The premise behind the TOMS Shoes is simple: An everyday choice such as buying a pair of shoes can lead to something significant, something meaningful that can make a difference in someone’s life. “One for One” is the model used since the company’s inception in 2006, when owner Blake Mycoskie realized on one of his many travels that thousands of children in South America were lacking the basic necessity of shoes. He set out to make a difference and the rest is history. TOMS Shoes “One for One” campaign has led to the donation of more than one million new shoes throughout the world. The Toms shoes one for one movement is an amazing concept and we at Atlas are supporting Toms.

Mycoskie’s inspirational goal has, in turn, led to a strong support from customers who don’t have to do much to contribute to the movement, other than purchase a pair of TOMS Shoes. Better yet, TOMS Shoes comfortable and casual styles make them a must have for anyone, people of all ages and all sizes. TOMS gives in over twenty countries throughout the world. When shoes are given, thought goes into what is appropriate for the children’s needs. Thicker soles or weather resistant materials may be needed. Colors that match school uniforms may be used.

In 2006, American Blake Mycoskie was traveling in Argentina and noticed many children without the protection of shoes. He was moved by the experience and wondered how he could help. So when he returned home he started the company TOMS shoes. The idea was that for every pair of shoes sold, one would be donated to a child in need. After the first year in business, Blake returned to Argentina with 10,000 pairs of shoes to give away. As word spread, more people wanted to be involved in this mission. In 2008 a group of college students organized the first day without shoes. Only two short years later, there were more than 250,000 people participating. Over 1,600 communities had organized events.

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. The terrain is rugged and dangerous and whether they are outside playing or walking to school these children are at risk or getting soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. So man children are not even able to attend school because shoes are required with the school uniform. But, thanks to TOMS the lives of many children are changing thanks to the One For One Movement.

If you are traveling in the spring and summer months then you really should do yourself and favor and try a pair of TOMS Shoes. I wore them all throughout my trip to Barcelona and Madrid last summer! Then recently discovered that they carry TOMS Shoes at a local store but decided to use TOMS Coupons to save a few bucks. Atlas supports TOMS shoes and hope to spread the word so that more children can lead a healthier,safer and happier life in these poor nations by getting a pair of shoes.

For More information and to find the latest TOMS Coupons visit, (http://www.shopaholicmommy.com/toms-shoes-coupon-code/toms-shoes/) the best source for TOMS Shoes online coupons.

To step aboard the Disney Dream is to be instantly transported to an age of adventure and wonder, where elegance and sophistication mingle with Disney storytelling and whimsy. Inside is an attention to detail one would only expect from Disney. Lavish decorative murals mingle with sparkling fixtures and furnishings. Original paintings, statues and woodwork envelop Guests in a radiant Art Deco ambiance that is both rich and distinctive. And wondrously themed venues—including charming youth activity clubs, resplendent restaurants, intimate lounges and stunning theatre spaces—transport Guests of all ages to faraway places where memory and magic come together.

Today Disney released more details on some of the ship’s venues.

Enhanced Adult only area:  Luxuriate in a calming environment in this sparkling-blue pool that is a great place for adults to cool off and mingle with other grownups, while away from the kids.  This area will feature a 4 ft. deep main pool and connecting bar. A live, mucical duo will be poolside performing relaxing and soothing music. Poolside massages will be available.

Nemo’s Reef water park:   The 1,500-square-foot venue features character figures from the hit film that move and spray water in a variety of unique ways including fountains, sprayers and bubblers.  It will be on deck 11 mid-ship and will be surrounded by a glass enclosure.  Deck chairs are adjacent to the area so that parents can keep an eye on their children if they’d like.

Goofy Sports Deck: Open to all ages this area will offer miniature golf with 9 interactive holes, sports simulators for soccer, golf, tennis and basketball, as well as a sport court for mini-soccer, volleyball court or basketball.

We are particularly excited about the new economy skycouch and premium economy spaceseat.  The concept of the sky couch is for a couple to purchase all three seats in a row. The leg rests come all the way up to extend the width of the seat, allowing two people to lie down side by side.  A thin mattress is place on top of the seats and a full size pillow is provided. The length is only 5 feet across so you may not be able to stretch out completely, but keep in mind this is economy class – big difference from only being able to tilt your seat back.  Couples  or families would pay regular price for the first two seats, and then 1/2 price for the 3rd seat. Prices begin around $1,400 for that extra seat.  There will 22 Skycouches in the first 11 rows of economy class.

