I’m a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars and often fantasize about being on the show and winning first place.  Dance was my first love, and at one time I thought I’d be a Broadway dancer like Liza Minnelli or Debbie Allen.  Though journalism eventually stole my heart, I still love to dance.

In fact, many of my travels have included dance lessons:  I learned to tango in Buenos Aires, meringue in the Dominican Republic, Raggae in Jamaica, and belly dance right here in Atlanta.  If you love dance as much as I do, you may want to try out a “dance vacation.” (Photo: Betty & David, Salsa Retreat)

Dance vacations are becoming popular all over the world through special tours, resorts, and cruises.  Here are a select few to check out:

• You can literally dance with the stars on the new Cruising With The Stars,  a dance-focused fan cruise that launches in June from Los Angeles, for a 7-day excursion to the Mexican Riviera on Carnival Cruise Lines.
• Dance Fun Cruises has salsa cruises headed for the Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera in October.
• Becka Tango Tours offers customized tours with daily tango lessons at your hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Salsa Retreat offers salsa vacations and workshops in Oaxaca, Mexico.
• Move to the rhythms of the drum at One World Dance & Drum’s African Dance and Drum Retreat near Seattle in May.  Or visit the African Drum and Dance Festival in San Francisco in November.
• And finally, bring your sexy back at X Burlesque University, where burlesque choreography is taught by the women featured in “X” Burlesque at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

So gather your girlfriends – or your sweetheart – and dance your cares away on a dance vacation.  It’s great for your mind, body and spirit.  I’m adding Cruising With the Stars and X Burlesque University to my Bucket List!  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain.

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Many women at 40 and beyond are getting married for both the first and second time.   Second weddings can be smaller and more intimate, so smaller hotels are a perfect setting.  If you’re planning a spring or summer wedding and looking for a smaller setting, here’s a location to consider. In Jacksonville, Florida; the 23-room Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant is a popular choice for an intimate and romantic wedding, right on the beach. (photo: Just Married, The Casa Marina – Kalin Thomas)

The Casa Marina  is a member of the exclusive Historic Hotels of America, and is the only historic hotel in Florida that sits right on the beach.  It opened in 1924 during Florida’s first land boom, when Hollywood royalty lounged on Jacksonville Beach.

Today, the restored hotel is extremely popular for beach weddings because of its great location, and the supreme personal service of its wedding staff.   If you’re planning a wedding here, you can rest easy that the staff will take care of everything from the ceremony to the reception meal.

The beautiful beach makes for a wonderful romantic setting, especially at sunset.  Casa Marina is also a great place to stay for your honeymoon.  Enjoy the delicious Sunday Brunch in the hotel’s restaurant.  Or enjoy live music and cocktails in the rooftop Penthouse Lounge, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

If you’d like to go off property, it’s just a three-minute walk to the Pier Restaurant and Sandbar , for a romantic dinner on the beach.  Just a short drive away, you can stroll the shops and restaurants at Jacksonville Landing ; or take a romantic horseback ride along nearby Ameila Island.

This is a good time to visit the Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant during its “Fall in Love Package,” which includes chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne, along with a standard deluxe room for $99, or a two-room parlor suite for $129.   For more information, contact Catering Director Rebekah Blakely at 904-270-0025, or visit www.casamarinahotel.com.

And here’s an extra tip:  Check out this book for inspiration from women who married after age 40: Getting Married After 40: Advice & Inspiration from 100 Women Who Found Good Men & Happy Marriages

And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Some of the advantages of renting a vacation home include:  more bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen, more economical for parties of 3 or more, more privacy than a hotel, and most have all the comforts of home — and then some.

I recently celebrated my birthday with girlfriends at a St. Simons Island vacation rental and had a great time.  The four-bedroom, 4 ½ -bath home  was yards from the beach; had its own pool; provided four bicycles and an electric car; had a large and well-stocked kitchen with digital appliances, where we had a wonderful time bonding while preparing meals;  had a screened-in back porch and a wraparound front porch with rocking chairs.  The owner even welcomed us with two bottles of wine.  It was fabulous!  I plan to rent that house again, and am now open to renting homes more often.

