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Game of Thrones final season is here! See where it all began in Malta

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As Game of Thrones approaches its final season, set to premiere on April 14, 2019, it’s a good time for die-hard fans to take a look at the first location where it all started, Malta. Often referred to as “the hidden gem of the Mediterranean,” Malta is not so hidden when it comes to Hollywood and if you’re a Game of Thrones fan you will remember that most of season one was filmed there.

 

The quest for power between the Houses of Stark, Baratheon, Lannister and Targaryen all started on the island of Malta. Malta offers tours to join local actors who took part in Season One of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones as they unravel the secrets and adventures of your favorite characters including Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Joffrey Baratheon and Cersei Lannister.

 

Step back in time as you travel to idyllic locations such as those used in the first season including the gardens of Kings Landing, the Red Waste, the Tower of the Hand, the Stables, Maegor’s Holdfast, the Red Keep, Cobblers Square, The Street of Steel, Baelish Brothels (ext), Coppersmith’s Wynd, King’s Gate, King’s Square, and the village of Lhazar (when accessible).

 

The Maltese Islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino – have been home to Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, U-571, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy, Munich, Popeye, the movie set abandoned in 1980 which remains a huge tourist attraction in Malta, as well as prestigious dramas and sitcoms such as the BBC’s Byron and ITV’s Coronation Street to name a few. The island’s beautiful, unspoiled coastlines and breathtaking architecture have ‘doubled’ for an amazing variety of locations on the big and small screens – from ancient Rome to 19th-century Marseille and 1960’s Beirut. Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Guy Ritchie and other renowned directors, as well as a host of A-list celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Sean Connery, all experienced Malta’s movie making facilities and its many charms.

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. www.visitmalta.com

Travel News | eTurboNews

Do Millennials want “the Grands” along when they travel?

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It’s no surprise that Millennials love to “do it for the ‘gram.” But when it comes to travel buddies, it’s Millennials’ desire to travel with Grandpa and Grandma that may surprise you.

According to a new survey from Visit Anaheim, the official destination organization for Anaheim, multigenerational vacations are top-of-mind with travelers when it comes to reliving memories, while also creating new ones, with the next generation. The survey, conducted by OnePoll for Visit Anaheim, polled a sample of 1,000 Americans and found that Millennial respondents (aged 25-34) lead the category when it comes to wanting more multigenerational trips, coming in at a whopping 83 percent.

“While Visit Anaheim knew that families loved reliving childhood experiences by having grandparents tag along on vacation, we were surprised by the enthusiasm that the Millennial survey respondents had for this ‘Grandtravel’ trend,” said Jay Burress, president & CEO of Visit Anaheim. “Millennials often have a close relationship with their parents and are now becoming parents themselves. The Baby Boomer grandparents are incredibly active, so they can easily keep up with the grandkids. Additionally, as many smart parents have figured out, having Grandpa and Grandma around means Mom and Dad can escape to check out the local nightlife or less kid-friendly attractions, knowing the kids are in great hands.”

In fact, two thirds (66 percent) of respondents have traveled with three or more generations of their family, making vacations with grandparents, their adult children, and grandchildren, a travel trend with no signs of slowing down. In fact, the majority plan on taking more extended family trips.

Nostalgia is one of the main reasons the trend keeps growing. Many parents and grandparents love reliving memories. The majority (56 percent) “strongly agree” that multigenerational trips are more special when visiting somewhere their parents or grandparents have been before and 53 percent report being “very happy” when they take trips to places they’ve previously been with their parents or children.

VISIT ANAHEIM’S GRANDTRAVEL CONTEST

With Spring vacation around the corner and Summer vacation planning in the works, Visit Anaheim is kicking off their first-ever Grandtravel contest. One lucky family of six will win an Anaheim vacation, including accommodations at Great Wolf Lodge and tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm – perfect for a family of four, plus two grandparents. Contest starts Tuesday, March 26, 2019 and ends Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Enter to win here. Find rules and regulations available here.

Actress, activist and mom to four kids, Holly Robinson Peete, is helping to kick-off the contest by encouraging families to take Grandma and Grandpa along for the vacation fun.

“Anyone who watches us on ‘Meet the Peetes’ knows that my mom is a big part of our lives – and that includes vacation time,” said Robinson Peete. “Whether it’s a girls weekend in New York City visiting my daughter, Ryan, or escaping for a quick staycation to somewhere fun like Anaheim, having grandma along for the journey is something the entire family looks forward to every chance we get.”

