(more)]]> An eclectic blend of an East Hampton Mansion and a Luxury Cuban Villa, Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast Inn is a destination on to itself. Pronounced "port de vair" meaning port of the winter, Port d'Hiver is one of the most luxurious accommodations available on the eastern shore of Florida. The ambiance is so relaxing you won't want to leave and you will be planning your next visit before you even check out.

           Located right across from Melbourne Beach, Port d'Hiver is a restored historic house formerly called The Pink House. The original home was built around 1916, a weathered plaque found in the house states that the land was originally sold by the Melbourne Beach Improvement Company to Neffie S. Long who then sold to Florence Peel in 1922. Around 1925, the house was bought by Walter Brown, a Calvary instructor who taught in nearby Eau Gallie during the winters.

           Mr. Brown spoke several languages and was an accomplished horseman, oil painter, cook and gardener. Mr. Brown and his family traveled extensively but always spent winters in Melbourne Beach, hence the name he gave the estate, house Port d'Hiver or Winterport. After an extensive four year restoration, the house, carriage house and two new additions became the Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast Inn in the winter of 2007.

           When you enter your room you are greeting with soothing music that is accompanied by a cooling breeze from the ocean and a personalized welcome note, which gave the feeling we were staying with friends rather than at a hotel. Our stay at Port d'Hiver was certainly one of the most tranquil and serene vacations we've ever had.

           The rooms are filled to the brim with luxury and tools for relaxation. The amenities are all top of the line, from the high thread sheets and down duvet to the complimentary bath salts, jacuzzi tubs and plush robes - be prepared to be pampered.

           We stayed in the Carriage House which was used as an art studio by Mr. Brown in the 1920's. The studio style bedroom, large closet, sitting room, office and bath are all accented by gorgeous windows that provide beautiful natural lighting and views of the ocean. If you would like to sleep in, the windows also come with wooden blinds. To give the feel of history to room, the large flat panel television is hidden in a charming armoire, antique chandeliers and bamboo fan hang from the high ceilings. Antique pieces are mixed with modern furniture and clean crisp colors that were picked purely for your relaxation fill the room along with fresh flowers. Two sets of French doors can be opened to a terrace with distant views of the ocean and courtyard.

           One of the most memorable parts of my husband and I's visit was the delicious gourmet breakfasts, which can be served in the main dining room, in your room, or on your terrace over-looking the ocean. They are very vegetarian and vegan friendly, the inn-keeper Valerie even invented her own “Vegan Eggless Tofu-Pesto Quiche” for my husband. The breakfast is lovingly prepared each morning and they are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions without losing out on any of the courses. Also provided is a Flavia Coffee Center which allows you to have a flavor of coffee or tea of your choice hot and fresh in seconds.

           Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast provides a slew of complimentary activities such as evening wine and hors d'ouvres, a romantic heated fountain pool, free bike rentals, video/book library and of course beach supplies in case you left your towels and umbrella's at home. You can even load up a provided cooler with complimentary bottled water, sodas, snacks, coffee, tea and cookies available 24 hours a day. Also to be mentioned is the fine collection of board games you can play while overlooking the ocean and sipping your evening wine in the Mansion's sitting room.

           The luxury, privacy and exceptional service makes this hotel fit for royalty and the lack of paparazzi makes it perfect for an unrecognizable get away for celebrities. Located just a short drive from Orlando or quick flight from Miami, the Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast Inn is truly a Hotel for the Rich and Famous.

Pet Airways: First pet-only airline to begin flights July 14th, 2009
Pet Airways will be launching the first pet-only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets, with the first pet flights scheduled (more)]]>

Pet Airways: First pet-only airline to begin flights July 14th, 2009
Pet Airways will be launching the first pet-only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets, with the first pet flights scheduled for this Tuesday July 14th of 2009. On Pet Airways, all pets travel in the main cabin not in the cargo hold.

Serving 5 cities to start - New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles - Pet Airways plans to expand nationwide with easily accessible pet check-in lounges to serve its “pawsengers” in major metropolitan areas.

A proprietary web-enabled reservation system will allow customers to book pet travel on the web. Owners will be able to track their pet's travel progress online at http://www.petairways.com.
According to Dan Wiesel, President/CEO of Pet Airways, “Currently, most pets traveling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.”

Background on Pet Travel

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, approximately 76 million cats and dogs travel with their owners each year.

