Travel Information Project

Eurasia Day Spa in Scottsdale Arizona is offering 10% off for all first time spa guests. Enjoy world-class massage and skin treatments, natural nail care, special packages for teens & men's treatments, as well as full day spa packages. Eurasia Day Spa is located on-site at the Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club, and is open to resort guests, athletic club members, and the public daily from 9am - 7pm.

Special Offers from the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort in Carlsbad California

Flower Fields Package:
The Flower Fields are a Carlsbad CA landmark and every spring, thousands of visitors stroll through the endless blooms. The exact dates change each year because weather conditions affect when the flowers will bloom. Typically the blooms begin in mid-March and continue into May.

Each year the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort offers a special package rate that includes a stay at our hotel just steps from the beach, and two tickets to the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Don't miss this Carlsbad California Springtime Tradition!

Romance Package:
Enjoy a romantic getaway in Carlsbad this month! The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort is offering a Romance Package including the following:

Special $189 Rate
Bottle of Champagne
Fresh Rose
Box of Chocolates
Beautiful Beaches
Village Location

Contact the Carlsbad Inn and make your reservations today - don't wait to get in on these great Carlsbad getaway packages!

Fairbanks, Alaska (AK) - The 2007-2008 Fairbanks Winter Guide is now available for free. The 32-page, full-color booklet with winter activity listings and a full slate of events offers a lighthearted and informative look at winter in Interior Alaska and the Arctic.

Fairbanks is one of the top spots in the nation for dog mushing, Alaska's state sport. With a six-month season, enjoy recreational mushing and visit competitive sled dog races throughout the winter. 2008 marks the 1,000-mile 25th running of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. 2007 Yukon Quest and Iditarod champion Lance Mackey has signed on to compete and defend his title when the race departs from Fairbanks on February 9, 2008.

The World Ice Art Championships runs from February 26 through March 23, 2008. Be amazed at the artistry of world-renowned ice sculptors as they take the “Arctic Diamond” and create larger-than-life-sized ice sculptures in three sculpting competitions. Kids Park is a winter favorite for families with slides, twirlees and mazes all crafted from pure crystal blue ice.

When do we turn on the northern lights? We can't make them appear with the flick of a switch but we can provide one of the best spots on the globe to see them. Fairbanks sits under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped region around the North Pole, with displays visible an average of 243 days during the year when there is sufficient darkness and clear skies. No guarantees, but visitors that are in Fairbanks for four days, have a 97% chance of seeing an aurora.

For a free copy of the 2007-2008 Fairbanks Winter Guide, contact the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-327-5774 or (907) 456-5774 or by writing to 550 First Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. Or order the guide on line at www.explorefairbanks.com.

Columbia, SC - The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association have announced that the Virginia Union University Panthers will represent the CIAA as participants in the 10th Annual Pioneer Bowl. The Panthers will face the #13 Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on December 1, 2007 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on the campus of Benedict College, Columbia, SC, 2:00pm.

The Panthers, led by Head Coach Arrington Jones, III, will enter the Pioneer Bowl with much to prove after finishing the season with a 9-2 record; falling short of a bid to the NCAA D-II Playoffs. Virginia Union's appearance this year will mark the school's second visit to the Pioneer Bowl. In 2001 Virginia Union faced Tuskegee in Atlanta, GA, but fell to the Golden Tigers, 28-0.

Tuskegee University has participated in the Pioneer Bowl in eight of the ten bowl games and has a 5-2 overall record. Tuskegee is currently undefeated with a 10-0 record and is HBCU's winningest football team and one win away from their 600th victory. Tuskegee's is led by the MVP of the SIAC Jacary Atkins, who leads the NCAA in passing efficiency and arguably the best defense in the nation allowing just 8.2 points per game. The Golden Tigers are also ranked in the Top 5 of all defensive categories in the NCAA. A Press Conference to meet the teams, head coaches, and both commissioner’s will be held on November 29, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Columbia at 6:30 pm, prior to the Pioneer Bowl Banquet where special guest Steve Spurrier will also attend. Media credentials for the event and game can be obtained from the CIAA or SIAC Public Relations Office. Contact: Shera White, CIAA (757) 865-0071 Ext. 106 or Harry Stinson, SIAC (770) 908-0482 or by visiting www.columbiasportscouncil.com.

Pioneer Bowl X is the only NCAA sanctioned bowl game for HBCU's. The Bowl Game features the Champion of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and will take place on December 1, 2007 in Columbia, SC at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm and will air live on ESPNU. To purchase tickets to this year's game and obtain ancillary event info, please visit www.pioneerbowl.com.

December 22, 2007
Times: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
http://www.bellefontetrain.com
Location: Train Station, Bellefonte
Phone: 814-355-1053

On Saturday, December 22, come to beautiful Victorian Bellefonte and take a train ride on the SANTA EXPRESS!! The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society (BHRS) will sponsor 5 passenger trips using Jeff Pontius' (Vice President North Shore Railroad Systems) meticulously-restored historic passenger train decorated for the holidays. The cars are heated and extra blankets are provided. Facilities in each car.
The ride to Milesburg (approx. 1 hour round-trip) features Christmas music and a reading of a very famous Christmas story. Santa will make an appearance. Departure times are 11:00 am; 1:00 pm; 3:00; 5:00; and 7:00 pm. Tickets are $9 for each adult and child. Children 2 and under, sitting on an adult lap, will be given a free "lap" ticket upon request with ticket orders. No food or drinks will be served on these trips. The train runs rain, snow or shine; boarding is a half-hour prior to scheduled departure time.
Tickets are available at the Train Station, 320 W. High Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823 or can be obtained by mail order: indicate which trip desired, number of tickets (including lap ticket requests), make check or money order out to BHRS, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail to the Train Station and your tickets will be mailed to you. If you prefer, we can hold paid ticket orders until Dec. 22. Mail orders will be accepted until Dec. 14th.

The Southwest Theatre and Film Association (SWTFA), the oldest regional theatre association in the United States, is scheduled to host their annual conference in Corpus Christi from November 7-11 at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach.

The 60th annual conference in Corpus Christi, themed "Theatre on the Beach", is expected to draw more than 250 members according to Kevin Lechler, the Executive Director of SWTFA.

The conference will consist of a weekend of education and networking for theater and film educators, as well as a variety of film and theater professionals from six states. The association services its members through the annual conference, publications, advocacy and support in Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Local film advocate and founder of the Corpus Christi Film Society, Joe Hilliard, will be the key note speaker on Friday at noon and will discuss the status of the professional film industry in Corpus Christi with his fellow SWTFA members. Hilliard commented, "We intend on beginning the public portion of our campaign to create the Corpus Christi Film Commission and are going to introduce the idea at the conference."

On Friday, November 9th from 2-4pm SWTFA will host Designfest, an exhibition and critique displaying a variety of work from SWTFA's theatre and firm professionals, students and faculty members. Media categories include live theatre, film, and video/tv. SWTFA is expecting over 40 entries at this year’s conference.

SWTFA is the only conference that provides an exhibition and critique of student work. Gary Burton, Chair of Design and Technology said, "We feel this is very important feedback and a positive learning experience for young student designers. They learn the value of proper exhibition of their work and get to hear a professional, other than their own design professors, critiques their work." Winners will be recognized and awarded with various prizes and scholarships at the banquet on November 11.

Friday evening from 6:30 to 9pm SWTFA will hold auditions for individuals at the graduate and professional level. Auditions are open to high school seniors and undergraduate students on Saturday from 8am-5pm. The audition fee is $30 and is open to non‐members of the SWTFA who are interested in auditioning.

SWTFA's mission is to provide networking, training and scholarship opportunities in theatre and film while promoting innovative and outstanding achievements. For more information on SWFTA visit www.swfta.com or call (940) 239-7486.

Nike Driver Awarded To Anyone Who Beats Legendary Shot On Par 3. Golfers at La Costa Resort and Spa can "Take A Swing At History" and win a custom-fitted Nike driver, by beating Tiger Woods' legendary shot that clinched the 1997 Mercedes Championship.

Throughout November, every golfer who comes closer to the hole at the Carlsbad California par-3 16th on La Costa's North Course than Woods did during his famous sudden-death victory will win a Nike Sasquatch SUMO driver. Men do not have to play from the tournament tees; they can play from any of the designated men's tees, with women allowed to play from the either of the two sets of forward tees.

The catch? Woods' shot was only two inches from the hole. If no golfer gets inside two inches during the month, the closest certified shot will earn a free driver. Also, on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) the golfer who is closest to the hole at the North Course 16th wins a driver.

Maintaining a rich tradition that began with golf's tour stars of the 1960s, La Costa Resort and Spa is also offering a Fall Golf Package that includes golf and overnight accommodations for two for $349 - more than a 50 percent savings. And, of course, each package includes a "Swing At History."

"It should be fun for golfers to look across the pond to the green and try to replicate what arguably is the greatest moment in La Costa tournament history, as well as one of the most memorable shots in golf," said Dave Doerr, the Director of Golf at La Costa Resort and Spa, part of the family of KSL Resorts destinations. "They'll probably have to ace it to beat Tiger, but what a way to do it."

In 1997, when rain forced Woods and Tom Lehman to return Sunday morning to break the tie, play started on the 189-yard hole near the clubhouse. Woods hit first, virtually sealing the competition immediately. Woods tapped in for birdie and the playoff ended with just one swing.

La Costa has hosted the world's premier golf professionals during the prestigious Tournament Of Champions (1969-1993), Mercedes Championship (1994-1998) and through the Accenture Match Play Championship (from 1999-2006).

"We realize golfers enjoy walking in the footsteps of the legendary champions who created a storied history on our golf courses," Doerr said. "We want to remain faithful to that legacy and this package is a great way for golfers to make a personal connection to the history and tradition La Costa has enjoyed with the best players in the world, dating back to 1968."

