Celebrity Cruises taps iPads for art tours on its ships

by Ralph Grizzle on

Celebrity Cruises debuted self-guided art tours using iPads on its Solstice-class ships, continuing its adoption of Apple products for shipboard activities.

The iPads will flag select works of art on every deck, allowing the guest to touch the screen to learn more about those pieces, such as the artist’s name and the medium used.

Celebrity said its three Solstice-class ships have more than 14,000 works of original, contemporary art with a vast range of mediums represented, including glass, acrylics, oils, photography, digital prints, video, etchings, sculptures and collages.

The cruise line already uses the iPad for its menus and wine list in its Qsine specialty restaurant, which debuted this year on the Equinox, and its ships are home to “Celebrity iLounges,” equipped with MacBook workstations. Guests on board can take courses and get tips on Mac and iPod use.

“We knew our guests would relish yet another opportunity to capitalize on the latest technology in an entertaining, enriching way,” says Celebrity’s senior vice president of Hotel Operations, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.

Cowgirls hit the trail with ‘100 klicks for chicks’ ride

by Kraig Becker on

The Triple Creek Ranch, located in beautiful Darby, Montana, is preparing for their inaugural “100 Klicks for Chicks” trail ride, which will send adventurous cowgirls off on a five-day excursion through the Rocky Mountains. This women’s only ride will be a of mix all-day adventure with luxury accommodations back at the bunkhouse at night.

Scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 28th and run through Monday, November 1st, the ride will cover 100km (62 miles) through some of the most stunning backcountry in the U.S. The ladies will spend their days in the saddle as they ride through majestic canyons, over high mountain passes, and around deep blue lakes, exploring remote areas of the Rocky Mountains. And at the end of the day, they’ll return to the ranch for an evening of gourmet meals and tall tales by the fire.

The cowgirls will begin with a warm-up ride on the first day, covering just 10 klicks (6 miles). During that ride, they’ll get acquainted with their horses and get comfortable in the saddle, where they’ll be spending the better part of the next three days. After that, they’ll hit the trail each morning for longer, more extended rides, covering as much as 21 miles on the longest day. Beginner riders are encouraged to join in on the fun, but be aware that this trip can be a test of endurance, albeit one with plenty of payoffs along the way too.

While this is a ladies only ride, the boys can still visit the Triple Creek too, and take part in their own adventures during the day, before catching up with the women at dinner time. The cost is $650/day for each couple and includes accommodations in luxury cabins at the Ranch, all meals, beverages, and other activities.

For more information on the 100 Klicks for Chicks weekend, click here.

[Photo credit: Triple Creek Ranch]

Dayzipping Reinvents the Day Trip

by Julie Gerstein on

Want to get away but don’t have the time or money to go on an extended vacay? Then log on to Dayzipping, a new site dedicated to finding great day-long getaways from anywhere in the world.

The site asks you where you’re located (or where you’re traveling to), and then offers up a slew of options in the area. Suggestions are sourced and reviewed by members (and membership is free) — which means that options are well-vetted and tested. A simple search for New York, New York offered a walk through lower Manhattan, a BBQ in Brooklyn, and a slightly-out-of-the-city foray to Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill Home.

The site also allows users to connect with their friends and share reviews and suggestions within friend networks. As with any user-generated site, the suggestions are only as good as the people using the service. So as Dayzipping continues to grow, expect to see more and more options. It’s a great way to rediscover your own town, or get an insider’s perspective on a spot you might be visiting.

Daily Pampering: Living large on Wall Street with the Ritz-Carlton

by Melanie Nayer on

If you have Gordon Gekko-style ambitions and want to live large like your favorite fictional Wall Street character, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, has a package for you.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is offering professionals an exclusive, two-night “Wall Street Style” package – complete with tools to turn yourself into a tailored tycoon and make it in the world of finance. The package is available for the weekend of October 1 – 3, 2010 and is available for booking through September 22, 2010.

The package includes:

  • 2 night accommodation in a Statue of Liberty View Executive Suite
  • Bottle of champagne in guest room on arrival
  • Style consultation at Saks Fifth Avenue with Style Director and Personal Shopper
  • $1500 shopping credit with Saks Fifth Avenue
  • For Men: A shaving consultation and Signature Full Service experience (scalp massage, shampoo, conditioning treatment, hot towel, haircut, manicure and shoe shine) at John Allan’s Club at Saks Fifth Avenue
  • For Ladies: Hair style at Saks Fifth Avenue Salon and Spa Makeup consultation at Dior Dine with Confidence workshop 5 course dinner with alcoholic beverages (to apply their new found skills)
  • Private town car service between hotel and participating locations

The total price for living large? Prices start from $4500 based on single occupancy and $7000 based on double occupancy.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Washington, DC tour guides lose right to be wrong

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The right to an accurate tour is conspicuously absent from the Bill of Rights – unlike the freedom to run your mouth endlessly. For this reason, tour guides are fighting new regulations intended to ensure that visitors to our nation’s capital get the correct info. Tour guides will have to pass a 100-question, multiple choice exam that includes questions about Washington, DC‘s architecture, history and more.

Of course, some tour guides are pretty ripped about this.

Segs in the City, Segway tour company, claims that the exam infringes on their right to free speech. The company’s owners, Bill Main and Tonia Edwards, have filed a federal lawsuit to stomp out the new regs.