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| · December 10, 2003 · |
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· Forget The Red Wool Suit - This Year Santa Can Wear A Red Bathing Suit Sophisticated Travelers Choose Palm Trees & Pina Coladas over Hearth & HomePORTSMOUTH, N.H. (December 10, 2003) - In a recent survey conducted by Hideaways International, sophisticated travelers were asked about their end-of-year holiday getaways. Nearly 150 responded and, for 57%, it's gotta be a tropical hideaway with waving palms, sand between their toes, and pina coladas; 22% are so-called traditionalists preferring home, hearth, and egg nog; 19% like a snowy mountain retreat, complete with pine trees, a crackling fire, and hot toddies; and only 2% fancy spending the holidays in a city-center hotel in the midst of the action, enjoying shopping, shows, and champagne. "We all know travel is changing, that's nothing new," said Hideaways Founder and President, Mike Thiel, currently at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes, France. "But it seems holiday tradition is getting a makeover as well." Hideaways' in-house travel agency, Hideaways Travel Services, has seen an increase in late-in-the-year holiday travel bookings, another change from previous years. "Typically, we make most of our holiday bookings early - even a year in advance - because savvy travelers know the good places get booked early," said Hideaways Travel Services Manager, Diane Morgan. "This year was different and we were booking well into September. And while most years we help travelers plan some warm-weather holiday escapes, this year we planned many. People want to absorb the sun's rays instead of keeping warm by a fire." Exceptional end-of-year holiday hideaways - where Santa sports his red bathing suit - include The Tryall Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica; Little Palm Island on Little Torch Key, Florida; Posada del Sol in Guanaja, Honduras; and Finca Rosa Blanca in San Jose, Costa Rica. "Imagine sipping a drink with an umbrella in it while you enjoy Christmas dinner," said Mike. "This year, a lot of people won't be imagining it, they'll be doing it!" For 25 years, Hideaways has explored the vacation road less traveled, searching for the world's best villas, boutique hotels and resorts, yacht-like cruises, barge charters, manor houses, beach houses, castles, entire islands, and more. Hideaways' recommendations for lodgings and destinations are profiled in Hideaways Guide, Hideaways newsletter, and Hideaways Insider e-newsletter. For more information, visit Hideaways.com or call 603-430-4433. Mike is a peripatetic world traveler and a veteran of radio talk show and TV appearances including CNBC, CNN, and The Travel Channel. He has also been a source in many magazine and newspaper articles including The Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and Travel & Leisure. To schedule an interview that will have your listeners enjoying a non-traditional escape for their end-of-year holiday escape, call me today, before Mike's off to explore some other far-flung destination. Media Contact: Kristyn Lak klak@hideaways.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |