The post It marks the first event in the Eastern United States to integrate Chinese culinary culture into the celebration of the Spring Festival. appeared first on Good News!.

Designed to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. “The Florida Project”, as it was known, was intended to present a distinct vision with its own diverse set of attractions. Walt Disney’s original plans also called for the inclusion of an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” (EPCOT), a planned community intended to serve as a test bed for new city-living innovations. Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, during the initial planning of the complex. After his death, the company wrestled with the idea of whether to bring the Disneyworld project to fruition. However, Walt’s older brother, Roy, came out of retirement to make sure Walt’s biggest dream was realized. Construction started in 1967, with the company instead building a resort similar to Disneyland, abandoning the experimental concepts for a planned community. Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to open in the complex, in 1971, followed by Epcot (1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (1989), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998). It was Roy who insisted the name of the entire complex be changed from Disneyworld to Walt Disney World, ensuring that people would remember that the project was Walt’s dream.

In 2018, Walt Disney World was the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average annual attendance of more than 58 million.[4] The resort is the flagship destination of Disney’s worldwide corporate enterprise and has become a popular staple in American culture. In 2020, Walt Disney World was chosen to host the NBA Bubble for play of the 2019–20 season of the NBA to resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

For more info, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland

The post Walt Disney World and Walt Disneyland appeared first on Good News!.

Videos & Podcasts – What a gorgeous location & friendly people! Good News goes to Portopiccolo, Sistiana, Trieste,
Portopiccolo is not only a residential center, it was also conceived as a true marine village, in a fascinating synthesis of architecture combined with cutting edge technology, services and eco-sustainability. In Portopiccolo there is no traffic, pollution or noise, nonetheless you can drive right onto doorstep. http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/_1.htm
info@ppst.it
+39 040 291291
Sales Office
Strada Costiera km 137
Sistiana, Trieste contacts

Discover an unexpected Italian Region – Friuli Venezia Giulia!

Wednsday, June 6th

10.45 am arrival at Venice airport

A driver will be waiting for you at the arrival area.

Transfer to Friulian Dolomites (1h30/2h approximately)

1/1.30 pm Meeting with Tatjana Familio and Linda Marcuzzi from the Tourist Board and lunch @

Hotel Margherita

Via Roma, 7

33080 Cimolais PN

Tel 0427 87060

cellulare 3357024323

A short stroll in the Friulian Dolomites, Unesco World heritage site, to see the extraordinary pinnacle Campanile di Val Montanaia well-known to climbers from all over Europe.

The Friulian Dolomites are the most western mountain area of Friuli Venezia Giulia and include the Valcellina, the Valle del Tagliamento and Val Tramontina valleys. The high degree of wilderness that they still retain means makes them the most untouched area of the entire Dolomites massif.

The Friulan Dolomites are a paradise for hikers and cross-country skiers, fans of nordic walking, climbing and ice climbing. With their skyline that makes you think of a series of churches with their bell towers and the colours of the sunset reflecting on the rock, they are a favourite with photographers. Well-kept paths and trails allow you to cross the eponymous natural park or follow a loop of trails which go from chalet to chalet.

5.30 pm departure and check in @

Villa Verde Hotel&Resort****

Via delle Acacie, 1

33034 Fagagna (UD) – Italy

www.villaverderesort.com

7.30 pm Dinner at the Resort

Thursady, June 7th

9.00 am check out and departure

9.30 am Udine city tour

Udine is a town with squares of Venetian charm and ancient buildings: from Piazza Libertà, defined as “the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”, to Piazza Matteotti (or Herbal) which, all surrounded by porticos, seems to be an open-air lounge; here you can observe the slideshow of ancient and colourful historical buildings which impart the spirit of Udine.

On the hill of the town rises the castle : from its walls you can see the whole city, the mountains all around it, whereas to the south, less than an hour’s drive away, there is the Adriatic Sea.

In the eighteenth century, Udine was the city of Giambattista Tiepolo who reached his artistic maturity here: today, his masterpieces can be admired in the Gallerie del Tiepolo (in the Patriarchal Palace), in the Duomo (Cathedral), and in the Chiesa della Purità. Today, Udine is a city that is open to innovation while tying its image to authentic taverns where one of the most-loved rituals is celebrated namely, the tasting of a goblet of wine (tajut) all in a very human and cordial atmosphere.

