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HotelHotline is pleased to announce our first contest based on the 3-1-1 travel procedures. To enter, submit a video less than 2 minutes long showing you putting approved items into a one quart-sized plastic bag in compliance with TSA 311 travel policies.

Submit your videos in AVI, .MOV, or .MPG format of not more than (120) seconds/300 MB in length to 311contest@hotelhotline.com before November 16, 2007 11:59 PM EST.

Your video will be judged on four criteria: originality, item compliance, item selection, and humor & entertainment. Twelve finalists will be selected and the grand prize winner will be determined by user votes. We encourage you to be as creative as possible; dress in costume, tell jokes, sing a song–whatever you think will set you apart. All items must comply with TSA policies and you can’t put more than four units of any item in your bag. So no filling a bag with 200 jelly beans. You can see the complete rules here.Voting for the winner will start on November 19 and run through December 10. The person who gets the most votes will be declared the winner and receive a Tom Tom ONE GPS System valued at $225. The two runners up will each reiieve a $25 American Express Gift Card.

So tell your friends and send your entries in today.

Looking for a unique wedding destination? How about Mystic Connecticut?

The pairing of land and sea makes the coastal city of Mystic Connecticut the perfect location for a romantic wedding. So perfect that Hollywood royalty, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, escaped to this resort community to celebrate their honeymoon.

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Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is a Midwestern vacation destination which often gets overlooked. With low-cost accommodations, interesting attractions and a number of annual events worth checking out, it’s a city that you might want to put on your travel radar. Although you might think that you’ve never thought about Madison before, it’s a city that’s home to a number of brand names that you already know. Oscar Mayer, Famous Footwear, and Pizza Pit all got started in Madison. You can take a trip to some of these spots to get some inside information on the industry and to see the kind of attractions that offer low-cost entertainment. (more…)

Kennebunkport! The name in itself is a tongue twister, try arranging travel to this quaint little port town, which is a few miles south of Maine’s largest and probably it’s most popular city Portland.

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Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, The Gateway is a multi-use entertainment and shopping complex that combines the historic with the modern. Included are dozens of shops, restaurants, a residential tower, a 12-theater cinema complex, an IMAX theater, the Clark Planetarium, and the former Union Pacific Train Depot, which now may be rented for weddings, parties, and other private functions.

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Madison, Wisconsin conjures up different images for different people. Those who remember the Vietnam War will think of the town as a hippie Mecca with anti war protests and at least one fatal bombing. Current college students routinely mark their calendars and try to make the trek to the annual Halloween Bash on State Street. Sports fans are well aware of the Badger’s ability to dominate in more than one discipline. And outdoor enthusiasts are well versed in the many lakes, parks and nature areas that thrive in this eco-friendly community. Unbelievably, all of these views of Madison, Wisconsin are accurate.

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By the sounds of things, it sounds like Rocky Mountain air is good for you. The citizens of Denver, Colorado have set the model standard for city living, as only 20% of adult population is overweight. That speaks volumes about a quality standard of living that Denver offers to both its residents as well as those who come here on vacation. With the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, people tend to think that there isn’t much going on for city life besides the Great Outdoors. LoDo, aka the Lower Downtown Historic District, proves this notion wrong, as it’s the hippest and most exciting part of town. It’s hard to believe that this 23+ square block area is home to the Colorado Rockies, the Opera Colorado, the Museum of Contemporary Art to name just a few of the attractions. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, it’s easy to see why people want to spend so much time outdoors. There is an abundance of bike paths in addition to park-lined paths running parallel to the banks of the South Platte River. A day trip out of the city leads you to the spectacular Rocky Mountains where limitless outdoor adventures beckon you. There are hundreds of miles of hiking possibilities or test your teamwork skills with a whitewater rafting excursion. Denver, CO is the perfect city to visit if you feel that you are in a fitness rut and looking for some inspiration. Of course, you may end up liking it so much that you consider the ultimate lifestyle change and relocate here!

