Superbowl Forecast: Fans may Face Travel Delays Due To Snowstorms

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will take center stage on Sunday, Feb. 1, as the big game kicks off in Glendale, Arizona.

Hosted at University of Phoenix Stadium, more than 63,400 people will pack the enclosed venue for the biggest pro football game of the year.

As fans and enthusiasts flock to the Phoenix area, showers could dampen festivities leading up to the game. However, as Sunday unfolds, seasonable temperatures and sunshine will be the dominant factors.

"The Phoenix area will first endure wet and cool conditions by their standards," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel said.

Showers will stretch into Saturday and could drop up to an inch of rain over the region.

Usual temperatures for this time of year hover near 70 F. Into Saturday, temperatures will hover in the mid-60s. However, with showers and abundant clouds, AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures could hit closer to the 60 F mark.

Those attending outdoor events leading up to the game can keep track incoming rain by using MinuteCast® to stay alert of rapidly changing conditions.

As thousands of fans surge the stadium and tailgates leading up to the 6:30 p.m. EST kickoff, dry conditions will return.

"The storm will depart just in time for the game," Samuhel said.

Temperatures will rebound to the upper 60s and sunshine will fill the skies on Sunday, making for ideal conditions to leave the venue's retractable roof open.

Scott Norton, director of marketing & public relations for University of Phoenix Stadium, said it is entirely up to the NFL whether or not the roof will be open. The NFL announced they plan to keep the roof open unless there is inclement weather.

The Patriots (12-4) will be making their eighth big game appearance, last taking home the championship in 2004. The Seattle Seahawks (12-4) enter the game as defending champions after winning last year's big game in New Jersey.

As New England recovers from the first blizzard to hit the Northeast in 2015, Boston airports returned to normal operations on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Boston Logan International Airport previously announced they added extra flights to Phoenix in order to accommodate fans flocking southwest to attend the game.

A clipper storm hitting the Northeast into the latter part of the week could cause some disruptions for pre-game travel. Across the country, a dry pattern in Seattle stretching throughout the weekend should make for easy air travel to Arizona.

As fans begin to journey home Monday, temperatures in the Phoenix area will continue to rebound, reaching above the 70 F mark. Skies should remain clear and sunny.

For returning flights back to New England, a storm set to unravel into early next week could bring some travel concerns.

"The storm may lead to delays and cancellations," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

Those returning to the Pacific Northwest could fly into cloudy, rainy conditions through Tuesday.

The Philadelphia Flower Show Will "Celebrate The Movies" This Year With Displays That Interpret Themes And Characters From Disney And Disney Pixar Films.

The Philadelphia Flower Show will "Celebrate the Movies" this year with displays that interpret themes and characters from Disney and Disney Pixar films.

"We want to transport viewers and inspire them to dream big," Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Drew Becher said at the show's kickoff event Thursday, at the Ritz East theater in Old City before an audience of enthusiastic supporters, exhibitors, and volunteers.

PHS produces the annual show, which dates to 1829 and this year runs from Feb. 28 through March 9 at the Convention Center.
The range of films chosen for floral and landscape interpretation is vast, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Winnie the Pooh. And yes, there will be princesses.

One exhibitor has chosen Frozen, the cultural phenom and the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, whose songs, costumes, and royal characters are the stuff of obsession for millions of little girls. Another exhibit will feature all 11 Disney princesses, from Snow White to Tiana.

Becher and others expressed hope that Disney's broad appeal, and the magic of the movies, will attract more young people and families, and help revive the tradition of children going to the Flower Show with their parents and grandparents.

"Everyone loves the movies, and everyone loves Disney, young and old, men and women. The appeal is broad," said Ron Mulray, owner of the Philadelphia Flower Co. in the Far Northeast, who exhibits at the show with the American Institute of Floral Designers.

The 2015 production will highlight four international garden designers, from Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia - and some actual movie figures, including Pam Grier, the 1970s star of Foxy Brown and other blaxploitation films.

Dan Aykroyd, of Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers, and many other classics, and Ethan Wayne, son of John and an actor in his own right, will be on hand, too. The former will be hawking his additive-free vodka, the latter a bourbon called "Duke."

In an interview, Becher described the relationship between PHS and Disney as "a partnership, not a sponsorship." It came about through PHS's long-standing association with 6ABC, which is owned by the Walt Disney Co. The station does a show every year at the Flower Show preview party and participates in other projects with PHS.

Thursday's event featured a red carpet with popping paparazzi flashes, free popcorn, and bottles of a new hard cider created just for the show; a large, sequined Liza Minnelli impersonator known as Mimi Imfurst; and several stunning dresses from Gene London's 60,000-piece collection of Hollywood costumes.

