Frommer’s Travel has joined forces with HP to offer Frommer’s Remix by HP, an on-demand custom travel guide that simplifies travel planning and ensures a memorable trip personalized to each traveler’s needs and preferences.

Travelers can now visit www.frommersremix.com to create their personally-titled travel guide for single or multiple destinations which integrates their own unique itineraries alongside expert advice, candid reviews, and recommendations from local Frommer’s authors, based on travelers’ personal preferences.

How it works:
To begin customizing their personal guide, travelers can visit Frommersremix.com to enter the details of their itinerary, or import them automatically from TripIt, the leading mobile travel organizer. They then select their activity preferences, along with their choice of high-value coupon discounts, provided by the company that produces The Entertainment Book* – which will save them $100 or more on dining and attractions. Frommer’s Remix by HP then packages together their itinerary, personalized recommendations, and entertainment coupons and ships the final guidebook directly to their home.

Craig Schickler, Director of E-Business Development, at Frommer’s said: “An important part of Frommer’s mission is to help travelers plan fun, hassle-free trips. HP’s digital publishing and customization technology enables us to bring that one step further, offering innovative, fully customized travel guides that enable travelers to focus on making memories instead of making plans.”

“Paper-based travel guides are still the preferred way to carry travel information, so HP and Frommer’s set out to create a new way to experience the customized content people have come to expect in the digital age,” said Glen Hopkins, Vice President and General Manager, Printing and Technology Platforms, HP. “Frommer’s Remix by HP merges this rich digital content with the convenient, printed Frommer’s guidebooks travelers trust.”

Custom guidebooks for more than 30 top global destinations with special introductory price of $9.99:

Frommer’s Remix guidebooks are currently available for more than 30 popular global destinations at launch, including; London, New York, Paris and Rome, with more destinations coming soon. For a limited time (thru 12/31/11) Frommer’s Remix will be available for the special introductory price of $9.99. After the 12/31/11, pricing will start at $19.99 for a custom guidebook and 12 hand-picked coupons. Visitwww.frommersremix.com to design your guide, your way.

The New Year is almost upon us, and there is no better way to kick it off than by booking a New Year’s Resolutio reservation. SanLuisObispoVacations.com offers 37 choices in downtown San Luis Obispo hotels, and access to prime California adventures and life-impacting experiences to fit some of the most common resolutions.

Whether the goal for 2011 is to learn about wine or to learn to surf, to tour California historic monuments (such as Hearst Castle, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and Morro Rock) or tour the scenic Central Coast by bike, kayak or boat, San Luis Obispo is the sunny destination where dreams (and resolutions) can come true.

Conquer Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions with a San Luis Obispo Vacation:

1. Eat Better: Shop the world-famous Thursday evening Farmer’s Market or eat organic, local and seasonal fare at local restaurants. January is Restaurant Month, with select restaurants featuring three-course menus for $30.

2. Develop My Palate: Tour San Luis Obispo’s scenic wine country, taste award-winning wines, attend seminars and wine festivals, and take home a wine club membership for continued education.

3. Try Something New: San Luis Obispo is the ideal location to test your hand at surfing, stand-up paddling, hot air ballooning, scuba diving or other outdoor adventures.

4. Save Money: January may be considered “off-season,” but in still-sunny San Luis Obispo, it means “more for less.” Relish in the smaller crowds at local attractions and enjoy lower rates on accommodations as well!

5. Spend Quality Time with (family, wife, significant other): San Luis Obispo abounds with unique activities for romantic or family getaways. Stroll the Avila pier at sunset, have a picnic in wine country, take the kids to the Children’s Museum or rent bikes and hit the scenic Bob Jones City to Sea Trail.

6. Get Outside More: With more than 6,500 acres of protected open space, San Luis Obispo is perfect for exploring hiking or mountain biking trails, beach combing, nature watching, and enjoying the sunshine and ocean breezes.

7. Get in Shape: Home to Team HTC-Columbia (the #1-ranked professional US cycling team) and host to races of all kinds throughout the year, the local terrain offers runners, cyclists, climbers, and water sports enthusiasts challenges as rewarding as the vistas.

8. Go Somewhere Spectacular: With breathtaking Big Sur views, the one-of-a-kind Hearst Castle, and other hidden treasures such as waterfalls, sea coves and caves, and wildflower-strewn hillsides in close proximity to your downtown San Luis Obispohotel, inspiration awaits around every corner.

