The Latest BrenCase Adventures

Cruise Industry Exploitation

2010-07-24T17:59:00Z

I do not like posting an entry that is critical of the industry in which I make my living; but injustice must be exposed, wherever it exists.

Read the following articles for information on a human rights issue that I think you need to know about:

Cruise Ships: Dark Secrets Below Deck

Sweatships - a living hell below decks

Also check out the

Facebook campaign against such exploitation

$40 -- Tour Historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, $20 OFF

2010-07-21T16:15:00Z

Spend a day exploring the estate, including the on-site winery, for $40(regularly $60). Admission includes:

Self-guided visit of the Biltmore house
All-day access to the gardens
Complimentary wine tasting at the winery
Visits to additional exhibits, shops and restaurants in the connecting Antler Hill Village
Parking

Tickets must be purchased by July 28, but can be redeemed anytime -- no expiration date or blackout dates apply. Biltmore Estate is open 365 days a year. Visit before Sept. 6 and kids 16 and younger get in free(regularly $30). Complimentary kids tickets still must be booked in advance.

Contact phillip@brencase.com on on how to obtain this rare discount.

Jim's Famous BBQ

2010-07-14T14:15:00Z

Many of you know that I am a bit of a BBQ fanatic - I like it! I should reiterate here that I find it difficult to discover bad BBQ, but I am partial to the Memphis and Texas styles. The North Carolina style has not been able to make a lot of progress in the 23 years I have lived in the state. But one of my NC favorites is Jim's Famous BBQ in Chapel Hill. The primary reason is that it has a superb tomato based sauce that rivals many Memphis and Texas sauces. But you can also choose the vinegar based North Carolina sauce.

Last night I had the St. Louis cut ribs - pictures at BrenCase Adventures Facebook page.

Sheraton Chapel Hill

2010-07-14T13:39:00Z

I am on one of my three to four trips to Chapel Hill NC that I make each year. I generally always come in the night before my meeting, and have some favorite hotels that I try to use. I am in one of those on this trip. The Sheraton Chapel Hill is a three star property in a superb location (most locations in Chapel Hill are okay). I have my own rating of each star rating - I give this hotel an 8.5 on a ten scale of all three star hotels I have experienced.

Amenities include:

free wi-fi in each room
Starbucks coffee in the room (packets for two 12 ounce cups)
Starwood Preferred Guest amenities like complimentary bottle of water and free USA Today newspaper delivered to room

Now here is the really good part: Contact phillip@brencase.com to learn how you might get a room at this hotel for as little as $67 per night (plus taxes); a three star hotel for a two star price.

more pictures at BrenCase Adventures Facebook Page

New U.S Passport Fees - Effective July 13

2010-07-08T12:51:00Z

Does your passport expire this year? Do you not have a passport and have considered applying for one? New passport fees for the U.S. Passport Book, the U.S. Passport Card, and other passport services will be in effect on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

Go HERE for the schedule of new fees for passport application services.

Southwest Airlines is getting closer!

2010-05-12T01:17:00Z

Where have I been! March and April were just too busy. I will try once again to keep you updated with travel news you can use.

And what better way to come back then with this great piece of news: Southwest Airlines plans to be in Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg sometime in 2011. Read more about the big announcement HERE .

Beaches Negril review #1

2010-02-20T21:19:00Z

One of the perks of being a Certified Sandals Specialist is visiting the Sandals resorts. I am presently at Beaches Negril and want to give you information and reviews at least two or three times during my stay.

Beaches Negril is about an hour and a half ride from Montego Bay airport. It is a very windy road, but a good one, generally following the northwest coast line. The shuttle bus carried us through quite a few little towns, even stopping about two thirds of the way to Negril for a refreshment and restroom break. This is a good place to get your first taste of jerk chicken and A Red Stripe beer in Jamaica.

Beaches Negril is on Seven Mile Beach just a few miles north of Negril. Also on this beach only a mile or so from Beaches Negril are Beaches Sandy Bay and Sandals Negril. I will post a few pictures of those resorts if I have the opportunity to visit them. I will also be writing some resort reviews in the coming days - check back daily!

