Tourism & Lifestyle: August 2008

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August 27, 2008

Chocolate, Gossip and Travel

As the fall and back-to-school season quickly approaches so does another season that makes boyfriends, husbands, friends and significant others disappear on the weekends and Monday nights - football season!

This is the time many are watching the big screens in cities across the United States for rivalry NFL and college football games. But what if, like me, you would rather travel than watch a football game? I think football season is a great time for a girlfriend getaway - a chance to go shopping or get a pedicure while you eat chocolate and gossip with friends.

Girlfriend Getaways recently posted an article on five U.S. girlfriend getaways that are perfect for this fall season.

So instead of cheering for football and eating chili dogs I'm planning on grabbing a few friends and heading to Kanani Pearl Spa in Portland for some rest and relaxation.

What was your favorite girlfriend getaway?

--Written by Jacquelyn Potwin, posted by Amanda Watkins

Posted by Edelman at 5:52 PM

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August 26, 2008

Making a Travel Wish List

The travel section of the Los Angeles Times ran a great article yesterday on Dave Freeman, the co-author of 100 Things to Do Before You Die: Travel Events You Just Can't Miss, who passed away last week at the too-young age of 47. 100 Things included everything from the iconic (Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Brazil) to the random (World Cow Chip Throwing Championship in Beaver, Oklahoma) in destinations all over the world.

Freeman's sad death got me thinking about the places I'd like to visit in my lifetime, and because 100 seems like an overwhelming number, here are the top five travel experiences I'd like to have:

Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef
Watch the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg with my dad
See the pyramids in Egypt
Go on safari in Africa
Run with the bulls in Spain (or maybe just watch them from a high window)

Now it's your turn. What's on your travel wish list?

Posted by amanda.watkins at 7:14 PM

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I've always thought La Tomatina in Spain would be fun. It's one of the world largest food fights! http://www.spain-info.com/Culture/tomatofight.htm

Posted by: Kristi Jutras at August 26, 2008 7:33 PM

My travel wish list
1 watch a soccer match between Barcelona and Real at the Nou Camp and Bernabeu

2 Attend the Rio carnival
3 A tarnsit at Dubai for shopping
4 Vist Nelson mandela in South africa
5 Visit Geneva to see the many banks that currupt people deposit their savings

Posted by: victor at August 27, 2008 11:48 AM

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Posted by: Tyler Hunt at November 12, 2008 5:29 PM

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Posted by: Eva Schultz at November 13, 2008 6:11 AM

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August 25, 2008

Racing for Vacation

The fall marathon season is quickly approaching and runners across the country are racking up miles in preparation for their big race. And why is that important for travel and tourism? Because from D.C. to Seattle, sports drink-guzzling, carb-loading runners/tourists will invade cities (and favorite pasta joints) across the country.

Each year, more and more runners chose to mix racing with vacationing. It's not surprising that the most popular destinations in the U.S. - New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco - have some of the largest participation numbers at their marathons. I myself have traveled more than a thousand miles for a race and my family came even farther just to watch. And the motivation for traveling such a crazy distance to run? Warm weather and the beach.

According to Running USA's 2008 State of the Sport report, an estimated 8.9 million runners finished U.S. road races in 2007. The same report states that vacation-worthy destinations are among the top reasons runners choose a particular race.

If you're thinking about taking a race vacation yourself, check out this list of top marathon races in the U.S. Personally, I think it's an amazing way to experience a city. Just don't plan any walking tours the day after the race.

Have you had a significant race vacation experience? Or have you unexpectedly traveled to a city during a major marathon weekend?

- written by Kristi Jutras, posted by Amanda Watkins

Posted by amanda.watkins at 10:39 PM

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This reminds me of those running tours that I've been reading about:

http://www.amazingrunningtours.com/

Posted by: Ian at August 25, 2008 11:49 PM

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Posted by: Jefferey Barrett at November 13, 2008 12:05 AM

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August 3, 2008

Ahoy, travellers!

The winds of summer are blowing strong and it seems to me that more people are starting to swap weekends at the cottage and traditional road trips for a fetching pair of sailor pants and matching boat. And why not? Sailing can be the ultimate vacation for couples, friends or families seeking a unique and exciting vacation experience.

Sailing offers travellers an eco-friendly trip with a luxurious feel and plenty of time for relaxation while discovering old world ports, calm canals or the clear Caribbean Sea. Some of the most popular sailing destinations worldwide include the Dry Tortugas, Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Santorini and the Turkish coast.

With hip social clubs that make sailing accessible to a younger demographic, adventurous twenty-somethings are quickly making sailing a visible and growing trend. What was once considered an exclusive and prohibitive type of vacation, sailing is now possible for many more travellers. It will be interesting to see if accessible sailing lessons, nautical fashion trends and sailor-themed bestselling novels with will have an effect on travel and tourism this season. I can't wait to hop aboard!