Here are a few sites that specialize in vacation rentals:

• http://www.vrbo.com/

•  http://www.hodnettcooper.com/

• http://www.homeaway.com/

• http://www.vacationrentals.com/

So as you plan your travels for 2012, consider booking a vacation rental.  You might find it’s the perfect option for a girlfriend getaway, a romantic weekend, or even a family reunion.  It’s also a great way to celebrate turning 40!  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain (Photo: Washington DC Vacation Home Rental)

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

New York (Eastern Time)

Celebrate at Ground Zero in New York’s Times Square for a $600 package that includes hotel accommodations, free admission to the Empire State Building Observation Deck , water taxi around the Statue of Liberty,  and shopping discounts at Macy’s and Bloomy’s.

New Orleans (Central Time)

This home of Mardis Gras knows how to party.  So for one of the best locations for French Quarter partying and a rooftop view of the fireworks, stay at the Omni Royal Orleans hotel.  Currently room rates are $299 per night for a New Year’s weekend stay.  For more information on New Orleans New Year’s fun, click here.

Phoenix (Mountain Time)

At the Hyatt Regency, $189 per night let’s you enjoy a New Year’s Eve party with free champagne, and a breakfast buffet the next morning.  And if you’re just getting back to your room at 5am, no worries – you get a 2pm late checkout.

Las Vegas (Pacific Time)

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  So get your party on at the MGM Grand, where you can celebrate New Years on The Strip.  Various packages include a $1400 New Years Wedding Package, Cirque du Soliel at Ka Theatre for $69 to $180, and a dance party at Studio 54 for $150.

And if you wake up with a hangover the next morning, you may wonder  how in the world this outrageous celebration got started.  Check out this site for the history of the holiday, and all things Times Square.  I’d love to hear about your favorite New Year’s Eve destination.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

• New York – Bergdorf’s, Barney’s, Tiffany’s, and my favorite for “orgasmic” deals, Century 21.  Let’s face it:  New York is the CAPITAL of shopping.   You have to make a pilgrimage at least once!
• Chicago – Michigan Avenue. Sadly historic Marshall Fields – which had a wonderful shopper’s tour — is gone, but there’s still plenty of shopping to be had on Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile”.
• Minneapolis – The 520-store Mall of America.  This place blew me away! It’s like Disney for shoppers!  You can even get married at the mall!
• Los Angeles – Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.   Where the stars shop!  But one of my best shopping finds is It’s a Wrap in Burbank,  a thrift shop that exclusively sells clothes worn by TV and film stars.  The tags even have the name of the celebrity who wore the couture, or the TV show/film where the wardrobe was worn!
• Sunrise, Florida – When I visit Fort Lauderdale I make a stop by the  country’s largest outlet, value retail and entertainment center, Sawgrass Mills.  It’s one of several shopping destinations that plan to open 10pm today and stay open for 24 hours.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get your holiday shopping done, check out Shopping America Tours http://www.shopamericatours.com/ for shopping, dining and cultural tours in 40 U.S. cities.  It makes for a great girlfriend getaway or 40^th birthday trip.  To find out what’s new in shopping tourism, travel to the One Travel Conference in Orlando, January 15-17.

Finally for those of you who plan to go straight from dinner to discounts – check out this site for the latest Black Friday deals. What you save on prices,  I’ll be saving in sleep time! Shop ‘til you drop and tell me about your favorite shopping destinations!

And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

One of the most accessible destinations in the United States is the capital — Washington, D.C.  The pedestrian-friendly city has very well-established and well-maintained curb cuts for wheelchairs throughout the tourist areas, a very accessible subway system, and the Smithsonian Museum complex has sign interpreters for the hearing impaired.

Even theme parks like Walt Disney World are becoming more and more accessible to travelers with disabilities.  Last year, the first theme park designed specifically for travelers with disabilities opened in San Antonio, Texas.  Morgan’s Wonderland caters to mental and physically challenged tourists, but has rides and attractions for people of all ability levels.  It even has swings that accommodate wheelchairs.