Go to the Sandals/Beaches web page for unedited pictures that will be updated each day of the trip. I will try to edit and label tham after my return. These pictures and others at the web page give a genuine look at the resorts from the eye of my camera, not a flashy internet picture that sometimes looks better than the real thing (and usually is!).

Iannucci's Opens Today in Hendersonville

2010-02-02T18:41:00Z

I have said for a long time I want to let you know about what we have in western North Carolina. I promised to write about travel in our state and review restaurants and all the activities of these beautiful mountains. Well, it is never too late to start!

One of the area's favorite restaurants has opened a new store in Hendersonville at 1508 Asheville Hwy (less than one mile from BrenCase Adventures). Iannucci's has been a Hendersonville Road fixture in South Asheville for many years.

I am not going to give you all of my reasons for loving this place; but I will give you a couple of hints:

Don't miss the bread sticks.
Don't think there has been a mistake on your check - best prices in the area for absolutely superb Italian food.

Check out a menu HERE; both locations offer essentially the same choices. Tell them Phillip sent you!

Would You Do This!

2010-01-21T20:21:00Z

When a major snowstorm hit the eastern U.S. just before Christmas, paralyzing air travel from New York's JFK airport on December 20, two couples connecting from Europe to Miami for a Crystal cruise leaving the next day realized their flight was canceled. They got together and did what savvy travelers do in New York: They hailed a taxi and took it all the way to Miami.

The tab for the almost 24 hour ride? A cool $10,000.

Both couples agreed it was money well spent. They enjoyed the cruise and have stayed in touch with the cab driver.

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Free Airfare to the Bahamas

2010-01-20T17:39:00Z

Instantly receive the amount of the base ticket price for a companion airfare traveling from any gateway city in the United States (except Alaska and Hawaii) to the Islands of the Bahamas. You can also get up to 65% off at the Sandals Royal Bahamian, or up to 60% off at the brand new Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma island.

Contact phillip@brencase.com for details.

Haiti Relief Efforts

2010-01-14T16:03:00Z

Not a one of us should need an incentive to give generously to the Haiti relief efforts; but we all know sometimes an extra nudge might influence us. Spirit Airlines will give 5,000 free frequent flyer miles to any persons donating at least $5 to the Red Cross, UNICEF, or Yele Haiti to help with Haiti’s recovery efforts. (That amount of miles will qualify for a free flight, and the airline says it’s planning to give away up to one billion miles as part of this promotion.)

Go to Free Spirit to enroll in the airline's frequent flyer program. Then go to Haiti Relief to choose the agency you want to donate to (I would recommend Yele Haiti). Complete the form on that page for the 5000 miles to be credited to your Free Spirit account.

If you are not interested in going through all the above procedure, just find an agency of your choice and GIVE!

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An Excuse for Eating More Pizza!

2010-01-05T18:12:00Z

Did you know that pizza is one of the safest foods to eat while away from home?

While many tourists can become sick from eating contaminated foods in foreign places, pizza has been found less likely to spoil than other foods. One reason for this is that pizzas are cooked at very high temperatures before arriving at your table.

Just thought you might like to know!

Find more tips for the road at KidsHealth.org.

10 New Air Travel Regulations You Need To Know

2010-01-05T02:11:00Z

Family Travel Forum urges families flying to the U.S. to prepare fornew security regulations in place at international airports around theworld.

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Overnight Getaway

2009-12-29T19:49:00Z

Sometimes the best way to travel is to look for last minute deals in your own area, and plan a one or two night getaway. Glenda and I found one of those last weekend and used it to visit friends in Charlotte on Christmas Day.

The Westin Charlotte has the following special deal:
    * Rates from $79 per night
    * Complimentary parking
    * Valid for Thursday - Sunday arrivals through March 2, 2010

Also, I discovered a downtown restaurant that is worth a visit. The Mez Restaurant is a little hard to find, but well worth it. The food quality is well above average and the servings are more than anyone needs at one meal. A evening meal entree will be from $18 to $30 per person.

Email me at phillip@brencase.com to make reservations at both places. Go ahead - get away for a night or two!

