The JW Marriott Hotel in Washington DC Offers an Exciting Newseum Hotel Vacation Package & Tickets
Posted November 10, 2009 , comments closed) Washington, DC November 4, 2009 - More news is made daily in the nation’s capital than any other city in the world. This fall, the JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC gives guests the opportunity to experience news and history in a whole new way at the Newseum, the district’s latest museum. When guests book the JW Marriott’s Newseum hotel package including Newseum tickets, they will receive access to the museum’s five centuries of news history, plus high-tech and hands-on exhibits such as the same day newspaper front pages from around the world, Pulitzer Prize Photographs, the Berlin Wall Gallery, and the interactive “Be a TV Reporter” experience. And because there’s so much to see, the JW Marriott hotel is including a guaranteed 2 p.m. late check-out. With hotel rates starting at $209, now through December 31, 2010, the Newseum vacation package with tickets is available Thursday - Sunday and includes:
- American Breakfast for two at the Avenue Grill
- Two complimentary Newseum tickets
- 2:00pm late check-out
Newseum hotel package rates are per room, per night based on availability and exclude tax and gratuities. Terms and conditions apply. For more information or reservations on this Newseum hotel deal, please call (800) 834-6418 or visit www.jwmarriottdc.com. Refer to promotional code XY0.
About the Newseum
Just a few blocks away from the JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC, The Newseum is located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on America’s Main Street between the White House and the U.S. Capitol and adjacent to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. The exterior’s unique architectural features include a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment and an immense front wall of glass through which passers-by can watch the museum fulfill its mission of providing a forum where the media and the public can gain a better understanding of each other. The museum’s interior features an array of exhibits, interactive experiences, documentaries and stunning views unlike any other D.C. attraction. For more information, please visit www.newseum.org.
About JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC
The JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC, the first JW Marriott branded hotel, is within walking distance from the White House, National Mall, Newseum and many other national landmarks, as well as a myriad of shopping and dining experiences. One of the country’s premiere meeting destinations, the hotel recently completed a $40 million renovation and features over 37,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 14,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, and 22 additional meeting rooms. The JW Marriott Hotel Washington, DC opened in 1984 as a tribute to J. Willard Marriott, the founder of Marriott Corporation, predecessor to Marriott International. Today, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is a global brand with 43 hotels and resorts located in 20 countries. For more information about the JW Marriott Hotel Washington DC please visit www.jwmarriottdc.com.
10 of the World’s Most Unique Fountains
Posted October 23, 2009 , comments closed10 of the World’s Most Unique Fountains
Many of us enjoy the rhythmic sound of water. Spraying water. Rushing water. Trickling water. The sound of water gently lapping at a shore or raindrops on the roof of our home. We have water features in our yards and spend time near lakes and the ocean. Maybe it’s because our own bodies are 66% water.
Whatever the reason, if you’re missing the melody of water, and find yourself inland or in the midst of urban sprawl, try searching out a fountain to get your fix.
Jet D’Eau – Lake Geneva, Switzerland
This fountain is located in Lake Geneva where the lake empties into the Rhone River and is one of the largest fountains in the world. It is so grand that you see it from everywhere in the city and from a distance of six miles in the air.
There is a stone jetty that you can walk out onto if you’d like to get a closer look but beware, the fountain pumps 132 gallons of water up in to the air each second. If the wind shifts, you are likely to get drenched.
Peterhof Palace Fountains – Saint Petersburg, Russia
There are many fountains located throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site complex, with the most famous being the Grand Cascade on the northern side of the Grand Palace. It is a breathtaking sight made up of of 64 separate fountains, 200 statues and many other decorations, including an amazing bronze statue of Samson wrestling with a lion.
As you wander the grounds you’ll see many other water features including one that resembles a large chessboard, a pyramid fountain, and one shaped like a disk which shoots out water to resemble the sun’s rays.
Trevi Fountain – Rome, Italy
Rome is a city overflowing with fountains, but this one is the most famous. You’ve undoubtedly seen it at some point in a movie, or perhaps you’ve heard the legend about throwing a coin into the fountain? It’s supposed to guarantee you a trip back to Rome. Two coins? You’ll get a new romance. Three coins? Marriage or divorce, whichever your preference may be. I wouldn’t recommend throwing any more coins, you may go broke. I wonder who gets to clean out the fountain and keep all those coins?
The fountain is located at the end of an ancient aqueduct that was built in 19 BC. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, and is an incredible work of art. The design is of Neptune riding a chariot pulled by two sea horses & Tritons. On either side you’ll see the two statues of Abundance and Salubrity.