Airports and Amtrak are also more accessible to passengers, and even have web pages with specific information for travelers with disabilities; for example this page from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport – one of the busiest airports in the world.

Hotels and cruise ships are leading the way with accessibility, with amenities like:  room entrances wide enough for wheelchairs, bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs, acceptance of guide dogs, closed captioning on televisions, assisted listening headsets, telecommunication devices (TTD), materials printed in Braille or large text, blinking lights on doors and phones for the hearing impaired, grab bars in tubs/showers, and Braille letters and numbers on doors and elevators.

Here are a few websites that cater to travelers with disabilities:

www.travelinwheels.com

www.disabledtravelers.com

www.access-able.com

www.gimponthego.com

www.abilitytrip.com

www.handicappedtravelclub.com

www.deaftravelclub.com

www.accessibledestinations.com

www.abletotravel.org

www.newmobility.com

Got any stories about your experiences as a physically challenged traveler?  Please share them with us.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Start out at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center for a one-hour Historic Downtown Walking Tour, to learn about the history of the city.  For a more extensive workout, take a walk along the 14-mile Seminole Wekiva Trail which will take you through parks, recreation, and retail areas.

To get a bird’s eye view of Sanford’s wildlife, head over to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and zip through the trees on Zoom Air, with 100 tree-top challenges and zip lines for the whole family.

All of that action will work up a healthy appetite for lunch; and Shula’s 347 Grill has just the ticket.   Named for the coach with the most wins in NFL history, the restaurant is known for its steaks, seafood and desserts.  Don’t leave without ordering the Key Lime pie.

To see the natural beauty of Sanford, head to Wekiwa Springs State Park for a leisurely canoe trip down the Wekiva River.  Here you’ll see wildlife living among the beautiful cypress trees such as: egrets, herons, American bald eagles, and alligators.

For a more adventurous look at alligators, jump on Central Florida Airboat Tours.  Captain Bruce Fryer gives an entertaining, high-speed tour of the marsh area with an abundance of up-close gator sightings.

And if you’re game for something gamey, try a snack of fried alligator tails at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar and Grill, at the end of your tour.  They don’t taste like chicken, but they’re pretty tasty – just don’t let the gators see you eating them.

It’s been a long day, but the action isn’t over yet.  Head back to your hotel to get cleaned up for dinner.  The Courtyard by Marriott Orlando/Lake Mary provides free wifi, a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour refreshment bar, and a big screen monitor in the lobby with updated flight and tourist information.  Enjoy a glass of wine at the Bistro’s happy hour before heading to dinner at sea.

More of Sanford’s natural beauty unfolds along the St. John’s river, aboard the Rivership Romance.  Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise and a perfect sunset.

Sanford, Seminole County is the perfect getaway for travelers who want a break from Florida’s theme parks.  For more information, go to www.visitseminole.com.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

Travelers can find deals as low as $50 per night at destinations like Myrtle Beach, which was named #1 Best U.S. Beach by Trip Advisor.   South Carolina’s most popular beach gets about 14-million visitors a year.  It’s also known as the golf capital of the U.S., with 102 golf courses and 32 miniature golf courses.  Myrtle Beach has hundreds of hotels, but I suggest staying a few miles north along Highway 17, at the less congested North Myrtle Beach.

One popular spot here is the Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation.  Every suite has its own balcony with a view of the beach. Start getting into relaxation mode with a yoga session on the beach.  The hotel offers this for free on Friday mornings.  Then enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet, including omelets and waffles.

Throw on your bathing suit and straw hat and head back to the beach for sun and fun, or hit the links at the Arcadian Shores Golf Course.  At the Splash! Pool Complex, enjoy live music or participate in games like “TV Theme Songs Trivia.”  Have a lunch at Splash Cafe.

Of course, no vacation is full without a little bit of shopping, so hop on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to the nearby Tanger Outlets.  When you first arrive, head to the visitors’ center for your free coupon book for deals at stores like Jones New York, Talbots, and Old Navy.