1 – 4 pm Cooking lesson & lunch @

Risotrante La Taverna

Piazza Castello, 2

33010 Colloredo di Monte Albano

Udine

www.ristorantelataverna.it

5.30 pm Check in @

Laguna Palace****

Riva Brioni, 17

34073 Grado (GO)

www.lagunaspa.net

7 pm Stroll in Grado and dinner @

Ristorante Androna

Calle Porta Piccola, 6

Grado GO

Tel: +39 0431 80950

http://www.androna.it/

Grado, the “Golden Island”, stands in a picturesque lagoon amidst a maize of small islands. Joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, has a graceful Venetian style historic town centre where you can wander through the alleyways and squares flanked by picturesquely cluttered fishermen’s houses: a charming world of its own where time seems to have stopped.

In the wonderful setting of “Campo dei Patriarchi” in the “old city” you can admire the early Christian buildings such as the Basilica dedicated to Santa Eufemia, from which top stands the statue of the Angel San Michele (called “Anzolo” and symbol of the city), the Baptistery and the Lapidarium. Moreover, there, you can visit the Basilica dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the oldest of Grado.

A very relaxing fine-sanded beach, classed as an environmentally protected “Bandiera Blu” beach for many years now. In Grado you will find good quality service with an emphasis on comfort and safety for children, who can play for hours in the shallow, clean and always calm water.

Up to the beginning of the 19th century, the Hapsburg aristocracy used to come here to bathe and use the excellent seaside thermal springs.

Friday, June 8th

9.30 am Boat tour in the Grado lagoon

The lagoon is a spectacular natural setting in which Grado lies in the Adriatic sea. 
A small fantastic world, immersed in the calm of nature with the intertwining canals and streams, paths of faith of ancient origin as witnessed by the Sanctuary of Mary of the Island of Barbana, one of the most visited in Italy.

An area rich in history in which archaeological finds reveal the ancient Roman road, now completely covered by water, that connected Aquileia to Grado.
And the presence of the casoni, characteristic housing with straw roofs, takes us back to the time they were inhabited by fishermen.

The lagoon is an area fertile in trees, in particular, tamarisk, elm, poplar, junipers and pines, whilst the fauna presents a considerable variety of birds such as gulls, grey herons, wild ducks, sea swallows.

12 am Lunch in the lagoon

5 pm Aquileia guided tour

Aquileia was an important city of the Roman Empire and then the main centre for the diffusion of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Europe. It has been a UNESCO site since 1998 due to the importance of its archaeological area and the beauty of the floor mosaics that it safeguards. Among them, the largest and most well-known attraction is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the fourth century. However, added to this are other precious mosaic remains from the Roman and early Christian ages, which make Aquileia a kind of capital of the Western Roman mosaic.

6.30 pm transfer to Collio wine area

Dress code: casual / casual chic (i.e. a jacket could be useful because of the dinner in the winery)

All press tours of “BUY Friuli Venezia Giulia” event will joint @

Russiz Superiore winery

Via Russiz, 7 – 34070

CAPRIVA DEL FRIULI (GO)

Tel. +39 0481 80328 / +39 0481 99164

Fax 39 0481 808398

rp@marcofelluga.it

www.marcofelluga.it

A special taste of Wine and Dine route of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the new food&wine regional project launched in 2017.

A unique trail, perfectly connecting the Friuli Venezia Giulia coast with its mountains, travelling through its vineyards and hills, and creating a network of regional food and wine resources together with cultural and environmental ones, in order to build a transversal and integrated product to enhance food and wine tourism and make it more accessible for tourists. This is the ambitious goal of the project which brings an important change to the Italian wine tourism world: Friuli Venezia Giulia is in fact the first region in Italy to regulate (art. 6 of the Regional Law 22/2015) the administration of traditional agro-food production, and speciality and quality non-cooked production along with tastings during wine cellar visits.

Overnight stay in Grado

Saturday, June 9th

8.30 am check out and departure

9.30 -12.30 am Trieste city tour

Trieste is the most international city in the region, suspended between a glorious past and the present cosmopolitan city. From the Audace pier to the old Lanterna, there is a succession of sails, antique shop window displays, shops and beautiful buildings: in the distance, one can glimpse the white profile of Miramare, the romantic castle of Maximilian and Charlotte of Hapsburg. A journey to discover the city’s history, literature and art, from the Roman era to medieval wonders, to the Habsburg splendour. The wealth of architectural styles in the palaces in Trieste is remarkable: Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Eclectic and Baroque, coexisting in a harmonious blend with Roman remains, eighteenth century buildings and Hapsburg style buildings.

