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JetBlue unveils Red Sox-themed plane

Posted by Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff February 10, 2012 10:54 AM
soxplane.jpg


JetBlue Airways - the official airline of the Boston Red Sox - unveiled the latest addition to its fleet today, a custom Red Sox-themed plane that will fly out of Logan Airport.

"There is a lot of excitement around the Red Sox camp as they prepare for what will surely be another great year in baseball. As the largest carrier in Boston, we're grateful to be a part of the electric energy to have their colors soaring the skies and runways of Boston's Logan," JetBlue's senior vice-president of marketing and commercial strategy Marty St. George said in a statement. "We're proud of our partnership extension agreement signed last year, and have a lot of very exciting things coming up like JetBlue Park in Fort Myers opening later this month. More than a partnership, this is quickly becoming a great friendship that we trust will last for many years to come and bring much joy to Boston fans and our customers in the New England region."

JetBlue also has the naming rights to Boston's new spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla.

"We are thrilled that JetBlue has honored our team with this specially painted Red Sox aircraft," Red Sox COO Sam Kennedy said. "The tribute has added meaning for us this year as we prepare for Spring Training in our new ballpark, JetBlue Park, and as we celebrate Fenway Park's centennial. JetBlue has been a great supporter of our team and brand, and we look forward to continuing to build on our partnership in the coming years, both in Boston and Fort Myers at our new spring training home."

The Airbus A320 traded signature blue branding for a gray paint scheme inspired by Red Sox road uniforms and features dangling red socks. The aircraft also includes a banner commemorating Fenway Park's 100th anniversary. The jet officially entered service today with its first flight heading to Fort Myers. Customers on that flight found Red Sox hats and jerseys waiting for them on their seats.

Boston java joints nominated for best brew

Posted by Paul Kandarian February 10, 2012 07:37 AM

Caffeine lovers, unite: Krups, maker of coffee and espresso machines, kicked off its Krups Best Brew Awards 2012, a campaign seeking the best coffee shops across the country. Nominees in the Boston market are Polcari's, Thinking Cup, and Wired Puppy, all in Boston, Barismo in Arlington (a winner in last year's inaugural contest), and 1369 Coffee House in Cambridge.

Krups is taking votes for the awards through Feb. 24, with winners announced Feb. 27. Participants can vote for one of five local shops in each participating city, a list comprised of last year's winners and overall top picks. They can also write in their favorite shop if it's not on the list of nominees. Cities in the contest are Boston, New York, LA, Miami, Chicago, Philly, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. To vote, visit the Krups Facebook page, www.facebook.com/krupsusa.

The contest is expanding this year to find the best baristas throughout the country in those cities who are interested in winning a seat on the Krups Coffee Council. Entrants must submit a video showing their talents and complete a questionnaire, which can be found on the Facebook page as well. Krups uses the coffee council members throughout the year for regional events and promotions, media opportunities, new product demos and more.

Pour yourself a cup of joe, sit down and vote. It is an election year, after all.

TSA to extend pre-check option to Logan, 27 other airports

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor February 8, 2012 05:23 PM

The TSA said yesterday that it would extend to Logan International Airport and 27 other major airports this year a new screening program that will allow some travelers to avoid removing their shoes and belts, speeding passage through security checkpoints.

The agency already has put the PreCheck program in place at seven airports. The move reflects an attempt by TSA, first announced in May, to respond to consumer complaints about passenger screenings.

This is the way it works: To participate in the program, travelers must be part of American or Delta airlines' frequent flier programs, or Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS' Trusted Traveler programs. (Other airlines, including United, Continental and US Airways, are expected to join the system within months.)

Trusted Traveler program members get an identification number to be used when booking an airline ticket online with a participating carrier. Frequent fliers will likely receive an email from the airline offering directions for participating in PreCheck.

Travelers won't discover whether they have been approved until they get to the airport. Participating passengers will go to dedicated lanes at airport security checkpoints and hand TSA officers specially marked boarding pass that will be scanned. If an embedded code indicates that the passenger has been approved, the traveler will be directed to a faster security line and likely allowed to keep on belts, shoes, and jackets and leave laptops and liquids in bags during screening.

Currently, participating airports include Dallas/Fort Worth International, Las Vegas’ McCarran International, Los Angeles International, Miami International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International airports.

