Accidental Travel Writer

Mother's Day: Forget Chocolate and Roses, How About a Weekend Trip?

Festivals and Holidays

Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May each year, and this year, 2012, it will fall on 13 May. Mother's Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1908 when Anna Jarvis of West Virginia started the holiday to pay tribute to mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day  official by signing the holiday into law. Children have traditionally celebrated Mother's Day by sending Mother's Day cards or giving boxes of chocolates or buying flowers or gifts. Taking mother out for lunch is another time honoured Mother's Day tradition.

United States: Top Five Reasons to Vacation in Houston, Texas

Travel Destination

Space City, as Houston, Texas, is sometimes known, has leveraged its status as the headquarters of the manned space programme of the United States to develop into one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the United States.

Challenger Ferry Flight flies over Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Thailand: Photography and Wellness Retreat in May at Koh Samui Resort

Travel Destination

A six day photography workshop and holistic health retreat will be held in Southern Thailand by a world renowned photographer in May 2012.

Top Six Deals: Hong Kong 2012 Spring and Summer Travel Planner

Special Packages

Here's our first annual Spring and Early Summer Travel Planner for travelers in Hong Kong's Pearl River Delta.

Included are cherry blossom tours, Easter tours, and short getaways to four of Hong Kong's most popular travel destinations - Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; Taipei, Taiwan; and Tokyo, Japan.

Cherry Blossom Front Moves North

As the Cherry Blossom Front moves north through the Japanese Islands, time is running out to book packages. If you want to view cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo, there is still time, but you'd better act fast. 

The further North you move, the more time you will have, with the front reaching Hokaido weeks after it leaves the country's Southern most islands.

Other popular destinations to view cherry blossoms in Asia are China, Korea, and Taiwan. Hangzhou, which is a couple of hours south of Shanghai,  is especially recommeded.

Washington, DC

It might be too late to view cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, which had one of its earliest cherry blossom seasons this year owing to a mild winter. Unfortunately, heavy rains over the weekend cut this year's cherry blossom season short.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, with hundreds of performances and activities, however, will continue in full swing through late April.

Spring – or Easter – vacation is also practically upon us, so if you haven't already done so, you should make your reservations now.

Top Six Spring and Summer Travel Packages

We've put together links to six money saving getaway packages for spring and early summer 2012. Click on the following links for more details:

1. Easter - Find your perfect Easter holiday (flight+hotel) from as little as HK$2,561..
2. Cherry Blossom - Find your Cherry Blossom holiday (flight+hotel) from HK$1,384..
3. Bangkok, Thailand - 3 Days, 2 Nights in Bangkok from HK$1,310. Find your perfect Bangkok weekend getaway at the best price with ZUJI. Offer ends 28 June 2012..
4. Singapore - 3 Days, 2 Nights in Singapore from HK$1,520. Find your perfect Singapore weekend getaway at the best price with ZUJI. Offer ends 12 July 2012..
5. Taipei, Taiwan - 3 Days, 2 Nights in Taipei from HK$1,310. Find your perfect Taipei weekend getaway at the best price with ZUJI. Offer ends 27 June 2012..
6. Tokyo, Japan - 3 Days, 2 Nights in Tokyo from HK$1,915. Find your perfect Tokyo weekend getaway at the best price with ZUJI. Offer ends 19 July 2012.

Copyright: Michael Taylor

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Academy Awards: What to Do in Hollywood in the Run Up to Oscar Sunday

Travel Destination

All eyes will be focused on Hollywood, California, on the night of Sunday 26 February 2012 as The 84th Academy Awards goes lives before a worldwide television audience of thousands of millions of movie fans.

The Artist, The Decendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse – which film will walk away with an Oscar?

Demian Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt – who will be named best Actor in a Leading Role? Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams – who will be named Best Actress in a Leading Role?

If you are caught up in the excitement surrounding this coming Sunday's Academy Awards, check out Hollywood City PASS for some ideas on how you can pass the time while you await the big night.

Save 46% on Admission!

You can save 46% off the combined admission to some of Hollywood's most important tourist attractions: Starline Movie Stars' Homes Tour, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Red Line Tours' Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes, and a choice between a guided tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars, or The Hollywood Museum (pictured above).

Other Options

You could go also jogging in MacArthur Park, gorge yourself on some of that yummy Mexican food that Southern California is famous for, soak up some rays at Malibu, or shop till you drop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

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Cruise: 18 Day Voyage from Australia to Hawaii Sets Sail in April

Special Package

The newly renovated luxury ocean liner Radiance of the Seas (pictured left) will depart from Sydney, Australia, for Honolulu, Hawaii, on 5 April 2012.  

Ports of calls will include Auckland, New Zealand, Papeete, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Hilo on the Big Island in Hawaii.  

The ship has floor to ceiling picture windows enclosing a central atrium that is fully nine storeys tall.