PARK CITY, UTAH (Winter 2008) - Park City boasts more than a dozen luxury and day spas that pamper guests after a day of skiing or other winter activities. Services include a range of spa packages and specialized skin treatments that relieve the effects of the dry air and strong sun inherent in our mountain climate. Unique massages and body wraps soothe and rejuvenate tired muscles, readying the body for another day of adventure. Some massage therapists even offer in-home canine massages for four-legged hiking companions.

Cloud 10's philosophy is to take care of your body, and it will take care of you. This goes for your dogs too. Cloud 10 offers customized in-home massages for humans and their pets. Owner Lorine Hofer's training includes Swedish massage, Connective Tissue Therapy, Sports Massage, Prenatal Massage, Reflexology, Polarity and an additional 680 hours of Canine Massage training at the Lang Institute in Loveland, CO.

In the belief that the mind and spirit flourish in a healthy body, Marc Raymond's Salon &
Spas - Tranquility Spa in The Chateaux at Silver Lake, Silver Mountain Spa at the Silver
Mountain Sports Club and Discovery Spa at The Miners Club - offer the ultimate in spa services at all three locations. Highly experienced, well-trained massage therapists offer signature treatments including: a unique "Four-Hand Massage" that integrates the poetic rhythm of two massage therapists, quieting even the busiest of minds and allowing the soul to breathe; a 90- minute "Sea Escape Facial" uses hot and cold stone therapy to hydrate the face and body; and the "Men's Breakaway Package" combines a sports massage with the "Footicure Foot Massage" to alleviate the strain of tight ski boots.

Papillon, the Spa, at Westgate is situated at the base of The Canyons Resort and is designed in a contemporary mountain style using wood, stone and granite. The 30,000 square foot spa offers 17 spacious treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, private steam rooms and saunas, and a coed whirlpool with a cascading waterfall. Papillon specializes in treatments featuring Utah desert botanicals such as the soothing "Sugar and Spice Mango Body Wrap," "Mountain Stone Massage" and "Alpine Lavender Journey." Additional amenities include a full-service salon, boutique and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Following a day on the slopes the Hotel Park City Spa's "Enzyme Boost Facial," one of the spa's signature treatments, will repair and stimulate skin on a cellular level by using holistic products with high concentrations of natural fruit enzymes. The 8,500 square foot spa and health club offers a state-of-the-art fitness room, exercise classes, seven treatment rooms, meditation rooms, whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms.

Mountain Body Spa, located just below the Town Lift, makes it simple to go from skiing to relaxing in minutes. Pamper your face and body with soothing and effective facials, massage therapies and spa treatments using Mountain Body's own all natural botanical handmade lotions, glows, mineral muds, oils and more. The apres-ski package combines deep tissue massage and a revitalizing foot treatment, or the popular Revitalizing Copper Body Masque includes a dry brushing to stimulate circulation, followed with a rich marine and botanical elements masque. The treatment concludes with a shower and a rich lotion bath.

The Norwegian-style spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley received the 2006 Mobil Four-Star Award for Hotel & Resort spas. It was one of only 20 properties in North America to earn this accolade. Signature treatments include the "Nordic Princess," the "Norseman Vichy" and the "Alpha Male 60-Minute facial." The "Aspen Oasis" is a 90-minute treatment that uses a gentle papaya-pineapple scrub that removes dull cells and allows the skin to receive the benefits of green tea, sea enzyme mud and aloe vera. Blanketed in the soothing warmth of this wrap, all travel stresses are released. The wrap is followed by a 50-minute massage using heated coconut lotion.

Park City is one of America's most accessible mountain recreation destinations, located only 36 miles from the Salt Lake International Airport. With its wide range of spas, activities, events and dining options, Park City offers something for everyone. For more information, please visit www.parkcityinfo.com.

Hyatt Grand Champions Resort & Spa: This luxurious resort is located just minutes from Palm Springs, and offers championship golf, tennis, a world-renowned spa, delectable dining, and entertainment to individuals and groups alike.

The Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage is a cliff-side oasis overlooking the famous Coachella Valley offering the area's newest and most exclusive venue for world-class meetings and memorable events. Sweeping mountain views and inspired local architecture complement the 19,000 square feet of indoor and over 50,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space.

Located in prestigious Indian Wells, the Miramonte Resort & Spa is a Mediterranean-inspired world of luxury, style, and grace set against the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains in the California desert. Miramonte offers 215 luxury guestrooms, woven into 11 expansive acres of olive trees, fragrant citrus groves, herb, and rose gardens that will heighten your every sense. Activities abound with nearby championship Palm Springs area golf courses, a luxury spa, and superb dining. Enjoy 2 sparkling pools, 2 whirlpools, a 24-hour fitness center, and private poolside cabanas. All room accommodations are newly refreshed and provide either a private patio, or Venetian-style-step out. The resort offers complimentary wireless Internet access, valet, and self parking.

For more than fifty years Arizonans have marked the beginning of spring by the arrival of Major League Baseball. While most of the nation relies on the shadow of a groundhog to predict the arrival of Spring, it's the phrase "pitchers and catchers report" that signals the end of winter in the desert Southwest.

Blue skies along with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s make Arizona the perfect place for MLB Spring Training. It's a place where kids can still meet their favorite stars and collect autographs.

Plan a Cactus League vacation in Mesa, AZ for Spring 2008 and catch your favorite baseball teams gearing up for the season! Find vacation packages including discounts and specials on Mesa hotels, tickets, transportation, attractions in Mesa and more!

The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) has selected Tampa Bay to host the 2011 IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championship. The event is scheduled to take place in August of 2011 on Seddon Channel in downtown Tampa.

This event, held once every two years, is scheduled to provide approximately 15,000 room nights for Tampa Bay. As many as 6,000 participants from up to 55 countries will participate in the event, for an estimated economic impact of $24.3 million.

Members of the Local Organizing Committee, which include representatives from Tampa Bay & Company, the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Institute, and the United States Dragon Boat Federation, recently traveled to Penrith, Australia to present the United States' bid for the 2011 Championship.

Although the bid was put forth by the USA, Tampa Bay was selected as the USA bid city in 2006, and competed against countries such as China and Canada to host the Championship. Previous Championship sites include Australia (2007); Germany (2005); China (2003); Philadelphia, Pa. (2001); England (1999); and Hong Kong (1997).

Originating in Southern China more than 2,000 years ago, dragon boat racing started gathering interest in the western world in the 1970s. Today, dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing athletic events in the World. Currently, the Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races are held on the Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa every April.

For more event information, log on to www.idbf.org or www.usdbf.com. Media contact is Travis Claytor, communications manager for Tampa Bay & Company, at 813-342-4052 or TClaytor@VisitTampaBay.com.

The Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza is located in the heart of downtown Boulder, just one block off of the historic Pearl Street Mall. Enjoy outdoor ice skating and winter cheer with family and friends. The Ice Rink is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shopping. We look forward to seeing you on the ice!

Eldora Mountain Resort: Located just 21 miles west of Boulder, Eldora is Boulder's backyard ski area. The base area of Eldora has an elevation of 9,200 feet above sea level. Top elevation is 10,800 feet. Eldora Mountain Resort offers beginner, intermediate and little-known expert terrain, creating a unique and refreshing change and an ideal getaway. With 40km of cross-country & snowshoe trails, 4 terrain parks and an outstanding children's SnowSports School, Eldora offers something for everyone in the family.

The Dalai Lama will be visiting the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington October 23-28, 2007, and presenting teachings at Indiana University from October 24-26, 2007. For more information, visit the Tibetan Cultural Center.

Dedicated to the people of Tibet, the Tibetan Cultural Center, located on 90 acres just south of town, offers a relaxing and peaceful setting for meditation and reflection. The Tibetan Chortens here (2) are the only ones in the nation. The TCC was established to acquaint people with the history and culture of Tibet and to support Tibetans everywhere. Throughout the year, it provides a place for workshops, teachings, seminars, initiations, retreats and ceremonies relating to the Tibetan culture. Meditation sessions are held every Sunday followed by informal discussion. Visitors can view a permanent sand mandala as well as many other works of art on display.

Acapulco Mexican Grill & Cantina:
The look and theme of this restaurant is inspired by family vacations to the Virgin Islands and the Pacific beaches of Mexico. The restaurant sells beer, wine and micheladas, a cocktail of beer and spicy tomato juice. Acapulco mixes Tex-Mex dishes with seafood and steak specialties. Everything is made from scratch.

In the time-honored tradition, Bryan's 797 focuses on your meal as a total experience. Their commitment to procuring the finest ingredients ensure a memorable meal. The food is always the primary focus followed then by the many complimentary courtesies to enhance your time spent in the restaurant. This multi-cultural kitchen embraces the charm and honesty of Southern Cuisine while drawing on personal heritage. Working knowledge of Asian, Chinese, Low Country, Cajun and Eastern European Cuisine and techniques merge in a decidedly unique approach.

Schlotzky's: In 1971, a small shop on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas was home to a single, unique sandwich. The menu was succinct: one delectable sandwich composed of a unique combination of premium meats, cheeses, and marinated black olives served on hot Schlotzsky's sourdough bread. From humble origins, "The Original" created a passionate customer following. More than 30 years later, The Original sandwich is the mainstay of Schlotzsky's Deli™, an international franchise restaurant chain known for its fresh baked bread, delicious hot sandwiches, specialty pizzas, and toasted wraps.

Carriage House is a Country Inn located within a two block walk to beaches, shops and restaurants. Featuring six suites with sitting rooms, private bathrooms and separate entrance to garden courtyard. Offers a continental plus breakfast, parking, and is one of Laguna Beach's pet friendly bed & breakfasts.

