NEW PACKAGES

• The Good Neighbors, Great Getaways program includes a number of value-added packages for residents of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.  The packages are valid through March 31, 2010 and can be found by visiting www.goodneighborgetaways.com.

• Make plans now.  Before you set sail from the Port of Charleston or after the ship’s anchor has lowered again in the Lowcountry, spend a night or two in the Charleston area. Area lodging providers make the stay extra enticing by offering special values to cruise-bound visitors like free parking, special rates or even door to dock transportation. www.charlestoncruisepackages.com

• Stay tuned for chances to rediscover the family vacation with the Charleston area’s popular contest. www.charlestonvacationgiveaway.com

NEW LINKS

• It may be the same URL, but it’s a whole new experience, resplendent with videos, interviews, photos, suitcase options and more.  Plan your trip on the re-designed Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau website: www.explorecharleston.com

• Three event venues have recently been unveiled under Lowcountry Park Venues.  The trifecta of Lowcountry atmosphere offers something for every bride, business associate and guest. The new website is now available: www.lowcountryparkvenues.com

NEW HONORS & AWARDS

• Charleston was lauded as the only US destination on Lonely Planet’s Top 10 list for 2010. www.lonelyplanet.com

• About.com listed The Dining Room at Woodlands as a Most Romantic restaurant in the Southeast.  www.woodlandsinn.com

• Social’s Brad Ball was the only Charlestonian to qualify for Regional Young Sommelier competition.  www.socialwinebar.com

• French Quarter Inn and Harbourview Inn have earned the top two spots in the United States Luxury Hotel category by TripAdvisor® in this year’s 2010 Travelers’ Choice® Awards. French Quarter Inn was also designated as the eighth Luxury Hotel in the world. www.charlestownehotels.com

• The Holiday Inn (Historic District) grabbed the number six spot on the Top 10 Family Hotels in the United States 2010 TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice® Awards. www.charlestonhotel.com

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

• Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, is introducing the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in May. Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston beginning May 18. www.carnival.com

• The BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates its fifth year. Guests to the festival can expect to find new events by land and sea. www.charlestonwineandfood.com

• Out of Hand, known for creating memorable events and signature styles, is expanding into a 10,000 square foot warehouse and doubling their inventory.  www.shopoutofhand.com

• Charleston visitors can now order Museum Mile theme passes online.  Options include Revolutionary Charleston, Charleston during the Civil War, African American Heritage and the Best of Charleston Architecture.  www.charlestonmuseummile.org/Tickets

NEW EVENTS

• Wild in the Kitchen at SEWE will be located on the lawn of the Gaillard Auditorium February 12-14.  Attendees will have a chance to experience many different culinary delights while watching live cooking demos from some of Charleston’s best chefs.  Visit www.sewe.com for times and chef schedules.

• Charleston Race Week is an annual premier regatta for inshore and offshore racing sailboats.  The 15^th edition of this event will be headquartered at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina  April 8-11. www.charlestonraceweek.com

• Tickets for the highly anticipated 2010 Charleston Fashion Week are now available.  The star-studded celebration of fashion will take place March 16-20.  www.charlestonfashionweek.com

• Gibbes Museum of Art welcomes world-renowned artist, Christo, for a presentation and dialogue on April 13. www.gibbesmuseum.org

• February’s First Fridays on Gallery Row on Historic Broad presents Blues on Broad.  February 5, from 6-8 p.m.  Fourteen different venues are participating, including COCO VIVO Fine Art and Interior Design, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, the Edward Dare Gallery and more. www.bluesbash.com

• The Charleston International Festival of Choirs, in conjunction with Music Contact International, will host the 2010 Massed Sing Festival Concert on April 24, at 7:00 p.m. at Citadel Square Baptist Church.  Choirs from across North America and Germany will perform.  Contact Jodi Breckenridge for more information. Jodi@music-contact.com

• The Charleston Art & Antiques Forum now has ticket packages on sale.  The forum will be held March 17-21 and will focus on a lecture series entitled E. Pluribus Unum: Thirteen Colonies, One New Nation. www.charlestonantiquesforum.org

• On February 18 the Charleston Museum will host a workshop titled “Sweetgrass Baskets: Hands-On History Workshop.” www.charlestonmuseum.org