You can’t book until April, so I researched some prices base on travel this June from LAX to Auckland, and found that the same trip in economy class for 2 people purchasing the middle seat would be around  $7,800. A flight in premium economy would be around $12,000 for two, but keep in mind that the seats only recline, not completely flat like you would be able to do with the new economy seats. Business class, where your seat would lie flat, was close to $10,000 per person. So for the traveler that normally books premium economy or above, this is a more affordable option.

When will all these upgrades be available?  On the new 777-300ER’s that begin service in November, 2010 between Auckland and Los Angeles.  Upgrades to their current 777-200 aircrafts will begin in 2011. You can begin booking these Skycouches in April of this year.

Start exploring an Australia and New Zealand vacation today.

Planning a trip to Italy this year?

Consider this amazing Globus tour: Italian Treasures.

This Italy vacation includes Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as overnight stays in Lucca and St. Francis’ Assisi. All major sights are included, such as St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum in Rome, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, St. Mark’s, Doges’ Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice (which you enter by private boat), and St. Francis’ Basilica and St. Clare’s Church in Assisi. Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rome, a stop at Pisa’s Leaning Tower, walking tours of Lucca and Siena, and time in picturesque San Gimignano, at Verrazzano Castle to learn about the famous Chianti wine, and in Romeo & Juliet’s Verona. Also travel along the stunning coastline to Ravenna, admire the mosaics in the 6th-century Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe, and stop in Orvieto for a funicular ride right through its ramparts!

Learn more about Globus tours or browse more Italy tours

Ingedients:

1 cup heavy cream
18 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped, plus 2 ounces chopped separately
grated zest of 1/2 orange, blanched
juice of half orange
1 cup Grand Marnier
1/3 cup unsalted butter
unsweetened cocoa powder for coating
(makes 2 1/2 dozen truffles)

Chef’s notes The truffle mixture can be prepared one day in advance and formed the day of serving.

Preparation in a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Add the 18 ounces chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Add the blanched zest, juice, Grand Marnier, and butter and stir until thoroughly mixed. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Remove the truffle mixture from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

In a double-boiler, melt the reserved 2 ounces chopped chocolate over barely simmering water, stirring until smooth.

Form teaspoonfuls of the truffle mixture into one-inch-diameter balls. Using a wooden skewer, dip the truffles into the melter chocolate. Roll in the cocoa powder. Repeat to dip and coat the remaining truffles. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Enjoy!

You’ve shared his every adventure from printed page to the silver screen. Now you can join Harry Potter and his friends as you venture into a world where magic is real…and excitement knows no bounds.  It’s all at the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter to be revealed in Spring 2010 at Universal Studios Orlando in the Islands of Adventure park.  Pass through Hogwarts castle gates and explore the familiar passageways, classrooms and corridors.

New Rides/Attractions

Experience new pulse-pounding rides.  On Dragon Challenge, you’ll need the courage of a Triwizard Tournament champion as you climb aboard one of two ferocious dragons that twist, loop and nearly collide in a high-speed, intertwining rollercoaster chase across the sky.  Each side provides a completely different ride.   On Flight of the Hippogriff, take off on a family friendly coaster that spirals and drives around the pumpkin patch and past Hagrid’s hut.   Last but not least, on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, experience a state of the art attraction that brings the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before imagined.  Make your way through the classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts.  Then soar above the castle grounds on a groundbreaking new ride that lets you join Harry Potter and his friends on an unforgettably thrilling adventure.

Food & Drink:

Sample fare from the wizarding world’s best known establishments.  Dine at Three Broomsticks where you can choose from fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, soup, salads and tasty desserts.  At Hog’s Head, enjoy Butterbeer, pumpkin juice and other beverages while adults can also choose from a selection of domestic and imported beers, specialty drinks, wine, spirits and mixed drinks.  Visit the legendary Honeydukes for sweets including Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, exploding bonbons, treacle fudge, Chocolate Frogs and more.