Casa Laguna Inn & Spa features sweeping ocean views from a historic inn situated on a terraced hillside in a tropical setting. Towering palms and colorful gardens frame the heated pool and sun deck. Charming rooms, suites, and cottages are decorated with antiques and luxurious linens. Complimentary full gourmet breakfast and afternoon refreshments served in the Mission House. Convenient location near beaches, boutiques and restaurants.

Vacation Village is located on 300 feet of prime beach and located in the heart of Laguna Beach just two blocks from the Main Beach. Offering 129 rooms, kitchenettes and two room kitchen suites, two swimming pools, whirlpool jacuzzi, gaming room and a complimentary beach attendant, umbrellas and towels. All rooms include a refrigerator, A/C, cable TV, coffee maker and hair dryer. In-room movies.

Kick off the haunting season by taking the 17th annual Pensacola Historical Society Haunted House Walking and Trolley Tours Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20 and 26-27. This tradition began nearly two decades ago and has grown into a significant Halloween event. Feel the chills down your spine as you walk Pensacola's historical district featuring homes with centuries of history. Costumed guides reveal stories of murder and mayhem supposedly responsible for a multitude of ghost sightings throughout the years. The tour visits more than 50 sites around the Seville and North Hill historic districts. The candle-lit walking tours take off every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., while trolley tours leave at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. each evening. Walking tours are $9 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under; trolley tours are $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made by calling the Pensacola Historical Society, (850) 433-1559.

Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) will send you screaming with Stage Fright 2007, a Trilogy of Terror. Local actors, makeup artists and set designers transform the atmosphere of the lively stage theater into a harrowing hall of monstrous proportions involving a carnival of fear, voodoo and a freak show.

You're not afraid of clowns, are you? So happy, so colorful. PLT's 4-D Carnival of Fear turns these innocent icons of childhood into a terrifying nightmare of fright. Nothing is as it seems, and even the walls will reach out to try to prevent your escape.

In a Mississippi delta manor, the dark forces of voodoo are conspiring against you. When you fall under The Voodoo Curse, you have just one hope. Traverse the maze of secret passages and avoid the grasping undead, while solving the riddles that can save your soul from eternal torment.

Music, lights and illusions as you've never seen before. You"ll find it all at The Rave 'N Mad Freak Show. Spidora, Dismemberous and Little Egypt will rock the stage in an amazing techno-goth show giving a whole new meaning to shock and awe.

Stage Fright will horrify unwary visitors from October 26-31, beginning nightly at 7 p.m. Experience one haunt for $7 or all three for $15. Go to the head of the line with a FastPass for $25. Stage Fright is one of Pensacola 's largest annual holiday events. Each year thousands of area residents of all ages come to the Cultural Center for an event unrivaled on the central Gulf Coast. All proceeds benefit PLT's Treehouse theatrical, educational and outreach programming. Visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com for more information.

Several other hair-raising thrills can be found throughout the Pensacola Bay Area. Following are a few favorite events:

Escambia County Parks and Recreation Department presents Barn Bash 2007 hosted by the Escambia County Equestrian Center on October 27. Gates open for this family-friendly event at 5 p.m. and will feature a bounce house, scarecrow making, hayrides, a hay bale maze, and costume and pumpkin carving contests. For those who can handle it, a haunted barn will be open from 7:30 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. Concessions will also be available. Admission is $5 per car. For more information, contact the Escambia County Parks and Recreation Department at (850) 475-5220 or visit their department link at www.myescambia.com.

The National Museum of Naval Aviation comes to life on October 27! Visitors can tour various Museum exhibits where they will find people dressed in authentic period clothing or festive costumes handing out Halloween treats. The Blue Angel Atrium will include fun activities for the kids such as inflatable jumpers and a costume contest. Children dressed in costume will receive a free ticket to view an IMAX® movie when accompanied by a paying adult. The motion-based simulator will include a special Halloween ride "Superstition". For details on the event, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org.

Big Lagoon State Park's after-hours event is a Haunted Adventure held on seven nights sponsored by the Friends of Pensacola State Parks. There will be haunted rooms, a haunted hayride, a haunted walk and a pirate ship. Food and refreshments will be available. Visitors will park at the Amphitheater parking lot and board the haunted hayride. The hayride will pass by East Beach and the pirate ship, taking visitors to West Beach. At West Beach, guests will proceed down the haunted path up to the haunted house (Governors Pavilion). More information on this event can be found at www.floridastateparks.org/biglagoon/default.cfm.

There"s plenty of not-so-spooky fun at The ZOO Northwest Florida's annual Halloween event, ZOOBoo, with face-painting, treats, games and a chance for kids to parade around in their costumes while checking out real-life creepies and crawlies, including Florida alligators, snakes and pythons, bats and a Komodo dragon. The event will be held October 27 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. All guests in costumes pay only $5 for a full day of fun and adventure. Children and adults alike can play games and win prizes. Be sure to check out the cool sounds of The Black Pearl Band. For more information, visit www.thezoonorthwestflorida.com.

Join in the Halloween fun at Sam's Fun City’s Spooky City on October 31 from
5 p.m.-9 p.m. Sam's Fun City, in cooperation with local children's charities and corporate sponsors, will provide 1,000 free entries into the park for disadvantaged children. The event will feature a spooky train ride, trick-or-treat booths, vampire laser tag and Cat County 98.7 will broadcast live as they give away treat bags. The general public is also welcome. Admission is $8. Children are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest, where prizes will be given away to the best dressed. For more information, call (850) 505-0800.

To request a free Visitors Guide or to view a complete calendar of events, log on to www.VisitPensacola.com, or for more information on the Pensacola Bay Area, call the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234.

PARK CITY, UTAH (Winter 2008) - Attracted by the great skiing and relaxed mountain
lifestyle, celebrated chefs from around the world have opened up shop in Park City, and visitors often find that choosing where to dine each evening can be just as challenging as deciding where to ski in the morning. Park City's dining scene has gone from simmering to sizzling due to its diversity; over 100 restaurants offer cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern, to Asian, French, Italian, and everything in between.

The restaurant scene has not gone unnoticed. The Riverhorse on historic Main Street became the first restaurant in Utah to earn the coveted DiRoNa award dedicated to "excellence in dining," and it’s the only restaurant in the state to win both this and the Mobile Four Star Award. Restaurants such as Chenez and Shabu are frequent recipients of accolades from pinnacle culinary publications such as Food & Wine, Bon Apetit and Saveur. Chef Michael LeClerc of 350 Main won the Platinum Carrot Award, and the restaurant is also a winner of Salt Lake Magazine's annual Dining Award's Best Restaurant. Wahso, Bill White's French-Asian restaurant, was rated one of the "top ten restaurants in the World" by Fodor's. Jean Louis Montecot, long-term resident of Park City and member of the Cordon Bleu Society of Chefs, opened his own restaurant in the fall of 2006 to the delight of loyal fans. Wine Spectator and Spirit magazines have celebrated the town's burgeoning wine scene, and at least ten restaurants have won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for their wine lists and presentations.

A popular pastime in Park City is to enjoy the stunning scenery while experiencing great food and fine wine. Deer Valley Resort has earned a reputation for its on-mountain restaurants, and both Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons Resort have vastly improved their food service by bringing on new chefs and upgrading facilities for seated dining. "Foodies" can enjoy two food and wine festivals every year: The Park City Wine & Ski Classic is hosted by the Blind Dog Grill in February, and The National Ability Center's Red, White and Snow occurs at the end of March.

Along with Park City's reputation as a culinary capital, this former silver-mining town also boasts a red-hot nightlife. Night owls can choose from brewpubs, taverns, wine bars or nightclubs lining Main Street. Sample some of the 100+ wines - some from organic or boutique wineries - at the new, sophisticated Bacchus Wine Bar, which also offers an
array of caviar, imported cheeses and pate platters. Try one of the custom ales at the Wasatch Brew Pub at the top of Main Street or a unique local brew such as Polygamy Porter at the new Squatters Roadhouse Grill & Bar at 1900 Park Avenue. If live music is on the agenda, visitors can kick up their heels at The Spur, a contemporary western bar at 350 1/2 Main Street, or listen to jazz, rock and blues at the Celsius, Kristauf's Martini Bar, the Star Bar, or any number of other "Juke Joints" in town. Hit the dance floor at Ciscero's nightclub, or enjoy local comedians monthly as the "Off the Top" Comedy troupe performs at The Sidecar, a bar located on the second floor of the Main St. Mall. Located only 36 miles (58 kilometers) from the Salt Lake International Airport, Park City is one of America's most accessible mountain recreation destinations. With its wide range of winter activities, events, spas and dining options, Park City offers something for everyone. For more information, please visit www.parkcityinfo.com or call 800.453.1360
or 435.649.6100.

A cozy way to stay in Milwaukee - find accommodations at a Milwaukee bed & breakfast! You'll find Milwaukee bed & breakfasts all around town, welcoming inns to suit any type of travel. Whether you're vacationing or on business travel, there's a bed & breakfast in Milwaukee ready to turn down the sheets and invite you to stay a while.

Hillwind Farm Bed & Breakfast Inn is a beautifully restored 1848 Victorian Farmhouse. Five suites with oversized whirlpools, fireplaces and outside sitting porches with spectacular views. Full hot breakfast delivered to your room or common area - your choice. Minutes from shops, dining and Kohler golf.

The Washington House Inn offers the finest bed and breakfast accommodations in the heart of historic Cedarburg, capturing all the charm of the past while providing all the luxuries of today. Each of the thirty-four guest rooms feature private baths and antique furniture. Most rooms have whirlpool baths and king or queen beds, while some offer over-sized whirlpools for two and fireplaces. The perfect place for leisure or business travel awaits you.

