Southwest is coming to the Southeast

Charleston, South Carolina is a major tourist destination, in fact, one of the 'must-do's'. History, hospitality, scenery, the sea, and delectable dining and libations. Charleston is delighted that a major lowfare air carrier is about to be adding Charleston to its long list of destinations. Southwest Airlines will be soon gracing Charleston International Airport thanks to the tireless efforts of Charleston County Council and the Charleston Area Legislative Delegation. This addition will be a boon to area residents and certainly to Charleston's tourism guests.
Charleston is now homeport for Carnival's Fantasy and the addition of both cruising and reasonable airline rates serving many feeder cities into this historic Southeastern city of charm are both great advantages to the already robust hospitality industry.
Charlestonians love their genteel, pastel-painted South Carolina port city. And, Charlestonians love to share her with visiting guests. Especially since they have everything they need right in their own 'homeport'. The Charlestonian question is "Why would I ever travel, my dear? I'm already here." The genteel Charlestonians love to share their fondness for both city and heritage with visitors.
A charming town with brick streets lit by cast-iron street lamps, it is perched like a jewel on a small finger of land between the softly flowing Cooper and Ashley Rivers. Its seven square miles of skyline have hardly changed in more than a century. No new building can be higher than the steeple of St. Michael's Church, built in 1761. Fly on down on Southwest Airlines and see for yourself.

Bohicket Marina Billfish Tournament May 12th - 15th

It is exciting that the South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series is returning to Bohicket Marina. The Cup is part of South Carolina's fishing tradition and part of the original "Triple Crown" of SC Billfish competitions. Since this is the first tournament in the Governor's Cup Series, boats will be vying to get in the lead position and stay there for such awards as Outstanding Billfish Conservationist, Oustanding Billfish, Top Female Angler, and Top Youth Angler of the Year. And, no worries - the majestic Billfish population is not depleted. It is all 'Tag & Release'. But, more on that in a moment.

Adding to the excitement of the returning Cup are new venues arriving at Bohicket Marina - such as Red's Ice House - a fun, relaxing, kickback and have a cold one, seafood eatery. Red's will be a great addition to the Marina which already has some wonderful food and drink. Rosebank Farms is also not-to-be-missed. A meal of its delicious fresh-from-the-farm fare will be discussed around your non-Lowcountry table back home, for some time! Fischer's Pub is another fun place with great libations and food. During the Billfish Tournament, Fischer's will be having karaoke one of the evenings.

Bohicket Marina itself is celebrating the return of the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series with nightly live music. Bohicket Marina, nestled between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands is an ideal hosting location for the May 12th-15th, 2010 Cup. Bohicket Marina provides access to some of the most environmentally pristine waters on the Eastern Seaboard. The Marina offers scenic water tours and a full range of offshore and inshore fishing options.

The great thing about the Billfishing Series is that it helps to ensure the health and future of South Carolina's natural resources and coastal economy by promoting the management and preservation of billfish stocks for future generations. Over ninety percent of the billfish caught each year are released alive, making South Carolina recognized as a world leader in marine fisheries conservation.

Prior to the Governor's Cup, less than ten percent of billfish caught were released. Inspired by the conservation message of the Series, anglers are now tagging and releasing record numbers of billfish caught in South Carolina waters. By encouraging tag and release, the Series has focused attention on the sharp decline of Atlantic billfish and encouraged conservation of all marine resources.

Charleston International Film Festival

Right on the heels of Charleston Fashion week - tourists and residents of the historic city of Charleston, SC can look forward to an International Film Festival. It seems Charleston has gained the international attention of both fashionistas and filmbuffs alike. Wonderful! Charleston's old world European ambiance, top cuisine, and ocean vistas make her a perfect backdrop. It's not 'All the World's a Stage'...it is 'Charleston's the Stage'. And, she has been for years with the city-wide Spoleto Festival. The 'new wrinkle' of a Film Festival is fun, however. The 3rd annual Charleston International Film Festival will be based at the American Theater (446 King St.) April 8-11, 2010. This landmark art-deco style building will be screening over 50 films. The films will showcase the very best work of veteran and emerging filmmakers, including shorts, features, documentaries and animations of all genre and subject matter. Films will hale from 6 different countries - mostly from the United States - and 14 will be from filmmakers in the southeast region and the Lowcountry.The official selection will represent the pinnacle of independent filmmaking talent from around the world. The full schedule and tickets will be online soon ($8 in advance online and $9 at the door). www.CharlestonIFF.com. The Charleston International Film Festival is the Reel Deal...enjoy and don't miss local filmmaker, Kevin Harrison's documentary "Haunted Charleston" - fun!