Besides Boston, this year TSA plans to add: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Denver International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Honolulu International Airport,
Indianapolis International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport,Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, O’Hare International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, Portland International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,
Salt Lake City International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)


Sofitel offers 'Magnifique Romance' deals

Posted by Paul Kandarian February 8, 2012 07:11 AM

If you find yourself near a Sofitel, a world-wide chain of luxury hotels, around Valentine's Day, you can snag a deal with the Sofitel Magnifique Romance package, which runs until the end of February and includes a discount room rate, chocolate of flowers upon arrival, a bottle of champagne, in-room breakfast and late check out.

Among the properties featuring the package:
Sofitel, Washington, D.C., on Lafayette Square in the heart of the city, with rates starting at $270; Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, in an area known for art galleries, museum and high-end shopping, rates starting at $253; Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, set alongside the windy city's famous Magnificent Mile and hard by Lake Michigan, rates starting at $245; Sofitel Paris Le Fauborg, a five-star property in arguably the world's most romantic city, near the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre and boutiques of the Saint-Honore district, rates starting at $470; Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, set between two iconic canals, a historic property dating from the 15th century and recently renovated, rates starting at $431; and Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, in the center of Rome, a five-star property close to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and designer shops, rates starting at $364 a night.

To book and for more information, visit www.sofitel-magnifiqueromance.com, or follow Sofitel on Facebook.

Airfares to Philly zooming up

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor February 7, 2012 11:57 AM

Don't say we didn't warn you. My pal Katie Johnston wrote this morning that flights from Boston to Philly would double in price to about $520 after Southwest drops the service Feb. 11, leaving US Airways as the sole nonstop carrier on the route.

Last week I wrote that Southwest would have no nonstop service between New England and Philly after it halted its five daily Boston nonstops to the City of Brotherly Love this Saturday. The carrier announced in July that it would halt its four nonstops to Philadelphia from both T.F. Green in Warwick, R.I., and Boston Manchester Airport in New Hampshire in January.

Southwest representatives have said that the carrier halted the 1 1/2-hour flights because they simply didn't generate enough revenue. And this isn't the first time that airlines dropped the route and left travelers holding the bag. This is what Katie wrote:

AirTran Airways, now owned by Southwest, stopped flying between the two cities in late 2007, sending the cheapest round-trip ticket soaring to $344 from $152.

The price climbed to $462 when Delta Air Lines pulled out in 2009. US Airways was the sole nonstop carrier on the route, charging a whopping $1,100 round trip, until Southwest entered the market in 2010.

Bottom line is that right now Boston-area air travelers have only two options to get to Philly: either US Airways or Streamline Air, which flies 30-seat turboprops nonstop between Hanscom Field in Bedford and Trenton-Mercer Airport, about 35 miles from Philadelphia, for as low as $200.

Lamp claims to sanitize surfaces while traveling

Posted by Paul Kandarian February 6, 2012 07:43 AM
The microscopic reality of traveling life is that germs are all over the place, airplane restrooms, hotel remotes, restaurant doorknobs, anywhere you go on anything you touch.

A product known as The Pocket Purifier purports to knock off 99.9 percent of germs that cause colds and flu, plus e-coli and salmonella by zapping surfaces with UV-C light - the same light used to sterilize surgical equipment.

The compact germicidal light, from Tennessee-based Purely Products, can sterilize things like a diaper-changing station, door handle or cutting board, by using a four-watt, germicidal ultraviolet light that deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, destroying their ability to multiply, the company says. It also features a lid that blocks UV exposure to your eyes and skin.

The device, which is powered by four AA batteries, is operated by holding it about an inch above the surface of whatever you're zapping, for 10-15 seconds. It costs $11.99 and, for the fashion- as well as germ-conscious shopper, comes in pink and black. Check it out at http://www.purelyproducts.com/http://www.purelyproducts.com/

Crane Beach parking permits on sale now

Posted by Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff February 3, 2012 09:04 AM

We may be a ways off from beach season, but Trustees of Reservation members can now purchase a 2012 parking permit for Crane Beach in Ipswich for $50 through March 16. After March 16, the price increases to $75.

This is the second season for the permit program.

