Resorts X Hotels - Vacation Zone

Aspen, CO — Based in Aspen, Colorado in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, Aspen Expeditions has been guiding and teaching rock, ice, ski & alpine mountaineering skills since 1976. With 32 years of professional guiding under its belt, Aspen Expeditions has just recently launched a comprehensive program of worldwide trekking, climbing and skiing adventure travel trips. “We want to offer our clientele challenging and exciting adventure vacations overseas and give them a chance to experience different cultures”, says AE’s Managing Director Dick Jackson. “The mountains around Aspen make for a wonderful backyard and a fantastic base to learn the necessary skills to travel safely in the hills. The Himalayas, Andes, Alps and high peaks of Africa are just some of the destinations we now travel to and make for a logical Next Step from the Rocky Mountains.”

And Dick Jackson knows adventure. He has spent most of his professional life climbing and skiing in the mountains of Colorado. With wife Paulina and daughter Tashi, Dick calls Aspen, Colorado home and is an active hands-on owner of Aspen Expeditions. Dick is an internationally certified IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide. He is IFMGA/AMGA certified in all disciplines of Rock & Ice Climbing, Ski Mountaineering and Alpine Mountaineering. He has guided climbing expeditions and ski trips extensively around Colorado, Utah and the West as well as Chamonix, the Himalaya, Alaska and Ecuador.

Most working professionals just don’t have the time or the experience needed to arrange an international trip. The logistics involved can be rather time-consuming, says AE’s Worldwide Manager Andy Crisconi.  
Dick has climbed and skied extensively in the Colorado Rockies, the Himalaya, Alaska, and the European Alps. His first ascents include the Voie Jackson in Chamonix, France in 1976. He was on the first American summit ascent of Himulchuli, Nepal in 1984. Dick has several first technical ascents to his credit in Colorado and Chamonix, France. Dick was a board member and President of the American Mountain Guides Association from 2001-2005.

Jackson states that “Aspen Expeditions distinguishes itself by its full commitment to formal guide training and certification through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). We emphasize this commitment and our 30 plus years of experience, together with the best equipment available in the industry, offer our students and clients the safest, finest and most enjoyable service possible! A student’s well-learned skills apply to an outing here in the Elk Range or when trekking and climbing in Nepal. What we teach are the building blocks for safe and fun worldwide adventures.”
    
With busy schedules and limited vacation time, more and more people are opting to arrange their adventure trip through a reliable tour operator. “Most working professionals just don’t have the time or the experience needed to arrange an international trip. The logistics involved can be rather time-consuming, says AE’s Worldwide Manager Andy Crisconi. “What we provide at Aspen Expeditions is a professionally guided trip and quality service at a competitive price.”

Whether rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, trekking or alpine mountaineering, time in the mountains will rejuvenate one’s spirit. “And it’s not just about the mountains”, says Andy. “It’s immersing oneself in the entire experience. The moment you land in a Third World country, you are overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. Once we let go of the hustle and bustle at home, we can truly start living in the present.”

Aspen Expeditions takes pride in the service it delivers and this is confirmed by our high percentage of repeat clientele and referrals. Our commitment to guides’ AMGA certified or trained status is Aspen Expeditions’ credentials. Come join us for a memorable experience. More at www.aspenexpeditions.com.

Niagara Falls, Ontario - From a 1930s honeymoon to modern family fun, Niagara Falls Tourism’s “Visitors Blog” offers an engaging way to view the Falls through the years with photos, video and personal stories from Niagara vacations. The Visitors Blog is an innovative feature of Niagara Falls Tourism’s recently re-launched website, which also include its own television show, called FallsTV, and other helpful planning tools.

The Blog serves as a way for those who have been on a recent Niagara Falls vacation to post their own photos and experiences–simply sharing their good times with others and offering suggestions about Niagara Falls attractions. Blog visitors may read the entries chronologically or view them based on categories including: Celebrity Sightings, Falls Fun, Family Time, From the Past, Niagara Falls, Videos, Weddings and What to Do.