Honolulu is America’s paradise. Blessed with a temperate climate, miles of beach, and a carefree island lifestyle, the city is a favorite of honeymooners, families, and anyone looking for a island flair with American customs. The city is also a vibrant business center and home to a plethora of shopping and restaurants. Among the best of the things to see and do in Honolulu are:

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Whatever your interests, there’s probably something to amuse you in a diverse town like Salt Lake City. Here are just a few of the key attractions the capital of Utah has to offer:

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The kick-off event at the US Open each year is Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.

Arthur Ashe was the first African American man to win a Grand Slam championship and be ranked #1 tennis player in the world. Off the court, he was active in many social causes and co-founded the National Junior Tennis Leaugue, which benefits from some of the proceeds of Arthur Ashe Kids Day. Ashe died of complications from AIDS on February 6, 1993. (more…)

Marine animal lovers can make a perfect family trip to Virginia Beach pretty much all-year round: whether you want to see the whales in winter or the dolphins in summer, there’s always something to do, and the Virginia Aquarium is open all year round.

In winter, you can head to Virginia Beach to see the humpback and fin whales. From just before Christmas until the end of March, whale watching boat tours make a great half-day adventure excursion from Virginia Beach. Most whale watching cruises go for between two and three hours and prices can be around $20-$25. If luck’s with you, you’ll be able to see both the enormous fin whales (they’re the second largest kind after blue whales, and can be up to 80 feet long) and slightly smaller humpback whales (their length could be up to 50 feet).

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I was “stranded” in Anchorage, Alaska a few years back. I was put on a news story in the area, and had my flight delayed by 3 days. To beat my frustration, and the fact that I was there alone, I thought I’d do some sightseeing. What I didn’t expect was to have the greatest and most fulfilling mini vacation of my life.
What did I love about Anchorage, Alaska?

Anchorage is steeped in the history of nature, fisherman and our Native Indian forbearers, and the Anchorage Museum of History and Art explored every aspect of Anchorage’s rich history, and the legacy of Russian influence on My absolute favorite sight in Anchorage was completely breathtaking – and completely free! It was the winter wonder of the borealis lighting up the Alaskan sky. You’d swear you were looking at heaven.

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The crisp fall air, the dramatic colors of the changing leaves, and the cozy comforts of small romantic inns all combine to make a fall foliage trip an excellent choice for a fall getaway. The scenery is lovely throughout the Northeastern and Midwestern United States as well as Eastern Canada, but a few destinations stand out for their combination of beautiful landscapes and romantic bed and breakfast inns and lodges.Our favorites are:

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Okay, we all know that Tony Bennett left his heart there, we’ve seen Burt Lancaster with his birds on Alcatraz, heard Dirty Harry ask “if we felt lucky” and we know it’s the “city by the bay.”

Now that we have all the cliche’s out of our system let’s move on…and just begin with.. you’re going to love San Francisco!

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Frank Sinatra once sang that “his kind of town is Chicago,” and frankly it would be my kind of town too if you didn’t have to deal with the fierce winters. Chicago is the epicenter of the Midwest and has it going on in every area. The Magnificent Mile, otherwise known as Michigan Avenue, features the best of the high end retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co, and Chanel just to name a few n addition to many one of a kind shopping experiences. Where else, besides the American Girl store can a little girl don an outfit identical to her favorite doll and have a traditional tea party? Chicago is a sports junkie’s or a bookie’s dream as the city is filled with terrific sports teams, da Bears (who choked during their most recent Superbowl experience), the Bulls who have won many championships in their time, and their beloved baseball teams the White Sox and Cubs. Taste of Chicago has already passed for the year, but serves as a great introduction to the mouth-watering cuisine of the city. The festival draws upwards of 3 million people and offers a sampling of more than 70 restaurants in Chi Town. In addition to the food, several nationally known music acts perform for free and there is a spectacular firework show held on July 3rd. The Navy Pier is a fabulous place for the whole family, and young and old alike enjoy the Ferris wheel and the Merry-Go-Round. Not to be missed for architecture buffs is the Architecture Boat cruise, which sails the Chicago River and an expert points out where historically significant events happened and buildings of importance. Chicago is a rather large city so it’s best to pick out a few activities and to stick to them. Flight deals are usually plentiful to either Midway or O’Hare so there is always an excuse to come back and see more!

