Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for a Happy New Year! Enjoy this video from our recent trip to New York. Saks' "The Snowflake and the Bubble" holiday display was spectacular. Video was graciously provided by Michael Serino. The office is closed Friday, December 24 for the long weekend. We will re-open on Monday, December 27. Next week will be another short week, since we're also closed on Friday, December 31. I will be checking email and voice mail periodically over the holiday weekends. As always, you may call the FROSCH 24/7 Hotline if you have a travel emergency on a trip I've arranged. The contact information is at the top of your itinerary.

The first Architectural Digest Design Passport land program, “The Sustainable Design Summit at Halekulani,” March 11-13, 2011, is now available for booking. Join Architectural Digest for an enlightening weekend, exploring sustainability in all its forms at the luxurious Halekulani Resort , on Oahu’s Waikiki Beach. From intimate panels and private tours to gala dinners with organic fare, guests will enjoy up-close experiences with AD-selected hosts including interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and landscape architect Andrea Cochran —plus all of the amenities of this breathtaking resort. I inspected this property in April and was impressed (here are my Photos ). Vacation Inclusions: 4-nights Ocean View* or Diamond Head Ocean Front** accommodations Daily breakfast for each morning (either in House Without a Key or Orchids) Our Exclusive Offer: Architectural Digest Reception Architectural Digest Dinner Architectural Digest Gift $200.00 Food ...

FOOD NETWORK SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL VIP Travel Package: February 25 - 27, 2011 We’re delighted to announce the next Food Network Travel Festival Package to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBE) is now available. This exclusive VIP Package includes: Two nights accommodations in Miami within walking distance of the festival Access to Perrier-Jouet Bubble Q presented by Allen Brothers and hosted by Bobby Flay* Invitation to an exclusive cocktail party with Aarti Sequeira Speedline access to Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village Private meet and greet with Duff Goldman along with access to Food Network's Best Thing I Ever Ate at the Beach Reserved Seating at Paula's Down Home Cookin' Sunday Gospel Brunch hosted by Paula Deen Food Network Gift Bag filled with wonderful goodies Stay in a ocean view studio suite with Signature amenities at The Tides South Beach or a deluxe room at the Albion Hotel South Beach . Click here for more information on th...

The Elmira-Corning Airport is getting non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale just in time for Thanksgiving, and fares are starting at $45 each way plus tax (based on availability). Allegiant Airlines is flying twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) and the schedule is offered through May 2011 as of this posting. The flight times aren’t ideal: Elmira-Fort Lauderdale 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fort Lauderdale-Elmira 4:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. This is a great option for flexible folks visiting family, but it is not recommended if you have a fixed schedule (and NEVER for cruise passengers). Allegiant is a charter airline, and the government rules regulating them are very different from the commercial airlines (like Delta and US Airways). If Friday's flight is cancelled (for weather, mechanical issues, whatever), they must book you on the next available flight or provide a refund. Hopefully, Monday's flight has seats available, so you'll only be 3 days late... They will not re-accommodate you...

We’re delighted to announce the first Food Network VIP Package to the New York City Wine & Food Festival available exclusively through members of Signature including FROSCH. A limited amount of packages are available, which provide you with VIP access to NYC Wine & Food Festival events. The Signature exclusive package includes two nights at the brand new Eventi Hotel walking distance to most festival events. You will enjoy VIP access to select events as well as exclusive experiences ONLY available to Signature member guests. The package includes five VIP festival tickets including an “Invitation Only” Cocktail Party in the Food Network studios with Melissa d’Arabian star of Ten Dollar Dinners and the soon to be announced winner of this year’s Next Food Network Star ! VIP tickets include: -- Private Cocktail Hour at Food Network Kitchens co-hosted by Melissa d’Arabian and Aarti Sequeira , the season six winner of The Next Food Network Star! -- Tacos & Tequila hosted by...

I usually advise clients to explore the Amalfi Coast when stopping in Sorrento to enjoy a relaxing day enjoying the stunning scenery and little resort villages. Instead of taking my own advice, I went to tour the ruins of Ancient Pompeii . It was as hot, long and tiring as I have cautioned; the four-hour walking tour over uneven terrain in the very hot sun of July was not for the faint-hearted, especially considering all the important artifacts have been moved long ago to the museum in Naples. Still, it was a rare chance to experience a Roman city and is an essential stop on the Grand Tour. It was an hour by bus from Sorrento to the ruins with some great views of Mount Vesuvius along the way. Upon arrival, we entered the Roman city of Pompeii. The tour visited the Forum, the bakery shop, the fast food joint and the plaster cast of several victims including the Dog of Pompeii. We also saw the Roman mosaics, some wall paintings and the iconic dancing fawn. Here are my photos from Po...

The ship arrived in Katakolon, Greece which is on the mainland. This area is close to Olympia, Birthplace of the Olympics . Our Guide was fascinating and helped bring the ruins to life. Unfortunately the tour did not include admission to the museum, but I was able to skip our brief shopping time to go in and browse the extensive collection. There was a whole room devoted to bronze miniatures, and the statues were impressive. There is nothing much else of interest in this area, although some tours include a "Zorba Event." How could it be as good as Anthony Quinn dancing in the film?! Here are my Photos .