The shuttle also takes you to more discounts at nearby Marshalls and Ross.   There’s also a Super Walmart, if you want to bring groceries back to the hotel – your suite has a mini fridge and microwave.  Tip:  If you stay a minimum of two nights at the Embassy Suites, you’ll get a $40 Walmart gas card.

Back at the hotel, freshen up and head to the Nightwatch Lounge for the manager’s reception.  This is a great way to kick off your evening with free drinks and a view of the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean.   For dinner and entertainment on property, enjoy a good steak at Omaha Steakhouse, and laugh your cares away with live stand-up at the Comedy Zone.  If you want even more action, head 10 minutes north on Highway 17 to the shopping and entertainment complex, Barefoot Landing.

There’s nothing like good seafood on a beach vacation, so visit Joe’s Crab Shack at Barefoot Landing for succulent steamed crab legs and other seafood dishes.  Then walk just a few yards across the way to the House of Blues  for live music and dancing.

The next day, get your dancing legs massaged at the Embassy Suites Royal Day Spa; then start your beach, shopping, dining and dancing all over again.  Myrtle Beach is a great getaway to celebrate your 40^th birthday, or just to celebrate the deals during “shoulder season.”  For packages and coupons, visit http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

###

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

One of my favorite literary tours is Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil in Savannah, Georgia. I took the tour in the 90’s a few years after the non-fiction book came out. The bus drove us by Mercer House were the real-life murder happened, to restaurants where the characters hung out, and to Club One where real-life character, The Lady Chablis, entertained us with her drag show. I even got her and other real-life characters to sign my book.

Before the book Eat Pray Love even became a movie, tours were already being formed in Italy, Bali, and India for lovers of the book. And by the time the movie came out, travelers were flocking to those countries.

Another part of literary tours is visiting the homes of famous writers, like Mark Twain. There are even entire festivals to honor writers like Ernest Hemingway and Zora Neal Hurston .

Here are just a few destinations and hotels where you can travel by the book:

• Harry Potter tours — tours of London, Oxford and Scotland.
• Under the Tuscan Sun — biking tours of the Tuscany region of Italy highlighted in the book.
• Lynott Tours — literary tours of English authors such as JK Rowling, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare.
• Lord of the Rings Tours
• Hobbit Motels – Lord of the Rings themed motels in Woodland Park, New Zealand
• Pavillon des Lettres – Paris hotel pays homage to 25 international authors, including Voltaire.

So if you’re thinking of a unique way to celebrate your 40^th birthday, why not try a literary tour. And remember: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.

So you won’t get dubbed “The Ugly American,” I’ll provide a few tips throughout the year on cultural etiquette in international destinations.  We’ll start with Japan…

I love Japanese culture – especially their emphasis on spirituality.  But I had a bit to learn about their cultural etiquette while reporting on tourism in Tokyo.  I noticed that the Japanese were always speaking to the male members of my crew instead of to me.  I was the only black member of the crew, so I thought it was my race.  But then I found that in the Japanese culture women always defer to the men in the group. It’s customary to bow when you greet people.  And if you’re doing business, you should also present your business card to the person – always with both hands.

When invited to someone’s home, it’s customary to take your shoes off  before walking into the house.  And when you sit on the floor to eat, be sure not to point the soles of your feet at anyone – it’s considered offensive.  When eating, it’s OK to share your food with others, but now with the end of the chopsticks that you’ve already eaten with.  And never,    ever blow your nose at the table! Here’s a surprising tip – it’s OK to loudly slurp your soup.  It’s an accepted practice to show the chef you’re enjoying the meal.  Boy did I have fun with that one!

As Japan’s Tohoku region continues to rebuild after the recent earthquakes and Tsunamis, the country’s tourism board says places outside of that area are still safe to visit.  To help promote tourism, the first “Been There Done That – Japan Checklist was produced last month to give travelers 27 unique lists of things to do and see in the country.   The book can be bought on Amazon, and part of the proceeds will go to the rebuilding of the Japan’s Tohoku region. A final thought on etiquette — learning just a few words of Japanese like “good morning, “please,” and “thank you” will get you major brownie points with the locals.  And remember:  “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness” – Mark Twain.