Friday Travel Ticker: Columbus Day weekend outlook

Hotels are experiencing a general downturn in occupancy this Columbus Day weekend as compared with last year, industry analyst TravelClick reports. Nearly all markets are expected to be down. Among the biggest expected drops: Orlando, Fla., by 20% . . . . Petit Ermitage, an 80-suite hotel steps from the Sunset Strip, is relaunching its “Shop Hollywood!” packages. Nov. 11–Dec. 30, with access to designers, stylists and private fashion events. Rates for the special start at $250. To book, call (310) 854-1114 . . . . Take a spooky ride through the redwoods on a Ghost Train Oct. 28-29 in Felton, up in Santa Cruz County. Trains depart at 6, 6:30, 8, and 8:30 p.m. For details, click here . . . . The Carmel Public Library Foundation presents “Author! Author!” with Jane Smiley Nov. 13. Suggested contribution is $10; (831) 624-2811 . . . . One of Las Vegas’ free attractions, the Mystic Falls Park Sunset Stampede Laser Light and Water Show (at Sam’s Town Hotel) has completed a months-long upgrade, the first major renovation to the show since its debut in 1994 . . . . .Feng shui expert Debra Duneier warns that electromagnetic fields can interrupt a good night’s sleep while on the road. She recommends unplugging all unnecessary electronics in the room, including the alarm clock, and leaving a wake-up call instead. . . . Frost Bar, at the Sebastian in Vail, features 80 different types of scotch. . . . The U.S. Department of Transportation has ponied up money to buy track for a high-speed train service between Chicago and Detroit . . . . Norwegian Cruise Line has hired Peter Max to paint the signature hull artwork for the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, arriving in 2013. . . . Travel Quote of the Day: “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes to us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.” (John Wayne)