Gay travelers have yet another reason to consider visiting Florida on their next vacation. Although Florida as a state has not legalized civil unions or gay marriage, The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach has become the first hotel in both the brand and the state to hire a certified gay wedding specialist.
Nancy Salatto-Deighan completed a program led by the 14 Stories Gay Wedding Institute to help same sex couples plan a special and meaningful celebration of their big day.
“The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach can further provide exemplary options and service to our guests and it is with great pride that The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach build a community for same-sex couples to celebrate their love and lives together,” said Michael King, the hotel’s general manager.
The hotel’s wedding specialist will offer services for very similar to that of a heterosexual wedding planner, seeking out unique venues, customized options and personalized services to help the bride and bride or groom and groom enjoy a memorable wedding day.
The service is definitely interesting, and we’re happy to see a brand encouraging same sex unions. But we can’t help but wonder – what makes the fundamentals of planning a same sex wedding that much different than those of a heterosexual union? Furthermore, why elect to begin this program in a state that doesn’t yet recognize gay marriage?
What do you think? Would you utilize a gay wedding planning specific service when planning your celebration? Is this a wise move by Ritz-Carlton or a PR blitz?
An ancient canoe, estimated to be more than 1100 years old, was excavated by a team of archaeologists on Weedon Island, just off the coast of Florida, last week. The artifact is believed to have been built by the Manasota tribe that once inhabited the region but mysteriously disappeared around the 8th or 9th century.
The 40-foot canoe was actually discovered by amateur archaeologist Harry Koran more than a decade ago. Koran was combing the beach, looking for other artifacts, when he spotted the boat buried in the mud. He couldn’t tell exactly what it was when he first found the canoe, but the precise lines told him that it was man-made and more than just a branch in the soil. It turned out to be an artifact from a tribe that little is known about.
The team of archaeologists who excavated the craft worked carefully, but diligently, to remove the canoe from the mud. They cut the wooden hull into sections, and loaded it onto another boat for transport back to the mainland. Once there, they washed off centuries of muck and lowered the sections into clean, fresh water to prepare it for the preservation process ahead, a process that could take up to two years to complete. Once it has been painstakingly restored, the canoe will eventually go on display at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center.
The Manasota tribe were believed to have lived in the southern Florida region for hundreds of years, dating back to the 5th century BC. They were one of the first tribes to build permanent residences in the area, and they apparently thrived there until the 9th century, when they disappeared, leaving little indication of what happened to them. Most historians believe that they were absorbed by other tribes that migrated to the Florida peninsula, but their actual fate remains a mystery.
The folks over at Bing Travel have been studying up on 2011 Spring Break airfare, and we hate to break it to you, but they’ve found that the average airfare cost is up more than 10 percent over last year, to $489. But the airfare increase doesn’t have to stop the beach party. If you choose wisely, there are still plenty of Spring Break deals to be had.
And while many overseas airfares have risen since last year, average airfares from several U.S. cities to Paris, Amsterdam and Rome have dropped as much as 13 percent over Spring Break season fares in 2010.
If you are just settling into spring break planning mode, here are some tips from Bing on finding the best spring break deals:
Be Flexible. Now we would never suggest skipping a day of classes, but, ahem, you will do better on airfare if you’re not trying to travel on weekend days like your Spring Break brethren. Monday to Monday or Tuesday to Tuesday fares will almost always be better. And if a school schedule isn’t determining when you vacation this spring, you will likely save money by going at the beginning of March or April rather than the middle of either month.
Use Online Tools. You can monitor your airfares and get notices when they drop on a certain route from a number of different online services. Bing’s Price Predictor shows you whether airfares on your chosen route and dates are rising or falling, to help you decide when to buy.
Be Aware of Hidden Fees. Be sure you know what you will be charged for checked baggage, overweight luggage, aisle or exit row seats before you hit the airport.
Bing is giving away five $100 travel stipends for 2011 spring break travel on Twitter. To enter, tweet @fareologist with where you’d like to go for spring break. Check out the contest’s official rules before entering.
Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s a loaded holiday, one with high expectations. This year, though, I got into the spirit of things: I decided to rustle up a list of the world’s great sex museums. Even if you can’t pay a visit, their websites are informative and loaded with photos of exhibits. And best of all? You can indulge all by yourself, no relationship needed.
Erotic Heritage Museum, Las Vegas
The somewhat bizarre collaboration of a “Preacher and a Pornographer,” this pleasure palace houses over 17,000 square feet of artistically expressive erotica. Behold, ye Larry Flynt and “Ho-Down Mural” exhibitions.
Sex Machines Museum, Prague
Call me a perv, but how cool is this? A museum devoted entirely to the history and display of, to quote the website, “mechanical erotic appliances, the purpose of which is to bring pleasure and allow extraordinary and unusual positions during intercourse.” Okey dokey. There’s also a small theater for viewing old erotic cinema.
Museum of Sex, New York
It may not be the among the best-known of the city’s museums, but this monument to sex education, history, and cultural significance isn’t just for academics. It’s a good time, too. With rotating exhibits and virtual installations on everything from the “Sex Lives of Animals” and “Kink,” to a tribute to American pin-up photography, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to stop at the OralFix Aphrodisiac Cafe for an erotic elixir.
Sexmuseum Amsterdam
The Dutch are known for their rather laid-back attitude toward things the rest of the world tends to frown upon, which is one reason they’re so much fun. The famed “Venustempel” in Amsterdam is focused on “the theme of sensual love.” And hey–the four euro entry fee is a lot cheaper than the Red Light District.
Museu de l’erotica, Barcelona
Dedicated to the exploration of erotica in all its various forms: anthropological, archaeological, sociological, artistic, literary, and something called “plastic arts.” Hm. Located in Barcelona’s architecturally stunning La Rambla neighborhood. [Photo credit: Flickr user SWANclothing]
The Icelandic Phallological Museum, Husavik (northern island)
This collection of over “two hundred and nine penises and penile parts” represents nearly all of the land and marine animals native to Iceland. Not as creepy as it sounds, the museum provides a base for modern research on the study of phallology. If that offends you, please consider the multi-billion-dollar male sexual enhancement/aid industry.
[Photo credit: Elín Eydís Friðriksdóttir]
World Erotic Art Museum, Miami
WEAM is home to the largest collection of erotic art in the United States, including sculpture and art objects. Rest assured it’s a lot more tasteful than what you’ll see parading on Ocean Drive.
China Sex Museum, Tongli
Located 50 miles outside of Shanghai in a former fishing village, this museum is dedicated to “over 9,000 years of Chinese sexual history,” with over 1,500 exhibits and artifacts. I am most definitely curious about the “Women and marriage” exhibit. Does it have a headache?
Condom Museum, Nonthaburi (approximately one hour from…hee…Bangkok)
The Ministry of Public Health opened this little museum, located in the Department of Medical Sciences building, in 2010. Its purpose is to develop awareness about HIV/AIDS and eliminate negative public perception about condom use (ironic, given that Thailand is the world’s largest producer of condoms).
If all that condomizing leaves you famished, perhaps you’d like to grab dinner at Cabbages & Condoms in Bangkok? Founder Mechai Viravaidya is a sexual awareness activist who has promoted condom use for the last 30 years. Partial proceeds go toward projects for the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). Watch Mechai give a restaurant tour and explain his mission in the below clip. Have a “safe” Valentine’s Day!
Life’s a beach at the Mandarin Oriental Miami. Their new Oasis Beach Club combines South Beach‘s already spectacular white sand beaches with a private cabana offering. Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun relaxation for the whole family, spa serenity or a total techie retreat, there’s a package just for you.
Available by rent for the whole or half-day ($150 and up), the cabanas include a personal beach butler, welcome oshibori towels, Evian bottled water and exotic fruit platter. Cabanas are stocked with amenities including a flat-screen TV, mini refrigerator, sunblock, iPad and Powermat electric charger usable on most electronic devices.
We’d suggest you upgrade to the Spa Serenity package ($600), which adds on two 50-minute aromatherapy massages, green iced tea, a spa lunch bento box for two and cool mist sevices throughout the day.
We just have one more question – where are our peeled grapes?