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Fun Travels Across the United States

LOUISIANA

Don't cancel your vacation plans, choose New Orleans. Room rates at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans start at $149 while value-added room package prices start at $179. The Iberville Suites, a hotel-within-a-hotel managed by The Ritz-Carlton, offers rates as low as $89. From discounted overnight valet parking to complimentary high-speed internet access and American breakfast, summer travelers can Reconnect, become Road Warriors, experience Non-Stop Luxury, be a part of the Crescent City Comeback and Bring Back the Big Easy.

When they arrive in the city, guests of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans won't have to break open their piggy banks to laissez les bon temps rouler, Cajun French for "let the good times roll.‰ In fact, the hotel offers at least twenty (20) items under $20 that visitors can enjoy and one is entirely free!

$1: Postcard
$2: Cup of French Market Coffee
$3: Sushi
$4: Pot of Café au Lait
$5: French Market Beignets
$6: Jazzed Up Grits
$7: Bread Pudding
$8: Bloody Mary
$9: Gumbo Trio
$10: Bananas Foster
$11: Mint Julep
$12: Crawfish Concierge
$13: Classic New Orleans Eggs Benedict
$14: Glass of Ritz Champagne or an Organic Green-tini
$15: Glenmorangie 15 year-old Single-Malt Scotch
$16: Kobe Beef Sliders
$17: Croft 1985 Port
$18: Ashton Robusto-Maduro No. 10 Cigar
$19: Ritz-Carlton Spa Fresh Lotion
$20: Mélange Restaurant's Summer Lunch Menu
Free: Live Jazz Entertainment (Thursday through Saturday)

Don't forego your annual vacation. With low rates, value-added packages and twenty items under $20, you won't have to break open the piggy bank to afford a memorable stay at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Prices do not include tax or gratuity and reservations are subject to availability. The hotel is situated on the edge of the French Quarter, in walking distance to area attractions and the historic streetcar line.

For more information on the Reconnect, Road Warrior, Non-Stop Luxury, Crescent City Comeback or Bring Back the Big Easy room packages, go to www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is located at 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112. For information or to make a reservation, please call 1-800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

New Orleans Travel Trends:

Supper Club: The supper club is back and Mélange restaurant is the #1 hot spot according to Where Magazine. Mélange, the hotel's new restaurant, has been transformed into a supper club with the Rat Pack stylings of one of People's "Top 50 Bachelors" Jeremy Davenport accompanying authentic New Orleans cuisine from the city's most infamous restaurants like Arnaud's, Bayona, Brigsten's, Broussard's, Jacques-Imos, K-Paul's, Mosca's, Peristyle, Restaurant August and Upperline to name a few. Mélange restaurant was just selected as one of the "Top 101 Restaurants' in the country by City magazine. Furthermore, if you want to spot a celebrity, Mélange is the place to be. Paul McCartney and Sting have taken the stage with Davenport as he sings and plays the trumpet along with Harry Connick, Jr. and local favorite, Kermit Ruffins. Where else can you find fantastic live entertainment, dancing and dinner?

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans offers room packages that combine "volunteer" efforts and "tourism," referred to as voluntourism. The package prices start at $430 and allow travelers to learn more about the city and give something back at the same time. The packages are called the Crescent City Comeback and A Night of Jazz.

For those looking to do the right thing ecologically, they can book the Bring Back the Big Easy package and a donation will be made to Operation Sudden Impact (OSI), an organization that is committed to planting trees to renew the landscape and decrease the carbon levels. Celebrities and CEO's are booking eco-voluntourism and voluntourism packages to give something back to this world class city. If a mancation or a girls getaway is more your style, then the Sportsman's Paradise or Steel Magnolia Sojourn packages are the way to go. Prices start at $1,100, but the experience lasts a lifetime. Experience everything that New Orleans has to offer, thanks to these unique packages, all of which will make you fall back in love with New Orleans.