"We encourage individuals and families who are not currently Trustees members to join and take advantage of the savings and the many other benefits a Trustees membership has to offer," David Beardsley, director of Crane Beach, said. "The permit program was very popular with our visitors last summer. Since members can use their parking permits for admittance any time of the day, we were happy to see many people coming to the beach more often - stopping by for a few hours in the morning or for a little relaxation after work. We're excited to continue to offer members significant savings and convenience again this year."

Beach admission prices for non-members will remain at $25 on weekends and $15 on weekdays this year. Those looking to become members can sign up for $47 per year for individuals, $37 students and seniors. Individual members may request one sticker. Family members ($67 per year) may request up to two for the season. For complete details, visit www.thetrustees.org.

Updating that app to help find best places in Big Apple

Posted by Paul Kandarian February 3, 2012 07:40 AM

The updated NYCWay, from the MyCityWay collection of Apple apps, has just been released. The updated app lets you peruse lists from locals and visitors on the best places, and there's a new Quick Guide with insider tips to the city which includes a "Know Before You Go" section on the best times to visit and how to budget for trips. Created in 2009, MyCityWay apps (which includes Boston) are free and downloadable to iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices. They list places to eat, subway maps, lists created by locals and visitors, traffic camera views, attractions and itineraries. The apps list keeps growing, and now includes more than 40 urban markets across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. Check it out at http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/download/

IRS says some airline-mile offers taxable

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor February 1, 2012 10:01 AM

Who knew? It turns out that any frequent-flier miles you get for opening a bank account are taxable, according to published reports.

However, the miles you rack up for credit card purchases or for actually taking a flight apparently are tax-free, the IRS told the Los Angeles Times.

The issue emerged as consumers who had received American Airlines miles as a "sign-on'' bonus for opening Citibank checking or savings accounts last year began receiving 1099 tax forms from the company, valuing each mile at about 2.5 cents. If you're wondering about the bottom line, consider this: 25,000 miles, which is what you'd need for a round-trip domestic flight, would equal about $625 in taxable income.

Why are some miles taxable and others aren't? This from the Times:

"When frequent-flier miles are provided as a premium for opening a financial account, it can be a taxable situation subject to reporting under current law," said Michelle Eldridge, an IRS spokeswoman ...

But what about miles received for using a credit card or handed out by an airline just for taking a trip?

Eldridge said that in those cases, miles wouldn't be taxable because they're more like a rebate.

"A common analogy," she said, "is buying a $500 television at a retail store and receiving a $50 manufacturer's rebate. It's not income, just a deemed reduction of the cost of the television."

By that criteria, it would appear that offers for free miles for signing up for credit cards -- or any similar deal with any kind of valuable inducement -- should also be taxable. Stay tuned.

Southwest to halt Boston-Philly flights this month

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor January 31, 2012 11:13 AM

Southwest will no longer offer any nonstop service from New England to Philadephia when it ends its five daily nonstops from Boston on Feb. 11.

The carrier announced in July that it would halt its four nonstops to Philadelphia from both T.F. Green in Warwick, R.I., and Boston Manchester Airport in New Hampshire in January. A month later, Southwest noted on its flight schedules that it also would halt its Boston service in February.

Southwest spokeswoman Ashley Dillon said that the carrier made the decision because it decided that business was not robust enough to merit keeping the flights.

Southwest is in the process of reviewing its operations after acquiring AirTran last year. But Dillon said that this latest move had nothing to do with that but was part of a continuing review process that the carrier has embraced. In the past couple of years in reaction to higher fuel prices and the soft economy, Dillon said, the airline has taken to keeping tighter reins on flight schedules. In past years it revised service quarterly but now it makes changes as often as every month or two, adding and subtracting flights according to projected demand.

Southwest, which began service out of Logan in 2009, added the flights to Philadelphia in 2010. Going forward, it will offer nonstop service to six destinations -- Baltimore, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Denver, and Phoenix -- with connecting flights to a number of other cities.


Jamaica hosts Caribbean Yoga Conference

Posted by Paul Kandarian January 31, 2012 07:32 AM

Jamaica is hosting its first ever Caribbean Yoga Conference Feb. 2-5 in Montego Bay, bringing together people from around the world who are inspired by the practice of yoga. Instructors will include Seane Corn, Simon Park, Toni Bergins and Sadie Nardini, and the music of MC Yogi and his band.