9. Develop a Hobby: Become a wine connoisseur; take up bird watching or whale watching, walk a historical tour of the downtown’s landmarks, or give plein aire painting a try at a picturesque park or seaside bluff.

10. Take a Memorable Trip: Visit San Luis Obispo, CA! Conveniently positioned halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, charming downtown San Luis Obispo, CA is the cultural hub of the scenic Central Coast of California. The city’s over 30 downtown hotels—including B&Bs, boutique inns, larger chain hotels and economy lodges—provide the ideal home base for day trips and excursions to city, county and region-wide attractions. San Luis Obispo Vacations(.com) also offers monthly hotel-stay giveaways (a $500 value) to e-newsletter subscribers. To enter, visit: SanLuisObispoVacations.com/2-night-giveaway.php.

For more details about hotel accommodations, events, and attractions in San Luis Obispo, CA, visit: www.sanluisobispovacations.com

by Nicole Hockin

Wondering how to avoid wrinkles in your suitcase or simply how to fit it all in there? Here are a bunch of helpful tips for packing a suitcase whether traveling for business or pleasure.

1. If you are flying, check the baggage fees and weight requirements BEFORE you pack. I always weigh my bag as I’m packing to stay within the usual 50 lb allowance.

2. Wear bulkier items on the plane so you have more room in your bag.

3. Put your name on both the inside and outside of your bag in case your bag is lost; also, a copy of your itinerary or destination contact information inside the bag will make it easier for an airline employee to find you.

4. Pack a day’s worth of clothes in your carry on. If your bags do become lost you won’t be stuck frantically trying to find something to wear.

5. Pack a swimsuit in your carry on, too. If you’re going on a cruise, you’ll be able to hit the pool when everybody else is waiting for their bags to be delivered to their cabins.

6. Pack chronologically. Place the items you will wear first on top (usually pajamas) and leave the last day outfits to the bottom of the bag.

7. Pack things inside of other things. Women’s shoes inside of men’s shoes, jewelry inside a pair of shoes, etc.

8. Get a small laundry bag. I happen to like the one at  www.rojeti.com.  I hang it in the closet and it’s a great way to keep your room picked up and to separate the clean and dirty clothes.

9. Use plastic baggies. Fill them with anything: jewelry, toiletries that could leak, and your undergarments. For the undergarments, I usually do one bag per traveler. Be sure to squeeze out the extra air. Then at the end of the trip you simply empty them straight into the laundry.

10. Do more with less. Can you get multiple wears out of a pair of pants or skirt paired with different blouses? Can you get away with one pair of shoes? I can’t – but let’s say two! Leave anything that only goes with one other item at home.

11. Hang your clothes up as soon as you can. Save yourself the trouble of ironing and hang your clothes up immediately.  You can always turn the shower on hot and hang the clothes behind the bathroom door to steam away the wrinkles.

12. You will save space and avoid creases by packing pants 1^st in the suitcase. Lay them across the length of the suitcase with the waist to one side and the legs hanging over the other side.  Layer the next pair on top with the waist at the opposite side (on top of the previous pair’s legs).  Once pants are in, continue packing clothes on top of them. Fold the legs in on top of your clothes at the end of the packing.

13. Use plastic dry cleaning bags between shirts/blouses and dresses to prevent wrinkling.

14. Always put plastic on top of your clothes before zipping the suitcase shut. It will protect your clothes from shoes that you may want to layer on top. And, if the suitcase gets unexpectedly wet while traveling, it will also keep your clothing dry.

15. Do NOT pack wrapped gifts.  Pack the wrapping paper/gift bag/tissue paper and a baggie with the necessary tape/pen/scissors separately and then wrap the gift upon arrival.  You will either be disappointed because the wrapping was damaged or that TSA opened the gift for inspection purposes.

Nicole Hockin is a Hotels.com Travel Expert and author of the Travel Smart Blog, which provides advice for travelers on a regular basis.

With today’s frenetic pace of life, more and more couples are yearning for those priceless opportunities to getaway and reconnect.  In the past, a typical couples retreat would usually tout three primary elements: intimacy, rest and a whole lot of relaxation.  But, times have changed and today’s couples also are craving an element of adventure. In fact, this growing interest in adventure travel now accounts for about 20-percent of why people embark on vacations. And for those couples searching for a destination with the perfect combination of romance and adventure, boutique eco resorts like Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, located in Hopkins, Belize, are becoming the a very popular choice.  From adrenaline-pumping experiences to natural, secluded surroundings, Hamanasi harmoniously blends reef, rainforest, romance and luxury.