Stress Reduction:

Relax tired, aching muscles after a long day's sojourn. Choose a Relaxing Swedish Massage, a Thai Massage, a Hydrotherapy Bath, a Prada Facial or a signature treatment like the Marie Laveau Voodoo Love or Café au Lait Detoxifying Massage. With over one hundred treatments, the city's largest and most award-winning day spa and fitness center has something for everyone. The spa and fitness center are open seven days a week. Does airline travel have you down? Since airlines rarely provide meals and airport fast food restaurants don't provide many dietary options, order a Ritz-Carlton Flight Bite. With longer travel times becoming the norm, take the stress and worry out of finding your next meal. Order the St. Charles (Garden Melt Sandwich), the Bayou (Muffuletta Half Sandwich), the Vieux Carré (Grilled Sirloin Burger) or the Streetcar (New Orleans Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich) a day before departure. Are you tired of carrying your luggage through security over and over again or losing it once you turn it over to the airlines? A day prior to checkout, request a Ritz-Carlton standard service, Luggageless Travel. A bellman will ship your luggage, making the airport check-in process a breeze while easing your lost luggage woes. To further ease your stress, the hotel offers a Sleep Concierge service along with an in-room bath menu as lagniappe, Cajun French for "a little something extra.'

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Maryland operates 66 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, The Middle East, and Africa. Over 30 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Sanya, Dublin, Beijing, Dallas and Denver which opened August 15, 2007. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognized outstanding customer service.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is located at 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112. For more information or to book a reservation, call 1-800-241-3333 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

The August/September 2007 issue of Vogue Entertaining + Travel AU lists The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans as one of the "19 Cool Hotels' in the world.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is the only hotel in the State of Louisiana to appear in the issue and the only Ritz-Carlton hotel to be selected out of sixty-four (66) luxury properties worldwide.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's newest addition is The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow and the company just received top honors as the number one luxury hotel brand when it comes to guest satisfaction. According to Vogue Entertaining + Travel AU, "Serene surroundings, cutting-edge design, impeccable service, luxe amenities: these hotels tick all the boxes, and most are surprisingly affordable." Additionally, only two (2) other hotels in the United States were chosen as part of the annual "19 Cool Hotel‰ list. The other hotels include: Adara (Canada), Hotel Duomo (Italy), The Eugenia (Thailand), Buckland Studio Retreat (Australia), Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea (Jordan), Baghvan, Pench National Park & Mahua Kothi, Bandhavgarh National Park (India), The Cocker (Agentina), Abbaye De La Bussiere (France), Hyatt Regency Kyoto (Japan), Riva Lofts (Italy), Me Madrid (Spain), Orchard Garden Hotel (U.S.), The Lodge at Tarraleah (Australia), The James (U.S.), LA Residence Hotel & Spa (Vietnam), Indigo Pearl (Thailand), Hotel Amour (France), High Road House (UK), Rania Experience (Maldives). For more information, go to www.vogue.com.au.

The article states that "The reopening of this queenly beaux arts hotel just before Christmas 2006 was a vivid reminder of New Orleans' pre-Katrina glories, while confirming that post-K life could be glorious as well. Ritz-Carlton decided to look on the damages inflicted by the hurricane as an opportunity, and it has plumped up the hotel's luxury quotient by upgrading the palatial spa and enlarging and polishing the already stellar staff. The hotel is a visual and emotional anchor for New Orleans, open to commercial Canal Street at the front and the French Quarter at the back. Stay at The Maison Orleans, a boutique hotel-within-a-hotel for the ultimate experience in pampering.'

Additionally, the Library Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is featured in the August 2007 issue of InStyle magazine as "What's Hot Now' in New Orleans. Mélange restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is listed as one of the "Top 101 Restaurants' in the United States in the July/August 2007 issue of City magazine. Since it opened in December, Mélange has been featured in The Washington Post, Conde Nast Traveller UK, The Boston Globe, The Ritz-Carlton Magazine, New Orleans Magazine, Where Magazine, The Times-Picayune, Offbeat, Gambit Weekly, New Orleans Living, Louisiana Homes and Gardens and Big Easy Magazine to name a few. Stella, also located in the French Quarter, is the only other restaurant from New Orleans to receive top honors from City magazine. In May of 2007, Conde Nast Traveller UK placed The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans on its annual "Hot List‰ of the sixty-five (65) best hotels in the world.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans continues to garner accolades since it reopened in December of 2006. Encompassing ninety-percent of a city block, the hotel features 527 rooms, one restaurant, two lounges, free live entertainment and a spa.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is located at 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112.