Stagecoach Inn Bed & Breakfast, a historically restored 1853 stone Inn located in Cedarburg featuring oversize whirlpools, fireplaces, private garden and antiques. Breakfast included, pub and chocolate shop on premise. Walking distance to shops and restaurants.

If you're traveling to the New Orleans area this holiday season, take advantage of some of these great special offers by hotels in Jefferson Parish!

The Inaugural Laketown Festival will be located in Kenner's Laketown, located where Williams Boulevard meets Lake Pontchartrain, just west of the Treasure Chest Casino. Join in the fun October 27-28 2007 in Kenner, LA.

The majesty of Mardi Gras meets the family fun of Jefferson in this early spring event that brings out the kid in crowds of parade lovers. In 2007, unincorporated Jefferson celebrated 50 years of Mardi Gras with fabulous festivities. This year don’t miss this special Family Gras celebration, a three-day event of music and the mystique of Mardi Gras. Live bands will fill the air with rockin' Louisiana music, while families enjoy some of the most unique food the world over. And when the music stage goes silent, the crowds will roar with excitement over carnival in Jefferson as several of Mardi Gras' most original "krewes" celebrate Louisiana's "joie de vivre." The Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau (JCVB) is arranging special Family Gras packages to help families maximize their stay in the New Orleans area. JCVB is also teaming up the Louisiana Restaurant Association and business-owners to create special discounts for Family Gras participants on everything from swamp tours to the finest cuisine in the world.

Chena Hot Springs Resort is a one of a kind Alaskan year round resort! Featuring 80+ lodge rooms, an outdoor hot springs rock lake, Aurora Borealis viewing tours and a full service restaurant & bar. You'll enjoy activities galore, including relaxing with an on site massage therapist, dog sled kennel tour & rides, flightseeing tours and daily geothermal tours. This is truly a unique interior Alaska vacation experience!

7 Gables Inn & Suites in Fairbanks is centrally located, features rooms & suites including jacuzzis, cable/VCR/DVD, and a gourmet breakfast. Also available are efficiencies, one and two bedroom apartments with furnished kitchen, some with fireplaces. The property features free canoes and bikes, laundry, and free high-speed wireless Internet.

Pike's Waterfront Lodge features a luxurious hotel and cabins on the Chena River. Enjoy free airport & railroad transportation, a gourmet ice cream parlor, greenhouse & gardens, Aveda aromatherapy products & sauna in room, Also featured are wireless internet, in-room coffee, and an exercise room. Pike's is decorated with original Alaskan art, a cozy fireplace & lounge in the lobby.

Able House Inn Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful, quiet and relaxing getway only 45 minutes from downtown Columbia. All guestrooms have private bathrooms. Nearby attractions include Lexington County Museum, Village Square Theater, and Virginia Hylton Park.

Chesnut Cottage was the war-time home of Mary Boykin Chesnut, author of "Diary from Dixie". President Jefferson Davis visited in October of 1864 and gave a speech to the citizens of Columbia from the front porch of the Cottage. With 5 Guest rooms and 1 suite, the Chesnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast is a small, intimate inn featuring in-room high speed internet connection, jacuzzi, refrigerator & microwave & welcomes travelers with pets.

Located in a beautiful 1898 Queen Anne filled with elegant Victorian antiques and Southern hospitality, Rose Hall Bed & Breakfast is adjacent to the University of South Carolina in Columbia's premier historic district, University Hill. Guests love to stroll this delightful neighborhood-soon to be placed on the National Historic Register-known for its striking homes and gardens.

The Pennsylvania State University and the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau announce that a new annual volleyball event... Happy Volley Club Championships at PSU... will be held over Memorial Day weekend on the Penn State Campus, beginning May 23-26, 2008.

All matches will be played on the campus of Penn State University Park; age groups are to be determined and the event will be sanctioned and conducted under the rules of the AAU governing body. The event will be packaged for affordability including a variety of meal and lodging options in a fun, competitive atmosphere.

Plans for the first year include targeting 192 - 200 volleyball club teams in the Mid-Atlantic area. As interest grows, additional on campus venues can be added to accommodate the teams. A website will be developed along with direct mail to promote the event.

Sponsorships are needed to help offset the cost of hosting this event. If any local business is interested please contact Betsey Howell, Executive Director of the Central PA CVB, at 814-231-1401, ext. 304.

Prestigious Poll Reveals Family Theme Park as "Best of the Best" in the Amusement Industry

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2007) - For the fourth year in a row, amusement park enthusiasts from around the world have voted LEGOLAND California as the Best Children's Park. Amusement Today, a monthly trade newspaper, awarded the 128-acre family theme park in Carlsbad the esteemed Golden Ticket Award on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007 at a ceremony at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Introduced in 1998, the Golden Ticket Awards have steadily increased in popularity to become the most sought after award by amusement industry players. The recipients of these awards are chosen from an international poll conducted by industry experts at Amusement Today. Surveys were sent to a cross-section of educated and well-traveled amusement park aficionados. The popularity and relevance of the Golden Tickets are illustrated by their visibility in forums such as USA Today, the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic Kids.

"We are honored to be recognized as the Best Children's Park for the fourth year in a row," said President and General Manager of LEGOLAND, John Jakobsen. "With 15 new attractions opened in just the last three and a half years and an exciting new expansion next year, we are constantly striving for more ways to excite and delight our guests from around the world."

In July 2005, all four LEGOLAND parks became part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the world's second largest attraction operator with 51 attractions in 12 countries on three continents. Under this new direction, LEGOLAND California has the opportunity to become an even greater destination for family fun.

"LEGOLAND is the flagship brand within the Merlin Entertainments Group, offering unique interactive enjoyment for parents and children together. The California team has done an exceptional job in establishing the Park in the U.S. amongst formidable competition and they richly deserve this award. The challenge for them now will be whether they can win for that magic fifth year!" says Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments Group.

After nearly three years of planning and design, more than sixteen-thousand hours of creative artistry and more than two-million LEGO bricks, LEGOLAND California's unveiled its largest Miniland expansion ever in March 2007. Miniland Las Vegas features the world-famous Strip including the Luxor Las Vegas, New York, New York Hotel and Casino, Excalibur, Mirage, Treasure Island, Tropicana, MGM Grand, Venetian, Stratosphere tower and two iconic structures of Paris Las Vegas, the balloon sign and Eiffel Tower. "The Strip" at LEGOLAND also features a miniature wedding chapel, monorails and real life sounds recorded in Las Vegas.

Also new in 2007, Captain Cranky's Challenge was added to the popular area, Pirate Shores. The new ride defies guests to test their sea worthiness as they sway back and forth on a pirate ship that sits on a "U-shaped" track and rotates in two directions. This is the fifth attraction to be added to Pirate Shores and joins the signature attraction Splash Battle, water-play areas Soak-N-Sail and Swabbies Deck, and a mini-flume log ride, Treasure Falls. Additional transformations in Pirate Shores this summer included extra seating, more shade and locker facilities.

LEGOLAND is geared towards families with children ages two through 12 with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO. For a complete look at the Golden Ticket Award winners for 2007, challengers and complete survey results, visit www.amusementtoday.com

You haven't lived until you've dined in Palm Springs under the desert skies, surrounded by gorgeous views and menu selections from more than 600 restaurants. From family fare to formal and street side to poolside, cuisine ranges from French, Mexican, and Italian to seafood and California Bistro. Don't forget to try a world-famous date shake when you visit the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities!

Buddy Greco's Dinner Club: Featuring fine dining and entertainment, this intimate jazz club has shows nightly, Wednesday through Sunday starring Buddy Greco. Feast on continental fare, party at the oversized bar and enjoy nostalgic decor highlighting Greco's career and many celebrity friends.

The Grand Palms Buffet / Agua Caliente Resort & Casino: Open 24 hours a day, this buffet always features international cuisine for the ultimate dining experience including American, Asian, Latin, and Italian dishes, in addition to tempting desserts.

Las Casuelas Terraza: Fine Mexican cuisine in the Delgado family tradition. Enjoy both festive indoor and patio dining and nightly entertainment.

September 1, 2007

Imagine if you will, a haven where you can pamper your body at a luxurious resort spa, engage your mind at a world-renowned museum of Native American art and take in some of the world's finest golf. A place where shopping is an art form and activities abound in the lush Sonoran Desert. Well, Scottsdale is that place, and the city is boasting even more signature experiences in 2007/08. Take a moment to check out the exciting upgrades and changes taking place in Scottsdale.

ARIZONA'S FIRST W HOTEL TO MAKE MARK IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE
Arizona's first W Hotel is nearing completion and expected to open in downtown Scottsdale in February 2008. The W Scottsdale Hotel and Residences will consist of a seven-story building, encompassing 300,000 square feet on a two-acre city block, and feature 224 guestrooms, a spa, restaurant, two bars, and 18 luxury W residences. The centerpiece of the first floor will be a 2,500-square-foot lounge bar located in the hotel lobby with a sweeping staircase leading up to the second level. The ground floor also will contain a 3,500-square-foot ballroom, 2,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, three meeting rooms, and the Bliss spa. The second floor will be the epicenter of the hotel with a 21,000-square-foot recreation and pool deck with an infinity-edge swimming pool surrounded by a sand beach, private cabanas, fitness center and two bars. Also on this level will be seven spa suites, additional meeting space and a restaurant terrace. The residences, 1,000- to 2,500-square-foot homes with spectacular views of Camelback Mountain, will occupy the sixth and seventh floors of the hotel, and owners can enjoy full use of the property’s facilities including access to Whatever/Whenever, W’s signature 24-hour concierge service.

