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Kennebunkport, ME – Most people start the year with a pledge to improve themselves in some way. Rick Litchfield and Bev Davis, owners of the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport, ME, started 2010 with a different kind of resolution. Throughout 2010, Captain Lord Mansion has donated a dime for each guest who stayed at the Captain Lord Mansion to a fund they called “A Dime for Time”. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Dime for Time funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer awareness and research programs. Additionally, breast cancer survivors have been invited to apply to be treated to a complimentary weekend at the luxury Kennebunkport inn, November 19-21 via the Captain Lord Mansion’s page on Facebook.

The Dime for Time program will culminate the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 19-21) when breast cancer survivors will be offered a complimentary two-night stay at the Captain Lord Mansion. Those wishing to be considered for free stays should indicate their interest via email to innkeeper@captainlord.com, including a brief story about themselves. Additionally, those interested in being considered should “like” the Captain Lord Mansion on their Facebook page by October 15, 2010. Each breast cancer survivor who is selected for this weekend at the inn will receive a complimentary two-night stay, chair massages and attendance at a reception where Captain Lord Mansion will present the check for funds raised through the Dime for Time program to the American Cancer Society.

To date, more than $,2,000 has been raised in the Dime For Time Program through donations from the Captain Lord Mansion and its guests. The inn donated one dime if the guest visited once, yet the dime was doubled if it was the guests’ second visit, and it was multiplied by ten if the guest visited ten times. In short, the pledge for each guest came from the number of visits to the Captain Lord Mansion, multiplied by 10-cents. After 31 years of owning the Captain Lord Mansion, Litchfield and Davis know that the contribution for most guests is multiplied by at least 5, and up to 80 times for some guests!

The campaign was created in honor of Bev Davis’s sister who died of breast cancer. During the October Breast Cancer Awareness month, the notion of helping others with breast cancer spurred the idea to create this campaign. “We think one of the most meaningful wishes a breast cancer survivor has is for time; time to spend with their families and time to enjoy the rest of their lives,” said Rick Litchfield. “This campaign has allowed Captain Lord Mansion and its guests to contribute throughout 2010, allowing each person to make a difference or to honor someone they know who has been touched by breast cancer” finished Litchfield.

About Captain Lord Mansion:
The Captain Lord Mansion is a premier bed and breakfast inn located in the heart of Kennebunkport, Maine. Combining luxury amenities with spa services, an extensive gift and wine shop, beautifully appointed guest rooms and haute hospitality, all within Southern Maine’s extensive beaches and recreation, Captain Lord Mansion is the ideal choice for romantic getaways and celebration vacations. An AAA four diamond rated inn for 29 years, a 2009/2010 Top 30 Small Hotels choice by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a 2009/2010 Fodors Choice Selection, the Captain Lord Mansion takes its place among New England’s most distinctive inns. Recently joining the Diamond Collection from BedandBreakfast.com and a long time member of Select Registry’s group of distinctive inns, Captain Lord Mansion offers distinctive surroundings for sophisticated travelers. For more information on Captain Lord Mansion, visit www.captainlord.com or call 800-522-3141 to order Captain Lord Mansion gift certificates.

Barceló UK is offering guests the chance to enjoy free stays at some of its fantastic four star hotels this August!

Guests staying at the Barceló Basingstoke Country Hotel,
Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel,
Barcelo Daventry Hotel or the
Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel, will get their accommodation free when they pay for just breakfast and dinner.*

Pick your favourite location and enjoy the benefits of our summer offer

* Barceló Basingstoke Country Hotel in Hampshire UK is a delightful woodland hotel ideally located for exploring Hampshire and the south of England.
* Extremely easy to get to, Barceló Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire is a great destination for business or leisure. There’s so much to see and do in the local area, and you won’t have to travel far to enjoy it all.
* Surrounded by pretty Northamptonshire villages and towns and centrally located in Daventry, this hotel is just off the M1 and close to the M40. Barceló Daventry Hotel in Northamptonshire UK is spacious and modern offering comfortable rooms and a great location.
* Barceló Cardiff Angel Hotel in Wales has stood the test of time and been a favourite in Cardiff long before it became the capital, so it’s a great place to be to explore the whole of this vibrant city.

These fantastic four star hotels are ideally located – perfect for exploring the local surroundings, soaking up the history, sights and attractions, or simply putting your feet up to relax. Holidaying at home has never been better!

Guests can also enjoy complimentary use of the hotels’ fantastic facilities including excellent health and leisure clubs and children’s games rooms.

Barceló UK has 21 luxury 4 star hotels throughout Britain, from traditional coastal and country retreats to vibrant town and city getaways, from Scotland to Torquay. Relax and discover some fascinating areas of the country. Stay in beautiful four-star hotels where your comfort, enjoyment and indulgence are our priority.

Other Health, Spa and Leisure offers

Barceló UK has some fabulous health and leisure facilities, which are free for you to use during your stay and are ideal for relaxing tired legs or building up your appetite! If you’re feeling energetic, there’s plenty of cardiovascular and resistance equipment to keep you occupied, or you could just lay back in a bubbling spa pool or hot sauna, or take a leisurely swim in the heated pool. Whether you are looking for total relaxation, or an unrivalled range of treatments our luxury health & beauty spas provide the perfect retreat.

