Sunday, May 28, 2006

Experience The Da Vinci Code with Eurostar

[editor's note: while I'm not taking part in precisely this tour, I AM going with husband to Paris on the Eurostar next week! Ooooo! - Kim ;-)]

Amanda Hebert
Freud Communications
212-582-9795
amanda.hebert@freud.com

Eurostar presents the ultimate Quest (www.jointhequest.com) -- a global online competition in search of the world's greatest codecracker. Compete in the quest for the chance to win a lifetime of discovery, including:

. A lifetime of free travel on Eurostar
. Deluxe hotel accommodation at The Ritz in Paris and Claridge's in London for five years . A $12,000 shopping experience in Les Galeries Lafayette in Paris . A $12,000 VIP shopping experience at Harrods in London . Over $200,000 to spend in London and Paris . Other tailored experiences in London and Paris to fit the winner's needs

Discover the sites laid out in The Da Vinci Code and put yourself in Robert Langdon's shoes as you uncover the symbols, signs, and hidden meanings of London and Paris with Eurostar.

Things to see in London:
. Westminster Abbey - Stand in the presence of greatness as you explore the hidden depths of this former Norman monastery. Since 1066 every English monarch has been crowned here, and the Abbey also serves as the final resting place for history's most notable personas.
. Temple Church - Discover the eerie secrets of one of the oldest buildings in London, built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century.
. Regent's Park - Visit the London Zoo or spend a day of relaxation in the immaculate gardens, formerly the hunting grounds of King Henry VIII.

And when in Paris, be sure to check out:
. Cathedrale de Notre Dame - All journeys in Paris begin and end at this Gothic masterpiece: road distances in France are calculated from the "0 km" mark found in front of the cathedral.
. Les Champs Elysees - Stroll down the loveliest street in Paris as you experience cinemas, cafes, and a shopping experience unlike any other.
. The Louvre - No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the world's most famous art museum. Explore the mystery of the Mona Lisa and soak in the glory of history's greatest artists.

Visit www.jointhequest.com to start your journey and unlock the secrets of London and Paris with Eurostar.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

EquitrekkingT TV Creates Online Channel Featuring Horses and Travel Equitrekking.com Features New Streaming Video Updated Weekly

New York, NY--May 2, 2006 - Equitrekking, the first international travel television series to explore the world on horseback, today announced the launch of the online Equitrekking TV Channel, which offers a new series of video clips premiering every week at Equitrekking.com.

"Equitrekking continues to receive emails from people across the country and world who want to see the show. Now, internet users all over the world can watch stunning clips of horseback riding travel adventures whenever they want," said Darley Newman, equestrian travel expert and the host and producer of Equitrekking. "We look forward to filming upcoming segments in High Definition specifically for Equitrekking.com, while full episodes will appear on Public Television in 2007."

"Our team can produce and upload quickly, getting new content to viewers on demand," said Chip Ward, Managing Principal of Equitrekking. "With the proliferation of high-speed internet and people spending more and more time online, Equitrekking TV's broadband channel is a natural fit."

The Equitrekking television series travels the globe in search of the best in equestrian travel. Viewers can now tune in online to watch stunning footage of horseback riding vacations, horse history and travel. Current clips include footage from Spain, Ireland and New Mexico. The Equitrekking crew has upcoming shoots planned across the United States and in Europe this summer and fall, in preparation for the national series debut on Public Television in 2007.

Equitrekking debuted on Horse TV in 2004 and was recently broadcast in primetime on PBS in New Mexico, receiving outstanding ratings and response. Equitrekking.com, the companion website, is a one-stop site for equestrian travel, featuring video clips, travel tips, expert advice, a monthly newsletter, online community and a newly launched World Vacation Guide, featuring ranches, resorts and outfitters that specialize in horseback riding vacations around the world.

About EquitrekkingT

Equitrekking and Equitrekking.com were launched in 2004, as the first international travel television series and website to take viewers on horseback riding adventures around the world. Equitrekking is currently working on a national series for Public Television that will debut in 2007 in high definition. Equestrian travel expert and host and producer Darley Newman travels the globe in search of the best in equestrian travel. Newman writes about her adventures for Equitrekking.com and in her regular Travel Tips column in Trail Blazer magazine. Equitrekking.com is the one-stop site for equestrian travel, helping visitors research and plan their equestrian vacations. Darley Newman is available for speaking engagements and has equestrian travel articles available for syndication. For more information, please visit www.equitrekking.com and keep checking back for updates.

Hooked on Travel? - Browse the Best of MyTripJournal

As a source for travel information, personal trip blogs are finding a role alongside the trusty guidebooks. But mining blogs for information is like searching for gold. You have to go through a lot of rubble to find the nuggets -- travel blogs that are well-written, with information that's interesting and useful to a general audience.

To address this problem, MyTripJournal.com has unveiled its "Best Personal Websites" feature, an innovative way to allow eavesdroppers to explore the most interesting personal travel experiences from their desktops.

"Over the past two years, the MyTripJournal Personal Travel Website System has been used to create many thousands of websites. We've searched through every one of them and identified those that have great writing and photographs and are of interest to the general traveling public," said Dan Parlow, head of business development. "Participating travelers include Lonely Planet authors on tour, professional road-trippers and many amateurs with a knack for the pen and the shutter."

"Unlike other travel review services that focus on hotel and restaurant reviews, our focus is to select great stories and photos of real traveler experiences," said Parlow.

The Best of MyTripJournal is available for anyone to explore at http://www.mytripjournal.com. It is also available from partner sites including Lonely Planet, the Good Sam Club and the International Student Identity Card (US).

Quality is assured because each site is hand-picked for participation in the Best of MyTripJournal. Potential privacy concerns are addressed because travelers must personally accept an invitation. Sites are then sorted for interest by the intensity of travels within a geographical region.

MyTripJournal -- developed by world adventurers Dan and Faye Parlow in concert with software developer GroupInfoWeb.com -- provides travelers with a simple tool to keep up an online journal to record all aspects of their trip and stay in touch with friends and family, all in an ad- free environment. It includes the usual text and photo uploads and messaging as well as full use of the patent pending IntelliMap system. Premium features include the ability to post unlimited personal videos, to store thousands of print-quality photos and to receive a full archive on CD or DVD. A free version is available at www.MyTripJournal.com. Standard websites are complimentary for professional travel writers by emailing dparlow@mytripjournal.com.