Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Awesome Hotel Wedding Reception
I love it when couples are so happy with their hotel experience that they post the event on YouTube!
Congratulations, Adam and Ashley, and thanks for choosing Landmark Hotel Group's beautiful Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk-Riverfront in Suffolk, VA as the site for your wedding reception! From the looks of this video, everyone had an awesome time.
I loved the sparklers!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Cancelling Hotel Reservations
There's a great post on Elliott with regard to getting the cancellation number when you cancel a hotel reservation, and an example of what can happen when you don't.If you read through the comments, too, you'll see another point that I believe is quite valid: advance purchase rates will have more severe cancellation restrictions, and quite often won't allow a reservation to be canceled at all once that rate has been purchased.
Read the fine print when booking those great advance purchase rates. Part of the reason the hotel is offering that deep of a discount is because it's guaranteed revenue. Be aware of what you are actually buying when you book it, and if you do book a rate that allows for a cancellation, always request (and hang onto) the cancellation number.
Hotel employees are people, too, and can make mistakes. Without that cancellation number, you do not have what you need in order to be credited back any "no show" fees the hotel may have charged you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
If the Sun Goes Down on Your Vacation...
You can blame it on global warming if you want, but we've seen some unusually damp weather in some areas of the country this season. While the past couple of weeks have found the sun shining brightly on Virginia Beach, there's always that 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms meteorologists warn us about. The following is information provided by the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau to assist tourists with "rainy day" activities should the sun take a little break while they're in town. As you can see, there are plenty of sights to see.
Check with cities you may have plans to visit this summer to see if they have similar lists so you can have a "Plan B" in place before the sky opens up!
When the Sun Does Not Shine, Virginia Beach Still Brings Adventure to Your Beach Getaway
With a mild climate year round, Virginia Beach offers the ideal vacation for any season. But every once in awhile, Mother Nature delivers thunderstorms and rainy weather. When she does, Virginia Beach offers a variety of exciting indoor activities perfect for all ages – which are listed below. From exploring the city’s rich history to shopping in unique boutiques, Virginia Beach beckons you to “Live the Life!” For information and images, visit www.vbfun.com or www.vbpressroom.com.
Explore the Aquatic World at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
No stay in Virginia Beach is complete without a trip to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the state’s largest and one of the most-visited aquariums in the nation. The aquarium is a perfect place to enjoy a rainy day with the family, featuring more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, as well as more than 300 hands-on exhibits and an IMAX® 3D Theater. The Virginia Aquarium is preparing for a new exhibit, “Restless Planet,” to open summer 2009 which will chronicle Virginia’s ecological history and the spectacular forces that shaped the Commonwealth’s environment. The new interactive exhibits will include a volcanic display, coastal desert and peat swamps.
Delight in a Day of Shopping Mania
From sophisticated to hip to classic, shopping choices abound in Virginia Beach. With malls, boutiques and shopping centers nearby, a rainy day at the beach can be a blast. The Resort Area offers 40 blocks of souvenir shops, surf shops, boutiques, art galleries, and craft shops. While strolling along Atlantic Avenue, stop in at one of the best restaurants in town and savor the succulent, Coastal Cuisine. The new downtown area of Virginia Beach, Town Center, offers luxurious shopping, dining and entertainment. Town Center is home to premier restaurants and retail stores, such as Sonoma Wine Bar, Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Ann Taylor LOFT, Cache, Jones Art Gallery, and The Royal Chocolate. Lynnhaven Mall, one of the largest malls on the East Coast, features over 180 specialty stores, services, eateries and a movie theater. For a wide variety of shopping centers, check out the Hilltop Area of Virginia Beach, where shops range from popular merchants such as Williams-Sonoma and Talbots to unique boutiques such as Simply Selma’s and local fine dining establishments such as Aldo’s Ristorante.
Discover a new Masterpiece at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
One of southeastern Virginia’s leading art institutions, the Contemporary Art Center’s mission is to teach visitors about contemporary art through changing exhibits, studio art classes, and special events. Regularly scheduled changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed artists as well as artists of national and regional renown. Founded in 1952, the CACV has produced Virginia Beach’s Boardwalk Art Show for nearly 50 years.
Enjoy Music and Entertainment at Area Restaurants
Throughout the year, local restaurants pulsate with music and entertainment. From area bands and local musicians, to outdoor bars overlooking the oceanfront, there is never a dull moment in Virginia Beach restaurants. Or, explore the 17 city blocks of the Town Center, where you can enjoy a night of laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, or enjoy free entertainment in the plazas.
