In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

✈️RDU's $3 Billion Transformation: A 25-Year Vision Unfolds

🍽️ Exploring Italy's Flavorful Heritage: A Gastronomic Tour

🛶 Quebec's Outdoor Odyssey: Adventures for Every Explorer

🚢 Ritz-Carlton Sets Sail with Evrima: A New Era of Luxury Cruising

😋Tasty Trend: Spicy Peanut Chili Oil Noodles with Steak & Shrimp

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RDU's $3 Billion Transformation: A 25-Year Vision Unfolds

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) has embarked on a significant 25-year, $3 billion redevelopment plan to manage its growing passenger traffic and modernize its infrastructure. The project includes an immediate focus on renovating Terminal 2's restrooms, part of a broader effort to update the terminal’s amenities. While the restroom overhaul is just a small portion of the expansive project, it's a testament to RDU’s commitment to maintaining a modern and comfortable environment for travelers. The renovations are set to begin in 2025 and will be carried out in phases over nearly two years to minimize disruptions.

Beyond the restroom improvements, the airport's long-term vision involves a host of major developments. This includes expanding both passenger terminals, constructing a new primary runway, and enhancing ground transportation and parking facilities.

The new runway, planned to open later this decade, will replace the existing main runway to better accommodate increasing air traffic. Additionally, the airport is planning to triple the size of its largest remote parking lot and create a consolidated rental car complex.

These efforts are part of RDU's Vision 2040 plan, designed to ensure the airport keeps pace with regional growth and continues to serve as a crucial gateway for travelers. Read Full Story

Exploring Italy's Flavorful Heritage: A Gastronomic Tour

Embark on an eight-day culinary journey through Italy, starting in Venice, a city renowned for its fresh seafood and traditional dishes. The tour continues through Tuscany, with a visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano, where travelers experience the craftsmanship of pasta-making and wine production.

This journey provides an in-depth exploration of Italy's diverse and iconic food culture, offering flavors and experiences unique to each region.

From street eats in Venice to a farmhouse stay in Tuscany, you'll taste a wide array of regional specialties. The journey includes cooking classes, wine and olive oil tastings, and dinners with locals.

The trip also supports sustainable practices through a partnership with Cooperativa Coraggio. While the tour is a food lover's dream, participants should be mindful of the physical demands and dietary considerations. 
Read Itinerary & Inclusions

Quebec's Outdoor Odyssey: Adventures for Every Explorer

Quebec, a province known for its impressive size and natural beauty, serves as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. With an area three times that of France, it offers a myriad of activities catering to all levels of adventure seekers.

From the excitement of whitewater rafting and the rugged appeal of fat biking to culturally enriching indigenous experiences and serene whale watching, Quebec provides a diverse array of opportunities to connect with nature. Its vast landscapes and unique offerings make it a top destination for those looking to experience the great outdoors in all its forms.

This sets the stage for a thrilling exploration of the great Canadian wilderness.

• Whitewater Rafting on The Lachine: On the Saint Lawrence River, adventurers can tailor their rafting experience from gentle floats to intense paddles through rapids, with Montreal's skyline as the backdrop.

• Fat Biking in Mont Sainte-Anne: Near Quebec City, Mont Sainte-Anne offers year-round adventure with fat bikes providing the needed traction to conquer challenging terrains of ice, snow, and mud.

• Tree Top Walk in The Laurentides: Families can enjoy a stroll among the treetops, learning about local flora and fauna, and savoring panoramic views from an accessible tower.

• Canoe at Jacques-Cartier National Park: A glacial valley within this park provides a stunning setting for both novice and expert paddlers to observe wildlife as they navigate the Jacques-Cartier River.

• Climbing in Val-David-Val-Morin: This regional park is a haven for climbers with 500 routes ranging from 10 to 130 meters, alongside opportunities for bouldering.

• Hike in Parc de la Riviere Doncaster: Located near Montreal, this park offers tranquil trails along the Doncaster River, perfect for a summer hike and picnic.

• View the Waterfall at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency: Marvel at this waterfall, one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls, from various vantage points including a cable car and a zipline.

• Whale Watching in Tadoussac: Embark on a cruise with guaranteed whale sightings in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.

• Outdoor Indigenous Experiences: Engage with the Huron-Wendat Nation through an interactive forest journey and visit the Huron‑Wendat Museum for cultural insights.

• Snowshoeing Through the Woods in Montebello: Explore 80 kilometers of trails in Montagne du Diable Regional Park, with options for overnight stays in cabins or camping.

• Go Canyoning in Gaspé: Experience canyoning or canyon ziplining in the clear waters and spectacular canyons of the Gaspé Peninsula.

• Camping in an oTENTik: Enjoy comfortable camping in Parks Canada accommodations located across Quebec.

• Explore Gatineau Park: Just across from Canada's capital, this park offers a variety of activities from hiking and rock climbing to exploring caves.

• Dog Sled in Charlevoix: Lead a pack of dogs through the snow, with experiences tailored to weather conditions and personal stamina.

• Kayak the Bonaventure River: Navigate the clear, emerald-tinted waters of this river, famous for its salmon and suitable rapids for kayaking and canoeing.

Read full story.

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Ritz-Carlton Sets Sail with Evrima: A New Era of Luxury Cruising

The Ritz-Carlton has ventured into the luxury cruise market with Evrima, a sleek 624-foot yacht that aims to redefine ocean travel. Unlike traditional cruise liners, Evrima provides a boutique, hotel-at-sea experience, focusing on intimacy and exclusivity.

The ship is tailored for a younger, culture-loving demographic, blending Ritz-Carlton's signature elegance with the adventure of Mediterranean and Caribbean voyages. This move represents a strategic effort by Ritz-Carlton to create a unique niche in the cruising industry, merging the world of high-end hospitality with ocean exploration.

The yacht boasts 149 suites, numerous amenities including bars, pools, a spa, and a unique marina terrace. The staff, known for their personalized service, ensures a warm, homelike atmosphere.

The itinerary allows ample free time for guests to explore ports of call deeply, with prices starting at $5,800 for seven-night sailings.

Feel free to visit their website for current cruise dates and the details

SPICY PEANUT CHILI OIL NOODLES WITH STEAK & SHRIMP RECIPE

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
2 tsp laoganma spicy chili crisps (less if you're sensitive to heat)
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 box thai kitchen brown rice noodles
8 oz broccoli florets
1/2 cup red bell pepper cut in strips
1/2 cup onion, chopped
10-12 shrimp
10 oz ribeye, seasoned with salt & pepper, cut in one inch pieces
4 tbsp olive oil, divided

Boil water in a large pot. Meanwhile, make your sauce by mixing soy sauce, oster sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut butter, chili powder & chili crisps.

Add 2 tbsp oil to a skillet over medium high heat and cook steak on each side approximately 1-2 minutes and remove from heat.

In a separate skillet add 2 tbsp oil over medium heat and add broccoli, onions and peppers. Add noodles to boiling water and cook according to package.

Once the vegetables begin to soften add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes each side, until pink and they make a nice "c" shape.

Drain noodles. Add noodles and sauce to vegetable and shrimp mixture. Return steak to skillet. Give it a few good tosses and enjoy!

(NOTE: You can add any veggies and protein you like. I prefer shrimp, but charred ground beef or ground pork is very good also! To make less spicy use chili crisps)