Mystic,
Connecticut became a kind of hot spot for travel in the late 1980’s after the movie Mystic Pizza was released. It was just a romantic comedy but it showed off some of the small town charm of
New England and people were interested in checking it out for themselves. If you go to Mystic today, it’s a given that you have to stop into Mystic Pizza and have a slice. <!–more–>

But that’s just the starting point of what you’ll do on a Mystic vacation. Mystic is located on the

Atlantic
Coast and you’ll enjoy spending time on the beaches there. Explore the area’s sea history at the Mystic Seaport, check out the area’s water wildlife at the aquarium, and get out on the water yourself for fishing or just boating. All of these activities are especially great during the beautiful summer months in Mystic.

It shouldn’t go unnoted that Mystic is particularly good if you’re looking for a romantic travel destination. It’s a town known for its charm and is filled with bed-and-breakfasts that exhibit that charm in a cozy way. There are spas and resorts for indoor relaxation. And there are wineries in the area to enjoy with your lover. The whole place sparkles with romance.

And if the romance goes awry and you need to escape for a little while (or if you just want something to with your partner) you can always check out the casinos that are located in and around Mystic. You might win a little money and you’re sure to have a lot of fun. Dining and entertainment make these spots even more appealing to most Mystic visitors. Whether gaming or soaking up the sun, you’re sure to bring memories home from a Mystic trip.

Looking for a 5-star vacation in Nashville, Tennessee? Give the Hermitage a try. This hotel in the heart of Nashville was one of only six hotels in the country added to the prestigious Mobile Travel Guide. The Guide features only 37 hotels, inns, and resorts in North America and bases its recommendations on a combination of cost, quality, comfort, amenities and services.

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Where can you go to experience American history and the modern life of the Midwest all in one shot? Cleveland, of course. This Ohio city is located in the heart of Amish country, just an hour away from the nature of the Great Lakes and the rides of Cedar Point Amusement Park. It’s home to the Omnimax Theater, The Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame, the Metroparks Zoo and other attractions that blend history and modern life to give you a vacation rich in experiences.

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If you’re planning a trip to Boston where you hope to cram heaps of sightseeing, shopping and dining into your time, and are taking care of your wallet as well, then the Go Boston Card might just work for you. It’s a typical tourist card that offers entrance to dozens of museums and galleries, along with discounts at some souvenir shops, restaurants and bars.

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Known as the Las Vegas of the East Coast, Atlantic City is a spot loved by many for its gambling and entertainment opportunities. Like Vegas, it has some fancy places to stay as well as some affordable options for those who plan to use the room just to catnap between poker rounds. And like Vegas, Atlantic City has got plenty of budget dining and other travel perks going for it. But more importantly, just like Vegas, this city has got plenty to do that doesn’t require you to love gambling (although a trip here sure is better if you do!)

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The American Southeast is not all farmer’s fields and apple pie. In fact, my most memorable trip southeast was to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to the famous “Grand Strand”. On our way into the Grand Strand we stopped at a roadside diner. There was an elderly gentleman there who was only too happy to tell us all about how the Strand earned it’s now famous name, as the longest continuous stretch of beach in the United States, which actually trims 60 miles of the stunning South Carolina coast and it’s many seaside communities - such as Georgetown, Pawleys Island and Litchfield.