Magic Fountain of Montjuic – Barcelona, Spain
When I visited Barcelona for the Olympics in 1992 I assumed that this fountain was a new modern marvel constructed specifically for the Olympics. Little did I know that it had been created years before for the Great Universal Exhibition of 1929.
It’s been putting on quite a show ever since and is a definite must-see if you find yourself visiting this city. The sprays of water in the 164’ x 213’ pool combine with music, vivid colors, lights and motion to make the fountain appear almost to be dancing.
Bethesda Fountain – New York City, United States
Located next to the lake and near the center of Central Park in New York, this fountain hosts hundreds of visitors everyday for a myriad of reasons. People come in the summer to relax and cool off, moviemakers love it as a backdrop (it’s been shown in many films) and romantics spend time near it being, well romantic.
It was sculpted in 1868 by Emma Stebbins, the first woman ever to be asked to design a major piece of art for New York City, and unveiled in 1873. If you look closely you’ll see that the winged female angel holds a lily in her hand, a symbol for the fresh water brought to New York City when the Croton Aqueduct was built in 1842.
Chocolate Fountain – Cologne, Germany
This is not your typical fountain, but being a chocolate lover it’s one of my personal favorites. Judging from the 5 million visitors the museum receives each year, I’m not the only one. Trust me, dipping a wafer into the stream of chocolate pouring from the fountain and then savoring it, is reason enough for a visit.
The fountain is located inside the Chocolate Museum in Cologne. In the museum you’ll find out everything you need to know about how chocolate is made, beginning with the bean right up to the delicious morsel you pop in your mouth. When you leave there is a museum that sells postcards, books, mugs for hot cocoa and of course, chocolate.
Dundas Square – Toronto, Canada
The Dundas Square splash fountains are the perfect place for urban dwellers to spend a warm afternoon. They are located in the center of Toronto, in what used to be an undesirable part of town, but thanks to a city revitalization project the area was improved and the fountains and square were built in 1998.
The fountains consist of two rows of ten fountains each that run through the main walkway of the square. They were designed with the intent that people splash around in them, so the water goes through a filtration system to keep it clean. If you’d rather not get wet, there is plenty of room to walk around and just enjoy that magical fountain sound.
Court of Neptune Fountain – Washington DC, United States
This elaborate fountain is located in Washington D.C. outside the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. It was created by the sculptor Roland Hinton Perry in 1897.
The fountain shows a scene from the court of the sea god Neptune. Neptune is huge, about 12 feet tall, and is surrounded by the lesser god Triton, sea nymphs and other sea creatures and monsters.
Palais Longchamp – Marseilles, France
The city of Marseilles used to have a serious water shortage and in 1835, after a deadly cholera outbreak, the inhabitants decided they needed a supply of fresh water. They undertook the enormous project of digging a 53-mile canal from the river Durance. To celebrate the arrival of the water, the magnificent Palais Longchamp and fountain were built.
The fountain is a brilliant creation. It consists of four bulls and three female figures. The women each represent something different: the Durance river, grapes and vines, and wheat and fertility. Water pours from these into a basin and then a pond, eventually coming out of 12 bronze fountains lining a cascading waterfall area.
Generalife – Granada, Spain
Generalife is part of the Alhambra palace complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was the summer palace for the sultan rulers of Granada and was built by Muhammad lll in the 1300’s.
The summers were hot, so the gardens had alluring fountains in them to help cool the royal court. The most photographed is the long pool found in the Patio de la Acequia. It is surrounded by eye-catching, fragrant flowerbeds.
Read about author Deanna Hyland and check out her other BootsnAll articles.
Photo credits:
Jet D’Eau and Grand Cascade by stevesheriw on Flickr, Magic Fountain by colinjcampbell on Flickr, Bethesda by Photo Gallery on Flickr, Chocolate Fountain by The Voice Of Objective Truth on Flickr, Dundas Fountain by Kevin Steele on Flickr, Court of Nepture by wallyg on Flickr, Longchamp by orangejack on Flickr, Generalife by Marciela on Flickr, Trevi by khoogheem on Flickr
Asian Trails celebrates 10th anniversary
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closed- eTN Executive Talk: Palestinian tourism minister one-on-one
- Africa Business Summit in Washington, DC
- New cruise law about to set sail
- Launch of hotel bidding concept in India
- Korea’s candidate evades interview then picks and chooses questions via email
- Berlin tourism is fitter than other European metropolis
- Empowerment, flexibility, and networking to continue in travel
- Tourism cannot end under any circumstance, former ASTA head says
By
Luc Citrinot, eTN Asia Staff Writer |
Sep 30, 2009
It has been ten years now since Luzi Matzig, one of the most prominent personalities in Asian tourism, created his own tour operation. For eTurboNews, Matzig – who just celebrated his 60th birthday - gives his vision of tourism in southeast Asia.
eTN: What are the most dramatic changes you have experienced over the last ten years?