There are restaurants including an all new Brazilian steakhouse,  an indoor/outdoor country club with golf simulator, a rock climbing wall, basketball and volleyball courts, a poolside cinema, and many other facilities.

A special package offered by ecruising.com includes 17 nights on board the ship with full board, one night's accommodation at the Hilton Waikiki in Honolulu, transfers, a flight from Honolulu back to Sydney, and port charges and government taxes.

For complete information of all of the world's top cruise lines, please click on the following link: Online Exclusives - Find the Perfect Cruise

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Thailand: Holistic Health Retreat Launches Weight Management Package

Daily Feature

Absolute Sanctuary on the Southern Thai island of Koh Samui is launching a holistic weight management package in conjunction with Pevonia Botanica and the Vitallife Wellness Center.

"The concept behind the weight management programme is that effective weight management stems from a constant sense of awareness and self-control combined with healthy lifestyle choices," explains Claire Bostock-Huang, Executive Director, Absolute Sanctuary.

"Our aim is for our guests to achieve weight loss that is healthy, easy to maintain and most of all sustainable over a period of time. Through our programme, you will be guided towards a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally."

Comment

This place totally rocks. I spent nine wonderful days and eight wonderful nights there. Lots of things to do, and the cafe proved that healthy food doesn't have to be boring. Miss those black bean burritos and nachos!

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Australia: Valentine's Day Dinner for Two Fit for Royalty in Brisbane

Special Promotions

The Walnut Restaurant and Bar at the Royal on the Park Hotel in Brisbane, Australia, is serving a romantic Valentine's Day dinner that will be fit for royalty.

Pictured: Valentine's Day Flowers at the Royal on the Park in Brisbane, Australia.

What's Included: three course dinner for two, with an entree of raspberry cured ocean trout, braised rabbit, or baby beet goat's cheese risotto, a main course of Milly Hill rack of lamb, galantine of Moya Valley chicken, or Northern Territory barramundi, and a dessert of white and dark chocolate heart to share with your loved one.

Anything Else? a rose, a bottle of Moet, and free parking.

How Much: A$79.00 per person.

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Yellow Rose of Texas: Romantic Valentine's Specials in San Antonio

What's On

San Antonio, Texas, is a romantic mix of European style canals, Spanish flair, Texas bravado, and Old West charm.

As one of the most romantic cities in the United States, San Antonio has been transformed into the City of Yellow Roses for Valentine's Week in 2012.

The Valentine's festivities are already underway. Here are a few of the festive activities and special offers that await you and your loved one in San Antonio, Texas.

Three River Walk

Barges will ply the rivers that crisscross San Antonio with romantic floating serenades on Valentine’s Day and 17 February. Other barges will be romantically decorated with yellow roses, ribbons, and more, adding romance and splendour to River Walk during Valentine’s Week.   

Romantic Valentine's Hotel Packages

Hotels in San Antonio are offering special packages and offers with romantic themes in celebration of Valentine's week. One, for example, includes 1,000 yellow rose petals in its special offer.

Valentine's Week Value Card

City of Yellow Roses Valentine's Week Value Cards offer yellow rose turn down service at hotels, yellow rose drink specials, yellow rose cupcakes, yellow rose spa treatments, and more.

These special value cards are available on line, at the reception desks of hotels, bed and breakfast, and resorts, at San Antonio International Airport, at the Visitor Information Center on Alamo Plaza, and at the Convention Center. 

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Australia: Hotel Restaurants Offer Set Dinners for Valentine's Day

Special Promotions

Restaurants at Crown Hotels in Australia will serve tailor made set menus to couples dining at them on Valentine's Day on 14 February 2012.

Dinners served to couples at these hotel dining rooms that night will include a bottle of Veuve Clicquot or Moet and Chandon Imperial NV.

Couples will also receive a complimentary rose and set of bath robes valued at A$120.00 as a special gift.

Examples of What's on Offer

• Nobu - eight course Omakase (meaning from the heart) set menu with a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot for A$300.00 per couple.  
• Koko - six course teppanyaki or a la carte with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial NV for A$290.00 per couple.  
• Silks - eight course traditional Chinese banquet with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial NV for A$280.00 per couple.  
• Number 8 Restaurant and Wine Bar – five course degustation menu of modern Australian cuisine with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon NV for $280.00 per couple.  
• Breezes - four course set menu with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial NV for A$260.00 per couple.  
• JJ's Bar & Grill - four course set menu with a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial NV for A$280.00 per couple.

Telephone: 03 9292 5777.

Book Your Hotel Room Now

Readers in Australia can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com Australia

Readers in New Zealand can book hotels at the following link: Hotels.com New Zealand

Itchy feet? Click on the following link that some interactive travel ideas: ZUJI Hong Kong: Your Online Travel Guru