London, now 83 and living in Reading, starred in the children's TV show Cartoon Corners General Store from 1959 to 1977. He'll bring more than 50 costumes from his collection to the Flower Show.

As for the show's flora, there will be masses of cut flowers and plants, palm trees and junipers, horticultural displays, competitions, special events, and workshops. The entrance garden promises to recall the interiors of 1920s movie palaces.

Hopes are high for the 2015 show, which, like the others, raises money for PHS programs such as City Harvest, through which community gardeners donate their fresh produce to food cupboards.

The 2014 show, called "ARTiculture," drew 230,000 visitors, slightly more than the 2013 British-themed show, which - at 225,000 - was the lowest attendance since 2001, despite the show's being open an extra day.

Contributed by Virginia A. Smith, Inquirer Staff Writer

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For Flower Show information, go to theflowershow.com.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150130_With__quot_Celebrate_the_Movies_quot__theme__Philadelphia_Flower_Show_to_feature_princesses__pirates__Winnie_the_Pooah.html#EaLZtCrtE6XxwEvu.99

Ultra-Luxe $108,000 Trip Takes You To Nine Countries On A Private Jet

When choosing one exotic vacation destination is too tough, why not do them all? For $108,000 per person, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent’s Wonders of the World by Private Jet journey spans nine countries. 

The twenty-four day trip, beginning and culminating in Miami, will run from September 17 – October 10, 2015, accommodating fifty guests. The company’s founder and CEO Geoffrey Kent will join in as host in the last leg of the trip. His passion for travel stems from growing up in Kenya, and by age sixteen he was the first person to travel by motorbike from Nairobi to Cape Town, over 5000 miles. A globetrotter at heart, Kent is excited to get to know his clients through the one-of-a-kind experiences they will share. “This is the first time we've offered this unique itinerary, featuring many of the world’s greatest wonders all in one journey,” he told Forbes.

Here’s what the agenda looks like:

After a brief stay at the Four Seasons in Miami, passengers will board Abercrombie & Kent’s chartered Icelandair Boeing BA +5.99% 757-200ER private jet, which is so luxurious, that getting there may actually be half the fun. It has lie-flat massage seats, privacy screens, social seating areas, and gourmet cuisine. But deboarding the aircraft won’t be too hard, considering the destinations.

Private Jet Interior. Photo: A&K

An In-Flight Meal. Photo: A&K

The Crew Aboard The Jet. Photo: A&K

First Stop: Peru. A private tour of the Larco Herrera Museum will kick off the adventure, followed by musical performances and private meals at iconic spaces such a the Convent of San Francisco. To close off the Peru portion of the journey, a privately chartered Hiram Bingham train will take the group to Machu Picchu.

Chile’s ever enchanting Easter Island is next up, with an itinerary including trips to the villages of Hangaroa and Orongo, where “birdman” rituals originated, and a demonstration of Haka Pei, a form of sledding. The final dinner on Easter Island will be a traditional umu “earth-cooked” meal, during which travelers will have the chance to socialize with local dignitaries.

Machu Piccu. Photo: A&K

Easter Island. Photo: A&K

In Samoa, highlights include being greeted by a dance troupe, lodging at a beach resort, partaking in various water activities, eating Polynesian meals, and touring the village of Vailima.

And what better way to ease from the shores of Samoa into Australian culture than with a dinner on Sydney Harbor? The two days in Australia that follow will feature a tour of Shark Island by private yacht, and a chartered helicopter ride to a wildlife conservation and spa that offers nature tours with kangaroos and wallabies. As for the last adventure in the land Down Under? How about a private show and dinner at the Sydney Opera House.

After crossing the equator and touching down in Cambodia, travelers will indulge in a champagne breakfast, tour Angkor Wat and a nearby Buddhist monastery, helicopter over the temple Banteay Srei, and take in a sunset cruise on Tonle Sap Lake.

Sydney. Photo: A&K

Cambodia. Photo: A&K

In India, all rooms in the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel face the Taj Mahal, of which the group will get a private tour the following day. But first, a play about Shah Jahan, builder of the iconic palace, welcomes everyone to India. After a traditional Mughal meal and Kathak dance performance, the jet takes off for the place where East and West converge: Istanbul. Private tours of the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and Topkapi Palace will give the lucky fifty a broad sense of Turkish culture. After two days and nights of adventure, dinner inside an Ottoman palace caps off this portion of the trip.