Luzi Matzig: This is definitely Internet booking that has revolutionized distribution and the way to do business. Booking engines are now into the hands of large travel groups that contract directly with travel suppliers such as hotels. Agoda.com has been taken over by Priceline and asiarooms.com by TUI. Tour operators such as ourselves are not anymore needed to book rooms. We just lost ourselves a contract with asiarooms.com as they decided to deal directly with hotels. And we cannot compete, as it would request a lot of effort and money. We have to adapt our strategy and concentrate on our core business, the tour operating. We just, in fact, gained Kuoni UK as a new customer.
eTN: Are travelers from today very different from ten years ago?
Matzig: We definitely experience[d] a strong rise in individual travelers. As soon as a market becomes mature, it walks away from group tourism. We see also emerging two strong types of travelers, both at the extreme. With the collapse in airlines and hotels prices due to increased competition, there is a trend for cheaper and ever-cheaper packages. But how cheap can we further go? Is it really worth the energy to chase those mass tourism markets producing a very small return on investment? We prefer to look after the other segment, FIT who looks after exclusive up-market products. There is more disposable money and less competition.
eTN: What are the products then that you can offer?
Matzig: These FIT travelers have very determined ideas about what they would like to do and when. Our strength is then to propose packages à la carte. We can arrange for a private car with chauffeur or offer a tailor-made circuit in southeast Asia. We see, for example, a strong interest for cruises as the choice becomes more sophisticated in the region. They are classical cruises on the Mekong River or on the Andaman Sea. Borneo is also emerging as an attractive cruise destination. We also propose private jet[s] for top travelers. We also find more holidaymakers looking for exclusive destinations. For example in Thailand, we see up-market clients moving away from well-known tourist destinations such as Krabi, Phuket, or Pattaya to go more to secluded islands. The last Kuoni Switzerland catalogue on Asia is a very good example of the current trend. It contains up to ten pages of stays and packages at little-know[n] Thai islands.
eTN: Did you also experience a shift in destinations requested by travelers?
Matzig: Indochina has seen the biggest growth over the decade with tourism booming in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and also Laos. Burma is coming back, rather slowly, but it went through a terrible time in 2008. I expect that Myanmar will double the number of its travelers next year compared to 2009… The Philippines is gaining in popularity, especially for Boracay with its fine beaches. But the most successful destination over the last two years is Indonesia. Especially for Bali, where it becomes extremely difficult to sort out an accommodation. The EU ban lift on air travel for some Indonesian airlines help us to design new packages. We propose again overland tours from Sumatra to Bali or propose tours to the Toraja in South Sulawesi in complement to a stay in Bali.
eTN: Is culture an attractive theme in Southeast Asia?
Matzig: It has always been, but as travelers are becoming more discerning, they like to link many cultural destinations with eventually a few days break at a seaside resort at the end of their tour. In Europe, travelers from France, Germany, or Switzerland are very keen at combining multi-countries cultural tours, such as Vietnam-Cambodia and Thailand. But Russians, Scandinavians, and Britons would mostly favor a single sea and sun holiday destination.
eTN: What are your predictions for 2010 for Asian Trails?
Matzig: We definitely will see a recovery, let[’s] say in a growth range of 10 percent. We are personally very happy with our position today and our presence all around southeast Asia. We do not plan to move to other markets as we estimate to remain among the best specialists in the region.