Coffee is one of the flagship products of Trieste, city of a mixture of religions: this is evident as soon as you arrive in the city, which, for many centuries, has had (amongst others) a Greek Orthodox Church, a Serbian Orthodox Church, a Synagogue, a Lutheran Evangelical Church and, the oldest of all, a Swiss Evangelical Church.

Trieste means love of the sea too: people here love going to the sea, and the beach resorts – or ‘bagni’, in local slang – are frequented all the year round, for sunbathing, swimming or just strolling.

12.30 pm Lunch @Harry’s

Piazza Unità d’Italia, 2

34121 Trieste

www.duchi.eu/en/harry-s

3 pm A very special Italian style transfer J

4 pm check in @

Hotel Falisia*****L

Strada Costiera km 137

Porto Piccolo

Sistiana TS

Tel +39 040 291291

info@ppst.it

http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/

4 – 5 pm Guided tour @Portopiccolo luxury resort

Free time

7.30 pm Aperitif at Maxi’s Beach Bar in Portopiccolo and special dinner @PortoPiccolo with all the BUY FVG participants (press&tour operators)

Dress code: casual chic

Monday, June 11th

5.30 am (timetable to be confimed) Transfer to Venice Airport

A presto in Friuli Venezia Giulia!

The post DISCOVER AN UNEXPECTED ITALIAN REGION – FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA Videos & Podcasts appeared first on Good News!.

One of the youngest developers of luxury high-rise residential and condo-hotel properties in the United States, Dezer has been instrumental in changing the face and value of the South Florida real estate industry through the introduction of brand partnerships.

In collaboration with real estate mogul Donald J. Trump, Gil led the Trump Organization’s first foray into the South Florida real estate market through the successful development of Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences and Trump Towers in Sunny Isles Beach. Despite the downturn of South Florida’s residential real estate market, and the ongoing recession, Gil managed two remarkable achievements between 2009 and 2010 – securing sufficient sales to pay-off Trump Royale’s $210 million construction loan and the $265 million pay-off of Trump Tower II and III’s mortgage, a combined $475 million.

With a track record of success in leveraging luxury brand partnerships within the real estate arena, in 2012, Gil announced a master licensing agreement with Germany-based Porsche Design Group to expand the iconic brand’s reach into the residential real estate market. The venture’s first project is a 60-story ultra-luxury tower showcasing a one-of-a-kind Patented robotic parking system, the Dezervator, which will allow owners to park their vehicles in ‘sky garages’ directly next to their units. Gil had the foresight to envision the need for this type of building. He believes that the innovative parking technology will serve as a catalyst for future luxury real estate developments around the world, especially in urban cities where parking is a premium.

As testament to how the project has been received by buyers, as well as the lending community, Dezer Development received a $214 million construction loan from Wells Fargo in September 2013, at the time marking the largest loan for a single construction project in the Southeast in the post-recession era. It was a true stamp of approval for Porsche Design Tower.

On the heels of Porsche Design Tower Miami’s success, Gil announced that Dezer Development and The Related Group had partnered with the iconic fashion and furnishings designer, Giorgio Armani, to launch his first-ever residential Tower, Residences by Armani/Casa.

Having earned wide recognition as the developer at the forefront of the luxury branded real estate trend, Gil continues to actively look for other major brands with which he can partner and further define South Florida’s spotlight on the world stage.

Gil’s professional achievements have led him in several areas. Specifically, Gil holds a Florida Real Estate license and is the Past President and Chairman Emeritus of the Developers & Builders Alliance (DBA), one of the world’s largest development and construction organizations. Gil received the 2012 Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s R.E.A.L. Award for Residential Real Estate – Condominiums and has taken home the Platinum Personal Achievement Award for Sales Director of the Year for Trump Grande Ocean Resort & Residences for three years in a row at the annual Florida’s BEST Awards sponsored by the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF), Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Active in the community, Gil holds several positions which include: one of the Founders of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation; a Young President of the Miami Heart Institute; member of the Florida Friends of Israeli Defense Forces (FFIDF); member of Project Cradle in Miami; member of WIZO Florida and the One Family Fund Organization.

for more info, go to www.DezerDevelopment.com

The post Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development appeared first on Good News!.

Our name is a gentle nod to Grenada’s centuries-old history as a leading exporter of nutmeg. Today, our name symbolizes the touch of spice we add to the lives of our guests. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in Grenada, a magical honeymoon or just a well-deserved getaway on world-famous Grand Anse Beach, we look forward to welcoming you to the “Spice Isle.”