With stricter regulations, airline travel has become a stressful endeavor. Whether travelers are coming to New Orleans to celebrate the 4th of July, partake in the annual Coco Cola Essence festival or visit the city on business, they will be able to seek respite at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

SHIP: Luggageless Travel

Tired of carrying or rolling your luggage only to go through security over and over again? Prior to checking out of the hotel, request a Ritz-Carlton standard, luggageless travel. A bellman will ship your luggage, making the airport check-in process a breeze. Bags can be shipped for next day delivery. Guests can dial extension 14600, 24-hours prior to departure, to make the necessary arrangements with a bellman.

SNACK: Flight Bite

Since airlines rarely provide meals and airport fast food restaurants don't provide many options, order a Ritz-Carlton Flight Bite. With longer travel times, especially during the holiday season, take the worry out of finding your next meal. Choose the St. Charles (Garden Melt), the Bayou (Muffuletta Half Sandwich), the Vieux Carre (Grilled Sirloin Burger) or the Streetcar (New Orleans Smoked Turkey Club). Guests can dial extension 13500, 24-hours prior to your departure from the hotel, and place your order.

SINK: Ritz-Carlton Bedding

Sink into a plush, luxurious Ritz-Carlton bed after a long day of traveling. Enjoy the same relaxing sleep experience at home. Order everything from the double pillow top mattress to the pillows, linens and blankets. Guests can dial extension 14800 to reach the hotel's signature shop to place an order that will be shipped directly to your home or place of business.

SOOTHE: Spa, Salon & Fitness Center

Relax tired, aching muscles after a long day's sojourn. Choose a Relaxing Swedish Massage, a Thai Massage, a Hydrotherapy Bath, a Prada Facial or a signature treatment like the Marie Laveau Voodoo Love or Café au Lait Detoxifying Massage. With over one hundred treatments, the city's largest and most award-winning day spa and fitness center has something for everyone. The spa is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. For those who enjoy the stress relief that only comes from vigorous exercise, the spa's new fitness center features a cardiovascular room as well as a free weight area and it is open seven days a week as well. Guests can dial extension 18600 to reach the spa front desk and book one of the spa's relaxing, invigorating or detoxifying spa or salon services.

"We hope that guests will enjoy their stay at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and that we can alleviate the stress of traveling this holiday season," says General Manager Myra deGersdorff.

For more information contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations at 1 (800) 241-3333, your travel consultant or visit www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans is located at 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112.

Book The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans' Reconnect Package & Be Penny-Foolish and Pound-Wise -- The British are coming, the British are coming!

With the current exchange rate of two pounds to every dollar, Brits should go on holiday or plan a meeting in the States and be penny-foolish and pound-wise. On her recent visit to the United States, the Queen enjoyed a day at the Kentucky Derby and a meeting with the President.

Louisiana Nature Center

At the Louisiana Nature Center (Joe Brown Memorial Park on Nature Center Drive, New Orleans) you'll find more than “just a walk in the woods.” Opened in 1980 and recognized as one of the top five urban nature centers in the country, is a natural science museum; peaceful nature preserve with fine walking trails in the middle of a city; a place to check out the sights and sounds of Louisiana in a 7400 square foot Interpretive Center - filled with live animals and educational displays; naturalist-conducted programs about birds of prey, reptiles, mammals, the state’s wildlife; and trails that lead to a bottomland hardwood forest. And, at the Judith W. Freeman Astronomy Center (open weekends), you can explore and discover using supplied binoculars, field guides, dip nets and magnifying lenses; glimpse a butterfly or hummingbird; admire wildflowers; touch a snake, alligator, rabbit or opossum; enjoy lunch at the picnic area; make a craft inspired by nature; and take home a special book, birdhouse, or science toy from the gift shop.     

