My State-side Travels

I just returned from another Dani Johnson seminar in Pittsburgh, PA. This was actually my fourth seminar. These are not travel-related seminars, but more for people who own traditional businesses as well as entrepreneurs. I didn’t think I would be doing this much traveling that really wasn’t for pleasure. My husband and I had made tentative travel plans for a trip to Costa Rica and a cruise at the end of the year but these seminars popped up and we felt like we could not pass them up.

Unfortunately because of the time allotted for the seminar I didn’t get a chance to check out the city of Pittsburgh. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Int'l Airport, which was literally at the airport. I’m usually wary of staying in those kinds of hotels because of the noise from the airplanes but surprisingly it was not loud. The rooms were very well appointed: the décor was modern, in shades of black, brown, gray and tan. The room contained an L-shaped work desk and marble counters topped the bathroom sink and vanity. For the 2-night stay I was very comfortable in the king-sized bed full of soft, fluffy pillows.

So this being my fourth seminar, I guess I should tell you about the other states my travels have taken me. The first event was in Chicago back in April, which was held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Again, there was no time to see the city, as these seminars are only 2 or 3 days. There I stayed with my sister-in-law at the Sofitel Chicago O’Hare on the outskirts of the airport and across from the Hyatt. Gold and red furniture and linens made this hotel seem regal. My favorite amenity: plush robes in the closet. Free shuttle service took us from the airport and back.

The next seminar was in Portland, Oregon. That’s about as far west as I’ve ever gone in the States. Here my husband and I stayed at The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower. This hotel was located in downtown Portland with a majestic view of Mount Hood. This time we had time to check out the local area since we had a midnight flight back to New York. For lunch we headed to Typhoon! located at the Hotel Lucia. I dined on King’s Noodles, a non-spicy noodle dish with chicken and shrimp. For dinner we opted for American cuisine at Jake’s Grill. I noticed Portland is a very young and hip city that is also family friendly. I would definitely visit again one day in the future. One thing to note, this hotel does not offer shuttle service, but there is the MAX Lightrail System for access to the airport and other local attractions.

Dallas was the location for the third seminar. Here we stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental Dallas, in close proximity to corporate buildings on Dallas Parkway. Decorated in hues of gold and blue with rich mahogany furnishings, the room had a very relaxed atmosphere. Although shuttles were available to the local mall, we opted to stay close to the hotel. For lunch one day, we headed over to Freebirds World Burrito, about a block away from the hotel at the Old Town Shopping Center. The fun menu hosts an array of burritos with names such as The FreeBird, the ½ Bird and the Monster as well as “Not-Burritos” such as quesadillas, salads and “Bird Bowls.” It boasts all types of sauces from mild tomatillo sauce to habanero sauce, which consists of real habanero peppers and spices. Moderately priced, the food here was well worth it. A quirky plus: The walls are decorated with foil cars, flowers, animals and more, from its very artistic customers.

What’s our next stop? Currently it’s Atlanta, Georgia for a 3-day seminar in December. I’m hoping we can schedule some time to see what this Southern city has to offer.

By the way, Happy Birthday to my mom, whose birthday was on Sunday and I didn't get to spend it with her. Love you mom!

America the Beautiful

This Week at VastVoyages.com…

America's Most-Visited Tourist Attractions

Forbes Traveler's Most-Visited U.S. Tourist Attractions list pits the spectacles of nature against the drama of the man-made. While the list includes the thundering falls of Niagara, it also features the harrowing water chutes of Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean.

Visit their slideshow to view America’s 25 Most Visited Tourist Sites which includes Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, Mass.; Fisherman's Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif.; and the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

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Cruise Spotlight: America’s River Cruises

Sure river cruising is big in Europe but you can have the same tranquil relaxation from these barges and steamboats right here in the United States. If you’re looking for more scenery with less hassle, no crowds and no rush, check out Cruise West, Majestic America Line, RiverBarge Excursion Lines and American Safari Cruises. These companies offer cruises on America’s rivers such as Snake River, whose water source is the Rocky Mountains; the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon; and the Mississippi, which flows through 10 states.

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Great Deals on Florida's Beaches
3-night land-only stays including all taxes from:

Fort Lauderdale
Lauderdale Beachside Hotel $119
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa $339

Sarasota
The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel $189
Longboat Key Club and Resort $349
Ask about 7th Night Free

Tampa
Bilmar Beach Resort $159
The Alden Beach Resort $219
Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center $219
Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach on Sand Key $359

Daytona Beach
La Playa Resort & Suites $139
Plaza Ocean Club $149

South Beach
The Shelborne Beach Resort-South Beach $239
Courtyard by Marriott Ocean Front $349

General Conditions: Rates shown are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates may be restricted to specific dates, days of travel, hotel and room categories. Valid on bookings made thru 6/30/08, for travel 6/15/08 – 8/30/08. Availability is Limited.

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Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Gran Bahia Principe, La Romana, Dominican Republic - Spring Madness Sale
All Inclusive Rates start at $75.00 per person per night
Book by June 20, 2008
Travel by Sept. 30, 2008

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Aruba - 50% Off Sale
Receive 50% off your next all-inclusive vacation!
Book now
Travel by June 26, 2008

Excellence Riviera Cancun Fall Special - 25% Discount off
All Inclusive Rates
Book by June 30, 2008
Travel Aug. 18, 2008 to Dec. 23, 2008

Visit VastVoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.

Education can be fun!

Does the idea of waiting on endless lines for a 5-minute ride make you cringe? I’m not against amusement parks and such but sometimes the headache really isn’t worth it. If you’re looking for something fun and educational, look no further than Shiwani Srivastava’s MSN article Made in America. The author showcases several factories around the United States that allow visitors to see how things are made. From the frequently visited Crayola Factory tour, which features live demos of how crayons and markers are made to earning your degree in “Beanology” from Jelly Belly, the possibilities are endless. For a complete list of factory tours visit Factory Tours U.S.A.

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Cruise Spotlight: Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises

Did you know that you could cruise to the Holyland? Steps of Paul offers several itineraries that follow the footsteps of Paul the Apostle as well as other religious cruises. Upcoming cruises include The Virgin Mary Cruise: visiting sites such as Kavala (ancient Neapolis) and Ephesus and includes a Special Mass Celebration at the House of Virgin Mary; and the Steps of Paul and the Glory Bound Journey to the Holylands: making stops at Corinth, Jerusalem and Israel. Contact me for more information.

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Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Solaris Resorts Cancun - Summer Fall Promo
All Inclusive rates start at $93.75 per person/night
Book by May 13, 2008
Travel June 28, 2008 to Dec. 19, 2008

The Westin Aruba - Spring Medley Sale
Get 5th Night Free, Stay 7 Nights get $100 Credit
Book by May 15, 2008
Travel by June 30, 2008

Dreams Cancun - 4th & 7th Night Free
$50 or $100 Resort Credit, Unlimited Free Golf
Book by May 15, 2008
Travel by Dec. 20, 2008


Visit VastVoyages.com to book these and other fabulous getaways! Also don’t forget to sign up on our homepage to receive our Travel Deals and Steals sent to your inbox every week.