Step back in time at the Historic Homes and Museums
Peek back in time at The Old Coast Guard Station, a 1903 former U.S. Life Saving Station. The museum features rescue equipment used by turn-of-the-century surf men to save shipwrecked crews from a watery grave. Explore the lives of Virginia’s first permanent residents at the Adam Thoroughgood House (1680), as well as other historic homes such as the Lynnhaven House (1725), the Ferry Plantation House (1740), and the Francis Land House (late 1700s). All homes are open to the public for tours and host interpretative programs.
Lift your Soul at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Located in Town Center, the breathtaking new Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a 1,300 seat venue hosting regional and national artists in the arenas of dance, music and theater. With only 100 feet separating the front of the stage and the furthest seat in the house, the Sandler Center generates a European feel because of the audience’s proximity to the performers. The Center features flawless acoustics, and a comfortable interior. The flexible acoustical environment is capable of conveying both precise intelligibility of the spoken word and the full, warm resonance of a symphony orchestra. A state-of-the-art sound system clearly showcases such genres as jazz, pop, and musical theatre.
Test Your Culinary Skills
Children learn the importance and value of cooking in a safe setting that encourages creativity and discovery at the Young Chefs Academy. With a different cooking theme every month, and new recipes each week, in one month you may discover new tastes from a culinary master while another you may learn how to prepare traditional old world dishes of Italian Cuisine.
Indulge in Your Sweet Tooth
Anyone who has a sweet tooth can indulge in a chocolate tasting at the Royal Chocolate at the Virginia Beach Town Center. Learn about the origins of chocolates from all over the world, help you understand how chocolate beans are grown and processed, tour the facility, and of course, savor delectable chocolate.
Enjoy Local Indoor Pools
There is no better time to enjoy an indoor pool than when the weather is rainy. Many of the oceanfront hotels offer indoor pools or check out the local recreation centers. The Seatack, Princess Anne, Great Neck, and Bayside Recreation Centers all offer indoor pools and are located within minutes of the oceanfront. A visitor pass for adults 18 years and up is $7; for children 3-17 is $5.
Old Fashion Games with a Twist
Combining the classic games of tag and hide and seek with a high-tech twist, Laser Quest is fun for the whole family. Using the most sophisticated laser tag equipment available, people of all ages will play in a large, multi-level arena featuring specialty lighting, swirling fog and heart-pounding music.
Test Your Skills Climbing the Rock Wall
Enjoy an afternoon of rock climbing with the family at Virginia Beach Rock Gym. The state-of-the-art climbing facility features a climbing tower, boulders, and a pro shop. Climb the 32-foot Main Wall, a rugged textured surface with realistic edges, corners, and bulges. The Rock Gym has everything you need from rental equipment such as shoes and harnesses, to group classes that teach you the basis of climbing.
Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” every season of the year! Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit the Web site www.vbfun.com for online trip planning.
Check with cities you may have plans to visit this summer to see if they have similar lists so you can have a "Plan B" in place before the sky opens up!
When the Sun Does Not Shine, Virginia Beach Still Brings Adventure to Your Beach Getaway
With a mild climate year round, Virginia Beach offers the ideal vacation for any season. But every once in awhile, Mother Nature delivers thunderstorms and rainy weather. When she does, Virginia Beach offers a variety of exciting indoor activities perfect for all ages – which are listed below. From exploring the city’s rich history to shopping in unique boutiques, Virginia Beach beckons you to “Live the Life!” For information and images, visit www.vbfun.com or www.vbpressroom.com.
Explore the Aquatic World at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
No stay in Virginia Beach is complete without a trip to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the state’s largest and one of the most-visited aquariums in the nation. The aquarium is a perfect place to enjoy a rainy day with the family, featuring more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, as well as more than 300 hands-on exhibits and an IMAX® 3D Theater. The Virginia Aquarium is preparing for a new exhibit, “Restless Planet,” to open summer 2009 which will chronicle Virginia’s ecological history and the spectacular forces that shaped the Commonwealth’s environment. The new interactive exhibits will include a volcanic display, coastal desert and peat swamps.