Workshops will be offered for all abilities.
yoga.jpg

Behind it all is Kim Moon, who first started by developing a yoga consulting business, Bella Luna Yoga, offering resorts help with creating yoga programs, kicking off with places like Club Med.

The latest one with Jamaica includes a community outreach component: In partnership with Shakti Mind Body Fitness in Kingston, Jamaica, the conference will give a Shakti Love Scholarship, inviting Jamaican youth counselors, social workers and teachers to the conference at no cost.

The conference cost is $345 per person, and it will be at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, which is offering a noninclusive group room rate of $239.93 a night to conference participants (the resort's usual all-inclusive rate is $291 for a single room, $343 for double occupancy). Conference cost includes all events, selected classes, morning meditations, noon yoga sessions, evening events and keynote and closing addresses. For information, visit http://caribbeanyogaconference.com/

Choice Hotels offers double-rewards deal

Posted by Paul Kandarian January 30, 2012 07:57 AM

Choice Hotels, nearly 5,000 of them nationwide, is running a promotion through Feb. 29, offering twice the rewards to guests. The "Airline Miles and Choice Privileges Points" promotion, which started in December, lets Choice Privilege members (it's free to join) earn either airline miles plus Choice Privileges reward points, or double points for every qualifying stay through the last day of February. Travelers can participate in the promotion as often as they like. To qualify, register at www.choicehotels.com and pick the offer you want to earn. Reservations must be made at the site or by calling 800-424-6423.The promotion is good at all Choice Hotels properties, which include Comfort inn, Comfort Suites, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Ascend Collection.

JAL to fly new efficient Boeing jets in Logan debut

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor January 27, 2012 10:41 AM

Japan Airlines says that when it begins inaugural nonstop service from Tokyo to Logan International Airport in April that it will be using Boeing's long-awaited new 787 Dreamliner, making it the first airline to operate the highly-efficient jetliner commercially to and from the United States.

Airlines around the world, buffeted by high fuel costs, have been awaiting the arrival the Dreamliners, which were plagued by production delays. Boeing says that the jets, which employ lighter materials and wider wings, will consume less fuel, cut maintenance costs and provide greater passenger comfort, with larger dimmable windows, LED lighting, and other features.

JAL will offer four flights a week between Logan and Narita International Airport starting April 22, with daily service beginning in June. Making the 13 1/2-hour flight nonstop will shave up to six hours off the time it currently takes Boston passengers, who now have to connect through New York, Chicago, San Francisco, or a number of other cities to get to Tokyo, the biggest Asian destination for Boston travelers.

A 100-year event in Barbados

Posted by Patricia Borns January 27, 2012 07:17 AM

Talipot palm.jpg Pack your bags! Haley's Comet is visible from earth once every 75 years, but the flowering of the Talipot palm in Barbados's Andromeda Gardens is a 100-year event. Thanks to local Patrick Watson for the photo of this fan palm beauty, whose stalk bearing a million clustered flowers is the largest of any plant in the world.

Andromeda Gardens clings to a hillside of Bathsheba in St. Joseph parish facing the aqua windward sea. Iris Bannochie started it with her husband John on eight 18th century acres of family land, returning from her world travels with seeds and seedlings in her pockets to which the customs authorities turned a blind eye. Perhaps the Talipot, a native of southern India, came to Barbados that way. The personal, often whimsical garden was bequeathed to the Barbados National Trust which Bannochie helped found. Basheba's other attractions -- the iconic Soup Bowl for surfers and long, golden Cattlewash beach -- are a breezy downhill walk from here. Across the road from the ocean you'll find Sea Side rum shop with a sociable crowd and wonderful cutters (sandwiches).

But you'll have to hurry. The Talipot blooms only once, then dies.

Andromeda Gardens
Admission: US $10
Phone: (246) 433-9261 or (246) 433-9384

Airport releases security video of Rand Paul

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor January 26, 2012 10:00 AM

A security video of Senator Rand Paul at a TSA airport checkpoint in Nashville appears to contradict an initial report to police that described the Kentucky Republican as being ''irate.''

On Monday, TSA officials detained Paul when the Republican from Kentucky refused a patdown after triggering an millimeter wave body scanner alarm at a security checkpoint.