For further information, call 504-246-5672 or check web site www.auduboninstitute.org.

Iberville Suites Hotel Reopened

March 2007 signaled the reopening of The Iberville Suites and the addition of two hundred and thirty rooms to help meet the City's growing demand for room inventory, truly a suite success! The hotel is part of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans complex, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (452 rooms), The Maison Orleans (75 rooms) and The Iberville Suites (230 rooms). The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and Maison Orleans reopened on December 4, 2006 after a fifteen month, $100M renovation and restoration effort.

The Iberville Suites originally opened on February 14, 2001 at 910 Iberville Street in the French Quarter. Closed since the storm (18 months), the entire hotel, including all 230 suites, has been renovated. The grand lobby is adorned with fine antiques, fresh flowers and spectacular art, all of which was purchased at local estate sales and art auctions. The entire hotel has an elegant residential-style setting. Each room at The Iberville Suites features distinct living and sleeping areas, like most all-suites hotels. However, the décor, amenities and superior service offered at The Iberville Suites are what set it apart from typical limited service hotels. With all the grace and charm of old world New Orleans and all the modern world amenities guests require such as high-speed Internet access, dual-line phones, an in-room safe, a wet bar, a mini refrigerator, a coffeemaker and two televisions, the hotel offers the best of both worlds. Unlike other suites products, the hotel offers valet parking, laundry service, room service and meeting space for everything from corporate meetings to intimate receptions. Additionally, a newly installed elevator on The Iberville Suites' lobby level allows direct access to the spa, restaurant and lounges at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

The Iberville Suites was originally designed as a hotel-within-a-hotel concept, fully housed within the main hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. It is managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. and shares the same magnificent building as the "Crown Jewel of the Crescent City‰ a title that was given to The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans when it first opened in 2000. With a lower price point than the main hotel; guests of The Iberville Suites enjoy the best all-suites product in the City, featuring Ritz-Carlton trained staff, access to Ritz-Carlton services and a prime French Quarter location. Situated one block from Canal Street and one block from Bourbon Street, area attractions are within walking distance. For families, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and IMAX Theatre are just steps away while adults can stroll the streets of the French Quarter to discover unique boutiques, art galleries and antique dealers. Located only minutes from the convention center, cultural landmarks, museums and the airport, The Iberville Suites is ideally situated for both the business and leisure traveler.

The Iberville Suites is referred to as "golden" since it is the hotel where Halle Berry stayed when filming Monster's Ball, the movie for which she garnered a golden Academy Award. We promise to make each of our guests stay memorable, if not golden.

For more information on The Iberville Suites, call reservations at (866) 229-4351 or go to web site www.ibervillesuites.com. To book a meeting at the hotel, contact Group Sales Manager Renee Parks at (504) 670-2836 or via e-mail to renee.parks@ritzcarlton.com. The hotel is located at 910 Iberville Street on the edge of the infamous New Orleans French Quarter.

Almost every one loves visiting old homes. And the Davis Home Place at 804 Wilkinson St. in Shreveport is sure to delight young and old. Owners Terry and Marsha Gill offers free tours of their home which has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur.

When the home was built in 1916, Line Avenue, now a major thoroughfare, was still a dirt road. The house is made of cypress and contains many amenities of the time such as working transoms, push button lights, high ceilings and pocket doors. It boasts furnishings from the estate of A. J. Ingersol, one of the South's major cotton buyers, and his wife, Effie Dalzell, daughter of Rev. William Dalzell, first rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Rev. Dalzell, also a medical doctor, was one of the heroes of the 1873 yellow fever epidemic in Shreveport, opting to risk his own life to stay in the stricken city rather than flee.

The Gills also have on display Mary Montgomery Davis' wedding dress, A.J. Ingersol's pocket watch, Effie Dalzell's opera glasses and much more.

Call 318-221-3881 today to schedule your tour of this enchanting home. Artisans from throughout the Ark-La-Tex will be selling everything from fabulous jewelry and great photography, to delightful stuffed animals and a great variety of delectable gourmet treats at this year's Holiday Market.

