Your Shoes Can Make A Difference

Soles4Souls is helping millions

How often have you heard the phrase, “Spend a day in my shoes.” Well, in the case of those with limited or no funds this is a great privilege and blessing. Just as the runners in the Ford IronMan Races or Pro Sports Players need the right shoes – so do millions “around the corner and around the world,” and Soles4Souls is helping to make a difference with the gift of shoe donations. To date they have helped give shoes to those in need in over 45 states and 61 countries.

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A Relaxing Vacation In Japan

Japan offers the perfect escape for travelers seeking warmer weather this winter season. With an easy two-hour flight from Tokyo, Kagoshima on Kyushu Island in Southern Japan is the perfect getaway for young professionals and executive visitors escaping from the hustle of Tokyo.

View the Comments Section of this feature to learn more and plan your relaxing getaway to Japan.

By Iris Dean

Enjoy A ‘WICKED Green’ Getaway in San Francisco

Oz aficionados can paint the town ‘WICKED Green’ with a specially created overnight package, pre-theater dinner menu and wizardly cocktails at the Orchard Hotels in celebration of the smash hit Broadway musical’s return to The City by the Bay.

View the Comments Section for additional details on this “Wicked” package…

Escape The Winter Blues With Air Jamaica

Air Jamaica is offering travelers a great opportunity to escape the cold this winter and warm up in the Caribbean with its amazing fares.  Travelers can now take advantage of special one-way sale fares from selected gateways in the U.S. to Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada.

“With fares as low as $59, travelers can shake off the winter blues and soak up the warmth of the Caribbean at an extremely affordable price,” says George deMercado, Air Jamaica’s Senior Director, Sales. “It is a great opportunity in these challenging economic times to experience our great service at a great price on a great airline.”

Air Jamaica provides more non-stop flights to Jamaica than any other carrier with more than 300 flights per week. Air Jamaica also offers intra-regional service with flights between Jamaica and the Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grand Cayman and Grenada.

Current rates vary between $59 – $229, and require travel by certain dates. For further information and to book your reservations, call Air Jamaica at 1-800-523-5585 or visit the website at www.airjamaica.com.

By Iris Dean

The Hotel Preston Offers Football Fans A Pigskin Playoff Package

Spent all your money on tickets for a big game?  With a FAN-tastic discounted rates, you can get a great deal on a luxury boutique hotel and skip the Motel 6 or Super 8.  Fans of opposing teams will be placed on opposite ends of the hotel to prevent any “unnecessary roughness” before kickoff and can forego tailgating for the fabulous Pink Slip Lounge.  Be sure to start off with a breakfast of champions, better than your average Wheaties, before catching the optional shuttle to the game.

For more details on the Hotel Preston’s Pigskin Playoff Promotion visit www.hotelpreston.com or call 1-866-986-8089.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Is A Top Destination For Travelers

Lassen Volcanic National Park has been selected by the editorial staff of Frommer’s as one of their “Top Destinations for the New Year.” The California national park is the only destination in the western United States to be awarded this honor.

Visitors come for 150 miles of hiking trails, swimming, and boating and fishing (there are dedicated fishing and boating lakes). The park’s open year-round, but road closures do occur due to snow. When snow hits, some areas get “snow algae” which manifests itself in snow that takes on a blood-red color, adding to the already spooky atmosphere of geothermal activity. There’s only one place to stay within the park that’s not a campsite, but B&Bs and chain motels surround the park and you’re unlikely to pay above $100 to stay, even in high season.”

The 12 destinations in Frommer’s Top Destinations for 2009 include: Cartegena, Columbia; Cape Town, South Africa; Saggara, Egypt; Washington, DC; Waterton Lakes NP, Alberta; Civil Rights Trail, Selma to Montgomery, AL; Lassen VNP, CA; Berlin, Germany; Belfast, North Ireland; Istanbul, Turkey; Cambodia (but not Angkor Wat); and Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Complete descriptions of the destinations are found online at www.frommers.com/articles/5685.html.

Plan Your Visit by visiting www.drakesbad.com, www.lassenparkfoundation.org or www.nps.gov/lavo.