Grenada’s only recipient of the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award

for more info, go to http://www.spiceislandbeachresort.com/

The post Spice Island, Beach Resort appeared first on Good News!.

The lure of the past is brought to life in Siem Reap nestled between the
rice paddy countryside along the Siem Reap River that serves as the gateway
to the temple ruins. Officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once
known as the Khmer Empire it is located in the southern portion of the
Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia bordered by Thailand to the northwest,
Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the
southwest.

Siem Reap has tree lined boulevards, an historical museum and artisan
workshops consisting of art, wood and stone carvings, statues, furniture and
handicrafts. The City is best explored on foot or on a “tuk tuk” (a
rickshaw with the front-end of a motorcycle). Although not luxurious, they
are easy to find and inexpensive.

The Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, a French colonial style
resort designed by Thai architect Choochart Polakit, is situated ten minutes
from the airport and five minutes away from the magnificent temples of Siem
Reap. It showcases intimate living space with timber floors and wrap-around
terraces surrounded by lagoons, landscapes and bright turquoise
mini-fountains, plus an outdoor swimming pool with a swim-up bar, three
restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course and a spa for rejuvenation.

One of the largest and most important archeological sites in Southeast Asia
is the Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprised of
dozens of ruins including the legendary Angkor Wat. In the darkness of the
night we rode in rickshaws and used flashlights to get to the Angkor Wat
site where we witnessed one of the most mesmerizing sunrises over Angkor
Wat. Afterwards, we continued touring other remains of the Khmer era.

Major highlights of the Park included the Baynon, known for the large number
of smiling faces sculptured on the towers. A journey through one of the
most spectacular ruins at Ta Prohn is a breathtaking site of trees emerging
out of temple walls that become intertwined with the temple stones –
featured in the film “Tomb Raider.” A huge platform known today as Terrace
of the Elephants runs from north to south across the east front of the Royal
Palace. The walls are carved with various scenes of court figures,
elephants and bird-like creatures. Also shown were hunting scenes with
elephants carved into the wall. In several places the elephant appears to
be fighting another creature, possibly a lion.

Upon return to the hotel there was time for visiting the outdoor market
before dinner and the Aspara dancing show at the hotel featuring local
Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. An Aspara is a female spirit of the clouds
and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
Monday morning we boarded a motor coach for a six-hour transfer from the
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort to our ship moored at Prek Kdam,
Cambodia. Before embarking on our Mekong River cruise we travelled through
mountain roads viewing numerous rice paddies, oxen, small villages and
outdoor markets. We joined the AmaLotus, our floating hotel for the next
7-nights, in the late afternoon and met fellow passengers at a cocktail
party and dinner. The meals onboard were prepared by local chefs and
consisted of western cuisine as well as Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine.
Wine and beer plus complimentary house brand spirits and soft drinks were
included throughout the cruise at lunch and dinner.
On Tuesday Kampong-Chhnang, one of the central provinces in Cambodia, was
our first stop on the Mekong River. Our tour was a motorboat excursion
along the Tonie Sap River viewing the wetlands, floating houses and fish
farms in the region. After lunch our guide took us on a leisurely walking
tour over dirt paths through the Koh Chen village visiting workshops that
specialize in silver jewelry and artifacts made from copper.
Wednesday we arrived in the city of Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia
and visited a Buddhist Monastery. The main attraction was a mummified monk
in a small chapel near the back of the temple. Inside the Monastery we
received a traditional blessing from Buddhist monks as we sat before them
listening to chanting and prayers and smelled the incense, candles and
flowers. Afterwards, an offering of a red thread was tied around our wrist
– a keepsake that signifies luck and prosperity.
The next stop was Kampong Tralach for the most popular transportation in
Cambodia – an oxcart. The Cambodian farmers use the oxcarts to harvest
crops, carry hay, animals and even their family members. Two of us were in
each cart as we travelled through the rural countryside of Kampong Tralach,
Cambodia for twenty minutes. Handrails were provided for each oxcart and we
were warned to keep our arms inside the cart to avoid arm injuries caused by
cart wheels.
After lunch on Wednesday we set sail for Phnom Penh, the capital and largest
city of Cambodia located on the banks of the Mekong River where we docked
overnight. Thursday morning we toured the Killing Fields. The mass graves
found here contain the remains of thousands of people. Survivor stories can
be heard from an audio tour – the loss of an infant, witness to a killing,
forced to leave home, anger, isolation and hope….
Thursday afternoon our guided tour of Phnom Penh included the Royal Palace,
Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. The Royal Palace, built in 1866, was
the home of the Cambodian King. At the end of the 19th century the Palace
was a small city with thousands of people living in courtyards. Inside the
Silver Pagoda were works of art, sculptures and hundreds of antique gifts
plus a Buddha statute made from pure gold with over 2,000 diamonds attached
to it. The National Museum, built in Khmer Style in 1917 by a French
architect, houses a collection of Khmer art dating from the pre-Angkorian
era.