“We understand our customer wants romance and the opportunity to experience something new and adventurous,” said Hamanasi founder and owner, Dana Krauskopf. “When we scouted Belize for a place to build, we really wanted a beautiful beach location on the Caribbean Sea, as well as a property within reach of Belize’s inland landscapes, to allow for an environment that’s conducive to both high activity and leisurely, sensual pursuits.”

From romantic strolls on the beach to one-on-one time with Mother Nature–Hamanasi was voted Best for Romance in Central/South America by TripAdvisor® in 2010 with plenty to offer even the most discerning couples. Below is a sampling of why Belize’s first-ever beachfront property to receive Green Globe Certification, is the perfect choice for honeymooners, anniversary celebrants or romance rekindlers.

Sublime Romance Found in Nature
From the second couples arrive at the eco-chic Hamanasi, they’re instantly immersed in a sense of serenity and romance. This 25-acre beachfront sanctuary named the #1 Eco-Friendly Hotel in the World in 2009, not only exudes sensuality, but also embraces the property’s lush landscape. Nestled in the coastal forest serenaded by birds and caressed by sea breezes, lies Hamanasi’s most popular rooms – secluded, intimate Treehouseaccommodations. Freestanding and raised on stilts, the Treehouses provide the utmost in privacy and comfort. King-size beds made of Belizean barba jolote wood are romantically draped and the large shower/tub design boasts expansive windows and skylights, perfect for bird watching and stargazing. Hamanasi’s special romance touches include floral-kissed turndown service, private dining, champagne upon arrival, in-suite massage andmore.

Adventure & Relaxation
Whether a couple opts to experience adventure together or individually – Hamanasi features dozens of diverse action-packed inland excursions, as well as a full-service five-star PADI dive and snorkel facility. Some of Hamanasi’s most exhilarating adventures offer guests the best of Belize both on and offshore including snorkeling and diving the Barrier Reef and Glover’s Reef Atoll, the Cave & Jungle Adventure and Mayflower Jungle & Waterfall Hike. Additional tours include Jungle River Kayaking & Canoeing, the Magical Mayan History Tour, theCockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve and Tropical Birding.

After an adventure-filled day, couples can relax by swaying under the palms trees in a hammock, taking a stroll through Hamanasi’s lush gardens or lounging poolside where full-service cocktail service is available. Alternately, for those still wanting to be a little adventurous and explore the area by land or by sea – complimentary bikes and sea kayaks are available.

Uncompromising Service
Recognized in 2010 by TripAdvisor® for Best Service in Central and South America, Hamanasi has thrived off a special service philosophy that encourages the resort’s staff to always go above and beyond, offering guests impeccable service.  Developed by the resorts owners, the program includes efforts like getting to know each guest by name and attending to every need, to ensure guests–looking to unwind at the resort or explore Belize–are treated like family.

About Hamanasi
Located south of Hopkins, Belize and nestled between the lush Maya Mountains and the turquoise Caribbean Sea, Hamanasi offers guests plenty to explore, both onshore and offshore. The intimate property boasts 21 private Treehouses, luxury suites and spacious beachfront rooms, as well as an on-property Adventure Center, complete with a full-service PADI dive facility. As the first Belize beachfront property to achieve Green Globe Certification, and one of the top hotels for service in Central and South America according to TripAdvisor®, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is the ultimate blend of adventure and eco-luxury. For more information, visit www.hamanasi.com.

There are a myriad of spas across the United States that boldly make the claim of being a ‘green’ spa, but the fact is, the vast majority aren’t. The main reason that a great number of spas can make the claim is because at present, there aren’t really any guidelines or specific definitions with regard to the use of the word ‘natural.’

One spa however is trying to change the gray area of what it means to be ‘green’ by practicing what it calls “Greenistics” which they define as ‘a comprehensive approach toward being environmentally proactive.’Absolute Nirvana Spa, located in Santa Fe New Mexico is one of the most comprehensively green spas in the country. As owner Carolyn Lee explains, “”Conservation and an eco-friendly mindset have always been very important to me as an individual, so it was natural to me to carry that same philosophy into the running of the spa.  I became enamored with the Asian philosophy of using fruits, spices and plants for health and beauty and that became the foundation of Absolute Nirvana Spa.  Because the skin is our largest organ, and whatever we put on our skin is going right into our bodies, it is crucial that we be very attentive to what we apply to the skin.  Just as you would not want to drink or eat anything that was cancer causing, nor would you want to use products that include parabens and other toxic matter.”

