Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

FROSCH , as a member of Signature Travel Network , is now able to offer Food Network Travel guided vacations in Italy , France and Northern California . Launching in 2012 and open for booking this August, these tour packages complement the previously launched Caribbean and Mediterranean Food Network at Sea cruises. Food Network Travel’s guided vacations will be operated by Trafalgar and have been developed in association with Signature Travel Network and Food Network to bring FROSCH ’s foodie clients on highly customized culinary land vacations as seen through the lens of Food Network. Vacations include a Food Network tour director, first-class hotel accommodations and exclusive ‘By-Invitation-Only’ experiences that only Food Network can offer. Guests will sample favorite dishes and visit favorite spots of Food Network stars as seen on such shows as Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Best Thing I Ever Ate . Guests will visit markets and wineries; meet chefs; and even ...

Of all the mega-ships that have launched in the last few years (and they are legion), Celebrity Cruises ’ Solstice-class ships are my personal favorites. Sexy design, thoughtful staterooms, a fabulous spa, and appealing restaurants are all welcome ship amenities in my book. Celebrity Cruises is not a luxury line, but this 'Premium' cruise experience is a very good value. The Celebrity Eclipse debuted in April 2010 and like her Solstice-class sisters ( Celebrity Solstice 2008, Celebrity Equinox 2009, Celebrity Silhouette 2011 and coming in 2012 is Celebrity Reflection ) she has unique features like the Lawn Club (croquet anyone?). Lawn Club I had an opportunity to tour her in Florida this year, and fell madly in love with the decor. Stylish and contemporary, each public room had delightful details that invited me to join the fun.  Every chair beckoned me to 'sit here!' Whimsical lighting features almost winked at me. I was charmed.   Order from an iPad me...

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale ’s “Vacation Like a VIP Package” was featured on the Today Show this morning.  I toured the resort this April and loved it (here are my photos ). The "Vacation like a VIP" summer package includes all of the following amenities: Buy an Intracoastal View room and receive an upgrade to a Partial Ocean View room at the time of booking  $100.00 Resort Credit, once per stay, to be used in the Food and Beverage outlets or Spa Complimentary Valet parking  $25 American Express Gift Card, provided by the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB Super Summer 2-4-1 savings card, visit www.sunny.org/supersummer  for details on this savings card.  FROSCH clients will also receive these exclusive amenities: Complimentary continental breakfast for two daily Pre-registration & express check-in Late check-out (complimentary 4pm departure, if available) Travel between June 1, 2011 and October 15, 2011 with the minimum 2 night stay requirem...

All this talk about The Rapture is making me want to escape! CNN has the right idea, suggesting "It may be the end of the world as we know it, so travel like there's no tomorrow." Here's a link to the story with gorgeous photos from their apocalyptic Bucket List. And here's my favorite 'screen-saver moment' from my stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora:  

It’s stupendous! It’s colossal! It’s Royal Caribbean ’s Allure of the Seas . Aerial view of Allure of the Seas The Allure of the Seas made her debut in November 2010 as the largest ship afloat (a fraction of an inch larger than her sister Oasis of the Seas ).  She accommodates about 6,000 passengers in 2,700 staterooms. None of those passengers are complaining about being bored. The first carousel at sea Kids of all ages will jump at the chance to cruise on this leviathan. Little kids will love the Merry-Go-Round, the Dreamworks characters parade, and the H20 Zone kids pool area with sprawling octopus sprinkler. Older kids will like the 3-D movies (featuring Kung Fu Panda 2 this summer), ice skating rink, and 9-hole miniature golf course. Even teens will be impressed by ship features like the 9-deck high Zip line, FlowRider surf simulator, and Rock climbing walls. FlowRider surf simulator Grown ups will appreciate the vast dining and entertainment options. ...

Moonlight Sonata Dining Room on Celebrity Eclipse Day 3. Toured Celebrity Cruises ’ Celebrity Eclipse - such a sexy ship! I loved the decor, especially in all the restaurants. Click here for my photos .Visited the trade show in the afternoon before my classes. The Conference Banquet was just OK but the entertainment was pretty good (especially Mosaic ). Day 4. Went for a nice walk before the tour of Royal Caribbean ’s Allure of the Seas . I wasn't sure I'd like this behemoth- currently the largest ship at afloat. It has a zip-line,  a surf machine, a merry-go-round, an ice rink, a rock-climbing wall, etc. It also has a comedy club, a jazz lounge and the Central Park area was really pretty. Click here for my photos . Central Park on Allure of the Seas

The view of the intercoastal waterway from my balcony at the Hyatt Pier 66 Day 1.  My flight was delayed (they couldn't get it started) so I caught a later connection and missed a couple classes. I did enjoy the Silversea , Seabourn , and Azamara presentations. Then I met the lovely Noelle for a tour of the RitzCarlton Fort Lauderdale . Gorgeous! Check out my photos here. We enjoyed a drink watching the beach. Then back to my hotel to dine outside at Pelican Landing on the dock of Pier 66. Bed early at H yatt Pier 66 . Day 2 Woke up early (well, early for me) and did a little work before my tour of Regent Cruises' Seven Seas Navigator . Much smaller than the Mariner and her sister the Voyager, I wanted to see how she compared. The verandah suites are just as nice. After the tour, I went back to the Hyatt to check in and download photos. Then back to class, learning all about the Baltic Sea ports. Had sushi for dinner at China Grill . Jumped in the jacuzzi and ...