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Weekly UpdatesAug 9, 2009
Amtrak
Amtrak and First Class Motorcycle Tours have teamed to offer two new vacation packages which include first-class accommodations on AmtrakOs Auto Train that allows motorcycle riders to travel with their bikes on board the train between Lorton, Va., south of Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Fla., just outside of Orlando. The motorcycles are secured in specially designed carriers and travel in the trainOs auto carriers while tour participants travel on the train in private roomette sleeping accommodations. All meals on board the train are included in the price of the tour. Both the northbound and southbound Auto Trains depart at 4 p.m. each afternoon and arrive at 9:30 a.m. the next morning. After a complimentary dinner, tour participants may watch a movie or relax in the Lounge Car and then retire for the night. The next morning they will awaken in Virginia or Florida to board their motorcycles. The OTrains, Planes, Limousines and Motorcycle TourO is a seven-day motorcycle tour that begins in Florida where participants board the northbound Auto Train. Upon arrival in Virginia, participants tour Washington, D.C., by limousine before beginning a scenic motorcycle tour of the back roads of Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. The tour ends just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn., where participants may choose to ride their bikes home or fly home and have their motorcycles shipped. The tour includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, first-class, one-way travel on the Auto Train as well as a DVD of the trip, parking fees and any entrance fees to national parks. This tour is available May through October. Aug 3, 2009
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
Once thought impossible, some hotels in Waikiki have slashed their rates by 50 percent or more in an attempt to re-ignite demand for their rooms, according to online retailer Travel-Hawaii.com. The epitome of this trend is the first ever "Second Night Free" offer at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. Aug 6, 2009
Brando Enterprises
Brando Enterprises, the operating entity created by the Marlon Brando Living Trust to manage core business interests of the Brando Trust, has announced that construction on The Brando has begun with the official authorization from the French Polynesian government following several years of studying the impact of construction on the environment and the successful navigation of the building permit process. Completion of The Brando is slated for late 2011. A product of the late actor Marlon BrandoOs original vision, The Brando is located on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa. The luxury eco-resort will feature 47 deluxe bungalow villas (each with private plunge pools), a spa, fitness center, community pool, as well as various island activities including scuba diving and archaeological tours of royal Tahitian historical sites. Construction of The Brando began with the building of a platform on the coral reef to provide logistical access to the island without causing environmental damage to the atoll. Additionally, the old airstrip is being refurbished and extended to meet new government's safety standards. Aug 4, 2009
Broadmoor Resort
The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., is partnering with National Geographic Traveler magazine to offer a photography contest. Photographers can submit their OBroadmoor momentsO via www.broadmoor.com for an opportunity to win a spot in a National Geographic weekend photography workshop Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, with one-on-one instruction from National Geographic photographer Bob Krist. The grand prize also includes accommodations for three nights, a welcome reception, breakfast and lunch daily, two days of classroom and outdoor shooting instruction, and personal review of work. A runner-up will win a two-night stay for two people. The Broadmoor is looking for the best photos of the resort. Photos will be added to The Broadmoor website for viewing by others. At the end of September, Broadmoor professional photographers will vote for their favorite images. For more information, call 866-837-9520 or visit www.broadmoor.com. Aug 4, 2009
Bunny Ranch
Dennis Hof, owner of the Bunny Ranch, has always been a huge Terminator fan and really wants to extend the olive branch to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The BunnyRanch realizes that the Governor's issued I.O.U.s do not have the face value that they could have at the BunnyRanch. Dennis says, "bring your I.O.U. to the BunnyRanch and we will honor it 100 percent." The BunnyRanch vows to do their part in lifting the Governator's spirits and all of the California I.O.U. recipients. The Bunny Ranch will begin mailing free "good time party passes" to all of our United States, Senators, House of Representatives and Governors on August 3, 2009. This is in an effort to help men such as: David Vitter (1), John Ensign (2), Eliot Spitzer (3), Mark Foley (4), Robert Livingston (5), Jim Gibbons (6), Mark Sanford (7), and Larry Craig(8) who could have easily avoided their troubles by visiting the BunnyRanch. Dennis says, "these men are good men who have gotten themselves into trouble and could have avoided all of this exploitation by visiting the BunnyRanch." Dennis encourages all of our government officials to salvage their careers, public reputation and families by partying discretely and legally at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch. Aug 3, 2009
Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo., has announced September Splendor in the Rockies, a range of events and outdoor recreation. Among the highlights are the Fall Festival of Beers & Chili Cook-off; the Vinotok Fall Harvest Festival; gypsy jazz, running and art events; farmersO markets; stargazing at the new Gunnison Valley Observatory; a production of Shakespeare; and a golf tournament. For more information, call 877-351-8724 or visit www.septembersplendor.com. For suggestions for fall drives, visit www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/fall-drives. Aug 6, 2009
Chicago
Chicago is planning an array of holiday festivities, including exhibitions at Chicago museums, annual traditions like the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and the Daley Plaza Christmas Tree, and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations. Visitors to the city are invited to stop at the Chicago Office of TourismOs Visitor Information Center in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., for more information on the happenings. Among the annual traditions is the The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris on Nov. 21. The lighting of more than 1 million lights along North Michigan Avenue is followed by a fireworks show over the Chicago River. Also, the Daley Plaza will again host the Christkindlmarket, Nov. 26 through Dec. 24. It opens daily at 11 a.m. The cityOs official Christmas tree will be on display in the Daley Plaza from Thanksgiving through New YearOs. Aug 6, 2009
Chicago
Chicago is bidding for the Olympic Games in 2016. The city and the United StatesO bid to become host of the 2016 Summer Olympics has been the hottest topic of conversation in Illinois. With the support of other cities, townships and villages in the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, Chicago is one of four finalists being considered by the International Olympic Committee. Aug 3, 2009
Country Inns
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson unveiled a series of two-, four- and seven-day road trip itineraries for families interested in exploring the United States by car before the end of summer. Posted on the companyOs website at www.countryinns.com/roadtrip, the itineraries feature a variety of attractions of interest to families. Top family-friendly venues within the itineraries are designated with the companyOs new OMomOs ChoiceO rating. Country Inns has invited 25 leading family bloggers to take the itineraries and share their experiences online. Each itinerary provides background information and online links to historic, educational, nature and other fun-filled and budget-friendly attractions of interest to kids and parents alike. The itineraries include a mix of locally and nationally known attractions, notable family-owned restaurants and a few relatively undiscovered venues. Aug 4, 2009
Fairmont Hotels
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, in Aventura, Fla., is offering a OFuture FloridianO package, including accommodations in a Fairmont Room with an upgrade upon availability (with a two-night minimum stay); preferred list of Realtors and City of Aventura guidebook; complimentary overnight valet parking; GPS to navigate South FloridaOs residential communities; two 60-minute foot massages at the Willow Stream Spa or a round of golf on either of the two championship Raymond Floyd-designed golf courses; and a bottle of wine with dinner at Bourbon Steak. With the proof of a Florida home purchase, package holders also receive a Florida welcome gift; resort stay discount for Ofuture house guestsO; and USD 3,000 resort and club spending credit with the purchase of a membership at Turnberry Isle Resort & Golf Club. Rates for the Future Floridian package start at USD 839 from Oct. 1 to Dec. 18, 2009; USD 1,389 from Dec. 19, 2009 to Jan. 4, 2010; and USD 1,019 from Jan. 5 through April 30, 2010. For more information or reservations, call 800-441-1414 and ask for Future Floridian, or visit www.fairmont.com/turnberryisle. Aug 4, 2009
Forks
The "Twilight" tourism bonanza shows no signs of abating in Forks, an old logging town on Washington's Olympic Peninsula that's won new fame as the setting for a teen vampire fantasy. Marcia Bingham of the Forks Chamber of Commerce says more than 16,000 people passed through the town's visitor center in July alone, doubling June's number, and in one month nearly equaling 2008's total of 18,485 people. She notes that in the "old days" the Visitor Center focused mainly on teaching people about logging and coordinating tours of local natural resources. These days it's all about vampires and werewolves. Logging tours have been cut back from three a week to one. Aug 7, 2009
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