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The Los Angeles area has enough attractions to keep a visitor (or a resident) busy for a year or more. Some of the attractions have become iconic, such as Grauman’s Chinese Theater (pictured at above) and Disneyland. Others are a little more esoteric, but no less interesting, such as the J.P. Getty Museum. If you’re planning a visit to Southern California, make sure to visit one or more of these top L.A. attractions:

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Think Detroit, think automobiles, think the Henry Ford Museum. Of course, there’s a lot more than cars to the Henry Ford, with permanent exhibitions of planes and trains, too. And right now they’ve got a really cool exhibit showing called Rock Stars’ Cars and Guitars, which features, well, cars and guitars that belong - or once belonged - to famous people!

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If you’re planning a weekend trip to Dallas, you might want to think twice. You’re going to need at least a week to even skim the surface of all that there is to see in Dallas. From the vibrant downtown arts scene to the surrounding natural environment, you’ll find that there’s plenty to keep you occupied in this Texas-sized city.

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What would you do if you decided to take a trip to Atlanta, Georgia? Would you explore the historical landmarks that tell the story of civil rights and America’s past? Would you go check out the pseudo-Mount-Rushmore statues at Stone Mountain? Or would you simply stroll through the area soaking up Southern charm and hospitality while sipping on your sweetened iced tea? You can do all of these things and more depending on how much time you want to spend in Atlanta.

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If you want to get a bit cultural on your next trip to Phoenix , be sure to check out the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art on the corner of Central and Encanto. It’s been running nearly 80 years now and has one of the best collections of American Indian jewelry, fine art, fashion and cultural objects around.

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While many of us still think of the pictures of a flood damaged city, ravaged by nature, the time has come to move on. New Orleans is open for business – and eagerly awaits your arrival. This unconquerable city was chosen by “Travel & Leisure” as one of their top destinations for 2007 and the New York Times called it the “Comeback of the Year”.

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Portland, located at the juncture of the Williamette and Columbia Rivers in northern Oregon, is the state’s largest city and home to over 500,000 residents. It’s also a great place to visit, blessed with a temperate climate, scenic landscape, and plenty to see and do. Among the top attractions in Portland are:

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Las Vegas is truly a terrific place to visit - no matter when you go you will find the city to be one of the most exciting places to be. From gaming options to elegant hotels, to dining, shopping opportunities - Las Vegas does have it all!

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Year after year, Orlando Florida tops the list of best vacation destinations. It is easy to see why with all this city has to offer. From four major Disney Theme Parks, two Universal Studio Theme parks and countless other attractions - it easily attracts millions of visitors each year. Beyond the theme parks you can also find endless shopping and dining opportunities -the shopping includes every type of store, from tourist shops to high end fashion outlets. Dining ranges from every fast food restaurant you have ever heard of to 5 star dining restaurants. Travelers can visit and stay in Orlando on any budget - hotel rates start at $19 a night! With thousands of rooms available, you can always find a deal - no matter what time of year you are visiting. Chances are your favorite hotel chain is represented here.

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For many years, Virginia Beach has earned the reputation for being the “Redneck Riviera”. Needless to say, the marketing department in the Tourism Bureau has had a difficult challenge in trying to defy that stereotype.

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In the fall of 2006, Sienna Miller infamously dubbed Pittsburgh, PA as Sh*tsburgh in a Rolling Stone interview while she was filming the movie “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh”. While this caused uproar in the local community in addition to natives from across the country, it challenged the city of Pittsburgh to defy the accusation and to prove otherwise to the rest of the United States. Pittsburgh isn’t necessarily the first city that comes to mind when you are rattling off a list of glamorous posh cities; however the city is overflowing with culture and the people ooze with charm and friendliness.

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The largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Seattle sits between the scenic waterways of Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

Even with it’s breadth, The Emerald City still boasts some small-town charm. Don’t be fooled by it’s cool-to-mild climate, Seattle is more cloudy than rainy and is best visited during it’s ‘dry’ summer; which is likened to that of a country in the Mediterranean.

