The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings.
Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.
Friday, April 29, 2011
National WW2 Memorial
On April 29, 2004, the National World War II Memorialopened in Washington, D.C. It provides overdue recognition for the 16 million U.S. men and women who served in the war.
The memorial is located on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The Capitol dome is seen to the east, and Arlington Cemetery is just across the Potomac River to the west.
A nice DC walk is to depart from WW2 heading towards the Lincoln Memorial. Your path will take you along the reflection pool and you’ll pass both the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials before arriving at Mr. Lincoln’s Memorial.
DC is a great walking city and I’ll mention a few more of my favorites in coming posts.
Lifetime TV Network to focus on value of using a travel agent
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has partnered with Lifetime Television’s “The Balancing Act” to show the value of working with a professional travel agent.Beginning this summer, the segments, titled “Travel with Confidence: Tips & Advice on Planning Your Next Vacation,” will spotlight travel and provide insight from an ASTA travel agent.
“We will be able to show millions of viewers across America how a travel agent can work with a client to plan an entire trip to meet their budget and make their travel dreams come true,” said ASTA President and Chairman Chris Russo.
The first segment, to air in late May, will focus on how travel agents save time and money, while ensuring that clients have an advocate working on their behalf in the event something goes wrong, such as a natural disaster or political unrest.
Although the true origins of the Easter Bunny may remain lost in the mists of time, folklore points to the springtime celebrations of 13th-century Germany. According to pagan myths a goddess of spring and the dawn made an appearance around carrying a basket filled with dyed-red eggs and a pair of cuddly little baby hares. This customs may have been adopted as Christianity spread across the continent.
Today April 13th marks the birth date of one of our founding fathers Thomas Jefferson. His participation in the creation of this nation and out form of government was very important. More scholar that politician TJ comments “A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement." How far have we strayed from these sentiments and his vision? A great place to visit in Charlottesville VA is his home and estate “Monticello”-Italian for “little mountain”. Plan on spending a good part of the day there! Another great side trip is a visit to the campus of the University of Virginia as Jefferson designed many of their original buildings. I’ve started to work on a Virginia Presidents tour but it still needs to be tweaked.
Recently-engaged travelers will love the new wedding package Royal Caribbean is offering in celebration of the upcoming British royal wedding. Available to purchase through December 2011, it includes a dedicated planner, photographer, tiered cake, rose bouquet and much more.Book your cruise and honeymoon with Royal Caribbean. Be sure to sign up for the new online gift registry, where friends and family can purchase excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments and more as wedding gifts!
Fore!!! God only knows how many golf balls that I’ve plunked into lakes, rivers, streams, bays, oceans and the great beyond. Now there may be a green solution to my errant shot situation-golf balls made from lobster shells! Got to get me a dozen! These balls are actually being developed with the cruise industry in mind. Years ago a ship board activity was to launch golf balls into the deep blue sea. With this new products that option may be back onboard your favorite cruise ship!
Did you know... that each U.S. household would pay $950 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry? $950 will buy about eight weeks of groceries for a family of four and will fill the average car with gas 31 times. Support the travel industry-get out of town!
Steve Call gets paid to tell people where to go as the director of the Travel, Tourism and Hotel Management associate degree program at Ohio University-Ironton. Professionally, he's a certified travel consultant and accredited cruise counselor and holds two college degrees. He has visited all the continents with the exception of Australia and Antarctica.