Fresh from the Farm Event

Freshfields Village is nestled between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, South Carolina, about 30 minutes from historic Charleston. Freshfields Village is a welcoming daytrip from Charleston, or 'must-visit' site if staying on the Sea Islands. Freshfields welcomes browsers, diners, people-watchers and socializers where visitors will find the downhome friendliness of Mayberry and the downtown convenience of Main Street. A great upcoming reason to visit the Village will be on March 11th....

Freshfields Village has been asked to stage a Farmer's Market for a food segment on a Travel Channel show! The Farmers Market will be setup on the green in the Village on March 11th with Newton Farms, Java Java and the Lollipop Shop having agreed to be the food vendors. It will be fun to walk the Village, maybe appear in the crowd on the Travel Channel show, and get fresh vegetables - something for which the Lowcountry is quite famous.

The biggest difference between grocery store and fresh produce is taste. Food sold at a Farmers Market or through a CSA program has been grown for vibrant color and flavorful taste, rather than for shipping across the country. Children are a lot more likely to get excited about 'eating their vegetables' if they have great flavor. Locally produced products have not travelled thousands of bumpy miles before arriving at table.

Lowcountry residents have the ability to take advantage of farm fresh bounty often. Families cans start gardens of their own, visit a Farmers Market like what will be at Freshfields Village, or joining a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture program. These are a great option as they provide a direct connection between Farmer and Consumer. Seasonally, the vegetables can be picked up weekly and recipients receive in their bag the great surprise of what is most ripe for that given week! And, the cost is no more on average than what one would pay at a grocery store. What fun and the 'unknown' causes excitement within the family and more creative cooking coming to the tables. Mothers have often said their children have tried, and loved, vegetables they never knew existed before as a result of a CSA membership.

So if you are a resident of Kiawah, Seabrook or nearby Johns or James or Wadmalaw Islands, or visitors to the area - check out the Farmers Market at Freshfields Village on March 11, 2010 and maybe 'spot yourself' on the Travel Channel later!

Charleston Fashion Week - March 16-20

It is so fun that Charleston, SC - is doing a Southern 'mirrored' version of New York City's famous Fashion Week! 2010 marks the fourth year of this successful Event dubbed a 'Top 20' Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. This five-night celebration will be held March 16-20th in various locations around Historic Charleston, SC. Fashionistas not only have a great Event to attend - but, will also be in one of America's most beautiful cities as the backdrop to the beautiful people and beautiful fashions. Charleston is dressed in her glory in the Spring, too. All of the camellias, azaleas, and more are in bloom and the scents of jasmine and wisteria waft thru her cobble stoned streets. Hosted by Charleston Magazine and presented by the Art Institute of Charleston (right downtown on the Market and Waterfront) the featured presentations of the Event are much fun. The main Event is the Emerging Designer Competition of the Southeast judged by a Fashion Panel boasting the likes of Anne Sley of Elle Magazine (Fashion News Director), Cynthia Rowley (Renowned Fashion Designer), Mychael Knight (Celebrity Designer) and more. The Style Lounge, Catwalk for Kids auction and luncheon, the Bridal Couture Show are former successes of the Event. New this year is the Rock the Runaway Model Competition and the Stiletto Stampede - both sure to be runaway hits! Come to Charleston this Spring to enjoy this fun Event and historic Charleston and her sea Islands - what a fun Spring Break. For Event information, scoop on the Designers, tickets and more go to charlestonfashionweek.com.