The Nashville Tennessean reported that a local police incident report shows that officers were dispatched in response to a report of "a passenger being irate.'' But according to the newspaper:

[V]ideos released by the Metro Airport Authority late Wednesday [above] show Paul entering the security line at 7:57 a.m. and then alternately sitting and standing in a glass cubicle while being watched by authorities. Paul appears to make a few phone calls as well.
Paul is shown being escorted by an airport official at 9:04 a.m. Paul rebooked his flight and later went through security without incident.

TSA officials have said that officers in Nashville were merely following procedure. Because Paul refused to comply with security procedures, he was denied access to the secure gate area.

In response to Monday's incident, Paul's father, US Representative Ron Paul, a Republican from Texas who is seeking his party's nomination for president, declared that if he was elected he would abolish the agency.


Patriots fans get a Super Bowl break: Airlines add flights, lower fares

Posted by guest January 25, 2012 05:10 PM

Patriots fans on a budget, take heart. Airlines have added extra flights between New England and Indianapolis, bringing down airfares that were averaging about $1,000 a few days ago.

Southwest Airlines is operating two special nonstop flights between T.F. Green Airport in Providence and Indianapolis over Super Bowl weekend ? one leaving T. F. Green at 5 p.m. on Feb. 3 and another one returning Feb. 6 at 11 p.m. The round-trip cost: $725.

US Airways has added a handful of extra nonstop flights between Boston and Indy -- two more on Feb. 3 and four more on Feb. 6. Lowest price: $830.

Delta Air Lines has a nonstop flight, leaving Logan International Airport Feb. 3 and returning from Indianapolis Feb. 6, for $740 ? although you?ll have to leave Indianapolis at 12:45 a.m. to get it. If you want to leave at the more reasonable hour of 8:15 a.m., it?s $1,013.

Procrastinators beware: Airfare prices can change quickly.

Boston named America's fifth-rudest city

Posted by Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff January 24, 2012 10:26 AM

Apparently, we've gotten ruder. Whatever.

After finishing in sixth place last year, Boston lands at No. 5 on this year's Travel and Leisure annual survey of America's rudest cities. Here's what they had to say about us, as if you care.

"Are they just a bunch of smart mouths? Folks in Beantown ranked near the top forintelligence, but that didn't endear them to visitors. Bostonians might also be guilty of gloating about their championship sports teams. But visitors still love the city as acultural getaway, and ranked it highly for its festive 4th of July."

New York leapfrogged Los Angeles the top spot this year, which is no surprise, of course. Miami finished second, followed by Washington, D.C., and L.A. Apparently Philadelphia had some sort of happy renaissance since they fell out of the Top 5. Must have been all the success the Eagles had this year.

So, just how rude are we? Let us know. Or don't, we really don't care.

TSA detains Rand Paul

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor January 23, 2012 01:11 PM

Transportation Security Administration agents detained Senator Rand Paul in Nashville when the Republican senator refused a full-body patdown after setting off a screening alarm.

"I spoke with him five minutes ago and he was being detained indefinitely,'' Paul spokesperson Moira Bagley told Politico. "The image scan went off; he refused patdown.''

Paul's father, Texas Republican Representative Ron Paul, who is seeking the GOP nomination for president, tweeted out that there had been an "anomaly'' with a body scanner.

TSA officials disputed the account. This from Politico:

The Kentucky senator triggered an alarm during routine airport screening and declined to finish the process, said a TSA official, but was "not detained at any point.'' A targeted pat-down is usually used to address the alarm.

"Passengers, as in this case, who refuse to comply with security procedures are denied access to the secure gate area. He was escorted out of the screening area by local law enforcement,'' the official said.

Shortly before noon, the TSA said Paul had been re-booked on another flight and went through the screening process again without incident.

After he was first stopped, Paul told The AP in a telephone interview that he asked for another scan after setting the scanner off but refused a pat-down, after which he was "detained'' at a small cubicle and missed his flight to Washington.

Paul, who is widely noted for his libertarian views, has in the past been highly critical of the TSA and its search procedures. He was apparently on his way to speak at the antiabortion March for Life today in Washington, D.C.

JetBlue one-day sale: Fares start at $39

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor January 23, 2012 11:07 AM

One-way fares from Logan International Airport begin at $39 (to Baltimore, Newark, Buffalo, Washington -- Dulles and Reagan -- Pittsburgh, and Richmond, Va.) for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only between Jan. 23-April 3. A seven-day advance purchase is required. Click here for all the details.

