nine bloggers in paradise. follow me in mexico.

Even if I hadn’t been selected as one of “Nine Bloggers in Paradise” as part of Paradise by Marriott latest clever promotion, I’d still think it was a pretty brilliant concept. Right now, I’m so over ho hum press releases that any inkling of marketing creativity scores huge points with me.

Here’s how it works: Whisk nine bloggers who know how to work social media networks like a pro from their wintery hometowns to the sunny, warm environs of the Marriott’s nine properties in the Caribbean and Mexico and get them to spew all sorts of Vitamin D-fueled commentary for a 72-hour stint. Or as another writer friend of ours noted, Vitamin M – as in margaritas. Oh yes, tequila does warm our heart. Seriously though, I don’t care how I supplement the needs of my almost translucent Seattle winter skin, but will admit, it took all of 2.2 seconds to accept the invitation (it was 34˚F at actual time of inbox arrival).

In a period when publishing is so topsy-turvy and writer’s rates are in the crapper, it’s a creative way to get some instant online buzz in exchange for what is essentially a comped mini-vacation. Sure, it would be nice to get paid for my well-honed, professional insights (a suntan may look nice, but it doesn’t pay the bills), but right now, the thought of escaping holiday mayhem and sticking my toes in some sand is payment enough. So, thank you Marriott Resorts for thinking of me, your dear sun-deprived friend in Seattle.

If you’re thinking of booking travel to warm, sunny destinations this winter, you may want to pay attention to where the nine of us are headed this Wednesday through Saturday. It’s a top-notch group of writer pros who I'm certain will deliver the straight skinny on each of Paradise by Marriott’s properties.

Here’s a cheat sheet of the participating bloggers and where to find us:

Robin Locker of My Melange will tweet from Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
Julie Schwietert Collazo of Collazo Projects and Matador Network will tweet from
Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort in St. Thomas.
Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip will tweet from
J.W. Marriott Cancun Resort.
Lisa Overman of of Wanderlust and Lipstick will tweet from Aruba Renaissance Resort.
Aaron Hotfelder of Gadling will
tweet from Aruba Marriott Resort.
Chris Gray Faust of Chris Around The World will tweet from St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino.
Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View will tweet
from CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort.
Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut will tweet
from Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino.
As for me, I'll be tweeting from CasaMagnaMarriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

If you’re a multi-tasker and want to follow everyone all at once, feel free to follow on Twitter here.

next week: i'm a blogger in a paradise

TwI have some non-The Global Citizen Project related, but still very cool news. This past week, I was selected as one of “Nine Bloggers in Paradise,” thanks to the brilliant marketing minds behind Paradise by Marriott (@diamondpr). Paradise by Marriott has seven properties throughout the Caribbean and Mexico and effective Wednesday afternoon, I will swap my Smart Wool socks for warm, toasty sand and SPF (the high temperature today in Seattle was 38F˚) and blog from CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. I haven’t received my itinerary quite yet, but have been told that my 3-night/4-day south of the border stay includes a tequila tasting guided by a sommelier-esque expert, early morning whale watching (‘tis the season), dinner at the chef’s table, a spa treatment at the hotel’s brand new 21,000 sq. ft. spa (I’m no size queen, but that is huge in spa speak) and oh yes, plenty of time to soak up some sorely missed Vitamin D. Big thanks to Marriott Resort for saving me, at least for a brief respite, from Seattle's wintery weather. Whew.

I promise I’ll continue to blog about every new development on The Global Citizen Project scene, but if you’re so inclined to play travel voyeur (or maybe just need some vicarious cyber sun), follow the adventures of all nine bloggers at #blogparadise on Twitter. Of course, you know where to find me on Twitter (@global_gourmet).