So what are some of the unique things Absolute Nirvana does greenistically? Here’s just a few:

• All spa ingredients and facial components are organic and/or natural.  Facials are done with the Naturopathica skincare line or with avocado/honey/cucumber/yogurt/brown rice powder/yogurt.  Spa treatments are done with high quality organic oils, spices, organic brown rice and brown sugar, papaya, seaweed, white clay, yogurt and honey.
• The spa is cleaned using all natural cleaning agents.  All are chemical-free and non-toxic.
• 80% of the electricity is from wind power.
• The spa has its own water treatment system and they recycle all of their rose petal bath water.
• All spa menus and stationary is printed on recycled paper with soy ink.
• The circulating water from the tubs also serves to heat the spa in the winter.
• All allowable glass, paper and plastic is recycled.
• Light bulbs are compact fluorescent wherever possible.
• Plants rather than cut flowers are used throughout the spa.
• Cloth hand towels are used in place of paper towels.
• Paper cups have been replaced with glass or plastic cups; bottled water has been replaced by filtered water.
• The grounds are illuminated with a combination of solar and motion detector lights to eliminate the waste of all-night outdoor lighting, though path lights are still used for added safety.
• All toilets have been replaced with low-flow toilets, and all faucets and showers have flow restrictors, allowing for a comfortable and water-efficient shower.
• Shopping bags are made of recycled paper.
• In an effort to eliminate the waste of small plastic amenity bottles, we have placed dispensers in each bathroom which are filled with all natural soaps, shower gels, lotions and shampoos.
• The gardens are watered with a drip system to further reduce water consumption.
• Only earth-friendly and non-toxic fertilizers are used in the gardens.

Carolyn explains, “The transition is easier than people might think, and our ‘greenistic’ philosophy has made a huge difference with our clients. They tell us “Not only do I feel great physically after my spa treatment, it is a great feeling to know that I am in such a ‘green’ spa!”

Visit online at www.absolutenirvana.com

Ask any seasoned travel pro and they’ll tell you: a successful trip starts at home with smart packing!   Briggs & Riley Travelware, a leader in innovative, high-quality luggage, polled a host of well-traveled professionals from journalists to business owners to get their top tips and tricks for successful packing.

Jim Lahren, Vice President of Marketing at Briggs & Riley states, “We polled hundreds of top travelers to get their best packing secrets and tips to help consumers save time and headaches in advance of their trip.  Some of the key themes that came up repeatedly: pack ahead so you don’t rush, only take essentials, keep important items handy for easy access, and many suggested keeping key garments in the plastic bags they come in from the cleaners to eliminate wrinkles. There were also many unique and funny tips as well.”

Here are the top suggestions for anyone who wants to pack like a pro!

“Do what I call packing ahead: start a few days before your trip and as you think of things you need/want to bring either write them down or lay them out. This way you make sure you don’t forget anything in the last minute rush.”

“Never let your husband pack.  No good can come from it.”

“At least a week in advance of the trip, I start reminding my wife she takes too much clothing and packs way too much stuff. I do this with the hope that by the time I’m ready to start squeezing everything in, it won’t be too strenuous an undertaking.”

“Lay everything out that you intend to take, and then remove one-third of it.  This will eliminate ‘over-packing.’”  Another respondent suggested, “To limit what I carry, I go through my bag a second time after packing to eliminate things that I might not need.  Simple toiletries like tooth paste, mouthwash, and even white t-shirts can be purchased in small quantities after arrival at my destination.”

“I save clothes that I’m about to throw out and then I pack them when I take a trip. I wear them on the trip and then throw them out before I pack to come home. That means I now have room to pack the new stuff and any souvenirs I bought. Beware though: two people emailed me that they threw their old clothes away at very fancy, high-end hotels. And the hotels had them dry cleaned and Fed Ex’d back to them, thinking they had thrown them out by mistake!”

“Business travelers who frequent the same hotels can pack a bag or plastic storage box and leave it at the hotel until their next visit.  In the interim, the hotel will launder, press and fold clothes as necessary, and hold them for you until your return.  Slip the concierge $20 every now and then and you’ll be treated like royalty each time you visit and your property will be well protected for you.”