SCOTTSDALE TO ADD INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT TO PORTFOLIO
InterContinental Hotels Group is scheduled to open its first InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property in Scottsdale in spring 2008. Crown Realty & Development Corporation of California is investing more than $250 million on the purchase and renovation of the former La Posada Resort and will convert the property into a world-class Andalusian-style resort and spa destination called InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. The finished resort will offer 253 high-end rooms and 40 luxury villas that will be separately owned by the residents, but managed by the resort. Montelucia also will feature a new 31,000-square-foot luxury spa with 5,200 square feet of outdoor space that will be conceived by spa designer Sylvia Sepielli and built to focus on health, beauty and fitness; a new restaurant that will offer outdoor dining and views of Camelback Mountain; five pools; 31,000 square feet of indoor meeting space; and a private wedding chapel with cathedral ceilings and wooden beams.

The Great Race in Pittsburgh truly lives up to its name. On Sunday, September 30, 2007 it will all come together as individual runners and walkers, corporate teams, wheelchair athletes, entertainers and hometown fans take to the city streets for the 30th Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Rated among the Top Twenty Multi-Race Events by USA Track & Field's publication On The Roads, The Great Race attracts nearly 10,000 athletes annually. These athletes come from 35 states and 30 different countries. While these runners receive a great deal of attention, it is the hometown athletes who compete year after year that make this event so special. Approximately 91% of the participants live in the Pittsburgh area, making the race one of the region's finest traditions.

The Great Race consists of many various competitions: 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Walk, Team Competition, Heavyweight Competition, Wheelchair, and Junior Great Race. There is also one competition that leads up to the Great Race: On Your Mark with Highmark Youth Challenge.

In 2007, athletes can expect to find animation on the streets, as marching bands dot the course to the finish line. Once the competitors reach the finish line, they are invited to join their friends and families for the Post Race Party, including the presentation of awards.

The Great Race enjoys an outstanding tradition of excellence. Be a part of this remarkable event and winning tradition! For more information, call The Great Race Hotline at 412.255.2493 or visit the Great Race website.

Downtown Tacoma borders the Thea Foss Waterway, an inlet from Commencement Bay. Once an industrial area, the rejuvenated Thea Foss is now home to Tacoma's vibrant Museum District. There are several public marinas, so you can even arrive by boat.

Visit the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum - an easy-walk triangle with each facility just one block apart.

Cross the spectacular Chihuly Bridge of Glass, linking the Museum of Glass and the history museum. Take your time - this 500-foot walkway holds three separate installations of glass art by Tacoma native son and world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly. See more free Chihuly glass art in nearby historic Union Station.

Further along the Thea Foss, explore the Working Waterfront Maritime Museum to learn about Tacoma’s sea-faring heritage.

For more information on the redevelopment of the Thea Foss Waterway, visit Foss Waterway Development Authority.

Find a vacation package in Bucks County Pennsylvania to suit whatever travel plans you're making; whether business or leisure, the Bucks County CVB is here to help you find what you're looking for in Bucks County. Here are some examples, or you can visit the Bucks County vacation specials page to see more.

Stay with the Doubletree Club Philadelphia when visiting Sesame Place this summer. Great packages starting at $209.00 plus tax. Sesame Place package includes one deluxe room with breakfast for up to four people, Two Elmo Any Two day tickets and a welcome gift for each child upon arrival.

Come experience the fun and flavor of the 2nd Annual Newtown Brewfest! Our package includes one night's accommodations and two Regular Tickets to the Brewfest on Saturday, October 20th for $159 plus tax. Add'l nights are $99 plus tax per night and include the room only.

Begin your weekend early at the Indian Rock Bed & Breakfast Inn and avoid the traffic by enjoying an early check-in (as early as 10 AM). Relax in your room with a bottle of champagne or explore beautiful Bucks County before returning for a leisurely, delicious meal -- fireside in cold weather or on the deck in warmer weather. After dining, have an after-dinner cocktail in our bar where you will meet friendly locals. Retire to your room for a good night's sleep and finish with Continental breakfast in the morning in our scenic Canal Room, which offers a magnficent view of the Delaware River. Drive home at your leisure on Saturday and beat the weekend traffic returning home. Just think! You can sleep late the next day. Work is still a day away.

There's always a variety of activities to choose from in Boulder, Colorado. Whether it's skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, or touring one of Boulder's many museums any time of year - leisure travelers and business travelers alike will find something fun to do in Boulder. Visitors can also find live music and performing arts in Boulder - music and dance festivals, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Boulder Ballet, even theatre for children - The Peanut Butter Players are a Boulder favorite.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Bloomington / Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with Indiana University's GLBT Student Support Services Office, announced today (June 26) that the Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Ally College Conference will be held on the IU campus Feb. 13-15, 2009.

One of a series of regional conferences held around the country, the Midwest event has attracted hundreds of students over the years and has been held in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. This will be the second time the conference is being held in Indiana and the first time it has been hosted by IU.

Last February, six IU students attended the conference in Minneapolis, and along with Doug Bauder, GLBT Office coordinator, and Rob DeCleene, director of tourism for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, made a convincing bid to bring the conference to Bloomington in 2009.

"This promises to be a fantastic town and gown collaboration for the GLBT community," DeCleene said. "Additionally, the city can expect an economic impact of several hundred thousand dollars."

The theme of the conference will be "Living Out Loud: Examining our Past to Enhance our Future." Bauder noted that "support for the conference is already strong with backing from the Mayor's Office and the IU Office of the Dean of Students. We have heard from other IU administrators and city leaders who are eager to support this adventure, as well."

A 2005 article in Out Traveler magazine said of the community, "whether you are gay, straight or somewhere in between, Bloomington offers something rarely found in this country: a small town with a bold history of openness and acceptance." IU also was named one of the most GLBT-friendly college campuses in the country in the 2006 edition of The Advocate College Guide.

It was that history to which Bauder and DeCleene turned in inviting the conference oversight committee to consider IU as the 2009 conference site.

"The presence of the Kinsey Institute, the fact that Bloomington is one of the few cities in the state which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in its human rights ordinance, and the fact that Bloomington ranks fifth in the country for same-sex households per capita all helped in making the bid," Bauder said.

"Add to this the fact that the city and the campus have, in recent years, hosted national conferences on issues related to sexual minority youth; sponsored a four-day Pride Film Festival in January; and are currently working to make the city a destination for the gay traveler, and we, simply, had a winning bid," DeCleene said.

Tampa, FL - The Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau recently received a grant from the Florida Commission on Tourism and Visit Florida, the state's official tourism marketing agency, to aid in promoting Hillsborough County as a tourist destination.

With the Nature Tourism Grant, the Tampa Bay CVB will design a brochure that highlights ecotourism - greenways, trails and parks - throughout Hillsborough County.

"Ecotourism is one of the elements that make Tampa Bay attractive for visitors," said Steve Hayes, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay CVB. "We are excited to be able to highlight these unique treasures and want all of our visitors to know they have numerous opportunities throughout the Bay area to participate in 'green' activities."

Ecotourism activities include birding, biking, boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, geocaching, hiking, horseback riding, nature study and much, much more.

Additionally, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce received a Cultural Heritage Grant that will aid in developing a walking tour history video of the Ybor City Historic District. The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce will also be working with the Plant City Chamber of Commerce to produce a similar video for the Plant City Historic District.

The videos will highlight historic landmarks and annual cultural events in the historic districts, and showcase local businesses that contribute to the districts' flavor and heritage which attract tourists to the area. Both video products will be completed by May 2008 and will be placed on local tourism Web sites for visitors to access. Additionally, both videos will be available as pod-casts.

In 2006, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County received a similar Visit Florida grant to design a multicultural visitor's guide. The Tampa Bay Your Way Multicultural Guide provides an overview of African American, Asian American, and Hispanic dining, entertainment, and cultural sites in downtown Tampa. This brochure can be downloaded online at www.tampaarts.com through the Multicultural Guide link.

For more information, contact Travis Claytor, communications manager for the Tampa Bay CVB, at 813-342-4052 or tclaytor@VisitTampaBay.com.

It's time for the annual Hemingway Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho - and the Sun Valley / Ketchum Convention & Visitors Bureau is featuring some great specials and hot deals on hotels, resorts, and other accommodations in Sun Valley. You'll also find information on Sun Valley restaurants, attractions, activities, arts & culture, shopping, transportation, and a free Sun Valley travel & vacation planner.

Ernest Hemingway's first trip to the Sun Valley area was in 1939. He was one of the many celebrities invited to the new Sun Valley Resort in hopes that fame and publicity would lure tourists. Ernest was given suite #206 of the Sun Valley Lodge, which he nicknamed "Glamour House," a room to which he would return many times. In this suite he worked on For Whom the Bells Tolls. He made many trips to Idaho before establishing residence in the Wood River Valley with his fourth wife Mary Welsh Hemingway in 1959.

In his Ketchum home Ernest Hemingway worked on A Moveable Feast and The Garden of Eden while standing at a desk with a view of the Boulder Mountains. After writing in the mornings Hemingway enjoyed duck hunting, often with actor Gary Cooper, on Silver Creek, 25 miles south of Ketchum. In the evenings Hemingway could be found socializing with friends at one of his favorite French restaurants, the Christiania, where he often requested a small table on the southwest side of the dining room. He also spent time at other businesses still in operation today such as The Casino, a local tavern; and at star-studded parties that once took place at Trail Creek Cabin, now owned by Sun Valley Resort.

Valley of the Sun continues to lead the way with stunning courses and innovations

PHOENIX (Aug. 7, 2007) - Greater Phoenix is already home to more than 200 golf courses, and more are on the way.