From photos of Marilyn Monroe during the filming of her 1953 movie Niagara to a black-and-white video of a couple on their honeymoon circa 1930, the Blog illuminates Niagara Falls’ significance as a cultural icon as much as a natural phenomenon. More than entertainment and reminiscences, though, it is chock full of interesting and useful information–currently including photos and history of the nightly Niagara Falls illumination as well as tidbits about Journey Behind the Falls.

Anna Pierce, Executive Director Niagara Falls Tourism, notes, “The Visitors Blog will take on a life of its own and as more people learn about it, the information will be almost entirely driven by what our visitors consider important or interesting about Niagara Falls. We are part of an important new wave in providing travel information.”

With the “Visitors Blog,” FallsTV and a compelling new design, the new www.niagarafallstourism.com offers visitors something of the compelling sights and sounds they will experience on their Niagara Falls vacation. Enhancing this virtual experience is practical information about Niagara hotel packages, restaurants, shopping and special events.

31st Annual Colorado Balloon Classic will feature 90 hot air balloons, entertainment and festivities. Stay at the Colorado Springs Marriott and attend the event.

Colorado Springs, CO – As if the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains aren’t enough, this year’s Colorado Balloon Classic will add colorful hot air balloons to the sky. From September 1-3 the event will be held at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs and will include approximately 90 hot air balloons. This year Michael Glen, the first and only paraplegic balloon pilot in the world will fly his hot air balloon at the Colorado Balloon Classic.

Mass ascensions are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Large groups of hot air balloons will lift off together to form a panorama of colors and patterns in the sky. Live music, character performances, remote control vehicle demonstrations and more are part of the entertainment line up for the three days. Food and game concession stands will be set up and will provide the traditional fair feel to the Balloon Classic.

As darkness settles on the park Saturday and Sunday evenings, balloons will be set up, inflated and held in place for a luminous Balloon Glo®. The colorful balloons fill up and glow, appearing like decorated light bulbs in the night.

The Colorado Balloon Classic was organized in 1977 and has grown to be the largest and the longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain Region, as well as the State of Colorado. This free, annual family event is held each year over Labor Day weekend to provide enjoyment and to raise money and awareness for non-profit organizations and charities.

After enjoying the daily excitement, retire to the Colorado Springs Marriott just eight miles away and wake up with Pikes Peak outside your window. In addition to the fabulous views, the guest rooms at this luxury Colorado Springs hotel are also very pleasing to the eyes. Warm colors and modern amenities make this hotel the perfect place to stay during the 2007 Colorado Balloon Classic.

About the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel
This luxury Colorado Springs hotel nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak offers guests a breath of fresh air and spectacular mountain vistas. Recently renovated, the Colorado Springs Marriott boasts upscale amenities, delectable Southwestern dining, and elegantly appointed event space. A warm Colorado Springs, CO hotel great room greets visitors with a glowing brick fireplace and a rich wood décor highlights guest rooms featuring plush bedding packages and dual screen plasma televisions. Settle in at this tasteful hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado with a flavored tequila cocktail from the Lobby Lounge before succulence is served at Zebulon’s Grill and Tequileria. Spice things up in a 7,000 square foot ballroom or picturesque courtyard area, which provides beautiful backdrops for phenomenal corporate functions and unforgettable social gatherings. Destination area attractions are accessible from this centrally located hotel in Colorado Springs, CO where fabulous accommodations are in season year round. For more information or to make a reservation, call (719) 260-1800 or visit http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/cosmc-colorado-springs-marriott/

Sunset Beach, N.C. — Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center is offering a special “Labor Day Celebration Package” for August 31 through September 2, 2007. The resort’s close proximity to the attractions of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the pristine beaches of Sunset Beach, as well as the abundant on-site amenities at Sea Trail, make it the perfect place to celebrate the official end of summer.