Culture

Seattle boasts not only a lively music scene, but a long life of performing arts including the reknowned Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Visit the Benaroya Hall or, for opera and ballet, the McCaw Hall. For more local and underground acts, check out the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Annually, Seattle holds an array of festivals and events. The 24-day Seattle International Film Festival, which runs from late May to mid June, is known as maybe the largest film festival in the USA and focuses on independent and foreign films as well as many new documentaries. http://www.seattlefilm.org/index.aspx

The free Northwest Folklife festival pulls together a wide variety of artists, musicians and performers. This Seattle staple will run for the 35th time this year on November 3rd. http://www.nwfolklife.org/

During Summer you can take part in Seattle’s Seafair events that encompass a range of small, local events that lead up to a city-wide celebration. Young adults will enjoy block parties and the like while families won’t be bored with a variety of activities catering for the kids, including parades, air shows and the Seafair Half Marathon. http://www.seafair.com/

During the day, check out Seattle’s Pike Place Market and the restored nineteenth-century Pioneer Square where cafes and restaurants line the streets. At night the area starts buzzing with plenty of live acts and drinking holes.

The Seattle Underground Tour

Something for the adventurous travelers, the Seattle Underground Tour is an organized tour of a network of passageways and basements below downtown Seattle. Originally the city’s ground level, these areas became underground when the streets were elevated around 1889 due to continuous flooding.

Since 1965 Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour has been taking visitors down and recently upgraded the tour to include more

Outdoors

Of course, there is plenty to do above ground and away from the city. Scenic tours and day trips through the Seattle waterways, including The San Juan Islands, hikes through the Olympic Mountains and the Washington State Ferries are just a few regular activities available all year round. http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/tours/

Lodging

Check out the Open Directory of hotels and hotels for Seattle for an up to date look at where you can stay.

St. Louis is uniquely situated between the Eastern and Western United States. The town, at the edge of the Mississippi River, played a big role in the country’s development as the last “civilized city” before heading west. Today, St. Louis is a vibrant and dynamic city, with a host of attractions for visitors and residents alike. Among these are:

• The Gateway Arch – The Symbol of St. Louis, this 630-foot tall structure is the tallest monument in the United States and commemorates the Louisiana Purchase, the expansion into the west, and the debate over slavery fueled by the Dred Scott case. Finished in 1965, the Arch sits on 91 acres of park land and features a visitors’ center at the base and an observation deck at the top. A tram takes you to the top; no need to walk the 1000+ steps.

• Anheuser-Busch Brewery – The manufacturer of Budweiser and Bud Light beers has been creating beer in St. Louis since 1852. Visitors over 21 may take a tour of the historic facility and see the brewhouse, aging cellars, and packaging operation. At the end of the tour, complimentary samples and snacks are offered.

• St. Louis Union Station – Opened in 1894, this once-grand train station fell into disuse in the mid-20th century. Today, the site is reborn as a shopping, restaurant, and entertainment mecca, yet retains glimpses of its 19th century charm.

• St. Louis Zoo – Consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the country (behind San Diego), the St. Louis Zoo sits on 90 acres and is home to over 17,900 exotic animals. What’s more: admission is free to all.

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It is possible to enjoy a summer vacation in NYC without breaking the bank!

Yes, all it requires is a bit of planning and some flexibility. If you have both of these things you can even spend your vacation in New York City!
What are some of the components of a great vacation? Let’s start with good airfare. It’s not easy but it is possible. Here comes the flexibility part. Most of us think of vacations as beginning and ending on Saturday. If you can adjust your arrival or departure dates you can sometimes save money on airfare. Try flying in on a Sunday or home on Friday.

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Summer Rocks in Raleigh. In August the place to be is Raleigh, North Carolina and the surrounding area. The end of summer is just packed full of exciting events for natives and visitors alike. (more…)