At the TPC Scottsdale, look for the new Champions Course (formerly the Desert Course), which will debut in November 2007. The TPC Stadium Course is the site of the FBR Open, which is consistently the best-attended event on the PGA Tour. A second Tour event will come to Greater Phoenix later this year when the Fry’s Electronic Open is held Oct. 15-21 at Grayhawk's Raptor Course.

Two new 18-hole courses were built in master-planned communities this year, both managed by Troon Golf. Copper Canyon Golf Club is located inside Sun City Festival Ranch by Del Webb, an active adult community in north Buckeye. Poston Butte Golf Club at Merrill Ranch is in the latest Anthem community, in the southeast valley of Phoenix near Florence.

The new Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Fountain Hills opened to rave reviews, cracking GOLF magazine’s list of "Top 10 Best New Courses You Can Play." It's back to basics at Saguaro, which is a course built for walking. If you like, a battery-powered Sun Mountain Sports cart can carry your bag for the full 18.

Why forego the pleasures of golf just because the temperature eclipses 100 degrees? The Tempe-based company Coolwell Inc. has made summertime golf in Phoenix an absolute pleasure with the introduction of personal air-conditioners for golf carts. When passengers sit down, a sensor triggers the system to blow cool air on the back of their necks. Players at Whirlwind and Kierland Golf Clubs were the first to try out the cool carts.

Every golfer knows using the right equipment is crucial to low scores. Custom club fitting for everyday golfers is a reality in Phoenix thanks to several local companies, notably Hot Stix Golf in Scottsdale. But Hot Stix is not alone. Club-fitting expert Mark Timms just opened a new company, Cool Clubs Golf, with a star-studded investor group that includes Charles Schwab and former Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins. Magique Golf in Tempe designs, manufactures and distributes its own line of custom-fit golf clubs. And PING offers walking tours of its factory in Phoenix and takes appointments for club fitting using the PING Color Code System.

Golfers often combine their favorite sport with family vacations. Savvy Phoenix resorts have risen to meet the needs of those golfers by expanding programs and non-golf activities for family members. Two local resorts were ranked in the top 11 of "The 25 Best Family Golf Resorts" by Golf for Women magazine in spring 2007. At Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, kids play for free June 13-Sept. 4, and for $25 thereafter with a paying adult. The Hyatt's glamorous Spa Avania is an attractive option for spouses, and kids will love the resort's huge water playground. The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa offers Little Wigwam Golf Links, a three-hole course for parents and kids, and guests also will enjoy the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and the resort's 75-year history of Western hospitality.

But, when all is said and done, the highlight of any golf vacation in Greater Phoenix is the stunning, challenging and playable layouts available at the area’s 200-plus courses. With so many gems to choose from, it's no wonder golf-loving visitors return to the heart of the Sonoran Desert again and again.

Mesa Arizona has a selection of four quality museums that range in themes from dinosaurs and pre-historic times to ancient Native American artifacts to vintage fighter aircraft to reminders of Mesa's Wild West historical past.

Mesa Southwest Museum is one of the premier museums in the southwest and has established itself as "Arizona's Natural History Museum." Dinosaur Mountain is the largest dinosaur exhibit west of the Mississippi River. The Arizona Museum for Youth is a child-oriented fine arts center featuring art exhibits and unique hands-on art activities.

The Commemorative Air Force Museum is the home of "Sentimental Journey," the most authentically restored WWII B-17 flying today. Other authentic warplanes of the era are also on display along with exhibit memorabilia. The Mesa Historical Museum features more than 4,000 collectibles, all donated by local founding families.

At Park of the Canals you can see evidence of a canal system developed 2,000 years ago by the ancient Hohokam Native American civilization. The sophisticated canal system was vast enough to grow crops that fed 200,000 people. The Brinton Desert Botanical Garden, located within the park, displays vegetation from four desert regions and features hundreds of varieties of cacti, trees and shrubs. A large playground area is available for children.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - 8/10/07 - Ghostfest II, the second annual Queen Mary paranormal weekend, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29, 2007, presented by the Queen Mary and Beyond Investigation Magazine.

Erika Frost, the Queen Mary's own paranormal researcher, will serve as hostess for this second annual event, that will encompass two nights and a day of paranormal investigations.

Ghostfest II is a scientific and spiritual exploration of poltergeists, psychic phenomena and ghost research, and the unearthly activities will focus on special after hours and late night tours, lectures and readings with the hierarchy of the world of the paranormal.

Activities will begin Friday evening with a 8 p.m. opening reception, lectures, special readings, vendor displays and investigative tours continuing into the wee hours.

Saturday, activities will begin at noon, and the last investigative tour, conducted by Pat Wheelock of Beyond Investigation Magazine, will depart into the depths of the legendary ship at 1 a.m.

Throughout the year, the Queen Mary offers regularly-scheduled day and night guided and self-guided paranormal tours of the haunted ship. Saturdays, there's also the very popular Dinner with the Spirits, hosted by Erika Frost and other paranormal experts. The evening begins with a decadent meal in award-winning Sir Winston's restaurant and concludes with a tour of personal paranormal discovery through the very depths of the ship.

Exhibits, vendor booths and lectures are included in Queen Mary general admission which is $22.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors (55+) and military, and $11.95 for children (5-11). There will be additional charges for Ghostfest II tours and readings.

Please go to www.queenmary.com for additional Ghostfest II pricing information, special Hotel Queen Mary Ghostfest II package information, updated Ghostfest II schedules and celebrity participants and other Queen Mary paranormal offerings.


About the Haunted Queen Mary

During her years at sea, the art deco Queen Mary captured the imagination of the public and came to represent the spirit of an era that was characterized by elegance and style. Then, during World War II, Queen Mary served as a heroic troop carrier nicknamed "The Grey Ghost." Built on the Clyde by Scottish craftsmen, the ship is recognized throughout the world as the last surviving ship of the Golden Age of transatlantic travel. Now permanently docket, yet still afloat, her operation and preservation are entrusted to the RMS Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public benefit corporation. Located at the south end of the 710 Freeway in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary has emerged as a favorite attraction, hotel meeting facility, world-class dining and entertainment destination - and one of the world's most haunted sites.

(Lancaster, Pa.): Skip the kitchen in September and take advantage of special menus and more with Lancaster County's Second Annual Restaurant Week, where diners can sample the unique food of Lancaster's restaurants at one fixed price. This year, from September 10-16, choose from 30 restaurants, 3 courses at each, and all for the bargain price of $30 per person. It all adds up to a fantastic deal!

Restaurant Week gives diners the opportunity to enjoy special menus in Lancaster County at a bargain price. Participating restaurants range from traditional grand smorgasbords of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking to fine dining cuisine inspired by recipes from the region and around the world. All participating restaurants are members of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau or the Lancaster County Restaurant Association.

Diners can get a preview of what's to come during Restaurant Week by visiting www.padutchcountry.com/restaurantweek to view a listing of participating restaurants and the prix fixe menus they will be offering during restaurant week for $30.

For more information on Lancaster County Restaurant Week, please contact the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Bureau is dedicated to promoting Lancaster County as an ideal vacation destination, with its Amish, heritage, scenic back roads, opportunities for family fun, and all that make the area a special and memorable place to stay. Journalists and the public are welcome to visit us online at www.padutchcountry.com.

(Laguna Beach) - The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released its 17th annual water quality report for beaches across the United States and Laguna Beach rated as one of the best in the United States. The survey rated best and worst beaches for protecting beach-goers from contaminated water.

Laguna Beach, known for years as an artists' colony, has more than seven miles of coastline and has more than 20 public beaches and unique coves. Laguna Beach was the only California destination commended as one of the best beaches in the study. The following destinations joined Laguna Beach on the "Beach Buddies" list for superior beach water quality:

Wisconsin: Sister Bay Beach and North Beach
North Carolina: Kure Beach and Kill Devil Hills Beach
Michigan: Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park beaches
Maine: Libby Cove, Mother's, Middle, Cape Neddick, Short Sands and York Harbor Beaches

Using data just collected from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a peer-reviewed methodology, "Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches," tallied more than 25,000 closing and health advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches in 2006. The number of no-swim days caused by overflowing sewage systems doubled from the year before.

NRDC's annual survey of water quality and public notification at U.S. beaches finds that pollution caused a record number of beach closings nationwide in 2006. The number of 2006 closing and advisory days at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches topped 25,000 - more than ever recorded in the survey's 17-year history. This edition of Testing the Waters takes an especially close took at the nation's highest risk beaches - those that are either very popular, very close to pollution sources, or both. The 2007 survey is based on information reported for 2006.

"As a resort destination, water quality is an important component to visitor's experience in our City," said Judy Bijlani, Executive Director of the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau. "We want to ensure that visitors enjoy their time here. As a coastal marine preserve, Laguna Beach has tidepools in several of our beach coves for families to enjoy. We also have outstanding art galleries, unique shops, fabulous restaurants and many oceanfront accommodations."

The latest praise for Laguna Beach comes after the Orange County, California city was recently named number one in the United States in economic impact of the arts on a per capita basis which includes total spending by both organizations and audiences.

ABOUT THE LAGUNA BEACH VISITORS AND CONFERENCE BUREAU:
Laguna Beach is Southern California's premier seaside destination located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego and along the central coast of Orange County. Known as home to hundreds of local artists, Laguna Beach is primarily served by Orange County Airport located just 20 minutes away. For more information about the LBVCB, please visit us on the web at www.lagunabeachinfo.org.

(KANNAPOLIS, NC - August 1, 2007) - After cheering Great Race competitors as they crossed the starting line in Concord June 30, Lowe's Motor Speedway's LugNut raced to Anaheim, California, with a checkered flag from the legendary superspeedway to wave the Great Racers across the finish line.

In Anaheim, LugNut met WildWings, mascot of Anaheim's Stanley Cup Championship hockey team, the Mighty Ducks. The two helped sustain the excitement as the Great Racers finished their 14-day, 4,000-mile cross-country race.