• 20^th Annual Lowcountry Blues Bash to be held in venues all over the Charleston area February 5-16.  Twelve days, twenty-five venues, more than fifty acts and ninety shows.  www.bluesbash.com

• Author and art consultant Barbara Guggenheim will discuss the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of collecting art at an event titled How the Art World Works: New Twists on the World’s Second Oldest Profession on February 4 at the Gibbes Museum of Art. www.gibbesmuseum.org

NEW EXHIBITS

• Gibbes Museum of Art will soon be exhibiting Lure of the Lowcountry in the Main Gallery through April 18. This exhibition features sixteen large scale mixed-media photographs by artist John Folsom (American, b. 1967) selected from his series. www.gibbesmuseum.org

• March 20 the South Carolina Aquarium will add a rare ghost of the swamp, an albino alligator, to their exhibit collection.  www.scaquarium.org

• Plum Elements has In Her Nature on display through February 28.  The show explores a side by side comparison of expressions inspired by nature.  www.plumelements.com

NEW FOOD NEWS

• Wentworth Mansion’s Circa 1886 is offering a five-course dinner and a stay at the historic property with two special seatings for Valentine’s Day and month-long Sweetheart Packages for two.  www.wentworthmansion.com

• The MoonPie General Store will display the world’s first giant camouflage MoonPie during the Southeastern Wildlife Expo February 12-14.  www.moonpie.com

• Home Team BBQ now has two locations serving up weekly specials.  The original in West Ashley and the newer locale at 2209 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island.  www.hometeambbq.com

• Blossom is launching a $9 lunch menu showcasing both variety and value. www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com

• McCrady’s is offering romantic options for Valentine’s Day.  Chose from five- or three-course menus.  www.mccradysrestaurant.com

• Hall’s Chophouse introduces ala carte brunch on Sundays starting Feb. 7th. Full bar available and entertainment every Sunday 10:30 am – 2 pm.  www.hallschophouse.com

NEW TOURS

• 10^th Annual Kiawah Island Art and House Tour will be held April 9 to benefit the Gibbes Museum of Art.  Six stunning Kiawah Island homes that showcase spectacular art collections and dramatic views will give touring guests a myriad of visual experiences.  www.gibbesmuseum.org/events

• Sea and Save at the South Carolina Aquarium will grant all South Carolina residents child-admission rates, a savings of $7.00.  Additionally, penguin feedings can be viewed at regular times each day beginning in February.  Find out about these and other aquarium offerings at www.scaquarium.org.

• Bulldog Tours has partnered with the Junior League of Charleston to offer the exciting and educational interactive walking tour called Joseph’s Charleston Adventure, based on a picture book of a boy who happens upon a lost dog in Charleston and their ensuing adventures.  www.josephscharlestonadventure.com

• Black Cat Tours announces their 2^nd Annual Free Weekend taking place February 12-14. Authors and tour guides Mark Jones and Rebel Sinclair are proud to offer this opportunity for locals and visitors to discover the rich history of Charleston at no cost. The free walking tours are being offered for three days on a first-come, first served basis. www.blackcattours.com
• Drayton Hall unveils ‘Family Fun First Saturdays’ – an interactive program ideal for families with children ages 6-12.  The first Saturday of every month in February and May will offer hands-on learning opportunities about the workings of a colonial plantation and household.  www.draytonhall.org

NEW PROGRAMS

• The South Carolina Maritime Foundation is hosting a sponsorship drive to support the Spirit Ocean Adventure Scholarship Fund.  Purchase a ticket to be entered to win a sail for 18 people aboard the Spirit of South Carolina for three days and two nights.  www.scmaritime.org

• For Aisle Style the Charleston way, check out the Charleston Museum’s offerings: Wedding Preservation Workshop, Wedding Etiquette Seminar, Introduction to Calligraphy Workshop and Wedding Calligraphy Workshop.  Details listed at www.charlestonmuseum.org

• New Gullah programs at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site will take place every Saturday at 2 p.m. in February and March. Learn about crafts, cooking, African drumming, story-telling and other musical endeavors.  www.nps.gov/chpi

• New sailing courses are available in February and March from Ocean Sailing Academy.  Learn more about prerequisites and details at www.osasailing.com

The Charleston Barbershop Chorus will offer singing Valentines the week of Valentine’s Day.  www.chasbarbershop.tripod.com