Despite the high number of pets traveling, relatively few currently travel by air. This is not surprising, considering the conditions under which most pets must travel. Many airlines allow small pets to travel with their owners, stowed under the seat, but most airlines will only accept one or two pets per flight. Pets that are too big to fit under the seat are relegated to cargo, and unfortunately in many cases, are treated as such. Recently, several airlines have announced they will no longer accept pets on board their aircraft at all. In addition, airlines that do accept pets as cargo will not accept them when outside temperatures are below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees, or in other words, during the most popular winter holiday or summer vacation months. Pet parents should be aware that a cargo hold can quickly reach temperatures over 120 degrees.

Pet owners who want to transport their pets across the country are faced with limited or dangerous transportation choices.
A study by the San Francisco SPCA, found that of the two million animals transported in the cargo holds of commercial airliners per year, approximately 5,000 are injured in transit.

According to the Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), “virtually every major airline has been cited and fined for repeatedly mishandling animals”. As a result of a lack of oxygen and temperature control in the cargo holds, the most common causes of death are suffocation and heat prostration, although one airline was cited for placing a dog too close to a motor, which burned the animal.
Put simply, passenger airlines are not a safe mode of transportation for our pets.

The Pet Airways Experience

The greatest issue facing pet parents when they want to transport their pets, aside from the dilemma and trauma of putting their loved ones in cargo holds, is the inability to know who, if anyone, is taking care of their pet and where or how their pet is being treated. It is a very stressful experience.

Pet Airways has solved this problem completely.

Pet Airways ensures pets are in the good hands of people who love and know how to take care of pets. From the moment a pet is dropped off at a Pet Lounge, the pet is always under the care of trained Pet Attendants. Monitored by Pet Attendants, pets will fly in planes that are fully-lit, climate-controlled and have the proper level of fresh air circulation that pets require.

Pawsengers will be boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible, never left in the cold or heat, and depending on transit time, will be offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops. Pet Parents will be assured of sensitive, careful handling and the peace of mind that their pets are well looked after by people who care as much about their pets as they do.

The Pet Airways goal is to make the pet travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable for both pawsengers and their human families.

About Pet Airways

Tickets may be purchased by calling 866-336-1255 or visiting www.biltmore.com/visit/calendar/concerts.asp. 

“This signing underlines our aim to further grow into depth in our German home market and also to increase the number of conversions we are doing”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & (more)]]> The Rezidor Hotel Group (STO:REZT) announces the 50th hotel in operation and under development in Germany: The Radisson Blu Badischer Hof Hotel, Baden-Baden will be re-branded in July 2009 ? adding 139 rooms to Rezidor's rapidly growing portfolio.

“This signing underlines our aim to further grow into depth in our German home market and also to increase the number of conversions we are doing”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. “With our partner Grand City Hotels & Resorts and Mark Hotels & Resorts we are already cooperating at the Radisson Blu Hotels in Stralsund, Bad Reichenhall, Dresden-Radebeul, and with the Park Inn brand in Weimar. We are delighted to add a fifth property”, continues Ritter.

As a leading hotel in the spa town of Baden-Baden, the Radisson Blu Badischer Hof Hotel features 139 spacious rooms (including 4 suites) and 7 conference & banqueting rooms. Food and beverage offerings include the “Parkrestaurant” (serving international and the famous regional cuisine from Germany's South-West), a summer terrace serving regional specialities and the “Jockey Bar” with its decent British style. Built in 1638, the property was originally a Capucin Monastery, converted from 1805 till 1809 to become a hotel. In 1983, the hotel was extended through the addition of a second building and most recently, a modern spa and wellness centre was completed in 2000. The hotel's 330 m? spa and wellness centre offers two 18 metre swimming pools - one indoor and one outdoor - saunas, solarium, a fitness room and medical wellness treatments. In addition, guests can relax in the hotel's private 5,000 m? park. Baden-Baden's famous thermal spring is located in the hotel's park and the public spa gardens, ?Kurpark', are just next to the hotel.

Baden-Baden ? 150 km from Frankfurt airport ? is one of Germany's most renowned spa towns with historical springs supplying healing waters from 2,000 metres underground. The town's popularity as a spa dates back to the early 19th century and has since become a place of healing and rejuvenation. Baden-Baden is frequented by many celebrities who come to visit the hot springs and the famous casino, which is located within close proximity of the hotel.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of close to 370 hotels in operation and under development with more than 78,300 rooms in 58 countries.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the goldpoints plusSM loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Rezidor has signed a worldwide license agreement with the Italian fashion house Missoni, in order to develop and operate a lifestyle hotel brand of the same name: Hotel Missoni.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson Companies is the main shareholder. The Corporate Office of the Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.