1st place winners were 15-year-old Charlie Wheeler and his uncle Bob LaBine from Lone Tree, CO, and Phoenix, AZ, and LugNut was there to witness the finish and to represent Concord, North Carolina, and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

And, reports are that LugNut and his antics completely won over Anaheim.

"He was absolutely phenomenal at the finish line. It was a complete delight to work with him and he definitely represents your organization brilliantly!" reported Meghan Schinderle, Public Information Specialist/Event Planner with the City of Anaheim.

And Jennifer Rossol of the Anaheim 150 Team concurred. "It was such a pleasure having him here - he really knew how to rally the crowd!"

LugNut's trip to Anaheim was co-sponsored by the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"LugNut is an adorable ambassador. He truly represents motorsports and our community's appeal as a family-friendly destination," states DeSales Wagster, President/CEO of the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "This was a great opportunity for us to build a relationships with Anaheim as tourism destination, and LugNut was the perfect ambassador."

The Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization funded by the transient occupancy tax collected by Cabarrus County hotels. Its mission is to gain and retain visitors to Cabarrus County, increase visitor awareness, encourage visitor expenditures, and enhance Cabarrus County's tax base and image through destination marketing.

Corpus Christi, like many other cities, has recently begun to embrace cycling. As streets are widened and repaired, special bicycle lanes are being added to make cycling safer and more enjoyable. Needless to say you can cycle just about anywhere in Corpus Christi, but certain places stand out as providing exceptional riding conditions.

Just south of the seawall on Ocean Drive you'll find the city's most popular park. Cole Park overlooks Corpus Christi Bay. A bike path runs along Ocean Drive here and paved pathways make is possible to cycle along the water’s edge without having to negotiate automobile traffic.

Continue to the very end of Ocean Drive and you'll come to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Not only is it fun to ride around the campus streets, you'll also have access to a 2.4-mile hike-and-bike path that wends its way along Oso Bay on the western side of campus.

Here you'll see a wide variety of flora along with roseate spoonbills, egrets, white pelicans, great blue herons and other birds that flock to Oso Bay. You won't have to share the road with automobiles along this lighted path, although you'll want to watch for pedestrians. This quiet, secluded area is a great place to commune with nature. Along the trail you’ll find benches, water fountains and emergency buttons.

Another safe spot - although not nearly as popular - is the sidewalk by Kings Crossing Country Club, 6202 Oso Parkway, on the far south side of town. This is a residential neighborhood and one that's far removed from major thoroughfares, so the traffic is slow. You can stay on the sidewalk or venture into the residential streets, where traffic is light.

A group of dedicated riders finds the route along the IH-37 access road to Labonte Park to be an enjoyable and challenging ride. The pavement is smooth, the traffic light, and the park itself is generally not congested. To join in on group rides, call the South Texas Area Runners Riders and Swimmers (STARRS) at 937-2203.

Finally, a trip to Sunset Lake in Portland just north of Corpus Christi will reveal access to a wide, long trail next to the lake. Recreational cyclists enjoy the paths because they're not too long. You'll find joggers, walkers and lots of kids along this path.

BEAUMONT, Tex (August 22, 2007) - Travelers exiting off I-10 for downtown Beaumont have a new destination for visitor information, maps and the inside scoop on events, shopping and dining. The Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) opened its doors for business Monday morning amongst piles and piles of boxed literature and files. After nearly one year from their ground breaking ceremony, the Bureau has officially moved and settled into new offices located at 505 Willow Street, Beaumont, TX 77701. The CVB's new home is located across the street from the TX State Bank and just before you reach the light at Willow and Calder. Phone numbers are: 1-800-392-4401 and 409-880-3749, the CVB Web site is www.beaumontcvb.com.

The new 4,000 square-foot building consists of a beautiful visitor center where travelers will be able to take a break and browse literature on Beaumont attractions as well as speak with a tourism specialist about where to go and what to see in the area. Just off to the side of the lobby is the Beaumont CVB conference room where the Bureau will conduct meetings with clients and hold its monthly board meetings.

Since the primary function of the Beaumont CVB is convention sales and marketing, a large part of the building is made up of office space for Bureau staff. The Beaumont CVB is the premier marketer of the city and works to bring in convention business, sporting events, meetings, reunions and leisure travelers in order to accomplish their number one goal: filling up Beaumont hotels. Besides gearing up for a busy 2008, the convention sales staff is currently booking conventions and meetings into 2010. The marketing and communication department is constantly a buzz working on upcoming promotions, advertising, and with the media to generate publicity for the city. Beaumont was recently featured in a three-page travel story in Baton Rouge's newspaper, The Advocate as well as in the July/August issue of Texas Family Magazine.

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Tampa, FL - Representatives from the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau sales team and CVB partners will head to Montreal, Canada from July 28 to August 1 for the annual Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress (WEC).

The WEC is an annual conference that offers a multitude of education crucial to enhancing skills to position meeting professionals as leaders and strategic assets to their organization; 3,200 meeting professionals are expected to attend.

Norwood Smith, vice president of sales; Alex Kaptzan, director of convention sales; Joe Planz, national sales manager for the Midwest; and Jennifer Friday, national sales manager for the Northeast will spearhead this effort for the CVB.

To better represent the Bay area at the conference this year, the CVB will be using its new 20 ft x 20 ft booth.

"We're delighted to have a product that will truly be representative of our destination, blending fun and excitement with a dose of sophistication," said Norwood Smith. "Our new booth will offer our partners a high degree of exposure, and for our clients it will feature superior accessibility and the latest technology in an enjoyable and comfortable atmosphere."

CVB Partners in attendance will include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown, InterContinental Tampa Hotel, The Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, and the Quorum Hotel Tampa.

MPI is the largest association for the meetings industry with more than 19,000 members in 66 chapters and clubs across the USA, Canada, Europe and other countries throughout the world.

Day 1

Discover the intriguing city of Tacoma via its historic downtown. Start at the north end of Pacific Ave. to see the 1886 Old City Hall in all its Italianate glory, the 1888 Northern Pacific Railroad Headquarters with its octagonal turret, 1918 Pantages and Rialto Theaters and many other notable buildings. One block parallel is Tacoma's Antique Row on Broadway St., where many collectibles from the past are for sale. Continue down Pacific Ave. to the 1911 Union Station, Tacoma's historic railway depot built by the same architects as Grand Central Station in New York City. Today Union Station's restored rotunda displays outstanding Chihuly glass art - created by world renowned artist and Tacoma native Dale Chihuly. And it's free to the public!

Across the street are many facades of old warehouses, once the hub of Tacoma's bustling railroad and maritime industries. Today the brick facades have been preserved, and the University of Washington Tacoma campus occupies the restored buildings behind them.

Next explore the impressive Washington State History Museum, just a half-block down Pacific Ave. from Union Station. It is filled with fascinating multimedia and interactive exhibits which highlight all the industries, people and places that helped develop the state. It also houses the largest collection of pioneer, Indian and Alaskan artifacts on the Pacific Coast.

The Washington State History Museum is one of three major facilities that form Tacoma's Museum District. While the other two do not involve history, they are equally intriguing in their own right. The Museum of Glass features three galleries and a Hot Shop Amphitheater where viewers can watch artisans create with molten glass. It is linked to the plaza of the Washington State History Museum by the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot, pedestrian-only bridge that contains three major exhibits of Chihuly’s work on it. The third facility is the Tacoma Art Museum, which showcases Northwest artists, European and American impressionists, early Chihuly glass art and traveling exhibitions. (Tip: go on a Wednesday and take advantage of the "Midweek at the Museums" promotion - one greatly discounted ticket provides entrance to all three museums!)

This evening enjoy a relaxing dinner at a top restaurant with a dazzling view of downtown Tacoma. Take in a play or symphony at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts, which includes the Pantages Theater and Rialto Theater. Overnight in Tacoma.

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Sun Valley, Idaho: July 5, 2007 - American novelist Ernest Hemingway's grandson, John Hemingway, will deliver the keynote address at the Third Annual Ernest Hemingway Festival that runs September 20-23 in Sun Valley, Idaho. The third generation Hemingway will speak on "Hemingway in Paris: The Crazy Years," on Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m., at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge. "Hemingway in Paris" is the theme of this year's festival commemorating the life of the revered writer and his legacy in Sun Valley where he lived and wrote on and off for more than two decades until his death in 1961.

"My grandfather produced some of his best work during his years in Paris," noted John Hemingway from his home in Spain. "It was a fascinating time that nurtured his creativity along with that of many other writers and artists of the famous expat community that gathered there in the 1920s."

John Hemingway is the son of Ernest's third son Gregory Hemingway who became estranged from
Ernest in 1951. John Hemingway recently published the book Strange Tribe: A Family Memoir that
explores the complicated paternal relationships of the Hemingway family. John Hemingway is a writer and translator who worked for 22 years in Milan, Italy, writing articles for Italian newspapers and magazines. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles. He lives in Spain with his wife and two children.

Hemingway's speech kicks off a four-day celebration of the late author's life highlighting the time he spent in the French capital as part of the expatriate community known as "the Lost Generation" that included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, James Joyce and Ezra Pound (who grew up in Hailey, Idaho, 12 miles south of Ketchum).

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The Hemingway Festival was created in 2005 to honor the Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning writer
and the profound legacy he left in Ketchum, Sun Valley and the Wood River Valley. As an
international literary star, Hemingway was one of the many celebrities invited to the new Sun Valley Resort, America's first ski destination resort founded in 1936 by Union Pacific Railroad chairman tycoon Averill Harriman, in the hopes that fame and publicity would lure tourists. Beginning with his first trip to Sun Valley in 1939, the area became his refuge, where he wrote in the morning and hunted in the afternoons. Ernest was given Suite #206 in the Sun Valley Lodge, where he also stayed on many of his return visits to the area. In this suite he worked on For Whom the Bell Tolls. He made many trips to Idaho before establishing residence in the Wood River Valley with his fourth wife, Mary Welsh Hemingway, in 1958.