Friday we cruised the Mekong River from Phnom Penh and crossed the
Cambodian/Vietnamese border before we anchored overnight in Tan Chau,
Vietnam. The next two days were spent touring numerous small cities before
arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for our flight home.

The post Sunrise at Ankor Wat, The Kingdom of Cambodia – Photo by Dawn A. Levy article by Terri Hirsch appeared first on Good News!.

A visit to our resort situated on a hilltop where sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, Gardiner’s Bay and Block Island Sound beckon, the Montauk Manor offers an extraordinary setting and unparalleled experience.   

Just east of the Hamptons, the Montauk Manor stands watch over 12 fabulous acres. It features 140 tastefully decorated condominium suites ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms – offering fabulous panoramas.  

Enjoy the wonderful beaches in the beautiful seaside surroundings that make Montauk so special. Enjoy the breathtaking views, take a dip in our beautiful indoor pool, or just relax by the fireplace in our grand lobby.

This is a place where history is preserved, all conveniences are readily available and memories are made and cherished.

The post The Montauk Manor Resort appeared first on Good News!.

NEW OCEANFRONT ROOMS

Introducing our fully redesigned premium oceanfront

accommodations, set on a 1,000 feet of private, world class beach.

Come experience the ultimate oceanside getaway.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

May 23rd:

– Jennifer Oz LeRoy and Executive Chef Seth Levine introduce all new culinary experiences at The Seawater Grill, Ocean Café and The Beach Club at Gurney’s

– Dancing with resident DJ Adam Lipson

May 24th:

– Inaugural all day oceanfront brunch with live entertainment

– Resident piano Jazz phenom ELEW performs at The Seawater Grill

May 25th: 

– DJ Fresh performs at The Beach Club at Gurney’s, the only oceanfront beach club and restaurant in the Hamptons.

Click Here to learn more and book your visit

The post Gurney’s Montauk Resort – Join us this Memorial Day Weekend appeared first on Good News!.

Our beautiful “green” hotel, Hope Lake Lodge, features 106 luxury condominium style suites. Arcadia Village, located next to the hotel, offer additional lodging in units that are spacious with all the comforts of home.

Amenities at the resort include three restaurants, a world-class customized spa, fitness center, and a 41,000 square foot indoor water park. The Resort is positioned within 7,000 acres of State protected land that is accessible by all residents and guests for cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Additionally, Greek Peak Mountain Resort operates an Adventure Center with a Mountain Coaster and 4 tandem zip lines operating year round and a ten lane winter snow-tubing center.

History

In 1958, New York’s Governor, Averell Harriman, conducted the Opening Day Ceremonies for a new ski area called Greek Peak. The Governor called it a “first class development” and predicted that it would “make a real contribution to skiing in New York State.”

By 1960, two T-Bars had been built and construction began on the A-Frame Lodge. A young Al Kryger (the current President and Chief Executive Officer of Peak Resorts, Inc.) was commissioned to build Central New York’s first chairlift in 1962. Greek Peak recognized the potential for skiing and led the industry in developing the concept of packaging and selling to local schools and colleges. This philosophy, combined with early pioneering in snowmaking and night skiing, brought Greek Peak to the forefront of ski areas in the East.

In the early 1970s, Al Kryger had the foresight to begin planning for the next phase of Greek Peak’s growth. He was instrumental in acquiring land adjacent to the ski area, and a Master Plan for a new recreational community was drawn. Over the years, the development of slope-side condominiums and townhouses has transformed Greek Peak from a ski area into a full-fledged regional destination ski resort.

– See more at: http://greekpeak.net/about/about-us/#sthash.lAk6oPhR.dpuf

The post Greek Peak Mountain Resort appeared first on Good News!.

The post Bristol Mountain appeared first on Good News!.