Treasure Hunt ResortQuest SKI Vacation Winner!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Denver Woman wins $5,500 Ski Vacation in ResortQuest $1-A-Day Vacation Treasure Hunt
FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. (Feb. 15, 2010) -- Lisa H. of Denver, Colo., is only going to spend $5 on her husband's anniversary present this year because she won the latest ResortQuest Vacation Treasure Hunt contest Tuesday, Feb. 9. Lisa won a five-night stay for $1 a day at the Torian Plum Creekside Resort, one of the premier ski-in/ski-out properties in Steamboat Springs, Colo. The vacation at the gold-rated two-bedroom, three-bath condo is valued at $5,500."I am from Denver and am somewhat familiar with the local resorts," said Lisa. "I decided to study all the ResortQuest Web sites so I could learn what each resort had to offer, and familiarize myself with the resort properties located outside Colorado. I started studying the sites when I didn't get the "catch-em‚ clue from a couple weeks ago that would have been a big clue!"Lisa says the timing of her five-day ski vacation couldn't have been better, as it is just a couple of weeks before her third wedding anniversary."I love scavenger hunts and have been trying for the last three weeks to win this one," she said. "For me, this contest was more for the adventure than the prize. but now that I won, I am very excited about the trip!"Tuesday's contest was the fourth of 11 weekly promotions featuring a different ResortQuest vacation rental property,a condo, vacation home or hotel suite, at a ski destination in Aspen, Breckenridge/Keystone or Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Park City, Utah, or Sun Valley, Idaho.Torian Plum Creekside Resort‚s #316 features two bedrooms and three baths, and sleeps six. The ski-in/ski-out condo is close to a six-person chairlift and just 100 yards from the Steamboat Ski Resort Gondola. The condominium is located near exclusive shops and restaurants, including Café Diva and Saketumi, as well as the popular après-ski scene at Slopeside Bar. ResortQuest offers on-call shuttle service at Torian Plum Creekside from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily during ski season.The Treasure Hunt is held every week until March 30.The next contest starts Tuesday, Feb. 16, at noon EST.To participate, treasure hunters navigate through ResortQuest's ski-destination Web sites to locate a hidden treasure map icon. The treasure map reveals the toll-free number and promotion code needed to call and claim the prize. The Web site offers clues to help treasure hunters find the location of the map. New clues are continually added until someone finds the map and calls to claim the treasure.To learn more about contest rules and how to participate in ResortQuest's Vacation Treasure Hunt, visit www.VacationTreasureHunt.
Posted by ResortQuest Vaction Rentals at 6:52 AM
Labels: Colorado, resortquest, ski vacation, treasure hunt

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

Visitors to Charleston's barrier Islands of Kiawah, Seabrook, Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island typically spend 2 full days of a week-long visit in historic Charleston, SC. The reasons are many - history, architecture, antiques and haute couture boutiques. The top reason to spend time in historic Charleston, SC? No surprise - the food! Charleston's cuisine hearkens from a French Heritage as a large percentage of her first inhabitants were of French Huguenot descent. The original inhabitants were wealthy and wanted fame, fortune and plenty of their fine French cuisine. Then, the 'war-between-the-states' and its aftermath changed things a bit to include a financial need to take advantage of the basic bounty of the lowcountry - seafood, fresh vegetables and more. The results is a delectable cuisine that today marries these historic influences. Charleston is said to boast 'more fine dining, per capita, than any city in America'. Hence, you will not want to miss the annual Charleston Food + Wine Festival, March 4 - 7th, 2010. The Festival's mission is 'to enhance Charleston's culinary reputation and support important charitable endeavors by focusing national attention on the entertainment, education and gastronomical gratification opportunities presented by world-class culinary professionals and wine experts.' Sounds good! Mmmmm. There are many interesting exhibitors such as Slow Food Charleston. This non-profit organization has over 83,000 members internationally that advocate for good, clean and fair food. They push for high quality of taste, environmental sustainability and social justice. During its 3 days the Events of the Food + Wine Festival take place in wonderful restaurants and venues all over Charleston. The Events go on throughout the day, so you can pick your time. Your taste buds won't be sorry!