The Latest BrenCase Adventures


The Latest BrenCase Adventures

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  1. Marie Rhoades on Would You Do This!
    2/2/2010

Recent Posts

  1. Winter Special in Asheville NC
    Saturday, February 04, 2012
  2. Do You Really Need A Travel Agent?
    Friday, January 27, 2012
  3. New Airline Passenger Protections
    Friday, January 27, 2012
  4. Las Vegas Packages on Southwest Airlines
    Wednesday, January 25, 2012
  5. Hawaii Spring Sale
    Wednesday, January 18, 2012
  6. Sanibel Island, Florida
    Friday, January 13, 2012
  7. Sail & Save: Free Upgrades, Up to 50% Savings & More
    Wednesday, January 04, 2012
  8. Beaches Negril - This Month's Featured Resort
    Tuesday, January 03, 2012
  9. BrenCase Adventures on Facebook and Twitter
    Monday, January 02, 2012
  10. Alaska cruise promotion
    Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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Monthly Archives

Southwest Airlines Announces GSP Destinations


Southwest Airlines said Wednesday that it will operate nonstop flights to five destinations when it begins serving Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on March 13, 2011.

The discount carrier said it will offer two flights daily to Baltimore/Washington, two to Chicago Midway, one to Nashville, Tenn., one to Houston’s Hobby Airport and one to Orlando, Fla.  Southwest offers connections to many of the other cities it serves through those airports.




Did You Know!

New pictures of the latest BrenCase Adventures have been published on the Trip Pictures page of BrenCase Adventures home web site. BrenCase Adventures home web site.  See unedited pictures of Charleston SC and Carnival Cruise Lines' ship, the Fantasy; also this week's trip to Portland OR and Seattle WA.

Go to twitter.com/brencase, sign up to follow BrenCase Adventures, and see even more candid travel pictures. And/or, "like" the BrenCase Adventures page on Facebook to keep up with tweets and other travel news you can use.

Just thought you might like to know!


Cruise Industry Exploitation

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


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

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

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.

New U.S Passport Fees - Effective July 13




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!

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



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



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!






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