The package includes three nights accommodations in a spacious one-bedroom villa, unlimited free shuttle rides from Sea Trail to the beach, and a Sunday poolside party that includes two tickets for free drinks. Featuring live music, the poolside party will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. During that time, an assortment of traditional picnic foods will be served, including barbequed chicken, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, baked beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato salad, pasta salad and watermelon.

The Labor Day Celebration Package is $69 per person per night, based on double occupancy and a minimum three-night stay. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come first serve basis.

More information on the Labor Day Celebration Package is available by calling (800) 624-6601 or visiting www.seatrail.com.

About Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center
Sea Trail is a 2000-acre golf resort and residential community with three courses of distinction and the largest convention facility on the North Carolina coast. A popular location for meetings and conventions, Sea Trail has over 60,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Sea Trail was the host site for the 2003 and the 2007 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

The recreational heart of Sea Trail is its three courses designed by Dan Maples, Rees Jones and Willard Byrd. Other amenities include a Village Activity Center with indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, an on-staff licensed massage therapist, supervised children’s activities and Magnolias Fine Food & Spirits. Sunset Beach, known for its extraordinary beauty and serenity, is a short drive east of Sea Trail. In addition, a huge variety of entertainment, shopping, nightlife and cultural opportunities are just south of Sea Trail along the Grand Strand.

Sea Trail is located in Sunset Beach, N.C., which is between Wilmington, N.C. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. More information is available online at www.seatrail.com or by calling 888-675-9237.

White Plains, NY – Looking for a relaxing New York weekend getaway that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Take a trip off the beaten path with the family or with your sweetie, and enjoy special hotel rates at the beautiful Renaissance Westchester Hotel, elegantly simple, and simply elegant.

Enjoy savvy savings at this hotel in White Plains, NY and create an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience. Book a minimum two-night stay and get a $100 Savvy Savings coupon good for a future two-night stay! Artful details, extraordinary comforts and helpful staff are plugged into the local scene to ensure that you enjoy an authentic experience.

The White Plains hotel offers luxurious amenities in a resort setting. Take a dip in the indoor pool or Jacuzzi, or blow off some steam in the sauna. For a breath of fresh air, try your hand at Bocce Ball, Horseshoes or participate in a rousing game of sand volleyball. The hotel is also surrounded by a number of challenging golf courses. Don’t forget to experience the exceptional blend of culinary delights prepared by Marriott Chef of the Year at the newly renovated 80 West Restaurant!

Enjoy a romantic Escape Package at a great value, and snuggle up in style. Take the love to new places while you live in the moment, and remember forever. With rates from $189-$209*, the New York romantic getaway package includes:

• Deluxe overnight accommodations with one king or two queen beds
• Champagne and truffles delivered to room upon arrival
• Complimentary turndown service
• Complimentary valet parking
• Breakfast for two in 80 West restaurant
• Late checkout at 3 p.m.

Guests can also choose to take a trip to the Renaissance Westchester Hotel and stay for breakfast! The Stay for Breakfast package, with rates from $179-$199**, includes breakfast for two adults and children 12 years old and under, registered in the same room.About the Renaissance Westchester Hotel
Delight in the resort atmosphere of the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in White Plains, NY nestled on 30 acres of scenic countryside in Westchester County. Situated only 35 minutes from New York City, this luxurious White Plains hotel in Hudson Valley is conveniently located near the Westchester County Airport, historic Hudson Valley attractions, world-class shopping, and challenging golf courses. Enjoy newly renovated rooms, as well as amenities for various recreational activities, such as an indoor heated pool, indoor tennis courts, volleyball courts, horseshoes, bocce ball, and a nature trail. Indulge in award-winning culinary delights and panoramic views of the surrounding nature at the newly renovated 80 West Restaurant. The beautiful setting at this Westchester County hotel presents a picturesque backdrop for a number of events, including business meetings, social gatherings, and wedding receptions. Experience a White Plains, NY hotel that expertly combines luxury and nature at the Renaissance Westchester, New York Hotel. For more information, call (800) 891-2696, or visit www.renaissancewestchester.com.