The Taj Mahal. Photo: A&K

Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace. Photo: A&K

The last stop on this globe trek is Morocco, where Geoffrey Kent will tag on as host. Upon landing in Rissani, a car will transport passengers through the city and into the desert, where camel rides, stargazing, and a welcoming by members of the Gnaoua tribe await. A flight to Marrakech the next day will provide the group with the shopping experience of a lifetime at Souk Smarine, and tours of the Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens.

Marrakech. Photo: A&K

Logistically, how does Abercrombie & Kent pull off such a full and unique itinerary? We asked Kent just that, and here’s what he had to say: “Through our deep roots and long-established relationships — we have 52 offices around the world — we can offer exclusive insider access, unique encounters and inspiring experiences not available to others. We have perfected the art of delivering unexpected luxury in even the most remote places.” And as host of the Morocco portion, Kent will have the luxury of travelling with his clients, which reflects his hands-on, highly personal approach to running the business. “Having just returned from another private jet journey around the world, I can attest to the value of being able to get to know our guests personally, and see firsthand their reactions to the experiences we arrange, hearing their opinions about the plane and the lie-flat seats, and bouncing ideas off them for future trips.”

Originally from www.forbes.com/

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Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Tops AAA List Of Five And Four Diamond Properties

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, led the 2015 American Automobile Association (AAA) Five and Four Diamond awards with 24 hotels earning the Five Diamond rating and 20 hotels earning the Four Diamond rating, including two of the newest additions to the portfolio, The Ritz-Carton, Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs, California, and The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami.

"We are proud to once again have the recognition by AAA with 24 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts earning the five diamond rating. The exemplary service that our hotels continue to provide validates the commitment of our ladies and gentlemen to making our customers care and comfort their highest mission," said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean were rated by the AAA inspectors who anonymously visit thousands of properties each year, carefully reviewing everything from guest room cleanliness to quality of service. Each year, more than 28,000 luxury hotels are reviewed and just 0.4 percent make it the on to the AAA Five Diamond list. "Attaining the Five Diamond Rating is an impressive accomplishment and a point of great pride for these top hotels," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections & Diamond Ratings.

A complete list of AAA Five and Four Diamond Ritz-Carlton Hotels includes:

Five Diamond Hotels

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park
The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
The Ritz-Carlton, Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C

Four Diamond Hotels

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne
The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester

Travelore News: Hilton Worldwide Wins Big With U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels of 2015

Today, U.S. News & World Report named 22 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) Portfolio to its annual "Best Hotels" list. The winning properties span four brands within the Hilton Portfolio, and include two "Best Hotels in the USA" honors, U.S. News & World Report's annual evaluation of hotels identifies properties that offer high-quality amenities and an exceptional guest experience.

"Delivering high-quality service and continuing to innovate the guest experience at our more than 4,250 hotels around the world is at the heart of our success," said Jim Holthouser, executive vice president, Global Brands, Hilton Worldwide. "We're proud that these 22 properties were selected as examples of excellence in hospitality and recognized on this prestigious list."

Below are the 2015 Hilton winners:

Gold Badge Winners

Earned a "Best Hotels in the USA" award:

• The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
• Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Silver Badge Winners

Identified as one of the "Best Hotels" within its market:

• Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel - Best Hotels in Phoenix
• Conrad Chicago - Best Hotels in Chicago
• Conrad Indianapolis - Best Hotels in Indianapolis
• Conrad New York - Best Hotels in New York City
• Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa - Best Hotels in San Diego
• Hilton Columbus at Easton - Best Hotels in Columbus
• Hilton Columbus Downtown - Best Hotels in Columbus
• Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort - Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale
• Hilton Lac-Leamy - Best Hotels in Ottawa
• Hilton Mexico City Reforma - Best Hotels in Mexico City
• Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe - Best Hotels in Mexico City
• Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront - Best Hotels in Ocean City
• Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront - Best Hotels in Virginia Beach
• La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - Best Hotels in Palm Springs
• The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton - Best Hotels in Dallas - Fort Worth
• The Marquette Hotel - Best Hotels in Minneapolis - St. Paul
• The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel - Best Hotels in New Orleans
• The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City - Best Hotels in Oklahoma City
• The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria - Best Hotels in New York City
• Waldorf Astoria Orlando - Best Hotels in Orlando - Walt Disney World

The Best Hotels methodology combines a hotel's industry accolades with expert and guest reviews and hotel class ratings. U.S. News & World Report scored luxury hotels, identifying the top 10 percent in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with Gold badges and the top 30 percent within specific markets with Silver badges. The rankings feature 2,558 hotels across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For a full list of rankings visit http://travel.usnews.com/.