In the hotel industry's largest move to a smoke-free environment, Marriott's 2,300 hotels and corporate apartments (which includes Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and
Marriott ExecuStay brands) will be 100% smoke-free by October 15, 2006.
This new ban will include all Marriott facilities' guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, public spaces, and employee work areas. At this time, more than 90% of Mauritius guest rooms are already non-smoking, and smoking is prohibited in many public spaces due to local laws. The chain will be setting aside designated smoking areas outside of the hotel for guests who smoke.
Our almost-four-year-old loves, loves, loves Thomas the Train. If your kids do too, then you might want to check out the schedule for Day Out with Thomas 2006 Come Ride the Rails Tour. He just might be in a neighborhood near you. And if not? Road trip! Complete with a train ride, magic show and petting zoo, your kids will think you hung the moon.
Got a half-pint running around the house? Then they might enjoy Texas's McKenna Children's Museum in New Braunfels. Whether it's trying out for the rodeo, jumping into space suits and moon boots or practicing their painting expertise at the Art Car exhibit, there are plenty of hands-on activities they're sure to enjoy. Admission is $7.50.
Are excavated ruins more your thing? Then you might want to pay a visit to the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Established in 1906, it was intended to preserve prehistoric Indian cliff dwellings. With over 52,085 acres, it has hundreds of pueblo ruins that date back 13 centuries. "The most striking are multistoried apartments built under overhanging cliffs. Cliff Palace, the largest, was excavated in 1909 and contains hundreds of rooms, including kivas, the circular ceremonial chambers of the Pueblo Indians."
Next time ... a new museum in Texas for kids.
Think your family will get a kick out of seeing some bats? Then you might want to check out the Carslbad Caverns in New Mexico. Every year, they celebrate the winged creature with their annual Celebration of the Night and annual Bat Flight Breakfast. This year, the festivities start on July 28th, "with opening ceremonies for the city of Carlsbad’s BatFest! at the Bat Flight program, where visitors watch as hundreds of thousands of Brazilian (more commonly known as Mexican) free-tailed bats exit Carlsbad Cavern in their nightly search for dinner." The Bat Flight Breakfast was actually started in the 1950's! You can find complete details here.
Tune in tomorrow when I'll touch on where to go to discover excavated ruins in our National Parks. Until then...
When people are planning vacations, they often think towards the Caribbean, Europe, and more exotic locales. But what about the good 'ol USA? Our country has 58 national parks, each offering their own uniqueness. And it's not all about parks.
Did you know that in the Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota you can hop in an 18-th century canoe replica for a guided tour? The park has 30 lakes and 900 islands and visitors can rent aluminum canoes on ranger-led excursions, even at nighttime.
Did you know that in the Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky you can crawl 240 below the surface to investigate the longest explored cave system in the WORLD. Available activities include cave tours, hiking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and picnicking.
Did you know that at the Acadia National Park in Maine, you can go on a boat cruise, climb high cliffs for beautiful scenic views, see a bald eagle, go on a ranger-led trip to see harbor seals and porpoises and attend a nightly campfire.
Need more? Check back in on Friday when I'll let you know what parks to explore to see bats, excavated ruins and go on Night Prowl tours.
And until then, you know who to contact for your reservations.
Maine is a popular destination year-round for vacationers, particularly during the Summer months. Whether it be relaxing along the coast, visiting a small island, or doing outdoorsy stuff, there's really something for everyone.
Country Living magazine recently had a small piece on weekending in Searsport, Maine. A midcoast village, affectionately called the Antiques Capital of Maine, you can find it on Route 1, and you'll spy "vintage finds, fresh steamed lobsters and sleep in a sea captain's mansion." Sounds like quite the well-kept secret!
Antiques - There are 17 dealers in the Pumpkin Patch Antiques Center and another 60 dealers at the Searsport Antique Mall. Still not enough? Pop into Gaul's for patterned glass and English transferware and Primrose Farm Antiques for ironstone, enamelware, antique furniture and more.
Collectibles - There are three outdoor flea markets in Searsport, with Hobby Horse being the biggest. Treasures & Trash Barn and Silkweeds also feature great finds as well, with the best stuff found on weekends.
Seafaring Stuff - Stop by the Penobscot Marine Museum to check out maritime art, boats, historic houses and a gift shop.
Inn of the Month - Country Living suggests the 10-room Homeport Inn, which was once a sea captain's home in Searsport. Rates start at $75/night, complete with a full breakfast.
Food - Coastal Coffee is recommended for breakfast and light snacks, Anglers for lobster rolls and fried clams and The Rhumb Line, for fine dining (reservations needed).
And, of course, if you need vacation reservations, drop me a line. Happy vacationing!