The Holiday Market is the perfect complement to ICE! A Red River Revel Holiday Event. In its inaugural season, ICE! had more than 21,000 skaters and more than 40,000 spectators! As a result of this success, artisans from throughout our area are flocking to this year's Holiday Market which will be open for five consecutive weekends beginning the Friday after thanksgiving.

Sci-Port Discovery Center

The world's only open-access interactive laser space planetarium has opened on the banks of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana at Sci-Port Discovery Center. This hands-on science center will have some of the most amazing exhibits that can't be found anywhere. Visitors can create their own astronomy experiences at five computerized “Navigation Stations,” in this 25,000-square-foot, $11.6 million Space Center which expands the hands-on math and science entertainment center into a 92,000-square-foot attraction. The Space Dome Planetarium is adjacent to a two-story lighted Foucault Pendulum, Solarium with Sundial, rooftop observatory, and 90 hands-on astronomy, space science, and applied mathematics exhibits. 

“The new Space Center elevates Sci-Port’s impact and appeal on many fronts, including education, entertainment, economic development, and tourism,” said Al Najjar, Sci-Port President & CEO.  “The combined Sci-Port experience will offer a tremendous resource for visitors and students of all ages to stretch the way they think about space, science and mathematics. There’s nothing else like it anywhere.” 

Live programs, space shows, and interactivity in the Space Dome Planetarium are included in the general admission fee as part of the whole Sci-Port experience. One type of interactivity provides five computerized “Navigation Stations” where visitors control the action on the planetarium screen with desk-like kiosks outfitted with pushbuttons and touch screens. Teams will work together to dock a shuttle at the International Space Station or discover the position of the stars on the day of their birth. “This Space Dome Planetarium is much like having the universe at your fingertips,” said Najjar. “The openness to wander freely under the dome, participate in a program, or just contemplate the heavens will be available to everyone.”

Sci-Port’s Space Center exhibits are complemented by a full range of demonstrations and hands-on workshops for visitors of all ages. Curriculum-based school programs will include all grade levels, with an emphasis on middle school through college. New programs will also be unveiled in the science center’s original Discovery Areas, featuring newly refurbished exhibits exploring the Red River, physiology, technology, physical science, and children’s science.                                                            

Other Sci-Port Space Center features include:

--The 32-foot-long, lighted Foucault Pendulum that rings individual chimes, set on the circumference of a circle, which “turn” into the pendulum’s swinging path.  The fascinating-to-watch concept proves that the Earth rotates.

--The Solarium with Sundial combines scenery with science – an elevated view of two cities, Shreveport and Bossier City, the Red River that separates them; and a unique 20-foot sundial that also functions as a skylight.

--60 interactive astronomy and space science exhibits that are presented in clustered themes, including Exploring Space, The Solar System, The Sky, Flight, and Deep Space. 

--The Rooftop Terrace and Observatory’s Hydrogen Alpha and White Light Telescopes, safely viewing spots, prominences, the corona, and the photosphere of our Sun.

--30 hands-on applied math exhibits in two clusters - Go Figure and Measure Up - that focus on measurement, logic, and statistics. 

 The Sci-Port's original building, which includes 200 interactive science exhibits, Louisana's only IMAX Dome Theater, a gift shop and cafe, have been completely refurbished. Since opening in November 1998, Sci-Port has served more than 200,000 visitors a year with daily-changing public and school programs, IMAX films, exhibitions and community events—plus teacher workshops, camp-ins, birthday party programs, guest speakers and traveling science carnivals. Of these visitors, 80,000 per year have been students and teachers who have used Sci-Port as a curriculum-rich laboratory for maximizing student preparation for standardized assessment tests now required as part of No Child Left Behind. 

Location:

Sci-Port is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway on the Downtown Shreveport-Bossier Riverfront. For hours, price and program information, or to arrange a student or group visit, call toll-free 877-7224-7678 or check web site www.sciport.org.

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All information and photography © 2007-2009 Arline Zatz. All rights reserved. Contact us if reprint permission is needed.

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