FancyFree.com is for sale

FancyFree.com domain name is for sale

This domain was registered for a project that never got off the ground, but I still think it's a good idea: online marketing of travel and tours for singles. As Shakespeare wrote, "foot loose and fancy free" describes a person who is unattached, single, no strings, available, looking for romance and ready to travel.

There are many other possibilities for this domain name. If you are not in the travel business, how about a web site offering free samples of high end products to elite customers? But, we don't have to stop there. The phrase "fancy free" is embedded in our culture and it will surely be used in some future marketing campaign.

Here are some examples of how the phrase "fancy free" has been used. "No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)" was a popular song written by Irving Berlin for the 1935 film Top Hat, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. In 1944, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins produced the hit musical "Fancy Free". In 1947, Walt Disney produced the feature length cartoon "Fun and Fancy Free" -- (come on, Disney, make me an offer). "Foot Loose & Fancy Free" was Rod Stewart's eighth album, released in 1977. The Oak Ridge Boys had an album in 1981 titled "Fancy Free".

While not (yet) on the popularity level of Fred Astaire or Rod Stewart, there is an electro punk group based in Mexico City with the unlikely name of Los Fancy Free. The front man for this group, Martin Thulin, was born into a Swedish Mennonite community in Mexico, and the group's debut album was "Menonita Rock". (If you have been to Mexico City or Guadalajara and wondered about those blond Mexicans selling cheese on the streets, well, they are Swedish Mennonites whose ancestors settled in Mexico about a century ago. Of course, this trivia has nothing to do with selling a domain name, but I find it interesting.)

A Google search on the phrase "fancy free" produces more than 700,000 hits.

Getting back to the original idea, if you buy FancyFree.com with the intention of using this name for a site focused on travel and tourism for singles, I would welcome an invitation to contribute to your business plan.

Email: Ken Smith

L'Occitane Redesigns Hilton Hotel Spas

Hilton Hotels and Resorts has announced a partnership with French luxury cosmetics and toiletries company L'Occitane to redesign the hotel company's full service spas, menu of services and spa product offerings.

Building on the success of flagship spas in Paris, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sao Paulo and Comendatuba (Brazil), the L'Occitane Spa at Hilton will feature all natural products, regionally inspired, hand-performed spa treatments, alongside globally-favored services, and warm Provence-inspired décor selected to infuse spa visitors with a sense of ultimate relaxation and indulgence.

"Our goal with this partnership is to continue to align our world class hotel brands with the world's top spa brands," said Alexander Mirza, senior vice president, Hilton Hotels. "Hilton and L'Occitane are a perfect fit -- authentic brands with time honored traditions of excellence."

Carnival Rolls Out Redesign of Web Site

Carnival.com, the cruise industry's most visited Web site, has undergone an extensive redesign and emerged with a host of new features, including enhanced navigation and layout, a variety of images and content, and numerous technical advancements, all designed to make users' on-line experience easier and more informative than ever.

Highlighting the next generation of carnival.com are dozens of entertaining new videos and virtual tours, along with upgraded images and content showcasing all 22 of the line's "Fun Ships." Also included are upgrades to special sections focusing on various aspects of the Carnival vacation experience such as dining, spa, youth programs, destinations and shore excursions.

The "new and improved" carnival.com features an enriched Gifts and Services section that allows visitors to purchase a variety of items that can be delivered to guests' staterooms prior to their cruise. The section also includes detailed product descriptions for gifts ranging from special occasion cakes, fine wines and flowers to stateroom decorations and wedding/romance-themed gift packages.There is also an updated section where first-time cruisers and visitors can sign up for Carnival news and information via both email and RSS feeds.

25 Million Americans Will Travel Overseas

In a first-ever summer forecast for foreign travel, AAA expects 25.1 million Americans will be travelling internationally this summer, an increase of 2.6 percent over the 24.5 million who were estimated to have traveled overseas last summer.

The report includes all travel outside of the United States, including Canada and Mexico.

According to the report, which was produced by Global Insight, American travelers will be spending $30.7 billion while traveling internationally during the months of June, July and August. American spending overseas will increase by 5.7 percent, primarily due to inflation and the weakness of the U.S. dollar compared to several major currencies.

Web Site Launches Inspiring Singles Contest

SingleEdition.com, a new online destination for singles, has launched the first-ever "Solo Spotlight Contest" to find the world's most inspiring singles. SingleEdition.com is a lifestyle destination striving to shift the focus from singles' dating lives to living at large. The site offers information, resources and tips for singles who know there's more to life than finding a mate.

Launched today, SingleEdition.com's Solo Spotlight Contest will honor the most inspiring singles -- those who embrace their independence. Singles are invited to submit contest entries by filling out the online
Solo Spotlight questionnaire on SingleEdition.com from now until July 1, 2008.

Retiring Singles Seek Travel, Good Investments

RetiringSingles.com and RetiringSinglesOverseas.com are online service thats connect singles seeking other like-minded singles with whom to travel, invest abroad, live abroad, and begin businesses. Although it is also for romance-seekers, it goes much farther than that. Its the one site on the internet where a single baby boomer can find everything -- the where, the who, and the how of single life everywhere on the planet.

Founded by Celia Lockwood, a Brit, living in Florida who dreams of living overseas when she retires, or at least investing in a second home overseas. The site is the first of its type for the single over 40 year old World travel, live-abroad crowd.

Best Single Travel Announces 2008 Schedule

Best Single Travel, a new travel company, announces its upcoming Spring/Summer 2008 singles travel calendar. Exotic trip to Turkey, Romantic tour of Italy, Wild rides down rapid waters are just a sampling of what awaits the solo traveler.

Four to five day weekend trips exploring the USA and surrounding countries is Best Single Travel's niche. After traveling all over the world with other singles travel groups, owner Sheryl Weinberger decided it was time to see the United States. Lacking singles tour companies to choose from she decided to start her own. Best Single Travel will cater to the single professional in their 30's, 40's and 50's. Singles and solo travelers can expect warm hospitality, knowledgeable guides and comfortable lodgings.

Single Women Form Lasting Friendships at Sea

"Soul sister," that's how Cathie Mazzarella describes the new friend she met onboard a singles cruise. "Our backgrounds couldn't be more different but yet there was something that clicked," said Mazzarella. "She is a southern belle and I am a hard, fast New Yorker, but when I heard her yell my name in that southern drawl on the ship that first day, I knew we'd be friends for life."

According to SinglesCruise.com, stories of budding female friendships like Mazzarella's that occur onboard their specialized cruise vacations are quite common. "The SinglesCruise.com experience offers you all the fun of a cruise vacation, while providing a new outlet for you to meet and socialize with a variety of people just like you," said Steven Hattem, Director of Carlson-owned SinglesCruise.com.