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U.S. Sets 3-Hour Limit on Tarmac Waits for Plane Passengers

2009-12-21T16:09:00Z

The Transportation Department is ordering airlines to let passengers stuck in stranded airplanes exit after three hours.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Monday announced the three-hour limit and other new passenger protections long sought by consumer advocates. From January to June this year, 613 planes were delayed on tarmacs for more than three hours.

Read more at the New York Times online.

$99 -- Savannah 4-Diamond Resort (Regularly $349)

2009-12-16T16:11:00Z

Experience Savannah's carriage rides, antique shops and ghost tours while staying at the AAA 4-Diamond Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa for $99 per night through Feb. 11.

Thisoffer applies to the resort's recently renovated Traditional rooms,which include a flat-screen LCD TV and the signature Westin Heavenlybed. A discounted upgrade to a River View room is available for $10 more per night.

The offer also includes 20% off all spa services at the new Heavenly Spa by Westin and two-for-one golf at the resort's golf course.

The Westin Savannah Resort features:

An 18-hole PGA championship golf course, designed by Robert Cupp and Sam Snead
The award-winning Aqua Star restaurant
A heated outdoor pool with cabanas
Tennis courts
A convenient water ferry service to/from the Historic Downtown District

There are some blackout dates - contact phillip@brencase.com for more information and/or to reserve your room.

Cruises from Charleston

2009-12-14T19:11:00Z

Are you looking for a cruise departure that is close to Western North Carolina? Following is the latest news regarding cruises from Charleston SC, the port being just over four hours from the Asheville area:

The Celebrity Mercury will offer seven sailings direct from Charleston starting in February and running through April, including alternating 10- and 11-night Caribbean voyages with visits to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Tortola on the eastern series, and Key West; Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico, and Nassau on the western lineup.

Celebrity will also offer one 16-night transit through the Panama Canal that disembarks in Los Angeles, California. Beyond next year’s schedule, the ship is also slated for a series of five sailings from Charleston in 2011.

Carnival Cruise Lines will begin 5,6 and 7 day year round cruises May 18.

Just thought you might like to know!

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Breaking News on a hot deal from Sandals/Beaches Resorts

2009-12-09T16:58:00Z

Sandals Offers Free Nights for December Stays

Get first nights free for stays booked at five resorts (Grande Antigua, Grande Ocho Rios, Montego Bay,Regency La Toc, and Royal Caribbean) booked by Dec. 22 (five nights minimum). The same offer applies to family bookings (four nights minimum) at Beaches Boscobel or Turks & Caicos booked by Dec. 22,too. Travel must be completed by Dec. 26 to claim this deal.

Contact phillip@brencase.com, your Certified Sandals Specialist, to grab this deal!.

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$79 -- Hilton Head 4-Diamond Beachfront Resort (Reg. $259)

2009-12-09T16:25:00Z

Are you thinking about a Christmas weekend trip, just to do something different this year? Well, you can't beat this deal:

offer includes an upgrade to a partial oceanview room based on availability at check-in
15% off all spa treatments
cited by Frommer's as "the most opulent European-style hotel in town"

available for travel through Feb. 28, including holidays and weekends. A deal like this will not last long; contact phillip@brencase.com for more information and to reserve your weekend getaway.

Residence Inn SeaWorld next to SeaWorld Orlando announces suite deals from $79

2009-12-07T19:35:00Z

Voted #1 by TripAdvisor in Best for Families category in 2008!

Super suite rates available from $79. Plus, new package offers $50 Food/Beverage credit with a 2 night stay!
Complimentary hot buffet breakfast daily
Complimentary parking and High-speed Internet access
Complimentary shuttle to select theme parks based on schedule
Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens
Heated resort-style pool and whirlpool
Sports Court
Exercise room
Video Arcade
Guest Laundry
Pets welcome for a fee
In addition to great rates, the following packages are offered at the Residence Inn SeaWorld:

SeaWorld Family Package- Stay 4 Nights/Get 4 SeaWorld Tickets
Incredible Golf Packages -Choose from 2 great Golf Courses
Super Shoppers Package - nearby Orlando Premium Outlets
SeaWorld & Aquatic Packages
Email phillip@brencase.com for more information and/or to reserve your package.