Delight in a Day of Shopping Mania
From sophisticated to hip to classic, shopping choices abound in Virginia Beach. With malls, boutiques and shopping centers nearby, a rainy day at the beach can be a blast. The Resort Area offers 40 blocks of souvenir shops, surf shops, boutiques, art galleries, and craft shops. While strolling along Atlantic Avenue, stop in at one of the best restaurants in town and savor the succulent, Coastal Cuisine. The new downtown area of Virginia Beach, Town Center, offers luxurious shopping, dining and entertainment. Town Center is home to premier restaurants and retail stores, such as Sonoma Wine Bar, Funny Bone Comedy Club, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Ann Taylor LOFT, Cache, Jones Art Gallery, and The Royal Chocolate. Lynnhaven Mall, one of the largest malls on the East Coast, features over 180 specialty stores, services, eateries and a movie theater. For a wide variety of shopping centers, check out the Hilltop Area of Virginia Beach, where shops range from popular merchants such as Williams-Sonoma and Talbots to unique boutiques such as Simply Selma’s and local fine dining establishments such as Aldo’s Ristorante.
Discover a new Masterpiece at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia
One of southeastern Virginia’s leading art institutions, the Contemporary Art Center’s mission is to teach visitors about contemporary art through changing exhibits, studio art classes, and special events. Regularly scheduled changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed artists as well as artists of national and regional renown. Founded in 1952, the CACV has produced Virginia Beach’s Boardwalk Art Show for nearly 50 years.
Enjoy Music and Entertainment at Area Restaurants
Throughout the year, local restaurants pulsate with music and entertainment. From area bands and local musicians, to outdoor bars overlooking the oceanfront, there is never a dull moment in Virginia Beach restaurants. Or, explore the 17 city blocks of the Town Center, where you can enjoy a night of laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, or enjoy free entertainment in the plazas.
Step back in time at the Historic Homes and Museums
Peek back in time at The Old Coast Guard Station, a 1903 former U.S. Life Saving Station. The museum features rescue equipment used by turn-of-the-century surf men to save shipwrecked crews from a watery grave. Explore the lives of Virginia’s first permanent residents at the Adam Thoroughgood House (1680), as well as other historic homes such as the Lynnhaven House (1725), the Ferry Plantation House (1740), and the Francis Land House (late 1700s). All homes are open to the public for tours and host interpretative programs.
Lift your Soul at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Located in Town Center, the breathtaking new Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a 1,300 seat venue hosting regional and national artists in the arenas of dance, music and theater. With only 100 feet separating the front of the stage and the furthest seat in the house, the Sandler Center generates a European feel because of the audience’s proximity to the performers. The Center features flawless acoustics, and a comfortable interior. The flexible acoustical environment is capable of conveying both precise intelligibility of the spoken word and the full, warm resonance of a symphony orchestra. A state-of-the-art sound system clearly showcases such genres as jazz, pop, and musical theatre.
Test Your Culinary Skills
Children learn the importance and value of cooking in a safe setting that encourages creativity and discovery at the Young Chefs Academy. With a different cooking theme every month, and new recipes each week, in one month you may discover new tastes from a culinary master while another you may learn how to prepare traditional old world dishes of Italian Cuisine.
Indulge in Your Sweet Tooth
Anyone who has a sweet tooth can indulge in a chocolate tasting at the Royal Chocolate at the Virginia Beach Town Center. Learn about the origins of chocolates from all over the world, help you understand how chocolate beans are grown and processed, tour the facility, and of course, savor delectable chocolate.
Enjoy Local Indoor Pools
There is no better time to enjoy an indoor pool than when the weather is rainy. Many of the oceanfront hotels offer indoor pools or check out the local recreation centers. The Seatack, Princess Anne, Great Neck, and Bayside Recreation Centers all offer indoor pools and are located within minutes of the oceanfront. A visitor pass for adults 18 years and up is $7; for children 3-17 is $5.
Old Fashion Games with a Twist
Combining the classic games of tag and hide and seek with a high-tech twist, Laser Quest is fun for the whole family. Using the most sophisticated laser tag equipment available, people of all ages will play in a large, multi-level arena featuring specialty lighting, swirling fog and heart-pounding music.
Test Your Skills Climbing the Rock Wall
Enjoy an afternoon of rock climbing with the family at Virginia Beach Rock Gym. The state-of-the-art climbing facility features a climbing tower, boulders, and a pro shop. Climb the 32-foot Main Wall, a rugged textured surface with realistic edges, corners, and bulges. The Rock Gym has everything you need from rental equipment such as shoes and harnesses, to group classes that teach you the basis of climbing.
Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” every season of the year! Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit the Web site www.vbfun.com for online trip planning.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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