Kentucky Bed and Breakfast
Posted September 24, 2009 , comments closed
Kentucky has a wide variety of offerings as far as entertainment goes and it doesn’t all have to do with horses and bluegrass. Here you will actually find a huge array of cultural activities, historical landmarks and history museums, exciting outdoor adventures, and tons of family fun. In Kentucky there are nine different regions in which visitors can explore the diverse scenery and variety of activities. From mountains to lakes and rivers to rolling hills to green fields there is so much to delight the eye in the fantastic state. Whether you come with your family, your friends, or just your significant other you can be sure that everyone will enjoy their vacation in Kentucky. You may even decide to come back the next year. The cultural heritage and history that can be explored in Kentucky is both intriguing and exciting and everyone in your party will be delighted and mystified. Throughout the state you will find an extensive list of places to explore this rich history. In Lexington visitors can tour the Henry Clay Estate, the Constitution Historic District, and the Lexington Antique Gallery. A trip to Maysville will afford the visitor an in depth look at Kentucky history with the Old Washington Historic District, and the Downtown Maysville Historic District. In Renfro Valley visitors will have a unique experience at the Brush Arbor Appalachian Pioneer Homestead. Kentucky’s cultural heritage can be explored even further in Historic Augusta, an 18th century river town with a spectacular river walk. Munfordville is home to the Hart County Historical Museum, and the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve and Stearns is home to the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Wherever you decide to go to explore the history and heritage that interests you your sure to enjoy the best of the best. The history here is not only intriguing and rich but the way it is presented for the curious visiting Kentucky is a unique and exciting as well. The great outdoors is even greater in Kentucky. A variety of activities can be enjoyed throughout the state. Churchill Downs offers an exciting day with world class horse racing. Camping is a favorite of visitors too. From Ravenna to Whitley City to Harden to Scottsville a variety of camping adventures can be found, everything from cabin camping to tent camping to rugged camping is offered by various campground both public and private. Places such as Bailey’s Point in Scottsville, Barren Fork Horse Camp in Whitley City, Barren River Lake in Glasgow, and Bee Rock in Slade, offer an array of unique camping experiences as due the numerous other campgrounds. Water sports are a popular pass time in Kentucky as well. Canoeing and rafting, swimming, fishing, boating, and water skiing are all enjoyed throughout the state. Other exciting outdoor activities include hiking, horse back riding, nature excursions, caving, and national park sightseeing. However you decide to spend your vacation in Kentucky you and your fellow vacationers are sure to have the time of your life.
Funeral & Vigil for Edgar Allan Poe
Posted September 18, 2009 , comments closedHon, you may know Baltimore as Charm City USA. But did you know ‘Bawlmore’ is also home to Edgar Allan Poe? OK OK, so Poe was actually born in New York City. Whaddabout it?
Baltimore’s claim to fame is that Poe died here. He was found unconscious in the streets of Baltimore and admitted to the Washington College Hospital. He died on October 7, 1849, and was buried in an unmarked grave in Baltimore’s Old Westminster Graveyard.
Unmarked grave?! Now that’s something to celebrate, Baltimore! Very classy, burying one of America’s most famous authors of the macabre in an unmarked grave after he dies (of alcoholism? murder? disease?).
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary…
Edgar Allan Poe: Vigil, funeral service & more fun!
So how does modern Baltimore celebrate the author of The Fall of the House of Usher, The Murders in the Rue Morgue and the poem “The Raven”? With a midnight vigil and an open-casket funeral service, of course. But wait, there’s more! Addams Family actor and Baltimorean John Astin will help celebrate the demise of Poe, along with hundreds of expected mourners.
The body of Edgar Allan Poe will rest in an open casket during a public viewing on Wednesday, October 7th. The viewing will take place at his last residence on Amity Street in Baltimore, now the Poe House and Museum. In light of the event’s grandeur nature, the Poe House will remain open for 11 hours, from noon to 11pm, giving Poe fans due time to pay their respects. Admission is $5 at the door.
Following the open-casket homage, there’s a midnight candlelight vigil on Thursday, October 8, at the Poe Monument in the Westminster Graveyard. From midnight to 7am, you can present a personal tribute to the late Poe in verse, song or spoken word.
Finally, the funeral service! The City of Baltimore is giving Poe the send-off he never had on Sunday, October 11. An antique horse-drawn hearse, lead by a drum and fife marching band, will carry Poe’s body from his Amity Street home to his final resting place at the Westminster Hall for burial services. The service will include a number of notable speakers reflecting on the life of Poe, as well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Baudelair, Rupert Holmes and more. Admission to the service is $35 in advance and $40 at the door (children under 10 not permitted).
Exploring Poe’s Baltimore
The Edgar Allan Poe Tell-Tale Tour of Baltimore (thru October 17) gives Poe lovers the chance to explore Poe’s Baltimore (brought to you by the Greater Baltimore History Alliance). Collect a Raven Trail Guide stamp from at least five of the attractions along the tour.
Also check out the free exhibit “Edgar Allan Poe: A Baltimore Icon” at the Baltimore Museum of Art, “Edgar Allan Poe: More Than a Poet” at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and ghost tours in historic neighborhoods.
-Viator Travel Team