Additional Survey Highlights

Other noteworthy Visit Anaheim survey results include:

  • LET’S HIT THE ROAD – Multigenerational trips are most likely to be either a road trip (69 percent), traveling to see family (67 percent), or a flight to a major destination (48 percent)
  • PARENTAL PLANNERS – When planning a multigenerational (grandparents, parents, kids) trip, parents are most likely to choose the flights (46 percent), set the dates (38 percent), pick the hotels/lodging (44 percent) and pay for the trip (41 percent)
  • GRANDPARENT TRAVEL PERKS – Top benefits of traveling with three generations are:
    • Allows bonding time/memories to be built between grandparents and grandchildren (67 percent)
    • Spending more quality time together (65 percent)

Though packing up the minivan with three generations can be fun, over half of the respondents (51 percent) have taken a trip where Grandpa and Grandma took the grandkids on vacation – sans their adult children. Many wanted one-on-one time with their grandchild(ren)/grandparent(s) (48 percent), others celebrated a special event or milestone (45 percent), and some believed it created a different dynamic when parents are not there (41 percent).

“Getting to spend time with your grandkids is always special, but being able to vacation with them is truly a treat,” said Dolores Robinson, Holly Robinson Peete’s mom. “My grandkids affectionately call me everything from ‘Gorgeous’ to ‘G-Money.’ It’s because we’ve carved out time to create memories that we have such a close bond. Visit Anaheim’s survey is proof that families love to travel with grandparents. And I love that they’re giving a family a chance to win a vacation to Anaheim – including spots for Grandma and Grandpa. How fun!”

Fans can watch Holly, grandma Dolores, Holly’s husband – NFL veteran quarterback Rodney Peete, and their four kids, embark on their newest adventures on season two of “Meet the Peetes,” which debuted on the Hallmark Channel in late February and airs Monday at 10 p.m./9 Central.

For more information on Anaheim and to begin planning a memorable family-friendly vacation, please visit: visitanaheim.org

Travel News | eTurboNews

Americans Gain Easier & Expanded Access to Premium Dutch Cheeses

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Cheese-loving turophiles and wine-loving oenophiles can rejoice amid the recent announcement that global dairy giant Dutch Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., among the largest dairy companies in the world, has acquired U.S. based importer and marketer Jana Foods. While this development is certainly a boon for both companies and represents forward momentum of FrieslandCampina’s reported investment growth strategy, Americans, themselves, will also realize a tasty gain. This as the deal allows FrieslandCampina to avail a greater breadth of its cheese products to consumers in the region.

American’s will realize great benefits from the deal, vis a vis enhanced access to FrieslandCampina’s portfolio of products that cover a wide range of specialty imported Dutch cheeses. This includes mild, aged and smoked Gouda, Edam, Maasdam, Emmental and Goat Cheese. Its array of offerings are available in a variety of formats from wheels, loaves and wedges to slices, snacks and shaved. Courtesy of Jana Foods, FrieslandCampina specialty cheeses can be found across the United States in the deli section of supermarkets, club stores and mass merchandisers.

Amid the excitement of the acquisition, FrieslandCampina also aptly announced the debut of its new product line Frico Cheese—a suite of four imported Dutch varieties. This includes a Gouda Snack in convenient 20 gram portions packed eight to a bag; a shaved Goat Cheese in a 5-ounce cup; a line of Cheese Slices in easy peel and re-seal packaging (also featured in display-ready cases for easy merchandising); a line of Cheese Loaves featuring Gouda, Maasdam, Emmental, and Goat Cheese for behind-the-counter slicing; and a line of Cracker Cuts featuring cracker-sized Gouda, Mediterranean Herb and Goat Cheese.

This Frico Cheese product launch could not be more well timed amid the holidays—a period when demand for cheese products soar.  But, holidays aside, this new line represents FrieslandCampina’s publicly-stated intentions “to meet the growing consumer demand in cheeses” as well as the “needs of today’s consumer with superior products that cheese enthusiasts have called for.”

These eagerly anticipated new introductions join the existing line of Frico products, both in their traditional wheel-and-ball formats. No newcomer, Frico is a global brand in its own right with a rich history dating back to 1898. It’s long been revered for its top-quality, mouthwatering cheeses in over 90 countries around the globe. The company imparts that its unique Dutch cheeses originate in the open landscapes of Holland, all naturally ripened and crafted by experienced cheese-makers to provide the most authentic natural flavors.