“I had a favorite room in a nice hotel in Chicago.  The room had a drop ceiling.  Because of this I was able to lift a tile and hide things in the room above the ceiling.  Every time I went there I stayed in the same room by booking far enough in advance to get it. I kept razor blades, shaving cream, deodorant and several other things in a small Tupperware container above the ceiling and never lost any of it.  I don’t go there very often anymore, but I suspect that my things are still there!”

“I’m on the road constantly and I try to make the road feel as much like home as possible.  I try to get hotels to give me the same room every time, of course, but I also carry a couple of pictures of my wife and a couple of pictures of my daughter in my luggage.  I also bring a small iPod player so I can listen to my music.  My desk – here in Minneapolis today – looks just like my desk at home or my desk in New York or my desk in San Francisco.”

“First rule: NEVER CHECK BAGS.  One roll-on bag that fits in the overhead should do it for any trip – even up to a month.  You can do it if you follow my second tip:”

“Pack EVERYTHING BLACK: black shoes, black undies, black clothes, black makeup bag. It never goes out of style, always looks clean, always makes you look slimmer, it’s good for every season, and it’s easy to accessorize with color.  With black, you can travel for two weeks or two months with one little carry-on bag.  You’ll look chic in NY or London or Kuala Lampur.”

“It’s not the clothes, it’s the shoes that matter!  Pack with similar colors or styles in your clothes so that you can minimize the number of shoes required for the trip as they take up more space than clothes.”

And most importantly:

“I always pack my underwear first so that I don’t forget it.”

Please visit www.briggs-riley.com for a list of new products and store locations.

From Alternative Power Sources to Dissolvable Golf Balls, The Orphalese, Endeavors to Be All Luxury, All Green Cruise…

Luxury residential cruise ship, The Orphalese (www.theorphalese.com), will lead the maritime industry in being the first ship of its kind to implement various innovative environmental or green initiatives and serve as a true cruising laboratory concerning ecological issues. As The Orphalese circumnavigates the globe during its inaugural season, beginning in 2010, the residential cruise ship (www.theorphalese.com) will endeavor to be as green as possible, as well as manage its overall impact on the delicate global ecosystem. The Orphalese will preserve not only the oceans but the lands that she will visit, especially as she spends 200 days in port.

Setting the green benchmark for other residential cruise ships, The Orphalese will use salt, instead of chlorine, as the catalyst in its ocean-based water desalinization units for recycling used water. In addition, The Orphalese will be in the vanguard of ships to feature solar panels for the generation of energy for the ship’s exterior lighting. The residential cruise ship will also have a unique regeneration system utilizing exhaust gases from the engines to heat water and provide heat for onboard residences.

The Orphalese will sample from the most effective green land-based initiatives, adapting them for an environmentally friendly ocean-based luxury lifestyle. The ship’s designers are working with the top designers and manufacturers in their respective fields to outfit the residences on-board with state-of-the-art environmentally friendly appliances that conserve energy and water. For example, The Orphalese will feature washing machines that use sound waves to clean clothes and conserve gallons of water.

Chief Administrative Officer of Orphalese Cruise Line, Victoria Ying Jin, said, “It’s going way beyond keeping up with an environmentally friendly trend but more keeping in line with our guests and owners’ lifestyles and what’s important to them. Our owners and guests expect the very best and they are not going to forfeit their environmentally based values when they board the ship. We want to set an example and be the most luxurious residential cruise ship as well as the most environmentally friendly.”

The Orphalese will pride herself on maintaining the highest environmental standards through the following green initiatives:

–  An on-board recycling plant that will recycle 100% of all solid waste
products. In addition, it will also feature a wastewater treatment plant.
Water reclaimed by these systems will be used for external ship cleaning
purposes only.

–  Satellite positioning system will guide the ship to prevent dropping
anchor on precious sea beds and coral.

–  The ability to run on green diesel as well as put in place special
engine seals to prevent oil leakage.

–  Water desalinization units will use salt as the catalyst instead of
chlorine.

–  LED lighting that will use 50% less energy than regular lighting and
reduce carbon footprint by 70%. Solar panels will be installed to light
ship’s exterior.

–  Residences will feature state-of-the-art washing machines that use
less water and sound waves to thoroughly clean clothes. These washing
machines will use 10 gallons of water versus 60 gallons in a conventional
washing machine.

–  All cleaning supplies on board will be biodegradable.

–  And for the ever mindful avid golfer, the golf balls used will be ones
that can dissolve into fish food if they land in the ocean.

–  Recycling programs on board for passengers and employees.

For more details, log onto www.theorphalese.com or call 888.287.7447.