Co-owner and Chef Nobuo Fukuda of Sea Saw was honored as "Best Chef in the Southwest" by the James Beard Foundation at a ceremony in New York City on May 7, 2007. The James Beard Foundation selects nominees and winners by enlisting the votes of more than 600 food and beverage professionals around the country. More than 60 awards honored chefs, restaurants, wine programs, cookbooks, broadcasting, print journalism and restaurant design. Fukuda was stunned when Bobby Flay announced his name as "Best Chef in the Southwest" as this was his third consecutive nomination. The award recognizes Fukuda for setting consistent standards of excellence in his region. The criterion is that award winners must be a working chef for the past five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region for which they won.

This winter, Fukuda will open a second restaurant, Shell Shock, at SouthBridge in Scottsdale. The restaurant will be located next door to the relocated, revamped Sea Saw and resemble a traditional izikaya (Japanese tavern). The design will be inspired by the Jetsons-mod-underwater-desert design and accompanied by an all-day grazing menu focusing heavily on oysters, shrimp, shellfish platters and exotic Japanese finger foods.

PHOENIX (June 12, 2007) - Tourism officials from the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau and three of Greater Phoenix's luxury resorts are bound for the Bronx to promote summer values in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.

Representatives from the CVB and the resorts-Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa-will host a media event for New York-based travel journalists at Thursday's baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. More than 20 journalists will join in the festivities, including major travel writers from USA Today, Fox News, Men’s Journal Hearst Newspapers and several airline magazines.

To commemorate Flag Day, the Phoenix contingent will hand out Arizona flags at a pre-game gathering, where Southwestern-style quesadillas are on the menu. The group will then voyage to the historic "House That Ruth Built" aboard the Yankee Clipper water taxi. All the while, tourism officials will tell journalists about the summer specials available at Greater Phoenix's resorts, where guests can enjoy magical desert surroundings and Five Diamond amenities at a fraction of peak-season prices.

"Enjoying our resorts in the summer is an easy home run for families and couples," said Doug MacKenzie, spokesman for the Greater Phoenix CVB. "The resorts are offering lower rates for luxurious accommodations, pool time, spa treatments, golf, and culinary treats."

The Greater Phoenix CVB is a non-profit organization that markets Greater Phoenix as a year-round convention and visitor destination. Tourism officials from the CVB regularly meet with travel writers from national and international publications to promote the destination and pitch story ideas. More than 13 million people visit the Phoenix area annually, contributing more than $6 billion to the local economy.

They call Milwaukee the City of Festivals, and they're not kidding. Milwaukee can't get enough of Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest : September 7 - September 23 : Three great weekends that are sponsored by the United German Societies of Milwaukee at Heidelberg Park. This authentic fall festival features brass bands, Bavarian folk dancers, yodelers, music and dancing for everyone, plus there will be German food and beer available.

Oktoberfest In Milwaukee : October 28-29, Milwaukee celebrates Oktoberfest with live entertainment featuring a range of traditional German music and pop music in the evening, German dancing, multiple beer tents representing top German breweries, a variety of German food specialties and German gifts.

Corpus Christi is a premier vacation destination in southeast Texas, featuring guided fishing trips, live music events, Texas museums & cultural attractions, and lots of fun activities for the whole family. There are hotels & vacation rentals in Corpus Christi to fit any vacation budget, a variety of restaurants to suit any palette, and events & activities to make your Corpus Christi vacation a raving success!

Cast your line from a canoe surrounded by pines in the Blackwater State Forest, or spearfish for your supper off a sunken freighter in the gulf. Florida sunshine, matched with plentiful bodies of freshwater and the dazzling Gulf of Mexico, make the Pensacola area a fishing paradise. The emerald gulf waters provide hours of fishing pleasure with 120-pound cobia running less than a mile off the beach. Three popular bays - Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay and East Bay - provide ample quantities of flounder, speckled trout and mullet.

No boat? No problem. A fleet of local charter boats is available for both walk-on and private charters. Troll for snapper or grouper, or fish deep waters for marlin and sailfish. Sailboat rentals are also available on Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key Beach.

Landlubbers won't be left out of the action with plenty of pier, bridge and beach fishing available. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier extends 1,471 feet and is the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the shore, pompano and redfish are reeled in year-round.

The half-mile Bob Sikes bridge, a smaller fishing bridge, presents another opportunity to reel in dinner. If you don't have your own gear, Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle has equipment for rental and sale. Public fishing docks are also ready for anglers to hook a big one such as red fish, flounder, trout and mackerel. Look for the docks at the north end of the Bob Sikes bridge in Gulf Breeze as well as at the south end of the Philip Beal Memorial bridge, commonly known as the three-mile bridge.

Divers can spearfish off numerous artificial reefs, concrete pilings and wrecks, including a favorite dive called "The Russian Freighter," a Navy target ship 84 feet beneath the sea. With a well-established ecosystem, the freighter provides the spearfisher with plenty of grouper, snapper, amberjack, several varieties of lobster and fascinating underwater sights. Local dive shops offer classes, charters and gear.

The USS Massachusetts, one of the oldest existing American battleships, was commissioned in 1896 and today is an underwater archaeological preserve. The 350-foot hulk is awash in 26 feet of emerald-green water, partially buried in the white sandy bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, 1.5 miles south-southwest of Pensacola Pass in the Fort Pickens State Aquatic Preserve.

Pensacola is also home to the world"s largest artificial reef, the retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. The ship was reefed on May 17, 2006 and is laid to rest 22.5 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. At 888 feet in length, the "Mighty O” is fast becoming a fishing hot spot, giving anglers the chance to reel in popular game fish such as grouper, snapper, amberjack and cobia. The site also brings the possibility of trolling for fast running tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi.

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For more information on the Pensacola Bay area, call the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 874-1234, (850) 434-1234 or visit www.VisitPensacola.com.

PITTSBURGH - The eyes of the tourism industry will be on Pittsburgh this week, as VisitPittsburgh has the honor of serving as the host for Destination Marketing Association International's 93rd annual convention. The conference - which takes place July 18-20 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center - attracts over 1,000 attendees, including 700 destination marketing professionals from around the world.

"This is truly one of the premier events in the tourism industry and we're delighted to be hosting it here in Pittsburgh. It's a marvelous opportunity to show off America's most livable city to our industry peers," said Joseph McGrath, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh. McGrath noted that this audience is noteworthy because positive word-of-mouth marketing among tourism professionals is a tremendous asset to a destination. Much has changed in Pittsburgh since the last time this group met here in 1971.

"This year's convention theme, 'Where innovation meets inspiration,' is perfect as we will meet in a city that has proven to be a leader in destination marketing," said William D. Talbert III, board chair at DMAI and President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Attendees will have the opportunity to golf at Quicksilver Golf Course, visit the Andy Warhol Museum, Station Square and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl along with the celebrated Squonk Opera will welcome guests with an opening performance in the Convention Center's Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom.

Conservative estimates for the Destination Marketing Association International's convention indicate that the event will leave behind an anticipated $2.5 million in direct spending. That spending includes roughly $85,000 in hotel tax revenue, $22,435 in RAD revenue and $134,610 in state sales tax.

As the world's largest and most reliable resource for official destination marketing organizations, Destination Marketing Association International is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of over 1,300 professionals from 600+ destination marketing organizations in more than 25 countries. DMAI provides its members - professionals, industry partners, students & educators - the most cutting-edge educational resources, networking opportunities, and marketing benefits available worldwide.

Featured Mesa Golf Courses:

Painted Mountain Golf Resort provides a resort setting and an 18 hole championship golf course at the lower end of the green fee scale. The public has access to a new Ken Kavenaugh-designed short game area with putting and chipping greens as well as practice bunkers just north of the clubhouse. The John Jacobs Golf School is headquartered here and offers short game and playing school classes at this outstanding practice facility.

Trilogy Golf Club is one of the valley's newest premier golf experiences. Located just 30 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, this course is highlighted by slightly rolling terrain and panoramic views of the San Tan, Superstition and Goldmine Mountains. The desert-style design features conservative, moderately, undulated greens and gently contoured fairways. Although the layout appears fairly open, the course can play very tough in areas, providing a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Enjoy the full service amenities before and after your round in our beautiful clubhouse and full service restaurant.

Viewpoint Golf Resort features both an 18 hole championship and a 9 hole executive course that will satisfy players of all abilities. The par 71 championship course provides a fair test without the extremes of desert target golf. Relax and enjoy the tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering. The sounds of rippling streams or cascading waterfalls will remind you why we play this game. If you're a beginning player or you're working on your short game, you'll love our 9 hole executive course. This is a great place to take the youngsters or to enjoy a quick nine when time is short. Our facilities include a picturesque clubhouse with spacious banquet rooms and a quaint little bar and grill that will surely quench your thirst or appetite before, during, or after your round on the links. Our settings are ideal for most types of group functions. The Terrace Green Event Center with it's elegant decor and stunning scenery can be the perfect setting for any group event including: weddings, receptions, golf outings, and social gatherings.

Whirlwind Golf Club currently offers 18 holes of championship golf with the opening of the 7,017-yard Devil's Claw course. Gary Panks has designed a masterpiece that will challenge all levels of players while maintaining a sense of fairness and plyability. The Devil's Claw course reflects the plant palette indigenous to the Gila River: mesquite, saguaro, palo verde and cottonwood blend with native grasses to recreate the Gila River as it was when the water still flowed on the reservation.