The package also includes three nights accommodations, with breakfast served daily on the private suite terrace, a variety of treatments from the renowned Bagua Spa and a visit to Ocean World, featuring an encounter-with-the-dolphins experience.
The cost of the "Helicopter Escapade" package is $4,270 per couple based on double occupancy, valid through Dec. 26, 2008.
Casa Colonial Beach and Spa was created by entrepreneur Don Isidro Garcia and opened in December 2004 as the first luxury property in Puerto Plata. Designed by Garcia's daughter and renowned architect Sarah Garcia, Casa Colonial was fashioned as a home with classic Dominican plantation estate allure. The property was the first member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World in the Dominican Republic.
FYI: For reservations or more information, call 800-847-0291 or visit www.casacolonialhotel.com.
WINTER IN NEW YORK
Once New Year's Eve is over, New York's unsurpassed cultural, shopping and dining experiences are still very much available. Midtown's Salisbury Hotel has winter rates for $179, plus tax, a night for two people from Sunday through Wednesday; and $199, plus tax, for Thursday through Saturday reservations. The rates will be available Jan. 7 through March 15.
The Salisbury Hotel is situated in the heart of midtown Manhattan between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, across and just up the street from Carnegie Hall and close to Central Park, the theater district, Lincoln Center, Fifth Avenue shopping and dozens of fine restaurants.
FYI: For reservations or more information, call 888-NYC-5757, or visit www.nycsalisbury.com. For more information about New York City winter activities, visit www.nycvisit.com or call 212-484-1200.
THE HOLLYWOOD HIDEAWAY AND THE JEWEL OF THE DESERT
Now through Feb. 15 at the legendary Hollywood hideaway La Quinta Resort and Club, guests can enjoy a four-night stay for two in a Starlight Casita and receive a welcome amenity that includes a canvas bag with two logo shirts, hats and golf balls. Guests will also receive two one-hour golf lessons, daily unlimited golf at any of five championship golf courses, two "Day of Restoration" spa packages, one $100 shopping certificate valid at any of the boutique shops, one dinner for two at Adobe Grill, daily breakfast for two at Twenty 6, evening Jeep tour to the San Andreas Fault and two tickets to Aerial Tramway, priced at $3,200.
Another property part of the Waldorf-Astoria Collection, crowned "The Jewel of the Desert," The Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix offers a two-night stay for two in a Premier room with daily breakfast, one dinner for two at Wrights at the Biltmore, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, two 50-minute massages, two-day rental of a private cabana and two tequila sunrises, the hotel's signature drink, priced at $1,390.
For reservations or more information, call 800-WALDORF or visit www.waldorfastoriacollection.com/discovery. Guests must request code P8 when making reservations.
EXTREME TERRAIN
New for the 2007-2008 ski season in the Reno-Tahoe area, Squaw Valley USA is opening its formerly restricted borders for backcountry tours of new, uncharted terrain. Led by experienced backcountry guides, groups of 10 will receive a briefing on out-of-bounds protocol prior to the excursion, which includes two private runs. Skiers and snowboarders must be upper intermediate to advanced level and pre-registration is required. Six dates are planned for the 07-08 season between February and April, call 530-583-6955 or visit www.squaw.com for reservations.
Sierra-at-Tahoe is working with the United States Forest Service to incorporate Huckleberry Canyon into its ski resort boundary. Currently the backcountry terrain, encompassing 300 acres, is only accessible through specified access points. If finalized by the USFS, Huckleberry Canyon will exist inside the ski resort's boundaries and will greatly increase the amount of expert terrain available at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Skiers and riders looking for lift-accessed steep and deep natural terrain features that rival the best of what Tahoe has to offer will find it at Huckleberry Canyon. Guided tours can be booked through the adult ski and snowboard school by calling
530-659-7453.
For more information about Reno-Tahoe, call 800-FOR-RENO or visit www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.
