Gone to the Dogs -- Pooch Hotel in Sunnyvale, CA

Pooch Hotel Rolls out the Red Carpet for DOGS!

In Sunnyvale, California, Pooch Hotel, a 5-star hotel and daycare exclusively for dogs, will open its doors with a Grand Opening to be held Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., guest will be given free tours of the 30,000-square-foot facility. A 10% discount will be given on all daycare package purchases and reservations, along with great prizes. Visitors are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends.

"There is nothing more important than knowing your pet is safe while you're away," said founder and CEO Robin Tomb. "We love your pets like they were our own. Pooch Hotel has gone to great lengths to deliver a higher level of quality services and features in a safe, eco-friendly environment. It is the perfect home away from home."

Amenities:

-- an environmentally friendly mindset

-- Certified PCSA (Pet Care Service Association) professionals

-- On-call veterinary care

-- Open seven days a week

-- Custom-made hotel suites

-- Customized exercise pool

-- Underwater and land treadmills

-- Dietary programs

-- Aromatherapy bathing and massage

-- Paw-dicures

-- Poochberry facials and tooth brushing

Located at 180 North Wolfe Road @ Central Expressway in Sunnyvale (only five minutes from the San Jose Airport).

Pooch Hotel

TripAdvisor -- North America's Top 10 Wine Destinations

TripAdvisor Toasts North America's

Top 10 Wine Destinations

According to TripAdvisor editors travelers are particularly interested in wineries this fall. They have noticed the search term "vineyards" up 10 percent over the past six weeks, compared to the same period last year.

In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. respondents, 48 percent plan to visit a U.S. vineyard this year, with 40 percent planning to do this fall. Travelers are most interested in visiting California favorites Napa Valley (29 percent) and Sonoma (18 percent), with the Finger Lakes, New York and Willamette Valley, Oregon tied for third place with eight percent. When it comes to good taste, 59 percent prefer red wine, 43 percent want white and 12 percent request rose.

Napa Valley, California

Wonderful scenery and large-scale wineries.

Top Value hotel in Napa, California: Chablis Inn -- Average nightly rate: $114

Sonoma, California

Napa's neighbor makes Sonoma an enchanting wine destination.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Good for pinot noirs, Willamette Valley, one of Oregon's majority wine-growing regions.

Top Value hotel in Eugene, Oregon: Broadway Inn -- Average nightly rate: $82

Yakima Valley, Washington

Oldest wine region in Washington

Roseburg, Oregon

South of Willamett Valley, Roseburg has slightly warmer climate and is situated in the Umpqua Valley.

Top Value hotel in Roseburg, Oregon: Quality Inn Central -- Average nightly rate: $80

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Sweet dessert ice wines are what you will find in this wine region. Featuring more than 100 different wineries.

Finger Lakes, New York

New York's largest wine-producing region with its ideal conditions for growing a range of varietals.

Top Value hotel in Auburn, New York: Inn at the Finger Lakes -- Average nightly rate $94

Traverse City, Michigan

An important wine-growing region in the Midwest as a majority of the grapes are grown near the shores of Lake Michigan. Baco noir, cabernet franc, and others.

North Fork, Long Island, N.Y.

4,000 acres of vineyards and excellent fresh seafood and produce

Top Value hotel in Riverhead, New York: Holiday Inn Express East End -- Average nightly rate: $188

Oak Grove, Virginia

Virginia has a rich wine history dating back to Jefferson's Monticello wines in the 1770s.

TripAdvisor.com

Universal Studios -- Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute for "Halloween Horror Nights"

Universal Studios Hollywood's -- A Mini-Musical Tribute to Rocky Horror Picture Show for "Halloween Horror Nights"

Per an agreement between the theme park and Twentieth Century Fox's, "Rocky Horror Picture Show" will be presented at the "Halloween Horror Nights". The shows will begin on October 2nd and will run for 16 nights.

This musical mayhem will be on-screen with live performers singing and dancing along with audience participation and guess involvement.

The "Rocky Horror Picture Show" cult phenomenon was created over three decades ago by A Lou Adler-Michael White Production of the Richard O'Brien musical and its momentum as a world-renowned cult phenomenon has never slowed.

"Bringing film experiences to life is the essence of what we do at Universal Studios Hollywood and this classically edgy movie and its passionate following are a perfect fit for this year's ground-breaking Halloween Horror Nights event," states Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Halloween Horror Nights" will feature all-new mazes, a new "Terror Tram" backlot studio experience as well as terrifying new "Scare Zones."

"Halloween Horror Nights" can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

SeaWorld San Diego -- Spectacular New Dolphin Show

SeaWorld San Diego presents a Spectacular New Dolphin Show --

"Blue Horizons"

The new dolphin show a the SeaWorld San Diego offers visions of the sea and sky along with a theatrical Broadway performance that showcases majestic animals and spirited performers. "Blue Horizons" will feature energetic bottlenose dolphins, a colorful array of exotic birds and amazing acrobatic performers that is scheduled to open May 2010.

"We're delighted to bring "Blue Horizons'" to SeaWorld," says the park's general manager and executive vice president, Andy Fichthorn. "Dolphins are one of the most beloved adored animals in the world, and it's exciting to combine the grace and energy of such an amazing creature with a theatrical production that will be truly spectacular. We believe our guest will love this new and fantastic show."

