WellsWorld on the Radio: New for 2013

Crusader's castle at Acre. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Cruise from Haifa to Acre

What: A new 30-minute boat ride will connect Haifa, Israel's third largest city and port, with the fortress city of Acre. The line will offer twice daily runs between Haifa, which backs up onto Mount Carmel and is home to the Baha'i Shrine and its famous Hanging Gardens, and Acre, once Akko, the Crusader capital of the Holy Land.

 When: The boat service is due to launch in March 2013.

AirTran Flights continue to Key West

What: Southwest Airlines will assume the routes - one daily nonstop between Orlando International Airport and a daily nonstop between Tampa Bay International Airport and Key West International Airport.

A new daily nonstop flight between Key West and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will be added.

Boeing 737-700, 143-passenger aircraft will be used on the Key West routes.


When: March 9, 2013.

www.southwest.com
www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Romantic deals

Hilton Sandestin.

Romantic Rendezvous
What: Celebrate the month of love with a Romantic Rendezvous Package at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. It includes upgraded beach-view accommodations and breakfast for two at Sandcastles Restaurant, plus a complimentary box of Godiva chocolates, bottle of champagne and one dozen red roses.

How Much: Starts at $217 per night .

When: Available February 1 - 28, 2013.

Fine print: Reservations must be made at least seven (7)-days in advance; limited availability; not applicable to existing reservations or contracted groups; the Hilton Sandestin Beach reserves the right to modify or discontinue this package at any time at its sole discretion. 

www.HiltonSandestinBeach.com or (800) 559-1805 and use booking code “RT.”

Serene Little St. Simons Island. Photo © by Judy Wells.

Couple's escape
What: Couples escaping to a private island stay three nights and get the fourth night free at exclusive and inclusive (even the sun block!) Little St. Simons Island. 

When: Feb. 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2013.

How Much: $549 per couple per night for three nights.

Fine print: Includes boat trip to and from the island, accommodations, three full meals and a cocktail reception each day, all activities and equipment. Does not include taxes and service charges.

www.littlessi.com or 866-855-0718.

Unicoi Lodge.

Winter Woodlands Getaways

What: The Lodge at Unicoi State Park, Georgia, with 30 cabins, 100 Lodge guestrooms and the Unicoi Dining Room, is open all winter with special rates.

How Much: From $89 a night Sunday through Thursday.

When: Now through Feb. 28, 2013.


Where: The Lodge at Unicoi sits on 1,063 acres between the Chatahoochee River and the town of Helen.


What: Cabbage Patch Kids Package at Unicoi Lodge includes  a one-night stay in a Lodge guestroom, breakfast for two, a park pass, a certificate for a free gift at Babyland General, and a crib in the guestroom for the for newly adopted Cabbage Patch Kid.

How Much: From $95.

When: through March 15, 2013.

 www.gastateparks.org or 800-573-9659

Special Restaurant Week prices

 What: Nineteen different island restaurants, each offering a special fixed menu, three courses and a non-alcoholic beverage priced at either $20.13 or $30.13.

Where: Amelia Island, FL.

When: Jan. 18 through 27.

Participating Restaurants include:
29 South, eclectic, 904-277-7919 
BarZin Bistro & Wine Bar, American bistro, 904-310-6620 
Baxter's, steak and seafood, 904-277-4503
Brett’s Waterway Café, casual seafood and steak, 904-261-2660
Bonito Grill and Sushi, Asian fusion, 904-261-0508          
Café Karibo, eclectic American, 904-277-5269   
Crab Trap, seafood, 904-261-4749      
David’s Restaurant & Lounge, fine dining, 904-310-6049       
Espana Restaurant & Tapas, Spanish and Portuguese, 904-261-7700          
Falcon’s Nest, casual dining, 904-491-4242         
Horizon’s, eclectic cuisine, 904-321-2430      
Le Clos, French cuisine, 904-261-8100       
Lu Lu’s at the Thompson House, American cuisine, 904-432-8394          
Marina Seafood Restaurant, casual seafood dining, 9-) 261-5310          
Merge, eclectic cuisine, 9-277-8797   
PLAE, fine dining, 904-277-2132   
Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, seafood and burgers, 904-277-3811          
Sandy Bottoms, American, 904-310-6904         
Sliders Seaside Grill, seafood and steak, 904-277-6652

www.ameliaisland.com/yummy

Stay Over: In conjunction with Restaurant Week, several of Amelia Island accommodations are available with a “Free Night, Any Night” deal, allowing visitors a Free Night with a minimum three- or four-night stay.

www.ameliaisland.com/freewww.ameliaisland.com/free.

Wild Webcam

 Take a peek at the watering hole and salt lick at The Ark in Kenya's Aberdare National Park. Last time I checked http://www.thearkkenya.com/live-webcam-feed, six Cape Buffalo were congregating within sight of the live video cams.

Fair waring: It's addictive.