Treat yourself or someone special to a Barceló Spa Day at the hotel of your choice. Your day of pampering includes 3 hours worth of treatments, a light lunch, bathrobe and slippers, and full use of the Health Club, all from only £99 per person.

Other Family Hotel Offers

Stay all-inclusive at
Barcelo Torquay Imperial Hotel
Forget those hidden extras and enjoy a fantastic 5 or 7 night all inclusive break at the Barceló Torquay Imperial 4 star Hotel.

Your all inclusive package includes your accommodation in a Premium bedroom, all meals, drinks, entertainment and discounted attraction tickets, plus up to 2 children (aged 15 & under) stay FREE!*
Your all inclusive meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with your meals you’ll be offered our house wines , beers, soft drinks and water

Stay, Play & Explore in Leicestershire
Enjoy a one night break at
Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel with all the family for only £99 per room! This fantastic rate includes family tickets to 3 local attractions!

Finger Lakes Wine Country, NY – Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York offers visitors a wide range of fall harvest activities to choose from when visiting in the autumn months. Visitors can attend exciting fall festivals, enjoy unique museum events, experience harvest at the award-winning Finger Lakes wineries, and take advantage of fall-themed savings by booking a Fall into Wine Country package at participating accommodations like the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake, the Holiday Inn Express in Horseheads, the Holiday Inn Riverview in Elmira, the Best Western Vineyard Inn and Suites, and the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

Visitors who book a three night stay at a participating accommodation will receive the Fall into Wine Country (http://www.fallintowinecountry.com) passport. The passport offers visitors exclusive fall season experiences and deals throughout Finger Lakes Wine Country. Receive a complimentary wine tasting at Hunt Country Vineyards and Lucas Vineyards. Receive gifts with a wine purchase at both Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards and Glenora Wine Cellars. Receive private tasting experiences at wineries such as Lamoreaux Landing, Three Brothers Winery, and Kings Garden Vineyards. The passport also offers VIP seating at Veraisons Restaurant at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars, and complimentary glasses of Finger Lakes wine with the purchase of two appetizers at the Coldwater Bar at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

Fall is a popular time of year to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country and it’s no wonder why. The fall foliage is some of the most gorgeous in the country. Rolling hills and even the vast landscape of vineyards become speckled with rich red, orange, and gold. The fall also means harvest time in Wine Country. Take part in harvest festivals where you can pick, sample and buy the freshest Finger Lakes produce and even take part in grape stomping. U-pick farms are a wonderful way to spend time with the family. The Finger Lakes offers a variety of locations to pick apples, berries, pumpkins and a plethora of other fruits and vegetables.

A sampling of premier fall events in Finger Lakes Wine Country

Harvest Hoopla on the Cayuga Wine Trail
September 1-30, 2010 – A month long celebration of events at each of the 16 wineries. Each winery is hosting an event to celebrate the Harvest. Enjoy fine wine, great food, music and much more. www.cayugawinetrail.com

Twain at the River in Elmira
Each Saturday of September will bring a different “Twain at the River” event.
September 4, 2010 – Trolley to the River; September 11, 2010 – River Bike/Hike Tour; September 18, 2010 – Samuel Clemens Croquet Tournament; September 25, 2010 – Model Huck Finn Raft Race.
www.marktwaincountry.com

Glass Harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass
September 7 – November 30, 2010 (Specific dates vary)

* See the World’s Largest Glass Pumpkin: Last year, glassmakers at the Museum made the world’s largest blown glass pumpkin—a beautiful, giant shiny orange globe measuring more than 32 inches in diameter and weighing in at about 70 pounds. The pumpkin-making process took a team of eight glassblowers, more than 50 hours of work, 17 attempts, a lot of shattered glass, and a number of lopsided prototypes. The pumpkin will be on display through October 31, 2010.

* Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin: Visitors of all ages can make a (hand-held) glass pumpkin in daily 40-minute glassblowing experiences. Open to all ages (as young as preschool), the pumpkin-making experience is offered through November 30, 2010, and costs $25 per person.

* Harvest Hunt through the World’s Largest Glass Collection: Children can use a harvest-themed activity sheet to explore more than 45,000 objects and 3,500 years of glassmaking history. The Museum’s collection ranges from a tiny portrait of an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh to fanciful modern-day sculptures—and nearly everything in between.

* Shop a Unique Glass Farmer’s Market: On Columbus Day weekend, October 8–11, 2010, the Museum’s international GlassMarket will feature a Glass Farmer’s Market, with more than 7,000 glass pumpkins, apples, gourds and glass harvest-themed objects for sale.