The show centers around Marina, a young girl whose vivid imagination sets the stage for graceful dolphins, magnificent pilot whales and a rainbow of exotic birds to come together where the sea meets the sky.

SeaWorld collaborated with the entertainment industry's most inventive and artistic experts, to bring great theatrical performances of SeaWorld animals and trainers.

Check out the video below for additional information and dolphin performances.

Top 5 - Travel Sites, Pet Friendly Cities and Nude Beaches

Top 5 Best Travel Sites - as per Budget Travel

• Dohop.com - Strictly for booking plane trips outside the U.S. such as a flight between Paris and Rome.


• Kayak.com - The all time best site for finding the cheapest plane tickets in the U.S. This site is easy to use and Budget Travel recommends the Kayak's flexible-date search tool if you are flexible on your travel dates.


• Priceline.com - This site is great for those flexible travelers as Budget Travel loves the bidding blindly button of naming your own price as you can pay up to 1/2 off for upscale hotels in large cities.


• Tripadvisor.com - a good hotel review site.


• Venere.com - spotlights independently owned properties overseas many of which never show up on American travel sites.

Top 5 Pet Friendly Cities

#5 - Orlando, Fla. -

• Many theme parks will pet sit while you play.


• Pet friendly hotels - Loews Portifino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort (special beds, treats and toys offered)


• Many of Orlando Restaurants welcome pets

#4 - Colorado Springs, CO -

• 10,000 acres of public parks (including 7 dedicated dog parks per Forbes Magazine)


• Also welcomed at Bear Creek Nature Center, Maniton Cliff Dwellings and Red Rock Canyon


• Broadmoor Hotel offers - Special bedding, food bowls, and complimentary treats.

#3 - San Diego, CA -

• Beaches allow animals and some allow dogs to roam free.


• Ocean Villa pet friendly hotel


• Otay Ranch Town shopping offers pet sitting while you shop at a minimal fee.

#2 - New York City

• Many pet friendly hotels (Muse Hotel offers a Pampered Pooch Package for smaller dogs)


• New York dog tours that offer doggy-and-me excursions to Central Park, West Side, Midtown and Downtown.


• You can even shop at Saks Fifth Ave., Ralph Lauren and Tiffany's with your pet.

#1 - Portland, Oregon -

• 20 of the cities parks are off leash and some include fences.


• Many natural attractions allow pets.


• Hotel Monaco - best place for pet as they are greeted by the Director of Pet Relations - Art - a friendly golden retriever. They also offer a pet masseuse and pet psychic

Top 5 Nude Beaches

• Haulover Beach Park - Miami Beach, Florida


• Wreck Beach - Vancouver, British Columbia - Canada


• Paradise Beach - Mykonos, Greece


• Orient Beach - St. Maarten, Caribbean


• Black's Beach - San Diego, CA

The Lodge at Torrey Pines - Encourages Family Fun

This high end, 5 diamond, resort was brought to my attention by my husband who just recently attended and spoke at a conference held at the lodge. Usually I travel along with him but was not able to fit this one into my schedule. What an unfortunate one for me as in viewing the website pictures I can tell I really missed out. However, I did get a chance to glance at the site for up to date information regarding specials and fun activities.

It appears that the Lodge is trying to attract families by providing a large amount of activities for everyone to participate in and also provide a lifetime of memories.

"We love to see a family laugh together as they play water balloon toss on the lawn", said Hotel Manager Bill Friese. "And when the kids and parents collaborate on projects like Lincoln Log building or papier-mache' crafts, they end up with elaborate works of art worthy of a picture for the scrapbook."

Families can choose to stay on the 6 acre luxury resort or spend the day at SeaWorld or the San Diego Zoo. With so many activities provided some choose to stay on the grounds of the lodge. Here is a sample of what is provided: croquet, bocce ball, Wii games in the library, embroidery projects and Twister.

Along with providing a memorable family vacation The Lodge at Torrey Pines also has special offers for everyone. You can find this information on their website at: www.lodgetorreypines.com

My husbands first impression upon entering the lodge was the smell of the wood burning fireplace and the impressive look of mahogany wood throughout the lodge. It was a magnificent site and an unusual one for a resort on the coast as this is something you would expect to see in the mountains of Colorado or Northern New Mexico.

California's Great America - What a DEAL!

Another deal for families on a budget this summer. Buy four of more tickets online and pay only $24.99 each. The California's Great America is a 100 acre theme/water park that has a lot of adventure and exciting entertainment options. Check out:

• Fireworks at night
• "All Wheels Extreme"- all new, high flying sports stunt
• "The Chipper Lowell Experience"- a new show of comedy and magic
• All new summer band series with local bands

For more information or to purchase online tickets go to: www.cagreatamerica.com

Irvine, CA - Summer Promotion

• Hotel rooms starting at $69 per night
• Stay two nights and get $25 or stay three nights and get $50 back
• Nearby beaches without the beach prices
• Stay halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles
• Close access to protected wilderness parks, chick outdoor shopping, and family-fun theme parks such as Wild Rivers Waterpark, Boomers, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and much more.

Book trip at www.stayinirvine.com/summerfun or call 877-Irvine-7. Additional info: www.IrvineCVB.org