Here are some other sample one-way fares from Boston: $59 to Charlotte, N.C.; $69 to Raleigh-Durham and Chicago; $99 to Jacksonville, Fla., and Denver $109 to
Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Santiago, DR; $114 to Phonix; $125 to Nassau and Turks and Caicos; $129 to San Juan, PR, Santo Domingo, DR. Seattle, and New Orleans; $134 to Austin; $149 to Los Angeles and San Diego; $159 to Las Vegas and San Francisco; and $199 to Aruba.


7 romantic travel deals for Valentine's Day

Posted by Paul Kandarian January 23, 2012 07:03 AM

Valentine's Day is approaching, which reminds of us two things: It's time to be romantic, and winter is half over. There are a number of places, far and near, to warm up to the romantic cause with Valentine packages, and here are some: 


The White Barn Inn up in Kennebunk Beach, Maine, is running a romance package for the romantic month of February, which includes a night's stay in a deluxe room adorned with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne to wash them down with. Included is continental breakfast, afternoon tea and a romantic dinner for two. Rates are $600 for one night, dropping to $565 if staying more than one night. Check it out at http://www.whitebarninn.com/ or call 207-967-2321.

The Opus Vancouver has a "Cupid Concierge" deal for $295 a night, getting you a room, sparkling wine at check-in, a half-dozen roses or orchids delivered to your room before arrival, a half-bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a framed photo of your choice and a handwritten message from you delivered to your room before arrival, breakfast in bed and late check out. Upgrade to a suite for $100 more. See more at http://www.opushotel.com/vancouver.html

Also in Canada, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal has a "Bare Your Heart Package" for the romantic in you, which includes a one-night stay and breakfast in bed, with rates from $219 in Canadian dollars (the exchange rate is nearly even these days), available throughout February (except Feb. 24 and 25). A $10 donation per package sold will be made to Fondation En Coeur, a Quebec-based agency that helps kids with heart disease and their families with support services and information, and helping improve medical services in pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease. Visit http://www.fairmont.com/queenelizabeth for more information.

Go west and get warmer with the "Back in the Saddle Package" at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Ariz., which offers 20 percent off room nights (their rates are all inclusive, with meals and activities) for anyone booking three or more nights from Feb. 10-19. Rates start at $225 per night, not counting the discount. The resort is a working horse ranch with 180 horses on 60,000 acres of desert landscape between the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest, where couples can horseback ride, hike, mountain bike, swim, fish, enjoy the spa and relax in a room - that has no television. This is about romance, not what's on cable. Visit http://www.tanqueverderanch.com/

Wine is romantic, and the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa in Sonoma, Calif., unwraps its "Romance in Wine Country Package," with a room, two one-hour spa treatments, sparkling wine and a chocolate strawberry amenity, rose-petal turndown and sparkling wine tasting passes at Gloria Ferrer Winery. Packages are priced from $429 per night, and the special runs Feb. 10-19. The hotel serves what it calls a food lover's "aphrodisiac menu" for $125 per person. Check it out at http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma


Another Arizona resort, L'Auberge de Sedona, offers its "Sedona Snowmance" package for two that highlights skiing and getting warm and cozy later in new guest rooms with mountain views. The package includes two nights, two lift tickets to Flagstaff Snowbowl per day booked, a $75 food and beverage or spa credit per day booked and free winter drinks by the fire, ciders, teas and cocoas (the hard stuff is available but not free). Package savings are 40 percent with rates starting at $265 for guest rooms and $320 for cottages. The deal is valid through March 15. Check it out at http://www.lauberge.com/

Sunsets on the Pacific are pretty romantic, and the "Stay, Spa & Splashes" packages at Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, Calif., allow you to enjoy them. The deals, with 30 percent off rates starting at $625 a night, include a one-night stay, spa treatment for two, three-course dinner for two at the resort's signature Splashes restaurant, and gourmet breakfast in room (or the restaurant). Check it out at http://www.surfandsandresort.com/

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  • Kari Bodnarchuk writes about outdoor adventures, offbeat places, and New England.
  • Patricia Borns, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs travel, maritime, and historical narratives as well as blogs and books.
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  • Paul E. Kandarian, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs New England and Caribbean stories.
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