All told, this FrieslandCampina-Jana Foods acquisition and Frico product line rollout will indubitably make this gal’s holidays “grate.”

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As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.


***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost or sponsored to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Photo Courtesy Royal FrieslandCampina

Garden Lites Celebrates Fresh Culinary Approach with Revamped Look and New Line

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Amid the imminent New Year as throngs will collectively commit to eating more nutritiously, whether as part of a weight-loss resolution endeavor or to enjoy a healthier lifestyle overall, one company—Garden Lites—has set its sights on helping folks achieve those goals—one tasty veggie at a time. This decidedly plant-forward firm is downright braggadocios about its brand purpose: “to make surprisingly delicious veggie-rich foods so people can incorporate more veggies into their diet.”

As a means toward this end, Garden Lites recently debuted its new breakfast category frittata line helping consumers easily add vegetables to their morning diet via low calorie, high protein, and highly flavorful prepared food options. The timely new line launch coincides with a brand refresh bolstering its unequivocal positioning on plant-based food preparation: overtly eschewing food science in favor of a culinary approach utilizing produce in its natural form to proffer “surprisingly delicious and nutritionally smart, vegetable-oriented foods.”

Sharon Palmer, an award-winning Registered Dietician Nutritionist and well-reputed expert on plant-powered food and nutrition, applauds Garden Lites’ focus on fitting vegetables into a range of products, highlighting that “the vegetables are identifiable and recognizable.”

“You can see carrots, broccoli and spinach, for example, in the products, and they fit into healthful categories of the diet,” Palmer said. “They provide ways to fit vegetables into all meal occasions, and they are vegetarian. [Garden Lites] have been open and honest from the beginning that their mission is to help people fit in more vegetables into their diets …”

Garden Lites’ vegetarian frittatas, available in Spinach Egg White and Veggie Bacon & Potato Frittata varieties (with the “bacon” made from Pinto Beans), are a noteworthy complement to the award-winning company’s other sweet and savory products, including their popular Superfood Veggie Cakes and Superfood Mac and Cheese. In fact, while the brand was already established in the breakfast space with items like veggie-packed muffins and waffle varieties, the frittata line launch is helping reinforce the company’s standing as an innovative leader in the frozen food category. Additionally to this newly introduced line being packed with non-altered veggies like spinach, red bell peppers and cauliflower, the frittatas are gluten, soy, peanut and tree nut free; non-GMO and kosher.

So certain are they of their vegetable-driven victuals resonating in today’s health-minded marketplace, Garden Lites’ new tag line “Veggies Made Great” is now prominently emblazoned in bright green on its product packaging. Plus, the new design also boldly highlights and asserts veggies as the No. 1 ingredient, furthering the company’s mandate of making scrumptious, veggie-laden frozen food something grocery consumers regularly seek out.

“This dynamic new Garden Lites packaging is a radical change sure to scream from the frozen food aisle as to why to purchase,” says Andy Reichgut, Garden Lites’ Executive Vice President.

Palmer also advocated Garden Lites brand refresh and approach to fitting into consumers’ daily lives, noting, “I like the clean packaging and that they focus on delicious, comfort food recipes, but in a more healthful version. So, basically, they are meeting consumers’ needs in a healthful way. They are good for the whole family, too. I appreciate that they use the slogan, ‘Veggies Made Great,’ which resonates with people. And it’s important to point out the prominence of ingredients and clean lists.”

Overall, the strong new branding undertaken by Garden Lites has given the company a fresher face and clear-cut mission, and the new frittata products—now available in Stop & Shop, Giant Landover, Publix and select Costco stores—are further energizing the lauded lineup.

When asked her opinion on what’s needed to help the food industry and consumer marketplace at large become more vegetable-centric, Palmer recommends creativity and transparency. “I think one strategy is to make food products that include a variety of whole plants, but in a global, interesting, delicious format,” she said. “Keep it real, where you can see all of those delicious plant foods right there in the open.” Recommendations that indubitably mesh with Garden Lites’ own efforts.

“Finding new ways to provide healthful whole plant foods in attractive formats will be successful,” Palmer added. “People want healthy, interesting, global, delicious, but they also want to be satisfied.”

Satisfied and satiated indeed.

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As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.


***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or sponsored at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Photo Courtesy of Garden Lites