Shopping:

Shop for magical supplies and wizarding  equipment at Dervish and Banges. Browse confiscated items and purchase Hogwarts and Quidditch clothing, movie prop replicas, magical created toys and more at Flich’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.  In Ollivanders, step inside the small dusty shop where a Wandkeeper will help the wand choose YOU.  Try different wands with unpredictable results in this interactive experience.  Send letters with a Bogsmeade postmark from the Owl Post or visit Zonko’s Joke Shop where you can browse a selection of novelty items and toys including Sneakoscope, Extendable Ears and more.

Keep in mind when you book a vacation package, some packages ensure you will have Early Park Admission to experience all the magic and excitement of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Universal’s Islands of Adventure will open an hour early each day so guests can enjoy all three rides before the general publc…this can save you hours in line.  Call us for details.

• Keukenhof Spring Gardens, Netherlands – Open from March 18th -May 16th to view the stunning displays of Dutch Tulips. Each year hundreds of thousands of people visit this magical garden from all over the world. A river cruise is a great way to see the tulips.  Mark your calendars! In 2012 the Netherlands will be hosting their Floriade, an International exhibition of flowers and gardening, held only once every 10 years.
• The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Florida – is filled with a colorful array of flowers, gardens, topiaries, and educational events. Guests of all ages will enjoy the beauty of millions of blooming flowers. On the weekends, you can learn helpful gardening tips and see demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world.
• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, CA – Starting March 1 through the end of May, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The park is open from sunrise to sunset for the best Poppy viewing.
• Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, Canada – Open year round, these gardens offer 5 seasons, The spring flower season is from March 21st – June 14th and displays a spectacular variety of bulbs in bloom.  Several Canada tours and Alaska cruises include Vancouver Island.
• Huntington Gardens, Pasedena, CA – Covers 207 acres with more than 14,000 different varieties of plants showcased in more than a dozen principal garden areas.
• National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kauai Island, HI – Houses four gardens in Hawaii. The property on Kauai, the McBryde Garden in Lawai Valley, covers 252 acres and is home to the largest collection of native Hawaiian floras and many other plants from the tropical regions of the world.

Here are some of the best cruise deals I came across. Please note that rates are per person, based on double occupancy and DO include port charges and taxes.  Some prices start as low as $43 per day! Subject to availbility at the time of booking.

13 Night Transatlantic cruise from San Juan Puerto Rico to Barclona sailing May 2nd through May 15th onboard the Adventure of the Seas.  Inside guarantee cabins from $563.55 pp and ocean view guranteed from $913.55 pp

14 Night Eastbound Transatlantic from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Barclona sailing March 2oth through April 3rd, 2010 onboard the Splendour of the Seas Inside cabins from $606.56 pp; ocean view from $706.56 pp and balcony guarantees from $1,136.56 pp

14 Night Eastbound Transatlantic from Galveston to Bacrelona sailing April 18th-May 2nd, 2010 onboard the Voyager of the Seas.  Inside cabins from $641.16 pp; ocean view from $889.16 pp and balcony guarantees from $991.16 pp

14-day Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Southhampton April 11th-25th, 2010 onboard the Independence of the Seas.  Inside cabins from $691.88 pp; ocean view from $885.88 pp and balcony guarantees from $1,481.76 pp

14-day Transatalantic from New York to Venice April 10th-24th onboard the Norwegian Gem. Inside cabins from $789.34 pp; ocean view from $979.34 pp and balcony guarantees from $1,249.34 pp

Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will be “re-themed” with the ESPN brand, providing guests with an immersive ESPN experience that will be unique to the complex.

New dining experiences are underway for Epcot.  In Italy, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria will open in the fall.   The casual pizzeria will feature wood-burning ovens – and use water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. In Mexico, the popular Cantina de San Angel is expending to offer 400 seats al fresco for lunch.

A luxury pet resort will open later this year offering doggy day camp, nature walks and playgroups, as well as pampering services for pets while you enjoy the parks.  The hotel will be operated by Best Friends Pet Care.

Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion to be completed by 2012:  The largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom will vastly increase the size of Fantasyland. Guests will be able to: