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, this year – and you should – there’s a route you definitely need to check out called the Bottleneck Drive Wine Route in Summerland.
Comprised of 10 local wineries, this newest driving route offers a great variety that is sure to become a top attraction with visitors from around the world:

1.    Hijas Bonitas (Beautiful Daughters) – 14 acres on Okanagan Lake
2.    Award winning Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
3.    Family run 8th Generation Vineyards
4.    Sonoran Estate
5.    Silkscarf
6.    Adora Estate Winery
7.    Thornhaven
8.    hush-hush Dirty Laundry
9.    Hollywood & Wine
10.    Premium wine vinegars of Vinegar Works

Check them out!  The wineries of the Okanagan Valley are amongst the most beautiful in the world as they overlook spectacular Lake Okanagan.  Not to mention of course, the Pinots, the Syrahs, the Merlots – oo-la-la.

Based in Miami, FL, Carnival Cruise Lines has recently begun testing six embarkation kiosks to improve the check-in process for guests.

Cruise guests who are from the USA, Canada, or are part of the Visa Waiver program are eligible to process their own check-in by swiping their passport plus they can also set up their Sail & Sign card by swiping a valid credit card.

And it’s that easy.  Carnival plans to expand to other ports including Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Houston.

For more information, visit: CarnivalCruiseLines

Here is a unique way to visit Mexico and learn about the culture firsthand by attending the Taste of Playa International Food Festival on September 5, 2009, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The first annual gourmet sampling event is open to the public and will showcase and celebrate the chefs of over 35 local restaurants throughout Riviera Maya.  Participants include John Gray’s Kitchen, Cocina 38, and the Glass Bar to only name a few.

A portion of the proceeds will go towards providing clean drinking water for the nearby Ak Lu’um International School which teaches physically and developmentally challenged students.

For more information, visit: Taste of Playa

It’s not too late to come and enjoy the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ – the Calgary Stampede!  Starting July 3, 2009, and running for 10 days, the Stampede welcomes an average of 120,000 visitors per day.

The Stampede events include Chuckwagon races, a Rodeo featuring some of the world’s best rodeo athletes, a Grandstand Show featuring music and entertainment, plus animals and agriculture by the corral full.

Tickets are still available; for more information, visit: CalgaryStampede

If you’re headed to the beach or lake this summer or even taking a flight to your destination, there’s nothing better to pass the time than a great summer read.

Good Morning America recently announced their picks for the hot summer page turners of 2009.  Let’s take a look –

• Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
• The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
• Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson
• Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini
• The Defector by Daniel Silva
• Relentless by Dean Koontz
• Above the Law by Tim Green
• In the Kitchen by Monica Ali
• The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
• South of Broad by Pat Conroy
• Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
• The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman
• The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Kathrine Howe

For even more books on this list of great summer reads, visit Good Morning America.

JD Power & Associates has just released their 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Survey measuring overall customer satisfaction of both vacationers and business travelers.
The survey found that overall customer satisfaction with the airlines has declined for the third year in a row while the rate of on-time arrivals has increased, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

Ratings were based on overall satisfaction and the experience during the reservation process, check-in, boarding, de-planing, baggage, aircraft, flight crew, in-flight services, and cost/fees.

Low Cost Airlines:
JetBlue Airways was ranked as the number one low cost airline providing the highest overall customer satisfaction followed closely by Southwest Airlines as number two.  Westjet came in as number one for the ‘check-in experience’ as well as the ‘boarding, de-planing, and baggage experience’ while Southwest was number one for the ‘reservation experience.’

Traditional Network Airlines:
Alaska Airlines was ranked as the number one traditional network carrier with the highest overall customer satisfaction rate followed by Continental Airlines as a close second.  Continental Airlines was the number one airline for ‘cost & fees’ as well as for ‘in-flight services.’

Happy 4th of July!  

During the 33rd session of The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) this past June in London, England, it was announced that eleven cultural sites and two natural sites have been added to the World Heritage list.
The new additions include:

• The Wadden Sea, Germany/Netherlands
• The Dolomites, Italy
• Stoclet House, Belgium
• The Ruins of Loropeni, Burkina Faso
• Mount Wutai, China
• Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Iran
• Sulamain-Too Scared Mountain, Kyrgyzstan
• The Sacred City of Caral-Supe, Peru
• The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Republic of Korea
• The Tower of Hercules, Spain
• La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Switzerland
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, United Kingdom
• The Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains, France

For only the second time in the history of UNESCO, a site on the World Heritage list has been removed.  The Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany was unable to retain its status due to the construction of a four-lane bridge in the middle of the site.

Three world sites are threatened by various factors and were added to the danger list.  They include the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, Los Katios National Park in Colombia, and the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta in Georgia.

Based in Paris and established in 1945, UNESCO encourages awareness of the natural and cultural heritage worldwide.  For more information, visit UNESCO .

Here’s a quick look at Fourth of July Celebrations across the USA.  Fireworks at are the top of the list, followed by food, fun, and music.  What more could anyone want?

Spokane, WA
2-day festival at downtown Riverfront Park with food, live entertainment and fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

Chicago, IL
Millennium Park has all day activities and music with fireworks over Lake Michigan at 10:15 p.m.

Sunbury, OH
Independence Day Flea Market from 7:00 .a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; plus a parade at 10:00 a.m. and fireworks at 10:00 p.m. at Big Walnut High School

Prescott, AZ
All-day carnival plus a performance by the United States Military Band; fireworks at 9:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Watch the city’s annual fireworks extravaganza at Fort Lauderdale Beach

Keystone, SD
2-day event at Mount Rushmore ending with fireworks on July 4th

Gatlinburg, TN
Attend the 34th annual Midnight Independence Day Parade featuring a special tribute to the U.S. military along with a recreation of President Roosevelt’s motorcade in 1940