Cold comfort: The Fairmont Banff Springs is a top meeting and ski destination.
By Mark Chesnut
With peak ski season rapidly approaching, the time is right to mix a decidedly snowy form of pleasure with your business travel. Indeed, the postcard-perfect slopes of North America’s greatest ski resorts can easily serve as an inspiring backdrop for that next meeting, conference or executive getaway. With venues as impressive as these, there’s no reason to come in from the cold. (more…)
Warrior Dash-ers don Viking-like helmets and power through over-the-top obstacles. Credit: JOE MARINARO.
By Jennifer Olvera
If you’re into wacky, obstacle-driven fun on your Florida vacation, the Warrior Dash – a three-mile race along an extreme course – is for you. Slotted for Dec. 3 in Deerfield Beach in South Florida, and Jan. 21 and 22 in Lake Wales in Central Florida, the beer-soaked extravaganza features costumed participants in warrior helmets, and challenges from fire-leaping to hay bale-climbing at every turn. (more…)
Soak your sea legs post-dive at the InterContinental Presidente Cozumel’s Mandara Spa.
By Amy Drew Thompson
Outside of saucy exercise videos, the bends are not particularly sexy, but they’re a calculated risk scuba enthusiasts run in pursuit of their passion for undersea exploration. Lucky for those looking to spend long blue days with eels and rays along the walls of the breathtaking Columbia and Palancar reefs, many Cozumel hotels come complete with sumptuous spas where Cousteau wannabes can soak, sweat and massage away post-dive exhaustion. (more…)
Hop in: A Mercedes at Four Seasons Resort Vail
By Mark Chesnut
More upscale hotels are tapping into the public’s fascination with shiny new luxury cars by offering free loaner programs. It’s a first-come, first-serve type of amenity that is certainly more interesting than free coffee or Wi-Fi.
Some of the loaner programs are for a limited time. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, is offering guests the chance to drive the latest BMW models — including a sedan, several convertibles, an SUV and an eco-friendly BMW — for free between Sept. 18 and Oct. 24, as part of the Ritz-Carlton BMW Driving Tour. (more…)
One more reason to love the spring ski season: the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
By Pieter van Noordennen
The end of the season is a special time in ski towns. On mountain, the freeze-melt cycle of cold nights and warm days creates corn snow that skis almost as well as powder. Gone are those frenetic mid-season days that start at dawn and end at the closing bell are no more. Springtime skiing has a cooler, more relaxed pace, letting you wake up late, ski a few runs and then head to the sundeck for an IPA. Before it’s too late to savor a ski vacation, head to these three resorts for end-of-year parties that capture the spirit of spring, and still have plenty of terrain open in April as well. (more…)
Winter swells bring surfers and more to Oahu's Sunset Beach. Credit: bryce_edwards.
By Susan Johnston
For those seeking a taste of adventure and tropical sun this fall or winter, few destinations can top Hawaii and its legendary Honolulu hotels. Not only the perfect time of year to escape the cold, taking a Hawaii vacation to Oahu and during the months of November and December promises excitement across the Aloha State for active enthusiasts, especially when it comes to the much-anticipated Honolulu Marathon.
The start of the Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC. Credit: dbking.
By Jason Toth
The 35 annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will be held on October 31, 2010, in Washington, DC. Although not nearly as famous as the races in Boston and New York City, the MCM still checks in as the 8th largest marathon in the World with nearly 20,000 participants expected. The MCM also has the distinction of being the largest marathon not to offer any prize money to its winner. Aptly nicknamed “The Marathon of Moments,” the MCM offers a racing course with many landmark sights to behold.
Come to New Orleans to see the Superbowl 44 Champs and you could be singing, "Who dat sayin dey gonna beat dem Saints?" Credit: dcb_nola.
By Maria Mora
Football fans are enjoying the start of another electric Saints season. If you’re planning a NOLA pilgrimage to catch a game with the Super Bowl XLIV champs, check out these popular New Orleans hotels for the perfect start to any “Who dat?” celebration.
Nashville's Tennessee Titans during a practice game. Credit: vermillion.
By Rhonda Osborne
Are you ready for some football? I know am! While summers are great for a Tennessee vacation (this year has been particularly hot and humid), our minds are now on fall and football, and there’s no better place to watch a football game than Nashville.
Zion National Park. Credit: Wolfgang Staudt.
By Jennifer Nielsen
Living in Park City, Utah for the past 9 years, I’ve really experienced some of what southern Utah has to offer. I’ve explored some of the most incredible national parks, biked and hiked unbelievable trails. Every fall my family and I pack up the car and head south to Moab or St. George for a long weekend, looking forward to the last bit of summer before the cold weather hits the mountains. Here in southern Utah, you’ll find some of the most amazing sites and activities around.
We love to travel, and we love to talk about it. The Orbitz Blog is another way we can share our expertise, advice and the occasional random thought.
Check back often for fresh insight from Orbitz staff and contributors about cool places to visit, fun things to do and smart ways to save.