Crystal City Jazz & Harvest Festival
September 10-11, 2010 – Friday night, enjoy live jazz and blues performances throughout Corning’s Gaffer District, wine and beer tasting and complimentary limousine shuttles. Bring the family on Saturday for children’s activities, hayrides, eating contests, a scarecrow competition and Farmers Market. www.gafferdistrict.com

Grand Prix Festival in Downtown Watkins Glen (N. Franklin St.)
September 10, 2010 – Celebrate the road racing heritage of Watkins Glen. The featured highlight of the Festival is a tribute to the original Grand Prix races using the original 6.6 mile road course. The festival is free to attend. www.grandprixfestival.com

Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International
September 10-12, 2010 – The Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix celebrates racing’s history at the largest vintage racing event in the country featuring historic cars of the past from as far back as the 1930′s. Held in conjunction with the Grand Prix Festival in the Village of Watkins Glen. Weekend tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Children 15 and under are free. www.theglen.com

German Festival at Lucas Vineyards
September 12, 2010 – Festivities at the event will include Live Music by The Enzian Bavarian band and dancers, grape stomping, alphorn and polka contests, balloon art, face painting and costumes. The event will feature Lucas Vineyards medal winning Dry & Semi Dry Rieslings and Gewürztraminer. Local vendors will be on site selling German food, grape pies, gourmet chocolate, wine ice cream and jewelry. $3 per person, children 12 and under are free. www.lucasvineyards.com

Harvest Tapas at Fox Run Vineyards
September 16 & October 7, 2010 – Executive Chef Heather Tompkins will present a platter with 4 portions each paired carefully with Fox Run Vineyards wines. Winemakers Peter Bell & Tricia Renshaw will present the wine and be here to talk about the pairings. Tickets are $20. www.foxrunvineyards.com

Harvest Tour of Food & Wine on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail
September 18-19, 2010 – Experience the incomparable beauty of the fall season and taste foods bursting with the flavors of harvest time in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Come taste the exquisite wines of Keuka Lake and sample fine dishes prepared from the finest locally produced foods. Join us in celebrating New York’s agricultural heartland an experience that is certain to delight the tastes, please the eyes and warm the soul. Tickets are $25 per person in advance, $30 per person at the door, $19 per person Sunday Special in advance. www.keukawinetrail.com

Leaves & Lobsters at Glenora Wine Cellars
September 18-19, 2010 – An unbeatable combination of live music, the autumn view of Seneca Lake and a “Down East Lobster Feast.” Lobster Dinner ticket is $50 per person, general admission ticket is $15 per person. www.glenora.com

First Friday at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art
October 1 & November 5, 2010 – Friday evening enjoy free admission to the museum along with Finger Lakes wines and cheeses. www.rockwellmuseum.com

A Taste of the Finger Lakes at the Watkins Glen Community Center
October 7, 2010 – A Taste of the Finger Lakes will capture the essence of culinary creations and farm fresh produce during the “heart of the harvest,” while displaying numerous local restaurants, farm markets, wineries, breweries and other food vendors in the area. All under one roof, attendees will have the opportunity to come see, sample and socialize while enjoying a variety of fabulous Finger Lakes fare on this special evening. Tickets are $35 per person in advance, and $40 at the door. www.watkinsglenchamber.com

Monster Ball at the Holiday Inn Elmira
October 29, 2010 – Enjoy the Halloween-themed costume party at the Holiday Inn Elmira. www.fingerlakeshotels.com

Destin, FL – Ever dream of being a travel writer? Are you someone who blogs and interacts on the social networks? If so, Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals has the endeavor for you. Promoting the Southern Beach Tour, this proven leader in Florida vacation rentals will let some lucky winner stay free in a variety of properties along the coast for an entire month, October 8 – November 8, 2010. The properties are predetermined and the timing corresponds with some wonderful Fall festivals and attractions at the beach. The catch is the winner must attend the events, explore their Southern Perks amenities and be willing and able to share their experience with the outside world via blog, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Does that sound like something you can do? Stay in a beach property and attend fun events for free? If so, visit the rules and regulations online and begin the process. An application and essay about why you would be the best person for the assignment are the start to enter the contest. With a little luck and skillful writing, you could be chosen to stay in some of the best Florida vacation rentals, while enjoying happenings such as the Seeing Red Wine Festival in the Beaches of South Walton, Destin Fishing Rodeo, the Seafood, Wine and Music Festival in Panama City Beach, the Blast on the Bay Songwriters’ Festival in the Forgotten Coast and more.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times at the beach along Northwest Florida’s gulf coast. Still warm weather, crystal clear water and low daily rates make it the perfect time for a quick getaway or Fall break. “With all of the publicity related to the oil spill and our beaches, we want to spread the word that the beaches in our region are as beautiful as ever and what better way than through the eyes of someone actually experiencing it first hand,” states Kevin Veach, one of the owners of Southern Resorts.
Soon, one lucky winner will get to experience firsthand the uniqueness and lure of this region in the Fall.

The Florida vacation rentals including condos, homes and cottages represented by Southern Resorts can be found in these Florida Gulf Coast beach communities: Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Beaches of South Walton, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach, WindMark Beach and Port St. Joe. For more on these areas and vacation opportunities, visit SouthernResorts.com.