Looking for a nice east coast vacation spot where a post-card ready beach is your backyard? How about one where tons of fun activities aren’t hard to come by? For travelers who might not consider South Carolina at first blush, it’s likely they’ve never heard about one of the state’s best-kept secrets, Myrtle Beach, which lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This lively resort city is the largest and most developed community within the Grand Stand – a 60-mile stretch of picturesque white sandy beaches that attracts hordes of vacationers each year. Though today the city has a population closing in on 30,000, the area along what would become the Grand Stand was largely uninhabited prior to the American Revolution. Myrtle Beach became a city in 1957, some nineteen years after becoming an official town.
It’s no surprise, moreover, that such water sport activities as scuba diving, canoeing, jet skiing, sailing and surfing are amon
g the area’s most popular draws. Avid shoppers can revel in the hustle and bustle of Coastal Grand Mall, the largest mall in South Carolina. Park goers flock to Myrtle Beach State Park, whose Nature Center includes everything from live reptiles and saltwater aquariums to natural history displays. Set on 350 acres in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Broadway at the Beach is reputed as one of the area’s premier shopping and entertainment hot spots, as it is home to 17 restaurants, 3 theaters, several nightclubs and more than 100 specialty shops. If you’re a golf fan, you can practice your swing on a bevy of world-class golf courses found throughout the city; those traveling for business can always hold meetings at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Started in 1951, Myrtle Beach’s annual Sun Fun Festival is the longest running event in the city’s history and includes two days of free live entertainment, professional sporting events, concerts and kids’ activities.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation or romantic getaway, the Atlantic Breeze Ocean Resort offers all the comforts of home plus exquisite ocean views. However, one needn’t leave the property to enjoy a good swim: The resort features a large oceanfront pool, lazy river, glass enclosed indoor pool and kiddie pool.
If you have kids and a pet in tow, the oceanfront Ocean Park Resort should not be missed. One pet is allowed per room, and kids under 18 stay free. Travelers can sunbathe on one of two outdoor decks before cooling off in any of the resort’s indoor or outdoor pools.
Kids under 18 also stay free at the Patricia Grand Resort Hotel, located among such popular attractions as Broadway at the Beach, Nascar Speedpark, and Freestyle Music Park. Grand Central Station, the property’s brand new restaurant, offers the perfect place to please the senses. What better way to enjoy your steak or salad than while gazing out at the stunning Atlantic Ocean?
Plus, if you’re in town for business, you’ll want to check out the Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, where you can take advantage of ample banquet space for meetings and events of all sizes. However, it’s not all work and no play here; a fitness center, game room, restaurant and lounge/sports bar are on site to keep you well entertained.
So what do you get when you couple superb oceanfront views with a wealth of recreation, entertainment and lodging options, minus all the congestion typically found in bigger cities? Sounds like a memorable trip to Myrtle Beach indeed.
he Signature at MGM Grand
When you picture cities whose snow-filled winters are no less striking than its sweltering summers, which ones spring to mind? Denver, which lies just east of the Rocky Mountains and is Colorado’s most populous city, should definitely be atop your list. The city owes its nickname, the Mile High City, to its unique geographical position: Its elevation is exactly one mile, or 5,280 feet, above sea level.
g Goods Park in Commerce City, a northern suburb of Denver.
Super 8 Denver Stapleton
With February 14 right around the corner, many people are getting ready to proclaim their love and devotion to their special sweethearts. Candles are sure to be lit, cards exchanged, chocolates eaten and roses delivered on what is arguably one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year. Valentine’s Day lands on a Sunday this year – a definite plus for romantic couples wanting to get away from it all for the weekend. Whether you crave to spend it near a pristine ocean, amid the hustle and bustle of city life, or within close proximity to a world-famous theme park, the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding a romantic destination that suits your preferences. Pack your bags and indulge in a memorable getaway to any one of the romantic hot spots listed below.
San Diego
South Florida is well known among travelers far and wide for its exquisite beaches, tropical temperatures and sizzling nightlife. But here’s yet another reason to visit this sun-drenched mecca for shopping and dining this winter: It will the site of two of the most widely watched sports games in the world! Sun Life Stadium, conveniently nestled between 
otel & Suites
We’re just a few days away from bidding adieu to the present year and welcoming 2010, and with a new year come new opportunities to visit destinations you left off your travel itinerary in 2009. Whether you look to start the year in the heart of Times Square after witnessing the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, amid the glitz and glamour of the vibrant metropolis that is Las Vegas, or enveloped in the sights and sounds of San Francisco – from the scenic Golden Gate Bridge to ever bustling Chinatown – the possibilities are endless. Of course, you’ll also want to book a hotel that fits your preferences, be it one that offers accommodations for under $100/night, free shuttle service to nearby theme parks, a complimentary Continental breakfast to start your morning off right, or a fully-equipped conference room from which you can host a business meeting.
The holidays are upon us and time is running out to snag great deals in top destinations. Whether you’re planning a fun-filled holiday weekend near the hustle and bustle of Times Square, in the heart of scenic San Francisco, or just off the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, getaroom.com has something to fit every taste and budget.
Despite a slowly recovering economy, many travelers are expected to feel the pinch well into 2010. Whether at the pump, grocery store or shopping center, consumers are grappling with skyrocketing prices and are finding it more difficult to stretch their hard-earned dollars. However, by planning ahead and retooling their spending habits, travelers can wind up with deeper pockets than expected. With frugality being the new cool in this sagging economy, here are a few money-saving suggestions that will help you stay merry and debt-free this holiday season:
If you’re looking for a change of scenery this holiday season, Amsterdam – the capital and largest city of the Netherlands – offers loads of exciting things to do and can’t-miss places to see. Sure, the winter is by far the city’s coldest and wettest season, with the sun setting before 5 p.m in mid-December. On the flip side, though, Amsterdam sees the smallest number of tourists this time of year, and this usually translates to cheaper rates on everything from airfare to hotel accommodations.
The holidays aren’t considered one of the busiest times of year for nothing. As we all know, they usually call for more phone calls, e-mails, luggage-carrying and shopping trips than the norm. I have found myself wading through bustling crowds of shoppers while simultaneously planning a business meeting and scheduling holiday outings with friends over the phone. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, life becomes pretty hectic when you’re barraged with so many things all at once, sometimes inducing headache and sensory overload. Luckily, a wealth of travel gadgets out in the market can minimize holiday stress and keep you organized while being easy on the pocketbook. These gizmos aren’t all work and no play — in addition to saving you time and providing added convenience, many of these products are even fun to use. Here’s a rundown of great holiday travel gadgets you might want to add to your wish list this year:
travelers don’t always have their laptops handy and instead opt for the traditional note-taking-with-a-pen approach. However, scribbling notes on paper later proves inconvenient when the material has to be sent directly to one’s computer, leaving one to do more work in the end. That’s no longer the case thanks to this nifty computer-in-a-pen device, which allows you to take notes that can later be transferred to your computer. Packed with various features including an audio jack, USB connector, speaker and microphone, it allows you to send colleagues hand-written meeting notes and itineraries without having to use a copy machine or scanner. As an added bonus, it also lets you leave the laptop back at the office or in your hotel room. Who knew a pen could do this much?